opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4782 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Central Assistance for Supply of Taken Home Ration
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Smt. Joba Majhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN & CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 4782

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2025

Central Assistance for Supply of Taken Home Ration

†4782. SMT. JOBA MAJHI:

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

- (a) whether the Central assistance has not been increased/hiked for the supply of Taken Home Ration (THR) being distributed through Anganwadis in order to save children, mothers and pregnant women from malnutrition since 2018, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether  50  per  cent  expenditure  in  this  scheme  is  borne  by  the  State Governments and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to increase rates in view of the problems being faced in operation and achieving the objectives of the scheme; and
- (d) if  so,  the  time  by  which  it  is  likely  to  be  increased  and  if  not,  the  reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SAVITRI THAKUR)

- (a)  to  (d)  The  Government  approved  the  revision  of the  cost  norms  for supplementary nutrition in October, 2017 under the Anganwadi Services as per the details given below:

|   S. No. | Categories                                   | Old Rates (per beneficiary per day)   | Revised in October, 2017 (per beneficiary per day)   |
|----------|----------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | Children (6-72 months)                       | Rs.6.00                               | Rs.8.00                                              |
|        2 | Severely malnourished children (6-72 months) | Rs.9.00                               | Rs.12.00                                             |
|        3 | Pregnant Women & Lactating Mothers           | Rs.7.00                               | Rs.9.50                                              |

Under  the  Scheme,  the  Government  of  India  releases  grants-in-aid  to  the States/UTs on the following cost sharing ratio between Centre and States/UTs:

| Cost sharing ratio under Supplementary Nutrition Programme   | Cost sharing ratio under Supplementary Nutrition Programme   |
|--------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------|
| States and UTs with Legislature                              | 50:50                                                        |
| NE and Himalayan States (including J&K)                      | 90:10                                                        |
| UT Without Legislature                                       | 100:0                                                        |

During the Budget Speech 2025-26, it has been announced to enhance the cost norms for the nutritional support appropriately.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4775 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Primary Health Centre in Bodoland
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Joyanta Basumatary

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4775 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2025

## PRIMARYHEALTH CENTRE IN BODOLAND

## 4775. SHRI JOYANTA BASUMATARY:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether the Government is aware that there is shortage of Primary Health Centres in tribal dominated Bodoland Territorial Region;
- (b) If so, the details there of along with the action taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (c) The details of funds allocated to the State Government of Assam for improvement of health services in the State during the last five years especially for Bodoland Territorial Region?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

- (a) & (b): Public Health and hospital being a State subject, the primary responsibility to set up adequate number of healthcare facilities as per requirement of that State Government. Under the National Health Mission (NHM), financial and technical support is provided to States/UTs to strengthen their healthcare system including setting up new healthcare facilities like Sub-Centres, PHCs and CHCs based on proposals received from States/UTs in their Programme Implementation Plan within their resource envelop. Under NHM, tribal areas have relaxed norms addressing the need-based intervention in terms of healthcare infrastructure and human resources. The population norms for setting up SHC, PHC and CHC in tribal and hilly areas has been relaxed from 5,000, 30,000, and 1,20,000 to 3000, 20,000 and 80,000 respectively. As per Health Dynamics of India 2022-23 as on 31st March, 2023 there are 1067 Health facilities (SHC-844, PHC-186 & CHC-37) operational in tribal areas of Assam including Bodoland region.
- (c): As per the information provided by State Government of Assam, the details of the funds

allocated under NHM for the State including Bodoland region during last five years is as follows:

|   Sl. No. | Financial Year           | Funds Allocated (Rs. in crore)   |
|-----------|--------------------------|----------------------------------|
|         1 | 2020-21                  | 2,064.34                         |
|         2 | 2021-22                  | 2,835.48                         |
|         3 | 2022-23                  | 2,474.82                         |
|         4 | 2023-24                  | 2,488.98                         |
|         5 | 2024-25 (up to Feb,2025) | 2,324.44                         |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4774 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Yoga and Naturopathy Centres in Uttarakhand
Ministry: AYUSH
Asked by: Shri Ajay Bhatt

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-4774 FOR 28.03.2025

## YOGA AND NATUROPATHY CENRES IN UTTARAKHAND

## 4774. SHRI AJAY BHATT:

Will the Minister of Ayush be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to set up Yoga and Naturopathy Centres in the State of Uttarakhand;
- b) if so, the details thereof along with the time-line fixed for the launch and completion of the projects in this regard; and
- c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) to (c): Since Public Health is a State subject, setting up of Yoga and Naturopathy Centres comes under the purview of respective State/ UT Governments.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 4772 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: India-Bolivia Relations
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Jagannath Sarkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 4772

ANSWERED ON- 28/03/2025

INDIA-BOLIVIA RELATIONS

4772. SHRI JAGANNATH SARKAR

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

(a)  whether the Government has taken/proposes to take any concrete steps   to   establish   a   resident   Indian   mission   in   Bolivia   following   the announcement made during the State Visit of the Hon'ble President of India in 2019; if so, the details thereof;

(b) the status of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between India and   Bolivia   in   2019   particularly   those   concerning   geology,   mineral resources, space and traditional systems of medicine;

- (c) the extent of India's involvement in Bolivia's lithium extraction and battery   manufacturing   industries   and   the   potential   benefits   this cooperation could bring to India; and

(d)   the   progress   achieved   in   bilateral   cooperation   in   the   health   and pharmaceutical sectors including the export of Indian pharmaceuticals to Bolivia?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA)

(a) The Government of India opened the Embassy of India in La Paz, Bolivia in September 2024 fulfilling the announcement made by the President of India in 2019.

(b)  Following the signing of the Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) between India   and   Bolivia   on   Geology,   Mineral   resources,   Space   and Traditional   systems   of   medicine,   both   sides   have   held   multiple   Joint Working Group meetings and identified action points. ISRO has trained Bolivian personnel in nano-satellite technology at Bengaluru.

(c)  Companies from India and Bolivia are engaged in training in Lithium carbonate   and   related   minerals,   while   also   exploring   the   lithium   ion battery sector in Bolivia.

(d) India   engaged   with   Bolivia   to   promote   export   of   medicine   and equipment from India to Bolivia. Both sides have started negotiations on an MoU in the field of medical products regulation envisaged to boost bilateral cooperation, including on the export of Indian pharmaceuticals to Bolivia.   Indian   export   of   pharmaceutical   products   to   Bolivia   stood   at around US $ 22.5 million in 2023-24 and US $ 17.6 million during April to December in 2024-25. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4768 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Policy Measures for Higher Birth Rates
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Appalanaidu Kalisetti

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4768 TO BE ANSWERED ON-28/03/2025

## POLICYMEASURES FOR HIGHER BIRTH RATES

## 4768. SHRI APPALANAIDU KALISETTI:

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

(a) whether the Government is planning any investment or policy measures to encourage higher birth rates in the country;

(b) if so, the details of any financial incentives, tax benefits or welfare schemes proposed to support families having more children;

(c) whether the Government has studied demographic trends and the long-term economic impact of declining birth rates, if so, the details thereof; and

(d) whether any international models are being considered to promote higher fertlity rates while ensuring maternal and child well-being, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT ANUPRIYAPATEL)

(a) to (d) India has achieved a Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of 2.0 as per NFHS-5 (2019-21). This is aligned with the National Population Policy 2000 and the National Health Policy 2017.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare focuses on achieving and maintaining replacement levels of fertility by raising awareness about healthy timing and spacing of pregnancies for the well-being of mother and child, providing for the availability of family planning services, and approving the budgets proposed by the states in the Programme Implementation Plan (PIP) based on their specific needs to manage fertility.

Various schemes implemented by the Government under Family Planning programme are given below-

Expanded Contraceptive Choices comprises of Condoms, Combined Oral contraceptive pills, Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices (IUCD), Sterilization, Injectable contraceptive MPA (Antara Programme), Centchroman (Chhaya) and Emergency contraceptive pills.

1. Mission Parivar Vikas implemented in thirteen states for increasing the access to contraceptives and family planning services.
2. Compensation scheme for Sterilization acceptors provides compensation for loss of wages to the beneficiaries for Sterilization.
3. Post-Pregnancy contraception in the form of Post-Partum Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (PPIUCD), Post-Abortion Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (PAIUCD), and Post-Partum Sterilization (PPS).

4. 'World Population Day Campaign' and 'Vasectomy Fortnight' are observed every year to boost awareness on Family Planning and service delivery across all States/ Union Territories

5. Home Delivery of Contraceptive Scheme by ASHAs.

6. Family Planning Logistics Management Information System (FPLMIS) to ensure availability of Family Planning commodities across all the levels of health facilities.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4763 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Vacancies in Government Medical College in Maharashtra
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Smt. Dhanorkar Pratibha Suresh

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †4763

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 28 TH MARCH, 2025

## VACANCIES IN GOVERNMENT MEDICALCOLLEGE IN MAHARASHTRA

## †4763. SMT. DHANORKAR PRATIBHA SURESH:

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

- (a) whether 80 per cent of the posts in the Government Medical College of Chandrapur district of Maharashtra are lying vacant;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the time by which the Government is likely to fill up the said vacant posts; and
- (d) the action likely to be taken by the Government to address the issue of lack of health facilities in Government Medical College of the said district?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYAPATEL)

(a) to (d): The Government Medical College at Chandrapur district of Maharashtra is under the administrative control of the State Government. As informed by the State Government of Maharashtra, a total number of 95 Class-I and II posts have been sanctioned in the medical college, of which 72 posts are filled.

The Government Medical College at Chandrapur district of Maharashtra has been supported under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Upgradation of existing State Government/Central Government medical colleges to increase MBBS seats in the country, in the year 2022-23 for increase of 50 MBBS seats at a total approved cost of Rs.60 crores to be shared between Centre and State Government in the ratio of 60:40. Further, a total of Rs. 09 crore out of the total central share of Rs. 36 Cr. have been released to Government of Maharashtra.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4761 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Use of Food Ingredients
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Jagdambika Pal

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4761 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28 th MARCH, 2025

## USE OF FOOD INGREDIENTS

## 4761. SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the differential use of food ingredients which is the leading cause of impact on human health;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is considering stricter regulations/norms to ensure uniform global standards for food products sold in the country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to prevent the use of harmful additives such as Titanium Dioxide which are banned in other countries?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) to (d): Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is fully committed to ensure the availability of safe food products to the consumers across the country. For this, FSSAI works towards development of science based and internationally benchmarked standards of food products. Since the inception of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, a total of 22 technical regulations related to safety and quality standards of different food commodities have been notified which includes Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011. Food Business Operators are mandated to comply to these regulations.

These regulations permitted additives in respective categories of food based on the scientific advice provided by the independent risk assessment bodies i.e. Scientific Panels and Scientific Committee considering the country specific requirements.

These regulations are harmonised with internationally accepted Codex standards. Standard for titanium dioxide [which is a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) additive] is placed under Chapter 3 of Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011.

Further, FSSAI through State/Union Territories and its Regional Offices conducts regular surveillance, monitoring, inspection and random sampling of various food products including spices to check compliance with the quality and safety parameters and other requirements as laid down under Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006, and regulations made thereunder.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4759 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Approval Process for Plant-based Ingredients and Products
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Bajrang Manohar Sonwane

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4759 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28 TH MARCH, 2025

## APPROVALPROCESS FOR PLANT-BASED INGREDIENTS AND PRODUCTS

## 4759. SHRI BAJRANG MANOHAR SONWANE:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has streamlined the approval process for novel plant-based ingredients and products; and

- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the proposed/existing incentive thereon?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

- (a) & (b): Food Safety and Standards (Approval of non-specified food and food ingredients) Regulations, 2017, specifies rules and procedure for grant of prior approval of nonspecified food and food ingredients. The regulation covers the articles of food or food ingredients for which standards have not been specified in any regulation made under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Expert Committee (EC) evaluates the application submitted on the basis of provisions as specified in the above mentioned regulations and recommends their opinion w.r.t. the particular application submitted by the applicant for non-specified food.

Further, FSSAI has also notified the Food safety and Standards (Food or Health supplements, Nutraceuticals, Foods for special dietary uses, Foods for medical purposes, Functional foods and Novel foods) Regulations, 2016 and Food Safety and Standards (Ayurveda Aahara) Regulations, 2022. Ayurveda Aahara refers to food prepared using recipes, ingredients, or processes as described in the authoritative Ayurvedic books of Ayurveda listed under 'Schedule A' of these regulations.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4757 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Cases of Silicosis Disease in Karauli-Dholpur Region
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Bhajan Lal Jatav

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTHAND FAMILYWELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4757 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2025

## CASES OF SILICOSIS DISEASE IN KARAULI-DHOLPUR REGION

## †4757. SHRI BHAJAN LAL JATAV:

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

(a) whether the Government has data on the number of persons who are suffering from silicosis disease in the Karauli-Dholpur Parliamentary Constituency of Rajasthan and if so, the details thereof;

- (b) the details of the schemes implemented by the Government so far for the people suffering from such disease along with the number of beneficiaries who have been given assistance under the said schemes;
- (c) whether it a fact that the financial assistance meant for silicosis patients is not being paid on time and if so, the details thereof and if not, the remedial measures taken thereon;
- (d) the list of the number of silicosis patients who applied for assistance along with the number of applications pending so far, district-wise; and
- (e) whether the Government proposes to implement any new policy to provide relief to silicosis patients in future and to make the assistance process more easier and transparent and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) As per the information provided by Ministry of Labour & Employment no cases of silicosis have been reported in the mines of Dholpur and Karauli districts in Rajasthan.

(b) to (e) There are provisions to protect the interest of labourers affected by the notified diseases under the Mines Act, 1952. The mine owners are required to comply with provisions viz. to provide alternate employment in the mine for which the workmen are medically fit, disability allowance determined in accordance with the rates prescribed etc. The compensation to the employees and their dependents in case of silicosis is covered under the Employees' Compensation Act, 1923 administered by the State Governments in their respective spheres.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4755 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Disinvestment in IMPCL
Ministry: AYUSH
Asked by: Shri Rahul Gandhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4755

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2025

## Disinvestment in IMPCL

## 4755.      Shri Rahul Gandhi

Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:

(a) Whether  the  Government  plans  to  disinvest  its  stake  in  Indian  Medicines Pharmaceutical Corporation Limited (IMPCL) in Almora, Uttarakhand, which is the only  Central  Public  Sector  Enterprises  (CPSEs)  that  is  involved  in  manufacturing Ayurvedic and Unani medicines in the country;

(b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the  details  of  the  Expression  of  Interest received so far;

(c) whether IMPCL is a profit making CPSE and if so, the details thereof for the last five years;

(d) the  total  number  of  employees,  both  permanent  and  contractual,  currently working in the plant; and

(e) whether the proposed disinvestment impact the supply to Ayurvedic & Unani medicines  to  CGHS,  Central/State  Government  Institutions  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) and (b) The Strategic Disinvestment Indian Medicines Pharmaceutical Corporation  Limited  (IMPCL),  a  Central  Public  Sector  Enterprises  (CPSE)  under Ministry  of  Ayush,  was  approved  by  the  Cabinet  Committee  of  Economic  Affairs (CCEA) on 01.11.2017, as per the recommendation of NITI Aayog.  The Preliminary Information Memorandum (PIM) / Expression of Interest (EoI) for the disinvestment of  IMPCL  was  issued  on  31.08.2023  and  in  response  multiple  EoIs  have  been received  by  DIPAM.    The  transaction  is  now  in  the  second  stage  of  strategic disinvestment process.

(c) and (d) Yes, IMPCL is a profit making CPSE.  Details of Profit for last five years are as below:

| Financial Year   |   Net Profit (in Rs. Lacs) | No. of employees as on 18.03.2025   |
|------------------|----------------------------|-------------------------------------|
| 2023-24          |                       1281 | Permanent - 74 + 1 (Trainee)        |
| 2022-23          |                       2081 | Contractual - 11                    |
| 2021-22          |                       3376 | Contractual - 11                    |
| 2020-21          |                       1105 | Contractual - 11                    |
| 2019-20          |                         45 | Contractual - 11                    |

(e)        Subject  to  applicable  Law,  the  Strategic  Buyer,  after  acquiring  the  CPSE,  is expected  to  continue  its  business  of  manufacturing  and  supply  of  Ayurvedic  and Unani Medicines on a going-concern basis.

**********