opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1437 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: EPFO Service through Authorised/Licenced Agents
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane, Shri Sudheer Gupta, Shri Chavan Ravindra Vasantrao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1437

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026

## EPFO SERVICE THROUGH AUTHORISED/LICENCED AGENTS

1437. SHRI CHAVAN RAVINDRA VASANTRAO: SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

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

- (a)whether  the  Government  proposes/has  any  proposal  to  provide Fund Organisation (EPFO) services through
- Employees' Provident authorised/licenced agents and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)the rationale behind engaging agents and the nature of services
- proposed to be delivered through them;
- (c)the time by which the said services are likely to be implemented;
- (d)whether  the  Government  has  set  any  criteria  for  selection, accreditation and regulation of such agents and if so, the details
- thereof;
- (e)the  details  of  safeguards  put  in  place  to  prevent  mis-selling, overcharging, data misuse and harassment of subscribers particularly  pensioners  and  workers  in  the  unorganised  and informal sectors; and
- (f) the details of the steps taken/likely to be taken by the Government to ensure transparency, accountability and protection of subscribers'  interests  while  expanding  EPFO  service  delivery through agents?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (f):
- No such proposal is under consideration at present.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1420 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: Initiatives under NMCM
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Pradyut Bordoloi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1420 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026

## INITIATIVES UNDER NMCM

## 1420.   SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:-

- (a) the details of the initiatives taken under the National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM), including the measures for comprehensive documentation  and  digitisation  of  intangible  cultural heritage across regions and the challenges faced under each initiative;
- (b) whether any financial support is being provided to traditional artists and cultural practitioners under NMCM and if so, the details thereof including the funds allocated, disbursed, the number of artists supported, the process and criteria for choosing the artists to support them;
- (c) whether the Government has taken any initiative to preserve the heritage through Intellectual Property Rights and if so, the details thereof including the  Intellectual  Property Rights  guaranteed so far and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  identified  any  challenges  in  preserving  the rich intangible cultural heritage of the North-Eastern States and if so, the details thereof including the challenges identified and the steps taken?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar (MGMD) Programme is a key component under the National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM), which has been developed as a nationwide digital repository to map tangible and intangible cultural heritage at the village level across States/UTs. The MGMD Portal documents  a  wide  range  of  cultural  elements,  including  heritage  sites,  art forms,  prominent  artists,  oral  traditions,  beliefs  and  customs,  historical significance, local landmarks, fairs and festivals, traditional dress, ornaments and traditional food. One of the key challenges faced by the Mission was the sheer  scale  and  complexity  involved  in  documenting  the  tangible  and intangible cultural heritage of more than six lakh villages across India.
- (b) NMCM  undertakes  documentation activities and does not have any provision  for  direct  financial  assistance  to  traditional  artists  and  cultural practitioners.
- (c) There is no such provision under NMCM.
- (d) Despite  the  challenges  posed  by  difficult  terrain  and  remoteness,  the  rich intangible cultural heritage of the North-Eastern States has been successfully documented.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1416 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: Regulation of Tuition Fees in Private Universities
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Smt. Geniben Nagaji Thakor

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1416 ANSWERED ON: 09.02.2026

## Regulation of Tuition Fees in Private Universities

† 1416. Smt. Geniben Nagaji Thakor:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  tuition  fees  in  various  private  universities  across  the  country  is  being  hiked exorbitantly;
- (b) if so, the details of fees increased by the private universities in the last three years, State-wise and university-wise;
- (c) whether the Government has issued any guidelines or established any regulatory mechanism to regulate/control fixation and increase of fees in private universities;
- (d) if so, the silent features thereof; and
- (e) if not, the steps proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

(DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)

- (a) to (e): Private Universities are established by the Act of the respective State Legislatures and fees  in  Private  Universities  are  decided  either  by  the  State  Government/State  Fee  Regulatory Committee or by the concerned University, in accordance with the provisions of their respective Acts and Statutes.

The  University  Grants  Commission  (UGC)  has  notified  the  UGC  (Regulation  of Admission  and  Fees  in  Private  Non-aided  Professional  Institutions)  Regulations,  1997,  which provide broad criteria for fee fixation.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1397 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: Utilisation of CFPG in Madhya Pradesh
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Vishnu Datt Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1397 ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026

## UTILISATION OF CFPG IN MADHYA PRADESH

## 1397.    SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA:

Will the MINISTER OF CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is operating the Cultural Function and Production Grant (CFPG) or Cultural  Functions  Grant Scheme  (CFGS)  to  support  cultural events, festivals, workshops and local heritage promotion;
- (b) whether any grants under CFPG/CFGS have been awarded for festivals, heritage events or community arts in Katni, Panna or Khajuraho town in Madhya Pradesh;
- (c) if so, the details thereof including event name, grant amount, date, local participation and estimated local employment created;
- (d) if not, the reasons for exclusion and constraints in supporting local cultural festivals; and
- (e) the  action  plan  for  utilising  CFPG/CFGS  to  promote  cultural  tourism  and  livelihoods  in these districts?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)    Yes,  Ministry  of  Culture  administers  the  'Cultural  Function  &  Production  Grant  Scheme (CFPGS)' under the umbrella Scheme of Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojna.
- (b)  to  (d)    Under  the  scheme  of  Cultural  Function  and  Production  Grant  (CFPG),  financial assistance is provided to eligible NGOs, Trusts, Societies, and Universities from across the country,  including  the  State  of  Madhya  Pradesh,  for  organizing  Seminars,  Conference, Research,  Workshops,  Festivals,  Exhibitions,  Symposia,  Production  of  Dance,  DramaTheatre, Music etc.  Further, no town-wise details of applications received under the scheme is maintained in the Ministry. However, the details of grant released in the state of Madhya Pradesh during last three financial years is given as under:-

(Rs. in lakhs)

| Financial Year   |   Number of Organizations supported |   Amount Released |
|------------------|-------------------------------------|-------------------|
| 2022-23          |                                 141 |            264.9  |
| 2023-24          |                                 161 |            155.17 |
| 2024-25          |                                 100 |            202.89 |

- (e) Under the  CFPG  Scheme,  the  grant  is  provided  for  interactive  fora  such  as  conferences, seminars,  workshops,  symposia,  festivals  and  exhibitions,  as  well  as  for  productions  on subjects important for the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage, arts, letters and other  creative  endeavours.  Through  these  initiatives,  the  Ministry  aims  to  strengthen  the cultural  ecosystem,  foster  inclusive  and sustainable  cultural  environments,  and  ensure the continued  vitality,  accessibility  of  India's  cultural  tourism  and  livelihoods  across  the country.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1395 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: International Bird Centres
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Suresh Kumar Shetkar, Shri Vijayakumar Alias Vijay Vasanth

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1395

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026

## International Bird Centres

## 1395.  SHRI SURESH KUMAR SHETKAR: SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR ALIAS VIJAY VASANTH:

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

- (a) whether local communities in all States have been consulted and integrated into planning the International Bird Centres (IBCs), if so, the details thereof along with the measures adopted to prevent poaching, habitat destruction, pollution, disturbances from tourists, researchers and nearby urban development for sustainable conservation and responsible eco-tourism at all centres;
- (b) the details of mechanism adopted to monitor the long-term impact of these centres on migratory bird populations and their natural habitats and to integrate new bird centres into national and international conservation frameworks;
- (c) the details of the steps taken by the Government to coordinate all IBCs with existing Ramsar sites and bird sanctuaries for integrated ecological management nationwide;
- (d) whether  the  Government  commit  to  regular  public  disclosures  on  progress,  funding, utilization  and ecological impact assessment for all IBCs and migratory bird habitats across the country within enforceable timelines, if so, the details thereof;
- (e) the mechanism adopted to ensure that allocated funds for IBCs  are fully utilised for habitat  conservation,  scientific  research  and  visitor  facilities  without  administrative delays;
- (f) the measures adopted by the Government to ensure that all IBCs across the country are equipped  with  proper  research  facilities,  monitoring  systems  and  trained  personnel including ecologists, ornithologists and technical personnel for effective nationwide bird conservation; and
- (g) whether the Government has prepared a comprehensive national plan for establishing IBCs  across  the  country,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  whether  the  Government  has established any formal partnerships with international ornithological research institutions to strengthen scientific study and conservation efforts at bird centres nationwide?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has not set up International Bird Centre.

(b) to (g) In view of (a) above, does not arise.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1393 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: IMF Inflation Ranking of India
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Thiru D M Kathir Anand

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1393

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026/ Magha 20, 1947 (Saka)

## IMF INFLATION RANKING OF INDIA

## 1393. THIRU D M KATHIR ANAND:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that according to the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) inflation projections data for 190 countries for 2026, India ranks 60th in the high inflation index with an inflation rate of 4.0, if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether the weakening of the Indian rupee against the US dollar led to an increase in import prices, consequently raising the prices of gold, silver and other imported goods, if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) does not formally rank countries based on their inflation levels.  The latest  inflation  projections  of  the  IMF  for  198  countries  are  available in  the  World Economic Outlook (WEO) published in October 2025, wherein India's consumer price inflation for the calendar year 2026 is projected as 4.0 per cent, which is also the target rate of inflation in India.
- (b) The depreciation of currency can enhance export competitiveness as well as raise the prices of imported goods. However, the overall impact of exchange rate depreciation on domestic prices depends on the extent of the pass-through, elasticity of demand for imported goods and the policy actions. The recent increase in gold and silver prices is largely driven by global price movement of  these  commodities  rather  than  the  weakening  of  the  rupee.  In  the  Budget  2026-27,  the Government has announced basic custom duty exemptions to the imports of several goods that are critical inputs or raw material in the domestic production of various commodities and reduced the tariff rate on all dutiable goods imported for personal use from 20 per cent to 10 per cent.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1392 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Darshan Singh Choudhary

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

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1392 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026

## PRADHAN MANTRI VIKSIT BHARAT ROZGAR YOJANA 1392. SHRI DARSHAN SINGH CHOUDHARY::

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

- (a) the details of the primary objectives and strategies formulated by the Government under the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana  (PM-VBRY)  to  link  youths  with  employment  and  selfemployment opportunities;
- (b) the details of the total number of youths provided skill training, apprenticeships or direct employment across the country under this scheme since its inception along with the specific targets set by the Government for the upcoming financial years; and
- (c) whether the participation of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs),  industrial  bodies  and  the  private  sector  have  been ensured for the effective implementation of the scheme, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): The Union Cabinet, on 1 July 2025, approved the Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme, titled the Pradhan Mantri Viksit  Bharat  Rojgar  Yojana  (PMVBRY),  to  promote  employment generation,  enhance  employability,  and  strengthen  social  security across  all  sectors  including  MSMEs  and  rural  enterprises,  with  a particular  focus  on  the  manufacturing  sector.  The  scheme  was launched on 15th August 2025. The scheme has a registration period of two years from 01.08.2025 to 31.07.2027 and a budgetary outlay of ₹99,446 Crore. The scheme aims to incentivise crea tion of more than 3.5 Crore jobs all across the country.

The scheme comprises of two parts i.e. Part A and Part B and focuses on providing support to both employees and employers by way of incentives. The scheme provides for incentives for 1.92 crore new eligible employees under Part A. Incentive for creation of approx. 2.59 crore additional jobs to employers is provided for under

Part B of the scheme.

The scheme promotes financial literacy among first-time formal sector workers by linking the second installment of benefits under Part A to the completion of Financial Literacy Course covering personal finance, savings, investments, and financial planning.

Comprehensive Scheme Guidelines, outlining the eligibility  criteria  for  incentives  to  both  employees  and  employers including MSMEs and rural enterprises have been issued.

A dedicated portal (pmbry.epfindia.gov.in) has been developed to facilitate all scheme-related processes and for real-time monitoring of beneficiaries and sector-wise progress.

Detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), scheme guideline and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) have been made available on this portal for ease of understanding.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1384 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: Umbrella Organisation of Urban Co-operative Banks
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Dr. Bhola Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †1384

ANSWERED ON MONDAY, 09 FEBRUARY, 2026/ 20 MAGHA, 1947 (SAKA)

## Umbrella Organisation of Urban Co-operative Banks

†1384. DR. BHOLA SINGH:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) the manner in which the umbrella organisation of Urban Co-operative Banks address the difficulties being faced by the sector
- (b) the activities that can be undertaken by the umbrella organisation in this regard; and
- (c) the steps taken for the establishment of the umbrella organisation so far?

## ANSWER

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

(a) and (b): The Umbrella Organisation (UO) for Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs), namely the National Urban Co-operative Finance and Development Corporation Limited (NUCFDC) has been set up to address the structural and operational challenges faced by UCBs through provision of both fund and non-fund-based services. By centralising high-cost and complianceintensive functions such as IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, compliance monitoring, training, risk management, etc., the UO helps its member UCBs to reduce their capital investments and achieve economies of scale. Major services provided by the UO inter-alia include capital / liquidity support, loans and advances, refinance facility, IT infrastructure, fund management, consultancy services, capacity building, research & development, etc.

(c): As informed by Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the UO (NUCFDC) was granted a Certificate of Registration as a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) by Reserve Bank of India on February 8, 2024 and NUCFDC has successfully mobilised the minimum regulatory capital of ₹300 crore from UCBs. NUCFDC has set up its registered office in New Delhi and its corporate office in Mumbai. The UO has started providing certain non-fund-based services such as cyber insurance, legal advisory, risk based internal audit services, etc. to its member UCBs.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1382 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: Urban Cooperative Banks in Delhi
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Ramvir Singh Bidhuri

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †1382

ANSWERED ON MONDAY, 09 FEBRUARY, 2026/ 20 MAGHA, 1947 (SAKA)

## Urban Cooperative Banks in Delhi

†1382. SHRI RAMVIR SINGH BIDHURI:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) the manner in which Urban Co-operative Banks are serving as a means for the upliftment of small traders, the middle class, local entrepreneurs and the self-employed;
- (b) whether the Government has any plan to open Urban Co-operative Banks in all cities having a population of more than two lakh;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether Urban Co-operative Banks are also proposed to be opened in Delhi under this plan; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a):  Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) play an important role in the banking ecosystem by providing credit and other facilities to small traders, the middle class, local entrepreneurs and the  self-employed  in  accordance  with  cooperative  principles  and  the  applicable  regulatory framework.
- (b) to (e): No such proposal is under consideration with the Government of India. However, RBI has published a discussion paper on licensing of new UCBs on January 13, 2026, for comments/feedback from concerned stakeholders.

As per information obtained from Registrar of Cooperative Societies, New Delhi, there are a total of 14 UCBs functional in Delhi which are registered under the Delhi Cooperative Societies Act 2003.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 110 (STARRED), answered on 2026-02-06
Subject: Allocation of Funds under NHM
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. Raj Kumar Chabbewal

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 110 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 6 TH FEBRUARY, 2026

## ALLOCATION OF FUNDS UNDER NHM

## *110. DR. RAJ KUMAR CHABBEWAL:

Will the MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that there has been a significant reduction in the allocation of funds under the National Health Mission (NHM) for the State of Punjab;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government is taking any measures to restore and further increase the allocation to the State of Punjab in this regard; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## (SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)

- (a) to (d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 110 * FOR 6 TH FEBRUARY, 2026

(a) to (d) Public Health is a State subject, hence, the primary responsibility of providing basic health services to all the citizens of the country lies with respective State/UT Government. With the objective of attainment of universal access to equitable, affordable and quality health care services, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) is implementing National Health Mission (NHM). Under NHM, Government of India provides technical and financial support to the States/UTs for improvement in health infrastructure, availability of adequate human resources to health facilities, to improve availability and accessibility to quality health care especially for the underserved and marginalized groups.

Under NHM over the period FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25, the Central Release to the State of Punjab has increased from Rs.568.14 Cr. to Rs.878.21 Cr. i.e. 55%.

****