Tag: Sukhendu Sekhar Ray

Sukhendu Sekhar Roy speaks during a discussion on farmers’ distress and crisis | Full Transcript

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Full Transcript

Sir, on behalf of my party All India Trinamool Congress, I join the honourable members in expressing our deep concern, grief and anguish over the suicide of farmers almost in every part of country. This is going on unabated.

Sir, according to a recent report published by the Centre for Human Rights and Global Justice, at New York University, it appears that over the past 15 years, suicides have claimed the lives of over 2,50,000 farming families in India and the death count is still climbing. Sir, according to that report, in every 30 minutes farmer suicides are happening.

What is the latest situation? In 2014 alone, as per the government figures, 1109 suicides took place. Out of those, 986 took place in Maharashtra, 184 in Telangana and 29 in Jharkhand. Even in Delhi and Rajasthan, yesterday farmers committed suicide. We are not here for a blame game but want to focus on the issue – the unprecedented crisis that India is confronted with.

Sir, there are several reasons why farmers are committing suicide. I would like to mention the main reasons, according to me. 40% farmers are in debt according to some research reports. Cost of inputs is increasing faster than cost of produce. Droughts and floods are occurring every five years, affecting 40% of the agricultural land in different parts of the country. More than 60% of the agricultural land in India, even after 67 years after independence, is dependent on rainfall. Some of the irrigation projects have not been completed for 20 years. Average net profit on one acre of land growing cereals is Rs 5000 only.

Therefore, the farmers are not getting remunerative prices. Not in Punjab, not only in Uttar Pradesh or Telangana. It is a common cause in every State of India. I will come to how West Bengal has combated this situation.

I would like to read one line from page 13 of the Election Manifesto of BJP before Lok Sabha elections. “Agriculture: Scientific, productive and rewarding.” They have assured the nation, before coming to power, that they will make agriculture scientific, productive and rewarding. To elucidate that point they also said: “The government, if they come to power, will ensure minimum 50% profits over the cost of production.” Here is a pledge before the nation by the ruling party. I would like to know from the government, the honourable ministers in charge of agriculture, food and other ministries, what is the roadmap of the government ensure minimum 50% profits over the cost of production.

This is main cause of concern. Farmers are not getting remunerative price. They are taking loans in the hope, they are yielding, thinking that next year they will yield, get remunerative price and pay off the debts. Nothing is coming out. Therefore, the only alternative left to marginal farmers is to commit suicide.

I am not blaming anybody but the government must address the situation. My government in West Bengal, under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee, was confronted with some problem of not getting of remunerative prices by potato farmers. The Chief Minister of West Bengal herself announced on 4 March, 2015, that 50 000 metric tonnes of potato will be directly procured from farmers, from 8 major potato-producing districts, at the rate of Rs 5500 per metric tonne. After procuring potatoes, the government is distributing them to schools for mid-day meal programme and beneficiaries of ICDS at the rate of 1 kg per head per week. This was announced on 11 March, 2015. If the government of West Bengal can do it, why can’t the government of India do it? This is the moot question.

The government of West Bengal has ensured the procurement of potatoes from farmers against only account payee cheques. This is a very transparent system. Till 21 April, 2015, 20,000 metric tonnes of potatoes have been procured and farmers have been paid by account payee cheques to sustain themselves. Potatoes are also being procured at the rate of Rs 550/quintal and 6000 quintals of potatoes have been procured so far. This apart, transport subsidy scheme has been introduced for interested potato traders and transporters.

To ease the stockpiling of farm produce, the government of West Bengal has requested the government of India on 9 April, 2015, to purchase one lakh metric tonnes of potatoes from farmers at minimum price of Rs 5500/metric tonne, the rate at which state government is purchasing. The Chief Minister wrote to the Union Finance Minister. To relieve the potato growers of economic hardship, the Chief Minister herself requested the government of India to waive the crop loans issued to potato growers during 2014-15 potato season and also to arrange fresh loans for the ensuing Kharif session.

So, these are some measures taken by the West Bengal government to come to the rescue of potato farmers. This is not just the case of potato farmers. If you look at a bigger canvas, the all-India perspective, you will find that the issue is same everywhere. Particularly the marginal farmers are subjected to such unprecedented crisis. The government must come up with a concrete and definite proposal and also announce it before the House. The House wants to know from the ruling party, it is a need of the hour to arrest the situation where the farmers are compelled to commit suicide.

On one hand we are claiming that we are going ahead with economic growth, claiming we will cross the economic growth of China. And then there are such tragic events like that of yesterday. This government has extended reliefs worth almost Rs 15,000 crores to the corporate in the form of tax waivers and other incentives. Why should such waivers not be extended to farmers? Farmers are crying for help with folded hands.

I urge the government to come up with a definite proposal with a proper roadmap and a timeframe to solve this crisis of farmers.

Thank you.

SS Roy speaks during discussion on Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Bill, 2015 | Transcript

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Full transcript:

Sir,

I would like to make a few quick points in the form of suggestions to the Government.

First of all, in our opinion a certain portion of the revenue should go to the State Government. The additional levy is also a compensatory amount, as stated in the paragraph 40 of the judgement of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, dated 24 September, 2014. The Government should consider that a certain portion of the additional levy should go to the coal producing state also.

Sir, my second point is that this Bill seeks to transfer the land and mine infrastructure to the new allottee. Clause 3J defines that mine infrastructure to include land demarcated for afforestation and land for rehabilitation and resettlement of persons affected by coal mining operations under the relevant Law. My suggestion is that that some provisions should be made in the rules so that land for afforestation and rehabilitation is not hampered and that should not be used for any other purposes.

Sir, my third point is that, as per Clause 17(3), the statutory powers of the state governments are sought to be suspended for an indefinite period. Sir, this may encroach upon the rights of the state. I would suggest the Government, before suspension of termination of license lease of mining,  should consult with the state government.

Sir, my next point is that the Government through this Bill also seeks to adopt a transparent system through e-auction which is a welcomed move. Still even after adoption of e-auction, report of cartelisation is appearing almost every day. Here the Competition Commission of India can play a very vital role provided the Government makes the Competition Commission of India more functional.

Sir, my next point is if we consider Clause 3 (1G) and read Clause 11 of the section 2 of Company’s Act 2013, then Sir, one will find that corporations have been included for the purpose of entering into the building.

Sir, as per the definition of Clause 11 of Section 2 of Company’s Act 2013, corporation includes foreign entity, companies which are registered outside India. Therefore my suggestion would be in the rules to be prescribed some provision should be made for some reasonable restrictions on the part foreign entities. There should not be any blanket authority in entering process.

Finally Sir, seeing the mines belonging to the states where its situated, the states must be consulted in the decision making process, even otherwise, consultation is a pre-condition of any liberal democracy. Therefore I urge upon the Government to take the views of the state governments in making decisions regarding allocation.

Thank you

TMC supports Govt on Mines & Coal Bill with constructive suggestions

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Derek O’Brien today spoke on the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2015 in Rajya Sabha, where he said his party has taken the positive approach to the Bill.

Though the party supports the Bill in general but is concerned on certain issues of mining areas being environment friendly, implementing scientific methods for mining and setting up of regulatory mechanism for it.

Derek O’Brien also welcomed the idea of e-auction due to its transparency and gave the instance of West Bengal increasing revenues in the last three years by 87% through e-governance.

He supported the Mines & Minerals and Coal Bills but asked the Government to keep away from the Land Bill calling it a danger zone to step into.

Click here for the full speech of Derek O’Brien. 

Sukhendu Sekhar Ray spoke on the Coal Mines Bill 2015. He gave constructive suggestions to the Bill. He asked the Government to make decisions in consultation with the state governments.

SS Ray said, “Consultation is a pre-condition of any liberal democracy, therefore I urge upon the Government to take the views of the state government in taking decisions in regard to allocation.”

He also suggested the Central Government to share a part of additional levy with the coal producing state and cited the Supreme Court Judgement dated 24 September, 2014.

Click here for the full speech of Sukhendu Sekhar Ray.

Centre needs to address plight of potato farmers in Bengal: Trinamool in RS

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AITC Chief Whip in Rajya Sabha, Sukhendu Sekhar Ray raised the issue of plight of potato farmers of Bengal in the Parliament and urged the Central Government for some financial assistance to be given to the State so that some more steps can be taken for the rehabilitation of these farmers.

He said in the House that the Government of West Bengal has taken special measures to arrest the situation after the potato farmers were not getting remunerative prices of potato.

He also raised the issue of the irreparable losses of the farmers due to untimely incessant rain and hail storms in different part of the country, including the districts of South Dinajpur, Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly and Purba Medinipur in West Bengal. This affected vast agricultural lands and huge quantity of crops like wheat, pulses, potato, paddy and fruits which were destroyed.

He urged the Government to announce a financial package towards relief and rehabilitation of the affected farmers without further loss of time.

SS Ray raises concern for distressed farmers due to incessant rains and the plight of potato farmers of WB | Transcript

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Full transcript:

Sir, on behalf of the All India Trinamool Congress, I share the concern of the Hon’ble Members. Due to untimely incessant rain and hail storms in different part of the country, including the districts of South Dinajpur, Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly and Purba Medinipur in the State of West Bengal, vast agricultural lands are affected and huge quantity of crops like wheat, pulses, potato, paddy and fruits have been destroyed.

This has caused unbearable suffering and irreparable losses to the farmers.

As a result and effect, many farmers could not bear the shock of the vagaries of the nature and died out of heart attack.

Sir, the situation is undoubtedly alarming. Hence some financial package must be announced by the Central Government towards relief and rehabilitation of the affected farmers without further loss of time.

Sir, at the same time, I would like to invite the attention of the Central Government to the plight of the potato farmers in West Bengal who have been subjected to distress. They are not getting remunerative prices of potato. Although the Government of West Bengal has taken special measures to arrest the situation, I would like to request through you, Hon’ble Minister to take stock of the situation and if possible, some financial assistance should be given to the State Government so that more steps can be taken in this regard.

Thank you.

The Union Budget is pro-corporate and anti-poor: SS Ray in Rajya Sabha

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Sukhendu Sekhar Ray today spoke on the Union Budget 2015-16 at the Rajya Sabha. He termed the Budget as anti people, full of rhetoric and a jugglery of statistics.

He pointed out that the Central Plan Assistance to the States has gone down from Rs 338000 Crore to Rs 205000 Crore.

SS Ray asked the Government to include the cess and surcharge in the divisive pool by bringing an Amendment to the Constitution and quoted the Financial Commission recommendations on this.

“Earlier successive Finance Commissions have recommended that Union Government review the current position with respect to the non divisive pool, arising out of cess and surcharges. What are the two ways to address the concern of the States? One is an Amendment in the Constitution to include these in the divisive pools or increase the share of divisive pools to compensate the States on this account.”

He criticised the Government for cutting down assistance in schemes like BRGF and ICDS, mid-day meal schemes, housing and poverty alleviation.

He cited the UN Millennium Development Report, 2014 where it is shown that 40 Crore people are poorest of the poor, but the Government has no plans for these 40 Crore people. He criticised the Budget saying that this is pro corporate, and has completely forgotten the agricultural sector. India is an agricultural country yes the agricultural sector has been completely ignored in the Budget.

He strongly criticised the Government for deferring GAAR by two years and asked the Government on why they backtracked on the promises of implementing GAAR from Financial Year 2015-16.

The Budget reminded him of an Oscar Wilde quote, ““Someone, who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.”

Click here for SS Ray’s speech

 

SS Roy speaks on Mines and Minerals (Amendment) Bill, 2015 | Transcript

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Full transcript:

Sir, as an ordinary student of law and as a new entrant to this August House, the Upper House of our great Parliament, I was wondering whether the discussion should be limited to half an hour or one hour, because according to me this is a major amendment of the original Act and this House ought to discuss the matter threadbare.

Unfortunately, I am disappointed that much time has not been given for highlighting the provisions of the Bill one after another. In any case, since I am duty bound to abide by the ruling of the Chair, I would make a few points in addition to the suggestion made by my Leader in the House, Mr Derek O’Brien. I would urge upon the Government at the outset to consider the constructive suggestions given by Mr Derek O’Brien on behalf of my party.

In addition to that, I would like to point out one particular area of the country which is Keonjhar district in the State of Odisha. All of us know that Keonjhar is a very backward district of our country, but everybody will be amused to know that three of the top taxpayers of the country among the top ten tax payers are from Keonjhar.

How could it be?

Those three out of the top ten taxpayers of the country from Keonjhar do not belong from the area but they are the owners of the mines situated in Keonjhar district. So, this is the tragedy of the mining areas of the country.

Sir, let me draw attention towards one of the major provisions of the principal Act. According to that provision it is incumbent upon the Central Government to take all such steps as may be necessary for the conservation and systematic development of minerals in India.

What is the conservation that we are doing, Sir? We cannot add one tonne of any mineral to any mine in this country or anywhere in the world. Whatever natural resources God has gifted to this country, we own that. We cannot add anything to that. We are selling out, we are leasing out, we are extracting, we are finishing, we are ruining, without thinking about the conservation of the mines to the extent it is required for the betterment of the country’s economy.

Sir, what are we leaving for our next generation? One of the major provisions of this Amendment Bill is that the ownership or lease will be granted for 50 years. What about the prospective renewal for 50 years? Is there any assessment made by the Government that the lease is granted before the commencement of this Act, Amendment Bill or the Ordinance whether those people who have been granted mining lease are acting according to the provisions of the parent Act? There is no such assessment, Sir.

Therefore, I would urge upon the Government to make an assessment of each and every lease granted to the lessee and to be granted to the lessees. All these lease contracts should be assessed for the betterment of our economy.

Finally, my friend from Odisha has highlighted about the trust, the State Trust and National Trust, no details about the formation of the trust is given. My humble suggestion to the Government is that the participation of the State should be more and not only in State Trust, but in the process of giving allotment, the grant of lease and in the decision making process of e-tendering or other Government plans. In all decision making process the State Government must be taken into confidence.

And the lastly, if at all this Amendment Bill goes to the Select Committee, the Select Committee must decide on the Bill within a definite time frame and as quickly as possible, as this House has an authority under the Rules, to fix a time that the Select Committee must present a report in.

Thank you.

Trinamool plays constructive Opposition in Parliament

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Trinamool played the role of a constructive Opposition in Parliament today. A day full of activities for the party, the MPs raised matters of national importance, made their objection known on Bills which were against public interest and rendered support to the Government to pass a Bill which would be beneficial for the people.

Trinamool Congress MPs today slammed the Central Government in the Zero Hour and the Question Hour in both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. In Lok Sabha, Saugata Roy condemned the statement of the Jammu and Kashmir CM and demanded a clarification from the Prime Minister. In the Rajya Sabha, Derek O’Brien raised the concern regarding the way the Government is handling issues of legislative procedures. Sukhendu Sekhar Roy also raised his concern of how land marked for Air Traffic Control is now being replaced to build a shopping mall.

Nadimul Haque spoke on Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address in the Rajya Sabha. He highlighted the issue of reduction of allocations in MNREGA and also the social sector spending. He said that unity in diversity was the guiding principle of Trinamool, he said that the Central Government has failed to keep its promise in all aspects.

In Lok Sabha, Saugata Roy opposed the Introduction of Insurance Bill, which the Cabinet promulgated on 26 December, 2014. He also slammed the Government for ushering in an era of Ordinance raj. “Are we subjected to a system where there is a Constitutional Imbroglio,” he asked the Government.

Saugata Roy also moved amendments to extend the penalty for illegal mining. He urged the Government to take steps to protect the right of the tribals. He demanded that the time period for mining leases be brought down to 30 years.

Ratna De Nag supported the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2015 in Lok Sabha as it will create employment for large number of drivers. She also requested the Government to help the poor drivers of the e-rickshaw and e-carts, either in getting a loan from the Bank in zero interest or less interest or by giving them some subsidy.

During a Short Duration Discussion on losses incurred by farmers due to non seasonal rainfall, Debabrata Bandyopadhyay demanded that farmers be given crop insurance.

Trinamool MPs also made Special Mentions in Rajya Sabha on important issues.

SS Roy’s intervention on ATC land at Kolkata airport being used to build a shopping mall | Transcript

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Full transcript:

Sir, three acres of land within Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport at Kolkata, which was earmarked for construction of new five-storied technical block of the Air Traffic Control an 80 feet tower, but is now been proposed and transformed into a shopping mall.

This decision was reportedly taken on February 8, 2015. The way this Government is trying to privatize everything by compromising the safety of the air passengers to and fro from Kolkata.

Sir, through you I would like to have a statement from the concerned Minister on how the land which was earmarked for ATC is now being converted to a shopping mall. This is the way the airport land is being compromised at the cost of the safety of the passengers?

Trinamool’s day in Parliament

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After playing the role of the principal Opposition party in the Winter Session of Parliament, Trinamool Congress is again dominating the proceedings of the House in the Budget Session.

After raising a Zero Hour discussion on Mother Teresa yesterday in the Rajya Sabha, Trinamool won the support of the major Opposition parties. The party also slammed the Government during the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address.

On Friday, Debabrata Bandyopadhyay raised the issue of Santhali language being represented in Devnagari script instead of in Ol Chiki in an advertisement published by the Ministry of Human Resource Development. He called it an insult to the Santhal community and demanded an apology from the Government.

During a Zero Hour discussion in the Rajya Sabha, Vivek Gupta asked the Government to reconsider delinking forest land from the wildlife impact assessment system by the National Wildlife Board and allowing adjustment within a 10 km range of national wildlife zones for such clearances. He said that forest cover can be increased while going for sustainable development, environment and infrastructure.

During a Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha, senior MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy questioned the Government on why 14 districts have been excluded from the coverage of handloom marketing assistance. Also speaking on the handloom industry, Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Gupta asked the Government why two jute units in West Bengal have been removed from a BIFR assistance scheme and also, why there has been no increase in the number of people in the handloom industry in the state getting health insurance, from the 2012-13 numbers.