WEDNESDAY, THE 11TH SEPTEMBER, 1996

(The Rajya Sabha met in the Parliament House at 11.00 a.m.)

1. PAPERS LAID ON THE TABLE

Shri Indrajit Gupta (Minister of Home Affairs) laid on the Table a copy each (in English and Hindi)of the following papers, under sub-section (2) of section 20 of the Protection of Human Rights Act,1993:-

(i) Annual Report of the National Rights Commission, New Delhi, for the year 1995- 96.

(ii) Memorandum of Action Taken on the Annual Report of National Human Rights Commission for theyear 1995-96.

Shri R. L. Jalappa (Minister of Textiles) laid on the Table a copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following papers:-

(i) (a) Annual Report and Accounts of the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts, New Delhi for theyear 1994-95 together with the Auditors' Report on the Accounts.

(b) Review by Government on the working of the above Council.

(ii) (a) Annual Report and Accounts of the Carpet Export Promotion Council, Ghaziabad,

(U.P.) for the year 1994-95 together with the Auditors' Report on the Accounts.

(b) Review by Government on the working of the above Council.

2. MESSAGE FROM THE LOK SABHA

The representation of the people (Second Amedment) Bill, 1996

Secretary-General reported to the House the following message received from the Lok Sabha, signedby the Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha :

"In accordance with the provisions of rule 96 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business inLok Sabha, I am directed to enclose the Representation of the People (Second Amendment) Bill,1996, as passed by Lok Sabha at its sitting held on the 10th September, 1996."

3. BILL LAID ON THE TABLE

Secretary-General laid on the Table a copy of the Representation on the People (Second Amendment)Bill, 1996, as passed by the Lok Sabha. 4. LEAVE OF ABSENCE

Shri Ramakrishna hegde (Karnataka) was granted leave of absence from the 25th July, 1996 end ofthe current session and Shri A. S. Chowdhri (Andhra Pradesh) was granted leave of absence formall the sittings of the House of the 2nd part of the current session of the Rajya Sabha.

5. STATEMENT BY MINISTER

Shri Inder Kumar Guljral (Minister of External Affairs) made a statement regarding Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).Thereafter, Members sought clarification on the statement.

Shri replied to the clarifications.

(The House adjourned for lunch at 1.30 p.m. and re-assembled at 2.34 p.m.)

6. DISCUSSION ON THE WORKING OF THE AND MINES

Shri Gurudas Das Gupta raised a discussion on the working of the Ministry of Steel an dMines.

Members took part in the discussion.

Shri Birendra Prasad Baishya (Minister of Steel and Mines) replied to the debate.

7. SHORT DURATION DISCUSSION

Shri S. B. Chavan raised a discussion on the evaluation of the functioing of the DevelopmentBoards appointed for Vidarbha, Marathwada, rest of Maharashtra and Gujarat under Article 37 (2)of the Constitution of India.

Members took part in the discussion.

Shri Indrajit Gupta (Minister of Home Affairs) replied to the debate.

The discussion was concluded.

8. HALF-AN-HOUR DISCUSSION

Shri Maheshwar Sing raised a discussion on point arising out of the anser given in the Rajya Sabha on the 17th July, 1996 to Unstarred Question 347 regarding augmentation of Central Road Fund.

Shri T. G. Venkatraman (Minister of Surface Transport) replied to the duscussion.

Members put question. Shri T. G. Venkatraman replied.

The discussion was concluded.

9. MESSAGE FROM THE LOK SABHA

The Jammu and Kashmir Appropriation (No.2) Bill, 1996.

Secretary General reported to the House the following message received from the Lok Sabha signed by the Secretary General of the Lok Sabha.

"In accordance with the provision of rule 96 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, I am directed to enclose the Jammu and Kashmir Appropriation (No. 2) Bill, 1996 as passed by Lok Sabha at its sitting held on the 11th September,1996.

2. The Speaker has certified that this Bill is a Money Bill."

10. BILL LAID ON THE TABLE

Secretary-General laid on the Table a copy of the Jammu and Kashmir Appropriation (No. 2) Bill, 1996 as passed by the Lok Sabha.

(The House adjourned at 8.27 p.m. till 11.00 a.m. on Thursday, the 12th September, 1996).