Trinamool statement on Vyapam Scam at 1:45pm

Trinamool statement on Vyapam Scam at 1:45pm

Posted on July 6, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Trinamool statement on Vyapam Scam

Statement by the Chief National Spokesperson of the party and leader of the All India Trinamool Congress Parliamentary Party in the Rajya Sabha, Derek O’Brien:

6 June, 2015 | 1:45 PM

“We are deeply concerned about the series of deaths including those of journalists, educationists and others. In these circumstances we think it appropriate that the Supreme Court takes suo moto action and orders an appropriate probe to be monitored by it. This is the only way the truth will come out.”

Derek O’Brien speaks on the Black Money Bill | Full Transcript

Posted on May 14, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Full Transcript

Sir, during the discussion on the Finance Bill last week, and when we were discussing the Appropriation Bill, the Minister of State for Finance gave us some interesting views of his, where he had said that because of his past experience, he benchmarks everything — everything is to do with benchmarking — and how he had read 21 Budgets and based on benchmarking those 21 Budgets, how he had come to this conclusion. This was said by the Minister of State for Finance. We would come to the Union Minister of Finance in a minute.

So, I want to use this opportunity to do some benchmarking on this Bill as far as the BJP goes. Sir, let us start by benchmarking. I have got four parameters. The first parameter is this: “The names of the foreign account holders must be made public and I demand a time-bound assurance from the Government”. Who said this — It was the current Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Shri Venkaiah Naidu. When did he say this — when he was not in Government. So, this is the first benchmarking – fail.

Now, let us move on to the second benchmarking. “If our Party forms the Government at the Centre, it will bring back all the black money stashed in foreign banks within 150 days. The money brought back will be spent on the welfare schemes.” Who said this – the current HM, that is, the Home Minister. Don’t get mixed up between the HM and the FM because that is the Home Minister. There is also an FM currently who is also the HM. Let me explain. The Finance Minister is also the Information and Broadcasting Minister. He is in-charge of the fiscal management, but he is more interested in ‘headline management’. That is the Finance Minister. Sir, these are all their rules, that is, benchmarking by the Minister of State.

Then, there was one gentleman whose name I would not take, but we all know him. He had said he would start getting one lakh crores of Indian money back within 100 days of the formation of the Modi Government. He is the same man who disappears in disguise in the middle of the night. Let’s not mention his name. So, here again, the benchmarking – failed. Sir, the fourth example of benchmarking is actually the best one, and that is, “I will bring back every rupee that is stored away in foreign banks, any which way, and ensure that it is used for the rehabilitation of the poor in the country.” Who said this – that time, chief election campaigner and now the Prime Minister of India! This is the fourth example of benchmarking – fail. So, in my simple opinion, this actually is the BJP, which I feel, should be called ‘bahut jumla promises’. This is ‘bahut jumla promises’ or BJP, because none of these promises have been kept, and now they have brought this Bill.

Sir, if you look seriously at this Bill, let me point out that 12 such VDI schemes have happened in the past. No one knows how much money came back through these VDI schemes. The Standing Committee has appointed three agencies to ascertain the amount of black money which has come back to India. We still do not have any figure. Now, generation of black money is the issue. Real estate is where the black money is. So, unless we stop this generation from the real estate business, all this will be like election promises. Sir, this is the situation as it is today. Sir, I have the contents of a letter here dated the 10th September, 2014 which says, “India’s ratification of this International Convention Against Corruption was accompanied by a major reservation that it will not apply where there is a bilateral protocol with any country. Moreover, the information supplied…” – this is important – “…is only to be used for tax purposes, neither investigation, arrest nor prosecution”. This is not my note; this is from0 the PMO. So, it cannot be used for investigation, arrest or prosecution. This is a note to the Secretary, Revenue, from the PMO. So, Sir, how will this Bill apply in these situations? Sir, I want to end this little discussion on this mere jumla by giving two suggestions, and I hope the Government will consider both these suggestions.

One, this ‘black money’ is a wrong word. It is racist because, as it is, we have creams in India to try and look white. So, this black money is a wrong concept. In the year 1200 in Europe, when they were actually minting silver coins, that time in those coins, a lot more copper got in. So, those coins became black. That is why those black coins became black money. So, I think we should use the term ‘dirty money’. My last suggestion is very, very serious which, I hope, will go to the Minister for Finance, who has been sitting here for most of the discussion and I can see that Ravi Shankarji is making notes for him. My last suggestion is very serious and please consider this. We, the Trinamool Congress and Mamata Banerjee, are suggesting that you bring back whatever money you can and you find whatever money you can from here — your Bill is not going to do it but in whatever way you can — and then you set up what we call a DEF, that is, Democratic Electoral Fund. Whatever you get, put all the money in the Democratic Electoral Fund and please use this money to start serious electoral reforms. So, that will become the corpus and in that case all political parties will not have to go running around with suitcases only before elections. Please set up this Democratic Electoral Fund. Your track record of delivering election promises is very, very poor. You keep managing the headlines. You are very, very good at that. But, otherwise, I am afraid, nothing else is happening with this Government.

Thank you.

Dola Sen speaks on funds for Police Modernisation Scheme | Full Transcript

Posted on May 13, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Full Transcrip

Sir, the Police Modernisation Scheme has been taken out from the list of Centrally-funded Schemes but West Bengal will suffer a lot because in respect of Jangalmahal area.

West Bengal was also a LWE affected State for a long time. Moreover, Darjeeling is very much sensitive and there are three countries in the border region of West Bengal.

So my question is: Why is the Central Government asking certain State Governments to fund schemes which are essentially national in nature and to do with our national security of our country?

That is why West Bengal should be included in Category ‘A’, at least.

Vivek Gupta speaks on the Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2014 | Full Transcript

Posted on May 13, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Full Transcript

Sir, thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak on this Bill. Our Chief Minister, Ms. Mamata Bandyopadhyay, who is a champion of the MSME sector, has inspired me to stand here and speak on these amendments which appear to be technical in nature. But, in fact, I feel it is a half-hearted attempt.

Sir, I have a few suggestions to make. These amendments may be good, and these must have been debated. But, through you, I want to raise some practical points which the hon. Finance Minister can consider because I feel a second round of amendments will be necessary and he would be very shortly bringing them before the House.

Sir, a number of partners per audit is allowed. On the basis of a simple mathematical calculation of the number of companies that are there in India and the number of auditors that are available to audit them, the figure does not come down to 20 that is prescribed in this Bill. On the one hand, we talk about promoting entrepreneurship but, on the other, we have weakened all avenues for an entrepreneur to raise funds, from friends, families or related parties, under section 185.

Sir, for filing, the fee has been increased tremendously and for every small document, it has been increased to Rs. 500/-. Sir, this will affect the poor entrepreneurs who want to start their businesses.

Sir, another anomaly that this Act fails to address is the difference of depreciation that has been computed under the Income Tax Act and the Companies Act. Sir, 40 per cent of the Act is yet to be enforced. We do not know as to what is the fate of the 40 per cent of the Act. The most frequent word used throughout the Act is ‘as may be prescribed’ throwing it open for wide interpretation and litigation.

Sir, entrepreneurs and businessmen come together to do business by floating companies because they are all threatened with imprisonment. Again this has also not been addressed properly. The major deterrents should be addressed only in most serious cases and, that too, when it is proven beyond reasonable doubt.

Thank you, Sir.

Derek O’Brien asks a question in RS on tobacco-related deaths in India

Posted on May 12, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Will the Minister of Health and Family Welfare be pleased to state:

(a) the number of tobacco related deaths in the country over the last three years;

(b) the country’s global ranking on the issue of pictorial warnings on tobacco products; and

Jogen Chowdhury speaks on the reduction of funds for art institutions | Full Transcript

Posted on May 12, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Full Transcript

Sir, I am really surprised to find the allocation of funds made by the Government in this year’s Budget for various existing major national art and cultural institutions.

In comparison to earlier allocations, it is ridiculously low. We are frustrated to find that the Government has slashed the allocation by 50 per cent or even 100 per cent. It is fantastic! How can a progressive Government do it?

I have listed the name of 33 art and cultural bodies. I give few examples here for your information –

Lalit Kala Academy: Allocation has come down from Rs 20 crore to Rs 11 crore
Sangeet Natak Academy: Allocation has come down from Rs 59 crore to Rs 12 crore
Sahitya Academy: Allocation has come down from Rs 21 crore to Rs 9 crore
Zonal cultural centres: Allocation has come down from Rs 87 crore to Rs 55 crore
National School of Drama: Allocation has come down from Rs 43 crore to Rs 13 crore
National Gallery of Modern Art: Allocation has come down from Rs 22 crore to Rs 5 crore
National Museum: Allocation has come down from Rs 30 crore to Rs 11 crore

Such allocations have come, is unimaginable. It has no vision. It is a backward movement for us if we want to be a progressive nation. Traditionally, since thousands of years, India is a country with rich cultural heritage.

Great personalities like Abul Kalam Azad, Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru knew the importance of the art and culture of India and had vision to create various institutions after India’s independence. But the present Government seems totally insensitive to the cause of art and culture and they drastically reduced the allocations in various art and cultural institutions.

Such low allocations of funds will not only discourage the institutions but will make them crippled and inactive.

If we look towards the western countries, even China, we find that they are vigourously encouraging art and culture. Most of the western cities have famous art and cultural institutions. China has planned to revive their traditional art and culture. They have made a large Art District in Beijing and they have plans to make hundreds of museums all over the country.

Besides, art and culture also attract tourists. Tourism brings money to the exchequer. So, we need to have a very thoughtful visionary plan to rejuvenate our art and culture of this country even for the development of our nation.

SS Ray speaks on the restriction of the jurisdiction of anti corruption cell of Govt of Delhi | Full Transcript

Posted on May 8, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Full Transcript

The anti-corruption branch of the Government of Delhi is a notified police station for the purpose of registration of FIR and the investigation of offences covered under the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988.

Sir, this branch has been in existence for almost half a century and the officers of the branch who are authorised to investigate the offences under Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947 by a notification dated March 21, 1968. They were authorised to make arrests and the branch was declared as a police station for offences recorded for illegal gratification in 1975. The anti corruption branch functions under the overall supervision and control of the Director of Vigilance, Government of the NCT of Delhi.

During the 49 days of the Aam Aadmi Party government, Sir, the anti-corruption branch of the Government of Delhi was revitalised and an anti-corruption helpline was launched to facilitate the citizens who wanted to report incidents of corruption in public life. The citizens of Delhi responded enthusiastically to this initiative and complaints poured in against different authorities including officials of the Delhi Police, DDA, municipal corporations, central government and various departments of the government of NCT, including a few former ministers and corporate haunchos.

Sir, thereafter a notification dated July 23, 2014, was issued surprisingly by the Minister of Home Affairs, Government of India, restricting the jurisdiction of the anti-corruption branch of the government of NCT over the officers and employees of government of NCT of Delhi.

Sir, this has created a problem for the administration of the Delhi government to go against the corrupt officials. This notification is also attempting to limit the power of the popularly-elected government which is highly unconstitutional and against the principals of federalism.

If the Central Government is serious about introducing reforms in administration and wants to bring about a positive change towards transparency in governance to facilitate the business environment and image of the country, it should immediately withdraw the notification and maintain the principles of federalism.

Thank you Sir.

Vivek Gupta speaks on the Appropriation Bill & Finance Bill | Full Transcript

Posted on May 7, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Full Transcript

Sir, I thank you for giving me this opportunity. Sir, I stand here today to speak on these Bills and I can’t help but remember two ladies in my life. One is Mother Teresa and the other one is our Chief Minister. I start with a short quote from Mother Teresa.

“It is not how much we give, but how much conditions we put into giving.”

Hon. Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley ji, was very kind and gracious enough to include Bengal in the category of Special Package. We were all very happy in Bengal. But this happiness turned into gloom when we realised that these companies will have to pay MAT on it.

So, in effect, there will be no cash left in their hands which they can then reinvest in the business or reuse. The next point that I want to make is this. In Bengal, the Government is the biggest litigant and frequent changes in tax laws are not helping matters at all. In fact, even the international community says that frequent changes in tax laws is one of the biggest problems which they find when they want to either invest in India or come to India. There is always this uncertainty about India.

Sir, my next point would be that we are concerned about some sections in the Finance Bill and also reports in the media that the Government now proposes to tax all subsidies and incentives received. We don’t receive the subsidy or incentive, but the taxman is ready to take money, so we have to put money from our pocket. I would request the hon. Finance Minister, through you, if it is possible, to please clarify the stand on whether this tax on subsidy and incentive is applicable to individuals as well.

Sir, the last point is about giving powers to income tax people whereby they can send the people to jail. It is like stepping into dangerous waters, especially when there is no reciprocal arrangement. When they harass taxpayers, they do not face similar action. I would request that even harsher penalties be imposed on them when it is proven beyond reasonable doubt that they have harassed taxpayers.

With this, I thank you, Sir.

Derek O’Brien speaks in RS on the Appropriation Bill & Finance Bill | Full Transcript

Posted on May 7, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Full Transcript

Sir, for all the criticism we do of the NDA Government, they made one smart move. What was the smart move? They made the Finance Minister also the Information and Broadcasting Minister. So what was his focus? Was his focus on finance and fiscal management or was his focus on headline management? Headline management is not my term. It’s a chori term because another Arun used that term last week. I don’t want to get what the namesake said. I think in the last 9 or 10 months they’ve done a better job of headline management but very little on fiscal management.

Sir, the other Arun, who made the statement, maybe a little disgruntled or whatever else. We now hear that in rooms very close to this Rajya Sabha there are also other people expressing their discontent about the fact that only headline management is happening and nothing is happening on the ground. I thought from the time the budget speech was made till now they would have got a lot of feedback, they would have got a lot of election results. But the tone and manner of the BJP speaker here is just the same. He is quoting gurus from Hong Kong, he is telling us about his trip in Australia, but I want to change this argument and bring them a little down to earth. They need to be a little down to Earth.

One of the headline management they did very well was Cooperative Federalism. It is a good concept but you must know what cooperative federalism is and what operative federalism is. If you handle cooperative federalism well then it becomes operative federalism. Let me give you two quick examples. Your land boundary agreement – there was a problem there, you resolved it, and you consulted with the States, West Bengal and Assam. You saw what happened yesterday. Regarding GST, you were having the same problems but you opened it up to operative federalism; you discussed it with the States and we are on board two hundred percent with you.

But I must tell you about the sectors where you have gone and messed up and you’re still not opening your eyes and your mind. Let me give you some specific examples. Some will be of my State but since we are a council of States you can get 25 different examples. Let us come to BRGF (Backward Region Grant Fund). You’ve taken this out of the central funding for important schemes. You have taken out BRGF; you have taken out schemes for modernisation of police forces. You have taken out Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna, mid-day meal scheme, National Drinking Water Scheme. You have actually hurt the states.

Let me give you a specific example regarding BRGF. The BRGF package is for backward districts for education, health, road connectivity, electrification. Out of Rs 8,750 crore that we got over the last 5 years, we are still owed Rs 3,500 crore. Sir we urge you to look at this differently because these are for backward districts. Don’t stop this fund, Sir.

Let me give another example. You have also removed modernisation of police force from the central funding. What are these police force areas? What are they looking after? Let me tell you. Darjeeling agitation and left-wing extremism in Purulia, Paschim Mednipur. Sir, the State cannot afford to pay for the modernisation of the police force. This is a national issue, Sir, so please do not leave this out of the central funding. I can give you two more quick examples, Sir – the integrated action plan, we want you to look at this Sir and annual block grant of Rs 30 crore per district, for extreme left-wing extremism. Again you’ve taken this out.

You’re talking about devolution but if you really study the fine print, the numbers are something like this. Last year the states got 61.88 paise to the rupee. This year if you add it all up, take away the central schemes, you’ve taken it up to 62 paise to the rupee. Hats off to you. You hve done a great job of marketing this total hogwash.

Sir regarding the JNNURN scheme, we want that extended by 2 years because a lot of states have existing projects left over and those projects need to be completed. So, please look at the JNNURM scheme, Sir.

Let us come to social sector indices. I was talking to you about headline management and how the headlines are being managed but not the reality. Sir on social sector schemes, I think this House needs to get some reality-check.

School education – 17% decrease,

Environment and Forests – 11% decrease,

Water resources – 41% decrease,

New and reusable energy – 68% decrease, and it goes on and on like this.

In the Jan Dhan Yojna please tell us how many bank accounts have more than Re 1 balance. Sir, the speaker from the BJP said some of these schemes are game changers. I’m afraid they’re not game changers. You’re talking about financial inclusion. I gave you several examples of how there has been no financial inclusion. The less said, the better off.

Let me give you two quick examples about inclusion.

“India is a youthful nation. If you’re determined nothing can stop you from achieving your dream.”

Who said this? This was said last year before the nation by the current Prime Minister of India. I ask very humbly, if the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister feel this way then how come the allocation for ICDS was cut by 50% when everybody knows 1 in 3 children in India are malnourished.

Sir, on black money there has been all talk and no go. You all have made tall promises about bringing black money back in 150 days. Now you are showing us this Bill as if this Bill will solve all our problems. Let us see some money coming back on the ground, Sir.

Sir, I have already made the point on federalism. Please cooperate with the States because we are not begging here. We are asking for what we believe is our right.

The last point, Sir, is on electoral reforms. Neither in the President’s Address, nor in the Budget nor in any other document of this government has one line been uttered on electoral reforms. This is a huge issue and it is linked to black money.

The Finance Minister was most poetic in his Budget speech. This is what he said:

“Kuch toh phool khilaye humne, kuch phool khilane hai.

Mushkil ye hain ab tak kaante kayee purani hain.”

Sir, I want to add two lines to that:

Phool aur paudhe se toh hain maali ka kaam,

Jo kaante se darr gaya woh hoga nakaam.

This is a Govt of headline management not fiscal management: Derek

Posted on May 7, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Leader of the All India Trinamool Congress Parliamentary Party in Rajya Sabha, Derek O’Brien today slammed the Centre by calling it a government that focuses on headline management rather than fiscal management.

Criticising the government for taking several schemes like BRGF, Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, mid-day meal scheme, ICDS, modernisation of police forces among others out of central funding, Derek asked the Centre to follow operative federalism instead of cooperative federalism.

He also called the bluff of the Centre on its claims of greater devolution to States. He said there was only a meagre increase from 61.88 paise to the rupee to 62 paise to the rupee. He slammed the government for the huge reduction in social sector budget.

Talking about the Centre’s much-publicised flagship scheme Jan Dhan Yojana, he asked the Finance Minister how many bank accounts have even Re 1 as balance. He criticised him for no mention of electoral reforms either in the Budget or the President’s Address.

Derek O’Brien concluded his speech by quipping two lines in Hindi:

Phool aur poude se hai maali ka kaam,

Jo kaante se darr jaye woh hoga nakaam.

Click here for the full transcript of his speech