LOK SABHA ___

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

Thursday, March 12, 2020 / Phalguna 22, 1941 (Saka) ______

THE MAJOR PORT AUTHORITIES BILL, 2020

THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING AND

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND

FERTILIZERS(SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA): moved for leave to introduce a Bill to provide for regulation, operation and planning of Major Ports in

India and to vest the administration, control and management of such ports upon the Boards of Major Port Authorities and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

DR. SHASHI THAROOR opposing the motion for introduction of the Bill said:

This Bill is not ready for introduction. I have four reasons to say that it should be reintroduced after revision. First is out of 13 member board, seven will be from private persons. So the majority will be of the private persons. The qualification and experiences of the members have not been mentioned in the Bill. Second objection is over the completely unequal representation of the private interest vis - a-vis the employees' interest. The third objection is that the Bill provides a restriction period of only one year for the Board members to seek re-employment which will promote bias in the discharge of the functions. The fourth one is that the Bill fails to provide a clear demarcation between port related use and non port related use. Ports are a national property, therefore, I ask the Government to study the Bill and rewrite it.

PROF. SOUGATA RAY: While opposing the introduction of the Major Port

Authorities Bill, 2020 I would say that this Government seems set and determined to pave the way for privatization of all government assets. Earlier we have seen airports being handed over to private parties. Now businessmen are being appointed in this Board. The idea is to lease out the ports.

SHRI HIBI EDEN: This Bill is a continuation of the existing policy of this

Government to privatize the Public Sector Undertakings. Through this Bill overarching powers are granted to the Ports authorities over the State

Governments. Such unregulated powers to private sector may result in usurpation of control with scant regard to law. The Bill also includes Cochin Port which is in my constituency. I urge the Government to withdraw the Bill and redraft it.

Thereafter, the Hon. Speaker made the following observation:-

OBSERVATION BY THE SPEAKER

HON’BLE SPEAKER: As is manifest from the language used in Rule 72 which is read as follows:-

A motion for leave to introduce a Bill is opposed not only on

the ground that the Bill initiates legislation outside the legislative

competence of the House but also on other grounds. Where a motion

for leave to introduce is opposed on grounds other than legislative

competence, the Member opposing the introduction has to make a

very brief statement.

The first proviso of Sub rule (1) of Rule 72 clearly states:-

If a motion for leave to introduce a Bill is opposed on the

ground that the contents of the Bill is outside the legislative

competence of this House, the Speaker permits the other Members to

put forth their views on the provisions of the Bill.

SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA: The Bill was under consultation for the last three years. It was sent to Standing Committee also. We are not making any change in the Board. We have just replaced the word Trustee with the word

Board Member. We have tried to ensure the representation of labour. This Bill has been introduced because a number of private ports have come in the present time and Government ports have to compete with them. Therefore, we are delegating some powers to them. The powers to rules and regulations will be with the Government of India. There will be no negative effect on labour. Through this

Port Authority Bill we are giving some powers to Ports so that they could progress with the time.

The Bill was introduced.

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STATEMENT BY MINISTER

Re: Indians stranded in Iran due to COVID-19 situation.

THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (DR.

SUBRAHMANYAM JAISHANKAR): I rise to apprise this august House of some recent developments pertaining to Indians stranded in Iran as a result of the

Corona virus situation. The House is already aware of the efforts Government had made to bring back Indians from Wuhan in China by mounting three flights to that city. Thereafter, we also brought back the crew and passengers of a cruise ship off

Japan that was affected by Coronavirus. These evacuations also included some foreign nationals. Our focus since has shifted to Iran, in view of the sharp increase of Coronavirus in that country.

As per available information, there are above 6,000 Indian nationals in various provinces of Iran. These include 1100 pilgrims mainly from the Union

Territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir, and the State of Maharashtra; nearly 300 students primarily from the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir; about 1,000 fishermen, including from Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat; and others who are on longer term stay visas in Iran for pursuing their livelihood and religious studies.

As Government started receiving information about the spike in Coronavirus cases in Iran, as a precautionary measure, direct flights between India and Iran were temporarily suspended with effect from 27 February. Advisories were issued to avoid travel and returning passengers were started to be screened. This is an ongoing exercise.

Our Embassy in Tehran and Consulates in Bandar Abbas and Zahidan are naturally reaching out immediately to Indian nationals in Iran and ascertaining their welfare. An advisory was issued asking our nationals to observe appropriate precautions. Emergency contact details of the

Indian Mission were put out. Embassy and Consulate officials have been reassuring the Indian nationals and ensuring that they are in good health and had adequate provisions. I mention this as an overall approach but also with specific reference to the fishermen community whose welfare has been raised with me by a number of hon. Members.

Given the large number of Indians in Iran, it was natural that we should seek to sequence their return, taking into account their location and exposure. The initial focus is on visiting pilgrims. Many of them are in Qom, where Coronavirus incidence has been strong. The nature of residency also increases the risks of exposure. Age is also a factor to be taken into account. As their welfare is being currently addressed, we are now focusing on Indian students. Many of them are studying medicine and are fully aware of the precautions to be taken in this difficult situation. The Embassy is in regular contact with them as a group. Our understanding is that the region where most fishermen are located has not been affected so severely. These factors will guide our approach in the coming days.

Over the last few days, the Government has been making focused efforts for the safe return of the stranded Indians. Given the scale of COVID-19 and its pressure on Iran's own resources, a team of six Indian health officials has been deputed to Iran in order to set up testing and sampling facilities there. The first batch of 108 samples were received in India on 7 March. These were tested and 58

Indian pilgrims (25 men, 31 women and two children), who tested negative, were repatriated in IAF C-17 special flight on 10 March. We have also received samples of 529 more Indians on this flight which have been tested in National Institute of

Virology, Pune. So far, 299 of them have tested negative. Some mort results are awaited. We continue to collect more samples in Tehran and our endeavor is to ensure the earliest possible return of our nationals after appropriate testing and screening. We are working with the Iranian authorities to operate some limited commercial flights to facilitate early return of the remaining Indians after testing them. Our Embassy staff and the medical team are working round-the-clock under difficult conditions to ensure the objective of earliest possible return. The House will appreciate their operational constraints, given that there have been restrictions that have been instituted for public health reasons in Iran. It is not easy to organize transport, accommodation and other logistics. The Iranian system is very stretched but we do appreciate their cooperation in these difficult circumstances.

During my recent visit to Srinagar, I took the initiative to meet parents of some of the students who are in Iran. Their anxiety at this time is completely understandable. I shared with them in detail the ground situation and sought their understanding. I assured them that Government would facilitate the earliest possible return of their children, as also others who want to come back in coming days and weeks.

Our Consulate in Bandar Abbas are in touch with the Indian fishermen, who are in southern provinces of Iran, including in cities of Asaalouyeh, Chiruyeh and

Kish. Some of them have been visited and others would be soon. Provision of essential supplies to them is being ensured. As per available information, they are all in good health.

I would like to strongly emphasize that Government remains fully committed towards the safety and welfare of our nationals in any part of the world.

This has been the hallmark of our foreign policy. The global Coronavirus situation is being monitored on a continuous basis by a Group of Secretaries headed by Cabinet Secretary and a Group of Ministers, chaired by Minister of Health and Family Welfare. My Ministerial colleague has already apprised the House of measures being taken to control and contain the spread of virus in the country. Prime Minister himself has reviewed situation from time to time. We have been regularly issuing travel advisories and visa guidelines that reflect the situation in country of concern. E-visas and visa on arrival have been temporarily suspended in certain cases. Precautionary measures are also being taken on all our land borders as well as air and sea entry points.

The situation in Italy is now emerging as a cause of great concern. I would like to share with the hon. Members that steps in this regard have already been initiated.

I am confident that the hon. Members of this House will join me in commending the efforts of our medical teams, the officials of the Indian Embassy and Consulates, the Air Force crew, the Air India crew and all those who in India are working tirelessly and selflessly to ensure that our people in Iran and other countries are safe, and can return expeditiously. The Coronavirus challenge will require a focused and sustained effort on our part and we will keep the House apprised of developments.

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SUBMISSION BY MEMBERS

Re: Corona Virus threat in the country

THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (DR.

SUBRAHMANYAM JAISHANKAR) responding to the issue raised by several hon. Members, said: At this moment, I want to assure you, we have no coronavirus cases among any of the fishermen in Iran. Screening was instituted at all international airports and we have tightened it since then. Helping the people who are stranded at airports. We are preventing a sense of panic. I also want to clarify that India has not imposed a ban. India has said that people from certain countries have to go through quarantine. We have kept in abeyance certain categories of visas for certain countries where there is prevalence of coronavirus. There has been a very difficult situation in Iran because their own system is under severe pressure and testing facilities are not available. Fifty-eight people have come back and more than 200 would come back soon. We are asking people to come to

Tehran for testing. It is not that we are only quarantining. There is a very-very detailed tracking procedure in place and it is because of that we have been able to keep it to the limit that we have. There are not only 30 students from Punjab but many more students from different parts of the country stuck in Italy. We can only bring them back if they are tested and to test them, we have started the sampling today. We will be setting up a helpline. We have identified a large number of possible quarantine centres. Till now, most of the quarantine is taking in Manesar and close by. We are very-very sensitive to what is happening. With our people who are working in very difficult conditions in the Gulf. So far, in the Gulf the cases have been very limited but we are very much on the alert.

THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE;

MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, AND MINISTER OF

EARTH SCIENCES (DR. HARSH VARDHAN) also responding said: At every moment, 30-35 thousand persons are under community surveillance each movement of whom is being monitored. We issued detailed guidelines when three cases were first reported from Kerala. We receive detailed health report for the day from every State in the evening. Contacts of every positive case are regularly traced. Upto 150-250 contacts of every case are traced and tested to formulate strategy. Presently, we are conducting screening at 30 airports. So, one should not have any doubt about screening. Presently, we have 51 laboratories and 56 collection centres in the country. Which means we are coordinating these activities at more than 100 points. When Iran Government informed that they did not have any mechanism for conducting tests etc, we sent our scientists and complete set up of lab. Those reported negative are being brought back to the country and quarantined. Nobody from there can be flown in without fulfilling the scientific protocol and formalities. The same problem is there in Italy. We are bringing the samples through same process from Italy also which will be tested here. We have sent laboratory equipment there. We expect support from you all. The Government does not want to take any risk in this regard. I want to assure you that this is our responsibility to bring back all the Indians safely. We are in constant touch with all the State Governments.

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*MATTERS UNDER RULE 377

(1) DR. CHANDRA SEN JADON laid a statement regarding need to

take necessary measures to prevent damage to crops by stray cattle

and boars in Firozabad district, Uttar Pradesh.

(2) SHRI ARJUNLAL MEENA laid a statement regarding need to

utilize CSR funds for welfare of people in Zawar, Rajasthan.

(3) SHRI PARBATBHAI SAVABHAI PATEL laid a statement

regarding need to set up a FM Radio station in Tharad in Banastantha

Parliamentary Constituency, Gujarat.

(4) SHRI ANURAG SHARMA laid a statement regarding introduction

of training programmes in new trades in ITI, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh.

(5) SHRIMATI LOCKET CHATTERJEE laid a statement regarding

alleged illegal and sand mining in West Bengal.

(6) SHRIMATI RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE laid a statement

regarding need to accord approval to Shade Net House projects under

National Horticulture Mission in Raver Parliamentary Constituency.

* Laid on the Table as directed by the Chair. (7) SHRI AJAY NISHAD laid a statement regarding need to provide

Kisan Credit Card to fishermen in a fast and hassle-free manner.

(8) SHRIMATI MEENAKASHI LEKHI laid a statement regarding

gender-based violence and discrimination against women.

(9) DR. UMESH G. JADAV laid a statement regarding drinking water

problem of Kalaburgai in Karnataka.

(10) SHRI MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA laid a

statement regarding need to provide AIIMS like medical facilities in

Sayajirao hospital in Vadodra, Gujarat.

(11) SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY laid a statement regarding setting

up of harbour and fishing jellies on Gandak river in Bihar.

(12) DR. RAMAPATI RAM TRIPATHI laid a statement regarding

setting up of an Agriculture University in Deoria Parliamentary

Constituency, Uttar Pradesh.

(13) SHRI RAJU BISTA laid a statement regarding need to confer

Bharat Ratna Award on Tenzing Norgay Sherpa.

(14) SHRI TEJASVI SURYA laid a statement regarding need to merge

CGHS with Ayushman Bharat Scheme.

(15) SUSHRI S. JOTHIMANI laid a statement regarding need for urgent

renovation of houses built under Indira Awas Yoajana. (16) SHRI ABDUL KHALEQUE laid a statement regarding Judicial

enquiry into recent riots in Delhi by a sitting Supreme Court Judge.

(17) SHRI DNV SENTHILKUMAR S. laid a statement regarding

implementation of three water supply projects in Dharmapuri, Tamil

Nadu.

(18) SHRI C. N. ANNADURAI laid a statement regarding tirbal

inhabitants on Jawadhu Hill in Tiruvannamalai Parliamentary

Constituency of Tamil Nadu.

(19) SHRI RAGHU RAMA KRISHNA RAJU laid a statement regarding

recent revision of Crop Insurance premium.

(20) SHRIMATI PRATIMA MONDAL laid a statement regarding

construction of shed on Canning railway platform in West Bengal.

(21) DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE laid a statement regarding

operationalisation of Post Office Passport Seva Kendra at Kalyan

Parliamentary Constituency in Maharashtra.

(22) SHRI MALOOK NAGAR laid a statement regarding need to fill up

backlog vacancies of SC/ST and OBC in government jobs.

(23) SHRI K. NAVASKANI laid a statement regarding setting up of an

industrial park in Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu.

(24) SHRI P.R. NATARAJAN laid a statement regarding need to bring

Paramilitary forces under old pension scheme. (25) SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL laid a statement regarding need to

provide compensation to farmers who suffered damage to crops due to

unseasonal rains and hailstorm in Rajasthan.

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THE UNION BUDGET-2020-2021 – DEMAND FOR GRANTS

SHRI M.K. RAGHAVAN initiating said: Railway is not just a profit making organisation but a poor man's lifeline of transport. Consistent apathy has been shown towards Railways during the last five years. The C&AG Report indicates dismal position of . It states that since 2016-17, Railways' revenue surplus has been falling which is indicative of falling financial health of Indian

Railways. During the year 2017-18, the net revenue surplus decreased by 66.10 per cent from Rs. 4,913 crore in 2016-17 to 1,665.61 crore in 2017-18. The

Government has failed in reviving the Railways. It appears that the Government wants to privatise the railways. The Finance Minister Budget speech contained just a few references to the Railways. In her 2019-20 Budget speech she had said that the Government would invest Rs. 50 lakh crore over a 12 year period in the

Railways. However, she actually budgeted for only Rs. 1.61 lakh crore in 2019-20.

It is important to note that as many as 274 projects across 16 zones of the Railways have quietly been abandoned. Of these, 132 are new line projects, 40 are gauge projects, and 102 are track doubling projects. The Railways' committed deadline to electrify its entire work by 2022 has been pushed back by at least two years. While speaking about electrification, I must remind the House that these achievements were the results of continuation of policies and projects executed by the various

Congress Governments. In this Budget, it can be seen that the State of Kerala has been completely side-lined as none of the longstanding demands of the State have been fulfilled. I would request the hon. Minister of Railways that he should consider the demands of MPs of Kerala.

SHRI S.S. PALANIMANICKAM:

SHRI TAPIR GAO: Today, Indian Railway is competing with Air service. I congratulate the hon. Railway Minister as well as the Ministry of Railways for this.

Today, there is no other life line except rail in India. Even after so many years of

Independence, the people of Arunachal, Mizoram and Manipur have not seen railway but rail facility is available for the people of Arunachal and the North

Eastern states when Modiji came to power. We should see economic feasibility and national security for rail service in North Eastern states. One of the main reason of defeat in the war of 1962 was not availability of rail line. Therefore, this is important for the national security. Construction of rail line upto 30 km. was to be done from Murkongselek to Pasighat but compensation payment has become a big issue and the project remained incomplete till date. This was the dream project of the hon. Prime Minister, Modiji. I would like to request the hon. Railway

 Please see supplement. minister that whatever projects have been sanctioned and whatever survey has been completed for Arunachal and North Eastern states those must be completed.

Construction project has been sanctioned in Nagaland state from Dimapur to

Kohima. Work has not been started yet. Last year, a coach factory was sanctioned for set up in Bongaigaon, but the work has not been initiated till date. There is a lot of horticulture, agriculture and organic products in North Eastern states.

Therefore, a cargo train with refrigerator should be operated there.

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE: I would like to stand here in support of this Demand for Grants. I see a lot of difference in the Railways. A programme called Adarsh Station and 100 stations were picked up. But, no substantial amount of money over a period of time has come for Adarsh Stations.

I do not want it to go like the Smart City. I must compliment that the Stations are definitely cleaner. Toilets really need to be cleaned. There is a sense of what I hear in the Budget that privatization seems to be on the card. I am not against privatization. Are you going to look at privatization or not? If you are going to sell it, who is going to buy it? Who are going to control the whole thing? So, people are absolutely in a panic situation. I do not want Railways to go the same way as Air India. Whenever we demand anything in the Railways, now we are told either take it from your State or MPLAD fund. If we have to use the MPLAD fund for the Railways, if the States have to contribute when States are not getting even their GST money. So, all our social sector schemes are getting affected because of that. That is the way economy is going. Not only my State, every State is complaining today. The other issue is concerning Maharahstra Local Trains.

Millions of people use Mumbai suburban trains. I would urge you to kindly address the issue of safety in Mumbai local trains. Even today touting has not stopped at any station. If you have the money for Bullet Train, give it for our basic infrastructure. I would like to raise some issues regarding my constituency about

Daund Junction which is in Solapur Division. It is much closer to Pune. So, you should move it to Pune Division. Daund also needs an Electric Multiple Unit

(EMU).

PROF. SOUGATA RAY: It is primarily because of Railways Budget being subsumed in the General Budget since the year 2017 that Railways doesn't receive our prime attention even today. The old system of having a separate Railway

Budget should be revived. Further, proposal to merge all the Railway Services into one is being strongly resented by the railway officers as this will destroy the ethos of the Railways. The Government claims that it is expanding the railway network but at the same time the number of employees is being downsized. I demand filling up of all posts lying vacant in the Railways. Of course, unmanned railway crossings has been eliminated. It is a welcome step. The frequent collision of trains continues to be a point of concern though. Moving forward, I would like to flag the issue of East-West Metro projects which holds the distinction of being totally under the Railways unlike the other Metros in the country. In fact, this project has turned out to be a disaster as a great number of buildings collapsed while the digging process was going on. Given that, it must be ensured that further boring does not cause any more collapse of the houses there. During the tenure of Mamata

Banerjee many railway projects had been initiated and a web of Metro trains had been envisaged. Most of them are still languishing. Among other things waiting to be completed Nasipur Railway bridge deserves special mention as bridge was built ten years ago but since the approach has not been built, the bridge over Ganga is still lying incomplete. We have a big suburban train network around Howrah and

Sealdah.. A repeated demand has been made for their replacement but this goes unheard. Besides, I strongly demand the modernisation of Kolkata Metro. The fact of the matter is that the private players simply at minting money rather than doing things for the welfare of the masses. . Revenues originating in freight has increased only by modest degree like our GDP.

*SHRI P.R. NATARAJAN:

*ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH:

SHRI LAVU SRIKRISHNA DEVARAYALU: We all believe that the Railways is the neural network of this country. So, it needs that much of attention. It definitely needs a separate Budget like what we used to have earlier. I appreciate the introduction of Tejas Express which has been a huge success in North India.

We expect more of the Tejas Express trains to be commissioned and if the

* Please see Supplement Government can provide one Tejas train from to Chennai, it would boost the commerce and industry of . The Railway Ministry is requested to expedite the work on . The new zone has the potential of becoming India's most profitable zone Second request is about retaining the Waltair Railway Division. Besides, the process of completing braod- gauge line between Vijayawada, Guntur and Amravati needs to be expedited.

Coming to my constituency, I am thankful for Nadikudi-Srikanahasti line, which connects Guntur to Tirupati. In this whole process, I would request the

Government to add pit line in Nadikudi.. Intercity Express to stop near Nadikudi, which is between both the stations. Uday Express, needs to be extended from

Vijayawada to Guntur.. During rainy season most of the RUBs get submerged under water This aspect must seize deserved attention of the Government.

*DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE:

SHRI ARVIND SAWANT: As a part of the new agenda Mumbai-Ahmedabad

Bullet train has been launched. In fact, Mumbai lacks space for expansion. In such situation people are not happy with added emphasis being laid on the introduction of Bullet trains instead of going for substantial improvement in the local trains. If at all Bullet train is required it should be run along Mumbai-Delhi route instead of

Mumbai-Ahmedabad. Here we talk of tourist destinations. To put it in the perspective let me submit that the entire Konkan region is a tourist zone. If the

* Please see Supplement Government plans to divert money to Maharashtra as well work should be commenced on Alibagh to Goa border. Mumbai-Goa Railway track gauge conversion would be a step in a right direction. The announcement should be made in the regional languages also as this would be to the huge convenience of the passengers belonging to various parts of the country. There has been noticeable improvement in punctuality yet it is far from being satisfactory enough. This apart the incidence of fire is on the rise like never before which must not escape our attention. Further, there has been a long pending demand to name Mumbai Central

Terminus after Nana Shankar Seth. It must be addressed without further delay. The local trains in Mumbai must be equipped with toilet facilities at least for women.

Railway catering facility needs to be strengthened further. For the removal of wastes accumulated at and around the railway stations procurement of vacuum cleaners can be resorted to. It also happens to be a part of Swachhata Abhiyan.

Nanded division of Maharashtra should be brought under the Central Railways.

Installation of Shivaji Maharaj's statue opposite CST is long overdue. I reiterate my demand for the installation of his statue. Slums located along the parcels of railway land need to be re-settled elsewhere. Elevated rail corridor project is a must in Mumbai as we do not have space for expansion.

SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR: Railways are said to be the lifeline of the country.

The revenue of the railways has been constantly rising and the railways have all along been moving towards progress. There has been sharp decline in train accidents during the past years. My area is of 'Seemanchal' and it is a backward area. Kursela-Bihariganj railway section has been sanctioned in my area way back in 2003. I demand that this project be taken up seriously as it is related to public interest. Besides, Jalalgarh to Kishanganj railway section project be taken seriously. I also demand that Radhikapur-Katihar-Tejnarayanpur to Bhaluka railway station project be commissioned as well. It is my demand that a washing pit be made of the railway at Purnia Court and Jogmani railway stations. It is my demand that another Superfast train from Jogmani to Delhi be introduced and trains should be run from Purnia Court to Delhi, Kota and other places. I demand sanctioning of new railway project from Purnia to Dalkola. Two trains should be introduced in the Purnia-Saharsa railway section during day time. The Saharsa

Rajyarani Supperfast train no. 12567 and 12568 be extended upto Purnia Court.

The intercity train which runs from Katihar to Patna be made to run from Jogbani.

I would like to urge upon the hon. Minister of Railways and the hon. Prime

Minister to work for taking ahead my area in terms of railway connectivity.

SHRI MALOOK NAGAR: I would like to request the hon. Minister of Railways to develop the real estate of the railways. It will yield immense revenue and the

Ministry will be able to fulfill all the demands of the hon. MPs. The Government must find out the reasons as to why a private sector train, Tejas earns profit whereas the Government owned trains are running in loss. I demand that a statue of the Gurjar king Mihirbhoj be installed in Delhi. The Government is requested to run a direct train from Delhi to Dehradun via Bijnor and lay the metro line from

Delhi to Hastinapur in public interest.

SHRI K. MURALEEDHARAN: In this year's Budget, our State has been totally neglected. There is a long pending demand for constructing a new railway line from Thalassery to Mysore via Mananthavady. I would request this major project should be introduced soon. The Sabarimala railway line is very important. If

Sabari line comes, 14 Districts of Kerala would be in the Railway map. It is a long pending demand from Kerala to introduce a Shatabdi Express in the State. There is no pit line from Cochin to Mangalore. If pit line comes to Kannur, it would be appreciated. We demand a MEMO service from Shoranur to Mangalore.

Doubling of railway line from Kollam to Ernakulam via Kottayam and Kollam to

Ernakulam via Alappuzha should be completed as early as possible. The Rajdhani

Express from Trivandrum to Nizamuddin should be made seven days a week. As regard my Constituency, the renovation work should be started at Koyilandy,

Vadakara and Tellicherry railway stations. The privatization of Railways should be stopped.

*SHRI P. P. CHAUDHARY:

*SHRI ANNASAHEB SHANKAR JOLLE:

SHRI UDAY PRATAP SINGH: For last 5-6 years, the railways has made steady progress. I think provisions for construction of new rail lines need to be raised.

* Please see Supplement Similarly, provisions for passenger facilities also should be enhanced. Railway has a lot of surplus land. Thousands of kilometers are covered with thousands of acres of land along rail track all over the country. The Government has made a programme to set up solar energy plant. Sohagpur railway station is a key station of tourist in our Madai tourist center. This should be upgraded and provision for stoppage of more trains here should be made. Better facilities should also be provided here. The railways need almost Rs.50 lakh crore for investment in it for the period between 2020 and 2030. We have to opt for PPP mode in this regard.

*DR. SANGHAMITRA MAURYA:

*SUSHRI S. JOTHIMANI:

*SHRI K. SHANMUGA SUNDARAM:

DR. S.T. HASAN: The Moradabad city is famous as a brass city. A train be introduced from Moradabad to Mumbai. Substantial subsidy be given on freight for export so that exporters could carry out their exports and foreign exchange could be accrued. The crossing between Roshanpur Bahedi and Sitapur be opened so that people could move across it. Thakurdwara is quite a big area in my

Constituency. It should also be connected through this line. Overbridge between

Monapandey to Mankare be constructed at the earliest. Moradabad is a famous city. Beautification of its railway station is urgently needed and it should be turned into class 'A' station.

* Please see Supplement SHRI NAMA NAGESWARA RAO: There is a need to develop railway infrastructure in the country. Railway connectivity has not been enhanced even after 73 years of Independence. Today, economy of our country is very down. To improve the goods transportation is very important. ‘Izzat Pass’ was delivered to the poor people during 15th Lok Sabha, now an MP can release this pass to them.

Now, poor people are not getting this Izzat Pass because of not producing revenue certificate. Railway network must be enhanced. There is no escalator and CCTV camera installed at Khammam railway station. Passenger facilities are also not available there. At least 50 CCTV cameras must be installed at Khammam railway station. This station must be upgraded as A1 grade. I would like to request the hon. Minister to take up all pending projects of Telengana at priority basis.

** ** ** **

SNEHLATA SHRIVASTAVA Secretary General

**Supplement covering rest of the proceedings is being issued separately. PRICE: Rs. 12.00 © 2020 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.