Idris Ali speaks on The Mental Healthcare Bill, 2016

Idris Ali speaks on The Mental Healthcare Bill, 2016

Posted on March 27, 2017 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

FULL TRANSCRIPT

While participating in the discussion on The Mental Healthcare Bill, 2016, passed by the Rajya Sabha, and now been amended as The Mental Healthcare Bill, 2017, I would like to say that though public health is a State subject, with the financial constraints, it is next to impossible for the States of the country to implement the provisions of this Bill.

India is the worst-affected country in the world with regard to depression, having more than 6 crore sufferers. The data of the UN agency shows that the number of people living with depression across the world has increased by 18.4 per cent between 2005 and 2015. In India, depression and mental anxiety disorders prevail in over 5 per cent women and in over 4 per cent men.

Apart from that, about 4 crore people in India suffered from anxiety disorders in 2015, with a prevalence rate of 3 per cent. It is a fact that 78 per cent of global suicides occurred due to mental instability and 1 per cent commits suicide every 40 seconds.

The most alarming thing is that a study indicated an average of 20.5 per cent mental health morbidity in older adults with 17.3 per cent in urban areas and 23.6 per cent in rural areas. Accordingly, it is found that, at present, 18 million older adults, consisting of a population of 83.58 million, are suffering from mental health problems in India.

In 1982, the Government launched the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) and in 2014, the Health Ministry came up with a revised National Mental Health Policy to treat the elderly, affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias, Parkinson’s disease, depression and psychogeriatric disorders.

The population of older adults in India is growing: in 1951 it was 5.3 per cent, in 1981 it was 6 per cent, in 1991 it was 6.8 per cent, in 2001 it was 7.4 per cent and in 2006 it was 7.5 per cent. Thus it has been steadily rising and is projected to become 12.5 per cent in 2026; thus it is likely to become a challenge in the near future.

Surveys have found that depression still ranks as the most prevalent psychiatric illness of the aged. One out of every six older persons living in urban areas in India is not obtaining proper nutrition, one out of every three older persons does not obtain sufficient healthcare and medicines, and one out of every two older persons does not receive due respect or good conduct from family members or people in general.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), using sound methodology, has revealed that 17.3 per cent of urban and 23.6 per cent of rural older adults, that is, those aged 60 years and above, are suffering from syndromal mental health problems and 4.2 per cent of urban and 2.5 per cent of rural older adults are suffering from subsyndromal mental health problems. According to the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD), although the world proportion of people of 60 years and above is smaller now, by 2030 the absolute number of older adults is likely to be the highest in India, with enormous mental health morbidity in older adults.

So, the Mental Healthcare Bill, 2017 is not just a health Bill but one which deals with a mixture of health and social care issues, and hence, we have to think differently to protect and promote speedy procedures of treatment and the rights of persons with mental illnesses.

Keeping in view making fruitful the objects of the Bill, we immediately require community-based mental healthcare by using the public health infrastructure and other resources of the primary health centres in the administrative structure to develop and monitor the progress of the programme in a centralised manner. To make it a successful project, we have to immediately set up psychiatry and psycho-orientation departments at all levels of health centres and hospitals in the country.

I therefore request the Central Government to ensure funds to State Governments for due implementation of this Bill and this Bill may kindly be included with the schemes of the Department of Health and Family Welfare which are under 100 per cent Central Government funding, before the situation gets out of the hand of the Government.

Ratna De Nag speaks on The Mental Healthcare Bill, 2016

Posted on March 27, 2017 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

FULL TRANSCRIPT

Thank you Sir for giving me the opportunity to speak on The Mental Healthcare Bill, 2016. The Bill seeks to promote and improve the rights of the patient in need of the mental healthcare.

National Human Right Commission conducted a detailed study of the patients in mental institutions and condition they live in. They found numerous instances of cruel treatment – people being beaten, people being chained and being denied dignity of any kind.

Sir, at present we have about 300 district mental health programmes. But the effectiveness of the programmes varies across the States because of the restricted funding, lack of trained human mental health care providers and low motivation among the health providers at the all stages.

The access to mental health programmes is going to be a big concern in India. Up to 40% of the patients do not get access to the mental health programme because they have to travel more than 10 km.

Depression is the leading cause of death in the world and it is the second leading cause of death among 15-29 years old. According to World Health Organisation, about 350 million people suffer from depression worldwide. As per the National Crime Records Bureau, 1.31 lakh people committed suicide in India in 2014. Lack of funding, lack of human resources, and social stigma associated with mental illness – along with lack of access – are the main reasons for the failure of effectiveness of these programmes.

Lack of funding, lack of human resources, and social stigma associated with mental illness – along with lack of access – are the main reasons for the failure of effectiveness of these programmes. There are about four thousand psychiatrists in India. Most of them are in the private practice, so there is a massive shortage of psychiatrists in the public sector. This will lead to large number of people, requiring treatment, remaining undiagnosed.

But Sir, there are some good provisions in the Bill also. For example, Advanced Directive, stating how he or she wishes to be treated for a future mental illness also how he does not wish to be treated. Such an Advanced Directive can also be challenged by families, professionals.

Decriminalisation of suicide is a much needed reform. A person attempting suicide shall be considered to be under serious stress and will not be liable to be prosecuted under Section 309 of IPC. The Government shall provide care, treatment and rehabilitation to all such persons.

Another good provision, Sir, is that the Bill provides protection to patients from cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. Some treatments currently being used will be prohibited, most importantly, electroconvulsive therapy given without anesthesia and the practise of chaining the patients to their bed.

But, there are some points Sir, I would like to raise. The Provision of appointing a nominee and then subsequent decisions being taken by them may lead to damage to the bonding and goodwill between the families.

Furthermore, a mental patient can only be admitted in a mental institution after review by the Mental Health Review Commission.This may lead to undue delay in the treatment and make the entire process more complicated. Furthermore, this reason may discourage the families from playing a proactive role.

The Mental Health Review Commission has six members, out of which one is a psychiatrist and another a mental healthcare personnel. This means that it will lead to crucial decisions being taken in the field of mental health by a non-expert.

The Bill speaks about ECT, that is, electroconvulsive therapy in the case of some mental illnesses for minors. But, Sir, the Board advises it with the consent of the parents with prior permission of a psychiatrist. Sir, due to serious hazards of electroconvulsive therapy on minors, it is a controversial implementation in the case of mental health issues of a minor, and so a blanket ban on electroconvulsive therapy for the treatment of mental illnesses of minors should be implemented, as advised by the World Health Organisation.

The Bill states that medical records can be assessed by the patient unless it causes a “serious mental harm”. But there is no definition as to what would constitute a “serious mental harm”, and it is linked to the psychiatrist’s decision. This may lead to unscrupulous people taking advantage of these patients for their own benefits. Sir, the Bill must provide for a stringent punishment in cases of falsifying medical records.

The Bill states that there shall be one district board for eight north-eastern States covering at about 262.230 sq km. This would make it inaccessible to large number of people, due to difficulties in connectivity and terrain.

Sir, the Bill states about the community-based rehabilitation establishment and health services. But is not defined. A clear-cut definition is required.

Sir, I would request the Hon. Minister to:

include Dementia under Mental Healthcare Bill,
incorporate a neurologist in the Board,
ensure that the admission and discharge of a mental patient in a mental health institution should be under the jurisdiction of the physician,
organise regular mental health awareness camps. They can be organised by government and non-government organisations,
review and assess the programme by an expert, and finally,
assess and analyse the benefit of the programme and response of the people.

I would request the Hon. Minister to look into these issues so that the country gets a good Bill and we are able to eradicate the social stigma associated with mental illness.

Thank you, Sir.

Saugata Roy speaks on the Indo-Bangla Teesta Water Treaty

Posted on March 27, 2017 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

FULL TRANSCRIPT

Madam, I am raising a matter of urgent public importance.

There are different stands on water pacts with Pakistan and Bangladesh agreed into by the Centre. The Government is pushing for the Teesta pact. This week India demonstrated two very different approaches in sharing water resources with its neighbours. Pakistan will have to live with the fact that India plans to continue utilisation of its allocation under the Indus Water Treaty as it refused to countenance any change in the design of the Baglihar Dam in Jammu and Kashmir.

Meanwhile, on the Bangladesh front, the Modi Government is working hard to conclude the Teesta Water-sharing Agreement with Sheikh Hasina’s Government, unperturbed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s statement expressing deep concern for not having been consulted on the Teesta Water-sharing Agreement between India and Bangladesh. The Centre has said that stakeholders would be consulted at the right time in the spirit of cooperative federalism. A Government spokesman has said that just as the Centre and the State had collaborated in the Land Boundary Agreement, there would be consultations here too. Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister said, “We were told that the signing of the treaty would be on May 25 following the visit of the Bangladesh Prime Minister from April 7 to 10”.

Other northeastern States’ CMs have been invited to the signing, she said, but not she. She also said. “I have very good relations with Sheikh Hasina. I took the initiative in initiative in resolving the chhit mahal problem, that is, the enclave problem – the land boundary and the exchange of enclaves issue with the Bangladesh Government”. But when it comes to protecting the interests of Bengal, Mamata Banerjee said, “I shall not put the seal of approval on any treaty without knowing what it is about”. She said. “The Centre is interacting directly with the District Magistrate through video conference. Why is the Centre bypassing the State Government?” “I strongly protest against this attitude of the Centre of going behind the back of the State Government for an international agreement”. We strongly protest any attempt to sign the Teesta Treaty without the consent of the West Bengal Government.

Thank you.

Idris Ali makes a Zero Hour mention on the problem of flooding in his constituency

Posted on March 27, 2017 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

FULL TRANSCRIPT

I am grateful to you Madam Speaker and I am also grateful to our Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who is working hard.

Basirhat constituency is a part of Sunderbans area and is annexed with the district of North 24 Parganas covering blocks of Sandeshkhali I & II, Hingalganj, Haroa, Minakhan, Hansnabad, all of which are surrounded by tidal rivers of Ichhamati, Bidydhari, Kutti, Damsa, Raymangal besides being crisscrossed by numerous creeks and channels. Hence during the monsoon, flood is the common problem of the major portion of my constituency. Thus, recurring floods damage the roads and the dimension of the land.

I urge upon the Government for construction of ‘scientific concrete road’ which could be the permanent solution of these areas. I would therefore request you to issue an order for a detailed project report (DPR) with proper survey and sanction budget accordingly from PMGSRY and I hope that the department should take proactive steps as soon as possible.

Lastly, I would like to add, Madam, that the Chief Minister of Bengal works for people of all religions. The CM of Uttar Pradesh must follow her lead.

Saugata Roy makes a Point of Order on the GST Bill

Posted on March 27, 2017 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

FULL TRANSCRIPT

Madam, I’m not speaking on the merits of the Bill. It has been passed in the Inter-State Council and the Cabinet has taken a decision. I am objecting to these midnight manoeuvres. The Minister on Friday passed the motion on Government business for the coming week. If it was uploaded on the midnight of Friday, then why did lit not come on the List of Business for today?

Why has it been introduced today? Because the Minister knows that there is a Business Advisory Committee meeting chaired by you, and called by you, which will take place at 1 o’clock today. Then we’ll come in a hurry. So we’ll have the Bill tomorrow and then we will discuss immediately.

Madam, there is a time for such an important business. Madam, please do not upset the balance in parliamentary procedure; members should be given sufficient time to deliberate, discuss, think, to put objections, whatever. Madam, you should give a ruling on this. The House should not be suddenly jolted into action by midnight manoeuvres.

Week 3: Discussions on Bills and important issues made by Trinamool

Posted on March 25, 2017 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

The third week of the second part of the Budget Session saw Trinamool Congress MPs speaking on important Bills like the Finance Bill and the HIV AIDS (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2014. The party also put forth its views on electoral reforms during a Short Duration Discussion. The party also took part during the discussion on the Supplementary Demand for Grants for the General Budget.

The party also raised issues of public importance during the Zero Hours and Question Hours all through the week.

LOK SABHA

March 20, 2017

Bills
Saugata Roy spoke on the Supplementary Demand for Grants (General Budget).

Question Hour
Saugata Roy asked Supplementary Questions about closed oil wells.
Arpita Ghosh asked Supplementary Questions about attacks on Indians in USA.

Zero Hour
Arpita Ghosh made a Zero Hour mention on the need for increasing the salary of artistes.

March 21, 2017

Bills
Saugata Roy spoke on the Finance Bill.

Question Hour
Sunil Mandal asked Supplementary Questions about misleading advertisements.

March 22, 2017

Bills
Idris Ali spoke on the Finance Bill.

Question Hour
Kalyan Banerjee asked Supplementary Questions about the speedy disposal of cases.

Zero Hour
Aparupa Poddar made a Zero Hour mention on the problems faced by jute farmers.
Partha Pratim Ray made a Zero Hour mention on the problems faced by people in the border enclaves.

March 23, 2017

Bills
Pratima Mandal spoke on The Constitution (Schedules Castes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2017.

Question Hour
Bijoy Chandra Barman asked Supplementary Questions about drinking water problems in north Bengal.

Zero Hour
Mriganka Mahato made a Zero Hour mention on the need for cold storages to help farmers.

March 24, 2017

Question Hour
Mumtaz Sanghamita asked a Supplementary Question on birth control drugs.

Zero Hour
Saugata Roy made a Zero Hour mention on the Supreme Court notice to the Centre regarding allowances of MPs.
Partha Pratim Ray made a Zero Hour mention demanding immediate air services at Cooch Behar airport.
Idrish Ali made a Zero Hour mention on the problems in his constituency.

RAJYA SABHA

March 20, 2017

Zero Hour
Vivek Gupta made a Zero Hour Mention on the welfare of drivers of app-based cabs.

March 21, 2017

Bills
Debabrata Bandyopadhyay spoke on The Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2014.

March 22, 2017

Question Hour
Manish Gupta asked a Supplementary Question on attacks on railway tracks.

March 23, 2017

Zero Hour
Derek O’Brien made a Point of Order on the Finance Bill.
Dola Sen made a Zero Hour mention on compensation for the Sardar Sarovar Project.
It was a fruitful week for the party as it could take part during important discussions as well as bring important topics to the notice of the Central Government.

Idris Ali speaks on the problems in his constituency during Zero Hour

Posted on March 24, 2017 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

FULL TRANSCRIPT

Madam, I am deeply grateful to you for giving me the opportunity to speak. I am also deeply grateful to our Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Due to her I have come here. I want to make three points.

In last year’s Budget, a station was sanctioned at Bhabla, in my constituency Basirhat. But the work for the same has not yet begun. I want to draw the attention of Hon. Minister through you, Madam.

Second point. There are many SC/ST people in Hingalganj, under my constituency. But the region has no post office.

Partha Pratim Ray demands immediate air services at Cooch Behar airport

Posted on March 24, 2017 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

FULL TRANSCRIPT

Madam, the Ministry of Civil Aviation released an order dated March 4, 2014, regarding air transport system in various regions and remote areas in the country. In the order, a list of airports identified for providing air services was also published.

Fortunately, Cooch Behar airport, situated in my constituency, was included in the list as one of the important regional airports under the Airports Authority of India.

Unfortunately, till now air services in Cooch Behar airport are yet to be started. I demand to start the airport transport system as early as possible for the better interests of the people of Cooch Behar and Alipurduar.

Saugata Roy speaks on SC notice to Centre regarding allowances of MPs

Posted on March 24, 2017 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

FULL TRANSCRIPT

Madam, I bring to your attention something which concerns the honour and prestige of the MPs of the Indian Parliament. The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued a notice to the Central Government and the Election Commission on a petition moved by an NGO, Lok Prahari, as to why the cost of MPs’ perks and pensions should be borne by the taxpayers.

As you know, Madam, the MPs’ allowances and pensions are covered by a 1954 Act which was amended in 2006. By issuing and accepting a notice on MPs’ perks and pensions, the Supreme Court is actually transgressing into the area of parliamentary privileges and the MPs’ rights. We are not asking why the Supreme Court judges are being paid pensions. Why should the Supreme Court ask that why MPs are being paid pensions? They are asking why ex-MPs are being paid pensions, when that is guaranteed by law.

This is not the first example, though, of the Supreme Court interfering in the affairs of Parliament. You are the custodian of our rights in Parliament. I bring to your notice and, through you, to that of the Government, that such transgressions by the Supreme Court into the exclusive area of MPs’ privileges, perks and pensions, which are part of the laws of the land, should not be allowed and as a House, as a whole, we should take a stand against this attitude of the Supreme Court.

Mumtaz Sanghamita asks a Supplementary Question on birth control drugs

Posted on March 24, 2017 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

FULL TRANSCRIPT

Thank you Madam for giving me the opportunity. I want to ask the Minister whether the Government is thinking of introducing very low-dose pills, which are not supplied to the Government set-ups, that have less side-effects and higher success rates than depo provera.

Depo-provera has been used for a long time though in Government set-ups it has been recently introduced. It has side-effects, like bleeding and others. At very low doses though it has higher success rates and less side-effects.

So, my question is whether the government has any plans for its usage in very very low doses.