LOK SABHA ___

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

Thursday, February 7, 2019 / Magha 18, 1940 (Saka) ______

OBITUARY REFERENCE

HON’BLE SPEAKER: Hon. Members, I have to inform the House about the sad demise of our former colleague Shri Jeetendra Singh Bundela. Shri

Jeetendra Singh Bundela was a Member of the 15th Lok Sabha representing the

Khajuraho Parliamentary Constituency of Madhya Pradesh. Earlier, Shri Bundela was a Member of Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly from 2003 to 2008. He was also a member of the Committee on Human Resource Development. He had keen interest in social work.

Shri Jeetendra Singh Bundela passed away on 3 February, 2019 in New

Delhi at the age of 60.

We deeply mourn the loss of our former colleague. I am sure the House would join me in conveying our condolences to the bereaved family.

The Members then stood in silence for a short while.

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*MATTERS UNDER RULE 377

1. SHRI ABHIJIT MUKHERJEE laid a statement regarding additional

attempts to UPSC Civil Services aspirants.

2. SHRI K. ASHOK KUMAR laid a statement regarding guidelines for

Post-Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Caste students.

3. DR. K. GOPAL laid a statement regarding welfare measures for

fishermen community of Tamil Nadu.

4. SHRI BALBHADRA MAJHI laid a statement regarding need to

improve BSNL/MTNL mobile/internet services in Nabarangpur

Parliamentary Constituency in Odisha and Delhi.

5. SHRI RAHUL SHEWALE laid a statement regarding need to waive the

loan taken by fishermen of Maharashtra.

6. SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN laid a statement regarding need to

develop Kollam Bypass as a four lane road.

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MOTION OF THANKS ON THE PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS – CONTD.

SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE: I thank the Hon. President for addressing hon. Members of both the Houses. But in his Address he has repeated the same things which have been narrated by our Prime Minister during the last five years. An effort has been made in the Address of Hon. President to compare

* Laid on the Table as directed by the Speaker. the achievements of this Government with that of the previous Governments. It would have been better to mention the ideas of this Government only. The

Constitution of India has given equal rights to every citizen but this Government has weakened every Constitutional institution. Reservation for dalits and backward classes is also being abolished. Our Prime Minister always asks as to what we have done during the last 60 years? I would like to tell him that during the last 60 years, we have enhanced literacy rate, life expectancy, irrigated lands, production of foodgrains, production of milk, road construction, construction of rail lines, establishment of colleges and so many things and we have also reduced the infant mortality rate. Besides, we have also developed so many projects under the Five

Year Plans. This Government has abolished the Planning Commission. NITI

Ayog has become a superficial institution. We have established several public sector undertakings to create jobs and also launched satellite like Aryabhatt. In the year 1974, India had conducted a peaceful atomic test. Congress Party has enhanced the GDP of this country almost 33 times during the last 60 years. It was claimed that demonetization would eradicate corruption but poor people suffered a lot due to demonetization. Farmers too have suffered a lot due to demonetization.

During the year 2011-12, the rate of unemployment was 3.8 per cent whereas as per the survey of NSSO, this rate has been increased to 6.1 per cent during the year

2017-18. According to the data of NSSO, the unemployment rate of rural youth was 5 per cent in the year 2011-12 which has increased to 17.4 per cent in the year 2017-18. The rate of unemployment among rural women was 4.8 per cent which has increased to 13.6 per cent. Unemployment has increased in almost every sector. Trade has been badly affected due to frequent changes in the GST rates.

We have raised the issue of Rafael deal in this House several times but we have got no reply. I would like to request the Government to constitute a Joint

Parliamentary Committee in this regard. Growth rate in agriculture sector has come down. When this Government can waive the loan of Rs. one lakh ten thousand crore to benefit corporate sector then why do they not waive the farmers’ loan?

There is a huge scam in Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. We had electrified

6,32,000 villages during the last 60 years. The law and order situation in the country has deteriorated. The prices of petrol and diesel kept falling in the international market but the Government did not reduce the price. This

Government has failed to bring the Women Reservation Bill and also reduced the allocation for MNREGA upto 14 per cent. Hon. President in his Address did not utter even a single word about ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’. The Government has put the Lokpal Bill in cold storage. This Government has only altered the names of old schemes. This Government claims to have launched new schemes but after little scrutiny we find that all schemes are old ones and they have changed the names only. When Baba Saheb Ambedkar handed over the Constitution to the nation, he had said that no man can be grateful at the cost of his honour and no nation can be grateful at the cost of its liberty. Hero worship is a sure road to degradation and to eventual dictatorship.

PROF. RICHARD HAY: Hon’ble President complimented the

Government of India in the various landmark development schemes intended for the poor and the farmers of the country. The millions of poor who were not able to obtain proper healthcare are provided healthcare through the well-conceived

Ayushman Bharat Scheme the largest health scheme in the world. The flagship programme of the Hon’ble Prime Minister to provide every poor family in the country a home by 2022 shows the commitment of the Government of India to provide abode to the homeless. The Government of India’s multi-pronged approach is to help the youth to achieve their life’s mission results in the stupendous schemes of Start-up India, Make in India and Stand-up India and support to MSMEs. The Mudra loans opened avenues of opportunities for both men and women to embark upon small scale business. The farmers have been provided with many a scheme to help them to lead a comfortable life. The attention given to faster development of infrastructure has created records of all sorts. The building of Nav Bharat by 2022 is reflected in the conception and implementation of other prestigious projects. Even though DBT was promised by others, it is Modiji’s Government that fulfilled this promise. Ease of Doing

Business has become a reality for the first time in India. Now airports, new railway projects, new Highways and new waterways have given an impetus for faster economic growth in such a short period. The Government has been able to build better international understanding with a record-breaking number of

Countries.

DR. RATNA DE (NAG): This Government took no action to stop farmers committing suicide across the country due to agricultural and farm distress. It promised to bring in institutional reforms in the realm of Administrative, Judicial,

Police and Electoral reforms. But it could not brought any iota of reforms in these spheres. Nothing has been done to provide relief to women facing financial problem in treatment. All the major schemes have not yielded desired results so far and none could see the discerning effect enlivening the lives of poor and downtrodden. Citizenship Amendment Bill is aimed at polarizing the society to mint political mileage. Universities and educational institutions are being saffronised. Unemployment is growing. The 10% reservation for economically weaker sections of general category will not be of any benefit to them. The

Government should give exemption of tax for agricultural land and mutation fees to farmers. The Government should come out with a pension scheme for the farmers. Insurance scheme should be introduced for farmers. Whenever a farmer loses his crop, he should be assisted with compensation. The Central Government should adopt the West Bengal Government scheme Khadya Sathi Scheme and provide rice and wheat at Rs. 2 per kg. The Central Government should distribute bicycles to students of Class IX to XII in all Government run and Government aided and sponsored schools. The Government should legislate a law for the good of the tribals and farmers across the country.

SHRI NISHIKANT DUBEY: I rise to support the Hon. President’s

Address. India in 2087 will be the world’s biggest democracy. It will also overtake China to be the world’s most populous country. India will emerge as one of the world’s greatest consumers. There has been a massive improvement in hygiene, medicine, health care and literacy. Over time, this will have transformational impacts for Indians on a range of issues from education to efficiency, commerce to communication. Indians will undoubtedly be more literate, richer, healthier, and have more access to global technologies. If current trends continue, India will be at its most globally influential point since the Middle

Ages.

SHRI KRISHAN PRATAP: The Hon. President in his Address has made a mention in detail regarding the all round development of the country and various schemes and policies. The Government has inculcated new aspirations and faith among the people. Effective efforts have been made for socio-economic changes.

The rural sanitation has increased upto 98%. It has been resolved to bring absolute cleanliness in the country by 02nd October. More than 6 crore gas connections have been provided as on date under Ujjwala Yojna. Ayushman Bharat Yojna has been launched by the poor families and arrangement has been made for the treatment upto 5 lakh rupees for the 50 crore poor people under Jan Arogya

Abhiyan. Under Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojna, 4900 medical stores have been set-up in more than 600 districts. Insurance coverage have been provided to around 21 crore people under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Bima Yojna. Rashtriya

Poshan Mission has been launched. Hospitals are being upgraded, more than 1 crore 30 lakh houses have been constructed under Gramin Awas Yojna. Around 2 crore 47 lakh households have been electrified as on date under Pradhan Mantri

Saubhagya Yojna. Divyang people have been provided equipments to assist them worth 700 crore rupees. To solve the problem of accidents on unmanned railway crossings, a mission is being launched to remove unmanned railway crossings and unmanned railway crossings have almost been removed. Kaushal Vikas Abhiyan has been launched for the youths. The youth have been provided financial assistance to make them self- reliant through Start Up India and Stand Up India schemes. The women have been benefitted more by Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojna.

In Agriculture Sector the MSP of 22 crops have been increased by 1.5 times of the input cost. The Government is completing the 99 incomplete irrigation projects.

The crops are being insured through Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna. The benefit of MNREGA is going to the bank accounts directly through DBT. Defence corridor is being constructed. 19 airports are being developed. Modern facilities are being provided in 100 cities under Smart City Mission. ADV. NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR: Under the Government led by Shri. Narendra Modiji one can notice the great initiatives taken by the

Government towards its making a New India. The policies and programmes like

Saubhagya Yojana, Clean Ganga, coal allotment through transparent means and

Swachh Bharat are not only a lip service but is a mission. Roads, Ports and

Airports have become nerve centres of growth of aspiring Indians. India is moving ahead with galloping speed. The programmes like MUDRA, START UP, STAND

UP INDIA, PRADHAN MANTRI KAUSHAL VIKAS YOJANA have motivated and fuelled the thinking and zeal of the young population to achieve something extraordinary. With ambitious objective of doubling the farmer's income various schemes have been initiated. Education has gained utmost importance with starting of additional IIT'S, IIM'S etc. OROP and surgical strike has brought in sea change in boosting the morale and confidence of our security forces. This Government has helped in strengthening the social fabric and in achieving the development and progress of the Indian society. Honesty, integrity and corruption - free Government are the hallmarks of this Government.

SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM: The Government is taking the country towards the new path of economic development at a rapid pace as per its commitment of "Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas". The poor, dalits. exploited, deprived , farmers, labourers and youth are in the centre of this inclusive economic development. Our army and their morale symbolizes the strength of India in the

21st century. The Government has not only fulfilled the demand of one rank one pension, which has been pending for four decades but also paid arrears of more than 10,700 crore rupees to 20 lakh ex-soldiers. India has given new dimensions to its policy by carrying out surgical strikes at the hideouts of the terrorists across the border. The Government has taken a historical decision of constructing

Kartarpur corridor. My Government is fully dedicated to the mission of cleaning the river Ganga. Under the 'Udaan Scheme' today even the ordinary people are getting an opportunity to travel by air. The Government is continuously emphasizing to strengthen the infrastructure related to the railways, highways, waterways, airways in the eastern India. Through GST, an honest and transparent trading system is being developed in the country. By developing transparent system of auctioning of coal mines, the Government has protected the national asset. Through 'Direct Benefit Transfer' system, the Government safeguarded the people from loot of their money. My Government has taken stringent action against black money and corruption and has taken a decision to constitute SIT on

Black Money. It is due to 'Jan Dhan Yojana' that today 34 crore people have opened a bank account in the country. The Government has taken a historic decision of increasing Minimum Support Price of 22 crops by 1.5 times of their cultivation cost. Besides, availability of good quality seeds has been ensured.

Maternity Leave has been increased from 12 weeks to 26 weeks for women employees. Women are the major beneficiaries of the 'Pradhan Mantri Mudra

Yojana'. Under the 'Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana' about 6 crore women have become members of 'Self Helf Groups'. The Government is setting up new educational institutions for increasing opportunities of higher level professional education. Loans of more than 7 lakh crore rupees have been disbursed without any guarantee under the 'Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana' to youths for self employment. The Government has, for 50 crore poor people of the country, made arrangement of treatment upto 5 lakh rupees every year to each family in case of serious illness under the 'Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Abhiyaan'. The Government has given more than 6 crore gas connections under the 'Ujjwala Scheme'. More than 9 crore toilets have been constructed in the country. I welcome and strongly support the various schemes and programmes launched by the hon. Prime Minister to fulfil the dream of a golden India.

SHRI KAMAKHYA PRASAD TASA: Our Government led by Hon.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji led our country towards the fastest growing country in the world in the last only four years. Swachch Bharat Abhiyan gives a new dimension to our society. By introducing ‘Ujjwala Yojana’ people are benefitted a lot which is remarkable. By introducing Ayushman Bharat Yojna, now people are getting the benefit. I hereby request the Government that it should be extended to the people who are poor but left out from the survey. Congress regime did not care for the people who were deprived from getting power. We the people of Assam are very much happy that the Government conferred Bharat

Ratna on the Late Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. The people of North East especially from

Assam thank the Hon. Prime Minister as in the last 4 years he opened big projects which were not completed during the Congress regime. Countless schemes and reforms have been taken in the regime of our beloved Prime Minister Narendra

Modi ji.

SHRI A.T. NANA PATIL: Our country has progressed in each sector during the last four and a half years. Our Government does not believe in the policy of appeasement and is marching ahead with the intention of 'Sabka Saath

Sabka Vikas'. Our country is evolving inclusive society based on morality as per the dreams of Gandhiji. Our country is going ahead with the ideals of social and economic justice enshrined in our Constitution by Baba Sahed Dr. Bhimrao

Ambedkar. Substantial works have been carried out under schemes like Swachha

Bharat Abhiyan, Ujjwala Yojna, Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Abhiyan, Pradhan

Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Yojna, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Yojna, Pradhan

Mantri Jivan Jyoti Yojna, Gramin Awas Yojna and Pradhan Mantri Saubhagya

Yojna. Government has started National Nutrition Mission to address the problem of malnutrition. Every year 1 crore youths are being trained under skill development. Youths are being provided loans to the tune of Rs 7/- lakh crore. 7 IITs, 7 IIMs, 14 IITTs, 1 NIT and 4 NIDs are being set up. The Government is making efforts to find permanent solutions to the problems of farmers. Jandhan

Scheme has become the basis of economic change. The number of persons paying income tax has increased. GST has been changed according to the suggestions received in this regard. The Government has been successful in keeping all the promises made to the people one by one. In my Jalgaon Parliamentary

Constituency there is a need to provide funds to Padalsare Project. There is also a need to sanction the pilot project of constructing Rubbar Dam with new technique at the Girna river. There is a need to start National Highway 211 from Dhule to

Chalisgaon in Maharashtra. A hundred bed Naturopathy Hospital should be set up in Jalgaon district. A plastic park should be set up in Jalgaon. A textile park and cluster should be set up for the development of spinning mills and other associated industries in Jalgaon. A food training centre alongwith food processing industries be set up in Jalgaon distrect to ensure better price for fruit producing farmers. A paramilitary training centre should be set up at Jalgaon. Operations should be started in Jalgaon under India BPO promotion scheme being implemented under

Digital India Programme.

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO: It is stated in the Address that today

India's voice is heard with respect at international fora. It is a matter of pride you all of us that today is providing leadership to the global solar revolution. The Union Government is empasizing on overall development of each sector in the country. After a gap of many decades, the Indian Air Force is preparing to welcome its new generation ultra modern fighter aircraft Rafale in the coming months and strengthen its strike capability. It is a matter of that the Government has taken a historic decision to construct Kartarpun corridor. The Government is engaged with the task of cleaning up of the river Ganga. The eastern part of India comprising east Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha and the entire Eastern states, has potential to become a new 'Growth Engine'. The

Government is relentlessly striving to strengthen the infrastructure related to railways, highways, waterways and Airways in Eastern India. Today India has become the record largest mobile phone manufacturing country in the world. GST is proving instrumental in establishing an honest and transparent system of trade and commerce which is also benefiting the country's youth. This system while reducing the difficulties faced by traders has enhanced their ease of doing business across the country. As a result of the expansion in Direct Benefit Transfer in the last four and a half years, more than Rs. 6 lakh 5 thousand crore have been directly transferred to the bank accounts of beneficiaries. The Government has taken a strict step/action against black money corruption and approved constitution of a

Special Investigation Team (SIT). Demonetisation was an important step in the campaign being conducted by the Government against black money and corruption. 34 crore bank accounts have been opened in the country because of 'Jan Dhan Yojana" and almost every family is now connected to the banking system.

The Government has taken the historic decision of fixing the Minimum Support

Price (MSP) of 22 crops at one and a half times higher than the production cost of the crop. The Government is striving day and night to double the income of farmers of the country. Loan worth more than Rs. 7 lakh crores have been disbursed to the youth without any guarantee under the "Pradhan Mantir Mudra

Yojana" to facilitate credit facility to youth to start their business. More than 15 crore people have benefitted under the scheme. The Government has provided more than 6 crore gas connections so far under the "Ujjawala Yojana". Lastly I welcome and strongly support various schemes and programmes introduced to materialize dream of golden India by the hon'ble Prime Minister in the president's

Address.

DR. YASHWANT SINGH: This year's President's Address is very much impressive in comparison to the achievements of any other previous Government.

Under 'Saubhagya Yojna' 2 crore 47 lakh houses which were earlier deprived of electricity have been provided electricity with a view to bring them into mainstream. More than one crore youth have been trained under Pradhan Mantri

Kaushal Vikas Yojna and 4 crore 26 lakh people have been given the opportunity for self employment by disbursing a loan of more than 7 lakh crores under Pradhan

Mantri Mudra Yojna. Having the intention to double farmers' income the Government has taken several commendable steps like distributing more than 17 crore Soil Health Cards, ensuring availability of 1oo% Neem coated Urea, providing water for irrigation after completing 71 irrigation projects out of the 99 pending projects of the previous Government , promoting micro irrigation and solar pump scheme etc. Targeting black money through demonetization is a major initiative to instill the feeling of equality among people of the country. The concept of 'one tax-one nation-one market' has been fulfilled by implementing

G.S.T. Today, we have a very strong Army which has been benefited by one rank-one pension and the country is heading on its way to become a powerful nation.

DR. K. GOPAL: I thank the Hon. Prime Minister for having laid the foundation stone of new AIIMS in Madurai. I also appreciate Govt.’s “Pradhan

Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi”. It is sorry to say for natural calamities, the farmers will get a small % of interest waiver in bank loan. Fishery and Animal husbandry both are same as agriculture, so bank loan should be given to this sector upto one lakh without interest with a condition upto lower middle class financial group. But in this Budget, there is no such decision. The fishermen in my Nagapatinam

Constituency are exploited by private money lenders. Sometimes, they are also harassed and arrested by the Srilankan Navy. The Government should take immediate positive action and provide some good amount to solve this problems. Regarding Swaminathan Commission recommendation that farmers should be given a minimum support price which may be one and a half time more than the cost of production, there is no promise from Government in this Budget. The

Government should take immediate decision about portability of LPG dealers. It is time to provide substantial relief to the weaving community by designing an appropriate scheme and also to bring handloom products under 0% GST. I request the Central Government to immediately withdraw the permission granted to

Karnataka to prepare DPR for Mekadatu Project. The Government should think about offering “Bharat Ratna” in honour of Dr. Anadurai and Dr. Jayalaitha who are most popular Chief Ministers ever in Tamil Nadu.

DR. THOKCHOM MEINYA: Hon. President in his Address at Para 28 did mention about the Citizenship Amendment Bill. Immediate withdrawal of the

Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 is the need of the hour. If this Bill is not withdrawn immediately the fall-out will be very dangerous and situation will be out of control. If the Bill is passed in its present form there will arise a huge demographic challenge in the Northeast in general and Manipur in particular. I strongly urge upon the Union Government to immediately withdraw the

Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016 in the best interest of all concerned.

SHRIMATI R. VANAROJA: I am glad that that our Hon'ble President has mentioned the efforts taken by the Government to build an inclusive society based on ethics and principles. I wish the Government would respect and honour the untiring efforts of Puratchi Thalavi AMMA and confer up on her the highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna immediately. The Hon'ble President has emphasized for an inclusive and modern development of our country, it needs to be ensured that not a single family is deprived of fundamental needs. The Hon'ble President has lauded the efforts of the Government which has provided more than 6 crore cooking gas connections under the Ujjwala Yojana. This has to be extended to the remotest corner of the country so that no woman in the country should suffer due to lack of cooking gas connection. The Hon'ble President praised the Government for launching the "Ayushman Bharat Yojana" last year. Under the world's biggest health care scheme, 'Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Abhiyan', 50 crore poor are eligible for availing treatment up to Rs 5 lakh per year per family in case of a serious illness. In a short period of four months, more than 10 lakh poor have already availed free treatment from hospitals under this scheme. To alleviate the challenge of malnutrition among poor women and children The National Nutrition

Mission for persons suffering from malnutrition has been launched. 'Mission

Indradhanush' has been launched by the Government to provide immunization facilities to children and pregnant women living in remote and tribal areas. The

Government has set a target that by 2022 no family would remain homeless, many wondered how this would be possible. While completing the houses under the earlier scheme, the Government has also fast-tracked the construction of houses across cities and villages under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, in an unprecedented manner. Under 'Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana' the Government is also giving interest subsidy of 6 and a half per cent to the persons belonging to low income group. This needs to be implemented for all the lower income people in the country.

SHRI THANGSO BAITE: The people of the North Eastern states of

India i.e. Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya etc. strongly object the passing of the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016. Government's attitude towards the minorities of the North Eastern states clearly implies that their voice and sentiments were not attended. As regards making serious efforts to identify talented sports persons from different corners of the country, the Government has failed to mention any positive steps for materialization of the recently approved

Central Sports University of Manipur. The Government has failed to understand that the extension of 7th Pay Commission only to the Central Government

Employees, which they deemed a landmark achievement, is deplorable. The

Government has failed to address the problems of state Governments.

ADV. JOICE GEORGE: Many of the claims made by the Hon'ble

President in his address are hallow and far from the reality. The unemployment among education youth, especially technocrats has been increasing. The

Government miserably failed to address the issues related to the welfare of the people living in economic and social lower strata. Though the Angamaly Erumeli -

Sabari Railway Project has been sanctioned and commenced 19 years before, the railway could complete only 7 kilometers of railway line out of 116 kilometers length. The allocation under the PMGSY is very less to the State of Kerala compared to the total allocation. The undue delay in announcing the 3rd part of the

PMGSY has resulted in development paralysis. Though the Government has claimed achievements in Mudra and other loan schemes, the same has not reached to the needy people due to the negative attitude of the Banks and its employees.

There are procedural and other problems with the implementation of the

MGNREGA, the demands for including important sector like farming, diary, poultry etc... under the MGNREGA has not been accepted. The State of Kerala had witnessed unprecedented torrential rain and consequential flood in August 2018.

The loss of the people living in the flood affected area is very huge. No fund has been allotted for the reconstruction of the village and rural roads. The declaration of Ecologically Sensitive Area's (ESA) in some parts of the Western Ghats has been pending for more than 5 years. Crop damage by wild animals is one of the major problems faced by the marginal farmers in Kerala. The legal protection of wildlife shall be strictly restricted to forest only and the crops as well as the human life should be insured. SHRIMATI DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH: Even after many decades of independence, Hon. Prime Minister had to make a promise to provide the facilities of house, toilet, LPG gas and electricity to the people of the country.

The present Government has made an effort to make Gandhiji's idea turn into reality through its programmes and works. When the Government started thinking in terms of well-being of poor middle class, it carried out cleanliness campaign followed by providing toilets in each house and bringing it forward, it made an effort to provide better and cheaper health facility by reducing the costs on medicines through Jan Aushadi Kendras. When the Government started "Ujjwala

Yojana" our poor sister living in village got rid of the problems being faced while cooking for the family. All these works are on the verge of completion within scheduled time. Today, the whole opposition is misleading by showing the unity.

In such a situation, I believe that the people of the country will appreciate the works done by the present Government.

DR. RAMESH POKHRIYAL NISHANK: Address by the hon. President mainly highlights the Government's policy priorities and the economic plans in the coming year. It provides a comprehensive framework to the social and economic agenda of the Government. India is rapidly emerging as a new economic superpower on the global platform. India is now the 6th largest economy in the world. Better infrastructure has been the priority of our Government. While supporting the motion of thanks on the President's address, I would like to draw the attention of the Government to Uttarakhand where there is immense potential for development. I would like to make special requests for its all-round development.

There is a need for special strategy for agriculture and horticulture to bring a change in the social and economic life in the Himalayan states including

Uttarakhand, for which these states need a financial package to set up special missions under which special focus should be on organic farming, enhancing production, storage, processing and marketing in horticulture. Steps should be taken for industrial package for Uttarakhand. I request that while allocating resources, we should be at par with the North-Eastern States. It is my request that an economic package should be announced for integrated development of entire

Kedar valley and other disaster affected areas. Along with announcing loan waivers for the farmers, special steps should be taken to revive the tourism industry in this area. Uttarakhand has great potential for medicinal education and research. Establishment of medicinal education and research institute in IDPL premises will prove to be a milestone. A Herb Research Institute should be established in Haridwar region. Urgent establishment of the Himalaya Studies

Center in the country is absolute necessity. I urge the Government to construct

Iqbalpur canal in Haridwar district of my Parliamentary Constituency. In view of the sensitivity of all the Himalayan States, additional battalions of Eco Task Force should be set up immediately. Local citizens, forest panchayats, voluntary organizations should be included in awareness activities of Eco Task Force.

International Ganga Museum should be established in Haridwar. In Haridwar, lack of transport infrastructure causes traffic congestion for hours. In such a scenario, introducing Metro / Mono Rail between Haridwar-Rishikesh will not only strengthen the transport system in the area but will also help in establishing it as an excellent tourist spot on the world map.

DR. KIRIT SOMAIYA: The Government's commitment to curb the Ponzi scheme is needed to be acknowledged. I suggest for more steps to finish the so- called Bitcoins/Cryptocurrency scheme. The Government appointed Committee must come out with final report and recommend that it is illegal.

SHRI RAJESHBHAI CHUDASAMA: I support this motion in the House.

Our Government has performed on the ground. More than 4900 Jan Aushadhi

Kendras have been opened in more than 600 districts across the country. The

Government is trying for a permanent solution to the problems of farmers keeping their needs in mind. So far, more than 6 crore gas connections have been given under Ujjwala Yojana. More than one crore houses have been built during the last four years. Under the Urja Ganga Project with a cost of 13 thousand crore rupees industries based on gas pipelines will be expanded across many cities of Eastern

India. 13 crore families have been extended gas connections. India is going from strength to strength under the leadership of our Hon. Prime Minister Narendra

Modi ji. We all have to contribute in nation building.

SHRI P.R. SUNDARAM : The Hon'ble President has listed several important land mark achievements of the Government but forget to mention about certain critical needs of States like Tamil Nadu. The Union Government should provide all the necessary support for power producing states like Tamil Nadu. The

Government has to allocate more power to Tamil Nadu keeping in view of the additional power demands in the coming years.

As compared to the total divyangjan population in the country the efforts taken by the Union Government are very small. There should be a micro level reddressal system so that divyangjan in every village gets support either through the Central schemes or Schemes of the State Governments or even the camps organized by NGOs supported by CSR funding from Corporate PSUs and Private companies. The ordeals faced by Divyangjans at railway stations and bus stands while commuting at public buildings, public places have to be erased.

Our citizens have to frequently deal with natural calamity of one kind or the other. The recent cyclonic storms in southern States particularly in Tamil Nadu, the financial support provided by the Centre for relief and rehabilitation works is very much less. The genuine request for the financial support from the Government of Tamil Nadu is mostly unaddressed. This is really sad and the people of Tamil Nadu deserve more from the centre given the fact that Tamil Nadu is the major contributing state to the central exchequer in the country.

SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL: Hon'ble President has made a mention of all the schemes of the Government launched during its entire tenure. Swachh Bharat

Abhiyan is a good scheme. Only 40 per cent toilets were constructed till 2014 and during the tenure of this Government a 98 per cent increase has been achieved.

But at the same time it needs to be ensured that toilets are utilised for the purpose they have been constructed. We need to make arrangement for water in the toilets.

I feel that Ayushman Bharat is the best health scheme of the world provided it is implemented properly. This will solve the big problem of our poor families.

Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Jeewan Jyoti Bima

Yojana are other good schemes. But hon. President also mentioned in his Address that demonetisation was a defining moment in the Government's war on corruption and black money. I have serious objection to it. In fact, this impacted our economy in a negative manner. Our Road Transport and Highways Minister is doing good road development work. Everyone appreciates him. River connectivity is also the similar proposition. With river connectivity all our fields will get irrigation water and drinking water will also be available. We can check the losses caused by heavy rains as well as by famine. This will also check the suicides committed by our farmers. SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK : Toilets have been constructed but lacks maintenance as there is no proper sanitation infrastructure. Despite providing gas connections to poor under Ujjwala Yojana, dealers are not able to supply the cylinders due to short supplies. The 4900 Jan Aushadhi Centres opened under

Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana are very few in proportion to requirement, medicines are also unavailable at these centres. Nothing has been done about doubling the farmers' income. Under the 'Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima

Yojana, claims are not settled due to lots of technical conditions in it. No proper policy has been implemented to check Cyber crime.

SHRI ALOK SANJAR: Today entire nation has been connected to

Swachhata Abhiyan and is heading towards a new direction. The Government has checked corruption, the accounts of 34 lakh persons have been opened under Jan

Dhan Yojana. 21 crore poor persons have been provided insurance cover through

Jeevan Jyoti and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Beema Yojana.

Till date, 5000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been set up in more than 600 districts under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana. More than 700 medicines are accessible to poor and general category persons at affordable prices.

Significant steps have been taken by the Government for handicapped persons, the rise in employment opportunities in rural areas is the major achievement of the

Government. The Rashtriya Poshan Mission will definitely benefit the Tribal and other areas. Under the Khelo India Abhiyan all the talented economically weaker sports persons will bring laurels for the country at national and international level.

SHRI DINESH TRIVEDI: Under the provisions of the Article 87 of the

Constitution the point of discussion remains the government but the matters are delineated by the hon. President, hence my constructive, truthful and critical speech will be directed not towards President's Address but towards the government. On the lines of the British rulers, the government is threatening us to toe its line or face the music. This is what has recently happened to West Bengal.

Today the rate of unemployment is 6.1 per cent, which is much more than four decades of unemployment put together. According to CMIE survey, 3.5 million jobs were lost due to demonetization. There is huge resentment among the people.

Four things namely demonetization, unemployment, agriculture crisis and ruining the economy of this country altogether will throw them out of power in the ensuing elections. If they want to learn how to run the government and how to implement schemes properly, they should go through the schemes being implemented by the

West Bengal Government. The way legislative process is being undertaken by the

Government has totally undermined our Parliamentary system. The hon. President has mentioned about the concept of New India. The present regime's concept of

New India is about destroying democracy, democratic institutions, destroying Constitution of India, sabotaging the new generation, creating fear and about finishing federal structure. Further unemployment, agriculture crisis, destroying

RBI and CBI, bulldozing Bills in the Parliament without discussion, fake data and pseudo patriotism speak volumes of its New India.

SHRI P. NAGARAJAN : I would like to place my views on the Motion of

Thanks on the President's Address 2019. Under the 'Pradhan Mantri Mudra

Yojana' loans worth more than Rs.7 lakh crore have been disbursed to the youth without any guarantee and Tamil Nadu stand first in the country in utilizing the

Mudra loan scheme. There are many lacunae in job creation front under the 'Start

Up India' and 'Stand Up India' which needs to be addressed. The Government is establishing new educational institutions to provide increased opportunities for professional education of the highest standard. 7 IITs, 7 IIMs, 14 IIITs, 1 NIT and

4 NIDs are being established. All these institutions need to be expedited. The

Government should start an IIT and IIM at Coimbatore very soon. The

Government is not increasing the KV Schools in Tamil Nadu and request the

Government to look into this issue and increase the number of KV Schools in

Tamil Nadu. The Government is setting up more than 5,000 'Atal Tinkering Labs' for taking ideas to innovation but this is not enough and every school must have a

Atal Tinkering Lab on its own to shape the innovative mindset of the students. As regards 'Khelo India' programme, I urge the Government to pay more attention towards the creation of best possible sports infrastructure and training facilities particularly in the Tier-II and Tier-III centres in the country. Also there is a need for providing our sport persons the adequate Physical training and fitness regimes to be on par with international sports standards. The programs like "Catch Them

Young" need to be encouraged throughout the country. The Hon'ble President has forget to mention about certain important needs of States like Tamil Nadu. The

Government should protect the interests of all citizens. As far as Jan Dhan Yojana is concerned, it is playing an important role in facilitating cost effective digital transactions in the country. The Centre should have adequate consultations with

State Governments in identifying the beneficiaries of Central schemes like it and also include the names of the waitlisted beneficiaries selected by the State

Governments.

SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR: I would like to point out that in India's capital majority of Ministries are in shambles and untidy, particularly, Shastri

Bhavan where the Law Ministry and its officers are located. Regarding Hepatitis B there is need to give wide publicity so that people can be made aware to its seriousness. Under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana, 4900 Jan

Aushadhi Centres have already been opened. But in Mumbai suburban railway stations, at least, one Jan Aushadhi Centre should be opened at each railway station. It would be better if an AIIMS is set up in Mumbai sub-urban. In Maharashtra there are lots of people of the Central Government. If the Central

Government gives "No Objection Certificate" a lot of people could be rehabilitated on this land. In Mumbai suburban trains a lot of Divyangians are commuting in trains to reach their workplaces. The Government should provide escalators on every platform at all the railway stations in Mumbai for their convenience. I urge upon the government to install a Doppler Weather radar with the latest technology immediately so that fishermen could get advance and accurate weather information. Under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana which provides credit facilities for professional and business requirements, the Lead Bank unnecessarily asks for more documents and adopts delay tactics to sanction loans. My suggestion would be to open a single window system and provide a simple application form. I urge upon the Government to sanction a Kendriya Vidyalaya for my Parliamentary

Constituency Mumbai North-West forthwith.

SHRI BADRUDDIN AJMAL: Unemployment has increased during the last four years. The poor people have been made to suffer through demonetization,

GST and inflation. The minorities have been ignored by this Government.

Citizenship Amendment Bill is against Assam Accord. This would make the situation in the entire North East Region worse. The government is misleading people by claiming to provide justice to Muslim women by bringing Tripal Talaq

Bill. It should be withdrawn. The Government has shown no interest in solving the problems of the farmers. There are at least 10 districts in Assam, where there is problem of arsenic contamination of groundwater. We have raised this issue a number of times, but no action has been taken at ground level. Existing paper mills have been closed in Assam, which has rendered lakhs of people unemployed. We request the government to restart these paper mills by providing them financial assistance. We have requested for construction of Dhubri Phulbari bridge at every level, but the construction work has not been started despite promises made several years ago.

THE MINISTER OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES(SHRIMATI

HARSIMRAT KAUR BADAL): Undoubtedly the aspirations of the people keep on increasing and changing without any limit and it is the duty of the Governments to deliver on their aspirations. The poor are remembered only during elections and thereafter they are put into oblivion. No other than our Prime Minister has come forward and thought to address the requirements of the poor such as electric connections to the poor households, constructions of their houses and toilets, road connectivity, availability of water, scholarships for their children and took measures to take care of their prestige and healthcare needs and insurance cover for them. Today, India is being considered the one 'bright stop' in the gloomy global economy. They cannot deny the fact that India is the fastest growing economy in the world. In the Ease of Doing Business Index, we have reached 77th position in the world. We have left behind big economies like US, the UK and China and

India is moving at faster rate than they are. We have the highest investment under

Foreign Direct Investment in our country because the world is perceiving India as a

New India. Today, in every way India is growing in a stable and in a positive manner which they could not achieve in ten years of their rule because they were too busy with plundering the nation. This is the difference between this

Government and the earlier Government. I would also like to mention here that all the development in our country has taken place and all kind of welfare schemes have been made despite the fact that we have given devolution of Central Taxes to the States. In these five years, the Government has got 23 crore bank accounts opened under the Jan Dhan Yojana. But isn't it shameful that even after 70 years crores, of poor did not have bank account in the country? This was the reason that one of their erstwhile Prime Ministers used to say that a beneficiary gets only 10 paise out of the 10 rupees sent from Delhi. But they did not take any action to stop it in the 70 years. This Government has checked scams of thousands of crores of rupees by opening bank account for everyone. Congress is misguiding the whole country about loan waiver. It had promised to waive the loans within 10 days if they would form Government in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.

Seven hundred farmers have committed suicide so far but not a single farmer has been provided any compensation though they had promised loan waivers worth

90000 crore rupees. Today teachers are on strike, Government employees are on strike, youth are also on strike. I thank the Government for putting behind bars people guilty of massacre of thousands of sikhs. Today, a chowkidar is the Prime

Minister but I would like to tell the Congress Party that he is the chowkidar of the country's resources, the country's wealth and health and the chowkidar of the country's pride, prestige and sovereignty.

SHRI R. DHRUVANARAYANA: Over the few years rising inequalities, mob violence, lynching and deteriorating condition of our farmers leads one to wonder if it indeed is Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas. Between the year 2015-2016 the incidence of crime against SCs went from 19.2% to 20.3%. A major cause for worry for the common masses is rising prices of petrol and diesel. The

Government was unable to or unwilling to take measures to curb this price rise.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, the Government fails to augment such connections with Gas stoves or refills which in themselves cost a lot. The State of

Karnataka is doing much better in this regard through its Mukhya Mantri Anila

Bhagya Yojana, where the State Government is providing one LPG connection, one double-burner gas stove with the ISI mark and free refills to the beneficiaries.

64 lakh houses were sanctioned under the urban component of the Pradhan Mantri

Awas Yojana but only 18% have been completed so far. The Government promised 2 crore jobs but the NSSO Periodic Labour Force Survey shows unemployment was at a 45 year high at 6.1% in 2017-2018. Money set aside under Khelo India for construction of stadiums is much lesser than the Rajiv Gandhi Khel

Abhiyan. Tall promises are made when it comes to the farmers, not enough is done to alleviate their problems. Farmers are yet to receive their money for their claims.

Only 45% of claims have seen disbursed. Government claims to have fulfilled their promise of providing MSP at cost+50%, is only a mirage. However, the

Swaminathan Commission recommended strongly that the MSP should be calculated at the comprehensive cost. The method of calculating the MSP unscientific. The talk of digital connectivity in Gram Panchayats-towers are yet to be constructed in many areas. With BSNL running into losses, we cannot claim to have fully digitised villages. The claims of Government clamping down on corruption and being transparent in their dealings have not come through in the actions of the government, especially in its dealing of the Rafale Deal. There has also been no transparency in the details of this deals. Another important point is the increasing burden on the state to finance national schemes. Under the Pradhan

Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, the states are required to meet 50% and under the

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana States have to bear 40% of the burden.

National Health Mission and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, the States have to share 40 percent burden for earlier 25 percent. Karnataka, has not seen any money released by the Centre for the Gram Sadak Yojana in the last 5 years. Karnataka has been facing severe drought and drought like conditions almost continuously since 2011. SHRI JAYADEV GALLA: I name this Budget the Band-Aid Budget for which this regime has no accountability to deliver on. The TDP walked out of the

NDA and the Government following being totally ignored in the Budget 2018-19.

Hon. Prime Minister had promised that if NDA comes to power, Andhra Pradesh would be given a Special Category Status for ten years, but the people of Andhra

Pradesh have been betrayed. The fight for the rights of Andhra Pradesh has grown into a fight to 'Save Democracy'. I demand that the Government of India should immediately release a 'White Paper' on what it has done with regard to the implementation of Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act and assurances given by then Prime Minister, Shri Manmohan Singh ji, in the Rajya Sabha. Instead of waiving off loans of the farmers, the Government in the Budget announced that it would give Rs.17 a day. How does Rs.6000 a year help a farmer who is in a debt trap and contemplating suicide? Farmers' income in Andhra Pradesh has doubled in the last four years. The agriculture growth rate is 11 per cent against the national average of just two per cent. The PM boasted that he would create two crore jobs a year but as many as five lakh Government jobs are lying vacant in various departments. According to NSSO's latest job survey, unemployment rate is at 40 year high at 6.1 per cent. Now, NITI Aayog is trying to push this Report under the carpet because of upcoming elections and to cover up the failure of the

Government. This Regime is openly embarking on a path of cultural nationalism and wishes to define a single national identity and culture for India. They are trying to give a very narrow definition of what it means to be an Indian. This

Government has passed an Order authorising 10 Central Government Agencies to monitor, intercept, and decrypt any information generated, transmitted, received, or stored in any computer source without any approval from any authority of the

Government of India. Earlier, the approval of the Joint Secretary was to be taken for any interception or tapping. But it has been done without proper discussion or consensus. The above Order is a clear violation of Privacy. This Government actions over the last five years, be it relating to AP's rights, demonetization, improper implementation of GST, is proving to be a destroyer of Democracy.

SHRI LAKHAN LAL SAHU: Let us resolve to build a terrorism,

Communalism casteism and corruption for country. Following the principles of

Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay's Antodaya our Government have ushered in a new hope and confidence among the masses and have increased the credibility of the country. Our country is becoming the centre stage of whole of the world. India is an agricultural country and to make the agriculture remunerative, it is necessary to develop our villages. Our Government have increased the MSP of 22 major crops.

Through e-markets the market have reached the farmer's doorsteps. The

Government aims to double the farmer's income by 2022. Government have made provision to provide Rs. 6000 per year to the farmers having 2 hectares of land.

National Kamdhenu Ayog have been established to protect cows. 17 crore farmers have been provided with soil health card. The poor have first right over the resources of the country. Weaker General section have been provided with 10% reservation. Ayushman Bharat is the one of the largest health schemes of the world. The Government have started skill development training campaign for the youths. Government is providing opportunities to youths by starting Pradhan

Mantri Mudra Yojana, Startup India, Standup India, Make in India, Pradhan Mantri

Rojgar Protsahan Yojana. 73% women entrepreneurs have started self employment by availing loans. Women have been provided short service commission in Armed

Forces and maternity benefits have been increased from 12 weeks to 26 weeks.

6.25 crore free connections have been provided under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala

Yojana. Government is making efforts for smooth passage of Triple Talaq Bill.

Government have strengthened the infrastructure. Government is establishing higher educational institutions. Not only One Rank One Pension demand has been fulfilled but the arrears have also been paid to the Ex-servicemen. I support the motion of thanks on President's Address.

SHRIMATI APARUPA PODDAR: The key to India's success is it diversity. Despite that, we have seen in the last four years violence against SC/ST people, incidents of atrocities, mob lynching and communal violence increasing day by day. The President did not mention about the situation going on all over the country, and did not take any steps to provide minimum support price to farmers as per the recommendations of Swaminathan Committee Report. In health sector there is need to improve the doctor-population ratio for providing better medical facilities in the country specially in rural India. Due to hasty implementation of

GST there is an adverse effect on economic, on micro, small and medium enterprises. Each citizen of India is a nation builder and custodian of India' well being and the legacy we will pass to the coming generations. For that, we have to ensure compulsory and uniform education across the country.

SHRI MD. BADARUDDOZA KHAN: President Address was nothing but only one type of election campaign on behalf of the Government. At the time of

Lok Sabha Election 2014, BJP had focused on so many promises in its election manifesto. Again in the last Presidents Address Government floated some dream to the people. It is a matter of great regret that the percentage of unemployment is the highest after the independence in last four year. Farmers are committing suicide everyday. Now Central Government has not waived the loan of farmers. Prices of

Petrol and Diesel became highest within the world due to imposing of so many taxes by the Central and State Government. Demonetization hit our small business and agricultural sector very badly. Still now these sectors are suffering. In the address government has mentioned about Citizenship Amendment Bill 2019. India is a secular country according to our constitution. Then how a Government can place such a bill in religious line? SHRI HARISHCHANDRA CHAVAN: The outline given in the

President's Address shows that the country has come back on the path of development, the atmosphere of uncertainty has ended and New India is being built. The credit goes to our hon'ble Prime Minister for all this. Farmers are benefitting from the schemes of the government for the agriculture. More that 9 crore toilets have been built. Ayushman Bharat Yojana has been launched for providing medical facilities to the people in the country. People have got electricity connections under Saubhagya Yojana, gas connections under Ujjawala Yojana and life insurance cover under Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana. A number of facilities have been provided for physically handicapped persons. Constitutional status has been granted to National Commission for Backward Classes. Provision has been made for providing 10 percent reservation for the poor among the general category in the employment and educational institutes. All these measures have resulted in comprehensive improvement in the standard of living of the poor people.

SHRI MANSHUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA: The present

Government has worked to eradicate uncertainty and corruption. The inflation has been tamed. The poor have been granted 10 per cent reservation. The Government promise to provide houses to everyone by 2022. More than 1.30 crore houses were constructed during the past four and a half years. The Government have made around 5.45 lakh villages open defecation free. The Government have provided electricity connection to many houses under Saubhayga Scheme. Each and every house hold would be provided electricity by March 2019. Till now the Government have distributed 6 crore LPG connections. The Government have provided remunerative prices to farmers. The Government have announced that each and every farmer having land upto 2 hectares would be provided Rs. 6,000 per year. 34 crore banks accounts have been opened under Jandhan Yojana. Under the

Ayushman Bharat Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Abhiyan, 50 crore people have been assisted with a treatment cost upto Rs. 5 lakh. Under my

Parliamentary Constituency Bharuch the Didiyapada and Sagwara Takula of

Narmada and Netran and Walia Taluk of Bharuch district are tribal dominated areas. Qualified doctors may be made available under Ayushman Yojana and new hospitals may be opened and they may be equipped with new equipments.

Qualified doctors may be recruited. In my parliamentary constituency Bharuch,

Adjoining areas of 25 to 30 villages of Mal-Samot, Mosda, Peplod area under

Dediyapad Taluk in Narmada district and 10-15 villages in Bharuch district of

Narmada, there is no BSNL network and people are deprived of online facility, there are not enough BSNL towers. The farmers have Benefitted from the 'Pradhan

Mantri Sinchai Yojana'. My Parliamentary Constituency can be benefited from

Gangapur irrigation scheme, this proposal have been forwarded by the Gujarat Government to Union Government but it is still pending. I support the motion of thanks on the President's Address.

SHRI S. P. MUDDAHANUME GOWDA: In the last general election

'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas' was the NDA's famous slogan. But the fact is that the

NDA government is concerned only about the development of few people. It is a matter of great concern that the entire country is facing great difficulty is sharing waters between various States. I would like to suggest that the need of the hour is to have a national policy for water sharing between the States concerned. The government has reduced funding of the MGNREGA programme. There are more that 7 crore educated unemployed youth in the country. The government is silent about workers in the unorganized sector which constitute larger percentage of labour force and they do not get their rightful dues. Pre and Post Matric

Scholarships for SCs/STs should be doubled to meet the education needs of these students. In order to promote Indian languages, the Central Government should bring a national policy in regard to medium of instruction at primary level. I hope that the Union Government will come up to the expectation and aspirations of the people of our nation.

SHRI RABINDRA KUMAR JENA: The Government spares just 1.28 per cent of the GDP for public healthcare, way less than the global average of 6 per cent. Rs. 3 per day is spent on an average Indian's healthcare. I regret while speaking about the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, he did not address the problem of continued preference of using firewood and traditional biomass fuels. Many people with new connections are not buying refilled cylinders after their first one runs out. The nation has been misled into believing that the government has fulfilled its promise of fixing the Minimum Support Price-MSP at one and a half times higher than the production cost of the crop. The unemployment rate of in the country has been at a 45-year high since 1972-73 a period from when the jobs data is comparable. On the front of welfare of tribals, I regret that there is no mention of welfare schemes for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes population of the nation. GST has adversely impacted the implementation of social security and welfare schemes for 8.5 lakh Kendu Leaf pluckers, seasonal workers and binding workers engaged in the trade. The government failed to provide Rs. 1000 crore to the Government of Odisha as interim assistance for taking up relief and restoration of work of immediate nature to the affected people of cyclone Titli.

SHRI MOHAMMAD SALIM: Today Indian economy is in very poor state. In this country, 50 per cent of the wealth is concentrated with nine corporate houses. Nowadays, inequality is also rising in the society. Farmers are also not getting remunerative prices. Unemployment rate is also on the rise. Survey pertaining to labour data of 2016-17 has not been submitted. Government is still collecting the required data. Earlier it was used to be compiled within a year. This shows that this government is scared of data. Beneficiaries of PMCM are being sent letters. More than 435 crore rupees have been spent on letters sent across the country. One fourth amount is being spent on such letters. 56 per cent of the fund of Beti Bachao Beti Padho scheme have been spent on advertisement only. Never before in the last 4.5 decades, this country has witnessed such a high rate of unemployment. Students are fighting for their stipend. Initially Government increased the fee and then it is making promise to provide scholarships. Sardha and Narda cases which are under consideration of the Supreme Court are not under the jurisdiction of federal government. This Government did not hold any meeting of Ethics Committee pertaining to Narda scam. I would like to ask that how this government is going to curb corruption. The Government has also not constituted

JPC on Rafale issue.

THE MINISTER OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME

IMPLEMENTATION AND MINISTER OF CHEMICALS AND

FERTILIZERS(SHRI D.V. SADANANDA GOWDA): Practically, the

Government thought that we should come out with Periodic Labour Force Survey as far as urban area is concerned on quarterly basis and for rural area on yearly basis. We started right from July 2017 up to December 2018. We have to collect the data quarterly and we have to come out with the report. For the last two quarters i.e. July 2018 to December 2018 and from October 2018 to December 2018, we are collecting the data and we are processing it. We have not come out with any report. That is a fake report. So, depending upon the fake report and arguing on the Floor of the House is not fair. Ultimately, the collection of data and bringing out the report is the responsibility of the Government. We are not hiding anything. We are collecting the data. The process is going on.

DR. KIRIT P. SOLANKI: In my opinion 2014 elections were historical because it has changed the condition and direction of the country. Due to the widespread corruption committed by the earlier UPA-I and UPA-II Governments, people had lost their faith on the whole political system. But this Government has restored their faith on the political system of this country. This Government has taken various steps for the welfare of the poors, farmers, women, youths and downtrodden people. The Government has also provided more than six crore LPG connections. Similarly, one crore 30 lakh houses have been built under Pradhan

Mantri Awas Yojana. Moreover, approximately two crore 47 lakh free electricity connections have been provided under Pradhan Mantri Saubhagya Yojana.

Similarly, Ayushman Bharat is one of the largest healthcare delivery scheme in the world under which approximately 10 crore household families would be provided five lakh rupees per annum for healthcare. The Government has also strengthen the SC/ST Act. Similarly, it has also provided 10 per cent reservation for the people belonging to general category. SHRI JAI PRAKASH NARAYAN YADAV: This is the last session of this Government and I am sure that this Government is not going to come back.

The Government should also restore 200 point roaster system. 13 point roaster system is against the welfare of SC/ST and OBCs. I would also like to demand that caste census should be conducted. Rights of SCs/STs and OBCs should be safeguarded. This Government has promoted intolerance. It has also not provided adequate employment opportunities to the youth of this country.

SHRI PREM SINGH CHANDUMAJRA: It is a matter of great pleasure for me that during the last four and half years, federal structure has been strengthened. Shares of States have been increased from 32 per cent to 42 per cent.

First time in the history of our country, hon. President has addressed peasants of this country as Anna Data. The Government has brought many schemes to double the income of farmers. Similarly six crore people have been provided gas connections. 98 per cent people having provided with toilet facilities. Providing houses to one crore 30 lakh people is also a commendable step. Moreover, it is a matter of immense pleasure for me that hon. President has mentioned about the road to be built connecting Kartarpur. This will facilitate the shrine visit and also improve the bilateral relations between the two countries. During the last four and half years not only we have been celebrating Prakash Utsav of Gurunanak Dev ji but we have also brought policies based on his sermons for the welfare of poor people of the country. This Government have also issued a commemorative coin in the honor of Guru Gobind Singh Sahab. I would like to request that Bharat

Ratna should be conferred to Shahid Bhagat Singh ji and Shahid Udham Singh ji.

SHRI VIRENDER KASHYAP: In his Address, the Hon. President has presented a detailed account of the working of the Government over the last four years. Whichever schemes have been launched by the existing Government, each of them is meant for ameliorating the status of the poor. As many as ten crore families have been provided with health insurance cover under the Ayushman

Bharat scheme. Barely 3-4 months have elapsed since this scheme was launched and within such a brief duration of time the number of beneficiaries has gone up to

11 lakh. Under Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana, entailing investment of approximately Rs.7 lakh crore there has been avalanche of employment opportunities for lakhs of youth.

SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN: The President's Address begins with the vision of three eminent stalwarts of Indian history, that is Mahatma Gandhi, Dr.

B.R. Ambedkar and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia. I would like to know from the

Government as to what it has done during the last five years to realise the dreams and visions of these eminent leaders. According to me these five years were a loss to this country. I am confining my speech to two points. The first one is unemployment and the second one is NITI Aayog. The unemployment rate today is the highest during the last four and half decades. In the case of demonetisation the Government has failed. In the case of implementation of the GST also the

Government has totally failed. One question I would like to pose regarding the

NITI Aayog that you while they have constituted the NITI Aayog, what is its contribution?

SHRI H.D. DEVEGOWDA: The Prime Minister's dream was to build a corruption free India and to eradicate poverty and bridge the gap between the poor and the rich. Our Prime Minister talks of cashless society. But unless we bring in radical changes in the existing system, how can we achieve our aspiration? I have never spoken a word either inside the House or outside the House to denigrate the office of the Prime Minister. The only thing that hurts me is that when it is said that the coalition Governments have not done anything. In 1996 the coalition

Government headed by me took a decision to reduce the fertiliser price by Rs.1000 per tonne. I went to Northeastern States, I gave a special grant of Rs. 6100 crore for the works which still have not been completed. I went to Kashmir five times and took decisions to create confidence among the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

I took the decision to set up Delhi Metro. Under the Public Distribution System,

36 crore people below poverty line got 10kg rice at Rs.3, 5kg wheat at Rs.2. We introduced Voluntary Disclosure Scheme to bring black money back. Coalition

Governments can also do something if proper understanding is there. Whichever coalition Governments were there in the past, they have also done something for the States. Pension for farmers and poor people, eradication of poverty and all those things have not been a matter of concern of the present Government only.

The Government has announced Rs.6000 per annum for farmers. That is only

Rs.17 per day. Telengana is giving Rs.10,000. Odisha is providing more than

Rs.10,000. The Prime Minister announced Rs.6000, out of which Rs.2000 is in this Financial year. I only request the hon. Prime Minister that at least in this session he should declare a minimum of Rs.15000 for farmers.

*SHRI B. VINOD KUMAR:

*SHRIMATI ANJU BALA:

*PROF. CHINTAMANI MALVIYA:

*SHRI SHIVKUMAR UDASI:

*SHRI HARINARAYAN RAJBHAR:

*DR. PRABHAS KUMAR SINGH:

*DR. SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD:

*SHRIMATI RITI PATHAK:

*SHRI KALYAN BANERJEE:

* Please see second Supplement. *SHRI D.K. SURESH:

*DR. A. SAMPATH:

*KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE:

*SHRI RAM KUMAR SHARMA:

*SHRI P.K. KUNHALIKUTTY:

*KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:

*SHRI K. PARASURAMAN:

*SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

*KUMARI SUSHMITA DEV:

*SHRI RAHUL KASWAN:

*THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS(SHRIMATI SUSHMA

SWARAJ):

*SHRI SAUMITRA KHAN:

*SHRIMATI MEENAKASHI LEKHI:

*SHRI DEVJI M. PATEL:

*SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL:

* Please see second Supplement. *SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR:

*SHRI RODMAL NAGAR:

*SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT:

*KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL:

*SHRI AJAY MISRA TENI:

*SHRI BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA:

*SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE:

*SHRI JUGAL KISHORE:

*SHRI RAMESHWAR TELI:

PRIME MINISTER (SHRI NARENDRA MODI) replying said: I am in attendance here to thank the hon. President for his Address. Many hon. Members have put forward their views. When we talk of new India, this carries with it an inherent hope and confidence. It is also true that only those who are laced with hope and are brimming with confidence can talk with conviction and clarity. It is hope and forward looking approach that can lead the nation to the path of progress even when faced with unfavourable condition. Over the last four and a half years,

India has galloped from number 11 to number 06 in terms of rating on economic

* Please see second Supplement. front. Foreign Direct Investment has also registered a quantum leap vis-a-vis the previous regime. The power of Make in India is establishing new bench marks in manufacturing sector. Today India is the second largest producer of steel and manufacturer of mobile phones in the world. India is the 4th largest manufacturer of automobiles in the world. India is making record production of vegetables and milk today. The cheapest internet data and its maximum consumption is in India.

Start up eco system has firmly established its roots. Aviation sector is making progress at the fastest speed. It is alleged that the Government is undermining the institutions. To my mind, this deserves serious consideration. The imposition of emergency, humiliation of Defence Forces, denigrating the Election Commission and threatening the judiciary etc are ascribed and attributed to the Congress Party.

The Congress Party had once termed Planning Commission as 'Bunch of Jokers'. It was during the Congress regime that there had been misuse of Article 356 almost

100 times. Not just that, the Congress leaders tore up the Cabinet Note in a Press

Conference. During the last 55 months, our Government has carried out unprecedented work in the areas of cleanliness, construction of toilets, distribution of gas connection, opening of bank accounts for the poor, rural electrification and many more. A slew of initiatives undertaken in the right earnest has sent a clear and unequivocal message across the board that a Government in majority is able to take concrete decision. Thanks to implementation of Direct Benefit Transfer, money is being directly credited to the accounts of the poor and the role of middle men has become a thing of the past. There is no dispute about the fact that the

Congress initiated the work of providing optical fibre network way back in 2004.

However, it moved on at a snail's pace and broad band connectivity in most of the villages was still a far cry if the statistics available has anything to go by. The fact remains that optical fibre network accessibility in villages had been available in merely 59 villages till 2014 whereas it is just within 55 months of our dispensation that as many as 1 lakh 16 thousand villages have been provided with broad band connectivity. Your regime was scam ridden which witnessed so many scams -2G spectrum, commonwealth scam to name a few. In the Banking System, the culture of corrupt practices at the behest of high and powerful politicians reigned supreme.

Since Independence till the year 2008, banks had to lend a total of Rs.18 lakh crore which got enhanced to Rs.50 lakh crore in 6 years i.e. between the year 2008 and

2014. This was the repercussions of phone banking. What is remarkable to note here is that after 2014, there has been zero addition to the NPA inherited from the previous dispensation. We have brought in such laws that have helped recovery of

Rs.3 lakh crore. We lent Rs.7 lakh crore under Mudra Yojana that has gone a long way in providing self employment to the people. In a way, the Congress had made the Defence Forces armless. In the year 2009, Indian Army had made demands for bullet proof jackets which was not procured till 2014. It is in the year 2016 that we have procured 50000 bullet proof jackets. In July 2016, we had accorded approval for the acquisition of 83 Tejas aircraft. It merits considerate attention here that the previous Government simply chose to ignore and overlook the needs of the Army,

Air Force and Navy for 10 years whereas the military power of our neighbouring countries was on the rise continuously. It was a betrayal of trust with the country.

On Rafael, all I have to say is that the Congress Party is quite against strengthening our Air Force. In so far as black money or corruption is concerned, we still continue to stay committed to our vision of tackling these issues with zero tolerance. The fact of the matter is that we are not at all involved in any corrupt practices nor have we any obligation to fulfill or favouring any individual providing us the basis for survival which empowers us to wage fight against all evil practices that sadly crept in our system-be it black money or easy money or corruption of any other kind and even cases of impropriety in public life for that matter. We have been able to show 8 crore people the door who used to be involved in the role of intermediary and middle men by espousing Aaadhar enabled system. We enacted Benami Transaction Act leading to the attachment of benami property. Post demonetisation 3 lakh shell companies have been closed down. Thanks to a flurry of initiatives having been undertaken by our Government over 20 thousand organisations have been compelled to close their shops down who would allegedly receive funds from abroad. These institutions were influencing bordering villages, Parliament and even the judicial process. A few of the Members have raised the issue of price rise today. When Shrimati Indira

Gandhi was the Prime Minister, the rate of inflation had crossed 20 per cent. During the previous regime, inflation was recorded to be more than 10 per cent.

Over the last 4 years and 5 months, the rate of inflation has been 4 per cent. Prior to the introduction of GST average tax used to be exceeding 30 per cent. Currently

99 per cent or even more goods attract 18 per cent or even less taxation. We have given tax exemption upto Rs.5 lakh in the assessment of individual income tax.

The interest chargeable on education loan has also been reduced from 15 per cent to 11 per cent. Likewise the rate of interest on housing loan has also been reduced.

The price of LED bulbs has been reduced from Rs.300 to the region of Rs.60-70.

This has resulted in lowering of electricity bills of Rs.50 thousand crore in the country. The price of stent used in cardiac disease has been made cheaper. Knee implant surgery has also become affordable. Free of cost dialysis facility has been made available at the district level. More than 5 thousand Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been set up by us. More than 15 thousand people belonging to poor section of society are taking the benefit of Ayushman Scheme on daily basis. I would like to urge upon all the Members of Parliament to motivate maximum number of poor people residing in their respective constituencies to take the benefit of Ayushman

Bharat Scheme. 10 per cent reservation has been extended to the poor youth of our country. Between September 2017 and November 2018 around 1 crore 80 lakh people have got employment in the organised sector. Over the last four years, nearly 6 lakh 35 thousand new professionals have been added in the country. On the other hand, in the informal sector, more than 27 lakh new autos have been sold. In the transport sector itself, almost 1.25 crore people have got new employment opportunities during the last four and a half years. Likewise, there has been generation of as many as one and a half crore new jobs in the hotel industry. Taxi aggregator service has expanded hugely which has generated employment opportunities. For the first time the number of persons given loan under Mudra

Yojana has gone up to more than 4 crore. More than 2 lakh new common service centres have been set up in the rural areas of the country. Highways are being constructed at double pace. New airports are being constructed, railway stations are being upgraded. Crores of new houses are being built. The youth of our country is self-reliant today. Skill India, Start-Up India, Stand-Up India, Mudra

Yojana are our novel initiatives of silk employment. The concerns of the farmers have also been taken care of. In the year 2009, the farmers were burdened with a farm loan of Rs.6 lakh crore, out of which mere 52 thousand crore had been waived off. Under Pradan Mantri Sinchai Yojana 99 schemes which had been hanging fire for long have been implemented and have seen the light of the day.

We have laid emphasis on building Mega Food Park and new cold storage. The mission of setting up of 22 thousand Grameen Hats is also at an advanced stage of being accomplished in the near future. We have equipped the farmers with the facility of online sale of their produce through e-Nam. A budgetary provision of

Rs.6000 per annum for the farmers has been made in the budget presented this year. This move will result in the direct transfer of money into the accounts of nearly 12 crore farmers. A few of the Members have spoken about loan waiver in the State of Karnataka. It covers 43 lakh beneficiaries but merely 60 thousand people have actually been benefitted from this scheme. You used to go for loan waiver once in 10 years whereas the scheme launched by us shall be rolled out every year. We have made a special budgetary provision aimed at those engaged in pisciculture under the proposed Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog. The farmers who had been equipped with Kisan Credit Card, the same kind of benefit is going to be extended to those engaged in cattle breeding and fisheries. On vaccination count, we introduced 'Mission Indradhanush' and the vaccination drive has been allowed to gain momentum beyond measure. Under Skill India drive, we have been able to impart a training to the lakhs of youth. Under Pradhan Mantri Shramyogi

Maandhan Yojana, we have made budgetary provision for the pensionary benefits to the unorganised labourers. Our Government have proposed a separate Ministry for the fishermen. Our Government has set up a department to take care of the affairs of the traders. It has been for the first time that we have embarked on a decision to set up a board for the welfare of the nomadic community. Today,

India's voice is heard on global fora. It is after my sincere endeavors that the NRIs have received the attention of all the political parties. In the recent past, Pravasi

Bhartiya Divas was hosted in Varanasi in which maximum number of NRIs participated. It is a matter of great pleasure for all of us that Kumbh has been recognised as a world Heritage. This is the soft power of India. All the Amendments moved were negatived.

The Motion was adopted.

** ** ** **

SNEHLATA SHRIVASTAVA Secretary General

**Second Supplement covering rest of the proceedings is being issued separately. © 2019 BY LOK SABHA SECRETARIAT NOTE: It is the verbatim Debates of the Lok Sabha and not the Synopsis that should be considered authoritative.

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