opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 406 (STARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Crime against Minority Communities in Pakistan
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Arun Kumar Sagar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO- 406

ANSWERED ON 28.03.2025

## CRIME AGAINST MINORITY COMMUNITIES IN PAKISTAN

†*406 SHRI ARUN KUMAR SAGAR

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

(a) whether the Government is aware of the heinous crimes being committed continuously against the people belonging to the minority communities in Pakistan;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has taken/proposes to take any steps at international level to provide security to the minority communities living in Pakistan and to protect their religious places; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## (DR. SUBRAHMANYAM JAISHANKAR)

## (a) to (d) A statement is laid on the table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (D) OF THE LOK   SABHA   STARRED   QUESTION   NO.   †*406   FOR   REPLY   ON 28.03.2025 REGARDING CRIME AGAINST MINORITY COMMUNITIES IN PAKISTAN ASKED BY SHRI ARUN KUMAR SAGAR

The  Government   of   India,   has   regularly   come   across   reports   of atrocities committed against the minority communities in Pakistan, including   various   incidents   of   intimidation,   persecution,   killing, abduction, forced conversions and forced marriages.

It is the responsibility of the Government of Pakistan to discharge its constitutional obligations towards its citizens, including those from the minority communities. Based on the reports of atrocities against minorities in Pakistan, the Government of India has, from time to time, taken up the matter with the Government of Pakistan and asked it to take steps to protect and to promote the safety, security and the well being of its minority communities.

India   has,   on   several   occasions,   highlighted   the   conditions   of minorities and violation of their human rights in Pakistan, including at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 403 (STARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Establishment of Yoga and Naturopathy Centre
Ministry: AYUSH
Asked by: Shri Vishnu Datt Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.403 FOR 28.03.2025

## ESTABLISHMENT OF YOGA AND NATUROPATHY CENTRE

## *403.SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA:

Will the Minister of Ayush be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is making efforts to establish a Yoga and Naturopathy centre on land identified in Khairon village of district Chhatarpur in Khajuraho Parliamentary Constituency;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the progress made and proposed timelines of the project, if any; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c)  A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO 403 FOR 28 th  MARCH, 2025

## Answer: (a) to (c)

At present, there is no proposal under consideration in the Ministry of Ayush to establish a  Yoga and Naturopathy centre on land identified in Khairon village of district Chhatarpur in Khajuraho Parliamentary Constituency.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 402 (STARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Ayurveda Institutions under Ayushman Scheme
Ministry: AYUSH
Asked by: Shri Mukesh Rajput

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. 402 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2025

## Ayurveda Institutions under Ayushman Scheme

## †*402. Shri Mukesh Rajput:

Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Ayurveda institutions have been included under the Ayushman Scheme;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether a beneficiary of Ayushman Scheme can get treated at any Ayurveda institution in the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

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

## The Statement referred in reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 402 for 28.03.2025

(a) to (d) Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) aims to provide health cover  of  Rs.  5.00  Lakhs  per  family  per  year  for  secondary  and  tertiary  care  hospitalization  to approximately 55 Crore beneficiaries corresponding to 12.37 Crore families constituting the bottom 40% of India's population.

Addition of the new packages to the National Health Benefits Packages is done by Medical Expert committees set up for different specialties comprising of experts from leading institutions.

The committee assesses the need for the inclusion of the new package evaluating the clinical relevance, cost-effectiveness, and overall impact of the proposed packages on patient care and health outcomes. The committee also finalises the standard treatment guidelines and required documentation to guide healthcare  providers  and  streamline  the  claims  process.  Recommendations  of  the  committee  are reviewed by the Health Policy and Quality Assurance Division of National Health Authority (NHA) and after consultation with the State Health Authorities, the packages are finalized for inclusion in the National Health Benefits Package with approval of the competent authority. Inclusion of new packages is an ongoing process. The Ayush packages are not included in Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PM JAY).

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4828 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Establishment of Dry Port in Nashik
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Shri Rajabhau Parag Prakash Waje

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-4828

ANSWERED ON 28/03/2025

## ESTABLISHMENT OF DRY PORT IN NASHIK

4828.    SHRI RAJABHAU PARAG PRAKASH WAJE:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the long-pending proposal for establishing a Dry Port in Nashik to strengthen export infrastructure for local industries and farmers and if so, the status thereof: (b) whether  land  acquisition  problems  have  delayed  the  project,  if  so,  the  steps being taken in coordination with the Government of Maharashtra and local authorities to resolve these issues; (c) whether the Ministry has assessed the economic benefits of the Nashik Dry Port in supporting agri-exports like grapes, onions, and pomegranates and boosting MSMEs, if so, the details thereof; whether the Government is considering a detailed roadmap with clear timelines,
- (d) budget allocations and private sector partnerships to expedite the project; and
- (e) if so, the details and expected completion timeline?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)&(b) Yes. The Multi Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) proposal is with Ministry of Road, Transport & Highways (MoRTH) for approval of project cost. The land for the project is acquired by Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and currently is in possession of JNPA. (c) Yes.  The  detailed  Feasibility  Study  Report  has  been  prepared  by  Ministry  of Road Transport & Highways containing the detailed market demand analysis including demand of agri produce, export and imports. (d)&(e) MMLP Nashik is a project on Public Private Partnership (PPP) - Design Build Finance Operate Transfer (DBFOT) basis. The project has a completion timeline of 3

years after obtaining necessary approvals.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4826 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Establishment of ANIIMS in A & N Islands
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Bishnu Pada Ray

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4826 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28 TH MARCH, 2025

## ESTABLISHMENT OF ANIIMS IN A&N ISLANDS

4826: SHRI BISHNU PADARAY:

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

- (a) the timeline set for the full-fledged establishment of Andaman & Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences (ANIIMS) in A & N Islands as per the Government of India orders and instructions at the time of conveying sanction for the establishment of the said institution;
- (b) the current status of the said medical college in all respects, including the civil work for building construction, labs and procurement of medical instruments;
- (c) the total project cost for establishment of the said medical college along with the amount sanctioned and released by the Government so far and the detailed expenditure incurred till date; and
- (d) the manner in which the cost escalation is likely to be managed and persons to be held responsible for the cost escalation in case the work is not completed within the set time-frame and within the allocated project amount?

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

(a) to (c): Andaman & Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences (ANIIMS) was approved under Phase-I of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for 'Establishment of New Medical Colleges attached with existing district/referral hospitals' Scheme of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India in the year 2015 at a cost of Rs.189 crores for up-gradation of the existing GB Pant Hospital-a district hospital at Sri Vijaya Puram in A&N Islands. The entire central share of Rs.113.40 crore towards the project has been released to the UT Administration. All labs (Pathology, Microbiology, Biochemistry) in the existing hospital are fully functional in an adjacent building. All the required essential equipments are available, and all basic and essential tests are being done routinely. The construction of new building is on.

- (d): Expenditure in excess of the approved cost of the Medical College will be borne by the UT Administration. Establishment of ANIIMS is a project, requiring a phased approach, due to the challenging terrain, geographical constraints, logistical issues, and workforce availability etc. affecting the project's progress.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4819 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Opening of Defence Roads for Public Entrance Near Sainik Nagar
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Shri Jagadish Shettar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4819

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28 th  March, 2025

## OPENING OF DEFENCE ROADS FOR PUBLIC ENTRANCE NEAR SAINIK NAGAR

## 4819. SHRI JAGADISH SHETTAR:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

(a) the measures being initiated by the Government for opening of the Defence Roads near Sainik Nagar, Chouglewadi-Papamala and Basav Colony entrances which were utilized by the Public to reach Market/ Hospitals/Schools/Colleges since decades and are presently blocked for entry to the public by the Defence authorities;

(b)  whether  these  roads  have  been  kept  locked/blocked  for  public  entry  on  the  grounds  of security threat; and

(c) if so , the details thereof?

## A  N  S  W  E  R

## MINISTER OF STATE (SHRI SANJAY SETH) IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(a) to (c):  Following roads in Belgaum in the State of Karnataka have been closed by Army Authorities  considering  Security  threat  to  the  defence  establishments  and  safety  of  civil population: -

- (i) Sainik Nagar Road:  The road traverses through the Military Area. An alternate road exists for the residents of Sainik Nagar. The matter is presently subjudice before Hon'ble High Court of Karnataka.
- (ii) Chouglewadi-Papamala Road: The road is passing through the notified Firing Range  of  Indian  Army.  Fencing  of  defence  land  has  been  undertaken  for security  and  safety  of  local  population  to  avoid  injuries  during  firing.  An alternate route is available for the residents.
- (iii) Basav Colony Road: Army Authorities have reported that no such road exists. An access through A-1 defence land was being used earlier by the local public which  was  stopped  due  to  security  concerns.  An  alternate  road  is  already available for public use.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4816 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Issue of Crackdown on Immigration
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Sachithanantham R

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-4816

ANSWERED ON- 28/03/2025

ISSUE OF CRACKDOWN ON IMMIGRATION

4816. SHRI SACHITHANANTHAM R

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

(a) whether the Ministry has taken any ministerial level talks to address the issue of  immigration crackdowns and limiting H-1B visas; and

(b) if so, the details and the outcome thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a to b) Issues pertaining to mobility and migration are discussed from time to time by Governments of India and the USA, including where necessary, at the Ministerial level. Government also takes up concerns   on   streamlining   legal   mobility   of   students   and

professionals,   while   facilitating   short-term   tourist   and   business travel. Bilateral discussions also address illegal immigration and human trafficking through strong action against bad actors, criminal facilitators, and illegal immigration networks.

During the recent visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Washington D.C., the two sides underlined the evolution of the world into   a   global   workplace   and   called   for   facilitating   secure   and mutually beneficial mobility frameworks between the two countries.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4814 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Fixed Component for Domestic Urea Producers
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Shri Parshottambhai Rupala

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4814 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2025

## Fixed Component for Domestic Urea Producers

## 4814:   SHRI  PARSHOTTAMBHAI RUPALA:

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

- (a) the last time the Fixed Component for Domestic Urea producers was revised;
- (b)      whether  the  Government  had  set  up  a  Committee  to  discuss  the  Fixed Component issue for implementing the policy of Rs. 2300 per metric tonne, as announced in 2014, for Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Ltd., National Fertilizers Ltd., and KRIBHCO and cooperative urea producers a few years ago;
- (c)     if so, the details of recommendations of the Committee and implementation status thereof; and
- (d)      the details of correspondence with Department of Expenditure in this matter?

## ANSWER

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

(a): The Fixed Cost Component for Urea Units was last revised based on cost data of 2002-03 under New Pricing Scheme-III notified on 08.03.2007. Thereafter, the Department of Fertilizers issued Modified NPS-III on 2nd April 2014 for existing Urea units, which includes payment of an Additional Fixed Cost of Rs.350/MT to all the units; Special compensation of Rs.150/MT to Urea Plants that have completed 30 Years and Converted to Gas; and Minimum fixed cost of Rs. 2300/MT or actual fixed cost prevailing during 2012-13, whichever is lower.

However, vide notification dated 30.03.2020, the provision of Minimum fixed cost of Rs.2300/MT had been deleted from the Modified NPS-III while there was no change in the rest of the provisions of Modified NPS-III.

(b) to (d): As per the observation of Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) that the  issues  related  to  the  costing  of  Urea  units  may  be  referred  to  Chief  Advisor (Cost)  in  the  Ministry  of  Finance  for  examination  and  recommendation,  the Department  of  Fertilizers  requested  Department  of  Expenditure  that  the  Chief Advisor (Cost) may  examine  and  give  recommendations  on  reinstating the provisions  of  the  minimum  fixed  cost  of  Rs.  2300/MT  under  the  Modified  NPS-III with retrospective effect i.e. from 2 nd April 2014. The matter is under examination.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4813 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Drug Development for Rare Diseases
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Smt. Sanjna Jatav

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4813 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28 TH MARCH 2025

## DRUG DEVELOPMENT FOR RARE DISEASES

## †4813. SMT. SANJNA JATAV:

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

(a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the fact that the country ranks lowest in terms of awareness, diagnosis and drug development for rare diseases in the world and if so, the details thereof; and

- (b) the corrective steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to improve the rank of the country in the said terms given the fact that 8-10 crore Indians are suffering from one or the other rare disease?

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

(a) and (b) The question lacks clarity on the basis of which the countries are ranked on the issues of rare diseases and the source of data regarding number of Indians suffering from Rare Diseases. However, to mitigate the challenges posed by rare diseases in India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has framed National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD), 2021. The policy adequately covers all aspects concerning rare diseases viz. financial assistance for treatment, awareness, diagnosis, research & development etc. The details of NPRD and other related circulars are available at Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) website viz. https://mohfw.gov.in .
Lok Sabha Question No. 4811 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Shortage of Trained Nursing Staff
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Khalilur Rahaman

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4811 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28 TH MARCH, 2025

## SHORTAGE OF TRAINED NURSING STAFF

## 4811. SHRI KHALILUR RAHAMAN:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is shortage of adequate trained nursing staff in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the estimated shortage; and
- (c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken up by the Government to address the shortage?

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

(a) to (c) As per the Indian Nursing Council, there are around 38.49 lakh nursing personnel registered in the country. The Nurse to Population ratio is approximately 2.20 nurses per 1000 population. There are around 5299 Nursing institutions producing nearly 3.82 Lakh Nursing personnel annually in the country.

Some of the proactive measures taken to increase nursing personnel in the country are as follows:-

- (i) The Government has sanctioned the Centrally Sponsored Scheme 'Augmenting Nursing Education - Establishment of new Colleges of Nursing in co-location with Medical Colleges' for establishment of 157 new nursing colleges in co-location with the existing medical colleges established since 2014.
- (ii) Under the Central Sector Scheme 'Development of Nursing Services' financial assistance is provided to States/UTs to upgrade Schools of Nursing into Colleges of Nursing.
- (iii) Distance between nursing educational institutions has been reduced from 10 km to 5 km in Hilly areas.
- (iv) Maximum distance between hospital and institution can be 50 km in Hilly areas as against 30 km in plain areas.
- (v) For Nursing Educational Programmes, student patient ratio has been relaxed from 1:5 to 1:3.
- (vi) The land requirement for Nursing Educational Institutes from 3 acres has been relaxed to constructed building of 54,000 sq. ft. for School/College of Nursing including Hostel.
- (vii) To open GNM and B.Sc. (Nursing) programme, 100 bedded parent hospital is essential since 2013-2014. However, this is relaxed for hilly and tribal areas.
- (viii) Norms for teaching faculty to start B.Sc. (N) Programme has been relaxed as under:
-  At least 2 M.Sc. (N) faculty to be available
-  Qualification and Experience of the Nursing Teachers has been relaxed.
- (ix) Super speciality Hospital can start M.Sc. (N) without having under graduate programme. Further, student teacher ratio for M.Sc.(N) programme has been relaxed from 1:5 to 1:10
- (x) Age of superannuation for faculty in Nursing has been increased to 70 years.

(xi) INC has increased the maximum number of sanctioned seats for Nursing programs to 300.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4808 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Incidents of Cheating in DNB
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. Bachhav Shobha Dinesh

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4808 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28 TH MARCH, 2025

## INCIDENTS OF CHEATING IN DNB

## 4808. DR. BACHHAV SHOBHA DINESH:

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that there was an incident, where papers of 48 candidates were mixed in the paper IV of orthopaedics of Diplomate of National Board (DNB) examination conducted in March 2021 and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is a fact that there was an enquiry conducted to investigate this 'mix-up' of papers as claimed by NBEMS (National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences);
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with names of members constituting the enquiring committee, timeline and frequency of meetings of enquiring committee, minutes of the meetings, report(s) produced by the committee;
- (d) whether there is a court case regarding the same and if so, the details thereof along with the current status; and
- (e) whether NBEMS has introduced any safeguards to prevent the recurrence of such incidents, if so, details thereof?

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

(a) to (c): As per information provided by National Board of Examination in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), during the December 2020 session of the DNB Orthopedics final theory exam, a candidate identified a decoding error which was subsequently reviewed by NBEMS and it was found that a decoding error had occurred in Paper IV for a group of 48 candidates. Following the investigation, NBEMS released the corrected results for all 48 candidates. The issue of the decoding error was placed before the Examination Committee of NBEMS and an inquiry was conducted into the matter. A sub-committee, comprising three officers, was also formed to verify the corrected results of the 48 candidates and it was found that the results of all candidates were accurate.

- (d): As informed by NBEMS, a case has been filed before the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi and the matter is sub-judice.

(e): To prevent the recurrence of such incidents, NBEMS has introduced the decoding process of DNB/DrNB final examination result wherein the answer sheets are decoded, verified and saved in a password-protected MS Excel file before being sent for further verification.

****