LOK SABHA ___

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

Tuesday, April 21, 2015 / Vaisakha 1, 1937 (Saka) ______

SUBMISSIONS BY MEMBERS

(i) Re: Reported alleged communal statement made by a member of Rajya

Sabha against the muslim community.

THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI RAJNATH SINGH) responding to the issue raised by several hon. Members said: We all know that the constitution of India has given right to equality to all its citizens. It does not allow anybody to indulge in any type of discrimination on the basis of caste, creed, race or religion. This Government can never endorse any act of discrimination at any cost.

(ii) Re: Need to investigate into the alleged custodial killing of five persons of

muslim community in Telangana on 7April, 2015.

THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI RAJNATH SINGH) responding to the issue raised by several hon. Members said: I have with me some information about the matter raised by the hon. Members, but I have sought complete information in this regard from the State Government. After report is

received from the State Government I shall share it with the hon. Member, and if

required I shall also share it with the august House.

*MATTERS UNDER RULE 377

(i) SHRI NANA PATOLE laid a statement regarding need to improve public

health care services in the country.

(ii) SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL laid a statement regarding need to take

steps for proper rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits in Jammu and Kashmir.

(iii) SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY laid a statement regarding need to undertake

research to augment production of female bovine population through

artificial insemination in the country.

(iv) SHRI SATYAPAL SINGH laid a statement regarding need to provide

financial assistance to farmers who suffered loss of crops due to unseasonal

rains and hailstorms in particularly in Sambhal Parliamentary

Constituency.

(v) SHRI P.C. MOHAN laid a statement regarding need to frame strong

guidelines to check bank frauds in the country.

* Laid on the Table as directed by the Chair. (vi) SHRI TAMRADHWAJ SAHU laid a statement regarding need to provide

financial subsidy to vegetable growers for irrigation in Chhattisgarh.

(vii) SHRI V. ELUMALAI laid a statement regarding need to take suitable

measures for expeditious repair of National Highway No.66 between

Tindivanam and Krishnagiri in .

(viii) SHRI A. ANWHAR RAAJHAA laid a statement regarding need to probe

the issue of killings of red-sanders cutters in Andhra Pradesh.

(ix) SHRI ARKA KESHARI DEO laid a statement regarding need to take

suitable measures for rehabilitation and compensation to the families whose

land has been acquired for Indra Medium Irrigation Project in Nuapada

district of Odisha.

(x) SHRI BADRUDDIN AJMAL laid a statement regarding need to start

construction of Dhubri-Phulbari Bridge over river Brahmaputra.

(xi) SHRI RAJESH RANJAN laid a statement regarding need to take steps for

expediting setting up of proposed electric rail engine factory at Madhepura,

Bihar.

(xii) SHRI DUSHYANT CHAUTALA laid a statement regarding need to

create a monitoring body for effective implementation of National Electric

Mobility Mission Plan. (xiii) ADV. JOICE GEORGE laid a statement regarding need to review Dr. K.

Kasturirangan Report on Western Ghats.

BUDGET (RAILWAYS) 2015-2016

DEMAND FOR GRANTS (RAILWAYS) 2015-2016

SHRI RAJEEV SATAV initiating said : This budget has disappointed

common people. While presenting the Budget for 2014-15 the then Railway

Minister had said that Railways carry 23 million passengers every day. Now

present Railway Minister has mentioned in his Rail Budget that the Railways carry

21 million passengers every day. Is it the affect of good services of the Railways

that 2 million passengers were compelled to discontinue their journey by trains. In

his Railway Budget for 2014-15 the then Railway Minister had stated that the

Railway have 1.16 lakh kilometer Railway track. But now the present Railway

Minister has claimed that the Railways have 1.14 lakh kilometers Railway track in

its possession. There is decline of 2 million passengers in 10 months but I fail to

understand how 2000 kilometers of Railway track are missing in this period. The

Government must explain it. The Railway fare has not been brought down. It has

been rather raised. The Government talk about bullet trains. Here I would like to

know from the Government whether it has any plan to take care of security of the

passengers. The Government has talked both about manned and unmanned Railway crossing. For this purpose amount of Rs. 800 crore was provided during the year 2011-12. But this year only Rs.350 crore has been allocated for this. Such a meager amount cannot complete this work even in next four years. For the sake of over bridges and under bridges the Government has allocated half of the amount allocated earlier for this purpose. The report of the standing committee was presented in the house yesterday. A serious disclosure has been made in the report that the is in debt trap. On the one hand the Indian Railways is sliding into insolvency, on the other hand the Government talk about introducing bullet trains. My humble request is that the security of common person should not be compromised.

SHRI SURESH C. ANGADI: Previous governments had not managed the

Railways well. Hence this situation. People of this country are ready to pay more but they want timely service. In our neighbouring countries, the trains are running at a speed of 300 kilometres per hour but our trains are running at a speed of 30 to

40 kilometres. We have to work together for the development of the country. If the previous Governments had thought about it, some employment could have been created for our youth. The previous Governments used to do only 'ghoshna'. The vision of our Prime Minister is that the Railways should serve the poorest of the poor. Only then the country can prosper and develop. Now what are the priorities before us? These are: quality of journey, station re-development, capacity augmentation, safety, technology upgradation, partnership for the development, improvement of the management and processes of the system, resource mobilization, energy sustainability and transparency. When there was a Bhartiya

Janata Party Government in Karnataka the then Chief Minister, had given 50 per cent contribution. Instead of throwing mud at each other, we have to work together. The farmers should also get the benefit of the Railways. The hon.

Railway Minster has allocated a sum of Rs.8,50,000 crore in the Budget. The present Railway Minister has sanctioned two ROBs for my constituency in

Belgaum. Now power has been decentralised and it has been given to the

Divisional Manager. Railways are for the poorest of the poor people. Railways should make the concerned Member of Parliament of the area the Chairman for each district. The Railways authorities are functioning as though they are still under the British rule.

SHRI R. GOPALAKRISHNAN: Even while participating in the discussion on Railway Budget, I had pointed out to the needs and pending projects pertaining to my constituency, Madurai. Unfortunately, I do not find allocation of adequate funds for both the ongoing and new projects. I want to sound a word of caution regarding the borrowings have gone up from 23.9 per cent to 40.6 per cent.

We must not walk into a debt trap. The Railways fail to carry out projects even when State Governments like the Government of Tamil Nadu are coming forward to fund pending projects like the road under bridge in Kolathupalayam in Karur at a cost of Rs. 6.70 crore and in Pasupathypalayam at a cost of Rs. 6.50 crore. The

Government of Tamil Nadu had already released its share of funds from its limited resources. Similarly, Pudhukolathupalayam Road Under Bridge between Karur-

Salem Section is also delayed for want of estimate from the Railways. I urge upon the Ministry of Railways to expedite the completion of all pending projects in

Tamil Nadu in a time bound manner. We have already expressed our disappointment over no announcement of new train services. There is a need to enhance the railway infrastructure in and around Madurai. To convert all trains connecting Chennai and Madurai as Super Fast trains. There is also a demand for introducing a Duranto Express at least twice a week between Madurai and

Chennai. There is a need to improve or to upgrade Koodalnagar Station as a satellite railway terminal. Doubling of Chennai - Kanyakumari line must be taken up on priority. Our persistent demand for Chennai - Thoothukudi freight corridor is also pending with the Railways. Right from the days of the colonial era, the

Southern Railways have always earned more revenue for the Railways. In order to save foreign exchange and bridge the fiscal deficit, the Railways must make use of full potential of the ICF, Perambur . An additional train between Madurai and

Bengaluru may be introduced with a First AC coach. I would like to bring to your notice about the construction of the already sanctioned new line between Chinna Salem and Kallakurichi as part of Cuddalore - Virudhachalam - Salem gauge conversion project. The Government of Tamil Nadu, has already released 50 per cent of share of which Rs. 64.5 crore is exclusively meant for China Salem and

Kallakurichi new line project.

DR. ANUPAM HAZRA : This Time the speech given by the Minister of

Railways was full of flowery words and some catchy words, like PPP, acche din, etc. Wi-Fi and bullet trains can wait till we get our toilets in trains cleaned, ensure security of the passengers, reduce the number of accidents and run the trains on time. Quality of services matter more than the superfluous modernization. No new train was announced. Fare hike cannot be the sole source of revenue for the

Railways. The Railways needs to be more imaginative in finding solution of its problems and attracting investment. has totally been ignored.

Thankfully this Railway Budget has not hiked the price or fares. Yet the hike on freight is anyway going to impact the people in general. With the decrease in diesel prices six to seven times in the last one year, it was expected that the fare should have been reduced.

SHRI BALBHADRA MAJHI: One thing which is beyond my comprehension is that why railway has not sanctioned those lines which can be economically viable and beneficial to railways. There are six economically viable projects in Odisha namely Raigada-Ambaguda having ROR of 14.78 per cent Theruvalli-Gaunpur with 14 per cent, Bargarh-Nowapura road with 18 per cent,

Rajargarh-Khurda road with 19 per cent and Talcher-Anugul with 32 per cent.

There is a need to attach additional coaches in various trains. It is also needed to introduce Duranto train from Bhubaneswar to Mumbai, Puri to Jodhpur,

Bhubneshwar to Pune, Bhubaneshwar to Bangalore and Puri to Surat. It is my humble request that daily Rajdhani train should be introduced from Bhubaneshwar to via Sambhalpur. Trains from Vishakhapatnam-Allahabad, Titlagarh to

Bhubaneshwar, Kyonjhar to Howrah, Badbill to Vishakhapatnam, Rourkela to

Delhi and Bhubaneshwar-Chandigarh-Kalka should be introduced. There is a need to run second intercity train between Puri-Tata, Bhubaneshwar-Tata-Brahmapur,

Jaipur-Bhubaneshwar via Kota, Parlakhmadi to Bhubaneshwar, Brahmapur to

Howrah, Raigarh to Bhubaneshwar and Bhubaneshwar to Rourkela. Similarly, a express train is also needed between Brahmapur to Rourkela via Kyonjhar and

Baspani. A passenger train between Puri and Badbil, Raigarh and Bolangir and a express train between Jagdalpur to , Brahmapur to Puri should be introduced. A direct train from Jagdalpur to Delhi should be introduced.

Frequency of Puri-Bhubaneshwar-Shirdi train should be increased and a train should be introduced between Bhawani, Patna to Bhubaneshwar via Sambhalpur.

A train should be introduced between Puri and Bhopal via Jhansugura and

Baripada-Bhubaneshwar. It is our demand that Pantry car facilities should be provided in long distance running train such as Bhubaneshwar-Kurla express

(12145-12146), Puri-Tirupati Express (17479-17480), Bhubaneshwar-

Secundarabad Vishakha express (17015-17016), Puri-Surat express (12743-

127344), Puri-Kamakhya express (15643-15644) and Puri-Patna Baidyanathdham express (18449-18450). It would be very convenient if EMU train services are introduced at Bhubaneshwar-Cuttack- Bhubaneshwar, Bhubaneshwar-Khurda-

Puri, Bhubaneshwar-Khurdaroad-Brahmapaur, Bhubaneshwar-Dhenkanal,

Cuttack-Paradweep routes. Vishakhapatnam-Nizamuddin Samta express should be run daily. Frequency of Puri-Ahamedabad express which runs via Sambalpur on a single day and via Vijaynagaram on four days should be increased to four days and five days respectively. Kurla express originating from Bhubaneshwar should be run on four days a week. Puri-Howrah express services should be made by-weekly and Bhubaneshwar-Howrah Janshatabdi should be run daily.

DR. RAVINDRA BABU: I have been specifically pressing for one

Konaseema Railway line which runs parallel to the East Coast Railway for various valuable and reasonable considerations. This railway line would be commercially viable. This Konaseema area is very beautiful and scenic and it can also improve eco-tourism in that area. It will also be an alternative route to the East Coast

Railway line. This Konaseema area being the hub of the KG Basin, all the oil companies like ONGC, Oil India Limited, Cairn Energy, GHPC, Reliance etc. have their drilling operations there. These companies are very keen to invest in the

PPP model and also CSR. Especially my suggestion would be that in any long- distance train travelling more than 1000 kilometres, free food and water may be provided to the passengers travelling in the third-class compartments, second-class compartments, unreserved compartments. After bifurcation length of railway line in the residuary State of Andhra Pradesh is only 3500 kms. Konaseema line will add at least 300 to 400 kilometres in addition to the existing railway line.

Konaseema line is very much required for economic development of the area.

*SHRI P.R. SUNDARAM:

*SHRI V. ELUMALAI:

SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT: Konkan Railway is a corporation but it should be under the administrative control of Indian railways. But unfortunately whatever provisions should be made by the Konkan railways in the interest of consumers have not been materialized so far. Due to single track passengers commuting between Panwel and Roha have to wait for more than 2 hours at railway crossings. It is our demand that concerned administration should be advised to replace those rail tracks which have been declared risky by Rail

Safety Commission. It is my humble request that a meeting of representatives of this area should be convened and complaints of passengers should be addressed

* Please see Supplement therein. There should be special train for the passengers travelling between

Maharashtra to Goa. I urge upon that private investors should be invited through

Indian Railways for the pending project of doubling of Konkan Railways.

Similarly, electrification is also a major issue which needs to be addressed immediately. Electrification work between Rohas to Madgao should be taken up in the first stage. Port connectivity is essential for Konkan Railway to make it profitable. It is my humble request to sanction the proposal regarding Mangalore

Port connectivity.

*SHRI C.R. CHAUDHARY: *SHRI KESINENI SRINIVAS:

DR. BOORA NARSAIAH GOUD: I would like to bring to the notice of the hon. Minister that there are other projects in the Telangana region, which require considerable budget. I will take this opportunity to invite Hon'ble Minister to lay the foundation stone for Manoharabad-Kothapally Rail line take note of

Bhadrachalam-Kovvuru project and increase the allotment. I would request the hon. Minister to expedite the process of further allotment for Macherla-Nalgonda railway line as 7,500 ulra mega thermal power project is coming there. I would request the hon. Railway Minister to take note of Bhadrachalam-Sathupally railway line project and Akkannapet-Medak project and increase the allotment. I

* Please see Supplement would request the hon. Railway Minister to increase the allotment for Kazipet-

Balharshah railway line. I would request the hon. Railway Minister to give more allotment to Secundrabad-Mahboob nagar doubling project. I would request him to allot a Railway University to Secunderabad. Similarly, a Railway Medical

College is the need of the hour. There is a long pending demand to sanction a

Railway Zone at Kazipet. I would request the hon. Minister to take note of it.

Similarly, a wagon factory was almost sanctioned 10 years back but no mention of any allotment in the Budget. Doubling of the line between Bibinagar and Nadkudi needs immediate attention. Sufficient funds should be allotted for this project. I request the recruitment of 'C' and 'D' category posts must be done at the zonal or at the State level. I request him to concentrate more on safety of the Railways.

*SHRI K. ASHOK KUMAR:

*SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB:

*SHRI JOSE K. MANI:

SHRI P. KARUNAKARAN: Railway Ministry has to consider the critical analysis of the Standing Committee with regard to the functioning of the Indian

Railways. Better passenger amenities and safety should be given the highest priority in the Railways. The Railways should not compromise the safety side just to reduce the number of workers and to curtail the expenditure. The Government

* Please see Supplement

has a large number of enquiry reports on which are still pending. So, in order to avoid accidents in future, such reports have to be studied and also be given due importance. Safety of the passenger is another big concern of the Railways. Even the women passengers are attacked. Theft is also another common crime in

Railway. The Railways should recruit more RPF personnel and make a better coordination with the State police. Introduction of CCTVs in compartments and in the Railway Stations should also be installed to find out the culprits and avoid such attacks. The Government has introduced a cost sharing system in which States like

Kerala finds it difficult due to their financial difficulties. So, the proportion of 50 per cent for the completion of the projects should be waived. I request that the frequency of the Sampark Kranti and must be increased for two days. I appreciate the decision taken by the Government to start a passenger train from Bandiyur to Kasargod. But it should be extend the train to Kannur or

Guruvayoor. In two districts of , Malapuram and Kasaragod, the headquarters have no stoppages for the Rajdhani Express. These two districts have to be covered.

*SHRI RABINDRA KUMAR JENA

*KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE

*SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN

* Please see Supplement

*SHRI NISHIKANT DUBEY

*SHRI K. PARASURAMAN

SHRI Y. V. SUBBA REDDY: Railways need to be professionally- managed, and for that you need professionals in all areas of its operation and maintenance. Indian Railways is a largest transport network and has tremendous revenue-generating capacity. All vacant posts at various levels should be filled up, particularly, loco-pilots. Any short fall in trained manpower will compromise with safety of the passengers. There is need for coordinated crime-fighting effort by the

Railway Protection Force. It is a welcome initiative to install surveillance cameras on a pilot basis in select coaches and ladies compartments. Cleanliness in the

Railway stations, trains, platform, etc. are most important. The Ministry should prescribe time limit for completing the pending projects? The Reorganised State of

Andhra Pradesh had high expectations from the Railway Budget as rail connectivity is vital for the development of the State. We request the Government to provide sufficient funds so that the long-pending projects in Andhra Pradesh could be started. It would be appreciated if a new railway zone in Andhra Pradesh is created into which Waltair Division should be merged. The Government needs to address the issues to make the Railways a good transport service for the general public.

SHRIMATI BIJOYA CHAKRAVARTY: I must congratulate the hon.

Minister who has taken pains to see that every village is connected with the railway network so that poor people can get the advantage of railway travel. All the stations in Assam, except the Guwahati Railway Station, are very dirty and they should be taken care of. At the time of floods, the culverts under the railway lines are very narrow, they cannot carry the excess rainwater and as a result, they have flooded the adjoining areas. I would request the hon. Minister to take care of it and renovate all the culverts under the railway lines. Our hon. Minister has promised that the Lumding-Badarpur railway line will be completed within this year itself.

Bogibeel project would be completed clearly. My second demand is that they should increase the frequency of goods trains and the long-distance trains between

Dibrugarh and Delhi or Dibrugarh and Bengaluru or Dibrugarh and Pune. I would urge the hon. Minister that a special Recruitment Zone for the North Eastern

Region should be created on the lines of the Army and that of the Ministry of

Home Affairs so that the people of the North Eastern Region may get jobs.

Electrification of the railways is very necessary. I would urge the hon. Minister to introduce doubling of tracks up to Dibrugarh. He should also electrify the trains early. After Partition, lots of Hindu refugees came to Assam and settled on the railway land. They were given permission to settle there. But without rhyme or reason they have been evicted. I urge the hon. Minister to ensure that such practice is stopped and that they are given settlement.

*SHRI BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA

SHRI JAI PRAKASH NARAYAN YADAV: Two railway budgets have been presented. The people of the country had high expectations from the railway budget that they will have something new for passengers, security and safety, women, youths, labourers, workers, new industries and factories. However, the people were greatly disappointed by both rail the budgets. There is a need to focus on the development of Bihar. There was a proposal for East corridor and West corridor. However, the work has not yet started. Freight charges has been raised.

People go to railway stations to facilitate their old and disabled parents but the price of platform ticket has also been increased. India does not need bullet train.

Rather, India needs trains with all necessary passenger amenities. The date for inauguration of Munger Ganga rail bridge should be fixed. There is a need for an intercity train in Banka including second AC coaches.

SHRI PREM SINGH CHANDUMAJRA: I welcome and congratulate

Hon. Railway Minister for presenting a good railway budget. The people of

Punjab as well as the people of whole country were demanding to connect Sri

Anandpur Saheb to Akal Takaht Saheb Golden Temple. However, nobody listened

* Please see Supplement to it. Hon. Railway Minister acceded to this demand within one month of presentation of railway budget. There is a missing link of 20 km between Mauhali and Rajprat and if rail line is laid on this stretch then people of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan would be greatly benefited. On this very route there is another 25 km missing link for Khanna. Hon. Railway Minister on the martyrdom day of

Shaheed Bhagat Singh has directed to renovate Khadag Kala railway station, which happens to be his birth place. The RoB were at Nangal, Miranda and karoli should be completed early.

SHRI DUSHYANT CHAUTALA: The railway junction of Hissar in my

Parliamentary Constituency is more than 110 years old. There is great hype about

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan but there is no facility for safe drinking water and toilet over there. The Government should make effort to create residential infrastructure at the historical railway station of Hissar. Besides, other basic amenities should be provided there. Three trains namely Ekta Express, Kalandi Express and Bhiwani-

Mathura halts at Bhiwani junction for more than 10 hours, therefore, they should be extended upto Hissar via Sirsa. This will improve the rail connectivity in the state of Haryana.

Four additional bogies need to be added to Kisan Express. The Bhatinda-Delhi

Shatabdi, which started in the last year, should be extended upto Bhatinda via

Rewari, Bhiwani, Hissar and Sirsa. The Hissar Dhuri train needs to be extended upto Haridwar and the Hissar-Amritsar train should also be extended upto Jammu.

The work on the Rohtak-Maham-Hasi railway line should be completed with immediate effect and Hissar-Agrohi-Fatehbad-Sirsa railway line also need to be completed. Besides, Hasi-Jind and Uklana-Narvana rail lines are also need to be completed. Suryanagar in Hissar is located with railway lines on its both sides and about 9 to 10 thousand population live on either side of these two rail lines.

So, the Government is requested to construct an under pass there. An RoB on

National Highway No. 65 was approved but it has not been completed as yet. In the last rail budget the Government had stressed that there would be separate bogies for transportation of milk. Large quantity of milk and vegetables are brought to Delhi from Haryana. So, There is a need for a separate train for this purpose.

*SHRI NARANBHAI BHIKHABHAI KACHHADIA

*SHRIMATI JAYSHREEBEN PATEL

SHRI RAVINDRA KUMAR RAY: The state of Jharkhand occupied an important place even before independence. Our certain necessities and priorities have increased after it became a separate state. I, therefore, request that train facilities should be increased in keeping view the importance of our state. A

Duranto express train from Ranchi to Delhi should be introduced to provide train

* Please see Supplement connectivity to the people of the state. A Graib Rath train should be introduced from the capital of the state to Dhanbad and similarly. Train service should be extended for South India. The Hon. Prime Minister had inaugurated a new rail line between Kodarma and Hazaribagh. But, the rail line for Hazaribagh to Kodarma,

Kodarma to Girdhi and Hazaribagh to Ranchi have been left out. There is a need for a new rail line connecting these places. Kodarma has become the last station on the Bihar border after Jharkhand came in existence. Thousands of passengers commute between Kodarma and Ranchi daily. Therefore, an EMU train needs to be introduced on a daily basis for the benefit of these passengers. The Howrah bound bogie from Girdhi should be attached to Lal Qila express in place Danapur express. The name of Hazaribagh road should be renamed as Saria so as to keep intact the identity of the people of that area.

*DR. KIRIT P. SOLANKI:

SHRI DHARAM VIRA GANDHI: My parliamentary constituency Patiala is about half of the entire Punjab and is also known as Malwa has been facing the problem of railway connectivity since a very long time. People are facing problems daily due to non-availability of train services. We will have to make efforts to provide people train facility. On the other hand people are waiting for decades for good train services like Premium trains. I would like to request the

* Please see Supplement hon. Railway Minister to provide people better train services. But, at the same time, we cannot neglect the difficulties faced by people. There are many areas which have been deprived of train services for decades. A Jan Shatabdi should be introduced from Delhi to Bhatinda via Patiala. We have been demanding for this train for this last 10-15 years. With the introduction of this train, about 1.5 crore people would get benefited. There is a stretch of only 20 km from Rajkara to

Chandigarh and if this stretch is connected with rail link then Chandigarh and scores of districts of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan would be directly linked with train services.

SHRI JANARDAN MISHRA: For first time a railway budget has been presented keeping in view the entire country. The pending projects have been given a priority in this budget. I request the hon. Railway Minister to expedite the work on rail line between Lalitpur to Singrauli. There are very few trains from

Delhi to Satna and Rewa. A train plies from Rewa to Delhi and if this train is extended upto New Delhi Railway station, passengers like us would get benefited.

There is shortage of avenues of employment in my area. People go to Mumbai in search of employment and there is no direct connectivity for Mumbai from Rewa and Sidhi. A passenger train should be introduced between Rewa to Mumbai. A

AC coach manufacturing unit should be set up at Rewa and a new rail line should constructed between Mirzapur to Rewa via Hanumana to ensure the development of entire area there.

SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN: The Standing Committee on Railways have conducted a close scrutiny on the proposals of the Railway Budget and submitted its Report yesterday. Two issues are involved in the Report of the

Standing Committee. One pertains to the policy issue. As far as the policy matter is concerned, I do accept the observation made by the Standing Committee. The first proposal they have made is that it should be an organisation having societal obligations to fulfill the aspirations of the people of this country. I do accept this proposal but as per the recommendation of the Committee, the railways have not succeeded in it. I would like to suggest that the Indian Railways should be an organization with societal obligations, but subject to commercial viability. Then, number two is regarding the fiscal position Sixteen Demands have been submitted to this House for voting. Out of the 16 Demands, we have to examine whether we are able to mobilize the resources so as to meet the Demands. In the plan outlay, it has been described as Rs.1,11,000 crore which is 52 per cent excess than that of the Revised Estimates of the last year. Out of this 41.6 per cent is the Budgetary support and 17.68 per cent is the internal resources. The rest of the 40.6 per cent of the resources have to come from the External Budgetary Resources. 65 per cent of the Railways' earnings are from the freight traffic. Coming to the Standing Committee's Report, I would like to say that this House has to be very serious in respect of the Standing Committee's Report. As per the recommendation given by the Committee at page 63, there are two points. One, the Railways is going to be in a big debt trap, if the proposals are being accepted. The other point is about passenger traffic earnings as well as freight traffic earnings. It is about the projections made by the hon. Minister. It is there in page 4 of the Report. The

Railway Ministry is anticipating an enhancement of internal resources by means of the passenger traffic earnings. But as per the recommendation of the Committee the figures projected by the hon. Minister in this august House are unrealistic on this count. Regarding freight traffic also. The targets set by the Minister are also unrealistic as this committee accepts. As far as internal resources, external borrowings, freight traffic and passenger traffic are concerned, everything is unrealistic. It is quite unfortunate that this Report has not come to the light of this

House so far. That is why, I am mentioning it. The last point is about operating ratio. I is said that operating ratio will be brought down from 91.8 per cent to 88.5 per cent. As per the Report submitted by the Standing Committee, the hon.

Minister's statement in respect of the operating ratio in 2013-14 is wrong; in 2014-

15 is wrong, and the target of 2015-16 cannot be achieved. This is the Report on which I would like to seek a specific clarification from the Government as to whether the Government is approving this Report or denying this Report. If this

Report is being accepted, definitely the Budget proposals would be a hallo.

*SHRIMATI RAMA DEVI

*DR. KULMANI SAMAL

*SHRI S.R. VIJAYA KUMAR

*SHRI A. ANWHAR RAAJHAA

SHRI NITYANAND RAI: Work on the projects and schemes could also be completed with a low budget if there are no scams and bungling. If there is transparency, the bigger projects could also be definitely completed if we have meager budget for the purpose. The Indian railways is the backbone of development and progress and it is also the mainstay of our Indian economy. The

Rail Budget has provided many important projects for Bihar. The adequate allocation of funds for Hajipur-Subouli rail line is one of the measures taken under it. There are several projects which will not only result in progress of Bihar but will also carry the country on the path of progress. Darsinghsarai railway station in district Samastipur is one of the major railway stations and a trade centre.

Amrapali express, Purvanchal express and Ranchi-Jainagar express should be given stoppage here. Vidhyapati railway station of the East-Central railways should be developed into a model station and Jan Seva express should be given

* Please see Supplement

stoppage here. A new railway line between Karpuri gram of Madhepura railway to

Patepur, Mahua, Hajipur should be sanctioned. Gareeb Nawaj Express and

Chandigarh-Dibrugarh express given a stoppage at Shahpur Patori railway station.

A railway yard should be developed at Lagunia railway station on Hajipur-

Bachuwara railway line. Mahddinagar railway station should be named after late

Shri Baliram Bhagat.

SHRI VIJAY KUMAR HANSDAK: Maximum rail facilities should be provided to Jharkhand State as it provides 40 per cent of the revenue to railways.

Pakud railway station should be upgraded. A railway overbridge should be constructed at Tinpahad. The survey work of Jasidih-Pirpaity railway line should be completed. There is a need to bring a qualitative as well as quantitative change in the rail facilities being provided to Jharkhand which contributes a lot to the revenue of the railways.

*SHRI D.K. SURESH

*SHRI AJAY MISRA TENI

SHRIMATI DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH: I am confident that this budget will achieve positive results and railways would be able to augment its services and facilities. A MoU has been signed for the development of the Surat railway station after which it will become the number one station in the country. I

* Please see Supplement would like to express my gratitude to the Minister of Railways in this regard. The headquarters of western railways should be made in Ahmedabad. A DRM office should be set up at the Surat railway station. Surat-Mahua train should be run daily. Sampark Kranti should be given a stoppage in Surat. My Parliamentary

Constituency is very well developed from the view point of industrial development. Therefore Lokshakti express and Dehradun express should be given stoppage there. The work of constructing a FOB at Utran railway station has been sanctioned. It should be started at the earliest. A direct train service should be started between Somnath and the North India. A direct train service should be provided between Surat and West Bengal.

*DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR

SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH: We all expected a great deal of announcements regarding new trains, new projects but the Minister disappointed us totally in the matter. But I expect that he hon. Minister would announce new trains and projects in his reply to the debate. Almost all the major States in India have a separate Railway Zone but Kerala is an exception. Hence I would request the hon.

Railway Minister to fulfill the long pending demand of the people of Kerala for setting up a separate Railway Zone in Kerala. An announcement was made in the previous Budget to set up a Rail Coach Factory in Palakkad and to set up a Rail

* Please see Supplement Wagon Factory in Cherthala. But both the projects are yet to start. I would, therefore, request the hon. Railway Minister to immediately start these two projects, which are very important as far as Kerala is concerned. The Report submitted by the Sreedharan Committee should be implemented immediately so that the processes and procedures in the Railways can be decentralized and vibrancy can be brought in. Among the higher officers of the Railway, there is no officer belonging to the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe category there.

Therefore, I would like to request Minister to seriously consider about the representation of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes officials in the Railway

Board as well as the General Managers and Divisional Managers. Chengannur

Railway Station should be declared as a pilgrim station and it may be upgraded to the international standards. A Rajdhani express from New Delhi to Trivandrum via Kerala express route should be started. I would like to request hon. Minister for an early completion of gauge conversion work from Punalur to Shenkottai.

SHRI C. GOPALAKRISHNAN: The Southern Railway is the most earning railway in the country. But facilities are not provided well in the Southern

Railway, I request the Minister to introduce a new train from Chennai to

Mettupalayam. I also request the hon. Minister to introduce summer special trains from Chennai to Coimbatore, Madurai, Thirunelveli and Kanyakumari from April to June. The railway hospitals, particularly in Tamil Nadu are in pathetic condition. The facilities in these hospitals should be increased. I appeal to the

Railways to connect Mettupalayam with Chennai via Sathyamangalam,

Gopichettipalayam, Cithod and Erode to fulfil the genuine demand of the people of the western Tamil Nadu. Construction of two road-under-bridges, one

Kolathupalayam and another at Pasupathypalayam, has been pending for more should be completed.

*SHRIMATI KRISHNA RAJ

*SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL

DR. MAMTAZ SANGHAMITRA: The hon. Minister has shown many green gardens to us like bullet train, PPP model, model platforms, and other facilities but scientific approach and feasibility of such dreams should be considered. Plans are okay but we find that Indian Railways is on the verge of runnung out of funds. To make plans feasible, we need an increase and improvement in tracks. Eastern Zone is thickly populated and all people are coming in for public transport. It needs new tracks or parallel tracks. Further, if possible, double-decker trains should be introduced. The freight corridors are the most important thing because when these freight corridors are developed, it will help in speeding up the work on other tracks. Another point is about medical tourism. International passengers can be charged a little bit more so that patients from intra-state and international countries can travel safely. Low cost monthly

* Please see Supplement passes for the poor people, especially for the vendors should again be introduced.

In Tatkal, there is no facility for senior citizens which should be introduced now.

*SHRI S.P. MUDDAHANMEGOWDA:

*SHRI R.K. BHARATHI MOHAN:

SHRI ARVIND SAWANT: The first train in India ran between

Boribunder and Thane. The man behind this train service was Nana Shankar Seth but he has found no place in its history. I request the hon. Minister to name the station after him to pay respect to him.

** ** ** **

ANOOP MISHRA Secretary General

**Supplement covering rest of the proceedings is being issued separately. © 2015 BY LOK SABHA SECRETARIAT NOTE: It is the verbatim Debates of the Lok Sabha and not the Synopsis that should be considered authoritative.

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

* Please see Supplement