opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 261 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-02
Subject: MSP for  Six Rabi Crops
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Dharmendra Yadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 261

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 02 ND  DECEMBER, 2025

## MSP FOR SIX RABI CROPS

## 261. SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष  एवं  िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has recently increased the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for six Rabi crops;
- (b)  if  so, the  details  of the  production cost of these crops and specific cost of each crop calculated; and
- (c) the Government's strategy to enable all eligible farmers to sell their produce at the new MSP, thereby preventing distress sales in the open market?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a) & (b): Yes Sir. The details of cost of production and Minimum Support Price (MSP) for six Rabi crops for Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2026-27 are given below.

Cost, Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for RMS 2026-27 (Rs. per quintal)

|    | RABI CROPS       |   Cost |   MSP |   %Return over Cost |
|----|------------------|--------|-------|---------------------|
|  1 | WHEAT            |   1239 |  2585 |                 109 |
|  2 | BARLEY           |   1361 |  2150 |                  58 |
|  3 | GRAM             |   3699 |  5875 |                  59 |
|  4 | MASUR (LENTIL)   |   3705 |  7000 |                  89 |
|  5 | RAPESEED/MUSTARD |   3210 |  6200 |                  93 |
|  6 | SAFFLOWER        |   4360 |  6540 |                  50 |

(c): Government  offers  to  procure  agricultural  crops  through  designated  procurement agencies at Minimum Support Price (MSP) and farmers have the option to sell their produce to  the  government  agencies  or  in  the  open  market  whichever  is  advantageous  to  them. Increased  MSP  has  benefited  farmers  of  the  country  which  are  evident  from  data  of procurement  and MSP amount paid to the farmers. The  details  of  procurement  and  MSP amount paid to farmers during RMS 2025-26 for six Rabi crops are given as under.

|   Total Procurement (In LMT) | Total MSP Value (In Rs. Crore)   |
|------------------------------|----------------------------------|
|                          310 | 79,267                           |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 258 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-02
Subject: Resumption of Census 2021
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri M K Raghavan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 258

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2 ND  DECEMBER, 2025/ AGRAHAYANA 11, 1947 (SAKA)

RESUMPTION OF CENSUS 2021

258.    SHRI M K RAGHAVAN:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government proposes to resume Census 2021, which was notified in Gazette of India and postponed due to Covid 19 out breaks;

(b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  timeframe  of  its  expected completion;

(c) whether the Government proposes to conduct caste census along with the upcoming decennial census; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a) & (b):  The Government has decided to conduct Census in 2027. The intent of the Government for conducting Census has been notified in the Gazette dated 16 th  June, 2025. The Census 2027 will be conducted in two phases namely Phase I -House Listing and Housing Census from April to September,  2026  in  a  period  of  30  days  as  per  the  convenience  of  the State/UT Governments followed by Phase II -Population Enumeration (PE).

Population  Enumeration  will  be  done  in  February  2027  with  reference

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 258 FOR 02.12.2025

date  00:00  hours  of  1 st   March,  2027  except  for  the  Union  territory  of Ladakh and snow-bound non-synchronous areas of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the States of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, where it will be done in September, 2026 with reference date 00.00 hours of 1 st  October, 2026.

(c) & (d):  In Census 2027, Caste enumeration will be done as decided by Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs vide its decision dated 30.04.2025.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 255 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-02
Subject: Electric Buses to Maharashtra under PM E-Drive Scheme
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Shri Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane, Shri Chavan Ravindra Vasantrao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 255

ANSWERED ON 02.12.2025

## ELECTRIC BUSES TO MAHARASHTRA UNDER PM E-DRIVE SCHEME

## 255. SHRI CHAVAN RAVINDRA VASANTRAO: SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE:

## Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is considering to provide 1000 electric buses to Mumbai, 800 to Pune under PM E-Drive Scheme in the second phase and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the total amount of funds earmarked/sanctioned/released by the Government for the said scheme;

(c) the time by which these electric buses will be operative in these cities;

(d) the names of other cities likely to be covered under the said scheme during the second phase;

- (e)  whether  any  collaboration  with  State  transport  undertakings  or  private  operators  is  being envisaged under this initiative and if so, the details thereof; and

(f)  the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  adequate  charging  infrastructure, maintenance support and long-term operational sustainability of the e-bus fleet in these cities?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEAVY INDUSTRIES (SHRI BHUPATHIRAJU SRINIVASA VARMA)

- (a): In the second phase of allotment under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme, 1500 e-buses have been allocated for Mumbai and 1000 e-buses have been allocated for Pune.
- (b) & (c) : An amount of Rs. 4,391 crores has been allocated for the deployment of 14,028 ebuses under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme. Bids for selection of e-bus operators for the first phase of allotment of 10,900 e-buses have been opened on 14/11/2025.
- (d): Other than Mumbai and Pune, in the second phase, 200 e-buses each have been allocated to Hyderabad and Ahmedabad under PM E-DRIVE scheme.
- (e): Support for e-buses under the PM-EDRIVE scheme is provided through State/ city transport undertakings  (STUs)  on  operational  expenditure  (OPEX)/  Gross  Cost  Contract  (GCC)  model. Procurement of e-buses on aggregation model through competitive bidding is done by CESL. Private entities satisfying the eligibility criteria as per the RFP issued by CESL may participate for supply, operation and maintenance of e-buses.
- (f) : Under the  GCC model, the  selected  private  operator  is  responsible  for  the  procurement, supply, operation, and maintenance of the buses, along with developing and maintaining the allied electric and civil infrastructure at the maintenance depots for charging.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 247 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-02
Subject: Establishment of PM MITRA  Park
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shri Kunduru Raghuveer

## ESTABLISHMENT OF PM MITRA PARK

## 247. SHRI KUNDURU RAGHUVEER:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री be pleased to state :

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  proposed  to  establish  any  PM  Mega  Integrated  Textile  Region  and Apparel (PM MITRA) Park in the Nalgonda district of Telangana and if not, the reasons therefor;

(b) whether the Ministry has taken note that the existing PM MITRA Park at Atchampally- Chintalpally in Yadadri-Bhongir was part of the erstwhile Nalgonda district;

(c) the details of the infrastructure development, land acquisition and investment progress achieved so far under the PM MITRA scheme in Telangana;

(d) the employment generation and industrial units established or proposed in that park; and

(e)  whether  the  Government  will  consider  sanctioning  a  new  textile  or  apparel  manufacturing  cluster exclusively for the Nalgonda district to ensure regional balance?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज्  य मंत्री ( श्री पबित्र मार्घेररटा )

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA)

(a) to (e): With a view to attract investment, boost employment generation and position itself strongly in the global market, the Government has approved setting up of 7 (Seven) PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks in Greenfield/Brownfield sites with world class infrastructure including plug and play facility with an outlay of Rs. 4,445 Cr for a period of 2021-22 to 2027-28.

Ministry received 18 proposals from 13 states for setting up Mega Textile Parks and has finalised 7 sites including  one  in  Telangana  (Warangal),  for  setting  up  of  PM  MITRA  Park.  Other  selected  sites  are Tamil Nadu (Virudhnagar), Gujarat (Navsari), Karnataka (Kalaburagi), Madhya Pradesh (Dhar), Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow) and Maharashtra (Amravati).

It is envisaged that each park when completed will lead to an investment of Rs. 10,000 Cr. and generate about 1 lakh direct and 2 lakh indirect jobs.

The PM MITRA Park Telangana is spread across 1,327 acres and the allotable industrial plot area is 866.84 acres, out of which 540.41 acres of land has been allotted so far to the textile companies. These companies have planned an investment of 3,862 Cr in the park with an expected employment of 24,400.

The Government is also implementing Scheme for Integrated Textile Park (SITP) to provide the textile industry with state-of-the-art infrastructure for setting up  of textile  units.  The  scheme  was  in implementations  till  31.03.2021  after  which  it  was  approved  for  continuation  for  meeting  committed liabilities  only  as  a  component  of  Textile  Cluster  Development  Scheme  (TCDS)  with  an  outlay  of Rs.568.15 Crore.
Lok Sabha Question No. 245 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-02
Subject: SC/ST Beneficiaries in Andhra Pradesh under NLM
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri Maddila Gurumoorthy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 245 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02 ND  DECEMBER 2025

## SC/ST BENEFICIARIES IN ANDHRA PRADESH

## 245. SHRI MADDILA GURUMOORTHY:

Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING मत्स्यपालन , पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री be pleased to state:

- a) the  total  funds  allocated,  released  under  the  National  Livestock  Mission  (NLM)  to  Andhra Pradesh since 2021 to till date especially Tirupati district;
- b) the details of physical and financial achievements under the scheme during such period;
- c) the number of beneficiaries from Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities who have been supported under the NLM scheme in Andhra Pradesh in Tirupati district;
- d) whether there is any special component under NLM to promote livestock development among SC/ST farmers; and
- e) if  not,  whether  the  Government  has  any  proposals  to  support  for  equitable  livestock  sector development?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)

- a)  The total funds allocated and released is Rs. 113.06 Cr to Andhra Pradesh since 2021-22 to till date under NLM. The total funds allocated to Tirupati district is Rs. 5.33 Cr and released Rs. 5.27 Cr since 2021-22 to till date under NLM.
2. (b) In Tirupati District, 18,553 animals were insured with the financial expenditure of Rs.2.29 Cr, 1463 tonnes of fodder seed were distributed with the financial expenditure of Rs.2.98 Cr and 1316 farmers were trained and seminars for 62 vets and para vets were organised under skill development programme with the financial expenditure of Rs.98.00 Lakhs.
3. (c)  Under Livestock  Insurance component, 3612 SC beneficiaries and 729 ST beneficiaries were supported  under  the  NLM  scheme  in  Tirupati  District.  2385  SC  beneficiaries  and  1194  ST beneficiaries  were  supported  with  supply  of  fodder  seed  and  748  SC  beneficiaries  and  301  ST beneficiaries were trained under the NLM scheme in Tirupati District.
4. (d) & (e)The funds are being released to States under SCSP and TSP head of the budget of total outlay to support SC and ST beneficiaries under NLM.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 241 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-02
Subject: Procedure for OCI Cards
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Captain Viriato Fernandes

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 241

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2 ND  DECEMBER, 2025/ AGRAHAYANA 11, 1947 (SAKA)

PROCEDURE FOR OCI CARDS

241.  SHRI CAPTAIN VIRIATO FERNANDES:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  an  established  procedure  for  Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders who have relinquished foreign citizenship and now seek to regain Indian citizenship;
- (b)  if  so,  the  eligibility  criteria,  required  documentation,  and  application process applicable in such cases;
- (c) whether there is a clearly defined mandatory waiting period between date of surrendering foreign citizenship and applying for re-acquisition of Indian citizenship and if so, the details of duration;
- (d) whether the Government considers issuing an interim residency permit to  such  individuals  during  transition  period  before  their  application  for Indian citizenship is processed;
- (e) the average timeline for processing such applications and whether any fast-track  mechanism  exists  for  individuals  with  urgent  personal  or professional grounds; and
- (f)  whether  there  are  procedural  delays  or  inconsistencies  in  verifying foreign  citizenship  relinquishment  for  former  Indian  citizens  seeking  renaturalisation, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI BANDI SANJAY KUMAR)

## (a) to (f):

Acquisitions and determination of citizenship of India is governed by the  Citizenship  Act,  1955  and  rules  made  there  under  called  The Citizenship  Rules,  2009.  For  the  Overseas  Citizens  of  India  (OCI) cardholder, there is provision under Section 5(1) (g) for acquisition of citizenship by registration. Further, for acquiring Indian citizenship  a  person  should  not  be  illegal  migrant  which  has  been defined under Section 2(1)(b)(i)(ii) of the Citizenship Act, 1955.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 240 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-02
Subject: Special Grant for UT of Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Bishnu Pada Ray

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 240

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2 ND  DECEMBER, 2025/ AGRAHAYANA 11, 1947 (SAKA)

SPECIAL GRANT FOR UT OF ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS

240.    SHRI BISHNU PADA RAY:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Member  of  Parliament,  Andaman  &  Nicobar  Islands, formally requested the Government to sanction a special grant of 5000 crore to the Union Territory of Andaman  &  Nicobar  Islands for infrastructure development, in view of the deficit UT budget to meet public grievances relating to construction and maintenance of State, District, Rural,  urban  roads,  bridges,  drains,  culverts,  footpaths,  high  drains  in municipal areas, repair of tsunami shelters, renovation works for tribal communities, and construction of dams for drinking water supply across the Islands including tribal, municipal, and rural areas; and

(b) If so, the details of the action taken and the steps proposed to be taken by the Government to consider the said demand of the islanders?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a)  and (b): Yes, Sir. The Union Territory (UT) of Andaman and Nicobar Islands projects its requirement of budget, based on the need of various Departments under UT.  The Union Government allocates the budget to the  UT  for  its  establishment  and  developmental  expenditure,  based  on past  trend  of  expenditure  and  future  requirements.  This  is  a  regular process. In addition to this, other Ministries of Government of India (GoI) also provide budgetary support under various schemes for infrastructural projects in the UT.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 231 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-02
Subject: Meri Panchayat App
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Shri Patel Umeshbhai Babubhai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 231

ANSWERED ON 02.12.2025

## MERI PANCHAYAT APP

## 231. SHRI PATEL UMESHBHAI BABUBHAI:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to State:

(a)  whether the information about the funds received by each Gram Panchayat in the country and its utilization available on the 'Meri Panchayat App' run by the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj, if so, the details thereof;

(b)  whether the information related to funds of Panchayats located in Daman-Diu is available on Meri Panchayat App;

(c)  if so, the details of fund allocated, sanctioned and utilized for each Gram Panchayat including Daman and Diu districts during the last five years, year-wise; and

(d)  if not, the reasons therefor not maintaining this information and the steps taken by the Government to provide this information?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)

(a)  Yes, Sir. The 'Meri Panchayat' mobile application developed by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj provides Panchayat-wise information on the receipts and utilization of funds for Gram Panchayats in all States. The application draws data from the eGramSwaraj-Treasury integration and the eGramSwaraj-PFMS interface used by States, which enables near real-time availability of financial information related to Panchayats.

(b)  No, Sir. The information related to the receipts and utilization of funds of Panchayats located in the Union Territory of Daman and Diu is not available on the Meri Panchayat App.

- (c)  Does not arise, Sir.
- (d)  Union Territories receive funds for Panchayati Raj Institutions directly from the

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The Ministry of Panchayati Raj does not play a role in the release, tracking, or reporting of such funds provided by MHA to the Panchayats of Union Territories. Accordingly, the financial data of Gram Panchayats of Union Territories, including Daman and Diu, is not captured through the eGramSwaraj-Treasury or eGramSwaraj-PFMS interfaces, and therefore does not get reflected on the Meri Panchayat App.

The Ministry engages with relevant stakeholders to explore mechanisms for ensuring the availability of financial information of Panchayats, subject to institutional arrangements and jurisdictional responsibilities.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 16 (STARRED), answered on 2025-12-01
Subject: Removal of Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution from NCERT Syllabus
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Dr. Kalanidhi Veeraswamy

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 16 ANSWERED ON 01.12.2025

## Removal of Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution from NCERT Syllabus

*16. Dr. Kalanidhi Veeraswamy:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state

- (a) whether the Government has removed the theory of evolution propounded by Charles Darwin from the NCERT  Class  10  Science  syllabus as part of the curriculum rationalization exercise; (b)  if  so,  the  details  of  reasons  for  removing  this  foundational  scientific  theory  from  the secondary  school  syllabus  along  with  the  scientific  or  pedagogical  basis  for  this  decision; (c) whether the Government consulted with experts in the field of biology, education, and scientific research institutions such as NCERT, CBSE, and the Indian National Science Academy (INSA)
- before taking this decision and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government is aware of the concerns expressed by scientists, educators and civil society regarding the dilution of scientific education in school curricula, if so, the details thereof; (e)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  review  this  decision  and  reinstate  the  study  of evolution at the secondary level in order to ensure scientific literacy and critical thinking among students; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF EDUCATION (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

- (a) to (f) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.  16  ANSWERED  ON  01.12.2025  ASKED  BY  DR.  KALANIDHI  VEERASWAMY, HON'BLE MP (LS) REGARDING 'REMOVAL OF CHARLES DARWIN'S THEORY OF EVOLUTION FROM NCERT SYLLABUS'

(a) to (f): The teaching-learning process in Science is a continuum from middle to secondary stage and  the  Theory  of  Evolution  propounded  by  Charles  Darwin  is  a  part  of  School  Science Curriculum.

However, during the COVID as well as post-covid periods, concerns related to curriculum load, based on the multi-stakeholders participation including the Parliamentary Standing Committee, were raised. In view of the multi-level inputs, from different stake holders like Central Board of Secondary  Education  (CBSE)  as  well  as  experts  from  colleges,  universities  and  research institutions, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) undertook an exercise to rationalise textbooks across stages and subject areas in the larger interest of the students and teachers.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 7 (STARRED), answered on 2025-12-01
Subject: Enrolment under EPF
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Benny Behanan, Adv Dean Kuriakose

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 7 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.12.2025

## ENROLMENT UNDER EPF

*7. SHRI BENNY BEHANAN: ADV DEAN KURIAKOSE:

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

(a)the  details  of  the  current  rate  of  minimum  salary  for  enrolment under Employees' Provident Fund (EPF); (b)whether the Government has any plans to increase the ceiling of the minimum salary to Rs. 30,000 for enrolment under EPF and if so, the details thereof; (c)whether the gig workers in the service economy be included under this programme; and (d)if so, the details thereof and if not the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House. *                                                  *****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 7 FOR 01.12.2025 BY SHRI BENNY BEHANAN  and  ADV  DEAN  KURIAKOSE  REGARDING  ENROLMENT UNDER EPF. (a): As per provision of the EPF scheme 1952, all employees of an  establishment  registered  with  EPFO,  drawing  wage  up  to  Rs 15,000/- are mandatorily required to be covered. There is no criterion for minimum wages for coverage under EPF scheme 1952. (b): Raising the wage ceiling for coverage under EPFO is done based  on extensive  stakeholders'  consultations  including  Trade Unions and industry associations as the same will have impact on the take-home salary of employees and on the hiring cost for employers. (c) & (d): As per the Code on Social Security, 2020, 'gig worker' has been defined as a person who performs work or participates in a work arrangement  and  earns  from  such  activities  outside  of  traditional employer-employee relationship. Under the Code on Social Security, 2020,  there  are  provisions  for  social  security  measures  for  gig workers  and  platform  workers  on  matters  relating  to  life  and disability cover, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, old age protection, etc. The Code also provides for setting up a Social Security Fund to finance the welfare scheme. Further, Section 113 of the  Code  on  Social  Security,  2020  provides  for  registration  of unorganized workers, gig workers and platform workers.

*****