opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2454 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Welfare Schemes for Tea and Coffee Plantation Industry
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: R. GOPALAKRISHNAN

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2454 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH  DECEMBER, 2015

## WELFARE SCHEMES FOR TEA AND COFFEE PLANTATION INDUSTRY

## 2454. SHRI R. GOPALAKRISHNAN:

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

- a) the details of welfare schemes for tea and coffee plantation industry in the country;
- b) whether the Government has reviewed these schemes/ policies and if so, the details and the outcome thereof; and
- c) the steps taken or being taken by the Government to boost tea and coffee plantation sector of the country?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज् य एवं उद्योग राज् य मंत्री )श्रीमती निममला सीतारमि((स्वतंत्र प्रभार ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

(SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

(a)  &  (b): Under  the  Plantation  Labour  Act,  1951,  the  plantation  owners  and  estates  are obliged  to  provide  basic  facilities  in  terms  of  shelter/  housing,  health,  sanitation  and education to workers in such plantation industry. In addition, the Government implements, through the Tea Board and the Coffee Board, various programmes/activities for the welfare of workers in plantation industry. Under the 'Tea Development & Promotion Scheme' of Tea Board for the XIIth  Plan period (2012-17), an outlay of Rs.50 crores is earmarked as part of the Human Resource Development (HRD) component  for expenditure on welfare activities including health and hygiene, education, skill development etc.  Under the 'Integrated Coffee Development Scheme' of Coffee Board implemented during 2012-17, the Coffee Board has an  outlay  of  Rs  14  crores  to  provide  stipends  and  financial  assistance  for  education  of children of labourers and tiny growers of coffee. These elements have been incorporated in the XIIth plan Schemes on the basis of review of XIth Plan Schemes.

(c) :  The  Government, through the respective Commodity Boards, implements development and  promotion  schemes  for  the  plantation  industry  in  the  plantation  growing  areas  of  the country. These include, inter alia, schemes for improvement in the production, productivity and quality as well as promotion of exports and value addition through provision of financial and  technical  assistance  to  growers  and  other  stakeholders  for  new  planting,  replanting, rejuvenation, quality up-gradation and market promotion.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2453 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Indian Toys Industry
Ministry: MICRO,SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: AJAY NISHAD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2453 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 14.12.2015

## INDIAN TOYS INDUSTRY

2453. SHRI AJAY NISHAD:

Will the Minister of MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

- (a)  the details of the production, domestic sale and export of Indian toys during each of the last three years; (b)  whether the Indian toys industry is affected by import of Chinese toys; (c)  if so, the details thereof along with the corrective steps taken by the Government  in this regard: and
- (d)  whether any quality norms are being followed in the manufacturing of toys in the country and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH)

(a): The details of production, domestic sale and export of Indian toys during last three years is as under;

| Year    |   Production (Rs. in Crores) |   Domestic sale (Rs. in Crores) |   Exports (Rs. in Crores) |
|---------|------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------|
| 2012-13 |                         7500 |                            6000 |                   1170.58 |
| 2013-14 |                         9000 |                            7500 |                   1561.05 |
| 2014-15 |                        10800 |                            9200 |                   1786.02 |

(b): Yes, Madam.  Indian toys industry is affected by import of Chinese toys.

(c): Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and  Public  Distribution,  introduced  the  Bureau  of  Indian  Standards  Bill 2015  in  the  Parliament  on    7.8.2015.  The  Bill  contains  'To  enable  the Government  to  bring  under  the  mandatory  certification  regime  such article, process or service which it considers necessary from point of view of health, safety, environment, of deceptive practices, security etc.; This will  help  consumers  to  get  ISI  certified  products  and  will  also  help  in preventing import of sub-standard products.'

However, Ministry of MSME has been promoting & developing the MSME  Sector  as  a  whole  including  Toy  Industries through various schemes  &  programmes  in  the  area  of  Designing,  Market  assistance, Technology  up  gradation,  Credit  facilitation  and  Cluster/Infrastructural Development. Toy industry units and Toy Industry Associations can submit proposals to the Ministry under schemes suitable to them.

(d): Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) formulated IS 9873 (Part I, II, &  III)  as  quality  norms  for  Toys  to  ensure  the  safety  and  quality  of  the product.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2451 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Development of Shrawasti as Tourist Hub
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: DADDAN MISHRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†2451

## LOK SABHA ANSWERED ON 14.12.2015

## DEVELOPMENT OF SHRAWASTI AS TOURIST HUB

## †2451. SHRI DADDAN MISHRA:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is preparing any action plan to develop tourism in Shrawasti district keeping in view its historical background;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  tourist  places  in  Shrawasti  and Balrampur districts of Uttar Pradesh;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  any  scheme  to  develop Shrawasti as a tourist hub; and
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d):  Development  and  promotion  of  tourism  including preparation  of  action  plans  and  implementation  of  tourism projects is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. Ministry of Tourism, Government  of India provides Central Financial Assistance  (CFA)  to  the  projects  which  are  complete  as  per scheme guidelines, subject to availability of funds and utilization of funds released earlier. The State Government of Uttar  Pradesh  has  informed  that  they  have  identified  the following  projects  in  Srawasti  district  under  the  World  Bank Aided Pro-Poor Tourism Development Project:-

(Rs. in Crore)

| Sl. No.   | Name of Proposed Project                                                                  |   Estimated Cost |
|-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------|
| 1         | Sound and Light show at Saheth                                                            |              5   |
| 2         | Drinking water/Toilet facilities at monuments-Saheth/Maheth/Odajhar.                      |              2   |
| 3         | Buddha murals depicting major episodes/ miracles of Lord Buddha associated with Srawasti. |              3   |
| 4         | Signage from all approach roads to Srawasti.                                              |              3   |
| 5         | Renovation and up-gradation of world peace bell park.                                     |              1   |
| 6         | Golf Carts                                                                                |              0.5 |
|           | Total                                                                                     |             14.5 |

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2450 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Kendriya Vidyalaya in Ariyalur
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: M. CHANDRAKASI

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2450 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2015

## KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA IN ARIYALUR

## 2450. SHRI M. CHANDRAKASI:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  open  a  Kendriya Vidyalaya in Ariyalur district of Tamil Nadu; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a)  &  (b):  Proposals  for  opening  of  new  Kendriya  Vidyalayas  (KVs)  are considered only if sponsored by Ministries or Departments of the Government of India / State Governments / Union Territories Administrations and Organization of employees belonging to the eligible categories thereby committing resources for setting up a new KV as well as on the availability of necessary sanction of the Government. No such proposal has been received from the State Government / Sponsoring Authority for opening of a Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) in Ariyalur Distt. of Tamil Nadu.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2449 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Introduction of RAA
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: NALIN KUMAR KATEEL, DODDAALAHALLI KEMPEGOWDA SURESH

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2449 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2015

## Introduction of RAA

## 2449. SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL: SHRI D.K. SURESH:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to introduce Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan in the country;
- (b) if so, the details and the objectives thereof; and
- (c) the time by which it is likely to be introduced?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): The Ministry of Human Resource Development has launched 'Rashtriya Aavishkar Abhiyan' programme on 09.07.2015.
- (b) & (c): The objectives of the programme are to enable children to become motivated and engaged in Science, Mathematics and Technology through observation, experimentation, inference drawing, model building, rational reasoning, etc, and to create a culture of inquiry based learning in Schools.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2447 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Mid-day-Meal in Assam
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: HARI NARAYAN RAJBHAR

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2447 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2015

## Mid-day-Meal in Assam

## †2447. SHRI HARINARAYAN RAJBHAR:

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

- (a) whether there is any instance wherein 30 lakhs Children in fake names were provided Mid-day-Meal  and  free  of  cost  books  in  Assam  has  come  to  the  notice  of  the Government;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether such incidents from other State have also come to the notice of the Government; and if so, the details thereof;  and
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to check the misappropriation and misuse of funds?

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

(a) to (c): The Government of Assam has reported that there is no such incident in the State. Records are maintained daily about the attendance and participation of children under Mid Day Meal  Scheme  by  the  concerned  schools.  The  distribution  of  free  text  books  is  based  on  the Unified District Information Systems for Education (U-DISE) data as on 30 th September of the preceding year.

(d): In order to ensure smooth and effective implementation of the Mid Day Meal Scheme, elaborate monitoring mechanisms exist at both State and the Central levels. At national level, an Empowered Committee, headed by Minister of HRD, a National level Steering-cum-Monitoring Committee (NSMC) and Programme Approval Board (PAB) monitor the Scheme and suggest policy  measures  for  effective  implementation  of  the  Scheme.  At  the  State  level,  State  level Steering-cum-Monitoring  Committee  headed  by  Chief  Secretary  and  at  the  District  Level Committee  under  the  Chairpersonship  of  senior  most  Member  of  Parliament  of  Lok  Sabha monitor the scheme. Joint Review Missions (JRM) headed by experts also review the scheme. In addition,  38  independents  Monitoring  Institutes  (MIs)  have  been  engaged  for  monitoring  and evaluation of the scheme on half-yearly basis. Besides the above, the Guidelines also envisage monitoring of 25% of the schools on quarterly basis by the officials of the States / UTs. There is also a Management Information System (MIS) for monitoring of the Scheme.

The State Government of Assam has reported that it takes necessary steps against the concerned school authority, if misappropriation and misuse of fund or foodgrain is reported.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2446 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Training Classes for Construction Workers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: KAVITHA KALVAKUNTLA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2446 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14TH DECEMBER, 2015

## TRAINING CLASSES FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKERS

## 2446.  SHRIMATI KAVITHA KALVAKUNTLA:

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

- (a) the  current  status  of  the  National  Schemes  on  Recognition  of  Prior  Learning  of Construction Workers which were launched recently;
- (b) the total amount of cess funds that were collected from the construction projects in the last financial year;
- (c) whether  there  is  any  wage  compensation  to  workers  for  attending  the  training classes and assessment;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the extent to which the said training classes are beneficial to such construction workers in the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)

(a): As per available information from Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship,  the  national  scheme  on  Recognition  of  Prior  Learning  (RPL)  of Construction  workers  was  launched  in  October,  2014.15  Training  Providers  and  9 Assessing  Bodies  have  been  empanelled  under  the  scheme  which  is  presently operational in the States of Delhi, Haryana, Telangana, Odisha and Chhattisgarh and Himachal Pradesh. The number of candidates Pre-Assessed till date is 26236 and the number of candidates passed Pre-Assessment is 19392.

(b): As per the information collected from the States, around Rs. 24,014.51 crore total cess funds had been collected till 30.09.2015.

(c)  to  (e):  The  RPL  scheme  was  designed to recognize the skill of workers acquired through non-formal learning and experiences by giving training and certification. The training  is  beneficial  by  way  of  uplifting  the  status  and  productivity  of  Construction workers by giving them skill gap training at the construction sites. Successful workers after assessment get certificates issued by NCVT which may open their career path further.

As per the RPL scheme, an amount of wage allowance at the rate of Rs. 35/- per hour per person is paid to compensate for the loss of wages during training and assessment to workers. This  amount  is paid from cess fund collected under Building of Construction Workers' Act.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2445 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Review of Investment in Equity Under EPFO
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: M. B. RAJESH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2445 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2015

## REVIEW OF INVESTMENT IN EQUITY UNDER EPFO

2445. SHRI M.B. RAJESH:

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

- (a)whether the equity investment made by Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) have led to poor returns;
- (b)if so, the details of equity investments made and returns earned by the EPFO during each of the last three years and the current year;
- (c)whether this poor return will have any impact on the interest rate offered by EPFO and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto; and
- (d)whether  the  Government  proposes  to  review  equity  investment plans  and  to  bring  changes  in  this  regard  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)

(a) & (b): No  investment  has  been  made  by  Employees'  Provident Fund  Organisation  (EPFO)  in  equity.  However,  EPFO  has  started investments in Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) from August, 2015. ETF as an instrument is affected by market fluctuations. Investment in ETF is a long-term strategy for maximisation of wealth. Five months is a very short period to judge return from the same.

No investment has been made by EPFO in equity in the last three  years.  The  details  of  investment  made  by  EPFO  from  August,

2015 to November, 2015 is as follows:

| Index      |   Total Investment (Rs. in crore) |
|------------|-----------------------------------|
| EPS Sensex |                             258   |
| EPS Nifty  |                             752.3 |
| EPF Sensex |                             547.7 |
| EPF Nifty  |                            1616.6 |
| Total      |                            3174.6 |

- (c): Investments in ETFs have been made with the view that in long term this investment would provide better returns. Impact of investment in ETF on rate of return declared by EPFO can be arrived at the end of the financial year.
- (d): No  proposal  to  review  equity  investment  by  EPFO  is  under consideration of the Government at present.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2444 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Reservation of Seats
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: MEHBOOBA MUFTI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2444 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2015

## RESERVATION OF SEATS

## 2444. MS. MEHBOOBA MUFTI:

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

- (a) whether the University Grants Commission (UGC) has universities of the country to reserve two seats for students from Kashmir in addition to the migrant quota;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the number of students benefitted till date;
- (c) whether there are cases of violation of notices;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

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

- (a) In  the  academic  year  2014-15  and  2015-16,  admission  for  two  supernumerary  seats  were made under the General stream in colleges approved under 2(f) and 12 B of UGC Act, 1956 through centralized counseling process under the Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu and Kashmir.
- (b) 406 students have been benefitted under supernumerary quota till date.
- (c) to  (e)         During  the  academic  year  2014-15, 20 representations were received from some students regarding colleges under Delhi University refusing admission to students who were allotted colleges under Delhi University.

In the current academic year also, there were few reports about college refusing admission. With  the  intervention  of  University  Grants  Commission,  all  willing  students,  who  fulfilled  the University eligibility norms, have been admitted to the allotted college.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2443 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Tendering Procedure for Procurement
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB, SANJAY SHAMRAO DHOTRE

## TENDERING PROCEDURE FOR PROCUREMENT

2443.  SHRI BHARTRUHARI  MAHTAB:

SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE:

पेट्रोल ियम और प्राक ृ तिक गैस मंत्री

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  Oil  Public  Sector  undertakings/companies  have  laid  down  standard  tendering procedure for procurement of equipment etc., and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Public Sector Oil Companies including Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited have reportedly deviated from the standard tendering procedure without calling for competitive bids;

(c) if so, the details thereof along with loss, if any, incurred to the exchequer due to the failure in calling for competitive bids;

(d)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  take  action  against  the  erring  companies  officials responsible  for  such  irregularities  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  action  taken  in  this regard; and

(e)    the  other  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  curb  such  types  of  irregularities  by  oil companies?

## ANSWER

पेट्रोल ियम और प्राक ृ तिक गैस मंत्रािय में राज्य मंत्री (स्विंत्र प्रभार)

## (श्री धमेन्द्र प्रधान)

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a):    Oil  Public  Sector  undertakings/companies  follow  various  methods  of  tendering  which include  open  tender,  limited  tender  and  single  tender.  For  tenders  costing  more  than  Rs.  5 lakhs, procurement of materials and services is carried out through e-tendering.

(b)  &  (c):  The  methods  of  tendering  as  prescribed  in  the  Materials  Management  Manual  are followed in the tendering process. The procurements without calling competitive bids is resorted to  only  in  exceptional  circumstances  and  that  too  with  due  prior  approvals.  The  reports  on cases of such orders are reviewed by Chairman of the Company through Divisional Directors.

(d): When any irregularity  is  noticed  or  complaint  is  received,  the  same  is  enquired  into  and disciplinary action is taken wherever required.

(e):    Apart  from  public  Procurement  Manuals,  there  are  CVC  Guidelines  on  transparency  in tendering mechanism, which are applicable to all organisations.  There are Internal Audit and Vigilance  Departments  which  scrutinise  selected  contracts  on  a  regular  basis.    Process improvements and corrective measures suggested are implemented.