______∗SYNOPSIS OF DEBATE ______(Proceedings other than Questions and Answers) ______Tuesday, December 11, 2012/Agrahayana 20, 1934 (Saka) ______OBITUARY REFERENCE

MR. CHAIRMAN: Hon. Members, I refer with profound sorrow to the passing away of Shri G. Swaminathan, a former Member of this House, on the 9th of December, 2012, at the age of 80 years. Born in December, 1931, in Tamil Nadu, Shri Swaminathan had his education at Presidency College and Madras Medical College, Chennai. A businessmen, Shri Swaminathan was associated with several social welfare organizations. He served as President of the Sri Besant Lodge (Theosophical Society) and Chairman of the Voluntary Health Services, Thanjavur. Shri Swaminathan started his legislative career as a Member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Council in 1968 and continued as a ______∗This Synopsis is not an authoritative record of the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha.

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Member till 1986. He also served as Deputy Chairman of that Council from 1978 to 1980 and again from 1984 to 1986. Shri G. Swaminathan represented the State of Tamil Nadu in this House for two terms -- from June, 1986 to June, 1992 and again from June, 1992, to June, 1998. He served as a Member on the Panel of Vice-Chairmen, Rajya Sabha, from 1986 to 1988. He also served as the Chairman of the Committee on Papers Laid on the Table from July, 1996 to June, 1998. Shri Swaminathan had also participated in various international conferences and was a member of several parliamentary delegations. In the passing away of Shri G. Swaminathan, the country has lost a distinguished parliamentarian and a noted social worker. We deeply mourn the passing away of Shri G. Swaminathan. (One Minute’s silence was observed as a mark of respect to the memory of the departed.) ______OBSERVATION BY THE CHAIR Mr. Chairman: Hon. Members, a situation has arisen in which the Chair has to watch helplessly the disruption of the Question Hour very frequently. I, therefore, propose to call a meeting of the Rules Committee and put before the Members of the Committee two options. One, that the Question Hour be moved to another part of the day. Two, since Members don’t seem to attach very grave importance to the questions being answered, the Question Hour be dispensed with altogether. ______

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MATTERS RAISED WITH THE PERMISSION OF THE CHAIR I. Reported Lobbying by Walmart for Entry in India SHRI M. VENKAIAH NAIDU: We have been asking the Government to agree to a discussion, and also a response from the Government, followed by an independent, high-level inquiry into this serious issue. We have got a copy of the Disclosure Report submitted to the US Senate by the Walmart Company. The Report says that they have spent around $25 million since 2008 on various lobbying activities, including on issues related to enhanced market access for investment in India. So, we would like to know what happened in India and why this sort of thing has been reported to the US Senate. The money is spent in America. That means it becomes all the more serious. The money is spent on American law makers to pressurize India to take a particular decision of allowing FDI in India. It is questioning the sovereignty of the nation. SHRI SITARAM YECHURY: This is a serious matter. Lobbying in our country is not legal. There should be an inquiry into this whole matter. We are moving a separate notice for a discussion under Rule 176 on this issue. So, you please accept the notice and let there be a structured discussion on this issue. DR. V. MAITREYAN: It is an assault on our sovereignty. THE MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND THE MINISTER OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT (SHRI KAMAL NATH), responding to the matter, said: We too have learnt from press reports of the reported disclosure by Walmart on lobbying in various countries, including India. The Government views this with as much concern as what you have. We are not running away from that concern and have no hesitation in having an inquiry on this as much as it concerns amounts spent by them in India. We want to get to the facts of this matter. We are open for a discussion. I would, during the course of the day, make a further announcement on this towards this step.

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II. Spread of Dengue Epidemic in India SHRIMATI KANIMOZHI: I would like to bring to the notice of this august House about the dengue epidemic, which is reaching shocking levels in this country. Why have we not been able to control the cases and why have we not been able to take preventive measures? Why is there such a steep increase in the levels of dengue? The number of lives lost this year is 227, the highest in the last five years, across the country and there are so many unreported cases as well. There is no information about what really the Government is doing about it. The number of detections is 9,249 at the end of November and the number of dead is 60 in the state of Tamil Nadu and there are so many unreported cases. Chennai has become a place of overflowing garbage and dustbins. I want to know if the Central Government is following up with the State Government about what action they have been taking. III. Suspension of Indian Olympic Association (IOA) by the International Olympic Committee (IOC)

SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA: I want to draw the attention of the Government towards the temporary suspension of Indian Olympic Association by the International Olympic Committee. This news is very unfortunate for the country and particularly for sports community. How we will participate in Olympics and many other issues have arisen as well. This happened due to stubbornness of the Government. The government tried to increase its say in IOC and Sports federations through sports directives, 2011. International Olympic committee has protested it strongly and said that as per the Olympic charter Government or no one has no right to intervene in functioning and decisions of IOA or other sports organisations. SHRI ANIL DESAI: Interference by the Sports Ministry is the main objection taken by the International Olympic Committee which should be taken into account by the Government of India (Smt. Maya Singh, Dr. Chandan Mitra , and Shri Basawaraj Patil, Shri Tarun Vijay associated)

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IV. Directive Issued by U.A.E. to 18,000 Workers of Andhra Pradesh to Leave the Country SHRI C.M. RAMESH: There are lakhs of people from Andhra Pradesh and other states working in different countries in various sectors. Now, in the present case, more than 18,000 workers working in the UAE are asked to leave the country within three months. Otherwise, as per the order, they would be sent to jail. The first problem being faced by these workers is that their passports are taken away. Secondly, they are paid once in six months. Thirdly, agents and companies ask workers to work and assure them that they take steps to extend the period of their visa/work permits. The point to be noted here is, the UAE is asking only Indians to leave when workers from other countries are permitted to stay there. As a result of this, the workers and families are worried very much. In view of the above, I request the Government of India to immediately take up the issue with the UAE authorities through diplomatic and political channels and ensure that our workers are given visa/work permits to work there. If they wish to come to India, necessary arrangement be made. SHRI M. VENKAIAH NAIDU: I request the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Shri Rajeev Shukla, to please take note of this, convey it to the Overseas Indian Affairs Minister and then see that something is done in this matter. It is not a question of Kerala or Andhra Pradesh or Tamil Nadu. Thousand of poor people who have gone there for their livelihood are being driven out. Somebody should come to their rescue. (Shri Tapan Kumar Sen, Shri Kumar Deepak Das, Shri P. Rajeeve, Shri Avinash Rai Khanna, Shri K.N. Balagopal and Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad associated.) THE MINISTER OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS (SHRI VAYALAR RAVI): The report has come to us some days ago. We asked for the report from the Ambassador and we gave the instruction to give them all the help. I decided to waive whatever

82 money given by them to my Ministry. Then, I wrote to the External Affairs Ministry and Minister of Civil Aviation to make necessary arrangements. In case, we have to bring them back, I am ready and I informed everybody accordingly. At the level of the Government, we can try to persuade the UAE Government to allow them to stay there with visa and to also allow them to work with their sponsor or employer. I hope the External Affairs Minister will also take it up. V. Complaint against the IRP Personnel Deployed at Zanskar Sub-division of Kargil District, Jammu and Kashmir

SHRI TARUN VIJAY: I want to draw the attention of the Government towards the plight of Budhdhist community in Zanskar. They live under the freezing temperature. This whole area is adjacent to Chinese border. These are nationalist people. Religion of four families of this community has been converted forcibly last month. People of this community have been beaten by DSP of IRP battalion when they were protesting the fishing in their sacred lake, The Mansrover while fishing is prohibited there. Females of the community are severely injured in that incident. I demand to the Government that an enquiry should be conducted in this regard and conversion of religion should also be stopped. (Shri , Dr. Chandan Mitra, Shri Faggan Singh Kulaste, Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot, Dr. Bharatkumar Raut, Shri Raghunandan Sharma, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, Shri M. Rama Jois, Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad associated) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI RAJEEV SHUKLA): It falls in the domain of the State Government. We will convey the feelings of the Members to the concerned State Government.

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VI. Indian Hostages Held by Somalian Pirates SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR: On 17th March this year, an Indian ship, MT Royal Grace, was hijacked by Somalian pirates in the Nigerian waters. Seventeen Indians and other crew members were taken hostage with the ship. Even after eight months of this incident, family members of these people have no information about them. Now the owner of the ship has arranged for the ransom amount demanded by the pirates for the release of the hostages. This crises can be resolved if the Ministry of Shipping synergizes its efforts with the Ministry of External Affairs to approach the Nigerian Government officials. I urge the Government to urgently take action on this humanitarian issue to expedite the release of these hostages without any further delay. SHRI K.N. BALAGOPAL: The family members of the hostages met the Defence Minister and Prime Minister and they were arrested and beaten up in front of the office of the External Affairs Minister and they also put up a dharna here. (Shri P.Rajeeve and Shri Shashi Bhusan Behera associated.) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI RAJEEV SHUKLA), responding to the matter, said: I will bring the matter to the notice of the External Affairs Minister and a provision has been made by which several countries, in a coordinated way, try to act against pirates and save the lives of such people. ______

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SPECIAL MENTIONS I. Concern over Shameful Scenario of Abuse of Elders DR. GYAN PRAKASH PILANIA: In a study conducted by Help Age India on abuse of India's elderly conducted across 20 cities has found that almost 32 percent of them have faced abuse. The son and daughter-in-law have been found to be the primary abuser in most of the cases. The study report which was presented on the International Day of Older Persons stated that more than 50 per cent of those abused had faced it for more than five years. Around 80 per cent of them did not report the matter to uphold family honour. In nearly 30 per cent senior citizens had faced abuse, the primary perpetrator of abuse was the son in 60 per cent cases. In Delhi, 76 per cent of those abused did not report it. In 2011, Delhi’s rate stood at 12 per cent. In view of the above shameful scenario of elderly abuse in the country I would urge the Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment to undertake corrective measures. II. Need for Revival of Hindustan Photo Films, Ooty SHRI D. RAJA: The Hindustan Photo Films is the only public sector undertaking in the backward district of Nilgiris in the State of Tamil Nadu. The Hindustan Photo Films was inaugurated by Shrimati Indira Gandhi in 1967. It is a unique photographic goods manufacturing industry which is the only of its kind in India and one among the six companies available in the world. It has contributed significantly to the nation, particularly in health and defence sectors. After the introduction of liberalization, the company incurred losses and was declared sick during 1996. During the past 16 years, many efforts were made for its financial restructuring.

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Presently, a revival proposal based on the report of Consultants has been submitted to the Government which has been duly considered by the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industry, the Board for Reconstruction of Public Sector Enterprises and the Committee of Secretaries and it has been recommended for approval to the CCEA. In the CCEA meeting held on 23rd August, 2012, the revival proposal of HPF has not been approved. HPF’s products are mainly supplied to the health sector with medical X-Ray and to the defence sector with industrial X-Ray and Ariel films. If the technology is not protected, the nation has to depend upon multinationals in the health and defence sectors for these important products. I urge upon the Government to ensure the revival of HPF or press for merger with the Defence Ministry, Government of India, in the national interest. (Shri Tiruchi Siva, Shri Tapan Kumar Sen, Shri T.K.Rangarajan and Dr. V. Maitreyan associated.) III. Need for Establishing a Kendriya Vidyalaya at Yadgir District in Karnataka SHRI BASAWARAJ PATIL: Several years back, the Yadgir District in Karnataka was formed, dividing the old, Gulbarga District. But, up till now, no Kendriya Vidyalaya has been started in the Yadgir District. There is a demand for the said Vidyalaya at the district headquarter. I would request the hon. Minister of Human Resource Development, to take the initiative immediately to start the process for establishing a new Kendriya Vidyalaya, and make it functional from the next academic year, that is, 2013-14, itself, which will minimize the pressure on the Gulbarga Kendriya Vidyalaya.

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IV. Need to Regulate the Advertisements Pertaining to Fast Food Items SHRI ISHWAR SINGH: Whether Central Government is considering any proposal for fast food chains to ban their advertisements themselves as our children and youths are being addict to fast food. Today, it has become favourite of every child. It is harmful to physical and mental development and spreading diseases. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India was established in the year 2006. It has to prescribe the standards for advertisements of various food items and also for their production, storage, distribution, sale and import. Whether this Authority has achieved its goal? I demand that the concerned Ministry should take necessary steps to ban the advertisements of fast food. V. Need to Release Funds for Welfare of Scheduled Tribes Students in Madhya Pradesh SHRI KAPTAN SINGH SOLANKI: The amount to be released by the Central Government to Madhya Pradesh for different schemes related to the welfare of Scheduled Tribe students in the State is still pending which in turn affecting the works related to the welfare of these students. As a result the Schemes related to them are also pending. The amount pending for year 2011-12 under Post Metric Scholarship Scheme operated by the Central Government has not been released till date. I request the hon. Minister to release the amount to Madhya Pradesh for the said welfare Schemes as early as possible so that the welfare schemes meant for the welfare of the Scheduled Tribe students could be completed at the earliest. VI. Need to Check Increasing Number of Dengue Cases in Tamil Nadu SHRIMATI VASANTHI STANLEY: I would like to raise the matter regarding prevalent cases of dengue in Tamil Nadu.

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Dengue is emerging as an infectious disease across various districts in Tamil Nadu, including Madurai and Cuddalore and people of the state are badly affected from this disease. So far, deaths from dengue have been highest in Tamil Nadu on the national level. This year 8482 cases of dengue have been reported and 54 deaths caused due to this in Tamil Nadu. I, urge upon the Government to take immediate steps for eradication of this disease ensuring adequate number of test centers for confirming the diagnosis of dengue. (Shri Tiruchi Siva associated.) VII. Need to Give Special Package for Coconut Farmers in the Country SHRI P. RAJEEVE: Coconut farmers in the country are facing serious problems due to the fall in price of coconut and coconut oil. Majority of the farmers are forced to sell coconut at Rs. 3 a nut. The production cost has increased drastically due to the increase in the expenses on fertilizers, electricity and other expenses. The increase in import of palm oil is acting as one of the main factors for fall in prices of coconut oil and nuts. The import duty charged for palm oil is very low and in addition to this, Government has given Rs.15 per kg. subsidy for palm oil. In order to give relief to the lakhs of coconut farmers I urge upon the Government to increase the import duty on palm oil and withdraw the subsidy given to it and also declare a special package for the revival of coconut farming in our country. (Shri D. Raja, Shri K. N. Balagopal, Shri M. P. Achuthan, Shri Shashi Bhusan Behera and Dr. K. P. Ramalingam associated.) VIII. Need for Early Release of Additional Funds Allocated for Himachal Pradesh by the Thirteenth Finance Commission SHRIMATI BIMLA KASHYAP SOOD: I wish to draw the attention of the Government towards the fact that all the allegations leveled against the Himachal Government during the recent Elections

88 about not spending the amount released under Central Assistance, are altogether baseless and wrong. From 2008-09 to 2011-12 the Himachal Government not only spent the whole amount given by the Central Government but also got the Best Performing State Award for different development programmes in the state during this period. I urge upon the Government to release 5214 crore rupees as additional funds allocated for Himachal Pradesh by the Thirteenth Finance Commission at the earliest. IX. Need for Introduction of a Train between Kutch and Hyderabad SHRI MOHD. ALI KHAN: I would like to draw the attention of the Government to the need of introducing a direct train between Kutch and Hyderabad. Since 1960 many Telugu speaking people have been setting down in Kutch with their families. They continuously visit their homes in Andhra Pradesh. They have to face many difficulties, especially women and children, as there is no direct train. It takes a lot of time and also proves costly for them by going through changing the train. Hence I request Hon. Rail Minister that keeping in view the justified demand of passengers a direct train should be introduced between Kutch and Hyderabad. It will not only give relief to millions of passengers but also generate handsome income for railways. X. Need to Make Stringent Laws to Check Crimes against Women in the Country SHRI AVTAR SINGH KARIMPURI: Despite having sufficient provisions in the Indian constitutions, the dignity, security and rights of women have not been ensured till now. The incidents of killing of women, dowry exploitation, rape and acid throwing are being repeated daily. In Thomson Reuters Foundation Global Pool India has been placed at fourth place in the list of most dangerous countries for women in the world. And this is the ground reality that women are treated as a commodity in our male dominating society.

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I urge upon the Government to make stringent laws to check crimes against women in the country. (Shri Shashi Bhusan Behera associated.) XI. Need to Declare Urdu as Second Official Language and include it in School Education

CHAUDHARY MUNABBAR SALEEM: I would like to draw the attention of the Government towards Urdu language that was originated and developed in India. The Urdu slogan ‘Inqlab Zindabad’ had created sensation among the freedom fighters. The news papers such as ‘Al- Hilal of Maulana Azad and ‘Quami Awaz of Nehruji taught the countryman the importance of Indian independence. Urdu is a public dialect fraught with the feelings of brotherhood and secularism. Urdu is not a language of a particular religion. So, I urge upon the Government to declare Urdu as second official language and set up a Central Commission or Council for its development. Besides, financial resources should also be provided therefor. Special efforts should be made for its encouragement and education in schools at the central level. (Shri Ram Kripal Yadav, Shri Shivanand Tiwari, Shri Naresh Agrawal, Shri N.K.Singh and some hon'ble members associated.) XII. Need to Resolve the Problems of Recruitment and Promotion of Staff and Teachers in Allahabad University in Uttar Pradesh SHRI ARVIND KUMAR SINGH: Allahabad University was given status of Central University by the Parliament on 14th July, 2005. But its 11 affiliated colleges remain undeveloped. For last seven years promotion of 110 teachers and recruitment of new teachers could not be done. About 40 per cent posts are vacant. In several departments there are no teachers at all. Future of about 30,000 students is in dark. Due to no promotion, teachers are facing economic losses and mental torture. And due to these reasons their work performance capacity is getting affected. I demand that the promotion process of 110 teachers pending for last seven years in affiliated

90 colleges of the university should be completed immediately. Teachers and staff should be appointed on the large scale vacant posts immediately. Post-graduate classes should be started and proper attention should be paid on the development of affiliated colleges. (Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi associated.) XIII. Need to Take Necessary Steps to Stop Brain-Drain of Doctors at AIIMS, New Delhi SHRIMATI KUSUM RAI: AIIMS is a leading health institute of the country. As per estimate 10,000 patients come here for treatment daily. But there is acute shortage of doctors here. Out of 600 sanctioned posts 200 posts of doctors are vacant. During the last 10 months 7 specialist doctors have left their job in AIIMS. Due to the shortage of doctors health of poor patients is being neglected in the entire institute. I demand from the Government to take necessary steps immediately to stop brain-drain of doctors from AIIMS. (Shri Jai Prakash Narayan Singh associated.) XIV. Need to Take Steps to Stop Crimes against Women and Girls in Delhi

SHRIMATI MAYA SINGH: In view of the increasing crimes against women and girls in Delhi the Hon’ble Supreme Court has advised the Government to take stringent steps in this regard. The records of National Crime Record Bureau show the sharp increase in the crimes against women day by day. The incidents of sexual exploitation, eve teasing or other incidents of violence related to sex occur with about 2 out of every 3 women. Girls in the age group of 15 to 19 years are most effected. For women Delhi is becoming hell. I demand that the Government should take all necessary steps to stop the increasing crimes against students, young girls and women and protect their right to live with honour and dignity provided by the constitution.

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XV. Need to Take Steps for Development of People Belonging to Bagdi Gadia Lohar Community to Bring Them into Mainstream of the Society DR. RAM PRAKASH: The situation of posterity of followers of Maharana Pratap is like nomads. Today they are known as wandering Bagdi Gadia Lohar. They earn their livelihood by making agricultural equipments and other needy items of the farmers. Due to industrialization the coming of MNCs in the markets now danger has arisen of loosing their ancestral work. They don’t have any home, shop, ration card, voter I- card and neither there is any arrangement for education of their children nor any security of their future. I request the Government to take all necessary steps to bring this community in the main stream. This wandering community should be declared ST. They should be given loan on the minimum interest for business. Their colonies should be settled. Arrangement should be made for free education of their children upto 10th class. Their Voter I-card should be made and they should be provided all civil facilities. (Dr. Vijaylaxmi Sadho, Shri Vijay Jwaharlal Darda, Shri Husain Dalwai, Shri Mehendra Singh Mahra, Shri Ashk Ali Tak and Shri Ishwar Singh associated.) XVI. Need to Include People Belonging to Certain Casts in SC/ST Category in Bihar SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV: Association of Teli caste is fighting to be included in most backward caste or SC list in Bihar. Choupal, Khatve and Dhadhi want to be included in the SC list. Lohar, Noniya, Mallah want to be included in the ST list. Kumhar, Turha, Tatwa, Tanti, Kanu, Dhanuk and other castes want to be included in the SC list. I request that after consultation with the State Government procedure of bringing Bill should be started to accept the demand of mahasangh of these castes.

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XVII. Need to Enhance Minimum Support Price of Paddy for 2012-13

SHRI : is an agrarian State. Paddy is the main crop of the State. The farmers of Odisha are demanding a higher Minimum Support Price of paddy. Odisha had requested for having a minimum support price of Rs. 1400 per quintal. The same has not been considered for the Kharif marketing season 2012-2013. The Minister of Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare had also followed it up. I would like to draw the attention of the Government to enhance the minimum support price of Rs.1400 per quintal for paddy in the interest of the farmers of Odisha. (Shri D. Raja, Shri Shashi Bhusan Behera and Dr. K. P. Ramalingam associated.)

SHUMSHER K. SHERIFF, Secretary-General. [email protected]

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