opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1159 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-28
Subject: Encroachment of Land of Visva-Bharati University
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Saumitra Khan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

## DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1159

ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025

## ENCROACHMENT OF LAND OF VISVA-BHARATI UNIVERSITY

## 1159.  SHRI SAUMITRA KHAN:

Will the Minister of Education be pleased to state:

(a) the details of research projects at Visva-Bharati University which are currently funded by the Government and the total amount of funds allocated for these projects;

(b) the total number of vacant posts of faculty at Visva-Bharati University and the steps being taken to fill these vacancies;

- (c) the details of land encroachment identified at Visva-Bharati University;
- (d) the details of legal and administrative steps taken against such land encroachment;
- (e)    whether  the  Government  has  conducted  a  review  of  land  disputes  at  Visva-Bharati University; and
- (f) the details of measures taken to prevent further land encroachments?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): 53 research projects worth Rs.3.46 crores are currently funded by Central Government at Visva-Bharati.
- (b): Occurring of vacancies and filling thereof is a continuous process. The vacancies arise due  to  retirement,  resignation  and  additional  requirements  on  account  of  enhanced students' strength. Central Universities (CUs) are autonomous bodies established under Acts of Parliament. They are governed by their respective Acts/Statutes/Ordinances. All  Central  Universities  including  Visva  Bharti,  have  been  directed  to  fill-  up  the vacancies under Mission Mode, which is monitored regularly.
- (c)  to  (f):  Visva  Bharti  identified  around  62.0225  acres  of  land  under  encroachment.  The University has taken several measures for campus security, fencing, removal as well as prevention of the land encroachment.  The Estate Officer for Visva Bharti appointed under Public Premises (Eviction of unauthorised occupants) Act, 1971 has conducted eviction drives periodically and demolished unauthorized structures. Additionally, the university  issued  administrative  notices  and  consistently  sought  assistance  from  the District Administration and State Government for the removal of encroachments. Legal action has also been pursued through the filing of court cases. The University campus was surveyed and demarcation was done in 2007-08 and more than 550 pillars were installed.    More  than  30  km  length  of  boundary  wall  has  been  erected  around  the campus.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1156 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-28
Subject: Legislation for Management of Public Library System
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Eswarasamy K

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1156 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025

## LEGISLATION FOR MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM

## 1156. SHRI ESWARASAMY K.

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- a) whether it is a fact that the major States in terms of population have no Library legislation;
- b) if so, the details thereof; and
- c) the  details  of  the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  in  recent  years  to  have professionally managed Public Library Systems all over the country?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (b) As per the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India, the subject of 'Libraries' falls under  the  State  List,  and  public  libraries  function  under  the  administrative  control  of  the respective State/Union Territory Governments.

As per records available with the Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF), Kolkataan autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture-library legislation has so far been enacted in the following 19 States/Union Territories: Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West  Bengal, Manipur, Haryana, Kerala, Mizoram,  Goa,  Gujarat, Odisha, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Telangana.

(c)  The  Ministry  of  Culture,  through  the  Raja  Rammohun  Roy  Library  Foundation  (RRRLF), Kolkata-an autonomous organization under the Ministry-provides financial assistance for the development  of  public  libraries  across  the  country  under  its  approved  Matching  and  NonMatching Schemes.

Further,  under  the  National  Mission  on  Libraries  (NML)  Scheme,  financial  assistance  is provided for the component 'Setting up of NML Model Libraries', which includes support to one State Central Library and one District Library in each State/Union Territory, as recommended by the respective State Authorities, in addition to six libraries identified by the Ministry.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1155 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-28
Subject: New Sports Policy
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Damodar Agrawal, Dr. Manna Lal Rawat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †1155 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025

New Sports Policy

†1155. Shri Damodar Agrawal: Dr. Manna Lal Rawat:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  introduce  a  new  sports policy  for  the  development  of  sports  and  sportspersons  in  the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the timeline set by the Government for implementation of the said policy;
- (d)  the  sports likely to be prioritized by the Government under the proposed policy;
- (e)  whether the Government has received suggestions to specially promote Lacrosse sport; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. The Government has introduced a new sports policy titled  'Khelo  Bharat  Niti-2025'  on  01.07.2025  for  promotion  and development of sports and sportspersons across the country. Details of which is available in the public domain on website of this Ministry at the following link https://yas.nic.in/sites/default/files/Khelo-BharatNiti-2025\_0.pdf

(c) & (d): Implementation  of  any  policy  is  a  continuous  process, however, Khelo Bharat Niti-2025 lays  down  a  comprehensive implementation strategy encompassing:

-  To establish a robust regulatory framework for sports governance, including legal framework.
-  To  develop  innovative  financing  mechanisms  and  engage private sector participation through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
-  To  leverage  emerging  technologies,  including  AI  and  data analytics,  for  performance  tracking,  research,  and  program implementation.
-  To create a national framework with well-defined benchmarks, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and time-bound targets.
-  To serve as a model for States and Union Territories, encouraging them to revise or formulate their own policies in alignment with national objectives.
-  To adopt whole-of-Government approach by calling for integration of sports promotion into the activities, schemes, and programs of all Ministries and Departments to achieve a holistic impact.

The Khelo Bharat Niti-2025 doesn't prioritized  any  specific  sports, however,  it  supports  development  of  all  sports/games  across  the country.

(e): No  suggestions  to  specially  promote  Lacrosse  sport  was received during the consultation phase of the Khelo Bharat Niti-2025.

- (f): Doesn't arise in view of reply given in part (e) above.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1153 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-28
Subject: Regulation of Cryptocurrency
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Putta Mahesh Kumar

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1153 TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, JULY 28, 2025/ SRAVANA 6, 1947 (SAKA)

## Regulation of Cryptocurrency

## 1153. Shri Putta Mahesh Kumar:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the government has undertaken any study/survey regarding cryptocurrency usage in the country during the last five years;
- (b) if so, the details regarding the steps undertaken by the Government to recognise and regulate cryptocurrency in the country;
- (c) whether the Government has any plan to introduce any model guidelines/rules for regulation of cryptocurrency, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d)  whether the Government has taken any steps to raise awareness regarding cryptocurrency, especially in Rural/Tier-II/Tier-III cities of the country, if so, the details thereof and if not, reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (b):  Crypto Assets are unregulated in India and government does not collect data on these assets.  Notwithstanding  this,  government  vide  notification  dated  7th  March,  2023  has  brought crypto  assets/Virtual  Digital  Assets  (VDAs)  under  the  purview  of  the  Prevention  of  Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) to bring the transactions involving VDAs within the ambit of PMLA. Further, Income from these assets is taxed under the Income-tax Act, 1961 and different aspects  of  the  VDA  sector  are  regulated  under  the  Information  Technology  Act,  2000. Additionally, Companies with exposure to crypto assets are required to disclose their holding of crypto assets in their financial statements as per the amendment brought in Schedule III to the Companies Act 2013, vide notification dated 24th March 2021 effective from 1st April 2021.

(c)  to  (d):  Crypto  Assets  are  by  definition  borderless  and  require  significant  international collaboration  to  prevent  regulatory  arbitrage.  Therefore,  any  proposal  for  bringing  model guidelines/rules can be effective only with significant international collaboration on evaluation of the risks and benefits and evolution of common taxonomy and standards. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued advisories warning users, holders, and traders of virtual currencies or crypto assets  about  the  potential  risks,  including  economic,  financial,  operational,  legal,  and  security concerns. Further, RBI vide its circular dated May 31, 2021 has also advised its regulated entities to continue to carry out customer due diligence processes for transactions in VCs, in line with regulations  governing  standards  for  Know  Your  Customer  (KYC),  Anti-Money  Laundering (AML), Combating of Financing of Terrorism (CFT), obligations under Prevention of  Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1152 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-28
Subject: Time Limit for Choosing UPS Scheme
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Anto Antony

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1152

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

## TIME LIMIT FOR CHOOSING UPS SCHEME

## 1152. Shri Anto Antony

Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has introduced the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) for its employees and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has given options to join UPS or NPS;
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the time limit provided to the employees to opt the UPS scheme;
- (d) the number of employees opted UPS as on date; and
- (e) whether the Government has any plan to extend the time limit for choosing the scheme and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE

## (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (e) Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) has been introduced as an option under National Pension System (NPS) for the employees of Central Government who are covered under the NPS, with the objective  of  providing  assured  payouts  to  the  employees.  Based  on  the  representations  from employees and associations, the cut-off date to opt for UPS has been extended for a period of three months up to 30 th September, 2025. Further, as on 20.07.2025, 31555 employees have opted UPS.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1151 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-28
Subject: Corruption in National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT)
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Anil Yeshwant Desai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1151 ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 28th of JULY, 2025/ SRAVANA 6, 1947 (SAKA)

CORRUPTION IN NATIONAL COMPANY LAW TRIBUNAL (NCLT)

## QUESTION

1151.    SHRI ANIL YESHWANT DESAI:

Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that there is corruption in National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT);
- (b) whether it is also a fact that the activities of some officials of the NCLT  are  under  probe  by  investigation  agencies  like  CBI  for corruption charges; and
- (c) whether an international agency like Transparency International in its report has also mentioned the charges about NCLT and if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(HARSH MALHOTRA)

- (a)  &  (b)  National  Company  Law  Tribunal  (NCLT)  works  in  a transparent and accountable manner complying with  guidelines of Central Vigilance Commission issued from time to time. A case has been reported from NCLT Mumbai Bench, which is under investigation  by  Central  Bureau  of  Investigation  (CBI).  NCLT  has ensured full co-operation in the investigation being conducted by the investigating agency. The allegations pertain to individual conduct and do not reflect on the institution as a whole.
- (c) As per the available information, there is no such report.

***********
Lok Sabha Question No. 100 (STARRED), answered on 2025-07-25
Subject: PMBJAK in Uttar Pradesh
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Shri Devesh Shakya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS

LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. 100 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 th  JULY, 2025

## PMBJAK in Uttar Pradesh

## †*100. Shri Devesh Shakya:

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  number  of  Pradhan  Mantri  Bhartiya  Jan Aushadhi  Kendras  (PMBJAK)  currently operational in Etah, Kasganj, Etawah, Auraiya and Kannauj districts of Uttar Pradesh;
- (b) the number of new Jan Aushadhi Kendras sanctioned and made operational in the said districts during the financial year 2024-25;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  increase  the  number  of  such  Kendras  and  the availability of medicines, district-wise; and
- (d) if so, the salient features and the time limit set in this regard?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)

(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## Statement referred to in reply to the LOK SABHA STARRED Q. No. 100 for answer on 25.7.2025 raised by Shri Devesh Shakya, regarding PMBJAK in Uttar Pradesh

Under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana scheme, a total of 16,912 Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) have been opened till 30.6.2025 across the country, out of which 3,550 have been opened in the State of Uttar Pradesh. Details of the JAKs opened during the financial year (FY) 2024-25 and total number of JAKs opened till 30.6.2025 in Etah, Kasganj, Etawah, Auraiya and Kannauj districts of Uttar Pradesh are as under:

| S. No.   | District   |   Number of JAKs opened during FY2024-25 |   Number of JAKs opened till 30.6.2025 |
|----------|------------|------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|
| 1.       | Etah       |                                        1 |                                     24 |
| 2.       | Kasganj    |                                        5 |                                     13 |
| 3.       | Etawah     |                                        5 |                                     25 |
| 4.       | Auraiya    |                                        0 |                                     13 |
| 5.       | Kannauj    |                                        3 |                                     27 |
| Total    | Total      |                                       14 |                                    102 |

The Government has decided to increase the total number of JAKs opened to 25,000 by 31.3.2027. There is no State- and Union-territory-wise target for opening of new JAKs.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 99 (STARRED), answered on 2025-07-25
Subject: Status of National Waterway Number 37
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Shri Sunil Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *99

## ANSWERED ON 25.07.2025

## STATUS OF NATIONAL WATERWAY NUMBER 37

*99. SHRI SUNIL KUMAR:

## Will the MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:

## पȅन , पोत पįरवहन और जलमागŊ मंũी

(a) whether the Government had identified National Waterway Number 37 on Gandak river  in  Bihar  from  Saran  up  to  Nepal  border  via  Champaran  to  develop  it  as  an international waterway, if so, the details thereof; (b) whether an amount of Rs. 150 crore was sanctioned for the survey work of the said waterway and some part of survey work was completed as well, if so, the details thereof; (c) whether there was also a proposal to set up six terminals along the Gandak river to operate the said waterway, if so, the details thereof; and (d)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  approve  the  said  waterway  and  make  it operational to strengthen trade relations between India and Nepal by way of discovering new waterways, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

(a) to(d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *99 FOR 25.07.2025 RAISED BY SHRI SUNIL KUMAR, HON'BLE M.P. ON 'STATUS OF NATIONAL WATERWAY NUMBER 37'

(a) Gandak River has been declared as National Waterway (NW) No. 37 from Valmiki Nagar near Triveni to the Ganga River confluence at Hajipur (stretch of 295.7 km) under the  National  Waterways  Act,  2016.This  NW  connects  Valimiki  Nagar  Bridge  at Bhaisalotan Barrage and provides connectivity with Nepal.

(b) & (c) An amount of Rs. 12.91 crore for NW-37 was approved during the year 201718, which included the following works:

1.  Hydrographic  Survey  (Thalweg  Survey  &  Detailed  Hydrographic  Survey  of shoals)
2. Channel Marking
3. Bandalling
4. Floating Terminals
5. Identification of Cross Structures
6. Stakeholder Workshops
7. Conduct Trial Movements

Further,  Hydrographic  Survey  from  Valmiki  Nagar  Barrage  (Triveni)  to  Ganga Confluence (Hazipur) has also been conducted. Moreover, two steel floating pontoons/jetties have been provisioned at Bettiah for utilization by the local community.

(d) The updation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been taken up through M/s Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) Ltd. for exploring the possibilities of Inland Water Transport (IWT) development based on economical and social viability.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 98 (STARRED), answered on 2025-07-25
Subject: Strengthening Yoga Infrastructure
Ministry: AYUSH
Asked by: Shri Omprakash Bhupalsinh Alias Pavan Rajenimbalkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO.98 FOR 25.07.2025

## STRENGTHENING YOGA INFRASTRUCTURE

## *98. Shri Omprakash Bhupalsinh Alias Pavan Rajenimbalkar:

Will the Minister of Ayush be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of new yoga training centres set up in the country, State/UT-wise, particularly in Dharashiv  Lok  Sabha  Constituency  and  Mumbai  in  the  State  of  Maharashtra  along  with  the amount of funds allocated and utilized during the last five years in this regard;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to set up more new Yoga centres across the country and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to strengthen infrastructure of the Yoga centres to promote Yoga, increase the number of Yoga instructors and appoint them in the Yoga training centres and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  whether the Government proposes to make provision of Yoga instructors/fitness coaches in rural areas; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

- (a) to (e)  A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO 98 FOR 25 th  JULY, 2025

## Answer: (a) to (e)

Since Public Health is a State subject, setting up of Yoga Centres and appointing Yoga Instructors come under the purview of respective State/ UT Governments. Ministry of Ayush is not maintaining specific data related to functioning of Yoga Centers.

However,  the  Ministry  is  implementing  the  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  of  National  Ayush Mission  (NAM)  through  State/UT  Governments  for  development  &  promotion  of  different Ayush systems in the country including Yoga and providing financial assistance to them as per the proposals received in their State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs). State/UT Governments may avail financial assistance by submitting proposals through State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs) as per  the  NAM  guidelines.  Under  National  Ayush  Mission  (NAM),  Ministry  of  Ayush  is implementing  the  operationalization  of  12,500  Ayushman  Arogya  Mandirs  (AAMs)  through State/UT Governments. At all these Ayush AAMs, Yoga is being taught to the public for general health promotion as community-based intervention by qualified Yoga Instructors.

***