opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 944 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-08
Subject: QR Code on Food Products for Visually Impaired Persons
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Devji Mansingram Patel, Saikia Dilip, Ranjeetsingh Naik Nimbalkar

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.944 TO BE ANSWERED ON 8 th  DECEMBER, 2023

## QR CODE ON FOOD PRODUCTS FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED PERSONS

## 944 . SHRI DEVJI M. PATEL:

SHRI DILIP SAIKIA:

SHRI RANJEETSINGH NAIK NIMBALKAR:

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

(a) whether the Government has taken any measures to implement the FSSAI's recommendation  to  include  QR  codes  on  food  products  for  enhancing  accessibility  for visually impaired individuals;

- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has decided on a fixed timeline for the implementation of this initiative and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  the  steps  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  so  far  to  implement  this recommendation?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (d):  In  order  to  enhance  the  accessibility  of  information  by  Visually  impaired individuals, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued an advisory on 12.10.2023 wherein Food  Business Operators (FBOs)  are encouraged  to incorporate provisions that facilitate easy access to nutritional information  for  visually  impaired individuals.  One  effective  means  to  achieve  this  is  by  incorporating  Quick  Response  (QR) codes on product lables.

Use of QR codes to enhance accessibility of information is voluntary in nature and above mentioned advisory was issued to encourage FBOs to adopt inclusive approach while designing their food labels.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 943 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-08
Subject: Court Halls and Residential Complexes
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Jual Oram

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.943

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 08 TH  DECEMBER, 2023

## Court Halls and Residential Complexes

## 943. SHRI JUAL ORAM:

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

- (a) the total number of court halls constructed during the last three years;
- (b)  the  total  number  of  new  court  halls  commissioned/functional  during  the period; and
- (c)  the  total  number  of  residential  complexes  constructed  for  judicial  officers and made available for allotment to them during the said period?

## ANSWER

## THE 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  (c):  As  per  information  made  available  by  the  High  Courts  against  the sanctioned strength of 25,420 and working strength of 20,017 Judicial Officers, 21,507 Court Halls and 18,882 Residential Units are available in the District and Subordinate Courts as on 05.12.2023. Moreover, 3,113 Court Halls and 1,812 Residential Units are under construction.

The total number of court halls and residential units constructed during the last three years and current financial year is as under:

| Financial Year                 |   Court Halls Constructed |   Residential Units Constructed |
|--------------------------------|---------------------------|---------------------------------|
| 2020-21                        |                       343 |                             188 |
| 2021-22                        |                       420 |                             225 |
| 2022-23                        |                       414 |                             374 |
| 2023-24 (Up to November, 2023) |                       138 |                              60 |
| Total                          |                      1315 |                             847 |

Source: MIS Portal, Department of Justice.

The  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  for  Development  of  Infrastructure Facilities  for  Judiciary  allows  only  for  new  constructions  and  upgradations  or renovation of existing  court  buildings  and  residential  complexes.  The  Scheme now also covers the construction of Lawyers' Halls, Digital Computer Rooms and Toilet Complexes in the District and Subordinate Courts. Commissioning of the newly constructed court halls and making them functional is the responsibility  of  the  concerned  State  Governments  and  the  respective  High Courts.

As on 30.11.2023 a sum of Rs. 10403.47 crore has been released under the Scheme so far since its inception, out of which Rs. 6959.16 crore (66.89 %) has been released since 2014-15.  The Scheme has been extended from 2021-22 to 2025-26 with a budgetary outlay of Rs. 9000 crore including Central share of Rs. 5307.00 crore.
Lok Sabha Question No. 940 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-08
Subject: Rationalizing NFHS
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Mitesh Rameshbhai (Bakabhai) Patel, Shardaben Anilbhai Patel

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 940 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2023

## RATIONALIZING NFHS

## 940. SHRI MITESH RAMESHBHAI PATEL (BAKABHAI): SHRIMATI SHARDABEN ANILBHAI PATEL:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) the number of people involved in the last survey of National Family Health Survey;

(b) whether it is a fact that NFHS is mostly urban/semi urban-centric and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government proposes to broaden the horizon of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) in order to get a larger picture of National Family Health Survey Reports and if so, the steps taken in this regard; and

(d) whether it is a fact that the span of survey and number of people involved are disproportionate and there is a need to rationalise it and if so, the details of the steps taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE

## (DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a) to (d): Total 9745 people were involved in the last survey i.e. NFHS-5.

The NFHS is based on an objective and scientific sampling design with a representative sample providing urban and rural estimates at National, State and District level. In NFHS-5 (2019-21), a total of 6,36,699 households were surveyed across India, comprising of 4,76,561 households in Rural areas and 1,60,138 households in Urban areas.

The scope of NFHS is enhanced in every round, taking into consideration the emerging issues in health and family welfare domain of the country, requirement of quality data for tracking the ongoing programmes and formulating new policies, and suggestions from various stakeholders, after detailed deliberations in the Technical Advisory Committee and other high-level committees comprising of representatives from concerned Central Ministries and domain knowledge experts.

The span of the survey and the number of people involved are not disproportionate. Each round of NFHS survey is planned and executed based on the requirements by considering all the protocols of survey. The NFHS survey is carried out in two phases. Each phase comprises of a mapping and listing activity in each of the selected primary sampling units in the States wherein each residential household is listed, which is followed by the main survey in selected households. The manpower involved in the survey are engaged through Field Agencies and decided as per set protocols.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 937 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-08
Subject: Container Shipping Hub
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Sudarshan Bhagat, Ranjeeta Koli, Pallab Lochan Das, Mohanbhai Kalyanji Kundariya, Dipsinh Shankarsinh Rathod, Dushyant Singh, Himadri Singh, Bidyut Baran Mahato, Prathap Simha, Parbatbhai Savabhai Patel

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 937

ANSWERED ON 08.12.2023

## CONTAINER SHIPPING HUB

937.    SHRI SUDARSHAN BHAGAT:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

SHRIMATI RANJEETA KOLI:

SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH:

SHRI PARBATBHAI SAVABHAI PATEL:

SHRI PALLAB LOCHAN DAS:

SHRI MOHANBHAI KALYANJI KUNDARIYA:

SHRI DIPSINH SHANKARSINH RATHOD:

SHRI PRATHAP SIMHA:

SHRIMATI HIMADRI SINGH:

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

## पȅन , पोतपįरवहनऔरजलमागŊमंũी

- (a) the  details  on  the  latest  partnerships  formed  by  the  Government  aiming  to enhance  trade links for regions in Northern,  Western,  and  Central India with international markets;
- (b) the  initiatives  to  establish  a  strategic  container  shipping  hub  in  a  significant location like Galathea Bay, Great Nicobar;
- (c) the  details  of  the  recent  volume  of  traffic  managed  at  Major  Ports  in  recent years; and
- (d) the  details  about  recent unveiling  of the  NLP Marine Port  Health  Organization (PHO) Module and its importance in maritime activities?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Ministry is focusing on creating market enabling environment for trade. Ports act as gateways for International Trade. Ports are moving towards PPP model wherein the terminals/ berths are operated by Private Operators who  have experience in international  terminal/  berth  operations.  These  concessionaires  act  as  a  link  towards augmenting  trade  relations  between  hinterland  and  international  market  through shipping lines.

(b) Under the Holistic Development Plan for Great Nicobar Islands of Andaman & Nicobar  Islands,  Ministry  of  Ports,  Shipping  &  Waterways  is  entrusted  with  the responsibility  of  development  of  an  International  Container  Transshipment  Hub  at Galathea Bay in Great Nicobar Islands.

- (c) The details of traffic handled at Major Ports during the last three years are given below:-

| Year    |   Traffic (in Million Tonnes) |
|---------|-------------------------------|
| 2022-23 |                        795    |
| 2021-22 |                        720.05 |
| 2020-21 |                        672.68 |

(d) The  Port  Health  Organisation  (PHO)  module  under  SAGAR  SETU  -  National Logistics Portal (Marine) has been launched by the Ministry. PHO will now be used to grant permission to ships to enter or leave the ports through this module online which will be bring in transparency, efficiency and Ease of Doing Business (EODB).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 934 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-08
Subject: Trade Diplomacy
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Ritesh Pandey

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-934

ANSWERED ON- 08/12/2023

## TRADE DIPLOMACY

934. SHRI RITESH PANDEY

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

(a) whether the Government has noticed India's declining performance in the area of trade diplomacy in recent years and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(b) the details on India's major trade deals signed since 2019 along with the quantum of trade deals negotiated since 2019, year-wise;

(c) whether the Government is aware of rising competitors in the Asian Region with Vietnam being titled the 'Trade Celebrity Nation' and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government plans to draft a comprehensive policy framework to build India's global trade network and widen its international presence and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(e) whether the Government is contemplating creating a conducive policy framework that attracts the international companies who are leaving China to set up their plants in India over Southeast Asian nations, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

(DR. RAJKUMAR RANJAN SINGH)

(a to e) The government has noted that far from a declining performance, India's trade diplomacy is expanding and growing every year. India's bilateral trade in merchandise and

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service sector continues to increase steadily. India has entered into a number of engagements with its trading partners to build India's global trade network. India   has   signed   trade   agreements   with   several   countries   since   2019,   including Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with United Arab Emirates (UAE) in   2022, India-Australia   Economic   Cooperation   and   Trade   Agreement   in   2022   and Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement with Mauritius in 2021. The government monitors economic situation across the world and take steps to widen its international trade presence. The government has made series of policy initiatives to attract international companies such as liberal FDI policies, introduction of Goods and Services Tax, reduction in corporate tax, improving ease of doing business, Make in India, Production Linked Incentive Scheme and the National Logistics Policy etc.
Lok Sabha Question No. 931 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-08
Subject: Display of Patients Rights
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Vishnu Dutt Sharma

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 931 TO BE ANSWERED ON 8 TH DECEMBER, 2023

## DISPLAY OF PATIENTS RIGHTS

## 931. SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is true that hospitals in the country display panels of IPC, CrPC and other related penal provisions that are applicable to errant patients and their attendants who resort to violence against hospital staff and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has any plans to make it mandatory for the Government and private hospitals to display the statutory duties of hospitals and its staff along with statutory rights of patients and their attendants as well; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

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

- (a) to (c) In order to prevent violence against doctors & other healthworkers and for inculcating an effective sense of security among all healthworkers on duty, following measures have been issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to all the States/Union Territories:
- i) security of sensitive hospitals to be managed by a designated and trained force,
- ii) installation of CCTV cameras and round the clock Quick Reaction Teams with effective communication/security gadgets particularly at Casualty, Emergency and areas having high footfalls,
- iii) well-equipped centralized control room for monitoring and quick response,

iv) entry restriction for undesirable persons,

- v) institutional FIR against assaulters,

vi) display of legislation protecting doctors in every hospital and police station, vii) appointment of Nodal Officer to monitor medical negligence,

viii) expeditious filling up of vacant posts of doctors and para-medical staff in hospitals/Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to avoid excessive burden/pressure on doctors and to maintain global doctor-patient ratio, ix) better infrastructural facilities and medical equipment and provision of extra monetary incentive for the doctors and para medical staff serving in hard/remote areas as compared to major and metro cities with better career prospects, etc.

Health and Law & Order being State subjects, it is for the respective State/Union Territory Government to implement and monitor the Charter of Patients' Rights and Responsibilities (As approved by National Council for Clinical Establishments). The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued a letter to all States/UTs for adoption of 'Dos and Don'ts' of Patients' Rights and Responsibilities, so that fundamental grievances and concerns of patients are addressed while ensuring smooth and cordial environment in clinical establishments.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 930 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-08
Subject: Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO)
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Raghu Ramakrishna Raju Kanumuru

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 930 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08 TH DECEMBER, 2023

## CENTRALDRUGS STANDARDS CONTROLORGANISATION (CDSCO)

## 930: SHRI KANUMURU RAGHU RAMAKRISHNARAJU:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any details of processing applications received by Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) HQ/Zonal Offices since 1970 along with inviting stakeholders to seek opinion and to give clarifications on up-to-date regulatory requirements and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether CDSCO/DCGI have framed fixed timelines and interacted with stakeholders and resolved issues related to various applications and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether CDSCO/DCGI have updated information in the public domain/website related to approvals, applications, meetings, Minutes of the Meetings, etc. from time to time and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether it is a fact that due to delays in the approval processes, unnecessary queries, nonavailability of updated information, etc., Indian companies that manufacture medicines/products are facing lot of difficulties and are unable to export the same on time thereby losing marketing opportunities and revenue generation; and
- (e) whether it is a fact that a number of companies are facing losses and closure and if so, the details thereof along with corrective steps taken/proposed to be taken till now?

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

- (a): The details of various drugs/ medicine products including vaccine/ r-DNA products etc. approved by CDSCO are available on CDSCO website.
- (b) Procedures for processing of various applications received in CDSCO are provided under the provisions of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules. The concerned Rules/office orders are available on the CDSCO website. The links are: (https://cdsco.gov.in/opencms/opencms/en/Acts-and-rules/)

(https://cdsco.gov.in/opencms/opencms/en/Notifications/Circulars/) CDSCO and its offices have consultations with stakeholders to resolve their issues.

(c): Various approvals/ Circulars/ Office-orders/ Minutes of various meeting like Minutes of Subject Expert Committee (SEC)/ Drug Consultative Committee (DCC)/ Drug Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) are uploaded on CDSCO website. The links of website are -(https://cdsco.gov.in/opencms/opencms/en/Notifications/Circulars/) (https://cdsco.gov.in/opencms/opencms/en/Committees/)

(d) & (e): Permissions/approvals for drugs are granted by CDSCO as per Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules framed based on each case.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 924 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-08
Subject: Pension Scheme for Teachers of Sainik Schools
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: S. Muniswamy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF   DEFENCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 924

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08 th  December, 2023

## PENSION SCHEME FOR TEACHERS OF SAINIK SCHOOLS

924. SHRI S. MUNISWAMY:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the Pension Scheme lacunas faced by the old teachers of 33 Sainik schools along with the current system existing in these schools;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to look into these anomalies to help the deserving retired teachers of these schools; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## A  N  S  W  E  R

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI AJAY BHATT)

(a)  to  (d):    As  per  the  scheme  regarding  sharing  of  responsibilities  between  Sainik  School Society and State Governments, the responsibility to incur expenditure towards pension/terminal benefits rests with the State Government  concerned. However,  the expenditure towards additionality in pension on account of difference between 5 th  to 7 th  CPC recommendations is incurred by the Sainik School Society on a regular basis.

Some instances have come to notice regarding delay in payment of pension/terminal benefits to retired employees of Sainik Schools due to delay in release of funds by concerned State Government. In order to ensure timely release of Funds, Ministry of Defence has initiated the process of signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the State Governments by clearly specifying the aforesaid responsibility of State Government. In this regard, MoAs have already been executed in respect of 24 Sainik Schools out of 33. Also, in cases of exigency, the Sainik Schools may utilize reserve fund, with prior approval of Sainik Schools Society, for payment of pension subject to recoupment on receipt of funds from State Government.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 923 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-08
Subject: Global Hunger Index
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Mala Roy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.923

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2023

## GLOBAL HUNGER INDEX

## 923.   SHRIMATI MALA ROY:

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that millions of people in India go hungry every day because they live in abject poverty;
- (b) if so, the reason for contesting findings of the Global Hunger Index reports; and
- (c) if not, the need for extending the free ration scheme?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to (c) The  Government  is  implementing  the  National  Food  Security  Act (NFSA), which provides for coverage upto 75% of rural population and upto 50% of urban  population  for  receiving  highly  subsidized  foodgrains  under  Targeted  Public Distribution  System  (TPDS),  thus  covering  about  two-thirds  of  the  total  population which as per Census 2011 comes to 81.35 crore persons.  Coverage under the Act is substantially high to ensure that all the vulnerable and needy sections of the society get its benefit.

The Central Government, in order to remove the financial burden of the poor beneficiaries and to ensure nationwide uniformity and effective implementation of the Act, has decided to continue to provide free foodgrains to about 81.35 crore NFSA beneficiaries at an approximate cost of Rs. 11.80 lakh crore under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojna (PMGKAY) for a period of five years with effect from 1 st January 2024.

There  is  no  report  from  any  State/UT  on  people  going  hungry  every  day because of abject poverty. The effective implementation of TPDS and schemes like Ujjwala is ensuring that no one in the country goes hungry due to lack of food.

Global Hunger Index continues to be a flawed measure of 'Hunger' and does not reflect India's true position. The index is an erroneous measure of hunger and suffers from serious methodological issues. Three out of the four indicators used for calculation of the index are related to health of children and cannot be representative of  the  entire  population.  The  fourth  and  most  important  indicator  'Proportion  of Undernourished (PoU) population' is based on an opinion poll conducted on a very small sample size of 3000.

*****