(THURSDAY, THE 24TH MARCH, 2005) (The Rajya Sabha met in the Parliament House at 11-00 a.m.) 11-00 a.m. 1. Starred Questions The following Starred Questions were orally answered:- Starred Question No.321 regarding Blue print of Tsunami Warning System. Starred Question No.322 regarding Creation of special economic regions. Starred Question No.323 regarding Visit of Afghan President to India. Starred Question No.324 regarding Indians in Iraq. Starred Question No.325 regarding Accidents in . Starred Question No.327 regarding Potential of bio-tech industry. Starred Question No.328 regarding Manufacture of tele-communications equipment. Starred Question No.329 regarding Agreements with Iran. Starred Question No.331 regarding Reduction in land line charges. Answers to remaining Starred Question Nos. 326 and 331 to 340 were laid on the Table. 2. Unstarred Questions Answers to Unstarred Question Nos. 2471 to 2625 were laid on the Table. 12-00 Noon 3. Announcement by Chair The Chairman made the following announcement:— “Hon’ble Members, today none of the Vice-Chairmen is present. The Deputy Chairman has also gone to Bangalore. If the House agrees, we may nominate Shri C. Ramachandraiah, Shri Datta Meghe, Shrimati Prema Cariappa and Shri Ram Nath Kovind.” 24TH MARCH, 2005 12-01 p.m. 4. Papers Laid on the Table Shri Mahavir Prasad (Minister of Small Scale Industries and Agro & Rural Industries) laid on the Table:— I. (1) A copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following papers, under sub- section (3) of section 24 and sub-section (4) of section 23 of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act, 1956:— (a) Annual Report of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission, Mumbai, for the year 2003-2004. (b) Annual Accounts of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission, Mumbai, for the year 2003-2004, and the Audit Report thereon. (c) Statement by Government accepting the above Report. (2) Statement (in English and Hindi) giving reasons for the delay in laying the papers mentioned at (1) above. II. (1) A copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following papers, under sub- section (1) of section 19 of the Coir Industries Act, 1953:— (a) Fiftieth Annual Report of the Coir Board, Kochi, for the year 2003-2004. (b) Annual Accounts of the Coir Board, Kochi, for the year 2003-2004, and the Audit Report thereon. (c) Statement by Government accepting the above Report. (2) Statement (in English and Hindi) giving reasons for the delay in laying the papers mentioned at (1) above.

Shri T.R. Baalu (Minister of Shipping, Road Transport & Highways) laid on the Table a copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following papers:— (a) Thirty-eighth Annual Report of the Seamen’s Provident Fund Organisation, Mumbai, for the year 2003-2004. (b) Annual Accounts of the Seamen’s Provident Fund Organisation, Mumbai, for the year 2003-2004, and the Audit Report thereon.

RAJYA SABHA (c) Review by Government on the working of the above Organisation. (d) Statement giving reasons for the delay in laying the papers mentioned at (a) above. Shri K. Chandra Shekhar Rao (Minister of Labour & Employment) laid on the Table a copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following papers:— (a) Fifty-first Annual Report and Accounts of the Employees Provident Fund Organisation, New Delhi, for the year 2003-2004, together with the Auditors Report on the Accounts. (b) Statement giving reasons for the delay in laying the papers mentioned at (a) above. Shri Kapil Sibal (Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Science & Technology and Department of Ocean Development) laid on the Table:- I. A copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following papers, under sub-section (1) of section 619A of the Companies Act, 1956:— (a) Thirtieth Annual Report and Accounts of the Central Electronics Limited (CEL), New Delhi, for the year 2003-2004, together with the Auditor's Report on the Accounts and the comments of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India thereon. (b) Statement by Government accepting the above Report. II. Statement (in English and Hindi) giving reasons for the delay in laying the papers mentioned at (I) above.

Shri Suresh Pachouri (Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions and Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs) laid on the Table a copy (in English and Hindi) of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (Department of Personnel and Training), Notification G.S.R. 820 (E), dated the 20th December, 2004, publishing the All India Services (Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Amendment Rules, 2004, under sub section (2) of section 3 of the All India Services Act, 1951.

24TH MARCH, 2005 Dr. Shakeel Ahmad (Minister of State in the Ministry of Communications & Information Technology) laid on the Table a copy (in English and Hindi) of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (Department of Telecommunication), Notification No.3-57/2005/B & CS, dated the 3rd March, 2005, publishing the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable Services) Interconnection (First Amendment) Regulation 2005, under section 37 of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997.

Shri K. H. Muniappa (Minister of State in the Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport & Highways) laid on the Table a copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following Notifications of the Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways (Department of Road Transport and Highways), under section 10 of the National Highways Act, 1956:— (1) S.O. 1276 (E) dated the 17th November, 2004, publishing levied and paid fees on mechanical vehicles for the use of permanent bridge across Kari Koshi in Km. 404 of National Highways No. - 31, along with delay statement. (2) S.O. 1404 (E) dated the 23rd December, 2004, notifying the levied, collected and retained fees on mechanical vehicles for the use of the "Four laning and strengthening of Pune-Solapur road (National Highway No.9) in the District of Pune in .

(3) S.O. 54 (E) dated the 14th January, 2005, regarding acquisition of land for construction of bypass on Sangamner town of National Highways No. 50 from km. 138/071 to km. 147/861 in the District of Ahmednagar in Maharashtra.

Shri Prithviraj Chavan (Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office) laid on the Table a copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following papers, under sub- section (1) of section 619A of the Companies Act, 1956:— (a) Annual Report and Accounts of the Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited, Chennai, for the year 2003-2004, together with the Auditor's Report on the Accounts and the comments of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India thereon. (b) Review by Government on the working of the above Nigam.

RAJYA SABHA Shri Suresh Pachouri (Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions and Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs) on behalf of Shri R. Velu laid on the Table a copy a copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following papers:— (a) Annual Report and Accounts of the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS), New Delhi, for the year 2003-2004, together with the Auditor's Report on the Accounts. (b) Review by Government on the working of the above Centre. (c) Statement giving reasons for the delay in laying the papers mentioned at (a) above. Shri S.S. Palanimanickam (Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance) laid on the Table a copy (in English and Hindi) of the Statement on Quarterly Review of the trends in receipts and expenditure in relation to the budget during the third quarter of the financial year 2004-2005., under sub-section (1) of section 7 of the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003. 12-02 p.m. 4. Message from Lok Sabha The Parel Investments and Trading Private Limited and Domestic Gas Private Limited (Taking Over of Management) Repeal Bill, 2005 Secretary-General reported to the House the following message received from Lok Sabha, signed by the Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha. “In accordance with the provisions of rule 120 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, I am directed to inform you that Lok Sabha, at its sitting held on the 23rd March, 2005 agreed without any amendment to the Parel Investments and Trading Private Limited and Domestic Gas Private Limited (Taking Over of Management) Repeal Bill, 2005, which was passed by Rajya Sabha at its sitting held on the 17th March, 2005. 5. Bill Laid on the Table Secretary-General laid on the Table a copy of the Parel Investments and Trading Private Limited and Domestic Gas Private Limited (Taking Over of Management) Repeal Bill, 2005 24TH MARCH, 2005

12-03 p.m. 6. Report of the Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice

Shri E.M. Sudarsana Natchiappan presented the Fourth Report (in English and Hindi) of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice on the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council Bill, 2004. 12-04 p.m. 7. Report of the Committee on Public Undertakings Shri Ajay Maroo laid on the Table a copy (in English and Hindi) of the Third Report of the Committee on Public Undertakings (Fourteenth Lok Sabha) on Power Grid Corporation of India Limited - Extra Expenditure in Construction of Kishenpur- Moga Transmission System – Additional expenditure of Rs. 433.81 crore. 12-05 p.m. 8. Matters raised with permission 12-05 p.m. (1) Shri Jaswant Singh,** Leader of the Opposition raised a matter regarding reported damage caused to the Hinglaz Mata temple at Baluchistan in Pakistan. Shri Suresh Pachouri,** Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs responded. 12-09 p.m. (2) Shri P.G. Narayanan raised a matter regarding inter-linking of rivers of South India. Shri Suresh Pachouri, Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs responded. ______** Spoke in Hindi. RAJYA SABHA

12-19 p.m. 9. Special Mentions 12-19 p.m. 1. Shri K. Rama Mohana Rao raised a matter regarding need to release freedom fighters pension to the dependent of Shri Pingali Venkaiah, the creator of our Tricolour and steps to honour him. 12-22 p.m. 2. Shri Su. Thirunavukkarasar raised a matter regarding demand for adequate compensation to the fishermen families in all Tsunami affected States. 12-24 p.m. 3. Maulana Obaidullah Khan Azmi% raised a matter regarding concern over shortage of essential drugs for treatment of TB in the country. 12-28 p.m. 4. Shri S. Anbalagan raised a matter regarding demand for allocation of more Central funds to combat AIDS in Tamil Nadu. 12-30 p.m. 5. Shri N.R. Govindarajar raised a matter regarding demand for solar power fencing in agricultural lands to protect the crops from the wild animals in the country. 12-31 p.m. 6. Shrimati S.G. Indira raised a matter regarding demand to bring a suitable legislation to safeguard the right to gender equality in the country. 12-33 p.m. 7. Shri Vijay J. Darda raised a matter regarding need to set up a National Judicial Commission in the country. ______% Spoke in Urdu.

24TH MARCH, 2005 12-36 p.m. 8. Shri R. Kamaraj raised a matter regarding demand for compensation under crop insurance scheme in Nagapattinam, Thanjavur and Tiruvarur districts in Tamil Nadu. 12-39 p.m. 9. Shri C. Perumal raised a matter regarding demand to ensure quality check of petroleum products in the country. 12-41 p.m. 10. Shri Laxminarayan Sharma** raised a matter regarding need for the release of Central funds for Accelerated Irrigation Programme in . 12-43 p.m. 11. Dr. Chhattrapal Singh Lodha** raised a matter regarding need to update Telephone Directory in the country. 12-44 p.m. 12. Shrimati Vanga Geetha raised a matter regarding demand for retaining the present age limit for Civil Services examination. 12-45 p.m. 13. Shri Harendra Singh Malik** raised a matter regarding demand for creation of Kisan Pradesh merging some districts of Western . 12-48 p.m. 14. Shri Moolchand Meena** raised a matter regarding demand for new railway line between Gangapur city and Dholpur in Rajasthan. 12-50 p.m. 15. Shri E.M. Sudarsana Natchiappan raised a matter regarding demand for releasing subsidy to the Madras Fertilisers Limited. ______** Spoke in Hindi.

RAJYA SABHA 12-51 p.m. 10. Statutory Resolution — Adopted Shri S.S. Palanimanickam, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance moved the following Resolution:— "In pursuance of sub-section (2) of section 3 of the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985, this House hereby approves of Notification No. 14/2005-Central Excise dated 7th March, 2005 [G.S.R. 161 (E) dated 7th March, 2005] which seeks to amend the First Schedule and Second Schedule to the Central Excise Tariff Act so as to maintain the rates of duty in respect of chassis fitted with engines, for certain motor vehicles, whether or not fitted with a cab, falling under Heading No. 8706 and "other woven fabrics of man-made fibers" falling under Tariff Item 58063200 of the First Schedule to the amended Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985 at the same rates as were in force on 27th February 2005." 12-52 p.m. The Resolution was adopted. 12-53 p.m. 11. Government Bill — Withdrawn Private Security Guards and Agencies (Regulation) Bill, 1994 was withdrawn by Shri Shriprakash Jaiswal, Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs. (The House adjourned 12-54 p.m. and re-assembled at 2-02 p.m.) 2-02 p.m. 12. Private Members’ Bills — Introduced 2-02 p.m. (1) The Protection of Rights and Welfare Measures for HIV Infected Persons and AIDS Patients Bill, 2004 was introduced by Dr.(Shrimati) Najma A. Heptulla. 24TH MARCH, 2005 2-03 p.m. (2) The Environment Protection (Control of Non-Biodegradable Garbage) Bill, 2005 was introduced by Dr.(Shrimati) Najma A. Heptulla. 2-04 p.m. (3) The International Treaties and Agreements (Compulsory Approval by Parliament) Bill, 2005 was introduced by Dr.(Shrimati) Najma A. Heptulla. 2-05 p.m. (4) The Safe Potable Water (Special Provisions for Desert and Drought Prone Areas) Bill, 2005 was introduced by Dr. Prabha Thakur. 2-06 p.m. (5) The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2005 (insertion of new article 16A and to amend article 39) was introduced by Dr. Prabha Thakur. 2-07 p.m. (6) The Comprehensive Crop and Livestock Insurance Scheme Bill, 2005 was introduced by Dr. Prabha Thakur. 2-08 p.m. (7) The Physicians and Surgeons (Indemnity from Civil and Criminal Proceedings for Performing Euthanasia) Bill, 2005 was introduced by Shri Sharad Anantrao Joshi. (8) The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2005. (omission of article 31B and the Ninth Schedule) was introduced by Shri Sharad Anantrao Joshi. 2-09 p.m. (9) The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2005 (to amend articles 75 and 164) was introduced by Dr. P.C. Alexander. 2-11 p.m. (10) The Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2004 was introduced by Shri Fali S. Nariman.

RAJYA SABHA 2-12 p.m. (11) The Homebased Women Entrepreneurs and Workers (Security of Regular Work, Reasonable Remuneration and Other Welfare Measures) Bill, 2005 was introduced by Shrimati Prema Cariappa. 2-13 p.m. (12) The Women (Empowerment for Equal Participation) Bill, 2005 was introduced by Shrimati Prema Cariappa. (13) The Women Workers of Agricultural, Plantations and Fisheries Sectors (Equal Wages, Basic Facilities and Other Welfare Measures) Bill, 2005 was introduced by Shrimati Prema Cariappa. 2-14 p.m. (14) The Unemployment Allowance Bill, 2005 was introduced by Shri Datta Meghe. 2-15 p.m. (15) The Cotton Growers (Welfare) Bill, 2005 was introduced by Shri Datta Meghe. 2-16 p.m. (16) The Compulsory Maintenance of National Register of Citizens Bill, 2005 was introduced by Shri S.S. Ahluwalia. (17) The Indian Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2005 was introduced by Shri S.S. Ahluwalia. (18)The Jharkhand Atomic Authority Bill, 2005 was introduced by Shri S.S. Ahluwalia. 2-17 p.m. (19) The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) (Union Territories) Order (Delhi Amendment) Bill, 2005 was introduced by Shri Moolchand Meena. 2-18 p.m. (20) The Patents (Amendment) Bill, 2005 was introduced by Shri Ekanath K. Thakur.

24TH MARCH, 2005 2-19 p.m. 13. Private Members’ Resolutions — Withdrawn/Under Consideration I. Further discussion on the following Resolution moved by Shri V. Narayanasamy on the 10th December, 2004, continued:— "Having regard to the fact that the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is the prime and sole agency created by an Act of Parliament to cater to the housing needs of the millions of Delhites, including the poor and middle class people and as a result majority of the land area of Delhi was acquired by this Authority to construct houses, markets, community centres, etc., and to allot plots to the people to build their dream houses and land to educational institutions, hospitals, charitable institutions etc. at affordable rates, this House notes with concern that the DDA has not been able to achieve its objectives to provide affordable shelters to the people of Delhi, rather it allotted valuable land for pittance to some organisations and persons connected with certain organisations and this House urges upon the Government to appoint a Commission of Inquiry to probe all the land allotments made by the DDA during 1999-2003 within a time frame. " The following Members took part in the discussion:— 2-19 p.m. 1. Prof. Ram Deo Bhandary** 2-24 p.m. 2. Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad (Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of Urban Development) 2-53 p.m. Shri V. Narayanasamy replied to the debate. 3-15 p.m. The Resolution was withdrawn by leave of the House. ______** Spoke in Hindi. RAJYA SABHA 3-16 p.m. II. Dr. Prabha Thakur moved the following Resolution— "Having regard to the fact that even after more than five decades of independence of the country and implementation of as many as nine Five Year Plans and the Tenth Five Year Plan being underway there are many areas, regions and States which are still underdeveloped and backward, (a) the famine and drought prone State like Rajasthan where rainfall remains scanty and below normal and potable water remains in acute scarcity and consistent drought conditions create famine conditions very frequently and somewhat similar conditions also prevails in Orissa where Kalahandi-Bolangir-Koraput (KBK) districts have become synonymous with backwardness, poverty and hunger; (b) the drought prone States of , Maharshtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, parts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, etc. where ground water level has gone down considerably and where water, fodder and food remain scarce; (c) where the agriculture has not developed to the desired levels and due to faulty procurement policies the farmers do not get remunerative prices as a result they remain poor and exploited; (d) where lack of infrastructure has led to non industrialisation resulting in economic backwardness; (e) where majority of the people are poverty stricken and economically, socially and educationally backward and live below the poverty line,--

this House urges upon the Government to —

(i) prepare and implement a long term action plan for the overall development of the underdeveloped backward and poor areas, regions and States on priority basis and release economic package and accord special category status to Rajasthan, Orissa, etc. for their accelerated development; 24TH MARCH, 2005 (ii) develop the drought prone areas on priority basis, make rainwater harvesting compulsory in such areas and erect water conservation structures such as lakes, ponds, wells and provide irrigation facilities through canals and joining rivers and implement food for work programme on a large scale; (iii) provide clean drinking water to everyone in such areas within a time frame; (iv) promote agriculture in a big way in such areas and procure the entire lot of produce offered by the farmers at Minimum Support Prices (MSP) declared by the Government from time to time and implement compulsory market intervention for such crops not covered under MSP; (v) allocate adequate Central Grants for the development of infrastructure in such areas and give appropriate incentives for the rapid industrialisation of such backward areas, regions and States; (vi)implement poverty alleviation programmes more vigorously in such areas and extend educational facilities, vocational education, healthcare and other facilities on priority basis. The following Members took part in the discussion:— 4-03 p.m. 1. Shri Kripal Parmar** 4-16 p.m. 2. Shri Moolchand Meena** 4-33 p.m. 3. Shri Sudarsana Natchiappan (Speech Unfinished) The discussion was not concluded. 4-45 p.m. 14. Recommendation of the Business Advisory Committee The Vice-Chairman informed Members that the Business Advisory Committee in its meeting held today, the 24th March, 2005 has allotted one hour for consideration and passing of the Hire Purchase (Repeal) Bill, 2005. . (The House adjourned at 4-46 p.m. till 11-00 a.m. on Monday, the 18th April, 2005) ______** Spoke in Hindi.