opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1751 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-10
Subject: Development of the Ancient Shiva Temple in Baghmara, Dhanbad
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Dulu Mahato

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †

## 1751 ANSWERED ON 10.03.2025

## DEVELOPMENT OF THE ANCIENT SHIVA TEMPLE IN BAGHMARA, DHANBAD

## †1751.

## SHRI DULU MAHATO:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  restore  the  ancient  Shiva Mandir situated at Jhinjhi Pahari, Baghmara in Dhanbad Parliamentary Constituency under 'Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive' (PRASAD) Scheme;
- (b) if  so,  the details of schemes and initiatives likely to be proposed to conserve  the  historical  and  architectural  importance  of  the  temple; and
- (c) the  details  of  the  financial  assistance  to  be  provided  to  improve cleanliness,  amenities and infrastructure near the temple under the PRASAD Scheme?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM            (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (c): The Ministry of Tourism under the 'Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual,  Heritage  Augmentation  Drive'  (PRASHAD) scheme  provides financial assistance to the State Governments  and  Union  Territory Administrations  for  development  of  tourism  infrastructure  at  identified pilgrimage destinations.

Receiving  proposals  from  the  State  Governments/UT  Administrations  for financial  assistance  for  tourism  projects  is  a  continuous  process.  The proposals received are examined  with reference to the prescribed guidelines and financial assistance is extended for such projects subject to fulfilment of the stipulated conditions and availability of funds.

Under the PRASHAD scheme, no project is under the consideration of the Ministry  to  restore  the  ancient  Shiva  Mandir  situated  at  Jhinjhi  Pahari, Baghmara in Dhanbad Parliamentary Constituency. However, the Ministry has sanctioned a project named ' Development of Baba Baidya Nath Dham ' in Deoghar, Jharkhand under the PRASHAD Scheme.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1750 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-10
Subject: Heritage Monuments in Chandigarh
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Manish Tewari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOKSABHA UNSTARRED QUESTIONNO.1750

## ANSWERED ON 10.03.2025

## HERITAGE MONUMENTS IN CHANDIGARH

## 1750. SHRI MANISH TEWARI:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any monuments in Chandigarh have been designated as monuments of national importance  under  the  Ancient  Monuments  and  Archaeological  Sites  and  Remains  Act, 1958, given that Chandigarh is not designated as a heritage city, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether any monuments in Chandigarh have also been designated as monuments of State importance under the Punjab Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1964, considering that Chandigarh was the capital of the erstwhile joint Punjab 49 at that time, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether any monuments, archaeological sites, or ancient remains in Chandigarh have been notified  as  monuments  of  State  or  national  importance  under  any  other  applicable domestic    laws in the country, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) No monument in Chandigarh has been designated as monument of national importance
- to under  the  Ancient  Monuments  and  Archaeological  Sites  and  Remains  Act,  1958,  or  of
- (c) State importance under the Punjab Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1964. However, the Chandigarh Capital Complex was inscribed as a  Transnational  World Heritage Property under the title 'The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1749 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-10
Subject: Sports Infrastructures in Tier-2/3 Cities
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Pushpendra Saroj

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1749 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2025

Sports Infrastructures in Tier-2/3 Cities

1749.  Shri Pushpendra Saroj:

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

(a)  whether  any  assessments  have  been  conducted  to  identify  gaps  in sports infrastructure in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities;

- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  manner  in  which  these  are  being addressed under the Khelo India Programme, if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c)  whether the Government plans to allocate additional funds to promote sports in these regions; and
- (d)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  timeline  and  if  not,  the  reasons therefor?

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

(a) and (b) No such assessments have been carried out. However, under the 'Creation and upgradation of sports infrastructure' component of the Khelo India Scheme, this Ministry renders financial support for creation of basic sports  infrastructure  such  as  sports  complex,  synthetic  athletic  tracks, synthetic hockey fields, synthetic turf football grounds, multipurpose halls, swimming pools, etc. along with sports equipment. Further, under National Sports Development Funds (NSDF), Government supports various institutions and individuals for creation and upgradation of sports facilities across the country,  including  in  tier-2  and  tier-3  cities.  The  details  of  the sports  infrastructure  sanctioned  under  Khelo  India  Scheme  and  NSDF, across the country, are available in public domain on the dashboard of the Ministry at https://mdsd.kheloindia.gov.in and http://www.nsdf.yas.gov.in/nsdf-glance.html.

(c) and (d) 'Sports' being a State subject, the responsibility of development of  sports,  including  allocation  of  funds  to  promote  sports,  rests  primarily with the State/Union Territory Governments. The Union Government supplements  their  efforts  by  bridging  critical  gaps.  The  Ministry  of  Youth Affairs &  Sports (MYAS)  implements  the following schemes  for the development of sports, to promote sports in the country, including in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities:

(i) Khelo IndiaNational Programme  for Development of Sports; (ii) Assistance to National Sports Federations; (iii) Special Awards to Winners in  International  Sports  Events  and  their  Coaches;  (iv)  National  Sports Awards;  (v)  Pension  to  Meritorious  Sportspersons;  (vi)  Pandit  Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Program for Sportspersons; (vii) National Sports Development  Fund;  and  (viii)  Running  Sports  Training  Centres  through Sports Authority of India.

Details  of  the  above  schemes  are  available  in  the  public  domain  on  the websites of this Ministry (https://yas.nic.in) and the Sports Authority of India (https://sportsauthorityofindia.nic.in).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1748 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-10
Subject: Reduction of Tax Rates for Salaried Individuals
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Alok Sharma, Shri Anurag Sharma, Shri Praveen Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1748

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2025/PHALGUNA 19, 1946 (SAKA)

## REDUCTION OF TAX RATES FOR SALARIED INDIVIDUALS

1748. SHRI ALOK SHARMA: SHRI PRAVEEN PATEL AND: SHRI ANURAG SHARMA:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) The  manner  in  which  the  reduction  in  tax  rates  and  standard  deduction  for  salaried individuals are likely to benefit the middle class in terms of overall financial relief;
- (b) The  measures  being  taken  to  monitor  the  long-term  impact  of  these  tax  changes  on domestic consumption; and
- (c) Whether there is likely to be any additional reforms aiming at lower income groups or those in rural areas who may not fully benefit from the proposed changes, especially with regard to tax rebate?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The Finance Bill, 2025 has proposed to revise tax rate structure in the new tax regime as follows: -

| Total income                        | Rate of tax   |
|-------------------------------------|---------------|
| Upto Rs. 4,00,000                   | Nil           |
| From Rs. 4,00,001 to Rs. 8,00,000   | 5 per cent    |
| From Rs. 8,00,001 to Rs. 12,00,000  | 10 per cent   |
| From Rs. 12,00,001 to Rs. 16,00,000 | 15 per cent   |
| From Rs. 16,00,001 to Rs. 20,00,000 | 20 p er cent  |
| From Rs. 20,00,001 to Rs. 24,00,000 | 25 per cent   |
| Above Rs. 24,00,000                 | 30 per cent   |

Slabs and rates are being changed across the board to benefit all taxpayers. The new structure will substantially reduce the taxes of the middle class and leave more money in their hands, boosting household consumption, savings and investment.

Further, Finance Bill, 2025 has also proposed to increase the rebate for the resident individual under the new regime of an amount equal to the tax payable under the above slabs on income up  to  Rs.  12,00,000.  Marginal  relief  as  provided  earlier  under  the  new  tax  regime  is  also applicable for income marginally higher than Rs. 12,00,000.

These measures will play a big role in the creation of fair, equitable direct taxation regime that ensures no additional burden of direct taxes on the working and middle-class population of the country.

(b) There are no specific or separate measures to monitor the long-term impact on domestic consumption of these reforms in taxation.

(c) There is no such proposal in this regard. The revised tax structure proposed in the Finance Bill  2025  positively  impacts  all  earning  sections  of  the  population  and  shall  benefit  all taxpayers.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1746 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-10
Subject: Sports Stadium in Sikar District
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Amra Ram

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †1746

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2025

Sports Stadium in Sikar District

†1746. Shri Amra Ram:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  build  a  sports  stadium  in  Sikar district  in  view  of  the  large number  of  sportsperson  in  Shri  Kalyan Higher Secondary School, Sikar and Government Higher Secondary School, Palthana;
- (b)  if  so,  the  time  by  which  it  is  likely  to  build  and  if  not,  the  reasons therefor;
- (c)  whether  these  schools  have  players  of  basketball  and  handball  of national level; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) and (b) 'Sports' being a State subject, the responsibility of development of sports, including construction of sports stadium, rests primarily with the respective State/Union Territory Governments. The Union Government only supplements  their  efforts  by  bridging  critical  gaps.  There  is  no  such proposal under consideration in this Ministry, however, one project, namely, Construction  of  Multipurpose  Hall  at  District  Sikar,  has  been  sanctioned under Khelo India Scheme. The project is complete as on date.

- (c) and (d) The schools mentioned by the Hon'ble Member of Parliament are not under the jurisdiction of this Ministry. As such, information about them is not available in this Ministry.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1744 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-10
Subject: FIIs Investment in Indian Stock Market
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Brijmohan Agrawal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †1744

ANSWERED ON MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2025/PHALGUNA 19, 1946 (SAKA)

## FIIs INVESTMENT IN INDIAN STOCK MARKET

## †1744. Shri Brijmohan Agrawal:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) are continuously increasing their investments to the Indian stock markets;
- (b) if so, the investment made by them in the year 2023 and between June 2024 to December 2024;
- (c) the amount invested by domestic financial institutions during the said period;
- (d) whether the investments made by FIIs are responsible for making the country's stock market volatile; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the Government's response thereto, especially to protect the interests of domestic investors?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  and  (b):  The  net  investments  made by the Foreign Portfolio Investors  (FPIs) in  equities during the calendar year 2023, and the period between June, 2024 and December, 2024 are given below:

| Calendar Year/ Period       | Net investment by FPIs in equities (INR crore)   |
|-----------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|
| 2023                        | 1,71,107                                         |
| June, 2024 - December, 2024 | 23,791                                           |

Source: NSDL

(c): The net investments by Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) and the Domestic Financial Institutions (DFIs) in equities during the calendar year 2023 and the period between June, 2024 and December, 2024 are given below:

| Calendar Year/ Period       | Investment by DIIs (INR Crore)   | Investments by DFIs (INR Crore)   |
|-----------------------------|----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
| 2023                        | 1,83,278.51                      | 1188.95                           |
| June, 2024 - December, 2024 | 3,12,988.59                      | (-)748.84                         |

Source: NSE and BSE

(d) and (e): Stock market movements are a function of investor perceptions along with other factors which may  include,  inter-alia,  global  economic  scenarios  affecting  foreign  capital  flows,  domestic  macroeconomic parameters and overall corporate performance. Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), as the statutory regulator of securities markets, is mandated to put in place regulatory and surveillance frameworks for development of the securities markets and safeguard interest of investors.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1742 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-10
Subject: Horizontal excavations in ancient sites of Tamil Nadu
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Dr. T Sumathy Alias Thamizhachi Thangapandian

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1742 ANSWERED ON 10.03.2025

## HORIZONTAL EXCAVATIONS IN ANCIENT SITES OF TAMIL NADU

1742. JkfalDr. T Sumathy Alias Thamizhachi Thangapandian:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Archaeological Survey of India has any plans to conduct horizontal excavations in the ancient sites in Tamil Nadu to bring out the material evidences for the Iron Age dated prior to 2500 BC;

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether  the  Union  Government  has  any  plans  to  encourage  the  decipherment  of  the enigmatic  Indus  Script  and  to  establish  its  relationship  with  archaic  Brahmi  script  of  the Dravidian culture;

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(e)  the measures taken by the Government to decode, decipher and record archaic Brahmi inscriptions  found  in  Tamil  Nadu  as  well  as  in  other  States  in  the  country  and  in  foreign countries like Sri Lanka, Egypt, China, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia?

## ANSWER

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

(a) and (b) Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is conducting archaeological excavation at the Megalithic Cists and Cairns, Amur, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu. No scientific date is  obtained  from  this  excavation  so  far.  Besides,  Government  of  India  has  also  granted approval  for  ten  archaeological  excavations  in  the  state  on  the  recommendation  of  the Government of Tamil Nadu.

(c) and  (d)    Ministry  of  Culture  through  the  Indira  Gandhi  National  Centre  for  the  Arts (IGNCA) has taken some initiatives towards deciphering the Indus Script and exploring its connections to other ancient scripts. The activities to promote research into deciphering the Indus Script, include organizing seminars and publishing relevant works etc. Prime objective of the Epigraphy Branch of the ASI is also to study ancient scripts and advancing research in this area.                                                          --

(e)  Epigraphy  Branch  of  ASI  has  been  continuously  conducting  epigraphical  survey  for copying inscriptions which includes Archaic Brahmi inscriptions found in Tamil Nadu as well as  other  states  in  India.  Inscriptions  in  foreign  countries  such  as  Cambodia,  Sri  Lanka  and Vietnam have also been studied by the scholars of Epigraphy Branch.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1738 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-10
Subject: AMASR Act
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Aditya Yadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1738

ANSWERED ON 10.03.2025

## AMASR Act

## 1738. SHRI ADITYA YADAV:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  cognizant  that  the  Ancient  Monuments  and  Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958 (AMASR) (amended in 2010) has neither a precise definition nor a process for identifying a monument for preservation; and
- (b) if so, the details of the remedial steps that are proposed to be taken by the Government to address this major issue?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Section  2  of  the  Ancient  Monuments  and  Archaeological  Sites  and  Remains  Act,  1958,
- & deals with the definitions of different terms descried in the Act. Further, regular inspections
- (b) of  protected  monument  are  carried  out  for  identification  of  monument  for  preservation which  is  a  continuous  process,  accordingly  annual  conservation  plans  are  made  within available resources.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1736 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-10
Subject: Funds under BOCW Cess Act
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Dr. Mohammad Jawed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1736 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2025

## FUNDS UNDER BOCW CESS ACT

1736. DR. MOHAMMAD JAWED:

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

- (a)the  total  amount  of  funds  collected  by  the  Government  under  the Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare (BOCW) Cess Act, 1996, in the last five years, State-wise, including Bihar;
- (b)the percentage of these funds utilized for the welfare of construction workers  by  the  Government  particularly  in  Bihar  and  Seemanchal region, during the last five years;
- (c)the steps taken by the Government to ensure effective utilization of these  funds  for  the  welfare  of  construction  workers,  including (d)whether the Government has any plan to improve awareness among
- accident relief, disability benefits and skill development programs; workers about the schemes available under the BOCW Fund; and (e)if so, the details thereof and the timeline for implementation?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): The cess is collected and utilized by the respective State BOCW Welfare Boards. The updated data on the same is also maintained by the respective Boards.

The State Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Boards  are  constituted  under  the  Building  and  Other  Construction Workers' (Regulation of Employment and Condition of Service) Act, 1996 by the concerned State Governments to function under the provisions of the Act. The Boards are empowered to meet expenses on its objects and for purposes  as  authorised  by  this  Act. Ministry  of  Labour  and Employment  has  also  framed  a  'Model  Welfare  Scheme',  2018  for Building and Other Construction Workers and Action Plan for strengthening implementation machinery for the Boards including the awareness programme. An Addendum to Model Welfare Scheme has also been issued in this regard.

Directions under the Act have been issued from time to time to State/UT  BOCW  Welfare  Boards,  inter-alia,  for  implementation  of  the provisions of the Act, optimum utilization of the cess funds. A Monitoring Committee  has  been  constituted  to  monitor  the  implementation  of directions issued under the said Act, including utilization of cess fund for welfare scheme framed by the States/UTs.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1734 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-10
Subject: Review of Admission Procedure in KVs
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Anup Sanjay Dhotre

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1734 ANSWERED ON 10.03.2025

## REVIEW OF ADMISSION PROCEDURE IN KVs

## 1734. SHRI ANUP SANJAY DHOTRE:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  review  the  existing  rules  with regard to admission process in Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with aims and objectives thereto;
- (c) the time by which the said review is likely to be finalised; and
- (d) the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  provide  quality education in KVs at nominal fee?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c) The primary objective of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) is to provide continuous, unhindered education to the wards of transferable and nontransferable  Central  Government  employees  including  defence  forces  and para-military  personnel.  Admissions  are  granted  on  the  basis  of  priority  of parent's employment. At present, there is no proposal to review the existing rules  with  regard  to  admission  process  in  Kendriya  Vidyalayas  (KVs)  in  the country.
- (d) KVs are fully funded by Government of India for its establishment and functioning and as a group are one of best category with respect to educational standards and learning outcome, affiliated to CBSE. As per information received

from KVS, Vidyalaya Vikas Nidhi (VVN), Computer Fund and Tuition Fees are being charged from the non-exempted categories of students, as per their fee norms, at a very nominal rate.  These funds / fees are a part of fee structure of KVS  and  are  utilized  for  student  welfare  activities  as  well  as  upkeep  of Vidyalaya and academic transactions etc. Further, uniform curriculum prescribed by National Council of Educational Research and Training, appointing competent teachers and their regular capacity building, mandated two  rounds  of  supervision,  promoting  innovation  and  experimentation  in teaching,  taking  lead  in  implementation  of  policies  and  programmes  of  the Government, use of technology in teaching, and conducting various competitions and programmes for holistic development of children, are being undertaken to impart quality education in KVs across the country. Most of KVs have also been onboarded as PM SHRI Schools.

*****