opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1220 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-09
Subject: Impact of Raw Tobacco on Health
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shriniwas Dadasaheb Patil

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1220 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH FEBRUARY 2024

## IMPACT OFRAW TOBACCO ON HEALTH

## 1220: SHRI SHRINIWAS PATIL

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware that exposure to raw tobacco has been causing many health hazards diseases among the women bidi workers and their children;
- (b) if so, whether any detailed study has been conducted on its impact on human being and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any bidi workers have been registered as beneficiaries under Ayushman Bharat Yojana / any other form of health insurance during the last year and the current year in the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

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

- (a) & (b): Ministry has published a Monograph titled 'Bidi Smoking and Public Health', 2008, which focuses on occupational hazards to the health of bidi workers while processing bidi. The impact of raw tobacco on bidi workers and their children is mentioned in detail in the Monograph available at:

(https://ntcp.mohfw.gov.in/assets/document/Monograph%20on%20Bidi%20Smoking%20and%2 0Public%20Health.pdf).

A study on 'Occupational health hazards of bidi workers and their families in India: a scoping review', published by WHO in BMJ Global Health in 2023 assesses the existing evidence on health conditions of bidi workers and their families in India. The study report is available at (https://gh.bmj.com/content/8/11/e012413). (c) & (d): 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 approximately 55 crore beneficiaries corresponding to 12 crore families constituting the bottom 40% of India's population. States/UTs implementing AB-PMJAY have further expanded the beneficiary base at their own cost. Any individual including bidi workers who are listed in the existing database used for the implementation of PMJAY are entitled for free healthcare benefits under the scheme. th

As on 7 February 2024, approximately 31.08 crore Ayushman Cards have been created under the scheme for poor and vulnerable individuals out of which 9.3 Crore and 8.5 Crore Ayushman Cards have been created in FY 2022-23 and FY 2023-24 respectively. There is no 'bidi workers' flag available for beneficiaries under AB- PMJAY.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1219 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-09
Subject: Adverse Impact of Plastic Water Bottle
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Ghanshyam Singh Lodhi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1219 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH FEBRUARY, 2024

## ADVERSE IMPACT OF PLASTIC WATER BOTTLE

## †1219. SHRI GHANSHYAM SINGH LODHI:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether drinking water from plastic water bottles is dangerous in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether there are any reported adverse impact of bottled water across the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether nano plastic particles have been found in plastic water bottles across the country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to ban/stop bottled water and to find an alternative in this regard?

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

(a) to (d): Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) established under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 functions as the regulatory authority for ensuring quality of food for human consumption, including Packaged Drinking Water. As informed by FSSAI, packaged drinking water shall meet the specifications provided under Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011. Also, plastics food contact materials used for packaging of packaged drinking water shall comply with the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulation, 2018.

Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulation, 2018 specifies that Drinking Water (both Packaged and Mineral Water) shall be packed in colourless, transparent and tamper-proof bottles or containers made of polyethylene (PE) conforming to IS:10146 or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) conforming to IS:10151 or polyalkylene terephthalate (PET and PBT) conforming to IS:12252 or polypropylene (PP) conforming to IS:10910 or food grade polycarbonate conforming to IS:14971 or polystyrene conforming to IS:10142 or sterile glass bottles only.

Also, all packaging materials of plastic origin are required to pass the prescribed overall migration limit as per IS:9845 & specific migration limits specified in Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulation, 2018.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1217 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-09
Subject: Treatment under Indian System of Medicine
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Annasaheb Shankar Jolle

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1217 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH FEBRUARY, 2024

## TREATMENT UNDER INDIAN SYSTEM OF MEDICINE

## 1217. SHRI ANNASAHEB SHANKAR JOLLE:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that many foreign nationals are seeking treatment under Indian System of Medicine in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has kept track of such foreign nationals who are seeking treatment under Indian System of Medicine in the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

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

(a) to (d) The Government of India has introduced a separate category of AYUSH Visa for foreigners visiting India for treatment under AYUSH System/Indian System of Medicine on 27 th July, 2023. AYUSH Visa is available under four sub-categories i.e. (i) AYUSH Visa (AY-1), (ii) AYUSH Attendant Visa (AY-2), (iii) e-AYUSH Visa and (iv) e-AYUSH Attendant Visa.

AYUSH Visa is granted to a foreigner whose sole purpose is to seek treatment through AYUSH System/Indian System of Medicine like Therapeutic Care and Wellness in a Hospital/Wellness Centre accredited and registered with any Government authority(ies) concerned or National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH)/ National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH)/ National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) accredited hospitals providing AYUSH services.

Bureau of Immigration under Ministry of Home Affairs publishes the data on the Total Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTA) in India on medical purpose annually. The data for total FTAs arriving for medical purpose between 2018 and 2021 is given below:

|   Year |   FTAs on Medical Purpose |
|--------|---------------------------|
|   2018 |                    640798 |
|   2019 |                    697453 |
|   2020 |                    182945 |
|   2021 |                    303526 |

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1215 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-09
Subject: Ayushman Cards
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Manickam Tagore B

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1215 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09 TH FEBRUARY, 2024

## AYUSHMANCARDS

## 1215. SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B.:

Will the Minister of HEALTHAND FAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether women account for approximately 49 percent of the 28.45 crores Ayushman cards created and approximately 48 percent of total authorised hospital admissions;
- (b) whether 55 crore individuals corresponding to 12 crore families are covered under the scheme while many States/UTs implementing Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (ABPMJAY) have further expanded the beneficiary base at their own cost;
- (c) whether the scheme has a total of nearly 27,000 hospitals under the AB-PMJAY to provide healthcare services to scheme beneficiaries;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether there has been a demand to include AYUSH as well under the said scheme; and
- (f) if so, the steps taken/proposed to be taken in this regard?

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

- (a) to (f): 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 approximately 55 crore beneficiaries corresponding to 12 crore families constituting the bottom 40% of India ' s population. States/UTs implementing AB-PMJAY have further expanded the beneficiary base at their own cost.

As on 05.02.2024, women account for approximately 49% of the verified individuals, out of a total of 31.02 crore Ayushman cards created across the country. Further, women account for approximately 48% of a total of 6.31 crore authorized hospital admissions under the scheme. As on 01.02.2024, a total number of 28,102 hospitals have been empaneled across the country to provide healthcare services to scheme beneficiaries.

The implementation model for convergence of AYUSH packages with AB-PMJAY involves discussions on various aspects of the AYUSH like package design, package cost, AYUSH hospital on-boarding, Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs), objective definition of treatment outcomes, financial implications, etc. Apart from M/o AYUSH and NHA the other stakeholders are implementing States/UTs.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1214 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-09
Subject: Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: P. Ravindhranath

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

## LOKSABHA USTARRED QUESTION NO.1214

ANSWERED ON 09.02.2024

## SHIPBUILDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY

1214. SHRI P. RAVINDHRANATH:

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

पȅन , पोत पįरवहन और जलमागŊ मंũी

- (a) Whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  extend  the  existing  'Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy' (SBFAP) Scheme, for construction with modern technology and delivery of local water transport vessels such as Ferry, which is mainly used to carry common people across rivers or to an island; and
- (b) If so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a)& (b) The  Shipbuilding  Financial  Assistance  Policy  (SBFAP)  scheme  offers financial assistance to Indian Shipyards for shipbuilding contracts signed between April 1, 2016  to  March  31,  2026  with  rate  of  financial  assistance  starting  from  20%  in  2016 anddiminishingto11%in2026.TheSBFAPguidelinesareissuedbytheMoPSWfor the stakeholder's information. The SBFAP scheme has already considered the local transport Ferry which can be usedtocarrycommonpeopleacrossriversortoanyislandothervesselswhichadopt  the  modern technology.  These  modern  technology  vessels  such  as  Hybrid  vessels  of  length  more than 12 meters and Green fuelled vessels without any length restrictions should comply with the guidelines of SBFAP scheme to avail the financial assistance. The modern technology vessels are provided with a financial assistance of 30% for vessels where main propulsion is achieved by means of green fuels such as Methanol/ Ammonia / Hydrogen fuel cells and a financial assistance of 20% is provided for vessels with electric means of propulsion or vessels fitted with hybrid propulsion system.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1213 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-09
Subject: Essential and Generic Medicines
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: C. Lalrosanga

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1213 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH FEBRUARY, 2024

## ESSENTIALAND GENERIC MEDICINES

## 1213. SHRI C. LALROSANGA:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the CGHS is reviewing the new essential/generic medicines from time to time, if so, the details thereof; and

(b) whether many of the prescribed medicines in CGHS lists are not up-to-date viz-a-viz the new development of medicines/generic medicines and if so, the reasons therefor?

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

(a) & (b) CGHS sends requests to Medical Stores Organization (MSO ) as per data analysis of commonly prescribed medicines for inclusion of new drugs in the formulary. Combined CGHS formulary is updated by Medical Stores Organization (MSO) under Directorate General of Health Services. The last revision of the formulary was made in September, 2023 and is available on MSO website at the link https://mso-gmsd.in/MSO\_PORTAL/msowebsite/portal/home .

Medicine is an ever evolving science and Pharmacy modules in CGHS application have been updated to capture the data of commonly prescribed medicines by generic name for updating the formulary.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1210 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-09
Subject: Ratio of Doctor and Population
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Pocha Brahmananda Reddy

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1210 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9th February, 2024

## RATIO OF DOCTOR AND POPULATION

## 1210. SHRI POCHA BRAHMANANDA REDDY:

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

- (a) the doctor-to-population ratio in the country in the last three years;
- (b) whether this ratio is in compliance with international health standards;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the Government has taken any steps to increase the number of doctors and prevent brain drain; 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 (DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

- (a) to (e): As per information provided by National Medical Commission (NMC), there are 13,08,009 allopathic doctors registered with the State Medical Councils and the National Medical Commission (NMC) as on June, 2022. Assuming 80% availability of registered allopathic doctors and 5.65 lakh AYUSH doctors, the doctor-population ratio in the country is 1:834 which is better than the WHO standard of 1:1000.

The government has increased number of medical colleges and subsequently increased MBBS seats. There is an increase of 82% in Medical Colleges from 387 before 2014 to 706 as of now. Further, there is an increase of 112% in MBBS seats from 51,348 before 2014 to 1,08,940 as of now and increase of 127% in PG seats from 31,185 before 2014 to 70,645 as of now.

The measures/steps taken by the Government to increase the doctor/medical professional in the country include:-

- (i) Centrally Sponsored Scheme for establishment of new medical college by upgrading district/ referral hospital under which 108 new medical colleges are already functional out of 157 approved.
- (ii) Centrally Sponsored Scheme for strengthening/ upgradation of existing State Government/Central Government Medical Colleges to increase MBBS and PG seats.
- (iii) 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 64 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) Relaxation in the norms for setting up of Medical College in terms of requirement for faculty, staff, bed strength and other infrastructure. (vi) DNB qualification has been recognized for appointment as faculty to take care of shortage of faculty. (vii) Enhancement of age limit for appointment/ extension/ re-employment against posts of teachers/Dean/Principal/ Director in medical colleges upto 70 years.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1207 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-09
Subject: Establishment of PGIMER at Firozepur
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Sukhbir Singh Badal

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1207 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9TH FEBRUARY, 2024

## ESTABLISHMENT OFPGIMER AT FIROZEPUR

## 1207. SHRI SUKHBIR SINGH BADAL

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) the reason for delay in establishment of PGIMER, Firozepur;
- (b) whether the Government is facing challenges in construction/establishment of this satellite PGI health infratructure facilities at Firozepur;
- (c) if so, the details thereof including challenges faced so far;
- (d) whether the project is being delayed because of non-cooperation of the State Government and its agencies concerned; and
- (e) the timeline set for establishment of PGI unit in Firozepur?

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

(a) to (e): For the establishment of 100 bedded Satellite Centre, Ferozepur, 27.2 acre of land at Ferozepur was allotted by the State Government and handed over to Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh on 14.01.2020.

HITES has been appointed as the Executing Agency for the project. After approval of the Concept Plan and Detailed Project Report, tender was floated and the work for construction of the Satellite Centre has been awarded in November 2023. Mobilization and excavation work has started on ground.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1206 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-09
Subject: Illegal Water Bottling Plants
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Rahul Kaswan

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1206 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH FEBRUARY, 2024

## ILLEGALWATERBOTTLING PLANTS

## †1206. SHRI RAHUL KASWAN:

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that a number of units manufacturing bottled drinking water without following the standards prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards are growing unchecked and rapidly in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including the number of such manufacturing units running particularly in Rajasthan;
- (c) the action taken/proposed to be taken by the Government against such units in the country; and
- (d) the effective monitoring mechanism being developed by the Government to ensure availability of safe bottled drinking water in the country?

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

(a) to (d): Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has informed that information of the units manufacturing bottled drinking water without following the standards prescribed by BIS is not available with them. However, as on 2 nd February 2024, there are 6244 BIS Licensed manufacturers for Packaged Drinking Water and 32 BIS Licensed manufacturers for Packaged Natural Mineral Water in the country. Further, there are 162 BIS Licensed manufacturers for Packaged Drinking Water in Rajasthan as on 2 nd February 2024.

As per BIS Act 2016, sale of goods which are notified by central government under compulsory BIS Certification when sold without BIS Standard mark is treated as cognizable offence. (Section 16, 17 and 29 of BIS Act 2016).

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) established under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 functions as the regulatory authority for ensuring quality of food for human consumption, including Packaged Drinking Water. FSSAI through State/UTs and its regional offices conduct surveillance, monitoring, inspection and random sampling of food products to check compliance of the standards laid down under Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, Rules and Regulations made thereunder. In cases where the food samples including Packaged Drinking Water are found to be non-conforming including sub-standard, penal action is initiated against the defaulting Food Business Operators as per provisions of FSS Act, Rules and Regulations made thereunder.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1203 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-09
Subject: Fixation of Dose for Common Cold Drugs
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Vellalath Kochukrishnan Nair. Sreekandan

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1203 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH FEBRUARY, 2024

## FIXATION OF DOSE FOR COMMON COLD DRUGS

## 1203. SHRI V.K. SREEKANDAN:

- Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state: (a) whether it is a fact that the Drugs Controller General of India has directed manufacturers of common cold drug fixed dose combination of chlorpheniramine maleate IP2 mg with phenylephrine HCL IP 5 mg per ml drops to carry a warning to not use the combination in children below certain years of age in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the manufacturers have been directed by the Government to put such warnings on label and promotional literature as well in the country and if so, the details thereof; (d) whether any decision has come out after the recommendation by the Subject Expert Committee; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof

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

(a) to (e): Based on the recommendations of Subject Expert Committee, Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has issued circular on 18.12.2023 requesting all State/UTs Drugs Controllers to direct all the manufacturers of the fixed dose combination (FDC) of Chlorpheniramine Maleate IP 2mg + Phenylephrine HCl IP 5mg drop/ml under their jurisdiction to mention warning ' FDC should not be used in children below 4 years of age ' on label and package insert/Promotional Literature of the drug.

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