opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1370 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: Steps to Check Industrial Pollution
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Dr. Kalyan Vaijinathrao Kale

## .GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1370

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025

## Steps to Check Industrial Pollution

## 1370.   DR. KALYAN VAIJINATHRAO KALE:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware that iron casting factories located in the industrial area near Jalna city in Maharashtra are causing significant air pollution;
- (b) the current level of major air pollutants such as PM2.5, PM10, NOx and SO₂ recorded in Jalna city; and
- (c) the concrete measures taken by the Government to control industrial pollution in this area?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) to (c): As per information provided by Maharashtra State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB), in order to address air pollution in Jalna city, air pollution measurement systems have been installed at Krishidhan  Industries,  MIDC,  Jalna,  IMA  Hall  Bhokardan  Naka,  Jalna  city  &  Jalna  Municipal corporation Building, Jalna. Under the State Air Monitoring Program (SAMP) Scheme, to monitor the air quality in Jalna city, a CAAQM station has been set up in the premises of J.E.S. College, Jalna. Further,  a  mobile  Ambient  Air  Quality  Van  carries  air  quality  monitoring  of  Jalna  MIDC  and  its surroundings areas every month.

The current level of major air pollutants for Jalna city is available in Portal of Central Control Room for Air Quality Management, pertaining to CPCB.

MSPCB  Jalna  in  collaboration  with  stakeholders  identified  following  steps  for  mitigation  of  air pollution from steel Industries in Jalna:

- i. Every industry to prepare inventory & action plan (short term) within a month period and long-term action plan post completion of point no. ii.
- ii. Every industry to conduct an assessment study (includes Quantification of fumes generated from the furnace, performance assessment of the exiting fume  extraction system, performance  assessment  of  existing  air  pollution  control  devices  and  conclusion  & recommendation  based  on  the  study)  from  the  reputed  institute  for  existing  pollution control system in the next three months and submit a report.
- iii. Every  industry  to  make  sure  the  existing  air  pollution  monitoring  system  operated continuously.
- iv. Every industry to take immediate effective steps to improve their operation & maintenance of the existing pollution control system to avoid emissions in surrounding area.

Accordingly, the MSPCB has issued Show Cause Notices on 17.11.2025 to all 16 nos. industries of MIDC Jalna.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1356 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: Share of GST Revenue of Jharkhand
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Smt. Joba Majhi

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1356

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 8 th  DECEMBER, 2025 AGRAHAYANA 17, 1947 (SAKA)

## SHARE OF GST REVENUE OF JHARKHAND

## 1356. SMT. JOBA MAJHI:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- a) the current percentage share of Jharkhand in the divisible pool of GST as per the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission along with the details of the policy and criteria for its distribution;
- b) the total amount transferred to the State of Jharkhand under GST (CGST, IGST and compensation) heads from the date of implementation of GST July 2017 to October 31, 2025;
- c) the total legitimate arrears of the State of Jharkhand remaining with the Centre Government under GST deviation/settlement or any other head for the above period; and
- d) the specific reasons for pending amount and the time by which it is likely to be released to the said State?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

(a): As  per  the  recommendations  of  the  15th  Finance  Commission  for  FY  2021-22  to  FY  2025-26, Jharkhand's  share  in  the  divisible  pool  of  central  taxes  (including  CGST)  is  3.307%.  The  inter-se percentage was worked out by the 15 th Finance Commission on the basis of criteria as given below:

| Criteria   | Population   | Area   | Forest and ecology   | Income distance   | Tax and fiscal efforts   | Demographic performance   |
|------------|--------------|--------|----------------------|-------------------|--------------------------|---------------------------|
| Weight (%) | 15%          | 15%    | 10%                  | 45%               | 2.50%                    | 12.50%                    |

(b): The amount transferred to the State of Jharkhand under CGST, IGST and GST compensation heads from July 2017 to October 31, 2025 are as follows:

| Particulars      | Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST)   | Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) incl. ad-hoc settlement   | GST Compensation (FY 2017-18 to FY 2022-23)   |
|------------------|-----------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|
| Amount (₹ crore) | 71,980.55                               | 29,493.00                                                          | 9,576.00                                      |

(c): Government  of  India  has  already  released  the  entire  amount  of  provisionally  admissible  GST compensation to the State of Jharkhand for loss of revenue arising on account of implementation of Goods and Services Tax for five years i.e., from 1st July 2017 to 30th June, 2022. Final Compensation arising out of reconciliation of provisional figures with audited figures has also been released to State of Jharkhand for FY 2017-18 to FY 2022-23.

(d): Does not arise in view of reply to part (c) above.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1355 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: Shortage of Field Level Staff in CPCB/SPCBs
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Sachithanantham R

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1355

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025

## Shortage of Field Level Staff in CPCB/SPCBs

1355.  SHRI SACHITHANANTHAM R:

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

- (a) whether the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs),  which  are  our  primary  line  of  defense  for  environmental  monitoring  and enforcement,  are  critically  crippled  by  a  severe  shortage  of  field-level  staff,  such  as Environmental Engineers and Scientists;
- (b) if so, the details of current total sanctioned strength and the number of vacant positions for field-level staff in the CPCB and all SPCBs combined; and
- (c) the details of the concrete plan and timeline proposed by the Government to address this chronic manpower shortage that is paralyzing our environmental governance?

## ANSWER

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

(a) and (b): The  detail  of  Scientific  &  Technical  posts  (field-level  staff)    in  the  Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), 28 State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), and 08 Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) are as below:-

| Boards/    | Scientific &Technical posts      | Scientific &Technical posts   |
|------------|----------------------------------|-------------------------------|
| Committees | Sanctioned                       | Vacant                        |
| 393        | 64 (16.28%) (as on 30/11/2025)   | CPCB                          |
| 6137       | 2921 (47.59%) (as on 31/08/2025) | SPCBs                         |
| 402        | 176 (43.78%) (as on 31/08/2025)  | PCCs                          |
| 6932       | 3161                             | Total                         |

- (c)  : The  State  Pollution  Control  Boards  and  Pollution  Control  Committees  are  under  the

administrative control of respective State Governments/UT Administration and the responsibility  to  fill  up  vacancies  in  SPCBs/PCCs lies with the  concerned  State  Govt./  UT Administration. Further,  appointment of officers and employees of the State Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees is done by the SPCBs/PCCs under their respective regulations.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1352 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: Central Assistance for Godavari Pushkaralu 2027
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Vamsi Krishna Gaddam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1352 ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025

## CENTRAL ASSISTANCE FOR GODAVARI PUSHKARALU 2027

## 1352.SHRI VAMSI KRISHNA GADDAM:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  received  any  request  from  the Telangana Government seeking special Central assistance for organising the 2027 Godavari Pushkaralu, scheduled to begin on 23 July 2027;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to allocate dedicated funds for  the  development  of  key  temple  areas  along  the  Godavari River, particularly Dharmapuri and Kaleshwaram along with the construction  of  necessary  Pushkar  ghats  and  facilities  for devotees;
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the timelines for release of such assistance; and
- (d) if not, the reasons for not considering the request despite the expected large-scale participation like Kumbh Mela?

## ANSWER

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

(a): The Ministry of Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA)  to  State  Governments  and  Union  Territory  Administrations under  the  Domestic  Promotion  and  Publicity  including  Hospitality (DPPH)  Scheme  for  organising  fairs,  festivals  and  tourism-related events. The scheme helps States and UTs develop distinctive tourism experiences and strengthen cultural tourism, while also stimulating local economies and community engagement. However, no request has been received from the Telangana Government seeking special Central  assistance  for  organizing  the  2027  Godavari  Pushkaralu, scheduled to begin on 23 July 2027.

(b) to (d): Ministry of Tourism through its central sector schemes of 'Swadesh Darshan (SD), Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)' and 'Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan scheme complements the efforts of tourism infrastructure development in the country by extending financial assistance to the SGs/UTAs  in  synergy  with  the  scheme  guidelines,  receipt  of  the project  proposals  from  the  concerned  State  Government/Union Territory Administration, availability of funds etc. Ministry of Tourism has revamped the Swadesh Darshan Scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2.0  (SD2.0)  with  the  objective  to  develop  sustainable  tourism destinations. Further, Government of India under its 'Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) -Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale' sanctioned 4 0 projects in 23  States  for  Rs.3295.76  Crores  in  the  country  with  the  primary objective to comprehensively develop iconic tourist centres in the country, branding and marketing them at global scale.

However, No Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been received from  state  government  of  Telangana  for  the  works  related  to Godavari Pushkarulu 2027.

- *******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1350 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: Bad Loans written off
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Md Abu Taher Khan

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1350

ANSWERED ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2025/ AGRAHAYANA 17, 1947 (SAKA)

## Bad Loans written off

## 1350. MD ABU TAHER KHAN:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government intends to infuse capital in public banks and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the amount of bad loans written off by public banks during the last five years, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the impact on liquidity of public banks on writing off bad loans?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

- (a)  to  (c):  There  has  been  no  capital  infusion  in  Public  Sector  Banks  (PSBs)  by  the Government since FY 2022-23. PSBs have significantly improved their financial performance, turning profitable and strengthening their capital position. PSBs now rely on market sources and internal accruals to meet their capital requirements. PSBs have raised ₹1.79 lakh crore capital from market through equity and bonds since 1.4.2022 till 30.9.2025.

As per Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data, PSBs have written-off an aggregate loan amount of  ₹6,15,647  crore,  during  the  last  five  financial  years  and  the  current  financial  year  till 30.9.2025 (provisional data).

Banks write-off NPAs, including, inter-alia , those in respect of which full provisioning has been made on completion of four years, as  per  RBI  guidelines and policy approved  by  banks' Board. Such write-off does not result in waiver of liabilities of borrowers to repay.

Further, recovery in written-off loans is an ongoing process and banks continue pursuing their recovery actions initiated against borrowers under the various recovery mechanism available to them, such as filing of a suit in civil courts or in Debts Recovery Tribunals (DRT), action under the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (SARFAESI) Act 2002, filing of cases in the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 etc.

As provisioning for bad loans have already been done and the write-off process does not entail any actual cash outflow, the bank's liquidity position remains intact. Moreover, banks evaluate/consider the impact of write-offs as part of their regular exercise to clean up their balance-sheet, avail tax benefit, optimise capital base, enhance lending capacity and boost investor sentiments.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1349 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: Steps to Mitigate Air Pollution
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Vijay Kumar Hansdak, Dr. M K Vishnu Prasad

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1349

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025

## Steps to Mitigate Air Pollution

1349.   SHRI VIJAY KUMAR HANSDAK: DR. M K VISHNU PRASAD:

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

- (a) whether it a fact that several cities in the country are among the most polluted cities in the world;
- (b) the details of the most polluted cities across the country along with the current levels of pollution in each of these cities, State/UT-wise;
- (c) whether the Government has conducted/proposes to conduct any study in this regard, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether it is a fact that severe air pollution poses significant health risks and economic costs;
- (e) if so, the details thereof and steps taken by the Government during the last three years to ensure that pollution level are significantly reduced; and
- (f) the amount spent by the Government on the various Schemes for environment protection

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (f): Various studies have been conducted by academic and research institutes on impact of air pollution.

The Government of India has launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in 2019 as a long-term, time-bound, national-level strategy to address air pollution in 130 non-attainment and million plus cities/urban agglomeration in 24 States/UTs

City  Specific  Clean  Air  Action  Plans  have  been  prepared  by  all  130  cities  under  NCAP  to implement air quality improvement measures in respective cities. These plans target air pollution sources like soil  &  road  dust,  vehicular  emissions,  waste burning,  Construction  &  Demolition activities and industrial pollution.

Out of 130 cities under NCAP, 48 Million-Plus Cities/ Urban Agglomerations are funded under XVth Finance Commission Million Plus City Challenge Fund as an air quality performance grant, and  the  remaining  82  cities  are  funded  under  the  Control  of  Pollution  Scheme  of  MoEFCC. Accordingly, Rs 13,415Crore has been released under NCAP for 130 Cities under critical gap funding from 2019-20 to till date.

In  addition  to  this,  NCAP  emphasizes  mobilization  of  resources  through  the  convergence  of resources from various Central Government schemes such as Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), AMRUT, Smart City Mission, PM e-Bus Sewa, PM E-DRIVE, SATAT, and Nagar Van Yojana, as well as resources from State Govts./ UT administration and agencies like Municipal Corporations and Urban Development authorities. Various Ministries/Departments of Govt. of India provide funding under their Schemes/ Programmes as per their budgets.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1348 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: Utilization of Funds for Pollution in Maharashtra
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Smt. Supriya Sule, Shri Bhaskar Murlidhar Bhagare

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1348

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025

## Utilization of Funds for Pollution in Maharashtra

1348.  SMT. SUPRIYA SULE:

SHRI BHASKAR MURLIDHAR BHAGARE:

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that less than 1 per cent of the funds allocated for pollution control activities were utilized by the Government during the financial year 2024-25;
- (b) if so, the reasons for such severe underutilization of funds despite the increasing levels of air, water and industrial pollution across several States including Maharashtra;
- (c)  the  details  of  the  total  funds  allocated,  released  and  actually  utilized  for  pollution  control measures in the State of Maharashtra during the last three years;
- (d) whether any specific pollution mitigation projects in Maharashtra were delayed or cancelled due to fund underutilization; and
- (e)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  timely  utilization  of  allocated  funds  and  to strengthen pollution monitoring and control mechanisms in Maharashtra

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (e): Out of the total funds made available for FY 2025-26 inclusive of the funds for FY 2024-25; total of Rs. 686.26 crore has been spent which includes 80% of the funds for FY 202425.

An amount of Rs.1794.86 crore has been released to 19 cites of Maharashtra including Rs.1555.34 crore provided under XV Finance Commission air quality grants, for implementing city action plans to improve air quality. Maharashtra State has reported the utilisation of 80% of the funds.

Regular review meetings are held by the committees constituted under NCAP at various levels to monitor the progress of implementation of city action plans including utilization of funds.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1347 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: Implementation of 8th Pay Commission
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Thiru Thanga Tamilselvan, Shri N K Premachandran, Shri Dharmendra Yadav, Dr. Ganapathy Rajkumar P

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1347

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 8,2o25/AGRAHAYANA  17,1947 (SAKA)

## IMPLEMENTATION  OF 8TH PAY COMMISSION

1347. SHRI N K PREMACHANDRAN: THIRU THANGA  TAMILSELVAN: DR. GANAPATHY RAJKUMAR P: SHRI DHARMENDRA  YADAV:

Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:

- a) whether the Government  proposes  to implement  the dh Pay Commission  with etfect from 01-01-2026, il so, the details thereof and the action  taken thereon;
- b) whether the Government  has finalised the Term of Reference  (ToR) of dh Pay Commission which will lead to revision of salaries of Central Government employees  and allowance of pensioners, if so, the details thereot and if not, the reasons therefor;
- c) whether  the Government  proposes  to allocate  fund for implementing  the dh Pay Commission  in 2026-2027 budget, if so details thereof and action taken thereon  and the total expenditure  likely  to be incurred from the Government  exchequer;
- d) whether the 8t h Pay Commission  has consulted/is  consulting all major stakeholders  including  Central  Government  Employee  and pensioners  associations,  as well as State Governments  before taking final recommendations, if so, the details thereof;
- f) whether  the Government  proposes  to consider  the grievances  ol employees  and pensioners due to delay in starting the functioning of 8t  h  Pay Commission, if so, the details thereof; and
- e) the  present status ol Constitution  and other proceedings  regarding the setting up of 8th Pay Commission  along  with the total number  of Central Government  employees and pensioners benefited;
- S) the time by which the Commission is likely to submit its recommendations  and the time by which the Government implement them?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to (c), (e) and (l): The dh Central Pay Commission  (CPC) has already been constituted. The Terms of Reference  (ToR) of the 8th Central Pay Commission have been notified vide Ministry of Finance' Resolution dated 03.11.2025. The number of Central Government  employees  is 50.14lakh and the number of  pensioners  is 69 lakh approximately.  The date of implementation of the 8th Central Pay Commission  shall be decided by the Government. Government  will make appropriate  provision  of funds for implementing the accepted recommendations of 8th CPC.

- (d): The 8th Central Pay Commission wilt devise methodology and procedure for formulating  ils recommendations.
- (S): As specified in the Resolution notilied  on 03.11.2025, the 8th Central Pay Commission will make its recommendations  within 18 months from the date of its constitution.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1343 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: Salary and Allowance to Priests and Maulvis
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Anil Yeshwant Desai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1343

ANSWERED ON-08/12/2025

## SALARY AND ALLOWANCE TO PRIESTS AND MAULVIS

1343. Shri Anil Yeshwant Desai:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  temple  priests  in  the  country  are  provided  with  salary  and  allowance  and other facilities by the Government;

(b) if so, the details thereof, and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(c) whether there is any such salary etc. are paid by Central and/or State Governments to the Priest of any temple/Maulavi of any Masjid or Priest of any Church, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

## (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) & (b) Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), an attached office of Ministry of Culture, is mandated  with  conservation,  preservation  and  maintenance  of  the  Centrally  Protected Monuments (CPMs), which includes temples as well. However, no salary or allowances are paid by ASI to the priests in such temples.

(c) No such salary etc. is provided by the Archaeological Survey of India to priests of any temple/ Maulavi of any Masjid, or Priest of any Church.

*****