opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4046 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-24
Subject: Panel for Selection of Election Commissioners
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: K. Subbarayan

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

## Lok Sabha

## Unstarred Question No. 4046

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 24 th  March, 2023

## Panel for Selection of Election Commissioners

## 4046.   SHRI SUBBARAYAN K.:

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that the Supreme Court has held that the selection of the Chief Election Commissioner and the members of the Commission to be made by  a  panel  comprising  the  PM,  the  Leader  of  the  Opposition  (LOP)  and  the Chief Justice of India (CJI) as the Government has failed to enact a Law as per the Article 324(2) of the Constitution for the purpose; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and Government's reaction thereto?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE

## (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) and (b): Sir, in Writ Petition (Civil) No.104 of 2015, Anoop Baranwal v. Union of India ,  with  Writ  Petition  (Civil)  No.1043  of 2017,  569  of 2021 and 998 of 2022, the Supreme Court of India has inter alia held in  its  judgment dated the 02 March, 2023 that  until  the  Parliament  makes  a  law  in  consonance  with  Article  342(2)  of  the Constitution  the  appointment  of  the  Chief  Election  Commissioner  and  the  Election Commissioners  shall  be  made  on  the  recommendations  made  by  a  three-member Committee comprising the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition of the Lok Sabha and in case no Leader of Opposition is available, the Leader of the largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha in terms of numerical strength and the Chief Justice of India.

The  judgement  of  Supreme  Court  is  being  examined  by  the  Government  and appropriate action will be taken.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4045 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-24
Subject: Budget on Health Research
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Pinaki Misra

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4045 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24 th  March 2023

## BUDGET ON HEALTH RESEARCH

## 4045. SHRI PINAKI MISRA:

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

- (a) the percentage of health budget spent on Department of Health Research;
- (b) whether it is a fact that the percentage of funds allocated to the Department of Health Research is the lowest compared to the allotment of funds to other research wings of different departments across the country;
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons for providing less funds for research;
- (d) whether the Government has received any recommendations regarding the optimal percentage of funds to be allocated to the Department of Health Research;
- (e) if so, the details thereof;
- (f) whether the Government proposes to increase the fund allocation in the field of medical research;
- (g) if so, the details thereof; and
- (h) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (h): The Department of Health Research has been allocated an amount of Rs. 3200.65 crore for the  year  2022-23  which  is  3.71%  of  total  health  budget  of  the  GoI.  The  budget  of  other  research Department like Department of Science and Technology, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR)  and  Department  of  Biotechnology  is  Rs.  6000.00  crore,  Rs.  5636.00  and  Rs.  2581.00  crore respectively for the same year. However, the funds allocated to different research departments do not seem appropriate to be compared as the nature and scope of research taken up by each department is different one.
Lok Sabha Question No. 4041 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-24
Subject: Bullet Proof Jackets and Helmets
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Vishnu Dutt Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4041

TO BE ANSWERED ON 24 th  March, 2023

## BULLET PROOF JACKETS AND HELMETS

## 4041.  SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

(a)  whether domestic manufacturing of bullet proof jackets and helmets for armed forces and other law enforcement forces are compliant to the best standards stipulated in the industry;

- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## A  N  S  W  E  R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI AJAY BHATT)

(a) to (c): (i)   The Government undertakes procurement of Bullet Proof Jackets and Helmets for  armed  forces  and  other  law  enforcement  forces  from  time  to  time  from  domestic manufacturers.

- (ii)   These are procured as per laid down specifications and authorization after due testing and evaluation.
- (iii) Bullet  Proof  Helmets  procured  by  Indian  Army  and  Central  Armed  Police Forces  are  compliant  to  the  specifications  and  NIJ  (National  Institute  of Justice of USA)  protection/ threat levels approved by the competent authorities.
- (iv)   The up-gradation, procurement and provisioning of improved version of Bullet Proof Jackets and Helmets, is a continuous process for which necessary steps are taken regularly.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4037 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-24
Subject: PGI Satellite Centre
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Sukhbir Singh Badal

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4037 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24 TH  MARCH 2023

## PGI SATELLITE CENTRE

## 4037. SHRI SUKHBIR SINGH BADAL:

- Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware that the work of the 100 bedded Satellite Centre at Ferozepur by PGIMER was approved and Rs. 490 crore sanctioned but is halted for last 4 years since 2019 and if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor; (b) whether the 25 acres of land for said purpose has been acquired and if so, the details thereof; the reasons for delay in construction of said Satellite Centre at Ferozepur along with and
- (c) the time by which said Centre is likely to be made fully functional; (d) the challenges faced by the Government in going ahead with the project?

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

(a) to (d) The work of 100 bedded Satellite Centre of PGIMER at Ferozepur at an estimated cost of Rs. 490.54 Crore was approved in September 2019. The approval was subject to transfer of land to PGIMER, Chandigarh. The land measuring 27.2 acres which was physically handed over to PGIMER, Chandigarh part of which is under litigation.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4036 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-24
Subject: Upgradation of Government Medical College in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: S. Ramalingam

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4036 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24 TH  MARCH 2023

## UPGRADATION OF GOVERNMENT MEDICAL COLLEGE IN TAMIL NADU

## 4036.  SHRI RAMALINGAM S.:

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

- (a) the present status and progress made for upgradation of Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) in the State of Tamil Nadu under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY);
- (b) whether  the  Union  Government  has  any  new  proposal  to  include  and  upgrade  the infrastructure of the Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) in the Mayiladuthurai and Nagapattinam district under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Union Government has accorded its consent for setting up of new medical colleges in six districts including Perambalur, Tenkasi, Mayiladuthurai, Ranipet, Tirupattur and Kanchipuram under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme 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 (b): Total 75 projects of upgradation of Government Medical Colleges/Institutions (GMCIs) have been approved under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) for setting up of Super Speciality Block (SSB)/Trauma Centre. Out of this, 04 (Four) projects for upgradation of Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) viz Government Mohan Kumaramangalam  Medical  College  at  Salem;  Rajaji  Government  Medical  College  at  Madurai; Thanjavur Medical College at Thanjavur and Tirunelveli Medical College at Tirunelveli have been approved in the State of Tamil Nadu under various phases of the PMSSY, which are complete and functional.

(c) This Ministry is also implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for 'Establishment of new Medical Colleges attached with existing district/referral hospitals'. Under this scheme, a total  of  157  medical  colleges  have  been  approved  in  the  country.  Out  of  this,  11  Medical colleges one each at Tiruppur; Nilgiris; Ramanathapuram; Namakkal; Dindigul; Virudhunagar; Krishnagiri; Tiruvallur; Nagapattinam; Ariyallur and Kallakurichi have been approved in the State of Tamil Nadu and all these colleges are functional.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4034 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-24
Subject: High Blood Lead Levels
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: S. Jothimani

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4034 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24 TH  MARCH 2023

## HIGH BLOOD LEAD LEVELS

4034: MS. S. JOTHIMANI:

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

- (a) the number of children in India that have reported high blood lead levels;
- (b)  whether  UNICEF 2020 report indicates that  half the children in  India have high blood lead levels;
- (c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to develop efficient systems to screen population for possible lead exposure and to promote early diagnosis;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  considers  creating  facilities  for  blood  lead  level  screenings mandatorily at every district hospital and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (e) whether the Government considers making screenings mandatory for people engaged in occupations most likely to cause lead exposure, such as battery workers, miners, etc.;
- (f) the steps taken/ proposed to be taken by the Government to raise public awareness about lead poisoning; and
- (g) the details of expenditure incurred on such campaigns by the Government?

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

(a) to (g):

NITI Aayog and the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), India have jointly prepared  a  report  'Assessment  of  Lead  Impact  on  Human  and  India's  Response'  (in  July, 2022) based on 89 data sets from 36 researches that were carried out between 1970 and 2014 and found that 275 million children under 19 years of age in India have blood Lead levels that are abnormally high i.e., greater than 5 micrograms per decilitre (µg/dl).

The  Ministry  of  Health  and  Family  Welfare  (MoHFW)  provides  technical  and  financial support to the States/UTs to strengthen the public healthcare system including setting up of laboratory services, based on the proposals received in the form of Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs) under National Health Mission. Government of India provides approval  for  the  proposals  in  the  form  of  Record  of  Proceedings  (RoPs)  as  per  norms  & available resources.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC), Government of India has passed a notification  in  November  2016  as 'Regulation  on  Lead  contents  in Household  and  Decorative  Paints  Rules,  2016" and  has  prohibited  manufacture,  trade, import  as  well  as  export  of  household  and  decorative  paints  containing  lead  or  lead compounds in excess of 90 parts per million (ppm).

Under  National  Health  Mission  (NHM),  Information  Education  Communication  (IEC)/ Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) has carried out for healthy survival of population especially for children.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4033 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-24
Subject: Suggestion for Socially Inclusive Judiciary
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Tapir Gao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE

## DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4033

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 24.03.2023

## Suggestion for Socially Inclusive Judiciary

## 4033. SHRI TAPIR GAO:

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

- (a) whether the Government collects any data regarding the social representation of Judges in the Higher Judiciary and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether any way forward suggestion is made to the Higher Judiciary by the  Government  to  make  the  judiciary  more  socially  inclusive  by ensuring  the  adequate  representation  of  the  Minorities,  SCs,  STs  and OBCs while appointing the judges; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

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

- (a) to (c):Informationon social background is being provided by the recommendeesas  per  the  revised  Annexure  (revised  in  2018)  wherein  they have  to  provide  details  regarding  their  social  background  in  the  prescribed format  (prepared  in  consultation  with  the  Supreme  Court).  Therefore,  data since 2018 is available. As per information provided by the recommendees, out of 575 High Court Judges appointed since 2018 till 20.03.2023,67 Judges belong to the OBC category, 17 Judges belong to the SC category, 09 Judges belong to ST category and 18 Judges belong to Minority.

Appointment of Judges of the High Courts is made under Articles 217 and 224 of the Constitution of India, which do not provide for reservation for any  caste  or  class  of  persons.  However,  the  Government  is  committed  to social diversity in the appointment of Judges in the Higher Judiciary and has been  requesting  the  Chief  Justices  of  High  Courts  that  while  sending proposals for appointment of Judges, due consideration be given to suitable candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, Minorities and Women to ensure social diversity in appointment of Judges in High Courts.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4032 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-24
Subject: Water and Electricity Connection to ICDS Centres
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Vijay Kumar Dubey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN & CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 4032 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.03.2023

## WATER AND ELECTRICITY CONNECTION TO ICDS CENTRES

## 4032:  SHRI VIJAY KUMAR DUBEY:

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

- (a) whether the Government is providing free water and electricity connections to ICDS centres in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof with regard to Kushinagar district of Uttar Pradesh;
- (c) whether  all  the  ICDS  centres  in  the  country  have  been  provided  free connections; 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 responsibility of providing free drinking water and electricity connection to  Anganwadi  Centre  building  falls  within  the  purview  of  State  Governments/UT Administrations as Anganwadi Services is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented by States/ UTs. As per approved cost norms for administrative expenses under Anganwadi Services, there is a provision for payment of electricity bills at AWC/ Mini AWC level.

## ***********
Lok Sabha Question No. 4027 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-24
Subject: Production of Spurious Drugs
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Kunwar Danish Ali

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†4027 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24 TH  MARCH, 2023

## PRODUCTION OF SPURIOUS DRUGS

## †4027: KUNWAR DANISH ALI:

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

- (a) the details of the medicines found harmful to health in the country during the last three years; and
- (b)  the  steps  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  to  check  recurrence  of  incidents  similar  to  that happened in Gambia and Uzbekistan due to India made medicine?

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

- (a) & (b): Isolated complaints regarding quality of drugs are received in Central Drugs Standard  Control  Organisation  (CDSCO).  As  and  when  such  complaints  are  received,  the matter  is  referred  to  State  Licensing  Authorities  (SLAs)  for  taking  action  as  per  the provisions of Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules, 1945.

CDSCO and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare have taken regulatory measures to ensure the quality of medicines in the country as below:

1. The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 was amended under Drugs &  Cosmetics (Amendment)  Act  2008  to  provide  stringent  penalties  for  manufacture  of  spurious  and adulterated drugs. Serious offences have also been made cognizable and non-bailable.
2. States/UTs have set up special Courts for trial of offences under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act for speedy disposal.
3.  The  number  of  sanctioned  posts  in  CDSCO  has  been  significantly  increased  in  last  10 years.
4.  To  ensure  efficacy  of  drugs,  the  Drugs  and  Cosmetics  Rules,  1945  have  been  amended providing  that  applicant  shall  submit  the  result  of  bioequivalence  study  along  with  the application for grant of manufacturing license of oral dosage form of some drugs.

5. The Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 have been amended making it mandatory that before the grant of manufacturing license, the manufacturing establishment is to be inspected jointly by the Drugs Inspectors of Central Government and State Government.

6. The Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 have been amended, making it mandatory that the applicants shall submit evidence of stability, safety of excipients etc. to the State Licensing Authority before grant of manufacturing license by the Authority.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4025 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-24
Subject: Malaria Control
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Ranjanben Dhananjay Bhatt

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4025 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.03.2023

## MALARIA CONTROL

## †4025:   SHRIMATI RANJANBEN DHANANJAY BHATT:

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

- (a) whether climate change is making it difficult to control Malaria;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has taken any steps in this regard so far; and
- (d) 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 (d) The attribution of the challenges in control and management of malaria may not be directly linked to the climate change. The steps taken by the Government to control malaria are as follows:
- i) Integrated Vector Management including Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) in selected high risk areas, distribution of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) in high malaria endemic areas, use of larvivorous fish, anti-larval measures in urban areas including bio-larvicides and minor environmental engineering and source reduction for prevention of breeding.
- ii)  Disease  Management  involving  early  case  detection  with  active,  passive  and  sentinel surveillance  followed  by  complete  and  effective  treatment,  strengthening  of  referral  services, epidemic preparedness, and rapid response.
- iii) Supportive Intervention aiming at Behaviour Change Communication (BCC), Inter-Sectoral Convergence and Human Resources Development through capacity building.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4023 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-24
Subject: Defence Industrial Corridor
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Annasaheb Shankar Jolle

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE PRODUCTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4023

TO BE ANSWERED ON 24 th  March, 2023

## DEFENCE INDUSTRIAL CORRIDOR

## 4023.  SHRI ANNASAHEB SHANKAR JOLLE:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  the details of Defence industrial corridors sanctioned so far along with its purpose and operational status, State/UT-wise;
- (b)    whether  there  is  any  proposal  to  establish  more  Defence  Industrial  corridors  in  the country, if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise including Karnataka; and

(c)  if not, the reasons therefor?

## A  N  S  W  E  R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI AJAY BHATT)

- (a):    Government of India in its budget 2018-19 has announced setting up of two Defence Industrial  Corridors  (DICs)  to  develop  a  holistic  defence  manufacturing  ecosystem  in  the country. One corridor has been established in Uttar Pradesh with 06 nodes namely, Aligarh, Agra,  Jhansi,  Kanpur,  Chitrakoot  &  Lucknow  and  another  in  Tamil  Nadu  with  05  nodes namely, Chennai, Hosur, Coimbatore, Salem & Tiruchirappalli.

As per the information received from Government of Uttar Pradesh, 108 Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed with industry/organization having potential  investment  of  Rs.  12,191  crore.  Investment  of  Rs.  2,445  crore  has  already  taken place  in  Uttar  Pradesh  Defence  Industrial  Corridor  (UPDIC).  Further,  as  per  information received from Government of Tamil Nadu, arrangements have been made through MoUs etc with 53 industries for potential investment of Rs. 11,794 crore. Investment worth Rs. 3,894 crore has already taken place in Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor (TNDIC). (b)  &  (c):    There  is  no  proposal  to  establish  any  new  Defence  Industrial  Corridor  in  the

- country.

*****