opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1554 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: ESIC Hospital in Nashik
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Asaduddin Owaisi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1554

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026

## ESIC HOSPITAL IN NASHIK

1554. SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

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

- (a) the details of the number of powerloom labourers from Malegaon and whether around six Lakhs, availed Medical or Health Services from any of the Employee's State Insurance Corporation  (ESIC) Hospitals in Nashik;
- (b)  the  reasons  for  the  non-establishment  of  an  ESIC  Hospital  in Malegaon despite an abundant Labour Population which contributes a significant amount to ESIC premiums; and
- (c)  the  details  of  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  create awareness  about  ESIC  facilities  among  Labour  Population  in Malegaon?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): The  present Insured Persons  (IP) population in the catchment  area  of  Malegaon  (within  a  radius  of  25  km)  is  4,186 including IP population in the textile sector at Malegaon.

Medical facilities to ESI beneficiaries in Nashik are being provided  through  the  ESI  Scheme  State  Hospital  at  Satpur.  In addition,  secondary  and  tertiary  healthcare  services  are  provided through 20 empaneled secondary care hospitals and 11 empaneled tertiary care hospitals in the district.

However,  no  separate  statistical  data  is  maintained regarding  the  number  of  powerloom  labourers  from  Malegaon  who have availed medical or health services from the said hospital.

Contd..2/-

As  per  the  existing  norms  for  establishment  of  a  100 bedded  ESI  Hospital,  a  minimum  of  50,000  Insured  Persons  (IPs) within the radius of 25 Km of the proposed location is required. Since the  available  IP  population  at  Malegon  is  substantially  below  the prescribed norm, establishment of an ESIC Hospital at Malegaon is not feasible, at present.

The  ESIC  continuously  undertakes  measures  to  create awareness about the benefits available under the ESI Scheme, At the local  level,  regular  outreach  activities  are  conducted  to  directly engage  employers  and  workers.  In  addition,  ESIC  carries  out nationwide awareness campaigns through a comprehensive media mix approach, including print and outdoor publicity, radio jingles and digital and social media platforms to disseminate information on ESI benefits, initiatives and claim procedures.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1544 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: Irregularities in PMKVY Implementation
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: Shri Sudama Prasad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 1544 ANSWERED ON -09/02/2026

## IRREGULARITIES IN PMKVY IMPLEMENTATION

## 1544.  SHRI SUDAMA PRASAD:

Will  the  Minister  of  SKILL  DEVELOPMENT  AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state: -

- (a) whether the Government is aware that a recent Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit  of  Pradhan  Mantri  Kaushal  Vikas  Yojana  (PMKVY)  highlighted  various  issues,  including missing or invalid bank account details for beneficiaries, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  number  of  candidates  being  certified  with  blank  or  invalid  bank  account  entries, including instances of repeated account numbers for multiple beneficiaries;
- (c) whether  the  CAG  audit  have  found  that  several  PMKVY  training  centres  were  closed during physical inspections despite records indicating ongoing training activities, if so, the number of such training centres identified, State/UT-wise;
- (d) whether any steps have been taken by the Government to regulate these activities; and
- (e) whether  any  committees  have  been  constituted  in  this  regard  and  the  details  of  the measures proposed to prevent such issues in the future, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

(SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

- (a)  to  (e)       The  Comptroller  and  Auditor  General  (CAG)  conducted  a  Performance  Audit  of PMKVY covering its initial phases up to 2022 and flagged certain deficiencies in legacy systems relating  to  data  validation,  beneficiary  details,  assessor  information,  eligibility  verification,  and monitoring processes, largely attributable to limitations in IT controls and  decentralized implementation prevalent at that time.

The  Government  has  undertaken  comprehensive  corrective  measures  under  PMKVY  4.0, including  Aadhaar-based  e-KYC,  face  authentication  and  geo-tagged  attendance,  QR-coded digital certificates, real-time dashboards on the Skill India Digital Hub, strengthened assessor and training  center  accreditation,  independent  monitoring  via  Kaushal  Samiksha  Kendra,  revised monitoring guidelines with clear Key Performance Indicators, and a robust penalty and recovery framework.

Disciplinary  actions,  including  suspension,  blacklisting,  recovery  of  funds,  and  other  stringent measures, have been taken wherever non-compliance was established, thereby institutionalizing stronger accountability, verification, and oversight mechanisms under the scheme.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1543 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: Slowdown in Corporate Investment in the Country
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Khalilur Rahaman

## Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Economic Affairs

## Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1543

To be answered on Monday, February 9, 2026/Magha 20, 1947 (Saka)

## Slowdown in corporate investment in the country

## 1543. Shri Khalilur Rahaman:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that there has been a slowdown in corporate investment in the country;
- (b) if so, the details along with the reasons thereof for this slowdown; and
- (c) the impact of this slowdown in investment on the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (FINANCE) (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

(a),  (b)  &  (c):  Government  takes  various  measures,  from  time  to  time,  to  facilitate corporate  investment  and  improve  business  sentiments.  In  this  regard  key  policy measures undertaken over the years include improvement in Ease of Doing Business, National  Manufacturing  Mission,  Plug-and-Play  Industrial  Parks,  Bharat Trade  Net, transparent  and  investor-friendly  Foreign  Direct  Investment  (FDI)  policy,  Taxation policy reforms, thrust on Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Startup India, Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes for key sectors of the economy, Business Reforms Action Plan (BRAP), National framework for Global Capability Centres and PM Gati Shakti, among others. The host of measures introduced by the government have promoted corporate investment and industrial expansion across the country.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1541 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: Reimbursement of Expenditure to Telangana
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Eatala Rajender

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1541

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2026/MAGHA 20, 1947(SAKA)

## REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENDITURE TO TELANGANA

## 1541.  Shri Eatala Rajender:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that the State Government of Andhra Pradesh has to reimburse an amount of  Rs.  408.49  crore  along  with  applicable  interest  to  the  Government  of  Telangana  towards expenditure  incurred  on  certain  constitutional  and  statutory  bodies  located  in  Hyderabad  till separate institutions are established in Andhra Pradesh, and

(b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  action  taken  by  the  Government  to  expedite  the reimbursement of the said amount?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

(a)  &(b):  Yes,  the  Government  of  Telangana  vide  letter  no.  6/IST  CELL/Fin./2022,  dated 05.07.2022  had  requested  reimbursement  of  Rs.408.48  crore  from  the  Government  of  Andhra Pradesh  for  the  expenditure  incurred  on  constitutional  and  statutory  bodies  such  as  the  High Court, Raj Bhavan, and other common institutions that served both States.

The  matter  has  been  discussed  in  several  meetings  with  the  State  Governments  of  Andhra Pradesh  and  Telangana.  In  the  last  such  meeting  held  in  the  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs  on 03.02.2025, both the State Governments were requested to reconcile the expenditure on common institutions  with  the  Principal  Accountant  Generals(AGs)  of  Telangana  and  Andhra  Pradesh. Union  Home  Secretary  has  written  to  Comptroller  andAuditor  General  of  India  (C&AG)  on 25.06.2025 for expediting the reconciliation of expenditure on Common Institutions to facilitate finalization of accounts between the two States by the AGs of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Office of C&AG, vide letter dated 08.01.2026 has informed that a joint meeting of Accountant Generals  (A&E)  of  both  States  and  state  government  representatives  was  held,  wherein  the Finance Department of Andhra Pradesh has been entrusted with the responsibility of reconciliation of figures relating to common Institutions, in coordination with  the Public Works Departments (PWDs). Further, the Principal Accountants General (A&E) of both states have also been directed to closely monitor the reconciliation process and complete it expeditiously.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1540 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: Audit of RUSA Funds in Karnataka
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Dr. K Sudhakar

1540. Dr. K Sudhakar:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  carried  out  any  audit  of  funds  released  under  Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) to higher educational institutions of Karnataka, if so, the details of the findings thereof;
- (b)  whether RUSA funds have been used properly across higher educational institutions of Karnataka, if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  undertaken  any  infrastructure  assessment  of  higher educational institutions of the said State especially in the Government sector, if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  whether  the  mandated  guidelines  with  respect  to  basic  infrastructure  in  campuses  are maintained by higher educational institutions of the said State, if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the details of the other steps taken by the Government to inspect and ensure that the quality of infrastructure is maintained across higher educational institutions in the said State?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (e): The Government launched the third phase of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) by the ministry as Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) in June 2023 with an outlay of ₹12,926.10 crore for 2023-24 to 2025-26 to strengthen higher education in unserved and underserved areas.

The State/UTs governments being the implementing partner under the scheme in respective State/UTs, to ensure the quality of infrastructure development in higher educational institutions, works are generally executed by them through various implementing agencies such as Public Works Departments (PWDs) and other authorized government agencies, in accordance with approved  norms  and  standards.  Under  the  scheme,  as  per  the  government  rules  and procedures, regular audits of the scheme are conducted at Central and State/UTs level. Based on  the  audited  statements  of  expenditure  of  the  various  supported  HEIs,  a  consolidated Utilisation Certificate (UC) is sought from State/UTs for release of further grants to the State/UTs. The  Ministry  also  reviews  quality  and  progress  of  works  through  various  review  meetings, physical visits etc. under the scheme.

*****

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

## LOKSABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1540 ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026

## Audit of RUSA Funds in Karnataka
Lok Sabha Question No. 1532 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: Establishment of  ESIC Sub-Regional Office in Telangana
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Kunduru Raghuveer

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1532

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026

## ESTABLISHMENT OF ESIC SUB-REGIONAL OFFICE IN TELANGANA 1532. SHRI KUNDURU RAGHUVEER:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the existing Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Regional Office serving Telangana is handling  a  significantly  higher  workload,  as  compared  to  several other States despite those States having designated Sub-Regional Offices with fewer insured persons and lower industrial activity and if so, the reasons therefor;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  assessed  the  operational  pressure, pendency  of  cases  and  service  delays  in  Telangana  due  to  the absence of a Sub-Regional Office and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to sanction a Sub-Regional Office in Telangana to ease the burden on the Regional Office and ensure efficient delivery of ESIC, Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and Labour Welfare Services to industries and workers and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the criteria adopted for establishing Sub-Regional Offices in other States and whether Telangana meets or exceeds those parameters? ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): As  on  31.03.2025,  the  number  of  employers  and  insured persons registered under the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) in Telangana are 1,35,941 and 15,90,370 respectively, accounting for about 5.5 per cent and 4.9 per cent of the total 24,83,511 employers and 3,24,29,970 insured persons across the country.

The opening of Sub-Regional Offices and bifurcation of large Regional Offices in ESIC is a continuous process based on operational requirements and guidelines amended from time to time.

While considering such proposals, factors such as revenue -expenditure position, economic viability and availability of staff are also taken into account.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1530 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: Cooperation for Archaeological Excavations in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Smt. Kanimozhi Karunanidhi

(a) Yes Sir.

- (b)  and  (c)  Details  of  the  proposals  forwarded  by  the  Tamil  Nadu  State  Department  of Archaeology    for  seeking  approval  of  the  Government  of  India  for  conducting  archaeological excavation as follows:

| year   | Proposals   | Approved   |
|--------|-------------|------------|
| 2021   | 12          | 12         |
| 2022   | 08          | 08         |
| 2023   | 03          | 03         |
| 2024   | 10          | 10         |
| 2025   | 12          | 04 (08*)   |
| 2026   | --          | --         |
| Total  | 45          | 45         |

(*under consideration)

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1530

ANSWERED ON-09.02.2026

## COOPERATION FOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS IN TAMIL NADU

## 1530. SMT. KANIMOZHI KARUNANIDHI

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  the  Madurai  Bench  of  the  Madras  High  Court  has recently directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to positively consider and extend full cooperation  to  any  request  made  by  the  State  Government  of  Tamil  Nadu  for  continuation  of archaeological excavations at Adichanallur, Thoothukudi;
- (b)  the  details  of  the  number  of  requests  received  by  the  ASI  from  the  State  Government  of Tamil  Nadu  seeking  permission  or  cooperation  for  archaeological  excavations  during  the  last five years and the current year, year-wise; and
- (c)  the  details  of  the  number  of  such  requests  approved,  rejected  or  pending  along  with  the reasons for non-approval, if any?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
Lok Sabha Question No. 1526 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: Companies in West Bengal
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UN-STARRED QUESTION NO. 1526 ANSWERED ON Monday, February 09, 2026

Companies in West Bengal

## QUESTION

1526. Shri Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia:

Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  total  number  of  registered companies in West Bengal has increased from 1.37 lakh in 2011 to 2.50 lakh in 2025, if so, the details thereof; (b) whether it is a fact that between March 2015 and July 2025, 1.13  lakh  new  companies  were  registered,  if  so,  the  details thereof; (c) the details of the number of companies incorporated in West Bengal between 2015 and 2025, year-wise; and (d)  the  details  of  the  estimated  number  of  people  employed  in companies incorporated and started in West Bengal from May 2015
- till November 2025, year-wise?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs; Minister of State in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

(Shri Harsh Malhotra)

- a) Companies registered in the State of West Bengal on 31.12.2011 was  1,46,723  and  number  of  companies  as  on  31.12.2025  was 2,54,068.
- b) The total number of companies registered in the State of West Bengal between 01.03.2015 and 31.07.2025 is 69,992.

c) The year-wise details of the number of companies incorporated in West Bengal between 2015 and 2025 are as follows: -

| Calendar Year   | Number of Companies incorporated in the state of West Bengal   |
|-----------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|
| 2015            | 4,248                                                          |
| 2016            | 4,622                                                          |
| 2017            | 5,048                                                          |
| 2018            | 5,385                                                          |
| 2019            | 5,971                                                          |
| 2020            | 6,628                                                          |
| 2021            | 8,235                                                          |
| 2022            | 8,691                                                          |
| 2023            | 7,720                                                          |
| 2024            | 8,115                                                          |
| 2025            | 10,053                                                         |
| Total           | 74,716                                                         |

d) No such data is maintained in the MCA-21 portal.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1524 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: Fiscal Impact of GST Restructuring
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri K E Prakash

1524 Shri K E Prakash:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- ( a) whether the Government has taken note of the statement made by the Finance Minister of Tamil  Nadu  wherein  he  stated  that  changes  in  the  GST  regime  have  imposed  an  additional financial burden of Rs.10,000 crore on the State Government, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  assessed  the  fiscal  impact  of  recent  GST  restructuring measures, if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
- (c)  whether  any  pilot  study,  phased  implementation  or  impact  assessment  exercise  was conducted prior to the introduction of such GST changes and, if so, the details thereof and the findings thereof;
- (d)  whether the Government proposes any compensation mechanism to offset revenue losses arising from such GST changes and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)  the  steps proposed to be taken by the Government to address the concerns raised and to ensure the fiscal stability of States?

## ANSWER

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

- (a),  (b)  &  (c):  GoM  on  rate  rationalization  was  constituted  under  the  chairmanship  of  state  of Bihar along with 5 other member states (Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Karnataka and Kerala). GoM submitted its recommendations to GST Council. GST Council in its 56 th meeting held on 03.09.2025, recommended rationalization of the GST rates on many goods and services with a focus on common-man, labour-intensive industries, farmers and agriculture, health and key  drivers  of  the  economy.  Rationalization  of  the  current  4-tiered  tax  rate  structure  into  a citizen-friendly 'Simple Tax' - a 2-rate structure with a Standard Rate of 18% and a Merit Rate of 5%; a special de-merit rate of 40% for a select few goods and services was recommended. At the moment, no formal study has been conducted on the impact of the GST rate reduction on the different sectors of the economy in the country.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1524

ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 9 th  FEBRUARY, 2026/ 20 MAGHA, 1947 (SAKA )

## Fiscal Impact of GST Restructuring

(d): No such proposal is under consideration of the government.

(e): All states have enacted their Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act. Compliance to the State FRBM Act is monitored by the respective State Legislatures. Central government usually considers the fiscal limits as per the accepted recommendations of the Finance Commission while exercising powers to approve borrowings by States under Article 293(3) of the Constitution of India.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1521 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: Notification of the Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Ms. Praniti Sushilkumar Shinde

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1521

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026

## Notification of the Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary

1521. MS. PRANITI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the difficulties  faced by  farmers  in Solapur district following the notification of the Great Indian Bustard (Maldhok) Sanctuary, including the erroneous inclusion of cultivable land under sanctuary limits;
- (b) whether  any  review  or  re-survey  has  been  conducted  to  verify  land  records,  address grievances and restore legitimate agricultural land to affected farmers;
- (c) the steps taken or proposed to ensure that conservation of the Maldhok is balanced with the livelihood  rights  of  farmers,  including  allowing  cultivation  pending  completion  of  such review; and
- (d) the  measures  being  implemented  to  prevent  misuse  of  wildlife  protection  laws  against farmers and to involve local stakeholders in the management of said Sanctuary?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 empowers the States & Union Territories for the notification of National Parks and Sanctuaries. As per the information received from the State of Maharashtra, the Great Indian Bustard (Maldhok) Sanctuary has been rationalized.

The  Wild  Life  (Protection)  Act,  1972  also  provides  that  National  Parks  and  Sanctuaries  are managed as per the management plan. Eco- development activities through engagement of local people are taken up for wildlife management.

*****