opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4009 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-18
Subject: FSDC Cyber Resilience Framework
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri  Selvaganapathi T.M.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4009

TO BE ANSWERED ON AUGUST 18, 2025/SRAVANA 27, 1947 (SAKA)

## FSDC CYBER RESILIENCE FRAMEWORK

## 4009. SHRI SELVAGANAPATHI T.M.

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  Financial  Stability  and  Development  Council  (FSDC)  has examined various ways to enhance the cyber resilience framework of the financial sector;
- (b) whether it is also a fact that the FSDC is considering a strategy through financial sector specific cybersecurity to strengthen the cyber resilience framework;
- (c)  whether  FSDC  is  also  considering  reduction  in  the  amount  of  unclaimed  assets  in  the financial sector, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether FSDC is also planning to ease the compliance burden and simplify the process; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

(SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

(a) -(e): With  a  view  to  strengthening  and  institutionalizing  the  mechanism  for maintaining financial stability, enhancing inter-regulatory coordination and  promoting financial sector development, the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) has been set up by the Government as the apex level forum chaired by the Finance Minister and its Members include the heads of different financial sector Regulators and Secretaries of different relevant  Departments  such  as  Department  of  Economic  Affairs,  Department  of  Financial Services, Department of Revenue etc.

In furtherance of these objectives, issues relating to strengthening of cyber resilience of the  financial  sector,  reduction  of  unclaimed  assets  as  well  as  simplification  of  compliance processes were part of the discussions in the last FSDC meeting.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4008 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-18
Subject: Taxation of Sugary Drinks, Alcohol and Tobacco
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Com. Selvaraj V, Shri Subbarayan K

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4008

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, AUGUST 18, 2025/ SRAVANA 27, 1947(SAKA)

## TAXATION OF SUGARY DRINKS, ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO

4008. COM. SELVARAJ V: SHRI SUBBARAYAN K:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state: (a) whether it is a fact that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has demanded the countries to raise the prices of sugary drinks, alcohol and tobacco by 50 percent over the next ten years through taxation to tackle chronic public health problems; and (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  Government's  reaction

- thereto?

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

(a)  &  (b)  As  per  '3  by  35  Initiative'  launched  by  World  Health Organization  (WHO)  in  July  2025,  countries  have  been  urged  to increase taxes on sugary drinks, alcohol, and tobacco by 50 % over the  next  10  years  to  reduce  consumption  and  to  prevent  related non-communicable diseases. GST rates are prescribed on the basis of the recommendations  of  GST  Council which  comprises of members from Union Government and state/UT governments. Alcohol  for  human  consumption  is  under  the  purview  of  State governments. Currently, aerated drinks containing added sugar attract the highest rate  of  28%  along-with  Compensation  Cess  of  12%.  Tobacco products  attract  28%  GST  along-with  varying  Compensation  Cess rates ranging upto 290%. In addition, tobacco products also attract central duty over and above GST and Compensation Cess.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4007 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-18
Subject: Utilisation of NYDF for Sports Infrastructure
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri K E Prakash

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4007

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025

Utilisation of NYDF for Sports Infrastructure

4007. Shri K E Prakash:

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

- (a) whether the National Youth Development Fund (NYDF), started in 2015, has been used to build sports infrastructure in the country and
- if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;
- (b) the number of sportspersons received benefits under the said fund so far including categorised in with women, men and persons with disabilities, State/UT-wise;
- (c) whether any amount from this fund was given to colleges or sports centres for Research and Development (R&D) in sports and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has conducted any review or study to check the success of this fund and if so, the details and outcomes thereof along with the steps taken thereon; and
- (e)  whether  any  Members  of  Parliament  have  the  authority  to recommend  sportspersons  for  availing  of  this  fund  and  if  so,  the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

## ANSWER [DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA]

- (a) The National Youth Development Fund (NYDF) was set up in 2015 under the National Young Leaders Programme. One of the objective of NYDF was to construct and maintain infrastructure for development and empowerment of youth.   No funds were released from  NYDF  for  building  or  maintaining  any  infrastructure.  Further, building sports infrastructure was not the mandate of NYDF. The Fund

was discontinued in 2021 and the available balance was deposited in the Consolidated Fund of India.

(b) NYDF  was  never designed to provide direct benefits to sportspersons. Hence, no such data exists.

(c) No funds were sanctioned from NYDF for sports-related research or development in colleges or sports centres.

(d) No review was undertaken on sports-related outcomes, as NYDF was not a sports-focused fund.

(e) The fund was discontinued in 2021.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4006 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-18
Subject: Improving Mobile-Friendly Services
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Dilip Saikia, Shri Janardan Mishra, Smt. Shobhanaben Mahendrasinh Baraiya, Smt. Kamlesh Jangde

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †4006 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025

Improving Mobile-Friendly Services

†4006. Smt. Kamlesh Jangde:

Shri Dilip Saikia:

Smt. Shobhanaben Mahendrasinh Baraiya:

Shri Janardan Mishra:

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

- (a) the manner in which the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will help in improving digital access and mobile-friendly services for youth across the country;
- (b)  the  manner  in  which  the  said  platform  is  being  integrated  with India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI);
- (c)  the  role  of  Artificial  Intelligence  (AI)  based  tools  on  the  said platform; and
- (d)  the  measurable  objectives  or  Key  Performance  Indicators  (KPIs) being adopted to assess the effectiveness of bridging the digital divide through Mera Bharat-2.0?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)    The  Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has following major elements  for  digital  access  and  mobile-friendly  services  for  youth across the country:
- i. A fully functional mobile application for Android and IOS;
- ii. AI based Smart CV Builder & Digital Profiles;
- iii. Integrated  dash  boards  for  event  creating  organisations  and educational institutions to analyse the outcomes of the event;
- iv. Advance features of speech to text, voice assisted navigation and AI chatbots;
- v. Location intelligence and Geo-tag for searching opportunities near you and in any specific area;
- vi. Learning modules and quizzes for youth engagement;
- vii. Seamless  integration  to  Aadhaar,  Digilocker,  Bhashini,  and MyGov platform of Government of India etc.

(b) My Bharat platform is designed using a micro-services architecture in alignment with recognised standards such as Simple Object  Access  Protocol  (SOAP),  Representational  State  Transfer (REST)  and  Open  Application  Programming  Interface  (OpenAPI). Hosted  on  cloud  services  from  the  approved  list  of  Ministry  of Electronics  and  Information  Technology  (MeitY)  and  is  connected through secure digital links with other Government platforms, such as  MyGov,  Bhashini  etc.  to  ensure  smooth  integration  within  the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).

(c)  The MoU provides for AI/ML tools including chatbots, language translation, analytics, and dashboards, with AI-driven recommendations for youth based on profiles and opportunities.

(d) Major initiative to bridge the digital divide includes accessibility of  portal  in  22  languages,  mobile  application  and  interaction  with other Government platforms.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4005 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-18
Subject: Regulation of e-Sports in India
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Kesineni Sivanath, Shri B K Parthasarathi

## MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4005

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025

## REGULATION OF E-SPORTS IN INDIA

4005.

SHRI KESINENI SIVANATH:

SHRI B K PARTHASARATHI:

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

- (a) whether any Federation for e-sports officially recognised/set-up under the National Sports Code;
- (b) if so, whether the Government intends to establish or sanction a governing body for e-sports and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details regarding the institutional structure being followed to regulate  e-sports  for  upcoming  multi-sport  events  along  with  the detailed  timeframe  for  formalising  regulatory  arrangements  for  esports in the country;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  has  established  a  distinct  regulatory framework  for  e-sports  separate  from  online  gambling  and  casual games and if so, the details thereof and if not, the steps being taken to  distinguish  competitive  e-sports  from  real-money  gaming  under the Information Technology Rules, 2021; and
- (e) whether the Government is planning to bring a National e-sports Development Bill or amend the Sports Code to include digital skill-

based games and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e) Promotion and development of specific sports discipline is  the  responsibility  of  the  concerned  National  Sports  Federation (NSF).  With  regard  to  e-sports,  no  federation  for  the  discipline  is currently recognized by the Ministry. At International level also, the discipline is still in its nascent stage, and governance framework for e-sports is yet to be established.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4003 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-18
Subject: Cultural destruction through Social Media
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Amra Ram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4003 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025

## Cultural destruction through Social Media

## †4003. Shri Amra Ram:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has prepared any action plan to check the destruction of Indian culture through social media; and
- (b) whether the Government proposes to frame any law in order to take action against the people and companies corrupting our culture?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) & (b)

No Sir.

* * * * *
Lok Sabha Question No. 3999 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-18
Subject: Gyan Bharatam Mission
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Smt. Mahima Kumari Mewar, Ms Kangna Ranaut, Shri Arun Govil, Smt. Himadri Singh, Shri Anil Firojiya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3999

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025

## Gyan Bharatam Mission

†3999. Smt. Himadri Singh:

Smt. Mahima Kumari Mewar:

Shri Arun Govil:

Shri Anil Firojiya:

Ms Kangna Ranaut:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the primary objectives of 'Gyan Bharatam Mission';
- (a) the details of the plan formulated under the Mission to leverage digital technologies like virtual museums, online archives etc.; and
- (b) the details of the financial outlay of the said Mission for the current financial year 2025-26 across the country, State/UT-wise, particularly in Himachal Pradesh?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The primary objectives of the Gyan Bharatam Mission are as follows:
1. To identify all Indian manuscripts.
2.  To  collect  metadata  and  prepare  a  comprehensive  list  of  manuscripts  preserved  by institutions and individuals.
3. To ensure the proper conservation of rare and important manuscripts.
4. To implement a standardized framework for the scientific preservation and conservation of manuscripts held by institutions and individuals.
5. To create a National Digital Repository (NDR) for all identified manuscripts.
6. To facilitate monetization for the benefit of thecustodians of the identified manuscripts.
7. To publish selected manuscripts for the wider dissemination of knowledge.
8. To provide controlled access to manuscripts in the National Digital Repository (NDR) for research, translation, publication, and other scholarly activities under a monetization model.
9. To establish a physical storage facility for rare and important manuscripts using long-term archival materials such as archival paper, plastic imaging, wafer-fiche, etc.
- (b) The mission aims to use digital tools like virtual museums, online archives, and a National Digital Repository (NDR) to digitize and showcase Indian Manuscripts. Technologies such as AI, cloud platforms, and mobile apps will enable easy access, research, translation, and monetization, while ensuring preservation and wider dissemination of knowledge.
- (c) The financial outlay as per BE 2025-26 is Rs. 60 crores for the Mission. However, there is no State-wise allocation being made against Himachal Pradesh.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3998 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-18
Subject: Beneficiaries of ESI Scheme
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Rajesh Naranbhai Chudasama

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3998

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025

## BENEFICIARIES OF ESI SCHEME

3998. SHRI RAJESH NARANBHAI CHUDASAMA:

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

- (a)the details of the number of beneficiaries covered under the ESI
- Scheme throughout the country;
- (b)the details of the total beneficiary base after coverage of all the
- districts of the co untry under the ESI scheme;
- (c)whether the Government proposes to cover workers under the ESI scheme in the unorganized sector including those establishments employing less than 10 employees and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)if not, the time by which the final decision is likely to be taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): The  Employees'  State  Insurance  (ESI)  Scheme  framed under ESI Act, 1948 is applicable to all factories and establishments having ten or more employees, drawing wages up to Rs 21,000/- (Rs. 25,000/- for Persons with disability). As such, the Act does not apply to the unorganized sector. The number of beneficiaries covered under ESI Scheme as on 31st March, 2025 is 14,75,99,701 (provisional).

The  Government  has  enacted  Code  on  Social  Security, 2020 with the goal to extend social security to all employees and workers  with  either  in  the  organized  or  unorganized  or  any  other sectors and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3994 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-18
Subject: Extension of EPFO Membership
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Kali Charan Singh, Shri Chhatrapal Singh Gangwar, Shri Anil Firojiya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3994

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025

## EXTENSION OF EPFO MEMBERSHIP

†3994. SHRI CHHATRAPAL SINGH GANGWAR:

SHRI KALI CHARAN SINGH: SHRI ANIL FIROJIYA:

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

- (a)the  details  of  the  number  of  new  Employees'  Provident  Fund Organisation (EPFO) subscribers in April, 2025 along with the total number  of  subscribers  joined  during  September  2017  to  9  July 2025;
- (b)the  ratio  of  female  and  youth  aged  between  18  to  25  years subscribers in April, 2025; and
- (c)the  details  of  the  impact  of  the  said  additional  subscribers  on social security coverage of unorganised sector workers?

## ANSWER

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

(a): The total number of new Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) subscribers in April, 2025 as per the payroll data for the wage months 'April -2025' are 8,48,671*.

The total number of subscribers joined from September 2017 to 2024-2025 are as below;

Contd..2/

:: 2 ::

| Financial Year          | Net Payroll Data   |
|-------------------------|--------------------|
| 2017-18 (From Sep-2017) | 15,52,940**        |
| 2018-19                 | 61,12,223          |
| 2019-20                 | 78,58,394          |
| 2020-21                 | 77,08,375          |
| 2021-22                 | 1,22,34,625        |
| 2022-23                 | 1,38,51,689        |
| 2023-24                 | 1,31,48,204        |
| 2024-25                 | 1,29,78,168        |

*As per first publication month.

**Payroll Data from September 2017.

## (b): The ratio of female and youth subscribers aged between 18 to 25 years in April, 2025 is given below

| For the wage month April- 2025                        | Total no. of new subscribers (UAN)   |
|-------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|
| a. Women (all age group)                              | 2,45,073                             |
| b. Women (18-25 years)                                | 1,26,331                             |
| c. All gender (Youth 18-25 years)                     | 4,89,400                             |
| Ratio = Women (18-25 years)/ All gender (18-25 years) | 0.26                                 |

(c): The subscribers of EPFO are provided social security coverage as per the Schemes of the EPF & MP Act, 1952.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3993 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-18
Subject: Measurable Behavioural Indicators under Mission LiFE
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Dhaval Laxmanbhai Patel

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3993

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025

## Measurable Behavioural Indicators under Mission LiFE

## 3993.   SHRI DHAVAL LAXMANBHAI PATEL:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  developed  measurable  behavioural  indicators  under Mission LiFE;
- (b) the methods/criteria used to track these indicators at school, community or Urban Local Body (ULB) levels; and
- (c) whether the Mission is integrated with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) or startup innovation initiatives?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c):

Mission  LiFE  (Lifestyle  for  Environment)  is  a  citizen-led  initiative  that  focuses  on inspiring  and  enabling  individuals  to  adopt  sustainable  lifestyles  through  every  day  voluntary actions. It aims to nudge individuals and communities to practice a lifestyle that is synchronous with nature. Mission LiFE comprise of non-exhaustive list of 75 individual LiFE actions spread across seven themes (Save Energy, Save Water, Reduce Waste, Reduce e-waste, Say No To Single Use  Plastic,  Adopt  Healthy  Lifestyle,  Adopt  Sustainable  Food  Systems),  which  are  easy  to practice,  by  individuals,  communities  and  institutions.  Citizens,  institutions,  organizations  can report  their  LiFE  activities  on  Meri  LiFE  portal  and  the  data  on  number  of  activities  and participation is available on the said portal. The activities aligned with seven themes of Mission LiFE,  undertaken  in  Eco-clubs  on  Mission  LiFE  in  schools  are  captured  on  Meri  LiFE  portal through the integration of Eco-clubs portal of Department of School Education & Literacy.

An 'Ideas4LiFE initiative' under the framework of Mission LiFE to seek innovative ideas from  students,  faculties,  research  scholars  and  others  on  seven  themes  of  Mission  LiFE  was launched by the Ministry in 2024. A total of 1384 entries were received, out of which, 21 ideas with  top  3  ideas  in  each  of  the  seven  themes  were  shortlisted  and  felicitated  on  the  World Environment Day 2025.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3990 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-18
Subject: Waive off various charges for Small Farmers
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Hanuman Beniwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3990

ANSWERED ON MONDAY, AUGUST 18, 2025/ SRAVANA 27, 1947 (SAKA)

## WAIVE OFF VARIOUS CHARGES FOR SMALL FARMERS

†3990. SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Indian Banks Association has advised to waive off processing, documentation, inspection, ledger folio fee and other service charges for KCC loans upto Rs. 3 Lakhs in view of the financial hardships of small and marginal farmers;
- (b) whether the said advice is being followed by the banks and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) whether the Government proposes to make it mandatory so that it is strictly complied with by all the banks?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d)  In a deregulated credit environment, banks have been accorded the discretion to take credit related decisions, including levy of charges and fees, in terms of their Board approved policy subject to prudential norms of RBI. Accordingly, banks take decision on  processing fee, inspection charges and other charges for Kisan Credit Card scheme (KCC) loans as per their  respective  Board  approved  policies  and  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  Master Circular on Kisan Credit Card scheme (KCC) dated 04.07.2018 issued by RBI.

Indian Bank Association issued an advisory on 04 February 2019 and requested all the member banks to waive the processing, documentation, inspection and all other service charges for KCC/crop loans upto ₹ 3 lakhs, keeping in view of the hardship and financial distress of small and marginal  farmers.

***