199 Assam Appropriation [ RAJYA SABHA ] (No. 2) Bill, 1980 200

Lok Sabha at its sitting held on the 26th November, 1980. 2. The Speaker has certified that this Bill is a Money Bill within the meaning of article 11 o of the Constitution of India." Sir, I lay a copy of the Bill on the Table.

THE BUDGET (ASSAM) 1980-81— GENERAL DISCUSSION—contd. AND THE ASSAM APPROPRIATION (No. 2) BILL, 1980—contd. SHRI AJIT KUMAR SHARMA: What about the other speakers on the subject'.' MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN. They will speak after the Home Ministers intervention. Others will also speak. Then the Finance Minister will reply- SHRI AJIT KUMAR SHARMA: After the Home Minister speaks, there is no sense in our speaking. MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: The Finance Minister will reply. The spokesmen of the major parties have spoken.

SHRI AJIT KUMAR SHARMA: We want the Home Minister should speak afterwards. MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: The re- presentatives of the major parties have already spoken, and some independents have also spoken. MESSAGE FROM THE LOK SABHA SHRl AJIT KUMAR SHARMA: He W'll The High Court and Supreme Court speak afterwards. Judges (Conditions of Service) Am- endment Bill, 1980 MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: That is not possible. The Finance Minister will reply to the debate. The major parties have spoken. SECRETARY-GENERAL: Sir, I beg to Some independents have also spoken. report to the House the following Message received from the Lok Sabha signed by the SHRI AJIT KUMAR SHARMA: In that Secretary of the Lok Sabha: case there is no sense in our participating in the debate. (Interruptions) The Home "In accordance with the provisions of Minister will listen and then reply. Rule 96 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha. I am directed to enclose herewith the High Court and Supreme Court Judges (Conditions Q.i Service) Amendment Bill, 1980, as passed by 201 Assam Appropriation [ 27 NOV. 1980 ] (No. 2) Bill, 1980 202

MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: AH the views have been expressed in the House. Every Member cannot speak. The major parties have spoken. SHRI AJIT KUMAR SHARMA: There was an agreement with the Chairman.

SHRI T. ALIBA IMTI (Nagaland): There is no point in our speaking after the Home Minister speaks. SHRI MAGANBHAI BAROT: May I request, Sirj that in that event; the Home Minister may intervene at 2-30 and between 2-00 and 2-30 other Members may speak? MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: That can be done.

SHRI T. ALIBA IMTI; Sir, some of us may take only five minutes, and before the Home Minister replies, we want to put forward our views. MR-. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: All right, I agree. The Home Minister will intervene at 2-30. Before that, two or three Members will MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: Mr. be allowed. Imti please take your seat.

The House then adjourned for lunch at twelve minutes past one of the clock.

The House reassembled, after lunch, at two minutes past two of the clock, Mr. Deputy Chairman in the Chair.

SHRl AJIT KUMAR SHARMA: Mr. Deputy Chairman, the honourable Finance Minister has presented his third statement on Assam Budget. I very well realise the sitation in which he has been placed. He is only acting on behalf of somebody else who is lying critically ill. He is only trying 203 The Assam Appropriation [ RAJYA SABHA ] (Wo. 2) Bill, 1980 204

[Shri Ajit Kumar Sharma] thousands every year. The area has been to prescribe a medicine to a patient totally neglected for the last 32 years. Now, who has been kept in the oxigen box when the people of Assam say "let us be for the last one year and is trying protected", the Government says that they are hard to rescue him from the final fate. secessionists, they are anti-Indian, anti- As far as the financial statements con Muslim; anti-Bengali and all sorts of accusa- tained in the Budget Speech are con- tions have been hurled at them. Why? Just because the people have reminded the cerned( there also I do not want to blame him because he does not know Government to fulfil its constitutional the real conditions of the State for obligation. I want the Government to realise which he is presenting a Budget. Let the necessity of solving the basic issue. me remind him that this is a State People are on the struggle path. The entire which suffered terribly under exploi Assam is in this unprecedented struggle for tation by foreign capital during the more than one year now. What is the cau.re British regime. Instead of ending that behind it? kind of exploitation in the new re gime after independence the neo-Indian The West Bengal Chief Minister has stated capitalists joined hands with the that it is a picnic party and in the picnic party foreign capital and continued the ex ladies are going with their handbags. Is it a ploitation. As a result, we find a picnic party that has been going on in Assam situation where people have to go to for the last more than one year ? You must I0r come to the basic cause of this problem. streets demanding the very essen tials of their life. After exploitation Now, Sir, I do not want to deal with what by foreign capital the problem was had happened in the past. I would only try to heightened, it was made more com present before the House how and why the plex, by the physical presence of lakhs negotiations between the leaders of the of foreigners in this State. Now, movement, and the Government have not so Sir. let nie tell the Finance Minister that he far succeeded. What is the reason behind it? Is cannot prepare a good Budget for the State, if because that the students are adamant and nor can he prepare a good Plan for the therefore there has been no solution? The development of the State, unless he tackles basic thing is that the Government and some both the problems simultaneously, namely, political parties are trying to avoid the real the problem of economic exploitation of the disease. They do not want to tackle the real people and the problem of physical presence cause of the disease. They only want to treat of foreigners. What has been the economic the symptoms and by treating the symptoms situation today? The per capita land available they want to temporarily suppress the disease. for a cultivator in Assam is the lowest in the This kind of suppression the people of Assam country. If you just read the report of are not prepared to accept. They have waited Economic Survey you will see that between far too Jong. Now they want a final solution. 1971 and 1976 the national income of Assam They do not want any more ameliorative rose by 500 per cent but the per capita income treatment on a temporary basis. That is the rose only by 16 per cent, whereas the Indian main issue which is facing the Home Ministry average is 40 per cent during the period. What today. does it show? It show the extreme population s Now, Sir, I remind the Home Minister that pressure in th State leading to a very alarm- e in 1971, his Ministry had issued a circular to ing situation for the entire people. They have Assam pointing out this alarming situation of been suffering and the Government lias failed infiil- in its fundamental duty pf not only developing that area economically, but they have even failed to protect them from foreigners who Kavj. been allowed to infiltrate in 205 Assam Appropriation [ 27 NOV. 1980 ] (No. 2) Bill, 1980 206 tration in the State. If he looks into MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: Mr. Sharma, the flies 0; the Home Ministry, he will you have to conclude within two minutes. find that. And yet, Sir, it continued like that and, in 1978, ho less a person SHRI AJIT KUMAR SHARMA: I will than the Chief Election Commissioner finish in five minutes, Sir. Now, Sir, the first said one very significant thing. It discussion was held and in that discussion, the was a warning to the Government and the demands were in principle accepted by the people against an alarming situation. He said: Government. At that time there was no "Unless you take drastic action to control and question of any cut-off year. But the moment reduce the population of Assam and stop the the discussions concluded, the Government influx, then, by 1991, Assam would be said that they would only start from 1971. And inhabited by a majority of the foreigners.'' then the hitch started. It started from there This statement he made in his written address only. They wanted a constitutional remedy after visiting the entire North-Eastern area. and not an arbitrary, politically motivated Now, the peopie of Assam are fighting so that stop-gap solution. If we swear by the by 1991 the State of Assam is not taken away constitutional provisions and the Citizenship by the silent foreign invasion. We are no Act, then we have no other way except starting secessionists and we are not demanding from the year 1951. If you really say that you secession. But it is only the Government want to have a constitutional solution to the which is preparing the ground for driving out problem, you have no other way except to start the whole North-Eastern region from India. from the year 1951 on the basis of the 1951 By preventing a solution it is the Government NRC and the 1952 electoral roll and these two which has become the secessionist and the are the basic documents available immediately Government is allowing the conditions to after the independence of the country. Now, develop in such a way that by 1991 the whole you have to detect the foreigners on that basis of the State including the North-Eastern and there is no going back on that. What you region will go out of India. This I want the will do with the foreigners after the detection Home Minister particularly to remember and is a different, matter. What you will do after wish to warn him against such a future. detection is a different thing and that can be solved. Now, Sir, even for that, there has been a formula which has been discussed by the two parties and it is that those who are Now, Sir, I find that many accusa detected on the basis of the 1951 and 1952 tions have been made and I very much documents will be allowed to regularise regret that the Prime Minister has themselves as the citizens of India, but those chosen to say different things at diffe who will be found to have come between 1961 rent times and different places. I and 1971 will be disfranchised and they will wrote three letters to her. But, un be distributed all over the country. To the fortunately, there is no reply. distribution formula the Home Minister had also agreed and there was confirmation of this I also in a reply to my question in this House. wanted that she should confirm what About deportation after 1971, the Government she is reported to have said at diffe has also agreed. Now, Sir, I want to know rent places. Now, Sir, the point is from the Home Minister where the difficulty that the people are struggling, and at is. Why are you not prepared to distribute as the same time you say that the grie agreed to earlier? Even the Prime Minister has vances of the people are genuine. But said in. this House that when you come to the question of finding a solution, you do just avoid the main issue and you just go on changing your position. What hap pened when the first discusion took place between the Government and the representatives (Time Bell —contd. 207 The Assam Appropriation [RAJYA SABHA] (No. 2) Bill, 1980 208

[Shri Ajit Kumar Sharma] they are not SHRI AJIT KUMAR SHARMA: Two going to give the whole burden to Assam. If minutes more. There was an accusation about that is so, what is the difficulty that you are violence and so many other things. In this facing? Why not the Government officially matter also I have drawn the attention of the announce on this particular point? Home Minister much earlier; I do not know what action he has taken on this. There is an Now, Sir, I would like to raise two or three organisation known as Indian Bengalee points and then I will finish. Sir, very often Association, which was formerly known as the question of minorities has been raised. I council of Displaced Bengalees. Its President am simply surprised at this. The is Mr. Asoka Sen. This organisation has been movement at no stage of time has been related organising violent movements everywhere. to the question of minorities. It is entirely See what its constitution says: a question of foreigners. What are the minorities? I ask the Government also: What is your definition of a 'minority'? "(a) Connotations: (i) 'Bengalees' shall Is it in the context of whole nation? Is it connote Bengali-speaking people originally in the context of a whole State? Or is it in resident of erstwhile East Bengal or East- the context of a district or any sub-division? Pakistan (now Bangladesh) who is not a What are the difficulties faced by what you Muslim and their sons, daughters and heirs. call linguistic and religious minorities in Assam? Has anybody prevented any (ii) 'Displaced Bengalees' snail connote religious minority to observe its Bengalees who migrated into Indian Union religion? (Time bell rings). How could after independence as well as those who mosques rise in large numbers between came to Assam before Independence but 1950 and 1978 if at all there was any had properties and other interests in restrictions or obstructions to religious erstwhile East Pakistan or West Bengal." rights? If the Bengalee linguistic minority MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: P.. ease do had been suppressed, then 80 per cent of employees of the North Frontier Railways not read the whole thing. would not have been Bengalees and 85 SHRI AJIT KUMAR SHARMA: I am not per cent of the employees of the Banks would reading the whole thing. I am reading only not have come from that minority, and the relevant portions. Now, the most also they would not have occupied 80 per dangerous part of it is: cent of the posts in the Post and Telegraph Department. Where is then the "(a) The Council shall oppression of minorities? Why are you exercise concurrent jurisdiction and power trying to accuse the people struggling for a with the State Government of Assam in all right cause by giving them a bad name? I matters, political, social, economic, safety, request the Government to desist from this security, education and welfare of kind of attempt because by doing so, as we displaced Bengalees in Assam Valley and have already seen, you cannot suppress the shall totally deny the authority and right of will of the people. You cannot suppress all the Executives (Officers and Men because they are on the right path. inclusive) of all the departments (Police (Time bell rings). inclusive) of the Assam Administration...."

Now, I have to refer to the Home Then, again: Minister. , . "The Council may exercise its right to MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: Please raise and form 'Armed Police Force' of its conclude. You have already taken. . own for protec- 209 Assam Appropriation [27 NOV. 1980] (No. 2) Bill, 1980 210

tion of the Community which it would Mizoram and the Arunachal are the worst govern." affected. Transport in these areas is at standstill. Petrol and diesel have to be This is an organisation presided over by rationed. Foodgrains and essential Mr. Asoka Sen and others. Now, there is commodities cannot be transported due to support of its demands here in this House lack of fuel. Forest products cannot be also. A Constitution (Amendment) Bill has transported because of the same reason. As a been placed in this House... (Time bell rings) result, the people a re suffering and are facing this Bill seeks to make sure that all persons a great hardship for the lack of essential coming from Bangladesh will be commodities. The prices of the essential automatically becoming the citizens of India commodities are soaring higher and higher. and elsewhere. Such attempts undoubtedly Thus, it can be said that when Assam have caused greater apprehensions in the sneezes, the whole North-East catches the minds of the people of N.E. Region. cold.

MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: Please Sir, the whole country is now well aware of conclude now. Do not repeat yourself. the situation prevailing in the Nc rth-East and Assam. I find that till recently, very few SHRI AJIT KUMAR SHARMA: I will just people know anything about the people of put a few questions. 1 want to know from the Assam, about the people of the North-East. In Home Minister, what was the discussion last fact, some of them do not even know that time between the students and the there are seven sister-States in the North-East. Government, why the negotiations failed and My blame is not on these common people. But what the Government now proposes to do? my blame is on the national leaders. In fact, I What about the position of the Government found that even the framers of the Constitution regarding the distribution of foreigners have done something wrong to the North-East. between 1961 and 1971 and the deletion of For example, we find that this Mana gana' has their names from the voters list ? I would like been the National Anthem of India minus the the Government to come out with a clear de- North-East. There you find the mention of claration on these questions. every State, or every community, and of every mighty river but nothing of the North-East, not MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: That is the even the mention of the mighty Brahmaputra. main crux. You conclude now. If the North-East is to""be a part of India, I SHRI AJIT KUMAR SHARMA: And suggest that the National Anthem in the what steps the Home Minister is going to take present form be changed and a new one. a to resume the discussions? more comprehensive one, be adopted as the National Anthem of the country. SHRI ALEXANDER WARJRI Sir, in spite of the vast natural resources (Meghalaya): Mr. Deputy Chairman, Sir, it is that Assam and the rest of the North-East now more than 15 months since the question have, nothing much has been done for the of infiltration into Assam and the North-East improvement of communications. It is 33 has been raised in this very House. The delay years since we attained independence. Yet, in solving this question has brought untold while the rest of the country is covered by a misery to the people of the North-East on the network of railways, roads and bridges, the whole. In fact, the whole country has suffered North-East is linked by only the Metre-Gauge because of this. Now, I stand here to speak with the rest of the country. The broad gauge not merely for Assam but for the other States that has gone right up to Bongaigaon has been of the North-East which are greatly affected there for the last 20 years. Even the effort for by the Assam agitation Meghalaya. ifs extension to Gauhati is very very low. Nagatand, Perhaps only when 211 Assam Appropriation [ RAJYA SABHA ] (No. 2) Bill, 1980 212

[Shri Alexander Warjri] wells for years. This is a criminal waste. It is a national waste. While the gas from the the next war or aggression breaks out on the Bombay High is being directed to different North-Eastern frontier that this broad-gauge factories in Bombay for industrial purposes, I would be completed. About the road canont .tand why the Assam gas has to be communication, may 1 ask the hon. Minister allowed to be burnt unused. (Time bell rings) and the Government how many national highways are there in the North-East and in ME. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: Please Assam? While the Ganges is spanned by so conclude now. many bridges, the whole course of the SHRI ALEXANDER WARJRI: Sir, I will Brahmaputra is spanned by only one bridge. just now conclude. These are not a few instances. Assam and North-East deserve As if the North-Eastern States are just special attention from the Centre and the conquered terntories, the Army and the Air Centre should make up for this long neglect. Force are occupying huge tracts of land in But before that normalcy has to be restored. every State. In spite of the protest by 'the The agitation will have to end. It can end only people of Shillong, the Army is going 0n ing a when there is goodwill on all sides. And this huge additional cantonment near Shillong at will have to come only if we are to relieve the Barapani. Though the Army has already got a people of their suilerings. By sitting here one cantonment and has occupied almost half of cannot understand the sufferings of the Shillong, yet the Army is going to construct people. I would Invite all the MPs. of this one more cantonment. There is so much of House and the other House that they should Army and Air Force activity in the area as if personally visit the people of the North-East these are occupied areas. region.

With regard to the Central Government Now, Sir, to conclude, in the name offices, I do not understand why these Central oi the suffering people of the North- Government Offices and most of the East, I appeal to the CentraF Govern nationalised banks have their headquarters ment, to all the parties in the country, either in Delhi or in Calcutta. Ih certain cases, to the whole country to concentrate on irom the North-East they have to refer either the solution of the proble-m of Assam. to Delhi or Calcutta. (Time bell rings) I appeal to all the parties, Including the ruling party, to put aside the party Then, coming to oil, everyone has feelings, to put aside the party consi spoken about oil. I do not understand derations and solve the problem of till now why, when the oil wells are Assam. On account of delay in in Assam, the oil refinery should be solving this problem, the country now is at Barauni, 700 kilometres away. If facing a Constitutional crisis. Something has oil is found in Punjab, the Punjabis to be done before December 1980. I warn that will never allow the oil refinery to be any attempt by any party to form a taken to U.P. or to any other place. Government in Assam will result in chaos. It Yet this was done and the oil refi will throw the whole of North-East into chaos. nery was constructed at Barauni. My suggestion is that the high-commands of Why cannot one be made in Assam? all the parties should instruct their respective All that was given to please the Assa M.L.As of Assam that they should forget their mese was two toy refineries. I want party affiliations, that they should put their to ask the Government whether it had heads together and form a common body and any intention or any plant to expand form a popular Government. That is the wish these toy refineries? (Time bell rings) o-f the-people of Assam at the present With regard to gas, it is a pity that much of juncture. At the same time I also appeal to the gas from the oil wells in Assam had to be AASU and to the people of Assam that they burnt over the oil should consider the plight of their people and 213 Assam Appropriation [27 NOV. 1980] (No. 2) Bill, 1980 214 they should try to come to the negotiating of Assam. That interim Government shall table and try to solve these differences, that have the character of a national party. they'have with the Central Government. Secondly, it should be agreed upon that the interim Government should be only ior I thank you, Sir. a period of three months, or a maximum of 100 days. Thirdly, since it will be an SHRI T. ALIBA IMTI: Mr. Deputy interim Government, in the nature of a care- Chairman, Sir, it is exactly half past two and taker Government, It is not important who fills I shall try to rfriish my speech in 5 or 6 the portfolio of Chief Minister. Fourthly, minutes. the main task before the Government should be to find out ways and means and to Sir, Assam and its problems have been with bring the Central Government and the us for the last one year and the House is fully agitators of Assam to a conference table and to loaded with speeches, emotional speeches and find out a solution within the first 30 days. things like that. I have no intention to make Fifthly, the agitation should be suspended any emotional speech to day but I want to forthwith for a period of 30 days from the give only a few facts. date of the inauguration of the new Government. Sixthly, oil should be allowed First of all, Sir, we are all aware that the to flow without obstruction during these 30 problems are there, and these are very serious clays. Seventhly, at the end of a three- problems. The father of the Nation. Mahatma month period or a date mutually agreed upon, Gandhi, admitted it in 1944; our great election should be held under the new electoral Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru admitted it in rolls. Sir, my point is that during the first 1952 and even Vinobaji has admitted last year 30 days, the new Government in Assam, the that this is not a regional problem; it is a national Government, should display national problem, This is the situation and I understanding and should devote all its need not repeat by harassing the Members with energies in solving this problem. I am sure, more points. Sir, I am a person who be- with the co-operation of senior leaders like lieves in reconciliation. All the problems, I Mr. Bhupesh Gupta, Mr. Pant, Mr. believe, could be solved with an open heart Advani, Madhu babu etc. etc., this could and with a little amount of generosity and give be done and once this is agreed upon, and take. If our great country Ts tackling I am sure, the young boys in world problems on that basis, why are we Assam—of course, I have no authority not able to tackle our own problem on that to speak on their behalf—with also be basis? I feel that time has come that this responsive if the leaders from here and Assam problem, the problem of the North-East Gauhati ask them to be reasonable. I should be solved on the basis of give and lake. know, among the youth of North-East India, Whether my view shall have any effect on the a new danger is in the offing; the danger of Home Ministry or the ruling party, whether collaboration is coming up. Our Home it shall have any effect on the leaders of the Minister should be fully aware of it. If we opposition parties, I have no idea. But, allow this to grow, the unity of the country Sir, the trouble is, when we get a chance to will be further deteriorated. Hence, it is speak, most of the time the senfor leaders are the sacred duty of the leaders present here, absent from the House, and these are the our Home Minister, our Prime Minister leaders who participate in the deliberations. I and the leaders of Opposition Parties, to come would now present one or two points and together and provide a solution. We all, in my personal view. I feel no mud-throwing our own humble way, in all humility, are will solve the problem. Firstly, according to there to collaborate, cooperate and me, an all-party interim Government contribute our mite in bringing this problem should be immediately installed in the State to a successful end. 1 would like to speak more. But I know, Sir, you are gett- 215 The Assam Appropriation [RAJYA SABHA] (No. 2) Bill, 1980 216

ing impatient for time. (Interruptions). Thank you.

MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: Hon. Home Minister.

SHRI DINESH GOSWAMI: Sir, the Home Minister has a beautiful rose. I am sure, he has some rosy news to give to this House today.

PROF. SOURENDRA BHATTA- CHARJEE (West Bengal): Mr. Deputy Chairman, Sir, I am sure, other speakers will follow after the intervention by the hon. Home Minister.

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'•The present understanding bet. ween India' and Bangladesh is that only those who were forced to leave Bangladesh and take refuge in India after the 25th March, 1971, would be returned to Bangladesh for resettlement. It is, accordingly, part of the understanding that the refugees who came to India before the 25th March, 1971, would not be sent back 10 Bangladesh."

227 The.Assan »priotion [ RAJYA SABHA ] (No. 2) Bill, 1980 228 SHRI DINESH GOSWAMI: I pointed out certain contradictions betwen the statement 0l the Prime Minister and the statement of the Home Minister which he has up till now not cleared. I said, either your statement is correct v>r the Prime Minister's statement is correct. Let him point out to those statements and say there is no contradiction. I know about these statements. The point is. . . . MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: He is coming to your points.. He is trying to come to that question. SHRI DINESH GOSWAMI: The point that I made was that there was nothing in the' Indira Mujib Pact that persons coming before 1971 could be granted Indian citizenship. In fact no pact can do so without concurrence of Parliament? Why don't you answer that question? MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: Please wait. He is coming to the points one by one.

GIANI ZAIL SINGH: There can however be individual instances of people from territories now com rising Bangladesh and who could not return or who were prevented from doing so for any reason, such individual cases will require to be taken up with the Government of Bangladesh separately and for There can, however, be individual this purpose detailed particulars in respect of instances. ." such persons may be furnished to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the the SHRI DINESH GOSWAMI: I know about Ministry of External Affairs." that letter. I pointed out. . SHRI SYED SIBTE RAZI (Utter Pradesh): Sir, why do you allow him to interrupt the Minister?

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SHRI DINESH GOSWAMI: May I request the hon. Home Minister to throw some light, if he is in a position to do so, on the tripartite talks suggestion about which we have seen something in the newspapers only, and response to it? What was the suggestion from the opposition and what is the present stage ? Can he say anything about it or throw some light on it without in any way prejudicing the possibility of talks? The hon. Minister is making a statement for the first time after we read this news item in the press. Can the Home Minister threw some light on it including the response Of the AASU without in any way prejudicing the talks ?

239 fhe Assam Appropriation [RAJYA SABHA ] (No. 2) Bill, iOZO 240

gest party, does not have the requisite strength to form the Ministry. Sir all the parties in Assam Legislative Assemby are seriously engaged... THE VICE-CHAIRMAN (DR RAFIQ ZAKARIA): May I request hon. Members not to talk among themselves and listen to Mr. Handique who is going to be the last speaker. SHRi" BIJOY KRISHNA HANDIQUE: At the moment, as a matter of fact in Assam, all the political parties are seriously exercised in THE VICE-CHAIRMAN (DR. exploring the possibility of forming the RAFIQ ZAKARIA): Shri Dhabe, not here. Government, and Sir, there is nothing wrong Yes Mr. Handique. with this exercise too. So far as the SHRI BIJOY KRISHNA HANDIQUE Government of India is concerned the hon. (Assam); Mr. Vice-Chairman, Sir, it is six Home Minister has made it clear that whoever months ago that we discussed the Assam has the requisite strength and support will Budget In this House and chiming in with the from the Government. It is very clear and hon. Deputy Finance Minister let us also democratic. Can anybody deny that there is hope that this is the last Assam Budget that no attempt at alignment and iignment of we are discussing today. Since a popular various groups and parties in Assam Ministry is being installed soon to fulfil a Legislative Assembly just to form the constitutional obligation, it is up them to look government My friend, Mr. Goswami—he is after their own affairs. As for me. Sir, I not hear—has nothing at stake. He does not strongly believe that normalcy can be belong to any political party. He can offered restored and stabilised only through the to sit on the fence and watch the game. Mr. process of democracy. Sir, I am somewhat Sankar Gho.;e— he is also absent today; they amused to here from a few hon. Members.. . make- allegations and do not in the House— THE VICE-CHAIRMAN (DR should not a'so have much at s'ake there, RAFIQ ZAKARIA): Order please. because his party in the Legislative Assembly has three Members. I do not deny that this THE BIJOY KRISHNA HAN DIQUE: Sir, party is not capable of forming part of a J am rather amused to hear from some of the conglomeration of parties to form the Govern- hon. Members that the Government of India ment in Assam; the more the merrier. In fact, is going to instal a minority Ministry in one of those three members belonging to his Assam. Sir, I want to make it clear that we party, is at the moment very active and is are not going out of our way to form a Minis- exploring the possibility of heading the try. We are more interested in the solution of Ministry with the support of a few parties. the problem than in the formation of a There are instances when in late 1950s in Ministry. Since an hon. Member has made an Kerala Mr. Thanu Pillai of Socialist Party allegation against my party on the floor of with the support of twelve members became this House, so it is my duty to defend my the Chief Minister in the House of 140 party on the floor of the House. I am gratefull members in Kerala. Sir, I still remember an to hon. Home Minister as he has already interesting cartoon that appeared in the replied to that. I am amused to hear from a Hindustan Standard then that three cyclists few hon. Members that the Government is were shown participating in a rac and Mr. going to instal a minority Government in e Thanu Pillai thai Assam, and their plea is that the Congress(I) being the single lar- 241 Assam Appropriation [27 NOV. 1980] (No. 2) Bill, 1980 242

he was trailing far behind, stretched his neck in expect their members to do in such situation? such a way that his head, over the other two Are their choice only limited to these splinter cyclists who were ahead of him, reached the groups ? Can we blame them if they join any destination and he was declared the winner. other party with which they can identify Anyway, there are more recent instances and themselves in the new circumstances in the that too in Assam, when in 1978, when the light of their convictions, in the light of their Janata Party formed the Government in Assam, ideological inclinations and in the light of it just had 52 members in a House of 126 and their like-mindedness? In such cases, it is they formed the Government with the very difficult to say who is a defector and support of associate members. Of who is not defector. As a matter of fact, in the present decade, political parties in our course, on the eve of the formation of the a Ministry five independent members country are going through process joined them. What Congress (I> as polarisation and until this process of doing, it being a single largest party with 52 polarisation is complete, think, some members in a House of 121 members four uncertain conditions in the political parties dead and one unseated. They are now trying will continue. to form a Ministry and there is nothing THE VICE-CHAIRMAN (DR undemocratic about it. If it cannot RAFIQ ZAKARIA): You have to muster the requisite strength and conclude. support, well, it would not be in a position to SHRI BIJOY KRISHNA HANDIQUE: form the Government in that state; there is Sir, we were told that Members belonging to nothing much in it to make a song about the North-East will be given more time. it. I can assure you that the Congress (I) will play the game according to rules. Sir, Mr. Dinesh Goswami said yesterday that Mr. Sankar Ghose has said that the it was a crime to harbour foreigners. Yes. I do Congress (I) wants to form a Government agree with him But who wants to harbour with the support of defectors. Now, Sir, it is a foreigners ? Times without number, we have very tricky question to decide who is a declared that foreigners must quit, but under no defector and who is not a defector. Our circumstances, genuine Indian citizens shall be memory is not that short. When Chowdhury harassed and made to suffer. In the last Session Charan Singh, with his supporters, broke of the House. I mentioned specifically that in away from the Janata Party, he and his May, 1979, the Assam Pradesh Congres supporters were branded by the other group, Commit-' tee (I) passed a resolution reiterating which claimed that it was the real Janata, as this view. First Of all, let us decide who is a defectors. The breakaway group assuming a foreigner. Mr. Goswami will remember that new name under the style of Lok Dal claimed when the "Operation deletion of the so-called that this was not a case of defection, that the foreigners from the voters' list" started in the term 'defection' did not apply t° them and that Mangaldoi Parliamentary Constituency, under it was a case of a split. They said that it was the Police Raj unleashed by the Janata not defection. Government in 1979, there were 13 cases of appeal to the Assam High Court against the Mr. Ghose's party, in league with this notices served by the Registrar appointed by group; breakaway group, which was branded the Chief Electoral Officer under the by the parent body as defectors, formed a Registration of Electors' Rules. All these Ministry and you know that without facing persons were asked to show cause why their the Parliament, for a day, for an hour, why names should not be struck off from the list. even for a minute, it fell. When this parent On appeal, the Assam High Court group broke further into various sub- groups, what do you 243 The Assam Appropriation | RAJYA. SABHA ] (Wo. 2) Bill, 1980 244 stayed all the cases, gave hearing in nine SHRI BIJOY KRISHNA HANDIQUE: I cases, and what is more interesting, while the will finish. It has been alleged that the hearing was on. in seven cases, the Government has chosen the pa Hi of Government admitted that notices were confrontation instead of per-suation through wrongfully served and ultimately the notices dialogue. I wonder if in the meantime the were withdrawn. The Assam High Court held words 'confrontation' and 'dialogue' have that the petitions were infructuous as the changed their connotation. If we have not Government had already withdrawn the held dialogue, what have we been doing in cases. It is surprising that a Government the last 12 months, just sitting across the officer, a Malaria Inspector,—I can give his table with the leaders of the agitation? Since name, Mohd. Ismail—whose wife hails from this Government came into being by the a place called Nazira, 39 miles from my middle of January, series of talks were held home, was also among these persons who over the months—four rounds in Delhi, three were served with this notice. rounds in Gauhati, one in Shillong and one at THE VICE-CHAIRMAN (DR. Imphal. This is a travesty of truth to say that RAFIQ ZAKARIA): Mr. Handique, I am the Government have chosen the path of afraid, you have to conclude. confrontation. SHRI BIJOY KRISHNA HANDIQUE: I would not take much times. Just imagine, Now a question has been raised as to why 40,000 notices like this were served. As % the Home Minister could not go to Gauhati said earlier hearing was given in nine cases for the dialogue. I do not know why Mr. and in seven cases, Government admitted that Biswa Goswami misrepresented things by it was a mistake, that the notices were saying that the Home Minister had not gone wrongfully served and ultimately they were there at all. He cited the case of late Pandit withdrawn. Just imagine, what will happen in Govind Ballabh Pant, who was the Home these 40,000 cases ? Minister at that time; and immediately landed Sir, this is our apprehension. We know that at Gauhati as soon as the agitation for the set- foreigners once identified must quit. We ting up of the oil refinery was launched. agree with Mr. Gos-wami that foreigners Either Mr. Goswami's memory plays trick must not be harboured. We know that, and we and needs to be disciplined or it needs a good do not want to be sermonised on that that it is clean brush up. Sir, to hold talks at Gauhati is a crime to harbour foreigners. Foreigners nothing like a miracle. I have already told you have to go. We are fully conscious of that.. that the Home Minister went there, even the (Time bell rings) How many minutes have Prime Minister herself went all the way from you Delhi to Gauhati in quest of a settlement, given me? which turns to be as elusive as the everreceding horizon. THE VICE-CHAIRMAN (DR. RAFIQ Coming to the Budget, I know I ZAKARIA): You were given 15 minutes have already taken much time and I which you have already exhausted. know the feelings of my colleagues SHRI BIJOY KRISHNA HANDIQUE: too... Have I exhausted 15 minutes? THE VICE-CHAIRMAN (DR. RAFIQ SHRI MAGANBHAI BAROT: No speaker ZAKARIA): I do not like to disturb you again realises that he has exhausted his time. and again. THE VICE-CHAIRMAN (DR SHRI BIJOY KRISHNA HANDIQUE: It RAFIQ ZAKARIA): You know there is a is indeed comforting to see that .there has Calling Attention Notice to be taken up after been considerable step-up in the Central this. assistance for deve- 245 Assam Appropriation [ 27 NOV. 1980 ] (No. 2) Bill, 1980 246 lopment in the State since last year. The Bill. We have already taken almost 4 hours. Budget has an important point. And it was also decided that one speaker will THE VICE-CHAIRMAN (DR. RAFIQ speak on behalf of each party. That is the ZAKARIA): Mr. Bhandare, you should bow present position. Mr. Bhattacharya, you come to the Chair before under the group Others' and >u Others' sitting. already three Members have spoken. I mean there will have to be some... SHRI MURLIDHAR CHANDRA KANT BHANDARE (Maharashtra): I am doing that. SHRI G. C. BHATTACHARYA: Sir, a Vice-Chariman of your long-standing SHRI BIJOY KRISHNA HANDIQUE. Sir, parliamentary career should not go by these in spite of the substantial Central assistance to technicalities on such a vital subject. Mr. the State for development, we find in the Zakaria, you have distinguished yourself in Budget that there is a gap, a deficit of Rs. 35 various posts in' the Government and you crores. The Budget does not indicate how this know what is the position in Assam. And deficit is going to be met, and as time passes, when Assam Budget is debated, where is the this gap is likely to widen further because of stipulation that the Home Minister will speak the abnormal conditions prevailing in the for one hour and ten minutes on a matter state. It is my earnest appeal to the Finance which concerns the Finance Minister? By Minister to come forward with more Central going by these technicalities, do you think assistance to fill up this gap. you are doing justice to the Members in the Opposition by saying that one Member has Lastly, I do believe that by returning to the already spoken from each party? Are you negotiating table we can find the answer. quite satisfied with the ruling that yotl have There are some good news today. I say good given? news' because blockade of jute has been lif- PROF. SOURENDRA BHATTACH- ted. The oil employees have resumed their ARJEE: We are not responsible for the four work and the Government of India have also hours which have been taken on this issue. kept its word that the pumping operation by Considering its importance, the time is not the army was for a limited purpose and it has too much when we taken into account that a done its purpose to save the pipeline from long speech was made by our Home Minister jellying of crude. Thus the climate is being taking 70 minutes out of these tour hours. prepared and I do hope that both the Government as well as the leaders of the THE VICE-CHAIRMAN (DR. RAFIQ agitation will sit across the table and find a ZAKARIA): When you consider the time allocation, you cannot forget the ruling party solution to this vexed question. Thank you, Sir. which is more than half the House. THE VICE-CHAIRMAN (Dfi. RAFIQ PROF. SOURENDRA BHATTACHA- ZAKARIA): Hon'ble Finance Minister. RJEE: No question for forgetting. THE VICE-CHAIRMAN (DR. RAFIQ SHRI G. C. BHATTACHARYA (Uttar ZAKARIA): Even if the Home Minister has Pradesh): Sir, what about us? The Home taken... (Interruptions) Will you please listen Minister has taken one hour and ten minutes. to me? Even if the Home Minister has taken We are waiting since yesterday to speak on one hour after all... Assam Budget. Now you find it very PROF. SOURENDRA BHATTA- convenient to strike out our names on such an CHARJEE: We do not grudge it. important subject matter which has shaken the entire country. THE VICE-CHAIRMAN (DR. RAFIQ ZAKARIA); The Members from that side THE VICE-CHAIRMAN (DR. RAFIQ have not spoken to that extent and ZAKARIA): The Business Advisory therefore Committee had allotted 2 hours to this 247 Assam Appropriation [ RAJYA SABHA ] (No. 2) Bill, 1980 248

there have been many more speakers from this side. How ever, still of one or two speakers want to be accommodated and if you agree to take Ave minutes each, I am pre pared to But only one or two.

SHRI G. C. BHATTACHARYA: Yegi five minutes each. We agree. THE VICE-CHAIRMAN (DR. RAFIQ ZAKARIA): Mr. Nigam, your case is THE VICE-CHAIRMAN (DR. RAFIQ different. Already someone from your party ZAKARIA): But I will not aliow u particular has spoken. party on whose behalf a Member has already spoken. PROF. SOURENDRA BHATTA- CHARJEE: We will fully cooperate with you. THE VICE-CHAIRMAN (DR. RAFIQ This is not a question of allotment of time. ZAKARIA): Alright, Mr. Bhattacharya and THE VICE-CHAIRMAN (DR. RAFIQ Mr. Adiseshiah—five minutes each. ZAKARIA): The allotment has got to be done SHRI AMARPROSAD CHAKRABORTY on some basis. Allotment cannot be done at (West Bengal): Sir, I am also included in the random; it has got to be done on some basis. I list. can understand the case of Mr. Bhattacharya THE VICE-CHAIRMAN (DR. RAFIQ or the case of Dr. Malcolm Adiseshiah or ZAKARIA): Alright, you take five minutes, somebody who has not spoken because they but adhere to the time limit because as it is, do not come into these group allocations. Mr. Kesri is rather angry with me tor having (Interruptions) 1 think let us proceed with agreed to this. that now. SHRI G. C. BHATTACHARYA: Sir, you SHRI G. C. BHATTACHARYA: Mr. are occupying the Chair. You should not be Vice-Chairman, Sir, the important question browbeaten by anybody. which has been raised today in the wake of THE VICE-CHAIRMAN (DR. RAFIQ the Assam Budget has to be seen in the ZAKARIA): That is not lair, please. It is not a proper background. The real question Has not question of being browbeaten. As I have to still come up. The real question is how this take into consideration your wishes, I have Assam situation arose. got to take into consideration the other side also and as Minister of State for Parliamentary The Assam situation arose as early Affairsi Mr. Kesri is entitled that his point of as in 1955. What happened was, when view should be taken into consideration. Here Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru decided that what 1 have done is, I am departing from he Would adhere to nonalignment and what has been agreed upon. Therefore, 1 am he would not submit to the blackmail requesting you to please adhere to five of American imperialism and that he minutes so that we can dispose of the would not join any military treaty Business as soon as pos- then America and their intelligence agency, the CIA, decided to dismember the north-eastern region from this 4 P.M. country. Since then the situation had taken a very important dimension But may I know whether it is not a fact that today it is said that the Assam Government is running the agita tion and the Assamese people are running the Government? The whole question is why this condition, why this situation, has arisen? Is it p.os. sible that in Assam the entire govern- 249 Assam Appropriation [ 27 NOV. 1980 ] (No. 2) Bill, 1980 250 mental machinery could have come to such a declared a foreigner unless there is a proof state of affairs within thirty months of Janata that he has got passport of a foreign country. rule? I say it is only an eye-wash and it is And about 1971 also, I would say that the only a vague plea and it is not even a valid Mujib-Indira Agreement has not been plea. Sir, it is the attitude of the Central disclosed. The 1971 letter which has been Government throughout. They treated the read out today disclosed that there was the north-eastern region and Assam as their Mujib-Indira Agreement. We would like to colony and even the poor local people and the know what that Agreement is. If that is there local officers have not been taken into and if there is an i ;-ternational commitment, confidence, and officers who are much junior that too will have to be seen. Foreigners can have been sent from the Centre and thus they be sent out only or one question, and that alienated them and from then th'? problems question is if a person has overstayed, i e. started deteriorating. What happened then beyond the period of his visa 01 passport. was, Sir, while this 'was the condition, the Besides that, if enybody is touched there, we other dimension was that of economic will be playing into the hands of the forces of neglect. disintegration in the country which all over .'re raising their heads and there will be Sir, you know that the BrahmaDutra is balkanisation of this country. bigger than any of our northern rivers but still the Brahmaputra has not got even one-fourth DR. MALCOLMS ADISESHIAH of the number of bridges that our northern (Nominated): Mr. Vice-Chairman, Sir, I rise rivers are having. And the Brahmanutra has to support the Bill. The issues that have been become one-third of what it was 15 years debated go much beyond the item on the before. agenda before us. I, therefore, confine myself to free brief points on the agenda item. The According to the Home Minister, Rs. 400 first is I support the motion for consideration crores will be there. But it is a meagre sum of and return of the Assam Appropriation (No. Rs. 150 odd crores. There is a Committee but 2) Bill. I see nothing else that we could do be- the Government, even after setting up this cause unless we do this after the 30th Committee, is not going by the recom- November, the Government there will come mendations of the Committee. So, these two to a grinding half. The second vote on dimensions*—economic neglect and colonial Account finishes on the 30th November. I do attitude—contributed to these problems. It is not see how anyone of us can do anything but not as if these had come up within 30 months support Ibe consideration and return of or 20 months. Therefore, Sir, what is needed the Bill. is a proper attitude of the Centre. My second comment, Mr. Vice-Chair-man, Sir, there have been some agents t;f those is that I would like to know from the Minister foreign powers who wanted to destabilise the how right I am in making the following entire north-eastern region, who wanted that observation about the Budget. When I read the northeastern region should secede from the Explanatory Memorandum attached to the this country, and we have played into their Bill, I see a deteriorating financial situation in hands. Today also we are playing into their Assam. This seems to reflect the deteriorating hands without bringing any proper solution. and decelerating eco. nomy of the State. Not The Sino-American axis is very much active only in 1980-81, i.e. the current Budget and they are pressurising us in the north-east before us or in the previous one in 1979-80, so that we may deviafe from our policy of but looking at all the three years for which non-alignment an^ join their camp. Therefore, figures have been given in the Explanatory I say, not a single person from Assam Memorandum, from 1978-70, I see the should be deported or finances deteriorating because the economy is decelerating. Am 1 251 The Assam Appropriation [RAJYA SABHA] (No. 2) Bill, 1980 252

[Dr. Malcolm S. Adiseshiah] right in that? 1978-79 and Rs. 78 crores in 1979-80. My I find, for instance, thp Revenue Receipts last but one question is, while on the one hand falling from Rs. S06 crores to Rs. 298 crores; there is a very sharp fall under Industry which income-tax falling from Rs. 48 crores in is due to the declining income as royalty on 1978-7!; and Rs. 50 crores in 1979-80 to Rs. crude— that I can understand—on the other, 41 crores in 1980-81, taxes on commodities, how do you show a very sharp rise from Rs. Rs. 46 crores, Rs. 45 crores and Rs. 44 crores 31 crores to Rs. 95 crores under Industry? and non-tax revenue Rs. 45 crores, Rs. 46 Fourth, Mr. Vice-Chairman, Sir when I look crores, Rs. 30 crores during the three years. I at the Appropriation Bill—the Minister has have a small question as to how under heard me earlier on this—the items have been Education the receipt is shown as Rs. 40,000. divided between those voted by Parliament Is this collection of fees possible when the and those not voted by Parliament. There are schools were closed. Where are you going to 13 large items in the Appropriation Bill. I get the fee from? And under Industry, the must say that we could debate it here, and income has fallen sharply from Rs. 21 crores also in the Lok Sabha, if there is an to Rs. 9 crores. The same deterioration can be explanation of the 13 large items hi the Bill. seen in the shooting up of expenditure from Finally I find that out of the appropriation, Rs. 231 crores the year before last and Rs. on the net debt services something like Rs. 301 crores last year to Rs. 368 crores this 140 crores are to he spent. I think this does year. There is a small item, the Council of not a;; well for the future of the finances of Ministers. There is shown an axpenditure of Assam or its economy. Rs. 13,000, although there was no Council of Ministers since the begin-ing of this year. The Thank you. deficit is increasing, as my colleague from the THE VICE-CHAIRMAN (DR. RAFIQ Congress said, from Rs. 8 crores for ?ach of ZAKARIA): Thank you, Dr. Adis-heshiah, the last two years to Rs. 43 crores this year. for adhering strictiy to the time-limit. The last speaker now. The Plan programme agin shows a PROF. SOURENDRA BHATTA- deteriorating economy. Out of the Rs. 196 CHARJEE; Mr. Vice-Chairmari, Sir, thank crores proposed, the State's contribution is you for the time given to me. I think there has only Rs. 63 crores, less than one-third is been much debate on Assam. As. Dr. being contributed as the Plan expenditure by Adiseshiah has said, perhaps, many the State resources, the rest comes from the extraneous points came up during the Central and Shared resources. And, finally, discussion, and they have come up naturally Mr. Vice-Chairman, the public debt has risen because every one is exercised over the from Rs. 98 crores in each of the last two problem that has been in our midst for more years to Rs. 170 crores this year. than a year. What is the solution? The lai effort did not bring any concrete solution. Now the third comment I want to make is There was a proposal made pt the meeting of about the Plan which, I believe, is getting the opposition parties and the Government, and right priorities with Power, Agriculture, that led to an agreement on having a Irrigation and Health. Here I have again a tripartite discussion. We have been question. How are you proposing to spend so disappointed to read the reaction of the AASU much money on education at a time when the and the AAGSP in the press today. The academic year has less than four months? Home Minister has said that he has not How are you going to go in for a Rs. 89 received any reply so far. But from the crores expenditure compared to Rs. 70 crores Press if appears that there may be a pre- In condition that the 19"51 NRC and the 1952 voters list should te made the basis for any negotiation 253 Assa™ Appropriation [ 27 NOV. 1980 ] (No. 2) Bill, 1980 254 any discussion. That is another way of can be solved. In this spirit this issue rejecting the proposal for discussion. My has to be taken up. Thank you. appeal to the leaders of the AASU and the AAGSP and to the Assam public opinion THE VICE-CHAIRMAN (DR. RAFIQ would be to give up this negative attitude. If ZAKARIA): The Deputy Finance Minister. their earnestness to solve the problem is to be established, every effort should be made to SHRI AMARPROSAD CHAKRA- come to a positive solution and not take a BORTY; No, you said... negative attitude, the result of which has been the recent deterioration in the situation in THE VICE-CHAIRMAN (DR. RAFIQ Assam. More than eight killings have taken ZAKARIA): I am sorry, I cannot go any place. As you know, the Home Minister further. The Deputy Finance Minister. himself has cited certain instances. There is very possibility that the situation may go from SHRI AMARPROSAD CHAKRA- bad to worse. BORTY: But you told us you would give five minutes each. So, the only thing is that any well-wisher of the country, any' one who has the country's THE VICE-CHAIRMAN (DR. RAFIQ good at "heart, will try to stem the tide of the ZAKARIA); Among the two of you, you worsening situation. The long neglect of flus should have decided that. You can «speak entire region has been Highlighted IXV next time. various speakers during the last one year SHRI AMARPROSAD CHAKRA- during discussions in this House. The ruling BORTY: He belongs to one party .ind I party must own up the responsibility for this belong to another party. neglect and try to remedy it. And on our part we feel that Assam, West Bengal and all the THE VICE-CHAIRMAN (DR. RAFIQ northern States' together with the people there ZAKARIA): All right, please be brief. should united try to see that this neglect goes away once ard for all. Only when conjointed SHRI AMARPROSAD CHAKRABORTY: efforts are made will we Be able to see a Mr. Vice-Chairman, Sir, we had brought this silver lining out of the clouds Ahat have problem to the notice of the then GovernmVnt gathered in the horizon. But instead of that, if after the fall of the Janata Government. AH the present line of AASU and AAGSP is the lies repeatedly drew the attention of the followed, catastrophe is sure to come, and as Government to the problem, because we knew was pointed out by the Home Minister, that some fore'gn agents and some instigators divisive elements, secessionist elements and and some motivated people were creating this foreign agents are bound to take advantage of movement sjnce that time. Sir, if you go back the situation. It will create further division into the history, we had sown the seeds of" among the Indian themselves who are actually disintegration bv partition. Today there is the the target of this movement, which is lost on inescapable conclusion fHat by accepting the specious plea of detecting and deporting partition at that time, and by taking a vote in foreigners. Let us r.c-cept it as a fact that none Syihot and also by keeping a portion, we have of the people who are there in Assam for such created this thins within the different a long time can be deported from there Our communities. We hope that the Home efforts should be to see how Assam and the Minister will adhere to his statement that north-eastern region together with the eastern Government will take into consideration 1he region can be developed so that the acute two international agreements and r'so give all problems in the life of the people in this honour to the law of the land, that is, the region Citizenship Act and the Constitution of India. I hope the Government would follow the policy as enunciated rjy the Home Minister. 25 5 The Assam Appropriation [RAJYA SABHA] (No. 2) Bill, 1980 256 [Shri Amarprosad Chakraborty] My Assam extension of time not because they had any friends are not only under some desire to come jn the way of the passing of misapprehension but they are suffering from the Budget but because they wanted to ignorance also. Apart from the international express their views °n such a sensitive jssue agreements, you know, Sir, that even if the which was attracting the attention of the father may not be a citizen but as soon as a whole country. It is therefore, that I want to son is born to him on the soil of this country, express my gratefulness to all the Members he becomes a citizen o: the country. So it 'is who have expressed themselves, irrespective strange that this argument is given today, of whether they showered praise on us or they "You start 1 L952, you start from 1957, you ventilated the agony of the people whom they start from 1968 and so on". We are very much represented. I therefore look upon the debate at a loss to understand as to how this sort of in that light and would try, in substance argument can come before the House. Sir, though not in detail, to meet with those those people who have come and who are points which, I understand, agitated the there—they might have registered minds of the hon. Members who participated themselves; they might not have registered in the debate. but they are our citizens under the law of the land and they hould not be deported outside This debate rightly was not a debate s a India. against finance. This was debate the hon. Members did not much want the Deputy

Next—this is very important because jt is Finance Minister to answer; thjs hon. House connected with the Budget and the was keen to hear the hon. the Home Minister Appropriation Bill—that are^ has been who is incharge of the burning situation, how neglected. The area from Orissa to to bring an end to the agitatfon. We have all Meghalaya and Manipur has been neglected heard with rapt attention the hon. the Home by the Government. I do not like to elucidate Minister. Who am I to equal him either in his the reasons. 1 cannot give the figures now for humour or in his scintillating speech?... lack o'f time. But I think the Government should give more thought and attention to the THE VICE-CHAIRMAN (DR. RAFIQ problem of development of this region which ZAKARIA): Or in his poetry. is rich with all the natural resources. I hope the Government will take necessary ; though SHRI MAGANBHAI BAROT: Yes, in bjg in the Appropriation Bin as such I do not find poetry too. T can only enjoy it; I cannot any reflection of the mind of the myself, impart it. Therefore, my task has Government. Once again I hope the been made much easier, almost taken away, Government will take all necessary steps for by the Rt. Hon. the Home Minister the development of this region soon. participating in the debate and expressing from his mouth as a spokesman of the Government of India how he was willing fo a With these words I conclude. r settlement of the problem, how greatly he SHRI MAGANBHAI BAROT: Mr. Vice- was concerned over the situation, how his Chairman, I rise for permission to get the efforts were directed towards bringing amity Budget passed and returnee to the Lok Sabha among the people there and bringing a settle- with a sense of gratitude to the whole House ment for all times to come over the issue of in general and to the hon. Members who Assam. participated in the debate in parti-cular. It While referring to his speech, I am equally was made absolutely clear to the indebted to the seniormost Member of thig Government yesterday by the House, the hon. Shri Bhupesh Dada. It js hon. Members that they were asking always a pleasure 257 Assam Appropriation [27 NOV. 1980] (No. 2) Bill, 1980 258 to hear him, whether he appreciates you or long to this group or that group. The criticises you. But today when Dada spoke, Congress Government has treated every he sP°ke for the entire House. His appeal to corner of the country as a nation. The the country is an appeal to all the political Congress Government considered the smaller parties, it is an appeal to the people agitated States to be the weaker units and just like a in Assam, it is an advice and guidance with father or mother looks after the weak which even the nations at war can settle their children, we have looked after these smaller problems and there is no reason why we in Slates as our weaker children, rather than we our own country cannot. I am sure his words look after after our strong children. When I of wisdom gihall travel beyond the s'ay this 1 hope I will be substantiated by boundaries of this House and reach those to some of the figures I give. whom he addressed them. It is said that jn the Plan, in terms of per capita contribution, Assam is neglected. I will However, it appears that while participating deal with not only Assam, but I will take in the debate some hon. Members had some charge of other hilly States as well. I will give doubts about the bona fides of the a few facts so that through this august House I Government's attitude towards the can convey what 1 have to say that part of the development of Assam. I am not referring to country where agitation is being carried out the political parts thereof. I am only under the propaganda that the Congress Gov- answerable now, after the Home Minister's ernment at the Centre is neglecting that intervention, to the development part, to the region. May I give now some past and present economic part of it. I feel I owe a duty to State figures? I will give Assam's share and the all- as did my senior Minister in the Lok Sabha, India average. From the figures of per capita that the regional imbalance, the non- contribution of plan assistance under which development of a part of the country Qnd our country makes its development development of another is not due to an act of programmes, you will be pleased to find that this or that Government after independence. Assam has not been neglected. During the This nation has a history and this country has a Fourth Plan in 1974-75 the per capita contri- geography. Both have played their roles. When bution to Assam was Rs. 27/- and the al] India I refer to history, I refer to the British rule. average was only Rs. 14/-. In 1977-78 the per When we consider today the development of capita Central assistance to Assam was Rs. cities, I would say that the British were 39/-against the all India average of Rs. 21. In interested in developing cities like Calcutta, 1979-80, Assam's share was Rs. 77/- as Bombay and Madras because they are port against Rs. 44/- whic.i was the all India cities. It was in their own interest to develop average. in 1980-81 Assam's share is Rs. 92/- these areas for purposes of colonial expectation against Rs. 50/- which is the all India average. and exploitation. This was the hinterland These are figures relating to the last four Plans available to them . to develop in their own and these will convince anyone that Assam or interest. According to them, the North-Eastern for that matter, the North-Eastern States got region and other hilly parts did not Dffer them much more, better and much higher share so much. The result was that some areas were far as Central assistance is concerned. developed and some wsre not. This is a legacy given to us. But coming to the history of the The House is more interested in the present last 33 years, what has been the record? Let us problems and certain questions of non- as Indians examine our own record. Let us development have been raised. I will seek examine that irrespective of whether some of your indulgence to give a us be- 259 The Assam Appropriation [ RAJYA SABHA ] (No. 2) Bill. 1980 260

[Shri Maganbhai Barot] few more facts, Allocation for industries in the Central particularly in connection with the present Plan is higher. For instance, for the Budget, so that a few figures will convince Bongaigaon refinery, we are going to have a this hon. House that Assam is not being complex costing Rs. 300 crores, a refinery neglected. When I refer to the State Budget, I complex in which there will be a plant to produce tonnes DMTs, and it will be the would say that the Centre has gone a little out of its way and made some provision which biggest in India. We are starting a number of surely those who complain against us will ap- down-stream industries associated with it. preciate. May I give few figures'' The fertilizer plant, the Namrup plant, has a been provided adequate funds for its third stage. Then, coming to the question of roads, The revenue receipts in this year will be the Government of India has sanctioned as about Rs. 303 crores as against Rs. 298 crores much as 1,442 tfms. of road3 of which 252 which we gave in the interim Budget. The Kins, will be in the border areas and the expenditure estimate has gone up from Rs. balance of 1,190 kms. will be in the State 313 crores to Rs. 368 crores. Sir, there is also Plan. We cannot, in my humble opinion, Sir, increase in the expenditure by the Central say that this is neglect of a State or that no Government for Assam whose interim assistance has been forthcoming from the Budget I am talking about. Central Government. The Plan expenditure for this year has been incroased from Rs. 160 crores to Rs. 198 Then, Sir, so far as the State of Assam with crores. Central assistance to Assam has its boundaries with the other States in the been increased from Rs. 115.38 crores to North-Eastern region is concerned and its Rs. 135.20 crores. Now, Sir, you will see a development are concerned, this is what has difference of Rs. 20 crores. In order to been provided: A' new line between Assam meet the non-Plan deficit, the Government and Arunachai Pradesh and another between has further given an assistance of Rs. 40 Arunachai Pradesh and Mizoram and the crores over and above what has been given conversion into BG of the Gauhati-Dibrugarh- already. It is Rs. 40 crores for meeting the Tin-sukia line have also been sanctioned. For non-Plan deficit. Imagine, Sir, whether any the petro-chemical complex, the sanctioned other State presenting its Budget before its cost is Rs. 197 crores and the capacity of the own Assembly could have provided Rs. refinery will be 1 million tonnes. Aromatics 40 crores more for meeting the deficit in production in this is 1,000 tonnes and non-Plan items. But this we have taken polyester is 30,000 tonnes and it will be one care of in a particular situation, Sir. it has of the biggest complexes that -we are planning also been said that we have done nothing in our country now. for the industries, that we have done nothing for the Railways and that we have done nothing for the roads. Well, Sir, let the Sir, 1 will not take the time of the figures and. facts answer the critics rather honourable House by giving more details. But tha humble self. I would only say, for instance, that in addition n my to roads, in addition to railways there is a complaint about power. Sir, in the case of power, against a demand of 150 MW and th Sir, I nm giving few facts. It may be .*Ud e a energy availability of 85 MU, Assam has that Assam has its own problems of industrial about 100 MW and 60 MU of energy and it development. But, com*ng to the Central receives assistance to the extent of about 40 contribution tow irds it, Sir, these are the figures: MW and 20 MU and the net deficit is 10 MW and 5 MU only. As regards 261 Assam Appropriation [27 NOV. 1980 J (No. 2) Bill, 1980 262 the three schemes in the Sixth Plan for mission. Sir, this House is great. roads, sanction has been accorded to the Parliament is supreme, so far as the tune of Rs. 21.12 crores for roads and country's legislation is concerned. bridges prior to the Sixth Plan for Assam. The Plan schemes ?n the Fourth Plan So far as fiscal things are concerned, account for Rs. 7.96 crores and there is passing of the Budget is the privilege of sanction to the tune of Rs. 9.26 crores as Parliament, Lok Sabha, and ours to agree on 1-4-80. Sir, if 1 go on giving the with it. But may I pray and make a figures, 1 think I will take the time of this request to this hon. House to join me that hon. House too much. But I will only let not this House at least be called upon summarise the last figure regarding any time more to pass the Budgets of schemes for conversions in the Railways States. (Interruptions) Let not our from metre gauge into broad gauge jurisdiction and our authority be put to between Gauhati, Dibru-garh and the test (Interruptions).. .for the State Tinsukhia, and so on. For the railway and Budgets in general and, for God's sake,, river bridges also we have made for Assam at least, in particular. Never provisions with ample capacities that the again may we have to come to this Central Government can think of for House to pass thi Budget. assisting the State Governments. We are s doing it. Sir, since the Home Minister has Sir, we all can meet. Hon. Member said, I need not repeat it. But 1 shall fail Shri Bipinpal Das also appealed to the in my duty while presenting the Budget hearts of all. Dada's words are also there. when doubts are raised v/hy our Are we not able to answer these expenditure is this and our revenues are questions? Are we not able to solve these less. problems? Has ingenuity for all time deserted us? I think it is not. But what is Prof. Adiseshiah is a good economist. probably going to-be a coincidence, a He raised certain points. I think" 1 will new chapter— Dada, as you have have to clarify the position lest it should contemplated—is likely to start and be misunderstood that the State reopen. And we except that the extended administration being with the President hand of friendship by our great leader there has been a fall or rise unduly. Sir, I and Prime Minister Indiraji wilt He ac- may tell you that the short-fall in the tax cepted by those who have dragged on the recoveries during 1980-81 as compared Assam agitation so far. Let them at least to the previous year is due to agitations. know—particularly those friends who The agitations started in June 1979. The challenged and laughed—that 1 am not reasons for increase in expenditure are in a tone, 1 am not in a mood, to reply maintenance of law and order and plan, somebody by harsh words, because this and relief and other provisions that we is not the time; this is the time to apply have to make are also answerable for ointment rather than to inflict the this. wounds. (I?iterruptio«s) Kindly do not say that those who are involved in the One of the points raised by him is that agitation are patriots. Every Assamese is according to him, figures of expenditure a patriot. But necessarily every agitator have gone up. He may kindly appreciate in this agitation is not a patriot, Sir. Sir, that for the overdraft? of the Reserve can you imagine what the condition is Bank, repayments made have also been today? This country today needs fertilizer taken into account. The figures include for its frabi crop. We are short of a few the two Votes on Account we had to lakhs of tonnes of fertilizer. And let me present to this House. So, from all n s tell you from the Finance Ministry that :rceounts t' Budget which we are even if we are prepared to spend our passing or are called upon to pass is a most valuable foreign exchange to the painful duty, in my humble sub- extent of Rs. 1500 cro- 263 The Assam Appropriation [ RAJYA SABHA ] (No. 2) Bill. 1980 264

[Shri Maganbhai B&rot] to tell the nation that those who are now involved in stopping and not allowing it to res to meet the deficit in fertilizer, we will work and destroying the pipeline are not be able to deal with it because the committing a crime, a crime against the additional budrsn on our ports and railways nation, a crime which is sedition. Therefore, will not permit us to take it to the farms and Sir, it is necessary and let us understand. We to the villages. And if our friends in Assam appeal to those who are coming to the decide to re-open the refinery at negotiating table and we hope they would do Barauni, the naptha which is one of the u so. We pray please give s an opportunity to ingredients will be made available to a solve the Droblem. Sir, the President's Rule is number of fertilizer units which are closed ending on the 12th of December. And we are down today for want of that ingredient. On required to bring this Budget before the the other hand, Sir, even if we import now House. And if we don't do so before the 12th, with, so much of foreign exchange which the Government there will come to a is difficult to part with, we cannot send it standstill. Therefore, Sir, with a very heavy to our farms and villages. With the Assam heart and with a great sense of pain, we have agitation coming to an end, with the brought the Budget before the House. The pipeline working, with the refinery Lck Sabha has passed it. And I do appeal to working and the naptha being available this House, as it was kind enough to tell me Sir, this country can meet the yesterday that it does not want anything more requirements of fertilizers for which we are of it, to pass this Budget and send it back to going out with a begging bowl and spending the Lok Sabha. Thank you, Sir. our valuable foreign exchange. So, can we not appeal in the name of the nation and in the THE VICE-CHAIRMAN (DR. RAFIQ name of patriotism to those who say that ZAKARIA): 1 would like the son of Assam, they are involved in a patriotic movement that Mr. DirlesF Goswami, to take the Chair to pass the Bill. they are patriots but. it is the duty of every Indian patriot in the national interest to help [The Vice.Chairman (Shri Dinesh us to.have the fertilisers for our farmers sol Goswamy) in the Chair! that the production of fbodgrains is there? Sir, the Finance Minister- "has 1 said the other day THE VICE-CHAIRMAN (SHRI DINESH that the winter has set in an^ if you don't clean GOSWAMI): Well, I can assure you as a son the pipeline, the jellying that will take place of Assam that we will not be obstructing will destroy the pipeline woth nearly anything which is for the national cause. Rs. 120Q crores. Anck who shall be Now, the question is: responsible for this? Can we not stop It? Sir, till yesterday, our great leader, the "That the Bill to authorise payment and Prime Minister, knowing as J said rightly, ftppropriation of certain sums from and out thought that she was dealing with children, of the Consolidated Fund of the State of youngsters —som of them misled—and, e Assam for the services of the financial year therefore said, "You want conditions? You 1980-31, as passed by the Lok Sabha, be have the conditions. You don't want to allow taken into consideration." The motion was us to re-open the refinery, well such a adopted. condition is permissibjle." Sir the Prime Minister of a country is not required to be We shall now take up clause ty clause submitted to such conditions that you, young consideration of the Bill. men, if yo don't want to run the pipeline, don't Clauses 2 and 3 and the Schedule were run it- Sir, till yesterday it was all right. added to the Bill. But the winter is setting in. The Prime Minister has Clause 1, the Enacting Formula, and the Title were added to the Bill. 265 Calling Attention re. [ 27 NOV. 1930 ] incomplete projects etc. 266

SHRI MAGANBHAI BAROT: Sir, I a result the tempo of irrigation development move: doubled in physical terms. This inevitably called for taking up 01 new projects "That the Bill be returned." both major and medium. The Government of India recently reviewed the The question was put and the motion was major on-gcing irrigation projects as on adopted. 1-4-1980. There are in all 150 such major pro- jects. The major irrigation projects usually THE VICE-CHAIRMAN (SHRI DINESH take 8-10 years to complete provided, GOSWAMI): We have got some other there are no undue cons-traints of business now. We shall now take up the resources both human as well as material. Calling Attention Motion. Planning Commission recently set up a Working Group to review the irrigation SHRI HAREKRUSHNA MALLICK programme and formulate strategies and (Orissa): Sir, is the House rising? programmes for sixth Plan (1980—85). THE VICE-CHAIRMAN (SHRI DINESH This Group found that there are 62 pro- GOSWAMI): No. We are continuing. Shri jects which were started prior to 1-4- 1976 and that these need to be Satyanarayan Reddy, not here. Shri Abdul completed if possible during the Sixth Plan Rehman Sheikh, not here. Yes, Shri Prakash itself. After critical review ot these Mehro-tra. projects, the working Group came to the conclusion that it i« possible to complete 55 projects out of 62 projects during the Sixth CALLING ATTENTION TO A MAT- Five-Year Plan and the remaining 7 projects shouid be completed in the first two TER OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPOR- years of the Seventh Five-Year Plan. This TANCE Group of 62 projects have already Situation arising out of the large started yielding benefits and a total potential number of Irrigation Projects remain. ing of 79 lakh ha. has been created by June, incomplete resulting in huge 1980 and a balance potential of 50 lakh ha, escalation in their cost remains to be created On their completion. The Working Group has accordingly re- SHRI PRAKASH MEHROTRA (Uttar commended adequate financial pro- pradesb): Sir, I beg to call the attention of the visions to achieve this objective so far as Minister of Irrigation to the situation arising the on-going projects are concerned. The out of the large number of irrigation projects Working Group also went into the reasons for remaining incomplete resulting in huge es- the delays in implementation of irrigation calation in their cost. projects. The move important reasons are:

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE (i) Insufficient outlays available as a MINISRY OF IRRIGATION (SHRI Z. R. result of large-scale rise in cost of labour, ANSARI): Sir, since the start of the planned materials, equipments, spares, land etc. development in 1951, 92 major irrigation projects have been either totally completed or substantially completed. The potential of (ii) Proliferation of project? under major and medium irrigation projects in 1951 construction by the State Governments was 9.7 m.ha. This rose to 26.9 m.ha. by leading to thin spreading of not only June, 1980. During the Fifth Five-Year Plan 'financial but also managerial and technical (20 point programme launched in 1975) and resources and ultimately resulting in longer thereafter irrigation developments through construction periods. major and medium projects was given much greater emphasis and as