Author: aitc

Saket Gokhale’s supplementary question during QuestionHour on the steps being taken by the Railways to reduce overcrowding in trains

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Sir, through you, I would like to inform the hon. Minister that there are constant reports and complaints on social media from passengers regarding overcrowding in general compartments of trains and that unreserved passengers have now begun travelling in Sleeper and 3-Tier AC coaches. I just want to ask the hon. Minister as to what steps the Railways are taking to reduce overcrowding in trains and how does the Railways plan to increase the passenger capacity, since it is clear today that the number of passengers far exceeds the available capacity. Sir, it is related to the Railways. The questions have been asked earlier also about things which are not related to the main question. Sir, in the answer, he has given his election speech.

Sukhendu Sekhar Ray’s intervention during Question Hour regarding the need for the Railway Minister to give appropriate replies

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Sir, according to the Minister or the Chair, the question that was put by hon. Member of my party may not be related with the main question. The Minister could have said that since is not related to the question, he will not answer it. Instead of that, in an excitement, he said that there should be an orientation course for the new Member, etc. He said it. Sir, I am not supporting what my Member has said. But that does not mean… Sir, I am pointing out

Md Nadimul Haque’s speech during the discussions on The Jammu and Kashmir Local Bodies Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, The Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024 and The Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024

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Sir, thank you for allowing me to speak on the Jammu and Kashmir Local Bodies Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024. हां, 6 िमनट मैंबोलूंगा और 6 िमनट जवाहर सरकार जी बोलेंगे। ‘आसान नहीं हैमुझेपढ़ लेना, लफ्ज़ों की नहीं जज़्बातों की िकताब हूं मैं।’ جناب محمد ند می الحق : ہاں، چھ منٹ ںیم بولوں گا اور چھ منٹ جواہر سرکار یج بول ںی ۔گے ٓ نہ ںی ہے مجھے پڑھ یل نا سانا لفظوں یک نہ ںی جذباتوں یک کتاب ہوں ۔ںیم Sir, I would like to remind this House of the hon. Prime Minister’s words in 2016. He said and I quote, “I want to bring back those days when the rest of India used to look forward to come and visit Kashmir. Kashmir has suffered a lot over the years. Generations have seen their dreams being crushed.” But since then, more people are suffering today and having their dreams crushed under this draconian regime. The Government appears to have perfected the art of projecting an illusion of normalcy while a tempest of unrest raises through the valleys of Kashmir. ‘तुमनेसमझा ही नहीं, आंख मेंठहरेहुए दुख को, तुम भी हंसती हुई तस्वीर पर मर जातेहो।’ ٓنکھ میں ڻھہرے ہوئے دکھ کو، تم نے سمجھا ہی نہیں، ا تم بھی ہنستی ہوئی تصویر پر مرجاتے ہو۔ Sir, I ask, if normalcy has been restored, why did the Government find it necessary to subject prominent opposition leaders of J&K to a twelve hour house arrest to bulldoze legislative measures? The Government stripped Kashmir of this statehood in 2019. The Supplementary List of Business on the J&K Reorganisation Bill, 2019 was discussed and passed on the very same day. In the last winter Session, the J&K Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill was introduced and passed in less than half a day. ‘लोग अपनेलम्हों को संवारनेकी खाितर, दूसरों की िंजदिगयों को बरबाद कर जातेहैं।’ لوگ اپنے لمحوں کو سنوارنے کی خاطر دوسروں کی زندگیوں کو برباد کرجاتے ہیں۔ Sir, if normalcy has been restored, why is the Union Government resorting to electoral gerrymandering in J&K where you manipulate the boundaries of an electoral constituency with the intent of creating undue advantage for one party? The revised electoral rolls have added 2.5 million voters who are non-locals. I ask again, if normalcy has been restored, why is it that the last elections to the J&K Assembly were held ten years ago. The elections have been conducted in Kashmir previously under insecure conditions as well. Governments under Prime Minister, Narasimha Rao and Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee held Assembly elections when deaths due to armed conflict were at their height in the State. Yes, Sir. Thank you. It has now become evident that the Government’s us versus others agenda has failed to win the hearts of Kashmiris. ‘हांठीक हैहर शख्स बद्दुआ नहीं देता, मगर देखो हमेशा िदल दुखाया नहीं करते।’ ہاں ڻھ کی ہے ہر شخص بد دعا نہ ںی ید تا، مگر ید کھو ہمیشہ دل دکھا ای نہ ںی ۔کرتے In reply to a parliamentary question in 2020, the Government admitted to not having assessed the loss to the tourism industry since 2019, neither was any information on revenue generation maintained. According to the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jammu and Kashmir incurred economic losses exceeding Rs.40,000 crores. Sir, on 7th February, 2024, a non-local man was killed by terrorists in Srinagar. This is the second terrorist attack of the year. In November, 2023, five soldiers were martyred in Rajori. Yes, Sir. Thank you. Sir, since 2019, Kashmir has seen month-long internet blackout and hour-long power outrages that have disrupted the lives of millions. Students, patients, small business owners, handicraft artisans have suffered. In Kashmir, newspapers have been forced to discontinue operations. . सर, मैंसब्जेक्ट पर ही बोल रहा हूं। جناب محمد ندیم الحق: سر، میں سبجیکٹ پر ہی بول رہا ہوں۔ Sir, Kashmir is the subject. I am talking about Kashmir. सर, अमेंडमेंट िबल ला रहेहैं, तो मैंकश्मीर पर ही बोल रहा हूं। جناب محمد ندیم الحق: سر، امینڈمینٹ بل لارہے ہیں، تو میں کشمیر پر ہی بول رہا ہوں۔ सर, मैंकश्मीर पर ही बोल रहा हूं। جناب محمد ندیم الحق: سر، میں کشمیر پر ہی بول رہا ہوں۔ सर, जे. एंड के. लोकल बॉडीज़ पर जो अमेंडमेंट िबल ला रहेहैं, वहाँदस सालों सेतो इलेक्शन भी नहीं हुए हैं। उस पर क्या नहीं बोलें? हमेंतो कश्मीर की हालत पर ही बोलना होगा। جناب محمد ندیم الحق: سر، جے اینڈ کے لوکل باڈیز پر جو امینڈمینٹ بل لا رہے ہیں، وہاں دس سالوں سے تو الیکشن بھی نہیں ہوے ہیں۔ اس پر کیا نہیں بولیں؟ ہمیں تو کشمیر کی حالت پر ہی بولنا ہوگا۔ सर, मैंकश्मीर की हालत पर ही बोल रहा हूं। جناب محمد ندیم الحق: سر، تو میں کشمیر کی حالت پر ہی بول رہا ہوں۔ सर, मैंयह कहना चाहता हूं िक, ‘मातम कीिजए, हमारी बेबसी पर, चाहकर भी राब्ता नहीं कर सकते।’ جناب محمد ندیم الحق: سر، میں یہ کہنا چاہتا ہوں کہ ؎ ماتم کیجئے، ہماری بے بسی پر، چاه کر بھی رابطہ نہیں کرسکتے۔ Sir, it is said that the first step in liquidating the people is to erase its memory, destroy its book, its culture, its history. Reference to the fact, that the J&K accession to India was based on the condition that the State would remain autonomous, has been deleted from NCERT text books. It needs to be rectified. Sir, in the end, मैंखत्म कर रहा हूं।

Santanu Sen’s speech in the Rajya Sabha during the discussion on the Interim Union Budget, 2024-25 and the Interim Budget of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, 2024-25

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Good evening madam. I am here to speak on the interim budget after listening to the election manifesto of Bharatiya Janata Party, just published by our Prime Minister in the form of thanksgiving speech on presidential address. Sir, when our learned Prime Minister, Mr. Modi took his oath for the first time. His motto was Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas and he had promised people that there Achhe din were just around the corner. However, the nominal increase in the budgetary allocation for welfare programs challenges the notion of Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas favoring the corporate entities. The finance Minister often claims that India has surpassed the former colonizer that is the UK. But unfortunately, the reality is that per capita GDP, India ranks 142nd, where UK ranks only 21st. As per the budget the gross tax revenue for financial year 2024-25 is 30 lakhs crores of, of which the corporate tax is only 26%. In 2013-14 it was 34%. This means the contribution of large companies to the country’s tax year has declined by 8%. Madam, the union governments in India accommodation are made for the excess of conglomerates, not for the aspirations of the ordinary Indian. The Union government’s differential treatment reflects not only how different Indians are taxed, but also how different Indians earn. In 2013-14, the top 1% of income taxpayers and 17% of total income, and in just eight years it has become 23%. While inflation was scarcely mentioned by our Finance Minister, it should be noted that food inflation is currently at the concerning of 7.7%. Additionally, it’s essential to acknowledge that real wages for casual workers have remained stagnant for four years and that there has been a rise in the number of workers who rely on agriculture. Despite the increase in budgetary spending, the overall public sector capital expenditure is estimated to decrease from 4.7% to 3.9% of GDP, indicating a mismatch between budgetary allocation and effective spending. Railways and roads have seen a drastic reduction from 24% in 1920 to a mere 4% in 2024-25. One contributing factor to this decline is the increasing indebtedness of our critical public entities, such as National Highway Authority of India, which as of February 28th, 2023, had a total outstanding debt of nearly 3.43 lakh crore. India’s position in the Global hunger index is 111 out of 121 countries. The government’s budget estimates and revised estimates for 2023-24 so that it spent less on agriculture, education, health and social welfare sectors than what it had initial budgeted for. Given this context, we approached the interim budget, but unfortunately the budget speech did not address these issues. Instead, it was filled with unfounded claims and promises of future prosperity. As we have seen few minutes back in the speech of our Prime Minister, which was also full of false promises made. In a speech, the finance Minister claimed that people are living and earning better than before, with even greater aspiration for the future. However, the government’s own PLF survey data says that a 25% reduction in real monthly regular wages between 1718 to 2023. Additionally, the sales of fast moving consumer goods, which is an indicator of increased incomes, faltered in the October-December quarter of 2023. The minister announced that around 40,000 trains running as part of the Indian Railway will be upgraded to one day, worth ignoring the real conditions of an average traveler. According to the Railway Minister, some 95.3% of total passengers travel in general and non AC sleepers, while only 4.5% travel in AC coaches. Yet the focus is on Vande Bharat. Madam. As per the CAG report of 2022, the combined shortfall in the money needed for the renewal of tracks amount to around 1.03 lakh crore. The tragic train accident of Balasore should have been avoided if the Anti-collision device should have been taken care of, which was earlier initiated by our then Railway Minister, Madam Mamata Banerjee. BJP engaging in fiscal federal terrorism because they cannot fight Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congress in Bengal. They owe 6900 crore under NREGA project, 9000 crore for Awas Yojona, 7000 crore for paddy procurement of inefficient. Overall due is nearly 1.16 lakh crore. Bengal Chief Minister had promised that she would double the income of the farmer. When she became chief Minister in 2011, it not only double, it has been made triple. On the contrary, Prime Minister promised to make it double in 2014. Now he is saying that it will be double in 2028. That is very unfortunate. Sir, even the GST revenue growth is 24% of Bengal’s performance is much higher, which is the national average is only 12%. This announcement to pay the rightful dues of NREGA workers by our Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from our own state funds will change the federal outlook, which she has decided very recently. The Union government may try hardest to change the idea of India, but the All-India Trinamool Congress will fight back in our state of West Bengal. Recently PM has spoken about cooperative federalism. Unfortunately he was talking if a pin breaks in the in the fate haat kya baitha rahega, lekin PM kaa kahena aur karne mein bohut farak hain. He only cares of those double engine governments and he hardly cares for the single engine companies like our Mamata Banerjee government. For the non BJP states agencies are ready. Governors are used. I must give credit to our Prime Minister because in reality, the price of everything has gone high. But one thing has definitely gone down that we all must appreciate , that is the life of the common people. The price of life of common people has really gone down. And lastly

Hum kahenge, baccha baccha gali gali mein puch raha hain,

Acche din kab ayenge?

Yeh fasist hitlari BJP kurshi chod kar jayenge

Jawhar Sircar’s speech in the Rajya Sabha during the discussion on the Interim Union Budget, 2024-25 and the Interim Budget of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, 2024-25

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Sir, with your kind permission, I start my argument against this budget by mentioning the first point that this is the budget that depends heavily on loans and debts. The fiscal deficit is a very innocent term, 5 .8% of the fiscal deficit for the current year, which translates to 15 .5 lakh crores of borrowing, and in this budget, out of 47 lakh crores, 17 lakh crores consist of borrowing. So you are dressing up with a neighbours banarasi saree and claiming that you are prosperous.

Sir, in the last 67 years, the Government of India has borrowed just 56 lakh crores in 67 years, almost 70 years. This Government, in nine and a half years, has borrowed three times more. Today, India’s debt stands at 164 lakh crores, which is unprecedented and endangerable. We are in a terrible state where interest repayments have to be done, that is primarily because of the lopsided taxation structure.

The Indian Express mentioned recently that in the last five years, four years to be more specific, the personal income tax paid by people like you and me have gone up by 76% three times, and whereas corporate income tax, which suffered a cut anyway, four lakh crores of corporate income tax were limited, were lowered. Corporate income tax went up by only 24%. Where do you pay for developmental schemes. Where is the payment left for development schemes? You are paying 12 lakh crores of interest, you are paying 2 .5 lakh crores of pension, 6 lakh crores of defiance and a whole lot of unavoidable non -development expenditure comes to 42 to 43 lakh crores out of 47.

So what do we get by way of real development? What do we get for the poor? We get in thousands, we get NREGA of 86 ,000 crores whereas it should be at least double that amount. We get Awas Yojana, we refuse to call it PM Awas Yojana, we get 81000 crores against double that demand.

When we talk of such developmental schemes our immediate attention is drawn to the manner in which West Bengal has been purposely targeted only for the fact that the people of West Bengal rejected Mr. Modi and Mr. Shah, who came 22 times to campaign. People of West Bengal were made to pay for the sin of having rejected the BJP. How much is this? 1.15 lakh cross is due to us. Just now, the honorable Prime Minister mentioned that if I get a pain in the leg, my hand goes to see it. Every part of India is the same for us, but here is a figure that I’m reading out. 1.5 lakh cross deliberately stopped, Mr. Prime Minister of State for Finance, deliberately stopped out of which PMAy was used in a 9 .33 thousand crores, NHM 933 crores, Gram Sarak 770 crores, Swachh Bharat 350 crores, a total of 1.15 lakh crores of dues to the state have been purposely, deliberately, maliciously, malevolently stopped, so that the people of Bengal cannot have any form of garib livelihood, 100 days labor. They are deprived of water, they are deprived of toilet through Swachh Bharat, they are deprived of health facility through National Health Mission, they are deprived of everything.

Unemployment has reached such a stark level that this government is in complete denial. More than 50 percent of the 140 crores Indians belong to the below 25 years. And what is the state? Because, this government refuses to release figures of the consumer expenditure survey for the last10 years, we have to get figures from other impartial bodies.

At the CMIE’S last December report says, that 45 percent of the youth below 25 are unemployed, it’s they who will teach you a lesson, it’s they who will teach the government a lesson. Where the labor participation ratio is concerned, 37 percent of women in India are in that force which is two thirds of Indian women are deprived of any active and positive labor contribution. Sir, I keep on record that, this is the worst in the world excepting timp of republics and this government is on denial mode.

On every sector of possibilities they have cut down the budget. In Education budget has been cut by seven percent, in Health it should be at least three percent. Every respectable country of the world has above three percent and the government of India’s contribution is not even 40 percent of three percent, that is they have not even given 3.5 lakh crore. There is a deliberate slight on education, on public health, on garib welfare so that plutocracy the rule of the rich can thrive from the support in whatever manner they receive from the government for many various benefits like leasing of airports at …. prices and covering them up with committee report. This state can not go out, this budget requires ……….

AparupaPoddar’s speech in Lok Sabha during the General Discussion and Discussion and Voting on Demands for Grants on Account on the Interim Union Budget and Interim Budget of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir for 2024-25, and Discussion and Voting on Supplementary Demands for Grants for 2023-24

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Thank you, hon. Chairperson, Sir. Sir, I rise here to speak on behalf of my All India Trinamool Congress Party on Interim Budget 2024-25. Sir, in 2014, we all have been listening to one mantra of this Modi Government which is ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’. I want to ask one thing to the hon. Finance Minister. Whose vikas are you talking about? Is it of the one per cent, the richest of this country who control the 40 per cent of the country’s wealth, or of 2,623 wilful defaulters who had not paid their outstanding amount of Rs. 1,96,049 crore? Well, let me be very clear that you are not definitely talking about the vikas of the farmers. I say this because today the real wage of an agricultural labourer is just Rs. 200 per day. It means only Rs. 6,300 per month. इसमेंवेरोर्ी, िाि, चावि और बच्चों कीपढ़ाई कैसेिेंगे? Sir, in this Budget, under major Union schemes, funds for Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations have been slashed by 39 per cent. In fact, the Government could not use 52 per cent of the funds under this Scheme. The Finance Minister talked about Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana in her speech but ended up by reducing the amount for this scheme by 21 per cent compared to the last year. In West Bengal, Chief Minister Ms. Mamta Banerjee has tripled the farmers’ income. In fact, for being truthful, for working hard, for delivering on her promises, how has this Government rewarded her by starving the State of West Bengal of the rightful dues? I will remind the Finance Minister about the funds which are still due to the State of West Bengal, which include Rs. 9,330 crore under the Awas Yojana, Rs. 6,900 crore under MGNREGA, Rs. 7000 for paddy procurement under NFSA. The total dues to West Bengal including GST compensation, cyclone relief, National Health Mission, Performance Grants and others amount to over Rs. 1 lakh crore. Sir, funds for Regional Connectivity Scheme, AMRUT Scheme, Smart City Mission have been slashed by 60 per cent to 35 per cent. In the Ministry of Civil Aviation, funds have been slashed to 26 per cent. What has happened to the dream of Pradhan Mantri? प्रधान मंत्री जी का सपना था लक चप्पि पहननेवािा भी हवाई जहाज मेंउड़ सकिा है। क्या यह लसफड जमुिा ही रह गया है? परसों ही मैंनेकिकिा स जयपरु के लिए इकोनॉमी क्िास की फ्िाइर् िी थी, लजसमें25 हजार रुपयेलिए गए। अगर इकोनॉमी क्िास की लर्कर् के लिए 25 हजार रुपयेिेसकिेहैंिो हवाई चप्पि वािा साधारण इंसान फ्िाइर् मेंकैसेजा सकिा है? हमारेप्रधान मंत्री जी नेअपनेभार्ण मेंबहुि अच्छी बाि कही लक उन्होंनेप्राइस को कं ट्ोि कर लिया है। यह अच्छी बाि है? अगर यही अच्छी बाि हैिो वर्ड2014 मेंहम िोग 24 रुपयेप्रलि लकिो पर चावि िेिेथेऔर आज वह 42 रुपयेप्रलि लकिो हो गया है। वर्ड2014 मेंगेह ं15 रुपये प्रलि लकिो पर िेिेथेऔर आज 28 रुपयेप्रलि लकिो हो गया है। … प्याज 16 रुपयेलकिो िेिेथेऔर आज 37 रुपयेप्रलि लकिो हो गया है। एक पैकेर् ब्रेर् और िूध 100 रुपयेहो गया है। आम गहृ णी की रसोई पर इन िोगों नेधावा बोि लिया आप नारी शलि की बाि करिेहैं, िेलकन आप बिाइए लक भारिीय जनिा पार्ी की सरकार 80 परसेंर् राज्यों मेंहै, जहांपर एक भी मलहिा मख्ुयमंत्री नहीं है, एक भी मलहिा गहृ मंत्री नहीं ह, ै एक भी लवि मंत्री नहीं है… िेलकन आज आप मलहिाओंके लिए लकिना बोििेहैं? िस साि पीछेचिेजाइए िो पलिम बंगाि मेंसश्रुी ममिा बनजी मलहिा मख्ुयमंत्री, िलमिनार्ुमेंजयिलििा जी, आपके गजुराि मेंआनंिीबेन पर्ेि जी और आपके राजस्थान मेंवसंधुरा राजेजी मख्ुयमंत्री थीं … इन्होंनेसरकार अच्छेसे चिायी है।… आप िोग पालिडयामेंर् मेंमलहिाओंके लिए लबि िािेहैं, ‘बेर्ी पढ़ाओ, बेर्ी बचाओ’ का नारा िगािेहैं, िेलकन ग्राउण्र् ररयलिर्ी कुछ और है। आज भारि मेंलसफड एक मलहिा मख्ुयमंत्री ह, ैलजसका नाम सश्रुी ममिा बनजी है। … : आए लिन भारिीय जनिा पार्ी के एमपी, एमएिएज़ हर रोज ममिा बनजी जी को खरी-खोर्ी सनुा रहेहैं।… क्यों? क्योंलक वेअच्छा काम कर रही हैं।… (व्यवधान) क्या आप िोग मलहिा मुि भारि चाहिेहैं? इसलिए ममिा बनजी जी को गिि बोििेहैं… आपकी जो मलहिा मिु भारि की मंशा है, वह कभी साकार नहीं होगी।…

Saugata Roy’s speech in Lok Sabha during the General Discussion and Discussion and Voting on Demands for Grants on Account on the Interim Union Budget and Interim Budget of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir for 2024-25, and Discussion and Voting on Supplementary Demands for Grants for 2023-24

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Sir, I rise to speak on the Budget, though this… Finance Minister is not there to listen to our speech. The Finance Minister of the Pradhan Mantri. They do not think it is necessary. I will speak about you, Mr. Vaishnaw. Wait a little. The Finance Minister has given a statement which is provoking all the States. Sir, you know that Tamil Nadu has backed Kerala suit in the Supreme Court्‌ against्‌ the्‌ Centre’s्‌move्‌ to्‌stifle States. Karnataka CM is leading a march to Delhi. West Bengal Chief Minister held a dharna for two days demanding money for MNREGA. Its allocation was Rs.1,11,000 crore in 2020-21. Now it has come down to Rs.86,000 crore. So, for the poorest of the poor, there is no money. Not only that, under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, 10 crore landholding farmer families were getting Rs.6,000 per year. There was an expectation that it would be raised to about Rs.9,000. But that has not been done. They believe that they are already coming to Government. I want to remind them that in 2004 – you were here in the Parliament – they्‌gave्‌the्‌slogan्‌‘India्‌ Shining’.्‌्‌Shri्‌Vajpayee preponed the election. What happened? BJP lost. Do not take the people of the country for granted. अभी सेबोल ददया दक हम जीिेंगे। It is not wise. I want to tell the Finance Minister that every day you are saying that Opposition-ruled States are not cooperating in the Railway projects. You had said that West Bengal does not seem interested in new Railway projects. I totally condemn your statement. The metro projects which were started in 2010 when Mamata Banerjee was the Railway Minister have not been finished yet. The Railway Minister is only interested in Vande Bharat trains, fast trains at high cost, denying the poor. This is my point against this Government. If you see the Budget speech – you are a very careful reader of the Budget speech – you will not find certain words. Minority is not mentioned; working class is not mentioned. Even artificial intelligence is not mentioned. In West Bengal, 21 lakh MGNREGA workers were not being given their wages for three years. Then, ultimately we went on a dharna. We met the Prime Minister. Nothing happened. The West Bengal Chief Minister has promised that she will give their money by 21st February. So, this is what the Government is all about. Now, let me come to the Budget. One of the major jobs of a Budget is to make structural reforms in the economy. The Government has lost the plot. The major structural reforms were carried out between 1991 and 1996 when Shri Manmohan Singh was the Finance Minister. Tax structures were reformed between 1996 and 1998. Between 2004 and 2014, structural reforms were done in the securities market. After that, there was none. Yes, GST was a structural reform, but GST laws disrupted existing trade structures. Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) was a structural reform, but less than 20 per cent of the bank loans or financial credits are being recovered through IBC. So, IBC failed as a structural reform. It has been mentioned that there is nobody in the Government today who is able to think of policies which will benefit the economy in the next 10 or 20 years. There is nobody equal to Dr. Manmohan Singh. There are not even three officers in the Government including the Finance Minister who are acknowledged as world-class economists. They suspect anybody giving advice from outside. There is no competent economist in the whole Government. The Finance Minister did not mention about the rampant unemployment. She had not mentioned that 30,000 farmers and agricultural labourers had died by्‌suicide.्‌She्‌had्‌also्‌not्‌mentioned्‌about्‌women’s्‌low्‌participation्‌in्‌the्‌ workforce. Hon. Chairperson, Sir, you may also have noticed that social sectors have received a cut. You are interested in education. The Government was supposed to spend Rs. 1,16,000 crore on education but ended up spending Rs. 1,08,000 crore. Similarly on health, of the budgeted expenditure of Rs. 88,900 crore, the Government actually spent Rs. 79,000 crore. Social sectors are being cut in this … Government. Hon. Chairperson, Sir, the core of core schemes meant for the most disadvantaged sections of society such as SCs, STs, and minorities have witnessed cuts. The budget for umbrella scheme for development of Scheduled Castes is only Rs. 6,780 crore against the Budget Estimates of Rs. 9,409 crore. For minorities who are neglected under the Government because they are busy with the Ram Mandir, the fall has been sharpest. In 2022-23, Budget Estimates pegged the expenditure at Rs. 1,810 crore. As it turns out, that year the Government actually spent Rs. 233 crore, just 13 per cent of the budgeted amount. In the current year, the BE was Rs. 610 crore but the RE is just Rs. 555 crore. All the social sectors have received big, big cuts. Hon. Chairperson, Sir, the Government is interested in high-profile, visible schemes like Awas Yojana and sanitation. Apart from that, they have done nothing. They have promised one rooftop solar scheme. It also fell short. The Government will not be able to fulfil 10 per cent of its target in rooftop solar scheme. Shrimati Supriya Sule knows very well. One man was telling us that day. There has been a 61 per cent cut for UGC. Now,्‌ let्‌ me्‌ go्‌ to्‌ something्‌ else.्‌ The्‌ Centre’s्‌ subsidy्‌ on्‌ food,्‌ fertilizer and petroleum is to increase by 7 per cent to 3.81 millions. Personal IT, only personal income tax has saved this Government more than corporate income tax. Now, let us talk about macroeconomics. Between 2014 and 2022, GDP grew्‌at्‌an्‌average्‌of्‌5.6्‌per्‌cent.्‌But्‌India’s्‌growth्‌rate्‌was्‌even्‌higher्‌ from्‌2000्‌to्‌2010्‌at्‌6्‌per्‌cent.्‌Economists्‌say,्‌‘India’s्‌economy्‌would्‌need्‌ to grow faster than current 6 to 7 per cent rate in order to absorb the growing number्‌of्‌entrants्‌in्‌the्‌work्‌area’.्‌What्‌has्‌Shri्‌Raghuram्‌Rajan,्‌a्‌worldclass्‌ economist,्‌ said?्‌ He्‌ said,्‌ ‘India्‌ is्‌ poorest्‌ among्‌ BRICS्‌ nations.्‌ — BRICS is an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — It also has a much longer distance of travel before it reaches their level of per capita income’.्Growth has been good but it has to be set in perspective. What is the per्‌capita्‌income?्‌India’s्‌unemployment्‌rate्‌remains्‌high्‌compared्‌to्‌prepandemic levels. According to Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), it exceeded 10 per cent in October. Among young people aged 15-34 years, unemployment stood at 45.4 per्‌cent्‌in्‌2023.्‌Women’s्‌participation्‌in्‌the्‌labour्‌force्‌is्‌one्‌of्‌the्‌lowest्‌ in्‌South्‌Asia.्‌India’s्‌female्‌labour्‌force,्‌येनारी िदक्त केबारेमेंबोलिेहैं, लेदकन कोई जवाब देनेवाला नहीं है। यहाां केवल हेमामादलनी जी हैं, िायद वह जवाब देंगी। India’s्‌female्‌ labour force participation fell from 25 per cent in 2014 to 24 per cent in 2022. Women’s्‌ participation्‌ in्‌ India्‌ is्‌ lower्‌ than्‌ its्‌ regional्‌ neighbours्‌्‌ Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Sir, a lot of countries are depending on research and development. They are saying they will give one lakh crore rupees. Spending has fallen in the past decade. Share of research and development under this section has dropped to 0.7 per cent of GDP. It is lower than that of any of the BRICS countries. What is it for South Korea? It is five per cent. Ours is 0.7 per cent. What is it for Israel? It is five per cent. Ours is 0.7 per cent. Mr.्‌ Chairman,्‌ Sir,्‌ you्‌ edit्‌ a्‌ paper.्‌ India’s्‌ press्‌ freedom्‌ ranking्‌ is्‌ declining.्‌ You्‌ know्‌ what्‌ happened्‌ to्‌ NewsClick.्‌ India’s्‌ Press्‌ Freedom्‌ Ranking has dropped from 140 in 2014 to 161 in 2023, to just above Russia. We have come down to … level. … has come to this front page. He will soon take over all power. A free press is crucial to the economy. This was written by Yamini Aiyar. She is the CEO of CPR think tank. When somebody comes from outside to invest, he will find about press freedom… What? But this is true, Sir. I am saying about Putin. Sir, invisible person is doing all these mischiefs. सब अदृश्य िदक्त चारों िरफ चल रही है। Adhrushya Shakti, as Supriya ji correctly्‌pointed.् You know of an economist Pranab Bardhan. He is in Berkeley. He is one of्‌ the्‌ reputed्‌ economists्‌ of्‌ the्‌ world.्‌ He्‌ said्‌ India’s्‌ data्‌ may्‌ be्‌ overstating्‌the्‌country’s्‌performance.्‌इसमेंभी घपला है। Sir, Raghuram Rajan said another thing. Alongside an emphasis on building physical capital, there has not been enough attention paid to creating human्‌ capital.्‌ This्‌ was्‌ a्‌ worry्‌ given्‌ India’s्‌ unemployment्‌ crisis.्‌We्‌ are्‌ flying blind. It was said by Shri Raghuram Rajan. Udasi ji, you know about him. Is it without credible data on jobs? Malnutrition levels in many parts of India, in Odisha particularly in Kalahandi and in Bolangir, are higher than many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa which was unacceptable for a fast-growing economy. एक िरफ बोलिेहैंदक हम पूरी ददुनया की िीसरी रकैं पर पहुांच जाएगां े, लेदकन बलाांगीर-कालाहाांडी मेंसब-सहारन अफ्रीका सेभी ज्यादा कुपोषण ज्यादा है।… This was said by Raghuram Rajan ji, not by me.  It is quoted in the Economist which is more reputed magazine. Sir, The Economist of November, 13, 2023 said sluggish investment is holding India back… Investment as a fraction of GDP which exceeded 40 per cent in 2008 in UPA is now 34 per cent …I will give it just after my speech. I have papers with me. The money is not going into factories, researches or other parts of private business.  About 36.5 per cent of banks’ sanctioned funding is for roads and bridges and another 20 per cent is for power. For chemicals, the sanctioned funding is only 2.3 per cent. The chemical sector is an index of a country’s development. It has dropped from 3.4 per cent.  Foreign portfolio investment only recently turned positive after more than two years of outflows and Foreign Direct Investment fell by 16 per cent to 71 billion dollars in March, 31, 2023. As per CMIE, new announcements have crashed to a 20- year low reflecting insufficient animal spirits in the economy. The Indian business climate remains difficult. The touted tax changes have too many tires and too much discretion is in the hands of feared revenue officials. The playing field is not levelled, with a few local giants perceived to have gamed the system of 120 billion dollar worth of projects scheduled to be completed by March, 2023. This was the statement of Shri Eswar Prasad of Cornell University. The future is a fraught exercise. The country’s infrastructure still has many gaps in supporting a vibrant manufacturing sector. The education system is not equipping young people with the vocational skills needed for a modern economy. Job growth has been weak with little net employment in the manufacturing and service sectors. This will lead to risk of social instability. सर, क्या आपनेबैल बजाई हैऔर क्या मेरा टाइम खत्म हो गया है? सर, िो कमनट और िेिीकजए। मैंिो कमनट मेंअपनी बात खत्म कर िूग सर, आप कशि सेना के लीडर हैं, आप तो टाइम िेिेंगे। A few politically well-connected conglomerates have accounted for a significant growth, leading to a concentration of economic power. The unfinished reform agenda is taking a backseat. A well-functioning legal system, a free Press etc., are keys for maintaining investors’ confidence. Each of these pillars have been eroded. This Government is prickly about criticism. This Government is switching into triumphalist mood rather than pushing forward the uneconomic agenda. Sir, the biggest beneficiaries of India’s stock market boom are the political insiders. The best connected with all is Shri Gautam Adani who has a relationship with Modi I am quoting from The Economist Billionaire families like Adanis and Ambanis are Modi’s partners in State building. But they are globally competitive. India has failed to capitalise on rising labour cost in China. Bangladesh was more entrepreneurial and has higher GDP per capita.  India may benefit from diversification from China driven by national security consideration. : If I have said anything unparliamentary, I am ready to hold my ears and let that be expunged but I shall not take this … from the … In the World Bank’s Human Capital Index, which measures country’s education and health outcomes on a scale of zero to one, India’s score is 0.49 before Nepal and Kenya. Both are poorer countries. China scored 0.65 on a par with Chile and Slovakia which have higher GDP per capita. India has hundreds of millions of under-skilled youngsters. In 2019, less than half of India’s ten-year olds could read a simple story, compared to 80 per cent of Chinese children and 96 per cent of American children. India’s path is neither that of China nor that of the West. India might become the forerunner, rather gloomy model for populous low-income countries managed without a powerful, effective Government apparatus or globally competitive manufacturing centre. India’s growth has been debt-fuelled. In the current moment there is a natural fit between the “promoter” model of capitalism personified by Adani and Modi’s populism. This is said by Ashoka Mody, one noted man and an economist. He has written a book called “India is Broken”. सर, इसकलए मैंकह रहा ह ां कक कनममला सीतारमण जी का बजट लोगों को साांत्िना नहीं िेरहा है, लोगों की आकथमक कस्थकत को आगेनहीं बिा रहा है। केिल यह बोलना कक हम तीसरेनांबर पर आ जाएगां , े लेककन आधेलोग गरीबी मेंरहेंगे, यह कोई सॉल्यूशन नहीं है। इसकलए मैंइस बजट का किरोध करता ह ां।

Aparupa Poddar’s speech on The Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and The Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023

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Thank you, Madam. I thank my party, All-India Trinamool Congress, for giving me this opportunity to speak on the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023. It is a pleasure to see that this Government is finally giving respect to the Valmiki Community through the Scheduled Caste Order and the Koli Community and the Pahari Ethnic Group through the Schedule Tribe order. But, at the same, time, it is extremely disheartening to see what this Government is doing with the SCs, STs and OBCs across the Country. Has it been fulfilling the reservation facilities already in vogue in other parts of the country? Has there been any specific object to uplift the people of Jammu and Kashmir by the Government of India? That needs to be clarified. No specific projects or ideas have been tabled in the House to improve the lives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Only implementation of reservation policy will not serve the purpose. In the perspective of coming elections, this has been initiated by the Central Government. Provision of punishment for atrocities on backward people has not been highlighted. In 2022 alone, there were nearly 60,000 atrocities against the Schedule Castes and 10,064 atrocities against the Schedule Tribes. As per the NCRB data, the crime against tribals has been increasing year after year. Just in 2 years, from 2020 to 2022, there has been nearly 22 per cent increase in crimes against tribals. Madam, the gross enrolment ratio of SC and ST students at the undergraduate level is at 23 per cent and 17.2 per cent respectively whereas the national average is 26.3 per cent. As per the Union Government initiative, the Eklavya Schools are meant for the SC and ST students. But, still, 38,000 vacancies across the country have not been filled up. आप स्कूल्स बना रहेहैं, कॉलेजज बना रहेहैं, यूननवनसिटीज बना रहेहैं। अगर वैकेन्सीज फुलनफल नहीं होंगेतो पढ़ाएगा कौन? स्टूडेंट्स आएगं ेऔर पढ़ानेवालेटीचसिनहीं रहेंगेतो कैसेहोगा। Madam, even as per the recent data, we have witnessed that the amount allotted for the Union Government’s Umbrella Scheme for Development of Scheduled Castes and the Umbrella Programme for Development of Scheduled Tribes has been underspent. Sir, these schemes underspent nearly 28 per cent and 24 per cent of the amount respectively. मैडम, अच्छीबात बोल रही ह ं, आप सनुनए। अगर इतना अच्छा नवकास दस साल सेभारतीय जनता पाटी या मोदी जी की सरकार कर रही हैतो नफर येलोग इलैक्शन सेक्यों डर रहेहैं? दूध का दूध और पानी का पानी हो जाएगा। देश या कश्मीर की जनता तय कर देगी नक इन लोगों नेअच्छे काम नकए हैं। इन लोगों को, जम्मू-कश्मीर का स्टेटहुड वानपस करवा दीनजए। नडमोनेटाइजेशन के नाम पर देश की आवाम, जनता लाइन मेंलगी रही, नकतनों नेअपनी जान गंवा दी। आज तक टेरररज्म बंद नहीं हुआ। हमारेजवान आए नदन अपनी आह नत देरहेहैं। आप तो फैडरल स्रक्चर को हटिकर रहेहो, आहत कर रहेहो। नदन-ब-नदन इस तरह की घटना होगी, यह सही बात नहीं है। बंगाल मेंममता बनजी नेशैड्यूल्ड कास्ट एडवाइजरी काउंनसल सैटअप नकया हैजो अभी तक नकसी स्टेट नेनहीं नकया है। मैडम, एक नमनट देदीनजए। मैंएक नमनट मेंअपनीबात कम्पलीट कर दूगं ी। Madam, in fact, the Ministry spent only 20 per cent less than what they were allotted. We need more schemes for the welfare of students and also for the welfare of SCs, STs, OBCs and the minorities. We have started Kanyashree scheme which is benefitting 78 lakh women in West Bengal and which has been recognised by the United Nations. यह आप लोगों को अच्छा नहीं लगेगा। ममता दीदी की सरकार नेशैड्यूल्ड कास्ट एडवाइजरी काउंनसल बनाई हैजो नकसी भी स्टेट मेंनहीं है। हमारेदेश के महामनहम राष्ट्रपनत जी भी दनलत हैं, शैड्यूल्ड कास्ट कम्यनुनटी सेहैं। नया पानलियामेंट हाउस जब इनऑगरटे हुआ था, उसमेंवह नहीं आई थीं। कपूररया जी नेहम लोगों को नसखाया है। अगर सही मायनेमेंउन थॉट्स को लेकर आगेबढ़ना चाहतेहैंतो सबको लेकर चलना चानहए। इस तरह पागलों के जैसेनचल्लानेसेकुछ नहीं होगा। …