opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 467 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-03
Subject: Technical Shortcomings in e-Gram Swaraj Portal
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Smt. Sanjna Jatav

## GOVERNMENTOF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 467

ANSWERED ON 03.02.2026

## TECHNICALSHORTCOMINGS IN E-GRAM SWARAJ PORTAL

## 467. SMT. SANJNA JATAV:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to State:

(a)  whether the Government is aware of the fact that, due to technical shortcomings in the eGram Swaraj portal, there have been substantial delays in Panchayat payments and scheme approvals;

(b)  whether Panchayat representatives were not provided adequate training prior to the implementation of the digital system; and

(c)  the manner in which the Government proposes to compensate for the schemes and payments that have been disrupted due to these shortcomings?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)

(a) to (c) The Ministry is implementing the e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP) under revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA), which has significantly enhanced transparency, efficiency, and governance at the grassroots level. The eGramSwaraj application, developed as part of the e-Panchayat MMP, has facilitated digital planning, accounting, monitoring, and online payments at the Panchayat level. The Ministry follows a consultative and feedback-driven approach to strengthen the e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP). Regular feedback is obtained from State Governments and Panchayat functionaries through regional workshops, stakeholder consultations and online meetings, and is used to improve system usability and functionality. The portal has now stabilised and is being continuously monitored and upgraded in coordination with the implementing agencies.

As per the data available with the Ministry, the payment files generated through eGramSwaraj have recorded a success rate of about 97%. The average processing time for transactions routed through the integrated system is approximately 2 days and remains within the prescribed timelines, subject to banking and connectivity conditions.

Further, focused initiatives have been undertaken to strengthen digital capacity building of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). Under the Revamped Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA), implemented from 2022-23, training and capacity-

building interventions are provided for elected representatives and Panchayat functionaries through workshops, online modules, user manuals, video tutorials and helpdesk support.

In view of the above, the question of compensation does not arise. However, the Ministry continues to take several corrective measures to minimise disruptions, including system enhancements, operational relaxations where required, and issuance of advisories to ensure timely support. The Ministry continues to work closely with States and Union Territories to ensure smooth functioning of the portal and timely release of funds and implementation of schemes at the Panchayat level.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 466 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-03
Subject: Impact of rising Steel Prices on Construction Sector in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Shri Sasikanth Senthil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 466 FOR ANSWER ON 03.02.2026

## IMPACT OF RISING STEEL PRICES ON CONSTRUCTION  SECTOR  IN TAMILNADU

466. SHRI SASIKANTH SENTHIL:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has taken note of the sharp increase in prices of steel products since the beginning of 2026, including an increase of Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 8,000 per tonne, impacting the construction industry in Tamil  Nadu,  particularly in Tiruchirappalli, if so, the details thereof; (b) whether the recent decision to impose import tariffs ranging from 11 per cent to 12 per cent on certain steel products has contributed to the price rise in the domestic market, if so, the details thereof; and (c) whether the Government proposes to take any measures to stabilise steel prices and protect infrastructure  and  housing  projects  from  cost  escalation  and  if  so,  the

- details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE          (SHRI BHUPATHIRAJU SRINIVASA VARMA) MINISTRY OF STEEL

(a)to(c):         Steel is a deregulated sector and steel prices are determined by demand supply  dynamics  of  market  forces,  input  cost  of  steel  companies  and  prevailing taxes/duties.  The  Government  acts  as  a  facilitator,  by  creating  a  conducive  policy environment  for  the  development  of  steel  sector  including  small  and  medium producers in the country.

Construction  industry  mostly  uses  long  products  for  general  construction activity. Government has imposed safeguard duties on import of Non-Alloy and Alloy Steel 'Flat Products' into India for a period of three years, on the subject goods falling under tariff headings 7208, 7209, 7210, 7211, 7212, 7225 and 7226 to safeguard the interests of domestic steel industry. Rate of safeguard duty is as follows: -

- i. 12 percent ad valorem, when imported during the period from 21 st  April, 2025 to 20 th  April, 2026;
- ii. 11.5 percent ad valorem, when imported during the period from 21 st  April, 2026 to 20 th  April, 2027;
- iii. 11 percent ad valorem, when imported during the period from 21 st  April, 2027 to 20 th  April, 2028.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 464 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-03
Subject: PLI Scheme for Specialty Steel
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Shri Rahul Singh Lodhi, Smt. Kamlesh Jangde, Shri P C Mohan, Shri Kali Charan Singh, Shri Lumbaram Choudhary, Shri Bunty Vivek Sahu, Shri Janardan Mishra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 464

FOR ANSWER ON 03.02.2026

## PLI SCHEME FOR SPECIALTY STEEL

464. SHRI RAHUL SINGH LODHI:

SMT. KAMLESH JANGDE:

SHRI P C MOHAN:

SHRI KALI CHARAN SINGH:

SHRI LUMBARAM CHOUDHARY:

SHRI BUNTY VIVEK SAHU:

SHRI JANARDAN MISHRA:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the PLI Scheme for Specialty Steel has led to an increase in domestic production since its launch and the year-wise production levels achieved, including the contribution from units located in the State of Karnataka including Bengaluru region, State-wise;
- (b)  whether  funds  have  been  released  to  beneficiary  units  in  the  country  including Karnataka under the Scheme and if so, the total amount disbursed as on December 2025, State-wise;
- (c) whether the Government has reviewed the utilisation of incentives and compliance with  investment  and  production  targets  by  beneficiary  companies  in  the  country including Karnataka and those in and around Bengaluru, State-wise;
- (d) if so, the key findings of such reviews and the steps taken to further strengthen implementation and encourage advanced steel manufacturing in the country including Karnataka, State-wise; and
- (e)  whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  promote  new  investments, establishment of units, employment generation or value-addition activities related to special steel under the PLI Scheme in Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE          (SHRI BHUPATHIRAJU SRINIVASA VARMA) MINISTRY OF STEEL

(a)to(e):   Production Linked Incentive (PLI)  Scheme for Specialty Steel has been approved by Government to incentivise specialty steel production and offers incentives for five years, between the period FY 2024-25 to F Y 2030-31, to companies that meet specified investment and production targets. In two rounds of the scheme, participating companies  have  their  plants  in  the  states  of  Andhra  Pradesh,  Gujarat,  Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

Till December 2025, incentives of ₹83.62 crore were disbursed to beneficiary companies.

Production of specialty steel under PLI Scheme for the FY 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 are 313 ('000t), 1124 ('000t) and 1110 ('000t) respectively.

All  projects  under  PLI  Scheme  are  reviewed  regularly  w.r.t.  investment  and production. To strengthen implementation and encourage advanced steel manufacturing in the country, a third round (PLI 1.2) was launched on 04 Nov 2025.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 36 (STARRED), answered on 2026-02-02
Subject: Kente Extension Coal Block  Project
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Smt. Jyotsna Charandas Mahant

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

## LOK SABHA 36

## STARRED QUESTION NO.

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026

## Kente Extension Coal Block Project

## *36.   SMT. JYOTSNA CHARANDAS MAHANT:

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

- (a) whether the Government has granted approval to the diversion of 1742 hectares of forest land  for  the  'Kente  Extension'  coal  block  in  the  Hasdeo  Arand  field  of  Chhattisgarh recently, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the estimated number of trees likely to be cut due to the said project and its likely impact on the local biodiversity and elephant corridors;
- (c) whether the Government has received objections and proposals from local Gram Sabhas against this project; and
- (d) whether the said approval violates the unanimous resolution passed by the Legislative Assembly of Chhattisgarh in the year 2022 to prevent mining in Hasdeo?

## ANSWER

MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BHUPENDER YADAV)

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

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (D) OF LOK SABHA STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  36  TO  BE  ANSWERED  ON  02.02.2026  ON  'KENTE EXTENSION  COAL  BLOCK  PROJECT  '  BY  SMT.  JYOTSNA  CHARANDAS MAHANT:

- (a)  The Central Government has not granted any prior approval under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 for diversion of 1742 hectares of forest land for the 'Kente Extension' coal block in the Hasdeo Arand field of Chhattisgarh.
- (b)  A proposal was submitted by the State Government for diversion of 1742.60 ha of forest for  Kente  Extension  Opencast  Coal  Mine,  to  the  Ministry  in  the  PARIVESH  portal  on 25.11.2025. The Ministry examined the proposal and sought further information from the State Government.
- (c)  As per the information received from the Government of Chhattisgarh, so far no objections have been received from local Gram Sabha against this proposal.
- (d)  The Central Government has not accorded any prior approval for diversion of forest land for the said proposal.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 21 (STARRED), answered on 2026-02-02
Subject: Delay in Operationalization of Dispensaries under ESIS
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Maddila Gurumoorthy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 21 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026

## DELAY IN OPERATIONALIZATION OF DISPENSARIES UNDER ESIS

- *21.  SHRI MADDILA GURUMOORTHY:

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

- (a)whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  despite  the  Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) having accorded 'in -principle' approval  for  opening  17  dispensaries  under  Employees  State Insurance Scheme (ESIS), the said dispensaries are yet to become operational;
- (b)if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c)whether the delay is due to the non-sanction of medical and nonmedical posts by the State Government despite repeated followups by ESIC, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)the details of the steps being taken by the Government to ensure early sanction of said posts by the State Government so that the long-pending ESIS dispensaries can be made functional for  the
- benefit of industrial workers and their families in Andhra Pradesh?

MINISTER OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House. *                                                  *****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  21  FOR  02.02.2026  BY  SHRI MADDILA GURUMOORTHY REGARDING DELAY IN

OPERATIONALIZATION OF DISPENSARIES UNDER ESIS. (a) to (d): Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) accords approval for opening of new dispensaries with the consent of the concerned State Government. ESIC provides the infrastructural and monetary  support  whereas  the  operation  and  management  of dispensaries  is  carried  out  by  the  respective  States  /  UTs  under Section 58 of ESI Act, 1948 (subsumed in Code on Social Security, 2020). ESIC accorded 'in -principle' approval to set up total 17 dispensaries (5-one doctor dispensaries, 7- two doctor dispensaries, 3-  three  doctor  dispensaries  and  2-five  doctor  dispensaries)  in Andhra Pradesh, during the period from 2016 to 2021.  The major steps  involved for functionalization of these  dispensaries  are sanctioning  of  the  medical  and  non-medical  posts  by  the  State Government and provision of locations by ESIC. The State Government of Andhra Pradesh has sanctioned Medical, Para-Medical and Nursing staff for early operationalization of  5  dispensaries,  on  priority  basis,  located  at  Tirupati  District  at Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), Satyavedu, Varadaiahpalem, Naidupeta and one dispensary in Nellore District at Muthukuru. Also, the process for sanctioning of Staff in remaining 12 dispensaries has been initiated.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 449 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-02
Subject: CSR in Uttar Pradesh
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Kanwar Singh Tanwar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 449 ANSWERED ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2026/MAGHA 13, 1947 (SAKA) CSR IN UTTAR PRADESH

## QUESTION

449. Shri Kanwar Singh Tanwar:

Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government proposes to develop a structured mechanism to effectively coordinate corporate social responsibility funds of companies in Amroha District, Uttar Pradesh in alignment with district-level requirements so as to ensure better convergence of  corporate  social  responsibility  projects  with  drinking  water,  sanitation,  school upgrades, health-awareness and skill-related public programmes, in rural and semi-urban areas, especially around Amroha town and industrial area of Gajraula; (b)  if  so,  the  details  of  proposed  steps  regarding  the  corporate  social  responsibility project- bank for Amroha district, district mapping needs, online progress-monitoring, incentivisation  of  credible  companies  and  development  of  community  infrastructure around public facilities, religious and tourist sites; and (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS   AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

[SHRI HARSH MALHOTRA]

(a) to (c): No Sir. As per the provisions of Companies Act, 2013, CSR is a Board driven process  and  the  Board  of  the  company  is  empowered  to  plan,  decide,  execute  and monitor the CSR activities. The Government does not issue any directions to Corporates to spend in any particular area or activity. All data related to CSR expenditure filed by companies in MCA21 registry is available in public domain at www.csr.gov.in.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 439 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-02
Subject: Uniformed Fee Structure in all Schools
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Prof. Sougata Ray

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 439

## ANSWERED ON 02/02/2026

## Uniformed Fee Structure in all Schools

439. Prof. Sougata Ray:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a) the details of reasons for not implementing a uniformed fee structure in all public/private schools in the country;

(b) whether any stakeholders of the sector demanded such uniformed fee structure, if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has any proposal to execute uniformed syllabus in all Central and State Governments run schools of the country; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## 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. Schools, other than those owned/funded by the Central Government, are under the jurisdiction of the respective State Governments. Therefore, matters related to the management of schools, including fee structure are regulated  in  accordance  with  the  Rules  and  Instructions  of  the  respective  State  Government concerned.  Also,  the  preparation  of  curricula  and  textbooks  for  schools  that  are  not  under  the jurisdiction  of  the  Central  Government,  lies  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the  respective  State Governments.

However, under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, every  child  aged  six  to  fourteen  has  the  right  to  free  and  compulsory  elementary  education  in  a neighborhood 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 the entry level and provision of free and compulsory elementary education to such children till its completion.

Also the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, and the subsequent National Curriculum Framework for  School  Education  (NCF-SE),  2023,  prepared  by  NCERT,  provide  broad  guiding principles for curricula and textbooks at the national level. NCERT textbooks are being developed in alignment with these frameworks. States/UTs have the choice to adopt/adapt NCF-SE and consequent textbooks.

The NEP, 2020 in its para 4.32 states that, 'States will prepare their own curricula (which may be based on the NCFSE prepared by NCERT to the extent possible) and prepare textbooks (which may be based on the NCERT textbook materials to the extent possible), incorporating State flavour and material as needed. While doing so, it must be borne in mind that NCERT curriculum would be taken as the nationally acceptable criterion.'

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 437 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-02
Subject: Performance of Smog Tower
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, Shri Arun Govil

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 437

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026

## Performance of Smog Tower

## 437.     SHRI RAMVIR SINGH BIDHURI: SHRI ARUN GOVIL:

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

- (a)   whether air purifier, smog tower were installed in Delhi recently to reduce air pollution and it is reported that one smog tower is capable of purifying six lakh cubic meters of air and reduces pollution in the area by up to 75%;
- (b)   the  total  cost  of  building  and  operating  the  smog  tower  and  whether  any  study  has  been conducted on the functioning of the said towers;
- (c)   if so, the details and the outcomes thereof; and
- (d)   whether  the  outcomes  are  favourable,  if  so,  the  timeline  for  installation  of  smog  tower  in Meerut-Hapur Lok Sabha Constituency keeping in view that Meerut ranks among the most polluted cities in the country in terms of environment and pollution?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): A smog tower was installed at Anand Vihar, Delhi by the Central Government. The Government of NCT of Delhi (GNCTD) has informed that another smog tower has been installed at Connaught Place.

The smog tower installed at Anand Vihar was constructed at a capital cost of Rs. 13.59 crore, and an expenditure of Rs. 10.27 lakh per month is required for its operation. Further, the smog tower installed at Connaught Place has a capital cost of Rs. 22 crore, with an operational cost of Rs. 2 crore per annum.

Performance evaluation studies on the functioning of the smog towers installed at Anand Vihar and Connaught Place were conducted by IIT Bombay in association with IIT Delhi. It has been reported that the smog towers at Anand Vihar and Connaught Place have shown a reduction of 20% and 13%, respectively, in PM2.5 and PM10 levels within a radius of 400 metres of the smog towers.

Meerut city is covered under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) and is funded under the XVth Finance Commission Million-Plus City Challenge Fund as an air quality performance-linked grant. An amount of Rs. 187.99 crore has been released to Meerut city as critical gap funding for implementation of air quality improvement measures by the Urban Local Body and developmental authorities.

As a result of the interventions undertaken under NCAP, Meerut city recorded 277 Good Days (AQI <200) in 2025 as compared to 203 Good Days in 2022. Further, Meerut city has shown a reduction  of  16.4%  in  annual  average  PM10  concentrations  in  FY  2024-25  (133  µg/m³)  as compared to FY 2017-18 (159 µg/m³).

***