opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 128 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-25
Subject: NoC for Hydrocarbon/Gas Exploration Projects
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Km. Sudha R

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 128

TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.11.2024

## NoC for Hydrocarbon/Gas Exploration Projects

## 128 . KM. SUDHA R:

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

- (a) the number of Environmental Clearance given to Hydrocarbon Projects in the Cauvery Delta Districts, especially Mayiladuthurai and Thanjavur during the last five years;
- (b) the  details  of  number  of  applications  pending  for  seeking  No-Objection  Certificate (NOC) or Environmental Clearance for Hydrocarbon or Gas Exploration Projects in the said districts during the last five years along with the list of locations and the companies that have sought permission for explorations; and
- (c) whether there is any central policy to declare Delta districts as protected zone and to ban oil and gas exploration projects in view of Delta districts being declared as special agricultural zone by the State Government of Tamil Nadu?

## ANSWER

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

- (a):  No fresh Environmental Clearance (EC) to Hydrocarbon Projects in the Cauvery Delta Districts,  especially  Mayiladuthurai  and  Thanjavur,  has  been  granted  by  the  Ministry  of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) during the last five years. However, MoEF&CC has granted extension of EC validity for three project during last five years.
- (b): The following three proposals seeking Environmental Clearance (EC) for Hydrocarbon projects under B2 category, as per MoEF&CC notification dated 16.01.2020 during last five years, are pending with SEIAA, Tamil Nadu:
- (i) M/s. ONGC proposal for Drilling of Exploratory wells 20Nos in CY-ONHP-2018/3 OALP Block in Ramanathapuram District.
- (ii) M/s.  Vedanta  Limited  (Division  Cairn  Oil  &  Gas),  Proposal  CY-OSHP-2017/2 Hydrocarbon Block located in the coast of Nagapattinam and Cuddalore districts in Tamil Nadu and Karaikal District of Puducherry in Bay of Bengal.
- (iii) M/s.  Vedanta  Limited  (Division  Cairn  Oil  &  Gas),  Proposal  CY-OSHP-2017/1 Hydrocarbon Block located in the coast of Cuddalore and Villupuram Districts in Tamil Nadu and U.T. of Puducherry in Bay of Bengal.
- (c):    Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change  notifies  certain  areas  as  EcoSensitive  Zone  (ESZ)/  Eco-Sensitive  Area  (ESA) to address  the  need  of  special  protection under the provisions of Environment Protection Act, 1986, based on proposal received from

the State government. There is no such proposal received in the Ministry from the Tamil Nadu State  Government.  Further,  Exploration  and  Production  of Hydrocarbons  in  India is administered by The Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Act, 1948 and its attendant PNG rules, 1959 (as amended from time to time) which do not have any such provision.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 127 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-25
Subject: Status and Conservation of Elephants in India Report 2022-23
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Sasikanth Senthil

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 127

TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.11.2024

## Status and Conservation of Elephants in India Report 2022-23

## 127     SHRI SASIKANTH SENTHIL:

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

- (a) the details of current status of the "Status of Elephants in India in 2022-23" Report and expected timeline for the release of this Report to the public;
- (b) the details of the steps being  taken by the Government to address the reported 20% decline in the elephant population including the 41% decline observed in the Central Indian and Eastern Ghats regions; and
- (c) whether the Government has conducted assessments to evaluate the long term impacts of current and proposed developmental projects on elephant populations 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)  The  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change,  in  coordination  with Wildlife Institute of India and the State Forest Departments, has initiated 'All India Synchronized Elephant Estimation' in 2022-23. All such estimation reports are made public after their completion.
- (c) The management of wildlife habitats including elephant conservation is primarily the responsibility  of  State  Governments/UT  Administrations.  Considerable  part  of  the Elephant Reserves are overlapping with Tiger Reserves, Protected Areas, Reserved Forest and Protected Forest areas, which are protected under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972,  Indian  Forest  Act,  1927  and  other  State  Acts.  The  activities  related  to infrastructure development projects are regulated as per the existing Acts, Rules and Guidelines. Further necessary mitigation measures are also taken in developmental projects as and where applicable.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 126 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-25
Subject: State of India's Birds Report 2023
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Jagdambika Pal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 126

TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.11.2024

## State of India's Birds Report 2023

## 126.   SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL:

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

- (a) the  State  of  India's  Birds  Report  2023  indicates  a  39  per  cent  decline  in  bird populations  over  the  past  decades,  particularly  among  species  that  depend  on vertebrates, carrion, and invertebrates, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether birds endemic to the Western Ghats and the Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot, such as the Great Gray Shrike, have seen a decline of over 80 per cent;
- (c) the details of initiatives taken by the Government in response to said Report; and;
- (d) the details of any improvements in the population of these bird species as a result of said initiatives?

## 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 has not published any  report  titled  'State  of  India's  Birds  Report'.  The  Ministry  undertakes population estimation of flagship species like Asian Elephant, Tiger, Leopard and  Snow  Leopard.  Population  assessments  are  also  carried  out  by  the respective  States/Union  Territories  for  many  other  wild  animals  including birds.

The  steps  taken  by  the  Ministry  for  protection  of  wildlife  including  bird species of the country include:

- i. The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 lists 208 species of birds in Schedule  I  and  1134  species  of  birds  in  Schedule  II,  thereby according them protection from hunting.
- ii. Protected Areas, viz., National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves covering important wildlife habitats have been created all over the country under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
- iii. The  Ministry has notified the  Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, for better protection of wetlands in the country.
- iv. A  specific  component  of  'Recovery  programmes  for  saving critically  endangered  species  and  habitats'  is  included  in  the ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of 'Development of Wildlife Habitats' for focused conservation action on 22 critically endangered  species  including  Bustards,  Edible  nest  Swiftlets, Nicobar Megapode, Jerdon's Courser and Vultures.
- v. Financial  and  technical  assistance  is  provided  to  the  State/UT Governments for protection and management of Protected Areas under  the  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  of  'Development  of Wildlife Habitats'.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 125 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-25
Subject: Committee Report on NEET Exam Paper Leak
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Anand Bhadauria

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 125 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 25.11.2024

## 'Committee Report on NEET Exam Paper Leak'

125.                              SHRI ANAND BHADAURIA:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a)   whether  Dr.  K.  Radhakrishanan  Committee constituted after NEET exam paper leak has submitted its report;

- (b)   if so, the details thereof;
- (c)   the details of salient recommendations of the said Committee; and

(d)  the  details  of  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  stop  rampant  paper  leaks  in  exams conducted by National Testing Agency?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d)  In order to suggest effective measures for transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations by National Testing Agency (NTA), the Ministry of Education constituted a High-Level Committee of Experts (HLCE) on 22.06.2024 headed by Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, former Chairman ISRO and Chairman BoG, IIT Kanpur. The Committee has  submitted  its  report  on  21.10.2024  and  has  recommended  Reformation  of  National Common  Entrance  Testing  including  strengthening  of  NTA,  institutional  linkage  with States,  involvement of Test  Indenting Agencies  as Knowledge and Examinations partner etc.  The  Committee  has  also  recommended  constitution  of  a  High-Powered  Steering Committee to monitor the implementation of recommendations of HLCE on NTA.

As deterrence to unfair means in public examinations, the Central Government has enacted the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. The Act has come into  force  w.e.f.  21st  June,  2024  and  Rules  thereunder  have  been  notified  on  23rd  June, 2024.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 124 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-25
Subject: Malaviya Mission Teachers Training Programme
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Appalanaidu Kalisetti

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 124 ANSWERED ON 25.11.2024

## Malaviya Mission Teachers Training Programme

## 124. Shri Appalanaidu Kalisetti

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a) the details of breakdown of Malaviya Mission Teachers Training Programme Centres in the country including their specific district locations, State-wise;

(b) the details of faculty members from Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) who have registered on the UGC portal for teacher training, and the number of faculties who have completed  the  course  as  against  the  set  targets,  categorised  State-wise  and  Institutionwise; and

(c) whether any impact assessment has been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the  Malaviya  Mission  Teachers  Training  Programme  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof including outcome?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  &  (b):  136  Malaviya  Mission  Teachers  Training  Centres  have  been  identified throughout  the  country  since  re-launch  of  the  Malaviya  Mission  Teachers  Training Programme (MMTTP) on 05.09.2023. The state-wise list of these Centres with specific district  locations,  number  of  faculty  benefitted  from  different  programs  is  available  on MMTTP Portal at https://mmc.ugc.ac.in/Uploads/Status%20of%20136%20MMTTCs%20as%20on%2021. 11.2024.pdf.

Apart from invitation of applications on UGC portal, nominations are also invited from HEIs for other programs like Academic Leadership Program, Capacity Building Program on Specific Learning Disabilities and Capacity Building for Promoting Positive Mental Health,  Resilience  and  Wellbeing  in  HEIs  etc.  In  Academic  Leadership  Program,  57 VCs/Directors/Heads  of  Universities/Institutions  have  been  trained  so  far.  In  Capacity Building Program on Specific Learning Disabilities, total 432 faculty of 27 HEIs have been trained in Cycle I and around 300 faculty of 33 HEIs have been trained in Cycle II so  far.  In  Capacity  Building  for  Promoting  Positive  Mental  Health,  Resilience  and Wellbeing in HEIs, around 1020 faculty members from 112 HEIs have been trained so far.

(c): To assess and review the progress of the scheme, meeting of Project Approval Board (PAB) constituted under the Scheme is conducted at regular interval. Since re-launch of the scheme, 2 meetings of PAB have been held so far. In these meetings, objective, mode of  programs,  modalities,  targeted  beneficiaries,  physical  &  financial  targets,  outcomes, etc.  are  discussed  and  reviewed.  As  part  of  outreach  activities,  Zone  wise  Regional Workshop are also organised to review the progress of the program, evaluate outcomes, and  share  the  best  practices  adopted  by  Malaviya  Mission  Teacher  Training  Centers (MMTTCs).

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 123 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-25
Subject: Teaching of Regional Language in Kendriya Vidyalayas
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Anil Yeshwant Desai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 123 ANSWERED ON 25.11.2024

## TEACHING OF REGIONAL LANGUAGE IN KENDRIYA VIDYALAYAS

## 123 SHRI ANIL YESHWANT DESAI:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether regional languages are compulsorily taught in Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) located in each State;
- (b) whether  Marathi  language  is  being  taught  in  class  I  to  XII  in  the  KVs  in Maharashtra, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) whether apart from native/regional language, other regional languages are being taught in any KV in the country and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (c) Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) are opened primarily to cater to the educational needs of the wards of transferable Central Government Employees including Defence & ParaMilitary  personnel,  Central  Autonomous  Bodies,  Central  Public  Sector  Undertakings (PSUs) and Central Institute of Higher Learning (IHL) by providing a common programme of education. So, to ensure uniformity in all the KVs, two languages viz., Hindi and English are taught in classes I-V, three languages are taught in the classes VI-VIII viz., Hindi, English, and Sanskrit and two languages i.e., English and Hindi/Sanskrit in classes IX-X.

KVs  are  following  a  common  scheme  of  education  as  per  its  mandate,  with common syllabus, text books and language so that the students are not inconvenienced when they move from one KV to the other when their parents are transferred. However, as per Article 112 of Education Code for Kendriya Vidyalayas, 'additional arrangement for teaching of the regional language/ mother tongue shall be made, provided 15 or more students  are  willing  to  opt  for  the  same'.  Temporary  teachers  are  engaged  to  teach local/regional  languages  including  Marathi,  provided  there  is  a  demand  and  sufficient numbers of student are available.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 118 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-25
Subject: Elephant Census
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Kuldeep Indora

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 118

TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.11.2024

## Elephant Census

## 118.    SHRI KULDEEP INDORA:

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

- (a) whether the Government has any plan to conduct a new elephant census in order to have an estimate of elephant's population in the country;
- (b) if so, the details in this regard; and
- (c) the steps being taken to identify and restrict the development projects which pose a threat to the elephant's population in the country?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)&(b)  The  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change,  in  coordination  with Wildlife Institute of India and the State Forest Departments, has initiated 'All India Synchronized Elephant Estimation' in 2022-23.
- (c) The management of wildlife habitats including elephant conservation is primarily the responsibility  of  State  Governments/UT  Administrations.  Considerable  part  of  the Elephant Reserves are overlapping with Tiger Reserves, Protected Areas, Reserved Forest and Protected Forest areas, which are protected under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972,  Indian  Forest  Act,  1927  and  other  State  Acts.  The  activities  related  to infrastructure development projects are regulated as per the existing Acts, Rules and Guidelines. Further necessary mitigation measures are also taken in developmental projects as and where applicable.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 115 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-25
Subject: Establishment of ESI Hospital
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri T R Baalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 115 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.11.2024

## ESTABLISHMENT OF ESI HOSPITAL

## 115. SHRI T R BAALU:

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

(a)whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  establish  an  ESI hospital at Sriperumbudur, as the several thousands of workers employed in the number of large, medium and small industries located in the industrial estates at Irungattukottai, Padappai etc.; (b)if so, the details thereof; and (c)if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  to (c):  Employees State Insurance (ESI) Corporation has approved  a  proposal  for  setting  up  of  100  bedded  ESI  hospital  at Sriperumbudur  in  Tamil  Nadu.    ESI  Corporation  has  assigned  the construction  work  of  hospital  to  Central  Public  Work  Department (CPWD) and also issued the expenditure sanction of Rs. 178 Crore.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 109 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-25
Subject: Inflation Rate
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Smt. Geniben Nagaji Thakor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 109

TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.11.2024

## Inflation Rate

## †109. SMT GENIBEN NAGAJI THAKOR:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  any  concrete  steps  are  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  bring  down  the inflation rate;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the status of inflation rate during the last ten years?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  &  (b):  The  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  bring  down  the  inflation  rate  included strengthening  the  buffer  stock  of  essential  food  items  and  periodic  open  market  releases, subsidised  retail  sale  of  items  like  rice,  wheat  flour,  pulses  and  onion  in  specified  outlets, easing  imports  of  the  essential  food  items  through  rationalisation  of  duties,  prevention  of hoarding through imposition/revision and monitoring of stock limits, reduction of GST rates on various essential items from time to time and the targeted subsidy of LPG under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana beneficiaries. The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana largely protects the vulnerable sections from price pressures in food grains.
- (c) The status of all-India retail inflation rate based on Consumer Price Index-Combined is as follows:

| Year              |   Inflation rate (%) (Base 2012=100) |
|-------------------|--------------------------------------|
| 2014-15           |                                  5.9 |
| 2015-16           |                                  4.9 |
| 2016-17           |                                  4.5 |
| 2017-18           |                                  3.6 |
| 2018-19           |                                  3.4 |
| 2019-20           |                                  4.8 |
| 2020-21           |                                  6.2 |
| 2021-22           |                                  5.5 |
| 2022-23           |                                  6.7 |
| 2023-24           |                                  5.4 |
| 2024-25 (Apr-Oct) |                                  4.8 |

Source: MoSPI
Lok Sabha Question No. 107 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-25
Subject: Implementation of PMIS in Chhattisgarh
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Chintamani Maharaj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 107 ANSWERED ON MONDAY THE 25 TH  NOVEMBER, 2024 AGRAHAYANA, 1946 (SAKA)

## IMPLEMENTATION OF PMIS IN CHHATTISGARH QUESTION

107. Shri Chintamani Maharaj:

Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the steps taken by the Government for effective implementation of PM Internship Scheme, 2024 to bridge the skill gap in the corporate sector;
- (b) the number of applications received and applicants selected in Chhattisgarh for internship under the said Scheme; and
- (c) the details of the companies in which internship is being provided to the selected applicants?

ANSWER

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

[HARSH MALHOTRA]

- (a): The Prime Minister's Internship Scheme (PMIS) announced in the Budget 2024 -25, aims to provide internship opportunities to one crore youth in top 500 companies in  five  years.  As  an  initiation  to  this  Scheme,  Ministry  of  Corporate  Affairs  has launched a Pilot Project of the Scheme on 3 rd  October, 2024, which is targeted to provide internship opportunities to 1.25 lakh youth in the Financial Year 2024-25. PM Internship Scheme provides an opportunity to the youth to get training and gain experience and skills within the real-life environment of various businesses or organizations with the intention of enhancing their employability by bridging the gap between academic learning and industry requirements.
- (b) & (c): In the Pilot Project of the Scheme, a total of 3326 internship opportunities have been posted by companies in the state of Chhattisgarh. For these Internship Opportunities a total of 12789 applications have been received. As on date, the selection process is ongoing.

*****