opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2690 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-04
Subject: Nano Fertilizers
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: E. T. Mohammed Basheer

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2690 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 04.08.2023

## Nano Fertilizers

## 2690:  SHRI  E.T. MOHAMMED BASHEER:

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

- (a)   whether it has come to the notice of the Government that the Nano fertilizer is not advantageous for the farmers of the country economically and environmentally;
- (b)    if so, the details thereof;
- (c)    whether  the  Government  has  any  time  bound  action  plan  with  regard  to  nano fertilizer production in the country; and
- (d)    if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SHRI BHAGWANTH KHUBA)

(a) & (b) Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  has  informed  that  trials were conducted at 20 selected locations in selected crops to study the effect of IFFCO nano-urea (liquid) used as foliar spray.  The study indicated that nano-urea can be used as  foliar  spray  for  top-dressing  instead  of  conventional  urea.    In  addition,  foliar application  of  nano  urea  along  with  basal  application  of  recommended  dose  of conventional urea has yield advantage of 3-8% over conventional fertilizer application. Accordingly, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) has provisionally notified Nano Urea as Nano Nitrogen Fertilizers in Fertilizer Control Order, 1985.

Further, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has informed that IFFCO and  CIL  have  developed  nano  DAP  and  have  conducted  preliminary  field  trials  on selected crops in selected ICAR Institutes/SAU's. The report indicated that with the use of nano DAP as seed treatment and foliar application, there is a possibility of saving of granular DAP conventionally applied. Accordingly, Government of India has also notified Nano  DAP  under  the  Fertilizer  Control  Order  (FCO)  -  1985  on  the  basis  of  the  bio efficacy trials and toxicology tests and M/s Coromandel International Limited (CIL) and M/s Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) have been granted permission to manufacture Nano DAP.

(c) & (d): The Government of India is not directly involved in setting up of Nano Urea  Plants.  However,  three  Nano  Urea  plants  at  Kalol,  Phulpur  and  Aonla  with capacity of 17 crore bottles have been set up by IFFCO.

Further, IFFCO has started commercial production of DAP from 8th March, 2023  at  its  Kalol  plant  and  will  commission  two  more  plants  at  Kandla  and Paradeep. Moreover, Coromondal International Limited (CIL) has also established state-of-the-art Nano DAP production facility in Andhra Pradesh with manufacturing capacity of 4 crore bottles (1 litre each) per year.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2689 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-04
Subject: Criteria for Language Speakers
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

ANSWERED ON- 04/08/2023

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2689

## CRITERIA FOR LANGUAGE SPEAKERS

2689. SHRI T.R. BAALU

Will the Minister of External Affairs be pleased to state :-

(a)   whether   the   Government   has   any   proposal   to   bring   in   changes   to   the   criteria   for assignment abroad with preference given to language speakers and expertise regarding the respective host country;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

(SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN)

(a to c) Assignment of officers abroad is done on functional and administrative exigencies taking into account a variety of factors including functional skills, language, seniority and overall suitability for the task and the post. Language specialization and expertise on the host country are considered wherever required. Efforts are made to ensure that each officer is able to widen exposure to a broad variety of work taking into account their specialization.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2687 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-04
Subject: Poor Passport Services
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Jasbir Singh Gill, Gurjeet Singh Aujla

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

ANSWERED ON- 04/08/2023

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2687

## POOR PASSPORT SERVICES

2687. SHRI JASBIR SINGH GILL SHRI GURJEET SINGH AUJLA

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

(a) whether the Government has taken note that due to poor passport services at Amritsar and other RPOs/PSKs of Punjab thousands of Indian citizens are suffering and if so, the details thereof along with the number of days are taken by RPO to issue Passport after filling of application;

(b) whether the Government has any proposal to enhance PSKs in Punjab including Amritsar, Tarn Taran & Ferozepur to provide better passport services in the State and if so, the details thereof;

(c)   whether   Government   is   aware   of   the   fact   that   delayed   services,   long   waiting   in   passport appointments etc. has created a huge corruption network in RPOs and PSKs and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the steps taken by the Government to cut down passport issuing delay and pendency in Punjab?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

(SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN)

(a to d) There are 06 Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) and 09 Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) currently functioning under 03 Regional Passport Offices (RPOs) in the State of Punjab. The facilities and amenities at these PSKs/POPSKs are similar to other PSKs and POPSKs across the country.

The demand for passport services across India, including in Punjab,  has increased  significantly including due to backlog caused by the Covid pandemic. Some of the measures taken by the Ministry to address this include opening of PSKs/POPSKs on Saturdays, creating additional passport processing counters (Camp PSKs) at Passport Offices, as well as releasing additional appointments daily. Deployment of additional personnel and cross-granting practices have also been used to expedite passport issue.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2683 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-04
Subject: Availability of Nano-Urea
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Gopal Jee Thakur, Khan Saumitra, Geeta Kora

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2683 TO BE ANSWERED

ON: 04.08.2023

## Availability of Nano-Urea

2683:  SHRI GOPAL JEE THAKUR: SHRI SAUMITRA KHAN SHRIMATI GEETA KORA:

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

- (a) the details of the availability and distribution of Nano Urea in the States of Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal during last five years along with the reasons thereof, year-wise;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to set up Nano Urea production plant in the States of Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal; and;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SHRI BHAGWANTH KHUBA)

- (a) The details of sales of Nano Urea (liquid) during 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24 in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal are as under:-

(Qty in number of 500 ml bottles)

|   S No | State       | August, 2021 to March, 2022   | April, 2022 to March, 2023   | April, 2023 to 18 th July, 2023   | Total     |
|--------|-------------|-------------------------------|------------------------------|-----------------------------------|-----------|
|      1 | Bihar       | 14,83,992                     | 28,55,860                    | 2,54,882                          | 45,94,734 |
|      2 | Jharkhand   | 1,55,150                      | 3,66,080                     | 46,456                            | 5,67,686  |
|      3 | West Bengal | 13,02,222                     | 25,35,730                    | 1,31,472                          | 40,69,424 |

- (b) & (c):  The Government of India is not directly involved in setting up of Nano Urea Plants. However, IFFCO has informed that it is setting up a facility for manufacturing of Nano Urea (liquid) at Deoghar (Jharkhand).

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2677 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-04
Subject: Displacement of Medical Students
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Lorho S. Pfoze

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2677 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04 th AUGUST, 2023

## DISPLACEMENT OF MEDICALSTUDENTS

## 2677. SHRI LORHO S. PFOZE:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware that many tribal students of medical and nursing colleges in Imphal valley have been displaced due to ongoing ethnic crisis in Manipur;
- (b) if so, whether the Government maintains the data of such displaced students and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has any plan to relocate these tribal students in other medical education institutions in neighbouring States of Manipur as they could not return to the Imphal valley due to fear of losing their lives; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

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

(a) to (d): As informed by National Medical Commission, conduct of offline classes for the students of Churachandpur Medical College has been allowed at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences and Churachandpur Medical College as an alternate arrangement in light of prevailing Law and Order situation in the state.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2676 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-04
Subject: Setting up of Blood Banks
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Vishnu Dayal Ram

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2676 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 TH AUGUST 2023

## SETTING UPOFBLOOD BANKS

## 2676. SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has formulated any scheme to open Blood Banks in Community Health centres in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to open Blood Banks under the Public-Private Partnership scheme in due course; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof alogwith the private institutes where the Government proposes to open Blood Banks?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE (PROF. S. P. SINGH BAGHEL)

- a) No.
- b) As far as Blood Transfusion Services (BTS) is concerned there is no such proposal.

Public Health is a state subject and it is the primary responsibility of the State/UT Government to ensure the establishment of blood banks as per their need. However, Government of India endeavors to provide safe blood to all.

- c) Not applicable

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2671 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-04
Subject: Diversion of Funds of PM POSHAN Scheme
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Kotha Prabhakar  Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 2671

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2023

## DIVERSION OF FUNDS OF PM POSHAN SCHEME

## 2671    SHRI KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY:

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

- (a) whether there are reports of diversion of funds from PM POSHAN scheme in the elections held in the State in the recent past and if so, the details of funds diverted therefrom so far, State-wise;
- (b) whether the Government has sought reports from several States with regard to the alleged diversion of PM POSHAN (mid day meal scheme) funds for State elections and if so, the details thereof and the response of States thereto;
- (c) whether it is contrary to the principles of financial management as distinct bank accounts are to be used for distinct purposes and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the corrective steps being taken to stop any kind of diversion of funds in future along with penal action taken thereon?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (d)          PM  POSHAN  or  the  mid-day  meal  scheme  is  under  the  Ministry  of Education (MoE). As per information received from MoE, single instance of diversion of funds from PM POSHAN Scheme for purposes distinct from the Scheme in the State of West Bengal was reported to Department of SE&L, Ministry of Education during the year 2023.

As  distinct  bank  accounts  are  to  be  used  for  specified  distinct  purposes  and diversion of funds from one account to another account is contrary to the principles of financial management, the case was referred to the concerned State Government for taking necessary action.

The State Government clarified the matter while denying that there has been any diversion  from  PM  POSHAN  funds.  However,  a  detailed  examination  of  the  Public Financial Management System (PFMS) in respect of West Bengal for PM POSHAN Scheme has revealed that the balance in SNA account has increased from Rs. 1542.17 crore  (on  31.03.2023)  to  Rs.  4178.28  crore  (on  04.07.2023),  even  when  the  State Government had certified in January, 2022 that entire unspent amount available in the bank accounts  of  all  the  implementing  agencies  has  been  transferred  to  the  Single Nodal Account. This needed explanation as the State Treasury had transferred only Rs. 387.35 crore to the SNA during 2023-24.

The  same  has  been  brought  to  the  knowledge  of  State  Government  for reply. Further, since matter requires detailed examination, the matter has been referred to the Office of C&AG of India.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2670 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-04
Subject: Shortage of Life Saving Drugs
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: P. Ravindhranath

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2670 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 th  August, 2023

## Shortage of Life Saving Drugs

## 2670. SHRI P. RAVINDHRANATH:

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken note of shortage of life saving drug-Antivenom, across the country, during the recent past three years;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise and year-wise;
- (c) whether the Government has taken/proposes to take any steps to ensure sufficient supply of Antivenom across the country following the WHO's aim to halve the number of death cases due to snake bites by 2030; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise including Tamil Nadu?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS (SHRI BHAGWANTH KHUBA)

(a) to (d): 'Snake venom antiserum' is a scheduled drug under the Drugs (Pricing Control) Order, 2013 (DPCO, 2013), issued under Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. The production and availability of essential medicines, i.e. scheduled drugs, are monitored by the  National  Pharmaceutical  Pricing  Authority  (NPPA)  under  the  aegis  of  Department  of Pharmaceuticals (DoP).  Also, MoHFW monitors the availability of Anti Snake Venom (ASV) for addressing the shortage of life saving-Anti Venom across the country as well.

NPPA received two shortage complaints in respect of "Snake venom antiserum"  in 2021 and no complaints regarding non-availability of the "Snake venom antiserum" have been received in NPPA since July, 2021 till 27th July 2023. While three States reported shortage of Anti-Snake Venom (ASV) to National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in the year 2022, no shortage of ASV was reported to NCDC in 2023.  States reporting shortage were informed to source them from CRI, Kasauli. Further, as per the information provided by MoHFW, at present eight approved manufacturers in India have annual installed capacity to produce 67.52 Lakhs vials of Anti-Snake Venom per year

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2667 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-04
Subject: Operation Ganga
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Basanta Kumar Panda

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

ANSWERED ON- 04/08/2023

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2667

## OPERATION GANGA

2667. SHRI BASANTA KUMAR PANDA Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :(a) the number of people have been evacuated under Operation Ganga, State-wise; and (b) the details of expenses incurred under the operation?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN) (a) 18,282 Indian nationals were evacuated under Operation Ganga. The State-wise details are enclosed in Annexure-I.

(b) Total 90 evacuation flights, of which 76 by commercial airlines and 14 by IAF were operated at GoI cost.

*****

## State-wise Passenger Details under Operation Ganga

| Sl. No.   | State / Union Territory   |   Number |
|-----------|---------------------------|----------|
| 1         | Andaman &Nicobor          |        4 |
| 2         | Andhra Pradesh            |      682 |
| 3         | Arunachal Pradesh         |        1 |
| 4         | Assam                     |       53 |
| 5         | Bihar                     |     1003 |
| 6         | Chandigarh                |       52 |
| 7         | Chhattisgarh              |      210 |
| 8         | Dadar &Nagar Haveli       |        5 |
| 9         | Daman &Diu                |        5 |
| 10        | Delhi                     |      681 |
| 11        | Goa                       |       18 |
| 12        | Gujarat                   |     1020 |
| 13        | Haryana                   |     1436 |
| 14        | Himachal Pradesh          |      289 |
| 15        | Jammu &Kashmir            |      128 |
| 16        | Jharkhand                 |      158 |
| 17        | Karnataka                 |      615 |
| 18        | Kerala                    |     3343 |
| 19        | Lakshadweep               |        4 |
| 20        | Madhya Pradesh            |      412 |
| 21        | Maharashtra               |     1025 |
| 22        | Manipur                   |       23 |
| 23        | Meghalaya                 |       40 |
| 24        | Mizoram                   |        1 |
| 25        | Nagaland                  |        4 |
| 26        | Odisha                    |      397 |
| 27        | Puducherry                |       28 |
| 28        | Punjab                    |      609 |
| 29        | Rajasthan                 |      934 |
| 30        | Sikkim                    |       26 |
| 31        | Tamil Nadu                |     1479 |
| 32        | Telangana                 |      667 |
| 33        | Tripura                   |       32 |
| 34        | Uttar Pradesh             |     1917 |
| 35        | Uttarakhand               |      257 |
| 36        | West Bengal               |      343 |
| 37        | State Name not available  |      272 |
|           | TOTAL                     |    18282 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2662 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-04
Subject: Global Connectivity Initiatives
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Sisir Kumar Adhikari

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

ANSWERED ON- 04/08/2023

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2662

## GLOBAL CONNECTIVITY INITIATIVES

2662. SHRI SISIR KUMAR ADHIKARI

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

(a)   whether   the   Government   has   signed   any   global   connectivity   initiative   with   the neighbouring countries as an economic corridor between three or more countries;

(b) if so, the details of pact and the present status of the said corridor; and

(c) the details and status of land-air corridor between India and neighbouring countries and the bilateral agreements made therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

( DR. RAJKUMAR RANJAN SINGH )

(a to c)   The   Government   has   accorded   utmost   importance   to   expanding   connectivity   in   India's neighbourhood and beyond, encompassing all elements of physical, cultural, economic and people-topeople linkages. India's Act East Policy, Neighbourhood First Policy, Prime Minister's strategic vision for  the   Indian   Ocean   i.e.,   Security   and   Growth   for  All   in   the   Region   (SAGAR)   as   well   India's engagements with Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral   Technical   and   Economic   Cooperation   (BIMSTEC)   and   the   Shanghai   Cooperation Organization (SCO), among others, have initiatives to strengthen various aspects of connectivity.

Some of the key connectivity initiatives between India and its neighbours include the BangladeshBhutan-India-Nepal   Motor   Vehicle   Agreement,   the   India-Myanmar-Thailand   Trilateral   Highway initiative,   the   Chahbahar   agreement   between   India-Iran-Afghanistan   on   the   establishment   of   an international transport and transit corridor, the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor, among others.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2660 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-04
Subject: Clean and Green Energy in Port
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: S. Jagathrakshakan

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2660

ANSWERED ON 04.08.2023

## CLEAN AND GREEN ENERGY IN PORT

2660.  SHRI S. JAGATHRAKSHAKAN:

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

## पȅन , पोत पįरवहन और जलमागŊ मंũी

- (a) whether  the  government  is  planning  to  lay  emphasis  on  use  of  Clean/Green energy  in  Port operation, developing  Port  capabilities  for  storage,  handling  and bunkering Greener Fuels;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) Yes,  Sir.  The  Ministry  of  Ports,  Shipping  and  Waterways  has  launched 'Harit  Sagar'  Green  Port  Guidelines  to  reduce  carbon  intensity  and  to  develop  an environment-friendly ecosystem at Major Ports with the participation of all stakeholders. Under  these  guidelines,  various  green  interventions  such  as  electrification  of  Port Equipments, use of greener fuels in Port crafts, creation of infrastructure at select Ports for  storage,  bunkering,  and  refueling  of  Green  Hydrogen  and  its  derivative,  increase share of renewable energy etc. have been provided.

- (c) Does not arise.

*****