opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1114 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-29
Subject: Total Amount of Loan/Debt on the Government
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Khalilur Rahaman

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1114

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 29 th  JULY, 2024 SHRAVAN, 1946 (SAKA)

## TOTAL AMOUNT OF LOAN/DEBT ON THE GOVERNMENT

## 1114.   SHRI KHALILUR RAHAMAN:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  total  amount  of  loan/debt  on  the  Government  during  the  last  six  financial years;
- (b) whether there has been an increase in the loan/debt amount, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government aim at achieving $5Million economy by increasing loans/debts, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b): Details of Central Government debt in the last six financial years are as under:

| Financial Year                | Central Government's debt   | Central Government's debt   |
|-------------------------------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|
| Financial Year                | Amount (₹ lakh crore)       | (% of GDP)                  |
| 93.26                         | 49.3                        | 2018-19                     |
| 105.07                        | 52.3                        | 2019-20                     |
| 121.86                        | 61.4*                       | 2020-21                     |
| 138.66                        | 58.8                        | 2021-22                     |
| 156.13                        | 57.9                        | 2022-23                     |
| 2023-24 (Provisional Actuals) | 171.78                      | 58.2                        |
| 2024-25 (Budget Estimates)    | 185.27                      | 56.8                        |

Notes :  (1)  Above  data  includes  Government's  External  debt  valued  at  current  exchange  rate  and  Public Account  and  other  liabilities  (EBR)  of  the  Central  Government.  (2)  FY  2023-24  data  is  provisional  and unaudited.

*Covid-19 pandemic impact

- (c)  As  per  the  International  Monetary  Fund,  World  Economic  Outlook,  April  2024,  India's Gross Domestic Product at current prices has already reached USD 3.57 trillion in 2023-24.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1111 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-29
Subject: Health Insurance
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Dr. Shashi Tharoor

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

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1111 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.07.2024

## HEALTH INSURANCE

1111. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

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

- (a)whether the Government is aware of the tiered system of ranking introduced by platforms like Swiggy that negatively impacts gig
- workers' access to health insurance;
- (b)whether the Government has plans to issue notice to platforms like
- Swiggy to safeguard gig workers' access to health insurance;
- (c)if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d)whether the Government is planning a broad policy framework to regulate  the  gig  industry  and  protect  the  rights  of  gig  workers across the country; and
- (e)if  so,  the  detailed  timelines  thereof,  and  if  not,  the  reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c): No such representation or complaint on the subject has been received in this Ministry.
- (d) & (e): The provisions of social security & welfare for the gig and platform workers have already been introduced in the Code on Social Security, 2020 which has been enacted by the Parliament.

The Code provides for framing of suitable social security measures for gig workers and platform workers on matters relating to life and disability cover, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, old age protection, etc. The Code also provides for setting up a Social Security Fund to finance the welfare scheme.

The provisions of the Code are yet to come into effect.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1110 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-29
Subject: Gender Equality in Workplaces
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Prof. Sougata Ray

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1110 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.07.2024

## GENDER EQUALITY IN WORKPLACES

1110. PROF. SOUGATA RAY:

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

- (a)whether the Government is aware that Foxconn has systematically excluded married women from jobs at its main iPhone assembly plant on the grounds that they have more family responsibilities than their unmarried counterparts;
- (b)if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)the steps taken by the Government to ensure gender equality in workplaces?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b): The Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India had obtained report from State Government of Tamil Nadu on the  issue  relating  to  exclusion  of  married  women  from  jobs  in Foxconn Factory. As per the report of the State Government of Tamil Nadu,  there  is  no  evidence  available  to  establish  that  Foxconn  is discriminating against married women in the recruitment process.
- (c): The  Government  has  enacted  Equal  Remuneration  Act, 1976 which provides for payment of equal remuneration to men and women workers for the same work or work of similar nature without any discrimination and also prevent discrimination against women while making recruitment for the same work or work of similar nature, or  in  any  condition  of  service  subsequent  to  recruitment  such  as promotion, training or transfer.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1109 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-29
Subject: Chopping of  Fully Grown Trees in Uttar Pradesh
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Charanjit Singh Channi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1109

TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.07.2024

## Chopping of Fully Grown Trees in Uttar Pradesh

## 1109. SHRI CHARANJIT SINGH CHANNI :

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

- (a) whether the  State  Government  of  Uttar  Pradesh has  informed  the  Government  and National Green Tribunal about the chopping of over 33000 fully grown trees and 78946 plants, if so, whether the Government assessed the environmental impact caused by it and if so, the report thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has any specific strategy to tackle the environmental impacts caused by this event and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government has considered any alternative ways other than cutting 33000 fully grown trees and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c) Protection and  management of forest and tree resources is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations. There are legal frameworks for the protection and management of forest and tree resources of the  country  which  include,  the  Indian  Forest  Act  1927,  Van  (Sanrakshan  Evam Samvardhan)  Adhiniyam  1980,  Wildlife  (Protection)  Act  1972  and  State  Forest Acts,  Tree  Preservation  Acts  and  Rules,  etc.  The  State  Governments  /  UT Administrations  take  appropriate  actions  to  protect  forests  and  trees  under  the provisions made under these Acts / Rules.

Whenever, any felling of tree is done for taking up a development project approved under  relevant  law,  adequate  compensatory  activities  are  taken  up  to  address possible environmental impacts.

As per a report received from the State Forest Department of Uttar Pradesh, all the rules, regulations, and guidelines issued are followed before giving permission for the felling /removal of trees in the State of Uttar Pradesh.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1104 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-29
Subject: Banking Facilities in Villages
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Vishnu Dayal Ram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1104

ANSWERED ON MONDAY, JULY 29, 2024/ 7 SHRAVAN, 1946 (SAKA)

## Banking Facilities in Villages

1104. Shri Vishnu Dayal Ram: Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

(a) the number of Gram Panchayats and villages in the country having banking facility;

(b)  whether  any  action  plan  has  been  prepared  to  provide  banking  facilities  in  the  villages lacking the said facility; and

(c) if so, the details thereof?

## Answer

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

(a) to (c) In terms of revised guidelines issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 18th May 2017 regarding 'Rationalization of Branch Authorization Policy', the term 'Branch' has been substituted by 'Banking Outlet (BO)'. It includes both physical brick and mortar branch and Business Correspondent (BC) outlet to enable banks in expanding their network even in remote rural areas in a cost-effective manner for hassle free services to customers.

Further, RBI has granted general permission to domestic Scheduled Commercial Banks (excluding Regional Rural Banks) to open banking outlets including branch at any place in the country, without seeking prior approval of RBI in each case, subject to at least 25 percent of the total number of banking outlets opened during a financial year being in unbanked rural centres i.e. centres having population less than 10,000 (Tier 5 and Tier 6 centres).

Currently, the endeavour of the Government is to ensure availability of banking outlet (Bank branch/ Business Correspondent/ India Post Payments Bank) within 5 kilometres of all inhabited villages in the country. Availability of banking outlets is monitored by a Geographic Information System (GIS) based App., namely, Jan Dhan Darshak (JDD) App.

Based on the data uploaded by Banks on the Jan Dhan Darshak (JDD) App, out of the 6,01,328 inhabited villages mapped on this App, 6,00,458 villages (99.85%) are covered with banking outlets within a radius of 5 kms.

In  pursuance  of  extant  RBI  guidelines,  rolling out of banking outlets in uncovered areas is a continuous process looked after by the State Level Bankers' Committee (SLBC) / Union Territory Level Bankers Committee (UTLBC), in consultation with the concerned State Government,  member  banks  and  other  stakeholders  and  accordingly  these  uncovered habitations have been assigned to different banks for opening of banking outlets in these places and the progress is monitored regularly.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1103 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-29
Subject: Construction of New ESI Hospital
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri K C Venugopal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1103 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.07.2024

## CONSTRUCTION OF NEW ESI HOSPITAL

1103. SHRI K C VENUGOPAL:

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

- (a)whether  the  Government  has  received  any  proposal  from  the Government  of  Kerala  regarding  the  construction  of  a  new  OP Block and Theatre Complex at ESI Hospital in Alappuzha;
- (b)if so, the details thereof;
- (c)the current status of the proposal submitted by the Government of Kerala regarding this; and
- (d)whether there are any specific timelines or deadlines set by the Government for the approval and implementation of the proposed construction,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the  reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  to (d):  Yes, a proposal has been received to the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) for construction of an Out Patient block and  Operation  Theatre  complex  at  the  ESI  hospital  at  Alappuzha (Kerala).    Technical  evaluation  and  feasibility  study  precede  the approval of the proposal.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1102 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-29
Subject: Issue of Unemployment
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Brijmohan Agrawal

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

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1102 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 TH  JULY, 2024

## ISSUE OF UNEMPLOYMENT

## 1102.    SHRI BRIJMOHAN AGRAWAL:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  data  regarding  Skilled  and Unskilled unemployed youths in the country particularly of Chhattisgarh State;
- (b) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  formulate  any  scheme  to address the issue of unemployment among the unemployed youths of Chhattisgarh;
- (c)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the Government is formulating any Scheme for Chhattisgarh  to  uplift  the  women  by  way  of  addressing  the problems of education and unemployment?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)

- (a)  to  (d):    The  data  on  Employment  and  Unemployment  is  collected through Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) which is conducted by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) since 201718. The survey period is July to June every year.

As  per  the  latest  available  Annual  PLFS  Reports,  the  estimated Unemployment Rate (UR) on usual  status  for  youth  of  age  15-29  years was  10.0%  and  7.1%  in  the  country  and  in  Chhattisgarh,  respectively during 2022-23.

Employment generation coupled with improving employability is the priority  of  the  Government.  Accordingly,  the  Government  of  India  has taken various steps for generating employment in the country including Chattisgarh.

Government has incorporated a number of provisions in the labour laws  for  equal  opportunity  and  congenial  work  environment  for  women workers like paid maternity leave, flexibile working hours, equal wages etc.

The  various  Ministries/  Departments  of  Government  of  India  like Ministry of Micro, Small &  Medium  Enterprises, Ministry of Rural Development,  Ministry  of  Housing  &  Urban  Affairs,  Ministry  of  Finance, Ministry  of  Textile,  Ministry  of  Electronics  and  Information  Technology etc. are implementing different employment generation schemes/ programmes  like  Prime  Minister's  Employment  Generation  Programme (PMEGP), Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme  (MGNREGS),  Pt.  Deen  Dayal  Upadhyaya  Grameen  Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY), Rural Self Employment  and Training Institutes (RSETIs),    Deen  Dayal  Antodaya  Yojana-National  Urban  Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM),  Pradhan  Mantri Mudra  Yojana  (PMMY), etc. including increase in capital expenditure to boost employment creation. The  details  of  various  employment  generation  schemes/programmes being implemented  by the Government  of India may  be seen at https://dge.gov.in/dge/schemes\_programmes.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1096 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-29
Subject: Fit India Mission
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Smt. Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1096 ANSWERED ON 29.07.2024

Fit India Mission

1096. SMT. POONAMBEN HEMATBHAI MAADAM:

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

- (a)  whether the Government has introduced initiatives to raise awareness about fitness among the general public;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Fit  India  Mission  ensures  the  inclusion  of  people  from  all age groups, genders, and socio-economic backgrounds in its initiatives and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  whether  the  steps  are  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  improve
- accessibility and user engagement on the Fit India Mobile App; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) to (c) Yes, Sir. The Fit India Movement, a component of the Khelo India Scheme,  aims  to  encourage  citizens  to  adopt  an  active  lifestyle  and integrate physical activities into their daily routine. This initiative includes various  programs,  events,  and  awareness  campaigns  focused  on  fitness, sports,  and  overall  well-being  for  people  of  all  age  groups.  The  Fit  India Movement promotes physical activities through initiatives like the Fit India Quiz,  Fit  India  Week,  Cyclothon,  and  Freedom  Run.  These  events  engage citizens in exercise and raise awareness about fitness, fostering a national culture of well-being. The Ministry is committed to promoting a culture of fitness and  well-being that is inclusive and  accessible to everyone, regardless of age, gender, or socio-economic status.

(d) and (e) Yes, Sir. To enhance user accessibility and engagement, the Fit India  Mobile  App  (FIMA)  includes  a  user-friendly  interface  with  efficient features  such  as  single  sign-on  through  Google,  push  notifications,  and location  tracking  via  pin  code.  The  user  interface  has  been  upgraded  to ensure a seamless user experience. Additionally, FIMA now tracks cycling and  running  activities,  reflecting  its  commitment  to  cutting-edge  fitness technology. In line with the Government's commitment to inclusivity, FIMA is available in 12 languages, including Hindi and English, ensuring nationwide accessibility.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1095 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-29
Subject: Promotion of Rural Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Pradeep Purohit

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1095 ANSWERED ON 29.07.2024

## PROMOTION OF RURAL TOURISM

## 1095 SHRI PRADEEP PUROHIT:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the steps taken by the Government to promote rural tourism in the country including Odisha State;
- (b)
- whether funds have been allotted for promoting rural tourism;
- (c)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) to  what  extent  these  funds  have  been  utilized  by  the  State Government of Odisha during the last five years?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (d):  The  Ministry  of  Tourism  promotes  India  in  a  holistic manner,  through  various  initiatives.  As  part  of  on-going  activities; promotion of Rural Tourism is also taken up. The Ministry of Tourism also  regularly  promotes  various  tourism  destinations  and  products of rural tourism through its website and social media promotions.

Recognizing the immense potential of rural tourism in the country, Ministry of Tourism has formulated a National Strategy and Roadmap  for  Development  of  Rural  Tourism  in  India  and  National Strategy for the promotion of Homestays.

To identify the best practices prevailing in the rural tourism villages, the Ministry has organized the Best Rural Tourism Village Competition  in  2023.  Raghurajpur,  the  heritage  crafts  village  of Odisha,  has  been  recognized  as  the  Best  Tourism  Village  2023  in Silver Category.

In  addition,  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  identified  Rural  Circuit  as one of the thematic circuits under its Swadesh Darshan Scheme. Central  Financial  Assistance  (CFA)  has  been  extended  to  various State  Governments/Union  Territory  Administrations  under  various schemes of the Ministry for development of Tourism Infrastructure in  destinations  including  Rural  Tourism  destinations.  The  CFA  is being extended according to its guidelines and based on proposals received from the States and UT governments. The  details  of  projects  sanctioned  by  the  Ministry  in  the  State  of Odisha under Swadesh Darshan are given at Annexure.

*******

ANNEXURE

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  OF  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1095 ANWERED ON 29.07.2024 REGARDING  PROMOTION  OF  RURAL  TOURISM  BY  SHRI  PRADEEP PUROHIT.

PROJECTS SANCTIONED UNDER SWADESH DARSHAN SCHEME FOR THE STATE OF ODISHA

(Rs. In crore)

| Sanction Year   | Name of the Project                                   |   Amount Sanctioned |   Amount Released |   Amount Utilised* |
|-----------------|-------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|-------------------|--------------------|
| 2016-17         | Development of Gopalpur, Barkul, Satapada and Tampara |               70.82 |             67.28 |              63.25 |

* Includes amount released to CNA as per new financial procedure

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1089 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-29
Subject: Special Package to Most Poor States
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Dinesh Chandra Yadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE

## LOKSABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1089

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, JULY 29, 2024/SHRAVAN 7, 1946 (SAKA)

## SPECIAL PACKAGE TO MOST POOR STATES

## 1089. SHRI DINESH CHANDRA YADAV

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any plan to give special packages to most poor States like Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand etc. as per NITI Aayog reports;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

(a)  to  (c):  The  Union  Government  under  the  head 'Special  Assistance'  under  Demands  for Grants 'Transfers to States' provide grants-in-aid to States for spill-over committed liabilities for  which  budget  provision  is  not  made  and  for  other  need-based  assistance  to  the  States. Further, NITI Aayog, in its report titled 'Report on Developmental Support to the Successor State of Andhra Pradesh under Andhra Pradesh Re-organization Act (APRA), 2014' dated 1 st December, 2015, has, inter-alia, recommended '…. a total assistance of Rs.2,100 crore for the seven backward  districts of Andhra  Pradesh @Rs.300  crore per district. Based on recommendations  of  NITI  Aayog,  Department  of  Expenditure  has  released  an  amount  of Rs.1,750 crore so far under the APRA, 2014 for development of seven backward districts of the State to the State of Andhra Pradesh.

*****