opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 491 (STARRED), answered on 2025-04-04
Subject: Special Package on DAP
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Shri Arun Bharti

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

## LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO. 491* TO BE ANSWERED ON

: 04.04.2025

## Special Package on DAP

## 491*.  SHRI ARUN BHARTI:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  approved  the  extension  of  the  One-time Special  Package  on  Di-Ammonium  Phosphate  (DAP)  beyond  the  NBS subsidy, and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the manner in which this extension aims to ensure sustainable availability DAP  at  affordable prices for  farmers, particularly in light of recent geopolitical challenges;
- (c) the  financial  implications  this  extension  have  for  the  Government  budget, and the manner in which it will impact farmers' access to fertilizers;
- (d) whether  there  are  any  targets  or  strategies  in  place  to  monitor  the effectiveness of this subsidy in stabilizing DAP prices for farmers; and
- (e) the manner  in  which  this  initiative  reflects  the  Government's  ongoing commitment to farmers' welfare and agricultural sustainability in the country?

## ANSWER

MINISTER FOR CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS AND HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE

(SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the table of the House.

******

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  LOK  SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO 491*  FOR  04.04.2025  REGARDING  'SPECIAL  PACKAGE  ON  DAP' TABLED BY SHRI ARUN BHARTI

-----------

(a)  to  (e): The Government approved Special Package on DAP @ 3,500 per MT or actual applicable expenses whichever is lower in addition to the NBS  subsidy  rates  from  01.04.2024  to  31.12.2024.  This  provision  was extended upto 31.03.2025 with overall approximate total financial implication  of  Rs.  3346  crore  from  01.04.2024  to  31.03.2025.  Now  the Government  of India has extended the package on DAP  for from 01.04.2025  to  30.09.2025  with  approximate  financial  implication  of  Rs. 2095.45 crores. Under the NBS Policy, in view of volatility in international prices of key fertilizers and raw materials, the Government has subsumed fluctuations  while  fixing  the  NBS  rates  bi-annually  in  the  recent  years. Further, in view of the geopolitical situation the measure on special package on  DAP  has  ensured  sustainable  availability  of  DAP  to  the  farmers  at affordable rate of Rs. 1350 per 50 kg bag. Through fixing of NBS subsidy rates bi-annually and continuous monitoring of MRP of subsidized fertilizer including  DAP  it  has  been  ensured  that  the  subsidized  fertilizers  are available at reasonable price and DAP available at affordable price of Rs. 1350 per 50 Kg bag to the farmers across the country. The initiative has ensured support to the agriculture sector and related activities for strengthening food security of the country.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 490 (STARRED), answered on 2025-04-04
Subject: Backlog of Vacancies in AYUSH
Ministry: AYUSH
Asked by: Shri Anil Firojiya

†*490. Shri Anil Firojiya:

- Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state: (a) the total number of backlog vacancies under the Ministry; (b) the steps taken by the Government to fill the said backlog of vacancies along with the time by which the Government is likely to fill the said vacancies; (c) the provisions made by the Government to provide relief to the candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes with regard to delay in the appointment process and the problem of running around departments; (d) whether the Government has any proposal to ensure that in future the posts reserved for SCs/STs do not get backlogged and are filled on time, if so, the details thereof; (e) whether the Government proposes to conduct any special recruitment drive to fill SC/ST
- backlog of vacancies; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and the timeline fixed in this regard?

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## ANSWER (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

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

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 490 ANSWERED ON 04.04.2025

## Backlog of Vacancies in AYUSH

## The Statement referred in reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 490 for 04.04.2025

(a) The total number of backlog vacancies under the Ministry of Ayush are 44 (SC - 11, ST - 06, OBC - 27).

(b) The occurrence and filling up of vacancies, along with backlog vacancies is a continuous process and no timeline can be specified. The Ministry of Ayush and its subordinate Offices / autonomous organizations makes recruitment regularly to ensure that all the vacancies as per the reservation rosters and the backlog vacancies get filled timely.

(c) & (d) Government of India is committed to good governance which is citizen centric. The overall vision of the Government of India is minimum government and maximum Governance. To  achieve  this  vision,  the  Department  of  Personnel  and  Training  (DoPT)  vide  OM  No. 18011/2(s)/2016-Estt (B) (i) dated 29.06.2016 decided to have a reform in the policy of prior character verification and stipulated that the issue of appointment letters need not be withheld pending  such  verification.  In  pursuance  of  DoPT's  OM  dated  29.06.2016,  the  Ministry  of Ayush  issues  provisional  appointment  letters  after  obtaining  the  attestation  form  and  selfdeclaration  from  the  candidates  which  provides  relief  to  all  including  SC/ST  candidates ensuring  the  appointment  process  is  completed  in  a  time  bound  manner.  Moreover,  the Government has discontinued interview for various junior level posts up to Group 'B' (NonGazetted) irrespective of mode of appointment i.e. promotion, deputation, direct recruitment with effect from 01.01.2016.

- (e) No.
- (f) Doesn't arise.
Lok Sabha Question No. 489 (STARRED), answered on 2025-04-04
Subject: Indians Visiting USA on Valid Visa
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Amra Ram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

STARRED Q. NO. 489

## ANSWERED ON 04.04.2025

## INDIANS VISITING USA ON VALID VISA

†*489. SHRI AMRA RAM

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)   the   total   number   of   Indian   citizens   in   the   United   States   of America (USA) along with the break-up of  citizens holding valid visas and those who went via the dunki route; and

(b) the action being taken by the Government against the persons involved in sending people via dunki route?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) & (b) A statement is laid on the table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (B) OF THE LOK   SABHA   STARRED   QUESTION   NO.   *489   FOR   REPLY   ON 04.04.2025  REGARDING INDIANS VISITING USA ON VALID VISA ASKED BY SHRI AMRA RAM

As  per   2024   estimates,   there   are 20,77,158   NRIs in   the   United States of America. Government of India does not have the break-up of the NRIs holding various categories of U.S. visas. This data is also highly dynamic, because an individual could be transitioning from one visa status to another.

Government of  India  does  not   maintain   data   on   the   number   of people who may have entered the U.S. via illegal means and routes. Data on such people is only received from the U.S. authorities in the context of repatriation exercises from time to time.

Based on the harrowing accounts and testimonies of  returning deportees,   the   Central   and   the   respective   State   Governments   / agencies   have   registered   cases,   and   investigations   as   well   as actions   are   ongoing   against   several   illegal   immigration   agents, criminal facilitators and human trafficking syndicates that run these rackets.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 488 (STARRED), answered on 2025-04-04
Subject: Supreme Court Bench in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Thiru Thanga Tamilselvan, Dr. M K Vishnu Prasad

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *488 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 04 TH  APRIL, 2025

## Supreme Court Bench in Tamil Nadu

## *488  THIRU THANGA TAMILSELVAN: DR. M K VISHNU PRASAD:

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Union  Government  has  received  any  proposal  from  the Government  of  Tamil  Nadu  or  lawyers  fraternity  to  set  up  a  Supreme Court Bench in Tamil Nadu which is a very long pending demand from
- the Southern States; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

(SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)

- (a) and (b): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) AND (b) OF LOK  SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  *488  FOR  ANSWER  ON 04.04.2025  REGARDING  'SUPREME  COURT  BENCH  IN  TAMIL NADU'

(a) and (b): Article 130 of the Constitution of India provides that the Supreme Court shall sit in Delhi or in such other place or places as the Chief Justice of India may, with the approval of the President, from time to time, appoint.

2. Representations  have  been  received  from  time  to  time  from  various quarters for establishment of Benches of Supreme Court in various parts of the Country. The Eleventh Law Commission in its 125 th Report titled 'The Supreme Court  -  A  Fresh  Look',  submitted  in  1988,  reiterated  the  recommendations made by Tenth Law Commission in its 95 th   Report  for  splitting  the  Supreme Court into two namely (i) Constitutional Court at Delhi and (ii) Court of appeal or  Federal  Court  sitting  in  North,  South,  East,  West  and  Central  India.  The Eighteenth  Law  Commission  in  its  229 th Report  submitted  in  2009  had  also suggested  that  a  Constitutional  Bench  be  set  up  at  Delhi  and  four  Cassation Benches  be  set  up  in  the  Northern  region  at  Delhi,  Southern  region  at Chennai/Hyderabad, Eastern region at Kolkata and Western region at Mumbai.

3. The matter was referred to the Chief Justice of India, who informed that after  consideration  of  the  matter,  the  Full  Court  in  its  meeting  held  on  18 th February, 2010, found no justification for setting up of benches of the Supreme Court  outside  Delhi.  The  Chief  Justice  of  India  had  earlier  conveyed  similar views in August, 2007.

4. In Writ Petition WP(C) No. 36/2016 on establishment of National Court of Appeal,  the  Supreme  Court  vide  its  judgment  dated  13.07.2016  deemed  it proper to refer the aforementioned issue to Constitutional Bench for authoritative pronouncement. The matter is currently sub-judice in the Supreme Court.
Lok Sabha Question No. 486 (STARRED), answered on 2025-04-04
Subject: Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Ajay Bhatt

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTHAND FAMILYWELFARE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 486 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 4 TH APRIL, 2025

## AYUSHMAN BHARAT PRADHAN MANTRI JAN AROGYAYOJANA

## †*486. SHRI AJAY BHATT:

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

- (a) the eligibility criteria and norms prescribed for availing the benefits under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana; and
- (b) the amount of health insurance cover fixed by the Government for availing medical treatment under the said scheme?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## (SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)

- (a) &(b) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 486 FOR 4 TH APRIL, 2025

Ayushman Bharat -Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is a flagship scheme of the Government which provides health cover of Rs. 5 lakh per eligible beneficiary family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization in 27 different medical specialties corresponding to 1961 procedures.

The eligibility criteria under AB-PMJAY have evolved over time. Since January 2022, the beneficiary base of AB-PMJAY has been expanded from 10.74 crore families to 12 crore families, incorporating various databases such as Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC), Antyoday Anna Yojana (AAY), National Food Security Act (NFSA) etc.

In March 2024, the eligibility criteria under the scheme were expanded to include 37 lakh Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), Anganwadi Workers (AWWs), Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs) and their families. Recently, the scheme has been expanded to cover 6 crore senior citizens of age 70 years and above belonging to 4.5 crore families irrespective of their socio-economic status through Ayushman Vay Vandana cards.

Many of the States and Union Territories (UTs) implementing AB-PMJAY have further expanded the beneficiary base under the scheme using non-SECC data sources (including National Food Security Act, State specific datasets).

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 5748 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-04
Subject: Drug Price Hikes
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Shri K C Venugopal

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5748 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 th  APRIL, 2025

## Drug Price Hikes

## 5748. Shri K C Venugopal:

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken note of the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority's (NPPA's) decision to permit drug price hikes;
- (b) if so, the justification provided by the NPPA for these price increases and the manner in which  it  reconciles  with  the  Government's  commitment  to  ensuring  affordable  access  to essential medicines for all citizens;
- (c) whether adequate consultations were held with relevant stakeholders, prior to approving the price hikes; and
- (d) the remedial measures the Government is planning to implement to address the concerns raised by Parliamentarians to prevent similar issues in future?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY  OF  CHEMICALS  AND FERTILIZERS

(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

(a) to (d): Ensuring the availability of required essential medicines is one of the objective of the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Policy, 2012. Accordingly, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing  Authority  (NPPA),  while  regulating  prices  of  essential  medicines  under the  Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 ['DPCO, 2013'] issued pursuant to the said policy, has to also keep in view the objectives of availability of essential medicines in the market.

NPPA, from time to time, receives requests from manufacturers for allowing discontinuation of some formulations of essential medicines as well as requests from various pharmaceutical manufacturing/marketing companies and industry associations for upward revision of prices on the grounds that ensuring continued availability of formulations at existing prices is unviable due  to  reasons  such  as  increases  in  the  costs  of  production  and  active  pharmaceuticals ingredients  (APIs),  changes  in  exchange  rate,  etc.  To  deliberate  on  such  representations,  a consultative mechanism in the form of an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) of representatives from the Director General of Health Services, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation and  NPPA exists  in  NPPA.  IMC  examines  such  requests  keeping  in  view  parameters  like essentiality of medicines, period since when they have been under price control, trend of API prices in recent years, any concerns regarding possible shortages and receipt of requests for discontinuing  manufacturing.  Based  on  detailed  deliberations  and  the  recommendations  of IMC in respect of requests for increase of prices for 77 formulations on grounds as aforesaid,

NPPA has allowed increase in ceiling prices of 11 formulations of 8 drugs to ensure their continued availability so that the public is not forced to switch to expensive alternatives due to non-availability of these drugs in the market.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5746 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-04
Subject: Medical College in Delhi
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Manoj Tiwari

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH ANDFAMILYWELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5746 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04 th APRIL, 2025

## MEDICALCOLLEGE IN DELHI

## 5746. SHRI MANOJ TIWARI:

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

(a) whether the Government proposes to establish a Medical College and a 500-bed Hospital in the North East Delhi Parliamentary constituency;

(b) if so, the details thereof including proposed location, budget allocation and timeline for implementation;

(c) whether land has been identified or allocated for this purpose in Karawal Nagar near the Police Academy or in Burari; and

(d) the steps being taken by the Government to strengthen healthcare infrastructure in densely populated urban areas like North East Delhi?

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

(a) to (d): The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare administers a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for 'Establishment of new medical colleges attached with existing district/referral hospitals' with preference to underserved areas and aspirational districts, where there is no existing Government or private medical college. The fund sharing mechanism between the Centre and State Governments is in the ratio of 90:10 for North Eastern and Special Category States, and 60:40 for others. Under the Scheme, all the envisaged 157 Government medical colleges have already been approved.

The measures/steps taken by the Government to augment the medical education facilities and to improve the medical standards in the country include: -

- i. Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for establishment of new medical colleges by upgrading district/ referral hospital under which 157 new medical colleges have been approved, out of which 131 are already functional.
- ii. CSS for strengthening/ upgradation of existing State Government/ Central Government medical colleges to increase the number of MBBS (UG) and PG seats, under which support has been provided for increase of 4977 MBBS seats in 83 colleges with an approved cost of Rs. 5972.20 Cr. , 4058 PG seats in phase-I in 72 colleges with an approved cost of Rs. 1498.43 Cr. and 4000 PG seats in phase-II in 65 colleges with an approved cost of Rs. 4478.25 Cr.
- iii. Under 'Upgradation of Government medical colleges by construction of Super Specialty Blocks' component of Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), a total of 75 projects have been approved, of which 71 projects are complete.
- iv. Under the Central Sector Scheme for setting up of new AIIMS, 22 AIIMS have been approved. Undergraduate courses have started in 19 of these.
- v. DNB qualification has been recognized for appointment as teaching faculty to take care of shortage of faculty.
- vi. Enhancement of age limit for appointment/ extension/ re-employment against posts of teachers/dean/principal/ director in medical colleges upto 70 years.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5741 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-04
Subject: Child Adoption Law
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri Anil Yeshwant Desai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UN-STARRED QUESTION NO. 5741

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.04.2025

## CHILD ADOPTION LAW

## 5741.  SHRI ANIL YESHWANT DESAI:

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

- (a) whether Indian adoption laws provide adequate care for safe future/atmosphere of the child;
- (b) the details of the special provisions made if the adoption request is by a foreign couple;
- (c) whether the Government is monitoring/preventing adoption by the people not authorized under the law and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the number of people arrested during the last five years for illegal adoptions?

## ANSWER

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

(a): The Ministry of Women and Child Development is the nodal Ministry for Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (JJ Act, 2015) which is the primary legislation for ensuring safety, security, dignity and wellbeing of children in need of care and protection and those in conflict with law by catering to their basic needs through  care,  protection,  development,  treatment,  rehabilitation  and  social  reintegration.

Under the JJ Act, 2015, the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Model Rules, 2016 (as amended in 2022) and the Adoption Regulations, 2022, thereunder, a uniform legal framework for adoption is available across the country. Overall, this comprehensive framework ensures that every child in need of care and protection can find  a  safe,  permanent,  and  loving  family  through  a  transparent  and  legally  sound adoption process. (b):  Section 59 of the JJ Act, 2015 provides procedures for Inter-country adoptions of an orphan, an abandoned and a surrendered child. Further, regulations 15 to 23 of the Adoption Regulations, 2022 provide adoption procedures for NRI, OCI and Foreign Prospective Adoptive Parents. (c): Adoption  process is  completely  online  and  transparent  through  the  designated CARINGS portal. There is no scope to register illegal adoptions through CARINGS portal. (d): No such information is maintained centrally.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5737 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-04
Subject: MBBS and Post Graduate Doctors
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. M K Vishnu Prasad

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 5737 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 TH APRIL, 2025

## MBBSANDPOSTGRADUATEDOCTORS

## 5737. DR. M K VISHNU PRASAD:

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

- (a) the total number of MBBS doctors passing out of Post graduation every year in the country, State/UT-wise including Tamil Nadu;
- (b) whether any steps have been taken by the Government to increase the number of seats in various medical institutes/colleges across the country during the last two years and the current year; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise and year-wise?

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

- (a) to (c) : As of now, there are a total number of 74,306 Postgraduate seats in the country including Tamil Nadu. The measures/steps taken by the Government to increase the number of medical seats in the country include:-
-  Centrally Sponsored Scheme for establishment of new medical college by upgrading district/ referral hospital under which 131 new medical colleges are already functional out of 157 approved medical colleges.
-  Centrally Sponsored Scheme for strengthening/ upgradation of existing State Government/Central Government Medical Colleges to increase MBBS and PG seats.
-  Under 'Upgradation of Government Medical Colleges by construction of Super Specialty Blocks' of Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) scheme, a total of 75 projects have been approved, of which 71 projects are complete.
-  Under the Central Sector Scheme for setting up of new AIIMS, 22 AIIMS have been approved. Undergraduate courses have been started in 19 of these.

****