Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRSbe pleased to state :- (a) whether it is a fact that hundreds of Indian students mostly from Andhra Pradesh are facing the prospect of deportation from USA after a California based University was shut down by authorities on charge of alleged immigration; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether all the students obtained visa through regular channel; (d) the reasons for allegation against these students of illegal migration; and (e) the action contemplated by Government to protect the interests of our genuine students from the fraud committed by the University?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI E. AHAMED) (a) & (b) Closure of Tri-Valley University in California on 19 January 2011 for alleged fraudulent practices has created an uncertain academic future for approximately 1500 Indian students enrolled at the University, a majority of whom were from Andhra Pradesh. (c) All students were on valid student visas and authorization. (d) The students have not been charged for illegal immigration, but for possible violation of visa conditions, including those related to class attendance, residence and work. (e) Government’s primary concern is the welfare of the affected Indian students and to ensure that their academic career is not jeopardized. The Government has repeatedly conveyed to the US Government that the students, who are themselves victims of the fraud, should be given adequate time and opportunity to transfer to other universities, adjust their status or, if they desire, return to India honourably. Government has been providing assistance to students, including through direct meeting with students, organization of free legal aid camps, and issuing appropriate guidance and advisories.
Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFAREbe pleased to state :- (a) whether it is a fact that there is sudden spurt of polycystic ovarian disease, infertility and breast cancer cases especially among young girls and women;
(b) if so, the details thereof in respect of rural and urban areas;
(c) whether Government considers it necessary to explore the reasons behind the sudden rise and to take corrective measures required in this regard; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)
(a) & (b) There is no sudden spurt of breast cancer cases either among all women or among young girls. However, cancer of the breast has shown as increasing trend in incidence (1982-2005) in the Population based Cancer Registries (PBCRs) at Bangalore, Bhopal, Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai. Chennai PBCR has shown an upward trend in more recent years (1995-2005). The rural registry at Barshi has not shown a statistically significant increasing trend.
(c) &(d): Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has carried out several studies on the etiology, sequclae and fertility aspects of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCO). The Department of Health & Family Welfare is implementing a National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS). This includes components for promotion of healthy lifestyle, opportunistic screening, establish-ment of an NCD clinic at district hospitals and strengthening of tertiary level facilities.
Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFAREbe pleased to state :- (a) the existing guidelines for establishing colleges for Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha medicine and who is the designated authority to frame the guidelines and enforcing them;
(b) whether the Ministry has recently granted permission to 67 Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha, Medical Colleges to admit students in spite of the findings of the Central Regulatory Authority that these colleges do not even meet minimum standards;
(c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(d) whether prescribed standards are diluted without any authority; and
(e) the action taken against the concerned and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)
(a) The requirements for establishing colleges for imparting education in Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha systems of medicine are laid down in “The Establishment of New Medical College, Opening of New or Higher Course of Study or Training and Increase of Admission Capacity by a Medical College Regulation, 2003”, notified in the Gazette of India – Extraordinary on the 16th March, 2004. For the existing medical colleges, the requirements are laid down in “The Indian Medicine Central Council (Permission to Existing Medical Colleges) Regulations, 2006”, notified in the Gazette of India – Extraordinary on the 10th October, 2006.
As per the provision made under these Regulations, the Minimum Standards Requirements of infrastructure for Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani (ASU) colleges have not yet been notified.
The Central Government has been deciding the question of grant or denial of permission for establishment of New Medical Colleges on the basis of five basic parameters, which have been followed since 2008-09 in consultation with the Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM). These basic parameters uniformly followed are that (i) the proposed college owns or possesses on lease of ninety nine years, a suitable single plot of land, measuring not less than ten acres if the proposal is for admitting up to fifty student, and not less than fifteen acres, if the proposal is for admitting up to one hundred students, and undertake to establish the medical college in the said plot of land (ii) the college concerned has the strength of eligible teaching faculty which is at least 80% of the full complement of teachers required for undertaking Under Graduate courses; (iii) the college concerned must have a functional attached hospital with the minimum bed strength of 100 beds for intake capacity up to 50 students; (iv) the average annual attendance in the OPD of the attached hospital is 100 patients per day; (v) the average bed occupancy in the IPD of the attached hospital is at least 40%.
As far as grant or denial of permission to the existing Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani colleges for conducting under graduate courses is concerned, except for the requirement of land, all other basic criteria as mentioned above i.e. related with requirement of teachers, number of beds in hospital and average daily attendance of patients in OPD and IPD, are being followed.
As per the provisions of the Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970, the CCIM is empowered to make regulations with the previous sanction of the Central Government. The Act requires the CCIM to enforce the regulations, norms, etc. The recommendations of the CCIM are not binding on the Central Government. The final authority for grant or refusal of permission is vested with the Central Government.
(b) & (c) No. The colleges which were not meeting the above criteria on the basis of visitation reports of the CCIM were given an opportunity of hearing as per the provision of Section 13A(5) of the Act which provides for consideration of such other particulars as may be submitted by the applicant colleges during hearing. Keeping in view, the visitation report and recommendations of the CCIM and also the submissions/records made available by the college at the time of hearing, only those colleges which fulfilled the basic minimum requirements as given in para (a) above, were granted conditional permission for admission for the academic year 2010-11.
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATIONbe pleased to state :- (a) the details of upgraded policy for national carrier Air India for purchase of aircrafts; (b) whether the Ministry has purchased aircrafts worth over 50,000 crore during the last 5-6 years for erstwhile Indian airlines and Air India; (c) whether CAG has questioned and sought replies on the merger of AI and IA, loss of market share, amount of losses and even policy of giving upgrades on the airlines; (d) if so, the details thereof; and (e) the details of total loss to the Government Exchequer due to merger of AI and IA and loss of market share?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS & MINISTER OF CIVIL AVIATION ( SHRI VAYALAR RAVI ) (a) and (b): Erstwhile Air India and Indian Airlines had placed orders with M/s Boeing and M/s Airbus Industries for purchase of 68 and 43 aircraft respectively during 2005/2006. (c), (d) and (e): As per established procedure, the CAG made certain observations which after replies are under examination of the CAG. The losses incurred by the airline are primarily because of increase in fuel prices, increase in interest and depreciation costs, increase in wage bill and increase in leasing and maintenance cost.
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRSbe pleased to state :- (a) whether it is a fact that hundreds of Indian students mostly from Andhra Pradesh are facing the prospect of deportation from USA after a California based University was shut down by authorities on charge of alleged immigration; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether all the students obtained visa through regular channel; (d) the reasons for allegation against these students of illegal migration; and (e) the action contemplated by Government to protect the interests of our genuine students from the fraud committed by the University?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI E. AHAMED) (a) & (b) Closure of Tri-Valley University in California on 19 January 2011 for alleged fraudulent practices has created an uncertain academic future for approximately 1500 Indian students enrolled at the University, a majority of whom were from Andhra Pradesh. (c) All students were on valid student visas and authorization. (d) The students have not been charged for illegal immigration, but for possible violation of visa conditions, including those related to class attendance, residence and work. (e) Government’s primary concern is the welfare of the affected Indian students and to ensure that their academic career is not jeopardized. The Government has repeatedly conveyed to the US Government that the students, who are themselves victims of the fraud, should be given adequate time and opportunity to transfer to other universities, adjust their status or, if they desire, return to India honourably. Government has been providing assistance to students, including through direct meeting with students, organization of free legal aid camps, and issuing appropriate guidance and advisories.
Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFAREbe pleased to state :- (a) whether it is a fact that there is sudden spurt of polycystic ovarian disease, infertility and breast cancer cases especially among young girls and women;
(b) if so, the details thereof in respect of rural and urban areas;
(c) whether Government considers it necessary to explore the reasons behind the sudden rise and to take corrective measures required in this regard; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)
(a) & (b) There is no sudden spurt of breast cancer cases either among all women or among young girls. However, cancer of the breast has shown as increasing trend in incidence (1982-2005) in the Population based Cancer Registries (PBCRs) at Bangalore, Bhopal, Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai. Chennai PBCR has shown an upward trend in more recent years (1995-2005). The rural registry at Barshi has not shown a statistically significant increasing trend.
(c) &(d): Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has carried out several studies on the etiology, sequclae and fertility aspects of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCO). The Department of Health & Family Welfare is implementing a National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS). This includes components for promotion of healthy lifestyle, opportunistic screening, establish-ment of an NCD clinic at district hospitals and strengthening of tertiary level facilities.
Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFAREbe pleased to state :- (a) the existing guidelines for establishing colleges for Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha medicine and who is the designated authority to frame the guidelines and enforcing them;
(b) whether the Ministry has recently granted permission to 67 Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha, Medical Colleges to admit students in spite of the findings of the Central Regulatory Authority that these colleges do not even meet minimum standards;
(c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(d) whether prescribed standards are diluted without any authority; and
(e) the action taken against the concerned and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)
(a) The requirements for establishing colleges for imparting education in Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha systems of medicine are laid down in “The Establishment of New Medical College, Opening of New or Higher Course of Study or Training and Increase of Admission Capacity by a Medical College Regulation, 2003”, notified in the Gazette of India – Extraordinary on the 16th March, 2004. For the existing medical colleges, the requirements are laid down in “The Indian Medicine Central Council (Permission to Existing Medical Colleges) Regulations, 2006”, notified in the Gazette of India – Extraordinary on the 10th October, 2006.
As per the provision made under these Regulations, the Minimum Standards Requirements of infrastructure for Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani (ASU) colleges have not yet been notified.
The Central Government has been deciding the question of grant or denial of permission for establishment of New Medical Colleges on the basis of five basic parameters, which have been followed since 2008-09 in consultation with the Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM). These basic parameters uniformly followed are that (i) the proposed college owns or possesses on lease of ninety nine years, a suitable single plot of land, measuring not less than ten acres if the proposal is for admitting up to fifty student, and not less than fifteen acres, if the proposal is for admitting up to one hundred students, and undertake to establish the medical college in the said plot of land (ii) the college concerned has the strength of eligible teaching faculty which is at least 80% of the full complement of teachers required for undertaking Under Graduate courses; (iii) the college concerned must have a functional attached hospital with the minimum bed strength of 100 beds for intake capacity up to 50 students; (iv) the average annual attendance in the OPD of the attached hospital is 100 patients per day; (v) the average bed occupancy in the IPD of the attached hospital is at least 40%.
As far as grant or denial of permission to the existing Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani colleges for conducting under graduate courses is concerned, except for the requirement of land, all other basic criteria as mentioned above i.e. related with requirement of teachers, number of beds in hospital and average daily attendance of patients in OPD and IPD, are being followed.
As per the provisions of the Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970, the CCIM is empowered to make regulations with the previous sanction of the Central Government. The Act requires the CCIM to enforce the regulations, norms, etc. The recommendations of the CCIM are not binding on the Central Government. The final authority for grant or refusal of permission is vested with the Central Government.
(b) & (c) No. The colleges which were not meeting the above criteria on the basis of visitation reports of the CCIM were given an opportunity of hearing as per the provision of Section 13A(5) of the Act which provides for consideration of such other particulars as may be submitted by the applicant colleges during hearing. Keeping in view, the visitation report and recommendations of the CCIM and also the submissions/records made available by the college at the time of hearing, only those colleges which fulfilled the basic minimum requirements as given in para (a) above, were granted conditional permission for admission for the academic year 2010-11.
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATIONbe pleased to state :- (a) the details of upgraded policy for national carrier Air India for purchase of aircrafts; (b) whether the Ministry has purchased aircrafts worth over 50,000 crore during the last 5-6 years for erstwhile Indian airlines and Air India; (c) whether CAG has questioned and sought replies on the merger of AI and IA, loss of market share, amount of losses and even policy of giving upgrades on the airlines; (d) if so, the details thereof; and (e) the details of total loss to the Government Exchequer due to merger of AI and IA and loss of market share?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS & MINISTER OF CIVIL AVIATION ( SHRI VAYALAR RAVI ) (a) and (b): Erstwhile Air India and Indian Airlines had placed orders with M/s Boeing and M/s Airbus Industries for purchase of 68 and 43 aircraft respectively during 2005/2006. (c), (d) and (e): As per established procedure, the CAG made certain observations which after replies are under examination of the CAG. The losses incurred by the airline are primarily because of increase in fuel prices, increase in interest and depreciation costs, increase in wage bill and increase in leasing and maintenance cost.
