opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1584 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-10
Subject: Cases of Surrogacies
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Aparajita Sarangi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1584 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 th  FEBRUARY, 2023

## CASES OF SURROGACIES

## 1584.    SHRIMATI APARAJITA SARANGI:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  maintains  data  on  the  number  of  cases  of  surrogacy registered  in  a  year,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  during  the  last  three  years  and  if  not,  the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the Government has noted the increase in surrogacy cases in the country and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise including States which have recorded majority of cases thereof during the last five years;
- (c) whether there are any legal and medical requirements to be abided by the surrogate and commissioning parents before the process of surrogacy is initiated and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the hospitals are mandated to keep the record of previous surrogates to be shared at Central level in order to avoid the exploitation of any woman for the repeated instances and if so, the details thereof?

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

## ANSWER WELFARE

## (DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

- (a) & (b): The National Registry has been set up under the central government to act as a central database in the country for collection of all relevant information pertaining to the ART Act and Surrogacy Act.
- (c):   Details of legal and medical requirements to be abided by the surrogate mother and commissioning  parents  (intending  couple)  are  given  under  Section  4  of  the  Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021.
- (d):   The provisions under Section 4 of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 provide that a willing woman can act as surrogate mother not more than once in her lifetime. This is to be  ensured  at  the  level  of  State  Appropriate  Authority  while  issuing  the  eligibility certificate to the surrogate mother.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1578 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-10
Subject: Regulation on Junk Food to Check Obesity
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Behanan Benny

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1578 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 th  FEBRUARY, 2023

## REGULATION ON JUNK FOOD TO CHECK OBESITY

## 1578 . SHRI BENNY BEHANAN:

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

(a) the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to regulate the promotion of junk  food  and  fast  food  being  done  through  target  advertisements  aimed  at  children;  and

(b) the reasons for not implementing a 'junk food tax' to address the rising rates of obesity in the country?

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

(a) & (b): 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.  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. 1575 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-10
Subject: Monitoring Competency of Nurses
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Ganesh Singh

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1575 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 th  FEBRUARY, 2023

## MONITORING COMPETENCY OF NURSES

## 1575: SHRI GANESH SINGH:

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

- (a) whether the Government has provisions to ensure sustaining competency of nurses for a long- term such as re-licensing, competence review and if so, the details of the provisions along with the audit conducted for its compliance during 2019-2022;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  put  in  place  a  regulatory  mechanism  to  evaluate  the performance of nurses in long term; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, whether the Government proposes to constitute any regulatory body for monitoring the performance of nurses and ensuring their well-being?

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

(a) to (c): As per Indian Nursing Council, Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) Regulations, 2019, renewal of registration/license every five years is linked with 150 hours of CNE and it has to be compulsorily undergone by all the category of nurses. Under the component 'Training of Nurses' of the central sector scheme 'Development of Nursing Services' training is imparted to a batch of 30 nurses per course of 7 days which add to their CNE credits. 2250 nurses were trained during the last financial year under the scheme.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1573 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-10
Subject: Price of Imported DAP
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Bhartruhari Mahtab

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1573 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 10.02.2023

## Price of imported DAP

## 1573.  SHRI  BHARTRUHARI  MAHTAB:

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

- (a) whether the price of imported DAP has dropped during last three months;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  SSP  (Single  Super  Phosphate)  is  considered  an  alternative  to  diammonium phosphate; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the impact on the import of DAP?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS

## (SHRI BHAGWANTH KHUBA)

- (a) & (b): Yes Sir. The price of imported DAP during last three months is as under:

| S.No.                         | Month                         | Price of Imported DAP (CFR price) (in USD/MT)   |
|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|
| 1.                            | November, 2022                | 743                                             |
| 2.                            | December, 2022                | 723                                             |
| 3.                            | January, 2023                 | 679                                             |
| Source: Argus, FMB price data | Source: Argus, FMB price data | Source: Argus, FMB price data                   |

(c)  &  (d):  Yes  Sir,  Single  Super  Phosphate  (SSP)  can  be  a  good  alternative  to  diammonium Phosphate (DAP).  The P2O5 content in DAP is 46% while in SSP it is 16%. Thus, 3 bags of SSP along with 1 bag of Urea can replace 1 bag of DAP. More usage of this alternative can help in meeting the DAP demand including imported DAP.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1571 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-10
Subject: Projects under Nirbhaya Fund in Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 1571

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.02.2023

## PROJECTS UNDER NIRBHAYA FUND IN ANDHRA PRADESH

## 1571.  SHRI RAM MOHAN NAIDU KINJARAPU:

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

- (a) the details of the projects approved under the Nirbhaya Fund in the State of Andhra Pradesh;
- (b) the details of funds allocated  to Andhra Pradesh thereunder during 2019-2022;
- (c) whether any monitoring or audit of Nirbhaya Fund Utilization has been done so far; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) : The projects/ schemes appraised by Empowered Committee (EC) under Framework for Nirbhaya Fund are having staggered implementation schedule. While some  of  the  appraised  projects  are  directly  implemented  by  Central  Ministries/ Departments; majority of the projects are implemented through State Governments/ Union Territory Administrations in which Central Government releases the funds to States/ UTs as per prescribed fund-sharing pattern of respective projects/ schemes.

The proposal received from various authorities for implementation in Andhra Pradesh under Nirbhaya Fund includes proposals for Abhaya Project for safety of women and girl child, Emergency Response Support System, One Stop Centre, Universalisation of  Women  Helpline,  Central  Victim  compensation  fund,  Cyber  Crime  Prevention against  Women  &  Children  (CCPWC),  Setting  up  and  strengthening  Anti  Human Trafficking  Units,  Setting  up  and  strengthening  of  Women  Help  Desks  in  Police Stations,  Setting  up  of  Fast  Track  Special  courts,  Proposal  for  customization, deployment  and  management  of  State-wise  vehicle  tracking  platform,  Safe  City Project, Strengthening of DNA analysis, Cyber Forensic and related facilities in State Forensic Laboratories, customization, deployment and management of State-wise AIS 140 Vehicle Tracking Platform etc. As reported by concerned Ministries / Departments / Implementing Agencies, a total of Rs. 124.18 crore has been allocated / released to State Government of Andhra Pradesh during the year 2017-18 to 2021-22.

(c) & (d): An Empowered Committee (EC) of Officers constituted under the Framework for  Nirbhaya  Fund  appraises  and  recommends  the  proposals  for  funding  under Nirbhaya Fund and reviews the status of implementation of approved projects from time to time in conjunction with the concerned Ministries/ Departments/ Implementing Agencies (IAs). The Ministries/ Departments/ IAs also review and monitor the progress of their respective Schemes/ projects to ensure faster implementation at their level.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1568 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-10
Subject: Funds under NAM for Uttar Pradesh
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: Upendra Singh Rawat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1568 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 TH  FEBRUARY, 2023

## FUNDS UNDER NAM FOR UTTAR PRADESH

## 1568. SHRI UPENDRA SINGH RAWAT:

Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:

(a)  the  total  amount  of  funds  sanctioned  under  National  AYUSH  Mission  (NAM)  for  Uttar Pradesh during the last three years and current year, district-wise including Barabanki; and

(b) the total number of immunity boosting Bal Raksha Kits supplied to Uttar Pradesh so far and the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTEROF AYUSH (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

(a) The total amount of funds sanctioned/released under Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH  Mission  (NAM)  for  Uttar  Pradesh  during  the  last  three  years  and  current  year  is Rs. 393.26 Crore. However, under NAM, no grant-in-aid is sanctioned/ released district-wise.

(b) Ministry of Ayush has not supplied the immunity boosting Bal Raksha Kits to the State of Uttar Pradesh under NAM.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1565 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-10
Subject: Coal Imported through Karaikal Port
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: M. Selvaraj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING  AND WATERWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1565

ANSWERED ON 1OIO2I2O23

## COAL IMPORTED THROUGH KARAIKAL PORT

## 1565. SHRI M. SELVARAJ:

Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS  be pleased to state: ffi, trdqPr+f,{ ofuqgqFf dfi

- (a) the quantum of coal imported through Karaikal Port during the last three years;
- (b) the details of distribution of coal by Railway  and road for the last three years; and
- (c) the details of revenue generated by the Port during the last three years?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING  AND WATERWAYS (sHRr SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

- (a) The quantum of Coal imported  through Karaikal Port last three years is as follows:-
- (b) Distribution of Coal by Railway and Road for the last three years is as follows:-
- (c) Revenue  generated by Karaikal Port during the last three years is as follows:-

| Years   | Quantity in Tonnes   |
|---------|----------------------|
| 2019-20 | 78,62,308            |
| 2020-21 | 56,20,284            |
| 2021-22 | 40,13,584            |

| Years   | By Road (in Tonnes)   | By Rail (in Tonnes)   |
|---------|-----------------------|-----------------------|
| 2019-20 | 15,60,161             | 63,35,596             |
| 2020-21 | 15,48,906             | 41,61,685             |
| 2021-22 | 9,43,589              | 32,24,769             |

| Years   | Amount in INR   |
|---------|-----------------|
| 2019-20 | 431,76,00,497   |
| 2020-21 | 328,96,30,581   |
| 2021-22 | 258,17,78,692   |
Lok Sabha Question No. 1562 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-10
Subject: Ships repaired in Private Shipyard
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Maddila  Gurumoorthy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING  AND WATERWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1562

ANSWERED ON |OIO2I 2023

## SHIPS REPAIRED IN PRIVATE SHIPYARD

1562. SHRI MADDILA GURUMOORTHY:

## Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS  be pleased to state: Tf,{,frdqfl+f,rsfuwscrf df

- (a) the number of ships that were repaired in private shipyards during the last three years;
- (b) whether the ship repair industry has suffered due to the covlD-19  pandemic;
- (c) if so, the details thereof, including the economic losses  suffered;
- (d) whether the Government  is supporting indigenous manufacturers of shipbuilding parts under Central schemes, such as Make in lndia;
- (e) if so, the details thereof  and if not, the reasons  therefor;
- (f) whether  the Government has taken any steps to develop  programmes  to generate revenue  and employment  in the ship repair industry; and
- (g) if so, the details thereof and if not' the reasons  therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING  AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

- (a) As per data available in this Ministry, 725 ships were repaired  in private shipyards during  2019-20, 2020-21  and 2021 -22
- (b) & (c) Yes, sir General impact of covlD-19  pandemic includes reduced scale of ship repair  operations  due to various factors including  restricted working arrangements, supply chain disruptions, international  and inter-state  lock-down  restrictions  etc. some ship repair  projects were delayed due to the aforesaid  reasons  and also on account of issues  relating  to cash flows from customers

(d)  & (e) Yes, Sir. rn response  to the revised order of the Department  for  promotion  of lndustry  and lnternar  rrade (DpIT)  for  pubric  procurement  (preference  to Make in lndia)'  order 2017 dared i 6.09.2020,  this Ministry issued  a notification dated 13 10.2020 wherein it has been stated that for the tenders for procurement  of goods and services less than Rs. 200 crore, onry crass-r  Locar Supprier  (Minimum  sox -ot tne local content)  and crass-il  Locar supprier (Minimum 20% or the rocar content) are eligible  to participate  in different  types of procurement.  Further,  in this regard, this Ministry  has also issued  two more notifications dated 17 .0g.2021 .

(D & (s) Yes,  sir. For acquisition  of any type of vesser/ repaar of vesser by Government Department/ Agencies incruding  public  Sector Undertakings (psUs)  through  grobar tendering process,  the Ministry of  ports,  shipping  and wateruays, existing porty ot RoFR (Right  of First Refusar)  wourd  continue to be impremented.  This is a rn'ajor poricy to create demand.  Further, the Ministry  of  ports,  Shipping  anO Watenrrays  has formulated  a detaired Maritime  rndia Vision,  2030 which  inter aria, contains key proposals  for upliftment  of lndian Ship repair lndustry.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1560 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-10
Subject: Dues of Hospitals under Ayushman Bharat Yojana
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Uday Pratap Singh

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1560 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 TH  FEBRUARY, 2023

## DUES OF HOSPITALS UNDER AYUSHMAN BHARAT YOJANA

## 1560.  SHRI UDAY PRATAP SINGH:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the complaints received regarding delay in payment to the private hospitals for medical treatment under Ayushman Bharat Yojana;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the measures taken by the Government to deal with such cases;
- (c) whether it is a fact that dues to such private hospitals are not settled even after two months of treatment provided and if so, the details of efforts taken/being taken in this regard; and
- (d) whether the Government has taken any initiatives to set up or evolve any mechanism to deal with such problems 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):  Ayushman  Bharat  -Pradhan  Mantri  Jan  Arogya  Yojana  (AB-PMJAY)  is implemented in States/UTs in partnership with respective State Governments. National Health Authority  (NHA)  has  defined  parameters  for  settlement  of  claims  and  same  is  closely monitored at all levels.  States/UTs  are  instructed  to  settle  pending  claims  as  per  the  claims adjudication guidelines. Further, in order to ensure timely release of State share for scheme implementation, Central share of funds is released only after upfront release of proportionate State share.

As of 02.02.2023, the overall percentage of the total claims paid against total claims submitted under  the  scheme  is  approximately  77%  while  the  percentage  of  claims  paid  to  private hospitals is 86%. Initiatives taken to streamline the payment mechanism under the scheme are at Annexure.

*****

## Initiatives taken to streamline the payment mechanism under AB-PMJAY

- i. Close monitoring of claim payments: Various monitoring dashboards are developed to trace claims pendency, claim payment, turn-around time of claim payment, etc.
- ii. Green Channel Payment (GCP): NHA has launched GCP wherein the provision of partial  payment  of  50%  of  the  claim  amount  automatically  at  the  time  of  claim submission has been integrated into the NHA's IT system.
- iii. Deployment of e-RUPI: Issuance of e-RUPI voucher to the beneficiaries for upfront payment for drugs and diagnostics services under AB-PMJAY.
- iv. Query  workflow: Claims  query  workflow  is  optimized  to  avoid  delay  in  claims settlement.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1559 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-10
Subject: Water Soluble Fertilizers
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Ramdas Chandrabhanji Tadas

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1559 TO BE ANSWERED ON : 10.02.2023

## Water soluble fertilizers

## 1559.  SHRI  RAMDAS C. TADAS:

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

- (a) whether the Government is encouraging the use of water soluble fertilizers in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the location where water soluble fertilizers are being produced in the country;
- (d) whether water soluble fertilizers are being imported; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof along with the names of the countries from which these are being imported

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS

## (SHRI BHAGWANTH KHUBA)

(a) to (c) : Sir, the Government of India (GoI) advocates the balanced and judicious use  of  fertilizers.  In  Fertilizers  Control  Order,  1985,  100%  water  soluble  complex fertilizer i.e Potassium Nitrate (13-0-45), Mono-Potassium Phosphate (0-52-34) (100% water  soluble),  Calcium  Nitrate,  Potassium  Magnesium  Sulphate,  Mono  Ammonium Phosphate  12:61:0  (100  %  water  soluble),  Urea  phosphate  17:44:0  (100  %  water soluble), Potassium Nitrate (Prilled) (13-0-45) (Soil Application) , 24-24-0 (100 % water soluble Complex fertilizer) and Potassium Metaphosphate dimer (0-40-40) have been incorporated.  Further the GoI issued the general specification for 100 % water soluble Mixture  of  fertilizers.  Accordingly,  different  companies  produce  100%  water  soluble fertilizers at different places in the country.

(d)  &  (e)  : The  list  of  the  countries  from  where  the  Water  Soluble  Fertilizer  were imported during 2022-23 (as on 31.01.2023) are as under:

|   S. No | Name of Country   |
|---------|-------------------|
|       1 | ISRAEL            |
|       2 | UAE               |
|       3 | NORWAY            |
|       4 | JORDAN            |
|       5 | BELGIUM           |

|   6. | RUSSIA       |
|------|--------------|
|    7 | CHILE        |
|    8 | GERMANY      |
|    9 | CHINA        |
|   10 | DENMARK      |
|   11 | FRANCE       |
|   12 | ITALY        |
|   13 | KOREA        |
|   14 | FINLAND      |
|   15 | POLAND       |
|   16 | TAIWAN       |
|   17 | TURKEY       |
|   18 | SPAIN        |
|   19 | SINGAPORE    |
|   20 | SAUDI ARABIA |
|   21 | THAILAND     |
|   22 | SWEDEN       |

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1554 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-10
Subject: Regiments based on various Castes
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Giridhari Yadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1554

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 th  February, 2023

## REGIMENTS BASED ON VARIOUS CASTES

## 1554.  SHRI GIRIDHARI YADAV:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether various caste based regiments exist in Indian Army, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  Ahir  regiment  doesn't  exist  in  Indian  Army  despite  demonstration  of indomitable courage by soldiers belonging to Ahir caste on various occasions;
- (c)  if so, the details thereof along with the timeline by which the Ahir Regiment is likely to be raised; and
- (d)  if not, the reasons therefor?

## A  N  S  W  E  R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

- (a):  No, Sir.
- (b)  to  (d):    Proposal  for  raising  of  Ahir  Regiment  is  not  under  consideration.  As  per Government  Policy  on  the  subject,  all  citizens  irrespective  of  their  class,  creed,  region  or religion are eligible for recruitment in the Indian Army. After Independence, it has been the policy of the Government not to raise any new Regiment for a particular class/community/religion or region. Adequate vacancies are being provided to all classes to ensure equitable opportunity for recruitment into the Indian Army.

*****

(SHRI AJAY BHATT)