Mriganka Mahato makes a Zero Hour Mention on the need for cold storages to help farmers

Posted on March 23, 2017 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

FULL TRANSCRIPT

Thank you Madam.

Farmers of different parts of the country, particularly in my constituency Purulia, which is one of the remote districts of south Bengal, are facing severe problems regarding conservation of their vegetables and fruits due to the shortage of cold storages.

So my request to the Central government is to take immediate measures in this regard and take action so that in every district at least five cold storages will built to save the farmers and their vegetables and fruits, which have been destroyed due to non-availability of conservation.

Saugata Roy speaks on Supplementary Demand for Grants (General Budget)

Posted on March 20, 2017 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

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Thank you Sir. This is the third batch of supplementary demands; there are altogether 75 demands and three grants in this. Total Supplementary Demand is roughly Rs 11.34 lakh crore. Out of this Rs 14,000 crore are the actual outgoes of the government. The rest is known as the Actual Supplementary Demands. There is also something known as Technical Supplementary Demands for Grants – that is Rs 11.20 lakh crore – where the change in allocations is made by savings or extra income in the department itself. And thirdly there is a token Supplementary Demands for Grants where Rs 1 lakh is allotted to every department. This year the total Budget is Rs 21 lakh crore. So if Rs 14,000 crore is extra outgo in the former Supplementary Demands, one cannot really quarrel with that. So, we do not oppose the Supplementary Demands for Grants.

Having said that let me make a few points about the economics. I do not think that the victory (of ruling party in recent polls) proves that demonetisation is a very good step. May be the PM is a good salesman; he has sold demonetisation as a thing between rich and the poor. But demonetisation has hobbled our economy permanently.

And if actual figures are placed then you will see that the rate of GDP growth has suffered. India has a peculiar matter in which statistics of GDP growth as given by the government does not seem to be genuine. Till today (of course March is not complete) we do not have the figures of GDP growth for the year 2016-17. Many economists are of the impression that growth rate of GDP should fall to at least 6.5% if not lower. So economy is not as hunky dory as it seems.

Small industries and units have been crushed and millions of artisans and workers have suffered. In Bengal, 81 lakh people have been hit by demonetisation. Who they vote for is not important but the fact is that the economy has suffered. After the Rabi crop comes out we shall know how much we have suffered due to demonetisation.

In Bengal Budget, our Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has allocated special funds for people who are affected by demonetisation. She has also allocated Rs 100 crore for the farmers hit by demonetisation. Unfortunately, in the Supplementary Demands, there is no scope for compensating any of the people – farmers or, artisans – who have been affected by demonetisation.

Today that farmers’ suicide continues to be a big problem in the country and this number will be more in future. As you know Sir, several States are reeling under drought. Where has the Government granted any extra money for those who are hit by drought? The Government has said that they will double the income of farmers in five years. The rate at which the farmers are committing suicide, I do not think the situation will improve. If you notice, Sir, that in five years, agriculture’s contribution to GDP has fallen whereas a large number of people – almost 75% people – are dependent on agriculture. Agriculture’s contribution to GDP has fallen to 25%. It may fall even more. This agrarian distress has not been covered by the Government.

Sir, the Budget, on which I spoke earlier, has been a series of gimmicks and slogans. You moved the Budget date to February 1, you incorporated the Rail Budget into the General Budget. How does it help the Economy? These are all just technical showpieces. Where has the economy got the muscles? I want to cite some figures about the situation.

The rate of growth, if we say Gross Value Added, in manufacturing for 2015-16, was 9.3%. In 2016-17 it came down to 7.4%.

In construction it was 3.9% (2015-16) and it has fallen to 2.9% (2016-17) in trade, hotel, transport and construction.

Growth rate in service related to broadcasting was 9% (2015-16); it has fallen to 6% (2016-17).

In financial, insurance, real estate and professional services, it was 10.3% (2015-16); it has fallen to 9% (2016-17).

So, in Hamlet, as it was said, “All is not well in the State of Denmark”, I am saying something is rotten in the state of the economy. Not enough is being done to correct that. Throughout the world, when economists see statistics coming from China, they say it is not believable. The way this government is giving statistics, soon we will have a reputation like China – that our statistics are not reliable. This is a problem.

Sir, I understood that they could have taken as much money as they wanted if they only implemented Universal Basic Income, which was an idea proposed in the Economic Survey. They have not given Universal Basic Income. They have given a token increase to MGNREGA. But the condition of the rural masses in India still remain very bad.

I have already mentioned how the rate of growth has fallen. May I mention, where is the investment? They are giving slogans like ‘Make In India’, ‘Stand Up India, Startup India’, ‘Swachh Bharat’ etc. But where is the actual investment in the industry? I want the actual figures (that are never available from the government) of the actual investments in 2016-17. The fact is that industrial investment is not rising; we have only slogans.

Sir, I want to make a point on black money; it is not being recovered. Till today, we do not know how much black money was recovered post demonetisation. We do not even know how much money was deposited in the banks between November 8 and December 31, 2016. We are in the dark. Sir, we do not know how much black money has been recovered from abroad. We do not know if people will get Rs 15 lakh in their bank accounts. This is a black spot in the Indian economy.

Since this is the Supplementary Demand for Grants, there is no mention about the banking sector. The banking sector in India is rotting. Rs 8 lakh crore worth of Non-Performing Assets is there. Was demonetisation done to fill up the coffers of the banks so that they have money to give to big industrialists?

Sir, as I said earlier, nobody opposes Supplementary Demand for Grants. These are money already already spent. So, I support the Supplementary Demand for Grants. But I once again sound a word of caution to the government that all in not well in the economy of India.

Thank you.

Saugata Roy asks a Supplementary Question on closed oil wells

Posted on March 20, 2017 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

FULL TRANSCRIPT

Mantri Ji ne jo aankrein diye hain us mein Assam or Gujarat mein sab se zyada wells sabhi non flowing hain. Dono rajyo mein hazar ke barabar wells nahin function kar raha hain. Assam ke wells bahut purana hain. Digboi mein British zamane mein well hua tha. Lekin Gujarat ka well utna purana nehi hain. Ankelshwar mein oil unko mila tha.

Mantri Ji ne bola hain ke kis kaaran ke liye yeh kam nahin kar raha hain lekin yeh toh ek natural resource ka wastage ho raha hain. Mantri Ji ne kya is per janch kiye hain ki kyun Assam aur Gujarat mein itne wells kaam nahin kar rahe hain? Koi geo-physical study hua hain? Aur yeh wells revive karne ke liye koi foreign tecnology ka istemal karenge kya Mantri Ji?

Pratima Mandal speaks on Demands for Grants for Ministry of Defence

Posted on March 17, 2017 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

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National Security is the most important thing for our country to maintain peace and stability both within and outside the country. India’s strategic location is crucial both for the South Asian region and for the whole world. Of late, terrorism, insurgency and sectarian conflicts are on rise both at national and international arena. Internal security is under threat from cross border terrorism, militancy in the North-East, Left-Wing extremism and terrorism in the hinterland.

Madam, while announcing the allocation for defence, the Finance Minister avoided any mention of the previous year’s allocation. Perhaps it was for a reason. At Rs 2,74,114 crore – excluding the outlay of Rs 85,740 crore for defence pension – it was only 6% more than the comparable Budget Estimate of Rs 2,58,589 crore for 2016-17. The allocation is grossly inadequate to meet the security needs of the country.

The noticeable feature is the gradual decline in the defence budget share in both Central Government expenditure and the GDP with a share of 1.56% of the estimated GDP for 2017-18. This budget is the lowest since 1956-57. Madam, the revenue stores and capital modernisation together play a vital role in the operational preparedness of the Armed Forces. The combination shared of these two elements has declined from 55 per cent in 2007-08 to 40 per cent in 2016-17. The present ratio needs to change for the better for which the allocations under revenue stores and capital modernisation need to be augmented substantially.

Among the Defence Services, the Indian Army, with a budget of Rs 1,49,369 crore, accounts for the biggest share in the Defence budget, followed by the Air Force, the Navy, the DRDO and the ordnance factories. But the bulk of the Army’s budget, nearly 85 per cent goes into meeting pay and allowances. Only 17 per cent of the Army’s total allocation has been earmarked for capital expenditure, whereas for the Air Force, it is 58 per cent and for the Navy, it is 51 per cent.

Madam, under the head of modernisation, the Army’s fund has been decreased by 6.4 per cent and the Navy’s by 12.1 per cent; only the Air Force’s fund has been increased, by 12.1 per cent. The increase in the Air Force’s budget is in the view of its signing several mega-contracts like Rafale fighters and Chinook heavy-lift helicopters. Madam, only 12 per cent of the total modernisation budget of Rs 70,000 crore is available for the signing of new contracts. There is a whooping under-utilisation of funds of Rs 7,393 crore and the Army accounts for 50 per cent of the total unspent funds. Under-utilisation of funds has become a recurring feature of the Indian Defence budget because of the Finance Ministry’s machinations. Poor allocation, coupled with under-utilisation, is severely affecting modernisation and procurement.

Unlike in the previous Budget, this Union Budget has not provided any specific incentive to push the Make in India initiative in the defence sector. There is a reduction on income tax to 25 percent from 30 percent for the micro, small and medium enterprises with an annual turnover upto Rs 50 crores. This may benefit six thousand MSME’s which supply components to DRDO, defence public sector undertakings, ordnance factories and large private companies. Perhaps infrastructure status, which has been given for affordable housing should have been giving for availing tax benefit which is a long pending issue.

There is only a mere five percent increase into official defence budget and is grossly inadequate, taking the inflation and external and internal trade into consideration. Madam, we are a country that has one of the largest armed forces. They selflessly do the work that we cannot imagine to do for a day. It is unfortunate that they are not receiving the support they deserve. The fact that our country allocates crores every year on defence but hardly provides adequate funds to support these courageous souls is of great concern to us.

Winston Churchill had said: “ We sleep soundly in our bed because rough stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm”. So, even one soldier treated improperly is unacceptable to us. I appeal to consider increasing the defence budget allocation specially to support not only our serving soldiers but war veterans struggling to survive physical, psychological and financial trauma.
Thank you, Madam, for giving me the opportunity to speak.

Vivek Gupta asks a Supplementary Question on manual scavenging

Posted on March 16, 2017 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

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Sir, as per the Census, 1.68 lakh people are there yet the government has been able to identify only 12000 people and that too the budget for this Ministry has been slashed.

Sir, I want to know through you, from the honorable Minister, is the fund constrained. I also want to know about identifying the remaining people – almost 1.5 lakh people – who are still living a life without dignity. Thank you Sir.

Nadimul Haque speaks on medical negligence in private hospitals

Posted on March 16, 2017 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

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Sir, in the absence of doctors and due to dissatisfaction with quality standards at State-run or public hospitals, an increasing proportion of people are using private healthcare facilities, though they are more expensive. In 2014, the average cost of hospital care by a public utility was Rs 6,120 while private institutions were four times more costly at Rs 25,850. Sir, in the last decade, while the cost of treatment has more or less doubled, insurance cover is still less than 15 per cent.

However, recent cases in multi-speciality hospitals across the country show an abysmal state of private healthcare. Private hospitals lack transparency, often resulting in an increase in medical negligence amounting to severe injuries and even deaths.

A case in point is that of Sanjay Roy, a Dankuni resident, at a world-famous private hospital in Kolkata. He sadly died due to alleged medical negligence. Sir, here I want all honourable Members to listen, and listen with feelings, because only then will you understand what pains his family had to go through. The point that I want to highlight is that hospitals authorities refused to release his body unless the hospital dues were cleared. His family had to keep their fixed deposit certificates as a security, only then his body was released.

Sir, the West Bengal Government has passed an Act which seeks to bring more transparency in healthcare, ending harassment of patients and checking medical negligence in private hospitals and nursing homes. Private hospitals will now have to pay compensation in cases of medical negligence with fines as high as Rs 10 lakh or more.

Sir, similarly, there ought to be a Central law regulating private hospitals in terms of over-pricing of medical treatment, cancellation of licenses and payment of compensations in cases of medical negligence. Other States may want to enact law following the example set by Bengal. Finally, what we all need to understand is that health service is not a commercial proposition; it is a service which needs to be delivered with humility and a human touch.

I end with a Urdu couplet, Sir.

Aise mahol mein tabah kya hain, dua kya hain

Jahan qatil hi khud poochen ki hawa kya hain

Tapas Mandal speaks on Demands for Grants for the Agriculture Ministry

Posted on March 15, 2017 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

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Madam Speaker thank you for allowing me to raise the points on Demands for Grants 2017-18 for the Ministry of Agriculture.

Agriculture continues to be backbone of the economy. It employs 56% of the workforce.

The total share of agriculture and allied sectors in terms of GDP is 13.9%.

Over 58% of the rural households depend on the agriculture as their principal means of livelihood.

India’s GDP is expected to grow at 7.1% in the financial year of the 2016-17 while agriculture GDP is expected to grow at 4.1%.

India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of spice products.

India’s fruit production has grown faster than vegetables making in the second largest fruit producer in the world.

The agro-industry in India is divided into several sub segments such as canned, dairy and frozen fruits to fisheries, meat, poultry and grains.

But there are some other points:

70% of the farmers never heard about the direct cash transfer.
Only 27% have heard about land acquisition law.
83% of the farmers are clueless about the foreign direct investment.
70% of the farmers never contacted any Kisan Call Centres.

Demonetisation affected the farmers adversely. What steps taken by the government given importance to the agriculture sector? What are the benefits and what is the road map of the agriculture sector? The economy contribution of agriculture to India’s GDP is steadily declining with the country’s broad based economic growth. Still agriculture is demographically the broadest economic sector and plays a significant role in the human and socio-economic fabric of India. Slow agricultural growth is a concern for policy makers as some two third of India’s population depend on rural employment for a living.

Current agricultural practices are neither economically nor environmentally sustainable and India’s yields for many agricultural commodities are low. Poorly maintained irrigation systems and almost universal lack of good extensional services are among the factors responsible. Farmers’ access to markets is hampered by poor roads, rudimentary marketing infrastructure and excessive regulation.

It will be essential for India to build up productive, competitive and diversified agricultural sector and facilitate rural non-farming entrepreneurship and employment. Encouraging policies that promote competitions in agricultural marketing will ensure farmers receive better prices. Although India has attained self sufficiency in food staples the productivity of its farm is below that of Brazil, United States, France and many other even developing countries.

Indian wheat farms, for example, produce about 1/3 of the width per hectare per year compared to farms in France. Rice productivity in India was less than that of China. Other staple crops’ productivity in India is similarly low. Indian Total Factor Productivity growth remains below 2% p.a.; in contrast, China’s Total Factor Productivity growth is above 6% p.a, even though China also has small holding farmers. Several studies suggest that India could eradicate its hunger and malnutrition to become a major source of food for the world by achieving productivity comparable to other countries.

Regarding farmers suicide, in 2012 the National Crimes Record Bureau of India reported 13,754 farmers committed suicide. Farmer suicides account for 11.2% of all suicides in India. Activists and scholars have offered a number of conflicting reasons for farmer suicides such as monsoon failure, high debt burdens, genetically modified crops, government policies, public mental health, personal issues and family problems. But we are going through a heavy agrarian crisis of Indian agriculture.

Indian agriculture is undergoing a structural change leading to a crisis situation. The rate of growth of agriculture output is gradually declining in the recent years. The contribution of agriculture to GDP comes down to less than half within the third years span. The deceleration of agriculture started from the early 1990s and it became sharp from the late 1990s.

The trend in the areas input use and capital stock and technology also reflect the agricultural downfall. All these trends show that the agricultural sector in India is facing a crisis today. It is alarming that the average monthly income of farmer houses is quite less considering minimum living standards. The suicide in farming and the agricultural sector in India is a matter of concern.

About 40 % of the farming community is on the verge of leaving agriculture as their profession due to huge loss in farming practices. The young generation is not interested in farming any more; it is said that the root cause of the crisis is that agriculture is no more a profitable economic activity when compared to the other enterprises. It means the economic activities derived from these activities not sufficient enough to meet the expenditures of the cultivators and therefore unless agriculture is made a profitable enterprise the present crisis cannot be solved.

The related factors responsible for the crisis include dependence on rainfall and climate, liberal import of agricultural products, reduction in agricultural subsidies, lack of ease credit to agricultural dependence on money lenders, decline of government investment in agricultural sectors and conversion of agricultural land into alternative uses.

The government invokes the name of Ambedkar all the time but does nothing for the people of Ambedkar; please allocate proportionate part to agriculture following SC/ST sub plan not through SC/ST welfare schemes.

The government talks of giving emphasis on looking towards Eastern India but what has the government given Eastern India, specially West Bengal, which is the gateway of Eastern India?

We have a legitimate demand for setting up of a Central Agricultural University in West Bengal. West Bengal is playing a leading role in the country in agriculture and horticulture sector. In spite of that, West Bengal is deprived from getting Central Agricultural University. Central Horticulture University is also a demand from the Government. In Horticulture, West Bengal Government is much ahead of other states. As compared to other major states, West Bengal has very few ICR Research Institutes. We need more institutes, sub-centres, like, CRIDA, IIHR, IIVR, RRI etc. in the state of West Bengal. I hope that the Minister will consider these aspects in his next Budget.

This government talks of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikash, but is depriving West Bengal. We need more funds to be allocated for the development of agriculture in the state of West Bengal.

There is a saying in Bengali: “Ghoray Choriya Moddo Hantiya Cholilo” meaning a very dangerous man is riding on the horse gently. The actions of this government, which has a huge mandate, reminds us of that saying.

In the end, I would like to add that West Bengal is an example for the rest of the country to follow regarding implementing crop insurance scheme. Thank You.

Kalyan Banerjee asks a Supplementary Question on skill development of women

Posted on March 15, 2017 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

FULL TRANSCRIPT

Madam, through you, I want to say that this job (skill development) is very laudable one and you are also putting in a lot of effort. I must appreciate that. Very recently, two weeks back, in my constituency at Dankuni, you have launched one project and I was invited there. I was very happy to see that.

While delivering his speech, the representative of the National Skill Development Corporation who was there made a categorical statement to the effect that those who will get the training and get the certificate, everyone will be given employment.

My question, through you, is whether this statement is correct? All those who get certificates from skill centres, will they be given employment? If that is so, how many persons have got these certificates and how many persons got employment?

Kalyan Banerjee speaks on The Admiralty (Jurisdiction & Settlement of Maritime Claims) Bill, 2016

Posted on March 10, 2017 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

FULL TRANSCRIPT

Thank you Madam for allowing me to speak on The Admiralty (Jurisdiction & Settlement of Maritime Claims) Bill, 2016. Firstly, I must point out that I respectfully disagree with the statements made by the Hon’ble Minister. The Minister while making the statement said the Bill is also covering the environmental issues. I am sorry, Sir. Under clause 4 this is not the scope. You have also referred to that in case of leakage of oil etc. This will come within the purview of this. Therefore, I respectfully disagree with the statement made by him in respect of two issues.

This Act was necessary for long rather I say it is unfortunate that although Supreme Court in 1992 directed the Central Government to come up with a law which will fulfill the need of the day, when 151 reports of the Law Commission were existing. But unfortunately from 1992 to 2016, no one paid any heed to the circumstances. Today it is needed and therefore I am not opposing, as far as the substance of the Bill is concerned.

Madam, I will just mention two or three things. The claim which is required to be decided by the High Court by reason of this enactment of the Act, itself has been codified under Clause 4. The jurisdictions have been said there.

Clause 2, Sub Clause K, states “territorial water shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in the ‘Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and other Maritime Zones Act, 1976’. You have incorporated a provision and that is a vague provision. Which High Court has the jurisdiction on the sea itself?

I have an experience being a Lawyer; we had a dispute with the Odisha Government in respect of territorial water. However, both the Hon CMs discussed and resolved the problem and it is now working very good. I will point out to the Honourable Minister, kindly clarify this, this Bill is bringing another area where more interpretation is required to be done by the Court. You have to clarify and clear it.

Clause 17 Sub Clause 2, “shall not withstand the appeal of admiralty proceedings pending in the High Court immediately before the commencement of the Act, shall continue to be adjudicated by such High Court in accordance with the provisions of this Act.”

What does it mean? Firstly, “shall continue to be adjudicated by such High Court” – if you have said it is alright. The moment you are saying with accordance of the provisions of the Act, there is no clarity in this section. Will Kolkata will go to Odisha, or any other places will go to another? If a proceeding is pending in the High Court, will it continue in the High Court? Then the language of the statute needs to be made clear. You are creating a confusion by saying that before the commencement of the Act, it will continue to be adjudicated by such High Court in accordance with the providence of this Act.

Now I want to make a point to the nation its self. A national problem has emerged. You are giving the jurisdiction to the High Court to decide but do you know how many vacancies are there in the High Courts? How will they take the load? Not a single High Court is in a position to function.

Why you are not fulfilling the vacancies? The National Judicial Appointments Bill was passed here. Ultimately the Supreme Court declared it ultra vires; we have to accept this. We cannot have any ego on that. Neither the legislature nor the executive can have any ego with the judiciary. This has to be sorted out. If there is an ego with the judiciary regarding the filling of the vacancies kindly fill it up.

My suggestion to you (also it is a very difficult job for you) is that the territorial water jurisdiction has to be identified. Now it is not much difficult because of the new mechanisms like satellite etc.

You have to identify the part about water belonging to West Bengal and Odisha. If you identify that part you will find the question regarding the jurisdiction by the court that would be lesser and easier job. In the future if you will try to do it will be great helpful. This is my suggestion. With this I give you thanks. This Bill has been long pending since 1992. Let it be passed. There is no difficulty. With this I conclude.

Thank you.

Trinamool MPs stage dharna on the need for electoral reforms and state funding of elections

Posted on February 7, 2017 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Trinamool Congress MPs from both the Houses of the Parliament staged a dharna today in front of Gandhi ji’s statue in the Parliament complex on the need for electoral reform and State funding of elections.

Electoral reforms has been part of Trinamool’s DNA, its very existence, since the party was established on 1st January, 1998. In the last 18 years, the first section of every manifesto, which the Trinamool has introduced for every election, has been dedicated to electoral reforms.

Trinamool Chairperson Mamata Banerjee had earlier criticised the Centre’s move to introduce electoral bonds; she had said that a decision on political funding should have be taken after obtaining opinions of all political parties.

“There should have been discussion with all political parties on the issue of political funding, electoral bonds. They should have taken opinion of all political outfits. We have long been demanding electoral reforms and state funding of elections,” she had commented.

নির্বাচনী সংস্কারের দাবীতে সংসদ চত্বরে ধর্ণা তৃণমূল সাংসদদের

নির্বাচনী সংস্কার ও ‘স্টেট ফান্ডেড’ নির্বাচনের দাবীতে আজ তৃণমূল সাংসদরা সংসদ চত্বরে গান্ধী মূর্তির সামনে ধর্ণা দেন।

১লা জানুয়ারি ১৯৯৮ সালে দল গঠন হওয়ার সময় থেকেই নির্বাচনী সংস্কারের কথা বলে আসছে তৃণমূল। বিগত ১৮ বছর ধরে তৃণমূলের সকল নির্বাচনী ইস্তেহারের প্রথম ভাগ নির্বাচনী সংস্কারের জন্যই নির্ধারিত থাকে।

গত সপ্তাহে তৃণমূলনেত্রী মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায় কেন্দ্রীয় সরকারের ‘ইলেক্টোরাল বন্ডের’ সমালোচনা করে বলেন, “স্টেট ফান্ডেড ইলেকশন’ ও নির্বাচনী বন্ডের বিষয়ে কেন্দ্রের সব দলের সঙ্গে আলোচনা করা উচিত। আমরা দীর্ঘদিন ধরে নির্বাচনী সংস্কার ও সরকারি তহবিলে নির্বাচন লড়ার দাবী জানিয়ে এসেছি।”