opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3664 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-11
Subject: Designation of Harihareshwara Temple as Heritage Site
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Dr. Prabha Mallikarjun

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3664

ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025

## DESIGNATION OF HARIHARESHWARA TEMPLE AS HERITAGE SITE

## 3664. DR. PRABHA MALLIKARJUN:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Harihareshwara Temple in Harihara Taluk, Davanagere district, Karnataka,has been designated as a heritage site by the Government and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the said temple has been included under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation And Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) Scheme or Swadesh Darshan 2.0 for spiritual or heritage tourism development and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the  details  of  the  criteria  and  process  followed  by  the  Government,  in  consultation  with State  Governments,  for  identifying  and  prioritising  sites  for  heritage  designation  and inclusion under tourism schemes?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The Harihareshwara Temple at Harihara in Harihara Taluk, Davanagere district Karnataka is  a  monument of national importance under the care and maintenance of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
- (b) No  project  has  been  sanctioned  around  "Harihareshwara  Temple  in  Harihara  Taluk, Davanagere district, Karnataka", under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation And Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) Scheme of the Ministry of Tourism. Receiving proposals from  the  State  Governments/Union  Territory  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 fulfillment of the stipulated conditions and availability of funds.
- (c) The selection of pilgrimage destinations / heritage sites under PRASHAD Scheme is based on various parameters, which, inter-alia, include the number of footfalls, cultural, historical &  heritage  significance  of  the  locations,  equitable  representation  to  ensure  nationwide development,  and  other  factors.  This  process  is  undertaken  in  consultation  with  State Governments/UT Administrations.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3662 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-11
Subject: Anti-Corruption Body for Central Tax Agencies
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Parshottambhai Rupala

Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Revenue

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3662

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 2025/SRAVANA 20, 1947 (SAKA)

## ANTI-CORRUPTION BODY FOR CENTRAL TAX AGENCIES

## 3662. SHRI PARSHOTTAMBHAI RUPALA:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be please to state:

- (a) the measures implemented by the Government to reduce tax evasions via continuous tax audits;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to select audit cases by employing risk management techniques which will be examined by a dedicated team to minimise the potential for corruption, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the action taken/to be taken by the Government to establish an independent anti-corruption body for central tax agencies, if so, the details thereof?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## ANSWER (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

(a)  and (b) :  In case of direct taxes, cases are selected for scrutiny/assessment by Assessing Officers  on  the  basis  of  approved  risk  rules  under  Computer  Aided  Scrutiny  Selection (CASS) and Risk Management Strategy, formulated by CBDT. Such risk rules are machine implemented and executed in an identity blind manner. Investigation regarding tax evasion is an ongoing process and whenever any instance of tax evasion comes to notice, the Income Tax  Department  takes  appropriate  actions  including  conducting  e-verification  campaigns, NUDGE (Non-intrusive Usage of Data to Guide and Enable) taxpayers campaigns, search & seizure,  surveys,  reopening  of  cases,  assessment  of  income,  levy  &  recovery  of  tax, imposition of penalty, launching of prosecution etc. as per the provision of the Income-tax Act, 1961.

In case of indirect taxes, the tax audits under GST and Customs are a regular exercise. An annual Audit Plan containing a list of taxpayers to be audited is issued every financial year. The Directorate General of Risk Management and Analytics (DGARM) under the CBIC has put in place a robust risk management system for selecting taxpayers for audit purposes for each financial year. To curb tax evasion via continuous tax audits, the selection of taxpayers for  audit  is  done based on risk parameters and local  risk  perception. The audit selection is prioritized on risk to revenue assessment and thus more high-risk taxpayers are taken up for audit. The list of taxpayers to be audited is system generated without any interface with the taxpayers. Based on the Audit Plan, provided by the Directorate General of Audit, DGARM officers prepare the Audit lists Audit Commissionerate-wise for each Financial Year.

- (c) The Hon'ble Lokpal of India and Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) already exist as independent anti-corruption bodies for Central Tax Agencies.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3660 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-11
Subject: NSDCs Role in Skill India Mission
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: Smt. Hema Malini

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3660

ANSWERED ON -11/08/2025

## NSDCs ROLE IN SKILL INDIA MISSION

†3660. SMT. HEMA MALINI:

Will the Minister of SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) was established with the objective to catalyse the skilling ecosystem for private sector participation and be the strategic implementation and knowledge partner to Skill India Mission to set up efficient vocational training initiatives, empowering India's youth;
- (b) whether  NSDC  provides  support  to  enterprises,  start-ups,  companies  and organisations which are creating an impact by offering a world of opportunities in futuristic skill to the potential workforce; and
- (c) the details of the assistance provided by NSDC to the enterprises, start-ups, companies and organisations in Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh during the last five years?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

(SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

- (a)  to  (c):    The  National  Skill  Development  Corporation  (NSDC)  is  a  not-for-profit company,  set  up  in  2008  in  Public  Private  Partnership,  with  the  objective  to coordinate and stimulate private sector initiative in skill development.

NSDC, under the aegis of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, has incubated 36 Sector Skill Councils which are led by industry leaders in respective sectors to identify skill development needs as well as determine skill competency standards. NSDC also functions as implementing agency for key skill development schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, (PMKVY), National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), and PM Vishwakarma.

NSDC supports enterprises,  start-ups,  companies  and  organizations  offering  skill opportunities  by  onboarding  them  as  Training  Providers  and  enabling  candidate management, assessment, and certification through Sector Skill Councils (SSCs). Under PMKVY, 30,489 candidates have been trained in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh during the last  five  years  and  current  year  upto  30.06.2025.  In  addition, 1,739 candidates have been successfully trained in Mathura district in the last five years and the current year under the Market Led Program of NSDC.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3657 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-11
Subject: Old Pension Scheme for PSUs and PSBs
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Dr. Dharamvira Gandhi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3657

ANSWERED ON MONDAY, 11 AUGUST, 2025/ SRAVANA 20, 1947 (SAKA)

## OLD PENSION SCHEME FOR PSUS AND PSBS

## 3657. DR. DHARAMVIRA GANDHI

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has decided to extend the benefit of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) to  those  Government employees whose appointment was made after 1 January  2004, but whose  recruitment  process/advertisement  was  initiated  before  1  January  2004,  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  implement  similar  comprehensive  provisions  for employees of public sector undertakings and Public Sector Banks; and
- (c) whether the Government ensures that all the employees of the State Bank of India whose recruitment process (such as advertisement or examination) was conducted before 1 August 2010, but whose appointments were delayed due to unavoidable circumstances and took place after 1 August 2010 are also included in the Old Pension?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) In light of various Court judgments, the Government had issued instructions vide OM No. 57/05/2021-P&PW(B) dated 03.03.2023, giving one-time option to those Central Government civil employees for inclusion under the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 (now 2021) who have been appointed against the posts or vacancies which were advertised/notified for recruitment/appointment prior to date of issuing of notification of National Pension System i.e. 22.12.2003. Further, there is no such proposal under consideration in Ministry of Finance for Public Sector Undertakings and Public Sector Banks.

(c) As per the State Bank of India Employees' Pension Fund Regulations, 2014, the old pension will not be applicable to those who joined the services of SBI on or after 01.08.2010.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 3655 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-11
Subject: Delay in Publication of Keezhadi Excavation Report
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Smt. Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, Shri S Venkatesan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3655

ANSWERED ON-11.08.2025

## DELAY IN PUBLICATION OF KEEZHADI EXCAVATION REPORT

3655. Smt. Kanimozhi Karunanidhi: Shri S Venkatesan:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

(a) the reasons for the delay in publishing the excavation report of the Keezhadi archaeological site in Tamil Nadu, despite completion of multiple excavation phases;

(b) whether the Government has received and accepted the draft excavation report prepared and submitted  to  the  Archaeological  Survey  of  India  (ASI)  in  January  2023  and  if  so,  the  details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether any objections were raised by the Government or ASI officially thereon;

(d)  the  details  of  the  officer(s)  currently  entrusted  with  reviewing  or  modifying  the  original report  and  the  expected  timeline  for  the  final  report's  public  release  and  tabling  before Parliament;

(e) whether the Government has officially recognised Keezhadi as a site of National Importance despite  multiple  excavation  phases  and  findings  that  point  to  a  highly  advanced  civilization dating back to before 580 BCE; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  The  excavation  report  for  the  2014-15  and  2015-16  seasons  was  received  by  the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in January 2023 and has since undergone expert vetting in accordance with standard protocol. This process is essential to ensuring academic integrity and is not intended to delay or diminish the significance of the findings.

--

(b),  (c)  and  (d)  The  excavation  report  for  first  two  seasons  has  been  vetted  by  experts  and deficiencies  in  methodology,  chronology,  interpretation,  presentation,  and  analytical  rigor,  etc. have been communicated to the lead excavator.

(e) and (f) Considering the archaeological potential of the site it was taken for excavation up by ASI between 2014 and 2017. Since 2018, the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology has continued excavations at the site. However, the final report from the State Department has not yet been published.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3653 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-11
Subject: Loans Set-Off from Assets of Companies
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Dr. Thirumaavalavan Tholkappiyan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 3653

ANSWERED ON MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 2025/SRAVANA 20, 1947 (SAKA)

## LOANS SET-OFF FROM ASSETS OF COMPANIES

## 3653. DR. THIRUMAAVALAVAN THOLKAPPIYAN:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:-

(a)  whether the Government is aware that the loan set-off right has been exercised by the Bankers on the liabilities recovery from any assets of customers under the control of Banker even though they are not subject to any specific lien, pledge, mortgage etc.;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c)  whether  any  such  law  is  there  to  set-off  the  loans  from  the  assets  of  the  group  of companies of an individual or a family; and

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

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

(a)  to  (d):  As  per  inputs  received  from  banks,  the  b anker's  right  to  set -off  is  generally exercised  by  virtue  of  the  contractual  arrangement  made  between  the  bank  and  the borrower/ guarantor, wherein the bank is entitled to exercise the right of set-off against the Borrower/ guarantor.

Further, in case of guarantee given by promoters/directors of a company in favour of the Bank for loan availed by such company, bank has right to recover/ set off the dues from the assets of the guarantor.

There  is  no  specific  legal  provision  to  set-off  loans  from  the  assets  of  the  group  of companies of an individual or a family as debts between separate legal entities cannot be setoff against each other.

Furthermore,  as  per  the  Reserve  Bank  of  India's  Guidelines  on  Fair  Practices  Code  for Lenders, lenders should release all securities on receiving payment of loan or realisation of loan  subject  to  any  legitimate  right  or  lien  for  any  other  claim  lenders  may  have  against borrowers.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3644 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-11
Subject: Job Fairs in Uttarakhand
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Ajay Bhatt

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

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3644

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH  AUGUST, 2025

## JOB FAIRS IN UTTARAKHAND

## 3644.    SHRI AJAY BHATT:

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

- (a) Whether the Government has any plan to organise job fairs across the  country  at  the  district  level  in  collaboration  with  the  State Governments;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- the details of number of job fairs organised in Uttarakhand during the last three years, district-wise along with the results achieved
- (c) therefrom; and
- (d) the details of the number of unemployed youth belonging to SC/ST categories  got  employment  in  job  fairs  organised  in  Uttarakhand during the last three years, district-wise?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (d)  Job  fair  is  one  of  the  steps  towards  fulfilment  of  the Commitment of the Government to accord highest priority to employment  generation  amongst  youth.  Regular  Job  Fairs  are  being organized under various schemes by the State Governments/ Ministries/ Departments etc.

A  total  of  225  job  fairs  were  organised  by  State  Employment Exchanges/ Model Career Centres in the Uttarakhand State during last three financial years including the current financial year till 10.07.2025.

The district wise details of job fairs conducted, jobseeker participated  and  provisionally  selected  in  job  fairs  (including  SC/STs candidates)  during  last  three  financial  years  including  the  current financial year till 10.07.2025 are given as under:

| S.No   | District Name     |   No. of Job fairs |   Jobseekers participated |   Jobseekers provisionally selected |
|--------|-------------------|--------------------|---------------------------|-------------------------------------|
| 1.     | Almora            |                 86 |                      8270 |                                3215 |
| 2.     | Bageshwar         |                  2 |                       147 |                                  81 |
| 3.     | Champawat         |                  9 |                       354 |                                 225 |
| 4.     | Dehradun          |                 78 |                      2233 |                                 289 |
| 5.     | Garhwal           |                  5 |                       429 |                                  49 |
| 6.     | Haridwar          |                 43 |                      2162 |                                 322 |
| 7.     | Udham Singh Nagar |                  2 |                        84 |                                  26 |
| Total  | Total             |                225 |                     13679 |                                4207 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3638 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-11
Subject: DA Arrears for Central Government Employees during COVID-19
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Anand Bhadauria

## Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Expenditure

## Lok Sabha

Un-Starred Question No 3638 To be answered on Monday, 11 th August, 2025 Sravana 20, 1947 (Saka)

## DA Arrears for Central Government Employees during COVID-19 3638.  Shri Anand Bhadauria :

Will the Minister of FINANCE  be pleased to state :

- (a) whether the decision to  freeze  18  months  dearness allowance  and  dearness relief  for  Central  Government  employees  and  pensioners  during  COVID-19 were taken due to economic disruption and to ease pressure on Government
- finances; (b) if  so, whether fiscal condition of the Government is still under pressure and is on the verge of bankruptcy; (c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for failure of the Government to keep the  robust  fiscal  condition  of  the  country  upto  the  mark  which  it  inherited  in legacy in 2014; and if  not,  the  time  by  which  the  Government  would  release  the  arrears  of  18

## Answer Minister of State in the Ministry of  Finance

## (Shri Pankaj Chaudhary)

- (a) The decision to freeze three instalments of Dearness Allowance (DA) / Dearness Relief (DR) to Central Government employees / pensioners due from 01.01.2020, 01.07.2020 & 01.01.2021 was taken in the context of COVID-19, which caused economic disruption, so as to ease pressure on Government finances. (b)& (c) The fiscal deficit of the Government of India has narrowed from 9.2 per cent in the  Financial  Year  (FY)  2020-21  to  4.4  per  cent  in  the  FY  2025-26  (Budget Estimates). The adverse financial impact of pandemic in 2020 and the financing of welfare measures taken by the Government had a fiscal spill over beyond FY 2020-21.
- (d) Therefore, arrears of DA/DR were not considered feasible.
- *****
- (d) months DA/DR?
Lok Sabha Question No. 3636 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-11
Subject: EPS-95 for Pensioners
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Chandra Prakash Joshi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3636 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025

## EPS-95 FOR PENSIONERS

†3636. SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI:

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

- (a) whether there is any proposal by the Government to increase the minimum pension under the EPS-95 from Rs. 1000 to Rs. 7500 per month; and
- (b) if so, the time by which the pensioners are likely to get the benefit therefrom?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b): The EPS, 1995 is a 'Defined Contribution -Defined Benefit' Social Security Scheme. The corpus of the Employees' Pension Fund is  made  up  of  (i)  contribution  by  the  employer  @  8.33  per  cent  of wages;  and  (ii)  contribution  from  Central  Government  through budgetary support @ 1.16 per cent of wages up to an amount of Rs. 15,000/- per month. All benefits under the scheme are paid out of such accumulations.  The  fund  is  valued  annually  as  mandated  under paragraph 32 of EPS, 1995 and as per the valuation of the fund as on 31.03.2019, there is an actuarial deficit.

However, the Government is providing a minimum pension of  Rs.  1000  per  month  to  the  pensioners  under  the  EPS,  1995  by providing budgetary support, which is in addition to the budgetary support of 1.16 per cent of wages provided annually towards EPS to

Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3633 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-11
Subject: Funds for Development of Stadiums
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Govind Makthappa Karjol

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3633

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025

Funds for Development of Stadiums

3633.  Shri Govind Makthappa Karjol:

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

(a)  whether the  Government has taken any steps to sanction and release the funds for development of stadiums in Chitradurga Lok Sabha Constituency under Khelo India Scheme;

- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c)  the  details  of  the  efforts  being  made  to  complete  the  pending  project works of stadiums in the said constituency under the said schemes?

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

(a) to (c) 'Sports' being a State subject, the responsibility of development of sports, including development of stadiums, rests primarily with the respective State/Union Territory Governments. The Union Government only supplements their efforts by bridging critical gaps. Khelo India Scheme is a demand-driven scheme. The proposals received from the State/UT Governments and other eligible entities, including from the State Government  of  Karnataka  for  Chitradurga  Lok  Sabha  Constituency,  are considered  for  financial  support,  subject  to  their  completeness,  technical feasibility and availability of funds under the Scheme. There are no pending project works of stadiums in the Chitradurga Lok Sabha Constituency under the Khelo India Scheme.

*****