opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 51 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-25
Subject: Creation of Employment Through Rural Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: ARJUN RAM  MEGHWAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†51 ANSWERED ON 25.04.2016

## CREATION OF EMPLOYMENT THROUGH RURAL TOURISM

- †51.  SHRI ARJUN MEGHWAL:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken note that the possibility of creation  of  employment  opportunities  increases  when  rural tourism is promoted;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to formulate any scheme to promote rural tourism; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a): Yes, Madam.

(b) & (c): The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  a  Rural  Tourism  Scheme with  the  main  objective  of  showcasing  rural  life,  art,  culture  and heritage  in  villages,  that  have  core  competence  in  art  &  craft, handloom,  textiles,  natural  environment  etc.    Under  this  scheme, Central Financial Assistance (CFA) upto Rs.50.00 lakh for infrastructure  development  and  upto  Rs.20.00  lakh  for  capacity building is provided to the State/UT Government.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 49 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-25
Subject: Quality Education in Schools
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: KINJARAPU RAM MOHAN NAIDU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 49 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 th  APRIL, 2016

## Quality Education in Schools

## 49. SHRI RAM MOHAN NAIDU KINJARAPU:

## Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  adequate  number  of  schools  capable  of providing quality education are not available in rural, semi-urban and urban areas and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether the Government proposes to open more schools in the country to provide quality education and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether the Government proposes to start Kindergarten class i.e. KG- I & KG-II also in Kendriya Vidyalayas and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

- (a)  :    As  per  Unified  District  Information  System for  Education  (UDISE),  2014-15, Gross Enrolment  Ratios  (GER)  at  primary  and  upper  primary  levels  are  108    and  91.24 respectively. There  are  10,02,476  government  schools  in  rural  areas  and  78,281 government schools in urban areas at elementary level for providing free and compulsory quality education.
- (b): SSA  aims  to  universalize  access  to  elementary  education  by  providing  financial support for the creation of school infrastructure as per the norms and standards specified in the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009.  The States and  UTs  submit  their  proposals  through  Annual  Work  Plan  &  Budget  (AWP&B)  under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) every year. Till date, 2,04,732 primary schools and 1,59,392 upper primary schools have been sanctioned to States/UTs under SSA since its inception in 2001.

(c) & (d): As per the Admission Guidelines of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, in Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs), children are admitted in class-I. However, pre-primary classes are also functioning in 20 KVs across the country as on 10.08.2015.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 48 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-25
Subject: Incentives to Employers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 48 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 TH  APRIL, 2016

## INCENTIVES TO EMPLOYERS

48.  SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY KOTHA:

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

- (a) whether the Government  proposes to bring out a scheme aimed at giving incentives  to  the  employers  who  provide  additional  jobs  and  if  so,  the details thereof; and
- (b) the time by when the said scheme is likely to be launched?

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## ANSWER (SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)

- (a)  &  (b):  A  new  Scheme  'Pradhan  Mantri  Rojgar  Protsahan  Yojana'  has been announced in the Budget for 2016-17 with the objective of promoting employment  generation  and  an  allocation  of  Rs.  1000  crores  has  been made.  The  scheme  is  being  implemented  by  the  Ministry  of  Labour  and Employment in 2016-17. Under the scheme employers would be provided an incentive for enhancing employment by reimbursement of the EPS contribution made by the employer in respect of new employment.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 47 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-25
Subject: Labour Reforms
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: ARJUNLAL MEENA, SUKENDER REDDY GUTHA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 47 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.04.2016

## LABOUR REFORMS

47. SHRI ARJUN LAL MEENA: SHRI GUTHA SUKENDER REDDY:

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

(a)whether the Government proposes to reform the existing labour laws; (b)if so, the details thereof and the changes proposed to be made therein; (c)whether the Trade Unions have opposed the said move of the Government; (d)if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto; and

- (e)the  other  steps  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  in  this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)

(a) to (e): Reforms  in  labour  laws  are  an  ongoing  process  to  update legislative system to address the need of the hour and to make them more effective and contemporary  to the emerging economic  and  industrial scenario. The Second National Commission on Labour has recommended that the existing Labour Laws should be broadly grouped into four or five Labour Codes  on  functional  basis.  Accordingly,  the  Ministry  has  taken  steps  for drafting four Labour Codes on Wages; Industrial Relations; Social Security & Welfare;  and  Safety  and  Working  Conditions  respectively,  by  simplifying, amalgamating  and  rationalizing  the  relevant  provisions  of  the  existing Central Labour Laws. Similarly, the Ministry has taken steps to draft Small Factories Bill, a special legislation for the small manufacturing units, based on the recommendations of 2nd National Commission of Labour. Ministry has also  taken  steps  for  amendment  of  individual  Labour  Acts.  The  process  of Legislative reforms includes consultation with stakeholders including Central Trade Unions, Employers' Association and State Governments in the form of tripartite consultation. During recent months, several such tripartite meetings have been held for considering suggestions on various legislative reform proposals where the representatives of Central Trade Unions participated  and  gave  their  suggestions  on  the  legislative  proposals  which are considered by the Government appropriately.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 46 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-25
Subject: Funding of Exports to Iran
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.46 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 th  APRIL, 2016

## FUNDING OF EXPORTS TO IRAN

## 46.    DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वािणÏय एवं उɮयोग मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether India is planning to fund the exports to Iran through Export Development Fund (EDF) of EXIM bank;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any buyers credit facility has been provided to Iran under EDF system; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

वािणÏ  य एवं उɮयोग राÏ य मंत्री ) Įीमती िनमर्ला सीतारमण ( ( èवतंत्र प्रभार )

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

(a)&(b) The  Exim  Bank  of  India  and  seven  Iranian  Banks  led  by  Central  Bank  of  Iran negotiated a Framework Agreement in November, 2014 for financing the purchase of goods and services from India by Iranian entities, under the Export Development Fund(EDF).

(c)&(d) Government has approved provision of Buyers' Credit Facility to Iran up to Rs 3000 crore  under  the  aforesaid  Framework Agreement for export of steel rails by State Trading Corporation and the Chabahar Port Development Project.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 43 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-25
Subject: Employees Contributions to EPF
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 43

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.04.2016

## EMPLOYEES CONTRIBUTIONS TO EPF

## 43. SHRI A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN:

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

- (a)whether  the  retirement  savings  managed  and  overseen  by  the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has crossed Rs. 10 lakh crore mark, making it the eleventh largest pension fund in the world;
- (b)if so, the details thereof;
- (c)whether the EPF offers are expected to receive Rs. 1,15,000 crore of  fresh  accruals  from  employees  contributions  during  the  year 2015-16 and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)whether the said contribution is likely to be 15 per cent higher than it had been originally estimated; and
- (e)if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)

- (a) & (b): As per the Audited Consolidated Annual Accounts of Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) for the year 2014-15, the  closing  balance  of  Funds  managed  by  EPFO  is  Rs.  6,34,174.33 crore.

Regarding EPFO being the eleventh largest pension fund in the world, no such information is available with EPFO.

- (c): No,  Madam.  The  fresh  accruals  in  2015-16  in  the  three Schemes framed under the Employees' Provident Funds & Miscellaneous  Provisions  (EPF  &  MP)  Act,  1952  as  per  the  revised estimates is Rs. 1,01,538.54 crore.

- (d) & (e): The revised estimates for the year 2015-16 are projected to be  13.81  per  cent  higher  than  the  Budget  estimates.  The  details  of revised estimates of the three Schemes are as under:
- (i) Employees' Provident Funds (EPF) Scheme, 1952 :    Rs. 71,398.25 crore
- (ii) Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS),   1995:            Rs. 29,000.00 crore
- (iii) Employees' Deposit-Linked Insurance (EDLI) Scheme, 1976: Rs  1,140.29 crore.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 42 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-25
Subject: Expenditure on Excavation Proposals
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: SHASHI THAROOR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 42 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.04.2016

## VAISAKHA 5, 1938 (SAKA)

## EXPENDITURE ON EXCAVATION PROPOSALS

## 42.   DR SHASHI THAROOR :

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  the  Archaeological  Survey  of  India  (ASI)  spends  less  than percent of its expenditure on exploration and excavation activities, which has led to numerous cases of excavation proposals nor being undertaken or being left incomplete and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is taking any measures, including steps to increase financial allocation, to encourage greater exploration efforts by the ASI;
- (c) whether  the  Government  would  also  consider  directing  the  ASI  to  establish  prescribed  criteria  for prioritization of maintenance efforts, as the absence of prescribed criteria has resulted in monuments being chosen arbitrarily for conservation works; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons there for?

## A  N S  W  E  R

## MINISTER OF STATE, CULTURE AND TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) AND MINISTER OF STATE, CIVIL AVIATION

## (DR.  MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a) The  Archaeological  Survey  of  India  is  undertaking  exploration  &  excavation  work  based  upon  the potential of the site as well as problem oriented research projects covering vast time period and vast geographical area. The expenditure on exploration and excavation as a percentage of total expenditure is not reflective of the importance given to this activity.

The  scheme  of  village  to  village  survey  for  recording  and  documenting  the  antiquarian  remains  and archaeological  sites  by  the  ASI  has  been  revived  since  April,2014  and    3886  villages  have  been surveyed and 1547 villages have yielded antiquarian remains  and  structures/ancient mound upto 31 st March 2016.

All the excavation branches of ASI are regularly excavating the sites in various parts of the country. ASI has neither stopped the excavation work nor left it incomplete.

- (b) Archaeological Survey of India have been gradually increasing amount on exploration/excavation work which is given below:
- (c) The conservation work of protected monuments is a continuous process.  The criteria for prioritization of
- & conservation efforts is already in place such as structural repairs, consolidation, stabilization, restoration
- (d) of  damaged  parts,  strengthening/replacement  of  decayed  fabric,  improvement  of  drainage,  chemical preservation, public amenities, environmental development etc. Hence, the monuments for conservation  are  not  chosen  arbitrarily  but  as  per  the  availability  of  the  resources  and  actual requirements at the site with priorities outlined above.

Year Expenditure  (in lacs)

2013-14 301.05

2014-15 400.11

2015-16 542.00

2016-17 Allotment  555.00
Lok Sabha Question No. 41 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-25
Subject: Vocational Education
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: ALOK SANJAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 41 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.04.2016

## Vocational Education

## †41. SHRI  ALOK SANJAR:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to introduce vocational education as a full fledged subject in the Government schools;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  the  criteria  laid  down  for  selection  of  Government  schools  for  introducing  vocational education therein; and
- (d) the time by which it is likely to be implemented?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a)&(b): The Government is implementing the scheme of Vocationalisation of secondary and  higher  secondary  education  under  the  umbrella  of  Rashtriya  Madhyamik  Shiksha Abhiyan  from  Class  IX th onwards  across  the  country.  The  scheme  seeks  to  integrate vocational education with general academic education. The scheme is being implemented in the schools by the States/UTs and financial assistance is provided to them based on the proposals  received.  As  per  the  provisions  of  the  scheme,  the  vocational  subjects  are offered as an additional or compulsory subject at the secondary level i.e. Class IX th and X th and as elective subjects at the higher secondary level i.e. Class XI th and XII th . The major aim of the scheme is to prepare educated, employable and competitive human resource for various sectors of the economy and the global market. The specific objectives of the scheme are  to  enhance  the  employability  of  youth  through  demand  driven  competency based, modular vocational courses; to fill the gap between educated and employable; and to reduce the dropout rate at the secondary level. It envisages close partnership with the industry  in  the  design,  development,  delivery,  assessment  and  certification  of  skills content.

- (c): The proximity between the schools and industry/employer is a major consideration in the  selection  of  schools  for  implementation  of  the  scheme.  Every  school  is  required  to

have linkage with some related enterprise/industry/farm/organization for hands-on training, specialized quality assurance and other relevant aspects. Further, while selecting schools preference is given to schools located in Special Focus Districts, Educationally Backward Blocks, Left Wing Extremism affected districts and in districts with high dropout rates at the secondary level.

(d):  The  scheme  of  Vocationalisation  of  secondary  and  higher  secondary  education  is already being implemented in the country under Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan. Till 2015-16, 3654 schools across 31 States/UTs have been approved under the scheme.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 40 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-25
Subject: Ranking Framework
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: BHANU PRATAP SINGH VERMA, VINOD KUMAR BOIANAPALLI, SUKENDER REDDY GUTHA, ANTO  ANTONY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.40 (H) TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 th  APRIL, 2016

## ASSISTANCE TO FARMERS FOR EXPORT

## 40 (H). SHRI HARISHCHANDRA CHAVAN:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वािणÏय एवं उɮयोग मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to provide assistance to the farmers growing grapes in the country particularly in Nasik district for directly exporting their produce;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## वािणÏ य एवं उɮयोग राÏ य मंत्री ) Įीमती िनमर्ला सीतारमण ( ( èवतंत्र प्रभार ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

- (a to c) The cultivation of grapes is supported through Centrally Sponsored Scheme i.e. Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) in all the States by providing assistance in the form of planting material, drip irrigation, trellies and integrated nutrient and pest management. The maximum of Rs.1.60 lakh/ha (40% of the cost) for integrated package with drip irrigation & trellies and Rs.0.50 lakh /ha (40% of the cost) for without integration are given to meet the expenditure on planting material and cost of material for drip irrigation, trellies & INM/IPM in three installments of 60:20:20 to survival rate of 75% in 2 nd year and 90% in 3 rd year. The  assistance  will  be  @  50%  of  cost  for  NE  and Himalayan States, TSP areas, Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands.

The Government is implementing a number of measures and incentives for promoting the exports of agricultural products including grapes. The  Agricultural and Processed Food  Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the administrative control of the Department of Commerce extends financial assistance to the eligible exporters under 'Agriculture export promotion Plan Scheme' which  comprises  of  various  components  namely;  Market  Development;  Infrastructure  Development; Quality Development; and Transport Assistance.  Also, exports of grapes are eligible for an incentive of 5% under the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS).

In  addition  to  this  Grape  Net  is  an  internet  based  electronic  service  offered  by  APEDA  to  the Stakeholders for facilitating testing and certification of Grapes for export from India to the European Union  in  compliance  with  the  standards  identified  by  NRC  Pune,  on  the  basis  of  consultation  with exporters. Grape Net collects, stores and reports - forward and backward traces and quality assurance data entered by the stakeholders i.e. exporters,   laboratories and PSC authorities within Grapes supply chain in India.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 39 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-25
Subject: Export of High Speed Diesel to Bangladesh
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: GEETHA KOTHAPALLI

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.39 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 TH  APRIL, 2016 EXPORT OF HIGH SPEED DIESEL TO BANGLADESH

## 39. SHRIMATI KOTHAPALLI GEETHA:

पैट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्री Will the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  recently  exported/dispatched  high  speed  diesel consignment to Bangladesh;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the details and the current status of the 'Indo-Bangla friendship pipeline' project?

## ANSWER

पैट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्रािय में राज्य मंत्री ( स्विंत्र प्रभार ) (श्री धमेन्द्र प्रधान) MINISTER OF STATE(INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS(SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

- (a)  Yes, Madam.
- (b)  On  17.03.2016,  the  Minister  of  State  (I/C)  Petroleum  and  Natural  Gas,  Shri Dharmendra Pradhan flagged off a consignment of 2200 MT of High Speed Diesel (Gas Oil) from Siliguri Marketing Terminal of Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) to Bangladesh.  The consignment reached Parbatipur (Bangladesh) on 19.03.2016.
- (c) The Prime Minister of India visited Bangladesh on 07 th June, 2015.  In the Joint Declaration  between  India  and  Bangladesh,  the  two  Prime  Ministers  welcomed 'construction of a pipeline from Siliguri to Parbatipur for supply of High Speed Diesel to Bangladesh'. Details of implementation of the pipeline project are currently being worked out in consultation with the Bangladesh Government.
- -----------------
Lok Sabha Question No. 38 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-25
Subject: Amendment to PF Act
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Y. S. AVINASH REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 38 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.04.2016

## AMENDMENT TO PF ACT

38. SHRI Y.S. AVINASH REDDY:

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

- (a)whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  amend  the  Provident Fund Act and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)whether  the  Government  proposes  to  expand  the  PF  coverage benefit to employees of small business houses also; and
- (c)if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)

- (a) to (c): A proposal for comprehensive amendment to the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions (EPF & MP) Act, 1952 is under consideration of the Government which, inter alia, includes reducing threshold limit for coverage from 20 to 10 employees under the Act.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 36 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-25
Subject: Online Ticketing for Historical Sites
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: RAJAN BABURAO  VICHARE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 36 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.04.2016 VAISAKHA 5, 1938 (SAKA)

## ONLINE TICKETING FOR HISTORICAL SITES

## † 36. SHRI RAJAN VICHARE:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  launched  online  ticketing  system  for  visiting Agra  Fort,  Fatehpur  Sikri,  Aitma-ud-daulah  and  Sikandara  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  likely  to  introduce  online  ticketing  system  for visiting other tourist places in the country in future;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE, CULTURE AND TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) AND MINISTER OF STATE, CIVIL AVIATION

(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a) Yes  Madam,  the  online  ticketing  system  is  in  operation  for  Agra  Fort, FatehpurSikri, Itmad-ud-daulah and Sikandara. Links for online booking are available on websites of ASI and Agra Circle.
- (b) The  online  ticketing  has  already  been  introduced  for  all  116  ticketing
- to monuments / sites under Archaeological Survey of India.

(d)