Tag: Nadimul

Nadimul Haque speaks during a Calling Attention Motion on breakdown of law and order in Delhi

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Police and public order comes under the ambit of state but in the National Capital Territory of Delhi it comes under Union Ministry of Home Affairs. In light of this, I want to ask the Home Minister:

What are the steps taken by the Ministry of Home Affairs to resolve the administrative differences in the light of recent Delhi High Court strictures? Is the government planning to implement the recommendations of landmark Supreme Court judgement in ‘Prakash Singh vs Union of India’ that talks about de-politicisation of the police?

How is it possible that the Delhi Police Commissioner is able to insult the democratically elected Chief Minister of Delhi by challenging him openly to debate?

And lastly, since Delhi Police works under the Central Bureaucracy, it has no accountability to the people of Delhi, so what steps are being taken to increase and set the direct accountability of Delhi Police to the people of Delhi? And if no steps are being taken to increase the administrative control of Delhi Government over Delhi Police, does it not violate the concept of ‘co-operative federalism’ of the centre?

Nadimul Haque demands expeditious appointment of CIC

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I like to bring to the attention of the house the delay in the appointment of the Chief Information Commissioner. Sir, this has led to a mounting pendency of cases before the office of the Chief Information Commissioner. Till date, approximately 33000 appeals and complaints are pending before the Central Information Commission out of which 12000 belong to the Chief Information Commission.

Sir, the chief information commissioner is responsible for hearing second appeals and complaints arising out of high offices of the government including the PMO, the President’s Secretariat, and various ministries etc and is appointed by the President on the recommendation of a committee constituted by the Prime Minister, the leader of the opposition and a member of the cabinet to be appointed or nominated by the Prime Minister.

However, this delay in the appointment of the CIC has led to an indirect denial of information for the aforesaid higher offices which the Government on merits may not be able to deny directly under the RTI Act, 2005. The PM has recently said at the 10th Annual Convention of the CIC that the process of assessing information should be transparent, timely and trouble free, delayed information does not help in solving a problem but increases it.

Sir, in this light i would like to ask that why is the PM not appointing a CIC. Hence, i would request the government to appoint a Chief Information Commissioner expeditiously and in future that the CIC is appointed well in advance before the tenure of the sitting Chief information Commissioner comes to an end.

Thank you sir.

Trinamool against vindictive politics

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Trinamool Congress has always protested against the politics of vindictiveness. Trinamool Chairperson has raised her voice time and again against the vindictive politics practiced by the Centre and the BJP.

On Tuesday, Leader of the party in Lok Sabha, Sudip Bandopadhyay said in Lok Sabha, “For Parliament to function, vindictive attitude of the government towards Opposition must stop. We must ensure Opposition is not targeted by the government. We are united in this stand.”

On Wednesday, Leader of the party in Rajya Sabha, Derek O’Brien said in the House: “We all know our responsibilities. We all want the House to run. But when there is open political vendetta, what do we do. We are against politics of vindictiveness.”

A similar case of political vindictiveness has been reported to the Union Home Minister by Trinamool’s Rajya Sabha MP Nadimul Haque, which concerns his father.

On December 3, 2015, at midnight, few police officers had visited the residence of Shri M W Haque, who is 81 years old and is the Chief Editor of Akbar-e-Mashrique, an Urdu daily newspaper, at Lalitnagar in Delhi.

He was forced to accompany the police officers to the Shakarpur PS where he was unnecessarily and disrespectfully questioned regarding the publishing of news on Akbar-e-Mashrique. The news in question, supplied by the agency, INS India, is about a thug named Kamalesh Tewari who posed as a member of the Hindu Mahasabha and had been arrested by police in Naka for hurting religious sentiments.

The SHO and his subordinate officers of Sakharpur Police Station needlessly harassed and created mental disturbance of Sh. MW Haque.

The incident is yet another instance of the intolerance of BJP. If an 81-year old Chief Editor of an Urdu daily can be hauled up at midnight for publishing an agency-news, that too about a Hindu radical criminal being sent to jail for his offences, it is for sure that the protectors of law and order in the country are being backed by vindictive politics.

Nadimul Haque speaks on India-Nepal relations

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Sir, the new Constitution of Nepal promises an era peace and progress in a democratic and federal structure. However, the Madhesis and the Tharus, residents of Terai region, have been protesting to the provisions of the Constitution related to political representation, citizenship and inclusion.

Sir, while we cannot ignore our centuries-old relationship with Nepal, we must also consider the fact that Madhesis and Tharus have social, cultural and religious links with Indians living across the border. The interim Constitution of Nepal of 2007 provided for proportionate representation of Madhesis and other such groups in the state organs. But the present Constitution does not provide such options.

The present Constitutions says that only citizens by descent will be eligible to hold public offices like President, Prime Minister, Chief Justice, Chief Secretary etc. This clause may have a discriminatory effect on Madhesis, many of whom have acquired citizenship by naturalisation.

Citizenship by naturalisation is mainly acquired by those who are born to a Nepali parent and a foreigner. Typically, Madhesis tend to marry people from the Indo-Nepal border. As my colleague was saying that ‘roti-beti ka rishta hai’.

Sir, in demarcating the seven provincial boundaries, their Constitution has merged 12 out of the 20 districts of the Terai region with various Hill provinces. The Madhesis and Tharus are arguing that this would allow the Hill districts to dominate in the provinces and deprive them of resources.

Sir, in light of this issue, India expressed concerns after the protests in October, 2015. Also at United Nations Human Rights Council, in November, 2015, India had recommended that the Government of Nepal should accommodate all sections of Nepal in the Constitution building process.

It is pertinent to mention that before raising emerging issues of Indo-Nepal relations in an international forum, it would have been better for our government to continue the process of dialogue with Government of Nepal, keeping in mind the long-standing, friendly bilateral relations between the two countries; even China has started fishing in troubled waters.

Sir, India and Nepal have arguments with regard to trade and commerce, sharing of river waters, energy cooperation, investment protection etc India has also exported petroleum products, motor vehicles, spare parts etc to the tune of around Rs 28000 crore whereas it has imported polyester yarns, textiles, jutes and other products for around Rs 4000 crore in 2014-15. It is therefore a mutual interest that both countries should explore all means to resolve the contentious issues; the sooner it is done the better it would be better for both the countries.

Sir, Nepal shares its borders with five Indian states. These are West Bengal, Sikkim, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Bengal shares its border with three countries. These are Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal. Sir, on a side note it has to be noted that this is a very sensitive area and any cut in state funding is also affecting police modernisation in this area. But I am coming back to the larger issue, Sir.

There are large numbers of people of Nepalese origin who reside both permanently and temporarily in India, particularly in these five states in a conducive atmosphere of amity and fraternity. The Madhesis in Nepal are our brothers and we should have a duty towards them.

In this background, we welcome the meeting between our Minister of External Affairs with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Nepal recently where discussion were held on 4 key issues concerning:

  1. Constituency de-limitation
  2. Political representation
  3. Citizenship
  4. Demarcation of provinces

Sir, my party sincerely hopes and believes that considering the warmth exuded by the Indian Government during the April, 2015 earthquake in Nepal, a similar gesture would be extended by the Government of Nepal for betterment of relations with India.

Sir, I rest my case.

Trinamool dominates Rajya Sabha, raises key issues

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All India Trinamool Congress was once again seen playing the role of a responsible Opposition in Rajya Sabha today. Trinamool dominated the proceedings of the House during the first one hour as party MPs raised three key issues of public importance.

Leader of the party in Rajya Sabha, Derek O’Brien said, “My colleagues Dola Sen and Nadimul Haque spoke in Rajya Sabha today on three key issues – funds to States, Swaach Bharat cess & education. We believe in deliberate, debate and legislate.”

Dola Sen spoke about the burden Centre’s Swachh Bharat cess is causing on the poor people. “Services that the government is actively championing for the rural poor including mobile and financial services just became more expensive and difficult for them to access,” she said.

Click here for the full transcript of her speech

She also slammed the Centre as she made a Special Mention on the reduced funding for several central schemes. “The Government must explain how State Governments are to carry on critical welfare programmes, and ensure development in the states without adequate funds,” she demanded to know.

Click here for the full transcript of her speech

Nadimul Haque raised an important matter concerning the education sector. He made a Special Mention about the shortage of faculty in Indian universities. “his inadequacy of our faculty appointments and selection systems is gravely affecting the quality of education that students of higher education are receiving,” he said.

Click here for the full transcript of his speech

Meanwhile, in Lok Sabha, leader of the party, Sudip Bandyopadhyay urged the Centre to include Belur-Dakkhineshwar in the list of sites for religious tourism. “Belur is Swami Vivekananda’s dream; Ramakrishna Paramhansa Dev’s name is associated with Dakkhineshwar,” he said.

Sudip Banerjee added that in 2013-2014 & 2014-15 the Centre had not allotted a single rupee for the state of West Bengal. He requested the Centre not to neglect West Bengal and promote spiritual tourism sites in the State.

Click here for the full transcript of his speech

Post lunch, Sudip Bandyopadhyay spoke in Lok Sabha about the prevailing drought situation in the country. He urged the Centre to come up with a positive action plan and requested the government not to neglect the eastern zone of the country

Click here for the full transcript of his speech

In a discussion on the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2014, Vivek Gupta spoke in RS on the demerits in the Bill brought by the government. He listed how several definitions of corruption do not find place in the Bill. Gupta echoed the view of party Chairperson Mamata Banerjee by calling for electoral reforms.

Click here for the full transcript of his speech

During another discussion on the India-Nepal relations in Rajya Sabha, Nadimul Haque made a passionate case for normalising the ties of the countries. He said that Madhesis were like our brothers and India has a duty towards them. He hoped Government of Nepal would reciprocate the warmth shown by Government of India during Nepal earthquake.

Click here for the full transcript of his speech

Nadimul Haque makes Special Mention on shortage of faculty in Indian universities

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A huge shortage of faculty in Indian universities is crippling the growth and quality of higher education in India. Central universities face a vacancy rate of more than 35% of teaching positions. Even our leading institutions such as the IITs and IIMs face huge faculty shortages, as high as 46% in some cases – especially in new institutes. The situation has not improvedover the years – even in 2013, more than 38% of teaching positions in the IITs were vacant.

The process of appointing directors and heads of these institutions is also flawed. Increasingly, we are seeing more reports of the Government appointing unqualified people to head our leading institutions, with little consultation with experts and unheeding of student protests. Increasing pressure and control by the Government has oftentimes let to resignations of institute directors, worsening an already critical situation.

This inadequacy of our faculty appointments and selection systems isgravely affecting the quality of education that students of higher education are receiving. Teacher-student ratios are rising, the attention and support students are able to receive is falling, and the research capabilities and reputations of our institutions are seriously affected.

The government must take immediate steps to enhance availability of qualified faculty by encouraging students to take up Ph.D. and MPhil programmes, attracting more students with research grants and scholarships. Academic and industry experts must be consulted in the appointment of institution directors and chairmen. The Government should also increase funding of educational institutions at the Central and State levels to allow them to hire and retain the best faculty.

Nadimul Haque raises the issue of non-payment of arrears to ISP workers

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Sir, today I would like to draw the attention of the house to the issue of non-payment of arrears to the integrated steel plant employees from 1997 to 2005.

Sir, the issue of non-payment of arrears has been pending for the last 18 years with SAIL and has affected approximately 18,000 employees of the ISP, many of whom have retired or died. Moreover it is pertinent to mention that the payment of arrears to the employees due to the imposition of the new contingency on various and numerous occasions.

That being said, earlier payment of arrears was conditional on the issue of renew of Chidiya lease in favour of SAIL. Subsequently the payment of arrears was made contingent to the profits of the ISP. However Sir, when the condition relating to the profits of the ISP was crystalised in 2009-10 and subsequently in 2010-11, then the payment of arrears was again made contingent subject of the integrated commissioning of a new plant at Burnpur.

Since the commissioning of the integrated plant has been successfully completed Sir, hence it would be in the interest of justice that the ISP employees are given the payment for the arrears as decided in the 369th meeting of the SAIL board held on 29-03-2011.

In this regard Sir, I would request the minister of steel to look into this matter with immediate effect as it involves the payment of arrears of the Integrated Steel Plant employees who have already gone through severe mental harassment on this issue, Sir, although the first instalment has been paid to the current employees Sir, many of the employees especially those who have retired are still facing very much hardships.

Thank you.

WB CM to confer Tarana-e-Hind on poet Iqbal

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will felicitate Waleed Iqbal, the grandson of famous poet Allama Iqbal, at a three-day international literary festival organised by State’s Urdu Academy from May 29.

Known for his poem Saare Jahan Se Achcha , also referred as Tarana-e-Hind, Muhammad Iqbal, or Allama Iqbal, is considered one of an important poets of the pre-Independent India.

Ms Banerjee, the chairman of the West Bengal Urdu Academy, is very fond of the poem Saare Jahan se Achcha. She will confer Tarana-e-Hind award on the poet’s grandson.

“The West Bengal Urdu Academy is making all efforts to make the event a success. The event will also help in the spread of Urdu language in the State,” Md. Nadimul Haque, Trinamool Congress MP to Rajya Sabha, said.

A section of the library of the West Bengal Urdu Academy will be dedicated to literature of Iqbal during the festival starting May 29.

Nadimul Haque demands creation of special category under Arjuna Awards for the differently-abled | Full Transcript

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Full Transcript

Sir, recently our country has lost a brilliant sportsperson in the form of Masudur Rahman Baidya, who was not only an exceptional swimmer but also an inspiration and hope for millions of people. Despite being differently-abled, he has shown the world that if you have the will power, you can dominate millions of hearts.

A person with double amputation below the knee, he has conquered the English Channel in 1997, the Strait of Gibraltar in 2001 and the Palk Strait in July 2010. He certainly deserves special recognition from the country. We, as a country, have not been much generous towards differently-abled sportspersons.

The efforts one undertakes to be in the field, whatever it be, need special applaud from us who enjoy that tremendous performance. The ace swimmer had said in last December that we are a part of society, given the responsibility, we too can deliver, just like we are doing at various disabled games.

Sir, the West Bengal Government and, specially, our Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, has taken various initiatives for the recognition of differently-abled sportspersons. She has also expressed her solidarity with the family of Masudur Rahman Baidya, who passed away on 26th April at the age of 46 years.

Through this august House, we demand from the Government that there should be a special category of Arjuna Awards for differently-abled athletes and sportspersons, and it should be named after Masudur Rahman Baidya.

Sir, this special recognition will inspire several differentlyabled brothers and sisters, and they will get encouragement and special recognition while living their dreams to play the game, be it any game.

Nadimul Haque speaks during discussion on Budget (Railways) 2015-2016 | Transcript

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Full Transcript: 

Sir, Budget mein aam taur par, saal ka income aur expenditure hote hai, lekin is Budget mein woh gayeb hai. Lehaza, ise Budget nahi hai, balki sirf ek wishlist kaha ja sakta hai. Is me, kuch bhi specific nahi hai. Ek zamana tha, lok kehte the, ki fir chali hai rail, station se leherate huye. Ab zamana hai, ki lok kehte hai, ab chali hai rail, station se roti, rulati huye.

Vice Chairman sahab, idhar mein kehna chahta hun aur zarori samajhta hun, ki Bangal ko is Budget mein fund se mehroom rakha gaya hai. Wahan ke bahut sare projects adhure rah gaye hai.

Metro rail ko, fund kam kar diye gaya hai. Barasat sector mein Rs 2081 crore mein sirf Rs 140 crore allot kar diya gaya hai. Jo line Furfura Sharif ja rahi thi, us par kaam rok diya giya hai. 48 ROB and RUB project ko manzuri mili thi, lekin fatak panch ke liye fund sanction kiya giya hai aur woh bhi pura nahi. Yeh sarasar nainsafi hain.

Dilake ke bharosa fir garibo ka mazak uraya na karo, hum jhopri mein rehte hai, mahalo ka khwab dekhaya na karo.

Vice Chairman saab, hum log aksar sunte hai, ki Sarkar garibo ke bare mein soch rahi hai, leken is Budget mein garibo ke liye kya hai? Mujhe yaad hai, Bengal ki maujuda Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, jab Rail Minister thi, tab unhone garibo ke liye ‘Izzat Ticket’ zari kiya tha. Iss ticket ki kimat keval Rs 25 mahena thi.

Humne sirf zabani zama kharchi se kaam nahi liya, balki apne action se sabit kar diya, ki hum garibo ke saath the, hai aur hamesha rahenge.

Mujhe yeh umid thi, ki Sarkar bhi garibo ke liye izzat bakshengi, leken afsos, aisa na huya. Sir, tel ki international kimat main zabardast kamhi ayi hai, lekin passenger fares main koi kami nehi ayi hai. Budget main proposal aya hai ki booking abhi 4 mahine kabal ki ja sakegi, leken mera manna yeh hain ki, jab tak stationo se touts aur dalalo ko hataya na jayega, tab tak passengers ko harassment ka samna karna hoga.

Dusri point, freight rate, joh duniya main sabsi mehengi hai, main abhi 10% izafa kiya giya hai. Isse garib ke taklif badhegi aur zarori ashiya ki, khaas kar grain, urea, coal, iron ore aur cement ki dam par asar parega aur yeh upor ki taraf jayenge. Tel ki kimat par girabat baoyajut Railway ka operative margin kabo me nahi hai. Agar sahi tarike se dekha jay to passenger revenue ki value aur volume dono me kami ai hay. Rehaza fund ke internal generation me bhi over all kami hai.

Taja surat ke hal ke mutabik, Railway me investment kamzor huwa hai aur 12th plan me jaisa plan kiya gaya that uske as pas bhi nehi hai. Iske waje se desh ke GDP growth me salana 2% ka pharak hai.

Sir, pichle tin saalo me Railways me dher lakh crore ki sarmaya lagaya gaya hai aur Rail Mantri kehte hai ki agle 5 saalo me Rs 8 lakh crore ki investment ayega. Yeh investment kaha se ayega? Ek zamana tha ki Rail amiro ki sawari huwa karti thi. Lekin abh Railway ki passengers jyadatar garib aur middle class janta hoti hai. Passenger safety ke liye sirf Rs 2200 crore mukhtaj kiye gaye hai. Yeh bahut kam hai.

Kaha ja raha hai ki koi nayi train eilan na karke sarkar ne bari sujbuj ka moijara kiya hai lekin hum par lazmi nahi hai ki hum apni zimmedari nibhaye aur dekhe desh ki backward areas khas karke tribal belt, north east aur central India iske wajah se koi mann ki asar nehi parega khas kar jab ek wahid bullet train par Rs 60,000 crore ke lagat arahi hai.

Vice Chairman saab, Railways National asset ki sath sath strategic defense asset bhi hai. Aur iski nijkari ya privatisation faida seedha corporate aur multinantionals ko hoga.

Budget mein vision2030 ki baath ki gayi hai. Mai izzatmak mantra ji se gujarish karunga ki woh 2009 ki Railway Budget ko ekbar dekhe jaha vision 2020 document ka eilan kiya gaya hai. Iske tahat shuru kiye gaye kafi projects neglect ka swikar hai. Mai unmeed karta hu mantra ji in projects ko jald se jald pura karenge.

Sir, Rabindranath Tagore had once said and I quote – Let me not pray to be sheltered from dangers but to be fearless in facing them.

Sir, akhir me yeh kehna jaroori samajta hu ki hamari abadi 125 crore ki hai aur Railways mulk ki sabsi bari service provider hai. Lihaza Railways sirf ek commercial entity nehi ho sakti. The rich and poor all get there momentum with a movement of its wheels. Mai bus itnahi kehkar apna baath khatam karunga oh Prabhu yeh kaisa Budget hai. Hey Prabhu sab kuch abh tere haath me hai.

 

Translation:

Usually a budget has Income and Expenditures listed, but this Budget has it evidently missing. That is why we should not call this a budget, but instead name it a wishlist.

West Bengal has been devoid of funds in this Budget. Several projects are incomplete. Metro rails has been neglected completely and funds for Barasat sector was Rs 2081 Crore but only Rs 140 Crore has been allotted and other projects are put on hold. 48 projects were sanctioned for ROBs and RUBs, but even that too has been put on hold.

This is an unfair budget and a mockery of the poor and needy. At the time of Mamata Banerjee as Rail Minister she introduced ‘Izzat Ticket’ for the poor, only Rs 25 per month. She proved with this that our party is for the people and we  care about their dignity.

Fuel prices have reduced but there is no decrease in prices of passenger fares. Freight rates have been hiked by 10%, which will directly affect the households of the people. We have the costliest freight in the world. For security and safety of passengers only Rs 2200 Crore have been allocated

Even though the Government has introduced no new trains, it is their responsibility to look into backward tribal areas, North East and Central India. While one section of India is being deprived, another will have Bullet trains which is very unfair.

Railway along with National Asset is also a strategic Defense Asset where the PPP model will only benefit corporates. Sir, Rabindranath Tagore had once said and I quote – Let me not pray to be sheltered from dangers but to be fearless in facing them.

I would suggest the Hon’ble Minister to have a look at the 2009 document of Vision 2020. Many projects introduced in this document have been neglected by the current Government. I urge the Government to complete these projects. Railway is the lifeline of India’s large population, do not treat it just as a commercial entity.

Thank You.