opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 5029 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: Promotion of National Language Hindi
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Giridhari Yadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

## DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5029

## ANSWERED ON 23/03/2026

## Promotion of National Language Hindi

†5029. Shri Giridhari Yadav:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that the mandatory requirement in a majority of private schools in the country to  conduct  admission  interviews  in  English  coupled  with  the  compulsion  to  speak  and  study exclusively in English within the school premises and at home is hindering the development of the National Language, Hindi;

(b) if so, whether the Government proposes to formulate any policy or issued guidelines to abolish such compulsions in order to ensure the proper development and promotion of Hindi;

(c) if not, the reasons therefor; and

(d)  the  details  of  other  Government  schemes and initiatives currently in place for the propagation and promotion of the Hindi language?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, prohibits screening procedures for admission in elementary schools (Classes 1-8) in India, including tests or interviews of children or parents, ensuring equality and fairness in access to education. Education being a subject in the Concurrent List of the Constitution and the majority of schools being under the jurisdiction  of  the  State/Union  Territory  Governments,  it  is  for  the  respective  State/Union,  as  the "Appropriate Government', to take action in the matter.

However,  the  National  Education  Policy(NEP)  2020  mandates  using  the  mother  tongue, home language, or local language as the medium of instruction until at least Grade 5, and preferably until  Grade  8  and  beyond.  It  promotes  multilingualism  without  imposing  any  language,  including Hindi, on any state, focusing on bridging conceptual understanding through native languages. Also, NEP 2020  emphasises  that  teaching  in  the  mother  tongue  improves  cognitive  abilities,  academic performance, and preserves cultural heritage.

The NEP 2020 explicitly provides for high-quality textbooks, including science, to be made available  in  home  languages/mother  tongues,  and  directs  that  even  where  such  materials  are unavailable,  the  language  of  transaction  between  teachers  and  students  shall  remain  the  home language/mother  tongue  wherever  possible.  Teachers  are  encouraged  to  use  a  bilingual  approach, including bilingual teaching-learning materials, for students whose home language may differ from the medium of instruction. The Three-Language Formula continues to be implemented with greater flexibility, ensuring that at least two of the three languages studied by a child are native to India. No language shall be imposed on any State or student.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 5024 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: Crop Loans by Banks
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Omprakash Bhupalsinh Alias Pavan Rajenimbalkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5024 ANWERED ON MONDAY, 23 MARCH, 2026/CHAITRA 02, 1948 (SAKA)

## Crop Loans by Banks

## † 5024. SHRI OMPRAKASH BHUPALSINH ALIAS PAVAN RAJENIMBALKAR:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it has come to the notice of the Government that farmers who have settled their loans and the farmers with low credit scores are being denied crop loans by nationalised banks;
- (b) if so, the number of such cases, State-wise;
- (c) whether  delaying  or  denying  crop  loans  to  such  farmers  is  in  conformity  with  the farmer-friendly policies of the Government, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the concrete steps being taken by the Government to provide loans to such farmers on time?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (c)  In  a  deregulated  credit  environment,  lenders  including  nationalized  banks  are expected to take credit decisions as per their Board approved policies and broad regulatory guidelines.  As  per  Reserve  Bank  of  India's  (RBI)  Master  Direction  on  Credit  Risk Management dated 28.11.2025, banks are required to include in their loan policies / credit appraisal processes, suitable provisions for obtaining Credit Information Reports (CIRs) from one or more Credit Information Companies (CICs) so that the credit decisions are based on credit information available in the system. The CIC information is referred for due diligence purpose and is taken into account in such cases where there is a default on the part of the borrower in any other lending institution.

(d) The Government and RBI have taken several measures to provide hassle free access to affordable credit to the farmers which inter-alia include:

- Department of Financial Services vide its  letter  dated 04.02.2019 has advised banks to waive processing, documentation, inspection, ledger folio charges and all other service charges for Kisan Credit Card (KCC)/crop loans up to Rs. 3 lakh.
- Annual fixing of ground level agriculture credit targets and Priority Sector lending targets for banks
- Adequate and timely credit support through Kisan Credit Card (KCC)/ Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS)
- Collateral free short-term agriculture credit upto Rs 2 lakh
- Kisan Rin Portal (KRP) has been launched in September 2023, enabling Aadhaar-based beneficiary verification and faster digital claim settlements under the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) for loans availed through KCC.
- The  Jan  Samarth  portal  has  been  started  as  a  one-stop  digital  platform  for  linking Government-sponsored loans and subsidies Schemes. It provides a quick and efficient way to apply for loans and obtain approvals based on a digital evaluation of the applicant's data.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5014 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: Grants for Junnar Leopard Conservation and Rescue Centre
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Dr. Amol Ramsing Kolhe

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5014

TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026

## Grants for Junnar Leopard Conservation and Rescue Centre

## 5014. DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  evaluated  the  effectiveness  of  the  Project  Leopard guidelines  in  the  high-density  agricultural  landscapes  of  Shirur,  where  traditional forest-management models are failing;
- (b) the status of the central grant for the Junnar Leopard Conservation and Rescue Centre and whether there is a plan to upgrade it to a National Centre for Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation; and
- (c) the status of the Environment Clearance for the critical infrastructure projects in the Khed-Rajgurunagar belt that have been currently stalled  due  to overlapping EcoSensitive Zones?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (b) Protection and management of wildlife, including management of human wildlife conflict is primarily the responsibility of  concerned State Government.  The  Ministry  provides  financial  assistance  to  the  States Government  and  Union  Territories  Administrations,  including  State  of Maharashtra,  under  the  Centrally  sponsored  scheme-Development  of Wildlife  Habitats,  for  conservation  and  management  of  wildlife  and  its habitats  as  per  the  Annual  Plan  of  Operations  received.  The  activities supported for the human wildlife conflict management includes strengthening  of  Rapid  response  teams,  Early  warning  system,  Solar fences, awareness, capacity building of staff, eco development activities etc.  Hence,  the  state  government  needs  to  study  and  implement  sitespecific measures to mitigate conflict situations.

Similarly,  for  management  of  wildlife  conflict  situations  arising  due  to leopards,  in  human  dominated  agricultural  landscapes  such  as  Shirur, community-oriented approaches tailored for such human-dominated ecosystems need to be adopted by the State Government.

As  informed  by  the  Central  Zoo  Authority,  Manikdoh  Leopard  Rescue Centre, Junnar is a recognized zoo, and there is no such proposal to upgrade it to a National Centre for Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation.

- (c) No, proposal for environment clearance in the Khed-Rajgurunagar belt has been received in the Ministry.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 5009 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: PM Internship Scheme in Bihar
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Ramprit Mandal, Shri Kaushalendra Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5009 ANSWERED ON MONDAY THE 23 rd  MARCH, 2026 CHAITRA 02, 1948 (SAKA)

## PM INTERNSHIP SCHEME IN BIHAR QUESTION

5009.  Shri Ramprit Mandal:

Shri Kaushalendra Kumar:

Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  number  of  applicants  selected  from  the  State  of  Bihar  so  far  under  the Pradhan Mantri Internship Scheme along with the types of employment opportunities provided to the trained youth; and
- (b)  whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  launch  any  awareness  campaign  to encourage the youth of Bihar to take benefit of the said scheme  and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

[SHRI HARSH MALHOTRA]

(a): The number of candidates who were selected and given internship offers by the companies from the State of Bihar is 5668 in Round I and 5698 in Round II of the PMIS Pilot Project.

(b): The Ministry of Corporate Affairs is actively working with various stakeholders such  as  state  governments,  central  government  ministries  &  departments, industries  and  industry  associations  for  promotion  and  implementation  of  the scheme.  MCA  has  actively  collaborated  with  State  Government  to  carry  out extensive Information, Education and Communication activities, including workshops, seminars, and promotional campaigns - both online and on-ground to amplify program visibility and to reach out to the target groups in various districts of  the  State.  These  campaigns  are  being  carried  out  for  whole  of  the  country including Bihar. Further, the PMIS Portal is accessible in 12 different languages to enhance inclusivity from different geographical regions of the country.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5008 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: Grossly Polluting Industries
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Dr. C N Manjunath

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5008

TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026

## Grossly Polluting Industries

## 5008. DR. C. N. MANJUNATH:

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

- (a)  the  number  of  Grossly  Polluting  Industries  (GPIs)  identified  along  the  Arkavathy  and  Cauvery river basins in the State of Karnataka as on January, 2026;
- (b) the details of Online Continuous Effluent Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) installed by industries in the said river basins including the number of units connected to the monitoring network;
- (c) the details of central funds released to the State Government of Karnataka under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) during the last three years, year-wise; and
- (d) the details of the action taken by the Government against industrial units found non-compliant with Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) norms in the State?

## ANSWER

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

## (a) to (d)

The concerned SPCBs/PCCs in their jurisdiction identify Grossly Polluting Industries (GPIs). As per information provided by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), there are 3 GPIs in the State. All the 3 units are operational and complying with environmental standards.

Details  of  Online  Continuous  Effluent  Monitoring  Systems  (OCEMS)  installed  by  industries  in  the said river basins including the number of units connected to the monitoring network can be assessed through https://rtdms.cpcb.gov.in/data

As per information provided by National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD), no Central funds have been released to the State Government of Karnataka under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) during the last three years.

In the last five years, in the State of Karnataka, four units were found non-compliant with respect to Zero  Liquid  Discharge  (ZLD)  norms.  Actions  taken  under  the  provisions  of  environmental  laws included two closure directions and two show cause notices.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5007 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: Tropical Diseases in School Curriculum
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Md Abu Taher Khan

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5007 ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026

## Tropical Diseases in School Curriculum

5007. Md Abu Taher Khan:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is working on a proposal to make health education, focusing on tropical  diseases  like  dengue,  malaria,  swine  flu  etc.  as  part  of  the  syllabus  in  schools  as  well  as in colleges; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the time frame by which it is likely to be implemented?

## ANSWER

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

(a) and (b): The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 at para 4.24 provides that 'Concerted curricular and pedagogical initiatives, including the introduction of contemporary subjects such as Artificial Intelligence, Design Thinking, Holistic Health, Organic Living, Environmental Education, Global Citizenship Education (GCED), etc. at relevant stages will be undertaken to develop these various important skills in students at all levels.'

In alignment with NEP, 2020, health Education has always been one of the focus areas of curriculum, syllabus and textbooks developed by the National Council of Educational Research & Training (NCERT). The National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023 (NCF-SE 2023) recommends the importance of health and well-being  of  mankind.  Keeping  in  view  the  mandate  of  NCF-SE  2023,  NCERT  has  developed  Science textbooks of Middle Stage (Grades 6 to 8). With respect to the proposal to make health education, focusing on tropical diseases like dengue, part of the syllabus in schools, the science textbooks of NCERT have included basic information about health and diseases.

The  University  Grants  Commission  (UGC)  has  formulated  guidelines  for  Promotion  of  Physical  Fitness, Sports, Students' Health, Welfare, Psychological and Emotional Well-Being at Higher Educational Institutions of India. Further, the students can take Value added Courses (VAC ) courses on public health and tropical diseases  as  elective/ability  enhancement  courses.  Through  the  Study  Webs  of  Active-Learning  for Young Aspiring  Minds  (SWAYAM)  portal,  there  are  several  UGC  recognized  (Massive  Open  Online  Courses) MOOCs  pertinent  to  public  health,  tropical  diseases,  and  health  communication  offered,  which  support enhancing  students'  knowledge  of  disease  prevention,  tropical  health  issues  and  effective  public  health communication.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5006 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri T R Baalu

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5006

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

## Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana

## 5006 . Shri T R Baalu:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state: -

- (a) Whether  the  Sukanya  Samriddhi  Yojana  (SSY)  launched  in  2015  has  become  a  popular Savings Scheme in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) Whether it is a fact that the subscriptions to the SSY are not growing because of reduced interest rate, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) Whether the Government is likely to come forward to restore the original interest rate of 8.1 per cent to increase the subscription numbers; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Sukanya  Samriddhi  Account  Scheme,  launched  on  22 nd   January,  2015,  has  recorded consistent growth in both the number of accounts and deposits, since inception. The yearwise cumulative position as on 31st March of each year is given below:
- (b) No.  Subscriptions  (Deposits  and  No.  of  Accounts)  under  Sukanya  Samriddhi  Account Scheme have been growing since 2014-15, as can be seen in the table above.
- (c) The interest rate under the Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme has remained at 8.2% per annum from 1 st  January, 2024 onwards.
- (d) Does not arise, in view of (c) above.

| Year    |   Number of Accounts (in lakh) |   Deposits (₹ lakh Crore) |
|---------|--------------------------------|---------------------------|
| 2014-15 |                           4.2  |                     0.001 |
| 2015-16 |                          69.99 |                     0.07  |
| 2016-17 |                         100.84 |                     0.17  |
| 2017-18 |                         124.29 |                     0.32  |
| 2018-19 |                         155.34 |                     0.5   |
| 2019-20 |                         192.5  |                     0.73  |
| 2020-21 |                         232.68 |                     1.01  |
| 2021-22 |                         293.75 |                     1.39  |
| 2022-23 |                         350.08 |                     1.75  |
| 2023-24 |                         387.15 |                     2.37  |
| 2024-25 |                         424.57 |                     2.99  |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4998 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: Identification and Conservation of Heritage Sites in Bihar
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Dr. Mohammad Jawed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4998

ANSWERED ON-23.03.2026

## IDENTIFICATION AND CONSERVATION OF HERITAGE SITES IN BIHAR

4998. DR MOHAMMAD JAWED:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has undertaken any survey or study to identify sites in Bihar with the potential to be accorded heritage status;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, district-wise;
- (c) if not, whether the Government proposes to undertake any Survey in the near future; and
- (d) the details of restoration and conservation work undertaken at the said identified sites along with the funds allocated and expenditure incurred thereon?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  Yes  sir,  Archaeological  Survey  of  India  (ASI)  has  conducted  village  to  village  survey  to identify sites in Bihar with archaeological potential. (b) and (c) During last three years (from 2023-24 to 2025-26), 42 sites in District Lakhisarai and
- 144 sites in District Samastipur are reported.
- (d)  ASI  takes  up  conservation  of  protected  monuments  and  protected  areas.  There  are  70 protected  monuments and protected areas  in  Bihar.  An  amount  of  Rs. 15  crores  is  alloted  for conservation of these monuments/sites during the current year.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4993 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas in Telangana
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddy, Shri Vamsi Krishna Gaddam

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4993 ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026

## Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas in Telangana

4993. Shri Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddy: Shri Vamsi Krishna Gaddam:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that as per the objective of Navodaya Vidyalayas Scheme, every  district  in  the  Country  should  have  one  Jawahar  Navodaya  Vidyalayas (JNVs), if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  set  up  JNVs  in  the  left  out districts  in  the  State  of  Telangana,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to establish Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) in Peddapalli and Mancherial districts of Telangana in view of the longpending  demand  and  the  importance  of  such  institutions  for  the  educational development of rural students;
- (d) if so, the details of the proposals received, approval status and the timelines for sanction and construction of these JNVs; and
- (e) if  not,  the  reasons  for  not  approving  these  proposals  and  whether  the Government intends to reconsider the request in view of the educational needs of students in these districts, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e) The Navodaya  Vidyalaya Scheme  envisages  for opening of one Navodaya Vidyalaya (NV) in  each  district  of  the  country.  Opening  of  new  NVs  is  a continuous  process  which  depends  on  the  willingness  of  the  concerned  State Government/UT administration to make available requisite suitable land, free of cost, for  construction  of  the  permanent  building  and  making  available  required  temporary building, free of rent, to run the Vidyalaya till the permanent building is constructed. Sanction and opening of new NVs depends on approval by the competent authority as per  extant  procedures.  At  present,  666  districts  of  the  country  have  been  covered under the scheme and total 689 NVs have been sanctioned so far in the country.

As per information received from Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), at present, 16 NVs (i.e. Kamareddy, Karimnagar, Khammam, Kumuram Bheem Asifabad, Nagar Kurnool, Nalgonda, Ranga Reddy, Siddipet, Warangal, Jagtial, Nizamabad, BhadradriKothagudem,  Medchal-Malkajgiri,  Mahabubnagar,  Sanga  Reddy  and  Suryapet)  are sanctioned  in  the  state  of  Telangana  and  out  of  these  16  NVs,  15  are  presently functional.

*****