opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4909 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-31
Subject: License to MBBS Graduates for Practice
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Arvind Ganpat Sawant, Jadon Chandra Sen, Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4909 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 31 ST  MARCH, 2023

## LICENSE TO MBBS GRADUATES FOR PRACTICE

## †4909. SHRI ARVIND GANPAT SAWANT: DR. CHANDRA SEN JADON: SHRI SANJAY JADHAV:

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

- (a) whether the National Medical Commission has issued draft regulations for Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) and if so, the reasons along with the terms and conditions thereof;
- (b) whether FMGs who have completed MBBS degree from abroad are required to qualify the National Exit Test during the next two years;
- (c) if so, the reasons for imposing such terms and conditions on FMGs along with the reasons behind setting a time limit of two years to pass the National Exit Test by them;
- (d) whether the said terms and conditions are also applicable to the MBBS students studying in the country for obtaining license to practice after getting their degrees;
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (f)  whether the Government proposes to withdraw the said terms and conditions and if so, the time by which it will be implemented?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

(DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a)  to  (f):  The  National  Medical  Commission  (NMC)  has  notified  the  National  Medical Commission (Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate) Regulations, 2021 on 18 th  November, 2021 in regard to recognition of Foreign Medical Graduates for practice in India.

Section  15  of  the  National  Medical  Commission  Act,  2019  mandates  for  National  Exit  Test (NExT) as a common/ uniform entrance test for granting licence to practice medicine as medical practitioners & for enrolment in the State Register or the National Register, as the case may be, for  both  Indian  medical  graduates  and  Foreign  medical  graduates  and  admission  to  the postgraduate courses in all medical institutions in the country.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4905 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-31
Subject: Anti-India Posters at Geneva
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Gaddam Ranjith Reddy, Manickam Tagore B, Jai Prakash

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-4905

ANSWERED ON- 31/03/2023

## ANTI-INDIA POSTERS AT GENEVA

## 4905.  DR. G. RANJITH REDDY, SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B. SHRI JAI PRAKASH

- (a) whether Government has taken note that malicious anti-India posters that have been put up at the square outside the UN Building in Geneva recently just before the session on UN Human Rights

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :Council alleging harassment of minorities and women; (b) if so, the details thereof; and (c) the action taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

(SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN)

(a & b) The posters were placed at a public place which is offered by the City of  Geneva authorities on a daily payment basis to anyone who wishes to put up publicity material. This place is usually used by civil society organisations and other elements to display material and hold demonstrations, particularly during the period when the Human Rights Council holds its session.

- (c) The Ministry of External Affairs had summoned the Swiss Ambassador in New Delhi on 5 March 2023 and lodged a protest over the issue of putting up unfounded and malicious anti-India posters in front of the UN building in Geneva.
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Lok Sabha Question No. 4902 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-31
Subject: National Plan for Implementation of Schemes
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Poonam (Mahajan) Vajendla Rao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4902

TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.03.2023

## NATIONAL PLAN FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF SCHEMES

4902.   SHRIMATI POONAM MAHAJAN: SHRI G.M. SIDDESHWAR:

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

- (a) whether the Union Government is in the process of formulating a national plan for better implementation of all the Central and State policies and programmes for women and children;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the salient features of the said plan; and
- (d) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Union Government  for better implementation of all the central schemes for women and children?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  to  (d)  Review  of  policy  &  scheme  is  a  continuous  process  and  based  on  learnings, outcomes, suggestions & proposals, Government takes appropriate action from time to time. To ensure better monitoring and efficient implementation, in the XVth Finance Commission Cycle, all the schemes being implemented by the Ministry for women and children have been clubbed into three verticals, viz. (1) Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0 for improving nutrition indicators in the country (2) Mission Shakti for safety, protection and empowerment of women and (3) Mission Vatsalya, for protection and welfare of children.  The details of these schemes are as under:
- (i)  Saksham  Anganwadi  &  Poshan  2.0: This  programme  has  been  reorganized  into  3 primary  verticals:  (i)  Nutrition  Support  for  POSHAN  and  for  Adolescent  Girls  (ii)  Early Childhood Care and Education [3-6 years] and (iii) Anganwadi Infrastructure including modern, upgraded Saksham Anganwadis.
- (ii) Mission Shakti: Mission Shakti comprises of two  sub-schemes 'Sambal' and 'Samarthya' for safety and security of women and empowerment of women respectively. The existing schemes of One Stop Centres (OSC), Women Helplines (181-WHL) and Beti Bachao Beti  Padhao  (BBBP)  have  been  made  part  of  Sambal  sub-  scheme;  while  the  existing schemes of Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), Ujjwala, Swadhar Greh and Working Women Hostel and National Creche Scheme have been subsumed in 'Samarthya'.
- (iii) Mission Vatsalya: Under Mission Vatsalya, the Child Protection Scheme(CPS) has been strengthened for better outreach and protection for children in need and care in a mission mode  with  the  objective  to:  (i)Support  and  sustain  Children  in  difficult  circumstances.  (ii) Develop context-based solutions for holistic development of children from varied backgrounds. (iii)  Provide scope for green field projects for encouraging innovative solutions. (iv) Cement convergent action by gap funding, if required.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4901 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-31
Subject: Treatment of Rare Diseases (SMA)
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Sanghamitra Maurya, Jadon Chandra Sen

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†4901 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31 ST  MARCH, 2023

## TREATMENT OF RARE DISEASES (SMA)

†4901: DR. SANGHMITRA MAURYA: DR. CHANDRA SEN JADON:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  price  of  injection  given  for  the  treatment  of disease in children called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA);
- (b) if so, the price of the said injection and whether the said injection is imported from other countries;
- (c) whether the Government plans to manufacture the said injection in the country;
- (d) if so, the names of States where any unit/ industry is proposed to be set up to manufacture the said injection; and
- (e)  whether the Government proposes to waive off GST charged on the injection imported from other countries and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a) to (d): As  informed  by  National  Pharmaceutical  Pricing  Authority  (NPPA)  under Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals, the injections given for the treatment of  disease  Spinal  Muscular  Atrophy  (SMA)  are  presently  non-scheduled  in  Drugs  (Prices Control) Order, 2013 (DPCO, 2013). In case of non-scheduled formulation, the manufacturer is  at  liberty  to  fix  the  price.  However,  no  manufacturer  of  non-scheduled  formulation  can increase the MRP by more than 10% during preceding 12 months under Para 20 of DPCO, 2013. The details of prices fixed by NPPA are available on the official website of the NPPA i.e. nppaindia@nic.in

As  per  information  provided  by  Central  Drugs  Standard  Control  Organisation (CDSCO)  no  such  application  for  permission  to  manufacture  any  drug  in  the  Form  of Injection for the treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy has been received.

- (e): As  per  information  provided  by  Department  of  Revenue,  Ministry  of  Finance  the basic Custom Duty and IGST on import of medicine used in the treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy is exempted vide Serial No.607 (c) of notification No.50/2017-Customs.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4899 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-31
Subject: Ban on Junk Foods/Soft Drinks
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Imtiaz Jaleel Syed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4899

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 31 st  MARCH, 2023

## BAN ON JUNK FOODS/SOFT DRINKS

## 4899. SHRI SYED IMTIAZ JALEEL:

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

(a) whether  the  Government  has  decided  to  ban  junk  foods  and  soft  drinks  in  school cafeterias and boarding schools and if so, the details thereof;

- (b) whether the Government also proposes to ban the sale of pre-packaged foods to school children in school canteens, mess and hostel kitchens and also prohibit food manufacturers and food vendors from handing out free samples of low-nutrition food to children in sporting events;

(c) if so, the details thereof; and

(d) whether the Government proposes to clamp down advertisements of such food products on school premises or in proximity to educational institutions as per the stipulations cited in the 'Eat right' campaign and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a) to (d): Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has informed that to ensure safe and wholesome food for school children, it has notified the Food Safety and Standards (Safe food and balanced diets for children in school) Regulations, 2020.

These  regulations  place  a  restriction  on  sale  of  foods  High  in  Fat,  Salt  and  Sugar (HFSS)  to  school  children  in  school  canteens/mess  premises/hostel  kitchens  or  within  50 meters  of  the  school  campus  and  also  a  restriction  on  advertisement  of  such  products  in these areas. Further, it also specifies when marketing foods to children in school premises or campus,  the  Food  Business  Operators  shall  use  sponsorship  of  sporting,  school,  and  other events  for  children  only  with  food  which  is  not  high  in  saturated  fat  or  trans-fat  or  added sugar or sodium. Regulations aim to encourage schools to adopt a comprehensive program for  promoting  Safe  food  and  healthy  diets  amongst  school  children  and  to  convert  school campus into Eat Right School focusing safe and healthy food, local and seasonal food and no food waste as per specified benchmarks.

FSSAI  has  also notified Food  Safety and Standards (Labelling and  Display) Regulations, 2020 prescribing requirements for labelling of packaged food. The Regulation requires display of nutrients and their contribution to Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) in percentage at the back of the pack as Nutritional Information to enable consumers to make informed  choice.  It  is  mandatory  for  Food  Business  Operators  (FBOs)  to  label  the  food package in accordance with these Regulations.

……………………
Lok Sabha Question No. 4897 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-31
Subject: CSR Funds for upgradation of Anganwadis
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Chandeshwar Prasad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UN-STARRED QUESTION NO. 4897 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.03.2023

## CSR FUNDS FOR UPGRADATION OF ANGANWADIS

## 4897.  SHRI CHANDESHWAR PRASAD:

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

- (a) whether the Government has any proposal to make an appeal to corporate sector  to  spend  a  certain  percentage  under  Corporate  Social  Responsibility (CSR) for the upgradation of Anganwadi Centres; and
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  response  of  the  corporate  sector thereon?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)        No, Sir.

However, under 'Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0' Scheme guidelines, States at their  level  and  in  their  own  discretion  shall  involve  CSR  funds  for  construction  of Anganwadi Centres purely on pro bono basis without any obligation. States/UTs shall similarly  permit  funding  of  Anganwadi  Infrastructure  e.g.,  Toilets,  Rain  Water Harvesting Structures, Drinking Water, etc., or any aspect of Anganwadi activity such as ECCE material, furniture, cooking utensils, kitchen infrastructure, storage facility, etc. by corporations, organisations, institutions or individuals.

- (b)       Does not arise.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4895 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-31
Subject: Air Pollution in South Asia
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Satyadev Pachauri, Jagannath Sarkar, Hasnain Masoodi, Brijendra Singh, Sunita Duggal

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-4895

ANSWERED ON- 31/03/2023

## AIR POLLUTION IN SOUTH ASIA

4895. SHRI SATYADEV PACHAURI SHRI JAGANNATH SARKAR SHRI HASNAIN MASOODI SHRI BRIJENDRA SINGH SHRIMATI SUNITA DUGGAL

Will the Minister of  EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be please to state :-

(a) whether there are existing partnerships with neighbouring countries to combat the issue of Air Pollution in South Asia, a global hotspot for the most polluted cities in the world;

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the plans to execute such an agreement;

(c) whether there are any signed MoUs with neighbouring countries to install air pollution monitors at critical points to generate data and adopt cost-effective solutions to tackle the issue of air pollution based on airshed approach; and

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

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

(DR. RAJKUMAR RANJAN SINGH)

(a   to   d)   In   India's   neighbourhood   at   the   regional   level,   SAARC   member   states   (India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) signed the 'Convention on Cooperation in Environment' in 2011.   Similarly, under the reorganized areas of cooperation arrived at in 2022, BIMSTEC member states (India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand) identified 'Environment and Climate' as a priority area of cooperation; currently, led by Bhutan as 'Lead Country' for this area of cooperation, BIMSTEC members are elaborating a joint work program.

At the bilateral level, India identifies cooperation activities with neighbouring countries based on mutual consultations, mutual requirements and mutual benefits.   India has signed an umbrella 'MoU on Cooperation in the Areas of Environment' with Bhutan in June 2021 that envisages long term cooperation on environmental protection and management of natural resources including prevention  of Air Pollution.   No specific  cooperation  agreement  to combat   air   pollution   have   been   entered   into   with   Afghanistan,   Bangladesh,   Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in India's neighborhood.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4894 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-31
Subject: Antibiotic Resistance
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: M. P. Abdussamad Samadani

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4894 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.03.2023

## ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE

## 4894.  DR. M.P. ABDUSSAMAD SAMADANI:

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

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  inappropriate  diagnosis,  prescription,  and  use  of unregulated antibiotics are major factors in the spread of antibiotic resistance;
- (b) if so, the details in this regard, and the measures taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to have an effective regulatory system to ensure the appropriate use of antibiotics in both public and private healthcare systems;
- (c) whether the Government is planning to introduce more advanced diagnostic tools and protocols in the public healthcare system to detect illness and infection trends and, in doing so, treat infections accurately with the correct antimicrobials; and
- (d) if so, the details in this regard?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a) to (d):

Union  Health  Ministry  has  taken  several  initiatives  to  spread  awareness  about appropriate use of antibiotics and control AMR which include:

-  Red line campaign was launched to curb over the counter sale of antibiotics.
-  Antibiotics Stewardship Program(AMSP) has been implemented in 20 tertiary care hospitals to control misuse and overuse of antibiotics in hospitals wards and ICUs.
-  National Action Plan on AMR has been launched in 2017 with an objective of intersectoral  coordination,  improve  awareness,  strengthening  knowledge  and evidence through surveillance of AMR, reduce incidence of infection through

effective  infection  prevention  and  control  and  promote  optimal  usage  of antibiotics.

-  Issued guideline for Antimicrobial use in common syndrome in 2019.
-  Developed guidelines on Infection Prevention and Control in 2020.
-  Guidelines for management of carbapenem resistant have been developed in 2022.

With an aim to regulate sale of antibiotics, it has been included in Schedule H and H1 of the Drugs Rules, 1945 and are required to be sold by retail only under the prescription of a Registered Medical Practitioner. State Licensing Authorities are empowered to take action against any violation. The State Drugs Controllers/other stake holders have been sensitized in this regards. Various Notices/Advisories /Letters have been issued to all State Drugs Controllers, other stakeholders for strict compliance of the requirements of Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules.

To improve the diagnostic tools in the public healthcare system and enable evidencebased treatments, ICMR has a taskforce project on rapid diagnostics for antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The aim of the project is to bridge the translational gap between the innovators and healthcare system requirements for point of care diagnostics for AMR.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4893 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-31
Subject: GST Free Coronary Stents
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: P. Ravindhranath

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4893 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31 st  March, 2023

## GST Free Coronary Stents

## 4893. SHRI P. RAVINDHRANATH:

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  provide  GST  free  coronary  stents,  from upcoming FY 2023-24 onwards, which were already included in Schedule I of the Drugs Price Control Order2013; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken/ proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard, so far?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS (SHRI BHAGWANTH KHUBA)

- (a) & (b):    No Sir. However, Coronary Stents including Bare Metal Stents (BMS) and Drug Eluting Stents (DES) are listed in Scheduled-I of Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 (DPCO, 2013) and therefore under ceiling price regulation as per extant provisions of DPCO, 2013.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4885 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-31
Subject: Funds to National Commission for Women
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Bhavana Gawali (Patil), Krupal Balaji Tumane

## OVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.4885

TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.03.2023

## FUNDS TO NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR WOMEN

## 4885. SMT. BHAVANA PUNDALIKRAO GAWALI SHRI KRUPAL BALAJI TUMANE

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

- (a) The funds allocated to the National Commission for Women and State Women Commissions  during each of the last five years, State-wise including Maharashtra;
- (b) whether the said allocation is adequate, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  any  further  demand  for  allocation  of  funds  has  been  made  by the Commission and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to expand the purview of National Commission for Women and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the State Commissions for Women have also conveyed to expend their respective purview and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c): The funds allocated to National Commission for Women(NCW) during the last five years are as under:

| Year    |   Budget Allocation (RE) (in Crore) |
|---------|-------------------------------------|
| 2018-19 |                               24    |
| 2019-20 |                               25    |
| 2020-21 |                               21.88 |
| 2021-22 |                               25.8  |
| 2022-23 |                               30.5  |

(The fund allocation has  been  made based on the budget proposed by NCW. No allocation of funds to the State Commissions of Women is made by Ministry of Women & Child Development.)

- (d):  At present, no proposal of expansion of the purview of National Commission for Women is under consideration of the Government.
- (e): State Women Commissions come under the jurisdiction of respective States.

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