opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1266 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: Cloud-Seeding to curb Air Pollution
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Dr. Raj Kumar Chabbewal, Dr. Kalyan Vaijinathrao Kale, Shri K C Venugopal, Shri Robert Bruce C, Shri Sunil Bose, Dr. Kirsan Namdeo

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1266

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025

## Cloud-Seeding to curb Air Pollution

1266.   SHRI SUNIL BOSE: SHRI K C VENUGOPAL: DR. KALYAN VAIJINATHRAO KALE: SHRI ROBERT BRUCE C: DR. RAJ KUMAR CHABBEWAL: DR. KIRSAN NAMDEO:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  planned  or  approved  any  cloud-seeding  or  weathermodification projects in the country, if so, the details and outcome thereof;
- (b) the reasons for  proceeding with the cloud seeding, despite the Meteorological Department's warning of insufficient cloud cover for seeding.
- (c) whether the experts have been consulted in this regard and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government is aware of any potential adverse environmental impacts of the use of cloud seeding as a pollution control measure in the country, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (e) the details of the total expenditure incurred on the cloud seeding trial conducted in Delhi in October 2025 agency and head-wise.
- (f) the  details  of  tendering,  procurement  and  payments  made  to  private  or  research institutions involved in the trial and whether the Government will publish the audit or utilisation report of the funds utilised and if so, the timeline for its release; and
- (g) whether the Government has any plans to extend cloud-seeding to drought prone areas of Tirunelveli district during drought like conditions and the details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (g): As reported by Dept. of Environment, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi, a pilot project titled 'Technology Demonstration and Evaluation of Cloud Seeding as an Alternative for Delhi NCR Pollution Mitigation' has been taken up by the Govt. of NCT of Delhi. The estimated cost of the project is Rs. 3.2146 Crore, and has been sanctioned to IIT Kanpur.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1265 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: Mid-Day Meal Scheme
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Anto Antony

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1265

ANSWERED ON- 08/12/2025

## Mid-Day Meal Scheme

1265. Shri Anto Antony:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government has received any request/representation regarding introduction of Mid-day meal scheme for class 11th and 12th standard students in the country, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has received any request from the State Government of Kerala in this regard;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto;
- (d) whether the Government has any plan to introduce Mid-day meal scheme for class 11th and 12th students in the country; and
- (e) if so, the details of the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

## (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

(a)  to  (e):    Pradhan  Mantri  Poshan  Shakti  Nirman  (PM  POSHAN)  Scheme  is  one  of  the foremost  rights  based  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  implemented  in  partnership  with  the States and Union Territories (UTs) for providing one hot cooked and nutritious meal to all children studying in Bal Vatika (just before class-I) and classes I to VIII of Government and Government-aided schools.  The Scheme covers about 11 crore children in more than 10.35 lakh schools in all the States/ UTs. The overall responsibility for providing hot cooked and nutritious meal to the eligible children lies with the State Governments and Union Territory (UT) Administrations.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1263 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: National River Conservation Plan
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Imran Masood

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1263

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025

## National River Conservation Plan

1263. SHRI IMRAN MASOOD:

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

- (a) whether work is underway on the Paondhoi River in Saharanpur under the National River conservation plan, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether sewage has been prevented from flowing into the Paondhoi River; and
- (c) if so, the time by which the said work is likely to be completed?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) As informed by National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), Ministry of Jal Shakti, NMCG has approved the Saharanpur Sewerage Scheme (Interception & Diversion and Sewage Treatment Plant Works) along with 15 years Operation and Maintenance (O&M) at Saharanpur district in Uttar Pradesh, under 'Namami Gange' Programme. The project scope, with timeline of completion of October, 2027, inter alia includes the provision of interception of the drains, outflowing into river Paondhoi, and their diversion to the proposed 135 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant (STP).

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1262 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: Fund Allocated for Khelo India Programme
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Devesh Shakya

## Government of India Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports

## Department of Sports

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †1262 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025

Fund Allocated for Khelo India Programme

†1262. Shri Devesh Shakya:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  a  budget  of  Rs.  1,000  crore  has  been  sanctioned  for  the Khelo India programme during the financial year 2025-26 and if so, the major item-wise allocation of the budget and the expenditure status so far;
- (b) the details of progress made so far in terms of sports infrastructure, talent recognition, training  centres, appointment of coaches and youth participation from Etah, Kasganj, Bareilly, Aonla, Badaun, Shahjahanpur, Kannauj, Mainpuri, Etawah and Auraiya districts of Uttar Pradesh, which have frequently been selected or participated in Khelo India activities;
- (c)  whether  the  said  districts  and  Etah  Lok  Sabha  Constituency  have been proposed to be included or included in the priority list for setting up any  new  sports  centre,  sports  academy  or  sports  competition  under Khelo India scheme; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS [ DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA ]

- (a) Yes, Sir. An amount of Rs. 1,000 crore has been allocated for Khelo India Scheme during the financial year 2025-26. Funds are allocated and released Scheme-wise and not item-wise in this Ministry. An amount of Rs. 599.12 crore has been utilized under the Khelo India Scheme so far.
- (b) to (d) The details of the sports infrastructure projects approved and their  sanctioned  cost,  funds  released,  and  their  physical  and  financial

progress under the Khelo India Scheme, across the country, including in the  State  of  Uttar  Pradesh,  are  available  in  the  public  domain  on  the dashboard  of  the  Ministry  at  https://mdsd.kheloindia.gov.in.  State-wise and discipline-wise number of athletes who have participated in various Khelo  India  Games  till  date,  Khelo  India  Athletes  (KIA),  Khelo  India Centres  (KIC),  Khelo  India  State  Centres  of  Excellence  (KISCE)  and Khelo India Accredited Academies (KIAA), along with sports disciplines covered under these centres, across the country, including in Etah Lok Sabha Constituency of Uttar Pradesh, are available in the public domain on the dashboard of the Ministry at https://dashboard.kheloindia.gov.in.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1254 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: Cultural Preservation of Archaeological Sites of Puducherry
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Ve Vaithilingam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1254

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025

## CULTURAL PRESERVATION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES OF PUDUCHERRY

## 1254.   SHRI VE VAITHILINGAM:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken note of the fact that Puducherry, a Union Territory with French colonial heritage still lacks a comprehensive cultural preservation programme for conserving its heritage buildings, archaeological remains and Indo-French architectural  sites  many  of  which  are  deteriorating  due  to  neglect,  urban  encroachment and inadequate restoration efforts;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  projects  proposed  under  the  National  Mission  on  Monuments  and Antiquities; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) There  are  07  nos.  of  centrally  protected  monuments/sites  under  the  jurisdiction  of
- to Archaeological  Survey  of  India  (ASI)  in  Puducherry  Union  Territory.  Conservation,
- (c) preservation and maintenance of these centrally protected monuments/sites is a continuous process and is taken up as per the requirement and availability of resources. All the monuments are in a good state of preservation.  There are no projects proposed under the National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities in Puducherry.

-----
Lok Sabha Question No. 1253 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: Pending Proposal of Rajasthan under KIS
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Smt. Sanjna Jatav

## Government of India Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports

## Department of Sports

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †1253 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025

Pending Proposal of Rajasthan under KIS

†1253. Smt. Sanjna Jatav:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to approve the pending proposals of Rajasthan under the Khelo India Scheme along with the setting up of Khelo India Centres (KIS) in Eight new districts and a National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) in Rajasthan;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  timeline  for  approval  of  these proposals; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS

## ANSWER [ DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA ]

- (a) and (b) Atleast one Khelo India Centre (KIC) has been established in each  district  of  Rajasthan  under  the  Khelo  India  Scheme,  thereby covering  all  districts  as  per  the  scheme's  provision  of  one  centre  per district. Details of the same are available at https://dashboard.kheloindia.gov.in. As far as National Centre of Excellence  (NCOE)  and  other  proposals  are  concerned,  the  proposals received from the State/ UT Government and other eligible entities are considered for financial support, subject to their completeness, technical feasibility and availability of funds under the scheme.
- (c) Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1251 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: Trade Deficiency affecting MSMEs
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Arup Chakraborty

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1251

## ANSWERED ON MONDAY, 8 th  DECEMBER, 2025/Agrahayana 17, 1947 (Saka)

## Trade Deficiency affecting MSMEs

## 1251. Sh. ARUP CHAKRABORTY:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the country faces a trade finance gap adversely affecting its MSME exporters, especially in comparison with emerging markets, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the total value of export credit disbursed during the last five years by SIDBI, EXIM Bank and PSU banks;
- (c) whether  the  RBI  has  recommended  measures  to  improve  credit  flow  through  non-collateralised  and  concessional instruments, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  establish  a  sovereign-backed  export  guarantee  facility  to  support  high-risk exporters; if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (b) Banks and Financial Institutions have traditionally been the primary source of export finance in India. The total export credit disbursed by Public Sector Banks, SIDBI and Exim Bank in last five years (FY 20-21 to FY 24-25) stood at Rs 21.71 lakh crores.

(c) Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has taken several measures for improving credit flow to MSMEs (including exporters) including regulations issued by RBI which stipulate (i) collateral free lending for loans upto Rs 10 lakhs, (ii) allows relaxed capital requirement for such lending, (iii) transparency in interest rates by linking to external benchmarks, etc. Additionally, RBI issued  Reserve  Bank  of  India  (Trade  Relief  Measures),  2025  on  14.11.2025  providing  various  relief  to  exporters including  deferment  in  repayment  of  interest  and  principal  instalments,  extending  export  proceeds  realisation  period, flexibility in packing credit liquidation, etc.

(d) As informed by Department of Commerce, Government has approved the Scheme for Export Promotion Mission (EPM) on  12.11.2025  for  the  period  FY  2025-26  to  FY  203031,  aimed  at  strengthening  India's  export  competitiveness  particularly for MSMEs. The EPM operates through two integrated sub-schemes viz. NIRYAT PROTSAHAN and NIRYAT DISHA. Under NIRYAT PROTSAHAN, while not amounting to a formal sovereign-backed export guarantee facility, two interventions  are  proposed  to  strengthen  export  credit  flow  through  supported  risk-mitigation  mechanisms.  These  are intended to improve MSME access to export finance:

- Support  for  Collateral  for  Export  Credit -provides  partial  credit-risk  coverage  to  lending  institutions,  with  the objective of enabling exporters with inadequate collateral to access export credit channels.
- Support for Emerging Export Opportunities -proposes credit-enhancement support to facilitate MSME expansion into new and less-served international markets.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1247 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: CAMPA Funds to Telangana
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddy

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTIO N NO. 1247

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025

## CAMPA Funds to Telangana

## 1247.  SHRI RAMASAHAYAM RAGHURAM REDDY:

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

- (a) whether the Government has provided Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) funds to various States;
- (b) if so, the details of the funds provided to the State of Telangana till date and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the criteria used to determine the allocation of CAMPA funds to different States?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (c)    The  Government  has  provided  Compensatory Afforestation  Management and Planning Authority  (CAMPA)  funds  to  various  States.  A  total  amount  of  Rs.  3852.61  Crore  has  been provided to the State of Telangana till date. The Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) Act, 2016 and  its  Rules,  2018,  aim  toward  mitigating  the  loss  of  forest  cover  and  associated  ecosystem services resulting from the diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes. This is achieved through activities  such  as  compensatory  afforestation,  restoration  of  degraded  forests,  enhancement  of wildlife habitats, and biodiversity enrichment.  The State  Authorities constituted under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) Act, 2016 prepare the Annual Plan of Operations (APOs) for the utilization of their State Funds established under the CAF Act. The APOs prepared as per the provisions of the CAF Act and the Rules made there under Rule 5(2), (3) and (4) and Rule 6 (a) and (b) of CAF Rules, 2018 providing for permissible and non-permissible activities are approved by National Authority  for allocating  Compensatory Afforestation  Funds from  State  CAMPA  fund  to State  Forest  Department  for  implementation  of  approved  activities  as  per  approved  APO  in accordance with the provision of the aforesaid Act and Rules.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1246 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: Per-Capita Income
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Smt. Mala Roy

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1246

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2025 / Agrahayana 17, 1947 (Saka)

## Per-Capita Income

1246. Smt. Mala Roy: Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the annual per capita income change in the country during the last five years, year-wise;
- (b) the details of the global per capita income change during the last five years; and
- (c) the target set by the Government for increasing per capita income over the next five years?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): The details of the change in annual per capita net national income of the country (at current prices) from 2020-21 to 2024-25 are as under:
- (b): Data  on  per  capita  gross  national  income  in  constant  2021  international  dollars  at purchasing power parity) is available in the World Development Indicators database published by the World Bank. Accordingly, the details are as under:
- (c): The Government has not published any targets for per capita income for the next five years. However, in pursuit of the vision of Viksit Bharat, several key focus areas have been identified to support broad-based improvements in income levels. These include enhancing agricultural growth and productivity, strengthening rural prosperity and resilience, fostering inclusive  growth,  boosting  manufacturing,  supporting  MSMEs,  enabling  employment-led development,  investing  in  people,  the  economy  and  innovation,  securing  reliable  energy supplies, promoting exports, and nurturing a culture of innovation.

|                                                             |   2020-21 |   2021-22 |   2022-23 |   2023-24 |   2024-25 |
|-------------------------------------------------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Per capita net national income (in ₹, at current prices)    |  127244   |  150906   |  169145   |  188892   |  205324   |
| Change over the previous year (per cent, at current prices) |      -3.9 |      18.6 |      12.1 |      11.7 |       8.7 |

Source: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

| Year                                                                                                                        |   2020 |   2021 |   2022 |   2023 |   2024 |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|
| Annual change in world per capita gross national income (in constant 2021 international dollars at purchasing power parity) |   -5.3 |    5.9 |    2.7 |    2.5 |    1.8 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1235 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: Setting-up of ESI Hospital in Nellore of Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Prabhakar Reddy Vemireddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1235

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025

## SETTING-UP OF ESI HOSPITAL IN NELLORE OF ANDHRA PRADESH

1235. SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY VEMIREDDY:

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

- (a)whether it is true that in March 2019 approval has been given by the Government to set up a 100-bedded hospital in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh to provide primary, secondary and tertiary care medical  services  including  preventive,  promotive,  curative  and rehabilitative services to ESI beneficiaries;
- (b)if so, the details thereof;
- (c)whether it is also true that land acquisition for the above hospital was  done  and  an  additional  one  acre  of  land  has  also  been earmarked for staff quarters and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)whether  inspection  of  the  said  land  has  been  done  by  the competent authority and identified site has been formally accepted; and
- (e)if so, the reasons behind delay in starting tendering process and the  time  by  which  the  Government  is  planning  to  complete  it's construction and start medical facilities to ESI beneficiaries?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) accorded 'in -principle' approval for setting up two 100 - bedded ESI Hospitals one each at Sri City in Nellore District in March 2019 and in Nellore District in July 2022 respectively.  In case of ESI 100 bedded hospital at  Sri  City,  5  acres  of  land  including  for  staff  quarters  has  been acquired, and the same has been accepted by ESI Corporation in its 196th meeting held on 27.06.2025. Another 100 bedded hospital in Nellore is to be constructed on ESIC owned 2 acres land. The State Government has identified an additional 1 acre for staff quarters and the  suitability  of  this  land  is  being  verified  by  ESIC  which  will  be followed by the tender process.

*****