opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4718 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Multimodal Logistics Parks
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Shri K C Venugopal

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4718

ANSWERED ON 28.03.2025

## MULTIMODAL LOGISTICS PARKS

4718.  SHRI K C VENUGOPAL:

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

- (a)  the  number  of  Multimodal  Logistics  Parks  (MMLPs)  being  set  up  in  'port  cities' underPhase I and II of Bharatmala, State-wise;
- (b) the amount of funds being allocated for setting up of these MMLPs, State-wise;
- (c)the details of the range of services which these MMLPs would offer to the existing ports;
- (d) whether  a  Public  Private Partnership  (PPP)  mode  is  likely to  be  used  to operationalize them; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof, State-wise?

## ANSWER

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

(a)& (b) Under BharatmalaPariyojana of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways,six Multi Modal Logistics Parks (MMLPs) are to be developed inthe following 'port cities':-

|   Sr.No. | Port Cities   | State          |
|----------|---------------|----------------|
|        1 | Chennai       | TamilNadu      |
|        2 | Mumbai        | Maharashtra    |
|        3 | Kolkata       | West Bengal    |
|        4 | Cochin        | Kerala         |
|        5 | Visakhapatnam | Andhra Pradesh |
|        6 | Kandla        | Gujarat        |

The total Authority Cost for development of MMLP Chennai is Rs.641.92 crore. For  the  remaining  5  MMLPs,  no  funds  have  been  earmarked  as  the  studies  are  in various stages.There is no Phase II development for MMLPs.

- (c) MMLPs are  designed  to  enhance  the  efficiency  of  logistics  and  supply  chain management, especially by integrating various modes of transportation. These MMLPs offer a range of services to optimize port operations and improve the overall logistics framework for existing ports such as:-
-  Warehousing and Storage Solutions
-  Transportation and Freight Handling
-  Customs and Regulatory Services
-  Value-Added Services
-  Infrastructure and Connectivity
-  Environmental Sustainability Services
-  Security

(d)& (e)As per the policy of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, MMLPs are to be  developed  under  BharatmalaPariyojanainPublic  Private  Partnership  (PPP)  mode, with a concession period of 45 years.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4717 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Prices of Essential Medicines
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Shri Balya Mama Suresh Gopinath Mhatre

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †4717

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28 th  MARCH, 2025

## Prices of Essential Medicines

## †4717. Shri Balya Mama Suresh Gopinath Mhatre:

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken note that the prices of essential medicines have increased in the country which is a matter of concern for the public;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is taking any steps to stop the growing monopoly of corporate companies in the pharmaceutical industry, if so, the details thererof;
- (d) whether the Government is investigating artificially created shortage of drugs and black marketing thereof in the pharma sector, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the number of people benefited from the Government's Jan Aushadhi Yojana so far, Statewise?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE  MINISTRY  OF  CHEMICALS  AND FERTILIZERS

(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

(a) and (b): The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) notifies the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM), from time to time, which is included in Schedule-I of Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 (DPCO, 2013). The NLEM, 2022 was notified by MoHFW on 13.09.2022  and  was  duly  incorporated  in  the  revised  Schedule-I  of  the  DPCO,  2013.  The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) under the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) is mandated to fix the ceiling prices for the medicines included in revised Schedule-I of DPCO  2013  as  per  the  provisions  of  DPCO,  2013.    The  average  price  reduction  due  to refixation  of  prices  under  the  NLEM,  2022  is  about  17%,  leading  to  annual  savings  of approximately ₹3,788 crore to patients.  Further,  as per the provisions of DPCO, 2013, the ceiling prices of scheduled medicines are revised annually on the basis of Wholesale Price Index (WPI) (All commodities) for the preceding calendar year, on or before the 1 st of April of every  year.  The  ceiling  prices  of  scheduled  medicines  for  the  financial  year  2024-25  were increased  by  0.00551%  with  effect  from  1.4.2024,  based  on  annual  change  in  WPI  (All commodities).

- (c): The Department is not in receipt of any report regarding such monopoly.
- (d): The availability of medicines is regularly monitored by the NPPA mainly through Drugs Control Administration of State Governments, Price Monitoring Resource Units (PMRUs), etc.

NPPA has informed that it is not in receipt of any report regarding such artificially created shortage of drugs or black marketing thereof.

(e): It is estimated that on an average of 10 to 12 lakh people visit Jan Aushadhi Kendras daily and avail the benefits of quality medicine at cheaper rates. State- and Union-territory-wise data in this regard is not centrally maintained.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4715 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Transfer of Defence Lands in Telangana
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Shri Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, Shri Suresh Kumar Shetkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4715

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28 th  March, 2025

## TRANSFER OF DEFENCE LANDS IN TELANGANA

## 4715. SHRI SURESH KUMAR SHETKAR: SHRI CHAMALA KIRAN KUMAR REDDY:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

(a)  whether the Government of Telangana has sent proposals to the Union Government for transfer of defence lands to the development of critical infrastructure in Greater Hyderabad Municipal  Corporation  (GHMC)  and  Hyderabad  Metropolitan  Development  Authority (HMDA) areas; and

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken by the Government thereon?

## A  N  S  W  E  R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI SANJAY SETH)

(a) & (b):  During the period from 01.01.2022 to 28.02.2025, requests for working permission on defence land for 13 infrastructure projects have been received from State Government of Telangana  or  organizations  under  their  administrative  control.  Out  of  these,  working permissions  have already  been  granted  by  MoD in  07  projects.  In  case  of  02  projects,  the applications have been closed in consultation with the State Government.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4714 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: AYUSH OPD and Mobile Health Units
Ministry: AYUSH
Asked by: Smt. Mahima Kumari Mewar, Smt. Smita Uday Wagh, Shri Chhatrapal Singh Gangwar

†4714.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4714 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2025

## AYUSH OPD and Mobile Health Units

Shri Chhatrapal Singh Gangwar: Smt. Mahima Kumari Mewar: Smt. Smita Uday Wagh:

Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of AYUSH OPDs and Mobile Health Units deployed by the Government during the Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj in 2025;
- (b) the total number of beneficiaries who received healthcare services during the Maha Kumbh 2025;
- (c) whether the Government organized any yoga or wellness sessions at the Maha Kumbh 2025;
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the nature, scale and impact of these sessions; and
- (e) the details of the proposed plans and initiatives for AYUSH healthcare services including OPDs,  mobile  units  and  wellness  programmes  for  the  upcoming  Kumbh  Mela  in  Nashik, Maharashtra in 2027?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

- (a) & (b) Public Health being a State subject, deployment of Ayush OPDs and Mobile Health Units  in  Maha  Kumbh  comes  under  the  purview  of  respective  State  Government.  As  per information received from State Government of Uttar Pradesh, 21 Ayush OPDs and 01 Mobile Health Unit were deployed and 735997 number of beneficiaries availed health services through different Ayush intervention at Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj in 2025.

(c) & (d) Dedicated Yoga sessions were held twice a day, with one session in the morning and another in the evening. In addition to regular Yoga sessions, specialized Yoga therapy sessions were  also  conducted  for  individuals  suffering  from  specific  diseases.  A  customized  Yoga protocol was followed to address the diverse needs of the participants. The protocol ensured that all aspects of Yoga were covered. Over the course of the training period, thousands of people participated in the Yoga sessions. The sessions were well-received and attended by a diverse group of individuals. In addition to that as reported by State Government, Yoga related activities has been conducted in the established different Ayush health facilities of Maha Kumbha for providing benefits to the Pilgrims with respect to their health related issues.

(e) Ministry of Ayush has no plans and initiatives for the upcoming Kumbh Mela in Nashik, Maharashtra in 2027, as of now.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4708 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: PM PRANAM Scheme
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Dr. Manna Lal Rawat

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4708 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 28.03.2025

## PM-PRANAM Scheme

## 4708. DR. MANNA LAL RAWAT:

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

- (a) whether the Government has launched Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth (PM PRANAM) Scheme in order to promote alternative fertilizers in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether said scheme has helped in minimizing consumption of chemical fertilizers in the country;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the details of the farmers benefited under this scheme district wise in Rajasthan?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): The  Cabinet  Committee  on  Economic  Affairs  (CCEA),  on  June  28,  2023, approved  the  'PM  Programme  for  Restoration,  Awareness  Generation,  Nourishment, and Amelioration of Mother-Earth (PM-PRANAM).'
- (b)  to  (e):    This  initiative  aims  to  support  the  mass  movement  initiated  by  States  and Union Territories (UTs) to preserve the health of Mother Earth through the promotion of sustainable and balanced fertilizer use, adoption of alternative fertilizers, promotion of organic  farming,  and  implementation  of  resource  conservation  technologies. All States/UTs,  including  the  State  of  Rajasthan,  are  covered  under  the  PM-PRANAM scheme.  Under the PM-PRANAM scheme, there is a provision to provide incentives to States/UTs for reduction of consumption of chemical fertilizers (Urea, DAP, NPK, MOP) in a given financial year, compared to the average consumption over the previous three years, equivalent to 50% of the fertilizer subsidy saved.  Under PM-PRANAM, 14 states have shown a reduction of 15.14 LMT in consumption of chemical fertilizers during FY 2023-24  as  compared  to  the  average  consumption  of  previous  3  financial  years. However,  Rajasthan  has  not  achieved  any  reduction  on  consumption  of  chemical fertilizers.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4707 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Development of Cruise Tourism
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Shri Aditya Yadav

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4707

ANSWERED ON 28.03.2025

## DEVELOPMENT OF CRUISE TOURISM

4707.SHRI ADITYA YADAV:

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the fact that cruise tourism in the country is still an unexplored, niche sector;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the  steps  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  to  create  an  enabling ecosystem for the development of Cruise Tourism in India keeping in mind that at present Indian represents just one percent of the overall international cruising sector?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to  (c)  The  Government of India has launched Cruise Bharat Mission (CBM) on 30 th September,  2024.  CBM  provides  for  a  framework  for  inter-ministerial  approach  for  crafting interventions along policy, regulatory, and other aspects governing cruise sector and enable responsible  involvement  of  all  regulatory  agencies,  such  as  Customs,  Immigration,  CISF, State  Tourism  Departments,  State  Maritime  Agencies,  District  Administrations,  and  local police.
- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4698 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Post-Independence Agreements  with Neighbouring Countries
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Dr. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-4698

ANSWERED ON- 28/03/2025

POST-INDEPENDENCE AGREEMENTS WITH NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES 4698. DR. ANGOMCHA BIMOL AKOIJAM

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

(a) whether any agreements have been signed post-independence between India and neighbouring countries involving the ceding or acquisition of land;

(b) if so, the details of such agreements including the countries involved, terms of the agreement and the impact on India's territorial boundaries; and

(c) whether any agreements have been modified, terminated, or rescinded post-independence and if so, the details thereof including the reasons for such actions?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA)

(a) to (c) Pursuant to the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) 1974 and its Protocol of 2011, 51 erstwhile Bangladeshi enclaves in India and 111

erstwhile Indian enclaves in Bangladesh were physically transferred to the other country with effect from the midnight of 31 July 2015.

With regard to Bhutan, as per the Treaty of Perpetual Peace and Friendship signed in 1949, India agreed to return to the Government of Bhutan about 32 Sq. miles of territory in the area known as Dewangiri. Pursuant to the Treaty, a territory measuring 32.81 sq. miles lying to the south of Bhutan was ceded to Bhutan as per the Assam (Alteration of Boundaries) Act, 1951. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4694 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: New Export Regulations in Pharmaceutical Sector
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Shri Azad Kirti Jha

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4694 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28 TH  MARCH 2025

## New Export Regulations in Pharmaceutical Sector

## 4694. Shri Azad Kirti Jha:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  assessed  the  impact  of  the  recent  amendment  requiring  a product  registration  certificate  from  the  importing  country  or  approval  from  the  Indian regulator for issuing export NOCs to the pharmaceutical sector; (b) if so, the details and outcome of the assessment, including its anticipated effects on the country's pharmaceutical exports, particularly on trade volume and market competitiveness; (c)  whether  the  Government  has  considered  the  concerns  raised  by  industry  stakeholders regarding the potential trade diversion to other countries with less stringent regulations; (d)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  whether  the  Government  is  considering  any  measures  to safeguard the competitiveness of Indian pharmaceutical exports; and (e) whether the Government plans to review or modify the amendment in consultation with
- industry representatives, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE  MINISTRY  OF  CHEMICALS  AND FERTILIZERS

(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

(a) to (e): The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has informed that in order to address recent concerns regarding export of unapproved drugs, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has initiated the process of issuing export No Objection Certificate (NOC) for unapproved drugs / approved new drugs based on product registration certificate from the National Regulatory Authority of the importing country or approval from the CDSCO, if the National Regulatory Authority is not available. These measures are aimed at ensuring smooth export operation for legitimate medicines to be used to support healthcare globally and strongly controlling illegal or unethical export of unapproved or potentially harmful drugs, with a  view  to  address  the  root  cause  of  problems  related  to  export  of  unapproved  drugs.  The Ministry  has  further  informed  that  no  proposal  to  review  or  modify  the  same  is  under consideration or planned.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4692 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Delay in DRDO Projects
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Shri Zia Ur Rehman, Smt. Sanjna Jatav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEFENCE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4692

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28 th  March, 2025

## DELAY IN DRDO PROJECTS

4692. SHRI ZIA UR REHMAN: SMT. SANJNA JATAV:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the fact that the country's premier defence research agency Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has been plagued by systemic problems that have consistently resulted in inordinate delays and cost overruns;

(b) if so, the details of the remedial steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard;

(c) whether the DRDO has shifted its focus away from defence research and over-extending itself into other areas by taking up too many projects; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## A  N  S  W  E  R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI SANJAY SETH)

(a) to  (d):    In  view  of  complexities  and  high  uncertainties  involved  in  the  research  & development of State-of-the-Art defence technologies, estimating exact time and cost for the completion of any defence R&D Project is a continuous process. The Areas of research are identified based on Long Term Technology Perspective Plan (LTTPP), Long Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTIPP), DRDO Five Years Plan (FYP), Vision Document and Roadmap.

In addition following new initiatives have been taken: -

-  DRDO has identified specific areas of technology development that it has transferred to the industry and DRDO is not undertaking projects in those areas.
-  Mission  Mode  Projects  are  taken  only  after  Acceptance  of  Necessity  (AoN)  by Defence  Acquisition  Council  (DAC)  or  Defence  Procurement  Board  (DPB)  or Services Procurement Board (SPB).
-  DRDO is committed to support the Indian Defence industry, emphasizing that it is not duplicating efforts undertaken by the private sector. With the Mission: 'What Industry can  do,  DRDO  will  not  do ' ,  DRDO  primarily  concentrate  on  the  design  and development of critical and advanced technologies as well as complex systems which industry does not do due to high risk or high cost.

-  DRDO has a 10 years roadmap which is reviewed and revised to ensure that projects are taken from focus areas and are based on resources available.
-  DRDO-Industry-Academia Centres of Excellence (DIA-CoE) are providing support to DRDO labs and industry to carry out directed research in critical and futuristic areas related to Defence applications.
-  DRDO has undertaken a comprehensive revamp of its procedures and processes in its policy  documents  i.e.  Delegation  of  Financial  Powers,  Procurement  Manual  and Directives for  Project  Formulation  and  Management.  These are  revised,  making it simpler  for  faster  decision  making  along  with  decentralization.  This  leads  to improvement  and  enhancement  in  overall  efficiency  and  effectiveness  of  the organisation.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4687 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Release and Safety of detained Indian Nationals in Russia
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Hibi Eden

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 4687 ANSWERED ON - 28/03/2025

## RELEASE AND SAFETY OF DETAINED INDIAN NATIONALS IN RUSSIA 4687 SHRI HIBI EDEN

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

(a) whether the Government has data of the total number of identified Indian nationals who were detained by the Russian Army and if so, the details thereof including the date of their identification;

(b) whether the Government has data of the dates of repatriation to India for those Indian nationals who have been released so far, if so, the details thereof including specific arrangements, if any, made for their return;

(c) whether there are any applications still pending for the release of Indian nationals held by the Russian Army, if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether it is true that approximately sixteen Indian nationals still remain in the custody of the Russian Army, if so, the details thereof; and

(e)   whether   the   Government   has   secured/fixed   any   timeline   or commitment from the Russian authorities regarding the expected date for the release of  the remaining Indian nationals, if  so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e) As per information available,  there were 127 Indian nationals in   the   Russian   armed   forces,   out   of   which,   the   services   of   97 individuals were discontinued, as a result of sustained engagement, including   at   the   highest   levels,   between   the   Indian   and   Russian Governments on this matter. Following the discontinuation of service of   Indian   nationals   in   the   Russian   armed   forces,   the   Indian Mission/Posts in Russia assisted them in their return to India, including through   facilitation   of   travel   documents   and   providing   air   tickets, wherever required.

According to available information, 18 Indian nationals remain in the Russian armed forces, out of which 16 individuals have been reported missing by the Russian side. The Russian authorities concerned have been urged to provide an update on such individuals and also ensure their   safety,   well-being   and   early   discharge.   In   August   2024,   the Russian side announced that the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation has stopped admitting Indian nationals in its armed forces since April 2024.

*****