Kalyan Banerjee speaks during Question Hour on re-employment of retired bureaucrats

Kalyan Banerjee speaks during Question Hour on re-employment of retired bureaucrats

Posted on August 10, 2016 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Experience speaks. After retirement many bureaucrats, and even the judicial officers, are sent to tribunals etc. Who are these bureaucrats? Those who are in favour of the government of the day. Madam, they are sent to the tribunals and all they do is occupy the chairs. This is our experience.

Why are serving bureaucrats not appointed to administrative tribunals? What is the need to re-appoint retired bureaucrats? Then the system would be more beneficial.

This government is in power today; some other party will form the government tomorrow. This government will appoint their favourite people to the tribunals.

Madam, I have a question to the Hon’ble Minister to this extent. Would he kindly re-think about the appointment of retired Bureaucrats. Will you bring the bureaucrats who are in service and have the accountability?

Satabdi Roy speaks in Lok Sabha during Question Hour on the violation of EMF Norms

Posted on August 10, 2016 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Madam, these days mobile companies are putting up mobile towers even in flats against a monthly sum of money. Will the Minister do something regarding these towers have on those who live in these houses and flats? Will the Minister please give his attention to this issue?

Derek O’Brien speaks in Rajya Sabha on government resolution on Railways

Posted on August 9, 2016 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Sir, this is a serious issue. Indian Railways is more on time than Air India. This Railway Committee actually has only one agenda for the entire year, which is to announce a dividend.

Suresh Prabhu ji is very enthusiastic and very earnest in his efforts, especially in the way he coordinates with all the States. We appreciate that. This discussion may be for 20-25 minutes but it is worth Rs 12000 crore.

Sir, based on the recommendations of this Committee, in the 1920s, I think it was 1924, the finances of the Indian Railways was separated from the Union Budget. The Indian Railways became a public sector undertaking in 1924. Now Sir, the commitment of the Indian Railways has changed. It is not only about profit, it is also about social responsibility.

In 1964, on the recommendations of this committee, Rs 100 crore was given to the Indian Railways, after which the Railways used it for its projects. For the last few years, the dividend has gone down from seven per cent to six per cent, five per cent, so much so now that this year the Committee has recommended that the dividend will come down from five per cent to four per cent. This means Suresh Prabhu ji will have Rs 6000 crore each in the left and right pockets.

Sir, my question is, why do we need to give even one per cent dividend from the Railways to the central government. Let that money remain in the Railways; that can be used in other social sector projects. You can use it in Kashmir or other places which are connected.

The Railway Standing Committee has made a serious recommendation this year; my colleague was the Chairman of the Committee. The Committee made a recommendation of scaling down the dividend to zero per cent. We understand that if suddenly from Rs 12000 crore we give Prabhu ji zero, he will be a very disappointed person. However, Sir, I believe, as a House, as Parliamentarians, we should take this issue up and reduce the dividend from four per cent to two per cent and then off it goes.

Railways cannot have this extra money. I will tell you why. Because once this money goes to the Railways, with no offence meant to Suresh Prabhu ji, then the priorities change. Let me give you an example – to build a bullet train. Now, we all want bullet trains. Bullet train is very good. But the cost to build a bullet train, even if Japan gives you money, will be Rs 90000 crore. What will the bullet train do? It will connect Mumbai to Ahmedabad.

Sir, you can put that money – at least Rs 40-50 thousand crore – to the national highways; you could have better roads. You can put it into other programmes. Sir, you can increase railway safety. I don’t have any problem with having a bullet train but I think if you use your money like this, Suresh Prabhu ji, it will be a misfired bullet.

Today if you look at the Railways – Suresh Prabhu ji has inherited some of it and it is not entirely his fault – there is over a cost overrun of Rs 1 lakh crore on the Railways. If you look at the smaller projects it is about Rs 7000 crore.

In the morning today, we asked the government why do you want cess. Similarly, I would like the Railway Minister and all the parties – in Opposition or the government – to reconsider this old colonial system of giving railway money, sucking railway money out because one Mr Acworth thought about it in the 1920s.

Sir, the allocation for Sarva Siksha Abhiyan for 2016-17 is Rs 22000 crore; the total allocation for construction of roads and highways is Rs 55000 crore. Sir, I want to leave behind this thought. Sir, since the concept of the Indian Railway has changed from colonial times and today there is social responsibility as well as a commercial viability, the only way to stop doing this is not to give the dividend to the Finance Minister.

What is basically happening is Suresh Prabhu ji is giving Hon’ble Arun Jaitley ji Rs 12000 crore. This is the bottom line of what we are discussing today. Let it be for this year, Sir. But next year we should look at the Standing Committee recommendation, look at the discussions of Railway Convention.

I think this is beyond a political issue and I think the Indian Railway, as I speak for them, must keep all the money. No more debate. This year jo mil gaya, woh ho gaya.

Thank you, Sir.

Vivek Gupta speaks on The Enforcement of Security Interest and Recovery of Debts Laws and Miscellaneous Provisions (Amendment) Bill, 2016

Posted on August 9, 2016 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Deputy Chairman Sir, aap ka bahut bahut dhanyavad ki aaj aap ne mauka diya iss Bill pe bolne ke liye. Sir, main thora sa samay lunga, thora sa indulgence chahunga, ki aaj iss Bill par humlog kyun bol rahe hain. Aisi kya samasya hain jo humlog address karna chah rahe hain?

Sir, 76,300 cases pending pare huye hain May 2016 tak. Karib karib 2 lakh rupiya bank-o ka phansa hua hain court cases mein. Aur bade corporate jo hote hain, jo bade corporate ka naam sunta hoon, unki ek ek case mein lagbhag 500 hearings hoti hain aur uske karan poora process delay hota hain. Issi sab cheez-o ko shayad humlog address karna chah rahe hain is Bill mein, jahan tak mujhe samajh mein aaya hain.

Aur iske elawa shayad, jo hamare Mananiya Vitta Mantri ne kaha tha pichle Session mein, jab Insolvency Act pass hua tha, ki yeh charon Act aayenge – so this is enabling a continuous legislation. Aur ek aur problem bataya gaya tha, jo recovery officer judicial authorities mein kaam karte, unke training kam hain.

Sir, mujhe samajh mein nahin aa raha ki problem yeh thi lekin solution kuch aur dikhaya gaya hain. Main chahunga kabhi Vitta Mantri hum logo ko bhi samjha de apni bhashan mein, jab woh karna chahein.

Mein quote karna chahunga sabse pehle: ‘The DRT will become the country’s first online court.’ Sir, yahaan par gaon mein bijli nahin hain, internet nahin hain, aur humlog online online kar rahe hain. Un logon ke bare mein bhi sochna chahiye jinke paas bijli ya internet nahin hain. Mujhe woh is Bill mein kahin nahin mila. Un logon ke bare mein nahin bhulna chahiye kyunki different karne wala jo hota hai unko hamesha victim kaha jata hain.

DRT mein jo jane wala hain woh garib aadmi hain, kyun ki ek bada bank jab garib aadmi par attack karta hain, usi ke liye mein bolna chah raha hoon. Woh toh bank ke paas online suvidha hain, DRT ke paas online suvidha hain, jo victim jayega unke paas online suvidha hain.

Sir, doosra jo problem hain, banks directly guaranters pe chale jate hain, borrowers ko chor dete hain. Banks ko jo selective powers milta hain, is par socha jana chahiye. Sir, banks ko private businesses ke bare mein bhi khayal rehna chahiye. Jisko cheques milta hain banks se ya kisi sarkari sanstha se, jo cheques bounce hota hain, jo 3 crore cases pending hain usme kitne cheque bouncing cases hain uske bare mein koi nivaran nahin hain. Finance Minister Ji ne kaha tha jab Insolvency Act paas hua tha, ki yeh cheque bouncing aur negotiable instruments ke bare mein bhi amendments layenge ki logon ko rahat mil sake jinke cheque bouncing cases hain, woh bhi nahin.

Sir, yeh samajh mein aaya ki asset reconstruction companies (ARC) ko bahut space diya gaya hain iss Bill mein. Coincidence hain jaise hi FDI unme 100% kiya giya hain, job hi uske maange hain Bill mein kar diya giya hain. ARC zaroori hain, desh mein pragati honi chahiye, hum uske khilaf nahin hain. Magar Sir, hum ek cheez chahte hain.

Hamari sari State Governments mein debt ki itni problem hain, thora unke bare mein bhi sochiye, ki unka karz kaise thik ho sakta hain. Hamare West Bengal Government jo hain, 3 lakh crore ke karz se guzar raha hain. Banks ka halka sa NPA hota hain, unko aap recapitalise kar dete hain, Bill modify karne le aate, thora sa States ke bare mein bhi sochiye. States bhi aap ki hain. Banks toh paisa kamane ke liye hain. States toh development ka kaam kar kar rahin hain. States ka saath aap ka 100% relation hain, banks ke saath phir bhi toh 50% rishtedari hain. Toh States ko jab takleef hota hain, toh States ko kyun nahin dhyan dete hain aap debt ke upar mein? Kyun nahin aap thora sa madat karte hain – kyun nahin unko re-capitalise karte, unko madat karte? Sir, iska jawab mein Vitta Mantri se aap ke madhyam se chahunga. Sir, States ka sara kharcha development mein hoti hain. Banks audyogic growth karte hain, States development aur social growth karti hain, iske bare main sochna chahiye.

Sir, hamare Vitta Mantri Ji ka ek qur quote yahan karna chahunga, jo unhone sadan mein diya tha kuch din pehle: “States have to solve their own problems because of some previous problems they had.” Sur, States cannot solve their own problems. Aap ek taraf baat karoge cooperative federalism, federal structure, constitution ki. Sir, kya humlog yeh man le Jaitley Ji ke bhashan ke baad ki yeh one-way federalism hone wala hain? This is failed federalism. Yeh kaun sa federalism hain? Sir, yeh spirit of federalism mein ek tarah ka bhashan toh nahin hona chahiye ki States apni samasyaon ka samadhan khud kare. Agar Central Government aisi tarah pallah jhar degi State Governemnts se, tab toh ho giya federalism. Sir, mujhe toh kabhi kabhar yeh lagte hain yeh sab neeti-o ko dekh kar ki yeh camouflaged centralism na ho.

Sir, yeh jo banks ko jo powers de rahi hain, yeh debt recovery tribunals yeh sab, banks ke saath hum jab deal karte hain, ek banking ombudsman hote hain. Mujhe lagta hain DRT ka bhi ek ombudsman hona chahiye kyunki bahut bar dekha giya hain ki banks apne records ko thik nahin karte. Sir, recently case aaya hain Kolkata mein, High Court mein pending hain, jahan bank ne ek property nilam ke liye nikali, uska inspection nahin karaya, usko nilam kar kar diya. Baad mein pata chala ki paisa bank ke paas aaya hua tha. Sir, is tarah ke mamle aur bhi ho sakte hain, safeguards iss Bill mein kahan hain, yeh hume nahin mila, yeh Vitta Mantri ko aapke madhyam se hume bataye.

Sir, kuch sujhav hain, ki DRTs badaya jaye, appellate tribunals badaya jaye, un mein jo vacancies hain unko aap bhariye, aur inki pehle proper training karaiye. Aur Sir, issi tarah, jo karz lene wala hain, uske bare mein bhi sochiye, unko bhi vichar-vimarsh ke liye bulaiye, unki bhi genuine wishes hain. Unko sab on board le ke yeh kaam kariye.

Thank you, Sir.

Aparupa Poddar speaks in Lok Sabha on The Central Agricultural University (Amendment) Bill, 2016

Posted on August 9, 2016 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Thank you for allowing me to speak on The Central Agricultural University (Amendment) Bill, 2016.

The purpose of the Bill is to include the state of Nagaland under the jurisdiction of the Central Agricultural University, having its headquarter in Imphal. This Bill helps to impart education in different branches of agriculture and allied sciences, undertake research in agriculture, and extension of education in Hilly regions with national and international institutes.

As agriculture is the main economic activity in Nagaland; more than 90 percent of the population is employed within it, with more than 60 tribes and sub tribes who have their own culture tradition and language. The widespread practice of jhum cultivation has led to soil erosion and loss of soil fertility. Research is required to retain soil fertility. Imphal with a hot and humid rainy season during summer and cool dry winter with fertile land made up of alluvial soil will help the farmers with new techniques thereby contributing to the productivity of agriculture of the region.

This would help in getting over the shortage of technical manpower and infrastructural facilities and would contribute to the development of agriculture including animal husbandry and horticulture, plant pathology, plan reading, soil science, agricultural chemistry.

After inclusion of state of Nagaland under the jurisdiction of Central Agricultural University, the College of Veterinary Science in Nagaland will produce professional manpower in the field of animal husbandry which will facilitate the social economy growth in the region thereby contributing in the productivity of the animals in Nagaland and will be a great blessing for the people of the state.

According to the 12th plan, Rs 14.31 crore shall be expended after establishment of the college of veterinary science in Nagaland which is a very welcome initiative. The state of Nagaland has enormous potential for production season and off-season agricultural foods and vegetables.

But due to proper storage and harvest handling there is a huge loss especially for the perishable items. Funds should be provided for purchase of machineries and equipment with reasonable affordable subsidy policy. The connectivity to the potential areas from village to highway and market should be improved to boost the economy of the rural farmers.

Deputy Speaker Sir, the state does not have industries to absorb the educated unemployed youth because the state has no proper infrastructure and institutional set up. So they have every reason to take up agriculture seriously. Hon’ble President Pranab Mukherjee on 6 February, 2016 at 54th Convocation of Indian Agricultural Research Institute had addressed that agricultural education in our country must be conformed to the global standards and we need to create a large pool of competent faculty in our institutions and technology to promote agriculture nationwide.

In West Bengal, the Bidhan Chandra Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya is doing good research work and it is one of the best research institutes of the country; it is a state university. Its research work with modern technique are helping the farmers.

The government should take measures to reduce discrimination among various sections of people, specially the Dalit students and make an environment of studies and research in the university to shape students and to develop the nation.

So, I welcome the initiative taken by the government and on behalf of my party All India Trinamool Congress we support the Bill.

Thank you very much.

Pratima Mandal speaks on The Employee’s Compensation Amendment Bill, 2016 in LS

Posted on August 9, 2016 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Thank you Deputy Chairman Sir for giving me the opportunity to speak on The Employee’s Compensation Amendment Bill, 2016. This is surely an important initiative since it recognizes the importance of workers employed in any capacity specified in Schedule II of the 1923 Act. It includes factories, mines, construction works and certain other hazardous occupations and seeks to better protect the right of employees’ compensation.

It is revealed in the Bill that every employer shall immediately at the time of employment of the employee inform about his right to compensation under this Act in writing as well as through electronic means in English or Hindi or in official languages of the area of employment. In my opinion it is a very good move and House should appreciate the inclusion of such a good provision.

The Bill also provides for increase in penalty for contravention of the Act of Rs 50000 – from the current Rs 5000 – that may be later raised to Rs 1 lakh. In today’s socio-economic scenario this is a very commendable initiative and we look forward to many such initiatives.

Section 30 of The Employee’s Compensation Act, 1923 provides for appeal in High Court whenever the disputed amount of compensation is more than Rs 300. The Bill seeks to raise this to Rs 10000, which may be further increased through a notification later.

The one of the major objective of the Bill is to reduce litigation. The proposed Bill is based on the report of the Law Commission which intends to close more litigation at the level of Commissioner for Workmen’s Compensation, appointed by State Government for a particular area.

I would like to mention here that from the reply of the answered Question No 3198 dated 16-03-2015, it is clear that there are a large number of cases pending to be disposed of. You must appreciate, Sir, that many of these people have become incapacitated. So, I would like to request that special provisions – by holding special court or any other means – are undertaken to expedite the cases to help these people.

Sir, I would also like to mention here that from the reply of the answered Question No 6070 dated 30-04-2015, it is mentioned that the reason for delay of giving compensation by different companies is non-submission of requisite documents by the claimants, verification of the genuineness of the claimants, delay in obtaining of the verification report.

In that case company should take all the required documents including health status during the process of employment. I would like to point out here that hardly any companies follow the safety measures to avoid hazardous disease like silicosis, a lung disease caused by inhalation of dust containing silica. The employees working in the coal mines and iron factories also need preventive measures for any sudden accident. I would like to urge that in case the company does not provide the workers with the safety aid, the company should be penalized, this should be taken care of by the Government.

In hazardous environment like coal mine, stone quarry and others the workers must be made aware of the safety measure that they should abide by, there should be surprise audit to check whether they are following them or not. Awareness should also be created through lecture sessions, posters, videos to make them understand what would happen if they do not follow the safety measures. If there is no health insurance it must be made mandatory so that the company provides health insurance scheme to all the employees.

Sir, I would also like to mention here that if there is any death in harness then the company should provide adequate compensation like pension to their employee so they can survive and carry on their life. With these words I on behalf of my party All India Trinamool Congress wholeheartedly support this Bill.

Thank you.

Saugata Roy speaks on Kashmir issue during Zero Hour in Lok Sabha

Posted on August 9, 2016 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Madam, this is about Kashmir. Another protester succumbed to injuries in Kashmir yesterday, pushing the death toll in the month up to 58, even as curfew and security restrictions continue to remain in place in the Valley. So far there had been 933 pellet cases.

On Monday, 7 civilians including 4 women were hit by pellets in Anantnag district. There are no signs of clashes and protests abetting in the valley. Three BSF persons were also killed in an attack by militants in North Kashmir

The Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister reportedly told the Home Minister while initiating the dialogue process Centre must ensure that the cycle of violence goes down.

Dasarath Tirkey speaks on the occasion of Adivasi Diwas in Lok Sabha

Posted on August 9, 2016 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Thank you Madam for giving me the opportunity speak on the occasion of Adivasi Diwas. All the members of this House are aware that the apex court has recognised Adivasis as the oldest citizens of the country. But nowadays a lot of atrocities are being committed on Adivasis.

The media and newspapers keep reporting about atrocities committed on Adivasis across the country. However, the Hon. Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee, who is our beloved Didi, is working tirelessly for the welfare of Adivasis and their all-round development.

I wish to know from the Government what measures are they taking for the development of Adivasis. Thank you.

Derek O’Brien’s Question on National Rural Drinking Water Programme

Posted on August 9, 2016 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) the number of people who have contracted water-borne diseases over the last three years, State-wise and year-wise;

(b) the number of such cases that have been fatal;

(d) the funds allocated and disbursed for these efforts in the last three years?

First Supplementary Question

Budget 2016-17 has been a dampener in its allocation of Rs 5000 crore for the National Rural Drinking Water Programme being only a marginal improvement over the previous year’s allocation of Rs 4373 crores.

This year’s budget for AMRUT and for 100 smart cities is about Rs 7000 crore. The emphasis is on drawing water from exogenous sources instead of developing and managing local water sources.

How is the Centre planning on ensuring that all households – whether rural or urban are receiving clean and potable water?

Second Supplementary Question

Sir, I hate to say this but when it becomes convenient, the matter goes to the State. Anyway, Sir, since the Finance Minister is also here, may be in the answer I will get some assurance and maybe the Minister will also get some assurance from the Finance Minister.

Sir, the question is that given the situation, not only in Delhi but in other places too, Sir this budget for National Rural Drinking Water Programme, Sir, will not solve any of the problems. Sir, the budget should be in the range from 8000 to 9000 crore rupees.

So, to reach the goals of the National Rural Drinking Water Programme does the Union Minister have a specific plan in mind as to what is the overall budget, so that they can resolve the basic issue of providing potable drinking water to people.

Thank you

Kalyan Banerjee speaks on external support to insurgent groups during Question Hour

Posted on August 9, 2016 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

The Hon’ble minister has given a written reply. I have never seen such a cryptic reply of any Ministry in respect of such an important issue. So cryptic, I cannot imagine. This is not a reply at all.

For more than half a century, the people of North-East India have seen an unending cycle of violent conflicts dominated by insurgents with demands ranging from outright sorority to getting political autonomy.

Insurgency has taken a toll on thousands of lives of both of security forces and citizens. The root of insurgency in the North-Eastern region is imbedded in the geographic history and host of socio-economic factors. Ninety-eight percent of the borders of the region are international borders. While the population share is 3.90 crores (a mere 3 percent) but between 1951-2001 it has gone up by 200 percent.

Madam, there are recommendations of a high level commission regarding the transformation of the North-East.

Eight recommendations were made by this commission, constituted by the Centre:

A North-Eastern council should be implemented to fill the gaps in the infrastructure of the region.
A comprehensive framework to be involved and put in place to promote the region as a preferred investment destination.
A transport development fund to fund construction of important road corridor should be taking a set up.
Comprehension implementation of Look-East policy though relevant for the country as a whole is especially important for the long term board of the north east.
The agenda for the implementation must be prepared in active association with the State Government.
Rail connectivity has to be made.
Greater efforts are needed to establish bank branches and other credit disbursement
Setting up of Centers of Excellence for professional higher education in North-east.

There is a need to make an in-depth study. In 50 per cent of the border area, there is no fencing till now.

Madam, my question before the Hon’ble Minister is that whether the central government has gone through the recommendations made by the high level commission regarding the transformation of North-East. If so, what steps have been taken?

Second supplementary question

It is a fact that this central government has stopped the ‘Operation All Clear’ and ‘Operation Golden Bar’ – a joint military operation on the soil of neighbouring countries along the North-East border to pass out the insurgent militant grants.

If so what are the reasons? What is the cause behind the failure of the government to stop the repeated insurgency in the North-Eastern region of the country?