opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4952 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: ASI Approval for Excavations in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Thiru Dayanidhi Maran, Shri K E Prakash

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4952

ANSWERED ON-23.03.2026

## ASI APPROVAL FOR EXCAVATIONS IN TAMIL NADU

## 4952. THIRU DAYANIDHI MARAN: SHRI K E PRADASH:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

(a) the present status of the proposals submitted by State Government of Tamil Nadu in July 2025  seeking  permission  from  the  Archaeological  Survey  of  India  (ASI)  to  undertake  or continue archaeological excavations at eight sites including Keeladi/Keezhadi Adichanallur and Nagapattinam and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the said proposals have been pending with ASI, if so, the reasons for the delay in granting permission for the said excavations even after the meeting held under the Director General of ASI in November 2025;

(c) whether any scientific, technical or procedural objections have been raised by ASI with respect to the excavation proposals submitted by the State Government of Tamil Nadu and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government is aware that the excavation season in Tamil Nadu runs from January  to  July  and  the  delay  in  granting  permissions  would  result  in  missing  the  current fieldwork window and consequent delay in archaeological research; and

(e) whether any assessment of the potential impact of delays in excavation approvals has been undertaken and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (c)  To  undertake  or  continue  archaeological  excavations  at  eight  sites  including Keeladi/Keezhadi, Adichanallur and Nagapattinam permissions have already been issued by the  Central  Government  to  Tamil  Nadu  State  Department  of  Archaeology,  Government  of Tamil Nadu.

(d) and (e) The Archaeological Survey of India conducts quarterly meeting, to examine the excavation  proposals  received  from  State  Departments  of  Archaeology,  Universities  and Research Institutions for timely issuing the permission.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4950 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: UGC Grants for Colleges in Bargarh and Jharsuguda Districts
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Pradeep Purohit

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4950

ANSWERED ON 23/03/2026

## UGC Grants for Colleges in Bargarh and Jharsuguda Districts

4950. Shri Pradeep Purohit:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the University Grants Commission (UGC) has sanctioned any grants to Government colleges in the districts of Bargarh and Jharsuguda during the last three years;
- (b) if so, the details of the grants sanctioned, released and the amount utilised by each college during the said period, district-wise and college-wise;
- (c) whether any proposals from Government colleges of Bargarh and Jharsuguda districts are pending with the UGC for financial assistance, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to ensure timely release and effective utilisation of UGC grants for strengthening higher education infrastructure in these said two districts?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) : The University Grants Commission (UGC) has informed that no grants have been sanctioned/released to Government colleges in the districts of Bargarh and Jharsuguda during the last three years. The funding under UGC schemes is released under specific schemes of the UGC, and presently, there is no active/open call for grants-in-aid proposals from UGC.

Further,  Ministry  of  Education  is  implementing  Rashtriya  Uchchatar  Shiksha  Abhiyan (RUSA) which is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme aimed at funding specific State government universities and colleges, so as to improve their quality by ensuring their conformity to prescribed norms and standards. In alignment with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Government has launched the third phase of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) in June 2023 in the form of Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) for the period 2023-24 to 2025-26 with an outlay of Rs. 12926.10 crore, to cater to the needs of educationally unserved/ underserved areas. The scheme has been further extended till 31st March,2028, for completion of PM-USHA projects and for an additional 6 months (i.e.,30th September, 2026) for completion of ongoing RUSA projects.

Under this scheme, 199 projects with a total approved amount of Rs. 1581.66 crore have been approved for the state of Odisha including 6 units amounting to Rs. 15 crore in Bargarh district and 5 units amounting to Rs. 12.99 crore in Jharsuguda district.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4946 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: Draft National Youth Policy, 2025
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Baijayant Panda

## Government of India Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports Department of Youth Affairs

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4946 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026

Draft National Youth Policy, 2025

4946. SHRI BAIJAYANT PANDA:

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

- (a) the details of the key objectives and present status of the Draft National  Youth  Policy,  2025,  including  stages  of  inter-ministerial consultation and stakeholder engagement completed so far;
- (b) the number of consultations, outreach programmes and structured interactions conducted at the national and State levels for formulation  of  the  Draft  Policy  along  with  broad  categories  of stakeholders consulted; and
- (c) the extent to which inputs received from the State Government of Odisha  have  been  incorporated  in  the  Draft  Policy,  including  the number  of  submissions  received  and  the  broad  thematic  areas covered?

## THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

## ANSWER [DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA]

- (a) & (b) The draft 'National Youth Policy 2025' is at draft stage. It was placed in the public domain for inviting comments/suggestions. The    objectives  of  the  Draft  'National  Youth  Policy  2025'  can  be accessed at https://yas.nic.in/sites/default/files/Draft%20NYP2025.pdf

Several rounds of consultations and workshop were undertaken since the year  2023 for obtaining suggestions/feedback from central Ministries/Departments, all state/UTs and citizenry for formulation of the  Draft 'National Youth Policy 2025 (NYP 2025)'. The comments were sought from Citizen through online platforms viz. MY Gov, MY Bharat and Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports website.

The  inputs/suggestions  received  from  all  stakeholders  from these  consultations  were  analysed  by  the  Department  of  Youth Affairs  and  incorporated  in  the  draft  NYP  2026  to  the  extent  of mandate of the Department of Youth Affairs. At present, the NYP 2026 is under approval stage.

(c)  No  comments have been received from the State of Odisha on draft National Youth Policy 2026.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4945 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: Closure of industries in Kolhapur
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Shahu Shahaji Chhatrapati

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4945

TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026

## Closure of industries in Kolhapur

## 4945. SHRI SHAHU SHAHAJI CHHATRAPATI:

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

- (a) the number of industrial units in Kolhapur district issued directions for closure during the last three years;
- (b) the number of cases in which bank guarantees were encashed; and
- (c) whether any appellate mechanism exists against such orders and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

## (a) to (c)

As per information provided by Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) Closure Directions to 36 industries in Kolhapur district has been issued for non-compliance of consent conditions during last three  years.  The  bank  guarantees  amounting  to  Rs,  1,10,70,500/-  have  been  encashed  from  49 industries due to non-compliance of MPCB directions issued from time to time. There is an Appellate mechanism under which the appeal may be made against the order passed by the State Board within thirty  days  from  the  date  on  which  the  order  is  communicated  under  Section  28  of  the  Water (Prevention  and  Control  of  Pollution)  Act,  1974  and  under  Section  31  of  the  Air  (Prevention  and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and the appeal may be made to the Principal Secretary, Environment and Climate Change Department, Government of Maharashtra.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4942 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: Archaeological Explorations at Poompuhar
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Km. Sudha R

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4942 ANSWERED ON-23.03.2026

## ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXPLORATIONS AT POOMPUHAR

4942. KM. SUDHA R:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  current  status  of  the  recent  underwater  archaeological  explorations  at  Poompuhar (Kaveripoompattinam) in Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu;
- (b) the details of any preliminary findings on ancient trade routes, shipwrecks or its history;
- (c)  the  details  of  budgetary  allocations  provided  by  the  Government  for  the  Poompuhar excavations  and  related  archaeological  projects  in  Tamil  Nadu  during  the  last  five  years  and whether additional funds have been sought or approved following the announcement of deep-sea explorations;
- (d) whether the Government plans to integrate these findings with broader cultural preservation efforts; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the measures to promote it in the Cauvery delta region?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  and  (b)  The  Central  Government  has  issued  permission  for  exploration  at  Poompuhar  to Tamil  Nadu  State  Department  of  Archaeology,  Government  of  Tamil  Nadu  in  2025,  and  the report on the work conducted by State Department is not submitted as yet.

(c) Tamil Nadu Government has allocated amount of Rs. 14.91 lakhs in 2025-26 for Poompuhar excavations and related archaeological projects.

(d) and (e) Tamil Nadu Government has proposed an Archaeological museum (Navaai Museum) for broader culture preservation.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4941 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: Low Participation in Industrial Apprenticeship Training under NATS/NAPS in Tirupati
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Maddila Gurumoorthy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4941 ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026

Low Participation in Industrial Apprenticeship Training under NATS/NAPS in Tirupati

## 4941. Shri Maddila Gurumoorthy:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  reasons  for  low  industry  participation  in  apprenticeship  training  under  National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS)/National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) in Tirupati district along with the steps proposed to be taken by the Government to incentivise more establishments to engage apprentices;
- (b)  the  status  of  awareness  campaigns  conducted  to  inform  students  and  job  seekers  in  the said district about apprenticeship opportunities under NATS/NAPS along with the measurable outcomes achieved from such initiatives; and
- (c) the specific measures taken by the Government to simplify compliance and administrative procedures for Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Tirupati to register and mentor apprentices under the national apprenticeship framework?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (c):    The  Government  is  implementing  apprenticeship  training  through  the  National Apprenticeship  Promotion  Scheme  (NAPS)  under  Ministry  of  Skill  Development  and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) under Ministry of Education (MoE), as per the provisions of the Apprentices Act, 1961. To facilitate greater participation, the Government has taken measures such as simplification of procedures through  online  portals,  provision  for  centralized  registration,  enabling  basic  training  by establishments  and  engagement  of  Third  Party  Aggregators  to  assist  especially  MSMEs  in operational and compliance-related activities. Monitoring and review mechanisms have also been  strengthened  at  multiple  levels.  Currently  28  companies  from  Tirupati  are  available under NATS.

Workshops,  stakeholder  interactions  and  initiatives  such  as  the  Pradhan  Mantri  National Apprenticeship  Mela  (PMNAM)  are  conducted  to  promote  apprenticeship  training  and facilitate effective coordination and engagement between industry, institutions and candidates.  Establishments  in  Andhra  Pradesh,  including  Tirupati  district,  are  participating under  both  schemes  and  candidates  are  being  engaged  through  various  outreach  initiatives including PMNAM.

The schemes provide for online processes relating to registration, contract generation, stipend payment  and  monitoring,  thereby  reducing  procedural  requirements  for  establishments, including MSMEs.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4940 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: Increase in Share of Devolution to States
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Smt. Rachna Banerjee

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4940

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 23 RD  MARCH, 2026 CHAITRA 02, 1948 (SAKA)

## INCREASE IN SHARE OF DEVOLUTION TO STATES

4940. SMT. RACHNA BANERJEE :

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that the States in the country have been demanding a larger share of devolution from 41 per cent to 50 per cent, if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether it is a fact that only 39 per cent gross tax revenue is shared with States as opposed to 41 per cent as recommended by the 15th Finance Commission, if so, the details and the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Para 7.36 of Chapter 7 of Volume I of the 16 th Finance Commission (16 th  FC) Report mentions that eighteen States through their respective State Memoranda demanded a larger share of devolution from 41 per cent to 50 per cent from the 16 th Finance Commission. Details of consultations of the 16 th FC with the States may be seen at Annexure 1.7 of Volume II of the 16 th FC Report available at https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/doc/16fcvol2.pdf.
- (b) Does not arise. The Government has shared taxes and duties as per the recommendations of the Fifteenth Finance Commission (15 th FC). The 15 th FC recommended that 41% of the divisible pool of taxes be shared with the States which the Government has duly done.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 4938 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: Outstanding loan under Kisan Credit Cards
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Balashowry Vallabhaneni

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4938

ANSWERED ON MONDAY, 23 MARCH, 2026/ 02 CHAITRA, 1947 (SAKA)

## Outstanding loan under Kisan Credit Cards

4938. SHRI BALASHOWRY VALLABHANENI:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that the total outstanding loan under Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) has gone up from Rs. 7.53 lakh crores in 2020-21 to Rs. 10.2 lakh crores in 2024-25;
- (b) if so, the amount of outstanding loan as of February, 2026;
- (c) whether it is also a fact that outstanding loan under KCC in Andhra Pradesh has gone up from Rs. 52,280 crores at the end of March, 2021 to Rs. 68,000 crores at a time when cards issued has not gone up considerably, if so, the reasons therefor;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  is  likely  to  consider  increasing  the  timely  repayment  of outstanding amount from 3% to 5%; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) and (b): As reported by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) & National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), the total outstanding amount in operative Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) accounts was ₹ 9.86 lakh crore (data provisional) as on 31.12.2025, while it was ₹ 10.20 lakh crore as on 31.03.2025 and ₹ 7.53 lakh crore as on 31.03.2021. As KCC data is reported on a quarterly basis, data as on 28.02.2026 is not readily available.
- (c): The details of amount outstanding and the number of operative accounts under KCC in the State of Andhra Pradesh are given below:
- (d) and (e): Under the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS), the Government of India provides an Interest Subvention (IS) of 1.5% to lending financial institutions for extending short-term working capital loans up to ₹3 lakh (upto ₹2 lakh in case of allied activities) through the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) at a concessional rate of 7% per annum. Additionally, a Prompt Repayment Incentive (PRI) of 3% is also offered to farmers on timely repayment, effectively reducing the interest rate to 4% per annum for farmers.

| Details of KCC loans   | Amount outstanding (₹ crore)   | No. of accounts (in actuals)   |
|------------------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
| As on 31.03.2021       | 52,279                         | 46,05,047                      |
| As on 31.03.2025       | 69,393                         | 46,58,994                      |
Lok Sabha Question No. 4933 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: Replacement of UGC and AICTE
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri V K Sreekandan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

## DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-4933

ANSWERED ON23/03/2026

## Replacement of UGC and AICTE

4933.   Shri V K Sreekandan:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government proposes to replace the University Grants Commission (UGC)and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE);
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has initiated any steps in this regard; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d): The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025 has been introduced in the Lok Sabha on 15.12.2025 for establishment of the Viksit Bharat Shiksha  Adhishthan along-with the three Councils duly subsuming the University Grants Commission (UGC) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). The Bill has been referred to the Joint Committee of both Houses of Parliament.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4932 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: Scholarships Processed and Disbursed through the NSP to Reserved Categories
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Saumitra Khan, Smt. Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo, Shri Rahul Singh Lodhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

## DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4932 ANSWERED ON 23/03/2026

## Scholarships Processed and Disbursed through the NSP to Reserved Categories

## 4932.   Shri Saumitra Khan:

Smt. Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo:

Shri Rahul Singh Lodhi:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number of scholarships processed and disbursed through the National Scholarship Portal  (NSP)  during  the  last  three  years  in  West  Bengal,  Odisha  and  Damoh  Lok  Sabha Constituency of Madhya Pradesh, scheme-wise;
- (b) the coverage of scholarship beneficiaries in Odisha, particularly among Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBCs and economically weaker sections, district-wise; and

(c) the outreach initiatives undertaken to enhance awareness and accessibility of scholarships among rural and aspirational districts of Odisha?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) is maintained by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeITY). As per the information provided by the NSP, the total number of post-matric and higher education scholarships processed and disbursed through the NSP during the last three years, schemewise, particularly in the States of West Bengal, Odisha and Damoh Lok Sabha Constituency of Madhya Pradesh; and the coverage of scholarships available on NSP for post-matric and higher education  during  the  last  three  years  in  Odisha,  category-wise  and  district-wise    may  be accessed at https://www.education.gov.in/parl\_ques .

To  enhance  awareness  and  outreach  among  students  to  improve  access  to  various scholarship schemes available on NSP, the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) conducts open sessions wherein the NSP team provides guidance on registration, application submission, and verification  procedures.  NSP  also  actively  responds  to  queries  related  to  technical  issues, process-related challenges, and policy-related clarifications. Further, to enhance accessibility of scholarships among rural and aspirational districts, the NSP is integrated with Common Services Centre (CSC) which facilitates students by providing option to do face authentication and submit the application form.