opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4648 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-20
Subject: MV Ganga Vilas
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Shri Bapi Haldar

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4648

ANSWERED ON 20.03.2026

## MV GANGA VILAS

4648. SHRI BAPI HALDAR:

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

- (a) the number of cruises undertaken by the MV Ganga Vilas along with the volume of domestic and foreign tourists thereon since its launch, year-wise;
- (b) the revenue, profit and operational costs of MV Ganga Vilas since its launch, yearwise;and
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  any  plans  to  introduce  more  river  cruises  along  the lines ofMV Ganga Vilas, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The  number  of  cruises  undertaken  by  MV  Ganga  Vilas  along  with  the  volume  of domestic and foreign tourists thereon since its launch, year-wise is enumerated below:

| Year    |   Trips |   Domestic tourists |   Foreign tourists |   Total Tourist |
|---------|---------|---------------------|--------------------|-----------------|
| 2022-23 |       5 |                   5 |                120 |             125 |
| 2023-24 |       5 |                  30 |                100 |             130 |
| 2024-25 |       7 |                  10 |                 95 |             105 |
| 2025-26 |       9 |                  44 |                116 |             160 |

(b) & (c) MV Ganga Vilas vessel is owned by a private cruise operator and Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways does not maintain or compile data of the revenue, profit, or operational costs of such vessels, as these are commercial matters of the respective operators.  Similarly,  decision  regarding  expansion  plans,  including  introduction  of additional  cruise  services  on  the  lines  of  MV  Ganga  Vilas  are  taken  by  private stakeholders based on market viability and business considerations.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4644 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-20
Subject: Mechanism to Address Corruption in Courts
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Shri Damodar Agrawal

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4644 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 20 TH  MARCH, 2026

## MECHANISM TO ADDRESS CORRUPTION IN COURTS

## †4644.  SHRI DAMODAR AGRAWAL:

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

- (a) whether the Government has developed any mechanism for filing complaints related to corruption against the presiding officers or judges of the District Courts, High Courts and Supreme Court of the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) the  details  of  complaints  received  against  presiding  officers  or  judges  of courts  at  various  levels  during  the  last  five  years,  State-wise  and  court category-wise; and
- (d) the details of the disposal of complaints against presiding officers or judges of  courts  at  various  levels  during  the  last  five  years,  State-wise  and  court category-wise?

## 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): Independence of Judiciary is enshrined in the Constitution of India. The complaints received against Judges and Chief Justices of the High Courts are handled by the judiciary through an 'in-house mechanism'. The Supreme Court of India, on 7 th May,  1997,  adopted  two  Resolutions  namely  (i)  "The  Restatement  of  Values  of

Judicial Life" which lays down certain judicial standards and principles to be observed and followed by the Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts and (ii) "In-house procedure" for taking suitable remedial measure against Judges who do not follow the universally  accepted  values  of  judicial  life  including  those  in  the  Restatement  of values  of  Judicial  Life. As  per  the  established  'In-house  procedure'  for  the  Higher Judiciary, the Chief Justice of India is competent to receive complaints against Judges of  the  Supreme  Court  and  Chief  Justices  of  the  High  Courts.  Similarly,  the  Chief Justices of the High Courts are competent to receive complaints against the conduct of High Court Judges.

Under Article 235 of the Constitution of India, the administrative control over the  members  of  district  and  subordinate  judiciary  in  the  States  vests  with  the concerned High Court. In exercise of powers conferred under proviso to Article 309 read with Articles 233 and 234 of the Constitution, the respective State Governments, in  consultation with the High Court, frame the Rules and Regulations regarding the issue  of  appointment,  promotion,  reservations  and  retirement  of  Judicial  Officers  in the State Judicial Service.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4643 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-20
Subject: Upgradation of Fertilizer Plants
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Shri Parshottambhai Rupala

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4643 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 20.03.2026

## Upgradation of Fertilizer Plants

## 4643. Shri Parshottambhai Rupala:

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

- (a)  whether the Government proposes to instruct fertilizer industries to replace obsolete vessels, machinery and process equipment to enhance public safety, considering that fertilizer plants handle hazardous chemicals and are often located in polluted and densely populated areas;
- (b)  if so, the details of such directives, alongwith the due timelines and applicable safety standards in this regard;
- (c)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  implement  new  energy  efficiency  norms  in fertilizer units;
- (d)  whether the fixed cost policy has been revised to implement new fixed cost norms, if so, the details thereof and the status of fixed cost matters pending since 2014; and
- (e) whether periodic safety audits and incentives for technology upgradation are under consideration, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

## (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

(a) (b) and (e):  The safety and security of urea manufacturing units does not fall directly under the purview of the Department of Fertilizers. However, in order to promote safe operations, the Department has developed a model safety protocol checklist, obtained from urea units on a monthly basis for review and monitoring. Routine health checkup of Ammonia  systems  including  storage  tanks,  adoption  of  safety  in  design  of Ammonia storage and handling during transportation, disaster management training of employees, emergency response planning are some of the major aspects covered in these reports.

For SSP units, Department of Fertilizers conducts technical audit and inspection of SSP manufacturing units through approved agencies. These audits assess plant capability, production  norms,  raw  material  use,  and  compliance  with  Fertilizers  (Control)  Order standards.

(c):  An Expert Group under NITI Aayog engaged to recommend the energy norms to be applicable for Urea unit w.e.f. 1st April, 2025 has submitted its report. The Department is in the process of obtaining the approval of Competent Authority.

(d):  The  revision  of  fixed  cost  of  Urea  manufacturing  Units  along  with  reinstating  the provisions of the minimum fixed cost of Rs. 2300/MT under the Modified NPS-III with effect from 2nd April 2014 are under examination.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4641 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-20
Subject: Illegal Sale and Disposal of Expired Medicines
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Jai Prakash

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4641 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20 TH MARCH, 2026

## ILLEGALSALE AND DISPOSALOF EXPIRED MEDICINES

## 4641. SHRI JAI PRAKASH:

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

(a) whether the Government has taken or proposes to take strict action to curb the illegal and dangerous practice of reselling expired medicines, which involves altering expiry dates and re - entering them into the supply chain after such illegal practice was brought to the fore, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has issued new guidelines on the safe disposal of expired/unused drugs to ensure that they are not diverted back into the market, if so, the details thereof; and

(c) whether the Government has launched "Drug Take-Bank" programmes, where consumers can drop off expired medicine at designated locations and if so, the response of consumers in this regard?

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

(a): The manufacture, sale and distribution of drugs in the country is regulated under the provisions of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules, 1945 thereunder through a system of licensing and inspection. Licenses for manufacture, sale and distribution of drugs are granted by the State Licensing Authorities (SLAs) appointed by respective State Governments.

Licensee is required to comply with all the conditions of license. One of the conditions of license states that no drug shall be sold or stocked by the licensee after the date of expiration of potency recorded on its container, label or wrapper, or in violation of any statement or direction recorded on such container, label or wrapper.

SLAs are legally empowered and take stringent actions against violation of provisions of the Act and Rules including the instances of reselling the expired medicines.

(b) & (c): Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) with the approval of Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) has issued a guidance document on disposal of expired/ unused drugs, available on website of CDSCO (www.cdsco.gov.in).

The guidance provides information regarding various methods for disposal of expired/ unused medicines, procedure to be followed for disposal of the expired /unused medicines by Retailers, Wholesalers, Manufactures, Government/ Private Hospitals, Government Agencies, etc. and disposal of expired medicine/unused medicine by general public.

Further, CDSCO vide letter dated 26.05.2025 has also requested all the States/ UT Drugs Controllers to encourage the concerned stakeholders in their States/ UTs to adopt these guidelines for safe disposal of expired/ unused drugs.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4625 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-20
Subject: Viability Gap Funding in Ports
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Shri K Radhakrishnan

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4625

ANSWERED ON 20.03.2026

## VIABILITY GAP FUNDING IN PORTS

4625. SHRI K RADHAKRISHNAN:

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

(a)  whether  the  Central  Government  has  excluded  or  withdrawn  Gap  Funding  / Viability  Gap  Funding  (VGF) support  for certain  port  projects in  the  country  during the last five years and if so, the details thereof, port-wise; (b)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  exclude  or  deny  Gap  Funding  /  Viability Gap Funding support for the Vizhinjam International Seaport; (c) if so, the reasons therefor, particularly in view of the strategic and trans-shipment importance of Vizhinjam port; and (d) if not, the details of financial assistance proposed to be extended by the Central Government,  including  the  quantum  of  Gap  Funding,  timeline  for  release,  and conditions attached thereto?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) Under  the  Viability  Gap  Funding  (VGF)  Scheme  of  Department  of Economic  Affairs,  Government  of  India,  no  port  project  in  the  country  has  been excluded or withdrawn support from availing VGF support. Under this scheme,Government  of  India  has  disbursedan  amount  of  ₹817.80  crore  to  the Vizhinjam International Seaport Project.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4620 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-20
Subject: Pendency of Cases in Courts
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Mrs Ruchi Vira

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4620 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 20 TH  MARCH, 2026

## PENDENCY OF CASES IN COURTS

## † 4620 MRS. RUCHI VIRA:

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

- (a) whether it has been brought to the notice of the Government that as per the National Judicial Data Grid and e-Courts monitoring, pendency and delay tendencies in courts are prevailing on a large scale and the Department of Justice itself describes NJDG as a tool to reduce pendency and identify bottlenecks, which raises concerns that citizens in Moradabad district, Uttar Pradesh are facing inordinate delays in disposal of cases; and
- (b) if so, the details of the total number of cases lying pending in the District Court/ Subordinate Courts,  number  of  cases  disposed  of  during  the  last  three  years,  the  vacant  posts  of  judicial officers,  the  availability  of  Public  Prosecutors  and  the  number  of  Fast  Track  Courts/Special Courts in the district?

## 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)  &  (b): The disposal of cases is within the exclusive domain of the judiciary. Pendency of cases  in  courts  arise  due  to  several  factors  which  inter  alia,  include  complexity  of  the  facts involved,  nature  of  evidence,  co-operation  of  stakeholders,  viz.,  bar,  investigation  agencies, witness  and  litigants,  besides  the  availability  of  physical  infrastructure,  supporting  court  staff, etc. As per the information available on the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG), the details of pending cases in the District Court/Subordinate Courts and the number of cases disposed of in Moradabad district, Uttar Pradesh during the last three years, as on 17.03.2026, are as under:

|                                 | No. of cases   |
|---------------------------------|----------------|
| Total pendency                  | 1,49,389       |
| Disposed of during last 3 years | 17,627         |

The  information  regarding  vacant  posts  of  judicial  officers,  district-wise,  and  availability  of Public Prosecutors is not centrally maintained. There are 3 functional Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) including 2 exclusive POCSO Courts and 5 Fast Track Courts (FTCs) in Moradabad District, Uttar Pradesh.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4613 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-20
Subject: Skill Gaps, Employment & Future Readiness
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Dr. Prabha Mallikarjun

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4613

ANSWERED ON 20.03.2026

## SKILL GAPS, EMPLOYMENT & FUTURE READINESS

## 4613. DR. PRABHA MALLIKARJUN:

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

## पᱫन , पोत पᳯरवहन और जलमागᭅ मंᮢी

- (a) whether skill gaps persist in port operations, logistics and inland shipping;
- (b) whether training programmes match industry needs and skilling is regionally balanced, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether automation risks job displacement; and
- (d) if so, the manner in which the sector will generate quality maritime employment?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (d)  The  training  programmes  in  logistics  and  maritime  sector  are  aligned  with industry requirements through sector skill councils, industry partnerships and competency based occupational standards. Further, Indian Maritime University (IMU) a central  university  under  MoPSW,  has  Syllabus  Review  Committees  where  industry practitioners  are  co-opted  to  enable  preparation  of  industry  relevant  curriculum.  The skilling  initiatives  are  implemented  across  multiple  states  through  accredited  training centres, IndustrialTraining Institutes, Maritime Training Institutes, industry-led programs, and  06  campuses  (Mumbai,  Navi  Mumbai,  Cochin,  Chennai,  Visakhapatnam  and Kolkata) of Indian Maritime University (IMU) ensuring regional outreach. As per Capital Goods & Strategic Skills Council under Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship,  automation  is  being  implemented  asa  critical  enabler  for  improving production  quality  and  operational  efficiency  and  not  as  a  replacement  for  human labour.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4608 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-20
Subject: Creche facility in Government Offices
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Dr. Sharmila Sarkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4608

TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.03.2026

## CRECHE FACILITY IN GOVERNMENT OFFICES

## 4608. DR. SHARMILA SARKAR:

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

- (a) whether all Union Government Ministries/Departments and offices, have functional creche facilities  as  prescribed  under  the  Maternity  Benefit  (Amendment)  Act,  2017,  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (b) whether  any  complaints  have  been  received  with  regard  to  the  functioning  of  these facilities, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the details of the Union Government offices not having creche facilities along with the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): The Administrative Ministry for Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 is the Ministry of Labour and Employment. As per the information made available, respective State Governments are the Appropriate Government under Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, hence no information is maintained centrally.

However, as the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 has now been subsumed in Code on Social Security, 2020, the Central Government is the appropriate government for all Union Government Offices. The Code has been implemented w.e.f. 21.11.2025.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4606 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-20
Subject: West Coast Canal Development Project
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Dr. Shashi Tharoor

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4606

ANSWERED ON 20.03.2026

## WEST COAST CANAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

4606. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

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

## पȅन , पोत पįरवहन और जलमागŊ मंũी

- (a) the current status of the West Coast Canal (Kovalam-Akkulam) inland waterway link in  Kerala  project  including  the  progress  of  land  acquisition,  rehabilitation  of  affected families and estimated timelines for completion; (b) the nature and  extent of delays/obstacles encountered  in finalising Central approvals, clearance of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) and release of Central funds for the said project along with the impact of the said delays on projected economic and urban development benefits in the region; (c)  the  specific  interventions  undertaken  by  the  Government  in  coordination  with  the Government of Kerala and other Central ministries, to resolve land acquisition disputes and rehabilitation issues, including the number of cases pending and resolved so far;
- and
- (d) whether the Government proposes to introduce any policy or procedural reforms to streamline  approval  timelines,  improve  rehabilitation  frameworks  and  ensure  timely implementation of urban infrastructure connectivity projects, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The West  Coast  Canal  (Kovalam-Akkulam)  inland  waterway  link  project  is beyond the declared portion of NW-3 in Kerala and is not within the purview of Inland Waterways  Authority  of  India  (IWAI),  an  autonomous  organisation  under  Ministry  of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
- (b) to (d)Do not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 386 (STARRED), answered on 2026-03-19
Subject: Flights from Gwalior Airport
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Bharat Singh Kushwah

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. : 386

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  19th March 2026 )

## FLIGHTS FROM GWALIOR AIRPORT

386.    SHRI BHARAT SINGH KUSHWAH Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Government proposes to formulate any action plan to connect the newly constructed Gwalior Airport in Madhya Pradesh with cities such as Kolkata, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur and Udaipur through Boeing/72-seater ATR aircraft services based on infrastructure and passenger availability; and (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister of CIVIL AVIATION                      (Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu) (a) and (b): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (A)  &  (B)  IN RESPECT  OF  LOK  SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  386  FOR REPLY  ON  19.03.2026  REGARDING  'FLIGHTS  FROM  GWALIOR AIRPORT' ASKED BY SHRI BHARAT SINGH KUSHWAH.

(a)  &  (b):  Gwalior  Airport  is  presently  connected  to  Mumbai,  Delhi  and Bengaluru with 42 weekly flight movements (arrivals + departures) operated by M/s  IndiGo  and  M/s  Air  India  Express.    The  commencement  of  flight operations  from  any  airport  in  the  country  is  a  commercial  decision  of  the airlines, based on the economic and operational viability of the route and other associated factors. With the repeal of the Air Corporations Act in March 1994, the Indian domestic aviation sector was fully deregulated. Airlines are free to induct  capacity  with  any  type  of  aircraft  and  to  determine  the  markets  and routes they wish to serve. However, such operations are subject to compliance with  the  Route  Dispersal  Guidelines  (RDGs)  issued  by  the  Government,  slot allocation by the respective airport operators and approval of flight schedules by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

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