Sayani Ghosh’s speech on the Supplementary Demands for Grants – First Batch for 2024-2025

सभापति महोदया, आपनेमझुेबोिनेकेतिए मौका तदया, उसके तिए मैंआपको धन्यवाद देिीह , ूँसाथ हीइस अपॉर्चयाूतनटी के तिए मैंअपनीपाटी की भी आभारी ह ।ूँ Madam, demanding for Supplementary Demands for Grants is a Constitutional pre-arrangement and I agree that it should definitely not be objected. But it also raises another question. Why does the Government need further allocation when it has not been able to spend what it already has? In the Financial Year 2024, the Government’s final consumption expenditure was 14 per cent, but it decreased to 4.4 per cent in the second quarter of Financial Year 2025. This means that the Government has spent much less this year as compared to last year. In the first quarter of 2024-2025, the Government’s spending was Rs. 4.15 lakh crore and many cited the Model Code of Conduct as a reason for spending less. But in the second quarter, it further decreased to Rs. 4.1 lakh crore. Madam, to my simple understanding, this grant is being demanded from the exchequer, but this is the money which is collected from the people and it is meant to be spent for the people. Since Prof. Saugata Ray has already spoken about the technical aspects, today I choose to speak on what this Government has delivered to the people of this country, namely the utilisation of resources in Departments it is seeking additional grants for and also its complex relationship with the State of West Bengal. सभापति महोदया, इनकेबिु डोजर के िििेभारि के िोग सवाि पूछना भूि गए और भारि की जनिा आजकि इिनी भूखीहैतक खानेको धोखा भी खा िेिीहै। भारि मेंएक तमतड ि क्िास, जो एक साि पहिेवेतजटेररयन थािी 100 रुपयेमेंखािा था, आज वही वेतजटेररयन थािी 152 रुपयेकी हो गई है। टमाटर की कीमि 247 प्रतििि बढ़ गई। आिूकी कीमि 180 प्रतििि बढ़ गई। िहसनु की कीमि 128 प्रतििि बढ़ गई और िेि, नमक, आटा, मैदा की कीमिें 18 प्रतििि बढ़ गईहैं।पहिेआम आदमीपॉकेट मेंपैसेिेकरबाजार जािा था और थैिी भरकर सामान िािा था, िेतकन आज अमिृ काि मेंथैिी भरकरपैसेिेकर जािाहैऔरपॉकेट मेंआिू, टमाटर, प्याज िेकर घर वापस आिा है। सभापति महोदया, पहिेमाननीय तवत्त मांत्री जी नेकहा था तक बहुि हो गई महांगाई की मार, अबकी बार मोदी सरकार और आज उनके तविार मेंमहांगाई एक अांिरााष्ट्ट्रीय समस्या है। तवश्वगरुु, तवश्व बांधुइस अिां रााष्ट्ट्रीय समस्या का समाधान क्यों नहीं कर पा रहेहैं। Madam, 74 per cent of the Indians are unable to afford a healthy diet. The household savings have plunged to a 50-year low. Around 48 per cent of the households in this country are facing a financial crisis. उनका खिाा उनकी कमाई सेज्यादा है। The economic inequality in India is at a 100-year high. The country’s GDP growth rate for the second quarter of 2024-2025 decreased to 5.4 per cent, which is the lowest in two years. The Government’s total debt has reached a staggering Rs. 176 lakh crore and the total debt is expected to soar up to Rs. 185 lakh crore by the end of the financial year. आज आपके उधार कीवजह सेहर तहन्दस्ुिानीपर सवा िाख रुपयेका बोझ िढ़ गयाहै और आप उनकी मजबूरी को अपनी िाकि समझिेहैं। पतिम बांगाि मेंआि इांतडया िणृ मूि काांग्ेस की प्रदेि यवुा अध्यक्ष होनेके नािेमझुेहर तदन कई नौजवानों सेबाि करनी पड़िी है। वे मझुेपूछिेहैंतक मोदी जी नेहर साि दो करोड़ नौकरी देनेका वायदा तकया था, अथााि साि में 20 करोड़ नौकरी। उन नौकररयों का क्या हुआ? उन वादों का क्या हुआ? मैंबस उन्हेंयही कह पािी ह ां तक पत्तेिो झड़िेहैं, उिािा हैकोई-कोई वादेिो सभी करिेहैं, तनभािा हैकोई-कोई Madam, as per the latest report by CMIE, the unemployment rate has risen to 9.2 per cent in June 2024 as compared to 4.9 per cent in 2013-14. Female unemployment rate is much higher at 18.5 per cent in June 2024 as compared to 7.7 per cent in 2013-14. Around 37 per cent of working women are unpaid. In rural areas, this figure is at a horrific 43 per cent. प्रधान मांत्री जी ‘सबका साथ, सबका तवकास, सबका तवश्वास’ बोििेहैं, अगर ऐसा ही हैिो आज भारि के िोग देि छोड़ कर क्यों जा रहेहैं? वर्ा2018 सेिेकर वर्ा2023 केबीि 6,70,000 भारिीयों नेअपनी नागररकिा त्याग दी। तसिा वर्ा2022 मेंयह सांख्या िगभग 2,25,000 थी। In 2022 alone, 7,500 high net-worth individuals with the net worth of more than Rs. 8.3 crore or more left India. नवम्बर, 2022 सेसेप्टेम्बर, 2023 तसिा दस महीनों में96,917 Indians were arrested attempting to cross into the United States illegally. मोदी जी कहिेह, ैंवेसब केसाथ हैं, मगर येआांकड़ेबोििेहैंतक जो सबकाहोिाह, ैवहतकसी का नहीं होिाहै।इनकाबांगाि केसाथ कुछ अिगही ररश्िाहै। The relationship is that of quid pro quo: “िुकरा कर मेरा प्यार, मेरा इांिकाम देखेगी। मििब वोट है, िो नोट हैऔर वोट नही िो नोट नहीं”। As per the available reports, as on 19th July, 2024, Rs. 1.23 lakh crore is already due to the Government of West Bengal against the flagship programmes like MGNREGA, PM Awas Yojana, PM Gram Sadak Yojana, National Health Mission, and Central Food Subsidy. Further, the amount of Rs. 40,806 crore is the projected dues against these schemes bringing the total amount to a staggering Rs 1.71 lakh crore. मैडम, हमेंहेल्थ केयरस्कीम के तिए िां ड नहीं दिया जाता है, क्योंतक किर कोतडांग मैि नहीं करिा। आप ‘सबका साथ – सबका तवकास’ की बाि करिेह।ैंIs it hinging on colour coding? आपको रांग पसांद नहीं है, िो आपबांगाि केिोगों कोपसै ा नहीं देंगे। तिर, आप आकर कहिेहैंतक हम बगां ाि मेंक्यों नहीं जीि पािे? Madam, this stepmotherly attitude is the reason, तजसके कारण बांगाि के िोग हर बार इनकोबड़ा-बड़ा रसगल्ुिा तखिा कर वापस तदल्िी भेज देिेहैं। Even after making several attempts to crush our aspirations and our economy, the West Bengal Government stands tall and true towards its commitment towards its people. बांगाि मेंतसिा दीदी है, िो ममुतकन है। The West Bengal Government started transferring money to the bank accounts of 21 lakh people who worked for the 100 days’ scheme without receiving any payments from the Central Government under MNREGA. Even before Ayushman Bharat, in West Bengal, Swasthya Sathi, a cashless scheme, was launched providingtreatment costing up to Rs. 5,00,000 for people belonging to any strata of the society. आज कोिकािा के तकसी आिीिान प्राइवेट हॉतस्पटि म, ें जहाांपर एक अमीर आदमी की तितकत्साहोिीह, ैवहींबगि वािेबेड पर एक गरीब मजदूर, गरीब तकसान की भी ट्रीटमेंट होिी है। यही ममिा बनजी का तवकास है। आपके अमिृ काि में, the cost of medical treatment has been doubled in the last five years.… आप आरजी कर घटना केबारेमेंन बोिें। अभी िक आपकी सीबीआई भी कुछ बोि नहींपाईहै। हमारी पतुिस नेजो कहा था, they are still sticking to that. आप उसके बारेमेंबाि न कर। सर, आप उत्तर प्रदेि केबारेमेंबाि कर।ें… Medical inflation is at 14 per cent. रग्ेयिुरिी िी जानेवािी दवाइयों की कीमि 50 प्रतििि बढ़ गई है। आप तसतवि एतवएिन के तिए ग्ाांट्स माांग रहेहैं। एक-एक डोमेतस्टक फ्िाइट की राउांड तट्र प की तटकट 20-30 हजार रुपए मेंतबक रही है। आज आम आदमी हवाई िप्पि पहन कर हवाई जहाज नहीं िढ़ रहा ह, ैआम आदमी हवाई िप्पि बिे कर हवाई जहाज िढ़ रहा है। You are demanding funds for education but conveniently ignoring the fact that 11 lakh children have dropped out of school according to your own data. आज भारि में47.51 प्रतििि स्कूल्स केपास कांप्यूटसाकी िैतसतिटी हैऔर उसमेंसे 33.9 प्रतििि केपास इटां रनेट कनेक्िांस हैं। With regard to legal aid to the poor, you have not been able to provide legal aid to more than one per cent of the eligible population. In public enterprises, 5.1 lakh public sector jobs have disappeared in the last 10 years. रिे वेमेंिगभग 2.5 िाख पोस्ट्स खािी हैं। उनमेंसेतितटकि सेफ्टी कैटेगरीज मेंभी वैकेंसीज हैं। आज कि नए भारि की ट्रेन्स पटरी के ऊपर कम और पटरी के बाहर ज्यादा िििी हैं। मैडम, इस सदन मेंमझुेयह कहिेहुए द:ुख होिाहैतक मैंअपनेजादवपरु, िोक सभा क्षेत्र के तिए एक बारुईपरु- कतव सभुार् मेट्रो एक्सटेंिन की माांग की थी। मझुेतडपाटामेंट सेयह तिट्ठी तमिी, तजसमेंउन्होंनेतिखा हैतक this project is not economically viable and this project is unremunerative. अगर आपको सब जगह सेपैसा िातहए िो मझुेयह बाि समझ मेंनहीं आिा तक िोग खदु के तिए आपको वोट दिे ेहैंया आपके िायदेके तिए वोट देिेहैं। मैं आपको इिना ही बोिना िाहिी ह ां। This was the reason that अपनेप्रॉतिट के तिए आज इन्होंनेसीतनयर तसतटजन का कांसेिन भीबांद तदया और सीना िोककर येबोििेहैंतक वर्ा2022- 23 मेंहमने15 करोड़ वररष्ठ नागररकों से2242 करोड़ रुपयेकमाये। मैडम, मैंदोबािेंऔरबोि कर अपनीबाि खत्म कर दूगां ी। िोक सभा पर खिाकरके क्या िायदा, जब यहाांपर तवपक्ष को बोिनेका अतधकार ही न हो? िोक सभा के तिए भी िो ग्ाांट्स माांग रहेहैं। … अभी सरबोि रहेथेतक ‘बेटीबिाओ, बेटी पढ़ाओ’। मोदी जी नेदस साि पहिेइसेिॉन्ि तकया था। िेतकन उसके80 प्रतििि पैसेतसिा पतलितसटी, माकेंतटांग और एडवरटाइजमेंट मेंखिा कर तदए। आपके उत्तर प्रदेि, मध्य प्रदेि, राजस्थान मेंन बेटी को पढ़ा पा रहेहैंऔर न बेटी को बिा पा रहेहैं। … आप बांगाि आएांऔर देतखयेतक ममिा बनजी जी नेतवधान सभा मेंएटां ी रपे अपरातजिा तबि पास तकया ह।ै कन्यािी योजना िरूु की है।

Sougata Ray’s speech on the Supplementary Demands for Grants – First Batch for 2024-2025

Sir, I rise to speak on the Supplementary Demands for Grants. It is unfortunate that the Finance Minister is not there. But still, I have some points to make. I shall be brief. Ms. Sayani Ghosh will speak on the other points The Supplementary Demands have been brought under Articles 114(1), 115 and 217 of the Constitution. There is nothing to oppose the Supplementary Demands for Grants because the money has already been spent. The Government is asking for an Appropriation of the extra amount spent. What is the extra amount? It is Rs. 87,000 crore roughly. Out of this Rs. 87,000 crore, Rs. 44,000 crore is the outgo, and the rest will be met by savings from the Government’s expenditure. So, where is this Rs. 44,000 crore going? Out of it, Rs. 9,692 crore will go towards PM-KISAN; Rs. 9,500 crore for rural telecom connectivity; Rs. 6,500 crore for fertilizer subsidy; and Rs. 4000 crore for Defence services. Now, the problem with the Supplementary Demands for Grants is that if you spend more money, then you push up the Government’s financial deficit target. The Government has set a target of 4.9 per cent. Now, these Supplementary Demands will push up the financial deficit. The only way for the Government will be to reduce its spending on infrastructure. This Government is caught in a pincer movement. What is the reason? The reason is that they are not being able to decide whether to go for growth or to go for controlling the inflation. There was a dispute between the Finance Minister and the Governor of Reserve Bank, Shri Shaktikanta Das. The Reserve Bank wanted to keep the repo rate stable, whereas the Finance Minister was pressing for reducing the repo rate so that more money could go to the economy. Ultimately, the Governor of the Reserve Bank had to leave. Now, there is a typical crisis in the whole economy. The crisis is that our growth projections for the last quarter have slipped to 5.4 per cent. This is very damaging to the economy. How does the Government make up for this slip in the economy? Unless the economic growth rate comes up, the country cannot progress. And this is a sharp slowdown. The main slowdown has been in the manufacturing sector, which has expanded to only 2.2 per cent this year. Now, to sustain higher growth, you need more private investments. To have more private investments, you have to spend more on infrastructure. If you spend more on infrastructure, inflation will go up. So, this is a double whammy that the Government is caught in. Prime Minister Mr. Modi made a two-hour speech. It was like a speech to a school collection but he did not touch upon these basic problems of growth. And now, we will have more problems because one of our strong points was exports. With Donald Trump as American President, exports will be curtailed because he will impose more tariffs. So, where do we go from here? I have no objection to allowing the Finance Minister to have Supplementary Demands. But what is her answer to this basic question facing the Indian economy — growth or control of inflation? Inflation has also showed an upward trend. It has gone up to 6.2 per cent. So, if inflation increases, then who is put to difficulty? The middle-class people will be put to difficulties. That is what is happening. This Government has patronised the big industry. Now, I saw a figure that the profits of the big industries — as seen in the names of Tata, Reliance and Adani — have gone up. How? Post-Covid, the tax profits of companies listed in stock exchange has risen to 5.2 per cent of GDP. It is only profit. Compared to this, the share of employee compensation has been coming down. So, the profits of industrialists and capitalist are increasing and the salaries of the middle-classes and working classes are coming down. So, one newspaper has headline – profits move but pay is far from fair. So, this is the situation in the Indian economy. Everybody is saying that this is good for growth. The Finance Minister is here. Maybe she will reply. Earlier, I had commented on her of not having a foreign degree. I am withdrawing that comment. But it would have been good if the Finance Minister was an economist from an Indian University. She will be able to tackle the problem in which the Indian economy is caught – growth or control of inflation. At this rate of growth of 5.2 per cent in the last quarter, Indian economy cannot make progress. I say all this because I have many other demands to make before the Finance Minister. We come from the State of West Bengal which has been deprived of Rs. 22,000 crore in the NREGA funds. We have been deprived of Rs. 2,500 crore on account of PMAWAS Yojana. But I am not here to speak on West Bengal demands only. I am speaking on the economy as a whole. The economy is not in a fair shape. So, why will you allow the Finance Minister to go away with these supplementary demands in her kitty? If you see the Supplementary Demands for Grants, out of Rs. 87,000 crore, only Rs. 19,000 crore is the capital expenditure. The rest is the revenue expenditure. So, on the one hand, unless you invest in capital expenditure and infrastructure, private investments will not come. Adani’s and Ambani’s depend on the Government to provide the infrastructure so that they can make more profits. So, all these problems in the Indian economy need to be considered. I do not see anybody in the Ministry or in the Government, who can really tackle such a problem. It would have needed Manmohan Singh to tackle this problem. More advantages to the poorer sections have to be given. Sir, I do not want to prolong my speech further. The economy is hamstrung by lack of policy; by lack of clarity and the economy cannot go on with the Prime Minister’s speeches only. Lastly, Mr. Venugopal has spoken about asking for a JPC Inquiry against the working of SEBI and its complicity in manipulating the shares of the Adani group. While not emphasising on that, I, in general support, his demand. … Let him come. But let him not manipulate the share market. If he manipulates the share market, then he shall be driven out of India ultimately as he is being driven out of US. Thank you, Sir.

Sudip Bandyopadhyay’s Zero Hour mention on the demand for a statement in the House from the prime minister or foreign minister on the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh

Madam, the minorities and Hindus are being tortured in Bangladesh. The Foreign Secretary visited Bangladesh recently. I talked to the External Affairs Minister along with Prof. Sougata Ray in this House, day before yesterday. I am surprised why the Government is keeping mum. The House is running. Let us know what actual development is taking place. A statement from the Government is urgently required. Either the External Affairs Minister or the Prime Minister himself should come before the House to save the Hindus and the minorities facing torture in our neighbouring country, Bangladesh. Madam, we believe that this matter will be sent to the Government and we will get a reply by tomorrow.

Kalyan Banerjee’s Zero Hour mention on the need to look into Home Ministry’s BPR&D appointing private orgs to undertake law and order surveys in Bengal, which violates the federal structure of India

Madam, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, there is an organisation which is called BPR&D. The BPR&D has appointed two private organisations, namely, NACER and SARD. They are doing survey in West Bengal regarding law and order, perception of public safety, and public opinion ignoring the State of West Bengal. All the time, the Ministry of Home Affairs takes the information from the State Government. But an organisation has been appointed by the MHA. They are appointing and they are engaging private organisations. It really betrays the federal structure of the country. I will request the Minister of Home Affairs to look into the matter and give us an answer to that.

Mitali Bag’s Zero Hour mentions: Dredge rivers linked to DVC to control flooding; increase allocation on diet for mothers and children under ICDS, and honorarium of ICDS workers and helpers

Thank you for providing me the opportunity to speak. I pay my respects to Shri Shri Ramkrishna Thakur & Maa Sarada. Meghnad Saha also suggested the construction of seven barrages. But the central government failed to execute that. Hwang-Ho is known as the sorrow of China. Similarly, DVC is the sorrow of Arambag Constituency. That’s why when we explain the abbreviation of DVC- we term it synonymous with drowning, floating and rinsing in water. The floodgates were opened to release lacs of Cusec water overnight, resulting in turmoil for lacs of people from the Arambag Constituency due to the sudden floods. Even their last straw was swept away in front of their eyes. They lost everything- from their agricultural land to their cattle. Why DVC didn’t dredge the rivers before releasing water? Why they didn’t renovate the river dams before releasing water? Immediately, they should take steps to complete the dredging and embankment process of all the rivers. How long will the people from Khanakul, Purshurah, Harinkhola, Arandi, Salehpur, Arambag, Chandrakona, Goghat remain frightened by the floods? When they need water, there is a scarcity of it. This is the season to cultivate Boro paddy, but DVC isn’t releasing the water at this hour. All these Boro Paddy lands have dried up and cracked. Their untimely release of water is flooding the land. How long will their turmoil go on? Please grant me a minute to finish my subject. I am a ICDS worker. Integrated Child Development Services was launched on 2nd October, 1975. The objective was to provide nutritional care, health improvement and education development to the children. It intended to create a strong foundational base for a child’s mental, physical and social development. But there is still work to be done to improve the nutrition of the mother and child. The funds for nutrition is also decreasing. The Children of today are the future of tomorrow. This needs immediate consideration and increased allocation for nutrition funds. If this is not done, in future the country will be plagued by malnutrition. I would also request to increase the wages of the workers and helpers so that they can sufficiently provide for their families. No more indifference, no more duplicity, no more deprivation. Thanks again for letting me speak. Joy Bangla!

Saket Gokhale’s speech on ‘Justice’ during the Special Discussion on the 75th anniversary of adoption of the Constitution of India

Sir, on Saturday, Prime Minister Modi presented 11 resolutions during his speech on the Constitution in the Lok Sabha. I call them 11 jumlas. But the problem is that Prime Minister Modi needs to be reminded of the basics. Today and tomorrow, my Party, All India Trinamool Congress, will remind Prime Minister Modi of the nine key terms in the Preamble of the Constitution of India, which his Government has completely destroyed. These are: We the People of India, Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic, Justice, Liberty and Equality. I will speak today on Justice for just three minutes because injustice has been the hallmark of the Modi Government. I want to ask: How will Prime Minister Modi defend his record on justice to the following people? The 21 lakh MGNREGA workers of Bengal have worked but haven’t been paid for three years by Modi’s Government. He has withheld Bengal’s dues. Why? Because, his Party lost the elections. Bilkis Bano, whose rapists were forgiven and released by this Government. Omar Khalid, Khalid Saifi and numerous others have spent years in jail only because they dared to criticise Mr. Modi and Mr. Shah. Sir, 750 farmers died outside the borders of Delhi, protesting for their rights against the laws which were later taken back by the Prime Minister. The people of Manipur, who today, as we speak, as I speak here, are seeing their homes being burnt and their families die every day. I have had the personal privilege of experiencing justice under this Government. I was locked up in a jail in Gujarat for 155 days in a case related to a tweet and Rs.500 money laundering case. But then, I found out what real justice means when my leader, Ms. Mamata Banerjee, sent me to this august House of Parliament, where my oppressors have to see my face every day. Madam Mamata Banerjee understands justice and is committed to it. For social justice, as the Preamble says, Ms. Mamata Banerjee brought schemes like Lakshmir Bhandar and Kanyashree. That Lakshmir Bhandar was brought a long time ago —  when it was started by Ms. Mamata Banerjee. Social justice can be brought through measures like Aparajita Bill to give justice to women who face violence, but that has not yet been passed. I do not know why the Finance Minister was so embarrassed even after our prompting, when she said, Women’s Reservation Bill hamari sarkar 1998 pe laye. I What she did not mention is that 1998 it was hon. Ms. Mamata Banerjee who had brought the Bill in 1998. Sir, our Constitution guarantees social, economic and political justice to the people. Where is social justice when minorities are subjected to atrocities every day and when the Prime Minister ran a poisonous communal campaign during the Lok Sabha elections? Where is economic justice when our youth have no jobs and families have no money left, thanks to rising prices and inflation? The hon. Finance Minister can, at least, do the least and reduce taxes on the middle class. Where is political justice when opposition leaders are threatened using CBI and ED and when the corrupt ones, who go through the BJP washing machine, become squeaky clean? The Prime Minister loves to talk about previous Governments and their record of 70 saal. I have to admit that our Prime Minister has been very successful on one front. The way he has destroyed the Constitution in 10 years, previous Governments could not do for 70 years. PM Modi does not care about justice, but the people of India do, which is why it was poetic justice when his party BJP was recently reduced to 240 seats in the Lok Sabha. People destroyed his arrogance and his party. And, from here, with my hand on the Constitution, I want to promise the Prime Minister that he will again be reminded of the meaning of justice which is in our Preamble, when his party BJP, which has deprived and defamed the people of Bengal, will be routed again in 2026 under the Chief Minister, Ms. Mamata Banerjee. Thank you, Sir.

Saket Gokhale’s speech on ‘Justice’ during the Special Discussion on the 75th anniversary of adoption of the Constitution of India

Sir, on Saturday, Prime Minister Modi presented 11 resolutions during his speech on the Constitution in the Lok Sabha. I call them 11 jumlasBut the problem is that Prime Minister Modi needs to be reminded of the basics. Today and tomorrow, my Party, All India Trinamool Congress, will remind Prime Minister Modi of the nine key terms in the Preamble of the Constitution of India, which his Government has completely destroyed. These are: We the People of India, Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic, Justice, Liberty and Equality. I will speak today on Justice for just three minutes because injustice has been the hallmark of the Modi Government. I want to ask: How will Prime Minister Modi defend his record on justice to the following people? The 21 lakh MGNREGA workers of Bengal have worked but haven’t been paid for three years by Modi’s Government. He has withheld Bengal’s dues. Why? Because, his Party lost the elections. Bilkis Bano, whose rapists were forgiven and released by this Government. Omar Khalid, Khalid Saifi and numerous others have spent years in jail only because they dared to criticise Mr. Modi and Mr. Shah. Sir, 750 farmers died outside the borders of Delhi, protesting for their rights against the laws which were later taken back by the Prime Minister. The people of Manipur, who today, as we speak, as I speak here, are seeing their homes being burnt and their families die every day. I have had the personal privilege of experiencing justice under this Government. I was locked up in a jail in Gujarat for 155 days in a case related to a tweet and Rs.500 money laundering case. But then, I found out what real justice means when my leader, Ms. Mamata Banerjee, sent me to this august House of Parliament, where my oppressors have to see my face every day. Madam Mamata Banerjee understands justice and is committed to it. For social justice, as the Preamble says, Ms. Mamata Banerjee brought schemes like Lakshmir Bhandar and Kanyashree. That Lakshmir Bhandar was brought a long time ago — when it was started by Ms. Mamata Banerjee. Social justice can be brought through measures like Aparajita Bill to give justice to women who face violence, but that has not yet been passed. I do not know why the Finance Minister was so embarrassed even after our prompting, when she said, Women’s Reservation Bill hamari sarkar 1998 mein laye.I What she did not mention is that 1998 it was hon. Ms. Mamata Banerjee who had brought the Bill in 1998. Sir, our Constitution guarantees social, economic and political justice to the people. Where is social justice when minorities are subjected to atrocities every day and when the Prime Minister ran a poisonous communal campaign during the Lok Sabha elections? Where is economic justice when our youth have no jobs and families have no money left, thanks to rising prices and inflation? The hon. Finance Minister can, at least, do the least and reduce taxes on the middle class. Where is political justice when opposition leaders are threatened using CBI and ED and when the corrupt ones, who go through the BJP washing machine, become squeaky clean? The Prime Minister loves to talk about previous Governments and their record of 70 saal. I have to admit that our Prime Minister has been very successful on one front. The way he has destroyed the Constitution in 10 years, previous Governments could not do for 70 years. PM Modi does not care about justice, but the people of India do, which is why it was poetic justice when his party BJP was recently reduced to 240 seats in the Lok Sabha. People destroyed his arrogance and his party. And, from here, with my hand on the Constitution, I want to promise the Prime Minister that he will again be reminded of the meaning of justice which is in our Preamble, when his party BJP, which has deprived and defamed the people of Bengal, will be routed again in 2026 under the Chief Minister, Ms. Mamata Banerjee. Thank you, Sir.

Kalyan Banerjee’s speech on The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024

सर, पविम बंगाल के आदमी नेइतना सुना है, इसीवलए आप लोग18 सेघट कर 12 हो गए।… आप बैविए, हमारी बात सनु लीवजए) Sir, they do not have a degree of courage. They all speak .. No, I am not making any allegation in what I am saying. Now, two Ministers have made allegations against us. … Sir, I have to give answer to this. because you are the Minister. You are having power to raise your voice, to stand up and just to … What is this? This is not proper.… आप सनु लीवजए। आप बहुत संदुर वदखतेहैं। : वसंवधया जी, आप बहुत संदुर वदखतेहैंतो यह नहीं है आप देखनेके वलए संदुर हैं। आप बहुत बड़ी फेवमली सेआते हैं।… हमको छोटा करग सर, सब्जेक्ट पर ही आ रहा ह ं। आप क्या सोितेहैं? संदुर हैं तो सब कुछ ह, ैं .. आप क्या सोितेहैं? He first attacked me personally. िेहरा … गया है। आपके िेहरेमेंब्यूटी ह, ै तो जो मजी हो, िह बोल देंगे। हम आपके मावफक देखने मेंनहीं हैंतो क्या करगेंेभाई? आप बहुत ब्यूटीफुल हैं, बहुत हैंडसम हैं, बहुत संदुर हैं, आप हैं। िह सब हम जानतेहैं।… Why do you say that? हम बोल रहेहैंवक हम आपके मावफक संदुर नहीं हैं। हम आपके मावफक ररि मैन नहीं हैं। क्या आप हमेंजो मजी बोल लेंग? : कोई गांि का आदमी इधर आया हैऔर … आप क्या सोितेहैं? देश के140 करोड़ आदमी … : येखत्म करनेनहीं देते। दो वमवनस्टर उिकर बोलतेहैं। I will not criticise the Central Government. I talked about the positive changes, they were silent. When I said that there is change, they are silent. The moment I started talking about the negative things, they are jumping. We will not allow this. I am coming from a middle-class family from the villages. सर, सनु लीवजए। I have studied in a pathshala and a village school. I am coming from the grassroots. I do not belong to any … जो मजी है, िह करो। I have a medium standard. It does not mean क्याबोलनेनहीं देंगे। : Sir, firstly, I would say that I did not want to hurt anyone including Mr. Scindia. I am really sorry. … I am sorry. I said, I am sorry. Sir, I did not want to hurt Mr. Scindia at all. … I am sorry for that. Now, what I would like to talk about is the Centre’s response. … Sir, I have already said sorry. Coming to the vaccination drives, now in some of the States, including the State of West Bengal, organized vaccination drives are even being offered … So many free vaccinations have been made available. I am now coming to the Central Government’s response so far as COVID-19 is concerned.

Mahua Moitra’s supplementary question on the status of work on the railway connectivity between Krishnanagar and Karimpur

Thank you, Sir. Through you, I would like to ask the hon. Railway Minister a supplementary question on rail connectivity. Sir, my Constituency has one complete side of about 140 kms. from Krishnanagar to Karimpur where about 12 lakh people are without rail connectivity. … I have met the hon. Minister about two-and-ahalf years ago and he had very kindly agreed to a feasibility survey. This feasibility survey was supposed to be ready by December, 2023 and then action was to be taken. However, no report was given. Can you please let us know about the status of connectivity on the Krishnanagar-Karimpur line? Thank you, Sir.

Sougata Ray opposes the introduction of The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024

Under Rule 72 (1) of the Rules of Procedure, I beg to oppose the introduction of the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024 to consolidate and amend the law relating to merchant shipping to ensure compliance with India’s obligation under the maritime treaties and international instruments to which India is a party and also to ensure the development of Indian shipping and efficient maintenance of Indian mercantile marine in a manner best suited to serve the national interest and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. In this House, I have earlier opposed all the attempts made by the Government to bureaucratise the system. Sir, just one moment. I have not even spoken. Always the Central Government is setting up newer and newer authorities, imposing newer and newer regulations. It will be handing over power to the bureaucracy. The Mercantile marine develops of its own because we have a long coastline and we have a lot of trade with other countries. But what they are doing is that they will have a National Shipping Board, National Seafarer’s Welfare Board and also a Director-General of Mercantile Shipping. Hon. Chairperson, Sir, let me complete my sentence. Please do not cut me short midway. Sir, that is why, I think, this will be hindering and not helping the development of merchant shipping nor will it improve the conditions of work of seafarers, and it will merely put impediment to the development of the mercantile shipping as well.