opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2558 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-14
Subject: Admission in B.Tech Courses
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: NARANBHAI KACHHADIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. † 2558 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2016

## Admission in B.Tech Courses

## †2558.  SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA:

## Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  amend  the  existing  rules  and regulations of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and allow admission in B.Tech course to the students who have opted for the vocational course in technical subjects in the 12th standard;
- (b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) the number of students likely to be benefited in this regard; and
- (d) if  not, the reasons therefor and the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) to (c)  No, Madam. As per the existing scheme, the students pursuing technical vocational subject at the plus 2 level are eligible to seek admission in the B Tech programme. No centralized data is being maintained regarding the number of such students.    Government  has  also  launched  the  Skills  Assessment  Matrix  for Vocational Advancement of Youth (SAMVAY) recognizing skills and education as part of an integrated learning system and allowing seamless movement from the formal school system to vocational stream.

(d):  Does not arise.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2557 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-14
Subject: Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: LAXMI NARAYAN YADAV, PRATAPRAO GANPATRAO JADHAV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2557 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2016

## Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas

## †2557. SHRI LAXMI NARAYAN YADAV: SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  accorded  approval  to  open  Kasturba  Gandhi  Balika Vidyalayas in Sagar and Buldhana districts of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra respectively;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the details of schools in the said areas which have started functioning, location-wise?

## A N S W E R

## MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

- (a) & (b):   Seven Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBV) have been sanctioned in Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh. No KGBV has been sanctioned in Buldhana district of Maharashtra since KGBVs are meant for educationally backward blocks and none of the blocks of Buldhana district are educationally backward.
- (c): The location wise detail of the KGBVs operational in Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh are as under:-

| Name of Block   | Location of the KGBV   |
|-----------------|------------------------|
| Banda           | KGBV Kandwa            |
| Bina            | KGBV Bhangarh          |
| Kesli           | KGBV Kesli             |
| Khurai          | KGBV Khurai            |
| Melthan         | KGBV Besra             |
| Rehil           | KGBV Gadhakota         |
| Shahgarh        | KGBV Shahgarh          |
Lok Sabha Question No. 2554 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-14
Subject: Conservation Policy for World Heritage Sites
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: SHASHI THAROOR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO. 2554 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2016 PHALGUNA 24, 1937 (SAKA)

## CONSERVATION POLICY FOR WORLD HERITAGE SITES

## 2554. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister  of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the lack of a comprehensive conservation  and  maintenance  policy  for  World  Heritage  Sites  has  led  to incidents of  unauthorized  encroachment and construction in these sites in the country;
- (b) whether the Government would consider establishing conservation and maintenance norms to maintain World Heritage Sites and prevent unauthorized encroachment; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not,  the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE, CULTURE AND TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) AND  MINISTER OF STATE, CIVIL AVIATION

(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a) No Madam,  Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has well established
- to conservation  norms  and  policy  for  conservation  of    protected  monuments  of
- (c) National  importance  including  World  Heritage  Sites,  the  details  of  which  are available  on  ASI  web  site  www.asi.nic.in.  In  addition  guidelines  contained  in International Charters, recognized by UNESCO, are also followed for conservation of  monuments including World Heritage Sites.  The unauthorized constructions and encroachments at protected monuments are prevented under the  adequate  provisions  in  Ancient  Monuments  and  Archaeological  Sites  & Remains (Amendment & Validation) Act 2010.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2552 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-14
Subject: 'No Selfie Zones' at Tourist Sites
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: RAJENDRA AGRAWAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2552 ANSWERED ON 14.03.2016

## 'NO SELFIE ZONES' AT TOURIST SITES

## 2552. SHRI RAJENDRA AGRAWAL:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that there are several incidents/injuries/deaths  occurred  at  the  tourist  places during taking selfies/capturing photographs;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  declare/identify 'No Selfie Zones' at the tourist sites; and
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  steps  taken  by  the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a) & (b):  No,  Madam. The Ministry of Tourism has not received any official  complaint or report regarding incident of injuries/deaths  that  occurred  at  tourist  places  during  taking selfies/capturing photographs.
- (c) & (d):  Provision of Safety to tourists  for various activities of tourism including safety-precautionary measures to prevent any un-toward incident including declaring of 'No Selfie Zones' at  tourist  sites  are  the  primary  responsibilities  of  concerned State Governments/UT Administrations.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2548 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-14
Subject: Industrial Development
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: KAMLA DEVI PATLE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL POLICY & PROMOTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2548. TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 14 TH  MARCH, 2016.

## INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT

## 2548. SHRIMATI KAMLA DEVI PAATLE:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:

## वाणिज् य वव  द्यग  म त्री

- (a) the current status of industrial development in the country;
- (b) whether  there  has  been  decrease  in  the  rate  of  industrial  development  during  the current year in comparison with the last year;
- (c) if so, the details thereof, region-wise/ month-wise along with reasons therefor;
- (d) the number of industries closed during the said period, State/UT-wise; and
- (e) the corrective measures taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज् य वव  द्यग  ााज् यम त्री स् वतं त्र ्रभााा(स्ीमतंी िरममलाा ीीतंाामि( THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRIMATI NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

- (a) to (c): The industrial development, measured  in terms of Index of Industrial Production (IIP), increased to 3.1 percent during April-December, 2015-16 in comparison to 2.6 percent during April-December, 2014-15. Thus, there is no decline in industrial development during the current year in comparison with the last year.
- (d) & (e) The  details  of  industries  closed  down  are  not  centrally  maintained.  The Government is continuously taking a number of measures to boost industrial development.  These  inter-alia,  include  launch  of  Startup  India  initiative  as well as 'Make in India' programme under which 25 thrust sectors to provide a major push to manufacturing in India have been identified. The steps taken to create  ease  of  doing  business  include  setting  up  of  an  Investor  Facilitation Cell,  launch  of  e-biz  Portal  and  liberalising  policy  for  industrial  license  for defence industries. The Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy and procedures have been simplified and liberalised progressively. For creation of state-of-art infrastructure, Government is implementing Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) project. In addition, a number of other industrial corridor projects have also been conceptualized.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2547 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-14
Subject: Progress of 'Make in India' Campaign
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: SANKAR PRASAD DATTA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL POLICY & PROMOTION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2547. TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 14 TH  MARCH, 2016.

## PROGRESS OF 'MAKE IN INDIA' CAMPAIGN

## 2547. SHRI SANKAR PRASAD DATTA:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:

## वाणिज् य वव  द्यग  म त्री

- (a) the progress of 'Make in India' campaign launched in the country;
- (b) whether  the  construction  equipment  industry  has  come  forward  to  play  a  role  in  the campaign and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the details of facilities and assistance to be extended for setting up of the industries for export under 'Make in India' campaign?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज् य वव  द्यग  ााज् यम त्री स् वतं त्र ्रभााा(स्ीमतंी िरममलाा ीीतंाामि( THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRIMATI NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

- (a): The  Make  in  India  initiative  was  launched  globally  in  September,  2014  by  the Government  of  India  to  focus  on  invigorating  the  country's  manufacturing  sector.  A number of initiatives have been taken by the Government of  India since the launch of Make in India campaign last year. The Make in India initiative is based on the following four pillars, under which initiatives have been taken, are:
-  New Processes
- -Ease of Doing Business
-  New Infrastructure
- -Industrial Corridors
- -Industrial Clusters
- -Smart Cities
-  New Sectors
-  New Mindset

The Make in India initiative of the Government has made a tremendous impact on the investment climate of the country, as shown by significant growth of overall Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

- (b): Yes, Madam.
- (c): 'Make in  India'  initiative  aims  at  developing  India  as  a  global  hub  for  manufacturing, innovation  and  design  for  both  domestic  and  foreign  markets.  Government  has  made efforts to simplify the regulatory requirements for import and export which includes:
- (i) Making available importer-exporter code online through e-biz portal.
- (ii) Reducing number of documents required from seven to three for exports and ten to three for imports.
- (iii) Establishment  of  Customs  Clearance  Facilitation  Committees  in  every  port  to ensure expeditious clearance of goods.
- (iv) Integration of customs online Single window clearance system with Food Safety & Standards Authority of India and Plant Quarantine thorough message exchange for faster clearance of food and plant products.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2546 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-14
Subject: Import Policy of Foodgrains
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2546 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH  MARCH, 2016

## IMPORT POLICY OF FOODGRAINS

## 2546(H). SHRI BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA:

Will  the  Minister  of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वािणÏय एवं उɮयोग मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) the schedule and the manner to hold meetings to review the import policy of foodgrains;
- (b) whether the delay in meetings and not taking timely action has led to the hike in prices and delay in import recently; and
- (c) if so, the new action plan formulated by the Government for improving this situation?

## ANSWER

वािणÏ य एवं उɮयोग राÏ य मंत्री ) Įीमती िनमर्ला सीतारमण ( ( èवतंत्र प्रभार ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

(a) to (c)   There is no schedule/manner to hold meetings to review the import policy of foodgrains.  The  Government  has  not  imported  foodgrains  (Wheat  or  rice)  for  Central Pool Stock since 2008-2009.  At present there is no proposal to import wheat or rice for Central Pool Stock.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2545 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-14
Subject: Import of Wheat
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: RANJANBEN BHATT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2545 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH  MARCH, 2016

## IMPORT OF WHEAT

## 2545(H). SHRIMATI RANJANBEN BHATT:

Will  the  Minister  of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वािणÏय एवं उɮयोग मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any proposal to ban the import of wheat;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has taken any action in this regard; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

वािणÏ य एवं उɮयोग राÏ य मंत्री ) Įीमती िनमर्ला सीतारमण ( ( èवतंत्र प्रभार ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

- (a) No, Madam. The Government has no proposal to ban the import of wheat. (b to d) Does not arise in view of (a) above.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2543 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-14
Subject: Withdraw in EPFO Accounts
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: RAJAN BABURAO  VICHARE

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2543 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2016

## WITHDRAW IN EPFO ACCOUNTS

†2543. SHRI RAJAN VICHARE:

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

(a)  whether  the  Union  Government proposes to formulate a policy in near  future  under  which  employees  covered  under  Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) will be able to withdraw 75 per cent amount from provident fund till the age of 58 years; and (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## ANSWER (SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)

(a) & (b): A new paragraph 68-NNNN has been inserted in Employees' Provident  Funds  (EPF)  Scheme,  1952  vide  Gazette  Notification  No. G.S.R.158 (E) dated 10 th  February, 2016 which provides for payment to a  member  of  the  Scheme  from  his  provident  fund  account  not exceeding his own total contribution including interest thereon up to the  date  the  payment  has  been  authorized  on  ceasing  to  be  an employee  in  any  establishment  to  which  the  Employees'  Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions (EPF & MP) Act, 1952 applies.

The  member  making  an  application  for  withdrawal  under paragraph 68-NNNN (1) of EPF Scheme,1952 shall not be employed in any  factory  or  other  establishment,  to  which  the  Act  applies,  for  a continuous period of not less than two months immediately preceding the date on which such application is made.

Provided that the requirement of two months' period shall not apply in cases of female members resigning from the services of the establishment for the purpose of getting married or on account of pregnancy or child birth.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2539 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-14
Subject: Appointment of Chairman for NCMEI
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: MAULANA BADRUDDIN AJMAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2539 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.3.2016

## Appointment of Chairman for NCMEI

2539. SHRI BADRUDDIN  AJMAL Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has any proposal to fill up the vacant post of Chairman of National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI); (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for delay in appointment of a Chairman; (c) whether vacancy in the post of Chairman has affected the working of NCMEI; and

- (d) the time by which it is likely to be filled up?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) to (d) : The  process  for  filling  up  the  vacant  post  of  Chairman,  National Commission  for  Minority Educational Institutions(NCMEI) has already been initiated. As per Section 3(2) of the National Commission for Minority Education Act, 2004 (2 of 2005), the Commission consists of a Chairman and three Members to be nominated by the Central Government.  Section 8 of the NCMEI Act states that no act or proceedings of the Commission shall be questioned or shall be invalid on the ground merely of the existence of any vacancy or defect in the constitution of the Commission.  Since  all  the  three  Members  of  the  Commission  are  in  position,  the vacancy of the Chairman has not affected the working of the NCMEI.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2537 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-14
Subject: WTO Geneva Meet
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: PARASURAMAN K.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2537 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH  MARCH, 2016

## WTO Geneva Meet

## 2537. SHRI K. PARASURAMAN:

Will  the  Minister  of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वािणÏय एवं उɮयोग मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any plan for public stock -holding of foodgrains and Special Safeguard Mechanism (SSM) during the upcoming negotiation meet of World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

वािणÏ य एवं उɮयोग राÏ य मंत्री ) Įीमती िनमर्ला सीतारमण ( ( èवतंत्र प्रभार ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

- (a) &  (b)  The  Ministerial  Decisions  on  the  issue  of  public  stockholding  for  food security  and  a  Special  Safeguard  Mechanism  (SSM)  make  a  commitment  to further  negotiations  on  these  two  issues.      The  proposals  on  these  issues originating from the G-33 developing countries group are already on table.  India has  been  emphasising  on  a  constructive  discussion  on  these  issues  in  the meetings held  in  Geneva.  In  an  informal  meeting  of  Head  of  Delegations  held recently in the WTO, India raised these issues and called for active constructive, engagement on both these matters in the year 2016.  In the future meetings also, India will continue to pursue these issues in coordination with other developing
- countries.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2535 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-14
Subject: Tourist Complex at Betlna National Park
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: VISHNU DAYAL RAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†2535 ANSWERED ON 14.03.2016

## TOURIST COMPLEX AT BETLA NATIONAL PARK

†2535. SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to construct a tourist complex in Betla National Park;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  any  assessment  regarding  resources  and  the funds to be spent on its construction has been made; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) to (d):  Development  of  tourism  infrastructure  is  primarily the responsibility of the State Governments and Union Territory  Administrations.  The  Ministry  of  Tourism  provides Central Financial  Assistance  (CFA)  to  tourism  projects  in consultation with them subject to availability of funds, liquidation of pending utilization certificates and adherence to relevant scheme guidelines.

The  State  Government  of  Jharkhand  has  informed  that a

Jharkhand Tourism Development Corporation operates tourist complex 'Hotel Van Vihar' at Betla National Park.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2533 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-14
Subject: Industrial Growth
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL POLICY & PROMOTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2533. TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 14 TH  MARCH, 2016.

## INDUSTRIAL GROWTH

## 2533. SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:

वाणिज् य वव  द्यग  म त्री

- (a) whether  high  interest  rates  is  one  of  the  major  reasons  for  slowdown  in  industrial growth in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the reasons for not lowering the interest rates in order to give a boost to the industrial sector of the country?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज् य वव  द्यग  ााज् यम त्री स् वतं त्र ्रभााा(स्ीमतंी िरममलाा ीीतंाामि( THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRIMATI NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

- (a) to (c): The  industrial growth in the country has consistently improved in recent years. As per the National Accounts Statistics released by Central Statistics Office (CSO), the growth rate of Gross Value Added in Industry at constant (2011-12) prices has improved from 5.0 % in 2013-14 to 5.9 % in 2014-15 and  further  accelerated  to  7.3  %  in  2015-16.  The  Reserve  Bank  of  India (RBI) has also lowered the policy rates in 2015.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2531 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-14
Subject: Increasing Fellowship
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: (ADV.) JOICE GEORGE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2531 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2016

## Increasing Fellowship

2531. ADV. JOICE GEORGE: Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a)  whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  increase  the  Junior  Research  Fellowship (JRF), Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) and Post Doctoral Fellowship (PDF) for both Science and Art Subjects in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the amount of fellowship was well utilised by the colleges; and

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

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) & (b): The University Grants Commission (UGC) has already enhanced the amount of its fellowships/scholarships for humanities, social sciences and basic scientific research with  effect  from  1 st December,  2014  by  55%  of  existing  amounts.  The  revision  was undertaken for maintaining parity with similar increase in the amount of fellowships by the Ministry of Science and Technology. (c)  &  (d):  The  UGC is disbursing funds under 16 scholarships and fellowships through

- Direct  Benefit  Transfer;  these  are  not  routed  through  the  Colleges.  For  remaining scholarships  and  fellowships  the  amount  routed  through  colleges  to  the  students  is periodically reviewed by the UGC for submission of Utilization Certificates in accordance with the fellowship/ scholarship guidelines.

**********