opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 319 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-05
Subject: Electoral Bond Scheme
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Manish Tewari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 319

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 5 TH   FEBRUARY, 2024 MAGHA 16, 1945 (SAKA)

## Electoral Bond Scheme

## 319.   SHRI MANISH TEWARI:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) The details of quantum of money the Government has spent on operating the Electoral Bond Scheme, including the cost incurred for printing electoral bonds;
- (b) The details of the total value of electoral bonds purchased and the revenue generated through GST or any other taxes/cess imposed on the purchase of electoral bonds; and;

(c) the rationale for exempting donors who buy electoral bonds from paying any service charge  (commission)  to  State  Bank  of  India  and  instead  shifting  the  burden  to  the Government and the taxpayer to cover the costs of enabling the electoral bond scheme, including its printing costs?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The amount of money Government has spent on operation of Electoral Bond Scheme, including the cost incurred for printing electoral bonds are as below:
- (i) The commission paid to State Bank of India by Government of India for issuance and redemption of Electoral Bonds from Phase I to Phase XXV is about ₹ 8.57 crore.
- (ii) The amount paid by Government of India to Security Printing & Minting Corporation of India Ltd (SPMCIL) till date is about ₹ 1.90 crore.
- (b) The total value of Electoral Bonds purchased (Phase-I to Phase -XXX) from State Bank of India is about ₹ 16,518 crore. No GST or any other Taxes/Cess are charged from the purchaser on purchase of Electoral Bonds.
- (c) The objective of Electoral bond scheme is to ensure clean tax paid money is coming into the system of political funding through proper banking channel. As per the clause 10 of the Electoral Bond Scheme (Gazette Notification dated 02.01.2018), no commission, brokerage or any other charges for issue of bond shall be payable by the buyer against purchase of the Bond.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 315 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-05
Subject: Growth Projection of GDP
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Gowdar Mallikarjunappa Siddeshwara, Poonam (Mahajan) Vajendla Rao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 315 DUE FOR ANSWERED ON 05.02.2024

## GROWTH PROJECTIONS OF GDP

315. SHRI G.M. SIDDESHWAR: SHRIMATI POONAM MAHAJAN.:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  the estimate of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth projection for the fourth quarter of the current financial year;
- (b)  whether  the  Reserve  Bank  of  India  (RBI)  or  the  Government  has  made  some studies on the projection of GDP growth in the third and fourth quarters of the financial year in the context of global financial conditions;
- (c)  if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  the efforts made by Government to pump in liquidity into the system and the extent to which these steps are successful?

## ANSWER

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

(a)-(c): The  Reserve  Bank  of  India  (RBI),  in  its  December  2023  Monetary  Policy Committee (MPC) meeting has projected India's Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to grow at 6.5 per cent in Q3 and 6.0 per cent in Q4 of 2023-24. The RBI has projected the overall growth in 2023-24 at 7.0 per cent. As per the First Advance Estimates (FAE)  released  by  the  National  Statistical  Office,  real  GDP  growth  in  2023-24  is estimated at 7.3 per cent.

(d): During 2023-24 (up to January 2024), the Reserve Bank injected liquidity in the banking  system  through  the  conduct  of  eight  fine-tuning  variable  rate  repo  (VRR) operations amounting to ₹ 8.0 lakh crore and three VRR main operations amounting to ₹ 4.7 lakh crore. This has contributed, among others, to a YoY increase in non-food credit by 18.6 per cent in April-November 2023.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 313 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-05
Subject: Sustainable Development of Marine Biosphere Reserve Areas
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: P. Ravindhranath

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST & CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 313 ANSWERED ON 05.02.2024

## Sustainable Development of Marine Biosphere Reserve Areas

## 313. SHRI P. RAVINDHRANATH:

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken any steps to develop Marine Biosphere Reserve Areas for sustainable development in the state of Tamil Nadu;
- (b) If so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  towards  sustainable  development  and conservation of forests of nearby seashore areas in the state of Tamil Nadu; and (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a) and(b) The Central Government has notified the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve in Tamil Nadu on 04 th  April, 1989 with the broad objective of conservation of representative samples  of  ecosystem,  provision  of  long  term  conservation  of  genetic  diversity  in-situ, promotion  of  basic  and  applied  research  work  and  its  monitoring  and  dissemination  of experience for education and training. This Biosphere Reserve represents the unique marine ecosystem.  It  has  an  arc  of  about  21  islands.  The  group  of  islands  starting  from  Pamban, extends as an arc till Tuticorin running along the main coastline.

(c) and (d) The  Ministry  has  established  the  National  Coastal  Mission  Programme  for conservation and management  of Mangroves  with  the objective of their protection, sustenance, conservation and augmentation in the country through regulatory and promotional  measures.  The  Ministry  has  also  launched  Mangrove  Initiative  for  Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Income (MISHTI) Programme on 05 th  June, 2023, on the occasion of the World Environment Day. Operational guidelines for MISHTI has been prepared and the same  has  been  shared  with  the  coastal  States  including  Tamil  Nadu.  In  addition,  the Government of Tamil Nadu is implementing the 'Tamil Nadu Coastal Restoration Mission' with  the  objective  of  preventing  sea  erosion,  reducing  marine  pollution  and  conserving marine  biodiversity.  The  project  objectives  are  envisaged  to  be  achieved  through  five identified  thematic  investment  areas  which  includes  'Coastal  Protection',  with  focus  on establishing  a  comprehensive  costal  protection  strategy  including  mangrove  and  sea  grass plantation  and  restoration, coral  reef  restoration,  all  directed  towards  effectively  mitigating erosion concerns along the entire coastline.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 310 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-05
Subject: Sivagiri Tourism Circuit Project
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Adoor Prakash

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.310

## ANSWERED ON 05.02.2024

## SIVAGIRI TOURISM CIRCUIT PROJECT

## 310.  ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  works  completed  under  Sivagiri  Tourism  Circuit project in Kerala under Swadesh Darshan Scheme;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  the  implementation  of Sivagiri  Tourism  Circuit  project  in  Kerala  is  getting  delayed  even after the targeted period of completion is already over;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for delay;
- (d) the present status of implementation of the project along with the details of funds sanctioned, released, utilized as on date;
- (e) the  time  by  which  the  next  installment  of  funds  are  likely  to  be released; and
- (f) the details of measures taken by the Government for completion of the project without further delay?

## ANSWER

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

(a) to (f): The Ministry  of  Tourism  in  the  year  2018-19  sanctioned  the project 'Development Sivagiri Sree Narayana Guru Ashram- ArruvipuramKunnumpara Sree Subrahmania- Chembazhanthi Sree Narayana Gurukulam'  under  Swadesh  Darshan  scheme.  This  project  was  to  be completed  within  the  period  of  24  months.  The  project  was  further revised in July, 2022 to ₹66.42 crore. A total of ₹42.01 crore has been released/authorized  in  three  instalments  and  as  on  date  utilization  of ₹16.19 crore has been reported by the implementing agency under this project.

As  per  guidelines,  the  next  authorization  is  subject  to  100% utilization of the first and second instalments and minimum 75% of the third instalment and submission of Utilization Certificate in the prescribed format.

The implementing agency for the project is India Tourism Development  Corporation  (ITDC)  which  has  informed  that  permissions from local authorities is awaited.

ITDC has informed that the following works under the project are complete at 04 different sites:

Kunnumpara: Construction  of  Tourist  Facilitation  Centre,  Entrance  Gate,  View  Point Deck, Public Convenience (2 Nos), Over Head water Tank, Parking Area, Craft Bazar, Rain Shelter & Other Development Works.

Chempazhanthy: Construction of Parking & other Development works, Tourist Facilitation Centre. SITC of LED Solar Street Light Illumination.

Aruvippuram: Construction of Community Kitchen, View Deck Point, Resting Building, Entrance Gate, Supply and Testing of 8 Seater (1 No) and 4 Seater (2 Nos) Battery Operated Electric Vehicle, CCTV Camera and SITC of LED Solar Street Light Illumination.

Sivagiri: Construction of Parking, Rain Shelter, Bus Shelter & Other Development Works,  Supply  and  Testing  of  8  Seater  (2  Nos)  and  4  Seater  (3  Nos) Battery Operated Electric Vehicle, CCTV Camera and SITC of LED Solar Street Light Illumination.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 309 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-05
Subject: Disinvestment Target
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: M. K. Raghavan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF INVESTMENT AND PUBLIC ASSET MANAGEMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 309

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2024 MAGHA 16,1945(SAKA)

## Disinvestment Target

## 309. SHRI M.K. RAGHAVAN:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has met the disinvestment target for Financial Year 2022-23 and 2023-24 and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) if not, the manner in which the Government is planning to adjust for the deficit caused;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  initiated  wage  revision  talks  for  public  sector  general insurance companies and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the Government has data regarding large corporate write offs in the country and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (DR. BHAGWAT KISHANRAO KARAD)

(a): During the Financial Year (FY) 2022-23, Government realised Rs. 35,293.52 crore as disinvestment proceeds against the Revised Estimate (RE) of Rs. 50,000 crore. During the current FY 2023-24, Rs.51,000 crore was estimated for disinvestment and Rs. 10,000 crore for other capital receipts as 2023-24 BE. However, under 'Miscellaneous Capital Receipts Receipts'  at  the  RE  stage  has  been  revised  to  Rs.30,000  crore,  which  now  includes  the erstwhile categories of disinvestment and other capital receipts. There is no specific estimate for  disinvestment  in  2023-24  RE.  Government  has  so  far  realised  Rs.  12,504.32  crore  as disinvestment receipts (as on 01.02.2024) in the current fiscal year.

(b): Tax and non-tax receipts constitute major portion of the Government's total non-debt receipts. The Central Government has achieved budgeted fiscal deficit target of 6.4% of GDP in FY 2022-23. For FY 2023-24, fiscal deficit target has been revised from 5.9% of GDP in BE 2023-24 to 5.8% of GDP in RE 2023-24.

(c): No, Sir.

(d): The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has apprised that data regarding large corporate write offs in the country is not maintained by it.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 308 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-05
Subject: Assessment Process of NAAC
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Ravneet Singh

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 308

ANSWERED ON 05/02/2024

## Assessment Process of NAAC

308. SHRI RAVNEET SINGH BITTU:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  it  is  fact  that  the  National  Assessmentand  Accreditation  Council  (NAAC) has put on hold grading process for around 30 institutes in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  measures  to  improve  the  assessment process  of  NAAC  regarding  which  CAG  in  its  report  had  also  pointed  out  glaring discrepancies last year;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (Dr. SUBHAS SARKAR)

- (a) & (b): As informed by the University Grants Commission, the National Assessment and  Accreditation  Council  (NAAC)  has  not  put  on  hold  the  grading  process  of  the Higher Education Institutions.
- (c)  to  (e):  For  strengthening  the  Assessment  and  Accreditation  (A&A)  of  Higher Educational  Institutions(HEIs),  the  Government  of  India  constituted  a  High  Level Committee, under the Chairmanship of Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, Chairperson, Board of Governors,  Indian  Institute  of  Technology  (IIT)  Kanpur  &  Chairperson,  Standing Committee of IIT Council.

This Committee considered the introduction of strategic reforms consistent with the vision of the National Education Policy, 2020 and the need for adopting a simple, trust-based, objective and rationalized system for accreditation and ranking of Higher Educational  Institutions  with  a  verifiable  and  secured  centralized  database  through technology-driven systems. The recommendations made by the Committee have been accepted. The  report is available on the website of Ministry of Education at https://www.education.gov.in/sites/upload\_files/mhrd/files/documentreports/reforms\_moe.pdf

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Lok Sabha Question No. 304 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-05
Subject: Felling of Trees for Construction Projects
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Pradyut Bordoloi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 304

ASWERED ON 05.02.2024

## Felling of Trees for Construction Projects

## 304. SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI:

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken cognizance that more than 18,000 trees have been sanctioned to be felled in the Krishnai Forest Area in Goalpara, Assam for the widening of NH-17 to a 4-lane highway;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken to protect the diverse wildlife and the ecological balance of the region and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether any studies regarding the ecological impacts of such construction activities in the region have been conducted prior to the commencement of the project;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the details of the steps taken or likely to be taken to maintain the forest cover in the region and re-plant as many trees so as to compensate for the number of trees being cut?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a) to (e) As per the information provided by the State Government, permissions has been granted  for  felling  of  trees  including  for  15475  numbers  of  trees  under  Van (Sanrakshan  Evam  Samvardhan)  Adhiniyam,  1980.  The  Environment  Impact Assessment was done in the matter and following measures related to plantation and wildlife management are also part of the impact mitigations;
- (i) Compensatory Afforestation on an area of 55.294 Ha,
- (ii) Trees plantation in ration of 1:10 against each tree felled on revenue land,
- (iii) Translocation of trees wherever possible,
- (iv) Catchment area treatment plan, Wildlife managemnet plan and Human Elephant conflict mitigation measures at the cost of User Agency.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 302 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-05
Subject: Inclusion of Concerts in National Calendar
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Ganesh Singh

- (a) No Sir
- (b) No Sir
- (c) In view of the reply to part (b) question does not arise.
- ******

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.302

## ANSWERED ON 05.02.2024

## INCLUSION OF CONCERTS IN NATIONAL CALENDAR

## 302.SHRI GANESH SINGH:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

(a)   whether  the  Government  has  any  scheme  in  place  to  include  concerts organized every year by the State Governments in the National Calendar;

(b) whether the Government proposes to include the annual concert of Usthad Allauddin  Khan  organized  in  Maihar  district  located  in  Satna  Parliamentary Constituency in the national calendar; and

- (c)   If  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  procedure/criteria  laid  down  in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF CULTURE, TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)
Lok Sabha Question No. 300 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-05
Subject: Census of PVTG
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Kotagiri Sridhar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO300

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 05/02/2024

## CENSUS OF PVTG

300. SHRI SRIDHAR KOTAGIRI:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  census  specifically  for  the  PVTG communities to measure the progress made to PVTGs in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI BISHWESWAR TUDU)

- (a) to (c): The enumeration of tribes other than STs has not been done separately in any of the decadal Censuses since 1951 Census. However, keeping in view the implementation of  Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN), through the State Governments / UT Administration where PVTGs reside, State Governments have undertaken  habitation  level    data  collection  exercise  through  PM  Gati  Shakti  mobile application(developed by BISAG-N) based survey to estimate PVTG population figures and infrastructure coverage  to cover  PVTG beneficiaries / PVTG villages & habitations under PM-JANMAN Mission.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 294 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-05
Subject: Amendments in CSR Rules and Regulations
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 294

ANSWERED ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2024/ MAGHA 16, 1945 (SAKA)

## AMENDMENTS IN CSR RULES AND REGULATIONS QUESTION

294. SHRIMATI POONAMBEN MAADAM:

Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether any amendments have been made in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Rules and Regulations during the last five years;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government  has  taken  any measures  to enhance  Corporate Social Responsibility  activities  of  the  companies  and  to  ensure  their  compliance  with  CSR Regulations; and
- (d)  if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  OF  THE  MINISTRY  OF  STATISTICS  AND PROGRAMME  IMPLEMENTATION;  MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  OF  THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS [RAO INDERJIT SINGH]

- (a) & (b):  Yes sir, a number of  Amendments have been made during the last five years.  These amendments  were  carried  out  with  an  aim  to  strengthen  the  CSR  ecosystem,  by  improving disclosures and by simplifying compliances. The notifications of the amendments are available on www.mca.gov.in.
- (c)  &  (d):  The  broad  framework  for  Corporate  Social  Responsibility  (CSR)  has  been  provided through Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013 ('Act'), Schedule VII of the Act and Companies (CSR Policy) Rules, 2014. Schedule VII of the Act indicates the eligible list of activities that can be undertaken by the companies as CSR. The items enlisted in the Schedule VII of the Act are broad-based and can be interpreted liberally. The CSR mandated companies can undertake any of the activities mentioned in Schedule VII subject to fulfilment of provisions as contained in the Act and Companies (CSR Policy) Rules, 2014.

Further,  CSR  framework  is  disclosure  based  and  CSR  mandated  companies  are  required  to disclose the contents of its CSR Policy in its report and place it on the com pany's website, if any. The same is also required to file in MCA 21 registry with their financial statements. Whenever any violation  of  CSR  provisions  is  reported,  that  is  dealt  as  per  provisions  of  the  Act  after  due examination of records and following due process of law.  Under the Act, CSR is a Board driven process and the Board of the company is empowered to plan, decide, execute and monitor CSR activities based on the recommendations of its CSR committee. The Government does not issue any specific direction to the companies to spend in any particular geographical area or activity.

Furthermore,  whenever  any  violation  of  CSR  provisions  is  reported,  action  against  such  noncompliant  Companies  are  initiated  as  per  provisions  of  Companies  Act,  2013  after  due examination of records and following due process of law

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