Not for Publication For Members only

LOK SABHA ___

SYNOPSIS OF DEBATES (Proceedings other than Questions & Answers) ______

Tuesday, March 16, 2021 / Phalguna 25, 1942 (Saka)

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*MATTERS UNDER RULE 377

(1) SHRI RAJVEER SINGH (RAJU BHAIYA) laid a statement regarding need to run trains from Delhi to Kasganj and Etah districts, . (2) SHRI CHUNNILAL SAHU laid a statement regarding environmental clearance to facilitate construction of National Highway from Raipur to Deobhog in Chhattisgarh (3) SHRI RAMDAS TADAS laid a statement regarding need to formulate a plan for protection from wild animals around Bor Tiger Reserve in Wardha Parliamentary Constituency, Maharashtra. (4) SHRI SUNIL KUMAR SINGH laid a statement regarding need to redress the grievances of people whose land has been acquired for North Karanpura Super Thermal Power Plant, Tandwa in Chatra Parliamentary Constituency, .

* Laid on the Table as directed by the Chair. (5) SHRIMATI RAMA DEVI laid a statement regarding need to enhance the pension of persons associated with JP Movement. (6) DR. JAI SIDHESHWAR SHIVACHARYA SWAMIJI laid a statement regarding better road connectivity in Solapur Parliamentary Constituency, Maharashtra. (7) SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM laid a statement regarding need to improve BSNL telecom services in Palamu Parliamentary Constituency, Jharkhand. (8) SHRI GANESH SINGH laid a statement regarding need to set up a Sainik School in Satna Parliamentary Constituency, Madhya Pradesh. (9) SHRIMATI KESHARI DEVI PATEL laid a statement regarding better infrastructure facilities at Prayagraj Airport, Uttar Pradesh. (10) SHRI AJAY MISRA TENI laid a statement regarding need to ensure adequate measures for setting up laboratories at all entry points for testing of food products imported into the country. (11) SHRIMATI REKHA ARUN VERMA laid a statement regarding need to complete the construction of NH – 24 in Uttar Pradesh. (12) SHRI VIVEK NARAYAN SHEJWALKAR laid a statement regarding Covid-19 vaccination programme. (13) KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL laid a statement regarding setting up of de-addiction/awareness centres and rehabilitation of affected youths in the country. (14) SHRI DEEPAK BAIJ laid a statement regarding need to restore old pensions scheme. (15) SHRI ANUMULA REVANTH REDDY laid a statement regarding protest by farmers against the farm laws. (16) SHRI SANJAY JADHAV laid a statement regarding construction of car shed at Purna Junction in Parbhani district, Maharashtra and doubling of Parbhani-Manmad railway line. (17) DR. ALOK KUMAR SUMAN laid a statement regarding need to make Sabeya Airfield in Gopalganj district, Bihar ready for air services. (18) SHRI DAYAKAR PASUNOORI laid a statement regarding setting up of a coach factory and upgradation of Kazipet Railway Junction. (19) SHRIMATI SUMALATHA AMBAREESH laid a statement regarding damaged school buildings. (20) SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL laid a statement regarding inclusion and treatment of „Gau Shala‟ as „Pashu Shivir‟ during natural calamity under the SDRF norms. ______

THE UNION BUDGET-2021-22 - CONTD. DEMANDS FOR GRANTS-2021-22 MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

SHRI SUNIL KUMAR SINGH: Railways have the highest ever plan capital expenditure of Rs. 2, 15,058 in the year 2021-22. During the last financial year, the Railways faced many unprecedented challenges due to Covid 19 but inspite of adverse circumstances, the Indian Railways continued to provide the essential commodities and services at the national level. The Railways has prepared a National Rail Scheme for 2030 to meet the future demands of the Railways. I would like to bring to the notice of the hon. Minister of Railways the demands of my Parliamentary Constituency Chatra. There is a need to speed up the Chatra to Gaya railway line project whose final survey has been completed. Chatra-Shivpur railway line should be connected. It will prove to be very useful for transportation of coal. Sufficient budget should be allocated for survey of Chatra-Tori railway line. Arrangement of sufficient budget and regular monitoring should be should be made to complete the -Chirmiri (Ambikapur) railway line project which will connect Palamu division of Jharkhand with Sarjuga division of Chattisgarh and will reduce the distance between Mumbai and Kolkata. The work of proposed railway line project from Gaya to Daltonganj which will run via Sherghati, Imamganj, Dumaria, Chak Manatu is going on at a slow pace. Alongwith increasing budgetary provision other steps should be taken to complete the work of this project. , Barwadih, Tori, Chandwa, Balumath, Mahuamilan and Chhipadohar railway stations should be converted into model stations and arrangements should be made to provide passenger facilities without any delay. Railway over bridge should be constructed at Tori Chatra, Dobhi road near Tori station of Chandwa block of . The railway underpass near the present railway crossing should be opened for the use of small vehicles. Railway over bridge should be constructed at Latehar Saryu road, near Barwadih junction, at Chhipadohar railway station and Mahuamilan railway station. Foot overbridge should be constructed at Barwadih junction station. A proposal should be made for the construction of railway holiday home in . All trains should be restarted and their stoppages should be restored. Stoppage of Shaktipunj Special Train (01447/01448) and Train No. 08311/08312 which are special festival trains, should be restored at Barwadih, Latehar and Chhipadohar. The garib rath train which runs between and Delhi should be provided stoppage at Barwadih station. The passenger train running between Ranchi and Tori should be extended upto Shivpur via Balumath. The Rajdhani Express should be run atleast twice a week on the Lohardaga Tori route. A new train should be introduced from Garwa Road to Ranchi via Barwadih, Latehar, Tori, Lohardaga. New trains should be introduced for western and southern cities of the country. Railway zonal office should be set up in the state of Jharkhand. Bokaro included in Adra division should be separated and Bokaro should be combined with or Ranchi railway division or a separate Bokaro railway division should be created. DR. SANJAY JAISWAL: Railways are the lifeline of our nation. A record sum of Rs. 1,10,055 crore is allocated for Railways out which Rs. 1,07,100 crore is for capital expenditure only. The Ministry of Railways has prepared the National Rail Plan 2030 for creating a „future ready‟ Railway system by 2030. This plan will have positive effect on our economy. My constituency West Champaran is located near the India-Nepal border. Every year, numerous tourists from India and Nepal visit New Delhi via Raxaul. Hence I request that a Rajdhani express or Pashupatinath Superfast Express should be introduced from New Delhi to Raxaul. Bihar has always been a land of historic importance. I request to install a 60-meter-long India flag near the Raxaul Railway area and at Bettiah Railway Station to instill a sense of pride among Indians and for boosting tourism. Such huge capital expenditure target will further enhance India strengthen. To boost the tourism sector, coaches with enhanced facilities will be provided. The budget will help in bringing down the logistic costs of the industry. The Western and Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) will be commissioned by 2022. SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE: Every Government always endevours to streamline railway traffic and to pay special attention towards passenger amenities. Railways revenue for 2021-22 is estimated Rs. 2,17460 crore. Revenue from traffic for 2021-22 is expected to increase by 12 percent and revenue from both freight and passenger traffic is expected to grow more than 10 percent. The total revenue expenditure by Railways for 2021-22 is projected at Rs. 2,10,899 crore and operating ratio of the said period is estimated to be 96.2 percent. A National Rail Plan 2030 has been prepared by the Railways in Budget 2021-22 for development of its basic infrastructure. Dedicated freight corridor projects will be undertaken under the Plan. There is a need to resume all types of trains suspended during lockdown in the country. Many industrial areas are situated in Pune and therefore I demand from the Government to upgrade rail lines in Pune on the lines of Mumbai and Local trains should be introduced between industrial areas of Mumbai and Pune. A stoppage of Singhgarh Express and Pragati Express from Pune to Mumbai should be provided at station under Khalapur Taluk. A train from my Parliamentary Constituency Kajrat to Panvel should be introduced. I demand to expedite the work of third and fourth tracks on Pune- Lonawala line. A Rail Plan has been implemented in other Railway Zones of the country, hence I urge the hon. Minister to instruct Northern Railways to implement the said policy and allow fresh Juice/fruits venders to sell rail Neer, biscuits, chocolates etc. at stalls of railway stations in order to resolve the problem of small vendors. SHRI NITESH GANGA DEB: The allocation of funds for development of railway projects in Odisha during the year 2021-22 is about Rs. 6995.58 crore. This current allocation is about 26 percent more than the previous year. The allocation of funds has been made for Khurda road – Bolangir new rail line, Brundamal-Jharsuguda overbridge, Rourkela - Jharsuguda 3rd line, Sambalpur-Talchar doubling line, Sambalpur-Titlagarh doubling line, Jharsuguda-Champa 3rd line, Jharsuguda-Bilaspur 4th line and IB railway flyover. The Deogarh district of my Parliamentary Constituency has not found a place in rail map till date. The Talcher-Bimalagarh new rail line passes through Deogarh district and links many villages once this project will completed. The Government should expedite the land acquisition and other works to complete the project. In last year's budget Rs. 140 crore were allocated for this project but a very small amount of Rs. 10 crore has been allocated in the current year's budget. I urge the hon. Railway Minister to allocate Rs. 500 core in supplementary Budget to complete this Talcher- Bimalagarh railway project for socio economic development of my Parliamentary Constituency Sambalpur. SHRI SANJAY SETH : Budget has focussed on infrastructure of Railways. In this budget provisions for Kisan rail for farmers and Vistadome trains for tourism have been provided. Earlier railways meant only passenger trains and goods trains. Vegetables and fruits are grown in large scale in Ranchi Parliamentary Constituency. A Kisan rail should be introduced from Ranchi which will link various rural areas. It will enhance the earnings of these farmers. Waterfalls, hills, rivers, historical places and temples situated in ambit of 30 kilometer from Ranchi should be developed as tourist places to provide employment to local people. I request that six coaches Vistadome train should be introduced in my Parliamentary Constituency. The train plying between Ranchi and New Delhi should run on Ranchi-Lohardaga-Tori new rail line that will save three hours of passengers and resources and railways will also get a new route. IRCTC Office is at Kolkata at present, which is responsible for works pertaining to 7 states. I request that an IRCTC office at Ranchi should be set up for employment generation at local level and development of the region. Railways and general public will be facilitated by setting up zonal office in Ranchi. Several mines in Jharkhand are lying closed after mining of coal and these are filled with natural good quality water. A scheme should be formulated for setting up a plant there to utilise this water and solve the problem of shortage of water.

SHRIMATI RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE: I congratulate the Railway Minister for presenting railways budget at the moment when the country‟s lifeline is in wheezing state. Railway authority has proposed to set up POH workshop for LHB Coaches in Central Railway. I request to establish the POH workshop for LHB Coaches at Bhusawal. Pachora-Jamner NG line is very old and ancient and requires immediate attention for getting conversion from NG to Broad- gauge with extension up to Malkapur (Bodwad). I request to sanction the branch connection at Pahur railway station while conversion of the Pachora-Jamner to directly connect the world-famous Ajanta caves through Railway. If the conversion of this railway line is not viable, develop this route by keeping it as the narrow-gauge route with extension branch connection to Ajanta Caves and upgrade this as a “Heritage Ajanta Line”. I also propose a survey for Bhusawal to Aurangabad rail connectivity. This Bhusawal-Aurangabad rail connectivity is a shorter route and this will provide the well connectivity of Marathwada region of Maharashtra State to other parts of the country. There is a long-standing demand for having separate train from Bhusawal to Mumbai. I also request for providing a train from Bhusawal to Pune via Manmad. As there is no fast and superfast premium train operating on the route from Mumbai/Pune to Bhusawal like Shatabdi. I welcome the move towards monetization of the assets for generation of the non-revenue earnings of railways by utilising the surplus land. There are many lands in Bhusawal Division which can generate the amount to Railways without any investments. SHRI RAKESH SINGH: I support Railway Budget. The Indian Railways has done commendable work during Corona Pandemic. The Government has done unprecedented work to develop railway infrastructure. The budgetary allocation of One lakh seven thousand crores has been made for the Railway in the Budget. It will facilitate to complete national projects, coal projects dedicated corridors and other projects in Jammu and Kashmir, Uttrakhand and North Eastern States within the scheduled time. My Constituency Jabalpur is very significant and suitable for Indian Railways. The Government has completed Jabalpur-Gondia gauge conversion in merely 6 years. The regular operation of third train Jabalpur-Chandfort Express has started after completion of the said rail section. Therefore I urge the Government to provide stoppage of trains at Gwarighat railway station in my Constituency. One separate and regular overnight train from Jabalpur to Nagpur should be introduced. The redevelopment work of Jabalpur Railway Station is in progress but it faces heavy pressure of trains, therefore, Adhartal Railway Station near Jabalpur should be developed. Expedite the development work of Madan Mohan Railway Station as terminal and coaching complex. Kindly accord permission to two proposals of setting up Tata Cancer Institute at Railway land in Hawabagh and Central School in Pamray at the earliest. The passenger trains were suspended during Corona Pandemic and a few trains are being resumed gradually during unlock period. Stoppage of most of the trains should be restored at small stations and Jabalpur should be included in proposed freight corridor. DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE: I support the Demands for Grants for the Ministry of Railways. North Maharashtra is a backward region and not connected with the main railway line. Therefore there is a need to undertake the construction of Manmad-Indore new railway line in my Parliamentary Constituency by honouring the MoU signed by the Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Shipping, Government of Maharashtra, and Government of Madhya Pradesh as it's implementation will develop it into an industrialised area and also help in the generation of employment. SHRIMATI POONAMBEN MAADAM: During Covid times Indian Railways has not only been able to keep national supply chain running and move millions of people back home in most adverse circumstances but has also been able to usher in an unprecedented growth in development of infrastructure, innovation, capacity expansion of network, freight diversification and transparency matters. Railways has used COVID challenge as an opportunity to lay the foundation for future development and the next level of travelling experience for passengers. A National Rail Plan (NRP) 2030 has been developed with a view to develop infrastructure by 2030 to cater to the traffic requirements up to 2050 An innovative financing has been devised to fund these priority projects through Indian Railway Finance Corporation. The capital expenditure in Railways has been vastly scaled up after 2014 to almost double to the previous level to address the accumulated backlog of infrastructure deficiency in the Railways. With the introduction of E-work contract management system, E-Shramik Kalyan portal and a single Central Payment System in collaboration with State Bank of India have vastly improved transparency in decision-making. Indian Railways took advantage of the opportunity of availability of traffic blocks due to reduced train operations during lockdown period and completed over 350 critical and long-pending major bridge and track works. Electrification has been accorded high priority Railways aim to complete electrification of its entire broad-gauge network by 2023. Railways “Freight on Priority” policy by pushing for an aggressive customer-centric approach to expand the freight carried not only from the traditional segments but also by attracting new customers to its fold. With the constant focus on safety consequential train accidents have progressively reduced to an all-time low of 55 in 2019-20. I urge upon the Government to provide morning train from Porbandar to Rajkot via Vasjaliya-Jetalsar, a new train between Okha and Delhi and between Porbandar to Haridwar via Vasjaliya-Jetalsar, frequency of Okha-Dehradun and Okha-Varanasi trains may be increased from weekly to twice a week and extend all the trains like Hapa-Katra, Hapa-Madgaon, Hapa-Bilaspur and Hapa-Surat intercity to Jamnagar. As regards track doubling, work permit has been granted till Rajkot that needs to be extended to Okha. I also urge upon the Government to restore the local trains like Bandra-Jamnagar Janta Express, Somnath-Okha local, Okha-Viramgaam local, Okha-Bhavnagar local, Rajkot-Porbandar local and Ahmedabad-Okha local, Extend Bandra-Jamnagar Humsafar Express and Hapa-Bilaspur-Hapa Express, Rajkot-Rewa-Rajkot train terminating in Rajkot to Okha. I whole-heartedly support the Demands. SHRI AJAY TAMTA: Operation of trains was stopped due to global COVID -19 Pandemic. Workers from different parts of the country faced problems in reaching their native place. Railways introduced Shramik Special train to ferry these workers to their native place without any charges. Thousands of workers from my State Uttarakhand also reached to their native places availing the Shramik special train services. Rs. 1,10,055 crore have been provided for railway in the budget. This will enable the railways to undertake electrification of 46,000 km railway line, laying new railway line, manufacturing of new rail coaches in the country and railway stations will be upgraded to world class railway station. People of my state Uttarakhand are demanding to provide railway facilities in hilly areas also. Work on world renowned Char Dham Rail Project has undertaken. It will provide rail services to the pilgrims visiting Char Dham. Running time of Purnagiri Janshatabdi train should be improved. Purnagiri Janshatabdi train is taking 12-13 hours to reach Delhi from Tanakpur whereas buses take 7-7.30 hours. SHRI ANNASAHEB SHANKAR JOLLE: Indian Railway has a crucial role in the economic growth and development of our country. Indian Railways is the third largest network in the world. During the year 2019-20, Indian Railways carried 1.2 billion tonnes of freight and 8.1 billion passengers- making it the world's largest passenger carrier and fourth largest freight carrier. In the wake of the COVID-19, operation of all passenger trains stopped due to lockdown. However, supply of essential commodities throughout the country is not disrupted. Indian Railways introduced parcel special train services during COVID times. Shramik specials were organized in a mission mode to move migrant workers, pilgrims and students stranded in various States during the lockdown. Keeping in view the need of creation of new lines, expansion of traffic facilities and doubling of railways lines etc. in the Union Budget 2021-22, Railways has highest ever total plan capex of Rs. 2,15,058 crore. The Government is very committed to modernize the rail sector to achieve Atma Nirbharata. One of the long pending railway lines in my Constituency also needs to be commissioned and completed soon. Shedbal-Vijayapura Railway line gives not just connectivity to both the districts of Belagavi and Vijayapura but also helps in transport of Agri commodities like fruits, vegetables and other farm produce thus empowering most of the families in that areas. It is my request to hon. Railway Minister to kindly consider this at the earliest. SHRI RAVI KISHAN: Indian Railways has witnessed unprecedented growth on all fronts during the last 6 years. Train accidents have been reduced. Naya Bharat Nai Rail initiative is a welcome step. Under this initiative railways is trying to operate modern train on selected routes under PPP model. Budgetary resources for railways have been increased by 53 percent in 2021-22 budget despite COVID 19 Pandemic and reducing all Government spending. Provision for capital investment is increased by 33 percent in comparison to last year. Railway land and buildings should be used for solar power generation. Defence land adjacent to Gorakhpur Cantt. Railway Station should be transferred to the Railways. Vande Bharat train should be introduced between Gorakhpur and Delhi and a new train should introduced between Gorakhpur and Puri. Weekly train from Gorakhpur to Dehradun should be run daily. Statues of freedom fighters and martyrs should be installed at Gorakhpur Railway Station. Garibrath train should be introduced between Gorakhpur and Mumbai and railway track from Gorakhpur to Panihawa should be doubled. THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND MINISTER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY AND MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL) replying said: I would like to thank all the Hon. Members who participated in the elaborate discussion on the Railways yesterday. I will try to respond to the points raised by them all. Earlier, investment in Railways used to be too less. Railway Ministers used to make announcements but the same were not implemented properly. An amount of Rs. 2 lakh and 15 thousand crores has been allocated for the Railways in the Budget 2021-22. A National Rail Plan- 2030 has been prepared to make Railways 'future ready'. We have tried to distribute the available resources for five hundred projects. Some friends alleged that Railways is being privatised. Here, I would like to clarify that Railways will never be privatised. But, if we get private investment in the Railways in order to provide better amenities and high speed freight trains, it should be welcomed. There is a plan to upgrade Amritsar Railway station to a state-of- the-art world class railway station with an investment of Rs. 230 crore. We have prepared very good and modern designs of about 50 stations. I believe, if we are able to attract private investment for them, that would also be in the interest of the country and the passengers. The work on Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor and the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor was started about 15 years back but that has not completed yet. But I think, if Government acquires the land and awards the work to the private parties, the work can be completed at a faster pace which, in turn, will give impetus to the industry and our GDP will sooner reach the 5-10 trillion mark. After a comprehensive deliberation, we have prepared a National Rail Plan to take up different projects by the year 2030. We would be trying to increase freight loading by 70-80 per cent by the year 2024-25 and transform the Railways into an efficient organisation. Lock down was effected to prevent the spread of COVID pandemic but when the need arose, the Railways operated 4600 Shramik Special Trains to ferry approximately 60 lakh workers and labourers to their homes. All the Railway employees risked their lives as they performed their duties during COVID. We all should appreciate this. 5601 coaches were converted into COVID care centres for isolation and 80 thousand beds were prepared. As the trains were not operating during COVID, approximately 350 projects were completed which otherwise was not possible. Now, ample emphasis is being given on railway safety. We have completed 25 out of 58 super projects under National Rail Plan and 31 will be completed by this year end. Likewise, 3 out of 68 critical projects have been completed of these projects, we will be able to provide services for port connectivity, coal connectivity and tourism etc. Till date, 377 Kisan Rails have been made operational over 43 routes. Earlier, the maximum average speed of goods trains was 24 Km per hour which has now been increased to 45 Km per hour. We have established Business Development Units in every division and we approach the customers by following the concept of 'Customer is King.' Highest freight loading has been done in the last six months in the history of Indian Railways. Now, we do not operate freight trains one by one. Now, upto five trains are linked together and run at the same time which are called Anaconda Trains. These trains are hauled by five locomotives which ensure higher speed. Now, the Railways has started serving newer sectors. Automobiles, cement etc. alongwith other different commodities are being transported through the Railways. By the next year, we will be able to complete both of the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC). With the completion of the proposed three new DFCs, namely Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor, East-Coast Dedicated Freight Corridor, East-West Dedicated Freight Corridor, there will be a network of the DFCs connecting every corner of India. The allocation during the year 2009 to 2014 in different states like Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Bihar has been increased by two or three times. We are not able to complete even a single project in Kerala because of the non-availability of land. If we compare this state with Madhya Pradesh, we can see that land is readily made available in that state. Andhra Pradesh owes us Rs.1200 crore. I request the hon. MPs to make the state repay that amount to us and we will be able to expedite the work there. The state of West Bengal do not cooperate us. The Center has given them money but even then the land has not been acquired. We are likely to complete the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramula rail line project in J&K in the next two and a half year and with this the whole country from Kashmir to Kanyakumari will be on the railway map. I have given orders to increase the frequency of the train running from Banihal to Baramula. A vistadome has arrived there. There are 35 vistadome projects being executed on different routes in the country for the purpose of tourism. We are going to build 100 more such vistadomes in the near future to give a push to the tourism. There are still 20,000 manned level crossings in the country which force us to prioritize the construction of ROBs. Wherever the State Government cooperates with us, we build the ROBs. We have been able to build the Chenab bridge, Pamban bridge in Tamil Nadu and Bogibeel bridge in Assam. we have carried out auditing of the bridges through IITs and NIITs which will help even a common person to ascertain the parameters of safety of the bridges. We have introduced two Vande Bharat trains and 44 more Vande Bharat trains are in the pipelines. The unmanned level crossings in the broad gauge have been completely eliminated by railways. The bio-toilets have been installed in every train. We have introduced the system of running clone train whenever the wait list increases too much. Due to the lack of State support, the first bullet train project has been delayed. If the State Government of Maharashtra provides us the land, we will immediately start the construction work there. We have identified more routes for bullet train projects in the country and the work is in progress on 7 to 8 projects. We have completed the redevelopment of Gandhi Nagar station and many more such projects are in progress at Habibganj in Bhopal, Ayodhya and Gomati Nagar. The wi-fi facility is available on about 600 railway stations in the country. We have upgraded the Sultanpur Lodhi railway station. The number of LHB coaches was 2500 in the year 2014 but today there are 22500 LHB coaches in the country which has enhanced the security and safety of the passengers. The work for electrification of the entire Indian railways by the targeted time of December, 2023 is going on in full swing. The IRCTC website has been made more user-friendly. The freight booking is fully online. The special emphasis is made to monitor the punctuality. Today, Railways have been developing their own signaling system. By the year 2030, Indian railways will be the first railways of the world which will be running completely on renewable energy. The entire railway system is being revamped under which there will be a single railway service namely The Indian Railway Management Service. All the Cut Motions were negatived. All the Demands for Grants were voted in full. _____

THE UNION BUDGET – 2021-22 DEMANDS FOR GRANTS – 2021-22 MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

DR. SHASHI THAROOR initiating said: The development of our education infrastructure is and must remain a major priority for our country. At a time when the Ministry is seeking to roll out a serious and broad policy framework that would be cornerstone of a sweeping change in our education system, it is indispensable that there be adequate budgetary allocations to facilitate the smooth implementation of policy. The reality today unfortunately is that the budget has been characterized by a rather bizarre series of cuts to the overall budget of the Ministry of Education. Instead of allocations commensurate with the soaring ambitions of the National Education Policy, we have a shocking but evident disconnect between the targets outlined in the NEP and the financial support being offered by the hon. Finance Minister. As a result, instead of dedicated effort to prioritize the needs of those young people who will go on to be the future of our country, the allocations to the Ministry only constitute 2.67 per cent of the Government‟s estimated expenditure for the financial year. The bulk of the cuts have been borne by the Department of School Education whose budget has fallen from Rs. 59,845 crore to Rs. 54,873 crore. Not only has the funding for the National Education Mission fallen by 2 per cent annually since 2019, but the Samagra Siksha Abhiyan, which includes the old Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, Rashtriya Madhyamik Siksha Abhiyan and the crucial Teacher Education, has faced the largest set of cuts in this year‟s allocation. The hon. Finance Minister announced a 100 new Sainik Schools in partnership with NGOs, private schools and States. There is neither any information about funding for these schools in the Budget, nor did the Finance Minister take cognizance of the severe financial distress faced by the existing Sainik Schools. The Standing Committee on Human Resource Development had highlighted that the allocations for the Department of Schools Education was 28 per cent less than what the hon. Minister had asked for. For Mid-day meals, the budgeted amount is less than what was spent last year. It is Rs. 11,500 crore as compared to RE of Rs. 12,900 crore for last year. Similarly, scholarships are the only means for economically disadvantaged students to attend classes. They have been affected as well. The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme is designed for deserving students who do not have the financial means to complete their education and it has seen a reduction of three per cent in its allocation. The National Scheme for incentive to Girl Child for Secondary Education is a very important scheme. It has been a slash form Rs. 110 crore last year to Rs. 1 crore this year. The shortcomings of our online education and especially the struggles of those who have not been able to gain proper access to it have been put into sharp focus during the on-going pandemic. The reputable organization, Oxfam did a study across five Indian States, surveying over 1,000 parents and nearly 500 teachers and it shows that over 80 per cent of the respondents felt that digital schooling had failed during the lockdown. There is a need to digitalize classrooms through the introduction of a national computer curriculum in all languages that allows children in primary schools to achieve a basic understanding of how to operate a computer. This would require the Government to allocate the necessary funds to ensure that computers are available and teachers are trained. It was really disappointing to note that there was no mention in the hon. Finance Minister‟s speech of any attempt to address the challenges of online education, digital device, no provisions to compensate for education lost during the pandemic. Our higher education system is over-regulated and under-governed. It is really disquieting to see our regulatory institutions restraining academic advancement instead of promoting it. In this context, it is disappointing to note that the allocations for the Department of Higher Education have fallen by roughly Rs. 1,000 crore to Rs. 38,350 crore this year, including significant cuts for schemes like the Higher Education Funding Agency, whose allocations have fallen from Rs. 2,000 crore to Rs. one crore. I appreciate the hard work that the Minister has put in to reforming the education system. These underwhelming allocations actually let him down badly. I will end specifically with one particular point, which is that the Education Ministry needs more resources than are provided for in the Demand for Grants before us. DR. SANJAY JAISWAL: When we will be celebrating 100th year of our Independence in 2047, how we can realize the dream of India becoming a „Vishav Guru‟ by then. This year‟s budget for education and the roll out of the new education policy is a big step in this direction. What our Government has done in the last six years, that has not been done by the Congress party and the UPA Government even after 67 years of Independence. There has been an increase of 176 per cent in this year‟s budget for the world class institutions. We have increased allocation by 53 per cent for the „RUSA‟. We have increased it tenfold during the last five years. The budget for Digital-E- Learning has been increased by 20 per cent. Our Government has increased budget for each sector. Now the National Research Foundation will allocate the entire budget for the research and development institutions. It is a big decision which will facilitate the research for patent purpose in India. An allocation of Rs. 10,000 crore this year shows how serious is the Government of India towards research and development. I would like to congratulate the Minister of Education for introducing a policy which includes a 5+3+3+4 plan. It is far reaching and would yield 2000 results. I would like to congratulate the Minister of Education for imparting education to a child from the age of 3 years under the New Education Policy. The education would be imparted in one‟s mother tongue in a fully non-formal manner and this would ensure success for a child in future. As a healthy body has a healthy mind. The nutrition campaign which the Government has introduced for children shows that unless a child is healthy we would miss a host of developmental milestone. Therefore, I would like to congratulate the hon. Prime Minister that he has a holistic approach towards education, nutrition and health. Our education was in shambles during the UPA Government. In the year 2009, a no detention policy was formulated wherein no child was to be failed. It did not matter whether the child studies or not, learns or not learn but he would not be failed. In fact, the UPA Government always evaded the harsh ground realities. The new formulated education policy would start working from the pre-primary level as a brain teaser for children and would take the children ahead on the path of fast learning. Today, India is the only country where QR coded books are being made available and the e-learning material is also easily available. It has been the uncanny acumen of our Hon. Prime Minister to turn the calamity into an opportunity. The 15th Finance Commission has decided that the three State Governments which perform best in the field of education would be given Rs.4800 crore rupees as special assistance. This is perhaps the best way to promote the good performance. Also, the three State Governments from down the bottom will also be included in this scheme based on their performance in the field of education. Our history teaches us about the invaders but the resistance of the Indians against the foreign invaders has not found enough space in our history books. This way, our total education policy was ill conceived and it is being corrected through NEP. I would like to congratulate the Hon. Minister for this good work. I would also like to congratulate the hon. Minister for the financial provision made for Higher Education Commission. This is a very apt decision to make the graduation research based four year course. I have one concern to share here that we need to do something about the coaching institutions in our New Education Policy. The children after clearing their 12th class have to attend some medical or engineering coaching for clearing the entrance. Now, it can be observed that the children attend full time coaching while studying in 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th classes. Then only they can clear the medical or JEE exams. In times to come, it may happen that coaching classes for engineering and medical entrance may start from class first. I would, therefore, suggest that before 10th standard, no coaching centre can add medical or engineering coaching words to their centre. If children remain in coaching or school for 12 to 16 hours, then how their all round development is possible? *SHRI DHANUSH M. KUMAR: The Union Government is not allocating adequate funds for Tamil Nadu. Education, which was a subject in the State list, has been transferred to the concurrent list by the Union Government. We, on behalf of DMK, strongly condemn the move of the Union Government

* Original in Tamil aiming to bring back caste based vocational education with the introduction of New Educational Policy. As the annual public exams are made mandatory for 3rd, 5th and 8th Standard students, there is an unnecessary stress in their minds. I condemn the Union Government for implementing NEET. Moreover, the fund allocated for the ancient and Classical language Tamil in the Budget is very less. I urge upon the Government that Tamil should invariably be taught as a subject in all the Schools run by the Union Government in the State in Tamil Nadu. Saint Thiruvalluvar should not be seen or shown in pictures of textbooks as the one wearing a holy thread. SHRIMATI CHINTA ANURADHA: I would like to congratulate the hon. Minister for the Education Policy. Education is a virtue that stays with an individual throughout his life. Learning must not be limited to worksheets and online lectures. The potential of virtual classrooms should be utilized to the fullest with regular webinars to connect students with field experts and academicians. I would also like to draw the attention of the Government to the state of education in the State of Andhra Pradesh. The State of Andhra is deprived of educational institutions post- bifurcation and we need to create more teaching facilities and centers of higher learning. The 13th Schedule of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act directed to set up IIT, IIM, IISER, NIT, Central University, Petroleum University, Agricultural University, IIIT, Tribal University and AIIMS. The State Government is expected to provide land and Central Government will fund the Institution. The YSR Congress Party has been continuously demanding the release of these funds and today once again would like to highlight it. Unlike Beti Bachao Beti- Padhao Scheme, our hon. Chief Minister has come up with an extraordinary idea, where children are sent to school under Amma Vodi Scheme, wherein a financial assistance of Rs. 15000 is provided to nearly 43 lakh mothers who send their children to school. I would like to request the hon. Minister to kindly sanction additional Kendriya Vidyalayas as well as Navodaya Vidyalayas in all the Parliamentary Constituencies so that the linguistic balances are maintained. I request the Central Government to proactively support the Andhra Pradesh Government's revolutionary initiatives in the education sector. DR. UMESH G. JADAV: I would like to urge the Government to sanction a Sainik School for Kalaburagi as good and quality education is the need of the hour there. I would like to draw the kind attention of the hon. Minister that the Government has decided to open a centre of excellence in the Central University of Karnataka in Kalaburgi District. But I strongly disagree with the decision taken by the University‟s Executive Committee Member to shift this centre to Bangalore University at leased land of 25 acres. What is the necessity to shift the centre in leased land whereas about 650 acre land is available in CUK itself? Moreover, it is very much essential to open a new Kendriya Vidyalaya in Gulbarga to balance the quality education for all sections of the community. DR. ALOK KUMAR SUMAN: Education plays very important role in the development of personality of a man. Hence, the Right to Education Act, 2009 has made it mandatory for the Government to provide primary education to all the children aged 6 to 14 years. Navodaya Vidyalaya and Sainik School are being run in the rented buildings in my parliamentary constituency, Gopalganj and hence both of these schools are required to be shifted to their own buildings as early as possible. It will not only save the government fund being paid as rent but will also lead to the availability of better facilities for the children. SHRI ANNASAHEB SHANKAR JOLLE: Education plays a prominent role in all-round development of individuals and society. This can be achieved by building strong foundation in education. The New Education Policy will bring new dawn so that each individual will become not just educated and learned but also equally empowered to lead a better life anywhere in the world. Various schemes like Samagra Shiksha, Mid-Day Meal, PM e-Vidya creating MOOCs for distance educaton, Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, NMIEICT, STARS etc will support the eco-system to achieve the goals of NEP. SHRI ARVIND SAWANT: In fact, education is the very foundation of our young generation. The measures taken by the Union Government in this regard are appreciable. However, the Union Government has reduced the budget for centrally sponsored schemes from Rs. 50080.50 crore to Rs. 43280.16 crore this year. Likewise, allocation has been reduced for several other schemes in the education sector. I welcome the steps taken by the Government for the tribals. However, the schools lack basic e-learning material and equipments in our rural areas. The participation of the private sector and NGOs in managing and operating schools will be an enabler in providing a modern and high quality framework for education and boost the sector to engage with many more projects under PPP model. We are bringing in privatization in all sectors but the Government will have to take certain responsibilities in its hands. The Government should take the responsibility of health education and transport at least. Giving priority to the mother tongue in our education is a very good idea and the Government has taken a good measure in this regard. SHRI AJAY MISRA TENI: The New Education Policy and a number of schemes have been announced in order to develop an education system in sync with Indian culture and traditions in the country. I would like to make a few demands for the development of my parliamentary constituency, Lakhimpur. The school buildings should be constructed for both the Kendriya Vidyalayas located in Lakhimpur and a new Eklavya Vidyalaya should be set up in my constituency. Out of 15000 new model schools proposed to be set up in the budget under the New Education Policy, a model school should be set up each in Lakhimpur, Nighasan, Paliya, Phoolbaher and Gola Gorakhnath of my parliamentary constituency. Facilities should be developed for online education, examination and training in each of the primary and secondary schools. Apart from it, a government women college may please be set up in all the blocks of my district. SHRI DULAL CHANDRA GOSWAMI : The Government has, for the first time, provided freedom to the students to study subjects according to their interest and an option to change the subjects, stream in the middle of a course has also been provided in the National Education Policy. This is very important in itself. I hail from Bihar and after UP, Bihar has been provided maximum number of schemes and funds in the Union Budget. My Parliamentary Constituency Katihar is in the list of 112 Aspirational Districts in the country which have lagged behind in development and it is also in the priority list of the development schemes of the Union Government. There is a need of a Navodaya Vidyalaya and a Kendriya Vidyalaya in my Constituency as there is a large number of Central Government employees‟ children here and my district is also very backward in the field of education. Status of a Central University should be conferred upon Patna University so as to further education in Bihar and the children of Bihar are also able to receive education at national level. should be promoted in technical education and the technical education should be provided through Hindi medium also. SHRI OM PAVAN RAJENIMBALKAR: Education is the yardstick of the progress of a nation or society. We are unfortunate that the condition of education in the rural areas of our country is still pitiable whereas the entire world is scaling the heights in the education sector. I would like to make a humble request to you that the number of the Central Universities is required to be increased in India. Besides, the independent universities of international standards should be established for Railways and Banking sectors. On the one hand, the teachers and the students of the urban areas resorted to distance education through online due to COVID-19 pandemic, on the other hand, the children of rural areas failed to have access to education as they did not have required resources to attend the online classes. Hence, it should be our priority to provide tabs and internet services to the poor children. SHRI KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY: Ensuring quality in primary and higher education is amongst the foremost challenges being faced in India today. Syllabus and subjects may be merged and changed keeping in view the latest trends, technology. Government must promote collaboration between Indian higher education institutes and top International institutes. Steps may also be taken to engage with students regularly to help them overcome anxiety and stress to face exams. We welcome the three- language formula and Mother language is essential at the primary level. Research funding may be increased. All the Anganwadi schools in the country may be merged with primary schools having facilities of free food, free dress and supply of books. Most of the research scholars are without fellowships or not getting their fellowships on time which directly or indirectly affects their research. There is a need to set up new Kendriya Vidyalaya Schools and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas schools in the Telangana State, one in each district as a policy measure. There is no progress in setting up of IIM, IIT, IIIT, IISER and other national premier institutes in Telangana State. SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE: In the backdrop of pandemic, budgetary cuts were expected. Focusing on infrastructure is good but a reduction in focus on health and education is not good. The budget lacks measures to recover the learning loss faced by children due to the COVID-19. The budgetary support to promote online education must be enhanced. Various recommendations of the Standing Committee have also not been followed. The funding to central universities has also been declining. Given the fall in incomes of households during the pandemic, educational investment decisions are likely to be altered. Intra-household allocation of resources for schooling are likely to be redirected to boys over girls. To overcome this, targeted measures are needed for a section of girls with no access to ICTs (Internet and Communication Technologies). Emphasis has been laid on making colleges financially autonomous. But more than 40 per cent colleges have less than 500 students. It will not be feasible for such colleges to run without financial support from universities. I welcome NEP, 2020 as it is a step forward. Over the next few years, it was proposed that the budgetary allocation to education will increase to 6 per cent from the erstwhile 4 per cent. But this year, it has been further reduced to 3.5 per cent. So, the vision of NEP may be grand and appealing but you have failed to back it up with real planning and budgetary allocation. It was announced that government will open 100 Sainik Schools but then we learnt that instead of opening new schools, it was the existing Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas whose only names are being changed to make them Sainik Schools. Although, a notification was later on issued withdrawing the request. Given the importance of these recommendations, I urge the Ministry of Education to consider them favorably and ensure their effective implementation. SHRI RITESH PANDEY: In primary education, 91 per cent girls take admission whereas this figure falls to 51 per cent on reaching class five. Only 31 per cent women are able to receive higher education. People are increasingly moving towards private schools to get good education. In my Constituency Ambedkar Nagar, vacancies of teachers are still lying vacant. They are not being filled up. Maximum adverse effect of this is to be borne by the youth there. Sufficient number of teachers will have to be increased in view of the rising number of students in the schools and colleges in the country. In the next three years, eight lakh teachers should be recruited every year but we see that unemployment is at its peak. We talk about digital India while only 30 per cent of the Government schools have computers and only 12 per cent of the schools have internet facility. As per the new Education Policy, six per cent of the GDP should be spent on education but around three per cent is spent in India. There is a need to increase our expenditure on education in our country. I request the Government to take the education policy from darkness towards light. SHRI CHANDESHWAR PRASAD: An announcement has been made in the Budget to establish 100 new Sainik Schools and according to the New Education Policy requirements, 15,552 schools are proposed to be upgraded as model schools. There is a proposal to establish National Research Institute in the country in order to promote research. The Bihar government's budget for 2021-22 also proposes to spend 17 per cent funds on education. Now, children in primary schools in Bihar will be instructed in their regional languages too. I urge the government to make Hindi the medium of instructions for technical education and a Sanik School in my Parliamentary Constituency Jahanabad as well as a Kendriy Vidyalaya and a Sanik School in Arval be set up. SHRI D.K. SURESH: The government has proposed around 15000 schools to strengthen the implementation of National Education Policy qualitatively. There is a proposal for opening of 100 new Sainik Schools. The budget also proposes for the Higher Education Commission of India and nearly 750 Eklavya model residential schools in tribal areas. These steps are good for the improvement of education in the country. However, allocation for education is less than the last budget estimate. I feel, the allocation should be increased further. I urge upon the union government to grant autonomy for Kannada to develop as a classical language. The major challenge of online classes is disparity in access to electricity, internet connections and devices like computer or smart phones. The government should consult the stakeholders and educationist and health professionals to find an effective measure to tackle the situation of the education in the country. Mother tongue should be made the medium of instruction up to class 5. Besides English and Hindi, Kannada should be taught in Kendriya Vidyalayas of Karnataka. SHRI MOHAMMED FAIZAL P.P. : The present crisis is the digital divide in India. Nearly 70 percent of the population and students of India are deprived of internet connectivity. Take the case of my Constituency, Lakshadweep – where internet availability is very feeble. The issue came up when the online classes started in different parts of the country. The students were in a very deprived condition. In my constituency, students are studying the books which are published by the NCERT or by the Kerala Board. In that NCERT book, the student who is going to the primary school have been asked a question regarding a river. In this regard, I would like to ask that how a student of Lakshadweep can envisage a river when he is surrounded by the sea? The basic things which we need to inculcate in the primary education is this. So, such things need to be inculcated, incorporated in the primary education level so that the student will be very much acquainted with his surroundings and his language. The Budget should focus on such things so that our primary education will be in a strong base for student. Coming to the interactive classrooms, I would demand that interactive board has to be kept in the classroom. This will increase the capacity of the student to study more and understand the thing. Moreover, there are many vacancies of teachers but those vacancies are not being filled. My next point is about mid-day meals. A new administrator has unilaterally decided to go for vegetarian meals and not non-vegetarian meals. Such things should not happen because this is directly affecting the health conditions. Lastly, I would like to ask the Government that if the education cess collected has been utilized for the purposes of building educational infrastructure or not. SHRI HASNAIN MASOODI: During the Corona pandemic, our education system was fully dependent on digital education. In this regard, we have to ascertain that what percentage of students in our country had access to digital education. Similarly, the availability the teachers in rural and remote hilly tribal areas will also have to be ensured. In this budget, allocation for the education sector has been increased by only 2 per cent which is very meager. In our locality, we have to face sub-zero temperature throughout the year and schools are functioning without buildings and teachers. However, commendable steps are being taken in the NEP. Secondly, school dropout rate in our area is also increasing. In addition, there are schools which are functioning with single teacher. In the event of his leave, the school closes. As far as higher education is concerned, infrastructure facilities are not available at the South Campus of Anantnag University. The number of teachers is also insufficient there. Moreover, I would also like to remind that there is no university in Kargil. The Government has completely neglected the Kargil area. I would also like to urge the Government that it should provide mobile phones to the students so that they can have access to digital education. So, all these things need to be taken care of. SHRIMATI SUMALATHA AMBAREESH: I welcome the proposal of Union Government to open around 15,000 schools and 100 new Sainik Schools. The Government should ensure that there is minimum focus on board exams. There should be more focus on mother tongue by making regional language the medium of instruction up to Class 5. So, I would like to request that the Government should take steps to teach Kannada as one of the three languages among English and Hindi, in Kendriya Vidyalayas of Karnataka. There is a long pending demand for a school building for Kendriya VIdyalaya in Mandya. The current building is in a dilapidated condition. With regard to Mandya University, I would like to request the Government to consider a few important demands such as:Development of infrastructure within the campus, an Indoor and outdoor stadium, class rooms with adequate furniture and lab equipments, a boundary wall with adequate security guards to protect the interest of the students and also the university, arrangements for vehicle parking, banking facilities. So, I request for sufficient funding for taking up all these works in the university. PROF. ACHYUTANANDA SAMANTA: The Corona virus pandemic has also taught us a lesson of how investment on social infrastructure like health and education is the most important and urgent and can never be neglected by any country. However, I would thank the Government for the outlay which though lower than that of last year by around 6 per cent, is of extreme significance considering the strain which has been put on educational resources across the country because of the pandemic COVID-19. It is crucial Budget as far as allocation for education is concerned, as National Education Policy also saw the light of the day in 2020. Similarly, we will definitely mention here about the encouragement and support to the private education institutions to keep up the diversity. It is an era of responsible private sector institutions that ease burden of Government and provide best quality and access to education. Now, I would request the Government to consider setting up another Central University in Odisha and also give the Utkal University the status of a Central University. Similarly, my Kandhamal district needs a greater number of Kendriya Vidayala, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya and also Sainik School. So, I would like to request the Government to consider these things for the aspirational district of Kandhamal. Then, I would also like to submit that education is the sector that will always need reforms due to its ever-evolving nature. So, I would like to draw the attention of the Government to the relevant points pertaining to education sector. To tackle the challenge in India, we need a careful approach which can ensure that universities prepare an industry-ready work force. Similarly, fake Universities have to be weeded out at the earliest. Moreover, with the National Education Policy being implemented, it is also the right moment to rethink how Vice Chancellors are appointed to ensure quality leadership for India‟s universities. So investing today in quality education will give us the best returns on investment tomorrow. *SHRI B. MANICKAM TAGORE: The allocation for Education in the Budget has drastically come down. Education is being privatized by this Government. This Government is not ready to provide educational loans. This Government is not waiving off the educational loans. Students from Tamil Nadu are protesting against the implementation of NEET in Tamil Nadu. But the Modi Government is adamant in implementing the NEET. The Kendriya Vidyalayas do not have own buildings. Classes are conducted beneath tress in the Kendriya Vidyalaya at Tirupparankunram, in Tamil Nadu. Ninety per cent of ST vacancies in the posts of Professor are lying vacant in Central Universities. SHRI TEJASVI SURYA: The COVID pandemic year has posed a very unique and an unprecedented challenge to the world because we had to face a-once-in-a-century pandemic. Across the world, schools, universities and institutions of higher learning suffered greatly and students across the world had to discontinue their education for a period of one year. The sole exception to this global reality was India because as soon as the pandemic started in the country, digital education and giving education through every mode possible was utilized and ensured that though schools were closed, learning did not stop in India. So, I want to congratulate our Prime Minister as well as the Minister for Education for unprecedented leadership in this COVID period. This important policy emphasizes on starting education well before six years of age. This is a monumental step in the right direction. Earlier, the focus was given on byhearting concepts and answers than understanding the concepts and arriving at conceptual clarity. For the first time, this Education Policy rightly makes a move towards ensuring that we learn less content but learn how to learn because learning how to learn is more important than gathering information in an age where digitally, any kind of information is easily accessible and available. It is unfortunate that for such a long time in

* Original in Tamil this country, Indians were judged of their intelligence and capability based on the understanding and testing their capacity for English language and not on the capacity of what they indeed knew. This was the tragedy of the Indian education system. This is being corrected for the first time. Our Budget, this time, speaks of the National Research Foundation and allocates Rs.50,000 crore over five years which will ensure that national thrust areas for research will be compensated adequately and young Indians will perform cutting-edge research in the state-of-the-art laboratories and bring in new technology. This National Education Policy is based on foundational principles of Indian indigenous thoughts which will usher in a new India where India will be technically advanced and Indian education will be the best in the world. SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL: In this Budget,efforts to make education employment oriented and to develop the entrepreneurship skills have been made more comprehensive. There is more focus on education, skill development, research and innovation under this. I would like to draw the attention of the hon. Minister to the following points: Kendriya Vidyalaya building should be constructed at the earliest in Maharajganj. Classes in Kendriya Vidyalaya in Misrikh should be started in two shifts. Jai Prakash University be made a National University. Mid Day Meal scheme should be done away with and arrangements should be made to directly transfer that money in the bank account of the students. Unnat Bharat Abhiyan should be implemented in my constituency completely. SHRIMATI VEENA DEVI: The NDA Government is making foray in each and every dimension of education under the leadership of the hon. Prime Minister of the country. There is no Kendriya Vidyalya in Sahebganj and Paru of Muzaffarpur district in my Parliamentary Constituency, Vaishali while a large number of Government employees are living there. In such a scenario, one Kendriya Vidyalya should be set up in the Western part of the district i.e. Paru or Sahebganj so that the children of that area also may have access to quality education. Moreover, I would like to urge the Government to establish a degree college at Paru block under Muzaffarpur district of my Parliamentary Constituency. We all Members of Lok Sabha are provided only ten coupons to get the children of our Constituency admitted to Kendriya Vidyalya which needs to be doubled or increased to 50. SUSHRI DIYA KUMARI: I would like to extend my thanks especially to the hon. Prime Minister for enabling our Government to touch new dimensions of the education sector. After a long interval of 36 years, our Government under the leadership of the hon. Prime Minister and the Minister of Education rolled out the National Education Policy in 2020. Having met the demands and challenges of the modern era, this education policy will go a long in laying foundation for the emergence of the India of future. I would like to request the Government to pay special attention to teachers‟ training alongwith implementing the National Education Policy at the earliest. Besides, their selection procedure is also required to be taken care of. I would like to urge the Government to open an Eklavya school in Kumbhalgarh of my Parliamentary Constituency and Kendriya Vidyalya may be set up each in Rajsamand and Merta. SHRI P. P. CHAUDHARY: Several efforts are being made under the New Education Policy which will bring new identity for the Indian education in the entire world. The success of any scheme is entirely dependent on bringing the benefits of a scheme to its intended beneficiary. In this regard, I would like to suggest that the details of the Government schemes should be included as a subject in the relevant educational curriculum. If the students are taught about the aims and targets etc. of all those schemes by their teachersthen there is no doubt that these schemes will easily reach every household in the country. Accommodation/hostel should be provided in district headquarters to promote women education. There is not a single Sainik School or Eklavya Awasiya Vidyalaya in my constituency. I would, therefore, request the hon. Minister to issue directions to set up Sainik School and Eklavya Awasiya Vidyalaya in each district of the country in which districts with difficult landscape like Pali should be given priority. DR. S.T. HASAN: We believe that education is not a political issue but this is closely related to the future of our country. I am constrained to point out that a scheme namely scheme for Providing Quality Education in Madarsas is being implemented from 2008. Under this scheme, 25 thousands teachers are working in Uttar Pradesh and 60 thousand teachers all across the country. You will be surprised to know that the salary of these teachers has not been paid for the last 50 months. These teachers are providing education to about 10 lakh children in Uttar Pradesh. The guidelines were issued under the NPQRIM Scheme, 2008 that their salaries will be given by the Ministry of Education and the same will be revised as well. But, no attention was paid to it. I, through you, would like to request the Minister of Education to address this serious issue and make necessary arrangements to pay the salary to these poor teachers. Besides, the quota of hon. Members for facilitating admission to Kendriya Vidyalyas is scant and the same should be increased at least to 25. SHRI SUDHAKAR TUKARAM SHRANGARE: Proposal in the Budget for establishment of Higher Education Commission of India is highly commendable. This will be a topmost body where international standards for education will be fixed. In addition to 100 new Sainik Schools, 750 Eklavya Schools in the tribal areas and 15,000 model schools will be set up all over the country. Covid pandemic has affected the education sector adversely. Arrangements will have to be made to provide mobile and internet facility to ensure online education. In my constituency Latur, there is a sizeable population of Army men families, Ex-Army men, Central Government Employees‟ children, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. It is necessary to open a Sainik School, a Eklavya School, an additional Kendriya Vidyalaya and a few model Schools here urgently so that quality education can be imparted to their children. ADV. AJAY BHATT: I am on my legs to speak in support of the Demands for Grants of the Ministry of Education for the year 2021-22. Hon. Prime Minister has not discontinued any scheme during pandemic and all the schemes have been moving ahead with their own pace. Besides, the hon. Minister of Education has continuously been undertaking new experiments. As a result of which we have become able to formulate such a good policy. A sum of Rs.1455.95 crore was sanctioned under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan for compensation in 2020-21under Section 12(2) of the Right to Education Act whereas Rs.250.65 crore was sanctioned for the year 2015-16. The rules made under the Right to Education Act were amended in February, 2017 in order to improve the quality of education and for the first time class-wise and subject-wise learning outcome was provided therein upto class 8th. Besides quality education, thrust on the framework of sports and physical education during the early age of the children is equally important for the overall development of the children. That is why, grants has been provided for purchasing sports equipments for indoor and outdoor games in the schools. SHRIMATI : I support the Demands for Grants for the Ministry of Education for the year 2020-21. The highest allocation has been made towards the Ministry of Education by the Government for Rs. 93,224 crore. There are several key issues with respect to the Department of School Education. The impact of the COVID-19 caused a large number of students living in the rural areas to be deprived of education, which was being given via online mode. We all know that lockdown actually shifted the teaching mode from offline to online, and the Government realising the problem took a large number of initiatives. Still there are a large number of students belonging to the poor families and living in the rural areas and studying in Government schools who do not have access to a smart phone and a data plan and are being constantly denied of online education. We know that COVID is not coming to an end and the education of children at the primary and school level continues to be affected. So, I would urge the Government to ensure online education of every child in India. With respect to the Gross Enrolment Ratio, it is very poor in India. The National Education Policy 2020 has observed that children coming from the socially disadvantaged groups like transgenders or disabled or girl-child or students living in the small towns or villages, particularly their Gross Enrolment Ratio in India is very low. We are also not being able to curtail the problem of dropouts in the country. There is another issue with respect to school education, that is, the pupil-teacher ratio. There are States like Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Kerala and Karnataka that have higher vacancies in the post of teachers. I like to draw your attention towards the problem of grade proficiency. The Government is committed under the National Education Policy to raise enrolment in higher education from 26.3 per cent to 50 per cent. There is decline in the Gross Enrolment Ratio from the UG to the PG courses. Another issue is about 6,210 teaching posts which are lying vacant in 42 Central Universities across the country. These vacancies should be filled up. The National Education Policy has laid emphasis on increasing the public spending on education from three per cent to six per cent of the GDP. SHRI UNMESH BHAIYYASAHEB PATIL: Minister of finance has talked about Education for All and Nation Educational Policy. Under this they will qualitatively strengthen 15 thousand schools by implementing the ideals of policy which will emerge as a cluster. Modi Government has constituted T. S. Subramanian Committee in 2015 which has started drafting education related policies. I would like to request hon‟ble Minister to bring this law at the earliest. I would like to raise some demands of my Parliamentary Constituency. A Navodaya Vidhyalaya should be sanctioned for Jalgaon. A Maths City should be set up as a mark of honour and to give tribute to Bhaskaracharya Ji who invented Zero. Indian Institute of Philosophy has completed 100 years of its establishment therefore it should be given the status of Institute of Eminence. New Education Policy, employability to entrepreneurship will definitely prove beneficial in National Interest. SHRI LAVU SRIKRISHNA DEVARAYALU : Education in India is going through very trouble times due to unprecedented event of COVID and reduction in the allocation of funds. There is a reduction of almost six per cent in the Budget of Ministry of Education when compared to last year. There is a need to give more budget so that we can overcome all these problems and visualize the vision of the National Educational Policy (NEP). The Budget of Department of School Education and Samagra Shiksha is reduced as compared to 2020-21. Operation Digital Board launched in 2019 for e- resources to children is very much needed but the low utilisation of Rs.1 crore against an allocation of Rs.25 crore in 2020 is very disheartening. Allocation for Kendriya Vidyalayas has increased by 25 per cent and for Navodaya Vidyalayas by 15 per cent as compared to the last year. I welcome this initiative to build infrastructure. But, for better utilisation of existing assets and infrastructure, the Government should increase the number of sections in Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas. I urge upon the Government to include Andhra Pradesh under STARS Programme. The Government wants to transform India into a global hub of higher education. But the Budget for AICTE and UGC has not been increased. There is a need to revive TEQIP Scheme for the development of rural institutes in the country. Under the „Study in India‟ programme budget has been cut from Rs.65 crore to Rs.25 crore this year. I thank the hon. Minister for setting up a regional institute of education at Nellore and also allocating fund for it. I hope this institute will expand to other States in the same manner as IITs and IIMs are being set up in all the States. Under the Andhra Pradesh Re-organization Act, institutes like IIT, IIIT, IIM, NIT, Central University, Agriculture University, NADM etc. were given to Andhra Pradesh, but except for AIIMS, none of these institutes are functioning from a permanent campus even after seven years of being given all these promises. I would urge the Ministry to give a timeline and let us know when these institutes will become fully functional. I hope that with these Demands for Grants, the Ministry will focus not only on allocation but also on implementation. DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT: The announcement of the Finance Minister for Education sector in the Budget is a welcome step though there has been some reduction in the fund allocation attributed to the outbreak of corona virus. Allocation of Rs.300 crore for National Apprenticeship Training scheme shall improve employment opportunity at the higher education level. The programme for qualitatively strengthening 15 thousand schools is also a very good step. The Union Budget 2021-22 focuses on driving notable progress in the education system in India through transformation in the learning framework. Having said that, the funds in respect of National Scheme of incentive to girls of Secondary education has been reduced, which should not be done. This reduction should be withdrawn. Besides, there is no allocation of funds for setting up of medical colleges in the country. Alongside, there should be allocation of adequate funds for increasing seats in the PG courses in Medical colleges. DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR: The implementation of New Education Policy shall bring in creativity, innovative approach among the students other than adding pace to their social, academic and intellectual growth . The enhanced allocation for the Department of School Education and Literacy is a highly commendable step. The provision of three hundred fifty crore rupees for "Rashtriya Saadhan Sah Yogyata Chhatravritti Yojna "to facilitate the school drop outs continue their studies up to class 12 is going to prove very helpful. A lot of initiatives have been undertaken in the recent past to enable the students for e-learning which has been increased by 19 per cent. Further, there is a solitary Kendriya Vidyalaya in my Parliamentary constituency Teekamgarh which does not offer Commerce stream . This needs to be introduced and this school should be run in the Second Shift as well. Alongside, a Kendriya Vidyalaya should be set up at Naugaon in Chhatarpur District. Nivadi District also needs to be equipped with a Kendriya Vidyalaya. DR. SANGHAMITRA MAURYA: I rise to support the Demands for Grants relating to the Ministry of Education. New Education policy is highly commendable initiative forward and it is reflective of Prime Minister's forward looking approach. I would like that the teachers be imparted proper training of conducting online classes in extraordinary circumstances like the outbreak of Covid pandemic. Besides, I urge upon the Government to increase MP's quota from 10 to 25 for admission in Kendriya Vidyalayas. SHRI R.K.SINGH PATEL: I support the Demands on Grants for education for the year 2021-22. The Government has taken the initiative to become a world leader by putting an end on the old education system and replacing the same by National New Education Policy. I congratulate Maa Savitaribai Phule who had taken the initiative to start a school to educate girls for the first time on the land of Pune in the decade of 1848. In order to promote girl education and honour women, the Government has created a history by setting up the first women regiment. Today, our daughters are working in the armed forces and they have come up as compare to other women of various countries of the world. I congratulate the Government for bringing the new education policy. Most of the Indians live in the villages and the children of poor farmers and labourers study in the Government Primary Schools. Therefore, it is required that adequate facility are provided for them. The Government has transformed the Primary Education in a new way. I urge upon the Government to pay attention towards for the betterment of the Secondary Schools. Now, the number of girl students have been increased in the schools. There is need to provide better education facility for the unaided schools so that the children of the rural belt are benefitted with the better education system. I urge upon the Minister to set up a Commission for the higher education for recruiting teachers in the Universities and Colleges alongwith implementation of Reservation Policy for SC/ST/OBC in recruitment. The Government has set a record by setting up 750 Eklavya Vidyalayas, 100 Sainik Schools and 15,000 Model Schools. There is a need to construct a building for the Kendriya Vidyalayas functioning in the rental building in the aspirational district of Chitrakut. A Kendriya Vidyalaya has been sanctioned and land has been provided for the Agricultural University in Banda. I urge upon the Government to construct a building for the same and make them operational from the current session itself. SHRIMATI REKHA ARUN VERMA: I compliment the Hon Minister for the New Education policy. I would like to urge upon the Government to set up a Kendriya Vidyalaya in Dhaurahara Legislative Assembly Constituency. KUNWAR DANISH ALI: I support Demands for Grants for Education Department. Insufficient allocation is made for education. The Budget for education has been reduced systematically. A school building in my Parliamentary Constituency has been infested with termites for the last five years and no teacher has been appointed for the school. This is the condition of the education. There are six thousand vacancies for teachers in Universities and we are setting up Central Universities in the country time and again but we are not paying attention to infrastructure and filling up vacancies in existing Central Universities. I would like to urge the hon. Minister to provide proper Grants for Jamia Millia University in Delhi. At least 100 crores special grants should be provided to the University on completion of 100 years. Number of sections in the present Sainik Schools should be enhanced and reservation for EWS should be made under Right to Education Act. A new proposal of setting up 100 Sainik Schools in partnership with NGOs, private schools and States has come up. I urge the Government to consider on regularization of these schools as well. Further Government should address the issue of digital divide witnessed recently. The purpose of reservation is being defeated as Government services and schools have been privatized. SHRI SUNIL KUMAR SINGH: The new education policy is a very good step for metamorphosis in the education sector after bringing in good governance. I would urge upon the Government to expand the setting up of Navodaya Vidyalaya, Kendriya Vidyalaya & Kasturba Gandhi Vidyalayas across the country particularly in the states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. I would urge upon the Government to set up a Govt college at Latehar District Hqrs.and a Kendriya Vidyalaya in Barwadih Block of Latehar District. These apart, appropriate measures need to be taken to revive the reputation of Netarhat Vidyalaya. SHRI JANARDAN MISHRA : The Government has announced in Budget to start 5+3+3+4 education model system 15,000 new schools will be qualitatively strengthened under which education to students will be imparted in their mother tongue besides evaluating their intelligence and inherent qualities and on these basis assessment of students will undertaken. Further, to make teachers more competent and their selection are also a challenge. 90 lakh teachers have been imparted training under New Education Policy and provision has been made in the budget for it. The retired teachers are huge intellectual property and the Government has made provision to utilize their knowledge for the benefit of existing teachers and students. I would like to say that guardians responsibility and participation should also be ensured in it. Today children are becoming drug addicts, hence they should be imparted practical knowledge alongwith bookish knowledge. The Government has earmarked Rs.50,000 crores for research work and Rs.10,000 crores will be utilized this year for it. Examinations are conducted for selection of Primary School Teachers but there is no exams for selection of College and University Professors. It needs to be considered. SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB: Education is a bedrock on which a nation is built. The Indian education system is one of the largest in the world. However, there have been challenges like lack of employability, skill development, etc. Infrastructure still needs to be further expanded and widened to cover all the distant corners of our country. This clearly underlines various issues that are crippling our rural education system. This is due to the dearth of adequate quality schools, inadequate infrastructure, and quality teachers. So, the National Education Policy 2020 reaffirms the recommendation of increasing public investment in education to 6 percent of GDP. The NEP 2020 states that to achieve the target of public spending of 6 percent of GDP on education at the earliest, financial support will be provided to the critical component of education. Two important events in the 2020-21 Financial Year had an impact on school education in India. First, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the closure of Schools since March 2020 and pushed for a shift towards digital education. Second, the National Education Policy was released in July 2020 with a vision to universalize school education by the year 2030, including pre- primary education. Samagra Shiksha will be an important vehicle to help fulfill this vision. It has also come to light that despite the critical role teachers are expected to play, 17 percent of sanctioned posts for teachers in government schools are vacant. Similarly, Teachers Training is another aspect that is neglected to a great extent. Teachers Training Colleges and National Council for Teachers Education should function in a better way. Similarly, there was a need to increase the allocation for the mid-day meal program. Moreover, there is a need to implement a continuous and comprehensive evaluation mechanism for elementary education. Again, it is heartening to note that as of September,2020,6120 teaching posts are vacant across 42 Central universities. So, the challenge before the Governments is to ensure that NEP becomes a truly collective nation endeavor. Most importantly, the real spirit of the policy must be maintained in every action. SHRI SANTOKH SINGH CHAUDHARY: Our education system should be the best if we want to bring change in the country. The country and society will be benefitted by education only when three 'E' - education, employment and economy are clubbed with our education system. This Government has formulated new National Education Policy but the budget for education has been reduced. The budget for school education has been reduced by 8.3 percent. Similarly, budget for higher education has also been reduced. National Education Policy stipulates that 6 percent of GDP of the country will be spent on education but in reality it is only about 3 percent. Budget for education has continuously been cut since 2014-15. It was 4.14 percent in 2014-15 whereas it has been reduced to 2.60 percent in 2021-22. With this meager budget, National Education Policy cannot be implemented. Schools and Colleges have been closed down during Corona pandemic and digital education has been introduced but no arrangements have been made for poor students. The Government of Punjab has provided smart phones to 1,75,443 students of Class 12th. Another wave of Corona has started and situation in Punjab and other states has become very grim, therefore, the Government has to pay attention to this situation and allocate adequate funds for the purpose. Drop out of SC students in primary and secondary schools have reached to 25-30 percent. Budget of Mid-Day-Meal scheme should be increased. There is 17 percent reduction in budget in higher education. If enrolment in higher education has to be doubled, 33 lakh new teachers have to be appointed. But no provisions have been made for this purpose. There is shortage of 35 percent of teachers in Universities and 30.45 percent posts reserved for SCs are lying vacant. The hon. Minister of Finance has made an announcement about blue grant and education hub therefore, I request that Punjab should also be included in this Scheme and an IIT should be granted for my Parliamentary Constituency Jalandhar. *SHRI MANOJ KOTAK: Every year, an important part of the Union Budget is the budget allocation for the education sector. This year's budget has been provided with a Budget of Rs. 355,224 crores. At the same time, in this Budget, the government has made several important announcements for the education sector. Provision for opening a medical college in each of the districts has been made in this budget. Again, the government has proposed to set up a Higher Education Commission in this year's budget. The Commission will be constituted under the provisions of the New Education Policy 2020. The main objective of constituting the Commission is to promote research in the field of education. The Commission will be the only regulator for higher education. In addition, 758 Eklavya Vidyalayas have been announced with the objective of providing good basic education to the children living in tribal areas. I would also like to request the Government that good infrastructure for sports should be developed under "Khelo India" in Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas. The government has announced the creation of the National Research Foundation in this Budget. After the creation of this foundation, this country will march ahead in the direction of becoming a global research hub. For the first time, the government has announced a National Translation Mission in this Budget. In addition, the government has announced the opening of 100 new Sainik Schools across the country. As per the objectives of the New Education Policy, this Budget was formulated and now the country is marching towards a new education system with a New Education Policy. SHRIMATI DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH: The education system provides the solution to the problems of the country, but it also requires a simultaneous change. The New Education Policy has also set the path for success through this positive change. For this, the process of making a child a responsible citizen starts when he attains the age of 3 years in the new policy. Moreover, what is important in education is to accept the idea of alternative education. The New Education Policy provides for imparting vocational education to children. Talking about the city today, the number of families who speak in their mother tongue are becoming less. Therefore, primary education will be provided preferably in the mother tongue, which is a commendable step. The New Education Policy also emphasizes Sanskrit. The New Education Policy intends to make education Indian-centric. In view of all these things, the road map prepared by this Government for a paradigm shift in education for the next 10 years will ultimately be able to prevent the problem of brain drain and will also make India self-reliant in the field of education. SHRIMATI JASKAUR MEENA: The situation of rural areas in case of education is very pathetic. Illiterate parents are unable to impart education to their children through modern technique. New Education Policy of Government of India is an unique initiative. Chapters regarding Agriculture, Animals Husbandry and Organic Farming should be added in the course. I welcome that special emphasis has been given to the education of daughters. There should be free hostel facilities for girl students of Schedule Tribe. SHRI NIHAL CHAND CHOUHAN : A provision of 93,000 crore has been made for the New Education Policy in the budget of 2021-22. More than 15 lakh schools and 85 lakh teachers are connected with the New Education Policy and through this policy 2 crore children will be brought into the main stream. The Government has set a target of spending 6 percent of GDP on education. For the first time a provision has been made in National Education Policy that education will be imparted in local languages. Alongwith this an announcement has been made about E-Vidya package in New Education Policy. The Government has announced for establishment of Kasturba Gandhi Vidyalaya. Education is a big challenge in rural areas. There is lack of facilities in schools of rural areas. Facilities in schools of rural areas should be improved so that students of rural areas, poor and backward students can compete with students of private schools in the cities. Provision of periodic training for teachers of primary and high schools should be made. There is lack of rooms in Mahiyawali school in my Parliamentary Constituency Ganganagar. Rooms should be constructed in this school at the earliest. I would like to urge the hon. Minister a list of such schools should be made where there is shortage of rooms and rooms should be constructed in those schools. Provisions of Rs. 120 crore for 750 Eklavya Residential Schools and Rs. 35219 crore for students belonging to Scheduled Castes have been made in the budget of 2021. I would also urge that quota of MPs should be increased in Kendriya Vidyalayas. Kendriya Vidyalayas charge Rs. 9000 per year from poor students as school development fee as a result there is high drop out of poor students in these schools. The Government should provide free education to the students belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes and provide scholarship to poor and backward students in Kendriya Vidyalayas. There are no school buildings in Kendriya Vidyalayas in Raisingh Nagar and Shrikarnpur in my Parliamentary Constituency Ganganagar. I would like to request the hon. Minister that school buildings of both the Kendriya Vidyalayas should be constructed at the earliest. I also request that a Digital University in Hanumangarh and an IIM in Ganganagar should be established. Sainik Schools and Model Schools should also be opened in district headquarters of Hanumangarh and Ganganagar. SHRI.B.Y. RAGHAVENDRA: I welcome the proposal of Union Government to open around 15,000 schools to strengthen the implementation of National Education Policy. This year the Union Budget earmarked an outlay of only Rs. 93,224.31 crore. The Union Government should take immediate steps for allocation of adequate funds for the development of Kannada. I would also request the Government to grant autonomous status to the Department of Kannada Classical Language on the lines of Tamil and Sanskrit. Considering the significant features of my Parliamentary Constituency Shimoga. I request the Union government to establish an Indian Institute for Translation and Interpretation in my constituency. I also request the Union Government to establish an additional Navodaya Vidyalaya in my Shimoga district. I urge upon the Union Government to kindly allocate funds of Rs. 25.46 crore to meet the demands of laboratories and related issues of the Kevempu University. SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO: Allocation of Rs. 9,3224.31 crore has been made for Ministry of Education in the Budget 2021-22 by the Union Government. New Education Policy has been formulated keeping in mind the future of the country. Such a scheme was badly needed for India. As per the requirement of implementing New Education Policy, 15,000 schools will be strengthened. Other then this, 100 new sainik schools will be set up with the participation of NGOs/Private schools/States. This is an commendable step in itself. My Parliamentary Constituency is a large constituency and it is also a major industrial sector. I would like to request the hon. Minister to set up a Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Kendriya Vidyalaya and a Sainik School in my Parliamentary Constituency. SHRI E.T. MOHAMMED BASHEER : Economic growth not only depends on the technology, natural resources and capital but also it depends mainly on quality of education. But education is becoming unreachable to the poorer sections of the society. We should give proper consideration on all these things. The budget allocation should be doubled. Emphasis should be given on the policy matters regarding quality education. Society and education link should be more strengthened. The quality of teachers' education should be improved. There must be special care for differently-abled students. Posts of professors reserved for SC and ST in Central Universities should be filled. Government should also take care of the educational upliftment of minorities, SCs and OBCs. Attention on the campuses of Aligarh Muslim University should be given. Politics should not be mixed with education. The Government intervention in the academic activities is not fair. Now, As regards the point of freedom of expression for students is concerned, they are the budding generation; they are learning democracy. We should not curtail their right. I wish to point out another important thing, that is, drug abuse. Drug abuse is increasing in the campus, not only in the higher education section but also in the primary section. The Government should take effective steps to curb these kind of increasing tendencies in the interest of our future generation. SHRI GIRISH CHANDRA: Education system is still functioning smoothly during the year 2020-21 with the help of digitalisation and it is a very good and commendable step. With this, I would like to say that there is lack of basic infrastructure as well as shortage of teachers in schools of rural areas. Network facility is not available properly in villages and there is shortage of resources also. In such a situation, the reach of digitalisation is not available to the deprived section of society. Ten per cent less allocation has been made in the current budget in comparison to the last budget. I would like to demand from the Government to set up a Navodaya Vidyalaya in my Parliamentary Constituency Nagina. The special quota provided to the hon. MPs for admission in Kendriya Vidyalayas must be enhanced from 10 to 25. SHRIMATI RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE: I congratulate the hon. Education Minister for new NEP introduced to strengthen the basic education for all providing for establishing 750 new Eklavya model residential schools in tribal areas and opening 100 new Sainik schools and to develop and upgrade 15,000 working schools. This NEP 2020 will bring revolutionary changes in educational system in India in the near future. I request the hon. Minister to grant one Sainik School in my constituency. As my constituency is the largest supplier of bananas in the country, I request to establish a skill training institute, a vocational training institute and to develop a research institute in this area. I support the Demands for Grants of the Ministry of Education. SHRI RAMCHARAN BOHRA: After the year 1986, this is a first and a new transformation in India's education policy which will be helpful in making available a better atmosphere of education as well as equal and quality education to all the communities and people of the country. In the General Budget of the Year 2021-22 Rs. 93,224 crore has been allocated to the Ministry of Education which is Rs. 8100 crore more than the revised estimates of the current financial year. Under the new education policy ,there is an aim to bring about 2 crore children in the mainstream of education again who are away from the basic school education. SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI: I oppose the Demands for Grants pertaining to the Ministry of Education for 2021-22 as no concrete steps have been in the last six years for upliftment of the Muslim minorities and to ensure that the drop-out rate decreases. The All India Survey on Higher Education shows that there are only 5.23 per cent of Muslim students in higher education. The reason for it is the financial constraint. I have demanded removal of Haj subsidy and that amount of Rs. 600 crore should have been given for Muslim girls‟ education. I request the hon. Minister to provide affiliation for the B. Ed. courses taught in Aligarh Muslim University campus from the National Council for Teacher Education. I demand that the Government should allocate Rs.500 crore to Kishanganj AMU Campus. The whole education budget of Rs.44,000 crore comes from the education cess and Rs.4,800 crore from the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund. The approach to the education sector should be changed. Spending on education has come down to 2.7 percent from 3.8 percent earlier. In the curriculum of the National Institute of Open Schooling alongwith Ramayana and Gita, Quran, Bible and Guru Granth Sahib should also be included. I demand that scholarship for the minorities should be made demand-driven. The Government should take certain constructive measures for the educational upliftment of the Muslim minorities. SHRI SUNIL KUMAR SONI: The New Education Policy has been introduced approximately after 36 years and under it State Governments can now take decision to teach students in their mother tongue. Under new policy Vocational education will start from 6th class. It will enable new generation to participate in Atamnirbhar Bharat and curtail unemployment. 15 thousand model schools are being set up in the country. Pradhan Mantri e-Vidya Programme, one nation, one digital platform and Diksha Programme will help in providing uniform pattern for education in all the States. In 2018-19 enrollment of students in Pre-Primary has increased by 21 percent and reached to 119 lakh and enrollment of boys in higher education has increased to 131.8 lakh. „Beti Bachao Beti Padhao‟ Campaign has enhanced the enrollment of girls by 18 percent in Secondary Education and now their number has reached to 123.3 lakh. There is need for upgradation of Kendriya Vidyalayas and other old schools in my Parliamentary Constituency. Provision should be made to set up Kendriya Vidyalayas in Baloda Market and Bhatpara Districts of Raipur Lok Sabha Constituency. I request that more Kendriya Vidyalayas, new schools, model schools should be set up in Chhattisgarh which is a backward class and Tribal dominated area. The quota of MPs for recommendation to admission in Kendriya Vidyalayas should be increased. SHRI ANUBHAV MOHANTY: I request to consider the demands of Odisha and the demands placed by me as a Member of Standing Committee of Education. The total allocation of the Ministry is Rs. 93,224.31 crore which is 2.29 per cent of total budgetary allocation for the Ministries or Departments of the Union Government. The allocation for the education sector, both school education and higher education needs to be substantially increased. There are two districts under my Parliamentary Constituency and I can only give admissions in one district as per the present rules. I request you that some arrangement should be made in this regard. I request to provide a Sainik School in Kendrapara District. An accelerated strategy is required to arrest dropout rates among the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes at elementary and secondary level respectively. The Gross Enrolment Ratio for the year 2021-22 at senior secondary level which is only 50.14 per cent is a matter of serious concern. The National Education Policy has proposed introduction of breakfast under the national programme for Mid-Day Meal Scheme in schools. It is a welcome step. However, the allocation for Mid-Day Meal Scheme has been substantially reduced. I request to provide more funds for the Mid-Day Meal Scheme. The vacancies belonging to Scheduled Caste category, Scheduled Tribe category as well as People with Disabilities category in Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas need to be filled up in the schools. Concerted efforts is the need of the hour to provide best possible care and quality education to all children to help them become part of the mainstream. The National Education Policy has proposed creation of multi-disciplinary educational research Universities at par with IITs and IIMs for quality higher education and it has also proposed National Research Foundation for innovation and research in higher education. It is a good proposal. But its implementation, target, etc. should be shared with the Committee. SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL: There is a need for major improvement in Primary Education in our country, having world‟s largest network of schools. I demand that assistance should be provided to the students of poor class for primary education, higher education and for research purpose. Today, there are 17,538 Government primary schools which do not even have their own buildings and there are 12,315 such primary schools which do not have toilets. The Government should pay attention towards this issue. The Government should provide special financial assistance to promote research in Government Universities of Rajasthan. The Government should reconsider its decision of imposing tax on interest earned on EPF contribution over Rs. 2 lakh 40 thousand. The fee structure of specialized institutions similar to IIMs is very high. Attention should be paid for reducing this fee. The posts are not being filled as per the UGC norms in Government colleges and Universities functioning in the states due to which education is being affected, hence the Union Government should instruct the State Government in this regard. According to the New Education Policy, schools with less than 50 enrolments will be closed. In the remote areas of Rajasthan, villages are scattered at three, four, five, eight and fifteen kilometers, so there is a need to change this education policy. The demand of seasonal academic teachers in Jammu and Kashmir regarding regularization and increasing their salaries should be considered. The tenure of faculty employed in technical educational institutions will end on 31st March, 2021. They should be regularized. In my District Nagaur, new KV schools should be opened in Didwana, Khimsar, Parbatsar and Medta city. The MPs should be given a quota of 50 admissions instead of 10 in their constituencies. Rajasthan Universities should be declared as Central Universities. Most of the private Universities functioning in Rajasthan do not comply UGC and AICT norms. They should be examined at the central level. A Central University should be opened in Rajasthan on the lines of UP, Bihar and Delhi. The posts lying vacant in Central University functioning in each district of Rajasthan should be filled up. Free education should be provided to the students of Navodaya Vidyalaya and Navodaya Vidyalaya should be opened in large districts. SHRI MAHENDRA SINGH SOLANKY: If we actually wish to make overall development of the country then we will have to make the education system more relevant. The hon. Prime Minister of the country realized this fact and took several stringent measures during the last seven years to make the education system relevant and strong. The government has formulated a new education policy keeping in view the time, the period and the situation prevailing in the country. The new education policy aims to impart such an education to the students which will infuse them with values and education will become more employment and self- reliance oriented. My Lok Sabha constituency comprises of four districts. Certain new Kendriya Vidyalayas should be set up by conducting a survey there and besides some institutions like IITs and IIMs should also be set up there so that the youth of my area could also feel motivated and contribute to the development of the country. SHRI KULDEEP RAI SHARMA: Budget allocation for Centrally Sponsored Schemes has decreased from Rs. 50,080.50 crore to Rs. 43,285.16 crore. In Budget 2021-22, allocation for Central Sector Schemes/Projects has decreased from Rs. 519.50 crore to Rs. 363.50 crore. Currently, the Gross Enrolment Ratio has increased from 24.5 per cent in 2015-16 to 27.1 per cent in 2019-20 among all categories. However, Gross Enrolment Ratio of SC/ST students is at 23.4 per cent and 18 per cent respectively which is still below the national average of 27.1 per cent. I would like to recommend the Government to prepare a well thought out action plan to be implemented in a time bound manner with key result areas for every phase in order to increase Gross Enrolment Ratio(GER) to 50 per cent as envisaged in NEP, 2020. I will request the Government to enhance the amount of JRF and SRF up to Rs. 50,000 per month to attract bright students for research and innovation, the trend of appointing adhoc faculty in higher education institutions has a potential of creating wrong perceptions and hence the Department should undertake special recruitment drive to fill these posts within the Financial year 2021-22. I would request the Ministry to ensure that the funding from National Research Foundation (NRF) and fellowships/scholarships should focus on themes having national importance. SHRI INDRA HANG SUBBA: It is overwhelming to see our Union Government and the Ministry of Education put forward the Budget of this year based on the New Education Policy, 2020. I am happy to state that during the Budget Speech, the hon. Finance Minister, Shrimati Nirmala Sitharaman stated that 15,000 schools will be qualitatively strengthened for New Education Policy. Since the New Education Policy aims at having autonomous institutions, we have a huge task at hand. We should focus on upgrading colleges and those institutions which lack basic infrastructure like laboratories and libraries to show that those institutions, the colleges in the far-flung areas can also provide PhD programmes and PG programmes. It is very important that in the school curriculum, especially in the curriculum of the Boards like the CBSE, ISC and ICSE, the history, geography, culture, and other aspects of North-Eastern India are also included and taught all over India so that the North-Eastern States do not feel excluded from the rest of the country. I would request the hon. Minister that the Government may kindly consider setting up a research institution in Sikkim which can focus not only on wildlife resources and other resources but also on climate change. SHRIMATI RITI PATHAK: There has been unprecedented reforms in the education system after the formation of the Union Government under the leadership of Narendrabhai Modi ji in the year 2014 and special priority to the Department of Education has been given in the budget. This budget envisages to improve upon more than 15000 schools qualitatively so that all the components of the new education policy could be complied with in those schools. The decision to set up hundred Sainik schools has been a historic one. Our Government has set up 750 Eklavya Model Residential Schools in tribal areas . Our Union Government is allocating rupees 35,219 crore for the 4 crore students belonging to the scheduled caste category for a duration of 6 years up to the year 2025 26. This is a welcome decision by our Government . It is my request that a Kendriya Vidyalaya be set up at district headquarters Sidhi in my Parliamentary Constituency of Sidhi. Additional class rooms may please be given in the Kendriya Vidyalaya located at my Singrauli district belonging to my Parliamentary Constituency. My Parliamentary Constituency of Sidhi is a tribal dominated area. Therefore an Extension Centre of the Indira Gandhi Tribal University , Amarkantak be set up at Kusumi. My Parliamentary Constituency is very backward in the field of education. Therefore, keeping in view the interest and the future of the students of this area a University be set up at the Sidhi headquarters. SHRI B. B. PATIL: The setting up of 750 Ekalavya residential schools in tribal areas and focus on the welfare of SC students with a massive outlay for the next 5 years will also give a boost to the under privileged children and enable access to quality education for them. Our education system needs to be self-reliant and globally competitive. The Education Ministry will receive Rs. 93,224.31 in 2021-22 which is Rs. 6,086.89 crore less than the previous year. Budget for Samagra Shiksha Abhiyaan, an essential scheme to provide quality education to all school-goers, has been brought down to Rs. 31,050.16 crore from Rs. 38,750 crore. Contrary to NEP's proposal to boost a fund for gender inclusion, budget for National Scheme for incentive to girls for Secondary Education has been slashed by Rs. 100 crore. To enable children in rural areas to have a chance to compete with their counterparts from cities, digital resources have to be made available at subsidized rates as soon as possible. Time has come to increase the number of doctors graduated in India. KVS Jharasangam which falls under my Zaheerabad Parliamentary Constituency was opened in the year 2015-16 and unfortunately is still waiting for its construction of permanent school building. It is requested that medical colleges may be set up in Telangana State funds be released for the construction of KVS Jharasangam permanent school building at the earliest. SHRI RAM MOHAN NAIDU KINJARAPU: Education is one of the most important sectors if we look at the progress and the growth of a nation. If we just look at the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing lockdown, it has caused serious disruption to the education sector. The inequalities in the education sector between Government and low-budget private schools on one hand and rich private schools on the other, and inequalities between urban and rural schools have come to the forefront during the pandemic. Low-income private schools and Government schools had completely shut down for not having access to e-learning solutions. I would also like to point out that the National Education Policy which has come out is very comprehensive. But the Government should also prepare definite time schedule for achievement of different goals provided in the National Education Policy. I would recommend that the Central Government should take steps to ensure a minimum spending of at least six per cent of the GDP on education so that the States may also follow it. Sex education should definitely be included in NEP and a proper budget should also be ensured so that sex education is properly implemented at the right level. Allocation for JNTU in Anantapur was Rs. 60 crore whereas in the Revised Estimate, it showed as 4.80 crore. It should be increased. I would like to request the Central Minister to open another Kendriya Vidyalaya in my constituency in Palasa region so that many of the people who are working in Central institutions can benefit from it. SHRI : The demand for implementation of new Education Policy was a much awaited demand, which has been pending since 1986. Certainly for this country, it is a historic step in front of the world. UNESCO has also praised India‟s new Education Policy. The quality of teachers have improved under new Education Policy. Earlier there was drop- out of children, which was a concern for the entire country. As of now schools have registered 21 per cent increase. This is definitely the result of the new Education Policy. DR. SUJAY VIKHE PATIL: A new India is being built which will be a knowledge economy and help us in realizing the vision of a $ 5 trillion economy. I congratulate the Education Minister for the National Education Policy 2020, which aims to fill some of the systemic gaps in the education sector and undertake reforms to bring the highest quality, equity, and integrity into the system - from early childhood care and education through higher education and beyond. In the Higher Education Sector, the Modi Government has announced the setting up of 5,000 Atal Tinkering Labs, seven IITs, an equal number of IIMs, 14 IIITs, one NIT and four NIDs. This is probably the highest growth spurt to higher educational institutions since independence. I congratulate the Education Minister for ushering reforms in the education sector. DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE: Education infrastructure needs to be further expanded to cover all the distant comer of our country. We still continue to have a rural-urban divide in education also. Enrolment of women is lowest in Institutions of National Importance. The Government should prepare a well thought out plan of action to increase Gross Enrolment Ratio(GER) to 50 per cent as envisaged in NEP, 2020. I will request the Government to enhance the amount of JRF and SRF up to Rs. 50,000 per month to attract bright students for research and innovation. DR. MOHAMMAD JAWED: This Government has failed to provide an allocation of six per cent of the GDP to Education sector. I want to say something about AMU Centre Kishanganj. The UPA Government decided to open AMU centres at five places in Hindustan. The UPA Government had allocated 136.82 crore rupees, out of which only 10 crore rupees have been released so far. Due to this, our University centre is on the verge of closure. I urge you that in view of situation there, you should allot the remaining 126.82 crore rupees as early as possible. Educational institutions should be established in Bihar according to its population. A Sainik school should be established in Kishanganj. SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM: If we look at the figures for the year 2010-20, we find that allocation in education has been increased from Rs. 33,214 crore to Rs. 59,845 crore. Early childhood care and education has been given a lot of emphasis in Education Policy. The better the early childhood care is the more it will improve the personality of the child. This is the most important aspect of this policy. We are creating a new curriculum. It is a forward looking, future ready, scientific curriculum. I will conclude by saying one or two things for my Parliamentary Constituency. There is a provision to open 750 Eklavya Vidyalayas. The salary of women teachers should be increased in Kasturba Gandhi Vidyalaya. SHRI GANESH SINGH: I express my heartfelt thanks to the hon. Prime Minister for implementing the new education policy. There are two types of educational systems in the country : first is the education of the Government schools and second is the education system of the private schools. These two systems have divided the society into the rich and the poor. Equal education to all is the need of the country. Probably due to inequality itself special provisions such as reservation is increasingly needed. There are many features of the new education policy, however, there is no clear policy evident with regard to the method by which uniformity could be brought about. The provisions made in the budget are historical. Basic improvements will be brought about right from Aanganbadi Kendras to higher education .There is a need to bring about comprehensive improvement in the schools of the rural areas. Technical and employment oriented courses have been envisaged in the new education policy . However, there is a need to to include local productivity and creativity therein. A Kendriya Vidyalay be set up at Maihar in my Lok Sabha Constituency of Satna. There has been a long standing demand to set up an Agriculture University , IIT, Animal Husbandry College in Satna. 100 new Sainik Vidyalayas have been envisaged to be set up in this budget. Through this Ministry, I would like to demand the Ministry of Defence for a Sainik Vidyalay. I fully support the Demands for Grants. SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE: Setting up regional, national institutes for virology, over 15,000 schools to be qualitatively strengthen under National Education Policy 2021, 100 Sainik Schools to be set up in partnership with NGOs, and 750 Eklavya model residential schools in tribal areas are some of the key measures announced for the education sector. A Central University in Leh for accessible higher education in India and allocation of Rs. 3000 for the training of graduates and diploma holders in engineering are also much appreciated by the sector. While ensuring access to education quality is often not given adequate attention. More focus should be on critical thinking. Creativity, innovation, art, music, literature, language etc may be vigorously promoted. The stress of board exams on the students needs to be taken off. Quality of teacher education is a continuous need. The announcement of National Research Foundation (NRF) to receive an outlay of Rs. 50,000 crores in 5 years to boost quality and quantity of research in India is a big push towards innovation in the education sector. The Education Ministry should coordinate with the Ministry of Rural Development and Jal Shakti to ensure supply of safe and contaminated-free piped potable water through Nal Se Jal Mission to every educational institutional institution by the end of 2021-22. DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR: If a big transformation has to be brought about in the country , the education policy will have to be changed and this has been started under the leadership of our hon. Prime Minister. Fund may please be made available for the basic development needs in the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalay located at Khedgaon in my Dindori Lok Sabha Constituency. The class strength at the Kendriya Vidyalaya located at Ozar in my Parliamentary Constituency be enhanced. Fund may be made available to the Jila Parishad schools in my Nashik district. The new education policy is focused on the overall development of children. SHRI KAUSHLENDRA KUMAR: I welcome the New Education Policy. I think that under leadership of hon. Education Minister, this will also bring about a radical change in the country. The Hon'ble Finance Minister has given a lot of attention in the allocation to the education sector while presenting the budget. This is a commendable step. The New Education Policy-2020 specifically aims to ensure inclusive and equal quality education for all and to promote lifelong education opportunities in line with global education. I come from Nalanda Parliamentary Constituency. I would request the Honorable Minister to set up an international university there. A sports university should also be set up in Nalanda. Two Central Universities have been approved in Bihar. All academic activities should be ensured therein. Patna University should also be accorded the status of Central University. SHRI BALAK NATH: Hon'ble Prime Minister has continuously been making efforts for the last six years to make the country self-reliant. These Demands for Grants are being made to fulfill the same dream. The first education policy implemented in the country was drafted by Macaulay. That was the education policy of the British. If we can make claim for having freedom of choice for getting education in true sense, then we have got during the tenure of this government. There should be uniform education policy within the country. All children of the country should be educated uniformly. The country should progress in one direction by integrating and giving equal importance to the Hindi medium and English medium of education. This will definitely fulfill our resolve for a self-reliant India. DR. SHAFIQUR RAHMAN BARQ: Sambhal has a population of over 21 lakhs. Sambhal is a district, but in spite of this there is no proper arrangements for education. This district is backward with regard to education. My demand is that Kendriya Vidyalaya and university should be sanctioned for Sambhal at the earliest. Secondly, I want the government to set up a university in the Sambhal. PROF. S. P. SINGH BAGHEL: A New Education Policy should have come as soon as the country became independent. I am also agree on this point that there should have been a uniform education policy. If that were the case, people of all sections of society would have got equal employment opportunities and inequality would have been reduced. The New Education Policy aims at the improvement of education system. If a person is not educated, he will not be organized and until he is not organized, he cannot walk on the path of struggle. Therefore, if you are not able to fully implement uniform education, then at least you should strengthen the primary system. SHRIMATI SANGEETA AZAD: Like government schools, reservation should be given to students of SC, ST and OBC in private schools and their education should be made free. Hon. Finance Minister in her budget speech has talked about PPP model and privatization of education sector, which is very dangerous and goes against the right to education, the basic spirit of the Constitution. The infrastructure and digitization of education has been promoted during the Corona epidemic, for which a 10 percent increase in the education budget was demanded. But it is regrettable that the education budget has been reduced. I would like to know from the Hon. Minister, how will she fill this gap? The government has also reduced the scholarship and compensation budget of SC, ST and OBC. Many children have not applied for the scholarship during Corona in 2020-21 and those who have applied for it have not yet received the scholarship. I request the Hon. Minister to please grant this scholarship as soon as possible. Many posts of teachers of SC, ST and OBC are lying vacant in BHU and other universities of the country, but those professors are not being recruited for some reason. I request the Hon. Minister to take note of this. I demand to open Kendriya Vidyalaya in my Parliamentary Constituency. The number of coupons of KV is only 10, which is insufficient. I demand to the Hon. Minister that it should be increased to at least 50. SHRI PARBATBHAI SAVABHAI PATEL: The new education policy will promote ethical conduct among the students and will also give rise to employment opportunities for them. Our country will move towards the becoming Vishwa Guru. The aim of the new education policy is to make the learning process more efficient by increasing the thinking and creativity of the students. 15,000 schools across the country will be strengthened as per the need of the new education policy alongwith improving their quality. A Kendriya Viyalaya, a Navodaya Vidyalaya and a Sainik should be opened in my Parliamentary Constituency. SHRI GOPAL JEE THAKUR: The New Education Policy inspires us to make India self-reliant and 'Vishwa Guru' and to promote Indian values. In my Parliamentary Constituency, Darbhanga, Kendriya Vidyalaya should be set up without any delay. Maithili language which is a part of the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution should be included for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test. Maithili language should be recognized as a classical language. There is only one named Kameshwar Singh Sanskrit University in the state of Bihar. It should be accorded the status of Central University. Sanskrit language should also be linked with Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan so that Sanskrit schools can get buildings. An IIT and an IIM should be set up in my Parliamentary Constituency. SHRI JASBIR SINGH GILL: Institutions like IITs need to be provided more funds. Our Punjabi language has got the status of official language abroad also, which is spoken by a large number of people in Jammu and Kashmir. This language should accorded such status here also. We will have to protect these languages. There is a need to establish a Kendriya Vidyalaya at Govindwal in Tarn Taran District. SHRI SANTOSH PANDEY: The change in education policy that should have happened after the year 1947 did not take place. A Sainik School should be opened in my Parliamentary Constituency, Rajnandgaon, which will benefit the area and at the same time, arrangements for providing skill-oriented teaching should be made so that the forest dwelling youth get employment and reduce their dependency. SHRI SANGAM LAL GUPTA: Education is essential for the social and economic development of the nation. It is such a medium which enables us to appreciate the finer ideas. Thus it's pertinent to expand and widen its horizon. The objective of our New Education Policy introduced after 34 years is to impart higher education to all the students and its target is to make pre- primary education universal. This New Education Policy will help prepare highly skilled professionals and facilitate exponential growth in employment generation for the youth by laying emphasis even on modern sectors like artificial intelligence, 3-D machine, data analysis, bio-technology at graduation level. The local Central Government employees are facing a lot of inconvenience as a result of not being even a single Kendriya Vidyalaya in my Constituency in U.P. as on date. A Kendriya Vidyalaya and an Army School should be immediately sanctioned in my district Pratapgarh. SHRI SAPTAGIRI SANKAR ULAKA: A Kendriya Vidyalaya should be set up in Koraput. I would request the hon. Minister to grant Rs. 500 crore for the Central University of Odisha, Koraput so that they can establish science facilities, digital laboratories and everything, they can establish these infrastructure facilities. There is a need to approve a Chair on Tribal Studies in the Central University of Odisha, Koraput. I request the Government to erect mobile towers in my Constituency Raigarha, district Koraput. SHRI RAMPRIT MANDAL: I represent Lok Sabha Constituency Jhanjharpur. The Central Government employees, the general public and public representatives have long been demanding the establishment of Kendriya Vidyalaya here. However, the people feel disappointed as a result of no positive initiative taken by the Government so far in terms of establishment of a Kendriya Vidyalaya in this district. The Government is requested to take necessary initiatives for setting up a Kendriya Vidyalaya in my Parliamentary Constituency Jhanjharpur situated in Madhubani. SHRIMATI RANJEETA KOLI: The outlay on education has been raised and more than Rs. 93000 crore has been allocated on this head. It was very much needed during this Corona period. Our hon. Prime Minister has taken a number of decisions that have been game changers during the last 7 years, the positive result of which will be evident during the coming several decades. Preparation is going on to bring about a new revolution in the field of education. As there is no Sainik School in my Parliamentary Constituency of Bharatpur, the young children in my area face a lot of inconvenience. It is my request to the Government that a Sainik School be set up in my Parliamentary Constituency. I thank the Government for bringing about improvement in the new education policy. SHRIMATI POONAMBEN MAADAM: We need to make our youth confident about the fact that the education they are getting will help them in becoming professionally successful. We need to speed up the process of implementing NEP. We need to break the language barrier and promote the use of regional languages everywhere. It is my humble request that one Sainik school may be set up in my constituency. THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION (DR. RAMESH POKHRIYAL NISHANK) replying, said: I feel that drafting of the new education policy would have been the biggest consultative process in the world. The new education policy has been supported by everyone. It is very much natural for the people to think about the unfilled posts of teachers in the central universities and other institutions. Questions have also been asked as to how we will be able to bring the GRE to 50 percent and ensure the quality of education. A number of speakers have expressed concern that the budget has been curtailed. I would only like to remind them that the budget for the year 2021-22 has actually been increased by 5.14 percent. Our honorable prime minister Shri ji has given us the slogan of JAI ANUSANDHAN. The new education policy has laid the foundation for it. The vocational education, with internship, has been introduced from the class sixth. One will be a skilled person by the time he or she reach the class twelve. This will give a push to the start up and the make in India program. No person will be forced to study any subject. If someone leaves the course after the first year he will get the certificate. If he leaves after the second year, he will get the diploma and after three years he will get the degree. During corona crisis, we worked on Swaym Prabha, E-pathshala, Diksha, NDL. We worked hard to ensure that not a single year of the children is wasted. Our children took JEE, NEET and CBSE examinations. When the people were locked in their homes, our students were working hard in the IITs, ICAR, and the universities and this was the reason that we were able to arrange masks, ventilators, testing kits, drones etc. We are also taking great strides in the field of patents. Twelve of our institutes have been placed among the top one hundred universities in the QS rankings. We are taking up research and development projects with Spark, Stride, Imprint, Impress etc. We are also making progress in the National Research Foundation. There has been a phenomenal increase in the number of universities, IITs, IMAs, medical colleges etc. All the cut motions were put to vote and negatived. All the Demands for Grants were voted in full.

UTPAL KUMAR SINGH Secretary General

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