Statement

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state: (a) the details of the States and Union Territories that have submitted Annual Reports in compliance with the Plastic Waste Management Rules; (b) the number of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) that have submitted Annual Reports in compliance with these Rules, State/UT-wise; (c) the number of such ULBs registered under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) portal and the status of their compliance; 09.03.2026 614 (d) the details of the specific projects and initiatives approved by the Central Government to promote the elimination of single-use plastics and strengthen waste segregation in urban areas; (e) the details of the total financial assistance sanctioned, released and utilised on plastic-free initiatives across the country, year and State/UT-wise, especially in Andhra Pradesh; and (f) the details of the measures taken by the Central Government to ensure effective monitoring and enforcement of the Plastic Waste Management Rules across the States and ULB? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH): (a): As per Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2024, notified on 14th March, 2024, every urban local body, Panchayat at District Level and State Pollution Control Board or Pollution Control Committee shall prepare and submit annual report in the prescribed form online. As per information available on the online portal for submission of Annual Reports under the rules, out of 4972 urban local bodies, 4858 urban local bodies have submitted online annual report for the year 2024-25. Similarly, out of 665 District Panchayats, 586 District Panchayats and 23 SPCBs/PCCs out of 36 SPCBs/PCCs have submitted online annual report for the year 2024-25. The details of SPCBs/PCCs who have submitted their Annual Reports for the year 2024-25 is given at Statement I. 09.03.2026 615 (b): The State/UT-wise details of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) that have submitted Annual Reports in compliance with the Rules, is given at Statement II (c): As per the information available on the centralized Extended Producer Responsibility portal, a total of 1,659 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) have been registered on the portal to date. The state/UT -wise list of registered ULBs is given at Statement III. (d) and (e): The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notified Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021, on 12th August 2021, prohibiting identified Single Use Plastic (SUP) items, which have low utility and high littering potential, with effect from 1 July 2022. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has also notified the Guidelines on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic packaging vide Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2022, on 16th February, 2022. The implementation of EPR on plastic packaging will lead to further strengthening of the waste management infrastructure including waste segregation in urban areas. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, celebrated World Environment Day 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 5th June 2025, with the slogan ‘One Nation, One Mission: End Plastic Pollution’. As part of one month long pre-campaign activities undertaken before World Environment Day 2025, around 69,000 events were organized in which around 21 lakh people participated across the country. Based upon the information 09.03.2026 616 provided by State Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change and Central Pollution Control Board have prepared a “Compendium of Manufacturers / Sellers of Eco-alternatives to Banned Single Use Plastic Items”, which was launched on World Environment Day, 2025. The compendium provides details of nearly 1000 units spread across the country. The Compendium is available on the website of CPCB for wider dissemination and use. In keeping with the development of eco-alternatives, Bureau of Indian Standard had earlier notified Indian Standard IS 18267 for Food Serving Utensil Made from Agri By- Products. The National Plastic Pollution Reduction Campaign (NPPRC) was also launched for the period 5th June to 31st October 2025. The Campaign included activities to reduce plastic pollution in urban and rural areas under Swachhta Hi Sewa programme. The activities also included focus on reducing use of avoidable single use plastics in government offices especially during Special Campaign 5.0. Further, additional central assistance is provided under Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) for solid waste management including plastic waste management for urban and rural areas in the country. As per information provided by Swachha Andhra Corporation, public awareness generation activities for promoting behavioral change towards reduction in single use plastics, encouraging adoption of eco-friendly alternatives and training programme for source segregation of waste and plastic waste management, have been carried out under the Information, 09.03.2026 617 Education and Communication (IEC) and Capacity Building (CB) components of SBM. The Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board has also conducted various awareness programmes on plastic waste management and ban on single use plastics by utilizing its own resources. (f): The following steps have been taken to strengthen implementation of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 and to implement ban on identified Single Use Plastic items: (i) All thirty-six States/UTs have constituted the Special Task Force under the chairpersonship of the Chief Secretary / Administrator for elimination of identified single use Plastic items and effective plastic waste management. A National Level Taskforce has also been constituted by the Ministry for taking coordinated efforts to eliminate identified single use plastic items and effective implementation of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016. (ii) Directions have been issued under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for setting up of institutional mechanism for enforcement of provisions of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 to all State Pollution Control Boards / Pollution Control Committees. Directions have also been issued to E-commerce companies, leading Single Use Plastic sellers/users, and plastic raw material manufacturers with respect to phasing out of identified single use plastic items. Separately, custom authorities have been asked to stop the import of banned SUP items. (iii) For effective monitoring of ban on identified Single Use Plastic items and plastic waste management in the country, the following online platforms are 09.03.2026 618 in operation: (a) National Dashboard for monitoring of comprehensive action plan implementation, (b) CPCB Monitoring Module for Compliance on Elimination of Single Use Plastic, and (c) CPCB Grievance Redressal App. (iv) States and Union Territories have been asked to undertake regular enforcement drives to implement ban on identified single use plastic items and on plastic carry bags having thickness less than one hundred twenty microns covering fruit and vegetable markets, wholesale markets, local markets, flower vendors, units manufacturing plastic carry bags etc. Actions have been taken by concerned authorities on the deviations, which include seizure of banned single use plastic items and levy of penalty. As per details provided by SPCB/PCC and details available at SUP compliance monitoring portal, a total of 8,61,740 inspections have been conducted and 1985 tonnes of banned single use plastic items have been seized and a total of Rs. 19.82 crores of fine has been levied, since July, 2022. STATEMENT-I List of SPCBs/PCCs who have submitted Annual Report for FY 2024-25. S.No. State/UT 1 Assam 2 Bihar 3 Chandigarh 4 Chhattisgarh 09.03.2026 619 5 Delhi 6 Goa 7 Gujarat 8 Himachal Pradesh 9 Jammu and Kashmir 10 Karnataka 11 Kerala 12 Ladakh 13 Madhya Pradesh 14 Manipur 15 Meghalaya 16 Mizoram 17 Nagaland 18 Odisha 19 Puducherry 20 Punjab 21 Sikkim 22 Tamil Nadu 23 West Bengal 09.03.2026 620 STATEMENT- II State/ UT- wise Status of Annual Reporting by Urban Local Bodies for FY 2024-25 S. No. State/UT Total Number of ULBs Number of ULBs submitted the Form V Part A 1 Andaman and Nicobar Islands 1 1 2 Andhra Pradesh 124 123 3 Arunachal Pradesh 35 8 4 Assam 115 114 5 Bihar 270 261 6 Chandigarh 1 1 7 Chhattisgarh 191 191 8 Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu 3 3 9 Delhi 5 3 10 Goa 14 14 11 Gujarat 167 166 12 Haryana 89 87 13 Himachal Pradesh 66 66 14 Jammu and Kashmir 80 80 15 Jharkhand 50 50 09.03.2026 621 16 Karnataka 317 316 17 Kerala 94 94 18 Ladakh 2 2 19 Lakshadweep 0 0 20 Madhya Pradesh 417 417 21 Maharashtra 417 401 22 Manipur 27 24 23 Meghalaya 12 7 24 Mizoram 23 22 25 Nagaland 39 33 26 Odisha 115 115 27 Puducherry 5 5 28 Punjab 169 169 29 Rajasthan 261 259 30 Sikkim 7 7 31 Tamil Nadu 651 651 32 Telangana 163 162 33 Tripura 20 20 34 Uttar Pradesh 779 760 35 Uttarakhand 112 103 36 West Bengal 131 123 09.03.2026 622 STATEMENT-III Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) registered on the EPR portal State / UT Registered ULBs ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS 1 ASSAM 5 BIHAR 8 CHHATTISGARH 154 GOA 14 GUJARAT 154 HIMACHAL PRADESH 57 KARNATAKA 318 KERALA 90 MADHYA PRADESH 3 ODISHA 115 PONDICHERRY 1 TAMIL NADU 158 UTTAR PRADESH 577 UTTARAKHAND 4 Grand Total 1659 FUNDS OF TIGER RESERVES 2653. SHRI SUNIL BOSE: Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state: (a) the details of projects/schemes implemented/proposed to be implemented under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in the Biligiri Ranganatha Swami Temple Tiger Reserve and Bandipura Tiger Reserve in Chamarajanagar district; and 09.03.2026 623 (b) the details of the funds allocated/released and utilized in Bandipura Tiger Reserve under various projects/schemes under the Ministry? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH): (a) and (b): Funding assistance is provided under the Project Tiger Component of ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitat (IDWH) to tiger range States including Biligiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple (BRT) Tiger Reserve and Bandipur (Bandipura) Tiger Reserve of Karnataka for conservation of tigers, raising awareness on tiger and other wildlife conservation, habitat management, protection, eco-development, human resource and infrastructure development as per the Sanctioned Annual Plan of Operation of the tiger reserve, which stems out from a Statutory Tiger Conservation Plan. The details of funding assistance provided to Bandipur Tiger Reserve under the Project Tiger component of IDWH during last three years are as under: Year Tiger Reserve Utilized Amount (Rs. In Lakh) 2022-23 Bandipur 722.335 2023-24 Bandipur 713.55 2024-25 Bandipur 720.12 09.03.2026 624 ASSISTANCE FOR PROTECTION OF MUZHAPPILANGAD BEACH, KANNUR 2654. SHRI K SUDHAKARAN: Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware that Muzhappilangad Beach in Kannur, Asia’s longest drive-in beach is facing severe threats from intensified coastal erosion and tidal flooding, which have recently been declared a State-specific disaster in Kerala; (b) the details of the central technical and financial assistance provided under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 or Sagarmala schemes specifically for "Anti-Sea Erosion Works" and "Shoreline Management" at this destination; (c) whether any joint study has been conducted with the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) to implement "soft" engineering solutions (like offshore reefs) to protect the driving track without destroying the beach's natural sand-hardening properties; and (d) the measures taken by the Government to address the rising levels of microplastic pollution on the Muzhappilangad-Dharmadam stretch to maintain its status as a high-end international destination? THE MINISTER OF CULTURE; AND MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT): (a) to (d): The Ministry of Tourism does not operate any scheme to provide technical or financial assistance for "Anti-Sea Erosion Works" and "Shoreline Management". Development and promotion of tourism is primarily undertaken 09.03.2026 625 by the concerned State Government (SG)/UT Administration (UTA). However, the Ministry of Tourism under its existing schemes such as ‘Swadesh Darshan’, ‘Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)’, ‘Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)’ – an initiative under SD, ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ etc. provides financial assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations on receipt of project proposals from them in line with the scheme guidelines, availability of funds, inter-se priority, government instructions etc. The Sagarmala scheme and issues related to rising levels of micro plastic pollution are not handled by the Ministry of Tourism. Also this Ministry has not undertaken any study through National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) to implement "soft" engineering solutions (like offshore reefs) to protect the driving track without destroying the beach's natural sand-hardening properties. However, the Ministry of Tourism focuses on implementation of sustainable and responsible tourism practices in various projects and initiatives and also encourages adoption of principles of sustainable tourism viz. environmental sustainability, socio-cultural sustainability and economic sustainability. The details of the projects sanctioned by the Ministry of Tourism under its SD, SD2.0, CBDD and PRASHAD schemes in the state of Kerala is enclosed as Statement. 09.03.2026 626 STATEMENT Details of the projects sanctioned by the Ministry of Tourism under its SD, SD2.0, CBDD and PRASHAD schemes in the state of Kerala:- Scheme Year of Sanction Name of the project Sanction Amount (Rs. In Crore) Swadesh Darshan Eco Circuit 2015-16 Development of Pathanamthitta- Gavi- Vagamon- Thekkady 64.08 Spiritual Circuit 2016-17 Development of Sabarimala - Erumeli- Pampa-Sannidhanam 46.54 Spiritual Circuit 2016-17 Development of Sree Padmanabha Arnamula 78.08 Rural Circuit 2018-19 Development of Malanad Malabar Cruise Tourism Project 57.35 Spiritual Circuit 2018-19 Development Sivagiri Sree Narayana Guru Ashram- Arruvipuram- Kunnumpara Sree Subrahmania- Chembazhanthi Sree Narayana Gurukulam 66.42 Swadesh Darshan 2.0 2024-25 Alappuzha: A Global Water Wonderland 93.18 2024-25 Enhancement of Tourist Experience at Malampuzha Garden and Leisure Park 75.87 09.03.2026 627 2023-24 Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary Experience 13.81 CBDD 2024-25 Varkala-Dakshin Kashi 25.00 2024-25 Thalassery: The Spritiual Nexus 25.00 PRASHA D 2016-17 Development at Guruvayur Temple 45.19 PM JANMAN 2655. SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY VEMIREDDY: Will the Minister of SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is implementing, through it national institutes, skilling and entrepreneurship component of PM JANMAN to empower women entrepreneurs during the last two years and the current year; (b) if so, the details thereof and the number of tribal women benefited from the above scheme in Andhra Pradesh, district-wise; (c) the details of critical interventions that the above said scheme focuses; (d) whether there is any role of Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) and whether it is a fact that 500 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) are aimed to set up by March, 2026; and (e) If so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise and achievement made so far in this regard? 09.03.2026 628 THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY): (a) to (e): Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) - a scheme of Ministry of Tribal Affairs being implemented since 2024, aims to enhance the socio-economic conditions of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) by providing them with basic facilities such as safe housing, clean drinking water, improved access to education, health and nutrition, road and telecom connectivity, electrification of un-electrified households and sustainable livelihood opportunities. The scheme focuses on 11 critical interventions related to 9 key Ministries including Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). The key intervention of the MSDE is facilitating skill and entrepreneurship development in Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs). The Ministry through its autonomous institutions, namely, National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD) and Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), is implementing the skilling and entrepreneurship component of PM JANMAN with the support of Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) in 15 States across the country under which a total of 500 VDVKs are to be operationalized by 31.03.2026 covering 41,913 VDVKs members. 09.03.2026 629 Under this programme, NIESBUD and IIE have signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with TRIFED wherein the responsibility of TRIFED is to coordinate with State Implementing Agencies (SIAs) for mobilization and establishment of VDVKs and arrange tool/equipment for the PVTG VDVKs. The roles and responsibilities of NIESBUD and IIE are to undertake skill and entrepreneurship trainings in the identified VDVKs. As on 28.02.2026, a total of 38,391 VDVKs members have been trained under Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) and a total of 489 VDVKs have been operationalized. The details thereof and the state-wise achievement so far in this regard are indicated in Statement - I. The details of number of tribal women benefitted from the scheme in the district of Andhra Pradesh are indicated in Statement -II The details of critical interventions/ activities / projects sanctioned Ministry- wise, by each Ministry responsible for implementation of the various components of the Mission are indicated in Statement -III. 09.03.2026 630 STATEMENT - I The state-wise details of the VDVKs operational and training programmes under PM JANMAN is as under: SI. No. State Total Target VDVK No. of VDVK Operationalized No. of members (Target) Total members trained under EDP Total 1 Andhra Pradesh 73 73 6162 5976 2 Chhattisgarh 16 16 2422 2395 3 Gujarat 21 21 1050 1050 4 Jharkhand 35 35 2876 2876 5 Karnataka 32 21 1784 1168 6 Kerala 5 5 433 425 7 Madhya Pradesh 83 83 5151 5100 8 Maharashtra 40 40 3624 3624 9 Odisha 43 43 3553 2328 10 Rajasthan 50 50 8659 8659 11 Tamil Nadu 37 37 2403 1042 12 Telangana 25 25 1461 1461 13 Uttar Pradesh 5 5 319 271 14 Uttarakhand 5 5 314 314 15 Tripura 30 30 1702 1702 Total 500 489 41,913 38,391 09.03.2026 631 STATEMENT - II The district wise details of number of tribal women benefitted from the scheme in Andhra Pradesh is as under: STATEMENT – III The details of critical interventions/ activities / projects, Ministry- wise by each Ministry responsible for implementation of the various components of the Mission is as under: Sl. No. Activity Scheme Ministry 1 Provision of pucca houses Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna–Gramin M/o Rural Development 2 Connecting roads Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna 3 Piped Water Supply individual or Community water supply Jal Jeewan Mission (JJM) M/o Jal Shakti 4 Mobile Medical Units with medicine cost (MMU) National Health Mission M/o Health and Family Welfare S. No. District Trained- Women Participants 1 Eluru 86 2 Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) 512 3 Parvathipuram Manyam 1165 4 Srikakulam 3372 5 Total 5135 09.03.2026 632 5 Construction and running of hostels Samagra Shiksha (hostels) Ministry of Education 6 Construction and running of Anganwadi Centers Anganwadi Services (AWCs) M/o Women and Child Development 7 Setting up of VDVKs PM Janjatiya Vikas Mission M/o Tribal Affairs and M/o Skill Development and Entrepreneurship 8 Construction of Multipurpose Centers (MPC) Development of PVTG 9 Energization of unelectrified HHs Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) or through MNRE scheme M/o Power 10 Installation of mobile towers DoT (USOF) Ministry of Communication 11 Vocational Education and skilling Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan & PM Kaushal Vikas D/o School Education and Literacy; M/o Skill Development अटल प¤शन योजना के लाभाथê 2656.®ी उºजवल रमण िसंह: ³या िव° मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िकः (क) देश म¤ अब तक अटल प¤शन योजना के कुल िकतने लाभाथê ह§ और उ°र ÿदेश सिहत देश भर म¤ गत तीन वषŎ के दौरान िकए गए नामांकनŌ का राºय-वार Êयौरा ³या है; (ख) सरकार Ĭारा उ°र ÿदेश के úामीण और दूरदराज के ±ेýŌ म¤ अटल प¤शन योजना को बढ़ावा देने और असंगिठत ±ेý के ®िमकŌ तथा अÆय पाý आबादी के बीच उĉ योजना के बारे म¤ जागŁकता पैदा करने के िलए ³या कदम उठाए गए ह§; 09.03.2026 633 (ग) ³या देश भर म¤, िवशेषकर उ°र ÿदेश म¤, अटल प¤शन योजना (एपीवाई) म¤ मिहलाओं और छोटे िकसानŌ कì भागीदारी म¤ उÐलेखनीय वृिĦ हòई है और यिद हां, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है; और (घ) उ°र ÿदेश म¤ अटल प¤शन योजना को लागू करने म¤ ब§िकंग संÖथानŌ और डाकघरŌ कì ³या भूिमका है और उĉ योजना म¤ सिøय łप से लोगŌ का नामांकन करने वाली शाखाओं कì सं´या िकतनी है? िव° मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी (®ी पंकज चौधरी): (क): अटल प¤शन योजना (एपीवाई) का शुभारंभ िदनांक 09.05.2015 को िकया गया था िजसका उĥेÔय सभी भारतीयŌ, िवशेष कर गरीबŌ, वंिचतŌ और असंगिठत ±ेý के कामगारŌ के िलए सवªसुलभ सामािजक सुर±ा ÿणाली का सृजन करना था । यह योजना ब§क और डाक घर म¤ बचत खाता रखनेवाले 18 से 40 वषª के बीच कì आयु के सभी भारतीय नागåरकŌ के िलए है। इस योजना के अनुसार, अिभदाता 60 वषª कì आयु ÿाĮ करने पर प¤शन लाभ ÿाĮ कर सकता है। इसिलए एपीवाई के अंतगªत प¤शन लाभ वषª 2035 से ÿारंभ होने कì उÌमीद है। तथािप, अटल प¤शन योजना के अंतगªत अभी तक (िदनांक 31.01.2026 कì िÖथित के अनुसार) सकल नामांकन 8,71,74,743 ह§। िपछले तीन िव°ीय वषª के दौरान उ°र ÿदेश सिहत देश म¤ िकए गए नये नामाकनŌ कì सं´या को दशाªनेवाली राºय-वार सूची िववरण-1 म¤ दी गयी है। (ख): सरकार और प¤शन िनिध िविनयामक और िवकास ÿािधकरण (पीएफआरडीए) ने उ°र ÿदेश के úामीण एवं दूरदराज के ±ेý सिहत देश भर म¤ एपीवाई के ÿित जागłकता और कवरेज बढ़ाने के िलए, अÆय बातŌ के साथ-साथ, िनÌनिलिखत कदम उठाए ह§:- i. जागłकता उÂपÆन करने के िलए िÿंट, इले³ůॉिनक और सोशल मीिडया म¤ समय-समय पर िव²ापन ÿकािशत िकए जाते ह§। ii. 13 Öथानीय भाषाओं म¤ एपीवाई अिभदाता सूचना िववरिणका। 09.03.2026 634 iii. पाý लाभािथªयŌ के मÅय एपीवाई का ÿचार करने के िलए ब§क ÿितिनिध(बीसी) और ब§क के फìÐड कमªचारी, Öवयं सहायता समूह (एसएचजी) के सदÖयŌ, राºय úामीण आजीिवका िमशन (एसआरएलएम) कì ब§क सिखयŌ के िलए वचुªअल ±मता िनमाªण कायªøम आयोिजत िकए जा रहे ह§। iv. एपीवाई के संबंध म¤ जागłकता और कवरेज का ÿसार करने के िलए भारत सरकार के िविभÆन मंýालयŌ, राÕůीय िव°ीय िश±ा क¤þ (एनसीएफई), राÕůीय कृिष और úामीण िवकास ब§क (नाबाडª), राÕůीय úामीण आजीिवका िमशन(एनआरएलएम) और एसआरएलएम कायªरत ह§। v. आसान ऑनलाइन ऑनबोिड«ग के िलए ई-एपीवाई, नेट-ब§िकंग, मोबाइल ऐप और ब§क के वेब- पोटªल जैसे ऑनलाइन चैनलŌ को सिøय करना। vi. अिखल भारत Öतर पर ब§कŌ और राºय Öतरीय ब§कर सिमित (एसएलबीसी)/ अúणी िजला ÿबंधक (एलडीएम) के समÆवय से एपीवाई आउटरीच कायªøम िनयिमत łप से आयोिजत िकए जाते ह§। िपछले तीन वषª के दौरान अयोÅया, गोरखपुर और मेरठ सिहत उ°र ÿदेश के िविभÆन िजलŌ म¤ ऐसे कायªøम आयोिजत िकए गए ह§। vii. हाल ही म¤ उ°र ÿदेश राºय सिहत अिखल भारतीय Öतर पर प¤शन पåरपूणªता के िलए िव°ीय समावेशन अिभयान आयोिजत िकए गए थे जहां ब§कŌ ने प¤शन और एपीवाई के संबंध म¤ जागłकता बढ़ाने के िलए िव°ीय सा±रता क¤þŌ के बड़े नेटवकª का उपयोग िकया। (ग): िदनांक 31.01.2026 कì िÖथित के अनुसार, एपीवाई के अंतगªत सकल मिहला नामांकन 4,25,13,682 है जो कुल नामांकन का 48.76 ÿितशत है। इसके अितåरĉ, उ°र ÿदेश म¤ एपीवाई के अंतगªत सकल मिहला नामांकन 58,25,624 है, जो उ°र ÿदेश म¤ कुल नामांकन का 40 ÿितशत है। िपछले तीन वषª के दौरान एपीवाई के अंतगªत िकए गए मिहलाओं के सकल नामांकन का उ°र ÿदेश सिहत राºयवार Êयौरा िववरण-II म¤ िदया गया है। इसके अितåरĉ, एपीवाई म¤ लघु कृषकŌ कì सहभािगता से संबंिधत िविशĶ आंकड़Ō को इस योजना के अंतगªत शािमल नहé िकया जाता है। 09.03.2026 635 (घ): एपीवाई को डाक िवभाग (डीओपी) और सावªजिनक ±ेý के ब§कŌ, िनजी ±ेý के ब§कŌ, ±ेýीय úामीण ब§कŌ, लघु िव° ब§कŌ, पेम¤ट ब§कŌ, सहकारी ब§कŌ सिहत ब§िकंग संÖथानŌ के माÅयम से कायाªिÆवत िकया जा रहा है। ये संÖथान पीएफआरडीए के साथ Èवाइंट ऑफ ÿेज¤स – एपीवाई (पीओपी-एपीवाई) के łप म¤ पंजीकृत ह§ और एपीवाई के संिवतरण और एपीवाई अिभदाताओं को सेवा ÿदान करने के िलए उ°रदायी ह§। िदनांक 31.01.2026 कì िÖथित के अनुसार, उ°र ÿदेश म¤ कुल 17,698 ब§क शाखाएं और डाकघर कì 381 शाखाएं लोगŌ को एपीवाई म¤ नामांिकत कर रही ह§। िववरण-I िदनांक 31.1.2026 कì िÖथित के अनुसार एपीवाई के अंतगªत िपछले तीन वषª के दौरान राºय-वार सकल नामांकन राºय का नाम 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 (िदनांक 31.01.2026 कì िÖथित के अनुसार) अब तक कुल नामांकन (िदनांक 31.01.2026 कì िÖथित के अनुसार) उ°र ÿदेश 22,40,938 22,13,295 19,60,367 17,23,538 1,45,22,133 अंडमान और िनकोबार Ĭीप समूह 3,085 2,653 1,938 2,141 15,465 आंň ÿदेश 5,67,314 6,01,664 5,73,008 4,99,582 43,36,137 अŁणाचल ÿदेश 4,846 6,228 6,340 6,404 41,982 असम 3,23,506 3,47,798 2,71,883 2,71,042 21,21,331 09.03.2026 636 िबहार 10,80,863 11,91,783 11,04,270 9,05,534 79,69,799 चंडीगढ़ 11,436 10,832 10,717 12,888 87,514 छ°ीसगढ़ 2,19,414 2,49,190 2,62,999 2,61,349 16,80,135 िदÐली 1,50,502 1,30,668 1,09,954 1,18,467 10,59,034 गोवा 14,430 15,522 15,314 14,516 1,27,871 गुजरात 3,82,716 4,08,845 3,80,732 3,88,569 31,67,674 हåरयाणा 3,07,287 2,70,070 2,63,499 2,62,585 19,73,007 िहमाचल ÿदेश 97,057 86,470 81,941 79,124 6,46,660 जÌमू और कÔमीर 40,703 39,674 43,002 44,125 2,84,011 झारखंड 4,30,587 4,42,235 4,91,757 4,34,538 29,68,851 कनाªटक 6,01,270 5,94,023 6,48,228 6,69,623 49,91,457 केरल 2,00,130 2,09,401 2,66,528 2,72,857 17,31,466 लĥाख 1,453 914 896 816 7,562 ल±Ĭीप 718 411 745 646 3,686 मÅय ÿदेश 7,36,755 8,38,300 7,61,643 7,24,559 54,09,004 महाराÕů 8,12,551 8,19,953 7,80,312 7,48,198 62,29,862 मिणपुर 15,873 9,678 9,034 11,058 77,168 मेघालय 9,957 11,956 12,474 22,986 95,622 िमजोरम 2,721 4,358 6,088 10,005 37,779 नागाल§ड 6,654 6,010 5,802 6,598 45,093 ओिडशा 4,17,983 4,73,542 4,80,456 4,87,731 33,91,358 पुदुचेरी 12,532 12,175 13,845 13,270 1,13,678 09.03.2026 637 पंजाब 3,71,756 3,47,955 3,46,314 3,74,698 26,01,315 राजÖथान 6,64,197 6,63,524 6,32,239 5,91,954 46,40,690 िसि³कम 6,816 5,163 6,544 5,655 48,386 तिमलनाडु 6,93,031 7,12,705 6,90,667 7,26,100 57,07,822 तेलंगाना 3,61,558 3,87,344 3,25,878 3,33,285 27,53,640 दादरा और नगर हवेली तथा दमन और दीव 5,118 4,650 4,472 3,882 45,557 िýपुरा 44,251 48,124 65,450 39,870 3,27,191 उ°राखंड 1,51,157 1,37,697 1,12,324 1,07,087 9,39,797 पिIJम बंगाल 9,40,220 9,88,680 9,90,667 9,08,982 69,75,006 कुल योग 1,19,31,385 1,22,93,490 1,17,38,327 1,10,84,262 8,71,74,743 ąोत: पीएफआरडीए िववरण-II िदनांक 31.1.2026 कì िÖथित के अनुसार एपीवाई के अंतगªत िपछले तीन वषª के दौरान मिहलाओं का राºय-वार सकल नामांकन राºय का नाम 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 (िदनांक 31.01.2026 कì िÖथित के अनुसार) अब तक कुल नामांकन (िदनांक 31.01.2026 कì िÖथित के अनुसार) 09.03.2026 638 उ°र ÿदेश 8,76,940 9,08,588 9,00,118 8,33,697 58,25,624 िबहार 6,17,459 7,23,255 6,90,740 6,13,609 46,06,393 पिIJम बंगाल 5,50,298 6,04,897 6,12,691 5,70,602 39,93,856 तिमलनाडु 4,05,267 4,30,475 4,00,432 4,18,420 32,59,733 महाराÕů 3,48,065 3,66,732 4,36,598 3,82,311 27,54,934 मÅय ÿदेश 3,50,720 5,22,086 4,56,161 4,43,280 27,10,246 आंň ÿदेश 3,66,047 3,96,959 3,58,689 2,90,362 26,51,596 कनाªटक 2,83,590 3,19,575 3,51,362 3,57,757 23,62,494 ओिडशा 2,33,606 2,75,267 3,19,367 3,09,351 18,75,922 राजÖथान 2,55,256 2,63,848 2,51,171 2,65,722 17,61,858 झारखंड 2,38,139 2,50,568 3,30,064 2,96,632 17,24,055 तेलंगाना 2,02,578 2,17,412 1,76,369 1,84,409 14,47,846 असम 1,96,478 2,23,307 1,67,872 1,71,348 12,31,146 पंजाब 1,61,020 1,53,379 1,52,572 1,64,853 10,58,889 गुजरात 1,17,562 1,35,991 1,36,673 1,50,449 10,14,659 केरल 1,06,519 1,12,109 1,42,120 1,47,536 9,32,638 छ°ीसगढ़ 1,07,878 1,36,061 1,68,348 1,69,337 8,80,577 हåरयाणा 1,26,875 1,15,927 1,23,953 1,18,065 7,65,047 िदÐली 62,650 55,612 50,726 52,498 4,16,633 उ°राखंड 54,956 55,796 51,062 49,141 3,66,958 िहमाचल ÿदेश 39,118 36,753 36,002 33,772 2,55,377 िýपुरा 24,439 28,178 39,283 22,823 1,78,019 09.03.2026 639 जÌमू एवं कÔमीर 13,386 14,522 15,649 16,178 93,184 पुदुचेरी 7,432 7,262 8,187 7,574 64,360 मेघालय 5,343 6,551 7,281 14,914 53,135 गोवा 5,931 6,558 5,988 5,881 50,544 मिणपुर 8,558 5,590 5,050 6,281 40,866 चंडीगढ़ 4,255 4,036 4,192 5,184 32,900 िसि³कम 3,496 2,616 3,371 2,675 22,659 नागाल§ड 3,218 3,039 3,027 3,420 22,126 अŁणाचल ÿदेश 2,449 3,147 3,108 3,190 20,332 िमजोरम 1,576 2,266 3,251 5,329 20,227 दादरा और नगर हवेली तथा दमन और दीव 672 874 1,048 1,157 8,266 अंडमान और िनकोबार Ĭीप समूह 1,301 1,243 883 972 6,548 लĥाख 597 357 292 259 2,640 ल±Ĭीप 257 137 343 252 1,395 कुल योग 57,83,931 63,90,973 64,14,043 61,19,240 4,25,13,682 ąोत: पीएफआरडीए पढ़ाई बीच म¤ छोड़ने वाले िवīािथªयŌ से संबंिधत यूडीआईएसई åरपोटª 2657. एडवोकेट चÆþ शेखर: 09.03.2026 640 ®ी हनुमान बेनीवाल: ³या िश±ा मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िक: (क) मंýालय कì यूडीआईएसई कì åरपोटŎ के अनुसार, वषª 2022-23 से अब तक देश म¤ पढ़ाई बीच म¤ छोड़ने वाले लड़कŌ और लड़िकयŌ कì सं´या का वषª-वार और राºय/संघ राºय±ेý- वार Êयौरा ³या है; (ख) ³या वषª 2022-23 कì तुलना म¤ वषª 2023-24 म¤ पढ़ाई बीच म¤ छोड़ने वाले िवīािथªयŌ कì सं´या म¤ वृिĦ हòई है और यिद हाँ, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है और इसके ³या कारण ह§; (ग) ³या सरकार ने िनःशुÐक िश±ा और िश±ा के अिधकार के ÿावधानŌ के बावजूद िवīािथªयŌ Ĭारा पढ़ाई बीच म¤ छोड़ने के कारणŌ का पता लगाने के िलए कोई अÅययन िकया है और यिद हाँ, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है; और (घ) गत पांच वषŎ के दौरान Öकूल म¤ नामांकन बढ़ाने और पढ़ाई बीच म¤ छोड़ने कì दर को कम करने के िलए सरकार Ĭारा िकए गए ÿयासŌ और खचª िकए गए बजट का Êयौरा ³या है? कौशल िवकास और उīमशीलता मंýालय के राºय मंýी; तथा िश±ा मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी (®ी जयंत चौधरी): (क) और (ख): यूडाइज़+ (िश±ा के िलए एकìकृत िजला सूचना ÿणाली Èलस) के अनुसार, वषª 2022-23 से वषª 2024-25 तक राºय/संघ राºय ±ेý वार और ज¤डरवार űॉपआउट दर https://www.education.gov.in/en/parl_ques पर उपलÊध है। राÕůीय Öतर पर सभी शै±िणक ÖतरŌ पर पढ़ाई बीच म¤ छोड़ने कì दर म¤ कमी आई है। (ग): सांि´यकì और कायªøम कायाªÆवयन मंýालय (एमओएसपीआई) Ĭारा वषª 2023-24 के िलए जारी 'आविधक ®म बल सव¥±ण (पीएलएफ़एस)' नामक åरपोटª के अनुसार, कभी Öकूल नहé जाने वाले छाýŌ के ÿमुख कारण घरेलू आय को बढ़ाना, घरेलू कामŌ म¤ भाग लेना, िश±ा को आवÔयक नहé समझा जाना आिद ह§। 09.03.2026 641 (घ): पåरयोजना अनुमोदन बोडª Ĭारा अनुमोिदत क¤þीय िहÖसे का राºय/ संघ राºय ±ेýवार िववरण और वषª 2020-21 से वषª 2024-25 के िलए समú िश±ा के तहत जारी क¤þीय िहÖसे का िववरण https://www.education.gov.in/en/parl_ques पर उपलÊध है। GAPS IN CHILD LABOUR LAW ENFORCEMENT, EXEMPTIONS AND MIGRANT VULNERABILITIES 2658. SHRI MADDILA GURUMOORTHY: Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has assessed the concentration of child labour in unregistered and home-based informal enterprises keeps it outside regular labour inspections and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether the Government proposes to review the “family enterprise” exemption under the Child Labour (Amendment) Act, 2016, given its misuse to conceal child labour in hazardous activities and if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government has identified the reasons for very low conviction rates in child labour cases, including shortage of inspectors along with weak inter-agency coordination and if so, the details thereof; (d) whether the Government plans to address the vulnerability of migrant children in hazardous work arising from inconsistent definitions of a “child” across laws and weak inter-State tracking mechanisms; and (e) if so, the details thereof? 09.03.2026 642 THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE): (a) to (e): Government has enacted the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 which provides for the complete prohibition of work or employment of children including migrant children below 14 years in any occupation and process. The Act also prohibits adolescents in the age group of 14 to 18 years to work in hazardous occupations and processes. However, children are permitted to help their families or family enterprises in non- hazardous occupations/ processes, only after school hours or during vacations. The Act was amended in the year 2016 and the definition of the “child” was linked to the age of compulsory education under Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009. The government also framed the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Rules, 1988 which inter -alia, provide for District Nodal Officer (DNO) and Task Force at district level to ensure that the provisions of the Act are properly enforced. In addition, an online portal— ‘PENCIL’ (Platform for Effective Enforcement for No Child Labour)—was developed to monitor and track complaints. 09.03.2026 643 INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AND MODERNISATION OF SPORTS FACILITIES 2659. SHRI CAPTAIN BRIJESH CHOWTA: Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state: (a) whether any proposal has been received or is under consideration for establishing a Sports Authority of India Training Centre, Regional Centre, or sports science facility in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka; and (b) if so, the details thereof? THE MINISTER OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT; AND MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA): (a) and (b): “Sports” being a State subject, the responsibility for promotion and development of sports in the States/UTs rests with the respective State/UT Governments. Further, no new proposal has been received, nor is any proposal currently under consideration, for setting up a Sports Authority of India Training Centre, Regional Centre, or Sports Science Facility in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka. EMISSION FROM SHIPS/SHIPWRECKS 2660. SHRI TANGELLA UDAY SRINIVAS: Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pl eased to state: 09.03.2026 644 (a) the details of major ports presently providing On-Shore Power Supply (OPS) facilities, along with quantum of electricity supplied during the last five years and the current year, year- wise and port-wise; (b) whether the Government maintains data on emissions from berthed ships, shipwrecks and abandoned vessels in ports and coastal areas, if so, the details thereof including estimated environmental and economic costs; (c) the measures undertaken to mitigate such pollution including funds allocated, released and utilised during the last five years and the current year; (d) whether initiatives have been taken to monitor and prevent marine pollution arising from tanker accidents, illegal bilge discharge and tarball deposition; and (e) the details of schemes, regulatory mechanisms, inter-agency coordination frameworks and enforcement actions undertaken in this regard? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH): (a) to (c): The details of On-Shore Power Supply (OPS) facilities, along with quantum of electricity supplied during the last five years and the current year, year-wise and port-wise as informed by Ministry of Port, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) is at Statement. The MoPSW launched the Green Port Performance Index (GPPI) in October 2025 to track progress in reducing environmental impact. It 09.03.2026 645 establishes a standardized framework for monitoring and controlling emissions including the assessment of environmental footprint of visiting vessels at Ports. The MoPSW also launched the ‘Harit Sagar’ Green Ports Guidelines in May 2023 to provide a framework for the Indian Ports for drawing out a comprehensive action plan for achieving targeted outcomes in terms of quantified reduction in carbon emission over defined timelines, through focused implementation and close monitoring of Green Initiatives and ‘Green Tug Transition Program (GTTP)’ in August 2024 to drive the transition from conventional fuel-based harbour tugs to greener, more sustainable alternatives, marking a major step in India's commitment to environmental sustainability and the advancement of its maritime sector. (d) and (e): As informed by MoPSW the Government has formulated Merchant Shipping Rules for the prevention of pollution of the sea from all the waste categories of pollutants under the Merchant Shipping Act, as per International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). The ships are designed and equipped with pollution prevention equipments like Sewage Treatment Plants, Oily Water Separators, Incinerators, Compactors, Comminutors and Holding Tanks to prevent pollution from these pollutants. These equipments are examined at regular intervals during surveys carried out on board Indian flagged vessels. Also, safety management audits of ships are carried out on-board and ashore which consider environment protection as a major part of the audit. Strict implementation and enforcement is done by the 09.03.2026 646 Government on the Indian flagged vessels with reference to the MARPOL convention. The oil/chemical spill due to a vessel casualty is monitored by Casualty Branch of Directorate General of Shipping and the response is catered by Indian Coastguard (lCG) as per the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOSDCP). Government also inspects foreign-flagged vessels calling at Indian Ports and if a vessel is found to be in violation of MARPOL convention, Indian authorities are empowered to detain the ship and impose penalties. In addition to above, as informed by Indian Coastguard the measures taken by ICG for monitoring marine pollution are as follows: (i) ICG ships and aircraft deployed in Maritime Zones of India, maintain surveillance for detecting any oil spill in the region. (ii) ICG Pollution Control Vessels (PCVs) and Dornier aircraft fitted with MSS 6000 are specifically deployed for marine environment surveillance. (iii)ICG regularly observes satellite imagery for any possible oil slick in Indian waters. 09.03.2026 647 STATEMENT Details of major ports presently providing On-Shore Power Supply (OPS) facilities, along with quantum of electricity supplied during the last five years and the current year (In Kilowatt Hours) Port 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26(till February) New Mangalore Port - 402530 349357 378972 411805 390385 Chennai Port 1652938 1460651 1843263 1975568 1028814 1658416 Mormugao Port 321130 803040 1032076 771541 937146 691099 V.O. Chidambaranar Port - 179030 173422 129195 49008 54938 Deendayal Port 848999 1244179 1190009 1331577 1408129 1121197 Cochin Port 151808 1578330 1814552 3741786 4298541 3992915 Kamarajar Port 114237 116179 121138 109320 96880 121208 Paradip Port 280200 290360 395162 437057 458900 441691 Jawaharlal Nehru Port 980572 893193 763761 879175 774844 1116559 Visakhapatnam Port 187062 182500 149650 1 46 000 127750 100500 09.03.2026 648 YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP INITIATIVES UNDER PMKVY 4.0 2661. SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM: Will the Minister of SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state: (a) the entrepreneurship-focused initiatives implemented during the year 2025 under schemes, such as PMKVY 4.0, Entrepreneurship Development Programme and allied skilling-cum-enterprise support frameworks; (b) the number of youth established enterprises or accessed structured entrepreneurship support; (c) the role of institutional partnerships with Startup India, financial institutions and incubation centres in enabling enterprise creation and scalability; and (d) whether the Government proposes any targeted incentives, sector-specific support or convergence measures to further strengthen sustainable youth entrepreneurship outcomes and if so, the details thereof? THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY): Mumbai Port - 200000 250000 40000 Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port 70833 845844 1279851 1423937 1496319 1474236 09.03.2026 649 (a) and (b): The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has taken various initiatives to promote entrepreneurship in the country. During the year 2025, multiple entrepreneurship focused initiatives were implemented with the objective of promoting self-employment, enterprise creation and sustainable livelihoods, particularly among youth, women, SHGs and aspiring micro entrepreneurs. These initiatives were aligned with the Skill India Mission under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY 4.0), Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN), Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA), and PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. The Ministry through its autonomous organizations, namely, National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD) and Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) has implemented various Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (EDPs) and Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Programmes (ESDPs) under various schemes to promote entrepreneurship amongst all sections of the society. These EDPs and ESDPs are designed to impart entrepreneurial, financial and managerial skills and also to offer post-training support through mentorship, handholding, and access to credit/finance, market linkages and incubation facilities. Under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0, the emphasis is on empowering trained candidates to pursue diverse career pathways by providing appropriate orientation, with a strong focus on entrepreneurship and livelihood creation through On-the-Job Training (OJT) embedded industry-relevant skill courses. 09.03.2026 650 Also, Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) platform has been launched as a one-stop platform that integrates skilling, education, employment, and entrepreneurship ecosystems to provide a lifelong array of services targeting a wide range of stakeholders. Details of the trained candidates are available on SIDH portal for connecting with potential employers. Through SIDH, candidates can have access to jobs, apprenticeship opportunities and other facilities, including loans for entrepreneurship. Job role–wise details of candidates trained under PMKVY 4.0 in FY 2025–26, related to entrepreneurship, are given below: Sl. No. Job Role Name Trained / Oriented i. Dairy Farmer/Entrepreneur 69 ii. Green Hydrogen Plant Entrepreneur 336 iii. Handloom Entrepreneur 31 iv. Processed Food Entrepreneur 63 v. Street Food Vendor - Standalone 2,105 Total 2,604 Additionally, a number of project proposals have been approved under PMKVY 4.0 in FY 2025–26 with overall target of 41,600 spreading across various entrepreneurship related job roles such as Street Food Vendor – Standalone, Dairy Farmer Entrepreneur, and Livestock Green Management Promoter. 09.03.2026 651 Under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 (PMKVY 4.0) the key Entrepreneurship Development Programme funded as special projects during 2025 and the enterprises created/ Van Dhan Kendras established/ Jan Poshan Kendras established are placed at Statement -I. In addition, there are various initiatives being implemented by NIESBUD and IIE for promotion of entrepreneurship in the country. The details of such initiatives including the number of youth who have established enterprises or accessed structured entrepreneurship support are placed at Statement -II. The number of youth who have established enterprises or benefited from structured entrepreneurship support are placed at Statement -III. (c) and (d): Institutional partnerships with Startup India, financial institutions and incubation centres play a critical enabling role in enterprise creation and scalability.The Ministry has been implementing sector specific interventions and convergence measures to strengthen institutional partnerships and youth entrepreneurship outcomes. Some of the targeted sectors are Dairy Farmer/Entrepreneur, Green Hydrogen Plant Entrepreneur, Handloom Entrepreneur, Processed Food Entrepreneur, Street Food Vendor, Fair Price Shops, Rooftop Solar, empowerment of transgender community etc. In this context, the specific interventions and convergence measures include- I. Promotion of credit and market linkages and handholding and mentoring support ensuring training leads to tangible enterprise outcomes. 09.03.2026 652 II. Encouragement of formalization including enterprise registration and digital adoption. III. Prioritization of high employment and local potential sectors such as agro processing and food value chains; handloom, handicrafts and traditional industries; tourism and hospitality; solar entrepreneurship etc. IV. Development of sector aligned skilling and entrepreneurship programmes. V. Strengthened convergence with National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) under Ministry of Rural Development. VI. Further, the Ministry participated in the second edition of the Startup Mahakumbh held in April 2025 ensuring that India’s startup ecosystem benefits from both entrepreneurship policy support and skill development making Startup Mahakumbh a more holistic platform for startups, innovators and youth participants. In addition, there are various schemes/ programmes being implemented by Ministries/ Departments of Government of India with the objective of promoting and supporting entrepreneurs. The details of various Government programmes promoting entrepreneurship development are placed at Statement -IV. 09.03.2026 653 STATEMENT -I The details of various entrepreneurship initiatives funded under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 as special projects are as under: 1. Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) – MSDE, through NIESBUD and IIE, is implementing the skilling and entrepreneurship component of Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyaan (PM JANMAN) – a scheme of Ministry of Tribal Affairs for upliftment of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), since March 2024. The scheme focuses on 11 critical interventions related to 9 key Ministries including MSDE. One of the key interventions of the Ministry is facilitating skill and entrepreneurship developments in Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs). The project is being implemented with support of Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) in 15 States across the country under which a total of 500 VDVKs are to be set up. As on 15.01.2026, a total of 38,386 beneficiaries have been trained under Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) and a total of 489 VDVKs have been operationalized. 2. Capacity Building Programme for Fair Price Shop Owners – MSDE, in collaboration with the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD), Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, has undertaken a Capacity Building Programme for Fair Price Shop (FPS) Owners. The project is aimed at enabling the FPS owners to run their businesses in consonance with 09.03.2026 654 the contemporary practices being adopted by Retail Entrepreneurs. As on 05- 02-2026, 315 FPS owners have been trained under this programme, resulting in conversion of 91 Fair Price Shops to Jan Poshan Kendras. STATEMENT-II The details of various initiatives being implemented by MSDE for promotion of entrepreneurship in the country are as under: 1. Swavalambini programme: MSDE in collaboration with the Women Entrepreneurship Platform of NITI Aayog, launched the Swavalambini- a Women Entrepreneurship Programme in February 2025 in the North-Eastern States of Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana. The programme aims to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset among female students through Entrepreneurship Awareness Training (EAP) for 1,200 students, and out of these students Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) for 600 students. NIESBUD and IIE are the implementing agencies for the program. Furthermore, Swavalambini aims to recognise and reward successful women entrepreneurs emerging from the programme through the Award to Rewards Initiative of Women Entrepreneurship Platform of NITI AAYOG. The programme will leverage workshops, seed funding, and structured mentoring to support the growth of women-led enterprises. As on 15.01.2026, 302 candidates have been trained under Entrepreneurship Development Program and 82 participants have been 09.03.2026 655 trained under Faculty Development Programme. The programme has resulted in creation of 11 enterprises. 2. PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana Entrepreneurship Skill Development Programme - NIESBUD under MSDE in collaboration with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is organizing Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (EDPs) on Solar Entrepreneurship under the flagship initiative, PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. This programme aims to promote rooftop solar adoption, empower entrepreneurs, and create sustainable livelihood opportunities by fostering and mentoring budding and existing entrepreneurs in the field of solar entrepreneurship. As on 15.01.2026, a total 24,497 beneficiaries have been imparted training under the initiative, out of which 3,044 are women and 740 enterprises have been established. 3. Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) - DAJGUA is a scheme of Ministry of Tribal Affairs wherein the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has been assigned two specific interventions of establishing Skilling Centres in 30 tribal districts and providing training for capacity building and business development of 1000 VDVKs and tribal groups. A total of 6649 beneficiaries have been trained under the Entrepreneurship Development Programme. 4. Establish, Develop and Manage Entrepreneurship Development Centres (EDC) and Incubation Centers (IC) in North East Region’s Educational Institution - Under this Project, IIE is mandated to Establish, Develop and Manage EDC and Incubation Centers (ICs) in North East 09.03.2026 656 Region’s Educational Institutions. The key features of the project include establishing, developing and managing 30 EDCs and 4 ICs in 8 states of NER, identifying and training 600 mentors from 30 target districts, identifying and training 3600 youth from 30 target districts, incubating 100 business ideas in 4 ICs, supporting 900 business ideas in 30 EDCs through convergence and Seed fund for top 50 incubates in 4 ICs. As on 15.01.2026, 30 EDCs are fully functional across all 8 North Eastern states and trained 677 mentors. 943 participants have been trained under EDP and 150 entrepreneurs have been selected for incubation. 5. Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) for Transgender Persons – EDP for transgender programme is being implemented by NIESBUD under the SMILE (Welfare of Transgender Persons) Scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The programme focuses on skill development, enterprise creation, and financial empowerment of transgender beneficiaries, while ensuring compliance with scheme guidelines, outcome assessment, and performance reporting requirements. As per the programme status data, multiple EDP batches have been conducted across locations such as Delhi and Mumbai. Till 09.02.2026, NIESBUD has conducted 5 programmes in which around 125 transgender participants have participated. Approximately 20% of the trained candidates have established their enterprises and have participated in various exhibitions with the support of the Institute, such as the International Trade Fair and Surajkund Mela. 09.03.2026 657 STATEMENT- III The number of youth who established enterprises and benefited from structured entrepreneurship support since inception of the programmes is as under: Sl. No. Name of Project No. of Enterprise Created Benefited from structured entrepreneurship support Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) 1 Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan – PM JANMAN 30 1702 2 Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) 6 1200 3 Skill Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement (STRIVE) Project 1361 14000 4 Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana – PMVDY (under Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission – PMJVM) 358 107400 5 SFURTI (Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries) 54 30000 6 Formation and Promotion of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) 13 2993 7 Formation and Revival of Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs) 25 4661 09.03.2026 658 8 Comprehensive Entrepreneurship & Skill Development Training Program (CESDTP) for Tribal Artisans under SANKALP Scheme 1000 10000 9 ESDP Scheme under DC-MSME 76 20063 10 Startup Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP) 4092 28111 Total 7015 193130 National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development 1 Strengthening Entrepreneurial Climate through Capacity Building, Incubation Support, Mentoring, and Handholding under SANKALP Scheme 21629 62825 2 Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PMJANMAN) 459 36684 3 Swavalambini Women Entrepreneurship Programme 11 302 4 Skill Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement (STRIVE) Project 1022 32091 5 Capacity Building Programme for Fair Price Shop Owners 91 315 6 Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) 0 5449 7 Rastriya Udyamita Vikas Pariyojana on Pilot Basis for PM Svanidhi Beneficiaries 194 1704 8 Entrepreneurial Climate through Training of Trainers (ToTs) and Entrepreneurship Development 1463 3969 09.03.2026 659 Programme (EDP) in Jan Shikshan Sansthans (JSSs) 9 Pilot Project on Entrepreneurship Development in Holy Cities 747 8023 10 Organising Workshops in Artisan Melas and Haats 330 592 11 Pilot Project for Entrepreneurship Development Program 1917 5000 12 Entrepreneurship based Skill Development Program on Solar Entrepreneurship PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana 572 26927 Total 28435 183881 STATEMENT - IV The details of various other measures/schemes being implemented by the Government to support entrepreneurship are as under: 1. Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises: Ministry of MSME, through Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), is implementing the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP). Number of micro enterprises assisted, margin money subsidy disbursed and estimated employment generated under PMEGP for the last 3 financial year and current year is given below: Financial Year No. of Units Assisted MM Subsidy (Rs. Cr) Estimated Employment Generated 2022-23 85,167 2,722.17 6,81,336 09.03.2026 660 2023-24 89,118 3,093.87 7,12,944 2024-25 59,708 2,202.00 4,77,664 2025-26 (as on 31.01.2026) 54,648 2,139.10 4,37,184 2. Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) - Rural Skills Division is implementing the following two welfare schemes in the field of skill development for rural poor youth for their gainful employment with a view to eradicate poverty in the country under the umbrella scheme of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). A brief on the Schemes is as under :- A. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) is a placement-linked skill development program for rural poor youth in the age group of 15-35 years. DDU-GKY 2.0 includes provisions for self and gig employment, with training activities having commenced recently. B. Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs) is a Bank lead - Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) funded training institutions established by the Sponsoring Banks in their Districts, to provide training for skill and entrepreneurship development. Under RSETI, the number of youth trained during the FY 2024-25 & 2025-26, along with the number of youths settled (established enterprises or benefited) is furnished below: Financial Year Total Trained Settled 2024-25 621210 467259 09.03.2026 661 2025-26 (till 31-12-2025) 404307 277041 3. Ministry of Textiles - Samarth (Scheme for Capacity Building in Textiles Sector) of Ministry of Textiles provides demand driven, placement-oriented skilling programmes to supplement the efforts of the industry in creating jobs in the organized textile and related sectors, covering the entire value chain of textiles, excluding Spinning and Weaving in organized sector on pan India basis. Under the Scheme, a total of 5, 75,784 beneficiaries have been trained till 03.02.2026. 4. Department For Promotion Of Industry And Internal Trade (DPIIT) - Under Startup India initiative, the Government is implementing three flagship Schemes, Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS), and Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) to provide funding opportunities and support startups across sectors at various stages of their business cycle. FFS has been established to catalyze venture capital investments and is operationalized by Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), which provides capital to Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)-registered Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) which in turn invest in startups through equity and equity-linked instruments. 09.03.2026 662 SISFS provides financial assistance to seed stage startups through incubators in the form of grants, convertible debentures or debt or debt-linked instruments. SISFS is implemented from 1st April 2021. CGSS is implemented for enabling debt funding to startups through eligible financial institutions by guaranteeing upto a specified limit against credit instruments. CGSS is operationalized by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC) Limited and has been operationalized from 1st April 2023. The number of entities which have been recognised as startups by DPIIT as on 31st December 2025 are 2,07,135. 5. Ministry of Minority Affairs - The Ministry of Minority Affairs implements Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) Scheme as a Central Sector scheme which focuses on socio-economic empowerment of six notified minorities through skill development; entrepreneurship and leadership development of minority women; and education support for school dropouts. A target of over 3,300 women candidates has been allocated under the Women Leadership and Entrepreneurship component of the PM VIKAS scheme. 6. Department of Financial Services (DFS) under Ministry of Finance launched Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) on 08.04.2015 to extend collateral free credit up to Rs.20 lakh by Member Lending Institutions (MLIs), i.e., Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs), Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs). Any individual, who is 09.03.2026 663 otherwise eligible to take a loan and has a business plan for small business enterprise can avail loan under the Scheme for income generating activities in the manufacturing, trading, service sectors including activities allied to agriculture across four loan categories, viz. Shishu (loans upto Rs. 50,000/-), Kishor (loans above Rs. 50,000/- and upto Rs. 5 lakh), Tarun (loans above Rs. 5 lakh and upto Rs. 10 lakh) and Tarun Plus (loans above Rs. 10 lakh and upto Rs. 20 lakh for those entrepreneurs who have availed and successfully repaid previous loans under the ‘Tarun’ category w.e.f. 24.10.2024). Stand-Up India Scheme was launched on 05.04.2016. The objective of the Scheme was to facilitate loans from Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) of value between Rs. 10 lakh and Rs.1 crore to at least one Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) borrower and one-Woman borrower per Bank branch for setting up greenfield enterprise in manufacturing, services or trading sector, including activities allied to agriculture. The Scheme was valid/operational till March 2025. As on 02.01.2026, a total of 56.31 crore loan accounts amounting to Rs. 38.18 lakh crore have been extended under PMMY since inception. Further, the Stand Up India scheme has facilitated over 2.75 lakh loans amounting to Rs.62,790 crore to SC/ST and Women entrepreneurs across the country, as on 31.03.2025. 09.03.2026 664 VOLUNTARY EXIT OF CALCUTTA STOCK EXCHANGE UNDER SEBI EXIT POLICY 2662. SHRI JAGANNATH SARKAR: Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state: (a) whether it is a fact that the Calcutta Stock Exchange submitted its proposal for voluntary exit under the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Exit Policy on 18 February 2025, which is still pending under consideration with SEBI; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether SEBI adhere to fixed timeline or internal deadline for processing of such voluntary exit proposals, if so, the details thereof; (d) the reasons for the delay in taking a final decision despite cessation of litigation and clarity provided by the Hon’ble Calcutta High Court; and (e) the time by which SEBI proposes to take a final decision so as to avoid prolonged regulatory uncertainty and hardship to shareholders and stakeholders? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI PANKAJ CHOUDHARY): (a) and (b): The Calcutta Stock Exchange (CSE), vide letter dated February 18, 2025, submitted an application to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) seeking voluntary exit as a Stock Exchange under the SEBI Exit Policy 09.03.2026 665 for Stock Exchanges dated May 30,2012. The proposal is at the stage of examination before SEBI. (c) to (e): Voluntary exit applications are examined by SEBI in accordance with the applicable regulatory framework and due process. Trading on the CSE platform stopped from April 2013. The Hon’ble Calcutta High Court, vide Orders dated February 19, 2024 and August 19, 2024, granted time to CSE to comply with the requirements relating to clearing corporation arrangements and net worth under the Securities Contracts (Regulation) (Stock Exchanges and Clearing Corporations) Regulations, 2018. The said requirements were not achieved within the stipulated period by CSE. Subsequently, CSE submitted an application on February 18, 2025 seeking exit from stock exchange business. SEBI would be passing a speaking order giving an Exit to CSE from Stock Exchange Business after taking a view on exclusively listed companies of CSE, it's assets and liabilities, and relaxation from any regulations in order to facilitate exit. SEBI has constituted a Working Group in this regard. Further, a valuation agency has also been appointed for verification and valuation of CSE’s assets and liabilities. Certain information sought by SEBI from CSE is awaited. INCLUSIVE GROWTH AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT 2663. SHRI EATALA RAJENDER: Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state: 09.03.2026 666 (a) whether the Government's 'Sankalp' is to focus on our poor, underprivileged and the disadvantaged, if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government in this regard; (b) the steps taken by the Government to accelerate and sustain economic growth, by enhancing productivity and competitiveness and building resilience to volatile global dynamics; (c) the steps taken by the Government to fulfil aspirations of our people and build their capacity, making them strong partners in India's path to prosperity; (d) the steps taken by the Government to align with our vision of Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, is to ensure that every family, community, region and sector has access to resources, amenities and opportunities meaningful participation; and (e) the total funds sanctioned and utilized for each programme, State-wise? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI PANKAJ CHOUDHARY): (a) to (d): Guided by the vision of Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, the government resolves to ensure that every citizen (including poor, underprivileged and the disadvantaged), family, community, region and sector have access to resources, amenities and opportunities for meaningful participation in the growth process, so that the benefits of Viksit Bharat are broad-based and inclusive. In this regard, the Government is implementing a number of targeted 09.03.2026 667 programmes such as Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission, National Social Assistance Programme, Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Atal Pension Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, Stand Up India Scheme, Umbrella Programmes for Development of Minorities and Other Vulnerable Groups, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, Aspirational Districts Programme, the Aspirational Blocks Programme and rural health, nutrition, and skill-development initiatives etc. It is also implementing various programmes, including Jal Jeevan Mission, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, PM Ujjwala Yojana, PM Saubhagya Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, etc., to bring about overall improvement in the quality of life of the citizens through universal access to basic amenities. Further, the Union Budget 2026-27 articulates the Government’s Sankalp to place the poor, underprivileged, and disadvantaged at the centre of policy, while pursuing high and sustainable growth. At the macro level, the Budget lays out an agenda to accelerate and sustain growth by enhancing productivity and competitiveness through scaling up manufacturing in strategic and frontier sectors, rejuvenation of legacy industries, development of “champion MSMEs”, infrastructure push, long-term energy security and stability, and the development of city-centric economic regions to build resilience. 09.03.2026 668 Complementing this, the budget sets out a people-centric agenda to fulfil aspirations and build the capacity of citizens to become strong partners in India’s prosperity. This includes a dedicated focus on youth and skills, such as the proposal to set up a “High-Powered ‘Education to Employment and Enterprise’ Standing Committee”, sector-specific skilling initiatives, and the adoption of new technologies, as well as targeted measures for farmers, women, Divyangjan, and citizens in the Purvodaya States and the North-East Region. (e): The details of the funds allocated and actually spent, for various years, for the Centrally sponsored schemes and Central Sector schemes are available as per Statement 4A and Statement 4B, respectively, in the “Expenditure Profile” document, which is a part of the yearly Budget documents. The details can be accessed at the following URL: https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/doc/eb/vol1.pdf. In addition, details of social sector expenditure of the states are available in Statement 31 of the RBI’s report titled “State Finances: A Study of Budgets of 2025-26”. The details can be accessed at: https://rbi.org.in/Scripts/AnnualPublications.aspx?head=State%20Finances%2 0:%20A%20Study%20of%20Budgets. IMPLEMENTATION OF SAMAGRA SHIKSHA ABHIYAN IN BIHAR 2664. SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL: Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state: 09.03.2026 669 (a) whether the Government has released any funds to the State of Bihar under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan during the last three years and the current year; (b) if so, the details thereof indicating the amount of funds allocated, released and utilised by the State, year-wise; (c) whether any components of Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan in Bihar, including school infrastructure, teacher recruitment/training, digital education and student support schemes, have witnessed delays or shortfalls in its implementation; (d) if so, the details thereof, along with the reasons for such delays or shortfalls and the number of districts affected in the State; and (e) whether the Government has taken/proposes to take any corrective measures to improve the implementation and outcomes of Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan in the said State and if so, the details thereof? THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY): (a) and (b): Under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme Samagra Shiksha, financial assistance is provided to the States and UTs for various interventions/activities including school infrastructure, teacher education, digital education as per norms of the scheme. Central share of funds is approved based on Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWP&B) prepared by the States and UTs, including Bihar, based on their requirements and priorities and guidelines 09.03.2026 670 issued by the Ministry of Education at the beginning of every year. These plans are then appraised/approved by Project Approval Board in consultation with the States and UTs as per the programmatic and financial norms of the Scheme and availability of budgetary resources. Under the scheme, lump sum funds are released to the States/UTs in four instalments instead of component- wise. Details of Central share approved, Central share released and expenditure incurred by the State Government of Bihar, under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme Samagra Shiksha, during the last three financial years and current year are as under: (In Lakh Rupees) Year Central Share Approved Central Share Released Total Expenditure (Central Share + State share) 2022-23 501887.29 355459.46 617295.83 2023-24 502132.66 424173.08 563593.37 2024-25 499123.47 421781.44 762946.22 2025-26 601525.04 403764.05 796999.94 Source: PFMS (Public Financial Management System) / PRABANDH (Project Appraisal Budgeting Achievements & Data Handling System) (c) and (d): Under Samagra Shiksha, funds are provided to support various interventions including creation of infrastructure and basic facilities, teacher training and digital education. Implementation of approved interventions is the 09.03.2026 671 responsibility of the concerned State/UT. As per the PRABANDH, details of infrastructure approvals and implementation thereof for State of Bihar during 2018-19 to 2025-26 are as under: Component Approval Completed Building less Schools 416 106 Additional Classrooms 9635 1539 Boys Toilets 16089 10855 Girl’s toilets 16788 12092 CWSN Toilets 301 301 Drinking Water 5997 5987 Major Repair 1485 1485 Ramps and Handrails 791 308 Art Craft Room 86 46 Library Room 68 52 Computer Room 112 71 Electrification 8411 8377 (e): The Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Samagra Shiksha has an inbuilt concurrent evaluation and monitoring system. Periodical meetings are conducted with States / UTs including Bihar to review the status of implementation and taking corrective measures. The Samagra Shiksha Manual on Financial Management and Procurement contains detailed procedures on fund flow arrangements, accounting, financial reporting, internal control and audit, external audit, procurement procedures, etc. All funds are now routed through the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) to ensure transparency, real-time tracking of fund releases and utilisation, and timely identification of unspent balances. Further, streamlining of financial reporting 09.03.2026 672 and project tracking to reduce the time-lag between fund release and utilization is done through the Project Appraisal Budgeting Achievements & Data Handling System (PRABANDH) Portal. Appropriate corrective action is taken by the State Governments to ensure timely implementation and compliance with financial guidelines. Real-time monitoring of teacher and student attendance and student progress to ensure accountability is done by the State Government of Bihar through e-Shiksha Kosh Portal. ESTABLISHMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM AT TIRUCHIRAPPLLI 2665. SHRI DURAI VAIKO: Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware that Tiruchirappalli, particularly Uraiyur was a historically significant city and served as the capital of the ancient Chola dynasty; (b) whether the Government proposes to establish a modern, well-equipped archaeological museum in Tiruchirappalli under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Tiruchirappalli Circle to preserve and showcase the region’s rich cultural and archaeological heritage; (c) whether the Government likely to take steps to establish such a museum if suitable land is allotted by the District Administration; (d) if so, the details and proposed timeline thereof; and (e) if not, the reasons therefor? 09.03.2026 673 THE MINISTER OF CULTURE; AND MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT): (a): Uraiyur located near Tiruchirappalli in the State of Tamil Nadu served as the capital city of Early Cholas. (b): At present no such proposal is under consideration with Archaeological Survey of India. (c) to (e): Question does not arise. NEET EXAMINATION CENTRE IN UTTAR DINAJPUR 2666. SHRI KARTICK CHANDRA PAUL: Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state: (a) the number of candidates who appeared and qualified in the National Eligibility-cum Entrance Test (NEET) from West Bengal during the last five years, district-wise and year-wise; (b) the criteria adopted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for allocation of NEET examination centres within districts; (c) whether the Government is aware that Uttar Dinajpur district, despite being a large and populous district in West Bengal does not have a NEET examination centre, if so, the details thereof; (d) the reasons for non-allocation of a NEET centre in the said district, including infrastructure or administrative constraints, if any; and 09.03.2026 674 (e) whether the Government proposes to establish a NEET centre in Uttar Dinajpur to reduce hardship to candidates in future examinations, if so, the details thereof? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR): (a) to (e): The National Testing Agency (NTA) was established in 2018 as a premier, specialized, autonomous and self-sustained testing organization to conduct examinations for Admission/Fellowship in Higher Education Institutions. NTA has been conducting the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (UG) on behalf of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for admission to undergraduate medical education in all medical institutions since 2019. The NEET (UG)-2025 Examination was conducted by NTA for more than 22 lakh candidates at 5468 different centres located in 552 Cities throughout the country and 14 Cities outside India on 4th May 2025. For the State of West Bengal, the number of candidates appeared and qualified in NEET(UG) Examination during the last five years is attached as Statement. The setting up of examination centres for NTA examinations depends upon several factors, including the number of candidates from a particular region, availability of adequate infrastructure, seating capacity etc., besides 09.03.2026 675 compliance with NTA guidelines and norms for smooth and fair conduct of examinations. STATEMENT Number of candidates appeared and qualified in NEET(UG) Examination during the last five years for the State of West Bengal Year Appeared Qualified 2021 61887 37301 2022 86607 50864 2023 102557 59053 2024 116104 63251 2025 106675 59018 यूजीसी के समानता िविनयमŌ का कायाªÆवयन 2667. ®ी वी. वैिथिलंगम: ³या िश±ा मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िक: (क) ³या सरकार ने िवĵिवīालय अनुदान आयोग (यूजीसी) के समानता िविनयमŌ को लागू करने के िलए अपेि±त सिमितयŌ कì Öथापना, हेÐपलाइन और िनगरानी तंý सिहत िवĵिवīालयŌ और कॉलेजŌ कì इस िवषय म¤ ÿचालनगत तÂपरता कì समी±ा कì है; (ख) यिद हाँ, तो उĉ िविनयमŌ के अनुपालन हेतु उ¸च िश±ा संÖथानŌ को दी गई समय-सीमा और उनकì संÖथागत ±मता के संबंध म¤ सरकार के आकलन तथा संसाधन आवंटन योजनाओं का Êयौरा ³या है; और 09.03.2026 676 (ग) यह सुिनिIJत करने के िलए िक ये िविनयम िबना िकसी अनपेि±त Óयवधान के अपने इि¸छत पåरणामŌ को ÿाĮ कर¤, सरकार Ĭारा पåरसरŌ म¤ ±मता िनमाªण, संवेदीकरण ÿिश±ण और अनुपालन कì िनगरानी म¤ सहायता के िलए ³या रणनीितक पहल करने का िवचार है? िश±ा मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी; तथा उ°र पूवê ±ेý िवकास मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी (डॉ. सुकाÆत मजूमदार): (क) से (ग): िदनांक 13.01.2026 को अिधसूिचत यूजीसी (उ¸च िश±ा संÖथानŌ म¤ समता के सवंधªन हेतु) िविनयम, 2026 को माननीय सवō¸च Æयायालय Ĭारा िदनांक 29.01.2026 के आदेश Ĭारा Öथिगत कर िदया गया है। इसिलए, यह मामला िवचाराधीन है। “एक राºय, एक úामीण ब§क” नीित 2668. डॉ. मÆना लाल रावत: ³या िव° मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िकः (क) ³या सरकार ने “एक राºय, एक úामीण ब§क” कì नीित को लागू करने का िनणªय िलया है और यिद हां, तो तÂसंबंधी मु´य उĥेÔय और ÿावधान ³या ह§; (ख) उĉ नीित के अंतगªत िकन-िकन राºयŌ म¤ अब तक úामीण ब§कŌ का िवलय िकया जा चुका है और िकन-िकन राºयŌ म¤ िवलय कì ÿिøया ÿगित पर है; (ग) उĉ एकìकरण का úामीण ±ेýŌ म¤ ब§िकंग सेवाओं, ऋण िवतरण, िव°ीय समावेशन और रोजगार पर पड़ने वाले ÿभाव का Êयौरा ³या है; (घ) ³या कुछ राºयŌ या úामीण ब§कŌ ने उĉ नीित पर आपि°यां उठाई ह§ और यिद हां, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है; और (ड.) राजÖथान म¤ “एक राºय, एक úामीण ब§क” नीित कì वतªमान िÖथित ³या है? 09.03.2026 677 िव° मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी (®ी पंकज चौधरी): (क) और (ख): 'एक राºय-एक आरआरबी (±ेýीय úामीण ब§क)' के िसĦांत से िनद¥िशत होकर, सरकार ने ÿादेिशक úामीण ब§क अिधिनयम, 1976 कì धारा 23क के अंतगªत ÿद° शिĉयŌ के अनुसार और राºय सरकारŌ, नाबाडª और ÿायोजक ब§कŌ के परामशª से, 12 राºयŌ/संघ राºय ±ेýŌ म¤ आरआरबी को समामेिलत कर िदया है, तािक पैमाने कì द±ता, लागत युिĉकरण, पूंजी म¤ वृिĦ करने और ÿौīोिगकì को अपनाने एवं ŀÔयता और āांिडंग म¤ सुधार संबंधी लाभ ÿाĮ िकए जा सक¤। समामेलन ÿिøया के पåरणामÖवłप देश म¤ आरआरबी कì कुल सं´या 43 से घटकर 28 हो गई है। "एक राºय, एक आरआरबी" के िसĦांत पर 12 राºयŌ/ संघ राºय ±ेýŌ, अथाªत आंň ÿदेश, िबहार, गुजरात, जÌमू और कÔमीर, कनाªटक, मÅय ÿदेश, महाराÕů, ओिडशा, राजÖथान, तेलंगाना, उ°र ÿदेश और पिIJम बंगाल म¤ समामेलन िकया गया था। तदनुसार सभी 12 राºयŌ म¤ आरआरबी का समामेलन िदनांक 1.5.2025 तक पूरा िकया गया । (ग): "एक राºय-एक आरआरबी" के िसĦांत पर िकए गए ±ेýीय úामीण ब§कŌ (आरआरबी) के समामेलन से आरआरबी को कई लाभ िमलने कì उÌमीद है जो úामीण ±ेýŌ म¤ उनकì ब§िकंग सेवाओं, ऋण संिवतरण, िव°ीय समावेशन और समú पåरचालन द±ता पर सकाराÂमक ÿभाव डाल¤गे। ÿमुख लाभŌ म¤ िनÌनिलिखत शािमल ह§: i. बेहतर पूंजी आधार और संसाधनŌ तक पहòंच: िकसी िवशेष राºय/ संघ राºय ±ेýŌ म¤ दो या दो से अिधक छोटे आरआरबी के समामेलन से उनके पूंजी आधार म¤ वृिĦ होने कì उÌमीद है, िजससे िवलियत इकाई कì िव°ीय िÖथरता और लचीलापन बढ़ेगा। पूंजी कì यह मजबूत िÖथित आरआरबी के संभािवत नुकसान को अवशोिषत करने और आिथªक मंदी का अिधक ÿभावी ढंग से सामना करने म¤ स±म बना सकती है। 09.03.2026 678 ii. उÆनत िव°ीय समावेशन: इस एकìकरण से आरआरबी कì एकसमान ब§िकंग सेवाएं ÿदान करने, िडिजटल अवसंरचना को अिभिनयोिजत करने और पूरे राºय म¤ िनबाªध ऋण संिवतरण सुिनिIJत करने कì ±मता का िवÖतार होता है। अिधक पूंजी आधार, बेहतर ÿौīोिगकì और पåरसंचालन के सिÆनिहत ±ेýŌ के साथ, समामेिलत आरआरबी अिधक úामीण पåरवारŌ, छोटे िकसानŌ, कारीगरŌ और सूàम उīिमयŌ तक पहòंचकर िव°ीय समावेशन कì पैठ बढ़ाने के िलए तैयार ह§। iii. रोजगार कì िनरंतरता: पूवªवतê आरआरबी के सभी कमªचाåरयŌ को अंतåरत आरआरबी म¤ सेवा कì िनरंतरता के साथ बरकरार रखा गया है। एकìकृत संरचना िवÖताåरत सेवा ±ेý म¤ बेहतर मानव संसाधन िनयोजन, कौशल उपयोग और पुनअªिभिनयोजन को स±म बनाती है। iv. कम लागत: पåरसंचालन को समेिकत करके और अलग-अलग ÿशासिनक संरचनाओं के कारण होने वाली बहòलताओं को समाĮ करके, आशा है िक समामेलन से लागत म¤ बचत होगी। v. उÆनत ÿौīोिगकì को अपनाना: समामेिलत आरआरबी उÆनत ÿौīोिगकì ÈलेटफामŎ म¤ िनवेश कर सकते ह§ और उनका लाभ उठा सकते ह§, िजससे पåरचालन द±ता और úाहक सेवा म¤ सुधार होगा। (घ): ±ेýीय úामीण ब§क (आरआरबी) अिधिनयम, 1976 कì धारा 23क, नाबाडª, संबंिधत राºय सरकार और ÿायोजक ब§क के साथ परामशª के बाद आरआरबी के समामेलन का ÿावधान करती है। तदनुसार, आरआरबी के समामेलन के िलए संबंिधत राºय सरकारŌ के साथ परामशª िकया गया था। कनाªटक राºय ने यह राय Óयĉ कì थी िक पूवªवतê कनाªटक úामीण ब§क के लाभ कमाने वाले आरआरबी बनने के बाद, यिद आवÔयक समझा जाए, तो कनाªटक राºय म¤ दो आरआरबी के समामेलन कì संभावना तलाशी जा सकती है। 09.03.2026 679 (ङ): राजÖथान राºय म¤, बड़ौदा राजÖथान ±ेýीय úामीण ब§क और राजÖथान मŁधरा úामीण ब§क को िमलाकर राजÖथान úामीण ब§क (आरजीबी) बनाया गया है। समामेिलत संÖथा राºय म¤ 1 मई 2025 से पåरचालन कर रही है। PRESERVATION OF TAMIL CULTURAL HERITAGE 2669. SHRI ARUN NEHRU: Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state: (a) whether adequate funding has been provided for classical Tamil language centres across Tamil Nadu despite its ancient literary heritage; (b) the details of the reasons for slow progress in comprehensive digitisation of Sangam literature and palm leaf manuscripts; and (c) the details of the specific support extended for Jallikattu as cultural festival including infrastructure, safety measures and international recognition efforts? THE MINISTER OF CULTURE; AND MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT): (a): Yes Sir. The details of the funds (in lakhs) allocated for the promotion of the Classical Tamil language during the last five years are as under: Year Funds (Rs in Lakhs) 2021-22 1200.00 2022-23 1200.00 2023-24 1525.00 2024-25 1430.00 2025-26 1697.00 09.03.2026 680 (b): Palm leaf manuscripts are dispersed across temples, mutts, private collections and various institutions across the country. Many of them remain uncatalogued, and their identification, verification and documentation require considerable time and field-level efforts. Also, digitisation of palm leaf manuscripts requires specialised expertise, including trained conservators, manuscriptologists and scholars proficient in ancient and regional scripts. The availability of such experts is limited. Absence of standardised metadata and proper preliminary documentation necessitates detailed scholarly examination prior to digitisation, which further slows the process. (c): No specific support has been extended by the Ministry of Culture for Jallikattu However, the Ministry, through its Autonomous organization like South Zonal Cultural Centre (SZCC), undertakes programmes aimed at the preservation and promotion of traditional cultural practices and heritage of the region FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER MUSEUM GRANT SCHEME 2670. SHRI ESWARASAMY K: Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state: (a) the details of museums provided financial assistance under the Museum Grant Scheme during the last five years, year and State/UT-wise along with the names and nature of projects supported; 09.03.2026 681 (b) the details of the total budget allocation for the Scheme during the said period, year-wise; (c) the details of the funds sanctioned and actually released under the Scheme during the last five years, year-wise; (d) the details of the funds utilised by the beneficiary States/UTs and Institutions, including unspent balances, if any, and (e) the details of the steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure timely utilisation and monitoring of funds under the Scheme? THE MINISTER OF CULTURE; AND MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT): (a) : The details of museums provided financial assistance under the Museum Grant Scheme with their names and nature of projects supported during the last five years, State/UT-wise are at Statement. (b) : The details of the total budget allocation for the Museum Grants Scheme during last five year. S. no. Financial Year Budget Estimate (BE)/ Revised Estimate (RE) (in crore) 5. 2020-21 24.05 6. 2021-22 35.71 7. 2022-23 32.23 8. 2023-24 45.40 9. 2024-25 20.00 09.03.2026 682 (c): The details of the amount sanctioned and actually released under the Museum Grant Scheme during the last five years are at Statement . (d): The details of funds utilised by the organization/museums of state/UTs and Institutions are at Statement . (e): To facilitate for better utilization of funds, the scheme guidelines of Museum Grant Scheme were revised in November, 2021 and two new components viz. Virtual Experiential Museums (VEM) and Projects of National importance have been added in the scheme. Further, the procedural aspects have also been streamlined to ensure that more organisations/entities come forward with projects under this scheme. To monitor the funds released to the projects, the scheme guidelines provides for quarterly progress report of the projects and physical inspection is carried out before release of the 3rd/final instalment to the projects. 09.03.2026 683 STATEMENT Year-wise details of the fund sanctioned/released/utilized under the Museum Grant Scheme during the last five financial years. (Rs. in lakhs) S. No. State Name of Organization Type of Org. Type of museum Sanctioned amount FY: 2020- 21 FY: 2021- 22 FY: 2022- 23 FY: 2023- 24 FY: 2024- 25 Utilized fund I. Andhra Pradesh Archaeological Museum, Eluru, West Godavari Dist. Department of Archaeology & Museums, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh State Govt. Development of existing museum 320.00 80.00 - - - - 320.00 II. Bapu Museum, M G Road, Vijayawada, Krishna Distt. Department of Archaeology & Museums, Govt. of State Govt. Development of existing museum 640.00 160.00 - - - - 640.00 09.03.2026 684 S. No. State Name of Organization Type of Org. Type of museum Sanctioned amount FY: 2020- 21 FY: 2021- 22 FY: 2022- 23 FY: 2023- 24 FY: 2024- 25 Utilized fund Andhra Pradesh III. Government of Andhra Pradesh, Padamshree Kalluri Subbarao Memorial District Archaeological Museum Anantpur State Govt. Setting of New Museum 572.00 - - - 286.00 - 572.00 IV. Science City of Andhra Pradesh, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, Kailasgiri (Dovari Konda), Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh State Govt. Setting of New Museum 375.20 - - 58.467 - - 58.467 V. Archaeology and Museum, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, Rallabandi Subba Rao Archaeology State Govt. Development of existing museum 400.00 - - 140.043 - - 140.043 09.03.2026 685 S. No. State Name of Organization Type of Org. Type of museum Sanctioned amount FY: 2020- 21 FY: 2021- 22 FY: 2022- 23 FY: 2023- 24 FY: 2024- 25 Utilized fund East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh VI. Arunachal Pradesh Dept. of Cultural Affairs, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, District Museum, Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh State Govt. Setting of New Museum 720.00 - - - - 21.698 21.698 VII. Goa Museum of Christian Art, Goa, Annex Convent of Santa Monica, Old Goa NGO Development of existing museum 400.00 100.00 - - - - 300.00 VIII. Gujarat Rajkot Rajya Foundation, Rajit Villas Palace, Palace Road, Rajkot, Gujarat NGO Setting of New Museum 500.00 250.00 - 125.00 125.00 - 500.00 IX. Himachal Pradesh b Dept. of Language and Culture Govt. of Himachal Pradesh, Bantony Castle, Shimla HP State Govt. Development of museum 667.752 - - - - - 199.057 09.03.2026 686 S. No. State Name of Organization Type of Org. Type of museum Sanctioned amount FY: 2020- 21 FY: 2021- 22 FY: 2022- 23 FY: 2023- 24 FY: 2024- 25 Utilized fund X. Haryana NSG Wives Welfare Association (NWYA), Manesar, Gurgaon NGO Development of existing museum 125.688 - 27.734 - - - 90.578 XI. Karnataka Shivappa Nayaka Museum & Research Bureau, Sri Bekkiinakalmatha, Shivamogga Karnataka NGO Setting of New Museum 300.00 - - 75.00 - - 225.00 XII. Kerala GALAXY, Karaunasai Road, Velland, P.O Trivandrum, Thiruvananthapuram NGO Setting of New Museum 200.00 50.00 50.00 - - - 200.00 XIII. Leh Ladhak Deskid Cultural and Welfare Society, Deskid, Gonpa, Ladhak NGO Setting of New Museum 435.04 - - 108.76 - - 326.28 XIV. Madhya Pradesh Gujari Mahal Museum, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh (Govt. of MP) State Govt. Development of existing museum 156.00 - 78.00 - - - 156.00 09.03.2026 687 S. No. State Name of Organization Type of Org. Type of museum Sanctioned amount FY: 2020- 21 FY: 2021- 22 FY: 2022- 23 FY: 2023- 24 FY: 2024- 25 Utilized fund XV. Local Archaeological Museum, Sironj, Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh Heritage Development Trust, Archaeology, Archives and Museum, Banganga Road, Bhopal State Govt. Setting of New Museum 152.80 - - 22.90 - - 91.68 XVI. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh University Development of existing museum 500.00 - - - - - 250.00 XVII. Maharashtra Funds & Properties of the Parsi Punchayet Bombay, of Framji Dadabhoy Alpiwalla Museum, Dr. Dadabhai Naoroji Road, Fort, Mumbai NGO Development of existing museum 400.00 - 35.52 - 64.48 100.00 400.00 XVIII. Symbiosis Society's NGO Development 35.615 - - 17.807 8.90 8.90 35.615 09.03.2026 688 S. No. State Name of Organization Type of Org. Type of museum Sanctioned amount FY: 2020- 21 FY: 2021- 22 FY: 2022- 23 FY: 2023- 24 FY: 2024- 25 Utilized fund for Development of Asian Cultural Museum, Pune of existing museum XIX. Manipur State Archaeology, Govt. of Manipur Imphal, Manipur for 3 Galleries inside Kangla Fort, Manipur State Govt. Setting of New Museum 435.51 - - - 108.87 - 326.632 XX. Khongjom War Memorial Trust Khongjom Bazar, Opposite Khongjom Police Station, Thoubal District, Manipur NGO Setting of New Museum 500.00 250.00 - - 125.00 - 375.00 XXI. Anallon Christian Development Committee (ACDC), Chandel, Manipur Setting of New Museum 449.166 - - - 224.58 - 226.87 XXII. Mizoram District Museum, Lunglei, Director Art & NGO Setting of New 827.217 - 206.80 - 206.807 - 827.217 09.03.2026 689 S. No. State Name of Organization Type of Org. Type of museum Sanctioned amount FY: 2020- 21 FY: 2021- 22 FY: 2022- 23 FY: 2023- 24 FY: 2024- 25 Utilized fund Culture Department, Chanmari, Aizwal Museum XXIII. Tribal Museum, Kamalnagar, Dist. Lawngtlai, Chakma Autonomous District Council, Kamalnagar, Mizoram Mizoram Autonomous Bodies Setting of New Museum 450.00 - - - - - 46.349 XXIV. Nagaland Naga Traditional Museum, Khel, Kohima Village, Kohima, NGO Setting of New Museum 100.00 25.00 - - - - 100.00 XXV. Museum in Tsaru, Tuesang, Directorate of Art and Culture, Kohima, Nagaland State Govt. Setting of New Museum 612.432 306.21 - - - - - XXVI. Odisha J. D Centre Of Art, VIP Colony, Nayapalli, Bhubaneswar NGO Setting of New Museum 621.60 - - - 35.352 57.887 497.28 09.03.2026 690 S. No. State Name of Organization Type of Org. Type of museum Sanctioned amount FY: 2020- 21 FY: 2021- 22 FY: 2022- 23 FY: 2023- 24 FY: 2024- 25 Utilized fund XXVII. Punjab Punjab State Civil Aviation Council, Patiala Civil Aerodrome, Sangrur Road, Patiala, Punjab Govt. organization Setting of New Museum 500.00 - 250.00 - - - - XXVIII. Rajasthan Veer Shiromani Maharana Pratap Samiti, Udaipur, Rajasthan NGO Setting of New Museum 500.00 - 112.50 - - - 476.28 XXIX. Shri Girdhar Smarak Dharmarth Nyas Trust, (Shri Girdhar Smarak Trust) Kings Palace, Jaisalmer Fort Palace Museum, Jaisalmer Setting of New Museum 500.00 250.00 - - - - 250.00 XXX. Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum, City Palace, Jaipur Rajasthan Development of existing museum 400.00 - - - 1.00 - 127.074 09.03.2026 691 S. No. State Name of Organization Type of Org. Type of museum Sanctioned amount FY: 2020- 21 FY: 2021- 22 FY: 2022- 23 FY: 2023- 24 FY: 2024- 25 Utilized fund XXXI. Tamil-Nadu High Court of Madras, George Town, Chennai High Court Development of existing museum 76.00 - 19.00 - - - 76.00 XXXII. Govt. Museum, Thirugokarnam, Pudukottai, Tamil Nadu State Govt. Development of existing museum 320.00 - - - - - 160.00 XXXIII. Government Museum St. Mark Road, Samathanapuram Palayamkottai, Dist. Tiruneveli Development of existing museum 181.144 - - - - - 90.572 XXXIV. Government Museum Trichy, Rani Managammal Palace, Dist. Tiruchirapalli Development of existing museum 299.94 - - - - - 149.97 XXXV. Government Museum Ooty, Stone House, Dist. Udhagamandalam Development of existing museum 92.00 - - - - - 46.00 09.03.2026 692 S. No. State Name of Organization Type of Org. Type of museum Sanctioned amount FY: 2020- 21 FY: 2021- 22 FY: 2022- 23 FY: 2023- 24 FY: 2024- 25 Utilized fund XXXVI. Department of Museum, Govt. Of Tamilnadu for Development of Egmore Museum, Egmore (Iconic State Mueum, Tamilnadu Development of existing museum 1082.778 541.389 - - - - - XXXVII. Telangana Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad, Telangana Autonomous body of MoC Virtual Experiential Museum 33.00 - - - 33.00 - 18.466 XXXVIII. Tripura MaharajaB rendra K ishoreManikya museum& Kunjaban P alaceComplex, Tripura Tourism evelopmntD Corporation, Agartala State Govt. Development of existing museum 1000.00 - 500.00 - - - - XXXIX. Uttar Pradesh Shahjahanpur Freedom Fighters Museum, Office of Govt. organization Setting of New Museum 400.144 98.932 100.036 - - - 399.688 09.03.2026 693 S. No. State Name of Organization Type of Org. Type of museum Sanctioned amount FY: 2020- 21 FY: 2021- 22 FY: 2022- 23 FY: 2023- 24 FY: 2024- 25 Utilized fund Cantonment Board, Carriappa, Shahjahanpur XL. Allahabad High Court, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh High Court Development of existing museum 20.976 - - - 10.488 - 15.731 XLI. India Literacy board, Literacy House, Kanpur Pur Road, Lucknow NGO Development of existing museum 500.00 - 250.00 - - - 250.00 XLII. VRI Braj Culture Museum, Vrindavan Research Institute. Raman Reti Marg, Vrindavan, Mathura. U.P. NGO Development of existing museum 340.304 - - - - 170.52 170.52 XLIII. Uttarakhand Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, Uttrakhand Institute Development of existing 223.20 - 39.665 - - - 271.459 09.03.2026 694 S. No. State Name of Organization Type of Org. Type of museum Sanctioned amount FY: 2020- 21 FY: 2021- 22 FY: 2022- 23 FY: 2023- 24 FY: 2024- 25 Utilized fund museum XLIV. West Bengal Directorate General Border Security Force (BSF) (Eastern Command), Kolkata Govt. Setting of New Museum 648.71 - 324.35 - 154.839 - 479.189 XLV. Delhi International Society for Krishna Consciousness, East of Kailash (ISKCON), New Delhi NGO Development of existing museum 400.00 - - 200.00 - - 200.00 09.03.2026 695 Year-wise details of the fund sanctioned/released/utilized under the Museum Grant Scheme - Digitization of Museum Collection during the last five financial years. (Rs. in lakhs) S. No. State Name of Organization Type of organi z- ation Sanction ed amount FY: 2020- 21 FY 2021- 22 FY 2022 - 23 FY 2023- 24 FY 2024- 25 Utilize d fund Karnataka Basava Samithi, Basava Bhavana, Sri Basaveshwara Road, Bengaluru- 560001 NGO 25.00 - 12.50 - - 12.50 झुंझुनू को िवरासत शहर के łप म¤ नािमत करना 2671. ®ी बृजेÆþ िसंह ओलाः ³या संÖकृित मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िक: (क) ³या सरकार ने राजÖथान के झुंझुनू लोक सभा िनवाªचन ±ेý के िकसी कÖबे/शहर को िवरासत शहर के łप म¤ नािमत िकया है; (ख) यिद हाँ, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है और यिद नहé, तो इसके ³या कारण ह§; (ग) ³या सरकार, यूनेÖको या िकसी अÆय अंतराªÕůीय संगठन ने िकसी शहर को िवरासत शहर के łप म¤ नािमत करने के िलए कोई मानदंड/मापदंड िनधाªåरत िकए ह§; (घ) यिद हाँ, तो तÂसंबंधी मानदंडŌ का Êयौरा ³या है; और 09.03.2026 696 (ड.) अब तक देश म¤ नािमत िवरासत शहरŌ का राºय और वषª-वार Êयौरा ³या है? संÖकृित मंýी; तथा पयªटन मंýी (®ी गजेÆþ िसंह शेखावत): (क) और (ख): ÿाचीन संÖमारक तथा पुरातÂवीय Öथल और अवशेष अिधिनयम, 1958 के ÿावधानŌ के अंतगªत, भारतीय पुरातÂव सव¥±ण को राÕůीय महÂव के ÖमारकŌ तथा पुरातÂवीय ÖथलŌ के संर±ण और अनुर±ण का दाियÂव सŏपा गया है। भारत सरकार ने झुंझुनू लोक सभा िनवाªचन ±ेý के िकसी भी कÖबे/शहर को धरोहर शहर के łप म¤ नािमत नहé िकया है। (ग) से (घ): जी, नहé। िकसी भी शहर को धरोहर शहर के łप म¤ नािमत करने के िलए भारत सरकार अथवा यूनेÖको का कोई िनयम/मापदंड नहé है। (ङ): भारत म¤ िकसी भी शहर को धरोहर शहर के łप म¤ नािमत करने के िलए कोई łपरेखा/मानदंड नहé है। तथािप, ऐितहािसक शहर अहमदाबाद (2017) और जयपुर शहर, राजÖथान (2019) को यूनेÖको के िवĵ धरोहर कनव¤शन, 1972 के तहत िवĵ धरोहर ÖथलŌ के łप म¤ शािमल िकया गया है। जौनपुर म¤ कामगारŌ का कÐयाण 2672. ®ी बाबू िसंह कुशवाहा: ³या ®म और रोजगार मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िक: (क) ³या उ°र ÿदेश के जौनपुर िजले म¤ औīोिगक इकाइयŌ कì कमी और कृिष संकट के कारण अकुशल कामगारŌ का अÆय राºयŌ म¤ बड़े पैमाने पर पलायन हो रहा है और यिद हाँ, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है; 09.03.2026 697 (ख) ³या सरकार के पास ई-®म पोटªल के तहत उĉ िजले के पंजीकृत ÿवासी कामगारŌ का डेटा है और गंतÓय राºयŌ म¤ उĉ कामगारŌ को सामािजक सुर±ा और संर±ण ÿदान करने के िलए Öथािपत तंý का ®ेणी-वार Êयौरा ³या है; (ग) ³या नए ®म संिहता, 2025 के तहत िगग कामगारŌ और असंगिठत ±ेý के कामगारŌ के िलए Æयूनतम मजदूरी और प¤शन सुिनिIJत करने के िलए कोई िविशĶ समय-सीमा िनधाªåरत कì गई है और यिद हाँ, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है; और (घ) ³या सरकार का Öथानीय Öतर पर रोजगार सृजन को ÿोÂसािहत करने के िलए कामगारŌ के कौशल िवकास हेतु उĉ िजले म¤ एक ±ेýीय ÿिश±ण क¤þ Öथािपत करने का ÿÖताव है और यिद हाँ, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है? सूàम, लघु और मÅयम उīम मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी; तथा ®म और रोजगार मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी (कुमारी शोभा काराÆदलाजे): (क) से (घ): अÆय राºयŌ म¤ अकुशल कामगारŌ के बड़े पैमाने पर पलायन को रोकने के िलए, úामीण िवकास मंýालय (एमओआरडी) देश के समú िवकास हेतु कई कÐयाणकारी योजनाओं/कायªøमŌ जैसे िवकिसत भारत गारंटी फॉर रोज़गार आजीिवका िमशन (úामीण) (वीबीजीआरएएमजी), ÿधानमंýी आवास योजना-úामीण (पीएमएवाईजी), ÿधानमंýी úाम सड़क योजना (पीएमजीएसवाई), दीनदयाल अंÂयोदय योजना-राÕůीय úामीण आजीिवका िमशन (डीएवाई-एनआरएलएम), दीनदयाल उपाÅयाय úामीण कौशÐय योजना (डीडीयू–जीकेवाई), úामीण Öवरोजगार ÿिश±ण संÖथान (आरएसईटीआई), राÕůीय सामािजक सहायता कायªøम (एनएसएपी) और ÿधानमंýी कृिष िसंचाई योजना के वाटरशेड िवकास घटक (डÊलूडीसी- पीएमकेएसवाई) का कायाªÆवयन कर रहा है। बढ़ई और राजिमľी सिहत अपने हाथŌ और औजारŌ से काम करने वाले 18 ůेडŌ के कारीगरŌ और िशÐपकारŌ को शुł से अंत तक सहायता ÿदान करने के िलए िदनांक 17.09.2023 को 'पीएम िवĵकमाª योजना' शुł कì गई थी। इस योजना के 09.03.2026 698 तहत, देश भर के पीएम िवĵकमाª लाभािथªयŌ को माक¥िटंग, āांिडंग, पैकेिजंग, कौशल उÆनयन आिद के िलए सहायता ÿदान कì जाती है। ®म एवं रोज़गार मंýालय ने 26 अगÖत, 2021 को असंगिठत कामगारŌ का एक राÕůीय डेटाबेस, 'ई-®म पोटªल' का शुभारंभ िकया है। ई-®म पोटªल का मु´य उĥेÔय ÿवासी कामगारŌ सिहत असंगिठत कामगारŌ का आधार से जुड़ा एक राÕůीय डेटाबेस तैयार करना और ऐसे कामगारŌ को मौजूदा सामािजक सुर±ा और कÐयाणकारी योजनाओं के तहत लाभ ÿदान करने म¤ सुिवधा ÿदान करना है। यह असंगिठत कामगारŌ को Öव-घोषणा के आधार पर पोटªल पर अपना पंजीकरण करने कì अनुमित देता है। िदनांक 02.03.2026 तक, उ°र ÿदेश के जौनपुर िजले के ÿवासी कामगारŌ सिहत कुल 21,56,619 असंगिठत कामगारŌ को ई-®म पोटªल पर पंजीकृत िकया गया है। हालांिक, ई-®म पोटªल पर उपलÊध आंकड़Ō के अनुसार, िदनांक 02.03.2026 तक जौनपुर िजले से 17,169 ®िमक पलायन कर चुके ह§ और 2,869 ®िमक जौनपुर िजले म¤ आए ह§। बजट घोषणा 2024-25 के िवज़न को Åयान म¤ रखते हòए, असंगिठत कामगारŌ कì िविभÆन सामािजक सुर±ा योजनाओं तक पहòँच हेतु ई-®म को 'वन-Öटॉप-सॉÐयूशन' के łप म¤ िवकिसत करने के उĥेÔय से, ®म एवं रोज़गार मंýालय ने 21 अ³टूबर 2024 को "ई-®म–वन-Öटॉप- सॉÐयूशन" का शुभारंभ िकया है। "ई-®म–वन-Öटॉप-सॉÐयूशन" के अंतगªत िविभÆन सामािजक सुर±ा/कÐयाणकारी योजनाओं को एक ही पोटªल, यानी ई-®म पर एकìकृत िकया गया है। इससे ई- ®म पर पंजीकृत असंगिठत कामगार न केवल िविभÆन सामािजक सुर±ा योजनाओं का लाभ उठा सकते ह§, बिÐक अब तक ÿाĮ लाभŌ का िववरण भी ई-®म के माÅयम से देख सकते ह§। असंगिठत कामगारŌ को सामािजक सुर±ा कवरेज बढ़ाने के िलए अब तक िविभÆन क¤þीय मंýालयŌ/िवभागŌ कì चौदह (14) योजनाओं को ई-®म के साथ एकìकृत/मैप िकया जा चुका है, िजनम¤ ÿधानमंýी Öůीट व¤डसª आÂमिनभªर िनिध (पीएमÖविनिध), ÿधानमंýी सुर±ा बीमा योजना (पीएमएसबीवाई), ÿधानमंýी जीवन ºयोित बीमा योजना (पीएमजेजेबीवाई), िवकिसत भारत गारंटी फॉर रोज़गार आजीिवका िमशन (úामीण) (वीबीजीआरएएमजी), ÿधानमंýी आवास योजना-úामीण 09.03.2026 699 (पीएमएवाई–जी), आयुÕमान भारत ÿधानमंýी जन आरोμय योजना (एबी-पीएमजेएवाई), ÿधानमंýी आवास योजना-शहरी (पीएमएवाई-यू), ÿधानमंýी मÂÖय संपदा योजना (पीएमएमएसवाई), ÿधानमंýी िकसान सÌमान िनिध (पीएम–िकसान), वन नेशन वन राशन काडª (ओएनओआरसी) और ÿधानमंýी मातृ वंदना योजना (पीएमएमवीवाई) आिद शािमल ह§। उपरोĉ के अितåरĉ, ई-®म को नौकरी के अवसरŌ के िलए नेशनल कåरयर सिवªस (एनसीएस), कौशल िवकास के िलए िÖकल इंिडया िडिजटल हब (एसआईडीएच) और प¤शन के िलए ÿधानमंýी ®म योगी मान-धन (पीएम–एसवाईएम) के साथ भी जोड़ा गया है। अÆतररािºयक ÿवासी कमªकार (रोजगार का िविनयमन और सेवा कì शत¦) अिधिनयम, 1979 को Óयावसाियक सुर±ा, ÖवाÖÃय और कायªदशाएं (ओएसएच) संिहता, 2020 म¤ समािहत कर िदया गया है। ओएसएच संिहता ÿवासी कामगारŌ सिहत संगिठत और असंगिठत कामगारŌ कì सभी ®ेिणयŌ के िलए उिचत कायªदशाएं, Æयूनतम मजदूरी, िशकायत िनवारण तंý, टोल-Āì हेÐपलाइन, दुÓयªवहार और शोषण से सुर±ा तथा सामािजक सुर±ा ÿदान करती है। यह संिहता ÿÂयेक उस ÿितķान पर लागू होगी िजसम¤ दस या अिधक अÆतररािºयक ÿवासी कामगार िनयोिजत ह§ या िपछले बारह महीनŌ म¤ िकसी भी िदन िनयोिजत थे। सामािजक सुर±ा संिहता, 2020 वतªमान सामािजक सुर±ा कानूनŌ को एक एकल ढांचे म¤ समेिकत करने और सरल बनाने के उĥेÔय से िदनांक 21.11.2025 से ÿभावी हो गई है। इसका मु´य लàय सामािजक सुर±ा लाभŌ तक सावªभौिमक पहòँच सुिनिIJत करना और संगिठत, असंगिठत, िगग, Èलेटफॉमª और Öवरोजगार करने वाले कामगारŌ सिहत सभी ®ेिणयŌ के कामगारŌ तक सामािजक सुर±ा कवरेज का िवÖतार करना है। यह संिहता िविभÆन रोजगारŌ और राºयŌ के बीच लाभŌ कì सुवाĻता को बढ़ावा देती है और क¤þ तथा राºय सरकारŌ को उिचत योजनाएं बनाने म¤ स±म बनाती है। इसके अलावा, कुशल िवतरण के िलए ÿौīोिगकì का लाभ उठाना और बदलती ®म बाजार िÖथितयŌ के अनुłप कायªबल को Óयापक सामािजक सुर±ा ÿदान करने हेतु 09.03.2026 700 सरकारŌ, िनयोĉाओं और एúीगेटसª कì भूिमकाओं को ÖपĶ łप से पåरभािषत करना इसका उĥेÔय है। यह संिहता िगग और Èलेटफॉमª कामगारŌ के िलए जीवन और िवकलांगता कवर, दुघªटना बीमा, ÖवाÖÃय और मातृÂव लाभ, वृĦावÖथा संर±ण आिद से संबंिधत मामलŌ पर उपयुĉ सामािजक सुर±ा उपाय तैयार करने का ÿावधान करती है। वषª 2015 म¤ शुł िकए गए भारत सरकार के 'कौशल भारत िमशन' (एसआईएम) के तहत, कौशल िवकास और उīिमता मंýालय (एमएसडीई) कामकाजी उă कì आबादी के कौशल और रोजगार ±मता को बढ़ाने के िलए देशभर म¤ समाज के सभी वगŎ को ÿमुख योजनाओं, जैसे िक ÿधानमंýी कौशल िवकास योजना (पीएमकेवीवाई), जन िश±ण संÖथान (जेएसएस), राÕůीय िश±ुता संवधªन योजना (एनएपीएस) और औīोिगक ÿिश±ण संÖथानŌ (आईटीआई) म¤ िशÐपकार ÿिश±ण योजना (सीटीएस) के अंतगªत कौशल िवकास केÆþŌ के Óयापक नेटवकª के माÅयम से कौशल, पुनः कौशल और कौशल उÆनयन ÿिश±ण ÿदान करता है। ये पहल¤ सामूिहक łप से राÕůीय कौशल योμयता Āेमवकª (एनएस³यूएफ) के अनुłप कौशल, िडिजटल और िव°ीय सा±रता, सॉÉट िÖकÐस और उīिमता को बढ़ावा देती ह§। इन ÿयासŌ को 'कौशल भारत' बैनर के तहत बड़े पैमाने पर गितशीलता और जागłकता अिभयानŌ, जैसे िक रोज़गार मेलŌ, िश±ुता अिभयानŌ और िÖकल इंिडया िडिजटल हब (एसआईडीएच) के माÅयम से िडिजटल आउटरीच Ĭारा सहायता ÿदान कì जाती है। पयाªवरण मंजूरी के कारण लंिबत पåरयोजनाएं 2673. ®ीमती मंजू शमाª: ³या पयाªवरण, वन और जलवायु पåरवतªन मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िक : (क) ³या राºयŌ कì िविभÆन लघु और मÅयम िसंचाई पåरयोजनाएं पयाªवरणीय मंजूरी के अभाव म¤ क¤þ सरकार के पास लंिबत ह§; 09.03.2026 701 (ख) यिद हाँ, तो राजÖथान सिहत राºय/संघ राºय±ेý-वार ऐसी लंिबत पåरयोजनाओं का Êयौरा ³या है और ये पåरयोजनाएं कब से सरकार के िवचाराधीन ह§; (ग) पयाªवरणीय मंजूरी देने म¤ देरी के ³या कारण ह§; (घ) चालू वषª के दौरान Öवीकृत पåरयोजनाओं का राºय/संघ राºय±ेý-वार Êयौरा ³या है; और (ङ) उĉ लंिबत पåरयोजनाओं को Öवीकृत करने के िलए सरकार Ĭारा अÆय ³या कदम उठाए गए ह§/उठाए जाने ÿÖतािवत ह§? पयाªवरण, वन और जलवायु पåरवतªन मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी; तथा िवदेश मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी (®ी कìितª वधªन िसंह): (क) से (ङ): यथा संशोिधत पयाªवरण ÿभाव आकलन (ईआईए) अिधसूचना, 2006 के उपबंधŌ के अनुसार, िसंचाई पåरयोजनाओं को, उनके कृिष योμय िनयंýण ±ेý कì परवाह िकए िबना, 'ख' ®ेणी के łप म¤ वगêकृत िकया जाता है, और पयाªवरणीय मंजूरी (ईसी) ÿदान करने के िलए राºय पयाªवरण ÿभाव आकलन ÿािधकरण (एसईआईएए) Ĭारा राºय Öतर पर मूÐयांकन िकया जाता है। हालांिक, िजन मामलŌ म¤ ईआईए अिधसूचना, 2006 के संदभª म¤ सामाÆय िÖथित लागू होती है, ऐसे पåरयोजनाओं को ®ेणी ‘क’ माना जाता है और उनका मूÐयांकन क¤þीय Öतर पर िकया जाता है। पयाªवरणीय मंजूरी ÿदान करने के िलए मंýालय के पास क¤þीय Öतर पर कोई भी लघु और मÅयम िसंचाई पåरयोजना लंिबत नहé है। इसके अलावा, वतªमान वषª के दौरान आज तक मंýालय Ĭारा िकसी भी लघु और मÅयम िसंचाई पåरयोजना को क¤þीय Öतर पर ईसी ÿदान नहé कì गई है। ESTABLISHMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN BIHAR 2674. DR. MOHAMMAD JAWED: Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state: (a) the details of the number of higher education institutions established in the State of Bihar during the last ten years; 09.03.2026 702 (b) the details of such institutions, including universities, colleges and other higher education institutions established during the said period, year-wise and district-wise; (c) the criteria and policy framework followed by the Government for the establishment of higher education institutions in different districts of the said State; (d) the steps taken by the Government to ensure equitable regional distribution of higher education institutions across various districts of Bihar; and (e) whether the Government proposes to establish new higher education institutions in underserved districts of Bihar and if so, the details thereof? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR): (a) to (e): Prior to the year 2014, Bihar had a total of 03 Centrally Funded Institutions with 1- IIT (IIT Patna), 1- NIT (NIT Patna) and 1- Central University (Central University of South Bihar, Gaya). After 2014, three new Centrally Funded Institutions have been established in Bihar viz. IIM Bodh Gaya, Mahatma Gandhi Central University Motihari, IIIT (PPP) Bhagalpur established in the year 2015, 2016 and 2017 respectively. At present 06 Central Funded Institutions are functioning in the Bihar State. The Central Higher Education Institutions/Universities are envisaged as pace setting institutions to provide academic leadership to other institutions in the region. 09.03.2026 703 Setting up of higher education institutions is an ongoing process. Depending on the need, educational institutions are opened from time to time. Education being subject matter of concurrent list, it is joint responsibility of Central as well as State Government to take action for implementation of NEP 2020. The Government is committed to provide quality education to all. The details of data related to higher education is available in yearly Annual Survey of Higher Education (AISHE) reports which are accessible at link https://www.education.gov.in/en/statistics-new?shs_term_node_tid_depth=384 . केÆþीय और नवोदय िवīालय खोलने के िलए मानदंड 2675. ®ी सुनील कुमार: ³या िश±ा मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िक: (क) देश म¤ क¤þीय िवīालय और नवोदय िवīालय खोलने के िलए सरकार Ĭारा िनधाªåरत मानदंड ³या ह§; (ख) बगहा पुिलस िजले म¤ क¤þीय िवīालय या नवोदय िवīालय नहé होने के ³या कारण ह§, जबिक वाÐमीिक नगर लोक सभा िनवाªचन ±ेý (िबहार) म¤ दो पुिलस िजले ह§ और बड़ी सं´या म¤ क¤þीय संÖथान िÖथत ह§; (ग) ³या सरकार का बगहा पुिलस िजले म¤ एक क¤þीय िवīालय खोलने का कोई ÿÖताव है; और (घ) यिद हाँ, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है? कौशल िवकास और उīमशीलता मंýालय के राºय मंýी; तथा िश±ा मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी (®ी जयंत चौधरी): 09.03.2026 704 (क) और (ख): नए क¤þीय िवīालय (केिव) खोलना एक सतत् ÿिøया है। केिव पूरे देश म¤ िश±ा का एक समान कायªøम ÿदान करने हेतु मु´य łप से क¤þ सरकार के Öथानांतरणीय कमªचाåरयŌ सिहत र±ा और अधª-सैÆय किमªयŌ, क¤þीय Öवाय° िनकायŌ, क¤þीय सावªजिनक ±ेý के उपøमŌ (पीएसयू) और क¤þीय उ¸च िश±ा संÖथान (आईएचएल) के ब¸चŌ कì शैि±क जłरतŌ को पूरा करने के िलए खोले जाते ह§। नए केिव खोलने के ÿÖतावŌ को भारत सरकार के मंýालयŌ या िवभागŌ/राºय सरकारŌ/संघ राºय ±ेýŌ ÿशासनŌ Ĭारा ÿायोिजत िकए जा सकते ह§ िजसम¤ केÆþीय िवīालय संगठन (केिवसं) के मानदंडŌ के अनुसार एक नया केिव Öथािपत करने के िलए िनःशुÐक अपेि±त भूिम और उपयुĉ िकराया-मुĉ अÖथायी आवास को उपलÊध कराने कì ÿितबĦता शािमल होती है। केिव राºय/संघ राºय ±ेý/संसदीय िनवाªचन ±ेý/िजला/पुिलस िजले के मानदंड पर नहé खोले जाते ह§। क¤þीय िवīालय संगठन (केिवसं) से ÿाĮ सूचना के अनुसार, वतªमान म¤, िबहार राºय म¤ 01 केिव अथाªत केिव बेितया, पिIJम चंपारण सिहत 51 केिव कायाªÂमक ह§। नवोदय िवīालय योजना म¤ देश के ÿÂयेक िजले म¤ एक नवोदय िवīालय (निव) खोलने कì पåरकÐपना कì गई है। नए निव खोलना एक सतत् ÿिøया है जो Öथायी भवन के िनमाªण के िलए िनशुÐक अपेि±त उपयुĉ भूिम उपलÊध कराने और Öथायी भवन का िनमाªण होने तक िवīालय चलाने के िलए अपेि±त अÖथायी भवन िनशुÐक उपलÊध कराने कì संबंिधत राºय सरकार/संघ राºय ±ेý ÿशासन कì इ¸छा पर िनभªर करती है। नए निव कì Öवीकृित और खोलना मौजूदा ÿिøयाओं के अनुसार स±म ÿािधकारी Ĭारा अनुमोदन पर िनभªर करता है। वतªमान म¤, पिIJम चंपारण िजले म¤ 01 निव सिहत 39 निव िबहार राºय म¤ कायाªÂमक ह§। (ग) और (घ): केिवसं से ÿाĮ सूचना के अनुसार, संबंिधत राºय सरकार/िजला ÿशासन से िबहार के पिIJमी चंपारण के बगहा पुिलस िजले म¤ एक नया केिव खोलने का ÿÖताव ÿाĮ नहé हòआ है। 09.03.2026 705 BANKING AND CREDIT STABILITY 2676. DR. PRABHA MALLIKARJUN: Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:- (a) the present status of banking and financial sector stability, including trends in Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) and capital adequacy; (b) whether recent credit tightening and market concerns have adversely affected Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and retail borrowers; and (c) if so, the steps taken to ensure adequate and affordable credit flow without compromising systemic stability? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI PANKAJ CHOUDHARY): (a): Major banking reforms undertaken by the Government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) over the last few years, including, inter-alia, the 4Rs’ strategy (Recognising NPAs transparently, Resolution and Recovery, Recapitalising Public Sector Banks (PSBs), and Reforms in the financial system), have strengthened credit discipline, improved recognition and resolution of stress, enabled responsible lending, and enhanced governance in banks. These reforms, along with financial inclusion initiatives, adoption of technology, amalgamation of banks, and measures to improve management and maintain confidence in the banking system, have helped banks turn the corner and significantly improve their financial health and resilience. 09.03.2026 706 Further, under the Enhanced Access and Service Excellence (EASE) reforms agenda, PSBs have undertaken a series of customer-centric initiatives aimed at improving service delivery, digital enablement, transparency, and ease of access to banking services. Implementation of Basel III capital and prudential norms, as prescribed by RBI has also strengthened capital buffers, improved risk management, and enhanced the overall resilience of banks. RBI’s macro stress test results, as per the Financial Stability Report of RBI in 2025, have also reaffirmed the resilience of Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) to adverse macroeconomic shocks. As per RBI’s provisional data, as on 30.9.2025: (a) The asset quality has improved significantly with— (i) Gross NPA ratio of SCBs declined to a fresh multi-decadal low of 2.05% (₹4.18 lakh crore) in Sep-25 from 4.28% (₹3.23 lakh crore) in Mar-15, and from a peak of 11.18% (₹10.36 lakh crore) in Mar- 18. (ii) Net NPAs of SCBs declined to a record low of ₹0.94 lakh crore (0.47%) in Sep-25 from ₹2.31 lakh crore (3.13%) in Mar-15, and from a peak of ₹5.20 lakh crore (5.94%) in Mar-18. (b) Resilience has increased with Provision Coverage Ratio (PCR) of SCBs increasing from 49.31% in Mar-15 to a healthy 93.23% in Sep-25. (c) Capital adequacy has improved significantly with Capital to Risk-weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) of SCBs improving by 430 bps to reach 17.24% in Sep-25 from 12.94% in Mar-15. 09.03.2026 707 (d) PSBs declared dividend of ₹34,990 crore to shareholders (GoI share ₹22,699 crore) in FY2024-25 against total dividend of ₹27,830 crore to shareholders (GoI share ₹18,013 crore) in FY2023-24. (e) Enabled by implementation of comprehensive reforms, the financial health of PSBs has improved significantly, enhancing their ability to raise capital (in the form of both equity and bonds) from the market. PSBs have mobilised capital of ₹5.24 lakh crore from the market from FY 2014-15 to FY 2025-26 (up to 31.12.2025). (f) During FY 2024-25, SCBs have recorded highest ever aggregate net profit of ₹4.01 lakh crore. PSBs have also recorded highest ever aggregate net profit of ₹1.78 lakh crore during FY 2024-25. Further, the net profit of PSBs during the first nine months of FY 2025-26 is ₹1.46 lakh crore. The improved financial health has enabled banks to better serve common customers through enhanced credit availability, improved transmission of policy interest rates, strengthened depositor confidence, and wider access to digital and financial services. Customer-centric reforms under the EASE agenda and technology adoption have also improved service delivery, transparency, and ease of access to banking services, particularly benefiting retail customers, MSMEs, and rural populations. (b) and (c): With regard to the recent credit tightening and market concerns, MSME credit in SCBs has continued to grow with year-on-year (YoY) growth standing at 20.6% as on 30.9.2025, and asset quality has improved with Gross NPA at 3.5% as on 30.9.2025, indicating no broad-based adverse impact. 09.03.2026 708 While in respect of the retail borrowers in SCBs, overall retail credit quality remains stable or improving, indicating no widespread deterioration with Gross NPA standing at 1.1% as on 30.9.2025. Personal loans (Retail loans) grew at 14.0% as on 31.10.2025, higher than 11.7% as on 31.3.2025. PRIME MINISTER’S INTERNSHIP SCHEME 2677. SUSHRI SAYANI GHOSH: Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) whether it is a fact that only about 30 percent of candidates who accepted internship offers actually joined the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme, if so, the details thereof, round-wise and year-wise; (b) whether it is a fact that around 41 percent of interns dropped out midway and failed to complete the prescribed 12-month internship period, if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government acknowledges that very few interns have received full–time employment offers, with only 95 inters across rounds reportedly converted into regular jobs, if so, the details thereof; (d) whether it is a fact that funds allocated of PMIS are severely underutilised, if so, the total amount of funds allocated, disbursed and pending for disbursal under Scheme, year-wise; and 09.03.2026 709 (e) whether the Government has assessed the declining participating in Round-2, despite claimed improvements in transparency and incentives and if so, the action taken thereon? THE 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): In Round I of the Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS) Pilot Project which was launched on 3rd October 2024, over 28,000 internship offers were accepted by candidates, and over 8,760 interns joined their internships. In Round II of the PMIS Pilot Project, which started on 9th January 2025, over 24,600 internship offers were accepted by candidates, and over 7300 interns joined their internships. (b): As on 27.01.2026, 54% interns of Round I and 34% interns of Round II of the PMIS Pilot Project have dropped out of their internships. (c): 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 employment. (d): Year wise Budget Details of Prime Minister Internship Scheme, as on 31.12.2025 are placed at Statement . 09.03.2026 710 (e): Based on the learnings during the implementation of the Prime Minister Internship Pilot Project, following major steps were taken to improve the implementation and outcomes:  Portal Improvement: functionality for geo-tagging internship location, moving vacancies and candidates between one location to another and, more visibility of additional benefits given by companies to the candidates in Round II.  Targeted Information, Education and Communications (IEC) activities.  Active engagement and coordination with States, UTs, Ministries and Departments of the Central Government and Industry Associations for enhancing the outreach of the scheme.  Active engagement with industry to ensure meaningful internship experience for the interns to enhance their skills and employability, including reporting of quarterly progress of the interns by the companies on the portal. 09.03.2026 711 STATEMENT Year wise budget details of Prime Minister Internship Scheme as on 28.02.2026 are as below: (Amount in Rs. Crore) S. No. Financial Year Budget Allocation & Estimates Revised Estimates Actual Expenditure 1. 2024-25 2000 380 29.29 2. 2025-26 10831.07* 526 87.46 *Rs. 10831.07 crore has been allocated to the Ministry for the main Scheme. However, the main scheme could not be commenced, and Pilot Project has been continued. SPORTS INFRASTRUCTURE IN SIXTH SCHEDULE DISTRICTS OF ASSAM 2678. SHRI AMARSING TISSO: Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has conducted any assessment of the existing sports infrastructure in the Sixth Schedule districts of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao in Assam; (b) the details of sports infrastructure projects sanctioned, completed and ongoing in these districts under the Khelo India Scheme and the assistance to National Sports Federations during the last five years and the current year, year-wise; 09.03.2026 712 (c) whether the Government proposes to establish multipurpose indoor stadiums, synthetic athletic tracks, football turfs and residential sports academies in these hill districts considering their tribal youth population and sporting potential and if so, the details thereof; and (d) whether any special financial allocation or relaxation in norms is provided for infrastructure development in Sixth Schedule or geographically remote and hilly areas and if so, the details thereof? THE MINISTER OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT; AND MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA): (a) to (d): ‘Sports’ being a State subject, the responsibility of development of sports, including assessment of existing sports infrastructure, establishment of multipurpose indoor stadiums, synthetic athletic tracks, football turfs and residential sports academies, in these hill districts considering tribal youth population and promotion of sporting potential, providing special financial allocation or relaxation in norms for infrastructure development in Sixth Schedule or geographically remote and hilly areas, rests primarily with the State/Union Territory Governments. The Union Government supplements their efforts by bridging critical gaps. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports implements the following schemes for development of sports in the country, including in the State of Assam: i. Khelo India – National Programme for Development of Sports; ii. Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs); 09.03.2026 713 iii. Cash Incentives to Medal Winners in International Sports Events and their coaches; iv. National Sports Awards; v. Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons; vi. Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Program for Sportspersons; vii. National Sports Development Fund; viii. Running Sports Training centres through Sports Authority of India (SAI); and ix. National Centre for Sports Science and Research (NCSSR). Details of the above schemes are available in the public domain on the websites of this Ministry and the Sports Authority of India. Further, the Khelo India Scheme and National Sports Development Fund (NSDF), implemented by this Ministry, under which financial assistance for development of sports infrastructure is provided are demand-driven schemes. The proposals received from the State/ UT Government and other eligible entities, are considered for financial support, subject to their completeness, technical feasibility and availability of funds under the scheme. This Ministry has sanctioned nine sports infrastructure projects under Khelo India Scheme and three sports infrastructure projects under NSDF in the State of Assam. Details of the same are available in the public domain on the dashboards of the Ministry at https://mdsd.kheloindia.gov.in. and http://www.nsdf.yas.gov.in/nsdf-glance.html. 09.03.2026 714 Under the Khelo India Scheme, special emphasis is given to the North Eastern Region (NER) and hilly States, including geographically remote and tribal areas, with a view to bridge regional disparities and promote sporting talent in these regions. While the standard norm under the Scheme is one Khelo India Centre (KIC) per district, the Government has relaxed this norm for the North Eastern and hilly States, permitting up to two Khelo India Centres per district to enhance outreach and provide greater access to sports training and infrastructure in remote areas. UTILISATION OF CSR FUNDS IN ODISHA 2679. SHRI PRADEEP PUROHIT: Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) the details of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds sanctioned and released in the State of Odisha during the last three financial years and the current financial year, district-wise and project-wise; (b) the total amount of CSR funds utilized/spent during the said period, along with the names of implementing agencies for each project and district; (c) whether the Government maintains sector-wise data of CSR projects (such as Education, Health, Infrastructure, Water & Sanitation, Skill Development, Tribal Development, etc.), if so, the details thereof; (d) whether CSR policy guidelines are centrally determined under the Companies Act, 2013 and related rules, if so, the details thereof; 09.03.2026 715 (e) whether variations exist among Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs), State PSUs and private companies in their CSR policies, if so, the details thereof; and (f) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure transparency, monitoring and effective utilization of CSR funds in Odisha, particularly in backward and tribal districts? THE 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) and (b): In the legal framework of CSR, there is no provision of sanction and release of CSR funds. It is a Board driven process undertaken by the companies statutorily mandated to incur CSR expenditure. All data related to CSR filed by companies in MCA21 registry including State-wise, District-wise, year-wise, Development Sector-wise, project-wise and company–wise, are available in public domain and can be accessed at www.csr.gov.in. On the basis of annual filings made by companies in the MCA 21 registry, the District- wise details of CSR expenditure in Odisha for the last three Financial Years (FY) i.e. FY 2021-22 to FY 2023-24 is attached at Statement -I. Names of implementing agencies for projects funded under CSR are not maintained centrally. (c): Yes Sir, on the basis of annual filings made by companies in the MCA 21 registry, Sector-wise CSR expenditure in India is attached at Statement -II. 09.03.2026 716 (d): Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013, Schedule VII of the Act and Companies (CSR Policy) Rules, 2014 centrally determine the CSR legal framework. (e): CSR is a Board driven process undertaken by the companies mandated to incur CSR expenditure. Any CPSU, State PSU or Private company follows its own CSR policy as decided upon by its Board, within the confines the CSR legal framework as mentioned in (d) above. (f): As per provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, 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. The existing legal provisions regarding formation of CSR committee, formulation of CSR policy, Annual Action Plan on CSR, certification of CSR expenditure by Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and audit of CSR expenditure by statutory auditors, etc., are the mechanisms to ensure transparency, monitoring and effective utilization of CSR funds. Further, Rule 8 of the Companies (CSR Policy) Rules, 2014 provides that every company having average CSR obligation of 10 crore rupees or more in the three immediately preceding financial years, shall undertake impact assessment, through an independent agency, of their CSR projects having outlays of one crore rupees or more, and which have been completed not less than one year before undertaking the impact study. The above framework is applicable for all activities undertaken under CSR, in all districts. 09.03.2026 717 STATEMENT - I District-wise CSR expenditure in Odisha from FY 2021-22 to FY 2023-24 (Amount in Rupees Crore) S.No. Districts FY 2021-22 FY 2022-23 FY 2023-24 Angul 15.25 44.41 213.33 Balangir 3.69 7.74 15.21 Balasore 10.85 6.02 8.90 Bargarh 11.43 5.54 1.08 Bhadrak 3.07 7.77 12.35 Boudh 0.38 0.31 1.05 Cuttack 42.74 37.23 37.80 Deogarh 7.14 1.42 0.38 Dhenkanal 9.10 9.22 8.73 Gajapati 7.76 1.15 0.29 Ganjam 13.40 6.03 5.20 Jagatsinghapur 11.55 6.28 8.83 Jajpur 11.30 30.07 37.81 Jharsuguda 22.15 223.41 302.97 Kalahandi 24.84 20.84 20.57 Kandhamal 2.86 6.16 2.96 Kendrapara 2.11 3.45 3.90 Keonjhar 35.52 54.51 83.64 Khordha 70.44 63.14 100.85 Koraput 17.56 24.77 32.71 Malkangiri 0.23 0.12 1.30 Mayurbhanj 5.53 8.55 8.73 Nabarangpur 2.52 1.71 2.09 Nayagarh 2.56 0.62 0.49 Nuapada 3.32 0.60 0.51 Puri 8.40 12.43 10.86 09.03.2026 718 Rayagada 11.86 9.50 14.03 Sambalpur 14.52 33.08 8.77 Sonepur 0.19 0.02 0.75 Sundargarh 77.45 113.72 36.56 District not classified elsewhere 302.66 255.02 406.74 Total 752.37 994.82 1389.39 (Data upto 31.03.2025) (Source: Corporate Data Management Cell) STATEMENT - II Development Sector-wise CSR expenditure in India from FY 2021-22 to FY 2023-24 (Amount in Rupees Crore) S.No. Development Sector FY 2021-22 FY 2022-23 FY 2023-24 Agro forestry 35.52 67.28 74.47 Animal welfare 174.35 325.44 531.14 Armed Forces, Veterans, War Widows/ Dependants 47.65 63.63 68.04 Art And Culture 260.39 449.21 704.04 Conservation of natural resources 274.90 584.65 423.47 Education 6,719.89 10,414.9 3 12,134.5 7 Environmental Sustainability 2,441.82 2,008.04 2,429.97 Gender Equality 104.97 121.15 204.17 09.03.2026 719 Health Care 8,049.49 7,023.60 7,150.81 Livelihood Enhancement Projects 880.50 1,703.64 2,360.09 Poverty, Eradicating Hunger, Malnutrition 1,903.78 1,282.73 1,233.93 Rural development projects 1,847.07 2,059.41 2,408.09 Safe drinking water 192.34 252.78 327.45 Sanitation 314.53 438.81 375.23 Senior citizens welfare 80.34 153.91 159.82 Setting up homes and hostels for women 101.00 49.50 41.80 Setting up orphanage 27.54 44.99 31.57 Slum area development 58.38 94.22 38.82 Socio-economic equalities 165.30 159.19 200.81 Special education 191.08 319.50 396.57 Technology incubators 8.57 1.48 1.91 Training To Promote Sports 311.71 542.53 692.09 Vocational skills 1,053.80 1,206.75 1,396.55 Women Empowerment 264.94 417.26 454.22 Other Central Government Funds 1,631.01 1,145.78 1,000.83 NEC/Not Mentioned* 0.59 1.65 68.32 Total 27,141.4 5 30,932.0 7 34,908.7 5 (Data upto 31.03.2025) (Source: Corporate Data Management Cell) * Companies either did not specify the names of sectors or indicated more than one sector where projects were undertaken. 09.03.2026 720 ISSUES FACED IN PENSION CLAIMS 2680. SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI: Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware that the downtime for the Employees Provident Fund Organization's (EPFO) website is very high, thereby causing difficulties in accessing online services and if so, the reasons therefor; (b) whether the claim rejection rate of pension at EPFO is indeed very high and the time taken for claim settlement is inordinately long and if so, the reasons therefor; (c) whether the Government proposes to strengthen the grievance redressal mechanism along with the functional customer care helplines, which are non-functional at this point and if so, the details thereof; (d) whether the Government is aware of the issues being faced by the members in relation to Form-19, Life Certificate and the Universal Account Number (UAN); and (e) if so, the details thereof along with the steps being taken by the Government to resolve the same? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE): 09.03.2026 721 (a): EPFO has been providing online services to its stakeholders i.e., EPF members, Employers and Pensioners through the ‘Unified Portal’ www.epfindia.gov.in In response to the technical issues reported regarding the online services causing inconvenience to subscribers, an extensive diagnostic study was conducted and several steps have been taken to improve performance. New servers and storage systems have been installed to replace outdated end of support life equipment. The system capacity has been increased to handle higher loads. New routers, switches, enhanced bandwidth and load balancers have also been set up to improve speed and efficiency of services. Core applications have been moved to the upgraded system. Advanced security systems have been put in place, including next- generation firewalls, access control tools, and systems to monitor database and security incidents. A dedicated team has been deployed to run the Security Operations Center. Through these measures, EPFO has improved system efficiency, enhanced the ease of doing business for employers and ease of living for members & pensioners. (b): Rejection of pension claims generally occurs due to the following reasons:  Incomplete or incorrect claim forms. 09.03.2026 722  Non-availability or mismatch of member data (date of birth, date of exit, service details, Aadhaar, bank details etc.).  Non-submission of requisite documents in death cases (e.g., death certificate, succession/legal heir documents).  Contribution-related discrepancies. In order to reduce the rejection on account of above, EPFO is emphasizing on submission of e-nomination and family details online, for all members. As a result, the rejection ratio of pension claims under the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS), 1995 has shown a consistent declining trend over the last five years. With regard to settlement timelines, the scheme provides that claim application, complete in all respect along with requisite documents, shall be settled and claim amount paid within twenty days. However, when the claim is not found complete in all respect along with requisite documents, the settlement time can increase on account of extra time taken in getting the requisites completed. (c): EPFO has provided various grievance redressal mechanism to its stakeholders to redress their grievances. Stakeholders can raise their grievances through grievance portals of CPGRAMS and EPFiGMS. 09.03.2026 723 Details of grievances received and disposed at EPFO during 2025 on CPGRAMS and EPFiGMS portal is below: S.No. Grievance Portal Grievances received during 01.01.2025 to 31.12.2025 Grievances disposed during 01.01.2025 to 31.12.2025 1. CPGRAMS 2,33,052 2,28,461 2. EPFiGMS 17,54,297 17,20,489 Stakeholders queries are also being redressed through various social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp. In addition, EPFO’s Call centre also redresses member queries. Enhanced functionalities under CITES 2.01 project are aimed at accelerating claim processing, minimizing rejection rates, improving system transparency and reducing the number of member grievances. (d) and (e): Reports of certain elderly and infirm pensioners facing difficulties in submission of Life Certificate due to failure of fingerprint authentication in advanced age, iris-related issues after cataract surgery, or physical inability to visit banks/EPFO offices has been received. To address these concerns, the following measures have been taken:  MoU with India Post Payments Bank (IPPB): EPFO has entered into an MoU with India Post Payments Bank to provide free doorstep Digital Life Certificate (DLC) services to EPS-95 pensioners who are unable to submit DLC through smartphones or visit banks/EPFO offices. 09.03.2026 724  Promotion of Aadhaar-based Face Authentication: Instructions have been issued to all field offices to popularise Aadhaar-based Face Authentication for DLC submission through facilitation at offices and outreach programmes, including Nidhi Aapke Nikat program, which is conducted across all districts on 27th of every month. Approximately 49% of the total Digital Life Certificates generated during the year 2025 (January- December) were submitted using Aadhaar-based Face Authentication Technology. एनएमसीएम के अंतगªत सांÖकृितक मानिचýण 2681. ®ी हनुमान बेनीवाल : एडवोकेट चÆþ शेखर : ³या संÖकृित मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िक : (क) राÕůीय सांÖकृितक मानिचýण िमशन के अंतगªत अब तक उ°र ÿदेश और राजÖथान म¤ पंजीकृत कलाकारŌ, लोक कला समूहŌ और सांÖकृितक संÖथानŌ कì कुल सं´या का Êयौरा ³या है; (ख) ³या सरकार ने नागौर, डीडवाना-कुचामन, जोधपुर, फलौदी, बाड़मेर, बीकानेर और पाली िजलŌ सिहत उ°र ÿदेश और राजÖथान के सभी िजलŌ म¤ सांÖकृितक संसाधनŌ का िडिजटल मानिचýण पूणª कर िलया है; (ग) यिद हाँ, तो इसके पूणª होने के िलए िनधाªåरत समय-सीमा सिहत तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है; और (घ) úामीण और जनजातीय कलाकारŌ का समावेशन सुिनिIJत करने के िलए उĉ मानिचýण अिभयान के तहत िकए गए/िकए जा रहे िवशेष उपायŌ का Êयौरा ³या है? 09.03.2026 725 संÖकृित मंýी; तथा पयªटन मंýी (®ी गजेÆþ िसंह शेखावत): (क): मेरा गाँव मेरी धरोहर (एमजीएमडी) राÕůीय सांÖकृितक मानिचýण िमशन (एनएमसीएम) के अंतगªत एक ÿमुख घटक है। एमजीएमडी गाँव कì सांÖकृितक ÿोफ़ाइल के िहÖसे के łप म¤ कलाकारŌ, लोक कला समूहŌ और सांÖकृितक संÖथानŌ का ÿलेखीकरण करता है और इसम¤ पंजीकरण का ÿावधान नहé है। एमजीएमडी पोटªल पर दजª डेटा का उ°र ÿदेश और राजÖथान सिहत सभी राºयŌ और संघ राºय ±ेýŌ के िलए úाम-वार रखरखाव िकया जाता है, न िक Óयिĉगत सांÖकृितक घटकŌ के अनुसार। तथािप, उĉ राºयŌ म¤ गाँव कì सांÖकृितक ÿोफ़ाइल के िहÖसे के łप म¤ ÿलेिखत कुछ कलाकारŌ, लोक कला समूहŌ और सांÖकृितक संÖथानŌ का Êयौरा िववरण-I म¤ िदया गया है। (ख) और (ग): एमजीएमडी पोटªल उ°र ÿदेश और राजÖथान सिहत भारत भर म¤ úाम Öतर पर सांÖकृितक संसाधनŌ का संरिचत ÿाłप म¤ ÿलेखन करता है िजसम¤ अÆय बातŌ के साथ-साथ िवरासत ÖथलŌ, मौिखक परंपराओं, माÆयताओं और रीित-åरवाजŌ, ऐितहािसक महÂव, Öथानीय ÖथलŌ और कला łपŌ आिद को शािमल िकया जाता है। उ°र ÿदेश म¤ कुल 110878 गाँवŌ म¤ से 103003 गाँवŌ का मानिचýण िकया जा चुका है। राजÖथान म¤ कुल 46744 गाँवŌ म¤ से 46696 गाँवŌ का मानिचýण िकया जा चुका है। संबंिधत िजलŌ म¤ कवरेज कì िÖथित इस ÿकार है: i. नागौर िजला – 1669 गाँव (पुनगªठन से पूवª डीडवाना-कुचामन िजला सिहत) ii. जोधपुर िजला, फलोदी Êलॉक - 132 गाँव iii. बाड़मेर िजला – 2955 गाँव iv. बीकानेर िजला - 1154 गाँव v. पाली िजला – 1055 गाँव 09.03.2026 726 एनएमसीएम के अंतगªत सांÖकृितक मानिचýण, उसका अīतनीकरण और सÂयापन एक सतत ÿिøया है और शेष गाँवŌ के ÿलेखीकरण का कायª िकया जा रहा है। (घ): एमजीएमडी अपने ÿलेखन कायŎ के अंतगªत भारत भर म¤ úामीण Öतर पर सांÖकृितक घटकŌ कì एक िवÖतृत ®ृंखला को कवर करता है, िजनम¤ िवरासत Öथल, मौिखक परंपराएँ, माÆयताएँ और रीित-åरवाज, ऐितहािसक महÂव, Öथानीय ÖथलिचĹ, मेले और Âयौहार, पारंपåरक पåरधान, आभूषण, पारंपåरक भोजन तथा जहाँ उपलÊध हŌ, वहाँ Öथानीय कलाकार और कला łप शािमल ह§। एमजीएमडी से संबंिधत डेटा का úाम-वार रखरखाव िकया जाता है, न िक Óयिĉगत घटकŌ के अनुसार। तथािप, उ°र ÿदेश म¤ ÿलेिखत कुछ जनजातीय समुदायŌ म¤ भोिटया, बु³सा, जौनसारी, राजी, थाł, गŌड, धुåरया, पथारी, खैरवार, पंखा और बैगा शािमल ह§। इसी ÿकार, राजÖथान म¤ मानिचिýत कुछ जनजातीय समुदायŌ म¤ भील, कालबेिलया, गरािसया, सहाåरया, कमाड़ और मीणा शािमल ह§। उ°र ÿदेश और राजÖथान के िलए ÿलेिखत कुछ ÿिसĦ úामीण और जनजातीय कलाकारŌ का Êयौरा िववरण-II म¤ िदया गया है। 09.03.2026 727 िववरण- I एमजीएमडी पर उ°र ÿदेश के ÿलेिखत कुछ लोक कलाकार और उनके संबंिधत कला łप ø. सं. कलाकार कला łप 1. गोरख राम लोक संगीत 2. शýु¶न पासवान लवंडा कलाकार 3. रामभर पासवान जोड़ी वादक 4. िशवनाथ लोक संगीत 5. नथुनी पासवान पखावज वादक 6. मह¤þ यादव िबरहा गायक 7. कÆहैयालाल ढोलक वादक 8. कमलेश ÿसाद झाम वादक 9. सुखिलया कोल नतªक 10. छोटेलाल आÐहा गायक एमजीएमडी पर उ°र ÿदेश के ÿलेिखत कुछ लोक कला समूह और उनके संबंिधत कला łप ø. सं. लोक कला समूह कला łप 1. शýु¶न पासवान और समूह लवंडा नाच 2. मह¤þ यादव और समूह भजन 3. रामिÿत और समूह िबदेिसया 4. अमरजीत मौयª और समूह नायकवा / बंजरवा संगीत 5. ®ीकृÕण और समूह बारहमासी ÿदशªन 6. हåर शंकर आचायª और समूह लोकगीत- लमटेरा , गारी, आिद। 09.03.2026 728 एमजीएमडी पर उ°र ÿदेश के ÿलेिखत कुछ सांÖकृितक संÖथान ø. सं. सांÖकृितक संÖथान िवषय 1. बुĦ संúहालय दुलªभ कलाकृितयाँ – ÿाचीन मूितªयाँ, टेराकोटा, और थंगका प¤िटंग। 2. औīोिगक उÂपादन सहकारी सिमित िलिमटेड कारीगर कोऑपरेिटव - फनêचर, सजावट के सामान और लैकरवेयर के िलए पारंपåरक लकड़ी कì न³काशी। एमजीएमडी पर राजÖथान के ÿलेिखत कुछ लोक कलाकार और उनके संबंिधत कला łप ø. सं. कलाकार कला łप 1. मोहन लाल चतुभुज कुÌहार मांडिशÐप - टेराकोटा åरलीफ आटª 2. खेमराज कुÌहार मांडिशÐप - टेराकोटा åरलीफ आटª 3. राज¤þ कुÌहार मांडिशÐप - टेराकोटा åरलीफ आटª 4. िहÌमत लाल कुÌहार मांडिशÐप - टेराकोटा åरलीफ आटª 5. जमना लाल कुÌहार मांडिशÐप - टेराकोटा åरलीफ आटª 6. ÿेम शंकर कुÌहार मांडिशÐप - टेराकोटा åरलीफ आटª 7. गोवधªन नाथ कालबेिलया नृÂय 8. जमन लाल भांड बा³या वादक 9. राम िनवास बैरवा नु³कड़ नाटक और कठपुतली शो 10. सÂय नारायण सुथार कावड़ कला 11. Ĭारका ÿसाद जागीर कावड़ कला एमजीएमडी पर राजÖथान के ÿलेिखत कुछ लोक कला समूह और उनके संबंिधत कला łप ø. सं. लोक कला समूह कला łप 1. सारदा कालबेिलया और समूह कालबेिलया नृÂय 2. बाड़मेर के सारंिगया लंगा सारंगी वादक 3. राजकì सपेरा मंडली कालबेिलया नृÂय, चरी नृÂय, घूमर नृÂय और úामीण भवई नृÂय। 4. बाबूलाल भĘ और समूह राजÖथानी मांड लोकगीत 5. पूनमा राम और पĪा राम पावा वादक (लोक वाīयंý) 09.03.2026 729 एमजीएमडी पर राजÖथान के ÿलेिखत कुछ सांÖकृितक संÖथान ø. सं. सांÖकृितक संÖथान िवषय 1. मोहन टेराकोटा कला अनुसंधान एवं िवकास क¤þ मांडिशÐप - टेराकोटा åरलीफ आटª 2. बेयरफुट कॉलेज सामािजक कायª और अनुसंधान क¤þ हथकरघा, चमड़े का काम, लकड़ी कì न³काशी, कठपुतली शो, नु³कड़ नाटक, बा³य वायु वाī यंý 3. हंथेली संÖथान पारंपåरक और लोक िशÐप 4. łपायन संÖथान लोककथा संर±ण 5. अनाª झरना रेिगÖतान संúहालय िववरण - II एमजीएमडी पर उ°र ÿदेश के ÿलेिखत कुछ आिदवासी कलाकार और उनके संबंिधत कला łप ø. सं. आिदवासी कलाकार आिदवासी कला łप 1. बेला कोल नतªक 2. सुखिलया कोल नतªक 3. बूटी बाई और समूह कोल लोक संगीत 4. दादूलाल कोÐहाई समूह कोल लोक संगीत एमजीएमडी पर राजÖथान के ÿलेिखत कुछ आिदवासी कलाकार और उनके संबंिधत कला łप ø. सं. आिदवासी कलाकार आिदवासी कला łप 1. गुलाबो सपेरा कालबेिलया नृÂय 2. िवīा देवी सोनी मंडाना कला 3. यशपाल बरंडा भील िचýकला 4. मोहनलाल कुÌहार मोलेला टेराकोटा 5. मांगीलाल भील मोर पंख कला 09.03.2026 730 पयªटन को बढ़ावा और िवकास 2682. ®ी ²ानेĵर पाटीलः ®ी संिदपनराव आसाराम भुमरेः ®ीमती कलाबेन मोहनभाई देलकरः ³या पयªटन मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िकः (क) महाराÕů, मÅय ÿदेश, संघ राºय±ेý दादरा और नगर हवेली तथा दमन और दीव म¤ पयªटन को बढ़ावा देने और िवकिसत करने के िलए सरकार Ĭारा शुł िकए गए या शुł िकए जाने वाले िविभÆन उपायŌ का Êयौरा ³या है; (ख) सरकार Ĭारा अब तक िकए गए उपायŌ का, िवशेष łप से छýपित संभाजीनगर िजले के संबंध म¤, Êयौरा ³या है; (ग) ³या सरकार का महाराÕů, िवशेष łप से उĉ िजले, राºयŌ और संघ राºय±ेýŌ म¤ पुरातािÂवक महÂव के ÖथलŌ पर पयªटन के िवकास के िलए िकसी िवशेष योजना का ÿÖताव है या योजना तैयार कì है; और (घ) यिद हाँ, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है? संÖकृित मंýी; तथा पयªटन मंýी (®ी गजेÆþ िसंह शेखावत): (क) से (घ): देश म¤ पयªटन का िवकास और संवधªन मु´य łप से संबंिधत राºय सरकार/संघ राºय±ेý ÿशासन Ĭारा िकया जाता है। हालांिक, पयªटन मंýालय अपनी िविभÆन योजनाओं, जैसे- Öवदेश दशªन, Öवदेश दशªन 2.0 (एसडी 2.0), चुनौती आधाåरत गंतÓय िवकास (सीबीडीडी)- Öवदेश दशªन योजना के अंतगªत एक पहल, तीथªÖथल कायाकÐप एवं आÅयािÂमक िवरासत संवधªन अिभयान (ÿशाद) आिद के तहत राºय सरकारŌ/संघ राºय±ेý ÿशासनŌ को योजना िदशािनद¥शŌ और सरकारी िनद¥शŌ के अनुłप उनसे पåरयोजना ÿÖतावŌ कì ÿािĮ पर तथा िनिधयŌ कì उपलÊधता, पारÖपåरक ÿाथिमकता आिद के अÅयधीन देश म¤ पयªटन अवसंरचना के िवकास और पयªटकŌ के अनुभवŌ को बेहतर बनाने के िलए िव°ीय सहायता ÿदान करता है। 09.03.2026 731 पुरातािÂवक महÂव के ÖथलŌ के िवकास के िलए कोई िवशेष योजना तैयार करने का कोई भी ÿÖताव पयªटन मंýालय के सम± िवचाराधीन नहé है। हालाँिक, पयªटन मंýालय पयªटन अवसंरचना िवकास के िलए 'क¤þीय एज¤िसयŌ को सहायता' नामक अपनी योजना के तहत पयªटन से संबंिधत पåरयोजनाओं के िवकास के िलए क¤þीय एज¤िसयŌ को िव°ीय सहायता ÿदान करता है। इसके अलावा, भारत सरकार ने ‘पूंजी िनवेश के िलए राºयŌ को िवशेष सहायता (एसएएससीआई)- वैिĵक Öतर पर ÿितिķत पयªटक क¤þŌ का िवकास’ नामक पहल के तहत भी पåरयोजनाओं को मंजूरी दी है। एसडी, एसडी 2.0, सीबीडीडी, ÿशाद और एसएएससीआई योजनाओं के तहत महाराÕů एवं मÅय ÿदेश राºय और दादरा एवं नगर हवेली तथा दमन एवं दीव संघ राºय ±ेý म¤ Öवीकृत पåरयोजनाओं का Êयौरा िववरण म¤ िदया गया है। िववरण एसडी, एसडी 2.0 सीबीडीडी, ÿशाद और एसएएससीआई योजनाओं के तहत महाराÕů एवं मÅय ÿदेश राºय और दादरा एवं नगर हवेली और दमन एवं दीव संघ राºय±ेý म¤ Öवीकृत पåरयोजनाओं का िववरण राºय/संघ राºय±ेý योजना पåरयोजना का नाम Öवीकृित वषª Öवीकृत रािश (करोड़ Ł. म¤) महाराÕů एसडी िसंधुदुगª तटीय पåरपथ - सागरेĵर, तारकरली, िवजयदुगª (बीच और øìक), िमतभव का िवकास (तटीय पåरपथ) 2015-16 19.06 वाकì – अदासा – धापेवाड़ा – पारदिसंघा – तेलनखंडी - िगराड का िवकास (आÅयािÂमक पåरपथ) 2018-19 45.47 एसडी 2.0 िशवसृिĶ थीम पाकª 2024-25 76.22 09.03.2026 732 सीबीडीडी अहमदनगर िकले का िवकास 2024-25 25.00 ÿशाद ÞयंबकेÔवर, नािसक का िवकास 2017-18 45.41 एसएएससी आई िसंधुदुगª म¤ आईएनएस-गुलदार अंतजªलीय संúहालय, कृिýम चĘान और पनडुÊबी पयªटन 2024-25 46.91 एसएएससी आई नािसक म¤ राम-काल पथ का िवकास 2024-25 99.14 मÅय ÿदेश एसडी पÆना–मुकुंदपुर–संजय–दुबरी- बांधवगढ़–काÆहा – मु³कì - प¤च म¤ वÆयजीव पåरपथ का िवकास (वÆयजीव पåरपथ) 2015-16 92.10 सांची – सतना – रीवा – मंदसौर - धार का िवकास (बौĦ पåरपथ) 2016-17 74.02 μवािलयर – ओरछा – खजुराहो – चंदेरी – भीमबेटका – मांडू का िवकास (िवरासत पåरपथ) 2016-17 89.82 गांधीसागर बांध - मंडलेĵर बांध - ओंकारेĵर बांध - इंिदरा सागर बांध - तवा बांध - बरगी बांध – भेड़ाघाट - बाणसागर बांध - केन नदी का िवकास (इको पåरपथ) 2017-18 93.76 एसडी 2.0 िचýकूट म¤ आÅयािÂमक अनुभव 2023-24 27.22 फूलबाग ए³सपीåरयंस जोन 2023-24 16.74 पीताÌबरा पीठ दितया का िवकास 2025-26 44.24 सीबीडीडी ओरछा एक मÅयकालीन वैभव 2.0 2024-25 25.00 09.03.2026 733 मांडू-एक मÅयकालीन आIJयª 2025-26 24.88 ÿशाद अमरकंटक का िवकास 2020-21 49.99 ओंकारेÔवर का िवकास 2017-18 43.93 एसएएससी आई ओरछा एक मÅयकालीन वैभव, ओरछा 2024-25 99.92 भोपाल म¤ एमआईसीई के िलए अंतराªÕůीय कÆव¤शन स¤टर 2024-25 99.38 दादरा एवं नगर हवेली और दमन एवं दीव संघ राºय±ेý एसडी 2.0 दमन कÆव¤शन स¤टर 2024-25 147.13 IMPACT OF RECURRING SCHOOL DISRUPTIONS ON LEARNING OUTCOMES 2683. SHRI PUSHPENDRA SAROJ: Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has taken note of any recurring disruptions in school education due to severe air pollution, extreme weather and emergency measures such as school closures and shift to hybrid or online classes in several States in the country; 09.03.2026 734 (b) if so, the number of days of instructional time lost in Government and Government-aided schools during the last three years, State/UT-wise, particularly in Uttar Pradesh; (c) whether the Government has assessed learning loss, the digital divide and the mental health impact on students due to such disruptions and if so, the details thereof; (d) whether any financial or academic support has been provided to States/UTs, particularly Uttar Pradesh, to bridge learning gaps and strengthen digital infrastructure, if so, the details thereof; and (e) the details of steps taken by the Government to ensure continuity of schooling during environmental or public-health emergencies? THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY): (a) and (b): Education is in the Concurrent list of the Constitution, with majority of schools and their operational matters thereof coming under the administrative control of respective State Government and UT Administration. Guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education are advisory in nature and States/UTs are expected to implement them duly incorporating necessary additions/modifications suited to their local needs, requirements and priorities. In so far as school safety is concerned, several Departments and agencies of Government of India including Ministry of Education, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and National Commission for 09.03.2026 735 Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), issue guidelines and advisories from time to time covering various facets of school safety and security. These include Guidelines on School Safety and Security, 2021 issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), NDMA’s School Safety Policy Guidelines (2016) and Guidelines on Preparation of Action Plan-Prevention & Management of Heat wave, 2017 and NCPCR’s Manual on Safety and Security of Children in Schools (2021). These guidelines provide flexibility to the Central and State Governments, as applicable, to re-schedule school timings in their respective schools, training for staff and students in emergency preparedness, psychosocial support through counselling and peer networks and safety audit of schools and child-related facilities as per national safety codes. Besides the above, the Ministry of Education encourages all States/UTs, including the State of Uttar Pradesh, to regularly monitor and review student and teacher attendance through Vidya Samiksha Kendra (VSK) so as to work towards minimizing disruptions in school education and improving instructional time. (c) and (d): The Government of India undertakes large-scale assessments to measure learning outcomes in schools across the country from time to time. In this regard, the PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 (formerly National Achievement Survey) was conducted by the National Assessment Centre- PARAKH, NCERT under the aegis of the DoSEL, Ministry of Education to measure the learning competencies among students at the end of the 09.03.2026 736 Foundational, Preparatory and Middle Stages (Grades 3, 6 and 9 respectively) of schooling and understand contextual variables affecting such performance. National, State and District level reports from PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024, providing insights on achievement of stage-specific competencies and contextual variables such as access to digital devices and internet in schools and home, psycho-social health of students and safety, inclusivity and emotional security in schools, are available at https://dashboard.parakh.ncert.gov.in/en, a dedicated dashboard designed to disseminate the findings of the assessment. The Department of School Education and Literacy through workshops conducted by the National Assessment Centre-PARAKH has been handholding the States/UTs in use of assessment evidence for tailored academic reforms, capacity-building programmes and continuous improvement of learning outcomes aligned with NEP 2020. Besides, the Central Government assists States and UTs through the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Samagra Shiksha, wherein financial assistance is provided to bridge learning gaps and strengthen digital infrastructure through different interventions which inter-alia include remedial teaching for academically weaker students, in service training of teachers and school heads, composite school grant to every school for providing a conducive learning environment, grants for library, support for setting up ICT labs and smart classes, etc. 09.03.2026 737 Under Samagra Shiksha, Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWP&B) are prepared by respective States and UTs based on their requirements and priorities. These plans are then appraised and approved by the Project Approval Board (PAB) in consultation with the States and UTs as per the programmatic and financial norms of the scheme. During the FY 2023-24 to 2025-26, a total outlay of Rs. 38925.36 cr has been approved by Project Approval Board of Samagra Shiksha to the State of Uttar Pradesh. The total outlay for the three years includes an amount of Rs. 1053.33 crore approved towards establishment of 15,389 ICT labs and 15,603 smart classrooms in Uttar Pradesh. (e): The Government has taken several initiatives to strengthen digital education to ensure continuity of learning during emergencies and school closures through platforms such as PM eVIDYA and Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing (DIKSHA). PM eVIDYA provides supplementary education for classes 1–12 through 200 DTH TV channels and 400 radio channels in multiple Indian languages, while DIKSHA offers quality e-content and QR- coded Energised Textbooks (ETBs) for all grades across States/UTs. REVENUE RECOGNITION RISK IDENTIFIED BY NFRA 2684. SHRI SASIKANTH SENTHIL: Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS be pleased to state: 09.03.2026 738 (a) whether the Government has taken note of observations made by the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) that revenue recognition continues to be a high-risk area for material misstatement in statutory audits, if so, the details thereof; (b) the number of audit inspections conducted by NFRA during the last three years in which deficiencies relating to revenue recognition were observed and the steps taken to address such deficiencies; (c) the measure taken by the Government and NFRA to strengthen compliance with Standards on Auditing, including SA 240 and SA 315, and to improve audit quality in respect of revenue recognition; and (d) the impact of such audit deficiencies on corporate governance, investor confidence and the overall ease of doing business in the country? THE 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) and (b): National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) is aligned with the international standards. Steps are taken by the Government to keep the Accounting Standards, including those that have a bearing on revenue recognition, updated and aligned with international standards. 12 Audit Quality Inspections have been undertaken by NFRA during the last three years, of which deficiencies related to revenue recognition were observed in 6 firms. Firms were asked to remediate the deficiencies in the audit and follow up on remedial actions has been taken during subsequent inspections. 09.03.2026 739 Inspections reports are also published to enable wider learning of the issues. Further, a series of workshops and webinars have been organized to educate the professionals. (c): The measures undertaken to strengthen compliance with Standards on Auditing, including SA 240 and SA 315, and to improve audit quality in respect of revenue recognition are at Statement . (d): Audit deficiencies may lead to audit/corporate failures, which may result in adverse impact on corporate governance and investor confidence. Audit Quality inspections are intended to identify areas and opportunities for improvement in the audit firm's system of quality control and in their planning, conduct and reporting of audits. Inspection work provides an opportunity for an audit firm to improve auditing procedures and remediate lapses. The publication of the inspection reports enables dissemination amongst the stakeholders, facilitating improvement in corporate governance practices including financial integrity of financial statements. This in turn leads to enhancement in investor confidence and contributes to building a stronger ecosystem of trust among stakeholders and supports the broader objective of enhancing the ease of doing business in India. STATEMENT (i) Auditing Standards: A set of 40 revised high-quality globally comparable & updated Standards on Auditing including SA 315, 240, Standard on Group 09.03.2026 740 Audits and Standards on Quality Management has been recommended by NFRA, which are under consideration of the Ministry (ii) 12 audit quality inspection reports have been published on NFRA website. (iii) NFRA has issued 94 disciplinary orders, out of these 79 orders are published, and 15 orders are not published due to court directions. The published orders act as a major deterrent by highlighting the consequences of audit lapses thereby sensitising the audit profession regarding their responsibility in law and accounting and auditing standards. Learnings from NFRA orders has been published by the profession itself. (iv) NFRA has also undertaken several initiatives to support better audit quality practices. NFRA has commenced issuing Audit-Practice Toolkits to enhance awareness and audit quality. (v) NFRA has also issued circulars, reiterating provisions in law and standards, with a view to prevent recurrence of non-compliances and bring in systemic improvement in the quality of financial reporting in India, towards advising and guiding various stakeholders. (vi) In 2025-26, NFRA also launched a series of outreach programmes across the country to deepen engagement with audit firms towards supporting audit quality, especially focussed upon small and medium sized audit firms. Four such outreach programmes have been held in Hyderabad, Indore, Bangalore and Kolkata. 09.03.2026 741 (vii) Continuing its practices for education on audit areas, NFRA periodically organised webinar series with assistance from experts and professionals. NFRA also held webinar on SA 315. PENDING CENTRAL FUNDS/GRANTS TO TAMIL NADU 2685. SHRI K E PRAKASH: Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state: (a) whether the attention of the Government has been drawn to the statement of Finance Minister of Tamil Nadu, that the State’s fiscal pressure has intensified due to Union funds being “withheld, reduced or unilaterally deducted”, if so, the reaction of the Government thereto; (b) whether the Government has withheld or delayed release of funds under Samagra Shiksha, reduced allocation under Jal Jeevan Mission, kept pending certain Finance Commission grants, deducted Rs. 1,709 crore towards IGST without consultation and mandated the transfer of 5 per cent of outstanding guarantees to the Guarantee Redemption Fund, if so, the details thereof; and (c) the steps taken by the Government to address the concerns raised by the State Government of Tamil Nadu and to ensure that the fiscal space, borrowing limits and welfare expenditure of States are not adversely affected? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI PANKAJ CHOUDHARY): 09.03.2026 742 (a) to (c): The central government provides funds to state governments under the heads – Devolution of central taxes and duties, Grants recommended by the central Finance Commission, Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), and Loan & Advances. Details of funds provided to Tamil Nadu under these heads in the current financial year till 05.03.2026 are as under: Head Funds released in 2025-2026 (Till 05.03.2026) (in Rs Crores) Tax devolution 51,655.19 Centrally Sponsored Scheme 15,474.98 Finance Commission Grants 5,466.90 Other Grants/Loans /Transfers 16,572.02 Total: 89,169.09 Under Samagra Shiksha, the central government has released an amount an amount of Rs 538.39 crores to Tamil Nadu in 2025-26 (till 05.03.2026). Release of funds under the scheme is based on scheme guidelines, submission of the utilization certificates, audit reports of funds released earlier, physical and financial progress reports, contribution of state share, and compliance with other scheme norms. Under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), the central government has released an amount of Rs. 5899.54 crores to Tamil Nadu from 2019-20 to 2024-25. As the scheme period is over and the outlay approved under the scheme was released to the states/UTs, no further amount has been released to any State/UT including Tamil Nadu in 2025-26. 09.03.2026 743 The issue of recovery of shortfall in IGST was deliberated in the 55th Meeting of the GST Council and it was decided that cumulative recoveries for FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25 shall be made in March, 2025 in the base year ratio. Subsequently, various States had raised concerns that such recoveries made in the month of March, 2025 should not be carried out at the end of the FY as it may adversely impact the fiscal situation of the States. The issue was placed before GST Implementation Committee (GIC), which comprises of representatives of central and state governments, of which Tamil Nadu is also a member. The committee in its meeting held on 27.03.2025, decided that the request of the States regarding deferring the recovery of IGST deficit may be considered and the consolidated recovery for FY 2023-24 & FY 2024-25 shall be carried out in April, 2025. Accordingly, the said recovery was made in the month of April, 2025 for all states, in accordance with the approvals of the GST Council and GIC. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) manages a Guarantee Redemption Fund (GRF) constituted from contributions made by state governments for meeting their obligations arising on invocation of guarantees issued by them. A working group formed by the RBI on State Government Guarantees had recommended that States should continue with their contributions towards building up the GRF to a desirable level of five per cent of their total outstanding guarantees. Accordingly, it was decided that for all states, any shortfall in the State Government’s contribution to the GRF as on 1st April 2025 will be accounted in the Gross Borrowing Ceiling (GBC) of the state 09.03.2026 744 government, subject to cap of 0.25% of the State's estimated GSDP for 2025- 26. DEVELOPMENT OF SHRI SIDDHESHWAR DEVASTHAN, SOLAPUR 2686. SUSHRI PRANITI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE: Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware that Shri Siddheshwar Devasthan at Solapur, is under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and pending permissions from ASI have delayed sanctioned development works; (b) whether the Government has received any proposal from the State Government of Maharashtra for carrying out development works under the Ujjani Water Tourism Development Scheme, and if so, the reasons for non- utilisation of the sanctioned five crore fund; (c) the details of the steps taken or proposed by the ASI to grant administrative approval or supervise the development works, in consultation with the Public Works Department of Maharashtra; and (d) the timeline by which the approved development works at Shri Siddheshwar Devasthan are expected to commence keeping in view the cultural and religious significance of the site THE MINISTER OF CULTURE; AND MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT): 09.03.2026 745 (a): The Old Temple of Sri Sidheshwar (enclosed in a paved court, locally known as Shri Siddheshwar Devasthan) located at Machnur, District Solapur is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Further, at present there is no proposal pending with the ASI for developmental works at the temple. (b) and (c): No such proposal has been received by ASI from the Government of Maharashtra for carrying out developmental works under the Ujjani Water Tourism Development Scheme. (d): Question does not arise. SOCIAL SECURITY FOR UNORGANISED SECTOR WORKERS 2687. SHRI UMMEDA RAM BENIWAL: Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state: (a) whether the unorganised sector workers residing in desert districts of the country are covered under the various social security schemes of the Government; (b) if so, the number of such workers registered in the Barmer–Jaisalmer region under such schemes; (c) the details of the nature of social security benefits provided, including insurance, pension and health-related coverage; and 09.03.2026 746 (d) the details of the steps taken/being taken by the Government to enhance awareness, simplify registration and improve overall coverage among unorganised sector workers in the said desert areas? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE): (a) to (d): The Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) scheme was launched in February, 2019 in order to provide old age protection to the workers of unorganised sector. This is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme. Under the scheme, a monthly assured pension of Rs. 3000/- is provided to the unorganised workers after attaining the age of 60 years. The workers in the age group of 18 to 40 years whose monthly income is Rs. 15000/- or less and who are not a member of EPFO/ESIC/NPS (Govt. funded) are eligible to join the scheme. The monthly contribution amount ranges from Rs. 55/- to Rs. 200/-, depending on the entry age of the beneficiary. Under the scheme, 50% monthly contribution is payable by the beneficiary and an equal matching contribution is paid by the Central Government. Enrolment in the Scheme is done through the Common Service Centres, and their network of about 4 lakh Centres across the country. Eligible unorganised workers can also self-enrol by visiting the portal www.maandhan.in. The PM-SYM scheme is being implemented across the nation covering all the States/UTs including the desert districts of the country. 09.03.2026 747 The total number of unorganised workers registered under PM-SYM scheme in Rajasthan is 1,52,191. Further, the registration in this scheme from Barmer and Jaisalmer districts are 5,028 and 4,133 respectively as on 04.03.2026. The steps taken by the Government to enhance awareness, simplify registration and improve overall coverage among unorganised sector workers are as follows: (i) Holding periodic review meeting with States/ UTs. (ii) Common Services Centres (CSCs) are given an incentive on every eligible person enrolled in PM-SYM. (iii) Launch of new features: Voluntary EXIT, Revival Module, Claim Status, and Account Statement. (iv) Extension of revival of dormant accounts from 1 year to 3 years. (v) Two-way integration of PM-SYM and eShram. (vi) SMS campaign to create awareness. (vii) Addressing Chief Secretaries of States regarding enrolment under PM- SYM scheme. (viii) organising a nationwide special registration drive for enrolment of unorganised workers under PM-SYM scheme as: Phase I: Urban Areas from15th January 2026 – 15th February 2026 already completed. Phase II: Rural Areas from 16th February 2026 – 15th March 2026. 09.03.2026 748 CONSERVATION OF WETLANDS IN HIMACHAL PRADESH 2688. SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR: Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state: (a) the details of wetlands in Himachal Pradesh designated as Ramsar Sites along with year of notification and area covered; (b) the number and names of important non-Ramsar wetlands in the State that have been identified by the Government for potential inclusion under the Ramsar Convention and the criteria being used for such prioritisation; (c) the conservation, monitoring, funding and community-participation measures presently being implemented for Ramsar wetlands such as Pong Dam Lake and Renuka Wetland; (d) whether recent avifaunal surveys at these wetlands have reported sightings of rare migratory birds including the Song Thrush and other uncommon thrush, waterfowl or wader species; and (e) the details of the steps proposed to strengthen long-term habitat protection, scientific research and climate-resilience planning for wetlands across the State with dedicated budgetary allocations and proposed inter-agency coordination mechanisms? 09.03.2026 749 THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH): (a): Three wetlands in Himachal Pradesh have been designated as Ramsar sites, the details of which are as follows: S. No. Name of wetland Year of designation Area covered (in ha) 1 Pong Dam Lake 2002 15662 2 Renuka Wetland 2005 20 3 Chandertal Wetland 2005 49 (b): The State Government of Himachal Pradesh has identified six wetlands namely Rewalsar, Prashar, Khajjiar, Manimahesh, Brighu and Nako for potential inclusion under the Ramsar Convention. These wetlands have been identified based on the nine criteria for Ramsar sites including ecological uniqueness, biodiversity richness, waterbird congregation, rare species habitat and hydrological significance. (c): The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is currently implementing a centrally sponsored scheme namely, the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems (NPCA) for conservation and 09.03.2026 750 management of wetlands including Ramsar sites in the country including Himachal Pradesh, on a cost sharing basis between Central Government and respective State Governments. The scheme covers various activities such as interception, diversion and treatment of wastewater, shoreline protection, lakefront development, in-situ cleaning i.e. desilting and de-weeding, stormwater management, bioremediation, catchment area treatment, lake beautification, survey and demarcation, bio-fencing, fisheries development, weed control, biodiversity conservation and community participation. Under the scheme of NPCA, financial assistance of Rs. 3.14 crore for Pong Dam and Rs. 2.59 crore for Renuka Wetland has been released so far as Central share to the Government of Himachal Pradesh. Community Participation is ensured through orientation and training workshops of District Level Wetland Committees (DWCs), fishermen training programmes and awareness events such as celebration of World Wetlands Day involving students and teachers across the State. (d): As informed by the Government of Himachal Pradesh, an annual bird census or avifaunal survey is conducted every year during the winter season in Pong Dam Lake. As per the latest survey, sighting of some migratory species including the Song Thrush and the uncommon thrush have been reported in this lake. (e): The State Government of Himachal Pradesh has informed that five-year Integrated Management Plans (IMPs) for the three Ramsar sites, and one year Framework Management Plans (FMPs) for Rewalsar and Dal Wetland have 09.03.2026 751 been formulated to strengthen long-term habitat protection, scientific research and climate-resilience planning. Orientation/training workshops for DWCs have been organized across districts focusing on multi-departmental approach towards wetland conservation and management at district level. Further, MoEF&CC, through its National Wetlands Committee, advises on appropriate policies and action programmes for the conservation and wise use of wetlands. Vide the Wetlands (Conservation and management) Rules, 2017, the State/UT Wetlands Authorities have also been constituted. ATTENDANCE POLICIES IN HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS 2689. ADV K. FRANCIS GEORGE: Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has taken note of concerns regarding rigid attendance policies in higher educational institutions, if so, the details thereof; (b) the details of existing attendance regulations prescribed by regulatory bodies such as the University Grants Commission; (c) whether any study or consultation has been undertaken by the Government regarding the impact of attendance norms on experiential learning, internships and skill development and if so, the details thereof; (d) whether the Government proposes to introduce flexible academic mechanisms such as hybrid learning, project-based assessment and industry collaboration, if so, the details thereof; and 09.03.2026 752 (e) the steps proposed by the Government to align higher education with employability, research exposure and industry-oriented skill development? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR): (a) to (c): University Grants Commission (UGC) has notified the UGC (Minimum Standards of Instruction for the Grant of Undergraduate Degree and Postgraduate Degree) Regulations, 2025 on 26th March, 2025. Clause 8.0 of these Regulations regarding “Attendance Requirement” stipulate “Considering the diverse learning modes and holistic and multidisciplinary learning opportunities suggested by NEP 2020, HEIs shall decide on the minimum attendance requirement of students in different programmes with the approval of their statutory bodies”. (d) and (e): Several initiatives have been undertaken which inter-alia include SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds), notification of UGC (Credit Framework for Online Learning Courses through Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds) Regulations, 2021. To improve employability skills of students and developing interest for research, UGC has issued ‘Guidelines for Internship/Research Internship for Under Graduate Students'. The UGC "Guidelines for Higher Education Institutions to offer Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme" have also been launched. 09.03.2026 753 The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has also implemented industry fellowship programme for faculty members to gain industry knowledge. Industry-Oriented Skill Development & Employability programmes of AICTE include “The AICTE Training and Learning (ATAL) Scheme”, “Project PRACTICE”, “Professors of Practice”, “AI-Powered Learning Tools”. REGULATING OF SCHOOL FEE STRUCTURE 2690. DR. GANAPATHY RAJKUMAR P: Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state: (a) whether the Union Government has any proposal to formulate a comprehensive National Policy to regulate schools fee structure and to impart quality education in all private schools across the country; (b) if so, the details thereof; and (c) if not, the reasons therefor? THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY): (a) to (c): 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, matters related to the management of schools including fee structure are regulated in accordance with the Rules and Instructions of the respective State Government 09.03.2026 754 concerned. However, under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, every child aged six to fourteen has the right to free and compulsory elementary education in a neighborhood school. Section 12(1) (c) of the RTE Act, 2009 mandates reservation in private unaided schools for children belonging to weaker sections and disadvantaged groups to the extent of at least 25% seats at the entry level and provision of free and compulsory elementary education to such children till its completion. As per National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, a National Assessment Centre, PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development), has been set up, as a standard-setting body in the Ministry, which fulfils the basic objectives of setting norms, standards, and guidelines for student assessment and evaluation for all recognized school boards of India, guiding the State Achievement Survey (SAS) and undertaking the National Achievement Survey (NAS), monitoring achievement of learning outcomes in the Country. Accordingly, PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan was conducted throughout the country on December 4th, 2024, to assess student competencies across Foundational, Preparatory and Middle stages from schools of 781 Districts in all 36 States/UTs. RISE IN HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS 2691. SHRI NAVASKANI K: Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state: (a) whether Government is aware of the steady rise in health insurance premiums and medical inflation, if so, the details thereof; 09.03.2026 755 (b) whether meetings held by the Government with insurers and hospital groups have resulted in any concrete measures to control premium increases and improve transparency in claim settlement; (c) if so, the details thereof; (d) whether policy holders in Tamil Nadu have been disproportionately affected by premium hikes, claim rejections or delays in cashless settlements, if so, the details thereof; (e) whether proposed requirement of prior approval from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India for premium increases beyond 10 per cent is likely to be implemented across all policy categories, if so, the timeline thereof; and (f) whether the Government proposes any specific steps to protect middle- class and senior citizen policy holders in Tamil Nadu from unaffordable health insurance costs and if so, the details thereof? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI PANKAJ CHOUDHARY): (a) to (c): Health insurance premiums generally increase year-on-year due to multiple factors such as medical inflation, ageing of the insured population, higher sum insured or additional benefits opted by policyholders, and enhancements in policy features. The average premium per person in respect of individual health insurance business during the last 3 Financial years, as informed by Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), is as under: 09.03.2026 756 The sector regulator, IRDAI, has stipulated that insurers shall ensure that the premium rates are fair and not excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory and provide value for money through regulations and circulars issued from time to time. Health insurance premiums generally increase year- on-year due to multiple factors such as medical inflation, ageing of the insured population, higher sum insured or additional benefits opted by policyholders, and enhancements in policy features. Meeting was held on 13.11.2025 with insurers and hospitals where it was advised to take measures to make healthcare affordable and accessible. (d): IRDAI has informed that there is no specific information available to them in respect of disproportionate premium hikes, claim rejections or delays in cashless settlements with respect to the state of Tamil Nadu. (e): IRDAI has informed that the direction requiring prior consultation with IRDAI for premium increases exceeding 10% specifically applies to revisions in premiums for the senior citizen segment across individual health insurance products. IRDAI has also informed that at present, there is no proposal under FY Average Premium Per person (Individual Family Floater) Increase Average Premium Per person (Individual other than Family Floater) Increase 2024-25 7,020.06 3.35% 11,187.64 9.95% 2023-24 6,792.69 14.49% 10,174.95 11.98% 2022-23 5,932.87 12.09% 9,086.07 16.30% 09.03.2026 757 consideration for mandating prior consultation of the IRDAI for premium increases across all policy categories. (f): Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) offers a health cover for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. The scheme has been expanded to cover 6 crore senior citizens of age 70 years and above belonging to 4.5 crore families irrespective of their socio-economic status under PMJAY. RELIEF MEASURES FOR TOURISM INDUSTRY IN LADAKH 2692. SHRI MOHMAD HANEEFA: Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware that the tourism-stakeholders in Leh and Kargil in the Union Territory of Ladakh are facing acute financial distress due to a catastrophic 60 percent decline in visitor numbers in 2025, following operation sindoor and the tragic incident of 24th September, international travel advisories following security incidents and severe monsoon-related disruptions that damaged key access routes, which interrupted the tourist season and threatened livelihoods of thousands dependent on tourism sector; (b) if so, the details of the specific relief measures sanctioned or is proposing the Government such as interest-free moratorium, loan restructuring, direct grants or subsidies to revive the tourism industry in Ladakh; and 09.03.2026 758 (c) whether any special package or revival plan is being formulated to support 70 per cent of Ladakh’s population dependent on tourism and ensure the region’s recovery during the next season? THE MINISTER OF CULTURE; AND MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT): (a) to (c): As per the data available with the Ministry of Tourism, the tourist arrival for Leh and Kargil under the Union Territory of Ladakh is as under: Domestic Tourist Visitors 2024 2025 % Change Leh 2,92,836 2,12,799 -27.3 Kargil 3,20,432 93,389 -70.9 Foreign Tourist Visitors 2024 2025 % Change Leh 34,915 29,049 -16.80 Kargil 4,215 3,072 -27.12 As informed by the UT Administration of Ladakh, the Finance Department, UT Administration of Ladakh issued Notification dated 19.09.2025 for the purpose of enabling the Bank in Union Territory of Ladakh to avail benefits under Chapter VII of the Reserve Bank of India (Relief Measures by Banks in Areas Affected by Natural Calamities) Directions, 2018. Consequent to the above notification, a committee comprising three major banks operating in Ladakh, namely State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank and J&K Bank 09.03.2026 759 finalized a rehabilitation plan/package to borrowers affected by disturbances after Pahalgam incident, including those from the tourism sector, and directing all banks for necessary action. The Rehab-plan involves restructuring of the borrower accounts which may include inter alia: (a) Extension in the repayment period in the existing term loan with moratorium Period. (b) Extension in the repayment period in the existing term loan without moratorium Period. (c) Conversion of interest accrued or to be accrued during the moratorium period in existing working capital into Funded Interest Term Loan (FITL). (d) Conversion of interest accrued or to be accrued during the moratorium period in term loan into FITL. (e) Sanctioning of additional credit facility in the shape of working capital term loan (WCTL) which shall not exceed 15% of existing fund based working capital limit. The Government also approved the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan for improving the socio-economic condition of tribal communities, and development of 1000 homestays is a part of the scheme. The States and Union Territories, including Ladakh, can avail assistance of a maximum of Rs.5 Crore for implementing 5-10 homestays per village in a village cluster of 5-6 villages, subject to eligibility as per the Guidelines issued on 01.07.2025. 09.03.2026 760 Additionally, the Government of India also announced collateral free institutional credit of Mudra Loans for Homestays in the Budget Announcement for 2025-26 to assist and encourage setting up of homestays across the country. INITIATIVES TO BOOST TOURISM IN NATURE RICH AREAS OF MAHARASHTRA 2693. SHRI TATKARE SUNIL DATTATREY: Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state: (a) the details of the initiatives taken by the Government to boost tourism in nature rich areas of Maharashtra such as Raigad and Ratnagiri districts areas; (b) the details of the steps taken to develop and conserve key natural and heritage assets in these districts; (c) the details of the steps taken to ensure sustainable tourism and provide alternate livelihood/training to local communities (homestays, guides, craft/food); (d) the current status of the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme in Maharashtra; and 09.03.2026 761 (e) whether the Government plans to develop any sites for tourism in Maharashtra, particularly in the Raigad and Ratnagiri areas, if so, the details thereof? THE MINISTER OF CULTURE; AND MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT): (a) to (e): Development and promotion of tourism destinations in the country is primarily done by the concerned State Government (SG)/UT Administration (UTA). However, Ministry of Tourism under its various schemes such as Swadesh Darshan, Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0); Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), an initiative under Swadesh Darshan; Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) etc. provides financial assistance for development of tourism infrastructure and experiences in the country to the SGs/UTAs on receipt of the project proposals from them, in synergy with the scheme guidelines, Government directions, availability of funds, inter-se priority etc. A range of components which may enhance tourism facilitation at the destinations are considered for sanctioning, as per project requirement including those related to tourism core products, tourism activities, safety, sanitation, connectivity, parking, general site development, soft interventions etc. Various aspects of sustainability including environmental sustainability, socio-cultural sustainability and economic sustainability are embedded in the scheme ideation. Further, Ministry has released ‘National Strategy for sustainable tourism’ which aims to mainstream sustainability in the Indian tourism sector and 09.03.2026 762 ‘National Strategy for Eco-Tourism’ with the vision to position India as a preferred destination for ecotourism. The Ministry also envisaged ‘Travel for LiFE (TFL)’, a programme for tourism sector under Mission LiFE, to create awareness about sustainable tourism and to nudge the tourists and tourism businesses to adopt sustainable practices synchronous with nature. The programme aims to mainstream sustainability into tourism sector towards developing a sustainable, responsible and resilient tourism sector. The details of the projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan, SD2.0, CBDD and PRASHAD schemes in the state of Maharashtra is enclosed as Statement. Government of India in 2024-25 sanctioned the projects ‘INS-Guldar Underwater Museum, Artificial Reef, and submarine Tourism in Sindhudurg’ for Rs.46.91 Crore and ‘Development of RAM-KAL PATH in Nashik’ for Rs.99.14 Crore in Maharashtra under the initiative for ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)-Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale’ and these projects are at implementation stage. The Ministry of Tourism has put in place the Scheme of "Capacity Building for Service Providers" (CBSP) to provide education, training and certification to the tourism & hospitality service providers across the country including the state of Maharashtra. Ministry of Tourism under the CBSP scheme has trained 135595 persons in the country including 7554 persons 09.03.2026 763 from the state of Maharashtra during the last three years from 2022-23 to 2024-25. Further, the Ministry of Tourism during the financial year 2025-26 has launched ‘Development of Homestays in Tribal Areas’ as a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan under the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM-JUGA) for development of homestays in tribal areas. The scheme envisages the development of homestays to tap the tourist potential of the tribal areas and to provide an alternate livelihood to the tribal communities by providing funding support up to ₹5 lakh for village community requirements, up to ₹5 lakh for the construction of two new rooms for each household, and up to ₹3 lakh for the renovation of existing rooms for each household. The scheme endeavours to promote community-based responsible tourism in tribal villages across the country by facilitating cultural exchange between tourists and indigenous communities, thereby offering an authentic tribal rural experience to visitors while ensuring socio-economic benefits to the local population. It also envisages capacity-building interventions, including skill development of local communities, promotion of sustainable and responsible tourism practices, and marketing support for tribal homestays. 09.03.2026 764 STATEMENT Details of the projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan, SD2.0, CBDD and PRASHAD schemes in the state of Maharashtra Scheme Name of the project Year of Sanction Sanction Amount (Rs. In Crore) Swadesh Darshan Development of Sindhudurg Coastal Circuit - Sagareshwar, Tarkarli, Vijaydurg (Beach & Creek), Mitbhav (coastal circuit) 2015-16 19.06 Development of Waki- Adasa- Dhapewada- Paradsingha- Telankhandi- Girad (Spiritual Circuit) 2018-19 45.47 SD2.0 Shivshrusthi Theme Park 2024-25 76.22 CBDD Development of Ahmednagar Fort 2024-25 25.00 PRASHAD Development of Trimbakeshwar, Nashik 2017-18 45.41 COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT PLANS 2694. SHRI BASTIPATI NAGARAJU:

Spoke on 2026-03-09T00:00:00.000Z

In debate The Speaker made references to the passing away of Dr. Ricky Andrew J. Syngkon Sitting Member of LS, Kumari Sushila Tiriya, Member of Tenth and Eleventh and Twelfth LS, shri Devi Bux Singh member of tenth Shri Purnmasi Ram Member of Fifteenth LS Shri K.P. Unnikrishnan Member of Fifth, Sixth, Seventh Eighth Ninth and Tenth Lok Sabha Kumari Sushila Tiriya, Member of Tenth and Eleventh and Twelfth LS, shri Devi Bux Singh member of tenth Shri Purnmasi Ram Member of Fifteenth LS Shri K.P. Unnikrishnan Member of Fifth, Sixth, Seventh Eighth Ninth and Tenth Lok Sabha