opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1396 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-10
Subject: Rashtriya Mahila Kosh
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Amol Ramsing Kolhe

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1396

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.02.2023

## RASHTRIYA MAHILA KOSH

## 1396: DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE:

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

- (a) whether the Government is implementing Rashtriya  Mahila  Kosh (RMK) loan scheme in the State of Maharashtra;
- (b) If so, the total number of beneficiaries enrolled under the said scheme during the last three years;
- (c) whether the Government has proposed to increase the credit limit of the loan and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has created awareness among women regarding RMK, if so, the details and the outcome thereof;
- (e) whether the Government has reviewed the functioning of RMK and if so, the details thereof indicating deficiencies noticed therein; and
- (f) the other steps taken by the Government to strengthen and restructure RMK?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (f): At the time RMK was setup, it was a prominent Government body working in the  area  of  extending concessional  micro-finance  loans  to  poor  women  through Intermediary Orgnisations (IMOs). Over the period of time, substantial alternative credit facility mechanisms have become available to women entrepreneurs through various Government initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojna and Stand Up India. In line with the recommendations of the Expert Management Commission set up by the Ministry of Finance  and  the  report  on  Rationalisation  of  Government  Bodies  authored  by  the Principal Economic Adviser, Department of Economic Affairs, Government has decided to close down RMK to improve efficiency and utilize available resources optimally.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1395 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-10
Subject: Visa Rules for Medical Patients
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Mimi Chakraborty, Aparupa  Poddar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1395

ANSWERED ON 10/02/2023

## VISA RULES FOR MEDICAL PATIENTS

## 1395. MS. MIMI CHAKRABORTY SHRIMATI APARUPA PODDAR

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

(a) whether the Government has relaxed visa rules for medical patients coming to India for treatment purposes under medical tourism; (b) if so, the bilateral agreement with the countries on medical visa relaxation for people coming for medical treatment; (c) whether there is any treaty rule for on arrival spot visa approval/sanction for patients to get treatment in India from Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka thereof; and

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

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI. V. MURALEEDHARAN)

(a   to   d)    Government of India has a liberalized visa regime including for medical treatment purposes. This allows medical visas to patients as well as to the attending members. Besides   Regular/Paper   Visas   which   are   granted   by   Indian   Missions/Posts abroad e-Medical Visa and e-Medical Attendant Visa (under e-Visa Regime, which is granted   by  Bureau   of   Immigration/MHA)   is   also   available   for   patients   and   their attendants, respectively, for availing medical treatment in India.

The medical visa regime is in tune with the 'Heal in India' initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The facility of regular medical visa is available to all foreign nationals who are desirous of availing medical treatment in India. In addition, under e-

Visa, Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for medical treatment purposes, started in 2018, is granted within 72 hrs of application. This facility was initially allowed for nationals of 142 countries. Currently, nationals of 165 countries can avail e-Medical visa and e-Medical Attendant Visa. India has bilateral Visa facilitation agreements with Bangladesh, Maldives and South Africa,   which   includes   provisions   for   grant   of   Medical   visa   to   patients   and   their attendants as well. Nationals of Bhutan and Nepal do not require Visa to enter India. However, nationals from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka require Visa.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1393 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-10
Subject: Food Quality in Smaller Cities
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: DNV Senthilkumar. S., Subhash Ramrao Bhamre

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1393 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 th  FEBRUARY, 2023

## FOOD QUALITY IN SMALLER CITIES

## 1393 . DR. DNV SENTHILKUMAR S DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE:

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

(a) whether the majority of packaged/processed foods are unhealthy by nutritional standards and carry long-term risks of chronic illnesses and diseases and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government intends to set a minimum nutritional standard for the said food products and if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard;

(c)  whether most of the foods available in the shops in smaller cities and towns are not of good quality and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government has conducted any study on the monitoring of the quality of food in shops and nutritional quality in smaller cities and towns and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(e) the standards laid down to maintain the food quality index in small stores?

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

(a) to (e): Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has informed that, all food articles, including packaged/processed foods, have to conform to the prescribed quality and safety  standards  laid  down  under  Food  Safety  and  Standards  Act,  2006  and  Rules  & Regulations.  FSSAI  has  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.

Food Safety Officials of States/UTs carry out regular enforcement action, including in Shops  and  small  stores  in  smaller  cities/  towns,  by  way  of  surveillance,  monitoring, inspection and random sampling of food products to ensure that the food products conform to the  prescribed  standards  including  quality  and  minimum  nutritional  standard  for  that particular  product.  In  cases  of  non-conformance,  action  is  taken  under  penal  provisions  of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1392 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-10
Subject: Creation of Mega Ports
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Vinod Kumar Sonkar, Rajveer (Raju Bhaiya) Singh, Raja Amareshwara Naik, Sukanta Majumdar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING  AND WATERWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1392

ANSWERED ON 1O 02 2023

## CREATION OF MEGA PORTS

1392. SHRI VINOD KUMAR SONKAR:

SHRI RAJVEER SINGH (RAJU BHAIYA):

SHRI RAJA AMARESHWARA  NAIK:

DR.SUKANTA MAJUMDAR:

Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS  be pleased to state: Tf,{, *d  qftf,f,{  sfu smcrf  q-fi

- (a) whether  the Government has identified three trans-shipment  hubs for better port connectivity in the country under its ambitious master plan to create maximum megaports by 2047
- (c) whether the ports in Kochi and Vizinjam  in Kerala as well as Galathea Bay in Andaman and Nicobar lslands  are shortlisted  in the first round  to be developed as mega ports,
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (0 if so, the reaction  of the Government thereto and the other steps being taken by the Government in this regard?
- (e) whether  it's true that nearly 75 percent  of lndia's Trans-shipment  cargo is handled at ports outside the country; and

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d) Presently, three proposals namely developing  Galathea Bay at Great Nicobar lslands,  development  of Cochin Port into Transshipment facility  have been taken up by the Government  of lndia. This apart, the State Government of Kerala in association with Private lnvestor and partial  financial support from the Ministry  of Finance (Government  of lndia) is also developing a Transshipment  project at Vizhinjam in Kerala.
- (e) to (f) Currently, nearly 7 5o/o of India's transshipped  cargo is handled at ports outside  lndia including Ports of Colombo, Singapore and Klang. The Government has taken up above three proposed  transshipment  projects with the aim to increase the percentage  of lndian cargo transshipment  handled by lndian Ports. This would help save on forex, being lost on account  of transshipment at foreign Ports, and encourage  foreign direct investment.  Further, such development would increase economic activity at other lndran Ports, enhance  logistics infrastructure  and thus, operational efficiencies,  employment  generation, and increased revenue sha re.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1390 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-10
Subject: One Nation One Voter List
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Hibi Eden

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1390 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, 10 th  FEBRUARY, 2023

## ONE NATION ONE VOTER LIST

## 1390. SHRI HIBI EDEN:

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

- (a)  whether  the  different  voter  lists  for  elections  to  panchayat,  municipal corporation,  municipality,  Vidhan  Sabha,  Lok  Sabha  and  other  elections create confusion and also raise questions on the credibility of the voter lists, if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (b) whether the Law Commission of India has suggested preparing a single voter list for all levels of elections in its 255th report and if so, the progress made in this regard so far;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  is  considering  the  implementation  of  'One Nation, One Voter list' in the country, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has received any comment from the Government of Kerala in this regard, if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)  the  time  by  which  the  steps  proposed  to  be  taken/implemented  by  the Government for the said electoral reforms in the country?

## MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE

## ANSWER (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

- (a), (c) and (e):  As per section 13D of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the electoral  roll  for  every  parliamentary  constituency  shall  consist  of electoral rolls for all the assembly constituencies comprised within that parliamentary constituency and it shall be necessary to prepare or revise separately the electoral roll for both Lok Sabha and the State Assembly Elections as of now. Electoral rolls for conduct of elections to the urban local bodies and panchayati raj institutions are prepared by the respective State Election Commissions (SECs). Presently, various State Governments  and  Union  territories  are  using  the  electoral  roll  data prepared  by  the  ECI  for  preparing  the  electoral  roll  for  local  bodies/ panchayat elections.  As per article 243K and 243ZA of the Constitution,

the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls  for,  and  the  conduct  of,  all  elections  to  the  Panchayats  and Municipalities  vests  in  the  respective  SECs.    Further,  the  electoral reforms are continuous and ongoing process and the Government after considering the various proposals/suggestions, inter-alia, one nation one voter  list,  take  appropriate  steps  in  consultation  with  various  stake holders to make election process more accountable and transparent.

- (b): Yes sir, the Law  Commission  of India in its 255 th report has endorsed/recommended inclusion of common electoral rolls at elections conducted  by  the  Election  Commission  of  India  (ECI)  and  the  State Election Commissions (SECs).
- (d): No sir.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1388 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-10
Subject: AYUSH Medicines in JAKs
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: L.S. Tejasvi Surya, Sanganna Amarappa Karadi, Prathap Simha

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1388 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 th  February, 2023

## AYUSH Medicines in JAKs

## 1388.   SHRI L.S. TEJASVI SURYA: SHRI SANGANNA AMARAPPA: SHRI PRATHAP SIMHA:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  introduce  AYUSH  medicines  in  Janaushadhi Kendras (JAKs);
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  there  are  any  operational  guidelines  for  distributing  AYUSH  medicines  in Janaushadhi Kendras, providing details about manufacture and supply of the medicines;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the number of products proposed to be introduced along with the nature of the infections they cover?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  &  (b):  Under  the Pradhan  Mantri  Bhartiya  Janaushadhi  Pariyojana (PMBJP) implemented  by  the  Pharmaceuticals  &  Medical  Devices  Bureau  of  India  (PMBI),  a society under the aegis of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, some AYUSH products, viz., Ayu Raksha Kit, Bal Raksha Kit, Ayush-64 tablet and Jan Aushadhi Chyawanprash Special have already been included in the product basket.
- (c) & (d): While Ayu Raksha Kit, Bal Raksha Kit and Ayush-64 tablet are being procured by PMBI  from  M/s  Indian Medicines Pharmaceutical Corporation Limited (IMPCL),  a Government of  India  Undertaking,  Jan  Aushadhi  Chyawanprash  Special  is  being  procured from WHO-GMP certified manufacturer after following due tender process.
- (e):  PMBI continuously strive to enhance its product basket so as to serve the needy patients. The  product  basket  under  the  scheme  presently  comprises  of  1,759  medicines  and  280 surgicals.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1384 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-10
Subject: Population Explosion
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: T. R. Paarivendhar

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1384 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.02.2023

## POPULATION EXPLOSION

## 1384.  DR. T.R. PAARIVENDHAR:

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

- (a)  whether  it  is  true  that  India  is  ahead  of  China  and  has  achieved  the  number  one  position having about 142.3 crore population according to latest World Population Survey report;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has taken any steps/measures to control/curb population explosion in the country;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

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

## ANSWER WELFARE (DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

- (a) and (b) As per report of the Technical Group on Population Projections (TGPP) July 2020, chaired by Registrar General of India (RGI), the projected population of the country, in the year 2023 is 138.81 crore.
- (c) to (e) The Government accords top priority to the National Family Planning Program,which is guided by the tenets of the National Population Policy 2000 and National Health Policy 2017, to address the unmet need for Family Planning.

## Steps taken by the Government to curb the population growth are:

1. Expanded Contraceptive Choices with inclusion of new contraceptives namely Injectable contraceptive (Antara programme) and Centchroman (Chhaya).
2. Mission  Parivar  Vikas (MPV)  is  implemented  in  13  states  for  substantially  increasing access to contraceptives and family planning services.
3. Compensation scheme for sterilization acceptors which provides compensation for loss of wages to the beneficiary and also to the service provider team for conducting sterilization.
4. Post-pregnancy contraception in the form of Post-partum Intra-uterine contraceptive device (PPIUCD),  Post-Abortion  Intrauterine  contraceptive  device  (PAIUCD),  and  Post-partum Sterilization (PPS) are provided to beneficiaries.
5. Scheme for Home Delivery of contraceptives by ASHAs at doorstep of beneficiaries.
6. Family Planning Logistics Management Information System (FP-LMIS) to ensure last mile availability of family planning commodities across all the levels of health facilities.

The  Government  has  been  successful  in  curbing  the  growth  of  population,  and  the  following progress has been achieved:

-  The  Total  Fertility  Rate  (TFR)  declined  to 2.0  in  2019-21 (NFHS  5)  which  is  below replacement level.
-  31 out of 36 States/ UTs have achieved replacement level fertility (NFHS 5).
-  The Modern Contraceptive usage has increased to 56.5% (NFHS 5).
-  The Unmet Need for Family Planning has decreased to 9.4% (NFHS 5).
-  The Crude Birth Rate (CBR) has declined to 19.5 in 2020 (SRS).

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1382 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-10
Subject: Bond Penalty by Medical Colleges
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Vishnu Dayal Ram

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1382 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 10 TH  FEBRUARY, 2023

## BOND PENALTY BY MEDICAL COLLEGES

## 1382. SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM:

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

(a) whether it is true that State Medical Colleges have the ability to decide the bond penalty pertaining to compulsory three-year service from MBBS and PG Doctors colleges;

(b)  if  so,  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  devise  a  regulatory  framework  to  keep  the increase of bond penalties in check; and

(c) if so, the details thereof?

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

(a)  to  (c):  All  decisions  regarding  engagement,  posting,  transfer,  promotions  of  healthcare professionals  in  public  health  facilities  lies  with  the  respective  State/UT  Governments. Accordingly,  State  Governments  have  their  own  policies  regarding  the  use  of  bonds  for medical graduates/ postgraduates passing out from medical colleges in the State, keeping in view of the healthcare needs of the State. The medical graduates and postgraduates passing from central medical institutes do not have to furnish any such service bonds.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1381 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-10
Subject: New Variants of COVID-19
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Kumbakudi Sudhakaran, Behanan Benny, Sougata Ray, Mohammad Jawed

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1381 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.02.2023

## NEW VARIANTS OF COVID-19

## 1381. SHRI KUMBAKUDI SUDHAKARAN:

SHRI BENNY BEHANAN:

PROF. SOUGATA RAY:

DR. MOHAMMAD JAWED:

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

- a) the details of all new COVID-19 variants that have been detected in the country during the last 60 days;
- b) the number of people infected by each new variant, during the last 60 days, State/UT-wise; and
- c) the reasons for not imposing a travel ban on people from various high risk countries including China despite the spread of the new variants of COVID-19?

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

## ANSWER (DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a) to (c): Given the emergence of variants of COVID-19 virus with variable transmissibility and their possible health implications, Union Ministry of Health is following COVID-19 trajectory globally and in the country along with various expert committees. In addition, Indian SARS-CoV2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) network laboratories conducts whole genome sequencing of samples for detection of mutant variants of the virus.

During  the  last  60  days,  more  than  90  new  variants  have  been  detected  amongst  the  samples analysed by the INSACOG across the country. Omicron and its sub-lineages continue to be the dominant variants in India. Of these, XBB, BQ are the most prevalent lineages circulating in the country.

In light of increasing trajectory of COVID-19 cases noted in some countries across the world, the 'Guidelines  for  International  Arrivals'  was  last  updated  on  29 th December,  2022,  wherein  an additional requirement of pre-departure testing and uploading of negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test reports  and  self-health  declaration  form  on  Air  Suvidha  portal  has  been  made  mandatory  for travellers coming from/transiting via China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Republic of Korea, Thailand and Japan. Besides this, a sub-section (2% of the total passengers in all incoming international

flights) shall undergo random post arrival testing at the airport on arrival, irrespective of port of departure.

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