My only question is: What are the remedies against its misuse? You give me a cup of tea saying that it is Darjeeling Tea. That was not Darjeeling Tea. You give me something and make a fraud out of it. GI has turned out to be a big source of fraud. You can go on duplicating it. What is the remedy that you have?
Sir, my supplementary is: In the Budget 2020-21, the Railway Ministry decided to stop 30 projects launched by Ms.
Mamata Banerjee, especially in rural Bengal. This year, more than 8 Bengalrelated projects have received an allocation of only Rs. 1,000, including new lines in Lakshikantapur-Namkhana, Tarkeshwar-Mogra line, security of
seven stations in Kolkata. What is the reason behind depriving Bengal? सर, मȅयह जानना चाहती हूँिक पिÌचमी बंगाल के िलए क्यȗ केवल एक हजार रुपए का बजट एलोकेशन हुआ? Sir, my second supplementary is this. To run a bullet train, it costs Rs. 200 crores per km. A Dedicated Freight Corridor for daily essential items like sabji, chawal, gram, etc., cost just Rs. 25 crores per km. मȅयह जानना चाहती हूँिक इसमȂआप लोग डीएफसी को क्यȗ ज्यादा Ģायोिरटी नहीं देतेहȅ?
To be able to recruit more employees, we need to make the network more commercially viable. North-East is an agrarian economy and they cannot afford expensive freight. Will the government consider a way to make the freight rates more affordable in the North-East so that there is more demand and, in turn, there are more jobs?
Sir, my supplementary question relates to Starred Question No.218. How many permanent posts have been abolished from 2014 till today in the Indian Railways?
Sir, my Zero Hour mention is on delay and cost overrun in infrastructure projects. A lot of Central infrastructure projects, from smart cities to roads, to railways and petroleum projects are currently in operation. However, the
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation’s data shows that out of 1514 projects, as many as 713 projects were delayed as of June, 2022. The total cost overrun for them was 22 per cent higher than their original cost. It further showed that the gestation period has not been reported.The project agencies are not reporting revised cost estimates and commissioning schedules for many projects, which suggests that time or cost overrun figures are under-reported. The average time or cost overrun for these delayed projects is 42 months. Sir, in West Bengal alone, there are 11 projects delayed by five years and above. The Raniganj master plan, the Durgapur-Haldia gas pipeline
project, Tarakeswar-Bishnupur new broad-gauge railway line and construction of metro railway links from Baranagar to Barrackpore to Dakshineswar are some of them. The reasons for time overrun, as reported by various agencies, include covid-19 disruption, labour shortage, inflation, delay in release of funds by the Government, lack of infrastructure support and linkages, delay in tendering, ordering and equipment supply and law and order problems. Sir, the Government should hasten the implementation of these projects, and this can be possible only if there is faster release of funds from the Centre as well as availability of abundant labour is ensured. Hence, I urge upon the Government to look into this important matter and take necessary action.
Sir, the Family Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2022 is an important Bill but the way the Opposition is being treated, we want to walkout, in protest.
Sir, I have a point of order. : Sir, there is no intention to intentionally disrupt the House by raising a point of order. You please give me a chance and after that. Sir, you are supreme in this House, so, you will also pass your judgement on this point of order, I am raising, Sir, related to what you just said about three minutes ago. Sir, my point of
order today is under Rule 187 but read in conjunction with Article 105 of this book. This is called the Constitution of India. So, first let’s get to Rule 187 based on what you said. Right! So, Rule 187 says this, and let me finish
reading and then you can say whatever you want. Rule 187, question of privilege, “Subject to the provisions of these rules, a Member, with the consent– your consent, Sir,– may raise a question involving a breach of privilege either of a member or of the Council, that is us, or of a Committee thereof.” That is the rule. You read this rule in conjunction with Article 105 of this very important book, Indian Constitution. Sir, now, read in conjunction with this rule. Now, this is important and you will appreciate, “Powers and privileges of the Houses of Parliament and of the Members thereof. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution and the rules and standing orders regulating the procedure of Parliament, there shall be freedom of speech in Parliament.” This is my point today. It is my right. This gives me my right. The Constitution gives me my right.Sir, what is this?
Sir, the CID team investigating the Jharkhand MLA case has been <video cuts> <interruptions> Please tell the Minister <interruptions by Chair>
Sir, I came with a mind to support the Central Universities Amendment Bill but after coming here I learned that officers of the CID in West Bengal were prevented by Delhi Police to raid the Jharkand MLAs who had taken money from BJP. They have been arrested here and the Delhi Police is not allowing our West Bengal Police to raid those persons. That is why we are protesting against this. Inspite of High Court orders they are not allowing us to search the names of Jharkand MLAs <interruption by Chair> Sir, that is why we shall walk out.
Sir, the new Forest Conservation Rules, 2022 are due to be placed before the House for approval. Concerns have arisen that these new Rules will make the process easier to divert forest and tribal land towards infrastructure projects, mining and other purposes detrimental to forest conditions and conservation. Concerns also arise of dilution of the historic rights granted under the Forest Rights Act, 2006 to tribal communities and other forest dwelling groups under the guise of streamlining of forest clearance approval processes, obtaining of collective decisions, and placing monetary values on forest tracts for less effective reforestation projects elsewhere.The Forest Conservation Act, 1980 worked to undo the colonial idea of forest as resources to exploit, and viewed them as heritage to be protected. Through this lens, the Act created stringent processes right up to the Union Ministry level which were to be followed prior to diversion of forest land. The Forest Rights Act, 2006 also worked to undo historic injustices to forest dwelling communities and gave them a legal right over their traditional homes and a say in the diversion of these lands. It is imperative that these protections continue to exist for the safety and security of the forests and tribal communities of India. I urge the Government to reconsider the issuance of the Forest Conservation Rules, 2022. Thank you.
