opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4992 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: Revival of Industries
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Thiru Arun Nehru

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-4992 TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY 23 th  March 2026 [CHAITRA 02, 1948 (SAKA)

## 'Revival of Industries'

## 4992. Thiru Arun Nehru.

Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:

- (a) whether specific funds have been earmarked in the Union Budget 2026-27 for revival and modernisation of moribund and sick industries in the Perambalur industrial belt in Tamil Nadu, including small-scale engineering and fabrication units;
- (b) if so, the details of such allocations, schemes and eligibility norms applicable to units located in Perambalur Lok Sabha Constituency; and
- (c) the details of credit disbursement during FY 2025-26 to small-scale engineering and allied Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) units in Perambalur, including number  of  accounts,  total  amount  sanctioned  and  disbursed,  bank-wise  figures  and sector-wise break-up?

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

- (a) Specific funds for localised industrial and fabrication units are generally not indicated in the Union Budget. However, the scheme to revive 200 legacy industrial clusters (Para 26 of  Union Budget 2026-27) is one of the sources for industrial clusters to receive funds for modernisation and revival.
- (b) Does not arise, in view of (a) above.
- (c) Ministry of MSME implements Credit Guarantee Scheme (CGS) for Micro and Small Enterprises  (MSEs) through Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE)  to  provide  credit  guarantee  for  loans  extended  to  MSEs  for  all  the  activities mentioned  under  the  MSMED  Act  2006.  The  ceiling  for  guarantee  coverage  under  the scheme  is  Rs.  10  crore  (w.e.f.  01.04.2026).  1,37,998  credit  guarantees  amounting  to  Rs. 26,374  crore  have  been  extended  to  MSEs  under  the  scheme  in  the  State  of  Tamil  Nadu, including those in Perambalur district, during FY 2025-26 (till 28.02.2026).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4988 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: Upper Limit for EPF and ESI Beneficiaries
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Smt. Mala Roy

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4988

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026

## UPPER LIMIT FOR EPF AND ESI BENEFICIARIES

4988. SMT. MALA ROY:

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

(a)whether the Government has any plan to increase the upper limit cap  of  Employees'  Provident  Fund  (EPF)  and  Employees'  State

Insurance (ESI) beneficiaries; (b)if so, the details thereof; and (c)if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): The  wage  ceiling  for  coverage  under  the  Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) Scheme, 1952 and Employees' State Insurance (ESI)  Act,  1948  is  revised  from  time  to  time.  Presently,  the  wage ceiling for coverage under EPFO is Rs.15000/- per month and for ESIC, it is Rs. 21,000/- per month.

Raising  the  wage  ceiling  is  done  based  on  extensive stakeholders'  consultations  including  Trade  Unions  and  industry associations as the same will have impact on the take-home salary of employees and on the hiring cost for employers.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4987 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: Reforms in Public Sector Banks
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Jai Prakash

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 4987

ANSWERED ON MONDAY, 23 MARCH, 2026/CHAITRA 02, 1948 (SAKA)

## Reforms in Public Sector Banks

4987. SHRI JAI PRAKASH:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government is contemplating unveiling the next phase of reforms for Public Sector Banks under Enhanced Access & Service Excellence (EASE) 9.0 agenda for FY 2027 with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) and (b): EASE Reform Agenda is finalised on yearly basis at the start of  each financial year (FY), under the guidance of  EASE Steering Committee of member Public Sector Banks (PSBs) under the aegis of Indian Banks' Association (IBA). The Reforms Agenda is objectively assessed and reviewed quarterly by the EASE Steering Committee.

EASE 9.0 Reforms Agenda for FY2026-27 was launched in February 2026 with a vision of building Globally Competitive PSBs for Viksit Bharat@2047.

EASE 9.0 Reforms Agenda is built upon four themes of EASERise framework i.e. Risk  &  Resilience,  Innovation,  Socio-economic  Impact and  Excellence.  It  marks the next phase of reforms aimed at strengthening long-term capabilities of PSBs with  focus  on  institutionalising  customer  service  culture,  Artificial  Intelligence  enabled workflows, strengthening operational risk framework, modernising Information Technology systems, lending to emerging sectors, sustainable finance and employee well-being.

Further, IBA has apprised that metrics of EASE 9.0 Reforms Agenda are under formulation and will be rolled out to PSBs by April 2026.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4982 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: Change in Duration of B.Ed. Course
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Ramvir Singh Bidhuri

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO:- 4982

ANSWERED ON-23/03/2026

## Change in Duration of B.Ed. Course

†4982. Shri Ramvir Singh Bidhuri:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has restored the duration of the Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) course to one year;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons for reverting the twelve-years old regulation whereby the B.Ed. course was extended to two years; and
- (c) the year by which the revised duration of the said course is likely to be implemented?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (c):  As  per  information  received  from  the  National  Council  for  Teacher  Education (NCTE), the statutory authority responsible for laying down norms and standards for teacher education programmes in the country, at present, there is no proposal to restore the duration of the Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) programme to one year.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4974 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: Strengthening National Service Scheme
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Rao Rajendra Singh

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4974 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026

## Strengthening National Service Scheme

4974. SHRI RAO RAJENDRA SINGH:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  strengthen  the National Service Scheme(NSS) and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the total number of institutions and volunteers registered under the NSS;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  observed  any  palpable  difference between the volunteers initially registered under the said scheme and those who received a certificate of completion; and
- (d)  if  so,  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  remove  such  a difference and the incentives provided to the volunteers under the said scheme?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

## [DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA]

- (a) Yes, Government has taken several steps to strengthen the National Service Scheme (NSS) across the country. The details are as follows:
-  Expansion of Volunteer Strength: In 2022-23 Government enhanced the volunteer strength from 36 lakhs to 39 lakhs across various Senior Secondary Schools, Colleges, and Universities.

-  The Government promotes setting up of Self-Funding Units (SFUs) of  NSS  in  order  to  increase  participation  across  Schools  and Colleges. The institutions setting up the SFUs would need to raise necessary resources for running of the NSS unit on their own. Such institutions  could,  if  necessary,  charge  a  nominal  fee  for  NSS programme activities.
- (b) The total number of Institutions registered under NSS in FY 2025-26 are 31,847. The total number of Volunteers registered under NSS during FY 2025-26 are 38,90,237.

(c)  and  (d)  In  accordance  with  NSS  Manual,  a  student  registered/ enrolled in NSS has to undergo a special camp and complete 120 hrs of volunteer service each year for a period of two years to receive the NSS certificate.The incentives provided to the volunteers under the NSS are as follows :

-  Academic Weightage: Various States and Union Territories (UTs) provide  incentives  to  NSS  volunteers,  such  as  weightage  in marks/percentage  (typically  ranging  from  1%  to  5%)  during admissions  to  higher  education  courses.  Some  states  provide bonus marks in the recruitment of state government services.
-  NSS  Awards:  The  Ministry  confers  National  Service  Scheme Awards annually at the National level to 30 shortlisted volunteers to recognize their outstanding contributions including cash prizes and certificates. The award is presented by Hon'ble President of India.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4971 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: Employment in Chandigarh Administration
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Manish Tewari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4971

TO BE ANSWERED ON 23 RD  MARCH, 2026

## EMPLOYMENT IN CHANDIGARH ADMINISTRATION

## 4971.     SHRI MANISH TEWARI:

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

- (a) the details of the number of persons registered with Employment Exchange  Chandigarh  during  the  last  five  years  and  the  current year, year-wise;
- (b) the manner in which the said registered candidates were provided employment in Chandigarh Administration departments on temporary/contract/ outsourced basis;
- (c) whether the said administration has issued any rule/order mandating that 20 -25 per cent of outsourced recruitment must be done through Employment Exchange;
- (d) if so, the details of the rule/order; and
- (e) the  details  of  the  monitoring  mechanism  of  the  Government  to ensure compliance by the outsourcing agencies?

## ANSWER

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

(a):     As per the information received from the UT of Chandigarh, a total of  8703  persons  have  registered  with  the  Employment  Exchange, Chandigarh during the last five years and 184 persons have registered during the current year. The year-wise details are as under: -

| Year                  |   Registration |
|-----------------------|----------------|
| 2021                  |           1870 |
| 2022                  |           1443 |
| 2023                  |           2268 |
| 2024                  |           1679 |
| 2025                  |           1443 |
| 2026 as on 16.03.2026 |            184 |

(b):      The registered candidates are sponsored to various departments of the Chandigarh Administration as well as to the Private Sector against requisitions received from them. The candidates are sponsored strictly as per the eligibility criteria, seniority and other conditions prescribed in the  requisition  received  from  the  employer,  i.e.,  Public  and  Private Sector. However, no names of registered candidates are sponsored on an outsourced basis. (c) & (d): At present, there are no such rules/instructions. (e):  The monitoring of compliance by outsourcing agencies is carried out by the concerned departments of the Chandigarh Administration as per the terms and conditions of the outsourcing contract/agreement and the guidelines issued by the Chandigarh Administration from time to time, in

accordance with the provisions and applicable rules.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4966 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: Relocation of Wild Animals
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4966 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026

## Relocation of Wild Animals

## 4966. SHRI JAGADISH CHANDRA BARMA BASUNIA:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  data  on  human  fatalities  owing  to  human  animal conflicts;
- (b) if so, the details of human fatalities during the last ten years, year and State/UT-wise;
- (c) the details of animal relocation programmes conducted during the said period, year-wise; and
- (d) the details of the total number of animals relocated, year-wise?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d) The management of wildlife including the mitigation of human-wildlife conflict is primarily the responsibility of the concerned States/UTs. The State Governments &Union Territory Administrations are the first responders to any conflict situation and they maintain the details of the conflict along with the species involved.

The  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change  provides  financial assistance to State Governments and Union Territory Administrations under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes of Development of Wildlife Habitats and Project Tiger and Project Elephant for the management of wildlife and their habitats. The activities  supported  under  these  schemes  include  procurement  of early  warning systems,  construction  and  installation  of  physical  barriers  such  as  barbed  wire fencing,  solar-powered  electric  fencing,  bio-fencing,  and  boundary  walls  to prevent the entry of wild animals into agricultural fields. Financial assistance is also  provided  for  payment  of  compensation  for  depredation  caused  by  wild animals, including loss of human life, injury, crop damage, livestock predation, and  damage  to  property.  Further,  Rapid  Response  Teams  are  deployed  by States/UTs for timely intervention in conflict situations.

The  scientific  management  of  wild  animal  populations  listed  in  the  Schedules appended to the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, is carried out by the concerned State and Union Territory Governments in accordance with the provisions of the said  Act.  Animal  relocation/translocation  programmes  are  generally  speciesspecific and site-specific, and are carried out for purposes such as conservation, population management, and mitigation of human-wildlife conflict. The details of such programmes, including the number of animals relocated, are maintained by the concerned States/UTs.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4964 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: Minimum Public Shareholding in CPSE
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Dr. Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF INVESTMENT AND PUBLIC ASSET MANAGEMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4964

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2026/ CHAITRA 02,1948 (SAKA)

## Minimum Public Shareholding in CPSE.

## 4964: DR. KAKOLI GHOSH DASTIDAR

Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:

- (a) The list of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) that do not meet Securities and Exchange Board of India's (SEBI) Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS) norms.
- (b) The Public Shareholding pattern in each of these CPSE and reasons for shortfall;
- (c) The time-bound plan to reach MPS in each such CPSE, along with timeline for 100% compliance; and
- (d) Whether  any  exemptions  or  relaxations  have  been  granted,  if  so,  details  of  the relaxations granted, CPSE-wise?

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

(a) to (d): Rule 19A of the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Rules, 1957 (SCRR) mandates that all listed companies should maintain a Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS) of at least 25%. At present  out  of the  67  listed  Central  Public  Sector  Enterprises  (CPSEs),  57 listed CPSEs have met the MPS norms. The details of the remaining 10 are given below:

|   S.No | CPSE Name                                 |   Public Shareholding(*) (%) |
|--------|-------------------------------------------|------------------------------|
|      1 | Andrew Yule &Company Ltd                  |                        10.75 |
|      2 | Fertilizers and Chemicals Travancore Ltd  |                        10    |
|      3 | Hindustan Machine Tools Ltd               |                         6.31 |
|      4 | India Tourism Development Corporation Ltd |                        12.97 |
|      5 | Indian Railway Finance Corporation Ltd    |                        15.35 |
|      6 | Indian Telephone Industries Ltd           |                         9.98 |
|      7 | KIOCL Ltd                                 |                         0.97 |
|      8 | Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd             |                        18.78 |
|      9 | MMTC Ltd                                  |                        10.07 |
|     10 | State Trading Corporation Of India Ltd    |                        10    |

(*) Source: Bombay Stock Exchange

These CPSEs have not been able to comply with the Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS) norms due to operational and financial constraints.  The key reasons could vary  from  weak financial positions, unfavorable market conditions, valuation concerns and the substantial size of stake dilution required to achieve the prescribed public shareholding levels. Recognizing these challenges, exemptions have been granted by SEBI from time to time for compliance with the MPS norms.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 4958 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: Development of Kshatriya Kund Gram, Jamui
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Arun Bharti

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4958

TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026

## DEVELOPMENT OF KSHATRIYA KUND GRAM, JAMUI

## 4958. SHRI ARUN BHARTI :

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  develop  and  preserve  Kshatriya  Kund Gram in Jamui which is recognized as the birthplace of Lord Mahavira;
- (b) whether the funds allocated to upgrade the cultural infrastructure and museum facilities at this premier site of Jain heritage;
- (c) if so, the details of allocations and expenditures, year-wise;
- (d) whether  the  Government  coordinates  with  the  State  Government  to  host  an  annual national-level Mahavira cultural festival at the said site; and
- (e) the  details  of  the  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  globally  promote  the  said heritage site?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Kshatriya  Kund  Gram,  located  in  the  Jamui  district  of  Bihar,  is  neither  under  the
- to jurisdiction  of  the  Archaeological  Survey  of  India,  nor  notified  as  a  State-protected
- (e) monument. It is a Jain pilgrim site located in the village of Lachhuar about 20 kms. west of  Jamui  district.  The  place  serves  as  a  gateway  to  Kshatriya  Kund  Gram  which  is believed to be the birth place of Lord Mahavira. However, no funds have been allocated to upgrade the cultural and museum facilities at this site.

-----
Lok Sabha Question No. 4957 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: Fake Universities in the Country
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Dr. Rajkumar Sangwan

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4957 ANSWERED ON - 23/03/2026

## Fake Universities in the Country

†4957. Dr. Rajkumar Sangwan:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a) the details of the number of fake universities identified in the country;

(b) the specific action taken by the University Grants Commission (UGC) against such fake universities during the last four years and the current year, including the number of FIRs registered and notices issued;

- (c) the other measures taken by the Government, apart from issuing notices to create public awareness about such fake universities and to safeguard the interests of students;

(d) whether the Union Government has requested the State Governments/UT Administrations to take action against fake universities operating within their jurisdictions; and

(e) if so, the details thereof along with the nature of action requested to be taken by them?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): Education is in the concurrent list and both the Central Government and the State Governments  work  together  for  development  of  education  in  India.  The  list  of  fake universities  is  available  on  the  website  of  the  University  Grants  Commission  (UGC)  at https://www.ugc.gov.in/universitydetails/Fakeuniversity.  Currently,  32  Institutions  figure  in the list.

During  the  last  four  years  and  the  current  year,  the  following  actions  have  been undertaken by the UGC with regard to self-styled or fake institutions/universities:

- (i) Issued  clarifications/compliance  letters/show-cause/warning  notices  to  the  fake institutions.
- (ii) Published Public Notices on the UGC website to caution Students and Public at Large against such self-styled institutions.
- (iii) Letters  have  been  issued  to  the  Chief  Secretaries,  Education  Secretaries  and Principal Secretaries of the concerned States/UTs, requesting them to take suitable action  against  such  self-styled  fake  universities/institutions  and  to  register  FIR

against these self-styled educational institutions which are operating in violation of the UGC Act, 1956.

Maintenance of Law and order is a subject matter of State Governments. Accordingly, the Central Government has requested to Chief Secretaries of all the State Governments and U.T. Administration to take legal action for closure of these institutions and take appropriate action  against  those  involved  in  defrauding  and  cheating  students  by  misrepresenting themselves as "Universities",  awarding degrees and using the word "University" with their name. It was also requested to intimate the Central Government /UGC if there are other fake Universities functioning in their States/UTs which are not included in the UGC list of Fake Universities.

*****