opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 5937 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-30
Subject: Single Teacher Schools in Maharashtra
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Rajabhau Parag Prakash Waje

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION 5937 ANSWERED ON - 30/03/2026

## Single Teacher Schools in Maharashtra

5937. Shri Rajabhau Parag Prakash Waje:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a) the total number of Government schools in Maharashtra, where only one teacher is presently working, despite multiple classes and subjects being taught, district-wise;

(b) whether the Government is aware that such single-teacher schools violate National Education  Policy  (NEP)  norms  and  severely  compromise  learning  outcomes, especially in rural and tribal areas and if so, the details thereof;

(c) the details of steps taken by the Central Government under Samagra Shiksha to ensure immediate appointment, rational deployment and financial support to eliminate single-teacher schools; and

(d) the time-bound roadmap to ensure that every school has the minimum required teachers in the said State?

## A N S W E R

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

(a) to (d): Education being a subject in the Concurrent List of the Constitution, and majority  of  the  schools  in  the  country  comes  under  the  administrative  control  of respective States/UTs. Further, the recruitment and other service condition matters of  teachers  come  under  the  purview  of  the  respective  State  Governments/UT Administrations.  There are no separate teachers as sanctioned by the Centre and all teachers are ultimately the responsibility of the State/UT Government. Samagra Shiksha only provides lump sum (aggregate) support as per the availability of funds, as  per  the  programmatic  and  financial  norms.  However,  such  support  would  be based on certain desirable guiding principles and required to be followed by the State/UTs.

The recruitment of teachers in schools is a continuous process and the vacancies keep arising due to retirement, resignation and additional requirements on account of enhanced students' strength/new schools.  The Central Government has been consistently pursuing the matter of expeditious  appointment and redeployment of teachers with the States and UTs. Advisories to maintain appropriate Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR) have also been issued to States and UTs from time to time. Further, periodic  review  meetings  are  conducted  with  the  State/UTs  and  are  advised  to reduce the number of single teacher schools in the State if any.

- ***
Lok Sabha Question No. 5936 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-30
Subject: Provision of Helicopter Service for Tourists to Ooty
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Dr. Ganapathy Rajkumar P

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5936 ANSWERED ON 30.03.2026

## PROVISION OF HELICOPTER SERVICE FOR TOURISTS TO OOTY

5936. DR. GANAPATHY RAJKUMAR P:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  start/introduce  a Helicopter service between the Textile city of Coimbatore and the famous tourist destination Ooty to save time of the tourists;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if  not,  whether  such  proposal  is  likely  to  be  considered  by  the Government  to  implement  the  said  scheme  in  future  for  the convenience and enjoyment of tourists across the country to save the time and earn more income; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM       (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (d): As per provisions in the Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) scheme, helicopter operation is permissible only in priority area, which defines its applicability in Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, North Eastern Region states and Andaman Nicobar Island & Lakshadweep islands.

The  Cabinet  on  25 th   March,  2026  has  approved  the  launch  and implementation  of  the  modified  UDAN  Scheme  to  increase  regional connectivity to 120 new destinations across the country to cater to 4 crore passengers over the next 10 years. The scheme will also support helipads and smaller airports in hilly, aspirational and North East region districts.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5922 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-30
Subject: Fiscal Impact of Tax Exemption for Road Accident Compensation
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Rajmohan Unnithan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5922

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2026/CHAITRA 09, 1948 (SAKA)

## FISCAL IMPACT OF TAX EXEMPTION FOR ROAD ACCIDENT COMPENSATION

## 5922. SHRI RAJMOHAN UNNITHAN:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  evaluated  the  fiscal  impact  of  tax  exemptions  provided  for  road accident compensation; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): - The exemption to the interest income under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 to an individual or his legal heir has been proposed by the Finance Bill, 2026. After exemption becomes law, the fiscal impact of the exemption may be evaluated.
- (b):- Does not arise in view of the above.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5921 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-30
Subject: Stay Duration of NRI in the Country
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri E T Mohammed Basheer

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5921

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2026/CHAITRA 09, 1948 (SAKA)

## STAY DURATION OF NRI IN THE COUNTRY

## 5921. SHRI E T MOHAMMED BASHEER:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- a) whether the Government has undertaken any review or stakeholder consultation to assess the need for enhancing or rationalising the permissible stay duration of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) beyond 185 days;
2. (b) whether the Government proposes to amend the existing policy or legal framework governing the stay duration of NRIs in the country; and
3. (c) if so, the details thereof along with the proposed timeline for implementation and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c):- Under Section 6 of the Income-tax Act, 1961, an individual is said to be resident in India in any previous year if-

- (i) he is in India for a period of 182 days or more in that year; or
- (ii) having been in India for an aggregate period of 365 days or more in four preceding years, is in India, for an aggregate period of 60 days or more, in that year.

However, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) benefit from relaxed residency conditions.

For Indian citizens/PIOs visiting India, the standard 60-day rule is extended to 182 days (or 120 days where Indian income exceeds ₹15 lakh), making it easier to retain non-resident status.

Therefore, non-resident Indians have granted significant benefit as regards residency rule. Hence, no further amendment of the existing policy is under consideration.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5918 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-30
Subject: Protection of Historical Monuments in Nalgonda, Telangana
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Kunduru Raghuveer

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5918

ANSWERED ON-30.03.2026

## PROTECTION OF HISTORICAL MONUMENTS IN NALGONDA, TELANGANA 5918. SHRI KUNDURU RAGHUVEER:

- Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state: (a)  whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  survey  through  the  Archaeological  Survey  of India to identify historical monuments and heritage structures in Nalgonda district of Telangana; (b) if so, the details of monuments identified and protected by ASI in the said district; and (c) whether the Government proposes to include additional historical sites, such as temples, forts
- and archaeological locations in Nalgonda under Central protection?

## ANSWER

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

(a) Archaeological Survey of India conduct survey visiting village to village to identify sites and antiquarian remains, which is a regular activity. However, no such survey has been conducted in Nalgonda district, Telangana. (b) and (c) Question does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5914 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-30
Subject: Enhancement of Pension under EPS-95
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Rudra Narayan Pany

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5914

TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.03.2026

## ENHANCEMENT OF PENSION UNDER EPS-95

†5914. SHRI RUDRA NARAYAN PANY:

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

- (a) whether  the  pension  amount  given  under  Employees  Pension Scheme (EPS), 1995 is very negligible;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government proposes to increase the said amount and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c):  The EPS, 1995 is a 'Defined Contribution -Defined Benefit' Social Security Scheme. The corpus of the Employees' Pension Fund is  made  up  of  (i)  contribution  by  the  employer  @  8.33  per  cent  of wages;  and  (ii)  contribution  from  Central  Government  through budgetary  support  @  1.16  per  cent  of  wages  up  to  an  amount  of Rs.15,000/- per month. All benefits under the scheme are paid out of such accumulations.

The amount of monthly pension is calculated in accordance with the following factors:

Pensionable Service X Pensionable Salary

Monthly Pension =  -----------------------------------------------

70

The fund is valued annually as mandated under paragraph 32 of the EPS, 1995.

The Government is also providing a minimum pension of Rs. 1000 per month to the pensioners under the EPS, 1995 through budgetary support, which is in addition to the budgetary support of 1.16 per cent of wages provided annually towards EPS to Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).

The Government of India is committed to ensure maximum benefits for workers under the EPS-95 scheme, duly taking into consideration the health of the Fund as well as the future liabilities thereon.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5909 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-30
Subject: Vacancies in the Ministry
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Mr Pathan Yusuf

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5909

## LOK SABHA ANSWERED ON 30.03.2026

## VACANCIES IN THE MINISTRY

## 5909. MR PATHAN YUSUF:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a)   the details of number of sanctioned posts, in position and the number of vacancies, including reserved posts across categories in the Ministry of Tourism;
- (b) the  details  of  number  of  vacancies  in  the  Ministry  and  Department, including reserved posts, since 2014, year and category-wise; and
- (c)   the details of number of contractual employees hired, since 2014, year and category-wise?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM              (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (c): Filling up of vacancies is a continuous process and the vacancies are filled as per extant Recruitment Rules.

Details  of  the  number  of  sanctioned  posts,  posts  in  position,  and vacancies, including those reserved across various categories, as maintained by the Ministry of Tourism and its Regional Offices, in respect of posts for which Recruitment Rules are framed by the Ministry of Tourism, are given at Annexure.

Further,  the  requirement  of  personnel  for  standardized,  routine,  and specialized  activities  is  met  through  deployment  via  service  providers,  in accordance with the prescribed procedures and based on job requirements/descriptions, which vary from time to time.

*******

## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5909 ANSWERED ON 30.03.2026 REGARDING VACANCIES IN THE MINISTRY RAISED BY MR PATHAN YUSUF

Details of the number of sanctioned posts, posts in position, and vacancies, including those reserved across various categories in the Ministry of Tourism and its Regional Offices, in respect of posts for which Recruitment Rules are framed by the Ministry of Tourism:-

| Category of Post   |   Sanctioned Post |   In Position |   Number of Vacancies |   UR |   OBC |   SC |   ST |   PwD |   EWS |
|--------------------|-------------------|---------------|-----------------------|------|-------|------|------|-------|-------|
| Group A            |                38 |            15 |                    23 |   16 |    04 |   01 |   01 |    01 |    01 |
| Group B            |               195 |           113 |                    82 |   47 |    09 |   12 |   09 |    02 |    03 |
| Group C            |               194 |            89 |                   105 |   75 |    13 |   08 |   04 |    00 |    04 |

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 5906 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-30
Subject: Excavation and Conservation Activities in Nalanda
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Kaushalendra Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5906 ANSWERED ON-30.03.2026

## EXCAVATION AND CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES IN NALANDA

## ✝ 5906. SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

(a) whether adequate funds and resources are being provided to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for excavation and conservation activities in Nalanda by the Government;

(b) whether a specialized team comprising experienced archaeologists, draftsmen, surveyors and photographers has been constituted by the Government for the said activities;

(c)  whether  it  is  true  that  the  Government,  by  involving  local  communities  in  the  said activities is likely to provide local employment opportunities and ensure public participation heritage conservation thereof;

(d)  whether  it  is  also  true  that  Nalanda  is  likely  to  be  developed  as  a  major  global  tourist destination by conserving archaeological integrity through the said excavation and conservation activities; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) Government is providing adequate funds and resources to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for archaeological excavations and conservation work in Nalanda.

(b) ASI has a well experienced team for excavation and conservation work.

(c)  Local  communities  are  involved  in  excavations  and  conservation  work,  which  provide employment  to  local  people  alongwith  enabling  them  to  participate  in  the  preservation  of heritage.

(d)  and  (e)  Nalanda  has  come  up  as  a  popular  tourist  destination,  achieved  through archaeological excavation, conservation of ancient structures, landscaping and environmental development  for  better  presentation  of  monuments  to  visitors,  providing  various  visitors facilities etc. Further, Considering its Outstanding Universal Values, United Nations Educational,  Scientific  and  Cultural  Organization  (UNESCO)  has  listed  Nalanda  on  the World Heritage List in the year 2016.
Lok Sabha Question No. 5899 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-30
Subject: Sea Erosion in Vadakara, Kerala
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Shafi Parambil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5899

TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.03.2026

## Sea Erosion in Vadakara, Kerala

## 5899. SHRI SHAFI PARAMBIL:

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

- (a)  Whether the Government is aware that the coastal areas of Vadakara in Kerala are severely affected by sea erosion during the monsoon season by endangering the lives and properties of fisherfolk;
- (b)  if  so,  whether  any  scientific  assessment  has  been  conducted  by  the  Central  Water Commission, National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) or any other agency regarding the extent of coastal erosion in Vadakara;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  initiate  steps  for  protection  of  the  affected  coastal stretches by constructing sea walls or adopting other coastal protection measures;
- (d) the details of funds allocated and released to Kerala for coastal protection works during the last five years; and
- (e)  the  timeline  proposed  for  implementation  of  permanent  erosion  control  measures  in  the affected areas?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) & (b): As per the shoreline change assessment by the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) using remote sensing data (1990-2022),  the long-term  analysis  shows  relatively  low erosion along the coastal stretch between Chombala and Payyoli, including Vadakara.

A  study  by  the  National  Institute  of  Technology  Calicut,  as  reported  by  the  Government  of Kerala, indicates localized erosion in certain stretches, including Sandbanks beach in Vadakara, with  higher  rates  in  specific  transects.  However,  Vadakara  is  not  identified  as  a  continuous erosion hotspot and the overall coastal vulnerability is assessed as low.

(c) to (e): Coastal protection works are undertaken by the respective State Governments/UTs.

The Government of Kerala has submitted a Detailed Project Report (DPR) titled 'Coastal and River Erosion Mitigation Project' to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) under the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF). The project envisages both structural and nonstructural measures.

Further,  following  two  externally  aided  projects  were  received  by  Central  Water  Commission (CWC):

- (i)  Kerala Sustainable Coastal Protection and Climate Resilience Planning Project (ADB); and

(ii)  Additional  Financing  for Resilient  Kerala  Program  -  Coastal  Protection  Project  (Phase  II) (World Bank).

Under the Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP) of the Ministry of Jal Shakti,  coastal protection schemes are also eligible for assistance.  However, no proposal from Kerala for coastal erosion mitigation has been received under FMBAP during the last five years.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5897 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-30
Subject: Funds under Access Benefit Sharing
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Bastipati Nagaraju

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5897

TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.03.2026

## Funds under Access Benefit Sharing

## 5897.  SHRI BASTIPATI NAGARAJU:

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

- (a) the  details  of  total  amount  raised  from  businesses  under  the  Access  and  Benefit  Sharing (ABS) system during the last five years, year and State/UT-wise and district-wise for Andhra Pradesh;
- (b) the details of the amount disbursed to farmers, local communities and benefit claimers under ABS, and the amount retained by the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) during the said period, year and State/UT-wise including district-wise for Andhra Pradesh;
- (c) the details of purposes and sectors in which funds mobilised through ABS have been utilised by the NBA; and
- (d) whether there are any pending cases of fund disbursal under ABS and if so, the number of such cases and reasons for delay, State/UT-wise?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c) The National Biodiversity Authority has received about Rs. 164.88 crores as Access and  Benefit  Sharing  (ABS)  amount  from  the  use  of  biological  resources  or knowledge associated thereto, during the last five years from various States/ UTs including Andhra Pradesh. Out of this, an amount of about Rs. 131.91 crores has been released to beneficiaries including farmers,  Biodiversity  Management Committees, State Biodiversity Boards, forest departments and research institutes during last five years. State/UT wise details, including Andhra Pradesh, for the ABS amount raised and disbursed during the last five years is given at Annex-1.

In Andhra Pradesh, an amount of Rs. 106 crores has been raised, out of which Rs. 105 crores has been disbursed to the districts namely, Chittoor, Tirupati, Kadapa, Annamayya,  Nandyala,  Nellore,  Prakasam,  NTR,  Guntur,  Palnadu,  Bapatla, Krishna, East Godavari, Kakinada, Eluru, West  Godavari, Visakhapatnam, Anantapur, and Kurnool.
Lok Sabha Question No. 5896 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-30
Subject: ED Searches in Fake Government Job Scam
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Thiru Thanga Tamilselvan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

## LOK SABHA

## UN-STARRED QUESTION NO. 5896

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2026/ CHAITRA 09, 1948 (SAKA)

## ED SEARCHES IN FAKE GOVERNMENT JOB SCAM

## 5896. Thiru Thanga Tamilselvan :

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that Enforcement Directorate on January, 8, 2026 has conducted searches  in  multiple  locations  across  multiple  States  in  connection  with  a  fake Government job scam run by an organised gang;

(b)  if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether any cases have been registered and action taken against the fake organised gang members; and

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the outcome of the case?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

(a)  to  (d)  Yes.  Based  on  the  FIR  registered  by  the  Bihar  Police  for  defrauding  the people by promising them Government jobs on the basis of fake joining letters etc., the Enforcement Directorate has recorded a case and initiated investigation under the provisions of the PMLA, 2002. During the investigation, ED has conducted searches on 08.01.2026 at 16 locations across the country in Muzaffarpur, Motihari, Kolkata, Ernakulam,  Pandalam,  Adoor,  Kodur,  Chennai,  Rajkot,  Gorakhpur,  Prayagraj  and Lucknow.  The  searches  have  resulted  in  the  seizure  of  electronic  devices  and incriminating documents.

*****