opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2201 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-12
Subject: Contract-based workers in Defence PSUs
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Shri Rahul Gandhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE PRODUCTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2201

TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH  DECEMBER, 2025

## CONTRACT-BASED WORKERS IN DEFENCE PSUs

## 2201. SHRI RAHUL GANDHI:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of contract-based workers currently employed in Defence PSUs, categorywise;
- (b)  the  number  of  such  contract-based  workers  who  were  previously  employed  by  the  Ordnance Factory Board in permanent positions;
- (c) whether contract-based workers in Defence PSUs receive employment benefits such as medical leave, casual leave, risk allowance and promotion opportunities, especially those working in hazardous production zones and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the details of sanctioned strength, filled posts and vacancies for different categories of post (both permanent and contract-based) in the Ordnance Factory Board/Defence PSUs during the last ten years, year-wise; and
- (e) whether the Government proposes to regularise experienced contract-based workers or provide them with benefits comparable to permanent employees and if so, the details thereof?

## A  N  S  W  E  R

## MINISTER OF STATE

## IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

- (a) Total number of contract-based workers (Fixed term) employed in Defence PSUs, are 9456 as on 09.12.2025.
- (b) There are no such contract based workers who were previously employed by the Ordnance Factory Board on permanent position as erstwhile Ordnance Factory Board ceased to exist with effect from 01.10.2021.
- (c) Contract-based workers in Defence PSUs receive employment benefits such as medical leave, casual  leave,  risk  allowance  and  promotion  opportunities  etc.  as  per  extant  Government  Rules  & Guidelines in this regard.
- (d) Information is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.
- (e) Regularization  of  Contract  based  workers  or  providing  them  with  benefits  comparable  to permanent employees are governed by relevant legislations and extant Government instructions in this regard.

*****

(SHRI SANJAY SETH)
Lok Sabha Question No. 2200 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-12
Subject: Setting up of Regional Benches
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Shri Bapi Haldar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2200

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 12 TH  DECEMBER, 2025

## SETTING UP OF REGIONAL BENCHES

## 2200. Shri Bapi Haldar:

Will the Minister of Law and Justice be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken specific steps to establish a separate Constitutional  Division  within  the  Supreme  Court  to  exclusively adjudicate matters of constitutional interpretation;
- (b)  whether  any  proposal  has  been  considered  for  setting  up  regional benches of the Supreme Court in the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western regions, as suggested by the Law Commission; and
- (c)  the details of inter-ministerial consultations or judicial recommendations on the creation of a Constitutional Court or regional benches, and the current status of consideration, if any, for implementation?

## 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): Article 130 of the Constitution of India provides that the Supreme Court shall sit in Delhi or in such other place or places as the Chief Justice of India may, with the approval of the President, from time to time, appoint.

The Eleventh Law Commission in its 125 th  Report titled 'The Supreme Court  - A  Fresh  Look',  submitted  in  1988,  reiterated  the  recommendations made by Tenth Law Commission in its 95 th  Report for splitting the Supreme Court into two namely (i) Constitutional Court at Delhi and (ii) Court of appeal or  Federal  Court  sitting  in  North,  South,  East,  West  and  Central  India.  The Eighteenth  Law  Commission  in  its  229 th Report  had  also  suggested  that  a Constitutional Bench be set up at Delhi and four Cassation Benches be set up in the Northern region at Delhi, Southern region at Chennai/Hyderabad, Eastern region at Kolkata and Western region at Mumbai.

The matter was referred to the Chief Justice of India, who has informed that after consideration of the matter, the Full Court in its meeting held on 18 th February, 2010, found no justification for setting up of benches of the Supreme Court outside Delhi.

In Writ Petition WP(C) No. 36/2016 on establishment of National Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court vide its judgment dated 13.07.2016 deemed it proper to  refer  the  aforementioned  issue  to  Constitutional  Bench  for  authoritative pronouncement. The matter is sub-judice in the Supreme Court.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2193 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-12
Subject: AYUSH Visa
Ministry: AYUSH
Asked by: Shri Kripanath Mallah

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2193 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2025

## AYUSH Visa

## 2193. Shri Kripanath Mallah:

Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:

- (a) the maximum duration of stay allowed under the AYUSH Visa;
- (b)  whether  these  duration  of  stay  are  extended  based  on  the  treatment,  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (c) whether there are any financial guarantees or health insurance requirements for foreigners applying for this AYUSH visa; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## ANSWER (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) to (d) M-3 visa (AYUSH) is granted to a foreigner (other than a Pakistani national) whose sole purpose is to seek treatment through Ayush systems/Indian systems of medicine like  therapeutic  care  and  wellness  in  a  Hospital/Wellness  Centre  accredited  and  registered with any Government authority concerned or National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare  Providers  (NABH)/  National  Commission  for  Homeopathy  (NCH)/  National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) accredited hospitals providing Ayush services.

The initial period of validity of M-3 visa may be up to a period of one year or the period  of  treatment  with  maximum  of  three  entries  during  one  year.  This  period  can  be extended further on yearly basis subject to a maximum of 5 years from the date of issue of initial M-3 Visa, by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) concerned, subject to fulfilment of specified conditions. Similarly, e-M3 visas shall be granted for a period of upto 60 days from the date of first entry into India with maximum of three entries. Extension in case of e-M3 visa may be granted  for  up  to  06  months  on  case-to-case  basis  on  merits  of  each  case  by  the  FRRO/ Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) concerned.

M-3 visa is issued to persons of assured financial standing (the production of return ticket and availability of sufficient money to spend during his/her stay in India including the expenses for such treatment may be considered sufficient for this purpose).

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2191 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-12
Subject: Creation of Specialist Doctor Posts in Ayurveda
Ministry: AYUSH
Asked by: Shri Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2191

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH  DECEMBER, 2025

## 'Creation of Specialist Doctor Posts in Ayurveda'

2191. Shri Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri:

Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has considered the need for creating posts of specialist doctors in various  clinical  branches  such  as  Kayachikitsa,  Shalyatantra,  Panchakrama,  Shalakya Tantra etc. of the Ayurveda system across all State in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the details of the creation of specialist doctor posts and completion of appointment process in the country, State/UT wise?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

- (a) to (c) Health being a State subject, assessment of need and creation of posts falls under the purview of the respective State Government. However, the National Commission for  Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) has notified regulations namely 'Minimum Standards  of  Undergraduate  Ayurveda  Education  Regulations-2022',  'Minimum essential  standards,  assessment  and  rating  for  undergraduate  Ayurveda  colleges  and attached  teaching  hospitals  Regulations,  2024'  and  'Minimum  Essential  Standards, Assessment  and  Rating  for  Postgraduate  Institutions  and  Minimum  Standards  for Postgraduate Education in Ayurveda Regulations, 2024'

As per the regulation namely, Minimum essential standards, assessment and rating for  undergraduate  Ayurveda  colleges  and  attached  teaching  hospitals  Regulations, 2024,  provision  for  Minimum  essential  Teaching  staff  required  (  as  per  the  intake capacity)  has  been  prescribed  in  the  Schedule  -IV    and  provision  for  Minimum essential  requirement  for  Hospital  staffs  has  been  prescribed  in  the  schedule  -XX. Similarly,  as  per  the  Regulation  namely,  Minimum  Essential  Standards,  Assessment and  Rating  for  Postgraduate  Institutions  and  Minimum  Standards  for  Postgraduate Education in Ayurveda Regulations, 2024, provision for Minimum Essential requirement of Teaching Staff for Postgraduate departments in undergraduate college and standalone Postgraduate institute has also prescribed under Schedule - VIII & IX respectively and provision for Minimum Essential Requirements of Hospital Staff has

also been prescribed in the schedule - XII. The details of above-mentioned regulations are available in the website of NCISM i.e. https://ncismindia.org/

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2189 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-12
Subject: NEET PG Admission in Canada
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Matheswaran V S

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-  2189 ANSWERED ON-12/12/2025 NEET PG ADMISSION IN CANADA

## 2189. SHRI MATHESWARAN V.S.

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

(a) the total number of sponsorship certificates by NRIs for the NEET PG admissions 2025-2026 in Canada is pending as on date with Consulate General of India at Vancouver, along with reasons for delay; and

(b) the details of sponsorship certificates issued by Indian Embassies or Consulate General or High Commission for NEET UG and PG from year 2023 to till date?

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

(a & b) Indian Missions/Posts abroad issue Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Certificates to eligible NRIs to certify their NRI status following verification of fulfillment of criteria enumerated under Section 6 of the Income Tax Act, 1961   which   defines   the   NRI   status.   NRIs   can,   thereafter,   use   such Certificates for availing certain benefits available to them within India. The holders   of   NRI   Certificates   may   also,   on   their   own   accord,   issue Sponsorship Certificates to sponsor candidates entitled for NEET UG and PG admissions utilizing the NRI quota.

The details of NRI Certificates issued by the High Commission of India in Ottawa and the Indian Consulates in Vancouver and Toronto from the year 2023 till date is as follows:

| S.No.   | Name of Indian Mission/Post   |   Number of NRI certificate issued |   Number of NRI certificate issued |   Number of NRI certificate issued |
|---------|-------------------------------|------------------------------------|------------------------------------|------------------------------------|
|         | Name of Indian Mission/Post   |                               2023 |                               2024 |                               2025 |
| 1.      | HCI, Ottawa                   |                                 16 |                                 22 |                                 23 |
| 2.      | CGI, Vancouver                |                                 29 |                                 67 |                                 65 |
| 3.      | CGI, Toronto                  |                                126 |                                164 |                                170 |

There is no pending application for issue of NRI Certificates at any of the above Indian Mission/Posts. CGI, Vancouver usually issues NRI Certificates on the very date of the application made in-person and in 2-3 days for postal applications subject to submission of complete documents.

## Indian Missions/Posts abroad do not issue 'Sponsorship certificates by

## NRIs' for NEET UG and PG admissions. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2186 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-12
Subject: Narayani River Front
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Dr. Alok Kumar Suman

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2186

ANSWERED ON 12.12.2025

## NARAYANI RIVER FRONT

## 2186. DR. ALOK KUMAR SUMAN:

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that Narayani River Front in the Gopalganj district of Bihar is being developed under the Central Waterways Schemes of the Government, if so, the details thereof; (b) whether it is also a fact that development work of Narayani River Front for connecting to National Waterways has been halted since long time; (c) if so, the reasons therefor; (d) whether it is fact that there are discrepancies in the total amount sanctioned and spent for development work, if so, the details thereof; and (e)  whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  develop  Narayani  River  Front  for  trade
- purposes with the help of ships, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Under  the  Namami  Gange  Programme,  two  Ghats  were  completed  on  the Narayani River in the district of Gopalganj, Bihar in July 2021 at a cost of Rs. 8.25 crore and handed over to the respective urban local bodies. Presently country boats are running for fishing, movement of local goods and agro products.

(b) to (d) No. Narayani River Front is on the Bank of Gandak River which was declared as National Waterway - 37 in 2016 from Bhaisaslotal Barrage near Triveni Ghat to Gandak and Ganga River confluence at Hajipur.

(e) Two jetties at a cost of Rs. 3 crore have already been placed on NW-37 (River Gandak) near Mangalpur (Nautan) and its opposite bank in Bettiah for facilitating Inland Waterways Transport.

Fairway development work including Hydrographic survey on NW-37 (River Gandak) had been carried in Financial Year 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20 at total cost of Rs. 5.32 crore, Rs. 7.59 crore and Rs. 8.49 crore respectively. Further, work of updating Detailed Project Report of NW-37 (River Gandak) has been entrusted to M/s Rail India Technical and Economic Service Ltd.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2185 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-12
Subject: Maintenance Work of Passenger and Cargo Ships
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Shri Muhammed Hamdullah Sayeed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2185

ANSWERED ON 12.12.2025

## MAINTENANCE WORK OF PASSENGER AND CARGO SHIPS

2185. SHRI MUHAMMED HAMDULLAH SAYEED:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  the  repair  and  maintenance  works  of passenger and cargo ships belonging to the Union Territory of Lakshadweep are facing

inordinate delays at Cochin Shipyard Limited; (b) if so, the reasons for such delays along with the steps being taken to expedite the completion of repair works; (c) whether the delay in ship repairs has adversely affected passenger transportation and cargo movement between the islands and the mainland; and (d) if so, the details thereof along with the measures being taken to ensure uninterrupted

- and safe transport facilities for the islanders?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (d)  During  the  past  one  year,  Cochin  Shipyard  Limited  (CSL)  has  undertaken repairs  of  17  vessels  of  Union  Territory  of  Lakshadweep  Administration  (UTLA), including dry-dock and lay-up repairs, and all vessels were delivered within the agreed timelines.  CSL  has  coordinated  with  Lakshadweep  Development  Corporation  Ltd (LDCL) to ensure that when a passenger or cargo vessel is taken for repair, another vessel of the same class remains operational. This approach helped UTLA to ensure uninterrupted passenger transport and cargo movement. As per information received from UTLA, the passenger movement in ships during the number of passengers in FY 2023-24 was 3,46,447 passengers while in FY 2024-25 the passenger movement got enhanced to 3,55,612 passengers. Further, as per UTLA data, the cargo movement during FY 2023-24 was 23,379.36 MT while in FY 2024-25 the cargo movement got enhanced to 37,039.40 MT.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2180 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-12
Subject: Establishment of Maritime University in Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Shri Y S Avinash Reddy

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2180

ANSWERED ON 12.12.2025

## ESTABLISHMENT OF MARITIME UNIVERSITY IN ANDHRA PRADESH

2180.  SHRI Y S AVINASH REDDY:

- (a) whether  the  Union  Government  has  received  a  proposal  from  the  State Government of Andhra Pradesh seeking approval for the establishment of a Maritime University or Aqua and Marine Fishing University in the State; (b) if so, the details of the proposal received, including location, estimated project cost and proposed academic scope; (c) whether the  Union  Government has accorded  approval or provided in-principle consent to the proposal; and if so, the timeline and funding pattern envisaged by the Union Government for the
- (d) said project and if not, the reasons for delay or non-approval?

## ANSWER

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

*****

(a) to (d) NIL
Lok Sabha Question No. 2178 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-12
Subject: Setting up of AIIMS Outreach OPD
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Adhikari Soumendu

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. - 2178 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12/12/2025

## SETTING UPOF AIIMS OUTREACH OPD

## 2178. SHRI ADHIKARI SOUMENDU:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to set up All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Outreach OPD in different places nearby AIIMS location where hospitals are functional including the thirteen colleges yet to be operational;
- (b) if so, the details of proposals and locations identified to setup such medical OPD centers to reach to mass people;
- (c) whether the Government to establish such Institutions under PPP model in collaboration with AIIMS therein; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

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

- (a) to (d) Under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna (PMSSY), there is no proposal to set up Outreach OPD in different places nearby All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) locations.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2176 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-12
Subject: Shortage of Doctors and Nurses
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Ummeda Ram Beniwal

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2176 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH DECEMBER, 2025

## SHORTAGE OF DOCTORS AND NURSES

## 2176. SHRI UMMEDA RAM BENIWAL:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has assessed the shortage of doctors, nurses and paramedics in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and
- (c) whether the Central Government has failed to fill up the vacant sanctioned posts in Central Government hospitals and the AIIMS?

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

- (a) to (c): There are 13,88,185 registered allopathic doctors and 7,51,768 registered AYUSH practitioners. 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.

Further, as per the Indian Nursing Council (INC), there are around 42.94 lakh registered nursing personnel. Assuming that 80% of nursing personnel are available, the nurse-population ratio in the country is estimated to be 3:1000.

There has been significant increase in Medical Colleges, Under Graduate (UG) and Post Graduate (PG) Seats in the country. There is an increase in Medical Colleges from 387 to 818; UG seats from 51,348 to 1,28,875 and PG seats from 31,185 to 80,291 from 2014 as on date.

The measures/steps taken by the Government to increase the medical professionals in the country include:

- i. Centrally Sponsored Scheme for establishment of new medical college by upgrading district/ referral hospital under which 137 new medical colleges are functional out of 157 approved medical colleges.
- ii. Centrally Sponsored Scheme for strengthening/ upgradation of existing State Government/Central Government Medical Colleges to increase MBBS and PG seats.

iii. Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) scheme has a component related to 'Upgradation of Government Medical Colleges by construction of Super Specialty Blocks/Trauma care centres, etc.' Out of 75 projects, 71 projects are complete under this component. The other component is for setting up of new AIIMS, 22 AIIMS have been approved.

iv. Establishment of 157 new nursing colleges under Centrally sponsored scheme for augmenting nursing education.

v. Under the Central Sector Scheme 'Development of Nursing Services' financial assistance is provided to States/UTs to upgrade schools of Nursing into Colleges of Nursing.

Augmentation of Healthcare facilities to cater to the increasing needs and functional requirement in Central Government Hospitals and AIIMS including creation of posts and filling up of vacant posts of doctors and other staff is a continuous administrative process.

******