Advance Reservation Period for Booking Reserved Train Tickets Reduced to 60 Days from Existing 120 Days from 1st May 2013

The Ministry of Railways has decided that the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) for booking reserved train tickets will be reduced from existing 120 days to 60 days (excluding the date of journey) w.e.f. 1st May 2013. The details are as below:-

I. With effect from 01.05.2013, the ARP will be of 60 days (excluding the day of journey) and booking will be done accordingly. However, all the bookings done upto 30.4.2013 under the ARP of 120 days will remain intact.

II. Cancellation of the booking made beyond the ARP of 60 days will, however, be permitted.

III. There will be no change in the case of certain day time express trains like Taj Express, Gomti Express etc. where lower time limits for advance reservations are at present in force.

IV. There will also be no change in the case of limit of 360 days for foreign tourists.

Problems Posed by Regular Use of Allopathic Medicines

The Indian Council of Medical Research has informed that no systematic study has been done to know that new problems caused by the regular use of allopathic medicines are increasing.

The Department of AYUSH has informed that interest of the people towards Ayurveda and Yoga has increased during the last few years.

The Department of Ayush has been undertaking several publicity and promotional activities for generating awareness about Ayush Systems including Ayurveda and Yoga. The focus of such activities is promotion of Health and prevention of diseases . No specific data is available to quantitatively estimate the increase in adoption of these systems. However, the sharp increase has been witnessed in the footfall at Arogya fairs, Health conference, Seminars and Workshops organized/participated by Department of AYUSH and attendance at OPD and IPD of National Institute of under Department of AYUSH.

This information was given by the Minister for Health & Family Welfare ShriAbu Hasem Khan Choudhuryin written reply to a question in the RajyaSabhaon 25.4.13

Helicopter Service in NE States

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Shri Paban Singh Ghatowar has said that Government has laid down Route Dispersal Guidelines with a view to achieve better regulation of air transport services taking into account the need for air transport services of different regions of the country including North Eastern States.

In a written reply in Lok Sabha today Shri Ghatowar said, according to these guidelines, all scheduled operators are required to deploy in the North Eastern Region, Jammu & Kashmir, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep (Category-II routes) at least 10% of their deployed capacity on trunk routes (Category-I routes). Further at least 10% of the capacity thus required to be deployed on Category-II routes, is required to be deployed for connectivity exclusively within these regions (Category-II A). However, airlines provide air services to specific places depending upon the traffic demand and commercial viability while complying with Route Dispersal Guidelines.

Shri Ghatowar said, further, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has granted initial No Objection Certificate (NOC) to M/s. North East Shuttle to operate scheduled Air Transport (Regional) Services in East/North-East Region.

Operations in domestic sector have been deregulated and flights are being operated by airlines concerned on the basis of commercial viability subject to adherence of Route Dispersal Guidelines, the Minister added.

Production of Cars in the Country

         

As per Society of Indian Automobile Manufactures (SIAM), the production of cars for the last three years is given below:

                                                                                                        (`000 numbers)

Segment	2010-11	2011-12	2012-13
Passenger Cars	2453	2537	2429

Giving this information in written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today, Shri Praful Patel, Minister of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, said that Automotive Mission Plan 2006-16 envisages comprehensive support and development of the automobile and auto components sectors on a long term and sustained basis.

Free Connections to BPL Families

The Government of India launched ‘Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) for creation of Rural Electricity Infrastructure and Household Electrification, in April 2005 for providing access to electricity to rural households.(2,07,21,824 )

Under RGGVY, 648 projects for electrification of 1,12,795 un/de- electrified villages (UEV), intensive electrification of 3,96,336 partially electrified villages (PEV) and release of free electricity connections to 2,74,98,652 Below Poverty Line (BPL) households have been sanctioned. As on 31.03.2013, the electrification works in 1,07,083 UE villages, 2,90,137 PE villages have been completed and free electricity connections to 2,07,21,824 BPL households have been released. The statement wise coverage and achievement for the sanctioned projects under RGGVY is given below. The scheduled time for completion of electrification works for the awarded projects under RGGVY is 24 months from the date of award.

Changes in Surrogacy Laws

There is no surrogacy law in the country. However, the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued two notifications vide their letters No. F. No. 25022/74/2011-F.I dated 9th July, 2012 and 7th March, 2013. The Ministry of External Affairs has been requested to issue the medical visa instead of Tourist Visa to the foreign nationals visiting India for commissioning surrogacy vide order dated 7.03.2013.

Keeping in view the humanitarian issues involved, directives have been issued that in cases, where the child/children has already been born through commissioning of surrogacy or the birth of the child/children is/are expected shortly, the Indian Missions/Posts may consider grant of medical Visa(up to 3 months) to foreign nationals involved in such cases on production of a letter from the ART clinic concerned certifying the status of the child/children i.e. whether actually born and kept in the hospital/clinic or if not born, the expected date of delivery of the child/children.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare Shri Abu Hasem Khan Choudhury in written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha 23.4.13

Proliferation of Banned Drugs in the Country

Drugs are permitted for manufacture and sale in the country only after due assessment of their safety and efficacy.

The compensations paid for deaths in clinical trials in the country during the last 2 years range from 0.5 lakh to 20 lakh.

Law making is an evolving process which takes care of the emerging situations through amendments or making of new laws with the passage of time.The Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules, 1945 have been amended as and when considered necessary. The Government has also given due attention to strengthening of the drug control infrastructure of the country. As many as 216 additional posts in CDSCO have been created since 2008. The Central drug testing labs have been given new and sophisticated equipments. A new centrally sponsored scheme for providing assistance to the States / UTs for strengthening of States' drug regulatory system during the 12th Five Year Plan has also been initiated.

Indiscriminate Usage of Antibiotics

Bacteria become resistant to antibiotics if taken indiscriminately. A news item had appeared in Time of India dated 20th December, 2012 stating that a trial in Europe has revealed that Amoxicillin, commonly used in lower respiratory tract infections, was found no more effective in relieving symptoms.

An article was published in the journal ‘the Lancet Infectious Diseases’ (Volume 13, Issue 2, February 2013) titled "Amoxicillin for acute lower respiratory tract infection in primary care when pneumonia is not suspected". The article referred to a study on 2,061 adults with acute uncomplicated lower respiratory tract infection in 12 European countries (England, Wales, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Slovenia, and Slovakia) which were randomly assigned to receive either amoxicillin or a placebo thrice daily for seven days. New or worsening symptoms were significantly less common in the amoxicillin group than in the placebo group. No selective benefits in patients aged 60 years or older were noted. The study interpreted that when pneumonia is not suspected clinically, amoxicillin provides little benefit for acute lower-respiratory-tract infection in primary care both overall and in patients aged 60 years or more, and causes slight harms likes nausea, rashes or diarrhoea.

Acute Shortage of Nurses in the Country

As per the Planning Commission’s National Taskforce Report, there would be a gap of 9.55 lakhs nurses by 2012 of which 2 to 3 lakhs would be in the Government facilities alone. 14,06,006 nurses have been registered so far in India out of which 16371 nurses have been registered with the Assam Nursing Council. Separate information regarding nurses in active service is not maintained.

The Government has identified certain districts preferably where no such Institution exists under the Scheme of Strengthening/Upgradation of Nursing Services for opening of Auxillary Nurse Midwife (ANM)/General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) Institutes in various states in 2 phases. Government has sanctioned 117 ANM and 137 GNM Schools in various states for this purpose.

This information was given by the Minister for Health & Family Welfare ShriGhulamNabi Azad in written reply to a question in the RajyaSabha

Udaan Scheme

Participation of PSUs in the Scheme Udaan has been approved by competent authority subject to the condition that the entire cost of implementation of the Scheme will be borne by the PSUs under their Corporate Social Responsibility. Proposals of six PSUs (National Thermal Power Corporation, Oil & Natural Gas Corporation, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, Canara Bank and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited) to train 3675 candidates over a period of 5 years have been approved. NTPC and BHEL have commenced training of first batch of candidates.

This was stated by Shri R.P.N.Singh, Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs in written reply to a question by Shri Dhruv Narayana, Shri Ponnam Prabhakar and Shri M.Krishnasswamy in the Lok Sabha

Mercy Petitions

During the last six months, 11 mercy petition cases have been disposed of under Article 72 of the Constitution of India. As on date, 5 mercy petition cases are pending for consideration of the Government under Article 72 of the Constitution of India.

This was stated by Shri Mullappally Ramachandran, Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs in written reply to a question by Shri Baliram Jadhav, Shri Sajjan Verma, Shri P.Viswanathan, Dr. Padmasinha Baji Rao Patil and Shri Bhudeo Choudhary in the Lok Sabha

National Disaster Management

As of now, ten battalions of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are operational for providing response to the various natural and manmade disasters in the country. It has been proposed to raise two additional battalions of National Disaster Response Force. A proposal to set up National Disaster Communication Network (NDCN) has been sent by National Disaster Management Authority. A committee has been constituted by Ministry of Home Affairs to study the technical feasibility of the project. The approval of the project and its functions will depend upon the report of the committee and techno financial feasibility. A scheme for National Earthquake Risk Mitigation Project (NERMP) has been approved by the Government for Rs.24.87 Crore. The major components of the project are Techno-legal Regime, Institutional Strengthening, Capacity Building of practicing architects, engineers and masons and Public Awareness & Sensitization.

Promotion of Hockey

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs & Sports Shri Jitendra Singh has said that as per the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, every school is required to provide playgrounds, sports equipments as well as part time instructors for physical education. However, there is no proposal for including hockey or any other specific sports discipline in the curriculum of schools and colleges.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today Shri Singh said, Hockey is a high priority sports for the Government. International standard training facilities are being provided and build - up competitions are being organized for the preparation of the Indian Hockey Team. Further, the Government provides all round support for the preparation of national men and women hockey teams and necessary facilities including training, foreign exposures for training and competitions, foreign and Indian coaches and other support personnel. The Government has spent Rs. 18.09 crores on hockey for the year 2011-12 for various aspects of the game including foreign exposure, foreign coaches, boarding and lodging, preparation for Olympics, 2012, etc.

The amount spent by the Government during the last three years and the current year for development of hockey, including imparting training and participation in international sports events under the Scheme of Assistance to NSFs is given below:

(Rs. in crore)

S. No.	Year	Financial Assistance Provided
1.	2009-10	Rs. 7.63
2.	2010-11	Rs. 4.36
3.	2011-12	Rs. 18.09
4.	2012-13	Rs. 4.29*

* UPTO FEB, 2013 (Provisional)