THURSDAY, THE 31ST JULY, 2003 (The Rajya Sabha met in the Parliament House at 11-00 a.m.) 11-47 a.m.$$ (The House adjourned at 11-47 a.m. and re-assembled at 12-30 p.m.) 1. Starred Questions Answers to Starred Question Nos. 161 to 180 were laid on the Table. 2. Unstarred Questions Answers to Unstarred Question Nos. 1177 to 1331 were laid on the Table. (The House adjourned at 12-30 and re-assembled at 2-00 p.m.) 2-00 p.m. 3. Papers Laid on the Table Shri Arun Jaitley (Minister of Law & Justice and Minister of Commerce & Industry) on behalf of Shri Arun Shourie laid on the Table:—

I. A copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following papers under sub-section (1) of section 619A of the Companies Act, 1956:— (a) Annual Report and Accounts of the Balmer Lawrie Investments Limited, Kolkata, for the year 2001-2002, together with the Auditor's Report on the Accounts and the comments of the Comptroller and Auditor General of thereon. (b) Review by Government on the working of the above Company. II. Statement (in English and Hindi) giving reasons for the delay in laying the papers mentioned at (I) above. Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar (Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour)on behalf of Shri Sahib Singh Verma, laid on the Table:- I. A copy (in English and Hindi) of the Ministry of Labour Notification No. N- 12/13/3/2002-P&D dated the 27th March, 2003, publishing the Employees State Insurance (General) (Amendment) Regulations, 2003, under sub-section (4) of section 97 of the Employee’s State Insurance Act, 1948. ______$$ From 11-00 a.m. to 11-47 p.m. some points were raised. RAJYA SABHA II. A copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following papers:— (i) (a) Forty-third Annual Report and Accounts of the Central Board for Workers Education, Nagpur, for the year 2001-2002, together with the Auditor's Report on the Accounts. (b) Review by Government on the working of the above Board. (c) Statement giving reasons for the delay in laying the papers mentioned at (a) above. (ii) Statement regarding consideration of the ratification of the ILO Protocol, 1990 to the Night Work (Women) Convention (Revised), 1948, to provide flexibility in the matter of employment of women during night.

Shri O. Rajagopal (Minister of State in the Ministryof Defence and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs) on behalf of Shri Satyabrata Mookherjee, laid on the Table a copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following papers:— (a) Annual Report and Accounts of the Institute of Applied Manpower Research, New , for the year 2001-2002, together with the Auditor's Report on the Accounts. (b) Review by Government on the working of the above Institute. (c) Statement giving reasons for the delay in laying the papers mentioned at (a) above.

Shri Shripad Yesso Naik (Minister of State in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways) laid on the Table a copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following Notifications of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, under section 10 of the National Highways Act, 1956:—

(1) S.O. 1215 (E) dated the 20th November, 2002, regarding acquisition of land for widening of National Highway-5 on the land stretch from Km. 290/400 to Km. 359/000 (Vijayawada-Visakhapatnam Section) and Km. 2/800 to 29/000 (Visakhapatnam-Bhubaneshwar Section) in the district of Visakhapatam in Andhra Pradesh, along with delay statement.

31ST JULY, 2003 (2) S.O. 172 (E) dated the 13th February, 2003, regarding acquisition of land for widening of National Highway-5 on the land stretch from km. 11/0 to km. 52/8 (Madras-Vijayawada Section) in the district of Thiruvallur in Tamil Nadu, along with delay statement. (3) S.O. 173 (E) dated the 13th February, 2003, regarding acquisition of land for widening of National Highway-5 on the land stretch from km. 274/000 to km. 354/000 (Chennai-Vijayawada Section) in the district of Prakasam in Andhra Pradesh, along with delay statement. (4) S.O. 174 (E) dated the 13th February, 2003, regarding acquisition of land for widening of National Highway-5 on the land stretch from km. 11/0 to km. 52/8 (Madras-Vijaywada Section) in the district of Thiruvallur in Tamil Nadu, along with delay statement. (5) S.O. 280 (E) dated the 12th March, 2003, regarding acquisition of land for four laning of National Highway-5 on the land stretch from Km. 290/400 to km. 359/000 (Vijayawada-Visakhapatnam Section) and Km. 2/800 to Km.29/000 (Visakhapatnam-Bhubneswar Section) in the district of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, along with delay statement. (6) S.O. 281 (E) dated the 12th March, 2003, regarding acquisition of land for widening of National Highway-5 on the land stretch from km. 290/400 to km. 359/000 (Vijaywada-Visakhapatnam section) and from Km. 2/8 to km. 29/0 (Visakhapatnam-Bhubneswar Section) in the district of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, along with delay statement. (7) S.O. 282 (E) dated the 12th March, 2003, regarding acquisition of land for widening of National Highway-5 on the land stretch from km. 290/400 to km. 359/000 (Vijayawada-Visakhapatanam Section) in the district of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, along with delay statement. (8) S.O. 300 (E) dated the 17th March, 2003, regarding acquisition of land for widening of National Highway-5 on the land stretch from km. 123.025 to km. 152.000 (Vijayawada-Visakhapatanam Section) in the district of West Godavari in Andhra Pradesh, along with delay statement. (9) S.O. 301 (E) dated the 17th March, 2003, regarding acquisition of land for widening of National Highway-5 on the land stretch from km. 164/400 to km. 211/166 (Vijayawada-Visakhapatanam Section) in the district of East Godavari in Andhra Pradesh, along with delay statement. RAJYA SABHA (10) S.O. 400 (E) dated the 4th April, 2003, regarding acquisition of land for widening of National Highway-5 including construction of by- pass in the stretch from Km. 223.000 to Km. 225.000 (Gudipadar to Suvani section) and Km. 233.000 to Km. 284.000 (Ichapuram to Ganjam Section) in the district of Ganjam in Orissa, along with delay statement. (11) S.O. 401 (E) dated the 4th April, 2003, regarding acquisition of land for widening of National Highway-5 including construction of by- pass in the stretch from Km. 233.000 to Km. 225.000 (Gudipadar to Suvani Section) and Km. 233.000 to Km. 284.000 (Ichapuram to Ganjam Section) in the district of Ganjam in Orissa, along with delay statement. (12) S.O. 402 (E) dated the 4th April, 2003, regarding acquisition of land for widening of National Highway-5 including construction of by- pass in the stretch from Km. 223.000 to Km. 225.000 (Gudipadar to Suvani Section) and Km. 233.000 to Km. 284.000 (Ichapuram to Ganjam Section) in the district of Ganjam in Orissa, along with delay statement. (13) S.O. 403 (E) dated the 4th April, 2003, regarding acquisition of land for widening of National Highway-5 including construction of by- pass in the stretch from Km. 223.000 to Km. 225.000 (Gudipadar to Suvani Section) and Km. 233.000 to Km. 284.000 (Ichapuram to Ganjam Section) in the district of Ganjam in Orissa, along with delay statement. (14) S.O. 457 (E) dated the 22nd April, 2003, regarding acquisition of land for building, maintenance, management and operations of Allahabad bypass in respect of land stretch from Km. 158 to Km. 245 (Kanpur-Varanasi Section) on National Highway-2 in , along with delay statement. (15) S.O. 469 (E) dated the 25th April, 2003, regarding acquisition of land for building, maintenance, management and operations of Deesa-Radhanpur Section in respect of land stretch from Km. 372/600 (Deesa) to Km. 447/000 in the district Boundry Patan on National Highway-14 in , along with delay statement. (16) S.O. 470 (E) dated the 25th April, 2003, regarding acquisition of land for building, maintenance management and operations of Deesa-Radhanpur Section in respect of land stretch from Km. 447/000 (District Border Banaskantha) to Km. 458 (Radhanpur) four laning on National Highway-14 and Radhanpur Samakhiali Section in respect of 31ST JULY, 2003 stretch of land from Km. 137/000 (Radhanpur) to Km.207/350 (District Border Kachchh) four laning on the National Highway-15 in Gujarat, along with delay statement. (17) S.O. 471 (E) dated the 25th April, 2003, regarding acquisition of land for building, maintenance, management and operations of Bamanbore-Samakhiali Section in respect of land stretch from Km. 280/080 (District Boundry Rajkot) to Km. 308 (Samakhiali) on National Highway-8A and of Samakhiali- Radhanpur Sectioin from Km. 207/350 (District Boundry Patan) to Km. 281/300 (Samakhiali) on National Highway-15 in Gujarat, along with delay statement. (18) S.O. 478 (E) dated the 25th April, 2003, regarding acquisition of land for four-laning of National Highway-4 between Chennai-Ranipet Section (Km.13/715 to Km. 18/100) in the District of Tiruvallur in Tamil Nadu, along with delay statement. (19) S.O. 480 (E) dated the 28th April, 2003, regarding acquisition of land for four laning of (Hosur-Krishnagir Section) of National Highway-7 (Km.54/6 to Km. 76/8) from Addakurukki to Melumalai village of Hosur Taluk in the district of Dharmapuri in Tamil Nadu, along with delay statement. (20) S.O. 500 (E) dated the 6th May, 2003, regarding acquisition of land for building, maintenance, management and operation on the stretch from Km. 321.100 to Km. 393.000 of the National Highway-2 (Between Etawah to Sikandra) (Kanpur Dehat) in Uttar Pradesh, along with delay statement. (21) S.O. 505 (E) dated the 7th May, 2003, regarding acquisition of land for four laning of National Highway-4 on the stretch from Km. 27.600 to Km. 86.450 (Chennai-Ranipet Section) in the district of Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu, along with delay statement. (22) S.O. 541 (E) dated the 13th May, 2003, regarding acquisition of land for four laning of National Highway-46 on the stretch from Km. 65.700 to Km. 116.700 (Krishnagiri-Ranipet Section) of Vaniyambadi Taluk and Vellore Taluk in the district of Vellore in Tamil Nadu. (23) S.O. 557 (E) dated the 19th May, 2003, regarding rate of toll fee to be recovered from the users of four-laned stretch from Km. 439.00 to Km. 502.00 (Manor Dahisar) Section of National Highway-8 in .

RAJYA SABHA (24) S.O. 564 (E) dated the 21st May, 2003, regarding acquisition of land for four laning of National Highway-2 on the stretch between Sikandara and Bhaunti from Km. 393.000 to Km. 470.000 (Delhi-Kanpur Section) in the district of Kanpur Nagar and Kanpur Dehat in Uttar Pradesh. (25) S.O. 565 (E) dated the 21st May, 2003, regarding acquisition of land for building, maintenance, management and operation of Allahabad bypass on the stretch from Km. 158 to Km. 245 (Kanpur-Varanasi Section) of National Highway-2 in Uttar Pradesh. (26) S.O. 628 (E) dated the 28th May, 2003, regarding acquisition of land for widening of National Highway-5 from Km. 290.400 to Km. 359.000 (Vijayawada-Visakhapatanam Section) and Km. 2/800 to Km.29/000 (Visakhapatanam-Bhubaneswar Section) in Andhra Pradesh. (27) S.O. 629 (E) dated the 29th May, 2003, regarding acquisition of land for widening of existing National Highway-8 from Km. 14/300 to Km. 42/000 in the National Capital Territory of Delhi. (28) S.O. 637 (E) dated the 30th May, 2003, regarding acquisition of land for four laning of National Highway-79 from Km. 15 to Km. 64 in . (29) S.O. 638 (E) dated the 30th May, 2003, regarding acquisition of land for widening of National Highway- 5 on the land stretch from Km. 237.000 to Km. 354.000 (Chennai-Vijayawada Section) in the Prakasam district in Andhra Pradesh. (30) S.O. 643 (E) dated the 2nd June, 2003, regarding acquisition of land for building, maintenance, management and operations of Allahabad Bypass on the land stretch from Km. 158 to Km. 245 (Kanpur- Varanasi Section) of National Highway-2 in Uttar Pradesh. (31) S.O. 647 (E) dated the 3rd June, 2003, regarding acquisition of land for widening of National Highway-7 in the stretch from Km. 180.000 to Km. 180.730 (Bangalore- Salem- Mafurai Section) in Tamil Nadu. (32) S.O. 648 (E) dated the 3rd June, 2003, regarding acquisition of land for widening National Highway-7 in the land stretch from Km. 163.400 to Km. 199.200 (Bangalore-Salem-Madurai Section) in Tamil Nadu. (33) S.O. 670 (E) dated the 10th June, 2003, regarding acquisition of land for widening of National Highway-5 in the land stretch from Km. 80.000 to Km. 123.052 (Vijayawada-Visakhapatanam Section) in district of West Godavari in Andhra Pradesh. 31ST JULY, 2003 (34) S.O. 716 (E) dated the 19th June 2003, amending the S.O. 716 (E) dated 21st August 1998, regarding Fees to be collected from users of Athupalam bridge across river Noyyal in km 161/2 of National Highway-47, now forming part of National Highway-209 in Tamil Nadu. (35) S.O. 717 (E) dated the 19th June, 2003, amending the S.O. 717 (E) dated 21st August, 1998, regarding fees to be collected from users of Coimbatore bypass in Tamil Nadu. (36) G.S.R. 659(E) dated the 6th June, 2003, publishing the rates of fee to be recovered from users of existing and the new bridges across the river Narmada at Zadeshwar. (37) G.S.R. 754 (E) dated the 4th July, 2003, publishing the rates of fee for services or benefits rendered in relation to the use of four lane road between km. 61/4 to km 182/4 of National Highway No. 8A in Gujarat.

Shri Ashok Pradhan (Minister of State in the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology) laid on the Table a copy (in English and Hindi) of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (Department of Telecommunications) Notification G.S.R. 455 (E) dated the 5th June, 2003, publishing the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal Group ‘C’ and Group ‘D’ Posts Recruitment Rules, 2003, under section 37 of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997. 2-02 p.m. 4. Message from The Election and Other Related Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2003 Secretary-General reported to the House the following message received from Lok Sabha, signed by the Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha:- "In accordance with the provisions of rule 96 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, I am directed to enclose the Election and Other Related Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2003, as passed by Lok Sabha at its sitting held on the 30th July, 2003." 5. Bill Laid on the Table Secretary-General laid on the Table the Election and Other Related Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2003, as passed by Lok Sabha. RAJYA SABHA 2-03 p.m. 6. Government Bill — Passed The Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2003. Shri Nitish Kumar (Minister of Railways) moved:- "That the Bill further to amend the Railways Act, 1989, be taken into consideration"

The following Members took part in the discussion:— 2-06 p.m. 1. Prof. Saif-ud-Din Soz 2-11 p.m. 2. Shri Kripal Parmar** 2-15 p.m. 3. Shri Ravula Chandra Sekar Reddy 2-18 p.m. 4. Shri Tarini Kanta Roy 2-21 p.m. 5. Shri Rama Shanker Kaushik** 2-24 p.m. 6. Shri S.S. Chandran@ 2-31 p.m. 7. Prof. Ram Deo Bhandary** 2-36 p.m. 8. Shri Gandhi Azad** 2-38 p.m. 9. Shri Abani Roy** 2-42 p.m. 10. Dr. Abrar Ahmed** 2-47 p.m. Shri Nitish Kumar** replied to the debate. 2-57 p.m. The motion for consideration of the Bill was adopted. Clauses 2 and 3 were adopted. Clause 1, the Enacting Formula and the Title were adopted. 2-58 p.m. The motion moved by Shri Nitish Kumar that the Bill be passed was adopted and the Bill was passed.

______** Spoke in Hindi. @ Spoke in Tamil. 31ST JULY, 2003 2-59 p.m. 7. Special Mentions 2-59 p.m. 1. Shri P. Prabhakar Reddy raised a matter regarding need for fixing Minimum Support Price for palm oil to safeguard the interests of the palm oil farmers in Andhra Pradesh. 3-00 p.m. 2. Shri Tarini Kanta Roy raised a matter regarding need to repair Farakka bridge and construction of another bridge on Ganga. 3-02 p.m. 3. Shri K. Chandran Pillai raised a matter regarding crisis in the Tea Plantation Sector. 3-04 p.m. 4. Shri N.K. Premachandran raised a matter regarding need to stop the Pampa Achancoil Vaipar Link Project. 3-06 p.m. 5. Ms. Pramila Bohidar raised a matter regarding demand to review the provisions of Dowry Prohibition Act. 3-08 p.m. 6. Shri A. Vijayaraghavan raised a matter regarding need to retain Vethira Community of Kerala in SC/ST list. 3-10 p.m. 7. Dr. Abrar Ahmed** raised a matter regarding demand for giving special status to Rajasthan. 3-11 p.m. 8. Prof. M. Sankaralingam raised a matter regarding need to develop the Chinnamuttam fishing harbour in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu. ______** Spoke in Hindi. RAJYA SABHA 3-14 p.m. 9. Shri Suresh Bhardwaj raised a matter regarding demand for starting subsidised Indian Airlines flights to Shimla, Kullu and Kangra in . 3-16 p.m. 10. Prof. Saif-ud-Din Soz raised a matter regarding demand for making provision of punishment in law for media persons who create disharmony in society. 3-17 p.m. 11. Shri Rama Shanker Kaushik** raised a matter regarding near closure situation of Gandhi Vidya Sansthan, Varanasi. 3-19 p.m. 12. Shri Manoj Bhattacharya raised a matter regarding plight of tribal population in the country. 3-22 p.m. 13. Shri Ramachandra Khuntia raised a matter regarding need for immediate completion of Paradeep Oil Refineries. 3-26 p.m. 14. Shri K. Rama Mohana Rao raised a matter regarding need for immediate sanction of International Leather Complex in Andhra Pradesh. 3-28 p.m. 15. Shri Dara Singh Chauhan** raised a matter regarding problem of weavers. 3-30 p.m. 16. Shri Balkavi Bairagi** raised a matter regarding repatriation of Indian prisoners lodged in Pakistani Jails.

______** Spoke in Hindi. 31ST JULY, 2003 3-32 p.m. 17. Shri Ravula Chandra Sekar Reddy raised a matter regarding allocation of funds under Prime Minister’s Gram Sadak Yojana Phase-IV. 3-35 p.m. 18. Shrimati N.P. Durga raised a matter regarding exemption of customs duty on raw materials for irrigation systems in Andhra Pradesh. 3-37 p.m. 19. Shri R. Kamaraj raised a matter regarding approval of pending proposals under Integrated Wasteland Development in Tamil Nadu. 3-39 p.m. 20. Shrimati S.G. Indira raised a matter regarding rain harvesting scheme. 3-40 p.m. 8. Clarifications on the Statement by Minister Members sought clarifications on the Statement laid on the Table by Shri Nitish Kumar, Minister of Railways on the 23rd July, 2003, regarding major accidents occurred recently on Northern, South Central, East Central Railways and Konkan Railway (KRCL). 4-05 p.m. 9. Discussion on the Statement by Prime Minister Shri K. Natwar Singh raised a discussion on the Statement made by the Prime Minister on the 24th July, 2003 on his recent visits to Germany, St. Petersburg, Evian and China. The following Members took part in the discussion:— 4-27 p.m. 1. Shri C. Ramachandraiah 4-33 p.m. 2. Shri Nilotpal Basu 4-38 p.m. 3. Shri V.V. Raghavan 4-42 p.m. 4. Shri Manoj Bhattacharya 4-47 p.m. 5. Shri R.S. Gavai

RAJYA SABHA

4-49 p.m. 6. Shri Bashistha Narain Singh** 4-53 p.m. 7. Shri Ram Jethmalani 4-58 p.m. 8. Shri Shankar Roy Chowdhury** 5-02 p.m. 9. Shri Yashwant Sinha, Minister of External Affairs 5-20 p.m. 10. Shri Fali S. Nariman 5-22 p.m. 11. Shri Swaraj Kaushal 5-25 p.m. 12. Shri Eduardo Faleiro 5-28 p.m. Shri ,** Prime Minister replied to the discussion. The discussion was concluded.

(The House adjourned at 5-39 p.m. till 11-00 a.m. on Friday, the 1st August, 2003) ______

______** Spoke in Hindi.