opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 5763 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-30
Subject: PAN-Aadhaar Linking
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Dr. Amar Singh, Shri Benny Behanan, Shri Karti P Chidambaram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5763

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2026/CHAITRA 09, 1948 (SAKA)

## 'PAN-Aadhaar Linking'

## 5763. Shri. Karti P Chidambaram: Shri Dr. Amar Singh: Shri Benny Behanan:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state: -

- (a) The total number of Permanent Account Numbers (PANs) rendered inoperative as on 1 January 2026 due to non-linking with Aadhaar, Category-wise ;
- (b) The total amount of late fees collected for delayed linking of PAN with Aadhaar, as on date;
- (c) The number of Income Tax Returns (ITRs) not processed, TDS/TCS credits denied, and  refunds  withheld  due  to  inoperative  PAN  status,  along  with  the aggregate monetary value involved; and
- (d) The number of grievances received through the e-filing portal channels relating to PAN inoperability, refund blockage, or portal malfunction during the period since 2024-25, year wise?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

- (a) Aadhaar-PAN linking is mandatory only for Individual category of taxpayers. The total number of Individual Category PANs,  which were inoperative as on 1st January, 2026 is 9,25,50,668.
- (b) The total amount of late fees collected for delayed linking of PAN with Aadhaar, as on 23.03.2026 is Rs. 2,338.31 Crores .
- (c) In respect of cases where PANs are in inoperative status, returns of income filed are processed and also credit for pre-paid taxes claimed in the returns are allowed.

However,  refunds  arising  from  processing  of  these  returns  are  withheld  as  per provisions of Sec. 139AA of the Income Tax Act, 1961 read with Rule 114AAA of the  Income  Tax  Rules,  1962.   The  number  of  such refund  cases  kept  on  hold  in respect of inoperative PAN status is 1,30,638 and the amount involved is Rs. 340.30 Crores.

- (d)  The number of grievances received through the e-filing portal channels relating to PAN inoperability, refund blockage, or portal malfunction during the period since 2024-25, year wise are as under:

| Year        |   Count |
|-------------|---------|
| 2024-25     |    1114 |
| 2025-26     |    1156 |
| Grand Total |    2270 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5760 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-30
Subject: National Strategy and Roadmap for Medical and Wellness Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Jashubhai Bhilubhai Rathva, Smt. Kriti Devi Debbarman, Shri Anurag Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5760

## ANSWERED ON 30.03.2026

## NATIONAL STRATEGY AND ROADMAP FOR MEDICAL

AND WELLNESS TOURISM

5760. SHRI ANURAG SHARMA:

SHRI JASHUBHAI BHILUBHAI RATHVA: SMT. KRITI DEVI DEBBARMAN:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  National  Strategy  and  Roadmap  for  Medical  and Wellness  Tourism  has  been  operationalised  in  coordination  with concerned  Central  Ministries,  State  Governments  and  industry stakeholders;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof,  including  key  action  areas  identified  for enhancing India's competitiveness in medical and wellness tourism;
- (c) the details of institutional mechanisms established for convergence among  tourism  promotion,  healthcare  accreditation  systems  and visa  facilitation  measures,  including  digital  platforms  created  for providing information to foreign patients;
- (d) whether  any  framework  is  under  consideration  for  improved  data collection and impact assessment relating to medical tourism in the country; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

## ANSWER

(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a)  to  (e):  Development  and  promotion  of  tourist  destinations  and products, including medical tourism is undertaken by the respective State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration. The Ministry promotes various  tourism  products  of  the  country,  including  medical  &  Wellness tourism through various initiatives.

The  National  Strategy  and  Roadmap  for  Medical  and  Wellness Tourism was circulated to concerned Central Ministries, State Governments and UT administrations for necessary action.

The Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC) under the Ministry of Commerce has developed a comprehensive website viz., http://www.indiahealthcaretourism.com  which  provides  information  on accredited hospitals and wellness centres, visa, healthcare providers etc. The Ministry of Tourism has provided a link to this portal on its official websites. To facilitate the visit of foreign nationals to come to India for medical treatment,  the  Government  of  India  has  extended  e-medical  visa/  emedical attendant visa facility. The  National  Accreditation  Board  for  Hospitals  &  Healthcare Providers  (NABH)  provides  accreditation  for  healthcare  organizations, Ayush organizations and Medical Value Travel Facilitators. The  details  of  foreign  tourists  visiting  the  country  for  medical purposes is maintained by the Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs. There  is  no  proposal  at  present  in  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  to undertake impact assessment relating to medical tourism.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 5756 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-30
Subject: Cultural Exchange between Punjab and Foreign Countries
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Malvinder Singh Kang

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5756 ANSWERED ON 30/03/2026

## CULTURAL EXCHANGE BETWEEN PUNJAB AND FOREIGN COUNTRIES

5756.  SHRI MALVINDER SINGH KANG:

Will the Minister of Culture be pleased to state:

(a) the current status of cultural exchanges between Punjab and foreign countries;

(b) the details of specific initiatives undertaken by the Government to promote Punjabi culture globally;

(c) the details of trade relations among Punjab and countries like Canada, the USA and the UK;

(d)  the  support  provided  by  the  Government  for  Punjabi  exporters  to  access  international markets; and

(e) the details of any plans to organize international trade fairs or cultural festivals to enhance Punjab's presence globally?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a)  &  (b) Ministry  of  Culture  promotes  Indian  Arts  and  Culture  globally  through  signing  of Cultural Agreements & Cultural Exchange Programmes with foreign countries which encompasses tangible and intangible heritage of  India. Under the Global Engagement Scheme administered  by  Ministry  of  Culture,  Festivals  of  India  are  organized  in  other  countries showcasing Indian art and other cultural events including the Punjabi Arts and Culture through exhibitions, dance, music, theatre, food fest, film fest, yoga etc.

(c) & (d) Ministry of Commerce and Industry promotes Trade relations with foreign countries through signing of trade agreements, conducting Trade Policy forum & organizing the regular Dialogue on Trade & Investment with foreign countries including Canada, the USA and the UK. Ministry of Commerce and Industry provides support to Indian exporters including from Punjab through export promotion scheme and incentives under the Foreign Trade Policy, Market access initiatives, trade facilitation and participation in international trade fairs.

(e) India from time-to-time, organizes festival of India abroad showcasing India's rich Arts and Culture including Punjabi arts and culture like music, dance, cuisines etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5754 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-30
Subject: GST on Agricultural Items
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Deepender Singh Hooda

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5754

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2026/CHAITRA 09, 1948 (SAKA)

## GST ON AGRICULTURAL ITEMS

## 5754. Shri Deepender Singh Hooda :

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that many items used by the farmers like the fruit protection paper bags for agriculture purpose are included in high GST slab of 18 per cent;
- (b) if so, the steps taken by the Government to reduce/exempt GST from such items;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether it is true that Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) is undertaking research based promotion of Bagging technology among horticultural farmers and if so, whether any impact assessment study been conducted in this regard; and (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

## (a), (b) and (c):

- (i) GST rates and exemptions, are prescribed on the recommendations of the GST Council, which is a constitutional body comprising representatives from the States/UTs and Centre.
- (ii) Based  on  the  recommendation  of  the  GST  Council  in  its  56 th meeting  held  on 03.09.2025, the GST rate on Paper Sacks/Bags falling under Chapter 48 was reduced from 18% to 5%.

## (d) & (e):

- (i)  Some  institutes  under  Horticultural  Science  Division  of Indian  Council  of  Agriculture Research (ICAR) are undertaking research based promotion of Bagging technology mainly in fruits like mango and litchi. ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH), Lucknow  has  undertaken  demonstration  of  Good  Agricultural  Practices  (GAP)  in  mango which includes fruit bagging as essential component in two mango clusters (Dashehari and Chausa).

(ii)  Impact  assessment  of  mango  GAP  (Fruit  Bagging)  was  done  jointly  by  ICAR  CISH, Lucknow  and  ICAR-National  Institute  of  Agricultural  Economics  and  Policy  Research (NIAP),  New  Delhi.  The  policy  brief  has  been  published  by  ICAR-NIAP,  New  Delhi.  In litchi,  ICAR-National  Research  Centre  on  Litchi  (NRCL),  Muzaffarpur  has  provided 30,000 fruit bags to 100 farmers after on-field trials and field day demonstrations with the objective  of  assessing  the  impact  of  bagging  technology  on  yield,  fruit  quality  and  pest incidence  in  litchi  varieties  Shahi  and  China. The  adoption  of  fruit  bagging  technology increased  average  yield  of  litchi  by nearly  30-35  per  cent, reduced fruit  burn/cracking incidence substantially (0-5% in bagged fruits), and the incidence of fruit borer reduced to less than 3 per cent.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5751 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-30
Subject: Restructuring of  PFC and REC
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Eatala Rajender

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 5751

ANSWERED ON MONDAY, 30 MARCH, 2026/CHAITRA 09, 1948 (SAKA)

## Restructuring of PFC and REC

5751. SHRI EATALA RAJENDER:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the vision for Non Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) for Viksit Bharat has been outlined with clear targets for credit disbursement and technology adoption and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has proposed to restructure the Power Finance Corporation (PFC) and Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) as a first step in order to achieve scale and improve efficiency in the Public Sector NBFCs; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the progress achieved in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

(a):  During  the  NBFC  Symposium  organised  by the  Department of  Financial  Services, Ministry of Finance on 9.7.2025, the vision for NBFCs for Viksit Bharat was laid out as under:

- (i) NBFCs' share to rise from 24% of credit disbursed by the Scheduled Commercial Banks presently to at least 50% by 2047, to effectively serve the credit-unserved and underserved segments of society.
- (ii) 100% technology adoption throughout the loan lifecycle.
- (iii) Channeling 50% of credit towards high-growth sectors such as green  initiatives, affordable housing, and MSMEs by 2047.

(b) and (c): Ministry of Power has apprised that on 1.2.2026, in the Union Budget 202627, the proposal to restructure PFC and REC Limited was announced with the objective of achieving scale and improving efficiency among the Public Sector NBFCs.

Pursuant to the above announcement, the Boards of PFC and REC Limited, accorded inprinciple approval for restructuring in the form of a merger of PFC and REC Limited on 6.2.2026,  while  ensuring  that the  merged  entity  continues  to  remain  as  a  "Government Company" under the Companies Act, 2013 and other applicable laws.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 498 (STARRED), answered on 2026-03-27
Subject: Restrictions on Agri Exports
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri M K Raghavan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No- *498 ANSWERED ON-  27/03/2026 RESTRICTIONS ON AGRI EXPORTS

## *498. SHRI M K RAGHAVAN:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has taken any steps regarding the restrictions imposed on export of agricultural products from Kerala and West Bengal to Saudi Arabia citing Nipah virus concerns, if so, the details thereof including the steps taken by the Government so far; (b) whether the Ministry has coordinated with the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the concerned State Governments to officially convey the present epidemiological status indicating absence of any recent Nipah outbreak, if so, the details thereof; and (c) whether updated health and phytosanitary certification data has been shared with Saudi authorities to facilitate withdrawal of the restrictions, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO 498 REGARDING 'RESTRICTIONS ON AGRI EXPORTS' FOR ANSWER ON 27.03.2026

Yes,   the   Government   has   taken   steps   regarding   the   temporary restrictions imposed by Saudi Arabia on import of certain agricultural products from Kerala and West Bengal citing Nipah virus concerns.

Subsequent   to   the   Royal   Embassy   of   Saudi   Arabia   conveying   the restrictions to Government of India, the Indian Mission in Riyadh has taken up the matter formally with Government of  Kingdom of  Saudi Arabia   to   lift   the   restrictions.   It   was   conveyed   to   Saudi   Arabian authorities that only two laboratory-confirmed Nipah cases occurred in West Bengal in January 2026, both among healthcare workers in a single facility and there is no evidence of community transmission. There is no

documented   evidence   of   Nipah   transmission   through   commercially traded   fruits   or   agricultural   commodities   undergoing   standard   postharvest   handling,   washing,   sorting   and   phyto   sanitary   inspection procedures. Indian agricultural exports follow stringent phytosanitary and food safety protocols that effectively mitigate risks.

The Ministry continues to coordinate with relevant GoI Departments and authorities to respond to any additional queries and clarifications from authorities in Saudi Arabia.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 484 (STARRED), answered on 2026-03-27
Subject: Implementation of Market Development Assistance Scheme
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Shri Suresh Kumar Kashyap

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS

## DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO .+* 484 TO BE ANSWERED ON

: 27.03.2026

## Implementation of Market Development Assistance Scheme

## 484: SHRI SURESH KUMAR KASHYAP

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

- (a) whether any special initiatives have been taken by the Government to ensure effective implementation of the Market Development Assistance Schemes in hilly States like Himachal Pradesh; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)

- (a)  & (b) A statement is laid on the table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 484 FOR 27.03.2026  REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION OF  MARKET DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE SCHEME .

(a) & (b) Market  Development  Assistance  (MDA) is  implemented  on  pan  India basis.

Under this Scheme, the Government has approved assistance @ ₹1500/MT to promote  organic  carbon  enhancers  i.e.,  Fermented  Organic  Fertilizers  (FOM)  and Liquid  FOM;  and  organic  fertilizer  i.e.,  Phosphate  Rich  Organic  Manure  (PROM), produced  at  plants  under  the Galvanizing  Organic  Bio-Agro  Resources  Dhan ( GOBARdhan) initiative, covering different biogas/CBG plants. Under the scheme, 133 Compressed  Bio  Gas(CBG)/Bio  Gas  (BG)  plants  have  been  registered  on  the Integrated Fertilizer Management System (iFMS) portal as on 23.03.2026 for sale of FOM/LFOM/PROM.  CBG/BG  plants  can  claim  MDA  on  FOM/LFOM/PROM  sold through  PoS  (Point  of  Sale)  to  Farmers/Farmers  Cooperatives/Farmers  Producers Organisations  (FPOs)/Panchayats/District  Development  Authorities  (DDAs)/Central Public Work Department (CPWD)/Govt. Departments/Non-Government Organisations (NGOs)/Residence Welfare Associations (RWAs) etc.

CBG/BG plants can also sell FOM/LFOM/PROM through Fertilizer Marketing Companies  (FMCs)  by entering into Memorandum  of  Understanding (MoU).

Further, FMCs are encouraged to enter into Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CBG operators in their catchment area for marketing of FOM/LFOM/PROM. So far, FMCs have signed 44 MoUs with CBG units for marketing of FOM/LFOM/PROM.

No CBG/BG plant has been registered from the State of Himachal Pradesh for sale of FOM/LFOM/PROM under the MDA scheme.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 481 (STARRED), answered on 2026-03-27
Subject: Prescription of Generic Medicines
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Chandan Chauhan

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA

## MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 481* TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 27 TH MARCH, 2026

## PRESCRIPTION OF GENERIC MEDICINES

## †*481. SHRI CHANDAN CHAUHAN:

Will the MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the doctors in our country generally prescribe branded drugs instead of the name of the salt or generic drugs for the treatment of the patients, as a result of that/thereby the patients are compelled and left with no option but to buy expensive medicines of the branded companies, if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) the concrete steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to make it
- mandatory for doctors to prescribe generic drugs or the names of salts instead of branded drugs so as to make affordable generic drugs available, particularly to the poor and middle-class patients in rural areas?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## (SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)

- (a) & (b) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 481* FOR 27 TH MARCH, 2026

(a) & (b) Clause 1.5 of the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 provides that every physician should prescribe drugs with generic names legibly and preferably in capital letters and he/she shall ensure that there is a rational prescription and use of drug. Further, the Directorate General of Health Services has instructed vide order dated 12.05.2023 that all doctors in Central Government hospitals, CGHS Wellness Centres and polyclinics prescribe generic medicines.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) Act, 2019 empowers State Medical Council (SMC) or the Ethics & Medical Registration Board (EMRB) of NMC to take disciplinary action in respect of any professional or ethical misconduct by a registered medical practitioner or professional.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5744 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-27
Subject: Recognition of Physiotherapy Professional as Essential Cadre
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Rambhual Nishad

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5744 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27 TH MARCH 2026

## RECOGNITION OF PHYSIOTHERAPY PROFESSIONALAS ESSENTIALCADRE

## † 5744. SHRI RAMBHUALNISHAD :

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government recognise physiotherapy professionals as a distinct and essential cadre under the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act of

the year 2021, if so, the details thereof;

- (b) whether the Government proposes to recommend an enhancement in the pay level/grade pay of physiotherapists under the Eighth Central Pay Commission, considering their extended clinical, academic and rehabilitative responsibilities, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether representation have been received from physiotherapy associations regarding pay parity, stagnation and cadre discrimination in comparison to other healthcare professionals, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure a uniform pay structure, career progression and professionals recognition for physiotherapists in the Central Government institutions?

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

(a) to (d) : The Physiotherapy Professionals are covered under Category 3 in the Schedule of National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act, 2021. The Physiotherapy Cadre has been restructured in all the three Central Government Hospitals i.e. Safdarjung Hospital, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Smt. Sucheta Kriplani Hospital, New Delhi and the highest pay of the aforesaid cadre has been increased from Level 10 to Level -12.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5740 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-27
Subject: Establishment of Additional CGHS Wellness Centres in Bengaluru
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. C N Manjunath

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5740 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27 TH MARCH, 2026

## ESTABLISHMENT OFADDITIONALCGHS WELLNESS CENTRES IN BENGALURU

## 5740 DR. C. N. MANJUNATH:

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

- (a) whether there is any proposal to establish additional CGHS Wellness Centres in the city of Bengaluru, if so, the details thereof including the proposed locations and timeline for its establishment;
- (b) whether the Government has taken note of the shortage of specialists and staff nurses in CGHS Wellness Centres and if so, the steps taken to address such shortage; and
- (c) the reasons for Air India retirees not receiving cashless treatment in CGHS empanelled hospitals along with the corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard?

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

(a) to (c) : One Extension Counter at Sahakarnagar, Bengaluru, has been upgraded to a fullfledged CGHS Wellness Centre and is presently functional.

Filling up of vacant posts of Doctors and Paramedical staff in CGHS is a continuous process. Requisitions for recruitment of Doctors and Paramedical staff are forwarded to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and Staff Selection Commission (SSC), respectively. Based on their recommendations, appointments are made against available vacancies. In addition, retired Government specialist doctors are engaged on contractual basis to address the shortfall of specialists.

Air India retirees are entitled to avail CGHS services such as OPD consultation and referral services as per extant provisions. However, cashless treatment in empanelled hospitals for these retirees is administered by Air India authorities.

*****