opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2675 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: Unified Higher Education Regulatory Body under NEP
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Vishaldada Prakashbapu Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2675

ANSWERED ON- 17/03/2025

## Unified Higher Education Regulatory Body under NEP

2675. Shri Vishaldada Prakashbapu Patil:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has set a timeline for establishing the unified higher education regulatory body under NEP 2020; (b) if so, the details thereof and steps taken by the Government in this regard particularly in Maharashtra, which has numerous universities and autonomous institutions; (c) whether the Government plans to ensure academic autonomy and institutional diversity under the new framework, especially in tier-2 and tier-3 cities like Sangli; (d)  whether  the  regulatory  body  will  address  governance  inefficiencies  and  streamline approvals  for  new  universities,  research  funding,  and  accreditation  across  the  country
- including Maharashtra; and
- (e) the mechanisms being developed to ensure transparent and consistent enforcement of standards,  particularly  in  emerging  educational  hubs  like  Sangli  to  support  institutional expansion and attract more students?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR) (a) to (e): The National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, envisions a 'light but tight' regulatory framework  to  ensure  integrity,  transparency,  and  resource  efficiency  of  the  educational system through audit and public disclosure while encouraging innovation and out-of-the-box ideas through autonomy, good governance, and empowerment. The NEP, 2020 further envisions setting up of a Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) as an umbrella body with independent verticals to performs distinct functions of regulation, accreditation, funding, and academic standard setting. Considering the above vision of NEP 2020, the Ministry is in the process of drafting a HECI Bill.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2667 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: Sant Shri Sevalal Maharaj Jayanti
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Smt. D K Aruna

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOKSABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.2667 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.03.2025

## SANT SHRI SEVALAL MAHARAJ JAYANTI

## 2667 SMT. D K ARUNA

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  declare  and  give  official  recognition  and nationwide celebrations of Sant Shri Sevalal Maharaj Jayanti on 15th February every year and if so, the details thereof alongwith proposals received and action taken thereon; and
- (b) whether States like Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra have already officially  recognized  and  celebrated  his  Jayanti  on  15th  February  every  year  and  by recognizing his services at the national level, this would be an acknowledgement of his unparalleled  social  and  humanitarian  contributions  in  recognition  of  his  invaluable services to the nation and if so, the details thereof and action taken thereon?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a) At  present  there  is  no  such  proposal  to  declare  and  give  official  recognition  and nationwide celebrations of Sant Shri Sevalal Maharaj Jayanti on 15 th February every year. However, it is informed that Government has commemorated 284 th Birth Anniversary of Sant Sevalal Ji Maharaj from 15.02.2023 to 15.02.2024.
- (b) No such information is available in Ministry of Culture.

* * * * *
Lok Sabha Question No. 2662 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: GST Hike on Agricultural Pump-Sets
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri  Selvaganapathi T.M.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2662

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2025

## GST HIKE ON AGRICULTURAL PUMP-SETS

## 2662. SHRI SELVAGANAPATHI T.M.:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that the manufacturers of the agricultural pump-sets have been badly hit  during the  last three  years due to the hike  in  the Goods and Services Tax rates on their product;

(b) whether it is also a fact that the sales of pump sets has been slided by 10% of the total agriculture pump sets sales after the introduction of 12% GST;

(c) whether it is also true that the pump set manufacturers had problems in claiming refund of input tax credit as the rate of GST has been increased to 18% from 12%; and

(d) if so the steps proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

(a): A reference received from manufacturers association has stated that increase in GST rate from  12%  to  18%  on  water  pump  sets  has  led  to  reduction  in  sales  by  organized  pump manufacturers.

(b): No such information has been brought to the notice of Central Government.

(c) & (d): GST rates are prescribed based on the recommendation of the GST Council which is a constitutional body comprising of representatives from Union and State Governments/UTs.  The  GST  Council  in  its  47 th meeting,  held  in  June  2022,  accepted  the recommendation of the Group of Ministers on Rate Rationalization to increase the GST rate from 12% to 18% to correct inversion in duty structure. Since, the GST rate on both pumps and their parts are at 18%, the issue of refund does not arise.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2659 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: Conservation and Maintenance of Religious Monuments
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOKSABHA UNSTARRED QUESTIONNO. † 2659

ANSWERED ON 17.03.2025

## CONSERVATION AND MAINTENANCE OF RELIGIOUS MONUMENTS

## †2659. SHRI BHAUSAHEB RAJARAM WAKCHAURE:

Will the Minister of CULTUREbe pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Jagadamba temple situated in Tahakari village Ghatan Devi Point, Ghatghar Dam located in Ghatghar and Amriteshwar Temple located in village Ratanwadi of Akole taluka  and Siddheshwar temple of Lord Shiva on the bank of river Pravara in Akole taluka under Shirdi Parliamentary Constituency of Maharashtra are very ancient and historical and attract tourists;
- (b) whether the Government has formulated or proposes to formulate any action plan for the conservation  and  maintenance  of  these  very  ancient  religious  monuments  and  other historical  sites;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the funds allocated so far or proposed to be allocated for this purpose?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a) Temples namely Triple Shrined Temple of Bhavani, locally known as Jagdamba Temple Tahakari District Ahmednagar, the Temple of Amriteshwar, Ratanwadi, Tehsil, Akole, and Temple of SiddeshwarMahdev, Toka Tehsil Newasa, District Ahmednagar are declared as of  monuments  of  national  importance  and  are  looked  after  by  Archaeological  Survey  of India (ASI).
- (b) ASI  takes  up  conservation  and  maintenance  works  of  protected  monuments  and  areas
- & including provision of public amenities as per the requirement and availability of resources.

(c)

- (d) Details  of  total  funds  allocated  and  expenditure  for  the  conservation  and  maintenance  of protected monuments and areas by ASI during the last three years is given as under: (amount in crore)

| Year    |   Allocation |   Expenditure |
|---------|--------------|---------------|
| 2021-22 |       270    |        269.57 |
| 2022-23 |       392.71 |        391.93 |
| 2023-24 |       443.53 |        443.53 |
Lok Sabha Question No. 2658 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: Youth Travellers used Youth Hostel Services
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Anto Antony

## Government of India Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (Department of Youth Affairs)

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NUMBER 2658 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.03.2025

Youth Travellers used Youth Hostel Services

2658. Shri Anto Antony:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a) the total budget allocated to Youth Hostels for the current fiscal year and the manner in which it compare to the last five years;
- (b)  the  number of Youth Hostels are currently operational across the country;
- (c)  the  number  of  new  hostels  which  are  under  construction  in  the country, State-wise;
- (d)  the  average  occupancy  rate  of  Youth  Hostels  across  the  country during the last five years, State-wise; and
- (e) the details of number of youth travellers who have used Youth Hostel services annually during the last five years?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

## (DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

(a):  The  details  of  budget  allocated  to  the  Youth  Hostel  Sub-scheme during the last five Financial Years and current FY 2024-25 is as under:

(Rs. in Crore)

| Year    |   Budget Estimates |   Revised Estimates |
|---------|--------------------|---------------------|
| 2019-20 |                2.5 |                22.5 |
| 2020-21 |               20   |                 3   |
| 2021-22 |                6   |                 4   |
| 2022-23 |                7.5 |                 3.9 |
| 2023-24 |                6.9 |                 3   |
| 2024-25 |                5   |                 5   |

(b):  A  total  of  84  Youth  Hostels  have  been  constructed  across  the country. (c): A new Youth Hostel at Kota, Rajasthan is under construction. (d) to (e): The data regarding occupancy rate of the Youth Hostels and the number of youth travellers who have used Youth Hostel services is not maintained centrally, as the day to day management / running of the Youth Hostels is the responsibility of the Hostel  Management Committee  which  is  chaired  by  Secretary  (Youth  Affairs)  of  the concerned  State  /  UT  Government  /  Deputy  Commissioner  /  District Magistrate.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2652 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: Conservation of Forest Villages into Revenue Villages
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Rahul Kaswan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2652 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.03.2025

## Conservation of Forest Villages into Revenue Villages

## 2652.   SHRI RAHUL KASWAN:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has received proposals from various State Governments for converting forest villages into revenue villages;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise including Rajasthan; and
- (c) the steps taken/propose to be taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

- (a) to (c) The prior approval of the Central Government under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan)  Adhiniyam,  1980  is  required  for  the  de-reservation/diversion  of forest  land  for  conversion  of  forest  villages  into  revenue  villages  and  for voluntary village relocation from various Protected Areas.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has issued guidelines under  Para  12.8  and  12.9  of  Chapter  12  of  the  Consolidated  Guidelines  and Clarifications dated 29.12.2023 for relocation of villages in accordance with the directions  of  the  Hon'ble  Supreme  Court  in  order  dated  28th  January,  2019, regarding  relocation/rehabilitation  of  the  villages  from  the  core/critical  tiger reserves and core of the Protected Areas (National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries)  to  the  periphery  of  Reserved  Forest/Sanctuaries/National  Parks subject to certain conditions.

The  process  of  approvals  under  the  Van  (Sanrakshan  Evam  Samvardhan) Adhiniyam,  1980  is  a  continuous  process  wherein  the  complete  proposals received from the States/UTs are considered for prior approval as per relevant Rules and Guidelines and the incomplete proposals lacking clarity are returned back to the concerned State/UT for completion/re-submission.

The details of such proposals submitted by the States/UTs are available in public domain  on  PARIVESH  portal  (www.parivesh.nic.in),  which  also  reflects  the present status of such proposals.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2646 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: Functions of Chief Advisor (Cost) in Department of Expenditure
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Parshottambhai Rupala

## Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Expenditure

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2646 TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, 17 th  MARCH, 2025

## Functions of Chief Adviser (Cost) in Department of Expenditure

## 2646.  SHRI  PARSHOTTAMBHAI  RUPALA

Will the MINISTER OF FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) The details of functions of the Chief Adviser (Cost) in the Department of Expenditure; and
- (b) Whether the Chief Advisor (Cost) has reviewed and made recommendations in respect of the reinstatement  of  the  minimum  fixed  cost  provisions  under  the  Modified  NPS-III  to  the Department of Fertilizers?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

- (a) The  O/o  Chief  Adviser  (Cost)  is  an  attached  office  of  Department  of  Expenditure, Ministry of Finance. This office advises the Ministries/ Departments and its bodies on costing matters. The office is manned by the cadre of Indian Cost Accounts Service (ICoAS) consisting of professionally qualified Cost Accountants/ Chartered Accountants, recruited through UPSC.
- (b) No such recommendations have been made.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2644 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: NLMC Supporting CPSEs
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Basavaraj Bommai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC ENTERPRISES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2644

ANSWERED ON 17.03.2025

## NLMC Supporting CPSEs

## 2644. SHRI  BASAVARAJ BOMMAI:

Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the National Land Monetisation Corporation (NLMC) is acting as an advisory body and support other Government
- entities and CPSEs;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)  the details of progress achieved so far by NLMC?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

## NLMC has informed that:

(a) to (c): National Land Monetization Corporation(NLMC), as a 100% GoI owned company, has been incorporated on 03.06.2022 under administrative  control  of  Department  of  Public  Enterprise,  Ministry  of Finance to carry out the monetization of non-core assets of CPSEs as well as other Government agencies.

Accordingly, NLMC is providing advisory services by entering into MoU with  ITI  Limited,  Bharat  Sanchar  Nigam  Limited(BSNL),  Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited(MTNL) and Rastriya Ispat Nigam Limited(RINL) for  monetization  of  their  non-core  surplus  land  and  building  assets having market value of more than Rs. 100 Crores.

So  far,  NLMC  has  provided  advisory  service  and  successfully  led  to completion of the phase-1 E-auction of RINL property at Vishakhapatnam with a cumulative transaction value amounting to Rs. 242.88 Crores and BSNL  land  parcel  at  Vibhuti  Khand  ,  Lucknow  with  a  cumulative transaction value amounting to Rs. 226 Crores.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2642 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: Global Coalition for Social Justice
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Smt. Bharti Pardhi, Shri Shrirang Appa Chandu Barne

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2642 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.03.2025

## GLOBAL COALITION FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE

## 2642. SHRI SHRIRANG APPA CHANDU BARNE: SMT. BHARTI PARDHI:

Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:

- (a)whether  Regional  Dialogue  on  Social  Justice  under  the  Global Coalition for Social Justice was held in New Delhi recently;
- (b)if so, the details thereof along with the issues discussed therein;
- (c)the details of the primary goals for holding said Regional Dialogue
- on Social Justice in New Delhi;
- (d)the  manner  in  which  the  Dialogue  contribute  to  the  overall
- objectives of the Global Coalition for Social Justice;
- (e)the details of the role of international organizations, such as the International  Labour  Organisation  (ILO),  play  in  facilitating  the Dialogue;
- (f)the details of the India's role in the Asia Pacific Coordination Group; and
- (g)the  action  taken  by  the  Government  for  expansion  of  social protection in the past few years along with the result achieved in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)

(a) to (g):  Ministry of Labour and Employment  in collaboration with International Labour Organization (ILO), hosted a twoday ' Regional Dialogue  on  Social  Justice'    under  the  Global  Coalition  for  Social Justice (GCSJ) in New Delhi  from 24-25 February 2025.  India is a member  of  the  coordinating  Group  of  the  GCSJ  for  Asia  -  Pacific Region.  The  Regional  Dialogue  was  organized  under  the  theme 'Responsible Business for Inclusive and Sustainable Societies'.  The event brought together representatives from global coalition partners, governments, employers' and workers' organizations, academia, enterprises and experts from international organizations.

During  the  event,  participants  discussed  strategies  on empowering the youth to drive sustainable growth for enterprises, expanding social security to informal workers, responsible business practices in safeguarding worker well-being, promoting decent work in global value chains and human centric approach to harnessing AI for decent Work & equity.

In  order  to  provide  Social  Security  to  the  workers,  the government has implemented various welfare schemes on matters relating to life and disability cover, health and maternity benefits, old age protection etc.  Owing to such efforts, India's social protection coverage doubled from 24.4% in 2021 to 48.8% in 2024 as per ILO's World Social Protection Report 2024-26. Further, 65% of population, are covered by at-least one social protection benefit (cash or in-kind) by schemes of Central Government.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2641 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: Central Book Selection Scheme under RRRLF
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Captain Viriato Fernandes

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2641 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.03.2025

## CENTRAL BOOK SELECTION SCHEME UNDER RRRLF

## 2641.     SHRI CAPTAIN VIRIATO FERNANDES:

## Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- a) the timeline for pending cases of selection/procurement of books under the Raja Ram Mohan Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF) be cleared;
- b) the reasons for keeping the selection of books under the scheme pending since the last five years; and
- c) the number of cases of books that are pending selection under the RRRLF?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- a) As per the guidelines of the Central Book Selection Scheme (CBS) of RRRLF, there is no specific timeline for the selection and procurement of books.
- b) Keeping in view that there is no specific timeline for the selection and procurement of books, the question of delay does not arise.
- c) RRRLF continuously receives sample copies of books from publishers and authors throughout  the  year.  Once  a  decision  is  made  to  proceed  with  book  selection,  a notification  is  released  on  the  RRRLF  website  mentioning  the  last  date  for  book submission, and the formal processing (checking and data entry) of received books is initiated. Presently, the Foundation is in receipt of approximately 5,000 books from publishers and authors.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2639 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: Integrated Tourism Policy
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Dr. Ganapathy Rajkumar P

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2639 ANSWERED ON 17.03.2025

## INTEGRATED TOURISM POLICY

## 2639. DR. GANAPATHY RAJKUMAR P:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government have proposed an Integrated Tourism Policy for  various  tourism,  like  agro  tourism,  medical  tourism,  village tourism, etc.;
- (b)
- (c)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM            (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a)  to  (c):  The  Ministry  of  Tourism  had  earlier  been  working  towards formulating a draft National Tourism Policy with a view to keep the sector updated  with  the  latest  developments.  However,  in  due  course  of  time, elements and action areas highlighted in the draft policy document have been suitably incorporated in all the schemes and guidelines and Ministry is open to continuous engagement with all stakeholder. In view of this, a separate tourism policy is not envisaged at this point in time.

Various  schemes,  programs,  and  initiatives,  such  as  Swadesh  Darshan, Challenge Based Destination Development, PRASHAD, Dekho Apna Desh, Chalo India, Meet in India, Paryatan Mitra/Paryatan Didi, Hunar Se Rozgar Tak  etc.  have  been  actively  addressing  issues  related  to  the  tourism promotion and development, industry competitiveness, skill development, tourism  infrastructure  development,  sustainability  etc.  The  Ministry  has also  been  working  in  close  coordination  with  relevant  stakeholders, including  other  Central  Ministries,  State/UT  Governments  and  Tourism  & Hospitality industry, ensuring a whole-of-government approach for sectoral growth.

At present, the focus remains on strengthening and effectively implementing these ongoing initiatives rather than formulating a separate policy document. The Ministry continues to monitor the evolving needs of the tourism sector and remains open to further enhancements in alignment with national priorities and stakeholder inputs.

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