opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 255 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-21
Subject: Yoga for Treatment of Mental Health Disorders
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: Chandra Sekhar Bellana

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-255 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07.2023

## YOGAFORTREATMENTOFMENTALHEALTH DISORDERS

## 255. SHRI CHANDRASEKHAR BELLANA:

Will the Minister of Ayush be pleased to state:

- a) whether the government proposes to implement yoga as a mental health practice;
- b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- c) whether any research has been conducted on the effectiveness of yoga in treating mental health disorders and if so, the details thereof;
- d) whether the Government has any plan to include yoga as a part of the national mental health policy; and
- e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OFAYUSH (SHRI SARBANANDASONOWAL)

(a) & (b): Ministry of Ayush, at present, does not have any specific proposal to implement yoga as a mental health practice. However, Yoga has been used primarily as a stress management and lifestyle intervention tool to combat psychosomatic diseases. The ministry is popularizing yoga as a therapeutic tool to improve mental health in all its institutions.

Further, Central Council of Research in Yoga & Naturopathy (CCRYN) also has 3 centres for Mind Body Medicine units in AIIMS Rishikesh, AIIMS Raipur and PGI Chandigarh where mental health issues are being managed. CCRYN also has a Collaborative research centre with National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru where yoga is being used in the treatment of mental health conditions.

Furthermore, Yoga OPDs and integrative medicine centres have been set up in major health institutes across the country to offer yoga therapy services for mental health.

(c): Studies at NIMHANS have shown excellent results with yoga in improving mental health conditions.

CCRYN in collaboration with NIMHANS is working on various projects on mental health including the followings:

- -Implicit cognition and mirror neuron activity following Yoga in healthy individuals.
- -Understanding neuro-hemodynamic correlates of Om chanting: A functional magnetic resonance imaging study.
- -Psycho-neuro-endocrinological markers of stress and the response to a yoga-based intervention in first degree relatives of schizophrenia patients (FDRS).
- -Effect of yoga on mirror neuron activity among patients with depression: A Transcranial Magnetc Stimulation study' revised for originally proposed study with title' Role of Yoga in correcting GABA neurotransmitter deficit in moderate to severe depressive patients, a single blind and randomized controlled study.

Furthermore, there are more than 1188 publications available with a keyword 'Yoga for Mental Health' in Pubmed.

Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=yoga+mental+health

(d) & (e): At present, there is no such plan in the Ministry to include yoga as a part of the national mental health policy.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 254 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-21
Subject: Salary of Anganwadi Workers
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Santosh Pandey

## GOVERNEMNT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 254

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07.2023

## SALARY OF ANGANWADI WORKERS

254. SHRI SANTOSH PANDEY :

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

- (a) the details of the amount paid as salary to the Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) by the Union Government, State-wise;
- (b) whether there is any State-wise variation in the salary paid to the AWWs;
- (c) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise; and
- (d) the details of the share paid by the Union Government for periodic increase in the salary of AWWs?

## ANSWER

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

(a)   to  (d):  Under  the  scheme  guidelines  for  'Mission   Saksham  Anganwadi  and Poshan 2.0',  Anganwadi     Workers  (AWWs)  are  honorary  workers  and  are paid  a monthly honorarium as decided by the Government from time to time.  On 01.10.2018, Government of India had enhanced the honorarium of AWWs at main-AWCs from ₹3,000/- to ₹ 4,500/- per month; AWWs at mini- AWCs from ₹ 2,250/- to ₹ 3,500/- per month; AWHs from ₹1,500/- to ₹2,250/- per month. Performance linked incentive of ₹250/- per month is paid to AWHs and @ ₹500/- per month to AWWs. In addition, States/UTs  are  also  paying  additional  monetary  incentives/  honorarium  to  these functionaries from their own resources.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 251 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-21
Subject: Representation of Weaker Sections in High Court Judges
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Asaduddin Owaisi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 251

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 21.07.2023

## Representation of Weaker Sections in High Court Judges

## 251. SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that 79% judges appointed in all High Courts were from upper castes during the last five years indicating inequitable representation of backward and minorities;
- (b) if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether it is a fact that only 2.6% of the total 537 judges since 2018 were from sections other than upper castes, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has urged CJI and CJs of High courts to address the issue of social diversity and social justice and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the situation has worsened after the collegium system was introduced in appointment of judges; and
- (f)  if  so,  the  steps  taken  or  being  taken  in  this  regard  in  consultation  with  Supreme Court and High Courts?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (f):Information  on social background is being provided by the recommendees for elevation to High Court Judges as per the revised Annexure put into effect since 2018 wherein besides other information details regarding their social background are made available in the prescribed format (prepared in consultation with the Supreme Court).  As  per  information  provided  by  the  recommendees,  out  of  604  High  Court Judges appointed since 2018 till 17.07.2023, 458 Judges belongtotheGeneral Category,  18  Judges  belong  to  theSC  category,  09  belong  to  the  ST  category,  72 Judges  belong  to  the  OBC  category,  34  Judges  belong  to  Minority  and  for  the remaining 13 Judges there is no information available in the Annexures filled by them at the time of their consideration for appointment to the post of Judges.

Appointment of Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts is made under Articles  124,  217  and  224  of  the  Constitution  of  India,  which  do  not  provide  for reservation  for  any  caste  or  class  of  persons.  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.  As  per  the Memorandum of Procedure for appointment of Judges in the Supreme Court and High Courts,  the  Government  appoints  only  those  persons  who  are  recommended  by  the Supreme Court Collegium.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 248 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-21
Subject: NEET Examination
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Nalin Kumar Kateel, Sumalatha Ambareesh

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 248 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 21st July, 2023

## NEET Examination

## 248. SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL: SHRIMATI SUMALATHAAMBAREESH :

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

- (a) the details regarding the number of students appearing for National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) All India Pre-Medical Entrance Test during the last three years and the current year;
- (b) the details regarding the number of seats available for the students in the undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses during the last three years and the current year; and
- (c) the details regarding the number of vacant seats in undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses during the said period?

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

- (a) to (c): As per information received from National Testing Agency (NTA), the details of number of students who appeared for the NEET-UG examination in the last three years and the current year are as under:-

| Year      | Number of students registered   |   Number of students appeared |
|-----------|---------------------------------|-------------------------------|
| 20,87,462 | 20,38,596                       |                          2023 |
| 18,72,343 | 17,64,571                       |                          2022 |
| 16,14,777 | 15,44,273                       |                          2021 |
| 15,97,435 | 13,66,945                       |                          2020 |

The details of number of Undergraduate (UG)/Postgraduate(PG) seats available for the students for medical courses in last three years and the current year are as under:-

|   Year |    UG | PG      |
|--------|-------|---------|
|  83275 | 55495 | 2020-21 |
|  91927 | 60202 | 2021-22 |
|  96077 | 64059 | 2022-23 |
| 107948 | 67802 | 2023-24 |

According to National Medical Commission (NMC), the number of MBBS & PG seats vacant from 2019-20 to 2022-23, year wise is as under:-

|   SI. No. | Academic Year   |   Vacant UG seats |   Vacant PG seats |
|-----------|-----------------|-------------------|-------------------|
|         1 | 2022-23         |               261 |              4400 |
|         2 | 2021-22         |               326 |              3744 |
|         3 | 2019-20         |               273 |              4614 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 247 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-21
Subject: Setting up of Chemical Parks
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Pritam Gopinath Munde, Chandra Sekhar Sahu, Rahul Ramesh Shewale

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

## LOK SABHA

## UN-STARRED QUESTION NO. 247

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07.2023

## SETTING UP OF CHEMICAL PARKS

## 247.    DR. PRITAM GOPINATHRAO MUNDE:

SHRI CHANDRA SEKHAR SAHU:

SHRI RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE:

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

- a. whether the demand of chemicals is increasing consistently and the chemical industry has become a critical and integral part of growing Indian economy, if so, the details thereof;
- b. whether there is a need to bring innovations in the chemicals sector, if so, the details thereof and the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard;
- c. whether  the  Government  has  proposed  to  set  up  chemical  parks  to  meet  the  rising domestic demand in the country, if so, the details thereof;
- d. whether the Government has identified the places/sites where these chemical parks are likely to be set up; and
- e. if so, the details thereof, State-wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS

(SHRI BHAGWANTH KHUBA)

- (a):  Yes  Sir.  The  net  imports  of  Chemicals  &  Petrochemicals  have  been  increasing  due  to increasing domestic demand. The import of Chemicals & Petrochemicals is about Rs.3.75 lakh crore in FY 2020-21. The percentage share of the imports of Chemicals & Petrochemicals in the total national imports has increased from 8.9% to 12.8% during the last one decade.
- (b): Yes Sir. Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals has set up Centres of Excellence (CoEs) by providing Grant-in-aid to identified research institute(s) with the aim of improving the existing petrochemicals technology and research in the country. CoEs  promote development of new applications of polymers and plastics. So far, 13 Centres of Excellence (CoE) has been established within the premises of reputed educational/research institute.

(c) to (e) : Government is exploring the possibility of setting up of Chemical Parks with plug and play facilities at suitable locations in the country to boost domestic production capacities of critical and strategic important chemicals in a cluster based approach.  So far, Government has  not  finalized  any  place/site  for  the  proposed  Chemical  Park,  however  Stakeholder consultation in this regard is being conducted.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 238 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-21
Subject: Suggestions for Implementation of UCC
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Ravneet Singh, A. Ganeshamurthi, Andimuthu Raja, Rakesh Singh, Su Thirunavukkarasar, Dean Kuriakose

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

## L O K     S A B H A UNSTARRED QUESTION No.  238

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 21 ST  JULY, 2023.

## Suggestions for Implementation of UCC

## 238.  SHRI RAVNEET SINGH BITTU:

SHRI A. GANESHAMURTHI:

SHRI A. RAJA:

SHRI RAKESH SINGH:

SHRI THIRUNAVUKKARASAR SU:

ADV. DEAN KURIAKOSE:

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

- (a) whether  twenty-second  Law  Commission  of  India  has  recently  initiated consultations with various stakeholders including general public, religious organisations and minority communities and sought suggestions from them for implementation of Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the country;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  suggestions  and  objections  received  from  various quarters so far in this regard;
- (c) whether  suggestions  received  so  far  are  inadequate  and  require  wider publicity;
- (d) if  so,  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  extend  time  limit  for  more publicity and suggestions on UCC and if so, the details thereof indicating the time line fixed for its implementation and extension, if any proposed therein;
- (e) whether the Government proposes to constitute a commission to study the grievances/objections  raised  by  different  Minority  communities  on  the issue of UCC and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) whether the Government has assured the minority communities that UCC would be brought after broader consensus among all political parties and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## 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 (f) The  21 st Law  Commission  of  India  had  issued  a  consultation  paper  on 'Reform of Family Law' on 31.08.2018, however, it had not submitted any report. Since more than four years have lapsed from the date of issuance of the  said  Consultation  paper,  the  22 nd Law  Commission  decided  to  solicit views  and  ideas  of  the  public  at  large  and  religious  organizations  on 14.06.2023,  bearing  in  mind  the  relevance  and  importance  of  the  subject matter and also various court order on the subject of uniform civil code. The Commission  has  decided  to  grant  an  extension  of  two  weeks  for  the submission of views and suggestions by the concerned stakeholders i.e. upto 28 th of July, 2023.
Lok Sabha Question No. 232 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-21
Subject: CSR Funds for Upgradation of Anganwadi Centres
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Dulal Chandra Goswami

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 232

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07.2023

## CSR FUNDS FOR UPGRADATION OF ANGANWADI CENTRES

- †232. SHRI DULAL CHANDRA GOSWAMI:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  appealed  or  proposes  to  make  an  appeal  to corporate sector to spend a certain percentage of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for the upgradation of Anganwadi Centres; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the response of the corporate sector thereon?

## ANSWER

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

(a)   &  (b)     No,  Sir.  However,  under  'Saksham  Anganwadi  and  Poshan  2.0'  Scheme guidelines, States at their level and in their own discretion shall involve CSR funds for construction  of  Anganwadi  Centres  purely  on  pro  bono  basis  without  any  obligation. States/UTs shall similarly permit funding of Anganwadi Infrastructure e.g., Toilets, Rain Water Harvesting Structures, Drinking Water, etc., or any aspect of Anganwadi activity such as ECCE material, furniture, cooking utensils, kitchen infrastructure, storage facility, etc. by corporations, organisations, institutions or individuals.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 20 (STARRED), answered on 2023-07-20
Subject: Increase in Air Fares by Airlines
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: E. T. Mohammed Basheer

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO. : 20

(To be answered on the 20 th  July 2023)

## INCREASE IN AIR FARES BY AIRLINES

## *20. SHRI E.T. MOHAMMED BASHEER

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether  it  has  come  to  the  notice  of  the  Government  that  the  domestic  and international air fares have been increased by all the private airlines and if so, the details

thereof; and

- (b) the steps taken by the Government to bring a legislation for uniform fares for air travel?

## ANSWER

(Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia)

- (a) & (b) A STATEMENT IS LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE LOK SABHA.
- *****

Statement referred in reply to Part (a) & (b) of Lok Sabha Starred Ques. No. 20 regarding "Increase in air fares by Airlines" to be answered on 20.07.2023. (a) & (b) Airfares are market driven and are neither regulated nor established by the Government. Airlines are free to fix reasonable tariffs taking into consideration all relevant factors which include the cost of operation, characteristics of service and reasonable profit. Airlines, however, remain compliant with the regulatory provisions under Aircraft Rules, 1937 as long as the fare charged by them does not exceed the fare established and displayed on their website. Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has established Tariff Monitoring Unit which monitors fares on select sectors on random basis. This ensures that the airfares charged by the airlines are within the established tariff of the airlines, which is displayed on their website. The recent increase in airfare has been noticed in a few sectors, primarily driven by seasonality and demand-supply constraints. Further, the increase in airfare is also attributable to increase in fuel prices. Government has taken steps to sensitize the airlines. The airfares in these select sectors are monitored on daily basis and as a result of which they have shown a declining trend. There is no proposal at present to interfere with the existing regulatory framework on airfare.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 14 (STARRED), answered on 2023-07-20
Subject: Blending of Aviation Fuel
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Sunita Duggal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. : 14

(To be answered on the 20 th  July 2023)

## BLENDING OF AVIATION FUEL

## *14. SHRIMATI SUNITA DUGGAL

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

## ANSWER

Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

A statement is laid on the table of the house.

- *****

be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether the Government has proposed to introduce a roadmap for blending of Traditional Aviation Fuel (TAF) with Sustainable Aviation Fuel

(SAF) to reduce carbon emissions; (b)  if so, the details of timeline drawn for effecting enforcement of such a proposal; (c)    whether  the  Government  has  earmarked  funds  for  research  and development/technology  transfer  of  SAF; (d)  if so, the details thereof; and (e)  whether India aims to be a member of Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) by 2027 and if so, the details

- thereof?

(Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia)

Statement referred in reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question 14 regarding "Blending of Aviation Fuel" to be answered on 20.07.2023 (a) and (b) At present the Government has not fixed any target for blending of Traditional Aviation Fuel (TAF) with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to reduce carbon emissions.  However, the Government has notified the National Policy  on  Biofuels-2018  to  promote  and  encourage  the  use  of  biofuels including bio-CNG, bio methanol, DME, bio-hydrogen, bio-jet fuel (SAF), etc. (c) and (d) The Ministry of Civil Aviation has not earmarked any funds for research and development/technology transfer of SAF. (e) India is a Member State of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). As per the provision of CORSIA, India is under obligation to comply with the mandatory phase starting from 2027.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 9 (STARRED), answered on 2023-07-20
Subject: Coverage under UDAN Scheme
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Naranbhai Bhikhabhai Kachhadiya, Chandra Sekhar Bellana

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. : 9

(To be answered on the 20 th  July 2023)

## COVERAGE UNDER UDAN SCHEME

## *9. SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA SHRI CHANDRA SEKHAR BELLANA

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

## ANSWER

be pleased to state:-

- (a)  the  number of new airports opened and made operational since the inception of the Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) Scheme, State-wise; (b) the number of new routes started therefrom;
- (c) the number of passengers benefited under UDAN Scheme during the last five years;
- (d) the number of Greenfield airports presently under construction, Statewise;
- (e) whether the Government proposes to amend the UDAN scheme for further expansion and development;
- (f) if so, the details of cities/districts proposed to be covered thereunder as a result of its expansion; and
- (g) if not, the reasons therefor?

Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia)

- (a) to (g): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 9  REGARDING  "COVERAGE  UNDER  UDAN  SCHEME"  TO  BE

ANSWERED  ON  20.07.2023 (a) to (c) : The Government launched the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)- UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) in October 2016 to enhance regional air connectivity from unserved and underserved airports in the country for making air travel affordable to the masses. As on 11.07.2023, 74 airports, including 2 Water Aerodromes and 9 Heliports have been operationalised and 479 RCS routes have been commenced  under the UDAN scheme. More than 123 lakh passengers have benefited from the UDAN scheme since its inception. (d):  Greenfield Airports at Navi Mumbai (Maharashtra), Jewar (Uttar Pradesh), Vijayapura (Karnataka), Hassan (Karnataka), Dholera (Gujarat) and Hirasar (Gujarat) are under construction. (e) to (g): There is no proposal to amend the UDAN Scheme. However, UDAN is an ongoing scheme where bidding rounds are conducted from time to time to cover more destinations/stations and routes under the scheme.

- *****