opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2085 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: Condition of Sales Promotion Employees
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Thiru Dayanidhi Maran, Shri  Selvaganapathi T.M.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2085 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2024

## CONDITION OF SALES PROMOTION EMPLOYEES

## 2085. THIRU DAYANIDHI MARAN: SHRI SELVAGANAPATHI T.M.:

Will  the  Minister  of  LABOUR  AND  EMPLOYMENT  be  pleased  to state:

- (a)whether it is a fact that an Industrial Tripartite Committee meeting was held on 10.08.2017 between the Government, the pharmaceutical  industry  representatives,  all  central  trade  unions and All India Federation of Sales Promotion Employees with regard to service and working conditions of the medical sales representatives across the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)whether  in  the  said  meeting,  draft  rules  were  framed  for  the improvement  of  the  service  and  working  conditions  of  medical representatives and sought comments from all stakeholders in this
- regard and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)whether it is also true that no rules for sales promotion employees under  section  12  of  the  Sales  Promotion  Employees  (Condition  of Service ) Act, 1976 have been framed so far as agreed in the said meeting and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)whether it is also true that Sales Promotion Employees (Condition of Service) Act, 1976 has been subsumed in the 4 Labour Codes and if so, the details thereof;
- (e)the details of measures being taken to curb large-scale retrenchments of its employees by pharmaceutical companies and to  ensure  job  security  for  Sales  Promotion  Employees  in  the pharmaceutical industry; and
- (f)whether  the  Government  is  considering  the  demand  to  scrap  the Labour Code and restore the Sales Promotion Employees (Conditions of Service) Act, 1976 and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)

(a) to (f): The Sales Promotion Employees (Conditions of Service) Act, 1976,  regulates  conditions  of  service  for  sales  promotion  employees including pharmaceutical industry, which is implemented through State Government.  An  Industrial Tri-partite Committee  meeting, chaired  by

the Hon'ble Minister of State for Labour and Employment (I/C) was held on August 8, 2017 to discuss the working conditions of these employees.

The said Act has since been subsumed into Occupational, Safety,  Health  and  Working  Conditions  (OSH &WC) Code 2020, which was notified in September, 2020.  Draft rules for OSH & WC were prepublished on November 19, 2020.

The  sales  promotion  employees  are  now  included  in  the definition of 'workers' under both the OSH & WC Code and the Industrial Relations Code, 2020.  Draft rules for the Industrial Relations Code were pre-published on October 29, 2020.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2076 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: Equal Wages for Women Workers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Smt. Harsimrat Kaur Badal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2076 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2024

## EQUAL WAGES FOR WOMEN WORKERS

2076. SMT. HARSIMRAT KAUR BADAL:

Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:

- (a)the details of steps being taken by the Government to ensure equal wages for women workers in agriculture, construction and allied
- sectors;
- (b)the  manner  in  which  the  Government  is  addressing  women's unemployment rate in rural areas, particularly in Punjab;
- (c)the details of  measures taken for skill development specifically targeting women in agriculture-related fields; and
- (d)the  manner  in  which  the  Government  monitor  compliance  with
- labour laws protecting the equal rights of women?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)

- The  Government  has  enacted  Equal  Remuneration  Act, 1976  which  provides  for  payment  of  equal  remuneration, whether payable in cash or in kind, to men and women workers in any establishment or employment for the same work or work
- (a): of similar nature without any discrimination.
- (b): Government  is  implementing  various  schemes  to  boost female  labour  force  participation  rate  (LFPR)  in  the  country including  in  rural  areas,  like  Pradhan  Mantri  Mudra  Yojana (PMMY), Stand-UP India Scheme, Startup India, Prime Minist er's Employment  Generation  Programme  (PMEGP),  Deen  Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY), Rural Self Employment and Training Institutes (RSETIs), Deendayal Antyodaya  Yojana-National  Urban  Livelihoods  Mission  (DAYNULM), etc.

As  per  the  latest  available  Annual  PLFS  reports,  the unemployment rate in rural  areas,  in  the  state  of  Punjab,  for females of age 15 years and above, has declined from 8.9% in 2021-22 to 8.7% in 2022-23 and further to 6.2% in 2023-24.

(c): The  Government  is  implementing  Krishi  Vigyan  Kendras (KVKs)  scheme  in  various  states  across  the  country  with mandate of single window agricultural knowledge, resource and capacity  development  centre.  It  has  taken  activities  like assessment and demonstration of technologies, capacity building  and  providing  advisories  to  farming  community  and extension personnel including women and youth for production and distribution of farm inputs.

(d): The provisions of the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 are enforced by the Central and State Government, as appropriate government,  to  ensure  the  compliance  of  the  Act  by  the establishments.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2073 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: Termination of Employees by IT Companies
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Prof. Sougata Ray

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2073

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2024

## TERMINATION OF EMPLOYEES BY IT COMPANIES

2073. PROF. SOUGATA RAY:

Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:

- (a)whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  a  large  number  of employees of various IT Companies have been served termination notices without following existing Labour Laws of the country, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)whether the Government has given any exception to IT Companies in the existing Labour Laws of the country, if so, the details thereof; (c)whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  enact  separate
- law/rules for IT companies for its employees; and (d)if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)

(a) to (d): 'Labour' being a subject under the Concurrent List, both the Central and the State Governments are responsible to enforce labour laws in their respective jurisdictions.

Key legislations such as the Industrial  Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946, the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, the Factories Act, 1948, and the Shops and Establishments Acts of the respective  State  Governments  address  crucial  aspects  such  as working  conditions, terms of employment,  and  termination of services, etc. No exceptions are made for IT Companies under the existing Labour Laws. Most private sector establishments, including IT Companies, fall under the purview of State Governments, making them the appropriate authorities for enforcement of labour laws in these establishments.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2072 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: Central Financial Assistance for Wayanad
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Adv. Adoor Prakash

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2072

Answered on Monday, December 9, 2024/Agrahayana 18, 1946 (Saka)

## Central Financial Assistance for Wayanad

## 2072. Adv. Adoor Prakash:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  had  conducted  a  review  meeting  and  assured  central  financial assistance for relief and rehabilitation process in landslide hit Wayanad district;
- (b) if so, the details of central financial assistance provided so far; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

(a) & (b): In the wake of landslide and flash flood in Wayanad, Kerala, Ministry of Home Affairs (nodal  ministry  for  disaster  management)  had  constituted  an  Inter-Ministerial  Central  Team (IMCT) on 02.08.2024 to assess the damage caused without waiting for a memorandum in this regard from the State Government of Kerala. The IMCT visited the affected areas of the State from  8 th August  to  10 th August,  2024.  The  State  Government  submitted  its  memorandum  on 19 th August 2024 seeking additional assistance under National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). Based on the report of the IMCT, the High-Level Committee (HLC) under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister approved an amount of Rs. 153.47 crore (subject to the adjustment of 50% of balance available in the SDRF account), assistance for the Air bills of Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters  for  rescue  &  relief,  as  per  actual,  and  actual  expenditure  incurred  by  State  on  the clearance of debris.

In addition, an amount of Rs.388.00 crore (Rs. 291.20 crore Central Share + Rs. 96.80 crore State share) has been allocated to the State Government Kerala for the financial year 202425 for State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). The 1 st instalment of Rs. 145.60 crore of Central share  of  SDRF  was  released  on  31.07.2024.  The  2 nd instalment of Rs. 145.60 crore of Central Share  was  also  released  in  advance  on  01.10.2024  to  the  State  Government.  In  addition,  the Accountant General, Kerala has reported balance of Rs. 394.99 crore in the SDRF account of Kerala  as  on  1 st April,  2024.  Thus,  funds  amounting  to  Rs.  782.99  crore  are  available  in  the SDRF account of the State for the relief operations.

- (c): Does not arise.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2071 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: Social Security Benefits to Gig and Platform Workers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane, Shri S Venkatesan, Shri Sudheer Gupta

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2071 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2024

## SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS TO GIG AND PLATFORM WORKERS

2071. SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA: SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE: SHRI S VENKATESAN:

Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:

- (a)the details of number of Gig and Platform workers in the country,
- State-wise;
- (b)whether the registration of Gig and Platform workers have started
- through the E-shram portal;
- (c)if  so,  the  details  of  numbers  of  registered  Gig  and  Platform
- workers, State-wise;
- (d)the manner in which the Government publicise this registration to
- reach workers concerned;
- (e)the status of the formulating policy framework for them along with
- the timeline for finalizing the same;
- (f)whether the draft of policy framework for gig and platform workers will be released for public opinion, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (g)the details of the personnel involved in the process of formulation of policy framework; and
- (h)whether the Government has held any consultation with various State  Governments  in  this  regard,  if  so,  the  details  and  the response of the State Governments in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)

- As per an estimation by NITI Aayog vide its report titled 'India`s Booming Gig and Platform Economy' published in June 2022, the number of gig workers and platform workers in the country was 7.7 million in 2020-21, which is expected to rise to 23.5 million by
- (a) to (h): 2029-30.

Gig workers and platform workers have been defined for the first time in the Code on Social Security, 2020, which has been enacted by Parliament.

An  advisory  has  been  issued  by  Ministry  of  Labour  and Employment  to  platform  aggregators  to  register  themselves  and platform  workers  engaged  with  them  on  e-Shram  portal.  This  will facilitate platform workers to get easy access to the social security benefits.

A  Committee  comprising  representatives  from  Platform Aggregator, Gig and Platform Worker Association, Knowledge Partner and Industry Association has been constituted to suggest inter-alia, framework for providing social security and welfare benefits to gig and platform workers.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 175 (STARRED), answered on 2024-12-06
Subject: Twenty-third Law Commission
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Shri Jagadish Shettar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AFFAIRS ****

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO.175 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 6 th DECEMBER, 2024

## Twenty-third Law Commission

- *175. Shri Jagadish Shettar:

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

- (a) whether the setting up of 23rd Law Commission has been approved recently;
- (b) whether the Commission has been mandated to review the system of Judicial Administration to make it responsive to the demands of the time; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## 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) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
- *****

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 175 FOR 06.12.2024, REGARDING TWENTY-THIRD LAW COMMISSION RAISED BY SHRI JAGADISH SHETTAR, HON'BLE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT.

(a) to (c): The 23 rd Law Commission of India has been constituted vide order dated 2 nd September, 2024. The Commission is inter-alia mandated to review the system of Judicial Administration to ensure that it is responsive to the reasonable demands of the times and in particular to secure: (i) elimination of delays, speedy clearance of arrears and reduction in costs so as to secure quick and economical disposal of cases without affecting the cardinal principle that decision should be just and fair. (ii) Simplification of processes and court procedures and suggesting harmonising Rules of various High Courts for the sake of uniformity and ease of understanding and implementation. (iii) Simplification of procedure to reduce and eliminate technicalities and devices for delay so that it operates not as an end in itself but as a means of achieving justice. (iv) Implementation of framework for case management hearing and case flow

- management.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2068 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-06
Subject: Ship Building Industry
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Shri Vishnu Datt Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2068

## ANSWERED ON 06.12.2024

## SHIP BUILDING INDUSTRY

2068. SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA:

## Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:

## पȅन , पोत पįरवहन और जलमागŊ मंũी

(a) whether it is true that India has a very miniscule domestic ship building industry in comparison  to  Japan,  China  and  South  Korea,  and  that  75%  of  world  shipbuilding orders are captured by China, if so, the details thereof; (b)  whether  is  it  also  true  that  India  has  a  very  insignificant  freight  carrying  capacity even unable to meet its own demand and that India paid $75 billion to foreign shipping companies for sea freight in FY-2023 alone, if so, the details thereof; (c) whether efforts are being made by the Government for launching PLI scheme and classification of shipbuilding sector as infrastructure, for facilitating long-term financing options; and (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a)&  (b)As  per  United  Nations  Conference  on  Trade  and  Development  (UNCTAD) Report (2023), Japan, China and South Korea together constitute more than 90% of the global shipbuilding market in terms of Gross Tonnage.

(c)&  (d)  Infrastructure  status  has  already  been  granted  to  shipyards  in  April,  2016. Further, to promote "Make in India" policy and to support shipbuilding industry in India, Ministry  has  brought  in  Shipbuilding  Financial  Assistance  Policy  (SBFAP) scheme for Indian shipyards to procure orders from domestic as well as international market and to be  competitive  in  international  market  for  securing  global  orders.  The  scheme  offers financial assistance to Indian Shipyards for shipbuilding contracts signed between April 1, 2016 and March 31, 2026 with rate of financial assistance starting from 20% in 2016 and  diminishing  to  11%  in  2026.  Till  date,  45  shipyards  have  registered,  and  19 shipyards have utilized the scheme by availing financial assistance. Further, an amount of  Rs.  385.16  crore  has  been  released  towards  construction  and  delivery  of  144 vessels.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2066 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-06
Subject: Increase in Health Spending
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddy

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2066 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6 TH DECEMBER, 2024

## INCREASE IN HEALTH SPENDING

## 2066: SHRI RAMASAHAYAM RAGHURAM REDDY:

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

- (a) the details of health spending as a percentage of GDP during the last three years;
- (b) whether the Government has set any target to increase this percentage;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the Government has taken any steps to increase health spending especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

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

## WELFARE (SHRIMATIANUPRIYAPATEL)

(a) to (e). As per the National Health Accounts Estimates for India, the Government Health Expenditure (GHE) as percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has increased from 1.13% in 2014-15 to 1.84% in 2021-22. The GHE as percentage of GDP for the last three years are given below:

| Indicators   |   2019-20 |   2020-21 |   2021-22 |
|--------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| GHE%GDP      |      1.35 |       1.6 |      1.84 |

As per the National Health Policy 2017, public investment on health is envisioned to reach 2.5% of GDP by 2025. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has taken up with States to prioritize allocation to health sector and enhance their Health Budgets at least 10% every year. The budget allocation for Department of Health & Family Welfare (DoHFW) has increased by 85% from Rs. 47,353 crore in 2017-18 (BE) to Rs. 87,657 crore in 2024-25 (BE). Further, the 15 th Finance Commission provided Rs. 70,051 crore Grants for health through the local Governments.

The 'India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package'(ECRP) of Rs. 15,000 crore was approved by the Government in April 2020 wherein States/UTs were provided required technical and financial assistance for strengthening of their healthcare system for management of the COVID-19 Public Health Challenge. In addition, ECRP Phase-II was also approved by the Cabinet with Rs. 23,123 crore (with Rs. 15,000 crore as Central component & Rs. 8,123 crore as State component). Moreover, the Central Government also implemented 'National COVID-19 Vaccination Programme' to provide free vaccination to all adult citizens during the FY 2021-22 for an expenditure of about Rs.35,000 crore.

Further, the PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission ( PM-ABHIM) was launched as a mission to develop the capacities of primary, secondary and tertiary health care systems; strengthen existing national institutions and create new institutions to cater to detection and cure of new and emerging diseases. PM-ABHIM is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with some Central Sector components with an outlay of Rs. 64,180 crore.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2055 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-06
Subject: Implementation of Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Jai Prakash

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2055 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06 th DECEMBER, 2024

## IMPLEMENTATION OFAYUSHMAN BHARAT HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE MISSION

## 2055. SHRI JAI PRAKASH:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) the names of States and UTs who have not yet implemented the Central's flagship Mission of the Central Government-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission;

(b) whether the Government is considering to make the said scheme mandatory across the country, if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise; and

- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) with some Central Sector Components (CS) which has an outlay of Rs. 64,180 Crores for the scheme period (2021-22 to 2025-26).

The scheme envisages a new generation of reforms to integrate and strengthen health service delivery and public health action. The measures under the scheme are aimed at strengthening health systems and institutions in order to provide a continuum of care at all levels, namely primary, secondary, and tertiary, as well as preparing health systems to respond effectively to current and future pandemics and disasters.

Under the CSS components of the scheme, following are the five activities where support is provisioned to the State/UTs during the scheme period (2021-2026):

- Construction of 17,788 Building less Sub-Centres as Ayushman Bharat- Health & Wellness centres, now known as Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM)
- Establishment of 11,024 Health & wellness Centres, now AAM in Urban areas with a focus on slum and slum like areas are envisioned
- Establishment of 3382 Block Public Health Units (BPHUs) at the block level,
- Establishment of 730 District Integrated Public Health Labs in the country, wherein each district will have one such lab .
- Establishing 602 Critical Care Hospital Blocks in all districts with population more than 5 lakhs.

Public Health and Hospital are State subjects. Under PM-ABHIM, financial and technical support is provided to the eligible States/UTs to strengthen their healthcare systems.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with all States and Union Territories (UTs), except UT of Delhi, for the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri - Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM). These MoUs align with the deliverables outlined in the PM-ABHIM guidelines.

******