opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3863 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-16
Subject: Bharat Bodhan AI Conclave 2026
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Adv K. Francis George

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

## DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3863

ANSWERED ON- 16/03/2026

## Bharat Bodhan AI Conclave 2026

3863.  Adv K. Francis George:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has convened the Bharat Bodhan AI Conclave recently, if so, the primary objectives and key outcomes of the conclave thereof;
- (b) whether any partnerships/Memoranda of Understandings (MOUs) has been signed in connection with the conclave, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)  whether the Government contemplates to achieve scalable, responsible, ethical and India-centric sovereign AI models to transform the education sector, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)

(a) to (c): The Government of India has framed the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 with an aim to promote holistic, multidisciplinary, flexible and student-centric education. The  NEP  2020  promotes  the  integration  of  digital  technologies  including  Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the education ecosystem.

In alignment with the vision of NEP 2020 and to "Make AI in India and Make AI work for India", the Government of India has established a Centre of Excellence in AI (AI-CoE) for Education at IIT Madras.

Further,  the  Government  has  conducted  a  series  of  wide-ranging  consultations  with academia, industry, civil society, and government bodies to chart the roadmap for AI

integration  in  education.    In  this  direction,  the  Government  had  organised  'Bharat Bodhan AI Conclave 2026' as a national platform for  landscape discovery,  strategic alignment, and partnership building for AI-enabled education.

The Bharat Bodhan AI Conclave 2026 witnessed a wide range of EdTech companies and AI innovators in India developing solutions across the education ecosystem. The conclave witnessed the exchange of Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) between IIT Bombay & Columbia University (USA) to establish a joint Centre on AI for Manufacturing. IIM Jammu launched a Joint Dual Degree Program on MBA in AI and Business Analytics in  collaboration  with  Asian  Institute  of Technology (Bangkok). IIM Ranchi launched a Centre  for  Teaching  with  AI  and  IIM  Lucknow  launched  academic  programmes  in Artificial Intelligence and Business Analytics.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3862 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-16
Subject: Methodology to Measure Unemployment
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Anand Bhadauria, Shri Dharmendra Yadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3862 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16 TH  MARCH, 2026

## METHODOLOGY TO MEASURE UNEMPLOYMENT

3862.      SHRI ANAND BHADAURIA:

SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:

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

- (a) whether the unemployment rate among youths aged 15 years and above in the country has risen up to 5 per cent during January, 2026,  as  per  survey  report  released  by  the  Government  on  16 February, 2026;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;
- (c) whether the Government is aware that almost every household in the country have unemployed youths aged 18 years to 32 years in urban and rural areas;
- (d) if  so,  the  methodology  being  used  to  measure  unemployment which restricts its rate upto 4 to 5 per cent;
- (e) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  revise  its  methodology  to measure  unemployment  as  it  being  unrealistic  and  understates the actual level of unemployment; and
- (f)
- if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  to  (f):  The  official  data  on  Employment  and  Unemployment  is collected through Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), which is conducted  by  Ministry  of  Statistics  and  Programme  Implementation (MoSPI) since 2017-18.

Also, MoSPI has revamped PLFS from January 2025. The PLFS has been  conducted  on  annual  basis  since  2017  and  with  quarterly  urban estimates  from  2018.  Additionally,  monthly  as  well  as  quarterly  rural estimates  are  released  by  MoSPI  since  January,  2025.  Changes  are expected  in  the  monthly  PLFS  ratios  due  to  increased  frequency  and seasonal changes but do not necessarily reflect secular trends.  Detailed methodology is available in the PLFS reports which may be seen at the website of MoSPI at https://www.mospi.gov.in/publications-reports .

As per the latest Annual PLFS reports, the estimated Unemployment Rate (UR) on usual status for persons of age 15 years and above  has  decreased  from  6.0%  in  2017-18  to  3.2%  in  2023-24  in  the country. Also, the UR on usual status for youth of age 15-29 years has decreased from 17.8% to 10.2% during the same period.

Further,  the  UR  on  usual  status  for  youth  of  age  15-29  years  has decreased from 16.6% in 2017-18 to 8.5% in 2023-24 in the rural areas and from 20.6% to 14.7% during the same period in the urban areas of the country.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3861 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-16
Subject: Financial Assistance under NCF in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Amarsing Tisso

- (a) to (c) No sir.
- (d) No such proposal is under consideration.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3861 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026

## FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER NCF IN KARBI ANGLONG AND DIMA HASAO

## 3861. SHRI AMARSING TISSO:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has received any proposals from the State Government of Assam, the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and the Dima Hasao Autonomous Council for financial assistance under the National Culture Fund (NCF) during the last five years;
- (b) the details of projects sanctioned, funds allocated, released and utilised under the said Fund in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts, year and project-wise;
- (c) whether  any  projects  relating  to  preservation  and  promotion  of  indigenous  tribal heritage, traditional performing arts, archaeological sites, museums,  cultural research  centres  and  documentation  of  oral  traditions  in  these  Sixth  Schedule districts have been supported under the said Fund; and
- (d) whether the Government  proposes to create a special window  or provide relaxations in funding norms  under the said Fund for culturally rich but economically  backward  and  remote  tribal  districts  such  as  Karbi  Anglong  and Dima Hasao?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
Lok Sabha Question No. 3860 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-16
Subject: Non-Revision of Salary of KGBV Staff
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Smt. Pratima Mondal

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3860 ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026

## Non-Revision of Salary of KGBV Staff

3860. Smt. Pratima Mondal:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government consider the non-revision of salary of non-teaching staff of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) in the country since 2007 as equitable; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

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

(a) & (b):  Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs), residential schools from class VI to XII for girls  belonging to  Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs) such as SC, ST, OBC, are a part  of  centrally  sponsored  scheme  of  Samagra  Shiksha.  Education  is  in  the  Concurrent  List  of  the Constitution and KGBVs are under the administrative control of respective State Governments and UT administrations.  The  matters  related  to  operationalization  and  functioning  of  KGBVs  including  the service  conditions  and  salary  of  non-teaching  staff,  come  under  the  purview  of  concerned  State Governments and UT administrations. However, under the scheme, financial support, including salary support for the non-teaching staff of KGBVs, is approved by the Project Approval Board (PAB) after consideration of the Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWP&B) proposals submitted by the States/UTs, in accordance with the prescribed norms of the Scheme.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3859 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-16
Subject: Smuggling Activities at Dabolim International Airport
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Captain Viriato Fernandes

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3859

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2026/PHALGUNA 25, 1947 (SAKA)

## Smuggling Activities at Dabolim International Airport

## 3859. Shri Captain Viriato Fernandes:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state :

- (a) whether the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) or any other central agency has examined the complaint and supporting material submitted in October 2023 to the DRI regarding gold smuggling activities at DabolimAirport, Goa;
- (b) if so, the action taken thereon;
- (c) whether  any  investigation  was  conducted  into  the  source,  routing  and foreign  linkage  of  the  alleged  smuggling,  including  movement  of  gold beyond Goa, if so, the findings thereof;
- (d) whether the role and conduct of DRI and Customs officials posted in Goa during the relevant period were reviewed, if so, the accountability action initiated;
- (e) whether any officials or individuals were identified, questioned, or apprehended in connection with the alleged smuggling, if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) whether the role, if any, of local police, including airport and Vasco Police Station was examined during the investigation, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  to  (f):    The  contents  of  the  complaint  dated  03.10.2023  were  taken  into consideration  while  developing  intelligence  on  gold  smuggling  by DRI. However, the complaint/ information given in the subject letter did not contain any actionable specific details. DRI has increased the vigil at airports in Goa.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3856 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-16
Subject: Welfare of Agricultural Labourers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Sanatan Pandey

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

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3856 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026

## WELFARE OF AGRICULTURAL LABOURERS

†3856. SHRI SANATAN PANDEY:

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

- (a)whether any special steps has been taken by the Government for
- the welfare of agricultural labourers in the country;
- (b)if so, the number of agricultural labourers benefited from the said welfare schemes in Uttar Pradesh;
- (c)the details of the welfare schemes launched by the Government for unorganized workers, especially for the rural and agricultural labourers; and
- (d)the details of the funds allocated to Uttar Pradesh under the said schemes during the last three years and current year, year, scheme and district-wise?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): The Government has taken various steps to provide social security to unorganised workers  including agricultural labourers by implementing  various  schemes.  These  include  (i)  Pradhan  Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan (PM-SYM) for old age pension, (ii) Pradhan Mantri  Kisan  Samman  Nidhi  (PM-KISAN)  for  providing  financial assistance  of  Rs.  6,000  per  year  to  eligible  farmer  families,  (iii) Pradhan  Mantri  Kisan  Maandhan  Yojana  (PMKMY)  for  old  age protection to small and marginal farmers, (iv) Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) for life and disability, (v) Pradhan Mantri Suraksha  Bima  Yojana  (PMSBY)  for  accidental  insurance, (vi) Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) for cashless health insurance coverage up to Rs. 5 lakh per family, (vii) PM Awas Yojana- Gramin (PMAY-G), (viii) Viksit Bharat- Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) for guaranteed employment of 125 days in a year.

Agricultural  labourers  are  covered  under  various  social security schemes designed for unorganised workers and economically  weaker  rural  households  workers.  The  number  of Agricultural labourers registered on eShram portal (on a self-declared basis) in the state of Uttar Pradesh is approximately 2.30 crore as on 12.03.2026.

In  addition,  State  Governments  also  run  schemes  for welfare  of  the  workers  including  agricultural  labourers.  Budget allocations and expenditure are as per provisions of the respective schemes.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3851 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-16
Subject: Tax Rebate to Global Investors
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Adhikari Soumendu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3851

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2026/ PHALGUNA 25, 1947 (SAKA)

## TAX REBATE TO GLOBAL INVESTORS

## 3851. SHRI ADHIKARI SOUMENDU:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  present  Tax  Act  encourage  Foreign  Companies  providing  Global  Cloud Services    using Indian Data Centres as Permanent Establishment, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of Foreign Companies investing under the notified Data Centres and the names of such centres thereof, State-wise; and
- (c) the details of Tax Rebate to Global Investors and Income of Government through Income Tax, if any therein?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) With a view to facilitate establishment of data centres in the country and strengthen digital infrastructure, following measures have been announced in the Union Budget 2026-27:

'To provide tax holiday till 2047 to any foreign company that provides cloud services to customers globally by using data centre services from India.'

Such exemption shall be available to a foreign company on any income accruing or arising in India  or  deemed  to  accrue  or  arise  in  India  by  way  of  procuring  data  centre  services  from  a specified data centre.

- (c) Exempt Income claimed by FII/FPI reporting residential status as 'Non -Resident' along with the total taxes paid as per ITR-5 is provided below -

| Assessment Year   | Total number of ITRs   |   Schedule EI: Total Exempt Income (in Rs. crores) |   Part B TTI: Taxes Paid - Total Taxes Paid (in Rs. crores) |
|-------------------|------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|
| 2024-25           | 4,106                  |                                            90658.6 |                                                     37386.4 |

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3850 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-16
Subject: Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Dr. Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3850

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2026/PHALGUNA 25, 1947 (SAKA)

## Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment

## 3850.   Dr. Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- a) whether  assistance  under  the  Scheme  for  Special  Assistance  to  States  for  Capital Investment will be explicitly linked to measurable debt-consolidation milestones with time-bound release schedules, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- b) the timeline to operationalise corrective action plans for States with worsening ratios and to reward sustained deleveraging?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b):  Presently there is no proposal under consideration of the government to explicitly link the assistance under the scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment to measurable debt-consolidation milestones with time bound release schedule.

All States have enacted their Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, which makes the State Government responsible to ensure prudence in fiscal management and fiscal stability by progressive elimination of revenue deficit, reduction in fiscal deficit, prudent debt management consistent  with  fiscal  sustainability,  and  greater  transparency  in  fiscal  operations  of  the  state government. The same is monitored by the State Legislature.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3849 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-16
Subject: Reform Express and Economic Reforms
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Eatala Rajender

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3849

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, 16 MARCH 2026 / PHALGUNA 25, 1947 (Saka)

## Reform Express and Economic Reforms

3849. Shri Eatala Rajender:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government  under  the 'Reform  Express' initiative has undertaken comprehensive economic reforms towards employment, boosting productivity and accelerating growth  including  the  rollout  of  over  350  reforms  such  as  simplification  of  the  Goods  and Services Tax (GST) and whether the Union Government is working in coordination with State Governments on deregulation and reduction of compliance requirements; and

(b) if so, the details thereof including the present status along with the total amount of funds sanctioned, released and spent under the said initiative?

## ANSWER

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

(a) and (b): The Government has undertaken a wide range of structural and regulatory reforms aimed at boosting productivity, generating employment and accelerating economic growth. The Union Budget 2026-27 refers to the continuation of this reform momentum as the 'Reform Express', reflecting the rollout of over 350 reforms, including simplification of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), implementation of the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023, implementation of the Labour Codes, rationalisation of mandatory Quality Control Orders, increased use of digital processes for regulatory approvals and other measures to improve the business and investment environment.

The  Government  is  also  working  in  coordination  with  State  Governments  to  promote deregulation, streamline approvals and reduce compliance requirements across sectors. A Task Force under the Cabinet Secretary has identified 23 priority areas for reducing compliance burdens and promoting  deregulation  at  the  State  level. According  to  the  Economic  Survey 2025-26, about 76 per cent of the targeted State-level reform actions have been completed, and 10 per cent are under implementation, in coordination with concerned Ministries/Departments and State Governments (as on 23 January 2026).

While some reform initiatives involve budgetary allocations, reflected in Ministry-wise Budget Estimates  and  actual  expenditures,  a  number  of  reforms  are  regulatory  and  procedural  in nature-such  as  the  repeal  of  obsolete  laws,  reduction  in  compliance  requirements,  and decriminalisation of minor economic offences-and therefore, do not entail any direct financial outlay.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3848 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-16
Subject: Income Tax Raids in MP
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Mahesh Kashyap

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3848 TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY,  MARCH 16, 2026/ PHALGUNA 25, 1947 (SAKA)

## INCOME TAX RAIDS IN MP

†

3848: SHRI MAHESH KASHYAP:

Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:

- (a) the name of individuals of whom the residences, business premises, bank lockers and family members  were  searched  and  seized  by  the  Income  Tax  Department  in  Vidisha  district  in Madhya Pradesh during the years 2001 and 2002;
- (b) the quantity of jewellery, cash and other material/documents seized in each case during the said search operations;
- (c) whether the said members or their lawyers have submitted applications for the return of the materials;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) the action taken by the Income Tax Department on those applications so far along with the reasons for the delay in returning the materials; and
- (f) the time by which the members are likely to receive their materials back?

## ANSWER

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

Point (a) to (f): Income Tax Department (ITD) conducts search & seizure operations based on credible information of violations of provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961(the 'Act') . The release of the assets seized therein is governed by section 132B of the Act. CBDT has issued detailed guidelines vide F.No. F.No.299/06/2023-Dir(Inv-III) dated 16.10.2023 on the subject. Further, sharing of information in respect of specific assessees is prohibited except as provided under section 138 of the Act.

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