WEDNESDAY, the 17TH MAY, 2000 (The Rajya Sabha Met in the Parliament House at 11.00 A.M.)

WEDNESDAY, THE 17TH MAY, 2000 (The Rajya Sabha met in the Parliament House at 11.00 a.m.)

1. Starred Questions The following Starred Questions were orally answered. Starred Question No. 722 regarding New Anti-terrorist Bill. Starred Question No. 724 regarding T and D losses due to cyclone in Orissa.

Answers to remaining questions (721, 723 and 725 to 740) were laid on the Table.

2. Unstarred Questions Answers to Unstarred Question Nos.5484 to 5636 were laid on the Table.

12 Noon 3. Statements by Ministers Correcting Answers to Questions Ms. Jayawanti Mehta (Minister of State in the Ministry of Power) made a Statement correcting the reply given in the Rajya Sabha on the 10th May, 2000 to Starred Question 621, regarding filling up the post of CMD and Directors.

Shri I.D. Swami (Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs) laid on the Table a Statement (in English and Hindi) correcting the reply given in the Rajya Sabha on the 26th April, 2000 to Unstarred Question 3425, regarding Reang refugees in Tripura.

12-01 p.m. 4. Papers Laid on the Table Shri Digvijay Singh (Minister of State in the Ministry of Railways) on behalf of Ms. Mamata Banerjee laid on the Table a copy (in English and Hindi) of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of India (Ministry of Railways) and the Indian Railway Finance Corporation Limited for the year 2000- 2001.

Shri Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa (Minister of Urban Employment and Poverty Alleviation) laid on the Table a copy (in English and Hindi) of the Ministry of Urban Employment & Poverty Alleviation Notification F.No. W

(XV)/Se/84.Vol.III (3) dated 21.2.2000 publishing the Lakshadweep Building Development Board (Finance and Accounts) Rules, 2000 under Section 31 of the Lakshadweep Building Development Board Regulation, 1997.

Shri R. Kumaramangalam (Minister of Power) laid on the Table a copy (in English and Hindi) of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of India (Ministry of Mines and Minerals, Department of Coal) and the Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited for the year 2000-2001.

Shri E. Ponnuswamy (Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas) laid on he Table a copy (in English and Hindi) of the Supplementary Memorandum of Action Taken on the Report# of the Justice S.C. Jain Commission of Inquiry into the fire incident at HPCL Visakh Refinery under sub-section (4) of section 3 of the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952.

Shri O. Rajagopal (Minister of State in the Ministry of Law, Justice and Company Affairs and Justice and Company Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs) the following papers laid on the Table:- I. A copy each (in English and Hindi) under sub-section (1) of section 619A of the Companies Act, 1956:— (a) Sixteenth Annual Report and Accounts of the Hospital Services Consultancy Corporation (India) Limited, Delhi, for the year 1998-99, together with the Auditor's Report on the Accounts and the comments of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India thereon.

(b) Review by Government on the working of the above Corporation.

(2) Statement (in English and Hindi) giving reasons for the delay in laying the papers mentioned at (1) above.

II. A copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following papers:— (1) (a) Annual Report and Accounts of the Lala Ram Sarup Institute of Tuberculosis and Allied Diseases, New Delhi, for the year 1998-99, together with the Auditor's Report on the Accounts.

(b) Review by Government on the working of the above Institute.

17TH MAY, 2000

(2) (a) Annual Report and Accounts of the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences, Shillong, for the year 1990- 1994, together with the Auditor's Report on the Accounts.

(b) Review by Government on the working of the above Institute.

(3) (a) Twenty-ninth Annual Report and Accounts of the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences and Kasturba Hospital, Sevagram, for the year 1998-99, together with the Auditor's Report on the Accounts.

(b) Review by Government on the working of the above Institute.

(4) (a) Annual Report and Accounts of the Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy, New Delhi, for the year 1998-99, together with the Auditor's Report on the Accounts.

(b) Review by Government on the working of the above Council.

(5) (a) Annual Report of the Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, for the year 1998-99.

(b) Annual Accounts of the the Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, for the year 1998-99, and the Audit Report thereon.

(d) Statement giving reasons for the delay in laying the papers mentioned at (a) and (b) above.

(6) Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of India (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare) and the Hospital Services Consultancy Corporation (India) Limited for the year 2000-2001.

Shri Jaysingrao Gaikwad Patil (Minister of State in the Ministry of Human Resource Development) the following papers laid on the Table:- I. A copy each (in English and Hindi) under sub-section (2) of section 29 and sub- section (4) of section 30 of the Maulana Azad National Urdu University Act, 1996:— (a) First Annual Report and Accounts of the Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad, for the year 1998-99, together with the Auditor's Report on the Accounts.

(b) Review by Government on the working of the above University.

(2) Statement (in English and Hindi) giving reasons for the delay in laying the papers mentioned at (1) above.

II. A copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following papers:— (1) (a) Annual Accounts of the Nagaland University, Kohima, for the year 1994-95, and the Audit Report thereon, under sub-section (4) of section 31 of the Nagaland University Act, 1981

(b) Statement giving reasons for the delay in laying the papers mentioned at (a) above.

(2) (a) Annual Accounts of the Nagaland University, Kohima, for the year 1995-96, and the Audit Report thereon, under sub-section (4) of section 31 of the Nagaland University Act, 1981.

(b) Statement giving reasons for the delay in laying the papers mentioned at (a) above.

(3) (a) Annual Accounts of the Visva-Bharati, Shantiniketan, for the year 1998-99, and the Audit Report thereon, under sub-section (4) of section 36 of the Visva Bharati Act, 1951.

17TH MAY, 2000

(b) Statement giving reasons for the delay in laying the papers mentioned at (a) above.

(4) (a) Annual Report and Accounts of the Board of Apprenticeship Training, Kanpur, for the year 1998-99, together with the Auditor's Report on the Accounts.

(b) Review by Government on the working of the above Board.

(5) (a) Annual Report and Accounts of the Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow, for the year 1998-99, together with the Auditor's Report on the Accounts.

(b) Review by Government on the working of the above Institute.

(6) (a) Annual Report and Accounts of the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta, for the year 1998-99, together with the Auditor's Report on the Accounts.

(b) Review by Government on the working of the above Institute.

(7) (a) Twenty-fourth Annual Report and Accounts of the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, for the year 1998-99, together with the Auditor's Report on the Accounts.

(b) Review by Government on the working of the above Institute.

(c) Statement giving reasons for the delay in laying the papers mentioned at (a) above. (8) (a) Thirty-seventh Annual Report and Accounts of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, for the year 1998-99, together with the Auditor's Report on the Accounts.

(b) Review by Government on the working of the above Institute.

Ms. Jayawanti Mehta (Minister of State in the Ministry of Power) laid on the Table a copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following papers:—

(i) (a) Annual Report and Accounts of the Energy Management Centre, New Delhi, for the year 1997-98, together with the Auditor's Report on the Accounts.

(b) Review by Government on the working of the above Centre.

(ii) (a) Annual Report and Accounts of the Energy Management Centre, New Delhi, for the year 1998-99, together with the Auditor's Report on the Accounts.

(b) Review by Government on the working of the above Centre.

(d) Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of India (Ministry of Power) and the Rural Electrification Corporation for the year 2000-2001.

Shri Omar Abdullah (Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry) the following notifications laid on the Table:-

I. A copy each (in English and Hindi) of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Department of Commerce), under sub-section (3) of Section 30 of the Tobacco Board Act, 1975:—

17TH MAY, 2000

1. S.O. 233 (E) dated 7.4.1999 publishing the relaxation of Section 10 of the Tobacco Board Act, 1975 for a limited period upto 25.4.1999 so that the condition of certificate of registration for the Virginia tobacco of Karnataka is relaxed on payment of fee of Rs.2/- per kgs.

2. S.O. 234 (E) dated 7.4.1999 allowing sale of unauthorised tobacco crop upto 25.4.1999 on auction platform of Karnataka on payment of 5% service charges.

3. S.O. 436 (E) dated 14.6.1999 allowing sale of unauthorised tobacco crop upto 15.8.99 on auction platform of Andhra Pradesh on payment of 5% service charge.

4. S.O. 437 (E) dated 14.6.1999 publishing the relaxation of Section 10 of the Tobacco Board Act 1975 for a limited period upto 15.7.1999 so that the condition of certificate of registration for the Virginia tobacco growers of Andhra Pradesh is relaxed on payment of fee of Rs. 2/-per kg.

5. S.O. 568 (E) dated 9.7.1999 publishing the Corrigendum for Notification S.O. No. 436 (E) deleting the condition of permissible quantity limit.

6. S.O. 569 (E) dated 9.7.1999 publishing the Corrigendum for Notification S.O. No. 437 (E) dated 14.6.1999 for extension of period upto 15.8.1999.

7. S.O. 613 (E) dated 30.7.1999 publishing the conditional relaxation of Section 13 & 13 A of the Tobacco Board Act, 1975 upto 16.8.1999 for sale of scraps & bidis of tobacco in Andhra Pradesh outside the auction platform.

II. A copy (in English and Hindi) of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Department of Commerce) Notification G.S.R. 606 (E) dated 9.10.1998 publishing the Tobacco Board (Amendment) Rules, 1998, under sub-section (3) of Section 32 of the Tobacco Board Act, 1975.

Shri Omar Abdullah (Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry) on behalf of Dr. Raman the following notifications laid on the Table:- I. A copy each (in English and Hindi) of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion), under Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 :— (i) S.O. 434 (E) dated 4.5.2000 publishing the amendment to the Newsprint Control Order, 1962.

(ii) S.O. 435(E) dated 4.5.2000 publishing the amendment to the Newsprint Control Order, 1962.

II. A copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following papers:— (a) Annual Report of the Export Inspection Council and Export Inspection Agencies, New Delhi, for the year 1998-99.

(b) Annual Accounts of the Export Inspection Council and Export Inspection Agencies, New Delhi, for the year 1998-99, and the Audit Report thereon.

Shri A. Raja (Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry) the following papers laid on the Table:-

I. A copy (in English and Hindi) of the Ministry of Textiles Notification G.S.R. 340 (E) dated 19.4.2000 publishing the Handlooms (Reservation of Articles for Production) (Amendment) Rules, 2000, under sub-section (2) of Section 19 of the Handlooms (Reservation of Articles for Production) Act, 1985.

II. A copy (in English and Hindi) of the Ministry of Textiles Notification S.O. 405 (E) dated 25.4.2000 publishing the amendment in the Handlooms Reservation Order S.O. 557 (E) dated 26.7.1996 at Sl. No. ‘9’ entries relating to Shawl, Loi, Muffler, Pankhi, etc., under sub-section (2) of Section 3 of the Handlooms (Reservation of Articles for Production) Act, 1985.

III. (1) A copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following papers, under sub-section (1) of section 619A of the Companies Act, 1956:— 17TH MAY, 2000

(a) Seventy-ninth Annual Report and Accounts of the British India Corporation Limited, Kanpur, for the year 1998-99, together with the Auditor's Report on the Accounts and the comments of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India thereon.

(b) Review by Government on the working of the above Corporation.

IV. A copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following papers:— (a) Thirteenth Annual Report and Accounts of the National Institute of Fashion Technology, New Delhi, for the year 1998-99, together with the Auditor's Report on the Accounts.

(b) Review by Government on the working of the above Institute.

Shri Chennamaneni Vidya Sagar Rao (Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs) laid on the Table a copy (in English and Hindi) of the Ministry of Home Affairs Notification G.S.R. 344 (E) dated 20.4.2000 publishing the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2000 under sub-section (4) of Section 18 of the Citizenship Act, 1955.

Shri R. Kumaramangalam (Minister of Power)laid on the Table a copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following papers:— (i) Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of India (Ministry of Mines and Minerals) and the National Aluminium Company Limited for the year 2000-2001.

(ii) Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of India (Ministry of Mines and Minerals, Department of Mines) and the Bharat Aluminium Company Limited for the year 2000-2001.

(iii) Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of India (Ministry of Mines and Minerals, Department of Mines) and the Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited for the year 2000-2001.

(iv) Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of India (Ministry of Mines and Minerals, Department of Mines) and the Hindustan Copper Limited for the year 2000-2001.

(v) (a) Annual Report and Accounts of the Coal Mines Provident Fund Scheme, Coal Mines Family Pension Scheme (Ceased), Coal Mines Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme and Coal Mines Pension Scheme, for the year 1998- 99, together with the Auditor's Report on the Accounts.

(b) Review by Government on the working of the above Scheme.

Shri EV alias Balasaheb Vikhe Patil (Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance) the following papers laid on the Table:- I. A copy (in English and Hindi) of the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue) Notification G.S.R. 372 (E) dated 2.5.2000 seeking exemption from payment of Inland Air Travel Tax in respect of journeys performed on all the routes connecting places within North East Region comprising the States of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura, under Section 49 of the Finance Act, 1989, along with an Exploratory Memorandum thereon.

II. A copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following Notifications of the Ministry of Finance (Department of Economics Affairs (Banking Division), under Section 48 of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999:— 1. G.S.R. 371 (E) dated 1.5.2000 publishing the Ist day of June, 2000 as the date on which the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999.

2. G.S.R. 379 (E) dated 4.5.2000 publishing the Foreign Exchange Management (Encashment of Draft, Cheque, Instrument and Payment of Interest) Rules, 2000.

3. G.S.R. 380 (E) dated 4.5.2000 publishing the Foreign Exchange Management (Authentication of Documents) Rules, 2000.

1. G.S.R. 381 (E) dated 4.5.2000 publishing the Foreign Exchange Management (Current Account Transactions) Rules, 2000. 17TH MAY, 2000

5. G.S.R. 382 (E) dated 4.5.2000 publishing the Foreign Exchange Management (Adjudication Proceedings and Appeal) Rules, 2000.

6. G.S.R. 383 (E) dated 4.5.2000 publishing the Foreign Exchange (Compounding Proceedings) Rules, 2000.

III. A copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following Reports, under clause (1) of article 151 of Constitution :— (i) Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India for the year ended 31st March, 1999 (No. 2 of 2000) Union Government (Civil) – Transaction Audit Observations.

(ii) Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India for the year ended 31st March, 1999 (No. 4 of 2000) Union Government (Civil)-Autonomous Bodies.

Shri Hukumdeo Narayan Yadav (Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture) laid on the Table a copy (in English and Hindi) of the Annual Report of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, for the year 1999-2000.

12-03 p.m. 5. Statements of the Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture Shri Sharief-Ud-Din Shariq laid on the Table a copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following Statements of the Standing Committee Agriculture:— i. Statement on further action taken by Government on the recommendations contained in 1st Action Taken Report (12th Lok Sabha) on the recommendations contained in the 1st Report (11th Lok Sabha) on Demands for Grants (1996-97) of the Ministry of Agriculture (Department of Agriculture and Cooperation).

ii. Statement on further action taken by Government on the recommendations contained in 2nd Action Taken Report (12th Lok Sabha) on the recommendations contained in the 9th Report (11th Lok Sabha) on Demands for Grants (1997-98) of the Ministry of Agriculture (Department of Agriculture and Cooperation). iii. Statement on further action taken by Government on the recommendations contained in 13th Action Taken Report (12th Lok Sabha) on the recommendations contained in the 7th Report of the Ministry of Agriculture (Department of Agriculture and Cooperation). iv. Statement on further action taken by Government on the recommendations contained in 15th Action Taken Report (11th Lok Sabha) on the recommendations contained in the 2nd Report (11th Lok Sabha) on Demands for Grants (1996-97) of the Ministry of Agriculture (Department of Agriculture Research and Education). v. Statement on further action taken by Government on the recommendations contained in 3rd Action Taken Report (12th Lok Sabha) on the recommendations contained in the 10th Report (11th Lok Sabha) on Demands for Grants (1997-98) of the Ministry of Agriculture (Department of Agriculture Research and Education). vi. Statement on further action taken by Government on the recommendations contained in 14th Action Taken Report (12th Lok Sabha) on the recommendations contained in the 8th Report (12th Lok Sabha) on Demands for Grants (1998-99) of the Ministry of Agriculture (Department of Agriculture Research and Education). vii. Statement on further action taken by Government on the recommendations contained in 2nd Action Taken Report (13th Lok Sabha) on the recommendations contained in the 19th Report (12th Lok Sabha) on Demands for Grants (1999-2000) of the Ministry of Agriculture (Department of Agriculture Research and Education). viii. Statement on further action taken by Government on the recommendations contained in 17th Action Taken Report (11th Lok Sabha) on the recommendations contained in the 3rd Report (11th Lok Sabha) on Demands for Grants (1996-97) of the Ministry of Agriculture (Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying). ix. Statement on further action taken by Government on the recommendations contained in 35th Action Taken Report (10th Lok Sabha) on the recommendations contained in the 23rd Report (10th Lok Sabha) on Demands for Grants (1995-96).

17TH MAY, 2000 x. Statement on further action taken by Government on the recommendations contained in 14th Action Taken Report (11th Lok Sabha) on the recommendations contained in the 5th Report (11th Lok Sabha) on Demands for Grants (1996-97) of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries. xi. Statement on further action taken by Government on the recommendations contained in 6th Action Taken Report (12th Lok Sabha) on the recommendations contained in the 13th Report (11th Lok Sabha) on Demands for Grants (1997-98) of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.

xii. Statement on further action taken by Government on the recommendations contained in 17th Action Taken Report (12th Lok Sabha) on the recommendations contained in the 11th Report (12th Lok Sabha) on Demands for Grants (1998-99) of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.

xiii. Statement on further action taken by Government on the recommendations contained in 16th Action Taken Report (11th Lok Sabha) on the recommendations contained in the 4th Report (11th Lok Sabha) on Demands for Grants (1996-97) of the Ministry of Water Resources.

xiv. Statement on further action taken by Government on the recommendations contained in 5th Action Taken Report (12th Lok Sabha) on the recommendations contained in the 12th Report (11th Lok Sabha) on Demands for Grants (1997-98) of the Ministry of Water Resources.

xv. Statement on further action taken by Government on the recommendations contained in 16th Action Taken Report (12th Lok Sabha) on the recommendations contained in the 10th Report (12th Lok Sabha) on Demands for Grants (1998-99) of the Ministry of Water Resources.

12-04 p.m.

6. Farewell to the Retiring Members The Chairman bid farewell to the three retiring Members from Kerala, Shri E. Balanandan, Shri Vayalar Ravi and Shri M.P.A. Samad Samadani.

12-05 p.m. 7. Government Bills — Passed I. The Information Technology Bill, 2000

Shri Pramod Mahajan (Minister of Information Technology and Parliamentary Affairs) moved:- “That the Bill to provide legal recognition for transactions carried out by means of electronic data interchange and other means of electronic communication, commonly referred to as “electronic commerce”, which involve the use of alternatives to paper-based methods of communication and storage of information, to facilitate electronic filing of documents with the Government agencies and further to amend the Indian Penal Code, the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, the Banker’s Book Evidence Act, 1891 and the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 and for matters connected therewith of incidental thereto, as passed by Lok Sabha, be taken into consideration.”

The following Members took part in the discussion:— 12-22 p.m. 1. Dr. A.R. Kidwai 12-33 p.m. 2. Shri Lalitbhai Mehta** 12-41 p.m. 3. Prof. (Shrimati) Bharati Ray 12-49 p.m. 4. Shri K. Rehman Khan 1-09 p.m. 5. Shri Rama Muni Reddy Sirigireddy 1-20 p.m. 6. Shri S. Viduthalai Virumbi *1-39 p.m. 7. Shri R. Margabandu 1-49 p.m. 8. Shri Sanjay Nirupam** 2-03 p.m. 9. Shri Vayalar Ravi 2-16 p.m. 10. Shri M.P.A. Samad Samadani 2-24 p.m. 11. Shri Gopalsinh G. Solanki 2-26 p.m. 12. Shri Rajeev Shukla ** 2-30 p.m. 13. Shri Pritish Nandy

2-37 p.m. Shri Pramod Mahajan** replied to the debate. ______** Spoke in Hindi.

17TH MAY, 2000

The motion for consideration of the Bill was adopted.

Thereafter clause by clause consideration of the Bill was taken up. Clauses 2 to 94, the First Schedule, the Second Schedule, the Third Schedule and the Fourth Schedule were adopted. Clause 1, the Enacting Formula, the Preamble and the Title were adopted.

Shri Pramod Mahajan moved: That the Bill be passed.

3-24 p.m. On the motion moved by Shri Pramod Mahajan that the Bill be passed, Shri Vayalar Ravi and Shri Pritish Nandy spoke.

Thereafter, the motion was adopted and the Bill was passed.

3-31 p.m. II. The Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament (Amendment) Bill, 2000 Shri Pramod Mahajan (Minister of Information Technology and Parliamentary Affairs) moved:- “ That the Bill further to amend the Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament Act, 1954, as passed by Lok Sabha, be taken into consideration.”

The motion for consideration of the Bill was adopted.

Thereafter, clause by clause consideration of the Bill was taken up. Clauses 2 to 5 were adopted. Clause 1, the Enacting Formula and the Title were adopted.

Shri Pramod Mahajan moved: That the Bill be passed.

3-32 p.m. The motion moved by Shri Pramod Mahajan that the Bill be passed was adopted and the Bill was passed.

III. The Leaders and Chief Whips of Recognised Parties and Groups in Parliament (Facilities) Amendment Bill, 2000 Shri Pramod Mahajan (Minister of Information Technology and Parliamentary Affairs) moved:- “That the Bill to amend the Leaders and Chief Whips of Recognised Parties and Groups in Parliament (Facilities) Act, 1998, as passed by Lok Sabha, be taken into consideration.

3-35 p.m. The motion for consideration of the Bill was adopted.

Thereafter, clause by clause consideration of the Bill was taken up. Clauses 2 to 6 were adopted. Clause 1, the Enacting Formula and the Title were adopted. Shri Pramod Mahajan moved: That the Bill be passed.

3-36 p.m. The motion moved by Shri Pramod Mahajan that the Bill be passed was adopted and the Bill was passed.

3-37 p.m. 8. Short Duration Discussion Shri Shankar Roy Chowdhury raised a discussion on the internal security situation with special reference to the North Eastern States. The following Members took part in the discussion:— 4-03 p.m. 1. Dr. Manmohan Singh 4-26 p.m. 2. Shri S.S. Ahluwalia ** 4-45 p.m. 3. Shri Khagen Das 4-58 p.m. 4. Shri C. Apok Jamir 5-15 p.m. 5. Shri Nabam Rebia 5-34 p.m. 6. Shri Swaraj Kaushal 6-01 p.m. 7. Shri W. Angou Singh 6-18 p.m. 8. Shri Drupad Borgohain 6-29 p.m. 9. Shrimati Basanti Sarma 6-36 p.m. 10. Dr. Arun Kumar Sarma Shri L.K. Advani** (Minister of Home Affairs) replied to the debate. The discussion was concluded. ______** Spoke in Hindi. 17TH MAY, 2000

9. Message from the Lok Sabha — The Major Port Trusts (Amendment) Bill, 2000 Secretary-General reported to the House the following message received from the Lok Sabha, signed by the Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha:- “In accordance with the provisions of rule 120 of the Rules of Proceure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, I am directed to inform you that Lok Sabha, at its sitting held on the 17th May, 2000, agreed without any amendment to the Major Port Trusts (Amendment) Bill, 2000, which was passed by Rajya Sabha at its sitting held on the 10th May, 2000.”

10. Bill Laid on the Table: Secretary-General laid on the Table a copy of the Major Port Trusts (Amendment) Bill, 2000, as passed by the Rajya Sabha.

7-42 p.m. 10. Special Mentions After taking the sense of the House, the Deputy-Chairman observed that the following Special Mentions admitted for the day may be laid on the Table of the House:— Sl.N0. Name of the Member Subject

1. Shri Kirpal Parmar, BJP Damage to crops due to hailstorm in Shri Anil Sharma, HVC Dharamsala and Kangra areas of Smt. Chandresh Kumare, INC Himachal Pradesh. 2. Ven’ble Dhammaviriyo, RJD Declining educational standards of Nalanda. 3. Shri Rama Shanker Kaushik, SP Impact of prawn cultivation by multinational companies on the soil fertility in the coastal areas. 4. Shri S. Ramachandra Reddy, TDP Heavy losses to farmers of Andhra Pradesh due to refusal by FCI to procure grade -I rice. 5. Shri Rumandla Ramachandraiah, Revival of Heavy Engineering TDP Corporation, Ranchi. 6. Shri Lajpat Rai, BJP Impact of Indo-Nepal trade treaty on the Indian Acrylic Industry. 7. Shri Dasari Narayana Rao, INC Government’s decision to impose a

ban on People's War Group. 8. Shri Eduardo Faleiro, INC Autonomy and independence of the Shri R.S.Gavai, RPI Rajghat Samadhi Committee. Shri T.N. Chaturvedi, BJP 9. Shri Ramchandra Khuntia, INC Declaration of Orissa as a special Miss Frida Topno, INC category State.

Dr. Dr. M.N. Das, INC Shri Ranganath Misra, INC 10 Shri N. Thalavai Release of Tamil fishermen from Sri Sundaram,AIADMK Lankan jails. Shri R. Margabandu, AIADMK

11 Shri Nagendra Nath Ojha, CPI Decision of the Railway Board to raise the licence fee for small

vendors running small food stalls at Railway Platforms. 12 Dr. Arun Kumar Sarma, AGP Lacunae in the Industrial (Development and Regulation) Act, 1951. 13 Dr. Manmohan Singh, INC Situation arising out of capture of Prof. M. Sankaralingam, DMK 30 Indian members of the U.N. Peace keeping force by the Revolutionary United Front in Sierra Leone. 14 Prof. M. Sankaralingam, DMK Insurance cover for crops and

houses of farmers. 15 Shri Mirza Abdul Rashid, J&KNC Need to withdraw the Bill regarding Religious places and buildings passed by the U.P. Government. 16 Shri Janeshwar Mishra, SP Distribution of honorary degrees on a large scale by the Vice-Chancellor of BHU.

17TH MAY, 2000

17. Shri Bratin Sengupta, CPI(M) Soil Erosion due to river Ganges. Dr. Y. Lakshmi Prasad, TDP Smt. Sarla Maheshwari, CPI(M) 18. Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Samata Killing of 15 labourers in Lakkhi Sarai Party District of Bihar. Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, BJP 19. Shri Gopalsinh G. Solanki, BJP Misuse of forged SC/ST Certificates in Shri Lalitbhai Mehta, BJP Bihar. Shri S.S. Ahluwalia, BJP 20. Shri Ramdas Agarwal, BJP Misuse of funds meant for drought relief Dr. Mahesh Chandra Sharma, BJP by the Government of Rajasthan. 21. Shri Dara Singh Chauhan, SP Anomaly in the pay scales of Officers of Indian Railways. 22. Shri Kuldip Nayyar, Nom. Murder of a MLA in Dhanbad, Bihar.

23. Shri Narendra Mohan, BJP Killing of a Minister in Kashmir in a bomb blast. 24. Maulana Obaidullah Khan Azmi, JD Harassment of minorities and their educational institutions in U.P. 25 Shri Manoj Bhattacharya, RSP Deplorable condition of IDPL. Shri Bratin Sengupta, CPI(M) Shri Ramamuni Reddy Sirigi Reddy. TDP 26. Shri Kum Kum Rai, RJD Impact of Adulteration of Petrol, Milk and Medicines on the health of common man. 27. Shri S. Niraikulathan, AIADMK Killing of Tamil Fishermen on account of confusion in maritime agreement between India and Sri Lanka. 28. Shri P. Soundararajan, AIADMK Legislative protection to innocent public hoodwinked by misleading/tricky advertisements in the media.

29. Shri C.O. Poulose, CPI(M) Demand for the amendment of "The Payment of Bonus Act, 1965." 30. Shri Bratin Sengupta, CPI(M) Selling of kidneys in the Capital by Dr. Y. Lakshmi Prasad, TDP farmers to survive from starvation. Shri S.S. Ahluwalia, BJP Dr. Y. Radhakrishna Murty, CPI(M)

31. Shri N.R. Dasari Setback to steel sector in A.P.

7-57 p.m.

11. Valedictory Remarks The Deputy-Chairman, Dr. Manmohan Singh, Leader of the Opposition and Shri Jaswant Singh, Minister of External Affairs and Leader of the House made valedictory remarks on the conclusion of the Session.

8-08 p.m.

12. National Song National Song (Vande Mataram) was played.

(The House adjourned sine-die at 8.09 p.m.)

______

P R O R O G A T I O N

“In exercise of the powers conferred upon me by sub-clause (a) of clause (2) of article 85 of the Constitution, I hereby prorogue the Rajya Sabha.

New Delhi. K.R. NARAYANAN The 23rd May, 2000. PRESIDENT”