Author: aitc

Derek O’Brien charges the government with running away from discussing the Home Ministry and Defence Ministry. Initiating the discussion on the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. And the 456 Effect!

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Sir, we will be a constructive Opposition, and initiate this Discussion on New and Renewable Energy. All the Ministries are important. But on this one in particular, what we do today, say today and act on today will have an effect on our children’s children. We will offer some constructive suggestions. But before I come to the details of the Ministry, I have to place on record the ‘4-56 effect.’ ‘4-56 effect’ kya hota hai? It was 4th of June and ’56.’ It was on the 4th of June and that is why we are discussing this Ministry. On the 4th of June, ’56’ got cut down to size. That is why, in spite of 15 opposition parties requesting this Government to discuss the Home Ministry, this Government is nervous to discuss the Home Ministry. Despite all of us here in the Opposition wanting to discuss the Defence Ministry — we read that picnics are happening on the border and they are coming over from China — this Government does not want to discuss the Home Ministry or the Defence Ministry. We discussed all this in the Business Advisory Committee, but it was not brought here. But in the spirit of our constructive opposition, we will still initiate this discussion and we will still give you some suggestions. Sir, I have three specific points. The first one is to the Minister. I am suggesting a mantra for your Ministry. ‘Think nationally, act locally.’ Consult with four stakeholders. These are: Local governments, State Governments, communities and the private sector. Consult with them in the spirit of cooperation. Unfortunately, this spirit of consultation is antithetical to your thinking — not yours, Sir, but theirs — because they know everything about every subject. My second suggestion is this. At least after the ‘4-56 effect,’ stop these grand announcements: ‘International Solar Alliance,’ ‘One Sun, one World,’ etc. These are all big announcements. But zero action! Let me give you only one example. There is PM-KUSUM. It is a decentralised programme for small farmers. Through you, Sir, I ask the Minister this question. This programme for 10,000 mw was announced in 2019 by this Ministry. What have they achieved of the target? Ten per cent? No. Five per cent? No. The target they have achieved is below three per cent. Same is the problem with the Green Hydrogen Mission. Big announcements. Our suggestion to you is this. Reduce dependency on these countries: China, Thailand and Vietnam. Discuss and come up with policy decisions. You are not running the Gujarat Gymkhana. You are running the nation — India. Sir, these are our constructive suggestions. We want this Government to come back sometime here to discuss Home and Defence. If not in this Session, come in the next Session. If you don’t want to discuss them, no problem, we will discuss Home and we will discuss Defence when we will be sitting there next year and you will be sitting here next year. Thank you, Sir.

Derek O’Brien’s Zero Hour in Rajya Sabha: Demand to ‘reduce rate of 18% GST on health and insurance policies‘

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Sir, the demand is straightforward – Reduce 18 per cent GST on medical and health insurance. Reduce it. Sir, in three minutes, let me make four quick points. This has been there since July, 2007, and it has gone unnoticed! Why should we reduce it? We should reduce it, because this is an issue which is burdening the people, mainly the middle class. That is why this is to be reduced. The high tax rate of 18 per cent is a burden. Insurance penetration is low in India. Internationally it is more than 7 per cent and in India it is just about 4 per cent. That is why GST should be reduced. Sir, there is an imbalance in the insurance sector where 75 per cent is life insurance and only 25 per cent is medical insurance! How can this be done? Who has raised this? Two of our MPs here – Shri Saket Gokhale and Ms. Dola Sen – have raised it. My hon. Chief Minister has written a letter to the hon. Finance Minister to reduce it. They wouldn’t listen to us. Okay. At least, listen to the Union Cabinet Minister from her own BJP party who has also recently written to the hon. Finance Minister. He is the hon. Minister of Road Transport and Highways. He is from the BJP. They could listen to him. But, when we write, the hon. Finance Minister will say, ‘No, no. I cannot do anything. The GST Council will change it.’ This is a flawed argument. The ratio in the GST Council is: NDA-2 and INDIA-1. The GST Council, as said by the Supreme Court, is an advisory body. So, Sir, we must not allow the hon. Finance Minister to hide behind curtain of the GST Council. We must not allow it. Sir, this is a middle class issue. This is not a political issue. Mr. Chidambaram, – he has a lot of experience – a few days ago, said that the hon. Finance Minister should ‘listen.’ I appeal – I know all the INDIA parties are together in this – to the BJD also to please associate itself with this issue. You must associate yourself with this issue, because it is touching the middle class. And, I request the hon. Finance Minister to come in the next 3-4 days and say on the floor of this House that this is not working. Sir, there is a GST Council meeting going to happen; if this doesn’t happen in the next 3-4 days, Iske liye andolan chalu rahega. The people of India cannot have medical insurance for GST. Thank you, Sir.

Saket Gokhale’s supplementary question during Question Hour asking the concerned minister to authenticate with data his statement that the problem of fake news is most rampant in Bengal

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Sir, I have a very specific question. The hon. Minister in his response to the first supplementary said that the problem of fake news is most rampant in the State of West Bengal. I would like to ask if the hon. Minister can authenticate this with data. Thank you. Sir, my supplementary is: Can you authenticate this with concrete data and lay it on the Table of the House?

Dola Sen’s supplementary question during Question Hour on the reasons the Supreme Court of India and Bombay High Court stayed the creation of the PIB Fact Check uni

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Sir, though we know that Treasury Benches have an agenda of political revenge, still, we are bound to obey the Supreme Court verdict. I would like to know from the Minister, through you, Sir,: Is it true that the Supreme Court of India has ordered a stay on the creation of a Fact-Check unit by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) this year in March, 2024? If yes, please state the reasons behind it. Why was the creation of a Fact-Check Unit stayed by the hon. Supreme Court and Bombay High Court too?

Samirul Islam’s Zero Hour mention demanding from the government a special financial package for north Bengal, to not even think about dividing Bengal and giving Bengal its legitimate dues

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Sir, I would like to speak on that topic in my mother-tongue, Bengali. Respected Deputy Chairman Sir, Bengal comprises of Darjeeling Hills in the north and Bay of Bengal in the south, this is my Bengal, our Bengal. Hon. Chief Minister, Mamata Bandyopadhyay, after assuming office, tried her best to usher in development in North Bengal and will continue to do so. However, the Central Budget clearly shows, leave aside development of north Bengal, thatno allocation has been made in the General Budget for the devastating Ganga erosion of Malda, flood control of Teesta, or the development of Darjeeling Hills and tea gardens. Had the Central Government been really sincere about the prospects and development of North Bengal, it would have given a special package to the state for North Bengal. Sir, there is something wrong at the very inception. The Central Government which is not releasing the poor tax payers’ money amounting to Rs. 1,71,000 crores due to the State Government, what has it to do with North Bengal or South Bengal. This Government, after being defeated by the people of Bengal time and again, is now trying to take revenge on them. So it is trying to create an atmosphere of uncertainty in the state. We have to keep in mind that divisive politics can never succeed in making a nation or its people prosperous. Through you Sir, I demand an exclusive Special Package for the people of North Bengal. The Prime Minister of India had visited Bengal on the eve of the election and he had said that he loves Bengal deeply and he wishes to take birth in Bengal in his next life. Through you Sir, I would like to know from the Prime Minister that if he really loves Bengal so much, why isn’t he releasing the dues of the State at the earliest. In conclusion, let me say that even with all your might..

Mamata Thakur’s Zero Hour mention on the government’s duty to not force people to show separate citizenship proofs, especially those who already have documents giving voting rights

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Respected Deputy Chairman Sir, thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak in Zero Hour. Sir, I want to speak in my mother tongue Bengali. The Olympics are still underway in France, where 117 athletes from India have participated, of them, 70 are men and 47 women athletes. No one has raised any question about their caste, caste, religion, language. They all play and are playing for the country. And, every Indian, every countryman is also a passionate supporter of their sport. This is the specialty of our country of special heritage, where we all stand by each other, be it sports, literature, art, science or whatever. In all fields of art-religion-language, ‘unity in diversity’ enriches and advances us. Therefore, the attempt to divide the common people of our country on the basis of religion, language, ethnicity, caste is never correct. It is not advisable to ask any of the citizens of the country to show proof of that identity on the basis of any condition. No condition should be imposed on any citizen to live peacefully in this country. We are, therefore, in favour of natural unconditional citizenship. We are not in favour of asking citizens to show any illusory, unreal paper for no reason. Those who already vote, who have some valid identity card, by showing which we vote and at times elect the Prime Minister of the country and the Chief Minister or the Government of different states, asking them to show a new paper or making them say ‘I am not a citizen, I want to become a citizen’ and making them apply for citizenship is very disrespectful. In the name of giving citizenship, imposing conditions on it, asking to submit various documents of ancestors and if they cannot submit, not granting citizenship, creating such situation and sending them to detention camps is terribly dishonorable. If you want to give any citizenship card to the citizens of the country, it must be given unconditionally. Asking for a paper, forcing them to fill out a form with wrong credentials is condemnable. I condemn the game that has been started with the issuance of that citizenship card by imposing conditions. The diversity of our country India is our pride. We should not impose any conditions or dishonour its people. The tradition of ‘unity in diversity’ of our country, India will be celebrated. None of us has the right to disrespect our brothers and sisters by asking them to show papers if they cannot give unconditional citizenship. Let us all live together and move forward. Jai Jai Sri Sri Harichand Guruchand Thakur’s Jai! Jai Bangla!

Derek O’Brien’s Point of Order, quoting Rule 29(3), requesting that legislative business be taken up on Monday as Friday is reserved for Private Members’ Bills

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Sir, my point of order is under Rule 29(3). The House is running very smoothly with the co-operation from both sides. But, on Friday afternoon, normally, the practice is that we end it after the Private Members’ Resolutions. So, to take up any Legislative Business or any Discussion of a Ministry, — even though we wanted a discussion on the Home Ministry, but that is another issue — if this can be taken up afresh on Monday at one o’clock or two o’clock because we want to be more participative. I would take it into consideration and come back to the House at 2.00 p.m.

Azad Kirti Jha’s Zero Hour mention on wishing to know the reasons because of which the work for the Haldia and Koderma thermal power units of the PSU, Damodar Valley Corporation has not been completed

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िभापसत िहोदय, िैंिाष्रसहत िेंएक िाि पनुः अपनी आवाज आपके िािनेउठा िहा ह ं। स्वतंत्रता के िाद अपनेआपिेंएक पहली िहुद्देश्यीय दािोदि घाटी नदी परियोजना शरु की गई थी। अभी भाित ििकाि नेथिसल पावि के िाध्यि िे15,300 िेगावाट सिजली उत्पादन किनेका लक्ष्य िखा है। हिािेदािोदि वैली कॉपोिशे न का एक यूसनट अभी 1,000 िेगावाट सिजली तैयाि कि िहा है। ऐिेही तीन िंयंत्र हैं, दािोदि वैली प्रोजेटट, िघनुाथपिु थिसल पावि स्टेशन प्रोजेटट औि कोडििा थिसल पावि स्टेशन को चुना गया है। िहोदय, िैंसपछली िाि उिके िािे िेंिोल चकुा है। सहसदस्ुतान फसटसलाइजि कॉपोिशे न का सवषय हो चकुा है। यह कल सवषय का है, सजिकी िैंने अनिुसत ली है। िहोदय, दािोदि वैली कॉपोिशे न िें800 िेगावाट की यूसनट खलु नी है। इिके िाथ जो दो अलग थिसल पावि स्टेशंि ह, ैंिघनुाथपिु थिसल पावि स्टेशन औि कोडििा थिसल पावि स्टेशन हैं। िहोदय, येदोनों स्टेशसि शरु हो चकुेहैं। अगस्त 2028 िें िघनुाथपिु थिसल पावि स्टेशन औि अगस्त 2029 िेंकोडििा थिसल पावि स्टेशन शरु होगा। िभापसत जी, िझुेआपको यह ितातेहुए िड़ी प्रिसनता हो िही हैसक दािोदि वैली कॉपोिशे न को एक िहुत ही िहत्वपूणस अल्रा िपुि सक्रसटकल थिसल पावि स्टेशन िाना गया है। हालांसक, यह पीएियूहैऔि केसर ििकाि का कायसशरु होना है। िैंििकाि िेजानना चाह ंगा औि िेिी िांग होगी सक अपना लक्ष्य 15,300 िेगावाट पूिा किनेके सलए आज िेिाल भि पहलेजो कायसक्रि शरु सकया गया था, वह तिुतं शरु सकया गया जाए, सजििेवहां पि िोजगाि का िजृ न हो िके औि जो लक्ष्य 15,300 िेगावाट का तय सकया गया है, वह पूिा हो िके। सभापति जी, मझुेआपको यह बिािेहुए बड़ी प्रसन्निा हो रही हैतक दामोदर वैली कॉपोरशे न को एक बहुि ही महत्वपूर्णअल्ट्रा सपुर तितिकल थमणल पावर स्िेशन माना गया है। हालाांतक, यह पीएसयूहैऔर केन्र सरकार का कायणशरूु होना है। मैंसरकार सेजानना चाह ांगा और मेरी माांग होगी तक अपना लक्ष्य 15,300 मेगावाि पूरा करनेके तलए आज सेसाल भर पहलेजो कायणिम शरूु तकया गया था, वह िरुिां शरूु तकया गया जाए, तजससेवहाां पर रोजगार का सजृ न हो सके और जो लक्ष्य 15,300 मेगावाि का िय तकया गया है, वह पूरा हो सके।

Sharmila Sarkar’s speech during the discussion and voting on the demands for grants under the control of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for 2024-25

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Thank you, hon. Chairperson, Madam. On behalf of All India Trinamool Congress, I rise to speak on the Demand for Grants under the control of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for the year 2024-25. But before I start, I would like to raise my voice on behalf of the AITC that the GST should be removed from life insurance and medical insurance as early as possible. And if the Finance Minister is unable to do so, then we have to protest against it in very large scale. First of all, what is health? If we go by the definition of WHO, it is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. That means, to have an effective healthcare system, we have to think not only of treating the physical illness, but we have to also address the mental illness and prevention of the disease. ‘Health is wealth’ is timeless truth. It has been known since our childhood. As we aspire for Viksit Bharat by 2047, can we achieve this without taking health into account? Although the allocation for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has risen from Rs. 80,000 crore to Rs. 90,000 crore, the current funding is still too low to meet the country’s health need. The National Health Policy of India 2017 aims to raise public health spending to at least 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2025 to improve the healthcare system. However, the current Budget allocates only 2.1 per cent. This is inadequate for strengthening the primary healthcare and improving the national health programme. There is an imperative need for dedicated funding for mental health services, including indoor and rehabilitation facilities, counselling, community-based programmes, as well as investment in public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma associated with mental disorder and to promote mental health. Throughout India, several Central Government health programmes are encountering significant difficulties. The allocation for Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission has decreased from Rs. 4,200 crore to Rs. 3,200 crore. That means, Rs. 1,000 crore has been decreased. In this context, on behalf of the people of West Bengal, including those in my constituency, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to Shrimati Mamata Banerjee, our Chief Minister, for introducing the benevolent Swasthya Sathi Scheme back in 2016. This was well before the introduction of the Ayushman Bharat Scheme in 2018 by the hon. Pradhan Mantri. The Swasthya Sathi Scheme provides benefits of up to Rs. 5 lakh per family per year to all residents of West Bengal regardless of caste or socio-economic status. Coming to the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana, there is a big dip in its allocation from Rs. 3,365 crore to Rs. 2,200 crore. The primary aim of the project is establishing and upgrading new AIIMS and district hospitals. But if we see the condition of AIIMS, it is horrible. If you want to increase the number of AIIMS, then you have to maintain the standard comparable to AIIMS, New Delhi. We all know that AIIMS, New Delhi is our pride, but we have to think that if I use the name of AIIMS, then we have to maintain a minimum standard for it. AIIMS, Kalyani is struggling with several issues like incomplete infrastructure, equipment shortages, and construction delays. The absence of over 100 qualified doctors is critically affecting both medical education and patient care. I would like to draw your kind attention to the fact that more than twothird of India’s population resides in villages. So, it is critical to prioritize strengthening of primary healthcare system. Here, we should establish a few model Primary Health Centres for additional specialized services such as optometry, diabetic care, basic cardiological screening, geriatric care and psychological counselling. I urge you to take up this matter seriously. Training for ASHA, Anganwadi workers and Community Health Officers is crucial because disease screening is vital in any programme. The success of telemedicine largely depends on the CHO. The ASHA and Anganwadi workers are overburdened and they are poorly paid. The Government should increase their remuneration. I had to say so many things, but you are not permitting. It would be beneficial to include more essential drugs under the DPCO to better support the common people and middle-class families. As regards reducing the cost of three anti-cancer drugs that are rarely used, it is so costly that even with upper exemption limit it will not be affordable for the poor people. Protecting doctors from violence is an urgent priority. The Government should consider installing CCTVs and recruiting additional security personnel, which is the need of the hour. All of you know that there has been a notable increase in digital services and online consultation, especially during the COVID-19 outbreak. But the National Digital Health Mission did not receive any additional funds in this Budget. The Tele-MANAS is also being neglected by this Government. The mental disorder is 10.6 per cent and there is a treatment gap of 70 to 90 per cent. So, the Government should think to keep Tele-MANAS on priority and more psychiatrists and psychologists should be trained under the mental healthcare project. The National Immunization Programme, the National AIDS Control Programme, etc. are all suffering. The Government should think about all of them seriously. मैंआपके माध्यम सेमाननीय हेलथ और फाइनैंस कमकनस्टसुजी को बोलना चाहती ह ं कक गरीब और गांवों मेंरहनेवालेलोगों को सही रीटमेंट नहीं कमल पा रहा ह, ै उन पर आप ध्यान दीकजए। इसके कलए आप फण्ि को बढ़ाइए। आपका फण्ि केवल एम्स, कदलली और कवमहेंस के कलए नहीं है। आपराज्यों केगरीबों केबारेमेंभी सोकचए। धन्यवाद।