opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2714 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: ASI Survey in North Eastern Region
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Joyanta Basumatary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2714 ANSWERED ON 17.03.2025

## ASI SURVEY IN NORTH EASTERN REGION

2714. Shri Joyanta Basumatary:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Government has any specific objectives which the Archaeological Survey of India  (ASI)  aims  to  achieve  through  the  ongoing  explorations  in  the  different  sites  in  the North Eastern States, if so, the details thereof;

(b) (b)  the  details  of  the  technological  methods  and  equipment  being  used  by  the  ASI  team during these explorations; and

(c)  the  details  of  the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  the  protection  and preservation of cultural heritage discovered through these explorations?

## ANSWER

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

(a) Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) conducts explorations from time to time with the objective to systematically identify, locate and document potential archaeological sites in the north-eastern states.

ASI  has  carried  out  exploration  at  Katlicherra,  District  Hailakandi,  Assam  in  2024  and LiDAR survey at Bhismak Nagar, District Lower Dibang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh in 2023 to locate and find out the buried structures, if any.

(b) LiDAR Survey, digital photo documentation, GPS etc. are used during exploration as per requirement.

(c) As  per  regular  practice,  when  any  ancient  monument  or  archaeological  site  worth protecting of national importance is noticed, a protection proposal is prepared and is declared as  a  protected  monument  or  protected  area  under  Ancient  Monuments  and  Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2713 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: Benami Transactions in Pench Tiger Reserve
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Dr. Mallu Ravi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2713

ANSWERED ON MONDAY, 17 TH  MARCH, 2025/PHALGUNA 26, 1946 (SAKA)

## BENAMI TRANSACTIONS IN PENCH TIGER RESERVE

## 2713.  Dr. Mallu Ravi:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Income Tax Department's Benami Prohibition Unit (BPU) has identified and attached  properties  linked  to  Benami  transactions  in  the  Pench  Tiger  Reserve,  Madhya Pradesh; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the outcomes of such actions, including penalties imposed?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes;

(b) Details of attached properties linked to Benami transactions in the Pench Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh by the Income Tax Department's Benami Prohibition Unit (BPU) and the outcomes thereof -

- (i) Land admeasuring total area of 7.86 hectares (along with a semi-furnished pucca godown  constructed  thereon),  located  in  Village  Kohka,  Tehsil  Kurai,  District Seoni, Madhya Pradesh, within the Pench Tiger Reserve has been attached.

Provisional attachment order passed u/s 24(4) of PBPT  Act,  1988  dated 16.12.2022 by ACIT, Benami Prohibition Unit, Bhopal has been confirmed by the Adjudicating Authority, Mumbai on 20.10.2023. Appeals filed by the benamidar/beneficial owners are pending before the Appellate Tribunal.

- (ii) Land-cum-resort admeasuring total area of 1.35 hectares (along with 1 restaurant, 4  cottages  and  20  teak  trees  constructed/planted  thereon),  located  in  Village Avargani Raiyat, Tehsil Kurai, District Seoni, Madhya Pradesh, within the Pench Tiger Reserve has been attached.

Provisional attachment order passed u/s 24(4) of  PBPT  Act,  1988 dated 22.12.2022 by ACIT, Benami Prohibition Unit, Bhopal has been confirmed by the Adjudicating Authority, Mumbai on 20.10.2023. Appeals filed by the benamidar/beneficial owners are pending before the Appellate Tribunal.

- (iii) Land-cum-resort admeasuring total area of 0.63 hectares, located in Village Turia, Tehsil Kurai, District Seoni, Madhya Pradesh, within the Pench Tiger Reserve has been attached.

Provisional attachment order passed u/s 24(4) of  PBPT  Act,  1988 dated 17.12.2021 by ACIT, Benami Prohibition Unit, Bhopal has been revoked by the Adjudicating  Authority  on  14.11.2022  in  light  of  the  judgment  passed  by  the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Ganpati Dealcom Pvt. Ltd. v/s  Union  of India dated 23.08.2022. Consequent to recalling of this judgement by the Hon'ble Supreme  Court  on  18.10.2024,  appeal  has  been  filed  before  the  Appellate Tribunal, New Delhi which is pending before the Tribunal.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2711 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: Accidental Insurance on ATM Cards
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Bharat Singh Kushwah

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2711

ANSWERED ON MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2025/PHALGUNA 26, 1946 (SAKA)

## Accidental Insurance on ATM Cards

## †2711. Shri Bharat Singh Kushwah:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is a provision to provide accidental insurance on ATM cards issued by banks and if so, the details thereof along with the total number of ATM card holders in Madhya Pradesh;
- (b) the total number of deaths caused due to accidents in Madhya Pradesh during the year 2023-24;
- (c) the total number of claim settlements made under the ATM Card Accident Insurance Scheme in Madhya Pradesh during the year 2023-24 along with the number of claimants and amount thereof;
- (d) whether the Government is likely to take any action to propogate and expedite claim settlements under the said ATM Card Accident Insurance Scheme; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## Answer

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

(a) to (e) As per Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Master Direction on Credit Card and Debit Card - Issuance and Conduct dated April 21, 2022 (updated as on March 07, 2024), no requirement has been prescribed for insurance cover  on  debit  or  credit  cards.  A  card-issuer  or  a  card  payment  network  may  provide  an  insurance  cover, complimentary or chargeable with the consent of the cardholder.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), an accident insurance cover of Rs. 2 lakh is provided to RuPay card holders (raised from earlier Rs. 1 lakh for PMJDY accounts opened after 28.8.2018). The benefit of accidental insurance is available to RuPay card holders who have performed minimum one successful financial or non-financial transaction within 90 days prior to the date of accident including accident date. The total number of RuPay Cards issued under PMJDY, as on 26.02.2025 in Madhya Pradesh are 3,34,97,859.

The  National  Payments  Corporation  of  India  (NPCI)  has  apprised  that  a  total  of  24  claims  for  accidental death/disability in the FY 2023-24 were received for the RuPay cards holders under PMJDY in Madhya Pradesh, out of which 18 claims amounting to Rs. 29 lakhs have been settled. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has apprised that data regarding the total number of deaths caused due to accidents in Madhya Pradesh during the year 2023-24 is not available.

Further, Banks, NPCI and other stakeholders have been requested to ensure expeditious disposal of claims for the accidental insurance Scheme for the RuPay card holders. For lodging of claim(s), intimation should made to the bank within ninety days of the date of accident. The claim documents must be submitted within sixty days from the date of claim intimation. The claims after that are to be settled in ten working days from the date of receiving the complete document set by the insurer.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2708 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: Setting up of Higher Education Institutes
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Ramvir Singh Bidhuri

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2708 ANSWERED ON 17.03.2025

## Setting up of Higher Education Institutes

## † 2708. Shri Ramvir Singh Bidhuri:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the  total  number  of  colleges  opened  in  the  National  Capital  Region  of  Delhi  under  Delhi University during the last ten years; and
- (b) the  details  and  names  of  places  in  Delhi  where  the  Government  proposes  to  set  up  new colleges?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) University of Delhi is a statutory autonomous organization established under an Act of Parliament and governed by the Delhi University Act, 1922 and the Statutes and the Ordinances made thereunder. The University is spread across entire region of Delhi with its large number of associated institutions including 16 Faculties, 86 Departments, 91 Colleges, and 21 Centres. No new  college  has  been  established  under  University  of  Delhi  in  last  ten  years  except  Delhi University Western Campus at Dwaraka; Delhi University Eastern Campus at Surjmal Vihar and Veer Savarkar College at Roshanpura, Najafgarh.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2707 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: Sports University
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Benny Behanan

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2707 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.03.2025

Sports University

## 2707. SHRI BENNY BEHANAN:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  Kerala  has  produced numerous Olympians and has a strong legacy in sports, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government recognizes the need for a dedicated sports university  in  Kerala  to  nurture  talent  and  provide  advanced  training facilities, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Central Government is willing to consider establishing a  sports  university  in  Chalakudy  Parliamentary  Constituency,  Kerala, utilizing the Central Government-owned  land  at  Koratty  (Central Government Press land);
- (d) if so, the steps being taken by the Government to initiate the process and the expected timeline for the same; and
- (e)  if  not,  the  reasons  for  not  utilizing  this  available  land  for  such  a significant project that can contribute to national sports development?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS [DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA]

- (a)  Yes,  Sir.  The  Government  is  aware  that  Kerala  has  produced numerous Olympians and has a rich history of producing world class

athletes  like  P.T.  Usha,  T.C.  Yohannan,  Anju  Bobby  George,  Renjith Maheswary etc.. (b) to (e) No proposal is currently under consideration of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports for setting up a dedicated sports university in the State of Kerala. The National Sports University (NSU) has been set up in 2018 at Imphal in Manipur through the National Sports University Act, 2018 to cater to students and athletes from all the States/UTs of the country, including Kerala.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2703 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: Renovation of Temple and Fort
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Lumbaram Choudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO. † 2703 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.03.2025

## RENOVATION OF TEMPLE AND FORT

## † 2703. SHRI LUMBA RAM CHAUDHARY:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that a large number of ancient temples in the country are lying in a dilapidated condition;
- (b) if so, the details of important/major temples built centuries ago, especially in Sirohi and Jalore districts of Rajasthan;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  dilapidated  condition  of  the Achalgarh fort in Mount Abu and the Achaleshwar Mahadev temple situated just outside the fort;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to renovate the Achalgarh fort; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof along with the arrangement made  by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) There are total 3698 monuments/sites including 163 in the state of Rajasthan
- & under the protection of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) which includes
- (b) ancient  temples.  All  monuments/sites  are  in  good  state  of  preservation. However, there is no monument/site under the protection of ASI in Sirohi and Jalore districts of Rajasthan.
- (c) Achalgarh  Fort  is  situated  about  11  kilometers  north  of  Mount  Abu,
- to originally built by the Paramara dynasty rulers. The fort now exists in form
- (e) of some structural remains only. However, Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple is outside  the  fort;  managed  and  maintained  by  the  Sirohi  Board  Trust. However,  the  Achalgarh  Fort  and  Achaleshwar  Mahadev  Temple  are  not protected monuments under ASI and there is no proposal under consideration for their renovation.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2702 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: Equal Opportunity Cells
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Dr. Prashant Yadaorao Padole

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2702

ANSWERED ON 17/03/2025

## Equal Opportunity Cells

2702. Dr. Prashant Yadaorao Padole:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government maintains data on the constitution of Equal Opportunity Cells as per the Equity Regulations of 2012 and if so, the State-wise details of colleges that have created such cells and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether Equal Opportunity Cells have been constituted in Central Universities and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c)  whether  the  Government  maintains  data  on  instances  of  caste-based  violence  on campuses and if so, the college-wise or campus-wise details of such incidents in Central Universities during the last five years?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c): As informed by the University Grants Commission (UGC), it does not centrally maintain  the  caste-based  discrimination  data.  The  Central  Universities  are  autonomous bodies,  established  by  Acts  of  Parliament  and  have  their  Statutory  Bodies  and  various mechanisms to address all academic and administrative matters at their level. Further, the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2012 prescribes that the Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) shall promote equality among all sections of the students without prejudice to their belonging to any social group and for this purpose they shall establish an Equal Opportunity Cell (EOC). UGC has requested HEIs to establish EOC and Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe Cell to ensure the effective and transparent redressal of grievances of the disadvantaged groups.

As per available information with UGC, all the Central Universities under it's purview have constituted Equal Opportunity cells.

The State-wise details of colleges that have established Equal Opportunity Cell is at the Link https://www.ugc.gov.in/Content/upload/Parliamnet//0812321\_State-wise-list-ofColleges-established-EOC.pdf .

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2699 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: Reduction GST on Health and Life Insurance Policies
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2699

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2025 REDUCTION GST ON HEALTH AND LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES

## 2699. SHRI RAMASAHAYAM RAGHURAM REDDY:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state: (a) the details of the steps taken/to be taken by the Government to ensure that any reduction of 18% of GST on health insurance will be effectively passed on to consumers, rather than being retained by insurance companies; (b) whether the Government has any plan to reinstate or strengthen anti-profiteering measures to ensure that tax benefits are reflected in reduced premiums for health insurance policies; (c) if so, the details thereof; (d) whether the Government plans to address the potential revenue loss for States resulting from a reduction in GST on health insurance; (e) if so, the details thereof; and (f) the measures being considered by the Government to balance this loss with the need for consumer relief?

## ANSWER

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

(a): An effective regulatory framework in the form of regulations on insurance products and master  circulars  issued  thereon  is  in  place  to  monitor  insurance  products,  which  includes designing  insurance  products  and  setting  insurance  premiums.  GST,  at  applicable  rates,  is collected separately in addition to insurance premium. As the GST rates are applicable over and above the  insurance premium,  if the GST rate is reduced,  it  is expected to benefit the policyholder directly especially in a competitive market with many insurers.

(b): GST  rates and exemptions on all services and goods are prescribed on the recommendations of the GST Council which is a Constitutional body comprising of members from both the Union and State/UT Governments.

The issue of GST on health and life insurance was placed before the GST Council in its 54th

Meeting held on 9 th September, 2024 at New Delhi. After detailed deliberations, the GST Council recommended to constitute a Group of Ministers (GoM) to holistically look into the issues pertaining to GST on life insurance and health insurance. Accordingly, a Group of Ministers (GoM) on Life and Health Insurance was constituted under the Convenorship of Sh. Samrat Choudhary, Hon'ble Deputy CM, Bihar.

During the 55th meeting of the GST Council held on 21 st December, 2024 in Jaisalmer, the Convenor of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on Life and Health Insurance sought more time for  finalizing  the  GoM's  recommendations  and  placing  the  same  before  the  GST  Council. The Council agreed to give more time to GoM to finalize its recommendations. In absence of any recommendation of the GST Council, no comments can be offered on tax benefits for health insurance policies.

(c), (d), (e) & (f): Does not arise in view of reply to (b) above.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2697 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: Time Restriction for Withdrawal of Illegally transferred Money
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Anil Yeshwant Desai

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO:2697

ANSWERED ON THE MONDAY, 17 MARCH, 2025/PHALGUNA 26, 1946 (SAKA)

## TIME RESTRICTION FOR WITHDRAWAL OF ILLEGALLY TRANSFERRED MONEY

## 2697. SHRI ANIL YESHWANT DESAI:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that in order to monitor and regulate the withdrawal of money obtained illegally by fraud and transferred to any bank account, the Government is considering to impose time restriction for its withdrawal or transfer to another account;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the ways and procedure to identify such persons and the other multiple accounts accountholders where such money is transferred;
- (c) whether this cooling off restrictions on bank accounts will help to prevent cheating and online frauds; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  to  (d):  There  is  no  such  proposal  under  consideration  by  the  government  to  impose  time restriction  for  withdrawal  of  defrauded  money  or  transfer  of  such  money  to  another  account. However, RBI has issued Master Directions dated July 15, 2024, on Fraud Risk Management for the Regulated Entities which provides for framework on Early Warning Signals (EWS) to monitor transactions / unusual activities in the non-KYC compliant and money mule accounts etc. Further, the  requirement  for  data  analytics  and  Market  Intelligence  Unit  have  been  mandated  for  the supervised  entities  for  monitoring  transactions,  specifically  the  transactions  through  digital platforms and applications.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2695 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: National Showcase of the Eco-Creativity & Innovation Hackathon
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Naba Charan Majhi, Shri Gajendra  Singh Patel, Smt. Smita Uday Wagh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2695 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.03.2025

## National Showcase of the Eco-Creativity & Innovation Hackathon

2695.

SMT. SMITA UDAY WAGH: SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH PATEL: SHRI NABA CHARAN MAJHI:

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

- (a) the details of the measures taken by the Government to ensure that the innovative ideas generated  through  the  hackathon  are  implemented  and  scaled  up  for  real-world environmental impact;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  any  financial  and  technical  support  has  provided  by  the  Government  to students and institutions participating in this initiative, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the Government has collaborated with any industries or research institutions to develop and implement the ideas submitted during the hackathon?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, in addition to its own dedicated 'Environment Education Programme (EEP)', encourages and facilitates participation of Eco-club students in experiential learning activities organized by various organizations. The 'Eco-Creativity and Innovation Hackathon' organized  during 2024  is  one  such initiative  to which  this  Ministry  had  extended  non-financial  support  and  had  encouraged  voluntary participation of Eco-club students from all across India. The initiative provided a platform for students across India to explore solutions to pressing environmental challenges. The innovative ideas, selected for the national showcase event, are uploaded on the 'Environment Education Programme' portal of this Ministry for public access. The purpose of the hackathon was to encourage children to think of innovative ideas to solve environmental problems rather than scaling up and further development of ideas submitted by students.

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