opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 325 (STARRED), answered on 2022-03-25
Subject: Defence Expenditure
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu

MINISTER OF DEFENCE

- (a) to (c):  A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 325

TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 TH  MARCH, 2022

## DEFENCE EXPENDITURE

*325. SHRI T.R. BAALU:

Will the Minister of Defence be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  the  overall  trend  in  defence  spending  is  not encouraging  and  the  defence  expenditure  as  a  proportion  of  the  Government  expenditure  has been falling steadily since 2014-15;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the corrective measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to increase defence spending upto three per cent of  Gross Domestic  Product for ensuring the operational preparedness of the defence forces?

## A  N  S  W  E  R

(SHRI RAJNATH SINGH)

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (c) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. 325 FOR ANSWER  ON 25.03.2022 REGARDING 'DEFENCE EXPENDITURE':

(a)  &  (b):  No  Sir,  the  overall  trend  in  defence  spending  is  based  on  defence  capability development requirements and the expenditure on Defence Services, including modernization, has been increasing year after year. Defence budget which was Rs. 2,53,346 crore in 2013-14 has more than doubled to Rs. 5,25,166 crore in 2022-23. More importantly, spending under Capital Outlay which includes Modernization and Infrastructure development of the Defence Services has grown by 76% to Rs 1,52,370 crore in 2022-23 from Rs. 86,741 crore in 2013-14. Though there  have  been  fluctuations  in  percentage  terms  in  Defence  Expenditure  vis-à-vis  Central Government  Expenditure  (CGE),  however,  the  decadal  average  of  Defence  spending  as percentage of CGE has been around 16%.

(c):    It  may  not be appropriate to think about Defence spending in terms of national economic output as countries vary in terms of economic size, tax to GDP ratio, defence needs etc. As far as India is concerned, the expenditure on Defence is the largest amongst the Central Ministries and it  has been growing consistently since 2014-15 onwards. Defence preparedness is the result of the capabilities acquired over the years and not merely on budget allocation of a particular year. Allocation  made for  defence  is  adequate  to  sustain  the  desired  level  of  defence  preparedness. Further, based on expenditure during the year, pending committed liabilities and critical/operational requirements, threat perception etc., additional funds, if required, are sought at Supplementary /RE stage. The progress of expenditure is reviewed from time to time to ensure that the allocated funds are optimally utilized towards operational activities so that urgent and critical  capabilities  are  acquired  without  any  compromise  to  operational  preparedness  of  the Defence Services.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 324 (STARRED), answered on 2022-03-25
Subject: Compulsory Voting
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Chandan Singh, Ajay Nishad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. *324

TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, 25 th   MARCH, 2022

## COMPULSORY VOTING

*324. SHRI CHANDAN SINGH: SHRI AJAY NISHAD:

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  enact  any  law  to  enforce compulsory  voting  in  the  country,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not, the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the Government  has  received suggestions from any organization or the State Governments to make voting compulsory and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  proposed  to  make  voting  certificate mandatory to avail benefits and schemes provided by the Government in order  to  increase  the  percentage  of  voter  turnout  in  various  elections, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  the  number  of  democratic  countries  in  the  world  where  voting  is compulsory?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

- (a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN RESPECT OF PART (a) TO (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *324 DATED 25 th  MARCH, 2022

(a):    No Sir. There is no such proposal under consideration of the Government. (b): No Sir. (c): No Sir.

- (d): The Government has not maintained any such data.
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Lok Sabha Question No. 3910 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-25
Subject: Indians Stranded in Saudi Arabia Deportation Centre
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: T. R. Paarivendhar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3910 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.03.2022

## INDIANS STRANDED IN SAUDI ARABIA DEPORTATION CENTRE

## 3910. DR. T.R. PAARIVENDHAR:

- Will the Minister of External Affairs be pleased to state: (a) whether the Indians   are   stranded   and   kept   in   Saudi   deportation centre due to COVID norms imposed by the Government of Saudi Arabia; (b) if so, the details thereof along with the total number of Indian citizens stranded and kept in Saudi deportation centre as on date; (c) whether any action has been taken/proposed to be taken by the Government for release of Indian citizens from Saudi deportation centre; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

[SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

- (a) & (b) No Indian nationals are kept in Saudi deportation centres due to Covid norms imposed by the Saudi Government.
- (c) & (d) Does not arise.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 3909 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-25
Subject: Live Streaming of Court Proceedings
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Khagen Murmu, K. Muraleedharan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW & JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3909 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 25 TH  MARCH, 2022

## LIVE STREAMING OF COURT PROCEEDINGS

3909. SHRI KHAGEN MURMU: SHRI K. MURALEEDHARAN:

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government agrees with the view that judicial proceedings must be opened  for  public  viewership  as  it  will  help  the  public  understand  the  nature  of judicial work, add to the democratic principle of accountability, allow the young and the  old  members  of  the  Bar  to  educate  themselves,  and  give  citizens  a  chance  to evaluate the behaviour and performance of judges inside the courtroom;
- (b) if so, whether the Government of India has any plan to live stream the proceedings in High Courts and Supreme Court; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the initiatives proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) to (e): A Writ Petition was filed in the Hon'ble Supreme Court, seeking declaration for permitting live streaming of Supreme Court case proceedings of constitutional and national importance having an impact on the public at large and a direction to make available the necessary infrastructure for live streaming and to frame guidelines for the determination of such  cases  which  are  of  constitutional  and  national  importance.  The  Hon'ble  Supreme Court vide its Judgment dated 26 th September, 2018 in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 66 of 2018 -

Indira Jai Singh versus Secretary General of Supreme Court & Others has, interalia, observed that : (i) it is important to re-emphasise the significance of live-streaming as an  extension  of  the  principle  of  open  justice  and  open  courts;  (ii)The  process  of  livestreaming should be subjected to carefully structured guidelines, (iii) Initially, a pilot project may  be  conducted  for  about  three  months  by  live-streaming  only  cases  of  national  and constitutional  importance  which  can  be  expanded  in  due  course  with  availability  of infrastructure.

The eCommittee of the Supreme Court has set up a Committee to draw up Standard Operating  Procedure  (SOP)  for  Live  Streaming.  Additionally,  under  the  guidance  of eCommittee, Supreme Court of India, a sub-committee was constituted for framing Model Rules for Live Streaming. The said rules have been forwarded to Computer Committee of High Courts for the feedback and suggestions.

Live Streaming of video conferencing of proceedings has been started in High Courts of Gujarat, Orissa, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Patna and Madhya Pradesh thus allowing media and other interested persons to join the proceedings.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3908 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-25
Subject: Online Dispute Resolution
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Manoj Kishorbhai Kotak

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AFFAIRS ****

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3908 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 25 th  MARCH, 2022

## Online Dispute Resolution

## 3908:  SHRIMATI RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE: SHRI MANOJ KOTAK:

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

a) whether the Government has started online dispute resolution using technology and innovation for effective justice;

- (b) if so, the details thereof;

(c)  whether  large  section  of  society  is  now  able  to  receive  affordable,  effective  and timely justice using technology and innovation; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

****

- (a) to (d): The concept of Online Dispute Resolution(ODR) in India is at a nascent stage.  In  order  to  create  an  effective  implementation  framework  for  Online  Dispute Resolution (ODR) in India, the NITI Aayog had constituted a high level committee in June 2020 under the chairmanship ofJustice A K Sikri, Retired Judge, Supreme Court of  India.  The  Committee  was  required  to  develop  an  action  plan  that  can  aid  in mainstreaming ODR and thus promote access to justice through ODR.

The  report  of  the  committee  titled  ' Designing  the  future  of  dispute  Resolution:  the ODR Policy  Plan  for  India '  was  released  on  29.11.2021.    The  report  recommends measures at three levels to tackle challenges in adopting ODR framework in India.

- (i) At the structural level, it suggests actions to increase digital literacy, improve access  to  digital  infrastructure  and  train  professionals  as  neutrals  to  deliver ODR services.
- (ii) At the behavioural level, the report recommends adoption of ODR to address disputes involving Government departments and ministries.
- (iii) At  the  regulatory  level,  the  report  recommends  a  soft-touch  approach  to regulate ODR platforms and services. This involves laying down design and

ethical  principles  to  guide  ODR  service  providers  to  self-regulate  while fostering growth and innovations in the ecosystem.

The report also stresses on strengthening the existing legislative framework for ODR by introducing necessary amendments  to  statutes. The  report offers a  phased implementation framework for ODR in India.

The Government of India has already initiatedthe steps to strengthen  ODR mechanisms in the country.Acknowledging the importance of online dispute resolution, it has been proposed to provide for online mediation under the Mediation Bill,  2021  which  was  introduced  in  the  Rajya  Sabha  on  20.12.2021.  The  online mediation  is  to  be  conducted  in  accordance  with  the  process  specified  by  the Mediation Council of India. The Bill ispresently under examination of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3906 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-25
Subject: MoU with Asian Development Bank
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Manoj Kumar Tiwari, Sangamlal Kadedin Gupta, P.P. Chaudhary, Mahendra Singh Solanky, Rajbahadur Singh, Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, Pratap Chandra Sarangi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3906 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.03.2022

## MOU WITH ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

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

3906.     SHRI MANOJ TIWARI SHRI RAJBAHADUR SINGH SHRI SANGAM LAL GUPTA SHRI MAHENDRA SINGH SOLANKY SHRI PRATAP CHANDRA SARANGI SHRI BRIJBHUSHAN SHARAN SINGH SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY

- (a) whether the Government has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Asian Development Bank (ADB) to promote and strengthen the primary healthcare in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the rationale, objective, timelines and the achievable goals behind the said move;
- (c)  the details of state/UTs which have been benefitted by the said MoU;
- (d)    whether  the  Government  has  allocated  funds  for  developing  institutional  capacity  for health and wellness at municipal levels in the country and if so, the details thereof, state/UTwise/district-wise; and
- (e)  If not, the reasons thereof?

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY

## ANSWER WELFARE

## Dr. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR

- ( a) to (e): A loan agreement for USD 300 million has been signed between Government of India and Asian Development Bank (ADB) to strengthen 'Comprehensive Primary Health Care in Urban areas under Prime Minister - Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM)' on 23rd November 2021. The objective is to strengthen primary health care in urban areas in 13  states namely Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and West Bengal with the goal of improving the access to quality Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC) Services in urban population.

Health  is  a  state  subject.  Government  of  India  provides  required  financial  support  to States/UTs to upgrade health infrastructure in primary health care facilities including support for  diagnostic  infrastructure,  human  resources,  buildings  &  equipments  in  Sub  Health Centres,  Primary  Health  Centres  and  Urban  Health  and  Wellness  Centres  and  polyclinics through National Health Mission and 15 th Finance Commission Grants. Government of India also supports states/UTs under Emergency Covid Response Package- I & II and Ayushman Bharat  -  Health  Infrastructure  Mission  for  various  components  including  upgradation  of health infrastructure in urban areas.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3903 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-25
Subject: National Domestic Violence Helpline
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Vijay Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UN-STARRED QUESTION NO. 3903

TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.03.2022

## NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HELPLINE

## 3903.  SHRI VIJAY KUMAR:

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

- (a) the number of women who used the National Domestic Violence Helpline to complain against domestic violence during April, 2020 to March 2021;
- (b) the status of the complaints filed through the said helpline;
- (c) whether feedback has been sought electronically, orally or in any other form regarding the  quality  of  assistance  received  by  them  after  using  the  said  helpline  by  women/ family members; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): The Government implements the Universalisation of Women Helpline (WHL) Scheme since 1 st April,  2015 with the aim to provide 24x7 emergency and non-emergency responses, including  assistance  to  women  facing  any  kind  of  violence  and  distress,  through  a  toll-free telecom service with short code 181 across the country by referral service. Women helpline is operational  in  34  States/  UTs  and  it  has  handled  more  than  68.70  lakh  calls  since  its operationalization.

The  Government  also  implements  Emergency  Response  Support  System  (ERSS)  under Nirbhaya Fund, which is a pan-India, single, internationally recognized number, i.e. 112 based system for  various  emergencies  such  as  police,  fire  and  ambulance  services,  with  computer aided dispatch of field resources to the location of distress. It has been operationalized in 35 States/ UTs.

Further, to protect women from any kind of violence including domestic voilence, the National Commission  for  Women  (NCW)  has  launched  Helpline  number(s)  for  reporting  of  domestic violence  incidence  during  the  year  2020-21.  One  of  such  helpline  number  is  7827170170  to provide 24x7 online support to women in distress through referral by linking them with Police, Hospitals, District Legal Services Authority, psychological counsellors etc. The portal is driven by  Interactive  Voice  Response  (IVR)   mechanism  through  Digital  India  in  collaboration  with Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

Further, to assist the women facing domestic violence during the pandemic when the survivors were  confined  at  homes  with  their  abusers,  a  WhatsApp  number  7217735372  was  also launched as emergency response during lockdown. In matters which require urgent intervention, the State Police authorities were also approached through telephone calls/ email for providing immediate assistance to these women. A total of 1430 complaints were reported during the period of its functioning (10th April, 2020 to 16th September, 2020).

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3901 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-25
Subject: East Container Terminal
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Thirumaa Valavan Thol

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3901

TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.03.2022

## EAST CONTAINER TERMINAL

## 3901.    SHRI THIRUMAAVALAVAN THOL:

Will the Minister of External Affairs be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the strategic Colombo Port's East Container T erminal, which was planned to be constructed jointly by Sri Lanka, India and Japan have been dropped;
- (b) if so, the reasons therefor:
- (c) whether the Government is aware of the agreement entered into by Sri Lanka with China for building the above Colombo Port's East Container Terminal which may cause security risk to India; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the plan formulated/being formulated to protect the interest of the country from such losses that impact its security?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) to (d) India, Sri Lanka and Japan had signed a trilateral Memorandum of   Cooperation   (MoC)   in   May   2019   to   develop   and   operate   the   East Container Terminal (ECT) of Colombo Port. It has been reported that the Cabinet of Ministers of Sri Lanka in a meeting held on 01 February 2021 approved a proposal to operate the ECT as a wholly owned container terminal of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. The Cabinet of Ministers of Sri Lanka also approved the proposal to take necessary steps to develop and operate the West Container Terminal of the Port of Colombo as a publicprivate partnership with foreign parties on BOT basis.

The   matter   was   taken   up   by   High   Commission   of   India   with Government of Sri Lanka and the importance of adhering to international commitments in the context of the tripartite MoC was emphasized.

It   has   been   stressed   to   Government   of   Sri   Lanka   that   the development of infrastructure in Sri Lanka in areas such as ports and energy with foreign investment from India would be a mutually beneficial proposition, especially since most of the transhipment at Colombo Port is to and from India.

India's relations with other countries stand on their own footing and are independent of the relations of those countries with third countries. However,   Government   carefully   monitors   any   developments   having   a bearing   on   India's   security   and   economic   interests,   and   takes   all necessary measures to safeguard them.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 3899 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-25
Subject: Cases of Omicron Variant
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Haji Fazlur Rehman

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3899 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.03.2022

## CASES OF OMICRON VARIANT

## 3899.  SHRI HAJI FAZLUR REHMAN:

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

- a) the number of active cases of Omicron /COVID-19 in the country as on date; and
- b) the  number  of  people  who  have  recovered  after  being  infected  by  the  said  disease  since January 1, 2022?

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

- (a)  :  As  on  21 st March,  2022,  a  total  of  25,106  cases  are  reported  as  active  cases  across  the country by States/UTs.
- (b) Since 1 st January 2022 till 21 st March 2022, a total of 82,01,411 cases have recovered/discharged in the country as reported by States/UTs.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3895 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-25
Subject: MBBS course at AIIMS, Darbhanga
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Kaushalendra Kumar

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3895 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 th  MARCH 2022

## MBBS COURSE AT AIIMS, DARBHANGA

## 3895. SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to start teaching MBBS course under the alternative arrangement  in  Darbhanga  on  the  lines  of  other  under  construction  AIIMS  till  the construction of AIIMS, Darbhanga is completed; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not the reasons therefor?

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

(a) and (b) Setting up of AIIMS Darbhanga is at a very initial stage and therefore there is no proposal at present to start MBBS course of the Institute under an alternative arrangement, as it is linked to availability of suitable infrastructure and manpower of its own, including faculty.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3893 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-25
Subject: Setting up of AIIMS in Nanded
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Prataprao Govindrao  Patil Chikhalikar

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3893 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 th  MARCH 2022

## SETTING UP OF AIIMS IN NANDED

## 3893. SHRI PRATAPRAO PATIL CHIKHLIKAR:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to set up AIIMS in Nanded, Maharashtra;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the time by which the work for the same is likely to be started; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) The Government has plans to set up AIIMS in each State in a phased manner.   As far as Maharashtra is concerned, setting up of an AIIMS at Nagpur has already been approved and there is no proposal for setting up of an AIIMS at Nanded.