opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1687 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-10
Subject: Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Yojana
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Kesineni Sivanath

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

## DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1687 ANSWERED ON 10/03/2025

## PRADHAN MANTRI UCHCHATAR SHIKSHA PROTSAHAN (PM-USP) YOJANA

## 1687. SHRI KESINENI SIVANATH:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a)  the  funds  sanctioned  and  released  under  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Uchchatar  Shiksha  Protsahan (PM-USP) Yojana in the State of Andhra Pradesh during the last five years;

(b) the total number of students registered under the PM-USP Yojana in the above period;

(c)  the  total  number  of  students  benefited  under  the  PM-USP  Central  Sector  Interest  Subsidy Scheme, State-wise and  PM-USP Scholarship during the last five  years in  various  districts  of Andhra Pradesh; and

(d) the number of students benefited under the PM-USP scholarship scheme during the last five years in respect of various districts of Andhra Pradesh, district-wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)

(a) to (d):  The Ministry of Education is implementing the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Yojana comprising of 3 components namely (i) Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students; (ii) Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu & Kashmir  and  Ladakh;  and  (iii)  Central  Sector  Interest  Subsidy  Scheme  and  Credit  Guarantee Fund Scheme for Education Loan. The benefits under the PM-USP Yojana are provided to the beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode. The amount disbursed under the PMUSP Yojana to the students of Andhra Pradesh  during the last five  years;  and  the  number  of students  benefitted  from  PM-USP  Yojana,  State-wise  and  in  the  various  districts  of  Andhra Pradesh during the last five years may be accessed at https://www.education.gov.in/parl\_ques .
Lok Sabha Question No. 1685 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-10
Subject: Pension Benefits to Gig and Platform Workers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane, Shri Sudheer Gupta, Shri Chavan Ravindra Vasantrao

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

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1685 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2025

## PENSION BENEFITS TO GIG AND PLATFORM WORKERS

1685. SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE: SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA: SHRI CHAVAN RAVINDRA VASANTRAO:

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

- (a)the  details  of  the  estimated  workforce  of  the  gig  and  platform workers in the country at present;
- (b)whether the Government proposes to provide pension benefits to gig  and  platform  workers  through  Employment  Provident  Fund Organisation (EPFO) and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)whether the Government has prepared any draft regulation in this regard;
- (d)if so, the details thereof and the time by which it is likely to be
- introduced; and
- (e)the  details  of  other  facilities  being  provided  and  likely  to  be provided by the Government to the gig and platform workers in the country?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): As per an estimation by NITI Aayog vide its report titled 'India`s Booming Gig and Platform Economy' published in June 2022, the number of gig workers and platform workers, in the country was 7.7 million in 2020-21, which is expected to rise to 23.5 million by 2029-30.

For  the  first  time,  the  definition  of  'gig  workers'  and 'platform  workers'  and  provisions  related  to  the  same  have  been provided  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.

Recognizing  the  contribution  of  gig  workers  of  online platforms,  the  Government  in  its  Budget  announcement  made  on 1.2.2025, proposed to register them on e-Shram portal, arrange for their identity cards and provide health care under Ayushman BharatPradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB- PMJAY) health scheme.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1684 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-10
Subject: Decline in Enrollment in Schools in Rural Area
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1684

ANSWERED ON 10.03.2025

## Decline in Enrollment in Schools in Rural Area

1684. Shri Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is true that as per Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) there is 67 per cent decline in  the  enrollment  of  students  in  Government  schools  in  rural  parts  of  the  country,  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b) the steps taken by the Government to enroll more students in the Government schools;
- (c)  whether  it  is  true  that  many  private  schools  are  providing  better  education  than  in  Government Schools; and
- (d) if so, the steps taken by the Government to provide better education in Government Schools?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): The  Annual  Status  of  Education  Report  (ASER)  surveys  are  conducted  by  a  nongovernmental organization.  The  Department  of  School  Education  and  Literacy  (DoSEL),  Ministry  of Education has developed the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) system to record data on indicators of school education provided by all the States and Union Territories. As per UDISE+, rural enrolment in government and private schools for the year 2023-24 is 10,58,20,227 and 4,27,51,741 respectively.

The government of India has conducted National Achievement Survey (NAS) in 2021, with an objective to evaluate students learning outcomes and competencies. The class wise, subject wise and management wise  details  of  performance  of  students  at  National,  State/UT  and  District  level  are  available  at https://nas.gov.in/report-card/2021.

Education is in the concurrent list of the Constitution and majority of the schools are under the domain of  respective  State  and  UT  Governments.  Central  Government  assist  States  and  UTs  through  the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Samagra Shiksha. Financial assistance is also provided to the States and UTs  for  various  activities  to  reduce  dropout  and  increase  enrolment  in  Government  schools,  which include  opening/strengthening  of  new  schools  up  to  senior  secondary  level,  strengthening  school infrastructure, setting up, up gradation and running of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBV) upto class  12,  setting  up  of  residential  schools/hostel  named  Netaji  Subhas  Chandra  Bose  Avasiya Vidyalayas,  transport  allowance,  undertaking  enrolment  drives,  seasonal  hostels/residential  camps, provision  of  vocational  education  and  ICT  facilities  in  schools,  providing  free  text  books  and  free uniform, transport/escort facility,  etc, financial assistance is also provided for aids and  appliances for children with special needs.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1683 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-10
Subject: Promotion of Tourism  in Dadra and Nagar Haveli
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Smt. Delkar Kalaben Mohanbhai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †

## 1683 ANSWERED ON 10.03.2025

## PROMOTION OF TOURISM IN DADRA AND NAGAR HAVELI

## †1683 . SMT. DELKAR KALABEN MOHANBHAI:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  priority  projects  for  promotion  of  tourism  in  Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli during the last five years till date and the funds allocated there under;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to provide any special package to  Union  Territory  of  Dadra  and  Nagar  Haveli  for  promotion  of tourism; and
- (c) if  so,  the  details  thereof  alongwith  the  time  by  which  special package is likely to be approved?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM         (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (c): Ministry  of  Tourism  promotes  India  in  a  holistic  manner including  destinations  of  Daman  and  Diu,  through  various  initiatives under its Schemes  of  'Domestic  Promotion  &  Publicity including Hospitality' (DPPH) and 'Overseas Promotion & Publicity (OPP)'. As part of  its  on-going  activities;  it  regularly  releases  print,  electronic,  online and outdoor media campaigns in the international markets, to promote various  tourism  destinations  and  products  of  India.    The  Ministry  of Tourism  also regularly  promotes  various  tourism  destinations  and products through its website and social media promotions.

Ministry of Tourism has not formulated any scheme for a particular State  or  UT.  Ministry  of  Tourism  under  the  schemes  of  'Swadesh Darshan',  National  Mission  on  Pilgrimage  Rejuvenation  and  Spiritual Heritage  Augmentation  Drive  (PRASHAD)'  and  'Assistance  to  Central Agencies  for  Tourism  Infrastructure  Development'  provides  financial assistance to State Governments/Union Territory Administrations/

Central Agencies for the development of tourism related infrastructure and facilities at various tourism destinations in the country. Proposals  are  received  from  States/UTs  from  time  to  time  for seeking financial assistance under the various schemes of the Ministry of  Tourism.  These  proposals  are  extended  for  projects  subject  to fulfilment of the stipulated provisions and availability of funds. A project 'Sound & Light Show at Diu Fort' was sanctioned in the year  201415  under  the  scheme  'Assistance  to  Central  Agencies  for Tourism  Infrastructure  Development',  for  an  amount  of  Rs.775.54  lakh out  of  which  Rs.620.43  lakh  were  released.  The  project  is  physically completed.

- *******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1678 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-10
Subject: Pro-Rata Norm for Pensions
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Adv Dean Kuriakose

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1678 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2025

## PRO-RATA NORM FOR PENSIONS

## 1678. ADV DEAN KURIAKOSE:

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

- (a)whether the Government has issued a circular approving the prorata norm for pensions;
- (b)if so, the details thereof;
- (c)whether the circular was issued even when various courts were still  examining  petitions  challenging  the  pro-rata  norm  since  it would calculate the pension after dividing the employees' service
- period into two, if so, the details thereof and reasons thereto;
- (d)whether the pension being divided into two parts ultimately lead
- to a reduced pension amount; and
- (e)if  so,  the  details  thereof  alongwith  the  reasons  to  reduce  the
- pension amount of pensioners through such a move?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (e): As per Paragraph 11(1) and Paragraph 12 of the Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995, the pensionable salary shall be determined on pro-rata ·basis for the pensionable service up to the 1st day of September, 2014, subject to a maximum of six thousand and five hundred rupees per month, and for the period thereafter at the maximum of fifteen thousand rupees per month.

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has issued a circular dated 18.01.2025 clarifying that pro-rata calculation of pension is equitable and treats both categories of pensioners i.e. pensioners under wage ceiling and those with higher wages on an equal footing.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1675 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-10
Subject: Database of Migrant Workers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Subbarayan K, Com. Selvaraj V

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1675 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2025

## DATABASE OF MIGRANT WORKERS

1675. SHRI SUBBARAYAN K: Com. Selvaraj V:

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

- (a)whether  the  Government  has  a  database  of  inter-State  migrant workers;
- (b)if so, the details thereof and if not, by when the Government create a database of the inter State migrant workers in the country;
- (c)the present status of implementation of inter-State Migrant Workers Act; and
- (d)the  details  of  the  smart  cards  that  have  been  issued  to  migrant
- workers along with the percentage of migrant workers covered?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): The Ministry of Labour & Employment has launched eShram portal, a National Database of the Unorganised Workers on 26th August, 2021. It has also been made available to the States/UTs for registration of unorganised  workers  including  migrant workers. It allows an unorganised worker to register himself or herself on the portal on selfdeclaration basis. The main objective of the eShram portal is to create a national database of unorganised workers seeded with Aadhaar, and facilitate delivery under existing Social Security and welfare Schemes to  such  workers.  As  on  date  04.03.2025,  more  than  30.68  Crore unorganized workers, including migrant workers, have been registered on this portal and who have been issued eShram card.

The Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Services) Act, 1979 has been enacted to protect the interest  of  the  migrant  workers.  The  Act  provides  for  registration  of certain establishments employing Inter State Migrant Workers, licensing of contractors etc. Workers employed with such establishments are to be provided payment of minimum wages, journey allowance, displacement allowance, residential accommodation, medical facilities and protective clothing etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1673 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-10
Subject: Khelo India Scheme in West Bengal
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Raju Bista

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †1673 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2025

Khelo India Scheme in West Bengal

1673. Shri Raju Bista:

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

(a)  the  details  of  the  funds  sanctioned,  released,  utilized  under  various schemes of the Ministry in West Bengal, since 2019, district-wise; and

(b)  the  number  of  athletes  identified  and  supported  under  the  Talent Identification and Development component of Khelo India Scheme in West Bengal, especially Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Uttar Dinajpur districts?

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

(a)  Funds  are  allocated  Scheme-wise,  not  State-wise  in  this  Ministry.  The details  of  the  funds  allocated  and  released  by  this  Ministry  under  various sports promotional schemes, including in the State of West Bengal, since 2019:

(in Rs. crore)

|   S. No. | Financial Year   |   Funds allocated |   Expenditure incurred |
|----------|------------------|-------------------|------------------------|
|        1 | 2019-20          |           2000    |                1989.39 |
|        2 | 2020-21          |           1313.4  |                1304.12 |
|        3 | 2021-22          |           1993    |                1748.76 |
|        4 | 2022-23          |           1907.69 |                1879.99 |
|        5 | 2023-24          |           2380.86 |                2329.35 |

(b)  The  details  of  athletes  identified  and  supported  under  the  Talent Identification  and  Development  component  of  Khelo  India  Scheme  across the country, including in the State of West Bengal, are available in public domain on the dashboard of the Ministry at https://dashboard.kheloindia.gov.in/state-wise-khelo-india-centers.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1670 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-10
Subject: Duration of B.Ed. course
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Prabhakar Reddy Vemireddy

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO:- 1670

ANSWERED ON-10/03/2025

## Duration of B.Ed. course

1670. Shri Prabhakar Reddy Vemireddy:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether National Council for Teacher Education has recently proposed to have one year B.Ed. degree course instead of regular two year course;
- (b) if so, the details and reasons therefor;
- (c) the reasons for stopping one year B.Ed. course in 2014 and restarting it again now; and
- (d)  whether  institutions  providing  B.Ed.  course  are  supposed  to  become  multidisciplinary institutions by 2028 and if so, the details of institutes with upcoming courses?

## A N S W E R

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

(a) to (c): Para 5.23 of the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 mandates the introduction of  1-year  B.Ed.  for  those  teacher  students  who  have  completed  the  equivalent  of  4-year multidisciplinary Bachelor's Degrees or who have obtained a Master's degree in a speciality and wish to become a subject teacher in that speciality. In pursuance of the NEP, 2020, NCTE has formulated Norms & Standards of the NCTE Regulations, 2025  and placed the same in public domain vide Public Notice dated 20.02.2025. The public notice is available at: -

https://ncte.gov.in/website/Regulation2025.aspx

(d): As mandated by NEP 2020, the draft NCTE Regulations 2025 envisage the institutions providing B.Ed. to become  multidisciplinary institutions by 2028.  Since  the  NCTE Regulations, 2025 are at draft stage, the applications have not been invited.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1666 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-10
Subject: Conservation of Underwater Archaeological Sites in Dwarka
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Dr. Bhola Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1666 ANSWERED ON 10.03.2025

## CONSERVATION OF UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES IN DWARKA

## 1666. DR. BHOLA SINGH

Will the Minister ofCULTUREbe pleased to state:

- (a) the details alongwith key objectives of the ongoing underwater archaeological explorations off the coast of Dwarka;
- (b) the details of advanced technologies and methods being used to ensure accurate preservation of discovered artifacts;
- (c) the details of the measures taken by the Government to protect India's underwater cultural heritage from illegal excavation and environmental threats; and
- (d) whether the Government has plans to open these sites for academic research and heritage tourism and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Ongoing  underwater  archaeological  explorations  off  the  coast  of  Dwarka  and  Bet Dwarka were started in February 2025 by the Underwater Archaeology Wing (UAW) of Archaeological Survey of India. The underwater archaeological surveywascarried-outin the area near Gomti creek.

The objectives of the ongoing fieldwork at Dwarka are to search, document, and study submerged archaeological remains besides imparting training to archaeologists. It also includes scientific analysis of sediments, marine deposits, and underwater archaeological finds to ascertain their antiquity.

--

- (b) Present  fieldworks  carried-out  by  the  UAW  include  use  of  diving  apparatus,  survey boats, and underwater digital cameras for search and documentation.
- (c) Ancient monuments and archaeological sites in India, whether on land or underwater, are governed as per the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
- (d) Research  conducted  by  UAW  on  submerged  archaeological  sites  and  monuments  in Indian waters, also results in increase of heritage tourism.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1661 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-10
Subject: Violation of Environmental Norms
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Anil Yeshwant Desai

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1661

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2025

## Violation of Environmental Norms

## 1661. SHRI ANIL YESHWANT DESAI:

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

- (a) the details regarding aims and objectives of National Green Tribunal (NGT);
- (b) the  details  of  machinery  available  to  check  violations  of  environmental  norms endangering wild life or green cover from various parts of the country;
- (c) whether suo-moto action is also initiated against the persons or State authorities who may responsible  for  their  actions  or  inactions  in  such  violations,  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
- (d) whether there are any exemplary punishments etc. imposed against them in the past, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) National Green Tribunal (NGT) has been established in the year 2010 under the NGT Act, 2010 for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests & other natural resources including enforcement of any legal right relating to environment and giving relief and compensation for damages to persons and property and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.  Section 14 and Section 16 of the NGT Act, 2010 provide original jurisdiction and appellate jurisdictions of NGT.
- (b) to (d) The Union Government has formulated adequate legal and regulatory frameworks at National and State levels, which regulate the protection, conservation, and management of the environment, forests and wild life protection.  The major central level policy and legislations concerning the management and conservation of forests include the National Forest  Policy,  1988,  Indian  Forest  Act,  1927,  Wildlife  (Protection)  Act,  1972,  Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam 1980, and Biological Diversity Act, 2002, etc. The  Wild  Life  (Protection)  Act,  1972  provides  for  conservation,  protection  and management of wild life. Depending upon the facts and circumstance, the NGT undertakes suo- moto action against the persons or authorities. Punishment for non-compliance of the Order/Award/ decision of the NGT has been made punishable u/s 26 of the NGT Act to the effect that violator may be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine which may extend to ten crore rupees, or with both and in case the failure or  contravention continues, with additional fine which may extend to twentyfive thousand rupees for every day during which such failure or contravention continues after conviction for the first such failure or contravention.