LOK SABHA ___

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

Wednesday, July 10, 2019 / Ashadha 19, 1941 (Saka)

______

SUBMISSION BY MEMBER

Re: Political developments in Karnataka.

THE MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS; MINISTER OF

COAL AND MINISTER OF MINES (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI) responding to the issue raised by an hon. Member, said: I will put it on record that the MLAs belonged to the Congress Party. Their resignation is not being accepted and it is being delayed. All the MLAs who are staying in a hotel in Mumbai, have given in writing to the Mumbai Police Commissioner that there is a threat to their lives.

After that written complaint, the Mumbai Police Commissioner is giving security to the MLAs and to the hotel.

______

* Hon. Members may kindly let us know immediately the choice of language (Hindi or English) for obtaining Synopsis of Lok Sabha Debates. *MATTERS UNDER RULE 377

1. SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARASWATI laid a statement regarding

problem of water-logging in under-passes at railway level crossings.

2. SHRI RAMDAS TADAS laid a statement regarding need to provide

benefits of centrally sponsored schemes and related information to

farmers and others by nationalised banks.

3. SHRIMATI LOCKET CHATTERJEE laid a statement regarding

changing the name of Sealdah railway station, Kolkata.

4. SHRI NARENDRA KUMAR laid a statement regarding improvement

of rail services in Jhunjhunu parliamentary constituency, Rajasthan.

5. SHRI MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA laid a statement

regarding BSNL mobile towers in Bharuch parliamentary constituency,

Gujarat.

6. SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY laid a statement regarding

construction of bridge over Ganga between Danapur-Sherpur and

Dighwara in Bihar.

7. SHRI KHAGEN MURMU laid a statement regarding need to run

superfast trains between Delhi and Maldah Uttar parliamentary

constituency in West Bengal.

* Laid on the Table as directed by the Speaker/Chair. 8. SHRI KANAKMAL KATARA laid a statement regarding need to

establish a Central Tribal University in Banswara district, Rajasthan.

9. SHRI PRADEEP KUMAR CHAUDHARY laid a statement

regarding need to accord approval to Hathnikund Link Channel-II

project in Kairana parliamentary constituency, Uttar Pradesh.

10. SHRI RAJESH VERMA laid a statement regarding need to undertake

doubling of Lucknow-Sitapur Railway line.

11. SHRI BHAGIRATH CHAUDHARY laid a statement regarding toll-

free movement in Ajmer parliamentary constituency, Rajasthan.

12. SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO laid a statement regarding need

to establish Kendriya Vidyalayas in Potka and Patmada in Jamshedpur

parliamentary constituency, Jharkhand.

13. SHRI ARJUN SINGH laid a statement regarding promotion of jute

sector.

14. DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE laid a statement regarding

need to empanel hospitals in Dhule parliamentary constituency,

Maharashtra under PM National Relief Fund.

15. SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY laid a statement regarding need to

accord approval to the establishment of Integrated Ayush Hospital in

Maharajganj district, Uttar Pradesh. 16. SHRI SUDHAKAR TUKARAM SHRANGARE laid a statement

regarding extension of Kolhapur-Bidar Express upto Hyderabad.

17. SHRI CHHEDI PASWAN laid a statement regarding need to expedite

construction of Panduka Sone bridge project.

18. SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI laid a statement regarding revival of

paper mills of Hindustan Paper Corporation, Assam.

19. SHRI B. MANICKAM TAGORE laid a statement regarding need to

expedite completion of Pamba-Achankovil-Vaippar river linking

project in Tamil Nadu.

20. SHRI ADHIR RANJAN CHOWDHURY laid a statement regarding

completion of Nashipur to Azimganj Railway bridge in Murshidabad

district of West Bengal.

21. SHRI D. RAVIKUMAR laid a statement regarding utilisation of

Aadhaar data.

22. SHRI T. R. V .S. RAMESH laid a statement regarding opening of

AIIMS in Cuddalore parliamentary constituency, Tamil Nadu.

23. SHRI KANUMURU RAGHURAMA KRISHNARAJU laid a

statement regarding fostering communal tolerance.

24. SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV laid a statement regarding interlinking

of Penganga and Wainganga rivers in Maharashtra. 25. SHRI BAIDYANATH PRASAD MAHTO laid a statement regarding

need to install mobile towers in Ramnagar block in West Champaran

district, Bihar.

26. SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB laid a statement regarding need to

provide financial support to Odisha Hydro Power Corporation by

relaxing existing norms of National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF).

27. SHRI JAYADEV GALLA laid a statement regarding remunerative

price to tobacco farmers.

28. SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL laid a statement regarding need to

provide adequate compensation and employment to people whose land

has been acquired for the construction of N.H. 754K in Rajasthan.

29. SHRI NABA KUMAR SARANIA laid a statement regarding

introduction of local self governance system in Bodoland Territorial

Council in Assam.

______

UNION BUDGET- 2019-2020 - GENERAL DISCUSSION- CONTD.

SHRI GIRISH BHALCHANDRA BAPAT: The Budget has made a mention of various issues. Many hon. Members have discussed many issues.

However, I would like to invite the attention of this august House to a very important issue. This Budget provides for house for all and water for every home.

The common man's biggest worry is the house and water supply in that house.

Now, the common man will get the house. Water supply will also be ensured to every home. The Union Government has already provided LPG, power connection and toilet in every home. Hon. Prime Minister has ensured that every home has basic amenities. I feel elated about the fact that we have worked in the interest of common people.

SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARASWATI: This budget expresses the feeling of SARVAJAN HITAYA-SARVAJAN SUKHAYA. This budget cares of the interest of the poor, labourers and small businessmen. This budget has special provision for educating youths. In this budget efforts have been made to let the youth move ahead in the field of sports and bring pride to the nation, to provide support of six thousand rupees per year to farmers, to provide pension to small and poor farmers and to make farmers prosperous by giving importance to dairying and horticulture. Similarly, substantial work has been done in the field of education and

Ayushman Bharat Scheme has been launched in the field of health. I urge the

Minister of Railways to introduce new trains on the routes of Sikar to Delhi, Sikar to Mumbai, Sikar to Ahmadabad, Sikar to Kolkata and Sikar to Jammu. Sikar is facing acute problem of drinking water. So it is requested to make arrangement of safe drinking water in Sikar and to build an indoor stadium also there. SHRIMATI SHARDA A. PATEL: I welcome the budget for the year

2019-2020. This budget will boost the growth of Indian economy and the overall development of every Indian citizen. This budget will benefit the farmers, industries, small scale industries, export of Indian goods, defence sector in terms of

Make in India, education, better infrastructure for the development of new India and healthcare sector.

SHRI DEVENDRA SINGH 'BHOLE': The common people have trusted the NDA Government. There was a situation of desperation in all over the country five years ago. There were only discussion on corruption and scams. The previous

Governments have caused economic loss. The country belongs to the youth as 65 percent of population is below the age of 35 and they want to do many more for the country. In the gloomy situation, Prime Minister took charge and announced demonetization and tackled the prevailing corruption. The situation of country has changed from village‟s street to the corridors of Parliament. India is a country of villages. Without direct participation of farmers in economy, it is difficult to get a pace of fast development. In the budget, there are provisions for Rs. 10693118 crore for farming and other projects. Many projects like Pradhan Mantri Krishi

Sinchai Yojana, Mrida Swasthya Card Scheme, Green Revolution, Crop Insurance

Scheme, Pradhan Manti kisan Samman Nidhi, Family Welfare Scheme are being implemented. Retail traders and small shopkeepers will get benefit of pension. 30,000 km roads were constructed by using green technology. The aim for construction of 2 crore houses is to be completed. Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan has been launched. The work related to animal husbandry, horticulture and milk production are being done. Prime Minister says “The poor people have first right on country‟s resources”. His slogan is “Saka Sath Sabka Vikas evam Sabka

Vishwas”. The development of villages are being done to check the migration towards cities. Insurance and pension schemes are being implemented for all at the first time. Special measures have been proposed for treatment of Cancer and

Kidney diseases. Skill development, employment generation and infrastructure development have created a new environment. Entire world is facing serious financial crisis but Indian economy has a strong base. It is very important to do decentralization of developmental activities and bring inclusiveness therein. There is a need to infuse fresh energy and assistance for economic, industrial and commercial activities in Kanpur. While preparing schemes, there is a need to pay attention to the farmers of the remote villages adjoining to the river Yamuna and industrial units should be established. I support this budget.

SHRI ANNASAHEB SHANKAR JOLLE: Unfortunately in India, CoOps do not have access to raise Long Term Funds from Capital Markets. Lack of

Capital is impeding the growth of CoOps in many Sectors like Dairy, Fisheries,

Food and Fruit Processing, Retail, Mktg, etc. Hence, CoOps be made eligible to raise funds under proposed Stock Exchange. As for other entities, SEBI be empowered to formulate norms for the CoOps as well. Inclusion of CoOps will give a boost to Rural Development.

SHRIMATI GITABEN VAJESINGBHAI RATHVA: This Government is making successful efforts to provide equal rights and dignity to rural women of the country. Today, under Ujjwala Yojana poor women in every village of our country are being provided with LPG connections. Free electricity connections are also being provided in every village under “Saubhagya Yojana‟. Housing facilities have been provided to almost 60-65 lakhs poor and backward class people who are living below poverty line under the “Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana‟. Arrangments have also been made for the appropriate treatment of sick persons belonging to the poor sections of the country under “Ayushman Yojana”. My Parliamentary

Constituency is a tribal dominated area. The famous temple of Siddh Peeth Mata

Kali is situated in Pavagadh here and statue of unity is also important from the tourism perspective. Keeping this in mind more resources are required to provide more facilities in these areas.

SHRI BHARATSINHJI SHANKARJI DABHI: The Government has taken care of all classes of people in this budget. The employment will be created for farmers and villagers by giving importance to the farming and animal husbandry sector. The Government has constructed roads to connect all the villages. A number of schemes have been prepared to promote trade. By constituting Jal Shakti Ministry, the adequate amount of water would be arranged in the districts facing acute shortage of water. The Government has increased the

Budget allocation for the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

Efforts have been made to provide new means of employment to our youth. A lot of facilities have been provided to micro, small and medium traders by increasing the budget allocation for the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

The budget allocation for the Department of Health and family Welfare,

Department of Health Research and the Department of School Education and

Literacy has been increased. In addition to above mentioned areas the care of a lot of things has been taken so that the pace of development of our country may be accelerated.

SHRI MOHAMMAD AKBAR LONE: We had many expectations with the Union Budget. The State of J&K needs a special dispensation because of its peculiar problems. The State is craving for development and unhindered utility services that have received huge dent during the past few years. However, the

Budget is completely silent over the steps to be taken for expeditious completion of various projects. The Railway project linking Kashmir with the rest of the country delayed inordinately and the valley is totally left at the mercy of Jammu and

Kashmir National Highway. It is in complete disarray. The highway has almost become a fair-weather road. Frequent directives for closure of the highway, on one or the other pretext has become a norm. This is causing anguish and also affecting tourism at this peak season. The mobility between the Valley and Jammu has been a constant irritant. The Mughal road too is giving tough times due to its poor upkeep. We wish the Budget to have reflected nation's determination towards expanding the railway network up to Kupwara, the remote area of my Baramulla

Parliamentary Constituency, and Poonch-Rajouri in the Jammu division. We are also craving for conceding to our demand of the construction of a tunnel at Sadhna top in Karnah Tehsil. The unemployment among educated youth is a burgeoning problem. The Budget does not offer anything on the priority health front. The much talked about AIIMS projects are yet to take off.

SHRI HASMUKHBHAI SOMABHAI PATEL: I support the budget which is going to boost MSME, to give employment to the youth through start ups, touch each class of society and accelerate the pace in making New India. The

Hon. Prime Minister has created a separate Jal Shakti Ministry to provide water in each house of India. Hon. Finance Minister has put more emphasis on basic infrastructure projects resulting in promotion to dam work industry and rise in the demand of steel. Under the PMGSY, the increase of One Lakh Twenty Five

Thousand kilometer road and a lot of other projects have been announced for strengthening the basic structure of the country. Special emphasis is made on the industrial corridor, dedicated freight corridor, Bharatmala, Sagarmala, UDAN and

PMGSY including each connectivity avenue. Adequate provision is made for investment in basic infrastructure of railways, roadways upgradation and connectivity. By developing basic infrastructure use of domestic steel will be increased and it will assist growth of domestic steel industry. Connecting rural

India with physical and digital both the directions and the announcement of arranging the labour laws into the group of four labour codes are progressive moves. The distance of villages and cities will be reduced by announcing such schemes like Bharatmala, Sagarmala and UDAN. The Government will allocate fund for the construction of basic infrastructure to promote buying electric cars.

The custom duty has been reduced on spare parts of this car. The National Electric

Mobility Mission 2020 will be helped by FAME ( Faster Adoption and

Manufacturing) of Hybrid and Electronic Vehicles for which the Government has allocated Rupees 10,000 crore. I appreciate the announcement of reducing GST from 12 percent to 5 percent on electrical vehicles and additional rebate of income tax of Rs.1.5 lakh on the loan.

SHRI VINOD LAKHAMSHI CHAVDA: I support the present budget made for building new India. I support various schemes and initiatives like

'Pradhan Mantri Karmayogi Manav Dhan Yojana', ' Pradhan Mantri Matsya

Sampada Yojana', interest subvention scheme for low budget houses, promotion of investment, setting up the target to allot 1.95 crore houses under Pradhan Mantri

Awas Yojana, Model Tenancy Act, making 95 percent cities and 5.6 lakhs villages free from open defecation, construction of 1.9 crore houses, hundred new clusters for five thousand craftsmen, distribution of 8 crore LPG connections free of cost under Ujjawala Yojana, Mudra loan upto one lakh to women entrepreneurs, upto five thousands rupees overdraft facility to women, pension to small businessman and 'Har Ghar Nal, Har Ghar Jal' scheme. Apart from this, I also welcome this initiation like giving 'Shramyogi' Benefits to 30 lakh artisans, distribution of LED bulbs worth 341 crore rupees, hundred percent electrification of villages by 2022, building up 135 km road daily, provision of 80,250 crore rupees for 1,25,000 km, and building 9.5 crore new toilets etc. This budget focuses on the villages, the poor and the farmers. This budget fulfils the hope and aspirations of common Indians.

SHRIMATI NUSRAT JAHAN RUHI: This Budget speaks of pushing labour and other reforms to attract investment of promote welfare programmes and this budget reflects a commitment to continued welfareism more than new investment. All powerful Government focus almost exclusively on supporting export manufacturers. Welfare was conceived as a support system to keep industrial workers on the job. Rural workers got few welfare benefits because the plan was to push them off the farms and into factories. In February's Interim

Budget, the then Finance Minister announced big "income support" for farmers through the Pradhan Mantri Kishan scheme. It was hoped that such direct benefit transfer would help the farmers to some extent. But recent months have also witnessed that farmers losing patience with Government's irrational moratorium. In compare to agricultural R&D with Prime Minister Kisan Yojana, the budget allocation in agricultural direct development has been only a negligible increase which basically is "Zero Budget Farming". The Budget has no big-bang reforms but it is a resemble of wishes contained in political manifesto. Considering the huge problem of unemployment in the economy, no stable and secure proposal is there. What we need is to reinvestment in infrastructure as investments will help to benefit the entire development of the country as whole.

SHRI JANARDAN MISHRA: A feeling was prevailing in the minds of common people of the country that it is next to impossible to uproot corruption from the country. The Prime Minister has taken initative to uproot corruption from the country. The decision of demonetization has been the most effective to discourage corruption. Today country is marching rapidly towards digital transaction. Efforts are being made to discourage cash transactions. I hope that the efforts being made in this direction will help in promoting cashless economy.

There is constant increase in the number of taxpayers due to promoting digital payments. In the year 2013-14 tax collection was Rs.6,38,596 crores which has increased to Rs.11,37,686 crores in the year 2018-19. Continuous streamlining of GST is resulting in improvement in the economy of the country. A resolution has been made to provide tap water to every rural household by the year 2022 under the Jaljeevan Mission, due to which there will be no water crisis before the generations to come. There is a mention of making provision for disposal of solid waste in villages which is one further step in the direction of cleanliness.

Implementation of Ayushman Bharat will save the poor people from fatal diseases. A resolution of providing houses to all by the year 2022 under the

Pradhan Mantri Avas Yojana is an indicator of a prosper future India. 18000 villages of the country has been electrified. Electricity connection will be provided to every household under the Saubhagya Yojana. Seven crore LPG connections have been provided under the Ujjwala Yojana. No family in the country will be deprived of electricity and smokeless kitchen. Mudra Yojana has helped in creating new employment opportunities and the youth have been freed from the clutches of many lenders.

SHRI P.R. NATARAJAN: Nothing is there for India‟s working people- kisans and workers in the Budget. There were no references to the issues of remunerative prices and debt relief that India‟s farmers are in desperate need of.

The manipulation of the Budget accounts only serves to establish that the expenditure commitments for 2019-20 lack credibility. The reduction in estimated revenue collections- an indirect admission of the failure of the so-called reform measures of the Government. The Finance Minister has chosen to give several tax concessions to the corporate sector even while burdening the common people with additional excise duties on petrol and diesel to the tune of Rs. 2 per litre. The expenditure on women has fallen from 5.1 per cent to 4.9 per cent of the total budget. There has been a marginal increase in spending on welfare of Scheduled

Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Share of allocations for the Ministry of Minority

Affairs has remained unchanged. The Finance Minister has cut the allocation of

MGNREGA by Rs. 1000 crores as compared to the revised estimates for last year.

Spending on even the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has been reduced. This 2019-20 budget, therefore, is bound to mount further economic burdens on the vast majority of our people.

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO: The first full-fledged budget of 17th

Lok Sabha is an inclusive budget and touch all sections of the society. Village, poor and farmer have been kept in focus of every scheme of this budget. By the year 2022, all rural households are likely to get electricity and clean kitchen facility. Under second phase of 'Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna' 1.95 crore housing units are proposed to be constructed. Around 35 thousand kilometres of national highways are proposed to be constructed under 'Bharat Mala Project' by the year

2022. The manner in which the country has shown seriousness towards 'Swach

Bharat Abhiyan' the same kind of seriousness is required for Water Conservation and Management. 10 crore families of economically weaker sections are getting benefit of 'Ayushman Bharat'. More than 5300 Jan Aushadhi Centres have been opened to make medicines available at affordable prices. This budget will take country forward. This budget will give strength to aspirations of everyone.

SHRIMATI DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH: During the present election, there was maximum participation of women and youth. The imprint of the very participation is visible in this Budget. The Government has shown courage to take many revolutionary steps in the Budget. Perhaps maximum number of income tax returns have been filed this year as compared to the previous

Governments. In the present Budget, at the one side the target is to achieve five lakh crore economy and on the other side the concerns of villages and poor farmers have also been addressed. Emphasis has been given to education and research.

The target of the Government is to promote women entrepreneurs. The

Government has tried to touch such sections through self help groups after its efforts for Beti Bachao campaign during its last tenure. I praise the Government for the same and support this Budget.

SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN: Our Government‟s initiative Har Ghar

Jal will ensure clean and potable water to every household. Our Government‟s initiative to give pension benefits to retail traders and small shopkeepers is an another step forward to strengthen our countrymen across every sphere of life. The enhancement of interest deduction up to Rs. 3.5 lakh for purchase of an affordable house is a step forward to give tax benefits to our middle class families. The scheme of faceless electronic tax assessment system is an another benchmark of this Budget. The linking/ interchangeable of Aadhaar and PAN is also a commendable step.

SHRI S. RAMALINGAM: I request the Government to put an end to the hydrocarbon and methane projects in my constituency. Cauvery Delta region should be declared as Specially Protected Agricultural Zone. About 3 crore farmers and agricultural labourers will lose their livelihood if the project is implemented as the ground water will be completely depleted. Water contamination will cause incurable diseases. Five lakh fishermen will lose their livelihood. So, I request the Government to cancel this project immediately.

There is acute scarcity of drinking water in my constituency. Kollidam scheme should be restored. People of Tamil Nadu especially those living in the Cauvery delta area are suffering very much owing to scarcity of water. Poor agriculturists are unable to maintain their standing crops owing to water scarcity. The order of the Cauvery Water Management Board has not been implemented so far. All crop loans of Tamil Nadu should be waived immediately. Three sugar mills in my constituency have been closed indefinitely and thousands of employees have lost their jobs. They have not been paid their salary for 17 months. Thousands of silk handloom weavers live in my Constituency. The handloom societies are not functioning properly. They are not being supplied raw materials. I want to know whether the State and the Central Governments are going to give any rebate or subsidy to the handloom societies. Textile park in Thirubuvanam has not been set up so far.

SHRIMATI RITI PATHAK: The aim of our present prime minister is to move towards making strong, safe, prosperous and all inclusive India with the concept of „Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas‟. Primarily his aim is to strengthen rural

India, to fulfil the dreams of young India by converting new India into skilled India and to make strong India through transparent system. In this Budget which is focused on villages, the poor and the farmer, the farmers of the age of 60 years and above have been covered under pension scheme. Other exemplary provisions are increase in MSP, approval of 100% FDI in food processing, Fasal Beema Yojana, provision for 100% Neem Coating Urea. 26 lakh poor patients have been provided with the facility of medical treatment under Ayushman Bharat Yojana. The ambitious schemes of the Government include Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Ujjwala

Yojana, Mission Indradhanush, Saubhagya Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana,

Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Aajeevika Mission, Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana,

Bharatmala Pariyojana, Sagarmala Pariyojana, UDAN scheme, One Pension One

Card, Namami Gange Scheme and Make in India. The Government is moving towards eradicating malpractices like Talaq, Nikah Halala. The aim of the

Government is to double the income of the farmers, to provide pucca houses to the poor, to provide the facilities of clean fuel, electricity, to make the country open defecation free, to ensure health facilities, to provide connectivity to the villages and to make 5 million dollar economy.

SHRI P. C. GADDIGOUDAR: The Budget emphasises on social welfare.

A lot of stress on infrastructure development has been given. Hon. Finance

Minister has ensured water security and providing access to safe and adequate drinking water to all Indians is a priority of the Government. A major step in this direction has been the constitution of the Jal Shakti Mantralay. The new Mantralay will work with States to ensure water to all rural households by 2024 under the Jal

Jeevan Mission. I urge Hon. Railway Minister for sanctioning the new line of

Alamatti- Chitradurga. I also request him to expedite the remaining work of

Railway line of Bagalkot-Kuduchi and to sanction the construction of Road Over

Bridges (ROB) in my parliamentary constituency Bagalkot at L.C. No. 41,43,34 and L.C. No. 26,46. In the interest of weavers community, I request the Hon.

Minister of Textiles to start Textile Park at Ilkal.

SHRI ARVIND KUMAR SHARMA: In this budget target has been fixed to construct 01 crore 95 lakh houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna Gramin and to provide each and every family the facility of LPG, electricity and toilets by 2022. We have made a provision in the budget to renovate 01 lakh 25 thousand km length of roads with a cost of 80,250 crore rupees. This budget has made the provisions to strengthen the multimodal transport structure. For the first time in this budget record 1 lakh 38 thousand crore rupees have been provided for the farmers. BJP Government has spread the ideology of Antyodaya to every citizen by providing pension benefit to 3 crore small retailers and shopkeepers. Similarly

953 crore rupees have been provided for the pension of freedom fighters. Giving priority to women empowerment provisions of overdraft facility of Rs. 5000 to women account holders of Jan Dhan Yojna, relaxation in interest to women SHG and Mudra loan up to 1 lakh rupees have been made in this budget. To promote and encourage the medium and small scale industrialists provision of 2% relaxation in interest rates has been made. The Union Government has given 70 thousand crore rupees to the banks so that the financial health of the banks could be improved. Special attention has been given on Artificial intelligence, Machine learning, Robotics, Space Research and Digital India Programme. Also, arrangements for setting up of National Research Foundation have been made in this budget. Target to train one crore youth in modern and latest technology under

Skill development scheme during this financial year has been set. The Rohtak-

Delhi Railway line proposed under Phase II of Rapid Regional Transport System should be included under phase - I and Jhajjar city of Haryana should be connected with Bahadurgarh and Farukhnagar railway lines so that the multidimensional development of this region could take place. I extend my support in the favour of national budget.

SHRI DEVAJI PATEL: This Government did a lot for the villages, poor, farmers, women and the youths for which it was re-elected by the people. It is a historical budget. This budget will prove to be a milestone for the development of villages, poor, farmers, women and youths. This budget is a road map for bringing about a complete change in the country for energizing the nation and for a clean

India. Gone are the days of policy paralysis and license quota control. In 2014, our economy was about $1.85 trillion. Within five years it rose to $2.7 trillion. In the next few years it has potential to reach $5 trillion. This budget emphasizes investment to reach $5 trillion economy target. To prepare the youths to get jobs abroad, the Government will enhance their skills including the language. The budget specially reflects the commitment of the Government for agriculture, farmers welfare, and the Prime Minister's determination to double farmers' income by 2022. The Government is also working for the benefit of farmers through MSP.

During the past five years a record purchase of pulses, oil seeds and other crops are done. The Government has proposed an institutional mechanism for long term import-export policy. Capital investment will have to be increased in agriculture to attain high growth rate. Agricultural credit which last year was rupees 10 lakh crores has been increased to rupees 11 lakh crores this year. The sharecroppers and small farmers who rent the land for farming will also get institutional credit.

This budget has announced organic farming on a large scale. The budget has a provision of Rs. 400 crores for 2019-2020 financial year for creating world class education institutions. This is a pro farmer budget which will strengthen the vision of a new India.

SHRI SANJAY SETH: This is a Budget with a new vision for a new India, which emphasises the inclusive growth of youths, women, farmers, rural and urban areas. This Budget will strengthen the village economy, which focuses on employment generation. There is a special emphasis on women development.

„Nari Tu Narayani Yojana‟ has been announced. To make women self dependent, priority loan of rupees One lakh would be advanced to them under Pradhan Mantri

Mudra Yojana. Maximum No. of women groups are in Jharkhand, this will directly benefit Jharkhand. To give an impetus to self employment in rural areas apiculture and pisciculture have been brought under agriculture. 5.6 lakh villages are now open defecation free. For cities, this figure is 95%. The Government in the past five years has opened seven IIT‟s, seven IIM‟s and 14 IIITs. By 2024, every house is targeted to be given piped water through „Har Ghar Jal‟ scheme.

SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM: Since independence, for the first time a women Minister of Finance has presented the budget of the country for 2019-20. This budget is village, poor and farmer oriented. More number of Common

Facility Centers will be set up under Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of

Traditional Industries (SFURTI). The 1.25 lakh kilometer length of roads will be upgraded in the third phase of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. 1.95 crores houses with the facility of toilets, electricity connection and LPG are targeted to be allocated in the second phase of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin) during

2020 to 2021-22. The Government has encouraged women entrepreneurs through schemes like MUDRA, Start Up India, Stand Up India. Special emphasis is being laid on infrastructure sector. Development on the basis of PPP model in railway has been declared in this budget.

SUSHRI MIMI CHAKRABORTY: This Budget is a lackluster exercise filled with slogans and devoid of solutions. There has been a marginal increase in spending on welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Under the

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, 33 crore bank accounts were opened. However,

65 per cent of women either still lack a bank account or have accounts that have turned dormant. Women power is the only power towards development of any country and a nation. I request the Government please don‟t go for any further disinvestment rather make all the public companies global competitive. I urge upon the Government to allocate maximum budget towards real women empowerment. SHRI RAHUL KASWAN: The Government has decided to form a Sports

Education Board in this Budget. A track in playground and a stadium should be constructed in each school of rural areas under MGNREGA. The demand for rail lines by the common people in my Constituency between Sikar-Nokha,

Sardarshahar- Sadulpur- Taranagar, Sardarshahar- Hanumangarh, Adampur (Ber)-

Bhadra should be accepted to provide relief to them. Rail crossings and under- bridges should be constructed to provide passage in rural areas under Rail

Suraksha Kosh. The DPR for Sirsa- Churu National Highway is completed and work should be started on this. New National Highways between Sirsa- Sadulpur-

Jhunjhunu, Reengas, Lohani- Dungargarh have been declared. DPR should be prepared and work should be started on it. Effective policies should be made for the growing problem of stray cattles during the past few years. Lift irrigation is being practised in my Constituency. Necessary funds should be provided for the construction of diggi. All hamlets should be electrified through Solar Energy

Scheme. Farmers should be provided relief from loans by making effective schemes.

SHRI RAKESH SINGH: The Government is determined to provide electricity, gas connection and pucca houses to every family by the year of 2022.

Whether it is the occasion of the worship of the Goddess of Wealth, Lakshmi ji or the occasion of opening of new bahi-khata at home or shops, all the books of account are wrapped in a red cloth. The Government wants to mobilise resources to speed up the developmental works and so taxes have been increased. This budget is not only for the next five years but it is a roadmap for next 50 years.

People were busy in serving their own interest at the cost of national interest. They will not be able to get the same opportunity again.

SHRI MOHAMMAD SADIQUE: In this Budget, only dreams have been shown to dalits, poor, backwards, farmers, labourers which are unlikely to be fulfilled. The Government has done some good works also which we appreciate.

We are not like the ruling party which criticises one and all. Instead of criticising others they should mention their achievements.

SHRI MOHANBHAI KALYANJIBHAI KUNDARIYA: Till this day, farming is not accepted as a profession in this country. We have to welcome farming as a profession to make it more profitable and encourage it as other professions. SFURTI initiative will provide oxygen to the additional farm produces which act as a supportive form of income in vacant days of farm sector. The initiative enabled artisans and other workers to generate their employment by own.

ASPIRE scheme consolidate entrepreneurs to deal with the future of agro industry to ripe benefits from this futuristic mode of profit generation. Pan Card and

Aadhaar card interchangeable to file tax returns. One nation, one card for seamless mobility: This inter-operable transport card runs on RuPay card. Rs 70,000 crore for banks are proposed to provide banks with Rs 70,000 crore of capital to boost credit. Addressing water distress in the country and making JAL SHAKTI

MANTRALAYA for tackling this grave situation is a welcome step. GST rates have been eased. Low-cost digital modes of payments can be used to promote a cashless economy.

SHRI JASHVANTSINH SUMANBHAI BHABHOR: Till this day, farming is not accepted as a profession in this country. We have to welcome farming as a profession to make it more profitable and encourage it as other professions. SFURTI initiative will provide oxygen to the additional farm produces which act as a supportive form of income in vacant days of farm sector. This initiative enabled artisans and other workers to generate their employment by own.

100 incubators will be set up till 2019-20 to groove adaptability among youth to indulge in this initiative. Pan card and Aadhar card are interchangeable to file tax return. One nation, one card for seamless mobility: This inter-operable transport card run on RuPay card. Rs. 70,000 crore for banks are proposed to provide banks with Rs. 70,000 crore of capital to boost credit. Addressing water distress in the country and making JAL SHAKTI MANTRALAYA for tackling this grave situation is a welcome step. GST rates have been eased. Low cost digital modes of payments can be used to promote a cashless economy. SHRI RAVINDRA KUSHWAHA: Since the time this Government came to power in 2014, there is a check on corruption. Today, people are easily getting gas connections in the entire country particularly under Ujjwala Scheme more than six crore gas connections have been provided to the poor women. Similarly, today the entire country is getting benefited through various important welfare schemes which include Ayushman Bharat Yojana for health sector, Pradhan Mantri Jan

Aushadhi Yojana, setting up of AIIMS and medical colleges, Pradhan Mantri Jan

Dhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana,

Swachh Bharat Mission, Kaushal Vikas Yojana, Atal Jyoti Yojana, Farmer

Assistance Scheme etc. This budget will prove to be a milestone in making the country self-reliant. Under new education policy, a measure has been taken to bring change in education sector, make it job oriented and attract foreign students.

In order to provide employment to the youth, training would be provided to them under Skill Development Scheme and rebate in Angel tax to students starting new start ups would be provided. The National Sports Mission Board has been constituted to create employment in the country. There is a mention of providing jobs in agriculture sector under which 75,000 new agriculture entrepreneurs are proposed to be trained. The most important feature of this budget is to provide homes to all by 2022 and also water to all by 2024. This will make lives of the people better and it will bring a positive change in rural India. It will also bridge the gap between rich and poor and bring prosperity for all.

DR. NISHIKANT DUBEY: The key highlights of Union Budget 2019 are

Building Team India with Jan Bhagidari, making India a pollution-free, taking measures for water management, making rivers clean and achieving a healthy society via Ayushman Bharat and giving emphasis on MSMEs. Government wants to make India a 5 trillion dollar economy along with job creation. Massive push has been given to connectivity through Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana,

Industrial Corridors, Dedicated Freight Corridors, Bhartamala and Sagarmala projects, Jal Marg Vikas and UDAN Schemes. Public-Private-Partnership is proposed for Railway Infrastructure development. Power at affordable rates to states has been ensured under 'One Nation, One Grid'. Reform measures have been taken up to promote rental housing. Several measures have been taken to enhance the sources of capital for infrastructure financing. 1 trillion dollar has been added to Indian economy over last 5 years. India is now the 6th largest economy in the world. Structural reforms in indirect taxation, bankruptcy and real estate have been carried out.

SHRI C. R. PATIL: This Budget will benefit everyone, be it villages, poor and farmers. Hon. Prime Minister has a target of making the country a 5 trillion dollar economy which is quite possible through the steps taken by the Government. The biggest achievement of the Government is that the economy has achieved stability in the last 5 years. The fiscal deficit in the year 2014 was 6 per cent of the

GDP which has come down to 3.4 per cent into 2019. This is a very positive development. Today, we have achieved a respectable position in the world due to our strong economy. We spend more money on buying gold than the amount received as FDI every year which makes our country a little weaker. If we could be able to realise our dream of having a 5 trillion dollar economy it will certainly help the poor and the farmers of our country. The Budget has provided a relief to the small service providers and businessmen. The introduction of the Goods and

Service Tax has also provided benefit to all. The Surat based businessmen had made a demand to simplify the provisions in the GST Act and this demand has been fulfilled. I would like to request the hon. Minister to chalk out a way to get the stay on ITC 04 vacated. The diamond businessmen of Gujarat are also needed to be helped. The Government has taken a number of decisions like the changing the date of presentation of the Budget, bringing Bahi Khata instead of briefcase on the Budget day and the clubbing of the Railway Budget and the General Budget.

All these decisions are welcome. I would request the hon. Railway Minister to make financial provisions for the railway projects of my constituency. I also request him to increase the number of trains. SHRI KARADI SANGANNA AMARAPPA: Accepting of Aadhar for filing the ITR is one of the forward steps for the people, to file their ITR, they don't have the pan. Government is continuously working the high recovery of Current

Account Deficit. Under Pradhan Mantri Karam Yogi Maandhan government will provide the Pensions benefits to retail traders and small shopkeepers to boost them

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana is another one to establish robust fisheries management framework for the small fisherman and give a boost to fisherman's life. Under Bharatmala phase 2 which is to be launched the State road networks will be developed. In the Aviation sector developing India is in the wings to provide world's third largest domestic aviation market and cheap air journey to every citizen of India, 100 airports are operational under the UDAAN Scheme.

Koppal is very backward constituency and comes under the article 371 (J). The

UDAAN scheme is already announced for the Koppal airport but the matter is moving between the state and central government. I request you to take serious note of it. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, 1.5 crore rural homes have been completed another 1.95 crore houses are proposed for second phase. The

Union Budget reiterates the Governments intent to accelerate digitization in the economy. Incentivising digital transactions through measures such as a 2 percent charge on cash withdrawals from bank encouraging measures for start ups will boost digital entrepreneurship to increase digital literacy. DR. M. K. VISHNU PRASAD: Due to the adverse impact of this Budget, the Sensex and Nifty hitting two-year lows. This Budget is a big letdown to realistic allocation in the social sector, particularly health sector. The Finance

Minister should provide relief to the investors. The hike in excise duties on gold and fuel will have a cascading effect on other sectors. There is a need to give electricity and gas to every village household. I don't know, how the Government is going to achieve the target of a pollution-free India unless it comes out with a plan to reduce pollution. The Hon'ble Finance Minister has underlined that railway infrastructure would need an investment of Rs. 50 lakh crore in the coming 11 years and proposed that a public private partnership (PPP) be used to unleash faster development. There should be single-window system by which, these projects can be executed in a time-bound manner. The Government has given the slogan,

Drinking water in every house in every village by 2024. I want to know, why the

Government is not focusing its attention on the interlinking of rivers. The

Government should take measures and bring out a mission for conservation, promotion and protection of water and rain water harvesting. More hospitals need to be empanelled under Ayushman Bharat. The portability of the scheme should be there. GDP growth is very important for country's prosperity but the GDP Growth in the last three years slows declining trend. Under the flagship programme called

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 35 lakh candidates were enrolled whereas only 12 lakh candidates have been reported as placement given.

Lakhs and lakhs of unemployed youth are struggling to make their both ends meet.

Budget is unlikely to lift the farm sector. Zero-budget farming and cash crops won't help as the Government has to address the structural issues. The Government is giving Rs. 6000 a year to farmers, but that is not sufficient. This amount should be increased to at least Rs. 10,000 a year. India would become a five-trillion Dollar economy by 2024. For achieving this, we should have a GDP growth rate at minimum average of 12 per cent per year, over a period of 5 years. In the continuous decline of GDP growth rate, what is the blueprint that has been prepared by the Government for reaching this target? Some tourist centres have been selected to boost tourism. In Tamil Nadu, Mahabalipuram has been selected.

Gingee Fort which is one of the oldest Forts having heritage value should also be included. Silk Park in Arani should be set up.

DR. BHARATIBEN DHIRUBHAI SHYAL: The decision to upgrade 1 lakh 25 thousand kilometer roads in the rural and backward areas in the next five years is a historical decision. Provisions like safety of women and providing gas connections under the Ujjawala Scheme, facility of over draft upto 5,000 rupees under the Jan Dhan account etc have been made. Rs. 1 crore 95 lakh have been allocated under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in this budget for the proposed construction of new houses, toilets and equipping them with electricity and gas connections. Our Government has taken a resolve to make the country pollution free with a far-sighted approach. The country will move ahead in terms of export by achieving self-reliance in the production of food grains, fruits and vegetables.

The Ayushman Bharat Scheme will help set up a healthy society with a well nourished mother and child. GST has been implemented in a very structured way.

I support this visionary and effective budget.

SHRI DILIP SAIKIA: The Hon. Minister of Finance has set the fiscal deficit at 3.2 per cent which shows our Hon. Prime Minister's commitment to make the country's economy as the developed economy. The abolition of FIPB will boost

"Make In India". It will also uplift the rural economy give a boost to the farmers, the youth, the poor along with strengthening country's development. Several things associated with the interest of the poor, the farmers, the downtrodden, the deprived section and the lower middle class have been given a fillip in this Budget. This includes affordable housing and electric vehicles. Besides, measures have been taken to generate employment opportunities and strengthening the basic infrastructure, construction and the real estate sector to attract investment. The last

2-3 quarters have seen moderation in economic growth. The economic growth rate has been at its lowest at 6.8 per cent in the last financial year 2018-19. It is expected to be at 7 per cent during the current financial year in the economic review. In this budget, emphasis has been laid on strengthening the rural economy and developing the urban infrastructure. The initiative of the Government in the affordable housing schemes will provide employment opportunities to the semi- skilled and unskilled workforce. The provisions of capital tax gain in property and the real estate sector will ensure increase in revenue and transparency in the country. The emphasis of the Government on financial transactions above Rs. 3 lakh through cheque and digital medium will also ensure transparency in the system. Investment in the Railways up to Rs. 50 lakh crore will be helpful in the modernisation of the railways and making it world class. The budget allocation for the North-Eastern States which has been increased from Rs 39,000 crore to approximately Rs. 50,000 crore will facilitate development in these States. Three crore retail traders having less than one and a half crore turnover per annum will now be linked to the Pradhan Mantri Karm Yogi Man Dhan Pension Scheme.

Besides, there is a scheme to provide loans to the shopkeepers in only 59 minutes.

This budget is of reform, perform and transform.

SHRIMATI ANNPURNA DEVI: In this Budget steps have been taken to mobilize additional resources for maintaining fiscal balance. In this Budget for the upliftment of the poor and deprived section of the society and to give a boost to economic development, Budget allocation for Health, e-vehicle, Housing,

Education has been increased. Many tasks have been undertaken to increase the respect of women. 'Nari to Narayani' named scheme has been launched in this Budget so as to promote the partnership of women in areas as trade, industry and other administrative fields. In this Budget, there is a provision that women can take loan of 1 lakh rupees under MUDRA Yojana. Under Jan Dhan Yojana Rs.

5000 can also be taken. In Budget stress has been laid on the expansion and quality of Education. Rs. 94583 crore have been allocated on Education sector. Rs.

400 crore has been allocated for the expansion of Higher Education in this Budget.

For fulfilling the dream of House to every person, Government has announced to give house by the year 2022. Rs. 62,659 crore has been allocated in this Budget to provide health and medical facilities to the poor and rural people. The increasing import of petroleum products is having an adverse effect on foreign trade. To solve this problem, e-vehicles have been promoted for which an allocation of rupees 10 thousand crore has been made in this Budget. Rs. 6000 will be given to each farmer under Kisan Samman Nidhi. In this Budget, announcement has been made that on Kisan Credit Card interest free loan of Rs. One lakh will be given for five years. Water crisis is increasing in my parliamentary constituency Giridih and

Hazaribagh. I would like to urge the Government that steps should be taken to provide pure drinking water to these areas. In Kodarma, many works of railways are pending. Instructions should be issued for early completion of doubling of

Madhupur- Giridih- Kodarma railway line. Stoppage should be provided to

Siyaldah Rajdhani at Kodarma, Mumbai Mail- Intercity Express should be provided stoppage at Chaudhary Bandh Jammutavi Siyaldah Express, should be provided stoppage at Sharmatand. Purushottam Express should be provided a stoppage at Parsabad in public interest. A railway under bridge should be constructed near Moriyam village in railway Jhumri- Tilaya under Dhanbad

Division. Railway halts should be constructed near Sirjua and at Jharkhand dham on Kodarma to Giridih section. In Kodarma a mineral based factory should be set up. In my Constituency, there is a Tilaya dam. I urge the Government that dams should be constructed for providing irrigation facility to the area. In Kodarma mineral based industries should be set up to promote local development and employment. FM Radio and Doordarshan centres should be set up. A Magadh

Spun pipeline industry was set up in this area which is lying closed. This industry should be revived.

SHRIMATI QUEEN OJA: This budget meets the hopes and aspirations of women, men, small traders, students, fishermen and every person living in each village and city of India. The poor are getting houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas

Yojana. Today, women have got rid of the problem of defecating in open. The poor are getting rice at Re. 1 per kg in a proper manner. Today people of every cast and religion are getting old age pension in a better way. Today, lakhs of women are being assisted through Kanaklata Atmasahayak Yojana. The poor people can get their treatment through Atal Amrut Yojana and Ayushman Bharat

Yojana. The eligible persons in Assam are getting jobs under APSC.

DR. SANJAY JAISWAL: This Budget has strengthened the concept of

'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas aur Sabka Vishwas'. On the one hand, this budget boosts industrial development by taking measures to generate employment and on the other hand, it reflects the Government's commitment towards poor and underprivileged as provision of 3 lakh 29 thousand crores has been made for social welfare sector. In this Budget sufficient funds have been provided for strengthening basic infrastructure. This is the first budget that has a road map for the next 10 years. This is the first budget in which 2.2 per cent allocation has been made for the health sector. This is a concrete step to fulfil the promise which the

Government had made to the poor people regarding providing health facility under

Ayushman Bharat Scheme. Similarly, in this Budget allocation has been increased by 11,000 crore rupees for education sector. Particularly, by increasing the allocation by 5000 crore rupees for higher education, Modiji has made it clear that the Government wants India not only to become a global leader in software technology but also wants India to regain its place as 'Vishwa Guru' in the field of education. Rs. 100 lakh crore has been earmarked for expansion of basic infrastructure of the country in the coming years. The relaxation in conditions given to MSME sector and Start Up India to create new employment opportunities is an unprecedented step for India's economic development.

SHRI.B.Y. RAGHAVENDRA: The most striking feature of the budget is that it has announced various measures to bring structural and financial changes in the Indian economy to boost the infrastructure. The budget also focused on water, water management and clean rivers. Promoting Make in India initiative will be a big boost to create job for unemployed youths of the country. Agricultural sector has suffered a lot due to water crisis and drought. My state Karnataka is reeling under severe drought for the last one and a half decades. I urge upon the Union

Government to come to the rescue of the farmers, who are reeling under the severe drought situation in Karnataka by extending financial support. I would like to draw the attention of the Union Government towards problems of plantation sector.

Growers of the plantation crops are in a pathetic condition for various reasons.

The rubber growers submitted their representation for seeking reduction in the quantity of the import of rubber as it would save the domestic rubber growers from the distress. As far as coffee growers are concerned they are demanding to abolish the rule 7 B (1) of the Income Tax Rules to enable the small scale coffee growers to sell their produce directly after the curing. However, the Union Government has not made any positive announcement in the budget to fulfil the demand of the coffee and rubber growers of the country particularly in the state of Karnataka. I would like to congratulate the Government for encouraging the MSME sector which ensures the job creation in the country as MSME sector covers 99.3% of the companies. As far as health care is concerned the union budget has allocated Rs.

62,659.12 crores. It includes Rs. 6400 crores allocation for Ayushman Bharat

Scheme. I welcome this initiative of the NDA Government as it will be a very big step in addressing the health care issues of the country. I congratulate the

Government that infrastructure remains its pride of place amongst the

Government's priorities. The Union budget proposed to invest Rs. 50 lakh crore in the Indian Railways by the year 2030. I welcome this move. There is an urgent need to upgrade the railways infrastructure to meet the global standard. The Union

Budget has made several announcements for the overall development of the village, poor and farmer. The NDA government has made all the efforts for all- round development of the minority communities. I would like to suggest the

Government to give emphasis to bridge the gap between mainstream school and education and madarasa school system.

SHRI RAMDAS TADAS: In this Budget, an important provision has been made to provide pension to around 3 crore shopkeepers and retailers whose annual turnover is less than Rs. 1.5 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Karma Yogi Maan

Dhan Scheme. Additional deduction of upto Rs. 1.5 lakh for interest paid on housing loan, on purchase of house upto Rs. 45 lakh is a welcome step taken by the Government for middle class people. Fisheries management framework will be established by the Department of Fisheries through Pradhan Mantri Matsya

Sampada Yojana for improving business of fishery. The Government has taken a decision to provide 7 crore new connection by expanding Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala

Yojana. Under the third phase of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, 1,25,000 kilometer long road will be upgraded in the next 5 years with the estimated cost of

Rs. 80,250 crore. The decision of the Government for setting up of the National

Sports Education Board for the development of sportspersons under Khelo India will prove to be a milestone. The Government propose to develop state road network in the second phase of Bharatmala Project. Overall, it is a very good and inclusive budget.

KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE: The Budget ignites a spirit of hope that India can become a 5 Trillion Dollar economy in the coming years. The

Budget has set the stage for fulfilling our collective dreams of water for every citizen, ensuring electricity connectivity across India and boosting manufacturing especially in sunrise sectors. The Budget will enable India to become a more vibrant start-up hub. I hail the Budget as a path breaking Budget which sets out a clear path for accelerating private investment driven economic growth for India. I term the Budget as balanced, progressive and growth oriented. Inspired by the mantra of „Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Vishwas‟, the Budget has not only outlined the vision for New India but it is also focused on bringing a qualitative change in people‟s lives. The expansion of Swacch Bharat Mission and Solid

Waste Management in villages will further strengthen the ongoing cleanliness drive in the country. The proposal of 70 thousand crore rupees capital investment in Public Sector Banks will help them making „lending easy‟. In a bid to further empower women and encourage women entrepreneurship, the Finance Minister proposed to expand the women Self Help Group (SHG) Interest Subvention

Programme in all districts. Outlay for welfare of SCs, STs and the poor and allocation for defence sector has been increased in the Budget. The Government has proposed to increase budget allocation for the Ministry of Agriculture and

Farmers Welfare to double farmer‟s income by 2022. To ensure Minimum

Support Price (MSP) in times of steep fall in rates, the Government has proposed to increase the allocation by 1000 crore to 3000 crore rupees for intervening in the market in such times under the Market Intervention Scheme and Price Support

Scheme (MIS-PSS). To harness the potential in the fishery sector, the Government proposes a Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Government has given a massive push to all forms of physical connectivity through Pradhan Mantri

Gram Sadak Yojana, industrial corridors, dedicated freight corridors, Bharatmala and Sagarmala projects, Jal Marg Vikas and UDAN Schemes. The New National

Educational Policy will be brought in to transform Indian educational system. Government has encouraged compliance by making the process of filing tax returns more convenient. IT returns can now be filed, using either Aadhaar card or

PAN card. It is appreciable that the fiscal deficit has been brought down from 3.4% to 3.3%. Our Government has taken all round steps for the empowerment of women, farmers, Scheduled Castes, oppressed and the underprivileged sections of the society.

SHRI SANJAY KAKA PATIL: The Government has focussed on women welfare. Housing for All is proposed to be provided under PM Awas Yojana.

Farming related private entrepreneurship would be encouraged and waste management facility is proposed to be provided in every village. The Government has provided LPG connections to the poor women.

In this Budget Excise Duty has been increased by 1 rupee per liter on petrol and diesel and 5% Custom Duty has been imposed on imported books. Defence equipments have been exempted from Custom Duty. GST has been reduced from

12% to 5% on electric vehicles. 3% surcharge has been imposed on individuals having taxable income of Rs. 2 crore and 7% surcharge on individuals having income of 5 crore and above. Heavy tax rebates have been proposed for Start-

Ups. Financial assistance of 70 thousand crore is proposed to be provided for public sector banks. Labour Laws have been simplified. Swachh Bharat Yojana is proposed to be implemented in the country. 1.95 crore houses are proposed to be constructed for poor. Greater focus has been given on village, poor and farmers.

100% FDI has been proposed in Insurance sector. Power sector and small scale industries are proposed to be encouraged.

SHRI SHANKAR LALWANI: The Budget has emphasized on mobilization of resources through disinvestment and spending it on schemes for welfare of common man. In this Budget, special attention has been paid towards infrastructure as this sector has maximum potential of employment generation. The projects relating to upgradation of infrastructure will bridge the gap between urban and rural areas. Interest on home loan has been reduced to create demand in the market and boost real estate business in view of slow down in certain sectors.

Modernisation of railway stations and encouraging clean environment are significant initiatives. The Budget has included several measures like setting up

Social Stock Exchange, Zero Budget Farming, Study in India, Schemes for Self

Help Groups and encouraging purchase of electronic vehicles.

SHRI NARENDRA KUMAR: This Budget is not only beneficial for village, poor, labourer, businessman and common man but will prove a milestone in the building of New India in coming years. I have requested to set up a

Agricultural college in Agriculture Science Centre of Abusar-Jhunjhunu keeping in view of women literacy and growing interest of girls in agriculture. I demand for an Airport for my Constituency. Kindly increase the number of trains from Jhunjhunu to Jaipur-Delhi, long distance trains should be run on this line and increase the frequency of it. The work of national highway should be expedited.

SHRI PARBHUBHAI NAGARBHAI VASAVA: Agriculture section has been given an important place in Union Budget. Government is formulating a scheme to provide pensions to small traders and women. Jal Shakti Ministry has been constituted. Our Government should give priority to Antyoday in all its endevour. Fisheries and fisher folks have been included in agriculture. Pradhan

Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana has been formulated.

SHRI SUNIL KUMAR SINGH: This budget is foundation of development of new India. In this budget exemptions have been given in Income Tax to small tax payers especially middle class, salaried class, pensioners and senior citizens.

Income upto Rs. 5 Lakh is fully exempted from Income Tax and exemption on

Income Tax on interest of housing loan upto 45 Lakhs has been increased. In this budget a new scheme “Pradhan Mantri Karamyogi Mandhan Yojana” has been announced under which provision of pension for 3 crore retail and small shopkeepers would be made. This budget promises to provide electricity and cooking gas to every rural household by 2022 under Ujjwala Yojana and

Shaubhagya Yojana. In this Budget announcement has been made about Pradhan

Mantri Matasya Sampda Yojana for promoting fisheries. In this budget an allocation of Rs. 8025 crore has been made under PMGSY-III for upgradation of 125000 kms roads. 10,000 new Farmers Producers Organizations will be set up in next 5 years. Jal-Jivan mission under the Ministry of Jal Shakti will be launched under which water will be supplied to all rural households by 2024. In this budget

“Nari to Narayani Yojana” has been announced for empowering women. More than 81 Lakh houses will be constructed under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana urban with an investment of Rs. 4.83 Lakh crores. „Study in India Program‟ has been launched which will attract foreign students to study in higher education institutions in India. National Sports Education Board will be established under

Khelo Bharat Yojana. Loan upto Rs. 1 Lakh will be provided to 1 woman in each

Self-Help Group under Mudra Scheme.

Construction work of Chatra-Gaya Rail Line and Barwadih-Chirimiri Rail

Line projects in my constituency should be completed at the earliest. Latehar,

Barwadih-Tori and Chhipadohar Railway Stations should be upgraded to Model

Stations and passenger amenities should be provided there at the earliest. Railway over-bridge should be constructed at Chandwa-Dobhi Path near Tori station and

Latehar- Saryupath near Latehar Station should be constructed. Railway foot- overbrides at Barwadih Junction and Chhipadohar and Mahuamilan Station should be constructed. All the tourist sites in my parliamentary constituency should be linked to Railway network to promote tourism. This budget is pro-farmer, pro-rural people, pro-youth, pro-women and pro-middle class. SHRI C. P. JOSHI: This Government is committed towards nation building. Many steps have been taken in the last 5 years so that income of farmers could be doubled by the year 2022. This time an announcement has been made in the budget about “Zero Budget Farming”. Under “Pradhan Mantri Samman Nidhi” a scheme has been launched to give Rs. 6000 as assistance amount to family of farmers every years. Approximately 2 crore new houses are going to be built in villages during the next 3 years under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Till now loan of 2 Lakh crore has been disbursed to 3 crore women of rural areas under Rashtriya

Ajivika Mission. 100 new Bamboo, Honey and Khadi clusters are going to be established during 2019-20. Water will be made available to every household by the year 2024. Government is going to convert 1 Lakh villages into Digital

Villages.

SHRI HEMANT TUKARAM GODSE: After 5 years of building the background, this budget has finally brought agriculture and rural prosperity to the forefront. Government‟s focus on MSME is the need for the hour. 100 new clusters, livelihood incubators, technology business incubators, promotion of bamboo, honey and khadi, skill development foundations for jobs-led rapid growth. For agriculture and allied areas, promoting use of eNAM, 10,000 new

FPOs, promotion of zero budget farming model, etc, are big ideas. Government‟s allocation for water security is an unquestionable need. Water is an acute problem in my area too. In addition to last mile supply infrastructure, it is important to invest especially in large river linking projects. Namami Gange is an incredible effort. We need to replicate our learnings in it for Namami Godavari too. Strategic divestment of our PSEs is a good method to raise resources but we need to promote performance culture in these PSES. Government is working on consolidating labour laws into four codes. Enabling employees is a major need and what can be bigger enabling than helping them enhance their skills. We will adopt the new

Education Policy soon. Education needs humongous investment Creating 17 iconic tourism sites is a good idea. I come from a very gifted region for tourism development and people in my region have huge hopes with us. I also come from a region with significant tribal population and I am so proud that our government has decided to create even a tribal repository.

DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT: Union Budget 2019, is designed to boost infrastructure, aid the economy and promote foreign investment in the backdrop of the impending economic slowdown. There was also an announcement on a loan worth Rs. 1,00,000 for women under the Mudra Scheme. Allocation of

Rs. 400 crore have been made for higher education. Reforms will be implemented to improve governance in PSBs. The Government will be reinitiating Air India's strategic disinvestment process and it will be offering more Central Public Sector

Enterprises (CPSEs) so that there is vital participation of the private sector. The Budget specified the Government's initiative to invest widely in agriculture infrastructure. As a part of the Digital India initiative, farmers are encouraged to get benefits of e-NAM. It has also been mentioned that ease of doing business and ease of living should apply for farmers too. Another aspect is the concept of Zero Budget Farming. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, focus has been made on water management at the local level. On the GST front, the Budget has declared a reduction in tax rates from 18% to 12% on specified agricultural, horticultural, forestry, harvesting and other threshing machinery. In Budget it is proposed to set up of a TV programme on Doordarshan exclusively for start-ups.

All in all, the Union Budget 2019 aims to take the Indian economy to the $ 5 trillion mark, empower women, start-ups, farmers and agriculture.

SHRI KHALILUR RAHAMAN: This is a directionless Budget. The disinvestment of 42 CPSUs will be a disastrous for our country. The Agricultural growth rate has come down to 2.3% and the growth of manufacturing, mining and industrial sectors are all at negative state. The agricultural laburers and peasants are committing suicide. The unemployment has reached to 6.1% and 110 crore working persons have been retrenched from the job. The revenue deficit, fiscal deficit, Bank frauds and NPAs are increasing. The economy does not give benefit to minorities, SC, ST and poor people of the country. The industrialists and rich people are getting full benefit from this Government. I strongly oppose the Union

Budget.

SHRI S. C. UDASI: The Budget is a futuristic one which provides a coherent roadmap for sectors that will drive growth and innovation among our citizens. The emphasis on clean energy and cashless transactions are also steps in the right direction. The Budget has set the stage for fulfilling our collective dreams of water for every citizen, ensuring electricity connectivity across India and boosting manufacturing especially in sunrise sectors. The Budget will enable India to become a more vibrant start-up hub.

The vision „One Nation One Grid‟ for electricity and a similar plan for gas grids, water grids, i-ways and regional airports is indeed ambitious. The Budget focus on gaon, garib and kisan. Pension benefit to be extended to around 3 crore retail traders and shopkeepers with an annual turnover less than 1.5 crores under

Pradhan Mantri Karam Yogi Maan Dhan Scheme is a good step. The Education

Budget 2019-20 looked very impressive with special focus on research and skill development along with plans to set up a Higher Education Commission.

The Budget 2019-20 is the Budget for building New India. The Budget will strengthen the poor and will create a better future for the youth of the country. The

Budget will accelerate the pace of development in the country and will greatly benefit the middle class. The Budget will simplify the tax process and help in modernizing the infrastructure in the country. The Budget will strengthen the enterprises as well as the entrepreneurs. The Budget will further increase the participation of women in the development of the country. The Budget has a roadmap to transform the agriculture sector of India. Announcements of relaxing

FDI norms in several sectors have been made and measures to boost public and social infrastructure such as electricity and housing have been proposed. The fiscal deficit has been brought down from 3.4% to 3.3%. Government has taken all round steps for the empowerment of poor, farmers, Scheduled Castes, oppressed and the underprivileged sections of the society.

SHRI KAMLESH PASWAN: The Government is committed to serve on the lines of Antyodya that is reaching to the last man in line. Over the next 5 years the Government aims to make India a 5 trillion dollar economy. Under the

Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan Internet connectivity in local bodies in every Panchyat under Bharat Net would bridge the urban rural divide.

The Government is committed for making the farmer‟s income double by 2022 and introducing the concept of Zero-Budget Farming. The Government aims to make the entire country ODF by 2nd October, 2019. Importance has been given to Water

Management and Conservation in the Budget. The Government believes in empowering and uplifting the women of our society by expanding the existing Self

Help Group Welfare Programs and schemes such as Mudra, Stand UP India etc. The Government has given a boost to electric vehicles, several relaxations have been made to promote the citizens to switch to this mode which is a step towards a greener environment. The Government has proposed to offer the interchangeability of PAN and AADHAR to simplify the process for the taxpayers. It is commendable that NPAs of commercial banks reduced by over Rs.1 lakh crore over the last year and the domestic credit growth rate surged to 13.8% is at its highest in seven years. Efforts have been made in the Budget to ease the working in the start-up system and also a large number of schemes and programmes have been bought up in the MSME sector to fasten the overall growth to Make in India with a view to create opportunities to generate employment. The Government promotes the view of „Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas‟.

SHRIMATI POONAMBEN HEMATBHAI MAADAM: This Budget focuses on „gaon, gareeb and kisan‟. Agriculture sector contributes to around 17-

18 percent to the country‟s GDP while employing more than 50 per cent of the total workforce in India. The total allocation for agricultural and allied sectors for

2019-20 has seen about an increase of 72-75 per cent in budgetary allocation over the interim Budget. To provide neem coated urea, increase in MSP and distribution of soil health cards are some of concrete steps taken for the economic growth of farmers. An investment of Rs.4.56 lakh crore has been infused into the infrastructure sector. So far, the present Government has constructed a total of 28,531 kms national highways since FY 2014-15. One time fund infusion scheme has been introduced which aids in resurrecting languishing projects. Health sector jobs are set to increase in due course with rolling out of Ayushman Bharat scheme.

The Government has completed the target of 100% rural electrification and electrified every household under DDUGJY. The new education policy will transform the higher education system in India as one of the best global education systems; focus on research has been made by creating National Research

Foundation. Study in India program will attract foreign students to study in India.

National Sports Education hub has been set up for development of sportspersons under Khelo India scheme. 3 crore 30 lakh poor mothers and daughters have benefited from the Ujjwala Yojana. To encourage women enterprise, women self- help group (SHG) interest subvention programme to be expanded to all districts.

Rural sanitation coverage has increased from 34% to 98% during 2014-18. About

19 crore loans have been given for self-employment under MUDRA and this scheme will now be expanded to 30 crore people. Further, in this budget one woman in every SHG is to be made eligible for a loan up to Rs. 1 lakh under the

MUDRA Scheme. For the first time every pension benefit extended to three crore retail traders and shopkeepers under Pradhan Mantri Karma Yogi Maandhan

Scheme. DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR: This budget has been prepared mainly focusing on common men, farmers, women, youth and employment. This budget is very significant to promote rural economy. This budget is a concrete step towards building a new India. The special feature of this budget is to provide house, toilet, gas, Ayushman Bharat, electricity to poor in village alongwith supply of water to every household.

SHRI PASHUPATI NATH SINGH: This budget focuses on middle class empowering the agriculture, Dalits, farmers, opperesed and very helpful in development of the country. Many provisions have been made regarding welfare of retail traders. A scheme of Rs. 3000/- pension to retail traders above the age of 60 years have been made. Besides loan application of retail traders will be sanctioned in 50 minutes. Government has already provided 10 percent reservations in jobs and promotions to the economically weaker sections of General category.

Government has provided concession of Rs. 3.50 lakhs on interest on house loans on the houses costing upto Rs. 45 lakhs. Announcement of constructing 1 crore and

95 lakh houses in coming two years in the country have been made. This Budget will effectively work to solve the housing problem in the country. Our Government have allocated Rs. 672,659 crores on health sector, which is 19 percent more than the previous year. To promote Aurvedic, Unani and Indian medicine system, Rs.

1939 crores have been given to Ayush Ministry, which is 15 percent more than the last year. To increase revenue, higher taxes have been proposed on super rich in this budget. Government has promoted use of electric vehicles to reduce dependence on import of petroleum products, for that, tax rebate on interest of upto

Rs. 1.5 lakhs on bank loans for electric vehicles has been provided. Alongwith it, on purchase of e-vehicles, rebate in income-tax is given. Work to increase participation of women shall be done. Now women can withdraw Rs. 5000/- from

Jan Dhan Scheme.

SHRI RITESH PANDEY: We are opeining our capital markets to foreign investment, but Foreign investors want consistency and stability. If you are putting up government bonds and stocks, then investors need to know accurate data on government performance. So you need to ensure that reliable date is available on the economy. Without trust, there can be no inflows of foreign investment.

SHRI SUDARSHAN BHAGAT: I represent Lohardagga Lok Sabha parliamentary constituency of Jharkhand state; It is necessary to give a special emphasis on following aspects for development of this region: To construct more check dams and ponds in this region by rain water harvesting; to establish food processing and value addition units for agriculture and forest products; to construct

Ranchi-Lohardagga-Gumla-Jashpur-Korba railway line and doubling of Ranchi-

Lohardagga-Tori railway line; to open more skill development centres;to establish more “Eklavya Adarsh Awasiya Vidyalayas”;to establish bauxite based industries;to establish Institutions of technical education;to renovate Lohardagga bypass and national highways and to give more emphasis on road construction works to connect villages with cities; I support this development oriented budget.

ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH: The Budget turned out to be a disappointment, as it totally ignored the real issues of the economy. Employment creation has no space in the vision for the decade. The Government has not done any assessment of employment generation through FDI. The budget failed to address the issue of farmer debt. The decision to increase the cess and excise duty on fuel will cause further rise in the price of essential commodities. The recent outbreak of viral diseases like Acute Encephalitis Syndrome(AES) and the death of more than 150 children in the country was a national shame. Government‟s flagship project

„Smart City‟ did not find a mention in Finance Minister‟s speech. There was no financial allocation for SAGY and no mention has been made in the Budget also.

The socio-economic backwardness of the coastal-belt is appalling. The issues of coastal people are not addressed. The wages paid under MGNREGA remains below the minimum wages in many states. The demand to raise MGNREGA wages has not been considered. There is clear discrimination against the state of

Kerala. The flood hit state is struggling for reconstruction. AIIMS has been denied to the state. Railway development of the State is also ignored. The Budget also neglected the rubber farmers and no assistance provided for price stabilization. THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND MINISTER OF CORPORATE

AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI NIRMALA SITHARAMAN) replying said: There was an Interim Budget for 2019-20 which was presented in the Parliament on 1st

February, 2019. It was effective till 31st July, 2019. As a result, this Budget which is now being passed is essentially to keep the continuity post 31st July. I wish to draw the attention of the hon. Members that this is the second Budget after the implementation of the Goods and Service Tax from 1st July, 2017. I want to emphasise that two years after the GST implementation, the amount that have been spent under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes is far higher than what it was earlier.

The Budget reflects the Government's commitment to boost investment in agriculture and social sector particularly in education and health. The Government is also committed to the path of fiscal consolidation without compromising on the requirements of public expenditure placed by the various sectors. This has been achieved through prudent rationalisation of expenditure and mobilisation of additional resource. The Budget estimates clearly show increase in Government's expenditure. The Gross Tax receipts have also increased. This Budget gives a big picture of what we want to do in the 10 years. Even as it does roll out the 10 year vision, we have kept ourselves a mid-decadal target, which is the US$5 trillion economy. Towards it, we spoke of effectively bringing a good cycle towards investment, generating more jobs and making India a manufacturing hub. The Foreign Direct Investment Policy sees further liberalization. The corporate tax has been lowered. The Government has also increased the scope of voluntary pension scheme for retail traders and shopkeepers. The Government has given a push to infrastructure development of the country. There is also the scheme for funding, upgradation and regeneration of traditional industries. The custom duty on certain raw materials and capital goods has been reduced. We have ensured that cash transfers under the PM-Kisan Samman Yojana are available for all farmers throughout the country. So, if we have set the target of US$ 5 trillion economy, we are also taking very strong steps for promotion of growth. The growth rate of nominal GDP for 2019-20 in the Budget Documents has been projected at 12 per cent whereas it has been projected at 11 per cent in the Economic Survey. Both the projections are consistent with each other. Quite a few Members have raised the issue of National Disaster Relief Fund. The Central Government provides funds through the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) which is a cess based fund meant for providing relief of immediate nature in case of natural calamities, which is given to the States. National calamity Contingency Duty (NCCD) is levied to finance the NDRF and additional budgetary support is provided as and when necessary. Eventual to implementation of the GST, collection on account of the

NCCD is on the lower side and, therefore, Gross Budgetary Support is being provided to supplement the requirement in this respect. In addition, funds are also allocated under the State Disaster Response Fund(SDRF) as Finance Commission grants. The share of the Central Government in the SDRF shall be remitted to the

State Governments in two installments, in June and December, in each financial year. There is a feeling that the Centre has not released the funds but these are the two mileposts for releasing of such funds. The Banking System in the country has been operating against very severe challenging backdrop. The problems in the banking sector have even more aggravated due to the stressed non-performing assets, (NPAs). This Government came up with the 4-R strategy - Resolution,

Recovery, Recapitalizing and Reforms thereby trying to reduce the NPAs. A remarkable change has been brought in the credit culture through the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. The Securitization and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interests Act was also amended to make it more effective. These are the steps taken towards addressing the issue of NPA. Some

Members have said that no mention of agriculture has been made in the Budget

Speech. I was surprised to hear this because if I have elaborated much during my

Budget Speech, it was for the agriculture sector and farmers welfare. We are looking at a comprehensive solution for agriculture related matters. Our

Government has developed a strategy for doubling farmers income. The country now produces foodgrains totalling 289 million tonnes, horticulture export is 385 million tonnes and 180 metric tonnes of milk is now being produced in the country. The Universal Soil Health Card Scheme and promotion of neem coated urea have helped the farmers a lot. With the adoption of new MSP Policy in 2018, all the commodities for which MSP is notified have seen a big jump in the MSPs. Market reforms have been our policy's cornerstone. We had provided for a non-budgetary corpus fund of Rs. 2,000 crore to supplement the budgetary allocations and accelerate the pace of coverage under the e-NAM and the GrAM. So, it is not just the farmers' income but also the agri-export that shall double by 2022 because of our policies. We have rolled out the PM-KISAN under which Rs. 6,000 is annually transferred to every farmer. We are now working on a pension scheme for all the farmers under the scheme called Pradhan Mantri Maan Samman Yojana.

Greater focus is given on Crop Insurance Scheme. It is our Government that took the Swaminathan Commission seriously and started implementing the recommendations since 2014. Questions were raised that Mahatma Gandhi

National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) does not get money adequately. A lot of work has been started on Zero Budget Farming. MGNREGS and PMAY are demand driven schemes. In 2018-19, the Budget Estimates in

MGNREGS was at Rs. 55,000 crore. The allocations were enhanced at the RE level of Rs. 61,084 crore. The Budget allocation for MNREGS can be augmented at the RE stage. PMAY beneficiaries are almost being fully covered. PMAY-

Urban involves overall increase of about Rs.340 crore. The Consumer Price Index has come down steadily to 3 per cent now. Food inflation has come down to 0.3 per cent. Allocation to the umbrella schemes like Scheduled Castes, Scheduled

Tribes, minorities development, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana, Pradhan

Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, National Rural Drinking Water Mission, National

Programme for Mid-Day Meals in schools, ICDS, Mission for National

Livelihood, Aajivika, Crop Insurance has been substantially increased. Besides, the amount for distribution of pulses to the States/UTs and welfare schemes have also been increased. There would be Common Mobility Card and Model Tenancy

Law. 1,592 critical blocks spread over 256 districts have been identified for the Jal

Shakti Abhiyan. A decision to bring in Labour Codes has already been embarked on. The allocation for North-East Development has also been increased by 25.5 per cent. As much as Rs.3.02 lakh crore has been allocated for subsidies. The

Budget is 100 per cent above board. Every aspect of the economy has been given priority. Zero Budget pertains to farming only. Fiscal Deficit has already been spoken about. Landless labourers are covered under PSYMS. Capital Adequacy and BASEL norms referred to by the Members will be pondered over separately.

In terms of „Har Ghar Jal‟, admittedly a good number of states have done a lot of experiments but the Government is going to roll it out at the national level. The

Government would, of course, like to work in tandem with states.

The discussion was concluded. STATUTORY RESOLUTION

Re: Disapproval of the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre Ordinance,

2019 (No. 10 of 2019)

AND

THE NEW DELHI INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION CENTRE

BILL, 2019

SHRI ADHIR RANJAN CHOWDHURY moved that this House disapproves of the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre Ordinance, 2019

(No. 10 of 2019) promulgated by the President on 2 March, 2019.

THE MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE; MINISTER OF

COMMUNICATIONS AND MINISTER OF ELECTRONICS AND

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD) moving the motion for consideration of the Bill, said: The Government is very keen that India should become the big hub of domestic and international arbitration. The New Delhi International Arbitration Centre is basically designed to give international arbitration centre and eminent institutions of global importance. Acting upon the recommendations of the Justice Srikrishana

Committee, this move has been undertaken. The Government is very serious about fast tracking the arbitration proceedings. Therefore, this Bill has been introduced in the House. SHRI ADHIR RANJAN CHOWDHURY: The intention of this legislative document is noble. India has a long tradition of arbitration. The Bill actually is simply a new incarnation of ICADR. Mere alternation of name will not suffice the purpose. The fact remains that the experience of fast track courts in our country is dismal. We do not have requisite infrastructure for the quick resolution of disputes. There is a severe lack of judicial officers in our courts starting from

District Courts to the Supreme Court. So, we need to have this infrastructure in place before contemplating to turn India into an arbitration destination. The

Government should conceptualize National Arbitration Policy. This will strengthen Indian judicial institutions. The Government should be careful on the issue of control mechanism. According to the Bill, the Central Government is the appointing authority of members of NDIAC. Arbitration Centre accounts are proposed to be audited by the C&AG. The Government should provide a body which maintains the sanctity of arbitration. A neutral decision-making body is a must to make it a success. The Bill only addresses the administrative issues relating to NDIAC. If you want to compete with the other contemporary international institutions, first of all it must be competitively priced. Ease of Doing

Business has to be established. You are talking about the streamlining of this institution. The powers of appointment of arbitrators have been vested with the Act under Section 11 of the Act. Act itself covers all aspect of arbitration. The Government is exhausting all its resources to project India as an international arbitration destination. We are supporting it. But does this kind of institution need any kind of Ordinance in order to give it a shape? That is why I am opposing the way you are resorting to the path of Ordinance.

SHRIMATI MEENAKASHI LEKHI: The Government tried to study every aspect of litigation. The aim was to make India the hub of commercial litigation. If India wants to progress economically, if India wants to be a global leader, then disputes related to money and finance need to be handled in an efficacious manner. It is for this reason that all amendments in the economic restructuring had to happen. The entire administrative structure has been changed to identify areas where work can take over. Globally, we are standing at 178th rank, out of a list of 189 countries in ease of enforcing contracts. We are seeking global investment when we stand at this position. We have improved upon ease of doing business. But ease of enforcing contracts still remains a dream. In this particular Bill, there is a permanent structuring. By replacing the Ordinance and bringing it as a Bill, the Government is trying to make it a statutory structure. By virtue of making a statutory structure, we will be making it as an international

Centre of Excellence. This is a Government which is working with a plan. The plan is to enhance gross inputs and gross revenues and filling the gaps so that all the leakages stop. The Government is focusing on multi-lateral treaties also. This centre will be working as a composite centre dealing with all aspects. I am surprised to know that big industrialists go for arbitration, they choose London,

Singapore, Stockholm or Hong Kong over Delhi. And parties are all Indians there.

Why is business going out of the country? It is because of the enforcement aspects.

Infrastructure to the cost of litigation will be taken care of. Ease of doing business will also be taken care of. So, this is a policy move which will change the environment and the eco-system in which commercial litigation and also commercial development happens.

PROF. SOUGATA RAY: New Delhi International Arbitration Centre Bill,

2019 is an important Bill, but this is not an emergent Bill. I do not like any

Government taking the Ordinance route without coming to parliament. Arbitration is definitely a better way of dealing with contract disputes because disputes linger on in court. Many contracts are given to foreign companies. So, if there is a dispute between the two, the Government and the foreign company, arbitration is called for. They would prefer to go for arbitration abroad. We would like to have the arbitration here. The Bill also speaks of setting up of an arbitration academy where people will be trained as to how to arbitrate. All these are good ideas. Arbitrations have become necessary because the Government has not been able to unclog the country's courts. The situation in domestic arbitration is very bad. Arbitration is the need of the hour. The Government talks so much about ease of doing business. But if the matters get clogged in courts, then what will be there as ease of doing business. I support the efforts of the Minister to unclog the system.

SHRI KANUMURU RAGHURAMA KRISHNARAJU: It is a very welcome step to have this New Delhi International Arbitration Centre in lieu of the

International Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution set up in 1995 under the

Societies Act. There is noting wrong to come with an Ordinance for a Bill which is already delayed. Our hon. Minister has to take so many effective steps for bringing eminent people into the system. So that all the disputes can be resolved in time. A majority of litigations are with the public sector undertakings. We will have to see how we will boost the confidence of the investing community. This is very much required to as a real international hub. Then we can also have our offices in

Singapore and London where we get such type of business. In the interest of the

Indians, we should have a wonderful International Arbitration Centre and it should be totally autonomous and cost-effective.

SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT: While supporting the New Delhi

International Arbitration Centre Bill, 2019 I must say that it is a very good provision. People often file PILs in the Courts or in NGT and create hindrances in the development works. This Centre will help in speedy resolution of disputes on various schemes. There should be a provision in this bill that decisions on the cases referred to arbitration should be time bound because referring the case to arbitration increases the project cost. Through this Bill the Hon'ble Minister is going to appoint the experts in this field along with the judges of Supreme Court and High Courts. I wish him success. With the rising population of Delhi such a law is needed to keep up the importance of Delhi.

SHRI PINAKI MISRA: I rise to support this Bill the government has brought into this House. I just want to flag one issue before the government. In this session of Parliament, this is the fifth or sixth Bill that is coming which has been passed by the Lok Sabha and has lapsed because of dissolution of the 16th Lok Sabha. I think the time has come that this kind of criminal waste of public money now must be avoided in future. Para 3 of the Objects and Reasons of this Bill says that the

International Centre for Alternate Dispute Resolution which was set up in the year

1995 with Government funds to promote alternate dispute resolution mechanism has however not been able to achieve the objectives. This really ranks as a gross- understatement. Something has seriously gone wrong and I think a forensic audit ought to be done to see what went wrong, why it went wrong. Why two Indian

Parties, which are locked in arbitration, go to Singapore with retired Indian

Supreme Court judges and senior Indian Advocates for an international arbitration?

It is because despite the amendments that we have made to our Indian Arbitration

Act, there continues to be too many loopholes. I would urge the hon. Law Minister to bring another amendment because Section 15, Section 28 and Section 29 of this Act are really the operating provisions and the rest are all about taking over the assets of this defunct organisation. I commend the Government for making all-out attempts to bring ease of business into India and to make India an attractive hub for arbitration but a lot more needs to be done.

SHRI JAYADEV GALLA: I rise to support the Bill since it is a very crucial

Bill to build our country into a global hub for arbitration. In spite of having so many positives in this Bill, right from the institutional framework to making this an institution of national importance which gives autonomy to it, there are some ambiguities and drawbacks. The first one is, the Central Government is the appointing authority for the members of the NDIAC and a periodic contributor to its funds. But the problem is, investors adopting alternate modes of dispute resolution prefer a neutral decision-making body. The second is, the Bill is dealing only with administrative issues and leaving aside the procedural framework on how to settle disputes, timelines for completion of arbitration proceeding, etc. The third point is that it is not going to be easy sailing for NDIAC. The total number of cases taken up by the ICADR since its inception in 1995 till 2016 is just 49. But, at the same time, if you look at SIAC in Singapore, it has handled nearly 350 cases in

2016 alone and ICC in London has handled 966 cases. This clearly indicates whom the NDIAC is up against. So, we have to be doubly cautions in giving a framework to NDIAC. My final point is that there is no mention about setting up of regional centres. Regional centres are very important for the success of NDIAC. I request the hon. Minister to set up one regional centre at Amaravati in Andhra Pradesh to cater to the needs of South India.

DR. SHASHI THAROOR: We support very much objective of the Bill. We want India to be a destination for international arbitration. But we have issue with the content in the text of the Bill. We need a credible centre. The fact is that if we want companies to come here, it must meet the highest possible standards and this is where the Bill disappoints. When you are looking at international arbitration, you are certainly looking at institutional arbitration and there we have to overcome the inefficiencies of the past. Now, the more bureaucratic the nature of the Centre and the more Government control there is, unfortunately, the less attractive it is going to turn out to be to others. We have seen this already with the Chinese

Arbitration Centre of CIETEC which is unfortunately very similar to what our

Government has come up with. I would like to urge some specific suggestions.

One is on autonomy. Clause 11 of the Bill states that the general superintendence, direction, control and management of affairs shall be vested either with the Central

Government or with the custodian appointed by the Central Government. This is a mistake. The second one is flexibility of rules. Arbitration Proceeding Rules have to be amended very, very often. So, I would suggest to exclude the Arbitration

Rules from the set of rules which require parliamentary sanction under the clause and show that you are responsive to the needs of the clients. Finally, in reaching the highest standards, statistics must be maintained as all the other prominent arbitration centres do and transparency must be absolutely essential. Sadly, there is very little reference to transparency in the Bill. So, my suggestion is that while your objectives are very laudable and we must make India an arbitration destination, your bill does not go far enough. My advice would be to either include these additional points and bring back the Bill. If you insist on passing it today, because we do not want to oppose it, let me say at least include these suggestions and points in the arbitration and conciliation law which is also lapsed and which you need to bring back to this House.

SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI: I would request the Government to simplify litigation by providing fixed timelines for resolution of disputes. Alternative

Dispute Resolution Mechanism and Fast Track Courts should be promoted.

Adjournments should be limited and stays should be reduced. The Government should introduce pre-trial conferences. The courts should impose stricter timelines for deciding cases. As our judiciary is overloaded we have created other entities for resolution of disputes. The Government is taking over the entities which were set up with the support of the State Governments. The Government should be impartial and must stay away from this particular Centre. SHRI E.T. MOHAMMED BASHEER: It is a very useful move to establish the Delhi International Arbitration Centre. Arbitration is getting popularity especially in national and international commercial agreements. Pro-arbitration approach of Indian Judiciary is also praiseworthy. The acceptability of this centre should be based on its creditability and cost and time effectiveness. Procedural rules should be scientific, faster and updated. We must have a pool of potential arbitrators. The most important thing is that while selecting the arbitrators, trustworthiness, efficiency and time management expertise will have to be considered. With such qualities we can have the best institution in the world.

SHRI N. K. PREMACHANDRAN: I rise to support the Bill and oppose the

Ordinance route of the legislation. I would like to urge upon the hon. Law Minister that instead of brining a piecemeal legislation, let us have a comprehensive legislation on all aspects. The sole purpose of this Bill is to have the change in law in tune with the commutable changes. Yes, we do agree that the ease of doing business has drastically changed. We also appreciate that India's position has greatly improved. The main focus issue is the quality of the arbitrators.

THE MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE; MINISTER OF

COMMUNICATIONS AND MINISTER OF ELECTRONICS AND

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD) replying said: At the very outset, let me highlight why we had to come with this Bill. India is becoming a big investment centre and the fastest growing economy of the world and alternative dispute redressal is an important component of this process. We want to tell the world that we are very committed to bring about this legislation. India must strive to become a global hub of domestic and international arbitration. The Shri Krishna Committee sated to make this centre as a centre of international eminence and to make India a hub of institutional arbitration.

Globally institutional arbitration has become the order of the day. Even in India, 35 institutions have started working. London and Singapore have become important well-known centres, but to become a global hub of institutional arbitration we must have a mechanism in place, which can properly accredit the institutions as to which institutions are doing well or which arbitrators are of good quality. So far as bilateral treaty is concerned, I attended certain international conferences. South

Africa has walked out. Mexico and Brazil have walked out. These arbitration proceedings are imposing heavy damages upon small countries, which they can't afford. For instance, in one case, only 100 million were to be invested; they invested five million. All the small countries said that this is too skewed proceedings in favour of big power. None of these bilateral treaty proceedings ever gave any big award against any big American or European company. I have been speaking that this kind of new imperialism in arbitration will not be acceptable.

India have very good arbitrators, very good judges, very good lawyers. I wanted India to become a good centre for arbitration disposal mechanism. Since 1995, till last year end, only 55 cases were referred to them; 44 cases were disposed of ; 10 are pending, and only four are of international arbitration. The Government will appoint the head, a retired Supreme Court Judge or a retired High Court Judge, in consultation with the Chief Justice of India. Second is to have two eminent arbitrators, who have experience in that. Third is to have the law Secretary and someone from finance. The Centre shall establish a Chamber of Arbitration, which shall empanel an arbitrator, and also scrutinies the application for admission in the panel of reputed arbitrators to maintain a permanent panel of arbitrators. The

House is completely right that the success of this institution will depend upon the kind of arbitrators they keep. We really want this Institution to emerge as a global hub of international and domestic arbitration. The autonomy, flexibility, everything would have to be there. In enforcing the contract, the biggest problem was Specific

Relief Act where damage was the norm, performance of contract was exception.

We changed that also. Now, a party in the wake of any recalcitrant party, can get the contract executed by a third party and recover the amount them. Now, the damage is the exception. I would like to talk about the commercial court, that the system giving the Ease of Doing Business benchmark. You have norms for disputes amounting to Rs. 1 crore or Rs. 2 crore. Now, we have also reduced that to Rs. 3 lakh and we have set up good commercial courts all over the country. In commercial court, no one can go to the court straightway unless you need injunction etc. Today, taking the benefit of this great, sacred floor of the

Parliament, I would like to appeal to all the arbitrators in India that if India has to emerge as a global centre of eminence, we have to be honest, we have to be expeditious, and we must need to understand the changing profile of India. The global community of investors, clients, and professionals are also seeing today that

India's Parliament, the Lok Sabha, has risen in support of India becoming a centre of arbitration.

The Resolution was negatived.

The Bill was passed.

SNEHLATA SHRIVASTAVA Secretary General

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

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