LOK SABHA ___ SYNOPSIS of DEBATES (Proceedings Other Than

SYNOPSIS OF DEBATES (Proceedings other than Questions & Answers) ______

Wednesday, April 05, 2017/ Chaitra 15, 1939 (Saka) ______

REFERENCE BY THE SPEAKER

HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Members, today I would like to congratulate all

Members of the House. With your cooperation a very important tradition has been introduced in the democratic process of financial management. I am happy that this time all the processes related to the Budget, whether they are related to expenditure or taxes, have been completed before the 1st of April. This is for the first time in the history of independent India that such a tradition has been introduced. So, it is a historic occasion.

Earlier, Budget was being presented sometimes in the month of April, March or of late, in the last days of February for the last few decades. A delay of 4-5 months in allocation of budget had become a part of the process. But this time completion of all the processes related to the Budget well before the 31st March means that allocated funds will be available to the respective departments right from the 1st April itself and they will have the entire year at their disposal to spend these funds on old as well as new schemes. This will also help the State Governments in preparation of their own budget. This has become possible with the cooperation of all the Members and the

Parties. I especially congratulate hon. Prime Minister and the Finance Minister who conceived this idea. All Ministers worked hard for this hence, I congratulate the entire Cabinet which participated in this process. Most of all, I congratulate the

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs who was always conscious about it and completed this process by taking everybody in confidence. I also congratulate all hon. Members, who as a informed and vigilant people's representatives, successfully completed this task by participating in the proceedings of the House till late at night. I thank you all for your cooperation on this accomplishment.

I also thank the officers and the staff of the Lok Sabha Secretariat, the

Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs for their cooperation. This is a big achievement. We have made a new beginning in the interest of the people. I congratulate all of you for this.

SUBMISSIONS BY MEMBERS

(i) Re: Pakistan's unilateral attempt to declare Gilgit-Baltistan as its fifth

province and the need for Government to take strict action without

delay. THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI SUSHMA

SWARAJ) responding to the issue raised by several hon. Members, said: As soon as the Pakistan's attempt on Gilgit-Baltistan was reported in the Newspapers and we came to know about it, the Government of India rejected these claims without wasting any time. Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have passed a Resolution to the effect that the entire Kashmir belongs to us. Pakistan Occupied Kashmir is also ours. To harbour any apprehension about our losing control on any part of

Kashmir while this Government is in power is absolutely unfounded. We are as much bound by the Resolutions of the Parliament as by our own resolve in this regard. Therefore, any claim by Pakistan of making Gilgit-Baltistan as their fifth

Province is completely unacceptable to us.

(ii) Re: Scathing indictment of Government by Heads of African Missions

on inadequate action against the guilty persons.

THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI SUSHMA

SWARAJ) responding to the issue raised by several hon. Members, said: The statement by the Dean of African Nations wherein he has made a reference about the non-responsive political leadership is totally in contrast with the facts. Two incidents happened simultaneously. A local youth of 19 years lost his life. The parents of the youth claimed it to be a case of drug overdose. The local people carried a candle march on this death the next day. It was during this candle march that the beating of Nigerians took place about which a mention has been made. I had said that every criminal act is not a racial crime. The racial crimes are premeditated. This was not a premeditated act. I had asked my colleague, the

Minister of State to talk to the Nigerian Head of Mission and apprise him about the fair investigation going into the matter and also that it is personally being monitored by us. Then the fair investigation started in the case and six persons have been arrested. The investigation is going on. When the issue was raised in the other House I had responded by saying that it is not right to label any crime being racist before the results of investigation come out. I am of the opinion that not every violent incident or criminal act is racially inspired. The second incident is related to severe beating of a Kenyan lady. The very next day, the same lady had conceded that she had told a lie and withdrew her complaint. Her Visa had already expired and she was staying here illegally. She herself conceded that no physical violence was carried out against her and she withdrew the complaint. The action taken by the Government of India cannot be termed as inadequate in any sense. Fair investigation will be held and stringent possible action will be taken against the culprit. The Government of India is fully committed about the security of not only the Nigerians but the entire African population. I, through you, would like to assure the House in this regard. (iii) Re: Situation arising out of Government admission of leakage of

Aadhaar Card.

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF LAW AND

JUSTICE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF

ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI P.P.

CHAUDHARY) responding to the issue raised by several hon. Members, said:

There is no question of leaking of information from the Aadhaar system. If any individual goes for photocopying of his Aadhaar card and this copy goes viral on internet then it has nothing to do with UID Authority. This is a matter confined to that individual and photocopier. Till date, no data, whether bio-metric or demographic, has been leaked from Aadhaar. We have issued guidelines to the institutions like banks etc. that the data related to any citizen should not be made public.

*MATTERS UNDER RULE 377

(i) SHRI D.S. RATHOD laid a statement regarding making National

Highways toll-free for vehicles originating from adjoining areas.

(ii) SHRI RAHUL KASWAN laid a statement regarding need to provide

Rajasthan its full share of water of Ravi and Beas Rivers as per

agreement.

* Laid on the Table as directed by the Chair (iii) SHRI MANSHANKAR NINAMA laid a statement regarding

relaxing eligibility norms for availing free power connection in

Rajasthan.

(iv) SHRI DEVJI M. PATEL laid a statement regarding need to set up

Aanganwadi centres in Jalore and Sirohi districts of Rajasthan.

(v) SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO laid a statement regarding need

to expedite construction of hospital in Jamshedpur parliamentary

constituency, Jharkhand.

(vi) SHRI SUBHASH CHANDRA BAHERIA laid a statement

regarding need to accord approval to the proposal for widening and

maintenance of remaining stretch of MDR 56 in Bhilwara

parliamentary constituency, Rajasthan.

(vii) SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIA laid a statement regarding need

to grant environmental clearance for construction relating to providing

basic civic amenities in Bhaniya village in Khambha Taluka of Amreli

district, Gujarat.

(viii) SHRI JUGAL KISHORE laid a statement regarding need to address

the problem of shortage of drinking water in border districts of Jammu

parliamentary constituency, Jammu & Kashmir. (ix) SHRI ARJUN LAL MEENA laid a statement regarding need to set

up branches of banks in Udaipur parliamentary constituency,

Rajasthan.

(x) SHRI SUKHBIR SINGH JAUNAPURIA laid a statement regarding

need to supply water of Bisalpur dam to districts of Rajasthan for

drinking and irrigation purpose.

(xi) SHRI RAMEN DEKA laid a statement regarding need to protect the

animals of Orang National Park in Assam.

(xii) SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY laid a statement regarding

need to address the problem of shortage of drinking water in Bihar

particularly in Buxar parliamentary constituency.

(xiii) SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN laid a statement

regarding need to address the problems of fishermen in the country.

(xiv) SHRI M.I. SHANAVAS laid a statement regarding need to provide

funds for fodder and water in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.

(xv) SHRI ARKA KESHARI DEO laid a statement regarding need to

set up a PSU oil Depot at Kesinga or Bhawanipatna in Odisha.

(xvi) SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE laid a statement regarding need

to protect the interests of stall/trolley/kiosk vendors at railway stations and provide them adequate facilities in accordance with the

railway catering policy.

(xvii) SHRI MUTHAMSETTI SRINIVASA RAO (AVANTHI) laid a

statement regarding credit interest on inoperative Provident Fund

Accounts.

(xviii) SHRI JITENDRA CHAUDHARY laid a statement regarding need

to review the decision to withdraw subsidy on sugar under Public

Distribution System.

(xix) SHRI Y.V. SUBBA REDDY laid a statement regarding problems

faced by salt farms.

(xx) MOHAMMED FAIZAL: laid a statement regarding need to accord

sanction for six desalination plants in Lakshadweep.

(xxi) SHRI JAI PRAKASH NARAYAN YADAV laid a statement

regarding need to set up a permanent CRPF Camp at Rishi Kund

Patam and Dharhara in Munger district, Bihar and also to provide

adequate funds for modernization of police force and communication

system in the State.

(xxii) SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR laid a statement regarding need

to repair the old and dilapidated river bridges on N.H.-82 and to construct an over bridge at Bihar Sharif railway station in Nalanda

parliamentary constituency, Bihar.

(xxiii) SHRI NABA KUMAR SARNIA laid a statement regarding need to

provide adequate funds under Border Area Development Programme

for drinking water projects in Kokrajhar parliamentary constituency,

Assam.

THE EMPLOYEE'S COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2016

(Amendments made by Rajya Sabha)

THE MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT, MINISTER OF

PANCHAYATI RAJ AND MINISTER OF DRINKING WATER AND

SANITATION (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR) moved that the

Amendments made by the Rajya Sabha in the Bill further to amend the Employees

Compensation Act, 1923 be taken into consideration.

The motion was adopted and the Amendments were agreed to.

THE FOOTWEAR DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE BILL,

2017 - Contd.

SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK: The Footwear design and development industry is a very large scale industry. Our country has been witnessing the value growth as well as volume growth in respect of this industry. If we have a look at the global market of the industry its value comes around Rs.8 lakh crore out of which the contribution of Indian export is only 2-3 per cent. Hon. Minister has tried to give national importance to this sector. Government should strive to take maximum possible initiatives for providing employment opportunities to the unemployed youth and women. There is a need to give impetus to the research and development work in the leather industry. Kolhapur is my constituency and

Kolhapuri slippers are world renowned item. They are in huge demand and majority of work is accomplished by artisans. Leather and footwear industry is among the ten industries in the world which have been identified in the world for their growth potential. Whenever we receive any big order in Kolhapur we are not in a position to comply with that for want of resources. Therefore, there is an urgent need for opening an institute in Kolhapur for expanding the market share of

Kolhapuri products. I especially demand for patenting the Kolhapuri slippers.

There is also a need to pay attention towards maintaining the lightweight and comfort factor in the leather industry products. There is a need for trained and skilled workforce to give impetus to this industry. There is also a need to work on the areas like marketing and design making.

DR. BHARTIBEN D. SHYAL: The footwear and leather marketing sector has gone through transformative change. Our country is at the third place in the world as far as the market of footwear and leather industry is concerned. This sector offers huge scope of employment for our youth and there is a huge demand of skilled manpower as far as designing and development of the footwear industry is concerned. FDDI was set up in the country in the year 1986 and seven such institutes have been functioning in the country at present. Besides, five more institutes are to be set up. However, there was no single authority in the country to govern these institutes. Through this Bill an effort is being made to set up national level institute for this sector. It will not only brighten up the future prospects of our youth but also open the door of the world for them. This will also facilitate the exchange of extant global technology with India. This will also open employment opportunities for our youth all across the world.

SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL: This is a very important Bill. I am of this opinion that we will be in a position to do justice with the people connected to each profession if we are to bring such a Bill which seeks to establish the institution related to concerned professions. Initially, I thought that these were only design and development institutes. But they have research aspect also. I congratulate the hon. Minister for that. There should be a provision of 20-25 per cent reservation of seats in the institutes to be set up under this law for the communities which traditionally pursue such profession. This law provides for national level institutes and management thereof has been finalized. A council will be formed and management will be done through senate. If we are going for research, it is imperative to have a scientist as its Chairman. The Government should retain the power of appointment of the Managing Director. The Government would appoint an experienced person who could effectively control the institute. Approximately,

12 campuses are likely to be set up in each state. I want to suggest that these institutes should be at district level to effectively train the unemployed rural youth.

It is my suggestion that this initiative should not be kept confined for the sake of a single institute, its campus should be established not only at 12 places but at various places as our country is quite large. Its campus should be set up in every district. Centres for different industries through skill development have been set up at various places to fulfill the dream of our hon. Prime Minister. It should be ensured that they function in a proper manner. This is a good Bill in view of the importance of this subject. I appreciate it and support it.

SHRI BALBHADRA MAJHI: This Bill has been introduced for setting up an educational institution which will give recognition to the degrees of the children students studying such courses. Such institutes are in private sector abroad and not in public sector because public sector companies do not manufacture footwear, it is the private companies which manufacture them. Here, all the institutes are set up by the Government. It is not clear whether the running cost as well as cost of setting up of such institution will be on the basis of self-financing. There is a need to have a detailed information regarding the nature of courses of these institutions, their level and number. The Government should endeavour to provide footwear to every person's feet. The Government provided budget allotment for the footwear institute. It was Rs. 109 crore during 2015-2016, Rs.25 crore during 2016-17, but only Rs. One lakh is being given this year. We are unable to understand how the government intends to support it. To compete with the high value footwear of international companies, courses and industries should be of the same scale so that their production should be of international standard. Courses should be as per requirements of the industry and after completion of courses the students should be provided employment and salary as per the course they study.

SHRI KONDA VISHWESHWAR REDDY: The objective of the Bill is to establish Footwear Design and Development Institute as an institute of national importance. It empowers the Institute to grant degrees, which was very much needed because there was a huge ambiguity over this. We had a great legacy of crafts in footwear and leather tanning industry. We used to have vegetable tanning and we made various concoctions of tanning liquor and we have forgotten about all that. There is a huge potential to revive this industry and this Bill is very timely.

One of the things is hand-made leather which is an art and a craft. They are best taught through apprenticeship system. I think one of the things we need to focus through this institute is the apprenticeship system. One of the things the institute need to focus is to look for niche market and promoting niche products from India.

It is not only the leather products but the tanning products, tanning chemicals, and natural tanning too have a potential market. The poorest of the poor are involved in this industry. In Telangana, typically it is either the minorities or the Scheduled

Castes who are involved in this industry. A mega leather park in Jangaon has been started in Telangana. We request the hon. Minister to support that. In my constituency 15 acres of land has been allocated and the institute has been completed. We request the hon. Minister to inaugurate it soon. The total project cost of our leather park is about Rs.270 crore of which Rs.165 crore is from the

State Government. We request the Union Government to give us Rs. 105 crore for the leather park. I congratulate the Minister because this Bill is very timely and needed.

SHRI THOTA NARASIMHAM: I fully support this Bill on behalf of the

Telugu Desam Party. I would like to thank the hon. Minister for according the sanction for Indian Institute of Foreign Trade and Indian Institute of Packaging in my Kakinada constituency of Andhra Pradesh. This will boost employment generation in my constituency. The proposed legislation seeks to facilitate and promote teaching, training, and research in all disciplines relating to design and development of footwear and leather products and to enable FDDI to emerge as a centre of excellence meeting international standards. I would like to request the Government to consider setting up the FDDI in my constituency Kakinada, Andhra

Pradesh so as to boost the leather industry and give educational and employment opportunity to many youth of Andhra Pradesh. I hope that this Bill will boost the leather industry and give educational and employment opportunity to the youth.

SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA: This Bill is going to be a very revolutionary one in terms of making available crores of skilled manpower. There is an urgent need to provide support to the 8-10 crore people engaged in this profession particularly belonging to dalit community. The raw material is available in abundance in our country. The soldiers of our country need best quality jackets and shoes so that they could valiantly combat the enemy at places such as Aksai Chin glacier. India can grab a large world market in the field of leather. I hope that the institution set up after passing this Bill will provide quality education of highest standard to bring about a revolutionary change in footwear design and development institutions and competing in the environment of global competition, we would be able to fulfill the resolve of Make in India of our hon.

Prime Minister and succeed in export of footwear from our country. The dalit community of our country wants to learn such a skill and craft so that they could become the job givers instead of job seekers. This will be a revolutionary step in this direction.

SHRI MOHAMMAD SALIM: To resolve the issue awarding degrees to the students and trainees, this Bill is necessary. We have earned fame worldwide in the field of footwear industry. We are the third biggest economy in terms of footwear and leather industry and we have to march forward from here. When I was the chairman of the Standing Committee on Tourism, we had recommended that the government should award degrees not diplomas to the students. Because the private colleges and universities were awarding degree not diplomas. I think that we should expand the scope of outreach programme of the FDDI because during the high end training, very talented students who are not traditionally associated with this industry will also get such training. We should not confine ourselves to trained human resources only but the availability of basic raw material i.e. hide an skin is also of utmost important for this sector which we should resource from the entire Asia. A branch of this institute should also be opened in

Panjipada, which is a long pending demand of the people there.

*SHRI SHER SINGH GHUBAYA: This Bill will go a long way in providing relief to the footwear industry. Our young men and women will go and study in this institute and learn new techniques. Diplomas and degrees will be provided and research work in the relevant field will be done by the students. Our country has made rapid strides in various sectors. The footwear industry caters to

* Original in Punjabi. the rich, the middle class as well as ordinary citizens. Large industry houses in this field are earning profits. Employment is also being provided to youth by these industries. However, the rural artisans and leather-workers do manual work. Their talent must be saved and relief provided to them. I hail from Fazilka area and the footwear of this region is very famous in Punjab. Embroidery work in leather is the hallmark of Fazilka footwear. This must be saved. The government ensures that the makers of Fazilka footwear get remunerative prices for their product, it will help the leather-workers and benefit the local footwear industry. Ours is a large country. Opening up one institute of this kind will not serve the purpose.

The need of the hour is to set up several such institutes at the district level in states so that a large number of students gain out of it. Well-trained students can set-up their our small industries and provide further employment to the needy.

SHRI JAI PRAKASH NARAYAN YADAV: It is a good thing that the students who will get education from this institute would be awarded degrees and diplomas. India is the third biggest market of footwear in the world. I demand that a branch of this institute should also be opened in Bihar and avenues of employment should also be created through this institute. The students who get education and training from this institute should also be given bank loans and quality education should also be provided to them.

SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR: The footwear design and development institute Bill seeks to declare this institute as a institute of national importance but as per today's requirement, at least 10 more branches of such institutes should be opened across the country and one of them should be opened in

Bihar. We can produce skilled human resource through these institutes. The leather industry is growing by leaps and bounds worldwide so we need trained skilled artisans to keep pace with this industry and this would also boost our export from the country which is very less as of now. This industry causes much pollution so the government needs to take care of this aspect. Mostly small and medium traders are engaged in this business and their economic condition is not very good so, they are unable to set up treatment plants for the purpose. Therefore, the government should come forward and set up treatment plants to combat the problem of pollution arising out of this industry. We are still using traditional machines in this industry so there is a need to provide economic assistance to this sector for upgradation of technology because today's world is using state-of-the-art technology. If the quality of our leather products would be good then it would naturally boost our export. Along with this, we need to impose a ban on imports from China in this sector.

SHRI ADHIR RANJAN CHOWDHURY: I would like to draw the attention of the hon. Minister towards two or three points. First is that an estimated 3,609 students, who are still pursuing the courses from the institution or like to go for job hunting, are uncertain about their degree status. What is the present status of those deprived students? What effective measures are the government is going to take to regularize those students so as to get their diplomas and degrees?

Second is about poor quality of training material; no money for factory visits; and irregularities in admissions and placements. These are some charges that FDDI students have leveled against the authorities. The Footware Design and

Development Institute was supposed to have been made the centre of excellence but instead of strengthening it with the latest market, industrial studies and research had development the government has converted it into mere money making or money minting ordinary college. Even they have alleged that fees by the FDDI management were charged irrationally. The average placed salary instead of increasing, have gone down. I would like to request that the government should ensure supply of raw hide and skin to the industry. I would also request for setting up one leather-related Industrial Development Board.

SHRI HARIOM SINGH RATHORE: Leather industry is a very old industry and the history bears testimony to it that this industry has been providing employment to lots of people in the various parts, regions and villages since time immemorial. But, it is unfortunate that this vocation was confined to some castes only earlier which were looked upon as backward classes and this was the darker aspect of this vocation. The Footwear Design and Development Institute Bill is definitely such a step that is viewed as the need of the hour of the day. India is the third biggest market of footwear. Hence, it would be difficult for us to stand in this age of competitive market if we continue to follow our traditional ways in this sector.

It is estimated that this business will be worth $220.2 billion by the year

2020. So these institutes and educational institutes are mandatory to face the global competition wherein we may provide education to our children on the basis of modern technology. I feel that Government should take firm decision to secure and strengthen the future of students having technical education and I am of the opinion that through these institutes we would definitely achieve the target pertaining to skill development and employment.

PROF. SAUGATA ROY: Footwear Design and Development Institute

Bill, 2017 is to develop the excellence in footwear and leather products design. It will be very desirable if this becomes a national institute with 12 campuses and at par with the IITs, IIMs and IISERs. So, this will give the profession much respectability. It has been mentioned that the leather market will be 220 billion in the world by 2020. But, none of Indian brands are global. So, must improve the quality of our footwear to really complete globally. We must also give encouragement to our local brands like Kolhapuri and make them an international brand along with patenting the name, Kolhapuri. West Bengal is a big centre for leather industry. One of the campuses of the Institute of Footwear is situated in the

Leather Complex at Kolkata. I request the Government to give it a special attention. I would also like to ask that what is the policy of the Government towards procuring hide and skin of animals. As we know, cow slaughter is banned except in West Bengal, Kerala and the Northeastern states. So, my question is, if the ban continues, where will we get the leather from?

SHRIMATI ANJU BALA: I would like to congratulate the Government for bringing in this Bill with such a good intention. I have a age old relation with footwear profession as we have footwear shop also. I would like to make a demand that Government should consider to open an institute in my Lok Sabha

Parliamentary Constituency, Misrikh, Kanpur which is a major industrial hub. It is an objective of our Government that youth should march towards a new level and they should be motivated to join these institutes and march ahead.

SHRI M.K. RAGHAVAN: FDDI institutes should be at par with IITs and

IIMs with specialized technology on footwear products. It is my humble request that one campus should be established in all States. I have been personally trying to get one such institute established at Kozhikode, Kerala because Kozhikode has the largest footwear industry in the state. The industry here employs over 15,000 employees, earning over Rs.1,500 crore by exporting beautiful products. The Government of Kerala has also agreed to provide the required 20 acres of land in

Knowledge Park at Calicut. I would also like to make some suggestions on this

Bill. Below clause 4(3)(h), it may be added that a representative from the footwear industry from within the State should also be members. It may be added below clause 13(g) that a Member of Parliament from within the State shall be on the

Senate. Also, it may be added below clause 16(1) that the Managing Director shall also be the Principal of the Institute. Similarly, with regard to clause 17(1),

Secretary of the Institute shall be appointed by the Central Government for a tenure of 'three years' instead of five years. With regard to admission of students, they would be admitted on all India basis through a Common Entrance Examination as in the case of IITs and IIMs. Similarly, with regard to Tribunal's decision, the aggrieved should have to right approach a Civil Court at least at the level of the

High Court.

SHRI RAHUL SHEWALE: Footwear and leather sector has been existing since many years in India and it has been evolving over the years. India ranks 3rd globally after China and Vietnam with regard to export of leather products including footwear. But still there is a dearth of institutes for the development leather industry in India. Even in Maharashtra or Mumbai, no institute has been set up till date whereas leather and footwear industry has maximum presence in

Mumbai. Leather products are exported to the stores in US, UK and Europe from the Dharavi of Mumbai. So, through you, I would like to request the Government that a Leather Footwear Design and Development Institute should be set up in the

Dharavi area of Mumbai which is essential for leather industry and footwear development.

THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE

AND INDUSTRY (SHRIMATI NIRMALA SITHARAMAN) replying said:

First of all, the need for giving the stature of institute of national importance is something to which I would like to draw the attention of every hon. Member. This institution has an all-India presence and has strived hard to provide very good quality content of curricula. Although it is observed by some of the hon. Members that the courses were very charged in the sense of the fees as compared to many other institutions. In this regard, I would like to say that the course is self- financed. I am not saying that the capital expenditure for building the institutes will be taken from the students, not at all. It means that the course's fee would be taken from the students and in that, it is fully self-financing. Since the nature of the course has been such and the job opportunities have been so very well knit, the cost of the course has never deterred students from coming and joining. If we do not give that kind of a modern skill, that skill which is very much linked with tastes and fashion, we are not going to be able to have the better manpower. As we are aware that local tanning things like natural residues have been used in India and today India's tanning techniques are considered to be very good. International shoemakers or international leather product makers have always wanted Indian raw-materials. In Tamil Nadu there is a lot of leather which is being tanned using

Kadukkai which is also considered to be environment-friendly. So, this country- not today but over the centuries- has had leather tanning and it has given a steady flow of leather. That has never obstructed our own cow protection movements, about which each one of us will have to be proud of and that has been a part of our freedom movement's call. This country has given legitimate leather for the leather industry and that would continue. Similarly, with regard to women. I just want to underscore the point that in the existing seven campuses, the male-female ratio between students is almost at equal. So, women students have been given enough attention and place in our campuses. There will be enough representation of women in the centres. As regards reservation, I would state that 100 per cent existing laws on reservations for SCs, STs, BCs will be implemented even in the

FDDI. It would not be any different from any other institute in India. With regard to admission policy, the running seven centres are admitting students on the basis of a Common All India Selection Test, the CAIST. Similarly, there has been a lot of voice about skill and skill imparting. I would like to add other than the courses which give degrees, certificates and diplomas, there are 96 centres in the country, which are called training centres, which train trainers. They are not only in those places where the institutes of FDDI exist but also in places in States where the institute does not exist. With regard to opening of new institutes. At the moment, we do not expect to expand more than 12 at this stage. We would like to limit it at

12 and prove our standards. We would try as much as possible when we design the contents or the recruitment or the campus activities to involve the inputs which each one of Members had given us.

The Bill was passed.

DISCUSSION UNDER RULE 193-Contd.

Re: Sustainable Development Goals-way forward for the health and well being for all.

SHRIMATI BHAVANA PUNDALIKRAO GAWALI: Today India is placed at 143rd position out of 188 countries in the achievement of SDG with reference to health. It is a matter of serious concern for us. We lag behind the countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka etc. in terms of the amount spent on healthcare. The amount spent on healthcare in our country amounts to 1.2 per cent of the GDP. Given the huge population of our country and the lack of necessary resources to cater to the healthcare requirements, hospitals are required to be set up under PPP model in the private sector. Moreover mobile health units are also required to be started. The government should incorporate Tele medicines in its health policy. All the healthcare facilities including ambulance services are required to be provided at block level in order to make these facilities accessible to the rural mass. I would also like to request that the provision of 15 per cent quota for the NRIs in private medical colleges should not be discontinued. Ayurveda is our traditional medical system and hence it requires to be promoted. It has been here mentioned that we are going to achieve sustainable development goals by the year 2030 but the population growth is urgently required to be controlled for this purpose. At last, I would like to thank the government for providing Rs. 100 crore for super specialty hospital in my parliamentary constituency, Yavatmal.

DR. SANJAY JAISWAL: I would like to extend a lot of thanks to the hon.

Speaker for this discussion which she, herself, has initiated first time in the last three years. I would like to urge upon the hon. Speaker to fix the time of the meetings of the Speaker's initiative either at 10 AM or at 1 PM. The strong determination coupled with able leadership, money and targets are three prerequisites for the development of any country. I am grateful to the hon.

Minister for fixing the target to increase the share of GDP from 1.5 per cent to 2.5 per cent in the expenditure on healthcare. We are not going to get tangible benefits despite spending crores of rupees on healthcare unless we are able to make India open defecation free and to provide safe drinking water and pollution-free environment to the people. The efforts made by our government shows the extent to which it is determined to every components of health to every citizen. I would like to request the hon. Minister to fix MRP even for medicines. I have observed that the hon. Health Minister has taken historic step by saving the lives of the children under Mission Indradhanush. I would like to express my gratitude to the hon. Minister for launching a pilot project for the first time in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh in order to provide pentavalent vaccine and PCV vaccine. I am not satisfied with the target of 2.1 TFR per family for the stabilization of population as we cannot achieve success in any of our efforts without controlling the population growth. That’s why the seriousness of the population control is required to be understood by all the people cutting across the religious lines in this country. At the same time, special efforts are required to be made on the lines of

Mission Indradhanush in order to stabilize the population in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh,

Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Many states have implemented two children norm under the panchayati raj and there have been no losses as a result thereof. This is not fair to say that discussing the issue of population and framing rules about it will be a difficult preposition. I would, therefore, request the hon. Minister of Health and Family Welfare to ponder over the issue of population. It is essential to achieve Sustainable Development Goals in order to remove regional disparities.

There is a need to frame a policy for converting the district hospitals into private medical colleges. As many as 09 medical colleges are being set up in Puducherry but there is no medical college in several districts of Uttar Pradesh. Therefore, hon. Minister should frame a policy to remove this kind of regional imbalance. It will be good if a blood donor is given a card along with the driving license to enable him to get blood from anywhere. When all the blood banks are being networked through internet then such a card along with the driving license would help in saving many lives. There are many good healthcare models in our country.

The Government spends Rs.1200 per person on the RSVY. I would request the hon. Minister that people belonging to the middle class should be covered under this insurance scheme at the cost of Rs.1200 or Rs.1400. I would also make a request that there should be a central law for the safety and security of doctors.

There should be MRP printed on all drugs. I, through you, would like to request the hon. Prime Minister to amalgamate all the health related services under one department. I would also request that about 100 years have passed by ever since the Champaran movement and a health fair should be organised at Betiya in

Champaran district so that health standards could improve there.

SHRI GAURAV GOGOI: The National Health Mission and the National

Rural Health Mission have changed health service scenario in India. A lot of funds were pumped through these schemes. It made health care accessible to large parts of India's population. Having built the hardware of hospitals, Primary Health

Centres, etc. we must not focus on the quality of health care. Superbugs, these days, are becoming more and more dangerous. I urge the Ministry of Health to look at this issue of superbugs. Around 50 per cent of India's children are vulnerable to malnutrition. The Government pays so much attention to the ease of doing business but completely forgets about hunger and malnutrition. A discussion in the Parliament is very good. But if there is a lesson to be learnt that there needs to be a healthcare movement like the way we did earlier when it came to eradicate of polio. Anganwadi workers today are not being sufficiently paid.

Anganwadi wokers and ASHA workers do not get funds on time from the Centre.

The World Bank Report says that malnutrition is a silent emergency. We must wake up to this problem. I know various state Governments like Maharashtra and

Tamil Nadu and Assam are doing a lot. So, we must try to collect a database as to what are the best practices that are being followed across the States. A lot of States are experimenting with this School Nutrition Gardens. I urge upon the Health

Ministry to look at this concept. I have gone through the summary of the New

National Health Policy. It is difficult for me to understand as to what is the priority of this Government. I want the New National Health Policy to give a clear thrust area and tell us as to how we are going to measure this. I think that we need right now is a new idea towards healthcare.

SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA: I take this opportunity to thank hon.

Speaker for having a discussion in this august House on the Sustainable Development Goals leading to removal of hunger, amelioration of poverty and provision of healthcare services to the people. India is ahead of the entire world in terms of taking steps towards Sustainable development Goals. The Government has decided to increase the life expectancy from 67.5 years to 70 years by the year

2025 in the country. Likewise, the non-communicable diseases are targeted to be reduced by 25 per cent by the year 2025. The Government has also targeted to bring down the infant mortality rate upto 2.5 per cent. Tobacco is the major cause of tuberculosis and the Government has set out a target to limit this disease upto 15 per cent by the year 2025. The Government has also stated to take good steps towards family planning by the year 2025. India is achieving all the Sustainable development Goals prescribed by the UN on the priority basis.

DR. RAVINDRA BABU: Our country is susceptible and prone to certain disorders. It is also one of the reasons for the health hazards. Therefore, when we talk about sustained development and maintenance of the health, we should keep those things in mind. We have successfully eradicated polio and we have successfully eradicated a lot of other diseases but we are still struggling with the diseases resulting from ill-health, under-nutrition and malnutrition. Tuberculosis is result of under-nutrition and malnutrition. Anaemia, malaria, chikungunya, dengue are all the signs and symptoms of these tropical countries. We should keep in mind our geographical conditions while framing the health policies. Health has to be understood always from the socio-economic considerations. Tuberculosis, infant mortality rate and maternal mortality rate etc. are directly related to poverty. Every third or fourth person in Asia, especially in India is suffering from Diabetes.

Computers have come. The economy is developing. Fast foods are all junk foods.

Fat will lead to Diabetes. In Indian context, where people are not prone to these diseases and disorders, of late we are acquiring these disorders. We never came across any heart attack in females till the year 2000. Let us not consider health just as free from disorder; health means physical well-being, psychological well-being; and above all, spiritual well-being. I urge upon the concerned authorities to have an integrated approach to have better health of the citizens and the youth of the country.

SHRI JITENDRA CHAUDHURY: The SDG has targeted 17 goals, 169 targets and 230 indicators. Unless, in totality, our economy or social environment does not change, these goals cannot be achieved. Only 28 per cent of our countrymen have access to the tap water, both safe and unsafe, 47 per cent have access to sanitation. As regards nutrition, it is 38.7 per cent of our population. 70 per cent of our women are suffering from anemia. Until and unless each and every citizen of our country have access to food, food security cannot be achieved and you cannot maintain the level of health. The Budget for food security, agriculture, education, etc. are not being enhanced. In the most backward district of Kerala, safe water access is 94 per cent. And in Bihar and U.P. in the most advanced district, that is 98 and 96 per cent. In Kerala they have a good social system and you have given importance for education, health, etc. So, until and unless this aspect is taken care of, just by increasing the number of AIIMS or having more doctors, nothing is going to be achieved.

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE: The hon. Minister was very kind at saying that he would definitely address the issue of doctors' security. I think doctors do a great service in this country. They are the people who eventually will take us to this SDG which we all dream of. But do we really have the technicians to run machines like a sonography machine? It is unfortunate that the concept of a family doctor does not exist anymore. If you go to a multi-specialist hospital, the bills are so scary that an average Indian today cannot afford treatment. Cervical cancer issue amongst women is exceptionally high these days. We have managed to eradicate many of the communicable diseases. Today because of lifestyle changes, we have non-communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes, etc. Government in Maharashtra has cut the health budget by about five per cent. The root cause of most health problems is nutrition. We request the Maharashtra Government to run the wonderful programme called the Health Mission, which had substantially helped to bring down the number of malnutrition children, especially in tribal areas. For simple things like depression or health issues women have no access to any public health centres. Maharashtra was the first State which started with sanitation issues. I would just ask the hon. Minister to look into the ASHA issue, strengthen them and increase the number of health workers to have a good India.

The discussion was not concluded.

ANOOP MISHRA Secretary General

English and Hindi versions of Synopsis of Debates are also available at http://loksabha.nic.in.