opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1589 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: Central Educational Institutions and Infrastructure Projects in Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Dr. C M Ramesh

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1589 ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026

## Central Educational Institutions and Infrastructure Projects in Andhra Pradesh

1589. Dr. C M Ramesh:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of Central Educational Institutions and infrastructure projects sanctioned or established in the State of Andhra Pradesh during the last five years, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  the  details  of  such  institutions  sanctioned  or  proposed  for  the  Anakapalli Parliamentary Constituency, including Universities, Colleges and specialised institutes; and
- (c) the timelines fixed for the completion and operationalisation of these institutions?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c): Education being in the Concurrent List, enhancing the quality of education is the responsibility of both the Central and State  Governments.  However, recognizing the need for central assistance, the Central Government has implemented  various  centrally  sponsored  schemes  including  Rashtriya  Uchchatar Shiksha  Abhiyan  (RUSA)  for  supporting  the  State  Governments.  The  government has  launched  the  third  phase  of  the  RUSA  in  June  2023  in  the  form  of  Pradhan Mantri  Uchchatar  Shiksha  Abhiyan  (PM-USHA),  with  an  outlay  of  Rs.  12,926.10 crore, including the committed liabilities of the earlier phases of RUSA, for the period 2023-24 to 2025-26, to cater to the needs of educationally unserved/ underserved areas. The scheme has been further extended till 31 st  March, 2028 for completion of PM-USHA  projects  and  for  additional  6  months  (i.e.,  30 th   September,  2026)  for completion of ongoing RUSA projects.

During the last five years, a total of 33 units have been approved support in the State of Andhra Pradesh under PM-USHA for a total amount of Rs. 378.71 crore.

Furthermore, since inception of the scheme, a total of 12 units have been approved support for a total amount of Rs. 157 crore under various components of RUSA and PM-USHA in the Anakapalli Parliamentary Constituency (Vishakhapatnam district) of the State.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1588 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: Construction and Expansion on Forest Land
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Mohibbullah

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1588

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026

## Construction and Expansion on Forest Land

## 1588. SHRI MOHIBBULLAH:

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

- (a) whether the Government has issued guidelines, prescribing norms for permitting religious structures and activities within wildlife sanctuaries and protected forest areas;
- (b) if so, the key provisions of these guidelines, particularly the principle that any construction or expansion on forest land after 1980 be treated as encroachment;
- (c) whether these guidelines are binding on State Governments and the status of their adoption across States;
- (d) whether any proposals for diversion or regularisation of forest land for religious purposes have been approved, reconsidered or revoked during the last three years; and
- (e) the safeguards proposed to ensure protection of wildlife habitats while addressing claims related to religious sites in forest areas?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)      The  Central  Government  has  not  issued  guidelines,  prescribing  norms  for  permitting religious structures and activities within wildlife sanctuaries and protected forest areas.
- (b) to (e)  Does not arise.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1583 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: Position of India in Global Tourism Competitiveness
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Sukhdeo Bhagat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1583

## ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026

## POSITION OF INDIA IN GLOBAL TOURISM COMPETITIVENESS

## 1583.  SHRI SUKHDEO BHAGAT:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  according  to  multiple assessments including the Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2024 and industry analysis, India continues to lag in global infrastructure, inadequate  last-mile  connectivity,  weak  safety  and  security  for
- (a) tourism competitiveness due to poor tourism tourists and insufficient eco-tourism planning; and
- (b) if so, the details of the targeted policy measures are likely to be implemented  by  the  Government  to  overcome  these  structural barriers  and  improve  India's  global  ranking  and  foreign  tourist arrivals?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM         (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a) & (b):   The Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI) is a biennial publication of World Economic Forum (WEF). As per TTDI 2024, India was placed at 39th rank among 119 countries, where it was placed at 54 th  in

the TTDI 2021 edition.

The Ministry has done a detailed analysis of the TTDI 2024 edition to  identify  data  gaps,  methodological  limitations,  and  areas  requiring policy  and  institutional  interventions  to  improve  the  country's  overall performance in subsequent editions of TTDI. The status of this assessment  are  discussed  with  all  the  concerned  28-line  Ministries/ Departments,  and  the  matter  periodically  reviewed.  Consultations  are held with the WEF and its Data Agencies to update the gaps.

With  the  targeted  and  coordinated  interventions,  country's  future editions of the index will incorporate progress made on all parameters. ********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1581 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: DoPT Guidelines for Reservation in Promotion in IITs
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Dr. Faggan Singh Kulaste

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1581 ANSWERED ON-09/02/2026

## DoPT Guidelines for Reservation in Promotion in IITs

## †1581. Dr. Faggan Singh Kulaste:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) guidelines are applicable for providing reservation in promotion to engineers and technical cadre employees in IITs, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  instances  have  been  recorded  in  IITs  where  reservation  in  promotion  has been limited or deferred on the ground of 'skilled cadre' or 'specialized skills' requirements, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government is considering to implement a new mechanism for regular monitoring of compliance with reservation policies in promotions in IITs and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c):  The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are autonomous bodies governed by the Institutes  of  Technology Act, 1961 as amended from time to time, and the statutes framed thereunder. Reservation in  IITs for the non-teaching cadre is implemented in line with the Government of India's reservation policy to promote social justice and equitable representation. Posts are reserved as per the norms prescribed by Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). These measures aim to ensure that opportunities in these institutions are accessible to candidates from underrepresented communities, while recruitment continues to be conducted through transparent and merit-based procedures.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1580 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: New Section 247 of Income Tax
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Giridhari Yadav, Shri Ramprit Mandal, Shri Dinesh Chandra Yadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1580

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

## NEW SECTION 247 OF INCOME TAX

## 1580. SHRI GIRIDHARI YADAV: SHRI DINESH CHANDRA YADAV: SHRI RAMPRIT MANDAL:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

(a)  whether it is a fact that the introduction of new Section 247 in the Income Tax Act to be effective  from  1st April,  2026  has  created  a  lot  of  confusion  among  taxpayers  as  it  gives unlimited power to income tax officials to access digital space using Artificial Intelligence (AI); and

- (a) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b)  Section 247 of the Income-tax Act, 2025 ('the Act') relating to search and seizure provisions  are  in  line  with  section  132  of  the  provisions  of  Income-tax  Act,  1961.  Even though power to override access code to any computer system was already available under section 132 of the Income-tax Act, 1961, specific enablement has been made for the same in the Act considering the evolution of digital space and rapid advances in technology.

Further, there is no mention of Artificial Intelligence in the provision of section 247 or any related provision.

Therefore, the provisions of section 247 of the Act have not assigned any new power to the income-tax authorities.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1576 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: Karuvannur Service Cooperative Bank
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri N K Premachandran

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1576

ANSWERED ON MONDAY, 09 FEBRUARY, 2026/ 20 MAGHA, 1947 (SAKA)

## Karuvannur Service Cooperative Bank

## 1576. SHRI N K PREMACHANDRAN:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Union  Government  has  initiated  any  action  against  the  major  scam  which involved large scale irregularities in the Karuvannur Service Cooperative Bank and such other major scams in the Cooperative banks in Kerala, if so, the details thereof;

- (b) whether the Union Government proposes to initiate any action for repayment of money deposited in those banks, if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon;
- (c) whether the Central agencies conducted investigation regarding cooperative banks scams in the said State, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Central agencies attached assets of the banks or bank Board of Directors or bank employees, if so, the details thereof; and

(e) whether the Union Government has analysed the large scale scam in cooperative sector in the said State and if so, the details and the number of banks in which such scams have been reported?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): The Rural Cooperative Banks are regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and are supervised by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) while Urban Cooperative Banks are regulated and supervised by the RBI. However, Karuvannur Service Cooperative Bank is a cooperative society registered under the Kerala Cooperative Societies  Act,  1969  which  is  under  regulation  and  supervision  of  Registrar  of  Cooperative Societies, Government of Kerala. Hence, the said entity is not a bank as it does not have a banking license from RBI and hence does not fall under the regulatory purview of RBI.

As per press releases of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Kochi Zonal Office of ED has provisionally attached assets worth Rs.10.98 crore of various individuals under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 as part of investigation into the Karuvannur Service Co-operative Bank fraud case.

- (e) As informed by NABARD, the total amount of frauds outstanding as on 31 st December 2025 in cooperative banks under its supervisory purview in the State of Kerala are as under:

| Name of Bank                                 |   Number Frauds |   Amount Outstanding (in ₹ crore) |
|----------------------------------------------|-----------------|-----------------------------------|
| Kerala State Cooperative Bank                |             370 |                              9.8  |
| Malappuram District Central Cooperative Bank |               5 |                              1.43 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1573 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: Financial Support for Retired Sports Persons
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Shafi Parambil

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1573 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026

## Financial Support for Retired Sports persons

## 1573.  Shri Shafi Parambil:

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

- (a) whether the Government has any financial assistance scheme to support retired sportspersons who didn't have any Government job;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons for not extending financial support to the struggling retired sportspersons in the country?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  to  (c):  Yes  Sir.  A  scheme  namely  'Scheme  of  Sports  Fund  for Pension  to  Meritorious  Sportspersons'  already  exists  under  which sportspersons, who have won medals for the country in international competitions are given lifelong pension to provide additional financial security after their retirement from active sports careers.  Under  the existing  Scheme,  a  monthly  pension ranging from Rs.12,000/- to Rs.20,000/- is provided to the ex- sportspersons.

The amount of pension to the ex-sportspersons has been increased over the years. The existing rates of pension are as under:-

|   S. No. | Category of meritorious sportspersons                                                      | Rate of Pension (Rs./per month)   |
|----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
|        1 | Medalists at the Olympic Games / Para Olympic Games                                        | 20,000                            |
|        2 | Gold medalists at the World Cup/World Championship* in Olympic and Asian Games disciplines | 16,000                            |
|        3 | Silver and Bronze medalists at the World Cup in Olympic and Asian Games disciplines        | 14,000                            |
|        4 | Gold medalists of the Asian/ CommonwealthGames/ ParaAsian Games                            | 14,000                            |
|        5 | Silver and Bronze medalists of the Asian/ Commonwealth Games/ Para Asian Games             | 12,000                            |

Further,  the  Ministry  implements  RESET  programme  which  aims  at bridging the gap between generations, allowing the unique skills of our retired athletes to benefit the new generation of aspiring athletes. Their rich  experience  aims  to  serve  as  a  foundation  for  nurturing  future champions, contributing to the growth of sports in India and fostering nation-building.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1565 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: Vacancies in Ministry of Finance
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Kalipada Saren Kherwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 1565

ANSWERED ON - 09/02/2026

## Vacancies in Ministry of Finance

1565.  SHRI KALIPADA SAREN KHERWAL

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state: -

- a) the number of sanctioned posts, posts in position and the number of vacancies, including reserved posts across categories in the Ministry of Finance;
- b) the number of vacancies in the Ministry and its Departments, including reserved posts, since 2014, year-wise and category-wise; and
- c) the number of contractual employees hired since 2014, year-wise and categorywise?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

(SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (c): Occurrence and filling of vacancies is a continuous process. As and when vacancies  arise,  they  are  filled  up  by  direct  recruitment  through  agencies  such  as UPSC, SSC, Banking Recruitment Boards, etc., or through deputation or promotions. The reservation policy of the Government for SC/ST/OBC Categories is followed in the recruitments  and  promotions  in  the Ministry of Finance.  Keeping  in  view  the administrative  exigency of  work,  efficiency, economy of  operations and unavoidable circumstances, the contractual engagements are made after completing all necessary procedural formalities.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1557 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Maddila Gurumoorthy

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1557

ANSWERED ON- 09/02/2026

## Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025

1557. Shri Maddila Gurumoorthy:

Will the Minister of Education be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has assessed the manner in which the proposed regulatory framework  under  the  Viksit  Bharat  Shiksha  Adhishthan  Bill,  2025  seeks  to  support  and accelerate the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the indicative timelines for bringing universities and higher education institutions under the new regulatory regime after the Bill is enacted;
- (d) whether safeguards have been proposed in the Bill to protect institutional autonomy, academic freedom and quality standards; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): For the implementation of the Regulatory System of Higher Education envisioned in  the  National  Education  Policy  (NEP),  2020,  after  due  consideration,  the  Viksit  Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025 has been introduced in the Lok Sabha on 15.12.2025. The objective of this Bill is to constitute a Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (VBSA) to enable and empower the Universities and other Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) to achieve excellence  in  teaching,  learning,  research  and  innovation,  through  co-ordination  and determination  of  standards.  The  VBSA  will  facilitate  the  Universities  and  other  HEIs  to become independent self-governing institutions and promote excellence through a robust and transparent system of accreditation and autonomy.

The Bill has been referred to a Joint Committee of both the Houses of Parliament.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1556 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: Salary limit for workers in Unorganized Sector to avail ESI Facilities
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri M K Raghavan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1556 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026

## SALARY LIMIT FOR WORKERS IN UNORGANIZED SECTOR TO AVAIL

ESI FACILITIES

1556.  SHRI M K RAGHAVAN:

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

- (a)whether  the  Government  has  received  any  proposal  for  the increase  in  the  salary  limit  from  Rs.  21,000  to  Rs.  30,000  for workers in the unorganized sector to avail medical treatment at Employees' State Insurance (ESI) hospitals/dispensaries;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any expert committee or stakeholders recommended an increase in the ESIC Salary threshold and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  is  likely  to  consider  to  set  up  ESI dispensaries  at  Nedunkandam  and  Kumily  in  Idukki  due  to  the prescence of large number of workers especially in the plantation sector; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): The  Government  has  enacted  Code  on  Social  Security (CoSS), 2020 with the goal to extend social security to all employees and  workers  either  in  the  organized  or  unorganized  or  any  other sectors and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. However, Chapter IV of the CoSS, 2020 relating to Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), will apply on every establishment as defined under Section 2(29) read with the first schedule of the CoSS, 2020, in which ten or more persons are employed. Accordingly, the wage ceiling under ESI Scheme is applicable to the organised sector.

The  revision  of  wage  ceiling  is  undertaken  periodically from time to time. The last revision in the wage ceiling for coverage under  ESI  Scheme  was  done  w.e.f.  01.01.2017,  wherein  the  wage limit was raised from Rs. 15,000/- per month to Rs. 21,000/- per month.

(d) & (e): Setting up of ESI dispensaries is an ongoing process. ESIC gives  approval  for  setting  up  of  new  ESI  dispensaries  based  on population of Insured Persons (IP) in an area in accordance with the norms of ESIC.  As per these norms, for setting up of a two doctor dispensary, a minimum of 3,000 IPs/Projected IPs, in the next three years,  within an 8-km radius, is required. In hilly areas, the minimum requirement is 2,000 IPs/ IPs/Projected IPs.

The  present  IP  population  in  the  catchment  areas  of Nedunkandam  and Kumily do not fulfil the requisite norms. Accordingly, it is not feasible, at present, to set up ESI dispensaries at  these  locations,  However,  there  are  03  ESI  dispensaries  viz. Kattappana, Thodupuzha, Kannan Devan Hills and 01 Dispensary-cum Branch  Office  at  Munnar  already  functioning  in  Idukki  district  of Kerala.

*****