opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1476 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-28
Subject: BBNJ Agreement
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Pritam Gopinath Munde, Rahul Ramesh Shewale, Chandra Sekhar Sahu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

ANSWERED ON- 28/07/2023

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1476

## BBNJ AGREEMENT

## 1476. DR PRITHAM GOPINATHRAO MUNDE SHRI RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE SHRI CHANDRA SEKHAR SAHU

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

(a) whether the Government was a signatory to the Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction   (BBNJ)   Agreement   under   the   United   Nations   Convention   on   the   Law   of   Sea (UNCLOS), signed as part of the 5th UN Intergovernmental Conference on March 5, 2023;

(b) if so, the salient features of the agreement;

(c) whether the restoration of equity as per the Global South jurisprudence has been adopted by the signatories; and

(d) If so, the details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN)

(a   &   b)   Government   of   India   participated   in   the   negotiations   in   the   UN   Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction held at New York, which was concluded in March 2023. The Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (or BBNJ Agreement) was formally adopted on 19 th June 2023 by the resumed session of the Conference. The Agreement is yet to be opened for signature.

The primary intent and objective of the agreement is conservation and sustainable use of the marine biological diversity in the areas beyond national jurisdiction. The Agreement is intended to address gaps in the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, including the lack of a comprehensive regime for the conservation and sustainable use of marine genetic resources, as well as the need for more effective mechanisms for marine protected areas and environmental impact assessments.

The Agreement covers four major elements: a)  support for capacity-building and the transfer of marine   technology;   b)   access   to   and   use   of   marine   genetic   resources;   c)   the   adoption   of conservation and sustainable use measures including marine protected areas; and d) the conducting of environmental impact assessments in maritime areas outside of national jurisdiction.

(c & d) The Agreement reflects the compromise reached by all parties, with sufficient caveats to protect the interests of key players. From the perspective of Global South, the agreement provides for: i) Protection of marine biodiversity; catalogue of species; ii) Provides access to marine genetic resources; iii) Transparency in the governance of marine diversity-protection, preservation, and its exploitation; iv) capacity building and sharing of marine technology and v) Research opportunities for experts in exploration of marine biodiversity.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1474 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-28
Subject: Grievances/Advisory Committee in CGHS Wellness Centres
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: C. Lalrosanga

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1474 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28 TH JULY, 2023

## 'GRIEVANCES/ADVISORYCOMMITTEE IN CGHS WELLNESS CENTRES'

## 1474. SHRI C. LALROSANGA:

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

- (a) Whether the Government has set up Grievances/Advisory Committee at dispensary level in all CGHS Wellness Centres and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) The details regarding the manner in which the move is going to help CGHS card holders, Freedom Fighters, Ex-MPs and Central Government Pensioners;
- (c) Whether the Grievances/Advisory Committee has been formed in all CGHS Wellness Centres of the North-East and if so, the details thereof along with the details of CGHS Wellness centres in North-Eastern areas of the country which do not have any such Grievances/Advisory Committee; and
- (d) Whether the CGHS Wellness Centres in the North-East are yet to put up the minutes of the Grievances/Advisory committee meeting on its notice board in the Campus of the Wellness Centre alongwith its website for the information of the CGHS beneficiaries and if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government to streamline the same?

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

(a) to (d) : With the aim to facilitate seamless delivery of health care services and prompt redressal of grievances within the CGHS System, Local Advisory Committees (LACs) and Zonal Advisory committees (ZACs) have been constituted at each CGHS Wellness Center and Additional Director level.

The committees meet once in every month and work towards effective functioning of CGHS Wellness Centers, streamlining reimbursement claims, evaluate services of empaneled chemists, hospitals and diagnostic centres and resolve grievances.

The details of composition of Advisory Committees of all CGHS Wellness Centers available in public domain on the website of CGHS i.e. www.cghs.gov.in. The displays are placed at the respective wellness centres.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1471 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-28
Subject: Allocation of Funds to Embassies
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: M. P. Abdussamad Samadani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1471

ANSWERED ON- 28/07/2023

## ALLOCATION OF FUNDS TO EMBASSIES

## 1471.  Dr. M. P. ABDUSSAMAD SAMADANI

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

(a) whether the Government is aware of the issues involved in bringing the mortal remains of Indian expatriates from Gulf Countries, if so the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government has allotted any funds to embassies to meet the expenses of airfare in such cases, if so, the details thereof; and

(c) whether the Government will ensure facilities in the flights from Gulf countries to bring dead bodies and stretcher patients, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN)

(a) A single window clearance system is adopted by our Missions/Posts abroad for handling death cases. As soon as the Mission / Post comes to know about unfortunate death of an Indian citizen, the Consular Wing of the Mission/ Post immediately gets in touch with the family/relative of the deceased Indian national. Consent letter (duly attested by a Notary) is arranged from the family in India for local burial/transportation of mortal remains to India. If the family has any suspicion on the death, they are guided to convey the same in the consent letter so that the matter could be taken up with local police authorities by the Mission for post mortem and police investigations. The Mission provides all required assistance and facilitate the completion of all the formalities in coordination with the local police and other authorities for transportation of mortal remains at the earliest possible in accordance with the wishes of the family of the deceased.

(b) Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) has been set up in all Indian Missions and Posts abroad to   assist   Overseas   Indian   nationals   in   times   of   distress   and   emergency.   Fund   is   also   used   for transportation of mortal remains of Indian nationals.

Funds for ICWF are raised by levying a service charge on Consular, Passport and Visa services provided by the Mission/Post. These funds are kept in a separate Account in the concerned Missions and Posts. Powers have been delegated to the Heads of Missions and Posts to incur required

expenditure from ICWF.  Funds can also be transferred from ICWF account of a Mission to another Mission on need basis.

(c)   All   Missions   and   Posts   abroad   including   in   the   Gulf   countries   take   prompt   action   for transportation of mortal remains of Indian nationals deceased abroad and stretcher patients through commercial flights in coordination with family of the deceased and local Government authorities.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1468 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-28
Subject: Misbehaviour with Employees in Indian Embassy
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Arun Kumar Sagar

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

ANSWERED ON- 28/07/2023

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1468

## MISBEHAVIOUR WITH EMPLOYEES IN INDIAN EMBASSY

†1468. SHRI ARUN KUMAR SAGAR

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

(a) whether the Government is aware of the alleged misbehaviour with the employees/officers of Indian Embassy located in Pakistan during the last three years and till date, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether there are reports of similar incidents occuring earlier, if so, the details thereof;

(c)  whether the Government has raised the said issue at international forums; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN)

(a   to   d)  Government has, from time to time, taken up the incidents of harassment, aggressive surveillance and intimidation of the officials of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad with the Government of Pakistan. The Pakistan side has been asked to ensure the safety and security of our diplomatic Mission and its officials.

Government has emphasized that respective diplomatic Missions of the two countries should be allowed to function normally in keeping with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961 as also  the   bilateral   Code   of   Conduct   for   treatment   of   Diplomatic/Consular   personnel   in   India   and Pakistan that was signed in 1992 and reaffirmed by both sides in March 2018. The implementation of this understanding is regularly followed up through diplomatic channels.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1465 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-28
Subject: COVID-19 Vaccination drive for Children
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Raja Amareshwara Naik, Sukanta Majumdar, Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo, Bhola Singh, Jayanta Kumar Roy, Vinod Kumar Sonkar, Rajveer (Raju Bhaiya) Singh

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1465 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28 th JULY 2023

## COVID-19 VACCINATION DRIVE FOR CHILDREN

## 1465. SHRI RAJA AMARESHWARA NAIK:

DR. SUKANTAMAJUMDAR:

SHRIMATI SANGEETA KUMARI SINGH DEO:

SHRI BHOLASINGH:

DR. JAYANTAKUMAR ROY:

SHRI VINOD KUMAR SONKAR:

SHRI RAJVEER SINGH (RAJU BHAIYA):

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

- (a) whether the COVID-19 vaccination drive for children and others has been put on hold in the country by the Government;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons for non availability of vaccine slots in the country including Delhi & NCR's vaccination centres; and
- (c) the total number of COVID-19 doses of vaccination administered to children above the age of 12 years to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among children in the country?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## (PROF. S.P. SINGH BAGHEL)

(a).to (c): The National COVID-19 Vaccination Programme covers all children and others above the age of 12 years of age. All States/UTs were advised by the Ministry to continue the vaccination of eligible beneficiaries and the programme is ongoing in States/UTs that procured vaccine doses.

As on 24 th July 2023, a total of 10.34 crore beneficiaries have received 1 st dose and 8.63 crore beneficiaries have received 2 nd dose of Covid-19 vaccine in 12-18 years age group in the country.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1463 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-28
Subject: Construction of Satara Medical College
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. 1463 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28 TH JULY, 2023

## CONSTRUCTION OF SATARAMEDICALCOLLEGE

## 1463. SHRI SHRINIWAS PATIL:

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

- (a) whether the construction of Satara Medical College has been lagging behind and if so, the details thereof alongwith the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the progress of the construction of the said college is slow despite the laying of the foundation stone;
- (c) if so, the time by which the construction of the said college is likely to be completed alongwith the details of its current status;
- (d) the details of the executive body constituted for the construction of Satara Medical College along with the funds allocated and released for the same; and
- (e) whether the Government has appointed any nodal officer to monitor the completion of the said construction work and 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): The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare administers Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) for 'Establishment of new Medical Colleges attached with existing district/referral hospitals' with preference to underserved areas and aspirational districts, where there is no existing Government or private medical college. Under the Scheme, the envisaged 157 new medical colleges have been approved in three phases including two medical colleges in Maharashtra at Gondia and Nandurbar. The Government Medical College at Satara, Maharashtra is a State funded Government medical college and construction & management comes under the purview of the State Government of Maharashtra.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1461 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-28
Subject: Judicial Access to Differently Abled Citizen
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: A. Chellakumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LAW & JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1461

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 28 TH  JULY, 2023

Judicial Access to Differently Abled Citizen

## 1461. Dr. A. Chellakumar:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the dire shortage of judicial infrastructure in the country, particularly in the lower courts;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  efforts  have  been  made  to  improve  accessibility  within  judicial infrastructure suitable to disabled citizens; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE; MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE (SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)

(a) to (d):  The development of infrastructure facilities for the judiciary in the States, including facilities essential for differently-abled persons, is the responsibility of the State Governments. The Central Government supplements the resources of the State Governments by releasing financial assistance under the Centrally Sponsored  Scheme  (CSS)  for  the  development  of  judicial infrastructure by providing financial assistance to State Governments / UTs in the prescribed fund-sharing pattern between Centre and States. The scheme is being implemented since 1993-94. It covers the construction of court buildings and residential accommodations for judicial officers of district and subordinate judiciary. As against the sanctioned strength of 25,215 and working strength of 19,876 judges/judicial officers there are 21,365 court halls and 18,846 residential units  available  as on 30.06.2023. Besides the construction of court halls and residential quarters, the scheme now also covers the construction of lawyers' halls, digital computer rooms and toilet complexes in the district and subordinate Courts.

A sum of Rs. 10035.35 crore has been released under the Scheme so far since its inception, out of which Rs. 6591.04 crore (65.68 %) has been released since 2014-15.  The scheme has been extended from 2021-22 to 2025-26 with a budgetary  outlay  of  Rs.  9000  crores  including  central  share  of  Rs.  5307.00 crore.  The  scheme  guidelinesprovides  for  certainnorms  and  specifications  for the construction of court hallsand other structures which the States/UTs have to comply with. The States/UTs have to certify that the projects  proposed  to be taken up by them are disabled friendly and meet the requisite norms/accessibility standard as laid down by CPWD/Department of Empowerment  of  Persons  with  Disabilities,  Ministry  of  Social  Justice  and Empowerment, from time to time.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1459 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-28
Subject: Repeal of Statutory Rules and Orders
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Dushyant Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1459 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 28 TH  JULY, 2023

## Repeal of Statutory Rules and Orders 1459.   SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH :

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

- (a) the number of union statutory instruments, rules, orders, etc., which are currently in force in India;
- (b) whether all the statutory instruments issued under various Acts that have since been repealed were also repealed along with the Acts;
- (c) the  number  and  details  of  cases  in  which  a  penalty  has  been  imposed  or  detention  made under such instruments, rules, orders etc. despite the parent Act being repealed;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  commissioned  any  study  to  examine  the  repeal  of  statutory instruments  that  hinder  the  social  and  economic  transformation  of  the  society,  if  so,  the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor ?

## A N S W E R MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE: MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS: AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE (SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)

- (a) to (e): The information is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1455 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-28
Subject: WHO Report on Artificial Sweeteners
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Sanjay Sadashivrao Mandlik, Prataprao  Jadhav, Shrirang Appa Barne, Sudheer Gupta, Sambhajirao Mane Dhairyasheel, Bidyut Baran Mahato

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1455 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28TH JULY, 2023

## WHOREPORTONARTIFICIALSWEETENERS

## 1455. SHRI SANJAY SADASHIVRAO MANDLIK:

SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether World Health Organization (WHO) has published a report expressing concern regarding usage of artificial sweeteners in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the regulatory body responsible for ensuring food safety and standards in the country has taken cognizance of said report and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether FSSAI has convened/proposes to convene a meeting to shed light on the potential consequences of artificial sweeteners on human health and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether FSSAI has asked for suggestions from various stakeholders, including industry experts, representatives and consumer advocates on WHO's report;
- (e) if so, the details thereof including their responses and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (f) the others steps taken by FSSAI to reduce the adverse impact of artificial sweeteners on the health of people in the country?

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

- (a) & (b) Food Saftey and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has informed that World Health Organization (WHO) has released a new guideline on Non-Sugar Sweeteners (NSS), which recommends against the use of NSS to control body weight or reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). FSSAI has taken cognizance of said report and based on available scientific evidence, the matter has been deliberated in the meetings of the Scientific Panel of FSSAI.
- (c) to (e) FSSAI has conducted meetings of the Scientific Panel to discuss various aspects

related to use of artificial sweeteners and their effect on human health by involving external experts having domain knowledge.

(f) FSSAI has laid down standards for non-caloric sweeteners such as stevia, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, sodium and calcium saccharin, sucralose and sorbitol and limits for use of such NSS in various food products have been laid down on the basis of risk assessment and ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) established by JECFA (Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives) and is in harmonization with Codex.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 1453 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-28
Subject: Compensation to Fishermen
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Andimuthu Raja, A. Ganeshamurthi

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

ANSWERED ON- 28/07/2023

MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1453

## COMPENSATION TO FISHERMEN

1453. SHRI A. RAJA SHRI A. GANESHAMURTHI

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

(a)   the   steps   taken   by   the   Government   to   deal   with   the   issue   of   increasing   attacks   on fishermen of Tamil Nadu by the navy of Srilanka;

(b) whether payment of compensation to fishermen whose boats were damaged has been considered, if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether meeting of Joint Working Group on Fisheries was called to discuss the issues threadbare and to find a permanent solution to the problem; and

(d) if so, the details thereof if not, the reason therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

(SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN)

(a to d) Government of India attaches the highest priority to the safety, security and welfare of Indian fishermen. Government has taken up the fishermen issues at the highest level, including by the Prime Minister in his meetings with his Sri Lankan counterparts. Sri Lankan   Government   has   been   requested   to   treat   the   fishermen   issue   as   a   purely humanitarian and livelihood concern, and it has been stressed that both sides should ensure that there is no use of force under any circumstances.

Regular meetings of Joint Working Group Meeting on Fisheries are being held with respect to issues related to fishermen. Recent JWG on fisheries was held in March 2022 between both   sides.  The   Joint   Working   Group   discussed   all   relevant   fisheries   issues   in   detail including the concerns relating to fishermen and fishing boats which have been on the agenda of bilateral discussions between India and Sri Lanka.

- *****