Question : HIV AIDS RELATED RESEARCH

(a) whether the Government is aware that Human Immuno Deficiency Virus (HIV) has been going a process of evolution in the country since the past decade;

(b) if so, the details and implications thereof along with the steps aken/proposed by the Government to combat this threat;

(c) the details of the HIV/AIDS related research projects undertaken and the financial aid provided to the concerned institutes during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;

(d) whether National AIDS Research Institute (NARI) has developed and conducted clinical trials of AIDS vaccination in certain States;

(e) if so, the details thereof along with the outcome thereof indicating the financial and technical assistance received from the international agencies for developing the said vaccination; and

(f) the time by which the vaccination is likely to be ready for mass use?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI S.GANDHISELVAN)

(a): As per inputs given by the Department of Health Research; there is no definite evidence available as yet that HIV virus has been evolving in the country since decade. But a recent article published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry reports increase in HIV strains with additional NFkB sites in the promoter region. (Source: Bachu et al, Multiple NF-?B sites in HIV-1 subtype C LTR confer superior magnitude of transcription and thereby the enhanced viral predominance. J. Biol. Chem. jbc.M112.397158. First Published on November 6, 2012. In press.)

(b): As per inputs given by the Department of Health Research; There is no evidence at this point of time that the evolution of HIV strains within the country would pose any additional threat.

(c): National AIDS Control Organisation has given a strong emphasis to strengthening of research activities under the programme. Research is a vital component of Strategic Information Management Unit under National AIDS Control Programme. Research in HIV/AIDS is promoted and coordinated by National AIDS Control Organisation in collaboration with Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). National AIDS Control Organisation focuses on ensuring translation of research outputs into programmatic action and policy formulation.

The amount spent on research and development by National AIDS Control Organisation on research projects undertaken and financial aid provided during the last three years is as follows:

Year	Amount spent (In Rs.)

2009-10	Rs 2,00,76,137

2010-11	Rs 86,67,193

2011-12	Rs 79,42,024

2012-13 till date	Rs 1,54,62,124

Total	Rs 5,21,47,478

Year	Amount spent (In Rs.)

2009-10	Rs 3,75,85,000

2010-11	Rs 4,72,34,200

2011-12	Rs 46,44,94,600

2012-13 till date	Rs 13,82,15,200

Total	Rs 68,75,29,000

Year	Amount spent (In Rs.)

2009-10	Rs 7,43,89,389

2010-11	Rs 8,62,28,019

2011-12	Rs 1,28,932,243

2012-13 till date	Rs 8,58,88,685

Total	Rs 37,54,38,336