opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1200 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: School Dropouts in Kerala
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Kodikunnil Suresh

1200. Shri Kodikunnil Suresh:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  number  of  school  dropouts  in  the  State  of  Kerala  during  each  of  the  last  ten  academic  years, class-wise and district-wise;
- (b)  the  dropout  data  for  higher  secondary,  vocational,  professional,  polytechnic,  undergraduate  and graduate  programmes  in  the  said  State  during  the  last  ten  years,  district-wise,  institution-wise  and course-wise;
- (c) the details of the number and names of Government-aided and private schools closed, merged, or discontinued in the said State during the last ten years, district-wise;
- (d)  the  details  of  the  number  and  names  of  Government,  aided,  and  self-financing  colleges  (arts  and science, engineering, medical, polytechnic, vocational) closed or suspended during the last ten years in the said State, district-wise; and
- (e) the details of staffs including teachers who lost their job due to the closure and drop out during the last ten academic years?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) : As per UDISE+ (Unified District Information System for Education Plus), dropout rates in the State of Kerala from the year 2015-16 to 2024-25 by level of education are available at https://www.education.gov.in/en/parl\_ques .
- (b) to  (e):  As  in  the  Higher  Education  sector  Students  have  multiple  options  and  they  choose  and migrate from one course or program to another. Education being a subject in the Concurrent List of the Constitution,  an  overwhelming  majority  of  the  schools  in  the  country  are  managed  by  respective States/UTs. The recruitment and rational deployment of teachers fall under the purview of the respective State Governments/UT Administrations.

As per  UDISE+,  number of  Government-Aided  and  Private  schools  in  the  State  of  Kerala from the year 2015-16 to 2024-25 and total teachers in Kerala from the year 2015-16 to 2024-25 are available at https://www.education.gov.in/en/parl\_ques .

As  per  AISHE  (All  India  Survey  on  Higher  Education),  number  of  Governments,  Private (Aided), and Private (Un-Aided) colleges in the State of Kerala for the year 2013-14 and 2022-23 are available at https://www.education.gov.in/en/parl\_ques .

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## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

## DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1200

ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025

## School Dropouts in Kerala
Lok Sabha Question No. 1196 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: Foreign Companies Projects in the Country
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri  Selvaganapathi T.M.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO . 1196

ANSWERED ON 08 . 12 . 2025

## Foreign Companies Projects in the Country

## 1196 . Shri Selvaganapathi T . M .:

Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that the foreign companies are dropping their projects in the country and  are  slowing  down  on  making  new  project  announcements,  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b) whether it is also a fact that foreign companies halted projects worth over Rs . 2 lakh crore in the country during the first quarter of the current financial year, if so, whether such impact is more than 1200 per cent higher than the corresponding quarter last year, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is also true that the value of the projects dropped by foreign companies was higher since the year 2013 -2014; and
- (d) if so, the details and the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to ( d ) .Foreign Direct Investment ( FDI ) is considered as a major source of non -debt financial resource for economic growth . Gross FDI flows into India have grown consistently over the last more than a decade . The Government has implemented various measures to stimulate FDI inflows . The Government has put in place an investor -friendly policy, wherein most sectors except certain strategically important sectors, are open for 100 % FDI under the automatic route . More than 90 % of the FDI inflow is received under the automatic route . India continues to open up its economy to global  investors  by  raising  FDI  limits,  removing  regulatory  barriers, developing infrastructure and improving business environment . For instance, the Union Budget 2025-26 also announced for the further increase of FDI sectoral cap for the insurance sector from 74 % to 100 %.

FDI inflows into India have increased from USD 36.05 billion in financial year 201314 to USD 80.62 billion in financial year 2024-25. FDI inflow reported during the first half of financial year 2025-26 (USD 50.36 billion) has increased by 16% compared to year ago period (USD 43.37 billion). It is the highest ever FDI inflow for 1st half of a financial year.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1191 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: SANKALP
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: Dr. C M Ramesh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1191

ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025

## SANKALP

## 1191.  DR. C M RAMESH:

Will the Minister of SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state:

- (a)        whether Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP) has been implemented in three phases;
- (b)        if so, the details of the goals set and achieved in each phase, phase-wise with a particular reference to Andhra Pradesh; and
- (c) the number of women trained in all three phase, phase-wise along with the number of women from Andhra Pradesh?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

(SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

- (a)  to (c)         Skill Acquisition & Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP), a World  Bank  loan-assisted  outcome-based  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme,  was  launched  in January 2018 with an initial implementation period till March 2023. The scheme was subsequently extended  until  March  2025,  and  the  scheme  has  now  been  completed.  The  scheme  was implemented in a single phase across the country. The scheme was aimed at strengthening the short-term skill development ecosystem by focusing on three Result Areas namely (i) Institutional Strengthening at National, State and District levels; (ii) Quality assurance  in skill development programmes; and (iii) Inclusion of marginalized groups.

There were 8 Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs) under the scheme and as of 31st March, 2025, all these 8 DLIs have been achieved which includes focus on the trainees completing the short-term skilling programme, secure wage or self employment, alignment of Qualification Pack with  National  Skill  Qualification  Framework,  training  of  trainers  and  assessor,  institutional strengthening, focus on the women participation and service delivery to Gram Panchayat.

As mentioned above, SANKALP scheme was implemented in a single phase and the total number of women trained in Andhra Pradesh is 4191.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1189 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: Payment of Gratuity Act to CBSE Affiliated Teachers
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri S Venkatesan

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1189

ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025

## Payment of Gratuity Act to CBSE Affiliated Teachers

1189.  Shri S Venkatesan:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a)       the number of CBSE affiliated private schools which are still not paying Gratuity to  their  teachers  in  accordance  with  The  Payment  of  Gratuity  Act,  1972  as amended in 2009 with retrospective effect from 03.04.1997, in the State of Tamil Nadu; and
- (b)        the  steps  taken  by  the  Government to  ensure payment of gratuity by the private CBSE schools which have not complied with the amended gratuity act?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): Education is a subject in the Concurrent List of the Constitution. Schools, other than those owned/ funded by the Central Government, are under the jurisdiction of the respective State Governments. Therefore, this matter falls under the regulatory ambit of the respective state government and as such, to be enforced by these authorities.

Further, following provision has been laid down in Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Affiliation Bye Laws-2018 with regard to Service rules:

Clause 5.3  stipulates  that the  school  shall  define  the  service  rules  of  teaching  &  nonteaching  staff  on  the  lines  of  the  service  rules  of  the  employees  of  Appropriate Government  including  well  documented  provisions  in  respect  of  the  Contributory Provident Fund - Pension Scheme (5.3.11).

Clause 5.2.2 stipulates that 'Teaching & non-teaching staff should be appointed on pay scales and allowances prescribed by the Appropriate Government.'

It  is  mandatory  for  all  the  Board's  affiliated  schools  to  follow  the  Affiliation  Byelaws of the Board mutatis mutandis.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1186 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: CPCB's Report on Environmental Damage Cost Assessment
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Manoj Tiwari

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1186

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025

## CPCB's Report on Environmental Damage Cost Assessment

1186.   SHRI MANOJ TIWARI:

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

- (a) whether  the  Central  Pollution  Control  Board's  (CPCB's)  draft  Report  on  Environmental Damage Cost Assessment (EDCA) proposes a uniform methodology to assess compensatory damages, if so, the details in this regard;
- (b) whether such report includes pollution incidents in Delhi  e.g. Chronic Waste to Energy/ Landfill impacts and episodic high pollution events, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  adopted  or  plans  to  adopt  the  CPCB's  EDCA  draft  as  an authoritative  methodology  for  computing  environmental  compensation  in  the  country particularly in Delhi;
- (d) the strategy adopted by the Government to apply the EDCA to long-running exposures e.g., historic ash/soil contamination around Okhla and Ghazipur;
- (e) whether EDCA allows retrospective damage assessment and community health and land remediation costs, if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) the  timeline  for  finalizing  the  EDCA  Report  for  use  by  the  Delhi  Pollution  Control Committee  (DPCC)  and  the  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change (MoEFCC) in Delhi-specific cases?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (f): Environmental  Damage  Cost Assessment  (EDCA)  report  has  been  drafted  by  the Committee constituted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to provide the environmental  damage  cost  liability  for  the  release  of  pollutants  in  excess  of  environmental standards, violation of waste management rules/ guidelines, non-compliance to the conditions of environmental clearance and other environmental approvals, assessment of impacts, restoration of environmental and ecological damages, and fixed penalty costs. CPCB has circulated the said report to all stakeholders including State Pollution Control Boards/ Pollution Control Committees, Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and also placed on CPCB website for public consultation for its finalization.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1176 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: Inclusion of Petroleum and Alcohol under GST
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri P V Midhun Reddy, Shri T R Baalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1176

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 08, 2025/AGRAHAYANA 17, 1947 (SAKA)

## INCLUSION OF PETROLEUM AND ALCOHOL UNDER GST

1176. SHRI P V MIDHUN REDDY: SHRI T R BAALU:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government proposes to bring petroleum products and alcoholic beverages under the ambit of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and if so, the details thereof and if not, the measures are being taken/to be taken by the Government to ensure that the prices of the items are not affecting adversely the middle and poor class people of the country;
- (b) whether the Government has assessed the impact of high interState price variations in petrol and diesel on consumers and trade, and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether consultations have been held with the GST Council or State Governments on a phased inclusion of these products under GST and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the expected fiscal and revenue implications of such inclusion, particularly for high-tax States like Andhra Pradesh?

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

- (a)  As  per  Entry  51  of  the  State  List  of  Seventh  Schedule  of  the Indian Constitution, States have exclusive power to levy excise duty on  the  manufacture  and  production  of  alcoholic  liquor  for  human consumption.

In addition, Article 279 A (5) of the Constitution prescribes that the Goods  and  Services  Tax  Council  shall  recommend  the  date  with effect  from  which  the  goods  and  services  tax  would  be  levied  on petroleum crude, high speed diesel, motor spirit (commonly known as  petrol),  natural  gas  and  aviation  turbine  fuel  (ATF).  As  per  the section 9 (2) of the CGST Act, 2017, inclusion of these products in GST  will  require  recommendation  of  the  GST  Council.  So  far,  the GST  Council,  in  which  the  States  are  also  represented,  has  not made any recommendation for inclusion of these goods under GST. (b)  Prices  of  petrol  and  diesel  are  market  determined  and  Public Sector  Oil  Marketing  Companies (OMCs)  take appropriate  decision on pricing of petrol and diesel. The final selling prices of petrol and diesel  include  excise  duty  fixed  by  the  Central  Government  and State  VAT/Taxes  fixed  by  the  respective  State  Governments.  The prices of petrol and diesel in the States across the country vary due to freight rates, VAT/local levies etc. (c) In the 55 th  GST Council meeting, the issue was placed before the GST  Council whether  a  structured  deliberation  on  the  issue  of bringing Aviation Turbine fuel (ATF), one of the petroleum product, under GST or otherwise is to be initiated and if yes, in what manner. However, the Council recommended to maintain status quo. (d) Does not arise in view of the reply to part (a) & (c) above.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1166 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: Pension Benefit to Gig Workers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Raja A

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1166

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025

## PENSION BENEFIT TO GIG WORKERS

1166. SHRI RAJA A:

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

- (a)whether the Government has decided to introduce pension benefit to gig workers through Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)
- as part of social security;
- (b)if so, the details thereof;
- (c)the details of the number of estimated gig workers in the country and the  contribution  being  made  by  the  Government  for  this  pension
- scheme, apart from aggregators;
- (d)whether the Government has a plan to provide other social security benefits  like  PF,  Gratuity,  annual  leave,  maternity  leave  to  gig workers and the workers in the informal sector; and
- (e)if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): For the first time, the definition of 'gig workers' and 'platform workers' and provisions related to the same have been provided in the Code on Social Security, 2020 which has come into force on 21.11.2025.

The Code provides for  framing  of  suitable  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 has provisions for framing of  suitable  welfare  schemes  for  unorganised  workers  on  matters relating to life and disability cover, health and maternity benefits, old age  protection,  education,  etc.  The  Code  provides  for  setting  up  a Social Security Fund to finance these welfare schemes.

As  per  an  estimation  by  NITI  Aayog  vide  its  report  titled 'India`s Booming Gig and Platform Economy' published in June 2022, the number of gig workers and platform workers in the country was 7.7 million in 2020-21, which is expected to rise to 23.5 million by 2029-30.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1158 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: Proposal for Remembrance Ceremony of Scientist Dr. Ram Bux Singh
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Rakesh Rathor

- (a) & (b)

Yes Sir.

Proposals received from various sources for commemoration of birth centenary of Dr. Ram Bux Singh.

- (c) No Sir.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1158 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025

Proposal For Remembrance Ceremony of Scientist Dr. Ram Bux Singh

## 1158. Shri Rakesh Rathor:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  received  any  proposal  for  organising  national remembrance  programme  and  centennial  festival  on the occasion of birth centennial year of world famous scientist Dr. Ram Bux Singh (1925-2025);
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  accorded  approval  on  the  above  proposals  to organize national remembrance programme;
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  whether  the  Department  of  Posts  has  issued  a commemorative postal stamp in the honour of Dr. Ram Bux Singh;
- (e) whether  the  Government  is  contemplating  to  rename  the  Lucknow  Regional Science Centre after Dr. Ram Bux Singh;
- (f) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (g) whether the Government proposes to issue a commemorative coin in his honour?

## ANSWER

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

(d) Not applicable

(e) No Sir.

(f) The  proposal  for  re-naming  of  Regional  Science  City,  Lucknow  in  memory  of  Dr. Ram Bux Singh, received in National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), Kolkata was rejected after careful examination by them.

(g) No Sir.

A proposal for  issue  of  commemorative coin  received  by  Department  of  Economic Affairs was forwarded to Ministry of Culture for necessary action. Ministry of Culture under its  Centenaries  &  Anniversaries  Scheme  commemorates  birth  centenaries  and  special anniversaries  such  as  50th/75th/100th/  125th/150th/175th  etc.  of  eminent  personalities  and events  of  historical  importance  of  the  country.  Once  the  commemoration  is  approved  in respect  of  eminent  personality,  Ministry  takes  various  initiatives  including  release  of commemorative coins to commemorate the same. Since Commemoration of birth centenary of  Dr.  Ram  Bux  Singh  is  not  an  approved  commemoration  of  Ministry,  no  proposal  for releasing of commemorative coin is under consideration

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1157 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: Medical Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Pradeep Purohit, Shri Radheshyam Rathiya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†1157 ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025

## MEDICAL TOURISM

†1157. SHRI RADHESHYAM RATHIYA: SHRI PRADEEP PUROHIT:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of medical visas issued to foreign citizens during the last five years, country-wise;
- (b) the top five Indian States with the highest influx of medical tourists during the said period, State/UT-wise;
- (c) the estimated economic contribution including direct and indirect revenue generation from medical tourism in these States/UTs; and
- (d) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  further  promote  medical tourism and improve facilities for foreign medical travellers?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM           (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (d): Development and promotion of tourist destinations and products, including medical tourism is undertaken by the respective State Government/Union  Territory  (UT)  Administration. The  Ministry  promotes various  tourism  products  of  the  country,  including  medical  &  Wellness tourism through various initiatives.

As per the information received from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the details of medical visas issued are as follows:

| Year   | Total Visa (e-Visa and Regular Visa)   |
|--------|----------------------------------------|
| 2020   | 1,52,659                               |
| 2021   | 3,38,399                               |
| 2022   | 4,37,384                               |
| 2023   | 5,97,227                               |
| 2024   | 4,63,724                               |
| TOTAL  | 19,89,393                              |

The Ministry of Tourism does not maintain data on State /UT wise purpose wise Foreign Tourist Arrivals and revenue earned due to medical tourism. *******