Calling Attention to A

95 Calling Attention [RAJYA SABHA] to a matter of 96 urgent public importance CALLING ATTENTION TO A MAT- Wage negotiations with the largest TER OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPOR- group of workmen recently concluded TANCE account for an additional expenditure to the tune of one and a half crores in the DECISION OF INDIAN AIRLINES TO current year, the figure going up in INCREASE DOMESTIC AIR FARES successive years. It is noteworthy that the wage increase takes effect from 1st April SHRI K. C. PANDA (Orissa): Sir, 1 1969 and the airears payable amount to call the attention of the Minister of more than Rs. 2 crores. Agreements with Tourism and Civil Aviation to the deci- other unions are likely to result in an sion of the Indian Airlines to increase the annual outgo of about Rs. 2.5 crores and domestic air fares hy fifteen per cent from these will also be effective from April, July 1, 1971. 1969. The total impact of the wage revision covering all categories of [MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN in the Chair] employees which will be felt in the current vear is likely to be of the order of THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE Rs. 10 crores with a. recurring liability of MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND CIVIL Rs. 4 crores in each subsequent year. AVIATION (DR. SHRIMATI SAROJINI - MAHISHI): Sir, I am thankful to you, Sir, It is anticipated that the additional for this opportunity to make a statement financial burden on the Corporation on before this hon'ble House on the recent account of the above factors, riot count- announcement by Indian Airlines ing arrears of wages, will be in the regarding increase in fares with effect neighbourhood of Rs. 8 crores per year from 1st July, 1971. which is expected to be broadly covered by the proposed increase in fares. As hon'ble Members are aware, the fares were last raised in November, 1969 The House will appreciate that the fare when an increase of 7 to 8 per cent was increase in the eastern region has been effected except in the eastern region kept down to 7% considering the special where it was limited to 5 per cent. Since circumstances obtaining in that area. then a number of factors have arisen necessitating the present increase so soon. SHRI K. C. PANDA : Mr. Deputy Chairman, Sir, before asking questions on The hijacking of one of our planes has my Calling Attention Notice I would like thrown a series of burdens on the to take serious objection to the Corporation; firstly the loss of revenue on announcement of 15 per cent increase in account of loss of the aircraft; secondly, the Indian Airlines fares on all domestic re-routing of flights to avoid Pakistani routes. Parliament was in session and territory; thirdly, the suspension of flights Parliament has not been taken into to Kabul and lastly, the massive impact of confidence by the Ministry. It is a policy additional insurance charges to cover the statement. It should have been made on fleet against such risks. the floor of the House and the increase not effected behind the back of Parliament. The Indian Airlines should The Corporation's operating costs have have come to Parliament, given been steadily rising on account of increase justification for the proposed increase and in the price of spares and engineering then taken clearance from Parliament. We equipment: the impact of the increase in are now presented with a fait accompli; it price of petroleum products and the is like doing a post mortem after the man excise duty on aviation gas announced has died. I am sure, Mr. Deputy Chair- recently, alone is expected to be about 1 man, that you will join me and the other crore annually. Members taking exception to the way the increase has been effected. A word about the fleet of Indian Air- lines : apart from the Fokker aircraft Now coming to my Calling Attention hijacked and destroyed in Lahore, they Notice, I would like to know from the have unfortunately lost two more Fok- hon. Minister as to on how many kers in accidents resulting in loss of occasions, since the inception of the revenue. This means continued use of old, Corporation, fares have been increased, at uneconomic aircraft. all stages and by what percentage-

97 Calling Attention [ 18 JUNE 1971] to a matter of 98 urgent public importance and from the date of the inception of the —as to why Parliament was not taken Corporation the total percentage I into consideration whera Parliament was by which fares have been increased as sitting. today including the latest 15 per cent ! increase. Corresponding to the in- DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJINI MA- crease in fare, what is the increase in i HISHI: That is what I told in the be- the Indian Airlines expenses by way of I ginning of my reply; it is an autonomous additional dearness allowance, etc., what corporation; it has brought the matter was the total strength of the Indian before the Government and Government I Airlines staff on the date of its incep- ! has approved of it. tion and what is the strength today and j how has the efficiency of the Indian Airlines gone down The other day DR. BHAI MAHAVIR (Delhi): What there was a discussion in the House he asked is "Why Parliament was not that the efficiency of the railways coming taken into consideration?" and the down and tiie efficiency of the Airlines Minister says "Government has ap- going up but now we find that they proved". are charging people more. Because the Members of Parliament started SHRI M. K. MOHTA (Rajasthan): praising the Airlines, they started Government should have come to Par- charging people like anything, and liament. without taking the Members into confidence. May 1 know the clarification SHRI K. C. PANDA: I said that of the Minister? Parliament is being ignored; that is my objection. DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJINI MA- HISHI: Mr. Deputy Chairman, Sir, the DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJINI MA- hon. Member has asked a series of HISHI: The Indian Airlines was rather questions. The Indian Airlines is an over-confident that Parliament would autonomous corporation, and taking into approve of it. consideration the credit and debit sides, of course, they have decided to increase the fares and the Government has approved of MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: It is the 15 per cent rise in the air fares. The a policy statement. When the Parliament hon. Member has asked as to how many is in session as far as possible such policy times the air fares have been revised or statements should be made I in the House. revised upwards during the period from 1953 onwards after nationalisation. The DR. BHAI MAHAVIR: Will the Air Transport Council was established in Minister say what circumstances caused % the year 1955 and it submitted its Re- this type of a decision being announced port in the year 1957. For the first time outside the Parliament when the House after nationalisation, in 1958 the air fares was in session? underwent an upward revision. Once in '958 where there was not a spectacular rise; again in 1960 there was a 10 per cent SHRI PITAMBER DAS (Uttar Pradesh): increase; in the year 1963 it was \1\ per This is not taken formally as a breach of cent: in 1965 it was 8 per cent: in 1967 it privilege but it is surely a disrespect to the was 30 per cent: in 1969 it was 8 per cent; House that a statement is made outside and in 1971 it is 15 per cent. In the when the Parlia-j ment is in session. personnel of the Indian Airlines also there SHRI CHITTA BASU (West Ben-! has been considerable increase. On gal): On many occasions the Chair has i account of the increasing cost to be met on made remarks but the Government i does account of wages, pay, emoluments and not take any notice of them. all ot' er things, the Indisn Airl ines thought fit to increase and revise the existing air fares. There is greater scope SHRI PITAMBER DAS : Shall we for further improvement *in the efficiency understand that they will not commit of the services which is to be attended to, such mistakes in the future 7 as the hon. Member has said. MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: She SHRI K. C. PANDA: You have not has already given an assurance that it answered the first part of my question will not be done in the future. 4—9R. S./71 99 Calling Attention [RAJYA SABHA] to a matter of 100 urgent public importance SHRI N. R. MUNISWAMY (Tamil Nadu): IAC will improve ? I went to the Mal-hotra When the Finance Minister presented the Building and asked for a ticket as an ordinary Budget and he has levied a surcharge of 20 per citizen. It was something like getting a cent over the j journeys taken abroad when it Government job, sitting there for hours is on a cash basis in rupees, he had taken us into together to get a ticket. Will the Minister see confidence and done it. So far as | this is that the services improve in regard to concerned the Finance Minister could have passenger facilities? The third point is about made a statement that they ! are likely to massive insurance charges. What are the increase the fares which J he has not done and insurance charges now borne by the IAC for there is no answer . from the Minister. We insurance on all its aircraft? The final question all know that in 1952 the charge from is, the students had certain concessions in the Madras to ' Delhi was only Rs. 190. Now IAC to go out on the basis of 50 per cent farei the in- j crease is 15 per cent but it will come Why should the Minister try to increase the to Rs. 500. So this increase is not 10 per cent. fare for the students? The students should be In the course of 18 years the increase is 200 per allowed to fly on the same old fares which cent. It is not as though it is only 5 or 10 per were available to them before the present rise. cent. I would ask the Minister to tell us whe- May I know whether she would give some ther there will be an increase even in the excess concession to those who buy air ticket in bulk, baggage of the passengers and if it is so, what namely, on the basis of flying 10,000 or will be the ratio it will bear with regard to the 20.000 Km? It is done by the railways in many passenger fare. I would like to know also what parts of the world. May I know if she will give would be the revenue they would be i these facilities to the airline passengers? collecting as a result of this increase ! and whether it will wipe out the likely losses they DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJINI MAHISHI: might be likely to incur during the course of Increasing the fare is one of the commercial this year? functions of the autonomous corporation and they sought to raise the fare. Earlier, as the hon. DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROIINI MA-HISHI: Member himself said, there was an idea that it Yes, the rise in the freight charges also will be should be a little more than this but on account there and it is expected that out of this revenue of the rethinking of the concerned Ministries we will be able to meet Rs. 8 crores, of deficit and all the concerned authorities it was that the I AC is required to bear on ' account of ultimately decided to have it at 15 per cent so the increase in the working expenses, recurring that the passengers would not be fur- ^ ther expenditure the j IAC is required to bear on taxed. account of the agreement with the Union etc. The second point that the hon. Member SHRI N. R. MUNISWAMY: What | will be asked was whether maximum facilities would the ratio with regard to the pas- i senger fare ? be given to the passengers, to the people who go to purchase the tickets in the Malhotra DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJINI MAHISHI: 1 building, he said: of course that is only by way have not got the figure. There will be a rise in the of an example. Yes, Sir, the utmost ore- charges. caution will be taken to see that better facilities are given to the passengers, it is the SHRI A. D. MANI (Madhya Pradesh): May I duty of the airlines and the management to see seek 3 or 4 clarifications? ( Is it not a fact that the to make the maximum efforts to see, that the IAC asked for j a rise of more than 15 per cent in passengers are given the fullest advantage for fare and it is the Finance Ministry which stopped the price that they pay. the IAC from charging more than 15 per cent, and it is the Finance Ministry which came in the way The third point was about insurance. The and said 'Do not increase by more than 15 per additional cost of insurance this* year on cent ?' account of covering special risk of hijacking and other things is to the tune of Rs. 1.7 crores. The second question is, we are asked to pay Otherwise the total will be Rs. 3.2 crores more. Will the Minister give ! an assurance including all the aircraft, excepting the that the services by the Viscounts , '

101 Calling Attention [ 18 JUNE 197J ] to a matter of 102 urgent public importance r and the Dakotas, and covering all risks war, other types of articles, these distinctions sabotage, chil riots, hijacking and everything. which used to be there will still continue and the rise in freight charges will be in The fourth question was about the students' correspondence with the rise in the passenger concessions. The students will continue to got fare. 50 per cent concession which they got earlier before the fares were raised. In addition to the SHRI M. K. MOHTA : I do not students, the armed forces will also be getting think that the hon. Minister has understood concession Whenever they go on holiday they the question. v. ill be getting 25 per cent concession. DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJINI As for persons who might be travelling MAHISHI: Then please repeat. 20,000 kms. or 10,000 kms.. I do not think the airlmes are giving this concession: The hon. SHRI M. K. MOHTA: My question was Member has made the suggestion and I shall this. Whenever there is a rise in the price of pass it ^ on to the airlines. goods or services in the country the Government usually asks the manufacturers or SHRI M. K. MOHTA: May I ask the givers of the service to absorb the cost the hon. Minister what are the principles increase as far as possible. Whenever excise governing Government's decision to allow or duty is levied on any article of consumption not to allow any increase in the price of any —for instance last time it was cotton cloth and goods or services? Because whenever the many such instances could be quoted—the Finance Minister levies any extra excise duty manufacturers are asked to absorb the cost or import duty on an article he usually assures increase. In the case of soap the manufacturers the Parliament that the price of the concerned are always asked to absorb the cost increase commodity would not rise since the and not pass it on to the consumer, but in this manufacturers would be asked to absorb the case the Airlines have been allowed to extra levy. In the case of this public sector increase the fares. So, I would like to know concern Indian Airlines, which is also a the criteria by which the Government decides monopoly, they have been allowed to increase which goods are allowed to go up in price or the fares. Therefore 1 want to know what are which services are allowed to go up in price the principles governing the decision to allow and which services are not allowed to become or not to allow an increase in prices. costlier to the consumer. Secondly, I want to know the cost increase DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJINI MAHISHI: under the four or five heads that the hon. This particular matter has been referred to the Minister mentioned ; under insurance under Finance Ministry, as regards this distinction, wages and the two or "three other heads and the matter is under consideration. The mentioned by the hon. Minister what is the second question that he asked is. . . cost increase separately? And how much extra revenue is the Indian Airlines expecting out of MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: Again, it is this 15 per cent fare increase? under consideration, she says. Is it not a fact that the per-tonne-miie expenditure of Indian Airlines on staff, that SHRI M. K. MOHTA: How is it under means, salaries, wages, etc., has been consideration? Fifteen per cent has already increasing progressively over the last 17 or 18 been given. What is under consideration? years that the concern has been under .Government's management and in what ratio DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJINI MAHISHI: has it ieen increasing? There is a 15 per cent increase in the passenger air fare. There will be a DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJINI MAHISHI : corresponding increase. . . The criteria that existed earlier would conti me ; closed packages of newspapers, open SHRI M. K. MOHTA: Why has it been packages. allowed? What are the criteria? Why should it not have been absorbed by the IAC? That is my question.

103 Calling Attention [RAJYA SABHA] to a matter of 104 urgent public importance DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJINI MAHISHI: If autonomous body. I hey have decided, taking the hon. Member restricts himself to one into consideration, all these f;to-y tors that the question, I shall answer. total rise in the air fare would be 15 per cent.

MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: His question MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: Taking into is different. consideration all the factors, it is necessary to raise the fares—she says. DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJINI MAHISHI: There is an increase of t5 per cent in the SHRI M. K. MOHTA: The second part of passenger air fares. There will be a my question has not been answered. What are corresponding increase in respect of the cost increases in the five slabs that she commodities and they shall have to be taxed. mentioned earlier and what would be the total Which are to be taxed and which are not to be extra amount that would be earned by the taxed will be considered by the Ministry. Corporation by this increase in fares ? How do the two compare ? MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: His question is why there is an increase of 15 per cent. DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJINI* MAHISHI: DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJINI MAHISHI: I As I said, Rs. S crores are the expected shall make it clear. Whether it has to be borne revenue proceeds from the increase in air fares, by the manufacturers or whether it has to be There will be the expenditure incurred on account of the new agreement with the unions borne at the other end by the air agencies, and other things. Also, on account of the these matters are being referred to the Finance circuitous route which the Airlines are required Ministry. to cover in the eastern region, there will be expenditure. All these things will be borne by SHRI M. K. MOHTA: She has not this. followed my questions. That was not my question. May I clarify again? In the case of soap an extra excise duty was levied by the SHRI M. K. MOHTA: Why do you not Finance Minister. When it was objected to in give the details? How much extra will be the House, the Finance Minister said that the incurred due to extra insurance and the manufacturers of soap would absorb the circuitous route? excise duty. The consumer will not be charged anything extra. On a similar analogy, should not the IAC also absorb the cost increase and DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJINI MAHISHI: I not increase the fare to the consumer? That is have given these amounts to the hon. my question. What are the criteria? Member. It is Rs. 1.73 crores on account of the risk of hijacking and other things. DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJINI MAHISHI: Additional insurance has to be borne. The That has not been finally decided, as I told total insurance is Rs. 3.2 crores. This will you. cover the additional risk of civil riots commotions, sabotage, including additional MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: You insurance covering hijacking This is meant for have already increased the air passenger fares all the aircraft, ex cepting Viscount and by 15 per cent. Dakota. This is the second time I am answering this I hope the hon. Member has DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJINI MAHISHI: followec it. He is not asking about passenger fares. There is ^oing to be a 15 per cent increase in SHRI M. K. MOHTA: How muct extra? passenger fares. ' MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: What are the DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJIN MAHISHI: criteria—he asks. Rs. 1.75 crores insurant extra. DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJINI MAHISHI: It is not like that. It is a commfrcial SHRI M. K. MOHTA : What abou organisation and it is an wages?

105 Calling Attention [ 18 JUNE 197 toamatterof 106 urgent public importance

r UK. (SHRIMATI) SAROJINI paying for the inefficiency of our mana- MAHISHI: Wage increase will be given from gement, of our Government, which causes the 1967 with retrospective effect. Therefore, it hijacking of our plane to take place when they will be to the tune of Rs. 10 crores this year. had already been fore-warned. Now we are From next year onwards the recurring being asked to pay for their inefficiency by expenditure will be to the tune of Rs. 4 way of additional fares also. I want to know crores. from the hon. Minister if she considers this to be proper that they should not try to improve efficiency but on the contrary they should try DR. BHAI MAHAVIR: Sir, one question to pass the burden of that inefficiency on to was repeatedly asked by Mr. Mohta but the the travelling public. I want to know whether hon. Minister did not give a straight answer. the plane that was hijacked to Pakistan was May I suggest an answer to her and ask if that insured or not. If it was not insured, I would is acceptable to her? Mr. Mohta asked why like to know why, because warnings had been was it that in the case of Indian Airlines the given and actually people knew and certain increases in costs were being allowed to be list of precautions had been laid down : even converted into or were being allowed to those were ignored. If all these things were influence the fare rates, whereas in other there, why was it that that particular plane concerns, 4n manufacturing industries, the was not insured against hijacking. Government expects the producers to pay for the extra cost out of their own pockets and not to pass it on to the consumer. Now may I ask Lastly, I want to know whether you have if the criterion is that where the public sector studied the impact this increase in fares is undertakings are concerned they have no limit likely to have on the tourist traffic, the to the burden which they may shift on to the coming in of foreign tourists, because foreign consumer, but this is not the privilege granted exchange is something which we do not want to the private sector undertakings' May I to lose. I want to know whether you have also suggest this answer to her and know if it is taken into account how much discouragement acceptable to her? this might mean to the tourists who may intend to come and visit India for sightseeing and other purposes. SHRI A. D. MANI: Sir, on a point of order. He cannot suggest an answer to her. He DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJINI MAHISHI: can put a question to her. The hon. Member has asked a series of questions. The first thing is when there is any j DR. BHAI MAHAVIR: I am only trying to levy or an increase of it on a particular thing explain the point that was being raised in or commodity, all these things will be borne another way. I hope the Minister appreciates by the different factors which contribute it now and will be able to say 'yes' or 'no'. towards this increase. But here why should the Indian Airlines alone suffer and not put I would like to have clarification on one or the tax on the passengers ? The hon. Member two points. One is it is reported that the wanted to make certain suggestions, but Ministry of Civil Aviation is not happy about earlier I said taking into consideration all ihe 20 per cent duty that has been levied on these things, increase on the petroleum and the air tickets purchased for going abroad petroleum products and operational costs, which it is stated will cause a loss of about taking all these into consideration the Airlines Rs. 8 crores to India. Is this a fact or not? If it have decided to increase the airfare by 15 per is a fact that the Ministry is not happy over cent. this, how is it that the Ministry can afford to be happy when the burden on the domestic traveller is being raised? I would like to know DR. BHAI MAHAVIR: I am really sorry that. Here the position is that an explanation to say this. I thought I had made it so simple. has been given about the increase in risk, the The question was this that what was expected loss because of the hijacking of planes, and all of ordinary manufacturers was that the addi- these things. We are already paying by way of tional costs should not result in higher prices. inconvenience, delay and such things at the But where additional costs are being allowed. airport. All travelling people are . .

107 Calling Attention [RAJYA SABHA1 to a matter of 108 urgent public importance MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: That or not. Of course, Air India is no^ happy over question has been amply answered. the matter oecause they think they would be losing quite a number of passengers going DR. BHAI MAHAVIR. It should be abroad and they would incur a loss also to that understood. . . extent and there would be no encouragement for travelling abroad. I think that is a different MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: She has issue, it does not come from this particular already replied. So far as absorption by the issue. industry of the additional duty imposed in the budget is concerned, it has been done only in Thirdly, as regards improving the services respect of soap industry. It has not been done and bringing about more efficiency, 1 have no by other industries. She has made it amply quarrel over that point with the hon. Member. clear that the financial conditions of the I am one with him. All the best efforts are Airlines were such and therefore they have being made to improve the services and raised the fares. Please sit down. increase the standard of efficiency. DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJ1NI MAHISHI: Fourthly, he asked whether this particular I have made it clear. Taking into aircraft which was hijacked bv Pakistan was consideration all these factors and those insured against hijacking. This is a new type things borne by the manufactures also at the of risk which was never anticipated in India. other end, in spite of all these things, the And every aircraft otherwise in the usual reaction upon the Airlines was to this extent course is insured. But insurance against hija- that they had to increase the air fare by 15 per cking was not done. Subsequent to that all cent. aircraft are now insured against this hijacking. DR. BHAI MAHAVIR : If you did not have the monopoly of the air services then DR. BHAI MAHAVIR: You knew the risk you will have to consider something else. of hijacking? I put it to you— was the Government not aware of Pakistan's plan to DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJINI MAHISHI: hijack our plan? How can the Government say That is a different thing. I think the hon. that they did not know about it? Member will speak from the same platform. DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJINI The second point is about the 20 per cent MAHISHI: This type of risk was new. increase on the passenger ticket, on any Otherwise, there are many risks in the world passenger going out of the country. This is which are not thought of and not anticipated. with reference to Air India, not to Indian Therefore this parti* cular type of risk was Airlines. It is the Indian Airlines which has never anticipated and so it was not insured increased the fare by 15 per cent. And if the against this particular hijacking. hon. Member wants to mix up both the things, I have no objection. The next question that he asked was whether the tourist traffic was affected on DR. BHAI MAHAVIR: The Minister is account of this 15 per cent increase in the trying to interpret it differently. She knows, domestic air service fare. To an extent, I think and she has understood the question. I asked that will have its effect on the foreign tourists whether her Ministry is not happy about the also because whenever foreign tourists come increase by the imposition of that duty in the they have to move round about the country, case of Air India, whether that is a fact or not and to an extent it may be affected. We are not and if it is not a fact, well, she should say that quite sure. It may be affected. she is happy about it. Otherwise she should say why it is so. SHRI M. K. MOHTA: Sir, does not the Indian Airlines run some foreign services DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJINI also? Dr. Mahavir's question regarding 20 per MAHISHI: This is with reference to Air cent levy on foreign tickets applies to Indian India. Its financial condition is quite different, Airh'nes also. That should have been the the circumstances prevailing there are also answer. Does not the Indian Airlines run any different He asked whether the Minister foreign service? is happy

109 CalUm-Attention [ 18 JUNE 1971 ] to a matter of 110 urgent public importance DR.. (SHRIMATI) SAROJINI MAH1SHI: rible; it is almost uneatable, worse than the The Indian Airlines run foreign service, to food served in the trains. . . Nepal, Ceylon and others. But that is governed by the 1ATA Rules. That does not DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJINI MAHISHI : come under the domestic rules. If it is put in a question form it will be easier to answer. If it is a speech it becomes difficult SHRI K. P. SUBRAMANIA MENON to answer. (Kerala): The hon'ble Minister has given a certain set of facts in justification of higher SHRI K. P. SUBRAMANIA MENON: fares now in vogue. But there are certain Finally, I would like to ask the Minister things. It is well known that in comparison whether even now with this increase in fare with other international carriers the utilisation whether the services offered by the Indian capacity in he Indian Airlines is higher : it is Airlines will be made comparable to the HO per cent. Whereas in the international services available in other international carriers it is less than 45 per cent etc. airlines. Secondly, Sir, she has said that increased DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJINI MAHISHI: wages will lead to increase in fares. The hon'ble Member's reference to the highest Comparing to the international airlines, even utilisation of the aircraft in our country and with the increased wages the wages in the the lowest wages being paid to the workers is Indian Airlines are much lower. Therefore, not correct. The utilisation is also not the that itself would not have led to any increase highest. It used to be the highest, 3,100 hours. in the freight rate. The fact of the matter is that This time it has fallen down. The hon'ble despite the fact that we have got the highest Member may not be knowing the recent utilisation capacity in the world, despite the figures. Therefore, the wages are not lower. fact that our wages are comparatively lower The wages in a particular country are in than any other international airlines, we are comparison with the living index. Therefore, forced to increase the fares and freights our wages are not lower. because of inefficiency, corruption and wastage in thr Indian Airlines Corporation. His second question referred to in- And this is the fundamental reason for the efficiency in services. All elforts will be increase. made, are being made to see that better standard of efficiency prevails in the Airlines. Sir. if you look at the facts of the situation, Thirdly, he referred to spare parts and other you will find that this country has been having things which are being imported. Not the mor than 40 years of aviation. But hardly a minor things but the necessary things which single spare part is produced in this country cannot be manufactured in our country are for any of the aircraft. Even screws are im- being imported. The Air-India has got its own ported from foreign countries. A screw which manufacturing cell also. Some of the spare ordinarily should cost not more than 50 paise parts the Indian Airlines is also purchasing is bought at Rs. 15-20 in foreign exchange for within the country. But those things which are use in our aircraft. Whatever may be the not available within the country, naturally, reasons behind it, it i; a fact that this country they have to be imported. I agree that ancillary and the industry and the connected people industries could have grown and the spare have not encouraged the development of parts could have been manufactured. That is a ancillary industry for civil aviation, right thing. Now the Indian Airlines, as a maintenance etc., which has caused the Corporation, may think of starting some of industry dearly in foreign exchange and in cost these ancillary industries for manufacturing of maintenance, etc. some of the spare parts in view of the big fleet of aircraft which they have got and they are Secondly, Sir, the general waste involved going to add also. And as regards food, I am in the running of the Indian Airlines sorry if it has caused much inconvenience to Corporation is well known without any the hon. Member. comparable comfort for the passengers. For example, you know the food served on the SHRI N. G. GORAY (Maharashtra): aircraft is hor- To all of us.

111 Calling Attention [RAJYA SABHA] to a matter of 112 urgent public importance DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJINI MAHISHI: Then, every time we ring up the Airlines There is a box also for putting your office, they will say that no accommodation is suggestions. I hope the hon. Members will put available. They start with that, And they are their suggestions there. . . very rude. Then you have to go somewhere, ask somebody. And when you go into the MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: He plane, you will find that there are at least five has already made the suggestion. to ten seats which are not occupied. This is the experience. So, I would like the Minister to go into that. DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJINI MAHISHI: The suggestions which he has made will be Lastly, they have now entered into fresh taken due note of. agreements with the trade unions. Every time the fares are raised, they say it is because they SHRI N. G. GORAY: Sir.. I have no hope at have to spend more on wages. Now, these all of the expenditure of the Indian Airlines new agreements are there. I would like to coming down. So, I am not asking about know what the duration of these agreements reduction of rates, etc. But I would like to is. Is it for two years or three years or four pinpoint certain things. Sir, she has said that the years? And are we assured that no more services will be improved. Now. it is a common trouble on the trade union front is likely to experience of those who travel by air that delays take place during the period of these have become almost a chronic thing with the agreements? Airlines. We have to wait for two hours or three hours and the announcements come one after DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJINI another—'Sorry, the inconvenience is regretted , MAHISHI: Sir, the hon. Member has referred the plane will leave at such and such time", etc., to delays. I myself was very much perturbed etc. When she says that they have now a good over these delays. Usually, meetings are held fleet of planes, I would like to ask her why this immediately after the flight departure as to why constant delay is taking place at all the airports the flight was delayed. But from that I throughout India. That is number one. Secondly, came to know—of course, I was really very I would like to say, specially on behalf of the much surprised to know that— that the vegetarians, that the I vegetarian food that is punctuality percentage or regularity served on the I planes is very bad. percentage is something like 97 or 98.

SHRI A. D. MANI: Awful. SHRI N. G. GORAY: Their logbook must have been a fake thing. SHRI N. G. GORAY: As my friend said, the vegetarians are treated as if they are "pariahs" or "untouchables", and they are only DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJINI MAHISHI: I to be tolerated on the plane. shall myself look into the matter. Delays on account of engineering defects and on account SHRI N. K. SHEJWALKAR (Ma- dhya of a number of other things do take place. And Pradesh) : They pay Rs. 16 for that. if there is delay at one airport, there will be chain-delays at other airports also. Therefore, positive efforts in this direction are to be SHRI M. K. MOHTA: To compensate for made. The Airlines is at it so that there may be that, the hon. Minister may give a feast to all some reduction in this delay or irregularity, to of us. the extent possible. Secondly, the hon. Member said that the vegetarian food served SHRI N. G. GORAY: Thirdly, I would like on the planes is very bad. Certain suggestions to tell her that at airports like Bombay, were being made to the flight kitchen as whenever you go to the latrine or you wash regards vegetarian food and experiments are your hands with soap, they charge you four also made. . . annas. In spite of the fact that they will now be taxing us to this extent, they will still charge four annas or eight annas. SHRI N. G. GORAY: Experiments are made on the passengers.

113 Calling Attention [ 18 JUNE 1971 ] t0 a matter of 114 urgent public importance * DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROIINI to be borne by the Indian Airlines. This MAHISHI: In making certain improvements agreement will continue up to 1973. on the vegetarian side. I shall see that the suggestions that the hon. Member has made SHRI MAHITOSH PURAKAYAS- are passed on to the Airlines and due action is THA (Assam): I think the honourable Minister taken on that. If honourable Members want to is aware of the peculiar geographical position niake certain suggestions we shall see. . . of the States in Northeastern India—Assam, Manipur and Tripura. There people use the SHRI A. D. MANI: Vegetable cutlet. airlines not out of luxury, but out of necessity. So will the honourable Minister be pleased to DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJINI MAHISHI: reconsider the proposal of increasing the air They are very good in mentioning names of fare in that region? Will the honourable all those things. Minister also take steps to regularise the services in Northeast India? Mr. Goray has MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: The general mentioned about delays. In Northeast India the suggestion is that there should be general planes are regularly irregular and the improvement in the food * "that is served on percentage of cancellation in Northeast India is the Airlines. the highest. With notice and without notice suddenly planes are cancelled. May I know SHRI CHITTA BASU: Both vegetarian what steps the Government proposes taking for and non-vegetarian. improving the services in Northeast India? May I also in this connection draw the MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: Yes, both. attention of the honourable Minister to the accident that took place in Silchar in August last? An inquiry committee was set up. but it DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJINI MAHISHI: I has not been conducting, inquiry regularly. A agree with you and the suggestions will be majority of the victims' heirs have not yet been taken note of. Then, if extra charges are to be paid at the air terminal building., I am sorry paid their compensation. Was this plane not and I shall have to find it out. In many airports insured? If it was insured, then why is this of course it is not there. In the international delay taking place? airports it must be there. I shall iry to find out. As regards accommodation, with the intro- DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJINI MAHISHI: duction of computers I do not think it would In the northeast region there are certain be difficult. Many a time it so 4 happens that difficulties on account of the mountainous certain seats are to be released in twentyfour terrain. The honourable Member referred to hours prior to the departure. Therefore, they the rise in the air fare in the northeast region. have to make certain arrangements. Certain There it is 7 per cent, not 15 per cent. I do not seats are reserved for State Governments, think these days peqple want to travel by air certain seats are reserved for Indian Airlines : for luxury anywhere, in any part of the taking into consideration the freight and country. . . passenger load and every other thing, they have to release seats. Because of all these SHRI MAHITOSH PURAKAYA-SHTA: things, many a time inconvenience has been There poor people use plane-. caused to Members arid the traveling public. I personally know that and efforts are being DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJINI MAHISHI: made to remove such inconvenience, and Only out of necessity people travel by air and especially with the introduction of computers I in the eastern region that being the only mode do not think this sort of inconvenience of communication and transport this rise in air experienced in reservations, etc., will fare has been restricted only to 7 per cent. The continue. All sorts of inconvenience will be honourable Member referred to cancellation reduced to a great extent. As regards agree- of services very often in the northeastern ments with the unions, this is with ic-ference region. It is due to many factors, poor to I to VI grade Air Corporation Employees visibilin, mountainous terrain and a number Union and further on there will be an other things prevailing in that particular area. agreement of the IATA, and all told it comes That the honourable Mem- to Rs. 10 crores

115 Calling Attention [RAJYA SABHA] to a matter of 116 wgent public importance [Dr. (Shrimati) Sarojini Mahishi] Still another aspect is that there was a strike by the technicians, mechanics and engineering ber himself knows. The accident which took staff. Even though that is over, the fact place in Silchar last year was due to the remains that somehow there is no sincere cloudy weather, poor visibility and the cooperation on the part of these technicians, mountainous terrain in that particular part. I mechanics and engineering staff and as a re- am sorry due to certain difficulties the inquiry sult there is inordinate delay in servicing and committee that has been inquiring into this repairing the aircraft belonging to the accident could not meet earlier for a period of Corporation. I say with responsibility that three months or so. Now they are expediting more aircraft than at any time previously are the whole thing. The hon. Member wanted to being grounded today for servicing and know whether the aircraft was insured or not. repairs. That is one of the reasons why, in It was insured and payment of compensation spite of all the advertisement we had last year is also being expedited to the heirs of the that the Corporation will be having a great victims. Last time an hon. Member asked how fleet of aircraft this year and all the problems can dead persons come to take compensation. of the Corporation and the air passengers will If they come in person, they will be given be solved, today there is a large queue of air double the amount. passengers who are not able to get air tickets at all. The Corporation T§ not able to fly SHRI K. CHANDRASEKTIARAN aircraft it is having and as a result there is (Kerala): I do not think that the hon. Minister dead capital. is quite correct with her briefing in regard to the -easons for this fare increase. We are Then, Sir, there is another factor that has having this fare increase for the second time contributed to this situation. The Corporation in two years. 1 submit particularly to the hon. thought that it would be getting its Avro ; but Minister to look into some aspects that led to they are not being got. Very great deiays are this situation. experienced in regard the production and supply of Avros. The Corporation should have Even though the pilots' strike is over, the gone, at least temporarily, for the purchase of pilots' strike in a different form has continued one of the best aircraft that is flying in the for the last eight months and even now it is world today, namely, F-28. It is a small continuing in the Bombay sector. As a result, aircraft, but if the Corporation had gone in for many flights are not being operated and many that, one aircraft would have taken 60 to 65 nights are not being operated with the full passengers and it can land in any airport with load of 40,000 pounds or above So far as 4,000 or 5,000 ft. of runway. But that is not Bombay-Cochin services are concerned, they being done. We are not having our Avros. used to be very profitable so far as the because Avro is in short supply. Corporation" is concerned. There used to be four daily services operated and now Another factor is refusal on the part of the practically there are no services at all between management to take up with the Civil Bombay and Cochin since the last eight Aviation Department the question of months. . . extending some of the runways so that Boeings could be operated. Now Boeings are MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: The not being used. The hon. Minister was pleased question is about fare increase. to state that though we had one of the best operations so far as our aircraft is concerned SHRr K. CHANDRASEKHARAN: till last year, we are not able to operate our Sir, they have increased the fare on account of aircraft to the optimum level this year. That is the fact that they are not able to run the because the Boeings are not being operated 10 services with profit. I was saying that for the the maximum that is necessary. The airfields last eight months, there has been practically which could be extended are not being exten- no service at all continuously in the Bombay- ded and there is lethargy on the part of the Cochin sector. That is one aspect. Management of the Corporation in regard to The other day an answer that was given the extension of the airfields and, therefore. says that the inquiry that was going on in Sir, the hon. Minister has stated that she fears regard to Avro load would take another two a loss in the tourist traffic. Sir, the months or so to finish. tourist 117 Catling Attention [ 18 JUNE 1971 ] to a matter of 118 urgent public importance traffic is going to be badly hit not only insofar would like to say, would commence from the as the Indian Airlines is concerned, bui also as 15th October 1971, that is the far as the whole country is concerned, because Bombay/Cochin regular service The the country gains by the tourist traffic. 1 have Bombay/Goa/Cochin, Bombay/ it from the managers of some of the tourist Bangalore/Cochin, and Bombay/Tri- hotels in this country that bookings for 1972 vandrum/Cochin services will be the services by tourists are being cancelled and there are and the Boeing 737 will go up to Goa, up to no bookings at all, because something like a Bombay, up to Bangalore, up to Trivandrum scare has been created in the world that it is and further on up to Cochin it will be HS- impossible to travel by the Indian Airlines 748. Thai is one thing. Sir. aircraft in India and therefore, the tourists are not prepared to come at all. I submit, Sir, that Then, Sir, the hon. Member has alsc stated these are the imporlant aspects which should that all the HS-748 are not ir service. Sir. a have been gone into and I submit, Sir, that it is special Committee ha.' been appointed to go only on account of—may I say with respect to into the mattei on which the dispute arose. the Management-the great inefficiency and The Ra-mamritham Committee is going into lethargy on the part of the Management that the whole thing and it is expected that the this state of affairs has come. Report may be given shortly so thai proper action can be taken on the same MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: Please Then, Sir, he has said that the sincere co- conclude now. operation of the workers including the pilots, etc., is not being given anc this is one of the SHRI K CHANDRASEKHARAN : The reasons. I do no' think this is one of the fare increase, therefore, is, I submit, reasons. thoroughly unjustified and this the Indian Airlines ought to have worked out on paper as Sir, the hon. Member referred to th( j fact a loss rather than go for fare increase and this that the utilisation is not up tc j the optimum. I can say. Sir, that tc a certain extent that is right, fare increase, I say, Sir, has been resorted to becaus< the Boeings could not fly and that i: by the Management only to save its face for not due to the fact of non-co-operation but that the purpose of showing a profit in the balance is due to the inadequacy o the trained pilots. I sheet of the Corporation. say, it is not dm to the non-cooperation, but due to thi inadequacy of the trained pilots anc SHRI N. K. SHEJWALKAR: That they therefore, the number goes up to I5( both for will not be able to do. the 7 Caravelles and the ' Boeings and there is a dearth and tha is being remedied now and this DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJIN1 MAHISHI: is fo the information of the hon. Member. Sir, the hon. Member has raised quite a few points. But, Sir, earlier in my statement I said Then, Sir. he has said that many air : craft that on account of the circuitous route that the are being grounded for want o I good Indian Air ines aircraft are required to go on, maintenance and that is a bit cor 1 rect, Sir. th.it is, Calcutta/Baghdogra/ On account of the situatiot I arising in the Gauhati/A^artala, the number of hours that Indian Airlines, Sir. Oi account of the the aircraft is required to fly is 74 hours pilots' strike, on accoun of the technicians' instead of 2\ hours and as a result the cost has strike in September 1970 on account of the increased enormously. pilots' strike ir November-December, 1970 and also oi | account of the lock-out by the Secondly, Sir, there have been loss of Manage ment in March-April, 1971, many aircraft and other things and additional diffi culties have arisen. The Indian Airline expenditure on insurance and also on wages. have faced quite a good amount o In what the hon. Member has stated, of course, financial loss and also other difficultie to an extent, there may be a degree of truth because of the backlog of work, arrear of also in that the HS-748, the Bombay/Cochin work, and the arrears of worl are so service, has not been as regular now as it used much that are to be clear ed and as to be and the services have been cut down. a result, out of th 14 HS-748 aircraft, The services, for the information of the hon. 8 are lying and th. hon. Member is right. Of Member I course, if th hon. Member collects correct information, that will keep the Airlines vigilant 119 Calling Attention [RAJYA SABHA] to a matter of 120 ureent vublic importance SHRI K. CHANDRASEKLHARAN: Because I associate myself with it and I desire to be associated with it. DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJIN1 MAHISHI : But his information that it is due to the lack of co-operation is wrong. The cooperation is there. It is due to the inadequacy of trained pilots.

The next point is about the delay in the production of Avros. Ten more Avros are to be collected by the Indian Airlines. The HAL is making a little delay on account of the non- availability of certain components and other things. The next question that he raised was whether there is any difference of opinion between the management and the Department about the extension of runways. Am I right? SHRI K. CHANDRASEKHARAN: I did raise it.

DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJINl MAHISHI: It is not a correct thing. There is no difference of opinion. The Department is doing all the promotional activities that are necessary for promotion of air travel in this country. The Boeing can land at a place where the runway is longer than 6,000 ft. In certain cases, of course, it can land where it is 5,400 ft., as at Khajuraho. The hon. Member has perhaps Cochin in mind. The service will be extended to all the capitals of the States in the country by the 15th October, including Trivandrum. With all these facilities, the tourist traffic will not sutfer.

MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: Mr. Rajnarain. 121 Calling Attention [ 18 JUNE 1971 ] to a matter of 122

urgent public importance SHRI N. K. SHEJWALKAR: In th foreign domestic air services, in spit of the hijackings and other incident they have reduced the fares. More over, when their level is much less tha ours, in spite of that, they have reduce the fares.

DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJIN MAHISHI : Prices are also connecte with the living index. Therefore, I d not think we are the highest in th world. In fact, ours is the lowest, may not be the lowest, but it is not th highest; this much I can say.

SHRI N. K. SHEJWALKAR: Tl Minister has not replied.

123 Catling Atlention [RAJYA SABHA] to a matter of 124 urgent public importance SHRI MAHAVIR TYAGI: I want to the Government was taken. But Government stress the matter of principle and policy. sanction alone in this matter is not enough. I You will remember, Sir, that the Indian Airlines want to raise this point because this is a very Corporation came into existence as a result of serious point for consideration. It is a matter the policy of Government adopted by of principle and for that purpose, although the Parliament that air service or air transport sanction could not be taken, but could the hon. should be monopolised, that it should not be Minister not discuss this question with allowed to remain in the private sector and that Members of Parliament who are on the it must be in the public sector totally, and I Advisory Committee of the Ministry ? It was remember. Sir. that heavy compensation had not a secret thing as the Budget is. So, to be paid to the various private airlines whenever any increase is effected in that which were operating in India. That was manner without consulting or without done so because, factually speaking, means obtaining the approval of the Par- liament, it of communication are as important a factor for is, in my opinion, an irregular action taken by the very existence of society as breathing is the authorities. I hope the hon. Minister will for the human body. Therefore, it was in assure this House for future at least that when- that connection that all means of ever there is any such increase proposed, the communication were taken over by the sanction of the Parliament might be obtained. Government which included also the motor transport here and there. As I said, DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJ1NI MAHISHI: communications are an important factor which I have already told in the beginning that the are to be in the public sector, whether controlled sanction of the Government was obtained. by a Corporation or by a Board. Now, any increase in the fares of the transport system SHRI MAHAVIR TYAGI : t can means a sort of indirect tax on the citizens, on understand that. I do not object to it. But I am the travelling public. Therefore, it is for the asking about Parliament. . . Parliament to see to what extent the rates should go up.. Under the circumstances, DR. (SHRIMATI) SARO.I INI MAHISHI: Sir, I felt that the Parliament's sanction should When the Chair directed, then I said that be obtained. Even for instance, the stamp rates certainly we will bear in mind. of Post Offices and the tariff rates are generally approved by Parliament, not because technically DR. (MRS.) MANGLADEVI TAL-WAR it is not a Corporation, therefore it is (Rajasthan): Sir, I wanted to ask several approved—that may be an argument—but questions, but as you did not give me chance factually speaking, because it is a means of and so many people have asked after I communication and, therefore, whenever the requested you, I will be very brief now. Sir, I tariff is raised, Parliament's sanction is won't take much time as the time is up and the obtained. Same is the case with Railways. Minister has been answering many questions. After all, Railways are a source of the biggest I would like to know two things. The hon. transport system all over India. Well, if the Minister stated that they were not able to fly rates are increased, in the Budget Speech they Boeing 737 because of the lack, of trained make a mention and we have the privilege of personnel. There was a scheme, Sir. if 1 discussing to what extent we should do or remember aright, that the pilots were being not do. Therefore, the Government takes sent to America for training and also there the sanction of the Parliament. In the case of was some discussion or there was some Air Lines Corporation, it cannot be treated difference of opinion between the as an absolutely independent Corporation be- Government and the pilots and some did not go. cause after all, ultimately it is all capital of the I would like to know whether that is a fact and nation. It is from the public exchequer that that was the cause of lack of personnel. The the money is paid to those private parties other thing that has been stated is the lack of who were running the air lines in India as expansion of big airways. Here too, Sir, as my compensation and the whole capital invested knowledge goes, if I remember aright there is the people's capital. Therefore, the Cor- was one Secretary who was first in Bihar and poration cannot be absolutely independent. I then he was here and he was put in charge only can well understand when the hon. Minister said to get the airways expanded in that the sanction of 125 Papirs laid [18 JUNE 1971] on the Table 126 order to make them big enough for the Commercial Undertakings of the Cen- Boeing liner. I would like to know what tral Government for the year 1969-70. happened to that scheme also. [Placed in Library. See No. LT 71.]

DR. (SHRIMATI) SAROJ1NI NOTIFICATION OF THE MYSORE GOVERN- MAHISHI: There is a lack of trained MENT UNDER THE MYSORE STAMP ACT, pilots, but that will be made up within a 1957 short period. A number of pilots went abroad for training. The two or three SHRIMATI SUSHILA ROHATGI: pilots, who stayed during the course of I Sir, I also beg to lay on the Table a ] copy pilots' non-cooperation, are also being of the Mysore Government Noti-j fication trained now. That question is no longer S.O. No. 874, dated the 2bth j April (in there. In general, there is a dearth of English and Hindi), under sub-section trained personnel and that will be made (2) of section 9 of the My-I sore Stamp up shortly. Secondly, as to whether the Act, 1957 read with clause (c)(iv) of the extension of the runways will be Proclamation, dated the . 27th March, undertaken, wherever it is possible it has 1971, issued by the Presi-I dent in relation been undertaken and wherever it is to the State of Mysore. [Placed in Library. desired that the Boeing services should be See No. LT-449/ I 71.] extended to those areas, taking into consideration the possibilities and [ NOTIFICATIONS UNDER THE CUSTOMS j feasibility of the whole thing, the runways ACT, 1962 AND THE CENTRAL EXCISES are being extended and other facilities are AND SALT ACT, 1944 being extended and by October, 1971, the 737 Boeings would be extended to many THE DEPUTY MINISTER IN THE ' capitals of the States in this country MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRIMATI including Patna, Luckncw, Trivandrum, SHUSHILA ROHATGI): Sit, I beg to lay Bangalore and quite a few other places. on the Table a copy each of the following Notifications (in English and Hindi) of the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue and Insurance), under section 159 PAPERS LAID ON THE TABLE of the Customs Act, 1962 and section 38 of the Central Excises and Salt Act, 1944: NOTIFICATIOI UNDER THE MOTOR (i) Notification G.S.R. No. 676, VEHICLES ACT, 1939 dated the 8th May, 1971 publishing the THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE Customs and Central Excise Duties DEPARTMENT OF PARLIA- Export Drawback (General) 20th MENTARY AFFAIRS AND IN THE Amendment Rules, 1971. MINISTRY OF SHIPPING AND TRANSPORT (SHRI OM MEHTA): Sir, (ii) Notification G.S.R. No. 677, I beg to lay on the Table, under sub- dated the 8th May, 1971, publishing section (3) of section 133 of the Motor the Customs and Central Excise Duties Vehicles Act, 1939. a copy of Notification Export Drawback (General) 21st No. F. 3(1)/71-Tpt., dated the 15th/16th Amendment Rules, 1971. April, 1971 (in English and Hindi), (iii) Notification G.S.R. No. 678, publishing the Delhi Motor Vehicles dated the 8th May, 1971, publishing (Amendment) Rules, 1971, issued by the the Customs and Central Excise Duties Delhi Administration. fPlaced in Library. Export Drawback (General) 22nd See No. LT-448/ 71]. Amendment Rules, 1971. (iv) Notification G.S.R. No. 679, ANNUAL REPORT (1969-70) ON THE WORKING dated the 8th May, 1971, publishing OF THE INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL the Customs and Central Excise Duties UNDERTAKINGS OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT Export Drawback (General) 23rd Amendment Rules, 1971. THE DEPUTY MINISTER IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRIMATI (v) Notification G.S.R. No. 680, SHUSHILA ROHATGI): Sir, I beg to lay dated the 8th May, 1971, publishing on the Table a copy (in English and the Customs and Central Excise Duties Hindi) of the Annual Report of the Export Drawback (General) 24th working of Industrial and Amendment Rules, 1971.