opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 103 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-02
Subject: Reduction in Consumption of Chemical Fertilizers
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Anurag Sharma, P.P. Chaudhary

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 103 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 02.02.2024

## Reduction in Consumption of Chemical Fertilizers

## 103:      SHRI  ANURAG SHARMA: SHRI  P.P. CHAUDHARY:

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

- (a) whether it is true that irresponsible use of chemical fertilizers has damaged the Mother Earth to a large extent and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  PM-  PRANAM  scheme  is  aimed  at  promoting  sustainable  and balanced use of fertilizers and promoting organic farming in the country;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d)       the percentage of the fertilizer subsidy saved by States across the country by way of reduction in consumption of chemical fertilizers;
- (e)          whether  the  Government  has  set  any  target  for  reduction  in  consumption  of chemical fertilizers in the country; and
- (f)       if so, the details thereof and the time-frame by which such target is likely to be achieved?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS

## (SHRI BHAGWANTH KHUBA)

- (a): Investigations carried out under All India Coordinated Research Project on 'Long Term Fertilizer Experiments' by ICAR over five decades at fixed sites have indicated that continuous use of nitrogenous fertilizer alone had deleterious effects on soil health and crop productivity showing deficiencies of other major and micro nutrients.

(b) to (f):  The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA has approved the 'PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness Generation, Nourishment, and Amelioration of Mother-Earth (PM-PRANAM)' on 28 th June,  2023.   The  initiative  aims  to  complement the  efforts  initiated  by  States/UTs  to  save  the  health  of  Mother  Earth  by  promoting sustainable  and  balanced  use  of  fertilizers,  adopting  alternate  fertilizers,  promoting organic & natural farming etc.

Under the said scheme, 50% of the fertilizer subsidy saved by a State/UT in a particular financial year by way of reduction in consumption of chemical fertilizers (Urea, DAP, NPK, MOP) compared to previous 3 years' average consumption, will be passed on to that State/UT as Grant. States/UTs can utilize this grant for the benefit of people in the state, including farmers.

The scheme has been made operational from current Financial Year (FY) 202324 and the savings by the states, if any, are to be computed and passed on to the states after the end of FY 2023-24.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 101 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-02
Subject: Command Military Hospitals for Sainik School Teachers
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: S. Muniswamy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 101

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02 nd  February, 2024

## COMMAND MILITARY HOSPITALS FOR SAINIK SCHOOL TEACHERS

## 101. SHRI S. MUNISWAMY:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  extend  the  facilities  of  the  Command  Military Hospitals to the retired and serving teachers of the 33 Sainik Schools at par with the serving officers of the armed forces considering stupendous contribution of them;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government proposes to bring a legislation with proper know-how/data base of  the  teachers  partially  deprived  of  their  rights  regarding  matters  of  pension  and  other deserving sops for them in consultation with people at helm of affairs of the command hospitals and the three chiefs of our armed forces;

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(e) whether the Government acknowledges the fact that Sainik Schools have been the biggest feeders to the armed forces (contributing almost 20 percent of officers) and the people behind this feat have been left out without proper honors and deserving facilities and if so, the details thereof?

## A  N  S  W  E  R

## MINISTER OF STATE

## IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(a) & (b):  Command Hospitals of the Armed Forces are tertiary care centres mandated with the task of providing comprehensive healthcare to serving personnel, their dependents, veterans and their dependents. As teachers at Sainik Schools are civilians, currently there is no such proposal under consideration in the Ministry of Defence.

(c) & (d):  The pay & allowances, pensionary benefits and other facilities extended to the Sainik School teachers are governed by Rules & Regulations of Sainik Schools and instructions issued by  Sainik  Schools  Society  from  time  to  time.  Currently,  there  is  no  proposal  under consideration to bring a legislation in the context of facilities for teachers of Sainik Schools.

(e):  Sainik Schools have been one of the biggest feeders to the armed forces. The Government recognizes  the  role  of  teachers  of  Sainik  Schools  in  shaping  the  future  of  the  cadets.  The teachers of Sainik Schools are eligible for nominations to the following awards instituted by Ministry of Education: -

- (i) National Awards to Teachers
- (ii) Information Communication Technology Awards

Further, to ensure the motivational level of teachers, due appreciation and recognition from  the  Chairman,  Local  Board  of  Administration  and  Principal  of  the  respective  Sainik School is given to the teachers of respective Sainik Schools.

## (SHRI AJAY BHATT)
Lok Sabha Question No. 94 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-02
Subject: Suvidha Sarathi Scheme
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Janardan Singh Sigriwal

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 94 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 nd  February, 2024

## Suvidha Sarathi Scheme

## 94. SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:

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

- (a) whether the Government is implementing the Suvidha Sarathi Scheme in the country;
- (b) if so, the details and the salient features thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has made any assessment with regard to impact of the said scheme;
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the progress made so far in this regard; and
- (e) the details of the estimated revenue earned by the manufacturers and Pharmaceutical & Medical Devices Bureau of India under the said scheme so far?

## ANSWER

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

- (a):  No Sir.

- (b) to (e): Does not arise.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 90 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-02
Subject: Testing Charges in Private Hospitals
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Ramya  Haridas

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 90 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 ND FEBRUARY, 2024

## TESTING CHARGES IN PRIVATE HOSPITALS

## 90. MS. RAMYA HARIDAS:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Ministry has recently taken any steps to regulate the consultation fee, treatment and testing charges in private hospitals;
- (b) whether there is an upper limit for the various charges that patients have to pay in private hospitals; and
- (c) whether the Government is planning to initiate a Bill to control and regulate exploitative and unethical pricing policies in private hospitals?

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

- (a) to (c) The Government of India has enacted The Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010 (CE Act, 2010) and notified Clinical Establishments (Central Government) Rules, 2012 for registration and regulation of clinical establishments (both government and private) in the country.

Under the Act, for registration and continuation, every private hospital is, inter-alia, required to fulfil the following conditions:

- i. Display the rates charged for each type of service provided and facilities available in the local as well as in English language at a conspicuous place for the benefit of the patients.
- ii. Ensure compliance with Standard Treatment guidelines issued by Central/State Government. So far, the Standard Treatment Guidelines for 227 medical conditions in Allopathy, 18 conditions in Ayurveda and 100 conditions in Siddha have been issued.
- iii. Charge the rates for each type of procedure and service within the range of rates determined and issued by the Central Government in consultation with the State Government. For this, a standard list of medical procedures and standard template for

costing have been finalized and shared with the States / UTs where the Act is applicable.

As on date, the CE Act, 2010 has been adopted by 12 States, namely Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Mizoram, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Telangana and 7 Union Territories (all except Delhi). Since ' Health ' is a State subject, it is within the domain of the respective State/Union Territory Governments to implement and monitor the provisions of the CE Act, 2010 and regulate the consultation fee, treatment and testing charges including upper limit for the various charges that patients have to pay in private hospitals.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 87 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-02
Subject: Health Insurance Schemes
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Debasree Chaudhuri

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 87 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02 ND FEBRUARY, 2024

## HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEMES

## 87. MS. DEBASREE CHAUDHURI:

Will the Minister of HEALTHAND FAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is implementing various community health insurance schemes to reduce increasing Out-of-Pocket Expenditure on health, especially primary healthcare, and diagnostic services in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard; and

(c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (PROF. S. P. SINGH BAGHEL)

(a) to (c): Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is the world ' s largest publicly funded health assurance scheme which provides health cover of Rs. 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to 12 crore families. The scheme provides in-patient (IPD) treatment corresponding to a total of 1949 procedures under 27 different specialties including oncology, nephrology, cardiology and general medicine, etc. Health Benefit Packages (HBPs) cover all the costs related to treatment, including but not limited to drugs, supplies, diagnostic services, physician's fees, room charges, surgeon charges, OT and ICU charges, etc.

As on 15.01.2024, approximately 6.22 crore hospital admissions worth Rs. 79,174 crore have been authorized since the inception of the scheme. This is a direct out-of-pocket expenditure saving. If these services would have been availed from the market, the cost would have been at least 1.5-2 times higher. The package rates under the scheme benefit from the economy of the scale. In this manner, the multiplier effect of the scheme is evident as it corresponds to the savings of approximately 1.25 lakh crore. Therefore, AB-PMJAY has resulted in huge out-of-pocket expenditure saving for the targeted beneficiaries.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 83 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-02
Subject: Group Term Insurance Scheme for Casual Paid Labourers
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Vinod Kumar Sonkar, Raja Amareshwara Naik, Bhola Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 83

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02 nd  February, 2024

## GROUP TERM INSURANCE SCHEME FOR CASUAL PAID LABOURERS

83. SHRI VINOD KUMAR SONKAR: SHRI RAJA AMARESHWARA NAIK: SHRI BHOLA SINGH:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  approved  a  proposal  to  launch  a  Group  Term  Insurance Scheme for Casual  Paid  Labourers  (CPLs)  engaged  by  Border  Roads  Organisation  for  the ongoing project works;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  scheme  has  provisions  to  provide  the  insured  value  of  Rs.  10  lakh  as  an insurance in any kind of death to CPLs family or next of kin; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## A  N  S  W  E  R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI AJAY BHATT)

(a) to (d):  Yes, Sir. The Government of India has given in-principle approval to launch a Group (Term)  Insurance  Scheme  for  Casual  Paid  Labourers  (CPLs)  engaged  by  Border  Roads Organisation (BRO)/General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) for its ongoing project works by assuring an insured value of Rs. 10 lakh only (Rupees Ten Lakh only) as an insurance in any kind of death to Casual Paid Labourers (CPLs) family/Next of Kin (NoK).

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Lok Sabha Question No. 81 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-02
Subject: Henley Passport Index 2024
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Gaddam Ranjith Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-81 ANSWERED ON- 02/02/2024

## HENLEY PASSPORT INDEX 2024

81. DR. G. RANJITH REDDY

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

(a) whether as per Henley Passport Index 2024, India is still languishing at 80th position which has gone up by just 1 position from 81 in 2018 to 80 in 2023; (b) if  so, the details thereof and the reasons that India is not able to push up its position and is placed along with Senegal and Togo; and

- (c) the efforts being taken by the Government to push rank to within 50?

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

(a to c) There are certain private institutions, which publish such ratings based on parameters decided by them. The Government of India has been continuously making efforts to increase the number of countries that may provide visa free travel, visa-on-arrival and e-Visa facilities to Indians for ease of traveling around the world. As on date, 16 countries provide visa-free entry, 40 countries provide visa-on-arrival facility and 47 countries provide e-Visa facility to Indian passport holders. Currently India is providing e-Visa facilities to nationals of 171 countries.

However, formulation of policies w.r.t issuance of visas is a sovereign matter of the respective country and the matter regarding providing visa free   entry/visa-on-arrival   facility   also   depends   on   various   factors including bilateral relations and principle of reciprocity.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 71 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-02
Subject: Use of Alternate Fertilizers
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Sarmistha Sethi

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

## LOK SABHA

## UN STARRED QUESTION NO. 71 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 02.02.2024

## Use of Alternative Fertilizers

## 71. SHRIMATI  SARMISTHA SETHI:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  taking  measures  to  encourage  the  use  of alternative fertilizers in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the progress made in this regard;
- (c) whether  the  Government  intends  to  provide  for  subsidies  on  such  organic and bio-fertilizers to promote the same; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS

## (SHRI BHAGWANTH KHUBA)

(a) to (d) :  Yes, Sir. Government of India is taking various measures to encourage the use of alternative fertilizers such as bio-fertilizers and organic fertilizers through various schemes  i.e. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), Paramparagat  Krishi  Vikas  Yojna  (PKVY)  and  Mission  Organic  Value  Chain Development in North East Region (MOVCDNER) including other Central and State Government schemes. Under organic farming, about 10 lakh hectare area has been covered as per PGS-India certification data. Currently,  a total of 1016429 ha. area with  1632852  farmers  are    registered  under  PGS-India  program  in  the  country. Under PKVY & MOVCDNER, farmers are encouraged to take up organic cultivation using organic inputs and the schemes provide end to end support to farmer's   i.e. from  production  to  marketing  of  organic  produce.  Hands-on  training  to  farmers about on-farm production of organic fertilizers and its use are integral part of these schemes. Farmers are provided a subsidy of Rs. 31,000/ha/3 years under PKVY and Rs.32,500/ha/3 years under MOVCDNER for various organic inputs.

The Government has approved the Market Development Assistance (MDA)@ Rs. 1500/MT to promote organic fertilizers, i.e. manure produced at plants under GOBARdhan initiative and PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness Generation, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth (PM-PRANAM) for a period of three years (FY 2023-24 to 2025-26).

The  PM-PRANAM  initiative  aims  to  complement  the  efforts  initiated  by States/UTs  to  save  the  health  of  Mother  Earth  by  promoting  sustainable  and balanced use of fertilizers, adopting alternate fertilizers, promoting organic & natural farming etc.

The Government is promoting the balanced and judicious use of fertilizers based  on  soil  test-based  recommendations  in  conjunction  with  organic  and  biofertilizers.

These initiatives of the Government are expected to address the imbalanced use of chemical fertilizers thereby reducing chemical fertilizer use.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 66 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-02
Subject: Induction of Electric Vehicles in Indian Army
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Maddila  Gurumoorthy, Kuruva Gorantla Madhav

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 66

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02 nd  February, 2024

## INDUCTION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN INDIAN ARMY

## 66. SHRI MADDILA GURUMOORTHY:

## SHRI KURUVA GORANTLA MADHAV:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that Indian Army proposes to introduce phased induction of a limited number of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in 'Peace Stations' across the country;
- (b) the aims and objectives of induction of EVs in the Indian Army;
- (c)  whether  any  studies  have  been  conducted  on  evaluating  the  operability  of  EVs  in  the challenging terrains and extreme weather conditions; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## A  N  S  W  E  R

## MINISTER OF STATE (SHRI AJAY BHATT) IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

- (a):  Yes, Sir.
- (b):  The aim and objectives are to adapt to latest technological advancements, give impetus to green  energy  and  reduce  dependency  on  fossil  fuels.  The  Indian  Army  is  inducting  the following Electric Vehicles at peace stations: -
- (i) Light Vehicles (Electric).
- (ii) Buses (Electric).
- (iii) Motor Cycles (Electric).
- (c) & (d):  No studies have been conducted.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 57 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-02
Subject: Fast Redressal of Public Grievances
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Pradeep Kumar Singh, Khagen Murmu, Ravi Kishan Shukla, Arvind Kumar Sharma

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 57

ANSWERED ON 02.02.2024

## FAST REDRESSAL OF PUBLIC GRIEVANCES

## 57. SHRI PRADEEP KUMAR SINGH:

SHRI KHAGEN MURMU:

SHRI RAVI KISHAN:

DR. ARVIND KUMAR SHARMA:

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

- (a) whether the Ministry of Chemicals and Petrochemicals has implemented any measures to promote transparency and accountability in accordance with the Right to Information Act, 2005;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Ministry to ensure swift and fast grievance redressals of the public in the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS

(SHRI   BHAGWANTH KHUBA)

- (a)  and  (b):  The  Department  of  Chemicals  and  Petrochemicals  promotes  transparency  and accountability  in  accordance  with  the  provision  of  the  Right  to  Information  Act,  2005  as below:
-  An RTI Cell has been set up in the Department to coordinate the RTI-related work. This Section receives and transfers the application seeking information under the RTI Act, 2005 to the Central Public Information Officers (CPIOs).
-  CPIOs under section 5(1) of the Act, as well as Appellate Authorities in terms of section 19(1) of  the  Act  have  been  designated,  according  to  the  subjects  being  handled  by officers of the Department.
-  As per the DoPT's guidelines issued, this Department has also been disposing off RTI applications, appeals and replies of CPIOs and appellate authorities through the portal.

(c):    To attend grievances of the public the Department has nominated a Nodal officer whose name, designation, room number, telephone number, etc. has been displayed on the website of the Department (https://chemicals.gov.in/citizens-corner). A public Grievance Officer has been nominated in each Division as the Nodal Officer to monitor the Progress of the redressal of public grievances in respective Divisions.

Public  grievances  received  through  the  Centralized  Public  Grievance  Redress  And Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) Portal are processed and disposed off. Grievances that are received through channels other than the CPGRAMS portal are also disposed off promptly by the  officers  concerned. Regular  review  meetings  at  the  Apex  level  are  held  within  the Department to monitor both disposed and pending grievances.

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