THE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES OFFICIAL REPORT IN THE FORTY-SECOND SESSION OF THE RAJYA SABHA Commencing on the 18th February, i<)63\the 29th Magna, 1884 (Saka)
1 2 ment of a structure of society wherein these RAJYA SABHA objectives might be effectively realised. We Monday, the 18th February, 1963/the 29th have also, in accordance with our past Magha, 1884 (Safca) traditions, laboured for world peace and endeavoured to cultivate friendly and co- operative relations with all countries, avoiding The House met at fifteen minutes past military alliances. We venture to think that we twelve of the clock, MR. CHAIRMAN in the have been of some service in thia respect to Chair. the international community.
PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS LAID ON 3. Soon after the constitution of our THE TABLE Republic, we began our long pilgri mage to reach our objective of a SECRETARY: Sir, I beg to lay on the democratic and socialist order and Table a copy of the President's Address to adopted planned approaches to thia both the Houses of Parliament assembled end. Two Five Year Plans succeeded together on the 18th February, 1963. one another, and now we are in the middle of the Third Five Year Plan. (Text of the President's Address in English) During this period, we have made substantial progress in many sectors Members of Parliament, I welcome you to of our economy, even though we have your labours in a new session of the Third not always been satisfied with the Parliament of our Republic. progress made.
2. Ever since the constitution of our 4. Agriculture, which is the most Republic, our Parliament has had to face important sector of our economy has difficult problems and to shoulder heavy undergone material developments and responsibilities. Under the guidance of agricultural production has increased Parliament, we have laboured for the considerably. Industry, both large- fulfilment of the objectives laid down in our scale and small-scale,'as well.as vil Constitution, namely, to secure for all our lage industries, have shown marked citizens social, economic and political progress, and gradually an industrial justice; liberty of thought, expression, belief, base of our economy is being estab faith and worship; equality of status and of lished. The nation's health has im opportunity; and to promote among them all, proved greatly, and the expectation of fraternity, assuring the dignity of the life, which used to be 32 in the individual and the unity of the nation. We forties, has reached 47 and is; rising have directed all our energies towards the still. Striking results have been ob establish- tained in the programme for the era dication of malaria, Education, even though a great deal more has to be 3 President's Address [ RAJYA SABBA ] laid on the Table 4
done to improve its quality and content, has 7. These massive attacks and further spread rapidly. By the end of March 1962, aggression on our territory had a powerful there were over fifty million boys and girls in effect on our people and resulted in a our schools and colleges. Stress has been widespread and spontaneous display of unity specially laid on scientific and technical edu- all over the country. All the petty internal diffe- cation and a large number of new rences were hushed and stopped in the face of technological institutions are functioning this peril to the nation's integrity and freedom. now. Parliament gave a lead to the nation in this matter in November last and our people, throughout the length and breadth of India 5. Engrossed though we were in our wholeheartedly followed this lead. internal development, we continued to take purposeful interest in international affairs, 8. Any attack on the integrity of India always laying stress on the vital importance would have been painful, but an attack coming pf world peace. On some occasions, our from a country with whom we had tried to be participation made a difference and helped friendly, and whose cause we had espoused in the cause of peace. We had hoped not only international councils was a gross betrayal and that world peace would be progressively came as a great shock to our people. assured, but that we also would continue to Inevitably, the first duty of the nation in these live at peace with our neighbours, and that circumstances was to meet this aggression any problems that arose would be settled by effectively and to prepare the country to that peaceful methods. We settled some of our end. important problems with Pakistan, but unfortunately other important ones still 9. At present no actual fighting is taking remain. We are anxious to settle these also place. But the experience of the last few peacefully so that India and Pakistan should, months has warned and steeled us and made us in accordance with our common history, resolve to protect ourselves on this menace and culture and traditions, live as friendly and co- to strengthen our defences and economic operative neighbours. structure to the utmost Our Government is devoting itself to this urgent and vital task. 6. Some years ago, China commenced its surreptitious aggression in Ladakh which 10. Soon after the Chinese aggression our later resulted in some incidents between the Government appealed to the countries of the two countries. This matter has often been world asking for their sympathy and support. discussed in Parliament. We hoped that we We are grateful to the large number of them would succeed in solving this question also who responded and extended their sympathy. through peaceful methods. On the 8th A number of them have also given practical September last, however, a new aggression support and we are grateful to them. In particular, I should like to express our started across the border in the North East Frontier Agency and, after some probing gratitude to the United States of America and attacks, China, on the 20th October, mounted the United Kingdom for the speed with which they gave their support to us in a moment of a massive attack on both the NEFA and the Ladakh sectors of the India-China boundary. crisis. In the middle of November, a second massive attack followed and our forces received a 11. The last session of Parliament setback. Subsequently the Chinese discussed fully certain proposals Government ordered unilaterally a cease-fire which were put forward by the Gov- and a withdrawal. 5 President's Address [ 18 FEB. 1963 ] laid on the Table 6 ernments of Ceylon and five other non-aligned working in fields and factories and in countries. These proposals did not deal with Government undertakings all over the the merits of the basic dispute between India country, and it has been a heartening and China, but suggested some method of experience for all of us to see this mighty creating an atmosphere which would enable response of a great people in the face of peril these basic questions to be discussed. After to the motherland. full consideration and reference to Parliament, our Government conveyed their acceptance of these proposals, as clarified by the Colombo 14. Soon after the declaration of Powers, without any reservation. The Chinese Emergency, the central organisations Government has thus far not accepted them of labour and management unani and we cannot say at present what deve- mously adopted an industrial truce lopments may take place in the future. Our resolution aiming at the total elimina country, committed as it is to peaceful method, tion of industrial disputes, and in will always endeavour to solve disputes crease of production and reduction of peacefully, provided this is in consonance with cost to the maximum extent possible. our honour and freedom. But whatever may In pursuance of this, Emergency Pro happen, we cannot and will not submit to duction Committees have been set up dictation backed by military force. at the Centre, in the States and in many industrial establishments. 12. The issue of the Chinese aggression has been, and is today, the overriding issue before us and everything else has to be 15. In view of the great burdens considered in that context. The freedom and cast on us by the Chinese aggression honour of a country must be given the first and the steps taken to meet it, the place and, if a country cannot defend them, question arose as to how far our then other matters lose significance. The Third Five Year Plan could be car nation's activities have thus been concentrated ried through without considerable on this basic issue. A National Defence Coun- change. On full consideration of the cil has been formed and a National Defence matter, our Government came to the Fund started. This Fund has met with a conclusion that a very great part of generous response from our people. Many the Plan was essential for strengthen Citizens' Councils have been formed in the ing the nation and its implementation different States; and a Central Citizens' was, therefore, necessary even from Council, to co-ordinate the activities of the the point of view of defence. Economic other Councils, has also been instituted development and industrial growth are the very basis of our defence pre 13. Many steps have been taken in order to paredness. To stop or slow down expand our armed forces and increase this process of economic development production in our ordnance factories and other would result in weakening the coun defence establishments. The assistance of civil try. It has therefore been decided to factories is also being taken to this end. I continue implementing the Third Five should like to express our Government's Year Plan with such minor modifica gratitude to the workers of all these factories. tions as may be necessitated by the They have responded wonderfully to the cause circumstances, and by reorienting our of the nation. This is true of others industrial pattern so as to give pri ority to defence needs. Thus, in the field of agriculture, industry, trans port, communications, power, techni cal education and research, we have to continue to do our utmost. A strong agricultural base is a pre-re- quisite of national security. Industry is essential for defence so also the growth of power and transport and technical education. 7 President's Address [ RAJYA SABHA ] laid on the Table 8 16. Intensive agricultural pro resources through smuggling of gold into grammes have led to increases in per India, certain rules have been framed to bring acre yields of rice from 15 to 21 per gold under control. cent., of wheat from 8 to 15 per cent., and of barley from 11 to 25 per cent., 19. Our Atomic Energy pro as compared to the previous year. gramme has shown rapid progress. A The upward trend in industrial out uranium mine is being opened in put has continued and the increase Bihar and a uranium mill is under in industrial production in the first construction. The first nuclear power nine months of 1962, is estimated to station at Tarapore will be followed be around seven and a half per cent. by a second such station near Rana The production of iron and steel is Pratap Sagar in Rajasthan; a third steadily increasing and steps have one will be located at Kalpakkam on been taken for the expansion of the the east coast in Madras State. It steel plants in the public sector, and appears, on further enquiry, that the the setting up of an alloy steel plant cost of electric power from the Tara at Durgapur. Further progress has pore Station will be less than from a been made in the development of our coal power station of the same size mineral and oil resources. Coal in the same locality. These power production has been steadily increasing stations will also lighten the pressure and it is hoped that the target for on our railway and transport system. production of 61 million tonnes will 20. The Community Development be achieved this year. programme now almost covers the 17. In December 1962, the Indian entire country, and Panchayati Raj is merchant fleet reached a tonnage of one now functioning in nine States. In million gross registered tons. The target for view of the Emergency, a special pro acquiring additional tonnage of five hundred gramme has been started for the full and fifty thousand gross registered tons, to be mobilisation of rural India to meet attained by 1966, is well within sight three the challenge of national defence. Vil years ahead of the close of the Plan. Two lage Volunteer Forces will be organi hundred thousand tons have already been sed in every Panchayat with a three acquired and firm orders have been placed for fold programme—production, mass acquisition of more than two hundred thou- education and village defence. An sand tons. integral part of the scheme is the creation of a Defence Labour Bank 18. Economy in expenditure, the based on the donation of free labour elimination of waste, conservation of our at the minimum rate of one day's lab limited material resources, and restraint on our per month by every adult. The consumption, always important, are of co-operative movement in the rural particular importance today. The basic areas has made considerable progress necessities of the people should be fully and membership of primary agricul tural credit societies, which is 20 secured and the price line maintained. It is a tribute to the sense of discipline and solidarity million now, is expected to rise to 24 of our people that, immediately after the million in 1963 and to 28 million next declaration of Emergency, there was a year. More than a thousand co-ope spontaneous and general recognition of the rative farming societies have been need for preserving the stability of the organised so far. economy. The general level of wholesale « prices at present is no higher than it was at the 21. I am glad to inform you that beginning of the Third Five Year Plan. In the Government of France has ratified order to put an end to the strain on our the Treaty of Cession in respect of foreign exchange the former French establishments. This completes the de jure transfer of these establishments to India. 22. Our relations with Nepal continue to be friendly. Indian aid to Nepal, 9 President's Address [ 18 FEB. 1963 ] l aid on the Table 10 both in the field of economic help and technical assistance, has achieved satisfactory 27. While our efforts are directed to results. India has promised Nepal economic meeting our grave problems and mobilisation aid to the extent of eighteen crores of rupees of our human and material resources, both for during the Third Five Year Plan period, apart defence and economic development, we from the Kosi and Gandak projects, the welcome the slight improvement in the benefits from which will accrue both to India international situation. Cuba afforded us an and Nepal. example of the world hovering over the very 23. India has also given substantial aid to brink of nuclear war, which, however, was Bhutan and Sikkim for their economic avoided by the restraint and goodwill of the development. India sponsored the Great Powers involved. There have been some membership of Bhutan to the Colombo Plan, indications of relaxation of tension and the and Bhutan participated in the Colombo Plan possibility of agreements being reached in Consultative Committee at Melbourne in regard to the banning of nuclear weapons. November 1962. 28. A statement of the estimated receipts 24. The Government of India has and expenditure of the Government of India welcomed the independence of Algeria, for the financial year 1963-64 will be laid Burundi, Jamaica, Rwanda, Trinidad, Tobago before you. and Uganda, which have been admitted as members of the United Nations. We wish 29. Among the Bills that will be these newly independent countries every placed before you for your consi success. Nyasaland is also to have self- deration, will be: government soon. 1. A Bill to provide for the re- 25. In the Congo, our troops functioning presentation for the Union territory under the United Nations, have helped greatly of Pondieherry, Karaikal, Mahe and in solving some of the difficult problems that Yanam in Parliament. had arisen there. Our troops will remain there until the United Nations is able to release 2. The Union Territories Bill. them without putting their peace-keeping operations into jeopardy. 3. The Slum Areas (Improve- ment and Clearance) Amendment 26. In the course of the past year, Bill. we have had goodwill visits, which we have welcomed, from many Heads 4. The Indian Emigration (Amend- of States and Prime Ministers and ment) Bill. others from many countries. Among them were, Their Majesties the King 5. The Industrial Disputes and Queen of Nepal, President Lopez (Amendment) Bill. Mateos of Mexico, Mr. Gheorghe 6. The Factories (Amendment) Gheorghiu-Dej, President of the Peo Bill. ple's Republic of Rumania, President Makarios of Cyprus, Dr. Heinrich 7. The Electricity (Supply) Lubke, President of the Federal Re Amendment Bill. public of Germany, His Royal High 8. The Delhi Development ness Prince Norodom Sihanouk of (Amendment) Bill. Cambodia, Their Majesties the King and Queen of Greece, Prime Minister 30. Members of Parliament, we are meeting Mr. Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore, today at a grave moment in our history. Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Committed as we are to build a democratic Of Malaya, Mr. Edward Kardelj, Vice- socialist society in which progress is sought President ci Yugoslavia, and Dr. and attained by peaceful methods and by Rachid Karame, Prime Minister of consent, we have to face the menace of Lebanon. foreign aggression. I earrestly trust that this 11 President's Address [ RAJYA SABHA ] laid on the Table 12 Parliament which is ultimately responsible for our policies and for guiding the nation, will face these great tasks with courage and wisdom, and a spirit of tolerance and co- operative endeavour. May your labours bear fruit for the good of our country and people, and the world. Awake, arise, understand the opportunities you have and stop not till the goal Is reached—
Uttisthata jagrata prapya-varan nibo-dhata.
{Text of President's Address in Hindi)
j 3 President's Address [ 18 FEB. 1963 ] laid on the Table 14
15 President's Address I RAJYA SABHA ] laid on the Tabic 16
17 President's Address [ 18 FEB. 1963 ] laid on the Table 18
19 President's Address [ RAJYA SABHA ] laid on the Table 20
21 President's Address [ 18 FEB. 1963 ] laid on the Table 22
OBITUARY REFERENCE
MR. CHAIRMAN: It is with deep regret that I have to refer to the passing away of a valued colleague of ours, Shri B. N. Datar, on February 13, 1963. Though he was not a Member of the Rajya Sabha, he functioned as a Minister in this House for over ten years and became entitled to the abiding affection of all the Members of this House.
Shri Datar was an erudite person and earned academic distinction in Vedanta Philosophy. He was well versed in Sanskrit and also took interest in legal education.
As a Minister he endeared himself to Members of Parliament by hi3 assiduity, capacity for hard work and extreme courtesy. All of us in this House will miss him greatly. The nation has lost one of its devoted and able servants.