opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3911 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-17
Subject: Progress of UNNATI
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri Tapir Gao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3911.

TO BE ANSWERED ON TUESDAY, THE 17 TH  MARCH, 2026.

## PROGRESS OF UNNATI

## be pleased to state: वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री

## 3911.  SHRI TAPIR GAO:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

- (a) the progress of Uttar Poorva Transformative Industrialisation  Scheme (UNNATI) for industrial development;
- (b) the details of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) supported via North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd. (NEDFi); and
- (c) whether the Government has assessed employment generation and proposes enhanced incentives and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री ( श्री णिणिन प्रसाद ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

- (a) & (c): The UNNATI Scheme has been formulated with the objective of accelerating industrialisation  in  the  North  Eastern  Region  (NER),  which  is  expected  to generate substantial direct and indirect employment opportunities. Since the notification of the UNNATI-2024 Scheme on 9th March 2024, a total of 933 applications have been received on the portal from the North Eastern States as  on  13 th   March  2026.  Out  of  these,  359  applications  have  been  granted registration,  521  applications  are  under  process  and  the  remaining  53 applications have been withdrawn or rejected. As per the information provided by the applicant units on the UNNATI portal, around 19,349 jobs are estimated to be generated by the registered units. No proposal for enhanced incentives is under consideration.
- (b): NEDFi  plays  a  pivotal  role  in  strengthening  the  Micro,  Small  and  Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector in the North Eastern Region (NER) by providing financial support for industrial, infrastructure and agri-allied projects. As on 28th February, 2026, NEDFi has extended financial assistance to 33816 projects, with cumulative loan sanctions of Rs.9985.75  crores  including  for  MSMEs across key sectors such as tourism & hospitality, education, healthcare, agrofood processing, microfinance and small manufacturing & services enterprises.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 338 (STARRED), answered on 2026-03-16
Subject: Foreign Investment in Higher Education Sector
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Rajeev Rai

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

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 338

ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026

## Foreign Investment in Higher Education Sector

## *338. Shri Rajeev Rai:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  National  Education  Policy  2020  (NEP-2020)  envisages  regulated  for-profit participation in higher education in India;
- (b)  if  so,  whether  such  participation  option  is  made  available  to  both  domestic  and  foreign companies in a transparent manner alike;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the number of higher educational institutions in the country that have been opened by foreign universities/educational centers/corporate bodies and by Indian investors since the implementation of NEP-2020, State-wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF EDUCATION (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

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

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (D) IN RESPECT OF LOK SABHA STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  338  ANSWERED  ON  16.03.2026  REGARDING  FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION SECTOR ASKED BY SHRI RAJEEV RAI, HON'BLE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

(a)  to  (d):  National  Education  Policy  (NEP)  2020  promotes  Internationalization  of  Higher Education for making India a Global education hub.

As per NEP availabilities of foreign higher Education institutes in India will give Indian students access to global education, promote research collaboration, provide international exposure and reduce the need for Indian students to travel abroad for higher education.

NEP 2020 also inter-alia envisages curbing commercialization of education stating that multiple mechanisms  with  checks  and  balances  will  combat  and  stop  the  commercialization  of  higher education.

In alignment with the vision of NEP 2020 for internationalization of Education, University Grants Commission  (UGC)  (Setting  up  and  Operation  of  Campuses  of  Foreign  Higher  Educational Institutions in India) Regulations 2023 issued by Government to facilitate the establishment of branch campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions (FHEIs) in India. UGC has issued 14 Letters of Intent (LoIs) to 13 FHEIs from Australia, Italy, United Kingdom and USA to set up their campuses  at  various  places  in  India  including  Bengaluru  (Karnataka),  Delhi  NCR,  Mumbai (Maharashtra)  and  Chennai  (Tamil  Nadu).  Among  these,  University  of  Southampton,  UK commenced its courses in August 2025 at its campus in Gurugram, Haryana.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 332 (STARRED), answered on 2026-03-16
Subject: Universities in Rural Areas
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Shafi Parambil

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. 332

ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026

## Universities in Rural Areas

- *332. Shri Shafi Parambil:
- Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state: (a) the total number of private and public sector universities located in rural areas of the country; (b) the number of universities located in rural areas of the country that have been closed during the last five years, year-wise; (c) the student enrolment rate in universities located in rural areas of the country during the last five years, year-wise; (d) whether it is a fact that rural universities are struggling to survive due to lack of student enrolments; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF EDUCATION (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

- (a) to (e) A statement is laid on the table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 332 ANSWERED ON 16 TH  MARCH, 2026 REGARDING UNIVERSITIES IN RURAL AREAS ASKED BY HON'BLE MP SHRI SHAFI PARAMBIL:

- (a): As per All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2022-23 (provisional), there are 545 Universities/University  level  Institutions  in  rural  areas  of  the  country  of  which  245  are Government and 300 are Private.
- (b): As per AISHE, no Universities/University level Institutions have been closed during last 5 years in rural areas.

(c)  to  (e):  As  per  AISHE,  the  student  enrolment  in  Universities/University  level  Institutions located  in  rural  areas  of  the  country  has  increased  from  20.1  lakh  in  2018-19  to  27.9  lakh  in 2022-23(provisional). There is an increase of 38.3% in enrolment in rural areas since 2018-19.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 331 (STARRED), answered on 2026-03-16
Subject: Revamped Khelo India Mission
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Rajesh Verma, Shri Atul Garg

## Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports

## Government of India Department of Sports

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *331 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026

## Revamped Khelo India Mission

*331. SHRI ATUL GARG: SHRI RAJESH VERMA:

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

- (a) whether a sum of Rs. 924.35 crore has been allocated for the revamped Khelo India Mission in the Union Budget 2026-27 for providing end-to-end athlete development from grassroots identification to elite competition levels and if so, the comprehensive details thereof, component-wise;
- (b) the details of the distribution plan for establishing Khelo India Centres of Excellence and talent identification hubs across the districts,
- State/UT-wise;
- (c) the structured athlete progression pathways envisaged under the Mission including integration of sports science, sports psychology, nutrition support and competition exposure;
- (d) the data analytics platforms and performance tracking deployed for real-time athlete monitoring and selection; and
- systems
- (e) whether the said Mission targets positioning India among top 10 sporting nations by 2036 and if so, the details of the annual milestone benchmarks, international ranking improvement metrics and independent evaluation framework in this regard?

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

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

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *331 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026 REGARDING 'REVAMPED KHELO INDIA MISSION' ASKED BY SHRI ATUL GARG AND SHRI RAJESH VERMA, HON'BLE MEMBERS OF LOK SABHA.

(a) to (e) An amount of Rs. 924.35 crore has been allocated under Khelo India Scheme at Budget Estimate (B.E.) stage for financial year 2026-27, to support end-to-end athlete development from grassroots to elite levels. Key components of the Khelo India Mission include talent identification, Centres of Excellence, athlete scholarships, sports science integration, infrastructure development and competitions. The Mission targets one Khelo India training centre per district via State/UT plans, structured pathways with sports science/psychology/nutrition, data platforms for real-time tracking, and aims to position India among the leading sporting nations by 2036.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3908 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-16
Subject: Vacant Post of Teachers in Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Dr. Rajesh Mishra

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3908 ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026

## Vacant Post of Teachers in Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas

† 3908. Dr. Rajesh Mishra:

- Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state: (a) the  total  number  of  vacant  posts  of  teachers  in  Kendriya  Vidyalayas  and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas in the country; (b) whether the Government is running any "mission mode" recruitment drive to fill these vacancies, if so, the details thereof; (c) the steps taken by the Government to overcome the shortage of teachers at the primary and secondary level in the Sidhi Lok Sabha Constituency of Madhya Pradesh; and the quantum of budget allocated in the current financial year 2025-26 for the supply  of  required  resources  to  the  Kendriya  Vidyalayas  located  in  Sidhi

## ANSWER

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

(a) As per information  received  from  Kendriya  Vidyalaya  Sangathan (KVS)  and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), total 8618 (as on 01.01.2026) and 5083 (as on 31.12.2025) teaching posts are lying vacant in KVS and NVS, respectively. (b) & (c) Vacancies keep on arising due to opening of new Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) and Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVs), retirement, resignation, promotion of employees, transfer, employees going on lien to another department and up-gradation of schools. Filling  up  of  vacancies  is  a  continuous  process  and  efforts  are  made  to  fill  up  the

- vacancies as per the provisions of the relevant recruitment rules of KVS and NVS.
- (d) headquarters?

Teachers are also engaged on contractual basis for temporary duration by KVS and NVS to ensure that the teaching-learning process is not hampered. Efforts are made to recruit regular teachers at the earliest so that interest of students does not suffer. The consistently high percentage results achieved by KVs and NVs over the years clearly demonstrate that academic standards and students' performance are duly maintained and are not compromised. As  per  information  received  from  KVS  and  NVS,  a  total  of  8714  and  5045 teaching vacancies have been notified by KVS and NVS, respectively, in the month of November, 2025 for the direct recruitment. (d) The budgetary support is provided to KVS every year as Grants-in-Aid under three distinct Heads of Account viz. Salaries, General and Creation of Capital Assets for opening and functioning of KVs. Funds are not allocated to KVS State/UT/district/ KV-wise.  The funds allocated to KVS during the financial year 2025-26 is Rs. 9503.84

crore.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3906 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-16
Subject: Demands of Trade Unions
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri T R Baalu

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3906 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026

## DEMANDS OF TRADE UNIONS

3906. SHRI T R BAALU:

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

(a)whether the Government has not considered any of the demands of  the  various  Trade  Unions  as  a  result  of  which  25  crores  of workers undertook the Bharat Bandh on 9th July, 2025; (b)if so, the reasons for rejecting the genuine demands of the working class in the country despite a nationwide strike; and (c)the  details  of  the  talks  conducted  by  the  Government  with  the Trade Unions in this regard and the reasons for failure of the talks along with estimated loss to the economy due to the Bharat Bandh?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): The  nationwide  strike/bandh  call  on  9 th   July,  2025  was given by certain Central Trade Unions. The demands contained in the demand charter were not confined only to labour reforms or labour welfare  issues,  but  also  extended  to  broader  policy  matters.  No related proposal in this regard is currently pending with this Ministry.

The Ministry of Labour & Employment, through the Central Industrial Relations Machinery (CIRM), accords high priority to the welfare and protection of workers and maintains regular engagement with Central Trade Unions and other stakeholders on labour-related issues  through  conciliation  proceedings  as  well  as  bipartite  and tripartite meetings.

With regard to the nationwide strike/bandh call on 09.07.2025, the  CIRM  took  cognizance  of  strike  notices  across  the  country, initiated conciliation proceedings, and took timely action in accordance with the provisions of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. As  a  result  of  these  conciliatory  efforts,  absenteeism  remained minimal at 9.22%.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3905 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-16
Subject: Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) Core framework
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Yaduveer Wadiyar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3905

ANSWERED ON Monday, March 16, 2026/Phalguna 25, 1947 (Saka)

## BUSINESS RESPONSIBILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING (BRSR) CORE FRAMEWORK

## QUESTION

3905.   SHRI YADUVEER WADIYAR:

Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the specific qualitative and quantitative outcomes of the Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) Core framework, which has positioned India as one of the few global jurisdictions with a mandatory 'Reasonable Assurance' regime for environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosures;
- (b)  the  ways  through  which  the  inclusion  of  the  top  1000  listed  entities  under  this framework has enhanced India's Global ESG Standing, particularly in attracting foreign 'Green Capital' and sustainable investment funds into our emerging industrial sectors ; and
- (c) the details of the nine key ESG attributes (including Greenhouse Gas emissions and water management) under the BRSR Core that are now subject to mandatory third-party audit, ensuring that 'Greenwashing' is eliminated from the Indian corporate ecosystem?

## 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)  &  (b):  In  2021,  SEBI  mandated  the  top  1000  listed  companies  (by  market capitalization)  to  make  ESG  disclosures  as  per  the  Business  Responsibility  and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) from FY 2021-22 on a voluntary basis and mandatorily from FY 2022 - 23. BRSR requires disclosures on various qualitative and quantitative parameters, such as greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, job creation, grievance redressal etc. The above is expected to encourage capital and investment in Indian industrial sector.

(c):  To  mitigate  the  risks  of  greenwashing,  SEBI  introduced  BRSR  Core  in  which companies require third party assessment or assurance. The BRSR Core covers ESG disclosures across the following nine attributes:

- (i) Green-house gas (GHG) footprint
- (ii) Water footprint
- (iii) Energy footprint
- (iv) Embracing circularity - details related to waste management by the entity
- (v) Enhancing Employee Wellbeing and Safety
- (vi) Enabling Gender Diversity in Business

- (vii) Enabling Inclusive Development
- (viii) Fairness in Engaging with Customers and Suppliers
- (ix) Open-ness of business

Further  vide SEBI's  circular  dated  28.03.2025,  i t  is  specified  that  assessment  or assurance  refers to third-party  assessment  undertaken  as  per  the  standards developed by the Industry Standards Forum (ISF) in consultation with SEBI.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3904 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-16
Subject: Poor Conditions of Sports Grounds in Haryana
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Kumari Selja

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3904 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026

Poor Conditions of Sports Grounds in Haryana

3904. KUMARI SELJA:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware that 235 out of 1,015 sports grounds in Haryana have been found unfit for playing as per the State Sports Department's report;
- (b) if so, the reasons for such poor condition and lack of basic facilities in these grounds; and
- (c) the steps being taken by the Government to help State Government of Haryana to repair and upgrade these sports grounds to ensure safe and proper facilities for players?

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

(a) to (c) 'Sports' being a State subject, the responsibility of development of sports, including maintenance of sports grounds, provision of basic facilities, and repair and upgradation of sports infrastructure to ensure safe and proper facilities for players, rests primarily with the State/Union Territory Governments. The Union Government supplements their efforts by bridging critical gaps. 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, including for strengthening sports facilities and or upgradation of sports infrastructure in the State, are considered for financial support, subject to their completeness, technical feasibility and availability of funds under the scheme. The

details of various sports infrastructure across the country, which are under the jurisdiction of respective State/Union Territory Governments, are not maintained in this Ministry.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3901 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-16
Subject: Fiscal Federalism and Share of States in Divisible Tax Pool
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Rajmohan Unnithan

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3901

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 16 TH  MARCH, 2026 PHALGUNA 25, 1947 (SAKA)

## FISCAL FEDERALISM AND SHARE OF STATES IN DIVISIBLE TAX POOL

3901. SHRI. RAJMOHAN UNNITHAN :

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has examined the recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission and the repeated demand from States like Kerala to increase the States' share in the divisible pool of Central taxes from the present 41 per cent to at least 50 per cent in order to strengthen cooperative federalism;

(b) whether it is a fact that continued dependence on cesses and surcharges retained by the Centre has significantly reduced fiscal space for States, if so, the details thereof;

(c)  whether  the  Government has held any consultation with the State Governments on revising fiscal devolution norms, if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure equitable revenue sharing and financial stability of States?

## ANSWER

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

(a) The Government of India has examined the report of the Sixteenth Finance Commission and the Explanatory Memorandum  as to the action taken by the Government of India on the Recommendations  made  by  16 th FC  is presented in the Parliament and also available at https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/doc/16fc.pdf.  The  16 th FC  report  mentions  that  due  consultations have been held with various stakeholders, including State Governments. Based on examination of views of all stakeholders and its own analysis, the 16 th FC has recommended to retain the States' share in the divisible pool at its current level of 41 per cent.

(b) Does  not  arise.  Fiscal  space  of  States  has  increased  from  ₹8.98  lakh  crore  in  FY2021-22  to ₹13.93 lakh crore in FY2025-26(RE) just on account of tax devolution to the States.

(c) As per Article 280 (3) (a) of the Constitution, it is the duty of the Finance Commission to make recommendations on the distribution between the Union and the States of the net proceeds of taxes known  as  tax  devolution.  The  Finance  Commission  holds  consultations  with  State  Governments before finalising and presentation of its report. Views of State Governments on vertical devolution FC Report and the FC

have been covered under Para 7.36 to 7.41 of Chapter 7 of Volume I of the 16 th details of consultations with the States may be seen at Annexure 1.7 of Volume II of the 16 th Report.

(d) In  line  with  the  recommendations  of  the  16 th FC,  the  share  of  States  in  the  divisible  pool  of Central  taxes  has  been  kept  at  41  per  cent  for  the  award  period  FY  2026-27  to  FY  2030-31.  In addition  to  tax  devolution,  States  are  supported  through  Finance  Commission  grants,  Centrally Sponsored Schemes, and Other Transfers.

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