Madam, I think there is no scope of confusion regarding this Bill. Most Opposition parties have jointly raised their voices. I agree with the proposal of Bhartruhari Mahtab, seconded by Jyotiraditya Scindia.
We also agree that this Bill should go to the Joint Committee. We can make this Bill better after holding discussions. Let the committee be constituted in a time-bound manner. Let further discussions be held in the Committee.
Madam, Sagar falls under my constituency. The previous Prime Minister (during UPA rule) had declared that there will be a sea port at Gangasagar. The present government has also declared earlier that there will be a sea port at Gangasagar.
Just now Hon’ble Minister has stated that for the proposed port at Gangasagar, he is getting lot of money from different sources. Of course, I am not clear whether this entire money, as he declared just now, is meant for the sea port Gangasagar only or some other ports also.
My question is when will the construction of the sea port at Gangasagar actually begin? We have been given a lot of assurance for the last four years but nothing is visible. I am putting my question again – when will the construction of the port begin?
West Bengal Government is taking massive steps to provide passenger safety in waterways transport. After successfully taking up the Safe Drive Save Life campaign for road safety, the State Government is taking up measures to improve infrastructure of the 50 important ferryghats which are used by thousands of passengers to avail water transport.
After a recent meeting at the State Secretariat, Nabanna, it was decided that there should be proper manning by the authorities and maintenance of the ferryghats at regular interval has been made mandatory. It will be also seen that the boats are not overloaded and time is maintained for the service. Also, lighting up the ferryghats has also been taken in account.
State Transport Minister Suvendu Adhikari has given strict instructions to follow the decisions made. The Transport department will now keep a strict vigil on all the ferryghats which are generally run by municipalities, Zilla Parishads or panchayats.
সড়ক পরিবহণের পর জলপথ পরিবহণেও যাত্রী নিরাপত্তায় গুরুত্ব দিচ্ছে রাজ্য সরকার। সড়ক নিরাপত্তায় সেফ ড্রাইভ সেফ লাইফ প্রচারের সফল কর্মসূচির পর রাজ্যের ৫০ টি ফেরিঘাটের পরিকাঠামো উন্নয়নের পরিকল্পনা নিয়েছে রাজ্য সরকার। এই ফেরিঘাটগুলি রোজ হাজার হাজার যাত্রী পারাপার করে।
নবান্নে একটি বৈঠকের পর সিদ্ধান্ত নেওয়া হয় যে, ফেরিঘাটের রক্ষণাবেক্ষণের জন্য অতিরিক্ত লোক রাখা হবে, যাত্রী ওঠানামার সময় নজরদারি চালাতে হবে, নৌকায় অতিরিক্ত যাত্রী তোলা যাবে না, নির্দিষ্ট সময় মেনে পরিষেবা চালু ও বন্ধ করতে হবে, অতিবৃষ্টির সময় পরিষেবা বন্ধ রাখতে হবে। প্রতিটি ঘাটে বিশেষ আলোর ব্যবস্থা করতে হবে।
যেসব সিদ্ধান্ত নেওয়া হয়েছে তা মেনে চলার নির্দেশ দেন রাজ্যের পরিবহণ মন্ত্রী শুভেন্দু অধিকারী। এখন থেকে পৌরসভা, জেলা পরিষদ বা পঞ্চায়েত দ্বারা পরিচালিত সব খেয়া ঘাট গুলির ওপর নজর রাখবে পরিবহন বিভাগ।
Sir I stand to register my protest against The Factories (Amendment) Bill 2016. Kalyan Banerjee, on behalf of our party, has already opposed the Bill. It is very unusual that when a Bill is there under the consideration of the Ministry, just 2 clauses are taken out and introduced as a fresh Bill.
We wanted the minister repeatedly to have the comprehensive Bill which will include some things favourable to the workers. But increasing the hours of overtime will only help the manufacturers, Sir. That has been opposed by all trade unions. It has not ratified ILO conventions and the minister is playing into the hands of the manufacturers and corporate sector to pass a bill against the workers which will make them slaves for 100 hours in a quarter. I totally oppose the Bill. Thank you, Sir.
Thank you, Deputy Speaker Sir, for allowing me to speak on The Factories (Amendment) Bill, 2016.
This Bill aims to ensure the safety measures and promote the health of the workers employed in the factory. I strongly oppose the Bill on the behalf of my party All India Trinamool Congress because we have seen many contractual and casual workers do not have medical check up, no medical compensation. In many plants when workers die, their bodies disappear and as they are contractual workers no records are there; no compensation is paid. It is elementary to democracy that when a worker is working in a factory he or she must work in a secure environment; this is not implemented.
The amendment should cover the loopholes of the law and make them fool-proof. Under this Act the inspectors come to the factory for inspection, they have a healthy relation with the factory owner but please bother to see the environment of the factory.
Does the Factory Act remain unimplemented for decades? Therefore the system of good inspectors has failed and we need to replace it in wider civil concept. In section 56 it is suggested to extend work hours to 12 hours which is totally inhuman and will impact the health condition of the workers. Section 64 and 65 of the Act suggest increasing the overtime hours from existing hours to quarter 100 hours. It is an anti-labour Bill and it is industry-friendly Bill. The provision of safety for women workers who work in the night shift should be looked after; it is the basic need of worker.
The government needs to enlarge the concept of monitoring system, inspection of the system where government official make huge irregularities in carrying out so-called routine inspection in the factory. I recommend this Bill be sent to the Standing Committee.
I would ask only one question to the Hon’ble Minister through you, Sir. Every civilian is allowed to go to the court but when the worker has to go to the court they have to seek permission from the government through Labour Commission which is a very lengthy process. Is the Government thinking anything on it?
It is high time that this government, which is speaking of Digital India, must ensure that workers’ rights should not be infringed upon. For the last two years the government claims to be working for improving India, but transforming India into a developed nation is not even on the horizon yet.
Thank you, Sir.
Thank you, Madam.
My parliamentary constituency Balurghat falls under South Dinajpur district. The Atreyi river flows in this region, which finds mention in the Mahabharata. There are many areas in my constituency which are Mahabharata connection. So, this river is the heart of my constituency. But no dredging has been done here for a long time.
I have brought the issue up with Hon’ble Minister several times. I have raised the issue in the Standing Committee also. My constituency is agro-based region. I would like to request the Hon’ble Minister to carry out dredging in river Atreyi so that the entire region is benefitted.
Thank you very much.
Sir, before I say even one word about the incidents that have happened during the last one month, or the discussions we have had – and I have lots to say about it – let me make one message loud and clear, and that is not for anybody in this House.
Message for Pakistan
I must give our friends in Pakistan some straight talk: please do not meddle in our internal affairs; please do not shed crocodile tears; please do not pretend you have any love for the people of Kashmir; please do not give my country any bogus lectures on pluralism and democracy; please do not give us the bhashans by your generals, your politicians and your Establishment. Because my family knows Pakistan and my family knows India.
In 1947, when my grandfather and his younger brother worked in Kolkata; another brother was in Lahore, and he chose to stay there. Today, in spite of all the differences, in spite of all the problems we face, we are still the O’Briens of India. We can eat what we want, we can pray wherever we want to, we can walk the streets freely. But the O’Briens of Pakistan do not exist anymore. This is a fact, Sir. Yes, there are differences, Sir, and in the last two years, there have been very serious differences, and sometimes, it’s not only words which will solve these issues.
Laptops vs Stones
I wanted to start with the history and then come to the present. But I think I will start with the present and then go backwards in time. So let me start with yesterday, Sir. In Trinamool Congress, for the last 18 years, when it comes to matters of foreign policy, we are always with the Government; we are always with the country, it is not about winning any political points.
But yesterday, Sir, it was said by the Honourable Prime Minister that if those boys and girls had books in their hands or laptops in their hands or cricket bats in their hands, it would have been better, than stones. Sir, that statement concerns me. My concern is even if those young boys had laptops or books or cricket bats they would have still thrown it at where they want to throw it. This is a matter of concern, Sir. So we need to understand the situation better.
And I’ll say this, Sir. It is one thing when you are sitting in Opposition and you want to play Rambo, and it is another thing when you are in government and you have to work for maintaining peace and serenity.
A lot of the history which I wanted to say, Ram Gopal Ji, the professor has said before me. I will not go into the history but Ram Gopal Ji, whatever you have said about the history, I am completely on the same page as you. I do not want to mention too many names here because people will get touchy when you mention names.
Nationalism vs Patriotism
Sir, this is a human tragedy; this is a tragedy of common people. Who would know Zohra Farooq? She’s five years old, Sir, and she said (she said in Urdu, which got translated into English), “We don’t burn firecrackers at home, but THEY burn them now.” Sir, that reminds me – who is a nationalist and who is a patriot? The nationalist loves his country, the patriot loves the people of his country. And it is very important, Sir, at this stage, not to make a distinction between Kashmir the land and Kashmiris the people. This is important, Sir.
Kashmir – Behind the Vale
Here lies the paradox – this issue is above politics, so don’t get touchy. Interestingly, a few days ago there was a speech in Lok Sabha on behalf of the government, and I was intrigued to know who spoke on behalf of the government. His views on Kashmir 20-25 years ago may be a very nice view. It is a good view and it is often criticised because he is a Muslim.
Sir, I need to bring this point out today because this gentleman believed that Sardar Patel also had some views on Kashmir, and even Shyama Prasad Mookherjee was a stumbling block. Sir, I welcome the person the BJP chose to speak that day in Parliament. Maybe today the BJP and the NDA are taking a different look at Kashmir. The person who said all these words last week was MJ Akbar.
The BJP is looking at someone like MJ Akbar – he is my friend and I do not want to embarrass him – who wrote the book ‘Kashmir, Behind The Vale’. I am not here to publicise his book; he is your Minister. It is another matter that when this book was launched in 1991 there were many in your party who threatened to burn the book.
We want to hear voices like this Sir. The more we hear voices like this the more we believe there is a chance to solve this issue.
Move beyond statistics
Sir, let us move on to the Home Ministry. Some of my colleagues are on the Standing Committee on Home Affairs and I hear a meeting has been called today at 3 o’clock. And for that meeting we have been given some details from the Home Ministry.
The Home Ministry has given us the details of the use of pellet guns, and I am reading from that report. It says that in 2010 there were 6 deaths and 198 injuries and in 2016 there have been 3 deaths and 58 injuries. Sir, we have to go beyond these statistics. Sir, we have to come out of this mentality, because unless we come out of this mentality we will continue blaming each other. It is like saying that there are few injuries now, so we have committed a lesser sin. Sir, it is much beyond that.
Internet penetration
There is a big difference in Kashmir today; I was trying to study this change in the last 2-3 days; this is what I think has changed on the ground in Kashmir. Sir, in 2011, the internet penetration in Kashmir was 3 per cent, today the internet penetration in Kashmir is almost 28 per cent. Sir, that is a major change that has happened in Kashmir. And today, if you ask me, why the Hurriyat or anyone else doesn’t have control over these people, nor can the security forces? Because how can you have an encounter with YouTube? You can’t, because the opinion is being made on the internet.
Mr Home Minister Sir, you tweeted on July 9, 2016: “I appeal to the people of Jammu & Kashmir to remain calm and maintain peace, the centre is working with the state government.” Excellent. But the problem is when the tweet went out, the internet itself was blocked in Kashmir. In fact, in Kashmir the internet has been blocked 13-14 times. You cannot get young people on your side if you keep blocking the internet. The only other State that has blocked it 8 times in the last 2-3 times, is a western Indian state (Gujarat). I am saying it because it’s a fact.
Sir, Kashmir is non-negotiable. Similarly, the welfare of the people of Kashmir also has to be non-negotiable.
Sir, I am coming to the issue which actually started all this – Burhan Wani. The issue of internet penetration and Burhan Wani are linked because Burhan Wani was more dangerous on the internet than he was on the streets. I feel Burhan Wani is more dangerous in his grave than his living room. And Burhan Wani is maybe more dangerous when he is dead than he was alive. Sir, this is the changing situation in Kashmir.
We must move beyond the Home Ministry numbers. We must restrain ourselves; we are a young party of 18 years, so when we are telling the Congress and BJP, the national parties to do this, we are saying with all humility.
Pellets
Sir, I want to make a specific recommendation to the Home Minister. The Minister has said there are 4-5 different types of pellets; I do not want to make this a discussion on pellets. You have asked for 2 months for the expert committee to give its report. Two months is a long time. There is enough technology, Sir. Make it two days, make it one week and let us have the expert committee report. Those pellets are hurting, Sir. They are not only hurting the children but also hurting the consciousness of Kashmir.
Bottomline
I have never tried this before, but I will try it only once; I will end Sir, with an Urdu couplet.
Ek do jaga nahi,
Saara badan hai chhalni,
Dard bechara pareshan hai,
Kidhar se uthey.
Thank you, Sir.
Thank you, Speaker Madam, for allowing me to speak during the Zero Hour. In India, out of 200 million families approximately 65-70 per cent do not have adequate housing facility. Indira Awas Yojana has provisions for shelter of million of rural families belonging to SC/ST, minorities and people below poverty line. But it is very sad to say that in Indira Awas Yojana only Rs 70000 is being given under the scheme.
West Bengal consists of hilly and plain areas and it is very difficult to complete the construction because the amount is very less. So I urge the Government to take urgent measures to fix the grant amount according to the regional cost of the buildings and increase the number of dwelling units. I would also urge the government to give special quota for Arambagh constituency, which is inhabited by rural people belonging to SC/ST communities. Thank you.
Taking part in a discussion on the prevailing situation in Kashmir, leader of the party in Rajya Sabha, Derek O’Brien appealed to the government not to make distinction between Kashmir, the land and Kashmir, the people.
Highlights of the speech
Message to Pakistan
Pakistan must not meddle in our internal affairs and not shed crocodile tears for the people of Kashmir and not give bogus lectures on pluralism and democracy, concepts of which Pakistan’s generals and politicians and establishment have little knowledge and appreciation.
Trinamool is always with the government on matters of foreign policy.
Laptops vs Stones
The Prime Minister recently said, “youths who should be holding laptops, volleyballs, cricket bats, books are being handed stones”. The ground situation in the Valley is such the youth would still throw the laptops and books.
It is one thing to play the Rambo in Opposition and run a country in government. We all must take cognizance of the epic human tragedy in the valley.
Nationalism vs Patriotism
Years ago I read a definition of the difference between a nationalist and patriot. The nationalist loves his country, the patriot loves the people of his country. This one-liner came back to me recently as I considered the volatile and worrying situation in the Kashmir valley, and how some people in India, on social media and on prime-time shows but in real life as well, unfortunately, seem to make a distinction between Kashmir the land and Kashmiris the people. As if the first is all-important to India and the second is less of a priority.
Stand of BJP on Kashmir
The person who spoke on behalf of the government in Lok Sabha a few days ago on the Kashmir issue (MJ Akbar) had different views 20-25 years ago. In fact, he had written a book in which Sardar Patel was blamed for compounding the problems in Kashmir.
Many in BJP had wanted to burn his book at that time in the 1990s. Should the book ‘Kashmir, Behind the Vale’ be recommended reading for our friends in BJP?
Move beyond statistics
The Home Ministry has given us data on the violence in Kashmir Valley. The report says that number of deaths in 2010 violence was six and there have been three deaths this year. We have to go beyond the statistics. It is almost like saying there are fewer injuries now so we have committed a smaller sin.
Internet penetration
One of the things that has changed in Kashmir is internet penetration, it is up from 3% in 2011 to 28% as on March, 2016.
In fact, the Home Minister had tweeted on 9 July, 2016: “I appeal to the people of J&K to remain calm and maintain peace. Centre is working with the State govt. to bring normalcy in Kashmir valley.”
When this was tweeted, authorities had suspended mobile internet services in the valley.
From 2013, the highest occurrence of internet shutdown was in Kashmir (13 times) followed by Gujarat (8 times).
Burhan Wani
Burhan Wani, who had a wide following on the internet and among the youth, was more dangerous on the internet than on the streets.
Burhan Wani is more dangerous in his grave than in his living room.
Burhan Wani is more dangerous dead than he was alive.
Bottomline
Kashmir is non-negotiable. Similarly, the welfare of Kashmiris should also be non-negotiable.
Two months is a long time for the expert committee to give its report on the use of pellet guns. People are dying.
The pellets have not only hurt the children but also the consciousness of Kashmir.
“Ek do jagah nahi,
Saara badan hai chhalni
Dard baychara parayshan hai,
Kidhar se uthhay”
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?
