opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 340 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-05
Subject: Aadhaar-Based Authentication for GST Registration
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Maddila  Gurumoorthy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 340

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2024/MAGHA 16, 1945 (SAKA)

## AADHAAR-BASED AUTHENTICATION FOR GST REGISTRATION

340. Shri Maddila Gurumoorthy:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  to  implement  the  pilot  project  of  Aadhaar-based authentication for GST registration in Andhra Pradesh beyond the current testing phase;
- (b) if so, the details thereof?
- (c) whether the specific data analytics and risk parameters are being used to detect fake ITC in Andhra Pradesh;
- (d)  if  so,  whether  these  mechanisms  are  likely  to  be  tailored  further  to  address  regional challenges and patterns and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)  the  manner in which the Government is ensuring adequate resources and training for GST officials in Andhra Pradesh to effectively combat sophisticated fraud schemes?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE

(SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

(a)  and  (b)  Based  on  the  recommendations  of  GST  Council,  sub-rule  4A  has  been  inserted  in Rule 8 of CGST Rules, 2017 to provide for risk based biometric-based Aadhaar authentication of registration applicants. The provisions of the said sub-rule has been made effective in the State of Gujarat vide Notification no. 27/2022-Central Tax dated 26.12.2022, in the State of Puducherry vide  Notification  number  31/2023-Central  Tax  dated  31.07.2023  and  in  the  State  of  Andhra Pradesh vide Notification number 54/2023-Central Tax dated 17.11.2023.

(c)  and  (d)  Various data analytic and artificial intelligence tools such as NETRA (Networking Exploration Tools for Revenue  Augmentation), BIFA  (Business Intelligence and Fraud Analytics)  &  ADVAIT  (Advanced  Analytics  in  Indirect  Taxation)  are  being  used  to  identify risky taxpayers, suspected of passing or availing fake input tax credit, including in the State of Andhra Pradesh.

Further, based on the feedback received from the field formations, these tools are updated/modified from time to time.

(e) Various training programmes are being conducted by National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes and Narcotics from time to time for GST officials, including that from the State of Andhra Pradesh, inter alia, on techniques for detection of frauds and prevention of tax evasion.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 337 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-05
Subject: Revision in Fellowship Rates of MANF
Ministry: Education
Asked by: M. P. Abdussamad Samadani

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 337

ANSWERED ON 05/02/2024

## Revision in Fellowship Rates of MANF

337. DR. M.P. ABDUSSAMAD SAMADANI: Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware of the delay in revising the fellowship rates of Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF) for the scholars pursuing PhD programme; (b) if so, the steps taken by the Government regarding the revision; (c) whether the Government is aware of the delay in the disbursement of fellowship funds, taking an extended period of 4-7 months, which adversely impacts scholars' ability to focus on their academic activities and hinders their research progress; and (d)  if  so,  the  details  of  the  remedial  measures  taken  by  the  Government for timely
2. disbursement of these funds?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (Dr. SUBHAS SARKAR)

(a)  to  (d):  The  Ministry  of  Minority  Affairs  (MoMA)  has  informed  that  the  scheme guidelines  of  Maulana  Azad  National  Fellowship  (MANF)  provides  that  rate  of fellowship  will  be  at  par  with  the  rate  revised  by  University  Grants  Commission (UGC). In so far as the delay in disbursement of the fellowship, MoMA has informed that they have undertaken Aadhaar Payments Bridge System (APBS) for disbursement of scholarships to streamline the system. The MANF scheme is being implemented by National Minority Development Finance Corporation which has also been directed to disburse the fellowship amount only through APBS.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 334 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-05
Subject: Assessment of Goods and Services Tax
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Ritesh Pandey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 334

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2024 / MAGHA 16, 1945 (Saka)

## Assessment of Goods and Services Tax

## 334. SHRI RITESH PANDEY:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is planning to assess the performance of Goods and Services Tax in  achieving  its  intended  outcome  of  reducing  inter-State  disparities  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b) the details of share of industrial investments made between the period of 2013-17 and from 2017-21, State/UT-wise;
- (c) whether there has been a change in the pattern of State's share of industrial investments between 2013-17 and 2017-21 and if so, the details and findings thereof; and
- (d)  if  not,  the  measures  taken  or  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  reduce  such  inter-State disparities?

## ANSWER

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

- (a):  The  objective  of  the  Goods  and  Services  Tax  (GST)  is  to  harmonise  and  simplify  the indirect tax regime of the country, remove cascading effect of taxes and provide for a common national market for goods and services. No, as a result of GST, there are now uniform tax rates on goods and services covered under GST in all States and there is no disparity in this regard.
- (b), (c) & (d): No such data maintained by the Government.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 333 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-05
Subject: Opening of New KVs
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Ramcharan Bohra

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.333 ANSWERED ON 05.02.2024

## OPENING OF NEW KVs

## † 333.  SHRI RAMCHARAN BOHRA:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the  total  number  of  Kendriya  Vidyalayas  (KVs)  where  Indian  and  foreign students have been enrolled;
- (b) the pupil to teacher ratio in the said Vidyalayas;
- (c) the number of new KVs proposed to be opened in India and abroad;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to open new KVs in Rajasthan; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SMT. ANNPURNA DEVI)

(a) & (b) As per information received from Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), out of 1254 functional Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs), 03 KVs i.e. KV Moscow, KV Kathmandu and KV Tehran are functioning abroad wherein both Indian and foreign students have been enrolled. The pupil-teacher ratio in the KVs functional abroad is 14:1.

(c) to (e) 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 for establishment of new KVs are subject to approval of the competent authority as per extant procedures. At present, 77 KVs are functioning in the State of Rajasthan.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 332 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-05
Subject: Return of Treasures
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Ratansinh Magansinh Rathod, Dinesh Lal "Nirahua" Yadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-332 ANSWERED ON- 05/02/2024

## RETURN OF TREASURES

## 332. SHRI RATANSINH MAGANSINH RATHOD: SHRI DINESH LAL YADAV -NIRAHUA

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state: -

- (a) the details of the exhibition titled 'Re(ad)dress: Return of Treasures on the sidelines of the Khajuraho meet;
- 6) the details of the number of artefacts that have returned to India in 2023; and
- the details of the number of artefacts that have returned to India since 2014 and details of the number of artefacts returned to India during 2004-14 period?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF CULTURE, TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION

## (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

- (a) The exhibition titled, "Re(ad)dress: Return of Treasures" was held from 22 to 28 Feb. 2023 at the Convention Centre, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh amidst the backdrop of Culture Working Group meeting of G20.

Representative sculptures, paintings and scrolls, etc. highlighting the value of diverse cultural heritage returned from various countries were displayed in the exhibition:

- (b) 115 numbers of antiquities have been returned to India in 2023.
- 344 antiquities have been returned to India since 2014. Only one antiquity had returned to India during 2004-13.
Lok Sabha Question No. 331 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-05
Subject: Kendriya Vidyalaya in SSB Camp, Birpur
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Dileshwar Kamait

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.331 ANSWERED ON 05.02.2024

## KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA IN SSB CAMP, BIRPUR

## 331. SHRI DILESHWAR KAMAIT:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the  time  by  which  a  Kendriya  Vidyalaya  will  be  established  in  the  SSB  camp situated  in  Birpur  in  the  Supaul  Parliamentary  Constituency  which  is  a  very backward and flood prone border area of Bihar;
- (b) the reasons for not establishing the same by registering the land so far;
- (c) whether  the  land  registration  fee  of  Kendriya  Vidyalaya,  Birpur  would  be  paid through the Paramilitary Forces Welfare Fund and if so, the details thereof along with the reasons for which the land registration has not been done till date;
- (d) whether the Government has any other scheme for the establishment of the said Kendriya Vidyalaya; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SMT. ANNPURNA DEVI)

(a) to (e) Opening of new Kendriya Vidyalayas (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  for establishment of new KVs are subject to approval of the competent authority as per extant procedures. At present, 1251 KVs including 49 KVs in the State of Bihar are functioning across the country.

Proposals  for  opening  of  new  KVs  are  considered  with  the  commitment  of  the sponsoring authorities to provide requisite resources including land (free of cost) and rent free temporary accommodation till the construction of permanent Vidyalaya building as per KVS norms. A new Kendriya Vidyalaya at Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) Camp Birpur, district  Supaul,  Bihar  has  been  sanctioned  in  March,  2019  under  the  Sponsorship  of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). However, the said KV could not be made functional as the requisite extent of land has not yet been leased / registered in favour of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS).  As per information received from MHA, there is no proposal in MHA regarding payment of land registration fee through Paramilitary Forces Welfare Fund for this KV.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 325 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-05
Subject: Funds Allocated to Wildlife Sanctuaries
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Chinta Anuradha, Kuruva Gorantla Madhav, Maddila  Gurumoorthy

325:

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 325 ANSWERED ON 05.02.2024

## Funds Allocated to Wildlife Sanctuaries

SHRIMATI CHINTA ANURADHA:

SHRI KURUVA GORANTLA MADHAV:

SHRI MADDILA GURUMOORTHY:

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

- (a) the details of the funds allocated by the Government to Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks in Andhra Pradesh, along with the amount disbursed and utilised during the last three years;
- (b) whether the Government has any plans to build and promote more National Parks in the country including the said State;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) whether the Government has any plan to accept the proposal of State Government of Andhra Pradesh for declaring the Kondakarlava wetland as a protected site to avoid its degradation or encroachment and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a) The Ministry provides financial assistance to States/UTs for management of wildlife  and  development  of  their  habitats  under  the  Centrally  Sponsored Scheme 'Development of Wild Life Habitats'. No funds have been released to State of Andhra Pradesh under the Scheme during the last three years.
- (b) to (d) As  per  the  provisions  of  Wild  Life  (Protection)  Act,  1972,  the  State Government  is  empowered  to  declare  Protected  Areas  in  their  respective States, including wetlands as protected areas.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 324 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-05
Subject: Inclusion of other Countries in UPI Users List
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Rajendra Dhedya  Gavit

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 324

ANSWERED ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2024/MAGHA 16,1945 (SAKA)

## Inclusion of Other Countries in UPI Users List

## 324. SHRI RAJENDRA DHEDYA GAVIT:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there are any plans by the Government to incorporate residents from other countries into the UPI users list;
- (b) if so, the details of the countries that are being considered for inclusion in this project;
- (c) the details of the total number of UPI transactions during the last four years; and
- (d) the number of UPI transactions conducted in foreign countries in 2022, if any?

## Answer

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (DR BHAGWAT KARAD)

(a) & (b) The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) vide circular dated February 10, 2023, has allowed access  to  Unified  Payments  Interface  (UPI)  to  foreign  nationals  and  Non-Resident  Indians (NRIs) visiting India by enabling them to make payments using UPI while they are in India. RBI has updated its Master Directions on Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs) accordingly.

This facility has been extended to travellers from G-20 countries at select international airports (Bengaluru, Mumbai and New Delhi) for their merchant payments. Further, a provision has also been made by RBI to provide UPI access to NRIs who have international mobile numbers  linked  to  their  Non-Resident  External  (NRE)  /  Non-Resident  Ordinary  (NRO) accounts. Further, National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has informed that the said facility  is  presently  allowed  for  countries  such  as  Australia,  Canada,  France,  Hong  Kong, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the USA.

## (c) & (d) The UPI transactions during the last four Financial Years (FY) is as below:

| UPI transactions   | UPI transactions   | UPI transactions   |
|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|
| Financial year     | Volume (crore)     | Value (crore INR)  |
| 2019-20            | 1,251.86           | 21,31,730.13       |
| 2020-21            | 2,233.07           | 41,03,657.82       |
| 2021-22            | 4,595.61           | 84,15,899.88       |
| 2022-23            | 8,371.44           | 1,39,14,931.61     |
| 2023-24*           | 9,338.38           | 1,43,47,778.98     |

Source: RBI

*Data up to 31 st  December 2023

A total of 386 UPI transactions were conducted in foreign countries in 2022

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 322 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-05
Subject: Presumptions about India&#39;s Indebtedness
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Manne Srinivas Reddy, Raghu Ramakrishna Raju Kanumuru

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 322

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 5 TH  OF FEBRUARY, 2024/Magha 16, 1945 (Saka)

## PRESUMPTIONS ABOUT INDIA'S INDEBTEDNESS

## QUESTION

## 322. SHRI MANNE SRINIVAS REDDY: SHRI KANUMURU RAGHU RAMA KRISHNA RAJU:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has dispelled certain factually incorrect presumptions being made about India's indebtedness levels from a scenario-based assessment by the various agencies including International Monetary Fund (IMF) that warned that Government debt could hit 100 per cent of GDP by 2027-28 under adverse circumstances as certain presumptions have been made taking into account possible scenarios that does not reflect  factual position  and  if  so,  the details thereof; and

(b) whether the Government has stressed that any interpretation that the report implies that general Government debt would exceed 100 per cent is misconstrued and if so, the details thereof and the corrective steps being taken including results yielded till now?

## ANSWER

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

Yes, Sir.

(a) & (b): The  Government  has  clarified  through  Press  Release  dated  22nd December,  2023,  that  in  the  International  Monetary  Fund's  report,  certain presumptions have been made taking into account possible scenarios that do not reflect the factual position. The IMF report talks only of a worst-case scenario and is not fait accompli. The same IMF report also indicates that under favourable circumstances, the General Government debt to GDP ratio may decline to below 70  per  cent  in  the  same  period  in  which  it  has  been  projected  to  increase. Therefore,  any  interpretation  that  the  report  implies  that  General  Government debt would exceed 100 per cent of GDP in the medium term is misconstrued. Debt to GDP ratio is being reduced as a result of the fiscal consolidation measures undertaken  by  the  Government  some  of  which  are  fiscal  discipline,  better mobilisation of resources and improving quality of expenditure. As a result, RE of FY 2023-24 indicate fiscal deficit at 5.8 per cent of GDP which is estimated to further  decline  to  5.1  per  cent  of  GDP  in  BE  for  FY  2024-25.  The  General Government debt has also declined from about 88 per cent in FY 2020-21 to about 81 per cent in 2022-23.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 321 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-05
Subject: Renovation of Ancient Forts and Temples
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Devji Mansingram Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. +321 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.02.2024

## RENOVATION OF ANCIENT FORTS AND TEMPLES

*321. SHRI DEV JI M. PATEL:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- a) whether the Government proposes to declare Swarnagiri Fort, Lohiyanagarh Kot Kasta Fort; Topkhana (Sanskrit Pathshala), Achalgarh Fort; Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple-Mount Varaha   Temple of Bhinmal, Narmadeshwar Ghat   Temple, Silu Sanchore as world heritage; Abu;
2. if so, the details thereof;
3. (c) whether the Government has formulated any scheme for the renovation of such ancient temples and forts; and
4. (d) if so, the details thereof;

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF CULTURE, TOURISM AND DEVELOPOMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION (SHRI G KISHAN REDDY)

- No Sir; none of these properties have been proposed for inclusion in the World Heritage
- Universal Value, Authenticity and Integrity, and fulfillment of the criteria as defined in the UNESCO's Operational Guidelines 2023. Moreover; the proposed property must remain in the UNESCO s Tentative List for at least one year to submitting its nomination dossier. None of the properties have been included in the Tentative List: prior
- in the World Heritage List  depends  upon its Outstanding
- Swarnagiri fort; Lohiyanagarh, Kot Kasta Fort; Topkhana (Sanskrit Pathshala) , Achalgarh
- Narmadeshwar Ghat Temple, Silu-Sanchore do not come under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India. However, all the monuments including temples and forts protected under Archaeological Survey of India are in state of conservation and preservation. Regular works are carried out based on requirements and Annual Conservation Plan of the monument. good
- Fort; Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple-Mount Varaha Temple of Bhinmal, Abu;

8****
Lok Sabha Question No. 320 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-05
Subject: Promotion of Tourism around Dams
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Pashupati Nath Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†320

## ANSWERED ON 05.02.2024

## PROMOTION OF TOURISM AROUND DAMS

## †320.SHRI PASHUPATI NATH SINGH:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  working  or  proposes  to  work  on promotion of tourism around dams;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  promote  tourism  around Maithan Dam and Panchet Dam located in Dhanbad Parliamentary Constituency?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

- (a)  &  (b):  The  Ministry  of  Tourism  promotes  tourism  destinations  in  a holistic manner, including, prominent dams of touristic importance.

(c): The Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned an amount Rs.36.79 crore to  State  of  Jharkhand  for  development  of  Tourist  amenities  under  the PRASAD Scheme. Under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, Rs.30.44 crore has  been  sanctioned  to  the  State  of  Jharkhand  for  development  and promotion  of  tourism  infrastructure  to  complement  the  efforts  of  the State Government. Further, Ministry has identified 'Chandil' in Jharkhand, to be developed under SD 2.0.

******