Author: aitc

Thank you, Sir, for allowing me
to speak during this discussion on the Demands for Grants of the Ministry of
Commerce and Industry. We are discussing a very crucial issue, which is
responsible for reviving the economy that has already suffered a lot during the
COVID-19 crisis and also due to some Government policies.
I would like to place some statistics before the House. India’s overall
merchandise exports both in goods and services is $ 497.90 billion in 2020-2021
as against $ 526.59 billion in 2019-2020. It has witnessed a decline of around $
28.65 billion in 2020-2021 registering a negative growth of 5.44 per cent. For a
period from April to December, 2021 imports are estimated at $ 547.12 billion
against $ 347 billion for the same period in 2020 registering a substantial
increase of $ 199.36 billion. माननीय सभापित जी, माननीय प्रधान मं
त्री जीहमेशा कहतेहैं– आत्मिनभर्र भारत। But is
it Atmanirbha Bharat or is it Import-Nirbhar Bharat? अगर हम सब चीन सेही इम्पोटर्
कर रहेहैं, चाइनीज़ टे�रटरी मेंभी आ-जा रहेहैंऔर चाइनीज़ प्रोडक्ट्स भी इं
िडयन माकेर्ट मेंआ
रहेहैं। क्या यह इम्पोटर्िनभर्र भारत है
? यह सरकार िडसाइड कर।
े
The overall (merchandise and services combined) export to GDP ratio is
on a declining trend over the last few years. In 2020-21, the ratio stood at 18.7
per cent. The ratio was 18.6 per cent in 2019-20,and 19.91 per cent in 2018-19.
Merchandise export to GDP ratio of 12.2 per cent in 2018-19 has come down to
11.07 per cent in 2019-20 and 10.94 per cent in 2020-21. Services exports’
contribution in India’s GDP declined from 7.7 per cent in 2018-19 to 7.53 per
cent in 2019-20. These figures show the real picture of the economyand that of
the country. यहांहम सरकार का िवरोध करनेके िलए खड़ेह�ए या नहीं, यह बात महत्वपू
णर्नहीं है। जब
देश क� जनता क� फ्यू
ल प्राइस और एलपीजी िसलें
डर खरीदनेके िलए पॉकेट कट रही है, जनता
को परशानी
े हो रही हैतो हम उनक� आवाज़ बनकर यहांखड़ेह�ए हैं। हम इस चीज का िवरोध करते
हैंिक आपइस परध्यान नहीं देरहेहैं। आम जनता को तकलीफ हो रहीहै।वोट लेकर जीतना अलग
बात हैऔर आम जनता के ददर्को समझना अलग बात है। मैंयही दरख्वास्त माननीय मं
त्री जी से
करना चाहती ह� A department in the Ministry monitors Intellectual Property Rights. As per
a report of the Department of Science and Technology, on R&D expenditure,
India spends a mere 0.7 per cent of its GDP, which is lesser than the other
countries such as, China, Brazil, Russia, and South Africa.
The logistics cost in India is higher in comparison with developed
countries and reducing it is crucial for bringing down overall cost in exports and
achieving a competitive edge in the export market. The Ministry has formulated
a National Logistics Policy to address logistical issues in a holistic manner.
However, the policy has not been finalized. I would request the Minister to
finalize and implement the policy as early as possible Sir, I come from West Bengal and my neighbouring State is Assam.
Welfare of the tea workers is not in a good condition. There has been
considerable reduction in the budgetary allocation from Rs.353.65 crore in
Revised Estimate in 2021-22 to Rs. 131.92 crore in BE 2022-23. I would want
the Minister to clarify on this injustice to tea workers of West Bengal and the
reasons for the decline in budget. Also, a Scheme – Pradhan
Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana – was proposed in the budget speech of FY
2021-22 but the same has not yet seen the light of the day despite the fact that
an allocation of Rs. 1000 crore has been made for the Scheme which aims to
enhance the quality of life of tea workers.
The Standing Committee of Commerce observed that there has been a
considerable shortfall in budgetary allocation of Rs. 8,348.00 crore for the year
2022-23 vis-à-vis demand of Rs. 10,267.45 crore made by the Department. The
Committee notes with concern that there is a massive shortfall of Rs. 1,919.54
crore which could have an adverse impact on the infrastructural projects and
schemes envisaged for the year 2022-23. The Committee is also of the opinion that serious efforts have to be made
to reduce the time taken for the patent examination, specifically in the field of
communication, computer, biomedical, food, biotechnology and textiles.
Lastly, we should take immediate steps to ensure that adequate number
of employment is generated in the country in this financial year of 2022-23 in
order to address this serious problem of unemployment in the country.

Madam Chairperson, it appears to me that this Government is actually not in a mood to run the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The Government seems to be of the opinion that it is not the task of the Government to run factories, like the United States. In the United States, the Government looks after only defence and external affairs and not any other department. Here it appears that the importance of this Ministry is gradually being reduced to a great extent. The Minister may say that it is not so, but we feel many things in our heart and we can certainly express them on the floor of this House, the sanctum sanctorum of democracy, with you adorning the Chair. Madam, the overall trade deficit in 2020-21 was USD 14.06 billion, which was less than the deficit of USD 76.43 billion in 2019-20. India’s services trade recorded a negative growth year on year. In 2020-21, this negative growth was minus 3.3 per cent in comparison with the previous year. Contribution of services exports in India’s GDP declined from 7.7 per cent in 2018-19 to 7.4 per cent in 2019-20. What important items do we export from India and what do we import?
We would certainly like to know about this from the Minister’s reply. We export engineering goods, gems and jewellery, petroleum products, drugs and pharmaceuticals, organic and inorganic chemicals, textiles, electronic goods, cotton yarn, handloom products, rice, and plastic. This is all mentioned in the Annual Report of the Ministry, a copy of which I have with me. The important items that we import are: petroleum, electronic goods, gold, machinery (electrical and nonelectrical), organic and inorganic chemicals, pearls, semiprecious stones, transport equipment, coal, plastic material, iron and steel.  महोदया, अभी नहीं, हम लोग वषर्2024 मेंउधर जाएगं े। Now I come to the countries to whom we export. येसब सामान िकन-िकन देशों में ज्यादा जाता है। The Commerce Ministry is an export-oriented Ministry. These countries include, USA, China, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Bangladesh,
Singapore, UK, Germany, Nepal and Netherlands. These are top ten export destinations. उसी प्रकार हम लोग कहां से सामान लातेहैं ? They are, China, USA, UAE, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Iraq, Germany, Singapore, and Republic of Korea. I am interested to know the position of these export-import items, and where do certain items, which once dominated the world market, stand today. I come from a State where tea is one of the best items produced. You may know about the Darjeeling Tea. The whole world accepts it as the best tea. The Tea Board Headquarters is situated in my constituency. I would like to say that this Tea Board has no Chairman since the last four years. It seems that the Tea Board office is gradually going to be taken away from Kolkata. Darjeeling Tea is
still the best tea in the world. We could have exported this tea. From number one position, it is gradually coming down. it is now positioned at number three or four. It does matter to me because I belong to a State where tea is being produced SEZ is being discussed here. महोदया, स्पशले इकोनॉिमक जोन मेंपि�म बं गाल के हालात पर केन्द्र सरकार कोई ध्यान नहीं देरही है। In India, SEZ is not at all up to the mark. I could not understand why this attitude is being adopted. SEZ is doing well in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. In a few other places like Gujarat, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, it is doing a little better. But what about West Bengal? SEZ could not ac Railways has more than 1,50,000 vacancies. I had categorically mentioned it to the hon. Railway Minister. He did not agree with it but I was referring to a Report of the Standing Committee, which I had Chaired for three long years. We had recorded positive reports, including a report on the high-speed trains, like bullet train. I do not want to go into that today. The Government has in its possession a number of Boards, like, Spice Board, Rubber Board, Coffee Board and Tea Board. There are a number of Boards. The Government has APEDA. It is a very important organisation. The Government has MMTC. I have already mentioned about Tea Board. The Coir Board is also there. The Export Council of India is also there. Madam, I am very much keen to know about India’s position inthe world market with regard to tea. Madam Chairperson, there is BRICS comprising of five countries namely, Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. This is an association of five major countries. These countries look after each other’s economic situation and also extend hand of cooperation. Are we really getting any economic support through the BRICS? Are we really extending our support economically through the BRICS? Recently, you must have seen how the NATO failed. In spite of being a
member, that country was attacked repeatedly. Similarly, as far as the BRICS is concerned, I would like to know what it is doing. Madam, as per the IMF, the global recovery continues but the momentum has slowed and was hampered by the pandemic. Pandemic outbreaks in critical links of global supply chains have resulted in longer than expected supply disruptions, further feeding inflation in many countries. In general, risks to economy have increased and policy trade-offs have become more difficult. The situation reflects a downgrade for advanced economies and for low income developing countries as well. How is APEDA performing? I have already mentioned about APEDA. The
APEDA is Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority. It is a very well-to-do organisation. It is a very powerful wing. I have the opportunity to come across APEDA when Shri Kamal Nath was the Commerce Minister of the country. We were involved in one of the APEDA programmes and we also went abroad. I do not remember the name of the country. The APEDA can play a major role as a potential alternative in this world. It has such a huge infrastructure. It is such a huge institution. It has big markets. After COVID-19, this issue can come up. Madam Chairperson, export policy is required to be activated here. How long do we have to import pulses, oilseeds, etc.? I chair the Standing Committee on Food, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution. It has now become one of the most important Standing Committees. Still, we have to import pulses, edible oils, and everything.  Ultimately, all this will come under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The Government-led industries are in a very bad condition. Our industries — which are public sector undertakings — are divided into four
categories namely, Maharatna, which is at the top level; then comes Navratna; third one is Ratna; and the fourth one is Miniratna. Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia has also mentioned about it. So, our public sector undertakings are divided
into these four categories. This Government is not hesitating to sell Navratna units, Maharatna units, and the profit-making public sector units as well. Without the public sector undertakings, what industries do we have? Industries
are dominated by the private parties. These are being controlled by Ambanis, Adanis, Tatas, Birlas, Goenkas
and by a group of people. But there are at least 250 Public Sector Undertakings, which my memory can recollect. Except few, all are facing losses. For this, the NDA had to create one Department. The name of that Department was Ministry of Disinvestment. Does it ever happen that a Ministry was named as Ministry of Disinvestment? Mr. Arun Shourie was the then Minister. We want to know about the attempts and efforts with which this Government is trying to motivate and set up industries. Without industries, we cannot create new job opportunities. The unemployed cannot be removed unless the big industry and medium scale industries are set up in the country.
Unless the State Governments are given a major support, they cannot build up their own industries. So, without giving major importance or a budgetary support to this Department, I think, even if any positive proposals are taken by the Government, those are not being able to fulfil the desire due to crunch of funds. So, this Department requires more funds for their operations and at the same time, unemployment is growing day by day. It is skyrocketing. So, is this Government prepared or ready to extend full scale support to this Ministry by giving more impetus? Madam, I have told that the golden era was in India when many Maharatna and Navratna type of Public Sector Undertakings made our head high. Today, we discussed about Civil Aviation. But it was not admitted by the Government that it has been sold to Tata. I was allowed to ask the question. The entire world knows that Air India was sold to Tatas but no response was there from the Government. If you are in a mood to go in this passage, why are you so hesitant? Why are you feeling shy? In this Annual Report, it is mentioned very categorically about the organisational structure and functions of the Ministry of Commerce, global economic and trade situation, trend in India’s foreign trade, foreign trade policy, EXIM trade, and major schemes, export promotion mechanisms, commercial relations, trade agreements and international trade organisations, special economic zones and export oriented units, specialized agencies, programme undertakings for the welfare of SC, ST, OBCs, women and disabled persons and so on. I hope the major issues, which have been placed in the preface of the Annual Report, each and every item be explained, may be short, but all replies require immediate attention of the Government and equally on the Opposition of this side.
So, as such, the way this Budget has been Tabled, I cannot support the Budget.

Madam, I want to say that more than one crore bidi workers make bidi for their livelihood in West Bengal, including
Birbhum District. Most of them are women and old men. These bidi workers need no educational qualification. They are very poor and needy. They have to work in unhygienic condition. I want that the Central Government should stand by them with all kinds of help such as making home for them, accidental death benefit, pensions for the
unorganized sector workers, etc. Through you, I appeal to the hon. Union Labour Minister to fulfil the crying
needs of the bidi workers which they can have as benefits and facilities from the Central Government. Thank you, Madam.

Madam, there are more than 40,000 women in India who have been abandoned by their non-resident Indian
husbands. In more than 50 per cent of the cases, women are also harassed by their husbands’ families. The National Commission for Women received 2,846 complaints from women who had been abandoned between 2017 and 2021. The Standing Committee also noted that there are 5,298 complaints related to NRI marital grievances. According to the provisions of the Registration of Marriage of Non-Resident Indians Bill, 2019, every NRI who marries an Indian or another NRI will have to register the marriage within 30 days. In case the person fails to do so, the passport authority may seize his passport.

Thus, I would request the Minister of External Affairs, through you,
Madam, to make sure that the Bill is brought in the Upper House at the earliest,
and turned into a full-fledged law.

Respected Sir, I would like to raise certain issues regarding MGNREGA in my Birbhum constituency. About 50 odd staffs are not getting any salary for the last 2 months and not only in Birbhum, but this number is very high in other parts of West Bengal as well. Even those who have received salary, their P-tax and EPF have not been deposited so far. Secondly, the unskilled labourer, belonging to the general category who do hundred days work are also not getting their wages for last 6 months. So they will be compelled to stop work, there is no other option. There are about 4.5 lakh job card holders in Birbhum who are working, but out of the 1.5 crore man-days earmarked in the budget, not more than 33.33 days of work are being allocated per family. Though there is a demand of 50 days of work on an average in the district. Sir, we come to Parliament as the representatives of the common people who
come to us with their demands and aspirations. They hope that we will solve all their problems. Thus my request to Honourable Minister is that these problems may be solved as early as possible. If the issues are addressed, then the difficulties of the people of West Bengal, particularly those of my Birbhum constituency may be done away with.
And it may also help the representatives like us to redress their grievances easily and effectively. Thank you Sir.

आप एक दिनट के दिए रूदकए। िैंथोड़ा बोिना चाहता ह ।ूँ… (व्यवधान). Sir, in Birbhum district, one murder took place and the name of the person who was killed was Bhadu Sheikh. He was the Deputy Chairman of a municipality town and he belongs to our Party. He was killed and murdered.… (Interruptions). He was an Up-Pradhan. This is not a fight between two political parties. It is not that our fight is with BJP or our fight is with Congress or CPM. It was an internal fight amongst the families itself. … (Interruptions). The matter has been reviewed by the hon. Chief Minister with high level officials. … (Interruptions). 20 persons have been arrested till now. … (Interruptions). I have asked for an appointment with Amit Shah Ji also. … (Interruptions). We want to meet him. We will tell him in detail. …
(Interruptions). It is expected that anytime we may be called for. … (Interruptions). I will say that let the culprits be arrested. … (Interruptions). All punishments be given. … (Interruptions). The Chief Minister has fully assured
… (Interruptions). It is not a political fight between any two political parties … (Interruptions). आप सभी साांसिों सेिेरा अनरुोध हैदक इसको िेकर आप राजनीदत ित कीदजए।

Sir, I feel that Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia is very articulate. I appreciate his performance and his style of reply. But I am surprised to see that the Tata Group has taken lease against Rs.18000 crore, which has not been mentioned in the Budget Speech. Why has it not been mentioned? Sir, when we board the aircraft, Shri Ratan Tata’s voice message of 25 seconds is floated amongst the passengers in which he asks for the cooperation of all the persons. I would like to tell one thing. There may be a feeling that I am talking against Shri Ratan Tata. It is not so. We are in favour. Air India has been leased out to Shri Ratan Tata. I support it. Shrimati Mamata Banerjee has supported it but with one or two conditions. Please see that nobody loses his job. ककसी को नौकरी सेमत हर् इए।हम रेबांग ल मेंनेत जी सभु ष चन्र बोस इांर्रनेशनल एयरपोर््के न म पर आप र ज्य सरक र को, मझु को और अधीर रजां न चौधरी जी को ह थ जोड़कर अपनी डटयूर्ी छोड़
दने ेक क म मत कररए। नेत जी सभु ष चन्र बोस जी को आपकीबीजेपीप र्ी नेभीबहुत ऊपर उि ने क क म ककय ह, ैइसकलए हम बहुत खशु ह, ैंक्योंकक वह हम रेबांग ल सेह।ैंनेत जी सभु ष चन्र बोस के न म पर आप कुछ तो कररए। स रेदशे व सी आपक अकभव दन करगेंे। हम रेबांग ल मेंछोर्े-छोर्े एयरपोर्ट्स- च हेम लद हो, च हेकूच कबह र आकद हों, इनके कलए भी आप थोड़ अलॉर्मर्ें कीकजए।
Sir, according to my long experience of 50 years in politics, my feeling is that the eastern region of India is the worst sufferer of regional imbalances after Independence. च हेबांग ल हो, कबह र, असम, ओकडश य कत्रपरु हो, दशे केइतनेर ज्यों केब रेमें यह ां चच ्हो गई, लेककन बांग ल केब रेमेंचच ्यह हुई कक मैंऔर अधीर एक स थ हो ज एांऔर उनके कलए कुछ जमीन कनक ल दी ज ए। I was not waiting for this Budget. I want to hear from Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia what the settlement was, and how Shri Ratan Tata agreed to take on the lease. How much money did this Government have to pay to clear their dues? After clearances of dues of more than Rs. 91,000 crore, Shri Ratan Tata agreed to take it up. I appreciate Shri Ratan Tata’s attitude. Let him carry on the airways in a bigger way. We are in support. But the Government must not hide the truth. This is my request to Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia.

I would like to take the opportunity to express the pain of the people of Baneshwarpur which falls under my parliamentary constituency area. The said region is in urgent need of either a level crossing or an underpass road. This is so because the only mode of crossing the railway line is literally by foot. This is the major cause of concern for people of all age group specially children, pregnant women and senior citizens. Due to the absence of a proper means of crossing the railway line, numerous accidents have taken place. These have resulted in severe outcome and unfortunately deaths in some cases.Thus, I would sincerely request the Hon’ble Minister of Railways through you
to build a level crossing at Baneshwarpur which is located between Hoglaahaat and Dakshin Bararal Railway station at Sealdah south to Namkhana line.