opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2585 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Budget on Mid-Day Meal Scheme
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Smt. Mala Roy

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-

## 2585

ANSWERED ON- 09.03.2026

## Budget on Mid-Day Meal Scheme

2585. Smt. Mala Roy:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  estimated  budget,  revised  budget  and  actual  budget  expenditure on Mid-Day meal schemes during the last three years (FY-2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26);
- (b) whether fund for the said scheme has been increased in FY 2026-27, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the details of actual fund increased in terms of per child per day for 2026-27?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

## (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (c): Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) Scheme is one of the foremost rights based Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented in partnership with the States and Union Territories (UTs) for providing one hot cooked and nutritious meal to all children studying in Bal  Vatika  (just  before  class-I)  and  classes  I  to  VIII  of  Government  and  Government-aided schools.  The Scheme covers about 11 crore children in more than 10.35 lakh schools in all the States/  UTs.  The  overall  responsibility  for  providing  hot  cooked  and  nutritious  meal  to  the eligible children lies with the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations

The details of Budget Estimates (BE), Revised Estimates (RE) & actual expenditure during the financial year (FY) 2023-24, 2024-25 & 2025-26 are as under:-

(Rs. in Crore)

| FY      |      BE | RE       | Actual Expenditure   |
|---------|---------|----------|----------------------|
| 2023-24 | 11600   | 10000.00 | 8457.74              |
| 2024-25 | 12467.4 | 10000.00 | 9902.99              |
| 2025-26 | 12500   | 10600.00 | 8128.92*             |
| 2026-27 | 12750   |          |                      |

*****

*till 3 rd March, 2026
Lok Sabha Question No. 2581 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Implementing NSS in Schools and Colleges
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Narayan Tatu Rane

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2581 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026

Implementing NSS in Schools and Colleges

†2581. SHRI NARAYAN TATU RANE:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

## be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  number  of  schemes  like  the  National  Service  Scheme  (NSS) which are being implemented in schools and colleges of various States and  Union  Territories  especially  in  Maharashtra,  to  instil  a  sense  of patriotism among youth;
- (b) the number of boys and girls who have enrolled for such training in the country particularly in Maharashtra;
- (c) the schemes run by the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) so far to provide employment-oriented training to youth in Maharashtra; and
- (d)  whether  any  annual  plan  has  been  prepared  under  the  NYKS  for youth leadership training camps and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  &  (b)  The  Ministry  of  Youth  Affairs  &  Sports  (MoYAS)  through National  Service  Scheme  (NSS)  is  being  implemented  across  the country in schools at the +2 level and in colleges and universities with the objective of developing the personality and character of students

through voluntary community service and to instil values of patriotism, national integration and social responsibility among youth.

The  scheme  is  implemented  in  all  States  and  Union  Territories, including Maharashtra, through educational institutions. The number of boys and girls enrolled in NSS in  Maharashtra for 2025-26 are as follows :

Boys -180328

Girls -176472

Total -356800 volunteers

(c) The programme Education in Basic Vocations/ Skill Based Entrepreneurship Programme was conducted by MY Bharat (erstwhile NYKS)  across  the  country  including  Maharashtra,  with  the  aim  to educate youth in basic vocations and enhancing their self-esteem in the society; guide them to take up Skill Development Training from other Agencies and empower young women and men to address issues and concerns confronting them in their day-to-day life.

However, the programme was not part of Annual Action plan during FY 2023-24, 2024-25 and current FY 2025-26.

- (d) MY Bharat (erstwhile NYKS), as part of the Annual Action Plan for 2025 -26,  is  conducting  the  'Future  Youth  Leaders  Bootcamp'  as  a structured platform to identify, train, and nurture young leaders at the grassroots  level.  This  initiative  is  designed  to  ignite  the  spirit  of leadership, innovation, and social responsibility among youth, enabling them to become agents of change in their communities and beyond.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2576 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Establishment of University Townships
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Kalyan Banerjee

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2576 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026

## ESTABLISHMENT OF UNIVERSITY TOWNSHIPS

## 2576.  SHRI KALYAN BANERJEE:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has proposed to establish five university townships along major industrial and logistics corridors in the country;
- (b) if so, the details of States where such universities with township are proposed to come up, the time by which it is expected to be constructed along with the budget allocation made therefor;
- (c) whether any one of these five university township is proposed to be set up in West Bengal, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the Government is aware that Delhi University (DU) is facing a severe financial crisis with a projected deficit of Rs. 462.4 crore for the 2025-26 fiscal year and despite of demand  of  higher  budget,  the  Budget  Estimates  for  financial  year  2026-27  have  been revised downward reflecting reduced Government grants, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): As announced in the Union Budget 2026-27, the Union Government aims to support States,  in  creating  5  University  Townships  in  the  vicinity  of  major  industrial  and  logistic corridors.  With  the  states  participating  in  the  initiative  through  a  challenge-based  process,  a holistic higher education ecosystem  through  planned  academic  zones  hosting multiple universities, colleges, research institutions, skill centres and residential complexes is envisaged to be created.

(d): All Central Universities, including Delhi University, are statutory autonomous organisations established under the respective Central Acts of Parliament and governed by the provisions of the Acts and Statues, Ordinances made thereunder. The grant-in-aid to Central Universities has been increased more than 3 times from Rs. 5634.85 crore in FY 2014-15 to Rs. 16990.07 crore in FY 2025-26.  As far as the Delhi University is concerned, the grant-inaid has increased from Rs. 463.04 Crores in FY 2014-15 to Rs. 880 Crores in FY 2025-26. Delhi  University  has  further  informed  that  for  the  FY  2025-26,  all  expenditures  have  been with-in the sanctioned budgetary allocation and within available Internal Revenue Generation (IRG) of the University.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2575 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Urban Forests in Beed District
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Bajrang Manohar Sonwane

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2575

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026

## Urban Forests in Beed District

## 2575. SHRI BAJRANG MANOHAR SONWANE:

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

- a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  Beed  district  of  Maharashtra  is  a  drought-prone district where depletion of ground water level, limited green cover and adverse impacts of climate change are severe;
- b) if so, the number of urban forests approved, developed or proposed so far in Beed district under the Nagar Van Yojana;
- c) the  location-wise  details  of  such  approved  or  proposed  urban  forests,  along  with  their current progress and the timeframe for completion;
- d) whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  include  Beed  district  in  a  special  priority category keeping in  view environmental  balance, rainfall augmentation  and  water conservation; and
- e) if  so,  the  details  of  the  proposed  action  plan,  financial  provisions  and  implementing agencies in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  to  (e)  Environmental  challenges  such  as  water  scarcity,  limited  green  cover  and  climate variability  affect  several  districts  in  the country.  However,  various  afforestation  and ecological restoration activities are undertaken through Central and State Government programmes  to  improve  green  cover,  which  contribute  in  mitigating  environmental challenges.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is implementing the Nagar Van  Yojana,  a  demand-driven  scheme,  for  the  creation  and  development  of  urban forests  in  cities  through  Forest  Department,  Municipal  Corporations,  Municipalities and other Urban Local Bodies with financial support from the National Compensatory Afforestation  Fund  (CAMPA),  under  which  proposals  for  development  of  urban forests received from State Governments are considered by the Ministry in accordance with the scheme guidelines and subject to the availability of suitable land and funds. The  scheme  aims  to  enhance  urban  green  cover,  conserve  biodiversity  and  provide ecological,  recreational  and  educational  benefits  to  urban  residents.  However,  no proposal has been received from the Government of Maharashtra seeking approval of an urban forest under the scheme in Beed district. Further there is no special priority category  programme  keeping  in  view  environmental  balance,  rainfall  augmentation and water conservation with this Ministry.

*****

.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2572 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Budgetary Allocation for Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Adhikari Deepak Dev

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2572 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026

## BUDGETARY ALLOCATION FOR TOURISM

2572. SHRI ADHIKARI DEEPAK DEV:

Will the Minister of Tourism be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware  that  a  significant  portion  of budgetary allocations made to the Ministry of Tourism in recent year has remained unutilised; and (b) if so, the details thereof, year-wise including allocated amounts,

- actual expenditure and percentage of utilisation?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF TOURISM         (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a)  to  (b):  Budget  allocation,  actual  expenditure  and  percentage  of utilisation during the last three financial years and in the current year are annexed.

********

ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (b) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2572 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026 REGARDING BUDGETARY ALLOCATION FOR TOURISM RAISED BY SHRI ADHIKARI DEEPAK DEV

Budget  Allocation,  Actual  Expenditure  and  percentage  of  utilisation during the last three financial years and in the current year

| (Rupees in Crore)   | (Rupees in Crore)   | (Rupees in Crore)   | (Rupees in Crore)   | (Rupees in Crore)   |
|---------------------|---------------------|---------------------|---------------------|---------------------|
| Financial Year      | Budget Estimates    | Revised Estimates   | Actual Expenditure* | % w.r.t. to RE      |
| 2022-23             | 2400.00             | 1343.13             | 681.71              | 50.75               |
| 2023-24             | 2400.00             | 1692.10             | 801.82              | 47.39               |
| 2024-25             | 2479.62             | 850.36              | 164.07              | 19.29               |
| 2025-26             | 2541.06             | 1310.30             | **784.15            | 59.85               |

(*) After deducting the recoveries. (**) Expenditure as on 05.03.2026 *******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2570 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Unemployment Rate in the Country
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Murari Lal Meena

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

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2570

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09 TH  MARCH, 2026

## UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN THE COUNTRY

2570.      SHRI MURARI LAL MEENA:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the unemployment rate in the country has increased and the employment opportunities for youth, particularly educated youth, have become limited;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  the  unemployment rate in the country during the  last  three  years  and  the  current  year,  State  and  year-wise along with separately for Rajasthan, Dausa district/Parliamentary Constituency;
- (c) whether the  Government uses the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) or any other methodology to assess the unemployment rate and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  frequency  at  which such data is collected; and
- (d) the details of the analysis made by the Government regarding the major reasons for the rising trend of unemployment, particularly in rural  and  semi-urban  areas  of  the  country,  such  as  Dausa  in Rajasthan?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  to  (d):  The  official  data  on  Employment  and  Unemployment  is collected through Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), which is conducted  by  Ministry  of  Statistics  and  Programme  Implementation (MoSPI) since 2017-18.

As per the latest Annual PLFS reports, the estimated Unemployment Rate (UR) on usual status for persons of age 15 years and above has decreased from 4.1% in 2021-22 to 3.2% in 2022-23 & 2023-24 in  the  country  and  4.7%  to  4.4%  and  further  to  4.2%  during  the  same period in the State of Rajasthan.

Also, the UR on usual status for persons of age 15 years and above has decreased from 5.3% in 2017-18 to 2.5% in 2023-24 in the rural areas of  the  country  (including  Rajasthan)  and  from  7.7%  to  5.1%  during  the same period in the urban areas of the country. Further,  the  estimated  Worker  Population  Ratio  (WPR)  indicating employment on usual status for youth of age 15-29 years has increased from  31.4%  in  2017-18  to  41.7%  in  2023-24  in  the  country.  Detailed methodology,  State/UT-wise  &  Rural  &  Urban  area  wise  information  is available in the PLFS reports which may be seen at the website of MoSPI at https://www.mospi.gov.in/publications-reports .

The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) has been conducted on annual basis since 2017 and with quarterly urban estimates from 2018. Additionally, monthly as well as quarterly rural estimates are released by MoSPI since January, 2025.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2568 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Formula One in India
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Smt. Rachna Banerjee

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2568 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026

## Formula One in India

## 2568. SMT. RACHNA BANERJEE:

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

- (a)    whether the Government intends to bid for Formula One in the near  future  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the  reason therefor;
- (b)    whether  the  Government  is  trying  to  acquire  the  Buddh International Circuit and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)    the  details  of  number  of  Formula  One  or  Karting  related championships held by National Sports Federation during the last 11 years, year-wise?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) This  Ministry  has  not  received  any  proposal  for  bidding  for Formula One from any Motor Sports entity.
- (b) No such proposal is under consideration.
- (c) No  Formula  One  championship  has  been  held  in  the  last  11 years. Number of Karting related events including National championship held by The Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India during the last 11 years, year-wise are given in Annexure.

*****

## Annexure

ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (c) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2568 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026 REGARDING  'FORMULA  ONE  IN  INDIA'  ASKED  BY  SMT.  RACHNA BANERJEE.

## Number of Karting related events including National championship held by The Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India:

|   S.No. |   Year |   No. of Karting Events including National Championship |
|---------|--------|---------------------------------------------------------|
|       1 |   2015 |                                                      14 |
|       2 |   2016 |                                                      28 |
|       3 |   2017 |                                                      15 |
|       4 |   2018 |                                                      11 |
|       5 |   2019 |                                                      12 |
|       6 |   2020 |                                                      12 |
|       7 |   2021 |                                                      16 |
|       8 |   2022 |                                                       9 |
|       9 |   2023 |                                                      14 |
|      10 |   2024 |                                                       9 |
|      11 |   2025 |                                                      21 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2562 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Reduction in Grants to Higher Education Institutions
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Khalilur Rahaman

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2562 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026

## Reduction in Grants to Higher Education Institutions

2562. Shri Khalilur Rahaman:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that there has been a significant reduction in grants allocated to higher education institutions in the country;
- (b) if so, the reasons for such reduction in grants;
- (c) the rate and quantum of fund reduction along with the names of the twenty institutions in the country that have been most affected by such cuts; and
- (d)  whether  the  Government  has  assessed  the  likely  impact  of  such  fund  reductions  on students, particularly with regard to possible increases in tuition fees and other institutional expenses and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): The  budget  allocation for Department  of  Higher  Education  has been increased to Rs.55727.22 Crore in B.E. 2026-27 against Rs.50077.95 Crore in B.E. 2025-26. There has been significant increase in grant-in- aid allocated to higher educational institutions.  The allocation of funds  in  B.E.  2026-27  vis-à-vis  B.E.  2025-26  for  Central  Universities  has  been  increased  by 4.58%,  for  IITs  by  6.82%,  for  NITs  by  10.07%,  for  IIMs  by  15.92%,  for  Deemed  to  be Universities by 7.62% and for UGC by 11.18% respectively.

(b) to (d): Does not arise.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2560 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Expenditure on Advertising GST Bachat Utsav
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2560

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2026/PHALGUNA 18,1947 (SAKA)

## ' EXPENDITURE ON ADVERTISING GST BACHAT UTSAV '

## 2560. SHRI JAGDISH CHANDRA BARMA BASUNIA:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:-

- (a) the details of total expenditure in Rupees on advertising GST Bachat Utsav;
- (b) whether the Government has any data on measurable increase in GST compliance due to GST Bachat Utsav; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

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

- (a) It is submitted that the total expenditure done by Government on advertising for GST Bachat Utsav is Rs 88.74 Crore.
- (b) & (c) In the 56th GST Council meeting held on 03.09.2025, rationalization of GST rates  was  done.  Subsequent  to  that,  Central  Board  of  Indirect  Taxes  and  Customs (CBIC) is monitoring the prices of important commodities including packaged food items and medicines, pre and post 22nd September, 2025, to see that the benefits are duly passed on to end consumers.

Further,  meetings  were  held  with  trade  associations  alongwith  representatives  of  line Ministries  to  ensure  that  their  members  pass  on  the  benefits  of  the  rate  cuts  to  the consumers.

Alongwith this, wide publicity campaigns were undertaken to spread awareness about GST rate rationalization through print media and social media.

Besides,  Frequently  Asked  Questions  were  also  prepared  and  uploaded  on  CBIC website to guide consumers to call National Consumer Helpline or register queries/complaints on the Integrated Grievance Redressal Mechanism (INGRAM) portal in  case  they  have  queries/complaints  regarding  not  receiving  benefits  of  GST  rate changes.  Based  on  inputs  received  from  the  field  formations  under  Central  Board  of Indirect  Taxes  and  Customs,  it  is  observed  that  these  benefits  have  largely  been passed on to the end-consumers post GST rate reduction.

*****