December 6, 2023
Abir Ranjan Biswas’s speech in the Rajya Sabha during the Short Duration Discussion on the Economic Situation in the Country
Madam, we are discussing the state of economy in India, but, anyone listening to this debate since yesterday will realise that when it comes to facts and figures and insights, Members of the Opposition parties are giving clear arguments to make a strong case. On the other hand, the BJP is having a competition; competition of what, Madam! It is as to how many times they can mention the name of hon. Prime Minister. Well, of course, we do not have any problem regarding that, but, I would like to know why they do not give us facts and figures. The previous three speakers from my party have made common points. What are the points; why is the wealth that is being created not being equally distributed and where? Firstly, equally among all the people of the country and secondly, among the States, irrespective of their political ideologies. Now, let me make a chart which I can substantiate with data. The non-BJP States like Bengal, Tamil Nadu and the Congress-run States are deprived. The unspoken catchline seems to be ‘support us politically and we will raise funds’, ‘support us politically and we will not send CBI and ED behind you’. Madam, I will give you one example about MGNREGA. I will raise five points about MGNREGA. Firstly, as we all know, it is an Act of Parliament. It is a right and not a gift depending on the whims and fancies of the Central Government. Secondly, as per the Act, the payment to a worker who has worked under this scheme is to be made within fifteen days. So, if hundred people have worked on a scheme and if there is any discrepancy arising out of it, if two of them are found guilty, I would like to know why the rest 98 people are deprived. This is most unfortunate and most undesirable. But, this is what is being done. The budget of MGNREGA has been cut by about 30 per cent with respect to last year. But, we are not surprised as in 2014, on the floor of the Parliament, hon. Prime Minister had called it ‘gaddha khodne ka scheme’; most unfortunate. Fourth point, Madam, is that MGNREGA man days all over the country are falling, but, the Ruling party, the BJP is celebrating it. Today, one of the MPs has called this an indicator of development. This is their way of looking at the economy, but, our approach is different. Fifth point is about job cards. About 7,40,000 job cards have been found to be fake in Uttar Pradesh that means of the total figures, about half is accounted for by Uttar Pradesh. Bengal had about 5,000 fake job cards. I would like to know whether the funds to Uttar Pradesh have been stopped. I am sure the answer is known to all. Now let me read from the BJP manifesto of 2014, I am mentioning it. They had spoken of doubling farmers’ income. Did it happen in 2019? No. Again, did it happen in 2023? No. At current growth estimates, the farmers’ income will not double before 2030. In Bengal in 2011, a promise was made by the hon. Chief Minister. Most interestingly, it was about doubling farmers’ income and I take pride as I come from Bengal in mentioning that as of today it is not doubled, but it has increased three-fold as in the current date. Now, Madam, let me come to public sector undertakings, the PSUs. We have withstood the shock and trauma of demonetization, but how many of us have heard of monetization? This is the instrument of the NITI Aayog to sell out the people’s assets, as the name reflects, public sector undertakings. It belongs to the public, it is the asset of the public and the Government is hell-bent upon selling it. Madam, it is like selling the family’s jewellery. As you can name it, rail, Air India, BHEL, BSNL, LIC and the list is unending. These were created over decades but now we want to strip the nation of these assets. I proudly belong to the Scheduled Caste community and every time this happens I am hurt and hurt dearly. As every time a PSU is sold, a young SC boy or girl is deprived of his or her right to secure a job. And worst still, there is also unemployment and contractual employment engaging is taking the front seat. However, you are not going for reservations. That is a very big concern. And moreover, whenever a PSU is sold, often these people are rendered jobless and it creates unending miseries for the families. Madam, now in understanding the condition of the current economy, we have to understand the condition of States’ economies. So, it is very important to discuss cooperative federalism. Our present hon. Prime Minister and hon. Home Minister were both Chief Minister and Home Minister of a State. So, they should understand better what the problems of the States are. ∗ But, as we all know, it is to be done as per constitutional guidelines which are flouted day in and day out. Madam, I appeal to you that next week we should have a Short Duration Discussion on the issue of cooperative federalism. Madam, if you notice the House is running so smoothly and it is so good for all of us. Next week also, the opposition should get one Short Duration Discussion or one Calling Attention wherein they can express their concern as opposition and they can at least speak out the pain that the States are in. They can make their points so that the States are benefited. But also there is a fillip side to it. The BJP will also benefit from this as if their speeches remain devoid of facts, figures or any reasoning, at least, their speeches will have multiple mentions of the name of the hon. PM. To summarize, I would say that the way the Government is conducting itself, in a nutshell, we can say that their catch-line is that rich should get richer and the poor should get poorer. Now the way the present Government is exploiting the financial interests of the States that is most probably much higher than the colonial rule. So, I expect that there will be a change of stance. We would think much more about cooperative federalism and act in that direction for the benefit of one and all and the nation as a whole. Thank you, Madam.
