opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4238 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-20
Subject: India's Leadership in Global Governance Reform
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Smt. Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 4238

ANSWERED ON- 20/12/2024

## INDIA'S LEADERSHIP IN GLOBAL GOVERNANCE REFORM

4238. SMT. SANGEETA KUMARI SINGH DEO

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

(a) whether India has sought increased global support for its candidature for   a   permanent   seat   in   the   UN   Security   Council,   if   so,   the   details thereof;

(b)   the   specific   measures   undertaken   to   strengthen   India's   case   for UNSC reforms during FY 2023-24;

(c) the current status of India's diplomatic efforts to align Global South countries in reforming international multilateral institutions; and

(d) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure India's representation aligns with its strategic global role?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a to d)  The Government of  India accords highest priority to getting permanent membership for India in an expanded United Nations Security Council   (UNSC).   India   remains   engaged,   both   at   the   bilateral   and multilateral level, in this endeavour. India strongly believes that it has all the credentials to be a permanent member of a reformed and expanded UN Security Council that reflects contemporary global realities. India is actively engaged in the ongoing Inter-Governmental Negotiations (IGN) on UNSC reforms. India worked alongside other reform-oriented countries through its membership in the G-4 Group (India, Japan, Brazil and Germany) and the L.69 Group (cross- regional group of developing countries from Asia, Africa and Latin America) to build support among the UN Member States for expansion of the UN Security Council. We have also   been   constantly   engaging   with   countries   of   the   Global   South including through the Voice of the Global South Summits. A large number of countries have supported India's initiatives for reform of   the   UNSC   as   well   as   endorsed   our   candidature   for   permanent membership in a reformed UNSC. Prime Minister in his address at the Summit of the Future reiterated the  need  for   reforms   of   global   institutions.   A   large   number   of countries   also   called   for   reforms   of   institutions   of   global governance, including the UNSC.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4234 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-20
Subject: Vacancy of Second Secretary Post
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Janardan Singh Sigriwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO- 4234 ANSWERED ON - 20/12/2024

## VACANCY OF SECOND SECRETARY POST

## 4234. SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL

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

(a) whether the Ministry had conducted interview through UPSC to fill up the vacancy of  Second  Secretary (Hindi & Culture) in  High

Commission of India at Suva, Fiji in 2022;

(b) if so, the details and the present status thereof;

(c) whether the selected candidates had been appointed;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) if not, the reasons therefor and the time by which the selected candidates are likely to be appointed?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH) (a to e) Yes, in December 2022, as per then existing rules and regulations, UPSC was consulted in the process of selection to the post of Second Secretary (Hindi & Culture) at High Commission of India, Suva, Fiji for a deputation - basis post. However, the shortlisted candidate was not approved by the competent authority. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4231 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-20
Subject: Future of AYUSH Healthcare
Ministry: AYUSH
Asked by: Shri Dineshbhai Makwana

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4231 ANSWERED ON 20.12.2024

## Future of AYUSH Healthcare

4231. Shri Dineshbhai Makwana : Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has taken any initiatives towards enhancing the future of AYUSH-based healthcare and medical value travel in the country; and (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  and  (b) Yes,  the  Government  has  introduced  a  separate  category  of  Ayush  Visa  for foreigners visiting India for availing treatment under Ayush system of medicine on 27th July, 2023.  Ayush  Visa  is  available  under  four  sub-categories  i.e.  (i)  Ayush  Visa  (AY-1),  (ii) Ayush Attendant  Visa (AY2), (iii)  e-Ayush  Visa  and  (iv)  e-Ayush  Attendant  Visa.  Ayush Visa is granted to a foreigner whose sole purpose is to seek treatment through Ayush systems like  therapeutic  care  and  Wellness  in  a  Hospital/Wellness  Centre  accredited  and  registered with any Government authority (ies) concerned or National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH)/ National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH)/ National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) accredited hospitals providing Ayush services.

A total of 123 regular Ayush Visa, 221 e-Ayush Visa and 17 e-Ayush Attendant Visa have been issued till 04.12.2024.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched India's official portal for Medical Value Travel (MVT), which is the Advantage Healthcare  India portal.  It  is  a  "One-  Stop"

portal  developed  for  the  facilitation  of  information  for  those  who  want  to  avail  medical treatment in India from abroad. Any international patient seeking medical care or wellness services in India  can  visit  the  Advantage  Healthcare  India  portal  by  logging  on  to www.healinindia.gov.in.

The  Government  organized  the  Ayush  Medical  Value  Travel  Summit  2024  on 30.09.2024  in  Mumbai,  themed  'Global  Synergy  in  Ayush:  Transforming  Health  and Wellness through Medical Value Travel', with the aim of strengthening India's position in Medical  Value  Travel  (MVT)  by  integrating  traditional  Indian  systems  of  medicine  with modern healthcare systems.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4230 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-20
Subject: Challenges concerning IMEC Project
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Ms. Praniti Sushilkumar Shinde

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 4230

## ANSWERED ON- 20/12/2024

## CHALLENGES CONCERNING IMEC PROJECT

## 4230. MS. PRANITI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE

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

(a) whether the Government has faced any challenges concerning the IMEC project with respect to the current situation in Gaza;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure the progress of the IMEC project?

## ANSWER

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

(a to c) On the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit in New Delhi, the leaders of India, European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, UAE

and US announced an MoU on 9 September 2023, committing to work together to develop a new India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC). The IMEEC will comprise two separate corridors, the east corridor connecting India to the Gulf and the northern corridor connecting the Gulf to   Europe.   The   corridor   intends   to   enhance   connectivity,   increase efficiency,   reduce   costs,   secure   regional   supply   chains,   increase   trade accessibility, generate jobs and lower greenhouse gas emissions, resulting in a transformative integration of Asia, Europe and Middle East. An Intergovernmental Framework Agreement (IGFA) between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) concerning cooperation for operation of the India-Middle  East-Europe  Economic  Corridor   (IMEEC)   was   signed   on   13 February 2024. The main elements of the Framework include development and management of a logistics platform, including a digital ecosystem, and provision of supply chain services to handle all types of general cargo, bulk, containers and liquid bulk in order to enable IMEEC. The implementation of the IMEEC involves multiple stakeholders and is at an initial stage.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4223 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-20
Subject: Passport Office in Katni District
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Vishnu Datt Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 4223

## ANSWERED ON- 20/12/2024

## PASSPORT OFFICE IN KATNI DISTRICT

## 4223. SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA

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

(a) whether the Government has taken note that due to the absence of any passport office in or around Katni city which is a big industrial centre and a growing city in the State of  Madhya Pradesh with a large international local people there are facing lots of inconveniences;

(b) if  so, whether efforts are being made by the Government to set up Passport office in Katni;

- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a to d) For the convenience of citizens, Ministry of  External Affairs in association with Department of Posts (DoP) decided in January 2017 to open Passport Seva Kendras(PSK) at Head Post Offices (HPO)/Post Offices (PO) in the country called Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSK) in each Lok Sabha Constituency (LSC) where there is no PSK or POPSK.   As on date, 93 PSKs and 442 POPSKs have been set up across the country and are operational to cater to the needs of passport seekers. Some parts of  Katni district come under the Khajuraho LSC and some under   Shahdol   LSC.   These   LSCs   already   have   operational   PoPSKs   at Chhatarpur and Shahdol since 10.02.2019 and 02.03.2024 respectively. Appointment for Passport application are available for the next working day. In addition to this, POPSK Jabalpur (95 kms) and POPSK Damoh (107 kms) are also operational in neighbouring LSCs. Additionally, there are two (02) Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) - one each in Bhopal and Indore; and twenty two (22) Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) working under   the   jurisdiction   of   Regional   Passport   Office,   Bhopal,   in   Madhya

Pradesh.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4220 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-20
Subject: Establishment of  AIIMS, Madurai
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. Rani Srikumar

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4220 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20 TH DECEMBER 2024

## ESTABLISHMENT OF AIIMS, MADURAI

## 4220. Dr. RANI SRIKUMAR:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) the details of the funds allocated by the Government for the establishment of AIIMS, Madurai including provisions for infrastructure development and modernization, and the specific details of their utilization till date;

(b) the total amount of funds spent/utilized so far on the construction of AIIMS, Madurai, along with the projected timeline for the completion of the said project; and

(c) the measures being taken to ensure that students of AIIMS, Madurai, are provided with facilities on par with other AIIMS institutes, especially considering the current absence of a dedicated campus and the interim arrangement at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Ramanathapuram?

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

(a) to (c) Under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), AIIMS, Madurai is being set up at a total project cost of Rs.2021.51 crore. As on date, Rs.176.89 crore has been released for construction of AIIMS Madurai. The targeted date of completion of the project is October 2026.

Presently, total 198 students are pursuing MBBS course in AIIMS Madurai. Adequate infrastructure including smart Classrooms, Hostels with mess facility, Library, Skill lab, Canteen, Sports facilities, WiFi etc. have been provided to the students. OPD and IPD clinical exposure to the students of AIIMS Madurai are provided at Government Medical College at Ramanathapuram in addition to the Thopur TB hospital and Primary Health Centres at Valayankulam and Thirumangalam villages of Madurai.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4216 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-20
Subject: Observation of Supreme Court on SC and ST Reservation in Jobs
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Shri Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure

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

## LOK    S A B H A

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4216

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 20 TH  DECEMBER, 2024.

## Observation of Supreme Court on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Reservation in Jobs

## +4216. Shri Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure :

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken/proposes to take any step in respect of the judgement/observation of the Supreme Court made on 01 August 2024 on the reservation of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Government jobs as on date;
- (b)
- (c)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)

- (a)  to  (c):  The  Supreme Court in its judgement dated 1 st August, 2024, in the matter of State of Punjab and others Vs Davinder Singh and others (Civil  Appeal No. 2317 of 2011) and connected matters, has held that sub-classification of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is permissible. The contents of the judgement have been noted by the Government and no steps are contemplated.
Lok Sabha Question No. 4215 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-20
Subject: Shortage of Medicines
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Eswarasamy K

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4215 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2024

## SHORTAGE OF MEDICINES

## 4215. SHRI ESWARASAMY K:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether many health centres both primary and secondary in several States have faced severe shortage of medicines;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the existing stocks of medicines have either expired or are outdated and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure that medicines supplied to the health centres are fresh and adequate?

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

## ANSWER (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) to (d): Under Free Drugs Service Initiative (FDSI), Government of India supports procurement of drugs and strengthening robust systems of procurement, Quality Assurance, Supply chain management and warehousing, Prescription audit, grievance redressal, dissemination of Standard Treatment Guidelines and Establishment of IT enabled platform DVDMS (Drugs & Vaccine Distribution Management System) for monitoring the real status of procurement and availability of essential medicines.

Ministry of Health and Welfare (MoHFW) has recommended facility wise Essential Medicines List (EML) to be made available at the public healthcare facilities which includes provision of a variety of free services related to maternal health, child health, adolescent health, family planning, universal immunisation programme, and for major diseases such as Tuberculosis, HIV/ AIDS, vector borne diseases like Malaria, Dengue and Kala Azar, Leprosy etc. The facility wise number of medicines in the EML includes 106 drugs at Sub Health Centre level, 172 at Primary Health Centre level, 300 at Community Health Centre level, 318 at Sub-district Hospital level and 381 drugs at district Hospital level. However, States have the flexibility to add more medicines.

The alert mechanism to monitor expiry dates of medicines involves robust tracking systems i.e. Batch Tracking, Inventory Management Systems and Barcode/RFID Technology.

States/UTs monitor expiry dates at the district and local levels, ensuring no expired products are distributed. In cases where products are approaching their expiry date, they are often redistributed to areas where they can be used before expiry.

Quality of drugs procured, under FDSI, is ensured through the operational guidelines of the initiative that

- i. All drugs must be sourced from Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) compliant manufacturers through robust procurement mechanism.
- ii. Post supply testing of every batch before distributing to the health facilities.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4210 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-20
Subject: Hospitals Empanelled under ECHS
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Shri M K Raghavan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF EX-SERVICEMEN WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4210

TO BE ANSWERED ON 20 th  December, 2024

## HOSPITALS EMPANELLED UNDER ECHS

## 4210. SHRI M K RAGHAVAN:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has noticed that a large number of veterans have been denied their rightful services from hospitals empanelled under the ECHS scheme, if so, the details thereof;

- (b) whether the Government has noticed any delay in clearing dues of the hospitals empanelled under ECHS, if so, the details thereof including remedial measures taken by the Government to resolve the issue;
- (c) whether the Government has noticed unwillingness from hospitals to remain in the ECHS scheme, if so, the details thereof, hospital-wise, State/UT-wise and year-wise along with the reasons for their withdrawal;
- (d) whether the Government revises rates of services of Hospitals under ECHS scheme from time to time to assure their presence in ECHS; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof including the time of last revision?

## A  N  S  W  E  R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

- (a):  No, Sir.

(b):    Under  ECHS, Hospital claims are settled through  an  online Bill  Processing  Portal  by respective Regional Centres after obtaining approval of the Competent Financial Authority. Claims are auto assigned for processing on First In First Out (FIFO) basis on the Transaction Management System (TMS). Timely settlement of claims is one of the key parameters against which scheme performance is measured. The status of claim settlement under the scheme is constantly  monitored  to  ensure  that  claims  are  settled  within  defined  turnaround  time  and Hospitals can check the status of their claims online. Review meetings are organized regularly to take stock of the progress with regards to the claims.

- (c):  The number of Hospitals empanelled in ECHS scheme has shown an increasing trend over the  last  few  years.  There  has  been  no  report  during  the  year  of  any  hospital  showing unwillingness to remain in ECHS.
- (d):  ECHS follows the CGHS rates of services of Hospitals and accordingly revises its rates whenever the rates in CGHS are revised.
- (e):  The last revision in ECHS rates was made in respect of consultation fee, room rent and ICU charges  w.e.f  12.04.2023 while  the  rates of  certain  imaging  services,  General  surgery besides addition  of certain  treatment/procedures  were  done  w.e.f  01.02.2024.  Details  of all revisions are available in the public domain on ECHS website (https://www.echs.gov.in) and CGHS website (http://cghs.nic.in).

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(SHRI SANJAY SETH)
Lok Sabha Question No. 4209 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-20
Subject: Mahila Shakti Kendra Scheme
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri Omprakash Bhupalsinh Alias Pavan Rajenimbalkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4209

TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2024

## MAHILA SHAKTI KENDRA SCHEME

## †4209.  SHRI OMPRAKASH BHUPALSINH ALIAS PAVAN RAJENIMBALKAR:

Will the Minister of Women and Child Development be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the funds allocated under the Mahila Shakti Kendra Scheme during the last five years, State-wise;
- (b) whether  the  said  scheme  has  also  been  implemented  in  the  aspirational district, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  several  States  and  UTs  have  not  received  funds  under  the  said scheme launched in the year 2017, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the Government is aware of the fact that many States and Union Territories have failed to make payments to the employees working under this scheme, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (e) whether  the  district  level  centres  have  been  sanctioned  under  the  said scheme in all the districts as per the Census of India 2011; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof particularly with regard to Osmanabad, an aspirational district of Maharashtra?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SAVITRI THAKUR)

(a) to (f): The Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK) Scheme was approved in November, 2017 as  a  centrally  sponsored  scheme  to  empower  rural  women  through  community participation.  A third party evaluation study of MSK scheme was conducted by NITI Aayog in 2020. Taking into account the findings of the evaluation and after consultation with  States/  UTs  and  stakeholders,  the  scheme  was  discontinued  with  effect  from

01.04.2022 and the liabilities till 31.03.2022 as claimed by the States/ UTs under the Scheme were also released/ settled.

The Ministry of Women and Child Development is now implementing the Umbrella Scheme  named  as  'Mission  Shakti'  with  effect  from  01.04.2022  which  aim  at strengthening  interventions  for  women  safety,  security  and  empowerment.  The Mission Shakti has two verticals 'Sambal' and 'Samarthya'.

The 'Sambal' vertical is for safety and security of women. It has the schemes of One Stop Centres (OSCs), Women Helpline (WHL), Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) and Nari Adalat.

The  'Samarthya'  vertical  is  for  empowerment  of  women.  It  has  the  schemes  of Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), Shakti Sadan, Sakhi Niwas, Palna and SANKALP: Hub for Empowerment of Women (HEW).

*****