opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3802 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-16
Subject: Pending Payment under PMKVY
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: Shri Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3802 ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026

## PENDING PAYMENT UNDER PMKVY

## 3802.  SHRI SAPTAGIRI SANKAR ULAKA:

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

- (a) whether it is true that pay-outs to more than 34 lakh certified candidates have still not been made even after the completion of the respective Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) phases;
- (b) if so, the efforts undertaken by the Government to ensure payments to the candidates, who certified without bank account details; and
- (c) the measures taken by the Government to prevent future delays linked to poor Aadhaar seeding or account mismatches?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (c) The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) recently published a Performance Audit  Report  on  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Kaushal  Vikas  Yojana  (PMKVY),  covering  the  first  three phases of the scheme up to 2022. The report which is available at https://cag.gov.in/webroot/uploads/download\_audit\_report/2025/Report-No.-20-of-2025\_PA-PMKVY\_English-PDF-A-06943abec463479.68516873.pdf, pointed out certain deviations, including non-payment of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) rewards and the absence of valid bank account details for certain candidates.

Rewards to certified candidates were disbursed through an Aadhaar-based Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)  system,  enabling  direct  credit  into  the  candidates'  Aadhaar -seeded  bank  accounts. Therefore, separate collection and verification of bank account details was not required. One of the major reasons for unsuccessful DBT transfers was the nonseeding of candidates' bank accounts with Aadhaar.

To  address  cases  of  unsuccessful  transactions,  the  National  Skill  Development  Corporation (NSDC), the implementing agency of PMKVY, published a list of unawarded candidates on the PMKVY  official  website,  along  with  remarks  to  help  stakeholders  rectify  the  relevant  details. Subsequently, DBT transactions for approximately 16 lakh candidates under PMKVY 2.0, whose earlier payments had failed, were reattempted and successfully processed through the Aadhaar Bridge Payment System (ABPS).

Since  then,  the  Ministry  of  Skill  Development  and  Entrepreneurship  (MSDE)  has  implemented several reforms under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 (PMKVY 4.0). These reforms include  the  mandatory  entry  of  candidates'  mobile  numbers  and  email  IDs,  alon g  with  e-KYC (Aadhaar-based authentication) during registration. Additionally, all Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) payments,  wherever  applicable,  are  processed  through  the  Aadhaar  Bridge  Payment  System (ABPS) to minimize delays and ensure timely disbursement of benefits.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3800 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-16
Subject: Regulatory Framework for Adventure Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Bastipati Nagaraju

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3800 ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026

## REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR ADVENTURE TOURISM

## 3800. SHRI BASTIPATI NAGARAJU:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the steps taken/being taken by the Government to create a uniform licensing and regulatory framework for adventure tourism  operators  to  ensure  mandatory  enforcement  of  safety protocols;
- (b) whether the Government has undertaken any study or risk-mapping exercise to identify high-risk adventure tourism destinations and activities across the country and if so, the details thereof along with the locations identified and key findings;
- (c) the details of the current status of implementation of the Model Adventure  Tourism  Safety  Guidelines,  including  the  number  of States/UTs that have adopted or responded to these guidelines;
- (d) whether the Government plans to establish a centralised national database  to  record  casualties,  accidents  and  safety  violations arising  out  of  adventure  tourism  activities  and  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
- (e) the details of the measures taken/being taken by the Government to  strengthen,  monitoring,  compliance  and  emergency  response mechanisms to improve tourist safety?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM      (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (e): Safety and Security of tourists is essentially a State subject.

The Ministry of Tourism, in association with the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India has formulated Model Adventure Safety Guidelines with an aim to establish a comprehensive and standardized framework to ensure safety in the  Adventure Tourism sector across

India. These guidelines have been circulated to all States and Union Territories for adoption and formulation / updation of safety protocols. All the States / Union Territories have been requested to maintain a  strict  watch  on  all  adventure  related  activities  and  ensure  strict adherence  to  safety  regulations  and  licensing  norms  by  all  the operators. The Ministry of Tourism has not undertaken any study regarding high-risk adventure tourism destinations and activities in the country. There is no plan at present in the Ministry to establish a centralized database to record casualties, accidents and safety violations arising out of adventure tourism activities.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3797 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-16
Subject: Indian Institute of Accounting (IIA)
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Jagannath Sarkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CORPORAE AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3797

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026

## INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ACCOUNTING (IIA)

3797. SHRI JAGANNATH SARKAR:

Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- a) whether the Indian Institute of Accounting (IIA), announced in the 2022 Budget, has been scrapped and if so, the reason thereof;
2. (b)  if  not,  the  timeline  and  roadmap  for  the  establishment  of  IIA, including the locations identified for its campuses and the expected date of commencement of academic activities;
3. (c) the objectives and unique features of the IIA compared to existing institutions offering accounting and finance education;
4. (d) the steps being taken to by the Government to collaborate with industry experts and international accounting bodies to ensure the IIA provides globally relevant education and training; and
5. (e) the estimated budget allocation for the establishment of the IIA and the status of its utilisation so far?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

[SHRI HARSH MALHOTRA]

- (a)  The  establishment  of  Indian  Institute  of  Accounting  was  not announced in the 2022 Budget.
- (b) to (e): In view of reply to part (a) above, situation does not arise.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3796 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-16
Subject: PM Internship Scheme
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: Smt. Satabdi Roy

3796. Smt. Satabdi Roy:

Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the number of Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates who have applied for internship opportunities;
- (b)  the total number of offers made to people belonging to SC and ST communities;
- (c)  the total number of candidates belonging to SC and ST that are working in the companies; and
- (d)  the number of interns that have been retained by these companies, companywise details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS AND MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

[SHRI HARSH MALHOTRA]

- (a), (b)  and (c):  The number of SC and ST applicants who applied for internship opportunities, the number of offers made by partner companies to SC and ST candidates and the number of interns belonging to SC and ST who joined their internship is placed at Annexure.
- (d): The  PM  Internship  Scheme  is  designed  to  enhance  industry-relevant  skills, improve  job  readiness,  and  foster  professional  exposure  through  structured internships in India's top -performing companies and institutions to create job ready, skilled work force. The scheme is not designed to provide placement offers.

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## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3796 ANSWERED ON MONDAY THE 16 th  MARCH, 2026 PHALGUNA 25, 1947 (SAKA)

## PM INTERNSHIP SCHEME

## QUESTION

Annexure Annexure to the Lok Sabha Unstarred Q. No. 3796 for the part (a), (b) & (c) to be answered on 16.03.2026.

|                                               | SC     | ST     | OBC     | General   | Total   |
|-----------------------------------------------|--------|--------|---------|-----------|---------|
| Total No. of Applicants                       | 61,451 | 23,715 | 189,828 | 121,178   | 396,172 |
| Total No. of offers made by partner companies | 27,381 | 10,476 | 71,892  | 56,024    | 165,773 |
| Total No. of Interns joined                   | 2,291  | 875    | 6,893   | 6,001     | 16,060  |
Lok Sabha Question No. 3795 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-16
Subject: Development of Heritage Circuit under SDS
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Kunduru Raghuveer

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3795

## ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026

## DEVELOPMENT OF HERITAGE CIRCUIT UNDER SDS

## 3795. SHRI KUNDURU RAGHUVEER:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  sanctioned  the  development  of  Heritage Circuit  comprising  Qutub  Shahi  Heritage  Park,  Paigah  Tombs,  Hayat Bakshi Mosque and Raymond's Tomb under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme (SDS);
- (b) the  details  of  the  total  funds  sanctioned,  released  and  utilized  so  far, component-wise;
- (c) the present status of restoration, infrastructure development  and conservation works at each site;
- (d)  whether the Government has coordinated with the State Government of Telangana, ASI and other heritage bodies for integrated execution; and
- (e)  the expected timeline of completion, projected employment generation and tourist inflow from this project?

## ANSWER

(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

(a) to (e): Yes, the Ministry of Tourism sanctioned the project ' Development of  Qutub  Shahi  Heritage  Park,  Paigah  Tombs,  Hayat  Bakshi  Mosque  and Raymond's  Tomb'  in  the  year  2017 -18  under  Heritage  Circuit  of  Swadesh Darshan Scheme with the sanctioned cost of Rs.96.90 Crore. An amount of Rs.70.61 Crore is released and the same has been utilized by the Telangana Tourism Development Corporation (TGTDC), being the implementing agency.

State  Government  of  Telangana  has  informed  that  works  at  Paigah Tombs, Hayat Bakshi Mosque and Raymond's Tomb etc. are completed and open  to  public.  Ministry  of  Tourism  regularly  coordinates  with  the  State

Governments/UTs about the status of the project at different levels. Further, the Swadesh Darshan Scheme of the Ministry is approved till March, 2026. The  Ministry  encourages  State  Governments/UT  Administrations  to engage with local communities and ensure robust O&M of completed projects so  as  to  increase  footfall,  generate  local  employment  and  enhance  overall tourist satisfaction.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3788 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-16
Subject: Scholarships under PM-USP in Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3788 ANSWERED ON 16/03/2026

## Scholarships under PM-USP in Andhra Pradesh

3788. Shri Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a)  the details regarding the number of students who applied and number of students who were awarded  scholarships  under  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Uchchatar  Shiksha  Protsahan  (PM-USP) scheme in Andhra Pradesh, particularly in Palnadu district, year-wise;

(b) the details of the number of students from Government and private educational institutions who received scholarship payments under the said scheme in the State of Andhra Pradesh, particularly in Palnadu district, year-wise; and

(c)  the  steps  undertaken  by  the  Government  to  expedite  the  delivery  of  scholarships  and financial  assistance  under  this  scheme  to  economically  disadvantaged  and  meritorious students?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

(DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)

(a) to (c): The Ministry of Education is implementing the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan  (PM-USP)  Yojana  comprising  of  2  scholarship  components  namely  (i)  Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students; and (ii) Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh (exclusively for the students of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh). Under the PM-USP CSSS, the financial assistance in the form of scholarships is provided to poor and meritorious students for pursuing higher education. Students who are in top 20 th percentile of successful candidates in class XII Board examinations and having family income of up to ₹ 4.5 lakhs per annum, are eligible to apply.

The Government of India has undertaken various steps to expedite the delivery of scholarships and  financial  assistance  to  economically  disadvantaged  and  meritorious  students,  which include the following:

- i. A simple one-time completely digital registration process on the National Scholarships Portal (NSP) for all scholarships onboarded on NSP, including the PM-USP,
- ii. Fully  online  verification  of  applications  from  the  Institute  Nodal  Officer  and  State Nodal Officer,
- iii. Disbursement of scholarships in DBT mode to the AADHAAR seeded bank account of the beneficiary,
- iv. Regular  review  of  progress  by  the  DBT  Mission  with  all  scheme  implementing Ministries,

The details regarding the number of complete and verified applications received from students from  Government  and  private  educational  institutions  and  number  of  students  whose scholarships were disbursed under the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) scheme  in  Andhra  Pradesh,  particularly  in  Palnadu  district,  year-wise  may  be  accessed  at https://www.education.gov.in/parl\_ques .
Lok Sabha Question No. 3787 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-16
Subject: Income Tax Exemption on Disability Pension
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Ms. Mahua Moitra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3787

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2026/PHALGUNA 25, 1947 (SAKA)

## INCOME TAX EXEMPTION ON DISABILITY PENSION

## 3787. Ms. Mahua Moitra:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) the reason behind restricting the income tax exemptions only to personnel invalidated out of service along with the details thereof;
- (b) the details of personnel currently receiving disability pensions and the estimated annual revenue to be generated from such taxation, rank-wise;
- (c) the number of disabled personnel who have retired normally from service and the total annual pension expenditure incurred on them;
- (d) the number of disabled personnel invalidated from service and the total annual pension expenditure incurred on them;
- (e) whether the Government has held any consultation with the Ministry of Defence and ex-servicemen on such taxation, if so, the dates and the details of the recommendations of such consultations; and
- (f) whether the Government has made any assessment of the impact of such taxation on the morale of personnel and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a), (b), (c), (d), (e) & (f): The exemption in respect of disability pension received by members of the armed forces who are invalided out of service on account of a disability attributable to or aggravated by military service has existed since the framework under the Income-tax Act, 1922 as provided vide Notification No. 878-F (Income Tax) dated March 21, 1922. When the Income-tax Act, 1961 came into force, the exemption continued through the repeal and savings provisions.

With the enactment of the Income-tax Act, 2025, the earlier enactments pertaining to Incometax Act, 1922 and related savings provisions ceased to operate. Therefore, in the absence of an express provision in the new Act, the exemption would have lapsed. The present provision has been included to ensure the continuation of the same exemption that existed earlier, including its scope and conditions.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3768 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-16
Subject: Identification of Tamil Brahmi Inscriptions
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri  Selvaganapathi T.M.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3768

ANSWERED ON-16.03.2026

## IDENTIFICATION OF TAMIL BRAHMI INSCRIPTIONS

## 3768. SHRI SELVAGANAPATHI T. M

.

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that Tamil Brahmi inscriptions have been identified at tombs in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt as reported in the press;
- (b) whether it is also true that these inscriptions are belonging to the period between the 1st and 3rd Centuries CE;
- (c) whether it is also true that a paper was released concerning the said findings; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) It is reported in the press that short inscription in Indian languages, including Tamil Brahmi have been noticed at tombs in the valley of the kings in Egypt.
- (b) Based on the script, finder has claimed that these short inscriptions are datable between 1st and 3rd century CE.
- (c) and (d) A paper was presented in the International Conference on Tamil Epigraphy organised by  Department  of Archaeology,  Government of  Tamil  Nadu  held  at  Chennai  in  February  this year.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3765 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-16
Subject: Conservation of Shri Rameshwar Temple, Dhandarphal, Maharashtra
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3765

ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026

## CONSERVATION OF SHRI RAMESHWAR TEMPLE, DHANDARPHAL, MAHARSHTRA

## †3765. SHRI BHAUSAHEB RAJARAM WAKCHAURE:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact  that  Shri  Rameshwar Devasthan established by Prabhu Shri Ram in village  Dhandarphal, Tehsil Sangamner, district Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra is an  ancient and historical pilgrimage site that attracts tourists;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  proposed/proposes  to  make  any  action  plan  for  the conservation and maintenance of ancient religious monuments and other historical sites;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the amount of fund allocated/proposed to be allocated for the said project?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Shri Rameshwar Devasthan is neither protected under the Archaeological Survey of India nor by the State Archaeology Department, Government of Maharashtra.
- (b) to (d) The conservation and maintenance of protected monuments and protected areas (sites) is carried out by Archaeological Survey of India as per requirement, priority and availability of resources, which is a regular phenomenon, following the National Conservation Policy, 2014.  There  are  3686  number  of  protected  monuments  and  protected  areas  (sites)  are declared  under  the  provisions  of  the  Ancient  Monuments  and  Archaeological  Sites  and Remains Act, 1958 (AMASR Act,1958) across the country. Details of the funds allocated and expenditure incurred on conservation and maintenance of protected monuments and protected areas in the country, during the last three years  are as under:

## (Amount Rupees in crores)

| Year    |   Allocation |   Expenditure |
|---------|--------------|---------------|
| 2022-23 |       392.71 |        391.93 |
| 2023-24 |       443.53 |        443.53 |
| 2024-25 |       313.43 |        313.04 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3763 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-16
Subject: Development of Winter Sports in India
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Ms. Praniti Sushilkumar Shinde

## Ministry of Youth Affairs And Sports

## Government of India (Department of Sports)

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3763

TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026

Development of Winter Sports in India

3763. MS. PRANITI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware that only two Indian athletes have qualified for the 2026 Winter Olympics;
- (b) the details of the steps taken/being taken by the Government to develop winter sports infrastructure, coaching and talent identification in snow-bound and Himalayan regions during the last five years and the current year; and
- (c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  formulate  a  dedicated national strategy for the promotion of winter sports and if so, the details along with the timeline thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

## (DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

- (a) Yes Sir. Two athletes participated in the Olympic Winter Games Milano-Cortina 2026, held in Italy from 6th February to 22nd February, 2026.
- (b) & (c) 'Sports' being a State subject, primary responsibility of development  of  sports  infrastructure,  including  for  winter  sports, rests  primarily  with  the  State/Union  Territory  Governments.  The Union  Government  supplements  their  efforts  by  bridging  critical gaps.

For  prompting  the  winter  sports  in  India  and  popularizing  these games among youth of the country, the Ministry has launched Khelo India Winter Games in 2020 under its Khelo India Scheme and since then 06 editions of Khelo India Winter Games have been conducted with the participation of more than 5200 athletes.

Khelo India Winter Games acts as a platform for capacity building of technical officials,  States  generating  interest  through  wide  & innovative coverage. Also, small village level competitions have been initiated  under  sports  for  peace  and  development,  which  promote participation of village growth in far flung areas.

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