THE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES

OFFICIAL REPORTIN

THE SEVENTY-FIRST SESSION OF THERAJYA SABHA Commencing on the 20th February, 1970/ the 1st Phalguna, 1891 {Saka)

RAJYA SABHA

Friday, the 2Qth February, 1970/fAe 1st Phalguna, 1891 (.Saka) The House met at forty minutes past twelve of the clock, MR. CHAIRMAN in the Chair. PRESIDENT'S ADDRFSS MR. CHAIRMAN : Secretary. SECRETARY, Sir, 1 beg to lay on the Table. . . SHRIMAT1 YASHODA REDDY (Andhra Pradesh) : Sir, I rise on a point of order. Sir, the convention is that the President addresses the Members of Parlia- ment, of both the Houses, in the Central Hall in a Joint Session. He reads the English version himself and makes the Vice-President read the Hindi version. But today the English version was read by the President of India and the Hindi translation was given to the Members by a stranger. That has never been the convention, Sir. Therefore to maintain the dignity of the House I think the House does not take cognisance of the President's Address given in Hindi. If at all, only the English version of the President's Address can be laid on the Table of the House, because a stranger can never address the Members of Parliament, of both the Houses. The staff of the President is not the President or the Vice- President; he is only a stranger. It is very unconventional and really derogatory to the Members of both the Houses that the staff has been asked to read out the Hindi version. I want your ruling on this point. SHRI R. S. DOOGAR (West Bengal) : Sir, this is a matter which really needs consideration.

3 President's [ RAJYA SABHA ] Address 4

SHRI BHUPESH GUPTA (West Bengal) : Sir, I have a submission to make. The point that has been made should certainly be considered. But personally I was under the impression that because there was no simultaneous translation arrangement, it was only a translation which was being made. I thought he was doing it standing nearby. But the point that has been made is to be considered. As a Member sitting there I took it as a translation; only it was not being done from a cubicle; it was being done by somebody standing by him. As a translation it is all right but as an Address it is not. In that situation, Sir, if you do not mind, I am very agreeable to making a suggestion that there may be a joint Session again and a new Address. (Interruptions) What is there? I do not want to put them in the wrong, but if you pass on this message, we can have a little tea break and hear you, Sir. Another point which I want to bring to your notice is that your office has circulated a bulletin regarding the arrest of Shri Chandra Shekhar. MR. CHAIRMAN : That is another matter. (Interruptions) 5 Presidents [20 FEB. 1970] Address 6

SHRI LOKANATH MISRA (Orissa) : ferences there are interpreters and if their That cannot be raised at this stage. Unless interpretation is not treated as authentic, this point is over, we cannot take it up. That then no international conference can be held is my submission. and there will be no agreement at all. There- fore I do not see much of a point in what the (Interruptions). hon. Members have said. Both the versions in my opinion, can be laid on the Table of the House. SHRI M. P. BHARGAVA (Uttar Pradesh) : Sir, I rise to oppose the point of order raised by my friend, Shrimati Yashoda Reddy. It seems that the memory of the hon. Member is too short. When the President assumed his office, he made a speech and the Hindi version of that speech was read out by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nagendra Singh, the same gentleman who has read the Hindi version to-day, and, if may say so, that MR. CHAIRMAN : Please sit down. was a more solemn occasion than the joint address to the Members of Parliament because that was the occasion when the President was assuming charge and when he was becoming Rashtrapati for the first time. So, I oppose the point of order because what we have accepted as an accomplished fact we cannot question to-day. THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

MR. CHAIRMAN : No, no. Shri B.K.P. Sinha.

SHRI B. K. P. SINHA (Bihar) : Mr. Chairman, I have listened carefully to the objections regarding the Address of the President and the MR CHAIRMAN : Please sit down. I Hindi translation of it. It appears to me that will not allow you. this is hair-splitting of a type which would not be permissible even in the courts of law which are the forums for hair-splitting. This year the President, in my opinion, has adopted a procedure which is an improvement on the past procedure. He used to read his speech from MR. CHAIRMAN : Please sit down. A to Z in English and the Hindi-knowing Vice-President or some other person read it in Hindi. This year he has introduced a new procedure to save time. An authorised ver- sion of the translation was being read out by (SHRI S. N. MISHRA) : Mr. Chairman, it is lis Secretary. If the contention of the hon. with great reluctance that I have to add my Members is correct that what has been read voice to the point of order which has been by the Secretary cannot be treated as raised before the House. I am in favour of it. authorised, then all international communi- It is because I consider it my duty to protect cations will become impossible. Suppose Mr. the dignity of the House. This is definitely a Khrushchev comes here, it is some other disrespect to our House and also both the Russian who translates or interprets his Houses—and a gross violation of the rules speeches. Even in international con- and conventions in 7 President's [RAJYASABHA] Address 8

[Shri S. N. Mishra] this regard. May I say advised them that the Vice-President must be that there had been earlier a serious lapse on invited to do it but I do not know what the part of the Government but that did not manner of consultations take place on an relate to a matter of substance like the occasion like this. On no occasion we find President's Address. In 1967 hon. Members that there is any consultation on any vital would refresh their memory, there was the matter so far as the opposition is concerned. version of the National Anthem being sung at So far as the other side of the House is con- that time and nobody seems to have been held cerned, it has landed us in this trouble and responsible for it. Everybody seems to be we would like that you should give serious getting away with any kind of lapse that can thought to this before giving any ruling on happen in such august bodies. To-day there this matter because, in this matter, nothing has been a serious lapse and a stranger has less than the dignity of the House and a addressed us and a stranger can, by no manner matter of serious constitutional importance is of description, be said to be identified, and involved. I would like to underline this, I cannot be identified in any manner, with the would like to go on record, that you might President. It is the President whom we have do anything but nobody has any right to ride the privilege to hear on this particular roughshod over the Constitution, over the occasion, or the Vice-President if the President rules and conventions which should guide an is pleased to ask the Vice-President to deliver important occasion like this. the Address. A submission is made to you that the speech here can be interpreted as a SHRI BHUPESH GUPTA : Sir, a cons- translation by the Secretary. I must say that I titutional point has been raised... would like to differ from that, not in this MR. CHAIRMAN: Mr. Gupta, you have House, within the four corners of this House. already spoken. Please sit down. Mr. Shah. One hon. Member just now pointed out an SHRI BHUPESH GUPTA : Members instance which occurred on the occasion of the should get some guidance. Where does the swearing-in of the President. That was a cere- Constitution say that the Vice-President can mony attended by all manner of pople, when address? He does by courtest... distinguished guests from various parts are invited. That was not a formal function at all, MR. CHAIRMAN : I ask you to sit down that was not a Joint Session of the two Houses when I am standing. Mr. Shah. at all. So, the analogy cannot be with that THE LEADER OF THE HOUSE (SHRI K. function which took place when the President K. SHAH) : It is most painful that the Leader was sworn in. Therefore, I would submit that of the Opposition should have allowed himself we have been landed in a very difficult to be swayed by any other consideration. Are situation. It is not a question of taking a there two Addresses or is there one Address lenient view of this lapse. A lapse has only ? This is what we have to consider. The occurred on the most important occasion that Constitution provides that there shall be an there can be in the life of the Parliament, that Address by the President. Therefore, there is, the Joint Session of both the Houses. We cannot be two Addresses, one in English and cannot take a lienient view of this. Of course one in Hindi. The President has a right to you may be pleased to reprimand them. That address in English or in Hindi. He can choose is something else but here is a problem of to address in English and then there shall be a constitutional importance. It is a problem of a translation of it in Hindi. He can choose to technical nature, that a stranger we can never address in Hindi and there can be a translation allow to address and therefore, I would like in English. Surely it is not contended by my you to stick to it although you might do any friends in the Opposition that the translation thing. Of course I find myself completely at shall be made by the Vice-President. I cannot sea to advise you on the present occasion understand what my friends are saying. There because this is an unforeseen circumstance cannot be two Addresses. I take it as a question altogether. In these matters, if the Govern- of dignity that my Vice-President does not ment consults the Opposition also previous to translate the speech of the President. On the the Address, because the Address had to be contrary dignity demands that the Vice-Presi- read out, then probably we could have dent should not be called upon translate a speech which is either in English or Hindi. 9 Presidents [20 FEB. 1970] Address 10

MR. CHAIRMAN : I am giving my rul- ing now. I have beard enough. SHRI GODEY MURAHARI (Uttar Pradesh) : Sir, I want to say a few words. SHRI SUNDAR SINGH BHANDARI : (Rajasthan) : Sir, I also want to say some- thing. SHRI GODEY MURAHARI : Sir, I must have my say. MR. CHAIRMAN : All right. SHRI GODEY MURAHARI : Sir, Mr. K. K. Shah has made the point that only the President is authorised to address a joint session of the two Houses, and I agree with him that only the President is so authorised, and if the President so desires, the Vice- President shall exercise the authority of the President. So that position is very clear. But how does the Constitution allow the Secretary or any other individual, apart from the President, to read or even translate an address to be delivered by the President to a joint session of Parliament? That is my point. On former occasions, when the President deliverd his address in English, he made it a practice to ask the Vice-President to translate it—and he did the translation— but he never asked his Secretary or any other individual to do it. So the point is that no other individual than the President, or the Vice-President exercising the authority of the President, can address a joint session of Parliament. This is the point.

11 President's [RAJYASABHA] Address 12

MR. CHAIRMAN : Now I shall give my MR. CHAIRMAN : Yes, thank you. ruling. SHRI BHUPESH GUPTA : There is a point of order, a new point of order. MR. CHAIRMAN : No more. I have heard enough. I must give my ruling now. SHRI BHUPESH GUPTA : Sir, I want a SHRI ANANT PRASAD SHARMA Hindi translation of the speech and also I (Bihar) : Sir, as has been pointed out, I want would like a Bengali translation of it. to emphasise the point that the President has addressed the joint session in English and his MR. CHAIRMAN : Please sit down, Mr. speech has been simultaneously translated by Bhupesh Gupta. his Secretary. It is good that it has been translated by his Secretary because I know SHRI M. R. VENKATARAMAN (Tamil personally and most of us know about the Nadu) : Sir, I am going to take exactly two competence of the Secretary regarding the minutes and no more, and with due respect I Hindi language. Now, it would have been am making only a practical suggestion with quite in order if that translation had been no idea to collide just now on any constitu- made by any other person. What is wrong tional point—I am also a constitutional there? You look at the national and lawyer in a small way but that does not international conferences and the matter since I am not going into any consti- arrangements for translation there. tutional point now. My request now is that the practical suggestion that I make be heard and approved of by the House. Now the address has been read in English and a translation of it in Hindi has been made available to the other friends who wanted it in Hindi also, so that they know the contents of the address in Hindi. The only objection (Interruptions) MR. now, as far as I see, is that his Secretary has CHAIRMAN : Please sit down now, Mr. read the address in Hindi or made the Rajnarain. translation of the address in Hindi, whatever SHRI ANANT PRASAD SHARMA : My it is. Now, had it been the other way about— friend has rightly pointed out that we speak I am assuming a hypothetical position—that in a particular language and it is being the President delivered his address in Hindi translated in so many languages. Now are and the translation was in English, the we going to insist that the translator should position would be much the same as I see it be a Member of Parliament because a now, that is to say, in the other language, in Member of Parliament's speech is going to the alternative language. In the additional be translated ? Moreover, Sir, there is no language—whatever name you give it—the such provision laid down anywhere in the material is available to the rest of the Constitution how this speech has to be Members of the House. Therefore I would translated. Therefore, Sir, I maintain that appeal to the House to take my suggestion. whatever has happened is quite in order, is My friend, Mr. S. N. Mishra, also talked absolutely in order, and the points of order about the constitutional implications. Of to the contrary should be disallowed. course I am worried about them and I can understand the concern with which the point MR. CHAIRMAN : Now the standing has been raised. Now the Constitution is on Members will please sit down. I have heard the anvil and let not any bad precedent be set enough and I shall now give my ruling. The up today. A day will come when 1 will insist President addressed the joint session. Under on its being read in Tamil as well as in the his orders his address was translated by his fourteen other national languages of India. Secretary. It was under his orders. His Now I appeal to my friends to treat it as a Secretary might not have translated it. The practical issue today and leave it at that, and translation in Hindi, the authorised let us get on with the work, 13 Presidents [20 FEB. 1970] Address 14 translation, is supplied to the hon. Members. preserve, protect and defend the Constitu- It is not proper for me to comment on the tion. The Constitution lays down that no President's act. stranger can address us. It is only the President... {Interruptions) Please listen; this SHRI S. N. MISHRA: But may I is a matter of Constitution. The Constitution suggest... lays down that only the President can MR. CHAIRMAN : Please listen to me address us; no stranger can address us. Now, first; I am giving my ruling. For the future Sir, extending the logic that you have been what will happen will be considered by me pleased to place before us, probably the within the limits of my office and today's President sitting in Rashtrapati Bhavan can debate will be placed before the President. ask any person to deliver the Address on his behalf... SHRI BHUPESH GUPTA : I hope, Sir... SOME HON. MEMBERS : No, no. MR. CHAIRMAN : You may hope but let me finish. Please listen. SHRI S. N. MISHRA : So for the future I would like this to be placed on record that So far as today's proceedings are con- we raised three points. {Interruptions) cerned I rule that the English Address along Please listen to me. with the Hindi translation will be laid on the MR. CHAIRMAN : That is all over now. Table of the House. SHRI S. N. MISHRA : I am winding up. SHRI BHUPESH GUPTA : I request that the Vice-President should not be reduced to SHRI SRIMAN PRAFULLA GOSWA- MI(Asssam) : Sir, let him not waste the the status of a translator. time of the House. SHRI PIT AMBER DAS (Uttar Pradesh): {Interruptions) SHRI S. N. Sir, I want to Say a word; I would like to MISHRA : This is not the way. We would bring to your kind notice one thing, not by like to go on record that we have taken a way of a criticism of your ruling. Since your strong objection to a stranger having ruling would go on record there is a word in addressed the joint session of Parliament. that, which I want to submit to you, you That is point No. 1. We have also taken might reconsider. You have said that the strong exception... President is the head of Parliament. He is part of Parliament under article 79. He is MR. CHAIRMAN : I have already told head of the State, not of Parliament. you that the whole proceeding will be plac- ed before the President. We treat it as a MR. CHAIRMAN : All right; I will translation and take it as such, and there is consider that. no problem involved in it. SHRI PITAMBER DAS : He is part of SHRI S. N. MISHRA : Since one of our Parliament, not its head. hon. Members has raised this point and many other hon. Members also supported it, SHRI BHUPESH GUPTA : I am happy in all fairness I would like to submit most that you did not read it because in that case humbly to the hon. Members that this was your status would have been reduced to that not a question of English versus Hindi or of a translator which as a Rajya Sabha anything of that kind. We would not have Member I would never accept. liked if the speech had been made by a stranger even in Tamil or in Telugu or some SHRI S. N. MISHRA : Sir, I have one other language. We are not bringing in that very humble submission to make. You have point at all. given a ruling which gives to the President even the right to act against the Constitu- And thirdly we would like to go on record tion. that we did not anticipate at all and we would not like it to be the practice in future SOME HON. MEMBERS : No, no. that the Vice-President should be ignored in SHRI S. N. MISHRA : Let me make my this matter and we have had absolutely no point. Now, Sir, the President ia there to reason from the other side as to why the Vice-President has been ignored. {Interruptions) 15 President's [ RAJYA SABHA ] Address 16

MR. CHAIRMAN : I hive given my SECRETARY : Sir, I lay on the Table a ruling; nothing else now. Secretary shall lay copy of the President's Address to both the the Address on the Table. Houses of Parliament assembled together on the 20th February, 1970. {Text of the President's Address in English)

MR. CHAIRMAN : Please sit down Mr. Members of Parliament, 1 welcome you Rajnarain. I am standing; you have to sit to your labours in a new Session of Parlia- clown. ment. I wish you another year of dedicated work in the sctvice of our country.

This is the first Budget Session of a new decade. Behind us lies the decade of the sixties. This period has been one of anxiety, of trials and tribulations and also of achieve- ment. India had to face two wars and two years of unprecedented drought. All citizens stout-heartedly faced this period of trial, The wars brought home to us the inescapable necessity for self-reliance and the drought focussed our energies on augmentation of agricultural production. Indeed, a new strategy for agricultural development was implemented during this period and its success has attracted world-wide attention. The challenge posed by the industrial recession was also met in a variety of ways Many industrial units began diversifying their production. The seaicb for markets foi our goods was intensified.

MR. CHAIRMAN : I do know samvi- Taking stock of our record during the dhan. period beginning with our independence and ending with thedecade of the sixties, Hon'ble SHRI RAJNARAIN : And knowingly Members will recognise the range and scope you are going outside the Constitution ? of our country's achievement in industry and agriculture, in science and technology, and in education and the arts. The path of progress tends to be uneven and beset with reverses, frustrations and hardships. However, our country today is no longer stagnant. It is in ferment. The aspirations of our people and their hopes have been aroused. "They are vocal and impatient—conscious of their needs and rights. Against the background of a highly stratified society, which had been invented the perverse concept of untouchability, we now see the pride and self-assertion of groups and classes who once were regarded as beyond the pale. There has been an unleashing of a vast amount of human energy and enthusiasm. Ideas, attitudes and even habits are rapidly changing. And this transformation is tak-

17 President's [20 FEB. 1970] Address 18

ing place by consent and within the frame- industry in general has registered satis- work of a political democracy. Government factory growth, and the outlook, especially are determined to give to these vast forces in the engineering field, is now distinctly which have been unleashed by the more favourable. developments of the last two decades, a new sense of direction and purpose as well as a The Central and State Governments have realisable goal. further intensified their efforts to raise agri- cultural production under the new strategy. Government are acutely aware of the The area under high-yielding varieties has inequalities in the country which become risen from 1 -9 million hectares in 1966-67 to glaring when contrasted with the prosperity about 9 million hectares in 1968-69. The of some sections of the community. Conse- coverage will be extended further in 1969-70. quently, change in the social structure and For the first time the supply position of the removal of poverty are two aspects of fertilizers in the country is comfortable. We the same question. One cannot be achieved are formulating measures to promote their without the other. increased use. The gathering momentum of the technical transformation of our agrarian Government are resolved to go forward at economy is evident in the keen demand for a faster pace towards the achievement of a tractors which Government are striving to social order which is just and humane, by meet through maximum indigenous taking particular care of the weaker sections production and large scale imports. A big of the community and by ensuring that the programme for the setting up of agro-service meagre wealth of the nation is augmented centres by small entrepreneurs, particularly by hard and dedicated work. It is my engineers and technicians, is proposed to be Government's unswerving purpose to build, implemented vigorously with assistance from brick by brick a society which is democratic the banking sector. and socialist. The task is long and hard and t there are no models to copy. The problems Rural electrification programmes, in con- of India require uniquely Indian solutions, junction with the exploitation of ground taking into account our way of life, our water resources have an important part to history and our tradition. play in stepping up agricultural production and in dispersing its benefits widely. State The present economic situation in the Electricity Boards have been enabled to country augurs well for the acceleration of borrow from the banking system on a bigger the pace of development. Despite the defi- scale in the wake of nationalisation. A ciency of the monsoon in some parts of the significant part of these resources will be country such as Western Rajasthan, Saura- utilised by them for the extension of elec- shtra and Kutch, and the somewhat belated tricity to rural areas. Hon'ble Members are onset of winter rains, it should be possible also aware that a Rural Electrifiction to reap an even better harvest than during Corporation has been formed to provide the past two years. While the movement of funds to the Electricity Boards so that they prices has been subject to seasonal fluctua- can energise a larger number of pump sets tions and some increase has been noticed in for lift irrigation. respect of certain commodities, the price situation is on the whole well under control. The break-through in agriculture which is The food position is satisfactory and we at present limited to irrigated areas growing have been able to augment our buffer stocks. high-yielding varieties has to become However, constant vigilance is necessary to universal. In the coming years, Government maintain price stability. The balance of will concentrate their attention on the payments has remained satisfactory and we problems of the dry areas. While research should be able to end the year with an on the development of suitable technology increase in reserves even after substantial for dry areas will receive high priority, my repayments to the International Monetary Government propose to begin with a few Fund. We have also received the first ins- pilot projects in different parts of the talment of the Special Drawing Rights which country to implement a package of new prac- marks an important advance in the evolution tices and to enlarge the programme progres- of a rational international monetary system. sively. 19 Presidents [RAJYASABHA] Address 20

My Government have decided to appoint its important features. Government are also a National Commission to survey the pro- keen to encourage the growth of small-scale blems and policies relating to agriculture. industries. The list of industries reserved for Such a survey was last made forty years ago. the small-scale sector has therefore been Since then a great many developments have enlarged. taken place, both in India and abroad, which render a fresh survey essential. My My Government are of the view that there Government have also decided to set up a is considerable scope for large-scale indus- Committee of Enquiry to make a compre- trial units in the public as well as in the hensive study of the problems of the sugar private sectors, to farm out the production of Industry. components to ancillary units. Government's licensing and financial policies will seek to Government are deeply conscious of the encourage coordinated development of large developing imbalances in the countryside and small-scale industries. The need to and the resulting tensions which have regret- redress regional imbalances has also tably led to violence in some parts of the received the special attention of the Govern- country. These are no doubt problems of ment in the last few months. An integrated public order but they cannot be divorced policy has been evolved to identify indus- from their socio-economic setting. An unfair trially backward areas and give them special tenurial system impedes the attainment of a incentives for industrial development. high rate of growth in agricultural production. Hence, all State Governments The policies of financial institutions are have been asked to accord high priority to being progressively reoriented towards the land reforms, with special emphasis on promotion of industries in backward areas. security of tenure, fair rents, strict enforce- While these policies are designed to accele- ment of ceilings, distribution of land to the rate the flow of finance for industrial deve- landless and assured supply of agricultural lopment in backward areas, they will inputs to small fanners. The problems which succeed only in so far as the requisite infra- are associated with land reforms are of structure is built up imaginatively and national importance. My Government speedily. The primary responsibility in this earnestly hope that the States will see the regard is that of State Governments and it realities of the situation and take urgent and will be the endeavour of my Government to imaginative remedial measures. The work in close harmony with them in vigorous implementation of land reforms promoting balanced regional development. will also promote the social and economic advancement of scheduled castes, scheduled The revival of industrial production in the tribes and other backward classes, whose current year is reflected in the increased de- welfare is of special concern to my Govern- mand for steel and steel products. While ment. arrangements had to be made for imports of steel to meet, to an extent, the pressing After the set-back in 1966 and 1967, there shortages, it is our aim to maximise produc- has been a significant increase in the tempo tion in existing plants and establish additional of industrial activity. Present indications are capacity as early as possible. that industrial production will have increased by a little over 7% in 1969. A particularly Government have now decided to take in heartening feature of the current industrial hand immediately the work on the second situation is the recovery noticed in a large stage of the Bokaro Plant. Indeed it is our number of industries manufacturing capital objective to initiate action for the establish- goods and equipment. ment of other steel plants also at suitable Government have formulated a new licens- sites so as to ensure the fruition of additional ing policy in the light of the recommenda- capacity according to a phased programme. tions of the Industrial Licensing Policy En- The Fourth Plan, which is now being recast, quiry Committee. This policy seeks to will reflect the current thinking of promote industrial growth while embodying Government on the possibilities of further adequate safeguards against monopolistic expansion of steel capacity in the country. trends and the concentration of economic An important consequence of these power. The encouragement of new decisions will be the fuller utilisation of entrepreneurs, small and medium, is one of capacity in our heavy engineering units. 21 President's [20 FEB. 1970] Address 22

Oil exploration is another important element increase in our shipping tonnage, our over- in our strategy for economic self-reliance. seas trade is being carried in a larger measure Progress has been maintained in the current by Indian ships whose share is at present year in the exploration and production of oil. between 18 and 20 per cent. The aggregate production of crude oil during 1969 was 6 -7 million tonnes as against 5 '8 A perceptible increase in the standards of million tonnes in the previous year. A living of our people is also linked with the specially significant development has been vigorous implementation of family planning the extension of exploration to the off-shore programmes. The rising rate of population areas of the Gulf of Cambay. We expect to erodes the gains of development. Our family spud the first well in shallow waters shortly planning programme has gained momentum and are poised to undertake the preparatory in the last four years. But very much more work to begin exploration in the deep waters needs to be done if the national aim to reduce of the Gulf of Cambay. Production has the current birth rate of 39 per thousand to already commenced in the Oil and Natural 25 per thousand in a decade is to be Gas Commission's off-shore joint venture achieved on time. with Iran. Increased production and better distribu- Apart from steel and oil, the production of tion of wealth and income generating fertilisers has been given the highest oriority opportunities for employment should be the in our Plan. During the current year, two parameters of our eccncmic policy. These new fertiliser plants have gone into priorities will be reflected in the Fourth Plan production, raising the total installed document which will shortly be finalised and capacity to 1 -34 million tonnes of Nitrogen. placed before you. My Government are Three more projects—in Durgapur, Cochin aware that unemployment is the most and Madras—with a total capacity of nearly serious problem facing the economy and an 500,000 tonnes are expected to be early and effective solution to it must be commissioned during 1970. Work on coal- found. The increase of 2% in employment in based plants will also ommence shortly. We the organised sector after comparative shall continue to pursue self-sufficiency in stagnation in the two preceding years is an this important field with unabated vigour. encouraging factor. A steady and significant increase in our The selective increase in the level of out- exports is essential to maintain the momen- lays now envisaged in the public sector in tum of development. Last year witnessed the Central and State Plans have, among very gratifying progress towards external other things, been inspired by Government's viability. Despite the recent pick up in desire to enlarge opportunities for employ- industrial recovery, imports have continued ment. At the same time, special steps have to to fall, thus affording some evidence of the be taken to impart an employment bias to success of import substitution. Exports, development. Programmes with large however, have not done so well in the first employment potential, will be identified and seven months of the current year, for a given a special impetus. Some steps have variety of reasons, external and internal. My already been taken towards this end. In the Government have, therefore, undertaken a current year, the States have been enabled to crash programme to increase exports as earmark larger outlays for programmes such much as possible. as major and minor irrigation, and rural In securing a better equilibrium in our electrification which provide employment to balance of payments, earnings on invisible a large number of engineers and technicians. account are of very great importance. During Land reclamation, the renovation of minor the year, certain progress has been registered. irrigation works, construction of roads link- It is gratifying to note that a larger number of ing villages with marketing centres and simi- tourists visited India during 1969 compared lar programmes can make a substantial to 1968, resulting in an increase in our impact on rural development and employ- foreign exchange earnings on this account ment. from Rs. 27 crores to roughly Rs. 32 crores. A large scale rural works programme, Likewise, with the steady pooling together the resources available under the Plan , will be drawn up and impl 23 President's IRAJYA SABHA ] Address 24 mented vigorously within a period of 12 to ted in the light of the recent judgment of the 18 months. This is a task which calls for Supreme Court. much detailed planning and local initiative I should like, at this stage to refer to at State level. Construction activity can also Government's labour policy. It has always contribute to employment among engineers, aimed at ameliorating the living and work- technicians, skilled and unskilled workers. ing conditions of labour, improving their My Government therefore propose to direct wages and emoluments and assuring them a larger resources towards programmes such degree of job security. In pursuance of this as the bulk acquisition and development of policy, Government have recently decided to land for the allotment of house sites, housing accept the principal recommendations of the for low income groups and slum clearance, Wage Boards on Ports & Docks and have particularly in metropolitan areas where the encouraged the setting up of a bipartite housing problem is most acute. negotiating machinery for revision of the Our technical education programmes have wage structure in the iron and steel industry. to be reoriented so as to subserve the needs The National Commission on Labour, of employment. The education now im- whose report the Government have recently parted in our polytechnics has to be linked received, has made several recommendations with practical experience in industry. This for strengthening the Trade Union involves a fundamental change in education movement and promoting effective in polytechnics so that theory can be related collective bargaining. My Government to practice and teaching to industrial work. specially appeal to all sections of organised We have simultaneously to provide greater labour to support the efforts of Government opportunities to other students also to gain in stepping up production and productivity. work experience. The programme of Without discipline and sustained and hard national service for students studying in the work, the country cannot achieve its socio- first two years at degree level is now economic goals. proposed to be expanded to cover all But all these efforts at socio-economic universities on a selective basis. It is advancement can succeed only in an envi- expected that nearly one lakh students will ronment of peace and harmony, and a firm participate in the scheme. The students will adherence to democratic principles. The thus get an opportunity to engage in social continuing trend towards violence in the service and in the process acquire a sense of country is, therefore, a cause of deep con- involvement in various national development cern. The problem transcends political programmes. divisions and the Government seek the co- Greater employment will thus result from operation of all political parties, and indeed investment, which in turn calls for the of all responsible citizens, in dealing with it. mobilisation of larger savings. This will be one of the important objectives of nation- Of all the manifestations of violence the alised banks. With their present bold pro- most disturbing, because it is destructive of gramme for branch expansion, they are all values of civilised life, is the one expected to mobilise deposits on a much between different religious communities. larger scale than hitherto. At the same time, After the meeting of the National Integration assistance for viable and productive schemes Council in 1968, there were signs of will flow from the banks in a greater measure improvement in communal relations. But to the weaker sections of society. The spirit then came the shocking happenings in Ah- underlying the policy of nationalisation is medabad, causing national humiliation and beginning to inform the activities of the leaving a blot on our honour. Those banks which have begun to assist productive happenings are a challenge to all who have and gainful activities in agriculture, servicing faith in secularism and the dignity of the industries and the retail trade which had so individual, and respect for human life. We far been grievously neglected. The salutary view with particular concern the continuing processes, which have already been initiated, resort to violence by certain extremist poli- will be further activated when legislation tical groups. At the root of their activities is regarding the nationalisation of banks is a political ideology which exploits social suitably re-enac- discontent to pursue its disruptive aims. 25 Presidents [ 20 FEB. 1970 ] Address 26

While we are anxious to remove genuine In the sphere of external affairs, we have causes of social discontent, violent activities sought to promote and further strengthen our have to be dealt with firmly. friendship with other countries. We continue to adhere to the pursuit of peace, At a critical period in our history, the international understanding and mutually Princes showed patriotism and imaginative beneficial co-operation. understanding of the aspirations of the peo- The concept of peaceful co-existence has ple and made a major contribution to the been steadily gaining acceptance. We feel smooth and peaceful unification of India that the area of peaceful co-existence should under a democratic regime. I have every steadily be widened and given a new dimen- hope that in the same way they will recog- sion of friendly co-operatic n. We believe nise the social imperatives of the present that, with the lessening of the rigidities of times and, in the wider interest of the the military blocs and easing of tensions bet- country, once again exhibit a spirit of co- ween the power blocs, there is now greater operation and goodwill. The concept of acceptance of the concept of non-alignmer.t Rulership, with privy purses and special and widening of the opportunities to ad- privileges unrelated to any current functions vance the cause of the freedom, prosperity and social purposes, is incompatible with an and stability of nations. egalitarian social order. Government have, therefore, decided to abolish the privy purs- It is a matter of gratification that our es and privileges of the Rulers of the former relations with our neighbouring countries— Indian States, and legislation will be intro- Ceylon, Burma, Nepal, Afghanistan and duced to give effect to this decision. It is, Iran—have been developing fruitfully. New however, our intention to make certain tran- vistas of mutual co-operation and under- sitional arrangements so that the former standing continue to be discovered with these Rulers may have time to adjust themselves and other countries. to changed circumstances. It has been Government's policy to pay My Government earnestly hope that the increasing attention to the development of decisions regarding Chandigarh and part of our bilateral and multilateral economic rela- the Fazilka tehsil will enable the people of tions with all countries. We are paying the two neighbouring States to devote their particular attention to promoting such rela- energies to the constructive tasks which lie tions with the developing countries in gene- ahead. When emotions are aroused, a ral and the countries of the Asian region in decision capable of satisfying everyone is particular. Now that agricultural and not possible. But it is Government's belief industrial development of India has reached that the decisions reached have been just and a significant stage, it is possible for our fair. Government will soon appoint a country to make a contribution to inter- Commission to go into other claims by national co-operation. We have, therefore, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh for supported the setting up of a broad-based the re-adjustment of their present boundaries regional arrangement through the Council of and will also consider such modifications as Ministers for Asian Economic Co-operation are necessary in the present arrangements under the ECAFE. relating to the management of the Bhakra Project and the construction of the Beas Government earnestly desire the under- Project. standing, cooperation and friendship of the Our next decennial Census of population people and Government of Pakistan. We will be held early in 1971, marking the com- have made various suggestions and construc- pletion of a hundred years of census taking in tive proposals to the Government of Pakistan the country. The Indian Census is the largest to break the present impasse. Unfortunately, administrative operation of its kind in the there has been no positive response from world and the success of an operation of Pakistan to the initiatives we have taken. My such intricate nature and magnitude is possi- Government will persevere in their efforts to ble only through the co-operative effort of promote relations with Pakistan in a co- the Central and State Governments, local operative spirit and on the basis of amity and authorities, and, indeed, of every citizen. good neighbourliness. 27 President's [ RAJYA SABHA ] Address 28

With China also our aim has been to a Bill in replacement of the Haryana and conduct our relations on the principles of Punjab Agricultural Universily Ordinance, mutual respect of each other's sovereignty 1970. Government also intend to bring and territorial integrity and non- before Parlirment the following legislative inferference in each other's internal affaire. measures during the current session :— We expect China to respect our right to 1. A Bill to amend the Press Council Act. pursue our own domestic affairs and foreign policy. 2. The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Bill, 1970. My Government are deeply concerned 3. The Foreign Assistance (Regulation) that the conflicts in West Asia and in Bill, 1970. Vietnam have remained unresolved. Both these conflicts have an unsettling effect on 4. The Crop Insurance Bill, 1970. the peace and stability of the world. The 5. A Bill to set up a Newspaper Finance tensions in West Asia are reaching a Corporation. dangerously explosive level. It is necessary for the U.N. to ensure 6. A Bill to amend the Untouchability implementation of the Security Council (Offerees) Act, 1955. Resolution of November 22, 1967. In 7. The National Co-operative Develop- Vietnam, the hostilities still continue. My ment Corporation (Amendment) Bill, Government have consistently advocated 1970. the withdrawal of all foreign forces so that 8. A Bill to set up an autonomous statu- the people of Vietnam are able to fashion tory corporation for the management of their own destiny without any outside the four international airports in India. interference. Members of Parliament, you meet at a We have had the privilege of receiving moment of great expectations ;mong our many distinguished Heads of States and people. May you truly reflect their urges and Governments in our midst. During the aspirations, and may your deliberations and past year, I visited our friendly neighbour wisdom bring them nearer fulfilment. Ceylon and the Prime Minister visited Burma, Afghanistan, Japan and (Text of the President's Address in Hindi) Indonesia. These visits contributed to the growing understanding and friendship with these countries. We are dedicated to the cause of peace but have to be vigilant to maintain our defence preparedness at a high level. Steady progress has been made in achieving self-reliance in equipping our defence forces. A self-supporting industrial base for defence is being built up in the country. We are now self-reliant in respect of many important categories of arms and ammunition. We have also made appreciable progress towards indigenous production in the vital fields of electronics, aeronautics and construction of warships. The estimates of receipts and expenditure of the Government of India for the next financial year (1970-71) will be presented to you for consideration shortly. Government will bring before Parlirment a Bill for replacing the recent Ordinance re-oationulising the 14 banks. A Bill is already pending in the Rajya Sabha which will replace the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Continuance Ordinance, 1969. Government also propose to bring forward 29 President's [20 FEB. 1970] Address 30

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33 President's [ 20 FEB. 1970 J Address 34

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37 President's [20 FEB. 1970] Address 38

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45 Proclamation under [20 FED. 1970] Article 356 of the Constitution 46

MR. CHAIRMAN : 1 cannot ask the Government to do something which is not required by the Constitution.

PROCLAMATION UNDER ARTICLE 356 OF THE CONSTITUTION THE DEPUTY MINISTER IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHR1 K. S. RAMASWAMY) : Sir, I beg to lay on the Table, under clause (3) of article 356 of the Constitution, a copy of the Proclamation (G.S.R. No. 236) issued by the President on February 16, 1970, revoking the Proclamation issued on July 4, 1969, under the said article, in relation lo the State of Bihar (in English and Hindi). [Placed in Library. See No. LT-2516/70]. SHR1 SUNDER SINGH BHANDARI (Rajasthan) : Sir, before you proceed I object lo the laying of these papers before MR. CHAIRMAN : This is out of order. the matter is clarified.

MR. CHAIRMAN : This is out of order. Mr. Rajnarain, please sit down. SHRI AWADESHWAR PRASAD S1NHA (Bihar) : May I request you to expunge what he had said ?

MR. CHAIRMAN : I overrule this point of order. Under article 356 clause (3) it is only the Proclamation which has to be laid on the Table. No other document need to be laid on the Table. SHRI SUNDAR SINGH BHANDARI : But there are two letters on the basis of which this Proclamation has been issued. 1 beseech you; they should also be laid on the Table of the House.