opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1996 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-06
Subject: Appointment of Judges of Weaker Section in Judiciary
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Shri Daroga Prasad Saroj

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †1996

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 06.12.2024

## Appointment of Judges of Weaker Section in Judiciary

## †1996. Shri Daroga Prasad Saroj:

Will the Minister of Law and Justice be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is serious and sincere in appointing judges from the categories of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes and the Minorities to the higher judiciary of the country in a proportionate manner;
- (b) whether entries of categories like the SC, ST, OBC and Minorities are mentioned in application invited for appointment of judges and application submitted by the applicants;
- (c) if so, the number of application from the said classes out of the total application received for appointment as judges of High Courts and Supreme Court during the last ten years; and
- (d) the constraints faced in collecting the data and making appointments in highest judiciary more representative in nature?

## 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 (d): Appointment of Judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts is made under Articles124, 217 and 224 of the Constitution of India, which do not provide for reservation for any caste or class of persons. Therefore, category- wise data pertaining to representation of SCs, STs and OBCs among the Judges of High Courts are not centrally maintained. However, since 2018, the recommendees for the post of High Court Judges are required to provide details regarding their social background in the prescribed format (prepared in consultation with the Supreme Court). Based on the information provided by the recommendees, out of 684 High Court Judges appointed since 2018, 21 belong to SC category, 14 belong to ST category, 82 belong to OBC category and 37 belong to Minorities.

2. As per the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP), the responsibility for initiation of proposals for appointment of Judges in the Supreme Court vests with the Chief Justice of India, while the responsibility for initiation of proposals for appointment of Judges in the High Courts vests with the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court, in consultation with two senior-most puisne Judges of the High Court. However, the Government has been requesting the Chief Justices of High Courts that while sending proposals for appointment of Judges, due consideration be given to suitable candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes,Minorities and Women to ensure social diversity in the appointment of Judges in High Courts. Only those persons who are recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium, are appointed as Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1994 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-06
Subject: Evolution of Neurotechnologies
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. D Ravi Kumar

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1994 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06 TH DECEMBER, 2024

## EVOLUTION OF NEUROTECHNOLOGIES

## 1994. DR. D RAVI KUMAR:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to recognize and protect neurorights similar to Chile's constitutional amendment that ensured technological developments, respect people's physical and mental integrity;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to address the rapid evolution of neurotechnologies and the diverse contexts in which these technologies are used to develop suitable neuroethical standards in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the role of the Government in international efforts to ensure ethical standards for the neurotechnologies in the light of UNESCO's initiative to develop the first global framework on the ethics of neurotechnology;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to consider Colorado's recent law to protect individuals neurological privacy and California's deliberations on a similar instrument and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the Government has taken/proposes to take steps to safeguard neurological privacy for its citizens and if so, the details thereof along with the measures taken in this regard; and
- (f) the actions taken/being taken by the Government to collaborate with intergovernmental organizations working on the human rights dimension of neurotechnologies to ensure the protection of citizens rights?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE (SH. PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

- (a) to (f) In India, there are currently no specific laws that explicitly address the protection of neuro rights in the context of advancing neurotechnology. However, certain general legal and regulatory frameworks for protecting personal data and privacy are:
- i. Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000 provides for data protection and cybersecurity under the IT Act.Section 43A mandates that entities handling sensitive personal data, ensure its protection.
- ii. Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 provides a framework for the collection, processing, and sharing of personal data
- iii. Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 provides for protection of the rights of individuals with mental health conditions and emphasizes consent, autonomy, and nondiscrimination

Further, ICMR Guidelines for Biomedical Research (2017) emphasize ethical considerations in medical and scientific research, including neurotechnology. ICMR has also developed Ethical guidelines for application of Artificial Intelligence in Biomedical Research and Healthcare. Researchers must ensure informed consent and protect participant confidentiality.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1990 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-06
Subject: Pact Signed between India and Russia
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Dr. Thirumaavalavan Tholkappiyan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1990 ANSWERED ON- 06/12/2024 PACT SIGNED BETWEEN INDIA AND RUSSIA

## 1990. DR. THIRUMAAVALAVAN THOLKAPPIYAN

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

(a)   whether   the   Government   has   signed   any   pact,   agreement, understanding with Russia during the past three years;

(b)   if   so,   the   details   of   defence   agreement   and   general   trade agreements, year-wise;

(c) whether the private business houses in our country have signed any pact, agreement, understanding with Russia or with any of the Russian private business houses during the past three years; and (d) if so, the details of such agreements, year-wise?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a & b) The details of the agreements signed between the Governments of India and Russia related to defence and general trade over the past three years, are given below: (i) Agreement between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government   of   the   Russian   Federation   on   Program   of   the   MilitaryTechnical Cooperation from 2021 to 2031, signed on December 06, 2021. (ii)   Memorandum of  Cooperation in the Field of  Intellectual Property between the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of the Republic of India and the Federal Service for Intellectual Property, the Russian Federation, signed on December 03, 2021. (c & d) Information regarding pacts, agreements, understandings, signed by private business houses of India with Russia or with Russian private business houses, is not available.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1989 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-06
Subject: Double Passports through fraudulent means
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Rambhual Nishad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1989

## ANSWERED ON- 06/12/2024

## DOUBLE PASSPORTS THROUGH FRAUDULENT MEANS

## †1989. SHRI RAMBHUAL NISHAD

Will the Minister of External Affairs be pleased to state :-

(a) whether the Government is aware that some people are obtaining more than one passport through fraudulent means which is a big threat to the security of the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to stop these incidents; and

(c) the number of complaints received by the Foreign Minister and Regional Passport Office, Lucknow which are sent by MPs during the last four months and the action taken thereon?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a & b) As per law, Indian passports are issued to Indian citizens after confirming the passport applicant's identity including name, address and citizenship, on the basis of identity and address proof documents submitted by the applicants as well as the police verification reports either   before   or   after   issuance   of   passports.   Whenever   cases   of suspected foreign nationals obtaining Indian passports or those with false   identity   obtaining   passports   or   those   obtaining   multiple passports are reported, appropriate actions such as revoking of the passports   and   initiation   of   criminal   proceedings   are   taken immediately as stipulated under the Passports Act, 1967. (c) During the last four months, one complaint has been received by the  Regional   Passport   Office   (RPO),   Lucknow,   from   a   Member   of Parliament on which the Uttar Pradesh Police Authorities have been requested to investigate and inform the RPO about the outcome of the investigation.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1984 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-06
Subject: Port Monetisation Project
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Shri Imran Masood

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1984

ANSWERED ON 06.12.2024

## PORT MONETISATION PROJECT

1984. SHRI IMRAN MASOOD:

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

## पȅन , पोत पįरवहन और जलमागŊ मंũी

(a) the details of the estimated revenue target from port monetisation for the financial year 2024-25, port-wise;

(b)  the  strategies  and  mechanisms  being  adopted  to  attract  private  investment  for the port monetisation projects and ensure competitive but fair bidding process; and

(c) the current status of implementation of the said strategies and mechanisms and the estimated timeline for the monetisation process?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) Private Sector Participation has been allowed in the Major Ports for specific projects/berths/terminals through concession agreement for a specific period by way of  open  competitive  bidding  process  on  revenue  share/royalty  between  the  Major Port  Authority  and  the  Concessionaire.  After  expiry  of  the  concession  period,  the asset is handed over to the Port Authority. For FY 2024-25, investment of about Rs. 10,000 crore is targeted through award of Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects at V.O. Chidambaranar Port (Rs.7,055 Crore), Deendayal Port (Rs.1,880 Crore) and Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (Rs.1,065 Core). These projects have already been approved by the Government. In order to provide more autonomy, flexibility and to attract  private  investment,  enactment  of  the  Major  Port  Authorities  Act,  2021  by replacing the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963, Revision of Model Concession Agreement (MCA), and Formulation of Guidelines for Tariff Fixation for PPP Projects have been done.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1981 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-06
Subject: Hike in Medicine Price
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Shri Adhikari Deepak Dev

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1981 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06 th  DECEMBER, 2024

## Hike in Medicine Price

## 1981. Shri Adhikari Deepak Dev:

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

(b) whether there is any plan by the Government to give subsidy on top ten life saving drugs,

(a) the reason for 50% price hike in price of essential medicines; if so, the details thereof; and (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

(a): The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) under Department of Pharmaceuticals received applications in respect of 77 formulations from various pharmaceutical manufacturing/marketing companies and industry associations requesting for upward revision of price for their formulation(s). This request was made on the grounds that ensuring continued availability of these drugs at existing rates was not viable due to reasons like  increase  in  cost  of  production,  increase  in  cost  of  active  pharmaceuticals  ingredients (APIs), changes in exchange rate, request for discontinuation of some of the formulations etc. After detailed scrutiny, NPPA approved increase in the price of 11 formulations of 8 drugs to ensure  their  continued  availability  so  that  the  public  is  not  forced  to  switch  to  expensive alternatives due to non-availability of these drugs in the market.

(b) to (c): Under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), quality medicine at affordable prices is offered to people. The price of Jan Aushadhi medicines are cheaper by at least by 50%, and in some cases, by 80% to 90% of the market price of branded medicines available in the market. Further the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), under National  Health  Mission,  has  rolled  out  the  Free  Drugs  Service  Initiative  to  under  which financial support is provided to States/UTs for provision of free essential medicines in public healthcare facilities.  Also, MoHFW under the initiative Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants  for  Treatment  (AMRIT)  provides  affordable  medicines  for  treatment  of  cancer, cardiovascular and other diseases, implants, surgical disposables and other consumables etc., at a significant discount of upto 50% on market rates through AMRIT Pharmacy stores set up in some hospitals/institutions.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1980 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-06
Subject: Dealer Margin on Fertilizers
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Shri Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1980 TO BE ANSWERED ON : 06.12.2024

## Dealer Margin on Fertilizers

## 1980 SHRI BHAUSAHAB RAJARAM WAKCHAURE :

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

- (a)        the  date  on  which  the  Government  had  fixed  the  dealer  margin  on  complex fertilizers, DAP and MOP at Rs. 20 to 22 per bag and the total dealer margin on urea at Rs. 15.88 per bag;
- (b) the loading and  unloading expenditure  on these fertilizers as on date, separately;
- (c)     the steps taken/proposed to be taken to fix minimum margin of 6 per cent for retailers and 2 per cent for wholesalers on complex, fertilizers, DAP and MOP; and
- (d)     the steps taken/proposed to be taken for ensuring a margin of Rs. 23 per bag for retailers and Rs. 7 per bag for wholesalers in urea?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS

## (SMT.  ANUPRIYA PATEL)

(a)  to  (d): Government  has  issued  guidelines  dated  18.01.2024  for  evaluation  of reasonableness  of  Maximum  Retail  Price  (MRP)  of  Phosphatic  &  Potassic  (P&K) fertilizers under the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme. Under these guidelines, dealer margin is permissible upto the extent of 2% of MRP in case of DAP & MOP and 4%  for  all  other  grades  of  P&K  fertilizers  under  NBS.  Under  NBS  policy,  MRP  is decontrolled and is fixed by fertilizer companies as per market dynamics at reasonable level.

In  case  of  Urea,  Government  of  India  has  revised  the  Dealer/Distribution Margin to the rate of Rs.354/MT of Urea w.e.f. 01 st April 2018 for sale of Urea through Private Trade as well as Institutional Agencies.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1978 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-06
Subject: Mahila Shakti Kendra Scheme
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri Baijayant Panda

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1978

TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.12.2024

## MAHILA SHAKTI KENDRA SCHEME

## 1978.  SHRI BAIJAYANT PANDA:

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

- (a) the details of the implementation of the Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK) Scheme, including the number of functional centres established under the said scheme;
- (b) the details of funds allocated and utilised for MSK at the Central and State levels during the last three years, and the measures taken to ensure effective fund utilisation;
- (c) the number of women beneficiaries who have received assistance through the MSK, with a focus on those from rural and underserved regions;
- (d) whether any training capacity-building initiatives have been conducted for the staff and volunteers working in MSK centres to enhance their efficiency and impact, if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether any challenges  have  been  faced  in  the  implementation  of  the  said scheme, especially in remote and rural areas; and
- (f) if so, the details of the steps being taken by the Government to address these challenges and improve outreach?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (f): The Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK) Scheme was approved in November, 2017 as  a  centrally  sponsored  scheme  to  empower  rural  women  through  community participation.  A third party evaluation study of MSK scheme was conducted by NITI Aayog in 2020. Taking into account the findings of the evaluation and after consultation with States/ UTs and stakeholders, the scheme has been discontinued with effect from 01.04.2022. The Ministry of Women and Child Development is implementing the Umbrella Mission  named  as  'Mission  Shakti'  with  effect  from  01.04.2024  which  aims  at strengthening  interventions  for  women  safety,  security  and  empowerment.  The Mission Shakti has two verticals 'Sambal' and 'Samarthya'. The 'Sambal' vertical is for safety and security of women. It has the schemes of  One  Stop  Centres  (OSCs),  Women  Helpline  (WHL),  Beti  Bachao  Beti  Padhao (BBBP) and Nari Adalat.

The 'Samarthya' vertical is for empowerment of women. It has the schemes of Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), Shakti Sadan, Sakhi Niwas, Palna and SANKALP: Hub for Empowerment of Women (HEW).

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Lok Sabha Question No. 1975 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-06
Subject: Recruitment of Judicial Officer
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Shri Amra Ram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LAW & JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †1975 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 06TH DECEMBER, 2024

## RECRUITMENT OF JUDICIAL OFFICER

## †1975. SHRI AMRA RAM:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to set up a centralized recruitment commission for the recruitment of judicial officers;
- (b) if so, the time by which it is likely to be set up;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) the reasons for judicial officers not being recruited by the commission as the recruitment are made by the Union Public Service Commission, State Public Service Commission and Staff Selection Commission;
- (e) whether the Government proposes to implement reservation policy in the
- judicial services;
- (f) if so, the time by which it is likely to be implemented; and
- (g) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)

- (a) to (g) : In terms of Article 235 of the Constitution of India, the administrative control over the District and Subordinate Courts vests with the concerned High Court. Further, in exercise of powers conferred under the proviso to Article 309 read with Article 233 and Article 234 of the Constitution of India, the service conditions, including recruitment, appointment, promotion,

reservations etc. of judicial officers in the District and Subordinate Courts are governed by the respective State Governmentsin consultation with the High Courts concerned.

In the case of Malik Mazhar Sultan and Anr, vs. U.P. Public Service Commission & Ors. (Civil Appeal no. 1867 of 2006), the Supreme Court took suo-motu cognizance of large number of judicial vacancies in lower courts. Through a judicial order dated 04.01.2007 in the said matter, the Supreme Court stipulated a timeline for filling up of judicial vacancies in District and Subordinate Courts in a time-bound manner. The Supreme Court also permitted State Governments / High Courts variations in the time schedule in case of any difficulty based on the peculiar geographical and climatic conditions in the State or other relevant conditions. Since year 2007, the Malik Mazhar Sultan matter has been listed several times before Supreme Court wherein the court has been monitoring the steps taken by the various High Courts for filling up of judicial vacancies in the District and Subordinate Courts.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1973 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-06
Subject: Cap on Consumption of Chemical Fertilizers
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Shri Durai Vaiko

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1973 TO BE ANSWERED

## ON: 06.12.2024

## Cap on Consumption of Chemical Fertilizers

1973: SHRI  DURAI VAIKO:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  plans  to  cap  the  consumption  of  the  chemical fertilizers like urea, DAP and muriate of potash;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has tracked the percentage reduction in demand for chemical fertilizers after the introduction of the PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness,  Nourishment  and  Amelioration  of  Mother  Earth'  (PM-PRANAM) scheme; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof, year-wise and State-wise, if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL )

(a)  &  (b):    Government  of  India  (GOI)  has  no  plan  to  cap  the  consumption  of  the chemical fertilizers.  However, GOI is promoting the balanced use of fertilizers on soil test based recommendation and encouraging the use of innovative fertilizers such as Nano Urea and Nano DAP etc.

(c)  &  (d):    The  Cabinet  Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), on June 28,  2023, approved the 'PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness Generation, Nourishment, and Amelioration of Mother-Earth (PM-PRANAM).' This initiative aims to support the mass movement initiated by States and Union Territories (UTs) to preserve the health of  Mother  Earth  through  the  promotion  of  sustainable  and  balanced  fertilizer  use, adoption of alternative fertilizers, promotion of organic farming, and implementation of resource  conservation  technologies.  The  incentives  to  States/UTs  for  reduction  of consumption of chemical fertilizers (Urea, DAP, NPK, MOP) in a given financial year, compared  to  the  average  consumption  over  the  previous  three  years,  under  the Scheme is equivalent to 50% of the fertilizer subsidy saved by the State.

*******