LOK SABHA ___

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

Friday, December 11, 2015 / Agrahayana 20, 1937 (Saka) ______

REFERENCE BY THE SPEAKER

HON'BLE SPEAKER: Hon'ble Members, it is with great solemnity that we recall the tragic incident of 13 December, 2001 when terrorists, in a brazen attack, sought to hit the Parliament of India, the edifice of our democratic polity.

The cowardly attack was foiled by the alert security forces guarding the

Parliament Complex. Five security personnel of Delhi Police, Sarvashri Nanak

Chand, Ram Pal, Om Prakash, Bijender Singh and Ghan Shyam, one woman

Constable Smt. Kamlesh Kumari of Central Reserve Police Force and two Security

Assistants, Jagdish Prasad Yadav and Matbar Singh Negi of the Parliament

Security Service achieved martyrdom while valiantly thwarting the attack. One official Shri Des Raj, was also martyred in the terrorist attack.

The House pays homage to the supreme sacrifice made by our brave security personnel while defending the Parliament during the terrorist attack on 13

December 2001 and expresses its solidarity with their families. On the occasion, let us reiterate our resolve to combat the macabre designs of the perpetrators of terrorism and reaffirm our pledge to protect the unity, integrity and sovereignty of our motherland.

The Members then stood in silence for a short while.

THE NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENTS (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2015

THE MINISTER OF FINANCE, MINISTER OF CORPORATE

AFFAIRS AND MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

(SHRI ARUN JAITELY) moved that the amendments made by Rajya Sabha in the Bill further to amend the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, be taken into consideration.

SHRI MOHAMMAD SALIM: We have already discussed it. The Bill passed by us is more often returned by Rajya Sabha with amendments and this is against the dignity and prestige of this House. We have to consider the same Bill twice. The Government should, therefore, have some foresight and should bring the Bill after negotiations, may be, the Government can bring the Bill through the

Standing Committee. Then we will not have to reconsider it. This is not appropriate for Lok Sabha. I would appreciate the wisdom of Rajya Sabha.

The motion was adopted and the amendments were agreed to.

DISCUSSION UNDER RULE 193

Re: Drought situation in various parts of the country - Contd.

SHRI NANA PATOLE: Last year, India's 50 per cent area was under drought. This year, the area under drought has increased to 60 per cent. We could have perhaps understood the nature. On the basis of it, all the Finance

Commissions set up so far, announced formulation of irrigation schemes. Yet, even today, the irrigation coverage in our country is only 33 per cent. Had irrigation facilities been created in our country in last 65 years, we would not have faced this unprecedented drought. The farmers are committing suicides on a large scale due to severe drought in our country. Hon'ble Minister of Agriculture should clarify about the insurance policy. The farmer who has got his crop insured, if he suffers any damages, could the insurance company not give him compensation on the basis of satellite survey? About 3 lakh farmers have committed suicide so far.

I would request the Hon'ble Minister of Agriculture that the reply given by him today would also dispense justice to the farmers.

SHRI DILEEPKUMAR MANSUKHLAL GANDHI: Only 17 villages in two Tehseels under my parliamentary constituency, Ahmedanagar have been declared as drought hit areas. There is shortage of drinking water in Kurjat-

Jamkhed area also. Not even a single village of the area has been included in drought hit areas. On the other hand, MNREGA scheme is also not being implemented properly due to shortage of the Government employees. Not even a single penny has been allocated for implementation of Pradhanmantri Gram Sadak

Yojana during the last three years. Water is being supplied through tankers to the population of 65000 people residing in 66 villages, 299 settlements of Ahmednagar district. The Union Government should provide financial assistance in this regard at the earliest by declaring these areas as drought hit areas. The State Government has asked for an assistance of Rs. 6000 crore for providing relief to the farmers. It should be granted on priority basis and the said funds should be released to

Maharashtra State without any delay.

SHRI RAM TAHAL CHAUDHARY: Almost all the districts of

Jharkhand state are hit by drought. Fifty to seventy percent kharif crops have been ruined. The State Government has sent a report in this regard to the Union

Government and has made a demand of Rs. 11.5 thousand crore to tackle the situation of drought. Earlier, there was a provision to pay compensation in case of

50 per cent loss to crops. Now respected, Shri Narendra Modi Ji has directed to declare even those areas as drought hit areas where only 33 per cent crop has been lost. It is a comendable step. There is only 5 per cent irrigation in entire Jharkhand, due to which people are not able to grow kharif crops. There is need to provide irrigation facilities by constructing check dams on flowing water and carrying out deep boring. There is need to install handpumps for drinking water, make electricity available at all the places and make arrangement of fodder for the cattle.

Hundreds of villages have been devastated due to Getalsud Dam and Chandil Dam.

Irrigation facilities should be provided by providing lift irrigation facility in all the villages located near the dams so that the poor farmers may get its benefit and the funds demanded by the State Government of Jharkhand should be made available at the earliest so that the Government may be able to undertake work to tackle the situation of drought.

SHRI SUSHIL KUMAR SINGH: Aurangabad and Gaya districts of Bihar under my parliamentary constituency are being constantly hit by drought either partially or totally for the last many years. But this years drought during kharif crops has hit the farmers severely. Earlier there was good rainfall but after farmers invested their entire money in agriculture, the entire crop got ruined, as no rainfall took place in the months of August, September and October. They suffered losses of both Kharif and Rabi crops. Due to this severe shortage of potable water and cattle fodder has also occured. Water has not reached the villages located on extreme ends of canals and paddy crop got ruined. By this way, the farmers are completely devastated and are compelled to live in the atmosphere of gross uncertainty. Through you I would like to urge that the Government should install iron sluice gates in North Koel irrigation project, which is lying incomplete, so that water stored there may be used for irrigation and drinking proposes. Indrapuri Reservoir Prject should be completed at the earliest. More and more funds should be allocated under Pradhanmantri Gramin Sinchai Yojana. The provisions of Crop

Insurance Scheme should be simplified. The ambitious river linking project should be fully implemented so that flood problem may get addressed in North Bihar and at the same time drought which hits South Bihar every year may also be prevented.

SHRI OM BIRLA: India is facing consecutive years of drought. Rajasthan is one of the worst affected states in India. Only 180 districts have been declared drought hit spanning across just seven states. Several districts in Rajasthan are already declared drought prone. Two aspects will determine how well-prepared

India is to face droughts ahead. (A) Improvement in irrigation facilities in India.

(B) Revamping the financial support for the farmers especially the crop insurance.

Better irrigation facilities especially drip and micro-irrigation facilities needs to be developed. Inter-linking of rivers in India is one of the long-term solutions to the issue.

Crop insurance plays a critical role in the drought. However, the number of farmers aware about crop insurance scheme is very low. Moreover the increase in premium rates of insurance under NCIP, MNAIS and WBCIS has discouraged the farmers in buying insurance. Lower premium rates would encourage farmers in implementation of better practices. I hope the Ministry of water resources, rural development and agriculture with adequate support from Finance Minister will co- ordinate effectively in implementing robust measures to deal with droughts in future.

SHRI D. K. SURESH: The sericulture sector in Karnataka is on the verge of conversion to some other commercial crops. The sericulture farmers of the district Ramnagara are facing very serious problems due to cutting of import duty.

The import duty has been reduced from 35% to 5%. To save the sericulture farmers, the central government has to impose minimum 35 % import duty on

Chinese Silk. Besides, the 136 Taluks in Karnataka have been seriously affected from drought. Karnataka has requested central government to release Rs. 3830 crores immediately to the state to assist the debtridden farmers. I urge the central government to take immediate steps to protect the farmers of Karnataka by releasing enough financial assistance and impose more import duty on sericulture products. Central government must give directions to the environment department to allow the livestocks in the reserved forest areas to survive the farming community of the country.

SHRI R. DHRUVANARAYANA: Recently Telangana has declared a drought in parts of the State, becoming the ninth state this year to do so. In my

State, Karnataka, 27 out of the 30 districts have been declared drought affected.

Groundwater has depleted. Both rabi and kharif crops have been wiped out. The centre has approved only Rs. 1,540 crore, nearly two months after we submitted a memorandum seeking Rs. 3,831 crore in Central assistance. The government of

Karnataka has been on its toes to ease the plight of the farmers and address the issue of drought and farmer suicides. The Central assistance towards relief for crop damage sounds generous on paper, but in reality it barely covers farmers' cost of production. The Centre has decided to provide additional 50 days of work in drought-hit areas under the MGNREGA scheme. But this would be an effective measure of relief only if the already huge backlog in wage payments is cleared for those employed under the scheme. In Karnataka, the average days of employment provided per household is only 33.18 days so far this year. In addition to the short- term measures, like compensating for crop damage and waiving interest on crop loans, the Centre needs to come up with an effective crop insurance scheme. I urge the Government to provide the 2500 crore of rupees to Karnataka state for relief work.

SHRI RAKESH SINGH: Farmers in my state Madhya Pradesh are suffering huge losses due to successive natural calamities during the last few years.

Drought has had a devastating effect on the farmers in 268 tehsils of 45 districts in the state. All of the seven tehsils in my Parliamentary Constituency Jabalpur are drought affected. Therefore, Madhya Pradesh Government has urged the Union

Government to grant an aid of around 4800 crore rupees for Central Assistance. I would like to urge the Union Government to have a sympathetic view of the Madhya Pradesh crisis and grant the aid to Madhya Pradesh urged by its government.

DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT: I come from the State of

Maharashtra which has also been hit by drought. Along with Vidarbha and

Marathwada, North Maharashtra is also reeling under the drought like situation.

Under the severe grip of water scarcity in several parts of the State, Mharashtra

Government has sought financial assistance to the tune of Rs. 4000 crore from the

Central Government. But these sorts of quick fix solutions are not enough to solve the ground level problems. Also, the problem of suicide amongst farmers should be tackled in a holistic way. We should also focus on developing, introducing and implementing water harvesting practices at the community level. Traditional flood irrigation practices should be replaced by water saving irrigation practices like drip irrigation or sprinkler irrigation. Instead of revenue circle, the village level should be considered and crop insurance compensation should be given to the farmers. I would like to request that along with banana and mango, fruits like pomegranate, guava, papaya and watermelon should be included in the Fruit Crop Insurance

Scheme. Seed Bank, Disease Resistant Gene Bank, Village Water Bank, Nutrient

Bank, etc. should be established at the village level and subsidy should be given by the Government to the farmers for the same. In addition to that Krishi Vigyan Kendras should be strengthened. Integrated farming system should be introduced.

I hope the hon. Minister will consider my suggestions so that they can benefit the farmers who are suffering due to the drought situation.

SHRIMATI JAYSHREEBEN PATEL: Today, 39 per cent land and 66 crore people are affected by drought in India. The situation is critical. The Union

Government should make efforts on war footing to put more money in the pockets of rural people. The drought relief package should be immediately provided to farmers. It is necessary to expedite the process of conducting survey, providing compensation and relief packages in this regard. Kisan Income Guarantee Scheme should be started for the benefit of small farmers. All the farmers should be provided subsidy in electricity bill towards irrigation. The process of giving subsidies to farmers for building godowns in farms should be promoted. Farmer loans and interests should be waived off. The recommendations of Dr.

Swaminathan Commission should be immediately implemented. The plan for interlinking of rivers should be implemented. A Farmers Commission should be set up and it should have more number of farmers' representatives. The 'Per drop, more crop' policy should be carried forward. A policy for promoting cooperative farming and organic farming should be formulated. White revolution and dairy industry should be encouraged. Fodder banks should be set up in each tehsil. APMC laws should be made liberal. Private APMC should be encouraged. Farmers should be immediately provided power connections.

DR. RATNA DE (NAG): Drought in India has almost become a regular and recurring feature year after year. We demand that West Bengal be declared as

"drought-hit" and the most affected areas of West Bengal region as "calamity-hit", followed by generous release of financial assistance to tide over the situation. I would like to strongly urge the Central Government to extend generous financial assistance to States, particularly the West Bengal Government.

SHRI VIRENDER KASHYAP: Such natural calamities occur each year in Himachal Pradesh and other hilly areas be it Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir or North East areas. In the year 2013, Uttarakhand witnessed Kedarnath tragedy.

Similarly, calamity happened in Jammu and Kashmir. The farmers have suffered huge damages due to cloud burst on several occasions in Himachal Pradesh also.

The Government need to keep these areas under consideration while formulating any policy in this regard. The Government has again given special status to

Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. I understand soil health cards benefit every farmer. The water of hilly areas flows down to the plains and we do not have any means to stored this water. If this water is used for lift irrigation then this would immensely benefit the farming in the hilly areas. SHRI P. P. CHAUDHARY: The development of agricultural sector has been going down continuously for last several five years plans. Our country is very far behind in harvesting rain water. No effort has been made since last sixty years to store rain water. I would like to suggest in this regard that every farmers must be permitted to construct water tank in their own filed with a capacity of one lakh litre so that they can be able to generate additional source of income. All 5 lakh small and marginal farmers of all 11 districts of Rajasthan should be covered in this programme. Scientists of Indian Council of Agricultural Research must be instructed to suggest alternative arrangement to deal with drought and vagaries of monsoon. There is a need to provide incentive as well as rebate to the agriculture sector. I would like to request the Union Government to take immediate action to constitute State Calamity Mitigation Fund, District Calamity Mitigation Fund and to contribute 75 percent amount towards this fund for Government of Rajasthan as per the directions of 13th Finance Commission. Every farmers of the country should be provided with Solar Agricultural Pump and free education facility should also be provided to their children upto Secondary Level.

SHRI BHANU PRATAP SINGH VERMA: Bundelkhand has been reeling under the grip of drought for the last 6 years continuously. In

Bundelkhand, 365 farmers have already died due to crop loss. This Government has taken this matter seriously and sanctioned financial assistance to the farmers but the state government committed gross irregularities and the entire amount is lost due to corruption. The government of Uttar Pradesh is not serious about the problems of the farmers. I request the government to order CBI inquiry in regard to siphoning of the relief amount and recovery from the farmers should be stopped at once.

SHRI B. VINOD KUMAR : The nation is reeling under the effects of severe drought. 18 states and 302 districts have become drought affected. The rabi crop is in grave danger and the farmers are facing yet another crisis. In

Telangana, 231 mandals faced with severe water scarcity have been declared as drought affected. Telangana received 634 millimeter rain fall which is 22% deficit. The situation is similar to 2009-10 when the state faced a severe drought.

The other major challenge the state is facing is declining ground water. This is also a problem in the rest of the country. The Centre must provide assistance to the states and work on the Krishi Sinchai Yojana. Telangana is facing an overall water shortage crisis and central assistance is required to prevent the crisis from turning into a calamity. The Center should allocate Rs. 2514 crore to the state of

Telangana to help it tide over this crisis. Relief amount should cover crop losses as well as input cost. The interests of share croppers should also be protected.

SHRI SUNIL KUMAR SINGH: Every year some part of the country experience of floods and some parts drought. Long spell of drought results in severe famine like situation. In Parliament, the problems of farmers are discussed every year. The matter of concern is that the farmers are compelled to commit suicide. Even after so many years of Independence, the plight of the farmers has not changed. Today, no farmer want his children to become farmer. Jharkhand is experiencing drought year after year. This year 18 districts of Jharkhand out of

24 have received scant rain fall. The Jharkhand government has declared the entire state as drought affected and asked the Union Government to provide assistance to the state. I request the Minister of Agriculture to release financial assistance to

Jharkhand for drought relief. The irrigation facilities in the state should be improved and Pradhan Mantari Krishi Sinchai Yojana should be translated into action at the earliest. I demand from the government to take prompt steps to complete all the pending projects of the state early. There is a need to formulate short term and long term schemes to deal with the drought situation. This state needs immediate relief. The payment of crop insurance should be made promptly.

Recovery of agricultural loan should be stopped.

SHRI KESHAV PRASAD MAURYA: More than 75% population of the country is either farmers or dependent on agriculture. Even after 60 years of

Independence, there is no improvement in the living standard of the farmers. Our country cannot become a prosperous and strong nation until the farmers of the country are made prosperous. I request the government to pay compensation to the farmers within 30 days without any discrimination and the farmers should get remunerative prices for their produces. The Government should bear the premium cost of crop insurance and in case of death of any landholder or landless farmer in any mishap compensation of Rs.50 lakh should be paid. Arrangement should be made for free of cost irrigation facility and organic farming and cattle rearing should be promoted.

PROF. RAVINDRA GAIKWAD: In my constituency, more than 200 farmers have committed suicide. I suggest that the Government should provide assistance to the farmers on every crop. Crop insurance should be in consonance with the actual loss suffered. The family members of the farmer committing suicide should get compensation of at least Rs.5 lakh. The loan recovery from the farmers should be postponed and fresh loans should be provided to them.

SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT: There has been complete or partial famine in Western Rajasthan for 43 years out of the last 50 years. Due to miserable condition of the farmers, the apporehension of foodgrains crisis is looming large. The ground water table has gone deep down. In my constituency, about 70% area is declared as dark zone. The water flow in river is on wane.

Now, the time has come to work expeditiously on availability of quality seeds on time, ensuring water conservation, soil conservation and river integration. I want to congratulate the present day government to revise the rate and base of compensation at the time of crisis before the farmers all over the country. It will not only boost the morale of the farmers but also save them from committing suicide. Besides, the Government has taken concrete steps in regard to soil health card, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana and transfer of technology from lab to land.

SHRI KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL: Bundelkhand region is facing wrath of drought due to shortage of water and electricity. The country would gain double benefit by providing cent-percent irrigation facility to the whole Bundelkhand region. This would help the farmers become more prosperous and competent. First of all the drought affected region of Bundelkhand should be included under Prime Minister Agricultural Irrigation Scheme and also the interests of the farmers and agriculture of Bundelkhand should be protected and safeguarded.

SHRI SHARAD TRIPATHI : Our Government have done a great job for welfare of farmers and for their relief from drought. It has taken the measures to protect horticulture crops permanently; ensured implementation of additional

Fodder Development Programme; flexible allocation under RKVY and other centrally sponsored schemes; Started Accidental Crop Scheme; took initiative in direction of advance grant for construction of water storing infrastructure under

MGNREGA and other such schemes by States; ensuring availability of seeds and other resources for Kharif -2015; sending SMS warnings through M-Kisan portal to registered farmers from the Ministry; Crisis Management Scheme for drought in the year 2015 and providing funds to states from SDRF/NDRF Fund.

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI RADHA MOHAN

SINGH) replying said: Agriculture Department coordinates with the Home

Ministry for providing relief measures in the event of drought, hailstorm, pest attack. I would like to submit that relief assistance is provided in two ways.

Firstly, through State Calamity Relief Funds which is also known as SDRF. This fund is always available with the states and 75 per cent contribution is provided by

Union Government and remaining 25 per cent is contributed by State

Governments. In addition, state government can spend 10 per cent amount from this fund for other calamities for which there was no provision earlier. In case of paucity of funds in SDRF, state government can sought money from the Union

Government from the NDRF fund by giving memorandum in this regard. We have received memorandum from 207 districts.

As we know, we cannot prevent the natural calamities but we can mitigate its affects on production and this is the primary responsibility of our Government.

This time three crops have been affected by drought situation and hailstorm. I would like to explain the present situation regarding total sown area during Rabi season. Till 11 December 2015, 442 hectares have been recorded under it, which is 9 per cent less than the previous year. As far as wheat is concerned, it is 16 per cent less than the previous year. But we have still 15 days remaining for wheat sowing. Sowing of pulses is at par with the previous year. I would like to congratulate the hon. Prime Minister for making an announcement regarding creation of buffer stock of pulses. We have written to the state governments for market invention scheme and our Prime Minister made an arrangement of principle stabilization fund. But this fund has been used only by four states whereas various state governments have not used this fund despite being requested repeatedly.

Similarly, oilseed production has decreased only by 7 per cent and net rice production has been one an half per cent less than the previous year.

When hailstorm has occurred, all the Union Cabinet Minister have visited the affected villages. There we have formulated a contingency plan for 6 hundred districts and that is why today our production has been less affected. We have also increased the credit flow. No changes have been made regarding the target for weaker sections in this regard. Disabled people have also been included in the category of weaker sections. Our Ministry has written to the Finance Ministry to review the guidelines for mitigating the differences between direct and indirect farming. Our Government has said that even in those cases where damage is to the tune of 33 per cent, farmers would be given compensation. Hon'ble Prime

Minister has said that compensation amount would be provided in the cases where damage is to the tune of 2 hectares also. In the death cases occurred during the national calamity, Rs. 4 lakh would be provided. As far as landless farmers are concerned, I would like to submit that farmers should be provided credit by forming their groups. Within a period of 18 months we have created 7 lakh groups and have provided 7 thousand crore rupees to landless farmers.

Definitely climate change is a grave problem for us. With regard to climate change, our Prime has launched a National Climate Work Plan under which creation of All India National Missions has been envisaged. Apart from that,

National Soil Health Card Mission have also been launched. With regard to arsenic, various steps have been taken to mitigate the problems of arsenic contaminated ground water. Shortcomings with regard to crop insurance scheme would be removed. Very soon we are going to reduce the premium rate and insurance portal would be used for ensuring better administration and transparency.

We are going to launch a new crop insurance scheme in the country. Today, nearly

70 crops have been covered under crop insurance scheme. With regard to the farmer policy, I am going to constitute a committee and whatever anomalies are prevailing there, will be removed. Incidents of committing suicide by the farmers have been mentioned here. We admit that whenever a person commits suicide it is definitely a matter of shame and sorrow for our democratic country. The farmers of the country are not only seeing the vicious circle, they have rather been entrapped in that circle. Even today 60 percent agricultural land is without irrigation. If states like Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat etc. are excluded from this 60% land I think even 80-90% land has no irrigation facility.

Our Prime Minister has launched Pradhan Mantri Sinchai Yojana. It has been alleged that funds for this purpose are being reduced. In Jharkhand not a penny has been spent out of the fund given to it during 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15. This is not an isolated incident of a single State. Failure in expenditure is a crisis, there is no crisis of fund. The Modi Government has provided Rs. 100 crore for soil health management from 2006-07 to 2013-14. This Prime Minister is committed to the cause of farmers. His continuous monitoring has caused advancement of the country in this regard. On the world soil health day certain target has been fixed.

100 MPs attended programmes organised by State Governments at Krishi Vigyan

Kendras. Eight Ministers of the Union government about 250 MLAs, 40-50

Ministers from States, Chief Ministers of Kerala, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and some governors had also attended the programme. Programmes were organized in almost every nook and corner of the country and about 40 lakh cards were issued.

By March-April about 5 crore farmers of the country would get soil health card.

By 2017 we would certainly be able to issue soil health card for every farmers for their land. Organic farming has been discussed. This soil card is meant for making the farmers aware of the quality, type, health of their land so that they may cultivate their land for a long time. It was for the first time when under the direction of Prime Minister our Finance Minister launched a new scheme namely conventional agriculture development scheme and Rs. 300 crore was provided for this. States have also evinced their interest in this regard. Earlier states were involved in organic farming with their own means. No funds were given from

Government of India earlier. The government has tried to ensure remunerative price for farmers. Marketing is a state subject. Yet our Prime Minister wanted that there should be a single market for the whole country. If a farmer visits his market he must be able to know about the price of his yield in the market in other corners of the country. Our target is to integrate 585 markets, launch a software in this regard and we would certainly complete this work by the month of April-May.

Funds have been raised for MNREGA. It is for the first time that Rs. 5000 crore have been provided in our budget for this. The country cannot forget Atal ji and

Lal Bahadur Shashtri ji. Shashtri Ji gave the slogan of 'Jai Jawan Jai Kishan'. Atal ji also gave the slogan 'Jai Vigyan'. Our present Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also led our country to the path of progress. Till now there has been only one

National Council of Agricultural Research Center at Pusa. Without science, new technology agriculture cannot have a wide scope and the farmers cannot remain happy. Therefore soon after becoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji declared to set up two such institute. He himself visited Ranchi and laid foundation for this in Jharkhand. The second one is likely to be set up in Assam. There is anomaly in insurance. Farmers have to pay extra premium. There are other irregularities also.

To address all these we are launching new insurance scheme and would make the distribution system transparent. Distribution of insurance is related to the machinery of the State Government. We have enhanced norms of aid. Earlier

Karnataka suffered drought five times. Only 7% of the demand made by the

Karnataka was met. But our Government has met 40% of the demand of the aid.

The discussion was concluded.

PRIVATE MEMBERS' RESOLUTIONS

(i) Re: Immediate steps for rehabilitation and welfare of displaced persons

from Kashmir - Contd.

SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB continuing said: Exodus of people from Kashmir Valley did not happen just towards the last part of the last century but it had happened just after Partition also. Repeatedly some criminal activity had occurred in the Valley that had forced a large number of people to migrate from the

Valley. Return of the Pandit community to their homeland is a strategic imperative to ensure that a credible Indian civil presence in the Kashmir Valley. But can the beleaguered community return as a part of larger Kashmiriyat family even if ensconced is composite township? That is the question that needs to be answered.

Or will they continue to remain hostages of militancy inside India? Given the history of their exodus, insurgency in Kashmir and the results thrown up by the

Assembly elections, the Ghar Vapasi of Kashmiri Pandits will be a watershed movement in Indian history. But it can come about only if the Government of

India intervenes directly in the process. There has been Wahabi mindset that has been engulfing the western border of our country. Wahabi mindset emanates from a small group of people of Saudi Arabia who think they are the purest people on this earth and the rest either have to believe them and adopt their religion or they have no right to live on this earth. And that is what Islamic State is now propagating in Syria and in Iraq. To keep India and Indians protected, there is a need to counter that type of cultural expansion of Wahabi mindset that is creating a problem in our country. A comprehensive package amounting to Rs. 1,618.40 crore was announced by the Government in 2008 but how much money has been spent and for what? That needs to be gone into. What did our Parliamentary

Standing Committee on Home Affairs relating to Rehabilitation of Jammu and

Kashmir Migrants have stated in 2009? I would like to understand from this

Government because I believe this Government is responsive and will answer to certain questions that are posed before this House. The Action Taken Report must have been submitted before this House. Or it has not come. The Government is supposed to work on this. If the previous Government has not acted, I expect that this Government would act on the recommendations of the Committee. About 651 families comprising around 2500 persons were left in the Valley who endured one of the most violent periods in recent history of Jammu and Kashmir. About 3.5 lakh Hindus have left the Valley after militancy and selective killing campaign in

1989 started. They feel discriminated against as non-migrant Pundits have been kept out of every relief and rehabilitation package announced by successive

Government for people living in Jammu and Other parts of the country. I come to the crux of the issue. Who are the people who threatened the Kashmiri Pundits?

Who are those people who killed the other minority community people in

Phoolwana? Who are those people who are, even today, threatening others that if they come they will not be safe? One may say, they are supporters of Pakistan.

But what does our Government do? They claim that they are political activists. I would like to understand from the Ministry of Home Affairs as to how much this

Government is spending for their protection and to provide them with security not only when they move around in the Valley but also when they come to Delhi to meet the Pakistan High Commissioner. The Government has all those records. On the other hand, our citizens are not allowed to go to Kashmir. Let them today say that what had happened was wrong. Until and unless they say this, why should this Government provide them with security? I have this question to ask. While concluding, I would say that pragmatism lies in first of all toning down rhetoric and then reaching out to each other. That is why, an effort by a Valley-based civil society group comprising of Muslims, pundits, Sikhs is a wholesome one. That attempt can be made by the elected Government of Jammu and Kashmir. The

Government must facilitate this move and allow various groups to meet and interact with each other. While coming back to my addendum to the Resolution, I would say that a large number of people migrated because of the political situation during the time of partition. They never thought that Pakistan will ultimately come into being and be able to survive. I think, the Ministry of Home Affairs is aware that those people who migrated from the other part of Kashmir are an integral part of this country. It is Pak occupied, no doubt but it is integral part of our country. I would say that those migrated in 1948, those who are migrating after that, also should be settled. We should not restrain them under certain pretext. They have every right because they were and are a part of that Valley and Kashmir.

SHRI HUKMDEO NARAYAN YADAV: The agony of displaced persons can be realized by none other than the persons themselves. Here, the Kashmiri pundits have been suffering this agony for many years. We have not yet come out of the mindset of slavery even today. When we will be our own masters? Those who forced nationalists to go out of the Valley were actually terrorists. I would like to thank the Government of India that now it has taken a decision to rehabilitate the displaced Kashmiri pundits. All out efforts should be made to provide them foolproof security. Had the other citizens of India been given permission to live in the Valley, the terrorists would have got befitting reply. Dr.

Lohia had also opposed the Article 370. I, therefore, request that this entire House along with the people of India should take a vow to combat terrorism as has been taken by America, France and Russia, their media and all political parties recently.

The, entire media and all other political parties of our country should also support this move of the Government. Are all of us united on this matter in this august

House? Finally, I would like to say that every citizen of India should have a sense of belonging that each and every inch of our motherland belongs to us and if anyone challenges the unity, culture and civilization of our country we will not leave them unpunished. If the Government does not have sufficient funds to rehabilitate Kashmiri pundits there it should ask the people to donate for the purpose. They should be rehabilitated in Kashmir or Jammu or wherever they want despite all odds. Besides, the Government should also renovate the temples which have been destroyed there. The way Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel renovated the

Somnath temple despite opposition by some political leaders. In the same way the

Government should renovate all the temples. I call upon our youth to come forward to protect the dignity of our country. PROF. SAUGATA ROY: Now, 60,000 Kashmiri pandit families are registered with the Government. It is indeed pathetic that even after one and a half years of formation of the new Government led by the BJP at the Centre not even a single family has been returned to J & K. So, we have to ask ourselves as to why this rehabilitation of Kashmiri pandits is not taking place. The reason is that newly constituted PDP-BJP Government has come to power in the State. If more pressure is applied for the rehabilitation of the Kashmiri Pundits then the PDP-BJP agreement would be in jeopardy. In an independent country of India, for Indians to be refugees is really a very tragic thing. As a Member said what happened from

1990 onwards was an attempt of ethnic cleansing. This is one of the worst and heinous form of crimes against humanity. We must prove to the world that a

Muslim majority State can stay in India with pride. In meeting with proxy war with Pakistan, our soldiers have given a befitting reply. That we must also pay our tributes to the people of J&K who, under the leadership of Sheikh Abdullah, resisted the Pakistani invaders in 1947-48. In 1965, in 1971 and during the Kargil war they stood firm with the Indian Army. Historically, mistakes have been made.

The first major mistake was removal of Sheikh Abdullah and his incarceration in jail. The second major mistake was rigging of elections in J&K. I would appeal to my BJP friends. Please do not raise the demand for abolition of article 370. DR. SATYA PAL SINGH: I think we have been discussing this issue in the

Parliament since the past 25 years without any result. Kashmir is called the paradise on earth because it was a center of learning. A German author in his book mentioned that Jesus Christ came and studied in Kashmir. His tomb still exists there. In 1948 about 65,000 Hindu Gurjars came from Pakistan and settled in

Jammu. It is shameful for the Parliament that even today they cannot cast their votes for Vidhan Sabha elections. Their children do not get admission in school and colleges and they do not get employment. They cannot purchase land. The generation of 1960s and 1970s because of the jihadi education imparted in schools and colleges became terrorists by 1990. According to LET Kashmir is the gateway to the entire India. Their aim is to first occupy Kashmir and later spread all over

India and make India an Islamic country. Hence the reason for forcing the

Kashmiri Pandits to flee Kashmir. No intellectual in the country spoke out against this. Why are the human right activists silent. It is not that only temples have been demolished more than 600 villages have suffered Islamisation. Article 370 is a blot on our nation. As long as Article 370 is their nationalism cannot develop in

Kashmir. Those who have occupied the properties of the Pandits should be forcibly removed. They should be given 3 months notice followed by severe action. The government has to take a decision. If the country takes violent action to save democracy then it is not violence but it is the dharma. If we have to take recourse to violence to resettle the Pandits there in the interest of the country then it is not violence it is our rashtra dharma. The miseries faced by Kashmiri Pandits is unprecedented. It is a historical example of helplessness of governments not doing their duty.

SHRIMATI ANJU BALA: I would like to state that I have seen from close quarters the pain of the refugees whether from Pakistan or that of Kashmiri

Pandits. Kashmiri Pandits and the Sikh migrants were given flats in Kathua district. Have we ever attempted to find out what their condition is in such flats.

They are doing private jobs for pittance. Now, they have been shifted from Kathua to Nagrauta in Jammu. Already displaced from their homeland, they were shifted to Kathua and again to Jammu. How many times will be shifted. I would like to speak about the refugees who even after 67 years have not been rehabilitated. The total number of refugees is 15 lakh and government refugee board should be constituted for them. During the election I had gone there. They met me and informed that they have the right to vote in the Lok Sabha elections but not in the

Vidhan Sabha elections. They are not considered for any employment. Even the dalits who have come from there are not eligible for reservation in jobs. My request is that we should not merely discuss this issue but find a solution. In 1987 the Supreme Court of India held that the Jammu-Kashmir government can extend all types of basic rights to the displaced persons from West Pakistan. For this no amendment is needed in the State Constitution. It can simply be done by a government order. However, this order of the Supreme Court is yet to be implemented even after 28 years. The State and the Union would have to work together to provide justice to those displaced from Pakistan since 67 years and to the Kashmiri Pandits and the Sikhs.

SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL: I only want to say that as per Article 19 of the

Constitution of India every citizen has the fundamental right to live anywhere from

Kashmir to Kanayakumari. 25 years ago in 1990 large number of people were displaced from Kashmir valley. Even today they live like refugees in their own country. I am happy that at least today after 25 years this House is discussion this in all seriousness. I would not say that nothing was done so far by the Government of India. Everyone were of the view that the condition of the Jammu and Kashmir migrants is very pitiable. When they lived in Kashmir they were landlords and since ancient time people lived in harmony. They constituted 4% of the valley population. They shared a common culture which bound them together. Out of the 34,305 families in Jammu only 13,378 families have got relief. Out of the

2603 families in other states relief is being given to only 2484 families. They family members of those displaced is increasing but the resources are not. In

February, 2009 a sub-committee of the Parliamentary Standing Committee was formed to discuss rehabilitation of J&K migrants. They made strong recommendation. Today we need to improve the condition of the migrants.

SHRI RAJESH RANJAN : It has been stated ''Yato Dharma, Tato Isht,

Yato Isht, Tato Jai''. Meaning where there is religion there is desirable result and where there is desirable result there is goodness. I express my thankfulness that they know the feeling of the people and introduced private member Bill.

Humanity is one, human being is one. Hon. Member has quoted something in their speech some days back. I would like to say something more. One kitchen, one society and one humanity. Without welfare of other people we cannot think of

Moksha. This issue should be understood. Before discussion Kashmir matter, it was compulsory for me to discuss this attitude. In Kashmir matter, some matters are discussed many times. We know 12 lakh Muslims had taken refuge in our country. In 1947, 1948, 1965 and 1971 people were displaced in Indo-Pak war.

Even then two lakh people had paid the price. Kashmir is a vexed problem. This

Bill is necessary in the interests of our country. Our government will rehabilitate all the people Hindu or Muslims. Nobody should go on Mandir or Masjid. All people should be rehabilitated.

SHRI GOPAL SHETTY : Discussion on Kashmir cannot be completed without remembering Shyama Prasad Mukherji. I want to recall Dr. Mukherji who had said that the two Constitutions and two emblems would not go. I want to know why only temples are desecrated in Kashmir. Why only Hindus were forced to leave Kashmir? I would like to say that in coming days we will have to formulate any action plan while discussing the issue of Kashmir. I would like to discuss Article 370. I think it is necessary to remove Article 370 to resolve the problem. If the whole opposition speaks in one voice, I think that Kashmir issue can be solved immediately. I want to request the people of media to discuss their views on Kashmir before the country and the world. What do they think about

Article 370?

SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY : If the controversy with respect to Article 370 is resolved, then there will be no problem with respect to Kashmir. For the last so many years - since 1947 or we can say since 1950 -we have been facing tremendous problem at international level as well as at national level. For that purpose, we have spent a lot of money and the economy of the country has also been affected by it. The purpose of enacting Article 370 it was only temporary.

The question is whether Article 370 is subject to Article or not. It is within the legislative power of this august House, Parliament of this country even to abrogate and amend the provision of Article 370. The provision of Article 370 is also a provision of this Constitution. Therefore, it is high time that Parliament amend the

Constitution under its constituent power under Article 368 and repealed the provision of Article 370 so that all the problems which have been created in our country can be solved. Jammu and Kashmir is also a part of India. Once it is a part of India, Article 368 is applicable. Once it is done, all the problems of refugees will be resolved.

SHRI VARAPRASAD RAO VELAGAPALLI : Whenever we discuss or talk about Jammu and Kashmir the background of what happened at the time of partition has to be kept in mind. The people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly of Kashmir believe that what has been promised at the time of partition has not been agreed to. Maybe, India is helpless for the simple reason that Jammu and

Kashmir is such a location where India cannot afford to leave it. We have literally deployed army there. Every 10 feet there is one army soldier. People cannot freely move and cannot talk freely. Therefore, it simply cannot be compared with any part of the country. I agree with the Resolution there, the Kashmiri pandits who have suffered, resettlement is not a harmful thing. But if you consider the human resettlement there we are really adding fuel to the fire. The people there are the citizens and they have certain fundamental rights. They have to live there happily. So, the economic development is the best solution. The local people have no peace there. Therefore, in my opinion resettlement is a small issue.

Passing of a Resolution is not harmful at all but without taking the sentiments of the local people and what happened to the State in the past we cannot have a permanent solution. To have a permanent solution, dialogue is the best way and unless that is done the innocent lives will keep on going. Any amount of our talking outside the Kashmir will not find a solution in Kashmir. Only the people of

Kashmir have to come to an understanding and a dialogue has to take place along with the development.

SHRI BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA : In the year 1990 twenty four thousand families and over 4.5 lakh Kashmiri Pandits were displaced. At present they are doomed to live in very miserable condition in various parts across the country. The Prime Minister has resolved to develop Kashmir on the basis of

Atalji's three mantras - Kashmiryat, Humanity and Democracy. Soon after assuming power the present government revived the Kausharnag pilgrimage, the place where nobody dared to visit earlier. This government took this bold step in the teeth of the protest by extremists. The government has raised the amount for constructing house to Rs. 20 lakh. The government has also provided accommodations for all and over three thousand jobs were provided. I demand the government a smart city, if any is proposed to be set up, should be set up for

Kashmiri Pandits. They have suffered a lot, they have lost everything. Therefore, they deserve to be provided with a smart city first of all. Now it is high time that

Article 370 was abolished. This alone can be a permanent solution for the problem there.

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME

AFFAIRS SHRI HARIBHAI CHAUDHARY: I express my gratitude to honourable members for their valuable suggestions. The rehabilitation of the displaced families of Kashmir is the priority of the government. Today, the displaced Kashmiri families are 62,000 in number, out of this figure, over 40,660 registered displaced families are living in Jammu, around 19000 families are living in Delhi and the rest are living in other states of the country. The Government has been providing financial aid to the displaced families from the day one. It has taken umpteen measures for rehabilitation of the displaced families under Broad

Policy framework. The government has built 5242 two room houses in four places in Jammu and Kashmir under Prime Minister package, 2004. In 2008, the government also made provision of a comprehensive package of Rs. 1618 crore for return and rehabilitation of displaced Kashmiri families. Under this scheme, 1967 displaced youth were given government jobs, out of it, 1500 youth have joined their service. Rs. 7.5 lakh is given for building houses under this package.

Moreover, 469 transit houses have been built. Besides this, recently in November

2015, the Government of India has sanctioned an additional package of Rs. 2000 crore. Under this package 3000 government jobs are proposed to be given and

6000 transit houses are proposed to be built for such government employees. The government is continuously endeavouring for the return of the displaced Kashmiri families. I shall ever welcome the suggestions of Honourable Members. The

Ministry of Home Affairs would sincerely think over the suggestions given by 14 honourable members.

SHRI NISHIKANT DUBEY replying said: I express my gratitude towards the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Jansangh Party was formed, Bhartiya

Janta Party was formed, a single ideology was expressed that only one law should be followed, not two. Our party is associated with the same ideology today. I express my special thanks to Shri Bhartrihari Mehtab. Our Government has approved his amendment. I am thankful to the government. I express my thanks to him on behalf of the Parliament and on the basis of our own ideology. I urge the

House that Kashmiri Pandits are facing a situation of crisis today. Regarding their situation Hon. Member Shri Mehtab has said that if there is time I must have told you about how people died in Nandigram, in Gandarbal and Wadloo massacre. I am a person who visit Kashmir, three to four time every year since 1999. I opened a BPO there in 2008 December. I provided employment to Kashmiri youth. Inspite of this fact, I admit that there is discrimination in name of Hindus and Muslims.

The condition of migrants and Kashmiri Pandits is very bad. In 2001, Shri

Khurana had said that he is a refugee as Shri Saugata Roy has said today. After

1990 the condition of refugees is bad which are living in camps. They should be promoted and encouraged. Shri Mehtab has rightly said that Hindus and Muslims are living separately people of different castes live. If the Government is serious.

Kashmiri Pandits should be sent back to Kashmir valley, they should be settled in separate colonies and may be honoured in this way.

The Resolution, as amended, was adopted.

(ii) Re: Steps to ensure welfare of Employees Provident Fund pensioners.

SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN moving the resolution said: This is a very important Resolution. Lakhs of employees are under the Employees

Provident Fund Pension Scheme. They are suffering like anything because the pension amount which is being received by the poor workers after their retirement is meagre, negligible amount. This has been implemented from the year 1995.

Even after the elapse of two decades, the experience shows that from 2014 onwards, the minimum pension has been given as Rs. 10,000 and that itself is not sufficient to meet the ends of their livelihood. I hope that the hon. Minister will also take serious concern and serious positive response will come from the part of the Government also. (Speech unfinished)

The Discussion was not concluded

ANOOP MISHRA Secretary General

© 2015 BY LOK SABHA SECRETARIAT NOTE: It is the verbatim Debates of the Lok Sabha and not the Synopsis that should be considered authoritative.

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