Lok Sabha Question No. 2242 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-12
Subject: Health Impact of Pollution in Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Kuldeep Indora

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2242 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH DECEMBER, 2025

## HEALTH IMPACT OF POLLUTION IN SRI GANGANAGAR AND HANUMANGARH

## 2242 SHRI KULDEEPINDORA:

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

(a) whether the Government is aware that the cases of cancer, kidney and liver diseases are increasing manifold in Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh districts of Rajasthan due to excessive use of chemical fertilizers and polluted drinking water and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether any special study has been conducted to find out the root causes of the rising cases of these fatal diseases in these districts and if so, the details thereof;

(c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government so far for prevention of these diseases, providing safe drinking water, controlling chemical use and ensuring timely and affordable treatment; and

(d) whether the Government is considering implementing any special scheme for providing free or subsidized treatment as well as financial assistance to the poor and rural families suffering from such fatal diseases and if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) and (b): Public Health and Hospital is a state subject. As per report from Government of Rajasthan, there is no certified survey or study available under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) Programme to prove that excessive use of chemical fertilizers and polluted drinking water is leading to significant increase in cancer, kidney and liver diseases. There has been significant increase in the classical risk factors associated with Non - Communicable Disease(NCDs) including cancer such as tobacco and alcohol consumption, insufficient physical activities, unhealthy diets, consumption of high salt, sugar and saturated fats, etc.

(c) Drinking Water being a State subject, the responsibility of Planning, Approval, Implementation, Operation & Maintenance of drinking water supply schemes, including those under the Jal Jeevan Mission(JJM), is vested with State/UT Governments.

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare provides technical and financial support to States and Union Territories across the country under NP-NCD as part of the National Health Mission (NHM). The Programme focuses on strengthening infrastructure, human resource development, screening, early diagnosis, referral, treatment, and health promotion for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) as per need and proposal from the State and Union Territories. Under the programme, 770 District NCD Clinics, 233 Cardiac Care Units and 6410 NCD clinics at Community Health Centres have been set up. Further, 297 Day Care Cancer Centres have been approved for establishment across the country during the FY 2025-26.

A population-based initiative under NHM for prevention, control and screening of common NCDs among persons above 30 years is implemented as part of Comprehensive Primary Health Care. Healthy-eating promotion through FSSAI's Eat Right initiatives and lifestyle activities such as Fit India, Khelo India and Yoga programmes of the Ministries of AYUSH and Youth Affairs & Sports are also carried out.

(d) Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) under Ayushman Bharat: AB-PMJAY provides health cover of Rs. 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to approximately 55 crore beneficiaries. The scheme, through Ayushman Vay Vandana, has been expended to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of their socio-economic status. Packages for NCDs are also part of PM-JAY scheme. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare provides one-time financial assistance of up to Rs. 15 lakh under the Health Minister's Cancer Patient Fund (HMCPF), a component of the Umbrella Scheme of Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN), for the treatment of poor patients suffering from cancer at Regional Cancer Centres (RCCs), Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCCs), State Cancer Institutes (SCIs), and other Government hospitals/institutes with cancer treatment facilities

Under Free Drugs Service Initiative of NHM, free essential medicines for diabetes and hypertension patients are provided to for poor and needy people as per the proposals received from the States and Union Territories. Quality generic medicines are made available at affordable prices to all, under 'Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), in collaboration with the State Governments. Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) provides affordable medicines for treatment of various diseases including diabetes and hypertension.

Government of Rajasthan has informed that treatment of serious diseases is done free of cost under the Universal Health Coverage under the Mukhyamantri Ayushman Arogya Yojana and Mukhyamantri Nishulk Nirogi Rajasthan Yojana. Liver Smile Clinics have been established in all 61 district hospitals of the state for screening of patients suffering from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

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