opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2170 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: Economic Security for Small-Scale Shopkeepers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Yaduveer Wadiyar

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2170 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2024

## ECONOMIC SECURITY FOR SMALL-SCALE SHOPKEEPERS

2170. SHRI YADUVEER WADIYAR:

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

- (a)whether the Government has taken note of the economic security of small shopkeepers;
- (b)if so, the details thereof and the steps taken in this regard;
- (c)whether around three crore small traders/shopkeepers in the country are likely to be benefited from the Pension Scheme for shopkeepers/retail traders and self employed persons and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)the details of small shopkeepers and retail traders covered under the said Pension Scheme in the State of Karnataka?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): The National Pension Scheme for traders was launched in September, 2019. This is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme for  providing  a  monthly  minimum  assured  pension  of  Rs.  3000/-  after attaining  the  age  of  60  years  to  the  traders,  shopkeepers  and  self employed persons.

## Details of the scheme are as below:-

| Criteria                | Details                                                                                  |
|-------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Age                     | 18-40                                                                                    |
| Monthly income/Turnover | Upto Rs. 15,000 per month for PM- SYM and less than Rs. 1.5 cr turn over for NPS Traders |
| Monthly Contribution    | Rs. 55 to Rs. 200 per month                                                              |
| Exclusion Criteria      | Member of NPS/ESIC/EPFO                                                                  |
| Exclusion Criteria      | Income Tax Payee                                                                         |

As  on  04-12-2024,  57739  traders  are  enrolled  in  the  said Pension Scheme, including 2782 in the State of Karnataka.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2166 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: Subsidy on Education Loans
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Ms. Praniti Sushilkumar Shinde

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

## DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2166 ANSWERED ON 09/12/2024

## Subsidy on Education Loans

2166.   Ms. Praniti Sushilkumar Shinde: Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state: (a)  whether  any  subsidies  has  been  provided  for  education  loans,  if  so,  the  list  of  students who have benefited from these subsidies, State-wise; (b) the current budget allocation for education; and (c) whether the budget allocated falls short of the Incheon Declaration's recommended target of 4-6% of the nation's GDP and whether any allocated funds have been lapsed; and (d)  whether  the  current  allocation  remains  below  the  Incheon  Declaration  target,  if  so, whether the Government has any plans to secure approval for at least 4% of GDP towards budgetary allocation for education?

## ANSWER

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

(a) Ministry  of  Education,  Government  of  India  is  implementing  Pradhan  Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Central Sector Interest Subsidy Scheme (PM-USP CSIS)  for  providing  interest  subvention  on  Education  Loans.  Further,  the  Government  of India has approved PM-Vidyalaxmi, a new Central Sector scheme, in which for students with up to Rs. 8 lakhs annual family income, the scheme provides for 3% interest subvention on loans  up  to  Rs  10  lakh.  The  detailed  guidelines  of  both  the  schemes  are  available  at  : https://www.education.gov.in/scholarships-education-loan-4. The state-wise no. of beneficiaries under PM-USP CSIS is available at : https://www.education.gov.in/parl\_ques .

(b) to (d) Education is in the Concurrent list, and both Central and State/UT Governments share the responsibility for education. Majority of the educational institutions are  within  the  administrative  jurisdiction  of  the  States/UTs.  As  per  latest  'Analysis  of Budgeted  Expenditure  on  Education  2019-20  to  2021-22',  the  budget  expenditure  on Education for Centre & States/UTs (All Ministries and All Departments) for year 2021-22 is

Rs.  9.67  lakh  crore,  which  is  4.12  %  of  the  GDP.  National  Education  Policy  2020  (NEP 2020)  unequivocally  endorses  and  envisions  a  substantial  increase  in  public  investment  in education by both the Central Government and all State Governments to reach 6% of GDP. As far as Ministry of Education is concerned, there has been increase in budget allocation from Rs. 93,224 crore (2021-22) to Rs. 1,12,899 crore (2023-24), which is around 21.1 % increase.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2164 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: Conservation of Crocodiles
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Lumbaram Choudhary

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2164

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2024

## Conservation of Crocodiles

## 2164.   SHRI LUMBA RAM:

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

- (a) whether  the  number  of  crocodiles  has  been  declining  in  the  country,  if  so,  the  details thereof, State-wise including Rajasthan;
- (b) if so, the steps taken by the Government to increase the number of crocodiles;
- (c) the details of number of crocodile conservation centres in the country, State-wise including Rajasthan; and
- (d) whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  develop  Munia  Dam  of  Sirohi  district  as  a crocodile centre, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Population estimations of various species of crocodiles have not been undertaken nationally. However many States/UTs undertake population estimations of different crocodile species within their jurisdictions.
- (b) The Government has taken a number of steps for protection and conservation of wildlife including crocodiles. Important measures include:
- i. Marsh crocodile ( Crocodylus palustris ), Saltwater Crocodile ( Crocodylus  porosus )  and  Gharial  ( Gavialis  gangeticus )  are  listed  in Schedule-I  of  the Wild  Life  (Protection)  Act,  1972  thereby  providing them highest degree of protection.
- ii. Creation  of  Protected  Areas (National  Parks, Sanctuaries,  Community Reserves and Conservation Reserves) under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972, for conservation of wildlife and its habitat.
- iii. Eco-Sensitive Zones are notified around National Parks and Sanctuaries in order to strengthen conservation of wildlife, under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act,1986.
- iv. Financial   assistance to States/UTs including State of Andhra Pradesh under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes of 'Project Tiger and Elephant' and  'Development of Wildlife habitats' .
- v. Wild Life Crime Control Bureau has been set up to gather intelligence about  illegal  wildlife trade  in  wild  animals  and  animal  articles  and  to
- achieve  interstate  and  trans  boundary  coordination  in  enforcement  of wildlife laws.
- (c) Zoos are recognised in the country by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) as per the standards and norms specified in the Recognition of Zoo Rules, 2009. There is no zoo recognised by the CZA which is exclusively housing crocodiles.
- (d) No proposal for recognition of any zoo for exclusively housing crocodilesin Sirohi district of Rajasthan is under consideration of the CZA.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2157 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: Merger of the Autonomous Bodies
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Dr. Mallu Ravi

- (a): No, Sir.
- (b): Does not arise.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2157 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2024

## Merger of the Autonomous Bodies

## 2157:  DR MALLU RAVI:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  plans  to  merge  the  autonomous  bodies  under  its jurisdiction within the Ministry of Culture; and
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  the  specific  autonomous  bodies  that  are  identified  for  merging, along with the goals of this initiative, expected benefits or improvements in operational efficiency and any proposed timeline or framework for its implementation?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
Lok Sabha Question No. 2156 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: Environmental Clearances for Sea Plane Project
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri K Sudhakaran

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2156

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2024

## Environmental Clearances for Sea Plane Project

## 2156. SHRI K SUDHAKARAN:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware about the Sea Plane project that has commenced in the State of Kerala;
- (b) whether the Government has provided any clearance for the operations of the sea Plane in waterbodies around Kovalam, Kumarakom, Banasura Sagar and Mattupetty; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (c)  As  informed  by  Ministry  of  Civil  Aviation,  14  locations  has  been  proposed  by Government of Kerala which includes  Kovalam,  Kumarakom,  Banasura  Sagar Dam,  Munnar, (Mattupetty Dam/Changulam Dam) for inclusion in the list of waterbodies available under the Regional Connectivity Scheme - Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN). As per the 'Guidelines for seaplane operations', the State Government/UT shall be responsible to obtain the permission from  local  Administration/owner  of  water  aerodrome/Port  Authorities/Marine  department  (as applicable) as well as all statutory clearances to operate from the designated water aerodrome. No water aerodrome has so far been finalized for operation of seaplane services in the State

Further, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has not received any proposal for a grant  of  the  Environmental  Clearance  (EC),  under  the  provisions  of  Environmental  Impact Assessment Notifications, 2006 and as amended for the operations of the Sea Plane in waterbodies around Kovalam, Kumarakom, Banasura Sagar, and Mattupetty at Kerala.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2154 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: Rationalisation of GST Rates
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri  Selvaganapathi T.M.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2154

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 09, 2024/ AGRAHAYANA 18, 1946 (SAKA) RATIONALISATION OF GST RATES

## 2154. SHRI SELVAGANAPATHI T.M.:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Goods  and  Services  Tax  (GST)  Council  is  considering  to  rationalise  GST rates on many services and products in its next meeting scheduled on 21.12.2024;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council has any proposal to reduce tax rates on a host of items for common man from 12% to 5% slab as per the recommendations of a panel of State Ministers; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a): The  GST  Council  in  its  45 th meeting  held  on  17 th September,  2021,  has  constituted  a Group of Ministers to look into rate rationalisation. No report of the Group of Ministers is pending for consideration of the Council.

- (b), (c) and (d): Does not arise in view of reply to (a) above

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2152 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: Setting up of IIMs in the Country
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Dr. Kadiyam Kavya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2152

ANSWERED ON 09.12.2024

## Setting up of IIMs in the Country

2152.    Dr. Kadiyam Kavya:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  is  contemplating  to  set  up  Indian  Institutes  of  Management (IIMs) in the country; and

(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b):   13 IIMs were functioning prior to the year 2014. After 2015-16, Seven (7) new Indian  Institutes  of  Management  (IIMs)  namely,  Amritsar,  Bodhgaya,  Sambalpur,  Jammu, Sirmaur,  Nagpur  and  Visakhapatnam  have  been  established.  Further,  in  the  year  2023-24, National Institute of Training in Industrial Engineering (NITIE), Mumbai has been included in  the  schedule  of  the  IIM  Act  to  rename  it  as  IIM,  Mumbai.  At  present  21  IIMs  are functioning in the country.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2150 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: Declaration of Forest Areas as Tiger Reserves
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Thiru Thanga Tamilselvan

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 2150

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2024

## Declaration of Forest Areas as Tiger Reserves

## 2150. THIRU THANGA TAMILSELVAN:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the orders of State Government of Tamil Nadu declaring certain forest areas as tiger reserves and requesting forest dweller's eviction;
- (b) whether these orders have been reviewed by the Union Government considering the Forest Rights Act, 2006 and tiger reserve notification guidelines and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any proposal were submitted by the State Government to the National Tiger Conservation  Authority  (NTCA)  regarding  these  notifications,  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (d) whether any directions were issued by the  Union  Government to the State Government  of  Tamil  Nadu  regarding  proper  rehabilitation  and  compensation  for affected forest dwelling communities; and
- (e) the  details  of  the  steps  taken  by  the  Union  Government  to  protect  forest  dwellers' rights while implementing tiger conservation measures in the State of Tamil Nadu?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND

CLIMATE CHANGE

(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

- (a) to (c) No such order has been furnished by the State of Tamil Nadu.
- (d) to (e) The Government of India through the National Tiger Conservation Authority has issued protocol / guidelines for voluntary village relocation in notified core/critical  tiger  habitats  of  Tiger  Reserves under  the  ambit  of the Wild Life (Protection)  Act,  1972,  read  with  the  Scheduled  Tribes  and  Other  Traditional Forest  Dwellers  (Recognition  of  Forest  Rights)  Act,  2006,  which  is  monitored and  implemented  by  the  State  level  monitoring  committee  and  District  level implementing committee.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2149 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: Kendriya Vidyalayas in NCT of Delhi
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Ramvir Singh Bidhuri

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2149 ANSWERED ON 09.12.2024

## KENDRIYA VIDYALAYAS IN NCT OF DELHI

## † 2149. SHRI RAMVIR SINGH BIDHURI:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) established in the NCT of Delhi during the last five years, location-wise;
- (b) whether the number of students studying in these KVs has increased during the last five years, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the number of KVs proposed to be setup in the NCT of Delhi during the academic year 2025-26 and 2026-27?

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

(a)  &  (b)  As  per  information  received  from  Kendriya  Vidyalaya  Sangathan (KVS),  01  Kendriya  Vidyalaya  (KV)  viz.  Dr.  Rajendra  Prasad  KV,  President Estate, New Delhi has been established during the last five years in the NCT of Delhi. The enrolment of students has consistently increased in this KV during the last five years and the current year, as under:-

| Academic Year              |   Enrolment of students |
|----------------------------|-------------------------|
| 2019-20                    |                     933 |
| 2020-21                    |                    1328 |
| 2021-22                    |                    1341 |
| 2022-23                    |                    1353 |
| 2023-24                    |                    1370 |
| 2024-25 (as on 30.09.2024) |                    1453 |

(c) Opening of new KVs is a continuous process. KVs are opened primarily to  cater  to  the  educational  needs  of  the  wards  of  transferable  Central Government Employees including Defence & Para-military personnel, Central Autonomous Bodies, Central Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and Central Institute  of  Higher  Learning  (IHL)  by  providing  a  common  programme  of education throughout the country. Proposals for opening of new KVs may be sponsored  by  Ministries  or  Departments  of  the  Government  of  India  /  State Governments  /  Union  Territories  (UTs)  Administrations,  with  commitment  to provide requisite resources including land and temporary accommodation for setting up a new KV as per norms.  The proposals are subject to approval of the competent authority as per extant procedure.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2148 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: Classical Language Status to Marathi Language
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Anil Yeshwant Desai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2148

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2024

## CLASSICAL LANGUAGE STATUS TO MARATHI LANGUAGE

## 2148. SHRI ANIL YESHWANT DESAI:

Will the Minister of Culture be please to state:

- (a) the name of the languages which enjoys the status of classical language;
- (b) whether  any  proposal  have  ever  been  received  by  the  Government  from  the  State  of Maharashtra for granting of such status to Marathi language, if so, dates of such proposals along with action taken thereon;
- (c) the  details  of  the  criteria  for  granting  of  such  status  and  the  manner  in  which  the  Marathi language fulfilling that requirements; and
- (d) the details of the tentative period of time for granting the said status to Marathi language?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

## (GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a) The following languages have been declared as classical languages:
1. Assamese
2. Bengali
3. Kannada
4. Malayalam
5. Marathi
6. Odia
7. Pali
8. Prakrit
9. Sanskrit
10. Tamil
11. Telugu
- (b to d) Several communications were received from the State Government of Maharashtra putting forward the proposal for recognition of Marathi Language as a classical language including one  dated  21-02-2022.  After  thorough  consideration  based  on  laid  down  criteria,  Marathi was officially declared as a Classical Language vide Notification dated October 4, 2024.

The criteria for granting status of classical language are as under:

- (i) High  antiquity  of  its  early  texts  /  recorded  history  over  a  period  of  1500-2000 years.
- (ii) A body of ancient literature/ texts, which is considered a heritage by generations of speakers.
- (iii)  Knowledge  texts,  especially  prose  texts  in  addition  to poetry,  epigraphical  and inscriptional evidence would also be considered.
- (iv)  The  classical  languages  and  literature  could  be  distinct  from  its  current  form  or could be discontinuous with its later forms or its offshoots.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2147 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: Financial Literacy and Investor Education Programmes for Senior Citizens
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2147

ANSWERED ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2024/AGRAHAYANA 18, 1946 (SAKA)

## Financial Literacy and Investor Education Programmes for Senior Citizens

## 2147. Shri Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has carried out any survey/study recently regarding financial literacy and investor education of senior citizens in the country;
- (b) if so, the details and the total number of senior citizens who have registered, participated and graduated from courses regarding financial literacy and investor education programmes as offered by the Government during the last five years across the country, State-wise and district- wise;
- (c) the details and the total amount of funds allocated and utilised during the last five years for this purpose, year-wise, State-wise and district wise; and
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  carried  out  any  promotional  activities/campaigns  for  the  purposes  of increasing awareness regarding financial literacy and investor education programmes for senior citizens, if so, the details thereof?

## Answer

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

(a)  to  (d)  No  specific  study  involving  financial  literacy  of  senior  citizens  in  the  country  has  been  conducted. However, various financial literacy  and  education programmes are regularly undertaken  which include senior citizens as one of the target groups. The details are as under:

- (i) Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued guidelines for setting up Financial Literacy Centres (FLCs) by Lead Banks. In terms of these guidelines, FLCs have been advised to conduct special camps for different target groups and banks have been regularly conducting special camps through FLCs
- (ii) RBI's multi-media, multilingual public awareness campaign, titled "RBI Kehta Hai" uses various mediums to promote financial literacy and to educate the public on safe banking practices.
- (iii) National Centre for Financial Education (NCFE) in collaboration with Centre for Financial Literacy (CFL) is regularly conducting Financial Education (FE) programmes targeting audience below 18 years and above 60 years.
- (iv) RBI  undertakes  mass  media  campaigns  to  disseminate  essential  financial  awareness  messages  to  the general public covering all age groups.
- (v) Recognising the need to develop standardized content to meet the requirements of general audience for financial  awareness  on  important  banking  aspects,  RBI  has  developed  Financial  Awareness  Messages (FAME) booklet wherein specific content has been prepared for various target groups including senior citizens.

****