Tag: Kalyan Banerjee

Kalyan Banerjee speaks on the GST Bill | Full Transcript

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Full Transcript

Sir, broadly, we are supporting this Bill but we have some suggestions and some requests. Very closely, we have examined the provisions of the Constitution (One hundred and Twenty-second Amendment) Bill, 2014.

There are still some major concerns of the State that have not been appropriately addressed. We have a request to the hon. Finance Minister. It is to hear our suggestions and remove the difficulties since I have said that broadly we agree to this Bill. So far as the GST compensation is concerned, it was unanimously agreed that the State should be compensated by the Government of India for loss of revenue for at least five years. We are strongly of the view that this should be guaranteed by the Constitution itself.

Section 19 of the Bill as it stands today reads as follows: “Parliament may, by law, on the recommendation of the Goods and Services Tax Council, provide for compensation to the States for loss of revenue arising on account of implementation of the goods and services tax for such period which may extend to five years.” We suggest that in section 19 of the Bill, for the words, “Parliament may”, the words, “Parliament shall” be substituted.

Further, the words “for such period which may extend to five years” should be replaced by the words “for a period not less than five years”. In respect of inclusion of petroleum crude, high speed diesel, petrol, natural gas, and aviation turbine fuel, our stand all along has been that goods and service tax should not be levied on petroleum crude, high speed diesel, petrol, natural gas, and aviation turbine fuel at least in the initial period as presently these items are taxed at higher rates and constitute a major source of revenue for the States.

While it may be acceptable not to constitutionally bar levy of GST on such goods, the genuine apprehensions of the State about the revenue collection from such goods also need to be appropriately addressed. The proposed Article 279A for constitution of the Goods and Services Tax Council has the following provision relating to levy of GST on petroleum products: “(5) The Goods and Services Tax Council shall recommend the date on which the goods and services tax be levied on petroleum crude, high speed diesel, motor spirit (commonly known as petrol), natural gas and aviation turbine fuel.”Even though the Bill proposes levy of GST on such items from the date to be recommended by the Goods and Services Tax Council, it needs to be ensured that GST is not imposed on such petroleum products at least in the initial period of five years after the introduction of GST on other goods and services.

For this, our suggestion is that the proposed Article 279A may be as amended as I am reading: “(5) The Goods and Services Tax Council shall recommend the date, not being a date earlier than five years from the date of coming into force of the parliamentary legislation in accordance with Article 246A, on which the goods and services tax be levied on petroleum crude, high speed diesel, motor spirit (commonly known as petrol), natural gas and aviation turbine fuel.” In respect of the power of State to impose tax on tobacco and tobacco products, it is stated that the Centre even after the amendment proposed to entry 84 of List I, i.e. Union List of the Seventh Schedule shall continue to impose excise duty on tobacco and tobacco products. We urge that the States should be treated on a par with the Centre and they too should be allowed to impose sales tax over and above GST on tobacco and tobacco products.

Thus, the entry 54 of List II, i.e. State List of the Seventh Schedule needs to be appropriately amended. Regarding the proposed new Article 269A in the GST Bill, I would like to mention that since the revenue of the States will depend on the inter-state transactions, they must have the authority to verify the transactions. So, for providing a legal framework, it is absolutely necessary that the relevant enabling clause should be added to the proposed Article 269A as was earlier recommended by the Empowered Committee.

While we appreciate the partial release of compensation for 2010-11 of Rs.318.56 core in March 2015, it is felt that the balance amount of it, together with the compensation for the years 2011-12 to 2013-14, should be released immediately. This will help in creating the necessary goodwill between the Centre and the States and will provide the much needed comfort to the latter before introduction of the GST.

In 2010-11 the net compensation receivable was Rs.860.36 crore and the compensation received was Rs.540 crore and, therefore the amount pending is Rs.320.36 crore. In 2011-12 the net compensation receivable was Rs.1048.91 crore and the compensation received was nil. In 2012-13 the net compensation receivable was Rs.1336.50 crore and the compensation received was nil.

In 2013- 14 the net compensation receivable was Rs.1237.52 crore and the compensation received was nil. The total receivable amount was Rs.4483.29 crore and the compensation received was only Rs.540 crore and the amount due is Rs.3943.29 crore. Lastly and importantly, I would like to emphasise that GST can only succeed provided the States are financially strong.

This is particularly important to keep the federal structure intact and empower the States to effectively meet their developmental and infrastructural responsibilities. The Finance Minister of our State had earlier requested the Union Finance Minister and I believe a number of times these points have been placed before the hon. Finance Minister.

We hope that these suggestions are taken care of by the hon. Finance Minister. At the very threshold I have said that broadly we are supporting it but we are waiting. Since we are very happy to see your smiling face, we will also smile when we will get our dues.

Thank you

Trinamool supports GST Bill in Lok Sabha

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Trinamool Congress today supported the The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Second Amendment) Bill, 2014 in Lok Sabha that paves the way for Goods and Services Tax. Chief Whip of the party in Lok Sabha, Kalyan Banerjee said the party supports the Bill broadly, while maintaining that the States must receive adequate compensation.

“GST should not be levied on petroleum products. Apprehensions of States must be appropriately addressed,” he argued. Kalyan Banerjee added that States should be treated at par with Centre & should have power to impose sales tax over and above GST on tobacco products.

He also said, “since revenue of States will depend on the inter-State transactions, they should have authority to verify transactions.”

Click here for the full transcript

TMC MPs raise concern in Parliament over the situation in J&K

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Trinamool Congress MPs raised concern on the recent situation in Jammu & Kashmir in both the Houses of the Parliament.

Derek O’Brien spoke in the Rajya Sabha on the issue of the serious compromises on the security of the country and asked the Prime Minister to come and explain. “It is pretty obvious that the selfish convenience of politics has won over conviction. There was no conviction in that alliance and now the BJP and the Government have to come clear on this”, he said.

Full Transcript of Derek O’Brien’s speech

Kalyan Banerjee also raised the issue in the Lok Sabha and condemned the release of separatist leader Masrat Alam. “The way Masrat Alam has been released, this is deprecated. I don’t understand why the Hon’ble Prime Minister did not make any statement in public, despite that BJP and PDP government is running the Government in Jammu and Kashmir. This Central Government is having a tacit support in releasing leader Masrat Alam”, he said.

 Full Transcript of Kalyan Banerjee’s speech

 

Kalyan Banerjee speaks on Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, Resettlement (Amendment) Bill, 2015 | Transcript

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Full transcript:

Sir, today we are debating the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Amendment) Bill 2015.

Sir, at the outset, I on behalf of my party, through you we would like to inform that  we are opposing the Bill completely.  We opposed it on a point when in 2013 the Bill came that for the private enterprises, private industrialists 80% consent for purchase and 20% acquisition. That time also we opposed it, today also we are 100% opposing.

Sir, I am making it very clear to all of my friends here, please all of you from the core of your heart oppose the Bill for safeguarding the interest of the farmers of the country.

Sir, I will quote Rabindranath Tagore, “Jodi tor dak shune keu na ashe, ekla cholo re.”  In case, I do not get anyone with me, I will walk alone to oppose this Bill.

Sir, we have background of this. In 2007 when nobody raised voice, on behalf of the farmers when land was acquired at Singur  for  the Tata Project. Mamata Banerjee went into a fast for 26 days at Dharmatala, Kolkata, for protecting the interest of the farmers.  We have history of long struggle towards the interest of protecting farmers’ rights.

One of my brothers Suvendu Adhikari is also here witness to how Mamatadi fought for Nandigram. Suvendu Adhikari, who belongs to that place also fought for it.  We have politically fought for taking away the land of Nandigram with the then the Government firing and later it became a case for investigation too. Sir, at various places we are struggling for farmers’ rights from 2007 and today we are also protesting against this Bill.

Our friends just quoted Gandhi Ji. Sir, I would just like to quote, from a letter written by Mahatma Gandhi to Madanlal Gandhi on August 21, 1910, “I, for one, am a farmer and I wish you all to become farmers or to continue as such, if you have already become farmers. My way of life has completely changed here. The whole day is spent here in digging the land and other manual works instead of writing and explaining things to people. I prefer this work and consider this alone to be my duty.”

Sir, in ‘Indian Opinion’ on December 3, 1990. Gandhi Ji wrote about the farmers. I would like to quote it Sir, “Of course the farmer is the father of the world, but it is his greatness that he is not aware of the fact. Those who devote themselves to good works of any worth are not aware of about their goodness. Just as we breathe every moment, but are not aware about the fact. The good people by their very nature are impelled to give expression to their goodness.  They are not conscious that they deserve any credit. They do not care to be honoured.”

Sir, today by this Amendment, this honour of the farmers, the credit of the farmers of this country are being taken away. The right which has been recognised by the parent Act concerned in 2013 has been taken away. Even though we objected for 80% purchase and 20% acquisition, but Chapter Two and Chapter Three, which came due to a number of discussions in the House, between the then Minister and other political parties, today that right has been taken away.

Sir, what is chapter Two and Chapter Three? I will come to the details of chapter Three later on. In one sentence, Chapter Two speaks about the determination of social impact and the utility of the public purposes, which recognises the right of the farmers. Sir, the right is being taken away by this Bill.

Chapter Three is provision to safety and food security. This Chapter 3A is being taken away. So far this food security is concerned; we are opposed to any compromises. We are opposing to this by tooth and nail.

Sir, this Bill is in respect of provisions of Chapter Two and Chapter Three not applicable to certain projects. Sir, why should they not be applicable? Sir, it has been given that in case of defence infrastructure, affordable housing, industrial corridor and social infrastructure project including the projects under public-private partnership, where the ownership of the land will continue to vest with the Government.

By this process, the right of hearing of the farmer is being taken away. Earlier it was Article 13 (1A) of the Constitution. It has been deleted. Now Article 300A of the Constitution has come. This is a right of a property. Land is also a right of a property of a person. That right of property of a person is being taken away, without any hearing, without anything. How can I think about this? How can I reconcile the right of a farmer, a right of a land, a right of a property is being taken away totally without offering any opportunity of hearing. Unfortunate!

Sir, were these projects not there before? Sir, if you speak about the urgency, Section 9 of the parent Act speaks where land is proposed to be acquired invoking the urgency provisions under Section 40, the appropriate Government may examine, undertaking the social assessment impact study. Therefore, there was a provision. If urgency is there and if you feel that it is urgent, the parent Act has given power under Section 9. Why in general are you taking away the right of a farmer, the right of a hearing, the social impact assessment? Hearing should happen in public, municipality, gram panchayat and everybody should be participating.

What is the second impact? If the view has come, it is to be seen if it has a utility for the public purpose or not. That is being taken away.

Thirdly, valuable right of the farmers is being taken away, Sir.

Sir, if you read the first Section Three of the provisions is being included which is, “provided also that the acquisition for the projects listed in Section 10 (A) purposes specified therein, shall be exempted from the provisions”. What are you taking away? You are taking away special provisions to the Scheduled Casts and Scheduled Tribes. In the Scheduled Cast rank and Scheduled Tribe rank, in the parent Act, it has been given that acquisition should not be done in a routine manner. Unless, it is a rarest of rare exceptional case, you should not touch lands of Scheduled Casts or Scheduled Tribes.

By this Bill, itself; the Government is taking away the rights of the Scheduled Casts or Scheduled Tribes in case of their concerned land. It is not the case of the rarest of rare, it is the case of a general nature in character.

What was the object, Sir? Kindly see Section IV. It said, carry out a social assessment study in consultation with them. I referred the names already. In consultation with the names, it has to be given. Total social impact assessment, public hearing for social impact assessment, publication of social impact assessment, everything has been taken away.  There was an important provision in the Statute which is being tried to be diluted with this concerned Bill. That the expert group constituted on the sub-section I, is of the opinion that the project does not serve any public purpose, the social cost or adverse social impact of the project outway the potential benefits, this provision is being taken away. Ultimately, we have seen a number of cases where the acquisition has been undertaken but ultimately, acquisition has not been finalised. Farmers have not got back the land concerned. Once the acquisition has started, compensation has been paid; farmers are not getting back lands even if projects are being failed. Therefore, if this social impact study is not done, can you determine whether it is for public purpose or not?

With great respect to any Ministers, administrative officers sitting in the air-conditioned chambers, no one can understand what the public purpose is there. Public purpose has to be understood going into the field itself, whether the land really serves any public purpose at all or not.

Very importantly for which we have been fighting for long, regarding the food security, our leader repeatedly said, wherever multi-crop land is there, it cannot be taken. We faced this situation at Singur. Singur was a multi-crop land, Nandigram was a multi-crop land. One fine morning, one industrialist comes to Kolkata, wants to stay near Kolkata, he chooses a piece of multi-crop land and that multi-crop land is given to him for the purpose of industry. Why should he get a multi-crop land?  Why should he get it? The Section 10 has been diluted in this concerned Bill. Therefore Sir, this is totally nullifying.

Sir, Section X, sub-Section III, a very important right has been given to the farmers – wherever multi-crop land is acquired under sub-Section II, an equivalent area of cultivable wasteland shall be developed for agriculture purpose and amount equivalent to the land acquired shall be deposited.  Under the scheme of the parent Act concerned, wherever the land of multi-crop is there, if you take away you have to make an alternative land for the purpose of the farmers along with the all compensation. If this provision is also being taken away, then you have to lose everything. In this process, every right under Chapter Two and 3A, every right of the farmer is being taken away by this Bill. We are opposing this Bill.

Sir, through you I want to say that our Leader right from 2009, repeated tried and written note was given to the Government how a social system has to be introduced.  How the rights of the farmers, even in a case of compulsory acquisition, under sovereign function, how the government should do it. That time the Government sat with our Chief Minister and had discussed the matter at length. Almost all the suggestion of Chapter Two and Chapter Three is concerned, the then Minister accepted it. Here it was discussed and Bhartiya Janta Party then had supported the same.

To the Nation, I want to communicate through you Sir, Mamata Banerjee went on fast for 26 days, that time today’s Minister Rajnath Singh Ji for whom we are having great respect, he went and met her. He was with Didi that time spending nearly three to four hours. On that day, he spoke about the right of the farmers, so I do not understand today why Rajnath Ji is supporting this Bill. What he spoke in 2007 at Kolkata that was a reflection in 2013 Bill. Why the right is being taken away. What is the spirit?

I have great respect for Rajnath Ji. By the process, I want to make a humble submission to Rajnath Ji that you stood with us in 2007 for upholding the rights of the farmers. Today, the time has come for you to stand for the right of the farmers and give the right of natural justice, nothing more. The social impact system has two purposes, one, if it is very relevant for the public purpose then the fair compensation can be determined. For the purpose of determination of the fair compensation, Chapter II and Chapter III are needed. You are taking the right of fair compensation; you will give whatever the market value is given, by Chapter II and Chapter III. The basic formula of determination of compensation that is being fixed is being taken away.  I am opposing this Bill. Sir, it is really important that by this Bill itself, the basic structure of Chapter II and Chapter III is being changed. This Amendment is nothing; they are just nullifying the object, the reasons and the basic structure of Chapter II and Chapter III of the current Act. I understand that you have love for the corporate; I understand that you have to do only for the corporate. You are a Government for the corporate; by the corporate; of the purposes of the corporate. We can understand that part. But don’t do this.

I am a small man, you are such a tall man, you are a stalwart, I can appeal to you, Sir.  If I am right you will support the Bill. You also said that this Bill should be there. Why are you diluting it, Sir? Since you have raised this issue Sir, I have an appeal to you on that day the stand you had taken, take the same stand today also.  That is my appeal to you Sir, nothing more than that.

Right of farmers cannot be nullified at all.  Sir, I will finish with just one observation – an opinion of Gandhiji that was published in Hindustan Standard, on 6 December 1944, I quote, ‘”After all, this industrialisation of large scale production are only of comparatively recent growth. We do not know how far it has contributed to the development of our happiness but we know this much that it has brought in his wake the recent world laws. The second world war is still not over and even if it comes to an end we are hearing of a third world war. Our country was never so unhappy and miserable as it is at present. City people may be getting big profits and good wages, but all that has been possible by sucking the blood of villagers. We do not want to collect Lakhs and Crores, we do not want to always depend on money for our work. If we are prepared to sacrifice our lives for the cause, money is nothing. We must have faith and we must be true to ourselves.

Sir, this Bill is an attempt to suck blood out of the farmers of our country. Sir, the Government is having a social responsibility towards the country. The Government is not for purpose of making profit only.  The Government has to think for the people at large.  The Government has to think for the poor people first.  The Government has to give the priority to the farmers first, who are the backbone of our country.

With this Sir, I oppose this Bill 100%. All my friends and members who are present here, from your core of heart kindly oppose the Bill. I conclude in line with Mr Scindia, when tomorrow this Bill will come for voting, everyone please oppose this Bill. Tell the Nation this Government is Government for the corporate. This Government is anti poor government. This Government is anti farmer government.  This Government will sell the country to the industrialists, let us oppose this Bill.

Kalyan Banerjee raises concern on situation in Jammu and Kashmir | Transcript

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Full transcript: 

I have given a Notice early in the morning. This notice was for releasing the separatist and Hurriyat Leader Masrat Alam by the Jammu and Kashmir Government and the role of the Central Government in connection therewith and future steps to be taken thereof.

Madam, it is matter of great dismay, the day the Jammu and Kashmir Government has taken Oath, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of the Jammu and Kashmir Government is making, one after another statements which in effect goes against the interest of the country.

We have discussed that part. Earlier the Hon’ble Home Minister had also made a statement in respect thereof.  We had thought it would be stopped. In fact, after the Hon’ble Home Minister had made a statement, we had accepted it and did not say anything thereafter.

Now, Jammu and Kashmir Government is led by BJP and PDP governments and incidentally, the Hon’ble Prime Minister of our country also belongs to Bhartiya Janta Party.

BJP aur PDP ki Government chal rahi hai in Jammu and Kashmir. The way the person has been released, Masrat Alam, this is deprecated. I don’t understand why the Hon’ble Prime Minister did not make any statement in public, despite the BJP and PDP government is running the Government in Jammu and Kashmir.

This Central Government is having a tacit support in releasing in leader Masrat Alam.

If you are in the Government you have to take the responsibility. You cannot say, I don’t have any responsibility. You will enjoy being in the Government and how come you will not take any responsibility. Either today you admit that this Government is allowing these things going on in Jammu and Kashmir. Otherwise, humlog bahut baate sun liya hai 9 mahina-10 mahina bhar mein. Public ne bhi bahut baat sun li hai. Kuch kaam kijiye. Ab jab yeh accept nehi karenge, abhi toh BJP should resign from the government, if they do not accept this, to show they have not accepted it.

Parliament: Trinamool speaks on important legislations

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Trinamool MPs today spoke on important legislations in both Houses of the Parliament.

Derek O’Brien supported the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2015 in the Rajya Sabha. But he moved a Statutory Resolution on the Ordinance and slammed the Government for issuing a flurry of Ordinances in the last nine months. “Ordinance is passed when the Legislature is not in Session and immediate action is required. My contention is, Sir, it was not required to be introduced in such a hurry”, he said.

Full transcript to theDerek O’Brien speech

Derek O’Brien also raised the important issue of rising communal violence in the country during Zero Hour. He slammed the government for lack of progress in SIT probe on church attacks. He asked the government to clarify the number of communal incidents.

Full transcript to the Derek O’Brien speech

Kalyan Banerjee spoke on the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Bill, 2015 in the Lok Sabha and requested the Hon’ble Minister make a legislative scheme through which priorities could be given to PSUs of our country in the bidding process itself. “The committee felt that entire decision making process for distribution of coal blocks needs investigation and necessary penal steps should be taken”, he said.

Full transcript to the Kalyan Banerjee speech

Saugata Roy objected to the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill 2015 in the Lok Sabha. He spoke against hiking the FDI cap from existing 26% to 49%. “If you compare LIC lapsing with private industry, more than 99% settlements of the claims and more than 99% of death claims this is the performance of LIC. Now, the private sector Future Generali 49%, Prudential 42%, Reliance 38%, Bharati AXA 36%”, he said.

Full transcript to the Saugata Roy speech

Saugata Roy also raised concerns regarding how Centre has stopped funding under JNNURM scheme. He said,” I ask the Hon’ble Minister what is the exact plan for an alternative mission to follow up the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission which had done quite significant work 65 mission cities throughout the country.”

Full transcript to the Saugata Roy speech

Kalyan Banerjee speaks on Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Bill, 2015 | Transcript

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I would like to thank you for the opportunity. Madam, when this ordinance was introduced in this House I made my elaborate speech. I do not want to repeat the contents of that speech, but I just want to tell the Hon’ble Minister, yesterday I was hearing his speech regarding the auction and the scrapping of the coal blacks and the auction because of the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court.

Madam, I want to tell you that this is not the first time that the Supreme Court has said this. During the 15th Lok Sabha, the Standing Committee on coal and steel, in its 31st report in paragraph 5 has stated that “the committee noted that from 1993 to 2004 applicants used to identify coal blocks and used to approach the Ministry of Coal for allocation and their application was considered by the Screening Committee. The committee observed that most non transparent procedure was adopted from 1993 to 2010 for allocation of supply of coal blocks. Several coal blocks were allocated to a few fortunates without disclosing the same to the public at large. The natural resources and state largesse to few fortunate for their own benefit without following any transparent system for their own benefit. The committee was also surprised to note that between 1993 and 2004 no data was maintained by the Ministry regarding number of applications received by the Ministry of Coal, only minutes were maintained. The committee felt that entire decision making process for distribution of coal blocks needs investigation and necessary penal steps should be taken.”

Therefore, this issue was thoroughly discussed in a Parliamentary Standing Committee, and incidentally I was the Chairman of that committee. Madam you will be happy to know that all the members of that committee took a decision, unfortunately the decision was not implemented or accepted by the then Government, our Parliament was first to take note of that and then the Supreme Court has passed this judgement.

Therefore, with great respect to the Hon’ble Minister I would like to tell him that it is not the Supreme Court which has said for the first time but the Parliamentary Committee which had informed the first time to the country regarding the non transparent system.

Today, the Bill which has come, I on my party’s behalf and myself convey my heartiest thanks for the adopting a transparent system by way of bidding. I have nothing else to say as I was all for the bidding even before the judgement passed by Supreme Court.

I would be very much obliged to know from the minister the answers to the following.

Firstly, is it correct that in case of a coal block in the power sector are you going for reversal auction? If you are, then I will have to oppose. Because, in case of a reversal auction, Hon’ble Minister, you will appreciate and understand that the mines are the property of the State but by means of constitutional provisions, this Parliament is having to legislate the laws in respect of the mines as per the Coal Mine Nationalisation Act, coal mines have been vested to the Central Government. This is the constitutional provision, but State is the land owner.

Even in the case of reversal auction, I do not know what is in your mind because if the mines are located in ‘A’ state and state is going to participate in the auction no problem. But what will be a problem if the mines are located in ‘A’ state and ‘B’ state will take part in the auction too and gets success then the benefit will not go to ‘A’ state. If you do it, I will have to strongly oppose your bill because this is in contrary to the scheme of the judgement, which is to auction and get more revenue.

And if you study the matter from the very beginning, when the auctioning system was not there, no revenue was generated and not a single government received any revenue from 1993 to 2010 is concerned. But the private organizations have made their profit and this financial benefit that has been given has not been passed on to the people at large and consumers have not benefited. Thus, since the mines belong to the state, the people of that state should be benefited. That is what I want to say. Please try to appreciate this.

Secondly, in one classification you have stated ‘Specified End Use’ to which I have no objection. But under one head you have brought all ‘end uses’. Production of iron and steel, generation of power including the generation of power for captive use, washing of coal obtained from a mine, cement.

If you mention some coal blocks for the specific purpose only for 5ii (power generation) I have no objection.  But if coal blocks are only to be used for power generation then I have objection. Classification has to be made on some rational basis. Iron and steel and generation of power cannot be in the same category so there should be some rationality.

I need a couple of more clarifications from you. What would be an interim action after auction has been held as this operation to run  in fullfledge will take time, minimum one year will be taken even if I take the minimum. What would be the interim arrangement for this production of coal of those coal blocks and supply to power sector especially to the power sector? We are very much concerned about the power sectors. India’s coal is maximum used in the power sector, 80% to be precise.

That is why we are concerned as the power sector must get uninterrupted coal supply. If uninterrupted coal supply is not there, summer is coming, people will suffer due to power crises. Kindly clarify what arrangement has been made by you for this interim period.

Secondly, repeatedly it is being said because of the auction states are getting benefitted. Rs One lakh crore has come to you, how much you have given to the states? How much my state has got? When and what amount has my state got? Nothing should remain in air, make it reality.

Hum denge, woh honge, state benefitted honge, kab? 9 mahina to chala hi gaya. When are you going to give? Give the exact figure and the exact date on which date the state has received it. Our information is that the state has not yet received it. I had a talk with Mr Mehtab also. He has also said the state has not received it. All are in air. What is the proportion you are giving. What is the percentage the state is getting out of Rs one lakh crore. Percentage state wise kindly clarify.

Sir, I want to say another important point that this country developed decades after decades because of nationalisation of few public sector undertakings. We cannot forget the role of the coal industries towards development of this country. We cannot forget the role of the Steel Authority of India and other public sector industries. We may laugh today at the atmosphere and have affection for the corporates, affection for the privatisation.  I cannot be an intellectual unless I support FDI and bring FDI to the country but let us not forget that during the time of Indiraji two very important things have happened i.e nationalisation of coal and nationalisation of banks. The country has grown up on this skeleton.

My question is how PSU’s like Steel Authority India etc can run and compete with private competitors. How can this be expected as no financial commission is applicable to them. No compulsion, no statutory obligations, no accountability is there.

So I will request the Hon’ble Minister make a legislative scheme through which you give priorities to PSUs of our country in the bidding process itself.

Thank you Sir

Kalyan Banerjee speaks on Motion of Thanks on President’s Address | Transcript

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Full transcript of the speech: 

I wanted to appreciate the Presidential Address, but considering the fact that it is nothing but jugglery of words I am not in a position to appreciate that .It could be titled as “batein zyaada, kaam kam”, talk more work less.

The people of the country have seen that the Government has not been able to achieve what they promised during the last 9 months. We have seen their arrogance. Sir, few ministers have arrogated themselves with the power. Before I deal with the clause by clause of the address, Sir, we have long been pursuing for a waiver of the huge debt burden left by the previous Government in West Bengal. We have waited for more than three and half years with no results unfortunately the President’s address did not address our demand or grievance.

Sir, I want to point out that, we appreciate this, that the Government of India through the Ministry of HRD had published a message on the eve of the Marathi Matri Bhasa Divas on 21 February 2015 in one of the national English newspapers in 22 scheduled languages of India. For the Santhali language, Debnagari script is used instead of Ol Chiki script. The script of Santhal community is Ol Chiki script. Please take corrective steps in future.

Sir, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana it has started already earlier from Panchayat level. In every Panchayat and villages there is no bank. First take steps to open branches of the bank in every village. Sir, in West Bengal, Government has let out of houses to banks at the Village level at Re 1 for the benefit of the villagers.

Sir, under direct benefit transfer scheme, public is getting harassed. They are spending more money to get subsidy. Regarding school toilets we appreciate your view. In West Bengal it is almost covered. But we have a request to the Central Government to take steps for cleaning of toilets. Provide 1% to clean toilets.

Skill India is not a new concept. We have already made a good numbers of ITIs and Polytechnics. Out if 341 blocks in West Bengal, 100 ITIs and Polytechnics are complete and in 100 blocks are in progress.

Housing for all, we appreciate it. But you must clarify what do you mean by that? Housing for all means 125 crore people of the Country? Of one family member? If for one family then how many members? It cannot be a vague one.

So far financial benefits are concerned; financial benefits are being reduced by this Government. In 100 days work, they have reduced it from Rs 1.50 lakh crore to Rs 1 lakh crore. Instead of 100 days, it has gone down to 40-50 days. They have reduced the financial benefit also for construction of Gramin Roads.

So far Land Bill is concerned we are opposing it. Sir, we are very much clear. In 2013 also we opposed the Bill, because the cultivator’s rights cannot be taken away.

Sir, in 2007 our leader Mamata Banerjee fasted for 26 days for Singur near Kolkata. And I am not taking the name, one of the very senior stalwart leader of Bharatiya Janta Party had gone at that time and was with Mamata Di for a few hours. I convey my heartiest thanks to that leader on behalf of my party. I request that Leader, what you stood for that day; today also stand for the grievances of the cultivators. Do not take away the right of the cultivators.

Sir, churches are being burnt. Dharmantakaran is going on at every state. Man ka jo vikash hain, us man ka vikash mein dharm rahte hain. Dharam alag jaga mein nahin rahta hain.

During the Christmas vacation, I went to Turkey. I had one guide who told me that Turkey is a secular country. He told me that there are 98% Muslims in Turkey. I asked him, what is your religion? He told me that he was a Muslim. He also asked me what my religion was and I told him that I was a Hindu. He told me that our religion is the origin of all religions. He told that our religion has two important features which were, not to kill any life and the second one was to love each and everyone in this world. He said that he respects our view. Hinduism says to respect and tolerate all religions of the world. That is the foundation of the Hindu religion.

In Turkey, I was thinking that if the message of that Muslim guide could be conveyed to Members of the Ruling Party, our country would have gone in the correct direction and in the correct path.

Sir, I would request the Hon’ble Prime Minister, first decide your vision, then take your decision. Kindly, do not be a prisoner of indecision in this country in respect of religion, emotion and religious thoughts.

Works related to girl child is good, but what have you done? Are you asking for only advertisement, propaganda? What have you done? Rs 100 crore allocated to girl child’s benefit. In our State, our Chief Minister, only for one State, has allocated Rs 850 crore allocated for the Kanyashree scheme. If you want, we are ready to cooperate for the benefits of the women of this country.

I read, long back, during World War II, all citizens of the country had gone to war. One professor was in his library, studying. A soldier entered his library and wanted to kill him. When the professor asked why the soldier wanted to kill him, the soldiers said that all had gone to war for the country while the professor was in his library. The professor asked what the soldier meant by the country and the soldier described the country and the culture. The professor said, victory is our game, peace is preserved, history is made not in battlefields but in educational institutions. Education is the sea bed of culture. It has to be improved. But allocate money. Don’t go by prachar. Don’t go by advertisement. Go by work that will fulfill the purpose. We will request the Hon’ble Prime Minister. You have undertaken a job, finish it.

Someone was referring to Swami Vivekananda early in the morning. Kindly convey to the Hon’ble Prime Minister, if you want to build up, if you want to really help the girl child, allocate Rs 50,000 crore for that scheme, in that case it can be done, otherwise not. Otherwise the scheme will be advertisement for the purpose of the Government.

Sir, health is a State subject. Leave it to the State. But allocate money to State Governments so that they can work. During the nine months they are still running for the benefits.

Provident fund employee benefits are not being given to the workers at all.

Contracted laborers in this country do not have security in their employment. In the 15th Lok Sabha, the Standing Committee on Coal submitted a recommendation to the Government that whenever and contract laborer is there for a period of more than five years if it is of pertinent character, frame out a scheme, absorb the contract laborers there. Keep the contract laborers in their workshops decades after decades. Do not exploit them.

Sir, regarding governance procure and transfer, we have done it all in our State. It is not a new thing . We have a question on governance. Do you have any administrative calendar? Do the Prime Minister hold meeting at grass root level for the purpose of good governance? Our Chief Minister has done it. She chaired more than 80 meetings at the grass root level.

Sir, the problem in our country is, where is trust? The Government has to trust the Minister and the administrative officers. Let that trust be built up first.

Sir, what Digital India has been made? Advertisement? Even in Delhi, even in the MP’s houses we do not get any Wi-Fi benefit. If you use MTNL, every minute there is a drop. For a conversation of five minutes, you need to call five times. Digital India is a very good concept but make it effective. Make it available to the people at large.

Power crisis should not remain in the summer. What power benefits have you given? Nothing. In every state, mostly in the Northern States, power crisis is there. Due to the power crisis, water supply is not there. I went to Bangalore a few days back. There people said that there is dearth of water in Bangalore. What has been done? Nothing had been done it is just in the advertisement purpose.

FDI, we are opposing. Do not try to sell the country to the foreign investment. This country has a lot of investors. This country has lots of industrialists and retailers. Do not be an agent of the foreigners.

Deep sea port we are welcoming it. In Sundarbans, the State Government has cleared everything that is concerned with the deep sea port. I am requesting the concerned minister to kindly take steps for the deep sea port.

In respect of the black money, it has become a mockery. Every people of the country laughs towards you when you say that ‘we will recover black money.’ You have spoken; you have made a promise that within 100 days money will be returned back. 100 days have gone, 9 months have gone and the black money has not yet reached. People have not yet got Rs 15 lakhs.

You have got the results. Do not talk about Saradha, you have lost the elections in Bongaon by-elections by more than 2 lakh votes. Do not open your mouth. Your mouth has been shut down by the people of the Bengal. CBI has said in the Gujarat case that there are materials against one person, but now after the election is over materials are not there. Surprising, this is surprising. I was telling in the beginning that few of the Council of Ministers have arrogated themselves with power. Now I say that every members of the Bharatiya Janata Party have arrogated themselves with power. They are have the power and want to bulldoze everything. They have the power and are becoming vindictive, they have the power, so they are putting people behind in jails, they have the power so shut the voice of the persons who are opposing you. This is the Bharatiya Janata Party; this is the ruling party in concern.

Sir, Delhi has given a lesson to them. Bihar is waiting in 2015. You wanted to break through in Bihar and you could not achieve, Bihar is waiting. Come to West Bengal in 2016, we will show you what Mamata Banerjee is. Somebody will be flying from Gujarat; someone will be flying from Delhi. They cannot take the hold of Bengal. ‘Banglar mati durjoy ghati, bujhe nik durbritto.’ Banglar mati te ashun. Delhi se urke kuch nehi hota hai.

Sir, let me tell you one thing, you will be interested. Their party’s President in the State level has lost all elections, since elections. That is the BJP Party in West Bengal. Hindi me ek gana hai Sir, Kuri meri swapne me milte hai, aur unlogo ka swapne me milta hai. Unlogo ke Swapne me rehne dijiye, koi asubida nehi hai.

Again I am saying, come in 2016, come there and let us see your strength and let you see the strength of Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal.

Thank you Sir.

Kalyan Banerjee condemns Pakistani court`s bail to 26/11 mastermind | Transcript

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Trinamool MP in Lok Sabha, Kalyan Banerjee today condemned the granting of bail by a Pakistani court to the mastermind of 26/11 attacks. He said that the court had ignored all evidence submitted by India and urged the government to take any necessary step to bring him to justice.

Full transcript of his speech:

Yesterday was a very unfortunate day, when I heard on basis of evidence a Pakistani court has come to the conclusion that the charges were not established. Madam, Indian Government had handed over the evidence which conclusively proves the allegation itself. Unfortunately, the evidence was discarded.

Without using any expression for the judiciary, I am using a very legal term, entire findings of Pakistani court was totally perverse and ignored the evidence which was handed over by the Indian Government.

Therefore, I through you, Madam, request the Hon’ble Ministers who are present here, very seriously and immediately matter should be taken up with the Pakistan Government that immediate appeal should be preferred against this judgement.

All steps should be taken for that purpose with an appeal to the Hon’ble Minister to say to the Pakistan Government and if they feel our Attorney General may be taken there for the purpose of argument against the accused.

I know limitations are there, nevertheless a request can be made – if need be Attorney General of India will go and argue the matter against the accused and we condemn in a very strict language against this judgement.

Kalyan Banerjee speaks on the Coal Mines Ordinance, 2014 | Transcript

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Sir, this legislation has come up because of the directive of the Hon’ble Supreme Court dated August 25, 2014, whereby and where under the Supreme Court cancelled all allotment of the coal blocks because the Screening Committee from 1993 to 2009 allotted coal blocks in an arbitrary manner.

During the 15th Lok Sabha, I was the Chairman of the coal related Standing Committee. The Standing Committee said, even before the Supreme Court, that all allotments from 1993 to 2009 were illegal, arbitrary and it made two recommendations that said at least wherein the coal extractions have not been started, all coal blocks should be cancelled and immediately a policy should be formulated by the Government as regards distribution of the coal blocks. Unfortunately the then Government did not adhere to such recommendations and naturally the judgment of the Supreme Court had come on August 24, 2014.

Sir let me place it on record that we are in favour of distribution of any transparent system and there is no doubt that auction is one of the transparent systems. But in 2G scam case, when it came to the reference, the Supreme Court said auction is not the only criteria for distributing of the natural resources.

Sir, today we are mostly concerned about the power sector. 80% coal goes to the power sector to supply of energy and we get the electricity all over the country from there. Now there should have been a legislative policy by the Government for distribution of coals to the core sectors namely the power, coal, cement and steel. However the Government has chosen to go for auction for all sectors.

Sir, I do not find that end-use has been specified under the scheme of this Bill. For micro sector it has specified end use; if I go for mini i.e. cement, electricity, is there any clear policy that has been laid down except in Section 5? Section 4 is a general section where whoever comes and successfully bids in the auction will get it.

Now, Sir, question is how a cement industry can compete with power industry when it comes under Section 4? How a cement industry can compete with an iron industry when it comes under Section 4, leaving aside Section 5 itself? Sir, through you I want to place it before the Government that Section 5 gives you discretionary power and Section 4 gives you mandatory power. Therefore, whether power industry will get coal supply will solely be on the basis of the discretion of the Central Government. When Central Government exercises such discretion then only will they get it; core industries will not get coal supply as a matter of right automatically.

My first objection then is how the power industry will get coal? Where is the scheme of the Act which ensures supply of coal to all the power industries for generation of power that has not been specified?
If the electricity is not there everybody has to suffer. You are having a Public Sector Undertaking like the Steel Authority of India Limited; where have you ensured that your PSU will get supply of coal without any hindrance, without any discretion, without depending upon anybody. Where is that?

Now the Central Government PSUs have been equated with all private companies. After all it is a nationalised company, it is a government company. They must get priority; they must get privilege for supply of coal. That is my second objection to this Act.

Our beloved Late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had nationalised coal. Sir, from 1972 to 2014, decades after decades, after putting hard labour the coal miners today have built up this coal industry. There may be some stray incidents or some faults but I must say that Coal India and its subsidiaries have delivered good result. They have built and ran the company for several years. Why are you going for privatisation? This is your company. Why are you not allotting coal blocks to Coal India and its subsidiaries? They are Central Government companies.

You formulate a policy. It is not that Supreme Court has said in future all coal blocks have to be allocated through the auction. Supreme Court has not said it. Why have you not formulated a policy, why have you not strengthened Coal India and its subsidiaries? Why are you not giving all coal blocks to Coal India and its subsidiaries? Formulate a policy for supply of coal to the core companies where from they can get supply. Therefore, there is uncertainty of getting the coal for power supply, for cement industry and iron and steel companies. This is a great concern for our Party.

I was talking with the Hon’ble Coal Minister a few minutes back. He was asking why we are opposing the as the State will get money. Sir, through you, I would like to inform the Minister, please remember the mines are the properties of all States. As a legislature you have the power to enact a law; so far coal is concerned, coal mines are properties of the states. I want to remind the Hon’ble Minister, you are not making any charity to the State Government. You are extracting, you are taking, you are making money from the State Governments’ lands, from the State Governments’ properties and trying to be benevolent to the State Governments.

Sir, they should create a positive situation which gives the confidence to the core industries. They should get uninterrupted supply of coal. There is no such positive scheme here. The confidence must be there. Today what is happening Sir, all industrialists who are in the core industries, they are thinking whether they will get the supply of coal or not. Why this confidence is not there? You have to ensure that core industry will get coal.

Through FDI nothing can be generated, nothing can be gained. You will not gain ultimately. This will have a disastrous effect in the future. Today you might gain some big names, some industrialists some persons but at the cost of the poor people of this country. If you bring FDI in all respects it will bring a disastrous effect in our country.

Sir, why did you not consult associations like CII, FICCI, all chambers of commerce, Bengal Chamber of Commerce, Calcutta Chamber of Commerce, Bihar Chamber of Commerce, UP Chamber of Commerce and Odisha Chamber of Commerce? Why have you not taken them into consideration? Sir, I can remember when the Mines and Minerals Bill had come – earlier Government had legislated it – it was sent to the Standing Committee. In our Standing
Committee we considered the Bill for one year and we have given the chance of hearing to everyone concerned. Such a big legislation you are bringing without consulting them. Who will be the sufferer? Who will really be affected because of this concerned Bill?

Attempt, which has been made with this legislation, will destroy our economy. Sir, you are only interested in FDI but do not want to protect the interest of the Indian industrialists. Attempt to bring FDI, in all sphere of life will have disastrous effect in our country.

Sir, through you I want to know from the Hon’ble Minister where is your provision to monitor supply? If the other companies do not get supply where is the scope of monitoring?

Sir, I said that the Supreme Court did not say all coal blocks should be allocated by auction; it is the Government’s wisdom. I appreciate it. Why only auction? You could have framed a policy at least for the coal sectors, coal based company sectors, core companies to give the coal block through Central Government companies there it would have insured them. That could have been done.

Sir, there is no security and facility. This entire Act does not speak anything about the workers. The owner mints money at the cost of the poor labourers. What is their security in this Act itself? I do not know what the Government is going to do so far the coal industries are concerned.

Coal India and other industries have the JBCCI (Joint Bipartite Committee for the Coal Industry). They enter into an agreement and that agreement speaks about the conditions of service, improvement of service of the coal workers. What is your intention? Will all industries be brought within the JBCCI? Will the benefit of JBCCI will be extended to them or not? Will you kindly tell us what will be fate of the workers or will they be governed only by the State laws?

Sir, within the specified end use, another industry should have been included. I will request through you to the Minister, please try to include the gas sector. Production of gas through coal… Other countries like Australia have developed production of gas. Kindly include it and give some concession to gas.

At the end I will again say that unless core industries are secured this legislation cannot get its life in future. One day it will create frustration among all the industrialists of the country. With this Sir, I will make a request to you this Bill should be referred to the Standing Committee; it is a very important Bill, needs thorough discussion.

Thank You.