opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2397 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Procurement of Minerals
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: KONDA VISHWESHWAR REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2397 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH  DECEMBER 2015

## PROCUREMENT OF MINERALS

## 2397.  SHRI KONDA VISHWESHWAR REDDY:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government takes cognizance of the fact that conflict minerals is an issue where India, especially Naxalite region, is affected, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to identify certain areas as conflict zones and  minerals  as  conflict  minerals,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the reasons therefor, State/UT-wise;
- (c) whether  the  Government  plans  to  establish  a  policy  mechanism  to  ensure responsible mining and procurement of minerals from the conflict zones in the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINES AND STEEL (SHRI VISHNU DEO SAI)

(a) to (d): Mining of minerals is regulated by the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development  and  Regulation)  Act,  1957  (MMDR  Act  1957)  and  the  rules  made thereunder. Section 23C of the MMDR Act, 1957 empowers state governments to frame rules for preventing illegal mining, transportation and storage of minerals. As such,  prevention  of  illegal  mining  comes  under  the  administrative  and  legislative jurisdiction of the state governments. No state government has reported any specific incident of loss of procurement of Minerals from any region of the country disturbed by naxalite activities.

The  Seventh  Report  of  Second  Administrative  Reforms  Commission  had recommended setting up of special anti-extortion and anti-money laundering cell by State  Police/State  Government.  The  State  Governments  have  been  accordingly advised to  establish such  cells  to  prevent any  nexus  between  illegal  mining/forest contractors, transporters and extremists.

To foster a responsible mining in a fair and transparent manner across India, MMDR Act, 1957 has been amended w.e.f. 12.1.2015. New mining concessions are to  be  accorded  through  auction. Specified mineralization under  the Minerals (Evidence of Minerals Contents) Rules, 2015 sets the criteria for selection of blocks in different regions. Further, the penal provisions associated with illegal mining have been  strengthened  to  serve  as  deterrent  for  any  illegal  encroachment  of  mining areas.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2396 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Food for Tribal Students
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: PINAKI MISRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS)

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2396

TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2015

## FOOD FOR TRIBAL STUDENTS

## 2396. SHRI PINAKI MISRA:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is any scheme for providing food to the students of the tribal welfare schools and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the measures taken by the Government to safeguard the girl students in such schools; and
- (c) the details of the procedure fixed for medical check-up of such students?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA)

- (a): Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs  does  not  have  a  separate  scheme  for  providing  food  to  the students enrolled in the Tribal Schools. For Ekalavya Model Residential Schools, from grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution, Rs.42,000/- per student per year is given for various expenses. Residential schools, in general, run by various States/UTs bear the cost of meals. All these schools are eligible for Mid Day meal scheme of Ministry of Human Resource Development till class VIII. For schools run by NGOs/Voluntary Organizations with funds received from the Ministry, Rs.220/p.m. per student is given as diet charges in Non-Residential Schools and Rs.660/- p.m. per student in Residential Schools. In the case Low Literacy Districts, an amount of Rs.750/- p.m. per student is provided by the Ministry for mess charges.
- (b): To ensure physical safety of girl students, this Ministry is laying emphasis on
- I. Construction of Residential Schools with Co-education having capacity of 200-300 students.
- II. Construction of toilets
- III. Engage lady wardens for Girls Hostel
- IV. Boundary wall for Hostels
- V. Detailed guidelines giving protocol to ensure Girl Students safety has been issued.
- (c): Periodic health check-up of the students is conducted as per the guidelines of Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram  (RBSK)  which  is  supported under the  NRHM.  All  Tribal  Welfare Departments  of  the  State  Governments/UT  Administrations  have  been  directed  to  ensure  health card for every child and also ensure independent third-party evaluation of the health check-up of the students. The steps that have been taken are:
- I. A protocol for Sickle Cell Disease screening has been laid out.
- II. Nutrition:  To  ensure  proper  nutrition,  consumption  of  Minor  Millets,  traditional food, green  leafy  vegetables,  development  of  kitchen  garden,  etc. are  being encouraged.
- III. Deworming of children has been emphasised.
- IV. For Folic Acid Supplement, a protocol to be followed has been issued to all Tribal Welfare Departments.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2395 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Functioning of IGNOU
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: CHANDRAKANT RAGHUNATH PATIL

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2395 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH DECEMBER, 2015

## Functioning of IGNOU

## 2395. SHRI C.R. PATIL:

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

(a)  whether a High Powered Committee of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) had made certain recommendations for improvement in the functioning of the University; (b) if so, the details thereof and the status of implementation of its recommendations; and (c) the remedial measures taken by the Government in this regard?

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

(a)  &  (b):    As  per  the  information  furnished  by  the  Indira  Gandhi  National  Open  University (IGNOU),  a  large  number  of  programmes  were  offered  through  face-to-face  mode  by  the University by signing MoUs with Private Institutions which were not as per the mandate of the University.  Subsequently,  based  on  the  report  of  the  High  Powered  Committee,  which  was placed  for  consideration  at  the  113 th Meeting  of  the  Board  of  Management  (BoM)  of  the University held on 31 st May, 2015, the University has discontinued/kept in abeyance some of its programmes  including community  colleges offered through face-to-face mode  and  also programmes running in collaboration with other Institutions in the country and abroad from the academic cycle commencing July, 2012. The main reasons were that the courses offered were not  in  accordance  with  the  University's  Statutes  and  the  University  did  not  have  domain knowledge and subject expertise in their curriculum design and delivery.

The  University  further  informed  that  245  academic  programmes  have  been  kept  in abeyance  as  they  did  not  meet  the  requirement  of  the  University  Act/Statutes/Ordinances.

However, the students admitted till January, 2012 admission cycle are allowed to complete their programmes of studies.

(c): Certain issues that led to the non-issuance of the degrees/grade cards to the students enrolled upto  January,  2012  admission  cycle  under  various  programmes/schemes  of  IGNOU  had  been brought to the notice this year of the Ministry of Human Resource Development, and have been subsequently resolved.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2394 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Use of Unfair Means
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: P.R. SUNDARAM

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2394 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2015

## Use of Unfair Means

## 2394.  SHRI P.R. SUNDARAM:

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

- (a) whether the Government has revamped the common entrance tests of joint entrance tests conduced for admission into Indian Institute of Management (IIM)/ Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) to avert use of unfair means by rogue elements to gain admission into these premier institutions;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof and the number of cases reported where unfair means were used in the examinations conducted for admission into IIMs and IITs; and
- (c) the  action  taken  by  the  Government  in  all  such  cases  including  conviction  of  the accused?

## A N S W E R MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

- (a) to (c): No  case  of  use  of  unfair  means  during  the  examinations/  entrance  tests conducted  for  admission  into  Indian  Institutes  of  Management  (IIMs)/  Indian  Institutes  of Technology (IITs) has been reported.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2393 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Scholarship to Students to Promote Cultural Activities
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: SRINIVAS KESINENI

- (a) Yes Madam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2393

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2015

## SCHOLARSHIP TO STUDENTS TO PROMOTE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES 2393: SHRI KESINENI NANI:

- Will the MINISTER OF CULTURE be pleased to state:
- (a) whether the Government offers any scholarships to the students for taking Up cultural activities like music, dance and theatre:
- if so, the details thereof:
- if not, the reasons therefor:
- the steps taken by the Government to promote cross cultural understanding between different cultures in India through students: and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR CULTURE & TOURISM AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR CIVIL AVIATION

## (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (b) The Government is   implementing Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme (CTSSS) through Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) , an autonomous   organization under Government of India. Under the scheme, scholarships are provided to students in the age group of 10 -14 years for getting specialized training in various cultural fields including music, dance and theatre. Under the Scheme upto 650 scholarships are awarded every year for a period of two years which is renewable upto the age of 20 years, subject to the awardee maintaining good progress The value of scholarship is Rs. 3600/- per year, in addition to reimbursement of the actual tuition fee to the Guru/Teacher, up to a ceiling of Rs. 9000/per year. The Government is also implementing a scheme called "Award of Scholarships to Young Artists in different cultural fields' under which 400 scholarships are given every to young artistes in age group of 1825 years for advanced training in the field of dance, music theatre etc. Rs. 5000/per month is given for  period of 2 years to each scholarship holder. paid year
- (c) Does not arise.
- (d) & CCRT organizes National Cultural Festivals, Workshops and Interaction
- (e) Meets  from time for its scholarship holders to provide them opportunities to exhibit their talent at national level and promote cross cultural activities between different cultures in India: Till date, 2651 students have participated in 36 such National Cultural Festivals.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2392 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Upgradation of Vocational Training Centres
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: B.V. NAYAK

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2392 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH DECEMBER, 2015

## Upgradation of Vocational Training Centres

## 2392. SHRI B.V. NAIK:

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

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  fixed  a  social  framework  to  curb  commercialisation  of community colleges by private educational institutions in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c)  whether  the  mode  of  certain  basic  fee  structure  has  been  adopted  according  to  the  free fixation rules of community colleges and skill developing vocational centres, if so, whether the upgradation of Government Technical and Vocational Training Centres would get top priority in the agenda of the Government; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) & (b):  While there is no prescribed social framework, as per the information furnished by University Grants Commission (UGC) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), both the organizations are implementing the Community  College Scheme  through the Government  &  Aided  Colleges  and  Polytechnics  respectively  which  are  offering  need  based National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) compliant skill oriented vocational courses.

(c) & (d): The fee structures under Community College Scheme are decided by the respective Universities  and  Colleges.    In  respect  of  Polytechnics,  the  concerned  State/UT  Government decides the fee structures.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2390 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Mahila Shakti Kendras
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: BHAGWANTH KHUBA

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2390 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2015

## Mahila Shakti Kendras

| 2390.                                                                                                                          | SHRI BHAGWANTH KHUBA:                                                                                                          |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Will the Minister ofHUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:                                                            | Will the Minister ofHUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:                                                            |
| (a) whether the Government has established Mahila Shakti Kendras for illiterate women in the country;                          | (a) whether the Government has established Mahila Shakti Kendras for illiterate women in the country;                          |
| (b) if so, the details thereof and the places where such kendras are working in the country including Karnataka Statewise; and | (b) if so, the details thereof and the places where such kendras are working in the country including Karnataka Statewise; and |
| (c) the number of women benefited as a result thereof?                                                                         | (c) the number of women benefited as a result thereof?                                                                         |
| (a) No Madam.                                                                                                                  | (a) No Madam.                                                                                                                  |
| (b) &(c) Does not arise.                                                                                                       | (b) &(c) Does not arise.                                                                                                       |
Lok Sabha Question No. 2389 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Industrial Development of Backward Areas
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: C.R. CHAUDHARY

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2389. TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 14 TH  DECEMBER, 2015.

## INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT OF BACKWARD AREAS

2389. SHRI C.R. CHAUDHARY:

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

## वाणिज् यवव द्यग ं ्री

- (a) whether the Government has any proposal for setting up new industrial units in the country including backward districts of Rajasthan; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the names of the locations proposed for the said units along with the time limit within which these units are proposed to be set up?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज् यवव द्यग ााज् यं ्रीस् वतं ््रभााा(स्रींतंरीिरंमलााीरीतंाांि( THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRIMATI NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

- (a): No, Madam. There is no proposal under consideration in the Ministry  for setting up new Industrial units in the country including backward districts of Rajasthan.  However, industrial infrastructure is being promoted and strengthened under the Integrated Infrastructure Upgradation Scheme(IIUS), Industrial Corridors and Leather Program.
- (b): Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2388 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Anti-Dumping Probe against Dry Cell Battery Imports
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: HUKUM SINGH

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2388 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH  DECEMBER, 2015

## ANTI-DUMPING PROBE AGAINST DRY CELL BATTERY IMPORTS

## 2388. SHRI HUKUM SINGH:

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

- a) whether the Government has initiated anti-dumping investigation into the import of AA  dry  cell  batteries  after  finding  prima  facie  evidence  of  dumping  of  goods originating or exported to India from two Asian countries; and
- b) if so, the details and the present status thereof?

## 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) :  Yes  Madam.  The  Directorate  General  of  Anti-dumping  &  Allied  Duties (DGAD) has initiated an anti-dumping investigation concerning imports of AA Dry Cell Batteries, originating in or exported from China PR and Vietnam, on 20.10.2015. The investigation is under progress.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2387 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Solar panels in IITs/IIMs/NITs
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: NAGARAJAN P.

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2387 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2015

## Solar panels in IITs/IIMs/NITs

## 2387. SHRI P. NAGARAJAN:

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

- (a) whether	 the	 Government	 has	 any	 plan	 to	 set	 up	 rooftop	 panels	 on	 all Indian	Institute	 of	 Technologies	 (IITs),	 Indian	 Institute	 of	 Managements (IIMs),	National	Institute	of	Technologies	(NITs)	to	generate	solar	energy;
- (b) if	so,	the	details	thereof	and	the	amount	allotted	to	each	institute;	and
- (c) the	target	fixed	to	generate	solar	energy	per	year	from	these	institutes	in the	country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

(SMT.	SMRITI	ZUBIN	IRANI)

(a)	 to	 (c):	 Yes	 Madam.	 In	 accordance	 with	 the	 Policy	 of	 Government	 of	 India which	has	set	a	target	for	installation	of	1,00,000	MW	solar	power	plants	by	the year	 2022	 out	 of	 	 which	 40,000	 MW	 has	 to	 come	 from	 grid	 connected	 solar rooftop	systems,	all	institutions	of	higher	education	have	been	requested	to	go for	installation	of	solar	rooftop	systems.	These	projects	would	be	implemented on	 the	 basis	 of	 financing	 models	 proposed	 by	 the	 Ministry	 of	 New	 and Renewable	Energy	and	there	will	be	no	amount	allocated	for	this	project	from the	Budget.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2386 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: KVS under Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: BHANU PRATAP SINGH VERMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2386

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2015

## KVS UNDER SAANSAD ADARSH GRAM YOJANA † 2386. SHRI BHANU PRATAP SINGH VERMA:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  set  up  Kendriya  Vidyalayas  in  the country under the Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY);
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a)  to  (c):  No,  Madam.  At  present  there  is  no  such  proposal.  The  Kendriya Vidyalayas  (KVs)  are  opened  primarily  to  cater  to  the  educational  needs  of  the children  of  transferable  Central  Government  employees  including  Defence  and Para-Military Personnel by providing a common  programme  of  education. 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.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2385 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Functioning of University
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: J.C. DIVAKAR REDDY

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2385 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH DECEMBER, 2015

## Functioning of University

2385. SHRI  J.C. DIVAKAR REDDY: Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a) whether the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University is functioning in the State of Andhra Pradesh; (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and (c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

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

(a) to (c): As per the information furnished by University Grants Commission (UGC), Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University, Etcherla, District Srikakulam-532410, Andhra Pradesh is functioning in the State of Andhra Pradesh. This is a State funded University established by the Act of the State Legislature of Andhra Pradesh.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2384 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Decrease in the number of Students
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: SUMEDHANAND SARASWATI

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.2384 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2015

## Decrease in the number of Students

†2384. SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARSWATI: Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a) whether the number of students pursuing higher studies in philosophy like M.A., M.Phil.  and  Ph.D.  courses  has  been  decreasing  constantly  during  the  last  few years; (b) if so, the reasons therefor; (c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard; and (d)  whether  the  Department  of  Philosophy  are  being  closed  in  the  colleges/

- universities every year and if so, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): No, Madam. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has informed that the number of students pursuing higher studies in Philosophy at the levels of M.A.,

M.Phil and Ph.D has increased from 6713 in 2010-11 to 12481 in 2013-14. (d): No, madam. The UGC has informed that as per data available with it for the last three  years  Departments  of  Philosophy  are  being  maintained  in  87  universities across the country.

- *****