Lok Sabha Debates
The Speaker Made Reference To The Loss Of Several Lives In The Tragic Train ... on 21 April, 2005
Title: The Speaker made reference to the loss of several lives in the tragic train accident on 21.4.2005 bertween 9168 Up Varanasi-Ahamedabad Sabarmati Express and Up Goods train at Samlaya station on Godhra-Vadodara, Gurarat.
11.00 hrs. REFERENCE BY THE SPEAKER MR. SPEAKER: Hon. Members, you are aware of a very tragic railway accident, which has taken place. This House expresses its deep sorrow at the sad demise of a number of passengers in the tragic railway accident that has occurred today in the early hours in the State of Gujarat.
We convey our deepest sympathies to the family members of the people who have passed away in this accident. I am sure the Government will make an appropriate statement on it.
We may now observe one-minute silence.
11.01/2 hrs. The Members then stood in silence for a minute.
___________ MR. SPEAKER: Prof. Vijay Kumar Malhotra, you wanted to raise this issue.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI MADHUSUDAN MISTRY (SABARKANTHA): Sir, kindly allow me to speak on this issue. … (Interruptions)
SHRI PAWAN KUMAR BANSAL (CHANDIGARH): Sir, I have also given a notice for suspension of Question Hour.
MR. SPEAKER: I will come to you also. First of all let me find out what Mr. Malhotra has to say.
… (Interruptions)
प्रो. विजय कुमार मल्होत्रा (दक्षिण दिल्ली) : अध्यक्ष महोदय, आपने सारे सदन की ओर से सांत्वना प्रकट की है …( व्यवधान)
अध्यक्ष महोदय : प्लीज बैठ जाइए। जिसने नोटिस दिया है उसे बोलने दीजिए। प्लीज आप बैठ जाइए। एक-एक करके बोलने की आदत बनाइए।
प्रो. विजय कुमार मल्होत्रा : अध्यक्ष महोदय, इस रेल ऐक्सीडेंट में जिन लोगों की मृत्यु हुई है, आपने उन लोगों के प्रति सहानुभूति प्रकट की है। सरकार की ओर से सुओ मोटो स्टेटमेंट कब आएगा, उसका समय बताएंगे कि कब होगा।
MR. SPEAKER: I have already instructed them to do it.
… (Interruptions)
प्रो. विजय कुमार मल्होत्रा : अध्यक्ष महोदय, यहां पर रेलवे के कोई मंत्री हैं ही नहीं और रेलवे मंत्रालय कोई काम नहीं कर रहा है।
MR. SPEAKER: Please do not make this tragic incident controversial.
… (Interruptions)
प्रो. विजय कुमार मल्होत्रा : श्री लालू प्रसाद जी का सारा समय बिहार में जा रहा है, लगातार रेल ऐक्सीडेंट्स हो रहे हैं। श्री लालू प्रसाद जी को अपना पद स्वयं छोड़ देना चाहिए, इस्तीफा देना चाहिए और अगर वह इस्तीफा नहीं देते हैं तो उनसे इस्तीफा दिलाया जाना चाहिए। ...( व्यवधान)
MR. SPEAKER: Nothing more will be recorded.
(Interruptions*) … *Not Recorded.
MR. SPEAKER: Show the proceedings to me, and I will decide on it.
… (Interruptions)
अध्यक्ष महोदय : ठीक है, आप बैठ जाइए। प्लीज, आप बैठ जाइए। Nothing more will be recorded.
(Interruptions)* … SHRI PAWAN KUMAR BANSAL : Sir, I have also given a notice for suspension of Question Hour. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Mr. Malhotra, you have raised a very important issue. The House, as a whole, has expressed its concern on this issue. I have instructed the Government that a statement be made by the Minister. Is the Government ready with the statement on this issue?
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Please make the statement on this issue at 12 o’clock.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI PAWAN KUMAR BANSAL : Sir, what is he saying? … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Nothing more will be recorded. It is not being recorded.
(Interruptions)* … MR. SPEAKER: No, this is not permitted. This will not be permitted.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Mr. Malhotra, you have already made your point.
… (Interruptions)
प्रो. विजय कुमार मल्होत्रा : अध्यक्ष महोदय, श्री लालू प्रसाद जी इस्तीफा दें और प्रधानमंत्री जी दूसरे व्यक्ति को रेलमंत्री बनाएं जो रेलवे के लिए समय दे सके।
MR. SPEAKER: It is for them to decide on it.
… (Interruptions)
________________________________________________________________ *Not Recorded.
MR. SPEAKER: Let me regulate the proceedings of the House. Mr. Bansal, you have given a notice.
SHRI PAWAN KUMAR BANSAL : Sir, I have sought your permission for suspension of Question Hour. A very disturbing news has appeared in the media that a lot of money was paid by a South African firm to swing the defence purchases in their favour. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Please raise this issue after Question Hour.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI PAWAN KUMAR BANSAL : Sir, a very disturbing news has appeared in the media that money to the tune of hundreds and thousands of crores of rupees are involved in a matter where pay offs have been made by the firm. … (Interruptions)
SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA (BANKURA): Sir, the hon. Defence Minister is here. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: All of you please sit down. I am on my legs.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Mr. Adhir Chowdhury, please sit down. Why are you speaking? Nothing is being recorded.
(Interruptions)* … MR. SPEAKER: Please sit down.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Nothing is being recorded. Mr. Chowdhury, you are a Member of Parliament of India. People have sent you here with so much expectation. There are rules and we have to follow them. We are trying to discuss every issue. Interrupting each other and showing disrespect to the Chair does not help. This applies to every side. I am only saying that he has given a notice, but I will permit him to raise it after Question Hour.
__________________________________________________________________ *Not Recorded.
प्रो. विजय कुमार मल्होत्रा : ठीक है प्रश्न काल के बाद लें, लेकिन ये अपनी पार्टी के चीफ व्हिप हैं, इनकी सरकार है, तो क्यों नहीं एक्शन लेते।…( व्यवधान)
MR. SPEAKER: Nothing will be recorded.
(Interruptions)* … MR. SPEAKER: Let us now take up Question Hour. यह क्या हो रहा है, अब इसे छोड़िए।
…( व्यवधान)
MR. SPEAKER: Please cooperate with the Chair. This is Question Hour. Prof. Malhotra, this is not right. Let us take up Q. No. 381.
… (Interruptions)
श्री राम कृपाल यादव (पटना) : हम लोगों को बोलने का मौका नहीं मिलता है। हम रोज नोटिस दे रहे हैं। बड़ा महत्वपूर्ण मामला है।
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Ram Kripal Yadav, I will not tolerate this. I am saying it third time that I will not tolerate this, and you should be ready to face the consequences. Any hon. Member defying the Chair should be ready to face the consequences.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Who is talking? You must have the courage to stand up. Do not throw remarks against the Chair.
Q. No. 381, Shri Uday Singh.
(Q. No. 381) श्री उदय सिंह : अध्यक्ष जी, मैं मंत्री जी के उत्तर से पूर्णत: असंतुष्ट हूं। The hon. Minister’s reply is delightfully vague. Having accepted that there is manpower shortage, the reply actually tells us nothing as to why the Government has been sitting on this matter. Shortage of manpower, specially sanctioned manpower, is an extremely serious matter. While on the one hand, the Navy is suffering on account of their projects being delayed, on the other hand, and more importantly, eligible youths are still amongst the unemployed. I would like to know from the Minister whether any efficient recruitment policy is being put in place so that these shortages do not occur in future.
SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE: Sir, I have admitted that there is a shortage in the civilian personnel in Navy. Perhaps, the hon. Member is aware of a decision which was taken by the earlier Government in 2001. While presenting the Budget for that year, the then Finance Minister declared that a decision had been taken to reduce 10 per cent of civilian officials/employees in various Departments of the Government of India. A formula was also adopted as to how the vacancies would be determined, which is, one-third of the vacancies would be filled in and that one-third number of the vacancies should not exceed one per cent of the total sanctioned manpower.
There is one point which the hon. Member will agree, and I also agree with him, that due to this formula, Navy is suffering because unlike the Army and unlike the Air Force, a very big contingent of the Naval personnel belongs to civilian categories. Therefore, we have approached the Finance Ministry to relax this because if we apply this formula, the Army and the Air Force are not affected to that extent, but the Navy is affected where almost 50 per cent of the total contingent belongs to civilian category who help in repairing ships and other equipment on the docks.
Therefore, this issue has been taken up with the Ministry of Finance and I can assure the hon. Member, and through you the House, that this matter will be sorted out.
SHRI UDAY SINGH : Thank you, Mantriji.
The other thing that I would like to ask the Government is whether it is not time to examine the possibility of the defence forces becoming the nodal recruitment agency for training and using the youth of our country for three-four years and then seconding them to Central and State Police organisations and other Paramilitary Forces. I do not know what the Government would like to say on this.
SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE: At one point of time it was thought that those who are retiring from the Army could be inducted into the parallel Central Paramilitary Forces and like that because a lot of service is left. They normally retire at 35, 36 and 37 years after putting in close to 15-16 years of service. But, the other problem will come that the promotional prospects of those who are directly recruited in either BSF or CRPF or ITBP or other Central Paramilitary Forces will be choked. Therefore, this thing could not move very much. Whether we can have, instead of having a standing Army of around a million, a system where everybody, or a large number of people, will be given military training, that is a larger policy issue. I am sure, Mr. Speaker, Sir, I cannot discuss a major policy issue during the Question Hour.
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Chandra Bhushan Singh. - Not present.
SHRI SHRINIWAS DADASAHEB PATIL : Sir, I would like to ask the hon. Minister whether, in the recruitment being made to fill in the vacancies, priority will be given to the land-affected persons due to the military for defence projects.
SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE: In the area of construction of a project, normally some priority is being given to those persons and family members of those persons who have given land for construction of the project. But it is not determined; a priority is being given.
SHRI N.N. KRISHNADAS : Just now the hon. Minister had mentioned that the earlier Government in 2001 had decided to reduce ten per cent of the total strength of manpower in various Departments. So, that is the reason for this very serious situation we are facing, especially in the civilian category of employees in the Navy. I would like to know from the Ministry whether the Government is ready to re-examine the shadow of ban on the recruitment. Is the Government now ready to re-examine the situation?
SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE: Sir, this is a suggestion.
श्री जसवंत सिंह बिश्नोई : अध्यक्ष जी, जो तकनीकी ज्ञान प्राप्त पढ़े-लिखे लड़के हैं जिनको शिक्षा प्राप्ति के बाद सेना में जाने की बात थी, लेकिन वे जा नहीं पा रहे हैं। मैं आपके माध्यम से माननीय मंत्री जी से जानना चाहता हूं कि सेना की नौकरियों में कितने वर्षों से प्रतिबंध लगा हुआ है और जो सैनिक रिटायर हो रहे हैं क्या उनको भी तकनीकी साइड में भेजने की कोई व्यवस्था है?
SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE: Sir, for different categories of persons, there are different qualifications. In respect of the deployment of forces, as I mentioned to you, we try to accommodate those who are retiring in different areas including private security agencies and other areas. Further, I have been told that the total reduction which is contemplated in the civilian services is ten per cent over a period of five years effectively at the rate of two per cent each year.
श्री अनंत गुढ़े : अध्यक्ष जी, सेना में काम करने वाले जो सैनिक हैं और जो बीएसएफ में काम करने वाले सैनिक हैं, उनके मुआवजे में अंतर है। सेना से जो रिटायर होते हैं उनको जो मुआवजा मिलता है, क्या बीएसएफ के जवानों को भी वही मुआवजा मिलता है? मेरे ख्याल में बीएसएफ के जवानों को कम मुआवजा दिया जाता है। मैं सरकार से जानना चाहता हूं कि रिटयारमैंट के बाद सेना के दोनों जवानों …( व्यवधान)
अध्यक्ष महोदय: इस क्वैश्चन में बीएसएफ नहीं आता है। It does not arise. BSF does not come under Defence Ministry.
श्री अनंत गुढ़े : क्या सरकार दोनों जवानों को एक जैसा मुआवजा देने के बारे में सोच रही है? …( व्यवधान)
अध्यक्ष महोदय: यह विषय इनकी मनिस्ट्री में नहीं आता है। It is under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Shri Anant Gudhe, you file another question.
SHRI P. RAJENDRAN : Sir, thank you for giving me the opportunity.
The policy of the last Government to reduce the personnel of the Government, even in the Army and Paramilitary Forces, is well known. In the answer, it is stated that more than 10 per cent vacancies are there, and 8,756 posts are lying vacant. Ten per cent means 4,800. When the policy has to be implemented, our Navy officers are obliged to implement it. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: What is your question?
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: This is another suggestion for action.
SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE: As I told earlier, 10 per cent is not in one year, 10 per cent would be for a period of five years. I am just giving one example. If there are sanctioned strength of 100 and vacancies are 30, one-third of the vacancies are to be notified; 30 of one-third is 10. But the recruitment would be only one per cent of the total sanctioned strength of 100. Therefore, the fine calculation that the Ministry of Finance has done is implemented then over a period of five years, 10 per cent of the total strength would be reduced and the objective is to make the administration lean and to reduce the additional posts that are operational in respect of the civilian population. Operational posts are not covered. The problem with Navy is that this very fact that the 50 per cent of the Naval Forces are civilians in their nature of duty, that factor was not taken into account. That is why we have taken it up with the Ministry of Finance.
(Q. No. 382) SHRI ARJUN SETHI : There is no denying of the fact that the energy security is of paramount importance and should be given priority to ensure energy supply for the country. In this context what are the new initiatives the Government have undertaken which are intended to ensure that the country will not be held to ransom on energy supply?
SHRI MANI SHANKAR AIYAR: While the question itself related to pricing of petroleum production, I am happy to answer, with your permission, the hon. Member's supplementary. Firstly, we are attempting to greatly increase production from existing producing wells through techniques which are called Improved Oil Recovery (IOR) and Enhanced Oil Recovery(EOL) techniques.
Secondly, under the different rounds of the new Exploration Licensing Policy, we are attempting to attract a much larger amount of foreign investment and encourage partnership between Indian and foreign companies to increase the acreages that come under exploration and production.
Thirdly, we are attempting to find equity oil or gas as well as producing as well as prospective properties outside the country. By combination of all these, we hope to substantially increase the availability and assuredness of hydro carbon supplies to meet our requirements. In this context, I believe, special mention must be made of the proposals to lay pipelines from Iran to Pakistan to India, from Turkmenistan to Afghanistan and Pakistan to India and from Myanmar through Bangladesh into India.
SHRI ARJUN SETHI : As the hon. Minister has referred, the question is related to oil pricing, I would like to ask the question on oil pricing.
My question is very specific and definite. In view of the prevailing volatility of the situation in the oil sector, whether the Government intends to increase the price of petroleum products. If so, what is the quantum of it? What is the price of each barrel and whether the Government has taken any decision in this regard?
SHRI MANI SHANKAR AIYAR: The short answer is ‘no’. The Government have not taken a decision in this regard, but the matter is under active consideration. I am afraid, I will not be able to vouchsafe the decision of the Government to the hon. Member until the Government takes a decision in this regard.
श्री कमला प्रसाद रावत : अध्यक्ष महोदय, माननीय पेट्रोलियम मंत्री जी, आपने अपने उत्तर में कहा है कि यह औसत ५२.८३ डॉलर से घटकर ४५ अमरीकी डॉलर नीचे आ गई है इसलिए सरकार को मूल्यवृद्धि को हर कीमत पर रोकने के लिए प्रयास जारी रखते हुए निजी कंपनियों को मूल्य नियंत्रित करने की स्वतंत्रता के लिए छूट नहीं देनी चाहिए । इससे ट्रांसपोर्टरों, लघु उद्योगों, किसानों और सीमांत किसानों को बहुत नुकसान होगा। इस संबंध में माननीय मंत्री जी ने जो प्रयास किए हैं, उन पर ध्यान देने की ज़रूरत है कि निजी कंपनियों को कीमत बढ़ाने की छूट नहीं देनी चाहिए ।
श्री मणि शंकर अय्यर: अध्यक्ष महोदय, हम इस सुझाव पर विचार करने के लिए तैयार हैं । मैं माननीय सदस्य से यह कहना चाहता हूं कि जब तक सार्वजनिक क्षेत्र के दाम निजी क्षेत्र से कम हैं तो उनके काम करने के लिए कुछ खास जगह नहीं है । हमें सार्वजनिक क्षेत्र के दामों पर खास नियंत्रण रखना पड़ेगा, इससे अपने आप निजी क्षेत्र के दामों पर अनुशासन हो जाएगा ।
SHRI ANNASAHEB M.K. PATIL : The question is about increasing the price of petroleum products. The basic thing is that the production of the petroleum products in the country itself is short. It is hardly 27 per cent to 28 per cent. We need about 72 per cent of the petroleum products to be imported, which is of worth more than Rs.1,10,000 crore. The basic thing that has to be tackled by the Government of India is the alternative source of energy like bio-diesel. I agree that the Government has taken an initiative in this regard. I would like to ask the hon. Minister whether the Government is going to take a decision to increase the use of ethanol in petrol from five per cent to ten per cent. Similarly, the production of the bio-diesel, in the world in more than 40 countries, is more and in our country also we have initiated eight to ten steps. I would like to know from the hon. Minister whether the Ministry would give surety for the people who are producing bio-diesel.
SHRI MANI SHANKAR AIYAR: Mr. Speaker, Sir, addressing myself to the first part of the question which was relevant, I would like to inform the hon. Member that not only are we a major importer of crude oil and a very small importer of petroleum products but we have also become a very significant exporter of petroleum products. In the year 2004-05, it is estimated, subject to final confirmation, that there are exports, in the first eleven months of the year, amounted to Rs.25,699 crore. If we take the full year, it is likely to be somewhere in the region of Rs.28,000 crore. I think, the House needs to recognise the fact that the Ministry of Petroleum is increasingly becoming an export-oriented Ministry and does not remain merely an import-oriented Ministry.
As regards ethanol, we have had detailed discussions on this. I am sure, the hon. Member is aware of the discussion we have had with the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA). We have sent the ISMA, a draft MoU regarding short supply of ethanol at reasonable prices. Their response is still awaited.
MR. SPEAKER: Hon. Members, the hon. Minister has said that no decision has yet been taken. So, you can only give suggestions for action now. That will be fine.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Well, if you want to insist, go ahead.
SHRI P. KARUNAKARAN : Sir, petroleum products have become essential commodities nowadays. Any change in the petroleum products really reflects the prices, in general. It really leads to the burden on the common man, especially the customers.
Considering this fact, will the Government think about enlisting the petroleum products in the Essential Commodities List and give some concessions to these products?
SHRI MANI SHANKAR AIYAR: Sir, this is a suggestion on which I am not competent to give a full response. But what I can assure the hon. Member is that we have been very, very careful about the petroleum prices. I would like to just share with the House that during the period March, 1998 to January, 2004, when the international crude prices rose by about 17.78 dollars a barrel, and the period April, 2004 to April, 2005, when the international crude prices – I am talking of the Indian basket -- have also risen by approximately the same amount, 17.43 dollars, we have to note that whereas the price of petrol was raised by Rs. 10.87 per litre, we have raised it by only Rs. 4.28 per litre. They raised it by 48 per cent, and we raised it by 13 per cent. About diesel price, they raised it by Rs. 11.49, which is an increase of 112 per cent whereas in our case we have increased it by Rs. 6.48 per cent, which is an increase of only 13 per cent. About kerosene price, they increased it by Rs. 6.49, which is an increase of 258 per cent whereas our increase is exactly zero, it is zero per cent. We have not raised it. For domestic LPG, they raised it by Rs. 105.60, which is an increase of 78 per cent, whereas we have increased it by only Rs. 53.15, which is just an increase of a mere 22 per cent.
So, you will, I am sure, recognise that we have been far more customer-friendly than our predecessors. Incidentally, I have been corrected by my officers that the petroleum products are already under the Essential Commodities Act.… (Interruptions)
MD. SALIM : We hope, you will not follow their examples… (Interruptions)
SHRI K.S. RAO : Sir, I have seen the reply of the hon. Minister who is very learned and competent.
MR. SPEAKER: Very good. It is a mere suggestion for action. This is not the place.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI K.S. RAO : Sir, I am just telling… (Interruptions)
From the beginning to the end, what he has said is that because of the sharp rise in the international prices, and in spite of the fact that they have reduced the excise duty, the customs duty and so on, they are not in a position to control it and they have left it to the oil companies.
Sir, even a retail small businessman in a village… MR. SPEAKER: Put your question, please.
SHRI K.S. RAO : But there must be a formulation. Even a retail trader in a village will increase his consumer price the moment he gets the purchase price increased. But here, we have got a pool of technologists -- Member (Technical), Member(Management), and others. Their job is to find out the alternative ways to reduce this price structure.
MR. SPEAKER: This is dealt with prices. Mr. Rao, I believe, you are a scientist.
SHRI K.S. RAO : Yes, Sir. My point is that in view of this, I wish that this Ministry must think in terms of taking up the oil blocks.
MR. SPEAKER: This is another advice. Mr. Minister, you need not reply it.
SHRI K.S. RAO : Sir, after the production of oil in other countries, the input cost has not gone up. It is because of the cartel of the oil producing countries that the prices are going up.
MR. SPEAKER: Mr. Rao, you are a senior Member, please co-operate.
SHRI K.S. RAO : Sir, I wish to know from the hon. Minister that whether he would go in a big way in taking up the oil blocks in Gulf and African countries, and produce oil by ourselves, providing employment to a large number of people.
MR. SPEAKER: After all that, you may ask him to reduce the price. No, Mr. Minister, you need not answer it.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Would you like to respond? You are a very obliging Minister that is why I am asking.
SHRI MANI SHANKAR AIYAR: Sir, I wish to assure the hon. Member that we are already in as many as 47 countries around the world attempting to do exactly what he has proposed.
MR. SPEAKER: Now, Shri Brajesh Pathak.
If you have anything to do with the pricing, do it.
श्री ब्रजेश पाठक : अध्यक्ष महोदय, मैं आपके माध्यम से मंत्री जी से जानना चाहता हूं तथा सदन की जानकारी में भी लाना चाहता हूं कि वर्ष १९९९ में डीजल का दाम ११.३३ रुपये प्रति लीटर था। आज वर्ष २००५ में यह २८.२७ रुपये प्रति लीटर हो गया है। डीजल एक जनोपयोगी वस्तु है। इसे किसान और आम जनता इस्तेमाल करती है और इतनी महत्वपूर्ण चीज के दामों में लगातार वृद्धि होती जा रही है। इसके कारण आम जनता और किसान परेशान हैं। मैं जानना चाहता हूं कि हिंदुस्तान में जो राज्य सरकारें हैं…( व्यवधान)
MR. SPEAKER: What is your question?
श्री ब्रजेश पाठक : राज्य सरकारें इस पर इतना अधिक टैक्स लगा देती हैं कि किसानों और आम जनता की रीढ़ ही टूट जाती है। राज्य सरकारें इस पर अलग से टैक्स न लगा पायें…( व्यवधान)
MR. SPEAKER: He cannot answer for the State Governments.
श्री ब्रजेश पाठक : क्या इसके लिए आप कोई कानून बनाने पर विचार कर रहे हैं?
श्री मणि शंकर अय्यर : अध्यक्ष महोदय, मैं अनुरोध करना चाहता हूं कि ऐसा सुझाव आप यहां सदन में ले आइये, हो सकता है कि हम आपका समर्थन करें। लेकिन जो हमारा संविधान है, वह राज्य सरकारों को टैक्स लगाने की पूरी इजाजत, पूरा हक प्रदान करता है। माफ कीजिए आपके सवाल का जवाब मैं नहीं दे सकता हूं।
MR. SPEAKER: It is a question contrary to the Constitution. It is not permitted. Please do not put questions, which mean an amendment to the Constitution.
श्री आलोक कुमार मेहता : अध्यक्ष महोदय, मैं माननीय मंत्री जी से जानना चाहता हूं कि क्या उनके संज्ञान में हैं कि अनुदानित मूल्यों पर दिये जाने वाले केरोसिन तेल का लगभग ७५ प्रतिशत इस्तेमाल पैट्रोल और डीजल में मिलावट के लिये किया जा रहा है।
MR. SPEAKER: It does not come here. No, sorry. You please sit down. You come to the price; do not start with adulteration. You do not give encouragement to it.
श्री आलोक कुमार मेहता : सर, मैं मूल्यों की बात पर आ रहा हूं। मैं केरोसिन तेल के मूल्यों के बारे में बता रहा हूं कि क्या सरकार के पास देश के गरीब लोगों तक अनुदानित मूल्य पर केरोसिन तेल पहुंचाने की कोई योजना है या यह मान लिया जाए कि इस क्षेत्र में ज्यादा अनुदान का लाभ केवल कालाबाजारियों को ही मिलेगा?
MR. SPEAKER: No adulteration. I do not think that that question arises here.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Your observations are not being taken down. Why are you putting them? Try to speak with the permission of the Chair. You may go on shouting, I won’t allow it to be recorded.
(Interruptions)* … MR. SPEAKER: Mr. Prabhunath Singh, if you do not want to put a question, I will come to another hon. Member.
श्री प्रभुनाथ सिंह : अध्यक्ष महोदय, मैं आपके माध्यम से कहना चाहता हूं कि जैसा मंत्री जी ने बताया कि यह देश सिर्फ आयात ही नहीं करता है, निर्यात भी करता है। यानी हम केवल माल खरीदते ही नहीं है, बल्कि बेचते भी है। जैसा अभी पाटील साहब ने बताया कि जब पिछली एन.डी.ए. की सरकार थी तब ऐथनोल के संबंध में बड़ी चर्चा चली थी और उस समय यह कहा गया था कि ऐथनोल का उत्पादन छोआ और मक्का से भी किया जा सकता है। इसका उद्देश्य इतना ही था...
MR. SPEAKER: It does not arise.
श्री प्रभुनाथ सिंह : हम क्या पूछना चाहते हैं, उसके बारे में जब तक भूमिका नहीं बांधेंगे, तब तक असली सवाल सामने नहीं आयेगा।
MR. SPEAKER: I am concerned with your foreground; the background is too long.
श्री प्रभुनाथ सिंह : इसलिए हम बताना चाहते हैं कि ऐथनोल उत्पादन के संबंध में मक्का और ईख का उपयोग होने की बात थी। जहां एक तरफ किसानों को प्रोत्साहन और इसका उत्पादन मिलने की बात थी, वहीं उस समय यह भी बताया गया था कि ऐथनोल का मूल्य कम होगा तो मूल्यों के कम होने से हम आज जो पैट्रोलियम की बिक्री कर रहे हैं, उस पर कितना असर पड़ेगा। यदि असर पड़ेगा तो हम जानना चाहते हैं __________________________________________________________________ * Not Recorded.
कि ऐथनोल के उत्पादन में बहुत वृद्धि करके उस पर मूल्य नियंत्रण करने की क्या कार्रवाई आप करने जा रहे हैं?
MR. SPEAKER: Okay. Is there any connection between ethanol and pricing?
श्री मणि शंकर अय्यर : महोदय, फिलहाल ऐथनोल का दाम थोड़ा बहुत ज्यादा है। इसका एक कारण यह हो सकता है कि पिछले सालों में गन्ने का उत्पादन कम हो गया था। यदि गन्ने का उत्पादन बढ़ जाता है तो थोड़े बहुत दाम गिर सकते हैं और ऐसा भी हो सकता है कि ऐसे पदार्थों का इस्तेमाल करके हम ऐथनोल निकालें। हमारे मंत्रालय में हम मात्र इस बात से संबंध रखते हैं कि कितना और किस दाम पर ऐथनोल उपलब्ध किया जायेगा।
जैसा मैंने माननीय सदस्य को बताया, हमने ISMA को बता रखा है कि आप हमें आश्वस्त कीजिए कि इतनी मात्रा में और सही दामों पर आप हमें एथनोल उपलब्ध करा सकते हैं। यदि आप उपलब्ध करा पाएंगे तो हम उसका प्रयोग अवश्य करेंगे। इस सिलसिले में हमारे मंत्रालय की तरफ से एक एम.ओ.यू. का मसौदा तैयार किया गया है जिसको हमने ISMA के पास भेज रखा है और उनके जवाब के इंतज़ार में हम हैं। जैसे ही वह आता है, हम गाड़ी को आगे बढ़ाएंगे।
MR. SPEAKER: Please put questions in the background of the Government’s announcement that no decision has been taken.
SHRI GURUDAS DASGUPTA : Sir, the hon. Minister today said that they have not decided anything about increase in the prices. That is the clear statement that he has made.
MR. SPEAKER: Up till now.
SHRI GURUDAS DASGUPTA : Up till now – till today, and tomorrow, he can do it.
SHRI MANI SHANKAR AIYAR: Till 1135 hours today, there is no increase.
SHRI GURUDAS DASGUPTA : I understand the heart of the Minister he is playing his cards close to his chest. He has to be like that because he is a Minister.
There was an article which appeared in the Press about the report of the Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas, wherein it was stated that the domestic price is linked to the international prices, and the domestic price is linked to the taxation of the Central Government. On that issue, I am seeking a clarification.
Is the Minister aware that the report has been submitted by the Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas wherein it was stated that already in the Budget, in different ways, taxation has been levied on petroleum products which will yield the Government, an additional Rs.3,000 crore and this taxation will come to surface in course of time. That is also a way to increase the prices. Is the hon. Minister aware that there is a report like this and is he aware that there is a contention in the Standing Committee that already tax has been increased, which is not disclosed, to the extent that it yields Rs.3,000 crore to the Government?
SHRI MANI SHANKAR AIYAR: Yes. The Government is aware of the report of the Standing Committee; the Government is aware of the figures given by the Standing Committee; and the Government is taking those figures extremely seriously. We will look into what the Standing Committee has said with utmost care before arriving at a decision.
SHRI GURUDAS DASGUPTA : That is not the issue.
MR. SPEAKER: He has answered it. You have referred to the Standing Committee’s report. He has clearly said that the Government will give utmost consideration to that.
SHRI GURUDAS DASGUPTA : May I know whether tax has been levied?
MR. SPEAKER: How can he say that? He is not the Finance Minister.
SHRI GURUDAS DASGUPTA : But the Ministry knows. He is avoiding a reply to the Parliament.
SHRI MANI SHANKAR AIYAR: Sir, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is aware of the changes in the tax structure with respect to customs duty and excise duty that has been announced in the Finance Bill, 2005. The implications thereof have been examined by the Standing Committee and we are examining those implications. We have made some assumptions ourselves. We are in discussion with the Ministry of Finance. All these will be crucial components of the decision-making process.
श्री लक्ष्मण सिंह : माननीय अध्यक्ष महोदय, मंत्री जी ने उत्तर में बताया कि घरेलू तेल का उत्पादन बढ़ाने के लिए आपने IOR और EOR टैक्नोलॉजी का अनुसरण किया है। लेकिन उस टैक्नोलॉजी के अनुसरण के बाद भी आपने कल ‘द टाइम्स ऑफ इंडिया’ में वक्तव्य दिया कि तेल का आयात ९० मलियन टन से बढ़कर ९५ मलियन टन हो गया है। इस टैक्नोलॉजी के बाद भी आयात बढ़ा है। इसके क्या कारण हैं और क्या बाकी विश्व में इससे भी अच्छी टैक्नोलॉजी है जिससे तेल का उत्पादन बढ़ सके?
MR. SPEAKER: It does not arise from the main Question.
श्री मणि शंकर अय्यर : अध्यक्ष महोदय, इसका मूल कारण यह है कि इस सरकार के आने के बाद इंडिया वाकई शाइनिंग हो रहा है। हमारे तेल का दाम बढ़ता जा रहा है क्योंकि हमारी आर्थिक प्रगति की रफ्तार बढ़ती जा रही है और मैं आपको आश्वस्त करता हूं कि बढ़ती ही रहेगी। जहां तक यह बात है कि हमारी मांगों के लिए घरेलू उत्पादन काफी नहीं है, हम इसके लिए आयात का इंतज़ाम करेंगे ताकि इस देश को किसी प्रकार की हानि ऊर्जा की कमी से न पहुँचे।
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Ilyas Azmi. This is the last supplementary. I have already allowed ten supplementaries on this.
श्री इलियास आज़मी : अध्यक्ष महोदय, जितने भी तेल पैदा करने वाले तेल निर्यातक देश हैं उनमें दो तरह की कीमतें हैं - एक घरेलू कीमत और दूसरी निर्यात करने की कीमत है । तेल निर्यात करने की कीमत का ताल्लुक इंटरनेशनल मार्केट से ताल्लुक होता है । जैसे साऊदी अरब में चले जाइए, वहां तेल और डीजल के दाम में कोई असर नहीं पड़ता है । हम ३० परसेंट तेल पैदा करते हैं, तो आप उसे इंटरनेशनल मार्केट के रेट से क्यों जोड़ देते हैं? घरेलू पैदावार का कोई लाभ यहां के लोगों को नहीं मिल पाता है । क्या यह पालिसी उचित है ?
दूसरा प्रश्न मैं माननीय मंत्री जी से यह जानना चाहता हूं, पैट्रोल और गैस के भण्डारों में जो चोरी होती है, उसके लिए क्या मंत्री जी कोई बड़ा अभियान चलाएंगे?
…( व्यवधान)
MR. SPEAKER: What is all this? From price where has it gone?
SHRI MANI SHANKAR AIYAR: Sir, the decision to try to shift towards import parity arose out of the fact, the undeniable fact, that our import dependence has increased from about 50 per cent in 1980 to about 70 per cent at present and is projected to increase to 85 per cent over the next 20 years. In these circumstances we have found that if we control these prices inside India, while there may be some immediate benefit to the consumer, the problem is that it does not generate enough resources for investment required upstream and downstream; that we are not able to adequately attract private capital and Foreign Direct Investment; that there are no incentives then for technological upgradation or cost minimisation; that we need to make the sector competitive and vibrant; that we need incentives to make profitable investment, and that we do not want a situation in which the private sector does the gold-plating of costs… (Interruptions)
श्री ब्रजेश पाठक : माननीय सदस्य ने आपसे हिंदी में सवाल पूछा था ।
अध्यक्ष महोदय : श्री पाठक जी छोड़िए । आप बैठ जाइए ।
…( व्यवधान)
MR. SPEAKER: There is translation available.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI MANI SHANKAR AIYAR: There will be a lot of distortion of prices in case of continuation of subsidies and cross-subsidies.
अध्यक्ष महोदय, हिंदी मैंने सीखी है । इतने टेक्नीकल शब्दों का प्रयोग हिंदी में करना काफी कठिन है । अगर माननीय सदस्य को समझने में कठिनाई हो रही है तो वह इसे कान में लगाकर हिंदी सुन सकते हैं ।
श्री ब्रजेश पाठक : आप हिंदी में जबाव देते तो ज्यादा अच्छा होता । आप हिंदी को इग्नोर कर रहे हैं । …( व्यवधान) आप हमें कानून समझा रहे हैं ।…( व्यवधान)
MR. SPEAKER: You need not reply to that.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Please take your seat. Nothing will go on record.
(Interruptions)* … SHRI BRAJESH PATHAK : I know very well.
SHRI MANI SHANKAR AIYAR: अब आप अंग्रेजी में क्यों बोल रहे हैं?
अध्यक्ष महोदय : आप बैठ जाइए ।
SHRI MANI SHANKAR AIYAR: Why are you now saying that you know very well?… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Nothing will go on record.
(Interruptions)* … MR. SPEAKER: It is very unfortunate. Shri Pathak, please take your seat when I am on my legs.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Sh. Ponnuswamy, you are a senior Member. How can you defy the Chair?
… (Interruptions)
श्री ब्रजेश पाठक : आप पढ़े-लिखे हैं । आप अपने आपको क्या समझते हैं ।…( व्यवधान)
MR. SPEAKER: Why are you replying to him? I will name both of you. You should behave properly here.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Pathak, this is not permissible. Our rules permit that. If you wish to persuade some hon. Minister to speak in a language you want, you have to persuade him outside and not inside the House.
…( व्यवधान)
श्री इलियास आज़मी : अध्यक्ष महोदय, मेरे सवाल का जबाव नहीं आया है ।
अध्यक्ष महोदय : अभी नहीं आएगा ।
*Not Recorded.
(Q. No.383) SHRI ADHIR CHOWDHURY : Sir, the hon. Minister must agree to the fact that visual fares often include semi-nudity, nudity and oddity which provoke repugnance. It is also a fact that some of the visual fares have been transgressing the threshold limit of decency which is often attributable to the increase of sex violence and other egeregious activities and have a direct bearing on the psyche of the adolescents and children. We do not know the exact parameters of what is to be called obscenity, etc. The Minister has admitted in his brief statement that the Government is contemplating establishment of an autonomous authority to regulate the content. Such authorities exist in almost all advanced countries of the world.
May I ask the hon. Minister what are the impediments lying there and whether any vested interest, especially among the stakeholders are putting any stumbling block and are obstructing the establishment of any regulatory mechanism?
MR. SPEAKER: When will your contemplation result in a decision? That is what he wants to know.
श्री वीरचन्द्र पासवान : अध्यक्ष महोदय, मेरा व्यवस्था का प्रश्न है।
अध्यक्ष महोदय : क्वश्चन-आवर में व्यवस्था का प्रश्न नहीं उठाया जाता है।
SHRI S. JAIPAL REDDY: Sir, to the best of my knowledge, I can say that I am not aware of any vested interest in the matter. The Government is determined to set up an autonomous authority to regulate content. We are looking at the piece of legislation. We hope to bring it forward very soon.
श्री वीरचन्द्र पासवान : अध्यक्ष महोदय, चूंकि व्यवस्था का प्रश्न इसी समय उत्पन्न हुआ है इसलिए मुझे व्यवस्था का प्रश्न उठाने और अपनी बात रखने की अनुमति प्रदान करें।
MR. SPEAKER: On what issue?
श्री वीरचन्द्र पासवान : अध्यक्ष महोदय, हिन्दी हमारी राष्ट्र भाषा है और हर स्तर पर हिन्दी को बढ़ावा देने का संकल्प इस सदन ने पारित किया है तथा भारत के संविधान में उल्लेख है कि …( व्यवधान)
MR. SPEAKER: I am not permitting you. What is happening in this country? Do you want to divide this country? It is entirely for the hon. Member or the hon. Minister to decide about the language in which he wants to speak.
श्री प्रभुनाथ सिंह : अध्यक्ष महोदय, माननीय सदस्यों का यह कहना है चूंकि श्री मणि शंकर अय्यर जी हिन्दी जानते हैं इसलिए वे हिन्दी में उत्तर दें, तो उपयुक्त रहेगा। …( व्यवधान)
MR. SPEAKER: There may be a request. You cannot demand.
श्री ब्रजेश पाठक : अध्यक्ष महोदय, हमने मंत्री महोदय से रिक्वैस्ट ही की थी, लेकिन वे तो हमें कानून बताने लगे कि मैं यदि हिन्दी में सुनना चाहता हूं तो हैडफोन लगाकर ट्रांसलेशन सुनूं। यह तो मुझे भी मालूम है। …( व्यवधान)
MR. SPEAKER: Nothing is being recorded.
(Interruptions)* … MR. SPEAKER: I would not permit this. The Question Hour is a very valuable hour and you are trying to misutilise this hour.
SHRI ADHIR CHOWDHURY : In the aftermath of Tehelka expose, the entire population of our country got surprised to know that a shady deal is being perpetrated in the corridors of power which involved even the higher personalities of the earlier Government.
MR. SPEAKER: What is this?
SHRI ADHIR CHOWDHURY : Furthermore, the journalist, Mr. Tarun Tejpal, had been subjected to severe torture and tormention. May I know from the hon. Minister whether that kind of sting operation or investigative journalism have been put under any restriction or not?
SHRI S. JAIPAL REDDY: The sting operations are an integral part of investigative journalism. So long as sting does not involve porn, we have no problem. I am for sting san porn.
* Not Recorded.
SHRI NIKHIL KUMAR : Sir, the question of censoring of TV programmes is a very sensitive one. I say this because the media, including television have a tremendous reach. They reach into our homes and have the capacity to influence the minds. I am not talking here of adult minds. They can think of themselves. But I certainly speak for impressionable minds -- the children -- especially those who have not yet attained adulthood.
First of all, the answer from the hon. Minister shows that an autonomous body is going to be set up to monitor the contents in television programmes. But unlike the statement, rather contrary to the statement, there are reports in the newspapers about no law being enacted. I take it that no law is being enacted. In that case what I have to say is that while television censorship is good, does the Government propose to carry out some kind of an assessment of the impact of television programmes on impressionable minds and does it also propose to set up a community assessment panel, as has been done in some other countries, and whether it would be done soon or it will take some time?
SHRI S. JAIPAL REDDY: Sir, I generally endorse the sentiments voiced by the hon. Member in regard to the adverse impact that can be produced on impressionable minds by undesirable content of television channels.
I would like to clarify that we would like to set up an autonomous authority through a statute. So, it will be through a law. As for the studies to be made on the impact, a lot of studies have been made by private organisations. In these areas, studies are bound to be subjective. However, we would like to leave the matter to the autonomous authority.
श्रीमती किरण माहेश्वरी : अध्यक्ष महोदय, मैं आपके माध्यम से माननीय मंत्री जी से कहना चाहूंगी, यह सवाल बहुत ही ज्यादा महत्वपूर्ण है और जैसा आपने बताया कि टी.वी. के ऊपर अश्लील द्ृश्यों का जो प्रसारण हो रहा है, उस सन्दर्भ में सरकार अभी तक कोई कानून बनाने के बारे में सोच तो रही है, लेकिन उसे समयबद्ध नहीं किया है। इससे साफ जाहिर होता है कि सरकार इस मसले पर कितनी संवेदनहीन है। यह बहुत महत्वपूर्ण मसला है। टी.वी. आज गांव-गांव में और घर-घर में पहुंच चुका है और टी.वी. के माध्यम से परिवार के साथ बैठकर हम टी.वी. सीरियल्स देखते हैं। जिन टी.वी. सीरियल्स के अन्दर इतनी अश्लीलता बताई जाती है, उनके ऊपर किसी तरीके की कोई रोकथाम नहीं है। उस बारे में सरकार की इतनी संवेदनहीनता वास्तव में यह दर्शाती है कि सरकार की इस सन्दर्भ में क्या मानसिकता होगी। हमारी भारतीय संस्कृति और हमारी सभ्यता के ऊपर जो कुठाराघात इन टी.वी. सीरियल्स के माध्यम से हो रहा है, उस पर क्या सरकार कोई नियम कानून बनाने की मंशा रखती है? यदि हां, तो उसे समयबद्ध करे ताकि हमें पता रहे कि इतने समय तक यह कानून बनने की संभावना है। दूसरे, जैसा इन्होंने अपने जवाब में कहा है कि किसी तरीके की कोई सेंसर बोर्ड के बारे में सोच नहीं बनी है, जबकि अन्य सारे देशों के अन्दर जो टी.वी. सीरियल्स बनते हैं, उनके ऊपर कोई न कोई सेंसर बोर्ड होता है। जब बोर्ड से उसे क्लियरेंस मिलती है, उसके बाद ही उसे प्रसारित किया जा सकता है। लेकिन यह हमारा दुर्भाग्य है कि इस तरीके का कोई सेंसर बोर्ड हमारे यहां नहीं बनाया गया है, इसलिए आप बतायें कि सेंसर बोर्ड बनाने की आपकी कोई मंशा है क्या?
SHRI S. JAIPAL REDDY: Sir, I share the concern of the hon. Member about the impact. But I would like to repudiate her suggestion, with all the authority at my command, that this Government is insensitive.
Sir, I may bring to her notice, through you, that when I was a Minister eight years ago I introduced the Broadcast Authority Bill and then the NDA Government was there in power for six years and it remained monumentally insensitive. Now the hon. Member would like to tell me that I must bring forward the legislation. I am responding favourably. I am only telling that the process of law-making in our country is time consuming. We need to consult a number of Ministries. I want to do it as quickly as possible. I cannot, possibly, indicate a time frame.
SHRIMATI MINATI SEN : Sir, under the Cinematography Act 1952, all music and video albums are to be certified by the Central Board of Film Certification to ensure transmission of video suitable for unrestricted public exhibition. An inter-Ministerial Committee under Section 20 of the Cable Television Network Regulation Act, 1995 had been formed to look into violations of programme code.
Does the Government think that programmes being transmitted in several channels of cable television, such as Fashion TV, are in conformity with the programme code?
If not, what action has so far been taken by the Government to stop projection of such videos which are against all norms of Indian culture?
SHRI S. JAIPAL REDDY: Sir, music albums are subject to the process of clearance of the Censor Board. Having said that, we have found that some TV channels were guilty of telecasting censored bits as well and we have also noticed that some TV channels did not conform to the programme code. Therefore, recently, we suspended the permission of one channel named Cine World for 30 days and we gave notices to as many as nine music channels as to why their permission cannot be withdrawn or suspended or revoked. We also gave notice to one TV channel for showing porn as part of news. While we are engaged in the process of enacting law, our Inter-Ministerial Group is active in taking action and we want to strengthen this process.
श्री राम कृपाल यादव : अध्यक्ष महोदय, बड़े ही महत्वपूर्ण प्रश्न पर विचार हो रहा है। पूरा देश और सदन इस बात के लिए चिन्तित है कि जिस तरह से केबल चैनल के माध्यम से बिलकुल नग्न और अश्लील चित्र प्रदशित किए जा रहे हैं, सब लोग इससे चिन्तित हैं और चाहते हैं कि इस पर कानून बने। माननीय मंत्री जी ने अपने जवाब में यह भी कहा है कि मैं निश्चित तौर पर एक कानून बनाऊंगा, ताकि इन सब पर नियंत्रण किया जा सके। मैं माननीय मंत्री जी से यह जानना चाहूंगा कि आप कानून बनाकर दूरदर्शन पर तो नियंत्रण कर लेंगे किंन्तु इतने सारे चैनल उपग्रह के माध्यम से दिखाए जा रहे हैं, जैसा कि माननीय सदस्या ने अभी कहा कि फैशन टीवी के माध्यम से अश्लील चित्रों का प्रदर्शन हो रहा है। ऐसे चैनलों पर नियंत्रण हो सकेगा या नहीं। ताकि आप अपने माध्यम से उन तमाम अश्लील द्ृश्यों, चित्रों और धारावाहिकों को दिखाने वाले चैनलों को कंट्रोल कर सकें? इन चैनलों से हमारे देश के युवाओं और बच्चों पर कुप्रभाव पड़ रहा है। ऐसी कौन सी कार्यवाही आप करेंगे ताकि इन सबसे भारत की सभ्यता और संस्कृति को संरक्षित और सुरक्षित किया जा सके और इन सब पर नियन्त्रण किया जा सके?
SHRI JAIPAL REDDY: Sir, a Regulatory Authority will be competent to take action not only against Doordarshan channels - which are not guilty of any such violation of any programme code - but also against private channels. Even before such an Authority is instituted, the Government has inherent powers and we are taking action in this regard. All Members of Parliament are welcome to make specific complaints in this connection.
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Ramdas Athawale.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI ARJUN SETHI : Sir, he is not in his seat.
MR. SPEAKER: No. Sorry. Please sit down. Nothing will be recorded. This is grossest violation of direction.
(Interruptions)*… MR. SPEAKER: Dr. Koya – not present. Md. Salim.
MD. SALIM : Sir, there is no denying the fact that earlier the same Minister has brought the Broadcasting Bill and there was a Select Committee appointed on the demand of the Members which was chaired by Shri Sharad Pawar. We know of those who tried to project themselves as cultural police in public place. We know how this Bill was jettisoned during the time of the NDA Government. Now that the UPA Government is in place and with the concern expressed by all sections of the House, is the Minister ready to bring a comprehensive Bill once again so that an autonomous body is there which can go into the details of the contents? Sir, he is promising for one year but already eleven months of the UPA Government are over. By when is he going to revive the Broadcasting Bill, update and bring it back to the House?
________________________________________________________________ *Not Recorded.
12.00 hrs. SHRI S. JAIPAL REDDY: We will naturally consult the old Broadcast Bill. However, after eight years we cannot update that Bill. We will bring forward a new piece of law to deal with the whole question adequately. I have said before that no time frame in such matters can be indicated in the House.
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