opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 223 (STARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Status of Stadiums in Gujarat
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Haribhai Patel

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. † *223

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026

Status of Stadiums in Gujarat

†*223. SHRI HARIBHAI PATEL:

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

- (a) the total number of outdoor and indoor sports stadiums constructed in Gujarat particularly in Northern Gujarat during the last three years and the current year;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  construct  new  outdoor  and indoor sports stadiums in Northern Gujarat, including the Mahesana Lok Sabha Constituency; and

(c) if so, the time by which it is likely to be done?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. †*223 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026  REGARDING  'STATUS  OF  STADIUMS  IN  GUJARAT'  ASKED BY SHRI HARIBHAI PATEL, HON'BLE MEMBER OF LOK SABHA.

(a) to (c) 'Sports' being a State subject, the responsibility of development of sports, including construction of outdoor and indoor sports stadiums, rests  primarily  with  the  State/Union  Territory  Governments.  The  Union Government supplements their efforts by bridging critical gaps. However,  the  Khelo  India  Scheme  and  National  Sports  Development Fund  (NSDF),  implemented  by  this  Ministry,  under  which  financial assistance  for  development  of  sports  infrastructure  is  provided  are demand-driven  schemes.  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.

The  details  of  the  sports  infrastructure  projects  approved    under  the Khelo India Scheme and NSDF, across the country, including in the State of Gujarat, are available in the public domain on the dashboards of the Ministry at https://mdsd.kheloindia.gov.in. and http://www.nsdf.yas.gov.in/nsdf-glance.html.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2758 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Registration of Granite and Agriculture Sector
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Dinesh Chandra Yadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2758

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026

## REGISTRATION OF GRANITE AND AGRICULTURE SECTOR

†2758. SHRI DINESH CHANDRA YADAV:

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

- (a)whether the workers in the granite and agriculture sector have been registered in Bihar; and
- (b)if so, the details thereof along with the number of workers in the
- said sectors?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b): The Ministry of Labour and Employment launched eShram portal (eshram.gov.in) on  26 th August,  2021  for creation of a comprehensive National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW) including platform workers, migrant workers etc. The eShram portal registers the unorganised workers including gig and platform workers and  provides  them  a  Universal  Account  Number  (UAN)  on  a  selfdeclaration basis.

As  on  2 nd   March  2026,  over  31.55  crore  unorganised workers  have  already  been  registered  on  eShram  portal  including over  1.56  crore  unorganised  workers  registered  in  the  mining  and agriculture sector in Bihar.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2757 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Limited Representation of Rural Institution in NIRF Rankings
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Smt. Sajda Ahmed

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2757

ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026

## Limited Representation of Rural Institution in NIRF Rankings

2757. Smt. Sajda Ahmed:

Will the Minister of Education be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  the  recent  National Institutional  Ranking Framework (NIRF) rankings show limited representation of rural institutions;

(b) if so, the reasons for such under-representation;

(c) whether any concerns have been raised on the rationality and due diligence of the NIRF process, if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether it is a fact that private involvement in the process has affected its credibility, if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government to ensure transparency, fairness and inclusivity in the NIRF rankings, particularly for rural institutions?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (e):  To  promote  healthy  competition  among  Higher  Education  Institutions  (HEIs), National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) was launched in 2015 by the Government of India for the annual ranking (called India Rankings) of these HEIs. The methodology of India Rankings is based on five broad parameters, i.e. 'Teaching, Learning and Resources,' 'Research and Professional Practices,' 'Graduation Outcomes,' 'Outreach and Inclusivity,' and 'Peer Perception'.

The list of Ranked & Rank-Band institutions is announced every year and published on the NIRF website, which is available to all stakeholders as well as to the general public. In India Rankings 2025, the NIRF has evaluated institutions across 17 categories/disciplines. Notably, approximately  35%  of  the  top-ranked  institutions,  including  all  categories/disciplines,  are located in rural areas, highlighting the growing prominence of such institutions in the national higher education landscape.

The data for ranking is sourced primarily through two channels; i.e. institutional submissions provided  directly  by  participating  institutions  and  verified  third-party  databases,  including Scopus, Web of Science, Derwent Innovation, and Journal Citation Reports.

As part of the process, participating institutions are required to upload their submitted data on their official websites. This practice enables transparency and allows stakeholders, including public, peer institutions, and other entities, to review and provide feedback on the accuracy of the submissions. The consolidated data of ranked institutions is made publicly available on the official NIRF website.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2755 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Internship Policy for Promotion of Sports Ecosystem
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Ashish Dubey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS

## DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †2755 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026

Internship Policy for Promotion of Sports Ecosystem

†2755. SHRI ASHISH DUBEY:

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

- (a)  the key features and objectives of the overall internship policy launched in December 2025 for sports ecosystem;
- (b)  the  details  of  eligible  internship  areas  such  as  sports  science, anti-doping,  event management  and  player  support  services  along with the institutional partners involved therein;
- (c) the mechanisms implemented for transition towards monitoring, certification  and  formal roles  for  the  interns  who  complete  the programme; and
- (d) whether the Government proposes to develop outcome indicators to evaluate  the long-term impact  of the internship policy  on employability  and  sports  professionalisation  and  if  so,  the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c) A Comprehensive Internship Policy has been launched for the  Department  of  Sports  and  its  Autonomous  Bodies  to  provide structured  opportunities  for  young  professionals,  researchers  and students to gain practical exposure in sports administration,

management,  science  and  governance.  The  details  of  the  Policy, including its  salient  features  and  objectives,  the  eligible  areas  for internship such as sports science, anti-doping, event management and athlete support services,  the institutional partners associated with the programme, the number of internship opportunities available,  as  well  as  the  mechanisms  established  for  monitoring, certification and facilitating the transition of interns into formal roles upon successful completion of the programme, are available in the public domain on the website of this Ministry.

(d) No sir. However, the policy objective is to provide the opportunity for  the  eligible  youth  to  understand  and  experience  the  sports ecosystem with a long term view to improve the employability and professionalism in the sports sector.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2751 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Utilisation of  Khelo India Fund
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Sukhdeo Bhagat

## Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports

## Government of India Department of Sports

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2751 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026

## Utilisation of Khelo India Fund

## 2751. SHRI SUKHDEO BHAGAT:

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

- (a)  whether  Rs.  1000  crore  has  been  allocated  to  Khelo  India  scheme during the year 2025- 26;
- (b)  whether  it  is  true  that  certain  allocated  funds  of  Rs.  122.30  crore during  multiple  years  were  returned  and  Rs.  38-79  crore  diverted  fund remained unspent or were re-purposed that reduced grassroots impact;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and, if not the reasons therefor; and
- (d)  the  corrective  steps  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  and  the  timeline fixed by the Government to ensure full utilisation of budget allocation for infrastructure and athlete support?

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

- (a) An amount of Rs. 1000 crore was allocated at Budget Estimate (B.E.) stage under the Khelo India Scheme during the year 2025-26, which has been revised to Rs. 700 crore at Revised Estimate (R.E.) stage.
- (b) to (d) Under the Khelo India Scheme, an amount of Rs. 122.33 crore was returned as unspent balance during financial year 2024-25 due to shifting  from  Central  Nodal  Agency  (CNA)  based  fund  flow  system  to Treasury  Single  Account  (TSA)  based  fund  flow  system.  However,  the unspent  balance  of  Rs.  122.33  crore  has  been  made  available  for utilisation in the current financial year under various sports infrastructure  and  other  activities  under  the  Khelo  India  Scheme.

Further,  an  amount  of  Rs.  154.25  crore  was  re-appropriated  during  FY 2024 -25 from Khelo India Scheme to meet the fund requirements of the National Sports University (NSU).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2745 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Support to Tribal Youth in Odisha
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Dr. Rabindra Narayan Behera

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2745 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026

Support To Tribal Youth In Odisha

†2745.  DR. RABINDRA NARAYAN BEHERA:

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

- (a)  Whether  the  tribal  youth  of  Jajpur  Lok  Sabha  Constituency  in Odisha have shown remarkable performance in various sports and games and represented the State and the  country at national  and international levels;
- (b) If so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to promote and support Tribal youth of Jajpur district of Odisha in the field of sports?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c) Under the Khelo India Scheme, the State of Odisha has a significant presence in the national sports ecosystem. At present, 80 identified Khelo India Athletes (KIAs), including athletes from Jajpur, are receiving specialized support under the scheme. These athletes have collectively secured 4,726 medals at the national level and 945 medals at international competitions during the last three years.

Further, through the Khelo India Scheme, 01 Khelo India Centre (KIC) dedicated to Football has been notified and is operational at Mahagiri Govt.  High  School,  Kuhika  in  Jajpur.  These  centres  aim  to  utilize existing  infrastructure  and  provide  quality  coaching  through  Past Champion Athletes (PCAs).  Identified KIAs from the region receive

comprehensive support of ₹6.28 lakh per annum, which includes an Out-of-Pocket Allowance (OPA) of ₹10,000 per month directly to the athlete, alongside funding for coaching, diet, and sports science.

In addition, athletes from Jajpur have access to the Khelo India State Centre  of  Excellence  (KISCE)  at  Kalinga  Stadium,  Bhubaneswar, which has been strengthened with high-performance sports science manpower and equipment to support advanced training and performance development.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2740 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Conservation and Promotion of Diverse Cultural Richness
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri T R Baalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2740 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026

## CONSERVATION AND PROMOTION OF DIVERSE CULTURAL RICHNESS

## 2740.  SHRI T R BAALU:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state :-

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  contemplating  to  formulate  a  new  and  robust  policy framework to conserve and promote the diverse cultural richness of the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the action plan for its implementation; and
- (c) the  details  of  the  fund  allocated  during  the  current  year  and  utilisation  thereof, State/UT-wise?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  and  (b)  The  Government  of  India,  through  the Ministry  of  Culture  and  its  autonomous bodies  already  has  robust  policy  framework  to  conserve  and  promote  the  diverse  cultural richness of the country. The Ministry of Culture administers various schemes viz. Financial Assistance  for  promotion  of  art  and  culture,  Repertory  Grant,  Scheme  of  Scholarship  and Fellowship for Promotion of Art, Museum Grants Scheme, and the Scheme for Safeguarding the  Intangible  Cultural  Heritage.  Various  museums  under  this  Ministry  also  serve  as  a timeless  cultural  space,  undertake  thematic  exhibitions,  international  collaborations,  and representation  through  galleries  and  digitization  efforts  to  ensure  preservation  of  traditions and customs. Besides,  autonomous bodies confers awards such as Sahitya Akademi Award, Sangeet  Natak  Akademi  Award,  Lalit  Kala  Akademi  Award,  Ustad  Bismillah  Khan  Yuva Puraskar  etc.  The  Translation  Prize  is  presented  to  outstanding  book(s)  of  literary  merit published in 24 Indian languages by Sahitya Akademi. In order to expand its reach, Sahitya Akademi also provides Bhasha Samman, in languages other than the ones recognised by it, for which adequate budgetary allocation are made every year.

(c) The Ministry administers these above-mentioned Central Sector Schemes to conserve and promote the diverse  cultural  richness  across  the  country.  Specific  funds  are  not  allotted  to States/UTs.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2739 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Deployment of Primary Teachers in SIR
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Imran Masood

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO:- 2739

ANSWERED ON-09/03/2026

## Deployment of Primary Teachers in SIR

## †2739. Shri Imran Masood :

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken any steps to ensure that the regular teaching work is not disrupted due to deployment of Primary school teachers for Special Intensive Revision (SIR) duties in the Country;

(b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the  policy  restricting  teachers  from  performing  both roles simultaneously;

(c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  replace  regular  teachers  with  other  teaching  staff when they are deployed for election related work; and

(d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): Education is a subject in the Concurrent List of the Constitution and the majority of schools are under the administrative control of the respective State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. Matters relating to deployment of teachers, including for electionrelated duties, fall within the administrative domain of the concerned State/UT Governments.

Section  27  of  the  Right  of  Children  to  Free  and  Compulsory  Education  (RTE)  Act,  2009 provides that no teacher shall be deployed for any non-educational purposes other than the decennial population census, disaster relief duties or duties relating to elections to the local authority, State Legislatures or Parliament, as the case may be.

Further, the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India, in its judgment dated 06.12.2007, upheld the authority  of  the  Election  Commission  to  requisition  teachers  for  election-related  duties, recognising the importance of conducting elections in a democratic system. At the same time, the Hon'ble Court observed that such deployment should be undertaken in a manner that does not adversely affect the functioning of schools and the right of children to education, and that engagement of teachers for non-teaching duties should, as far as possible, be scheduled on holidays or non-working days to minimise disruption to teaching-learning activities.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Education has issued guidelines dated 13.09.2010 to all States and  Union  Territories  vide  which,  inter-alia,  it  has  been  provided  that  duties  relating  to electoral roll revisions will be undertaken by teachers on holidays and during non-teaching hours and non-teaching days. The same is reiterated to all States/UTs from time to time.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2737 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Adversely Effect on Tourists at Memorial of Music Mastro Tansen
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Bharat Singh Kushwah

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. † 2737

## ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026

## ADVERSELY EFFECT ON TOURISTS AT MEMORIAL

## OF MUSIC MASTRO TANSEN

## † 2737. SHRI BHARAT SINGH KUSHWAH:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is true that the birthplace of the music maestro Tansen in the village of Behat in Gwalior has become dilapidated due to lack  of  maintenance  of  the  memorial,  adversely  affecting  the number of tourists;
- (b) whether it is a fact that the proposal along with Detailed Project Report  (DPR)  for  the  repair  work  of  the  Music  maestro  Tansen village Behat, Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh) memorial was sent by the Tourism Department of the State Government of Madhya Pradesh to the Union Government through letter no. 5341 dated 20.09.2024;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  for  speedy  disposal  of  the pending proposal for upgradation of the said memorial; and
- (d) if so, the timeline set thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM       (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (d): The development of tourist destinations and tourism products is primarily undertaken by the respective State Government/ Union Territory (UT) Administration.

The  Ministry  of  Tourism,  through  its  ongoing  Central  Sector Schemes of 'Swadesh Darshan (SD)', 'Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD 2.0)', 'Challenge  Based  Destination  Development  (CBDD)'  a  sub -scheme  of

Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme, 'Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage  Augmentation  Drive  (PRASHAD)', 'Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development (ACA)' supplements the  efforts  of  the  States/UTs/Central  Agencies  by  providing  financial assistance  for  the  development  of  tourism  related  infrastructure  in consultation with them.

Receiving proposals from the State Governments/UT Administrations/Central  Agencies  for  financial  assistance  for  tourism projects is a continuous process. The proposals received are examined with reference to the prescribed guidelines and financial assistance is extended  for  such  projects  subject  to  fulfilment  of  the  stipulated conditions and availability of funds.

- *******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2735 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Borrowing cuts on Kerala
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri E T Mohammed Basheer

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2735

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, 9 th  MARCH, 2026 PHALGUNA 18, 1947 (SAKA)

## BORROWING CUTS ON KERALA

## 2735.   Shri E T Mohammed Basheer

Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is likely to restore the borrowing cuts of Rs. 6,757 crore and Rs. 3,323 crore imposed on Kerala during the Financial Year 2024-25 and 2025-26, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  Kerala's  borrowing  limit  is  likely  to  be  enhanced  to  3.5%  of  Gross  State Domestic Product (GSDP), if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether  such  fiscal  restrictions  undermine  cooperative  federalism,  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

(a)  In  the  borrowing  consent  issued  to  the  State  Government  of  Kerala  for  the  remaining period of FY 2025-26 under Article 293(3) of the Constitution of India, an  amount of Rs. 5,944  crore  and  Rs.  3,323  crore  were  deducted  on  account  of  Off-Budget  Borrowings reported in State Finance Audit Report (SFAR) of 2023-24, published by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) in October 2025 and the shortfall in State's contribution to Guarantee Redemption Fund (GRF), respectively. Further, based on the submissions made by the State Government regarding repayment of Off-Budget Borrowings and contribution made in GRF, amounts of ₹1,700 crore and ₹2,000 crore, respectively, have been restored against the aforesaid deductions.

- (b) No Sir, at present there is no such proposal under consideration.

(c)  The  borrowing  limit  of  all  States  including  Kerala  are  generally  fixed  in  line  with  the recommendations of the Finance Commission, which is an independent Constitutional body and  plays  a  very  important  role  in  Fiscal  federalism  structure.  The  Commission  also recommends the fiscal consolidation path for the Union and the States, keeping in view the need to maintain debt sustainability while providing adequate fiscal space for development. Based on the recommendations of 15th Finance Commission, borrowing limit of all States including Kerala during 15th Finance Commission period has been fixed as under:

| Year    | Normal net borrowing ceiling   | Additional borrowing, if any               |
|---------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|
| 2021-22 | 4% of GSDP                     | Upto 0.5% of GSDP for power sector reforms |
| 2022-23 | 3.5% of GSDP                   | Upto 0.5% of GSDP for power sector reforms |
| 2023-24 | 3% of GSDP                     | Upto 0.5% of GSDP for power sector reforms |
| 2024-25 | 3% of GSDP                     | Upto 0.5% of GSDP for power sector reforms |
| 2025-26 | 3% of GSDP                     | Upto 0.5% of GSDP for power sector reforms |

*****