Statement

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: 27.03.2026 1019 (a) the number of Anganwadi Centres in the State of Maharashtra currently operating without functional toilets, safe drinking water or adequate infrastructure and the steps taken to address these gaps; (b) the status of data captured under the Poshan Tracker in tribal and nutritionally vulnerable districts of Maharashtra and the latest available figures on stunting, wasting and underweight children; (c) whether the Government has assessed the adequacy of Anganwadi infrastructure and service delivery in densely populated urban areas of Mumbai, particularly in informal settlements, if so, the details thereof; (d) the number of children in need of care and protection identified in Mumbai under Mission Vatsalya and utilisation of funds for their rehabilitation district-wise; and (e) the measures taken to strengthen nutrition services, Anganwadi infrastructure and child protection mechanisms in metropolitan areas such as Mumbai? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SAVITRI THAKUR): (a) to (e) : Under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, various steps have been undertaken to improve the infrastructure facilities at Anganwadi Centres (AWCs). During 15th Finance Commission cycle, 50,000 Anganwadi Centres are being constructed @10000 AWCs per year in convergence with MGNREGS wherein Rs.8.00 Lakh is provided under MGNREGS, Rs.2.00 Lakh under 15th Finance Commission (FC) (or any other untied funds) and Rs.2.00 27.03.2026 1020 Lakh by MWCD per AWC shared between Centre and States and UTs in the prescribed cost sharing ratio. Further, States and UTs have also been advised to continue to tap funds for construction of AWC buildings from various schemes such as Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF), Finance Commission Grants to Panchayati Raj Institutions, Multi- Sectoral Development Programme (MSDP) of Ministry of Minority Affairs, etc. Various other initiatives have been undertaken for construction of AWCs under PM JANMAN and Dharti Abha Janjatiye Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan for the targeted development of Tribal population and VVP (Vibrant Village Programme) - Phase I, focusing on Northern border areas. Also, in order to improve the infrastructure facilities at AWCs various steps have been undertaken by the Ministry that, inter alia, include increasing the funding for drinking water facilities and toilets at Anganwadi Centres from Rs.10,000/- to Rs.17,000/- and Rs.12,000/- to Rs.36,000/- respectively. In convergence with Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education Guidelines for Co-locating AWCs within Government Primary Schools have been jointly launched on 3rd September, 2025 to strengthen ECCE and Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) services. In places where physical co-location is not possible, AWCs are to be mapped with the nearest primary school. 27.03.2026 1021 Under Mission Poshan 2.0, two lakh AWCs located in Government buildings @ 40,000 AWCs per year are being strengthened as Saksham Anganwadis for delivery of improved nutrition and for Early Childhood Care and Education in the 15th Finance Commission cycle. Saksham Anganwadis are provided with better infrastructure than the conventional Anganwadi centres with LED screens, water filtration system, Poshan Vatika, Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) material and Building as Learning Aid (BALA) paintings. Further, AWCs have been technologically empowered with the provision of smartphones and growth monitoring devices for efficient monitoring and delivery of services. For last mile tracking of Service Delivery, Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) has developed Facial Recognition System (FRS) in Poshan Tracker Application for distribution of Take-Home Ration to ensure that benefit is given only to the intended beneficiary registered in Poshan Tracker. The Nominee Module has been introduced in Poshan Tracker to ensure uninterrupted delivery of Take-Home Ration (THR) to Pregnant Women, Lactating Mothers, and Adolescent Girls under Saksham Anganwadi and Mission Poshan 2.0. If due to any reason, the registered beneficiary (Pregnant Women, Lactating Mother and Adolescent girl) is unable to visit the Anganwadi Centre to receive their THR through FRS, she can nominate a nominee on her behalf to receive her THR. Nominee has to undergo e-KYC only ONCE. But face matching will be done every time for receiving THR on 27.03.2026 1022 behalf of the beneficiary. Even after addition of the nominee, beneficiary can still receive the THR at the Anganwadi Center if the nominee has not received it already. Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 is a Centrally Sponsored scheme. The implementation of the scheme falls under the ambit of State Governments and UTs administrations. The district wise number of Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) functioning in the State of Maharashtra under Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0 indicating the number of availability of functional toilets, drinking water, infrastructure and growth monitoring indicators are available at the link: https://www.poshantracker.in/statistics . The Ministry of women and Child Development is the nodal Ministry for the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (JJ Act, 2015) which is the primary legislation for ensuring safety, security, dignity and well- being of children and is implemented by the States and UTs. The Act creates statutory structures at the State and District levels which include State Child Protection Society, Child Welfare Committees, Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs), District Child Protection Units. It also provides for establishment of Child Care Institutions (CCIs). Under the JJ Act, 2015 (Sections 27-30), the Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) have been empowered to take decisions with regard to the children in need of care and protection, keeping their best interest in mind. 27.03.2026 1023 They are also mandated to monitor the function of the Child Care Institutions (CCIs). This Ministry is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme namely ‘Mission Vatsalya’, through the State and UT Governments to deliver various services for Children in Need of Care and Protection (CNCP) as well as Children in Conflict with Law (CCL). These services include Institutional Care and Non-Institutional Care. The Child Care Institutions (CCIs) established under the Mission Vatsalya scheme support, inter-alia, age-appropriate education, access to vocational training, recreation, health care, counselling etc. Under non-institutional care, support is provided to the children through Sponsorship, Foster Care, Adoption and After Care. During Financial Year 2024-25, Rs. 144.97 Cr. were released to State Govt. of Maharashtra for implementation of Mission Vatsalya. Further, 3667 children were benefitted through CCIs and 32520 children were supported under non-institutional care of Mission Vatsalya. IMPACT OF CONSTRUCTION OF DAM ON ARUNACHAL PRADESH 5738. SHRI T. R. BAALU: Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) whether attention of the Government has been drawn to the several print media reports that China has started construction of the world's largest dam 50 kms from border which has potential of having devastating impact on Arunachal Pradesh, if so, the details thereof; and 27.03.2026 1024 (b) whether India has opposed the dam project and taken up the issue with Chinese authorities and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH): (a) and (b) : Government of India has taken note of reports about commencement of construction of mega dam project by China on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo (upper reaches of the Brahmaputra) River in Tibet. This project was first made public as far back as 1986 and since then, preparations have been underway in China to implement the project. Government carefully monitors all developments relating to the Brahmaputra river, including plans by China to develop hydropower projects, and takes necessary measures to protect our interests, including preventive and corrective measures to safeguard life and livelihood of Indian citizens residing in downstream areas. Various issues relating to trans-border rivers are discussed with China under the ambit of an institutionalised Expert Level Mechanism which was established in 2006, as well as through diplomatic channels. As a lower riparian state with considerable established user rights to the waters of the trans-border rivers, Government has consistently conveyed its views and concerns to the Chinese authorities, including on the need for transparency and consultation with downstream countries and has urged them to ensure that 27.03.2026 1025 the interests of downstream states are not harmed by any activities in upstream areas. The need for cooperation on trans-border rivers, including resumption of provision of hydrological data by the Chinese side has been highlighted by the Government in several bilateral interactions with China including during the Prime Minister’s meeting with President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Tianjin on 31 August 2025. उ°र ÿदेश म¤ आंगनवाड़ी क¤þŌ का उÆनयन 5739. ®ी उÂकषª वमाª मधुरः ³या मिहला और बाल िवकास मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िकः (क) ³या उ°र ÿदेश के लखीमपुर खीरी म¤ िवīमान आंगनवाड़ी क¤þŌ को 'स±म आंगनवाड़ी' के łप म¤ उÆनत करने का कोई ÿÖताव सरकार के पास िवचाराधीन है; (ख) यिद हां, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है और इसके अंतगªत अब तक आधुिनक सुिवधाओं से युĉ क¤þŌ कì सं´या िकतनी है; (ग) 'पोषण अिभयान 2.0' के अंतगªत िपछले दो वषŎ के दौरान खीरी िजले म¤ गंभीर तीĄ कुपोिषत (एसएएम) और मÅयम तीĄ कुपोिषत (एमएएम) ब¸चŌ कì सं´या म¤ िकतनी कमी आई है; (घ) खीरी लोक सभा िनवाªचन ±ेý म¤ िपछले तीन वषŎ के दौरान इस योजना के अंतगªत नकद ÿोÂसाहन ÿदान िकए गए लाभािथªयŌ कì कुल सं´या िकतनी है; और (ङ) ³या सरकार Ĭारा पंजीकरण ÿिøया को और सरल बनाने के िलए कोई कदम उठाए गए ह§ और यिद हां, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है? मिहला और बाल िवकास मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी (®ीमती सािवýी ठाकुर): 27.03.2026 1026 (क) और (ख) : 15व¤ िव° आयोग चø के दौरान, िमशन स±म आंगनवाड़ी और पोषण 2.0 के तहत बेहतर पोषण ÿदायगी तथा ÿारंिभक बाÐयावÖथा देखरेख और िवकास के िलए ÿित वषª 40,000 आंगनवाड़ी क¤þŌ कì दर से 2 लाख सरकारी आंगनवाड़ी क¤þŌ को स±म आंगनवाड़ी के łप म¤ मजबूत और उÆनत िकया जा रहा है। स±म आंगनवाड़ी क¤þŌ म¤ पारंपåरक आंगनवाड़ी क¤þŌ कì तुलना म¤ बेहतर अवसंरचना उपलÊध होती है, िजसम¤ एलईडी Öøìन, जल शोधक/आरओ मशीन लगाना, पोषण वािटका, ईसीसीई और बाला प¤िटंग आिद शािमल ह§। िकसी आंगनवाड़ी क¤þ को स±म आंगनवाड़ी क¤þ म¤ उÆनत करने के िलए सरकारी भवन, िबजली, पेयजल सुिवधा, कायªशील शौचालय और रसोईघर कì उपलÊधता जैसी पूवª-शत¦ ह§। अब तक, कुल 2 लाख आंगनवाड़ी क¤þŌ को स±म आंगनवाड़ी क¤þŌ के łप म¤ उÆनत करने कì मंजूरी दी गई है, िजसम¤ उ°र ÿदेश राºय के लखीमपुर खीरी िजले के 613 आंगनवाड़ी क¤þ भी शािमल ह§। (ग) : पोषण ůैकर के आंकड़Ō के अनुसार िपछले दो वषŎ के दौरान खीरी िजले म¤ गंभीर तीĄ कुपोषण (एसएएम) और मÅयम तीĄ कुपोषण (एमएएम) से पीिड़त ब¸चŌ कì सं´या इस ÿकार है: बाल लाभािथªयŌ कì सं´या फ़रवरी-24 फ़रवरी -25 फ़रवरी -26 महीने के दौरान मापे गए (ऊंचाई और वजन) कुल एि³टव ब¸चŌ कì सं´या 3,91,252 3,90,722 3,00,757 एसएएम कì सं´या 3,487 585 63 एमएएम कì सं´या 14,471 5,130 679 (घ) : िमशन स±म आंगनवाड़ी और पोषण 2.0 का उĥेÔय पोषण सामúी और ÿदायगी म¤ कायªनीितक बदलाव के माÅयम से और ÖवाÖÃय, कÐयाण और ÿितर±ा को बढ़ावा देने वाली पĦितयŌ को िवकिसत और ÿोÂसािहत करने के िलए एक समिÆवत इको-िसÖटम के िनमाªण Ĭारा ब¸चŌ, िकशोåरयŌ, गभªवती मिहलाओं और Öतनपान कराने वाली माताओं म¤ कुपोषण कì चुनौितयŌ का समाधान करना है। 27.03.2026 1027 इस िमशन के तहत, पाý लाभािथªयŌ को छह सेवाओं का एक पैकेज ÿदान िकया जाता है, िजनम¤ पूरक पोषण (एसएनपी), ÿी-Öकूल अनौपचाåरक िश±ा, पोषण एवं ÖवाÖÃय िश±ा, टीकाकरण, ÖवाÖÃय जांच और रेफरल सेवाएं शािमल ह§। इन छह सेवाओं म¤ से तीन, अथाªत् टीकाकरण, ÖवाÖÃय जांच और रेफरल सेवाएं, ÖवाÖÃय से संबंिधत ह§ तथा राÕůीय ÖवाÖÃय िमशन (एनएचएम) एवं सावªजिनक ÖवाÖÃय अवसंरचना के माÅयम से ÿदान कì जाती ह§। ये सेवाएं आंगनवाड़ी क¤þŌ के माÅयम से पाý पंजीकृत लाभािथªयŌ, अथाªत् देश भर म¤ 6 वषª तक कì आयु के ब¸चŌ, गभªवती मिहलाओं और Öतनपान कराने वाली माताओं और राºयŌ के आकां±ी िजलŌ और पूवō°र ±ेý के सभी िजलŌ म¤ 14 से 18 वषª कì आयु वगª कì िकशोåरयŌ को ÿदान कì जाती ह§। (ङ) : अंितम लाभाथê तक सेवा ÿदायगी कì ůैिकंग के िलए, मिहला एवं बाल िवकास मंýालय ने पोषण ůैकर एÈलीकेशन म¤ टेक-होम राशन कì ÿदायगी के िलए चेहरे कì पहचान ÿणाली (एफआरएस) िवकिसत कì है तािक यह सुिनिIJत िकया जा सके िक लाभ केवल पोषण ůैकर म¤ पंजीकृत इि¸छत लाभाथê को ही िदया जाता है। स±म आंगनवाड़ी और िमशन पोषण 2.0 के अंतगªत गभªवती मिहलाओं, Öतनपान कराने वाली माताओं और िकशोåरयŌ को िनबाªध łप से टेक होम राशन (टीएचआर) कì आपूितª सुिनिIJत करने के िलए पोषण ůैकर म¤ नॉिमनी Óयिĉ मॉड्यूल शुł िकया गया है। यिद िकसी कारणवश पंजीकृत लाभाथê (गभªवती मिहला, Öतनपान कराने वाली माता और िकशोरी) एफआरएस के माÅयम से अपना टीएचआर ÿाĮ करने के िलए आंगनवाड़ी क¤þ नहé जा पाती ह§, तो वे अपनी ओर से टीएचआर ÿाĮ करने के िलए िकसी Óयिĉ को नािमत कर सकती ह§। नामांिकत Óयिĉ को केवल एक बार ई-केवाईसी ÿिøया से गुजरना होगा। लेिकन, लाभाथê कì ओर से टीएचआर ÿाĮ करने के िलए ÿÂयेक बार चेहरे का िमलान िकया जाएगा। नामांिकत Óयिĉ को जोड़ने के बाद भी, यिद नामांिकत Óयिĉ ने टीएचआर ÿाĮ नहé िकया है, तो लाभाथê आंगनवाड़ी क¤þ से टीएचआर ÿाĮ कर सकती ह§। 27.03.2026 1028 ESTABLISHMENT OF ADDITIONAL CGHS 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? 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 (c) : One Extension Counter at Sahakarnagar, Bengaluru, has been upgraded to a full-fledged 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 27.03.2026 1029 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. AVAILABILITY AND DISTRIBUTION OF FERTILIZERS IN HINGOLI 5741. SHRI NAGESH BAPURAO AASHTIKAR PATIL: Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government proposes to strengthen fertilizer distribution through Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PMKSKs), cooperative societies and digital monitoring systems such as the DBT Fertilizer system to ensure transparency and prevent black marketing, if so, the details thereof; (b) whether any assessment has been carried out by the Government regarding the requirement of additional fertilizers storage facilities, depots, and retail outlets in the said district, if so, the details thereof indicating their currently available operational capacity; and (c) whether the Government proposes to establish additional fertilizer warehouses or strengthen the supply chain in the said district and other agrarian districts of Maharashtra to ensure timely availability of fertilizers to farmers, if so, the details thereof? 27.03.2026 1030 THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SHRIMATI ANUPRIYA PATEL): (a) : Integrated Fertilizer Management System (iFMS) was launched in June 2016 which is a comprehensive, all-integrated system covering all functionalities in the fertilizer supply chain. This comprehensive system covers the entire supply chain, meticulously capturing transactional data from raw material procurement, imports to fertilizer production and transportation via rail or road from plants, rake houses, ports to district warehouses, and finally sale at PoS enabled retailers, everything aligned with monthly supply plans at district level and the movement of fertilizers is being captured in real time. In order to prevent diversion and thereby ensure affordable and uninterrupted fertilizer availability to farmers, Department of Fertilizers has put a ceiling of 50 bags of subsidized fertilizers per buyer per month i.e. 300 bags of subsidized fertilizers per season. Additionally, a monthly list of 'Top 20 buyers' of each district is made available in the iFMS log-in of respective district magistrates for taking necessary action at their end. Besides, Department of Fertilizers has also developed a dashboard which can be accessed by authorized users at https://ur. The dashboard is developed to facilitate easy monitoring by various Stake holders viz. State Agriculture Departments, District Collectors and State Marketing Federations. The State Governments are also monitoring the availability and supply of fertilizers through iFMS and e-Urvarak Dashboard portals. 27.03.2026 1031 Department of Fertilizers (DOF), vide notification dated 24th August, 2022, has decided to convert the existing village, block/sub district/taluk and district level fertilizer retail shops into Model Fertilizer Retail Shops, namely Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samridhi Kendra (PMKSK). These PMKSK act as a one- stop –shop for farmers for multiple products such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides etc. and also avail multiple services related to agriculture sector like fertilizer/seed/soil testing, drones & other farm equipments under one single roof. The conversion of existing retail shops into PMKSKs are being done by the fertilizer companies through the existing retailer margin of Rs 50 per MT being given by the Government of India. Moreover, In order to address the issues such as black-marketing, hoarding and diversion, fertilizer is declared as an essential commodity under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and notified under Fertilizer Control Order, 1985. State Governments are empowered to take action against persons involved in said malpractices, as per provisions of EC Act. Any complaints received at Department of Fertilizers level regarding these malpractices is sent to concerned State Government to take appropriate action under Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and Fertilizer Control Order, 1985. Accordingly, as informed by the State, no instance of black-marketing, has been reported in Hingoli district. State Department of Agriculture as well as district officers continuously monitor the fertilizer movement, availability of quality fertilizer and to avoid non agriculture use of urea fertilizer through ifms system, fertilizer inspectors and 27.03.2026 1032 flying squad in the Hingoli district as well as in the state. Currently there are 149 active PMKSKs in Hingoli district. (b) : The mandate of Department of Fertilizers is to ensure adequate availability of fertilizers at State level. However, the distribution of fertilizers within the State at district level is done by the concerned State government. Currently there is sufficient availability of fertilizer storages in Hingoli district at 25 Wholesalers and 750 retailers. (c) : Following steps are taken by the Government every season for ensuring timely and adequate availability of all fertilizers in the country, including in the State of Maharashtra: (i) Before the commencement of each cropping season, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), in consultation with all the State Governments, assesses the State-wise & month-wise requirement of fertilizers. (ii) On the basis of requirement projected by DA&FW, D/o Fertilizers allocates adequate quantities of fertilizers to States by issuing monthly supply plan and continuously monitors the availability. (iii) The movement of all major subsidized fertilizers is monitored throughout the country by an on-line web-based monitoring system called integrated Fertilizer Management System (iFMS). (iv) The State Governments are regularly advised to coordinate with manufacturers and importers for streamlining the supplies through timely placement of indents. 27.03.2026 1033 (v) Regular coordination meetings are held with Ministry of Railways for giving sufficient rakes, priority to fertilizers and for timely evacuation of rakes for States. Government of Maharashtra informed that to meet out the demand of urea and DAP at peak period during kharif season 2026, buffer stocking of 1950 MT urea and 700 MT DAP for Hingoli district and 1.5 lakh MT of urea and 25000MT of DAP buffer for Maharashtra is planned. Moreover, in order to ensure availability of Urea at affordable prices, under the Urea Subsidy Scheme, it is provided to the farmers at a statutorily notified Maximum Retail Price (MRP). The MRP of 45 kg bag of urea is Rs.242 per bag (exclusive of charges towards neem coating and taxes as applicable). The difference between the delivered cost of Urea at farm gate and net market realization by the urea units is given as subsidy to the urea manufacturer/importer by the Government of India. Accordingly, all farmers are being supplied urea at the subsidized rate. Besides, the Government has implemented Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme w.e.f. 01.04.2010 for Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) Fertilizers. Under NBS Scheme, MRP of P&K fertilizers are decontrolled and companies are free to fix MRP as per their business dynamics at a reasonable level which is monitored by the government. The subsidy is provided to manufacturer/imported on notified P&K fertilizers on its PoS sale during the season, depending on their nutrient content to ensure availability of fertilizers to farmers. Further, to ensure affordability, special provisions like Rs. 3500 per 27.03.2026 1034 MT to cover 'Other Costs' which includes costs incurred from factory gate to farm gate, advantage / disadvantage due to increase / decrease in international prices, provision for GST component included in the MRP and provision for reasonable return @ 4% of net MRP (MRP-GST) have been extended to both imported and domestic DAP and imported TSP over and above NBS subsidy for Kharif 2025 and Rabi 2025-26 seasons. AYUSH HEALTHCARE SERVICES FOR WOMEN IN TAMIL NADU 5742. DR. D. RAVI KUMAR: Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state: (a) whether AYUSH healthcare services for women have been expanded in Tamil Nadu, particularly in rural and coastal districts; (b) the number of women beneficiaries under AYUSH wellness and maternal health programmes during the last three years; (c) whether traditional medicine is being integrated with public health systems for women’s wellness; and (d) the steps taken by the Government to address anaemia, reproductive health and mental well-being of women through AYUSH interventions? 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) and (b) : Public Health being a State subject, expansion of Ayush health care services for women in different regions of Tamil Nadu including rural and 27.03.2026 1035 coastal districts comes under purview of respective State Government. As reported by State Government of Tamil Nadu they have taken following steps for expanded Ayush health care services for women.  Under the National Ayush Mission (NAM), Ayush services have been co- located in Primary Health Centres (PHCs), District Hospitals and Health & Wellness Centres, improving access in rural areas.  Tamil Nadu has established a large network of integrated Ayush units (over 1,660 units) within public health facilities, ensuring outreach across districts.  Special focus has been given to women through Siddha-based maternal care interventions such as the Magaperu Sanjeevi Pettagam scheme for pregnant and lactating mothers.  Maternal care schemes (e.g., Siddha kits for pregnant women)  Community-based interventions (e.g., tribal and rural outreach programmes covering thousands of beneficiaries) Further, as reported by State Government of Tamil Nadu a total of 2,99,301 women beneficiaries were provided with Magaperu Sanjeevi Kit medicines during year 2023-24 & 2024-25. (c) : As reported by State Government of Tamil Nadu, traditional medicine is being integrated with the public health system by: 27.03.2026 1036  Ayush systems (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) are integrated with mainstream healthcare under Ayushman Bharat and NAM frameworks.  Co-location of Ayush services in Primary Health Centers (PHCs) and Government hospitals enables holistic care including maternal and preventive health services.  Tamil Nadu has actively integrated Siddha and other Ayush streams into Government hospitals, enhancing women-centric care and wellness services. (d) : As Public Health is a State subject, taking steps to address anaemia, reproductive health and mental well-being of women through Ayush interventions comes under purview of respective State Government. As informed by State Government of Tamil Nadu they have taken following initiative in this regards:- 1. Anaemia control:  Collaboration between Ministry of Ayush and other Ministries for nutrition and anaemia control programmes, especially among women and adolescent girls.  Implementation of the School Health Programme through Siddha in 385 Block PHCs enables adolescent school girls to receive medicines for adolescent anaemia, uterine health tonics, and immune boosters, 27.03.2026 1037 which are being distributed. This scheme implemented in Tamil Nadu under National Ayush Mission in 2019-20 to present.  Use of Ayush formulations and Siddha interventions to improve haemoglobin levels in women (e.g., maternal kits in Tamil Nadu). 2. Reproductive and maternal health:  Provision of AYUSH-based antenatal and postnatal care through Health & Wellness Centres and other Siddha wings.  Distribution of traditional medicine kits and wellness support for pregnant and lactating women in Tamil Nadu. 3. Mental well-being and holistic health:  Promotion of Yoga and Naturopathy for stress management, mental health and lifestyle disorders.  Community outreach programmes and wellness activities focusing on preventive healthcare for women. रॉबट्ªसगंज म¤ ÖवाÖÃय पåरचयाª ÿणाली म¤ गड़बड़ी 5743. ®ी छोटेलाल: ³या ÖवाÖÃय और पåरवार कÐयाण मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िक: (क) ³या रॉबट्ªसगंज लोक सभा िनवाªचन ±ेý के रॉबट्ªसगंज और सोनभþ म¤ िजला अÖपताल और ÿाथिमक ÖवाÖÃय केÆþ म¤ डॉ³टरŌ और आवÔयक दवाओं कì कमी के कारण ÖवाÖÃय सेवा ÿणाली पूरी तरह से अÖत-ÓयÖत है; (ख) यिद हां, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है; और 27.03.2026 1038 (ग) उĉ संसदीय िनवाªचन ±ेý म¤ ÖवाÖÃय सेवाओं के कब तक पूरी तरह से चालू होने कì संभावना है? आयुष मंýालय के राºय मंýी; तथा ÖवाÖÃय और पåरवार कÐयाण मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी (®ी ÿतापराव गणपतराव जाधव): (क) और (ख) : जन ÖवाÖÃय एवं अÖपताल राºय का िवषय होने के कारण, आवÔयकतानुसार पयाªĮ सं´या म¤ ÖवाÖÃय सुिवधा क¤þ Öथािपत करने कì ÿाथिमक िजÌमेदारी संबंिधत राºय सरकार कì है। राÕůीय ÖवाÖÃय िमशन (एनएचएम) के अंतगªत, राºयŌ/संघ राºय ±ेýŌ को उनकì ÖवाÖÃय ÿणाली को मजबूत करने के िलए उनके कायªøम कायाªÆवयन योजना (पीआईपी) म¤ ÿाĮ ÿÖतावŌ के आधार पर उनके संसाधन के दायरे म¤ िव°ीय और तकनीकì सहायता ÿदान कì जाती है, िजसम¤ उप-क¤þ (एससी), ÿाथिमक ÖवाÖÃय क¤þ (पीएचसी) और सामुदाियक ÖवाÖÃय क¤þ (सीएचसी) जैसी नई ÖवाÖÃय सुिवधाएं Öथािपत करना शािमल है। उ°र ÿदेश राºय सरकार Ĭारा दी गई जानकारी के अनुसार, रॉबट्ªसगंज संसदीय ±ेý के रॉबट्ªसगंज और सोनभþ म¤ बुिनयादी ÖवाÖÃय सेवाएं उपलÊध ह§। रॉबट्ªसगंज लोकसभा ±ेý म¤ एक Öवाय° राºय मेिडकल कॉलेज कì Öथापना कì गई है, िजसम¤ िजला संयुĉ अÖपताल और मातृ एवं िशशु ÖवाÖÃय (एमसीएच) िवंग शािमल ह§। इसके अितåरĉ, रॉबट्ªसगंज संसदीय ±ेý म¤ कुल 10 सामुदाियक ÖवाÖÃय क¤þ कायªशील ह§ िजनम¤ 45 डॉ³टर कायªरत ह§ और 45 ÿाथिमक ÖवाÖÃय क¤þ कायªशील ह§ िजनम¤ 46 डॉ³टर कायªरत ह§। रॉबट्ªसगंज लोकसभा ±ेý के सभी सामुदाियक ÖवाÖÃय क¤þŌ और ÿाथिमक ÖवाÖÃय क¤þŌ म¤ पयाªĮ दवाएं उपलÊध ह§। भारत के ÖवाÖÃय संबंधी िवकास सूचकांक (एचडीआई) 2022-23 के अनुसार, उ°र ÿदेश सिहत सभी राºयŌ/संघ राºय ±ेýŌ के úामीण/शहरी ±ेýŌ म¤ कायªशील ÖवाÖÃय सुिवधा क¤þŌ और उपलÊध संसाधनŌ का िववरण िनÌनिलिखत िलंक पर देखा जा सकता है: 27.03.2026 1039 https://mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/Health%20Dynamics%20of%20India%2 0%28Infrastructure%20%26%20Human%20Resources%29%202022- 23_RE%20%281%29.pdf (ग) : ÖवाÖÃय राºय का िवषय होने के कारण, जन ÖवाÖÃय सुिवधा क¤þŌ म¤ अवसंरचना िवकास, साथ ही ÖवाÖÃय के िलए मानव संसाधन (एचआरएच) का ÿबंधन और तैनाती, सीएचसी और पीएचसी कì योजना और कायाªÆवयन राºय सरकार के अिधकार ±ेý म¤ आता है। राºय सरकार मानदंडŌ और उनकì आवÔयकता के अनुसार सीएचसी और पीएचसी का ÿÖताव रख सकती है। भारत सरकार जांच के बाद राºयŌ/संघ राºय ±ेýŌ को उनके संसाधनŌ कì उपलÊधता के आधार पर एनएचएम (पीआईपी) और ÿधानमंýी-आयुÕमान भारत ÖवाÖÃय अवसंरचना िमशन (पीएम- अिभम) के तहत मंजूरी दे सकती है। उ°र ÿदेश सरकार Ĭारा दी गई जानकारी के अनुसार, रॉबट्ªसगंज संसदीय ±ेý म¤ वतªमान म¤ 5324 डॉ³टर लेवल-1 पर तैनात ह§। इसके अितåरĉ, वषª 2022 म¤ 231 (लेवल-II) िवशेष² डॉ³टरŌ कì िनयुिĉ कì गई है और वषª 2024 म¤ 343 िवशेष²/सुपर-Öपेशिलटी डॉ³टरŌ कì िनयुिĉ कì गई है। राºय कì जनता को बेहतर िचिकÂसा सुिवधाएं ÿदान करने के उĥेÔय से, राºय सरकार ने राºय िचिकÂसा एवं ÖवाÖÃय सेवा कैडर के िचिकÂसा अिधकाåरयŌ कì सेवािनवृि° आयु को 62 वषª से बढ़ाकर 65 वषª करने को मंजूरी दे दी है। सामाÆय/ÖपेशिलÖट मेिडकल ऑिफसर कì िनयुिĉ भी समय-समय पर पुनिनªयोजन, वॉक-इन इंटरÓयू, एनएचएम संिवदा/åरवसª िबिडंग आिद के माÅयम से कì जाती है। िफिजयोथेरेपी ÿोफेशनल को आवÔयक कैडर के तौर पर माÆयता 5744. ®ी रामभुआल िनषादः ³या ÖवाÖÃय और पåरवार कÐयाण मंýी यह बताने कì कृपा कर¤गे िक: 27.03.2026 1040 (क) ³या सरकार राÕůीय सहबĦ और ÖवाÖÃय देखभाल वृि° आयोग (एन.सी.ए.एच.पी.) अिधिनयम, 2021 के तहत िफिजयोथेरेपी पेशेवरŌ को एक िविशĶ और आवÔयक संवगª के łप म¤ माÆयता देती है और यिद हां, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है; (ख) ³या सरकार का िफिजयोथेरेिपÖटŌ कì िवÖताåरत नैदािनक, शै±िणक और पुनवाªस संबंधी िजÌमेदाåरयŌ को देखते हòए आठव¤ क¤þीय वेतन आयोग के तहत उनके वेतन Öतर/úेड पे म¤ वृिĦ कì िसफाåरश करने का ÿÖताव है और यिद हां, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है; (ग) ³या अÆय ÖवाÖÃय देखभाल पेशेवरŌ कì तुलना म¤ वेतन समानता, पदोÆनित म¤ अवरोध और संवगª भेदभाव के संबंध म¤ िफिजयोथेरेपी संघŌ से अËयावेदन ÿाĮ हòए ह§ और यिद हां, तो तÂसंबंधी Êयौरा ³या है; और (घ) क¤þ सरकार के संÖथानŌ म¤ िफिजयोथेरेिपÖटŌ के िलए एक समान वेतन संरचना, कåरयर ÿगित और Óयावसाियक पहचान सुिनिIJत करने के िलए सरकार Ĭारा ³या कदम उठाए गए ह§ या उठाए जाने का ÿÖताव है? ÖवाÖÃय और पåरवार कÐयाण मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी; तथा रसायन और उवªरक मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी (®ीमती अनुिÿया पटेल): (क) से (घ) : िफिजयोथेरेपी पेशेवर राÕůीय संबंĦ और ÖवाÖÃय देख-रेख वृि° आयोग (एनसीएएचपी) अिधिनयम, 2021 कì अनुसूची म¤ ®ेणी 3 के अंतगªत आते ह§। सभी तीन क¤þीय सरकारी अÖपतालŌ अथाªत सफदरजंग अÖपताल, डॉ. राम मनोहर लोिहया अÖपताल और ®ीमती सुचेता कृपलानी अÖपताल, नई िदÐली म¤ िफिजयोथेरेपी कैडर का पुनगªठन िकया गया है और उĉ कैडर के उ¸चतम वेतन को Öतर 10 से बढ़ाकर Öतर -12 कर िदया गया है। MANAGEMENT OF MEDICINAL PLANTS 5745. SHRI C. N. ANNADURAI: Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state: 27.03.2026 1041 (a) whether the Government is implementing schemes for the conservation, cultivation and sustainable management of medicinal plants in the country through the National Medicinal Plants Board under his Ministry and if so, the details thereof; (b) the details of assistance provided under the Central Sector Scheme on "Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants" including support for the establishment of Home Herbal Gardens, School Herbal Gardens, Institutional/Public Herbal Gardens and Herbal Gardens of State and National Importance; (c) the details of financial assistance and subsidy provided to farmers for cultivation of medicinal plants under the National AYUSH Mission during the last five years; (d) the number of herbal gardens, nurseries and medicinal plant cultivation projects sanctioned in Tamil Nadu along with the funds allocated and utilised, year-wise; and (e) the steps taken by the Government to further promote medicinal plant cultivation, herbal gardens and farmer participation in Tamil Nadu? 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) : Yes, the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), Ministry of Ayush is presently implementing “Central Sector Scheme for Conservation, Development 27.03.2026 1042 and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants” throughout the country. Under this scheme, the project based support is provided for following activities: i. In-situ conservation through development of Medicinal Plants Conservation and Development Areas (MPCDAs). ii. In-situ/Ex-situ resource augmentation. iii. Livelihood linkages with Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) / Panchayats / Van Panchayats / Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) / Self Help Groups (SHGs) etc. iv. Research & Development. v. IEC activities like Training / Workshops / Seminars/ Conferences etc. vi. Ex-situ conservation through establishment of herbal gardens. vii. Promotion of marketing and trade of medicinal plants produce. viii. Forward and backward linkage in supply chain of medicinal plants. (b) : The details of assistance provided under the "Central Sector Scheme on Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants" for various activities including School Herbal Gardens, Institutional/Public Herbal Gardens and Herbal Gardens of State and National Importance is given in the enclosed Statement-I. (c) : Ministry of Ayush, Government of India had implemented “Medicinal Plants” component under Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the National Ayush Mission (NAM) during the financial year 2015-16 to 2020-21 to promote the cultivation of medicinal plants throughout the country. As per the scheme guidelines, the support was provided for: 27.03.2026 1043 i. Cultivation of prioritized medicinal plants on farmer’s land. ii. Establishment of nurseries with backward linkages for raising and supply of quality planting material. iii. Post-harvest management with forwarding linkages. iv. Primary processing, marketing infrastructure etc. The financial assistance provided to different States for cultivation of medicinal plants under NAM Scheme during financial year 2020-21 is given in the enclosed Statement-II. (d) : The number of Herbal Gardens, Nursery projects sanctioned in state of Tamil Nadu, funds allocated and utilized from year 2004-05 to 2024-25 are given in the enclosed Statement-III. To support cultivation of medicinal plants in state of Tamil Nadu, the NMPB, Ministry of Ayush under its “Central Sector Scheme for Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants” has approved a project entitled "Forward and backward linkage in supply chain of medicinal plants (Integrated component) - TNAU” to Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Tamil Nadu for an amount of Rs. 95.00 lakh during the F.Y. 2024-25 with the objectives to raise Quality Planting Material (1 Nursery) for distribution to farmers for medicinal plants cultivation and establishment of infrastructure for Post-Harvest Management and Marketing. (e) : The NMPB, Ministry of Ayush through its Regional Cum Facilitation Centre (Southern Region), Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI), Peechi, Thrissur, 27.03.2026 1044 Kerala facilitates Quality Planting Material (QPM) to the farmers / growers and involve their participation for promotion of medicinal plants cultivation in state of Tamil Nadu. For establishment of different types of Herbal Gardens viz. School Herbal Gardens, Institutional / Public Herbal Gardens /Ayush van, Herbal Gardens of State and National Importance, the NMPB, Ministry of Ayush as per provision of its “Central Sector Scheme for Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants”, is providing project based support throughout the country including state of Tamil Nadu. STATEMENT-I The details of assistance provided under “Central Sector Scheme for Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants” for various activities on medicinal plants: S. No. Component/ Activity Cost Norm Remarks i In-situ conservation a) Establishment of Medicinal Plants Conservation and Development Areas (MPCDAs) Rs. 20,000 per hectare 100% Central Assistance b) Revisit and upgradation of MPCA Rs. 5000/- per hectare 100% Assistance c) Assistance for mainstreaming Medicinal Plants in Management / Working Plans Rs. 1.50 lakh per forest Division / Wildlife Division 100% Assistance d) in-situ resource augmentation Cost norms of MoEF&CC under National Afforestation Programme 100% Assistance 27.03.2026 1045 ii Ex-situ conservation Ex-situ conservation Cost norms of MoEF&CC under CSS National Afforestation Programme 100% Assistance Eco Task Force for rehabilitation of critical medicinal plant habitats Eco Task Force Project based 100% assistance to the eligible organization iii Support to JFMCs/ Panchayats/Van Panchayats/ SHGs Value addition, drying, warehousing and augmenting marketing infrastructure etc. Rs.15.00 lakhs per JFMC / Panchayats / Van Panchayats /SHGs / BMCs 100% assistance per JFMC / Panchayats / Van Panchayats / SHGs / BMCs iv Research, Technology Development and Quality Assurance a) R&D Projects on theme areas Project based 100% assistance for Govt. Institutions / PSUs, Govt. Aided Institutions etc. and Non-profit making Philanthropic Organizations with requisite expertise. 50% assistance for projects received from private sector organizations b) Network research projects involving two or more institutions Project based 100% assistance for Govt. Institutions/PSUs, Govt. Aided Institutions etc. and Non-profit making Philanthropic Organizations with requisite expertise. 50% assistance for projects received from private sector organizations c) Raw drug repository of medicinal plants Rs.10.00 crores for national raw drugs repository and Rs. 5.00 crores each for regional 100% assistance to Govt. Institutions/PSUs. For private organizations assistance would be 27.03.2026 1046 raw drug repositories decided by PAC in project mode Establishing Quality Standards and certification and other interventions not specifically mentioned elsewhere. Project based 100% assistance. v Awareness Building, Exposure Visits, Education and Capacity Building of Stakeholders through IEC a) Training and Capacity Building Programmes for field staff of Forest Dept., Institutions, Universities, Horticulture Dept., Agriculture Dept., Growers and Collectors a) Rs. 2,000 per trainee (farmer) for a minimum of 2 days within the state. b) Rs. 5,000 per head for exposure visits to other states. c) The expenditure on officers training within the State will be Rs. 5,000/- per officer and outside the State the cost would be restricted to Rs. 10,000 per officer (Travel cost will be additional) 100% Assistance Travel cost will be limited to 3rd AC train fares per participants. However, for Govt. Servants it will be as per entitlement. For places not connected by Rail, travel by available modes will be permitted as approved by the PSC/ PAC. b) Workshops/ Seminar/ Arogya Rs. 1.00 lakhs for District level, Rs. 2.00 lakhs for State level, Rs. 3.00 lakhs for regional level, Rs. 5.00 lakhs for National level Rs. 10.00 lakhs for international level. 100% assistance c) Participation in exhibition/ fair For participation by other Agencies Rs. 1.00 lakh for State 100% assistance for Govt. Organizations For Private organizations 27.03.2026 1047 level, Rs. 2.00 lakhs for National level Rs. 3.00 lakhs for international level including industries 50% of the prescribed cost or actual expenditure whichever is less (which includes expenditure on Travel, accommodation, Hire charges, stall fabrication, etc.) will be reimbursed. Participation by NMPB will be as per the actuals. vi Promotion of Herbal Gardens a) Herbal Gardens of State and National Importance As per the project proposal 100% assistance b) Institutional/ Public Herbal Garden/ Ayush Van Rs. 3.00 lakhs per hectare for establishment Annual maintenance of the Herbal Garden @ up to Rs.60,000/- per year per ha. for next four years. 100% assistance c) School Herbal Gardens Rs. 25,000/- per school for an area of 500 sqm. Up to Rs. 7,000/- per annum/ per school for aintenance for next 4 years 100% assistance 27.03.2026 1048 vii Forward and Backward Linkage in Supply Chain of Medicinal Plants (Integrated Component) Infrastructure for Quality Planting Material for Medicinal Plants Rs. 50.00 lakh Information Education Communication (IEC) activities- Rs. 7.50 lakh Infrastructure for Post - Harvest Management and Marketing- Rs. 55.00 lakh Quality Testing and Certification - Rs. 7.50 lakh Total Project Cost Rs. 120.00 Lakh 100% assistance STATEMENT-II The State-wise detail of funds released under National AYUSH Mission (NAM) scheme for cultivation of medicinal plants and related activities during the F.Y. 2020-21: S. No. Name of State Funds Released In F.Y. 2020-21 (Rs. in Lakhs) 1. Arunachal Pradesh 26.7750 2. Jammu & Kashmir 22.5200 3. Karnataka 220.9650 4. Kerala 221.7672 5. Madhya Pradesh 230.1708 6. Mizoram 14.6450 7. Nagaland 33.9650 8. Sikkim 18.9850 27.03.2026 1049 9. Uttar Pradesh 209.8161 Total 999.6091 STATEMENT-III The number of Herbal Gardens, Nursery projects sanctioned under “Central Sector Scheme for Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants” in state of Tamil Nadu, funds allocated and utilized from year 2004-05 to 2024-25: Years Number of projects Sanctione d Amount (Rs. in lakhs) Released Amount (Rs. in lakhs) Utilized Amount (Rs. in lakhs) Number of projects Sanctio ned Amount (Rs. in lakhs) Released Amount (Rs. in lakhs) Utilized Amount (Rs. in lakhs) Herbal Garden Herbal Garden Herbal Garden Herbal Garden Nursery Nursery Nursery Nursery 2004-05 2 16.00 16.00 16.00 0 0 0 0 2005-06 3 27.75 27.75 27.75 0 0 0 0 2006-07 2 12.60 12.60 12.60 0 0 0 0 2007-08 1 7.00 7.00 7.00 0 0 0 0 2008-09 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2009-10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2010-11 1 22.00 18.00 18.00 0 0 0 0 2011-12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2012-13 1 16.06 11.21 11.21 0 0 0 0 2013-14 2 12.60 4.20 4.00 0 0 0 0 2014-15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2015-16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2016-17 1 26.50 12.50 0 1 56.94 42.63 42.63 2017-18 4 191.55 108.75 0 0 0 0 0 2018-19 0 0 0 0 2 0.5625 0 0 2019-20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2020-21 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2021-22 5 18.80 10.03 10.03 0 0 0 0 2022-23 9 140.44 51.50 7.50 1 1.25 0 0 2023-24 1 10.80 6.00 0 0 0 0 0 2024-25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 32 502.10 285.54 114.09 4 58.7525 42.63 42.63 27.03.2026 1050 IMPACT ON HEALTH DUE TO AIR POLLUTION 5746. SHRI GOVIND MAKTHAPPA KARJOL: Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state: (a) the details of increasing levels of air pollution levels in various parts of the country and their impact on public health, particularly on lung infections and respiratory diseases, State/UT- wise; (b) whether the Government has conducted any study to assess the link between rising air pollution levels and increasing hospital admissions and mortality due to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and if so, the details thereof; and (c) the preventive measures taken or being taken by the Government and the public health advisories issued to protect vulnerable groups including children, the elderly and persons with pre-existing respiratory conditions? 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) : Air pollution is one of the factors affecting respiratory ailments and associated diseases. Health is impacted by several factors, including food habits, occupational habits, socio- economic status, medical history, immunity, heredity, etc., of the individuals including children apart from the environment. Details of the air pollution levels in the various cities of India may be seen at https://cpcb.nic.in/AQI_Bulletin.php. 27.03.2026 1051 (b) : Central Pollution Control Board sponsored the following studies on the impact of air pollution: I. “Health impact of firecrackers bursting during Diwali in the National Capital of Delhi” conducted by Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi (MAMC); 2019-2024. II. "Does air quality from crop residue burning in close proximity to residential areas adversely affect respiratory health?” conducted in Punjab by TERI, Delhi, 2018- 2019. III. “Impact of Traffic Emissions on Health Amongst Adolescents in Delhi” conducted by International Institute of Health Management Research, (IIHMR), 2019-2021. IV. “Epidemiological Study on Effect of Air Pollution on Human Health (adults) in Delhi”, conducted by Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata; 2002–2005 V. “Health effects of chronic exposure to smoke from biomass fuel burning in rural households: a study in Northern and Eastern India” conducted by Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata; 2008- 2012. VI. “Study on Ambient Air Quality, Respiratory Symptoms and Lung Function of Children in Delhi”, conducted by Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata; 2003-2005. (c) : Government of India has taken several steps to address air pollution issues which are given in the enclosed Statement. 27.03.2026 1052 STATEMENT Government of India has taken several steps to address air pollution issues across the country. These include: 1. Implementation of National Programme for Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH) with an objective to create awareness, capacity building, health sector preparedness and response and partnerships related activities on the climate sensitive health issues in the country since 2019. The details of the programme are as below: i. Under NPCCHH, the Government of India has developed “Health Adaptation Plan” on health issues due to Air Pollution. ii. It has also developed “State Action Plan” on climate change & human health for all 36 State/UTs. This State specific Action Plan contains dedicated chapter on air pollution which suggests interventions to reduce the impact. iii. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare issues public health advisories to State/UTs suggesting ways to reduce the impact of air pollution. iv. Nationwide public awareness campaigns are organized in coordination with States annually for World Environment Day (5th June), International Day of Clean Air for blue skies (7th September) and National Pollution Control Day (2nd December). v. Dedicated training modules have been developed in area of air pollution for Programme Managers, Medical Officers & Nurses, Nodal Officers sentinel sites, frontline workers like Accredited 27.03.2026 1053 Social Health Activist (ASHA), vulnerable groups like women & children, occupationally exposed groups like traffic police, municipal workers etc. vi. Information Education communication (IEC) material has been developed targeting air pollution related illnesses in both English, Hindi and regional languages. Government of India has also developed customized IEC materials focusing various vulnerable groups such as school children, women, occupational vulnerable groups like Municipality workers, etc. vii. Series of national level capacity building workshops have been conducted annually to prepare Master Trainers (State level Trainers) who can cascade down the training at State/District level in the area of air pollution related illnesses and surveillance. viii. Early warning system/alerts for air pollution as well as air quality forecasts are disseminated from Indian Meteorological Department to States and cities to prepare the health sector as well as community including vulnerable population. 2. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) aims to safeguard the health of women & children by providing them with a clean cooking fuel, Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG). 3. Swachh Bharat Mission aims to clean up streets, roads and infrastructure of India’s cities, smaller towns, and rural areas. Swachh Hava is an integral component of Swachh Bharat. 27.03.2026 1054 4. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has launched National Clean Air Program in 2019 as a national level strategy to reduce air pollution levels across the country. HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE IN LAKSHADWEEP 5747. SHRI HAMDULLAH SAYEED: Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state: (a) the details of new hospitals, Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and other health infrastructure constructed or sanctioned in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep; (b) the islands where such health facilities have been established and the services provided at each facility; (c) the amount of funds allocated, released and utilized for the construction and operationalisation of these health facilities; (d) whether any gaps exist in healthcare infrastructure, including the shortage of beds, medical equipment and specialist doctors, if so, the details thereof; and (e) the steps being taken by the Government to strengthen health infrastructure, improve medical services and ensure timely healthcare access for residents of all islands in Lakshadweep? 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): 27.03.2026 1055 (a) to (e) : The details of island wise District Hospital (DH), Sub-district Hospitals (SDHs), Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep is as follows: Islands Health Facility Type No. of health facility Kavaratti District Hospital (DH) 1 Agatti & Minicoy Sub-district Hospital (SDH) 2 Andrott, Amni & Kadmat Community Health Centres (CHCs) 3 Chetlat, Kalpeni & Kiltan Primary Health Centres (PHCs) 3 The details of funds allocated for the operationalization of health facilities including Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM) in the UT of Lakshadweep through NHM can be accessed in the ROP allocated from the following link: https://nhm.gov.in/index4.php?lang=1&level=0&linkid=76&lid=89 Under the National Health Mission (NHM), need-based financial and technical support is provided to States/UTs including the UT of Lakshadweep to improve health care systems as a part of decentralised planning, based on their proposals within their resource envelop. The step undertaken to strengthen health infrastructure, medical services and healthcare falls under the ambit of 4 pillar of Ayushman Bharat Yojana introduced under NHM include-  Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM) 27.03.2026 1056  Pradhan Mantri- Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM- ABHIM)  Pradhan Mantri- Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)  Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) Details are given in the enclosed Statement-I and Statement -II. STATEMENT-I Health Systems Strengthening 1. Ayushman Bharat – Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AB-AAM): Under AB-AAM, existing Sub Health Centers (SHCs) and Primary Health Centers (PHCs) are being upgraded to Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM) to deliver universal, free comprehensive primary healthcare services, with a focus on wellness and the delivery of an expanded range of services closer to the community. The services span from promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative care targeting holistic healthcare service delivery. All AAM-PHC and AAM-Sub Centres are provided with sufficient space for outpatient care, dispensing medicines, diagnostic services, adequate spaces to display communication material of health messages, including audio-visual aids and appropriate community spaces for wellness activities, including the practice of Yoga and physical exercises. 27.03.2026 1057 Ayushman Arogya Shivirs are ‘one-stop’ platforms to address a comprehensive range of health issues have proven to be an effective strategy to reach the masses and augment the utilization of healthcare services. They are organised at Sub Health Centre, Primary Health Centre and Community Health Centre. AAM provide e-Sanjeevani teleconsultation services, connecting service providers, including CHOs/ MOs, to specialists in secondary and tertiary centres. This minimizes the need for physical travel, reducing costs and hardships for patients along with enabling continuum of care. The AAM team works closely with communities enabling empowerment of individuals, families and communities with knowledge and skills to take responsibility for their own health. The AAM also focus on improving health literacy through interpersonal communication and media (including social media) usage, for promotion of healthy lifestyles – balanced healthy diet, yoga, exercise, tobacco cessation, and self-care for those with chronic disease conditions. The Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) program is a key component of the community processes of National Health Mission (NHM). ASHAs are women from the local community who serve the community’s healthcare needs. Having a strong footing in the community, they ensure the provision of a range of services, door-to- door surveys, vaccination, providing information on hygiene practices, 27.03.2026 1058 nutrition and sanitation, reproductive and childcare services, and communicable and non-communicable disease prevention and control. 2. Free Diagnostics Service Initiative (FDSI): Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had launched the National Free Diagnostic Service Initiative (FDSI) in 2015 to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and reduce out of pocket expenditure on healthcare by ensuring availability of essential diagnostics at the public health facilities, free of cost. As per the FDSI guidelines an expanded range of diagnostics at all levels of public health facilities (14 tests at SHCs, 63 tests at PHCs, 97 tests at Community Health Centres (CHCs), 111 tests at Sub-District Hospitals (SDHs) and 134 tests at District Hospitals (DHs) are recommended. 3. Free Drugs Service Initiative (FDSI): Under Free Drugs Service Initiative, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare supports procurement of drugs and strengthening robust systems of procurement, Quality Assurance, Supply chain management and warehousing, Prescription audit, grievance redressal, dissemination of Standard Treatment Guidelines and Establishment of IT enabled platform DVDMS (Drugs & Vaccine Distribution Management System). MoHFW has recommended facility wise Essential Medicines List (EML) to be made available at the public healthcare facilities - EML includes 106 drugs at Sub Health Centre level, 172 at Primary Health Centre level, 300 at Community 27.03.2026 1059 Health Centre level, 318 at Sub-district Hospital level and 381 drugs at district Hospital level. 4. Community Participation: To bring the governance, convergence and action for health from the local governments, community platforms like Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committee (VHSNC) in rural areas and Mahila Arogya Samiti (MAS) in urban areas have been introduced to address the barriers and social determinants of health. Jan Arogya Samiti (JAS) are being established at AAM (the SHC-AAM and PHC-AAMs level), as the institutional platform for community participation in management of the facility, and for supporting AAM team in its community level interventions. 5. Mobile Medical Units (MMUs): Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) to improve access to public healthcare, especially for populations in remote, hard-to-reach, and underserved areas. The primary goal of this initiative is to deliver healthcare services directly to the doorsteps of rural, vulnerable, and marginalized communities. 6. National Ambulance Services (NAS): NHM provides technical and financial assistance to States & UTs to strengthen for emergency transportation of patients for acute and critical illnesses including trauma through NAS. 7. Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) 2022: The government has established the IPHS 2022 standards to monitor and improve health infrastructure and services in public health facilities. These standards 27.03.2026 1060 include population norms for the establishment of public healthcare facilities, such as Sub-Centers (SC), Primary Health Centers (PHC), Community Health Centers (CHC), and District Hospitals (DH). The standards cover services, infrastructure, human resources, diagnostics, equipment, and medicines, serving as the reference for public health care infrastructure planning and upgrading in the States and Union Territories. States have the flexibility to propose funding under the National Health Mission (NHM) for upgrading infrastructure, human resources, and services according to IPHS, following a gap analysis. 8. National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS): The National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) serves as a comprehensive framework to ensure and enhance the quality of healthcare in public facilities by focusing on service provision, patient rights, clinical care, infection control, and quality management. Launched for District Hospitals in 2013 and subsequently extended to other facility types, NQAS is internationally accredited and recognised by organisations such as ISQua, IRDA, and NHA. 9. Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM): Launched in 2021, PM-ABHIM is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with certain Central Sector components, aimed at strengthening primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare facilities. The mission focuses on enhancing grassroots public health institutions to ensure universal access to comprehensive primary healthcare services, 27.03.2026 1061 including diagnostics and critical care. This scheme emphasizes on expansion of IT-enabled disease surveillance systems to effectively detect, investigate, prevent, and manage public health emergencies and disease outbreaks, making the healthcare system more responsive during crises. Under PM-ABHIM, support is provided for the development of infrastructure, including building-less sub-centres in rural and urban areas, Block-level Public Health Units, Integrated Public Health Laboratories, and Critical Care Hospital Blocks. 10. Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM- JAY) is a flagship scheme of the Government which provides health cover of Rs. 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to 12 crore families, constituting the economically vulnerable bottom 40% of India’s population. On 29.10.2024, the scheme was further extended to cover 6 crore senior citizens aged 70 years and above, representing 4.5 crore families, through the Vay Vandana Card, irrespective of their socio-economic status. 11. Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) aims to create an online platform enabling interoperability of health data within the health ecosystem. The core components of the Mission include Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) for citizens, Health Professional Registry (HPR), Health Facility Registry (HFR), and ABHA Application. The digital health ecosystem created by ABDM supports continuity of care across primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare in a seamless manner. 27.03.2026 1062 12. XV-Finance Commission Health Grants channelized through local government - The XV Finance Commission recommended grants through local governments, allocating ₹70,051 crores over five years from FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26 to strengthen primary healthcare. This funding supports various rural healthcare components, including the development of building-less sub-centres, primary health centres (PHCs), and community health centres (CHCs). It also facilitates the conversion of rural PHCs and sub-health centres (SHCs) into Ayushman Arogya Mandir, enhances diagnostic infrastructure in primary healthcare facilities, and establishes Block-Level Public Health Units, with a special focus on tribal areas and aspirational districts. 13.To enhance availability of specialists, NHM offers flexible provisions, which include the following:  The GoI support States in recruiting and retaining specialists in public health facilities through the innovative “You Quote, We Pay” scheme under NHM, which allows specialists to negotiate lucrative and flexible salaries. There are also provisions for engaging specialists on a per-case basis if required.  To address shortages in difficult and underserved areas, provision for differential salaries based on the place of posting are available under NHM. Many States have categorized all their blocks and facilities based on the difficulty level for providing services there. 27.03.2026 1063 The staff posted in these areas are given an additional amount as a difficult/ hard area allowance till the time they are posted there.  In-sourcing of speciality services wherever required to ensure service availability.  State may also make provision of performance-based/ team- based incentives to staff after achieving over and above defined threshold of performance  GoI also recommends fixed-tenure postings in difficult areas and ensuring proper working conditions in terms of availability of team, equipment and supplies, and living quarters/ transit hostels  Honorarium to Gynecologists/ Emergency Obstetric Care (EmoC) trained, Pediatricians & Anesthetist/ Life Saving Anaesthesia Skills (LSAS) trained doctors are also provided to increase availability of specialists for conducting Cesarean Sections in rural and remote areas.  Measures such as multi-skilling including short-term in-service training programs like EmOC and LSAS for medical officers, and continuous capacity building through in-service training are also supported. These provisions can be utilized by all the states/ UTs including UT of Lakshadweep and propose budgetary support in their Programme 27.03.2026 1064 Implementation Plans (PIPs) based on their specific needs and available resource envelope. STATEMENT -II Programs and Schemes under NHM Health Systems Strengthening 1 Health care Infrastructure a. Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AB-AAM) b. Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM- ABHIM) c. 15th FC Health grants to Local bodies 2 Free Diagnostics Service Initiative (FDSI) 3 Free Drugs Service Initiative (FDSI) 4 Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) 5 National Ambulance Services (NAS) 6 Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) 2022 7 National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent health 8 Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK) 9 Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram(RKSK) 10 Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) 11 Universal Immunisation Programme 12 Mission Indradhanush (MI) 13 Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) 14 Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) 27.03.2026 1065 15 Navjaat Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (NSSK) 16 National Programme for Family planning 17 LaQshya’ programme (Labour Room Quality Improvement Initiative National Nutritional Programmes 18 National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme 19 MAA (Mothers’ Absolute Affection) Programme for Infant and Young Child Feeding 20 National Programme for Prevention and Control of Fluorosis (NPPCF) 21 National Iron Plus Initiative for Anaemia Control 22 Mid-day Meal Scheme Communicable diseases 23 Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) 24 Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) 25 National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) 26 National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) 27 National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) 28 Pulse Polio Programme 29 National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (NVHCP) 30 National Rabies Control Programme 31 National Programme on Containment of Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) Non-communicable diseases 32 National Tobacco Control Programme(NTCP) 33 National Programme for Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) 34 National Programme for Control Treatment of Occupational Diseases 35 National Programme for Prevention and Control of Deafness (NPPCD) 27.03.2026 1066 36 National Mental Health Programme 37 National Programme for Control of Blindness & Visual Impairment (NPCB&VI) 38 Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP) 39 National Programme for the Health Care for the Elderly (NPHCE) 40 National Programme for Prevention & Management of Burn Injuries (NPPMBI) 41 National Oral Health programme 42 National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission AB-PMJAY COVERAGE IN SHIRUR TRIBAL BLOCKS 5748. DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE: Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state: (a) the percentage of the population in the tribal blocks of Shirur (such as Ambegaon) in the State of Maharashtra that remains uncovered under the Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) as of January 2026; (b) the reason for the disparity between the sanctioned and actual bed- strength in Central-funded Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in the Khed and Shirur tehsils of the State; (c) whether the Union Government has received any proposal from the State of Maharashtra for a dedicated Trauma Care Centre on the Pune-Nashik Highway under the National Health Mission, if so, the deails thereof; and (d) the details of the central funds that have lapsed, if any, allocated for maternal health in rural Pune? 27.03.2026 1067 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) : Block-wise data is not captured under Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). However, district-wise data is available. A total of 4.25 lakh families are covered under AB-PMJAY in Pune district of Maharashtra, in which Shirur block is located. (b): The National Health Mission (NHM) provides support for improvement in health infrastructure, human resources in health facilities, availability and accessibility to quality healthcare across the country, including Maharashtra. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare provides technical and financial support to the States/UTs to strengthen the public healthcare system, based on the proposals received in the form of Programme Implementation Plans under NHM. Approval is accorded to the proposals in the form of Record of Proceedings as per norms & available resources. To improve health infrastructure and services in public health facilities, government has laid down Indian Public Health Standards. The Indian Public Health Standards for Sub-centres, Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), Sub-District Hospitals (SDH) and District Hospitals (DH) were published in 2007 and revised in 2012 and in 2022, as the reference point for public health care facility planning and up-gradation. They are a set of uniform standards envisaged to deliver quality services to citizens with dignity and respect, and provide guidance on the health system components such as 27.03.2026 1068 infrastructure, human resource, drugs, diagnostics, equipment, quality, and governance requirements for delivering health services at these facilities. As per established norms, in rural areas, a Sub Health Centre for a population of 5,000 (in plain) and 3000 (in hilly and tribal area), a Primary Health Centre for a population of 30,000 (in plains) and 20,000 (in hilly and tribal areas) and Community Health Centre for a population of 1,20,000 (in plain) and 80,000 (in hilly and tribal area) is prescribed. Further, for urban area one Urban Ayushman Arogya Mandir is recommended for an urban population of 15,000 to 20,000, one U-PHC for an urban population of 30,000 to 50,000, One U-CHC for every 2.5 lakh population in non-metro cities (above 5 lakh population) and one U-CHC for every 5 lakh population in the metro cities. Further, First Referral Unit, Sub-District Hospital (SDH) and District Hospital (DH) provide secondary care services for rural & urban area. (c) : During 11th Five Year Plan (2007-12) under the "National Programme for Prevention & Management of Trauma and Burn Injuries", 196 Trauma Care Facilities were sanctioned in Government Hospitals/ Medical Colleges across the country. Out of these, 6 Trauma Care Facilities have been sanctioned in the State of Maharashtra at GMCH (Kolhapur), District Hospital (Satara), BJ Medical College (Pune), Municipal Hospital (Vashi), Sub District Hospital Dhanu (Thane), Sub District Hospital (Hinganghat, Wardha). (d) : The central release under National Health Mission (NHM) from the FY 2022-23 to FY 2024-25 and under PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure 27.03.2026 1069 Mission (PM-ABHIM) from the FY 2022-23 to FY 2024-25 for the State of Maharashtra is given as under: Rupees (in crore) Financial Year Central share release –NHM Central share release - PM- ABHIM 2022-23 2,187.13 4.07 2023-24 2,729.30 31.76 2024-25 2,417.95 65.48 Note: The above releases relate to Central Govt. Grants & do not include State share contribution. NIPAH VIRUS OUTBREAK 5749. SHRI BALWANT BASWANT WANKHADE: Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state: (a) the details of the number of Nipah virus infections and deaths recorded in the country during the last five years, year-wise and State/UT-wise; (b) the measures taken by the Government to contain the outbreak of Nipah virus across the country; (c) whether the Government is developing any contingency plans in case of nation-wide outbreak of Nipah virus, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; (d) whether any reasons have been identified by the Government for the sudden and frequent outbreaks of Nipah virus in the country during the last few years; and 27.03.2026 1070 (e) whether the Government has considered constituting a National Taskforce to address the increase in outbreaks, 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) : The details of cases and deaths due to Nipah virus disease reported by States/UTs on the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) - Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal during the past five years are given in the enclosed Statement-I. (b) and (c) : The control measures undertaken and contingency plans for prevention and containment of Nipah virus disease outbreaks are given in the enclosed Statement-II. (d) : Nipah virus disease is an emerging zoonotic infectious disease caused by the Nipah virus (NiV) that mainly affects pigs and humans. Human infections usually occur in clusters or outbreaks, particularly among close contacts and caregivers of infected individuals. The natural reservoir host of the virus is believed to be Pteropus fruit bats (flying foxes). According to the information available fruit bats play a significant role in the transmission of the virus. Human infections may occur due to spillover of the virus from fruit bats to intermediate hosts or directly to humans. In India, outbreaks have been associated with exposure to contaminated food sources and close contact with infected individuals, which may lead to periodic occurrence of cases in certain geographical areas. 27.03.2026 1071 (e) : A National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT) comprising experts from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Forest & Wildlife authorities and human health sector, along with bat survey teams, has been constituted and deployed during outbreaks for comprehensive assessment and response. STATEMENT-I State & Districts wise Cases and Deaths reported in Nipah Disease Outbreaks by States/UTs as per IDSP-IHIP portal for the last five years: S. No. Year State (District) Total cases Total deaths 1 2021 Kerala (Kozhikode) 1 1 2 2023 Kerala (Kozhikode) 6 2 3 2024 Kerala (Malappuram) 2 2 4 2025 Kerala (Malappuram & Palakkad) 4 2 5 2026 West Bengal (North 24 Pargana) 2 1 STATEMENT -II The control measures undertaken and contingency plans for prevention and containment of Nipah virus disease outbreaks: I. Through surveillance mechanism the early warning signals are captured to generate alerts, detect outbreaks in the early rising phase, outbreak investigations are conducted and timely appropriate measures are 27.03.2026 1072 undertaken by the respective public health agencies to control and prevent the further spread of the disease. II. Whole genome sequencing was performed on clinical specimens from all positive cases. This genomic surveillance aids in understanding the circulating Nipah virus strain, which belong to similar genotypes of 2019 and 2021 outbreaks in Kerala. III. Beyond the immediate outbreak response, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) maintained continued support and collaborative engagement with both Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDLs) throughout the year, ensuring training, a steady supply of Personal protective equipment (PPE) and diagnostic reagents. This sustained effort underscores a commitment to strengthening regional capacities for infectious disease preparedness and response. IV. The State and Central Government health officials worked to enhance public and healthcare professional awareness regarding Nipah virus disease. These initiatives ensured that individuals were made aware on the signs and symptoms of the disease and understood the appropriate actions to take if they suspected an infection in themselves or others. V. Under the MoHFW, Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) is an important programme, which mandates surveillance & response to outbreak prone communicable diseases. IDSP is implemented in all 36 States/UTs. The program is responsible for the surveillance of 50 plus epidemic prone diseases and outbreak investigation. IDSP plays a crucial 27.03.2026 1073 role in prompt response and surveillance of emerging and re-emerging diseases including Nipah Virus disease in the country. VI. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and ICMR- National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, have strengthened Nipah surveillance by enhancing Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in Kerala state and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) surveillance in West Bengal and Kerala since October-November 2024. VII. A comprehensive guideline on Nipah Virus has been prepared which can be accessed on the link: https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/nipah-virus-guidelines/. VIII. Under National One Health Programme for Prevention and Control of Zoonotic Diseases (NOHP-PCZ) various initiatives are taken to strengthen prevention, detection, and response capacities for zoonotic diseases in India, including Nipah Virus Disease (NiV). IX. For institutionalization of One Health at National, State and district level – Zoonosis committee have been formed in All States /UTs to review status of all zoonotic diseases including Nipah virus X. Capacity Building of medical and veterinary professional up to frontline health /vet workers is done through Regional and state level institutes. XI. For understanding burden of priority zoonosis and efficient management 75 Sentinel Surveillance Sites in 28 States/ UTs are strengthened under medical colleges/vet colleges. XII. Centre for One Health, NCDC has prepared a Technical Guidance on Zoonotic Disease, including Nipah Virus Disease that may be accessed at 27.03.2026 1074 link: https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Technical- Guidance-on-Zoonotic-Disease.pdf. XIII. Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) video on Nipah virus disease has been prepared to create awareness in the public and prevent the spread of the disease. The IEC may be accessed at link: https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/iec-material-on-zoonotic-disease-nipah/. UPGRADATION OF MEDICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN ANDHRA PRADESH 5750. SHRI PUTTA MAHESH KUMAR:

Spoke Varsha Eknath Gaikwad

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

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