opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1256 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-28
Subject: Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves (TOTR) Project
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Adv Dean Kuriakose

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1256

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025

## Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves (TOTR) Project

## 1256. ADV DEAN KURIAKOSE.:

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

- (a) whether the Government has initiated the Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves (TOTR) Project;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the guidelines issued and the funds allocated under the said project;
- (c) whether  any  studies  have  been  conducted  to  evaluate  the  economic  and  social impact of the losses caused due to the deaths caused by such conflicts and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the said project is likely to be implemented in the Idukki and Wayanad districts in Kerala and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

- (a), (b), (c) & (d) The National Tiger Conservation Authority has formulated a project a preventive strategy to deal with human-wildlife conflict.  The Project document is based on scientific  data  collected from  the 5 th  cycle of

for management  of  Tigers  outside  Tiger  Reserves, which  is the  All  India  Tiger  Estimation  exercise  as  well  as  data  of  humanwildlife conflict collated from the States.

The project is under active consideration of the Ministry.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1254 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-28
Subject: Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Dr. Kirsan Namdeo

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1254 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28 th  JULY, 2025

## OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

## 1254.    DR. KIRSAN NAMDEO:

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

- (a) whether any measures have been adopted by the Government to encourage employers in the Public and Private Sectors across the country, States/UT-wise to provide more opportunities for persons with disabilities;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has initiated any training programme for such establishments and their staff towards disability; and
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): Government has taken various steps for generating employment across the country to encourage employers in both public and private sectors to provide more opportunities for persons including those  with  disabilities(PwD)  through  different  employment  generation schemes/ programmes, such as: Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), Aatmanirbhar  Bharat  Rojgar  Yojana  (ABRY),  Stand-UP  India  Scheme, Startup  India,  Prime  Minister's  Employment  Generation  Programme (PMEGP), Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY), Rural  Self  Employment  and  Training  Institutes  (RSETIs),  Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAYNULM), Production Linked Incentive, etc. The details of various employment  generation  schemes/  programmes  being  implemented  by the Government of India may be seen at https://dge.gov.in/dge/schemes\_programmes.

Further, to enhance skills of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and to  enable  them  to  have  gainful  employment,  to  become  self-reliant, productive members of society, Government has launched the National Action Plan for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities (NAP-SDP) in March 2015. Since launch of NAP-SDP scheme, skill training has been provided to 1.42 lakhs PwDs till 03.02.2025 across the country. The  Department  of  Empowerment  of  Persons  with  Disabilities has  also  signed  20  MoUs  (non-financial)  with  various  companies/  Job aggregators  to  create  and  enhance  the  employment  opportunities  for persons with disabilities.

Ministry  of  Labour  &  Employment  has  established  24  National Career Service Centres for Differently Abled (earlier known as Vocational  Rehabilitation  Centres  for  Handicapped).  These  Centres provide Vocational Guidance, Career Counselling, Non-formal Vocational Training, extend Referral Services. These Centres also conduct Outreach  Activities,  and  assists  PwDs  in  the  process  of  Vocational Rehabilitation.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1249 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-28
Subject: Promotion of MICE Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Jashubhai Bhilubhai Rathva, Shri Rajkumar Chahar, Shri Basavaraj Bommai, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Shri Vijay Kumar Dubey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1249 ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025

## PROMOTION OF MICE TOURISM

1249. SHRI JASHUBHAI BHILUBHAI RATHVA:

SHRI VIJAY KUMAR DUBEY:

SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR:

SHRI BASAVARAJ BOMMAI:

SHRI RAJKUMAR CHAHAR:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the steps taken by the Government to promote the Meeting Incentives Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) industry in India and at the global level;
- (b) whether the Government plans to elevate Indian cities into the world's top MICE destinations;
- (c)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the details of the total revenue generated by the MICE market in India during the last three years and the current year along with the growth expected thereof by 2030?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM      (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a)  to  (d):    Development  and  promotion  of  tourist  destinations  and products, including MICE tourism, is primarily the responsibility of the respective  State  Government/Union  Territory  (UT)  Administration. However,  as  part  of  its  on-going  activities,  the  Ministry  of  Tourism regularly  promotes  India  as  a  holistic  tourism  destination  including MICE  tourism  through  various  mediums  including  social  media  and websites.

Ministry of Tourism identified MICE as one of the important segment of  Tourism.  Ministry  has  also  formulated  a  National  Strategy  and

Roadmap for MICE Industry to promote the growth of MICE industry in the country. The following Key pillars have been identified in the MICE strategy document:

- i. Institutional support for MICE
- ii. Developing Eco-system for MICE
- iii. Enhance competitiveness of Indian MICE industry
- iv. Enhance ease of doing business for MICE events
- v. Marketing India as a MICE destination
- vi. Skill development for MICE industry

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1247 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-28
Subject: Lapses in SDS Scheme
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri V K Sreekandan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO .

## 1247 ANSWERED ON 28 . 07 . 2025

## LAPSES IN SDS SCHEME

## 1247. SHRI V K SREEKANDAN:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state :

- (a) whether it is a fact that Swadesh Darshan Scheme ( SDS ) launched by the  Government  has  very  serious  lapses  in  its  formulation  and execution during the period of 2014 -2025;
- (b) whether  it  is  true  that  only  76  projects  were  sanctioned  under identified  thematic  circuits  in  31  States  and  Union  Territories  with the aim of developing theme based tourist routes during the period from 2014 -2015 to 2018 -2019;
- (c) whether  it  is  also  true  that  the  Government  had  not  carried  out feasibility studies before launching the said scheme;
- (d) whether the Government has exceeded the sanctioned amount due to  poor  planning  and  approvals  given  without  Detailed  Project Reports and no formal mechanism for evaluation and approval; and
- whether it is also a fact that the Government could not complete the
- (e) projects within the stipulated timeframe?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

( SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT )

( a ) to ( e ) : The Swadesh Darshan Scheme (SDS) was launched in 2014 -15 post budget announcement with the objective of integrated development of theme-based tourism circuits. Under this scheme, a total of 76 projects have been sanctioned across the country for a total amount of ₹5290.33 Crore  in  various  States/UTs.  Project  under  the  scheme  were  sanctioned based on the project proposal submitted by the concerned State Government/UT Administration/  Central  Agency  and  its  adherence  to  the scheme  guidelines,  availability  of  budget,  inter-se  priority  supported  by due approvals. As and when any request for deviation in the project cost is received from the side of State Government with due reasons, the same is considered as per the prescribed procedure.

The  Ministry  of  Tourism  further  revamped  the  scheme  as  Swadesh Darshan  2.0  (SD2.0)  with  the  objective  to  develop  sustainable  tourism destinations in the country and has sanctioned 52 projects under SD2.0 for Rs. 2108.87 Crore. In addition, the Ministry of Tourism under the Challenge Based  Destination  Development  (CBDD)  -  a  sub-scheme  of  Swadesh Darshan scheme has also sanctioned 36 projects for Rs.648.10 Crore. A feasibility  study  of  the  scheme  was  undertaken  through  National Productivity Council in 2019. Under the implementation phase of Swadesh Darshan  scheme,  project  completion  timelines  varied  on  case  to  case basis  depending  on  various  factors  such  as  Covid  19,  seasonality,  local issues etc.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1242 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-28
Subject: Central University in Sangrur, Punjab
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1242 ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025

## Central University in Sangrur, Punjab

## 1242. Shri Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government evaluated the need for establishment of Central University in Sangrur, Barnala and Malerkotla to improve access to quality education;
- (b) the details of steps taken by the Government to address educational disparity being faced by the students of Sangrur in comparison to neighbouring districts;
- (c) whether the Government considered it a viable site for establishment of Central University in Sangrur under the provision of Central Universities Act;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  has  conducted  feasibility  studies  or  proposed  a  timeline  for establishment of Central University in Sangrur; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)

(a) to (e): The Central Universities are envisaged to function as pace setter institutions to provide academic leadership to other institutions in the region. There is already a Central University in Punjab,  namely  Central  University  of  Punjab  in  Bathinda  which  is  catering  to  the  educational aspirations of State of Punjab also. Besides Central University, this Ministry has established several other higher educational institutions in Punjab such as Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar; Indian Institute of Management, Amritsar; Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali; Dr. B. R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology Jalandhar etc. These educational institutions are also catering to the need of higher education aspiration in the State of Punjab. Now, the focus has  been  on  consolidation  of  higher  education  systems  by  scaling  up  the  capacity  of  existing institutions. Further, Education being a concurrent subject, the State Governments are also taking initiatives to provide greater access to higher education in respective states.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1237 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-28
Subject: Proposal of 5-day Week for Banks
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri K C Venugopal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1237

ANSWERED ON MONDAY, 28 JULY, 2025 / 6 SRAVANA, 1947 (SAKA)

## PROPOSAL OF 5-DAY WEEK FOR BANKS

## 1237.  SHRI K C VENUGOPAL:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) the action taken by the Government on the IBA proposal for a 5-day banking week;
- (b) whether the Government is considering to implement the proposal and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is a fact that the proposal is pending due to shortage of banking staff in the public sector banks;
- (d) if so, the steps taken by the Government to address the shortage of staff in banks; and
- (e) whether the Government has any plans for the roll out of the newly proposed 5-day banking week and if so, the timeline fixed for the same?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): Indian Banks' Association (IBA) has submitted a proposal to declare all Saturdays as banking holiday. In regard to the Saturdays being public holiday, subsequent to 10th Bipartite settlement/ 7th Joint note signed between IBA and Workmen Unions/Officer Associations, Government, in exercise of powers  conferred  by  section  25  of  the  Negotiable  Instruments  Act,  1881,  vide  notification  dated 20.8.2015, had declared the second and the fourth Saturdays of every month as public holiday for banks in India.

Further, Public Sector Banks (PSBs) are board governed commercial entities. The requirement of manpower in each PSB is determined by the respective PSB keeping in view various factors which include, inter-alia, business requirement, spread of activities, superannuation and other unplanned exits. Appointment of officers and staff is done accordingly by the PSBs and it varies from year to year based on their requirements.

As  per  inputs received from  PSBs, as on 31.03.2025, 96% staff are in position against their business requirement. The  small  proportion  of gap  is attributable to attrition on  account of superannuation and other usual factors including unplanned exits.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1235 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-28
Subject: Bottlenecks of CUET
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Subbarayan K, Com. Selvaraj V

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1235 ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025

## Bottlenecks of CUET

1235.     Com. Selvaraj V: Shri Subbarayan K:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government has drawn any attention into the bottlenecks in Common University Entrance Test (CUET) being conducted since 2022 for undergraduate admission in Central Universities  resulting  in  delayed  release  of  results  and  throwing  academic  calendars  into disarray and leaving lakhs of students in prolonged limbo;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has taken any steps to detect the problem and solve the same; and
- (d)  if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)

(a) to (d): In pursuance of the National Education Policy, 2020, the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) is being conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission in Central Universities from the academic year 2022-23 to reduce the burden on students, universities and the entire education system.

NTA  conducted  the  CUET  (UG)  2025  Examination  for  the  academic  session  2025-26  in Computer  Based  Test  (CBT)  mode  from  13th  May  to  4th  June  2025.  The  examination  was organized for 13,54,699  candidates who  had  registered for a total of 58,18,608  subject combinations. While the scale of the CUET (UG) examination was extensive, the entire process was carried out successfully. The results for CUET (UG) 2025 were declared by NTA on 4th July 2025 and admissions on the basis of the same are underway.

A  High  Powered  Steering  Committee,  chaired  by  Dr.  K.  Radhakrishnan,  former  Chairman, I.S.R.O. and Chairman, B.O.G. IIT Kanpur, is already constituted to oversee the implementation of reforms in the conduct of national-level examinations by the NTA.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1234 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-28
Subject: Chalo India Global Diaspora Campaign
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Smt. Shobhanaben Mahendrasinh Baraiya

## †1234

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†1234

## ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025

## CHALO INDIA GLOBAL DIASPORA CAMPAIGN

## . SMT. SHOBHANABEN MAHENDRASINH BARAIYA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  visas  issued  under  the  Chalo  India  Global  Diaspora Campaign;
- (b) the  number  of  foreign  tourists  along  with  the  NRIs  visited  India through the suggestions provided under this campaign;
- (c) the role of said campaign  in promoting lesser known  tourist destinations and cultural heritage sites;
- (d) whether the Government has any new initiatives or expansion plans to  be  undertaken  in  the  future  under  this  campaign  to  further strengthen  the  participation  of  NRIs  and  increase  the  number  of tourists visiting the country; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): The  Chalo  India  initiative  was  launched  by  the  Ministry  of Tourism  for  members  of  the  Indian  diaspora  to  become  Incredible  India ambassadors by encouraging their Non-Indian friends to visit India, every year.  Till  date,  30  e-tourist  visas,  have  been  issued  under  the  said initiative.

The objective of the initiative is  to  promote  the  tourist  destinations  and products  of  the  country,  including  the  lesser  known  destinations  and cultural  heritage  sites, with  the  aim  of  increasing  India's  share  in  the global tourism market. Ministry of Tourism undertakes tourism promotional activities  in  potential  source  markets  overseas  in association  with  the Indian Missions overseas, travel trade industry and the State Governments/ UT Administrations to enhance tourist footfalls to the country.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1232 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-28
Subject: Cancellation of MoU Signed with Turkish University by JNU
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Thiru Thanga Tamilselvan

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1232 ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025

## Cancellation of MoU Signed with Turkish University by JNU

## 1232. Thiru Thanga Tamilselvan:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  Jawaharlal  Nehru  University  (JNU)  has  cancelled  the  MoU  signed  with  Turkish University for all educational/research programmes  due to support extended by Turkey Government to Pakistan during recent Military Operation Sindoor;

- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the total number of students pursuing Higher Education and Research Programmes in Turkish University;

(d) whether such action is being taken against all those countries which supported Pakistan during Operation Sindoor;

- (e) if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)

(a) to (f): Jawaharlal Nehru University is a statutory autonomous organization established under Jawaharlal  Nehru  University  Act  1966  and  governed  by  provisions  of  the  Acts  and  Statutes, Ordinances, Regulations made thereunder. The administrative and academic decisions are taken by the University with the approval of its Statutory bodies such as Executive Council, Academic Council and Court. The University has informed that on 14 May 2025, it suspended the MoU with Inonu University, Malatya, Turkiye due to national security considerations. No student is pursuing Higher Education and Research Programmes in Turkish University.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1230 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-28
Subject: Institutions of Eminence Scheme in NE Region
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Pradyut Bordoloi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1230 ANSWERED ON 28/07/2025

## Institutions of Eminence Scheme in NE Region

1230. Shri Pradyut Bordoloi:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the status of implementation of the 'Institutions of Eminence' (IoE) scheme launched in 2017;
- (b) whether the Government has set any revised timeline for granting IoE status to additional institutions;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether any Higher Educational Institution from the North Eastern region has been granted IoE status;
- (e) whether the Government proposes to include institutions from the North Eastern States, including Assam under the IoE scheme in the near future;
- (f) if so, the details thereof; and
- (g) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)

(a)  to  (g):  World  Class  Institutions  Scheme,  also  known  as  Institutions  of  Eminence  (IoE) Scheme was launched in 2017 to create distinct category of institutions  with  great  deal  of autonomy in academic, administrative and financial matters so as to enable them to emerge as World  Class  Academic  and  Research  Institutions  in  a  reasonable  time  period.  12  higher educational institutions have been notified as IoE under the scheme namely - IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Madras, IIT Kharagpur, IISc Bangalore, BHU Varanasi, University of Hyderabad, University of Delhi, BITS Pilani, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, O.P. Jindal Global University  and  Shiv  Nadar  University,  Greater  Noida.  Further,  granting  of  IoE  status  to additional institution through new applications is not under consideration.

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