opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2855 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-12
Subject: Preservation of the Western Ghats
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shashi Tharoor

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION N0. 2855

TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.03.2021

## Preservation of the Western Ghats

## 2855.    DR. SHASHI THAROOR :

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  reached  a  decision  on  the  implementation  of  the Kasturirangan Panel Report on the preservation of the Western Ghats;
- (b) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  extend  the  31 st December,  2020  deadline imposed by the National Green Tribunal for issuing a notification on the Kasturirangan Report and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has allowed the concerned States where the Western Ghats are located to decide on the extent of implementation and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has taken into account the presence of villagers and other populations while determining areas to be demarcated as 'ecologically sensitive areas' and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the Government has considered a stay on all developmental projects in the Western  Ghats  to  preserve  its  ecology  until  a  final  decision  is  taken  and  if  so,  the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

- (a) to (d) The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has been consistently making all efforts to bring the States on board for finalization of the  Western  Ghats  Eco  sensitive  Area  notification  and  for  this  purpose consultations have been held at various level. The suggestions and request of the State Governments  are under consideration for finalization of the notification.

The  Central  Government  have  extended  the  period  of  validity  of  the  draft notification  on  Western  Ghats  Ecological  Sensitive  Area  till  30.06.2021and have also informed the National Green Tribunal to this effect.

States  falling  in  the  Western  Ghats  region  have  made  representations  in respect of area and also certain activities proposed in the draft Western Ghats Eco sensitive Area notification published pursuant to the Kasturirangan Panel Report. The concerns of the States have been deliberated in the Ministry.

- (e) The  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change  have  issued directions under  Section  5  of  the  Environment  (Protection)  Act,  1986, prohibiting five activities in the Western Ghats ESA area of 56,825.7 sq.km viz:  (i)  Mining,  quarrying  &  sand  mining;  (ii)  Thermal  Power  Plants;  (iii) Building  &  construction  projects  >  20000  sq.  m;  (iv)  Township  &  area development projects> 50 ha and / or with built up area > 150000 sq.m; and (v)  Red category of industries.  The said directions are still operative in the area.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2854 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-12
Subject: Tackling Air Pollution
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Gaddam Ranjith Reddy

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2854

TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.03.2021

## Tackling Air Pollution

## 2854.  DR. G. RANJITH REDDY:

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

- (a) whether  Patancheru  in  Telangana  has  been  identified  under  National  Clean  Air Programme to tackle air pollution  and  lower  particulate  matter  levels  to  acceptable levels;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the targets set under the programme to be achieved by 2024;
- (c) the  details  of  city-specific  Action  Plan  prepared  by  the  Government  to  achieve  the said targets; and
- (d) the details of funds allocated, approved, released and utilised for the said purpose so far?

## ANSWER MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

## (a) to (c)

The Central Government launched National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) as a long-term, time-bound, national level strategy to tackle the air pollution problem across the country in a comprehensive manner with targets to achieve 20 % to 30 % reduction in PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations by 2024 keeping 2017 as the base year for the comparison of concentration. Under  NCAP,  122  non-attainment  cities,  including  Patencheru  in  Telangana,  have  been identified  based  on  ambient  air  quality  data.  The  city  specific  Action  Plans  have  been prepared  which  inter-alia  include  measures  for  strengthening  the  monitoring  network, reducing vehicular/industrial emissions, increasing public awareness etc. The details of action plan is available at https://cpcb.nic.in/approved-city-action-plans.

## (d)

Under NCAP, Rs. 10 lakh was sanctioned and released in the FY 2019-20 for Patancheruvu to implement  city  specific  action  plan.Further,  under  Fifteenth  Finance  Commission  (XVFC) recommendation Hyderabad Urban Agglomeration (U.A.) that covers Patancheruvu under the jurisdiction,  is  sanctioned  Rs.  234  Cr  in  FY  2020-21.  First  instalment  of  Rs.  117  Cr  is released.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2853 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-12
Subject: Promotion of Culture through AIR/DD
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Raju Bista

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2853 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.03.2021)

## PROMOTION OF CULTURE THROUGH AIR/DD

2853. SHRI RAJU BISTA:

Will  the  Minister  of  INFORMATION  AND  BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the Government  has  any  proposal to  promote cultures  and  languages  of  the  North  Bengal  region  through AIR, DD Channel and other media platforms keeping in view the fact that the region is home to diverse ethnic communities following unique traditions and cultures;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND  CLIMATE CHANGE;  MINISTER  OF  INFORMATION  AND  BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a) to (c): Prasar Bharati regularly telecasts/broadcasts programmes for creating awareness regarding culture and heritage of the country on its various  Doordarshan (DD) and All India  Radio  (AIR)  channels,  including  channels  originating  from North Bengal region.

Prasar Bharati through various News bulletins and News based programmes  disseminates  information  focusing  on  events  and happenings in remote and far-flung areas, including North Bengal region on its various AIR and DD channels.

'DD  Bangla',  a  24x7  channel  dedicated  for  the  State  of  West Bengal, originating from Doordarshan Kendra, Kolkata  regularly telecasts programmes related to Culture, Language, Art, History,  Literature,  Music,  Dance,  Heritage  in  various  formats like documentaries, panel discussions, travelogues, interviews, etc.  including  promotion  of  indigenous  cultures  and  languages of the North Bengal region.

In  addition  to  Doordarshan  Kendra  at  Kolkata,  a  Programme Generating  Facility functioning at  Jalpaiguri  also  produces programmes related to culture, language and various art forms of the North Bengal region.

Prasar  Bharati  also  broadcasts  programmes  on  AIR  network  to meet the aspirations of the population and diversity in terms of ethno-linguistic  and  cultural  characteristics  etc.  of  the  country including North Bengal Region. In  North  Bengal,  AIR  is  highlighting  and  promoting  culture  of various ethnic communities like Magars, Lepchas, Gurung, Khas, Limboos,  Thamis,  Dhimal,  Toto,  Sherpa,  Rajbhansi,  Bhutanese, etc. AIR  has  also  provided  a  platform  for  folklore  like  Bhawaiya, Tistaburir Gaan, Gambhira, Lohonkari, Katipujar Gaan and Kushan in the region.

## **********************
Lok Sabha Question No. 2851 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-12
Subject: Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Vishnu Dutt Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2851 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH MARCH, 2021

## SPINAL MUSCULAR ATRO PHY

## 2851. SHRI VISHNU DA TT SHARMA :

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that India has three lakh Pediatric patients suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  proposal  to  waive  off  custom  duty on  costly  medicinal injections  for  the treatment of children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy has been implemented;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the extent to which it is likely to benefit the children sufferin from theabove disease;
- (d) whether his Ministry has any sche me to provide assistance for such patients in view of higher treatment costs; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a): Data pertaining to the epidemiology of spinal muscular atrophy is not available as o However, the Indian Council of Medical Research has started a rare disease registry, (IC rare  diseases  registry,  available  at http;//bmi/icmr.org.in/irdr/inde x.php) .  Accordingly,  the epidemiological data pertaining to spinal muscular atrophy may be available in future

(b) :No.

(c): Not applicable

(d) & (e): Treatment modalities like assistive devices and physiotherapy and available at tertiary care in stitutions in the country. Specific treatments like gene therapy and antise oligonucleotides are quite expensive.

However,  no  separate  rehabilitation  mechanisms  are  available  for  spinal  muscu atrophy  patients.  The  rehabilitation  facilities  available at  tertiary  care  institutions  are  being utilized for these patients also.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2848 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-12
Subject: Discharge of Waste Water by Industries
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Chandrani Murmu

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2848

TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.03.2021

## Discharge of Waste Water by Industries

## 2848. MS CHANDRANI MURMU

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware that big industrial companies are discharging the waste water underground by digging deep borings and the boards and other regulatory institutions have not taken any action against such industries;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to take action against such industries, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons thereof;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to appeal public through print and electronic media for identifying such industries; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

(a ) to (c)  Under the provision of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986  industry specific environmental standards  are notified for discharge on Inland surface water,  Public sewer, land irrigation  and marine  coastal area.   Discharge of waste water by digging deep boring is prohibited.

Guidelines notified vide SO. 3289 ( E) dated 24.09.2020 for regulation and control of ground water development, injection of treated/ untreated waste water into aquifer system is strictly  prohibited.    Further,  section  16  stipulates  that  non-  complying  industries  shall  be liable to pay penalty of Rs. 10 lakh and bear the cost of aquifer remediation.

(d) & (e) Central Pollution Control Board from time to time, organizes training programmes and workshops for stakeholders for awareness generation. Some  of the awareness programmes inter  alia include  training  for  Common  Effluent  Treatment  Plant  (CETP) operators in Delhi and Haryana for effluent management by CETPs, trainings and workshops for  various  industrial  sectors  such  as  textiles,  sugar,  tanneries  and  pulp  &  paper  for  water conservation  and  effluent  management,  training  for  implementation  of  charter  Grossly Polluting  Industries  (GPIs)  located  in  Ganga  River,  workshop  on  restoration  of  water bodies/rejuvenation of polluted rivers, etc. .

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2847 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-12
Subject: Distribution of Medicines to  CGHS Beneficiaries
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: P.R. Natarajan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2847 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH MARCH, 2021

## DISTRIBUTION OF MEDI CINES TO CGHS BENEFI CIARIES

## 2847. SHRI NATARAJAN P.R.:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WE LFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) beneficiaries are getting medicines for chronic diseases in CGHS hospitals;
- (b)  the  details  of  action  taken  to  provide  medicines for  chronic  diseases  at  the  time  of non- availability of such medicines in CGHS hospitals;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  a  decision  for opening  up  of  more  CGHS  Wellness Centres in rural areas to cater to the needs of ordinary poor people; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a)  & (b):  Yes.  Medicines  for  CGHS  beneficiaries  including  that  for  chronic  diseases provided  through  CGHS  Wellness  Centres.  In  case,  any  medicine  is  not  readily  availabl CGHS Wellness Centre, the same is made available to the CGHS beneficiary by the We llness Centre through Indentation from the concerned Authorized Local Chemist.

- (c) & (d): No . CGHS is a contributory health scheme primarily meant for Central Governmen employees and pensioners and their dependent family members.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2844 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-12
Subject: Prescription of Life Saving Drugs by AYUSH Doctor
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: Virendra  Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA, YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 2844 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH March, 2021

## PRESCRIPTION OF LIFE SAVING DRUGS BY AYUSH DOCTOR

## 2844. DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR:

Will  the  Minister  of AYURVEDA,  YOGA  AND NATUROPATHY,  UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes any scheme to allow Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani,  Siddha and  Homoeopathy  (AYUSH)  doctors  to prescribe  life saving  drugs  in emergency parellel to Allopathic doctors;
- (b) whether AYUSH medical society has placed any demand/request in this regard; and
- (c) if so, the reaction of the Government thereon?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS AND ADDITIONAL CHARGE OF MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE

## YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY

- (a): No,
- (b) & (c): Yes,there are request from AYUSH Medical Society in this regard. As per th provisions  of  Indian  Medicine  Central  Council  Act,1970  and  the  Homoeopathy  Centra Council  Act,1973  any  person  possessing  recognized  medical  qualification  included  in Schedules to the said Acts are entitled to practice concerned system of Medicine.

## MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA, (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)
Lok Sabha Question No. 2843 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-12
Subject: Impact of Malnutrition
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Gaurav Gogoi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN & CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2843

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.03.2021

## IMPACT OF MALNUTRITION

## 2843.   SHRI GAURAV GOGOI:

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether the government has taken note of the NFHS-5 data which indicates an increase in incidence of stunting among children and if so the details thereof;
- (b) Whether this number is expected to increase further due to the lockdown and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has revised its targets under POSHAN Abhiyaan and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the Government has taken any other steps to tackle the problem of increased malnutrition leading to stunting and wasting with increased mortality, and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a)  to  (d)  Data  on  nutrition  indicators  is  covered  under  the  National  Family  Health  Surveys conducted regularly by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The National Family Health Survey -5 (NFHS-5) has been released in respect of some states.

Government  implements  Anganwadi  Services,  Pradhan  Mantri  Matru  Vandana  Yojana  and Scheme  for  Adolescent  Girls  under  the  Umbrella  Integrated  Child  Development  Services Scheme (ICDS) as targeted interventions to address the problem of malnutrition in the country.

Poshan  Abhiyaan,   focuses  on  converting  the  agenda  of  improving  nutrition  into  a Jan Andolan involving  panchayati  raj  institutions/village  organizations,  etc. Community  Mobilization and Behavioral Change is an important component of the Abhiyaan.

Government  has  taken  measures  to strengthen  nutritional  content,  delivery,  outreach  and outcomes  with  focus  on  developing  practices  that  nurture  health,  wellness  and  immunity  to disease and malnutrition. Steps have also been taken to improve nutritional quality and testing, strengthen delivery and leverage technology to improve governance. Government has advised States/UTs  to  ensure  that  the  quality  of  supplementary  nutrition  conforms  to  prescribed standards  laid  down  under  the  Food  Safety  and  Standards  Act,  2006  and  regulations  made thereunder. States/UTs have also been advised to promote use of AYUSH  systems for prevention  of  malnutrition  and  related  diseases.  A  programme  to support  development  of Poshan  Vatikas  at  Anganwadi  centers  to  meet  dietary  diversity  gap  leveraging  traditional knowledge in nutritional practices has also been taken up.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2838 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-12
Subject: Expenditure on Health Research
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Mitesh Rameshbhai (Bakabhai) Patel, Shardaben Anilbhai Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RESEARCH

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2838 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH MARCH, 2021

## EXPENDITURE ON HEALT H RESEARCH

## 2838. SHRI MITESH RAMESHBH AI PATEL (BAKABHAI): SHRIMATI SHARDABEN ANILBHAI P ATEL:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WE LFARE be pleased to state:

(a) the percentage of health budget spent on Department of Health Research;

(b) whether the Government is aware that the percentage of funds allocated to the Department of Health Research is the lowest compared to the allotment of funds to other research wings of different Departments;

(c) if so, the reasons for providing less funds for research;

(d) whether the Government proposes to increase the fund allocati on for medical research; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a):The expenditure of Department of Health Research (DHR) ranged from 2.89% to 3.5% of that of Department of Health & Family Welfare in the last five years.

(b)& (c):The allocation has been lower as compared to the allocations for similar Departm engaged  in  research,  namely,  Department  of Agricultural  Research  &  Education  (DARE), Department of Science & Technology (DST) and Department of Scientific & Industrial Resear (DSIR).

The Department of Health Research was created as a new Department in 2007 - 08 and its full - fledged working started from 2013 - 14 after the roll out of various schemes for infrastructu development and human resource & capacity development for promotion of hea l th research in the country. Since then, with the increase in the activities and research programmes o -Ind ian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the allocation and expenditure has been increa every year. The expenditure of Department of Health Research has increased from Rs.564 crores in 2008 - 09 to Rs.1808.03 crores in 2019 - 20.

(d)& (e):  The  Departme nt  has  created  research  infrastructure  for  promoting  health  resea activities,  undertaken  health  research  activities  in  infectious  and  non -communicable  diseases, trained human resources and has contributed significant interventions for containing in ous disease outbreaks/ epidemics, including COVID -19 pandemic.  Thus, there has been a gradual increase  in  the  allocation  for  the  Department  of  Health  Research  from  Rs.  567  crores 2008- 09 to Rs.4062.30 crores in RE 2020 - 21, which also includes Rs.210 0 crores of Emergency COVID - 19 package.