LOK SABHA ___ SYNOPSIS OF DEBATES (Proceedings other than Questions & Answers) ______ Tuesday, July 15, 2014 / Ashadha 24, 1936 (Saka) ______ STATEMENT BY MINISTER Re: Reported meeting of an Indian journalist with Hafiz Saeed in Pakistan. THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS AND MINISTER OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI SUSHMA SWARAJ): On the issue which was raised yesterday in the House, I, with utmost responsibility and categorically and equivocally would like to inform this House that the Government of India has no connection to the visit by Shri Ved Prakash Vaidik to Pakistan or his meeting with Hafiz Saeed there. Neither before leaving for Pakistan nor at his arrival there, he informed the Government that he was to meet Hafiz Saeed there. This was his purely private visit and meeting. It has been alleged here that he was somebody’s emissary, somebody’s disciple or the Government of India had facilitated the meeting. This is totally untrue as well as unfortunate. I would like to reiterate that the Government of India has no relation to it whatsoever. *MATTERS UNDER RULE 377 (i) SHRI BHARAT SINGH laid a statement regarding need to start work on multipurpose project for development of various facilities in Ballia Parliamentary constituency, Uttar Pradesh. (ii) SHRI BHANU PRATAP SINGH VERMA laid a statement regarding need to extend Shram Shakti Express running between New Delhi to Kanpur upto Jhansi. (iii) SHRIMATI JAYSHREEBEN PATEL laid a statement regarding need to expedite development of National Highway No. 228 declared as a Dandi Heritage route. (iv) SHRI DEVJI M. PATEL laid a statement regarding need to provide better railway connectivity in Jalore Parliamentary Constituency in Rajasthan. (v) SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL laid a statement regarding need to ensure timely payment of honorarium to Accredited Social Health Activists under National Rural Health Mission in Uttar Pradesh and also enhance the amount of honorarium paid to them. (vi) SHRI SURESH C. ANGADI laid a statement regarding need to provide adequate compensation to farmers of Kammakeri village in Belgaum Parliamentary constituency in Karnataka in lieu of acquisition of their farm land for Kudachi-Bagalkot railway project in the State. * Laid on the Table as directed by the Speaker. (vii) SHRI NARANBHAI BHIKHABHAI KACHHADIA laid a statement regarding need to undertake gauge conversion of Khijadiya-Amreli- Visavadar-Junagarh railway line and expedite survey work of new railway line in Amreli Parliamentary Constituency, Gujarat. (viii) DR. SATYA PAL SINGH laid a statement regarding need to augment and improve railway facilities providing better railway connectivity in Baghpat Parliamentary Constituency in Uttar Pradesh. (ix) SHRI OM BIRLA laid a statement regarding need to exempt Bundi city in Rajasthan from the forest laws applicable to regions surrounding Ramgarh wildlife sanctuary to facilitate the development works in the city. (x) SHRI RAJEEV SATAV laid a statement regarding need to improve BSNL service in Hingoli Parliamentary Constituency, Maharashtra. (xi) SHRI R. P. MARUTHARAJAA laid a statement regarding need to set up a Textile Park in Perambalur district, Tamil Nadu. (xii) SHRI V. ELUMALAI laid a statement regarding need to construct a bridge or underpass on NH-45 at Kooteripattu village under Arani Parliamentary Constituency, Tamil Nadu. (xiii) PROF. SAUGATA ROY laid a statement regarding need to build a deep sea port with railway connectivity at Sagar Islands in West Bengal. (xiv) SHRIMATI SATABDI ROY laid a statement regarding need to undertake repair and conversion of National Highway No. 60 into four lane in West Bengal. (xv) PROF. SADHU SINGH laid a statement regarding need to conduct a CBI inquiry into the kidnapping and disappearance of children and youth in Punjab. (xvi) SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR laid a statement regarding need to fix the Minimum Support Price of Maize particularly in Purnia Parliamentary Constituency, Bihar. (xvii) MOHAMMED FAIZAL laid a statement regarding need to double the quota of MBBS seats for Lakshadweep. (xviii) SHRI JOSE K. MANI laid a statement regarding need to amend Securitisation Act, 2002 providing for relief and exemption to the Rubber Plantation sector from attachment of collateral in the event of non- payment of farm loan. SUBMISSION BY MEMBERS Re: Situation in Gaza due to alleged attack by Israeli forces on Palestine civilians. THE MINISTER OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT, MINISTER OF HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION AND MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI M. VENKAIAH NAIDU) responding to the issue raised by several hon. Members, said: I have noted the views expressed by the hon. Members from different political parties. The House is aware that it is a highly sensitive matter and also concerning the foreign policy. As rightly said by some of the hon. Members, we have a stated policy with regard to our approach towards Palestine and also towards Israel. So, any move by the Government of India at this stage should not have implications on our foreign policy. As far as Government is concerned, we don’t propose to move any Resolution. I would convey the views of the Members to the Minister of External Affairs. THE BUDGET (RAILWAYS)-2014-15- GENERAL DISCUSSION…. Contd. DEMANDS FOR EXCESS GRANTS (RAILWAYS)-2011-12 SHRI PRAHLAD JOSHI: After a long gap, a visionary and growth oriented budget has been presented with specific agenda keeping the national perspective in mind. In the last 10 years, the condition of railways has gone from bad to worse. Hon’ble Minister of Railways is trying to bring it on track. In UPA Government, there were 7 Ministers in 5 years which means their tenure was less than 8 months. How could they have run the Railways? That is why they used it to meet their political ends and personal ambitions. The Congress Government went on announcing the projects without even bothering to start them. Out of 676 projects, 359 projects have not been even half completed for which nearly Rs. 2 lakh crore is needed. We all know what quality of food is supplied in the Railways. Hon’ble Railway Minister has stressed on hygienic food and cleanliness and has also allocated 40 per cent of the money for that. Now, I come to my constituency problems. We are consistently demanding a Hubli-Mumbai train, that is 17317 and 17318, for the last 10 years. I urge you to make this train on daily basis with a convenient time for Hubli and Belgaum people. Hon’ble Minister has announced about the train for Gadag-Pandarpur to promote rail tourism. I request Hon’ble Minister of Railways to extend it further upto Hubli because Hubli is just 50 kilometres away from Gadag. Hubli is very famous for a famous temple of Sant Shri Diddaroodh. The hon’ble Minister has not sanctioned any new project. The work of doubling of Tumkur-Hubli route, which goes to Bangaluru, is pending. I request you to allocate more money for the work. Whenever, new line projects are taken up include Dharwad to Belgaum line via Kittur. I urge you to kindly take care of the interests of Gulbarga and make it a new division of Railways. * SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA : * SHRI HARIBHAI CHAUDHARY : * SHRI G. HARI : * SHRI C. MAHENDRAN : * SHRI CHAND NATH : * SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMCHANDRAN : * SHRI RAJENDRA AGRAWAL : * Please see Supplement * SHRI M. UDHAYAKUMAR : * SHRI ANIL SHIROLE : * SMT. POONAM MAHAJAN : * SHRI PRASANNA KUMAR PATASANI : * ADV. JOICE GEORGE : * SHRI V. PANENERSELVAM : * SHRI J.J.T. NATTERJEE : * SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO : * SHRI K.R.P. PRABAKARAN: * SMT. K. MARAGATHAM : *SMT. RANJEET RANJAN: * SHRI R.P. MARUTHARAJAA : * DR. SIDHANT MOHAPATRA : * SHRI MUTHAMSETTI SRINIVASA RAO : * SHRI RAMCHANDRA HANSDAH : SHRI TAMRADHWAJ SAHU: This Government has come to power by promising moon to the people, by promising containing the prices in a day, by promising to bring back the black money stashed abroad and finally by promising to bring good days but this Government kick started with increasing the unprecedented hike in rail fares. The UPA Government had left railways on a strong wicket. This is absolutely misleading that railways is not in good condition. Since the Government wanted to increase the railway fares, it is therefore, leveling such allegations. At present, the total length of railway tracks is 1,15,833 K.M. This has been done during the Congress Government. Earlier 10-12 bogeys trains used to ply now 24 bogeys trains ply. Likewise, 25-30 wagons goods trains used to ply now the number of wagons in a goods train has increased to 58. This time, Chhattisgarh has got nothing in the railway budget. After examining the railway budget, I have found that in Chhattisgarh Bilaspur zone very important works have been allocated quite negligible amount. Dallirajhara-Jagdalpur rail line has been made an allocation of Rs. 21 crores only though it needs 772 crores of rupees for completing the remaining work. Likewise, only a token amount has been set aside for the ongoing or proposed railway project in Chhattisgarh. Finally I would like to make a demand for introduction of 6 new trains. Durg-Indore express via Bilaspur-Katni-Guna, Durg-Bokaro steel city express via Rourkela- Ranchi, Bilaspur-Trivendrum express via Durg –Nagpur-Kalyan-Madgoan, Korba-Nagpur central Shatbdi Express and Guwahati express should be introduced immediately. SHRI T.G. VENKATESH BABU: First I thank Pyratchi Thalaivi Amma whole-heartedly for reposing her faith in me to fulfill the party’s and her progressive policies and represent the interest of Chennai North Constituency on her behalf. The Railway Budget introduced by the Railway Minister is bold and honest. It accepts the shortfalls. There is 25% more budgetary increase on passenger amenities and 40% more on cleanliness. Regarding Chennai suburban train services, the railway has not given adequate attentions since long. The suburban service, particularly between Chennai central and Gummudipoondi is always crowded.