opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3563 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-13
Subject: Violations by Hospitals Empanelled under AB-PMJAY
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Smt. Rachna Banerjee

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH ANDFAMILYWELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3563 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13 TH MARCH, 2026

## VIOLATIONS BY HOSPITALS EMPANELLED UNDER AB-PMJAY

## 3563. SMT. RACHNABANERJEE:

Will the Minister of HEALTHAND FAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has received any cases or complaints regarding irregularities or violations by hospitals empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) in the country;

- (b) if so, the details thereof since the inception of the scheme, including the nature and categories of such violations, State-wise and year-wise; and
- (c) the number of hospitals de-empanelled, suspended or penalised along with the amount of penalties imposed in the country during the last five years, State-wise?

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

(a) to (c): Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is governed on a zero-tolerance approach towards fraud. National Anti-Fraud Unit (NAFU) uses AI/ML-based automated triggers to flag unusual claim patterns such as duplicate entries, inflated procedures or misuse of patient identity etc.

NAFU works in close coordination with the State Anti-Fraud Units to investigate and take action against cases of fraud. Appropriate actions including suspension, issuance of show cause notices, warning letter, de-empanelment of hospitals, levying penalty lodging of FIRs are taken against fraudulent entities.

As on 10.03.2026, 2021 hospitals have been de-empanelled, 590 hospitals suspended and penalties amounting to Rs 263.72 crore have been levied for fraudulent activities.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3559 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-13
Subject: General Financial Rules, 2017
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. Byreddy Shabari

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3559 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13/03/2026

## GENERALFINANCIALRULES, 2017

## 3559 DR BYREDDY SHABARI:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the provisions of the General Financial Rules, 2017 regarding economy and efficiency are being uniformly followed by Central Autonomous Medical Institutes, including All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) Chandigarh, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Researh (JIPMER) Puducherry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) Bengaluru, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute (CNCI) and other similar institutions with regard to meetings of Standing Finance Committees, Governing Bodies and Purchase Committees; (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to rationalize, standardize and merge such committees through a centralized mechanism to reduce administrative expenditure in this regard; and (d) if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) to (d) The provisions of General Financial Rules are applicable to all Central Autonomous Medical Institutes of the Ministry. The Governing Body (GB) and the Standing Committees of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS), Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) and North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) are constituted and their meetings are held as per the provisions contained in the respective Acts/Rules/Regulations/Memorandum-ofAssociation/Bye-laws under which these Institutions are set up. There is no proposal to merge Institute-specific Governing Bodies and the Standing Committees into a single body.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3558 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-13
Subject: Qualification Criteria for Judicial Service Examinations
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Shri Bharat Singh Kushwah

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3558 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 13 TH  MARCH, 2026

## QUALIFICATION CRITERIA FOR JUDICIAL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS

## †3558. SHRI BHARAT SINGH KUSHWAH:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Supreme  Court  has  mandated  a  minimum  three  years  of  legal  practice  for appearing in the Judicial Service examinations;
- (b) whether the Government is aware that the said condition is likely to make entry more difficult especially  for  women  candidates,  economically  weaker  sections  and  youth  from  non-legal backgrounds seeking appointments to the judicial service;
- (c) if so, whether the Government is considering withdrawing or diluting the compulsory practice period of three years by bringing in a new law keeping in view the problems faced by these sections; and
- (d)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  introduce  any financial assistance or any special assistance scheme for such candidates so as to ensure equal opportunities in judicial services?

## 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 (d): As per the Constitutional framework, in exercise of powers conferred under the proviso to Article 309 read with Articles 233 and 234 of the Constitution, the respective State Government, in consultation with the High Court, frames the rules and regulations regarding the appointment and recruitment of Judicial Officers in Lower Judiciary.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3556 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-13
Subject: Digital Modernisation of Notary Portal
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Shri Dileshwar Kamait, Shri Ashish Dubey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3556 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 13 TH  MARCH, 2026

## DIGITAL MODERNISATION OF NOTARY PORTAL

## 3556.   SHRI DILESHWAR KAMAIT: SHRI ASHISH DUBEY:

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

- (a) the various services being offered through the Notary Portal under the Notaries Act, 1952;
- (b) the number of digitally signed Certificates of Practice issued through the said Portal;
- (c) the measures adopted to ensure transparency and efficiency in document verification and renewal processes;
- (d) whether additional digital modules are proposed to expand the scope of the portal; and
- (e) if so, details thereof?

## 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  (e): The  Government  has  launched  the  Notary  Portal  as  a  dedicated  platform  for providing online services for the works related to the Notaries Act, 1952 and the Notaries Rules,  1956.  It  is  intended  to  provide  an  online  interface  between  the  Notaries  and  the Government for various services like submission of applications for appointment as Notaries, verification of eligibility for appointment as Notaries, issuance of digitally signed Certificate of Practice as a Notary, renewal of Certificate of Practice, change of practice area, submission of annual return etc. The Notary Portal provides a faceless, paperless, transparent and efficient system. Presently, only the module related to verification of documents  and eligibility and issuance of digitally signed Certificate of Practice to the newly appointed Notaries is live. Prior to  launch  of  the  Notary  Portal,  Certificate  of  Practice  used  to  be  issued  physically  to  the Notaries. As on 06.03.2026, 36,269 digitally signed Certificates of Practice have been issued to the newly appointed Notaries for various States and Union Territories through the Notary Portal.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3552 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-13
Subject: Delay in Internship of FMGs
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Subbarayan K, Com. Selvaraj V

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH ANDFAMILYWELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3552 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13 th MARCH, 2026

## DELAYIN INTERNSHIPOFFMGs

## 3552. SHRI SUBBARAYAN K: COM. SELVARAJ V:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that thousands of Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) from Haryana, Delhi, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala who cleared the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) in July 2025, continue to wait for the release of allotment list for the one year internship;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is aware that this delay has not only stalled their entry into the hospitals in the country but has delayed their eligibility to NEET PG 2026 examinations;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the steps being taken by the National Medical Council (NMC) to direct State Medical Councils (SMCs) to allot internship to these FMGs at the earliest?

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

- (a) to (e): The State Medical Councils (SMCs) and the concerned Directorate of Medical Education (DME) of the State are primarily responsible for processing applications of Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) for allotment of Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI), in accordance with the criteria mentioned below:
- i. 7.5% of the permitted intake of interns in established medical colleges/institutions;
- ii. 100% of the CRMI seats for FMGs in new medical colleges;
- iii. 100% of the CRMI seats for FMGs against the enhanced seats in existing medical colleges, where the students admitted against enhanced annual intake have not yet reached internship stage.

Further, all the State Medical Councils have been directed to allocate Internship slots strictly in accordance with the above provisions, in consultation with the Directorate of Medical Education and in strict compliance with the extant rules, regulations, public notices, and circulars governing CRMI for FMGs.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3548 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-13
Subject: Death due to Consumption of Tobacco
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Adhikari Deepak Dev

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3548 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13 TH MARCH, 2026

## DEATH DUE TO CONSUMPTION OF TOBACCO

## 3548. SHRI ADHIKARI DEEPAK DEV:

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

- (a) the details of the number of deaths due to consumption of tobacco in the country during the last five years, year-wise and State/UT-wise;
- (b) whether there are any initiatives taken by the Government to curb deaths due to tobacco consumption in the country; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) to (c): As per the Report of the second round of Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS-2), 2016-17, mortality due to tobacco in India is estimated at upwards of 1.3 million (over 13 lakhs). Some of the key initiatives taken by the Government to curb deaths due to tobacco consumption are as under:

-  The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW) has enacted a comprehensive legislation, namely the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003 to regulate the trade and commerce, production, supply and distribution of tobacco products.
-  The MoH&FW has also enacted the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA), 2019 which prohibits the production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage and advertisement of electronic cigarettes and related devices.
-  The MoH&FW launched the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) in 2007-08 to ensure effective implementation of the provisions under the COTPA, discourage tobacco use and raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use.
-  The Ministry has established a toll-free National Tobacco Quitline Service (1800-112356), which is operated by four Quitline centers (Delhi, Mumbai, Guwahati, Bengaluru) covering all States and UTs, and provides counselling in 16 languages, including regional/local languages.
-  Over 2,000 Tobacco Cessation Centres (TCCs) have been established across the country under integrated efforts of NTCP, National Medical Commission (NMC) and National Dental Commission (NDC), National Oral Health Programme (NOHP) etc.
-  As part of awareness efforts, MoH&FW has also launched a 60-day annual Tobacco Free Youth Campaign since 2023 to educate youth about the dangers of tobacco and empower them to resist or quit tobacco use.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3547 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-13
Subject: State Health Regulatory Excellence Index
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab, Shri Madhavaneni Raghunandan Rao, Shri P P Chaudhary, Smt. Sanjna Jatav, Shri Amar Sharadrao Kale

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA

## MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3547 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13 TH MARCH, 2026

## STATE HEALTH REGULATORYEXCELLENCE INDEX

## 3547. SMT. SANJNA JATAV:

SHRI P P CHAUDHARY:

SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB:

SHRI AMAR SHARADRAO KALE:

SHRI MADHAVANENI RAGHUNANDAN RAO:

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

- (a) the current status of rollout and implementation of the State Health Regulatory Excellence Index (SHRESTH) introduced by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), indicating State/Union Territory-wise progress;
- (b) the details of the criteria, benchmarks and performance indicators prescribed under the Index for assessment of State and Union Territory drug regulatory authorities;
- (c) whether any deficiencies, operational issues or challenges have been observed during the initial phase of implementation; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) to (d): The State Health Regulatory Excellence Index (SHRESTH) has been operationalized and was launched by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare on 12th August, 2025. States submit the data on predefined metrics to Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) which is collected by 25 th of every month; scored and shared with all States/UTs.

SHRESTH Index is a virtual gap assessment tool designed to assist States/UTs to assess their current regulatory status. It provides a structured framework for evaluating key regulatory functions such as inspections, licensing, & product testing and encourage improved compliance and timely regulatory action through periodic scoring and benchmarking.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3540 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-13
Subject: Domestic Manufacturers of Shipping Containers
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Ms Kangna Ranaut

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3540

## ANSWERED ON 13.03.2026

## DOMESTIC MANUFACTURERS OF SHIPPING CONTAINERS

3540. MS KANGNA RANAUT:

## Will the MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:

## पȅन , पोत पįरवहन और जलमागŊ मंũी

(a) the number of shipping containers manufactured domestically in the country during the last five financial years; (b)  the  steps,  schemes  and  policy  initiatives  undertaken  by  the  Government  to enhance  indigenous  manufacturing  capacity  of  containers,  including incentives, standardisation, demand aggregation and support to domestic manufacturers; and (c) the  impact of these initiatives on import substitution, availability of containers for

- Indian trade and reduction in logistics costs?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The domestic manufacturing of shipping containers in India has been limited, and production has begun to scale up only in recent years. The maximum production recorded to date was approximately 24,000 TEUs in FY 2024.
- (b) The  Government  in  Budget  Speech  2026-27  has  announced  a  Scheme  for container  manufacturing  in  India  with  a  budget  outlay  of  Rs.  10,000  crore  aimed  at creating  globally  competitive  container  manufacturing  ecosystem  in  the  country through  financial  incentives  to  support  establishment  and  expansion  of  container manufacturing  units.  The  Government  is  also  encouraging  demand  aggregation through  public  sector  shipping  companies  and  container  operators  to  ensure  stable orders for domestic manufacturers.
- (c) The initiatives are expected to reduce dependence on imported containers and promote import substitution. Enhanced domestic manufacturing capacity will improve availability  of  containers  for  Indian  EXIM  trade  and  reduce  vulnerability  to  global supply  disruptions.  These  measures  are  also  likely  to  lower  logistics  costs,  improve cargo movement efficiency, and support employment and allied industries.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3539 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-13
Subject: e-PoS Machines at AWCs
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri Neeraj Maurya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN & CHILD DEVELOPMENT

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3539 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.03.2026

## E-POS MACHINES AT AWCS

## †3539. SHRI NEERAJ MAURYA:

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

- (a)    whether the Government has decided to make distribution of nutritional diet through ePoS  machines  and  to  make  biometric  authentication  mandatory  in  order  to  prevent malpractices at Anganwadi Centres, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)    the  details  of  the  States  in  which  nutritional  diet  distribution  at  Anganwadi  Centres is currently  done  entirely  through  e-PoS  machines  and  the  percentage  of  leakage prevention reported after its implementation;
- (c)    the current status of installation of e-PoS machines at Anganwadi Centres across the State  of  Uttar  Pradesh  including  Bareilly,  Badaun  and  Shahjahanpur  districts  and whether all the  centres have been connected with smooth internet connectivity; and
- (d)    whether the Government is considering to ensure offline nutritional diet distribution in the areas having server or connectivity issues?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI ANNPURNA DEVI)

(a) to (d) At present no proposal is under consideration of Central Government for distribution of supplementary nutrition in Anganwadi centres through e-PoS machines.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3538 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-13
Subject: Doctor Patient Ratio
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Prof. Sougata Ray

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3538 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13 TH MARCH, 2026

## DOCTOR PATIENT RATIO

## 3538 PROF. SOUGATA RAY:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of India's national doctor-patient ratio, State/UT-wise and sector-wise;
- (b) whether some States are showing better doctor-patient ratio in the country;
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons for some States lagging behind;
- (d) the number of existing medical seats for MBBS, MD, BAMS in Government and private sectors in the country, State/UT-wise;
- (e) whether the Government has any proposal to increase the seats for medical education and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) whether the Government has any proposal to open new AIIMS in the country and if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) to (f): There are 13,88,185 registered allopathic doctors and 7,51,768 registered practitioners in the AYUSH system of medicine. Assuming that 80% of registered practitioners in both the allopathic and AYUSH systems are available, the doctor-population ratio in the country is estimated to be 1:811.

The government has increased number of Medical Colleges, Under Graduate (UG) and Post Graduate (PG) seats. The number of Medical Colleges have increased from 387 to 818; UG seats from 51,348 to 1,28,976; and PG seats from 31,185 to 85,020 from 2014 to as on date. Further, there are 45,245 BAMS seats available across the country.

The Government has taken several steps to increase the medical seats in the country:

-  Under Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS), ' Establishment of new medical colleges attached with existing district/referral hospitals ' , 137 new medical colleges are functional out of 157 approved medical colleges.
-  Centrally Sponsored Scheme for strengthening/ upgradation of existing State Government/Central Government Medical Colleges to increase MBBS and PG seats.
-  Under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), establishment of 22 All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has been approved in various States/UTs in the country till date.
- *****