Discussion On The Finance Bill, 2002 Moved By Shri Yashwant Sinha On 26 Th April, ... on 29 April, 2002

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Lok Sabha Debates

Discussion On The Finance Bill, 2002 Moved By Shri Yashwant Sinha On 26 Th April, ... on 29 April, 2002

14.15 hrs. Title: Discussion on the Finance Bill, 2002 moved by Shri Yashwant Sinha on 26 th April, 2002. (Bill passed).

MR. CHAIRMAN : Now the next item is consideration and passing of Finance Bill, 2002. Shri Adhir Chowdhary is to continue his speech. He will speak only for six minutes.

SHRI ADHIR CHOWDHARY (BERHAMPORE, WEST BENGAL): I am to pick up the thread which was left by me in the last Friday's sitting.

What I am re-emphasising is the need for re-invigorating the agriculture sector by infusing massive capital along with modern technology, specially, biotechnology without affecting adversely the genetic and bio-diversity of our country since India has long been bestowed upon with the panoply of natural endowments. We know that we are in demand recession which could be recuperated by revamping the agriculture sector. At present, the consumption is sliding from. 5.3 per cent to 2.2 per cent. The Government is seeking for imposing myriad tax measures to get rid of the economic morass. However, Government is playing reticent on recovering the NPA which now stands to the tune of more than Rs.90,000 crore.

As far as goods and services are concerned, the Government has sought to impose more taxes on domestic economy along with goods and services unmindful of that this kind of measure will only push up the cost of goods and services which will ultimately aggravate sufferings of the common people of our country.

May I ask the hon. Finance Minister whether he has formulated any strategy to restrain those tax evaders of our country? What measure he has taken up to recover the NPA? It is now hopping over Rs.90,000 crore inclusive of interest.

I would like to refer to a few observations from the C&AG's Report. It has been stated that out of 314.06 lakh assessments for disposal, 125.48 lakh assessments, that is, 40 per cent, remained pending at the end of the year. Total assessees as on 31st March, 2001 were 232.13 lakh which included 230.02 lakh income tax and corporate tax assessees. Out of 40.84 lakh PAN applications for allotment, 17.84 lakh applications were pending at the end of this year. Sir, Rs.56,431.25 crore on account of income tax and corporate tax remained uncollected as on 31st March, 2001. Therefore, the situation is such that we are virtually in the economic morass and the economic morass has already engulfed the entire country where our expenditure is going by leaps and bounds. In this year's Budget, more than 16.1 per cent expenditure of G.D.P. has been recorded in R.E..

Furthermore, the borrowing of this Government is also increasing alarmingly. Now it stands around Rs.89,000 crore to Rs.90,000 crore. That is why, we are really concerned over this economic situation in India. Economic miasma has engulfed the entire country.

I [rsg16] would like to know how much economic loss the country has incurred due to the communal conflagration in Gujarat. We are all concerned over this issue because without political peace economic prosperity cannot take place. Therefore peace must prevail in Gujarat because Gujarat is a prosperous State in India.

Before I perorate my speech, what is white I must tell it white. Under the stewardship of the hon. Minister of Finance, we have already had a good balance of payments position. Furthermore, as far as the services sector is concerned, we have notched up 1.2 per cent of the world trade share. However, the list of negatives galore. Therefore, I would tell the hon. Minister of Finance that the art of economics is the art of thinking. A profligate boy cannot bring about economic well being for the family.

SHRI M.V.V.S. MURTHI (VISAKHAPATNAM): Sir, this is a very important discussion. The presentation of the Finance Bill, 2002 has left many questions unsolved. The Budget cannot be treated only as an instrument of accounting exercise. These Budgets are also most important instruments to usher in new initiatives for the overall development of the nation.

Taking into consideration the various proposals, we are opposing many things. At the end of the day, we feel, we are miserably failing in our efforts in achieving the targets. For example, let us take the National Electricity Policy. We have thought of achieving in the Ninth Plan 40,000 MW but we ended up with roughly 18,000 MW. We wanted to achieve 'electricity to everybody' in this country by 2012. For that, we need roughly one lakh megawatts. Is it possible to achieve one lakh megawatts by 2012 when we are unable to add on an annual basis even 4,000 to 5,000 megawatts? How can we achieve that? Most of the time, we are unable to safeguard the interests of the poorer sections in this country. People do not believe us as Members of Parliament. When we go to them, they remind us of the assurances that we have given them. When it comes to the reality, we are miserably failing. You would be surprised to note that the per capita consumption of power in India is only 345 units while in developed countries like Sweden it is 17,000 units per head[rsg17] .

In the USA, it is 11,000 units per head. At this rate, can we reach even half way nearer to them in our developmental activity? If we say we can, we may be convincing the outsiders but will only be deceiving ourselves?

We also equate our farmers with those in other countries because we always say that WTO is there and because of the WTO, we have to agree to some global activity. We say so because we have to remove the quantitative restrictions and we have to import seeds from other countries. But in our country, what is the percentage of population that is depending on agriculture and what is the population that is depending on agriculture in other countries? We are trying to fall in line with them. Roughly about 70 per cent of the population of this poor country is depending on agriculture for their livelihood, whereas it is only seven per cent in developed countries. So, how can this 70 per cent compete with seven per cent? Is it possible? When it is not possible, we have to protect our seventy per cent population for their livelihood. What is the action we have taken for this miserable class of farmers? So, this is a very odd situation. Also, when we give loans to them through NABARD and other banks, the Government has fixed a target of 18 per cent of the net surplus credit, but on an average, it is only 15 per cent of the net surplus credit for 70 per cent of the population. When the farmers are contributing roughly 38 to 39 per cent to the GDP, are they not entitled to that percentage in the net surplus credits? When they are contributing to the GDP equally, we should allow them equally in that proportion. So, please think over it. Otherwise our country will remain like this for ever because we are not trying to pull them out of their poverty. They are only slogging in the villages. Why today so many farmers are committing suicide is because they are unable to repay their loans. We always say we are giving subsidies to the farmers, but the subsidies are being eaten away by the middlemen - the fertiliser manufacturer, the FCI marketing man, the millers and so many people in between.

14.29 hrs. (Dr. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh in the Chair) We are giving funds to the fertiliser manufacturers, but do we have any control on them to see how they are misusing those funds? Thousands and thousands of crores of rupees we are giving to them. Instead of doing that, if you give that money to the farmers by way of interest-free loans, by way of crop insurance, at least to some extent they will get an opportunity of lessening the burden of their debt. They are in a very precarious condition. Give them interest-free loans or loans at nominal interest by using that money.

For a very long time, there has been a promise that a Special Crop Insurance Corporation will be set up to look after the crop insurance[L18] .

That also has not come to reality. Is it not affecting a majority of the population? When we do something where a majority of the population is hit, it is our bounden duty and the duty of the Government to look after the interests of the majority of the population in the area where they are suffering. This crop insurance is one such thing. We are unable to solve their problem.

The farmer has no right to select his seeds. The farmer has no right to get loans for productivity at a nominal or lower or a concessional rate of interest. The farmers have to go to the middlemen and still they have to survive. This country cannot be equated with countries where there is development, where only less than 10 per cent of the population is dependent on agriculture. In our country 70 per cent of the population is dependent on agriculture. So, asking this 70 per cent to compete with that 10 per cent is something which is not practicable. There was a press report recently. I will give you a copy of this press clipping. The three-men Commission headed by Justice P.A. Chowdhary in Andhra Pradesh said :

“The FCI's failure in marketing is one of the major reasons for the debacle of the farmers' produce not being lifted and also millers have robbed the farmers to the tune of Rs. 1,000 crore.” This is because of lack of effective marketing. There are some suggestions which have been brought in this Budget. It is a good and a welcome sign. New marketing zones are being created for marketing the agricultural produce. Instead of five Zones extra, in addition to the existing five, create more. Where is the question of restriction when so much of population is surviving on these? In several States of India large quantities of products are grown like in Lucknow and Kanpur of Uttar Pradesh mangoes are there; in Tripura pineapple is there; Andhra Pradesh is known for mango pulp and vegetables, Maharashtra is known for mangoes, and Madhya Pradesh is known for potato, onion and garlic.

This is the scene of the farmer today. Our country is mainly dependent on the farm-produce. When we are not able to give the farmers a marketing support, the system will be in chaos and it will be in total confusion. Even this morning also several hon. Members have expressed the point that rice is not being lifted from Thanjavur, Patna and everywhere. It is not only in one State but in every State it is like that. The whole marketing is in a mess. Unless we clear the mess it will be difficult.

What are we arguing about? Farmers are only begging; going and asking the FCI to purchase. The present machinery of the FCI is not enough for Marketing support. All the important and vital markets of the country have to be connected. A network connection is required and wherever there is a shortage, there should be a movement and we cannot say that this is a State subject and the States only will look after it. After all, all States put together become India. India is States and States are India. So, there must be some marketing support. If you support the vital markets and interconnect them there will be easy access. You create the base. You keep the restrictions as and when required and not on a routine basis. This is a matter of concern to all of us.

There is another thing. The poverty in the villages is increasing. There are some good poverty alleviation programmes like free rice or at minimal price, rice is being given under the 'food for work' programme. It is well-known in Andhra Pradesh. The Human Development Commission have published a report recently stating that because of this 'food for work' programme in Andhra Pradesh, it has been working excellently in regard to poverty alleviation[RB19] .

The total country's poverty is estimated to be around 26.5 per cent whereas this has been brought down to 16 per cent in Andhra Pradesh because of these programmes, in the recent past. So, these are the things. When there is excess rice, instead of throwing it into the sea at a later stage, give it to the poor people and they can eat it. Also, we cannot store rice for more than two years. If it is stored for more than two years, it is not fit for human consumption. But how many tonnes of rice are lying in godowns for more than two years? Nobody can tell that truth to us. Even that figure is also not available. This Food-for-Work Programme is one of the things we can do to help the farmers, and unless we take very serious steps for effective marketing of their products, we cannot help them. We should also encourage small-scale industries. Give them some more incentives. There are many small-scale industries which have already been closed down and most of them have either become sick or non-operational due to non-availability of bank loans. If bank loans are available to them, they are available at a very higher rate of interest than they are available to large industries. Ironically, large-scale industry gets finance from a bank at a lower rate of interest than the farmer or the small-scale industry gets. What are the effective steps that have been taken by the hon. Finance Minister?

The food processing industry could be entrusted to small-scale industries. You can encourage processed food by making uniform laws of VAT so that this processed food is available everywhere competetively. It will be having a soothing effect to the farmers pushing the demand again so that the consumptions are improved ultimately, helping the farmers because we are already producing. On the one side, there is no nutritious food available to the school-going children and on the other hand, it is a very peculiar situation, which is only in our country, that there are surplus food grains. The third thing is that there is no marketing. How to solve this problem? There must be a mechanism. That is why, I am telling that the Budget is not a presentation of accounts only; it is a presentation of the total developmental activity that has to be taken into consideration.

About employment, I would say that unemployment is increasing by leaps and bounds in the villages. Ultimately, 70 per cent of the population is dependent on agriculture. We have to bring it down the dependency on an accelerated mechanism over a period of five to ten years. The hon. Finance Minister can also spell out in his reply that over a period of time, how much optimal percentage of population does the Government want to be dependent on agriculture because we are equating everything globally. When we are equating everything globally, we should also equate the percentage of dependence on Agriculture. About power, it is 345 units of per capita consumption at present. When are the states going to increase it to 1,000 units? Many States claim today that they are power surplus, but they do not supply it to houses, they do not supply it to villages. Half of the population is not covered with electricity while the States declare that they are power surplus States. In the case of foodgrains also, States are surplus, but there are still starvation deaths. When they are surplus in foodgrains, why are starvation deaths taking place? There is a missing link in all these things. It is the duty of the Union Government to connect both the ends so that there will be a policy by which the people of this country, the poorer sections of this country will also have an honourable life to live. Only then, we can eradicate poverty.

We talk every year about employment. By the time elections come, every party - of course, there is no discrimination between parties on this side or parties on that side - goes on giving all promises of the sort that they would create one crore, two crore or three crorejobs[R20] every year.

It is also necessary to introduce another chapter in the Budget that has a White Paper as an annual feature. It should give the details of the number of youth who have been given jobs every year. Ultimately, it is our bounden duty to see that unemployment is eradicated and not created. The human resources have to be put to productive use. We just cannot leave them by merely saying you yourself go and search for a job. How many jobs are we creating on an annual basis? Please look into that aspect. In other countries, one of the provisions is that they bring out a White Paper giving the details of the number of job opportunities that have been created. We can also think of doing that.

I compliment the hon. Finance Minister, so far as the foreign reserves are concerned, which have sky-rocketed to US $ 55 billion. It is a good thing because it shows the trust of the people in our country's ability, and they thought that this money would be used productively. Why is the value of the rupee declining when you have so much of reserves? Please tell us when it crosses the 50 mark so that we will do some trading. Are we in a comfortable position with such reserves.

You always claim that you have brought down the inflation figure to around one point something. That is also dangerous because if you bring it further down, there will not be any consumption; inflation is also linked with consumption. Unless you consume, you cannot produce; if you cannot produce, nothing is saleable; nothing is productive. Therefore, 'no inflation' means 'no money'.

You are a seasoned Finance Minister and have the credit of presenting more number of Budgets than anyone else. Maybe, you are the number one, I do not know. Shri Kanungo has corrected me saying that you are number two, and I want you to be number one. I want you to correct the situation. You should take steps to correct the situation, otherwise people will not keep you in the same position. In spite of the support from everybody else and me, people will not allow you to sit there, if you do not correct the situation.

When we have US $ 55 billion as reserves, why is the value of the rupee going down? The nation requires an answer from you and you should be able to tell us about that. It is happening because of the slow down in economic activity. We are unable to use the money that is coming in. It is not being used to create infrastructure, and it is lying in the 'depository'. People have confidence in you that you will use this money, but are you putting that money into productive use? You are not able to protect the value of the rupee; you are not able to improve productivity, and you are not able to improve consumption. The economic activity has slowed down and our growth rate has stagnated at 5.6 per cent. You say that unless we reach eight per cent growth rate, there is no solution. However, a recent survey shows that we are slogging around 5.6 per cent to six per cent. This is an area where a stimulus has to be given to the economy. To give a stimulus to the economy, what measures are you taking? We are unable to contain the fiscal deficit. If there is no economic activity, at least, we can say that fiscal deficit has contributed to the slow down in economic activity. On the one side, there is a slow down of economic activity[R21] .

On the other hand, why is the fiscal deficit going up every year? It is because unproductive expenditure in Government is going up day by day. The Government is unable to control this unproductive expenditure. I would like to request the hon. Finance Minister to look into this aspect and control the fiscal deficit and peg it at 4.6 per cent as has been promised in this year's Budget. There has been increase in the fiscal deficit every year. Why should it cross the limit that is set by the Government? What is the mechanism that the Government has put in place to control this? This aspect needs to be looked into.

SHRI TRILOCHAN KANUNGO (JAGATSINGHPUR): This is due to pressures from within.

SHRI M.V.V.S. MURTHI : I do not know that. But this is an area that should be looked into.

MR. CHAIRMAN : Please conclude now.

SHRI M.V.V.S. MURTHI : Sir, I am the only Member speaking from my party and so I should be allowed a little more time. But if you want me to conclude, then I would take my seat.

Sir, the poor man and the working class are not happy with this Budget because of two reasons. First is that, the Government, in this Budget, does not propose any measure for providing job security and second, the Government also does not propose any measure for providing food security for these segments of the society. The Government should allow the poor man to at least cook his food. The Government should make arrangements for providing kerosene through the Public Distribution System at a very competitive rate. Kerosene is not being used by people in the urban areas. It is being used by people living in the villages. The poor farmers in the villages do not have electricity and so the only way they could cook their food is through kerosene. Kerosene is used by the people in the villages to cook their food. Even though it would be difficult yet if the Government is unable to balance its Budget, then the people would be angry. It is not only a question of anger of the people but reforms should also have to have a human face. We want reforms with a human face and not just for the sake of it. I would also like to request the hon. Finance Minister to allocate some funds for development of human values in our higher education. This is being done in some of the countries. So, if the hon. Finance Minister could allocate funds for this purpose, then the intention of the Government in this regard could be well understood.

Sir, the middle class or the Working Class, as it is known, uses LPG cylinders and they compare the hike in the price of LPG cylinders with a hike in their salaries. So, if you do not reduce the rate of LPG cylinders, then you have to make a hike in their salaries. It is better to reduce the price of LPG cylinders than make an increase in the salaries of people. The effect of this would be that people would be enjoying this decrease in the prices of LPG cylinders.

Sir, I would not like to argue for increasing in the rates of interest on deposits, but at the same time we should remember that the only security that the retired people have is the money that they deposit in the banks. We are giving a lower rate of interest for making our rates globally competitive. But, are we having the same bank rate between deposit and borrowing? We are allowing a deposit and borrowing rate difference between four to six per cent in the banks, whereas in other financial institutions if one is giving a maximum rate of six to eight per cent as interest, then they also are collecting six per as banker's margin and in all is charging a 14 per cent interest. In other countries a difference of four per cent between the deposit rate of interest and the borrowing rate is allowed. In some cases we even allow ten per cent. This aspect also needs to be looked into[snb22] .

To make the economy competitive, one needs to bring down the interest rates. But given the present situation, there should be an upper limit to this. I request the Finance Minister to look into it. There is no job security. There is no security of work or job. A vast majority of the youth in the country are jobless.

The additional benefits that can accrue to the farmers' through the use of hydel power have to be examined. The total capacity in the hydel power sector in the country is very high. It is roughly 1,45,000 MW. However, about 42,000 MW is being used now. If the river waters are used to produce power, the saving that is made would be very useful to a poor country like ours. Govt. of India should discuss this issue with the States. If river waters are put to a better use, we can generate power on one side and give power to the poor farmer at a very competitive price. This would lead to a reduction of his cost of production and also save him from the vagaries of nature.

There are many good points in the Budget. The country's security is looked after. Maybe we are in a debt trap, but we have lots of reserves. These reserves should be put to proper use so that the majority of the population is given health care and education. I request the hon. Finance Minister not to mistake me. It is our duty to bring these facts to his notice. The small-scale industry cannot survive unless facilities for food processing are made available and markets are developed. Granite units have been given some concessions recently. Artificial fibre too has been given some concessions.

There are certain problems being faced by the units involved in non-conventional energy sector. At the time of import of equipment, they say the machinery is different from the plant. When you talk about the plant, it includes the whole machinery. But they say that the accessories are not included, only the main machinery is included. At the end of it, to keep the manufacturing activity going it is the total machinery which is required. This also has to be taken into consideration.

With these words, I support the Finance Bill presented by Shri Yashwant Sinha. I would request him to kindly look into the areas that I have pointed out.

gÉÉÒ ®ÉàÉVÉÉÒãÉÉãÉ ºÉÖàÉxÉ (ÉÊ{ÉE®ÉäVÉÉ¤ÉÉn): सभापति महोदय, हम लोग वर्ष २००२-०३ के केन्द्रीय सरकार के वित्तीय प्रस्तावों को प्रभावी बनाने वाले विधेयक पर चर्चा कर रहे हैं।

जहां तक बजट का सवाल है, बजट व्यावहारिक होना चाहिय्Éä[skb23] ।

हिन्दुस्तान के बहुसंख्यक लोग ग्रामीण अंचल में रहते हैं, और उन लोगों का संबंध कृषि से हैं। अगर हिन्दुस्तान जैसे देश का बजट कृषि पर आधारित नहीं होगा तो इसके अच्छे दूरगामी परिणाम निकलने वाले नहीं हैं। यह बात अपनी जगह सही है कि इस बार श्री यशवंत सिन्हा ने कृषि पर ज्यादा धन खर्च करने का थोड़ा प्रयास किया है, लेकिन मैं समझता हूं कि यह नहीं के बराबर है। यह कोई सार्थक प्रयास नहीं है। हमारे देश का बजट ४,१०,३०९ करोड़ रुपये का है। हमारे ६५-७० फीसदी लोग कृषि पर निर्भर करते हैं। हमारे देश की अर्थव्यवस्था की धुरी कृषि है। कृषि क्षेत्र को जितना मजबूत, जितना सशक्त करने का काम हमारे देश में होना चाहिए, वह काम इस बजट की मार्फत नहीं हुआ है। इसके अलावा सबसे महत्वपूर्ण बात यह है कि कृषि क्षेत्र में जो शोध हो रहे हैं, उन शोधों का कोई लाभ किसानों को नहीं मिल रहा है। ये शोध सिर्फ प्रयोगशालाओं तक सीमित हैं। न तो वैज्ञानिक गावों में जाते हैं और न सरकार के पास उन शोधों को किसानों को देने की कोई व्यवस्था है। इन शोधों का यदि सही मायनों में व्यावहारिक लाभ लेना है तो जब तक ये शोध किसानों तक नहीं जायेंगे, तब तक ये शोध अर्थहीन हैं, इनका कोई मतलब नहीं है। शोध कार्यों को संरक्षण देने के लिए और उन्हें प्रोत्साहित करने के लिए जो काम बजट में होना चाहिए, वह नहीं हुआ।

सभापति महोदय, यही हालत जल प्रबंध की है। अभी तक ६२ फीसदी खेती असिंचित है। हमारे देश में सिर्फ ३८ प्रतिशत खेती सिंचित है। खेती सिंचित हो, इस दिशा में कोई गंभीर प्रयास हमारे देश में नहीं हुए और न इस बजट में कोई इस तरह का प्रयास हुआ है। तमाम जल परियोजनाएं लम्बे समय से लम्बित पड़ी हैं। लेकिन वे जल परियोजनाएं इतना लम्बा समय बीत जाने के बाद भी पूरी नहीं की जा सकीं।

कृषि के बाद हमारे देश का जो दूसरा सबसे बड़ा क्षेत्र है, जहां लोगों को अधिक रोजगार मिलता है, वह लघु उद्योग है। इस बार के बजट में लघु उद्योगों के लिए ४३३ करोड़ रुपये का प्रावधान किया गया है, जो नहीं के बराबर है। इसके अतरिक्त ग्रामीण और कॉटेज इंडस्ट्रीज को ५८० करोड़ रुपये का आबंटन किया गया है और इसी में से ३९२ करोड़ रुपये खादी और ग्रामोद्योग को भी दिये जायेंगे। बजट में लघु और कुटीर उद्योगों की भी उपेक्षा हुई है। मैं आपकी मार्फत वित्त मंत्री जी से कहना चाहूंगा कि आज जो देश में बेरोजगारी की समस्या है और जो देश के हालात बने हैं, इस परिस्थिति में यदि हम लघु और कुटीर उद्योगों को सशक्त और मजबूत नहीं बनायेंगे, उनकी तरफ ध्यान नहीं देंगे तो इस देश की स्थिति और भी खराब होगी।

सभापति महोदय, मैं एक निवेदन और करना चाहता हूं कि हमारे देश में गैर योजना व्यय बढ़ता जा रहा है। इस पर अंकुश लगाये जाने की आवश्यकता है। जब गैर सरकारी व्यय बढ़ता है तो आप कर्ज लेते हैं और उस पर आपको ब्याज देना पड़ता है। फिर उसका जिक्र आप बजट में करते हैं कि हमें भारी मात्रा में ब्याज देना पड़ रहा है। मैं कहना चाहूंगा कि सरकार की कर प्रणाली दोषपूर्ण है। आज जितना धन संचालन में है उससे कहीं ज्यादा काला धन हमारे देश में है और वह कालाधन बिल्कुल अनुपयोगी है। उसका कोई प्रयोग नहीं हो रहा है। अगर इस काले धन को निकालकर हम उत्पादन के काम में लगा दें तो निश्चित रूप से काफी हद तक हिन्दुस्तान की अर्थव्यवस्था को पटरी पर लाया जा सकता है।

सुबह श्री प्रमोद महाजन जी जिक्र कर रहे थे और अक्सर इसका जिक्र होता है कि देश में बड़ी भारी क्रान्ति सूचना प्रोद्योगिकी के नाम पर हो रही है। सरकार ने भी फैसला किया और संविधान संशोधन भी हुआ कि छ : से १४ साल तक के बच्चों की शिक्षा का लक्ष्य वर्ष २००७ तक प्राप्त कर लिया जाय्ोगा[R24] ।

15.00 hrs. इसके लिए ४९०० करोड़ रुपये का प्रावधान भी कर दिया गया लेकिन एक वर्ष से कम से कम १० हजार करोड़ रुपये की आवश्यकता है। मैं आपके द्वारा एक और निवेदन करना चाहूंगा क सूचना प्रौद्योगिकी का लाभ उन बच्चों और विद्यार्थियों को मिलेगा जिन्होंने इंटरमीडियेट या बारहवीं कक्षा पास कर ली हो। २० प्रतिशत बच्चे तो हमारे यहाँ स्कूल ही नहीं जाते। १२वीं कक्षा तक जाते-जाते ८७ प्रतिशत बच्चे घर बैठ जाते हैं और जो कालेज में जाते हैं वे सिर्फ ६ प्रतिशत हैं। सूचना प्रौद्योगिकी से कुछ लोगों को लाभ हो सकता है, एक निश्चित वर्ग को लाभ हो सकता है लेकिन आम आदमी को उससे कोई लाभ नहीं हो सकता है। पिछले वर्ष इस क्षेत्र में ४१ मलियन रुपये का कारोबार इस देश में हुआ और सिर्फ ५ लाख २२ हजार लोगों को सूचना प्रौद्योगिकी के क्षेत्र में रोज़गार मिला। यह हिन्दुस्तान जैसे देश में कोई व्यावहारिक नहीं है। यही बात है कि योजना आयोग द्वारा प्रकाशित राष्ट्रीय मानव विकास रिपोर्ट, जो प्रधान मंत्री जी ने जारी की थी, प्रधान मंत्री जी ने खुद उसमें कुबूल किया है कि जीवन स्तर भले ही अच्छा हुआ हो लेकिन क्षेत्रीय विषमता हमारे देश में ज्यादा बढ़ी हैं। जहां केरल सबसे ऊपर है, वहीं बिहार और उत्तर प्रदेश जैसे राज्य हैं जो और पिछडे हैं।

महोदय, मैंने पिछली बार निवेदन किया था और फिर कहना चाहता हूँ कि इस बार बेरोज़गारी के सवाल पर यह बजट मौन है। पिछली बार राष्ट्रपति जी के अभिभाषण में जिक्र हुआ कि हर वर्ष एक करोड़ लोगों को रोज़गार देंगे। १९९८ में लालकिला की प्राचीर से प्रधान मंत्री जी ने कहा कि हम आने वाले दस सालों में दस करोड़ लोगों को रोज़गार देंगे। मैं कहना चाहूँगा कि सरकार लोगों को रोज़गार देने में विफल रही है और न सिर्फ रोज़गार के अवसर कम हुए हैं बल्कि जिन लोगों के पास रोज़गार था, उनसे रोज़गार छीने जाने का भी काम हुआ। मैं बड़े अदब से कहना चाहूंगा कि बेरोज़गारी जैसी गंभीर समस्या से अगर सरकार नहीं निपटेगी तो इस देश में तनाव को बढ़ने से कोई नहीं रोक सकता। इसलिए यह आवश्यक है कि युद्ध स्तर पर बेरोज़गारी की समस्या से निपटा जाए।

मंत्री जी ने अपने बजट में कई बार अमेरिका का जिक्र किया। अमेरिका के राष्ट्रपति ने देश की अर्थव्यवस्था को सुधारने के लिए सीनेट की बैठक बुलाई और सीनेट के सम्मुख उन्होंने कहा कि अमेरिका की अर्थव्यवस्था को अगर सुधारना है तो उसके लिए दो ही शब्द हैं - more jobs - ज्यादा रोज़गार। अमेरिका में भी बेरोज़गारी की समस्या है । मैं वित्त मंत्री यशवंत सिन्हा जी से कहना चाहूँगा कि बेरोज़गारी के सवाल से मुंह मोड़ने से काम नहीं चलेगा। अपनी जिम्मेदारी को आप स्वीकार करिये। यह जो शक्षित और गैर-शक्षित बेरोज़गारों की फौज खड़ी है, अगर इसको काम नहीं मिलेगा तो यह दूसरे रास्ते पर भी जा सकती है। इसलिए आवश्यकता इस बात की है कि बेरोज़गारी की समस्या से निपटने के लिए बेरोज़गारी के सवाल पर सरकार गंभीरता से ध्यान दे।

महोदय, हमने विकास के लिए कितनी दौलत दी, हमने कमज़ोर वर्गों के कल्याण के लिए कितना धन आबंटित किया, यह एक अलग सवाल है, लेकिन उससे ज्यादा महत्वपूर्ण सवाल यह है कि जो धन का आबंटन हम करते हैं और राज्य सरकारों को वह धन भेजा जाता है, उसके बाद केन्द्र सरकार कभी मुड़कर नहीं देखती कि भेजे गए धन का सही इस्तेमाल हो रहा है या नहीं। अभी कल-परसों संसद की स्थायी समति की ऋण एवं रोज़गार पर रिपोर्ट पेश हुई और उस समति का जो निष्कर्ष है, उन्होंने कहा है कि नौवीं पंचवर्षीय योजना में ६०७१ करोड़ ९३ लाख रुपये सामाजिक अधिकारिता मंत्रालय को दिये गये, और सामाजिक अधिकारिता मंत्रालय ने ६०७१ करोड़ ९३ लाख रुपये में से ५०८० करोड़ ७३ लाख रुपया खर्च किया और ९९१ करोड़ २० लाख रुपये जो कि अनुसूचित जातियों और जनजातियों के वर्गों के लिए आबंटित था, उसका प्रयोग ही नहीं हुअ् ाा[h25] ।

हम कितनी ही अच्छी योजना बना लें, हम कितनी ही विकास की बात करें, हम कितना ही धन गरीबों के लिए आबंटित करें, यह महत्वपूर्ण नहीं है। महत्वपूर्ण यह है कि जिन वर्गों के लिए हम धन आबंटित कर रहे हैं, क्या उन वर्गों तक वह धन, वह दौलत, वह पैसा पहुंचता है या नहीं। क्या उन वर्गों को उसका लाभ मिल रहा है या नहीं।

यदि अनुसूचित जाति एवं अनुसूचित जनजातियों, आदिवासियों, गरीबों एवं पिछड़ों के लिए केन्द्र सरकार द्वारा आबंटित धन नहीं पहुंचा, तो केन्द्र सरकार द्वारा धन के आबंटन का क्या फायदा। इस धन का कोई अर्थ नहीं है। यह निरर्थक है। इसलिए आज आवश्यकता इस बात की है कि जो धन सामाजिक न्याय एवं अधिकारिता मंत्रालय ने आबंटित किया था, उसका सदुपयोग नहीं हुआ है, उसका सदुपयोग किया जाए।

महोदय, एक एस.ई.पी. योजना है जिसके अन्तर्गत अनुसूचित जाति एवं जनजाति के लोगों के उत्थान हेतु एक विशेष योजना बनाई गई। आपको यह जानकर आश्चर्य होगा कि २७ राज्यों में से केवल आठ राज्यों ने उस योजना से लाभ प्राप्त किया और सबसे दुखद बात यह है कि जिन आठ राज्य सरकारों ने धन लिया उसके उपयोगिता प्रमाणपत्र भी अभी तक नहीं भेजे।

महोदय, केन्द्र से जो दौलत राज्यों को दी जाती है, उसको सही रूप से खर्च किया जा रहा है या नहीं, अथवा जिन वर्गों के उत्थान के लिए धन आबंटित किया जा रहा है, वह धन उनके पास पहुंच रहा है या नहीं, उनका कल्याण हो रहा है या नहीं, जब तक इस बात की निगरानी के लिए कोई कुशल तंत्र स्थापित नहीं किया जाएगा और उस पर नियंत्रण नहीं रखा जाएगा तब तक केन्द्र द्वारा दिए गए धन का राज्य सरकारें दुरुपयोग करती रहेंगी।

आज आवश्यकता इस बात की है कि केन्द्र सरकार की ओर से राज्य सरकारों को हिदायतें दी जाएं कि जिन वर्गों के कल्याण के लिए धन आवंटित किया गया है, उन वर्गों का उस धन से कल्याण हो, वह उनके उत्थान के लिए व्यय हो एवं राज्य सरकारें उसका उपयोगिता प्रमाणपत्र प्रेषित करें। जब तक ऐसा नहीं किया जाएगा, हम निश्चित रूप से उन वर्गों की बातें तो कर सकते हैं, लेकिन उनका भला और कल्याण नहीं कर सकते हैं। इसलिए मैं भारत सरकार से ऐसी अपेक्षा करता हूं कि वह ऐसे तंत्र को विकसित करे।

gÉÉÒ ÉÊBÉE®ÉÒ] ºÉÉäàÉèªÉÉ (àÉÖà¤É<Ç =kÉ® {ÉÚ´ÉÇ) : सम्माननीय सभापति जी, वित्त मंत्री जी ने जो फायनेंस बिल प्रपोज किया था, उसके संबंध में शुक्रवार को कुछ रिलैक्सेशन दिए गए थे। जो बजट प्रपोजल रखा था, उसको अंतिम रूप देने का प्रयत्न माननीय वित्त मंत्री जी ने किया है।

सभापति जी, इस बारे में वभिन्न पक्षों ने अलग-अलग प्रकार की प्रतक्रिया दी है, लेकिन मैं उनकी प्रतक्रिया को समझ नहीं सका। कुछ लोगों ने कहा कि जो वित्त मंत्री कहते हैं, बजट प्रपोजल लाते हैं और फिर सब का सब विदड्रा कर लेते हैं। कुछ लोगों ने इसकी प्रशंसा की है। मैं ने देखा कि विरोधी पक्ष के कुछ नेताओं ने टी.वी. पर इंटरव्यू दिया था क What is meant by roll-back or call-back? फिर मैंने समझने का प्रयत्न किया कि What is the process of Budget? When a Finance Minister introduces a Budget, it is nothing but budgetary proposal. वित्त मंत्री प्रपोजल्स हमारे सामने, लोगों के सामने रखते हैं और उसके बाद अगले महीने फायनेंस बिल दोनों सदनों में पारित किया जाता है। लगभग एक-डेढ़ महीने का समय सांसदों के लिए, वभिन्न सामाजिक और वित्तीय संस्थाओं तथा सामान्य व्यक्तियों के लिए मिलता है कि वे उस फायनेंस बिल पर अपनी प्रतक्रिया व्यक्त करें और वह प्रतक्रिया सुनकर जो फायनेंस प्रपोजल्स होते हैं, उनको अंतिम स्वरूप वित्त मंत्री देते हैं। जो बीच का डेढ़-दो महीने का समय होता है, इसमें जो प्रतक्रिया लोगों द्वारा व्यक्त की जाती है, उसे सुनकर वित्त मंत्री यदि फायनेंस प्रपोजल्स में कुछ सुधार करते हैं तो ठीक है, नहीं तो कहा जाता है कि पता नहीं वित्त मंत्री अपने आप को क्या समझता है कि हमारे द्वारा इतनी चर्चा किए जाने और इतनी प्रतक्रिया दिए जाने के उपरान्त उन्होंने हमारी बात नहीं सुनी। यदि संवेदनशील वित्त मंत्री होता है और जन-भावनाओं का आदर करने वाला होता है, तो जो प्रपोजल उन्होंने रखे हैं, उनमें यदि कुछ त्रुटियां बताई गई हैं या कुछ अच्छे पाजीटिव सजैश्चन्स आए हैं उनका अपने फायनेंस प्रपोजल्स में समावेश कर के उसे अंतिम स्वरूप देकर सदन का अभिप्राय मांगता है या सदन का समर्थन प्राप्त करता है, तो ऐसा कर के वह अच्छा काम ही करता cè[rpm26] ।

What would we call him? We call him, `the Roll Back Finance Minister'. I would like to know from the Opposition Benches what do they want. अगर मिडल क्लास के लिए इन्होंने कुछ प्रपोजल रखे तो कहा गया कि यह मध्यम वर्ग को खत्म कर देगा और जब वित्त मंत्री जी ने इन सबकी भावनाओं का आदर करके अलग-अलग प्रकार के प्रपोजल को अंतिम स्वरूप देने का प्रयत्न किया तो फिर कहने लगे कि यह रोल बैक मनिस्टर हैं। मुझे लगता है कि वास्तव में यह वैसी स्थिति है कि अंगूर खट्टे हैं। जब वित्त मंत्री जी ने ये प्रपोजल एनाउंस किये, मैं " टाइम्स ऑफ इंडिया " के एक आइटम मिडल क्लास बोनेन्जा को पढ़ना चाहूंगा। उन्होंने लिखा है कि वित्त मंत्री जी ने कहा है कि सैक्शन ८८ के तहत जो १० प्रतिशत टैक्स रिबेट मिलेगी, वह अब १५ प्रतिशत मिलेगी। … ( व्यवधान)

श्री रामदास आठवले (पंढरपुर) : सभापति जी, इन्होंने कहा है कि अंगूर खट्टे हैं। आप उसको मीठे करने का प्रयत्न करे क्योंकि मैं खट्टे अंगूर नहीं खाता।… ( व्यवधान)

श्री किरीट सोमैया : आपको अगर अंगूर मीठे खाने हैं तो हम खिलाने के लिए तैयार हैं। … ( BªÉ´ÉvÉÉxÉ) वित्त मंत्री जी ने जन भावनाओं का आदर करके सैक्शन ८८ के तहत जो १० परसेंट टैक्स रिबेट एनाउंस की थी, उसको १५ परसेंट किया है। आज देश में पांच करोड़ से ज्यादा स्मॉल इन्वेस्टर्स हैं, मध्यम वर्गीय सेलरी क्लास है, जो ईमानदार टैक्स पेयर हैं। मैं माननीय वित्त मंत्री जी को उसके लिए बधाई देना चाहूंगा, आभार व्यक्त करना चाहूंगा, अभिनंदन करना चाहूंगा क्योंकि उन्होंने जन-भावनाओं की कद्र की है। The Opposition tried to create a rift between the MPs and the Minister, between the political parties and the Minister, and between the NDA and the Minister. पार्टी यह कहती है, एम.पी. ऐसा कहता है, एन.डी.ए. वाले ऐसा कहते हैं--हां, हम अपना काम करते हैं। हमारा काम है, सांसदों का काम है, पार्टी प्रतनधियों का, कार्यकर्त्ताओं का काम है कि जन भावनाओं को कैबिनेट तक, मंत्री तक, सरकार तक पहुंचाये। हम अपने फर्ज को, अपने कर्त्तव्य को अदा करते हैं। हमारे मंत्री उन जन-भावनाओं का आदर करने का काम करते हैं। दोनों अपना फर्ज अदा करते हैं। माननीय वित्त मंत्री जी ने घोषणा की, यह उनका कितना सुन्दर कदम है। On the one side, we are asking that there should be a saving-based tax incentive system. उन्होंने कहा कि मैं सैक्शन ८८ के बारे में आपका नुकसान नहीं होने देना चाहूंगा। आपको अगर गये साल १६ हजार रुपये टैक्स रिबेट मिलती थी. तो मैं उसे अभी भी दूंगा। अब सिर्फ एक हजार रुपये कम मिलेगी। You will be able to get a tax rebate of Rs.15,000. Simultaneously, he has also taken care of investors, small investors, and middle class people. आप एक काम करो। पहले आप ८० हजार रुपये बचाते थे, अब आप एक लाख रुपये सेविंग करो। मैंने आपसे जो टैक्स लेने का प्रयत्न किया है, उसे मैं वापिस लौटाता हूं। Is it not a prudent initiative? एक ओर आपको टैक्स रिबेट मिल रही है और दूसरी ओर वे आपके भविष्य के लिए, आपकी संतान के भविष्य के लिए, आपके परिवार के लिए, आपके समाज के लिए, आपके देश के आर्थिक उत्थान के लिए आपको ज्यादा इन्वेस्टमैंट करने के लिए प्रोत्साहित करते हैं। सैक्शन ८८ में एक और चीज कही है। पहले आय कर बचाने के लिए एक व्यक्ति २० हजार रुपये इन्वेस्टमैंट बांड में इन्वेस्टमैंट कर सकता था लेकिन अब वह ३० हजार रुपये इन बांडों में इन्वेस्टमैंट कर सकता है--इससे किसको फायदा होगा ? एक ओर हम संसद में प्रश्नोत्तर काल में चर्चा करते हैं कि देश के चार महानगरों को जोड़ने के लिए रास्ता जल्दी बनना चाहिए। दूसरी ओर हम पूछते हैं कि सिर्फ कलकत्ता, मुम्बई, दिल्ली और चेन्नई आदि ये महानगर ही क्यों, दूसरे शहरों को भी जोड़ा जाये। दूसरे शहरों को जोड़ने के लिए माननीय वित्त मंत्री जी ने लोगों से कहा कि आप १० हजार रुपये के एडीशनल इन्फ्रास्ट्रक्टर बांड में अपना इन्वेस्टमैंट करिये। इसका पहला फेज २००४ तक समाप्त होने वाला है, उसे मैं २००३ तक पूरा कर दूंगा और दूसरा फेज जो २००७ तक पूरा होना है, उसे हम २००६ तक पूरा कर देंगे[R27] ।

This is the initiative. उन्होंने एक और बहुत सुन्दर कदम उठाया। जब १९९७ तक डविडैंड टैक्स था, डिवीडैंड जो टैक्स पेयर के हाथ में टैक्सेबल था, उस समय ८०-एल यानी आज अगर किसी कम्पनी में इन्वैस्ट करते हैं तो आपको ९,००० रुपये टैक्स डिडक्शन करके मिलेंगे। एक अखबार ने कितनी सुन्दर हैडिंग दी है।

The Business Standard , Mumbai: “Small Investors to gain Rs.65 crore more”. उन्होंने कहा कि कितना सुन्दर कदम उठाया। एक ओर सरकार पर टीका-टिप्पणी हो रही थी कि आपने डविडैंड टैक्स जो १० प्रतिशत था, उसे ऐसा क्यों किया। Why are you going to tax the beneficiaries? àÉé =xÉBÉEä +ÉÉÆBÉE½ä {ÉfÃxÉÉ SÉÉciÉÉ cÚÆ* ÉÊ¤ÉVÉxÉºÉ º]èxbbÇ xÉä ¤ÉcÖiÉ ºÉÖxn® +ÉÉÉÌ]BÉEãÉ ÉÊãÉJÉÉ cè* What is the number of small investors? यानी टोटल १,५८,००० इक्विटी होल्डर और टोटल शेयर ऑफ कैपिटल सिर्फ ११.९४ प्रतिशत They have given the example of two companies. Tata Power is a case in point which has about 1.58 lakh small investors who hold less than 500 equity shares. According to the information in the Annual Report, these small investors hold just about 11.94 per cent of the total share capital.

उन्होंने आगे लिखा है--- There is another case of Tata Tea. Eighty-four thousand small investors in Tata Tea hold only 14.2 per cent shares. आप बताइए कि एक ओर पर्याय है कि आप १० प्रतिशत टी.डी.एस. काट लें और दूसरी ओर यह है कि जो स्माल इन्वैस्टर है which amounts to 90 per cent of the equity holders. उनका टोटल नेट १०-११-१४ प्रतिशत है। उनके टी.डी.एस. में से माफ कर दें। उन्होंने आगे लिखा है कि इन कम्पनियों का डिवीडैंड स्माल इन्वैस्टर में कितना आता है। टाटा पावर में ७४६, टाटा टी में ८५२ रुपये।

वित्त मंत्री जी ने १,००० रुपये तक का टी.डी.एस. माफ कर दिया यानी एक झटके में स्माल इन्वैस्टर को मुक्त कर दिया। जो टाटा, बिरला, अम्बानी प्रमोटर्स हैं In Reliance, Ambani Family is having more than 40 per cent equity holding. I am not criticising them. अगर उस ४१ प्रतिशत के पास से ३० प्रतिशत डिवीडैंड टैक्स लिया जाए तो वित्त मंत्री जी ने अच्छा काम किया है या कोई गलती की है। इसके लिए हिम्मत चाहिए और वह हिम्मत उन्होंने की है। इसी प्रकार टाटा. गोदरेज में किया है। You go to any company in which promoters hold not more than 25 per cent. In some cases it goes to 50 per cent. जो १० प्रतिशत टैक्स काट रहे थे, आज उनको ३० प्रतिशत काटना पड़ेगा। वह ३० प्रतिशत ऐडीशनल लाएगा जो रास्ते बनाने में जाएगा, अस्पताल या ऐजूकेशन के लिए खर्च होगा। मैं वित्त मंत्री जी से एक और बात कहना चाहूंगा कि आपने बहुत अच्छा काम किया है जो ८०-एल के लिए ९,००० रुपये का बैनीफिट दिया है। उसी प्रकार रिटायर्ड इम्प्लाइज़ के लिए अच्छा काम किया है। उनकी सेविंग्स इन्वैस्ट करने के लिए सेफ्टी नेट दिया है कि आप आर.बी.आई. बॉड में इन्वैस्ट कीजिए और चिन्ता छोड़ दीजिए। मैं वित्त मंत्री जी की प्रशंसा करते हुए एक-दो सुझाव देना चाहूंगा। मैं कहना चाहूंगा कि आपने अच्छा कदम उठाया है कि जो रिलीजियस चैरिटेबल ट्रस्ट, ऐजूकेशनल ट्रस्ट, इन्स्टीटयूशन्स हैं, we all are knowing कि मध्यम वर्ग, टैक्स पेयर, अर्बन एरियाज के बच्चे, अस्पतालों में जाकर इलाज करवाते हैं। हम प्राइवेट पब्लिक चैरिटेबल ट्रस्ट अस्पताल में जाते हैं। हमारे बच्चे प्राइवट स्कूलों में पढ़ते हैं। मैं वित्त मंत्री जी से प्रार्थना करना चाहूंगा, आपने इस बार प्रयत्न किया है कि जो प्राइवेट चैरीटेबल ट्रस्ट हैं, वे इस सैक्शन का दुरुपयोग कर रहे हैं, उसको स्ट्रीमलाइन करना चाहते हैं। मैं यह भी प्रार्थना करना चाहता हूं कि ऐसे ट्रस्ट जो सिर्फ बिजनस और टैक्स बचाने के लिए ट्रस्ट बनाते हैं, फिर उसकी इनकम दूसरी, तीसरे और चौथे ट्रस्ट में ट्रांसफर करते हैं You tax them; we will support you. But simultaneously in urban areas more than 50 per cent of educational and health services which are being run by the charitable trusts[k28] , उनकी भी व्यथा को समझने का आपने प्रयत्न करें। हम सब अपने लिए उनके पास जाते हैं। How will the Trust be able to run if it does not have the corpus? कोई भी व्यक्ति या सामाजिक संस्था अस्पताल बनाती है तो यही सोच रहती है कि मेरे मरने के बाद भी २५-५० साल तक वह चलना चाहिए। इसलिए वह हर साल लाभ में से पैसा बचाता है और उसे अलग रखता है। आपने २५ प्रतिशत से १५ प्रतिशत कर दिया, वह ठीक है। यह आपने अपने अनुभव से किया है। लेकिन हमें खुले दिमाग से सोचना चाहिए, आप चार-छ: महीने लोगों की सुनें, उनका अनुभव देखें। कई चैरिटेबल ट्रस्ट ऐसे हैं, जिनकी एक करोड़ से ज्यादा इनकम थी। आपने उनको अखबारों में ज्ञापन देना जरूरी किया है, यह सही है। लेकिन जो पहले के चैरिटेबल ट्रस्ट हैं, मेरी प्रार्थना है कि आप इसको विदड्रा करें और इसे प्रतिष्ठा का इश्यू न बनाएं। आप संवेदनशील व्यक्ति हैं इसलिए मेरी प्रार्थना है कि चैरिटेबल ट्रस्ट की व्यथा आप सुनें, फिर निर्णय करें। अभी जो निर्णय किया है, हम उसका स्वागत करते हैं। आपने टोटल एक्यूम्लेशन डिसअलाऊ किया था, १५ प्रतिशत वापस रिस्टोर किया है, उसका भी हम स्वागत करते हैं। लेकिन इसके साथ ही हम आपसे अनुरोध करना चाहते हैं इसके बारे में भी सोचने का प्रयत्न करें।

मैं वित्त मंत्री जी से टी.डी.एस. के बारे में एक प्रार्थना करना चाहता हूं। आपने रिटायर लोगों को और निवृत्त होने वाले लोगों को बेनफिट दिया है, वह एक सही कदम है। मेरी आपसे इस सम्बन्ध में एक प्रार्थना है। मेरे सामने कई केस हैं। एक मि. ओम वृंदावन हैं। वह सरकारी सेवा से रिटायर हुए हैं। उन्होंने मुझे एक पत्र लिखा है। मेरे पास इस प्रकार के काफी पत्र आए हैं, लेकिन मैं आपको उदाहरण के रूप में यह बताना चाहता हूं। उन शख्स ने मुझे पत्र लिखा है कि मैंने रिटायर होने के बाद अपना प्रोविडेंट फंड, ग्रेच्युटी और जो भी सेविंग्स थी, इंवैस्ट कर दी हैं। What is my total income now? My total income now is just interest and dividend and nothing else. +É£ÉÉÒ àÉé +É{ÉxÉä {ÉÉäiÉä-{ÉÉäÉÊiÉªÉÉå BÉEÉä ºÉà£ÉÉãÉiÉÉ cÚÆ* àÉé vÉàÉÉÇlÉÇ +ÉÉè® ºÉàÉÉVÉ ºÉä´ÉÉ BÉEÉ BÉEÉàÉ £ÉÉÒ BÉE®iÉÉ cÚÆ* +ÉÉ{ÉxÉä àÉä®ä >ó{É® ]ÉÒ.bÉÒ.AºÉ. ãÉMÉÉ ÉÊnªÉÉ* You have made it compulsory for me to file a return. पहले ऐसा था कि ५०,००० रुपए तक टैक्स नहीं देना पड़ता था। केवल एक फार्म भरकर देना होता था। वह भर देते थे और हमारा टी.डी.एस. नहीं कटता था। इन्होंने अपने केस में कहा है कि मेरी इनकम ५०,००० रुपए से ऊपर होगी या नहीं, लेकिन एक हजार रुपये से ज्यादा कहीं से अगर मुझे लाभ होने वाला है तो मेरा टी.डी.एस. डिडक्ट हो जाएगा। आप इसके बारे में सोचें और कम से कम रिटायर लोगों से शुरूआत करें। जिनकी उम्र ५८ साल या उससे ज्यादा है, जिनके पास बिजनेस नहीं है, उनको एक फार्म सब्मिट करने देना चाहिए कि मुझे कोई टैक्सेबल इनकम होने वाली नहीं है इसलिए उनको टी.डी.एस. से मुक्ति मिलनी चाहिए। इस बारे में आप ध्यान दें।

सभापति जी, मैं वित्त मंत्री जी को एक सुझाव और देना चाहता हूं। आपने सर्विस टैक्स की बात कही है। यह एक अच्छा विषय है। मैं कुछ फिगर्स यहां पढ़ना चाहूंगा। हम रेवेन्यू कहां से इकट्ठा करेंगे, अगर प्लांड एक्सपेंडिचर बढ़ाना है तो टैक्स जेनरेट करना पड़ेगा और रेवेन्यू कलेक्ट करनी पड़ेगी। मैं वित्त मंत्री जी का अभिनंदन करना चाहूंगा। जब १९९७-९८ में एन.डी.ए. की सरकार आई और वे वित्त मंत्री बने, The total number of assessees as on 31st March, 1998 was 1.43 crores. We have been reading that figure from 1947 to 1997-98. ५० वर्ष तक हमने नम्बर आफ टैक्स पेयर कितने किए, सिर्फ एक करोड़ ४३ लाख और इस साल ३१ मार्च तक हमने दो करोड़ ८६ लाख कर दिये हैं। यह करीब दोगुना है। ऐसा करने के लिए किसी के ऊपर अन्याय भी नहीं किया। जो टैक्स नहीं भरते थे, उनको पैन के द्वारा, वन बाई सिक्स स्कीम के द्वारा अलग-अलग जगहों पर जाकर उन्होंने टैक्स नेट बढ़ाने का प्रयत्न किया है। सर्विस टैक्स के बारे में आपने एक अच्छा प्रयत्न किया है। इसको और आगे बढ़ाने का प्रयत्न करना चाहिए। मैं कहीं सी.ए.जी. की रिपोर्ट पढ़ रहा था[R29] ।

उसमें उन्होंने लिखा है - 83 per cent of private nursing homes and private run hospitals are not covered under Income-Tax provisions and income-tax collection. मैं चाहूंगा कि आप उनसे पैसा वसूल करने का प्रयत्न करें। उनके ऊपर ध्यान देकर आप सर्विस टैक्स के रेशो को बढ़ाइए। मैं यह भी कहना चाहूंगा कि आपने लाइफ इंश्योरेंस में सर्विस टैक्स लगाया था, You understood the problem. उसमें सेविंग्स में इन्सवैस्टमेंट वाला पार्ट था, उसको एक्सक्ल्यूड किया है।

When I was listening to the speech of the Finance Minister, I was a little bit confused. आपने कहा कि इंश्योरेंस में जो सर्विस पार्ट है, उन्हीं के ऊपर टैक्स लगायेंगे और बाकी को छोड़ देंगे। मैं आपसे इतनी ही अपील करना चाहता हूं, when you are initiating and when you are doing good. आपने अभी अभी लाइफ इंश्योरेंस सैक्टर को प्राइवटाइज किया है। Can we wait for couple of years? इसमें कितना क्लैक्ट हो गया । It may be two or five per cent of the premium. आप इसमें ८-१०-१२ करोड़ रुपया क्लैक्ट करेंगे। मैं आपके सामने एक रिपोर्ट कोट करना चाहूंगा - “Expert group headed by Dr. M. Govinda Rao recommended that service sector should be comprehensively covered under the tax net. However, services relating to public utilities, sovereign functions of the State, essential health, education services could be exempted from the tax. It further recommended that services such as computer and related services, R&D services, postal services, life insurance related services may be exempted for a limited period.” मैं आपसे अपील करना चाहता हूं कि लाइफ इंश्योरेंस में बहुत स्कोप है। थोड़े समय के लिए पूरे का पूरा एग्जैम्प्ट करके, ८-१० करोड़ पर न जाते हुए, थोड़े समय के लिए देखिए।

मैं आपसे प्राइवेट हास्पिटल्स के बारे में कहना चाहता हूं। The C&AG reviewed that out of 21,103 private hospitals and nursing homes in the country, as many as 13,863 are not subject to income-tax assessment. मैं आपका ध्यान एक और बात की ओर दिलाना चाहता हूं। LIC के बारे में बात हुई। मुझे एक बात समझ में नहीं आती है। फाइनेंस बिल में भी इसका प्रोवीजन किया है। I would like to draw your attention to clause 126. आपने मैन्युफैक्चरिंग प्रोसैस को डिफाइन करने के अधिकार एक्साइज अथोरिटी के पास दे दिये है। The Central Excise Act is to be amended. àÉé +ÉÉ{ÉºÉä +É{ÉÉÒãÉ BÉE®xÉÉ SÉÉciÉÉ cÚÆ ÉÊBÉE +ÉÉ{É BÉßE{ÉªÉÉ ªÉc àÉiÉ BÉEÉÒÉÊVÉA* +ÉÉ{É <ºÉBÉEä ºÉÆ¤ÉÆvÉ àÉå ÉÊ¤ÉãÉ ºÉÆºÉn àÉå ãÉäBÉE® +ÉÉ ºÉBÉEiÉä cé* You declare it as a manufacturing process and levy tax on that. But you do not give this power in the hands of the administration. हम रेवेन्यु एडमनिस्ट्रेशन की हालत को जानते हैं। उऩको मेन्युफैक्चरिंग प्रोसैस के ऊपर टैक्स लगाना होता, तो डैफिनेशन को चेंज करना होता है। They would have done it in the Finance Bill. They do not want to do it. They just want to misuse or abuse it. संसद का वर्ष में तीन बार अधिवेशन होता है, आप इससे संबंधित बिल ला सकते हैं। The Cabinet can discuss it. The Cabinet can bring an Ordinance also. You can tax it. But do not withdraw that authority from Parliament and hand it over to the administration. यह प्रारम्भ होगा और आवश्यकताओं के अनुसार कल फिर यह कस्टम में जाएगा और दूसरी जगहों पर जाएगा। मैं आपसे कहना चाहता हूं कि आप प्रोसैस पर टैक्स लगाना चाहते हैं[R30] ।

आठ-दस-बारह प्रतिशत लगाए, आपने इस बार भी चेंजेस किए हैं। The Parliament will support you. But do not give this authority to them. मैंने उसमें एक्सप्लनेशन पढ़ना चाहा। डिपार्टमेंट ने उस क्लाज़ के लिए जो एक्सप्लनेशन दिया है, उसमें कुछ लिखा ही नहीं है। Then, I refer to the explanation to clause 126 which says:

“Clause 126 seeks to amend section 2 of the Central Excise Act so as to empower the Central Government to specify, by notification in the Official Gazette, any activity in relation to any goods as amounting to manufacture. ” What are the difficulties they face? What are the problems they have? Please explain them to us first and then go in for the correction.

सभापति महोदय, मैं अंत में दो-तीन बातें कहना चाहता हूं, जो डायरेक्टली फाइनेंस बिल को टच नहीं करती हैं, फिर भी मैं उन्हें स्पष्ट कहना चाहूंगा। मैं वित्त मंत्री जी का पहले आभार प्रकट करना चाहता हूं कि उन्होंने युनिट ट्रस्ट ऑफ इंडिया के मंथली इंकम प्लान के इनवेस्टर्स को पुन : एक बार खड़ा करने का निश्चय किया है। हम सब जानते हैं ३० अप्रैल को यूटीआई का मंथली इंकम प्लान-१९९७ की पहली स्कीम, जो मेच्योर हो रही है, उसमें लगभग ५०० करोड़ का घाटा है, लेकिन अभी भी दो-चार-पांच दिन की डेवलपमेंट में मुझे पता चला है कि यूटीआई ने यह डिसीजन लिया है कि उनके पास जो डेवलपमेंट रिजर्व फंड है, उसमें से पैसा वे स्माल इनवेस्टर्स को देंगे, यानी इनवेस्टर्स ने जो दस रुपए इनवेस्ट किया है वह पूरा पैसा उन्हें वापस मिलेगा, इसके लिए मैं उनका आभार मानता हूं। But they can ask the officials and the authorities as to how it has happened. I think, Parliament will have to discuss the role of the financial executives some time. We have to discuss the duties of the bureaucrats who are becoming the Directors, Managing Directors, CEOs, Chairmen of the various financial institutions. We will have to discuss the role of the regulators and the accountability of the regulators.

मैं एक छोटा सा द्ृष्टांत देना चाहूंगा। सेबी के चेयरमैन ने चार साल पहले टेक-ओवर कोड कमेटी बनाई। चार साल तक उसने कोई डिसीजन नहीं दिया, चार साल तक उसका वायोलेशन होता रहा, जिससे ५००० करोड़ रुपए का स्माल इनवेस्टर्स को लॉस हुआ। अब जाकर वह रिपोर्ट २९ अप्रैल को लास्ट पब्लिश हो रही है। टेक-ओवर कोड कमेटी के जो चेयरमैन हैं, he is an ex-Chief Justice. While he was chairing the Take-over Code Committee and also as an individual legal practitioner, he had given many opinions. उन्होंने ५० ओपनियन लिए, सेबी ने उसमें से काफी एक्सेप्ट किए हैं हम कोई रेगुलेटर के बारे में सोचेंगे या नहीं। अब यूटीआई ने, जो मंथली इंकम प्लान में ८,२८४ करोड़ का लासेस है, It is all Assured Return Scheme. It has been converted. ९०-९१-९२ की स्कीम, ऑल मंथली इंकम स्कीम जो थी, उसे ९७-९८-९९ में वापस कंवर्ट किया गया। दस साल तक लॉसेस इकट्ठे होते गए, अब उसे आपको भरना है। मैं आपसे पूछना चाहता हूं कि यूटीआई के बोर्ड में ट्रस्टीज़ कौन हैं ? Can we not ask them about this? ªÉÚ]ÉÒ+ÉÉ<Ç àÉå ÉÊBÉEiÉxÉÉÒ MÉ½¤É½ÉÒ cÖ<Ç, ãÉäÉÊBÉExÉ ABÉE +ÉÉÉÊ{ÉEºÉ® BÉEä >ó{É® £ÉÉÒ ABÉD¶ÉxÉ xÉcÉÓ cÖ+ÉÉ* No explanation has been called for from not even a single officer. {ÉEÉ<xÉåÉÊ¶ÉªÉãÉ <Æº]ÉÒ]áÉÚ¶ÉxÉ xÉä BÉDªÉÉ àÉVÉÉBÉE BÉE®BÉEä ®JÉ ÉÊnªÉÉ, +ÉÉ{É VÉÉxÉiÉä cé* The UTI is a Public Sector Undertaking. The UTI Bank has 60 per cent equity of the UTI, which is promoted by the UTI. वित्त मंत्री जी, जो फाइनेंस मनिस्ट्री के आफशियल हैं, जो रेगुलेटर्स हैं, वे सब क्या इस भाषा को यूज़ करते हैं? They say that the UTI Bank is a private bank. अगर यूटीआई बैंक लॉस करेगा तो यूटीआई भरेगा। यूटीआई लॉस करेगा तो पार्लियामेंट, गवर्नमेंट ऑफ इंडिया भरेगी। That is a private bank. Who owns it? Who runs the show? जिसने एक पैसे का शेयर नहीं खरीदा, ऐसे सब आफशियल उसे अपनी आनरशिप की जागिर बना कर बैठे हैं।I can give you the list of 112 companies. It includes the State Bank of India, the LIC, the UTI. The UTI is having 12 subsidiaries. इन सब के चेयरमैन, मैनेजिंग डायरेक्टर कौन हैं, उन्हें कौन अपाइंट करता हैं It is not you. It is not the Government of India. It is not the Finance Ministry. We should have a discussion about that.

मैं एक दूसरा उदाहरण देता हूं, ओटीसीआई, तीसरा उदाहरण देतो हूं स्टॉक होल्िंडग कार्पोरेशन ऑफ इंडिया, ये सब कम्पनियां नई कम्पनी बनाते हं और बोलते हैं कि ये प्राइवेट हैं। इन्हें कौन चलाता है ? इसके चेयरमैन, मैनेजिंग डायरेक्टर कौन है ? +ÉÉìxÉ®ÉÊ¶É{É cè, they take the decision. They run this. इसलिए मैं आपके द्वारा वित्त मंत्री जी से प्रार्थना करता हूं कि कभी न कभी इस बारे में आपको सोचना पड़ेगा।

अंत में एक बात कह कर मैं अपना भाषण समाप्त करूंगा। मैंने पहले भी कई बार इस विषय को यहां पर छेड़ा है[R31] ।

मैं माननीय मंत्री जी से प्रार्थना करूंगा कि जिस प्रकार से यह विशेष चर्चा करनी है उसी प्रकार से we should discuss the Double Taxation Avoidance Treaty (DTAT) some time. It might have been introduced in 1982 or 1992 or 1997 of 1998 or 2000. It is not only in Mauritius. आज मॉरिशस बंद करोगे तो Cyprus शुरू होगा, साइप्रस बंद करोगे तो दूसरा कोई टैक्स-हैवन शुरू होगा। We have to think as to whether we want the Indian entrepreneurs to be honest or not . क्या हम उनको कम्पैल तो नहीं कर रहे हैं कि आप डिस-ऑनैस्ट बनो। आप टैक्स देने के लिए कंपनी का रजिस्ट्रेशन कराओ, आप वहां पर ओसीबी बनाओ, आप वहां से एफआईए सब-एकाउंट आरम्भ करो, आप अपनी कंपनी में जो इंवैस्टमेंट लाते हो वह वाया मॉरिशस लाओ, because you would be able to pay tax. मैं आपको मॉरिशस सरकार ने जो नोट सर्कूलेट किया है वह पढ़कर सुनाता हूं। इसमें लिखा है कि Indian withholding tax on dividends was abolished with effect from 1 st June, 1997 and replaced by a ten per cent distributed profits tax borne by the Indian dividend payer company. However, as from April, 2002, the dividend payments to non-residents are again subject to 20 per cent withholding tax. The treaty reduces the rate to five per cent in Mauritius. अभी क्या होगा कि जो भारतीय उद्यमी यहां पर से सीधे इंवैस्ट करेगा, उसे ३० प्रतिशत डविडैंट टैक्स भरना पड़ेगा और वाया मॉरिशस आयेगा तो ५ प्रतिशत। मैं आपसे प्रार्थना करना चाहूंगा कि एमएनसीज हिंदुस्तान लिवर की कंपनी लिवर फैयर एंड कंपनी ने इंवैस्टमेंट यहां किया ५१ प्रतिशत, अगर वह अपने देश में टैक्स भरना पसंद करेगी तो we would be the losers. मैं आपसे प्रार्थना यह करना चाहता हूं कि मॉरिशस टैक्स में we can talk with the Mauritius Government क ये सब लूप-होल्स बंद करो। दो प्रतिशत टैक्स, तीन प्रतिशत टैक्स, पांच प्रतिशत टैक्स, इसलिए we want level-playing field. इसलिए मैं प्रार्थना करना चाहूंगा कि जो कोरपोरेट टैक्स कम होता जाता है उसको कैरी करने का प्रयत्न करना चाहिए। हमें उनसे बात करनी चाहिए। आपने प्रयत्न किया, सरकार ने प्रयत्न किया लेकिन Mauritius Government has not responded positively to the efforts of the Finance Minister and the Government of India. We should take it up at the appropriate level and authorities. उनको हमें कहना चाहिए। उससे हमारे दोनों देशों के संबंधों में कोई फर्क नहीं पड़ने वाला है। अगर इस प्रकार से हमारे देश को, हमारे देश के प्रामाणिक इंवैस्टर्स को नुकसान होता है तो हमें इसमें सुधार करना चाहिए। मैं पुन: एक बार फिर जो जनसामान्य की भावनाओं को माननीय वित्त मंत्री जी ने अपने बजट में प्रतबिम्बित अच्छी तरह से किया है, इसलिए उनका आभार मानता हूं और इस फाइनेंस बिल का समर्थन करता हूं।

SHRI C. SREENIVASAN (DINDIGUL)*: Hon. Chairman, I thank you for giving me an opportunity to speak in the discussion on Finance Bill.

I would like to appreciate the gesture of the Finance Minister to have withdrawn the tax proposals to the tune of about Rs 2075 crore. But I cannot welcome it wholeheartedly.

It is so because you have not announced restoration of subsidy on fertilizers to benefit farming community. You have not brought down the price of kerosene that affects seriously the rural poor. You have not rolled back the enhanced price of cooking gas, which is now dearer. So I would like to point out that the current year's Budget and Finance Bill are both hitting hard the poor and the middle class sections of the society.

When we come to Finance Bill we have to point out to the sharing of Central taxes distributed among various States which is not judicious. The sharing mechanism is defective. Government of Tamil Nadu gets Rs 589 crore less every year now. This has resulted in a serious financial crunch. Government of Tamil Nadu is facing a financial crisis due to the indifference at the hands of Union Government's sharing modality pertaining to the sharing of Central taxes. Tenth Finance Commission provided 6.637 percent of share from the Central taxes collected. But the Eleventh Finance Commission brought it down to 5.385 percent. As a result of which Tamil Nadu loses Rs 2946 crore in 5 years from 2000 to 2005.

Last year the Government of Tamil Nadu impressed upon the Union Government for a fair deal. It was promised to be considered. It was even indicated that Rs 3367 would be provided to Tamil Nadu. Based on this indication Government of Tamil Nadu went to the extent of chalking out certain expenditure plans. But the devolved amount was reduced by Rs 512 crore and Tamil Nadu got only Rs 2855 crore. I am rather pained to point out that Tamil Nadu has been sidelined and discriminated against. I would like to share my disappointment before this august House.

In the Central tax collection Tamil Nadu's contribution and performance was way ahead of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh. But still Tamil Nadu's share was much lower than the other States. Madhya Pradesh got Rs 6476 crore. Andhra Pradesh was provided with Rs 6432 crore. Gujarati's slice was Rs 4016 crore and Karnataka's share was Rs 3784 crore. But Tamil Nadu whose collection and contribution was much more than these four States was handed over just Rs 3428 crores. I cannot but ask as to why this discrimination against Tamil Nadu.

Ensuring industrial growth and creating conducive atmosphere for increased foreign investments are in the responsibility of States. But the States do not have any right to take steps and carry on efforts in this regard.

Major share of foreign funds received by the Centre is spent on debt repayment. But foreign fund flow to the States would be spent on creating assets and to usher in development. It would be spent by the States in a productive way. Hence the States must have the power to directly obtain foreign direct investments and direct loans from foreign countries. This has been emphasised by our leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi Dr J. Jayalalitha. She has also impressed upon the Union Government to convene a Chief Ministers' Conference to evolve right strategies.

Our Union Finance Minister used to lay stress on widening the tax net and minimising the tax burden on individuals. But the outcome of his Budgets prove to the contrary. Those who are already paying taxes or made to pay more. Those already burdened or burdened again. His tax proposals reflect this trend.

The middle class people in the income bracket of Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 5 lakh had to bear the brunt of our Finance Minister's withdrawal of 20% income tax rebate. In the Budget proposals it was reduced to 10%. Our Finance Minister in his speech at the commencement of this discussion on Finance Bill announcement that it would be raised to 15%. I urge upon the Centre to roll back and to continue the 20% rebate to income tax payers.

It is said that Central tax collection itself has come down. But I would like to point out that the Centre do not change often the excise tariff but only the customs duty of which a share goes to all the States. But the Centre's customs duty changes especially the scrapping or slashing of it affects only the States.

The Centre must take concrete steps to collect the pending arrears of tax revenue. The tax evaders collectively owe to the Government Rs 60,000 crore. But instead the Government squeezes those who pay tax regularly.

I would like to highlight the plight of Central Government employees who have work places far removed from their hometowns and home States. The bi-annual hometown LTC was there to benefit the families of Central Government employees. Once in two years they were able to go to their hometowns. Tourism Ministry too had sent a proposal to restore LTC that would boost tourism in the country. I urge upon the Union Finance Minister to restore LTC, which was withdrawn or shelved last year. At least this year the Finance Minister must come forward to restore LTC to Central Government employees.

The Finance Bill in my opinion is like a hand held mirror reflecting the attitude of the Government towards the poor and the middle class. The mirror is held up to the Finance Minister during this discussion. Please see for yourself how you look like. Hence I urge upon the Union Finance Minister to mend and make amends suitably.

With this I conclude.

* English translation of speech Originally delivered in Tamil.

SHRI TRILOCHAN KANUNGO (JAGATSINGHPUR): Mr. Chairman, Sir, I thank you for giving me this opportunity. I was thinking to discuss the whole gamut of the Finance Bill, the subsequent amendments, its impact on the public finance and also the economy of the country, but I have been overwhelmed by the alarming situation that has forced me to discuss certain things other than this. I am speaking within the purview of the Rules of Procedure, that is, Rule 219, sub-rule (5), wherein it has been clearly and categorically mentioned that while participating in Finance Bill consideration:

“a member may discuss matters relating to local grievances within the sphere of the responsibility of Government of India or monetary or financial policy of Government.” So, I am discussing this alarming situation within the purview of Rule 219, sub-rule (5) of the Rules of Procedure, read with article 293, clause (3) and (4), article 280, clause (3), sub-clause (d) and article 269, clause (1) (g) of the Constitution of India. The Government of India's responsilibity is there. This is regarding the alarming problem of finances of the State of Orissa. The debt problem in Orissa has reached the staggering height of Rs. 28,000 and odd crore. The situation has come to such a pass that so far as interest payment and capital repayment in Orissa are concerned, more than hundred per cent of its own revenue is being used for debt clearances. The situation has come to such a pass that every year, the deficit is more than Rs. 2,000 crore. The fiscal deficit has come to Rs. 8,000 crore.

Some hon. Members might question as to why this thing has been discussed here because this is neither the Legislative Assembly of Orissa nor the President's Rule has been declared in Orissa that the Budget of Orissa State is being discussed here. To justify my position I have quoted the relevant rules of procedure and the provisions of the Constitution of India. The problem is alarming. More than hundred per cent of its own revenue is being used for debt clearances. During April 2001 and 31st March, 2002, the State Government of Orissa, during all the twelve months and 365 days of the year, has taken recourse to either overdraft or ways and means advance. Out of 365 days, not a single day of the year has been left out when Orissa has not taken recourse to overdraft or ways and means advances. I am telling you that this has not happened at any time during the last 50 years in any of the state of the country. This is the only State where this has happened. This has happened due to the negligence and the wrong policy of the Central Government. This is a responsibility of the Central Government. Not only this Government, but the negligence of the successive Governments has also been responsible for such disastrous fiscal problem in Orissa. The responsibility of the Government of India has been depicted clearly in article 293, clauses (3) and (4). The State Government cannot take loan of one rupee even from anywhere without the consent of the Government of India. The Government of India gives consent for taking the loans. After the states take a loan, it is the responsibility of the Government of India to monitor the spending of the high-cost borrowed money[R32] . It was never done.

As[RS33] a result, the things have become worse not only in Orissa but there are other States also. I am telling you that Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are also so much over burdened with debt clearance that as much as 80 per cent of their own revenue is spent on debt clearances. This is the result for which these three States have remained poor.

There are so many Members from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh here, but I fail to understand why they are not raising this issue. They are very articulate in their deliberations, but they never raise this issue, not in the manner in which this should have been done.

Therefore, my concern here is for this reason that you shall see Sir, due to high debt clearance, very little money is left for the development of the state.. Orissa is surviving on borrowings only. It is borrowing to pay the debts, it is borrowing to pay the salaries and pensions, which constitute 140 per cent of the State's own revenue. That is the whole difficulty there. Orissa has no money for development, in spite of the fact that it has enormous natural resources in the form of forests, mineral, land, water, marine and riverine etc. These are there in abundance and it is said that Orissa is floating over water, but there is no irrigation for its land.

They do not have money for the developmental works. Successive Finance Commissions, which have been appointed, I am very sorry to say and I may please be excused to say it here, did not have much time to look into the real problems of the States. They have made some clerical exercises with hypothetical assumptions and have submitted their reports. It is not that there are not many good economists on the Finance Commissions, but they go by the dissent note only. That is the difficulty.

These three States, which I have just mentioned, use their revenue to clear their debt. Eighty per cent of Bihar's own revenue is being used for debt clearance, eighty per cent of Uttar Pradesh's own revenue is being used for debt clearance and 105 per cent is in the case of Orissa and you know in the case of the more prosperous States like Maharashtra, only 27 per cent of its own revenue is being used for debt clearance. Who would prosper Maharastra or Orissa?

There must be something to see that they should get certain debt relief. It is not that they have not given relief to other States. They have given relief to Punjab, they have given it to Andhra Pradesh and so on. In Andhra Pradesh, Rs.800 crore is given every year to save the Singareni Coal Company. There is a ten year moratorium on interest payment for singreni coal company. That is State owned company, where 51 per cent shareholding is with the Andhra Pradesh Government and 49 per cent is with the Government of India. On these lines, they can save these States too.

I have two suggestions to make here. Firstly, the Government should declare a five-year moratorium on debt clearance, especially on interest payment and capital repayment[RS34] for the state of Orissa.

Secondly please appoint the Twelfth Finance Commission one year before expiry as required under article 280(1). It can be done earlier so that they will get more time to go into the details of debt problems. They can also go into the whole gamut of State finances, where they are spending, whether it is in merit goods and services or non-merit goods and services, and they can suggest certain very concrete improvement. Please do that and give them that responsibility also, as a result, these three States, Orissa, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, the non-special category States, can be saved. You can understand the agony of mine. There are many Cabinet Ministers from U.P. and Bihar States, including the Prime Minister and the ex-Prime Minister. Perhaps, when they would come to the precarious State as in Orissa, only then will they perhaps raise their voice. So, I would request the hon. Finance Minister to look into the problem of Orissa and these two States particularly, so that they can be brought back to an even keel.

Another thing I have been telling time and again that whenever I get an opportunity both here in the House and outside, I raise the matter regarding the revision of royalty on coal. I am telling you that had West Bengal suffered once, they would have raised their voice and the royalty would have been revised long ago. In 1994, the last revision was made about royalty on coal. It was due in 1997. The Sarkaria Commission had given the recommendation that it should be revised every two years. In 1991, it was revised. In 1994, again it was revised. It was due in 1997. But it was not revised for the last seven years, as a result, Orissa is losing Rs.250 crore every year. Orissa has lost more than Rs.1,200 crore. Of course, you know, Bihar does not hold any coalfields now-a-days. Now, coal fields have gone to Jharkhand. I do not understand why they are not revising the coal royalty. During the last seven years, the price of coal has been revised more than 16 times. It has been revised more than 100 per cent. It has been made now more than double. But the royalty has not even been revised once. Royalty does not go from the govt. exchequer, yet government decides. I want to tell him that adding to the injury is that the price of coal has been deregulated.

15.59 hrs (Dr. Laxminarayan Pandeya in the Chair) That means, the coal mines, the subsidiaries of coal companies are free to revise their prices. The price of E and F grade coal, which is known as power grade coal, was same everywhere, but now, with the same calorific value and with the same ash content, Orissa's MCL coal is only Rs. 351 for 'F' grade coal per tonne whereas the F grade coal of Eastern Coalfields is Rs.417 per tonne. It is the latest rate.

16.00 hrs. In the case of Western Coalfields, the price is still higher at Rs.508 per tonne. In the case of the Singareni Collieries, for 'E' grade and 'F' grade coal with the same ash content and calorific value, it is Rs.778 and Rs. 649 per tonne respectively. This disparity has been made deliberately because the people of Orissa have not agitated. As a result, they are losing their sales tax. They are losing their CST also. So, my request to the Finance Minister is that he should please ensure that the coal royalty is reasonably revised and the prices of run of coal mines are rationally fixed.

The Central Sales Tax comes under article 269, clause (1) (g). It is not only a regressive tax but it is also an oppressive and exploitative tax. It exploits and oppresses the backward States. It is at the cost of these backward States that the prosperous States are prospering. I have no personal animosity against any State or leader or party or anybody but I have to say here that Maharashtra is getting a Central Sales Tax of Rs.1900 crore every year whereas Orissa gets only Rs.32 crore to Rs.33 crore. They would send their articles to Orissa and fetch four per cent Central Sales Tax. The Central Sales Tax was not meant for that. In 1956, when constitution was amended, to create CST, it was not meant for that. It was clearly told in the Constitution, 'tax levied and collected by the Union but assigned to the States'. How they would be assigned has also been clearly mentioned. A CST law was enacted here in this House, which has given the power to the States to collect and appropriate.

Shri Manohar Joshi is here. I request him to appreciate why the prosperous States should take a sympathetic view towards backward States. At times, people say that some States are non-performing States and some others are performing States. This is not a fact at all. For historical reasons, some States have become prosperous. Also as a result of some laws like the CST law, some States have become financially and economically prosperous. There are many reasons that ought to be discussed and found out. However, the prosperous States should take a very sympathetic stand and adopt a sympathetic attitude towards the backward States. Only the CST has been kept out of the purview of the Finance Commission. All the matters under article 269 excepting the Central Sales Tax has been kept under the Finance Commission's purview. The CST should also come under the common divisible pool and be devolved among the States by the Finance Commission.

While concluding let me say that Orissa is undergoing an alarming situation. Fortunately, now, Orissa has a Chief Minister who is honest but honesty is not enough unless you have money with you. We thought that since our party was a partner of the NDA, at least now we would get a fair and a better deal[rsg35] .Previously we had been neglected. It did not happen. Nineteen out of 21 MPs are here in this august House from Orissa from BJD and BJP. BJP and BJD are governing there also but without any money. We are without any help from the Central Government, without any consideration from the Central Government. You know, Sir, that Orissa is not shouting also and Orissa is not fighting also. Long back, ninety years back, in 1912, Lord Curzon had rightly told in the House of Lords that Orissans are not an aggressive and agitating class. Had they been agitating, had they been aggressive, their claims would have long been heard. That was the version of Lord Curzon in 1912 in the House of Lords. Today, the Oriyas are, no doubt, innocent and docile, but I remind you - I am not threatening, I am only reminding - that 300 years back, the English poet Dryden had categorically told that beware of the fury of the innocent man. That day is not far off.… ( Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN Please wind up now.

SHRI TRILOCHAN KANUNGO : I am winding up, Sir.

Nobody from outside would decide the day of the fury of the innocent man; the fury of the innocent man will be decided by those innocent persons only. My friend, Shri Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi has not forgotten that the headquarters of the South-Eastern Railway, which should have been there in Bhubaneswar, could not be transferred from Calcutta to Bhubaneswar, although two-thirds of the South-Eastern railway line is there and also more than two thirds of the revenue is coming from Orissa. But the Head Quarter could not go there. The South-Eastern Railway's headquarters is not in the geological territory of the South-Eastern Railway. It is in Calcutta, in the Eastern Railway's territory. He told that there would be fire if the headquarters of the South-Eastern Railway would be shifted from Calcutta.… ( Interruptions) Yes, He was a fiery young man at that time. I was also young at that time but he was a fiery young man and the Government of India feared him and has been fearing the people of Bengal thereafter, and they are not shifting the headquarters. Even after 1996 when the new East Coast Railway Zone was created , Railway Ministry have not yet made that Zone functional. That is a sad part of it. Through you, Sir, I request the Finance Minister to kindly hear the last prayer of an innocent and docile Oriya.

SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSI (RAIGANJ): Sir, the Finance Minister has placed the Budget and placed the Finance Bill. We have discussed it enough in the General Discussion on the Budget and my dear colleague, Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal from our Party has dwelt in depth the provisions of the Finance Bill and the concessions that the Finance Minister has made through his speech on that day.

First of all, I should thank the Finance Minister that here is the courage and wisdom to salute the people and the people's verdict and the mandate. Shri Kirit Somaiya was congratulating the Finance Minister for giving these concessions, but I think I should congratulate the people of Delhi who voted BJP out in the recent elections to the Municipality, and no less than the BJP leaders in their own party say that a part of the defeat is due to the Budget of the Finance Minister. I thank the Finance minister for his courage to respond to the verdict of the people and to understand the challenges of the Budget also, because of which the Finance Minister's announcement has come, which you call a rollback, though it has been done partially, not substantially. No Finance minister can do a substantial roll back if he has to manage the finances of the country[L36] .

Sir, the hon. Minister of Finance has the experience of being a member of the bureaucracy, seeing the files in depth and understanding the country's economy. He has the second experience, having been the Finance Minister under Shri Chandra Shekhar, inheriting a bankruptcy of a Government led by Shri V.P. Singh, which was supported by the BJP. He has realised at that hour how a non-Congress Government derailed the nation. He should also acknowledge that it was our Congress Government which, from that derailed economy, provided this country a more than 7 per cent growth rate which, since Independence, no Government has achieved and this Government is not even trying for that.

Therefore, whatever criticism we may make from this side or that side, it is not an issue. The issue today is how the country is looking towards the people in terms of its taxation policies. Sir, I do admire the hon. Minister of Finance on two counts. Firstly, he has modernised and stabilised the tax administration. My dear friend Shri Kirit Somaiya is not here now. He was criticising the tax officials that if things were in their hands the country will go to dogs etc. My view is totally different. There can be one or two black sheep in the tax administration. But, by and large, they are the brilliant people of the country who often try to take the country in the right direction. It is because of we, the politicians, with our frequent interference from this side or that side, that they cannot do the job that the country desires them to do.

Excepting for one or two black sheep like Shri B.P. Verma, let us not accuse and abuse the entire tax administration in whom I have abundant faith, who are keen to mobilise the resources of this nation to the best of their ability as per the desire of the Parliament.

I thought that the hon. Minister of Finance would begin from the concessions to the poorest of the poor. The allies of the NDA - and I thank them - have very rightly pointed out about kerosene, LPG and many other areas. But the hon. Minister of Finance did not touch the farmers at all. Maybe he is equally confused like me. I do not know his political thought. But till today, I have not been able to understand who is a farmer in this country. The definition of a farmer, as I get from my part of the country, is a person who tills the land from morning to evening. He is a farmer. But actually when the benefit goes, I find this especially in the context of Northern India and I have no idea of other parts and I have a very strong feeling of Bengal that a farmer is not he or she who sits idle in the home, distributes his nami or benami land to various agents and get people hired from Haryana, Bihar and Orissa to plough the land and give the daily-wage earners who do the job, their wages, and at the end of the day all the benefits go to that man who says he is a farmer. He is one person powerful and strong enough in our rural economy who is siphoning off the nation's benefits to his own command depriving the real people who are toiling on the ground and tilling the land day and night. If this perception is the perception of the farmer, then more benefits to the farmers means more benefits not to the real kisans who are toiling but to few individuals. The popular word for these people, according to the jargon of the Communists is, Kolas, Yodhas or Zamindars and I call them land exploiters. More benefits go to them means more sizeable income of the nation is hidden.

Therefore, Mr. Finance Minister, I do defend more subsidy to the farmer. I do defend cheaper electricity. But you please ensure it without any political acrimony. A time has come in the country where for how many days will you ban the PWG or ban the Naxalites. The fact of the life is that whether in Bihar or in Bengal or in Andhra Pradesh genuine and positive land reforms which benefit the agricultural policy go to the people directly who are doing the job. When there is no positive land reforms and still people are hiding their property there in the name of benefits to the farmers, then it is going into the hands of a few who ultimately take the nation's wealth in their own pockets. This definition once again requires a national debate as to who is a farmer[RB37] .

I know that if I debate this issue - I did debate this issue in my party, in the AICC - there are people who will accuse me irrespective of whether they are from my party or from other party, but the definition of farmer once and for all should be decisively decided in the country. It should be decided who is the farmer and who deserves the benefit. Unless that is decided, in the name of shedding tears in the name of farmers, a few individuals in a few parts of the country rob the entire wealth of the nation and - I use the word - cheat the nation.

Mr. Chairman Sir, I take the last page of the Finance Bill. I thought that concessions would begin from there. Possibly, the Finance Minister is right on one point that these days, the poor people do not communicate through telephone, through mobile, through fax or through e-mail. If we see the one mode they communicate through, at best, they write a post-card and to read a postcard, with their abuses, it is difficult for the politicians to tolerate. Possibly, the Finance Minister, therefore, did not touch the postal tariffs, the cost of the printed post-card which rose from Rs. 3 to Rs. 6.

He is giving exemption to granite and marble. Well, I am not going to touch on that point. Friends will be here to pounce on me. I am not going into the controversy of the granite industry and marble industry, whether small-scale orbenami. By popular saying, granite and marble is one of the costliest material used for the purpose I know. But a post-card for a poor man is something very essential than the granite and marble. Post-card tariff has not been reduced. It remains raised to Rs. 6 from Rs. 3, as it is. Its cost has doubled. Therefore, I think, the Finance Minister has overlooked it or the so-called NDA partners who thought of taking it up felt that if they take it up more aggressively, maybe the BJP will be unhappy. So, it was not touched. I would request the Finance Minister to once again look into it.

Sir, I will be too short and too brief on two or three observations. I thank the Finance Minister for reducing the excise duty on tea from Rs. 2 per kilogram to Re. 1 per kilogram. My appeal to him now is to look at the competition. After the WTO regime, you cannot prevent the kind of dumping of tea from Kenya and Sri Lanka which is going to be there. They will come to our market, but to allow Indian tea industry to stabilise, which is a labour-intensive industry which is there in Assam, West Bengal and some parts of the South, my appeal to the Finance Minister is that for three years, he should not take any excise duty from tea industry. It is a labour-intensive industry.

Also, my appeal to the Finance Minister is not to take any excise duty from jute industry. On these two industries of jute and tea, the entire North-East is surviving. The Finance Minister, once upon a time, has been from Bihar and now, he is from Jharkhand. In the entire north Bihar, the entire eastern Uttar Pradesh, you go to every village and you will find that every fifth man of every village is waiting for a money order which will come from West Bengal from the jute mill, till today. Therefore, my appeal to the Finance Minister is that for three years, till they are stabilised, do not take any excise duty from tea and jute industries.

Mr. Chairman Sir, I also congratulate the Finance Minister for one good thing he has done. He has given tax holidays in various forms to theatres etc. for entertainment industry, but who does the entertainment industry? The performers do the entertainment industry. Who are the performers? They are the cultural performers and the sports performers. All the cultural performers are not Lata Mangeshkar, Ravi Shankar, Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan. They are a few exceptions. Mr. Finance Minister, the talent of an average performer really fades after the age of 40. They survive till the last day of their lives on whatever they earn till the age of 40. The final capacity of a good player of any discipline, a good artist to perform in the fullest boom is between the age of 35 and 40. My request to the Finance Minister is that he could consider, if not announce now, that he should not tax the post-40 income of all the performing athletes of the country and the performing artistes who have crossed the age of 40. I know the pitiable condition of many of these people who are almost dying and crying. As I told you earlier, all are not Lata Mangeshkar and Ravi Shankar. A huge group of Indian performers in various parts of the country live on performing either on the stage, on the screen or on the music, or in the field of sports[R38] .

At the end of the day, they find that they are no more glamorous and nothing is left. How do they survive? It is very, very difficult to survive. Therefore, please do not tax them when they attain the age of 40.

Mr. Chairman, Sir, at page 11 of the Finance Bill, there is a mention about rationalisation of provision relating to search and seizure. Let me make it clear at the outset that I am not representing any group or company, but only appeal to you is that when you send someone to seize any document or to search a woman, please treat them like a mother or a sister. In the case of First Global, we have heard the story of the woman. If a woman has committed a murder, you can try her in the court, but do not treat her in an unjustified manner. In the case of First Global, the story goes that despite knowing that the lady was in the toilet, they knocked down or broken the door open, and she was dragged out just because her company deposed in favour of Tehelka. It is not fair. A message should go throughout the country that they can seize documents from anybody, but while dealing with a woman, they should give some respect to her because we respect women in India. In this case, she is a very talented woman. The horrifying tale about the way she has been harassed, which we heard through the media, is shocking. It should not have been done like that. If you could find out as to who did it and book them under the law, I will be too happy. At this moment, I am not going into the merits of the case.

Mr. Chairman, Sir, I will also like to draw the attention of the hon. Finance Minister and seek a clarification on a thing which is creating a lot of misunderstanding in our sports fraternity. It is about his announcement that some tax exemption is being withdrawn. I understand, Mr. Finance Minister, that it is not correct because there is already some other provision. My only desire is that you should clarify it so that a message should go out loudly that there is no threat to the sports fraternity.

Now, I come back to two or three areas on which I would like to give some suggestions. Mr. Finance Minister, you were keen to get more money to improve your deficit Budget. I received a comprehensive memorandum from an Association which was founded by our great freedom fighter and great scientist, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy, that is, the Indian Chemical Manufacturing Association. I had an interaction with them, and I hope the Finance Minister also had an interaction with them. In the Union Budget, under the Gasohol Programme, Rs. 1,500 crore subsidy has been provided to distilleries producing alcohol, while poor man's items like kerosene, LPG have not been accommodated under this subsidy cover. Their argument is that while dismantling the administrative price mechanism for petroleum products, the Union Government has imposed a surcharge of six rupees per litre on normal petrol, whereas it has reduced the surcharge to Rs. 5.25 per litre on petrol doped with ethanol. The total accumulated loss of revenue in terms of subsidy to the Union Government shall be to the tune of Rs. 1,500 crore.

Petroleum consumption in the country is about 7.5 million tonnes. The revenue loss to the Government is due to differential rates of surcharge on petrol. It is denial of a level-playing field to the chemical industry. Let us admit the fact that alcohol production is not surplus in this country. I was highly enthused when they interacted with me. They have cited the example of Brazil, Mr. Finance Minister. They said that this experiment proved to be a disaster in Brazil, they quoted from a document pertaining to Brazil, and I believe that the Finance Minister is the most competent person to study it and to see how it was a disaster in Brazil. They gave details of per capita income, density of population, availability of alcohol in Brazil and they have shown and established how it was a disaster in Brazil, and partly in USA[R39] .

Sir, if this experiment has to go on in India, then one part of the industry would have to be totally closed down. Therefore, Mr. Finance Minister, I would like to request you to kindly consider this aspect and make some observations on this aspect when you make your concluding remarks on the Finance Bill at the end of the day.

MR. CHAIRMAN : Shri Dasmunsi, please conclude now.

SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSI : Sir, I would conclude within one minute.

Sir, I have nothing much to say. I have given only a few examples and suggestions. The Relief Bond Concessions is a welcome measure and I, on behalf of the Congress Party, would like to welcome this particular measure that has been announced by the hon. Finance Minister. It would create a good investment climate for the people from the lower, middle and even higher income groups to invest in this.

But Mr. Finance Minister what has happened to the Excise Duty evasion case of M/s ITC which has been pending for the last few years? While the whole country is against smoking, why are you not collecting more money from cigarettes by imposing higher Excise duty on this? You can penalise this industry as much as you can. This would not only help in getting more money for the Government but would also help in bringing about an awareness amongst the people as well. Insofar as my knowledge goes, a few years back there was a scam of Excise Duty evasion by M/s ITC to the tune of Rs. 3500 crore. But till today nobody knows as to what has happened to this case. Would the hon. Finance Minister, during the course of his reply to the debate on the Finance Bill, enlighten us as to the progress on this matter? We would be highly delighted to know about it. If that money could be realised from them, then it would greatly help to fill in the coffers of the Finance Ministry. I would not like to highlight more on this.

Sir, I could have established here as to how the Finance Minister could have got more money from the telecom sector. But the Finance Minister is suffering because of his own policies. The Government is not giving the required resources, which the Finance Minister himself feels should be given, to DoT. Therefore, it is the Finance Minister alone who has to fight it out within the Government. I cannot help him in this matter. I again repeat that some of the measures announced by the hon. Finance Minister are good yet those are not enough and are not sufficient.

Sir, finally I would like to bring one dangerous trend to the notice of the hon. Finance Minister. In our federal polity it is an established practice that if any State Government wants foreign funding for a project, or if any State Government wants funds for a project from any part of the world, then the Government of India, being the guarantor, negotiates with the concerned party. But the tendency that is growing now is that the Chief Ministers, with the approval of the Central Government, are directly negotiating with their chosen parties. This is not a good trend. This would create umpteen number of problems in the future. There are forces outside India who are keen to choose their sectors and the parties in power. Please do not think that I am talking politics here. In the name of stability in the country and as the sole guarantor and with the monitoring power of the federal government, please do not encourage this trend. It is because in such an arrangement if somebody is your partner then in one's sweet will he will negotiate with one country of the world and if somebody is not your partner, then he would not be encouraged. This would create a very bad precedent in the country. Please do not do it. Otherwise, this will prove to be disastrous in future. I would finally like to request the hon. Finance Minister, if he could, at the end of the day, consider giving something more to the Indian Chemical Industries and to the tea and jute industries as I have mentioned.

Sir, though some of the proposals in this Budget are against the poor people and was hurting their interest, yet my friend from the Telegu Desam Party would say that they are happy with this Government. Shri Kirit Somaiya also had congratulated the Finance Minister for his Budget proposals. But all his congratulatory remarks sunk as he mentioned about his helplessness about the investments through the Mauritius route. I also feel that the Mauritius route pattern should not be allowed to be repeated. I would not like to bother the hon. Finance Minister on this today but I would like to request him to find a day when we could discuss this issue as has been brought out by Shri Somaiya. It is a very pertinent point that has been raised by him and we also would like to participate in a debate on this.

SHRI PRADEEP RAWAT (PUNE): Mr. Chairman, Sir, thank you so much for the time and the opportunity allowed to me to comment on the Budget. A lot has been already said. I have a few comments to make.

It seems that we, not only hon. Finance Minister but all of us, are busy in generating second generation of distortions and hurdles than second generation reforms. Perhaps we afford the future generation with something that they can take pride in undoing those later. We have a long history of seeking counsel of the experts and we jettison whatever that is uncomfortable for us and pick up cherries that water our mouths.

Have a look at the proposals that affect savings in income tax. Hon. Minister refers to the Reddy Committee. The Reddy Committee explicitly drew a distinction between short-term and long-term savings. While recommending the withdrawal of tax incentives on short-term savings such as National Savings Certificates, Kisan Vikas Patras, etc., it specifically called for retaining the tax rebate of 20 per cent on long-term savings, such as Provident Fund. In the Budget, no distinction is made between short-term and long-term savings. The tax incentives on both have been either reduced or eliminated. Now, after so much orchestra we take pride in consensus solution of 15 per cent rebate! I am afraid this too is not a good solution. The Committee has also recommended that those who hold short-term savings be offered an option of long-term saving instruments so that tax incentives should be available and are justifiable to promote long-term savings under social security schemes. I would like to know the reasons why Finance Ministry is keen to ignore this mantrana, the advise, of the Reddy Committee. We have very poor safety nets and small savings serve as a hedge against bad times, and at the same time, tax incentives for long-term savings help increase overall savings in the economy.

Have a look at the exemptions. Hon. Minister refers to the Shome Committee recommendations about removal and elimination of exemptions and deductions. At the very same time there are some exemptions that are being proposed. Here are a few examples: additional depreciation on new machinery and plant; incentives for modernisation and expansion of the shipping business; incentives for debt/capital market and financial sectors. Is it that we do not consider the reforming of this aspect of tax levy and collection?

Let me turn to yet another instance of unmindful and hasty modifications. The provisions in the Finance Bill make working of the charity institutions impossible. It would be impossible to receive and spend donations for charity purposes under the present provisions. Prof. Raja Chelliah, who has been the Advisor in all taxation matters for almost last decade, has openly condemned this draconian measure. Yet, no one seems to bother about the havoc the present provisions will bring to donation based charity institutions. I propose the repeal of the proposed clauses and restoration of earlier status.

I must appreciate his efforts in reducing the number of excise duty rates. But I am worried about the persistence of other procedural-cum-non-tariff dimensions in excise. There is only a marginal reduction in number of exemptions from 263 in last year to 243 in this year. The number of conditions for exemptions remains unchanged. The number of lists has gone up from six to nine. Will the Ministry be kind enough to provide us the estimates of revenue lost due to exemptions? Just look at the long list that would speak for itself. This is the overwhelming relic of baburaj which survives and thrives even now when we speak of second generation reforms. Will the hon. Minister explain special merits of pencil sharpeners and mathematical boxes so that they need exemptions? Is this his way of promoting mathematical education? May I remind him that there are one crore dhobis who do not use dry-cleaning machines? Why do you not exempt them from the five per cent service tax?

Why should we dither on measures that are needed to expand the tax base. Please have a look at the report of the working group on taxation that makes a passionate plea for abolition of exemptions. This is another instance of ignoring the sound advice when it does not suit the beneficiary constituencies within and without the Finance Ministry[KMR40] .

Let me turn to customs duties. I fail to understand the talk of the peak rate of 35 per cent when it is at best the modal value, that is, the most frequent rate. In ordinary English, the peak rate would mean 'highest rate'. As per the Bill, peak rate 210 per cent is now reduced to 182 per cent. The other rates are 210, 170, 115, 100, 80, 70, 55, 45, 40 and so on. The hon. Minister has been generous enough to announce that these rates will be merged in just two rates after two years. Will someone enlighten us the magical number of two-year duration needed for the said transition?

The worship of exemptions is here as well. The number of exemptions in the last year was 378. Thanks to penchant for this non-tariff device the number has gone up to 415! Will he enlighten us by providing the estimates of revenue due to these exemptions? Once more, the number of conditions remains unaltered, and the lists have gone up from 35 to 42. We seem to be more committed to second generation and reincarnation of Dirigisme regime. No wonder, the tariffs remain as complicated and cumbersome. It will perpetuate advantage that unscrupulous would take, and officers to indulge in corrupt practices as earlier. Would the hon. Minister explain what inhibits him from implementing the recommendations of the Virmani Committee's Report? This Report, once again, points out that so many exemptions generate continuous lobbying by special interest groups of the rich and the powerful. Is it so difficult to imagine that with so many exemptions and conditions and lists, even two rates is no solace! Whatever be the popular demand and consensus, I fear, we should not send signals to the business and people at large that service tax is unjust and negotiable. Let us make the beginning with the rates that are modest and palatable. Since inception, we should care about wider base than higher tax rates, and should show the determination in establishing this as legitimate and viable tax base. If the Union Government dithers and flounders, it will have negative implication for States which will lose their morale further in widening the service tax base. The Working Group had recommended integration of service tax with CENVAT. I wonder what the Ministry of Finance has to say on this.

Mr. Chairman, Sir, I have confined myself to only a few selected elements that highlight our sluggishness and undeclared aversion towards reforms. More importantly, the mindset that believes having 43 controls instead of 45 is reforms! The spectre of restrictive controls, Dirigisme regimes can survive and resurrect in many forms and on many occasions.

I will give one instance. In 1998, our hon. Finance Minister while moving the Finance Bill Amendments had stated about Section 50C of the Income Tax Act that it is arbitrary to consider the circle valuations by the State Governments which are ad hoc and the actual considerations by the two parties should be taken for tax considerations. But now we see that the same Section 50C has been re-introduced. What is the explanation? It is easy to wear mask in the name of poor. It is easy to wear the nationalist cap with cosy protectionist lining inside.

I appeal to the reformist friends in the Opposition as well to rise above the narrow insidious tune of socialism and development with human face, and focus on what is more important, doable, and consolidate long-term needs of reforms.

There are several other matters like restructuring of public debt, more importantly composition and effectiveness of expenditure. For want of time, I reserve them for my written queries and comments. I thank you once again for the opportunity and patient listening given to me.

MR. CHAIRMAN : Now, Shri Rupchand Pal.

Shri Pal, already one Member from your party has spoken on this Debate. There are now five minutes left for your party. Please be very brief.

SHRI RUPCHAND PAL (HOOGLY): Sir, I shall try to be as brief as possible. I think, you will allow me to make all the relevant and important points which I want to make.

Sir, I had said that this Budgetary exercise is directionless and clueless. I had also mentioned about the tax on the salaried class and others.

Now, the Finance Minister has already announced certain relief measures. He has made certain changes in the Finance Bill[k41] .

They are in respect of rebate, in respect of savings and also in some other areas. The total amount of relief given is to the tune of Rs.2,800 and odd crore; and it is considered to be a peanut in a total budget of Rs.4,10,000 and odd crore.

As you know, we have been approaching the Finance Minister and the Prime Minister for quite sometime regarding Indian Iron and Steel Company. In our country, there is a steel plant by the name of Indian Iron and Steel Company, which is a very prestigious and a reputed company. It requires, as per the expert committee's recommendations, about Rs.1,000 crore for its revival. That amount is also not needed in one go; in the beginning, it requires only about Rs.500 crore. That company is employing more than 27,000 persons of this country. So, 27,000 families are dependent on it. That company has been producing one of the best quality steels in the country; it is not that we do not need steel in this country. But the Government is not considering that request of ours, for reasons best known to them.

We have again approached the Prime Minister. An amount of Rs.1,000 crore can save the lives of more than 27,000 families; moreover, a large number of others are dependent on them. It is a very prestigious unit. But this Government is not providing that amount of money; but an amount of Rs.2821 or so crore is a peanut to them. Where is he going to get that money from? Does he believe that the revenue generation that he is proposing will reach the target? Once again, I am asking that question.

Over the years, the tax-GDP ratio is hovering around nine per cent or so. It is declining. The 'rich' and the 'super rich' of this country are not paying any tax. Only 30 per cent of their income are only getting exposed. This is according to a report by the Government. I had asked this specific question to this Government. How many people in this country earn more than Rs.10 lakh per annum? The report of the Government says that the number is only 50,000. In South Delhi alone, there are more people than that number whose income is more than Rs.10 lakh per annum. Rampant evasion is there. The tax rate has come down. Some people do not agree with this, but the Minister has agreed. In one observation, he said that although the tax rate has been slashed down, the compliance is not proportionate, rather it is also declining. Where is he going to get that money from? Is he going to get it by way of service tax? Which service tax? The money is being collected through different sorts of service taxes. It is not possible for the Government because of cost of collection and also because of many other things.

Now, the hon. Finance Minister and the Government have become wiser because of the drubbing they received at the hustings! It is not that they did not know that. After the election results, they are having a re-thinking; and a major political party is giving them the advice, that such and such things should be done.

What is happening to our small industries? Even yesterday the hon. Finance Minister had made some observations. I would just like to give one very small example. Sir, do you understand 'chhata', the umbrella? More than one lakh people are involved in this industry.

gÉÉÒ ºÉÖnÉÒ{É ¤ÉÆtÉÉä{ÉÉvªÉÉªÉ (BÉEãÉBÉEkÉÉ =kÉ® {ÉÉÎ¶SÉàÉ) : छाता तो हो गया।

SHRI RUPCHAND PAL : I am telling you, it has not. The hon. Minister has withdrawn it from the spare parts and accessories leaving it only to the final manufacturers of this item to pay the tax. These people buy the raw material and 70 per cent of the raw material is imported. They buy it from the dealers. They do not directly import it. They have made a representation to the hon. Minister that the indigenous umbrella assemblers cannot survive due to unequal competition by the imported ready-made umbrellas. They cannot keep their existence because 30 per cent of the raw material is indigenous and 70 per cent is imported. I think the hon. Minister may apply his mind as to, according to 1996 calculations, how much will he earn from 4 per cent excise on the finished product which he has not exempted. The Minister has exempted the spares and the accessories. If the producers of the final product themselves import, they will enjoy some concessions but more than 70 per cent of the widows, women, the poorer section illiterate people do not have any access. They buy it from the market from those who import it. So, my plea to the Government would be to do it away. If I am not mistaken, according to 1996 calculations, they could earn only Rs.22,000. Still they say that on the final product they will continue to have 4 per cent of excise duty. I think the Minister should withdraw it as it will be helpful for more than one lakh producers of domestic umbrella.

The Minister has done a lot about the LPG and kerosene. Kerosene is an item used by the poor section of the people. He has raised it, particularly in the PDS. After dismantling of the administered price mechanism what is happening, we do not know. Even today there is a report by the Public Sector oil bodies that they are losing to the tune of Rs.7700 crore; Rs.75 crore daily. They have already lost Rs.7700 crore. When the calculation was made, dismantling measure was taken and the oil pool account was taken away separately and made a part of the budgetary exercise, at that point of time per barrel price of crude was 20 dollar. Now it is hovering around 27 to 28 dollar and it may go up because of the situation elsewhere. Now, the public sector oil corporations are forced to pay for it. What will happen to the poor consumers of kerosene? What will happen to the middle-class who cannot have any option but to use LPG? It has been said by many others that there is slow down, that there is excess capacity which can be used. Because of the demand recession, there is a negative growth in most of the areas of export[R42] . Where will the money come from? Then, there are WTO commitments which are to be met. We have to slash down the customs duty. In a situation like this, what is happening? Sir, apparently, the act of changing the rates of excise duty from 8 to 16 per cent and from 16 to 8 per cent, seems an act of simplification. But if we take up the items one by one, then we shall find that the duty on the items that are used by the common people is raised from 8 to 16 per cent and on those used by the richer sections of the society, it has been brought down from 16 to 8 per cent. Same is the case with tea and naphtha also. It is having some adverse affect on the domestic petro-chemical industry. The foreign liquor can be made cheaper but not kerosene. Why is it so? They will have to pay more price. They have got a lesson in the elections and they have reduced the heavy burden they had imposed on the salaried class. But they have not learnt that kerosene is one such item and LPG is also another item.

Sir, I am making a very important point. I had been saying that the method of measuring inflation rate is wrong. They claim that inflation is the lowest so the interest rates can be slashed down. Now, my position is corroborated by the report of the Statistical Commission. Dr. Rangarajan Commission says that the world over inflation rate is calculated on the basis of Wholesale Price Index. Here it is being done on the basis of Consumer Price Index. The Wholesale Price Index does not include the service component whereas in our GDP, service component is more than 52 per cent. I understand that they have set up a Committee to take into account how objective measurement of inflation can be done. Then again, the low inflation rate does not mean anything. It affects our consumption as well as production. There is a very good report by Shri Ashok Kumar Chakraborty and the Reserve Bank has also come out with all these things. But I am not going into all these things.

Sir, I have another point to make and it is a very important point. They still relate concessions and all these things to Gujarat earthquake. But there should be some provision because more than two lakh people are still in different camps. They have no food and no medicine. The world over reports have been written. There must be a provision. We have around huge stocks of food amounting to six crore tonnes and the people are suffering without food. Only the non-governmental organisations are serving them. People are starving there. I would make an earnest plea, and I believe that all my colleagues here will support me, that there should be some provision for the relief and rehabilitation of more than two lakh people.

MR. CHAIRMAN : Please conclude now. You have already taken 15 minutes.

SHRI RUPCHAND PAL : Sir, I am concluding. As regards Unit Trust of India, some hon. Member was speaking from that side. But, Sir, do you know what is going to happen? I do not know whether you have any investment there or not. Sir, the Monthly Income Assured Scheme is ending on 30th April. We had said that the sponsorer has to take the responsibility.

SHRI SUDIP BANDYOPADHYAY : The CPM Party has the major investment in that.

SHRI RUPCHAND PAL : We have already replied to it. Please do not delay me. If you have got any money, invest it there. Then, it should be a matter of concern to you also.

SHRI SUDIP BANDYOPADHYAY : I have no money. But can you deny that your Party had not put money there?

SHRI RUPCHAND PAL : So, what is wrong? That is not an offence.… (Interruptions )

SHRI SUDIP BANDYOPADHYAY : That means you have invested money there. So, you simply admit it.… ( Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Shri Sudip Bandyopadhyay, when your turn comes, you can say whatever you want.

… ( Interruptions[rc43] ) MR. CHAIRMAN : He is not yielding.

SHRI RUPCHAND PAL : This portion of the time which has been taken by the interruption should be given back to me, Sir.

MR. CHAIRMAN: Please conclude now; you have already taken more than fifteen minutes.

SHRI RUPCHAND PAL : The Unit Trust of India has been set up by the Government of India. Even in this Finance Bill certain things are said about the UTI. What will happen to this investment? Because, both IDBI, State Bank of India and others have disowned in writing that they are not the sponsors; it is lying with the SEBI, and SEBI has not given it to anybody. It is going to end by 30th April. What will happen to these small investors who have kept their money in the US-64, MIP-97 and several other schemes?

There are some suggestions just for the consideration of the hon. Minister; I am not recommending them. There was a Committee set up to calculate the total rural wealth; not of agriculture alone. This can be one major area for revenue generation. Secondly, it is said that the foreign-exchange reserve position is very comfortable with $ 55 billion. But what is going to happen after the redemption of the Resurgent Bond and the India Millennium Bond? After the experience of Argentina and also our experience with regard to US-64 where the corporate sector has taken away the money even beforehand, what is going to happen to your commitments?

Lastly, he has spoken certain things about jute machinery. Meanwhile, very recently the Ministers Committee of this Government has taken a decision not only to dilute the 1997 Jute Packaging Order, but they have also recommended for the repeal of that order. It would spell disaster for the jute industry and to lakhs and lakhs of workers of this country. We have brought this to the notice of the Prime Minister. We have written to him. There was a court case and from the Press reports we have learnt that these attempts have been stayed by the High Court. We would appeal to the Finance Minister also to see that the Jute Packaging Order is not diluted and rather the jute industry is provided the necessary help as required.

gÉÉÒàÉiÉÉÒ ®äxÉÖ BÉÖEàÉÉ®ÉÒ (JÉMÉÉÊ½ªÉÉ) : सभापति महोदय, वित्त मंत्री जी बधाई के पात्र हैं जिन्होंने कई वस्तुओं का उत्पाद शुल्क घटाया, आयकर में राहत दी, डेयरी उत्पादों के आयात कर पर सीमा शुल्क ३० प्रतिशत से बढाकर ४० प्रतिशत किये । रसोई गैस के दाम घटाए, टेलीफोन को आयकर से मुक्त किया, ग्रेनाइट का उत्पाद शुल्क भी वापस लिया और इसी प्रकार के कई सुधारात्मक कार्य बजट में किए। इसके लिए वे बधाई के पात्र हैं, लेकिन इसके बावजूद ऐसे बहुत से सामान हैं जिन पर टैक्स तो लगाया गया है, लेकिन वह किस तरह से वसूला जाएगा, इसकी पालिसी तय नहीं की गई cè[rpm44] ।

17.00 hrs. मैं कहना चाहूंगी कि इसको वसूलने की पालिसी तय की जाये ताकि जनता ऊहापोह की स्थिति से बच सके।

आजकल गुटखा पान मसाला बहुत प्रचलित है। इससे कैंसर जैसी बीमारी भी होती है लेकिन इसके बावजूद गुटका पान मसाला के निर्माता टैक्स की चोरी करते हैं। मैं आपके माध्यम से कहना चाहूंगी कि मंत्री जी का ध्यान अभी इस ओर नहीं गया है। जो सिगरेट बनती है, उस पर एक्साइज का फजिकल कंट्रोल रहता है लेकिन पान मसाला और गुटके पर कस्टम विभाग का कोई फजिकल कंट्रोल नहीं रहता। जो गुटका पान मसाला के निर्माता हैं, वे रात को ५०-६० लाख पाउच का निर्माण करते हैं और उसे रात में ही सिल करके भेज देते हैं। दिन में कोई काम नहीं करते हैं। इस तरफ किसी का ध्यान नहीं जाता है। इसलिए मैं आपके माध्यम से वित्त मंत्री जी से कहना चाहूंगी कि इसमें जो भ्रष्टाचार व्याप्त है जिससे सरकार को भी राजस्व का घाटा होता है, उस पर सैंट्रल एक्साइज का फजिकल कंट्रोल होना चाहिए। इसके अलावा ये लोग जो मशीन बनाते हैं, उस मशीन में मीटर की व्यवस्था होनी चाहिए ताकि भ्रष्टाचार दूर हो सके।

17.02 hrs. ( Shri Devendra Prasad Yadav in the Chair) सभापति जी, केरोसिन तेल और उवर्रक जो आज भी आम लोगों की वस्तु है, उस पर भी वित्त मंत्री जी का ध्यान नहीं गया है। उन्होंने इनके दाम घटाने के कोई प्रयास नहीं किये हैं। आज गांव में बिजली नहीं है। वित्त मंत्री जी बिहार जैसे गरीब प्रदेश से आते हैं। यह बात अलग है कि आज वे झारखंड में चले गये हैं लेकिन बिहार की संस्कृति उनमें रची-बसी होगी। बिजली बिहार में नहीं रहती है। वहां पटना जैसे बड़े-बड़े शहरों में भी बिजली नहीं रहती इसलिए केरोसिन तेल के दाम घटाने बहुत जरूरी हैं क्योंकि यह गरीबों की चीज है। बजट में गरीबों को भी लाभ मिलना चाहिए। इसके अलावा किसानों के लिए उवर्रक का दाम घटाना भी बहुत आवश्यक है। सरकार को इस पर भी विचार करने की जरूरत है।

सभापति जी, रोल्ड गोल्ड के गहने पर टैक्स बढ़ाया गया है। मैं कहना चाहती हूं कि वैसे ही सोना बहुत महंगा है। सभी जानते हैं कि सोना महंगा होने की वजह से महिलाएं रोल्ड गोल्ड के ओर्नामेंट्स से ही अपना काम चलाती हैं। इसके अलावा ट्रेनों में या अन्य जगह गहनों की लूट हो रही है। उसकी वजह से भी महिलाएं रोल्ड गोल्ड के गहने पहनकर अपना काम चलाती हैं। सारे लोग जानते हैं कि महिलाओं की कमजोरी भी गहना ही है। इसलिए मैं वित्त मंत्री जी से कहना चाहूंगी कि इस पर टैक्स घटाया जाये। मैं जानना चाहती हूं कि किसान की उन्नति के लिए बजट में क्या प्रावधान किये गये हैं ? आज बिहार और उत्तर प्रदेश के किसान अधिक फसल उपजा कर भी अपने बच्चों को अच्छे स्कूलों में शिक्षा नहीं दे पा रहे हैं और अपनी लड़की की शादी अच्छी जगह नहीं कर पा रहे हैं। आखिर सरकार किसानों के लिए क्या सोचती है ? किसानों के लिए २० रुपये मनिमम सपोर्ट प्राइज के बढ़ाये गये हैं लेकिन इससे किसानों को कोई फायदा नहीं मिल रहा है। यह पैसा बिचौलिये की झोली में चला जाता है। मैं आपके माध्यम से वित्त मंत्री जी से कहना चाहूंगी कि आप किसान को जो लाभ देना चाहते हैं, उसके लिए एक अलग से इन्फ्रास्ट्रक्चर की व्यवस्था करें ताकि उनको इसका सीधा-सीधा लाभ मिल सके।

किसानों को क्रेडिट कार्ड इसलिए मिला है ताकि उससे उन्हें ऋण लेने में सुविधा हो, लेकिन बिहार जैसे प्रदेश में, आज भी उनको ऋण लेने में असुविधा होती है। इसके अलावा उन्हें ऋण भी विलम्ब से मिलता है। जो ऋण मिलता भी है, उसमें भी बैंक वाले रिश्वत मांगते हैं। इस मुद्दे को मैंने पहले भी यहां उठाया था। उस समय मैंने कहा था कि जो बेरोजगार नौजवान रोजगार के लिए ऋण लेते हैं, उन्हें इसके लिए काफी दौड़ना पड़ता है। मैंने वित्त मंत्री जी से आग्रह किया था कि वे ऐसी व्यवस्था करें ताकि बेरोजगार नौजवान को रिश्वत नहीं देनी पड़े। इसके अलावा भ्रष्टचार के कारण ऋण मिलने में जो देरी होती है, उसके लिए भी उन्हें कठोर कदम उठाने की जरूरत है। जो भी बैंक कर्मी रिश्वत मांगे, उसके लिए भी कठोर कदम उठाने की जरूरत है--आपको इस बजट में ऐसा प्रावधान करना चाहिए[R45] ।

बिहार में बैंकों में सी.डी. रेशियो घट कर २० प्रतिशत हो गया है। यह भी बहुत चिन्तनीय विषय है। इस पर भी सरकार को सोचने की जरूरत है।

भारत में उद्योग धंधे वैसे ही बंद हो रहे हैं। अभी चीन से जो सामान आ रहा है, मैंने कई जगह पढ़ा है कि चीन से खिलौने या अन्य जो सामान आ रहे हैं, वे काफी सस्ते हैं। लोग लालच में सस्ता सामान खरीदते हैं और हमारे देश में जो सामान बनते हैं, महंगा होने के कारण वे उसे नहीं खरीद पाते चाहे खिलौने, बैटरी या अन्य सामान हो। इसलिए हमारे उद्योग धंधों पर बहुत ही विपरीत प्रभाव पड़ रहा है। मैं आपके माध्यम से मंत्री जी से कहना चाहूंगी कि इस ओर भी ध्यान देने की जरूरत है ताकि भारतीय उद्योग धंधों पर विपरीत प्रभाव न पड़े।

आज देश में बेरोजगारी, शिक्षा और गरीबी चरम सीमा पर है। मैं मंत्री जी से जानना चाहूंगी कि वे अशिक्षा दूर करने के लिए क्या कदम उठा रहे हैं। वे शिक्षा परियोजनाओं में पैसा दे रहे हैं। आज बिहार जैसे प्रदेश में सारे सरकारी स्कूल बंद हैं, स्कूल की बिल्िंडग नहीं है, टीचर हैं लेकिन वे पढ़ाने नहीं जाते और कहीं-कहीं तो सिर्फ दो-तीन टीचर्स ही हैं। बिहार में सीमान्त किसान ज्यादा हैं। उनके पास इतना पैसा नहीं है कि वे अपने बच्चों को देहरादून, मसूरी जैसे पब्लिक स्कूलों में पढ़ा सकें। इसके लिए सरकार बजट में क्या करने जा रही है।

जनसंख्या नियंत्रण भी उतना ही जरूरी है। आज जनसंख्या सुरसा के मुंह की तरह हमारे देश को निगल रही है। जब तक जनसंख्या कंट्रोल नहीं होगी तब तक रोजगार संभव नहीं है। श्री रामजीलाल सुमन ने कहा कि अमरीका के राष्ट्रपति ने मोर जाँब की बात की थी। क्या हमारी सरकार मोर जाँब की बात नहीं कर सकती? क्या इसके लिए कोई उपाय नहीं कर सकती? क्या इसके लिए सरकार कोई ठोस कदम नहीं उठा सकती? हमारे नौजवान जो शक्षित हैं लेकिन रोजगार के अभाव में हथियार उठाने पर विवश हो जाते हैं, क्या उनके लिए रोजगार की कोई कठोर व्यवस्था नहीं हो सकती, बजट में कोई कठोर कदम नहीं उठाया जा सकता? आज हमारा देश स्वतंत्र है। हम कोई गुलामी की जिन्दगी नहीं जी रहे हैं। इसलिए आज सबसे बड़ी देशभक्ति इस देश की गिरती हुई अर्थव्यवस्था को ऊपर उठाने की होगी। मैं मंत्री जी से आग्रह करूंगी कि इस ओर भी ध्यान देने की जरूरत है और वह ध्यान दें।

आज महिला सर्वगुण सम्पन्न होते हुए भी अबला है। महिलाओं की ५० प्रतिशत आबादी होने के बावजूद उनको जो अधिकार मिलने चाहिए, जहां उनको होना चाहिए, वे वहां नहीं हैं। गांवों की बात तो दूर, शहरों में भी, मैंने कई बड़े परिवारों में देखा है कि आज भी महिलाएं पीड़ित और शोषित हैं। मैं कहना चाहूंगी कि मंत्री जी इस बजट में महिलाओं के लिए अलग से पैकेज के रूप में कुछ प्रावधान करें। मैं जब गांव जाती हूं तो महिलाएं आकर पूछती हैं क आप महिला सांसद हैं, आप हमारे लिए क्या कर रही हैं। वे यह भी कहती हैं क देश में आपकी सरकार है - उस समय मेरा मुंह बंद हो जाता है क्योंकि मैं उनके लिए न उद्योग धंधे लगा सकती हूं और न ही नौकरी की व्यवस्था कर सकती हूं, फिर मैं उन्हें क्या जवाब दूं। वे पढ़-लिख कर घरों में बैठी झक मारती रहती हैं। मैं वित्त मंत्री जी से आग्रह करूंगी कि वे महिलाओं की दशा में सुधार के बारे में सोचें। आप कर्मचारी की छटनी कर रहे हैं, यदि नौकरी संभव नहीं है तो उनके लिए अलग से कुटीर उद्योगों की व्यवस्था करवाएं ताकि उन्हें कुछ मिल सके वर्ना हमारा महिला सांसद होने का कोई अर्थ नहीं रहता।

डाक सामग्री, जैसे पोस्ट कार्ड और लिफाफे महंगे हो गए। हम डाक द्वारा जो किताबें मंगवाते हैं, डाक सामग्री महंगी होने के कारण वे भी महंगी हो गई हैं। मैं कहना चाहती हूं कि डाक सामग्री की कीमतों को कम करें।

विदेशी शराब सस्ती की गई है। शराब देशी हो या विदेशी, जो लोग शराब पीते हैं, उनके शरीर पर इसका बुरा असर जरूर पड़ता होगा। सरकार एक तरफ शराब सस्ती कर रही है और दूसरी तरफ सरकार के ही एक अन्य मंत्रालय में नशा मुक्ति केन्द्र खोलने के लिए पैसे दिए जा रहेहैं[R46] ।

समझ में नहीं आता है कि यह कैसी बात है। एक तरफ नशाबंदी के लिए सरकार द्वारा पैसा खर्च किया जाता है, दूसरी तरफ सरकार के द्वारा शराब के दाम घटाए जाते हैं, ताकि लोग ज्यादा मात्रा में शराब खरीदें, पीएं और अपना स्वास्थ्य खऱाब करें। इससे हम समाज को और देश को क्या संदेश देना चाहते हैं, यह मुझे समझ में नहीं आता है। इसलिए इस पर भी विचार करने की जरूरत है।

प्रधान मंत्री ग्राम सड़क योजना की चर्चा बड़े जोर-शोर से हो रही है। इस योजना के अंतर्गत प्रधान मंत्री जी ने घोषणा की थी कि २००७ तक हर गांव को सड़क से जोड़ दिया जाएगा। लेकिन मुझे बड़े दुख के साथ कहना पड़ रहा है कि इस योजना का पैसा बिहार में तो गया है, लेकिन वहां काम नहीं हो रहा है। उसके कई कारण हो सकते हैं। वह पैसा वहां पड़ा हुआ है, लेकिन काम नहीं हो रहा है। मैं सरकार से जानना चाहती हूं कि वहां सारा काम हो, इसके लिए वित्त मंत्री जी कौन सा ठोस कदम उठा रहे हैं ? अगर बिहार में प्रधान मंत्री ग्राम सड़क योजना के तहत पैसा गया है, बिहार सरकार उस पैसे को उस योजना में खर्च करने में सक्षम नहीं है तो वह पैसा सीधे सम्बन्धित जिले को भेज दें।… ( व्यवधान) कांति सिंह जी आप बीच में इंटरप्ट न करें, बिहार पर बोलने के लिए बहुत से मुद्दे हैं।

सभापति महोदय :कांति जी, महिला सदस्य बोल रही हैं, आपको शांति बनाए रखनी चाहिए।

gÉÉÒàÉiÉÉÒ ®äxÉÖ BÉÖEàÉÉ®ÉÒ : मैं वित्त मंत्री जी से कहना चाहती हूं कि वह पैसा आप सीधे जिले को भेज दें और जिला पदाधिकारी उस पैसे को खर्च करे। अगर ऐसा नहीं कर सकते तो उस पैसे को एम.पी. लैड में जोड़ दें। इस तरह वहां काम हो सकेगा, नहीं तो वह पैसा ऐसे ही पड़ा रहेगा।

जयप्रकाश नारायण जी के नाम से पूरे देश में जिस योजना की शुरूआत की गई है, वह भी एक अच्छी योजना है। लेकिन बिहार जैसे प्रदेश में उसे किस तरह कार्यान्वित करेंगे, यह समझ में नहीं आता। वहां इसकी मानिटरिंग के लिए कोई गाइडलाइंस तैयार करनी चाहिए, ताकि इसका उपयोग हो सके, नहीं तो इस तरह की सारी योजनाएं वैसी की वैसी पड़ी रह जाएंगी। वहां काम नहीं होगा और लोगों को लाभ नहीं मिल पाएगा।

बिहार के बंटवारे के बाद सब लोग जानते हैं कि बिहार कंगाल हो गया है। अब बिहार में कुछ नहीं रह गया है। यह बात पहले सोचनी चाहिए थी कि बिहार के बंटवारे के बाद बिहार में क्या रहेगा। आज वहां किसान, मजदूर और नौजवानों के विकास के लिए सरकार को कुछ करने की जरूरत है। बिहार में बरौनी में एकमात्र खाद का कारखाना है, लेकिन वह मृतप्राय है। इस कारण उसके सारे कर्मचारी आज बेरोजगारी की स्थिति में आ गए हैं। मैं वित्त मंत्री जी से आग्रह करना चाहूंगी कि बरौनी के उस खाद के कारखाने को आवश्यक राशि उपलब्ध कराकर चालू कराएं। बिहार में चीनी मिलें, जूट मिलें और हथकरघा उद्योग सब बंद पड़े हैं। उनको चालू कराने के लिए आवश्यक राशि वहां दी जाए। इससे वहां के नौजवानों के भी रोजगार मिल सकेगा।

इस बजट में रेल पदाधिकारियों पर यात्रा के खर्चे को आय में जोड़ा गया है। इसके लिए हमने देखा है, हमारे पास कई रेलवे के पदाधिकारी आए। वे काफी चिंतित हैं और उनकी मानसिक स्थिति ठीक नहीं है। उनका कहना है कि हमारी यात्राएं इससे रुक जाएंगी। अंग्रेजों की तरह काला कानून नहीं बनाया जाना चाहिए। रेल पदाधिकारियों को इससे मुक्ति दिलाने के लिए यह वापस होना चाहिए। रेल पदाधिकारी जितनी यात्राएं करेंगे, अगर वह पैसा उनकी आय में जोड़कर इनकम टैक्स लिया जाएगा तो फिर वे अपने परिवार का भरण-पोषण कैसे करेंगे। इसलिए यात्रा भत्ते पर जो टैक्स लगाया गया है, उसको वापस लेने की जरूरत है।

मुंगेर और खगड़िया में गंगा पर रेल-सह-सड़क पुल बनाने का सर्वे का काम पूरा हो चुका है। रेलवे की तरफ से पैसा देने की बात हो गई है[R47] ।बताया गया है कि भूतल परिवहन मंत्रालय द्वारा पैसा जाएगा। मैं आपके माध्यम से वित्त मंत्री जी से आग्रह करना चाहूंगी कि मुंगेर और खगडिया के बीच गंगा नदी पर रेल-सह-सड़क पुल का निर्माण करने के लिए इस बजट में प्रावधान करें और निर्माण के कार्य को करायें। कारण यह कि वहां के लोग जानते हैं कि बिहार सरकार इसके लिए कुछ नहीं करेगी और चाहती भी नहीं है। इसलिए आपके माध्यम से मंत्री जी से कहना चाहता हूं कि वे बजट में पैसों का प्रावधान करें, ताकि पुल का निर्माण हो सके।

अंत में, आपको धन्यवाद देते हुए कि आपने मुझे बोलने के लिए समय दिया, अपनी बात समाप्त करती हूं।

SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSI (RAIGANJ): Sir, It would be proper if we know at what time the voting would take place. The Finance Minister might reply around 7 o' clock.

MR. CHAIRMAN : A number of Members are waiting to speak.

SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSI : It has come in the Press that Shri Ram Vilas Paswan has resigned. Is it true? The House has the right to know as to why he has resigned.

SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA (BANKURA): It has come out in the Press. When the Parliament is in Session, the House has every right to know.

gÉÉÒ ÉÊ|ÉªÉ®ÆVÉxÉ nÉºÉàÉÖÆ¶ÉÉÒ : सदन चल रहा है। समाचारों में है कि एक सैन्ट्रल मनिस्टर ने रिजाइन किया है। हम सब जानना चाहते हैं, सरकार यह बताये कि इसमें सच क्या है। … ( व्यवधान)

ºÉ£ÉÉ{ÉÉÊiÉ àÉcÉänªÉ : मैंने आसन से पहले ही रघुवंश प्रसाद जी का नाम बोलने के लिए बुला लिया है।

… ( व्यवधान)

gÉÉÒ ÉÊ|ÉªÉ®ÆVÉxÉ nÉºÉàÉÖÆ¶ÉÉÒ : एक मंत्री ने इस्तीफा दिया है, सरकार को सदन में जानकारी देनी चाहिए। … ( BªÉ´ÉvÉÉxÉ) ºÉ£ÉÉ{ÉÉÊiÉ àÉcÉänªÉ : मैंने आलरैडी रघुवंश प्रसाद जी को बोलने के लिए काल कर लिया है।

श्री बसुदेव आचार्य : सरकार को सदन में बताना चाहिए। … ( व्यवधान)

श्री प्रियरंजन दासमुंशी : सदन का कोई महत्व नहीं है। … ( व्यवधान)

ºÉ£ÉÉ{ÉÉÊiÉ àÉcÉänªÉ : आप सभी माननीय सदस्य संसदीय परम्पराओं की जानकारी रखते हैं। आप कृपया अपना स्थान ग्रहण करें। मैंने पहले ही रघुवंश प्रसाद जी को बोलने के लिए बुला लिया है। फाइनेंस बिल पर चर्चा हो रही है। आप कृपया बैठिए।

… ( व्यवधान)

श्री बसुदेव आचार्य : सदन को इस बारे में जानने का अधिकार है। हम लोग जानना चाहते हैं। … ( BªÉ´ÉvÉÉxÉ) ºÉ£ÉÉ{ÉÉÊiÉ àÉcÉänªÉ : मैंने आसन से पहले ही नाम पुकार लिया है।

… ( व्यवधान)

gÉÉÒ ¤ÉºÉÖnä´É +ÉÉSÉÉªÉÇ : एक महत्वपूर्ण विषय उठाया गया है। सदन चल रहा है, उसके बारे में बताना चाहिए। … ( BªÉ´ÉvÉÉxÉ) DR. RAGHUVANSH PRASAD SINGH (VAISHALI): According to the Indian Express report - Paswan quits the Union Government over Gujarat issue.

ºÉ£ÉÉ{ÉÉÊiÉ àÉcÉänªÉ : जो विषय सदन के सामने हैं, उस पर बोलिए।

bÉì. ®PÉÖ´ÉÆ¶É |ÉºÉÉn ÉËºÉc (´Éè¶ÉÉãÉÉÒ) : महोदय, वित्त विधेयक, २००२ माननीय वित्त मंत्री जी द्वारा सदन में विचार करने के लिए लाया गया है। यह विधेयक पास नहीं होने वाला है। एक मंत्री ने त्याग पत्र दे दिया है और TDP slams Centre for economic slow down. इसीलिए यह विधेयक पास नहीं होने वाला है। इन सब को देखने से पता चलता है कि उल्टी गिनती शुरु हो गई cè[R48] ।

मंत्री जी जो फाइनेंस बिल लाए हैं, कहा जाता है कि यह रोल बैक मंत्री हैं। हम सब लोग मिल कर आग्रह करते हैं, लेकिन यह मानते नहीं हैं। यह तब मानते हैं जब वोटों में इनकी पराजय होती हैं और लोग इन्हें घेरते हं तब मानते हैं। हम लोगों के कहने से यह सुनने वाले नहीं हैं।

महोदय, अभी कहा कि २१५० करोड़, २८०० करोड़ की छूट दी गई, उसके लिए बड़े-बड़े लोगों ने इन्हें धन्यवाद दिया है। सब लोग कह रहे हैं कि मिट्टी के तेल के भाव क्यों नहीं कम किए गए। रसोई गैस के दाम में जो बढ़ोत्तरी की है, उसे भी सभी लोग घटाने की मांग कर रहे हैं, उसकी सुनवाई क्यों नहीं हो रही है। किसानों के लिए खाद का मामला है, उस पर जो सब्सिडी घटाई गई, उसे क्यों नहीं बढ़ा रहे हैं। टैक्स लेने का सिद्धांत है, जैसे भौरां फूल से मधु ले लेता है, लेकिन उसका कुछ बिगड़ता नहीं है, उसी तरह से टैक्स का सिद्धांत है। जिनकी ज्यादा आमदनी है उनसे कुछ ले लिया जाए, लेकिन उनका कुछ बिगड़े नहीं। ये कहते हैं कि वित्तीय हालत खराब है, उसे बढ़ाने के लिए इनकी जो टैक्स प्रणाली है, वह चौपट है। चार लाख करोड़ का बजट है और देश में आठ लाख करोड़ कालाधन है। उसके लिए वित्त मंत्री जी ने कौन सी कार्यवाही की है ताकि उसे निकाला जाए, उस पर कार्यवाही हो। इसका जवाब मंत्री जी दें। जो लोग इंकम टैक्स मार कर बैठे हुए हैं। ६२ हजार करोड़ रुपए इंकम टैक्स छिपा कर जिन लोगों ने रखा है, सब बड़े आदमी टैक्स नहीं दे रहे हैं। संसद की स्थाई समति ने रिपोर्ट दी थी कि ६२ हजार करोड़ रुपया इंकम टैक्स का इवेज़न हुआ है, उसे निकालने के लिए इन्होंने कौन सी कार्यवाही की। एनपीए, जो बड़े लोग, सीआईआई या फिक्की और जहां ये बराबर जाते हैं, उनमें ८२ हजार करोड़ रुपया डूबा कर रखा हुआ है, उसे निकालने के लिए इन्होंने कौन सी कार्यवाही की। जिन चीजों का गरीब लोग इस्तेमाल करते हैं उन चीजों के दाम बढ़ा दिए। गरीब आदमी, आम आदमी जो देश की रीढ़ है, उसके बारे में यह नहीं सोचते हैं। ये ब्लैक मार्केटियर की तरफ नहीं देखते हैं, जो इंकम टैक्स की चोरी करता है। बड़े आदमियों की तरफ इनका ध्यान नहीं है।

श्री त्रिलोजन कानूनगो कह रहे थे, मैं उनका आभारी हूं कि उन्होंने पिछड़े राज्यों, उड़ीसा, बिहार आदि का सवाल उठाया। लेकिन जब उन्हें असलियत की जानकारी हो जाएगी तब उन्हें पता लगेगा कि सरकार किस तरफ जा रही है। उन्होंने यह चिन्ता व्यक्त की कि ये पिछड़े राज्य हैं। केन्द्र का जितना उन पर लोन है, उन्हीं का लोन सधाने में इनका सब रेवेन्यू खत्म हो जाता है। पंचम वेतन आयोग, जो केन्द्र सरकार ने लागू किया, राज्य सरकारों ने उसका कार्यान्वयन किया, इस वजह से तमाम राज्यों की हालत खराब है. लेकिन पिछड़े राज्यों की हालत और खऱाब हो गई। बिहार के बंटवारे के बाद ३००० करोड़ रुपया डेफसिट में चला गया और २७०० करोड़ सलाना कर्जा केन्द्र सरकार का चुकाना पड़ता है, विकास का काम कैसे होगा। पिछड़े राज्यों की उपेक्षा की गई है, उन पर कोई ध्यान नहीं है। बिहार से खास कर कैसी दुश्मनी हो रही है, कैसे वहां की जनता का गला काटा जा रहा है। दसवें वित्त आयोग की रिपोर्ट आई। सरकार ने उसमें स्वीकृति दे दी। उसके पश्चात पंचायती राज मद में पांच वर्षों में प्रथम वर्ष का बिहार का रुपया मिला। पंचायती मद का करीब सवा सौ करोड़ पहले साल मिला, बाकी चार साल दसवें वित्त आयोग का, ११वें वित्त आयोग का एक साल का, इसमें लगभग ६०० करोड़ रुपया गरीब राज्य का पैसा रुक गय्ाा[R49] ।

अब महोदय, जब सरकार ने रिपोर्ट को स्वीकृति दे दी, फिर उस स्वीकृत राशि में से पैसा रोकने का क्या औचित्य है? माननीय वित्त मंत्री जी ने छोटे अफसरों की कमेटी बना दी और रिपोर्ट ले ली कि जहां पर पंचायती राज का चुनाव नहीं हुआ है वहां पर रुपया रोक लिया जाए, उसका हिस्सा मार लिया जाए। जब सरकार ने उस राशि की स्वीकृति दे दी तो पैसा रोकने का क्या औचित्य है? सन १९८३ से पंचायती राज का चुनाव नहीं हुआ, लेकिन प्रथम वर्ष का रुपया मिला, बाकी के चार वर्षों का दसवें वित्त आयोग और ग्यारहवें वित्त आयोग का रुपया नहीं मिला। मैं इस सर्वोच्च सदन में बताना चाहता हूं कि जब दसवें वित्त आयोग और ग्यारहवें वित्त आयोग की रिपोर्ट सरकार ने मान ली, फिर उसमें अनुशंसित राशि को रोकने का क्या औचित्य है?

दूसरा, माननीय वित्त मंत्री जी ने हमको आश्वासन दिया कि चुनाव हो जाने के बाद स्वीकृत राशि मिल जाएगी। माननीय नीतीश कुमार जी जब मुख्यमंत्री हुए तो उनकी चिट्ठी का भी जिक्र किया तथा बाद में श्रीमती राबड़ी देवी जी की चिट्ठी का भी जिक्र किया और इन्होंने भी वचन दिया कि मैं प्रयत्न करुंगा कि उस राशि का भुगतान बिहार को मिले। अब माननीय त्रिलोचन कानूनगो चिंता व्यक्त करते हैं कि केन्द्र सरकार पिछड़े राज्यों के बारे में कुछ उपाय करे। लेकिन जब दसवें और ग्यारहवें वित्त आयोग ने अनुशंसा की तो उस राशि को क्यों रोक दिया गया? वहां चुनाव भी हो गया और एक लाख सैंतीस हजार लोग चुने गये और पंचायती राज लागू हो गया। तमाम पंचायती राज कानून बने और सबसे बेहतर कानून बने। वहां हर दो लाख पर एक प्रतनधि चुना गया, हर जिले का एक प्रतनधि चुना गया, वार्ड के सदस्य चुने गये, फिर समति के सदस्य चुने गये, फिर जिला परिषद के सदस्य चुने गये। एक लाख सैंतीस हजार में एक-तिहाई महिलाएं हैं और १४ प्रतिशत अनुसूचित जाति के लोग हैं। लेकिन बिहार और झारखंड का पैसा नाजायज ठंग से रोके रखा गया। आयोगों द्वारा अनुशंसित राशि को केन्द्र सरकार रोक करके गरीब राज्य का हिस्सा मारने का काम क्यों कर रही है? ये लोग तो घेराबंदी को मानते हैं। हमारे सारे सदस्य इकट्ठे हो जाएं तो क्या होगा? माननीय रामविलास पासवान ने कदम उठा लिया है। हमारे एक दर्जन मंत्री वहां हैं। … ( व्यवधान)

gÉÉÒ ®ÉàÉnÉºÉ +ÉÉ~´ÉãÉä ({ÉÆf®{ÉÖ®) : माननीय पासवान जी ने इस्तीफा दे दिया है और कितने लोग इस्तीफा देने वाले हैं?

ºÉ£ÉÉ{ÉÉÊiÉ àÉcÉänªÉ : +ÉÉ{É +É{ÉxÉÉÒ ºÉÉÒ] {É® ¤Éè~ VÉÉ<ªÉä* bÉì. ®PÉÖ´ÉÆ¶É |ÉºÉÉn ÉËºÉc : माननीय मंत्री जी ने एक बार यहां सदन को मिस-लीड किया और कहा कि दसवें वित्त आयोग ने कहा कि जहां चुनाव होगा वहां पैसा नहीं दिया जाएगा लेकिन दसवें वित्त आयोग की अनुशंसा का प्रथम वर्ष का पैसा मिला है फिर चार वर्षों का पैसा क्यों नहीं दे रहे हैं। ग्यारहवें वित्त आयोग का एक वर्ष का पैसा नहीं दे रहे हैं जबकि सरकार ने राशि की स्वीकृति दे दी। यह कैसा अन्याय बिहार राज्य के साथ है? इसलिए हम तो इस सर्वोच्च सदन में मामला दायर कर रहे हैं। इस पर सभी लोग विचार करें कि गरीब राज्य को जो राशि पंच-परमेश्वर से मिली है वह न देकर कितना बड़ा अन्याय बिहार और झारखंड की १० करोड़ आबादी के साथ केन्द्र सरकार कर रही है[r50] ।

हमारा वह पैसा कहां चला गया? हाल में मैंने योजना मंत्री जी से एक सवाल पूछा था। योजना मंत्री जी ने जवाब दिया कि वह पैसा लैप्स हो गया। मैं इस जवाब को चुनौती देता हूं। केन्द्र सरकार की गाइडलाइन्स के मुताबिक वह पैसा लैप्स नहीं हो सकता। इस तरह से पैसा रोकना ठीक नहीं है। केन्द्र सरकार की गाइडलाइन्स के खिलाफ मंत्रियों का वक्तव्य आता है। ऐसा अन्याय वहां की १० करोड़ आबादी के साथ हो रहा है। मैं इसका स्पैसफिक उत्तर चाहूंगा। जब तक हमारा हिस्सा नहीं मिलेगा तब तक हम लड़ाई करते रहेंगे। हमारा यह मामला इस सर्वोच्च सदन में दायर है। यदि इसका यहां फैसला नहीं होगा तो हम जन सभा में जाएंगे और वहां इसे उठाएंगे।

gÉÉÒ ®PÉÖxÉÉlÉ ZÉÉ (MÉÉä{ÉÉãÉMÉÆVÉ) : càÉ £ÉÉÒ <ºÉ ¤ÉÉiÉ BÉEÉ ºÉàÉlÉÇxÉ BÉE®iÉä cé* bÉì. ®PÉÖ´ÉÆ¶É |ÉºÉÉn ÉËºÉc : ~ÉÒBÉE ¤ÉÉiÉ cè* VÉ¤É càÉÉ®ä ºÉnºªÉMÉhÉ càÉÉ®ÉÒ <ºÉ ¤ÉÉiÉ BÉEÉä ºÉàÉZÉ MÉA iÉÉä +ÉÉ{ÉBÉEÉä càÉÉ®É {ÉèºÉÉ ®ÉäBÉExÉä BÉEÉ BÉEÉä<Ç +ÉÉÊvÉBÉEÉ® xÉcÉÓ cè* ÉÊ¤ÉcÉ® BÉEÉ ÉÊcººÉÉ BÉEÉä<Ç xÉcÉÓ àÉÉ® ºÉBÉEiÉÉ cè* ªÉÉÊn càÉ ºÉ¤É ºÉVÉMÉ cÉä VÉÉAÆ iÉÉä ÉÊ¤ÉcÉ® BÉEÉ ÉÊcººÉÉ BÉEÉä<Ç xÉcÉÓ àÉÉ® ºÉBÉEiÉÉ* <iÉxÉÉ cÉÒ xÉcÉÓ +ÉÉ{É ºÉ£ÉÉÒ <ºÉ ¤ÉÉiÉ BÉEä ºÉÉFÉÉÒ cé, VÉ¤É ºÉ£ÉÉÒ ºÉÉÆºÉn ªÉcÉÆ VÉÖ]ä lÉä* VÉ¤É ÉÊ¤ÉcÉ® BÉEÉ ¤ÉÆ]´ÉÉ®É cÉä ®cÉ lÉÉ iÉÉä BÉEcÉ MÉªÉÉ lÉÉ ÉÊBÉE ÉÊ¤ÉcÉ® BÉEÉä +ÉÉÉÌlÉBÉE {ÉèBÉEäVÉ ÉÊnªÉÉ VÉÉAMÉÉ +ÉÉè® VÉÉä FÉÉÊiÉ-{ÉÚÉÌiÉ cÉäMÉÉÒ =ºÉBÉEÉÒ £É®{ÉÉ<Ç BÉEÉÒ VÉÉAMÉÉÒ* ÉÊBÉEºÉÉÒ ºÉ®BÉEÉ®ÉÒ BÉEàÉÇSÉÉ®ÉÒ BÉEÉä BÉEcÉ VÉÉA ÉÊBÉE ´ÉäiÉxÉ xÉcÉÓ nåMÉä ãÉäÉÊBÉExÉ ¤ÉÉäxÉºÉ nåMÉä* ´ÉcÉÒ ¤ÉÉiÉ càÉÉ®ä ºÉÉlÉ cÖ<Ç* +ÉÉ{É ªÉÉäVÉxÉÉ +ÉÉªÉÉäMÉ uÉ®É +ÉxÉÖ¶ÉÆÉÊºÉiÉ ®ÉÉÊ¶É càÉå BÉDªÉÉå xÉcÉÓ nä ®cä cé? AäºÉä àÉå +ÉÉÉÌlÉBÉE {ÉèBÉEäVÉ BÉEÉ BÉDªÉÉ cÉäMÉÉ? ÉÊ´ÉvÉÉxÉ àÉÆbãÉ BÉEä ºÉ£ÉÉÒ {ÉÉÉÌ]ªÉÉå BÉEä ÉÊ´ÉvÉÉªÉBÉEÉå xÉä 1ãÉÉJÉ 79 cVÉÉ® 900 BÉE®Éä½ âó{ÉA BÉEä +ÉÉÉÌlÉBÉE {ÉèBÉEäVÉ BÉEÉÒ àÉÉÆMÉ BÉEÉÒ lÉÉÒ* ªÉÉÊn +ÉÉ{É <ÇàÉÉxÉnÉ® cé iÉÉä <ºÉ {É® ÉÊ´ÉSÉÉ® cÉäxÉÉ SÉÉÉÊcA +ÉÉè® ÉÊ¤ÉcÉ® BÉEä ºÉÉlÉ xªÉÉªÉ BÉE®xÉÉ SÉÉÉÊcA* इतना ही नहीं बिहार और झारखंड दोनों को मिला कर मनिमम नीड्स प्रोग्राम के अन्तर्गत ग्रामीण विद्युतीकरण के लिए ३७ करोड़ रुपए दिए गए। बिहार को इसके लिए ९ करोड़ रुपए यानी एक चौथाई हिस्सा मिला और झारखंड को २८ करोड़ रुपए मिले। बंटवारे का क्या फार्मूला है? क्या इसका आधार आबादी है? बिहार की आबादी ८ करोड़ २० लाख है और झारखंड की २ करोड़ ७० लाख है। बिहार की चार गुना आबादी ज्यादा है। वहां के गावों की संख्या, रकबा, गरीबी और गैर विद्युतीकरण गांवों की संख्या को देखते हुए बंटवारा होना चाहिए था। उसे ३७ करोड़ रुपए में से केवल ९ करोड़ रुपए मिले। ऐसा अंधेर कहीं नहीं देखा। पिछले चार वर्षों से बिहार को एक पैसा नहीं दिया गया। देश भर में विद्युतीकरण के लिए १० हजार करोड़ रुपए दिए गए। ऐसा एक मामला नहीं है। देश भर में नौवीं पंचवर्षीय योजना के अन्तर्गत ७८०० करोड़ रुपए सैंट्रली स्पौन्सर्ड स्कीम पर खर्च हुए। बिहार को बंटवारे से पहले ७८० करोड़ रुपए मिले लेकिन बंटवारे के बाद आबादी के हिसाब से १२वां हिस्सा मिलना चाहिए लेकिन नौवीं पंचवर्षीय योजना में केवल ३५ करोड़ रुपए मिले। मैंने इस बारे में प्रश्न पूछा था। मुझे उसका यह उत्तर आया था[R51] ।

देशभर के तमाम राज्यों को ७८० करोड़ रुपया मिला है और हमें सालाना १०० करोड़ मिलना चाहिये था लेकिन हमें पिछले सालों में २, ३ या ५ करोड़ रुपया मिला। इस साल ३५ करोड़ रुपया मिला है। इसी प्रकार कृषि क्षेत्र में हाल हुआ है। केन्द्रीय सरकार ने तमाम राज्यों पर ५००० करोड रुपया खर्च किया, बिहार राज्य को सालाना १०० करोड़ मिलना चाहिये और नौवीं पंचवर्षीय योजना के लिये ५०० करोड़ रुपया मिलना चाहिये था जबकि प्रतिवर्ष २-३ करोड़ रुपया मिला है। हां, २००१-०२ वर्ष के लिये पहली बार ४१.५ करोड़ रुपया मिला है जो एक तिहाई ही है। इसी तरह सैंट्रला स्पांस्सर्ड स्कीम्स के ७०० करोड़ रुपये में से भी बिहार हिस्सेदार है। अब १०वीं पंचवर्षीय योजना शुरु हो गई है लेकिन बिहार राज्य का पैसा मारकर अन्य राज्यों में ले जाया जा रहा है और बिहार के साथ अन्याय किया जा रहा है। इससे क्षेत्रीय विषमता बढ़ रही है।

सभापति महोदय, आप जानते हैं कि जब बिहार जाग जाता है तो दिल्ली धराशायी होती है। हम ६० सांसदो ने प्रधानमंत्री जी से मिलकर ज्ञापन दिया था, जिसमें हम लोगों ने कहा था कि आठवीं और नवीं पंचवर्षीय योजना का आकार इतना बढड़ा हो गया है, जो छोटा होना चाहिये। आठवीं योजना के लिये १३ हजार करोड़ रुपया रखा गया, जिसमें ८००० करोड़ रुपया खर्च हुआ और शेष ५००० करोड़ रुपया बच गया है। बिहार में कोई पैसा इनवैस्ट नहीं किया गया है। क्या इससे क्षेत्रीय विषमता नहीं होगी? क्या बिहार पीछे नहीं रह जायेगा? बिहार जी.डी.पी. में नीचे जा रहा है। नौवीं पंचवर्षीय योजना का आकार छोटा हुआ जिसमें खर्चा कम हुआ, यानी ५ से ६ हजार करोड़ रुपया खर्च हुआ लेकिन बिहार में कम इनवेस्ट हो रहा है। बिहार का हिस्सा कहां चला गया? हम लोगों ने कहा कि केन्द्र का जो कर्जा बिहार पर है, उसे माफ कर दिया जाये और उसे विशेष राज्य का दर्जा दिया जाये। अभी हाल ही में उत्तरांचल को विशेष राज्य का दर्जा दिया गया है लेकिन बिहार की आर्थिक स्थिति को देखते हुये उसे भी विशेष राज्य का दर्जा दिया जाना चाहिये, हमने यह भी मांग की थी। इकौनोमिक इंडीकेटर के चलते हम लोगों ने यह मांग की थी कि बिहार की सम्प्रति स्थिति को देखते हुये, बिहार के लिये आर्थिक पैकेज दिया जाये।

सभापति महोदय, अभी बिहार में बिजली संकट की बात की जा रही थी। बिहार से केन्द्र के पास ३३० करोड़ रुपये का ट्रांसमीशन लाइनों के लिये प्रोजैक्ट आया है। कहा गया कि यह बिहार को नही चाहिये। पॉवर ग्रिड कारपोरेशन सैंट्रल गवर्नमेंट का अंडरटैकिंग है। पॉवर ग्रिड कारपोरेशन उस प्रोजैक्ट को इंपलीमेंट करे ताकि ट्रांसमीशन लाइनें दुरुस्त हो सके। ट्रांसमीशन लाइन के अभाव में बिहार में बिजली संकट है। आप जानते हैं कि पॉवर ग्रिड कारपोरेशन के पास बिजली सरप्लस में है लेकिन बिहार को अंधकार में रखा जा रहा है। इसी कारण ३३० करोड़ रुपये का पावर प्रोजैक्ट यहां भेजा गया है। मेरी मांग है कि केन्द्र सरकार उसे कार्यान्वित करे। मेरे विचार में सभी संसद सदस्य इस बात से सहमत होंगे कि विद्युतीकरण का काम २००७ तक सभी गांवों में किये जाने के लिये केन्द्र सरकार कटिबद्ध है। जो राज्य इस योजना में छूट गये हैं, उन्हें विशेष राज्य का दर्जा देकर इस काम को कराना चाहिये।

अंत में मैं वित्त मंत्री जी का ध्यान इस बात की ओर दिलाना चाहूंगा कि बिहार राज्य बाढ़, सुखाड़ और जल जमाव से हर साल बर्बाद होता है। हर साल ९० लाख हैक्टेयर भूमि में जल-जमाव होता है[skb52] ।

नौ लाख हैक्टेअर उत्तरी बिहार में और एक लाख हैक्टेअर मोकामा में है। इसीलिए रिजर्व बैंक ऑफ इंडिया की सेन कमेटी बैठी थी और उसने रिपोर्ट दी थी कि यह ऐसी समस्या है जिसे भारत सरकार कहती है कि यह स्टेट सब्जैक्ट है, यह राज्य का दायित्व है। लेकिन सेन कमेटी ने कहा कि यह सैन्ट्रल सैक्टर में आना चाहिए। बाढ़, सुखाड़ और जल जमाव की समस्या राज्य के बस की बात नहीं है।

ºÉ£ÉÉ{ÉÉÊiÉ àÉcÉänªÉ : +ÉÉ{ÉBÉEÉ +ÉÆÉÊiÉàÉ ÉÊ¤ÉxnÖ ºÉàÉÉ{iÉ cÉä MÉªÉÉ, +É¤É +ÉÉ{É ¤ÉèÉÊ~ªÉä* डॉ. रघुवंश प्रसाद सिंह :मैं खत्म कर रहा हूं। मैं अन्याय का एक और उदाहरण दे रहा हूं। प्राकृतिक आपदा में तीन-चौथाई केन्द्र सरकार और एक-चौथाई राज्य सरकार देती है। लेकिन दो वर्ष से प्राकृतिक आपदा में एक पैसा इन्होंने बिहार को नहीं दिया है। एक तरह की दुश्मनी हो रही है। इतने भारी अन्याय का अगर स्वस्थ हिसाब करके देखा जाए तो मालूम पड़ेगा कि केन्द्र सरकार उपेक्षा वाला, सौतेला वाला नहीं, बल्कि दुश्मन जैसा व्यवहार बिहार के साथ कर रही है। इस देश का जो फैडरल स्ट्रक्चर है, जो हमारी नेशनल इन्टीग्रेशन है, उसकी केन्द्र सरकार दुश्मन है। यह राज्य के हित का हिस्सा मारने का काम करती है और दुश्मनी करती है। बिहार की सरकार से इनकी दुश्मनी है और वहां की जनता से, करोड़ों लोगों से भी दुश्मनी की जा रही है। इसलिए इस वित्त विधेयक के माध्यम से हम बताना चाहते हैं तथा जो बिहार के सदस्यगण हैं तथा सरकार में मंत्री हैं, जो सरकार की नौकरी कर रहे हैं, एक मंत्री ने त्यागपत्र दे दिया है, बाकी लोग कब त्यागपत्र देंगे और इस जुल्मी सरकार को धराशायी करेंगे। इसी आहवान के साथ मैं अपनी बात समाप्त करता हूं।

SHRI SUDIP BANDYOPADHYAY (CALCUTTA NORTH WEST): Hon. Chairman, Sir, I rise to support the Bill with some observations, with some clarifications and some objections along with some submissions.

I remember when the Budget proposals were placed, Trinamool Congress and its leader, Kumari Mamata Banerjee, objected three of your proposals very vehemently on the floor of the House. It was also reported that you became unhappy. You expressed your dissatisfaction. These were published in the newspapers and even in the few meetings also, you expressed your dissatisfaction with the speech delivered by Kumari Mamata Banerjee on the floor of the House in Parliament.

We must say that that time it was the hue and cry of Trinamool Congress and our Party that eastern zone is the worst sufferer of the regional imbalances after Independence. I would certainly share the views with Dr. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh who represents Bihar and our friend from Orissa. He also clarified this. The reasons are best known to the consecutive Governments that why the eastern region became the worst sufferer of the regional imbalances. West Bengal is certainly topping the list on many occasions. The issue of IISCO has been raised.

We have no hesitation to support such types of demands where the interest of people is involved. We support such type of demands made by whatever political parties, but I must appreciate that after taking the assessment of the people's sentiment, you have certainly withdrawn and given some concessions which amount to Rs.2,857 crore. We certainly appreciate this. It could have been much better if you could have provided us with more concessions. But these concessions include Rs.1,450 crore in indirect taxes, Rs.700 crore in direct taxes, Rs.7 crore in postal tariff and Rs.700 crore in LPG price hike. The total comes to Rs.2,857 crore[m53] .

I [rsg54] believe, you have tried to respond to the sentiments, the anxieties, the agonies and the difficulties of the middle class, the lower-middle class and the poorest sections of the society.

In the Budget At A Glance, it has been mentioned that the total expenditure is Rs.4,10,309 crore, out of which you have a non-Plan expenditure of Rs.2,96,809 crore. The gap between this volume of non-Plan expenditure and the Plan expenditure of about Rs.1,13,500 crore appears to be extreme and huge. I have gone through your Budget statement where you have tried to explain the causes of non-Plan expenditure and why it has gone up to such a huge level but I would urge upon you that the non-Plan expenditure has to be brought under control.

The fiscal deficit has gone up to Rs.1,35,524 crore, that is, 5.3 per cent of the GDP. What steps are you going to take to control the fiscal deficit? Unless this fiscal deficit is reduced, the development process through the Plan outlay proposals would totally go in vain.

On many occasions, I have expressed my desire to know from your end the details of the captains of industry who are taking loans from banks and financial institutions and looting them by not repaying the loans. Why are the names of those defaulters not declared? Is it due to any 'Banking Secrecy Act'? If it is so, what is the problem in abolishing that 'Banking Secrecy Act'? The total loans taken by these industrial houses from the financial institutions would exceed the total amount of fiscal deficit. So, if that amount could be rescued by taking some positive steps and stern measures, the fiscal deficit could be brought within a disciplined limit. I am very much keen to know from your end very categorically the steps that the Government is taking to take care of these defaulters who are looting the country in a way.

Whenever you make a statement or give a press interview, I normally hear it very minutely. You have said that the Budget is a holistic document. You have also said that the integrity of the Budget would not be affected in any way. I believe that you have tried your best to keep your comments in perfect order. I was watching your explanation regarding the Budget At A Glance, where a rupee comes from and where it goes and so on.

It has been mentioned here that in respect of Defence, fourteen paise out of one rupee are allotted in the Budget proposals. Recently a report has come out - and I want to know whether it is a fact or not - that bureaucratic power games are hampering acquisition of defence materials either from within the country or from abroad after the Tehelka scam. This has happened due to red-tapism and the bureaucratic system of our country by which Rs.5,000 crore have gone back, refunded from the Defence Budget in the current year. We pay taxes. The common people pay taxes. Our soldiers have been deployed on the western border with Pakistan, day in and day out. The expenditure for this deployment is spent from our pockets. I would like to know whether they could go in for a war with Pakistan or whether they could be withdrawn[rsg55] .

What is the necessity of deploying soldiers day in and day out, the tax for which we are paying from our pocket? Can we continue with it for such a long time? Out of every one rupee, fourteen paise have been provided for the Defence sector, according to your budgetary proposals. A country like ours should always be careful to see that we spare each and every rupee for the interests of the common man and the poorest of the poor sections of the people. When we certainly demand some remedies, when we protest for cutting the price of LPG and other material, we know it is always difficult for the Government to respond to the appeals made by different political parties, whether in favour or against. But can you deny the power theft in the country in the name of transmission and distribution loss which has gone up to thousands of crores of rupees? If some concrete steps are taken in the name of transmission and distribution losses, it can earn revenue for the Government.

It has been reported that all your poverty alleviation schemes like the Jawahar Rozgar Yojana, the Employment Assurance Scheme, the Mahila Samridhi Yojana, all are in a very distressed condition and money is being looted from this sector. I would rather say that the process of austerity has to be maintained. Nowadays, it has become a fashion to say that there is a necessity to reduce the cost of governance, but no serious attempt has actually ever been made to identify the specific sources of leakage. I would rather mention here that if we actually follow the process of austerity, we can certainly save the revenue. The MPs are provided with 'J' Class facility to travel. But I would better mention here that my leader, Kumari Mamata Banerjee has never gone anywhere in 'J' class. She has travelled only in Economy Class throughout her career. <ºÉ |ÉBÉEÉ® ºÉä=xcÉåxÉä ]ÉÒ.A. +ÉÉè® bÉÒ.A. BÉEä °ô{É àÉå ÉÊ{ÉUãÉä 20 ºÉÉãÉÉå àÉå ºÉ®BÉEÉ® BÉEÉÒ ¤ÉcÖiÉ ¤ÉSÉiÉ BÉEÉÒ cè* So, what I would appeal to you is that 'Dream Budgets' always take care that if you punish the poor people, they will bounce you back in the ballot boxes. You will have to hear, you will have to listen, you will have to give patient hearing to all the political parties, to all the speakers. Before you formulate a Budget, you only meet the captains of industries in five star hotels or in banquet halls. Never does the Finance Minister go to the downtrodden people, to the farmers. Conferences are held only in North Block, not at the grass-root level, at the level of the farmers, to know how they are feeling. Once a budget proposal is declared, if it is withdrawn, ultimately you may be designated as Rollback Finance Minister. But I would never say so. I would certainly say that you have responded to the people's agony and to the people's cry.

:SHRI M.V.V.S. MURTHI (VISAKHAPATNAM): But not fully.

SHRI SUDIP BANDYOPADHYAY : My colleague has categorically said that you should respond fully. I understand your difficulty. I understand your problem. But still I would say about the half per cent reduction in interest rate. Normally the retired employees, the retired school teachers keep their money in small savings. But there also, you have extended your hands of taxation .

Sir, we fully disagree with this. It was 1.5 per cent earlier. Now another half per cent has been added. Now the total reduction has gone up to two per cent. What we feel is that you give relief to those people who have small amounts of money and who believe in small savings. I would request that maximum concession may kindly be provided at the TDS level and particularly to those who are living below the poverty line. They are to be given all sorts of facilities and assistance and cooperation at all levels.

The hon. Prime Minister in his Address at the CII conference recently has said one thing. I better read it here. He said :

“When our Finance Minister Shri Yashwant Sinha talks about our determination to achieve seven or eight per cent GDP growth, he knows that he has his feet on the ground. Believe in India; believe also in our Finance Minister.” We will certainly believe you as the hon. Prime Minister has suggested. But you create confidence in the minds of the downtrodden people of the country. You create confidence among the middle class people and the lower middle class people of the country that a Government is operating, that a Government is ruling in the country who really think for the common masses of this country.

It has started appearing that this Government is anti-middle class; it has started appearing that this Government is always for taxing the poorest of the poor people of the country and as if this Government means a Government for taxation. This Government must come out from these things.

I fully agree with our colleague, hon. Member Shri M.V.V.S. Murthi of Telugu Desam who very firmly and positively raised the issues. We hope this year's budgetary proposals will help the poor people.

When the Finance Bill was being discussed, without making it any prestige issue at all and despite many comments made by the newspapers that you have bent, you have succumbed to the pressure of the allies parties of the NDA etc. and many of those things, you have withdrawn some of the taxation proposals. We still believe that the areas which are still left out, may kindly be announced now, today, upto certain levels about which I have mentioned at the initial stage.

I repeat that you may kindly take all the necessary steps and that austerity may give you a major direction. So far as the fiscal deficit is concerned, kindly abolish the Banking Secrecy Act. It actually can give you relief from the fiscal deficit. I hope that this part will be clarified today with an open mind and we want to get a very positive clarification from you. The fiscal deficit alone is causing Indian economy to such a ruinous stage. It has reached upto a certain level and you have also got to keep the whole country's picture in mind while overcoming through these things.

These are a few of our proposals from our Party - Trinamool Congress. Our leader Kumari Mamata Banerjee has already touched about these while taking part in the general discussion on the Budget. I reiterate it and I hope that you will give a satisfactory reply to all these points in your reply to the debate.

With these words I support the Bill.

श्री लक्ष्मण सिंह (राजगढ़) : सभापति महोदय, मंत्री जी ने जब इस वर्ष का बजट पेश किया तो शायद शुभ मुहूर्त देखकर नहीं किया क्योंकि जब उन्होंने बजट पेश किया, उसके तत्काल बाद गुजरात में भीषण दंगें हुए। जब फाइनेंस बिल पेश किया, उस समय भी शूभ मुहूर्त नहीं दिखवाया। जब उन्होंने शुक्रवार को फाइनेंस बिल पेश किया तब कोरम की कमी के कारण संसद की बैठक जल्दी स्थगित हो गयी। आज जब फिर हमने फाइनेंस बिल पर चर्चा की तो हमें पता चला है कि श्री राम विलास पासवान जी ने इस्तीफा दे दिया है। मैं वित्त मंत्री और सरकार के सभी लोगों से कहूंगा कि कल सुबह जब वे आयें तो मुहूर्त देखकर आयें। हनुमान जी के आगे हाथ जोड़कर आयें क्योंकि इनकी नैया वे ही पार करेंगे। अगर नहीं करेंगे तो पता नहीं क्या हो जायेगा ? … ( व्यवधान )

18.00 hrs. ºÉ£ÉÉ{ÉÉÊiÉ àÉcÉänªÉ : ªÉÉÊn ºÉnxÉ BÉEÉÒ ºÉcàÉÉÊiÉ cÉä iÉÉä ºÉnxÉ BÉEÉ ºÉàÉªÉ ¤ÉfÃÉ ÉÊnªÉÉ VÉÉA BÉDªÉÉåÉÊBÉE +É£ÉÉÒ 11 àÉÉxÉxÉÉÒªÉ ºÉnºªÉ +ÉÉè® ¤ÉÉäãÉxÉä ´ÉÉãÉä cé* gÉÉÒ ¤ÉºÉÖnä´É +ÉÉSÉÉªÉÇ : एक घंटे का समय और बढ़ा दीजिए।

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लेकिन आपने एक कलम से सरदार पटेल का सपना चकनाचूर कर दिया। अमूल डेयरी को जो नुकसान हुआ है, उससे जुड़े हुए लाखों-करोड़ों किसानों को जो नुकसान हुआ है, उसके जवाबदेह आप हैं। आप सरदार पटेल को भूल गए, लेकिन उस फर्जी छोटे सरदार को याद कर रहे हैं, जिसने गुजरात में आग लगा दी। उसे बचाने के लिए आप काम कर रहे हैं, यह बड़े दुख की बात है। गुजरात में जो कुछ हुआ है, उसका देश की अर्थव्यवस्था पर असर पड़ेगा, यह समय बताएगा। पूर्व में कांग्रेस पार्टी की सरकारें जब देश में थीं तो वे एक केलामिटी फंड सूखे-बाढ़ के लिए रखती थी। जिसका जिक्र डा. रघुवंश प्रसाद जी ने भी किया था। उन्होंने बताया था कि नार्थ-ईस्ट और बिहार में हर साल बाढ़ आती है, लेकिन उन राज्यों की मदद के लिए केलामिटी फंड खत्म कर दिया गया है। आपको उन उद्योगपतियों को टैक्स में छूट देनी चाहिए जो केलामिटी फंड में पैसा दें, ताकि जो विपदा देश पर आती है, उससे हम बच सकें।

आपने एग्रीकल्चर और एलाइड सेक्टर में भी कुछ नहीं किया है। सोइल कंजर्वेशन एक महत्वपूर्ण विषय है, देश की कृषि से जुड़ा है। देश भर के सोइल कंजर्वेशन प्रोग्राम के लिए आपने केवल ११ करोड़ रुपए दिए हैं, यह बड़े दुख की बात है। अगर आपकी लालू यादव जी से लड़ाई है तो आपने देश के सारे डेयरी डवलपमेंट प्रोग्राम को चौपट कर दिया है। उसके लिए केवल ३० करोड़ रुपए का बजट में प्रावधान किया है। यह भी बड़े दुख की बात है। यह सिर्फ इसलिए किया है कि आपकी लड़ाई लालू यादव जी से है। वे एक किसान हैं, कृषि से जुड़े हैं, पता नहीं क्यों आपको सोते-जागते और सपने में भी लालू यादव जी ही दिखाई देते हैं। आपने डेयरी डवलपमेंट का पूरा प्रोग्राम खत्म कर दिया है। फारेस्ट्री एंड वाइल्ड लाइफ एक महत्वपूर्ण विषय है। हमने अखबारों में पढ़ा और टीवी में देखा कि किस तरह से जम्मू क्षेत्र में एक लाख हेक्टेयर जंगल आग लगने से नष्ट हो गया। यही समय है गर्मियों का, देश में लाखों एकड़ वन सम्पदा नष्ट हो जाती है आग लगने से और इसीके साथ नष्ट हो जाते हैं वनवासियों की जीविका के साधन। उनके लिए आपने कुछ नहीं किया है।

अनाज के स्टोरेज और वेयर हाउसेज के लिए आपने २००१-०२ के रिवाइज्ड बजट एस्टीमेट में २०८ करोड़ रुपए दिए थे, लेकिन इस साल के बजट में उस राशि को बजाय बढ़ाने के आपने घटाकर १६८ करोड़ रुपए कर दिया है। आप देख रहे हैं देश में गल्ला रखने की जगह नहीं है, इतना उत्पादन हो रहा है। एक तरफ आप कहते हैं कि गल्ले का उत्पादन बढ़ाओ और दूसरी तरफ उसकी स्टोरेजे फैसेलिटी में कटौती करते हैं। क्या आप चाहते हैं कि देश का गल्ला सड़कों पर पड़े-पड़े सड़ जाए ?

आपने स्माल स्केल इंडस्ट्रीज को कुछ रियायत दी थी। उस क्षेत्र में बड़े उद्योगपतियों को भी जाने की इजाजत दे दी है। उसका परिणाम यह हो रहा है कि आज स्माल स्केल इंडस्ट्रीज बंद हो रही हैं। छोटे उद्योग उद्यमी सड़क पर आ गए हैं। वे बैंकों का कर्जा नहीं चुका पा रहे हैं।

रूरल डवलपमेंट के क्षेत्र में बजट में आपने काफी पैसे का प्रावधान किया है, यह एक अच्छी बात है। लेकिन वह पैसा राज्यों को समय पर नहीं मिलता है। वह पैसा उन राज्यों को दिया जाता है जो आपको केन्द्र में समर्थन दे रहे हैं। लेकिन उन राज्यों को पूरी तरह से नजरअंदाज कर दिया जाता है, जो समर्थन नहीं कर रहे हैं और गरीब राज्य हैं, जैसे मध्य प्रदेश है, यू.पी. है, उड़ीसा और बिहार आदि हैं।

ऊर्जा के क्षेत्र में आपने पैसा दिया है, वह इलेक्टि्रक कार्पोरेशन और बड़े-बड़े प्रोजेक्ट्स को दिया है, ठीक बात है, लेकिन जो दस, बीस या तीस मैगावाट के छोटे थर्मल पावर स्टेशन लगा सकें, उनका कोई उल्लेख नहीं किया है और न उनको करों में कोई रियायत दी है। यही कारण है कि देश के अधिकांश राज्य अंधकार की चपेट में हैं[R57] । पैट्रोलियम में आपने ONGC, GAIL, BPCL, HPCL और IOC को बजट में सपोर्ट नहीं दी है। इसी प्रकार नैजुरल गैस औद्योगीकरण के लिए इतना महत्वपूर्ण तथ्य है। भूतपूर्व कांग्रेस सरकार में राजीव गांधी जी ने HBJ पाइपलाइन बिछाने का निर्णय लिया था कि हम समुद्र से नेजुरल गैस निकालेंगे और इससे संबंधित उद्योग लगायेंगे। लेकिन नेचुरल गैस के ट्रांसपोर्टेशन की तरफ ध्यान नही दिया गया है। मैं चाहूंगा कि सरकार इस ओर ध्यान दें और ONGC, GAIL, BPCL, HPCL और IOC को बजट में सपोर्ट मिलनी चाहिए।

महोदय, मैं सदन का ज्यादा समय नहीं लूंगा। मैं केवल इतना ही कहना चाहूंगा, अगर आप किसी लघु उद्योग के मालिक या किसान से बात करें, तो वह यही कहेगा कि बड़े उद्योगपति को, यदि वह सौ करोड़ का लोन चाहता है, तो मिल मिल जाता है, लेकिन अगर वही लोन छोटा उद्योगपति या किसान चाहता है, तो उसको चक्कर लगाने पड़ते हैं। यही कारण है कि आज राष्ट्रीयकृत बैंकों में नान-परफार्मिंग एसैट्स के रूप में राशि ६० हजार करोड़ रुपए से बढ़कर ९० हजार करोड़ रुपए हो गई है। क्या कारण है कि उनको नोटिस नहीं दिया जाता है? क्या कारण है कि उन्हीं लोगों को पुन: करोड़ो रुपया दे दिया जाता है और यही रुपया हवाला के माध्यम से विदेशों में भेज दिया जाता है ? एक पुरानी कहावत है - “ डूबते हुए को तिनके का सहारा होता है। ” आपकी नाव तो डूब रही है, कहीं पर तिनका ढूंढ लीजिए, जिससे आपको सहारा मिल जाए। मेरे प्रस्तावों पर गम्भीरता से विचार करके रियायत दीजिए। कृषि पर ध्यान दीजिए। गरीबों पर ध्यान दीजिए। हो सकता है, डूबते-डूबते आपको तिनका मिल जाए और आपकी नैया पार हो जाए।

इन शब्दों के साथ, आपको धन्यवाद, आपने मुझे बोलने के लिए समय दिया।

gÉÉÒ +ÉÉxÉxn®É´É ÉÊ´É~Éä¤ÉÉ +ÉbºÉÖãÉ (¤ÉÖãÉfÉxÉÉ) : सभापति महोदय, मैं आपके माध्यम से वित्त मंत्री जी के सामने कुछ बातें कहना चाहता हूं। मैं पिछले तीस सालों से मैट्रोपोलिटन सिटी मुम्बई में रह रहा हूं और बैंक जैसे संस्थान में सर्विस भी किया हूं। इसलिए बड़े शहर में रहने वाले मीडिल क्लास और लोअर क्लास की स्थिति तथा मैं विदर्भ जैसे पिछड़े इलाके से चुनकर आया हूं, इसलिए दोनों ही स्थितियों को मैंने बहुत नजदीक से देखा है।

मुम्बई जैसे शहर में जब व्यकित घर से बाहर निकलता है, तो सर्विस पर जाने के लिए बस या रिक्शा से स्टेशन जाना पड़ता है। ट्रेन में कितनी भीड़ होती है, इसको आपने टीवी पर देखा होगा। भीड़ में डेढ़-दो घन्टे का समय गुजारना पड़ता है। ऐसी भीड़ में व्यक्ति घड़ी से समय भी नहीं देख पाता है। किसी तरह वह आफिस पहुंचता है और शाम को फिर, दिन भर मेहनत करके, घर जाने के लिए उसी हालत से जाना पड़ता है। मेरे कहने का मतलब है कि रिक्शा से जाने के लिए उसको पैसा देना पड़ता है और ऐसी स्थिति में उसकी जेब में ५० रुपए रखने पड़ते हैं। इस जाने-आने के अलावा ट्रेन का पास एडवांस में अलग से बनवाना पड़ता है। इतना सब कुछ होने पर वह सोचता है कि बजट में उसको राहत मिलेगी, लेकिन दुर्भाग्य से बजट में आपने इनकम टैक्स में राहत दी, उसको अब आपने १० परसेंट से १५ परसेंट कर दिया cè[R58] ।

मीडिल क्लास के ऊपर और भी बोझ डाल दिया। मिडल क्लास की हालत यह है, कोई भी मेट्रोपोलिटन सिटी, शहर हो, जगह का इतना प्रोबलम हो जाता है। आपको ताज्जुब होगा कि जो आम आदमी मुंबई में नहीं रहता, अगर उसे मुंबई में एक बैड रूम और किचन का ५०० स्क्वेयर फुट की जगह लेनी है तो वहां २५ लाख से कम कोई जगह नहीं मिलती। लोन की सुविधा है लेकिन इतना लोन कोई बैंक या इंस्टीटयूशन नहीं देता है। अगर पांच-सात लाख देता है तो उसका डिडक्शन अलग होता है, बाकी अगर हम कहीं भी जगह लेते हैं तो वहां का असेस्मेंट टैक्स, वाटर टैक्स, इलैक्ट्रीसिटी आदि का बोझ दिन-प्रति-दिन इतना बढ़ रहा है, जैसे हमारा सेंट्रल, स्टेट का बजट होता है, कार्पोरेशन के ऐरिये में रहते हैं तो वहां का बजट होता है, नगरपालिका के ऐरिये में रहते हैं तो वहां का बजट होता है। हर जगह बढ़ोत्तरी होती रहती है।

मैंने मीडिल क्लास के बारे में बोला, लोअर क्लास की स्थिति और भी खराब है, उनका जीना ही मुश्किल है। जो शहरी इलाके में रहते हैं, वहां सब्जी के भाव बहुत ज्यादा हैं। उन्हें खरीदना उनके लिए मुश्किल हो जाता है। लोअर क्लास का आदमी एक दिन में कितना कमा सकता है। वह ज्यादा से ज्यादा ५०-६० या ७० रुपए कमाएगा। बाजार में उसके लिए कोई अलग भाव नहीं हैं। मुंबई में ग्राम के हिसाब से सब्जी बेची जाती हैं। सौ ग्राम के लिए तीन-चार रुपए, इस हिसाब से बेची जाती हैं। मीडिल क्लास की हालत क्या है। झोंपड़ी में रहने वाला जो आम आदमी है, वह स्टोव के ऊपर अपना खाना बनाता है। आपने कैरोसिन के दाम बढ़ा दिए, बहुत से लोगों ने इस सवाल को उठाया। जो बड़े-बड़े उद्योगपति, व्यापारी हैं, स्टार्स हैं, वे करोड़ों रुपए का इंकम टैक्स बचाते हैं, चोरी करते हैं। उनके ऊपर खाली केस चलते रहते हैं, लेकिन नतीजा कुछ नहीं होता है। एक सर्विस क्लास आदमी से किस तरह टैक्स वसूला जाता है। अगर आप उन्हें राहत पहुंचाना चाहते तो आप लमिट बढ़ाते। गरीब व्यक्ति जिन चीजों का इस्तेमाल करते हैं, उनके दाम आपने बढ़ा दिए। आपने गैस के ४० रुपए बढ़ा कर २० रुपए कम कर दिए। हम अगर यहां सत्ता में बैठे हैं तब भी जो गलत बात होगी, उसे गलत ही कहेंगे। हमने यहां हंगामा भी किया, कोशिश की कि जो कैरोसिन या गैस के दामों में बढ़ोत्तरी की है उसे कम करना चाहिए, रद्द करना चाहिए। दुर्भाग्य से कैरोसिन पर कोई डिसीजन नहीं लिया।

ºÉ£ÉÉ{ÉÉÊiÉ àÉcÉänªÉ : +ÉÉ{ÉxÉä +ÉÉ´ÉÉVÉ =~É<Ç, cÆMÉÉàÉÉ xÉcÉÓ ÉÊBÉEªÉÉ* gÉÉÒ +ÉÉxÉxn®É´É ÉÊ´É~Éä¤ÉÉ +ÉbºÉÖãÉ : हमने एक बात और उठाई कि ६० हजार करोड़ एनपीए के लिए हमारे बजट में क्या प्रोविजन किया। अगर इनका इंटरस्ट के साथ प्रिंसिपल लिया जाए, मैं बैंक में सर्विस करने वाला आदमी हूं, इसलिए मैं अच्छी तरह जानता हूं कि उसका इंटरस्ट क्या होता है, एक लाख करोड़ से भी ज्यादा होता है। यह जो राशि है उसका प्रोविजन बड़े लोगों के लिए किया जाता है। राष्ट्रीयकृत बैंक से किस ने पैसा लिया था, यहां तक नाटक चलता है कि अगर कोई उद्योग शुरू करना है तो २० प्रतिशत खुद को डालना है और ८० प्रतिशत राशि बैंक से मिलती है, लेकिन उद्योग कभी पूरा नहीं होता, अगर पूरा होता है तो उन्हें चलाने नहीं देते और वह मैनेज करके बीआईएफआर में डाला जाता है। गवर्नमेंट का पूरा पैसा डूब जाता है, इसलिए एनपीए बढ़ जाता है और यह एनपीए का प्रोविजन हमारी सरकार बजट में करती है, लेकिन कोआपरेटिव बैंक, जो आम आदमी के लिए है, छोटे-छोटे लोगों के लिए जो काम करते हैं, अगर किसी वजह से माधेपुरा मर्केंटाइल बैंक ने कुछ घोटाला किया तो उसका असर पूरे कोआपरेटिव बैंकों के ऊपर हुआ। हमारी कोई सरकार नहीं सोचती है कि कोआपरेटिव बैंक आम आदमी के लिए काम करता है उसके लिए हमें कुछ प्रोविजन करना चाहिए। हमने खाली सौ करोड़ रुपए का प्रोविजन किया है[R59] ।

सौ करोड़ रुपये का प्रावधान किया है। हमारी राष्ट्रीय और आर्थिक नीति क्या है, यह सोचने की बात है। वित्त मंत्री जी कहते हैं कि हमने संतुलन रखने की कोशिश की है लेकिन मैं पूछना चाहता हूं कि हमने मध्यम वर्ग और आम-आदमी के लिए क्या किया है, हमने तो उनके ऊपर और भी भार डालने का काम किया है।

जो स्वयं का काम करने वाले लोग हैं, रास्ते में गाड़ी में पंक्चर लगाने वाला है, कारपेंटर हैं, धोबी हैं, उनको भी नोटिस आ गया है कि आपको इस साल से इन्कम-टैक्स लगेगा। मुझे ताज्जुब है कि बड़े-बड़े लोगों को छोड़ा जा रहा है और छोटे आदमी पर इन्कम-टैक्स लगाने की जो आपकी नीति है यह सही नहीं है।

डिस-इंवैस्टमेंट के नाम पर या प्राइवेटाइजेशन के नाम पर क्या हो रहा है? अगर प्राइवेटाइजेशन होता है तो मैनेजमेंट में ज्यादातर लोग प्राइवेट होंगे और हमने पहले भी यह सवाल उठाया कि किसी भी संगठन में काम करने वाले दो तरह के लोग होते हैं। एक तो आम आदमी और एक एक्सट्रा मैरिट वाला आदमी। एक्सट्रा मैरिट वाला आदमी यह सोचता है कि आज १५-२० लाख रुपया वीआरएस के नाम पर मिल रहा है तो मैं कोई अपना काम-धंधा कर लूं। लेकिन सामान्य आदमी सोचता है कि प्राइवेट मैनेजमेंट कोई भी बहाना करके मुझे निकाल देगा, इसलिए पहले ही १५-२० लाख रुपया जो मिल रहा है उसे लेकर चला जाऊं। वह जब १५-२० साल पहले ही रिटायर हो जाता है तो उसकी मानसिकता क्या बनती है? जब वह ४५-५० साल का होता है तो उसकी लड़की की शादी का खर्चा आता है और वह १० साल पहले से ही बेरोजगार होता है, इसलिए उसकी मानसिकता अलग किस्म की हो जाती है और कुछ केसों में तो ऐसे लोगों ने आत्महत्या तक की है। डिस-इंवैस्टमेंट, वीआरएस के नाम पर सीआरएस भी आ रही है। हमारे देश में पहले ही बेरोजगारी बहुत बड़ी हुई है और अब और भी बढ़ती जा रही है। सुबह एक मुद्दा उठा कि परीक्षा में रीजनल भाषा में उत्तर लिखने का उन्हें समय नहीं मिला क्योंकि पूरे साउथ और नार्थ में १०० लोगों की भर्ती हुई, बाकी यूपी और बिहार से भर्ती हुई। ये मुद्दे क्यों उठाये जाते हैं? एक तो केवल ८८०० लोगों की कुल भर्ती हुई। हम देखते हैं कि भर्ती पर बैन है लेकिन अब थोड़ी-थोड़ी भर्ती की जा रही है लेकिन बेरोजगारी और भी बढ़ती जा रही है। ये सब बातें ध्यान में रखनी बहुत जरुरी हैं। आपने मुझे अचानक समय दिया है, मैं आपका शुक्रगुजार हूं। … ( व्यवधान) कोरपोरेट बैंकों के लिए १०० करोड़ रुपया कुछ भी नहीं है। किसान की बात मैंने इसलिए उठाई कि बैंक अगर छोटे-छोटे काम करने वाले आदमियों को सहूलियतें देते हैं तो केन्द्र सरकार की तरफ से भी उनको मदद होनी चाहिए। हमारे माननीय वित्त राज्य मंत्री जी यहां बैठे हुए हैं। मैं उनसे निवेदन करना चाहता हूं कि आप हमारा मैसेज माननीय वित्त मंत्री जी को दे दीजिए। इन्कम-टैक्स लमिट बढ़नी चाहिए और अगर एनाउंसमेंट आज होगी तो हम आपके शुक्रगुजार होंगे। स्टैंडर्ड-डिडैक्शन आपने १५ से १० किया था उसको फिर से १५ रखेंगे तो कुछ राहत मिलेगी। कैरोसीन के रेट जो डेढ़ रुपये से बढ़ाएं हैं वे भी कम होंगे तो हम आपके शुक्रगुजार होंगे[r60] ।

आपने स्व:रोजगार करने वाले छोटे-छोटे लोगों को जो नोटिस दिया है, वह वापस लेना चाहिए। यदि उनकी १०-१५ लाख के ऊपर इनकम है तो इनकम टैक्स लगाना चाहिए। इतनी विनती करते हुए यही कहना चाहता हूं कि आप मुझे बोलने का जो समय दिया, उसके लिए मैं आपका आभारी हूं।

SHRI PRABODH PANDA (MIDNAPORE): Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Sir.

At the very outset, I must thank the hon. Finance Minister because he has admitted in his speech while presenting the Finance Bill in this august House that his proposed amendments would not change the integrity or would not affect the integrity of the General Budget. It is not only that; but his proposed concessions do not even change the perception of the Budget proposals.

During my speech on the Budget discussion, I told that the philosophy of this Budget is that it gives sops to the corporate sector, to the NRIs and to the foreign companies, and it lashes at the common people with taxes. It is being said here that the hon. Finance Minister has kindly responded to the popular sentiments.

1826 hrs (Dr. Laxminarayan Pandeya in the Chair) Does he want us to believe that he is responding to the popular sentiments of our people? I could not understand that. Whose sentiments he is responding to? Is he thinking that he is responding to the sentiments of the working people, to the sentiments of the farmers, to the sentiments of the general masses of our country? Before presenting the Budget, he had pre-Budget discussions with different representatives; he had discussions with the representatives of the farmers; he had discussions with the representatives of the trade unions; he also had discussions with economists. Did he respond to them? I must say 'no'.

When he presented the Budget in this august House, he knew what was the result of the elections held in four States. Did he respond to that? I must again say 'no'. Why did he do partial rollback? He did it because of the pressure. It is under pressure -- pressure from his own house; pressure from the BJP; and maybe, pressure from the Goa Session.

May I recall that sometime back our hon. Finance Minister made a statement? He told that he was the most maligned Finance Minister of our country. It seems so. He is the most maligned Finance Minister of our country. I may not be wrong to recall this statement which he made earlier. He was talking about public opinion.

May I ask who prevented him from considering the demand of the general public in regard to kerosene prices? Who prevented him from responding to the problems of common people regarding postcards, envelopes and other postal materials? Who prevented him from responding to the working people and responding to the farmers[R61] ? Mercifully, he did not increase the subsidy for the fertilisers. He could not increase the subsidy for the cooking gas. Is he responding to the demands of the general masses? Roll-back is there but why not a total roll-back? I demand a total roll-back. The losses to the exchequer due to the roll-back measures are expected to the tune of Rs.2857 crore. According to his statement, it is not significant. If it is insignificant, then why did he not consider it while presenting the Budget in this august House?

It has been said that the Finance Minister has taken into consideration the middle class. To some extent, he has reintroduced the dividend tax. The middle class, which invariably is facing the brunt of most budgetary proposals, has now been delivered a body blow. It is strange to find the hon. Minister offering tax rebates in one corner while holding on the dividend tax in another. The income tax rebate between Rs.1.5 lakh and Rs.5 lakh, which had been halved, has now been kept at 15 per cent. It is nothing but a lollipop. Why is there not a total roll-back?

Nothing has been said about the imposition of five per cent surcharge in relation to the Defence. What about the employment? What about declaring 42,000 employees as surplus in the Government? What about the recovery of the tax revenue which is falling short of target year after year? Imposing more taxes and doing away with exemptions cause the repeated shortfalls in collection. What about the collections of the big defaulters to the banks? Crores and crores of Rupees are being paid as black money. What stringent action is he going to take against them? What action is he going to take against the black-marketeers? Nothing has been said here regarding the recovery of black money?

As the time is very short, I would like to say that the hon. Finance Minister has tried his level best to sweeten this bitter pill but the real purpose has not been served. Basically, this Finance Bill is anti-people. Basically, this Finance Bill has given a body blow to the working people, the farmers, the middle class and the unemployed youth. I must say that it is nothing but a declared war against the common man of the country. So, what I remarked during my speech in the Budget discussion ,in this august House, I stand by that. I feel that this attempt is nothing but to try to save the face of the BJP Members who are putting pressure on the Government. So, this is nothing but a trick.

I must conclude to quote what one of the strong personalities of our country, Vivekanand ji said: “No great purpose can be achieved by the tricks”. But this is the way the Government is dealing with the issue. I only hope that the hon. Finance Minister will realise the mood of the people across the country. If he is sincere and if he honestly responds to the sentiments of the people, I think he will realise everything. So, I demand a total roll-back and hope that the hon. Minister will respond to that.

gÉÉÒ vÉàÉÇ ®ÉVÉ ÉËºÉc {É]äãÉ ({ÉÚEãÉ{ÉÖ®) : सभापति महोदय, मैं माननीय वित्त मंत्री जी का ध्यान गांवों की तरफ ले जाना चाहता हूं। माननीय सदस्यों ने यहां काफी बातें कही हैं, उन्हें मैं दोहराना नहीं चाहता, लेकिन मैं वित्त मंत्री जी से इतना जानना चाहता हूं कि जो बजट उन्होंने पेश किया है, क्या यह बजट केवल बड़े-बड़े पूंजीपतियों और शहरों में रहने वाले लोगों के हितों के लिये बनाया गया है या गांवो में रहने वाले लोगों के लिए बनाया गया है। जब आपने बजट पेश किया था तो मिट्टी का तेल, गैस, खाद, मोमबत्ती, साइकिल, घड़ी, नमक आदि चीजों के दाम बढ़ा दिये। इनके अलावा और भी बहुत सी चीजों के आपने दाम बढ़ाये हैं, मैं उनकी डिटेल में नहीं जाना चाहता। मेरा कहने का मतलब यह है कि आपने गरीबों से जुड़ी हुई चीजों के दाम बढ़ा दिये, लेकिन उनमें से एक भी चीज के दाम आपने वापस नहीं लिये। आपने उन चीजों के दाम वापस ले लिये जिसे कु. ममता बनर्जी कहेंगी कि गैस के दाम कम करो, वरना हम आपकी सरकार गिरा देंगे। ये लोग बात उठायेंगे, जो शहरों में रहने वाले लोग हैं, आप उनकी बात मान लेंगे। आप जानते हैं कि गांवों में गैस कम लोग यूज करते हैं, लेकिन आपने शहर के लोगों की बात को मान लिया। लेकिन असंख्य ऐसे लोग हैं, जिनके पास न बिजली है न पानी है और न उनके पास दीया जलाने के लिए मिट्टी का तेल है। जो गांवो में रहने वाले गरीब लोग हैं, जिन्हें आप गरीबी की रेखा के नीचे की सुविधा प्रदान करते हैं, उनके बारे में श्री रघुवंश प्रसाद जी तथा हमारे साथी माननीय सदस्य चिल्लाते रहे, लेकिन आपने उन चीजों पर बढ़ा टैक्स आज तक वापस नहीं लिया। खाद के दाम के बारे में माननीय सदस्य चिल्लाते रहे, लेकिन आपने आज तक उस पर कुछ नहीं बोले कि आप खाद के दाम घटायेंगे या नहीं घटायेंगे। बल्कि आप दाम बढ़ाते जा रहे हैं। आपने पोटाश, य़ूरिया और डी.ए.पी. के दाम बढ़ा दिये और लगातार बढ़ाते जा रहे हैं।

सभापति महोदय, आज किसानों की क्या हालत है। उन्हें बिजली नहीं मिल रही है, मिट्टी का तेल नहीं मिल रहा है। गांवों में मिट्टी का तेल साढ़े दस रुपये प्रति लीटर बिक रहा है। यदि गरीब के यहां कोई मेहमान आ जाए तो उसे आज गांवों में चीनी १४ से १५ रुपये प्रति किलो खरीदनी पड़ रही है। मैं माननीय सदस्यों से पूछना चाहता हूं कि जो गांवों में रहने वाले लोग हैं, वे बता दें कि जो गरीब आदमी गांव में रहता है, जिसके पास एक-दो बीघा जमीन है, जो मजदूरी करता है या शहरों में लेबर का काम करता है, वह किस तरह अपने यहां आने वाले अतथियों के लिए १४-१५ रुपये किलो के हिसाब से चीनी खरीद सकता है। मिट्टी का तेल आज साढ़े दस रुपये प्रति लीटर बिक रहा है। गरीब आदमी किस तरह अपने बच्चों को भोजन करायेगा। बिजली गायब है। खाद के दाम आपने बढ़ा दिये, इसके अलावा जब उसकी गेहूं की फसल तैयार होगी तो उसकी सिंचाई के लिए ५०-६० रुपये प्रति घंटे के हिसाब से टयूबवैल चलेगा। उसे ६० रुपये प्रति घंटा सिंचाई के लिए टयूबवैल का देना पड़ता है। इसी तरीके से ट्रैक्टर से खेतों की जुताई होती है। उसे १०० रुपये से १५० रुपये प्रति घंटा जुताई के लिए ट्रैक्टर का किराया देना पड़ता है। आज किसान पूरे देश में गेहूं की मढ़ाई कर रहा है, लेकिन उसके पास बिजली नहीं है। डीजल के दाम आपने २० रुपये प्रति लीटर कर दिये हैं। आप गांवों में ट्रेन से जाते होंगे तो देखते होंगे कि गांव का किसान ट्रैक्टर किराये पर लेकर भरी दोपहर में अपनी पत्नी और बच्चों के साथ खेतों की मढ़ाई कर रहा है, जबकि डीजल का दाम २० रुपये प्रति लीटर cè[R62] ।आप सोचें कि वह किस तरीके से जीवन जी रहा है। जब उसका गेहूं तैयार होगा तो वह ६२५ रुपये में भी नहीं खरीदा जाएगा। फिर मजबूर होकर ४२५ रुपये में या ५०० रुपये में उसको बेचना पड़ेगा। अभी सुना है कि कानपुर में २०० क्िंवटल गेहूं कोई विदेशी प्राइवेट कंपनी ने खरीद लिया लेकिन सरकार के जो क्रय केन्द्र हैं उसमें एक भी किसान अपना गेहूं बेचने के लिए नहीं गया क्योंकि उन्हें पैसा नहीं मिलेगा। वहां बिचौलियों के माध्यम से गेहूं खरीदने का काम किया जा रहा है। यह सरकार कौन से काम गांवों के लिए कर रही है?

इसी तरह से बेरोज़गारी की समस्या है। गांवों के नौजवान अपने मां-बाप की कमाई से किसी तरह बी.ए. और एम.ए. तक पढ़ लेते हैं लेकिन उसके बाद बेकार टहल रहे हैं। यहां तक कि एम.बी.बी.एस. किए हुए लड़कों को भी नौकरी नहीं मिल रही है। जगह-जगह वे बेकार घूम रहे हैं और सरकार कहती है कि हम जयप्रकाश रोज़गार योजना शुरू करने जा रहे हैं, हम सुनिश्चित रोज़गार योजना शुरू करने जा रहे हैं। हम पूछना चाहते हैं कि जब प्रधान मंत्री जी कहते हैं कि १ करोड़ लोगों को रोज़गार देंगे। आज चार साल हो गए, कितने पढ़े-लिखे नौजवानों को आपने नौकरी देने का काम किया है, कितने लोगों को नौकरी मिली है? एक तरफ आप कहते हैं कि रोज़गार देंगे … ( BªÉ´ÉvÉÉxÉ) ºÉ£ÉÉ{ÉÉÊiÉ àÉcÉänªÉ : कृपया वित्त विधेयक को संदर्भित करते हुए बोलें।

gÉÉÒ vÉàÉÇ ®ÉVÉ ÉËºÉc {É]äãÉ : सरकार एक तरफ रोज़गार की बात करती है और दूसरी तरफ आदमी बेरोज़गार टहल रहे हैं। सिन्हा जी भी मंत्री कब तक रहेंगे - साल, दो साल या चार साल। इसलिए ऐसा कुछ कर जाइए कि आपका भी नाम हो जाए, ऐसा कुछ करिये कि किसान आपकी वाहवाही करे। बड़े-बड़े पूंजीपति और अरबपति जो बैठे हैं, जिस दिन आपकी सरकार जाने लगेगी, आपको पूछेंगे भी नहीं, आपसे बात नहीं करेंगे, कोई नहीं पूछेगा। इसलिए मैं कहना चाहता हूँ कि जो गरीबों के हित में काम करेगा, उसी की पूछ होगी। इसलिए गरीबों और गांवों में रहने वाले किसान, मजदूरों के लिए बजट लाइए। आपने कहा कि जन सुरक्षा बीमा चलाएंगे। मैं कहना चाहता हूँ कि गांवों में किसान का गेहूं रखा हुआ है और चारों ओर आग लग रही है। गेहूं की फसल आई है, मटर और चना की फसल आई है और चारों ओर आग लग रही है। उस आग में किसान जल रहा है, तबाह हो रहा है। उसकी गाढ़ी कमाई आग की चपेट में जा रही है। आपने कौन सी सुरक्षा व्यवस्था उसे दी है? आप कहते हैं कि जन सुरक्षा बीमा ला रहे हैं।

MR. CHAIRMAN : Please conclude now. We are not debating the Annual Budget; we are debating the Finance Bill.

gÉÉÒ vÉàÉÇ ®ÉVÉ ÉËºÉc {É]äãÉ : मैं कहना चाहता हूँ कि पूरे देश के किसानों के लिए, उनकी फसलों की सुरक्षा के लिए आप ऐसा बीमा करिये और सरकार उसका पूरा बीमा करे जिससे जितने भी देश के किसान हैं, उनकी फसल सुरक्षित रह सके। इसी तरह से जो गरीब तबके के लोग हैं, रिक्शा चालक हैं, उनके लिए पूरा बीमा प्रीमियम सरकार जमा करे ताकि अगर वे किसी दुर्घटना का शिकार हो जाएं या बीमार हो जाएं तो केन्द्र सरकार से उनको पैसा मिले। बड़ी-बड़ी कार जो लोग रोज़ बदलते हैं, हम किसी नेता का नाम नहीं लेना चाहते, लेकिन हमारे यहां भी ५ प्रतिशत नेता ऐसे हैं जो रोज़ कार बदलते होंगे, जिनके पास रुपयों की खान है, जो रोज बंगले खरीदते हैं, उन पर भी आप टैक्स लगाइए , उनसे पैसा वसूल किया जाए, इस तरह का बजट आप बनाइए।

अंतिम बात मैं कहना चाहता हूँ कि सांसद विकास नधि की राशि बहुत कम है। यह हमारे लिए मुसीबत बन गई है। जब हम क्षेत्र में जाते हैं तो हमारे लिए वहां चलना मुश्किल हो गया है, लोगों से बात करना मुश्किल हो गया है। इसलिए मैं कहना चाहता हूँ कि या तो आप सांसद विकास नधि की राशि बढ़ाएं या इस स्कीम को ही वापस ले लें। इन्हीं शब्दों के साथ मैं अपनी बात समाप्त करता हूँ।

gÉÉÒ nä´Éäxp |ÉºÉÉn ªÉÉn´É (ZÉÆZÉÉ®{ÉÖ®) : सभापति महोदय, वित्त विधेयक पर मैं संक्षेप में केवल दो बिन्दुओं के माध्यम से अपनी बात रखना चाहता हूं। मिट्टी के तेल के दाम मे जो बढ़ोत्तरी हुई है, उसके बारे में शुरू में भी हमारे कई घटक दलों के सांसदों ने भी अनुरोध किया था कि इस बढ़ी हुई कीमत को वापस लिया जाए। वित्त मंत्री जी, मिट्टी के तेल का उपयोग समाज का अंतिम व्यक्ति करता है जिसके लिए आजादी के प्रारंभ से अब तक, ५३ वर्षों में अनेक योजनाएं, अन्त्योदय के नाम से चलती रही हैं, लेकिन लास्ट मैन आफ दि सोसायटी, जिसके पास पहले ही मिट्टी के तेल को खरीदने की शक्ति कम है, जो अपना खाना बनाने के लिए मिट्टी के तेल का प्रयोग करता है, जो पहाड़ों में, वनों में और दूरदराज के क्षेत्रों में रहता है, ऐसे आदिवासी लोग, जो गरीबी रेखा के नीचे रहने वाले हैं, उनके इस्तेमाल करने के मिट्टी के तेल के ऊपर दाम बढ़ाने का काम आपने किया है। गांवों में बिजली तो है ही नहीं, रोशनी करने का काम भी गरीब लोग मिट्टी के तेल से ही करते हैं। ऐसी गरीब के इस्तेमाल की चीज के दाम आपने क्यों बढ़ाए, यह मेरी समझ में नहीं आ रहा है। मैं समझ नहीं पा रहा हूं कि वित्त मंत्री जी का नजरिया क्या है। मैं चाहता हूं कि सरकार को अपना नजरिया स्पष्ट करना चाहिए।

सभापति जी, जो गरीबी रेखा के नीचे रहने वाले लोग हैं, उनकी परचेजिंग कैपेसिटी तो पहले से ही बहुत कम है। आज वे बाजार में १० रुपए प्रति लीटर मिट्टी का तेल खरीदने की स्थिति में नहीं हैं। उनकी हालत बहुत खराब है। वे ५ रुपए और १० रुपए के लिए बेगार करते हैं। उनकी कोई आय नहीं है, वे गरीबी की रेखा के नीचे रहते हैं। ऐसे लोगों के इस्तेमाल की चीज के दाम आपने क्यों बढ़ाए ?

महोदय, कहा जाता है कि लोकप्रियता और वित्त मंत्री, इन दोनों में विरोधाभास है। मंत्री जी अच्छा काम कर रहे हैं। प्लानिंग कमीशन के आंकड़ों के हिसाब से बताया गया कि देश में २६ प्रतिशत गरीबी है। मैं दावे के साथ कह सकता हूं कि देश में ३६ से ३७ प्रतिशत गरीब लोग हैं। जो आंकड़े योजना आयोग द्वारा दिए गए हैं, वह सब आंकड़ों की जादूगरी है। इस प्रकार के आंकड़े देकर देश में भ्रम पैदा नहीं किया जा सकता। जो विशेष रूप से रिमोट एरियाज में, पिछड़े क्षेत्रों में, सुदूर देहाती इलाकों में, पहाड़ी में रहते हैं, वे लोग मिट्टी के तेल का इस्तेमाल खाना बनाने एवं घर में रोशनी करने के लिए करते हैं। ऐसे इलाके के लोग जो आजादी के ५३ वर्षों के बाद भी आजादी के मकसद को समझ नहीं पाए, क्योंकि न तो वहां सड़क पहुंची है और न बिजली और न ही आधुनिक जीवन की अन्य सुख-सुविधाएं, वे लोग इसका ज्यादा इस्तेमाल करते हैं। इसलिए वित्त मंत्री जी, मेरा आपसे निवेदन है कि मिट्टी के तेल के पहले वाले दाम कर दीजिए। इसमें आपको जिद करने की जरूरत नहीं है।

सभापति महोदय, वित्त मंत्री जी ने कुछ राहत देने की कोशिश की है, लेकिन एक कठिनाई है, जब समय व्यतीत हो जाता है, तब बात को समझते हैं। बजट बनाते समय ही अगर ऐसी बातों पर गंभीरता से विचार कर लिया जाए, ऐसी चीजों के दाम बढ़ाने से पहले, बजट बनाते समय, उसके परिणाम, उसके प्रोज और कौंस के बारे में विचार कर लिया जाए, पापुलेशन, ए.पी.एल. और बी.पी.एल. आदि के बारे में यदि सोच लिया जाए, तो अच्छा रहता है। पिछली बार अनाज के ऑफ-टेक की समस्या पैदा हो गई। फिर एक एक्सपेंडीचर कमीशन बनाया गया। उसके बाद पांच महीने हो गए, समस्या का समाधान नहीं हुआ और इसी बीच आफ टेक रुक गया और देश में डॉमैस्टिक भंडारण की क्षमता पूर्ण हो गई और संपूर्ण देश में अनाज के भंडारण की एक समस्या पैदा हो गई। मैं कहना चाहता हूं कि जब समस्या पैदा हो जाती है, तब उसके निवारण का उपाय किया जाता है। पहले से ही उसके बारे में विचार क्यों नहीं किया जाता। एक दीर्घकालीन योजना बनाकर क्यों उसे प्लैन नहीं किया जाता ताकि बार-बार होने वाली परेशानी से मुक्ति मिल सके। इसलिए मैं आपसे निवेदन करना चाहता हूं कि मिट्टी के तेल के मामले में आप बिलकुल रोल-बैक कीजिए। यानी जो दाम आपने बढ़ाए हैं, उन्हें पहले जितना कर दीजिए।

सभापति महोदय, दूसरी बात मैं किसानों और गांवों के बारे में कहना चाहता हूं। आज किसान और गांव गरीबी के पर्यायवाची बन गए हैं। आप किसान कह दीजिए, फिर गरीब कहने की जरूरत नहीं है। किसान का मतलब गरीब ही है। इसी प्रकार गांव कह दीजिए, फिर गरीब कहने की जरूरत नहीं। गांव कहते ही यह आभास हो जाता है कि वह गरीब है। उसे गरीब कहने की जरूरत नहीं है। इसलिए मैं निवेदन करना चाहता हूं कि आपने फर्टीलाइजर, यूरिया के दामों में जो भी बढ़ोत्तरी की है, उसे वापस लें। अमरीका का गेहूं संपूर्ण दुनियां में पी.एल.४८० के नाम से मशहूर हो गया। आज हमारे देश में ६१० लाख मीटि्रक टन अनाज का भंडार है। आप सब जगह इस बात को बोलते थकते नहीं हैं। चाहे कोई अवसर हो, चाहे बजट हो या कोई और मौका, अपने भाषण में आप कहते हैं कि हमारे देश में ६१० लाख टन अनाज का भंडार है। आपने कभी यह सोचा कि यह भंडार किन की बदौलत है। यह किसान है जिसने इतना अनाज इस देश में पैदा किया कि आपके भंडारों में ६१० मलियन मीटि्रक टन अनाज भर दिया। इस पर आप फख्र करते हैं और गर्व करते हैं तथा कहते हैं कि आज हम ऐसी स्थिति में हो गए हैं कि डॉमैस्टिक जरूरत के अतरिक्त अनाज को हम निर्यात करने की स्थिति में cé[rpm63] ।

यह किसान की मेहनत और परिश्रम के बदौलत है। आज किसान फटेहाल है। आज किसान आधा पेट भरकर ही अपना गुजारा कर रहा है। जो किसान समूचे देश को अनाज खिलाता है, जिस किसान का बेटा सरहद पर, सीमा पर देश की रक्षा करता है, उस किसान के पेट पर आप फर्टिलाइजर के दाम बढ़ाकर लात मार रहे हैं। यह बहुत ही गंभीर बात है। मेरा कहना है कि इस पर विचार किया जाये। हम समझ रहे हैं कि आप आर्थिक स्थिति पर पूरे नाप-तौल करते होंगे। इसके अतरिक्त आर्थिक सुद्ृढ़ीकरण का भी दबाव होगा। विदेशी फर्टिलाइजर सस्ता होगा और हमारे यहां फर्टिलाइजर महंगा हो जायेगा तो कैसे काम चलेगा ?

इस तरह से लेपटॉप और कम्प्यूटर सस्ता होगा । यदि आप मोबाइल का रेट ५० टका बढ़ा दें तब भी वे लोग मोबाइल चलायेंगे क्योंकि उनकी आर्थिक दशा बदलती रहती है इसलिए उनको इससे कोई फर्क नहीं पड़ेगा। लेकिन किसान के फर्टिलाइजर का दाम अगर आपने पांच परसेंट भी बढ़ा दिया तो उसका असर उस पर पड़ेगा। किसान अपने खेत में फर्टिलाइजर नहीं डाल पायेगा। जिस तरह से उत्पादन बढ़ाने की जरूरत है, राष्ट्रीय उत्पादन बढ़ाने पर जोर दिया जा रहा है, वह उतना उत्पादन नहीं बढ़ा पायेगा। इकनोमिक सर्वे ऑफ इंडिया से, पिछले साल यह ट्रेंड घट गया था तब बड़ी चिन्ता हुई थी। यह सोचा गया कि फिर से कैसे ट्रेंड बदला जाये। इकनोमिक सर्वे ऑफ इंडिया में ठीक से डाला गया है या नहीं लेकिन वह ठीक है और उत्पादन बढ़ रहा है। जब किसान की जरूरत की चीजें जैसे खाद, फर्टिलाइजर, पानी आदि सब महंगे हो जायेंगे तो किसान के उत्पादन पर इसका प्रतिकूल असर पडेगा। इसलिए हम आपसे निवेदन करना चाहते हैं कि कम से कम किसान की जान बख्श दी जाये क्योंकि किसान ही एक ऐसा समुदाय है, एक ऐसा वर्ग है जो अपने टारगेट को पूरा करता है। इंजीनियर रोड बनाता है तो १० किलोमीटर के बदले सात किलोमीटर ही रोड बनाकर अपना बिल वाउचर पूरा कर लेता है। मैं केवल इंजीनियर की ही बात नहीं कर रहा हूं। सभी वर्गों को चोरी करने की छूट है लेकिन अगर किसान को पांच कट्ठे में अनाज लगाना है तो उसे पांच कट्ठे में ही हल चलाना पड़ेगा, ट्रेक्टर चलाना पड़ेगा और उन्नत किस्म के बीज डालने पड़ेंगे, खाद डालनी पड़ेगी और सुपरविजन ऑफ लेबर भी करना पड़ेगा। इस तरह से इतनी मेहनत करके जो देश के लिए अनाज पैदा करता है, उसके पेट पर आप लात मार रहे हैं। उसकी खाद का दाम बढ़ा रहे हैं। यह हमको उचित नहीं लगता है। इसलिए हम अपनी भावना को यहां व्यक्त कर रहे हैं कि किसानों को परेशान न किया जाये।

चूंकि वक्त नहीं है और माननीय वित्त मंत्री जी भी इस पर अपनी राय रखेंगे इसलिए मैं एक अंतिम बिंदू कहकर अपनी बात समाप्त करता हूं। मेरा कहना है कि माननीय वित्त मंत्री जी इस पर गंभीरता से विचार करेंगे और किसान के फर्टिलाइजर के दाम में आपने जो बढ़ोत्तरी की है, उसको जरूर वापिस लेंगे। मेरा अंतिम बिन्दु यह है कि डब्ल्यू.टी.ओ. में १ अप्रैल २००१ से क्वांटिटेटिव रिस्ट्रक्शन लगाये गये हैं। हमारे अपने देश में गेहूं का समर्थन मूल्य ६२० रुपये प्रति क्िंवटल निर्धारित किया गया है जबकि बाहर के गेहूं का अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय मूल्य इससे कम है। अंतर्राष्ट्रीय मार्केट में गेहूं का दाम ४०० या ४५० रुपये प्रति क्िंवटल है। इसके कारण बाहर का अनाज हिन्दुस्तान में डम्प हो जायेगा क्योंकि आप इम्पोर्ट डयूटी नहीं बढ़ायेंगे। भारत विदेशी अनाज का डम्िंपग ग्राउंड बन जायेगा इसलिए मैं निवेदन करना चाहता हूं कि कम से कम आप किसान को बचा लीजिए। विदेशी अऩाज जो मात्रात्मक प्रतिबंध के हटने के चलते हिन्दुस्तान में डम्प होने वाला है, काउंटरवेली डयूटी या टैक्स बढ़ाकर जिसके बारे में आपने पहले भी कहा था कि हम इस पर विचार करेंगे। पिछली बार कहा गया था कि यह बहुत संवेदनशील मामला है। हिन्दुस्तान का कृषि उत्पादन कैसे संरक्षित रहे, इसके लिए सरकार समय समय पर मौनीटर करेगी, क्लोज मौनीटर करेगी। इसके लिए सरकार ने वायदा किया था और हम सरकार को वह वायदा याद दिला रहे हैं कि इस पर काउंटरवेली डयूटी बैठाकर बाहर के अनाज के लिए भारत को डम्िंपग ग्राउंड न बना दिये जाये।

इन्हीं शब्दों के साथ मैं अपनी बात समाप्त करता हूं।

ºÉ£ÉÉ{ÉÉÊiÉ àÉcÉänªÉ : आठवले जी, BÉßE{ÉªÉÉ +ÉÉ{É ºÉÆFÉä{É àÉå ¤ÉÉäãÉå BÉDªÉÉåÉÊBÉE càÉBÉEÉä ºÉàÉªÉÉ´ÉÉÊvÉ àÉå <ºÉä {ÉÚ®É BÉE®xÉÉ cè* àÉÉxÉxÉÉÒªÉ ÉÊ´ÉkÉ àÉÆjÉÉÒ VÉÉÒ BÉEÉä =kÉ® £ÉÉÒ näxÉÉ cè +ÉÉè® ºÉÆ¶ÉÉävÉxÉÉå BÉEÉä £ÉÉÒ BÉE®xÉÉ cè* श्री रामदास आठवले (पंढरपुर) : सभापति महोदय, बजट के बाद फाइनैंस बिल पर बहुत गंभीरता से चर्चा हो रही है। … ( व्यवधान) मुझे खुशी है कि हर माननीय सदस्य देश की गरीबी हटाने के बारे में बात कर रहा है। हम सुन कर आए हैं कि ये गरीबी हटाने की बात करते हैं लेकिन जब तक सरकार इस बारे में विचार नहीं करेगी, तब तक गरीबी हटने वाली नहीं है। हमारे वित्त मंत्री जी अच्छे हैं। … ( BªÉ´ÉvÉÉxÉ) यशवंत सिन्हा जी, यह बजट पेश करके आपने सारे देश को दे दिया है धक्का, यशवंत सिन्हा जी ने अपना मंत्रालय अभी कर दिया है पक्का, आपने बजट में महंगाई बढ़ाने का काम बहुत अच्छा किया है, बड़ी होशियारी से आपने गरीबों से बदला लिया है।

हमारा इतना ही कहना है कि यदि गांवों में रहने वाले किसान या खेत मजदूरों को गरीबी रेखा से ऊपर उठाना है तो बजट का केन्द्र बिन्दु नीचे का आदमी होना चाहिए। … ( BªÉ´ÉvÉÉxÉ) ºÉ£ÉÉ{ÉÉÊiÉ àÉcÉänªÉ : +É¤É ºÉàÉÉ{iÉ BÉEÉÒÉÊVÉA* gÉÉÒ ®ÉàÉnÉºÉ +ÉÉ~´ÉãÉä : मैं गरीबों के बारे में बात कर रहा हूं, आप कह रहे हैं कि समाप्त कीजिए।

ºÉ£ÉÉ{ÉÉÊiÉ àÉcÉänªÉ : àÉé BÉEc ®cÉ cÚÆ ÉÊBÉE +ÉÉ{É SÉäªÉ® BÉEÉä AäbÅèºÉ BÉEÉÒÉÊVÉA, <vÉ®-=vÉ® àÉiÉ näÉÊJÉA* श्री रामदास आठवले : मैं इधर-उधर की बात करूंगा तो अगली बार चुन कर नहीं आऊंगा। मैं ज्यादा समय नहीं लूंगा। बजट के बारे में हमारा इतना ही कहना है कि इस वर्ष का टोटल बजट ४ लाख १० हजार ३०९ करोड़ रुपये का है। प्लान बजट १ लाख १३ हजार ५०० करोड़ का है और नान-प्लान २ लाख ९६ हजार ८०९ करोड़ है। मेरा कहना है कि प्लान का बजट ज्यादा होना चाहिए और नान-प्लान का कम होना चाहिए। आप इस बारे में क्या सोचते हैं, यह मुझे मालूम नहीं है। यदि नान-प्लानिंग ज्यादा होगी तो बजट पर इसका परिणाम होता है। इसलिए यदि आप अगली बार रहेंगे तो हमारा निवेदन है … ( व्यवधान)

कल क्या होता है, देखते हैं। पासवान जी ने रिज़ाइन कर दिया है और किस-किस का नम्बर लगने वाला है, मुझे मालूम नहीं है। आपको इसके बारे में गंभीरता से विचार करने की आवश्यकता है।

यादव जी ने बताया कि मिट्टी के तेल के दाम कम होने की आवश्यकता है। मिट्टी के तेल के दाम जो डेढ़ रुपये बढ़ाए हैं, उसे कम करने की आवश्यकता है। यदि एकदम डेढ़ रुपये बढ़ाएंगे तो आपकी हालत बहुत बुरी हो जाएगी। मिट्टी का तेल झुग्गी-झोंपड़ी में रहने वाले लोग खरीदते हैं। डीजल का दाम कम से कम ५ या ७ रुपये कम करने की आवश्यकता है। मेरा निवेदन है कि डीजल का जो पर लीटर दाम २० रुपये किया है, उसे १० रुपये कम करने की आवश्यकता है। यशवंत सिन्हा जी, इधर सुनिए।… ( BªÉ´ÉvÉÉxÉ) मैं समाप्त कर रहा हूं। … ( व्यवधान) क्या आपने बंद कर दिया cè[R64] ?

19.00 hrs. डीजल का जो अभी २० रुपए प्रति लिटर का भाव है, उसको घटाकर दस रुपए करना चाहिए। इसी तरह से पेट्रोल जो २६ रुपए प्रति लिटर है, उसको भी कम करके २० रुपए करने की आवश्यकता है। अगर आपको महंगाई कम करनी है, तो ये दाम कम करने पड़ेंगे। वित्त मंत्री जी को इस पर विचार करने की आवश्यकता है। मुझे विश्वास है कि आप इस पर जरूर विचार करेंगे।

जो वित्त विधेयक पेश किया गया है, उसका समर्थन नहीं कर सकता। जब वक्त आएगा तो हम समर्थन करेंगे। अगर कल आप लोग हमें सपोर्ट करेंगे तो हम आपको सपोर्ट करेंगे। आपको गरीबों के लिए काम करने की आवश्यकता है। यह काम आप करेंगे, ऐसा मुझे विश्वास है। अभी हम वित्त विधेयक का समर्थन नहीं करेंगे, जब हमारी सरकार आएगी, तब हम समर्थन करेंगे।

सभापति महोदय, मैं सरकार हटाने की बात नहीं कर रहा हूं, लेकिन ये खुद हटना चाहते हैं तो मैं क्या कर सकता हूं। कल भी हम सरकार को हराना नहीं चाहते, लेकिन हम गुजरात पर चर्चा करेंगे। उस पर आपको भी सोचने की आवश्यकता है। सरकार को हटाना हमारा काम नहीं है, लेकिन आप जब तक मोदी को नहीं हटाएंगे, तब तक हम यह कहते रहेंगे। आपको गरीबों के हित में काम करना चाहिए। इतना ही कहकर मैं अपनी बात समाप्त करता हूं।

gÉÉÒ c®ÉÒ£ÉÉ>ó ¶ÉÆBÉE® àÉcÉãÉä (àÉÉãÉäMÉÉÆ´É) :सभापति महोदय, आज वित्त विधेयक को आखिरी रूप देने के लिए सदन में बहस हो रही है। आपने मुझे बोलने का समय दिया, उसके लिए मैं आपका आभारी हूं। इरीगेशन, कम्यूनिकेशन, एजुकेशन, बिजली, गरीबी और बेरोजगारी कम करना और देश की रक्षा करना, यह अर्थ विभाग का महत्वपूर्ण काम है। इसके लिए अधिक से अधिक रकम देनी चाहिए। रक्षा के लिए जो आपने अधिक धन का प्रावधान किया है, उसके लिए हम वित्त मंत्री जी के आभारी हैं। इसके साथ ही मैं यह भी कहना चाहता हूं कि वाह रे सरकार तेरा खेल, सस्ती शराब और महंगा मिट्टी का तेल। जो बातें माननीय सदस्यों ने यहां उठाई हैं, उनको मैं दोहराना नहीं चाहता। आपने आदिम जाति के लिए सिर्फ ३६० करोड़ रुपए का प्रावधान किया है, जबकि उनकी आबादी करीब सात करोड़ है। यह राशि बहुत कम है। जैसे महाराष्ट्र में कमजोर वर्ग और आदिम जाति के लिए ९०० करोड़ रुपए का प्रावधान किया गया है, उसी हिसाब से यहां भी करना चाहिए।

सभापति जी, आपको बिजली के बारे में पता ही है। यहां संसद में भी बिजली चली जाती है। इसलिए हमें सौर ऊर्जा के बारे में ज्यादा से ज्यादा सोचना चाहिए। मैं कई क्षेत्रों में गया, आबू भी गया था, वहां सौर ऊर्जा का प्रयोग किया जाता है। इसलिए हमें इसकी तरफ ध्यान देकर अधिक ग्रांट देनी चाहिए। पीने के पानी की बहुत समस्या है। आदिम जाति के लोग बहुत पिछड़े हुए हैं और कठिन परिस्थितियों में रह रहे हैं। जहां नल योजना द्वारा पानी दिया जाता है, उसमें भारत सरकार दस प्रतिशत टैक्स लेती है। मेरी आपसे विनती है कि इस दस प्रतिशत टैक्स को कम करना चाहिए।

जहां तक कृषि का सवाल है, देश के आत्मसम्मान का सवाल है, अन्यान्य विभागों में कृषि से सम्बन्धित योजनाएं हैं, सरकार को उन पर ज्यादा से ज्यादा ध्यान देने की जरूरत है। यही मेरी आपसे विनती है।

आपने मुझे समय दिया उसके आपको धन्यवाद।

SHRIMATI KUMUDINI PATNAIK (ASKA): Mr. Chairman, Sir, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to take part in this discussion on the Finance Bill, 2002.

It is well known that the Money Bill of the Government of India should not be one for the Central Government at New Delhi alone, but should be for the nation as a whole and should address all the problems of the country.

While discussing on the Money Bill moved by the hon. Finance Minister, it is necessary to appreciate the backdrop of high expectations of not only the Central Government, but also the whole nation, including the poor States like Orissa. It is, perhaps not appropriate to be satisfied that the G.D.P. growth in the post-reform period has improved in the Eighth and Ninth Plan periods of the country as a whole, but it should also be taken into account as to how the budgetary measures taken by the Government of India has also infused some fast-growing tendencies like other 10 developed countries for which India is proud of in the growth process of poor States.

The growth of literacy has increased from 52 per cent in 1991 to 65 per cent in 2001 at All India average level while in Orissa it is at the level of 49.09 per cent. Overall female literacy in the State of Orissa is 34.68 per cent even with percentage of record is at such a low level of 9.01 per cent in the far-flung district of Orissa like Nowrangpur and 11.6 per cent in the district like Malkangiri which are located in tribal-dominated tracts of the State.

While it is propounded in the Approach Paper of the 10 th Five-Year Plan that the infant mortality rate of the nation is stagnated at 72 per 1000, for the last several years the infant mortality rate is 96 per 1000 in Orissa. Similarly, while the percentage of drop-outs in the primary education is 36.32 per cent at the national level, are we to be proud of to stagnate at 52.54 per cent in Orissa with all the efforts of the State Government? The population of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes combined together constitute 38.41 per cent of Orissa's population as compared to the All India level of 24.34 per cent.

There have been no perceptible increase in the productivity of rice, the principal crop in a predominantly agrarian State like Orissa, the yield rate being 13.7 quintal per hectare compared to the All India level of 18.6 quintal per hectare, leave aside the yield rate of 31.3 quintals in States like Punjab. The per capita income of the State of Orissa is far below the national average and the gap is widening further over the years while the gap was 316 in 1981-82, the gap has increased almost five-folds in 2000-01.

The dependence of agriculture on monsoon is as high as 70.10 per cent in Orissa, while the Government of India has not come up with a single national irrigation project in Orissa. Though agriculture in Orissa is heavily damaged by natural calamities like flood and drought every alternate year, the Government of India has not provided for another multi-purpose dam over river Mahanadi for irrigation and flood control even after the Prime Minister's announcement. Even if Orissa is in debt trap and suffered from natural calamities like Super Cyclone, severe drought and unprecedented flood consecutively for three years from 1999 to 2001, the Government of India has not responded to the request of the State Government for moratorium of the loan and waiver of interest.

Though the Approach Paper of the 10th Five Year Plan has stressed for responding to the growing impatience at the face of the large number of our population continuing to live in abject poverty, still there are alarming gaps in our social attainments even after five decades of planning[k65] .

The Tenth Plan has postulated to strengthen our work by avoiding repetition of the past failures and accordingly stressed the need to modify policies and institutions, based on past experience, keeping in mind the changes that have taken place in the Indian economy, and urged to drop a reform plan instead of a resource plan. But the Finance Bill has not even attempted to address it.

Mr. Chairman, Sir, though poor States, like Orissa, are expecting a lot in the budgetary exercise at the Centre, the Budget presented by the hon. Union Minister of Finance has not even attempted to address the weaknesses that have emerged during the last five decades for the poor States. The Prime Minister has directed the Planning Commission to examine the feasibility of doubling the per capita income in the next 10 years whereby the rate of growth of GDP is to be fixed at around 8.7 per cent. There is no whisper of Central assistance to the poor States to rise up to meet this additional requirement neither in the Budget proposals for the current year nor in the Money Bill, thereby indicating the long-standing neglect of infrastructural development right from the British days till date. Perhaps, the Union Minister of Finance is aware that the contribution of the industrial sector to NSDP in Orissa has stagnated at 10 to 11 per cent in the last two decades even though Orissa is rich in terms of mineral wealth in the whole country. Lack of communication and railway infrastructure, etc., have rendered the task of developing the State extremely difficult. There is no attempt in this Money Bill to come to the rescue of the State Government in these sectors though they belong to the Central Government. The increase in the per capita gap of the State and all-India average and development of the poor States, like Orissa, necessitate substantial investment. Due to various structural deficiencies in the country, the State is not able to arrange the required resources to take up developmental activities on adequate scale to raise the per capita income.

The development of a nation cannot be confined only by laying stress on the border areas and thereby benefiting the border States alone - ignoring the development of the human resource - that are below the poverty line in non- border States. Unfortunately, a traditional opinion continues in the minds of successive Governments that the border States alone are deserving to avail of the benefits of Special Category States at the cost of other poor States whose population is in abject poverty. Supporting the cause of the border States, with all their security risks and likely hazards, is not opposed by me. But it should not be at the cost of the poor States, especially the poorest States of the country.

I want to present before you a comparative picture of the socio-economic indicators of Special Category States for the appreciation of the hon. Members of this august House. The percentage of SC and ST population in Orissa is more than that of the Special Category States of Sikkim, Manipur, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Assam. The percentage of irrigated area is much less than that of Manipur, and Jammu and Kashmir. The percentage of cultivators and agricultural labourers to the total population is more than that of all the Special Category States, except Nagaland.

Earlier, I have mentioned about the poor literacy rate and the percentage of dropouts in primary education. It is much more than that of the Special Category States of Sikkim, Meghalaya, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Assam. The consumption of fertilisers in the shape of kilograms per hectare in Orissa is much less than that of Manipur and Jammu and Kashmir.

As I have stated earlier, as per the 55th survey of the Planning Commission, the percentage of population below the poverty line in Orissa is much more than that of the Special Category States and per capita NSDP at current prices is much less than that of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Jammu and Kashmir. The percapita plan outlay is much less than that of the Special Category States even to the tune of only one-fifth of Special Category States, like Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh.

If Orissa is not declared a Special Category State taking into account all its deficiencies - even much more than that of many Special Category States -, because it is not a border State for the fault of the State Government, which could counter the naxalite menace lest they would have carved out a Special Nation out of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh, it shall have to suffer. If the Central Government is sensitive to declare it the poorest State of the country, that is, Orissa a Special Category State, shall it extend the pattern of loan versus grant at the rate of 10:90 to Orissa for its poverty and loan[R66] ?

If[RS67] it shall not be possible on the part of the Central Government to maintain the equity of development by granting special assistance to poor and undeveloped States like Orissa, then within the parameters of the Constitution of India why not allow the State of Orissa to negotiate for investment by affluent countries for the development of irrigation, industries, etc. for removal of poverty from Orissa?

I hope the Union Finance Minister will, please, reflect these feelings of the people of Orissa in the Finance Bill by making necessary amendments of the Finance Bill presented in the House today. Expecting these insertions in the Finance Bill, I support the Money Bill moved by the hon. Union Finance Minister.

SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSI Sir, before the hon. Finance Minister replies, we would like to know whether it is a fact that the hon. Minister Shri Ram Vilas Paswan has resigned or not. The news is outside the House, but the House does not know. The Treasury Benches can confirm this. Is it not the right of the Members of Parliament to know?… ( Interruptions)

19.16 hrs (Mr. Deputy-Speaker in the Chair) MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Please take your seats.

SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSI : Sir, an hon. Minister has resigned from this Government. The Parliament is on. We would like to know from the Treasury Benches, whether it is a fact or not. It should be confirmed. Should we not know about this? The Government can get up and tell the House about this… ( Interruptions)

THE MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI PRAMOD MAHAJAN): Sir, it is true that the Coal and Mines Minister, Shri Ram Vilas Paswan has resigned. The Prime Minister has accepted his resignation and forwarded it to the President.

THE MINISTER OF FINANCE (SHRI YASHWANT SINHA): Mr. Deputy-Speaker Sir, I am grateful to all the 27 Members, according to my count, who have participated in this discussion on the Finance Bill and have made some very valuable comments and suggestions.

Sir, as the House is aware, we discussed the Budget in three parts. The first part is a General Discussion on the Budget, when we raise issues of general nature connected with the Budget, the economic situation of the country, the strategy of the Budget and all those issues. According to that practice, this House has the occasion to discuss over two days the Budget in General and I also had the opportunity of replying to that debate.

Then, for want of time, the House could take up only one Ministry's Demands for Grants for discussion. That was the Ministry of Agriculture, to which my colleague the hon. Minister for Agriculture had given a reply, after which all the other Demands were put to vote and the Appropriation Bill was passed.

This is the third and final stage of the passing of the Budget, when this House takes up the consideration of the Finance Bill, which is generally a discussion on the taxation proposals contained in the Finance Bill to complete the Budget exercise. But it has been quite natural that hon. Members have used this occasion also, the discussion on the Finance Bill, to raise issues which are of general nature or even of specific nature, but which relate not so much to the financial proposals but to the Budget in general.

SHRI TRILOCHAN KANUNGO : But that was mandatory.

SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: That is provided for in the rules, I am not objecting to it. Shri Kanungo has raised the issue of Orissa finances. For paucity of time, I would like to state in the beginning that many of those issues have been discussed at the time of discussion on General Budget and necessarily one will have to skip some of those issues.

I would, first of all, like to concentrate on the issues contained in the Finance Bill and subject to your permission and the time permitting I will take up other issues. First, is the issue of roll-back. I would like to take up this issue first because there has been much talk of roll-back in this House and more outside this House[RS68] .

Some friends in the media have been very happy to recall that I am a roll-back Minister and true to my image, I have significantly rolled back the proposals in this Budget and I have destroyed the sanctity of not only the budgetary process but also the integrity of the Budget which I had said, “I will take.” Now, I had promised that I would come out with my statement of how these budgetary proposals have been amended. I will not go back into the holy past but I would like to mention here only the decade of 1990s covering the tenure of four Governments and three Finance Ministers. Sir, as you are aware, in the Finance Bill, the Government comes out with new clauses. They are either amendments to the existing clauses or they are new clauses. And the total number of such clauses which are either amendments to the existing clauses or new clauses are a matter of record of every year's Budget, and the amendments subsequently introduced at the time of the consideration of the Finance Bill is also something which is a matter of record.

Now, I have got some calculations made. In 1991, the total number of clauses was 117; the total number of Government amendments were 28; as a percentage of the clauses to amendments at the time of the passage of the Finance Bill, it was 23.93 per cent, almost 24 per cent of the total number of clauses. I am not going into the issue. The fertiliser prices had been raised that year by 40 per cent and subsequently it was rolled back and the increase was limited to only 30 per cent. In the subsequent year, Sir, in 1992, the number of clauses in the Finance Bill was 111; the total number of Government amendments were 61; and the percentage of amendments to clauses, therefore, went up to 55 per cent. In 1997, the clauses were 77; the amendments were 28; and the percentage was 36.36 per cent. In 1998, when I earned this distinction of being a rollback Minister, the clauses were 101; the amendments were 45; and the percentage was 44.55. This year, the total number of clauses is 117; the total number of Government amendments is 24; and the percentage is 20.51. I am giving this comparative figures to suggest where exactly I stand, and then I told outside this House that I would be neither the first Finance Minister nor the last Finance Minister to make changes in the Finance Bill, I was not being far wrong. I have made changes. Every Finance Minister makes changes at the time of the consideration of the Finance Bill. I will hasten to add once again something which I have stated here in this House on the 26th of this month that despite these amendments that Government has suggested, which I have mentioned on the 26th , the integrity of the Budget is intact, the integrity of the Budget has not been eroded, and I am saying this with all the emphasis at my command and the issue of roll back, and the issue whether this is in order or not in order is a judgement which I would like to leave to the House to posterity.

Sir, the other issue which has been raised by some friends in this House is the issue of revenue collections not keeping pace with the budgeted figures. Here again, I went into the figures from the beginning of 1991 and I found that there have been shortfalls in previous regimes also. Compared to the Budget Estimates, even compared to the Revised Estimates, there have been shortfalls both in direct taxes, in excise and in customs. I will not like to take the time of the House in giving the details but it is also an established fact that on many occasions in the past, there have been shortfalls compared to the revenue[r69] .

The point is that when we sit down to prepare the Budget, we make certain projections and it is quite likely that because of events which cannot be anticipated at the time of the preparation of the Budget, our Budget Estimates might go wrong. Sometimes they do. Who could have anticipated that there would be an attack on this Parliament on the 13th of December or an attack on the Jammu and Kashmir Legislature on the 1st of October or that there would be attack on the twin towers on the 11 th of September? These were all unanticipated events. So, there are incidents which take place, which have an impact on the economy, both global and national, and they have an impact on the Budget.

I had an occasion to tell the House that as far as the Budget of last year is concerned, there has been a slippage of fiscal deficit, but the slippage is not on account of any overrun in expenditure. We have been able to compress expenditure by more than Rs.10,000 crore compared to the Budget Estimates. It is on account of the economic condition which prevailed last year that there has been a shortfall in revenue, a quite substantial shortfall of revenue of over Rs.20,000 crore, as a result of which the fiscal deficit went up. And I have come to the conclusion and I would like to share this with the hon. House that in this country we have a mistaken notion of a dream Budget. The mistaken notion of the dream Budget is that you give up taxes. Then, everybody hails you as having presented a dream Budget. Then, subsequently, the same people will say it has become a nightmare. The last dream Budget that I know was the dream Budget of 1997. I was not particularly happy when my Budget of 2001 was described as a dream Budget. On both occasions, my predecessor had given up taxes and reduced tax rates.

Last year, I had given up taxes and on both occasions, I had noticed that while we were hailed for having presented a dream Budget, the revenue of the country, the revenue of the Government took a massive knock. On both occasions, there was substantial fall in revenue and, therefore, in the background of that experience, in the background of the experience of 1997, I decided that this year one should ensure that we keep the fiscal deficit to the minimum, as minimum as possible. I have already gone on record to say that I am not at all happy with the fiscal deficit of 5.3 per cent which I have projected in the Budget. If with the tax concessions which have been given, and as a result if we are not able to compress expenditure, then the fiscal deficit will go up to 5.4 per cent. This is not a situation where I should feel happy; the House should feel happy. This is a serious situation. One thing which is adding to that serious situation, Mr. Deputy-Speaker, Sir, is the issue of a declining tax GDP ratio. Ever since 1989-90, the tax GDP ratio has consistently declined. And I have figures to show how over the last four regimes, as I said, beginning with 1991, the taxes have been brought down. We wanted to be as moderate in the incidence of tax as possible. Therefore, there has been reduction in tax rates.

In 1991, before the then Congress Government came into power, the domestic tax on companies was 50 per cent compared to 35 per cent now. The minimum rate of personal income tax was 20 per cent and the highest rate was 50 per cent. Over a period of time, it has been reduced. I have said it in this House that in the dream Budget of 1997, these rates were rationalized to three rates. They were brought down to 10 per cent, 20 per cent and 30 per cent, and I have continued over my five Budgets these rates. I have not changed the rates. Now what I would like to say is this. There has been a great deal of discussion in this House and outside this House about the impact of the taxation proposals on the 'so-called' middle class[m70] .

I just now mentioned that 20 per cent was the minimum rate in 1991 and 50 per cent was the maximum rate. It continued in 1991-92 and 1992-93. It was only in 1993-94 that the maximum or the peak rate was brought down to 40 per cent and it continued at 40 per cent until the dream Budget of 1997-98, when the peak was brought to 30 per cent and the lower slab was brought to ten per cent. All along, there was a surcharge of 12 per cent. For one or two years, the surcharge was not there but later the surcharge came back. I myself, in 2001-2002, had raised the surcharge to 13 per cent, which I abolished last year and except for the 2 per cent surcharge for the earthquake in Gujarat there was no other surcharge. This year, there has been a small surcharge of five per cent.

Now, I would like to make a small point. When Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal started this discussion in this House, he had said that this five per cent surcharge should not have been there. He said that this five per cent surcharge should not have been levied. … ( Interruptions)

SHRI PAWAN KUMAR BANSAL (CHANDIGARH): I said so because the defences of the country are precariously placed in the hands of the present Minister of Defence. … (Interruptions)

SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: Yes, you had said so and I would have come to that point myself even if you had not reminded me.

When I was presenting my Budget, I said that this five per cent surcharge was a security surcharge for national defence. I made it quite clear that our forces were still mobilised on the border. The whole House knows it; the whole country knows it. It has been a mobilisation of substantial proportions. I had explained that all this costs money. I had also explained that this very modest surcharge of five per cent had not been levied on the lowest slab of ten per cent, that is, on taxable income of Rs.50,000 to Rs.60,000 but only on the higher slabs. Also, for the first time, I have levied it on the foreign companies. I have not even spared the IT companies, which had a tax holiday for ten years. Even there, the ten per cent has been brought and a surcharge has been put there because we in the Government feel that this was a security surcharge that everyone should pay without demur. I am happy because apart from Shri Bansal's objection, I have not heard voices of protest against the five per cent surcharge.

He explains that he raised it because the defences were precariously placed and all that. He is entitled to his opinion but what I would like to say is that national security is an issue that should not become a political issue between the Opposition and the Ruling coalition. It is an issue on which the whole House must stand united. It is an issue where we must be able to send a strong signal to the rest of the world and especially to those who are not very friendly towards us that as far as the national security concerns are concerned, we are all completely united. In fact, I would hasten to add that that was the message, which came out of all the statements of the hon. Leader of the Opposition and the Spokesperson of the Congress Party. It is very welcome. Therefore, I was a little surprised that Shri Bansal raised this issue.

The other point I would like to make is on what has been the effort in tax reforms that we in the five Budgets of this Government have attempted. It has been our endeavour to ensure that the proportion of direct taxes in overall tax collection goes up. I am happy to be informing the House about this because the House is aware that direct tax is more equitable compared to indirect taxes. In indirect taxes, everyone pays whatever we levy, whether he is a poor man or a rich man, a kisan or a worker or an industrialist. Everyone pays the same tax. It is only in direct taxes that we have this equity that the richer pay more, the poorer pay less and the very poor do not pay any tax at all. Therefore, it is the accepted theology of taxation worldover that the proportion of direct tax, as a proportion of total tax, should go up. I am glad to be informing the House that it was in the ratio of 80:20 in 1991[rsg71] .At the beginning of the last decade, the direct tax proportion in total tax was only 20 per cent and the indirect tax proportion was 80 per cent. Now the proportion of direct taxes has gone beyond 40 per cent and the contribution of indirect taxes has declined to less than 60 per cent. This is a very very major development which has taken place and I can claim some credit for the fact that over the last four years, the contribution of direct taxes has gone up. I can claim some credit for the fact that it is as a result of the 1/6 formula that I introduced in 1998. It is as a result of other measures that we have taken, like reporting cash transactions and cash purchases, etc. that the number of returns filed today, as Shri Kirit Somaiya was saying, has gone up to 2,86,00,000 and the number of assessees has gone up to around 2,50,00,000. This has been almost a hundred per cent increase over what we had inherited when we had assumed office in 1998. Therefore, while the effort will continue to be to converge and then overtake by direct taxes the contribution that indirect taxes make, both the rationality of the tax structure and the simplification of the tax structure will continue to be our concern. Here, I would like to say that as far as the indirect taxes are concerned, in excise duty, when I had assumed office in 1998, there were 11 rates. Today, there is only one rate and that rate is 16 per cent. There are only eight items which are outside of 16 per cent rate, apart from textiles, to which I have given a special dispensation in this year's Budget. On eight items alone, we have a special excise duty of another 16 per cent, which adds up to 32 per cent. Otherwise, with great deal of effort, we have been able to converge the rate at 16 per cent and achieve almost the impossible, as far as the excise duty is concerned.

As far as customs duty is concerned, we have compressed the rates to four and I have already announced in this year's Budget that in the next three years, we will have only two rates of ten per cent and 20 per cent. That also is the direction which has been very clearly said.

As far as the direct taxes are concerned, I have not interfered with the rates in order to protect the stability of it. In the last five Budgets, I have let the rates, which were fixed by my predecessor in 1997-98, prevail, except for some minor changes.

Now, what is the direction of future policy? The direction is that we will have to lay stress on better compliance. In future, it will not be as a result of increase in tax rates that we will be able to improve the tax-GDP ratio, we will have to improve the tax-GDP ratio by better compliance. Better compliance will mean better tax administration. We have already taken some very notable steps in that direction by reorganising the CBEC and the CBDT, by computerisation, by making the procedure simple, by making the tax administration as friendly to the assessee as possible, and this will continue to be the direction of our policy in future also so that the tax payer is not scared of the Tax Department, that he regards the tax collector more as a friend than somebody who is out to torment him or harass him, and the interface will be reduced as much as possible through computerisation of the Tax Department. So, this is the overall approach and we will continue to work in that direction. That is the manner in which we would like to improve the tax compliance.

In this year's Budget, as I have already explained, we faced a very difficult fiscal situation and, therefore, it was incumbent to look at exemptions. It is very important to note that when you have moderate rates of tax, then there is no place for exemption. And I said even on the 26th of April, that is, last Friday, that whenever you touch those classes of people who have enjoyed a privilege so far, naturally there is resistance. And this is something which is not unexpected at all[L72] .

Every Finance Minister is facing it and every Finance Minister will face it in future also. You bring something within the tax net, you withdraw an exemption and then you will have to face some resistance. Sometimes we find that the issues raised are of a genuine nature and we respond. Sometimes when we find that the concerned industry or trade or section of population can live with it, we continue with them.

Therefore, as far as taxation is concerned, this is the overall approach that we have adopted and I hope the House will agree with me that this approach is a sound approach and that we can follow this approach even in future.

Now, there are some issues which have been raised specifically. Though they are not related to the Finance Bill, I would like to respond to them and in the course of that I would also respond to some of the issues which have been raised by hon. Members from all sides of the House. The first issue which I would like to take - because, I think, we all need to understand that issue in its right perspective - is the issue of interest rate. It is because that also is a development for which I have been criticised, the Government have been criticised. It has been said that we have been very harsh, especially to the retired class of people who depend on interest income and by reducing the interest by 50 basis points on the administered interest rates we have not been fair to that class of people. Sir, let me state it in the context of history.

The first point which I would like to make is that the rate of inflation today, on a week-to-week basis, is down to 1.25 per cent. Consistently the rate of inflation has been coming down and as the Indian economy is globalising, the House will be, perhaps, interested in knowing that as a result of liberalisation of trade and the removal of Quantitative Restrictions which happened in the industrial sector, there has been hardly any inflation as far as industrial part of manufactured goods are concerned. In India, we have known since the middle of Nineties, only two kinds of inflation. One is inflation relating to agricultural products - if there has been a shortage like onions and tomatoes and potatoes at one point of time or it has been the category of what is called fuel, power, light and lubricants. The inflation in fuel, power, light and lubricants is on account of two reasons. One is if the international prices of crude go up, then we are compelled to raise the prices of petroleum products in this country. That has an impact on the level of inflation in this country. The second is when State Governments, rightly, raise the electricity tariff, then that adds to the inflation. So, we have seen inflation in the category of fuel, power, light and lubricants. We have seen inflation as far as the agricultural produce is concerned. Fortunately, at this point of time none of these two sectors also are contributing to inflationary expectations as a result of which inflation is down to rock bottom.

India can claim for the first time that we have inflation rates which are known around the world which the developed markets used to be proud of. That is the kind of inflation that this country has had. Some friends here have raised the issue of Consumer Price Index. Hon. Member Shri Rupchand Pal said Consumer Price Index is more true of the two and the Consumer Price Index is also around four to five per cent. When we recently gave additional D.A. to our employees, that was calculated on the basis of Consumer Price Index and that is at four per cent. So, this much is on inflation.

Why do we pay a rate of interest on deposits? The rate of interest on deposits is supposed to take care, by and large, of the depreciation of the currency, of the rupee and if the depreciation of the rupee is far less than what it used to be in the past, naturally the rate of interest has to be related to that. That is called the real rate of interest and the world over it is the real rate of interest which is the accepted economic gospel and it is the real rate of interest which determines the competitiveness of economy and, therefore, because the Government is the largest borrower, because we have administered interest rates in this country, we thought deep about it and we thought seriously about it. What is the decision that I have taken in this year's Budget[RB73] ?

The less important decision is that we have reduced the administered rate of interest by 50 basis points, that is, half a percentage point, but the more important thing is that I have said that in future, we shall link it to the Government securities, which are traded in the market, of similar tenure, of similar duration and whatever is the rate of interest that those securities command in the market will be the rate of interest.

Today, the RBI has come out with its monetary policy and they have talked about flexible rates of interest with a six-month reset. They are encouraging the banks that we should go for flexible rates of interest with a six-month reset.

As far as the retired people are concerned, as far as the older people are concerned, I have already announced in this House that we will take care of their concerns by permitting them to deposit their moneys, their savings in the relief bonds of the Government of India, which still carry a tax-free interest rate of eight per cent and that will be without limit. But let me also confide in this House, through you, Sir, that I am aware personally of people depositing amounts like Rs. 2 crore, Rs. 5 crore or Rs. 15 crore in the RBI relief bonds and earning completely tax-free interest and this was something which was not at all warranted by the arrangement that we had and it is for such deposits by high net worth individuals that we have put that ceiling of Rs. 2 lakh, that you will not be able to deposit more than Rs. 2 lakh in a year in RBI relief bonds and you will not be a recipient of what can only be described as `rentier income', that my father left the money and I put it in the relief bonds and I earn doing nothing. I do not think, the House would want such people to flourish in this country, without paying taxes. That is the kind of people that I have tried to bring within the tax net, but I have already covered the senior citizens, the retired people by making the arrangement with that. Therefore, Sir, as far as savings are concerned, this is the issue which I would like to make.

The other issue here is that often apprehensions have been expressed in this House that as a result of reduction in interest rate on national savings and other instruments, we are going to discourage savings. I had, Sir, in this House taken up this issue. In the last debate, I had pointed it out, but it bears repetition that it is not household saving which is coming down. Regarding the household saving the last figure that we have is that in 2000-2001, the household saving was at 20.9 per cent, the highest ever recorded in this country. But overall domestic saving consists of two more elements - one is private sector saving and the other is public sector saving. Private sector saving was at 4.2 per cent which is very reasonable. We would like to push it up, but 4.2 per cent is not bad at all. Where is it that we are getting the beating? Sir, we are getting the beating as far as public sector is concerned because it is not saving; it is indulging in dis-saving. The growth in public sector dis-saving was minus 1.7 per cent and if, therefore, the overall domestic saving rate has come down to 23.4 per cent, it is because of this 1.7 per cent dis-saving. Here, I would like to share this information with the House that Government Administration alone accounts for this dis-saving. What was the figure in 1996-97? The Government dis-saving figure was minus Rs. 31,821 crore. It went up to Rs. 88,618 crore in 1998-99. Sir, just imagine that from Rs. 31,000 crore to Rs. 88,000 crore was the minus Government Administration saving. Why? It was because of Fifth Pay Commission. Quite clearly this represents the impact of the Fifth Pay Commission. Sir, what happened in that crucial year of 1997? In that crucial year of 1997, we gave a bonanza through the Fifth Pay Commission and more to Government employees in the Central Government, in the State Governments, to teachers, to public sector employees and everyone. Everyone became the beneficiary as a result of which our savings declined from minus Rs. 31,000 crore to Rs. 88,000 crore[R74] .

And the other thing that we did was that we came out with our dream Budget. In 1997-98, we gave away tax concessions, but we did not do anything to exemptions. It was left to my unfortunate lot to try and tackle the exemptions, both on the indirect side as well as on the direct side. I have been the recipient of much criticism because I am now trying to tackle exemptions. But they have to be tackled. Sir, I will say with all humility at my command that you cannot have a rational, reasonable tax administration unless you do away with exemptions and, therefore, it will continue to be our policy to see …..

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SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: Sir, employment is the other issue which has been raised and I would like to say that many hon. Members of this House have talked ab out employment generation. Employment is a very important issue. I would like to say on behalf of this Government that we do not want jobless growth; we want employment-oriented growth. That is the policy that we have emphasised repeatedly.

SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : What has happened to creation of one crore jobs?

श्री यशवन्त सिन्हा : जरा धीरज रखिए।

Sir, I will just mention about it. Shri Basu Deb Acharia just asked me about one crore jobs. They keep on saying that the Prime Minister promised one crore jobs. What he promised was not Government jobs; he promised for private sector jobs, employment opportunities. He had promised one crore employment opportunities.

Sir, now, permit me to share a few figures with the House. In these five Budgets that I have presented, we have given a lot of encouragement to the housing sector and I am glad to be informing the House that housing is one sector which, despite the economic slow down, the gloom and doom and all that, has been flourishing year after year. There has been tremendous growth in housing finance because of the concessions that we have given. As far as the interest rate is concerned, I am informed by my banker friends that the rate of interest on housing loans has declined by four percentage points over the last two years. Any young person, who wants to take a loan to build a house today, will get it at 11 or 12 per cent. This is the kind of change which has come about. I had mentioned the figure that over Rs. 26,000 crore was disbursed by the financial agencies by way of housing loan last year. It represented a growth of 30 per cent and it leads to the construction of 2.7 million houses. Now, these 2.7 million houses would generate employment of 13 million man or woman hours of direct employment and more than 20 million man or woman hours for indirect employment.

Now, we have raised RIDF to Rs. 5,500 crore. It has been estimated that RIDF - which is a labour intensive investment in roads, in irrigation, in buildings and things of that kind in the rural areas - alone generates 3.5 million jobs[R75] .

If you calculate all this, then you would find that we are well beyond that one crore mark as was promised by the hon. Prime Minister. We are doing that… (Interruptions ) हंसने की बात नहीं है। We are well beyond it.

SHRI PAWAN KUMAR BANSAL : Sir, people are losing their jobs… (Interruptions )

SHRI MANI SHANKAR AIYAR (MAYILADUTURAI): Your own Economic Survey shows that employment growth has declined to below one per cent per annum… (Interruptions )

SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: Sir, as has been pointed out by Dr. Nitish Sengupta, I am talking of jobs in the unorganised sector. The organised sector accounts for only about seven per cent of the total employment in this country. Let us not forget that. I have the figures with me here. 397 million is the total employment in this country and out that only about 27 million is in the organised sector and the rest of it is all in the unorganised sector. I am not talking of the call centres and the IT-enabled services that are coming into the country and the other avenues of growth rate that are providing its own impetus. I mentioned only two figures. One was the hon. Prime Minister's National Highway Project. When we are constructing six thousand kilometres of road, does that not generate employment? I have said it in this House… ( Interruptions)

SHRI MANI SHANKAR AIYAR : I told you that the Rural Non-Farm figure has sharply come down in the recent years as compared to the past. Please explain that. When R&FE is coming down, how is employment growing? If you live in illusion, then there is no way in which we get jobless growth. We would only get illusory growth.

SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: Sir, I can only quote figures that are available. The growth rate in employment, according to the Economic Survey, has declined and so has the number of job seekers. That has come down to 1.03 per cent. The number of job seekers has also come down. Why has the number of job seekers come down? It is because jobs are available… (Interruptions)

gÉÉÒ vÉàÉÇ ®ÉVÉ ÉËºÉc {É]äãÉ : जो लोग शक्षित बेरोजगार हैं, उनके लिए क्या स्कीम है ?

SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: Sir, there were a few issues raised that concern specific areas. One such issue was raised, I think, by Shri Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi. I am very grateful to him because he made a very important point that while there might be some black sheep in the tax administration but by and large, the tax administration is a good administration. There are some very good officers. We know how people have laid down their lives in Customs and Excise Departments in trying to catch tax evaders. I am grateful to him for this compliment, which very deservedly, he has paid to the tax administration. But he has mentioned about one case.

Sir, I would like to take the time of the House to explain it because last time also I remember, Shri Rupchand Pal mentioned about this case of First Global. The case is before the Court and so I would not go into the merit of it. It is only a question of that lady, namely, Ms. Devina Mehra being interrogated. I have got the information here. She was interrogated by officers of the Enforcement Directorate on 17.12.2001, 18.01.2002 and 20.01.2002. Her statement was recorded by lady Enforcement officers in the presence of the sister of Shri Shankar Sharma. According to the information that has been given to me, there was absolutely no harassment and no rough behaviour with her and she was treated with all courtesy. This is the information which I would like to share with this House.

Sir, the other issue, which again Shri Dasmunsi raised, was about the withdrawal of concessions from some sports bodies. I remember, Shri Sontosh Mohan Dev paying some compliments to me for being a sports person myself. We all are in the field of sports.

SHRI SONTOSH MOHAN DEV (SILCHAR): This was with the hope for getting concessions on tea[snb76] .

20.00 hrs SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: I would like to clarify this. This is a clarification which Shri Dasmunsi wanted. The only change that we have made is not the withdrawal of concession. We are saying that the sports bodies should compile their accounts, should submit their returns. To the extent to which they are able to spend money on events, on infrastructure and other things, they will be able to get a set off in tax. To the extent to which they are not, only on that, within the overall frame now of the Trusts that we have where I have given 15 per cent and other concessions, that will apply to the sports bodies also. On the sports, which Dr. Vijay Kumar Malhotra will remember because it was his insistence and the insistence of some other friends which prompted me to give 100 per cent concession in taxes for donations made to sports bodies under Section 80G, that continues as before. So, anyone who is associated with sports administration should not feel concerned at all. These things survive.

The other issue which has been raised is the issue of tea. Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar also raised the issue of the Tea Development Fund. I have collected some information but, as he rightly said, this is something which I will have to discuss with my colleague the Commerce Minister, because it falls within the jurisdiction of Commerce Minister. Let me assure the House that whether it is tea -- to which I have already given a tax concession, excise duty has been reduced from Rs.2 to Re.1 -- or coffee, or marine products, or rubber, or spices, or any other cash crops, all these areas are something which the Government is closely monitoring both as far as imports are concerned as well as the state of health of the industry. I would like to assure the House that in cooperation with my colleague the Commerce Minister, we will continue that monitoring and we will make sure that tea industry, which has been a traditional and very important industry in this country, does not come to any undue harm; that we protect the Indian tea industry both the internal consumption as well as the export markets; that we are able to fend off the competition not only from Sri Lanka and East Africa but everywhere else from the world; that we move to more value-added by going in for packaged tea. All these are in our programme. We will make sure, as I said, that tea industry not only survives but flourishes. On the point which Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar raised about the Tea Development Fund, as I have said, I have collected some information but I have to discuss it further with the Minister of Commerce.

There was one issue which Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal has raised about National Savings Certificates by HUF. The National Savings Certificate is an instrument which is available to individuals. It is not available to HUFs. … ( Interruptions) Sometimes what happens is that some Post Offices which are unaware of this, issue these National Savings Certificates even to HUFs on demand. Wherever we have come across such cases, we have made sure that not only is the commitment honoured, but it is honoured in full along with interest. So, there is no question of HUFs investing in this. But wherever mistakenly such investments have been accepted, that will be honoured by the Postal Department, by the Government. So, on that there should be no problem at all.

Finally, Sir, I would like to come to the last point.

SHRI PAWAN KUMAR BANSAL : Please tell us about double taxation on dividend income.

SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: Double taxation on dividend income is a theory that I do not accept. If double taxation on dividend income is the theory we accept, then even that 10 per cent dividend distribution tax that was imposed in 1997 should go and all dividend income should be free. But this is a thesis that I have not accepted. I have applied my mind to it seriously over four years and finally I was persuaded that it should go, and it should become taxable at the marginal rate in the hand of the recipient.

SHRI MANI SHANKAR AIYAR : I had asked for the disability rights groups. If you could please tell us about that.

SHRI PAWAN KUMAR BANSAL : What about income tax on warehousing … (Interruptions)

SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: Naturally, there have been many other points which have been raised. Many suggestions have been made. We have taken note of those points which have been made. We have taken note of the suggestions. I would only like to say one thing … ( Interruptions[KMR77] ) The point which I would like to make is that I am not inviting anyone to necessarily make that suggestion to me. But what I would like to say is that the Finance Bill deals largely with direct taxes where we need these legislative proposals to give effect to our proposals. But as far as indirect taxes are concerned, much of it is governed by notifications which are altered in the course of the year also. Whenever a situation arises, we deal with them according to the exigencies of the situation. So, while we will be passing the Finance Bill today, there are many issues on which there will be scope for further discussion.

There are many points where, as Shri Kirit Somaiya also said, we will be looking at with an open mind. But an open mind is different from an empty mind. I have certainly an open mind. Let me assure the House that I have not an empty mind. And, therefore, I will respond. In a democracy, one has to respond. Suggestions are made.

यहां कहा गया कि पार्टी का दबाव आया तो मैं झुक गया। पार्टी के दबाव में न झुकता तो क्या रंगा-बिल्ला के दबाव में झुकता।

SHRI MANI SHANKAR AIYAR : But in the area of direct taxes, Mr. Finance Minister, would you raise the exemption for disabled people? Could you raise the tax exemption as per the 1993 Act about the incentives that you are supposed to get for the employment of disabled people? This is a humanitarian question.

SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: Sir, I have discussed that issue. As Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar is aware, those people had come. I met their delegation. They represented their case. There is a point. They are saying that at the moment what is happening, is apart from income tax, which let me tell you covers only a very small section of the disabled population, because most of the disabled, as you know as Members of this House, are out there in the rural areas who are generally uncared for. Those of us who have organised camps for the disabled are aware of the fact how they come in such large numbers to take advantage of those assistance we are providing them.

But as far as the question of the import and duty concessions are concerned, they are available when an individual imports for his own use. The demand which was made by the representatives of the disabled to me was that this should be made available also to some NGOs and some other charitable organisations. That is a demand we can always look at. There is no problem as far as that is concerned.

The point which Shri Trilochan Kanungo, Dr. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, the last speaker of the debate Shrimati Patnaik and others raised, was an issue of State finance. As I said, and Shri Trilochan Kanungo himself has said, that it is directly related to the issue of Finance Bill. Let me make two to three points here which are valid. The Centre-State Relations are governed by an independent umpire which is appointed under the Constitutional provisions every five years, known as the Finance Commission. The Eleventh Finance Commission, during which period we are conducting the affairs of this nation today, has given its Report. The House will recall that there were many objections to that Report. But then, like previous Governments which have dealt with the Reports of the ten Finance Commissions, this Government also decided that 'we cannot afford to tinker with the recommendations of the Eleventh Finance Commission' because then this will become an endless process. So, we accepted the Report of the Eleventh Finance Commission.

SHRI TRILOCHAN KANUNGO : Have you accepted it in toto?… (Interruptions )

SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: Yes.

SHRI TRILOCHAN KANUNGO : I am pointing out only one area. They have said that the royalty on coal should be revised every three years and if the Government of India does not revise the royalty rate in three years, then they will have to give compensation. Mr. Finance Minister, have you accepted that?

SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: There are two parts to their recommendations. First is relating to the distribution of the tax collected by the Centre to the States and the conditions attached to that. That is where they take into account the financial situation of each State. Each State Government discusses it in great details with the Finance Commission and then the Finance Commission gives its findings[k78] .

SHRI TRILOCHAN KANUNGO : For sound finance?

SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: For sound finance, the 11th Finance Commission has given its reports. The 11th Finance Commission has hoped that the situation will improve in the States, and that all these special measures like revenue deficit grant, etc. will not be necessary at the end of the period of that Finance Commission; and we had carried on with it. But despite that, we have accepted the Finance Commission's recommendations, and that govern the Centre-State fiscal relationship.

I would like to say that this Government has been extremely fair to the States, irrespective of their political complexion. I have stood in this House and quoted a letter from the then Chief Minister of Kerala who complimented the Central Government for the assistance that we provided to that regime in Kerala.

I had, on the last occasion, said that when the present Chief Minister of Kerala was facing the pressure of a long strike, he telephoned me and said that he would want the Treasuries to remain open; I ensured, by making available all that I could, that the Treasuries remained open.

I would like to tell Shri Trilochan Kanungo, Shrimati Kumudini Patnaik and all other hon. Members from Orissa that we have bailed out Orissa. We have bailed out other States, and we will continue to help the States to ensure that they carry out the developmental work. But there is a responsibility on the States also. I would also hasten to add that the Government of India should not be looked at as a lender, as a last resort, because I do not have unlimited resources. So, while we continue to help the States, there is no way in which we can keep on doing this. … ( Interruptions)

SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSI : Would you encourage the Chief Ministers of States to directly negotiate with foreign agencies? … ( Interruptions)

SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: No. That is not happening and that will not be allowed to happen. The Government of India will determine which State will get which foreign loan and from which source. No State is allowed to directly negotiate with any agency, which is foreign, whether it is a Government or a multilateral agency. External commercial borrowings by the public sector and the private sector are regulated by the RBI. So, that danger is not there. … ( Interruptions) Sir, we have done well and I commend the Finance Bill for consideration and passing.

SHRI K. YERRANNAIDU (SRIKAKULAM): Sir, the hon. Finance Minister has conceded many tax concessions to granite industry, to hank-yarn industry, etc. There is no mention about kerosene and fertiliser. Nearly one lakh villages have no electricity, even after 53 years of Independence. Last year, the Central Government had increased the price of kerosene by 250 times; and this year also, they have increased the price of kerosene by one rupee per litre. In the beginning of this Session, the Finance Minister had reduced the price of LPG cylinder by Rs.20. But there is no mention about kerosene and fertiliser. More than 70 per cent of our people depend on agriculture. Increase in the price of fertiliser affects the farming community. The farming community, the poorest of the poor, is affected by the increase in prices of kerosene and fertiliser. They have not mentioned about it. I am asking the Finance Minister, through you, Sir, to react on these two issues.

SHRI SHIVRAJ V. PATIL (LATUR): This is the Budget Session and today appears to be the last day on which we will be discussing the Budget proposals, the revenue collections and all those things. I can understand the difficulties of the Finance Minister and I also sympathise with him.

But by just counting the trees, we should not miss the woods! The points which have been put before us by the Finance Minister himself are these: the shortfall in the revenue collection is too big and it amounts to Rs.20,000 crore. It is also stated by the Finance Minister that the tax-GDP ratio is declining. It has also come to our notice that in one of the Ministries, the Defence Ministry in particular, an amount of Rs.5,000 crore remains unspent[R79] .

So, is this proper management of finances? We would like to be enlightened and told a little more in detail. We would not be satisfied if the hon. Finance Minister says that only by streamlining the administration he would be collecting more money. This is a stock reply given. That is not enough. We would like to be enlightened a little more as to how you will have proper estimates of the revenue collection; as to how you will collect revenue as per your projections; as to how you will see that there is no decline in the tax-GDP ratio and as to how you will be able to spend the money which you have provided to different Ministries[R80] .

डॉ. रघुवंश प्रसाद सिंह : उपाध्यक्ष महोदय, माननीय वित्त मंत्री जी ने कहा कि १०वें और ११वें वित्त आयोग की रिपोर्ट को स्वीकार कर लिया है। उसी रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक बिहार को पंचायती राज मद में पांच वर्ष में ६०० करोड़ रुपए मिलने हैं। उन्होंने उसे क्यों रोक कर रखा है जबकि वह लैप्सिबल एमाउन्ट नहीं है। वित्त विभाग का एक सर्कुलर है। … ( BªÉ´ÉvÉÉxÉ) मैंने इस बारे में सवाल भी उठाया था कि गरीब राज्य के साथ अन्याय क्यों हो रहा है? इस पर विचार होना चाहिए। … ( BªÉ´ÉvÉÉxÉ) SHRI RUPCHAND PAL : With regard to the assured income of UTI, people of the country are waiting…. (Interruptions ) The hon. Minister has not spoken a word about the assured income of UTI.… ( Interruptions)

gÉÉÒ ®ÉàÉnÉºÉ +ÉÉ~´ÉãÉä : उपाध्यक्ष महोदय, मिट्टी के तेल के भाव कम होने चाहिएए। … ( व्यवधान)

MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Please resume your seat, Shri Ramdas. Mr. Minister, would you like to say something?

SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: Sir, as far as the general issue which Shri Shivraj Patil has raised is concerned, I thought I have covered it substantially in the reply which I have given when I talked about the philosophy of tax reform of this Government and the direction for the future. That is exactly what I was saying in the context of the decline in tax-GDP ratio, which is not something which has happened recently. I have mentioned that the tax-GDP ratio has been declining in this country since 1989-90, when taxes were very high and reform in taxation has led to more moderate rates which may be accounting for a decline in the tax-GDP ratio. I have mentioned that it will be through better compliance, through simplification, through a tax-payer friendly tax administration that we hope to improve the tax compliance. I quoted figures of how we have achieved success in direct taxes. That will continue to be our concern and direction even in future and I would like to assure the House and Shri Shivraj Patil in particular, through you, Sir, that it will be our endeavour to ensure that we are able to collect as much taxes as possible to meet the essential requirements of Government and that fiscal deficit is reduced. The reduction will come through better tax compliance, through better tax collection. It will come through a more appropriate user charges. It will come through a more rational subsidy regime. These are the areas in which we have to work.

As far as concessions are concerned, I have already shared them with the House[R81] .

डॉ. रघुवंश प्रसाद सिंह : बिहार का क्या हुआ? उसकी क्यों उपेक्षा हो रही है? … ( व्यवधान)

श्री देवेन्द्र प्रसाद यादव :उपाध्यक्ष महोदय, देश के ३७ प्रतिशत लोग जो गरीबी की रेखा के नीचे रहते हैं वे मिट्टी के तेल का इस्तेमाल करते हैं। ७० प्रतिशत लोग खेती पर निर्भर हैं। … ( BªÉ´ÉvÉÉxÉ) MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: He has already replied that. I cannot compel him[R82] .

gÉÉÒ ªÉ¶É´ÉxiÉ ÉÊºÉxcÉ& रघुवंश बाबू को बिहार की बहुत चिन्ता हो रही है। बिहार की हमें भी बहुत चिन्ता है। जैसे सब राज्यों की चिन्ता है, वैसे बिहार की भी चिन्ता है। मैं सारी स्थिति का खुलासा इसी सदन में कर चुका हूं। मैंने आउट ऑफ दी वे जाकर बिहार सरकार से सम्पर्क किया था[R83] ।

और उनसे कहा था कि अगर आप १०वें वित्त आयोग के एक साल के बाद तक चुनाव करा लेंगे तो मैं भारत सरकार से वह राशि रिलीज कर दूंगा लेकिन यह बिहार सरकार का दुर्भाग्य रहा कि वह चुनाव एक साल बीतने के बाद ही संभव हो पाया...

bÉì. ®PÉÖ´ÉÆ¶É |ÉºÉÉn ÉËºÉc : उपाध्यक्ष महोदय, १०वें वित्त आयोग की रिपोर्ट इन्होंने स्वीकार की है, फिर किस आधार पर पैसा रोका गया? ११वें वित्त आयोग का भी पांच साल में से एक साल का पैसा मिला, फिर चार साल का क्यों रोका गया? वह पैसा लैप्स हो गया। बिहार के साथ अन्याय हो रहा है। एक गरीब राज्य के साथ अन्याय किया जा रहा है। जब चुनाव हो गया तब उसका पैसा क्यों नहीं दिया गया?

gÉÉÒ ªÉ¶É´ÉxiÉ ÉÊºÉxcÉ :१०वें वित्त आय़ोग को हमारी सरकार ने स्वीकार नहीं किया था और जब उसकी सिफारिशें स्वीकार की गई जिसके सदस्य रघुवंश बाबू भी थे...

bÉì. ®PÉÖ´ÉÆ¶É |ÉºÉÉn ÉËºÉc : चाहे कोई भी सरकार हो जिसने यह स्वीकार किया हो...

gÉÉÒ ªÉ¶É´ÉxiÉ ÉÊºÉxcÉ : उसने तय किया था कि कोई भी सरकार हो, चुनाव नहीं होगा तो पैसा रिलीज नहीं होगा और यह १०वें वित्त आयोग ने तय किया था, उसने रोक लिया।

SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSI : Sir, if any Government accepts a policy, it is a continuous process. Therefore, how can he say that his Government has not done this?… ( Interruptions)

MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: No. (Interruptions) …* SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSI : Sir, I want to know from you whether a commitment of a Government or an in-principle agreement changes with the political situation. How can the Finance Minister say that it was not our decision and that it is a decision of the earlier Government? This is not correct… (Interruptions ).

SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: Sir, we are only sticking to that commitment. This is what I am trying to say. The earlier Government accepted that report with this amendment that those States which would not hold Panchayati Raj elections will not get the Panchayati Raj grants. It was a decision which was taken by the then Government and we are following that decision.… (Interruptions )

SHRI K. YERRANNAIDU : Sir, what about my questions?… ( Interruptions)

MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Mr. Minister, do you want to say something about them?

SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: No, Sir.

20.24 hrs. तत्पश्चात् डा. रघुवंश प्रसाद सिंह तथा कुछ अन्य माननीय सदस्य सभा भवन से बाहर चले गए।

__________________________________________________________________ *Not Recorded MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Now, the question is:

“That the Bill to give effect to the financial proposals of the Central Government for the financial year 2002-2003, be taken into consideration. ” The motion was adopted.

MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The House will now take up clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill.

The question is:

“That clauses 2 and 3 stand part of the Bill.” The motion was adopted.

Clauses 2 and 3 were added to the Bill.

                       Clause 4            Amendment of Section 10  

Amendments made:   

            Page 4, line 13,  for “behalf;”; substitute “behalf; or”.      (1)   

            Page 5, line 32,  for “such association or”, substitute “such”.     (2)   

            Page 5,  for lines 39 to 41, substitute -   

` “(a) applies its income, or accumulates it for application, wholly and exclusively to the objects for which it is established and in a case where more than fifteen per cent of its income is accumulated on or after the 1 st day of April, 2002, the period of the accumulation of the amount exceeding fifteen per cent of its income shall in no case exceed five years; and;”.'.               (3)   

    

            Page 6, line 24, for “such association”, substitute “it”.    (4)   

                                                                                                (Shri Yashwant Sinha[rc84]  )   

    

MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:   

“That clause 4, as amended, stand part of the Bill.”   

The motion was adopted.   

Clause 4, as amended, was added to the Bill.   

    Clause 5    Amendment of Section 10A  

Amendment made:   

    

               Page 6, for lines 46 to 50, substitute -    

    

'Amendment        5.   In section 10A of the Income-tax Act, with               

 of section 10A.             effect from the 1st day of April, 2003,-

in sub-section (1), after the third proviso, the following proviso shall be inserted, namely:-

“Provided also that for the assessment year beginning on the 1st day of April, 2003, the deduction under this sub-section shall be ninety per cent. of the profits and gains derived by an undertaking from the export of such articles or things or computer software:”;

after sub-section (1), the following sub-section shall be inserted, namely:-

“(1A) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the deduction, in computing the total income of an undertaking, which begins to manufacture or produce articles or things or computer software during the previous year relevant to any assessment year commencing on or after the 1st day of April, 2003, in any special economic zone, shall be hundred per cent. of profits and gains derived from the export of such articles or things or computer software for a period of five consecutive assessment years beginning with the assessment year relevant to the previous year in which the undertaking begins to manufacture or produce such articles or things or computer software, as the case may be, and thereafter, fifty per cent. of such profits and gains for further two assessment years.”;

(c) after sub-section (9) and before Explanation, the following shall be inserted, namely:- -

“(9A) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (9), where as a result of reorganisation of business, a firm or a sole proprietary concern is succeeded by a company and the ownership or beneficial interest in the undertaking of the firm or the sole proprietary concern is transferred to the company, the deduction under sub-section (1) in respect of such undertaking shall be allowed to the company, as the same would have been allowed to such firm or sole proprietary concern, as the case may be, if the reorganisation had not taken place:

Provided that,-

in the case of a firm the aggregate of the shareholding in the company of the partners of the firm is not less than fifty-one per cent. of the total voting power in the company and their shareholding continues to be as such for the period for which the company is eligible for deduction under this section;

(b) in the case of a sole proprietary concern, the shareholding of the sole proprietor in the company is not less than fifty-one per cent. of the total voting power in the company and his shareholding continues to remain as such for the period for which the company is eligible for deduction under this section.”.'.(5) (Shri Yashwant Sinha) MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:

“That clause 5, as amended, stand part of the Bill.” The motion was adopted.

Clause 5, as amended, was added to the Bill. Clause 6 Amendment of Section 10B Amendment made:

Page 6 and 7, forlines 51 to 53 and 1 and 2 respectively substitute-

' 'Amendment of 6. In section 10B of the Income-tax Act, with of section 10B. effect from the 1st day of April, 2003,-

(a) in sub-section (1), after the second proviso, the following proviso shall be inserted, namely:-

“Provided also that for the assessment year beginning on the 1st day of April, 2003, the deduction under this sub-section shall be ninety per cent. of the profits and gains derived by an undertaking from the export of such articles or things or computer software:”;

(b) after sub-section (9) and before Explanation 1, the following shall be inserted, namely:-

“(9A) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (9), where as a result of reorganisation of business, a firm or a sole proprietary concern is succeeded by a company and the ownership or beneficial interest in the undertaking of the firm or the sole proprietary concern is transferred to the company, the deduction under sub-section (1) in respect of such undertaking shall be allowed to the company, as the same would have been allowed to such firm or sole proprietary concern, as the case may be, if the reorganisation had not taken place:

Provided that,-

(a) in the case of a firm, the aggregate of the shareholding in the company of the partners of the firm is not less than fifty- one per cent. of the total voting power in the company and their shareholding continues to be as such for the period for which the company is eligible for deduction under this section;

(b) in the case of a sole proprietary concern, the shareholding of the sole proprietor in the company is not less than fifty-one per cent. of the total voting power in the company and his shareholding continues to remain as such for the period for which the company is eligible for deduction under this section.”.'. (6) (Shri Yashwant Sinha) MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:

“That clause 6, as amended, stand part of the Bill.” The motion was adopted.

Clause 6, as amended, was added to the Bill.       Clause 7   Amendment of Section 11  

Amendments made:   

            Page 7, for lines 4 to 32, substitute -    

'(a) in sub-section (1), -

in clause (a), for the words “twenty-five per cent”, the words “fifteen per cent” shall be substituted;

(ii) in clause (b), for the words “twenty-five per cent”, the words “fifteen per cent” shall be substituted;

(iii) in the Explanation, --

in clause (1), for the words “twenty-five per cent”, the words “fifteen per cent” shall be substituted;

in clause (2), for the words “seventy-five per cent”, the words “eighty-five per cent” shall be substituted;

(b) in sub-section (2), -


(i) for the words “seventy-five per cent”, the words                    “eighty-five per cent” shall be substituted;                            (7)   

    

                           

Page 7, line 41, for “(d)”, substitute “(c)” .                                  (8)   

Page 7, line 49, for “(e)”, substitute “(d)”.                                     (9)                                                      

    

   (Shri Yashwant Sinha)   

MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:   

“That clause 7, as amended, stand part of the Bill.”   

The motion was adopted.   

Clause 7, as amended, was added to the Bill.   Clauses 8 to 12 were added to the Bill.      Clause 13                            Amendment of Section 28  

Amendments made:   

            Page 8, line 33, for “(vi)”, substitute “(v)”.                                  (10)   

               

Page 8, line 35, for “(vii)”, substitute “(va)”                                (11)

Page 8, afterline 39, insert - 'Provided that sub-clause (a) shall not apply to -

any sum, whether received or receivable, in cash or kind, on account of transfer of the right to manufacture, produce or process any article or thing or right to carry on any business, which is chargeable under the head “Capital gains”;

any sum received as compensation, from the multilateral fund of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone layer under the United Nations environment Programme, in accordance with the terms of agreement entered into with the Government of India.' (12) (Shri Yashwant Sinha) MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:

“That clause 13, as amended, stand part of the Bill.” The motion was adopted.

Clause 13, as amended, was added to the Bill.

Clause 14                      Amendment of Section 32   

Amendments made:   

            Page 9, line 23, omit “or part”.                                                        (13)   

            Page 9, for lines 36 and 37, substitute -   

'(2) “installed capacity” means the capacity of production as existing on the 31st day of March, 2002.'                                      (14)   

(Shri Yashwant Sinha)   

    

    

MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:   

“That clause 14, as amended, stand part of the Bill.”   

The motion was adopted.   

Clause 14, as amended, was added to the Bill.   

Clauses 15 to 20 were added to the Bill.       Clause 21        Substitution og new section for Section 43A  

Amendments made:   

            Page 11, after line 29, insert -   

             “Provided that where an addition to or deduction from the actual cost or expenditure or cost of acquisition has been made under this section, as it stood immediately before its substitution by the Finance Act, 2002, on account of an increase or reduction in liability as aforesaid, the amount to be added to, or, as the case may be, deducted under this section from, the actual cost or expenditure or cost of acquisition at the time of making the payment shall be so adjusted that the total amount added to, or, as the case may be, deducted from, the actual cost or expenditure or cost of acquisition, is equal to the increase or reduction in the aforesaid liability taken into account at the time of making payment.”                                                                                                       (15)   

    

            Page 11, line 30, for “sub-section”, substitute “section”.            (16)   

            Page 11, line 38, for “sub-section”, substitute “section”.            (17)   

            Page 11, line 45, for “sub-section”, substitute “section”.            (18)   

    

(Shri Yashwant Sinha[k85]  )   

    

    

MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER:  The question is:   

                        “That clause 21, as amended, stand part of the Bill.”   

The motion was adopted.   

Clause 21, as amended, was added to the Bill.   
  

                                                                                   

Clause 22           Amendment of Section 44 AE

MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Amendment No.17, Shri Janardhana Reddy - not present.

The question is:

“That clause 22 stand part of the Bill.” The motion was adopted.

Clause 22 was added to the Bill.

Clauses 23 to 25 were added to the Bill.

Motion Re: Suspension of rule 80 (i) SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: I beg to move:

“That this House do suspend clause (i) of rule 80 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha in so far as it requires that an amendment shall be within the scope of the Bill and relevant to the subject matter of the clause to which it relates, in its application to Government amendment No. 19 to the Finance Bill, 2002 and that this amendment may be allowed to be moved.” MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:

“That this House do suspend clause (i) of rule 80 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha in so far as it requires that an amendment shall be within the scope of the Bill and relevant to the subject matter of the clause to which it relates, in its application to Government amendment No. 19 to the Finance Bill, 2002 and that this amendment may be allowed to be moved.” The motion was adopted.

New Clause 25A Amendment made:

Page 12, after line 39, insert-

Amendment of          25A. In section 55 of the Income-tax Act, with effect from    

section 55.                 the 1 st day of April, 2003, --

in sub-section (1), in clause (b), in sub-clause (1), after the words “any article or thing”, the words “or right to carry on any business” shall be inserted:

in sub-section (2), in clause (a), after the words “any article or thing”, the words “or” right to carry on any business” shall be inserted.'. (19) (Shri Yashwant Sinha) MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:

“That new clause 25A be added to the Bill.” The motion was adopted.

New clause 25A was added to the Bill.

Clauses 26 to 28 were added to the Bill.

Clause 29                 Amendment of Section 80 G   

    

Amendmentmade[b.r.86]   :   

                           

                                                   

Page 13, for lines 15 to 28, substitute-     

      

'Amendment      29. In section 80G of the Income-tax   Act,-     

of section 80G.     

                             (a) in   sub-section (2), with effect    from                            the1st day of April, 2003,-    

      

         (i) in   clause (a), for sub-clause (vi), the         following   sub-clause shall be substituted,                  namely:-

"(vi) an authority constituted in India by or under any law enacted either for the purpose of dealing with and satisfying the need for housing accommodation or for the purpose of planning, development or improvement of cities, towns and villages, or for both;";

(ii) in clause (c), for the words, brackets and figures “as notified by the Central Government under clause (23) of section 10”, the words “established in India, as the Central Government may, having regard to the prescribed guidelines, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf” shall be substituted;

(b) in sub-section (5), with effect from the 1st day of April, 2003,-

(i) in clause (i), the words, brackets and figures "or clause (23)" shall be omitted;

(ii) in clause (v), the words, brackets and figures "or is an institution approved by the Central Government for the purposes of clause (23) of section 10," shall be omitted;

(c) in sub-section (5C), with effect from the 3rd day of February, 2001,-

(i) in the opening portion, for the words "This sub-section", the words "This section" shall be substituted and shall be deemed to have been substituted;

(ii) in clause (iii), for the words, figures and letters "on or before the 31st day of March, 2002", the words, figures and letters "on or before the 31st day of March, 2003" shall be substituted and shall be deemed to have been substituted;

(iii) for clause (iv), the following clause shall be substituted and shall be deemed to have been substituted, namely:-

"(iv) the amount of donation remaining unutilised on the 31st day of March, 2003 is transferred to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund on or before the 31st day of March, 2003;";

(iv) in clause (v), for the words, figures and letters "on or before the 30th day of June, 2002", the words, figures and letters "on or before the 30th day of June, 2003" shall be substituted and shall be deemed to have been substituted;

(d) for Explanation 4, the following Explanation shall be substituted with effect from the 1st day of April, 2003, namely:-

“Explanation 4.- For the purposes of this section, an association or institution having as its object the control, supervision, regulation or encouragement in India of such games or sports as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf, shall be deemed to be an institution established in India for a charitable purpose.”.'. (20) (Shri Yashwant Sinha) MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:

“That clause 29, as amended, stand part of the Bill.” The motion was adopted.

Clause 29, as amended, was added to the Bill.

Clauses 30 to 32 were added to the Bill.

Clause 33           Amendment of Section 80-1B   

    

Amendments made:   

            Page 13, after line 49, insert-   

'(a) in sub-section (4) and (5), for the figures, letters and words “31 st day of March, 2002” wherever they occur, the figures, letters and words “31st day of March, 2004” shall be substituted;'.              (21)   

    

            Page 13, line 50, for  “(a)”, substitute “(b)”.                      (22)   

            Page 14, line 29, for “(b)”, substitute  “(c)”.                    (23)   

                                                                                                (Shri Yashwant Sinha)   

MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER:  The question is:   

                        “That clause 33, as amended, stand part of the Bill.”   

The motion was adopted.   

Clause 33, as amended, was added to the Bill.   

    

Motion Re: Suspension of rule 80 (i)   

SHRI YASHWANT SINHA:  I beg to move:

“That this House do suspend clause (i) of rule 80 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha in so far as it requires that an amendment shall be within the scope of the Bill and relevant to the subject matter of the clause to which it relates, in its application to Government amendment No. 24 to the Finance Bill, 2002 and that this amendment may be allowed to be moved.” MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:

“That this House do suspend clause (i) of rule 80 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha in so far as it requires that an amendment shall be within the scope of the Bill and relevant to the subject matter of the clause to which it relates, in its application to Government amendment No. 24 to the Finance Bill, 2002 and that this amendment may be allowed to be moved.” The motion was adopted. New Clause 33A Amendment made:


            Page 14, after line 43, insert-   Amendment of             33A.In section 80L of the Income-tax Act, in sub-section    

      section 80L.                (1), after clause (iiia), the following clauses shall be      

                                        inserted with effect from the 1st day of April, 2003,     

                                        namely:--   

    

dividends from any Indian company;   

    

                                             

      

52 of 1963.

income received in respect of units from the Unit Trust of India established under the Unit Trust of India Act, 1963 other than the income arising from transfer of such units;

(va) income received in respect of units of a Mutual Fund specified under clause (23D) of section 10 other than the income arising from transfer of such units;”;'. (24) (Shri Yashwant Sinha[b.r.87] ) MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:

“That new clause 33A be added to the Bill.” The motion was adopted.

New Clause 33A was added to the Bill.

Clause 34 was added to the Bill.

    Clause 35     Amendment of Section 88  

Amendments made:   

            Page 15, line 19,  for “ten per cent.”, substitute “fifteen per cent.”        (25)   

            Page 15, line 32, for “eighty thousand”, substitute “one hundred   

            thousand”.                                                                                                      (26)   

    

            Page 15, line 33, for “eighty thousand”, substitute “one hundred   

            thousand”.                                                                                                      (27)

Page 15, line 36, for “sixty thousand”, substitute “seventy thousand”. (28) Page 15, line 38, for “sixty thousand,” substitute “seventy thousand”. (29) (Shri Yashwant Sinha) MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:

“That clause 35, as amended, stand part of the Bill.” The motion was adopted.

Clause 35, as amended, was added to the Bill.

Clauses 36 to 39 were added to the Bill.

Motion Re: Suspension of Rule 80(i) SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: I beg to move:

“That this House do suspend clause (i) of rule 80 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha in so far as it requires that an amendment shall be within the scope of the Bill and relevant to the subject matter of the clause to which it relates, in its application to Government amendment No. 30 to the Finance Bill, 2002 and that this amendment may be allowed to be moved.” MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:

“That this House do suspend clause (i) of rule 80 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha in so far as it requires that an amendment shall be within the scope of the Bill and relevant to the subject matter of the clause to which it relates, in its application to Government amendment No. 30 to the Finance Bill, 2002 and that this amendment may be allowed to be moved.” The motion was adopted.

New Clause 39A Amendmentmade[R88] :

Page 16, after line 29, insert-

'Insertion of new           39A. After section 92C of the   Income-tax Act the     

    Section 92 CA.         following   section shall be inserted with effect     

                                    from the 1st day   of June, 2002 namely:-     

                          

      

Reference   to Transfer    “92CA. (1) Where any   person, being the    

Pricing   Officer                 assessee, has   entered into an international     

                                           transaction inany previous year, and the

Assessing Officer considers it necessary or expedient so to do, he may, with the previous approval of the Commissioner, refer the computation of the arm's length price in relation to the said international transaction under section 92C to the Transfer Pricing Officer.

(2) Where a reference is made under sub-section (1), the Transfer Pricing Officer shall serve a notice on the assessee requiring him to produce or cause to be produced on a date to be specified therein, any evidence on which the assessee may rely in support of the computation made by him of the arm's length price in relation to the international transaction referred to in sub-section (1).

(3) On the date specified in the notice under sub-section (2), or as soon thereafter as may be, after hearing such evidence as the assessee may produce, including any information or documents referred to in sub-section (3) of section 92D and after considering such evidence as the Transfer Pricing Officer may require on any specified points and after taking into account all relevant materials which he has gathered, the Transfer Pricing Officer shall, by order in writing, determine the arm's length price in relation to the international transaction in accordance with sub-section (3) of section 92C and send a copy of his order to the Assessing Officer and to the assessee.

(4) On receipt of the order under sub-section (3), the Assessing Officer shall proceed to compute the total income of the assessee under sub-section (4) of section 92C having regard to the arm's length price determined under sub-section (3) by the Transfer Pricing Officer.

(5) With a view to rectifying any mistake apparent from the record, the Transfer Pricing Officer may amend any order passed by him under sub-section (3), and the provisions of section 154 shall, so far as may be, apply accordingly.

(6) Where any amendment is made by the Transfer Pricing Officer under sub-section (5), he shall send a copy of his order to the Assessing Officer who shall thereafter proceed to amend the order of assessment in conformity with such order of the Transfer Pricing Officer.

(7) The Transfer Pricing Officer may, for the purposes of determining the arm's length price under this section, exercise all or any of the powers specified in clauses (a) to (d) of sub-section (1) of section131 or sub-section (6) of section 133.

Explanation . - For the purposes of this section, “Transfer Pricing Officer” means a Joint Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner or Assistant Commissioner, authorised by the Board to perform all or any of the functions of an Assessing Officer specified in sections 92C and 92D in respect of any person or class of persons.”.'. (30) (Shri Yashwant Sinha) MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:

“That new clause 39A be added to the Bill.” The motion was adopted.

Clause 39A  was added to the Bill.                                     Clauses 40 to 52 were added to the Bill.  

    

Clause 53    Amendment of Section 132   

    

Amendment made:   

            Page 18, after line 40, insert-   

            '(ea) in sub-section (10), after the words “requesting for the return of the books of account or other documents”, the words “and the Board may, after giving the applicant an opportunity of being heard, pass such orders as it thinks fit” shall be inserted:'.            (31)   

                                                                                                (Shri Yashwant Sinha)   

MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:   

            “That clause 53, as amended, stand part of the Bill”.   

    

The motion was adopted.   

Clause 53, as amended, was added to the Bill.   

Clauses 54 and 55 were added to the Bill.   

    

Clause 56             Amendment of Section 139   

    

Amendment made:   

            Page 19, for line 54, substitute-

'(a) in sub-section (1), in the first proviso, in clause (iii), for the word “telephone”, the words “cellular telephone not being a wire-less in local loop telephone” shall be substituted;

(aa) after sub-section (1), the following sub-section shall be inserted, namely:--' (32) (Shri Yashwant Sinha) MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:

“That clause 56, as amended, stand part of the Bill”.

The motion was adopted.

Clause 56, as amended, was added to the Bill.

Clauses 57 to 60 were added to the Bill[R89] .

Clause 61          Amendment of Section 158 B       Amendment made:   

Page 22, line 27, for “shall be inserted with effect from the 1st day of June, 2002”, substitute “shall be inserted and shall be deemed to have been inserted with effect from the 1st day of July, 1995”.      (33)   

    

                                                                                    (Shri Yaswant Sinha)   

MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER:  The question is:   

            “That clause 61, as amended, stand part of the Bill.”   

The motion was adopted.   

Clause 61, as amended, was added to the Bill .   

    

    

Clause 62  Amendment of Section 158BB   

    

Amendment  made:   

    

Page 22, lines 28 and 29, for “1 st day of June, 2002”, substitute “1st day of July, 1995”.          (34)

Page 22, line 34, after “shall be substituted”, insert “and shall be deemed to have been substituted”. (35) Page 22, line 36, after “shall be substituted”, insert “and shall be deemed to have been substituted”. (36) Page 22, line 38, after “shall be substituted”, insert “and shall be deemed to have been substituted”. (37) Page 22, line 39, after “shall be substituted”, insert “and shall be deemed to have been substituted”. (38) Page 22, line 52, after “shall be substituted”, insert “and shall be deemed to have been substituted”. (39) Page 22, line 53, for “shall be inserted”, substitute “shall be inserted and shall be deemed to have been inserted.” (40) (Shri Yaswant Sinha) MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:

“That clause 62, as amended, stand part of the Bill.” The motion was adopted. Clause 62, as amended, was added to the Bill.

Clause 63    Amendment of Section 158BC       Amendments made:  

Page 23, line 1, omit “with effect from the 1st day of June, 2002”.     (41)   

    

Page 23, line 3, after “shall be substituted”, insert “and shall be deemed to have been substituted with effect from the 1st day of July, 1995”.     (42)   

    

Page 23, line 4, after “shall be substituted”,   insert “with effect from the 1st day of June, 2002”.      (43)    

    

                                                                                    (Shri Yaswant Sinha)   

MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER:  The question is:   

            “That clause 63, as amended, stand part of the Bill.”   

The motion was adopted.   Clause 63, as amended, was added to the Bill   

Clauses 64 and 65 were added to the Bill.   

    

Clause 66      Insertion of new Section 174 A       

Amendment made:   

Page 23, line 39, for “such person”, substitute “such association”.   (44)   

    

                                                                                    (Shri Yaswant Sinha)   

MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER:  The question is:   

            “That clause 66, as amended, stand part of the Bill.”  

The motion was adopted.   Clause 66, as amended, was added to the Bill.   

Clauses 67 and 68 were added to the Bill.       

    

Clause 69        Amendment of Section 193       

    Amendment made:  

Page 24, line 7, omit “new”. (45)    

    

                                                                                    (Shri Yashwant Sinha)   

MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER:  The question is:   

“That clause 69, as amended, stand part of the Bill.”   

The motion was adopted.   

Clause 69, as amended was added to the Bill.   

    
  

Clause 70   Amendment of Section 194   

Amendment made:               Page 24,  for line 15, substitute-

“Provided that no such deduction shall be made in the case of a shareholder, being an individual, if-

the dividend is paid by the company by an account payee cheque; and the amount of such dividend or, as the case may be, the aggregate of the amounts of such dividend distributed or paid or likely to be distributed or paid during the financial year by the company to the shareholder, does not exceed one thousand rupees:

Provided further that the provisions of this section shall not apply to such income credited or paid to-“. (46) (Shri Yashwant Sinha) MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:

“That clause 70, as amended, stand part of the Bill.” The motion was adopted.

Clause 70, as amended, was added to the Bill.

Clauses 71 to 75 were added to the Bill[R90] .

    Clause 76    Substitution of New section  

                                                                                                 f or section 194 K   Amendment made :   

            “Page 25, after line 16, insert-

“Provided that the provisions of this section shall not apply where the amount of such income or, as the case may be, the aggregate of the amounts of such income credited or paid or likely to be credited or paid during the financial year by the person responsible for making the payment to the account of, or to, the payee does not exceed one thousand rupees:

Provided further that the amount of one thousand rupees shall be computed with reference to the income credited or paid-

(a) in respect of a branch office of the Mutual Fund or of the Unit Trust of India, as the case may be, and

(b) u nder a particular scheme under which the units have been issued.”. (47) (Shri Yashwant Sinha) MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:

“That clause 76, as amended, stand part of the Bill.” The motion was adopted.

Clause 76, as amended, was added to the Bill.

Clauses 77 to 94 were added to the Bill.

Motion Re: Suspension of Rule 80 ( i ) SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: I beg to move:

“That this House do suspend clause ( i ) of rule 80 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha in so far as it requires that an amendment shall be within the scope of the Bill and relevant to the subject matter of the clause to which it relates, in its application to Government amendment No.48 to the Finance Bill, 2002 and that this amendment may be allowed to be moved.” MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:

“That this House do suspend clause ( i ) of rule 80 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha in so far as it requires that an amendment shall be within the scope of the Bill and relevant to the subject matter of the clause to which it relates, in its application to Government amendment No.48 to the Finance Bill, 2002 and that this amendment may be allowed to be moved.” The motion was adopted.

New Clause 94A Amendment made:

Page 27, after line 5, insert-

            `Amendment of          94A. In section 253 of the Income-tax Act, in      sub-   

            section 253                section (1), in clause (c), after the words, figures and    

                                                letters “under section 12AA or under section    263”,    

                                                the words and figures “or under section 271” shall be   

inserted with effect from the 1st day of June, 2002.'.   

 (48)   

                                                                                                (Shri Yashwant Sinha)   

MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:   

“That new clause 94A  be added to the Bill.”   

The motion was adopted.   

New Clause 94A was added to the Bill.   

Clauses 95 to 97 were added to the Bill.   

    

MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Shri N. Janardhana Reddy - not present.    

 The question is:   

“That clause 98 stand part of the Bill.”   

    

The motion was adopted.   

Clause 98 was added to the Bill.   

Clauses 99 to 113 were added to the Bill.   

    

    

Clause 114            Amendment of Section 14       

Amendment made:

Page 30, line 10, for ' “offer of sale” ',substitute ' “offer for sale” '. (49) (Shri Yashwant Sinha) MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:

“That clause 114, as amended, stand part of the Bill.” The motion was adopted.

Clause 114, as amended, was added to the Bill.

Clauses 115 to 120 were added to the Bill.

Motion Re: Suspension of Rule 80 ( i ) SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: I beg to move:

“That this House do suspend clause ( i ) of rule 80 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha in so far as it requires that an amendment shall be within the scope of the Bill and relevant to the subject matter of the clause to which it relates, in its application to Government amendment No.50 to the Finance Bill, 2002 and that this amendment may be allowed to be moved.” MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:

“That this House do suspend clause ( i ) of rule 80 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha in so far as it requires that an amendment shall be within the scope of the Bill and relevant to the subject matter of the clause to which it relates, in its application to Government amendment No.50 to the Finance Bill, 2002 and that this amendment may be allowed to be moved.” The motion was adopted.

New Clause 120A Amendment made:

Page 30, after line 49, insert-

           Amendment of                         `120A.  In section 75 of the Customs Act,      in    

              Section 75.               sub-section (1), in the second proviso,    for   the words   

and figures “Foreign    Exchange     Regulation      Act,   

46 of 1973               1973”,  the words and   figures     “Foreign     Exchange   

42 of 1999.              Management Act, 1999” shall be substituted.        (50)  

                                                                                                (Shri Yashwant Sinha)   

    

MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:   

“That new clause 120A  be added to the Bill.”   

The motion was adopted.   

New Clause 120A was added to the Bill[R91]   .   

    

    Motion Re: Suspension of Rule 80 (i)  

    

SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: Sir, I beg to move:

“That this House do suspend clause (i) of rule 80 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha in so far as it requires that an amendment shall be within the scope of the Bill and relevant to the subject matter of the clause to which it relates, in its application to Government amendment No. 51 to the Finance Bill, 2002 and that this amendment may be allowed to be moved.” MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:

“That this House do suspend clause (i) of rule 80 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha in so far as it requires that an amendment shall be within the scope of the Bill and relevant to the subject matter of the clause to which it relates, in its application to Government amendment No. 51 to the Finance Bill, 2002 and that this amendment may be allowed to be moved.” The motion was adopted.

New Clause 120B Amendmentmade[k92] :

5. 1

Page 30, after line 49, insert-


…    

                  

             

             

Insertion of       120B. After Chapter X of the Customs Act,      

                      New Chapter   the following Chapter shall, with effect from     

 XA            such date   as may be appointed by the Central Government, by notification in the   Official Gazette, be inserted, namely:-     

      “CHAPTER X A     

      

SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO SPECIAL     

ECONOMIC ZONE           Notification   of          76A. The Central   Government may, by      Special   economic      notification in the   Official Gazette,     Zone specify special economic zones comprising   specifically delineated areas where any goods admitted shall be regarded, in   so far as duties of customs are concerned, as being outside the customs   territory of India as provided in this Chapter.     

      Application                76B. The provisions of this   Chapter      Of provision              and other Chapters shall apply to      goods   admitted to a special economic zone but in the event of conflict between the   provisions of this Chapter and other Chapters, the provisions of this Chapter   shall prevail.     

      

      

      

      

      

Establishment         76C. (1) The Central Government may        

And   control             make rules   specifying the requirements

relating to goods or class of goods admissible to a special economic zone, the nature of operations to which such goods or class of goods may be subjected to, the conditions to be fulfilled and the procedures to be followed in this regard.

The Board may specify, in the regulations made in this behalf, arrangements for customs control in a special economic zone.


The proper officer shall   have the right to carry out      

              checks, at any time, on the goods kept or stored      

               in a    special economic zone.      

      

Admission of      76D.   Subject to such   conditions as may be     

Goods               specified in the rules made in this behalf, any

goods imported directly from outside India or procured from within India shall be authorised for admission to a special economic zone.

Exemption         76E.   Without prejudice to the   provisions of      

From duties      sections 76F, 76G and 76H, any goods admitted    

Of customs       to a special economic zone shall be exempt from     

                        duties of customs.     

      

Levy   of duties    76F.   Subject to the conditions as may be     

Of   customs         specified in the rules   made in this behalf,-

(a) any goods admitted to a special economic zone from the domestic tariff area shall be chargeable to export duties at such rates as are leviable on such goods when exported;

(b) any goods removed from a special economic zone for home consumption shall be chargeable to duties of customs including anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguard duties under the Customs Tariff Act, 1975, where applicable, as leviable on such goods when 551 of 1975 imported; and

(c) the rate of duty and tariff valuation, if any, applicable to goods admitted to, or removed from, a special economic zone shall be the rate and tariff valuation in force as on the date of such admission or removal, as the case may be, and where such date is not ascertainable, on the date of payment of the duty.

Authorised         76G.   All goods admitted to a   special economic      

Operation            zone shall undergo such operations including     

                      processing or manufacturing as may be     specified      

                     in the rules made in this behalf.    

      

Goods   utilised       76H. (1) The Central   Government may make      

Within   a special     rules in this behalf to   enumerate the cases in      

Economic   zone      which goods to be utilised inside a special      

                               economic   zone     may be admitted free of       

                              duties of   customs and lay down the         

                              requirements   which shall be fulfilled .

(2) Goods utilised contrary to the provisions of rules made under sub-section (1) shall be chargeable to duties of customs in the same manner as provided under clause (b) of section 76F as if they have been removed for home consumption.

Drawback   on  goods      76-I.  Any goods   admitted to a special      

Admitted to a   special   economic zone from the   domestic tariff      

Economic zone            area for the purposes authorised under

this Chapter shall be eligible for drawback under section 75 as if such goods are export goods for the purposes of that section.

Duration            76J.   Any goods admitted to a special      

Of   stay              economic zone shall   not be allowed to remain      

within such zone beyond such time as may be      

specified in the rules made in this behalf.     

      

Security          76K.  Any goods   admitted free of duty to    

 a special economic zone or goods under   transhipment     

to and from   such zone without payment of duty shall    

 be subject to execution of such bond and   such surety    

 or security as may be specified in the   rules made in this     

behalf.    

      

Transfer of      76L.   Any goods admitted to,   or produced or manufactured in,     

Ownership      a special economic zone shall be allowed for transfer of ownership     

subject to such conditions as may be   specified in the rules made in      

this behalf.     

      

      

      

Removal   of       76M.   Any goods admitted to, or produced or   manufactured     

Goods             in, a special economic zone may   be removed in accordance      

                       with such procedure   as may be specified in the rules made     

                       in this behalf.     

      

Closure   of  special         76N.  In the   event of closure of a special economic     

Econiomic   zone.        zone by the Central   Government, by notification in the

Official Gazette, the goods admitted to, or produced or manufactured in, such zone shall be removed within such time and in such manner as may be specified in the rules made in this behalf.”.(51) (Shri Yashwant Sinha) MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:

“That new clause 120B be added to the Bill.” The motion was adopted.

New Clause 120B was added to the Bill.

Clauses 121 to 126 were added to the Bill.

    Clause 127      Amendment of Section 3  

Amendment made:   

         Page 32, for lines 42 and 43, substitute-   

Amendment                '127. In section 3 of the Central Excise Act, in sub-section    

of section 3                (1),--

(i) in clauses (a) and (b), after the words “excisable goods” wherever they occur, the brackets and words “(excluding goods produced or manufactured in special economic zones)” shall, with effect from such date as may be appointed by the Central Government, by notification in the Official Gazette, be inserted;

(ii) in the proviso,--

(a) in clause (I), the words “or a special economic zone” shall, with effect from such date as may be appointed by the Central Government, by notification in the Official Gazette, be omitted;

(b) in Explanation 2, for clause (i), the following clause shall be substituted, namely:--'. (52) (Shri Yashwant Sinha) MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:

“That clause 127, as amended, stand part of the Bill.” The motion was adopted .

Clause 127, as amended, was added to the Bill.

Clause 128 Amendment of Section 5A Amendments made:

Page 32, for lines 46 and 47, substitute-

Amendment of '128. In section 5A of the Central Excise Act,--

of Section 5A.

in sub-section (1), in the proviso,--

(a) in clause (i), the words “or a special economic zone”; and

(b) in the Explanation, the words “, special economic zone”, shall, with effect from such dates as may be appointed by the Central Government, by notification in the Official Gazette, be omitted;


    

(ii) after sub-section (2), the following sub-section shall be inserted, namely:--'.                        (53)   

    

Page 33, line 1, for “(ii)”, substitute “(iii)”.                                                                                                           (54)   

                                                                                                (Shri Yashwant Sinha)   

MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:   

“That clause 128, as amended, stand part of the Bill.”   

The motion was adopted.   

Clause 128, as amended, was added to the Bill.   

Clauses 129 to 136 were added to the Bill.   

    Motion Re: Suspension of Rule 80 (i)  

    

SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: Sir, I beg to move:

“That this House do suspend clause (i) of rule 80 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha in so far as it requires that an amendment shall be within the scope of the Bill and relevant to the subject matter of the clause to which it relates, in its application to Government amendment No. 55 to the Finance Bill, 2002 and that this amendment may be allowed to be moved.” MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:

“That this House do suspend clause (i) of rule 80 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha in so far as it requires that an amendment shall be within the scope of the Bill and relevant to the subject matter of the clause to which it relates, in its application to Government amendment No. 55 to the Finance Bill, 2002 and that this amendment may be allowed to be moved.” The motion was adopted. New Clause 136A Amendment made:

Page 33, after line 55, insert,--

Amendment of “136A. The Central Excise Rules, 2002 made by the Central Central Excise Government in exercise of the powers conferred by section 37 Rules, 2002 and of the Central Excise Act and published vide notification of validation of the Government of India in the Ministry of Finance (Depart-

action taken ment of Revenue) No. G.S.R. 143(E), dated the 1st March, thereunder. 2002, shall stand amended and shall be deemed to have been amended in the manner as specified in column (2) of the Ninth Schedule, on and from the date specified in column (3) of that Schedule, retrospectively and, accordingly, notwithstanding anything contained in any judgment, decree or order of any court, tribunal or other authority, any action taken or anything done or purported to have been taken or done under the said rules, shall be deemed to be, and always to have been, for all purposes, as validly or effectively, taken or done as if the rules as amended by this section had been in force at all material times.”. (55) (Shri Yashwant Sinha) MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:

“That new clause 136A be added to the Bill.” The motion was adopted.

New Clause 136A was added to the Bill.

Clauses 137 to 141 were added to the Bill.

Clause 142 Amendment of Act 32 of 1994 MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Amendment No. 80 - Shri N. Janardhana Reddy - Not present.

Amendments made:

Page 41, line 5, for “subscriber”, substitute “customer”.             (56)   

Page 42, line 11, for “130”, substitute “137”.                                           (57)   

(Shri Yashwant Sinha[k93]  )   

    

MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER:  The question is:   

“That clause 142, as amended, stand part of the Bill.”   

The motion was adopted.   

Clause 142, as amended, was added to the Bill.   

Clauses 143 and 144 were added to the Bill.   
  

Clause 145     Amendment of Section 8   

    

Amendments made:   

            Page 44, line 12, after “that State”, insert , “whichever is lower.”   (58)   

                                                   

             

             

Page 44, after   line 41, insert -

'(vi) after sub-section (5), the following sub-sections shall be inserted, namely: -

“(6) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, no tax under this Act shall be payable by any dealer in respect of sale of any goods made by such dealer, in the course of inter-State trade or commerce, to a registered dealer for the purpose of manufacture, production, processing, assembling, repairing, reconditioning, re-engineering, packaging or for use as trading or packing material or packing accessories in an unit located in any special economic zone, if such registered dealer has been authorised to establish such unit by the authority specified by the Central Government in this behalf.

(7) The goods referred to in sub-section (6) shall be the goods of such class or classes of goods as specified in the certificate of registration of the registered dealer referred to in that sub-section.

(8) The provisions of sub-sections (6) and (7) shall not apply to any sale of goods made in the course of inter-State trade or commerce unless the dealer selling such goods furnishes to the authority referred to in sub-section (6) a declaration in the prescribed manner on the prescribed form obtained from the authority referred to in sub-section (5), duly filled in and signed by the registered dealer to whom such goods are sold.

1 of 1944 Explanation.- For the purposes of sub-section (6), the expression “special economic zone” has the meaning assigned to it in clause (iii) to E xplanation 2 to the proviso to section 3 of the Central Excise Act, 1944.(59) Shri Yashwant Sinha ) MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:

“That clause 145, as amended, stand part of the Bill.” The motion was adopted.

Clause 145, as amended, was added to the Bill.

Motion Re: Suspension of Rule 80 (i) SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: I beg to move:

“That this House do suspend clause (i) of rule 80 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha in so far as it requires that an amendment shall be within the scope of the Bill and relevant to the subject matter of the clause to which it relates, in its application to Government amendment No. 60 to the Finance Bill, 2002 and that this amendment may be allowed to be moved.” MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:

“That this House do suspend clause (i) of rule 80 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha in so far as it requires that an amendment shall be within the scope of the Bill and relevant to the subject matter of the clause to which it relates, in its application to Government amendment No. 60 to the Finance Bill, 2002 and that this amendment may be allowed to be moved.” The motion was adopted.

New Clause 145A Amendment made:


            Page 44, after line 39, insert -                                                                                                                  Amendment         '145A.                          In section 10 of the Central Sales Tax Act, -   145A  

                

    

 Amendmentof section 10                                                                                                                                    (New)  

                                .        (i) in   clause (a), after the   word,  brackets and               

                                          figure “sub-section (4)”, the words, brackets and   

                                       figures “sub-section (8)” shall be inserted;   

    

                                               (ii) in clause (d),   after  the words, brackets   

                                           and figure “sub-section (3)”, the words, brack-   

                                           ets and figure “or sub-section   (6)” shall be in-   

                                          serted;   

    

                                              (iii) in clause (e), after the words,   brackets   

                                           and figure   “or sub-section (4)”,  the    words,    

                                            brackets and figure “or sub-section (8)” shall   

                                            be inserted.                                           (60)   

    

                                                                                                (Shri Yashwant Sinha)   

    

MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:   

“That new clause 145A be added to the Bill.”   

The motion was adopted.   

New clause 145A was added to the Bill.   

    

Motion Re: Suspension of Rule 80 (i)   

SHRI YASHWANT SINHA:  I beg to move:

“That this House do suspend clause (i) of rule 80 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha in so far as it requires that an amendment shall be within the scope of the Bill and relevant to the subject matter of the clause to which it relates, in its application to Government amendment No. 61 to the Finance Bill, 2002 and that this amendment may be allowed to be moved.” MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:

“That this House do suspend clause (i) of rule 80 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha in so far as it requires that an amendment shall be within the scope of the Bill and relevant to the subject matter of the clause to which it relates, in its application to Government amendment No. 61 to the Finance Bill, 2002 and that this amendment may be allowed to be moved.” The motion was adopted.


    

New clause 145B   

                                             

      

Page 44, after     39, insert, -                                                                               145B       

                                                                                                                        (New)       

Amendment          145B.      In section 13   of  the Central   Sales  Tax   Act,             

of section 13.    in     sub-section (1), after clause (a), the following clause       

                        shall     be inserted, namely:-       

                               

                              “(aa) the form and the manner for     furnishing       

                        declaration     under sub-section (8) of section 8;” '.          (61)      

                                      

        

        

                                       

                             

              

         
  

Amendment made:   

    

    

    

    

    

                                                                                       

(Shri Yashwant Sinha)   

                                                                                       

MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:   

“That new clause 145B be added to the Bill.”   

The motion was adopted.   

New clause 145B was added to the Bill.   

Clauses 146 to 151 were added to the Bill.   

    

Motion Re: Suspension of Rule 80 (i)   

SHRI YASHWANT SINHA:  I beg to move:

“That this House do suspend clause (i) of rule 80 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha in so far as it requires that an amendment shall be within the scope of the Bill and relevant to the subject matter of the clause to which it relates, in its application to Government amendment No. 62 to the Finance Bill, 2002 and that this amendment may be allowed to be moved.” MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:

“That this House do suspend clause (i) of rule 80 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha in so far as it requires that an amendment shall be within the scope of the Bill and relevant to the subject matter of the clause to which it relates, in its application to Government amendment No. 62 to the Finance Bill, 2002 and that this amendment may be allowed to be moved.” The motion was adopted.

SHRI VARKALA RADHAKRISHNAN (CHIRAYINKIL): Sir, why do you retain rule 80 (i) for mere suspension? There is always 'suspension' and 'suspension'. … (Interruptions) What is the meaning of retaining this rule? … ( Interruptions) What is this?

MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Shri Radhakrishnan, in such contingency, suspension of rule is made. Wherever necessity arises, it is done.

New Clause 151A Amendment made :

61.

Page 46, after line 8, insert,-

151A (New Clause) Amendment of notification issued under sub-section (4) of section 15 of the Oil Industry (Development) Act read with section 5A of the Central Excise Act.

“151A. (1) The notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas No. S.O. 417(E), dated the 12th April, 2002 issued under sub-section (4) of section 15 of the Oil Industry (Development) Act read with section 5A of the Central Excise Act, by the Central Government, shall be deemed to have come into force on and from the 1st day of March, 2002 retrospectively, and accordingly, notwithstanding anything contained in any judgment, decree or order of any court, tribunal or other authority, any action taken or anything done or purported to have been taken or done under the said notification, shall be deemed to be and always to have been, for all purposes, as validly or effectively taken or done as if the notification as amended by this sub-section had been in force at all material times.

(2) For the purposes of sub-section (1), the Central Government shall have and shall be deemed to have the power to exempt the goods specified in the notification referred to in the said sub-section with retrospective effect as if the Central Government had the power to exempt the said goods under sub-section (4) of section 15 of the Oil Industry (Development) Act read with section 5A of the Central Excise Act, retrospectively, at all material times.

(3) Refund shall be made of all such duty of excise, which have been collected, but which would not have been so collected, if the exemption referred to in sub-section (1) had been in force at all material times.

(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 11B of the Central Excise Act, an application for the claim of refund of the duty of excise under sub-section (3) shall be made within one year from the date on which the Finance Bill, 2002 receives the assent of the President.

Explanation.-For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that no act or omission on the part of any person shall be punishable as an offence which would have been so punishable if the notification referred to in this section had not been amended retrospectively by this section.”.(62) (Shri Yashwant Sinha) 21.00 hrs. MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:

"That New clause 151A be added to the Bill."

The motion was adopted.

New Clause 151A was added to the Bill.

Clauses 152 and 153 were added to the Bill.

First Schedule SHRI PAWAN KUMAR BANSAL (CHANDIGARH): Sir, I beg to move:

Page 47, for lines 10 to 15,-- substitute Rates of income-tax (1) Where the total income does Nil;

not exceed Rs.50,000 (2) Where the total income 10 per cent of the amount by exceeds Rs.50,000 but which the total income exceeds does not exceed Rs.1,00,000 Rs.50,000;

            (3)       Where the total income                     Rs.5000 plus 20 per cent of the   

                        exceeds Rs.1,00,000 but                  amount by which the total   

                        does not exceed Rs.1,50,000           income exceeds Rs.1,00,000;   

    

            (4)       Where the total income                     Rs.15,000 plus 30 per cent of the   

                        exceeds Rs.1,50,000                                    amount by which the total income   

                                                                                    exceeds Rs.1,50,000.            (84)

MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: I shall now put Amendment No.84 to First Schedule moved by Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal to the vote of the House.

The amendment was put and negatived.

Amendment made:

Page 52, line 29, for "provisions of item I of", substitute "provisions of".

(63)

(Shri Yashwant Sinha) MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:

"That the First Schedule, as amended, stand part of the Bill."

The motion was adopted.

The First Schedule, as amended, was added to the Bill.

Second Schedule Amendment made:

Page 55, for lines 8 and 9, substitute--

'(4) in Chapter 4,--

for the entry in column (4) occuring against each of the sub-headings (except sub-heading 0402.10, 0402.21, 0405.10, 0405.20, 0405.90 and 0406.90), the entry "30%" shall be substituted;

(ii) for the entry in column (4) occuring against each of the sub-headings 0405.20 and 0405.90, the entry "40%" shall be substituted;'. (64) (Shri Yashwant Sinha) MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:

"That the Second Schedule, as amended, stand part of the Bill."

The motion was adopted.

The Second Schedule, as amended, was added to the Bill.

The Third Schedule was added to the Bill.

The Fourth Schedule was added to the Bill.

The Fifth Schedule was added to the Bill.

The Sixth Schedule was added to the Bill.

The Seventh Schedule was added to the Bill.

The Eighth Schedule was added to the Bill.

Motion Re: Suspension of Rule 80(i) SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: Sir, I beg to move:

“That this House do suspend clause (i) of rule 80 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha in so far as it requires that an amendment shall be within the scope of the Bill and relevant to the subject matter of the clause to which it relates, in its application to Government amendment No. 65 to the Finance Bill, 2002 and that this amendment may be allowed to be moved.” MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:

“That this House do suspend clause (i) of rule 80 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha in so far as it requires that an amendment shall be within the scope of the Bill and relevant to the subject matter of the clause to which it relates, in its application to Government amendment No. 65 to the Finance Bill, 2002 and that this amendment may be allowed to be moved.” The motion was adopted.

New Ninth Schedule Amendmentmade[k94] :

65.

Page 76, after line 5, insert   -                                                                                   Ninth Schedule     

(New Schedule)    

                  

             'THE NINTH SCHEDULE    

      

(See section 136A)    

                  

             

Notification   No. and date           

Amendment           

Date   of effect of amendment    

                  

             

(1)           

(2)    

             

(3)                

             

G.S.R. 143 (E), dated the 1st March, 2002 [4 / 2002   -Central     

Excise (N. T.), dated the 1st March, 2002]     

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

             

In the Central Excise Rules, 2002, -

(a) in rule 8, after sub-rule (1), the following sub-rule shall be inserted, namely:-

“(1A) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (1), the duty on the goods removed from the factory or the warehouse, in the State of Gujarat, during the second fortnight of February, 2002 and the month of March, 2002 shall be paid by the 31st March, 2002:

Provided that where an assessee in the State of Gujarat is availing of the exemption under a notification based on the value of clearances in a financial year, the duty on goods cleared during the month of February, 2002 shall be paid by the 31st March, 2002.

Explanation.- For removal of doubts, it is hereby clarified that the duty liability shall be deemed to have been discharged only if the amount payable is credited to the account of the Central Government by the specified date.”;

(b) after rule 8, the following rule shall be inserted, namely:-

“8A. Manner of payment in respect of specified goods on which excise duty has been imposed with effect from 1st March, 2002.- (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in rule 8, the duty on the goods, specified in the Annexure to this rule, removed from the factory or the warehouse during the period commencing on and from the 1st March, 2002 and ending with and including the 31st May, 2002, shall be paid by the 15th day of June, 2002.

Explanation.- For removal of doubts, it is hereby clarified that the duty liability shall be deemed to have been discharged only if the amount payable is credited to the account of the Central Government by the specified date.

(2) The duty of excise shall be deemed to have been paid for the purposes of these rules on the excisable goods removed in the manner provided under sub-rule (1) and the credit of such duty allowed, as provided by or under any rule.

(3) If the assessee fails to pay the amount of duty by due date, he shall be liable to pay the outstanding amount along with interest at the rate specified by the Central Government vide notification issued under section 11AB of the Act on the outstanding amount, for the period starting with the first day after due date till the date of actual payment of the outstanding amount.

(4) If the assessee defaults in payment of duty by the 15th day of June, 2002, then, the assessee shall forfeit the facility to pay the dues in instalments as provided under sub-rule (1) of rule 8 for the clearances made after the 1st day of June, 2002 for a period of two months, commencing on and from the date of communication of the order passed by the Assistant Commissioner of Central Excise or the Deputy Commissioner of Central Excise, as the case may be, in this regard, or till such date on which the dues are paid, whichever is later, and during this period the assessee shall be required to pay excise duty for each consignment by debiting to the account current and in the event of any failure to do so, it shall be deemed that such goods have been cleared without payment of duty and the consequences and penalties as provided in these rules, shall follow. Annexure All goods specified at S. Nos. 9 to 50 of the Table to the notification of the Government of India, Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue) No.10/2002-Central Excise, dated the 1st March, 2002 published in the Gazette of India vide number G.S.R. 131 (E), dated the 1st March, 2002, which were exempt from whole of the duty leviable thereon immediately prior to 1st March, 2002 and on which duty has become leviable with effect from 1st March, 2002, at the rate of 4% ad valorem, subject to the conditions specified in that notification or, as the case may be, at the rate of 16% ad valorem.

Granite falling under heading No. 68.07 manufactured by units which would have been eligible for exemption from duty whether in whole or in part under notification No. 8/2001-Central Excise or No. 9/2001-Central Excise, dated the 1st March, 2001, as they existed before 1st March, 2002 and granite falling under heading No. 68.07 manufactured by units which would have been eligible for exemption whether in whole or in part if such exemption had not been withdrawn under notification No. 8/2002- Central Excise or, as the case may be, under notification No. 9/2002-Central Excise, both dated the 1 st March, 2002.

Woven fabrics of cotton, falling under Chapter 52, when subjected to any one or more of the following processes, namely:-

flanellete raising;

stentering;

damping on grey and bleached sorts;

back filling on grey and bleached sorts;

singeing, that is to say, burning away of knots and loose ends in the fabrics;

cropping or buta cutting;

curing or heat setting;

padding, that is to say, applying starch or fatty material on one or both sides of the fabric; or expanding, if such fabrics are processed in a factory which does not have the facilities (including plant and equipment) for carrying out bleaching, dyeing or printing or any one or more of these processes with the aid of power or steam and such fabrics were exempt from whole of the duties leviable thereon under the First Schedule to the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985 (5 of 1986) and the First Schedule to the Additional Duties of Excise (Goods of Special Importance) Act, 1957 (58 of 1957), immediately prior to 1st March, 2002 and on which duties have become leviable with effect from 1st March, 2002, at the rate of 12% ad valorem .

Woven fabrics of man-made fibres, falling under Chapter 54 or Chapter 55, when subjected to any one or more of the following processes, namely:-

singeing, that is to say, burning away of knots and loose ends in the fabrics;

padding, that is to say, application of natural starch to one or both sides of the fabrics;

back filling, that is to say, application of starch to one side of the fabrics;

cropping, that is to say, cutting away mechanically of loose ends from the fabrics; or the process of blowing (steam pressing) carried out on woven fabrics of acrylic fibre, if such fabrics are processed in a factory which does not have the facilities (including plant and equipment) for carrying out bleaching, dyeing or printing or any one or more of these processes with the aid of power or steam, and such fabrics were exempt from whole of the duties leviable thereon under the First Schedule to the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985 (5 of 1986) and the First Schedule to the Additional Duties of Excise (Goods of Special Importance) Act, 1957 (58 of 1957), immediately prior to 1st March, 2002 and on which duties have become leviable with effect from 1st March, 2002, at the rate of 12% ad valorem.”;

(c) after rule 12, the following rule shall be inserted, namely:-

“12A. Filing of return in respect of specified goods on which excise duty has been imposed on and from the 1st March, 2002.- Notwithstanding anything contained in rule 12, every assessee shall submit, in respect of goods specified in the Annexure to rule 8A, to the Superintendent of Central Excise a return for the months of March, April and May, 2002, in the form specified by notification by the Board, of production and removal of the said goods and other relevant particulars, by the 10th day of June, 2002.”.'. (65) (Shri Yashwant Sinha) MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:

“That New Ninth Schedule be added to the Bill.” The motion was adopted.

New Ninth Schedule was added to the Bill[RS95] .

Clause 1, the Enacting Formula and theLong Title were added to the Bill .

MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Now, the Minister may move that the Bill, as amended, be passed.

SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: I beg to move:

“That the Bill, as amended, be passed.” MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:

“That the Bill, as amended, be passed.” The motion was adopted.

2107 hrs. The Lok Sabha then adjourned till Eleven of the Clock on Tuesday, April 30, 2002/Vaisakha 10, 1924 (Saka).

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Lok Sabha Debates

Discussion On The Finance Bill, 2002 Moved By Shri Yashwant Sinha On 26 Th April, ... on 29 April, 2002