opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 53 (STARRED), answered on 2022-12-09
Subject: Anganwadi Centres in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: P. Velusamy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.53

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2022

## ANGANWADI CENTRES IN TAMIL NADU

- *53.    SHRI VELUSAMY P:

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

- (a) whether it is true that nearly 49,599 Anganwadi Centres are running with only two staff members and 4,900 mini Anganwadi Centres with one worker in the State of Tamil Nadu;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) the  number  of  Anganwadi  Centres  which  have  been  taken  up  for  upgradation from amongst these Centres;
- (d) whether the Government has any plan to increase the upgradation amount and the salary of Anganwadi workers; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the table of the House.
- *****

## Statement Referred to in Reply to Part (a) to (e) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No.53  to  be  Answered  on  09.12.2022  asked  by  Shri  Velusamy  P.  regarding "Anganwadi Centres in Tamil Nadu'

(a)  & (b) As informed by the State Government of Tamil Nadu, out of total 54,439 Anganwadi Centres (AWCs), 49,499 AWCs are functioning as main-AWCs and 4,940 are  functioning  as  mini-AWCs.  Under  the  Scheme,  there  is  a  provision  of  one Anganwadi Worker (AWW) and one Anganwadi Helper (AWH) for Main-AWC and only one Anganwadi Worker for Mini AWC.

- (c) to (e) Under  the  revised  Scheme,  there  is  provision  of  up-gradation  of  2  lakh Govt. owned AWC into Saksham Anganwadis @ 40,000 AWCs per year. These AWCs are to be strengthened and upgraded across the country for improving nutrition delivery and  early  childhood  care  services  by  stimulating  the  creative,  social,  emotional, cognitive and intellectual development of children under 6 years of age in convergence with education development programmes. The cost norm is @ Rs.1.00 lakh per Govt. owned AWC. A total of 800 Anganwadi Centres have been approved for up-gradation as Saksham Anganwadis in the State of Tamil Nadu during current financial year.

Under the Scheme, AWWs and AWHs are paid monthly honorarium as decided by Government of India from time to time, which is uniform in all States/UTs.  Presently, AWWs at main-AWCs are paid an honorarium of ₹4,500/- per month; AWWs at miniAWCs ₹3,500/- per month and AWHs are paid ₹2,250/- per month at the prescribed cost  sharing  ratio  between  the  Centre  and  State/  UT.   Also,  performance  linked incentive of ₹500/- per month is paid to AWW and ₹250/- per month is paid to AWH.

In addition, States/UTs are also paying additional monetary incentives/ honorarium  to  these  functionaries  from  their  own  resources.    Presently,  there  is  no provision under consideration for enhancement of honorarium.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 48 (STARRED), answered on 2022-12-09
Subject: Harmful Chemicals in Sanitary Napkins
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Suresh Kodikunnil

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *48 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09th DECEMBER, 2022

## HARMFUL CHEMICALS IN SANITARY NAPKINS

## 48*   SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware of a study that has detected the presence of harmful  chemicals  (such  as  Phthalates  and  Volatile  Organic  Compounds-VOCs)  in both organic and inorganic sanitary napkins/pads sold across the Indian market which can cause cancer and infertility;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has examined/proposes to examine the above study in order to ascertain the scientific veracity of the issues therein; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

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

****

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 48* FOR 9 th  DECEMBER, 2022

(a) to (d): Some agencies have reported the presence of harmful chemicals in sanitary pads  sold  in  India.  However,  no  scientific  reports  of  these  studies  from  India  have been  published  in  any  peer-reviewed  scientific  journal.  Further,  review  of  global scientific literature reveals insufficient evidence to prove any correlation between use of sanitary pads by women and presence of phthalate or Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in their blood and adverse health outcome.

Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) under Department of Consumer Affairs has already published the Indian Standards on sanitary napkins. Further, as informed by  BIS,  the  standardization  in  the  field  of  Menstrual  Products  (sanitary  pad)  is undertaken by a Technical Textiles for Medtech Applications Sectional Committee.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 42 (STARRED), answered on 2022-12-09
Subject: Passport Melas
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Mohanbhai Kalyanji Kundariya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.42 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2022

## PASSPORT MELAS

## 42. SHRI MOHANBHAI KALYANJI KUNDARIYA:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to organize passport melas and passport seva camps in Gujarat in order to speed up passport issuance and meet high or seasonal demand for passports;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, district-wise;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the details of funds allocated towards organizing the passport melas during the last three years, State-wise including Gujarat?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (DR. SUBRAHMANYAM JAISHANKAR)

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

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 42 REGARDING "PASSPORT MELAS' FOR ANSWER ON 09.12.2022.

(a) to (c) The Ministry has been working continuously to speed up Passport issuance and meet high or seasonal demand for Passports by taking various steps including organizing of Special Drives or Melas on weekends. Starting 3 rd December 2022, the Ministry has decided to launch yet another special drive by opening Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) and some Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) for next 4 Saturdays including in the state of Gujarat.  On 3 rd December 2022, the Melas were organised at various PSKs under   the   jurisdictions   of   20   Regional   Passport   Offices   (RPOs)   including Ahmadabad and Surat. Under these two RPOs in Gujarat, there are 5 PSKs and 23 POPSKs. (d) There are no separate funds allocated towards organizing the Passport

Melas. The expenditure, if any, is met out from the regular budget of the Central Passport Organization.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 687 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-09
Subject: Opening of Food Testing Laboratories
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Hasmukhbhai Somabhai Patel, Ratansinh Magansinh Rathod

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.687 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 th  DECEMBER, 2022

## OPENING OF FOOD TESTING LABORATORIES

## 687 . SHRI PATEL HASMUKHBHAI SOMABHAI: SHRI RATANSINH MAGANSINH RATHOD:

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

- (a)  the  details  regarding  the  number  of  food  testing  laboratories  opened/functional  in  the country, particularly in the backward areas during the last three years and the current year;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  open  more  of  such  laboratories  at  block level in future; 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): Food Authority has notified 225 food laboratories under Section 43 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 for primary food sample testing and 21 referral laboratories till October, 2022. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has informed that opening  of  new  food  testing  laboratories  is  not  under  the  purview  of  FSSAI.  It  is responsibility of the States to establish the Food Testing Laboratories in the States. FSSAI provides financial support for procurement of equipment, purchase of consumables, hiring of contractual manpower for a specified period and capacity building of the lab staff.

……………………
Lok Sabha Question No. 684 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-09
Subject: Corruption in Medical Industry
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: E. T. Mohammed Basheer

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.684 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09 TH  DECEMBER, 2022

## CORRUPTION IN MEDICAL INDUSTRY

684: SHRI E.T. MOHAMMED BASHEER:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that the Transparency International ranks India's Medical Industry as the second most corrupt;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to introduce any regulatory mechanism to curb/control the corruption related to the medical industry and ensure transparency; 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): Department of Pharmaceuticals has informed that Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) is in operation since 01.01.2015, for addressing unethical practices by Pharma Companies. The UCPMP contains provisions whereby companies or their associations/representations or any person acting on their behalf shall not extend any gift, cash,  hospitality,  travel  facility  inside  or  outside  the  country  to  Health-Care  Professionals  and their  family  members  for  vacation  or  for  attending  conferences,  seminars,  workshops,  CME programmes etc. as a delegate. At present, the code is voluntarily adopted for compliance by the Industry.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 682 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-09
Subject: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: P.R. Natarajan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 682 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2022

682.     SHRI NATARAJAN P.R.:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether   the   Government   has   supported   the   Shanghai   Cooperation Organisation (SCO) proposal for Joint State Border Operation in the recent past;

(b) if   so,   the   details   along   with   the   aims   and   objectives   thereof   and   the achievements made therein so far; and

- (c) the details of countries constituting SCO ?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SMT. MEENAKSHI LEKHI)

(a) Joint Border Exercise is a routine annual activity of the Regional Anti Terrorist Structure (RATS) SCO.

(b) The aims and objectives of the exercise are to share experience of border management which India have shared with respect to our experiences.

(c) Presently   SCO   has   eight   (08)   Member   States   -   India,   Kazakhstan,   China, Kyrgyzstan,   Pakistan,   Russia,   Tajikistan   and   Uzbekistan.   The   three   (03)   Observer States  are   Belarus,   Iran   and   Mangolia.   The   fourteen   (14)   Dialogue   Partners   are Azerbaijan,  Armenia,   Cambodia,  Nepal,   Turkey,   Sri   Lanka,   United   Arab   Emirates, Kuwait, Maldives, Bahrain, Myanmar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Qatar .

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 681 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-09
Subject: Government Medical College, Kozhikode
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: M. K. Raghavan

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 681 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9 TH  DECEMBER, 2022

## GOVERNMENT MEDICAL COLLEGE, KOZHIKODE

## 681.   SHRI M. K. RAGHAVAN

Will the Minister of Health and Family Welfare be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  the  proposed  Pradhan  Mantri  Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) block at Government Medical College (Kozhikode) is still not fully functional;
- (b) if so, details thereof along with the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government is aware that filling up of the vacant positions/appointment of staff has not been made in said medical college; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with necessary steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to expedite the process?

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

- (a) to  (b):  The  civil  construction  of  Super  Speciality  Block  (SSB)  at  Government  Medical College (GMC), Kozhikode under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) has been completed. Medical equipment have been procured. The new SSB building was utilized for treating CoVID patients during the April, 2021 to April, 2022.
- (c) to  (d):  As  per  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Swasthya  Suraksha  Yojana  (PMSSY),  running, operation and maintenance of the SSB including the creation of post and the recruitment of human resources is the responsibility of the State Government.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 677 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-09
Subject: Healthcare Start-ups
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Rajiv Pratap Rudy

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 677 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 09 th  December, 2022

## HEALTHCARE START-UPS

## 677 SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY:

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

- (a) Whether it is a fact that there has been an increase in the number of healthcare start-ups in the country;
- (b) If so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise, including Bihar during the last five years;
- (c) The total amount of investment that has been raised by these start-ups in the last one year and the number of employees in each of them;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  increase  the  access  to  funds  for  such healthcare start-ups, if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the  details  of  the  potential  benefits  of  the  formation  of  such  start-ups  for  the  common public?

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

- (a) to (e)  There is an expert committee in Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) for providing oversight, hand holding support for the Startups, integrating their technology in  to  the  existing  health  care  system  and  to  appraise/  review  these  technologies  and recommend the shortlisted innovations for pilot & field test prior to uptake in the public health systems.

National  Healthcare  Innovation  Portal  (NHINP)  developed  by  MoHFW  serves  as  the platform  to  receive  innovation  in  various  categories  like  good  replicable  practices  and health product innovations. These innovations are screened for their novelty, scalability, import substitute and /or wide societal impact. The portal helps to screen health innovation

(products) and best practices using inclusion and exclusion criteria and appraisal by a duly constituted technical appraisal committee (TAC) by MoHFW. NHINP encourages piloting and scaling up of innovations and good practices to improve healthcare outcomes.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 675 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-09
Subject: Rotation of Headship in AIIMS, Delhi
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Santosh Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 675 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 th  DECEMBER, 2022

## ROTATION OF HEADSHIP IN AIIMS, DELHI

## 675      SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR:

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

- (a) whether the Government has any plan to introduce the Rotation System of Heads in AIIMS, New Delhi and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  AIIMS  has  appointed  a  Committee  to  examine  the  same  and  submit  reports  for taking decision and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether such a rotation system would be applicable to all AIIMS across the country; and
- (d) 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): AIIMS, New Delhi has constituted a five members Committee on 24.08.2022 under the  Chairpersonship  of  Dr.  V.  K.  Paul,  Member,  NITI  Aayog  to  examine  the  proposal  of 'Rotation of Headship in the Institute'.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 673 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-09
Subject: Menopause Policy
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: D. Ravikumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 673

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2022

## MENOPAUSE POLICY

673.    SHRI RAVIKUMAR D:

Will the Minister of Women and Child Development be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Ministry is considering to introduce a menopause policy for women employees working in public and private sector;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Ministry proposes to roll out such a policy within the next year;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the time by which it is likely to be introduced; and
- (e) the current provisions  in  the  Government  and  private  offices  to  increase awareness towards women health related issues like menopause?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): Menopause is a normal consequence of the process of ageing in women that generally takes place at the age of 45 to 55 years. Women are usually considered to  be  menopausal  if  they  have  not  had  a  menstrual  period  for  one  year  without  any underlying  cause.  Some  women  experience  mild  problems  or  none  at  all  but  some women  have  severe  symptoms  in  this  period.  It  is  an  inevitable  phenomenon  in women's lives who further spend many years of life in the post menopausal phase.

The National Health Mission (NHM) envisages achievement of universal access to equitable, affordable and quality health care services that are responsive to people's needs, thereby including health issues relating to menopause also in its ambit.

Currently  there  is  no  menopause  policy  for  women  employees  in  Government and private sectors. For a decision on the issue of formulation of menopause policy for women  employees  in  government  and  private  sectors,  besides  consultations  with stakeholders  and  experts,  and  careful  consideration  of  all  aspects  of  the  matter,  firm research findings  relating  to  the  subject  area  of  physical  and  mental  stress  faced  by such  women  employees  as  a  result  of  menopause  is  required.  Further,  awareness towards  women  health  related  issues  like  menopause  and  education  campaign  are carried  out  through  numerous  schemes  programmes of  the  Government of  India and through advertisements / nukkad natak etc.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 672 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-09
Subject: Release of Indian Sailors
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Hibi Eden

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 672 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2022 RELEASE OF INDIAN SAILORS

## 672. SHRI HIBI EDEN:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is in touch with various authorities for the release   of   16   Indian   sailors   including   three   from   Kerala,   detained   in Equatorial   Guinea   and   if   so,   the   details   thereof   including   the   copies   of requests, communications and replies; (b) whether the Government has noticed that even though the vessel did not engage in any unlawful activities, the shipping company was ready to pay the fine to facilitate the early release of the seafarers and if so, the details thereof; and (c) whether   the   Government   is   closely   monitoring   developments   and

- actively engaged for an early resolution of the issue, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN ) (a) & (c) 16 Indian sailors including 3 persons from Kerala were detained by Equatorial Guinea Navy on 12 th August 2022. Later , on 12 th November 2022, Equatorial Guinea handed over the ship and crew to Nigeria. On hearing of the detention of the ship MT Heroic Idun, both our Missions in Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria contacted the local authorities and the shipping company OSM and extended all consular services to ensure the safety and welfare of the Indian crew members aboard the vessel. Our   Mission   in   Nigeria   has   sought   assistance   of   the   Nigerian authorities and through legal means for expeditious release of the Indian crew members. It is the endeavour of the Government to secure early release of 16 Indian crew members. (b) The government of Equatorial Guinea, on the charges of illegal entry into its waters has imposed a penalty of approximately Euro 2 million, which

- has been paid by the Shipping Company.

*****