Not for Publication For Members only

LOK SABHA ___

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

Saturday, February 13, 2021 / Magha 24, 1942 (Saka) ______

**MATTERS UNDER RULE 377 1. DR. D. RAVIKUMAR laid a statement regarding restrictions on webinars conducted by educational institutions. 2. DR.BEESETTI VENKATA SATYAVATHI laid a statement regarding problems due to bridge construction over Sarada River in Vishakhapatanam district. _____ THE UNION BUDGET- 2021-22- GENERAL DISCUSSION -Contd. SHRI ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE: This Budget gives us a reflection of Atmanirbhar Bharat with lots of provision aimed at giving further fillip to the economy. An amount of Rs. 500 crore has allocated to promote digital payment. The upcoming census is also going to be held in the digital mode. Further, Gadchiroli-Chimur tribal Parliamentary Constituency is severely faced with Naxalite activities. This can be tackled significantly by providing employment opportunities to the poor tribe by setting up of small and medium industries. Agricultural land leased out to the tribes and non-tribal OBCs may be registered to their names. The religious spots located in my Parliamentary

** Laid on the Table as directed by the Chair. Constituency may be developed as tourist destination and budgetary provisions may be made in the interim Budget for the allocation of funds to this end. Besides, funds should be allocated for Vadsav Aamgaon railway lines. A medical college and Krishi Vigyan Kendra may be set up in our constituency. There should be stoppage of all the trains at Vadsav railway station. Alongside, necessary steps should undertaken to set up maximum number of Van Dhan Kendra at Gadchiroli. Last but not the least, necessary steps should be undertaken to provide the benefits of Ayushman Bharat Yojana to the poor tribes not included in the census 2011.

SHRI M.K. RAGHAVAN: The first impression of this Budget is that it allows the private sectors taking over the public establishments. The nation's financial sector faces increasing pressure from an expected record level of bad loans, escalating border tensions with China and widespread anger from farmers, whose protests against market reforms are un-attended. The Government is collecting money to run its business by selling its valuable assets. MGNREGA Scheme sees a decrease of Rs. 9,502 crore (13.4 per cent) from the revised estimate of 2020-21 from Rs. 73,000 crore. Focus on rail and road infrastructure especially, economic and logistic corridors will enhance competitiveness of Indian agriculture by lowering the cost of transportation. 15 lakh bank employees in the country need an updation on their pension. The budget has again disappointed the MSME sector which is directly linked to the rural economy. Some of the long pending proposals for Calicut may be taken care of: An AIIMS at Kozhikode may be set up; work for World Class station of Calicut Railway Station be commenced; KVS at Ulleyeri, Calicut be established.; better rail connectivity between Calicut and Bangalore be ensured with a day train; Beypore port should be developed; Report on Air tragedy at Calicut Airport be submitted and immediate compensation to the victims be ensured. While placing the above demands, I oppose the Bill.

SHRI LAVU SRIKRISHNA DEVARAYALU: For the welfare of lakhs of PSU employees, Government needs to be aware of hostile takeovers by private investors who want to acquire sick PSUs at cheap valuations. Polvaram Irrigation Project, Vishakapatnam - Chennai Industrial Corridor, Steel plant in YSR Kadapa district, Vishakhapatnam metro, Vijayawada metro have been repeatedly delayed. Hiked infrastructure spending will be much beneficial if execution capacity of big infrastructural projects is improved. The Central Government should also focus on execution. MSMEs are the backbone of our economy and vital for reviving employment growth. We need to support their recovery. The Government should focus on removing working capital shortages for MSMEs. MGNREGS allocations need to increase and the scheme should focus on creating rural assets as well as generating rural employment with the aim of achieving rural self-sufficiency. Convergence with animal husbandry and agricultural activities should be explored at the grassroot level. Covid-19 threatens an education and health crisis for children in the future if corrective action is not taken today. India is the world's biggest cotton producer and I represent AP's cotton belt. PLI scheme should be extended to cotton textiles sector. To recover from the health and economic crisis we need reforms. The Union Government has repeatedly spoken about their intent to reform. This Budget contains the content of reforms. As the Government moves on to implementation, I would urge them to show the intent of building the consensus for these reforms.

SHRI DEVAJI PATEL: This is a classic Budget which includes the strategy to double the farmers’ income. The MSP has also been increased. Having said that, I would like to make a few submissions vis-à-vis my Parliamentary constituency, Jalore. A medical college needs to be set up at Jalore district centre. Sirohi district should be connected with Marwad, Bagra, Pindwada and Udaypur through railway network enabling them to avail religious, industrial and the other facilities. Air services need to be started from Sirohi based Manpur airstrip. District Jalore Sirohi need to be connected with Atal Bhujal Yojana. A Kendriya Vidyalaya needs to be set up in Sirohi district and a Navodaya Vidyalaya needs to be sanctioned adjoining district headquarters. A Kirishi Vigyan Kendra needs to be set up in Jalore district at the earliest possible.

SHRI AKSHAIBAR LAL: This Budget has been formulated keeping in view the mission of ‘Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas’. No new tax has been levied in the Budget. Farmers’ income is set to be doubled with increase in the budgetary allocation for agriculture. MSP has been increased for all crops. Funds have been allocated in the Budget for the setting up of new Mandis, Fisheries and Dairy production. This budget is entirely dedicated to the people. District Bahraich figures in the list of aspirational districts. I would like to make a demand for the setting up of new industries, Kendriye Vidyalaya, technical schools, hospitals and the availability of modern facility like roadways, railway connectivity etc. for the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes in Bahraich.

SHRI KULDEEP RAI SHARMA: I was disappointed to see that Andaman and Nicobar Islands received only Rs. 5164 crore in 2020-21 budget and Revised Estimates has come down to Rs. 4824 crore. The current budget allocation for Andaman and Nicobar Islands under the different segments such as power, roads and bridges and tourism has declined. Hence, I would like the budget allocation for Andaman and Nicobar Islands should be increased from Rs. 5300 crore to Rs. 10000 crore. There is a need to tackle unemployment in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and to provide unemployment allowance. I would request the Government to make Andaman and Nicobar Islands an Information Technology hub with the development of Business Process Outsourcing/Call Centres/Software Park under schemes like Digital India. Moreover, there is a need to establish a Legislative Assembly for Andaman and Nicobar Islands on the lines of Delhi and Puducherry. Besides, A Central university is also required to be set up in Andaman and Nicobar Islands instead of Deemed University.

SHRI JASVANTSINH SUMANBHAI BHABHOR: I would like to extend a lot of thanks to the Hon. Finance Minister for presenting such a budget that has taken care of almost all the sections of the country including children, senior citizens and women. The senior citizens who are on the wrong side of 75 and earn only from pension and deposits have been exempted from filing the ITR. The fiscal deficit has been estimated to remain around 6.8 per cent of the GDP during the financial year 2022 and during the current year it is expected to remain 9.5 per cent. The digital census has been announced to be undertaken in this budget and this will be the first digital census in the country. 750 Eklavya Residential schools have been announced to be set up in the tribal areas by the Hon. Finance Minister. Moreover, 100 new Sainik Schools will also be set up. The Hon. Finance Minister has announced the allocation of Rs. 1.1 lakh crore for the Indian Railways which will certainly provide impetus to the growth of the railways. Thus, this budget will lead the country towards Atmanirbhar Bharat.

SHRIMATI ANNPURNA DEVI: A special emphasis has been laid on the PPP mode in this budget. There is an inherent idea to ensure the participation of private sectors in the expenditure management and capital mobilization in the development process. The health care sector has been allocated Rs.2.38 lakh crore with a historic surge of 137 per cent. The wellness centers of about 75,000 villages will be benefited by the proposed Atmanirbhar Swastha Bharat Yojana. Rs.35000 crore has been earmarked for corona vaccination in the budget. I would like to ask why the farmers of our Jharkhand are not able to sell their foodgrains at MSP and are compelled to sell them to the middlemen even at half of the MSP. The budget allocation of Rs. 1.18 lakh crore for the Ministry of Transport and Highways will usher in a new momentum to the extension of highways. Rs. 1.10 lakh crore has been allocated for the Railways in order to prepare it to cater to the needs of the next one decade. Broadly speaking, the first budget of the new decade is going to lay the foundation of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE: I congratulate the Hon. Finance Minister for presenting excellent Budget in the backdrop of Covid-19 pandemic. Rs. 2,23,846 crore outlay for Health and Well-being in Budget Estimate for 2021-22 will go a long way in strengthening the health care infrastructure. Thus, this is the Budget for Atma-Nirbhar Bharat and I support it.

SHRI TIRATH SINGH RAWAT: This Budget strongly support the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat in which farmers, youth, women, old age people, middle class and poors- all have been included. This Budget gives a flip to Indian economy. Proper infrastructure and investment have been made in health sector. A provision has been made from Rishikesh to Karnprayag and Chardhaam railway project and work is going on at war footing. I support this Budget.

SHRI RAJU BISTA: This Budget focuses on villages, poors, farmers, women, youth, old age people, tea garden and businessmen. The Union Government has presented a very positive Budget for the country and it has been presented during pandemic. Focus has been given to health, agriculture, environment protection, infrastructure, road and highways, railway and public transportation and to extend basic infrastructure in this Budget. Providing a special financial package of Rs.1,000 crore to the labourers of tea garden shows the commitment of our Government. With this, Rs.25,000 crore have also been allotted for Kolkata to Siliguri Highway Corridor. This Corridor not only develop West Bengal but whole East India and North India. A special package must be provided for Darjeeling and it must be connected through Buddhist Circuit. Darjeeling-Kalimpong district hospital should be converted into the medical college. Bagdogra airport should be extended.

SHRI SUNIL KUMAR SINGH: Union Budget 2021-22 is the first Budget of this new decade. Rs.35,000 crore have been provided to manufacture Covid-19 vaccine in this Budget. Made in India Pneumococcal vaccine will be available in the entire country through this Budget and it will help in reducing the death of children in Chatra, Latehar and Palamu districts of Jharkhand. There is a very grave and serious situation in Chatra, Latehar and Palamu due to Hepatitis related diseases. Jharkhand is a malaria affected state. There should be a provision of more funds in comparison to earlier to eradicate malaria in Jharkhand. To launch Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban) have been announced in this Budget. Rail Over Bridge must be completed at the earliest on Tori station in Latehar district near Tori-Chatra on Dobhi road. I would like to request from the Government to set up a steel plant in Chatra.

SHRI SUKHBIR SINGH JAUNAPURIA: Indian railways have formulated a National Rail Plan 2030 for India. The objective of this plan is to generate a railway mechanism for the future by the year 2030. More than 100 districts will be connected through City Gas Distribution Network during the next 3 years. India’s rank in World Tourism Index have been improved from 65th to 34th. Hundred new sainik schools will be opened with the help of non- Governmental organizations and states. I would like to demand from the Government to open one sainik school in my constituency also. SHRI KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL: Huge financial provisions have been made to save the country from the Corona pandemic, along with the efforts for increasing the number of job opportunities indirectly. At the same time, incentives have been provided to domestic industries under Vocal for Local Scheme. Several measures have been taken to improve the basic infrastructure in the rural areas. A new solution has also been found to revive the MSME sector which was affected during the Corona period. A large allocation has been made to revive various industries along with the tourism and hotel sector which were impacted adversely by the Covid-19. Allocation has been increased upto Rs. 2.38 lakh crore for health services. This Budget will also increase the FDI. All sections have been taken care of in this Budget. I request that a textile park and yarn depot/yarn market, workers hospital, a military school and a women hospital should be set up in Bhiwandi. Construction work of various Railway lines announced for my Parliamentary Constituency in previous Budgets should be expedited and Bhiwandi road railway station should be developed by providing various facilities there.

SHRI RAMSHIROMANI VERMA: More than 70-80 per cent of the people in our country are involved in agriculture and agri business directly or indirectly. Keeping in view the interests of the farmers the Government should take back the three controversial agricultural laws. The prices of agricultural inputs like diesel, pesticides, chemical fertilizers and seeds etc. are rising day by day. There is no higher education institute in my Parliamentary Constituency, Shravasti. Shravasti and Balrampur districts fall under the category of extremely backward districts. Therefore, the Union Government should provide special funds in this Budget for their proper development. I would like to request the Government to provide hundred per cent contribution to the states towards the scholarship of dalit students like before. A Sainik School should be set up in Shravasti. SHRI AJAY TAMTA: Keeping in view the interests of all the sections of the society, the first ever digital Budget of the country has been presented under extraordinary circumstances during these difficult Corona times. The main emphasise of this Budget is on the villages and farmers. Relaxation provided to the senior citizens above 75 years of age from filing of tax return is a praiseworthy step. Allocation for rural development has been increased from Rs. 30,000 crore to Rs. 40,000 crore. Provision has been made to constitute a Higher Education Council, setting up of 100 new Sainik Schools and 750 Eklavya Model Schools along with several other works in the field of education. I request the Government to set up a chapter of Central University in Uttarakhand and a Sainik School in my Parliamentary Constituency and Eklavya Model Residential School in Dharchula and Munsiyari. People will benefit a lot from approval to the 210 kilometer long Delhi-Dehradun economic corridor. Water level of drinking water in Almora is very low. Approval may be granted to the Drinking Water Lift Scheme from Pindar river to Kosi river to address this problem.

SHRI ASHOK KUMAR RAWAT: This Budget is focussed on farmers, poor and middle class people. Emphasis has been given on basic infrastructure in it which will further strengthen the economy of the country. This Government has credited around 3 times more funds into the accounts of the farmers in comparison to the UPA Government. Provision has been made for setting up of 7 textile parks in the country so that India becomes an exporter country in this sector. Development work of Kanpur Airport should be expedited. Spinning mill lying closed in Sandila should be revived. Under my constituency, Misrikh there are a number of touristic sites and religious places in the three districts of Sitapur, Hardoi and Kanpur city which should be granted approval under the PRASAD scheme for their development. A Krishi Vigyan Kendra should be set up in each district. A horticultural government college and an agricultural polytechnic college should be set up in Misrikh. Technical training centres should be set up for providing training for professions like beauty parlour, sewing, electrician, vehicle mechanic district wise in the minority dominated areas for providing employment to the youth. Beautification of Namisaranya and Sandila railway stations should be carried out. An ROB/Underpass should be constructed at the railway crossings in Bilhaur and Kachona.

KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE: This Budget is unprecedented in many ways and it will strengthen the sankalp of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. At a time when almost all economies in the world have suffered huge losses India has given much focus on revival as well as growth of economy which is a positive approach. However, the lack of immediate support in the Budget has disappointed the tourism and hospitality sector. With the Corona virus crisis restricting not just foreign tourist footfalls into the country but also keeping domestic tourists at bay, the budget has focused on pushing funds for promotion and publicity to help woo tourists back. The array of measures announced are in the line with people as well as market expectations and will go a long way to bring the nation back on track. Similarly, a substantial increase announced in the expenditure on healthcare and infrastructure will help boost economic growth. This Budget is also agriculture sector friendly. Government has also enhanced the allocation to the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund. Out Government is continuously giving thrust on creation of National Highways and Rural roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. With regard to Karnataka’s plea to declare Upper Krishna Phase III Irrigation Scheme and Yettinahole Drinking Water Scheme as National projects, it has not been considered. I request the Government to kindly give due consideration to fund important projects. I urge the Government to give due consideration to the demands from the Coastal districts of Karnataka, including my Parliamentary Constituency, Udupi for the implementation of railways projects.

DR.SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE: There has been no announcement made regarding Defence sector in the entire Budget Speech. I would like to know from the Government why the Army is not being given an adequate fund even as it is aware of the importance of national security. At the same, the Government is imposing a new cess every year. This year also the common man has not been provided any tax relief. The GST dues have not provided to the states. In my State, Maharashtra, Rs. 25000 crore is pending, which is hampering development works. It is therefore, submitted that this amount be released at the earliest. In addition, Budget allocation for agriculture sector has also been reduced this year. The Government has also reduced the budgetary provision for Pradhan Mantri Kisan Yojana. Similarly, Budget allocation for the health sector has also been curtailed. As far as railway is concerned, I would like to request that all the projects in my Parliamentary Constituency should be implemented within the stipulated time. I would also request the Government to promote public sector undertakings.

DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY: Firstly, I wish that Government does well for the sake of poor people and addresses the pleas of the MSMEs. It is appreciable that the Government has increased spending on infrastructure like roadways, railways and health. While the infrastructure is welcome, in my constituency, in the guise of development, an illegal project for expansion of Adani-owned Kattupally Port is planned. This project will cause water bodies and rivers to be dried up leading to water shortage in an area and it will also lead to flooding. I hope the Government will abandon this project. With regards MPLADS, I reiterate that it should be provided for as it is the people’s money and will especially help the people. I would also request for aborting the privatisation plan of PSUs. DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT: The economy is on the path of revival and our Economic Survey 2021 projects the real economy to grow at 11 per cent in 2021-22. I want to reiterate that the fundamentals of the Indian economy remain strong. The Union Budget is presented at the time of the global Pandemic. Like many other countries, we have also been hit hard by the economic impact of the Pandemic. The health and wellness are an important pillar of this Budget. Investment on health infrastructure has increased substantially. The total Budget outlay for healthcare is INR 2.23 lakh crore, which is an increase of 137 per cent. The new Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana with an outlay of INR 64,180 crore is truly pathbreaking. Seven new National Textile Parks and reforms on customs duty on textile produce are being carried out. All these will help boost growth and generate employment. Schemes for the welfare of people like National Health Mission budget increased by four per cent, allocation to the PMGSY has increased by nine per cent. The success of Government in reviving the optimism in reflected in the investor confidence. The FDI is at the all-time high of $72 billion. We have moved a step further on resolving the NPAs problem. I will end by saying that the worst is over, and the Budget is a step in the right direction to put us back on the path of high economic growth trajectory.

SHRI RAHUL KASWAN: In this Budget, the emphasis has been given on increasing health, infrastructural facilities besides human capital and innovation. There has been an increase of 300 per cent in the Budget for health which is unprecedented in itself. The work is going on for providing safe drinking water under the tap to every household scheme. My Parliamentary constituency Churu has always been facing water crisis and the work is already afoot there under the Jal Jiwan Mission. I request the Government to implement this scheme on priority basis in Churu district. Churu district has also been chosen under the Atal Bhujal Mission. This is ambitious scheme of the Government. I request the Government to give priority to Churu district under the scheme. The common man of my constituency has been asking for a long time to introduce rail service on the routes in Sikar, Yanokh, Shadulpur, Taranagar, Sadarsahar, Lalgarh, Hanumangarh etc. The Ministry of Railways has conducted a survey on these routes but the work could not be undertaken due to the negative report every time. I request the Government to change the procedure in this regard and these places should be linked with train service. Budget should also be allocated for modernization of railway stations and category B and C stations should be provided with modern facilities Sujangarh is an important station, pilgrims from all over the country come here to pay their obeisance to Lord Balaji. Therefore, Sujangarh station should be renovated and equipped with modern facilities. I request the Government to set up rail coach display system at Churu, Shadulpur, Ratangarh, Sujangarh and Bhadra railway stations. RUBs need to be constructed in my Lok Sabha Constituency. The road from Sirsa to Churu via Nohar Sahava, Taranagar is an important route. I request the Government to start work on this route at the earliest my providing sufficient Budget. The menace of stay cattle has been posing a grave danger of late and as a result of his which farmers are facing losses. I request the Government that an effective policy should be formulated to check this menace.

DR. MANOJ RAJORIA: All the sections of society have been taken care of in this Budget. This Budget fully reflects the thinking of 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas'. Farmers are getting Rs. 6000 per year under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi which is helpful to them for carrying out agriculture activities. The Government has increased the MSP one and half times more than the cost with a view to doubling the income of farmers. Micro irrigation has been increased two fold to Rs. 10,000 crore. The Budget for health has increased 137 per cent as compared to last year. A sum of Rs. 35000 crore has been provided to fight the Corona (Covid-19). Both districts of my Constituency come under the 112 aspirational districts. In this year’s Budget, the Mission Nourishment 2.0 has been announced. Under this mission a strategy has been formulated to provide better nourishment facilities in these aspirational districts. A sum of Rs. 1.10 lakh crore has been provided in this year’s Budget for modernization of railway system. Under the Ujjwala Yojana, so far 80 crore women has been benefited and one crore new women beneficiaries are to be covered under this yojana. The decision of the Government regarding ‘One Country, One Ration Card’ is very important. This scheme will be implemented in 32 states by virtue of which the resident of any state could get ration in other state also. Finally, I am grateful to both Hon. Prime Minister and Hon. Finance Minister for a Budget which will pave the way for building a self-reliant India.

THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND MINISTER OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI NIRMALA SITHARAMAN) replying, said: This Budget has set the pace for India to become Atmanirbhar. We have focussed on stimulus plus reforms and these reforms are going to lay a path for India to be one of the top economies of the world in the coming decade. After independence, the Indian Government adopted socialist policies, nationalised institutions and constricted our enterprises, particularly the small and medium ones. On the other hand, the BJP, since Jana Sangha days has consistently believed in India, respecting Indian entrepreneurial skills, Indians managerial skills, Indian trade skills, Indian business skills and Indian youth. Now, I come to the specific questions which were raised by several Members. I will very quickly respond without taking specific hon. Member's name. On agriculture, for instance, there was this question, why did you reduce the budget by about Rs. 10,000 crore? The data given in the Budget on that account has been misread. It is because benefits worth Rs. 1.15 lakh crore have been transferred to the bank accounts of 10.75 crore farmers since the inception of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Yojana. In the Budget Estimate of 2020-21, the allocation of Rs. 75,000 crore was made under this scheme. In RE, it came down to Rs. 65,000 crore because the list of those farmers did not come to us, we were not able to pay them, and to that extent, the amount was not fully utilized. Next, there were questions about health. It was said that we are bringing in water and sanitation and therefore, we have not paid attention to health. That is not true. Even the WHO has said that water and sanitation contribute to health. If there is no management of sanitation efforts, you are going to have health related problems. Therefore, it is a comprehensive logical approach that we have taken. The allocation to the Health and Family Welfare has seen 9.67 per cent growth. The allocation to the Ministry of AYUSH has been increased by 40%. Health research has been provided with 26.8 per cent more allocation. Coming to the Defence expenditure, the allocation under the heads of revenue and capital has been increased but it has come down on the account of pensions. It is because after the introduction of OROP, there were a lot of pending payments accumulating as arrears. At one time we cleared it last year, which, therefore, accounted for a higher allocation. This year, now that we have resolved, rationalised and stabilised, naturally that one-time payment, will not be repeated. Coming to MGNREGA, the Government has used funds openly and transparently. The previous governments used to allocate big amounts through budgeted estimates, but actually, would not utilize it. That means, either they did not care for it or they gave it to their cronies and forgot the actual workers. But under the tenure of this Government, the utilization level has increased. For example, in 2019-20, Rs. 60,000 crore were allocated while Rs. 71,686 crore were utilised which means that for a demand-based programme, we also keep giving. In 2020-21, Rs. 61,500 crore were allocated because Budget was presented in February, much before the Corona crisis. As the year went- Corona crisis, pandemic, lockdown and then, after the lockdown, migrant workers going back to their villages- we have increased that to Rs. 1,11,500 crore. We are addressing the distress which the MSMEs are facing. We are suspending some of the clauses of the IBC making sure that no one from the MSMEs will be pulled to the courts either for resolution or for failure to pay their due debts and so on. We have also kept extending dates of due payments or any kind of compliance that they have to do. We have given relief from the point of view of giving some money so that they can have additional working capital, extended term loans and so on without being asked for any new additional security. We have also increased the working capital for a lot of other companies which did not strictly come under the category of MSME. Anyone who had an account in the bank could go and ask for loan under the Emergency Credit Guarantee Liquidity Support Scheme. Also we had a Subordinate Debt Scheme through which companies which were already in distress were given assistance. PM SVANidhi Yojana is tailored for small traders. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, more than 1. 67 crore has houses have been completed. Since October, 2017, 2.67 crore houses have been electrified under the Saubhagya Scheme. Under the PM Gram Sadak Yojana, more than 2,11,000 kms of road have been built since 2014- 15. The number of farmers registered under e-NAM is 1,00,69,000. The number of farmers registered under PM Fasal Bima Yojana is nine crore. The allocation in the Finance Commission has not actually come down; it is the due appropriate share for the States. As regards discrepancy in the numbers about Aatmanirbhar package, announced by the Government, I would like to make it clear that it is the combined financial impact of Garib Kalyan Yojana and Aatmanirbhar package which stands at Rs. 29.87 crore. I am sure that this Budget would increase demand in the country. I would also like to add that 0.8 per cent deviation in the fiscal deficit for the year 2019-2020 was necessitated on account of structural reforms. The allocations for Minority Affairs and for SC and ST have actually increased. The Congress party won elections in several states on the promise of loan waiver of farmers. But, loans of farmers have not been waived off in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. I thought that when the senior leader of that party rise in the House to deliver his speech, he would tell about the reasons for not being able to waive off the loans of the farmers. However, he did not cover that point. He should have at least taken up the issue of stubble burning in Punjab but he did not speak as to what relief will be provided by the Congress Government of Punjab to the farmers. I had also expected him to pick up one clause from three farm laws as to how the farmers are being going to be affected adversely by that provision but he did not talk about any such clause. Has the APMC been stopped in any state after notification of the three farm laws? No, it has not happened in any state. Our Government has been providing additional funds to enhance the structure of the APMC in the states. The Congress party takes one position in Rajya Sabha and other in Lok Sabha. I would, therefore, like to dwell upon two specific tendencies of the Congress party. First, they peddle the fake narratives. They form the institution, misuse them and utilize them for their own self-interests. Secondly, they think that they would say whatever they wish to, in the House, would level unfounded charges, would use abusive language but when they are responded to point by point, they would cause din in the House and would walk out from the House. They did exactly the same during discussion on the budget. Therefore, we need to identify these two tendencies of the Congress party as they do not have any faith in the elected parliamentary system of our country. The discussion was concluded. ______STATUTORY RESOLUTION Re: Disapproval of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2021 (Ordinance No.1 of 2021)

And

THE JAMMU AND KASHMIR REORGANISATION (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2021

SHRI ADHIR RANJAN CHOWDHURY moved that this House disapproves of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2021 (Ordinance No.1 of 2021) promulgated by the President on 7 January, 2021. THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY) moved that the Bill to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, as passed by Rajya Sabha, be taken into consideration. With the passage of Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, two union territories namely Jammu and Kashmir with Legislature and Ladakh without Legislature were carved out from the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The creation of these two union territories and their integration with the Union of India fulfilled the long cherished dream of ‘One Nation, One Constitution’ of our hon. Prime Minister. Following holistic approach, development is being fast paced at all levels in these two states. We have brought this Bill precisely for merging of All India Service Cadre with (AGMUT) cadre. I, therefore, request all the Members to kindly pass this Bill. SHRI ADHIR RANJAN CHOWDHURY initiating said: Invoking and promulgating Ordinances at the regular intervals does not augur well for the parliamentary democracy of our country. The Ordinance amends Section 88 Sub-section 3 by stating that officers so borne or allocated on AGMUT cadre shall function in accordance the rules framed by the Central Government. The move will help to tackle the shortage of All India Service Officers in Jammu and Kashmir as has been argued by the Government. The Government had promised to all that Jammu and Kashmir will become a heaven. All the citizens of J&K would get jobs, terrorism will end and Pakistan would not have any room for any interference in the state but more than a year and a half time has passed by and this Government has come up with this amendment. Therefore, the Government must admit that they abrogated the Section 370 without any advance preparation. Jammu and Kashmir is such a state where people do not have much faith in the bureaucracy. Therefore, the local officers must be appointed there in large numbers so as to improve the general administration. There is a lot of trust deficit in Jammu & Kashmir and that is why I would like to say that it would be better for the Jammu & Kashmir administration to appoint more and more local officers there. When will the Jammu & Kashmir get statehood? We are very concerned about Jammu & Kashmir because normalcy has not returned there as yet. There is an atmosphere of fear there. Internet services and all kinds of communications were stopped in Jammu & Kashmir but even then you have failed to restore normalcy there. You tried to expose many scams under the Roshni Act and made efforts to not allow investigation into the Roshni Scheme and went to the High Court. The DDC elections were marred by the detention of the political leaders. Business worth more than Rs. 90,000 crore has been lost there. You have allocated 3,000 acres of land for the industrial sector but failed to allocate even 200-300 acres of land for the Kashmiri Pandits. SHRI HASNAIN MASOODI: I rise to speak against the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2021. Unilateral and illegal decisions were taken on 5th August, 2019. The Government had violated the Article 3 by not asking the State and it had no right to abrogate the Article 370. Today’s amendment is very bad. The hon. Home Minister had on 5th August promised on this floor that previous situation will be restored but if it will get restored then what is the need of bringing the 93rd Amendment? You are bringing Jammu & Kashmir towards uncertainty. There are no signs of any kind of tourism there. The Government is challenging our apples by importing fruits from abroad. Sand mining has already become a huge racket. This will result in the loss of employment for the poor people of Jammu, Kathua and Udhampur. The Government should do justice with Jammu & Kashmir and respect its ambitions and political aspirations. My only request is that the Government should withdraw this Bill. It should not be implemented. DR. SATYA PAL SINGH: I rise to speak in favour of the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2021. This bill has been brought for all round development of Jammu & Kashmir and its complete integration with the country. It is an effort to remove the shortcomings that were left in the legislation of 2019. No other land in the country has produced the number of scholars as Jammu & Kashmir. It’s hard to describe the level of fanaticism, separatism and corruption in Kashmir that was prevalent there even after 1947. Thousands of Kashmiri Pandits were butchered. We have failed to give them justice. It was a kind of genocide. But nobody got convicted even in a single case. How painful it is. There were this kind of officers which has necessitated this change. Lakhs of acres of forest land was encroached upon under the ‘Roshni Scheme’ because the forest law was not applicable there. In 1994, there were 3 mosques in Jammu & Kashmir but today more than hundreds of them are there. Only few acres of land was asked for Amarnath Yatra and what a scene was created in the entire Jammu & Kashmir over it. But, the then Government did not do anything. Public property have been damaged in Kashmir. There we talk about transparency and good governance. We want to bring such legislation. Prevention Of Corruption Act was not implemented there. No legislations were in force there. Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act and Muslim Women Protection of Rights Act were also not in force there. We will fully implement centrally sponsored schemes there. DR. T. SUMATHY(A)THAMIZHACHI THANGAPANDIAN: I am deeply grieved and pained when I heard our Prime Minister coining a term 'andolan jeevis' in the context of our farmers' protests. It is the basic rights of our farmer brothers and sisters to protest and to show their resistance. When the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 was implemented, the BJP Government has not only breached that contract but also it has buried the democracy. You have buried federalism. You have buried the rights of liberty as well as the civil rights of the people of Kashmir. In August, 2019, the Government not only bifurcated the State but reduced the status of that of a Union Territory thereby increasing the chance of a direct Central hand in the day-to-day management. When you boast of a paperless Budget you running a visionless Government which has brought such draconian laws. Revolt is the right of the people. When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty. PROF. SOUGATA RAY: I am to speak on the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2021. For the first time in the history of the country, the Home Minister abolished a State- what a draconian step - and made it into a Union Territory. Through the recently completed district-level elections were a good thing, but the development that they promised has not happened. 4G internet was restored after 500 days. The students did not have the facility of internet and so they suffered during pandemic. The Prime Minister has decided to lower the quota from the existing 50 per cent to 33 per cent of the local officers from State Services to IAS, IPS and Indian Forest Service in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. It is a wrong step. This 67.33 formula will seriously affect the promotion prospects and career prospects of Kashmir Administrative Service and Kashmir Police Service officers. This Ordinance was unnecessary, ill-timed, undemocratic and against the principles of the Constitution. SHRIMATI CHINTA ANURADHA: On behalf of my party, we support this Bill whole-heartedly. The huge deficiency of officers of All India Services in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has adversely affected the welfare schemes, Centrally Sponsored Schemes and all other allied activities. Hence, there is an immediate requirement of merger with AGMUT so that the officers in the cadre can be posted in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to meet out any deficiency. The proposed amendment is necessary for building a conducive environment for development and prosperity by making bureaucracy people-centric and people-friendly. Moreover, I would request the Government to reserve at least five per cent jobs in all the public and private sectors in the Union Territory to sustain the livelihoods of the Kashmiri Pandits. SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ' LALAN': We had also not supported the abrogation of the Article 370 but today it has become a law. If this Parliament enacts a law and the same is enforced today then we all should accept it. This Bill deals with the Officers of Indian Administrative Service. How are the rights of local Officers being encroached upon? Today if the Government led by the hon. Prime Minister has started to place Jammu and Kashmir on growth trajectory and if the merger of the Services has been decided keeping the shortage of Officers in the Union Territory in view, it is a welcome move. Development works are being undertaken there in a fast track mode and this Bill has been brought in by the Union Government to provide momentum to the said development and hence it should be immensely supported. With these words, I support this Bill. SHRI MALOOK NAGAR: The Government intends to provide those rights to the downtrodden, the poor and the backward classes of Jammu and Kashmir by bringing this Bill from which they have been deprived for the last 70 years. The Bill seeks to facilitate that good Officers are chosen and deployed in such area of the country where they are urgently required. Bakkarwal Gurjars constitutes 29.4 per cent of the population of Jammu and Kashmir and they are engaged in animal husbandry. That is why I would like to urge upon that an SEZ may please be developed there so that they may have access to facility of selling their milk products in the domestic and international market. SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB: The Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Ordinance was promulgated by the President of India on 7th January, 2021, just three weeks before the Budget Session commenced. There has to be some specific reason as to why an Ordinance has come. Till now, I have not heard anything from the Government’s side that why it became expedient to bring an Ordinance on 7th January when the House was going to meet on 29th January, 2021. What was the immediate cause that an Ordinance was necessary and that too relating to enhancement of the quota of IAS and IPS Officers? This needs to be explained. The amendment is that in addition to Article 239A, any other provision of the Constitution which refers to the elected members of legislative assembly of a State and is also applicable to the Union Territory of Puducherry will also apply to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Union Territory of Ladakh. It is not that by removing or making the State into a Union Territory that Assembly loses its nomenclature. Assembly will be there as Assembly is there in Puducherry. Assembly can also be formed in Jammu and Kashmir. In that respect, the conception that is being created that with the status of a State not being given to Jammu and Kashmir, the Assembly will not be there, is not correct. SHRI NAMA NAGESWARA RAO: Clause 13 and 88 of this Bill have been proposed to be amended and we, on behalf of our party, support both of these amendments. At the same time, I would like to submit that the state of Telangana was formed by the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2014. There is shortage of IAS and IPS Officers in our Telangana. There should have been 208 IAS Officers and 140 IPS Officers in Telangana but we have merely 140 IAS and 105 IPS Officers. We expect from the Government that this shortage will be met at the earliest. SHRI E. T. MOHAMMED BASHEER: I would humbly appeal to the Government to have an introspection of what exactly has happened after the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution. We have heard a number of claims from the Government’s side, like J&K after abrogation of Article 370 has become a paradise. Backwardness is still there in J&K. Fake encounters are still going on. I would just like to ask one thing. When are you going to give back the statehood to them? Why are you transferring officers from other States like Goa, Mizoram, and so on to J&K? The local nature of a particular State should be kept in mind. SHRI BRIJENDRA SINGH: This Bill, which seeks to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act of 2019, by itself is unexceptional. It simply means that once J&K and Ladakh have become UTs, then under the IAS Cadre Rules of 1954, the merger with the UT cadre is only logical corollary. This would apply mutatis mutandis to the IPS and IFS cadres as well. I agree that hitherto there were an All India Services which were working in the State of Jammu and Kashmir but now, a fresh beginning has to be made. In any case, it must be recognized that there is a severe deficit of All India Service officers in Jammu and Kashmir. Moreover, in spite of its natural charms, the State of Jammu and Kashmir was not a preferred option for young officers. After the passing of this Bill, the UTs of J&K and Ladakh will have access to this pool of All Service officers that are allocated to AGMUT cadre. Furthermore, officers promoted to the All India Services for J&K State Services will be exposed to other parts of the country. They will be part of the AGMUT cadre and so they will be transferable to all the other Union Territories and States which will be covered under the AGMUT cadre. Needless to say, that the transfer of officers to and from across the country to Jammu and Kashmir will also help integration of J&K with the rest of the country. SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN: This is a consequential amendment to the Constitutional amendment that we passed in the year 2019. With regard to the Bill, two amendments have been proposed. I have no objection or opposition to the proposed amendments because it is required and essential to set right the original Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act of 2019. The proposed amendment to Section 88 is regarding Administrative Service. It is a welcome step by the Government which seeks to provide sufficient and adequate administrative personnel in the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir. But, I would like to know the actual state of affairs in the State of Jammu and Kashmir now because the State of Jammu and Kashmir has got divided into two Union Territories, namely, Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir. I want to know about the law and order situation there. Similarly, I would like to make a suggestion to this august House. At least one representative from each political party should visit the State of Jammu and Kashmir to have first- hand information regarding the state of affairs of Jammu and Kashmir. As far as the amendments are concerned, we have no stringent opposition but still, I would urge upon the Government of India to bring back normalcy at the earliest by protecting the civil rights of the people residing there and also bring back the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir. SHRI JAMYANG TSERING NAMGYAL: I welcome this Bill. This will enhance the efficiency of our officers. Especially, about Ladakh, I would like to say that before becoming a UT, there were two district magistrates and two SSP posted here, but today, at least 15-20 officers of the All India Services are working here. The implementation of this Bill will enhance the efficiency of the officers and also bring effectiveness to the administration. The posting of officers from different states will enhance national integrity. At the same time, it will bring development in the border area. There is a shortage of officers in Jammu and Kashmir cadre and the shortfall will be removed after the Bill is implemented. Moreover, it will also bring uniformity in governance. We also want to welcome the officers from other states. They come and serve in Ladakh, only then Ladakh will grow. I also demand that a Public Service Commission be set up for Ladakh. SHRI MANISH TEWARI: This Bill aims to give stability to the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir. I would like to remind this House that when the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill was brought, it was said that it would bring peace and development to the country. But what has happened in the last 17 months is totally contrary to that. There have been many ceasefire violations. No industry has been established in the last 17 months. More than 60 percent of the industries in Jammu have been closed. The tourism industry and the handicrafts industry have been completely ruined there. Unemployment has also increased in Jammu and Kashmir. So, I would like to request that its Statehood be restored. In addition, the administrative cadre of Jammu and Kashmir is being merged into the AGMUT cadre. So, I would like to request the Government to withdraw this Amendment Bill. SHRI JUGAL KISHORE SHARMA: I am grateful to the hon. Prime Minister and Home Minister for taking steps one after and another for the betterment and development of Jammu and Kashmir. This Bill is for the betterment of Jammu and Kashmir and it will pave the way for speedy development of J & K. There are several projects and centrally sponsored schemes that are operational in J & K. All the projects have to be completed on time and through this Bill this is going to happen. The DDC elections that were held there have revealed that people are in favour of restoring democracy in J & K. This also shows that the steps which Central Government is taking in J & K are for speedy development of J & K. If tourism is promoted in the State, it will create avenues of employment there. Now, there will be no shortage of IAS officers in J & K. I, therefore, support this Bill. SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI: I rise to oppose this Bill. When the Government scrapped Article 370 unconstitutionally by dint of its majority, at that time I had said that it was a constitutional breach. The Home Minister had said that it would restore statehood in J & K as soon as possible. Now, they are going back on their promise. Today, you have merged J & K cadre into AMGUT cadre. This clearly shows their intention. There are 24 posts of secretary and only 5 Kashmiri Muslims are serving as Secretary. Similarly, there are 58 posts of IAS officers and only 12 Muslims are out of them. It is mentioned here that Kashmir is a backward area but I would like to say that Kashmir is not a backward area. I would like to know from the Government as to whether they will restore statehood in J & K. They are right that the outsiders should not intervene in our internal matters. They should take along an all party delegation to the State but they are taking an European Delegation to the State. I would like to know from the hon. Minister as to how many children of Kashmir are put in the jails of Agra, Bareilly and Ambedkar Nagar and how many children are in jails under the PSA and when the Government is going to release them from jails. SHRI JASBIR SINGH GILL: The Union Government has planned the merger of J & K cadre of IAS, IPS and Indian Forest Service officers in the UT cadre. According to the J & K Reorganisation Act, which came into force in October, 2019, the cadre was merged into the AGMUT cadre. The law, however, stated that the officers already serving in the J &K cadre would continue in the existing cadre. Our hon. Prime Minister and our hon. Home Minister have said on record in this House that the UT status of J & K is a temporary provision till the law and order situation improves in J & K. Then, what sense does it make to permanently merge the J & K cadre with the UT cadre? There is also a need to formulate a transfer policy for the officers to be transferred to Ladakh. It should be with the consent of the officers and it is not make J & K and Ladakh another place of punishment posting for the officers who do not toe the Government line. THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI AMIT SHAH) Replying said: It has been asked as to what the Government has done to fulfill the promises made at the time of abrogation of the Article 370. I would only like to remind them that they should think about their performance in Jammu and Kashmir before asking our performance because they have ruled the State for many generation. The case pertaining to the Article 370 is pending in the Court and the Supreme Court will take decision in this regard but it does not mean that we cannot take any decision for the development of the State. The introduction of this Bill does not mean that now the J & K will not get the status of Statehood. The J & K will definitely be given the status of Statehood at appropriate time. It has been asked why the AGMUT has been introduced in the State. The opposition leaders must understand the nature of AGMUT cadre. Arunachal, Goa, Mizoram all are states and the All India Cadre of AGMUT has been functioning there. The blame that the move from 2G to 4G has been introduced under external pressure. It is false. We do not take any decision under pressure. A Member has said that the Article 370 and 35(A) contained an agreement of the Government of the country with the people of the J & K. I would like to remind them that this agreement was a temporary one. It has also been said that this move will dilute the powers of the officers. This will definitely not happen because the IAS and IPS officers are routinely deployed in all over the country and this deployment in no way dilute the powers of the local officers. Gaining cheap popularity it has been alleged 80 per cent officers in J & K belong to the outside of the State. No one is an outsider. All are the sons of the mother India. We conducted elections for Panchayats. The entire exercise was peaceful. Those who fought elections on the basis of the restoration of Article 370 were wiped out. A person who has been elected today the member of the panchayat may be elected tomorrow as the member of the legislative assembly. The people of the State may elect them as their leader. We handed over an entire range of 21 matters of administration to the panchayats. This will make them self dependent and usher in development of the villages. We have chalked out a training programme for their capacity building. It has been made compulsory for the Gazzeted Officers to stay for 2 days and 1 night in the allocated panchayat. 18 thousands works have been sanctioned. 50,000 families have been covered under Health Insurance. 10,000 youths have granted employment opportunities. This work has also been started for urban areas under Mera Sehar, Mera Gaurav scheme. There were 54 projects with an outlay of Rs. 58627 crore under Pradhan Mantri Vikas Package. Out of which 20 projects have been completed. IIT Jammu has started functioning. The construction work of two AIIMSs has been started. The work on ring road in Jammu will be completed by the year 2021. The 8.45 kilometre long Banihal tunnel will be made operationalised this year. The Jammu Kashmir has 14,867 Megawatt hydropower potential. During the last two years the closed projects for 3,000 Megawatts have been restarted. The cent per cent houses of the J & K have been electrified under the Saubhagya Yojana. All the 18.16 lakhs households are likely to be provided piped water supply by September, 2022. During the year 2020-2021, the roads with a length of 5,300 kilometer will be constructed. The Government has sent an amount of Rs. 881 crore from the Ministry of Health under the PMDP scheme and out of this amount Rs. 754 crore have already been spent. Every person has been covered under the Health Scheme. We have set up 7 new medical colleges. We have provided gas cylinders to 12 lakh 60 thousand 685 mothers under PM Ujjwala scheme. All the households have been declared as ODF under Swachh Bharat Mission. The scholarship coverage has been tripled during the last 17 months. The Government of India has approved an incentive package for the industries in the J & K. The industrialists will be given the credit of Rs. 500 crore at the rate 6 per cent. Every entrepreneur, on investing Rs. 100, will be given GST refund of Rs. 300. We have constituted a land bank of 29,300 canals which will be alloted to the industries. We have launched a rapid recruitment campaign for giving employment to the youth. On the whole, we will give 25,000 thousand jobs to the youths before the year 2022. We have launched a number of schemes under the Mission Youth. The rural BPOs are proposed to be set up at Srinagar and Jammu. The number of IT towers will be increased. The Lt. Governore, J & K has drafted a scientific plan to redress the grievances of the common man. We have granted domicile certificates to the Pakistani refugees, the refugee of West Pakistan, the refugees of the POK, the Valmikis, Gorkhas and other families and thus, we have ended the discrimination meted out to them for so many years. The Government has been giving Rs. 13 thousand every month to the displaced Kashmiri families. We are likely to rehablitate 6,000 of those families in the Kashmir Valley by the year 2022. The 70,000 people living in the villages contagious to the international border have provided reservation. We have launched a number of works for education, training and career. The work on a new airport terminal and the upgradation of district hospital in Ladakh has been started. Central Government has set up five new tourists and five new tracking routes in Ladakh. The Government has proposed to set up the country's biggest solar power plant in Ladakh. The traditional medicine system has been revived. A Central University in Ladakh has been sanctioned and work on the Zozila tunnel has been started. Mini hydro projects have been set up in Kargil and Leh. The number of Pashmina goats has witnessed a record 8 per cent increase during the last 17 months. I would only like to say that we should not politicize the situation of J & K and Ladakh. It is a very sensitive matter. The Resolution was negatived. The Bill was passed. UTPAL KUMAR SINGH Secretary General

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