opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2555 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Simplification of KYC Norms
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Baijayant Panda

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2555

## ANSWER ON MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2026/PHALGUNA 18, 1947 (SAKA) Simplification of KYC Norms

## 2555. SHRI BAIJAYANT PANDA:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

(a)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  in  coordination  with  financial  sector  regulators,  to simplify Know Your Customer (KYC) processes for retail investors and Non-Resident Indians, including measures to reduce duplication and promote digital, paperless compliance;

(b) whether any review has been undertaken to assess the impact of these measures on financial inclusion, ease of investing and retail participation in financial markets;

(c) if so, the key findings thereof; and

(d)  the  future  roadmap  for  further  streamlining  KYC  procedures,  including  timelines  for achieving universal KYC interoperability across financial institutions?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) In order to prescribe uniform KYC norms and inter-usability of the KYC records across the entire financial sector, Central KYC Records Registry (CKYCRR) was established in the year 2016 under Prevention of Money Laundering (Maintenance of Records) Rules, 2005 (PMLR), which assigns a unique 14-digit number or code to a customer whose records are uploaded onto CKYCRR known as Central KYC Identifier. The regulated entities (REs) of various financial sector regulators (FSRs) may retrieve the KYC records of a customer with the unique identifier rather than asking citizens to re-submit the KYC documents.

As per amendments made to the PMLR in July, 2024, the REs shall seek the CKYC identifier from the client or retrieve the KYC identifier, if available, from the CKYCRR and proceed to obtain KYC records online by using KYC identifier and shall not require a client to submit the same KYC records or information. In effect, this amendment mandates CKYCRR as the first option for KYC information during customer onboarding.

The CKYC downloaded data by REs has significantly increased over the years and has grown with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 87.0 % during the last five years from 31 st March, 2020 to 31 st March, 2025, indicating the growing use of CKYCR identifier by REs as the customer records are fetched from CKYCRR rather than asking the customers to furnish the KYC information.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2553 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Labour Inspections in Kolhapur
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Shahu Shahaji Chhatrapati

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2553 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026

## LABOUR INSPECTIONS IN KOLHAPUR

## 2553. SHRI SHAHU SHAHAJI CHHATRAPATI:

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

- (a) the details of the number of labour inspections conducted by the Government in Kolhapur district during the last three years and the current year, year-wise;
- (b)  whether  such  inspections  are  conducted  through  a  centralised online system and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the details of the number of notices issued and penalties imposed by the Government?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): Labour  being  a  subject  under  the  Concurrent  List,  is enforced by both the Central Government and the State Governments within their respective jurisdictions. In the Central sphere, enforcement  is  carried  out  by  inspecting  officers  of  the  Central Industrial  Relations  Machinery  (CIRM),  while  in  the  State  sphere, compliance  is  ensured  through  the  State  Labour  Enforcement Machinery.  The  records  relating  to  labour  inspections  in  Kolhapur district  falling  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  State  Government  are maintained by the Government of Maharashtra.

In the Central sphere, labour inspections are conducted through  a  centralised  online  system,  namely  the  Shram  Suvidha Portal. During the last three years, 25 inspections were carried out and 25 notices were issued by the officers of the CIRM in Kolhapur district.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2550 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: FDI in Insurance Sector
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Balashowry Vallabhaneni

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.2550

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

## FDI in Insurance Sector

2550.   SHRI BALASHOWRY VALLABHANENI:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

(a) the details of announcement made by Finance Minister in the Budget 2025-26 about 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in insurance sector;

(b) whether it is true that there is a big rider of this announcement which says that 100% FDI would be allowed only when company invest the entire 100% premium in the country, if so, the details thereof; and

(c)  the  measures  taken  by  the  Government  for  attracting  foreign  companies  to invest 100% premium in the country?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The Hon'ble Finance Minister, in Budget Speech for FY 2025-26, announced that 'The FDI limit for the insurance sector will be raised from 74 to 100 per cent. This enhanced limit will be available for those companies which invest the entire premium  in  India.  The  current  guardrails  and  conditionalities  associated  with foreign investment will be reviewed and simplified.'

(b)  Insurance  Laws  prohibit  investment  of  funds  of  policyholders  directly  or indirectly outside India.

(c) Various measures have been taken for attracting foreign companies to invest 100%  premium  in  the  country  including  reviewing  and  simplifying  the  current guardrails and conditionalities associated with foreign investment, simplification and consolidation of regulations by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India, introducing one-time registration for insurance intermediaries and reducing the net owned fund requirement for Foreign Reinsurers' Branches etc.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2549 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Stagnation in Rural Wages
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Dr. Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2549 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026

## STAGNATION IN RURAL WAGES

2549. DR. KAKOLI GHOSH DASTIDAR:

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

- (a)the  details  of  the  real  wage  of  the  agriculture  labourer,  nonagriculture labourer and construction workers during the last five years and the current year, year-wise;
- (b) whether it is a fact that there has not been a significant increase in  real  wage  for  agriculture  labourers,  non-agriculture  labourers and construction workers during the said period;and
- (c) if so, the details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): The Ministry of Labour and Employment does not maintain centrally  compiled  data  on  the  average  real  wages  of  agriculture labourers, non-agriculture labourers and construction workers.

Labour  being  in  the  Concurrent  List,  both  the  Central Government and the State Governments are empowered to fix, review and  revise  minimum  wages.  Further,  minimum  wages  for  most categories  of  workers  are  determined  and  implemented  by  the respective State Governments in accordance with the provisions of the Code on Wages, 2019 and the earlier Minimum Wages Act, 1948

(now subsumed under the Code).

The minimum rates of wages for employments under the Central  Sphere  are  notified  by  the  Central  Government  and  are revised periodically based on increase in Consumer Price Index for Industrial  Workers  (CPI-IW).  The  details  of  the  minimum  wages notified by the Central Government as on 01.10.2025 are available at https://clc.gov.in/clc/sites/default/files/mygov\_17592265211.pdf

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2548 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Recommendation of 16th Finance Commission
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Matheswaran V S

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2548

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

## RECOMMENDATION OF 16 th  FINANCE COMMISSION

## 2548. SHRI MATHESWARAN V S:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- a) the details of 16th Finance Commission Recommendations which are rejected by the Government along with the reasons for the same; and
- b) the details of funds given to States across the country as per the Recommendation of 16 th Finance Commission, State-wise?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Government  of  India  has  not  rejected  any  of  the  recommendations  of  the  16 th Finance Commission. The same was informed to the Parliament through the 'Explanatory Memorandum as to the action taken on the recommendations made by the Sixteenth Finance Commission', available online at https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/doc/16fc.pdf .
- (b) The award period of the 16 th Finance Commission (1 st April 2026 to 31 st March 2031) is yet to commence. However, a statement showing state-wise distribution of net proceeds of union taxes and duties for BE 2026-2027 is available in the Receipt Budget 2026-27 as Annex-4. The statement is also available online at  https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/doc/rec/annex4.pdf .
Lok Sabha Question No. 2547 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Educational Tours for ST Students of Lakshadweep
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Muhammed Hamdullah Sayeed

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2547 ANSWERED ON 09/03/2026

## Educational Tours for ST Students of Lakshadweep

## 2547.    Shri Muhammed Hamdullah Sayeed:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that educational tours for Scheduled Tribes (ST) students of Lakshadweep who passed the 8th and 11th standards, which provided essential exposure to mainland geography and learning, have been discontinued;
- (b) if so, the reasons for discontinuation of these tours;
- (c) whether the Government has assessed the impact of this discontinuation on the educational and  personal  development  of  these  students  from  isolated  islands  and  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
- (d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  resume  or  introduce  alternative  educational  tours  or exposure programs for ST students of Lakshadweep and if so, the timelines and modalities for implementation?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

## (SHRI JAYANT CHOUDHARY)

(a)  to  (d):  As  per  information  received  from  the  UT  of  Lakshadweep,  the  Education  Tour Scheme  for  students  who  passed  8 th and  11 th Standards  were  discontinued  in  2020  due  to restrictions on inter-island and mainland travel, suspension of transport services, and concerns relating  to  the  safety  and  well-being  of  students,  in  accordance  with  Government  advisories issued during the COVID-19 pandemic. This scheme was for all students of Lakshadweep, and not exclusively for ST students. The budget provision for the scheme is made under the Grantin-Aid (GIA) UT Budget of Lakshadweep.

The Administration recognizes the importance of educational exposure programmes for students from  isolated  islands.  While  no  formal  impact  assessment  was  conducted  specifically  on  the discontinuation  of  educational  tours,  efforts  were  made  to  ensure  continuity  of  students' academic, co-curricular, and personal development through alternative exposure initiatives.

The students including those belonging to Scheduled Tribes (ST) are provided opportunities to interact with peers from the mainland through national-level programmes such as Ashtalakshmi Darshan,  INSPIRE-MANAK,  the  India  International  Science  Festival  (IISF),  NCC  camps (including ATC, NIC, and Republic Day Camp), NSS Activities, Kala-Utsav, and other cultural and  youth  exchange  programmes  of  the  Government  of  India,  thereby  ensuring  adequate educational and developmental exposure.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2545 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: CSR in Aspirational Areas
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Jaswantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2545 ANSWERED ON TUESDAY, MARCH 09, 2026

## CSR IN ASPIRATIONAL AREAS

## QUESTION

2545:  Shri Jaswantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor:

Will the Minister of Corporate Affairs be pleased to state:

(a)  whether the Government has issued any new guidelines to prioritise Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) spending in aspirational and tribal areas particularly in Gujarat, if so, the details thereof;

(b) the amount of funds sanctioned and utilized under CSR in Gujarat during the year 2024-26; and

(c)  whether  the  Government  is  encouraging  local  industries  to  increase  CSR investments  in  education,  health  and  digital  infrastructure  projects  and  if  so,  the details thereof?

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):  No Sir. The Government has not issued any new guidelines in this regard. (b):  In the legal framework of CSR, there is no provision of sanction of CSR funds. (c): Under the Act, CSR is a Board driven process and the Board of the company is empowered to plan, decide, execute and monitor CSR activities of the company based on the recommendation of its CSR Committee. The Government does not issue any specific direction to the companies to spend in any particular geographical area or activity.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2544 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Operation Deep Manifest
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Kamakhya Prasad Tasa

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2544 TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, MARCH 09, 2026/PHALGUNA 18, 1947 (SAKA)

## 'OPERATION DEEP MANIFEST'

2544. Shri Kamakhya Prasad Tasa: Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that the Operation Deep Manifest is a major ongoing operation by India's Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) to stop the illegal import of Pakistani-origin goods, especially after a trade ban following terror attacks;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

- (c) the current status of Operation Deep Manifest launched by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI);
- (d) the names of third countries identified to be involved in the illegal import of Pakistaniorigin

goods;

- (e)  whether DRI discovered blatant violation of import policy conditions imposed by the Government on direct or indirect import or transit of Pakistani-origin goods; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof along with such blatant violations?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (d):  Yes,  Operation  Deep  Manifest  was  launched  by  the  Directorate  of  Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack in April 2025 and the subsequent prohibition  imposed  by  the  Government  of  India  on  trade  with  Pakistan.  The  primary objective  of  the  said  Operation  is  to  identify  and  seize  consignments  originating  from Pakistan and transhipment via third countries to India. It is ongoing, with a continued focus on preventing the direct or indirect import of goods originating in or exported from Pakistan. Till January 2026, as part of this operation total of 12 cases involving goods of Pakistani origin  have  been  booked by DRI, wherein goods valued at Rs. 1748 Lakhs have been seized. In all 12 cases goods have been imported via UAE.

(e) & (f): DRI has detected 12 cases, as mentioned in reply to para (a) to (d) above, where goods have been found to be imported in violation of the existing legal provisions including prohibitions imposed vide DGFT Notification No. 06/2025-26 dated 02.05.2025.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2538 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Separate Pay Revision Committee for CPSUs
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Laxmikant Pappu Nishad

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC ENTERPRISES ****

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2538 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 09 th  MARCH, 2026

## SEPARATE PAY REVISION COMMITTEE FOR CPSUS

## 2538. SHRI LAXMIKANT PAPPU NISHAD:

## Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is considering setting up a separate and institutional Pay Revision Committee (PRC) on the lines of the 8th Central Pay Commission for about 8 lakh non- executive employees  and  officers  below  the  board  level  working  in  Central  Public  Sector  Undertakings (CPSUs) to revise their salaries with effect from 2027, similar to that of PSU officers, if so, the details thereof;

(b)  whether  the  Government  acknowledge  that  the  pay/wage  revision  process,  formula  for bonus/PRP, percentage of allowances and perks, and the pattern of profit sharing for officers and staff in CPSUs to revise their salaries with vary significantly and are inconsistent from CPSU to CPSU, thereby violating the principle of equal pay for equal work; and

(c) if so, the steps are being taken by the Government to standardise the said process and make the same more equitable?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE OF FINANCE

## (SHRI   PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

(a) There is no proposal under consideration for setting up a separate and institutional Pay Revision Committee (PRC) for non-executive employees and officers below Board level working in Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs).

(b)  &  (c):  Variations  in  pay,  allowances  and  incentives  across  CPSEs  reflect  differences  in financial capacity, performance. The Government issues periodic uniform guidelines to ensure transparency, affordability and broad parity, while preserving the functional autonomy of CPSEs.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2534 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Removal of Social Reformers from University Curriculum
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Amra Ram

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2534

ANSWERED ON- 09/03/2026

## Removal of Social Reformers from University Curriculum

†2534. Shri Amra Ram:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware that Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, a pioneer of social justice was removed from the Political Science curriculum of the University of Rajasthan and subsequently reinstated, if so, the details thereof; (b)  whether such decisions undermine the symbols of social justice and constitutional values, if so, the details thereof; and

- (c)  whether  the  Union  Government  proposes  to  issue  any  concrete  guidelines  to strengthen the study of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Mahatma Phule and other social reformers in universities, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (c):  Education  is  a  subject  in  the  Concurrent  list  of  the  seventh  schedule to  the Constitution  of  India.  Universities  are  established  both  under  Central  Acts  and  State Acts. University of Rajasthan is a State University.

The  University  Grants  Commission  (UGC)  has  informed  that  Universities  are autonomous institutions governed by their respective Acts, Statutes & Ordinances. They offer programs at undergraduate and postgraduate levels and decide their curricula with the approval of their respective statutory authorities.

Further,  the UGC has  formulated guidelines  for  the  establishment  of  Chairs  in Universities, under which Chairs may be established in the names of illustrious persons, Nobel Laureates, and other eminent individuals in  recognition  of their  contributions  to various fields and areas of knowledge.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2532 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Rozgar Mela
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Anup Sanjay Dhotre

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2532

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 09 TH  MARCH, 2026

## ROZGAR MELA

## 2532.      SHRI ANUP SANJAY DHOTRE:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to organize a Rozgar Mela  in Akola district, Maharashtra to enhance employment opportunities for youth;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including its objectives, key features and implementation mechanism;
- (c) the details of the steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure  effective  linkage  between  job  seekers  and  employers across various sectors through the Rozgar Mela;
- (d) the measures adopted to ensure maximum outreach and participation, particularly among youth in rural and remote areas;
- (e)
- the details of the expected outcomes of the initiative; and
- (f) the details of the monitoring and  evaluation framework  for assessing its impact?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (f):  Job  fair  is  one  of  the  steps  towards  fulfilment  of  the Commitment of the Government to accord highest priority to employment  generation  amongst  youth.  Regular  Job  Fairs  are  being organized under various schemes by the State Governments/ Ministries/ Departments.

Job  fairs  are  primarily  intended  to  facilitate  linkage  between jobseekers  and  local  employers,  so  as  to  address  local  employment requirements.  Such  fairs  focus  on  employment  opportunities  aligned with local labour market demand.

As on 28.02.2026, more than 3280 job fairs have been organized in the State of Maharashtra including in Akola District, in which more than 7.99  lakh  jobseekers  and  more  than  15,800  employer  participated. Further, more than 18.83 lakh vacancies were mobilized through these job fairs. Ministry has also signed several MoUs with the private and public employers/  portals/  platforms  to  strengthen  public-private  partnerships for  enhancing  employment  opportunities  for  all  jobseekers.  Till  date more than 35 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed including  MoUs  with  private  partners  such  as  APNA,  Swiggy,  Rapido, Zomato,  Amazon,  TCS  iON, Quikr, FoundIt (Monster) etc. offering facilities such as job fairs listing, skill development programmes, career counselling etc. available on the NCS Portal. In  order  to  streamline  conducting  of  job  fairs  by  States/  UT Governments,  Ministry  has  issued  guidelines  for  effectively  organizing job fairs. The guidelines include effective mobilization of job seekers, job fair  venue  selection,  branding and publicity for  the job-fairs, putting-up stalls and counters for job fairs, coordination with employment officers and people's representatives, registration and reporting of job fair data etc.

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