Member sworn

MESSAGE FROM LOK SABHA

THE APPROPRIATION (RAILWAYS) NO.3 BILL, 2011

SECRETARY-GENERAL: Sir, I have to report to the House the following message received from the Lok Sabha, signed by the Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha:

"In accordance with the provisions of rule 96 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, I am directed to enclose the Appropriation (Railways) No.3 Bill, 2011, as passed by Lok Sabha at its sitting held on the 16th December, 2011.

The Speaker has certified that this Bill is a Money Bill within the meaning of article 110 of the Constitution of India."

Sir, I lay a copy of the Bill on the Table.

(Ends)

PETITION PRAYING TO PUT A CHECK ON MANUFACTURE OF SPURIOUS DRUGS IN OUR COUNTRY AND OTHER RELATED ISSUES.

SECRETARY-GENERAL: Sir, I beg to report to the House the receipt of a petition signed by Shri Rahul Gaur, a resident of NOIDA (UP), praying to put a check on manufacture of spurious drugs in our country and other related issues.

(Ends)

REPORTS OF THE COMMITTEE ON PETITIONS
श्री भगत सिंह कोश्यारी (उत्तराखंड) : महोदय, मैं याचिका समिति के निम्न लिखित प्रतिवेदनों की एक-एक प्रति (अंग्रेजी तथा हिंदी में) सभा पटल पर रखता हूं :-

1. 
   उत्तराखंड, हिमाचल प्रदेश और अन्य हिमालयी राज्यों में रेलवे नेटवर्क के विकास के लिए प्रार्थना करने वाली याचिका के संबंध में एक सौ इकतालीसवां प्रतिवेदन; और
   
2. 
   सशस्त्र सेना कर्मियों को एक रैंक एक पेंशन प्रदान किए जाने के लिए प्रार्थना करने वाली याचिका के संबंध में एक सौ बयालीसवां प्रतिवेदन।
   

(Ends)


REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ASSURANCES
SHRI SHADI LAL BATRA (HARYANA): Sir, I beg to present the Sixty-fifth Report (in English and Hindi) of the Committee on Government Assurances.

(Ends)
REPORTS OF THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE

SHRI TARIQ ANWAR (MAHARASHTRA): Sir, I beg to lay on the Table, a copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following Reports of the Public Accounts Committee (2011-12):—

(i) Fortieth Report on 'Excesses Over Voted Grants and Charged Appropriations (2009-10)';

(ii) Forty-first Report on 'Negligent Scrutiny of Claims leading to Excess Payment' relating to the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting;

(iii) Forty-second Report on 'Uneconomic Branch Lines in Indian Railways' relating to the Ministry of Railways;

(iv) Forty-third Report on 'Idle Investment on a New Line' relating to the Ministry of Railways;

(v) Forty-fourth Report on Action Taken by the Government on the Observations/Recommendations of the Committee contained in their Eighty-first Report (Fourteenth Lok Sabha) on 'Operation and Maintenance of an Aircraft Fleet in the Indian Air Force' relating to the Ministry of Defence;

(vi) Forty-fifth Report on Action Taken by the Government on the Observations/Recommendations of the Committee contained in their Eleventh Report (Fifteenth Lok Sabha) on 'Non-compliance by Ministries/Departments in timely submission of Action Taken Notes on the non-selected Audit Paragraphs' relating to the Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure); and

(vii) Forty-sixth Report on Action Taken by the Government on the Observations/Recommendations of the Committee contained in their Thirteenth Report (Fifteenth Lok Sabha) on 'Revenue Loss Due to Delay in Levy of Toll Fees' relating to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

(Ends)
REPORTS OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC UNDERTAKINGS
श्री जनार्दन द्विवेदी (राष्ट्रीय राजधानी क्षेत्र, दिल्ली) : महोदय, मैं सरकारी उपक्रमों संबंधी समिति के निम्न लिखित प्रतिवेदनों की एक-एक प्रति (अंग्रेजी तथा हिंदी में) सभा पटल पर रखता हूं :-

1. 
   भारतीय खाद्य निगम से संबंधित पैंतीसवें प्रतिवेदन (चौदहवीं लोक सभा) में अंतर्विष्ट समुक्तियों और सिफारिशों पर सरकार द्वारा की गई कार्यवाही संबंधी बारहवां प्रतिवेदन; और
   
2. 
   राष्ट्रीय एल्युमिनियम कम्पनी लिमिटेड से संबंधित पांचवें प्रतिवेदन (पन्द्रहवीं लोक सभा) में अंतर्विष्ट समुक्तियों और सिफारिशों पर सरकार द्वारा की गयी कार्यवाही संबंधी तेरहवां प्रतिवेदन।
   

(Ends)

(Followed by 1o/KSK)


KSK/KLG/12.05/1O

REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT RELATED PARLIAMENTARY

STANDING COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE

SHRI SHASHI BHUSAN BEHERA (ODISHA): Sir, I beg to lay on the Table, a copy each (in English and Hindi) of the Twenty-seventh Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture on Action Taken by the Government on the Observations/Recommendations contained in the Eleventh Report of the Committee on Agriculture (2009-10) on ‘Deficient Monsoon and steps taken by the Government to mitigate its impact on the Agriculture Sector’.

(Ends)

STATEMENT RE. IMPLEMENTATION OF SEVENTEENTH REPORT OF DEPARTMENT-RELATED PARLIAMENTARY STANDING COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

(FIFTEENTH LOK SABHA)

THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI SALMAN KHURSHEED): Sir, I make a statement regarding status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Seventeenth Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment (Fifteenth Lok Sabha) on Demands for Grants (2011-12) of the Ministry of Minority Affairs.

(Ends)

STATEMENT RE. IMPLEMENTATION OF THIRTY-SEVENTH REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT-RELATED PARLIAMENTARY

STANDING COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS (SHRI R.P.N. SINGH): Sir, I make a statement regarding status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Thirty-seventh Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance on Demands for Grants (2011-12).

(Ends)

MATTER RAISED WITH THE PERMISSION OF THE CHAIR

MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: Now, we shall take up the Zero Hour mentions. Shri R.C. Singh; not present. Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

RE. DEMAND TO PROTECT FARMERS INVOLVED IN SERICULTURE IN KARNATAKA BY REVERSING IMPORT

DUTY ON RAW SILK

SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR (KARNATAKA): Sir, my home State of Karnataka accounts for 50 per cent of the country’s total raw mulberry silk production. About 8.15 lakh farmers in the State are dependent on sericulture, producing 8000 metric tonnes of raw silk and 5500 metric tonnes of cocoons every year. This is a major agro-based activity providing gainful employment to poor families with a very short gestation period, but having the potential to generate adequate returns from a very small piece of land.

However, the once thriving silk industry in Karnataka and other parts of the country is in the throes of the biggest crisis in recent years as prices of raw silk have been falling consistently. The situation has worsened after the Union Government, in its Budget proposals for 2011-12, reduced the import duty on raw silk from 30 per cent to a meagre 5 per cent, without consulting any of the silk-producing States.

The livelihood of lakhs of handloom and power loom weavers across the country, many of whom are daily wagers, has been adversely affected due to this decision. This reduction in import duty has also prompted China to resort to large-scale dumping of Chinese silk into our country which will virtually kill our sericulture sector and have a detrimental effect on the small and marginal sericulture farmers.

Therefore, as a part of its Budget exercise for the next fiscal, I urge the Government to protect the sericulture farmers of the country by immediately reversing the import duty on raw silk to the earlier 30 per cent or higher. The Government should also announce a minimum support price for silk and cocoons. Thank you.

(Ends)

SHRI RUDRA NARAYAN PANY (ODISHA): Sir, I associate myself with the matter raised by Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

(Ends)

MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: Now, Shri Avinash Rai Khanna; not present.

Now, we shall take up the Special Mentions, which will be laid on the Table except in the case of Shri Shantaram Naik because he is making a Special Mention on Goa. So, only Mr. Naik is allowed to read it.

SPECIAL MENTIONS¹

GOLDEN JUBILEE OF LIBERATION OF GOA

FROM PORTUGUESE RULE

SHRI SHANTARAM NAIK (GOA): Today, Goa is celebrating its 50 anniversary. It was 50 years ago, namely, on 19^thth December, 1961, that Goa was liberated from 450 years of Portuguese rule. Despite foreign rule of such a long period, the Goans retained their religious and customary rights.

Freedom fighters from Goa were assisted by several other freedom fighters from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab and other States from time to time.

It was the policy of peace that took some years before Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru could say ‘Enough is enough’. It was disregarding the opinion of major powers, which were against any operation by India, that Pandit Nehru ordered the military to march into Goa on 18^th December, 1961.

After the liberation of Goa, the Goans were given the opportunity, through an opinion poll, to decide between merger into Maharashtra and the status of Union Territory. People, overwhelmingly, voted in favour of getting the status of a Union Territory. Subsequently, in 1987, I was privileged to get an opportunity to raise the issue of Goa’s statehood in the other House and the then Prime Minister, Shri Rajiv Gandhi, went out of his way and responded to concede to the demand of Goa’s statehood then and there. This was a gesture on behalf of the Prime Minister of the country which Goa will always remember.

Subsequently, Goa was granted statehood on 30^th May, 1987.

(Ends)

PK/9A

DEMAND FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS BY CENTRAL GOVERNMENT TO THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH FOR MAINTENANCE OR REPAIR OF NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
SHRI AMBETH RAJAN (UTTAR PRADESH): Uttar Pradesh is a major tourist attraction in India. It earns revenue through its historical monuments like Taj Mahal, Red Fort, regligiously important places, etc. Sir, due to recent natural calamities in the State of Uttar Pradesh, the National Highways are in bad condition and there is immediate need to repair them. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had earmarked Rs.900 crore for the year 2010-11 to the State of Uttar Pradesh but has released only Rs.50.50 crore so far. The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh also wrote a letter in the month of September, 2011, for the immediate release of the remaining amount in order to repair the roads for the welfare of the people, tourists and smooth traffic movement.

Sir, because of the delay in allocation of funds to the State Government, the maintenace/repair works to be carried out in the State are pending for quite a long time.

To sort out the impasse, the hon. Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh has taken the matter to the senior officials in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and requested to release the remaining amount. Moreover, the same matter was taken to the Prime Minister and it was requested that the funds be released immediately. It is pertinent to mention here that the grim situation was made known to the concerned by providing CDs.

Sir, I appeal to the Government to take necessary steps for timely release of funds meant for meaintenace/repair of the National Highways situated in the State of Uttar Pradesh.

(Ends)

PB/9B

DEMAND FOR REMOVAL OF ARMED FORCES SPECIAL POWERS ACT FROM NORTH-EASTERN STATES OF THE COUNTRY
SHRI KUMAR DEEPAK DAS (ASSAM): The Armed Forces Special Power Act, 1958 (AFSPA) is a draconian law which is prevailing only in NE Region and J&K in India. This law has given extraordinary powers to the armed forces. The laws also provide immunity from prosecution and deny people the right to remedy. How can laws, violating even the basic right to life, be so ‘sacred’ and not be expected to ignite upheavals? Many representations were received by the Central Government from different organizations, including NGOs in NE Region for repealing the Act. The Government also constituted the Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee but, in this regard, the recommendation of the Committee is not being accepted or the Government has not taken any final decision on such natter. It is indeed a fact that violation of human rights by officers and troops is unacceptable in the Army and every case reported is thoroughly investigated by the Army but it is also a fact that presence of Army in the civil area with AFSPA has affected the respect and popularity of the Army in the NE Region. It is, therefore, imperative to boost civilian institution in NE Region or J&K, including by devolving power to the grassroots and beefing up local law enforcement. Law and order must increasingly be shouldered by the local police. Training and equipping them to take even greater responsibilities must be a apriority. Therefore, the Government should take necessary steps for removal of AFSPA and should focus on resolving the various issues of NE Region for durable peace in the region.

(Ends)

9C/HMS/

NEED TO INTRODUCE HIGH SPEED BULLET TRAINS IN INDIA

श्री मोहम्मद अली खान (आन्ध्र प्रदेश) : महोदय, हिंदुस्तान का रेलवे नेटवर्क दुनिया के सब से बड़े नेटवर्कों में से एक है, लेकिन इस वक्त़ तक हमारे यहां ऐसी रेलवे लाइनें नहीं हैं जिन पर 200 कि0मी0 फ़ी घंटा या इस से ज्यादा रफ्तार से ट्रेनें चलायी जा सकें न ही ऐसी रेलवे लाइनें बनाने के किसी प्लान पर गौर किया जा रहा है।

राजधानी, शताब्दी और दुरंतो जैसी तेज़ रफ्तार ट्रेनें बहुत अच्छी खिदमत अंजाम दे रही हैं, लेकिन आज ज़रूरत इस बात की है कि हाई स्पीड ट्रेनें चलायी जाएं जिन्हें बुलट ट्रेन के नाम से जाना जाता है। लोगों की बढ़ती हुई ज़रूरतों को देखते हुए और वक्त बचाने की गरज़ से 250 से 350 कि0मी0 फ़ी घंटा की रफ्तार से चलने वाली रीजनल हाई स्पीड ट्रेनें चलायी जाएं और ऐसे कॉरिडोर प्लान किए जाएं जो तिजारती, टूरिस्ट और ज़ियारती मका़मात को एक दूसरे से जोड़ दें। दिल्ली-चंडीगढ़-अमृतसर, पुणे-मुम्बई-अहमदाबाद, हैदराबाद-दोरंकल-विजयवाड़ा-चैन्नई की विशाखापटनम तक एक्सटेंशन, हावड़ा-हलदिया, चैन्नई-बंगलूरू-कोयमबटूर-अर्नाकुलम-त्रिवेन्द्रम, दिल्ली-आगरा-लखनऊ-वाराणसी-पटना कुछ ऐसे रूट हैं, जिन पर हाई स्पीड रेल कॉरिडोर बनाने की ज़रूरत है। आबादी की बसाहट और ज़मीन की कमी को मद्दे नज़र रखते हुए इन हाई स्पीड कॉरिडोर्स को ज़मीन की सतह से ऊपर बनाया जाए।

दिसम्बर, 2006 में हिंदुस्तान के वज़ीरे आज़म के जापान दौरे और दिसम्बर, 2009 में जापान के वज़ीरे आज़म के हिंदुस्तान के दौरे के दौरान जापान ने हिंदुस्तान को हाई स्पीड लिंक बनाने में अपने तावुन का यक़ीन दिलाया था और हिंदुस्तान में बुलट ट्रेनें चलाने में गहरी दिलचस्पी दिखायी थी। जापान में शुरू से अब तक इन ट्रेनों का कोई एक्सीडेंट भी नहीं हुआ है, इसलिए ये बिल्कुल महफ़ूज़ हैं। मेरा मुतालिबा है कि बारहवें प्लान के दौरान हिंदुस्तान में बुलट ट्रेनें चलाने का मंसूबा बनाया जाए।

(समाप्त)

جناب محمد علی خان (آندھرا پردیش) : مہودے، ہندوستان کا ریلوے نیٹ-ورک دنیا کے سب سے بڑے نیٹ-ورک میں سے ایک ہے، لیکن اس وقت تک ہمارے یہاں ایسی ریلوے لائنیں نہیں ہیں جن پر 200 کلو میٹر یا اس سے زیادہ رفتار سے ٹرینیں چلائی جا سکیں نہ ہی ایسی ریلوے لائنیں بنانے کے کسی پلان پر غور کیا جا رہا ہے۔

راجدھانی، شتابدی اور درنتوں جیسی تیز رفتار ٹرینیں بہت اچھی خدمت انجام دے رہی ہیں، لیکن آج ضرورت اس بات کی ہے کہ ہائی اسپیڈ ٹرینیں چلائی جائیں، جنہیں 'بلٹ ٹرین' کے نام سے جانا جاتا ہے۔ لوگوں کی بڑھتی ہوئی ضرورتوں کو دیکھتے ہوئے اور وقت بچانے کی غرض سے 250 سے 350 کلومیٹر فی گھنٹہ کی رفتار سے چلنے والی ریجنل ہائی اسپیڈ ٹرینیں چلائی جائیں اور ایسے کاریڈور پلان کئے جائیں جو تجارتی، ٹورسٹ اور زیارتی مقامات کو ایک دوسرے سے جوڑ دیں۔ دہلی-چنڈی گڑھہ-امرتسر، پونے-ممبئی-احمد آباد، حیدرآباد-دورنکل-وجے واڑہ-چنئی کی وشاکھا پٹنم تک ایکسٹینشن، ہاوڑا-آگرہ-لکھنؤ-وارانسی-پٹنہ کچھہ ایسے روٹ ہیں، جن پر ہائی اسپیڈ ریل کوریڈور بنانے کی ضرورت ہے۔ آبادی کی بساوٹ اور زمین کی کمی کو مدّنظر رکھتے ہوئے ان ہائی اسپیڈ کوریڈورس کو زمین کی سطح سے اوپر بنایا جائے۔

دسمبر، 2006 میں ہندوستان کے وزیر اعظم کے جاپان دورے اور دسمبر، 2009 میں جاپان کے وزیر اعظم کے دورے کے دوران جاپان نے ہندوستان کو ہائی اسپیڈ لنک بنانے میں اپنے تعاون کا یقین دلایا تھا اور ہندوستان میں بلٹ ٹرینیں چلانے میں گہری دلچسپی دکھائی تھی۔ جاپان میں شروع سے اب تک ان ٹرینوں کا کوئی ایکسیڈینٹ بھی نہیں ہوا ہے، اس لئے یہ بالکل محفوظ ہیں۔ میرا مطالبہ ہے کہ بارھویں پلان کے دوران ہندوستان میں بلٹ ٹرینیں چلانے کا منصوبہ بنایا جائے۔

(ختم شد)

9d/skc

DEMAND FOR INCREASING BUDGETARY ALLOCATION IN THE HEALTH SECTOR AND STEPS TO REDUCE CHILD MORTALITY
SHRI SHYAMAL CHAKRABORTY (WEST BENGAL): Sir, it is a matter of great shame for us that every twenty seconds a child dies in the country due to preventable diseases like diarrhoea and pneumonia. Most of the victims die before they reach their fifth birthday. According to a survey done by the NGO, SAVE THE CHILDREN, 1.73 million children die every year before they reach the age of five. Nearly one million of them die in their first month itself. Better health care facilities for every mother and child by increasing the budget allocation for health care to five per cent of the GDP from the current 1.1 per cent can change this shameful picture for the entire nation. There is also a critical role for female health workers to play in the fight to reduce maternal, newborn and child mortality. India ranks the lowest in public health care spending and the situation is compounded by poor access to health care and sanitation, low levels of literacy, lack of family planning, the lesser status of women, poverty and inequality, all of which pose a real challenge in providing adequate health care to mothers and babies. There are examples from countries like Bangladesh and Nepal where the Government’s commitment and greater investment in community health workers has led to a dramatic drop in the number of child deaths.

I would therefore, urge the Government to resolve to increase its expenditure in the healthcare sector in the coming Budget. It is the need of the hour.

(Ends)

9E/KLG
DEMAND TO ASCERTAIN THE RATE OF ROYALTY FOR

COAL ON THE BASIS OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS

OF THE BANNERJEE COMMITTEE REPORT.
श्री कप्तान सिंह सोलंकी (मध्य प्रदेश): उपसभापति महोदय, खान एवं खनिज (विकास एवं विनियमन) अधिनियम, 1957 की धारा 9 में मुख्य खनिजों की रायल्टी दरों का पुनरीक्षण केन्द्र सरकार द्वारा तीन वर्षों की अवधि के पश्चात किये जाने का प्रावधान है, लेकिन केन्द्र सरकार द्वारा समय से रायल्टी दरों का पुनरीक्षण नहीं करने से मध्य प्रदेश सरकार को राजस्व की हानि उठानी पड़ती है। इसी प्रकार कोयले की रायल्टी भी उक्त अधिनियम के आधार पर तय करने का प्रावधान है, लेकिन केन्द्र सरकार ने आठ वर्ष पश्चात दिनांक 16/08/2002 को रायल्टी दरों को पुनरीक्षित किया, जिससे मध्य प्रदेश राज्य को राजस्व की हानि उठानी पड़ी। मध्य प्रदेश सरकार की यह मांग रही है कि कोयला रायल्टी दरों को मूल्य आधारित किया जाए, जिससे राज्यों को भी सतत रूप से लाभ मिलता रहे। मेरा आपके माध्यम से माननीय मंत्री जी से यह आग्रह है कि कोयला खनिज की रायल्टी की दरें मूल्य आधारित आधार पर पी.के. बनर्जी समिति की रिपोर्ट के अनुसार निर्धारित की जायें।

(समाप्त)

HK/9f

DEMAND TO FRAME A CONCRETE POLICY FOR PROTECTION OF THE RICH BIO-DIVERSITY IN THE HIMALAYAS.



SHRI MOINUL HASSAN (WEST BENGAL): Sir, the vast area in and around the Himalayan region faces a variety of problems that directly affect the local communities and threaten the ecosystem services provided to millions of people in the neighbouring countries. Some of the serious issues that need urgent attention have accelerated forest loss, soil erosion, resource degradation and loss of habitat and biodiversity. Climate change is a major source of worry and needs intensive study because of its potential for severe ecological damage. The ministerial declaration issued by India, Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh addressing food, water, energy and biodiversity concerns in the Himalayan region is a welcome range. It is a step forward. Therefore, the four countries in the subcontinent convened the Climate Summit for a Living Himalayas in Bhutan and evolved a consensus based mitigation effort primarily for the eastern part. The task before the signatories is to build institutions that will pursue research and share knowledge. Sustained effort is necessary to achieve the key goals: access to reliable and affordable energy, food and water security, demarcation of connected conservation spaces and sustainable use of biodiversity for poverty alleviation. The Himalayas form a part of the global natural heritage and the UNFCCC must provide substantial funding for research, capacity-building and preservation.

I, therefore, urge the Government to come up with a concrete policy to protect the bio-diversity and ecosystem in Himalayas region.

(Ends)


KSK/9G