Statement

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state: (a) whether the Department-related Parliamentary standing committee on Health and Family Welfare (2023) in its review of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, recommended the inclusion of population above the poverty line, time-bound payments to empanelled hospitals, free essential medicines particularly for cancer treatment, creation of a dedicated corpus for high-cost surgeries, and revision of Health benefit package rates in line with market rates; 27.03.2026 189 (b) if so, the details thereof along with the response of the Government thereto, recommendation-wise; (c) the status of implementation of each recommendation, the timelines indicated and reasons for delay or non-implementation; (d) whether delays in payments and inadequate package rates have led to refusal of treatment or increased out-of-pocket expenditure, if so, the details thereof, State-wise since 2014; and (e) the number of grievances received and the time-bound corrective steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard? THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO GANPATRAO JADHAV): (a) to (e) : Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB- PMJAY) provides health coverage of Rs. 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to 12 crore families constituting bottom 40% of India’s population. Additionally, in March 2024, approximately 37 lakh families of Accredited Social Health Activists, Anganwadi Workers and Anganwadi Helpers were included under the scheme. In October 2024, the scheme was further expanded to cover 6 crore senior citizens of age 70 years and above, belonging to 4.5 crore families, irrespective of their socio- economic status. Under the scheme, settlement of claims is a regular and uninterrupted process and claims are settled by respective State Health Agencies as per claim adjudication guidelines issued by National Health Authority. For timely 27.03.2026 190 settlement of claims, the permissible turnaround time is within 15 days of claim submission for intra-state hospitals (hospitals located within the State) and within 30 days of claim submission in case of portability claims (hospitals located outside the State). The claims submitted by empanelled hospitals are scrutinized based on the clinical documents, investigation reports and other supporting records, in accordance with the prescribed standard treatment guidelines. Further, since the launch of the scheme in September 2018, the health benefit packages have been revised from time to time. Initially, the scheme included 1391 packages, but the latest Health Benefit Package (HBP) 2022, now comprises 1,961 packages across 27 specialties. These packages cover treatments for chronic diseases such as cancer, heart diseases etc. as well as high-end procedures like bone marrow transplant, cardiac surgeries, kidney transplantation, breast conserving surgeries, etc. The Health Benefit Package 2022 provides comprehensive bundled packages covering the entire treatment cycle. This includes pre-hospitalization expenses for up to 3 days (covering diagnostics, premedication and consultation), complete hospitalization including medical, surgical treatment, anesthesia and implants (where applicable), and post-hospitalization care up to 15 days including drug expenses and follow-up care, thereby ensuring cashless, standardized and quality treatment under the scheme. Further, cancer related treatment is provided under more than 500 procedures of 27.03.2026 191 Medical Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Radiation Oncology and Palliative Medicine in the national Health Benefit Package master. As per the empanelment guidelines under AB-PMJAY, empanelled hospitals cannot deny treatment to eligible beneficiaries. In cases of any irregularities in availing treatment or denial of treatment by an empanelled hospital, beneficiaries can register their grievances through the Centralized Grievance Redressal Management System (CGRMS) or the 24×7 toll-free helpline number 14555. Such grievances are monitored through a three-tier grievance redressal mechanism at the District, State and National level. At each level, designated nodal officers and Grievance Redressal Committees are in place to examine and resolve the grievances. As on 28.02.2026, a total of 11.69 crore hospital admissions amounting to Rs. 1.73 lakh crore have been authorized under the scheme. The significant utilization of the scheme indicates that eligible beneficiaries are able to access healthcare services and thereby reduce their out-of-pocket expenditure. PORTS IN MAHARASHTRA 5536. SHRI SUNIL DATTATREY TATKARE: Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state: (a) the expansion plans for the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Maharashtra; (b) the status of the Vadhavan Port in Palghar district of Maharashtra; 27.03.2026 192 (c) the manner in which this new port will boost exports and improve ease of doing business; (d) the steps taken to reduce turn-around times for cargo; (e) the steps taken to enhance capacity utilization of ports in Maharashtra, as well as in major ports across the country; and (f) the steps taken to boost employment in major ports such as JNPT and Mumbai port, as well as boost capital investment? THE MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL): (a) to (c) : The expansion plans for the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) include commissioning of Phase II of Bharat Mumbai Container Terminal (BMCT), boosting handling capabilities through Nhava Sheva Freeport Terminal (NSFT), Nhava Sheva Distribution Terminal (NSDT) & Vadhavan Port in Palghar district of Maharashtra and monetizing vacant land parcels through State of the art agro processing facility & warehouse facility. The Union Cabinet approved the Vadhavan Port project on 19 June 2024, and work on onshore reclamation has commenced. Vadhavan Port project with its natural depth of 20 meters is capable of accommodating the world’s largest container vessels (up to 24,000 TEUs), eliminating the need for expensive transshipment at foreign ports like Colombo or Singapore. Its close proximity to the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) and the Mumbai-Vadodara Expressway is set to reduce transit times for EXIM trade from North and West India, significantly. 27.03.2026 193 (d) and (e) : Major Port Authorities including Ports in Maharashtra are taking various steps such as mechanization of berths, implementation of Multi-Modal connectivity projects, promoting port led industrialization through Sagarmala Scheme and digitalization of processes and procedures to further reduce turn- around times for cargo. To increase capacity utilization, major ports have initiatives such as enhancing Public-Private Partnership (PPP) participation to attract additional cargo, offering concessions on Cargo Related Charges (CRCs) and Vessel Related Charges (VRCs), promoting mechanization, modernization and automation of port operations, and undertaking draft enhancement to enable the handling of larger vessels. These measures are aimed at improving operational efficiency and attracting higher cargo volumes (f) : Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, in partnership with CIDCO, has established the CIDCO-JNPA Multi-skill Development Centre (MSDC) under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana to train local youth in maritime and logistics-related courses. Additionally, employment opportunities has been generated through investments in the JNPA Special Economic Zone (SEZ). Mumbai Port Authority through its various projects such as Construction of Third Chemical Berth (TCB), Development of Mallet Bunder Fishing Harbour in Maharashtra, Implementation of Automation system at Marine oil Terminal & Upgrading and Modernisation of International Cruise Terminal at Indira Dock has generated direct and indirect employment. 27.03.2026 194 STATUS OF BLOOD BANKS 5537. SHRI G. LAKSHMINARAYANA: Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state: (a) the number of blood banks strengthened and newly established under the National Health Mission (NHM) since inception, year-wise and State/UT- wise along with district-wise details for Andhra Pradesh; (b) the total funds allocated, released and utilised for this purpose, year-wise and State/UT- wise and district-wise for Andhra Pradesh; (c) whether the Government has conducted any pan-India study or needs assessment to determine the current and projected demand for blood including estimates of demand, supply and gaps in this regard and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise; (d) the number of fatalities reported due to lack of or delayed access to blood or blood components and whether such data is maintained for districts of Andhra Pradesh during the last five years, State/UT-wise; and (e) whether the Government proposes to take any measures to strengthen blood infrastructure and digital monitoring to ensure timely availability and if so, the details thereof? THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO GANPATRAO JADHAV): (a) to (e) : Health is a State subject. The establishment and strengthening of blood banks are primarily the responsibility of State/UT Governments. 27.03.2026 195 However, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) provides technical and financial support to the States/UTs to strengthen the public healthcare system including strengthening existing blood banks/establishing new blood bank, based on the proposals received in the form of Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs) under National Health Mission (NHM). Approval is accorded to the proposals in the form of Record of Proceedings (RoPs) as per norms & available resources. The details of RoPs issued to States/UTs including Andhra Pradesh, are available at following web link: https://nhm.gov.in/index1.php?lang=1&level=1&sublinkid=1377&lid=744 As per eRaktKosh, 1290 Government-run blood banks have been set up across various States/UTs to improve accessibility in remote areas. As informed by Government of Andhra Pradesh, 64 blood banks have been strengthened in Andhra Pradesh. District-wise details of blood banks strengthened in Andhra Pradesh under NHM is as follows: Name of District No. of Blood banks Alluri Sitharama Raju 1 Anakapaili 2 Anantapur 4 Annamayya 2 Bapatla 1 Chittoor 5 East Godavari 2 Eluru 2 Guntur 2 Kakinada 0 Konaseema 0 27.03.2026 196 Krishna 0 Kurnool 2 Nandyal 2 N.T.R. 2 Palnadu 2 Parvathipuram Manyam 2 Prakasam 5 SPSR Nellore 2 Sri Sathya Sai 2 Srikakulam 4 Tirupati 2 Visakhapatanam 4 Vizianagaram 5 West Godavari 6 Y.S.R. Kadapa 3 Total 64 As per a comprehensive national-level estimation study titled “The clinical demand and supply of blood in India”, total clinical demand for blood in the country is approximately 14.6 million units. In financial year 2024-25, the total blood collection was 1,46,01,147 units across the country and in the current financial year 1,32,33,260 units of blood has been collected till January 2026. Data on fatalities specifically due to the lack of or delayed access to blood is not maintained centrally. eRaktKosh web portal is a Centralized Blood Center Management System which provides the interface for registration of Voluntary Blood Donors, blood centre data management and integration. eRaktKosh has digitised blood 27.03.2026 197 bank operations, including donor registration, blood inventory tracking, and inter-bank transfers. वन Öटॉप स¤टर का सुŀढ़ीकरण 5538. ®ी दशªन िसंह चौधरी: ³या मिहला और बाल िवकास मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िकः (क) ³या सरकार संकटúÖत मिहलाओं को तÂकाल सहायता, आ®य, कानूनी सहायता और परामशª सेवाएं ÿदान करने के उĥेÔय से ‘वन Öटॉप स¤टर’ (ओएससी) योजना और अÆय संबĦ योजनाओं के िवÖतार और सुŀढ़ीकरण के िलए कदम उठा रही है और यिद हां, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है; (ख) ³या सरकार का संकटúÖत मिहलाओं के पुनवाªस, कौशल िवकास और उनकì आिथªक आÂमिनभªरता सुिनिIJत करने के िलए राºय सरकारŌ के सहयोग से िवशेष कायªøम लागू करने का कोई ÿÖताव है और यिद हां, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है; (ग) ³या िविभÆन िजलŌ, िवशेषकर मÅय ÿदेश के नमªदापुरम और नरिसंहपुर िजलŌ म¤ ऐसे सहायता क¤þŌ कì सं´या बढ़ाने और उनकì सेवाओं कì ÿभाावशीलता म¤ सुधार करने कì कोई िविशĶ योजना है; और (घ) यिद हां, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है और यिद नहé, तो इसके ³या कारण ह§? मिहला और बाल िवकास मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी (®ीमती सािवýी ठाकुर): (क) से (घ) : सरकार मिहलाओं कì सुर±ा, संर±ा, पुनवाªस, कौशल िवकास और सशĉìकरण को सवō¸च ÿाथिमकता देती है और देश भर म¤ उनके सामािजक और आिथªक सशĉìकरण के िलए बहòआयामी ŀिĶकोण अपनाती है। िमशन शिĉ का उĥेÔय मिहलाओं कì सुर±ा, संर±ा और सशĉìकरण के िलए िकए जा रहे ÿयासŌ को सुŀढ़ करना है। िमशन शिĉ के दो मु´य विटªकल ह§: मिहलाओं कì सुर±ा और 27.03.2026 198 संर±ा के िलए 'संबल' और मिहलाओं के सशĉìकरण के िलए 'सामÃयª'। िमशन शिĉ क¤þ ÿायोिजत योजना है िजसे मÅय ÿदेश के नमªदापुरम और नरिसंहपुर िजलŌ सिहत पूरे देश म¤ कायाªिÆवत िकया गया है। वन Öटॉप स¤टर (ओएससी) िनजी और सावªजिनक दोनŌ ÖथानŌ पर िहंसा से ÿभािवत और संकटúÖत मिहलाओं को एक ही Öथान पर एकìकृत और तÂकाल सहायता ÿदान करता है। ओएससी इन मिहलाओं को िचिकÂसा सहायता, कानूनी सहायता और सलाह, अÖथायी आ®य, पुिलस सहायता और मनो-सामािजक परामशª जैसी सेवाएं ÿदान करता है। 15व¤ िव° आयोग म¤ संकटúÖत मिहलाओं के िलए संÖथागत सहायता तंý को सुŀढ़ करने के िलए देश भर म¤ कुल 1033 वन Öटॉप स¤टर (ओएससी) Öथािपत करने कì पåरकÐपना कì गई थी। अब तक, 1,033 वन Öटॉप स¤टर (ओएससी) को ÿशासिनक łप से मंजूरी दी जा चुकì है, िजनम¤ से 926 पूरे देश म¤ कायªशील ह§। शिĉ सदन संकटúÖत मिहलाओं, िजनम¤ मानव दुÓयाªपार से बचाई गई मिहलाएं भी शािमल ह§, के िलए एक एकìकृत राहत और पुनवाªस क¤þ है। वतªमान म¤, देशभर म¤ 419 शिĉ सदन कायªशील ह§। बािलकाओं कì आिथªक Öवतंýता सुिनिIJत करने के उĥेÔय से सरकार ने कौशल िवकास एवं Óयावसाियक ÿिश±ण ÿदान करने हेतु 'िÖकल इंिडया िमशन' कì शुŁआत कì है। सरकार ने ÿधानमंýी कौशल िवकास योजना के अंतगªत देशभर म¤ ÿधानमंýी कौशल क¤þ भी Öथािपत िकए ह§। ÿधानमंýी कौशल िवकास योजना (पीएमकेवीवाई) के तहत मिहलाओं को कौशल एवं Óयावसाियक ÿिश±ण ÿदान िकया जाता है। सरकार ने देश म¤ रोजगार के अवसरŌ को बढ़ाने के िलए कई पहल/उपाय िकए ह§, िजनम¤ मिहलाओं के िलए भी रोजगार के अवसर शािमल ह§, जैसे ÿधानमंýी मुþा योजना (पीएमएमवाई), Öट§ड-अप इंिडया योजना, Öटाटªअप इंिडया, ÿधानमंýी रोजगार सृजन कायªøम (पीएमईजीपी), दीन दयाल उपाÅयाय úामीण कौशÐय योजना (डीडीयू-जीकेवाई), úामीण Öवरोजगार और ÿिश±ण संÖथान (आरएसईटीआई), उÂपादन से जुड़ा ÿोÂसाहन आिद। 27.03.2026 199 दीनदयाल अंÂयोदय योजना - राÕůीय úामीण आजीिवका िमशन (डे- एनआरएलएम) के तहत मिहला Öवयं सहायता समूह रोजगार और Öवरोजगार के िलए úामीण पåरŀÔय म¤ बदलाव ला रहे ह§। इसी ÿकार, राÕůीय शहरी आजीिवका िमशन (एनयूएलएम) शहरी ±ेýŌ के िलए है। सरकार मिहलाओं कì रोजगार ±मता म¤ सुधार लाने के िलए नमो űोन दीदी, लखपित दीदी, िव²ान और इंजीिनयåरंग म¤ मिहलाएं - केआईआरएएन (वाइज-िकरन), सबª-पावर (अÆवेषणाÂमक अनुसंधान म¤ मिहलाओं के िलए अवसरŌ को बढ़ावा देना) आिद जैसी मिहला क¤िþत योजनाएं भी कायाªिÆवत कर रही है। DEPLOYMENT AND UTILISATION OF BHISHM CUBES 5539. SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR:

Spoke Vishaldada Prakashbapu Patil

Spoke on 2026-03-27T00:00:00.000Z

In debate Regarding pre packaging of food grains distributed under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana