opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 351 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-03
Subject: Import of Defence Items
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Deepak (Dev) Adhikari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 351

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03 rd  February, 2023

## IMPORT OF DEFENCE ITEMS

## 351. SHRI ADHIKARI DEEPAK (DEV):

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  the details of Defence items imported during the last five years, years-wise;
- (b)  the total expenditure incurred on such imports,year-wise;
- (c)  the details of top five countries from where the Defence items are being imported; and
- (d)  the details of Defence items which are beingstill imported in the country?

## A  N  S  W  E  R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI AJAY BHATT)

(a) to (d):  During last five financial years (2017-18 to 2021-2022) and current financial year 2022-23 (upto December, 2022), total 264 capital acquisition contracts have been signed for procurement of defence equipment, out of which, 88 contracts accounting for 36.26% of total contract value have been signed with vendors from foreign countries such as USA, Russia, France,  Israel,  Spain  etc.  The  major  Defence  equipment  imported  includes  Helicopters, Aircraft Radars, Rockets, Guns, Assault Rifles, Missiles and Ammunitions.

Details of capital expenditure incurred on foreign procurement for Defence Equipment by the Defence Services for the last five year are as under: -

(Rs. in crore)

| Financial Year   | Foreign Procurement   |
|------------------|-----------------------|
| 2017-18          | 30,677.29             |
| 2018-19          | 38,115.60             |
| 2019-20          | 40,330.02             |
| 2020-21          | 43,916.37             |
| 2021-22          | 40,839.53             |

Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP 2020) with a focus on 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and  'Make  in  India'  introduced  major  policy  initiatives  for  boosting  indigenous  defence capability  and  reduction  of  reliance  on  imports.  Further,  DAP-2020  provides  the  highest preference to Buy Indian (IDDM) category of acquisition and Buy Global is only permitted in exceptional situations with specific approval of Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) / Raksha Mantri.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 349 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-03
Subject: Purchase of Booster Dose Vaccines of COVID-19
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Mala Roy

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 349 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03 RD  FEBRUARY  2023

## PURCHASE OF BOOSTER DOSE VACCINES OF COVID-19

## 349. SHRIMATI MALA ROY:

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

- (a) whether the Government has purchased booster dose vaccines of COVID-19 from the medicine companies between 15 December 2022 to 19 January 2023;
- (b) if so, the quantum of booster dose vaccine purchased thereof, company wise; and
- (c) the total amount spend for this purpose during the above mentioned period?

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

## ANSWER (DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a) to  (c): Government  of  India  has  ensured  vaccine  availability  for  booster  dose  and  has  not purchased  any  Covid-19  vaccine  during  the  said  period  i.e.  15 th December  2022  to  19 th January 2023.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 347 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-03
Subject: Cooperation under Multilateral Framework
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Asaduddin Owaisi

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

ANSWERED ON-03/02/2023

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-347

## COOPERATION UNDER MULTILATERAL FRAMEWORK

347. SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI

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

(a) whether the Minister recently visited Russia to review trade ties against back  drop of western countries and finalize agenda for cooperation under multilateral framework including G-20 and BRICS;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the detailed discussion held between two nations regarding Russia-Ukraine war, terrorism in Pakistan and Afghanistan; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and other steps taken/discussed in regard to meet the energy demand of India from Russia?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN)

(a to d) External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, visited Russia on 7-8 November 2022. During the visit, he held meetings with Mr. Denis Manturov, Deputy Prime Minister & Minister   of   Trade   and   Industry,   who   is   also   his   counterpart   for   the   India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation   (IRIGC-TEC)   and   Mr.   Sergey   Lavrov,   Foreign   Minister   of   the   Russian Federation. External   Affairs   Minister   discussed   issues   of bilateral   trade   and   economic cooperation, including energy with the Russian Deputy Prime Minister. He discussed issues regarding   bilateral cooperation and   also   exchanged views   on regional   and   international developments including G-20 with  the Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Both countries regularly exchange views, including at the highest level, on issues of mutual interest including, Russia-Ukraine conflict, terrorism, situation in Afghanistan and the region.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 343 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-03
Subject: Alumni Association in Sainik Schools
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: S. Muniswamy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 343

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03 rd  February, 2023

## ALUMNI ASSOCIATION IN SAINIK SCHOOLS

## 343.  SHRI S. MUNISWAMY:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Sainik School Society is aware of the fact that the Alumni Associations can be considered for funding and other assistance as per the New Education Policy;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof alongwith the status of the Sainik Schools Alumni Associations of 33 Sainik Schools monitored by the Sainik School Society;
- (c)  whether the Sainik School Society is inclined to get details of the Alumni Associations of the 33 Sainik Schools and further assist them grow, if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  if not, whether institutionalization of these33 Alumni Associations is in the agenda of the Sainik School Society; and
- (e)    whether  such  a  decision  will  be  fruitful  considering  the  highly  illustrious  and  nation building individuals amongst the Alumnus of the Sainik schools, if so, the details thereof?

## A  N  S  W  E  R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI AJAY BHATT)

- (a) & (b):  Yes, Sir. Alumni associations have been one of the pillars and strength of Sainik Schools and have been helping financially and building an atmosphere of Bon-homie/healthy bonding between the students and ex-students of Sainik Schools. Out of 33 existing Sainik Schools, being run by Sainik Schools Society under the erstwhile model, 23 older Schools have Alumni associations.
- (c) to (e):  Sainik Schools Society takes immense pride in its illustrious members of Alumni Association  and  promotes  them  by  way  of  School  interaction  Programmes.  The  present arrangement is working well for the betterment of the Sainik Schools and their various facets in general.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 341 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-03
Subject: Renaming of Haldia Dock Complex
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Dibyendu Adhikari

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 341

ANSWERED ON O3IO2I2O23

## RENAMING OF HALDIA DOCK COMPLEX

## 341 . SHRI DIBYENDU ADHIKARI:

Will the Minister of PORTS, SH|PPING AND WATERWAyS be pleased to state: qrq, qtd qfudEF{  qii  vsqFf d'Trmq

- (a)  whether the Government has renamed several ports of the country in the name of eminent  stalwart leaders of the nation and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the time taken by the Government to implement the said proposal?
- (b) whether the Government has received any proposal to rename Haldia Dock complex in the name of Late Satish Chandra Samanta and if so, the details thereof; and

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes, sir. The ports  in lndia are generally named  after the city or the town in which these are situated.  However, the Government in special cases after due consideration  have renamed  some ports after great national leaders like Jawaharlal  Nehru Port Authority  in  '1g8g (earlier, Nhava sheva Port rrust), V.o.chidambaranar  port  Authority  in 2o11r (earlier, Tuticorin Port rrust), Kamarajar Port Limited in 2014 (earlier,  Ennore  port  Limited), Deen Dayal Port Authority  in 20'18 (earlier,  Kandla Port rrust). Kolkata  port  rrust was renamed as "Syama  Prasad Mookerjee Port Authority, Kolkata", in the year  2020.
- (b) No proposal  to rename Haldia Dock complex in the name of Late satish chandra Samanta has been received in the Ministry.
- (c) Does not arise.
Lok Sabha Question No. 338 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-03
Subject: Difficulties in Visa Appointments
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Sarmistha Sethi, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

ANSWERED ON-03/02/2023

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No-338

## DIFFICULTIES IN VISA APPOINTMENTS

338. SHRIMATI SARMISTHA SETHI SHRI RAM MOHAN NAIDU KINJARAPU

Will the Minister of External Affairs be pleased to state :-

(a) whether the Government has noticed that students are facing difficulties in obtaining visas for higher education to the United States due to unavailability of appointments and if so, the details thereof;

(b)  whether the Government is aware that such students are losing their admissions in prestigious universities due to unavailability of visa appointments;

(c) whether the Ministry has a portal or mechanism in place that the students can contact in case they face difficulties in obtaining an appointment;

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

(e) whether the Ministry has taken up the issue of difficulty in obtaining visas for higher education overseas with the US Government; and

(f) if so, the details of steps being taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

(SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN)

(a to f) The Ministry is aware of challenges faced by Indian students for obtaining visas for USA in the last two years, particularly in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The matter has been taken up at high levels with the U.S. Government, including at Ministerial meetings.

Grant of visa is the sovereign decision and prerogative of a foreign government, acting through their Missions, based on their procedures.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 335 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-03
Subject: Distinctions in the Biological and Biochemical Properties of Adults and Children
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Kani K. Navas

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 335 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 3 rd  February, 2023

Distinctions in the Biological and Biochemical Properties of Adults and Children

## 335. SHRI K. NAVASKANI:

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

- (a) whether the Government agrees to the view that pharmaceutical companies must recognise the clear distinctions in the biological and biochemical properties of adults and children;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)  the  steps  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  so  that  items  like  chewables, dispersible tablets, granules, powders, sprinkles and pellets are manufactured in such a way that it appeal more to children than solid tablets?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (c):   As  per  information  received  from  Central  Drugs  Standard Control  Organisation (CDSCO) under the Department of Health & Family Welfare, the drug preparations for adults may differ from that for children in various aspects including the dosage form, strength etc. Accordingly, the manufacturers are required to manufacture such formulations in accordance with  manufacturing  license  granted  under  Drugs  &  Cosmetic  Act,  1940  &  Rules  made thereunder.

Such formulations including chewables, dispersible tablets, granules etc. are required to be manufactured in accordance with the standards prescribed in Drugs & Cosmetic Act, 1940 & Rules made there under as well as pharmacopoeial standards.

xxxxx
Lok Sabha Question No. 334 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-03
Subject: Electoral Reforms
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Ashok Mahadeorao Nete

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 334 ANSWERED ON 03/02/2023

## ELECTORAL REFORMS

## †334. SHRI ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE:

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

- (a)  whether the Government has taken any steps to bring electoral reforms to improve the existing electoral practices in the country;
- (b)    if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether the Government proposes to regulate the finances of  political parties; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  and  (b):  The  Government  has  taken  steps,  from  time  to  time,  to  bring  electoral  reforms  to improve the existing electoral practices in the country and recently the Election Laws (Amendment) Act,  2021  (49  of  2021)  was  enacted  in  order  to  curb  the  menace  of multiple enrolment of the same person in different places, to expand the voter base and  consequently  greater  participation  of  eligible  voters  in  the  electoral  process,  to make the statute gender neutral and to streamline the process of conduct of elections with reference to requisitioning of premises for certain purposes. Further, the Electoral reforms  are  continuous  and  ongoing  process  and  in  order  to  improve  the  existing electoral practices in the country, Government after examining the various proposals of the Election Commission of India implement the same through various amendment Acts from time to time.
- (c): No Sir.
- (d): Does not arise.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 332 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-03
Subject: Star Rating for Processed Food
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.332 TO BE ANSWERED ON 3 RD  FEBRUARY, 2023

## STAR RATING FOR PROCESSED FOOD

## 332 . SHRI LAVU SRI KRISHNA DEVARAYALU:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  Food  Safety  and  Standards  Authority  of  India  (FSSAI)  is considering to launch a star rating system for identifying ultra processed food;

- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Government is aware that according to a recent survey, 7 in 10 respondents believe  the  current  practise  of  colour  codes  on  labels  is  more  effective  than  a  star  rating system; and

- (d) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto?

## 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)  in  September,  2022  has notified  the  draft  of  Food  Safety  and  Standards  (Labelling  &  Display)  Amendment Regulations which is available at https://fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Draft\_Notification\_HFSS\_20\_09\_2022.pdf. These amendment regulations propose a definition of foods with high content of fat, sugar and salt (HFSS Food) and also front-of- pack labelling of packaged foods (except for certain foods for which exemptions have been provided) with an Indian Nutrition Rating (INR).

………………
Lok Sabha Question No. 331 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-03
Subject: Menstrual Leave
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: T.N. Prathapan, Behanan Benny, Rajmohan Unnithan

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 331 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.02.2023

## MENSTRUAL LEAVE

## 331:   SHRI T.N. PRATHAPAN SHRI BENNY BEHANAN SHRI RAJMOHAN UNNITHAN

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

- (a) whether the Government has considered to make provision for paid menstrual leave mandatory for all workplaces;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the time by which it would come into force;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the Government is aware of a PIL filed in the Supreme Court in January, 2023 which states that menstrual pain affects employees' productivity and is akin to heart attack pain and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (e) whether the Government would consider to amend the Central Civil Service (Leave) Rules, 1972 for including the paid menstrual leave; and
- (f) 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)  to  (f):  The  Government  has  not  considered  to  make  provision  for  paid  menstrual  leave mandatory for all workplaces.

Menstruation  is  a  normal  physiological  phenomenon  and  only  a  small  proportion  of women/girls suffer from severe dysmenorrhea or similar complaints; and most of these cases are manageable by medication.

The  Government  implements  the  Scheme  for  Promotion  of  Menstrual  Hygiene  among adolescent girls in the age group of 10-19 years . The Scheme is supported by National Health Mission through State Programme Implementation Plan (PIP) route based on the proposals received from the States. States/UTs. Since 2015-16 the procurement of sanitary napkins is decentralized for ensuring quality standards.

The major objectives of the scheme are: i) To increase awareness among adolescent girls on Menstrual Hygiene ii) To increase access to and use of high quality sanitary napkins by adolescent girls. iii) To ensure safe disposal of sanitary napkins in an environmentally friendly manner. Under the scheme a pack of sanitary napkins packs are provided to adolescent girls by the Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) at subsidized rates. Government also provides budget to the States/UTs for Orientation of field level health workers and IEC activities for menstrual hygiene

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 329 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-03
Subject: Funds for Satara District Medical College
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shriniwas Dadasaheb Patil

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 329 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 3 RD  FEBRUARY, 2023

## FUNDS FOR SATARA DISTRICT MEDICAL COLLEGE

## 329. SHRI SHRINIWAS PATIL:

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

- (a) whether the Government has released any funds for the approved Satara District Medical college in Maharashtra to build its infrastructure;
- (b) if so, the details of funds requested and released for the purpose;
- (c) the present status of the infrastructure built and funds utilisation; and
- (d) the  time  by  which  the  infrastructure  will  be  completed  and  the  remaining  funds  will  be released?

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

(a) to (d): The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare administers Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS)  for  'Establishment  of  new  Medical  Colleges  attached  with  existing  district/referral hospitals'  with  preference  to  underserved  areas  and  aspirational  districts,  where  there  is  no existing  Government  or  private  medical  college.  Under  the  Scheme,  the  envisaged  157  new medical  colleges  have  been  approved  in  three  phases  including  two  medical  colleges  in Maharashtra at Gondia and Nandurbar.

Further,  financial  support  is  provided  by  this  Ministry  to  existing  government  medical colleges for Civil Works and procurement of equipment & furniture under CSSs for upgradation of existing State Government/ Central Government Medical Colleges for increasing MBBS (UG) seats  and  PG  seats.  The  State  Government  of  Maharashtra  has  been  supported  under  these Schemes for increase of 700 MBBS seats in 14 colleges and 692 PG seats in 11  colleges.  In addition, support has also been provided to the State of Maharashtra under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya  Suraksha  Yojana  (PMSSY)  for  upgradation  of  06  government  medical  colleges  by setting up of Super Specialty blocks. Further, under the National Health Mission, a total of Rs. 72.55 Crores have been released to the State of Maharashtra for Satara district during the current financial  year  for  implementation  of  various  Schemes/  Programmes  of  this  Ministry,  under flexible pools on a lump sum basis to provide greater flexibility to the State to utilize the funds as per their felt need and priorities.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 328 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-03
Subject: Domestic Production of Synthetic Rubber
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Sanjeev Kumar Singari

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO . 328 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.02.2023

## Domestic Production of Synthetic Rubber

## 328.  DR. SANJEEV KUMAR SINGARI:

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

- (a)   Whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  that  synthetic  rubber,  a  crude  oil derivative, has been impacted by increasing oil prices, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the depreciation of the rupee; (b)  If so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government to keep its prices in check; (c)  Whether it is true that some grades of synthetic rubber which are not manufactured
- in India are fully imported;
- (d)  If so, the details thereof;
- (e)  Whether the Government has plan to promote domestic production of other grades of  synthetic  rubber  like  Nitrile  rubber  (NBR),  Ethylene  propylene  diene  monomer (EPDM) and Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) which are mostly imported; and
- (f)   If so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SHRI BHAGWANTH KHUBA)

- a & b) The prices of crude oil and the downstream products including various grades of Synthetic rubber are decided by market driven forces internationally, and the department does not control the prices.
- c & d) Yes, there are grades of Synthetic Rubber such as Ethyl Vinyl Acetate (EVA) and Ethylene  Propylene Diene  Monomer  (EPDM),  which  are  currently  not  produced  in India;
- e  &  f)  Indian  companies  are  investing  in  this  sector  as  they  are  capable  and  also benefiting  from  investment  friendly  policies  of  the  Government. During  the  past  six years,  Indian  companies  have  invested  over  Rs  4000  Cr  in  establishing  production facilities of Synthetic Rubber. The new capacities which have come up are:
- a. SBR - 270 KTA
- b. PBR - 120 KTA

Further the production of   the Butyl rubber has also started in India.

*****