opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1177 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-11
Subject: Steel Industries
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Shri Rudra Narayan Pany

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1177 FOR ANSWER ON 11.02.2025

## STEEL INDUSTRIES

## 1177.  SHRI RUDRA NARAYAN PANY:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that there are many steel industries/plants in Dhenkanal and Angul districts of Odisha;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the total production thereon;
- (c)  whether  the  local  unemployed  are  given  preference  in  appointment  in  the industries/plants;
- (d) whether the Government has solved all the problems of the displaced, if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether all the rules of pollution are followed by these factories;
- (f) if so, the details thereof; and
- (g) if not, the measures being taken by the Government for the solution?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE          (SHRI BHUPATHIRAJU SRINIVASA VARMA) MINISTRY OF STEEL

(a)to(g): Steel is a deregulated sector and decisions regarding setting up steel plants are taken by industry based on techno-commercial considerations. Steel plants are governed by local industrial, labour and environmental laws. Dhenkanal and Angul districts have 15 and 9 steel factories, respectively.

Details of the crude steel production is given below:-

| Item                                                    | 2023-24                                                 | 2023-24                                                 |
|---------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                         | ANGUL                                                   | DHENKANAL                                               |
| Crude Steel Production (in MT)                          | 4.39                                                    | 5.55                                                    |
| Source: Joint Plant Committee (JPC); MT= Million Tonnes | Source: Joint Plant Committee (JPC); MT= Million Tonnes | Source: Joint Plant Committee (JPC); MT= Million Tonnes |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1175 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-11
Subject: Fencing of Land Border with Bangladesh
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Adhikari Deepak Dev

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1175

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 TH  FEBRUARY, 2025/ MAGHA 22, 1946 (SAKA) FENCING OF LAND BORDER WITH BANGLADESH

1175.     SHRI ADHIKARI DEEPAK DEV:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the details of the total land involving border area with Bangladesh;

(b) the details of States which share land border with Bangladesh;

(c) the details of total length of land border with Bangladesh not covered by the fencing; and

(d) the reasons for not fencing the land border with Bangladesh?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a): The total length of India-Bangladesh border is 4096.70 km.

(b): The States sharing a land border with Bangladesh are West Bengal (2216.7 km), Assam (263 km), Meghalaya (443 km), Tripura (856 km) and Mizoram (318 km).

(c):  A length of 864.482 km of the India-Bangladesh border is yet to be fenced which includes a length of 174.514 km of non-feasible gap.

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 1175 FOR 11.02.2025

(d): The land border with Bangladesh remains partially unfenced due to challenges such as difficult terrains like marshlands and landslide-prone areas, objections from Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), limited working seasons and delays in land acquisition.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1167 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-11
Subject: Supply of Kerosene
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri Shafi Parambil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1167 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH  FEBRUARY, 2025

## Supply of Kerosene

## 1167.    Shri Shafi Parambil:

Will  the  Minister  of  FISHERIES,  ANIMAL  HUSBANDRY  AND  DAIRYING  be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware of the inadequate supply of kerosene through the PDS to the fishermen in Kerala;

(b) whether the Government is aware of the fact that, due to the insufficient supply of kerosene through the PDS, the fishing community in Kerala is in an acute financial crisis;

(c)  whether the Government is planning to increase the PDS quota of kerosene to fishermen in Kerala; and

(d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)

(a)  to  (d):  The  Ministry  of  Petroleum  &  Natural  Gas  (MoP&NG)  being  the  nodal Ministry in the subject matter has  informed that the Government of India makes allocation of 'Public Distribution System (PDS) Kerosene' to States/UTs including Kerala  on  quarterly  basis  for  cooking  and  lighting  purpose.  The  PDS  Kerosene allocation  to  States/UTs  including  Kerala  have  been  rationalized  since  2010-11 considering the polluting nature of Kerosene and taking into account factors such as increase in domestic LPG/PNG connections, electricity coverage, non-lifting of PDS  Kerosene  quota  by  the  concerned  States/UTs  etc.  Till  FY  2023-24,  13 States/UTs have declared themselves as Kerosene free.

The MoP&NG has further also stated that Government of India has empowered States/UTs to draw an allocation of one month's quota of PDS Kerosene at NonSubsidized  rates  during  each  financial  year  for  special  needs  such  as  Natural Calamities,  Religious  Functions,  Fisheries,  Various  Yatras  etc.  States/UTs  may seek further additional allocation after exhausting available quota. Scale, criteria, modalities  etc.  of  distribution  to  end  customers  are  also  determined  by  the respective State/UT.

The MoP&NG has also informed that considering the request of Government of Kerala, in addition to already allocated Non-Subsidized PDS Kerosene quota of 648 KL, an additional allocation of 600 KL has also been made on 15 th  January, 2025 making an overall allocation of 1248 KL non subsidized PDS SKO for year 202425.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1165 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-11
Subject: Vacancies in CPSEs
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Shri Subbarayan K, Com. Selvaraj V, Shri Chandra Prakash Joshi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1165

ANSWERED ON 11.02.2025

## VACANCIES IN CPSEs

## 1165.  SHRI SUBBARAYAN K: COM. SELVARAJ V: SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI:

Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

(a) the details and the number of vacancies that are existing there in the Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) at the end of the year 2024 along with the date(s) from which these are existing vacant;

(b) whether the Government has taken any steps/any plan to fill these vacancies in a time-bound manner; and

(c) if so, the details thereof along with the timeline fixed for the same, if any?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEAVY INDUSTRIES (SHRI BHUPATHIRAJU SRINIVASA VARMA)

(a): Deployment of Manpower in the Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) under the administrative control of Ministry of Heavy Industries is depending upon the growth and volume of the business and is not vacancy based.  This Manpower strength expands and/ or contracts to suit the changing business outlook.

(b) & (c): Does not arise in view of (a) above.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 95 (STARRED), answered on 2025-02-10
Subject: Deteriorating Condition of Heritage Monuments
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Sukhdeo Bhagat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. *95

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.02.2025

## DETERIORATING CONDITION OF HERITAGE MONUMENTS

## *95. SHRI SUKHDEO BHAGAT:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether    the  Government  has  taken  note  of  several  Reports,  including  those  from Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), which have highlighted the deteriorating condition of heritage monuments under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether it is a fact that despite allocation of more funds by the Government, there has been  no  significant  improvement  in  the  preservation  and  maintenance  of  heritage  sites under ASI and if so, the details along with reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF CULTURE AND  TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a) A statement is laid on the table of the House.

&

(b)

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (a)  &  (b)  OF  THE  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *95 FOR 10.02.2025.

- (a) Yes,  Sir.  The  observation/recommendations  of  several  Reports,  including  those  from Comptroller  and  Auditor  General  of  India  (CAG)  have  been  received  and  noted. Archaeological  Survey  of  India  (ASI)    takes  up  conservation  and  preservation  of centrally  protected  monuments/sites  as  per  National  Conservation  Policy,  2014  and provisions  of  Ancient  Monuments  and  Archaeological  Sites  and  Remains  Act,  1958 (AMASR Act,1958).
- (b) ASI takes up conservation, preservation and maintenance of 3,698 centrally protected monuments/sites in the country as per requirement and availability of resources.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 91 (STARRED), answered on 2025-02-10
Subject: Impact of GST on Leased Properties
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Smt. Sajda Ahmed

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY  10, 2025

## IMPACT OF GST ON LEASED PROPERTIES

## *91. SMT. SAJDA AHMED :

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any plan to roll back imposition of GST on leased properties as it gives the financial burden on tenants and property owners;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  studies  or  consultations  to  assess  the economic impact of GST on leased properties, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  survey  and  maintain  accurate  data  on  leased properties across the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF FINANCE SHRIMATI NIRMALA SITHARAMAN

(a), (b) and (c): A statement is placed on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 91 RAISED BY SMT. SAJDA AHMED FOR 10 TH  FEBRUARY, 2025 ON IMPACT OF GST ON LEASED PROPERTIES

(a) and (b): GST rates or exemption is prescribed based on the recommendation of the GST Council,  which  is  a  constitutional  body  having  representatives  of  both  Centre  and  States. GST is leviable on renting/leasing of property @ 18% since the introduction of GST in 2017. GST  Council  in its 54 th meeting had recommended  bringing  the  levy  of  GST  on renting/leasing of non- residential (commercial) property under reverse charge basis. Earlier this  was  taxable  under  forward  charge  basis.  Accordingly,  an  entry  at  Sl.  No.  5AB  was inserted in Notification No. 13/2017-CT(R) dated 28.06.2017 vide Notification No. 09/2024CT(R) dated 08.10.2024 . Later on it was represented that this change is causing additional burden  on  registered  assessees  who  have  opted  for  Composition  Scheme,  as  they  are  not entitled to claim ITC of such GST paid. Accordingly,  the  matter  was  deliberated  in  detail  in  55 th

GST  Council  meeting  held  on 21.12.2024.  The  Council  recommended  that  assessees  working  under  composition  levy should be excluded from the scope of Sl. No. 5AB of the Notification No. 13/2017-CT(R) dated  28.06.2017.  Accordingly,  Notification  No.  07/2025  -  CT(R)  dated  16.01.2025  was issued  to  exclude  composition  taxpayers  from  the  requirement  of  paying  GST  on  reverse charge  basis  on  such  services  of  renting/leasing  of  immovable  property  received  from unregistered persons.

(c) : The  data  about  the  properties  leased  across  the  country  is  not  maintained  by  the Central Government.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 86 (STARRED), answered on 2025-02-10
Subject: Upgradation of ESI Hospital in Tirunelveli
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Robert Bruce C

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 86 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.02.2025

UPGRADATION OF ESI HOSPITAL IN TIRUNELVELI

*86.  SHRI ROBERT BRUCE C:

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

(a)whether the Government has any plan to upgrade the ESI Hospital in Tirunelveli to 300 bed capacity and if so, the details thereof; (b)whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  to  install  state-of-the-art modern CT and MRI Scan Machines in the said Hospital and if so, the details thereof; and (c)if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

(a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House. *                                                  *****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  86  FOR  10.02.2025  BY  SHRI ROBERT BRUCE C REGARDING UPGRADATION OF ESI HOSPITAL IN TIRUNELVELI.

(a) to (c): Upgradation of bed strength of ESI Hospital is an ongoing process.  As  per  norms,  bed  strength  of  ESI  Hospitals  can  be increased by 50%, if the bed occupancy of the concerned hospitals has been consistently more than 70% in last three financial years. ESIC Hospital, Tirunelveli does not fulfil these norms. The installation of equipment in ESIC hospitals is done as per ESIC equipment norms and the facility's specific requirements. No proposal for installation of state-of-the-art CT and MRI machines has been received from ESIC Hospital, Tirunelveli, based on assessed need.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1147 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-10
Subject: Artificial Intelligence Centres of Excellence
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Ajay Kumar Mandal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

## DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1147

ANSWERED ON-10/02/2025

## Artificial Intelligence Centres of Excellence

## † 1147.  Shri Ajay Kumar Mandal:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  launched  three  Artificial  Intelligence  (AI)  Centres  of Excellence (CoE) led by AIIMS and IIT;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  total  financial  outlay  required  to  be  made  for  this  purpose  and  the  actual  funds utilised during the last two years; and
- (d) the contribution of these CoEs made in respect of promoting research and innovation in healthcare, agriculture and sustainable cities?

## ANSWER

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

## ANSWER

(a) to (d): In pursuance to Para 60 of the Budget Announcement 2023-24 regarding "Centres of  Excellence  for  Artificial  Intelligence'  for  the  vision  of  'Make  AI  in  India  and  make  AI work  for  India',  Government  has  approved  establishment  of  three  Centres  of  Excellence (CoE)  in  Artificial  intelligence  (Al),  one  each  in  the  areas  of  health,  agriculture  and sustainable cities with a total financial outlay of Rs. 990.00 Cr over the period of FY 2023-24 to FY 2027-28.

An  Apex  Committee,  consisting  of  experts  from  the  Industry  and  the  field  of  AI, academicians,  representatives  from  concerned  Ministry's  etc.,  selected  consortiums  led  by AIIMS Delhi -IIT Delhi,  IIT Ropar  and  IIT  Kanpur  in  the  areas  of  health,  agriculture  and sustainable cities respectively.

These CoEs are designed to conduct interdisciplinary research, develop cutting-edge applications,  and  create  scalable  solutions  in  these  three  areas.  This  initiative  aims  to galvanize  an  effective  AI  ecosystem  and  nurture  quality  human  resources  in  these  critical fields.  The  research  and  technology  development  outputs  from  these  consortiums  are  also envisaged to integrate seamlessly with government schemes across these sectors, ensuring that cutting-edge innovations that translate into actionable solutions for public benefit.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1146 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-10
Subject: AI in Tourism Sector
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri P P Chaudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1146 ANSWERED ON 10.02.2025

## AI IN TOURISM SECTOR

## 1146. SHRI P P CHAUDHARY:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  smart  tourism  initiatives  using  Artificial  Intelligence  (AI) have been launched by the Government to enhance visitor experience  at  major  tourist  destinations,  such  as  virtual  guides, crowd  prediction  apps  and  multilingual  chatbots,  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  revamped  Incredible  India  Digital  Portal  offers  AIpowered personalized experiences for religious and cultural tourism in  Rajasthan,  particularly  highlighting  lesser-known  destinations  in Pali district, if so, the user engagement achieved thereof;
- (c) whether any partnerships have been formed with tech startups and local innovators to develop uniquely Indian AI solutions for tourism, if so, the success stories and innovations thereof; and
- (d) whether any AI-powered pilot projects have shown promising results in  improving tourist satisfaction and local economic benefits and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

(a) to (d): Development of Tourism is primarily undertaken by the concerned State Governments (SGs)/Union Territory Administrations (UTA's).  However ,  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  complements  these  efforts  by providing financial assistance to the  SGs /UTA's under its various infrastructure  schemes.  The  Ministry  is  further  encouraging  the  SGs  to include soft components involving the use of technology to enhance visitor experience at major tourist destinations in the project proposals formulated by them for sanctioning under such schemes.

The Ministry has launched the revamped version of Incredible India Digital Platform (IIDP) as a comprehensive resource for travellers and stakeholders  interested  in  exploring  the  country's  rich  cultural  heritage, natural beauty, and diverse attractions of the country including Rajasthan. The Incredible India Digital Platform (IIDP) personalizes visitor experiences  by  offering  real-time  weather  updates,  city  exploration,  and essential travel services. The portal has also partnered with several OTAs (Online  Travel  Agents)  and  Stakeholders  for  seamless  booking  of  flights, hotels, cabs, and buses and tickets for ASI monuments.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1145 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-10
Subject: Coverage of ESI Scheme in Rajasthan
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Harish Chandra Meena

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1145

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.02.2025

## COVERAGE OF ESI SCHEME IN RAJASTHAN

†1145. SHRI HARISH CHANDRA MEENA:

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

- (a)weather  the  Government  has  set  any  specific  time  limit  for ensuring full coverage in 103 districts in Rajasthan and the country which are partially covered under the Employees State Insurance (ESI) Scheme and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b)whenever  the  Government  has  launched  any  new  initiative  or scheme to  coordinate  with  the  State  Governments  for  effective implementation of ESI scheme in non-notified or partially notified districts and if so, the progress made so far as a result thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): Rajasthan  is  fully  notified  under  the  Employees'  State Insurance Act 1948.  As per section 58 of the Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948, the State Government shall provide medical facilities to the insured persons and their families. ESI Corporation has been requesting the State Governments for putting the medical arrangement in place for coverage of the remaining areas.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1141 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-10
Subject: KVs in underserved Districts
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Benny Behanan

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1141 ANSWERED ON 10.02.2025

## KVs IN UNDERSERVED DISTRICTS

## 1141.  SHRI BENNY BEHANAN:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that many districts in the country do not have Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs), if so, the steps being taken by the Government in this regard;
- (b) whether the Government has any plans to establish more KVs in underserved districts across the country, if so, the details of the proposed locations; and
- (c) the details of the KVs that are currently under consideration for approval, and the timeline by which these are to be established?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) 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 are subject to approval of the competent authority as per extant procedures. KVs are not opened on the criteria of district.

At present, there are 1253 KVs functional across the country. The Government of  India  has  recently  approved  the  proposal  for  opening  of  85  new  KVs  under Civil/Defence Sector across  the  country  and  expansion of one existing  KV  i.e.  KV Shivamogga, District Shivamogga, Karnataka by adding 2 additional Sections in all the classes.

*****