opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2134 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-12
Subject: Exploitation of Consumers by Pharmacies
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Shri Mohite Patil Dhairyasheel Rajsinh, Dr. Amol Ramsing Kolhe, Smt. Supriya Sule, Shri Sanjay Dina Patil, Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad, Shri Bhaskar Murlidhar Bhagare

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2134

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12 th  DECEMBER, 2025

## Exploitation of Consumers by Pharmacies

2134.   Shri Sanjay Dina Patil:

Dr. Amol Ramsing Kolhe:

Shri Bhaskar Murlidhar Bhagare:

Smt. Supriya Sule:

Shri Mohite Patil Dhairyasheel Rajsinh:

Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware that consumers in Maharashtra are being exploited by pharmacies and medical stores through the sale of loose or unpackaged medicines at prices significantly higher than their per-unit Maximum Retail Price (MRP);
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the mechanism currently in place in Maharashtra to regulate the pricing of individual tablets, capsules or syrups when sold in loose form without their original strip or bottle packaging;
- (c) whether the Government has conducted any studies or received complaints particularly in Maharashtra regarding this practice, if so the details of such complaints or findings; and
- (d) the concrete steps being taken or proposed by the Government to curb this exploitative practice in Maharashtra and to ensure that consumers are not charged more than the MRP for any form of medicine sale?

## ANSWER

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

(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

(a) to (d): The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) monitors prices of drugs in accordance with the provisions of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 ('DPCO, 2013'). Under DPCO, 2013, every manufacturer of a formulation is required to print the maximum retail  price  (MRP)  on  the  label  of  the  container  of  such  formulation.  Further,  no  dealer  is permitted to sell any loose quantity of formulation at a price exceeding the pro rata price of the formulation. NPPA monitors the prices of formulations and takes action in accordance with the  provisions  of  DPCO,  2013  against  any  company  found  to  be  overcharging  consumers, based  on  references  received  regarding  overcharging  from  any  source,  including  Price Monitoring and Resource Units set up in States and State Drugs Controllers (including those in the State of Maharashtra), samples purchased from the open market, reports from market database and complaints lodged through grievance redress channels. NPPA has informed that no complaint as referred to in the question, regarding sale of loose or unpackaged medicines at prices significantly higher than their per-unit MRP, has been received by NPPA, including from the State of Maharashtra.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2128 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-12
Subject: Functions of the Indian Register of Shipping
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Shri Maddila Gurumoorthy

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2128

ANSWERED ON 12.12.2025

## FUNCTIONS OF THE INDIAN REGISTER OF SHIPPING

2128. SHRI MADDILA GURUMOORTHY:

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

- a) whether  the  Indian  Register  of  Shipping  (IRS)  is  a  Government,  private  or Government-controlled entity;
- b) whether the Government monitors its functioning, if so, the details of reviews or assessments made during the last ten years, year-wise;
- c) the regulatory or statutory functions assigned to IRS along with relevant rules or notifications;
- d) whether  the  Government  has  excluded  other  classification  societies  from similar roles, if so, the reasons therefor; and
- e) whether any representations have been received from stakeholders regarding Governance of IRS or functioning during the last ten years, if so, the details thereof along with the action taken thereon?

## ANSWER

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

(a), (b) & (e) Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) is a non -profit entity registered under the Companies Act, 2013 and is governed by applicable company law provisions and it  functions  under  its  own  Memorandum  of  Association  and  internal  administrative framework.  IRS  is  one  among  nine  Recognised  Organisations  aurthorised  by  the Government  of  India  to  undertake  survey  and  certification  functions  under  the Merchant Shipping  Act,  1958.  Four recent  complaints  have  been  received  against functioning  of  IRS,  which  are  being  examined  by  Ministry  of  Ports,  Shipping  and Waterways for appropriate action.

(c)  &  (d)  Government  of  India,  under  Gazette  Notification  S.O.  3316(E)  dated 26.12.2014 has authorised nine international classification societies including IRS to undertake statutory surveys and issue or endorse certificate for cargo ships under the following IMO conventions/ instruments:

1. International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS-74) 2.  International  Convention  for  the  Prevention  of  Pollution  from  Ships,  1973/78 (MARPOL-73/78) 3.International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 (ICLL-66) and its 1988 Protocol. 4. International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969 5. Relevant Rules, Orders and Notifications issued under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958. Government  of  India  vide  Gazette  Notification  S.O  768(E)  dated  07.11.1997  has appointed IRS as the sole Load Line Assigning Authority under the Merchant Shipping

(Load Line) Rules, 1979, which is an exclusive delegation only to IRS.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2125 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-12
Subject: Hospitals Empanelled under AB-PMJAY
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Adv Priya Saroj

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH ANDFAMILYWELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2125 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH DECEMBER, 2025

## HOSPITALS EMPANELLED UNDER AB-PMJAY

## 2125. ADVPRIYASAROJ:

Will the Minister of HEALTHAND FAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of hospitals empanelled under Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) in the country during the last five years (2020-21 to 2024-25), for public and private hospitals-wise;
- (b) whether the Government has data of the number of empanelled hospitals for each of above mentioned period along with the number of hospitals that remained active and those that were inactive, suspended or de-empanelled in the country, State-wise;
- (c) the number of hospitals that exited the PMJAY network during the said period along with the key reasons recorded for withdrawal or de-empanelment of the same;
- (d) whether any States or Union Territories in the country have shown decline or stagnation in private hospital empanelment during the last five years; and
- (e) whether the Ministry has conducted any national review of service capacity, claim settlement efficiency and beneficiary access among empanelled hospitals and if so, the major findings thereof?

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

- (a) to (e): As on 31.10.2025, more than 32,403 hospitals are empanelled under Ayushman Bharat -Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). The details of number of hospitals empanelled under AB-PMJAY in the last five years are as below:

| Financial Year   | Public hospitals   | Private hospitals   |
|------------------|--------------------|---------------------|
| 2020-21          | 9,775              | 5,981               |
| 2021-22          | 10,921             | 7,512               |
| 2022-23          | 12,143             | 9,103               |
| 2023-24          | 15,735             | 12,018              |
| 2024-25          | 16,338             | 14,496              |

The number of private hospitals empanelled under AB-PMJAY has been progressively increasing. The empanelment of private hospitals is entirely voluntary under the scheme. As on 15.11.2025, 1184 hospitals have been de-empanelled and 411 hospitals have been suspended by the States/UTs. Further, regular review meetings are held to take stock of the progress with regard to the claims. Besides, capacity building activities are also organised for settlement of claims. Under AB-PMJAY, Pradhan Mantri Arogya Mitras are deployed at empanelled hospitals to guide the scheme beneficiaries and provide information related to treatment. PMJAY kiosks are set up in these hospitals as the first point of contact for facilitating awareness and overall support of beneficiaries. In addition to this, beneficiaries can call to 24x7 call centre (14555) for any assistance/queries.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2122 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-12
Subject: Development of National Waterway-104 in Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Shri Kesineni Sivanath

- (e) address them?

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2122

ANSWERED ON 12.12.2025

## DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL WATERWAY-104 IN ANDHRA PRADESH

## 2122. SHRI KESINENI SIVANATH:

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

## पȅन , पोत पįरवहन और जलमागŊ मंũी

- (a) the current status of National Waterways development plan for NW-104; (b) the total amount of funds sanctioned, released and utilised for the development, dredging, navigational channel improvement, terminal construction and allied infrastructure on NW-104 during the last five years, year-wise; (c) the  details  of  ongoing  and  completed  projects  for  operationalising  NW-104, including terminals, jetties, river training works and multimodal connectivity facilities in Andhra Pradesh; (d) the total volume of freight/cargo moved on National Waterway-104 during the last five years, year-wise and segment-wise within Andhra Pradesh; and whether  the  Government  has  identified  any  challenges  in  increasing  freight movement on NW-104 and if so, the details thereof along with the steps being taken to

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), an autonomous organization under Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways intends to develop National Waterway (NW) 104  (River  Tungabhadra)  for  river  cruise  tourism  by  providing  one  floating  jetty  at Sureskula barrage. (b) to (d) No projects sanctioned and fund released for works at NW-104. As on date no cargo movement is recorded in NW-104. The  key  challenges  in  making  NW-104  operational  are  -  non  availability  of sufficient discharge, 10 check dams, 2 barrages without navigational lock and presence
- (e) of bridges with inadequate prescribed vertical clearance.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2119 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-12
Subject: AYUSH Projects in Kerala
Ministry: AYUSH
Asked by: Shri Kodikunnil Suresh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2119 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12/12/2025

## AYUSH projects in Kerala

## 2119. Shri Kodikunnil Suresh

Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:

- a. whether  any  AYUSH  projects  have  been  sanctioned  for  the  Mavelikara  Lok  Sabha Constituency integrative health initiatives during 2024-25 ;
- b. if  so,  the  details  of  projects  completed  and  in  progress  during  the  period,  indicating location, implementing agency, date of completion, total expenditure including physical and financial progress, the status of tendering, administrative Approvals and fund release and reasons for any delay;
- c. Whether any proposals submitted by institutions or local bodies in the constituency are pending with the Government; and
- d. if so, the details thereof along with the action taken by the Government in this regard?

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

## ANSWER (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

- (a) & (b)  No AYUSH projects for the Mavelikara Lok Sabha Constituency integrative health initiatives have been sanctioned during 2024-25.
- (c)  &  (d)  No  proposals  submitted  by  Institutions  or  local  bodies  in  the  constituency  are pending with the Government.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2117 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-12
Subject: Conflicts at Chennai Port
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Shri Manickam Tagore B, Shri Suresh Kumar Shetkar, Shri Vijayakumar Alias Vijay Vasanth

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2117

ANSWERED ON 12.12.2025

## CONFLICTS AT CHENNAI PORT

2117.   SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B: SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR ALIAS VIJAY VASANTH: SHRI SURESH KUMAR SHETKAR:

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

## पȅन , पोत पįरवहन और जलमागŊ मंũी

(a) whethr  many  complaints  have  been  received  in  the  last  three  years  and  the current  year  regarding  conflicts  between  Chennai  Port  Authority  officials  and  other departmental staff in handling logistics and cargo, if so, the details thereof; (b) the response of the Government to repeated reports of disputes between port officials and logistics providers causing operational delays and the officials being held accountable for such conflicts; (c) whether independent inquiries or investigations have been conducted into these recurring internal disputes, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; (d) the steps taken by the Government to address customer grievances and prevent further disruptions in cargo handling across Chennai Port; and (e) the manner in which the Government proposes to ensure proper coordination among port departments to restore trust among logistics companies and exporters and

- the accountability measures put in place for such lapses?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) No conflict has been recorded between Chennai Port Authority officials and other departmental staffs in handing logistics and cargo during the current and last three years at Chennai Port. (d) to (e) Periodical meetings are convened by Chennai Port to address any grievances of  the  port  users.  Through  this  proper  coordination  is  maintained  between  port departments & the logistics companies/exporters ensuring trust among  them. Digitalization efforts at Chennai Port has increased transparency and accountability.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2115 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-12
Subject: Delay in Disposal of Execution Petitions
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Ms. Praniti Sushilkumar Shinde, Adv Gowaal Kagada Padavi, Shri Vishaldada Prakashbapu Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2115.

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

## DELAY IN DISPOSAL OF EXECUTION PETITIONS

2115.   MS. PRANITI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE: ADV GOWAAL KAGADA PADAVI: SHRI VISHALDADA PRAKASHBAPU PATIL:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware that over 8.82 lakh execution petitions remain pending across district courts, with the Bombay High Court having the highest pendency and an average delay of nearly nine years from decree to execution, if so the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  reviewed  the  causes  of  such  prolonged pendency, if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  the  steps  being  taken,  in  coordination  with  High  Courts,  to  ensure compliance  with  the  Supreme  Court's  directive  for  disposal  of  execution
- petitions within six months; and
- (d) whether the Government proposes to introduce a time-bound national plan for digitisation, staffing, and creation of fast-track execution benches to ensure timely enforcement of court decrees?

## 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): The matter of disposal of execution petitions lies within the exclusive domain of the Judiciary.  Since the directions of the Supreme Court to ensure the disposal of execution petitions within six months is directly addressed to the High

Courts, the matter does not fall within the purview of the Central Government for direct intervention.

The Central Government is committed for speedy disposal of cases and reducing pendency as mandated under Article 21 of the Constitution and has taken several initiatives  to  provide  an  ecosystem  for  faster  disposal  of  cases  by  the  judiciary which  includes,  inter-alia,    amalgamation  of  latest  technologies  for  increasing access to Justice and greater transparency under the e-Courts Mission Mode Project and supplementing of the resources of the State Governments/UTs for providing suitable infrastructure facilities for the District and Subordinate Judiciary under the Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  for  Development  of  Infrastructure  Facilities  for Judiciary.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2114 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-12
Subject: Sale of Anti-depressants
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Sribharat Mathukumilli

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2114 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH DECEMBER, 2025

## SALE OFANTI-DEPRESSANTS

## 2114. SHRI SRIBHARAT MATHUKUMILLI:

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

(a) whether the Government maintains data on the number of anti-depressant drugs sold in the country during the last five years and if so, the details thereof, year-wise and State/UTwise;

(b) the details of anti-depressant drugs currently approved, available and marketed in the country;

(c) whether the Government is aware that anti-depressants are being prescribed for off-label uses in the country and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government has put in place safeguards and regulatory measures to prevent misuse or inappropriate prescription of anti-depressants for off-label indications and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the current status of the draft rules on the regulation of sale and distribution of drugs through e-pharmacy platforms, first notified in 2018?

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

(a) to (d): Sale of drugs in the country is regulated under the provisions of Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Rules made thereunder, by the State Governments through a system of licensing and inspection. State Licensing Authorities (SLAs) are legally empowered to take action against violation of provisions of the said Act and Rules. Data related to the sale of anti-depressant drugs in the State/UTs is not maintained centrally.

During the last three years, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has approved seven anti-depressant drug products for use in country. Drugs, including antidepressants, are approved along with their indication(s), dosage form, route of administration, and strength in accordance with the regulatory framework.

Various notices/Advisories/Letters have been issued to all State Drugs Controllers, other stakeholders for strict compliance of the requirements of Drugs and Cosmetics Act and

Rules made thereunder and for raising awareness in the public regarding adverse effects of misuse of drugs.

(e) In order to comprehensively regulate online sale of medicines, the Government of India has published draft rules vide its notification dated 28.8.2018, inviting comments from public and stakeholders on amendments to the Drugs Rules, 1945 for incorporating provisions relating to regulation of sale and distribution of drugs through e-pharmacy.

The draft rules contain provisions for registration of e-pharmacy, periodic inspection of e-pharmacy, procedure for distribution or sale of drugs through e-pharmacy, prohibition of advertisement of drugs through e-pharmacy, complaint redressal mechanism, monitoring of epharmacy, etc.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2113 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-12
Subject: Medicinal Plant Species in Gandharmardan Mountain Range
Ministry: AYUSH
Asked by: Shri Pradeep Purohit

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## LOK SABHA

## ADMITTED UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2113

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH  DECEMBER, 2025

'Medicinal Plant Species in Gandharmardan Mountain Range'

## 2113. SHRI PRADEEP PUROHIT:

Will the Minister of Ayush be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  medicinal  plan  species  found  in  the  Gandharmardan  mountain  range  in  the Bargarh district of Odisha as per the Botanical Survey of India;
- (b) whether it is a fact that the Ayurvedic College located at Nrusinghnath in the Gandhamardan region has been playing a vital role in the study and research of these medicinal plants and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  there  is  any  proposal  to  take  over  this  Ayurvedic  College  under  the  Central Government; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a): As per the recent field tour conducted by the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and Odisha State Biodiversity Board, about 406 plant species observed in the Gandhamardan mountain range in the Bargarh district of Odisha. However, as per the information received from the BSI, during the year 2009, a total 912 plant species were found in the Gandhamardhan Hills of Bargarh, Odisha, out of which 345 species were classified as medicinal plants.

(b):  No  such  details  are  available  with  the  Ministry  of  Ayush  regarding  playing  a  vital  role  in research  work  of  these  medicinal  plants  by  Ayurvedic  College  located  at  Nrusinghnath  in  the Gandhamardan region.

(c): Currently, the Government has no such proposal under consideration.

(d): Does not arise.