RAJYA SABHA ______∗SUPPLEMENT TO SYNOPSIS OF DEBATE ______(Proceedings other than Questions and Answers) ______Thursday, July 9, 2009/ Asadha 18, 1931 (Saka) ______

THE BUDGET (RAILWAYS) 2009-10 DISCUSSION - Contd. SHRI ABDUL WAHAB PEEVEE: I thank Railways Minister for giving better share in the latest Budget. We were asking for the Kerala Zone but because of time constraint, the Railways Minister could not attend to this one. We hope that in the next Budget, the Kerala Zone will be there. THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS(Km. MAMTA BANERJEE), replying to the debate, said: I am grateful to all members who took interest and spoke on Railways Budget. This is true that Railways are the life of the nation and it is the lifeline of the national integration also. Everybody wants that railways must reach the grassroots. But this is not possible within a month or in a few days. Regarding accounting standard, I have already mentioned that for a better system for long term and short term financial position and as to how to make it better, we will bring a white paper and clear transparency will be ensured in accounting. Regarding Railways lines, it is to be noted that the lines which were laid during British period were meter gauge lines. After that, 12,430 Kms. ______∗This Synopsis is not an authoritative record of the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha.

125 new meter gauge lines were laid and a large portion were converted in broad gauge and work was done for doubling them. 18440 km. meter gauge line converted into broad gauge line and 18550 km line has been electrified. 45369 tracks were added in it also. The work for doubling of rail line, new projects and electrification is going on. Dehradun is a good place and Rishikesh and Nainital are the beautiful and healthy place from the tourism point of also. The rail line was not connected with Bhuj at the time of earthquake in . The rail line was laid there within 1½ and 2 days and the relief material was sent there. The relief material reaches fast through Railways. Therefore, railway is needed. There are the technical problems for running the trains. 3000-4000 requests from and Rajya Sabha have been received till today. Arunji said that Railway is running a parallel Government. It is not only Railways; even the Defence, Port and others are running their schools. Even the Labour Department runs their ESI unit for their employees. We have 14 lakhs employees there. They need education. Therefore, we gave concessions and have announced the girl child scholarships for Group 'D' staff. This is meant for poor people. We have announced the Medical Colleges and nursing homes in core group. We have done this because the Railways is having 16 hospitals with them. These hospitals have the facilities and land also. The railways will not spent any money on this. First, you think of construction and then you go about the donations. We are proud of our Chennai and Kerala nursing staff. Regarding the optic fibre cable, it is not that I have started it today. When I was the Railway Minister in the NDA Government I started this innovative programme, including the commercial utilization of land and space. We want it for our Railways. As regards core section and the non-core section, passenger amenities, safety of the trains, cleanliness etc. are in the core group. Outsourcing is good in some places. But it is not good for food quality and all these things. So we have decided that Tourism should be separated from Catering Tourism Corporation. We are cosmopolitan. There are so many people staying in every part of the country. Everybody wants a train from one part to other part. If we provide one train to a particular State, the people of other State complain that they have been neglected. They should think that when we provide one train,

126 it connects the entire country. Also, there are some problems for project implementation. Projects are not implemented properly. Therefore, we have proposed a Monitoring Committee to strictly monitor the work. We do not have that many coaches and rakes. It has been raised to 18,000 for it in this Budget. While giving new order, the cause of handicapped people will definitely be taken care of. Recently one monitoring cell has been formed regarding punctuality. We will endeavour to achieve the efficiency level of 80-85 per cent. I am informed that we have received 17,500 crore rupees and not 15,000 crore rupees. This is how we have done the work of track renewal, signaling system, modernization etc. In the name of economic reforms and globalization, money was flowing into the country in the last 6 to 8 years. Now the situation is improving after the economic slowdown. We have to give 28,200 crore rupees to our employees on account of Sixth Pay Commission. We have also paid the dividend. We give the salary to our employees from earnings, internal funds and surplus. I have also said about one expert committee. I want to assure the House that Railways will not be privatized. Land is the main asset of railways and we are not going to sell it, but we can provide it on lease. The vacant land can be used for commercial purposes. We have decided to set up a land bank. We want to use it for employment generation and infrastructure creation. Railway will work with public-private partnership regarding commercial utilization. I have set up an Advisory Council under Mr. Sam Pitroda with regard to optic fibre cable. Around 2,50,000 crore rupees are needed to clear all the projects thoroughly. We have got at least 5000 crore rupees in the Eleventh Plan. Then there are tax-free bonds of IRFC also. The concession being given to Indian Police Medal holders has been raised from 30 to 50 per cent. Artistes will now get 50 per cent concession in Rajdhani and Shatabadi also. I have announced some more world -class stations. With these words, I request the House to return the Appropriation relating to the Demands for Grants of the Railways for 2009-10 to Lok Sabha. Discussion concluded. ______

127

SPECIAL MENTIONS I. Demand to withdraw decision of merger of associate bank with State Bank of SHRI P. RAJEEVE: I draw the attention of the House to the anxiety of the general public and public sector bank employees regarding the merger of associate banks with SBI. The Government's agenda is merger and consolidation of public sectors banks. It was reported that the SBI management will expedite the merger of the associate banks like SBT with SBI. The merger would lead to closure of rural branches in the name of competitiveness. The proposal of merger of State Bank of Travancore with SBI will not be in the interest of the nation, national economy, and banking system. The proposed merger would obviously result in closure of the large number of branches of SBT and result in losing the jobs and job security of employees and officers. This also curtails the banking services for the people. So, I urge the Central Government to intervene to withdraw the decision of merger and ensure the identity of SBT. II. Demand to provide employment under 'NREGA' to the people affected by famine SHRI LALIT KISHORE CHATURVEDI: Monsoon is about two week late in the country and particularly in North-Western part. Not only landless, small and marginal farmers and agriculture labourers have been affected by it, but such farmers have been affected, who do not come in above category. They need immediate livelihood for subsistence State Government can not make arrangement under Distress Management and all such persons cannot be given employment under plan works. Only alternative providing employment under NREGA. Hence I demand that by relaxing norms of NREGA, drought affected farmers should be provided employment under NREGA and in the period of 100 days, by relaxing norms of B.P.L. problem should be solved.

128 III. Need to review the regulations notified by CERC to fulfil the objective of 'Electricity for all' under the Bharat Nirman Programme SHRI SILVIUS CONDPAN: The regulations notified by the CERC need to be reviewed otherwise, the objective of "Electricity for all" under the Bharat Nirman Programme will be defeated. NER is considered as most backward region of India with a per capita consumption of electricity of 111 KWh against national average of 411 KWh, and only 24 per cent village household accessed electricity in the year 2005-06 according to Vision 2020, a document released by hon. Prime Minister in 2008. Central Electricity Regulatory Commission instead of controlling unreasonable expenses of the Central Utilities has justified without looking at consumers's interest. The Regulatory Commission did not make any effort to enforce any benchmark level of efficiency in the operations of the Central Utilities. IV. Demand for providing solar lanterns in remote areas affected by 'Aila' in West SHRIMATI BRINDA KARAT: Islands of , particularly, the remotest islands like Laheripur, Mollkhali, G-Plot, etc. are totally isolated from the Indian mainland. Government with assistance from the Central Government took initiative and illuminated most of the islands with solar lights Due to devastating cyclone `Aila` a large number of solar systems have now become non-functional due to the inrush of saline water inside the houses of the rural people Most of the people of the above islands have now taken shelter in the relief camps where there is no electricity. In this context, Green Energy Development Corporation Ltd., a government organisation has developed special type of high efficient solar lanterns and solar torches. Such lamps are the only lighting source in many of the relief camps. Now the cost of one such system is around rupees 900/- only. It will be of great help fot the people of Sundarbans if large number of such solar lanterns and solar torches are distributed to the victims of `Aila` on a war footing basis. Subsequently, the same solar lamps and torches could be given to the girl students of families living in the area to help them study. I appeal to the relevant Central Ministry to make available required funs for this purpose urgently.

129 V. Demand to grant financial assistance to M/s MAS Holdings Company in under the scheme for Integrated Textile Project SHRI T. SUBBARAMI REDDY: The Government of A.P. has entered into a MOU with M/S MAS holdings to set up a Textile Park on 14th December, 2006 at Chintavaram village of Nellore District. The investment envisaged is approximately US $ 200 million and expected export revenue will be US $500 million over a period of 5 years with the entry of M/S MAS Holding into Nellore district, A.P. is positioned to become a sportswear apparel hub in . The location of 750 acres selected by company for their proposed project is in a backward area which is not even connected with a good road. Moreover, it will create 30000 jobs particularly for Below Poverty Line (BPL) women and help for overall development of area. has already accorded its formal approval to project as an SEZ. This company has approached Ministry of Textiles to include their project under SITP Scheme for financial assistance. In view of the above position, I urge upon Government to consider the project under SITP scheme for financial assistance at an early date. VI. Demand to revive the public sector units involved in vaccine manufacturing to maintain the availability of vaccines in the country MS. MABEL REBELLO: In January, 2008, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare suspended the licenses of three crucial suppliers of vaccines the Central Research Institute in Kasauli, BCG Vaccine Laboratory in Chennai and Pasteur Institute of India in Coonoor. These three units together met 80 per cent of the country's vaccine requirements under the Universal Immunisation Programme. The Government could not procure vaccines because the private manufacturers had hiked their prices during this period which strained the budget of the Ministry enormously. The vaccine cost of DPT and BCG for 2008-09 was Rs. 64.20 crores as compared to Rs. 32.20 crores in the previous year. This is when the Ministry procured less and delivered less. Now, the Ministry has commissioned HLL Lifecare Limited to build an integrated vaccine complex at Chennai. This PSU, having no experience in vaccine manufacturing, will procure bulk vaccines from private

130 manufacturers, repackage the same and sell. This will benefit private pharmaceuticals. Vaccine shortage is already taking the lives of children. Availability of vaccine has fallen by 30 per cent in different States. The Ministry must take urgent steps to revive the public sector units, to supply affordable and quality vaccines. Vaccine policy must be in place to prevent short-sighted decisions, which impact lives of millions. The President's Address, on June 4, 2009, promises that the vaccine producing institutes in the public sector will be revived to support the immunization programme. Now, action must be taken urgently and decisively to revive these units. VII. Demand to fill up vacancies of judges to clear backlog of cases SHRI : As of March 31, 2009, about 50,613 cases were lying pending in the Supreme Court, 38,74,090 in the High Courts, and 2.64 crores in the District and the Session Courts. About 30 per cent pending cases are criminal in nature, which require early disposal. Presently cases are pending on an average of 15 years. One of the main reasons of huge pendency is attributed to shortage of judges and not filling up the vacancies in various courts causing considerable delays in clearing the cases. It is said that justice delayed is justice denied. The Government, therefore, should take immediate necessary steps to fill up the vacant posts of judges in courts, consider the setting up of double shifts of courts, including mobile courts. The services of retired judges can be taken in this regard to clear the mounting backlog of cases, with a view to deliver the justice at the doorsteps of the people. ______STATEMENT BY MINISTER Significant developments in our neighbourhood THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI S. M. KRISHNA) : I rise to inform the House of significant developments in our relations with three important neighbours - Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal. Hon’ble Members will recall the Prime Minister's remarks, in this House, on June 9, 2009. He had said, then, that it is in our vital interest to

131 make peace with Pakistan. In our vision of a cooperative and harmonious sub-continent, the relationship between India and Pakistan can be a critical building block. The Prime Minister had also referred to our intention of meeting Pakistan more than half way, if its leaders have the courage, determination and statesmanship to take the high road to peace. These sentiments encapsulate our approach. We also recognize the importance and salience of continued dialogue with Pakistan. However, dialogue, addressing mutual concerns, is premised on an atmosphere free of the threat of violence. It was with this explicit premise that the Composite Dialogue Process was restarted on 2004. Despite achievements, the dialogue and our very relationship with Pakistan have come under stress recurrently because of the license which terrorist groups have had in Pakistan to carry out attacks on India. Hon’ble Members are aware of the Government of Pakistan's assurances to us, at the very highest level, that it would not let territories, under its control, to be used for attacks against India. Notwithstanding these assurances, we have been repeatedly and severely hit by a series of terrorists attacks emanating from Pakistan. It is the responsibility of the Government of Pakistan to take all such steps as are necessary to address this issue and expose and take action against the conspiracies and conspirators responsible for such attacks. Unfortunately, terrorists in Pakistan continue attacks against India. When the Prime Minister met President, Asif Ali Zardari, of Pakistan at the margins of the SCO Summit in Russia, last month, the President of Pakistan told us of Pakistan's efforts to deal with the menace of terrorism and the difficulties that they face. It was agreed that the Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan will discuss what Pakistan is doing and can do to prevent terrorism from Pakistan against India and to bring to justice those responsible for these attacks, including the horrendous crime of the attacks in Mumbai. After the Foreign Secretaries' report, we will be able to take stock of the situation at Sharm-el-Sheikh where at the margins of the Non-Aligned Summit, Prime Minister will be meeting the Pakistani leadership. Permit me now to briefly apprise the House of recent developments in Sri Lanka. As the hon. Members are aware, after more than two decades of conflict involving the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a terrorist organisation proscribed in India, the Sri

132 Lankan Government in mid-May 2009 proclaimed the end of military operations after wrestling back all the territories held by the LTTE. The death of several LTTE leaders was also announced, including that of Velupillai Prabhakaran, who is a proclaimed offender in India. This is a significant conclusion to the military conflict in Northern Sri Lanka. The end of military operations in the Northern and the Eastern Sri Lanka is an opportunity to rebuild the country after the ravages of conflict. In the immediate post-conflict situation, the most pressing concern is to ensure the early resettlement and rehabilitation of nearly three lakh Tamil civilians displaced by the conflict in the last year. The early return of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their homes is a crucial first step towards reclaiming their lives and restoring normalcy. We have been assured by the Sri Lankan Government and the President of their intention to proceed quickly with the task of resettlement. Mr. Basil Rajapaksa, Senior Adviser to the President of Sri Lanka, led a high-level delegation to India on June 24, 2009, when we studied the resettlement and rehabilitation issues in great detail. The Sri Lankan Government have committed themselves to resettling most IDPs in 180 days. India will provide every possible assistance in the task of rehabilitation, resettlement and reconstruction. Hon. Members will recall that Prime Minister himself announced in this august House India's firm commitment to engage with the process of relief and rehabilitation in Sri Lanka in keeping with our abiding interest in the well being of the Tamil people in that country. The Government has earmarked Rs.500 crores for this purpose and we are willing to do more. The immediate focus of the projects that will be taken up as part of this effort include deployment of four demining teams, which is a pre- requisite for IDPs to return to their homes, reconstruction of houses and supply of shelter material, medical assistance and provision and repair of civil infrastructure. Since November 2008, India has shipped 1.7 lakh family relief packs from for IDPs and civilians affected by the conflict. The packs included essential items such as dry rations, personal hygiene items, clothes, utensils, etc. and were distributed to the beneficiaries by the ICRC. Another consignment of family packs will be dispatched from Tamil Nadu shortly. India has also been operating a full-fledged 60-member field

133 hospital in Sri Lanka since March 2009. Since moving to its new location near Vavuniya after the end of military operations, more than 14,000 patients have been treated by the facility which is equipped with modern equipment and amenities and they have done commendable work. Further, two consignments of medicines have also been gifted to Sri Lanka in view of the urgent requirement for civilians and IDPs. The cessation of hostilities gives Sri Lanka an opportunity to make a new beginning and to build a better future for all her peoples, and, therefore, for the region as a whole. We are convinced that a closure to the cycle of violence and terrorism that has plagued Sri Lanka requires an inclusive political process of dialogue and devolution. Such a process must address the legitimate aspirations of the minorities, including the Tamil community, within the democratic framework of a united Sri Lanka. We have been assured by the Sri Lankan government of their intention to pursue a political process that envisages a broader dialogue with all parties, including the Tamil parties, the full implementation of the 13th amendment to the Sri Lankan constitution and to go beyond, so as to achieve a meaningful devolution of powers. We will remain engaged with them through this process. I would also like to take this opportunity to mention that the government continues to closely monitor incidents affecting the safety of our fishermen in the waters between India and Sri Lanka. We have reiterated to Sri Lanka the need to ensure strict compliance with the understanding on fishing arrangements reached between the two countries in October 2008. As a close neighbour with whom our security and prosperity are inescapably intertwined, the government attaches utmost importance to the future course of events in Sri Lanka and has an interest in ensuring that a lasting political settlement is reached. Finally, I wish to inform the house of recent developments in Nepal. As hon’ble Members are aware, the peace process in Nepal after the constituent assembly elections last year has gone through many ups and downs. Due to the nature of our relations and the open border, developments in Nepal have a direct impact on us. We are therefore concerned at the lack of progress on peace process issues and fraying of the political consensus that

134 was critical to the peace process. The task of constitution making has also not progressed as per agreed schedule, and it remains to be seen whether it can be completed by the stipulated timeframe of April 2010. There are also significant differences between political parties as to the structure of governance, issues like federalism, etc., which they need to resolve. The army integration special Committee, with the mandate to supervise, integrate and rehabilitate the combatants of the Maoist army, was constituted in January 2009 along with a technical committee. No tangible progress has been achieved by it on this issue too. over 19,600 combatants of the people's liberation army (PLA) of the Maoists and over 4000 cadres disqualified by the un mission in Nepal (UNMIN), which include minors, continue to stay in cantonments with their upkeep paid for by the government of Nepal and international donors. Prime Minister Prachanda resigned on may 4, 2009, after a political crisis brought about by his insistence on removal of the chief of army staff of Nepal army in spite of opposition from major political parties, including the main coalition partner CPN-UML, and advice of the President. Following his resignation, a new coalition government has been formed under the leadership of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal of CPN-UML. The coalition Government is supported by 22 political parties and enjoys a majority in the 601-member Constituent Assembly, which also acts as -. On her part, India has provided full support to the ongoing peace process in Nepal, including material assistance to strengthen the civil security forces and law enforcement machinery, and support for elections to the Constituent Assembly. We hope that the new government would be able to move expeditiously on the tasks of constitution-making and conclusion of peace process on the basis of the widest possible consensus. We have conveyed our commitment to assist the Government and the people of Nepal in their endeavour of transition to multi-party democracy and conclusion of peace process, in any manner and to the extent Nepal would like us to. The open border between India and Nepal offers opportunities as well as challenges. Recently, there were allegations in the Nepalese media of encroachments on the border by (SSB), which were found to be false. Strip maps covering about ninety six per cent of the India- Nepal boundary have been jointly finalized and initialed. We have also

135 agreed to establish local level mechanisms across the borders to address issues related to border management. Closure of the breach in the embankment of the Kosi river that occurred in August 2008 in Nepal has been carried out. We are also carrying out additional anti-erosion and protection works. Our relations with Nepal are unique and will continue to be a matter of highest priority for India. We do not view our fraternal ties with Nepal through the prism of its relations with any other country. A peaceful, democratic Nepal is in the interest of the people of Nepal, of India and of our region. India will continue to support Nepal in its democratic transition and economic development in any manner and to the extent it would like us to. Replying to the points raised by the Hon'ble Members, the Hon'ble Minister, said: India does respect the autonomy of all three nations and do not intend to interfere in their internal affairs. A number of issues have been raised. India has maintained that Pakistani soil is being used to attack India repeatedly and we have brought this to the notice of the Pakistan Government and we have tried to reason it out with them that they should not allow their territory to be used by terrorists. I hope Pakistan will make a determined bid to curb terrorism. Pakistan has accepted today that terrorist attacks were unleashed against India from their soil. We have been impressing on Pakistan that the terror infrastructure has to be dismantled there. I don't wish to pass a value judgement on why Prime Minister Prachanda had to resign. I was only recounting the facts. Our High Commissioner, in Sri Lanka, has visited some of camps. With Sri Lanka, we have been in continuous dialogue. Recently, a high-powered Delegation came and gave certain assurances with reference to the Tamil minorities. We will have to trust them and we hope that they will act in the days to come. Once the Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan meet and they come out with their assessment of the situation then, perhaps, the Prime Minister will be able to carry it forward at their next meeting. When we meet in Sharm-el-Sheikh, the Foreign Secretaries would have been able to exchange their views. We are committed to the welfare and safety of our fishermen. The Government has always taken up matters relating to their safety with Sri Lanka and come to an understanding with them in October, 2008.

136 Kachatheevu beongs to Sri Lanka. That is the position, as far as Government of concerned. If the fishermen of Tamil Nadu would like to fish, then we have to come to some understanding with Sri Lanka. We can certainly work out an understanding with the Sri Lankan Government in this regard. Wherever there are open borders unlawful activities are a natural phenomenon. We will have to continuously keep a vigil on the unlawful activities.

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

137