opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 313 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-02
Subject: Shortage of Infrastructure in Central University at Koraput, Odisha
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.313

ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026

## Shortage of Infrastructure in Central University at Koraput, Odisha

## 313. Shri Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the Central University of Odisha at Koraput, located in a tribal and backward region is facing serious shortages of infrastructure, faculty and  student  facilities which  adversely  affect  academic  quality  and enrolment;
- (b) the total funds sanctioned and released to the University since its establishment under Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA), Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) and other Central schemes along with year-wise utilisation;
- (c) the present status of construction of the permanent campus including academic blocks,  hostels,  laboratories  and  staff  quarters  and  the  reasons  for  persistent delays;
- (d) whether the University has been assessed by UGC and NAAC, if so, the details of accreditation status thereof; and
- (e) if  not,  the  corrective  steps  directed  by  these  bodies  to  address  deficiencies  in infrastructure, staffing and governance?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): Central  University  of  Odisha  (CUO)  has  been  provided  adequate financial support for its construction of permanent campus. A total of Rs.747.68 crore has been sanctioned as grant-in-aid to CUO for construction of its permanent campus of which Rs.326.97 crore has been released by University Grants Commission (UGC), based on the utilisation of funds. The academic activities in the university are being conducted using the existing completed infrastructure facilities i.e. Academic Blocks, Library  Buildings,  Hostels,  Staff  Quarters,  Guest  House  etc.,  without  facing  any difficulties  and  appropriate  measures  are  taken  from  time  to  time  to  strengthen  its infrastructure, faculty strength and student facilities. As on date, CUO has 70 faculty members in position. Recruitment of faculty is a continuous process, and is undertaken in accordance with the Act, Statutes and applicable rules of the university.

CUO has been accredited by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) in 2017 with Grade B+.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 310 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-02
Subject: Work-Life Balance for Employees
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri K C Venugopal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 310 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026

## WORK-LIFE BALANCE FOR EMPLOYEES

## 310.  SHRI K C VENUGOPAL:

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

- (a)whether the Government is aware of growing concerns regarding work-life balance in the country including the need for employees to have the right to disconnect from work-related communications
- outside official hours;
- (b)if  so,  the  current  status  of  any  national-level  discussions  or initiatives  on  the  said  issue  including  deliberations  from  various stakeholders and timelines for potential policy developments and the manner in which they align with the new Labour Codes;
- (c)the  measures  taken/being  taken by  the  Government  to  promote work-life balance nation-wide including data on average working
- hours, burnout rates and mental health issues; and
- (d)the  details  of  the  safeguards  for  employee  rights  under  any proposed  or  existing  frameworks,  including  applicability  to  all workers,  mechanisms  for  grievance  redressal  through  welfare authorities?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d): 'Labour',  being  a  subject  under  the  Concurrent  List,  is enforced by both the Central Government and the State Governments within their respective jurisdictions. In the Central sphere, enforcement  is  carried  out  by  inspecting  officers  of  the  Central Industrial  Relations  Machinery  (CIRM),  while  in  the  State  sphere, compliance  is  ensured  through  the  State  Labour  Enforcement Machinery.

Contd..2/-

As per the existing labour laws, the working conditions in most of the establishments, including those in private and corporate sector,  are  governed  by  the  Shops  and  Establishments  Acts,  for which the appropriate government is the State Government.

Further, the Central Government has enacted the Occupational  Safety,  Health  and  Working  Conditions  (OSH&WC) Code, 2020, which has been enforced on 21.11.2025, to regulate the occupational safety, health and working conditions of the persons employed in an establishment and for matters connected therewith or  incidental  thereto.  The  Code  also  provides  for  enforcement mechanisms through the appropriate authorities for ensuring compliance with its provisions.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 307 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-02
Subject: Unfair Means in Competitive Examinations
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Smt. Geniben Nagaji Thakor

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 307 ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026

## Unfair Means in Competitive Examinations

- †307.     Smt. Geniben Nagaji Thakor:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  incidents  of  paper  leaks  and  cheating  in  various  competitive examinations in the country have been reported frequently;
- (b)  if so, the details of such incidents during the last three years, year-wise;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to enact some strict law to check such incidents; and
- (d)  if so, the key provisions of said Act and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to  (d)  Competitive Examinations are conducted by different bodies at National & State Level for recruitment as well as for admission in Educational Institutions.

As  a  deterrence  to  unfair  means  and  in  order  to  bring  greater  transparency,  fairness  and credibility in public examinations, the Central  Government  has notified The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act and Rules, 2024 . The Act contains stringent provisions to deal with unfair means used or offences committed by persons / organized groups /  other  organizations  that  adversely  impacts  public  examinations  conducted  by  Central Government and its agencies. All offences under the Act are cognizable, non-bailable and noncompoundable. Penal provisions include imprisonment up to 10 years, fine up to 1 crore rupees or more, attachment of property in case of organised crime, etc. The Act serves as an effective legal  deterrent  for  persons,  organized  groups  or  other  organisations  that  indulge  in  various unfair means, thereby adversely impacting public examination systems.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 293 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-02
Subject: Release of Grants due to Telangana
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Eatala Rajender, Shri Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE

## LOKSABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 293

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2026/MAGHA 13, 1947(SAKA)

## RELEASE OF GRANTS DUE TO TELANGANA

## 293.  Shri Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy: Shri Eatala Rajender:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  there  is  any  outstanding  issue  for  release  of  grants  due  to  the  State  of  Telangana under section 94 (2) of AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is fact that the Union Government has released Rs. 2700 crores at the rate of Rs. 450 crore per year for the FY 2015-19, 2020-21 and 2024-25 to the said State and a balance amount of Rs. 1800 crore is yet to be released for FY 2019-20, 2021-22 and 2023-24, if so, the details thereof and the reasons for the delay;
- (c)  whether  the  Union  Government  has  received  any  request  from  the  State  Government  of Telangana to expedite the release of the balance amount of Rs. 1800 crores; and
- (d) if so, the time by which the said amount is likely to be released?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) No.

(b) to (d):  It was decided to release a total amount of Rs 2700 crores to State of Telangana in six instalments of Rs 450 crores each, under section 94(2) of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act (APRA), 2014. The entire amount has been released to State of Telangana.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 284 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-02
Subject: Utilisation of CAMPA Funds
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Dr. Bachhav Shobha Dinesh

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 284

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026

## Utilisation of CAMPA Funds

## 284.     DR. BACHHAV SHOBHA DINESH:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management  and  Planning  Authority  (CAMPA) funds  are  being  used  for  planting commercially valuable monoculture plantations rather than native species restoration, defeating ecological compensation goals;
- (b) the reasons for not mandating that a minimum percentage of CAMPA funds be used for restoration of native ecosystems rather than commercial plantations;
- (c) the details of the species, composition of plantations funded by CAMPA during the last five years;
- (d) the survival rate of CAMPA funded plantations after three years; and
- (e) whether the Government  plans to issue binding guidelines on native species composition and ecological restoration outcomes for CAMPA-funded projects and if so, the ecological standards set in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (e)  As  per  the  Guidelines  issued  under  the  Van  (Sanrakshan  Evam  Samvardhan) Adhiniyam,  1980,  the  species  to  be  planted  under  compensatory  afforestation  and  ecorestoration  related  activities  should  be  heterogeneous  in  nature  consisting  of  indigenous species. Afforestation activities are implemented in accordance with the approved Annual Plan of Operations (APO), duly conforming to the provisions of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016 and the CAF Rules, 2018, as well as the guidelines issued under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980.

The survival rate of afforestation activities undertaken are maintained by the respective State and UT Forest Departments.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 280 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-02
Subject: Autonomous Status for CESCK
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Dr. K Sudhakar

## 280.   Dr. K Sudhakar:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- a) whether the Government has any proposal to give Centre for Excellence for Studies in Classical Kannada (CESCK) an autonomous status and to be funded directly by the Ministry of Education and if so, the details and the status of such proposal;
- b) whether  any  conditions  or  shortcomings  were  pointed  out  by  University  Grants Commission (UGC) or the Government for grant of such a status, if so, the details thereof;
- c) the  details  of  the  timeline  fixed  by  the  Government  for  granting  or  renewing  such autonomy;
- d) whether the Government has given any support to promote Kannada and other classical languages in the country; and
- e) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government to design courses in these languages while promoting the literature and culture?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (e):    The  National  Education  Policy  (NEP),  2020  emphasizes  on  the  promotion  of multilingualism and encourages efforts to keep Indian languages vibrant. Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysuru, a subordinate office under Ministry of Education works for the promotion of all Indian languages. Further, for promotion of classical Kannada, Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Kannada (CESCK) is functioning under the aegis of CIIL.

CESCK undertakes research works in Classical Kannada  and organise programmes viz. seminars,  workshops,  and  training  initiatives  to  promote  classical  Kannada.  Till  date  23 workshops, 43 training programmes, 13 seminars and 187 other activities such as online lectures, orientation programmes, webinars, etc. have been organised by CESCK. CESCK has published 30 books on classical Kannada, completed 70 internal/external projects with senior/associate fellows of classical Kannada.

******

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-280

ANSWERED ON - 02/02/2026

## Autonomous Status for CESCK
Lok Sabha Question No. 275 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-02
Subject: Projects under NML in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Babu Singh Kushwaha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No.†275 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026

## PROJECTS UNDER NML IN JAUNPUR, UTTAR PRADESH

## †275    SHRI BABU SINGH KUSHWAHA:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  a  majority  of  public  libraries  at  the  district, tehsil  and  rural  levels  in  Jaunpur  district  of  Uttar  Pradesh  are  deficient  in  basic infrastructure, digital resources, e-library facilities and trained manpower;
- b) if  so,  the  details  of the  number of projects sanctioned for Jaunpur district under the National Mission on Libraries (NML) during the last three years and the current year;
- c) the details of the funds allocated and utilised thereunder, year-wise;
- d) whether the Government has formulated any special action plan to develop digital and mobile libraries collections based on local languages and history and smart learning spaces for students and youth in Jaunpur district; and
- e) if so, the details thereof along with the timeline fixed therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) As per Article 246 of the Constitution of India, libraries fall under the State subject in the Seventh Schedule, with public libraries functioning under the administrative control of the respective State or Union Territory authorities.

However,  the  Ministry  of  Culture  implements  the  National  Mission  on  Libraries  (NML) Scheme,  under  which  financial  assistance  is  provided  for  the  'Up-gradation  of  existing libraries  under  the  NML  Model  Library'  component.  Assistance  is  extended  to  one  State Central Library and one District Library in each State/UT, based on recommendations from the respective State authorities and subject to availability of State funds, in addition to six libraries identified by the Ministry. This component focuses on four key areas: improvement of  infrastructure,  up-gradation  of  technology  and  modernization  of  services,  creation  of facilities  for  specially-abled  groups,  and  procurement  of  reading  resources  to  meet  local needs along with advocacy and outreach programmes.

The  Government  of  Uttar  Pradesh  was  sanctioned  financial  assistance  for  upgradation  of State Central Library, Allahabad and Government District Library, Etawah as per following details:

| Library Name                        |   Amt. Sanctioned (Rs. in Lakh) |   Amt. Released (Rs. in Lakh) |
|-------------------------------------|---------------------------------|-------------------------------|
| State Central Library, Allahabad    |                             206 |                        203.75 |
| Government District Library, Etawah |                              87 |                         85.93 |

- (d)  No Sir.
- (e)  Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 272 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-02
Subject: Exemption to Mining or Expansion Projects
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Murasoli S, Shri Robert Bruce C

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 272

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026

## Exemption to Mining or Expansion Projects

## 272.      SHRI ROBERT BRUCE C: SHRI MURASOLI S:

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

- (a) whether the Government has issued any Office Memorandum exempting certain categories of mining  or expansion projects from the mandatory  process of public consultation and environmental public hearing under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) framework;
- (b) if  so,  the details  of  such  exemptions, the rationale behind them and the categories of projects covered;
- (c) whether the Government has received objections or representations from environmental experts and  civil  society  organisations  expressing  concern  that  such  exemptions  dilute  environmental safeguards and deny affected communities an opportunity to raise their concerns;
- (d) if so, the response of the Union Government thereto; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  review  or  withdraw  such  exemptions  in  the  interest  of environmental protection, transparency and public participation?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e) The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has issued an Office Memorandum (OM) dated 08.09.2025 on 'Fast tracking of projects involving Mining of  Critical/Strategic  and  Atomic  Minerals,'  exempting  the  related  projects  from  public consultation requirement under Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006. The OM was issued in terms of the existing provision at clause 7(III)(i)(f) of the EIA Notification, which exempts projects relating to national defence, security or other strategic considerations from public consultation keeping in view the importance of critical/strategic and atomic minerals for meeting India's energy transition, defence preparedness, space research, and nuclear power programme.

The Government has not received any representations or objections from environmental experts or civil society organisations regarding the exemptions in question. The Government remains committed to ensuring environmental protection, transparency, and public participation within the existing regulatory framework.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 271 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-02
Subject: Promotion of Non-Timber Forest Product
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Anurag Sharma

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 271 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026

## Promotion of Non-Timber Forest Product

## 271.     SHRI ANURAG SHARMA:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to implement any special scheme to promote forestbased  livelihoods  such  as  Non-Timber  Forest  Product  (NTFP),  bamboo,  medicinal plants in Jhansi-Lalitpur; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b)   The Central Government, through various schemes and programmes such as the Green India Mission (GIM), the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), the Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes (MISHTI), the National Bamboo Mission, Forest Fire Prevention and Management, and the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats, as well as the Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants, provides assistance for afforestation, including the plantation of medicinal plants, bamboo, and other Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs), which includes the livelihood component also.

There is no special scheme exclusively for Jhansi-Lalitpur for promotion of forest-based livelihoods such as NTFP, bamboo and medicinal plants.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 270 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-02
Subject: Data Collection under Shram Shakti Niti 2025
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Pradyut Bordoloi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 270

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02 ND  FEBRUARY, 2026

## DATA COLLECTION UNDER SHRAM SHAKTI NITI 2025

## 270.      SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI :

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to collect educational and skilling details of workers through the National Career Service (NCS) platform under the draft Shram Shakti Niti 2025;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including the mode of collection, addressing of privacy concerns and the details aimed to be collected;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  link  such  data  with  National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) rankings of educational institutions, based on employability and skilling credentials of their alumni;
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the  details  of  the  framework  proposed  for  certification,  validation and recognition of skilling credentials under the said policy?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): The Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, has drafted the 'Shram Shakti Niti 2025 - National Labour & Employment Policy' as  a  comprehensive  vision  document  aimed  at  building  an  inclusive,  fair, and  resilient  ecosystem  for  workers,  including  women,  informal  sector workers,  and  self-employed  persons,  in  furtherance  of  India's  goal  of becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

The draft Policy proposes National Career Service (NCS) to evolve as India's Digital Public Infrastructure for Employment, serving as the technological backbone for inclusive job matching, credential verification, and skill alignment.

The draft policy envisages increase in skill upgradation and employment opportunities by promoting employability-linked skilling, reskilling and upskilling of the workforce, particularly in emerging sectors. The  draft  policy  places  emphasis  on  employment  generation  through technology-led growth and green transition pathways, including promotion of green jobs, AI-enabled systems, innovation in low-carbon industries, and creation of new livelihood opportunities in sustainable sectors.

*****