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LOK SABHA ___

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

Friday, July 12, 2019 / Ashadha 21, 1941 (Saka) ______

UNION BUDGET -2019-2020

DEMANDS FOR GRANTS-2019-2020

MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS-Contd.

SHRI VINOD KUMAR SONKAR: Due to the improvidence of the previous Governments, the development and modernization of the Railways has not been achieved as much as it should have been. Presently, around 50 lakh crores of rupees is needed to complete that. The proposal given by the hon'ble

Minister of Railways about the public private partnership model for the modernization and development of Railway will certainly expediate the modernization, upgradation and development of Railways and lakhs of youths will get employment opportunities through this. The steps taken by the Government for the security and development of Railways are as follows: Smart coach has been developed by incorporating technology for improving security.

* Hon. Members may kindly let us know immediately the choice of language (Hindi or English) for obtaining Synopsis of Lok Sabha Debates. has taken a decision to convert the construction of main line coaches completely as the LHB coach design from 2018-19. During this year and till now, 3478 unmanned level crossings have been eliminated. New initiative has been taken for the maintenance of tracks. Many projects have been started to provide rail connectivity to the north eastern states. Many steps have been taken for the beautification of stations. Initiative has been taken for the redevelopment of station in Indian Railways. Railways operates many new like Humsafar ,

Antyodaya train, Tejas trains etc and coaches with ultra-modern facilities as in

Deen Dayal coach and Vistadome coach. Publicity has been made for digital transactions. Facility for passenger has been improved. In conclusion, I request for the approval of the budget by supporting it and presenting my following demands before you. In the 2018-19 budget, the doubling and electrification survey of the railway line from Prayag to Unchahar via Kunda-Harnamganj was approved. Work should be started immediately after completing this. An under bridge should be constructed immediately in Biganpur village. An over bridge should be constructed in Kunda. Trains going to should be stopped in Sirathu railway station. The condition of small railway stations between Manauri and

Adasarai is poor and basic necessities like drinking water and toilets should be provided here. A new platform should be made at Sirathu railway station and one footrest should be constructed to connect platform no. 1 and 2. One footrest should be made to connect platform no. 1 and 2 at Bharwari railway station.

Sangam Express should be stopped at Manauri railway station. Intercity Express running between and Prayagraj should be stopped at Pariyawa railway station. Intercity Express running from Kanpur to Prayag should be run from

Prayag to Kanpur in the morning.

SHRI KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL: Hon'ble Minister of Railways has mentioned in the Budget to take steps to provide better facilities to all classes of passengers, ensure safety of their luggage, to maintain cleanliness in train, to improve quality of catering, ensure timely operation of trains and to increase existing speed of trains which is appreciable. There is a need to expand rail network in entire including my constituency Bhiwandi and to connect

Murwad Tehsil to new rail route. The work on Titwala-Murbad sanctioned rail line should be started. New local trains from Dahanu-Karsa-Karjan and Dahanu-Diva-

Panvel route should be started. Train services on Panvel-Diva-Bhiwandi Road –

Basai Road route should be increased. In order to promote rail tourism, pilgrim centres and tourist sites of Maharashtra have been given prominence. For this, I thank the hon'ble Minister of Railways and fully support the Demands for Grants of Railway Budget.

SHRI PRABHUBHAI NAGARBHAI VASAVA: I support the Demand for Grants of Rail Budget. Today new railway lines are being laid down, electrification of tracks are being carried out, platforms are being cleaned regularly and ‘Swachchhata Abhiyan’ is carried out daily in trains. Booking counters are required at railway station. There is not a single train from to

Gorakhpur via Bardoli. There is a need to run one train of this type - Stoppage of two trains out of three i.e. Surat-Bhagalpur, Bandra-Patna, Navjiwan Express is required to be provided at Bardoli station. There is a need to beautify Vyara railway station after expanding it. Stoppage of Bandra Bhusawal (Khandesh Exp.

Train No. 19003/19004) be provided immediately at Vyara Station and Uttar

Pradesh and bound train, Udhna- should be run daily. Ahmedabad-

Prayagraj, Bandra-Patna, Hamsafar Express etc. trains should be provided stoppage at Vyara station. An underpass should be constructed at Udhna-Jalgaon railway line, LC gate No. 3, Chalthan Taluka, Palsana. The construction of railway crossing at Surat-Dhuliya National Highway 53 has been stopped long ago. It should be constructed at the earliest. One MEMU train should be run from Surat to

Vyara via Nawapur.

SHRIMATI SHARDA A. PATEL: Hon'ble Prime Minister has taken pledge to strengthen the infrastructure of our country. The latest example is Zojila

Tunnel, which was inaugurated by hon'ble Prime Minister. It will facilitate all weather road link from Shrinagar to Kargil and Leh-Laddakh. The rail budget will take Indian Railways to new dimensions. Hon'ble Prime Minister and hon'ble Minister of Railways have made an effort to expedite the development of rail infrastructure.

There is an urgent need to build a Rail over bridge or under bridge at rail track near M.N. College and A.P.M.C. in my parliamentary constituency

Mahesana. The railway crossing road is very busy. When train crosses this point, there is heavy traffic at the crossing which results in wastage of time.

Therefore, I urge the hon'ble Minister of Railways to take urgent steps to streamline the traffic at this point.

SHRI RAHUL KASWAN: There is a need to lay down new track in my

Parliamentary Constituency from Sardar Sahar –Sadulpur-Taranagar, Sardar Sahar

– Hanumangarh, Adampur (Ber)-Bhadra-Sikar Nokha routes. These routes are very important from strategic and economic point of view. The Government has set up

‘Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh’. As there are no level crossings in rural areas villagers have to cross railway line for reaching their villages and farms. I request the government to include the construction of rail underpasses and level crossings under ‘Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh’ keeping in view the problems of farmers and villagers. Setting up of an EMU shed for the maintenance of electric engines at Sadulpur Railway station should be sanctioned. New trains from Shri

Ganganagar to Jaipur (via - Sadulpur, Churu, Sikar), Shri Ganganagar-Delhi (via -

Sadulpur, Rewari), Shri Ganganagar-Jodhpur (via - Sadulpur, Churu, Degana), Bikaner-Jaipur (via-Ratangarh Churu), Bikaner-Degana (via-Ratangarh) and

Jodhpur-Haridwar (via – Ratangarh-Sadulpur) should be run. Keeping in view the feelings of the common man Churu-Ludhiyana Express should be extended up to

Ratangarh and stoppage of at Sidhmukh and Tilakbridge Fast

Passenger train at all the stations after Nohar should be provided. Two additional platforms had been sanctioned at Sadulpur Junction of North-Western Railway long ago but work in this regard has not started yet. This work should be completed at the earliest by sanctioning the requisite amount. Alongwith this at

Chhapar, Parihara of Ratangarh-Degana section and at Bhadra and Nohar railway station of Sadulpur – Shri Ganganagar section platforms are constructed at low lying land and there is a need to lift them by strengthening and improving it. There is an urgent need to provide tin shed and drinking water at Ratangarh, Sujangarh,

Churu, Sadulpur, Sardar Shahar, Nohar Bhadra, Chhapar, Parihara, Sidhmukh and

Anoopshahar railway stations in view of passenger amenities. At Ratangarh-Sardar

Shahar section 10 number under bridge is constructed near Ratangarh Cabin station which is quite small, it should be made bigger. In my Parliamentary Constituency at Sadulpur-Ratangarh, Bikaner and Ratangarh-Degana section problem of water logging should be solved at all under bridges. There was an underbridge C-66 at

115/1-2 km on the southern side of Bhadra railway station which was closed later.

My suggestion is that at that side an under bridge (lowering the height) of 4x3m may be constructed to facilitate the passage of small vehicles. Railway level crossing C-24 at the eastern side of Sardar Shahar railway station has been closed in place of which a rail under bridge at 42 km on the western side of the station should be constructed.

SHRI DEVJI PATEL: On this occasion I would like to draw attention towards problems of my Constituency, Jalore-Sirohi. An announcement was made to connect Jalore-Sirohi-Udaipur and Ambaji Abu Road to rail line but work has not been started so far in this regard. Bhagat ki Kothi-Sabarmati Intercity Express train 14819/20 should be named after Sudha Mataji. Pantry car facility should be provided in -Jodhpur Express Up/Down 16125/16126 and frequency of this train should also be increased. Around seven lakh people of Jalore-Sirohi are residing in various cities of South . Following train services should be introduced from my constituency to : Bengaluru to Jodhpur via

Samdari Bhildi; to Jodhpur via Samdari Bhildi; Coimbatur to Jodhpur via Samdari Bhildi; Chennai to Jodhpur via Samdari Bhildi. DMU (79437/79438,

79431/79432) train should be extended upto Falna. Stoppage of Bikaner-Bandra-

Bikaner train, Ashram Express (12915/12916) and Haridwar Mail (19105/19106) should be provided at Swaroopganj railway station. Passenger amenities should be provided in Jalore district and Sanchore should be provided rail connectivity.

Employment opportunities will be increased in this area as a result thereof. SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM: Presently 657 Kms Metro Rail Network is operational country wide. My certain suggestions for Rail Ministry are as follows:- Top priority of Railway should be safety, security, punctuality and cleanliness; operational ratio needs to be minimized; staff should be downsized; railway is top heavy, it should be reduced; Railway accounting should involve not only Indian Railway Account service officers but should have officials of Indian

Audits and Account services on deputation, Chief Security officer should be made senior to GM and not of analogous post. Government has decided to close unmanned railway crossing. Without having any alternate arrangement of RUB or

ROB construction which can create a lot of problems, constructing L.H.S. in place of unmanned Railway crossing or nearby, may be its solution. Some other demands related to my parliamentary constituency Palamu are:- -

Ranchi may be run daily. Attention may be paid soon to construct broad gauge from Rafiganj to Daltonganj. 12877/12878 Ranchi- New

Delhi Garibrath via Barkakana- Daltonganj may be made to run daily.

18613/18614 Ranchi Chopan Express may be run daily via Tori Lohardaga.

11447/11448 Howrah Jabalpur Shakti Express may be extended upto Mumbai to run daily bi-weekly. 12453/12454 Ranchi- New Delhi Rajdhani Express should have increased reservation in Daltonganj. 13025/13026 Howrah Express weekly may be started again. Stoppage of 18631/18632 Ranchi Ajmer Gareeb Nawaz weekly express may be given at Banasthali Niwaai. Stoppage of Palamu Express may be given at Rajhara, Karkata and Kajraat, Nawadih stations, MMU between

Gadhwa to Ranchi may be started. Train No. 14372/14371 (Triveni Link Express) may be extended upto Ranchi. Train No. 14372/14371 runs upto Barwadih

Chopan, in Chopan after connecting to Lucknow- Bareili, goes upto Tanakpur. It may be extended upto Ranchi via Latehar, Tori (Chandwaa) going from Lohardaga ahead of Barwadih. Again, it may be started from Ranchi in the morning as 14371

Triveni Link Express.

SHRI RAJU BISTA: I would like to place following demands: necessity of modernization of New Station, introduction of important trains at

Siliguri Town station to reduce the burden on New Jalpaiguri station, extension of

Darjeeling Mail Train from Gulma to Sealdaha to facilitate the Tourist to visit

Darjeeling and Sikkim and to increase local employment, construction of underpass or flyover at unmanned railway crossing on Bagrakot station, construction of wildlife corridor from Darjeeling--Kokrajhar (Assam), renovation of DHR Engine Shed at Darjeeling railway station.

SHRI JUGAL KISHORE SHARMA: Due to lack of railway connectivity several places of my parliamentary constituency are very backward. I am feeling pride to share that the survey work regarding laying of railway line from Jammu to

Punch has been completed. Jammu station has got several historical heritage status including inclusion in the list of model station. There are so many places in

Jammu where there is no railway over bride or railway under bride like Chak

Bajlata, Vijaypur, Samba, Railway overbridge and underbrigde should be constructed at the earliest on the said places. Two more escalators and three new platforms should be constructed at Jammu station. It is necessary to overcome the security lapses at Jammu railway station as walls of station are also broken and cctv cameras are installed in a very less number. More funds may be allocated in the budget to start work immediately regarding laying of rail lines from Jammu to

Poonch.

SHRI PASHUPATI NATH SINGH: Railway is working for 30 years to prevent encroachment on railway land but still people have encroached 2033 hectares railway land. This encroachment is mainly in cities and is very dangerous in view of railway security. 1145 encroachment cases are in Northern Railway and this is with hobnobbing with railway officers. Railway wagons are not properly being utilised, besides there is scarcity of wagons. I would like to put following demands regarding railway development in Dhanbad, my parliamentary constituency: introduction of a new train from Dhanbad to New Delhi , extension of Hatia Yeshwantpur Express to Dhanbad , introduction of a new train from

Dhanbad to Ahmadabad, introduction of ten rounds of daily passengers trains from

Gomoh station to Asansol, introduction of ten rounds of daily passengers train from Bokaro to Bhojudih, completion of laying of railway lines from Bhojudih to

Bokaro via Chandankiyari Chas Station , stoppage of express trains at Chas station

, completion of laying of approved railway lines from Dhanbad to Giridiha, formation of railway division in Bokaro and it may be attached to Dhanbad or

Ranchi division in place of Aadra, formation of railway zones comprising

Dhanbad, Chakradharpur of Jharkhand leaving Adra rail division.

DR. SUBHAS SARKAR: I would like to place the following demands for

Jangal Mahal area of : construction of rail lines -

Mukutmanipur- 48 Km (Year of sanction 2005-2006), Purulia- Jhargram rail line,

Bishnupur- Tarakeswar rail line, Bowaichandi- Khana Jn. rail line; and escalator at

Bankura Jn.

SHRI KRISHNA PAL SINGH YADAV ALIAS DR. K. P. YADAV:

There is no direct train from Ashok Nagar in my constituency to Delhi. First, we have to go to Gwalior or Bhopal, then from there take a train for Delhi. The key demands for my Parliamentary Constituency are Jabalpur- Indore train may soon be started; Work for Railway under bridge in Ashok Nagar Headquarter should commence as fund has been allocated; Passenger waiting hall has not been constructed till date at Ashok Nagar Railway Station. It's very important to modernise the Ashok Nagar Railway station; Sawai Madhopur- Shivpuri- Jhansi

Railway line work should start soon as it's survey work is completed; Under bridge or over bridge on Guna- Bamori road may be constructed; Budget amount of Rs.

395.52 crores may soon be allocated for 80 Kms Rail line connecting Piprai and

Lalitpur via Chanderi; Superfast train may be started from Ashok Nagar to Delhi;

Under bridge or over bridge on village Shadhoura Railway crossing; Work of about 348 Kms new rail line of Guna- Itawa via Shivpuri- Gwalior- Bhind has not started yet; Temporarily closed Naagda- Bina, Bina- Naagda, Jabalpur- Indore

Intercity, Indore- Jabalpur Intercity, Shalimaar- Udaipur Express, Udaipur-

Shalimaar Express are urgently required to start soon and stoppage should be provided at Ashok Nagar District Headquarter.

PROF. S.P. SINGH BAGHEL: I would like to request the Hon. Minister of

Railways to extend the circulating area of Agra Cantonment Railway Station.

Various technical training and courses needs to be introduced in Agra based multi- disciplinary training centre. Funds meant for the beautification of Tundla Railway

Station lying pending may please be allocated. Stoppage of Puri and Sangam

Express may please be provided at Burhan Junction. There should be stoppage of

Paryagraj Express and at Tundla Junction.

DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE: Railway is a cheap and affordable means of transportation for millions of passengers on an average, Indian Railways carriage 22.24 million passengers and 3.04 million tonnes of freight each day. With the budgetary allocation of Rs. 65, 837 crore it is the highest ever outlay for capital expenditure amounting to Rs. 1.60 lakh crore in the Railways. Alongside, huge

Budgetary allocation on various counts including modernization, CCTV installation with requisite emphasis on safety and skill development would surely go a long way in further enriching the national carrier in the time to come.

SHRIMATI SUMALATHA AMBAREESH: The Budget speech indicates that the railway is moving towards privatization. We have proposed world-class railway stations. But in reality, world-class railway stations are not progressing in a very fast mode. I urge upon the government to conduct a third party survey for assessment of cleanliness in all the railway stations and trains. The Government should scrap the application fee for women applicants. I would like to point out that the provisions of separate rest rooms, cloak rooms for women are made in all the railway stations of two tier and three tier cities and towns also. The hon'ble minister should look into the e-catering service to ensure that better quality food is served. The hon'ble Minister is requested to expedite the works pertaining to

Conversion of entire railway network into broad gauge, chalk out plan for doubling, third and fourth line works of the railway lines as per the increasing traffic of railways. The Government should introduce a separate train for women commuter between and Mysore railway line. I also request to add more coaches to the existing trains on the railway line between Bangalore and Mysore.

The Government should allocate and release adequate fund to expedite the railway line Kengeri to Chamarajanagara. There is an urgent need to implement the

Suburban rail project in Bangalore city.

DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT: I request the Hon'ble Railway

Minster to run the Khandesh Express train daily from Nandurbar to Mumbai. A new train from Nandurbar to Pune need to be started. The demand of the stoppages of trains in my constituency should be fulfilled. At Nandurbar Railway Station, an elevator should be made available.

SHRI SUDARSHAN BHAGAT: For the development of my Parliamentary

Constituency Lohardaga, running of New Delhi Rajdhani Express at least two days a week via Lohardaga, laying of Ranchi-Lohardaga-Gumla-Jashpur-Korba railway line, Electrification and doubling of Ranchi-Lohardaga-Turi Railway line and an extension of train no. 58659 and Hatia Raurkela passenger train no. 13320

Ranchi Deogarh Baidyanath Dham Intercity Express upto Lohardaga are called for.

New avenues of employment should be created for the youth by way of skill development and through other means.

SHRI RAJENDRA DHEDYA GAVIT: There is a need to enhance the number of local trains originating from Mumbai. This apart, special recruitment drive for filling up of the posts lying vacant for the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled

Tribes and the Other Backward Classes , provision of shade and flooring at the

Railway Stations coupled with modernization of Railway Stations and Railway Colonies are required. I support the Demands for Grants of Railways for the year

2019-2020.

SHRIMATI KESHARI DEVI PATEL: I demand that the Prayagraj to

Allahabad Duranto train should not be stopped. I also request to add general coaches with the which run from Prayagraj to New Delhi and to do away with the Flexi Fare Rules in this train. All the trains which pass through

Allahabad junction should be given stoppage at this junction and the quota of reserve seats should be allotted to this junction. The special train which ply between Prayagraj and Indore should be made a regular train. The Allahabad

Mumbai Duranto Express and the Ganga- Express should run 7 days in a week. A Shatabadi Express should run from Prayagraj to Lucknow and it should also be extended upto . The Ganga-Gomati Express should be started from the newly built Subedarganj station. The Allahabad Junction and the Subedarganj

Station should be renamed as Prayagraj Junction and Prayagraj cantt station respectively. I also request to immediately start work on the Bakshi Dam ROB.

SHRI MUKESH RAJPUT: Indian Railways is the life line of India enabling over 3.5 crore passengers to reach their destination daily. During the current Government there has been noticeable improvement in cleanliness, safe drinking water, wi-fi facility and the other civic facilities at the railway stations. In terms of women's safety Indian Railways has set a distinct benchmark. Alongside, there is a need to undertake doubling of Kanpur-Farukhabad-Kasganj-Mathura railway line, proper arrangement for the passage of water from underpass and introduction of a daily Intercity Express from Farukhabad to Hajrat Nizammudin via Nimkrodi Dham-Mainpuri-Tundla-Agra-Mathura. Besides, a train needs to be introduced from Farukhabad to Bareilly via Kasganj.

SHRIMATI GITABEN VAJESINGBHAI RATHVA: My Parliamentary

Constituency Chotta Udaipur is a tribal majority area. I demand that rail lines should be built from Chotta Udaipur to Umrali road Dusshera Maidan substation,

Alirajpur railway station in Seja and Jobat. The rail line from to Halol via Pavagadh, Shivrajpur, Pani Mines should be connected with Jaitpur line.

Dabhoi and Ankleshwar should be connected with Alirajpur rail line.

THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND MINISTER OF COMMERCE

AND INDUSTRY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL) replying said: Railway is such an organisation that works 24x7. The system we got in legacy in the year 2014 was in quite bad shape. Over the last five years, we have accelerated the pace of work on all accounts whether is it gauge conversion or doubling, tripling, quadrupling, or electrification or laying down new rail lines. During the last five years, investment on Capital Expenditure has increased by around two and a half time. I have compiled the suggestions advanced by the hon. Members. Many Members have raised their concern over the stoppages or introduction of new trains. It is common knowledge that these things cannot be accomplished over- night. The Department will undertake a feasibility study on those counts. However, I have noted all the issues and all of you will receive a written communication in that regard. I would like to submit that earlier the Railway Budget used to be a political Budget. There used to be announcement for the introduction of hundreds of trains and laying of new tracks with a view to winning elections and appease the people of the constituencies. In firm departure from the previous trend, the Prime Minister decided that only such things be projected before the people that can actually be executed. Dedicated freight corridor was started in the year 2007 and not even one kilometer's track linking was carried out between the year 2007 and 2014. Post

2014, it has been only within a period of 5 years that the Government have hitherto been able to complete track linking of 1900 kilometers. By the year 2021, we shall accomplish both the projects of dedicated freight corridor. The Government aims at extending the facilities provided by the Railways through length and breadth of the country, ensuring pleasant and smooth journey and making addition to the carriage capacity of the Railways. Therefore, the Government has taken a decision to give an impetus to public-private partnerships and corporatize a few units. This also happens to be a work commenced during the previous regime which has been left incomplete and we are going to complete it. The Government has increased the capacity of density networks and propose to build all the more dedicated freight corridors, add momentum to golden quadrilateral, phase out ICF coaches completely and replace them with LHB coaches. Signaling system has to be made automatic throughout the country. The Government endeavours to bring in massive investment to complete all these works and the Opposition should aid and appreciate the Government on this count. Rai Bareilly, based modern coach factory project was sanctioned way back in 2007-08 but not even a single coach would be manufactured there until 2014 while during the year 2017-

18 and 2018-19 there has been production of 711 and 1425 coaches respectively.

If we make further investment in it, Rai Bareilly based factory has a potential of becoming the largest factory of the world. No one can afford to privatise the

Railways but Investment must be allowed to be made therein. The Government has accorded primacy to the safety and security aspects. The number of accidents has also declined. Several parameters of efficiency are being improved upon.

Initiatives have been undertaken to enhance facilities offered by the Railways by signing many MOUs. The renovation of tracks has been carried further which has led to improvement in safety. On electrification front, we are committed to having

100 per cent electrification in the entire Indian railways a few years down the line.

Indigenously designed semi high speed train viz. 'Vande Bharat' has been manufactured. Engineers and workers deserve compliments for it. The

Government has taken serious pains to link the agro-producers with trains. There was a target to install bio-toilets in all the trains by the year 2021-22. It gives me pleasure to share with you that all the trains shall be equipped with bio-toilets in the next 12 months only. On the concerns for the escalators, lifts and disabled I would like to inform the House that it has been only during the last five years that as many as 457 escalators and 377 lifts have been installed as against miniscule quantity earlier. Automatic data loggers have been put up to examine and assess punctuality in place of manual computation. With the launch of 'Rail-Drishti' App, a complete information regarding the movement of trains is available in the public domain. This technological intervention has led to transparency in the functioning of the Railways. 54 new projects in West Bengal and 9 projects in Kerala are in currency but sadly, due to the non-cooperation of the State Governments concerned they are yet to be completed. The Government has taken a decision to construct suburban railways at Bangaluru in . It is common knowledge that a few of the railway bridges are centuries' old and they are being subjected to audit Division-wise and Zone-wise. In a bid to bring in transparency and let the element of accountability usher in the system, the details of every bridge, ROB and

FOB is being made available through Railway app which covers the details of inspection and action both. As far as the issue of corruption is concerned, the

Government does not interfere with legal course of matters lying pending in the courts. A bullet train in Maharashtra is an important project which is delayed due to the tardy pace of land acquisition at Palghar. The Government would acquire the land in a brotherly spirit and would complete the work within the schedule time frame. Railway makes investments keeping in view the requirements of the entire nation and will not be discriminated against.

All the Cut Motions moved were negatived.

All the Demands for Grants (General) were voted in full.

______

THE CENTRAL UNIVERSITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2019

THE MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR.

RAMESH POKHRIYAL NISHANK) moving the motion for consideration of the

Bill said: There was a provision in Andhra Pradesh State Reorganisation Act, 2014 to establish one Central University and one Central Tribal University in Andhra

Pradesh. I am proud to say that the Government is very much focused to impart quality education. With this resolve, this Bill has been moved in this House for consideration and passing. Andhra Pradesh Government had offered 491.23 acres of land for Central University and 525.08 acres of land for tribal university. The

Ministry of Human Resource Development had sent a selection committee over there and the committee recommended to establish Central University in

Ananthpur district and Central Tribal University in Vijayanagram district. The Central University Act, 2009 was introduced in Parliament as well but could not be passed by this House. On 12th February, 2019 and 13th February, 2019 it was moved for consideration in Lok Sabha but discussion could not take place thereupon. Thereafter due to the dissolution of the 16th Lok Sabha, the Bill lapsed. After the General Election and formation of our Government, the Cabinet approved the setting up of these two Universities in its very second meeting and this Bill was introduced on 8th July, 2019 in this House. The Cabinet has made a provision of Rs.450 crore for the Central University and Rs.420 crore for the

Central Tribal University. I humbly request to consider and pass this Bill.

SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH initiating said: We are discussing a very important Bill in this august House. Apart from Goa, Andhra Pradesh is the only

State in India which does not have any Central University. The objective of establishing two universities in Andhra Pradesh is to increase access and quality of higher education and research facilities for the people of Andhra Pradesh. But there is no mention of funding pattern for universities in this Bill. There is no mention about the curriculum and administration of the Universities. It is unclear whether the University would be reserved for tribals or not. What percentage of tribal population will get the benefits of this University? The Central Universities in India are vastly understaffed. A large number of posts are vacant in the Central

Universities of Karnataka and Kerala, how can they run the University? I would like to request the hon. Minister to rename the Central University, Kasargod as

Sree Narayana Guru University.

SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY: One Central Tribal University and another General Central University is being established through this Bill. There were 20 universities in India at the time of Independence. We are discussing the subject of Central Universities today because the Government of India gives importance to education. Presently, there are approximately 700 universities and

40,000 colleges across the country. The students need to have degrees and that is why they go to the universities, otherwise their studies go on in the coaching institutes. It is high time we thought about the flaws in our education system. In

India, we have a tuition industry of about $40 billion with 35 per cent CAGR and online education of about Rs.3500 crore. The Government can establish even more Central Universities but there is a need to pay attention on the quality of education. Three Central Universities were promised for Bihar. I request the hon.

Minister to accord the status of Central University to the Jai Prakash Univesity and the Patna University.

PROF. SOUGATA RAY: This Bill proposes to set up two new universities in Andhra Pradesh. This tribal university will be the first tribal university in India. So, we have to devise new courses. I feel that a Central

University should appeal to the whole country and students from all over the country should come to the Central University. There is only one Central

University in Bengal–Visva-Bharti University. Now that University is in a very bad State. So, the Visva-Bharti University should be looked after quickly. There is a demand for another full-fledged Central University in Bengal. The universities should foster scientific temperament. Pseudo-sciences like astrology should not be taught in the universities.

SHRI LAVU SRIKRISHNA DEVARAYALU: The State of Andhra

Pradesh was divided in the year 2014. These two Universities have already been functioning for the last one year in Andhra Pradesh. But they do not have the legal sanctity till now. But with this Bill, they are getting the legal sanctity. I urge upon the Minister to sanction the funds for the University as per the DPR sent by the

Vice-Chancellor. We established Ekalavya schools in areas where tribal population is more. The Budget allocated for these schools has been reduced. Unless we strengthen the schooling system, we cannot expect the Central Tribal University to be successful. The Central University at Ananthpur is conducting only one course, which is B.A. (Political Science) and some vocational courses. We expect the

University to run with few more courses.

SHRI RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE: This Central University and the

Central Tribal University have been sanctioned for Andhra Pradesh according to the Andhra Pradesh Re-organization Act, 2014. Hon. Finance Minister in her Budget speech had said that the Government would attract foreign students to study in India. I feel that we should care more for the students from our country itself. A number of posts are vacant in Mumbai University due to which the students suffer a lot. I request the Government to provide necessary funds to

Mumbai University. The Government should conduct an enquiry into the alleged paper checking and admission process in Mumbai University.

SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB: We are not able to find faculties for our Central Universities. If we establish more IIMs, IITs and Central Universities then we will have to attract faculties. In this Budget, the hon. Finance Minister talked about ‘Study in India’ which means we want to attract more foreign students to study higher education in our universities. Odisha had asked for having a

Central Tribal Univesity in Odisha because Odisha is the repository of more than

24 tribes. The first Central Tribal University is in and the second one is going to be established in Andhra Pradesh. An announcement has been made to establish a Central Tribal University in but this has not seen the light of the day. I demand that Central Tribal Universities should be established in tribal dominated states on the lines of such universities being established in every state.

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE: I support this Bill. We should have an integrated discussion on education and include all these Bills, instead of bringing separate Bills on education in a piecemeal manner. I would like to state that the Central Government programme called Kasturba Gandhi

Balika Vidyalaya, which is specifically for tribal girls should be extended in the entire country up to 12th standard. If there is an integrated programme at Melghat in Amravati district and Palghar in Thane district of my State, we would be happy to welcome it. So, I request the Government to form an integrated programme for the entire country and to bring in a New Education Policy.

SHRI RAM MOHAN NAIDU KINJARAPU: Some of the educational institutions of the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh has gone into the share of in consequence of the enforcement of the A.P. Reorganization Act. So I would like to thank the hon. Minister for bringing this Bill to provide for the Central

Tribal University and the Central University for our State. A number of institutions were promised to be set up in Andhra Pradesh such as IIT, NIT and

IIM but all these institutions are being run in temporary campuses. Neither the permanent faculties nor the facilities are there in these institutions. Besides, the corpus of fund released for them is much less than the budget estimate. Hence a time-frame should be fixed for the completion of these institutions.

SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL: This is the biggest initiative taken by the

Government with an intention to ensure equitable right of education to all thereby enabling everybody to get education. This Bill is certainly going to facilitate the setting up of a Central University and a Central Tribal University in Andhra

Pradesh. There is a provision of reservation for Schedule Castes and Scheduled

Tribes in Navodaya Vidyalayas but such reservation is not available to the other backward castes in these schools and hence it needs to be brooded over seriously.

In addition to it, the Rajasthan University located in Jaipur should be upgraded as

Central University so that it may get additional grants from the University Grants

Commission and the intervention of the State Government may come down. At last, I support this Bill.

SHRI VINOD KUMAR SONKAR: This is such a Bill that will garner the support of all the hon. Members and hence I also support it. I would like to know whether the provision of 10 per cent reservation made by the Modi Government for the poor of the upper castes in the university will remain intact or not. The

Government suddenly accorded the status of minority institution to the Jamia

Millia Islamia University in 2006. This has rendered the provision of reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Castes inapplicable in this institution. I would like to request that a white paper on the Aligarh Muslim

University should be issued.

DR. AMAR SINGH: With reference to the report submitted by the standing committee on HRD, I would like to say that there are a large number of students under the State Universities but more funds are being given to the Central Universities. The Government should look into the reason behind this and see whether it can make a balance between them. It has also been mentioned that 6719 posts out of 17834 lying vacant in the Universities and hence the Government should take step to fill these posts. The Punjab University is 100 years old and is in pitiable condition and the Government should pay attention to it.

PROF. S.P. SINGH BAGHEL: The Government is going to set up a university for the tribal children with an outlay of Rs. 900 crore. This is what may be called Antyodaya. The Agra University was set up as early as in 1827 and 26 new universities have been carved out of it since then, but no tangible development has been made in respect of this university. Only the name of this university has been changed to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University. That’s why the Agra University should be upgraded as the Central University as a tribute to Baba Saheb.

Moreover, Agra college should be made a deemed university.

SHRI JASBIR SINGH (DIMPA) GILL: This is a good Bill. I would like to urge the Government that the tribal school of sports should necessarily be set up under the Tribal University which is going to be set up. I have observed that the big corporate houses of India have made their fortune in India but have provided grants to the foreign universities. I would like to know whether the Government is likely to make any provision for corporate houses so that they may provide grants to the Indian universities as they are making money in India. DR. RAMESH POKHRIYAL NISHANK replying said: After independence, It is the Modi Government who has set up institutions of national and international level in such a short span of time after the reorganization of a State. We are continuously working towards the establishment of these higher institutions. I am of the opinion that the Nalanda University, the Vikramshila University or the Taxila University used to be the top institutions of the world and they served as the light-house for the entire world when much importance was not added to education. An hon. Member has expressed his concerned about the Vishwabharati Vishwavidyala and I believe that our Government is wholeheartedly facilitating this university to grow. Vishwabharati Vishwavidyala is our top priority. At the same time, the matters of foreign students and the Mumbai University have been raised which stand to be our first priority. Our three institutions namely IIT Mumbai, IIT Delhi and ISC Bengaluru have acquired top positions in the world ranking and other 23 institutions are about to fulfil the criteria. We are making fast growth in the education sector. Both the students getting education and the teachers providing education abroad belong to us. Therefore, we will bring back not only the students but also the teachers under the Study in India Programme and we will take our education system to the pinnacle. We have brought in four Bills on the education system in a month and will continue to make efforts towards this end. As far as the issues of appointments are concerned, I have already said that all the vacant posts will be filled up in the next six months. A corpus of Rs. 1700 crore has been approved in principle for both of these institutions of Andhra Pradesh. At present, we have given Rs. 420 crore and Rs. 450 crore just as token money and it will be ensured that they are completed within four years. I would like to assure the hon. Members that whatever has been done by our Government will bring 100 per cent result. Our Government has tried its best to ensure that no state is left untouched in terms of setting up of institutions. About JNU, I would like to say that JNU is considered as one of the best research institutes in the world. We will ensure that its standard is maintained and would endeavor to uplift the same. This Government is totally committed towards strengthening the education system of the country. I have a firm belief that India will definitely regain the status of 'Vishwa Guru'.

The Bill was passed.

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PRIVATE MEMBER'S BILL

COMPULSORY VOTING BILL, 2019

SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL moving the motion for consideration of the Bill, said: It is a well known fact that India is the largest democratic country in the world. After Independence, several electoral reforms have taken place as per the democratic needs of the country from time to time. But still our country needs more electoral reforms. And, Compulsory Voting Bill,

2019 is one of those important electoral reforms. The first ever general election was held in 1952 and poll percentage stood at mere 45.67 per cent. It increased to

67.6 per cent during the recent general elections held in 2019. It shows that still 33 per cent voters of this country are not exercising their franchise which is a matter of great concern for all of us. To improve the poll percentage over and above the

90 per cent mark at least, this Compulsory Voting Bill has been brought in. We should work together to strengthen the democratic set up of the country.

Democracy in the real sense of the term ensures cent per cent voting and participation of each and every citizen in the formation of the Government. I am of the opinion that we should seriously consider to implement compulsory voting to prevent the use of black money in elections. Approximately 32-33 countries have provided for compulsory voting across the world. A good democracy is one where cent percent voting takes place that means that every citizen participates in the formation of the government. If it happens voluntarily, nothing like that.

During the recent elections in 2019, 67 per cent voting is not acceptable by any yardstick. is the only state in our country where the Assembly had passed a law in the year 2009 to make voting compulsory in the local body elections.

However, the then Governor had returned this Bill stating that it was in the violation of the Article 21 of the Constitution. The Governor contended that it will be like imposing voting on the people which is against the Constitution. Though, the then Chief Minister and now Hon. Prime Minister had termed it as a step towards strengthening the democracy through discipline. If the use of black- money is to be checked in the elections then we ought to ponder over compulsory voting seriously. Today, dozens, to be specific 32-33 countries have compulsory voting by law. Today, this law is being followed there and those who violate this law are imposed fines or are made to carry out community service. However, some exemptions have been given in this system also. As far as its implementation in India is concerned, we will have to face some challenges. The Election

Commission gave good facilities to the voters in the recent elections. I would like to emphatically say that a suitable law should be enacted for compulsory voting. I would appeal to all the voters that it may not be legally binding upon the voters, but there should be awareness among the voters that they have to go to the polling booths and cast their votes.

SHRI AJAY MISRA TENI initiating said: I believe that voting should be so simplified that people should feel self-motivated to visit polling booths but no law should be enacted to make it compulsory. Elections should be held only once in five years in our country, such a system should be evolved. When elections are held for the 3-tier panchayats then no confidence motion should be brought in the middle of their term. Similar Code of Conduct should also be made for the political parties so that they should not bring no confidence motion during the five years and the elected Government should be given opportunity to work for the entire term of five years. Only in unprecedented circumstances the Government should be run by the President’s or Governor’s rule but elections should be held only once in a five years. It is not necessary to enact a law for compulsory voting rather we should make the people of the country educationally and socially aware. Good people should enter politics and efforts should be made so that we can vote easily.

DR. NISHIKANT DUBEY: The people elect their representative by way of voting in a election. Voting is a tool by which people get their problems resolved.

In spite of that, the people do not come out or come in very less number for voting. That is why this Bill to provide for compulsory voting has been introduced.

There are 28 countries in the world where there is a provision for compulsory voting. But the problems which this provision has entailed are beyond description.

Everywhere this provision has generated resentment among the people. Now,

NOTA has become a big problem in our country. If the lesser voters' participation is a reflection of frustration and rejection of democracy among the electorate then this frustration is reflected by NOTA also. It is important for this Parliament to deliberate more on simultaneous election in this country than compulsory voting.

Secondly, there is no alternative other than going out and casting vote on polling booth. We should also try to well define the role of Supreme Court and Parliament.

We must remember that if we do not change the provisions relating to NOTA, the democracy will be in danger.

SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL: It is the earnest desire of the people as well as the elected Government of this country that every person casts his vote. We want compulsory voting so that there is maximum participation from the people in elections. Further, there should be a debate on NOTA also. The countries, who have introduced the provision of NOTA, have also made a provision for compulsory voting. (Speech unfinished).

The discussion was not concluded.

SNEHLATA SHRIVASTAVA Secretary General

© 2019 BY LOK SABHA SECRETARIAT NOTE: It is the verbatim Debate of the Lok Sabha and not the Synopsis that should be considered authoritative.

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