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26 March 1998 Twelfth Series, Vol. I, No. I

LOK SABHA DEBATES (English Version)

First Session (Twelfth )

I Gazettes & Debetes Unit ...... Parliament Library BulldlnO @Q~m ~o. FBr.026 .. ~-- --

(Vol. I contains Nos. I to 8)

LOK SABHA SECRETARIAT NEW DELHI

I'ri ce .· Rs. 50. ()() CONTENTS

{Twelfth Series, Vol. I, FIrst Session 199811920 (Saka)) No.4, Thursday, March 26, 1111181Chaltra 5, 15120 (Saka)

SUBJECT COLUMNS

MEMBER SWORN. INTRODUCTION OF MINISTERS .. RE; NOTICE OF BREACH OF PRIVILEGE. 2-20 THE CONTINGENCY FUND OF (AMENDMENT) BILL - Introduced.. 20 STATEMENT RE ; CONTINGENCY FUND OF INDIA (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCES - Laid .. 21 RESOLUTION RE ; APPROVAL OF RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE TWELFTH REPORT OF THE RAILWAY CONVENTION COMMITIEE, 1991 - Adopted AND RESOLUTION RE : APPROVAL OF RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE THIRD REPORT OF THE RAILWAY CONVENTION COMMITIEE, 1996 - Adopted. 21-22 INTERIM BUDGET (RAILWAYS) - GENERAL DISCUSSION DEMANDS FOR GRANTS ON ACCOUNT (RAILWAYS) 1996-99 - Voted 3UPPLEMENTARY DEMANDS FOR GRANTS (RAILWAYS), 1997-98 - Voted...... 28-103 Shri Konijeti Rosaiah. 38-43 Shri Harin Pathak. 43-45 Shrl Baau Deb Acharia .. 45-49 Kumarl Mama'a Banerjee. 49-52 Shri Ralo Singh. . . . . 52-55 Shri Shailendra Kumar .. 55-56 Dr. Jayanta Rongpi.. . . 57-59 Dr. S. Venugopalachary. 59-62 Shrl Raghuvansh Prasad Singh. 62-64 Shri C. Kuppusami. . 65-67 Shri P. Shiv Shanker. . . 67--68 Shri Prabhunath Singh .. 68-70 Shrl P. Sankaran. . . 70 Shrl Ralveer Singh ... 71-74 Shrl C. Gopa!...... 75-77 Shrl . 77-79 Shrl Motl Lal Vora. . . 79-80 Shrl Jogendra Kawade .. 80-82 Shrl E. Ahamed. . . . . 82-84 Shri Pramothea Mukherjee .. 88-89 Shrl Hlra Lal Roy ...... 89 Shri Ram Nareln Meena. • 90 Shri Nltiah Kumar. . . . . 91-102 (ii)

SUBJECT COLUMNS

APPROPRIATION (RAILWAYS) VOTE ON ACCOUNT BILL - Introduced.. 103-104 Motion to consider... 104 Clauses 2 to 3 and 1...... 104 Motion to pass...... 104 APPROPRIATION (RAILWAYS) BILL - Introduced. 105-106 Motion to consider .. 106 Clauses 2 to 3 and 1 .. 106 Motion to Pass .. 106 , . MATTERS UNDER RULE 3n. 106-115

(i) Need to provide Central Assistance to State Government of Madhya Pradesh for providing relief to the people affected by earthquake and heavy rains In Jabalpur Shri.Dada Baburao ParanJpe . 106-107 (ii) Need to re-start worlI of Sardar Sarovar Dam Project over Narmada river in Gujarat Shri P.S. Gadhavi . 107

(iii) Need to introduce a compound scheme for depoeIIIng aU taxes Shri Amar Pal Singh ...... 107-108 (iv) Need to create a separate Uttranchal State Shri Bachi Singh Rawat 'Bachda' ... 108

(v) Need to provide representation to local public representatives in High Power Commmee to look into recurring loss to Central Coa"ields Limited and Limited Shri Ravindra Kumar Pandey . 108

(vi) Need to take necessary steps to remove shortage of currency of small denomination in the country particularty in Madhya Pradesh Shri Thawar Chand Gehlot .. . 109

(vii) Need to ensure that residuary amount 01 MPs Local Area Funds is spent by smlng MPs Shri Kharabela Swain...... 109

(viii) Need to set up a new Railway Zone in Bllaapur district 01 Madhya Pradesh Shri Punnu t.aI Mahle...... 109

(ix) Need to declare Oriaea as a special category Statl' and provide adequate lunds for Ita aD round development Shrimati Jayanti Patnaik...... 110

(x) Need to provide Central auistance to State Government of Maharashtra for providing ref.., to the people affected by heavy rains in Yawatmal district In Vldarbha region Shrl Uttamrao Deorao PatH...... 110

(xi) Need to set up a separate Minlatly for flsherlel Shrl V.M. Sudheeran. • ...... 110--111

(xII) Need to check increasing Incidence of AIDS particularty in North PNdeeh Dr. T. Subbaraml R~...... 111 (xlU) Need to expedite COMtrucIIon 01 .rport at Cannanore In Shri Muhppally Ramachandran...... 111-112 (iii)

SUBJECT COLUMNS

(xiv) t-4eed to declare Calcutta and Chennai as Class A-1 cities

Shri Sunil Khan...... ~ 112 . (xv) Need to give ClIntratsssistancl! to State ~lI.ernment of for providing ,tHef to the people in Eastern U. P. affected by hailstbrins"andtains Shri Mohall Singh...... 112-113 (xvi) Need to allocate funds and start work of gauge conversion between Trichy and Dindigut Shri C. Sreenivasan. 113

(xvii) N~d to make Zonal Headquarters of Railways functional at Bhubaneshwar, Orissa Shri Arjun Charan Sethi...... (xviii) Need to reintroduce two coaches in train originating from Thirutaraipundi via Tiruvaroor to Chennai Shri M. Selvarasu. 114 (xix) Need to check steep decline in the prices of natural rubber particularly in Kanyakumari district, Tamilr.adu Shri N. DenniS. . . . . 114-H5 (xx) Need to waivo outstanding loan to Slc.te of Jammu & Kashmir Prof. Saifuddin Soz.. . . 115 .(xxi) Need to look into the problems being faced by engineering degree holders of Jamia Millia Islamia, -a-Gentral University Shri G.M. Banatwalla .. 115 INTERiM BUDGET (GENERAL) - GENERAL DISCUSSION DEMANDS FOR GRANTS ON ACCOUNTS (GENERAL) 1998-99 - Voted SUPPLEMENTARY DEMANDS FOR GRANTS (GENERAL) 1997·98 - Voted. 121-188 _ Shri T. Subbarami Roddy. .. 135-141 Shri Bhllgwan Shankar Rawat. 141-145 Shri S. Arumugham. 145-146 Shri Mohan Singh...... 146-148 . Shri . . . . 149-150 Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra. 150-152 Dr. Subramanian Swamy. 152-159 Shri Sudip Bsndyopadhyay. 159-165 Shri V.V. Raghavan. 166-168 Shri G.M. BanalWalia. 168-169 Shri Surendra Prasad Yadav. 169-171 Shri R.S. Gavai. 171-174 Shri Pramothes Mukherjee. 174-176 Shri K.S. Rao...... 178-161 Shri Yashwant Sinha. 181-188

APPROPRIATION (VOTE ON ACCOUNT) BILL. 188-191

Bill Introduced. 188 Motion to consider. 189 Clauses 2 to 4 and 1. 191 Motion to pass. 191 (IV)

SUBJECT COLUMNS

APPROPRIATION BILL. 191-192 Bill Introduced. 191 MotIon to consider. 192 CIa_2t03andl. 192 Motion to pass. 1112 FINANCE BILL. 1998...... 192-193 Motion to consider. 193 Clauses 2 and 1. 193 Motion to pass...... 193 STATUTORY RESOLUTION RE : DISAPPROVAL OF CONTINGENCY FUND OF INDIA (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE. 1997 - Withdtllwn STATUTORY RESOLUTION RE : DISAPPROVAL OF CONTINGENCY FUND OF INDIA (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE, 1998 - Withdrawn AND CONTINGENCY FUND OF INDIA (AMENDMENT) BILL - Passed 193-198 Shri G.M. BanatwaIIa . 194 Shri Yashwant Sinha . 196 Motion to consider . 197 Clauses 2 to 3 and 1 . 198 Motion to pass . . . . 198 LOK SABHA DEBATES

LOK SABHA 11.04 hrs.

RE : NOTICE OF BREACH OF PRIVILEGE Thursday. March 26, 199B/Chaitra 5. 1920 (SlIka) (English] MR. SPEAKER: What is your point? The Lok Sabha met at SHRI (Bahraich) : Mr. Eleven of the Clock. Speaker, Sir, I have given notice under Rule 222 and 223 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of [MR. SPEAKER in the Chairj Business in Lok Sabha for raising a question of breach of privilege of the Members of my party, (Translation) including myself, in Lok Sabha. SHRI MOHAN SINGH (Deoria) : Mr. Speaker, Sir, Sir, as you are aware, after the results 01 the I want to raise a serious question, with your Elections to the 12th Lok $a~h":' were announceU permission. and the B.J.P. emerged as ~e si~gle largest party. the Leader of the B.J.P. Parliamentary party was {Eng/ish] invited by the President andras asked to give letters of support of the supporti~g parties. As you may MR. SPEAKER: I will call you after some time. recall, initially he coulp give letters of support of The Secretary·General may call out the names only about a little more than 240 Members of Members who have not yet taken the oath. ... (lnterruptions) I have been allowed by the hon. Speaker, This is very important... (Interruptions) 11.01 hrs. SHRI SATYA PAL JAIN (Chandigarh) : Mr. Speaker, Sir, the conduct of the President cannot be MEMBER SWORN discussed in this House ... (Interruptions) Shri K.H. Muniyappa (Kolar) [Trans/ation} SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA (Jhabua) : Mr. Speaker, Sir, have you permitted Stlri Aril Mohammad 11.02 hrs. Khan ... (lnterrupti0'ls) I INTRODUCTION OF MINISTERS SHRI RAM DAS ATHAWALE (Mumbai-North- Central) : Mr. Speaker, Sir, what is all this happening? .. (Interruptions) {English} MR. SPEAKER : The Prime Minister may now [English) introduce the Ministers. THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF THE PRIME MINISTER (SHRI ATAL BIHARI RAILWAYS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE VAJPAYEE) : Mr. Speaker, Sir, with your permission, MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI RAM I wish to introduce to you and through you to the NAIK) : Mr. Speaker. Sir, I am on a point of order. august House, my colleagues who could not be DR. SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY (Madurai) : Mr. introduced yesterday. Speaker, Sir, a Minister cannot raise a point of order. Cabinet Minister {Translation} Shri Ramakrishna- Minister of Commerce Hegde SHRI KANT! LAL BHURIA : Mr. Speaker, Sir, stop Ministers of State him ... (Interruptions) ask him to sit down ... (Interruptions). Have you allowed him to speak? Shri R.K. Kumar - Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance with {English} additional charge 01 Parliamentary Affairs SHRI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN : Sir, I may be allowed to complete my submission ... (Interruptions) Shri Som Pal - Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture MR. SPEAKER : Please sit down. ... (lnterruptionsj 3 Re : Nortce of MARCH 26. 11111. 8fNch of PrIvIlege 4

MR. SPEAKER: Please sit down. I want to hear MR. SPEAKER : Please conclude. him. . .. (Interruption.) SHRI : Mr. Speaker, Sir. under the MR. SPEAKER : Ple ••e conclude. I have given rules the hon. President's actions and decisions you time. You please conclude. cannot b. discuss.d in the House ... {lnterruptions) THE MINISTEH OF INFORMATION AND (Trans/atloll] BROADCASTING (SHRIMATI ) : Hon. Speaker. Sir. you cannot allow a Memb.r to SHRI RAM DAS ATHAWALE : Mr. Speaker, Sir. raise a 'question which is a reflection on the wildom have you permined him to sp.ak ... (Interruptions) of the President. You'cannot almw him to raise (English] such questions whether it is a minority Governm.nt or a majority Government. This Government has MR. SPEAKER : I have allowed him. This is not come into being by the order of the Pr.sident good. Please be seated first. ... (Interruptions) ... {llIterruptlons) MR. SPEAKER : You please conclude . MR. SPEAKER : Pl •••• h.ar me. Now I h.v. SHRIMATI SUSHMA SWARAJ : No, Sir. He c.nnot allowed him. Ple.se hear him fir.t and then I will be allowed to raise a question which is a reflection come to your point of order. on the wisdom of the . This cannot be allowed to be raised ... (/nterruptions) ... (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER : Please conclude. SHRI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN : Sir" I am SHRIMATI SUSHMA SWARAJ : Sir. this Is against extremely obliged to you. The point I am making is the rules and this is against the conventions of this that this question which I am going to raise involves hon. House also. No question could be raised which not merely the privilege of the House but a much reflects on the wisdom of the President 01 more basic question as to whether the Members 01 India ... (Interruptions), this august House are going to perform their duties in .ccordance with the dict.t.s of their conscience MR. SPEAKER : Please conclude. or their conscience is going to be influenced by the SHRIMATI SUSHMA SWARAJ No, Sir power of the Government by offering bribe. by ... (Interruptions) offering perka, by off.rlng ~.vours and by Intimidating them to succumb to the pressure .nd to the fear SHRI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN: Sir, I would like to assure you .. , (Interruptions) which this Government il trying to unleash. SHRI SATVA PAL JAIN : Sir. I am on a point of Sir, on the first day the hon. Prime Minister could submit only a list containing names of not more than ,order. about 242 Members and th.n, Sir, this process 01 MR. SPEAKER : I am coming to your point of bringing pressure on us had st.rted. I would like to order. dr.w your kind .ttention to a very important legal ... (Interruptions) provision. SHRI SATYA PAL JAIN : Sir. I am on a point of \! Is not a bribery when it is off.red and accepted order. I am referring to Rule 352 of Rules of but mere offer of brlb.ry Is a crimin.1 offence Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha . ... (Interruptions) He is on a motion of breach of privilege. In the order MR. SPEAKER : I come to you. of precedence the point of order will get precedence over the breach of privilege . . . . (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER: Please take your I.at. I am not SHRI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN : .Slr, this allowlr\i you. I h.ve not allowed you. What I. this? Governm.nt led by Shri At.1 Bih.ri V.jpeyee, il a . Thil ia not good. I am I\Dt allowing you. minority Government from d.y orie. They were trying to win over the .upport durtng tho.e four·ftve crucial ... (Interruptlona) • I d.ys. Th.y h.ve .very right to .ppeal to the MR. SPEAKER : This will not go on record. I conscience .nd they h.v. every right to te~ the Member. of this Hous .... (lnterruptlon.) SHRI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN : Sir, for the benefit of the hon. Memb8l., I will read out from the SHRI SATYA PAL JAIN : Sir, I am on a point of order. • Not Recorded. 5 R. : Notice of CHAITRA 5. 1920 (Saka) Breach of Privilege 6

rule book and from the Practice and Procedure by SHRI RAM NAIK : Now, he wants to ralae the Kaul and Shakdar. But firat I come to the facta as you question of prlvlfeg .... (lnt."uptlon.) have rightly directed me. On 14th March. 1998. a Minister of the Government of Uttar Pradeah [Translation} ... (Interruptions) SHRI RAM DAS ATHAWALE : Mr. Speaker, Sir. MR. SPEAKER : You please conclude. I have let Mr. Arif Mohammad Khan speak. You have given you enough time. allowed him to spflak ... (/ntflrruptions) SHRI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN : Sir. I will [English} conclude in just three minutes. MR. SPEAKER: No. you conclude in only one MR. SPEAKER : This is not gOOd. minute. SHRI RAM NAIK : Sir. according to Rule 222. SHRI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN : Sir. you are regarding the question of privilege, a notice has~ to very kind to me. I am very obliged. be given and it has to be considered by you. When you study it. only then such matters can be raised. Sir. on 14th March. 1998. a Minister of the They cannot raise such issues broadly. Government of Uttar Pradesh. Shri rang me to ... (Interruptions). That is why, Sir. the President's conduct cannot be discussed. The Motion of Confidence is already THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF slated to be discussed tomorrow. A notice regarding AGRICULTURE (SHRI SOMPAL) : Sir. how is he breach of privilege has to be studied and discussed concerned with the Parliament? Shri Lalji Tandon is and then only it can be permitted. These are the not a Member of Parliament ... (lnterruptions) three reasons why this discussion cannot be allowed SHRIMATI SUSHMA SWARAJ : Sir. he cannot and this is my submission. refer a person who is not present here. SHRI SHARAD PAWAR (Baramati) : Shri Khan SHRI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN : This is in the has to complete his point. Under Rule 222, he has notice ... (Interruptions) sent a notice and you have given permission to him. You should allow him to complete. MR. SPEAKER : You have already made your point. Now I am calling Shri Ram Naik. MR. SPEAKER: I have allowed him and he has completed his point. ... (lnterruptions) ... (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER : You have raised your point of order. Now. I am calling Shri Ram Naik. SHRI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN: Sir. I have given a notice. SHRI RAM NAIK : Sir. according to the conventions of this House ... (lnterruptions) SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA (Bankura) : Shri Arlf Mohammad Khan ha!: given a notice ... (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER : You have already mentioned your point. Now. I have called Shri Ram Naik. [Translation}

... (Interruptions) SHRI RAM DAS ATHAWALE : Mr. Speaker. Sir, SHRI RAM NAIK : Sir. according to the you have permitted Shri Arif Mohammad convenlions and rules of the House, the President's Khan ... (Interruptions). conduct cannot be discussed in the House. Moreover. a Motion seeking the confidence of the House is to [English} be discussed in the House for which a notice has MR. SPEAKER: Please hear me. I have allowed already been given and circulated. That is coming one hon. Member. Why are you all standing? This is up for discuaalon tomorrow. So, when a particular not good. He has already mentioned his point. If not, Motion is coming up for discussion tomorrow. they he will continue. What is this? If he has not completed cannot raise thia lasue today. Secondly, whether we he can continue and make his point. Please do not are having a majprlty or a minority, that will be stand up again. Shri Khan. please straightaway come decided tomorrow. So, he cannot raise this issue to your point. today. Thirdly. according to Rule 222 ... (lntflrruptions) MR. SPEAKER: I have allowed one hon. Member [Translation} and he has already mentioned his point. Now. I am THE MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARX AFFAIRS hearing the point of Shri Ram Nalk. AND MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI MADAN LAL ... (Interruptions) KHURANA) : Sir. I am on a Point of Order. 7 Re " Notice of MARCH 26 .•98 8 fTr.ns/ation] (En9,lish] He has mentioned the name 01 a Cabinet Minister MR. SPEAKER: I am on my lega. I allowed only 01 U.P. State. The name 01 a Cabinet Minister 01

(Translation] SHRI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN: " they keep on interrupting me like this, how can I conclude? If I have mentioned such a name for which they feel ashamed 01. then I will say that a Minister 01 Uttar [Translation] Pradesh Government ... (Interruptions) If you leel ashamed 01 a certain name then I will not utter the SHRI VIRENDRA SINGH: He is threatening that name ... (Interruptions). he will not allow the House to function. We 5,", )uld also be given an opportunity to speak. 11 he has a [English] right to speak, then we too have the same right. We MR. SPEAKER: Please conclude. too have certain privileges. He does not have some very special rights ... (Interruptions). We both have '" (Interruptions) equal rights ... (lnterruptions) His threats to stall the MR. SPEAKER : I am giving my ruling also. proceedings of the House are not going to work with JJS ... Please be seated. Please conclude. (Interruptions). Sitting In the Treasury Benches does nol mean thai we will keep on listening to all SHRI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN: On 14th March, kinds 01 things ... (Interruptions) 1998 a Minister 01 the UP Government had called the leader 01 the BSP Group ... (lnterruptions) [English]

MR. SPEAKER : Please be seated. SHRI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN : Sir, are Ihey [Translation] allowed to hold the House to ransom? ... (Interruptions) Are they allowed 10 hold the House 10 ranaom and SHRI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN : They are not violate the directions of the hon. Speaker? They do allowing me to speak. not allow me to apeak ... (lnterruptlona)

[English} MR. SPEAKER: Please conclude. How can I conclude il they do not allow me to ... (Interruptions) speak? .. (Interruptions) [Translation] MR. SPEAKER: I will come to you and give yOIJ a chance to speak. SHRt ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN: We have learnt ali these thlnge from you only... (lnterruptions) [Translation} [English] SHAI VIRENDRA SINGH (t.4irzapur) : He is not allowing the House to function by raising other I will not take more than three minutes If they problems ... (Interruptions) allow me 10 alate the facla ... (/nterruptions} 9 CHAITAA 5, 1920 (Saka) Breech 01 Prlllilege 10

MR. SPEAKER : Shrl Arif Mohammad Khan, point of order. He is on a point of breach of privilege. pl •••• k•• p in mind that you have already mentioned Kindly see rule 352 ... (lnterruptions) your point. MR. SPEAKER : Shrl Arif Mohammad Khan, SHRI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN: No, I have not please be seated. You have already mentioned it. yet made my pOint. I need just three minutes, not Already 40 minutes have been. taken. more than that. ... (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER : This Is not a discussion. You have given a notice. So, you please mention the SHRI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN: Leaving aalde point. only and not more than that. their interruptions, I have not taken more than twenty seconds. I have one and a half minutes to ... (Interruptions) go ... (Interruptions) SHRI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN: All right, Sir. " MR. SPEAKER: Now I am giving my ruling. you kindly ensure that they do not interrupt me, I ... (Interruptions) would like to state that a Minister of the Uttar Pradesh Government called the Leader of the SSP MR. SPEAKER : This is not good. Parliamentary Group and asked her to support the ... (Interruptions) SJP in forming the Government and promised her that she would be made the Home Minister MR. SPEAKER: Shri Acharia, please cooperate ... (Interruptions) with me. Please cooperate with the Chair. Then, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, while in ... (Interruptions) Delhi, summoned one of the Members of the BSP Parliamentary Group, Shri Akbar Ahmad Dumpy and MR. SPEAKER : I am .not allowing anybody. ollefed him a berth in the Council of Ministers Please be seated. ... (Interruptions) ... (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER : Please conclude. MR. SPEAKER: Please sit down . ... (Interruptions) ... (Interruptions) SHRI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN: I will take one MR. SPEAKER: I am not allowing anybody. minute ... (lnterruptions) I have not concluded. They do not allow me to speak. I will not take more than ... (Interruptions) two minutes. SHRI AJIT JOGI (Raigarh) : This is a very serious Sir, similar offers are made to other Members of matter. Kindly allow Mamataji to speak; kindly allow the BSP Parliamentary Group ... (lnterruptions) I am us to speak on this ... (Interruptions) coming to that only. When Shri Akbar Ahmad Dumpy MR. SPEAKER: This is not good. refused to accept the offer, he was told like this: -" you abstain on the day of voting· ... (Interruptions) ... (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER : Sit down, please. ' SHRI SUSHIL KUMAR SHINDE (Solapur) : This SHRI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN: I am now is a question of privilege of a Member ... (Interruptions) concluding. MR. SPEAKER: I am on my legs. Shri Acharia, MR. SPEAKER: You should not make an entire what is this? You are a senior Member. statement now. Please mention the facts only and ... (Interruptions) nothing more than that. SHRI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN : Let me ... (Interruptions) conclude, Sir. I will take just one minute. They have SHRIMATI SUSHMA SWARAJ : Sir, I am on a not allowed me ... (/nterruptions) point of order under Rule 352 ... (lnterruptlons) MR. SPEAKER : I will give my ruling. MR. SPEAKER : In this matter, I am giving my ... (Interruptions) ruling. SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : How can you give your ruling without hearing him? ... (lnterruptions) MR. SPEAKER: What is this? When I am on my legs, you are suppoaed to ait .

• Expunged as ordered by the Chair. ... (Interruptions) " , ". : Notice of MARCH 21,1'" 12

SHAI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN : I will not take MR. SPEAKER: Shrl Artf Mohammad Khan. you more than one minute ... (Interruptions) have alr.ady .poken for half an hour. Now, ple.H be seat.d . . MR. SPEAKER : This is not good. •.. (Int.rruption.) ... (lnterruptions) MR. SPEAKER : Wh.n I .m on my I.gs, how can SHRI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN : Let me you stand like this? conclude. Please allow me to state the facts ... (Interruptions) ... (Interruptions) KUMAR I (Calcutta South) : (Tran./atlon] Mr. Speaker. Sir, pl.... give your ruling MR. SPEAKER : I am on my legs. ... (Interruptions) SHRI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN : Mr. Speaker. MR. SPEAKER : I h.ve h.ard you auftlcl.ntly. Sir. let me conclude ... {lnterruptions) you are not ..Alnt.rruption.) letting me to conclude ... (lnterruption.) MR. SPEAKER : What ia thl., Prof. P.J. Kurl.n? MR. SPEAKER : Do not. interrupt again and Ple.a. sit down. again. Please sit down. PROF. P.J. KURIEN (Mavellkara) : Sir. I want to ... (Interruptions) make a aubmission belore you give your ruling ... (Interruptions) {English} MR. SPEAKER : When the Spe.ker Is on hia legs. how can you stand like thla? Shrl P. Upendr., MR. SPEAKER : Nothing will go on record. you are • s.nior Member. Ple.se ait down. ... (Interruptions) - " ... (Interruptions) SHRI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN: Please give me PROF. P.J. KURIEN : Sir. thia House has. right one minute.,' . to hear Shri Akbar Ahmed Dumpy. He is present MR. SPEAKER : I have given you half-an-hour. here ... (lnte"uptions) ... Shrl Akb.r Ahmed Dumpy .hould be allow.d to .p.ak... (lnt.rruptlon.) ... (lnterruption,) MR. SPEAKER : Nothing will go on rec.rd. MR. SPEAKER: You are a senior Member. What ... (Interruptions)- la thia? You pl.aa. all down firat. MR. SPEAKER : Shri Ajit Jogi. pleaae ait down . ... (Interruptions) Wh.n the Speaker ia on hia legs. you are not SHRt SUSHIL KUMAR SHINDE : Having m.de auppos.d to speak like this. an allegation. let him get an opportunity to have his ... (Int.rruption.) say ... (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER: Shri Sushi! Shlnde. what Is thla? MR. SPEAKER: What is this? You must know the You are a senior Member. I will allow you to speak rulea. You muat know the precedents. later. But now pl.ase .it down. ... (Interruptions) SHRI SUSHIL KUMAR SHINDE : Right • Sir... (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER : Shri Sushi I Shinde. please be seated. You are a senior Memb.r. How can you talk SHRI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN : Sir, let m. like that? conclud •... (Int.rruptlon.) ... (Interruption.) KUMAR I MAMATA BANERJEE : Sir, you plea •• give your ruling now... (lnt.rruptlon.) MR. SPEAKER : I will give you an opportunity. SHRI P. SHIV SHANKeR (T.n.lI) : Slr,l am on a ... (Interruption.) 'Point 01 order . SHRI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN : Sir, glv. m. MR. SPEAKER : I will allow you. only', half-a-minute mor.... (lnt.rruptlon.} ... (Int.rruptlon.) MR. SPEAKER : Nothing will go on record. MR. SPEAKER : Please take your a.at. ... (Interruption.} " ... (Int.rruptlon.) " Not Recorded. • Not Recorded. 13 Re : Notice of CHAITRA 5, 1920 (Sakal Breach of Prlvlltlgfl 14

KUMARI MAMATA BANERJEE: What about us? They have not allowed me to conclude raised my hands first. Everyhody has a right to ... (Interruptlons) speak in the Houae. MR. SPEAKER : Thla la not good pl.a.e SHAI P. SHIV SHANKER : Under Rule 222 you understand me. have been pleased to give consent to raise this issue SI:IRLSHARAD PAWAR (Baramati) : Who ia going in the House. Then, under Rule 225, if the Speaker to prote~t JAe -rIghts of Members? givea hla consent and holds that the matter proposed to be dlscusaed is in order. shall call the Member MR. SPEAKER: I have given Bufflclent time alBo. concerned who ahall rise In hi' place and while ... (Interruptlons) aaklng for leave to ral,e the queatlon of privilege, make e ahort atatement relevant thereto. MR. SPEAKER: You are not Buppoaed to stand. SHRI SATYA PAL JAIN : Consent has not been SHRI SHARAD PAWAR : It is a very serious and given as yet. grave issue. The name of a particular hon. Member SHAI P. SHIV SHANKER : II has been given. has been mentioned here. Who is going to protect Under Rule 222 he has given it. You can speak later. us? It is your responsibility. You are controlling the House. " is your responsibility to protect the hon. Then. under Rule 225(2) ... (/nterruptions) Rule Members. You should give full opportunity to us and 225(1) Slya : ·Provided the Speaker has refused his then give your ruling. conaent under Rule 222 ...•• this is not relevant here. We come to (2). If objection to leave being granted [Translation] is taken. the Speaker shall request those Members who are In favour of leave being granted, to rise in SHRI MADAN LAL KHURANA: Mr. Spea~er. Sir, 10 their places and if not less than 25 Members rise the I would like draw your attention towards rule Speaker shall declare that leave is granled. If less 353 ... (Interruptions) than 25 Members rise, the Speaker shall inform Ihe [English] Member that he doea not have the leave of the House. Therefore, you will have to be pleased to ask MR. SPEAKER : Please take your seat. I have with reference to the leave whether il should be not allowed you. Why are you unnecessarily making granted. In 'which case if 25 of us rise, then you will a statement? I have nol allowed you. I have allowed have to permit us. the Minister ot Parliamentary Affairs. please keep it Then. Rule 228 says that If leave under Rule in mind. 225 is granted, the House may consider the question (Translation] and come to a decision or refer it to a Committee of Privileges. It com" at • later Itage. The whole House SHRI MADAN LAL KHURANA : I have two h.s to decide whether it would like to decide it or objections. I shall confine myself to the.e two points. refer It to the Privileges Committee. There is no question of your ruling. [English] SHRI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN: Let me complete Now, I quote rule 353. my short statement. They are not allowing me to do "No allegation of a defamatory or so. incriminatory nature shall be made by a SHRI SATYA PAL JAIN: Consent has not been member against any person unless the given. So, Rule 225 will not come here al member has given [adequate advance) aiL .. (interruptions) notice to the Speaker... • MR. SPEAKER: When I am on my legs, how can you speak? You muat know the rules and pro~e.~ures. [Translation] The question is with regard to the admiSSibility of Has he given any notice? He has not. I may the motion only and not for the discussion. I have simply tell you ... (lnt.rruptions) alao gone through the rutes and procedures. It is with regard to the admissibility of the motion and not THE MINISTER OF STATE IN TH~ MINISTRY for the discussion. Anyhow. I have given forty minutes OF HUMAN RESOURCe DEVELOPMENT of time. (KUMARI UMA BHARATI) : Mr. Speaker. Sir. prior Notice is to be given for levelling any charge against , ... (Interruptions) a Member. MR. SPEAKER: This is too much. I have already SHRI MADAN LAL KHURANA : It Is not only a given forty minutes. He has made his point. question of Notice but it also involves the pOint. SHRI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN : I have not whether the advance Notice was given to the person completed my statement. I have not yet concluded. concerned. I f5 Re : Nollee of MARCH 26. 1998 18

I would like to aubmlt that he has only informed MR. SPEAKER : Pleaae lit down. you but he haa not given any notice with regard to the person concerned. Whether any such notice has ... (Interruptions) been given? ... (lnterruptions). Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would MR. SPEAKER : The hon. Prime Minister Is on like to know whether any notice has been given to his legs. Plea Ie alt down. the person with regard to whom allegation has been levened by him and whether he got any reply? I ... (Interruptions) would also like to say that he has discussed the conduct of the President here. I would contradict his (Translation) statement with all strength at my command THE PRIME MINISTER (SHRI ATAL BIHARI ... (Interruptions) His allegation is politically motivated VAJPAYEE) : Mr. Speaker, Sir, the uproar creatad in and is totally false ... (lnterruptions) the House is not one aided ... (Int.rruptions) I do not SHRI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN : You disobeyed know whether he consldera me his friend or not but the court's verdict, demolished the Babri as far as I can understand ... (lnt.rruptions} Masjid ... (lnterruptions) . SHRI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN : I consider you much more. {English} SHRI : Do not pretend. MR. SPEAKER : Please sit down. The allegation levellad by him Is that the minority SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : I am on a very valid Government is resorting to corrupt practices to prove point. You have heard the Minister of Parliamentary its majority. Affairs. You should hear us also before giving your Mr. Speaker, Sir, I contradict thil allegalion. I ruling. have a suggeation ... (ln'erruptions) MR. SPEAKER : This is not good. (English) ... (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER: What is this that you are doing? MR. SPEAKER : Shri Acharia. what is this? The Prime Minister is speaking. SHRI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN : Can I be ... (Interruptions) allowed to conclude in just half a minute? ... (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER : It is not good to interrupt. MR. SPEAKER : What is your objeclion? ... (Interruptions) ... (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER : The Prime Minister Is on his legs. All the Members may please take their seats. SHRI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN : Sir, I will take only thirty seconds. I promise you that I will not take ... (Interruptlons) even one minute. MR. SPEAKER : Shri Akbar, this is not good. MR. SPEAKER : Nc, no. Thqt is not your aeat. Pleas:; go to your seat. SHRI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN Let me ... (Interruptions) conclude. MR. SPEAKER : When the Prime Minister is MR. SPEAKER : No, please. speaking, how can you disturb him? SHRI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN : I am requesting ... (Interruptions) you with folded hands to permit me to conclude. (Translation) KUMAR I MAMATA BANERJEE: Sir, you give your ruling now. SHRI ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE : Please sit down ... (Int.rruptlons) It will be proved tomorrow PROF. P.J. KURIEN : How can you give the ruling whether my Government Is In minority or In without hearing us? majority... (Int.rruptlons) MR. SPEAKER : I have heard sufflclentl¥. (English) .•. (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER : Please alt down. MR. SPEAKER : Please be patient. ... (Interruptions) . .. (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER: I am already on my legl. Pleale [Translation} lit down. SHRI ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE : My Hon'ble frlendl can take up this maner tomorrow for detailed 17 Re : Notice of CHAITAA 5, 1920 (Salca) Breach of Prlvll~e 18

discussion. They may also bring the related on the treasury benches today, were sitting in documents and we too will get the opportunity to opposition at that time and we were sitting on the reply In detali ... (lnterruptions) I can not give advice treasury benches and Mamata Banerjee was with us in this regard but Mr. Speaker, Sir, I may give you when the discussion on Jharkhand issue was going advic~ that please, don't give the ruling in this matter on ... (Interruptions) I have a suggestion. Hon'ble just now and this matter may be taken up tomorrow Prime Minister has stated very clearly thaI if we have for discussion. proof, we may bring it tomorrow. Hon'bla Member of SHRI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN Why? this House may remember that the statement on ... (Interruptions) Jharkhand issue was from outside and Shri Atalji was the leader of the Opposition. Through that {English} statement you had levelled a charge against us. Today Members from both the sides are present MR. SPEAKER : I am not allowing you. Please here and the mailer is being raised here. You give take your seal. your opinion and reler this matter to the Privilege ... (Interruptions) Committee. We do not have any objection ... (Interruptions) Will you care to listen to me? [Translation} SHRI LALMUNI CHAUBEY (Buxar) : Mr. Speaker, SHRI RAJESH PILOT (Dausa) : Mr. Speaker, Sir, Sir, Shri Arif Mohammad knows only how to increaae you were not the member of previous Lok the work 01 the Speaker, to breach the moral values Sabha ... (Interruptions) and to spread anarchy in the country. These people are doing such things in the country. [English] (Eng/'ish] MR. SPEAKER: No further clarifications please. ... (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER : No, Shri Chaubey. Please be seated. 'First of all, take your seal. [Translation] ... (Interruptions) SHRI RAJESH PILOT: Please listen to me. You 12.00 are often on your legs ... (Interruptions) Mr. Speaker, hr•. Sir, the Prime Minister has stated very rightly. I have [Translation] a suggestion to make in this regard. Hon'ble Prime Minister perhaps knows as to why we are haVing SHRI LAL MUNI CHOU BEY : Mr. Speaker, Sir, heated exchanges today ... (Interruptions) II hon'ble his house was raided ... (Interruptions) Prime Minister may recall that when the discussion was going on in this very House on the. J~arkh~nd [English] issue and the entire country was listening attentively... (Interruptions) They are not allowing me MR. SPEAKER: No, no. I have not allowed you. to speak ... (Interruptions) I arn suggesting to the ... (Interruptions) Prime Minister that ... (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER: It is already one hour. {English} SHRI RAJESH PILOT: You do not look at the MR. SPEAKER: I have allowed only Shri Rajesh watch. I am concluding ... (lnterruptions) Pilot to speak. [Translation] ." (Interruptions) I have a suggestion ... (lnterruptions) MR. SPEAKER : Please be seated . ... (InterruptIons) (English] KUMARI MAMATA BANERJEE : Sir, if you allow You do not allow the Members 01 the Opposition him to speak, you may please allow the supporting even to speak ... (lnterruptions) parties also to speak. Then, no disturbance may be there, Please consider my request, Sir MR. SPEAKER : Please take your seats. ... (Interruptions) ... (Interruptions)

(Translation] MR. SPEAKER : This is not good. Take your' seats, please. SHRI RAJESH PILOT : Mr, Speaker, Sir, if my colleagues remember ·that the members sitting ... (Interruptions) 19 Re : Notice of MARCH 26, 1998 Bill Introduced 20 Breech of Privilege

MR. SPEAKER : You are speaking without the MR. SPEAKER: It is not good. perml•• ion of the Chair, So, nothing will go on record. . .. (lnterrlq)t/onB) ... (Interruptions) " KUMAR I MAMATA BANERJEE : We have atso {Translation} got the Rule .... (lnt.rruptions) SHRI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN : Mr. Speaker, MR. SPEAKER : I heve carefully examined Shri Sir, how the House will function if they continue to Arif Mohammad Khan's notice ot privilege against interrupt like this ... (Interruptions) the hon. Prime Mini.ter.

{English] The case of the hon. Member i. that there hal been an attempt on the part of Shri . MR. SPEAKER : Shri Laimuni Chaubey, please Chief Minister. Uttar Pradesh, Shri and take your seat. Shri Lalji Tandon to wrongfully and in a corrupt ... (Interruptions) manner to inlluence Members of the House, Kumari Mayawati and Shri Akbar Ahmad Dumpy. Shri Arif (Translation] Mohammad Khan has not produced any evidence. SHAI AJIT JOGI (Aaigarh) : Mr. Speaker, Sir, if Mere allegations by the Member do not amount to they will not let us speak, we will aiso not allow any prima facie case even. them to speak ... (lnterruptions) So, the notice is inadmissible. I disallow it . (Ertglish] ... (Interruptions)

KUMAR I MAMATA BANERJEE: We will aiso not 12.06 hr•. allow you ... (Interruptions) It is a mockery of the House .... (Interruptions) At this stage. Shri Datta Meghe and some other MR. SPEAKER : Shri Pilot, please conclude. hon. Members came and stood on the floor near the Table. (Translation] SHRI RAJESH PILOT: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I request 3hri Khurana Sahib to ask his colleagues to keep 12.07 hr•• ~uiet. He must remember that he is not in the )pposition. He is now the Minister lor Parliamentary b,lIairs ... (Interruptions) THE CONTINGENCY FUND OF INDIA (AMENDMENT) BILL' rEnglish] [English] MR. SPEAKER : All the han. Members are requested to take their seats. MR. SPEAKER : Shri Vashwant Sinha may ... (Interruptions) now move to seek leave lor the introduction 01 the Bill. MR. SPEAICER : Shri Chaubey, please take your seat first. THE MINISTER OF FINANCE! (SHRI VASHWANT S!NHA) : Sir, I beg to move for leave to introduce a ... (lnterrupt/DM) BRI further to amend th·. Conting.-ney Fund of India (Translation] Act, 1950. SHRI RAJESH PILOT: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would MR. SPEAKER: The question is : like to remind my colleagues sitting on the treasury "That leave be granted to Introduce a Bill benches that the Jharkhand i ••ue is sub judice and further to amend the Contingency Fund 01 the credibility 01 the Parliament is going down in the India Act, 1950'. eyes of the publlc ... (lnt.rruptions) The motion wa. adopt.d. [English] THE MINISTER OF FINANCE (SHRI VASHWANT MR. SPEAKER : No, no, I am not allowing you. SINHA) : Sir, I introduce'· the Bill. Piease take your seat. " Published In Gazette 01 India, Extraordinary, Part II . ... (Interruptions) Seotton 2. dated 28.3.98. , Not Recorded. " Introduced with the recommendation 01 the Pre.lden!. 21 CHAITRA 5, 1920 (Saka) Rasolutlon R,,: Approval of 22 Recommendations In tha 12th & 3rd Raporl of the R.C.C. 12.07 hr•. Twelfth Report of Railway Convention Committee (1991) appointed to review the STATEMENT RE: CONTINGENCY "Rate of Dividend" payable by the Rai/way FUND OF INDIA (AMENDMENT) Undertaking to General Revenues etc., which was presented in the Lok Sabha on ORDINANCES - Laid 12.3.96". [English] "That this House approves the recommendations made in Paragraphs 64, THE MINISTER OF FINANCE (SHRI YASHWANT 65, 66, 67 and 70 contained in the Third SINHA) : Sir, I beg to lay on the Table an explanatory Report of Railway Convention Committee statement (Hindi and English versions) showing (1996) appointed to review the "Rate of reasons for immediate legislation by the Contingency Dividend" payable by the Railway Fund of India (Amendment) Ordinance, 1997 and Undertaking to General Revenues etc., the Contingency Fund of India (Amendment) which was presented in the Lok Sabbs on Ordinance, 199B. 2.12.97". [Placed in Library See No. LT·21/9BJ I commend these resolutions for the consideration of this House.

[English) [English) MR. SPEAKER : Now, please go back to your seats. This IS not good. MR. SPEAKER: Now, the matter is over. Please go back to your seats . ... (interruptions) ... (interruptions) MR. SPEAKER : Hon. Members, as item nos. 3 to 6 are to be discussed together, I propose that MR. SPEAKER : How could you speak on this the Minister of Railways be permitted to move the subject when the matter is already over and the Resolutions listed at item no. 6 first to enable a Speaker has already given his ruling on it? combined discussion on these items. I hope that the ... (Interruptions) House agrees. MR. SPEAKER: The matter is already over. SEVERAL HON. MEMBERS: Yes. . .. (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER: Shfi Nitish Kumar may now move his resolutions. MR. SPEAKER: What io; this? You must know the rules and procedure. 12.09 hr•. . .. (interruptions)

MR. SPEAKER: The Speaker has already given RESOLUTION RE: APPROVAL OF his ruling. RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE TWELFTH REPORT OF THE RAILWAY CONVENTION 12.10 hr •• COMMITTEE, 1991 At this stage, Shri Datta Meghe and some other AND hon. Members went back to their seats

RESOLUTION RE: APPROVAL OF MR. SPEAKER: Shri Rosaiah, II Congress Party RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE THIRD Member, may initiate tne discussion on Railway REPORT OF THE RAILWAY CONVENTION Budget. COMMITTEE, 1996 ... (Interruptions)

THE MINtSTER OF RAILWAYS (SHRI NITISH ~R. SPEAKER: You are a senior Member. You KUMAR) : Sir, I beg to move the following first listen to me. Please take your seat. The matter R.eoluttofls : is already over. The Speaker has already given the ruling. How can you speak now on t.. e same mailer? "That this House approves the You are all senior Members. recommendations made in Paragraphs 40, 41,42,44,45,47 and 48 contained in the ... (Interruptions) 23 MARCH 26. 1118 24

SHRI P. SHIV SHANKER (T.nali) : Th. procedure MR. SPEAKER : I have call.d Shri Roaaiah. a is laid down In the Rul.s. It has to b. followed M.mber from your Party, to Initlata the discussion. ... (Interruptions) He is senior Member and he want. to apeak on the Railway Budget. Pleau coop.rat. with him. SHRI AJIT JOGI (Raigarh) : You should not give a ruling till you have listened to us ... (Interruptions) ... (Interruptions) SHRI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN : Sir. It ia the MR. SPEAKER : Shri Rosaiah. you may start sacred duty of the hon. Speaker to protect the your sp.ech. Members. I am being threatened. I am being SHRI KONIJETI ROSAIAH (Naraslraopet) : I can intimidated ... (Interruptions) only speak when the House Is In order. How can I MR. SPEAKER: Nothing will go on record except speak otherwise? .. (Interruptions) the hon. Member, Shri Rosaiah who is participating MR. SPEAKER ; Vou come to my Chamber later in the discussion. on. We will discuss it. . .. (Interruptions)"

12.12 hr•• 12.14 hra.

At this stage. Shri Akbar Ahmad and some other At this stage. Shr; Akbar Ahmad and some other han. Members came and stood on the floor han. Members came a"d sat on the floor near near the Table the Table

MR. SPEAKER : Are you taking part in the MR. SPEAKER: Please start your speech. Are discussion or not? Your name has been given by you ready or not? your Party. 5HRI KONIJETI ROSAIAH : Sir. the mikes are SHRI KONIJETI ROSAIAH : I very much want to not working. I am not able to hear even speak but you pl.ase bring the House to order. you ... (Interruptions) ... (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER; Nothing will go on record e:tce~t what Shri Rosaiah says. MR. SPEAKER ; Please take your seat. .. . (Interruptions)" 12.13 hrs. MR. SPEAKER : Nothing will go on record. At this stage. Shri Akbar Ahmad and some other ... (Interruprlons) " hon. Members went back to their seats MR. SPEAKER : I have called Shrl Rosaiah . ... (Interruptions) Nothing but what he says will go on record . SHRI AJIT JOGI : Sir. you should protect the ... (Interruptions)" privilege of the Hous •... (lnterruption.) MR. SPEAKER : I request the Leader of the SHRI KONIJETI ROSAIAH ; I am ready to speak Oppoaition to cooperate. There is no time. but how ~an I speak ... (Interruptions) 12.17 hr•. MR. SPEAKER; You please start your sp ••ch. ... (Interruptions) ~t this stage. Shri Anil aasu. Shrl VII., Muttemwar and sOm. olhe,- ho~,. Membe" a.me end MR. SPEAKER ; PI.ase take your seat. stood on the flogr ne.r the Table

... (Interruptions) ... (Interruptlon,)"

MR. SPEAKER : Th. Chair has alr.ady given MR. SPEAKER: There Is Important bUllne •• to a ruling. How can you now sp.ak on the same be discussed today. Vest.rday, you had finall ••d the Mlbject? nat of bll.ln.... I hav. allowed euHlclent time on ... (Interruption.) this. I hev. allowed Shrl Reje,h Pilot, the L.. de, of the Oppoaltion and Shrl Shiv Shanker on thi•. I haye MR. SPEAKER : I have alraady called Shri allowed four Membera on thla lnaU.r. For a ,mall Roaaiah. H. ia from your Patty. mltte" I hive Illowed four Memb.,•.

.. . (Inr.rruptlons) • Not Aecordacl. 25 CHAITRA 5. 1920 (Saka) 26

12.18 hr•• 12.22 hr•.

At this stage, Shrl Anll 8asu, Shri Vilas The Lok Sabhs then adjourned till Muttemwar and some other hon. Members Thirteen of the Clock. went back 10 their seats .

... (Interruptions)' 13.03 hr•. MR. SPEAKER: I have already given my ruling on this. I have allowed four Members. This is a matter The Lok Sabha re-assemb/ed at three minutes relating to the admissibility 01 a notice . past thirteen of the Clock.

... (Interruptions) • [MR. SPEAKER in the Chairj MR. SPEAKER: You please go to your seats first [English} and then speak. MR. SPEAKER: The House stands adjourned till 12.19 hr•. 2 p.m.

At this stage, Shrl Akbar Ahmad and some other 13.04 hr•• hon. Members went back to their seats. The Lok SaMa then adjourned for Lunch till ... (Interruptions) • Fourteen of the ClOCk. MR. SPEAKER: Please understand the pesition. This is a small matter wilh regard to the admissibility 01 a nolice. 14.01 hrs .

... (interruptions) The Lok Sabha re-a8sembled after Lunch at ::me minute past Fourteen of the Clock. SHRI SHARAD PAWAR (Baramati) : Is it a small matter? We cannot tolerate this ... (Interruptions) [MR. SPEAKER in the Chairj MR. SPEAKER : Please hear me. ... (Int'trruptions) [English] SHRI SHARAD PAWAR : Money has been offered. MR. SPEAKER I now call upon Shri Sharad You cennot say that this is a small matter. We Pawar to speak. cannot accept this ... (lnterruptions) Is il a small [Translation] matter? MR. SPEAKER : No. nol the content 01 it. SHRI SHARAD PAWAR (Baramati) : Mr. Speaker Sir, discussion is continuing in the House, since two- ... (Interruptions) three hours on an important question raised by Shri Arif Mohammad Khan. The points, which he has tried SHRI SHARAD PAWAR : Money has been offered to raise in the House, have created a situation which here. The CSI has been used and you are calling may lead to breach 01 the privilege 01 the Members, this a .mall matter. We cannot accepl it of course including him as well. We had expected ... (Interruptlons, Secauso of this, you are calling it that some more Members would get the opportunity • small matler, but It is responsible for the formation to present their views and a good solution might be of this Government··... (Interruptions) found. You have already given your ruling and once AN HON. MEMBER: Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is rather the ruling has been given, raiSing the same question unfortunate to .ee ... (lnterruptions) or repeating the same seems against the dignity and the prestige 01 the House. But the question raised MR. SPEAKER : Shrl Rosaiah. here, seems equally Important to me. I would requ.. t ... (Interruptions) Hon. Prime Minister to make a statement on the question raised by Shri Arlf Mohammad Khan. The MR. SPEAKER : The House stands adjourned to most serious pOint, which seems to me is that 8 me.t 8t 1 p.m. Government agency has been misused. I Ilfft,however • Not Recorded. not sure of It. Member has raised this que.tlon, eo •• Expunged al ordered by the chair. we seek few more details of it. If the Govemment 27 MARCH 26, 1998 28 agencies are at all being misused then we need to 14.07 hrl. strengthen the system and if not. then it is essential to present the facts before the people, as we should INTERIM BUDGET (RAILWAYS) - GENERAL try to sustain the credibility of the agency. I hope DISCUSSION that the Prime Minister will a.:cept the situation explained in the Notice, given by him and the DEMANDS FOR GRANTS ON ACCOUNT functioning of the House will go on smoothly. (RAILWAYS) 1998-99 SUPPLEMENTARY DEMANDS FOR GRANTS Sir, I would like to make more point. I am unhappy, (RAILWAYS),1997-98* rather feel regret on some of the words, which you have used in the House. We do realise our duty of AND maintaining your prestige, therefore I would not hesitate in taking my strong words back, if there RESOLUTION RE: APPROVAL OF were any in my speech, as it involves your prestige. RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE TWELFTH REPORT OF THE RAILWAY CONVENTION THE PRIME MINISTER (SHRI ATAL BIHAR I COMMITTEE, 1991 VAJPAYEE) : Mr. Speaker Sir, I honour the sentiments expressed by the Leader of the Opposition Shri RESOLUTION RE: APPROVAL OF Sharad Pawar. His greatness lies in the manner in RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE TH~RD which he has tendered his regrets. It is an ideal for REPORT OF THE RAILWAY CONVENTION the entire House and ought to be followed in future COMMITTEE, 1996 as well. The point raised, which has been referred to MR. SPEAKER : Now let us take up general by Mr. Sharad Pawar as well, during this 2-3 hours discussion on Interim Budget (Railways) and other long discussion pertains to functioning of C.B.1. This items. functioning has gradually taken a particular shape over the years. We have ever been discussing, Motions moved : making statement on the merits and demerits of its "That the respective sums not exceeding functioning, but as for this case raised here specially the amounts shown in the third column of involving C.B.I., I would like to assure that after the Order Paper be granted to the having ascertained the facts of the case, remedial President of India out of the Consolidated steps would be taken, if any political manipulations are observed therein. My Government would indeed Fund of India, on account, for or towards follow a policy as would ensure that agencies like defraying the charges during the year CBI are not manipulated to serve vested political ending the 31st day of March, 1999, in interests. respect of the heads of Demands entered in the second column thereof against Mr. Speaker Sir, I would like to raise one more Demand Nos. 1 to 16". point. Only a few days are left for the session to conclude and we have to prove on 28th that we "That the Supplementary sums not enjoy the confidence of the House. Albeit, we had to exceeding the amounts shown in the third face the motion of vote of confidence on 29th but column of the Order Paper be granted to that day being a holiday we are compelled to prove the President of India out of the it on 28th itself ... (lnterruptlons) Consolidated Fund for India to defray the charges that will come in course of {English} payment during the year ending the 31st KUMARI MAMATA BANERJEE (Calcutta South) : day of March, 1998, in respect of the head of Demand entered in the second column 29th is a Sunday. thereof-Demand Nos. 10, 13, 14 and 1S'. [Translation] "That this House approves the SHRI ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE : It wQuld have to recommendations made in Paragraphs 40, be accomplished on 28th itself. As for the vote of 41, 42, 44, 45, 47 and 48 contained in the confidence, yet lome financial business has to be Twelfth Report of Railway Convention trans .. cted, but thil hurdle has postponed for today Committee (1991) appointed to review the aUeas!. Let us take up the items of business in a "Rate of Dividend" payable by the Railway smart manner, so as to reach our goal at the earliest Undertaking te General Revenues etc., possible. This is what I would like to urge upon the which was presented in the Lok Sabha on members. 12.3.96'. • Moved with the recommendation of the President. 29 Int.rlm Sudflet (ReI/ways) CHAITAA 5, 1920 (Saka) Account (Rlys.) & Supplementary 30 Demand. for Grant, on Demands for Grants (Railways)

"That this House approves the 2 3 recommendations made In Paragraphs 64, 65, 68, 87 and 70 contained in the Third General Revenues and Report of Railway Convention CommitteA Amortization of Over- (1996) appointed to review the "Rate of Capitalization Dividend" payable by the Railway Undertaking to General Revenues etc., 16 Assets - Acquisition, which was presented In the Lok 5abha on Construction and 2.12.97'. Replacement Revenue 15,00,00,000 Demand. for Grants on Account (Railways) for 1998·99 submitted to the Vote of the Lok Sabha Other Expenditure Capital 3565,53,42,000 No. Name of Demand Amount of Demand of for Grants on Account Railway Funds 1496,82,00,000 Demand submitted to the Vote of the House Total 16867,14,81,000

2 3 Supplementary Demands for Grants (Ral/ways) for 1997-98 submitted to the. Vote of the Lok Sabha Railway Board 12,22,93,000 2 Miscellaneous 57,93,21,000 No. Name of Demand Amount of Demand Expenditure (General) 01 for Grants submitted Demand to the Vote of the 3 General Superintendence 432,89,33,000 House and Services on Railways 4 Repairs & Maintenance 857,05,00,000 10 Operating Expenses - Fuel 160,31,34,000 of Permanent Way and 13 Providant Fund, Pension 1168,62,48,000 Works and other retirement benefits 5 Repairs & Maintenance 475,63,34,000 1 4 Appropriation to Funds 1167,00,00,000 of Motive Power 1 6 Assets - AcqUisition, 6 Repairs & Maintenance 870,54,82,000 Construction and Replacement of Carriage and Wagons Revenue 7 Repairs & Maintenance 448,73,53,000 of Plant and Equipment Other Expenditure 8 Operating Expenses - 688,53,88,000 Capital 198,89,04,000 Rolling Stock and Railway Funds ',000 Equipment 2694,82,87,000 9 Operating Expenses - 2022,31,99,000 Total Traffic ... (Interruptions) 10 Operating Expenses - 1733,13,49,000 Fuel SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA (Ponnani) : Mr. Speaker, I 210, 211 1 1 330,15,19,000 Sir, have a point of order under Rule and Staff Welfare and 212. Amenities Sir, I am here to request you to protect the rights 12 Miscellaneous 415,26,46,000 of the Members of the House. When Demands for Worldng Expenses Grants are before the Houee, the Members have 13 Provident Fund, Pension 1338,53,00,000 certain rights with respect to those Demands for and othor retirement Grants. Any Member can give notice of cut motions benefits and these cut motions should be circulated. 80th with respect to the Demands for Grants (Railways) 14 Appropriation to Funds 2088,33,33,000 and also the Demands for Grants (General), I had 15 Divident to General 8,49,89,000 submitted a few cut motions and I submitted them In Revenues, Repayment time. We were busy with the ~udget till about two of Loans taken from 0' clock or so. The notices were to be given before 31 Interim S'Jdget (Railways) MARCH 26, .1998 Account (Rlys.) & Supplementary 32 Demands for Grants on Demands for Grants (Railways)

[Shri G.M. Banatwalla) from a Member that he would move cut motions to demands for grants regarding 3.15. We took the trouble of g")ing through all the a particular Ministry is not enough for pages and everything. With reference to demand treating them as moved ..." numbers, pages, this and that, the notices were submitted by me by 2.55, i.e., 20 minutes before the Kindly cooperate with the Chair. You can move time the notice could lapse. I am sorry to point out the cut motions later. You have at ready taken much this. I approached you also in your Chamber with a time. Please hear me ... (fnterruptions) request that they should be circulated. The notices SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : There are precedents. of cut motions do not take any time. We do not even Earlier also we have been moving the cut move them in the House by standing. We only send motions ... (Interruptions) our slips. And I assured you also that if I am allowed to move my cut motions, I will not even speak on the MR. SPEAKER : Only two hours' time is allotted Demands for Grants motion. On the Demands for for this subject. Grants, my cut motions will be there on record. Yet '" (Interruptions) I am sorry that in spite of all this offer of cooperation, I find that the cut motions have not been circulated SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : How much time is and our rights are being erased. allowed that is not the point. I have the right to move my cut motions ... (Interruptions) I request you, Sir, that even if a few minutes are taken and cut motions are circulated even a little MR. SPEAKER : I am requesting the hon. later, then we should be allowed to move those cut Members to cooperate with me. motions. In case our cut motions were found SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : I will not be speaking. inadmissible for certain reasons, when I had even I will only move them. Even then I am not being approached you in your Chamber courtesy demanded allowed to move them. These are the rights of the that I should have been informed so that I would not Members. Let the cut motions come on record have taken tha time of the House for this purpose. today... (Interruptions) My request is that those cut motions be circulated MR. SPEAKER : At this junctu~e again I am and I may be allowed to inform you of my intention requesting the Members to kindly cooperate with the to move those cut motions. Chair because there is no time. These are financial MR. SPEAKER: Shri Banatwalla, it is an Interim matters and we have to complete the business today. Budget. Later the Minister will bring the General ... (Interruptions) Budget. At that time, you can take up those cut motions. MR. SPEAKER : We have to complete the ... (Interruptions) 'business today. Please hear me. All the Party Leaders have agreed for this in the Leaders meeting SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : No, Sir. Please see itself. Please cooperate with me. Rule 210 and 212. Please also see Rule 214 clause ... (Interruptlons) (4). I quote: • ... vote on account shall be dealt within SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA: Under what rule are the same way as if it were a demand for you disallowing? .. (Interruptions) grant." SHRI MUKUL WASNIK (Buldhana) : Sir, the According to that a vote on account is deatt with business will have to be completed only by following in the same manner 8S 8 demand for grant In a the Rules 01 Procedure of this House. The rights of General Budget. It is a serious matter of the rights of the Members will have to be protected. The rules will the Members. Earlier also we have moved cut have to be foliowed ... (lnterruptions) motions. Even on vote on account we have moved MR. SPEAKER : At certain times we have to cut motions. It is just to place our poj~t of view and adjust to rules also. Yesterday we have agreed to it. without even speaking I said that we will do that. We are here to cooperate with the Government ... (Interruptions) ... (fnterruptions). SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : I am on it because it MR. SPEAKER: Please hear me. The procedure is a serious matter of the rights of the Members. t regarding moving 01 cut motion Is : have a rlgnt to move my cut motion. I say that I will ·Cut motions cannot be moved if there is not speak on my cut motion ... (lnterruptions) no time for proper discussion and voting, SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA (Bankura) : Sir, nor can they be moveel by proxy. Intimation Members' rights have to be protected ... (Interruptions) 33 Interim Budget (Railways) CHAITRA 5, 1920 (Saka) Account (Rlys.) & Supplem.ntary 34 Demands for Grants on Demand. lor Grants (RaUnys)

MR. SPEAKER : Shri Acharia, yesterday in the SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : Sir, but that Leaders meeting· we have agreed to pass them does not mean that the Members should not be because of lack of time. Please cooperate with the allowed to move the cut motions. There was no such Chair. agreement. ... (lnte~ruptions) MR. SPEAKER : You can move the cut motions at the time of the General Budget and there Is ample SHRI MUKUL WASNIK : The rights of the Members time also. should be protected ... (lntprruptions) SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : Sir, we agreed for SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : We agreed to finish compl"etlng it within two hours. it within two hours. But that does not mean that cut motions should not be allowed ... (lnterruptions) SHoAl G.M. BANATWALLA : Sir, we will pass It without a word spoken as far as I am concerned MR. SPEAKER : Please cooperate with the ... (InterriJptions) Chair. Unnecessarily the time of the House is being wasted. SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : Sir, two hours are allotted for the Interim Railway Budget ... (Interruptions) ... (Interruptions) SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : This is a wrong MR. SPEAKER: Shri Acharia, please cooperate. procedure. You are once and for all erasing the rights SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : Sir, this is most of the Members ... (/nterruptions). No, this is a wrong unfortunate ... (interruptions) procedure. MR. SPEAKER : I am not allowing you. I have MR. SPEAKER : Shri Banatwalla, please allowed only Shri K. Rosaiah. cooperate with me. SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : Sir, the rules are not ... (Interruptions) followed. The rights of a Member to move a cut SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : This is a wrong motion are being denied under no provision of rules. proce du re ... (Interruptions). MR. SPEAKER : Shrl Banatwalla, please MR. SPEAKER : Shri Banatwalla, please cooperate. cooperate with me. Yesterday we all agreed to It. SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : Sir, I tell you that I am SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : Sir, I am going to the not going to speak on my cut motions. I will only extent of saying that I will not speak a word on the move them ... (lnterruptions) Sir, you are erasing the rights of the Members. Demands ... (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER: Please cooperate with the Chair MR. SPEAKER: Please cooperate. because it was agreed to yesterday in the Leaders' SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : We are cooperating. Meeting. You please cooperate with me ... (lnterruptions) SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : Sir, it is not MR. SPEAKER: Shri Basu Deb Acharia, you are cooperation. It is full operation of the rights of the a senior Member. Please cooperate. Members ... (Interruptions) SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : Sir, we have agreed MR. SPEAKER : You can move them later. to finish it in two hours. Yesterday you have all agreed to it. SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : Sir, you please stand SHRI MUKUL WASNIK : Sir, what sort of a ruling by the rules. Otherwise let us tear them and throw is this? .. (Interruptions) thel1l away ... (Interruptions) There are certain rules. SHRI KONIJETI ROSAIAH : Mr. Speaker, MR. SPEAKER :You can moye a number of cut Sir... (Interruptions) motions at the time of the General Budget. You can MR. SPEAKER : Shrl Banatwalla, you can move move them at that time. Please cooperate. a number of cut motions at the time of the General SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : Sir, It is our right. Budget. I will give you time at the time of the General Thla is not cooperation. You ahould protect our Budget. I will fully cooperate. rights ... (Interruptions) SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : Sir, under what MR. SPEAKER: I am once again requesting you provision or rule number are you disallowing te please cooperate with me. me? .. (Interruptions) SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : What cooperallon? SHRI KONIJETI ROSAIAH : Sir, I am a new ... (Interruptions) Member. I have Informed the. Chair alao that I would 35 Interim Budget (Railways) MARCH 26, 1998 Account (Rlys.) & Supplementary 36 Demands for Grants on Demands for Grants (Railways)

IShr! Konijetl RosaiahJ SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : Sir, I only want to move my cut motions. That is all. Let my cut motions like to speak in my mother tongue, Telugu. So, with be circulated and taken as moved. That is all. your permission, I would like to speak in Telu.9u ... (Interruptions) SHRI SHARAD PAWAR : The ruling party wants a discussion. The Treasury Benches want a MA. SPEAKER : I request the Members to discussion. There Is a request from the Treasury cooperate. Benches. So, we have no objection ... (lnterruptiOtls) SHRI E. AHAMED (Manjeri) : Sir, it is not correct. THE MINtSTER OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHAI L.K. The agreement was for completing it in two hours. ADVANI) : I would request the Leader of the SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : Sir, you used your Opposition to continue. I am sorry that one of our right. Members interrupted ... (Interruptions) SHRI E. AHAMED : Sir, I only want to ask one MR. SPEAKER : Shri Banatwalla, the Minister Is thing. It was not decided yesterday that cut motions on his legs. will not be moved. If there is no time for proper ... (Interruptions) discussion, why should the Chair call for a discussion? Please give time to all the Members to SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : Sir, which Minister is speak ... (Interruptions) on his legs? He Is the Leader of the Opposition and MR. SPEAKER: The Leader of the Opposition is not the Minister. Of course, he has the rank 01" a on his legs. Let him speak. Minister. That is a different thing ... (Interruptions) SHRI SHARAD PAWAR (Baramati) : Mr. Speaker, SHRI SHARAD PAWAR : Shri Bana!walla, I think Sir, the point of order raised by han. Shrl Banatwalla we should accept this suggestion. Secondly this will is a correct point. There is a provision and definitely not be treated as a precedent and we know that every Member has got that right. But, simultaneously, everybody is quite serious about the preservation we should not forget that this is an exceptional and and protection of the rights of every Member. But knowing well the peculiar pOSition, I think we have abnormal time. We have to pass this Vote on Account before a particular date. to cooperate and we have to close this chapter as early as possible. We have to clear both the Budgets SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : We are here to pass and that too today... (lnterrupt/ons) it. SHRI P.C. CHACKO (Idukki) : We want a rulinr MR. SPEAKER : You please hear him. from the Chair that it would not go as a SHRI SHARAD PAWAR : Sir, it has to go to the precedent... (Interruptions) Aajya Sabha also. Otherwise there will be a financial SHRI MUKUL WASNIK : Hon. Speaker should crisis in the country. say that this will not be quoted as a precedent... (Interruptions). The Chair should give an SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : There Is no question assurance. of financial crisis in the country. I have a right to move my cut motion. That is all that is there. It does AN HON. MEMBER: What ruling should he give? not take the time of the House. I even do not demand He Is very right on that. That ruling must come from a right to even speak on it...(lnterruptions) you . . SHRI SHARAD PAWAR : I appeal to han. Member MR. SPEAKER: It will not be taken as a Shri Banatwalla .... (Interruptions) precedent. SHRI KHARABELA SWAIN (Balasore) : I want to SHRI E. AHAMED : It is a right of the Member. just ask that if his right is so sacrosanct, that he is A right of the Member cannot be tal

[Shri Konijeti Rosaiah) proper. Sir, it is a vicious circle. Economic development depends on the availability of Railways. travel to distant places for their livelihood. They Railways develop only when there is economic have to commute from one place to another for development. Both are intricately inter-related. If pursuing their profession. The dependence on transport fCilities, especially Railways which are Railways is indispensable for anyone in this modern accessible to all sections, are available, there will society. be a free movement of goods and pAssengers. And Sir, the population is exploding, our cities and that results in the development of the region. There towns, even the smaller ones are expanding in an will be prosperity all around. The income level of unruly, zig zag way. There is no proper planning individuals also goes up. We cannot apply the visible anywhere. But the facilities available to the yardstick of economic viability as we do in the case people have not been stepped up. In fact, of developed areas, to the regions which are degradation and deterioration are evidently visible economically very backward. Otherwise, I am afraid, in the scanty facilities which are made available to areas like North East, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar the people at exorbitant cost in these cities and Pradesh and Bihar can never have new lines and towns. hence can never witness any progress. Sir, in my State too, there are several areas As far as Railways are concerned, again I have like and Rayalaseema which are to mention that there is hardly any planned economically very backward. The people living development. In major urban centres like in these backward regions clamour and quite metropolitan cities etc., the Railway facilities have to often agitate for new lines. Hence I advocate that be provided to the people who commute long there should be a major shift in our policy. We distances in pursuance of their professions. Light have to give up this policy of judging on the basis Railway, Circular Railways and Suburban Railways of economic viability. Instead, we have to develop are indispensable to the common people who live in new railway lines in the backward region on priority these cities, for they are cheaper and easily basis, so that they too can reap the fruits of accessible. But our thinking or planning does not development. reflect these needs of the common people. We are still pursuing the same age old, obsolete methods in Sir, nearly one crore people travet by t:ain formulating plans and deciding priorities. We have everyday. Majority of these people belong to middle Railway lines worth 62,000 route kms. Out of which, class or lower income groups. The Government has we have Railway routes which have a length of not been taking any interest in providing better 13,000 kms. Sir, 62,000 route kms. is not an facilities to these people. The facilhies or amenities achievement after our independence of which we available to these people are either nil or too can feei proud of. It is not my intention to find fault negligible. All the efforts are concentrated in with anybody least with this Government which providing more amenities to only upper classes like assumed office only the other day. What I want to air-conditioned class and first cia •• passengers. The stress is that the planning is not on proper lines. passengers belonging to middle and lower income What i demand is that we should have proper groups are totally ignored. To some extent the planning according top priority for expansion of Railways are showing some interest in providing Railway network giving preference to backward facilities to long distance travellers. They should be regions. provided with more facilities. I do not dispute. But the passengers travelling for short distance and that Sir, we quite often disc .. ss about North Eastern too those who belong to middle or lower income States. It is our considered opinion that North Eastern groups should not be ignored altogether. It is States are economically very backward. Not much of injustice. The Government must think about them too. development has taken place in these areas. Sir, In More amenities should be provided to the passengers my view, the development means the development of sec.ond clllss. More general compartments should of Railways also. Laying new railway IiAft is an be there in trains for their benefit. . integral part of economic development. Whenever we think of constructing new railway lines especially Sir, your Honourable self, me and several others in North Eastern States and other far flung areas, we in this august House belong to Andhra Pradesh. The first think whether particular line Is economically National Interests are supreme, no doubt. But we viable or not. If they are not viable we do not take cannot forget our regional aspirations at the same up the construction. When a region is backward, lime. To ventilate our grievances, to highlight our when it has .een no development at all, where the problems and thus to invite the attention of the Union people living there are economically backward, how Government towards them at an appropriate time is can we think in terms of economic viability. It is not also part of our sacred duty. Everybody in this august 41 Interim Budget (Railways) CHAITRA 5, 1920 (Saka) IIccount (Rly,.) & Supplementary 42 Demands for Grants on Demands for Grants (Railways)

House, Is weli aware of the fact that Telangana region discontinued. They have been restored now. But the in Andhra Pradesh is very backward. A new railway Janata Express which runs between Chennai and line between Peddapalll-Nlzamabad in this region Bombay via Cuddapah has not been restored so far. has been surveyed and found viable. It was approved It should be restored immediately. The construction also. Subsequently In 1992, the then Hon. Prime of a new railway line between Gulli and Pendekal Minister laid the foundation stone for this line. But should also be taken up at the earliest. The survey unfortunately. the construction was not taken up. for this line was completed long ago and in fact the There is no progress on this new line. The things construction was also taken up. But the construction stand where they were earlier. Not an inch has been is too slow. Not even one km. Is being added In an added. The foundation stone remains a foundation year. It speaks volumes of the slow progresl for this stone and not a brick is added to it later on. Sufficient new railway line made so far. So I appeal to you to funds which are necessary at later stages for the speed up the construction work. Similarly the lurvey construction purposes are not provided. For want of was completed for Nandyala to Verragantla. It wa. funds, no work takes place. Hence the entire railway sanctioned allo. In the budget for 1997-98, Rs. 5 line just remains on the paper. So I take this crores were allocted for the construction work of this opportunity to appeal to the Hon. Minister for line. Even Rs. 5 out of these Rs. 5 crores have not Railways to Kindly note this point and see that been spent so far. I do not know whether the money sufficient funds for the speedy construction of this allocated for this line has been diverted for other line are allocated in the Railway Budget for the year purposes. I appeal to the Hon. Minister to see that 1998-99. What is more surprising, Mr Speaker, is the construction work of this line is speeded up and that the office mellnt lor land acquisition which was is completed early. 1992 opened in after its inauguration has now been Sir, we have to introduce many more trains wound up. It is really very strange. It is one example keeping in view the ever increasing demand. 10 show that we are not moving in forward direction Division was inaugurated on July 5, 1997 by the at all. What we are witnessing today is not progress. then Hon. Minister for Railways and the Hon. Chief It is retrogression in real terms. Even the office meant Minister of Andhra Pradesh. It was assured on that for land acquisition has been wound up for no rhyme solemn occasion that sufficient funds required for or reason in recent days. It is indeed very tragiC. the establishment of the Division Headquarter, People In the region feel let down. They feel buildings would be provided without any delay. The frustrated. It will provide sufficient ammunition to construction of building etc. has not yet been started. people to agitate. Not even one rupee was sanctioned for the purpose to this day. The inauguration of the Division remained 14.32 hr•. on paper only.

lOR. LAXMINARAYAN PANOEY in the Chair] [English] [English] MR. CHAIRMAN : Now Shri Harin Pathak 10 speak. I have called another Member's name. MR. CHAIRMAN : Please conclude. ·SHRI KONIJETI ROSAIAH : One minute, Sir. 'SHRI KONIJETI ROSAIAH : Sir, I am the initiator. I think the Hon. Speaker has permitted me to speak [English] for about 45 minutes. Please allow me to speak for at least 15 minutes if not 45 minutes. MR. CHAIRMAN : Please conclude now. 'SHRI KONIJETI ROSAIAH : I am the IniUator [English] and. Sir, this is a malden speech of mine. Kindly MR. CHAIRMAN: The time allotted to your party permit me to speak for another two minutes. Is 29 minutes and there are three speakers from [English] your party. 'SHRI KONIJETI ROSAIAH : Sir, I will complete MR. CHAIRMAN : I am not permitting anything it In another ten minutes. more. Please conclude now. SIr, Rayalaseema region in Andhra Pradesh is 'SHRI KONIJETI ROSAIAH : The doubling and equally backward. This region needs many new electrification of Guntur-Blblnagar shouldallo be railway lines and new trains. Janata Express tralnil taken up Immediately. Traffic on this line has whIch were In operation earlier. were for sometime Increased manifold. • Tran.latlon of the .peech originally delivered In Telugu. • Tranalatlon of the speech originally delivered In relugu . 43 Interim Budget (Railways) MARCH 26. 1998 Account (Rlys.) & Supplementary 44 Demands for Grants on Demands for Grants (Railways)

[English] Jubilee of Independence, wherein lol of IIgJ:jtenlng and fun fair had been done, fire-crackers were lit, MR. CHAIRMAN: Nothing will go on record then. but public did not participate. Only Government ·SHRI KONIJETI ROSAIAH : I am sorry. buildings were decorated with the lights and official Sir... (Interruptions) functions were organised, but masses did not participate in that as they could not partake the {English] benefits eccrued to the nation over these 60 years of Independence. MR. CHAIRMAN : Then let him conclude. ·SHRI KONIJETI ROSAIAH : Bibinagar-Nadikudi I feel happy to say that on 19th March, we saw railway line going upto Guntur should also be taken a glow of expectations on the face of myriads of up for construction immediately. This will reduce the people as at last the Government imbibing their distance between soulhern Stales to the extent of expectations has come to power under the leadership 100 kms. We have to double the line as well. The of honourable Shrl Atal Biharl Vajpayee hon. Members. forgetting their affiliations, had been ... (Interruptlons) A sense of confidence developed requesting the successive Railway Ministers from among the people ... (Interruptions) I have been time to time to take up this lina and complete it elected four times to this House. I have listened speedily. But there is no progress at all. I am many speeches, schemes declared by Ministers of confident. at least the present Railway Minister would Railways. Rather I am unhappy with the fact that take up and complete this railway line as early as whenever the Rail Budgets are presented. many possible. The survey for electrification is already over. ambitious schemes and projects are announced. It is estimated that the expenditure would be around then surveys are made. But those schemes are not Rs. 150 crores. I appeal to him to take up this line implemented. Mere shallow declaration are made in without any further loss of time. Guntur to Murmgaon Rail Budgets, such as, new rail lines will be laid, should also be taken up. surveys will be conducted to make us happy. Many of you might agree with me. I thank you Sir. for providing this opportunity to speak. I would like to give one example of railway system of my area. You are also unhappy- with that. MR. CHAIRMAN : Please conclude. Shri Harin In Ahmedabad, the then Minister of Railways had Pathak. declared a new division on 10th April, 1995. Inauguration also took place but my dear friend (Translation] former Minister of Railways, Mr. Ramvilas Paswan SHRI HARIN PATHAK (Ahmedabad) : Mr. and the then Prime Minister Mr. Chairman. Sir, yesterday at this very time Mr. Nitish reach there aller one year only. Now few days are Kumar. a senior Member. who had been Minister of left fo complete three years since the project was Railways, also had presented Interim Budget for the declared, but the division of Ahmedabad has not year 1998-99 for four months. We all know this fact been set so far. It is not a question of Ahmedabad that railway Is the back-bone of our transport system. only, it is applicable to other places also including In this vast country where transport facilities are those falling in your region as well. insufficient and 40 percent people live in poverty. As I said earlier, if we want to make the railways generally people travel by trains. Apart that the more effective, then this type of mere pretention railway has direct bearing on their sentiments, they would not help. We have installed Modern facilities have to meet especially when relatives living at like television sets etc. at the railway stations. When distant places. Therefore railways is a medium, which I reached Ahmedabad, which is the 6th biggest city connect people. in India, no television W88 installed there at the The country has completed 50 years of its platform. I met the Superintendent and the area Independence. I remember there are few villages, Manager, they urged me not to allow installation of where the train is still a curious object amQng the T.V. sets here as that would facilitate the incidents of children. Many villages are still deprive of the railway pilferage. On having asked him the reason. he facilities. explained that the trains generally came late and so waiting passengers enjoy the television programmes I do not want to give a long speech in the House, and thieves did their work at ease. I mean to say but I would like to thank Shri Nitish Kumar. During that equipping the railway ..tatlons with modern last few monlhs Government celebrated the Golden faCilities or declaring the plans would not help • Translation of the speech originally delivered In Telugu. anywhere in the improvement of railways. 45 Interim Budget (Railways) CHAITRA 5, 1920 (Saka) Account (Rlys.) & Supplementary 46 Demands for Grants on Demands for Grants (ReHWIIYs)

During the last one year you must have the Railways was 80 per cent and the share of the observed almost every day, the news of rail accidents road transport was only 20. Today, it is j\.lst the involving goods trains, Local trains, Express trains reverse. The Railways' sha ... is only 20 per cent and or Super fast trains, or RaJdhani etc. through the the share of the road sector is BO ... (lnte"uptions) newapapers. Sir, he has stated that there is a need to change Trains derail. All these incidents occur due to and there is a need to Increase it. He has stated like iack of maintenance of railway lines and lack of this. But we do not find it either in the Annual Plan imparting technological knowledge to linemen and or in the target fixed for the year 1998-99. For freight gatemen. transport, in respect of the Railways, the target is only 460 million tonnes. That is, an increase of only I do not have ample time. Our friends are sitting 20 million tonnes. Whereas today the Chinese here. When Shri George Fernandes was the Railway Railways is carrying about 1000 million tonnes Of Minister, he had prepared a status report. My freight with 67,000 km. of railway line. submission is that when you come prepared with the next Budget, please place before the House, the We have 63,000 kilometres of railway line. China details, a status report of all the schemes related to today has decided and plann6d to have another various ongoing projects in different states, schemes 10,000 kilometres of new railway line wlthin.the next announced for various states, whether related to five years. We are not giving that importance to gauge conversion, doubling of railway line or related Railways as China is giving. I suggest that the to erection. problem which has not been dealt with here, should be dealt within the regular Railway Budget. I hope Other thing I wanted to tell is that Shri Ram that the Railway Minister will take all these Naikji is our Minister of State for Railways. suggestions and points into consideration. Maharashtra is a very big State. There is a long pending demand of the people ot Mumbai for the Why are Railways lagging behind? It is because establishment of Mumbai Suburban Rail Corporation of our line capacity. The emphasis ia not gilien to on the lines of Konkan Rail Corporation, so that increase of line capacity. When we are asking for an their demand could be met and the remaining work additional line, say from Howrah to Panskura because may also be expedited. that section has already been saturated ten years back, from Howrah to Panskura and Panskura to I would further like to submit that after Kharagpur, that proposal Is not being considered by considering the demands of all the States and the Ministry of Railways. It is not a single case but listening to the problems of the respective there are a number of cases where there is a need constituencies of all the MPs, our Railway Minister for an additional line because the existing capacity could give a new direction to the Railways in the has already been saturated. Unless the capacity is ensuing budget. I would like to inform the new increased, our target cannot also be achieved. We members that many a time it has been seen in the are achieving the targets. But we should not be past that members of a number of States walked out satisfied with mere 430 million tonnes of freight. Our of the House in protest because they felt that their bulk traffic is of coal. The Indian Railwaya Is carrying demands were not fulfilled and their areas were coal to the extent of 130 million tonnes out of' neglected. I would request Shri Nitishji to kindly pay our total production of coal of about 300 million proper attention for the developmental work of entire tonnes. Why can the Railways not carry an additional country, especially Purvanchal areas, backward 100 million tonnes of coal? castes, by providing railway lines to the remotest part where this facility is not available and fulfil our Last year when I spoke on the Railway Budget, aspirations by meeting our demands. I had asked as to what would be the revenue earning of the Railways II the Indian Railways could carry (English] another 100 million tonnea of coal. It would be to the extent of Rs. 6,000 crore. I have also worked It out SHAI BASU DEB ACHARIA : Mr. Chairman, Sir, that if the share of railway is increased by 20 per I am happy that the Railway Minister in his speech cent, then the impact on our economy, i'TIpact on the has admitted that there Is a need for a change in our consumption of petroleum, impact on the Import approach. I have been insisting on thia for the last content will be much and you can save to the extent several years. of Rs. 5,000 crore. So, there Is need for a change. In the Standing Committee on Railways, we had I hope the Railway Minister' would consider this in also recommended that the market share of the the next Railway Budget. But the question ia, how Railways should be increased. What was their freight can this be done? Unlesa more 'unda are allocated share in the year 1951-52? At that time, the ~hare of from the Finance Minlater, this cannot be done. 47 Interim Budget (Rai/ways) MARCH 26, 1998 Account (Rlys.) & Supplementary 48 Demands for Grants on Demands for Grants (Ral/ways)

IShri Basu Deb Acharia) not agreed to by the Ministry of Finance. Here, my request is thaI at least this recommendation of the Shri Yashwant Sinhaji, earlier the budgetary support was to the extent of 75 per cent during fifties, sixties Railways Convention Committee as well as tlle recommendation of the Standing Committee on and seventies. But in eighties, it was gradually Railways should be accepted by the Ministry of reduced to 50 per cent. During the regime 01 the Finance. United Front, it was increased from 15 per cent to 23 per cent. My suggestion is that in order'to increase the capacity, funds should be made available. We have My suggestion is that next year, that· is, in 10,000 kilometres of overaged track but there Ie no 1998-99, this should be increased by at least 50 fund to replace and revaluate the entire backlog. If per cent. Why? We all know that in other countries that is done, at least, 10 per cent capacity of the like China, the Great Britain, France and Germany, Railways can be increased by investing about six to the construction of railway line is the responsibility ,even thousand crores of rupees for gauge 01 thAir Central Governments respectively. The conversion. There is no impact in our capacity entire expenditure is borne by their Central ... (Interruptions) Governments. But here in our country, the system is such that even now for the railway line which was Our former Railway Minister, Shrl C.K. Jaffer constructed 100 years back, the Railways are to pay Sharief who is sitting here, is laughing. I am not the dividend to the Central exchequer 10 the extend referring to what he has done during his tenure as of seven per cent. the'Railway Minister. But he will also admit that there has not been any impact. I once suggested that a [Translation] Committee should be constituted to examine this aspect. MR. CHAIRMAN : Mr. Basu Deb Achariaji your SHRI C.K. JAFFER SHARIEF (9angalore North): party has been allotted only seven minutes. Please H:as there been no impact even after incluC!ling conclude quickly. Purulia? SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA (Bankura) : Hon'ble SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : Yes, including Chairman, Sir, I know the time allotted to our party Purulia, there has been no impact because there so I am inviting your attention on some of the are only two trains. important points ... (Interruptions) Our former minister has also arrived and Is sitting beside me. He also A private line was taken over and nationalised knows. in my constituency Bankura-Damodar river railway and a new rail bus has also arrived but the line has SHRI PRAKASH VISHWANATH PARANJPE not yet been repaired and revaluated for the reason (Thane) : Hon'ble Chairman, Sir, we, the newly that the funds are not available. I was told that the elected members do not get opportunity to speak. funds "would be available only after the regular Please give us opportunity as well ... {lnterruptions) Budget. That means, we will have to walt for another six months. Already, a new rail bus has arrived Irom [English] the Mysore workshop. But when it will be introduced, Sir, Ihe new Members also want to say something we do not know. If that line is converted to broad about their constituencies. The senior Members are gauge and connected with either Burdwan or with Tarakeshwar, an additional capacity would be saying again and again the same thing repeatedly. There is no change in their speeches for the last available. 10 years. 15.00 hr•• Mr. Chairman, Sir, you please give chance to The problem of saturated capacity on Burdwan new comers. We want to say something about our section can be resolved if that line is converted to constituencies which has not been done broad guage. yet. .. (Interruptions) I am happy that the Miniatry of Railways at long MR. CHAIRMAN : I have already cautioned him last have decided to complete the Calcutta Circular to conclude. ' Railway. The land Is now available from Calcutta SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : Sir, It Is the Port Trust, five kilometres from Majherhat to recommendation of the Railway Convention Princepghat. There is a decision to electrify that Committee as welt as the recommendation of the section and to make it a double line section. So, Standing Committee on Railways that the dividend, sufficient funds should be made available for which was payable to the line which was constructed them in the next Budget. I am talking of the next prior to 1952, shoutd be exempted. But that was also Budget. Similarly, for the extension work of Calcutta 49 Interim Budget (Ral/ways) CHAITRA 5. 1920 (Saka) Account (Rtys.) & Supplementary 50 Demands for Orants on Demands for Gran" (RaHwa,s)

Metro from Tolliganj to New Goria also sufficient from outside. But it is most unfortunate for u... We funds should be made available in the next regular are unfortunate enough that we have not received a Bud$et. single paisa from the U.F. Government. That Is why, we have extended our support to this Government. I am making one or two suggestions because So, this Government should be stable and should there is a provision for increased allocation for the deliver the goods. implementation of the Fifth Pay Commission Report. There Is a problem posed by Assistant Drivers. Of course, everyone will ask for particular proJects in one's State. I will do that if my State 18 MR. CHAIRMAN: I am now calling upon the next deprived ... (/nterruptions) You will also do it If your Member to speak. State is deprived ... (/nterruptlonsr SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : I am now SHRI PRAMOTHES MUKHERJEE (Be~ampore) concluding. This is the last point. Their scale of pay (W.B.) : No, this should be deleted. What right does was revised first to Rs. 3050 - Rs. 4590. Later on she have to say that? .. (Interruptions) by adding 20 per cent, it has been revised to Rs. 4000 - Rs. 6000. But they are demanding the SHRI (Arambagh) : There should be scale of pay of Rs. 4500 - Rs. 8000. The All India some sense. Loco Running Staff Association - Mr. Minister, you KUMARI MAMATA BANERJEE : Mr. Chairman, are not listening - has submitted a memorandum Sir, I have not said even one word when thalr saying that two recognised federations have been partyman spoke because it is the fundamental right heard, but this Association has not been heard. of hon. Members that they will stata thair views Because of that the anomaly has not been removed. when their opportunity comes ... (Interruptions) The way The Finance Minister is here and the Railway they are behaving is not propar ... (lnterruptions) They Minister is also here. Railway workers are agitating. cannot stop my voice hare. This is the Parliament of These anomalies should be removed. India. There are a number of pending projects in West I am pleading especially for the rural areas, the Bengal like Calcutta Metro, Arambagh-Tarakeshwar backward areas and the hilly areas where new line, doubling of Bandel-Katwa, electrification opportunities are poor. The railway lintls in the north- of Barasat-Hasnabad, Eklakhi-Balurghat and Bina- eastern region are especially very poor. My friends Tamluk. For all these pending projects sufficient there will not raise this issue. There are many projects funds should be allocated in the next regular Budget. pending for twenty to thirty years. The Eklakhi- Balurghat project is pending for long and there is no KUMARI MAMATA BANERJEE (Calcutta South) : communication in North Bengal... (Interruptions) Do Mr. Chairman, thank you very much for giving me not shout. I am speaking for my State. Are you this opportunity. The new Members are correct. Always jealous? .. (lnterruptions) This is most unfortunate. I senior Members speak more, but new Members do am speaking. for my State. Why do you shout? not get an opportunity to speak. In order to support them and to give them an opportunity to speak I do MR. CHAIRMAN : You have a very limited time. not want to elaborate my points. I would concentrate KUMARi MAMATA BANERJEE : They are only on a few projects because this is only a Vote on disturbing me. Please tell tham to be quiet. Account. This is not a full Budget. When the full MR. CHAIRMAN : Please hear her. Budget comes, we can give our proposals to include all these projects, whatever we want. But as of now KUMARI MAMATA BANERJEE : I am speaking it is only a Vote on Account for four months. The about the projects; I am not talking about corruption. process will be starting now for the preparation of Please allow me to speak about the prolects. the regular Budget. MR. CHAIRMAN: Your time is very limited. There Mr. Minister, I must convey our congratulations are only two more minutes. to all the railway employees, officers and the workers. KUMARI MAMATA BANERJEE : How is it that We are proud of our Indian Railways. Indian they disturb me and you punish me? Is it because Railways is an institution which communicates people nobody will speak on behalf of ? They from south to north and east to west. This is the only will speak on their party lines and I will speak for the communication line which can give a new thrust people. especially to the people all over the country. I have talked about the Eklakhi·Balurghat project. The Railway Budget allocations were increased It is pending since long. Shri C.K. Jaffer Sharlef, as last time by the friendly U.F. Government. Of course, Minister of Railways, gave only one thousand crores we were there also. We have had our Chairman on to West Bengal and we returned one thousand and the Standing Committee on Railways and we, Ihe MPs from West Bengal, supported the Government • Expunged as ordered by the Chair. 51 Interim Budget (Railways) MARCH 26, 1998 Account (Rlys.) & Supplementary 52 Demands for Grants on Demands for Grants (Railways)

[Kumari Mamata Banerjee) considering the increase in the Poatal Order feea and other things, the hon. Minister may please give one. This is not proper. All over the country, wherever aome concession to those students who want to travel projects are pending since long. they should conduct from one part of the country to the other so that they a survey and complete them as early as possible. can appear in the examinations. There are other projects like the Digha-Tamlukh My next point is about the aecurity and safety project and the Howrah-Amta project lying pending aspect. There should be adequate safety measures, for long. We have handed over our package proposal especially the women and children. Regarding the to the hon. Prime Minister also. construction of the flyovers, though the Central My next pOint is about the Tollygunj-Guria project. Government has sanctioned them, they have been It is not New Guria as was mentioned, but it is only pending for a very long time, like tM Sonarpur Guria. It comes within my constituency and only six flyover and the Bondal Gate flyover. We have already kilometres away. Unfortunately, the maintenance of given funds from our MP's quota. the Calcutta Metro is not good now. So many MR. CHAIRMAN : Please conclude. unfortunate incidents are taking place day after day. Still we are proud of our Metro Railway. The KUMARI MAMATA BANERJEE : Sir, I will take Department has been shifted from the Ministry of only half a minute. I am speaking very fast like a Railways to the Ministry of Urban Development. I Super Express. appeal to the Government that this should come Nothing has been done with respect to projects within the jurisdiction of the Railway Ministry so that like Bondal Gate, Sonarpur, Maurigram Lake Gardens the extension work of the Tollygunj-Guria line could which have already been sanctioned. New projects be completed soon. Though the RITES have made like Dankuni flyover, Barasat flyover, Siliguri flyover surveys and submitted the reports, nothing has been and Sonarpur flyover should be completed. done because it has been pending with the Ministry of Urban Development. With these few words, I would like to conclude. But this is horrible. We have to speak like a super Now, I would like to speak about the Barrackpore- express. Dum Dum Circular Railway. You know that the condition of the Circular Railway is very bad. [Translation] MR. CHAIRMAN : Please conclude now. SHRI MOHAN SINGH (Deoria) : Mr. Chairman, KUMAR I MAMATA BANERJEE : I am only Sir, I want to know the method by which you call the mentioning the projects. I am not going into the members to speak because as per the established details. I will take only one or two minutes. We do norms, when the members of one party have spoken, not have any Shatabdi Express. We have been then ONY the next one is called to speak. We are the asking for the introduction of Shatabdl Express for a representatives of third largest party and you are by- long time from North Bengal - from Cooch Behar to passing us. Sealdah. Likewise, we asked for a golden jubilee express from Sealdah to Delhi. Though the hon. MR. CHAIRMAN: No, no. I am not by-passing Minister of Railways gave an assurance, nothing was you. Your name came very late. done in that regard. I request that the doubling of SHRI MOHAN SINGH : You are definitely by- the Sealdah-Bangaon line and electrification of the passing us. My name did not come late. This Is the Sealdah-Basirhat line and the Tarakeshwar-Arambag time and turn of my party. line should be completed. MR. CHAIRMAN: I will call you after him. Sir, there are some wagon industries in Bengal, like Burn Standard and Jessops. Please do not {English] reduce the number of orders that are given to these companies. Otherwise, these companies will become DR. JAYANTA RONGPI (Autonomous Dlstrict- sick and the workers will die of hunger. Assam) : Sir, smaller parties should also be given time. I would request you not to hike the fare not only this time but also next time. Please do something for {Translation] the students. The reason why I am pleading for the students is that so many students travel from one SHRI RAJO SINGH (Begusaral) : Hon'ble part to the other parts to appear In the examinations. Chairman, Sir, a new member . like us has got to Due to the increase In Postal Order fees and rail participate in this special discussion on the Budget fare they are unable to sit In the examinations. presented for four months by the Minister of Railways, Considering the plight of the unemployed, Shrl Nltlsh Kumarjl. I take this opportunity to remind 53 InterIm Budget (Railways) CHAITRA 5, 1920 (Saka) Account (Rly•. , & Supplementary 54 Demands for Grants on Demand. for Grants (Ra/lways)

the Minister of Railways that a railway line from unhygienic. Railways runs its catering service under Gayat.o Kiul which passes through my constituency contract system. Shri Nilish Babu, when you happen was laid way back by the Britishers which he seems to travel by train, you usually travel in first class AC to have forgotten. Compartment wr,ere you get all facilities and Hon'ble Mr. Chairman, Sir, you will be surprised therefore you do not get the first hand knowledge. to know that no work has been done on this railway But please see what common passengers are being line nor any steps have been laken by the Ministry served as meals. They are served rice purchased of Railways to develop this railway station. Today it from Fair Price Shops and wherefrom they get takes atleast 12 to 17-18 hours to reach Kiul from pulses? You have provided utensils in the trains, but Gaya. I belong to Shekhpura. II I happen to go there they hardly cook meals In those utensils, they 11ft by train from Patna, I leave in evening and reach enllre items from other stations and put them in the Shekhpura the next day in evening. Such is the utensils provided to them. Your contractors are condition of that railway line. It hardly matters engaged in carrying passengers and earn money whether Shrl Jaffer Sharief is the Railways Minister from them. or my friend Shri Nitish Kumarji, for me, both are I request you to provide safoty and light in trains. equal. In democracy, Government changes as well Kindly find out whether there are adequate lights as Minister changes but officers remain well and bulbs? You bring outdated compartments from entrenched. The officer provides different kind of Mumbal and Madras and put them In use between guidance to different Ministers. It is quite interesting Patna to Kiul and Jhajha and Jamalpur in which to note that the position of officers remains the same passengers cannot even go to bathroom if need whereas our position keeps on changing. This is the arises. Darbhanga-Jayanagar line comes under demerit of democracy. We the 49 members do nothing broad guage project which is adjoining Nepal border. other than speaking. I will explain in detail when the This project is included in the other supplementary Minister of Railways presents Rail Budget. This is Budget which has been supplied to us. II you wish my humble submission to the Minister of Railways to finish it, finish it as fast as you can. that please introduce an Express train from Gaya to Kiul for people of the area. They have waited in vain My submission is that there Is no need of any for such a train. Whether this line exists in India or budgetary provision .for introducing an Express train not? This area also comes under the constituency of from Kiul. I request you to kindly consider my points Shri George Fernandes. while replying. The condition of Islampur to Fatuha railway line One of our new member from the other side was is the same. Kindly pay attention to this railway line asking for providing opportunities to new members also. Kindly sanction some funds and get this line to speak. Mr. Chairman, Sir, kindly show your repaired. This line comes under my Constituency. benevolence here also. You remember the name of ·The tunds allocated in the budget to meet the important persons who come here frequently but expenditure for these four months is meagre. provide few a opportunities to common member like Meanwhile the number of passengers and volume of us who came elected from Begusarai. Though you traffic has increased but ths number of trains has have given me an opportunity to speak but I support remained the same. You have started extending the the contention of our friends as to how new members train routes. What have you done for the people of like us can become erudite persons? They can be Bihar? You have stated that Rajdhanl Express is there successful only when you give them opportunity. but which route it covers? You run this train '/ia Therefore new members should be given opportunity Lucknow. What was the need to take this train via to speak. I want to know from Nilish Babu something Lucknow? Couldn't you provide a direct train? There about the Railway passes provided to members. should be a direct train from Patna to Delhi. A'iot of There is only one First Class AC pass for a member trains are there for Lucknow. Shramjeevi Express and his wife and attendent travel in second also goes via Lucknow which originates from Patna. AC compartment. How can one's wife travel alone If you wish to visit Lucknow, go there yourself. Please in other compartment...(lnterruptions) Let me speak. do not misguide the people of Bihar by taking them I have done work in J3ihar. My submission Is that to Lucknow. kindly provide two first class A.C. passes to all the members. Hon'ble Chairman, Sir, what facilities do they provide in the trains? Do you know how they serve I further request to provide free railway pass to meals? Earlier when Railway canteen was there, all the M.L.As as per the wishes of the Speakers of they used to serve meals in thall. These day. they the Legislative Assemblies and allo ensure that they don't serve food even In Pattal (plate made of are not misused. LegIslative Assembly is willing to leaves), instead they use paper plates which Is provide money for that. Please consider this ileue 55 Interim Budget (Railways) MARCH 26, 1998 Account (Rlys,) & Supplementary 56 Demands for Grants on Demands for Grants (Railways)

IShri Rajo Singh) Mr. Chairman, Sir, through you, I would like to request the hon'ble Minister of Railways that in view also and hold talks with the Speakers of Legislative of the difficulties being faced by the pilgrims in Assemblies so that the Members of Legislative crossing the G.T. Road to reach district Kaushambi Assemblies do not feel inconvenience and they could an over-bridge may be constructed over this rail track also avail the same facilities. Kindly abolish the linking the Bhakharl on one side and Bhagvatpur on contract system for providing meals and provide good the other so that the pilgrims and other people could quality meals prepared In Railway Canteen. easily move to and fro. With these words, I conclude my speech by Sir, I would like to make one mora request to the congratulating Hon'ble Minister in the hope that he Hon'ble Minister that his predecessor Mr. Ram Vilas will announce for introduction of an Express train Paswan had laid the foundation stone for a Railway from Gaya to Kiul today itself. zonal office to be opened in Distt. Allahabad and the SHRI SHAILENDRA KUMAR (Chail) : Mr. then Prime Minister Shri H.D. Devegowda too visited Chairman, Sir, I am grateful to you for giving me an the place, I would like that the Zonal Office of Railway opportunity to speak on the Interim Rail Budget may soon be established there for development and 1998-99. I would like to express my views on the extension of the ~ailways there and the publiC may Interim Rail Budget which our hon'ble Minister of also get the facilitie •. Railways has presented here. I am from Allahabad Sir, Allahabad is a very important place. Since In Uttar Pradesh. The main link connecting Mughalsarai to Deihl is via Allahabad and as you Independence, people of this district have been are aware that Allahabad has Its own religious and fighting for their rights. Inspite of the fact that the historical importance. This year we are celebrating travellers in quite a big number visit this place, no golden jubilee of Independence. "Rail Yatri Nivas· has been built there. Therefore, I request that one "Rail Yatri Niwas" may soon be buill 15.26 hr•. in Allahabad so that the Indian and foreign travellers viSiting Allahabad on the occasion of fairs held at [SHRI P.M. SAYEEO in the Cha;1') the historic Sangam Ghat such as 'Magha Mela', Malle Kumbhe and many other festivals and· lairs Sir, I would like to submit that though we are may avail of the facility there. celebrating the golden jubilee of Independence, yet Sir, just now one of our senior member. raised no efforts have been made to start a Shatabdi a very import:..nt point. He said that the Members of Express between Allahabad and Delhi. Whereas Legislative Assembly are not given Railway pae.es Shatabdi Express had been started to connect the which are given to the Members of Parliament. They capitals of various States. To connect Kanpur and have to use coupons while travelling in the Rail Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh with Delhi, a Shatabdi which ifI inconvenient for them. My humble Express has been started. Therefore, I would like to submission is that the Members of Legislative urge on this occasion of Golden Jubilee of Assembly shuuld also be given identity card to Independence to start a Shatabdi Express between enable them to avail of the faCility. Besides, I want Delhi and Allahabad. I would like to say that the to say that the ex-members of Uttar Pradesh hon'ble Minister has provided us Prayagraj Express Legislative Assembly are not given any facility for but w( will be obliged if he gives his approval for travelling by train. Therefore. I request that the starting a Shatabdl Express from Deihl to Allahabad and inaugurates it with his own hands. facility of tr~""ng by train may be given to the e,,-Iegl.'atora '8180. Hon'ble Mr. Chairman, Sir my Parliamentary COmltituency consists of three districts - Kaushambi, Hon'ble Mr. Chairman, Sir, on the 'Delhi-Howrah Allahabad and Fatehpur and through you, I would Railway line, there is a Burhan Railway station, which request the hon'ble Minister that as the district is a Junction also but no Express train stops there. Kaushambi was the capital of king Udayana and The Janta Express that earlier used to stop here, historically It is a holy place for Budhists where has also been discontinued. Therefore, I request that Budhist and Jain pilgrims from many parts of the the Sangam Express, Janta Expreas, Moori and world like China, Japan and other countries visit Katihar Express be provided a stoppage at Burhan this place. Therefore, my demand is that Bhakhari Railway station. Railway Station may be converted into a Junction at With these words, I express my deep gratitude the earliest so that tourists from Japan, China and and I thank the hon'ble Chairman for giving me this other countries could conveniently visit this sacred opportunity to apeak on the Interim Railway Budget, place. 1998-99. 57 Intarlm Budget (Railways) C~ITRA 5, 1920 (Saka) Account (Rlys.) & Supplementary 58 Oamands for Grants on Oemands for Grants (Railways)

{English] that was not done. I was later on told that It was not commercially viable. In thia regard I want to submit SHRI E. AHAMED : May, I make a submission to the Minister that the Railways should not only be about the Railway Budget? Though it is a discussion a commercial venture but should also serve the on the interim Budget, region-wise small parties nation, especially the backward areas. Therefore, I from the southern, northern and eastern parts of would like to make a special request for having the country should also be given some time to speak. computer reservation facility at Diphu and Haflong I appreciate the constraint of time but we would stations which come under NF Railways. also appreCiate whatever little time you could give to us. The people of Assam and North-east appreCiate the metre gauge conversion from Guwahati to DR. JAYANTA RONGPI : If you give time only to Dlbrugarh. The work is also in progressing from big parties, some of the areas of the country will Lumding to Sitcher. It will go a long way In fulfilling remain totally untouched. the aspirations of the people of Assam. The problem MR. CHAIRMAN : It is possible provided is, though metre gauge has been converted into Members shorten their speeches. Everybody can get broad gauge, the other related works has been done. an opportunity to speak. Because of the conversion the railway track has become very high and the plaiform is low. It is DR. JAYANTA RONGPI : You should take care of hazardous for the passengers to even get into the the smaller parties also. train because the platform remains at a lower level SHRI SANSUMA KHUNGGUR BWISWMUTHIARY whereas the track is at a higher level because of (Kokrajhar) : I also come from an area which is the gauge conversion. On my enquiring, t~e officials of most neglected one. So, I would also like to say the NF Railways have told me that this was not something. Please give some time to me also. People included in the Plan. I, therefore, wish to draw the are always talking about South, North and East but attention at the highest level and say that when you what about the North-east? take up the gauge conversion the work on platforms should also be taken up so that it does not become MR. CHAIRMAN : You are very reasonable. hazardous for the passengers. DR. JAYANTA RONGPI : I wish to start my I just want to mention about the Bokajan-Dlphu intervention with a positive note of appreciation for ·line. Bokajan Is the Sub-Divisional Headquarters. It the Minister of Railways. Shri Nitish Kumar's effort is an important station where one of the biggest not to increase the passenger fares and freight is public sector cement factories In India Is located. definitely a welcoming sign and I hope he will However, after the conversion of the track from metre continue the same when he will be presenting the gauge to broad gauge, most of the important mail full-fledged Budget. I think he will give an assurance and passenger trains ceased to stop at that station to that effect. which has put the people of that area to a hardship. i do not know whether it is a coincidence or While the gauge conversion is appreciated by the otherwise, for the last two terms the Railway Minister people, the consequential effects of the conversion has been from Bihar. I am forgetting the name, have proved to be counter-productive to them. I would perhaps it was Gazipur or Hazipur about which a like to draw the attention of the hon. Minister of number of articles appeared in the newspapers. This Railways to these anomalies and request him that has affected the elections also. I would like to submit the Autonomous District Council Headquarters that while Nltish'ji should take care of the State of should be properly connected by rail and all major Bihar or of a particular constituency he should also trains should be stopped at BokaJan station. look alter the entire country especially the backward I do not want to speak much on the financial and and tribal areas of the country where communication such other aspects of this Interim Budget. However, is needed the most. it is a metter of concern that the working expenditure I would like to draw his attention to the two of the Railways has increased. It has been increasing Autonomous Councils, Karbi Anglong and North continuously. I think that the whole of this working Cachar. These two Autonomous-Councils have expenditure may not be very necessary. With proper headquarters at Diphu and Hallong which come planning and management, efforts should be made under the NF Railway. Last time the hon. Minister of to reduce the working expenditure. Increase on the Railways promised me that when the computer receipts side also has not been encouraging. It has reservation system will be started for the State only been a marginal increase I request the han. Headquarters of the north-eastern regions he will Minister of Railways to take proper measures to also ensure that the headquarters of the Autonomous increase the receipts and decrease the working Hill Councils are also provided with this facility. But expenditure. 59 Interim Budget (Railways) MARCH 26, 1998 Account (Rly•. ) & Supplementary 60 Demands for Grants on Demands for urants (RaJlways)

[Dr. Jayanta Rongpi] Given the fact, like in other infrastructural areas, the Railways too need to invest more rather than In the North-East Frontier Railway, there are many less in the next year. This is obviously not a very places where level crossing are required. "In certain healthy development. The indication is not healthy If places there are level crossings but they are you see the facts and figures. Therefore, the unmanned. I do not make this demand with regard Government might be forced to hike the tariff, which to my constituency alone. I would like to suggest to is inevitable. the hon. Minister that a Committee should be constituted to carry out a thorough Investigation Into As far as Andra Pradesh is concerned, earlier this matter and determine the places where level our hon. Chief Minister had written four or five DO letters to the then hon. Railway Minister, Shrl Ram crossings, manned and unmanned, are required to Vilas Paswan especially in regard to the formation be provided. Such a study should be conducted of the South East Coast Railway Zone at Waltair. On throughout the country. Every effort should be made this issue, the Andhra Pradesh Legislature has by the Government to act accordingly. This problem unanimously passed a resolution on 13.9.96 for the is faced In my constituency. My suggestion is that an formation of the new South East Coast Railways experts committee, with fair representation to the Zone at Waltair. It is pending in the Ministry of Members of Parliament should be set up to thoroughly Railways. The hon. Railway Minister has said that investigate into it. Proper planning should be done. a final decision will be taken only alter wide With the hope that passenger fares and freight consultations with all the concerned parties, rates will not be increased when the actual Budget including the Government. is presented, I conclude my speech. Recently Shri Nitish Kumar has taken charge. In DR. S. VENUGOPALACHARY (Adllabad) : Sir, the this regard, I hope that before taking any decision, Interim Rail Budget 1998-99 showed an excess of he will consult all the MPs of Andhra Pradesh. Rs.755 crore and contained no proposal for a hike Regarding the sanction of new railway projects in the passenger fares and freight rates. There are for Andhra Pradesh, the State Government has two-three important Indications in the Budget about recommended a new Railway project between the state of Indian Railways. It shows that the Gadwal and Raichur (Karnataka) on a priority basis. Railways are not in a position to step up investment For introduction of new trains, I request -1hat the to take care of the growing transportation needs of following new trains may be Introduced. Tirupati- our country. An Indication to the worsening state of Madras, Visakhapatnam-Mumbai, via Vijayawada and Railways Is its worsening operation ratio which is Guntur. -Bokaro Steel City via Nagpur, projected to be 94 per cent in "1998-99. extension of Hyderabad-Cochi Express up to Kanyakumari, one more Express train between This means that the Railways have to spend a Hyderabad and Madras via Nadikudi and Guntur. minimum of 94 paise per every rupee earned. I think, the main burden is due to the Implementation of the Similarly, earlier we have submitted a number of Fifth Pay Commission Report. On pension alone, the representations to the Ministry of Railways, but no decision has been taken so far. outgo is estimated to be Rs.1,167 crore. It is, I think, higher than the Budget estimate of Rs.2000 crore. The Government of Andhra Pradesh has contributed 50 per cent for taking up the construction Earlier, to increase the infrastructural facilities in of Railway Overbrldges. Three or four proposals are the areas of power, communications, surfece pending with the Central Government. I would request transportation, in Railways also, to attract more the Minister of Railways, through you, Sir, to take up private investment under Built Operation Lease this issue Immediately. Transfer (BOLT) and Own Your Wagon Scheme was invited but they have miserably failed to materialise. I would also request the Ministry of Railways to take up construction of a road overbridge at Palani As estimated in the Report, the passenger traffic Theatre, Tirupati Town of Chittoor District. I would in 1997-98 has to grow by five per cent and it Is also request for the formation of a new Sub-Divisional projected to grow at the same rate In 1998-99. Office at Bitragunta. Thankfully the ligures presented by the hon. I would especially like to thank and congratulate Minister for 1997-98 do not present a bleak picture. the Government for giving emphasis on the backward He also halls from Bihar like his Immediate area. As you know, In Andhra Pradesh, Telangana Is predecessor. However, In the Railway Budget for the most backwartl area. Our new hon. Member, Shri 1998-99 there are clear signs to the effect that in the. Rosaiah has also mentioned a60ut the Peddapally- next year our position might not be as quite Nlzambad line. Earlier, the United Front Government comfortable as has been proposed in the four months. has allotted a sum of nearly Rs.10 crore for this 61 Int.rim BUdQet (Railway.) CHAITRA 5. 1920 (Saka) Account (Rly•. J & Supplementary 62 Demand. for Grant. on Demands for Grants (RIJllways) project. I think, land acquisition is also completed With these few words, I thank you for giving me temporarily. But I came to know that the Land opportunity. Acquisition Office has been shifted. I do not know the reason for the same. [Trans/ation] Telangana is the most backward area in Andhra MR. CHAIRMAN : Shri Raghuvansh Prasad Pradesh. I would request the hon. Minister to give Singh. emphasis on this iSSUE!. Simiarly. Nanded to Muthked THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS (SHRI NITISH broad gauge line has to be completed. KUMAR) : There is no need for you to ask, you were As per the Ninth Plan National Guidelines, all in the Government. meter gauge lines should be converted into broad SHRI RAGHUVANSH PRASAD SINGH (Valsl,all): gauge ones. But in Andhra Pradesh, the gauge This is because you' have moved to the other side conversion is not taking place. For example, the work and become a Minister. on the conversion of Nizamabad to Bollaram broad gauge line has nol started. Muthked to Nizamabad Mr. Chairman, Sir, the Department of Railways in (80 km.) line is also pending due to problems in the India is very important. Every day more than one acquisition of agriculturai land. crore people travel in our trains and one crore tonnes of goods are carried. In India we have one crore As you know, the Nizam Sugar Factory is a key forty lakh Bullock Carts and each cart carries one factory for the farmers. Due to the non-completion of tonne goods daily. which when put together makes the conversion of this line, farmers are suffering due more than the goods carried by the trains. to lack of transportation facilities. Nitishji is the new Minister, we have seen the This Government is emphasising on agriculture figures given on first page of the Interim Budget and farming sector. I would request the hon. Minister. presented by him. It says that the length of Rail track through you. Sir. to take up this issue immediately. in 1995-96 was 62915 km., which came down to Earlier, the hon. former Prime Minister, Shri Gujral 62725 kms. in 1996-97. It was heard that in 1995- referred the question of halting sOlT'e Express trains 96, a railway line was planned to be stretched in of some stations in the Adllabad District which falls Kashmir, and in Konkan and North-east also the in the Northern Telengana region to the Rail Nilayam lines ara being extended. But according to your but so far nothing has been done. I am referring to figures, the length of the rail line proposed to be laid the halting of the G.T. Express at Bellampally, the in 1995-96, has come down to 185 kms. We don't NavJeevan Express at Kagaznagar and Janats know how could this be possible. These days, much Express at Tandur in Aciilabad district of A.P. hue and cry is made for laying new rail lines. Not The proposal for gauge conversion of Pakala- only this, it is al,so said that Rail facilities and the Dharmavaram line is pending before the Central number of new coaches is also being increased. In 1995-96 280791 Government. I would request the Government to the number of goods coaches was ~o 272127 1996-97. expedite this mailer. which has come down in It also has a difference of 8000. We don't know what trick I would further request the hon. Railway Minister is involved in it. People are demanding to extend the to extend the Cochin Express which is running from rail line but it is decreasing, Nitishji is a calculative Hyderabad to Kollam. man ... (lntsrruptions) He will look into it. Oay-by-day I would also request for modernisation and the length of rail lines is decreaSing, the number of development of Moulali railway station. Earlier also train compartments is decreasing and the number of the Government of Andhra Pradesh had referred this engines is also decreasing. We have seen from the matter to the hon. Railway Minister. It should be figures that in 1996-97, the number of theae three done on a priority basis. items have been reduced as compared to that of 1995-96. We do not know why this difference is there. A proposal to introduce a Palace on Wheels train But in Patna, last year in 1996, the then Prime orginating from Bangalore touching Mysore, Chennai, Minister had Inaugurated Digdha·Sonpur bridge Kodaikanal, Kanayakumarl, Thiruvananthfapuram, which was supposed to connect North·Southern Kochi, Udagamandalam, and finally terminating at Bihar. Just because there is no other rail bridge in Bangalore was there. I would request this new Bihar between Buxar and Farakka except Rajendra Government to see that this train originates and bridge, responding to the demands of the people terminates at Hyderabad for giving a further boost to and In view of the difficulties faced by the people, tourism. the then Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of Before he finalises the Railway Budget, I would the bridge in Patna. But now neerly two years have request the hon. Railway Minister to invite all the elapsed, we do not know what is there on papers? concerned Members of Parliament and consult them. Nltlsh ji may plealle see to it without bothering about 63 Interim Budget (Railway., MARCH 26, 1998 Account (Rlys., & Supplementary 64 Demand. for Grant. on Demsnds for Grant. (Railways,

[Shri Raghuvansh Prasad Singh) strengthening the national unity. Its task Is also to connect North-South, East-West, Konkan Railway, the date of laying of foundation stone. Otherwise Jammu-Kashmir, Sri nagar, North east, Kerala etc. with people of Bihar will seek and ask t,im for the same each other. It is alleged that the lion's share of because he belongs to their adjoining region. Railways has been directed to Bihar. But It Is not Therefore, I want to know about the Digdha-Sonpur true. Therefore, we would like to know the facts. It is bridge which was proposed to be built in Patna. their duty to Inform the House and the people of What happened to the bridge? How much time wlil the country about the fact that Bihar has got a very it take to be completed? Is it on papers or not? Or little share, not even the justified share. It is being all this was an eye wash. If a case Is to be flied alleged as to how this has happened. At the same under section 420 against whom will it be filed? He time I would like to say that the foundation of will have to tell us clearly. Therefore, we wish that Darbhanga-Nirmali line and Jhaptihi-Nlrmall line and the construction of the bridge for which the Sakrl to Hasanpur line has been laid down. In foundation stone was laid, be started soon. I hope addition to that there Is a demand to convert the you would do this. As you know an I.C.S. Officer Narkatia to Sitamarhi-Darbhanga rail line into broad during British rule wrote : gauge line. [English] Sir, when there was no democracy in any part of the world, in Valshall, democracy was there. India is "Bihar is the heart of India". the biggest democratic country in the world and we are proud to adopt the democracy in the world first [Translation] of all. Vaishali is the Karam Bhooml of Lord Budha Nitishji might have read it in the book that and Birth place of Bhagwan Mahavir, Indian historians wrote about Lichhvi republic but western [English] historians did not know about this. Therefore, I would like to say that the demand for this railway line in Bihar is the heart of India. Vaishali has been raised since 1904 and th& foundation stone of this line was laid on the day of [Translation] birth anniversary of Late Shri Karpuri Thakur ... Bihar is the one-tenth part of India and in the history of India, Bihar constitutes 2/3 of It. [English] MR. CHAIRMAN : Please conclude now. MR. CHAIRMAN: I have called the next Speaker. Nothing will go on record. SHRI RAGHUVANSH PRASAD SINGH : I am concluding. Bihar can not be neglected. He is the [Translation] Seventh Minister of Railways from Bihar. Before him, late Shri Babu Jagjeevan Ram, Dr. Ram Subhag -SHRI RAGHUVANSH PRASAD SINGH: Sir, I am Singh, Kedar Pandeyji, Shrl George, Late Shri Lalit concluding my speech. Narain Mishra jl and Ram Vilas Paswanji were the MR. CHAIRMAN: Please conclude, saying your Ministers of Railways. Only Foundation stones were last sentence. laid. We don't know when would this work be completed? They have yet to prove their strength in SHRI RAGHUVANSH PRASAD SINGH : Lastly, I the House, and hence we cannot say how long their would like to make one demand. Unfair means &,e Government will last. Mr. Psswan says this being adopted in the reinstatement of the Chairman Government will last for one year only. They are the of Railway Recruitment Board. I would like to expect cricket players whether they are the players for Mr. Nltlsh to get this matter investigated by the CBI. rehearsal match or the training match? We don't The appointment of Chairman of the Railway know how would Mr. Nitish work? Recruitment Board is being done by taking Rs. one or two lakh. We don't know as to whether you will be Foundation stone was also laid to connect able to take the action against this practice or not, Sitamarhi and Muzaffarpur through rail line. But we or whether you will get a chance or not, bflcause don't know when would this work be completed. Work this Government Is not going to last longer. to connect Patna-Gaya was also started. You are well aware about the historical importance of Sir, I am thankful to you for giving me an Bodhgaya, where Bhagwan Buddha was enlightened. opportunity to speak. Work to connect this also was started. [English] I would like to say that the task of the Department of Railways Is not only restricted to transportation MR. CHAIRMAN : There are many speakers to but it hal also to ptay an Important role In speak. I appeal to all of you. Anybody can take part 65 Inlerlm Budget (Railway.) CHAITRA 5. 1920 (Sakal Account (Rly•. ) & Supplementary 66 Demands for Grants on Demand. for Grants (Railw8ysj provided they briefly state their demands. Not like making it virtually made Chennal the Capital of Tamil this •. Nadu cut off from the Southern Districts. The travelling public Is facing much difficulty using road transport SHRI C. KUPPUSAMI (Madras North) : Hon. during the summer. Apart from that from 20th June, Chairman. Sir. at the outset I express my gratitude 1998, the metre gauge line between Trlchy and and thanks to my leader and DMK President. hon. Dlndigul Is going to be closed for conversion. It will Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Dr. Kalaignar M. add more difficulty for the travelling public. I feel that Karunanidhi. for having given me an opportunity to this work would have been completed and the contest from the Chennai North Constituency and Ministry of Railways released the sufficient funds In get elected as a Member of this House. time. When the DMK did not have any member In this After the gauge conversion from Chennal to House. the hon. Railway Minister had echoed the Madurai the people hailing from the grannery areas views of DMK and I am so happy that he stood for of namely Thanjavur District social justice. Therefore. we consider him as one Mayiladudural, Kumbhakonam. Cuddalore and amongst us although presently he is in different Chidambaram will have no facillty to travel direct company. from these places by broad gauge train to Chennai. SHRI T.R. BAALU (Madras South): II is a The tourists who wish to go to Rameswaram and temporary one. Sir, there is a point of order. The hon. Pondicherry will also be denied direct travel by train Minister is not listening to the speech. What is this? from Chennai. MR. CHAIRMAN: He is here. There is substantial increase in transporting of SHRI T.R. BAALU : The Minister should listen to goods from 23 million tonnes in 1996·97 to 27 million tonnes in 1997·98. It may increase to 30 million the speech. What is this? .. (Interruptions) He has paid encomiums to you. You are not listening to him. tonn~s. At present, because of gauge conversion, coal IS transported by road. The conversion of broad He has paid a lot of encomiums. gauge will provide more efficient option for moving MR. CHAIRMAN : The Minister is here. Why are coal. you telling this? The Minister is there to defend The hon. Minister of Railways, while presenting himself. the Interim Railway Budget, said that taking a bulk ... (Interruptions) of road transport by Railway will reduce pollution. Hence, I would like to request the hon. Minister to SHRI NITISH KUMAR : Everything is recorded allot sufficient funds and take up simultaneously the here. Please do not worry. I am also taking notes. doubling of the track with electrical traction which My colleague. Shri Ram Naik is also taking notes. will reduce the road traffic and save P.O.L. Please do not worry. Upto 1991 Rajasthan which was having 19 per SHRI C.P. RADHAKRISHNAN (Coimbatore) : cent of broad gauge and Karnataka which was having What is the purpose of saying all these things here. 20 per cent of broad gauge have also been provided SHRI MAHENDRA BAITHA (Bagaha) : Let him Rs. 6,000 crore by the Central Government for gauge come to the point. conversion. Today Rajasthan Is having 78 per cent of the broad gauge and Karnataka is having 98 per SHRI P.C. CHACKO (Idukki) : He wants the hon. cent. The work running into 300 kms. in Karnataka Minister to listen to us. was completed within two years. Tamil Nadu which SHRI NITISH KUMAR : I am listening to you. had 23 per cent during 1991 even now has only 33 per cent. Tamil Nadu has the lowest percentage SHRI C. KUPPUSAMI : I am happy as a person of broad gauge in the whole of India. Thi. type of who served the Railways for 24 years and started raw deal to Tamil Nadu is a regular feature and our the trade union career. to get an opportunity to speak State has been totallY neglected. To cite another on the Interim Railway Budget. example, the Ministry of Railways took 12 years' time to complete nine kms of MATS from Madras 16.00 hr•. Beach to Chepauk. Railways cater to the needs of crores of The ongoing MRTS from Luz to Vellacherry is to passengers and handle foodgrains and essential be executed early. The amount of Rs. 10 crore commodllies like oil. coal, etc. II needs to be allotted for the execution is not sufficient. While developed to fulfil the aspirations of the public. commencing the execution of MRTS from Luz to The undue delay in executing the gauge V~lIacherry •. may I request the Government to proceed conversion by Southern Railway in Tamil Nadu With the project without removing 3000 huts at Perlyar 67 Interim Budget (Railways) MARCH 26; 1998 Account (Rlys.) & Supplementary 68 Demands for Grants on Demands for Grants (Ral/ways)

[Shri C. Kuppusamil two places. Now the people traverse by boat to move along river Krishna. Normally when river KrisMa is Nagar near Taramani. To compensate the State, the in spate at that time boats capsize. It is also a highly Central Government should come forward cyclonic area. That is why Shri Devi Lal had gone immediately to provide broad gauge double track there and laid the foundation for the rail track. from Chennai to Madurai which is a life line of our State. In the interest of better communication and transport and for the Improvement of commerce and In my constituency at Parambur, it is proposed to also movement of people from place to place It Is construct a flyover bridge and for that the Chennai necessary that this railway track is completed. It also Corporation has agreed to share the responsibility saves tremendous money in terms of petrol and other and conveyed th.e same to the Southern Railway communication expenses. The rail-cum-road bridge authorities also. I request the hon. Minister of is to be constructed. The track is hardly of Railways to expedite the execution of the flyover 20 kilometres. II this is completed, it will alleviate bridge at Perambur. So also at Saidapet, there is a the miseries of the people 01 these two districts which bazaar road bridge sub-way which is also pending are highly populated. It would go a long way in sanction of the Railway Board. I raquest the hon. developing that particular area. So, I would request Minister to expedite this. Some years back, there you to kindly consider this aspect. was a proposal to have another railway terminal at Villivakkam to ease the congestion at Chennai That is all I wanted to say. Central railway station. I would request the hon. {Translation] Minister to pursue the same and start a new terminal at Villivakam. SHRI PRABHUNATH SINGH (Maharajganj) : Hon'ble Speaker, Sir, the Minister of Railways has Lastly to execute all works in Southern Railway placed the demands for grants for four months. I feel in Tamil Nadu, I demand and request the hon. that the Demands for Railways need not to be Minister to provide sufficient funds. discussed and more allocation should be made as SHRI P. SHIV SHANKER (Tenali) : Mr. Chairman, the allocations made are inadequate. On the day, Sir, I do not want to make any speech but I would when oath ceremony of Hon'ble Prime Ministsr, took like to bring to the notice of the hon. Minister one place, I was in Chhapra and I saw people were aspect which is the concern of two districts in Andhra happy there and on the day when portfolios were Pradesh. allocated and Mr. Nitish Kumar got the portfolio 01 Ministry of Railways, the people of Bihar felt happy Sir, the four districts of Andhra Pradesh, namely, that the portfolio of Railways has been given to an East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna and Guntur "active and energetiC person. During the recent past are called the rice bowls of India. These are highly advertisements were published in the Newspapers agricultural c::nd prosperous areas and with a lot of wherein those false promises were made and as population In Krishna and G'Jntur districts. I such the people of Bihar have been cheated. But understand from my friend who is sitting with me alter the appointment 01 the new Railway Minister here and who belongs to that place that the then the people of Bihar feel that the new Railway Minister Deputy Prime Minister Shri Devi Lal laid a foundation will fullill the promises. Sir, people should feel proud for a railway line between Repalle and Railways is doing the work to unite India. I would Machilipatnam vis Avanigadda. like to suggest and also warn the Minister of SHRI K.S. RAO (Machilipatnam) : Sir, the Minister Railways. In the recent past when there were some 01 Railways is not here. differences between the then Minister of Railways and the Chief Minister of Bihar, the number of MR. CHAIRMAN : The Minister 01 State for incidents of dacoity increased in trains In Bihar. I Railways is here. apprehend that the Government of Bihar will repeat SHRI P. SHIV SHANKER": Sir, Repalle Is in such things because Government of Bihar is not and Machilipatnam Is the 'capital of happy even r.ow with the present Minister of Railway. Krishna district. II the people of these two places The Government of Bihar can induige in politi king want to move from one place to another, they have with a view to defame the Railway Minister. Therefore, to now traverse more than 100 kilometres and they I suggest that special security measures should be have to go vis Vljayawada which means a journey of taken by the Railway Protection Force for the security more than 100 kilometres. There is a lot of of the Railway Minister and to protect the trains as commercial activity between these two districts. They soon as they enter Bihar. Otherwise the Government are highly populous areas and there are a lot 01 of Bihar will create such a situation wherein the commercial and agricultural activities between these Incidents of dacolty would take place. 69 Interim Budget (Railway.) CHAITRA 5. 1920 (Saka) Account (Rty• .) • Supplementary 70 Demand. for Granl. on Demand. for Grant. (Railway.)

Now I would like to draw your attention towraas Mlshrlkh rail line. I went there but I found that only certain problems of Chhapra-Siwan. I am speaking soli-filling work Is going on between Duraundha and here bu1 I don't know where the Minister of Railways Maharajganj but the survey work between has gone? .. (lnterruptions) The Minister of State in Maharajganj to MIshrlkh Is not going on. Sir, through the Ministry of Railways is sitting here. He may please you, I would like to requeat the Mlniatwof Railways note my points properly. that the rail-lin.. from Duraundha to Maharaj"anj and Maharajganj to Mlshrlkh, about which the former THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF Minister of Rallwaylll haa already given a.auranoe in RAILWAYS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE and outside the House should be alarted Immediately. MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI RAM NAIK) : I am taking note properly. MR. CHAIRMAN : Now you pleaae conclude. SHRI PRABHUNATH SINGH : Sir, Chhapra Is a SHRI PRABHUNATH SINGH : Mr. Chairman, Sir, historical place. There is no direct train from Chhapra I would like to urge upon the Government that local to Delhi. They have to go via Gorakhpur. For visiting trains should be provided stoppage at Aamlahl Delhi, they have to go via PDtna. though there is a railway station which Is located between Ekma broad gauge line from Chhapra to Varanasi. II is, and Chinwan railway stations, as Aamlahl Is an therefore, requested that a direct train should be important place with huge population. Raghuvansh Introduced from Chhapra to Delhi via Varanasl. A Babu was talking about Patna-Dlgha-Sonpur bridge. He was rightly telling that the former Prime Minister train Valshali has been running since long. It was Shri Devegowda had laid the foundation stone of considered a very comfortable train. But when I went this bridge but the construction of this bridge has not Chhapra by this train on 16th and returned on 22nd been started so far. A statement of the former Minister by this train I experienced that the condition of that of Railways has appeared In the newspapers that train has worsened as the engine of the said train the bridge will not be constructed there and the same failed both the time. Neither food nor tea was served will be constructed at some other place. II 18 a in the train. The prevailing mismanagement, whether betrayal of the people. Therefore, I would like to it is in respect of serving meal and tea or failure of request the Minister of Railways, through you, that engine, should be rectified. Only 10 seats of AC-I construction of Dlgha-Sonpur bridge should be have been provided In this train. Whereas 15 to 20 started without any further delay at the aame place Members of Parliament come to Delhi by that train. where the foundation stone of the same was laid by So I would like to request you that an AC-I the former Prime Minister. compartment should be added to this train in addition to another AC-JI compartment. The number of With these words, I conclude my speech. compartments has not been provided in this train In {English} proportion to population. That is why the people have to face difficulty In performing to and fro journey. MR. CHAIRMAN : Shrl Ralveer Singh. I would like to raise some minor issues. On SHRI P. SAN KARAN (Calicut) : Mr. Chairman, 19.3.98 I went to my constituency. I found that on Sir, the new Members are not given time to speak In Chinwan station people staged dharna and stopped this debate. I want to raise only two points. the train. Those people were demanding that MR. CHAIRMAN : Please take your seat. stoppage should be provided to the long distance trains at this station. They stopped the trains for six SHRI P. SAN KARAN : Sir, I would make those hours. The Collector of Chhapra and Siwan came two points without wasting much time. there. I was present there by chance. Bot" the The first point is, the fund allocated for doubling Collector and the officials of the Department of the second railway line between Shoranur and Railways assured to write to the Central Government Mangalore according to the original estimate Is In this regard. I would like to request the Minister of Rs. 450 crore out of which Rs. 50 cror. had already Railways that arrangement should be made to been spent last year. I request the Government that provide halt for the long distance trains at Chinwan additional amount of Rs. 150 crore maybe allocated station ... (lnterrupfions) Sir, I am a new member of for this project. Parliament. Let me narrate the matter relating to my The second point Is, the RaJdhani Express Is constituency. The former Minister of Railways had now being directed through Calicut and so, I request assured this House and the same was published In that the Rajdhani Express may be given a stoppage Newspapers that old line between Duraundha to at Calicut. Maharajganj which was closed down earlier, will be made operative. Besides, it was declared that a These are the two genuine demands which we survey would be conducted for Maharajganj to all, the Keralltes, have. 71 InterIm Budget (Railways) MARCH 26, 1998 Account (Rlys.) & Supplementary 72 Demands for Grants on Demands for Grants (Ral/ways)

MR. CHAIRMAN : You please send your name. I like to draw your attention that although a number of will consider it. long distance trains are being run, but the people of smallor distance are facing problema. I hope that [Translation) you will definitely pay attention towards It. SHRI RAJVEER SINGH (Aonla) : Mr. Chairman, The line between Bareilly and Delhi has not many many thanks for you have just averted an been doubled. Whereas from Bareilly to Lucknow accident. One train was coming from this side and and further upto Calcutta it has been doubled. Now other train had started from that side. the line from Moradabad to Ghaziabad has to be Mr. Chairman, Sir, the Ministry of Railways is an converted into double line. Due to absence of double important Ministry. ABB e'ngines were a hot topic line trains get late and there is mismanagement. I during the Tenth Lok Sabha and the Eleventh Lok would like that the Minister of State should pay Sabha took a lead in the matter of inaugurations and attention to it. Approval has been given but the work laying of foundation stones. For the salvation of one Is continuing with a very slow speed and it is not stone Lord Rama had to come on this earth. How speeding up. Please get it expedited. that the Railway Department has laid so many During Congress rule, Shri Suresh Kalmadi was foundation stones that several Ramas will have to the Railway Minister. He came to Bareilly and had come for their salvation. Since Shri Ram Nalk has announced that a Shatabdi Express train between now become the Minister of State for Railways some Delhi-Lucknow via Bareilly-Moradabad will be of the foundation stones may attain salvation. Shri introduced shortly. But that train has not yet been Nltish Kumar is not here otherwise I would have introduced. Neither that Government nor the "ppreciated him too. successive Government fulfilled the assurance. Mr. Chairman, Sir, my submission is that MR. CHAIRMAN : Please express yourself in Whatever has been said about the Ministry of brief. Railways by the other side, I think it Is not proper to SHRI RAJVEER SINGH: Mr. Chairman, Sir, I will criticise the new Government In this regard. This is not take even five minutes. This Shatabdi Express only five days old Government. They are not train should be introduced immediately: Mr. Minister, responsible for it. The persons sitting on the other Sir, this is the promise of your Ministry, you should side are responsible for what the railways have done fulfill it. Agra-Kathgodam is a very important line. during the last fifty years, the work left unfinished or Announcements to convert this line into broad guage the trains not introduced or the mismanagement in line has also been made. Surprisingly, the foundation the railways because there were more Ministers of stone of this line was laid in Badaun. The Minister Railways from that side. The entire system has been ot Railways had also visited the place. There was a disturbed and now the work of improving it has come Health Minister from there. He also made a number on the shoulders of Nitishji and Ram Naikji. I request of announcements, full page advertisements were both of them to tone up the railway administration given in newspapers, but the entire Issue remained and bring about improvement in this disorderly upto the laying of foundation stone. Now the time department. It is very important department. The Rail has come to Into convert the line into broad gauge is the lifeline of India. The railway lines connect the line. whole country. The railways are symbolic of the unity of the country... (Interruptions) Mr. Chairman, Sir, The second point is small but very important. Mr. sometimes it happens. I would like to remind hon'ble Chairman, Sir, it will not cost you anything. Bomb Minister of Railways that when he was on that side explosions are taking place at different places. Bombs he used to speak a lot about railways. Our Minister are also being exploded in trains, but no train is of State is an expert and he also used to speak a lot stopped. There is a small station called Nisoi, situated about railways. Now the Railway Minister has got an between Bareilly and Chandausi. At Ittat station, two opportunity to do something for the railways. He will railway employees were killed due 0 dlfferenc•• improve the situation and the suburban railways was and rivalry among railway empioyee . Due to this , his favourite subject. Through you I request the the DRM of that division and other 3r ilway offloials Railway Minister that he should not concentrate only closed down that slatlon. What is I logic behind on suburban railways of Mumbai, but there are some it? Why Ihe poor people of that area are being other larger sections also, where suburban railway harassed in this way? Why that railway station has Is required. For example take Lucknow. There are been ciosed down, though the trains pass through smaller districts around Lucknow. Such trains should that station on main line. Disputes are continuing also be introduced In these districts which will there. People are out to launch an agitation. If ttwre connect the people of one dilltrict to another. I would il chaos please set it right. If there is law ano- order 73 Interim Budget (Railways) CHAITRA 5, 1920 (Saka) Account (Rlys.) & Supplemantary 74 Dtlmands for Grants on Dtlmands for Grants (Railways) problem, please solve it. Why this railway station SHRI RAM NAIK : Do you want an earthen pot has been made non-functional. Mr. Chairman, Sir, (kulhar)? this has not been done by the present Government. SHRI RAJVEER SINGH : Yes, we want kulhar. If This was done during the regime of the previous tea will be served in kulhar, potter's will get their Government. livelihood. Lakhs of potters will get employment. We SHRI RAM NAIK : Which station is this? want kulhar. We want to drink tea in kulhar. We don't SHRI RAJVEER SINGH : This is Nisoi railway want plastic tumblers. For packing please use pattal, station. The wrong so far done here should be set which will help to develop cottage industry. Small right. This station should again be made functional. scale industry will grow. Please restore order in this station. If there is any [English] law and order problem, please solve it. Trains should not be stopped and the station should be made MR. CHAIRMAN : Hon'ble Minister, please do functional. not provoke him. If you provoke him, he will continue My next demand is that the demand for a over with his speech. bridge on the railway line between Bareilly and ... (Interruptions) Badaun is being made for the last ten years. In the absence of it, there are traffic jams for hours. The [Translation] Government of Uttar Pradesh has given its consent and has made the arrangements for mobilizing the MR. CHAIRMAN : Rajveerji, please conclude resources. I would like to request the Railway now. Minister that this over bridge should be sanctioned SHRI RAJVEER SINGH: Mr. Chairman, Sir, I am immediately and work should be started at the telling such an interesting thing. You did not sound earliest. the buzzer. The train moves when the buzzer sounds. MR. CHAIRMAN : Please conclude. This is the first buzzer. I am speaking for the first time in this session. Of the three paints which I have SHRI RAJVEER SINGH : There are two small made, the point regarding plastic is related to the paints. First, the Railway Ministry is a very important country's economy also. If you will allow production ministry. Hon'ble Finance Minister is silting here. I of the Pattals and Kulhars, this will reduce the would like to request him that more financial unemployment problem. All the potters and gardeners assistance should be provided to the Ministry of of our villages are rendered unemployed. They have Railways. The matters relating to the dividend etc. no work at present. If the Ministry of Railways desires, should be reconsidered. The report of the Railways it can help to flourish these small scale industries. Convention Committee should be accepted. It can purchase Kulhars and pattals from them. MR. CHAIRMAN: This point is finished. What is Packing of food with these materials will keep it your next point. fresh and hygieniC. With these words, I would like to request the Hon'ble Minister of Railways, to accept SHRI RAJVEER SINGH : There is one more the demands relating to Barellly. In the end, I would important point on which all the fellow Members will like to say one more thing that the waiting room at agree. Some years ago, we had a very progress~ve Bareilly station is in a very chaotic state. If the hon'ble Railway Minister. He introduced the system of serving minister comes unnoticed to rest there. he will food in plastic packs and tea in plastic tumblers, become aware of it. If he will come with much fan- with the result, that small scale industry came to an fare. they will improve its condition. Please do end. In this plastic era, hot food was served in plastic something to make it satisfactory. With theae warda, bags, which started causing a number of diseases. I conclude ... (lnterruptions) People throwaway the plastiC bags and tumblers after having taken their food and tea. You go to SHRI SAHU Mumbai or any other route, you will find the plastic (Mahasamund) : Mr. Chairman, Sir, please allow each material thrown in farms on the entire stretch of route. respected Members to speak for a minute. The environment is getting polluted causing an adverse affect on the health of people. This III has [English] tumb~ers spread all over India. Plastic packets and MR. CHAIRMAN : Hon'ble Members, on this can neither be burnt nor thrown or melt. Rather It is Vote-an-Account. the time limit was fixed up to doing harm to cultivation. I would like to request you 4.30 p.m. to resort to the earlier practice and free the railways 01 the use of the plastic. ... (lnterruptions) 75 Interim Budget (Railways) MARCH 26, 1998 Account (Rlys.) & Supplementary 76 Demands for Grents on Demands for Grants (Railways)

MR, CHAIRMAN: Please have patience to hear men In this country. I am making this submission on me. Why do you not hear me? I am going to find out behalf of my Party, All India Anna DMK. some solution. Please be seated. The time limit was The Railways have performed well and expect fixed up to 4.30 p.m. Is it the pleasure of the House to earn a surplus of over Rs. 1,400 crore during the to extend it further by half-an-hour? The Members present financial year which is higher by about who are going to participate should briefly state their Rs. 100 crore than what was expected when the case and then only we will be In a position to Budget for 1997-98 was prelolented in February last. complete it. Therefore, is it the pleasure of the House to extend the time limit by another 30 minutes? From this Budget, it is seen that passenger traffic recorded a growth of about five per cent. It is also SEVERAL HON. MEMBERS : Yes. welcomed by all and it is also an appreciable one. SHRI P.C. CHACKO: Kindly fix the time for both Now it has set up a target of 430 million tonnes because we have to take up the other one also. Let of revenue earning freight traffic for the next financial us not go in for ad hoc extensions. Kindly fix up the year also. As this House is aware, the Government's time. If we go on extending like this, then it will not decision on the Fifth Central Pay Commission's be over. recommendations has been Implemented in the year, SHRI E. AHAMED : Half-an-hour only! 1997 ·98. Railways had kept a provision of Rs. 3,300 crore In the ordinary working expenses for this MR. CHAIRMAN: We will also have to pass the purpose also. Interim Budget today. Tomorrow, the Confidence Motion is to be taken up. It is also appreciable that the total working expenses stand revised from Rs. 25,135 crore to ... (Interruptions) Rs. 25,922 crore, an increase of Rs. 787 crore. MR. CHAIRMAN: The time has been extended I want to submit before this House that from the by another half-an-hour, that is, upto 5 O'clock. Budget it is seen that the net revenue is higher by Rs. 3,016 crore as compared to Budget estimate of SHRI RAM NAIK : You have already given the Rs. 3,004 crore. decision. It is also appreciable that this Government MR. CHAIRMAN: How much time do you need? headed by Shri Atal Blhari Vajpayee has got the SHRI RAM NAIK : The point is, the General good intention to take all necessary steps to Budget Is to be passed subsequently. It has to be strengthen the Indian Railways and to enhance their passed by 6 o'clock. 50, for General Budget, there role in providing efficient transport of both freight would not be time for discussion. That is what I just and passengers also. want to bring to your notice. I also request the hon. Minister to take necessary, MR. CHAIRMAN : With the cooperation of the firm action to reduce the railway accidents and action hon. Members, we should pass it. against the anti-social elements who are always out to destroy the properties of the Railways. SHRI T.R. BAALU : Yesterday it was decided In the meeting to have two hours for Railway Budget With regard to the problems of my constituency, and two ho\;rs for Interim Budget. I want to make a few points in order to draw the atlention of the hon. Minister. There is an Engineering MR. CHAIRMAN: All these matlers were decided Workshop at Arakonam which was started in the year ,n the leaders meeting. Therefore, let us proceed 1894. It is 104 year-old now. It Is one of the major further. Workshops in the Civil Engineering discipline all SHRI C. GOPAL (Arakonam) : Respected over the Indian Railways. During 1958, the strength Chairman, I am very happy in delivering my address of this Workshop was 3500. II is very unfortunate to lor the first time in the House in the presence of note that its strength has now been reduced and experienced leaders and respected Members of this only 1500 workers are working there at present. So, House. a Committee was constituted In the year 1968 which had recommended the supply of points and crosaings I am also very thankful to my eminent leader, the to meet the entire requirements of the Southern General Secretary of my All India Anna DMK, Dr. Railway, the South Central Rallway and the Central Puratchi Thalaivi for having sent me as a Member of Railway. But now it is learnt that the supply points, Parliament for delivering my address today in this crossinga and thick web switches are procured from august House. the trade at higher rates. _ Hon. Aailway Minister Shri Nilish Kumar has I, therefore, request the hon. Mlniater to give placed before this august House, the Railway Budget orders to the EWS and save the workers there. I also which has been praised and welcomed by all poor request him to give financial aaaistance for the 77 Interim Budget (Railways) CHAITRA 5, 1920 (Saka) Account (Rlys.) , Supplementary 78 Demands for Grants on Demands for Grants (Railways)

development of that fa ~tory. My humble submission the country and constructed many railway lines would be that the trains should be operated from throughout the country. But the maximum number of Arakonam to Katpadi and Arakonam to Tirupati projects, which are not yet completed, are pending immediately. The sanction for those units was also for implementation and execution. there. I humbly request the hon. Railway Minister and The hon. Minister knows very well the Importance the hon. Minister of State for Railways to follow the of Tirupati. Lakhs of pilgrims are going from Chennai welfare policy of the previous Government and to Tlrupati and from Vellore to Tirupati and coming execute the projects as early as possible that are back. Therefore, I request the hon. Minister to operate pending implementation. There are so many projects trains from Arakonam to Tirupati and from Arakonam that are pending throughout the country. I urge upon to Katpadi. the hon. Railway Minister and the hon. Minister of State for Railways to seriously look Into the matter My another humble submission would be with so that these pending projects may be implemented regard to the Trivandum-Chennai and Chennai- at the earliest. Bangalore Brindavan Express trains. These trains should be stopped at Arakonam as well as at So far as West Bengal Is concerned, there are Sholinghur station keeping in mind the convenience many projects that are pending Including the metro of the poor students, poor passengers as well as railway of Calcutta. The names of those projects have 'poor business people. I, therefore, request the hon. been mentioned by two of our hon. Members, hence Minister to look into this aspect. I need not repeat the same. MR. CHAIRMAN : Please conclude. So far as my constituency is concerned, our senior hon. Member Shri Acharia has already SHRI C. GOPAL : i will take one minute. This is mentioned about it. I draw the attention of the hon. for the first time I am speaking. Minister of State for Railways to his meeting when About Coimbatore-Madurai line, there is a he visited the Eastern Railway Headquarters about scheme for converting the metre gauge line into broad the electrification of Barasat-Hosnabad section of gauge one. That may be converted via Pollachi very the Sealdah division and doubling of tha Sonarpur- quickly and financial assistance may also be given. Canning line and Sonarpur-New Moynaguri lin. upto Chennai is the heart of Tamil Nadu. So also Bllaspara line via Cooch Behar. Hosnabad Is one of the areas of Sunderbans which is famous for big Madurai which is also the heart of Tamil Nadu. But forest. The down-trodden people are living there and there is no frequent train. There is a scheme which is pending right from 1993. That scheme has not yet feeding the people of Calcutta but they are very much neglected as far as railway map Is concemed. been implemented. Therefore, I request the hon. Minister to solve the problems of the people by The survey work has been conducted and the operating the trains via Arakonam, Erode up to survey report has already been submitted which Is Madurai. lying pending before the Railway Board about electrification of Barasat-Hosnabad section In the I now conclude my speech. I would like to say Sealdah division of Eastern Railways. I urge upon that the Budget presented by this Government is the hon. Railway Minister as also the hon. Minister welcomed by all. of State for Railways to take this up so that this may SHRI AJAY CHAKRABORTY (Basirhat) : Mr. be implemented as soon as possible. Chairman, Sir, at the outset, I would like to say that There are so many projects which are pending the Railways is a miniature form of India and it is a in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Andhra, Assam, North- symbol of national integration. The Railways connects East, Kashmir and other different State, of our entire India from the South to the North and from country. The Government ,hould take up the matter the East to the West. A train carries different seriously. bogies where passengers belonging to ~i~ferent communities, different castes, creed and religion are I also draw the attention of the hon. Railway travelling. Ministers to one fact that not only pa.. engers but Secondly, the Railways is not only a commercial even the railway employees are feeling about the inadequate protection. The Government should deal organisation but it is a welfare organisation also. with the matter seriously, The then United Front Government followed up the welfare policy to develop the backward regions so About punctuality allo, I wish to state that trains that they can come into the mainstream of the are not running on time. Even traina like Rajdhsnl country. As I said, the then United Front Government and Shatabdi are running late by two, three or four installed many projects in the backward regions of hours and the ordinary trains are sometimes running 79 Interim Budget (Railways) MARCH 26, 1998 Account (Rlys.) & Supplementary 80 Demands for Grants on Demands for Grants (Railways)

[Shri Ajay Chakraborty) to blame anybody. I will request you only that the railway line which goes upto Rajahara, will be late by 24 hours or so. I urge upon both the Ministers connected upto Jagdalpur in your forthcoming full to look into this matter seriously so that trains can budget and you will surely make effort in this regard. run punctually. Also the Shatabdi Express between Delhi and Bhopal There are so many problems of the backward should be extended upto Bilaspur because projects areas of North-East as also the North Bengal area will be undertaken in which Madhya Pradesh might of West Bengal. I urge upon the Railway Minister to be benefitted. Chhatisgarh has a population of about look into the matter. We have no scope for an one and a half crore. elaborate discussion on the present Supplementary Finally, I do not want to go in detail. Budget at this time. We shall try to discuss in detail Rajanandgaon is a backward district. It is one of the at the time of regular Budget and try to draw the most backward district of Madhya Pradesh. There is attention of the Railway Ministers. also a demand for years to establish a Railway Wagon Workshop, I said five things within two [Translation) ,minutes, I do not want to take much time. When SHRI MOTI LAL VORA (Rajanandgaon) : Hon'ble there will be full budget then I will go into details. I Chairman, Sir, I need not to speak in detail about will say one thing again regarding the railway crossing. Take a policy decision and direct Rail vote on account. I am happy that Bhai Nitish Kumar Ministry in this regard because many persons are ji who has socialistic background, will definitely care suffering for a long lime, They are poor and lillie about Madhya Pradesh in respect of its area because school going children cannot go over the railway \1adhya Pradesh is the biggest State in view of its uea. bridge, rickshaws also cannot go, Since you have socialistic background, you will understand the But Madhya Pradesh is far behind in respect of problems of the poor and weaker classes and try to railtranaport, Since you belong to Bihar and Finance remove their difficulties. Minister alao belongs to Bihar, I want to say only With these words, I conclude my speech, one thing and that is mainly regarding opening of a railway crOSSing in Rajanandgaon, from where I have SHRI JOGENDRA KAWADE (ChimuJ) : Mr. been elected for the first lime, which is pending for Chairman, Sir, first of all I would like to thank you as about two and half years. For this purpose, the State you have allowed a new member like me to speak. Government has agreed to bear all the expenses. So far as the vote on account is concerned, I will Hon'ble Nitish Kumar ji, kindly listen to me. not discuss more. That is before everybody, But so Continuous efforts have been made to open that far as the backwardness is concerned whether it is railway crossing. My predecessors, Members of the backwardness of man's mind or society or state Parliament, have written many a times to Railway or pr09ince or country, how painful is it? Our Railway Ministry in this regard and I have also wrillen a letter Minister knows it better and he can understand it. in this month. I want to inform you that if the State The State to which he belongs, is also a backward Government has made its provision in the budget State and thus he can very well understand the pain and mad", an agreement with Railway Ministry. An of backwardness. I would like to place this pOint amount of Rs. 57 lakhs are to be deposited out of before you that so far as railway is concerned, it has which 4 lakhs are to be deposited in this month. capability to unite the country and for this purpose Little children of about 5 years of age and rickshaws he has done a good job. This is a matter of pride for and tongas cannot cross over the bridge. There is a this country but there are so many places in our population of about 70 thousand where this railway country and many such States where the people bridge is situated and in this popUlation, most of the have not even seen rail engine and rail bogie •. persons belong to poor classes, backward classes We want that Rail Line Network should be and weaker classes. I request you to issue orders till expanded to strengthen the unity of the country, So 31st. The former Ministers did issue the orders but far as the rail line between Bondia and Nadgir is ,I am sorry to say that their orders were not followed. concerned, Its first phase has been completed. In Chimur which is my constituency, Bhandara, Jalklroli 1 will take one minute more. Second thing Is that and Chandrapur are the three backward districts. Ihere is a long pending demand for establishing a These districts are very backward in view of the Railway Zone in Bilaspur which is pending for years. industrial development. Tatanagar was inhabited The third demand is regarding district Bastar 50 years ago. Due to non-availability of rail lines In which is the biggest diltrict of the country. II Is totally Surjagarh and Jalkiroli, where iron ore contents are a tribal district. There is a demand for years to found in abundance, the factory was taken to connect the Bastar with a railway line. I do not want Tatanagar. For this realon, our area remained 81 InterIm Budget (Railways) CHAITRA 5, 1920 (Saka) Account (Rlya.) ,& Supplementary 82 Demands for Grants on Demands for Grants (RlIl/wIIYs)

undeveloped because without rail infrastructure there I would like to make another submission before cannot be Industrial development. So there is need you. The former Minister of Railways had proposed to lay the rail lines in whole of the country. to rename the Dadar Railway station as Chalty Bhoomi. I would also like to draw attention of the The length of rail line between Nadgir and House towards it. For industrial development of our Chandrapur is of 242 km. The work on this line was Chimur area, it is very essential to lay railway started in 1993 but it is still not completed. I hope network. I would especially urge upon the Minister that Railway Minister will try to complete this project of Railways in this regard and expect that he would early. If the 100 km. nar~ow gauge rail line between realise the difficulties of our backward area and als.) Nadglr and Nagpur is converted into broad gauge, provide more bogies, as he himself belongs to that the traffic will increase and it will also open the path area. I hope that you would also pay your attention of progress. towards the railway lines proposed by us to the former Minister of Railways. If railway line from Faraura to Umrer via Chimur- Shankarpur to Kanpa is laid, It would accelerate the The unemployment among the farmers and pace of development and promote industrialisation labourers In our area Is on increase. Owing to non- in the area. The Coal reserves are there in existence of Industry, as railway facility Is not abundance from where coal can be supplied not available there, youths of the area are facing only to Maharashtra but to whole of the country also. problems of unemployment. Under these circumstances, if you want to develop that area, It Coal mines can be excavated there and the area would be necessary to set up industry there and for can be developed. the purpose of industralisatlon laying of railway lines Survey from Varsa to Garhchirauli has also been is imperative. I would not like to take much time, I conducted and inspection has been carried out, but would request you to pay your allention towards us it has not been implemented so far. Garhchirauli is and try to ensure maximum development of our area a most backward district. Therefore, we demand through railway by making necessary provisions in from the Minister of Railways that the work of laying Railway Budget. With these words, I conclude my railway line from Varsa to Garhchirauli as also from submission. Varsa to Umrer via Chimur-Shankarpur must be {English] completed. I feel much disturbed to say that owing to SHRI E. AHAMED (Manjerl) : Mr. Chairman, Sir, unmanned level crossing in Bhandara district a train I represent a State which contributes a substantial collided with a bus on twenty-second of last month, amount of foreign exchange to the exchequer of the when the lok Sabha election were held there. In this country, which has been most neglected as far as the railways are concerned. We have not been given accident, 14 persons were killed and a ~umber of due consideration by any of our Railway Ministers. persons were injured. Some persons are still This time, I hope, my friend Shri Nitish Kumar and struggling for their lives. Therefore, I demand that all the Minister of State-who will be ably assisting 8hri the existing unmanned level crossings should be Nitish Kumar-will give a sympathetic consideration provided with crossing-post and efforts should be to our State, which has been most neglected In the made to avoid accidents. southern part of the country The railway line from Narkeda to Pandera has I do not want to take much of the valuable time not been completed. Achalpur to Mushirdabad of the House. Due to paucity of time, I will mention railway line should be converted into broad-gauge, only certain points. One point that has been but it has not been converted so far. Amaravati mentioned here every time since 1991 is with respect railway station should also be renovated. It has not to the doubling of the Mangalore-Shoranur line. That been done so far. Rajapet level crossing falling in line is a part of the oldest railway line In the country. Amaravati City itself between Pandera and Amaravati The Mangalore-Madras Mail No. 1 Is the first mail always remains closed. It causes great inconvenience train in the country. From Madras to Mangalore, the to the public. It would be more convenient, if manned line has been doubled upto Shoranur but between level crossing Is provided there. I do not want to Mangalore and Shoranur the line la yet to be doubled. We have been requeatlng the Government. take much time. We have been agitating for that. Only RI. 350 crore Railway is the only means of transport for the are required for this whereas the Government has poor. Some people purchase their tickets while some spent only As. 40 eror•. If II continues like this, It will others travel as ticketiess passengers assuming that take at least another ten year. to complete the railway is their property and they can use it with doubling. Then, what is the use of the Konkan great proud. Trains remain over crowded too. Railway? 83 In,erlm Budget (RallwaysJ MARCH 26. 1998 Account (Rly •. ) & Supplementary 84 Demands for Grants on DemBnds for Grants (RallwBYs)

[Shri E. Ahamed] Another important point is about the Kuttipuram- Guruvayur line. The survey has been completed, but The Konkan Railway is going to be operated the work has not yet started. So, I wish to request soon. A Rajdhani Express train Is coming up on the the hon. Minister to show some interest in the State Konkan Railway. Between Mangalore and Shoranur. of Kerala with respect to railway lines, including the it will be found to be extremely difficult to pull on. Kuttipuram-Guruvayur line. Nilambur-Shoranur line So, I suggest the hon. Minister that doubling work has to be strengthened. Nilambur-Shoranur railway of Mangalore-Shoranur should be entrusted to the line Is one of the most important lines connecting Konkan Railway Company. They have completed the backward areas of Nllambur. But that has not their work within the shortest span of time and thus been given sufficient consideration by the Ministry created history. About 1500 kilometres of railway of Railways for strengthening and introducing new line has been completed within a short period of trains. Therefore. I would request the hon. Minister time. They do not have any work. At the same to examine this matter. time. if there is any paucity of funds, the Konkan Railway can very well mobilise funds by issuing Coastal Railway is one proposal which has been bonds. pending with the Government. This is mainly with regard to Edapalli-Thirur-Tanur railway line. This 17.00 hrs. railway line and Kuttipuram-Guruvayur line are very important railway lines. Angamali-Sabarimala railway I would like to inform the hon. Minister that this line has been sanctioned but the work is progressing is a very important request of the people of Kerala, at a very slow pace. It has not even picked up the people of southern India and those people who would momentum. utilise the Konkan Railway. Therefore, the Mangalore- Another point I would like to mention is that the Shoranur railway line is lifeline of the entire Stete of survey of Feroke-Nilambur line has been completed, Kerala. The Members of Parliament of Kerala have but nothing has been done thereafter. That work jointly pleaded with the Government on this point. should also be ottended to. Telllchery-Mysore railway But the Government has not taken care of it and line was promised during the time of Shri 40 provided only Rs. lakh whereas the money needed Jagjivanram. But the Government has not cared to is Rs. 350 crore. Therefore, please entrust this task look into it. When Shri Jagjivanram came to my place. to the Konkan Railway which will be able to complete Cannanore, he assured that the Tellichery-Mysore it within one year. railway line would be implemented .... (Interruptions) Another point which I would like to mention is The assurance given by one of the great luminaries with regard to QuiJon-Thiruvananthapuram railway of the Indian politics has not been fulfilled In this line. This has also been pending for a fairly long country. Mr. Chairman, how can this happen? That is time. My next point is regarding the Rajdhani Express why I am mentioning it. which is going to be Introduced from the first of MR. CHAIRMAN: Please concldue. April. Callcut is one of the most Important cities in SHFfI E. AHAMED : Sir, I will conclude within a Kerala, traditionally and commercially. Thousands of people from Calicut are working in the gulf countries. minute. They have to travel by this train from Delhi to Kerala Sir, I am coming from a very backward area of and also from Mumbai to Kerala. One stop at Callcut Kerala Manjeri. We have a railway station which is is very much essential. If that is not done, I do not known as Feroke railway station. Ever since I became think that any purpose of introducing the Rajdhani a Member of this liouse, I have been demanding the Express will be served. reconstruction of the Feroke raUway station as al80 other amenities there. This has not been done by the 17.02 hr•• Railways. We have been given only hopes and surveys but [SHRI K. PRADHANI in the Chaitj not the railways. At least this time, I hope that Nitishji will Therefore, I would request both the Ministers to and Ram Naikji take some interest on the State give due consideration, sympathetic and active of Kerala, particularly on the northem side of Kerala, conSideration over the very-very reasonable and namely, Shoranur to Mangalore. legitimate demand of the people of Kerala. Hon. With these words, I thank you very much Minister, Shri Ram Naik, knows the importance of ... (Interruptions) Kerala In general and Callout and Konkan in MR. CHAIRMAN: The time Is up. Now I call the particular. I hope, the hon. Minister, Shri Nitiah Kumar, Minister of Railway to reply. will visit the State of Kerala to aee all theae things for himself. ... (Interruptions) 85 Interim Budget (Railways) CHAITRA 6, 1820 (S.... ) Account (RI~.) & Supp"mfltttary 86 Dem.nds fo, Grants on Demands for Gr.nts (Railways)

MR. CHAIRMAN: The time is up. I will call the MR. CHAIRMAN: Now, the Minister of Railways. Minister to reply now. You can speak when the full ... (Interruptions) Railway Budget will be presented. ... (Interruptions) MR. CHAIRMAN: There is an announcement. ... (Interruptions) MR. CHAIRMAN: The tima fixed for this item is upto five O'clock. Now It is 5.C5 P.M. MR. CHAIRMAN : I am on my lega. ... (Interruptions) . .. (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: When the full Railway Budget MR. CHAIRMAN: Please hear me for a minute. comes, you can take part in it. We do not have any Those hon. Members who could not take part in this more time now. debate could meet the Minister of Railways later. He will help them in whatever they want. ... (Interruptions) SHRI SANSUMA KHUNGGUR BWISWMUTHIARY: [Translation] Please listen to me. SHRI NITISH KUMAR : Mr. Chairman, Sir, so MR. CHAIRMAN : No, no, there Is no time. many persons want to speak ... (lnterruptions) ... (Interruptions)

{English] MR. CHAIRMAN : Please hear me. MR. CHAIRMAN: The House has fixed the time ... (Interruptions) upto 5 P.M. Now, it is 5.10 P.M. MR. CHAIRMAN: It is not going on record . ... (Interruptions) ... (Interruptions)" DR. PRASAMNA KUMAR PATASANI MR. CHAIRMAN: Railway Minister, please start (Bhubane5war) : I appeal to the Chairman and the speaking. hon. Railway Minister to immediately start the work ... (Interruptions) of Khurda and Bolangir railway lines. I honestly pray to the hon. Railway Mini&ter as we are facing MR. CHAIRMAN: Why are you wasting the time? difficulties ... (Interruptions) ... (Interruptions) [Translation] MR. CHAIRMAN: These people will go on like MR. CHAIRMAN: You sit down please, first listen this. to me. ... (Interruptions) ... (Interruptions) [Translation]

[English] SHRI NARENDRA BUDANIA (Churu) : Mr. SHRI SANSUMA KHUNGGUR BWISWMUTHIARY: Chairman, Sir, none of Ihe members has spoken Hon. Members and respected Ministers concerned, I from Rajasthan, please call at leaal one member to come from Bodoland which is neglected speak ... (Interruptions) ... (lnterruptions) ... I would like to draw your attention [English] to some vital points and the on-going projects relating my area ... (Interruptions) MR. CHAIRMAN: The House decided to conclude 5 MR. CHAIRMAN : Hear me please. The General It by P.M. Budget has to be passed by 6 P.M. There is no time ... (Interruptions) today. We have to take up Ihe Confidence Mollon tomorrow. So, please take your seats now. PROF. P.J. KURIEN (Mavelikara) : Sir, I would like to make a submlssion ... (/nlerrupllons) ... (Interruptions) MR. CHAIRMAN: What is this? You are going on MR. CHAIRMAN : Nothing will go on record. without my permission. . ... (Interruptions)· ...(Interruptlon.)

• Not Recorded. • Not Recorded. 87 Interim Budget (Railways) MARCH 26, 1998 Account (Rlye.) & Supplementary 88 Demands for Grants on Demands for Grants (Rallwlljs)

PROF. P.J. KURIEN : Regarding the Railways, [English] two minutes may be ailowed to each hon. Member because that is the sentiment of the House. SHRI PRAMOTHES MUKHERJEE : Sir, I saek your protection. THE MINISTER OF FINANCE (SHRI YASHWANT SINHA) : I have no objection. Sir, no Member from my Party has taken part in this discussion. Mr. Minister, we should be allowed PROF. P.J. KURIEN : The Minister of Finance has to participate in the discussion ... (lnterruptions) no objection. Many hon. Members from both the sides want to take one or two minutes to speak about their SHRI NITISH KUMAR : You should take the constituencies ... (Interruptions) permission from the Chair. I have no authority to allow or disallow anybody... (Interruptions) Sir, Hon. Minister, Shri Ram Naik, am on my legs. nobody from the RSP has taken part in this Please allow me to speak ... (lntel'ruptions) Let me discussion ... (Interruptions) Sir, you can allow him complete ... (Interruptions) I am only helping you. . .. (Interruptions) You may please allow one or two minutes to SHRI PRAMOTHES MUKHERJEE: I would only each of the hon. Members who want to speak take two minutes ... (Interruptions) regarding the Railways. We can pass the Vote on Account without dlscussion ... (lnterrupticms) We have KUMAR I MAMATA BANERJEE : Sir, you could no objection. allow them two minutes each ... (Interruptions) MR. CHAIRMAN: Is that the sense of the House? MR. CHAIRMAN : All right. Shri Mukherjee you can speak for two minutes. SHRI RAM NAIK : They want some more hon. Members to speak on the Railway Budget and they SHRI PRAMOTHES MUKHERJEE: Sir, I rise to want to pass the General Budget without any speak on the Interim Budget on Railways. discussion ... (lnterruptions) Is that the proposal? Sir, Railways is the vehicle of progress in a PROF. P.J. KURIEN : Yes ... (lnterruptions) r.ivilization. On behalf of my Party, RSP, I rise to oppose the Interim Budget of the Railways SHRI RAM NAIK : If that is the proposal, I have ... (Interruptions) Sir, I seek your protection. I would no objection ... (Interruptions) like to draw the attention of the hon. Railway Minister DR. T. SUBBARAMI REDDY (Visakhapatnam) : to the Balurghat-Ekalakhi project. This project was 3ir, we will speak on the Budget...(lnterruptions) accepted by ~he in the year 1982 and the survey for this project was done in the SHRI T.R. BAALU : Sir, many people have give" year 1984. Accordingly, budgetary provisions were :heir names. also mad~e for this. I would like to appeal to the SHRI RAM NAIK : That is why I am saying that Railway Minister to immediately implement the f the proposal is that the Vote on Account for the budgetary provisions for the construction and 3eneral Budget could be passed without discussion expansion of the Balurghat-Eklakhi project. This is hen we are ready to accept. .. (lnterruptions) very important. This line would help in integrating the north and the south Bengal. This would be the SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : Sir, the time of the link between the two parts of Bengal. -iouse could be eXlended ... (lnterruptions) While appreciating the Interim Railway Budget, SHRI NITISH KUMAR: First you please take your I would like to draw the attention of the Minister of seat. .. (Interruptions) Railways to tho fact that Lalgola-Sealdah section SHRI PRAMOTHES MUKHERJEE: Sir, the time has been neglected for a 10log time. We made a of the House should be extended ... (Interruptions) survey in the previous year. The electrification from MR. CHAIRMAN: Yes, Mr. Minister you may now Krlshnanagar-Behrampur on Lalgola-Sealdah commence your speech. Section was surveyed and as per the preliminary Report of the Survey, immediate Budgetary provisions SHRI NITISH KUMAR : Sir, I would get up only should be utilised for this purpose. I would like to Nhen you slt...(lnferruptlons) say that the railway is a vehicle of progress for a civilization. The railway Is a major determining factor (Translation] of the prices of the ,ssenllal commodities. So, I Mr. Chairman, Sir due to paucity of time, the would like to appeal that proper attention and honourable members who wanted to participate in emphasis should be laid on the railways. This has this discussion ... (Interruptlone) been neglected by the Railway Ministry. 89 Interim Budge' (Railways) CHAITRA 5, 1920 (Saka) Account (Rlys.) & Supplementary 90 Demands for Grants on Demands for Grants (Ralfways)

I know the limitations of the Interim Budget but [Translation} this Is a 'morning' Budget of this Government. As the child shows the man, the morning shows the day. I' SHRI RAM NARAIN MEENA (Kota) : Mr. Speaker, am sorry to say that this 'morning' Budget of the Sir, 'Palace on Wheel' train is very important from Railway Ministry does not give a good picture of the tourism point of view. This train is veryimportanl tor coming Budget. That is why I would appeal to the Bundi from tourism viewpoint. The tourists cannot Minister to reconsider th:s Interim Budget and give avail this facility as there is no stoppage of this train a new look to it. between Kota and Chlttorgarh. In such a situation,a KUMARI MAMATA BANERJEE : There are only stoppage of this train should be provided at Bundl two or three more Members who want to speak. You station to meet years old demand of the public. may allow them also. Survey of the railway line from Bundi to Nlwai should be conducted immediately, so as 10 link this [Translalion} area directly with Jalpur headquarter and a over SHRI HIRA LAL ROY (Chhapra) : Mr. Chairman, bridge near Gudla station should be conslructed to Sir, I want to say that the way it is being plolted to solve Ihe local problem of public ... (lnterruptions, ruin Sonpur is beyond tolerance. You are aware that the platform of Sonpur railway station is very vast. [English} Sonpur has been a Divisional office of Railway since SON. LOR. KAMAL CHAUDHARY (Hoshiarpur) : long, but now it is being shifted to Samastipur from Sir, our Members also wanted to speak. It you allow there. You may also be aware that survey is being others, you have to allow us also. carried out to construct a bridge over the river Ganga in Sonpur, but I am sorry to say that plotting is going SHRI HARIN PATHAK (Ahmedabad) : If others on to change the site of this bridge even after are allowed, we should also be allowed. inauguration by the Prime Minister and the Minister ... (Interruptions) of Railways. I would like to urge upon you that a boy named Avinash Kumar died as a martyr at this very SHRI RAM NAIK : Sir, the position of the House station and the Union Government or Shri Ram Vilas is that we have told our Members not to speak in Paswanji did not speak even a single word in his order that we work according to the schedule. We honour and inaugurated the bridge by visiting there. have reached nearly 5.25 p.m. now. If Members from Today, only a foundation stone is fixed there and the that side are allowed, it is natural thai Members from situation is belonging explosive my submission is our side also should be allowed. If it happens, we that your goodself and Minister of Railways belong cannot work according to the schedule. Earlier, the to Bihar. Hon'ble Minister of Railways knows every- Chairman had asked the hon. Minister of Railways thing in this regard. to start with his reply. I pray that the reply should be I would like to request tha honourable Minister started so that the Interim Budget and vote on of Railways to personally look into it as it causes account can be completed. Otherwise, there will be great difficulty to the people of Sonpur. If the bridge no end to il ... (Interruptions) is constructed it would become convenient for the SHAI K. YERRANNAIDU (Srikakulam) : I would public ... (Interruptions) like to humbly submit through you to the hon. [English} Members Ihat yesterday we had decided on this i.sue before you alter a two hour long discussion. We MR. CHAIRMAN Please hear me. have two issues here. If we pass the General Budget without discussion: we will go for a discussion. [Translation} Otherwise ... (Interruptions) I have two lists. Now I have no name to call MR. SPEAKER: I have allowed Shri Yerrannaldu. among the names given in these lists by the parties. ...(lnterruptions) ... (Interruptions) SHRI K. YERRANNAIDU : I am on my legs. The 17,24 hrs. Speaker has given me the chance.

[MR. SPEAKER in the Chair) SHRI A.C. JOS (Mukundapuram) ; Shrl Yerrannaidu, you are a neutral partner [English} ... (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER: Two hours' time was allotted for SHAI K. YERRANNAIDU : Josji, even neutral this item. partners have a right to speak. .. (Interruptions) 91 Interim Budget (Railways) MARCH 26, 199B Account (Rlys.) & Supplementary 92 Demands for Grants on Demands for Grants (Ral/ways)

MR. SPEAKER: Shri Jos, please take your seat. SHRI NARENDRA BUDANIA : Mr. Minister, Sir, In You should not disturb the other Members. your own Interest I want to suggest that before presenting the Annual Railway Budget, you at least SHRI K. YERRANNAIDU : Mr. 'Speaker, Sir, if it Is take into account the position of railways in Rajasthan not possible, the remaining Members can participate and discuss the matter with the members of in the General Discussion. That Is why my request to Parliament from Rajasthan so that you may be aware you Is that the Railway Minister be allowed to givtl of the ground realities there ... (Interruptions) his reply. [English] [Translation] SHRI NITISH KUMAR : At least allow me to SHRI RAM RAGHUNATH CHAUDHARY (Nagaur): complete the sentence ... (Interruptions) Mr. Speaker, Sir please make such arrangement that the honourable members who have participated in MR. SPEAKER : When the hon. Minister /s on today's debatfl would not be allowed to participate his legs, please do not disturb him. in the forthcoming debate on Railway Budget and ... (Interruptions) we would be given chance to participate therein ... (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER: Please sit down. This is not the corroct procedure. [English} ... (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER: Please take your seats. I request SHRI R. SAMBASIVA RAO (Guntur) How can the hon. members to submit their difficulties with they talk like this? ... (lnterruptions) regard to the Railways in their constituencies in writing to the Minister of Railways. That would be [Translation] better because twenty Members have already spoken on it. SHRI NITISH KUMAR: Hon'ble Speaker has also said and I would also urge that II you have any The hon. Minister may give his reply now .. suggestions, any views, you give those suggestions [Translation] in wrl.t1ng and those will be given due consideration. If you do not want to give in writing, please state SHRI NITISH KUMAR: Mr. Speaker, Sir, this is orally. If you are unwilling to choose any of these an Interim Budget and we want to pass motion on two, put your views when the complete budget i.e. vote-on-account for four months. We want to seek the regular budget is presented. the approval of this House. I want to thank all the Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would like to thank all those honourable members who have participated in Members who have participated in this debate on today's debate. Some other honourable members also budget. wanted to express their views but due to paucity of time they could not get the opportunity. If they have MR. SPEAKER : Nitish Kumar Ji, just a minute some suggestions, they can directly write to me. We please. will give due consideration to their suggestions and [English] thereafter... (Interruptions) Shri Nitish Kumar, please take your seat. You please give suggestions. Mr. Speaker, Sir ... (Interruptions)' By 1730 hours, we have to take up Matters Under Rule 377. It is already late. It would be taken up SHRI NARENDRA BUDANIA : Mr. Speaker, Sir, I immediately after the Minister's reply and alter want to give a suggestion to the Hon'ble Minister passing the Bill. through you ... (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER: Please sit down . [Translation] ... (Interruptions) SHRI NITISH KUMAR: Mr. Speaker, Sir Vote-on- Account has since been presented in this House to SHRI NARENDRA BUDANIA : I want to give a meet the railway expenditure for the first four months suggestion to the Minister ... (Interruptions) of the year 1998-99. New §ervices will not be SHRI NITISH KUMAR: Budaniaji, please sit down, introduced during this period. Supplementary Today is only second day. You will get a number of Demands for the year 1997-98 are mainly proposed occasions to speak. Then you can express your to be utilised for meeting the expenditure on pension views ... (Interruptions) charges arising as a result of implementation of the 93 InterIm Budget (Ral/ways) CHAITRA 5, 1920 (Sakal Account (Rlys.) & Suppl9mentary 94 Demands for Grants on D9mands for Grants (Ral/ways)

recommendations of the Fifth Pay Commission and in this direction and we want to do it. We are going hiJce In prices of diesel and electricity ch~fges to set up Mumbai Sub-urban Railway Construction subsequent to the Budget. Besides, the grants would Corporation. be utilized to meet the expenses of Increase in the plan outlay and the necessary expenditure owing to KUMARI MAMATA BANERJEE (Calcutta-South) : court· decrees. What about other States? Sir, on assuming the charge of the Minister of SHRI NITISH KUMAR ; There is a scheme for Railways, I have conversed with senior officers of Delhi; there is a scheme for Calcutta. There is a the Railway Board on the various subjects pertaining scheme for every State ... (Interruptions). There Is a to functioning of railways. The Ministry of Railways special scheme for Mumbai. .. (Interruptions) There is has recently prepared an action plan to improve the a seperate scheme for Calcutta ... (Interruptions) functioning of railways in various sectors. Besides, I MR. SPEAKER : Nitish Ji, please address the myself and the Hon'ble Minister of State, Shri Ram Chair. Naik Ji has directed the senior officers to prepare a SHRI NITISH KUMAR : Mr. Speaker, Sir, safety status paper on the important issues and problems plays a vital role in train movement. Though the concerning the railways. This status paper would figures reveal that there has been improvement in highlight up-to-date position of the railways. II would the safety performance, yet we should not be also include the problems and challenges before complacent about it. I would make all out efforts to the railways. The aspirations of the people from this give priority to the safety aspect. organisation would also be depicted in the paper. The entire picture would be brought before this House Mr. Speaker, Sir, another important factor that and the entire country would be made aware of the affects all the passengers is the observance of whole thing through this House. Instructions have punctuality in the movement of trains. We will make been issued to take immediate action on the status all efforts to ensure timely running of trains so as to paper and the action has started. The paper would avoid inconvenience to the passengers. We will make be prepared as early as possible and would be laid full efforts to provide betler services such as on the table of the Housa. increasing the computerised reservation centres, cleanliness at the stations, arrangements of drinking SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : You should present water and courteous behaviour by railway employaes the paper in the next session before the presentation etc. to the rail users. Hon'ble members would of the full Budget. agree that the railways has to perform its social SHRI NITISH KUMAR: We will try to prepars it responsibility while maintaining Its commercial before the regular budget so that the same could status, they cannot ignore this responsibility. To guide us in making necessary provisions in the ensure the effective performance of responsibilities ensuing budget. That is why we have decided to by the railways in future, it is necessary that the prepare the status paper. We will go ahead according railways should remain financially strong. Thus, it to this paper so that the railways could perform its becomes all the more necessary that there should effective role in the field of transportation. be a proper coordination between the social and Sir, there are more than fifty Lakh commuters on commercial role of the railway. As I mentioned in my Mumbai sub-urban Railway system. So the sub-urban budget speech, we will try our best to increase the railway is over burdened. There is a need for much plan expenditure. In this respect, I hope that we mar') investment in this system to provide comfortable would get more assistance from the exchequer. journey and better services to the commuters and to Hon'ble Minister of Finance is sitting here. We would increase the frequency of the trains. I am glad to make a special request to him and the House would know that the Government of Maharashtra is also be of the oplnion ... (lnterruptions) cooperating with the Indian Railways to achieve this Besides, we would make full efforts to increase obJective. I hope that It would provide relief to the the railway's Internal resources more and more. In people of Mumbai. this connection it would be my main objective that SHRI (Mumbai-South) : Mr. there should be more increase in the productivity Minister, an autonomous board may be constituted and check on the expenditure as far as possible. W. for Mumbai Sub-urban Railway... (Interruptions) will try to miniml,e the expenditure on advertisements and check the wasteful expenditure. SHRI NITISH KUMAR : Mr. Speaker, Sir, we propose to set up Mumbai Sub-urban Railway KUMARI MAMATA BANERJEE: There should be ·Construction Corporation to provide relief to the no expenditure on laying the foundation stones people of Mumbai. Our Government are taking steps ..• (Interruption,,) 95 Interim Budget (Railways) MARCH 26, 1998 Account (Rlys.) & Supplementary 96 Demands for Grants on Demands for Grants (Railways)

SHRI NITISH KUMAR : Economy and simplicity SHRI P. SAN KARAN (Calicut) : Nothing Is said would be observed in all these things ... (/nterruptions) about Kerala. Sufficient funds should be given to Expenditure on all these things should be minimised Kerala also ... (Interruptions) and when this happens it will revolutionise the Railway administration. Everywhere there will be a SHRi NITISH KUMAR: We can meet and discuss feeling that expenditure should be minimised. We all all these things. want to effect all round economy. MR. SPEAKER : Nitish Ji, please address the KUMARI MAMATA BANERJEE : Expenditure on Chair. inaugurations should be stopped ... (Interruptions) (Translation) SHRI NITISH KUMAR : Though It is not an easy task yet I will try it... (Interruptions). However this is SHRI NITISH KUMAR : Mr. Speaker, Sir when not an easy task bacause there is considerable Members stand up then I have to respond. pressure for inaugurations etc. We know when Shri Gujral was the Prime Minister, he was also under Several hon. members have raised questions. tremendous pressure ... (Interruptions). I will try to Discussion on projects will be done later complete the ongoing projects. These projects should ... (Interruptions) I will hold discussions with the be completed soon so that the Railways may be hon. members of diHerent States separately and I benefitted from the expenditure incurred on them. will try to consider their feelings, demands People should not think that we want to stop the on- ... (Interruptions) going projects. These projects will be completed ... (Interruptions) (English) Mr. Speaker, Sir, the country is ready for higher MR. SPEAKER : Hon. Members, it is not good. growth rate and, therefore, we have to improve our transport system. In my budget speech I have talked Please do not disturb. about lack of participation of Railways in surface [Translation) transport. Our participation is only 40 percent in freight and 20 percent in passenger traffic while it SHRI NITISH KUMAR : Two pOints have been 89 1991. was percent and 74 percent respectively in raised by honourable member Shri Raghuvansh This is a well known fact that Railways are six times Prasad Singh ... (Interruptions). more fuel efficient than road transport. Huge amount of foreign exchange can be saved by increasing the {English] participation of railways, investment in railways as it will result in reduction in import of crude oil. There ",sHRI P. SAN KARAN : He has announced certain is also one more benefit and that is the railways selective schemes. Kerala may also be considered. cause less pollution and it is not harmf·ul for The doubling work of Shoranur-Mangalapuram line environment. This is the reason that Governments of came to a standstill due to shortage of funds. A various countries have taken steps for the extension minimum of Rs. 150 crore may be sanctioned. of Railway network and improvement in rail services. So, I would like to request this august House again SHRI NITISH KUMAR: Let me respond. What is that full co-operation should be provided to increase this? ... (Interruptions) investment in Railways so that they are able to play an effective and vital role in Rail transport MR. SPEAKER: Please take your seat. ... (Interruptions) SHRI NITISH KUMAR: I told that I am prepared That is why a request has been made to the to meet you separately. Then wnat is left there? No Finance Minister. Several members have raised new projects are being announced at this point of various issues during their speeches. Members have time. All these things are done b: the time of the tlrawn attention towards some projects. Some regular Budget. Why are you repeatedly telling the projects are not included in it. Various projects are same thing? ... (Interruptions) What Is this? announced during the General Budget. Attention is paid to the fC3elings of honourable members. Attention (Translation) is also given to the position of Railways which I have already discussed ... (Interruptions). The honourable Minister has hardly completed eight days and you are saying all these 'things. [English) Please give him some time. You should discuss ali Please let me complete first. I intend to meet all these things after the confidence motion. We appeal the Members of Parliament from Kerala separately to you to give us your confidence vote and after that ... (Interruptions) you discuss these things . 97 Interim Budget (Railways) CHAITRA 5, 1920 (Sakal Account (Rtys.) & SlIpplementary .9,8 Demands for Grants on Demands for Grants (Railways)

You have mentioned some topics for which status {English] paper will be issued on the whole situation ... (lnterruptions) let Ji, speak as he is MR. SPEAKER: Shri Nitish Kumar. kindly giving directions from under his table ... (Interruptions) address the Chair. As hon'ourable members have said in some cases ... (Interruptions) it is necessary to know ... (Interruptions) SHRI AJIT KUMAR PAN.IA (G')lcutta No.-th East): This is not fair. We disagree. If you mention about (English] one State then you must also mention about all the SHRI T.R. BAAlU : You have not announced other States including the railway projects of West anything about Chennai. .. (Interruptions) Bengal. In the Status Paper, projects of West Bengal must be mentioned ... (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER : Please take your seat. SHRI NITISH KUMAR: let me complete lirst, I SHRI NITISH KUMAR : At this point 01 time, I am prepared to respond to you. Shri Panja. you cannot announce anything about new projects. This have been in the Government. Is just Vote on Account. Please bear with me. You had been in the Government. You know all these (Translation] things. Anyway, all those things can be incorporated in the regular Budget. Please bear with me. MR. SPEAKER: Nitish Kumar Ji, Kindly address the Chair. KUMARI MAMATA BANERJEE: This is not fair. If you have mentioned one State, then you must also SHRI NITISH KUMAR : I want to mention two mention about other States including the Railway things in the discussion. Two complaints have been Budget of West Bengal. You have announced for a received one for recruitment and second for some particular State. other things. SHRI NITISH KUMAR: This is not for any MR. SPEAKER : Don't look there, address the particular State. Chair. KUMARI MAMATA BANERJEE : You have SHRI NITISH KUMAR: Alongwith Shri Ram Naik, I have held discussion with senior officers of the announced lor a particular State ... (Interruptions) You Railway Board and it has been dicided that no new should not do like this ... (lnterruptions) recruitments will be made till April by various Railway [Translation] Recruitment Boards. If any examination has been scheduled, postpone it till the month of April because SHRI NITISH KUMAR: Work is already going on we want to review the working of Railway Recruitment it...(Interruptions) You have just met him you kindly Boards. speak after him ... (lnterruptlons) Will you please give We want to review the Recruitment Policy and me two more minutes? It is necessary to mention for that reason the entire work has been suspended some things. Honourable members Shrl Raghuvansh till the month of April and in the meantime, after Prasad Singh has raised two questions which are review, appropriate steps would be taken. more important. Discussion is necessary about this. Since the day I have assumed charge of the Ministry One 01 the hon'ble members made a mention of 01 Railways, as a matter of chance, former Railway Ganga-Bridge. Time and again the question was Minister belonged to Bihar and I also belong to Bihar, asked as to what is the fate of the projects whose survey has already been conducted. A specific some questions are repeatedly raised here. I want to allay all these apprehensions. This is Indian mention about Ganga Bridge Project was made. I enquired about certain places while making a Railway ... (lnterruptions) Mamataji, please speak after review immediately alter taking over the charge of this. Railway Ministry. But today, when this question has KUMARI MAMATA BANERJEE: Nitishji, I am not come up again in the House I have got full details talking about Bengal only, I want to talk ,about every and I want to inform the House about the latest State. You have announced only lor one 'State. position. Alter taking a decision by the Government SHRI NITISH KUMAR: What have I announced, there is a need to make improvement in the railway linkage between-North and South Bihar. A survey have you heard it? to construct a bridge on Ganga was accorded KUMARI MAMATA BANERJEE: You should make sanction. Foundation stone lor the survey was laid announcements about all the States. You have done by the Hon'ble Prime Minister before the approval of so and it will convey a wrong message making an the Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs. For this announcement for Bihar only is not a good thing. purpose ... (Interruptions) 99 Interim Budget (Railways) MARCH 26, 1998 Account (Rlys.) & Supplementary 100 Demands for Grants on Demands for Grants (Railways)

[English] [English] MR. SPEAKER: Please take your seat. It Is not SHRI PRAMOTHES MUKHERJEE: Sir, what good. When the Minister is giving a reply, do not about West Bengal? ... (Interruptions) There Is no disturb him. announcement for West BengaL ... (Interruptions) ... (Interruptions) There is nothing new in it. SHRI MOHAN SINGH (Deoria) : Sir, I am on a [Translation] point of order. SHRI NITISH KUMAR: Let me complete my point MR. SPEAKER : Under what rule? You please first. The survey for the work is in progress. A show me the rule first. comprehensive proposal could be prepared only after the completion of survey, sanction from the C.C.E.A. [Translation] will be sought. The actual work on the bridge could be started only after the approval of the C.C.E.A. the SHRI MOHAN SINGH: I am on a point of order. bridge would be constructed on the very site where These are supplementary demands. No the foundation stone was laid. The bridge will be announcement could be made in these demands. constructed at that very site, but as per the findings The Hon'ble Minister might have announced about of the suri!ey, the pillars of ... (Interruptions) the Suburban Construction Corporation. This would invite controversy in the House. Such announcements SHRI RAGHUVANSH PRASAD SINGH : Whether cannot be made In the supplementary demands. I the foundation stone was laid for the surveyor the would like to request the Hon'ble Minister to say construction of the bridge? something about the problems of suburban trains SHRI NITISH KUMAR : What can I do, if you and other metro trains. could not understand? I am saying for a long time. But the position and the orientation of the pillars is [English] yet to be decided which would be possible only after MR. SPEAKER: There is no point of order in it. the. survey. Mr. Speaker, Sir, one of the points rai$8d by the [Translation] Hon'ble members was that whether the spouse of SHRI P.M. SAYEeD (Lakshadweep) : Hon'b;e the M.P. is also entitled to avail the facility to travel Speaker, Sir, my dear friend Shri Nitish Kumar has by first class with him. Hon'ble Rajo Singh had raised taken over the charge of Railways ... (/nterruptions) this pOint. I would like to tell him that the matter Lakshdweep is nowhere in the Railway map of India. does not come under the jurisdiction of Ministry of I want to make only one point. Our friends from Hailways. The matter regarding amenities to the M.P.s is a separate issue, and it is dealt by a separate Kerala have raised only one point to seek assurance committee. Ex-M.Ps get complementary passes of from you. I would also like to repeat that in all my Railways. The matter regarding spouses, therefore, humility. It would be better if a stoppage of Rajdhani does not belong to the Railways. Express which goes. from Konkan to Ernakulam, is given at Calicut which falls between Manglore and [English] Ernakulam. SHRI P.C. CHACKO: Sir. what about stoppage of 5HRI NITISH KUMAR : I will discuss the matter Rajdhani Express at Calicut? .. (Interruptions) with these people separately... (Interruptions)

[Translation] [English] SHRI NITISH KUMAR: There should not be any MR. SPEAKER : I am not allowing anybody. misunderstanding about the suggestions which have Hon. Members, there are 21 Members who have been given in addition to this one. As far as backward been permitted for raising Matters Under Rule 377. area Is concerned, It is our endeavour that it is not As we have to pass today the Railway Budget and neglected, regional imbalances are removed as well the General Budget, if you agree, these Matters may as the financial viability of the Railways is taken be treated as laid on the Table. care of. The better co-ordination between the two would be striven for. SEVERAL HON. MEMBERS: Yes ... (Interruptions) With these words. I put the demands for grants [Translation] and supplementary demands of the Ministry of Railways for the year 1998-99 and 1997-98 SHRI PRABHU NATH SINGH : Mr. Speaker, Sir, respectively for the consideration of the House. I am on a point 01 order... (Interruptions) 101 Interim Budget (Railways) CHAITRA 5, 1820 (Saka) Account (Rly •. ) & Suppl.m.ntary 102 Demands for Grants on O.mands for Grant. (Railways)

[English] has assured us ... (/nterruptions) Ves, he has alSured us. MR. SPEAKER : I shall now put the resolutions to the vote of the House. MR. SPEAKER : Shri Nltlsh Kumar, do you say anything in this regard? ... (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER : Vou please listen to me first. If {Translation} you have any problem, go to the Minister of Railways, SHRI NITISH KUMAR: We are dOing It time and submit papers and he will look Into the matter. again. If the Hon'ble Prime ..Minister has given any ... (Interruptions) assurance, we shall discuss that also as to how the assurance could be fulfilled. [Translation} (English) SHRI NITISH KUMAR: I would like to give them a reply. Rajdhanl Express would halt at Calicut from What Is left In that? 2nd of April.. .. (lnt.rruptions) SHRI PRAMOTHES MUKHERJEE : Vou give an assurance to the House ... (lnterruptions) {English} MR. SPEAKER : I shall now put the resolution KUMARI MAMATA BANERJEE: Nltishji, you have regarding approval of recommendations made In the assured the hon. Members. But you have not said Twelfth Report of the Railway Convention Committee, anything about West Bengal... (Interruptions). 1991 moved by Shri Nitish Kumar to the vote of the SHRI NITISH KUMAR : A decision has already House. been taken ... (Interruptions) The question is : KUMAR I MAMATA BANERJEE : Now, you have "That this House approves the to give an assurance about West Bengal also. Our recommendations made in paragraphs 40, prujects are pending since long. We have raised 41, 42, 44, 45, 47 and 48 contained in the these issuAs many times ... (Interruptions). Please Twelfth Report of Railway Convention assure us also. Committee, 1991 appointed to review the rate of dividend lIayable by the Railway (Translation) Undertaking to General Revenues etc., SHRI NITISH KUMAR : Vou should have told which was presented in Lok Sabha on beforehand ... (Interruptions) 12.3.1996.· The motion was adopted (English] SHRI PRAMOTHES MUKHERJEE : I urge upon MR. SPEAKER : I shall now put the resolution the Minister of Railways to give an assurance here regarding approval of recommendations made In the that the budgetary provision for Balurghat-Eklakhi Third Report of the Railway Convention Committee, railway project would be properly utilised for the 1996 moved by Shrl Nltish Kumar to the vote of the construction and expansion of this railway House. track ... (Interruptions). The question is : MR. SPEAKER : No, this is not correct. "That this House approves the ... (Interruptions) recommendations made In paragr'aphs 64, 65, 66, 67 and 70 contained in the Third (Translation) Report of Railway Convention Committee, 1996 appointed to review the rate of SHRI NITISH KUMAR : I shall discuss with you dividend payable by the' Railway and do whatever is posliibie. What is the problem? Undertaking to General Revenues etc .• ... (Interruptions) We will discuss the matter with you which was presented In Lok Sabha on and sort out the problem if any. 2.12.1997."

(English) The motion was adopted. KUMAR I MAMATA BANERJEE : The Prime .. MR. SPEAKER: I shall now put Ihe Demands for Minister hu agreed. The Prime Minister assured Grants on Account (RailwaYIi) for 1998-99 to the us ... (lnterruptions} Nitish Kumarji, the Prime Minister vote of the House. 103 Appropriation (Railways) MARCH 26, 1998 Vote on Account Bill 104

[Mr. Speaker) Fund of India for the services of a part of the financial year 1998-99 for the purposes The question is of Railways." "That the respective sums not exceeding The motion was adopted. the amounts shown in the third column of the Order Paper be granted to the SHRI NITISH KUMAR : I introduce" the Bill. President of India out of the Consolidated MR. SPEAKER: The Minister may now move that Fund of India, on account, for or towards the Bill be taken into consideration. defraying the charges during the year ending the 31st day of March, 1999, in SHRI NITISH KUMAR: Sir, I beg to move: respect of the heads of Demands entered "That the Bill to provide for the withdrawal in the second column thereof against of certain sums from and out of the Demand Nos. 1 to 16." Consolidated Fund of India for the services The motion was adopted. I)f a part of the financial year 1998-99 for 'he purposes of Railways be taken into 18.00 hr•. consideration.· MR. SPEAKER I shall now put the MR. SPEAKER: The question is : Supplementary Demands for Grants (Railways) for "That the Bill to provide for the withdrawal 1997-98 to the vote of the House. of certain sums from and out of tile The question is : Consolidated Fund of India for the services of a part of the financial year 1998-99 for "That the Supplementary sums not the purposes of Railways be taken into exceeding the amounts shown in the third consideration." column of the Order Paper be granted to the President of India out of the The motion was adopted. Consolidated Fund of India to defray the MR. SPEAKER : The House will now take up charges that will come in course of clause-by-clause consideration of the ~ill. payment during the year ending the 31 st day of March, 1998, in respect of the head The question is : of Demand entered in the second column "That clauses 2 and 3 stand part of the thereof - Demand Nos. 10, 13, 14 and Bill." 16". The motion was adopted. The motion was adopted. Clauses 2 and 3 were added to the Bill. MR. SPEAKER: The question is : 18.01 hr•. "That the Schedule, stand part of the Bill." APPROPRIATION (RAILWAYS) VOTE ON The motion was adopted. ACCOUNT BILL· The schedule was added to the Bill. {English] MA. SPEAKER : The question is : MR. SPEAKER : Now, the House will take up "That clause 1, Enacting Formula and the Appropriation (Railways) Vote on Account Bill. Title stand part of the Bill." THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS (SHRI NITISH The motion was adopted. KUMAR) : Sir, I beg to move for leave to introduce a Bill to provide for the withdrawal of certain sums Clause 1, the Enacting Formula and the Title from and out of the Consolidated Fund of India for were added to the Bill. the services of a part of the financial year 1998-99 for the purposes of Railways. SHRI NITISH KUMAR : Sir, I beg to move : MR, SPEAKER: The question Is : 'That the Bill be passed." "That leave be granted to introduce a Bill MR. SPEAKER : The question is : to provide for the withdrawal of certain "That the Bill-be passed." sums from and out of the Consolidated The motion was adopted. • Published In Gazette 01 India, ExtraordInary,' flart ", , Section 2, dated 26.3.1998. " Introduced With the recommendation of the President. 105 Appropriation (Ral/ways) Bill CHAITRA 5, 1920 (Saka) "'stters Under Ru/. 377 106

SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA (Bankura) : Mr. MR. SPEAKER : The House will now take up Speaker, Sir, it is already 6 O'clock now. You have clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill. not extended the time of the House. You should take The question is : the sense of the House. "That clauses 2 and 3 stand part of the MR. SPEAKER : II is already extended. The BilL" leaders have agreed and given the consent. The motion was adopted. 18.03 hrs. Clauses 2 and 3 were added to the B/II. APPROPRIATION (RAILWAYS) BILL· MA. SPEAKER : The question is : "That the schedule stand pari 01 the Bill." [English] The motion was adopted. MR. SPEAKER : Now, the House will take up Appropriation (Railways) Bill. The schedule was added to the B/II. THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS (SHRI NITISH MA. SPEAKER : The question is : KUMAR) : Sir, I beg to move for leave to introduce "That clause 1, the Enacting Formula and a Bill to authorise payment and appropriation of the Long Title stand part of the BilL" certain further sums from and out of the Consolidated Fund of India for the services of the financial year The motion was adopted. 1997-98 for the purposes of Railways. Clause " the Enacting Formula and the Long MR. SPEAKER: The question is : Title were added to the Bill. "That leave be granted to introduce a Bill SHRI NITISH KUMAR: Sir, I beg to move: to authorise payment and appropriation of "That the Bill be passed." certain further sums from and out of the Consolidated Fund of India f.)r the services MR. SPEAKER : The question is : of the financial year 1997-98 for the "That the Bill be passed," purposes of Railways." The motion was adopted. The motion was adopted.

SHRI NITISH KUMAR: I introduce·· the Bill.

MR. SPEAKER: The Minister may now move that 18.06 hrs . .he Bill be taken into consideration. THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS (SHRI NITISH ·MATTERS UNDER RULE 377 KUMAR) : Sir, I beg to move : "That the Bill to authorise payment and (I) Need to provide Central Asslatance to appropriation of certain further sums from the State Government of Madhya and out of the Consolidated Fund of India Pradeah for providing relief to the people for the services of the financial year anected by earthquake and heavy ralna 1997-98 for the purposes of Railways, be In Jabalpur taken into consideration." [Translation] MA. SPEAKER : The question is : SHRI DADA BABURAO PARANJPE (Jabalpur) "That the Bill to authorise payment and Jabalpur is an important district of Madhya Pradesh. appropriation of certaio further sums from The High Court of Madhya Pradesh, two universities and out of the Consolidated Fund of India (one out of It is an Agriculture University), the Head for the services of the financial year Office of Madhya Pradesh Electricity Board and five 1997-98 for the purposes of Railways, be factories producing defence equipments are located taken into consideration." here. Recently the Zonal Ollice of Railways has also The motion was adopted. been set up there. The district has faced several natural calamities • Published In Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, during the last one year. More than 50 per cent Section 2, dated 26.3.1998. •• Introduced with the recommendation 01 the President. • Textll were trealed as Laid on the Table . 107 Matters Under MARCH 26, 1998 Rule 377 108 houses were damaged by the earthquake which amount of tax being paid by traders and industrialists rocked the district 8 months ago and the condition of yearly by 15 percent. rest of the houses is very critical. Last year the Rabi and Kharif crops were (iv) Need to create a ••parat. Uttaranchal damaged completely due to heavy rains several State places of the district were affected by hailstorms. SHRI BACHI SINGH RAWAT 'Bachda' (Almora) : More than 50 persons, died due to it and the State The demand for forming a !leparate UUaranchal State suffered a huge loss af livestock. comprising 12 hilly districts and holy area of I, therefore, request the Government to' send a Haridwar is being made for the last many years. The group of experts to Jabalpur for taking stock of the Legislative Assembly of Uttar Pradesh had passed situation and preparing a report regarding details of this resolution thrice and sent it to the Central estimated loss suffered by the State. On the Government for approval. recommendations of this group, required assistance A mass movement was launched by the public in should be provided to rural as well as urban people support of this demand which witnessed huge loss of the district. of life and property. The women of UUaranchal were subjected to inhuman torture. (II) Need to re-start work of Sardar Sarovar Oem Project over Narmsda river In Former Prime Ministers had also made GuJarat announcements from the ramparts of Red Fort on Independence days regarding creation of a separate [English} Uttaranchal State, Despite several announcements made in this regard, nO' action has been taken by the SHRI P.S. GADHAVI (Kutch) : The Kutch Distt. Central Government so far resulting in resentment and some parts of the Saurashtra and North Gujarat among public of UUaranchal region. The present region of Gujarat State are facing acute shortage af Government has promised to constitute a separate drinking water and due to salinity ingress in these Uttaranchal State in its national agenda and han. areas and paucity of underground water for Prime Minister has given assurance for consUtuting agricultural purpose. Water from Narmada river is Uttaranchal State within 90' days 01 attaining the the only solution. Therefore, it is very much power. necessary tare-start the work of Sardar Sarover Dam Project. over Narmada River in Gujarat State. Far In view of the seriousness 01 the situation, I that Central Government should declare this project therefore, urge upon the hon. Prime Minister and the al Natianal Project without loss of any time and Ga\lernment to take action for canstituting a separate dispute~ amang MP and Gujarat States should be UUaranctlal State in this session itself. resolved immediately and Hon'ble Supreme Court be· ,approached to expedite the case pending before (v) Need to provide repr•• entatlon to local it. public representaUve. In High Powar Commlttae to look Into. recurring loss to (III) Need to Introduce a compound scheme Limited and Bharat for depollting all taxes Coking Coal Limited

[Translation} SHRI RAVINDRA KUMAR PANDEY (Giridih) : The management of Central Caalfields Limited and SHRI AMAR PAL SINGH (Meerut) : All the tax- various units of Bharat Coking Coal Limited give payers of our country, whether they are traders or exaggerated figures regarding production of coal but industrialists are being exploited. About 50 percent the actual figures of production are quite low. The amount of the actual tax deposited by traders and losses in these companies are continuously Industrialists in the exchequer, is paid to corrupt increasing due to prevailing Irregularities in the officers and middleman as bribe. The tax-payer In management. These companies arc allocated funds our country wants to pay tax as per his capacity but every year for community development but It is not he also wishes to avoid exploitation. properly utilised for the purpose of developmental warks. I, therefore, request the Gavernment to Introduce a compaund scheme for collecting more taxes In I, therefore, urge upon t~ Government to Exchequ8'l' of India, preventing exploitation of traders constitute a high power committee with the help of and Industrialists and to root out corruption prevailing local representatives to check the losses being amang officials. The Government may increase the incurred by CCl and BCCl. 109 Man.r. Under CHAITRA 5, 1920 (Saka) Rule 377 110

(vi) Need to take necessary steps to remove (Ix) Need to declare Or/s88 a, a special shortage of currency note. of small category State and provide adequale denomination In the country particularly funds for It, all-round development In Madhya Pradesh [English] SHRI THAWAR CHAND GEHLOT (Shajapur) : SHRIMATI JAYANTI PATNAIK (Berhampur) There is shortage of currency notes and coins 01 (Orissa) : Despite five decades of planned small denomination like one, two or five rupees in development, the State of Orissa has remained the whole country including Madhya Pradesh. backward. Owing to persistence of high incidence of The poor people are lacing great difficulties due pOl/orty and continued backwardness, the State to this shortage. Several people have started Government of Orissa has been requesting the Centre indulging in corrupt practices due to this problem. to include Orissa IlS a special category State. I, therefore, urge upon the Government to lake The Orissa legislative Assembly has adopted a effective measures to remove the shortage and 10 resolution in a special session to declare a special stop corrupt practice of laking Commission in category State and to provide adequate financial providi'ng new currency noles of smaller assistance for the development 01 that State. The denomination. people of Orissa have been agitating on this Issue since Central Government has not paid adequate heed to this issue. On the other hand the disparity (vII) Need to ensure that residuary amount of between the State and the national per capita income MPs Local Area funds Is spent by "lting has been widening over the years and Orissa has M.Ps. emerged as an island of poverty and backwardness. [English] In view 01 this, I demand that the State of Orissa should be declared a special category State without SHRI KHARABELA SWAIN (Balasore) : M.Ps of any further delay. the were granted rupees One Crore to be spenl in their constituencies. Most of them (x) Need to provide Central a"',tance to have not yet spent those amount as per the rule. II State Government of Mahara,htr. for now seems that most of the amount have remained providing relief to the people affected by unspent by now. In some cases also the previous heavy rains In Yawatmal dlatrlct In M.Ps in connivance with the district administration Vldarbha region are trying to spent the residuary amount now by putting a back date on the sanctioned proposal and [Trans/alion] thus trying to ingratiate their followers. Since the SHRI UTTAMRAO DEORAO PATIL (Yavatmal) : new Lok Sabha has been constituted, the present Due to the recent hailstorm and thunderstorm, members of Lok Sabha have got every right to decide hundred percent Rabi and Kharlf crop was. d.. troyed as to the manner In which the residuary amount in more than 970 yillages of Yawalmal diS.trlct of should be spent. The M.Ps fund is being sanctioned Vidarbha region. This year the.larmers were .'ready not to any individual but to the member of the lok in the grip of drought and thi' hailstorm and torrent I.I Sabha, as the peoples representative. Hence, rains have added to their miseries. Therefore, there necessary arrangements should be made for the Is a need to provide relief to the farmer •. proper institution 01 the residuary amount. I requ&St the Central G:overn,lT)ent t:9, qrovlde Central assistance to the Deputy Commissioner of (vIII) Need to ,et up a new Railway Zone In Yawatmal, tor disbursing the same to the affected Bllaspur district of Madhya Pradesh people. ' [Translation] (xl) Need to ,et upa ,eparate Mlnlsfry for

SHRI PUNNU lAl MOHlE (Bilaspur) : The flaherle, , ' .. demand for setting upa new Railway Zone at Bilaspur district of Madhya Pradesh is being ~a~e [English] for a long time. But despite the fact that all the mltlal SHRt V.M. SUDHEERAN (Alleppey) : Special formalities have been completed, the final permission attention Is required lor the welfare and upliltment of has not yet been granted. the very poor fisher folk and for the timely assistance Therefore, Central Government is requested to and development of the fishing sector. Therefore, grant the permission to set. up a RailwAy Zon~ at there Is urgent need to set up • separate Ministry for Bilaspur. Fisheries and connected matt.rs. 111 Matt.rs Under MARCH 26, U98 Ru" 377 112

Even though this has been a vehement demand, Almost every family in the Ma4abar districts of it remains only a distant dream. Considering all Cannanore, Calicut, Wyanad and Kasaragode has these, it is only in the fitneas of things that a separate atleast one member working in foreign countries, Ministry is constituted with a full-fledged Cabinet especially in the Middle East. An airport at Cannanore Minister. can cater to the n~eds of lakhs of Keralites living in Therefore, I request the Prime Minister to gulf countries. personally look into this genuine issue and take There is a great potential for tourism 'in this part Immediate action. of Kerala and the beaches of Cannanore and Kasaragode are considered to be the best in the (xII) Need to check increasing Incidence of State. AIDS particularly In North Coastal Andhra This airport is also essential to facilitate the export Pradesh of perishable horticultural products like fruits, flowers, DR. T. SUBBARAMI REDDY (Visakhapatnarn) vegetables etc.; which are growing in large quantities There is an alarming rise in AIDS cases in North in the hilly tracts of these districts. Coastal Andhra Pradesh with 7,686 cases found in Techno-economic feasibility s ... rvey has already the last five and a half years. The survey conducted been conducted by the Expert Committee and the by the Director of Tripura Medical Centre and is awaiting clearance from the Research Foundation revealed that the number of Centre to start the initial work of acquiring the land HIV carriers was increasing due to lack of awareness at Moorkkan - Paramba in Cannanore district. on safe sex. Blood transfusion without proper tests and sterile syringes were also resulting in spread of I, therefore. request the Hon'ble Minister of Civil the virus. The study estimated that about one lakh Aviation to expedite this project and ensure that this people would be carrying the killer virus in the North airport is set up under Public sector without any Coastal Districts. delay. The incidence was more in Visakhapatnam, (xlv) Need to declare Calcutta and Chennai Srikakulam East and Godavari Districts and parts of as Class A-1 cities. Orissa. This medical centre and the research foundation had screened 16,760 blood samples in SHRI SUNIL KHAN (Ourgapur) : I want t() draw all during the study period. In the Western blot test, the attention of the Government as well as of the except 54 cases, the presence of the virus was House that Calcutta & Chennai cities should be confirmed in all the patients. Women outnumbered declared as Class A-1 cities. The Union Govt. is men in the number of HIV positive cases identified giving due respect of Class A-1 to Calcutta In case using the Western Blot Tests. An alarming situation of city compensatory allowances to Central was the spread of the disease affecting even the Government employees but depriving from the House newborns. building allowance. It Is a matter of great regret not According to the study, one of the main reasons only for the Central Government employees but also for the increasing number of AIDS cases in the region for the people of West Bengal as a whole. The total was the mobile prostitutes prevailing on the population of Calcutta as a whole are one crore highways. eight lakhs whereas the fifty lakhs are the criteria for becoming A-1 city but Calcutta has not been declared Sir, as the study as revealed an alarming situation A-1 city. in the rise of AIDS cases in the North Andhra, I urge the Union Government to formulate a policy whereby West Bengal Govt. has already protested in this the Central Government should take up this on regard and the Central Government employees along themselves and help the State In checking the AIDS with the people of West Bengal as a whole are disease which is spreading fast in Andhra Pradesh protesting till date to declare Calcutta A-1 city. and other States also. I urge upon the Central Govt. to declare both Calcutta and Chennai as Class-A1 cities immediately. (xiii) Need to expedite construction of airport at Cannanore In Karata (xv) Need to give CentraJ as.lstance to Stete Government of Uttar Prade.h for SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN provIding relief to the people In Eastern (Cannanore) : It has been the long cherished dream U.P. affected by hallatorma and relna of the people of Northern Kerala to have an airport at Cannanore. Time and again I myself had taken up [Translation] the matter with the successive Governments and I am happy to note that the authorities have ultimately SHRf MOHAN SINGH (Deoria) : Dozens of people recognised the need for such an airport. have died untimely due to hailstorms and heavy rains 113 Matters Under CHAITRA 5. 1920 (Saka) Rule S17 114

which have lashed the eastern parts three times in I, therefore, bring to the notice of the Railway Uttar Pradesh the first week of March. Thousands of Board and the Hon'ble Minister of Railways as well, cattle were killed and crop worth crores of rupees through you sir, to take immediate and appropriate was destroyed. But no compensation was given by steps to make the Zonal Headquarter at the Central Government. Farmers are ruined and are Bhubaneshwar functional at the earliest. frustrated. I request the Cential Government to send a high (xvIII) Need to reintroduce two coaches In train level team to assess the loss so that compensation originating from Thlrutaralpundl via could be provided to the dependents of the deceased Tlruvaroor to Channal and relief work could be started. SHRI M. SELVARASU (Nagapattinam) : In Nagapattinam constituency two coaches originating (xvi) Need to allocate funds and start work of from Thirutaraipundi via Tiruvaroor were attached gauge conversion between Trlchy and with Tanjore and Sengottai Passengers Bound for Dlndlgul Chennai. At the time of recent election Southern Railway authorities stopped these services for {English} unknown reasons. It was helpful for the commuters SHRI C. SREENIVASAN (Dindigul) : The narrow in many ways mainly : gauge line from Tambaram to Trichy in Tamil Nadu is 1. These coaches started In the evening end being converted into broad gauge. The original was convenient fN the Public especially proposal is to convert the entire segment from business community and office goers to Tambaram to Dindigul into broad gauge. The work of reach Chennai early in the morning. conversion from Trichy to Dlndigul is yet to commence. 2. Being originating from local towns getting A large number of railway passAngers and goods from Tirunelveli and Kanya Kumari have to take reservations were easy. circuilous route via Karur and Erode to reach Madras. 3. Being a Passenger train the fare for theM trains were economically viable for Poor I request the Hon'ble Minister of Railways to poople. immediately allocate funds and commence the work of conversion of broad gauge line from Trichy to Right now there is only one Express Train that is Dindigul. over crowded and it operates late at night. I request the Hon'ble Railway Minister to direct (xvII) Need to make Zonal Headquarters of the Southern Railway authorities to reintroduce these Railways functional at Bhubaneshwar, services. Orissa SHRI ARJUN CHARAN SETHI (Bhadrak) : I b9g (xix) Need to check steep decline In tha prices 10 raise the following matter of public importance of natural rubber particularly In thai no concrete and appreciable steps have been Kanyakumarl district, Tamllnadu taken by the Railway administration since last one SHnl N. DENNIS (Nagarcoil) : The rubber and half years after its inauguration of the East Coast growers of our country are facing grave crisis due to Railway Zone at Bhubaneshwar to make it fulfledged the steep fall in the price of the rubber. The smali and functional for the interests of the State and the and the marginal farmers are the worst affected. The people at large. Only half-hearted attempts se&m to cost of production of rubber has increased. but there have been made by the Railway Board to appoin~ a is steep decline in the price of rubber. The most few employees on deputation and even today the common grade RMA was fetching about Rs. 64 per post of the chief of this Zonal Railway is lying vacant kg. in 1995 and it has fallen to Rs. 48 per kg. in and within this short-span of one and half year, three 1996 and today it has fallen to Rs. 25 per kg. wage chiefs of this Zonal Railway have been appointed of as average worker is Rs. 65. The cost of and transferred without getting done any thing production is about Rs. 35 per kg. To get over the concrete for the Zone. No specific steps have been crisis the import of the natural rubber, synthetic taken by the Railway Board to acquire the land polyurethane and used tyre and tubes has to be necessary for the construction of permanent buildings stopped. for the zonal Headquarter and for the employees being stationed here. As a result it is reported that Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu is a rubber a sum of Rs. three crores could not be spent/utilised, growing area. It occupies the highest position In out of the total sum of rupees five crores budgeted quality and in per acre production in the country. for the financial year 1997-98 and now being Kerala Govt. has arranged for the purchase of natural refunded. rubber through STCL at remunerative price. But the 115 Matt.rs Under Rule 377 MARCH 26. 1998 116 rubber growers .of Kanyakumari district are not getting [English] such protection. So several rubber growers have stopped tapping, as the cost of production is higher SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA (Bankura) : Sir, the than the price of the rubber. This problem has become time of the House has not been extended the most sensitive concern of the people of this ... (Interruptions) region who largely depend on natural rubber SHRI HARIN PATHAK (Ahmedabad): It has plantation. already been extended up to 7 o'clock. It was 'I urge upon the Govt. to take urgent steps to extended around 4 o'clock ... (Interruptions) redress the grievance of the rubber growers MR. SPEAKER : Please hear me firsL All the particularly of Kanyakumarl district to get over the leaders have agreed in the meeting to extend the current crisis of stoep decline of the rubber price. time of the House .

(xx) Need to waive outstanding loan to the ... (Interruptions) State of Jammu and K.. hmlr , SHRI BASU GEB ACHARIA : Sir, you have to PROF. SAIFUDDIN SOZ (BaramuUa) : Jammu and take the sense of the House ... (lnterruptions) Kashmir has suffered a great deal through a MR. SPEAKER: If everybody stands and speaks discriminate funding ratio i.e. 70% 8S loan and 30% like this, it is impossible to run the House. as grant. It was in 1991 that it was rationalised to 90% as grant and 10% as loan. But. by that time ... (Interruptions) huge debts had already accumulated against J & K State. [Translation] The State has to set apart about 300 crores SHR! RAJO SINGH (Begusarai)': Mr. Speaker, annually for payment as Interest to the Central Sir, please' consult the Hon'ble Members of the House Government. Ttlis leaves just 8 wage bill to the State to extend the time of the Hcuse. and development programmes are hampered. [English] I request the Central Government to waive the accumulated debts to the tune of nearly ,1400 erores, THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF thereby extend gesture of support to the people of RAILWAYS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE J & K State. MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI RAM NAIK) : Sir, if you kindly allow me, I will explain the (xxi) Need to look Into the problems being position. When the discussion on the Railways was faced by engineering degree holder. of going on at 4 o'clock many Members wanted to Jamla Mlllla Isla mia, Central University speak. At that time it was decided that more time will have to be given. So, It was decided that we will SHRI G.M. BANA1WALLA (Ponnani) : Jamla Millia work up to 7 o'clock. Unfortunately, you were not Islamia is a Central university. Its degrees. including present In the House at that time. the engineering degree are recognised throughout the country and abroad. It is shocking that the PROF. P.J. KURIEN (Mavelikara) : Are you saying Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) have now that the hon. Speaker has taken ,the sense of the refused to absorb the engineering graduates on the House? llimsy ground that their marksheets do not rellect SHRI RAM NAIK : Yes. their actual calibre. Nearly 28 engineers who were given appointment letters by MCD have not been PROF. P.J. KURIEN : Then, it is all right appointed by the MCD despite court orders that they ... (Interruptions) be given joining orders within two weeks. It is MR. SPEAKER :. Now, I call Dr. T. Subbarami suddenly being alleged that the grading system Reddy. adopted by the Jamia University is defective. The MCD also reportedly sought a clarification from the ... (Interruptions) All-India Council for Technical Education and the DR. T. SUBBARAMI REDDY (Vlaakhapatnam) : I HRD Ministry and they upheld the validity of the grades. am requesting the hon. Speaker to take the sense of the House to extend the time because that is what I ,urge upon the Government and the Hon'ble everybody wants. Why do you n_ot just Inform the Minister of HRD to view the matter seriously and to hon. Members? What everybody wants from the hon. intervene to secure justice for the engineering Speaker is to inform the hon. Members that the time graduates of the Jamia. ' of the House has been extended. Even though the leaders have agreed to, the same, all the Members 117 CHAITAA 5. 192(1 (Sakal 118

feel that they should also give the consent. So, kindly MR. SPEAKER : I am on my legs. Plea•• sit take the sense of the House. down and then ask for permission. PROF. P.J. KURIEN : If the Minister of SHRI P.C. CHACKO : You are setting a bad Parliamentary Affairs is on record as having said precedent and we are not going to"allow that. I tell that the I.on. Speaker has extended the time up to you that this is not correct. How long do we have to 7.00 P.M., then it is all right. Okay. If it is not on tolerate this? ... (Interruptions) record, then the hon. Minister will be answerable. MR. SPEAKER: Now, I am allowing Shri Chacko. That is all what I am saying. SHRI P.C. CHACKO: Hon'ble Speaker, Sir, I am DR. T. SUBBARAMI REDDY : There is nothing very sorry to say that this happened in the morning wrong in extending the time of the House. also. The Members' privileges are sacrosanct. I PROF. P.J. KURIEN : I am only saying this much remember, when Shri Ram Naik was Sitting on thie that if the hon. Speaker has extended the time, then side, at the stroke of six o'clock. he used to ask for it should be on record. If it is not on record, then all extension of the time. While extending the time, this business will become infructuous. You should be taking the sense of the House is necessary. You should knoW that. When Shri Sayeed was sitting in careful about this. This is what I am saying. I am only the Chair, I objected over the extension of time. At trying to help the Government...(/nterruptions) that time, he said that the sense of the House would MR. SPEAKER: Please take your seat first. be taken at six o'clock. Without extending the time, whatever business has been done after six o'clock PROF. P.J. KURIEN : I am only saying this much will become infructuous. You should know that. and I am only trying to help the Government. We Without knowing that and without knowing the want to pass this Bill. But if the time is not extended implication, you are simply going ahead. It is most then that business will become null and void. unfortLonate that such experienced Members are SHRI SATYA PAL JAIN (Chandigarh) : II cannot sitting as mute spectators. Hon'ble Speaker, Sir, be null and void. the time has not been extended. So, please take the sense of the House. You can taklt the sense of PROF. P.J. KURIEN : Let me say that if it is on the House and you can extend the time record that the time has been extended by the hon. . .. (Interruptions) Speaker, then I have no complaint. That is what I want. What I am saying is that it should be done in SHRI SATYA PAL JAIN : Hon'ble Speaker, Sir, the usual procedure. If that is not done, then that when Dr. Laxminarayan Pandey was presiding. the has to be done and that is what I am saying. It will House had agreed to extend the time. help you and, therefore, why do you bring the prestige MR. SPEAKER: Please take your seat. question into this mailer? SHRI SATYA PAL JAIN : Let me elarif¥- SHRI MURLI DEORA (Mumbai South) : You can ... (Interruptions) extend it again ... (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER : Shri Jos, you are a former MR. SPEAKER: When I am on my legs, please Speaker of the Kerala Assembly. Please take your sit down and then ask for permission. seal.~ SHRI P.C. CHACKO (Idukki) : How many times SHRI A.C. JOS (Mukundapuram) : Sir, you take do we have to wait? It is a qlJestion of privileges of the sense of the House. the Members. The sense of the House was not taken MR. SPEAKER : I am taking the 8en88 of the and without taking the sense of the House, we are House. extending time. We are not going to allow it. SHRI SATYA PAL JAIN : At 4 p.m., when Dr. MR. SPEAKER : Shri Chacko, please sit down Laxmi Narayan Pan day was presiding, It was agreed and then ask for permission. that the matter would be clarified . ... (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER: Please take your seat first. I am taking the sense of the House. SHRI SATYA PAL JAIN: How many times do we have to agree on this? It the whole House agrees on SHRI SATYA PAL JAIN: The whole House is now this, then what is the dispute? agreed to extend the time up to 4 p.m. SHRI P,C. CHACKO : Earlier, we have objected MR. SPEAKER: Hon. Members, please listen to at the time of extension. Now, this is not correct. You me. Yesterday you have decided to complete two are allowing a wrong procedure in the House. You important Bills. are setting a wrong precedent. . .. (Interruptions) 119 MARCH 26. 1998 120

MR. SPEAKER : I am taking the sense of the 18.20 hrs. House. These are the two important Bills. At this stage. Shri G.M. Banatwalla went back to ... (Interruptions) his seat. MR. SPEAKER : You have to complete it and SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : ... (lnterruptions)* send it to the Rajya Sabha also. That is why. I am asking that two hours' time is rtlquired to complete MR. SPEAKER: What is it you are talking? You this Bill also. I am taking the sense of the House. It withdraw that word. It is already announced. What may be extended up to 8 o·clock. Now Dr. T. do you want? Subbarami Reddy will speak. SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : Listen to my question. SHRI UTTAMRAO DEORAO PATIL (Yavatmal) answer it and finish it. What about 3777 MR. SPEAKER : You please withdraw that word MR. SPEAKER : It is laid on the Table. first. What is this? DR. T. SUBBARAMI REDDY : I request the hon. SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : I also gave a notice under rule 377. Members to give kind cooperation to start the debate on the interim Budget. MR. SPEAKER : First of all. you withdraw that word. It is not good on your part. Please withdraw ... (Interruptions) that word. MR. SPEAKER : Dr. T. Subbarami Reddy to SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : Is whatever I said in address the Chair. not any hon. Member. the well of the House on record? So, how can it be? . . .. (Interruptions) I am asking a question ... (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER: I have already announced that DR. T. SUBBARAMI REDDY : This is the most due to lack of time, all the Malter under Rule 377 important debate. Unless everybody listens. II is not have been laid on the Table of the House. desirable for me to speak. So. let us wait and see what is wrong. Otherwise. what is Ihe use of SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : That is what I am speaking? asking. I was told about the 377s that only the subjects will be taken up and the text will not be ... (Interruptions) taken up. Now, I am asking you this question as to what is laid on the Table of the House. Have you laid MR. SPEAKER : Order please. only the subject or have you laid our entire text of 18.18 hr •• the 377s on the Table of the House? That is the questi,on I am asking you. But I have not been At this stage. Shri G.M. Banatwalla came and sat allowed to ask such a question ... (lnterruptions) on the floor near the Table. MR. SPEAKER ; Shri G.M. Banatwalla, it has already been announced. Please take your seat. MR. SPEAKER : What do you want? ... (Interruptions) SHRI G.M BANATWALLA : I am asking only a clarification. But you do not allow that also SHRI HARIN PATHAK (Ahmedabad) : The entire ... (Interruptions) text is to be laid on the Table of the House. You are such a senior Member. I hope you know MR. SPEAKER : Shri G.M. Banatwalla. in the that. .. (Interruptions) morning also. I have seen your behaviour. I understand your anxiety. To some extent. it is good. MR. SPEAKER : The entire text of the 377s has Afler thai. il is not good. Please take your seat. I been laid on the Table of the House. have observed you in the morning. It is not good. SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : That is what I am Please take your seat. asking from you. But you have not allowed me to ask SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : I want a clarification. that question. MR. SPEAKER: Every time you are doing it. It MR. SPEAKER: It is already ann.ounced. It is not is not good on your part. good. In the mQrning also, I observed you. Please go and take your seat. This is not good. You are a SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : The last sentence of senior and respected Member. yours is not good ... (lnterruptio.ns} ... (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER : Shri Subbarami Reddy, please speak. MR. SPEAKER : It is not good. Please go and take your seat. • Expunged 88 ordered by the Chair. 121 IntM'im Budget (General) CHAITRA 5, 1920 (Sata) Interim Budget (General) 122

SHRI T. SUBBARAMI REDDY : Unless there is Motions moved : some control, how can I speak? ... (/nterruptlons} "That the respective sums not exceeding KUMARI MAMATA BANERJEE (Calcutta South) : the amounts on Revenue Account and Sir, Is he from the Opposition party? Capital Account shown in the third column SHRI T. SUBBARAMI REDDY: I am representing of the Order Paper be granted to the the prime opposition party to speak on the most President out of the Consolidated Fund of valuable, memorable and historical debate. You have India, on account, for or toward. defraying to listen to me ... (/nterruptlons} the charges during the year ending of the MR. SPEAKER: Shri Subbarami Reddy, you are 31st day of March, 1999 in respe;;t of the wasting your time. Please continue. heads of Demands entered In the Second column thereof against Demands No. 1 to SHRI T. SUBBARAMI REDDY : I do not want to 28, 30, 31, 33 to 61, 63 to 93, 95, 96, 96 speak unless I am allowed to speak. to 103." MR. SPEAKER : Please continue and complete "That the respective supplementary sums it. Within the time, you must complete it. not exceeding the amounts on Revenue Accounts and Capital Accounts shown In the third column of the Order Paper be 1S.25 hrs. granted to the President out of the Consolidated Fund of India to defray the INTERiM BUDGET (GENERAL) - GENERAL charges that will come in course of DISCUSSION payment during the year ending 31st day of March, 1998 in respect of the following DEMANDS FOR GRANTS ON ACCOUNT demands entered in the second column (GENERAL), 1998·99 thereof". ·SUPPLEMENTARY DEMANDS FOR GRANTS (GENERAL),1997·98 1 to 7, 9 to 16, 18 to 23, 26, 28. 32 to 38, 40 to 52, 54 to 60, 62, 63, 65 to 72, 74, MR. SPEAKER: Item Numbers 1 t to 13 will be 75, 77 to 86, 88 to 90, 92, 94, 95, 97 to taken up together. 101.

Demands for Grants on Account (General) for 1998·99 submitted to the vote of the Lok Sabha

No. and Name of Demand Amount of Demand for Grant on Account submitted \0 the vote' of the House 2 3

Revenue Capital Rs. Rs.

Ministry 0' Agriculture 1 Agriculture 1201,26,00,000 8,38,00,000 2 Other Services of Department of Agriculture and Cooperation 39,43,00,000 SO,56,OO,OOO 3 Department of Agricultural Research and Education 297,06,00,000 4 Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying 125,33,00,000 20,30,00,000 Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers 5 Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals 78,11,00,000 9,1S,OO,OOO 8 Department of Fertilizers 3884,36,00,000 191,63,00,000 "lInlstry of Civil Aviation and Tourism 7 Department of Civil Aviation 60,97,00,000 15,22,00,000 8 Department of Tourism 38,00,00,000 7,25,00,000 • Moved with the recommendation of the Pr ..ident. 123 Interim Budget (General) MARCH 26, 1998 Interim Budget (General) 124

1 2 3

MinIstry of Food snd Consumer AffaIrs 9 Department of Consumer Affairs 6,01,00,000 16,00,000 10 Department of Food and Civil Supplies 3635,39,00,000 6,67,00,000 11 Department of Sugar and Edible Oils 268,02,00,000 65,21,00,000 1 2 Ministry of Coal 111,78,00,000 121.66,00,000 Ministry of Commerce 1 3 Department of Commerce 308,95,00,000 31,20,00,000 14 Department of Supply 27,44,00,000 Ministry of CommunIcations 15 Department of Posts 1869,99,00,000 25,66,00,000 1 6 Department of Telecommunications 5948,45,00,O()() 3695,66,00,000 MinIstry of Defence 1 7 Ministry of Defence 1014,47,00,000 9,87,00,000 18 Defence Pensions 2807,73,00,000 1 9 Defence Services-Army 7674,81,00,000 20 Defence Services-Navy 1005,91,00,000 21 Defence Services-Air Force 2563,03,00,000 ? 2 Defence Ordnance Factories 970,89,00,000 23 Capital Outlay on Defence Services 4259,88,00,000 Ministry of Environment and Forests

2~ Ministry 01 Environment and Forests 257,25,00,000 2,48,00,000 Ministry of External Affairs 25 Ministry of External Affairs 624,21,00,000 81,34,00,000 MinIstry of Finance 26 Department of Economic Affairs 1478,09,00,000 34,87,00,000 27 Currency, Coinage and Stamps 314,55,00,000 682,90,00,000 28 Payments to Financial Institutions 107,57,00,000 6273,76,00,000 30 Transfers to State and Union Territoly Govts. 4347,73,00,000 458,67,00,000 31 Loans to Government Servants, etc. 110,83,00,000 33 Department of Expenditure 7,90,00,000 34 Pensions 1071,36,00,000 35 Audit 295,70,00,000 36,00,000 36 Department of Revenue 143,33,00,000 1,24,00,000 37 Direct Taxes 296,86,00,000 41,77,00,000 38 Indirect Taxes 383,18,00,000 87,56,00,000 39 Department of Company Affairs 11,48,00,000 7,00,000 Ministry of Food ProceSling IndustrIes 40 Ministry of Food Processing Industries 13,24,00,000 3,27,00,000 125 Interim Budget (General) CHAITRh 5, 1920 (Saka) Interim BUdlJet (General) 126

2 3

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare 41 Department of Health 584,39,00,000 146,69.00,000 42 Department of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy 26,77,00,000 1 'l.OO,OOO 43 Department of Family Welfare 743,32,00,000 20,00,000 Ministry of Home Affairs 44 Ministry of Home Affairs 142,80,00,000 8,20,00,000 45 Cabinet 36,95,00,000 10,00,00,000 46 Police 1849,93,00,000 148,62,00,000 47 Other Expenditure of the Ministry of Home Affairs 157,81,00,000 75,64,00,000 48 Transfers to Union Territory Governments 114,49,00,000 95,04,00,000 Ministry of Human Resource Development 49 Department of Education 2341,54,00,000 1,00,000 50 Department of Youth Affairs and Sports 60,35,00,000 62,00,000 51 Department of Culture 117,29,00,000 52 Department of Women and Child Development 348,30,00,000 Ministry of Industry 53 Department of Industrial Development and 155,01,00,000 8,00,000 Industrial Policy and Promotion 54 Department of Public Enterprises 1,49,00,000 55 Department of Heavy Industry 24,61,00,000 88,15,00,000 56 Department of Small Scale Industries & Agro and 244,23,00,000 96,98,00.000 Rural Industries Ministry of Information and Broadcasting 57 Information, Films and Publicity 70,41,00,000 4,69,00,000 58 Broadcasting Services 673,58,00,000 155,01,00,000 Ministry of Labour 54,00,000 59 Ministry of Labour 273,83,00,000 Ministry of Law and Justice 60 Law and Justice 209,29,00,000 2,50,00,000 61 Election Commission Ministry of Mines 94,75,00,000 12,00,00,000 63 Ministry of Mines Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sourcos 63,21,00,000 64 Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources 71,35,00,000 Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs 1,39,00,000 65 Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions 66 Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions 60,36,00,000 1,20,00,000 Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas 2,00,00,000 67 Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas 127 Interim Budget (General) MARCH 26, 1998 Interim Budget (General) 128

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Ministry of Planning & Programr,le Implementation 6t1 Planning 50,40,00,000 8,31,OO,OOC 69 Department of Statistics 47,52,00,000 , ,28,00,000 70 Department of Programme Implementation 264,23,00,000 Ministry of Power 71 Ministry of Power 323,03,00,000 1041,83,00,000 Ministry of Rural Areas and Employment 72 Department of Rural Development 964,08,00,000 73 Department of Rural Employment and Poverty Alleviation 2841,69,00,000 74 Department of Wastelands Development 30,32,00,000 Ministry of Science and Technology 75 Department of Science and Technology 234,58,00,000 16,26,00,000 76 Department of Scientific and Industrial Research 227,83,00,000 1,83,00,000 77 Department of Bio-technology 39,24,00,000 2,00,000 Ministry of Steel 78 Ministry of Steel 13,45,00,000 7,69,00,000 Ministry of Surface Transport 79 Surface Transport 31,48,00,000 9,01,00,000 80 Roads 337,11,00,000 731,17,00,000 81 Ports, Lighthouses and Shipping 108,19,00,000 109,09,00,000 Ministry of Textiles 82 Ministry of Textiles 147,81,00,000 155,83,00,000 Ministry of Urban Affairs II Employment 83 Urban Development 155,43,00,000 135,09,00,000 84 Urban Employment and Poverty Alleviation 74,14,00,000 13,33,00,000 85 Public Works 255,75,00,000 73,34,00,000 86 Stationery and Printing 63,10,00,000 2,00,00,000 Ministry of Water Resources 87 Ministry of Water Resources 163,14,00,000 12,18,OO,COO Ministry of Welfare 88 Ministry of Welfare 368,36,00,000 95,14,00,000 Department of Atomic Energy 89 Atomic Energy 354,83,00,000 252,54,00,000 90 Nuclear Power Schemes 406,09,00,000 310,33,00,000 Department of Electronics 91 Department of Electronics 52,45,00,000 6,40,00,000 Department of Ocean Development 92 Department of Ocean Development 35,83,00,000 33,00,000 Department of Space 93 Department of Space 535,38,00,000 67,18,00,000 129 Interim Budget (Gener.') CHAITRA 5, 1920 (Sake) Interim Budget (General) 130

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The Pre.'dent, Parliament, Union Public Service Commls.'on • the Secretariat of the Vice-President 95 Rajya Sabha 12,69,00,000 96 Lok Sabha 22,19,00,000 98 Secretariat of the Vice-President 23,00,000 Union Territories without Legislature 99 Andaman and Nicobar Islands 153,35,00,000 62,31,00,000 100 Chandigarh 172,47,00,000 21,55,00,000 101 Dadra and Nagar Haveli 47,02,00,000 8,51,00,000 102 Daman and Diu 40,51,00,000 6,18,00,000 103 Lakshadweep 44,28,00,000 6,84,00,000 Total Revenue/Capital 60316,78,00,000 20388,43,00,000

Supplementary Demands for Grants (General) for 1997-98 submItted to th. Vot. of the Lok Ssbha

No. and TiUe of Demand Amount of Demand for Grant submitted to the vote of the House 2 3 Revenue Capital Rs. Rs.

Ministry of Agriculture 1 Agriculture 5156500000 2 Other Services of Department of Agriculture and Cooperation 200000 3 Department of Agricultural Research and Education 862200000 4 Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying 24700000 Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers 5 Department of Chemicals and Petro-chemicals 100000 329700000 6 Department of Fertilizers 1992500000 Mlnl.try of Civil Aviation and Tourism 7 Department of Civil Aviation 378400000 Mlnl.try of Civil Sup pile., Consumer Affairs and Public DI.trlbutlon 9 Ministry of Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs • Public Distribution 103800000 Ministry of Coal 10 Ministry of Coal 701700000 Mlnl.try of Commerce 11 Department 01 Commerce 219800000 13900000 12 Department 01 Supply 112900000 .... inl.try of Communication. 13 Department 01 Posts 5390000000 1 4 Department 01 Telecommunications 1425200000 100000 131 Interim Budget (Genersl) MARCH 26, 1998 Interim Budget (Gsnsrsl) 132

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Ministry of Defence 15 Ministry of Defence 3292300000 16 Defence Pensions 12324200000 18 Defence Services-Navy 1726100000 19 Defence Services-Air Force 3670000000 20 Defence Ordnance Factories 3477600000 21 Capital Oullay on Defence Services 3810000000 Ministry of Environment and Forests 22 Ministry of Environment and Forests 100000 5500000 Ministry of External Affairs 23 Ministry of External Affairs 398200000 Ministry of Finance 26 Payments to Financial Institutions 100000 27000000000 28 Transfer to State and Union Territory Governments 90628600000 32 Pensions 3979000000 33 Audit 1570100000 16300000 34 Department of Revenue 442100000 35 Direct Taxes 1289000000 36 Indirect Taxes 1573900000 37 Department of Company Affairs 78200000 2000000 Ministry of Food 38 Ministry of Food 3974900000 525600000 Ministry of Health and Family Welfare 40 Department of Health 499700000 41 Department of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy 96600000 42 Department of Family Welfare 100000 Ministry of Home Affairs 43 Ministry of Home Affairs 665500000 44 Cabinet 37600000 45 Police 12399300000 46 Other Expenditure of the Ministry of Home Affairs 265800000 449100000 47 Transfers to Union Territory Governments 759400000 30600000 Ministry of Human Resource Development 48 Department of Education 400000 49 Department of Youth Affairs and Sports 200000 50 Department of Culture 276600000 51 Department of Women and Child Development 1239700000 Ministry of Industry 52 Industrial Development and Industrial Policy and Promotion 200000 54 Department of Heavy Industry 230900000 739500000 55 Department of Small Scale Industries & Agro. and Rural Industries 165100000 • 133 Interim Budget (General) CHAITRA 5, 1920 (Saka) Int.rim Budget (General) 134

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Ministry of Information and Broadcasting 56 Information, Films and Publicity 135800000 57 Broadcasting Services 516400000 Ministry of Labour 58 Ministry of Labour 100000 Ministry of Law and Justice 59 Law and Justice 3350600000 60 Election Commission 34200000 Ministry of Mines 62 Ministry of Mines 488100000 Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources 63 Ministry c,f Non-Conventional Energy Sources 100000 Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions 65 Ministry of Personnel. Public Grievances and Pensions 222000000 6000000 Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas 66 Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas 129851400000 Ministry of Planning & Programme Implementation 67 Planning 317400000 68 Department of Statistics 102100000 69 Deparlment of Programme Implementation 2000000 Ministry of Power 70 Ministry of Power 2017000000 MInistry of Rural Areas and Employment 71 Department of Rural Development 100000 72 Department of Rural Employment and Poverty Alleviation 100000 M1nlstry of Science and Technology 74 Department of Science and Technology 178500000 75 Department of Scientific and Industrial Research 935400000

Ministry of Steel 77 Ministry of Steel 29300000 Ministry of Surface Transport 100000 74000000 78 Surface Transport 1726400000 79 Roads 80 Ports. Lighthouses and Shipping 468700000 100000 Mlniatry of Textiles 100000 1247700000 81 Ministry of Textiles Ministry of Urban Affairs & Employment 78700000 82 Urban Development 83 Urban Employment and Poverty Alleviation 100000 135 Interim Budget (General) MARCH 26, 1998 Interim Budget (General) 136

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84 Public Works 587600000 85 Stationery and Printing 174200000 Ministry of Water Resources 86 Ministry of Water Resources 300000 68000000 Department of Atomic Energy 88 Atomic Energy 1647300000 89 Nuclear Power Schemes 2140900000 Department of Electronics 90 Department of Electronics 116800000 5000000 Department of Spece 92 Department of Space 100000 The President, Parliament, Union Public Service Commission and tbe Secretariat of the Vice-President 94 Rajya Sabha 122700000 95 Lok Sabha 97700000 97 Secretariat of the Vice-President 1200000 Union Territories Without Legislature 98 Andaman & Nicobar Islands 436500000 99 Chandigarh 1409300000 100 Dadra & Nagar Haveli 18000000 101 Daman & Diu 177300000

Grand Total 308734300000 34401900000

SHRI T. SUBBARAMI REDDY (Visakhapatnam) : SHRI T. SUBBARAMI REDDY: Sir, coming to the would like to know how much time has been subject, I would like to say that the growth of GOP allotted. is only five percent, perhaps the lowest figure for the last five years. Also, the fiscal deficit Is found to be Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Interim Budget presented by our hon. Finance Minister indicates that our six per cent which is also very disastrous. Moreover, 14,300 country's economic pOSition is very gloomy and there was a fall of Rs. erore in the revenue phenomenally very bad ... (Interruptions) collection. MR. SPEAKER : Shri Subbarami Reddy, please There is a negative exposure about agriculture take your seat first. I will take one minute. This is for and exports. This presents a very-very sad picture the clarification of the hon. Members. The time about the situation prevailing in the .I::ountry. At· the allotted to this subject is two hours. The BJP and its same time, I am very happy that the Government has allies like Samata Party, BJD, AIADMK get 50 minutes; announced in their agenda that they want to Congress gets 29 minutes; CPI(M) gets seven eradicate poverty, they want to give a new life to this minutes; Samajwadi Party gets four minutes; RJD country, they want to remove frustration of the youth gets three minutes; TOP gets two minutes; CPI gets by creating more employment opportunities, they two minutes; TC, JD, DMK, BSP and RSP get one want to provide drinking water to every village and minute each. they want to· provide free education to women. Yes, ... (Interruptions) it looks like a Ram Rajya. We are ali happy about it and we welcome it. The opposition parties can SHRI K. BAPIRAJU (Narasapur) : Do not give support the constructive cause provided they are one or two minutes to speak on the Budget able to achieve lhe goal by way of the Budget which ... (Interruptions) they are going to present. 137 Interim Budget (General) CHAITRA 5. 1920 (Sakal Interim Budge' (General) 138

It was the Congress Party which had started the are very efficient but they are incurring losses h~storical economic reforms. We are happy that the because of lack of restructuring. The Finance Ministry Finance Minister has said that he would give full should treat this as a Government project and see acceleration to the economic reforms and would also that Government projects do not become sick. give top priority to it. We all welcome it because he has agreed to follow the policy started by the Another most important thing is the coming up of Congress Party. At the same time, the question is of new industries and the disaster of the capital market. eradicating poverty and raising money. In fact, the This new Ministry must make every effort to Instil ~ncorne-tax structure governed by the existing rules confidence In the minds of the people of the country IS very good. The entire nation has approved the tax by encouraging small Investors and promoting new policy. But there are some people who are trying to industries. create confusion. That is a very dangerous thing. We Another burning problem In this country Is the must have a sound structure. How can we raise red-tapiam that is prevailing particularly in Delhi city. money? Money can be raised only by more No paper moves whether II be of any power project acceleration of trade, industry. commerce and also or a transport project or of anything. Nothing moves by giving top priority to small scale and cottage in this country because nobody has got the industries. coordination. There Is lack of communication, there One more thing is, there is no industrial growth is lack of knowledge and lack of cooperation within in the entire country. Existing industries are facing various departments. If a paper goes to the Finance phenomenal and disastrous problems. The Ministry, it seeka a clarification on it and then it goes Government must solve these two things while to another Ministry. dealing with the full Budget. The question is: Why is There. that man sends it to another Ministry. there no industrial growth? I give a small example Where is the end for it? because there is no time. Today In India. banking \ institutions are having sufficient funds. But bank Therefore. I am giving you a suggestion that the officers are not prepared to lend money to any Government must appoint a Coordination Committee industry, not even to a small scale industry because which must meet frequently. say, once a week and some people have played some mischief. If officers see that all these problems are sorted out. Otherwise are not given any protection. no officer will have any it will be very difficult to solve them. For the last mood to come forward and give encouragement to several years, we have been dreaming to make this this country. If this thing continues, even God cannot country an economically strong nation. It is very much save this country. I want the new Finance Minister to painful to say that nothing is happening. We want to take this as a challenge and see that he gives new make this country a proud nation In the entire world. instructions to the technocrats and officials of the In fact, so many people from all over the world want banking institutions and injects new blood in their to participate in many projects to building up this body by giving inspiration. zeal and enthusiasm. I great nation's Industries and give employment to help know Shri Yashwant Sinha and Shri R.K. Kumar are the poor people. there. Today. when a young man becomes a graduate, One more thing is, I do not understand why the he has no job. To give him a job, what is the answer? Food Ministry is importing sugar. On the one hand You must have trade, commerce and industry to build we are having a difficult requirement of foreign up this nation. For this, you must eradicate first, exchange; on the other. in India, there are millions nepotism and red tapism and see that a new zeal of workers working in sugar factories. Our country is enthusiasm Is created. You must Inculcate In the blood an agriculture-based country and sugarcane Is a of the bureaucrats and the people of Delhi and all most important thing. But I am shocked to know capitals of this country to see that they all have the that sugar industry In India is in doldrums as national spirit. Let us work together. Let us build this Indigenous Industries are not In a position to cope nation. That is very important. up with the present requirement and sugar Is being Sir, I do not want to speak after you ring the bell. imported. I request the hon. Minister to stop the I will finish before that. Import of sugar and see that indigenous Industries are encouraged. KUMARI MAMATA BANERJEE : What about the film Industry? One more thing Is that the existing industries should not become sick. For example, take the {Translation] Vieakhapatnam Steel Plant. It is a Government of India project. They have invested Rs. 8,000 crore. SHRI T. SUBBARAMI REDDY : We will see the Today factories are working very efficiently, officers film nagri in the evening, not her.... (lnterruptlbn.} 139 Interim Budget (General) MARCH 26, 1998 Inltlrlm Budget (General) 140

[Shri T, Subbarami Reddy) should bother about rural development. No. Everything is interlinked. {English] In other words, let us make 1998 a glorious and About the Budget, I want to say one more thing. prosperous year. Let us make the world feel that There is a wrong notion that 'aeroplane means India is going to be a magnificent country in building luxury'. No Those days are gone. Today the its economy in such a way that they should feel communication system is most important to build this jealous of us. For that, what he must do Is to have great nation. You see anywhere, for example, Airports coordination. The lack of communication and Authority of India. You see our air flights. All are coordination should be removed. Red tapism should outdated in the world. No Budget is providing any be burnt. You must give a new philosophy. You must money to have the new flights or to replace the old discuss with all the concerned officers and Members. flights. Nobody is bothered how to build up the tf hon. Members come to the new Ministers, they transport communication system In India in such a must spare them some time. Their PAs should not way that when the people from all over the world say travel in this nation, they would feel proud and happy that here is a nation with all the infrastructural {Translation] facilities. We have been thinking and dreaming but nothing is moving. "Hon'ble Minister is in the bathroom or that he has gone out or would take call later on." Now, the challenge is before Shri Yashwant Sinha who must now prove it that he can do wonders, {English] miracles and also do something phenomenally new. His full Budget should be miraculous, phenomenal, No. Every hon. Member is equal. unparalleled and magnificent and should be This is also a challenge before this Government something record breaking. I am giving him the and they must have a new style like what other inspiration. people had done in this field, I want to say one more thing about Shri R.K. SHRI BASWARAJ PATIL SEDAM (Gulbarga) : Kumar-Yashwant Sinha combination. It should be : There is no budget for bathrooml Lokotrayana Sangathnaya nirupamaya SHRI T. SUBBARAMI REDDY: ihElrefore, I want sanghnasa na dwitiya. the Finance Ministry to review as to where we went wrong in these years and why we have not been What I mean to say is that the Budget should be able to have new projects. Please do not mistake my bubbling with enthusiasm. Everybody should love it. saying this. The industry is not for rich men only. It Everybody must admire it. is for poor men also because If there is no industry, Though it is an Interim Budget, this is the we cannot give employment opportunities to our foundation of the full Bu

01 this country, if we want to eradicate poverty in this presence that the State Government should have country, if we want to give a new life to the people been given 47"10 finance under VOl Scheme. Funds in rural areas, if we want to remove sorrow among were refused on one pretext or the other. I agree poor people, there is only one way, that is, the country with records of Economic Intelligence Service and should be build up; trade, commerce and industry their figures in which they have refused to give any , should be built up. For that there is no difference in money. They have not given finance because the the policies. We are all one. We must inspire people figures of the Budget of Central Government will all over the world to participate in this. Otherwise increase and the people will come to know about what for are the economic reforms? We have no incapability of this Government. Abominable efforts money, but we want to start new projects, we want were made to hide th~lr incapability. power, we want electricity, we want water, we want After that came the elections and in one Press irrigation. How is it possible? If ~'ou have no money, conference the Finance Minister announced that they you allow other people to come. Otherwise what is want to benefit the employees but he also recorded the meaning of economic reforms? There should be in the file that the next Finance Minister can take a no licences. Do not make a man run after the decision in this regard. I am at loss to understand Government for licences. That is the wrong that the why he did so. Did he think that the new Finance Congress has done. I lim not praising the Congress Minister Shri Yashwant Sinha was not competent or finding fault with you. I want this nation to grow. enough to take decision without his advice. f am I am only telling what is good for the country. saying this because the people who were present Everybody has done his bit. Shri Chidambaram has here have run these governments for 50 years in done wonders, Dr. has done one form or the other, then they have betrayed the wonders and I know that Shri Yashwant Sinha is employees. Just now I was also congratulating Shri going to beat everybody. He must do much more Nitish Kumar for this. The matter regarding old age things. Shri Kumar is there with him. penSion has also been deferred saying that no KUMAR I MAMATA BANERJEE : But do not payment would be made on this account whereas a include him in the Revenue Board I commitment was made in the budget speech in this regard. For a family old age pension is very valuable. MR. SPEAKER : Please conclude. In the same way, they have decided to make SHRI T. SUBBARAMI REDDY: In conclusion, to peyment of pension dues this year. The previous have a social, political and spiritual acceleration in Government has shown reluctance in providing funds this country, the Finance Ministry must play a more to the States in order to keep a check on budgetary crUCial, eminent, Important and memorable role. I deficit. We are not only giving that money but new am dreaming to see Shri Yashwant Sinha's full Budget government has also decided that it will not violate on these lines. With his administrative skills and the rights of the States or hinder the development of style, there will be no red-tapism and things will States and as far as possible they would extend move faster. There should be no lack of maximum support to States. Therefore, they have communication. taken a historic decision to make payment to the States out of that money collected under VDIS scheme [Trans/ation] upto 31st March. The documents which they have SHRI BHAGWAN SHANKAR RAWAT (Agra) : Mr. placed before the electorate have been honoured by this Government on the first day itself. I would like Speaker, Sir, I am very happy that attitude of my to congratulate them for this. My friends were jokingly friend Shri T. Subbarami Reddy Is changing. For !hlS asking as to what was in that document. I would like ! would like to congratulate country's n.~w. Prime to tell them that the document was a sort of holy Minister Hon'ble Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee II, Finance book and Shri Atal Blhari Vajpayee has announced Minister Shri Yashwant Sinha and Railway Minist~r to abide by whatever has been mentioned in it. The Shri Nitish Kumarji. After seeing his spirit from hiS Finance Minister in his first budget speech has given ~i~ h~S Budget speech, we have found that attitude a message to the people of country and States that Mlnlste~ ~III changed. Now there is a Finance who they do not consider the States as a colony of Centre. present such a Budget and policies With which We shall give every State and every employee an welfare of poor people, villages, farmers, opportunity to prosper. unemployed backwards, people living in slums and other peopl~ In the country Is possible. The country My friend was talking of poor people. Employees will get a new direction. will get pension. He was saying that picture was very dismal. In fact, it ;s very dismal. They have said I would like to congratulate Shri Atal Bihari that Sinha Saheb has also painted a Rosy picture. Vajpayeejl and Shri Yashwant Sinha. Perhaps our Who is responsible for this dismal picture. Those former Finance Minister has left the House. I would people who are sitting there are responsible for this have been more happy if I had said this In his 143 Interim Budge' (Genersl) MARCH 26. 1998 Int.rlm Budget (Genersl) 144

[Shri Bhagwan Shankar Rawat) the Budget. Who Is responsible for this, one who has prepared the Budget or the people of this state of affairs which resulted in decline in country? The people of this country ar,e not at fault, production. In the year 1996-97, this growth was this is all due to wrong planning. Our tax structure, 5.8%, this time ¥.i% was expected but it has further tax planning and tax collection was at fault due to declined. In the same way the previous Government which the recovered amount was less by rupees has destroyed the economic structure which was fourteen thousand crores as compared to the targeted based on agriculture. The national buffer stock has amount. also declined. As on 1 st November, 1996 stock of foodgrain was 21.3 million tonne, which has reduced I would like to submit one more point. Just now to 18.25 million tonne on 1 st November, 1997. We my friend was mentioning about exports. There has used to say that we would provide relief to the poor been a huge difference between export and import through PDS. Much publicity was given to this and imports increased and exports decreased. Along scheme. A 14.5% fall has been registered In the with this difference, an attempt was also made to supply of foodgrains through PDS. They were misled hide one more fact that today nobody talks about the in the name of the poor. A lot of propaganda was tar,get fixed that upto the end of year 2000 this much made, but not even cheap foodgrains were provided of exports will be made and from the export point of to satiate their hunger. They were cheated in this view, the country will earn a name in the forefront of way. the countries of the world. They do not mention it, because they did not have the will power to fulfil that My friend was saying about the industrial sector. target. They only had the intention to mislead the I would like to submit that these people are people of this country by painting such a rosy picture responsible for it. They have to reply as to why there that they had such populist schemes and so the is continuous deterioration in the industrial sector. people coukt keep on dreaming. The present It is being said just now that arrangements for Government has inherited from the previous electricity should be made. Yes, the new government Government a non-progressive administration, will arrange for electricity. However, I would like to wherein the situation of balance of payment and know from you what did you do in these fifty years balance of foreign trade has got deteriorated. As in the country. At least, you should have provided compared to dollar, rupees has been hEHIvily employment to the people in power generation and depreciated in the international market. The mining sectors. The people would have engaged in Government was preparing for more depreciation of mining or digging work, earned wages and as a rupee frorro the back door. I congratulate, the voters result, the country would have become more of this country for having become aware of this prosperous. However, nothing was done. Cheaper danger and having given the administration and electricity could have been supplied through leadership of the country In efficient hands, otherwise generetion of hydel power, that was also not we would. have faced the same situation as was generated. People were compelled to live in faced by the people in Thailand, and other South darkness. I would like to submit that the East Asian countries. administration has also admitted that due to reduction I would like to mention about the credibility of in public expenditure, primary capital market and the earlier Government. Last year, there was heavy non-banking credit. industrial production has also reduction in non-resident Indian deposits. There was decreased, but who is responsible tor it? The earlier only one reaaon behind that. People had doubts Government should own responsibility for not taking about the credibility and efficiency of the then any effective steps to check the Industrial slump. I Government and so the depOSits of money by the would like to request the Hon. Finance Minister, Shri non-resident Indians which was 3.4 million dollars Sinha to take effective steps to check this industrial last year, decreased by 1.5 million dollars in the slump. Infrastructure consists of basiC facilities like current financial year. This credibility regarding the basic facilities for industries, power generation, coal strengthening of economy of our country production. cement. iron etc. The fall In production of ... (Interruptions) these items could not be checked and so I would like to draw the attention of the Hon. Finance Minister {English] that he should actively lead in removing these MR. SPEAKER: Please conclude. A total of five shortcomings. hon. Members will speak from your party. The amount expected to be recovered through SHRI BHAGWAN SHANKAR RAWAT : I will just Indirect taxes could not be realised and he had just now mentioned that as a result, recovered complete It. amount fell short by rupees fourteen thousand MR. SPEAKER : Each hon. M~mber has been crores as compared to the total amoun,t estimated in allotted ten minutes to speak. 145 Interim Budget (General) CHAtTRA 5. 1920 (Saka) Interim Budget (Genersl) 146

(Translstion) wishing the Pondicherry Government to have more powers. Unanimous resolutions have been passed SHRI BHAGWAN SHANKAR RAWAT : I would like at different times in the State Assembly of to submit that the present Government have to pay Pondicherry. The Government ot India should fulfil immediate attention towards reviving the Inherited this aspiration. Income tax concession was granted staggering economy. Effective steps have to be taken for the new industrial undertakings set up in the in the field of infrastructure, financial and public industrially backward area of Pondicherry State . .This sector. I am confident that this new Government will concession is going to end this month. Income tax take effective steps to eradicate the basic problems holiday should be extended to the State of like poverty, unemployment, health, education etc. Pondicherry lor a further period of five years. I will conolude after submitting two more points. I would like to make one more point here. A new Firstly, I would like to say that the previous railway line is to be put up between Cuddalore and Government has ruined the taste and flavour of tea Tindivanam through Pondicherry. I was told that this also. Though an indigenous product, it has become proposal has been taken up. The GovernlTlen! should very costly by getting entangled in the web of speed up this scheme. exporters. Even domestic prices of the tea were linked to the international prices. 80 percent of the total [Translation} production 01 tea is consumed within India. However, the consumer is gatting tea on higher prices. When SHRI MOHAN SINGH (Deoria) : Mr. Speaker. Sir, a housewife prepares tea, she uses less amount of detailed and policy related discussion cannot be tea-leaves than the required amount, otherwise her taken up on Demands for Supplementary Grants. house-hold budget gets imbalanced. When her However, the Han. Finance Minister has stated some husband drinks the tea, he says that tea is points in the introduction while presenting these distasteful. I, therefore, request the Finance Minister demands. We do no! have complete report on to look into the matter as more than half of the Indian Economic Survey yet, but it Is unfortunate for our population enjoys drinking tea. country that adverse results are received for those policies which are widely propagated by the media The Han. President in his Address has made a personnel and so called intellectuals. When the last commitment regarding formation of Ullaranchal, Budget was presented, they named it the 'dream Vananchal and Chatllsgarh states. I believe that this Budget' and had hoped that it would boost the pace Government under the Leadership 01 Shri Atal Blhari 01 economic development and export-import of our Va/payee will fulfil its commitment. Though he has country. However, Hon'ble Finance Minister has put mentioned about the formation 01 these three states, lorth his views in very right perspective. Today, the but I think due to slip of vision or slip of sight, funds situation is very grim and serious attention should have not been allocated for this purpose. I, therefore, be paid in this regard. demand lor provision of an adequate amount of lunds, so that the process of formation of these three In a large country like India, where progress In states may be started simultaneously. agriculture is specially naeded, only two percent growth is taking place which is negligible. Our In the last Budget, allocation made for rural economic growth rate should be 9-10 per cent but It development was heavily reduced. The Hon'ble is stagnating at 5 per cent. Industrial Production is Finance Minister may bring improvement in it so that also taking place at the rate of four and half per cent upllflment 01 farmers and poor may take place. which is totally inadequate in view of the needs of With these words, I fully support this interim the increasing population of our country. Hon'ble Budget presented by the Han. Finance Minister. Finance Minister should tell us whether we are ready to reconsider those policies which are responsible [English} for this stagnation in the country. In short, he has stated that he will formulate policies in perspective SHRI S. ARUMUGHAM (Pondlcherry) : Hon. 01 the National Agenda prepared at the time of Speaker Sir, I express my gratitude to my leader, preparation of Budget. However, I am of the firm DMK PreSident, Dr. Kalaignar Karunanidhl for having opinion that like the defence and foreign policy which given me an opportunity to contest Irom Pondicherry are permanent, we should have permanent economic parliamentary constituency and I thank the electorate policy too. I am sorry to state that the present 01 Pondicherry for having elected me. I have to Government has been constituted with the people of represent as a lone parliamentary Member Irom very different views. Even two days before its Pondicherry and I wish to say a few words about formation, one of the Ministers of this Government some of the problems of Pondicherry. stated that if the mUlti-national and for.'ln The people of Pondlcnerry demand for special companies, which have entered India, do not fulfil Statehood. For more than 25 years, they have been some condition., they ahouJd be prepared to I.. ve 147 Interim Budget (General) MARCH 26, 11196 Int.rim Budget (General) 148

[Shri Mohan Singh] terrorism. Neither this House nor this country can give the right to any Government for this the country. So a leader of their organisation tried to discriminatory attitude. If you have waived ott the create an atmosphere of fear. Two days later, when amount for one State under special circumstances, the Hon'ble Finance Minister took the charge of the then the loans given to other States should also be Finance Ministry, he stated that there is nothing to waived off, as they have also spent this amount under worry about. Multinationals may remain here such special circumstances. This is my submission comfortably and we are not going to disturb them. to the Government. So, what type of atmosphere you want to create. We have several such questions before us. Sir, police force is essential to maintain the internal security of any country and for this reason Another point which I would like to submit is that expenditure on S.P.G. is Increasing. Till last year this when the new economic policy was formulated in amount was As. 45 crores and As. 54 crores which 1991, it was strongly criticised by these very parties. is going to be As. 85 crores this year. The At that time, the leader of the Shartiya Janata Party, Government of India should give serious who is now tho Home Minister was the Leader of considerations to this matter of internal security. I Opposition. He toured the western countries on would like to thank the Defence Minister who has government expenditure. He stated openly to the clearly said that he is not going to accept any foreign capitalists and investors that after Congress, security arrangements for himself. I would like to ask Bhartiya Janata Party is the largest party in the whether evory Minister of the present Government country and after them, they will come to power. So will follow him and whether the Government will the foreign investors need not be worried. Shartiya reconsider the matter about spending As. 85 crore Janata Party fully assures them that when it will on S.P.G. The Finance Minister should consider this. come to power, it is not going to bring any change in the economic policy. Such assurance was given So far as, matter of giving subsidy of Rs. 7500 at that time to the foreign investors by the Leader of crores to Food Corporation is concerned - subsidy the Opposition, who is now the Home Minister. I am of Rs. 7000 crores on food and subsidy of Rs. 500 worried that by such dual policies, what type of crores on sugar is being given - I would like to say atmosphere is going to be created by your that with an amount of Rs. 500 crores, all the sick Government. I would like to get a reply from the sugar mills in the country can be revived and Hon'ble Finance Minister. modernised. The sugar requirement in the country can be met fully. Today, there is no financial discipline in the country. The Government should be pressurised to Another point which I would like to say is about maintain financial discipline. Cost of production is the increasing internal debt of the Government. Not increasing. Today, we can not expect any guidelines only internal debt, but external debt is also from you. This Government has not utilised a single increasing. The Government should think over about paisa from the Demands for Supplementary Grants reducing this loan. Our currency is also depreciating which have been presented here. That amount has in terms of dollar. According to Indian economists if been spent by the previous Government. Since the value of our currency becomes less in comparison Government remains in continuity, Hon. Finance to dollar, there will be increase in the inflow of foreign Minister have come here only to get the assent of currency in our country. Its second aspect is that the the House. So, we do not hold you accountable in external loan which our country receives and the this regard. I seek your reply on the views expressed date from which the value of our currency devaluates, by Hon'ble Members. I would like to draw your from that date itsslf the ratio of external loan will attention towards another issue. also decrease. The Government of India should not imitate East Asian countries because their economic 19.00 hrs. condition has worsen and they are faCing problems about dollar. The Government should seriously The point is, that the tenth Finance Commission consider this aspect also. The Government of India and Government of India had decided to write off should take effective steps for increasing the value As. 212 crores of the States, but contrary to this and of currency and to save the country from economic against the suggestions of the Finance Commission crisis. the Government Itself for pOlitical reasons, tool( a quiet decision and wrote off. Nor this was done In the end, I support the demands for grants and through the budget neither the House was taken into it is our compulsion also to support these demands, confidence. This amount was not given during your as the funds were spent by those people who had regime, but you wrote off the amount till year 2000. our support. Therefore It Is necessary to support I am not opposing the fact that you wrote off the these demands also. I hope that you will briefly loan. It was said that Punjab fought terrorism. I would consider my various points. With these words I like to say that other states have also lought conclude. 149 Interim Budget (General) CHAITAA 5, 1920 (Saka) 150

19.05 hrl. estimates for the year 1998-99, the non-Plan expenditure increased nearly to Rs. 26,000 crore for [SHRI fI,M. SAYEEO in the Chairj pension, payment of interest and other heads. Under the head Major Sublidies, the amount shown is [English} Rs. 1500 crore. I suppose, these subsidies will go SHRI MOl NUL HASSAN (Murshldabad) : directly to the common people for food and other Respected Speaker, Sir, yesterday our hon. Finance things. The rate of increase of these subsidies is on Minister, Shri Yashwant Sinha had placed the Interim the lower side. Budget. On this Budge1, I would like to mention two The other pOint is with regard to the Budget or three points only. Paper, Budget at a Glance. The Finance Minilter hal I feel that the entire economic policy and announced that the Government would try its be.! to planning of our country will be affected if the policy expand the tax base. of decentralisation becomes the main thrust area. In I have seen the Budget papers that have been connection with this I would like to say that the supplied to me. At a glance, in one rupee only eight Finance Minister must immediately give effect to the paise are coming from the Corporation Tax. We recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission which demand that the Government must Increale the are accepted by the Inter· State Council. Corporation Tax rates. There is ample scope, we My second point is regarding tax restructuring. must exploit it. The Minister had mentioned about this in his speech Another point I would like to mention is regarding also. I would like to say at this moment that a unique West Bengal, particularly my constituency. Everybody decision has been taken by the Tenth Finance knows that severe crossing Is occurring on rivers Commission, that is, that 29 per cent of the tala I Ganga and Padma. At present, it has become a resources will go to the States. We demand that we national disaster. Lakhs of people are evicted. It is must uphold the decision which was accepted by the increasing day by day. The Expert Committee which previous Government in principle. I suppose that it was constituted by the Government of India has will strengthen the States and ultimatelv it will recommended more funds to save the common strengthen the federal structure of OL'r country to people in the local areas. I would like to request the make a strong nation. In connection with this I would han. Finance Minister to immediately allot more funds like to request the Finance Minister to immediately to save the entire area from erosion and to protect hold a meeting of the Ministers of different States to the people Irom getting evicted. discuss about the consideration of the forthcoming This is my lirst speech before the august Hou •• Eleventh Finan"" Commission. and I would like to thank the Chair for giving me thil I have read out the speech of our respected han. chance. President which was delivered by him yesterday. I have also read out the National Agenda. Everybody [Translation} has talked about the unemployment prClblem of our PROF. PREM SINGH CHANDUMAJRA (Patiala) : country. A great concern has been expressed by the Mr. Chairman, Sir, lirst 01 all, I congratulate the hon. nation. We have also heard a new slogan of Minister of Finance for presenting the interim budget. 'berozga'ri hatao'. Perhaps this august House k~owS The hints given in this budget reveal the prospective a number of 'hatao' slogans being raised earlier. I changes in economic scenario 01 the country. I have gone through the Interim Budget of Shri congratulate the hon. Prime Minister for It. Under hll Yashwant Sinha. How they would go about It, there leadership an able Government has been formed is no mention in his Budget. I would like to mention and a learned person has been given the charge of the present perspective of the unemployment Ministry 01 Finance, and they have given a thought problem of our country. The annual rate of increase lor introducing economic as well as political changes Yoj~na in employment is 2.3 per cent only. The last in the country. The persons and parties who have ~unng Commission targeted it to be 2.62 per cent been in power lor most of the time during the lalt that Plan period. I suppose it is not enough. It IS not fifty years are mainly responsible for the maladies of enough to pass a general comment from a national the country today, I hope that problems like price level. It is high time to bring about a time-bound rise, poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and corruption ~he programme. I know that it is an Interim Budget. will be solved by the measures and guidelines Issued youth community of the entire nation is demanding by the hon. Minister of Finance. Hon'ble M.P. Shti a time-bound programme for employment and other Reddy has said just now that credit for IntrodUCing allied subjects. economic reforms goes to the Congress party. I would According to the Budget speech of our Finance like to say that he is mistaken and is trying to take Minister, which was placed yesterday, in the Budget credit. These economic reforms lIave become 151 Interim Budget (General) MARCH 28, 1998 Interim Budget (General) 152

[Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra) Manmohan' Singhji has made complaint about it now. He could have waived off as much amount of loan comp41slon of global economy. I would like to ask as he wished at the time when his party was in the people who are making tall claims regarding power ... (/nterruptlons) I have not Interrupted you economic reforms, that several projects were when you were speaking. sanctioned and started under economic reforms during the last few years. Not even 23% of capital Punjab is a border State and it has been has been invested in these projects. Therefore, these plundered for the last 50 years. He felt very bad, reforms did not bear fruit. I feel that now economic when for the first time the loans of Punjab were reforms will be implemented in a proper way under waived off. Now a special assistance 01 Rs. 1000 the instructions issued by the hon. Minister of crore has been provided lor State. I would like to Finance. Economic survey has been conducted and say that more assistance should be given to Punjab I am very sorry to say that the target fixed for G.D.P. lor the Thein Dam Project so that we could utilize could not be achieved and overall growth has the water for generating power. This water Is at declined by 5 percent. It is really very sad that growth present wastefully flowing towards Pakistan in agriculture sector which is the core sector of our ... (Interruptions) economy and more than 70 percent people depend on it, has also declined by two percent. Weather is [English] blamed for it. Sometimes heavy rainfall and sometimes scamty rainfall is blamed for it and not MR. CHAIRMAN : No running commentaries, those who are responsible for formulating plans. please. Let him complete. None consider himself guilty or responsible for [Trans/ation] outcome of the Plans formulated for the country. In comparison to the prOjections of tax coUection, the PROF. PREM SINGH CHANDUMAJRA : Today, actual collection is low by Rs. 14236 crore. How did water 01 river Ravi is going to Pakistan. Required it happen? Because they were busy, in collecting amount has not been given lor construction 01 Thein M.Ps. and leg pulling and thus the tax collection Dam lor the last 25-27 years. Additional lunds may declined. The target regarding disinvestment 01 please be allocated to complete the work on this shares of PSUs was fixed at Rs. 4800 crore but we dam so that electricity can be generated. could disinvest only Rs. 906 crore. The budget presented by the former Minister of Finance was It Is needed to built R&D in regard to agro considered dream blOdget and it became a dream based industries, educational institutions, water and resulted in increase in price rise, unemployment, supply, health services, etc. More lunds should be public lost faith in economy and rupee devaluated. provided lor these areas so that the problem 01 Now people of this country have expressed their unemployment may also be eliminated. confidence in Atal Biharl Vajpayeeji and his alliance With these words, I conclude. partners. I hope that guidelines issued by the Vajpayee Government will bring change in the country. [English] The share of States under the Voluntary Disclosure of Income Scheme was Rs. 4389 crore, which has DR. SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY (Madurai) : Mr. been increased to Rs. 7594 crore now. It was a long Chairman, Sir, the nation, on watching the television pending demand and I congratulate the Government yesterday lollowing the presentation 01 the Vote on for it. We have always been of t~e view that country Account and seeing the newspapers today was could be strengthened only. by.' strengthening the stunned to learn the truth that the so-called dream States. The Government has' considered our feelings Budget was actually a nightmare for the nation. In correctly and given indications for Its Implementation lact the nation was conned into thinking last year and I hope that the country will make progress under that something good had been done lor the nation the able leadership of this Government. but actually we are today in a terrible economic mess. I will just quote the headlines Irom two Hon. Minister 01 Finance has reiterated whetever newspapers. The Statesman 01 today said "Sinha has been mentioned in the National Agenda and tears apart Chidambaram's claims'. The Hindu 01 has stated here that more funds will be allocated for today has titled it as "Nightmare 01 1997-98". I will agriculture sector which has been ignored 80 lar. In the National Agenda, it has been stated that a just read a few sentences of that. provision of 60 percent of the funds will be made for "The so-called dream Budget 01 1997-98 has agriculture In the budget. It has also been mentioned turned Into a nlghtmare ... One wonders what BJP- that an additional assistance of Rs. 1000 crore will led Government will do to set right the mistakes be given tG States. I congratulate him for It. Several made during the tenure 01 Mr. P. Chldambaram. hyde I projects and other projectl are lying pending The few Cassandras who questioned the hype in Punjab. I could not unilerstand as to why in much of the media about the_ "dream budget" ... 153 Inlerlm Budget (General) CHAITRA 5, 1920 (Sakal Inlerim Budget (General) 154

I was one among them. to the lowest ever level ot Rs. 40 peT dollar. There were huge botllenecks in key infrastructure. There ...have been proven right. But it cannot give them much satisfaction that during the course of the was a lackluster capital market and yet we are in a the paat year the Centre's financial aituatlon haa debt trap. In other words, payment of Intereat on been brought to such a poor atate." capital and principal is more than what you are getting in terms of the loan. There is a sharp fall in Mr. Chairman, if one were to go into the details, revenue collection despite the claim by the then aome of the statistics are extraordinarily alarming. I Finance Minister that he had dlscovElred some do not have to go into all of them. There la not American economist called Laffer whose cub had enough time. But I would like to mention that we said that if you reduce taxea, the revenue will go up. have to keep in mind how grim, how gloomy the economic prospect Is and how urgently Important it In fact, the revenue has collapsed from' an la for the confidence of the nation that aomethlng estimated 1.53 lakh crore to 1.32 lakh crore. At the good iagoing to happen in the future. That aame time, with all this arithmetic completely out of confidence has to be restored. The fiscal deficit which gear, oil and diesel prices are raised In a was targeted at four and a hall per cent of the GOP supplementary budget by an administrative order. shot up to six and a half per cent of the GOP. The but the international oil prices fell from 23 dollars growth rate in the GOP has slowed down to five per barrel to 13 dollar per barrel. In fact, India Is the per cent compared to a consistent rate of seven only country where diesel prices have been raised. per cent during Shri Narasimha Rao's period. The Indeed, was it a dream budget? Obviously not. Not Congressmen may have forgotten Shri P. V. Narasimha only, was it a nightmare but perhaps a fraud also Rao who has done a great service ... (lnterruptions) was committed on the nation. During the period 01 Shri Chidambaram, huge scandals took place In the SHRI A.C. JOS (Mukundapuram) : We have not Finance Ministry and I hop. that the new Finance forgotten him. Minister would leave no stone unturned In DR. SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY : I am glad that you discovering the full magnitude of these scandals. have not forgotten him. But he did Po great service to I had filed a public interest litigation on the the nation. Indian Bank scandal. The Finance Ministry is yet to MR. CHAIRMAN : Shri Swamy, do not invite give a complete reply to the Supreme Court. They trouble from him. have been taking one adjournment after another. I would like the Finance Minister to give a commitment DR. SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY : Mr. Chairman, that the Rs. 3,200 cro,e seandel of the Indian Bank, there is no trouble. They are my friends. You do not which is the largest in the history of the banking have to worry. But I would like to put it on record that industry 01 the world. would be probed into Shri Narasimha Rao who brought in economic reforms thoroughly and the leaders behind it belonging to in a very systematic way, and in five years running, the Tamil Maanila Congress woula be thoroughly the growth rate was hovering around seven per cent exposed. per year. There should be appreciation for him. I find that appreciation missing. Thai IS why I said that There was an arbitrary change in our nareotips they may forget but the country will not forget. If they policy without Cabinet approval on the 6th of October, have not forgotten, then I am very happy. I hope it 1996 where narcotics and drug dealers were allowed i8 manifested in some way. to make a huge windfall of Rs. 2000 crore. Thie had come in the newspapers. If the Finance Ministry SHAI LAXMAN SINGH (Rajgarh) : It was done by wants, I am prepared to give those Press cuttings. Dr. Manmohan Singh. This is something that has to be looked into. It is a DR. SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY : Dr. Manmohan very serious matter. It was an administrative fiat of Singh was brought by Shri Narasimha Rao. The credit the then Finance Minister that the narcotics policy has to go to the Prime Minister. That is another proof was changed. that they have forgotten Shri Narasimha Rao. They SHRI M. SELVARASU (Nagapattlnam) : How want to now give all the credit to Dr. Manmohan much time was aUotted? ... (Interruptions) Singh. All right, that ia fine. SHRI SATYA PAL JAIN (Chandlgarh) : He must The growth rate of agriculture was minus two be a TMC Member ... (lnt,,"uptions) per cent. MR. CHAIRMAN : If there is anything The growth rate of industry which during Shri objectionable, I will expunge it. Do not get up like Naraslmha Rao's period was 12 per cent per year • this. all right, it was 13 per cent, more glory 10 Shri Narasimha Rao. But only 4.6 per cent! Exports growth DR. SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY : You will expunge in dollar terms was negative. The rupee has slumped unnecessary things ... (/nterruptions) 155 Interim Budget (General) MARCH 26, 1998 Interim Budget (General) 156

MR. CHAIRMAN : Whatever it is. MR. CHAIRMAN: Please be seated. Why are you getting up? Let me hear Shri Subramanian DR. SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY : Allegations have Swamy. If it Is In order, I will admit. Otherwise, I will been made. They are trLlthful. disallow It. Why are you getting up? Let me hear Then the Finance Ministry had given tax Shri Subramanian Swamy. exemption to certain trusts. Shrl G.K. Moopanar had ... (Interruptions) founded a trust. SHRI A.C. JOS : I am on a point of MR. CHAIRMAN: Shli Jos, you quote the rule. order... (/nterruptions) Shri G.K. Moopanar Is not a ... (Interruptions) Member of this House. He should not talk about him ... (Interruptions) DR. SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY : I did not make any allegation ... (Interruptions). I have been SHRI T.R. BAALU (Madras South) : Sir, it should interrupted half way through ... (Interruptions). be expunged. MR. CHAIRMAN : Let me deal with Shri Swamy. SHRI A.C. JOS : He is not a Member of this House. ... (Interruptions) SHRI T.R. BAALU : There must be a ruling. MR. CHAIRMAN : Shri Jos, do not jump at it. SHRI A.C. JOS : There must be a ruling. It should . .. (Interruptions) not be allowed. He cannot go on like this. SHRI A.C. JOS : No, these are the questions. SHRI P. SAN KARAN (Calicut) : He la levelling Shri Swamy is interpreting it... (Interruptions) specific charges against a peraon who is not a MR. CHAIRMAN : Shri Jos, I am standing now. Member of this House. There must be a ruling. Shri Swamy has referred to Shri G.K. Moopnar's SHRI A.C. JOS : We want a ruling. name. I do not think that he has alleged anything against him. SHRI P. SAN KARAN : It should not be allowed here ... (lnterruptions) He is levelling specific charges '" (Interruptions) against a leader ... (/nterruptions) MR. CHAIRMAN: Let me deal with it. Shri Swamy MR. CHAIRMAN : If all of you get up, how can is capable of defending himself. Shri Swamy has I hear? Shri Jos, what is your point of order? raised a valid point. I have not heard him alleging Shri Moopnar. The record can be verified. If there Is SHRI A.C. JOS : Sir, I am on a point of order. no such allegation, I think, your point of order will SHRI P. SAN KARAN : If you want to level a not be valid. charge, that should be given in writing well in ... (Interruptions) advance. THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF MR. CHAIRMAN ; It is a valid point. HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRt DALIT DR. SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY : Sir 'Moopnar' la EZHILMALAI) Sir, he is talking about not an unparliamentary word ... (Interruptions). The trusts ... (Interruptions) Ministry of Finance has given tax exemptions under MR. CHAIRMAN : Please be seated. Section 80-CC of the income-tax Act to a Trust headed by Shri G.K. Moopnar. My friends rose in a ... (Interruptions) fury almost as if they have got a g'lilty conscience. MR. CHAIRMAN : He is on a point of order. I did not make any allegation In this House. I have certainly gone public on this outside. But I am not DR. SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY : The Finance mentioning that here. I am asking the hon. Minister Ministry has given the exemption. of Finance to go into this Trust why this exemption SHRI A.C. JOS : I am on a point of order was given when the deed of the trust says that Iree ... (Interruptions) Sir, I am on a point of order food and free lodging will only be given to the non- ... (lnterruptions). Is it in order that an allegation can Scheduled Caste people who come to visit the be made against a person who is not a Member of Venkatachalapati Temple in G.K. Moopnar's this House and who cannot deny It? .. (lnterruptlons). hometown. That is there in the trust deed. I want the hon. Minister of Finance to inquire into It. I want him Secondly, if a Member raising an allegation, is to look Into it; such a Trust -cannot get a tax he not supposed to give it in writing to you? These exemption. Not only that; no accounts have been are the two pOints. I want· a ruling from filed for the last 42 years of that Trust. Sci, I would you ... (Interruptions) like the Ministry of Finance to launch a full-fledged 157 Interim Budget (General) CHAITAA 5, 1920 (Saka) Interim Budget (General) 158 investlg.ation into this Trust headed by Shri Moopnar MR. CHAIRMAN: Shri Swamy, may I request you and also two more trusts headed by Shri Moopnar. to conclude now? I will give the deta'i1s a little later. . DR. SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY : Sir, I am on the Sir, I have only two more short pOints to last point. On SUN T.V., I only said that HYUNDAI make ... (Interruptions) • has got a car factory in Sriperumbadur and next day MA. CHAIRMAN; WI3 have to conclude by eight HYUNOAI is advertising on SUN T.V. ail the time. o'clock. There must bea nexua which he has to inVestigate. I have many such things which have to be DR. SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY ; I am now speaking investigated. That is ail. on a very pOinted subject. I am concluding now ... {lnterruptions) Sir, under the V.O.I.S. scheme a number of politicians and their close relatives have declared MR. CHAIRMAN: Please do not shout ilke that. their incomes. The V.O.I.S. scheme does not afford SHRI M. SELVARASU : What about JJ T.V.? protection for politicians. According to newspaper ... (lnterruptions) reports even Arun Gawli got rupees one crore wrItten off and turned blar.k money Into white under the DR. SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY : They are ao scheme. I would like the Minister of Finance to give Incompetent that after being in office for 18 months the lists of all politicians and their close relatives they could not find anything against JJ T.V who have declared under the V.O.I.S. scheme. This .... (Interruptions) is very important because the honest taxpayers are SHRI T.R. BAALU : A day will come when you paying 40 per cent and those who cheated the country have to pay only 30 per cent undor the will be thrown out. .. (Interruptions) V.O.I.S. This is a shame on the country, typical of MR. CHAIRMAN : I will have to call the next Shri Chidambaram, ex-Finance Minister. I would like speaker. Shri Swamy, you are inviting trouble. You the Minister of Finance - II the subject 01 Company say the last sentence. Law is still with him - to investigate all tho exemptions given to various companies and all the ... (Interruptions) write-offs that took place including those of close MR. CHAIRMAN: Please, do not shout like that. relatives of the ex-Finance Minister. I will not have to mention names. Everybody knows who those close DR. SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY : Sir, the final relatives are ... (Interruptions) Budget should reflect three points ... (Interruptions) Finally, I would like the Minister of Finance to SHRI M. SELVARASU : You are only talking about examine the FERA violation by the SUN T. V. owned SUN T.V. by the son of Shri Murasoli Maran, the advertising SHRI T.R. BAALU : It is only mudslinging. Sir, revenue and the profit that it has made such things should not be entertained ... (Interruptions) '" (lnterrlJptions) MR. CHAIRMAN: Shrl Swamy, you say the la8t SHRI T.R. BAALU : Sir, has he any record? Has sentence now. You have taken fifteen minutes he got any record or evidence? If he has, he should whereas others took five or seven minutes. produce that. .. (Interruptions) DR. SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY : Sir, I al80 got the DR. SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY : SUN T.V. is a time of A.I.A.O.M.K. scandal on the country. FERA violations have taken place ... (Interruptions) This has not come on SUN T.V. MR. CHAIRMAN : The whole time is being . wasted. SHRI T.R. BAALU : Sir, has he any record? He should produce all the records. He cannot make DR. SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY ; Sir, my last such allegations. It is not correct ... (Interruptions) sentence is : the final Budget should ref/ect three MR. CHAIRMAN: Let me sort It out. Please be points. Firstly, about the determination of this Government. .. (Interruptions) seated. He is only asking the Finance Minister to enquire SHRI A.C. JOS ; Sir, he belongs to a one Member about these things. That is all. He has not divulged party. How much tim, Is allotted to a Member? anything. MR. CHAIRMAN : Ple.a., do nol a.k auch ... (Interruptions) questions. I have verified. The time of A.I.A.D.M.K. la also given 10 him. Please do not talk like that. SHAI T.R. BAALU : Sir, it is only mudslinging. He has no record. There is no valid proof. It is a reputed Shrl Swamy, please help me in conducting the TV company... (InterrUptions) House. 159 Interim Budget (General) MARCH 26, 1998 Interim BlJd~t (Gtlneral) 160

DR. SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY : I am concluding. apar't from Chidambaram's claim', somewhere I am part of the AIADMK front. Why should I not 'economy ravaged-Finance Minister' and speak on behalf of the AIADMK? Why should they somewhere 'new credo in North Block : pragmatic interrupt? Why should they be jealous? swadeshl'. So, I thought that you have your own style. Only by placing expenditure proposals for four MR. CHAIRMAN : May I request you Shri months in a four page statement, you have Subramanian Swamy to conclude? succeeded to draw the attention of the news med;a DR. SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY : The final Budget of the whole country. should reflect three points. This is my suggestion. Sir, what I would rather say is that your Budget First, the Government's determination t6 make India proposals and Budget at a Glance Bay that the totwl a globally competitive economy. In the name of revenue receipts are Rs. 1,53,273 crore, capital swadeshi we should not shy away from competing receipts are Rs. 1,11,715 crore and totai receipts globally. are Rs. 2,64,988 crore. But the unfortunate part of Secondly, we should fight for a level playing our country, Sir, is that the Non-Plan expenditure is field. If the America and the developed countries Rs. 2,05,027 crore and the Plan oullay is only want a free flow of capital into our country, they Rs. 64,641 crore. So, the Non-Plan expenditure is should also allow a free flow of labour from our gOing high gradually. When I was going through the country into their countries. If they have a surplus in explanatory memorandum on Interim Budget, I was capital, we have a surplus in labour. If they can get surprised on my own regarding few Demands about capital easily, we can give skilled labour easily. So, which I want to draw your attention to. The Budget if they are going to put immigration blocks on our Estimates for the year 1998-99 for Council of labour flow, we have a right to put blocks on the Ministers are Rs. 55,77,00,000. Can we afford it? coming 01 their capital into this country. Sir, can a poor counlry like ours afford such an The third point is that I would like this expenditure oniy for the Council of Ministers in the Government to realise that the Indian industry must Non-Plan Budget? Similarly, though the police compete with multinationals in this country. The administration is a Slate subject, under Demand Nos. multinationals are coming with capital at two per 45,46 and 66, Hs. 5,464 crore is allocated for Non- cent and three per cent interest rates whereas our Pian expenditure. I would like to know whelher it is industry has to get capital at 18 per cent interest for the B.S.F. or the S.P.G. or the Cenlral security rate. So, a level playing field means either we should forces for the protection of VIPs and VViPs. I want a put a tax on their capital to equalise the interest rate clarification on this point from the hon. Minister of or the interest rate on the capital that Indian industry Finance. is getting should be reduced from 18 per cent to five In the case of Defence, under Demand Nos. 19, per cent. Then only, there can be a lair competition. 20, 21 and 22 the total amount in the Non-Plan We want competition. We do not want free B~get is- estimated at As. 31,000 crore. Can we competition; we want fair competition. Internationally, really afford it? So, we all have to think very seriously we can defeat everybody if there is a level playing about these problems. field. These three pOints, the new Budget should reflect. Sir, I do not have much timo. I was very keen to hear the speech of Shri P. Chidambaram. But, I think, SHRI (Calcutta North- probably five or seven minutes time was allotted to West) : Sir, I support the Interim Budget proposals 01 his party which, possibly, could not satisfy him and Shri Yashwant Sinha, Hon. Minister. This made me he left the House. surprise .... (Interruptions). But I am rather very keen to know from the MR. CHAIRMAN: You do not disturb him because present Government about their policy regarding this is his maiden speech. foreign investment and their approach towards the SHRI SUDIP BANDYOPADHYAY : Mr. Finance IIberalised economic and Industrial poliCies in detail. Minister, when I was reading your Budget Speech of Regional imbalances are growing for the last only four pages, I was a little bit surprised to see 50 years since independence. The Eastern Region, only a four page statement asking for a grant for four the North Eastern Region and West Bengal in month's expenditure. On going through today's particular are not receiving any attention from any newspapers, I also found-as Dr. Subramanian Central Government lor long long years and West Swamy was telling-different headlines in different Bengal has got only its agony due to this negligence. newspapers. As it says, somewhere, It was 'kickstart The unemployment problem is growing everyday and economy·. somewhere 'reform process will be has reached its peak. accelerated and broadened', somewhere 'States to Sir, the Minister of Finance has not succeeded get more funds from Centre', somewhere 'Sinha tears in his efforts regarding mobilisation of resources. He 161 Interim Budget (General) CHAITRA 5, 1920 (Sakal 182

has admitted that in his Budget speech. Of course, SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : He has referred to it was the task of the previous Government. There is a particular case. a definite shortfall of Rs. 14,236 crore. Without mobilising resources, economy of a country cannot MR. CHAIRMAN: I think reference to a particular be developed·, case, if it is sub judice, could be avoided. Sir, I would like to say that the terms like work SHRI (Calcutta North-East): culture, productivity, profitability should have been Excuse me, Sir. What was referred to is the Public categorically included in the Budget speech and Ledger Account - PL Account - for which a case without work culture, productivity and profitability, has been filed. He is not challenging the decision. the economy of any country cannot ever be Can we not refer to the High Court cases? We can, developed. We are not asking for any decision. Sir, I differ with Dr. Swamy in one respect. The SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : We can discuss the Voluntary Disclosure of Income Scheme had given findings of the Court. But a case which is sub judice the Government some money which it has shared cannot be referred to here ... (Interruptions). with different States. Why the Govl. can not extend SHRI AJIT KUMAR PANJA : Mr. Chairman. Sir, the lime for three more months and share the kindly give me one minute. I was handling this case. total amount to the States for their economic I was the counsel for our leader, Kumari Mamata development? Banerjee. II is a public interest litigation which says Then, we demand that the Government should that Rs. 2,500 crore in Public Ledge Account has look into the accounts in respect of the Chief been siphoned off in the State of West Bengal. Can Ministers' foreign trips. You will be surprised to know we not ask the Finance Minister to look into it? It is that the Chief Minister of a State made 30 foreign the Central Government money. The case is pending trips in a span of 20 years I Who will bear the in the High Court. We can refer to the High Court expenditure incurred in all these foreign trips? Who cases. But we are not asking you to give a decision, will bear the expenditure on foreign exchange? II is We are not asking for discussion, We are mentioning a violation of FERA, even if the Chief Ministers are it so that the people of India and abroad could know in the periphery of the normal system. I accuse that what the state of affairs is. It is because the Finance if such a kind of enquiry is conducted, certainly at Minister has shown that there is a loss of revenue. least one Chief Minister will be detected for violation MA. CHAIRMAN: Shri Panja, for my own benefit, of FERA and he has to go behind the bars for thaI. let me understand whether this public interest I can name the State and that is West Bengal. litigation is still pending in the court or not. Similarly, thousands of crores of rupees are SHRI AJIT KUMAR PANJA : Yes, it is pending. involved in the Public Ledger scandal and thousands Therefore, we cannot have a discussion on this, But of crores of rupees are also involved in the WAKF we can certainly mention it. scandal in West Bengal. Why can the Central SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : You cannot mention Government not take an initiative in this regard? Our leader Kumari Mamata Banerjee has filed Public it. A case which is sub judice cannot be referred to here. Interest Litigations in the High Court in respect of these scandals. SHAI AJIT KUMAR PANJA : Under what rule can it not be referred? Sir, It can be referred to but It These cases are going on. I would request that cannot be discussed here, the hon. Finance Minister to make all-out efforts to lind out what sort of corruption is going on in the MR. CHAIRMAN : Shri Panja, you are a Bar-at- State of West Bengal for the last 20 years. We should Law. Will you enlighten me what amounts to sub not keep mum. judice? SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA (Bankura) : Sir, I am ... (Interruptions) on point of order. MR. CHAIRMAN: Why are you Interfering? I want MR. CHAIRMAN : Shri Bandopadhyay, he is on his assistance. pOint of order. SHRI AJIT KUMAR PANJA : Sir, the interpretation SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : Sir, a case which is of sub judice is that a case which is pending in the sub judice cannot be referred to here. High Court or in any other court cannot be discussed. MR. CHAIRMAN : I think, Shri Bandopadhyay But it can be referred to here, You can refer to May's has only said that the 20 years of corruption be Parliamentary Practice. It can be mentioned. But it enquired Into. He has not made any particular cannot be discussed, We cannot ask for a discussion. reference to a particular case. But we can certainly refer that a ca.e containing 163 Interim Budget (General) MARCH 26, 1999 Interim Budget (Genllr.') 164

[Shri Ajlt Kumar Panjal KUMAR I MAMATA BANERJEE : Why should he raise such questions? As. 2,500 crore has been filed by one of the Members and another Member Is bringing it to the notice of SHHI SlJD!P BANDYOPADHYAY : I am concerned the House. about the timing. What I would like to further add Is that so far as the assistance of the Central Sir, the courts cannot interiere with our Parliament Government to different projects of rural development nor can Parliament interfere with the working of the is concerned, there is a diversion of funds which is courts. That is our long standing common taking place. When the Central Government is understanding. But certainly the court can say: "This sending its matching grants or any assistance meant is what Is happening in Parliament" and Parliament for the centrally-sponsored schemes, those funds are can say : "This is what has happened in the court". being diverted. So, the Central Government should Certainly people must know. This is the House of the keep a vigilant eye over the money being sent from People. That is my submission. There is no harm in the Centre to the Slates through a particular it. You kindly look into It and if I am wrong, you strike machinery. It should be done on a priority basis. It off my entire speech tomorrow. But kindly look into is not only with reference to anyone particular State, it. It is a point of very great importance. but it can be applied to every State of India. However, MA. CHAIRMAN: Yes, it is a very delicate issue. we will certainly give top priority to the matters relating to West Bengal. ... (interruptions) I want to know about the foreign invest!l'ent SHAI AJIT KUMAR PANJA : This is the distinction. policy of the present Government. Whal they have MR. CHAIRMAN: He has only referred to the declared is that they would accept foreign investment case. up to Rs. 1,500 crore in the power sector. I want to be clarified by the hon. Finance Minister whether it ... (Interruptions) is an already declared policy or whether there are MR. CHAIRMAN: I am on my legs. He has just other sectors also where the Government will allow mentioned the case and said that the Finance foreign investment. We would also like to say that Minister may conduct an inquiry into it. That is all. just like the Enron and Cogentrix projects, the Eastern region, North·Eastern region and West ... (interruptions) Bengal should be provided with such type of big ind.-strial projects because for the last 20 years, SHAI BASU DEB ACHARIA : This matte! was West Bengal has not succeeded in establishing big discussed in the Eleventh Lok Sabha and also il:) the industries over there. So, we are waiting for the other House. foreign investment also. SHRI AJIT KUMAR PANJA : After the decision of • Sir, I have gone through the Minister's statement the Chair, again he is raising it. What is this? Under thoroughly. He has expressed his agony by what rule is he raising this? We are objecting to this. mentioning that "the overall economic growth has After your deCision, how can he question it? This slowed to five per cent in 1997·98, agriculture has cannot go on like this. registered negative growth of two per cent, industry SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : He can tell us as to continues to be in the doldrums averaging only what has happened to that case. 4.6 per cent growth over the 12 months up to January 1995". He has also further expressed his agony by SHRI AJIT KUMAR PANJA : He has asked for saying that "the net result Is a deterioration of the what has happened to the case. I can tell him that fiscal deficit from the budget target of 4.S per cent of the Court has directed an inquiry into it. GOP to 6.1 per cent. However, If the increase In [Translation] expenditure attributable to small savings loans Is excluded, the fiscal deficit, adjusted for the increase SHRI BASWARAJ PATIL SEDAM (Gulbarga) : You over budget in small saving loans to Stales and have given decision on this. But It is being raised Union Territories, would be 5.8 per cent of GOP in again ... (Interruptions) 1997-98".

{English] The people of the country are not only asking for a stable Government today, but they are also asking MR. CHAIRMAN: I have already given my ruling. for an economically stable Government which will give a lead to the natipn. After SO yeara of SHRI AJIT KUMAR PANJA : Thank you, Sir. Independence, it is unfortunate that still the MR. CHAIRMAN : It would be better if the hon. scavengers are carrying the night-soli on their heads Member avoids such matters. in the rural areas of the country. 165 Inlflrim Budgfll (Gflnflrsl) CHAITRA 5, 1920 (Sakal Inlerim Budge, (General) 1tl6

. MR, CHAIRMAN : Please conclude now. extend at the most for 15 or 20 minutes. But all SHRI SUDIP BANDYOPADHYAY : So. Sir. I request these cannot be completed. It will cause a lot of you to conaider all the paints that I have made, I inconvenience to subsequent business. appreciate and fully support the Interim Budget which MR. CHAIRMAN : Those hon. Members anI not you have placed here. We will all try to see that your many. purpose Is served. . .. (Interruptions) 20.00 hrs. THE MINISTER OF FINANCE (SHRI YASHWANT MR. CHAIRMAN: Han. Members, I have to inform SINHA) : This suggestion Is not acceptable. If hon, the House that as decided in the leaders meeting Members from that side will speak. then hon, held on 25th March, 1998 in order to provide sufficient Members from this side also will take part. It will time for the completion of essential Government take time. I do not mind, But I cannot prevent hon. business, the House may sit on Saturday, the 28th Members from this side to speek. March, 1998. I hope the House agrees. MR. CHAIRMAN: Can YOll not convince them to SEVERAL HON. MEMBERS : Yes. take half an hour more. up to nine o'clock? MR. CHAIRMAN: Let me come to the next point. PROF. P,J. KURIEN (Mavelikara) : Mr. Finance The time of the House is extended up to eight o'clock. Minister, why do you not take the spirit of what the is I have about ten hon. Members to speak and the hon. Parliamentary Affairs Minister has said? It hon. Minister will take at least 15 minutes. Five the Parliamentary Affairs Minister who said that we minutes to each hon. Member means 50 minutes have to pass it urgently and you are putting spokes plus ten minutes for the hon. Minister. Th~t means at into that... (Interruptions). All right, you extend the least one hour. Is it the pleasure of the House to time by one hour. extend the time of the House up to nine o'clock? SHAI YASHWANT SINHA: This concept of justice SEVERAL HON. MEMBERS: No. being one-sided cannot be accepted, We have a constraint 01 time, Let us all agree that we finish it SHRI HARIN PATHAK (Ahmedabad) : As we are by 8.30 p.m. or so ... (lnterrufltions) sitting late tomorrow, I request that two minutes may PROF. P.J. KURIEN : You can give your final be given to each hon. Member ... (lnterruptions) reply to all points ... (Interruptions) SHRI A.C. JOS : Only the Opposition is to be called. Let the Finance Minister request the hon. MR. CHAIRMAN: By this time. we have already lost five minutes in arguing. Now only 25 minutes Members from the Treasl.lry not to speak and the are left with us. I think we will sit up to 9 01 the clock. Opposition alone will speak. Please accept It. Otherwise, I may have to adjourn MR. CHAIRMAN : Let me tell you who are the the House and go. What can I do? Unless you unrepresented Parties so far. Is it the pleasure of the cooperate, It will not be possible, After all. every one House to extend the time of the House up to nine 01 us will have to cooperate to do the bUllness of o'clock? the House. SEVERAL HON. MEMBERS: Yes. Is it the pleasure of the House to lit up to 9 01 MR. CHAIRMAN: I take it as the pleasure of the the clock? House. The hon. Minister will now speak SEVERAL HON. MEMBERS: Yes . ... (Interruptions) MR. CHAIRMAN: All right. we sit up to 9 01 the THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF clock. Now. Shri V. V. Raghavan to speak. RAILWAYS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE SHRI V.V. RAGHAVAN (Trichur) : Mr, Chairman, MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI RAM Sir. we are entering the new financial year with this NAIK) : I just want to draw your attention to an Interim Budget. As my time is very short. I will confine important aspect that after the Bill Is discussed here, myself to the policy matter as our hon. Finance it goes to the President. Then it goes tomorrow Minister has promised the regular budget within a morning to the Rajya Sabha. All these formalities few weeks' time. are to be completed. If there is a delay, there is inconvenience even to the President; the Rajya Before I go into that. I must say a leoN words Sabha has to prepare their list of Business and this about Dr. Subramanian Swamy's remark. Dr. Swamy is the first item to be taken up tomorrow for is very famous for public litigation suits. Toda" he is discussion. These are all practical difficulties. When after Shrl Chidambaram and Shri M"..ap, ..... r. we have agreed that we will do it within the time Yesterday, he was alter Kumari Jayalaliia limit, two hours are more than sutticient. We can .. , (Interruptions) I am telling the facts. Do not be 167 Interim Budget (General) MARCH 26. 1998 Interim Budget (Gener.') 168

[Shri V.V. RaghavanJ SHRI V.V. RAGHAVAN : I have a clear cut programme on economic development by the ·RSS enthusiastic in approaching Dr. Swamy because Meet at Bangalore a few weeks' ago. They are very nobody knows what he will do tomorrow categorical. What is the rHclion of the Finance ... (Interruptions) Minister to those proposals? As the National Agenda THE MINISTER OF SURFACE TRANSPORT on Governance is very vague, you must be (SHRI R. MUTHIAH) : Sir, he is mentioning the name categorical on such pOints while replyil'g to, the of the former Chief Minister. He is unnecessarily Budget. talking about our leader... (Interruptions) As far as Kerala is concerned. I am very sorry to SHRI V.V. RAGHAVAN : Let me say a few words go on record that there are very disappointed about the Budget ... (Interruptions) fealures in this interim Budget. Our development is MR. CHAIRMAN: Why do you not come to the thirsty for infrastructure. There was a proposal about pOint? the Cochi Harbour and the Tulicorin Harbour for development of container terminals. I see that there ... (/nte,rruptions) is a provision for this and the amount is provided for MR. CHAIRMAN: Shri Muthiah, what I am telling Tuticorin but not for Coch!. There is cut in respect of is that if there is any unparliamentary word, I will Cochi. Even for Cochi Ports and Cochi Shipyards, expunge it. For heaven's sake, please ask your there is a cut. Even in the case of Hindustan Paper Members to sit down. Otherwise, we will not be in a Corporation, the aid sought for is cut. We are in a position to complete the business. very bad shape economically. Our economy is in ,a very bad shape because of liberalisation of imports SHRI V.V. RAGHAVAN : Those people are creating and slicing down of excise duties. Rubber producers havoc ... (Interruptions) are deep in crisis. Titanium Dioxide is imported with SHRI R. MUTHIAH : Please do not use that less excise duty. Two of our industrial units are in a word ... (Interruptions) very bad shape. So, the Minister may see to it that SHRI V.V. RAGHAVAN : Let me know from the our own economy is not affected adversely when we • hon. Finance Minister whether he agrees with the cut down the excise duty. The Finance Minister has explanation given by the Revenue Secretary for the to see to It. Uberalisation is all right; glob,!llisation revenue shortfall of Rs. 14,236 crore. I would like to is all right. But in my opinion, safeguarding our know from the hon. Finance Minister the explanation national interests, safeguarding our nalional given to the Press by the Revenue Secretary for this economy and safeguarding our growing national shortfall. Several times, tt-e Public Accounts Industry is the first preference. Committee had pointed out that there were lapses MR. CHAIRMAN : Please conclude. amongst the tax collecting Departments - the Enforcement Department, the Excise Department, the SHAI V.V. AAGHAVAN : Yes, Sir. Customs Department, tne Revenue Department. One of the Minister's senior colleagues in the There were so many incidents of lapse in collecting Cabinet publicly pronounced that an unhealthy taxes especially from the corporate sector. So, I competition was going on in India between the 80ft request the hon. Finance Minister to go into it and drink giants which should be stopped. Does the kindly revamp the tax collecting Departments. Minister share that opinion? Such policy-makers are Our bureaucrats are very clever in giving agitating the minds of the people. Therefore, a explanations. But do not leave it at that. categorical stand on his part is quite essential. That is my humble request. SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA (Ponnani) : Thank you, As far as the National Agenda on Governance is Mr. Chairman, Sir. Because of the constraint of time, concerned, it is very bad. I want to put some pointed I will only mention one or two points and resume my questions to the hon. Finance Minister. Are you going seat. It is with respect to some immediate action that to amend our Patents Act under the pressure of the is necessary. WTO to provide the multinationals for claiming trade Firstly, I would like to emphasise that the Ministry related intellectual property rights? There is a very of Human Resource Development has reportedly great pressure. Are we going to yield or not? It is a stopped the current year's grant.to the main policy matter. Here again, the National Agenda National Open University. Perhaps the reason, we on Governance is very vague. understand from the paper, is that the University has MR. CHAIRMAN : Please conclude. • failed to submit details of the specific items of expenditure. Now, Sir, the Minlst~y had allocated a 5HRI V.V. RAGHAVAN : My time was taken away by them. sum of Rs. 28 crore under Plan grants. But hardly As. 10.69 crore has been released. Now the non- MR. CHAIRMAN : You had invited the trouble. release of huge budgeted Plan grants, will seriously 169 Interim Budget (General) CHAITRA 5, 1920 (Sakal 170 jeopardise the functioning of the Indira Gandhi fear, root out hunger and corrUption but this proves National Open University. It will seriously Jeopardise to be slogan only and problems cannot be solved the various projects that that University wants to take through slogans. For this, Government should have up. I will, therefore, appeal to the Government that strong will and should adopt policies which are because the time is coming to an end on 31 st March aimed at welfare of the poor, farmers and villages and bef~re that, those grants must be released. but this is not possible by this Government because Otherwise, the University will be in a difficult financial this Government is not only under the control of condition with respect to its various projects. A.S.S. but even the Finance Minister has been Now, there can be difficulties of the procedure. appointed on the recommendation of R.S.S. I, But they can be sorted out by evolving a proper therefore, cannot expect anything from this funding policy in consultation with the University. I Government. Mr. Chairman, Sir, you are well aware must, therefore, appeal to the Government to release of the policies of A.S.S. Their policy is to create immediately all the budgeted grants to the Universily dispute in the name of secularism. What else we can so that the development of the University does nol expect from this Government. .. (Interruptions) suffer. Very little time is left for the 31 st March. SHAI AATILAL KALIDAS VERMA (Dhandhuka) : Otherwise, these grants will lapse. Therefore, It is a What the hon'ble Member is saying is not correct. It matter to be taken up seriously and seen in Ihe should not go on record ... (Interruptions) What interest of education and its upliftment in our country. happened to fodder scam? .. (Interruptions) Mr. Chairman, I will now conclude by referring 10 MR. CHAIRMAN : I will go through the records only one more point. The Ninth Five Year Plan is in and if there is anything objectionable, I will expunge its drafting stage. The Government has said that iI is it. going to review the Ninth Five Year Plan. Let them have the review. What I say is that while finalising SHAI SUAENDAA PRASAD YADAV : I would like this Ninth Five Year Plan, there must be specitic to give a suggestion. In the year 1991-92, One crore measures and specitic financial allocations for the rupees were sanctioned on the recommendations of economic and educational developments of the Hon'ble Members of Parliament for developmE'nt work minorities, particularly the Muslims. in their constituencies, As compared to 1991, prices have increased in 1998 and the price of Iron, cement The hon. Minister has referred to the question of and grit etc. has increased substantially. Therefore, minorities in the National Agenda. I am only I would like to request that the amount which was reminding him that this is the time the Ninth Five being given for development work on the Year Plan is going to be finalised. They are going to recommendation of MPs should be Increased to Rs. finalise it, in case they go through the Vote of 2 crore ... (lnterruptions) Is there any objection in this Confidence. I do not know. But in that case, while also? .. (Interruptions) finalising the Ninth Five Year Plan, he may please see that specific measures are mentioned and that Mr. Chairman, Sir, I would like to draw your specific financial allocations are made for the attention towards my State, Bihar. Hon'ble Finance educational and the economic development of the Minister also belongs to Bihar. If he cannot solve all minorities, particularly the Muslims. Otherwise, we the problems pertaining to Bihar, then even if he will have all sorts of talks about measures and gets one dam constructed there, it will be a great nothing would come out of it. favour to the people of North Bihar. If a dam Is constructed at the origin of Kamla, Baghmati and I hope that the Government will take care of Kosi rivers and power could be generated therefrom, these two very important matters which I have placed. it would serve the intere'!t of the people of North Other matters, of course, we can take up, whenever Bihar and thus the fury of floods in that area could a regular Budget comes up. be mitigated and with that, we can convert North Bihar Into a very prosperous place. We could (Translation] generate enough power from this project and supply SHRI SURENL RA PRASAD YADAV it to other States also. (Jhanjharpur): Mr. Chairman, Sir, at present Mr. Chairman, Sir. North Bihar is a central place. discussion Is going on on the interim Budge. I w~~ld If the Government constructs a National Highway like to say that poverty and inequality are prevailing from Darbhanga to Farblsganj, it would be beneficial on large scale in our country. Farmers and work~rs for the poor people. are being subjected to exploitation. They are faCing varioul problems. From the provisions of the budget But Mr. Chairman, Sir, I know that this propolals presented by the Government, it seems Government is under the control of R.S.S. and I can that it would rather add to the number of poor people. challenge in this regard. As the Finance Minister Inequalities and unemployment would also increase. belongs to Bihar, he could convert North Bihar into Though the Government have promised to dispel a very prosperous area. However he has no sympathy 171 Interim Budget (General) MARCH 26, 1998 Interim BuQ(JBt. (Genfl~al) t72

[Shri Surendra Prasad Yadav) speak. II was a maUer of sprrow for me. Iju.SI draw your attention to kindJy take cognizance Of my for the poor. He does not want to work for their statement. welfare. He does not want the prosperity of North Bihar... (Interruptions) SHRI PRAMOTHES MUKHERJEE (Bltfhlhnpore) (WB) : I support this statement.! belong to a five MR. CHAIRMAN: He is on a point 01 order, member party and I am not getting an earlyehance ... (Interruptions) whereas hon. Members from one member parties and two member parties have already got their SHRI SURENDRA PRASAD YADAV : You should chance. Please explain this situation. work lor the development of Bihar. Shri Laloo Prasad Yadav is our leader. What are the allegations against MR. CHAIRMAN: Shri Pramothes Mukherjee. you him and whether any allegation is proved? Even will al~ays get a just treatment. then he is elected to the Lok Sabha.· On whose SHRI PRAMOTHES MUKHERJEE: I cannot follow support you will win? The fund of Rs ..2 crores you. provided from the centre will be incurred on development work ... (Interruptions) MR. CHAIRMAN: Your name Is there. Vou will be getting a chance. It is not deliberate on anybody's (EEnglish] part. Let him speak. Otherwise. you are going to spoil your chance. SHRI BASWARAJ PATIL SEDAM: Sir, I am on a point of order under rule 353. The proviso of this ... (Interruptions) rule says: MR. CHAIRMAN : I think, if hon. Members • ... the Speaker may at any time prohibit indulge in this kind of cross-talking they will not be any member from making any such getting their chances. I will have to take that decision. allegation if he is 01 opinion that such ... (Interruptions) allegation is derogratory to the dignity of the House or that no public interest is MR. CHAIRMAN: I am warning you that you will served by making such allegation." not be getting your chance . ... (Interruptions) SHRI R.S. GAVAI : Sir. I have brought this to your MR. CHAIRMAN: Any derogatory remark against notice not as a matter of grievance but as, a matter any person would be expunged. of fact. Please take cognizance of it. ... (Interruptions) Ever since the era of Independence the nation is [Translation] facing a very grave financial situation. On the other hand we are celebrating the Fiftieth Year of MR. CHAIRMAN : Please conclude now. Independence. I am rather afraid that our journey towards the goal has become anti-clockwise. The SHRI SURENDRA PRASAD YADAV : Mr. results and figures and statistics show that we are Chairman, Sir, I am concluding my speech. The matter going backwards. The overall economic growth has of rural electrification ... come down to five per cent; industry has registered MR. CHAIRMAN : Please conclude. five to six per cent growth and agriculture, which is SHRI SURENDRA PRASAD YADAV : Mr. my favourite subject being an agriculturist. has Chairman, Sir, I conclude my speech. What can we registered a negative growth of two per cent. I do expect from this Government which is under the claim that only agriculture is the key industry. control of R.S.S. It could only get interim Budget The Indian economy is being described by the passed. What it will do with that lund we will not be economists in different ways. One group of able to find out the details. It should not get any economists say that ours is a monsoon economy fund. I, therefore, oppose this. because the agriculturists depend on the monsoon; the second group of economists say that it is an (EEnglish] agricultural economy; the third notion is .that it is a SHRI R.S. GAVAI (Amravati) : Mr. Speaker, Sir. at village economy. while the fourth notion Is that it is the outset. I extend my thanks to you that you allowed the rural economy. I am very sorry that such a key me to speak at this late hour. I mention this because industry which is the base of the economy is being the Republican Party of India has four hon. Members neglected and unfortunately we have registered a in this House and I am very sorry that it does not negative growth in that sector. Vesterday, the hon. appear on the list of the political parties from which Prime Minister made a statement. While concluding the Speaker is supposed to call hon. Members to he assured that the situation with regard to the 173 Interim Budget (General) CHAITRA 5, 1920 (Saka) Interim Budget (Gener.') 174

natural calamities will be reviewed in the various concerned. It indicates corruptions. So many reasons parts of the country and that a fresh statement will were assigned for less revenue collection, whether be submitted and laid on the Table of the House. it is collection of tax or inability to reCOVer more ~hat does it indicate? It shows that everybody is revenue. fighting for the agriculturists. MR. CHAIRMAN : Kindly conclude. I am MBny people sPy that industrial sector has expressing only my helplessness. become sick. What about the agricultural sector? Is SHRI A.S. GAVAI : You know the tendency 01 it hea.lthy? Does it not suffer from fever, malaria and Plan expenditure and non-Plan expenditure. If the tYP~old: We sho.Uld treat agriculture as an industry, ratio of the non plan expenditure Is on the higher taking Into consideration the infrastructure and the side, we will be disturbing our economy. We have to loss and profit. Is there any liberty to the farmers see the proportion of the plan expenditure and non· and agriculturists to dictate their terms as far as a Plan expenditure. I hope that plan expenditure ought product Is concerned? Why do I say this? It is to bt:l on the positive side. becauae the population in the urban areas is increasing and decreasing in the rural areas. Lastly, I welcome Shri Swamy's suggesllon Ultimately, agriculture will be the worst sufferer. regarding VOIS. May the credit go to Shri Chidambaram. I request the present Government to I would like to stress that the industry should b9 extend the period further by three months but at the dispersed to several areas and should not be same time, I am demanding the names of those who concentrated in any particular area. For example, have disclosed the money which is designated as Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan and Pune are designated as black money. Let us come forward to show those industrial zones. What about the rest of Maharashtra? political characters. I demand extending the period What about Chimur which is Prof. Kawade's of the Scheme but at the same time, it Is the right of constituency? When I say 'dispersal of agricultural a Member to elicit information Irom the Minister. So, industry', I mean to say the industries based on it is better that you may put up the lis\. agriculture. Without having any research either from the State or from the Centre SIJO motu agriculturists SHRI PRAMOTHES MUKHERJEE : Sir, I thank have started their own industries. There is no y~u for the opportunity given to me to express my encouragement either from the Central Government views. I shall be very brief while I am on my legs to or from the State Government. enter into the subject. So, my stress is on the disbursal of the industry, On behalf of my party, RSP, I rise to oppose the that too, agriculture-based industry. Sir, probably the Interim Budget. It is because of the fact that It does hon, Railway Minister was a Member in that House not cover all the aspects, needs and aspirations of when I was the Presiding Officer there like you. I the people. We have seen the mandate of the people introduced the Employment Guarantee Scheme in in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. What Maharashtra. Probably, he knows about it. Myself, is the mandate? We have seen an unusual complex Shri Paghe who happened to be the Chairman of of mandate in the recently concluded Lok Sabha IS the Upper House and late Shri V.P. Naik who was a elections. The mandate of the people not In favour of a single party rule. It is in favour of a coalition true agriculturist started that scheme. What was that scheme? You know that we are facing the problem of Government. You have also professed that a consensus is your principle in your national agenda unemployment. Forget unemployment. What is the for governance to govern the country. That has been problem of agricultural labour? If a calamity is there expressed in the national agenda for governance. on agricultLre, it is a calamity on agricultural labour. But what is the spirit that we have seen in your What is the guarantee for agricultural labour? We Interim Budget? I am very sorry to mention that the three together started the Employment Guarantee multi-dimensions of the aspirations and demands 01 Scheme. I am happy to say in this House 'that the the rural people and the urban proletarians have not Employment Guarantee Bill was drafted by myself. It yet been expressed in this Budget. is being accepted partially in India by a few States. Why should not a uniform policy be adopted on the So, I rise to oppose the Budget with a few pattern of Maharashtra for giving full-fledged observations which will be put forward before you. guarantee to agricultural labour which is auffering The hon. Minister has present&d his Budget for some causes? This is my suggestion. speech. I have collected some Information. We are I do not understand the position as lar as revenue living in an age of Asian debacle with a fiscal deficit collection is concerned. What does the figure and with a higher dollar rate. It 18 a serious criSis, indicate? I do not want to go into the details because 1\ is not a criSis of the Asian countriel only. It II a there are only three minutes left for me to complete. crisis of the sophisticated metropolitan capitalistic 11 you see the trend in tax collection, you may find economic structure. It is a failure of the policy which that it is on a much lower side as lar as customs is has already been adopted in the nama of economic 175 Interim Budget (General) MARCH 26. 1998 Interim Budget (General) 176

IShri Pramothes Mukherjee] It is very difficult. So, I will have to conclude the debate and call the hon. Minister. reforms. Simply, the economic reforms either in the name of 'Swadeshi' or simply the economic reforms ... (Interruptions) in the name of privatisation or globalisations are MR. CHAIRMAN : That is the message I have nothing but an effort to hand over the country's received from Rashtrapati Shavano Please conclude. economy to the imperialist forces. It is nothing but an effort to open the field of Indian economy to the SHRI PRAMOTHES MUKHERJEE : I am concluding with a request to this Government to multinational corporations. review the situation for employment generation and We are living in an age of uneven capitalism. for revival of the sick public sector undertakings. You know It better that we are living in the regional SHAI SANSUMA KHUNGGUA BWISWMUTHIARY imbalances. What is the result of the regional (Kokrajhar) : Sir, I am a humble man ... (lnterruptions) imbalances? These come from uneven capitalistic development. But during the last 50 years of SHRI SHANTILAL CHAPLOT (Udaipur) : Sir, he independence and the country's sovereign rule. we is also a very good orator. Everybody cannot be have been suffering from the regional imbalances. given time. He has spoken three times. we are suffering from the economic crisis and the Sir, we are not going to walt for more crisis of uneven development of capitalism. This is ... (Interruptions) the root cause. MR. CHAIRMAN: Now. did I give you permission I am sorry to mention that the hon. Minister of to speak? You have to get the permission of the Finance in this Government in the name of economic Chair before you speak. Let the hon. Finance reforms or in the name of Swadeshi economy is also Minister speak now. following the same path of privatisalion. All the sick ... (Interruptions) public sector undertakings are going to be handed over to the private capital and monopoly capital. SHRI YASHWANT SINHA : Sir. I would like to What is his suggestion? We had brought forward a make only one submission ... (Interruptions) budgetary provision in the last Budget for revival of [Translation] the sick public sector undertakings. Has he taken stock of the sick public sector undertakings in his SHAI SHANTILAL CHAPLOT (Udaipur) : Here Budget? every member has come after delivering speeches, What is the situation of the textile industry? Today. without giving speech nobody comes here. Without speeches even elections cannot be won. it is a sick industry. Thousands and thousands of workers in the national textile mills. workers in the [English) IDPL and in the fertiliser plants. the MAMC. workers in jute mills, and workers in the sick public sector Everybody is speaking and we are still sitting undertakings have now been thrown on the streets ... (Interruptions) to die of starvation ... (lnterruptions) [Translation] SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA (Bankura) : Do not blame the workers ... (Interruptions) SHRI NAKLI SINGH (Saharanpur) : Mr. Chairman, Sir. please call the Minister only. MR. CHAIRMAN: Shri Pramothes Mukherjee, do not look at Shri Ajil Kumar Panja. Now. please [English] conclude. The time is over. MR. CHAIRMAN : There is a procedure to be ... (Interruptions) followed in the House .

MR. CHAIRMAN : Avoid him now. ... (Interruptions) SHRI PRAMOTHES MUKHERJEE : I would MR. CHAIAMAN : Why do you not take your seat? request the Minister of Finance to review the entire I have given the floor to the hon. Minister. Please be situation about the sick public sector undertakings. seated. A budgetary provision should be made immediately ... (Interruptions) in this interim Budget for revival of the sick public sector undertakinga. That ia my lirat aubmisslon. SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: Sir, I just want to plead with you that if 9.15 p.m. is the outer limit, then It is MR. CHAIRMAN : ·Please conclude now. Let me not merely that we discuss but we also have to go tell the House that this Sill is to be passed. Then. It through a number of procedural formalities and it has to go to the Rashtrapatl Bhavan before 9.15 P.M. will take time. So many pOints have been made by 177 Interim BUGget (Gene,al) CHAITRA S. 1920 (Sakal Interim BUGget (Gentlral) 178 the hon. Members and I also need time. on behalf of MR. CHAIRMAN : All Independent MPs put the Government, to reply to it...(lnterruptlons) together have four minutes ... (Interruptions) Would SHRI KHARABELA SWAIN (Balasore) : Sir. I come you please resume your seat? I will teU you about It. from the State of Orissa. Nobody from the State of It is Important to get educated before you allege Orissa was allowed to speak on this subject anything. Independents and single-member Parties ... (Interruptions)" have in all four minutes according to the total time . I think. you understand the position ... (Interruptions) You have never asked any Member from the State of Orissa to speak ... (Interruptions)" SHRI SANSUMA KHUNGGUR BWISWMUTHIARV: How many Independent Members are there? MR. CHAIRMAN : Shri Ram Naik, please tell them. MR. CHAIRMAN: RPI. HLD. MDMK, TMC, AIFB. ... (Interruptions) ML, NC and the Independents have four minutes . ... (lnterruptions) SHRI RAM NAIK : Sir. we are certainly asking our Members but the way the senior Members are MR. CHAIRMAN : Now. I am calling Shrl K.S. taking so much time It is becoming difficult for us to Rao to speak lor five minutes only. explain It to our new Members ... (lnterruptions) SHRI K.S. RAO : Mr. Chairman. Sir, It appears to MR. CHAIRMAN : Now. the hon. Member from me that it has become the order of the day for the the State of Orissa is saying that nobody from that Members of the Trsasury Benches to criticise the State has been allowed to speak on this. The Opposition or the earlier Congress Government which Members from the State of Orissa are part of the has ruled the country lor the last 35 years. My hon. Government and the whole time is allotted for the colleagues. Members from the Treasury Benches have entire Government. So, how could he say that nobody criticised the earlier Governm9nts and have admired has spoken for them? I cannot say about Orissa. Shri Vajpayee and also Shri Yaahwant Sinha for ... (Interruptions) having announced effective Implementation of various policies. I can understand the Members of SHRI RAM NAIK : Sir. that is why 1 said that you the Treasury Benches admiring Vajpayeeji for his can continue ... (Interruptions) role as the Leader of the Opposition for tt.e Last lour MR. CHAIRMAN: After all, your time is allotted decades but I could not understand Members to your Members. admiring Shri Yashwant Sinha for having announced effective implementation of the policies of the ... (Interruptions) Government because the hon. Minister has just put SHRI RAM NAIK : Sir, that is why I said. 'we are in a day in presenting this Paper. He has also started running out of time .. .' (Interruptions) criticising. directly or indirectly. the Congress rule for the last 50 years. At the same time, I must MR. CHAIRMAN : You see the time allotted for appreciate Shri Yashwant Sinha writing in his own 29 the Congress Party was minutes. But out of that, Paper that. the Members of the Congress Party has taken just 12 minutes. They have taken only 12 minutes! "The East Asian crisis has swept across much 01 the Asia in the last nine months .... 1t Is the ... (Interruptions) inherent strength of our economy built over PROF. P.J. KURIEN (Mavelikara) : That is why I decades which has enabled us to hold our heads am saying ... (lnterruptions) high and not succumb to the economic gales thaI have been sweeping through the Asian MR. CHAIRMAN : And he has started tllleging regions." the Chair. It clearly indicates that the present Finance PROF. P.J. KURIEN : Sir. we are the main Minister has got admirations for the economy buill. Opposition Party. We took only 12 minutes ~ut of t~e mostly by the Congress Government. over a period total 29 minutes allotted to us ... (lnterruptlons) Sir, of 50 years. So. I do not find any reason for the why do you not give some time for some of our Members? ... (lnterruptions) Mr. Chairman. Sir. please Members to criticise the past Congress Governments. allow our Party Member Shri Rao to speak I would say that in a routine way the Members have made it a habit to criticise U8 . ... (Interruptions) SHRI SANSUMA KHUNGGUR BWISWMUTHIARY: Shri Yashwant Sinha hes also written in his own I would like to know whether the 'Independent' paper: Members would be allowed to speak or not "The regular Budget will seek to Impart ... (Interruptions) necessary stimulus to agriculture and • Expunged as ordered by the Chair. industry... restore dynamism to exports." 17! 179 Interim Budget (General) MARCH 26, 1998 Interim Budget (Gtmeral) 180

ISh [Shri K,S. Rao) care of the poor in this country, what is It that he has done which is different from what the Congress refc It means there was dynamism in the Export Policy Government had done? .. (/nterruptions) nar of the past Congress Government which he wanted MR. CHAIRMAN : Please conclude. in to restore under his Government. not The hon. Minister has also said that he wants to SHRI K.S. RAO : I represent the Congress Party ecc take some definite decisive initiatives to improve the and I am speaking on behalf of that Party. I am an state of infrastructure, strengthen the financial system speaking in a genuine manner. I am not provoking mu and accelerate the reforms. This clearly indicates anybody. that the reforms taken up by the Congress MR. CHAIRMAN: I am aware of It. Government are appreciated not only by the Yo~ countrymen but also by the present Finance Minister. SHRI K.S. RAO : Sir, I would like to make a imt So, I do not find any reason in making a criticism humble submission to the hon. Minister and I want ilnt just for the sake of criticism. We all know from where his allention. I can understand his providing any del the country began its journey under the Congress amount of money for education, health care, aocial indl leadership after Independence. At that time there services and welfare. But I request that there ne,d hall was no Industry in the country. It is the Congress not be huge allocations for other sectors, the we Government that has built an industry of which economic Ministries. I say this because if you give cris everybody can feel proud of. There may be some a loan of, say, Rs. 30,000 to a common man for the drawbacks or shortfalls on the part of some purchasing an auto rickshaw, you want him to pay individuals but one cannot stop appreciating the the interest on it, pay the loan back, then he pays the tax elc. But when lakhs of crores of rupees worth Fin; achievements of the past Congress Government for the last 50 years. As a Congress Member, I can have of investment is made in Ministries like Railways, refc Transport, etc., which are supposed to earn income folic my own views about it and say that it could have been much better. and then feed the budget, he wants to give some pub more as the budgetary support, I request that the ove Everybody is saying that the discussion is only Minister should think over it. I do not say that the Wh; on a small issue anj it must be finished within two Congress Government had not done it. Bul at least bud or three hours. The Minister has himself mentioned he should think in an innovative way and prove his the in his Report that the Vote on Account is for a period efficiency and compelence. . stoc of four months which comes to one-third of a year Bue and he wants us to discuss it in a span of two hours. Sir, many of the imporlant things have not been Maybe for genuine reasons which I certainly mentioned in his report like the population control 100 understand but you cannot say that this is a small which is affecting the nation much. I wrote letters it 10 it matter and it should just be passed. If this is the earlier the Prime Ministers of this counlry also wor attitude, should we take the time in the same mentioning the methods as to how we can reduce lOP proportion for the Generel Budget also. No, I am the rate of growth of population which will help the in j sorry, we cannot. nation in turn. The pathetiC condition today is that und when we borrow Rs. 96,815 crore, our Investment to c I do not believe in finding fa",1t with the Minister on capital assets is only Rs. 11,803 crore. Obviously, because he has just started h'ls tenure. I have nothing the hon. Minister must make an effort to see that to criticise him as a person. I have gone through the there will not be any revenue deficit at least in future. blar Revised Estimates. I could not find fault with you for II the Government of India Itself resorts to revenl!le this because you are not responsible for it. deficit, what is the state of municipalities and the not Though, the Minister has made it a specific State Governments? The crores of rupees collected coni point - it attracted the atlention of the entire news by way of revenue is not sufficient lor paying the media of the country - by criticising the performance salaries and establishment expenses of of the earlier Government - which, 01 course, Is not municipalities. So, should we live, forever Increasing a Congress Government - and telling very clearly the borrowings and making a debt which cannot be that the economy was in doldrums. He himself wrote serviced by the nation, and collapse like Mexico it. I was fighting it in the Congress Government also. and other countries at some stage? So, it should be reql I wanted to bring it to his kind knowledge. In the seen to that the expenditure which is going situ I Central Plan Outlay, page 8, he made provisions of unnecessarily is reduced and the expenditure on A b' Rs. 29,765 crore for energy; Rs. 11,356 crore for capital making assets is increased. in II industry and minerals; Rs. 14,570 crore for transport; MR. CHAIRMAN : 5hri Rao, please conclude. sect Rs. 14,877 crore for communications; etc. But when it came to social services, he made a proviSion of SHRI K.S. RAO : I am going to conclude It, Sir. tell only about Rs. 13,854 crore. If the Congress When it comes to the question of Defence, we has Government were to be criticised that it had not taken are making an investment of Rs. 40,000 crore. Please 181 Interim BUdget (General) CHAITRA 5, 1920 (Saka) Interim Budget (General) 182 give • th~\.Ight I The entire amount of Rs. 40,000 What I have presented to the House Is not my crore w.as being used for Defence only because 01 own creation, Let us be very clear about.lt. I cannot the tension existing between India and Pakistan. We be, this Government cannot be, held re.pon!Slble fOI have no tension with other countries with which we what has transpired in the year which is just going share borders. SO,the Government should think of by. There was another Government in power. Most of how best 'we can reduce the expenditure on Defence us on this side of the House who were sllUng on the by Improving our retations with the adjacent Treasury Benches were In the OPPOSition then and countries. This can increase the savings which· 'can most of the hon. Members who were sitting on the be used for servicing the core sector.... (/nterruptions) other side of the House were either in th'e The other factor about which I humbly request Government or were supporting the 'Government from the hon. Minister is ... (lnterruptions) outside. II Is that Government's \:foings, that Government's performance that we are discussing 21.00 hrs. that I have placed belore the House, yesterday. MR. CHAIRMAN: The hon. Minister will give the Now, Sir, I have..said IHIry clearly that everything, reply now. the Revised Budget Estimates and the Budget Estimates for the next financial year, do not rellec;t ... (Interruptions) the thinking and the priorities. of my Government. I it SHRI K.S. RAO : Shri Yashwant Sinha, the other have said in my Budget speech that is OUI firm factor wtlich I humbly request you is ... (lnterruptions) resolve to review the Ninth Plan and to revise Ihe Budget Estimates so that they refle~t our thinking MR. CHAIRMAN: Shrl Rao, you will have to say and priorities when I come before this august House the last sentence now. with my regular Budget. That wilt be the time for you SHRI K.S. RAO : Yes, Sir ... (lnterruptions) to judge us; that will be the lime for you"to Judge our intentious; that will be the time for you to Judge our MR. CHAIRMAN : Do not complicate further. actions. This is not my creatton, as I said, but In a ... (Interruptions) 'parliamentary system we are often faced with • situation where the existing Government has to carry SHRI K.S. RAO : Yashwantji, anyway, on with the legacy which has been left behind by the ... (lnterruptions) I am a humble man who goes by previous Government. the rules., procedures and the factual condition Now, I approached my task - I want 10 be very .... (Interruptions) I will take more time during the it, discussion on General Budget. I would request the very honest about this Government has been in office for barely one week, with all honesty without hon. Minister to give some serious thcught to all rancour, these mailers. MR. CHAIRMAN: Is it the pleasure of the House if you look at the speech which I made before to sit up to the completion of the hon. Minister's this House, there is no rancour. I would have been speech and to take up this matter then? less than honest to the people 01 this country whom all of us represent in this august Ho;uae, if I had not SOME HON. MEMBERS : Yes, Sir. stated the facts as they are. If the indultrial 'MR. CHAIRMAN : The hon. Finance Minister, production is down, I have atated that; If the general please. progress of the economy is down, I have stated that; if the agricultural production is down, I have THE MINISTER OF FINANCE (SHRI YASHWANT stated that and if the exports are down, I have atated SINHA) : Mr. Chairman, Sir, I am extremely grateful that. to the hon. Members who have taken part In thIs discussion, .. i would not have done my duty by this HOUle and by the people of this country who have sent us MR. CHAIRMAN : ... and not to the Chair? to this House if I had concealed those facts from this SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: Of course, I am com~ng House and from the people. Therefore I have stated 10 the Chair. , was mentioning the hon. Members first it. But at the same time I have done it without any and I was coming to the Chair, Sir. rancour. It is not my intention to apportion blame. It is not my intenlion to unnecessarily put anybody on We have had a very well-informed discussion at the defensive. There were special circumstances times not so well-informed discussions at other times. probably obtaining then. Some explanation has been This is a routine exercise. The House Is aware that given. More explanations ~ou'd have been I have come with the Interim Budget and , am forthcoming if the former Finance Minister, my pieadlng with the House to pass the Vote on Account immediate predecessor Shrl Chidambaram, had h)r four months under very exceptional intervened· and said the kind of things one could circumstances. 183 Interim Budget (General) MARCH 26. 1998 Interim Budget (General) 184

[Shri Yashwant Sinha) of the past belonging to all shades of OpinIOn, belonging to all the political parties. If we do that, have expected from him. But he chose to leave the then consensus-building will not be difficult. House probably he had some other preoccupations, some other pressing engagements. I have heard here and I am sorry to say some hon. Members have talked as a matter of fun, in a But, Sir, the point I am making is this. We have very very light-hearted manner about swadeshi. I talked in our National Agenda for Governance that am sorry that is not the way swadeshi should be we believe in having a consensus. A point has been looked at. It is a matter of no shame for this made in this House here by the hon. Member, Shri Government that the bedrock of our economic policies Mohan Singh that we should have the same kind of will be swadeshi and swadeshi is exactly what hon. consensus in regard to economic policies that we Member after hon. Member in this House has have developed over a period of time In our foreign articulated. Swsdeshi is defending, protecting and affairs, and in our defence policies. I see no reason safeguarding our national interests. why this House cannot evolve that consensus. I am People have talked about foreign investment. pleading strongly today that we must evolve that Now it is a very unfortunate development of the last consensus so Ihat the economic policy which has few years, not that foreign investment has started to become a major tool for the progress of this country, come in, but the flH:t that foreign investment has for the well being of the people of this country is not become the sum total of the economic discussion in subject to the vagaries, to the exigencies of this this country. Wherever you talk about economic policy, situation or that situation. We must have a you go to a TV debate, you talk to the media, If we consensus. I think we are very close to a consensus. discuss it in Parliament, everywhere, the emphasis Hon. Member, Shri Rao was saying that I had is : are we for or against foreign investment; are we paid tributes 10 five decades of progress. Anyone for or against multinationals? who honestly looks at five decades of this country I hope that the hon. Members, Sir. are aware will say that there had been progress. It is nobody's that foreign investment at the bet of times has played case that there had been no progress. But he himself only a marginal role in our economy. Over a period has not been satisfied with the progress that we had of time. it has been less than two per cent 01 the made. We could have progressed probably faster. total investment which has been made in this country. So, I have no hesitation in admitting that it is as a result of the strength created in our economic system If according to the latest data which is available as a result of that progress which had allowed us to with me, if 26 per cent of the investible fund came withstand those vagaries, those storms which have from our domestic savings, then only a little over swept the East Asian countries which were held oul one per cent came through foreign investment. Now as models of economic development before all of should that be the central theme, the central point of our discussion and economic policy parameters us. should be judged only on that one point? Foreign In fact we were criticised by many people that investment, I have absolutely no hesitation in stating we did not follow exactly the path followed by those on behalf of my Government, is welcome. But foreign countries. We were criticised in this House, we were investment in India is welcome in certain areas which criticised in this country that we did not follow the we call priority areas which include the infrastructure. path followed by some East European countries, And we are not interested in foreign investment in including, the old Soviet Union. There was a thinking ares where we do not need foreign investment, where at that point of time - I do not know whether my we do not need foreign technology, where there is friends from the Left still hold on to that - that that no need for such foreign investment, where the was the best model of development. That model of foreign investor is not coming for our good. He Is development has collapsed. Then. we were told that coming to this country or wanting to come to this these market-economy countries of South Asia were country only for his own profit. the best models of development and India should We have the entire society. Much has been said follow those models of development. They have here about the poor people of this country. Do we collapsed today. They are going round the world want to create a society which is based on such with begging bowl. Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I would utter disparities, that we will not be able to control like to emphasise before this House that the only the social tensions which will arise as a result of model of economic development that India can follow those disparities? Do we want to create islands of is the uniquely Indian model of development. There prosperity based on such consumerism which the is no model in the world which India can follow rest of the people of this country will not tolerate? successfully except the model which we must devise And then the walls around the residences of the on the basis of the concepts and the precepts which affluent will go higher and a little more high and a have been handed down to us by the great leaders little more high. Ultimately, they will all be 185 Interim Budget (Gener.') CHAITRA 5. 1920 (Saka) Interim BIIIIJlflt (G.".,..,) 188

demo1lehed because the poor people of this' country of depending on that one per cent of foreign are not prepared to tolerate the kind of affluence investment f.or which we have to be prepared to when'they themselves are living in such apathy, in spend SO much time and energy, we will welcome such poverty. We have to remember that this country foreign' investment. We will define what exactly we can ill afford policies of that kind. mean by priority and non-priority. We will define the policy in such a transparent w4Y that nobody will be And If I have, my Government and its policies in doubt either within the cou.ntry or outside the have a slight difference of opinion with the policies country. I promise on behalf of my Government to followed by the previous Government, the Congress this House that we shall set up a completely hassle Party when it was in power or by the United Front free regime for foreign investment as for domestic Government supported by the Congress Party when investment. they were in power, it is only about not making foreign investment the cantral theme of our economic policy. You know what has happened to the fast track It has a role to play. We will allow it to play that role power projects. Eight fast track power projects were but the sum total of economic policy is far more, is taken up in this country. The proposals were invited. far greater than that and any economic policy of any Those proposals have not been moved for seven Government which does not bother about the poor years despite the fast track. What kind of fast track people of this country, which does not take into projects are they? I am unable to understand. " It was nat track at all, where is the question of fast or account the rural econ:lmy of this country, is not slow? Now, we have to get rid of such a mind set. worth the paper. That policy is written upon. Therefore, Sir, let me make it very clear that we shall I entirely agree with you that these procedures ... (Interruptions) have to be simplified. I promise you that that is exactly the area we are looking at and we will make sure PROF. P.J. KURIEN : Han. Minister, will you hear that investor confidence is restored both for the me? Sir, the Congress Government has not made domestic as well as for the foreign investor by our foreign investment its central policy. We wanted actions, not merely by our words. But I can promiso foreign investment in order to strengthen our industry thai this confidence of the Indian Investor and the because alongwith investment, we wanted technology foreign inveslor in India will be restored and for that also to ceme, so that our industry is sustained. To reason I agree entirely with the suggestion which say 'the central theme of our foreign investment only' has been made here that we have to look at the is not correct. .. (Interruptions) small investor. The small investor has burnt his MR. CHAIRMAN : The han. Minister has yielded fingers a number of times. He has been cheated; he has lost his money. II will be the concern of our to him. Government to make sure that we build a system in SHRi YASHWANT SINHA : The results of the this country by which nobody and absolutely nobody polici" which have been followed during the last will be able to cheat the small Investor and his seven years when the process of IIberalisation and investment will be protected. ~eforms economic were initiated, are for everybody Sir> a number of points have been made. I to see. unfortunately, do not hav" the time to go into all of Unfortunately, I do not have the time to go into them ... (/nterruptions). We are running against time. the details. The demand for level playing field by the SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : You write to the Indian industry has aiisen not from our Party, not Members. from the Parties which are in Government today; it has been raised by the Indian industry. I am not SHRI YASHWANT SINHA : I plead with the saying that we believe in the level playing field also .. Members to bear with me. I have taken note of all But I have said and I would like to sayan the floor the points which have been made. There are some individual points. Shrl Banatwalla has raised a pOint of this House that this GovernlJlent shall not accord about the Indira Gandhi Open University. There are to the foreign investors any privilege or ~ny certain procedural problems. I will explain to Shri concession which is not available to the Indian Banatwalla what those procedural problems are. industry. That is our policy. Therefore, it is important that we give preference to the domest~c savings of MR. CHAIRMAN : Han. Minisler, some hon. 26 per cent. We have said it in our National Agenda Members have raised very .valid points. So. you can for Governance. The Rashtrapatiji has said that in write to them individually separately. his Address to both the Houses of Parliament. We SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: I will write to them. I want to take It to 30 per cent in the next five years. would just make one general observation. Some Domestic savings would be increased from i.sues have been raised here by Members who 26 per cent to 30 per cent, and If we raise It by two unfortunately are not prelent in the House at this percent, then look at what we can achieve. Instead point of time. 187 In/erim Budget (General) MARCH 26, 1998 Appropriation (Vote on Account) Bill 188

[Shri .Yashwant Sinha) heads of Demands enttlred in the· aecond column thereof against Demand Nos" 1 to I would like to clear the position of my 28, 30, 31, 33 to 61, 63 to Q3, 95, 96, 98 Government on that point and that is some talk about to 103". some scams and some scandals. I would like to say that neither the Finance Ministry nor this Government The motion was adopted. is interested In giving protection to anyone. " a former M-R. CHAIRMAN : I shall now put the Prime Minister of this country can be Investigated Supplementary Demands for Grants (G.neral)1~r and chargesheeted, I believe we have reached a 1997·98 to vote: stage iri our democracy where nobody Is above the law and nobody absolutely is above the law. The question is : SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : Does it include Shri "That the respective supplementary sums ? There are charges against not exceeding the amounts on Revenue him ... (Interruptions) Account and Capital Account shown in the third column of the Order Paper be granted SHRI AJIT KUMAR PANJA : What about Shri Jyoti to the President out of the Consolidated Basu? There are some allegations against him. Fund of India to defray the charges that SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : For twenty years will come in course of payment during the you have been making only allegations. Not a single year ending 31 st day of March, 1998 in thing is proved ... (Interruptions) respect of the following demands entered in the second column thereof - Demand MR. CHAIRMAN: The hon. Minister will conclude Nos. lto 7, 9 to 1.6, 18 to 23,26,28,32 now. to 38, 40 to 52, 54 to 60, 62, 63, 65 to 72, SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: Sir, therefore, I would 74, 75, 77 to 86, 88 to 90, 92, 94, 95 and like to assure the House that we are. not interested 97 to 101". in protecting anybody. As the famous words are "The The motion was adopted. law shall take its own course" and we shall see to it that the law takes Its own course. Sir, with these words I conclude my speech and I will request the Members to pass this. 21.25 hr •.

[Translation} APPROPRIATION (VOTE ON ACCOUNT) BILL' SHRI RAJO SINGH (Begusarai) : The fund of Rs. one crore supposed to be given to Members of [English} Parliament should be made available. MR. CHAIRMAN : The House will now take up SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: We cannot discuss all Appropriation (Vote on Account) Bill, 1998. those things which have been said here. It is thE' THE M!NISTER OF FINANCE (SHRI YASHWANT House which has to decide about It. Surendra Yadavji SINHA) : I beg to move for leave to introduce a Bill has said so many things, I do not want to give a to provide for the withdrawal of certain sums from reply here. I just want to say that the manner 10 and out of the Consolidated Fund of India for the which he and his party has improved the condition services of a part of the financial year 1998·99. of State of Bihar we cannot improve conditions of other States in that way ... (Interruptions) MR. CHAIRMAN : The question Is : "That leave be granted to introduce a Bill {English} to provide for the withdrawal of certain sums from and out of the Consolidated MR. CHAIRMAN: I shall now put the Demands for Grants on Account (General) for 1998·99 to vote Fund of India for the services of a part of 1998·99." of the House. the financial year The question is : The motion was adopted. "That the respective sums not excellding MR. CHAIRMAN : The Minister may now the amounts on Revenue Account and introduce the Bill. Capitat Account shown in the third column SHRI YASHWANT SINHA; Sir, I introduce" the of the Order Paper be granted to the Bill. , . .President out 01 the Consolidated Fund of : . ,India, ot'J /ilcc.ount, for or towarda defraying • Published In Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, •. :\h~ ;Cn.fQ'lI Qurim:J. tht;l year ending on the Section 2. dated 26.3.98 . 31 at day of March, 1999 in rEl4op,-ct of the •• Introduced with the recommendation of the President. 189 Approprl."tJn CHAITRA 5, 1920 (Saka) (Vot. on Account) Bill 190

MR. CHAIRMAN : The Minister may now move MR. CHAIRMAN : We are already late. For that the Bill be taken into consideration. heaven's sake, please sit down. SHRI VASHWANT SINHA : Sir, I beg to move : ... (Interruptions) "That the Bill to provide for the withdrawal SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : He cannot of certain sums from and out of the interrupt. Consolidated Fund of India for the services of a part of the financial year 1998-99, be SHRI A..ilT KUMAR PANJA : He is repealing our taken Into consideration." demand ... (Interruptions). MR. CHAIRMAN : Motion moved : DR. SHAKEEL A,HMAD (Madhubanl) : He is a senior Member, but he is in the company of "That the Bill to provide for the withdrawal juniors ... (lnterruptions} of certain sums from and out of the Consolidated Fund of India for the services SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : The cities of Delhi of a part of the financial year 1998-99, be and Mumbai have been declared as A-1. As a result. taken into consideration." the Central Government employees of Calcutta are getting 15 per cent HRA, House Rent Allowance. SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA (Bankura) : Sir, I have given a notice. The West Bengal Assembly only three days back has adopted a unanimous resolution to declare the MR. CHAIRMAN: What notice have you given? city of Calcutta as A-1, like Delhi and Mumbai. The SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : I have a very small Chief Minister of Wesl Bengal has written a number pOint. Sir, the city of Calcutta has been downgraded. of letters to the Government of India to declare city Both Delhi and Mumbai have been declared as A-1 of Calcutta as A-1 city. The Central Government cities. employees are also demanding that the city of Calcutta should be declared as A-1. So, I urge upon SHRI AJIT KUMAR PANJA (Calculla North East): the Finence Minister to take a decision in regard to We had raised that demand long ago. declaring the city of Calcutta as A-1 with immediate SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : We have also made effect. I want a categorical reply from the Finance it. The West Bengal Assembly... (Interruptions) He Minister. may please take his seat... (Interruptions) I am on my SHRI SUDIP BANDYOPADHYAY (Calculla North legs ... (lnterruptions) He may please take his seat West) : Sir, I represent Calcutta. Shall I say ... (Interruptions) Why is he interrupting? something? SHRI AJIT KUMAR PANJA : Mr. Chairman, I MR. CHAIRMAN: There Is a procedure here. He object to this. He can tell his Chief Minister to take had given notice. his seat...(lnterruptions) SHRI BASU DEB ACHAAIA : I had given notice. MR. CHAIRMAN : He has given notice. He has Only I have the right to speak ... (Interruptions) the right to speak. . MR. CHAIRMAN : Nobody else should speak . ... (Interruptions) The hon. Minister may now move for the SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : I have given notice. consideration of the Bill. have every right to speak. I am on my legs ... (Interruptions) '" (Interruptions) SHRI AJIT KUMAR PANJA : Would he give order? SHRI VASHWANT SINHA : I have taken note of SHRI BASU DEB ACHAAIA : Sir, he is the point which has been made by the hon. Member. interrupting. SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : You have taken MR. CHAIRMAN: Shri Ajit Kumar Panja, you are only note, no action. such a senior Member, He Is ale" a senior Member. MR. CHAIRMAN: Now, the question is : Why are you interrupting? ... (Interruptions) "That the Bill to provide for the withdrawal SHRI AJIT KUMAR PANJA : Would he give order? of certain .ums from and out of the MR. CHAIRMAN : He has given notice. He has Consolidated Fund of India fOT the services the right to speak. ' of a part of the financial year 1998-99, be taken Into consideration." SHAI .JJIT KUMAR PANJA : Sir, let him speak. He cannot order ... (Interruptions). The motion was adopted. 191 Appropriation Bill MARCH 26. 1998 1'2

MR. CHAIRMAN ; The House will now take up SHRI YASHWANT SINHA; Sir,.1 beg to move; 0 clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill. "That the Bill to authorise payment and The question is : appropriation of certain further sums "That clauses 2 to 4 stand part of the BilL" from and out of the Consolidated Fund of India for the services of the financial The motion was adopted. year 1997-98 be taken into consideration.' Clauses 2 to 4 were added to the Bill. MR. CHAIRMAN: The question is : MR. CHAIRMAN : The question is : "That the Bill to authorise payment and "That the Schedule stand part of the BilL" appropriation of certain further sums from and ouf of the Consolidated Fund of India The motion was adopted. for the services of the financial year 1997- The schedule was added to the Bill. 98 be taken into consideration." MA. CHAIRMAN : The question is : The motion was adopted. "That clause 1. The Enacting Formula and MR. CHAIRMAN : The House will now take up the Long Title stand part of the BilL" clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill. The motion was adopted. The question is : Clause 1. the Enacting Formula and the Long That clauses 2 and 3 stand part of the Title were added to the Bill. Bill." SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: Sir. I beg to move The motion was adopted. "That the Bill be passed: Clauses 2 and 3 were added to the Bill. MR. CHAIRMAN: The question is MR. CHAIRMAN : The question is : "That the Bill be passed," "That the Schedule 2 stand part 01 the The motion was adopted. Bill." The motion was adopted. 21.30 hrs. The Schedule was added to the 9i11. APPROPRIATION BILL, 1998* MR. CHAIRMAN : The question is : "That Clause 1. Enacting Formula and the {English] Long Title stand Part 01 the Bitl." MR. CHAIRMAN : The House will now take up The motion was adopted. Appropriation Bill. Clause 1, the Enacting Formula and the Long THE MINISTER OF FINANCE (SHRI YASHWANT Title were added to the Bill. SINHA) : Sir, I beg to move for leave to introduce a Bill to authorise payment and appropriation of certain SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: Sir, I beg to move: further sums from and out of the Consolidated Fund of India for the services of the financial year "That the Bill be passed," 1997-98. MR. CHAIRMAN : The question is ; MR. CHAIRMAN : The questton is : "That the Bill be passed," "That leave be granted to introduce a Bill The motion was adopted. to authorise payment and appropriation of certain further sums from and out of the Consolidated Fund of India for the services . of the financial year 1997-98." 21.33 hr •. The motion was adopted. FINANCE BILL, 1998 SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: I introduce" the Bill. [English] MR. CHAIRMAN : The Minister may now move that the Bill be taken Into consideration .. MR. CHAIRMAN : The Minist.r may now move • Published in Gazette oflrldia. Extraordinary. Part II, that the Finance Bitt. 19943 be taken into Section 2. dated 26.3.98. consideration. •• Inlroduced with the recommendation of the President. ., Moved with the recommendation of the President. 193 St"u/oly R.. II. R.: DlNpptOff8/ 0/ CHAITRA 5, 1820 (Seke) St8furoty R8.II. Re: DI•• pptO." of 114 COII"IIrIem:y FUM of Indi. (Amelldment) COIIl/llf1ency Fund 01 ItIdIe (Amdt.) OIdUlaIlClO. liN Ord/tl.llce, 1(1(17 .IIa COII,illgellCY FUlla of IndII (AIftdI.) Bill

THE MINISTER OF FINANCE (SHRI VASHWANT Dr. T. Subbarami Reddy - not pr•• ent. Shri G.M. SINHA) : Sir, I beg to move' : Banatwalla, are you moving? "That the Bill to continue the existing SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA (Ponnani) : Ve., Sir. I rates of income-tax for the financial year will move and I will say a few words. 1998-99, be taken into consideration." Sir, I beg to move the following resolutions : MR. CHAIRMAN: The question is : "That this House disapproves of the "That the Bill to continue the existing Contingency Fund of India (Amendment) rates of income-tax for the financial year Ordinance, 1997 (No. 30 of 1997) 1998-99, be taken into consideration." promulgated by the President on The motion was adopted. Deoember 26, 1997'- MR. CHAIRMAN: The House will now take up "That this House disapproves of the clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill. Contingency Fund of India (Amendment) The question is : Ordinance, 1998 (No. 4 of 1998) promulgated by the President on January "That clause 2 stand part of the Bill." 24, 1998." The motion was adopted. Sir, I will be very brief because I am not opposed Clause 2 was added to the Bill. to the measure of increasing the corpus of the Contingency Fund. That Is not the point. That was MR. CHAIRMAN : The question is : needed and that ought to have been done. The only "That Clause 1, Enacting Formula and the pOint that I want to make is about the use of the Long Title stand part of the Bill". power to issue Ordinances. That Government is not a good Government that resorts to using more and The motion was adopted. more the power of Ordinances and has loglslatlon Clause 1, the Enacting Formula and the Long through Ordinances. In this case especially when Title were added to the Bill. the q:.lestion of the power and control over linances of this House is concerned, I beg to submit, that SHRI YASHWANT SINHA : Sir, I beg to move : issuing an ordinance on such an important thing Is "That the Bill be passed." against the democratic norms. MR. CHAIRMAN: The question is : Mr. Chairman, Sir, the power of the Parliament to control finance is at the basi. of Parliamentary "That the Bill be passed," democracy. History st8Jfds testimony to the fact that The motion was adopted. a long struggle has been waged for Parliamentary democracy to acquire this power which is called the financial control, the control ove .. finances. 21.37 hra. Here, In our own country, before Independence, in the colonial period, this war or battle wa. there STATUTORY RESOLUTION RE : for parliamentary democracy, to have proper control DISAPPROVAL OF CONTINGENCY FUND OF over finances. The Parliament's control was very much there. You will find that even in the Imperial INDIA (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE, 1997 Legislative Assembly, cut motions were at times not STATUTORY RESOLUTION RE : allowed to be moved and at times when they were DISAPPROVAL OF CONTINGENCY FUND OF moved, they were not even put to vote. We, therefore, INDIA (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE, 1998 have a long gradual history into which I do not go AND of how parliamentary democracy has been strengthened through strengt'lening of Its control over CONTINGENCY FUND OF INDIA the finances. (AMENDME~T) BILL Now, here, we have two Ordinances. As a result of the first Ordinance, the corpus of the Contingency [English} Fundwa. raised from R.. 50 crore to a .um ot MR. CHAIRMAN : Now, the House wi~1 take up R.. 14,700 crore. Thou.and. ot crores of rupe •• item nos. 18A, 18B and 19 together for dIscussion. were added to the corpus of the Contingency Fund • Moved with the recommendatIon of the Pre.ident. and then withdrawn. That is why, we have put 195 St. tutory Resn. RII: Di,apprcvel of MARCH 26. 1998 St.tutory Resn. RII: DI'8"P'OIlai of 196 Contlngllncy Funa 01 Indi8 (Amendment) Contingency Fund 01 Indi. (Amdt.) Ordin.nCII. 1998 Ordin."cII. 1997 and Continoency Fund 01 india (Arndt.) Bill

[Shri G.M. Banatwallal MR CHAfAMAN : Please do not disturb him. supplementary Demands for Grants over here. This ... (Interruptions) is bypassing the Parliament. Through a second SHAI G.M. BANATWALLA : But it was criticised Ordinance. As. 17.790 crores were additionally severely in the House - the veteran Jyotirmoy Baau provided for, and a corpus of As. 50 crore. through criticised it and the veteran Piloo Modi called it a an Ordinance and without consulting the Parliament. highway robbery to go on with an Ordinance. was raised up to As. 32,490 crore. Now, I know that the Parliament was dissolved on the 4th of Today, we have to pass it because now you are December. brandishing a sword in the air. A fait accompli has been given to us. But please do not do that. It detracts MA. CHAIAMAN : The hon. Minister was not from the democratic norms. It is detrimental to responding to this. Anyway. please conclude now. parliamentary democracy. It sets the clock back and SHAI G.M. BANATWALLA : Therefore. the there is a loss of the important element of question of consulting the Parliament did not come. parliamentary democracy. When an emergency The election expenses had to be provided for. I know comes up, the House is there always to cooperate this. but then we had the Chandra Shekhar's and with the cooperation of the House, the things Government. At that particular time, we had a must be done and not through Ordinances. That is precedence. The present Finance Minister himself the point that I want to make. was the Finance Minister at that particular time. and MA. CHAIRMAN : Motions moved: tllen an emergency had come. Shri Chandra Shekhar's Government had collapsed. But here we "That this House disapproves of the were all prepared to cooperate and you yourself Contingency Fund of India (Amendment) came to power - a commendable thing I say. You Ordinance, 1997 (No. 30 of 1997) yourself came to the Parliament before dissolving promulgated by the President on December 26. 1997." the Parliament so that the Vote-on-Account can be passed, so that Supplementary Demands for Grants "That this House disapproves of the can be passed and so that no particular problem Contingency Fund of India (Am6lldment) comes up. Ordinance. 1998 (No. 4 of 1998) promulgated by the President on January [Translation] 24, 1998."

SHAI H.P. SINGH (Arrah) : It is a matter of ... (Interruptions) 100 crore people of the country and the budget is MA CHAIRMAN: You are a senior Member. You prepared accordingly. Therefore time should not be shoul" know that he has moved a Statutory wasted on this topic. Resolution. I cannot restrict that. SHAI G.M. BANATWALLA : If you cannot SHAI YASHWANT SINHA: The hon. Member has understand then what can I say. But I want to say raised a very important constitutional point which is one important thing regarding procedure that this very valid in a democratic set up. I am merely trying should not be repeated in future. There was one to regularise. as the hon. House knows. something opportunity... (Interruptions) which was done by the previous Government. They had passed an Ordinance and this Ordinance has to [English] be approved by this House. If it had not been for MR. CHAIRMAN : Please conclude. exceptional circumstances. I would not have come to this House to get thi~ Ordinance passed. The SHAI YASHWANT SINHA: Shri Banatwa"a can exceptional circumstance was that the 11th Lok be brief... (Interruptions) Sabha was dissolved on 1he 4th December. The size MR. CHAIRMAN : He is moving a Statutory of the Contingency Fund was As. 50 crore. It had to Aesolution. be raised in order to accommodate a very essential Government expenditure; including Defence ... (Interruptions) expenditure and, that is why, it had to be done. SHAf G.M. BANATWALLA : There was another Therefore, I agreed to bring this regularisation before occasion. In the year 1972. an Ordinance was this House. promulgated to faise the corpus like that MR. CHAIAMAN : Now I will take up the Statutory ... (Interruptions) Resolutions. 197 Statutory Resn. RB: Disapproval 01 CHAITRA 5. 1920 (Saka) Statutory Resn. R.: DINPPro ...1 of 198 Contingency Fund 01 India (Amendmenl) Contingency Fund 01 India (Amdt.) Ordinance. 1998 Ordinance. 1997 and Contingency Fund 01 India (Amdt.) Bill THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MR. CHAIRMAN : The House will now take up RAILWAYS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE clause by clause consideration of the Bill. MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI RAM The question is : NAIK) : Shri G.M. Banatwalla may like to withdraw his Statutory Resolutions. ·That clauses 2 and 3 stand part 01 the Bill.· SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : I said that I am The motion was adopted. opposed to the procedure. I am only making this request that this undemocratic procedure should not Clauses 2 and 3 were added to the Bill. be followed. I hope that this will be accepted by the MR. CHAIRMAN : The question is : Government and I seek the leave of the House to withdraw my Statutory Resolutions. "That Clause 1, the Enacting Formula and the Long Tille stand part of the BilL· MR. CHAIRMAN: Is it the pleasure of the House that the Statutory Resolutions moved by Shri G.M. The motion was adopted. Banatwalla be withdrawn? Clause 1. the Enacting Formula and the Long Title were added to the Bill The Resolutions were. by leave. withdrawn. MR. CHAiRMAN : The Minister may now move SHRI RAM NAIK : Thank you. Shri G.M. that the Bill be passed. Banatwalla. SHRI YASHWANT SINHA : I beg to move : MR. CHAIRMAN : The hon. Minister may kindly "That the Bill be passed." move the Bill. MR. CHAIRMAN : The question is : SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: I beg to move". "That the Bill be passed." "That the Bill further to amend the Contingency Fund of India Act. 1950 be The motion was adopted. taken into consideration." MR. CHAIRMAN: Now there is nothing left in MR. CHAIRMAN : The question is : today's Agenda. Best of luck for the Finance Ministerl "That the Bill further to amend the 21.49 hr•. Contingency Fund of India Act. 1950 be The Lok Sabha then adjourned tl/l Elevan of the taken into consideration." Clock on Friday, March 27, 199B/Chaltra 6, The motion was adopted. 1920 (Saka).