opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4143 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-19
Subject: SGPC Election
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4143

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 19 TH  AUGUST, 2025/ SRAVANA 28, 1947 (SAKA)

SGPC ELECTION

4143.     SHRI SUKHJINDER SINGH RANDHAWA:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  fixed  any  timeline  for  the  conduct  of elections to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) in the State of Punjab;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, including the date of notification;
- (c) the designated authority responsible for conducting the elections and the proposed schedule for completion of the electoral process;
- (d) whether any date has been fixed and the reasons for the inordinate delay in holding SGPC elections, particularly in light of the fact that the last such elections were held in 2011; and
- (e)  whether  the  Government  proposes  any  legislative  or  administrative measures to ensure regular and timely elections to the SGPC, in keeping with democratic principles and the religious rights of the Sikh community and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a) to (e): The Sikh Gurdwaras Board Election Rules, 1959, provides that the Chief Commissioner, Gurdwara Elections shall by notification fix the date  or  dates  for  the  various  stages  of  elections  to  the  SGPC  Board, including the date on which polling shall be held. The Gurdwara Election

Commission  headed  by  Chief  Commissioner  Gurdwara  Elections  is  the designated authority for the conduct of elections.

The Government has commenced the election process. This was done after notification of Rules for appointment of Chief Commissioner Gurdwara Elections,  and  resolution  in  related  matters  in  several  court cases filed by different petitioners.

Accordingly,  the  Government  appointed  a  Chief  Commissioner  of Gurdwara  Elections  who  issued  notification  to  State  Governments  of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Administrator of Union Territory of Chandigarh and  Commissioner,  Gurdwara  Elections,  Chandigarh  Administration  to start preparation of electoral rolls for SGPC elections for the constitution of  new  Board  of  SGPC  in  accordance  with  Section  48  of  the  Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925.

In the meanwhile, several cases have been filed in the Hon'ble High Court of Punjab and Haryana challenging the preparation of electoral rolls and other related issues. The Hon'ble High Court has ordered a stay in the matter.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4141 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-19
Subject: Distribution of Surplus Foodgrains
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Smt. Mahima Kumari Mewar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4141 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19 TH  AUGUST, 2025

## DISTRIBUTION OF SURPLUS FOODGRAINS

4141.  SMT. MAHIMA KUMARI MEWAR:

Will the Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state;

- (a) whether the Government proposes to provide more foodgrains to the poor through various schemes instead of using surplus foodgrains for commercial purpose till the next crop year in the present situation of excess foodgrain storage capacity in the country; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof in this regard in the country, State-wise including Rajasthan?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

- (a)  & (b):   The total stock of Rice and Wheat available in central pool as on 01.07.2025 is 377.83 Lakh Metric Tons (LMT) and 358.78 Lakh LMT, respectively, against foodgrain stocking norms of 135.40 Lakh LMT for Rice and 275.80 Lakh LMT for Wheat.

After meeting the annual allocation of foodgrains for 2025-26 under the National Food Security Act (NFSA/ Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), Other Welfare Schemes (OWS) and additional allocation for natural calamities, festivals etc., the Government of India triggers the available options of disposal of the stock of foodgrains in the Central Pool through the Open  Market Sale Scheme-Domestic  (OMSS-D)  etc. The humanitarian assistance/aid, fully in grant form, to the deserving countries, is also allowed only through the Ministry of External Affairs.

The  Government  is  implementing  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Garib  Kalyan  Anna  Yojana (PMGKAY) for a period of five years with effect from 1 st  January, 2024, which provides food and nutritional security in human life-cycle approach, by ensuring access to adequate quantity of quality food at affordable prices to the people to live a life with dignity.

The PMGKAY aims to supplement the food requirements of upto 75% of the rural and upto 50% of the urban population, which as per Census 2011, comes to 81.35 crore persons. While Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households, which constitute poorest of the poor are entitled to 35 kg of foodgrains, per household per month, Priority Households (PHH) are entitled to  5  kg  of  foodgrains  per  person  per  month  free  of  cost.  The  coverage  under  the  Act  is substantially high to ensure that all the vulnerable and needy sections of the society get its benefit. At present, against the intended coverage of 81.35 crore, 80.56 crore beneficiaries are receiving foodgrains free of cost.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 357 (STARRED), answered on 2025-08-18
Subject: Kendriya Vidyalaya at Ranaghat
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Jagannath Sarkar

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

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 357 ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025

## Kendriya Vidyalaya at Ranaghat

## *357. Shri Jagannath Sarkar:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that Kendriya Vidyalaya, Ranaghat in West Bengal  is  facing  considerable  pressure  due  to  high  student  enrolment  and insufficient infrastructure;
- (b) if  so,  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  enhance  the  infrastructure  and increase the number of sections/seats at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Ranaghat, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF EDUCATION (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

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

******

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF  THE  LOK SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  357  ASKED  BY  SHRI  JAGANNATH SARKAR,  HON'BLE  MEMBER  OF  PARLIAMENT  ANSWERED  ON  18.08.2025 REGARDING 'KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA AT RANAGHAT'. (a)  to  (c):  As  per  the  information  received  from  Kendriya  Vidyalaya  Sangathan (KVS),  PM  SHRI  Kendriya  Vidyalaya  (KV),  Ranaghat  is  a  Civil  Sector  KV established in 2007 and later shifted to its permanent school building at the present location  i.e.  Kumarshatpur,  Ranaghat,  Nadia  in  May,  2015  with  infrastructure  in good condition. KV, Ranaghat is operating classes I to XII in  which  667  total  students  are enrolled.  At  present,  the  building  of  KV,  Ranaghat  consists  of  14  classrooms accommodating  the  14  functioning  sections  from                  Class-I  to  XII  and  has sufficient  infrastructure  to  meet  the  current  requirements  of  the  school.  As  per existing norms of KVS, all KVs have approval for two sections per class. Normally, the  number  of  sections  in  a  KV  is  increased  as  per  requirement  and  in  phased manner. Construction of infrastructure for KVs is a continuous process, which depends upon  requirement,  identification  of  suitable  land,  completion  of  transfer  /  lease formalities in favour of KVS by the sponsoring authorities, submission of Drawings / Estimates  by  construction  agency,  availability  of  funds  and  requisite  approvals, removal of shortcomings over land by sponsoring agency, etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 345 (STARRED), answered on 2025-08-18
Subject: Tax Relief to Senior Citizens
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri T R Baalu

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

## STARRED QUESTION NO. *345

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

## TAX RELIEF TO SENIOR CITIZENS

*345. Shri T R Baalu: Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has any plans to grant further tax reliefs to the senior citizens of age 70 and above by enhancing the income-tax exemptions ceiling to Rs. 25 lakhs; (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and (c) the details of income-tax collected from senior citizens above 70 years during the last five years?

## ANSWER

THE FINANCE MINISTER (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

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

*****

Statement referred in reply to parts (a) to (c) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. *345 to be answered on 18.08.2025 regarding Tax Relief to Senior Citizens by Shri T R Baalu:

- (a) No. There is no such plan under consideration at present.
- (b) Under the Income-tax Act, 1961, a number of reliefs have already been provided to the senior citizens. It is the stated policy of the Government to reduce the tax rates while removing exemptions and deductions. Accordingly, new tax regime with liberal slabs, lower rates and higher  rebates  has  been  put  in  place  effective  from  previous  year  starting  from  1.4.2025. Further, any matter relating to tax rates or relief is decided during regular budgetary exercise and outcome of same is reflected in the respective Finance Act.
- (c) The details of income-tax collected from senior citizens above 70 years during the last five years are as under:

|   Sl. No. | Assessment Year (A.Y.)   | Tax Collected (in Rs. Crores)   |
|-----------|--------------------------|---------------------------------|
|         1 | 2020-21                  | 25,969.63                       |
|         2 | 2021-22                  | 28,090.77                       |
|         3 | 2022-23                  | 39,537.42                       |
|         4 | 2023-24                  | 48,152.79                       |
|         5 | 2024-25                  | 61,624.23                       |

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 344 (STARRED), answered on 2025-08-18
Subject: Forest Clearance to Road Projects
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Vishnu Datt Sharma

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 344

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025

## Forest Clearance to Road Projects

## 344*.   SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA.

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

- (a) whether construction of Mandla-Harsa-Bagonha road, Ajaygarh-Ajaypar road, Amanganj-Madayyan road and on NH-75 Harsa turn to Saliya stretch road is pending due to lack of clearance by the Forest Department;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  expedite clearance of the said project;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to exclude various villages of Panna district from Panna Tiger Reserve territory to improve connectivity and civic facilities; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BHUPENDER YADAV)

- (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. 344 to be answered on 18.08.2025 on 'Forest Clearance to Road Projects' by Shri Vishnu Datt Sharma

- (a) & (b) As per information received from the State Government of Madhya Pradesh, the proposal for seeking use of forest land for construction of Mandla-HarsaBagonha road in the State of Madhya Pradesh has not been received by the State Forest Department.

As regards to the construction of Ajaygarh-Ajaypal road, in Panna District a proposal  for  seeking  wildlife  clearance  has  been  submitted  by  the  State Government for consideration of the Standing Committee of  National Board for Wildlife (SC NBWL).

Further,  the  proposal  for  construction  of  the  Amanganj-Madayyan  road  in Panna District has not been received by the State Forest Department. However a  proposal  for  construction  of  a  road  from    Gudalha  to  Madayyan  passing through  the  Panna  Tiger  Reserve  was  considered  by  the  SC  NBWL  on  its meeting held on 12 th  March 2025, which decided not to approve the proposal.

The proposal for construction of a road from  NH-75 Harsa to Salaiya, passing through the core zone of Panna Tiger Reserve was considered by the SCNBWL on its  meeting held  on 30 th   January  2024,  which decided not to approve the proposal.

- (c) & (d) As reported by the State Government of Madhya Pradesh, the villages Lalar and Jardhoba are located within the boundary of the buffer zone of Panna Tiger Reserve. However, currently there is no proposal for relocation of these villages from Panna tiger reserve.
Lok Sabha Question No. 4127 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-18
Subject: Single Window Portal
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Rajpalsinh Mahendrasinh Jadav

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4127

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 TH  AUGUST, 2025

## SINGLE WINDOW PORTAL

4127.    SHRI RAJPALSINH MAHENDRASINH JADAV:

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

the time by which the Government has launched a single window portal for job seekers?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)

Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India is running the National Career Service (NCS) Portal since 2015 which is a one-stop solution  for  providing  career  related  services  including  information  on jobs  from  private  and  government  sectors,  information  on  online  & offline  job  fairs,  job  search  &  matching,  career  counselling,  vocational guidance, information on skill development courses, employability enhancement programmes etc. through a digital platform [www.ncs.gov.in].

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4126 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-18
Subject: Retrospective Recognition of Universities by NCTE
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Biplab Kumar Deb

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO:- 4126

ANSWERED ON-18/08/2025

## Retrospective Recognition of Universities by NCTE

## 4126. Shri Biplab Kumar Deb:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a) the total number of institutions benefited from retrospective course recognition by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE);

(b) whether two-year Master of Physical Education (M.P. Ed.) course of Tripura University (Central University) for academic sessions 2012-14 and 2013-15 has not been recognized by NCTE, despite its commencement under approval of University Grants Commission (UGC), if so the details thereof; (c) whether the decision on retrospective recognition of M.P. Ed. course of Tripura University for said academic sessions is still pending;

- (d) if so, the reasons therefor; and

(e) the timeline for issuance of appropriate directions regarding recognition of M.P. Ed. Course of Tripura University for said academic sessions?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): In exercise of the powers conferred by the second proviso to sub-section (1) of section 14 of the National Council for Teacher Education Act, 1993 (73 of 1993), the Central Government, vide notifications dated 12 th May, 2020 and 28 th November, 2023, accorded retrospective recognition to thirty one (31) Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs) funded by the Central Government or the State Government  including  the  two-year  Master  of  Physical  Education  (M.P.  Ed.)  course  of  Tripura University  (Central  University)  for  the  academic  sessions  2012-13  to  2014-15.  The  Gazette notifications dated 12 th May,  2020  and 28 th November,  2023  are given in Annexure  at https://www.education.gov.in/parl\_ques .

*

**
Lok Sabha Question No. 4124 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-18
Subject: Withdrawal of Rs. 2000 Currency Notes
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab

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

## Withdrawal of Rs. 2000 Currency Notes

## 4124: Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab:

Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government has assessed the impact of the withdrawal of 2000 denomination currency notes on the overall liquidity and cash-dependent sectors of the economy;
- (b) if so, the main findings of such assessment particularly with regard to rural and informal sectors;
- (c) the quantum and percentage of Rs. 2000 notes yet to be returned to the banking system; and
- (d)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  the  stability  of  currency  circulation  and liquidity post-withdrawal?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY FOR FINANCE

## (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

- (a) & (b):  The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), as part of a continuous process, assesses the requirement  of  different  denominations  of  banknotes  and  makes  recommendation  to  the Government  on  the  required  denomination  mix  to  be  printed  as  well  as  the  need  for introduction/withdrawal of any particular denomination. The ₹2000 denomination banknote was introduced in November, 2016 primarily to meet the currency requirement of the economy in an expeditious manner after the withdrawal of legal tender status of all ₹500 and ₹1000 banknotes in circulation at that time. The objective of introducing ₹2000 banknotes was met once banknotes in other denominations became available in adequate quantities. About 89% of ₹2000 denomination notes were issued prior to March 2017 and are close to the end of their useful life which spans from 4-5 years. Further, the stock of banknotes in other denominations continues to be adequate to meet the currency requirement of the public. In view of the above, and in pursuance of the 'Clean Note Policy' of the Reserve Bank of India, it was decided to withdraw the ₹2000 denomination banknotes from circulation on May 19, 2023.
- (c): As per RBI, the total value of ₹ 2000 banknotes in circulation, which was ₹3.56 lakh crore at the close of business on May19, 2023, has declined to ₹ 6,017 crore as on July 31, 2025. Thus, only 1.69% of the ₹2000 banknotes in circulation as on May 19, 2023 were yet to be returned to RBI from circulation as on July 31, 2025.
- (d): Before undertaking the exercise of withdrawal of ₹2000 banknotes, it was ensured that sufficient  buffer  stock  of  cash  was  available  with  banks  across  the  country  to  meet  the exchange/withdrawal requirements. The same was augmented through regular supply of cash to various banks located across the country.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4117 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-18
Subject: Establishment of Football Academy in Chhindwara
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Bunty Vivek Sahu

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †4117 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025

Establishment of Football Academy in Chhindwara

†4117 . Shri Bunty Vivek Sahu:

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

- (a) whether the Government has received any proposal to set up a football academy in Chhindwara under the Khelo India Scheme to ensure opportunities to the tribal sporting talent of the district; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS { DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA }

- (a)  and  (b)  Under  the  Khelo  India  Scheme,  proposals  received  from  the State/UT Governments  and  other  eligible entities are considered for financial  support,  subject  to  their  completeness,  technical  feasibility,  and availability  of  funds  under  the  Scheme.  However,  no  proposal  has  been received for setting up the said academy in Chhindwara.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4111 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-18
Subject: Transaction Charges on UPI Transactions
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Anand Bhadauria

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4111

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

## TRANSACTION CHARGES ON UPI TRANSACTIONS

## 4111. SHRI ANAND BHADAURIA:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government/RBI proposes to impose transaction charges on UPI transactions;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has assessed the impact of imposing charges on UPI transactions on Digital India initiatives;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

a) to (e) Unified Payment Interface (UPI) transactions are facilitated by National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI). Its circular dated 30.08.2019 had permitted the acquiring banks to charge Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) at 0.30% of the transaction value. However, section 10A of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act 2007, provides that no bank or system provider shall impose any charge on a payer making payment, or a beneficiary receiving payment, through electronic modes prescribed under section 269SU of the Income-tax Act, 1961.  Accordingly, the Government vide Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) Gazette Notification No.105/2019 dated 30.12.2019, had notified UPI and RuPay debit card as prescribed electronic modes of payment under section 269SU of the Income-tax Act, 1961.

In  order  to  ensure  continuity  of  the  UPI  services  by  the  ecosystem  partners,  the  Government  had implemented the incentive scheme during the last four years i.e. FY 21 - 22 to FY 2024 - 25. During this period, the Government has extended incentive support of approximately ₹ 8730 Crores.

Presently, there is no such proposal to impose transaction charges on UPI.

******