opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 152 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-25
Subject: Higher Education Financing Agency
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR, SUDHEER GUPTA, KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH, BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO, JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN, VIJAY KUMAR S.R., ELUMALAI VELLAIGOUNDER, C.R. CHAUDHARY

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 152 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.04.2016

## HIGHER EDUCATION FINANCING AGENCY

152.  SHRI  GAJANAN  KIRTIKAR:  SHRI  SUDHEER  GUPTA:  KUNWAR  HARIBANSH SINGH:  SHRI  BIDYUT  BARAN  MAHATO:  DR.  J.  JAYAVARDHAN:  SHRI  S.R. VIJAYAKUMAR: SHRI V. ELUMALAI: SHRI C.R. CHAUDHARY

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  for  creation  of  a  Higher  Education Financing Agency in the country;
- (b)  If so, the details thereof including the aims and objectives of the agency;
- (c) Whether the Government has received any proposal from the State Government for the changes to be brought in the Higher Education system in the country;
- (d)  If so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (e) The other steps taken/being taken by the Government to improve infrastructure facilities in top educational institutions in the country?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  &  (b):  Yes,  Madam.  The  Government  has  decided  to  set  up  a  Higher  Education Financing Agency (HEFA) with an initial capital base of Rs. 1,000 crores and funds from the  market  and  supplement them with donations on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds. These funds will be used to finance improvement in infrastructure in the top institutions and will be serviced through internal accruals.
- (c) to (e): No, madam.
Lok Sabha Question No. 149 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-25
Subject: Waiving Off School Fee
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: KAMAL NATH

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  149 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 TH  APRIL, 2016

## Waiving Off School Fee

## 149. SHRI KAMAL NATH:

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has  urged  the  Government  to  waive  off  school  fee  of  the  children  of  farmers  who  have  been affected by crop failure;
- (b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether NCPCR has also requested the Government to extend such provisions to the children who are affected by other natural calamities like drought etc. and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard along with the time by which such decision is likely to be taken?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) : Yes, Madam.  National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)  has recommended reimbursement under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) of fee for children of the farmers affected by natural calamity studying in private schools.
- (b) :  Under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, every child, of  the  age  of  six  to  fourteen  years,  has  a  right  to  free  and  compulsory  elementary  education  in  a neighbourhood  school.  Section  12(1)  (c)  of  the  RTE  Act,  2009  mandates  reservation  in  private unaided schools for children belonging to weaker sections and disadvantaged groups to the extent of at least 25% seats at entry level and provision of free and compulsory elementary education to such children till its completion. For such children, no fee is charged by the school. For other children studying in private schools, there is no provision under SSA for reimbursement of fees.

- (c) : No, Madam.

- (d) :       Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 148 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-25
Subject: Reforms in Education Sector
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: SUSHMITA DEV, JYOTIRADITYA MADHAVRAO SCINDIA, SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, T. RADHAKRISHNAN

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 148 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.04.2016

## Reforms in Education Sector

## 148. KUMARI SUSHMITA DEV: SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA: SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE: SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN:

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

(a) whether the Government proposes a series of structural reforms in education ranging from schools to Universities and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government is also considering overhauling of University Grants Commission and All India Council of Technical Education and if so, the details thereof;

(c)  whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  for  taking  the  views  of  eminent  educationists  before finalising any reforms in education and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the time by which a decision is likely to be taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) and (d): The Government is in the process of framing a New Education Policy which will cover comprehensively  various  aspects  of  School  and  Higher  Education.  The  Government  of  India has constituted a 'Committee for Evolution of the New Education Policy' for drafting the New Education Policy (NEP). The Committee consists of Shri T.S.R. Subramanian, Former Cabinet Secretary as the Chairman and Smt. Shailaja Chandra, former Chief Secretary, NCT of Delhi, Shri Sevaram Sharma, former Home Secretary, NCT of Delhi, Shri Sudhir Mankad, former Chief Secretary, Gujarat & Prof. J.S. Rajput, former Director, NCERT as members of the Committee. All the suggestions received from multiple stakeholders have been forwarded to the Committee. The Committee is mandated to examine the  outcome  documents, recommendations  and  suggestions  received  and  formulate  a  draft  National Education Policy as well as a Framework for Action (FFA).

(b):  The  Ministry  has  undertaken  external  review  of  the  UGC  through  an  Expert  Committee  and process reforms have already been initiated in the UGC. Further, AICTE was also reviewed through an external  Review  Committee.  The  Ministry  is  in  the  process  of  examining  and  implementing  the recommendations of the Committee.

(c): MHRD held thematic consultations through Apex level institutions and regulators, such as, UGC, AICTE,  NCTE,  AIU,  NCERT,  CBSE,  IIAS,  NLMA,  NAAC,  NUEPA,  IGNOU  and  Central Universities by inviting all relevant stakeholders including experts, academics, industry representatives,  civil  society  etc.  during  July-October,  2015.  Further,  the  Ministry  held  thematic consultations at the national level, in which experts having domain expertise as well stakeholders were invited for deliberations.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 145 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-25
Subject: Setting up of Refinery
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, Shrirang Appa Barne, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 145 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 th  April, 2016

## SETTING UP OF REFINERY

- 145 . SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

## पैट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्री

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

- (a) whether the Government  proposes  to  set  up  the  country's  biggest  refinery/ petrochemical complex in Maharashtra;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  location  identified for  the  purpose  and  the time by which the said refinery is likely to be started;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to include private institutions for construction of the said refinery and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the proposed capacity and estimated expenditure to be incurred and the manner in which funds are proposed to be mobilized for the purpose?

## ANSWER

पैट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्रािय में राज्य मंत्री ( स्विंत्र प्रभार ) (श्री धमेन्द्र प्रधान) MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a)  to  (b):  Oil  PSUs  namely  Indian  Oil  Corporation  Limited  (IOCL),  Bharat  Petroleum Corporation  Limited  (BPCL)  and  Hindustan  Petroleum  Corporation  Limited  (HPCL) have  announced  the  plan  to  jointly  set  up  an  integrated  refinery-cum-  petrochemical complex with a refining capacity of 60 MMTPA (million metric tonnes per annum) in 2 phases in Maharashtra.  Engineers India Limited (EIL) is carrying out detailed feasibility study.  Oil  PSUs  and  EIL  are  in  the  process  of  site  selection  for  the  refinery  in consultation with Govt. of Maharashtra.

(c)  Oil  Companies  take  decision  on  equity  structure  and  financing  of  the  project depending on various financial and operational parameters.

(d)  The  estimated  expenditure  and  other  details  of  the  project  are  finalized  after  the completion of Detailed Feasibility Study and selection of site. The implementation time for the proposed Refinery is estimated to be seven years after acquisition of land.

- ---------------
Lok Sabha Question No. 140 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-25
Subject: Ranking Framework
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: BHANU PRATAP SINGH VERMA, VINOD KUMAR BOIANAPALLI, SUKENDER REDDY GUTHA, ANTO  ANTONY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 140 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.04.2016

## Ranking Framework

- †140. SHRI BHANU PRATAP SINGH VERMA:

SHRI B. VINOD KUMAR:

SHRI GUTHA SUKENDER REDDY:

SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

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

- (a) whether the Government has introduced a National Institutions Ranking Framework  (NIRF) for monitoring the performance of higher educational institutions in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the salient features of the NIRF;
- (c) whether the Government has excluded Open Universities and certain institutions of higher learning from NIRF;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (e) whether the Government has any plan for including all the institutions of higher learning  into  the  NIRF  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  steps  taken  by  the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

a)  &  (b): Yes,  Madam. The  National  Institutional  Ranking  Framework (NIRF) has been launched  on  September  29,  2015  to  facilitate  benchmarking  and  comparing  the  higher educational institutions. It would promote competition between the institutions and would help them to understand their areas of strength and weakness and to take corrective action as  necessary.  The  NIRF  has  five  broad  parameters  under  which  educational  institutions would be compared and ranked. These pertain to (i) Teaching, Learning and Resources (ii) Research, Projects and Collaborative Performance (iii) Graduation Outcomes (iv) Outreach and  Inclusivity  and  (v)  Peer  and  Public  Perception.  Each  of  these  has  several  subparameters, for which a score is computed based on data supplied by the Institution and also extracted from independent sources.

(c) & (d): NIRF is operating in five domains, viz., Universities, Engineering, Management, Pharmacy  and Architecture. The Open  Universities have been excluded as their performance cannot be evaluated easily based on the parameters prescribed in NIRF.

(e): At present there is no such plan.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 136 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-25
Subject: Grant of Mining Leases
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: SUKHBIR SINGH JAUNPURIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.136 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.4.2016

## Grant of Mining Leases

## 136.   SHRI SUKHBIR SINGH JAUNAPURIA:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has granted mining leases in Rajasthan including in the district of Sawai Madhopur during each of the last three years;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, mine-wise;
- (c) whether any percentage of royalty received on a mine is given/has been given
- to panchayats for developmental works during the said period; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  &  (b):    The  year  wise  details  of  number  of  leases  granted  by  the  State Government are provided in the table below:

| F.Y     |   No of leases granted |
|---------|------------------------|
| 2013-14 |                    583 |
| 2014-15 |                    287 |
| 2015-16 |                     79 |

During the said period, State Government has reported that no mining lease has been granted in district Sawai Madhopur.

(c) & (d) As per the information provided by the State Government of Rajasthan, up to year 2011-12, one percent of total royalty received was transferred to respective panchayat  for  development  works.  Thereafter,  no  share  is  being  transferred  by mines department separately as per order of Finance Department.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 135 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-25
Subject: Import of Wheat
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: UDAY PRATAP SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.135 (H) TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 th  APRIL, 2016

## IMPORT OF WHEAT

## 135 (H). SHRI UDAY PRATAP SINGH:

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

- (a) the total quantity and value of wheat imported in the country during the year 2015 -16;
- (b) whether the quality of imported wheat is better in comparison to the domestic wheat produced;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government is considering to frame any policy to discontinue import of wheat; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

वािणÏ  य एवं उɮयोग राÏ य मंत्री ) Įीमती िनमर्ला सीतारमण ( ( èवतंत्र प्रभार )

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

(INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

- (a) The total quantity and value of wheat imported in the country during the year 2015-16 (Upto February) is given as under:-

| YEAR                  | UNIT   |    QTY |   VAL(US $) |
|-----------------------|--------|--------|-------------|
| 2015-16 (APR TO FEB)* | TON    | 513417 |   134356509 |

Source: DGCI&S /*Provisional

(b)&(c ) Imported wheat is required to comply with the domestic standards applicable in the country from time to time.  There are several factors apart from quality which may result into deciding upon the import decision by an importer of any agri commodity.

(d) & (e) Under the Foreign Trade Policy, import of wheat is allowed and is subject to an import duty of 25% w.e.f. 19.10.2015.  The Government takes a call  on  the  calibration  of  import  duty  from  time  to  time  depending  upon  the requirements of time, after appropriate inter-ministerial consultations.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 132 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-25
Subject: Indigent Artist Pension Scheme
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: KULAMANI SAMAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 132

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.4.2016

## INDIGENT ARTIST PENSION SCHEME

## 132. DR. KULAMANI SAMAL:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  increase  the  number  of pension holders as well as amount of financial assistance in respect of artists in indigent circumstances under the 'Indigent Artist Pension Scheme';
- (b) the number of indigent artists in Odisha who have been benefitted under the 'Indigent Artist Pension Scheme' during the last two years;
- (c) the financial assistance disbursed to Odisha in this regard during the last two years;
- (d) whether the share of Central Government under the 'Indigent  Artist Pension Scheme' to Odisha is yet to be released; and
- (e) if so, the details including the amount of assistance in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) FOR CULTURE AND TOURISM AND

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR CIVIL AVIATION

(Dr. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a) (i)  Yes,  Madam.  The  Expert  Committee  constituted  under  'Artistes  Pension Scheme & Welfare Fund' recommended 184 additional indigent artistes for artistes  pension  in  its  Meeting  held  on  8 th &  9 th January,  2015.  (ii)          At present  there  is  no  proposal  to  enhance  the  amount  of  financial  assistance including pension amount to the individual indigent artist.
- (b) The number of indigent artistes in Odisha who have been benefitted under the 'Artist Pension Scheme & Welfare Fund' was 274 upto December, 2014. The number of such artistes was increased to 300 by addition of 26 more indigent artistes  belonging  to  Odisha  as  recommended  by  Expert  Committee  in  its Meeting held on 8 th  & 9 th  January, 2015.
- (c)        The  financial  assistance  amounting  to  Rs.  1.88  crore  has  been  disbursed during the last two years to those artistes of Odisha who furnished all required documents i.e. Life/Income Certificate & bank details etc.
- (d) No, Madam. The grant under the Scheme stands released to beneficiaries.
- (e) Does not arise in view of reply to part (d) above.
Lok Sabha Question No. 131 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-25
Subject: Repair of KV Buildings
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: MURALI MOHAN MAGANTI

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 131 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.04.2016

## REPAIR OF KV BUILDINGS

## 131. SHRI M. MURALI MOHAN:

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that some of the Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) buildings are in dilapidated condition in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise; and
- (c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to repair/reconstruct such buildings?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) to (c): Repairs and reconstruction of Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) is a continuous process and depends upon various factors such as the condition of the buildings, availability of safe alternate accommodation, availability of funds etc. At present, 9 KV buildings have been identified as requiring major repairs and reconstruction, the details of which are as under:-

|   S. No. | Name of KV      | State / UT      |
|----------|-----------------|-----------------|
|        1 | OF Chanda       | Maharashtra     |
|        2 | AFS Thane       | Maharashtra     |
|        3 | Nasik Road Camp | Maharashtra     |
|        4 | Pulgaon         | Maharashtra     |
|        5 | Gangtok         | Sikkim          |
|        6 | Tura            | Meghalaya       |
|        7 | Umaria          | Madhya Pradesh  |
|        8 | Hathras         | Uttar Pradesh   |
|        9 | Bandipur        | Jammu & Kashmir |

In  3  KVs  located  at  Umaria,  Hathras  &  Bandipur,  which  are  functioning  in temporary  buildings  provided  by  the  sponsoring  authorities,  the  sponsors  have been requested to repair the buildings or provide alternate safe accommodation.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 130 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-25
Subject: Safety of Women
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: RAMDAS CHANDRABHANJI TADAS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. † 130 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.04.2016

## SAFETY OF WOMEN

## † 130. SHRI RAMDAS C. TADAS:

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

- (a) whether it has been revealed in the survey conducted by the Ministry that a considerable percentage of women are afraid of coming out in the dark in the country;
- (b)  if  so,  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  safety  of  women  in  the country including in Maharashtra;
- (c)  whether any scheme has been formulated by the Government for awareness drive  in  Vardha,  Nagpur  and  Amravati  districts  of  Vidarbha  which  needs implementation; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) : The information is being collected and  will be laid on the table of the House.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 129 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-25
Subject: Export Rules
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: P. C. MOHAN

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.129 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 th  APRIL, 2016

## EXPORT RULES

## 129.  SHRI P.C. MOHAN:

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

- (a) whether the Government is having any proposal for mandatory export rule when the domestic output is higher than the domestic demand;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is likely to provide any kind of assistance like incentive, cash subsidy or any other form of assistance to compensate the difference in the prices in case the International market is lower than the cost of production of domestic output and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the commodities or items to be covered under the mandatory export rule and the penal provisions for not complying with the rules?

## ANSWER

वािणÏ य एवं उɮयोग राÏ य मंत्री ) Įीमती िनमर्ला सीतारमण ( ( èवतंत्र प्रभार )

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

- (a) : The Government is not contemplating any such proposal for mandatory export rule.
- (b) to (d): Do not arise in view of reply to (a) above.

*****