Tag: Rajya Sabha

Nadimul Haque speaks on interest cut in small savings schemes

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FULL TRANSCRIPT

Thank you Hon. Deputy Chairman Sir.

Sir, the population of senior citizens in our country is 10.38 crore, which is about 8.6 per cent of the total population. Recently, the interest rates on major savings schemes like Public Provident Fund (PPF), Kisan Vikas Patra and Senior Citizens Saving Scheme were cut by 10 basis points. The interest on PPF is now at 7.9 per cent, which is the lowest since 1980.

When bank fixed deposits offer much less returns, these types of savings schemes are the only feasible options for senior citizens and retired persons. The Government has said that this is necessary because Government bond yields fall due to market fluctuations.

Sir, small savings have two important incentives – one, it has tax benefits, and two, it is safe when compared to the market.

This type of market-influenced small savings is hurting investors, especially old people, farmers and women. 1.61 lakh senior citizens’ savings schemes are in operation. About 85 lakh Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana accounts have been opened, with more than 5 lakh in Bengal itself.

This step is causing hardship to them as their savings are being hugely hit. There are apprehensions that these rates will fall more sharply in the future as they are linked to the market.

The Government has also changed the process by revising rates every quarter instead of annual revisions. People are being forced to invest directly in the market, which is risky. The Government is in favour of corporates rather than its people.

Savings are the backbone of the Indian economy, and hence the Government’s policy should be towards encouraging and incentivising the same. I hope the Government will take into consideration the distress caused by this move to the people and take a decision on the revision of rates so that lakhs of people do not lose on their return on savings.

The Government should take the example of West Bengal and set up a toll-free senior citizens’ helpline to raise awareness and help them in such matters. The National Policy for Senior Citizens must be revised at the earliest.

Like the White Revolution and the Pink Revolution, we should introduce a Grey Revolution to protect the senior citizens of our country, who have dedicated their lives to its welfare.

Sir, as many people requested, I want to end with a couplet:

Peeche bandhe hain haat
Magar sakht hain safar
Kis se kahein ki paon se
Kaante nikaal de.

Trinamool MPs protest outside Parliament against interest cut in small savings schemes

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Trinamool Congress today held a dharna in front of Mahatma Gandhi’s statue in the Parliament complex, protesting against the slashing of interest rates on PPF and other small savings schemes.

Party MPs from both the Houses were present, raising slogans against the Centre’s move that would hurt the common people while no action was  being taken against defaulters of NPA. The MPs demanded withdrawal of interest cut in small saving schemes by the Centre. Saugata Roy raised the issue during Zero Hour in Lok Sabha.

Bengal CM had earlier attacked the Centre on this issue and said this decision would lead to the mushrooming of chit funds. Trinamool had organised a rally against the Centre in Kolkata on April 3, 2017, on the same issue.

 

স্বল্প সঞ্চয় প্রকল্পে সুদের হার কমানোর প্রতিবাদে সংসদে ধর্ণা তৃণমূলের

স্বল্প সঞ্চয় প্রকল্পে সুদের হার কমানোর প্রতিবাদে সংসদে ধর্ণা দিলেন তৃণমূলের সাংসদরা। কেন্দ্রের এই জনবিরোধী নীতির বিরুদ্ধে বিভিন্ন স্লোগানের মাধ্যমে সরব হন তারা।

সাংসদরা বলেন সাধারণ মানুষের সঞ্চয়ে সুদের হার কমানো হচ্ছে কিন্তু ব্যাঙ্কগুলির নন-পেয়িং অ্যাসেট নিয়ে কোনো পদক্ষেপ নেই কেন্দ্রের। তারা দাবি জানান অবিলম্বে স্বল্প সঞ্চয় প্রকল্পে সুদের হার কমানোর সিদ্ধান্ত প্রত্যাহার করুক কেন্দ্র।

এর আগে বাংলার মুখ্যমন্ত্রী এই ইস্যুতে কেন্দ্রকে আক্রমণ করে বলেন যে এই সিদ্ধান্তের ফলে চিট ফান্ডের বাড়বাড়ন্ত হবে। ৩রা এপ্রিল এই ইস্যুতে কলকাতার বুকে এক মহামিছিল করে তৃণমূল।

Budget Session Week 4: Trinamool puts forward views on crucial Bills

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The fourth week of this Budget Session saw Trinamool Congress MPs putting forth the party’s views on important Bills like the GST Bills, The Appropriation (Railways) Bill, 2017 and The Mental Healthcare Bill, 2016. Issues of political, economic and social urgency like the Indo-Bangladesh Teesta Water Treaty and the crackdown on meat-sellers were also spoken on. The party’s MPs also asked questions and made Zero Hour mentions on important topics.

LOK SABHA

March 27, 2017

Bills
Saugata Roy made a Point of Order on the GST Bills.
Saugata Roy spoke on the Indo-Bangladesh Teesta Water Treaty.
Ratna De Nag spoke on The Mental Healthcare Bill, 2016.
Idris Ali spoke on The Mental Healthcare Bill, 2016.
Mumtaz Sanghamita spoke on The Mental Healthcare Bill, 2016.

Question Hour
Mumtaz Sanghamita asked Supplementary Questions on child labour.

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

March 28, 2017

Bills
Mriganka Mahato spoke on The National Institutes of Technology, Science Education & Research (Second Amendment) Bill, 2016.
Aparupa Poddar spoke on The Collection of Statistics (Amendment) Bill, 2017.

Question Hour
Sultan Ahmed asked Supplementary Questions on the death of CRPF jawans in red zones.

Zero Hour
Saugata Roy made a Zero Hour Mention on communal clash in Gujarat.

March 29, 2017

Bills
Kalyan Banerjee spoke on the GST Bills.
Saugata Roy spoke on the GST Bills.

Question Hour
Tapas Mandal asked Supplementary Questions on the poor quality of food served in trains.
Kalyan Banerjee asked Supplementary Questions on fast-track courts.

March 30, 2017

Bills
Saugata Roy spoke on the amendments to the Finance Bill, as recommended by the Rajya Sabha.
Saugata Roy spoke on Sustainable Development Goals.

Question Hour
Bijoy Chandra Barman asked Supplementary Questions on the new coal block allocation policy.

Zero Hour
Ratna De Nag made a Special Mention seeking the reopening of a cancer research centre in Chandernagore.
Dasarath Tirkey made a Special Mention on the damages to tea gardens in Alipurduar district during monsoon.

March 31, 2017

Bills
Saugata Roy made a Zero Hour mention on the situation in Kashmir.

Question Hour
Ratna De Nag asked a Supplementary Question on neurogenetic testing facilities.

Zero Hour
Aparupa Poddar Zero Hour mention on the need for better infrastructure in Ajmer to accommodate pilgrims during Urs.

RAJYA SABHA

March 27, 2017

Bills
Sukhendu Sekhar Roy spoke on The Finance Bill, 2017.

March 29, 2017

Bills
Vivek Gupta spoke on The Finance Bill, 2017.
Sukhendu Sekhar Roy made a Point of Order on the Finance Minister’s reply on The Finance Bill, 2017.
Debabrata Bandyopadhyay spoke on The Appropriation (Railways) Bill, 2017.

Zero Hour
Vivek Gupta made a Zero Hour mention on the need for uniform travel advisories across airlines.

March 30, 2017

Bills
Derek O’Brien sought clarification from the Railway Minister on The Appropriation (Railways) Bill, 2017.

Question Hour
Sukhendu Sekhar Roy asked a Supplementary Question on the nuclear reactors located in Kovvada.

March 31, 2017

Bills
Derek O’Brien raised a Point of Order on not tabling a Bill on a Friday afternoon.

Zero Hour
Md Nadimul Haque made a Zero Hour mention on the crackdown on meat-sellers across the country.

Question Hour
Manish Gupta asked a Supplementary Question on artificial insemination programme for cattle.
Vivek Gupta asked Supplementary Questions on internet connectivity to Gram Panchayats in Bengal.

 

It was a fruitful week for the party.

Trinamool’s Derek O’Brien raises a Point of Order on not tabling a Bill on a Friday afternoon

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FULL TRANSCRIPT

This is with reference to Rule 29. Please see page 236 of the Revised List of Business, on the Factories (Amendment) Bill. This happened when the Enemy Property Bill came up too, Sir.

This is a Friday afternoon, it is an earnest request not to put this in the List of Business because we discussed something in good spirit to not to list a Bill on a Friday afternoon even if the business of the House collapses. Give us the assurance that this Bill will not be taken up today.

Nadimul Haque speaks on the crackdown on meat-sellers across the country

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FULL TRANSCRIPT

Sir, the Constitution guarantees us certain freedoms. We are all one. The Prime Minister talks of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ but sirf kehne se nahin, karke dikhana hoga. We have to do it, to make it meaningful. The Government has to be for all. We need to safeguard our Constitution and allow it to guide us”.

The Constitution of India grants us Fundamental Rights which guarantees civil liberties. Our right to Freedom incorporates the right to practice any profession or occupation of our choosing to earn a respectable living and lead a life of dignity.

Sir, the recent events happening in states across the country paint a worrying picture of the lack of inclusiveness in our country. Reports have been pouring in of meat shops being shut down at a moment’s notice not only in Uttar Pradesh, but in Jharkhand, and other States also.

If the aim was to shut down illegal slaughterhouses, it could have been done in a proper manner. Most of the shopkeepers and butchers come from the backwards section of society, and have followed these professions for generations. They may not know the legal technicalities. The Government could have raised an awareness campaign, or at the very least afforded them some time to upgrade their shops and abattoirs as per legal norms. We are talking about 25 lakh people losing their livelihood, their families without any means to sustain themselves. This arbitrary crackdown on butchers and meat sellers is an encroachment on their right to earn a living.

The sudden clampdown on abattoirs has resulted in widespread economic and social distress in the Rs 15000 crore industry. Meat sellers have gone on strike, resulting in a huge shortage of meat and prices skyrocketing. 14% of GDP of Uttar Pradesh is also at stake.

The strike has in turn also affected other industries like leather (tanneries), export and hotels. This is leading to a huge economical loss. Reports are circulating of how even tigers and lions in zoos are being fed chicken meat, which they are refusing to eat. The government should have drawn a road map and assessed the impact of such a drastic move before implementing it.

The duty of a responsible government should be to safeguard the rights and freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution to all citizens. Otherwise, we will eventually turn into a Police State. What people do for a living or what their preferred food item is, cannot, and should not, be dictated by the State. I would urge you to look into this matter urgently and take the necessary steps to ensure equality for all as enshrined in our Constitution.

 

Sir I want to end with a couplet

 

Tere bandish ka jawab nahin.

Parathe khao, kebab nahi

Munh se niwale kyun chhin lete ho,

Koi mare ya jeeye, saath nahi

 

Trinamool’s Derek O’Brien seeks clarification from Railway Minister on The Railways Appropriation Bill, 2017

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FULL TRANSCRIPT

 

Clarification 1

Thank you to Mantri ji for yielding. He has presented the whole (actual) numbers. I request him to present the numbers in terms of percentage.

The Mantri ji has said Railways has taken a quantum leap. My second question is on that. How come this is the first time since 1978 that the freight earnings of Railways has gone down YoY?

 

Clarification 2

I have one observation and three specific questions. I congratulate the Railway Minister for at last realising that the bullet train is the costliest train. You mentioned about safety, Sir, so may I make a suggestion: 1,25,474 gazetted officers are designated as safety officials; these posts are vacant, so please tell us when you plan to fill them up.

My second question. You talked about federalism. This is the first time in the last three years that – and this only the new Government has done – you have changed the capital expenditure for funding projects from Central to States and the Centre sharing the projects. So it’s not very nice when you read out these figures that you have given to the States, you are not giving us some daan. The funding pattern has changed and this the country should know.

My last question is, Sir, for the last three years – and Suresh Prabhu ji is really earnest – we’ve heard about vision; where is the action, Sir?   

 

Sukhendu Sekhar Roy asks a Supplementary Question on the nuclear reactors located in Kovvada

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FULL TRANSCRIPT

 

I would like to as a pointed question. How many years are required to be taken for the commissioning of all the six nuclear reactors at Kovvada?

Debabrata Bandyopadhyay speaks on The Appropriation Bill (Railways)

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FULL TRANSCRIPT

Thank you Mr Chairman for giving me this opportunity to speak on the Railway Appropriation Bill. I would also like to thank my party for this opportunity.

The Indian Railway has two important responsibilities – economic viability on one hand and social responsibility on the other. The Railways must keep both these responsibilities in mind in all their initiatives. For the first time in India, the General and Railway budgets have been combined. However, this merger has allowed the Government to hide certain facts certain facts.

I would like to highlight that since Independence, capital spending on the railways has largely been borne by the Central Government. In the last 2 years this pattern has changed and State Governments have been asked to bear costs through SPVs. The Government has pushed 70 projects with 9 State Governments that require financial and other resource contributions by those State Governments. While this may work with a few State Governments, this model is not viable for those states that are debt stressed and cash-strapped.

The gross traffic receipts (GTR) for 2017-18 has been projected at Rs. 188,998 crore. In 2016-17, the GTR was projected at Rs. 184,819 crore. But the revised estimates of the Budget admitted to a shortfall of Rs. 12,664 crore. It is obvious that even this year’s projection will fall short. The Government is not being honest with the state of railway finances. For the first time since 1978, there was a drop in freight earnings compared to the previous year.

The Railways is popular on social media like Facebook and Twitter. However, the number of unreserved passengers is 12 million out of 13 million. How are you engaging with this 12 million?

This year, with the merger of the Railway Budget with the General Budget, the larger social obligations of the railways have been completely side-tracked. The generosity and sense of mission has gone. Indian Railways has been a big supporter of Indian sport. In 2016, one-third of the Indian contingent to the Rio Olympics was from Indian Railways. How have they been repaid? By changing rules and making it difficult for sportspersons to train.

The earlier 330-day special casual leave (SCL) will now be given to only a certain category of sportspersons, including Olympics and Commonwealth Games medal winners. The 120-day SCL granted to players without a medal, but with the potential to win one, has been cut to 90 days. Even the provision of half-day leave has now been discontinued, being allowed only in exceptional cases. This will come in the way of regular training. One of my colleagues has written to Mr. Suresh Prabhu regarding this and I hope he takes immediate action.

Another important aspect of social responsibility is energy conservation. There is a Railway Budget promise to fit all coaches of all trains of Indian Railways with bio-toilets by 2019. The government has given up on this. In reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha a few days ago, it said only “about 800 trains” had “either some coaches or all the coaches fitted with bio-toilets”. So I would like to ask the Minister what is the projected timeframe for fitting all coaches with bio-toilets?

No doubt rail safety was emphasized in the Budget with the announcement of the Rashtriya Rail SanrakshaKosh. However, as on November 2016, 1,25,754 non-gazetted posts related to safety were vacant. As of October 2016, there were 410 pending compensation claims relating to train accidents. Instead of bullet trains, doesn’t India need more safety officials?

I would also like to speak specifically about our state West Bengal. The 2017-18 outlay for West Bengal is Rs 6,336 crore as compared to Rs 3,820 crore in the previous year. Projects worth Rs 40,000 crores including the Metro Railways are ongoing in Bengal. However, you have allotted only 15% to Bengal in the Demand for Grants. This will slow down these projects.

I am happy to point out that Kolkata Metro Railway is performing very well. Budgetary GTR projections for 2016-17 were at Rs. 242 crore. Revised estimates pushed up this figure to Rs. 256 crore. Kolkata Metro, Northeast Frontier Railway and East Coast Railway are the only zonal railways that have posted better figures than the initial budgetary projections.

However, the Railways has sent a letter to the West Bengal government stating that from now on the state has to take responsibilities of all ongoing and upcoming projects of the suburban system as well as Metro Railway. While this may work with a few State Governments, this model is not viable for those states that are debt stressed or cash strapped.

Also, in both Houses of Parliament, our MPs have made specific demands, I would urge you to please look into those as well. Railway Budget has been swallowed up by the General Budget. I urge the Minister to ensure that the social responsibility of the Railways is not side-tracked in pursuit of economic viability.

Thank you, Sir.

 

Sukhendu Sekhar Roy makes a Point of Order on the Finance Minister’s reply on Finance Bill

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FULL TRANSCRIPT

First of all, the “reasons to believe” cannot be unreasonable. If the Court has the power to hear an aggrieved person on this point, why should the Appellate Tribunals not hear?

Therefore, it appears from the statement of the Hon. Finance Minister that the Government will not consider the demand made the Opposition parties. So, we are staging a walkout.

 

Vivek Gupta speaks on the Finance Bill

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FULL TRANSCRIPT

Thank You, Sir, for giving me an opportunity to speak today. Sir, as the Finance Bill is a little disturbing for me because my State – আমার সোনার বাংলা – my West Bengal is going to be deprived of Rs 4,000 crore every year just on account of non-division of the cess and surcharge that the Central Government is going to collect. Sir, the cess and surcharge over the last two to three years have jumped from a mere amount of Rs 20,000 or Rs 30,000 crore to 1.7 lakh crore.

Sir, rough pen and paper calculation shows that West Bengal will be deprived of Rs 4,000 crore because cess and surcharge is not shared with the States. Sir, what is more intriguing is that all the people who have spoken before me in the Council of States, have chosen not to raise this point because each and every State will get affected from this point.

Sir, the Finance Minister made forty amendments in Lok Sabha. I request him to make similar amendments here and remove all cess and surcharge and include them in the taxes, so that the States also get a share.

Sir, enough has been said before me but I would like to draw your attention to a few things. Sir, the tribunals have been merged and a lot of changes have been done. Sir, enough has been said about Money Bill. I just want to quote something, Sir. The Supreme Court, in the Madras Bar Association vs Union of India, in 2014, had held that “appellate tribunals have similar powers to High Courts and hence matters related to appointments should be free from the executive involvement.” Sir, I urge, through you, that all the tribunals, which are now being put under the executive control, should be free from executive control so that their independence is maintained.

Sir, Clause 50 of this Finance Bill is a very interesting clause. This government, our Prime Minister and Finance Minister, both of them have repeatedly said that they will not do any retrospective changes and they will not do any tax terrorism. But Sir, if you see Clause 50 and Clause 51 they have done exactly the same.

Sir, first I’ll refer to Clause 51 and I will just read from there. “In Section 132 of the Income Tax Act, in Sub Section 1, the following explanation shall be inserted and shall be deemed to have been inserted with effect from the first day of October 1975”. Sir, if this is not retrospective change, I fail to understand what is retrospective change.

Sir, another draconian provision, Clause 50, in section 132, Sir, where they are saying, “shall not be disclosed to any person of authority or Appellate Tribunal’. Sir, I was going through the Honourable Finance Minister’s reply in the Lok Sabha where he said he is doing it because he wants to protect the person who is giving the information. Sir, I am sure there is the Whistleblowers Act and other Acts that provide some confidentiality. Don’t disclose the name of the person but at least the reason can be given at the Appellate level. Sir, why is the assessee being denied a chance to defend himself? Why should he not know why the Income Tax people are doing certain seizure on him? Then again, Sir, 9(b) of Clause 50 says, merely by getting the sanction of the Director General provisionally any property can be attached. Sir, I think we are going back to the dark ages. I don’t know what will happen.

Sir, as I have said before, frequent changes – as many as 40 amendments – have been made in the Finance Bill on the day it was introduced in Lok Sabha. But, if you see this Finance Bill, here more than 300 amendments have been made. Sir, why does a tax law need so many amendments and so many changes every year? Why can’t we have a thorough discussion once and for all and move for a simplified ease of doing business, as this Government claims.

Sir, I just have three questions for the government. Sir, the Finance Minister in his reply to the Lok Sabha said that the RBI is still checking for fake notes in the currency deposited during demonetisation. Sir, I would like to know – whenever the Finance Minister speaks – how much loss has the RBI suffered on account of accepting fake notes? RBI’s loss means ultimately we are suffering.

He also said that there are many instances where people with five PAN cards have been discovered. Sir, I would like to know what is the number of such people who have been prosecuted. How many people have been discovered with multiple PAN cards?

And Sir, the last point. Even the Law Minister himself said on the floor of the House that in 46% cases, the government is the litigant. Is there any plan to reduce this reputation? Are they planning to file cases based on merit and not just on a monetary limit? Right now there are monetary limits for going to higher courts but not on the merit of the case.

Thank you.