opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3622 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-08
Subject: Implementation of EPFO Benefits
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: PASHUPATI NATH SINGH

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

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3622 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2016

## IMPLEMENTATION OF EPFO BENEFITS

†3622. SHRI PASHUPATI NATH SINGH:

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

- (a)whether  the  Employees  Provident  Fund  Organisation  (EPFO)  is properly implementing its various benefits, Provident Fund, Family Pension and Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme for workers included in its ambit in Jharkhand State and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)whether the Government is aware of the problems being faced by the  workers of various organisations, Government undertakings in Jharkhand;
- (c)if so, the details thereof along with the remedial steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard;
- (d)the  details  of  irregularities  reportedly  committed  by  EPFO  for scuttling the interests of workers in the country including Jharkhand during the said period; and
- (e)the action taken by the Government against the erring officials?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Yes, Madam. Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is constantly  endeavouring  in  proper  implementation  of  the  Employees' Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions (EPF&MP) Act, 1952 and the  schemes  framed  thereunder  across  the  country,  including  in  the State of Jharkhand, which include:
- (i)  timely  settlement  of  Provident  Fund,  Pension  and    Deposit-Linked Insurance Scheme claims.

Contd..2/-

- (ii) prompt action for coverage of establishments as well as members to bring them under the ambit of EPF&MP Act, 1952. (b) & (c): Issues  faced  by  members  have  been  received  by  EPFO through representations and letters from various quarters from time to time.  To address these issues, a number of steps have been taken by EPFO, including: (i) Organizing seminars for employers as well as employees from time to time to disseminate information about their rights, obligations and duties as well as on how benefits of technology solutions implemented by EPFO can be availed of by them. (ii) A regular forum Nidhi Apke Dwar is held on 10 th  of every month at Regional  Office  as  well  as  Sub-Regional  Offices  of  EPFO  to  address and resolve issues faced by employees and employers. (iii) EPFO has an online grievance redessal system, namely, Employees Provident  Fund  Internet  Grievance  Management  System  (EPFiGMS) and Facilitation Centers for redressing  grievances at Regional & SubRegional Offices.  Efforts are made to resolve the grievances within 30 days. No report of EPFO working towards scuttling the interests of  workers  in  the  country,  including  in  the  State  of  Jharkhand  has
- (d) & (e): come to the notice of the Government.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3621 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-08
Subject: Central Universities
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: BHOLA SINGH

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3621 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2016

## Central Universities

## 3621. DR. BHOLA SINGH:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a)  the  number  of  Central  Universities  that  have  been  sanctioned  in  the    country recently, State-wise; (b)  the  number  of  these  universities  where  teaching  has  started,  building  has  been constructed or is under construction; (c) the total sanctioned strength of non-teaching staff in the said universities; (d) whether it would be increased as per demand of the universities; and

- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. MAHENDRA NATH PANDEY)

(a)  to  (e):  During  the  12 th Plan,  only  one  Central  University  namely  Mahatma Gandhi Central  University,  Motihari  has  been  established  in  the  State  of  Bihar  in  December, 2014.  The  Vice  Chancellor  has  been  appointed  and  the  University  has  issued advertisement for admission during the academic session 2016-17. Construction work has not been started as the State Government has not allotted the land.  At present, the total  number  of  sanctioned  non-teaching  posts  in  the  said  University  is  13.  The University Grants Commission sanctions non-teaching positions in the Central Universities as per laid down norms.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3620 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-08
Subject: Promotion of Medical Tourism in Punjab
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: RAVNEET SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3620 ANSWERED ON 08.08.2016

## PROMOTION OF MEDICAL TOURISM IN PUNJAB

## 3620. SHRI RAVNEET SINGH:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  many  Non-Resident  Indians come  to  Punjab  for  availing  treatment  which  is  cost-effective  for them as compared to foreign countries;
- (b) whether the Government has made any assessment of the potential of  medical tourism in Punjab as it has many private superspeciality hospitals capable of providing quality medical treatment; and
- (c) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  efforts  being  made  to  promote medical tourism in the State of Punjab?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c):   Yes, Madam.  India is developing into a hub for Medical Tourism and many foreigners including Non Resident Indians are visiting hospitals in  various  parts  of  India  including  the  State  of  Punjab  for  availing  costeffective  treatments  with  minimal  waiting  time  in  comparison  to  their home countries.

Realising  the  vast  potential  for  Medical  Tourism  in  the  country including  in  Punjab,  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  actively  promotes  Medical Tourism  through  its  overseas  offices  and  also  by  providing  Marketing Development Assistance to Medical Tourism Facilitators.

In order to provide dedicated institutional framework to take forward the  cause  of  promotion  of  Medical  Tourism,  Wellness  Tourism  and  any other  format  of  Indian  system  of  medicine  covered  by  Ayurveda,  Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) across the country including in been constituted.  The  Board  shall  work  as  an  umbrella  organization  that

Punjab, a National Medical and Wellness Tourism Board has governs and promotes this segment of tourism in an organized manner.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3619 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-08
Subject: Proposals under RUSA
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: KAMAKHYA PRASAD TASA

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

## LOK  SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3619 TO BE ANSWERED ON 8 TH   AUGUST, 2016

## Proposals under RUSA

3619 . SHRI KAMAKHYA PRASAD TASA : Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has any proposals under Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) to construct boundary wall in the schools; (b) if so, the details thereof; and (c)  the  procedure  to  sanction  school  building  for  extra  class  rooms  and  science

- laboratory along with the implementing authority of this funds?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. MAHENDRA NATH PANDEY)

(a) to (c): No, Madam. Under Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), central assistance is provided for higher education institutions such as colleges/universities. Schools are not supported under the scheme. However,  under  the  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  of  Rashtriya  Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) funding is provided for classrooms, science laboratories, library, computer room, art/craft/culture room, toilets, drinking water facilities etc. in new/upgraded  and  existing  secondary  schools.  The  framework  of  the  scheme provides that boundary walls are to be constructed by the States/UTs if not already constructed. Under RMSA, proposals for new/upgraded secondary schools and strengthening of existing schools are submitted by the States/UTs under the Annual Work Plan, which are examined and approved as per guidelines of the scheme and availability of the budget, in consultation with the State/UT. The  States/UT

Government  implement  the  approved  interventions  through  the  through  State

Implementing Societies (SIS) created under Societies Registration Act. Under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) issues guidelines in respect of Annual Work Plan & Budget (AWP&B) proposals to be submitted by the States/UTs in beginning of every year. States/UTs come forward for approval of infrastructure components based on gap as per Unified District Information System of Education (UDISE) Data in their respective AWP&B  plan  in  the  beginning  of  every  year  for  the  ensuing  financial  year  for consideration by MHRD  in the Project Approval Board (PAB). Additional requirements of gaps based on the UDISE data for infrastructure components are approved as per admissibility and justification. State  Implementing  Society  of  SSA  implements  the  scheme  in  accordance with SSA Framework and State Right to Education (RTE) rules/ regulations.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3618 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-08
Subject: e-Commerce Companies
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: RAVINDRA BABU  PANDULA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL POLICY & PROMOTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3618. TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 8 TH   AUGUST, 2016.

## e-COMMERCE COMPANIES

## 3618.  DR. RAVINDRA BABU:

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

## वाणिज् यवव द्यग ं ्री

- (a) the total number of e-commerce companies working in the country;
- (b) the total amount of business done by these companies during the year 2015-16; and
- (c) the terms and conditions of licence for operating an e-commerce company in the country?

## 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) & (b): Data  on  number  of  e-Commerce  companies  working  in  India  is  not centrally  maintained.  Further,  the  Government  has  not  undertaken  any study to assess the business size of these companies.
- (c): The e-Commerce companies are liable for compliance of the Companies Act and other applicable laws of the country. Such companies with FDI can operate only in activities which are specifically permitted as per the 'Consolidated  FDI  Policy  Circular  of  2016'.  Further,  activities  of  eCommerce  companies  inter  alia  involve  permission/  compliance  of Shops and Establishment Act of the State concerned.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3617 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-08
Subject: Madarsas Education
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: E. T. MOHAMMED BASHEER

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3617 TO BE ANSWERED ON 8.8.2016

## Madarsas Education

3617. SHRI E.T. MOHAMMED BASHEER: Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a) the role of the Government in modernisation of Madarsas Education and the schemes therefor; (b) the amount spent for the purpose during the last three years and the current year so far, year -wise; (c) whether it is a fact that impetus on those schemes has decreased and desired goal has not been achieved because of lack of interest of the department; and
2. (d) if so, the details in this regard and the steps being taken to prepare a time bound programme to achieve the purpose?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI UPENDRA KUSHWAHA)

- (a): The centrally sponsored Scheme for Providing Quality Education to Madarsas (SPQEM) is being implemented all over the country through the State and UT Governments. SPQEM provides financial assistance to encourage traditional institutions like Madarsas and Maktabs to introduce modern education in subjects such as Science, Mathematics, Social Studies, Hindi and English in their curriculum through support for teachers, books, Teaching Learning Materials and Computer Labs. The scheme aims at providing the students education comparable with national standards.

(b): The details of amount spent for the purpose during the last three years and the current year so far are as under: -

|   S.No. | Year                      |   Grant released (Rs. in Lakhs) |
|---------|---------------------------|---------------------------------|
|       1 | 2013 - 14                 |                         18273.4 |
|       2 | 2014 - 15                 |                         10782.9 |
|       3 | 2015 - 16                 |                         29410.3 |
|       4 | 2016 - 17 (upto 3.8.2016) |                          8330   |

( c) & (d): No madam, a number of steps have been taken during 2015 -16 to sensitize the States/ UTs about the guidelines of SPQEM. A National Workshop was held on 09.10.2015 to disseminate information amongst the stakeholders. The Department also held two meetings with the State Governments on 22.12.2015 and 29.02.2016 on how to prepare viable proposals as per norms so as to ensure that maximum benefits are availed of. Due to the concerted efforts made in this direction, the Department was able to incur expenditure of Rs. 29410.28 lakhs during 2015 -16, which is the highest since the inception of the scheme. 20727 Madarsas and 50957 teachers have been assisted under the scheme during 2015 -16.

However, since the process of modernization of traditional Madarsas and Maktabs is voluntary, it is upto the individual Madarsa/ Maktab to send its proposal through the State Governments to avail the benefits of the Scheme.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3614 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-08
Subject: Bilateral Trade between India and Canada
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: BHEEMRAO BASWANTHRAO PATIL

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3614 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08 TH  AUGUST, 2016

## BILATERAL TRADE BETWEEN INDIA AND CANADA

## 3614. SHRI BHEEMRAO B. PATIL:

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

- (a) whether  the  trade  ministers  of  India  and  Canada  have  recently  met  for  a  ministerial dialogue  to  take  steps  to  boost  bilateral  trade  and  investment  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b) whether  India  has  demanded  greater  market  access  in  Canada  for  Indian  exports, particularly from sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, textile, clothing leather and organic products and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether India's major concern is the lack of a 'bilateral equivalence arrangement' between both the countries to recognize as 'equivalent' under their own rules-each other's organic production norms as well as accreditation and certification systems; and
- (d) if so, the details and the present status thereof?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx jkT; ea=h ¼Jherh fueZyk lhrkje.k½ ¼Lora= izHkkj½

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

- (a) to (d):   No, Madam. The Trade Minister of India and Canada are likely to meet for a Ministerial  Dialogue in the last week of September, 2016.

……
Lok Sabha Question No. 3613 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-08
Subject: Dress Code for AIPMT Exam
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: ARVIND GANPAT SAWANT

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3613 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2016

Dress Code for AIPMT Exam

†3613. SHRI ARVIND SAWANT: Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a) whether the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has prescribed dress  code  for  the  candidates  appearing  for  the  All  India  Pre-Medical  Test (AIPMT); (b) if so, whether the CBSE has conducted any study/survey or consulted the State Governments before taking any decision on dress code; (c) if so, the justification for taking such decision; (d) whether it is a fact that several Muslim girls have raised objection on dress code  prescribed  by  the  CBSE  as  they  are  not  allowed  to  wear  'Hijab'  in Examination Hall; and (e)  if  so,  whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  give  instruction  to  the CBSE to revert  its  decision  of  imposing  a  dress  code  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI UPENDRA KUSHWAHA)

(a)  to  (e):  Central  Board  of  Secondary  Education  (CBSE)  had  suggested  a dress  code  for  candidates  appearing  in  All  India  Pre-Medical  Test  (AIPMT) examination held on July 25, 2015 to ensure fair conduct of the examinations.  CBSE received representations with regard to suggested dress code. However, Hon'ble Supreme Court of India, in its order dated 24.07.2015 in WP(C) No.486/2015 and 487/2015 upheld the decision of CBSE regarding the dress code.  In another Writ Petition (C) No.6813/2016, the Hon'ble High Court  of  Kerala,  vide  order  dated  26.04.2016  made  it  clear  that  all  such candidates will report at the Centre at least half an hour before the scheduled time for frisking.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3612 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-08
Subject: Economic and Demographic Rights of Tribals
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: JYOTIRADITYA MADHAVRAO SCINDIA, KAMAL NATH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3612

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2016

## ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC RIGHTS OF TRIBALS

## 3612. SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA: SHRI KAMAL NATH:

Will the Minister of Tribal Affairs be pleased to state :-

- (a) whether the Government has received any representations regarding violation of economic and demographic rights of tribals in the country;
- (b) if so, the number of representations received in this regard during the last three years and the action taken by the Government thereon;
- (c) whether a number of such representations are pending with the Government; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken/being taken by the Government for their expeditious settlement?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI JASWANTSINGH SUMANBHAI BHABHOR)

- (a): Ministry of Tribal Affairs has received representations from time to time on issues relating to educational  schemes  including  scholarships  being  given  to  Scheduled  Tribe  (ST)  students, inclusion/exclusion  of  any  community  in  /  from  the  list  of  Scheduled  Tribes  of  a  State  /  UT, implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, funds released under various schemes of the Ministry to States/UTs and Voluntary Organizations.

(b) to (d):The Ministry receives representations/grievances directly through the Centralized Public Grievance and Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS). The status of grievances received online through CPGRAMS during the last three financial years is as under:-

| Year      |   No. of grievances brought forward |   No. of grievances received during the period |   Total Receipts |   Cases disposed of during the period |
|-----------|-------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|------------------|---------------------------------------|
| 2013-2014 |                                 103 |                                            264 |              367 |                                   349 |
| 2014-2015 |                                  18 |                                            491 |              509 |                                   447 |
| 2015-2016 |                                  62 |                                            777 |              839 |                                   718 |

As on 4 th August, 2016, in addition to above brought forward 121 grievances from the financial year 2015-2016, 259 new grievances were received during the current financial year.  A total of 257 grievances have been disposed of with closing balance of 123. The representations are processed as per extant guidelines on the issues raised and are appropriately addressed.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3608 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-08
Subject: FDI in Petroleum Sector
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: GANESH SINGH

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3608 TO BE ANSWERED ON 8 th  AUGUST, 2016

## FDI IN PETROLEUM SECTOR

*******

3608. SHRI GANESH SINGH:

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

- (a) whether  Foreign  Direct  Investment  in  the  petroleum  sector  might  expose  the  natural resources  to  major  exploitation  and  thereby  adversely  effect  the  growth  of  petroleum industry;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto; and
- (c) the corrective/reformative steps being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (c)  The  Government  of  India  permits  Foreign  Direct  Investment  (FDI)  across  the hydrocarbon  value  chain  covering  the  upstream,  downstream  and  midstream  sectors.  The present  FDI  policy  for  petroleum  &  natural  gas  sector  allows  100%  automatic  route  for exploration and production, refining by the private companies (for public sector companies 49%  on  automatic  route  without  any  disinvestment  or  dilution  of  domestic  equity  in  the existing PSUs), marketing of petroleum products, pipelines, storage and LNG regasification infrastructure  and  all  related  services,  subject  to  existing  sectoral  policy  and  regulatory framework in the oil and gas sector.

Exploration and Production of oil and gas are capital intensive and high risk activities requiring use of expensive state-of-the-art technologies and best management practices.  Accordingly,  the  Government  is  encouraging  participation  of  the  private  sector, including  foreign  companies  in  exploration,  production  and  transportation  network  for petroleum  and  natural  gas,  in  order  to  supplement  the  domestic  investment  as  well  as  the efforts of the national oil companies in meeting the rising demand of oil and gas and reducing import dependence.

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