opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 55 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-02
Subject: Price Fixation of Medicines
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Anil Firojiya

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †55 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 nd  February, 2024

## Price Fixation of Medicines

## †55. SHRI ANIL FIROJIYA:

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

- (a) the standards set for fixing the prices of medicines in the country; and
- (b) the names of the countries with which India has signed an agreement for regulation and enhancement of the quality of medicinal products in the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS (SHRI BHAGWANTH KHUBA)

- (a):     National Pharmaceuticals    Pricing Policy, 2012 (NPPP, 2012) lays down the principles for regulation of prices of drugs. The key principles of the policy are the essentiality of drugs, control of formulation prices only and market-based pricing. Based on NPPP, 2012, the Drug Prices Control Order, 2013, (DPCO, 2013) has been issued under section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. The National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) is issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MHFW) from time to time.  The NLEM as notified by MHFW  is  incorporated  in  the  Schedule-I  of  DPCO,  2013  which  constitutes  the  list  of scheduled medicines for price control.

National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) under the aegis of the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) fixes the ceiling price of medicines specified in Schedule-I of the DPCO, 2013. All manufacturers of scheduled medicines have to sell their products within the ceiling price (plus applicable Goods and Service Tax) fixed by the NPPA.  NPPA also fixes the retail prices of new drugs as defined in DPCO, 2013 for existing manufacturers of scheduled formulations. For Non-Scheduled Formulations (branded or generic), the manufacturers are at liberty to fix the maximum retail price of the formulation launched by it, however, they may not  increase  the  maximum  retail  price  of  such  formulations  by  more  than  10%  per annum.  Further, the Government may also fix the ceiling price or retail price of any drug in the public interest, under extra-ordinary circumstances, for such period as it may deem fit.

- (b):       As  per  the  information  provided  by  MHFW,  the  Central  Drugs  Standard  Control Organisation (CDSCO) has signed bilateral agreements such as Memorandum of Understanding  (MoU),  Memorandum  of  Co-operation  (MOC),  Joint  Declaration  of  Intent (JDI) and Memorandum of Intent (MoI) with Drug Regulatory Authorities of 14 countries for

co-operation  in  the  field  of  regulation  of  medicinal  products.  CDSCO  has  signed  bilateral agreements with its counterparts of the following countries:

1. Afghanistan
2. Argentina
3. Brazil
4. Dominican Republic
5. Ecuador
6. Germany
7. Japan
8. Russia
9. Saudi Arabia
10. Sweden
11. Suriname
12. United Kingdom
13. USA
14. The Netherlands

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 53 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-02
Subject: Pre-Natal Detection Clinics
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Sumalatha Ambareesh

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 53 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 02 nd February, 2024

## PRE-NATALDETECTION CLINICS

## 53. SHRIMATI SUMALATHAAMBAREESH:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has observed that a large number of pre-natal detection clinics still operate in Karnataka and across India, if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) the steps being taken to ensure that pre-natal sex determination clinics don't operate in India?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (PROF. SATYA PAL SINGH BAGHEL)

## (a) & (b)

The Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994 (PC&PNDT Act) prohibits prenatal diagnostic techniques for determination of sex of the foetus leading to female foeticide.

As per Section 18 of the PC&PNDT Act, 'No Person shall open any Genetic Counselling Centre, Genetic Laboratory or Genetic Clinic, including clinic, laboratory or centre having ultrasound or imaging machine or scanner or any other technology capable of undertaking determination of sex of foetus and sex selection or render services to any of them, after the commencement of the pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Amendment Act,2002 unless such Centre, Laboratory or Clinic is duly registered under the Act.'

The measures taken by the Government for strict implementation of the PC&PNDT Act are as below:

-  Regular monitoring through inspections
-  Review of capacity building of Implementing Officers and Judicial Officers
-  Create awareness generation and taking advocacy measures to build a positive environment for the girl child
-  Set up a Nodal Agency in 2016 to regulate and remove the e-advertisements on internet relating to sex selection
-  Render financial support to the States/UTs to strengthen implementation
-  Efforts have been taken to accelerate convergence with schemes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 52 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-02
Subject: Women suffering from PCOD
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Aparupa  Poddar

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 52 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02/02/2024

## WOMENSUFFERING FROM PCOD

## 52. SHRIMATI APARUPA PODDAR:

## Will the Minister of HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state;

- (a) the details regarding the number of women suffering from Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD), endometriosis and dysmenorrhoea in the country;
- (b) whether the Government has any survey across the country to study the impact of period pain on school girls and women in the workplace and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) the details of the number of girls and women who have experienced severe period pain in the country; and
- (d) whether the Government has considered the prospect of providing menstrual leaves for women in the country and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d): The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare implements the ' Scheme for Promotion of Menstrual Hygiene ' under Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) to reach out all adolescents girls in the age group of 10-19 years. The objectives of the scheme are to increase awareness among adolescent girls on menstrual hygiene, to increase access to

and use of high quality sanitary napkins by adolescent girls and to ensure safe disposal of sanitary napkins in an environmentally friendly manner.

Under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), Government has launched Jan Aushadhi Suvidha Sanitary Napkins at Rs. 1/per pad for women to ensure easy availability of the menstrual health services at affordable prices.

Data relating to the numbers of women suffering from Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD), endometriosis and dysmenorrhea are not centrally maintained.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 51 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-02
Subject: Risk of Tuberculosis
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Andimuthu Raja

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 51 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 nd FEBRUARY 2024

## RISK OF TUBERCULOSIS

## 51. SHRI A. RAJA:

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

- (a) whether as per WHO report, prisoners of India are five times more at risk of developing tuberculosis than the general people of the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has conducted any study to address such issue in the country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the efforts being made by the Government for detection, treatment and prevention of TB in the prisons of the country?

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

- (a)to (d) The government has developed & issued guidelines titled 'The Operational Guidelines on HIV/TB Intervention in Prisons and other Closed Settings', to address the challenge of TB in prisons and provide TB prevention, screening and treatment services for all inmates living in prisons and other closed settings. Under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) periodic screening for TB is conducted in prisons and free diagnostic and treatment services are provided to those prison inmates detected with TB. The details of TB cases notified among general population and among prison inmates over the last 3 years are as under:

| Type of Population   |   2021 (Jan-Dec) |   2022 (Jan-Dec) |   2023 (Jan-Dec) |
|----------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|
| General population   |          2136690 |          2425974 |          2545782 |
| Among prison inmates |             1370 |             1296 |             1209 |

(Data source: Ni-kshay).
Lok Sabha Question No. 48 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-02
Subject: Indian Stand on Palestine
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Badruddin Ajmal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-48 ANSWERED ON- 02/02/2024

## INDIAN STAND ON PALESTINE

48. SHRI M. BADRUDDIN AJMAL

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

- (a) whether India has changed its stand on Palestine and extended its support to Israel in recent Israel-Palestine war; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government has any plan to play its role in cracking breakthrough for complete peace between Israel and Palestine with two States solution  and  vacation   of   the   occupied   areas   of   Palestine   by Israel; and (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

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

## (SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN)

(a & b)  India's policy towards Palestine has been long standing and consistent. We have supported a negotiated two State solution, towards establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine within secure and recognized borders, living side by side in peace with Israel.

(c & d) India has strongly condemned the terror attacks on Israel on 07

October 2023 and the loss of civilian lives in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. We have called for restraint and de-escalation and emphasized peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. We have also called for release of remaining hostages. Prime Minister and External   Affairs   Minister   have   spoken   to   several   leaders,   including President,   Prime   Minister   and   Foreign   Minister   of   Israel   and   the President and Foreign Minister of  Palestine. External Affairs Minister met the Foreign Minister of Palestine on 20 January 2024 in Kampala and reiterated India's support for a two State solution. We also reiterated our position in multilateral fora such as the UN, G20, BRICS and Voice of Global South Summit.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 38 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-02
Subject: Setting up of AYUSH Hospitals/Centres in Tribal Areas
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: Jaswantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 38 ANSWERED ON 2 ND  FEBRUARY, 2024

## Setting up of AYUSH Hospitals/Centres in Tribal Areas

†38. SHRI JASWANT SINGH BHABHOR:

Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government proposes to implement any special scheme for establishment of AYUSH Hospitals/Centres for Ayurvedic and Homoeopathic treatments particularly in tribal areas of Gujarat;

(b) if so, whether the Government has received any proposal for establishing AYUSH Hospitals/Centres at Dahod in Gujarat;

(c) the details of the action taken/proposed to be taken and the progress made so far in this regard; and

(d) the details of the procedure adopted for establishing AYUSH Hospitals/Centres in the country including Gujarat?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF AYUSH (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

(a)  to  (d)  Public  Health  is  a  State  subject  and  accordingly  the  establishment  of  AYUSH Hospital/Centres in the country including in tribal areas of Gujarat comes under the purview of respective State/UT Governments. However, under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Ayush Mission (NAM), there is  a  provision  of  providing  financial  assistance  to  the  State/UT Governments  for  the  establishment  of  50/30/10  bedded  integrated  Ayush  hospitals.  In  this regard,  the  proposals  are  required  to  be  submitted  by  the  respective  State/UT  Governments through  their  State  Annual  Action  Plans  (SAAPs)  as  per  the  provisions  of  NAM  guideline. Under  NAM,  the  Ministry  of  Ayush  has  not  received  any  proposal  for  the  establishment  of Ayush  Hospitals/Centres  at  Dahod  from  the  State  Government  of  Gujarat  through  SAAPs. Further,  as  per  the  criteria  mentioned  in  the  NAM  guidelines,  State/UT  Governments  have  to submit  specific  proposals  in  their  SAAP  for  establishment  of  integrated  Ayush  hospital

alongwith  the  Detailed  Project  Report  (DPR),  Land  ownership  rights  and  commitment  for creation of regular posts for the proposed hospital.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 37 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-02
Subject: Mini-Anganwadi Centres
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Mahabali Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 37 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2024

## MINI- ANGANWADI CENTRES

37. SHRI MAHABALI SINGH :

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

- (a) the guidelines for setting up of Mini-Anganwadi Centres (Mini-AWCs);
- (b) the number of Mini-AWCs currently operational in Bihar indicating the facilities  provided therein;
- (c) whether the Government has received proposals from the said State for setting up of Mini-AWCs, if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon, district-wise; and
- (d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  allocate  additional  funds  or  increase  the estimated  cost  and  provide  infrastructure  for  upgradation  of  such  centres  and construction of permanent building and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  to  (c)  Earlier,  there  was  a  provision  of  setting  up  Mini  Anganwadi  Centre  for  which population norms were as follows;

| Project                                                      | Population   |   No. of Mini-AWC |
|--------------------------------------------------------------|--------------|-------------------|
| Rural/Urban Projects                                         | 150-400      |                 1 |
| Tribal/Riverine/Desert, Hilly other difficult areas/Projects | and 150-300  |                 1 |

The Government has taken a decision to upgrade all Mini AWCs to a full-fledged Anganwadi Centre with one worker and one helper to help in carrying out the various responsibilities under Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 including responsibilities related to Early  Childhood Care & Education.

Out of 1,16,852 sanctioned Mini-AWCs for 23 States/UTs, sanction for upgradation of 54962 Mini-AWCs in 13 States/UTs has been issued till date. For Bihar, all 7115 mini AWCs has been approved for upgradation to main AWCs.

- (d)      For upgradation of all Anganwadi Centres, various steps have been under taken which include that 2 lakh AWCs @ 40,000 AWCs per year shall be strengthened, upgraded and rejuvenated across the country under Saksham Anganwadi for improved nutrition delivery and for  early  childhood  care  and  development.  For  construction  of  Anganwadi  Centres  in convergence with MGNREGS, construction cost has been revised from Rs.7 lakh to Rs.12 lakh per unit. The cost of drinking water facilities and toilets at Anganwadi Centres have been increased from  Rs.10,000/-  to  Rs.17,000/-  and  Rs.12,000/-  to  Rs.36,000/-  respectively.  In convergence  with  Department  of  Drinking  Water  and  Sanitation,  clean  drinking  water  is provided to Anganwadi Centres through pipelines.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 36 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-02
Subject: Offline Submission of Applications
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Margani Bharat, Chinta Anuradha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-36 ANSWERED ON- 02/02/2024

## OFFLINE SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS

36.  SHRI MARGANI BHARAT SHRIMATI CHINTA ANURADHA

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

- (a)   Whether   the   Ministry   only   allows   for   offline   submission   of applications for some positions that it is recruiting for;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) The details of the rules governing the procedure for shortlisting or selection of candidates applying to the position of consultants at the under-secretary level in the Ministry;

(d) Whether the Ministry declares the list of shortlisted candidates for each post it is conducting recruitment for;

- (e) if  so, the details of  the processes it follows for transparency in recruitment, and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (f)   the   reasons   for   not   publishing   the   list   of   Consultants   finally appointed to the advertised posts in recent times?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN)

(a to f) Applications for engagement of consultants in the Ministry are invited   through   open   advertisement   published   on   the   Ministry's website. These applications are accepted through online (email) as well as offline mode. Eligible applicants are shortlisted on the basis of criteria indicated in the advertisement. The shortlisted candidates are interviewed by a Selection Committee appointed by the Competent Authority in the Ministry. Names of the Consultants who are engaged in the Ministry are available on the Ministry's website.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 34 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-02
Subject: AIIMS in Kishanganj
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Mohammad Jawed

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-34 TO BE ANSWERED ON-02/02/2024

## AIIMS IN KISHANGANJ

## 34. DR. MOHAMMAD JAWED.

Will the Minister of HEALTHAND FAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government has taken note of the proposal of the Government of Bihar concerning the allocation of 200 acres of land for the construction of AIIMS, Kishanganj; and
- (b) if so, the reasons thereof for the lack of allotment of land?

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

- (a) to (b) Under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) are set up in different parts of the country keeping in view the gaps in availability of tertiary health care facilities. Till date setting up of 22 AIIMS has been approved under the scheme including two AIIMS in Bihar, one at Patna which is fully functional and another at Darbhanga.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 26 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-02
Subject: Development of New National Waterways
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Devji Mansingram Patel

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 26

ANSWERED ON 02.02.2024

## DEVELOPMENT OF NEW NATIONAL WATERWAYS

26. SHRI DEVJI M. PATEL:

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

## पȅन , पोत पįरवहन और जलमागŊ मंũी

- (a) whether the Government proposes to develop new National Waterways;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has declared the Waterway including Bhawatra port as a NationalWaterway-48 under the National Waterways Act, 2016;
- (d) if so, whether any time limit has been fixed to complete the construction of the said port; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) Yes, Sir.In addition to development of 5 National Waterways (NWs) (NW-1 to NW-5),  development  of  14  new  NWs  has  been  approved  by  the  Government  in  the States  of  Kerala,  Andhra  Pradesh,  Odisha,  Goa, West  Bengal,  Uttar  Pradesh,  Bihar, Maharashtra & Assam as detailed at Annex.-1 .

(c)Jawai-Luni-Rann of Kutch River System has been declared as National Waterway-48 for a total length of 615 km (205 km in Rajasthan & 410 km in Gujarat) under National Waterways  Act,  2016  alongwith  111  NWs  in  the  country.  As  per  the  final  feasibility Report, NW-48  has  not  been  found  feasible  for  development  for  shipping  and navigation.

- (d) & (e) There is no proposal to construct Bhawatraport and hence the question of time limit for its construction does not arise.

## List of new NWs sanctioned under Phase-I development

|   S/N | National Waterways (NWs)                          |
|-------|---------------------------------------------------|
|     1 | NW-8- Alappuzha-Changanassery Canal in Kerala     |
|     2 | NW-9- Alappuzha-Athirampuza Canal in Kerala       |
|     3 | NW-27-Cumberjua River in Goa                      |
|     4 | NW-68- Mandovi River in Goa                       |
|     5 | NW-111- Zuari River in Goa                        |
|     6 | NW-86- River Rupnarayan in West Bengal            |
|     7 | NW-97- Sundarbans Waterways in West Bengal        |
|     8 | NW-40- Ghaghra River in U.P. & Bihar              |
|     9 | NW-44- Ichamati River in West Bengal              |
|    10 | NW-10- Amba River in Maharashtra                  |
|    11 | NW-28-Dabhol Creek Vashisthi River in Maharashtra |
|    12 | NW-57- Kopili River in Assam                      |
|    13 | NW-31- Dhansiri River in Assam                    |
|    14 | NW-16- River Barak in Assam                       |

*****

## Annex.-1
Lok Sabha Question No. 23 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-02
Subject: Rescue Operations by Indian Armed Forces
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Vivek Narayan Shejwalkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 23

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02 nd  February, 2024

## RESCUE OPERATIONS BY INDIAN ARMED FORCES

## 23. SHRI VIVEK NARAYAN SHEJWALKAR:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state the number and details of rescue operations carried out by various wings of the Indian Armed Forces in the country and the abroad during the current year?

## A  N  S  W  E  R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI AJAY BHATT)

No rescue operations have been carried out by the Indian Army and Indian Air Force during  the  current  year  2024.  However,  Indian  Navy  has  carried  out  five  operations  in international waters which include one each Medical Evacuation and fire fighting assistance and three anti-piracy operations during the current year 2024.

*****