RAJYA SABHA ______∗SYNOPSIS OF DEBATE ______(Proceedings other than Questions and Answers) ______Wednesday, March 12, 2008/ Phalguna 22, 1929 (Saka) ______

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE CHAIR

MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: Hon'ble Members, as decided in the leaders' meeting, convened by the Hon'ble Chairman yesterday, from today onwards, the three minutes rule will be implemented scrupulously for raising matters with permission. When a Member is identified by the Chair to speak on a matter, the large screen wall installed in the Chamber will display the name of the Member who has been so identified. The electronic counter will display the time being consumed by the Members and after three minutes, his or her mike will go off automatically. ______

SUPPLEMENTARY DEMANDS FOR GRANTS (GENERAL), 2007-08 THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI PAWAN KUMAR BANSAL): I lay on

______∗ This Synopsis is not an authoritative record of the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha.

181 the Table a statement (in English and Hindi) showing the third batch of the Supplementary Demands for Grants (General) for the year 2007-08. ______

MATTERS RAISED WITH PERMISSION OF THE CHAIR

I VIOLENCE IN KANNUR DISTRICT IN KERALA

SHRI M. VENKAIAH NAIDU: These people are ignoring the mayhem that took place at Kannur district. I would like to draw the attention of the Government to the serious situation that has arisen in the State of Kerala. My point is very simple. Now the matter has come to such a stage that the Hon'ble High Court has given a direction to the Centre that only the Central Forces could end the Kannur mayhem. This is the sum and substance of the Order. My only request is that the Central Government should immediately intervene and send Central forces to the State of Kerala, particularly, to the Kannur district, and protect those political opponents of the CPI (M), which is the ruling party there, and see to it that the property, lives and interests of the people of Kerala are protected. It is very clear that the political opponents, whether from this side or that side, whether they are forward or backward, are being targeted. The Central Government should respond to this.

II ALLEGED CIRCULATION OF A C.D. IN VARIOUS STATES CONTAINING DEROGATORY REMARKS ABOUT LORD RAMA

SHRI AMAR SINGH: A venomous C.D. namely "Teesri Azadi" is being shown in . It contains

182 derogatory remarks about Shri Ram, Shri Krishna, Mahabharat and Ramayana. This issue is related to the culture of this country as a whole. An M.P. from Basti in U.P. belonging to the ruling party , the B.S.P. has accepted it also. This C.D. is being distributed in various parts of the country. It is bound to create castiest enmity, that may result in mayhem also. I demand that a ban may be imposed on this C.D. immediately to avoid any unwanted situations. It is an attack on our culture. So, a C.B.I. inquiry should be conducted to apprehend the persons trying to disturb the communal harmony of the country.

(Shri Eknath K. Thakur, Shri Kalraj Mishra, Shrimati Jaya Bachchan and Shrimati Brinda Karat associated)

III BANNING OF THE CD CONTAINING DEROGATORY REMARKS ABOUT HINDU GODS

SHRI KALRAJ MISHRA: "Teesri Azadi" C.D. is being circulated in various states of the country by an M.P. of B.S.P. supported by "Bhimrao Samaj Sudhar Samiti". This C.D. contains derogatory remarks about Lord Rama, Krishna and other God-Goddesses. It also contains castiest remarks. It is very unfortunate that this C.D. has not been banned by the Ministry of Broadcasting. For last two days it has been continuously being displayed in various news-channels like IBN-CNN, Times channel etc. It may result in communal conflict. Particularly Rajput and Brahmin words have been used. It is being said that they have tortured the 'Dalits'. Why the circulation of this C.D. on various news channels was not banned immediately. Derogatory remarks about Lord Rama and Sita cannot be tolerated. It is an attack on Indian Culture. Stern action must be taken against the culprits.

183 IV REPORTED AGITATION BY AIRPORT AUTHORITY OF INDIA EMPLOYEES

SHRI D. RAJA: I rise to draw the attention of the House and the Government to the situation arising out of the countrywide agitation by the airport employees at all the airports of the country, who are opposing and protesting against the scandalous decision of the Government to close down the AAI Airports at Hyderabad and Bangalore in order to allow the private sector airports to come up in these two major cities. During the last three years, air traffic in these two cities has more than trebled and the decision of closure of the existing airports only to allow monopoly gains to private operators is against the public interest. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport and Tourism, in its report submitted in this very House on 5th March, 2008, unanimously recommended not to close down these airports and renegotiate the agreement, but the Government is going ahead with the closure decision and the Hyderabad Airport is going to be closed down on the 14th March. ESMA has been inflicted on the agitating employees who are fighting for the right cause. The act of the Government is also an insult to the Parliament. I urge upon the Government to defer the closure of airports and re-examine the whole matter.

(The whole House associates.)

______

THE BUDGET (RAILWAYS) 2008-09 - CONTD.

SHRI LALIT KISHORE CHATURVEDI : The Railway Budget presented by the hon’ble Minister, keeping in the mind the Mid-Term Polls. It seems that he has diverted

184 whole Budget towards his Bihar State. During 2008-09, 38 projects have been sanctioned for new lines, guage-conversion, doubling, railway-electrification etc. Out of these 38 projects 12 projects are for Bihar. The two Ministers of State belong to Tamil Nadu. They also have managed five projects for their State. Out of 38 projects, 17 projects are for these two States. The total number of projects for new Railway Lines is twenty and out of these 11 projects are for Bihar and 3 projects for Tamil Nadu. Only 6 projects are remaining for whole India. There is no mention about , , and Chhatisgarh in the Budget. Populist declaration have been made regarding reduction of Rail Fare. On the other hand he has attempted to impose new tax burden on the people of India from the back door. Gradually the situation is becoming such that people are refraining from using trains. Share of Railway in both goods transport and passenger transport is decreasing constantly.

Condition of sanitation is not good. Bad smell comes from the bed-sheets and blankets to be provided to travellers. The issue of security is very horrible. Seventy students of University were coming from Bhopal. They were beaten by people in the coach. You decide it where FIR would be filed? What is the number of passenger trains increased by him? Today what is the condition of the passengers of those passenger trains. There is no mention about any relief for them. I want to ask whether the number of unreserved coaches has increased? Why facilities have not been provided to handicapped people in general passenger trains? There is mention about Garib Rath (people’s train). But I want to say that there is not any arrangement of potable water, bedding and blanket in that trains. So far as new railway lines are concerned Rajasthan has been neglected. There would be a considerable

185 burden if passenger trains are not started from Ratlam to Delhi via and Ahmedabad to Agra via Jaipur-Bandikui. I am requesting to start some new super-fast trains. The number of trips of the trains from Rajasthan have not been increased. The issue of guage-conversion is very important. This can be done through Railway Bonds or Private-Public partnership.

DR. M. S. GILL : I welcome the Railway Budget. Fares have been kept down. The number of trains has been increased. Broad guage lines have been added and some new lines have also been added. Freight work has been expanded. For a long period the railways have not been able to have the amount of new investment which they need essentially. The result is that this vast sub-continent has not done much addition to the British railways. Chattisgarh is not getting new trains. Himachal Pradesh and old Punjab have not got that tiny little 15 or 20 kilometres track to Una from Hoshiarpur. North-east has really got nothing while China has come to Tibet. My friend has listed trains or new tracks and they all, obviously, have a heavy bias towards one State. Punjab, in the last 60 years, has not really got anything additionally. In Punjab there must be links from Jalandhar and Ludhiana to Chandigarh. One mention made in the Budget and that is public-private partnership for which Rs.1,00,000 crores are sought in the coming years. I wish it had been thought earlier.

If we can build a super highway, why some such arrangements cannot be made here for new trains for which investment will be made from outside Government. People will get trains and pay for them. The entire infrastructure needs to be upgraded. The tracks have to be upgraded. The signal system is archaic and that leads to accidents. We need a new signaling system in the whole country. Rolling stocks including new

186 coaches need huge money. Freight corridor is a brilliant idea. Where will the money for investment come from? Freight corridor from Kolkata going only up to Ludhiana in the middle of Punjab. It has to logically go to Atari border, so that we can trade with Pakistan also. It is our dream that trains will go through Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan all the way to Paris, Moscow and London. Punjab is this Budget has been given, last year was also given, the Garib Rath from Amritsar to Saharsa.

They are going to benefit from a train from Sarsa to Punjab. Second one has been given, which is an Express train, again from Amritsar to Sarsa. These trains should end up in Kolkata so that Punjabis can be benefited. We don't have new track. We don't have any new train. There is a democratic requirement and there has to be reasonable sharing for all of us. Amritsar to Patti is an old British line. From patti across the river, connect it to Ferozpur, Ferozpur connects directly to Gujarat and Bombay and beyond. You get a parallel line and you get a Defence line and you get an economic line for industry, again, another parallel line coming from Bombay and going through Amritsar on to Pakistan and beyond. I hope the Hon'ble Minister will give it reasonable consideration.

There is the question of jobs. I Understand Railways is a huge employer. I want to say that do not, in any Ministry, centralize all jobs. If the Northern Railways want class-IV chaprasis or gangkeepers, they should be recruited locally by North Zone out of those three-four States. Otherwise, the Railways give intense dissatisfaction. Punjab train has to be from Amritsar, throught the heart of the Punjab, to Nandeh. I would request the Hon'ble Minister that link Amritsar with Patna and Nandeh So that they can keep on going to their

187 pilgrimages. There is no new line for us. 150 Kilometre are supposed to have been done in this year. It is a pittance. We should be doing 1000 Kilometers a year, at least. Konkan line should be doubled because it is a major North-South line and needs doubling. Finally the Kashmir line should be completed quickly.

MISS ANUSUIYA UIKEY: Hon'ble Members sitting in the treasury benches have praised Railway Budget. We have tried to point out Shortcomings of this Budget. It would have been proper if Minister of Railway had provided facilities to other states equally and also provide funds for new railway lines. States of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat have been neglected in the Railway Budget. Whole of Mahakaushal including Chhindwara district is a backward region where narrow guage railway line exists for the last hundred years. No attention has been given to guage conversion of this area. This work should be completed speedily by allocating more amounts for guage conversion from Chhindwara to Nagpur. Express train from Chhindwara to Bhopal should be introduced. Direct train from Nagpur to Khandwa has been demanded. Amala express train should be extended up to Baitul at least in the morning at 8 a.m. in Chhindwara. Other demands have not been taken care of till date. The work of electrification has not been carried out in Itarasi - Allahabad Section. Special attention has to be given for running train on time.

A Large number of posts has been abolished in Jabalpur, Bhopal and Bina railway division during the recent past. It is feared that working of railways will be affected by abolishing these posts. Attention has to be given to the safety of railways and railway passengers. If railways has 25,000 crores rupees, why Budgetary support is being demanded. Less funds has been

188 provided for salaries. Even if no fare has been increased but charge is being levied in the name of super fast train. Railways has introduced 'Tatkal Sewa' but no coach has been added. provision of 50 percent concession for women and senior citizens has been made but when there is no seat where women and senior citizens get concession from? I request railway Minister that provision may be made for more allocation of funds for Chhindawara - Nagpur guage conversion and other important projects of Mahakaushal.

SHRI MAHENDRA MOHAN: First of all I congratulate Shri Lalu Prasad for presenting the budget which saves Rs. 25,000 crores and I also convey my gratitude to him that yesterday he agreed to spruce up Azamgarh and Sambhal Stations in the Lok Sabha. No fare has been increased in the budget directly, whereas reality is otherwise. Promises made for providing facility has to be fulfilled. I want to point out some shortcomings of railway Budget. Condition of safety is very bad. I want to draw attention towards safety of passengers traveling from Kanpur during the last nine months. Murders have been committed in three main trains. Shri Alam was murdered in Sabarmati Express on 30th July, 2007. A senior doctor of Kanpur named Dr. Anurag Mittal was murdered in the First Class A.C. of Shram Shakti Express. This is only a situation of a city where movements of trains take place. What is the situation of security in the whole country? It is necessary that when such incidents happen, the conductor or any other person of railways should register a FIR. I believe Hon'ble Minister will certainly take action in this regard. As far as facilities are concerned, there are no cleanliness in the coaches. Unless Uttar Pradesh make any progress along with Bihar there is no chance of India's progress. Uttar Pradesh has been neglected very much. Small vendors may be controlled but they

189 should be allowed to work. I want to point out one more big shortcoming to Hon'ble minister. Potable water is required particularly in trains. Water purifiers should be installed in the coaches of trains. Condition of sanitation in the bathrooms of First A.C. and Second A.C. is very bad. Utilization of surplus land of railway has been mentioned. Utilization of land should be transparent so that more and more funds are received. Nothing has been mentioned about the Bullet trains in the Budget. Shatabdi trains were introduced. Now they are stopped at many places. Their safety should be enhanced and they should run on time. Many trains are required in our Uttar Pradesh. Track from Kanpur to is a single track.

This time Hon'ble Minister has made provision for electrification. Unless doubling work of lines is done, this cannot be useful. Railway line from Kanpur to Jhansi should be made double line. This will increase its usefulness. People complete their journey from Kanpur to Jhansi in six hours. Hon'ble minister may kindly give attention to this. Railway station of our Delhi is hundred years old. No progress has been made to bring this under world heritage. We expect many things from Railway minister. There are some more difficulties faced by people of Uttar Pradesh specially by Kanpur. It is required that a train from Kanpur is introduced in the morning. After reaching Delhi, it may go back to Kanpur in the night. There is no train from Kanpur to Indore. No train is available for Bareli and Kathgodam from Kanpur. Some of these trains may be introduced from Kanpur.

Many times derailments are reported in the route of Delhi - Kanpur. What are the reasons for this? It is necessary for the safety of handicapped and women that some more facilities are provided at the platforms. Women berths can be

190 separated by preparing a Computer programming. Trains should be run on time, safety and sanitation may also be provided. Some new trains are needed for Uttar Pradesh so that it may progress.

DR. K. MALAISAMY: Laluji and Veluji combination has been working well. I would like to make some objective comments, as to what can be done and what is wrong basically. In the Budget it has been said that high-speed trains are going to come. I am very happy to hear that from Chennai to Coimbatore, from Chennai to Bangalore and from Chennai to Madurai, they are going to introduce high-speed trains. I would like to know whether they can afford to run, in Indian conditions, trains at 300 kms. per hour. Whether it is practical to run such trains. These are many conditions which are necessary for running high-speed trains. According to me, it is impractical.

Secondly, I come to the slow growth of the railway network. During the year 1950-51, the total kilometre length was 53,596 kilometres whereas, even after 50 years, in 2006-07, the total kilometre coverage is about 63,327 kilometres. That is a slow growth. This is my third point. I come to my fourth point about safety, we are happy to hear that the total number of accidents has come down.

I want to know how much money the Hon'ble Minister has spent on safety and renewal of all the assets. Under the head 'safety' money is being diverted for other purposes. I want that passenger amenities should be given priorities. I am surprised to know that despite more receipts, profits, etc. the plan allocation has reduced from 15 percent to 4 percent. It is notable that despite inordinate increase in passenger traffic and freight

191 traffic, corresponding increase has not been made in respect of amenities. The corridor facilities, being given to some specified sectors, should be provided to the entire country including South India. The manpower can be developed only when it is linked with the technological development.

The incomplete work at Ramnathpuram, Paramakudia and Rameswaram has yet not been completed. As per his assurance, how many direct trains are to be started for the small stretch between Manamadurai and Karakudi which is being opened in March or April? In order to cope up with the excessive crowd at the Egmore and Chennai Central stations, what obstacles are coming in the way? I request to eliminate the problem of abnormal mosquito density at the stations such as Egmore, Chennai Central, Tiruchi and Tirunalveli. More trains should be introduced for the tourist place Kanyakumari, and Nagarcoil should be made a terminal. New projects as regards provision of broadgauge, doubling of lines and electrification should be started in Tamil Nadu. In this regard, the injustices being done to the South, should be stopped.

SHRI RAJNITI PRASAD: During the railway regime of Laluji, railway freight and fare have not increased. It is a magical effect. As per the report of Rakesh Mohan Committee, the losses suffered by the Railways, have been converted by Laluji into profit worth Rs.25,000 crore. Even the Americans have admitted the same, a miracle. Whatever he has done for improving the low life-standards of the coolies, it is like giving them social justice.

It is not an election-oriented Budget, but a Budget for the poor. The Minister of Railways has worked not for Bihar alone, but for the whole of the nation. Even in Raebareilly, which is

192 not in Bihar, a factory has been set up. He has said that he has a vision for the year 2025, which he would materialize within six months. He has risen from bottom to top. Having reformed the Railways, he has defied the challenge. In 2005-06, the number of railway accidents was 234 which has reduced to 195 in 2006-07.

At the invitation of America, he spoke that good results could be concluded only after having utilized the resources. If the resources were not utilized properly, they could be rendered useless. He made surprise visits of the goods trains. The unscrupulous activities and irregularities, being committed in the Railways were curbed by him. The goods trains which were earlier detained on account of the passenger trains, were begun to be run, parallel to the passenger trains. He also provided funds for the setting up of freight corridor.

SHRI SYED AZEEZ PASHA: There are certain appreciable positive features of this Railway Budget, such as, the operating ratio is to the tune of 76.3 percent. The absorption of 38,000 coolies is also a welcome step. But despite the Railways having earned a profit worth Rs.25,000 crore, why are the private players being given a prominent role? Twenty five percent of the containers is being given to the private parties. Catering, civil works, parcel loading, maintenance of tracks partly and day-to-day operation are also being given to the private parties. On account of privatization already in some areas, the quality of services has worsened. The number of employments has decreased from 17 lakh to 14 lakh At present 1,80,000 posts are lying vacant.

As far as our State Andhra Pradesh is concerned, step motherly treatment has been given. 18 percent of the total

193 revenue is accrued from the South Central Railway. But, comparatively a wide network is available with the Northern Railway.

We must also look into the performance of each and every zone, and, accordingly, he must make allotments. We have also repeatedly been demanding for a coach factory at Kazipet. Unfortunately, there is no mention about it. I request the Railway authorities and Shri Laluji to consider our request to introduce a train from Hyderabad to Ajmer because Ajmer is very dear to the people of Hyderabad. Why is there no consideration for tackling the problem of late trains? When we are having modern technology why can't the trains be speeded up?

SHRI T.S. BAJWA: I am grateful to the Hon'ble Railway Minister for presenting Railway Budget - 2008-09. I request the Hon'ble Minister to connect Poonchh through train. Earlier weekly was running from Jammu and Kashmir to New Delhi and now it has been made daily. Garib Rath has also been started. 300th year of passing away of Guru Govind Singhji is going to be celebrated at Nanded. At this occasion a direct train must be introduced from Nanded to facilitate the pilgrims. You have shown Rs.25,000 crore surplus in the historic Budget and many concessions have also been given to the passengers. Waiting rooms at railway stations must be maintained properly.

SHRI HARISH RAWAT: I am one of those people who have appreciated the Railway Budget. Laluji is known as the leader of backward classes till today. But now he should be a leader of Backward States also. It is a great thing that you have shown Rs.25,000 crores surplus but this surplus money

194 should be spent on the development of Backward States. There are many such areas in the country which are still deprived of such facilities.

Laluji has given 5 new trains to our state. But Uttarkhand should be seen as a State only. It is a place of so many pilgrimages. All facilities should be made available to the State so that people from all over the country may reach Uttarkhand easily. One each train from West Bengal, Gujrat and South must be introduced for Uttarkhand as a large number of people used to come here from there as pilgrims. Uttarkhand has a special place in the country as a religious and tourist place. Ranikhet Express should be started from Rohtak instead of Sarai Rohilla. This will facilitate so many hilly people working in that area. Kotdwar-Delhi train should be extended upto Panipat.

I want to thank the Hon'ble Minister for providing money for already sanctioned two rail lines. Lalkuan-Khatima rail line should be extended upto Tanakpur. Muzaffarnagar- Haridwar rail line which has already been sanctioned, should be extended to Rishikesh. Main thrust should be given on doubling of rail lines to avoid late running of trains. Arrival time of Kathgodam-Dehradun Express is 4.00 a.m. at Dehradun. Its time should be changed. You must take care of such tourist importance stations.

You have improved the condition of some major stations but smaller stations are still as they were earlier. Smaller stations should be given all facilities. Multi-level parking system can be thought of for Dehradun also as Dehradun is facing lot of parking problems. Survey has been conducted for new rail line from Dehradun to Kalsi and I request you that it should be extended upto Saeeya.

195 Uttrakhand and Himachal Pradesh come in the Central Himalaya region. This region is legacy of humanism. The hon’ble Minister has presented the vision for 2025. This vision does not take account of our Himalaya region which is the biggest source of water all over the world. It is not to be taken for granted that this Central Himalaya region will always remain a peaceful region. We should learn a lesion from the example of Nepal. I request the hon’ble Minister to connect the hilly areas of Uttrakhand with the rail line at least under the vision of 2025 since surplus amount is lying him.

I emphasise this point because China has constructed a rail line upto Lhasa. Hence, the scheme for constructing rail lines in hilly regions of Uttrakhand should be evolved.

SHRI KUMAR DEEPAK DAS : It has been said that “Additional funds to the tune of Rs.1772 crores have been sought from the Ministry of Finance for national projects of Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla, Jiribam-Imphal road, Dimapur- Kohima, Azra-Byrnihat and Kumarghat-Agartala new line, Bogibeel rail-cum-road bridge and Lumding-Silchar-Jiribam, Rangia-Murkongselek gauge conversion”. It is also proposed to create a non-lapsable North-east Rail Development Fund”.

It is a matter of great concern that the capitals of the all the States in the North East Region have not been connected by the railway line. The people of the North East region always have a feeling that the Centre always neglects the people of the North East Region. Not a single railway station of the North East Region has been included in this list of the stations proposed to be developed as world class stations. In the North Eastern States, electrification has not been done even on a single line so far. I, therefore, urge upon the Railway Minister to

196 please take schemes for electrification of railway lines in the North East Region including Assam and to include any railway station of Assam in the list of world class railway stations.

There are some MG lines which are now in an abandoned state. These lines just need conversion into BG line. I, therefore, demand immediate conversion of those abandoned MG lines to BG lines in Assam. I further request the hon’ble Minister of Railways to take up the railway line from Jogighopa to Guwahati via Abhyapuri-Barpet Town-Sarthebari-Daulasal- Hajo-Swalkuchi.

Only a few North-bound and South-bound trains are running through Assam. We need more new trains. No has been introduced in the North East Region so far. I request the hon’ble Minister to introduce Shatabdi Express in the North East Region connecting various metro cities of the country. There are some sub-division headquarters, historically important places, and tourist places in my State where there is no stoppage of express train. People of the locality are demanding the stoppage of express train for a long time. These demands should be looked into.

The local people of Assam are demanding that the Puri Express should be named as the Srimanta Shankardev Express and stoppage of Puri Express at Barpeta Road Town and Bijni Station. This demand should be fulfilled.

SHRI SANTOSH BAGRODIA : Our Rail Minister has been presenting the best Budgets one after another for the last four years, for which he disserves all congratulations. As a matter of fact, the position of the railway has become better, efficient, cheaper and economically more viable than before.

197 A train between Ajmer-Indore via Ratlam Nagba should be introduced. The 2965 and 2966 J. P. Udaipur Express should be diverted via Ajmer instead of Kota. The daily trains for Delhi-Udaipur via Ajmer Ungas Rewari should be proposed. 2991 Udaipur-Ajmer Express should be extended upto Jaipur. A train for Ajmer-Hyderabad via Ratlam and Bhopal should be provided. There must be daily running of 2996 and 2995 Ajmer-Bandra Terminal instead of Thysuri.

Bhilwara is a place, which is called second Mumbai. This is a big centre of textile manufacturing. The rail links for Bhilwara should be increased from the places like Mumbai and Delhi. The catering facility in Parliament should be streamlined.

Everyone has expressed his view about cleanliness of railway stations. If a cleaner is attached on permanent basis with every bathroom, it will solve the problem altogether.

SHRI ABDUL WAHAB PEEVEE : The Railway Budget presented by the hon’ble Minister is testimony to the dynamism Shri Laluji has imparted to his portfolio. The record profits posted is a tribute to the forward-looking policies he has ushered in.

But I must confess to a sense of dismay at the aspirations of the people of Kerala, especially of Malabar, have not been adequately met. I welcome the announcement of the Kanjikkode Coach Factory. For a venture of such magnitude, funds have to be allocated and released immediately.

The proposed Nilambur-Nanjangode railway line will connect the backward districts of Mallappuram and Wayanad. The 225 kilometre rail line, on implementation, will reduce the

198 travel distance, between Bangalore and Kochi by 120 kms. It can also act as a feeder route to from this hinterland. The proposed survey of Angadippuram-Kozhikode line could also be done along with this. I thank the hon’ble Minister for announcing a Shoranur-Nilambur passenger train in the Budget. The present all trains should be regularized and put it in the timetable.

SHRI RUDRA NARAYAN PANI : The Party of the Rail Minister is Rashtriya Janta Dal. But it seems that he wants to confine himself to Bihar Janta Dal. I come of the State of Orissa. It is a poor State and unfortunately it is affected with Naxalism. Justice should be made to that poor State also. I request to run a regular Rajdhani Express train via Bhubneshwar-Sambalpur City, Raurkela-Bokaro Steel City. A train from Talcher-Anugul to Howrah should be introduced. I demand for allocating more fund for the Talcher-Bimalgarh and Anugul-Sikinda rail lines.

It is being said that the profit of Rs.25,000 crores has been earned. So, the demands of the poors of the country should be fulfilled.

SHRI BANWARI LAL KANCHHAL : I would like to congratulate hon’ble Minister for presenting a marvelous Budget. The capital city of U.P., Lucknow is a metropolitan city but only one Rajdhani Express Train is currently running through Lucknow. I request hon’ble Minister that some more Rajdhani Express Trains should be diverted through Lucknow and a new Rajdhani Express should be introduced between Lucknow-Mumbai.

199 There are no railway lines in tourist places such as Badrinath, Gangotri in U.P. and Panchmarhi in M.P. and new railway lines should be constructed in these tourist places. The railway stations at all the tourism places should be modernized. Pre-paid Taxi facilities at big railway stations such as Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Ahmedabad etc. should be provided urgently.

Lucknow and Kanpur railway stations should also be declared as International Railway Stations. Punctuality should be ensured in the Railways. Gonda-Gorakhpur via Badhni, Shoharatgarh Railway Line should be converted into Broad Guage Line.

SHRI MOINUL HASSAN: At the outset, I would like to say that my party, CPI(M), are not opposing the Railway Budget. West Bengal is now such a State where industrialization is coming up in a big way. In this perspective, the Railway infrastructure should match with the growing requirements. A super fast train, on the lines of Shatabdi, should be introduced from NJP to Sealdah. We also demand that the Express train from Kolkata to Lal Bagh is very important. I demand that the train should run on all the seven days in a week.

There should be more trains between Kolkata and Dehra Dun and between Kolkata and Haridwar. There are a lot of vacant posts in different sectors. These should be filled up in the interest of the unemployed youth of our country. The Railways is a traditional and prestigious institution of our country. It would be a disheartening thing if we privatize different sectors under different names.

200 MS. PRAMILA BOHIDAR : I would like to thank the hon’ble Railway Minister for having taken the step to grant free monthly tickets to girl students up to graduation level. A direct train from Titlagarh or Sambalpur to Allahabad should be introduced so that a lot of passengers of western Orissa, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh will be benefited. There is lack of railway link inside the adivasi areas and the newly developed industrial belt.

I would like to draw your attention to the fact that some of the railway projects, though sanctioned between 1993 and 1998, have not been completed till date for want of proper allocation of funds. Only some negligible amount of Rs.32.4 crores and Rs.35 crores have been provided to Khurda Road- Bolangir and Lanjigarh-Junagarh railway lines respectively, which will still remain incomplete. I would also request the hon’ble Railway Minister to provide railway link to the naxalite affected areas, like Joypore, Malkangiri, Naupada, Gunupur, Kandhamal, which are neglected for decades.

SHRI JANARDHANA POOJARY : The country has seen the best Budget so far presented by hon’ble Railway Minister, Lalu Prasad Yadavji, for which I thank him. It was alleged by some of the people in Karnataka that regarding Group ‘D’ posts, no advertisement was given in the local papers, the advertisements were given only in Bihar, and the candidates who were to appear for this examination were carried free of cost. It has been said that discrimination has been made. Some policy has to be framed in order to help the poor people, whether they belong to Bihar or Maharashtra or Karnataka. Why cannot our Minister do it? Members of Parliament have submitted a memorandum and I do not want to go into the details of it and the Minister should consider it.

201 So far as the railway line to Coorg is concerned, you are well aware of the topography. Now, if the survey for the railway line is through, and if it is connected, there is some connectivity to the region, we would be grateful to him.

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V. K. AGNIHOTRI, Secretary-General. [email protected]

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**** Supplement covering rest of the proceedings is being issued separately.

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