opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 743 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-29
Subject: Vacancy in Passport Offices
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Tanuj Punia, Dr. Mohammad Jawed, Dr. M P Abdussamad Samadani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 743

ANSWERED ON- 29/11/2024

## VACANCY IN PASSPORT OFFICES

## 743. DR. MOHAMMAD JAWED:

## DR. M P ABDUSSAMAD SAMADANI:

## SHRI TANUJ PUNIA

Will   the   Minister   of   EXTERNAL   AFFAIRS   be   pleased   to   state   :(a) the total number of posts lying vacant in the Passport Offices of the country, along with their vacancy period, category-wise;

(b) whether the Government is aware of the fact that issuance and renewal of passports to people is taking a long time due to the vacant posts in the Passport Offices across the country;

(c) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons for the delay in filling the vacant posts;

(d) whether the Government has taken/proposes to take any steps to ensure that the services in passport offices do not take a long time and cause inconvenience to the people; and

(e)   if   so,   the   details   thereof   along   with   the   manner   in   which   the Government is planning to solve the issue?

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

## (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a)   Details   of   posts,   category-wise,   lying   vacant   in   the   Passport Offices are as follows:

| Name of post               |   Vacancy |
|----------------------------|-----------|
| Passport Officer           |        04 |
| Deputy Passport Officer    |        13 |
| Assistant Passport Officer |        07 |
| Senior Superintendent      |        74 |
| Superintendent             |       172 |
| Assistant Superintendent   |       273 |
| Senior Passport Assistant  |       110 |
| Junior Passport Assistant  |       251 |
| Assistant Director         |        03 |
| Junior Translation Officer |        15 |
| Stenographer (Grade-I)     |        02 |
| Stenographer (Grade-II)    |        06 |
| Office Assistant           |        65 |
| Total                      |       995 |

(b to e) Government is making all efforts for  timely issuance of passports to the citizens. Government is also taking all remedial

measures   for   filling   up   the   vacancies   as   per   procedures.   447 vacancies have been reported to Staff Selection Commission (SSC) for filling up the vacant posts in Direct Recruitment category of the grades   of   Office   Assistant,   Junior   Passport   Assistant,   Assistant Superintendent,   Stenographer   and   Junior   Translation   Officer. Promotions through Departmental Promotion Committees (DPCs) and Limited   Departmental   Competitive   Examination   (LDCE)   are   being carried out in a timely manner.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 739 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-29
Subject: Progress of the National Family Health Survey
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Anurag Singh Thakur

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 739 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.11.2024

## PROGRESS OF THE NATIONALFAMILY HEALTH SURVEY

## 739. SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR:

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

- (a) the current status along with the timeline fixed for the completion of the National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6);
- (b) the steps taken to ensure data accuracy and comprehensive coverage across urban and rural regions;
- (c) whether any preliminary findings from the NFHS-6 have highlighted areas for targeted health interventions and if so, details thereof along with response of the Government in this regard; and
- (d) the manner in which the insights from NFHS-6 contribute to shaping future health policies/ addressing emerging health challenges in the country?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

(a) to (d): Ministry of Health and Family Welfare conducts an integrated survey namely National Family Health Survey (NFHS) with a periodicity of around three years. The NFHS provides national and state level data for several indicators and district level data for important indicators. The results help to assess the progress made over time for most of the indicators.

The field work for NFHS-6 was commenced in May, 2023. The NFHS-6 data collection is divided into two phases. Data collection work has already been completed for the States/UTs under phase-1 and 95% fieldwork completed in States/UTs included in phase-2.

Auniform sample design, which is representative at National, State/UT, and district level is adopted in each round of the survey. Overall sample size is decided based on several considerations, with the primary consideration being the requirement to provide estimates for indicators at the district, State/UT, and National levels. Several standard protocols and strategies are adopted in NFHS to minimize non- sampling errors and maintain data quality such as, multi level monitoring and supervision of fieldwork; use of Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) for collecting data; centralized training for uniformity in survey implementation; standardized tools and procedures; Clinical, Anthropometric, and Biochemical (CAB) protocols followed as per international standards; secondary editing of data in the field; feedback to field teams based on real-time data, etc.

The NFHS also provides evidence on the effectiveness of ongoing health related programmes, which are implemented by the Government of India. It also helps in identifying new areas where policies and programmes is required. NFHS results contribute in effectively shaping the future health policies to address the emerging health challenges faced by the policy-makers and programme implementing agencies for setting the benchmarks.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 735 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-29
Subject: AIIMS Satellite Centre
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. Vinod Kumar Bind, Shri Pratap Chandra Sarangi

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 735 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 TH NOVEMBER 2024

## AIIMS SATELLITE CENTRE

## 735. DR. VINOD KUMAR BIND: SHRI PRATAP CHANDRASARANGI:

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

- (a) whether it is true that AIIMS Satellite Centre has not been fully operational even after having completed more than ten years, if so, the details therefor;
- (b) whether the Government is aware of the fact that the entire infrastructure is susceptible going to be damaged being not in use and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the time by which it is likely to be made fully operational along with the steps taken/proposed to be taken in this regard?

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

(a) to (c) In new AIIMS set up under PMSSY, the construction of Out Patient Block of Satellite Centre of AIIMS Bhubaneswar at Balasore was completed in 2022 and currently Outpatient Services are provided for two days a week by the doctors and staff from AIIMS Bhubaneswar. More than 20,000 patients have availed of the service. Approval has also been accorded for setting up of a 280 bedded Satellite Centre of AIIMS Rishikesh at Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand at a project cost of Rs.494.00 crore. The project work has started in August, 2023.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 733 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-29
Subject: Construction of Roads by BRO in Punjab
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Shri Sher Singh Ghubaya, Shri Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 733

TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 th  November, 2024

## CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS BY BRO IN PUNJAB

## 733. SHRI SUKHJINDER SINGH RANDHAWA: SHRI SHER SINGH GHUBAYA:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  extent  of  construction  of  roads  by  the  Border  Roads  Organisation  (BRO)  in  areas adjoining Pakistan border in Punjab under the control of Border Security Force along with the distance after which the control of State Government of Punjab starts;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  details  of  roads  constructed/proposed  to  be constructed by BRO in Punjab particularly in Gurdaspur, Pathankot during the last two years; and
- (c) the extent of area of Punjab including Gurdaspur, Pathankot and Ferozepur under the control of Border Roads Organisation?

## A  N  S  W  E  R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI SANJAY SETH)

- (a):  The roads in the Area of Responsibility (AoR) of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in Punjab lie in the border districts of the state and total 338.5 kms in length. Jurisdictional control between the Border Security Force (BSF) and the State Government of Punjab, if any, is not maintained by this Ministry.
- (b):  The total length of roads constructed/proposed to be constructed by BRO in Punjab in the last two years is 123.4 kms, of which 29 kms is in the district of Pathankot as detailed below: -
- (c): The total length of roads under the Area of Responsibility of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in the State of Punjab including Gurdaspur, Pathankot and Ferozepur is 338.5 kms.

| Sl. No.                         | District                        | Name of road                           | Length (Km)                     | Status                          |
|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|----------------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
| Financial Year 2022-23 &2023-24 | Financial Year 2022-23 &2023-24 | Financial Year 2022-23 &2023-24        | Financial Year 2022-23 &2023-24 | Financial Year 2022-23 &2023-24 |
| (a)                             | Pathankot                       | Parmanand-Taragarh-Kathlour-NJS-Parole | 23.3                            | Completed                       |
| (b)                             | Pathankot                       | Paharpur-Simbal                        | 5.7                             | Under Progress                  |
| (c)                             | Gurdaspur                       | NIL                                    | NIL                             | NIL                             |

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Lok Sabha Question No. 724 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-29
Subject: Prevalence of Episiotomy Procedure
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Asaduddin Owaisi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 724 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29/11/2024

## PREVALENCE OFEPISIOTOMY PROCEDURE

## 724. SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

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

- a) whether the Government has any data on the prevalence of episiotomy procedures in the country;
- b) If so, the details thereof;
- c) whether the Government has taken note of reports indicating excessive use of episiotomy in hospitals, particularly in private hospitals and if so, the details thereof; and
- d) the measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to regulate and reform the use of episiotomy in the country?

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

(a) to (d) National Health Mission (NHM) provides guidelines to health care workers for labour room practices and management of obstetric interventions including episiotomy.

Under NHM, several measures have been implemented for the same. These include the following:

-  LaQshya program, which aims to enhance the quality of care provided in labour rooms and maternity operation theatres.
-  Nurse Practitioners Midwives trained to provide respectful and pregnant womencentred maternity care for promoting clinically appropriate practices.
-  The Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEmONC) and Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC) training programs equip MBBS doctors with skills to provide quality delivery services.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 718 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-29
Subject: Ban on use of Pesticide in Spices
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Imran Masood

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.718 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 th NOVEMBER, 2024

## BAN ON USE OF PESTICIDE IN SPICES

## 718. SHRI IMRAN MASOOD:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the ban imposed by the countries like Singapore and Hong Kong on sale of many Indian Spice brands due to suspected presence of carcinogens;
- (b) if so, the response of the Government on banning the spices that use suspected carcinogenic pesticides; and
- (c) the measures taken by the Government to address these challenges and to ensure safety and quality of Indian packaged food items for sale in domestic market and export?

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

(a) to (c): Ministry of Commerce has informed that Indian Spices have not been banned by countries like Singapore and Hong Kong. However, earlier, specific batches of few spice mixtures exported from India were recalled by Food Safety Authorities in Hong Kong and Singapore due to the presence of ethylene oxide (EtO) above permissible limits.

Spices Board, Ministry of Commerce has taken various steps including mandatory pre-shipment testing of Spices being exported to these destinations, issuance of comprehensive guidelines to be followed by exporters to prevent possible EtO contamination at all stages namely; procurement of raw materials, processing, packing, storage, transportation etc., to meet the varying EtO limits of the importing country.

Further, 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. Towards this, 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. In cases of non-compliance to the statutory requirements as above, penal action is initiated against the defaulting Food Business Operators (FBOs) as per the provisions laid

down under the FSS Act, 2006.

………….
Lok Sabha Question No. 717 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-29
Subject: One Stop Centres for Welfare of Women Abroad
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Ms Iqra Choudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 717

TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.11.2024

## ONE STOP CENTRES FOR WELFARE OF WOMEN ABROAD

717. MS IQRA CHOUDHARY:

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

- (a) the number of One Stop Centres that have been set up so far under the Scheme for Welfare of Women Abroad, country-wise;
- (b) whether the Government has data on the number of complaints that have been received  and  disposed  off  by  One  Stop  Centres  till  date,  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government plans to continue One Stop Centre Schemes beyond 2024-25, if so, the details and the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether there are any alternative policies for Indian women abroad to receive financial, legal and medical assistance; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): The proposals of Ministry of External Affairs for 9 One Stop Centres (OSCs) for  Indian  women  facing  distress  abroad  have  been  approved  by  the  Empowered Committee of Ministry of Women and Child Development. They include 7 OSCs with provision  of  shelter  homes  in  Bahrain,  Kuwait,  Oman,  Qatar,  UAE,  Saudi  Arabia (Jeddah & Riyadh) and 2 OSCs without shelter homes in Toronto and Singapore. Ministry of External Affairs has now opened a Budget line for the aforesaid 9 Missions.

- (c)        Yes.

(d)  and (e) :Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) has been set up in all Indian Missions and Posts abroad to meet the contingency expenditure incurred by them for carrying out various on site welfare activities for Overseas Indian citizens on a meanstested  basis.  The  ICWF  guidelines  have  been  comprehensively  revised  w.e.f.

September 1, 2017. The revised guidelines have considerably expanded the scope of on-site  welfare  activities  for  the  benefit  of  distressed  Indian  nationals  particularly women that could be extended through the Fund. The guidelines cover three key areas namely  Assisting  Overseas  Indian  nationals  in  distress  situations  (Boarding  and Lodging, Air passage, Legal Assistance, Emergency Medical Care. Transportation of Mortal  Remains),  Community  Welfare  activities  and  improvement  in  Consular services. They now also include provisions for setting up of legal panels in countries with sizeable Indian diaspora, payment of fines/penalty for petty crimes for release of prisoners and assistance to distressed Indian women abroad. Assistance under ICWF is also provided to needy Indian women in distress who have been deserted by their overseas Indian/ foreigner husbands to secure counselling and legal services.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 716 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-29
Subject: PM-PRANAM
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Smt. Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam, Shri Kripanath Mallah, Shri Janardan Singh Sigriwal

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 716 TO BE ANSWERED ON:

29.11.2024

## PM-PRANAM

716:

SMT. POONAMBEN HEMATBHAI MAADAM:

SHRI  KRIPANATH  MALLAH:

SHRI  JANARDAN  SINGH SIGRIWAL:

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

- (a) whether the Government has introduced PM-PRANAM so as to promote alternative fertilizers, if so, the details and salient features thereof;
- (b) whether  the  scheme  is  likely  to  help  in  reduction  of  consumption  of  chemical fertilizers, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Scheme is aimed at promoting sustainable and balanced use of fertilisers and promoting organic farming in the country, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the amount of fertiliser subsidy saved by way of reduction in consumption of chemical fertiliser in the country, State/UT-wise; and
- (e) other  measures  being  taken  by  the  Government  for  reduction  in  consumption  of chemical fertilisers in the country?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

(a)  to  (d):  The  Cabinet  Committee  on  Economic  Affairs  (CCEA),  on  June  28,  2023, approved the 'PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness Generation, Nourishment, and Amelioration  of  Mother-Earth  (PM-PRANAM).'  This  initiative  aims  to  support  the  mass movement initiated by States and Union Territories (UTs) to preserve the health of Mother Earth  through  the  promotion  of  sustainable  and  balanced  fertilizer  use,  adoption  of alternative  fertilizers,  promotion  of  organic  farming,  and  implementation  of  resource conservation technologies.

All  States/UTs  are  covered  under  the  PM-  PRANAM  scheme.  Under  the  PMPRANAM  scheme,  provisions  to  provide  incentives  to  States/UTs  for  reduction  of consumption  of  chemical  fertilizers  (Urea,  DAP,  NPK,  MOP)  in  a  given  financial  year, compared to the average consumption over the previous three years, equivalent to 50% of the fertilizer subsidy saved.

(e): Pursuant  to the Budget Announcement, 2023 and on the recommendations of the Expenditure  Finance  Committee  (EFC),   the  Government  has  approved  the  Market Development  Assistance  (MDA)@  Rs.  1500/MT  to  promote  organic  fertilizers,  viz., FOM/LFOM/PROM  produced  at  plants  under  GOBARdhan  initiative  covering  different Biogas/CBG support schemes/programmes of stakeholder Ministries/Departments such as Sustainable Alternative  Towards  Affordable  Transportation  (SATAT)  scheme  of  MoPNG, 'Waste to Energy' programme of MNRE, Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural) of DDWS, etc. with total outlay of Rs. 1451.84 Crore (FY 2023-24 to 2025-26), which includes a corpus of Rs. 360 Crore for research gap funding, etc.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 714 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-29
Subject: Restrictions on Indian Patrolling in Ladakh
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Adv. Adoor Prakash

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 714

## ANSWERED ON- 29/11/2024

## RESTRICTIONS ON INDIAN PATROLLING IN LADAKH

714 Adv. Adoor Prakash

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

- (a) the details of  terms of  disengagment, especially any restrictions imposed on Indian patrolling in key areas of Eastern Ladakh
- (b) the manner in which these terms of disengagement compared to the status quo before the clashes between Indian and Chinese troops;
- (c) the manner in which the Government plans to address the growing concerns   that   recent   disengagment   agreements   may   inadvertently strengthen China's claims over Indian territories;

(d) the steps taken/ proposed to be taken by the Government to enhance transparency regarding the status of  key territories and ensure that national security and territorial integrity are not compromised?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a to d) India and China reached agreement on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control in India-China border areas in Depsang and Demchok on  21 October 2024, leading to disengagement. It has been agreed therein that patrolling activities and, wherever applicable, grazing will resume as per longstanding practice before friction started in   these   areas.   The   agreement   has   since   been   effected   and implemented as per modalities and timelines agreed.

The   terms   of   the   disengagement   agreements   reached   prior   to  21 October 2024 continue to hold in relevant areas in Eastern Ladakh.

The terms of  the agreements apply mutually to both sides and are without prejudice to India's positions on LAC or boundary lines.

Government has regularly briefed Parliament on the major milestones in the resolution of these issues since the time of the friction in 2020. Raksha Mantri had briefed the Parliament on 15 Sep 2020 and 11 Feb 2021.   Government   has   also   released   information   about   relevant meetings and outcomes thereof through press releases and briefings.

Government continues to keep a constant watch on all developments having   a   bearing   on   India's   security   and   takes   all   the   necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

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