opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2337 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Educational Tribunals
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: HARISH DWIVEDI

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO . 2337 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH  DECEMBER, 2015

## Educational Tribunals

†2337 . SHRI HARISH CHANDRA ALIAS HARISH DWIVEDI

- Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a) the institutional arrangement in place for adjudication in the cases of disputes arising in the field of higher education sector at present; (b) whether any progress has been made in the case of proposed educational tribunals for quick disposal of disputes in the educational institutes of the country; (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the time by which educational tribunals are likely to be set up in the country?

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

- (a):  Adjudication of  cases of disputes arising in the field of higher education sector are undertaken by the Courts competent to try out these cases. (b)  to  (d):    The  Ministry  of  Human  Resource  Development  had  introduced  the
- Educational  Tribunals  Bill    in  the  Lok  Sabha    to  provide  for  the  establishment  of Educational Tribunals for effective and expeditious adjudication of disputes in higher education.  The Bill lapsed due to dissolution of the 15 th Lok Sabha. At present there is no such proposal in this regard.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2333 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Introduction of 'Think in India' Drive
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: DODDAALAHALLI KEMPEGOWDA SURESH

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2333 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2015

## Introduction of 'Think in India' Drive

## 2333. SHRI D.K. SURESH:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to introduce 'Think in India' drive in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the objectives;
- (c) whether the Government has prepared any programme in this regard;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the time by which it is likely to be completed?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (e):    The  Ministry  of  Human  Resource  Development  has  launched  the  Rashtriya Aavishkar Abhiyan (RAA) programme on 09.07.2015, inter alia, as a sub-component of the Sarva  Shiksha  Abhiyan  (SSA)  and  Rashtriya  Madhyamik  Shiksha  Abhiyan  (RMSA),  to motivate and engage children in the age group of 6-18 years, in Science, Mathematics and Technology,  through  observation,  experimentation,  inference  drawing,  model  building  and other methodologies, both inside and outside the classroom.

A  major  objective  of  the  programme  is  to  encourage  children  to  think  originally, creatively and progressively.

The guidelines and suggested activities of RAA have been sent to all State Education Departments.  A two day workshop was organized on 16-17 November 2015 to orient Nodal Officers from States and UT's as well as from Institutions of Higher Education. A joint road map  for  the  implementation  of  activities  for  the  coming  months  was  developed  in  the workshop.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2332 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Performance of University
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: MAJ. GEN. (RETD) BHUWAN CHANDRA KHANDURI AVSM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2332 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2015

## Performance of University

2332. MAJ GEN B C KHANDURI AVSM (Retd):

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government has  made any assessment of  the performance of Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna (HNB) Garhwal University;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the total number of vacant teaching positions in HNB Garhwal University and its affiliated colleges/institutions as on date and the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to fill up the vacant teaching positions?

## ANSWER

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

(a)&(b)  :  Yes,  Madam.    The  University  Grants  Commission  (UGC)  has  conducted  a  mid-term review  of  all  Central  Universities  including  Hemvati  Nandan  Bahuguna  (HNB)  Garhwal University to review the position on financial and academic parameters under 12 th Plan allocation. The University has also applied to National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) for assessment and accreditation.

The details  of  vacant  teaching  positions  in  the  three  Campuses  of  the  University  are  as under:-

| No. of Posts   |   Professor |   Associate Professor |   Assistant Professor |   Total |
|----------------|-------------|-----------------------|-----------------------|---------|
| Sanctioned     |          43 |                    84 |                   341 |     468 |
| Filled in      |          14 |                    35 |                   237 |     286 |
| Vacant         |          29 |                    49 |                   104 |     182 |

The  vacancy  of  teaching  positions  in  affiliated  colleges/institutions  comes  under  the purview of the State Government and the concerned Governing Bodies of the colleges/institutions.

Non-availability of faculty with requisite qualifications and locational difficulties are some of the main reasons for posts lying vacant.

- (c):     Ministry of Human Resource Development and UGC have repeatedly written to all Central Universities including HNB Garhwal University to expedite filling of vacancies.  The progress has also been discussed in the Conference of Vice-Chancellors of the Central Universities held on 4 th -5 th February,  2015  and  Visitor's  Conference  on  4 th -5 th November, 2015. Visitor's nominees

have  also  been  provided  to  all  Central  Universities  including  HNB  Garhwal  University  for Selection Committees for teachers, to expedite the selection process.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2331 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Implementation of NADS
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: T.G. VENKATESH BABU

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO . 2331 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH  DECEMBER, 2015

## Implementation of NADS

## 2331. SHRI  VENKATESH BABU T.G.:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: a) whether the Government has any proposal to implement National Academic Depository Scheme (NADS); (b) if so, the details along with its proposed functions thereof; (c) whether any Advisory has been issued by the Government to Central universities, institutes and school boards to join NADS; (d) if so, the details along with the response thereof; (e) whether the Government has taken any steps to eliminate the role of private agents; and

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

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

(a) & (b): The Ministry is considering setting up of a National Academic Depository which envisages online storage, verification and authentication of academic awards in the depository.

(c) & (d): No, Madam.

- (e) & (f): Does not arise in view of (c) & (d) above.
- ***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2330 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Setting up of NID Centre in Rajasthan
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: GOPALAKRISHNAN CHINNARAJ

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2330. TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 14 TH  DECEMBER, 2015.

## SETTING UP OF NID CENTRE IN RAJASTHAN

2330. DR. C. GOPALAKRISHNAN:

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

## वाणिज् यवव द्यग ं ्री

- (a) the details and the number of National Institutes of Design (NIDs) functioning across the country at present;
- (b) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  set  up  a  satelite  centre of the Ahmedabad based NID in Rajasthan; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## 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): National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad with two Institute Campuses at Gandhi Nagar and Bangalore and NID, Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh.
- (b): It is proposed to set up an Institute Campus of NID, Ahmedabad in Rajasthan.
- (c): State  Government  of  Rajasthan    has  been  requested  to  identify  and  allot suitable land and other facilities for the purpose.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2329 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Ranking of Jharkhand in Ease of doing Business
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: VISHNU DAYAL RAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL POLICY & PROMOTION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2329. TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 14 TH  DECEMBER, 2015.

## RANKING OF JHARKHAND IN EASE OF DOING BUSINESS

## 2329. SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM:

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

## वाणिज् यवव द्यग ं ्री

- (a) whether  the  Ministry  is  aware  that  the  State  of  Jharkhand  has  delivered  a standout performance and has stood 3rd in the list of States for Ease of Doing Business in the country;
- (b) the  steps  taken  by  the  Ministry  to  analyse  the  best  practices  adopted  by Jharkhand and propagate the same across the country;
- (c) whether  the  Ministry  is  intending  to  further  expand  the  methodology  of  the ranking  and  include  more  parameters  for  the  evaluation  of  Ease  of  Doing Business in future; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof regarding the parameters to be included?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज् यवव द्यग ााज् यं ्रीस् वतं ््रभााा(स्रींतंरीर्ंा ातरीतंाांि( THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

## OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRIMATI NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

- (a): Yes, Madam.
- (b) : The  areas  where  State  of  Jharkhand  has  performed  well  have  been highlighted in the Report and the report has been shared on the official website of Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion [DIPP] (dipp.nic.in)
- (c) & (d): The recommendations for next year's assessment have been finalized in consultation with the State Governments and Industry Associations.  A list  of  340  action  points  has  been  shared  with  the  States  and  Union Territories for implementation in the next year.  These recommendations are available on the official website of DIPP.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2328 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Sedimentary Basins
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: SHASHI THAROOR

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2328

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 th  DECEMBER, 2015

## Sedimentary Basins

## 2328. Dr. Shashi Tharoor

पेट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्री

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

- (a)  whether only 48 per cent of the 26 sedimentary basins and deep offshore areas in the country, have been assessed for oil exploration and production because of inadequate data and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the production of crude oil has dropped from 37.788 MMT in 2013-14 to 37.46 MMT in 2014-15;
- (c)   if so, whether the Government has conducted any new assessment or appraisal under its new projects and schemes;
- (d)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  whether any new hydrocarbon resources have been discovered; and
- (e)  Whether any progressive technology has been employed to map and collect additional geo-scientific data on these sedimentary basins and if so, the details thereof, and if not, the reasons therefore?

## ANSWER

पेट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्रािय में राज्य मंत्री ( प्राार रन्त्िवत्र ( ) प्रााप्र ामेवध ीी )

## MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

- (a):  India  has  a  total  sedimentary  area  of  about  3.14  Million  Sq.  Km  spread  over  all  26 sedimentary  basins  covering  onland,  shallow  water  (less  than  400m  bathymetry),  and deepwater areas (beyond 400m bathymetry).

As of now, only 48% of the basinal areas have been appraised.  Details are as under.

| Area Type   |   Million Sq. Km | %of Total Area   |   Appraised Area Million Sq. Km | Appraised Area %of Total Area   |
|-------------|------------------|------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
| Onland      |             1.39 | 44.3%            |                            0.48 | 15.3%                           |
| Offshore    |             1.75 | 55.7%            |                            1.03 | 32.7%                           |
| Total       |             3.14 | 100.0%           |                            1.51 | 48.0%                           |

- (b)    Crude oil Production for 2013-14 and 2014-15 are as under:

(In Million Metric Tonnes)

| Year              |   2013-14 |   2014-15 |
|-------------------|-----------|-----------|
| ONGC (Nomination) |     22.24 |     22.26 |
| OIL (Nomination)  |      3.47 |      3.41 |
| PSC Regime        |     12.08 |     11.78 |
| Total             |     37.79 |     37.46 |

(c) to (e) Government has initiated a new project for appraisal of unappraised onland area through 2D seismic  survey.   The project is being implemented through ONGC and Oil India Ltd.  The  unappraised  offshore  area  is  being  covered  through  the  policy  of  non-exclusive multi-client speculative survey through service providers.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2327 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Araku Coffee Project
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: GEETHA KOTHAPALLI

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2327 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH  DECEMBER, 2015

## ARAKU COFFEE PROJECT

## 2327. SHRIMATI KOTHAPALLI GEETHA:

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

- a) whether  the  Government  has  implemented  a  coffee  project  in  Araku  valley  in Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh;
- b) if so, the details thereof along with the progress made therein; and
- c) the details of the concessions given to the State for coffee projects in Araku?

## 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)

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

(a) & (b): The Coffee Board has taken up activities for Coffee development in four divisions/ zones viz. Minumuluru, Chintapalli (East & West) and Araku valley in Agency areas of Vishakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh from 1997-98 onwards. The details are as under.

Achiev

32916.7

9

3493.17

3290

7891

11

| Components                  | ements   |
|-----------------------------|----------|
| Expansion (Area in Ha.)     |          |
| Consolidation (Area in Ha.) |          |
| Baby Pulpers (Units)        |          |
| Drying Yards (Units)        |          |
| Mini Hullers (Units)        |          |

622319

29

11

1

| Raising mixed shade saplings (Nos.)   |
|---------------------------------------|
| Community Godown (Nos.)               |
| Community Pulper Units                |
| Mini Coffee Curing Works              |

(c): The Coffee Board reimburses the subsidy amount as per the approved scales to the Nodal Agency i.e. Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), Government of Andhra Pradesh for implementation of various sub components of the plan scheme viz. expansion , consolidation, procurement of baby pulpers etc.

During the XIIth plan, support is extended by the coffee Board in Andhra Pradesh for various activities in the coffee sector, which include, inter alia, expansion /consolidation @ 25% of the unit cost, procurement of baby pulpers for quality improvement@ 50% of the unit cost, raising of mixed shade tree saplings @ Rs. 5/- per seedling, marketing of clean coffee @ Rs. 10/- per kg and eco certification @ 75% towards certification cost. The Board also extends support to individual growers for construction of drying yard @ 50% of the unit cost and purchase of farm machineries @ 75% of the unit cost.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2326 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Shifting of Office
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: DIPSINH SHANKARSINH RATHOD

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2326. TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 14 TH  DECEMBER, 2015.

## SHIFTING OF OFFICE

## 2326. SHRI D.S. RATHOD:

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

## वाणिज् यवव द्यग ं ्री

- (a) whether  representations  have  been  received  to  shift  the  Office  of  the  Salt Commissioner from Jaipur to Gandhinagar or any other place in SaurashtraKutch region of Gujarat; and
- (b) if so, the time by which the said office is proposed to be shifted from Jaipur to any other place in Gujarat?

## 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): Yes, representations have been received to shift the office of the Salt Commissioner  to  some  other  places  in  Gujarat  like  Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad and Bhavnagar.
- (b): The  issue  of  shifting  of  the  headquarter  of  Salt  Commissioner  from Jaipur, Rajasthan to Gujarat was considered by the Government in the year 1994 which went into litigation in a civil Writ Petition No. 6337/94 filed in the High Court of Rajasthan, Jaipur Bench. Based on the order of the Court on 4 th October, 2007, the Government gave hearing to all stakeholders and it was finally decided not to shift headquarter of Salt Commissioner out of Jaipur. Currently there is no proposal to shift this office from Jaipur to any other place in Gujarat.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2325 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Rehabilitation of Displaced People
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: SAKUNTALA LAGURI, RAMA DEVI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2325 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH  DECEMBER, 2015

## REHABILITATION OF DISPLACED PEOPLE

## †2325.  SHRIMATI SAKUNTALA LAGURI: SHRIMATI RAMA DEVI:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  provision  made  for  compensation  and  rehabilitation  of  the families displaced in the mining work;
- (b) whether these provisions are not being followed effectively and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether the Government has received any complaints in this regard;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a):  As  per  clause  (p)  of  sub-rule  (1)  of  rule  27  of  the  Mineral  Concession  Rules, ( MCR ) 1960, one of the conditions subject to which a mining lease is granted is that the lessee shall, in the matter of employment, give preference to the tribals and to the persons who become displaced because of the taking up of mining operations.

Rule  72  of  MCR,  1960  requires  payment  of  an  annual  compensation  to  owner  of surface  rights  for  undertaking  mining  operations.  Rule  73  of  MCR,  1960  requires assessment  of  damage,  if  any,  done  to  the  land  by  the  reconnaissance  or prospecting or mining operations and shall determine the amount of compensation payable by the permit holder or licensee or the lessee as the case may be, to the occupier of  the  surface  land.  These  provisions  are  also  incorporated  in  the  Model Form of  Mining  Lease  as  specified  in  Form  K  mentioned  in  Schedule -I  to  MCR, 1960.

- (b)  and  (c):  The  provisions  of    MCR,  1960,  including  the  provisions  relating  to compensation  and  rehabilitation, are monitored  for  compliance by the State Governments who grant the mining lease. Information on complaints received in this regard are therefore not centrally maintained.
- (d) and (e): Does not arise in view of the reply given to (b) & (c) above.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2324 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Healthcare Facilities under ESIC
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE, A.T. (NANA) PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2324 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2015

## HEALTHCARE FACILITIES UNDER ESIC

2324. SHRIMATI RAKSHATAI KHADSE:

SHRI A.T. NANA PATIL:

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

- (a)whether the Government proposes to universalise healthcare facilities and medical insurance scheme under the ESIC to include all  States  and  districts  of  the  country  and  to  workers  such  as construction  workers  and  self-employed  workers  and  also  some selected groups in urban areas including Maharashtra;
- (b)if so, the details thereof and the details of workers included under
- the self employed workers;
- (c)whether the Government has framed the modalities and time limit for implementing the said scheme and whether there  is  also  a  proposal  to  reduce  the  threshold  limit  from  the present 10 to 5 workers;
- (d)if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  various  benefits  the  workers  are entitled under the said scheme; and
- (e)whether the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) coverage is limited to industrial and commercial pockets only and if so, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b):    Based on recommendation of the 46 TH India Labour Conference (ILC), Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has approved the following:

- i) To  implement  ESIC  scheme  in  remaining  states/UTS.  (3  States and one Union Territory) by December, 2015.
2. ii) To  cover  the  entire  area  of  the  393  districts  in  the  country  in phased  manner,  where  the  scheme  is  already  implemented  in some part (s) of the District.
3. iii) Extended coverage to construction site workers w.e.f. 01/08/2015.
4. iv) A  scheme  for  providing  medical  benefits  to  selected  groups  of un-organized workers like Rickshaw Pullers, Auto-rickshaw Drivers and other such categories. It should be on the pilot basis for selected metropolitan cities and urban areas.

## (c) & (d): The time scheduled is indicated above.

Besides,  ESIC  has  constituted  a  Sub-Committee  recently  to  examine the following:-

- Upto  what  level  the  threshold  be  reduced  with  reference  to
- (i) Section 1(5) of the ESI Act; and
- (ii) Category of the establishment/workers to which this reduced threshold should be applicable.

The Employee, so covered, will be entitled for Medical Benefit, Sickness  Benefit,  Maternity  Benefit,  Disablement  Benefit,  Dependant Benefit,  Funeral  Expenses  &  Unemployment  Allowance  Under  Rajiv

Gandhi Shramik Kalyan Yojana.

- (e): No, Madam.

*******