opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4204 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-20
Subject: National Myopia Awareness Week Campaign
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Eatala Rajender, Smt. D K Aruna, Shri Suresh Kumar Shetkar

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4204 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20th DECEMBER, 2024

## NATIONALMYOPIAAWARENESS WEEK CAMPAIGN

4204 : SHRI SURESH KUMAR SHETKAR SMT D.K ARUNA SHRI EATALA RAJENDER

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether the Government in collaboration with States and other Organizations including NGOs recently organized a National Myopia Awareness Week campaign to observe World Children's Day and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) Whether it is a fact that over the past two decades, the prevalence of Myopia or short sightedness, a pediatric eye condition, has increased due to lifestyle factors such as fewer outdoor activities;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the details of the funds sanctioned/spent therefor and results achieved in this regard, State/UT -wise?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE ( SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

- (a) Under the National Programme for Control of Blindness & Visual Impairment (NPCBVI), the Government of India in collaboration with States and other Organizations including Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) observed World Sight Day on 10th October, 2024 with a theme 'Love your Eyes, kids'. The aim was to ensure and inspire children for understanding the importance of eye care. However, particularly National Myopia Awareness Week campaign to observe World Children's Day was not organized by NPCBVI, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
- (b) to (d) No survey/study with this conclusion has been conducted under NPCBVI, MOHFW and no funds have been sanctioned/spent particularly on National Myopia Awareness Campaign Week under NPCBVI, MoHFW.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4202 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-20
Subject: Recommendation for Appointment of Judges in High Courts
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Shri Murari Lal Meena

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †4202

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 20.12.2024

## Recommendation for Appointment of Judges in High Courts

## †4202. SHRI MURARI LAL MEENA:

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

- (a) whether the names re-recommended by the Collegium for appointment of Judges to the High Courts of the country are still pending;
- (b) if so, the main reasons for delay in the appointment process in such cases and the stage at which such delay is taking place;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  followed  the  prescribed  guidelines  for appointment of Judges recommended again by the Collegium following the Supreme Court verdict, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the number of vacancies of Judges in the High Court of Rajasthan and the steps taken by the Government to fill these vacancies; and
- (e)  the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  end  the  delay  in  the appointment of Chief Justices and Judges to the High Courts?

## 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 (e): The Judges of the High Courts are appointed under Article 217 and 224 of the Constitution of India and according to the procedure laid down in the

Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) prepared in 1998 pursuant to the Supreme Court  Judgment  of  October  6,  1993  (Second  Judges  case)  read  with  their Advisory Opinion of October 28, 1998 (Third Judges case).

The Supreme Court in its Judgment dated 6.10.1993 in Supreme Court Advocates  on  Record  Vs.  Union  of  India  (Second  Judges  Case)  inter-alia, observed that merit selection is the dominant method for judicial selections and the  candidates  to  be  selected  must  possess  high  integrity,  honesty,  skill,  high order  of  emotional  stability,  firmness,  serenity,  legal  soundness,  ability  and endurance.

Appointment of Judges in the higher judiciary is a continuous, integrated and  collaborative  process  between  the  executive  and  the  judiciary.  It  requires consultation and approval from various Constitutional Authorities both at State and Central level. The Government exercises its opinion on the recommendations made by the Supreme Court Collegium (SCC) by virtue of this collaborative process so as to ensure that the most suitable and meritorious candidate  is  appointed  to  the  esteemed  post  of  a  Judge  in  the  Constitutional Courts. Only those persons are appointed as Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts whose names have been recommended by the SCC.

As on 17.12.2024, the Rajasthan High Court has a Working Strength of 32 Judges against the sanctioned strength of 50.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4198 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-20
Subject: Division Bench of Prayagraj High Court
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Shri Imran Masood

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †4198

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 20.12.2024

## Division Bench of Prayagraj High Court

## †4198. Shri Imran Masood:

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

(a) whether the Government proposes to set up a Division Bench of Prayagraj High Court in western Uttar Pradesh to provide easy and  affordable access to justice to the people residing in that region; and

(b) if so, the details thereof and 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) &  (b):  High  Court  Benches  are  established  in  accordance  with  the recommendations  made  by  the  Jaswant  Singh  Commission  and  judgment pronounced  by  the  Apex  Court  in  W.P.  (C)  No.  379  of  2000  and  after  due consideration of a complete proposal from the State Government consenting to provide  necessary  expenditure  and  infrastructural  facilities  along  with  the consent  of  the  Chief  Justice  of  the  concerned  High  Court  who  is  required  to look after the day-to-day administration of the High Court. The proposal should also have the consent of the Governor of the concerned State.

At present, there is no proposal pending with the Government to establish a Bench of Allahabad High Court in Western Uttar Pradesh.
Lok Sabha Question No. 4196 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-20
Subject: One Nation One Election
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Adv. Adoor Prakash

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4196

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 20th DECEMBER 2024 One Nation One Election

4196. Adv. Adoor Prakash:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  implement  the  proposal  'One  Nation One  Election'  for  conducting  simultaneous  elections  to  Lok  Sabha  and  State Assemblies in 2029, if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether the Government has started any consultations with States regarding this, if so, the details thereof?

## 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): The Government has introduced the Constitution (One Hundred and Twentyninth  Amendment)  Bill,  2024  and  the  Union  Territories  Laws  (Amendment)  Bill, 2024 in Lok Sabha on 17.12.2024 to implement the proposal of One Nation One Election  for  elections  to  Lok  Sabha  and  all  Legislative  Assemblies  as  per  the provisions of the Bill.
- (b): The  Government  had  constituted  a  High  Level  Committee  under  the Chairmanship of Shri Ram Nath Kovind, former President of India, to examine the issue of simultaneous elections and make recommendations for holding simultaneous elections in the country. The Committee held extensive consultations with  the  stakeholders  on  the  subject  and  summarised  the  outcome  of  such consultations  in  Chapter  3  of  its  Report.  The  said  report  is  available  at  website https://onoe.gov.in/HLC-Report.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4194 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-20
Subject: Mega Ports by 2047
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Shri Malaiyarasan D

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4194

ANSWERED ON 20.12.2024

## MEGA PORTS BY 2047

## 4194.  SHRI MALAIYARASAN D:

## Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state: पȅन , पोत पįरवहन और जलमागŊ मंũी

- (a) the details of the plan formulated in order to make Indian Ports, Mega Ports by 2047 including the current status of the said projects; (b) the amount of funds sanctioned, allocated and utilized for this purpose across the country, State/UT-wise including Tamil Nadu; and (c) whether the Government has set any target to achieve the said plan and if so, the
- details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (c)  Yes  Sir.  Six  port  clusters  out  of  which  four  port  clusters  i.e.  Cochin  Vizhinjam Port cluster, Galathea South Bay Port, Chennai -Kamarajar -Cuddalore Port cluster, Paradip and Other Non-Major Ports cluster with capacity of more than 300 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) and two port clusters i.e. Deendayal and Tuna Tekra Port cluster, Jawaharlal Nehru - Vadhavan Port cluster with capacity of more than 500 MTPA are to be developed as Mega Ports by the year 2047.The activities  to  be  undertaken  by  Major  Ports  for  augmentation  of  capacity  and improving infrastructure are included in the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision, 2047. The works for Infrastructure enhancement and capacity augmentation in the Major Ports are  already  under  progress  through  Public  Private  Partnership  (PPP)  mode  and also through internal resources.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4191 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-20
Subject: Sale of Spurious Fertilizers
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Smt. Delkar Kalaben Mohanbhai

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4191 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 20.12.2024

## Sale Of Spurious Fertilizers

4191:

SMT. DELKAR KALABEN  MOHANBHAI :

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

- (a) whether the Government has noticed the sale of spurious fertilizers in Dadra and Nagar Haveli or conducted any inspection in this regard, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of those States where inspection has been conducted against the persons involved in selling spurious fertilizers along with the punitive action taken by the Government against them;
- (c) the  effective  measures  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  to check the sale of spurious fertilizers;
- (d) whether the Government has identified such places where an increase in use of spurious fertilizers has been reported;
- (e) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and
- (f) the details of losses suffered by the farmers due to use of such fertilizers?

## ANSWER

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

(a): As  per  the  information  received  from  U.T.  of  Dadra  &  Nagar  Haveli  and Daman & Diu, no case of sale of spurious fertilizers has been reported.

(b) to (f):  Fertilizer Control Order (FCO)-1985 has laid down fertilizer-wise detailed specifications. Any fertilizer, not meeting the said specifications, cannot be sold in the country for agricultural purpose. Clause 19 of FCO strictly prohibits the sale or manufacture  of  fertilizers  which  are  not  of  prescribed  standards.  Any  sale  of substandard/spurious  fertilizers  is  punishable  under  Essential  Commodities  Act, 1955.

Moreover,  quality  control  of  fertilizers  comes  under  the  purview  of  State Governments. In order to regulate the sale of spurious fertilizers in the State, there is a District Quality control mechanism for awareness & vigilance at the field level and  awareness  is  spread  among  the  farmers  on  the  regular  basis  through  press note, TV talks, Kisan Gosthi, Krishimela, Krushi Mahotsav etc.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4187 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-20
Subject: India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Shri Arvind Dharmapuri

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4187

ANSWERED ON 20.12.2024

## INDIA - MIDDLE EAST - EUROPE ECONOMIC CORRIDOR

4187.  SHRI ARVIND DHARMAPURI:

## Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state: पȅन , पोत पįरवहन और जलमागŊ मंũी

- (a) the  steps  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  to  upgrade  Indian ports  for  readiness  to  handle  the  India  -  Middle  East  -  Europe  Economic  Corridor (IMEC); (b) the data on amount of funds allocated and utilized for infrastructure improvements across all major Ports in the country; and the  progress  achieved  in  increasing  the  capacity  and  connectivity  of  ports  to
- (c) align with the requirements of the IMEC corridor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) Major  Ports  at  western  coast  i.e  Deendayal  Port  and  Jawaharlal  Nehru Port have made investment of around Rs.11773 Crores in last decade to upgrade port infrastructure.  Further,  the  Union  Cabinet  approved  the  development  of  a  new  Major Greenfield Port at Vadhavan in Maharashtra with an estimated project cost of Rs.76,220 Crores. The Vadhavan port has a natural draft of 20 meters and a cumulative capacity of 298 Million Metric Tons (MMT) per annum, catering the requirement to handle mega size  new  generation  vessels.  Also,  the  Virtual  Trade  Corridor  (VTC)  under  the framework agreement between India and UAE on the IMEEC has been soft launched. These upgradation/developments at these ports aligns with the requirements of India Middle East - Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4186 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-20
Subject: Adoption of Nano-Fertilizers
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Shri Naveen Jindal

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4186

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 20.12.2024

## Adoption of Nano-Fertilizers

4186:

SHRI  NAVEEN JINDAL:

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

- (a) whether it is true that adoption of nano-fertilizers by farmers in the country is about 5% only;
- (b) if so, the reasons behind such a situation; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to apprise the farmers about the huge benefits of nano-fertilizers so as to popularize its usage?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  &  (b):    Department  of  Agriculture  &  Farmers  Welfare  (DA&FW)  had  provisionally notified  Nano  Urea  as  Nano  Nitrogen  Fertilizers  in  Fertilizer  Control  Order,  1985. Additionally, the Government of India has also notified Nano DAP under the FCO, 1985.

Accordingly,  11.53  crore  bottles  of  Nano  Urea  have  been  produced  by  the Fertilizer  Companies,  out  of  which  9.07  crore  bottles  (500  ml  each)  have  been dispatched to States. Similarly, 2.62 crore bottles of Nano DAP have been produced by the  Fertilizer  Companies,  out  of  which  1.82  crore  bottles  (500ml  each)  have  been dispatched to States.

- (c): In  order  to  promote  the  use  of  Nano  Fertilizers  amongst  the  farmers,  the following steps have been taken:
- i. Use  of  Nano  Urea  is  promoted  through  different  activities  such  as awareness camps, webinars, nukkad nataks, field demonstrations, Kisan Sammelans and films in regional languages etc.
- ii. Nano Urea is made available at Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samridhi Kendras (PMKSKs) by concerned companies.
- iii. Nano  Urea  has  been  included  under  monthly  supply  plan  issued  by Department of Fertilizers regularly.
- iv. ICAR through Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal recently organized National Campaign on 'Efficient and Balanced Use of Fertilizer (including Nano-fertilizers)'.

- v. Promotion  of  use  of  nano  fertilizers  was  done  during  the  Viksit  Bharat Sankalp Yatra (VBSY) which was launched on 15th November, 2023.
- vi. With  an  aim  to  provide  drones  to  15,000  women  Self  Help  Groups (SHGs),  the  Government  of  India  has  launched  the  'Namo  Drone  Didi' Scheme. Under the said scheme, 1094 drones have been made available by fertilizer companies to Namo Drone Didis of Women Self Help Groups, which is ensuring increased application of nano fertilizers through drones.
- vii. DoF  in  collaboration  with fertilizer  companies  has  initiated  a  Maha Abhiyan  for  adoption  of  Nano  DAP  in  all  15  agro-climatic  zones  of  the country through consultations and field level demonstrations. Further, DoF in collaboration with fertilizer companies has also launched campaign for field level demonstrations and awareness programs of Nano Urea plus in 100 districts of the country.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4180 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-20
Subject: Approval of Antibiotics as New Drugs
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Thiru Dr. S Jagathratchakan

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4180 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20 TH DECEMBER, 2024

## APPROVALOFANTIBIOTICS AS NEW DRUGS

## 4180: SHRI S JAGATHRATCHAKAN:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the national regulatory body, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) is considering a proposal to treat all antibiotics as 'new drugs' and, thereby, making centralized approval mandatory for launching any drug in this category;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYAPATEL)

(a) to (c): The Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), a statutory body under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, deliberated that Antimicrobial resistance can be caused due to misuse of antibiotic, antiviral, antifungal drugs, etc. The Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) under Section 7 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 is the advisory committee to advise the Central Government, the State Government and the DTAB on any matter tending to secure uniformity throughout India in the administration of the said Act.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 4179 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-20
Subject: Shortage of Containers for Export
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Shri Maddila Gurumoorthy

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4179

ANSWERED ON 20.12.2024

## SHORTAGE OF CONTAINERS FOR EXPORT

4179. SHRI MADDILA GURUMOORTHY:

Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state: पȅन , पोत पįरवहन और जलमागŊ मंũी

- (a) whether the Government has taken note of the issue of shortage of containers for export;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  steps  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  to address the problem; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) There  is  no  acute  shortage  of  containers  as  reported.  The  long  voyage time due to ships taking longer routes through Cape of Good Hope has impacted global trade, including Indian exports. This has resulted in increased time for goods to reach international markets.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4177 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-20
Subject: Rise in Cases of Hepatitis-C
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4177 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2024

## RISE IN CASES OF HEPATITIS -C

## 4177: SHRI GURMEET SINGH MEET HAYER:

Will the Minister of HEALTHAND FAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that according to a recent report, young men and women in Punjab are at the highest risk for Hepatitis C, primarily due to unsafe medical practices and unsterilized equipment and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the specific measures implemented by the Government to address these risks for the said groups;
- (c) whether the Government has conducted any research to understand its causes and spread in the said State and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the manner in which the Government helps in improving awareness, early diagnosis and treatment to curb this public health issue?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYAPATEL)

(a) to (d) The Government of India (GoI) launched National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (NVHCP) under the aegis of National Health Mission (NHM) in 2018. Under NVHCP free diagnostics and drugs are being made available to all including young men and women in need for treatment of hepatitis C. The above scheme has been implemented in all the districts of Punjab.

- (i) Awareness campaigns are being carried every year amongst general population on risks factors for HCV infections and where to go for testing and treatment.
- (ii) Every year training sessions are held with medical officers regarding diagnosing HCV infections early on and standard treatment protocol to be followed. This helps in strengthening diagnosis and improves treatment outcomes.

(iii) Peer Supports have been appointed in all 23 districts in Punjab to counsel HCV and HBVpatients so that they complete their treatment and also avoid risk factors that will make them prone to re-infection and spreading infection to others.

*****