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Lok Sabha Debates

Discussion Regarding F</Span><Span Lang=En-Gb Style=''Font-Size:13.0Pt; ... on 2 December, 2015

Sixteenth Loksabha an>   Title: Discussion regarding flood  and drought situation in Tamil Nadu and other parts of the Country.

 

HON. SPEAKER: Now, Dr. P. Venugopal has authorized Shri T.G. Venkatesh Babu to speak.

DR. P. VENUGOPAL (TIRUVALLUR): Madam Speaker, on behalf of me, I authorize Mr. Venkatesh Babu to take part in this discussion. Thank you.

SHRI T.G. VENKATESH BABU (CHENNAI NORTH): Thank you for allowing us to have a discussion under Rule 193 on the flood and drought situation arising in Tamil Nadu. … (Interruptions)

 

12.10 ½ hours   (At this stage, Shri Mallikarjun Kharge and some other hon. Members left the House.)   THE MINISTER OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT, MINISTER OF HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION AND MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI M. VENKAIAH NAIDU): Madam, Speaker, the comments about the community should not go on record. … (Interruptions)

HON. SPEAKER: Nothing will go on record.

… (Interruptions)… श्री एम. वैंकैय्या नायडू : उन्होंने जाते समय भी बोला। उन्होंने कहा कि दलित के खिलाफ बोला। दलित के खिलाफ किसी ने नहीं बोला। वी.के. सिंह ने भी नहीं बोला। ...(व्यवधान)इसलिए इसको बार-बार उठाना, उनका अपमान करना, यह अच्छा नहीं है। वह बाढ़ के बारे में चर्चा नहीं चाहते, तो यह उनकी च्वाइस है। ...(व्यवधान)

HON. SPEAKER: I have already told that nothing will go on record. जो ईश्यू मैंने डिसएलाऊ किया हुआ है, तो इसका कारण ही नहीं कि इसे लिया जाए।

… (Interruptions) HON. SPEAKER: Shri Venkatesh Babu, please continue.

SHRI T.G. VENKATESH BABU: First of all, I would like to express my gratitude and sincere thanks to our hon. leader, Dr. Puratchi Thalaivi Amma for giving me an opportunity to speak on the flood situation arising in Tamil Nadu due to incessant rains.

          Most of the parts of Tamil Nadu get rains during the months of October to December through Northeast Monsoon. But this year an unusually very heavy and extreme rainfall occurred in almost all districts of Tamil Nadu. The four northern districts of Tamil Nadu, i.e., Chennai, Tiruvallur, Cuddalore and Kancheepuram had unprecedented rainfall. In many areas the downpour was very heavy in a short duration of time.

          Normally, the monsoon brings incessant rains for a period of three months giving enough time for draining out and restoration. But this year the rainfall that is due for three months fell on three days time consecutively. Neyveli in Cuddalore district, which was already devastated by Thane Storm three years back, received 437 millimetre of rain on 9th November alone. Chennai received the second heaviest monthly rainfall recorded in the past more than 100 years in just 20 days of November 2015.

          Between November 8th and November 16th widespread rainfall occurred in almost all the districts of Tamil Nadu. There were heavy to extremely heavy rainfall from 8th November to 26th November. The average rainfall in the State in 12 days from 4th November was 217 millimetre. In a few hours more than 100 millimetre downpour occurred on an average. In four districts, the actual rainfall for this season up to November 15th was 382 millimetre, whereas the normal average rainfall for the entire season of three months of Northeast Monsoon is 290 millimetre only.

          According to the Meteorological Department, a deep depression of high intensity formed in the Bay of Bengal, hit Marakkanam in Cuddalore district on 10th November. It was followed by another low pressure system which brought additional rains to Tamil Nadu and aggravated the situation still further.

          According to the Indian Meteorological Department, the State has recorded excess rainfall of 32 per cent between October 1st and November 15th. Even the Department was taken aback as it could not forecast such a devastating and unprecedented rainfall and cyclonic effect of such a magnitude.

          Overflow from Andhra which also received heavy rainfall from Krishnanpallam Dam to Kosasthalai river and from Pichatur Dam to Arani river aggravated the problem still further. Based on the forecast adequate precautionary measures were taken by the State Government and all the departments were put on alert. Monsoon preparedness meeting was held on 1st October by the Chief Secretary followed by video conferences organised by the Principal Secretary between 26th October and 5th November to gear up the administration to face any eventuality and necessary instructions were issued. 

          Disaster Management Plan was prepared and kept ready. Taluka level district management plan was also drawn and all the concerned were put on alert. All these precautionary measures were taken on the instructions of the hon. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Dr. Puratchi Thalaivi Amma, but for the leadership and timely action taken by Amma, untold miseries and unprecedented destructions could not have been averted. Despite all the precautions taken, damages caused by the unprecedented rainfall were heavy in almost all the districts. It was extensive in four districts of northern Tamil Nadu. To put in the words of a leading magazine, ‘it was a deluge’.

Undeterred by the devastation, the well oiled machinery of the State embarked on immediate relief and restoration work.

The overflow from the filled up tanks and reservoirs further aggravated the problem. Amma’s Government had overhauled the entire drainage system recently, but even that could not drain out the floods. The State was on the anvil of restoring 121 reservoirs in Chennai city for storing of rainwater before the monsoon struck a heavy blow. Even the rainwater harvesting, the much acclaimed plan of execution by Amma, could not suffice.

The demographic nature of Tamil Nadu, especially Chennai city, was its undoing. The major reservoirs and their waterways were encroached upon by the greedy realtors in connivance with the previous DMK regime. The 3,000 acres of marshy land at Pallikaranai situated in the city, which can hold much of rain water, was also encroached upon. All this contributed to the flooding and inundation of many parts of the city. 

The unprecedented rainfall and the fury of nature have caused extensive damage in the State - 14,35,695 houses were inundated, four lakh people were evacuated to 539 relief camps and provided with shelter, food, water, clothing and medical assistance. Nearly 21,30,000 food packets were distributed to the people who were affected. Hundreds of water tankers were pressed into service to provide drinking water, 121 special camps were organised for vaccinating 85,111 cattle and 32,551 de-worming doses were administered and 120 tonnes of free fodder were arranged.

In areas where there was total disruption of power supply, generators were moved for immediate restoration of power supply. Additional staff was deputed. Hundreds of transformers, electric poles and conductors were replaced in no time.

The floods caused extensive damage to dwellings, crops, infrastructure, including roads, bridges, drainage and sewage systems, government buildings etc. Road blocks extending to hundreds of kilometres were repaired and traffic was restored within a few hours.

Enumeration of huts damaged was done on daily basis and reliefs were distributed immediately.

Several teams were formed to assess the loss. Twelve teams of NDRF, four teams of  SDRF and five teams of Coastal Security Force, 500 personnel of Fire and Rescue Services, 160 men from the Army, with eight inflatable and four pedal boats and one all-terrain vehicle, were deployed in four districts alone. Additionally, two columns of Navy with six boats and six helicopters from Air Force were put in service. SDRF, Coastal Security Guards, Fire and Rescue Services of the State Government, along with the civilian officials of various Departments,  and Ministers were tirelessly participating in the rescue operations. 

Lakhs of State Government staff were engaged in relief operations throughout the State along with the NGOs. The hon. Chief Minister, after visiting the flood affected areas, sanctioned Rs. 500 crore on the16th of November for relief and restoration work. Immediately relief was arranged to the families of 169 people who lost their lives. Relief was provided to 2,038 cases of loss of cattle and 60,672 cases of loss of poultry and 98,650 cases of hut damage. One additional set of books, notebooks and uniforms were supplied to students who lost them in the floods. For those who lost their ration cards, duplicate ration cards were given immediately. All the relief works were done on a war-footing.

At this juncture, I, on behalf of the Tamil Nadu Government, express my thanks to the Central forces but for whose timely service the enormous relief works could not have been accomplished. After assessing the damage, a memorandum was submitted to the Government of India by the Tamil Nadu Government seeking Rs. 2,630.85 crore for temporary restoration and Rs. 5,850.34 crore for permanent restoration totaling to Rs. 8,480.93 crore from the NDRF fund for the flood damages suffered. The Central team has also visited the flood-affected areas and made an assessment to be placed before the Centre.

Our hon. Chief Minister, Amma, in her letter to Prime Minister on 23rd November requested for the immediate release of Rs. 2,000 crore for urgent relief work. In her letter, our hon. Chief Minister quoted that the initial assessment done requires higher finance, which is well beyond the resources available with the State including the SDRF, and that the extent of damage is still unfolding and many weeks of monsoon is still left. I profusely thank the Prime Minister -- on behalf of our Amma and the Government that she heads -- for the immediate relief rendered and the fund released.

I cannot but remind this House that during the much more devastating Thane storm, the previous UPA Government -- in which DMK was a partner -- released only Rs. 500 crore and that too after much hesitation and delay. Our Government then was left to carry out the relief operation on its own. DMK, which criticized the initial allocation of Rs. 500 crore by Amma as insufficient, donated only Rs. one crore. The people of Tamil Nadu are asking : "All right, now Rs. one crore is here as relief fund. Where is the remaining Rs. 1.75 lakh crore?". This is what the people of Tamil Nadu want to know.

          The Opposition Parties are trying to take advantage of this calamity. Instead of helping the relief operation, massively undertaken by our Government, they are criticizing the relief work. The Tamil Nadu unit of BJP and Central Ministers were no exception for it, but they forget the track record of Amma's Government in disaster management of natural calamities. The excellent and speedy relief operation carried out by the Tamil Nadu Government under the leadership of our beloved Amma during the Tsunami holocaust was praised by the entire world. It was acclaimed by none other than the former President of USA, Mr. Clinton. The disaster management work undertaken by Amma's Government during the Thane storm was hailed as a role model for the entire nation. This time also we will get the appreciation of the right-thinking people for the tremendous work done by us to save the people of Tamil Nadu and to mitigate their sufferings.

Our Amma, as frequently quoted by her, is ‘by the people’ and ‘for the people’. The civic infrastructure including rails, roads and buildings need to be strengthened to withstand rain and resulting flooding. This also calls for changes and improvement in urban planning methods and norms. The long-term need is for better water management and measures to conserve water, which can turn even flood into a boon, and with one more month of active North-East monsoon left, the rainfall figures in the State are expected to really shoot-up. Another spell of heavy rains is predicted by the Meteorological Department from 29 November 2015, particularly, in the southern parts of Tamil Nadu. Even now, there have been extremely heavy rainfalls continuously pouring, which are devastating Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram Districts.

Hence, I urge upon the Union Government to consider this calamity as a National calamity because of its large-scale devastation and release immediately the entire demanded amount of Rs. 8,480.93 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund for flood damages suffered by the State of Tamil Nadu.

          I would like to state that timely release of adequate funds by the Union Government will help Tamil Nadu to undertake temporary and permanent restoration of infrastructure and other utilities on war-footing basis.

          With sincere prayers for being considerate, let me conclude, Madam.

DR. M. THAMBIDURAI (KARUR): The issue under Rule193 about which he spoke just now is a very serious matter. The Central team visited our State, but we do not know what recommendations they have made. Also, heavy rains started once again and people are suffering a lot. If our Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh is here, we would be very happy, but anyway the State Minister is here. I would request Shri Rajnath Singh Ji to come over here. It is a very serious matter and that is what I wanted to state.

HON. SPEAKER: Just now the discussion has started. You can also speak on this issue. The discussion, which has started just now, is on flood and drought situation prevailing in several parts of the country.

          Now, I call Shri P.C. Mohan.

SHRI P.C. MOHAN (BANGALORE CENTRAL): Madam, I thank you very much for giving me an opportunity to speak on this issue.

          The southern parts of our country, especially in Tamil Nadu and in the neighbouring State of Andhra Pradesh, it has been raining very heavily for the past three weeks. The situation in Tamil Nadu, especially in Chennai, is worse. As we all know, we have been watching on the TV also and people who are coming from there have been telling us that the situation is so bad that schools have been shut down, airports have been closed, train services have been cancelled and the people are living in a very grim situation there.

          I thank the Centre for its intervention. Our Prime Minister Shri Modi spoke to the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu the other day assuring her all help from the Centre. He spoke to Jayalalithaa Ji on the flood situation in parts of Tamil Nadu and assured her all possible support and cooperation in this unfortunate hour. I thank the Prime Minister for giving such a nice statement about which people are very happy.

          Ten teams of the National Disaster Rescue Force have already been dispatched, four of which are already in Chennai, and the rest will be flying in tomorrow. At the same time, we are all requesting the Chief of NDRF to send more teams from Bengaluru and Andhra Pradesh.

          Karnataka, being their neighbour, we sympathize with the people of Tamil Nadu and Andhra. We know the situation which they are facing and I would like to tell them that they have our complete support. Thank you.

SHRI SUDIP BANDYOPADHYAY (KOLKATA UTTAR): Madam, the situation is very grim because both floods and drought have affected our country. Vast areas are under flood and half of India is affected by drought. The data shows that 302 out of 614 districts are reeling under drought, which is the highest since 2009; and forty per cent of the area in different parts of India is affected by floods.

          Along with Chennai and other parts in Tamil Nadu, floods have very badly affected the State of West Bengal also. I have raised this issue on the floor of the all-Party meeting convened by you on 25th of November. The State Government asked for a relief of Rs. 6,000 crore, and I questioned the Government as to how much money was allotted by the Centre to grapple with the situation. Then, very promptly, Shri Venkaiah Naidu assured me that he would send a reply and accordingly he had sent a reply stating, “Dear Sudip Da, as per the information that we have got, Bengal got the entire amount of Rs. 367 crore which has been released from SDRF for this year.” Further details will be available tomorrow afternoon.” I will possibly get to know the further information. When we asked for Rs.6,000 crore, how did SDRF release only Rs.387 crore? What is the system of assessment? The Central team goes and it comes back. How do they assess the gravity of the situation? They go together to make the assessment of the situation. But when they take the decision, they do it of their own. We broadly disown this.

          Tamil Nadu is, no doubt, affected very badly.  Let them get more money. We have full support for them. What I heard yesterday was that their demand was up to a certain extent. But a very minimum amount has been released. The situation is becoming very difficult to be tackled by the States’ own monetary resources. I would say that the Central Government on the one side is not releasing the money on time and on the other, the State Government is not capable enough to tackle the situation up to that limit with their own sources. Many Central projects are also being affected. Right from August, there has been no rain in the country except in a few places. So, the drought is also equally affecting. West Bengal is a sufferer of both flood and drought. Four districts particularly, Burdwan, Bankura, Purulia and West Midnapore are affected by floods. There is unprecedented rainfall on one side and drought on the other side. This is actually a serious condition. We propose that farmers and the flood affected people ought to be provided with drinking water, food and alternative seeds. On the other side, DVC is not giving water. Tenughat project of West Bengal has no water. How can this situation be overcome? I would request the Central Government to give necessary instructions to release DVC water for this purpose, in consultation with the State Government at the earliest possible time.

          Due to flood and due to drought very poor people and farmers lose their income and assets. They are to face a distress sale. They become much poorer. They do not become poorer. They become the poorest. I would also suggest one thing. The Government has a huge stock of food grains under FCI. The Food Corporation of India can supply more amount of food grains to the flood affected areas and to the drought affected areas.

          In deficit monsoon, death of farmers is also very much alarming. I would say that the Central assistance is also being reduced for ICDS project. Earlier, the Central Government used to give them lion’s share of the fund to run the ICDS projects. Now it has been said that the State will share the maximum portion and the Centre will give the remaining portion.  It is another burden on the shoulders of the Government. We keep saying here that the West Bengal Government has to repay a debt of Rs.2,30,000 crore and against that loan taken by the previous Government every year the Central Government takes Rs.20,000 crore from the State Government of West Bengal. In that regard we have categorically said that if we are repaying the old loans taken by the previous Government out of the loans being given by the present Government, it is a precarious condition.

SHRI  M. VENKAIAH NAIDU: Sudip-da, you are here and Saugata-ji is here. The system is like that. Whether it is this Government or that Government it makes no difference. State Government means the West Bengal Government. Earlier it was CPI (M) Government and now it is Trinamool Government. That is the system in India. If there is some other way you suggest it. You can give a new idea to the effect that a new Government need not take care of whatever the previous Government has done. But such a situation is not there under the Constitution. I am just taking this liberty because you raised this issue earlier also.

SHRI SUDIP BANDYOPADHYAY: I agree with you. What I meant was that a Government which ruled the State of West Bengal for 34 years had run a huge debt of Rs.2,30,000 crore and the repayment burden of that fell on the new Government of the State, for which the Central Government naturally deducts Rs.20,000 crore every year.

          Now some positive steps have to be taken by the Central Government. I want to know what are the functions of the following Centrally-aided projects. These things happen very broadly. Can we involve additional days of work under MNREGA project? Diesel subsidy scheme for farmers in affected areas, enhancement of ceiling on seed subsidy, interventions for saving horticulture crops, implementation of additional fodder development programme, allocation of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), availability of seeds and other inputs for kharief 2015, crisis management plan for drought for the year 2015, how are all these schemes rising to the occasion?

          Madam, such instances of floods and droughts have to be managed with imagination, with some farsightedness and advanced planning. We have to make a proper plan in advance. These affect our country any time any moment, nobody can say. Global warming is manifesting in these weather changes. The whole world is now becoming conscious of the effects of climate change. There was a huge convention in Paris very recently and these issues have been raised and discussed there.

          As regards functioning of the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF), nowadays there is a system wherein the Central Government gives money to the State fund in advance. But if the flood or drought becomes worse, then the Government has to spend the money primarily. The Government of West Bengal has already spent more than Rs.1,000 crore in spite of the huge financial crisis it is in. The State Government has asked  for Rs.6,000 crore but only Rs.367 crore were released and that too is yet to be received. I came to know about this relief order from Mr. Venkaiah Naidu-ji.

Madam, I would submit that flood situation in Tamil Nadu be dealt with on priority. But the situation being faced by West Bengal due to floods and droughts is a very serious situation. Government of India should rise to the occasion with all sorts of assistance. It should discuss with the Chief Minister of the State in a broad way. The recommendations of the central teams that visit and assess the situation should not be taken as final. The Chief Ministers of the States are made by people’s representatives.  When they are asking for some financial assistance, it should be taken up on priority. 

          This discussion was very important and I think those States which are affected by drought and floods, especially West Bengal, which I represent, and Tamil Nadu should be taken on priority. 

SHRI ADHIR RANJAN CHOWDHURY (BAHARAMPUR): Hon. Speaker Madam, the issue that has been raised under Rule 193 is a very pertinent and sensitive one.  We all have witnessed the ferocity and the frenzy of the nature in Tamil Nadu in the recent past.  Virtually the entire country has been ravaged by the fury of nature frequently which even took a toll of lives in addition to huge financial loss.  We are undergoing a severe environmental and ecological disaster and the community of the world is pondering over it in order to deal with this kind of situation. 

          In India, we have various meteorological divisions.  Somewhere we are destined to face drought, somewhere it is flood and now due to fury of nature, even the desert has been flooded and those areas which earlier witnessed the huge rainfall are facing the drought-like situation.  So, naturally no area could be as usual demarcated as flood-prone or drought-prone area now because it is the freak of the nature which determines the fate of any area of our country. 

          I am also hailing from a State which is prone to flood like other flood-prone areas.  This year also, a large swath of West Bengal has been ravaged by flood.  People have lost their crops, their properties, their livestock etc. but no succour worth its name, no assistance worth its name has been provided to those flood-affected people of the State in spite of high-flown promises that were made frequently. 

           I would also like to draw the attention of the House and the Government that we cannot dictate the nature on our own terms. At least we can mitigate the sufferings of the common people provided we have the appropriate post-disaster management facilities available with us.

          A number of institutions have been created on for dealing with these unforeseen and unprecedented situations. For your kind recall, I can cite the Cyclone Phailin in Odisha and Cyclone Hudhud in Andhra Pradesh. Due to the Cyclone Phailin, Odisha incurred a loss of more than Rs. 30,000 crore; for Cyclone Hudhud, Andhra Pradesh incurred a loss of more than Rs. 1,00,000 crore.  In order to adopt to environmental vulnerabilities, the Government needs to provide 2.5 per cent of the GDP, that is, more than Rs. 3,00,000 crore. … (Interruptions)

          Here my esteemed colleague Shri Sudip Bandyopadhyay had cited the issue of Bengal floods. He was striving hard in order to save the face of his leader who happens to be the Chief Minister of West Bengal and who used to remain busy in holding melas, festivals, etc., whereby crores of rupees are being spent only to satisfy her ego but insofar as farmers and flood-affected people are concerned she always remained indifferent to those hapless people. … (Interruptions)

SHRI SUDIP BANDYOPADHYAY: He is talking about melas and festivals. How is it related? … (Interruptions)

SHRI ADHIR RANJAN CHOWDHURY: It is relevant. You just referred to your government. … (Interruptions)

SHRI SUDIP BANDYOPADHYAY: It is your government also. … (Interruptions)

SHRI ADHIR RANJAN CHOWDHURY: It is the State Government, the West Bengal Government, that is, your Government. … (Interruptions)

          The West Bengal Government is an indebted government. You are pleading for financial moratorium, etc. from the Central Government but the fact is that when you assumed power you were well aware that you were inheriting a State which was a debt-ridden State. So, from the beginning you had to be pragmatic in your expenditure and in running the government, where you have failed miserably. Now, the debt burden has gone up to Rs. 3,00,000 crore; nobody will help you to salvage the situation besides God. … (Interruptions)

HON. SPEAKER: Two more Members from your party want to speak on this.

… (Interruptions)

SHRI ADHIR RANJAN CHOWDHURY: Even in West Bengal, farmers are committing suicide. It is a regular feature. In West Bengal, the minimum support price which is meant to be given to these farmers so that they are not compelled to indulge in distress sale is not being given. The entire infrastructure in West Bengal is in a shambles.

All the institutions in West Bengal are viciously politicised.   That is why, the farmers are not being given their due in spite of availability of funds.  Minimum Support Price is now Rs.1410 and Rs.1415 plus bonus.  But the farmers are compelled to sell their produce as is determined by the middlemen.  So, the fate of the poor farmers is now being dictated by the middlemen in connivance with the political apparatchiks of the State of West Bengal.  Even the irrigation facilities are not being provided.  That has been referred to by my esteemed colleague.  DVC is not being run by the Central Government only.  The States of West Bengal and Jharkhand  are co-sharing the DVC.  Before discharging water, you should put your argument in a befitting manner so that in future there should not be any disturbance for irrigation. 

          I would request the Central Government to provide the money that is required for the State in the way that is very known to the Central Government.  Institutional credit should be given to those farmers.  In India, only 2.3 per cent of institutional credit is being given to those poor and marginal farmers.  I would like to know how many areas of West Bengal are being covered by crop insurance because only 18 to 19 per cent area of our country is under crop insurance.  So in order to give some relief to those flood and drought affected farmers of our country, we should offer something which may help them to survive in this situation.

                                                                                     

SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB (CUTTACK): Madam, I was a witness myself or a victim myself when rain was ravaging Chennai.  The Railway Convention Committee was on tour and I was travelling from Bhubaneswar to Chennai.  That was on 15th November, 2015 and on that day, there were dark clouds over Chennai and roads were flooded.  The moment our flight landed at Chennai Airport, I was really very apprehensive whether I can reach my hotel or not.  But the General Manager of Southern Railway told me that we can navigate.  He used the word ‘navigate’.  I looked up to his face and told him that he is using the word ‘navigate’.  He said that Sir, we have to ply through vast mass of water.  But our roads are good and we can go through. 

          I was a bit apprehensive because a Committee tour itself is not a single Member affair and it can only have its impact if more Members come and participate.  Subsequently, Mr. Venugopal and other Members also arrived.  But we were all confined for two days in that hotel only.  We could not go out.  That is supposed to be the main centre of Chennai and our point of discussion went around relating to the Chennai main station which is in a low lying area.  Most of the officers who were controlling traffic, they were more concerned how to restrict the movement of train and how to make passenger, at least, to go out and come in so that nobody would say that the train service has collapsed. They did a better job in that. But yesterday we all came to know, we saw the visuals in the television that the whole Chennai airport is flooded. That shows that since last so many days, for the last 20-21 days, there has been incessant rain, that is the North-Eastern monsoon which normally comes in the middle of November and continues till mid-January but never ever, as I had heard in Chennai that day, they had witnessed this type of heavy rain in Tamil Nadu. Large parts of Tamil Nadu have been flooded. Lakhs of people have been inundated. Their houses have been flooded. Three districts of Southern Andhra Pradesh also have got incessant rain. This has something to do with the Al Nino effect. If the water in the Pacific Ocean gets heated up, then we get this type of torrential  rains or heavy showers in some  parts and we experience drought in some other parts. Many areas do not get rain as usually they should get.

          When we were there, the hon. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu went around, Shri Venugopal will agree with me. It is because this was a point of discussion not only in Chennai itself. How could a Chief Minister move around the city when the whole city is flooded? That is how a leader of calibre in a State should function. She demonstrated it. Her instruction was to go to the people. One of our hon. Member of Parliament from the AIADMK is a Member of our Committee and when we telephoned him and asked him as to where he was and that we were in his State and he replied that he was in his Constituency and that the instruction from his party was that he had to be with the people. He was some 300 kilometres away from Chennai. But that place was also affected by incessant rain and people were suffering. As much support as was possible was being provided to the people. But that was not adequate. No Government can provide whatever is possible in a normal ways, life goes on, the Government can provide. But at least the Government gave a sense that the Government machinery was with the people. When some disaster strikes that is how the Administration should react to at the first instance.

          As I had said on earlier occasions, the first thing is to rescue the people when a disaster strikes. The second is to provide the people with relief and then comes rehabilitation. These are the three `R’s that are to be followed when disaster strikes any place. First the people should be rescued. That is what our hon. Chief Minister, Shri Naveen Patnaik had done when Phailin had struck the State of Odisha in 2013. The Southern part of Odisha was affected. More than 10 lakh people were evacuated from the affected area. This is a lesson which we had learnt after 1999 super cyclone. At that time there was a different Government in power in the State. When the Administration informed the people that the wind is coming with this magnitude of velocity and they were asked to shift to a better place for shelter. People did not leave. In 1999 when the Administration informed the people that the wind was coming with this magnitude of velocity and they were asked to shift to a better place for shelter, people did not leave. But in 2013 when prediction about Phailin had come, more than 10 lakh  people were evacuated and people came on their own to the cyclone shelter to different other places. Rescue was done. Hardly two or three people died and that was because of accident at other places. But people were evacuated to cyclone shelters. They stayed in those places for 7 to 10 days and then went back after the cyclone receded.  

13.00 hours But my concern here is this. The Government of Tamil Nadu has demanded around Rs. 8480.93 crore for immediate help.  They have also given a suggestion that the State Disaster Response Fund also should be borne by the Government of India. Odisha has been demanding the same thing.  During the time of Phailin, repeated requests had been made. 

I endorse what the Government of Tamil Nadu has said and I expect that the Government will take action.  The hon. Prime Minister himself has said on an earlier occasion regarding the flood situation in Chennai and the surrounding areas of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

          My only request here is, flood had occurred in Mumbai. All of us were surprised to know as to how Mumbai could be flooded like this.  But subsequently, we came to know that due to the choking of Mithi River, water discharge was not happening normally.  A lot of habitations have come up in those areas which has choked the discharge of rain water or storm water. That had actually caused flood in Mumbai. A similar situation has also happened in Chennai.  Subsequently, after the flood recedes, I think there is a need to go into this aspect also. It may be legal or illegal but you have to allow free flow of water to the sea.  If that happens, this type of flood will not occur. 

          Madam, Bhubaneswar is a planned city.  It is on a high ground.  Normally, during my childhood days, I used to see that whenever rain falls in the morning, the whole lane gets flooded but after three to four hours, the total city becomes clean and dry. But today, most of those areas have been choked through which water should go out.  That is why, when the Minister for Urban Development including the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs was here, I was thinking  of suggesting about having a discussion on the planned development of our urban areas.  It means urban growth is happening but planned growth is actually not happening.

          I come from a city which is more than 1100 years old.   That is a recorded history.  Even before that, habitations must have been there.  Two mighty rivers also flow on both sides of the city.  But we are not flooded by river water.  We are flooded by our drain waters because the city is like a cauldron.  The river bed is high and we have to pump out the water into the river bed.  I have been trying my best to get some more funds from the Union Government but to my ill luck, during the last 18 years, not much has happened whenever Odisha is being considered.  Of course, it needs merit but Bhubaneswar and Puri get the first priority and Cuttack is always relegated to the background.  But here, I will take this advantage while participating in this discussion.  For the last two to three days, I have been trying to raise this issue in the ‘Zero Hour’.  Somehow or other, I have not been that lucky to raise it.  It is relating to Phailin issue which Shri Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury had mentioned.  It struck us in 2013.  It received the attention of the United Nations which said that the best disaster management had been done in Odisha under the leadership of the Chief Minister.  But as the Minister of State for  Home Affairs is here, I would like to draw his attention to this aspect.  As regards the National Disaster Response Fund, there was a High Level Committee meeting chaired by Shri Sharad  Pawar, the then Union Minister for Agriculture.  The State Government pointed out an error. As there was a commitment that this much of money will flow but it did not go.  And the State Government pointed out the error.

          The Chief Minister received a letter on 10th September, 2014 from the Ministry of Home Affairs informing him that the expenditure of Rs. 399.83 crore was approved. The Minister himself committed to that in this House when I had raised this issue last year. But this was subsequently not given effect to. This was pointed out by the Chief Minister to the Prime Minister also on 15th January, 2015. On 4th March, 2015 a formal decision at the High Level Committee was supposed to be taken. In between three High Level Committee meetings have already taken place. One was on 14th January, another was 24th March and the third was on 29th May. Despite the Chief Minister’s repeated requests, despite our pleadings, despite the United Nations appreciating it, despite the Home Ministry also approving it, this money has not flown. It is not much. It is just Rs. 400 crore. This is something, we feel, has been denied. It has been denied to us and it needs to go.

          We will be discussing later on the drought situation in the country.

HON. SPEAKER: No, this discussion includes drought also.

SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB: Drought is much more wide-spread and the country is affected by the drought to a very great extent. We will miss the point.  I am not dealing with drought now. My point relates to flood situation.

          Of course, today the Minister has said that flood cannot be predicted and rainfall can be predicted.  This is what he stated when he was replying to one hon. Member from Maharashtra, Shrimati Poonam Mahajan’s question.  He was answering to her question. No doubt flood cannot be predicted. But today what is happening because of the erratic monsoon.  Suddenly, we have cloud burst in one place.  This happened in 1982 in Odisha. Beyond Hirakud, there was cloud burst and there was a heavy rainfall which flooded large parts of Odisha. That had happened.

          Now, science has developed. I think weather forecast in our country also has developed and it has come to the international standards. Recently, in Paradip they have also put up an ultra-modern weather forecasting mechanism. That needs to be replicated in other coastal areas, which can also tell us that we are expecting cyclone which will bring in more rainfall.

          With these words, I would urge upon the Government to look at Tamil Nadu and West Bengal; and in-between Odisha is also there. So, look at Odisha also. Thank you.

HON. SPEAKER: Thank you.

          Now, the House stands adjourned to meet again at 2.10 p.m. 13.09 hours The Lok Sabha then adjourned till Ten Minutes past Fourteen of the Clock 14.13 hours The Lok Sabha re-assembled after Lunch at Thirteen  Minutes past Fourteen of the Clock.

 

( Hon. Deputy-Speaker in the Chair) DISCUSSION UNDER RULE 193 Flood  and drought situation in Tamil Nadu and other parts of the Country ... Contd   HON. DEPUTY-SPEAKER:  Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu.

… (Interruptions)

PROF. SUGATA BOSE (JADAVPUR):  Sir, I will take just one minute.

          Just before the Lunch Break, one hon. Member unfortunately made certain adverse remarks about the Chief Minister of West Bengal while Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab praised the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and Odisha rightly so. I want to set the record straight that in July, when there were floods in West Bengal, the Chief Minister along with some of us was in London. We had gone for a very important visit to attract investment to the State of West Bengal. The Chief Minister of West Bengal, upon hearing the news about the weather forecast and the impending  flood situation, cut short her visit. We all came back. The Chief Minister personally monitored the flood situation from Nabanno, her headquarters. She took exemplary action. I would also like to express the solidarity of the people of West Bengal with the people of Tamil Nadu as they face the current flood situation.

THE MINISTER OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT, MINISTER OF HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION AND MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI M. VENKAIAH NAIDU): Sir, I totally agree with the hon. Member. Even I was feeling in the morning that this is a debate where we are discussing about the misery of the people. If we convert this also into a political debate and then try to criticize each other, no meaningful purpose can be served. People are in distress. We need to express our concern from the House to those people so that they get some confidence that Parliament of India is discussing about us, something will happen to us. They will have some confidence. Any reference to any Chief Minister, I heard a mention was made about the West Bengal Chief Minister at that time, and the same should be avoided. If any personal remarks about the Chief Minister are made, that should be removed from the records.

          Secondly, I am not here to respond to the debate, I, as an individual, who lived partly in that area also, I lived partly in Chennai, partly in Bengaluru, partly in Hyderabad, partly in Delhi, and partly in my place. I move around. Just now, my daughter and granddaughter had shown some pictures of Chennai. They are really moving. I am in touch with Chennai on a daily basis. And also with Andhra Pradesh where six districts are also affected. We are getting updates.

          Just now, the Meteorological Department has given another warning that in another 24 hours, the situation may worsen. Water has entered into the airport, and run-way; flights were all stranded; trains are not moving. Just now the news is that Egmore Railway track is partly washed away, partly submerged also. Bus Stands are not functional. Some of the people are living in the first and second floors. Water has entered the ground   floor. I cannot explain the plight of the ordinary people. Fortunately, in Chennai, compared to other parts of the country, slums are comparatively less because successive  Governments have taken up welfare measures by setting up Slum Clearance Boards. Hon. Deputy Speaker was himself a Minister in the Government of Tamil Nadu.  Those areas, which are on the side of the Coovam river, particularly Velachery, and northern Chennai low lying areas, are full of water. Women are trying to swim, which they could not; any number of boats would not help the situation.

          Today morning, I want to share with the House, the hon. Prime Minister had preliminary discussion with the hon. Minister of Home Affairs, hon. Minister of Defence, hon. Minister of Finance and myself. We have exchanged information. The hon. Prime Minister spoke to Madam, Jayalalitha ji, and conveyed to her that whatever support  is required, that would be given by the Government of India. But the point is that it is not an ordinary situation. I want to tell the House that there are floods in different parts of the country, even in Andhra Pradesh also but this situation in Chennai and nearby Kancheepuram is totally different. In  100 years, this is the highest rainfall and floods. People are moving through boats, wherever boats are available. There is totally no road traffic anywhere in the city.  People are advised to stay indoors.

          Now, a warning is coming that in another 24 hours the situation may further aggravate. My standing up today morning is just to convey to the people of Tamil Nadu, more particularly the people of Chennai and other areas affected by floods, that Parliament of India is concerned about you, something is being done; be a little confident. This is not the time to criticize each other. Naturally, there will be anxiety among the people. Certain television channels are going and asking the people as to what they have got. Naturally, one must understand. Who are the people who will serve the suffering people? Again, they are the employees, who are also human beings, and their houses are totally drowned. They are not able to come out of their houses. That is another problem. That is why,  wherever required, Navy has been pressed into service; Army has been put on alert; they are extending a help hand. The NDRF teams have been dispatched and they are doing their best in Chennai. There is need for further teams, and support from the Centre, that also would be given to them.

          With regard to the situation at Chennai Airport, with the permission of the Chair, I just want to show some photos here. This is the photo of some children trying to climb to the first floor of the airport. Water is coming into the airport from the rivers. This is the situation inside the airport. This is another photo of a person with a two-wheeler. His two-wheeler is totally drowned. So, this situation is something unheard of and unprecedented. The lifts are also totally filled with water everywhere.

SHRI SUDIP BANDYOPADHYAY (KOLKATA UTTAR): Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I just got information about six of my relatives who are in Chennai. They went to the airport for the validation of their air tickets. But Air India is not responding. Neither are they giving stamp of revalidation nor are they helping them in any way. They are simply saying that all flights are cancelled. So, this should be given importance and this issue should be sorted out on priority.

SHRI M. VENKAIAH NAIDU: You are right. I just got information also that there are 300 and odd people who are stranded in Chennai Airport and there is no means of communication for their movement. I have alerted the Ministry of Civil Aviation also asking them to rush some food and other requirements to those passengers. Nothing can be done immediately to airlift them by an alternative flight because when the runway is full of water, you cannot expect any special flight to come and land there. But at the same time, their daily requirement also has to be taken care of. It is good that you have brought it to my notice. I have already had a word with the Ministry of Civil Aviation officials and I will be requesting them again.

          Sir, relief camps have been set up by the Government of Tamil Nadu at various places and also by the Government of Andhra Pradesh. Two columns of Army Garrison Infantry Battalion have been pressed into service in Tambaram and also in Urappakkam areas of Chennai after the Government of Tamil Nadu sought the assistance of the Army. The Navy is on standby for any help. What I am thinking is, - it is just my loud thinking – normally if you press Army into the normal work, what sort of impact will it have on the State Administration? This is to be thought of. So, the State Government has to take a call and I feel – this is the feedback I got – that there is a need for the Army to go into different areas of the city and try to help the people wherever required as per the guidance of the State Government, because the purpose is that the State and Centre should come to the rescue of the people and provide them essential daily requirements and also lift them to comparatively safer places. That should be the priority.

          The Home Minister, immediately after this discussion, is going to hold a high level meeting. The Prime Minister has already told him to conduct this meeting. They are also trying to coordinate with different agencies. The Director of Chennai Airport Shri Deepak Shastri has informed that 400 passengers are stranded at Chennai Airport. They are being taken care of. NDRF Teams are there to help them.

          Without adding anything further, I only request all the Members, let the entire House express solidarity with the people who are suffering in that State and in the region. I would also like to mention whether it is the flood situation in Andhra Pradesh or West Bengal and also about the drought situation in different parts of the country, meaningful suggestions can be given by hon. Members as to what can be done on a short-term basis and what can be done on a long-term basis. Sudipda raised the issue of NDRF and SDRF norms. The hon. Minister of State for Home Affair is here and the Cabinet Minister is also coming. They will be able to explain about it in detail and if there are any more meaningful suggestions, the Government would be willing to accept them and take them in a serious manner and see to it that whatever can be done is done. That is my request.

SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB (CUTTACK): Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to make a suggestion for the consideration of the House. While deliberating on this issued, I said that the flood situation in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh is a very serious issue. West Bengal also was affected by flood. Looking at the gravity of the situation, as has been narrated by the hon. Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, let this discussion be confined to flood alone. We can take up the discussion on the drought situation separately on a different day. Let all political parties and their leaders discuss on this flood situation that is prevalent in Tamil Nadu and various parts of Andhra Pradesh so that we all can speak in one voice about this situation and express our solidarity with the affected people.

   

HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: If you all accept it, we can restrict it to the flood situation.

.… (Interruptions)

SHRI M. VENKAIAH NAIDU: The seriousness will not befelt.  Drought is a different thing and flood is a different thing.  I agree with Bhartruhari ji.  Let us confine to flood situation today and subsequently we can discuss.… (Interruptions)  Though the Government has to reply twice; the Minister has to reply twice and all; I do not mind.  I will be requesting my colleagues also that let us today focus our attention on the flood situation in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, wherever floods are there. … (Interruptions) In Puducherry also there is a serious flood situation.  The hon. Member has also given a notice about the same.  So, let us focus on that and subsequently we can think about discussing the drought situation in Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka where most of the districts are in drought situation, Odisha, Maharashtra especially the Marathwada region and all.… (Interruptions)

श्री धर्मेन्द्र यादव (बदायूँ) : उपाध्यक्ष जी, चूंकि स्पीकर साहिबा ने कह दिया था कि बाढ़ के साथ सूखे पर भी चर्चा सम्भव है। चूंकि स्पीकर साहिबा ने कोट किया तो मेरी रिक्वैस्ट यह है, वह चाहे स्पीकर साहिबा के समय की कही हुई बात हो, कोई निर्णय हो या कोई अन्य निर्णय हो, स्प­ट कर दिया जाये। जहां हमारी भावनाएं, संवेदनाएं तमिलनाडू की जनता के साथ हैं, आध्र प्रदेश की जनता के साथ हैं, वहीं उत्तर प्रदेश के लोग भी सूखे की चपेट में हैं तो उस पर चर्चा होनी है या नहीं होनी है, इस पर उपाध्यक्ष महोदय स्प­ट कर दें, यह हमारी प्रार्थना है।

HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Already the Minister has made it very clear.

… (Interruptions)

श्री एम. वैंकैय्या नायडू : चर्चाहोनी चाहिए, साइमलटेनियसली हो जाये। … (Interruptions)  I leave it to the wisdom of the House, Sir.  I leave it to the collective wisdom.  Let others also say what they want to say.… (Interruptions)

HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: On both sides, you can speak.

… (Interruptions)

SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE (GULBARGA): Sir, already the hon. Parliamentary Affairs Minister told that drought can be discussed separately.  Today, only we should concentrate on flood and the connected things.  So, it is better. अगर वह सैपरेट लिया गया तो उसका उत्तर भी एग्रीकल्चर मिनिस्टर देंगे। इसके लिए होम मिनिस्टर और सम्बन्धित मंत्री उत्तर देंगे, इसीलिए दो डिफरेंट मिनिस्ट्री रहने की वजह से यह बेहतर होगा कि ड्राउट अलग लिया जाये और फ्लड को अलग लिया जाये। मोर्निंग में ऐसा हुआ, वह निश्चित है कि कन्फ्यूज़न हुआ, इसीलिए इसको सैपरेट करके फिर उसको आप कल या परसों कर दीजिए।

HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Okay.  Whatever the House feels, that can be conveyed to the Speaker also.  We can convey to the Speaker what you felt.  That can be changed according to that only.

… (Interruptions)

HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Already the Speaker gave that opinion; that is why I am telling.

… (Interruptions)

SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE: Sir, in this House, nobody will listen except Naidu sahib’s word.  So, we are requesting him.… (Interruptions)

HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Okay, this can be conveyed to the Speaker.

… (Interruptions)

SHRI M. VENKAIAH NAIDU: People are getting drowned in flood; still you are after my blood.… (Interruptions)

SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE: I am not after your blood.… (Interruptions)

HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Okay; Shri Thota Narasimham.

SHRI THOTA NARASIMHAM (KAKINADA): Hon. Deputy Speaker, Sir, thank you for allowing me to speak on this important issue initiated by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Venkaiah Naidu ji.

          Andhra Pradesh has a vast coastline of about 974 kilometres, which is the second largest in the country next to the Western Coast of Gujarat.  We have the longest coastline on the Eastern Coast of India. Ours is one of the most vulnerable States in India to cyclones, heavy rains and floods, being situated along with the Bay of Bengal, which is known to be the most unpredictable sea in the whole world for cyclones and natural calamities.  Sir, 341.9 lakh people – that is 69.2 per cent population – of Andhra Pradesh are living in nine coastal districts.

          Due to low pressure formed on 14th November, 2015, heavy rainfall has been received from 15th to 22nd November, 2015 in the districts of Nellore, Chittoor, Kadapa and Prakasam districts and also in parts of other districts, Anantapur, West Godavari, East Godavari and Krishna.  Rains are still continuing in Nellore and Chittoor districts. 

          The maximum hourly rainfall received was 106 mm.  It is unprecedented in any of the past events happened in our State.  A maximum of 400 mm rainfall has been received in Bodipadu of Nellore district. 

          Heavy rainfall received in the neighbouring districts of Krishna, West Godavari, East Godavari and Anantapur caused extensive damage to the standing crops and also to the public infrastructure.

          Sir, I shall now come to damages.  These heavy rains caused large-scale breaches to minor, medium and major irrigation tanks, and many rivers overflowed which caused flooding of fields, villages and towns.  As a result,  2,273 villages in all, 46 Mandals in Nellore district, 39 Mandals in Kadapa district and 53 Mandals in Chittor district and parts of other districts were affected.  About 25 lakh population were affected and 146 villages were inundated.

          A large number of houses were destroyed.  Agriculture and horticulture crops were severely damaged.  All aqua farms were washed away, and fishing equipments like boats and nets also got affected.  Road and bridges, drinking water, infrastructure and power utilities were also damaged on a large-scale.  Nellore is the worst affected district in these rains. It is followed by Chittoor and Kadapa.  There were also damages in Anatapur district, Prakasam district, Krishna district, West Godavari district, East Godavari district, etc.           Our hon. Chief Minister, Shri Chandrababu Naidu garu and our hon. Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Shri Venkaiah Naidu garu are continuously monitoring the situation and aerially surveyed the affected districts of Nellore and Chittoor.  Our Chief Minister has written a letter to the hon. Prime Minister on 19th November, 2015 explaining the devastation and sought a sum of Rs.1,000 crore as an advance amount to our State, Andhra Pradesh.

          In regard to human loss, 54 deaths were reported.   2,514 houses were fully damaged and 16,672 houses were partially damaged.

          In regard to the loss in the agriculture sector, as per preliminary estimates, a total of 3.10 lakh hectares of crops were damaged in nine districts.  It may be valued at Rs.1,419.34 crore.

          Now, I come to the loss in the power sector.  3,769 poles, 539 distribution transformers, 146 sub-stations and 364 km power lines were damaged.  The cost of damages to electric poles, transformers and sub-stations, etc. has been estimated at Rs.26.30 crore.

          In the irrigation sector, a total of 331 tanks and 263 supply channels and canals were breached.  The loss relating to the irrigation sector has been estimated at Rs.780.77 crore.

          In the Roads and Buildings sector, a total of 1,441.33 km of road surface were damaged.  The estimated amount required for restoration both temporary and permanent is Rs.699.27 crore.

          Likewise, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Horticulture, Panchayat Raj, Municipal and Urban areas, RWS, Handlooms & Textiles and all other sectors were also badly affected.    The preliminary estimated loss in respect of all these sectors is Rs.3,819 crore.

          When hud hud cyclone affected Vizag, the hon. Prime Minister visited on 14th October, 2014 and announced a sum of Rs.1,000 crore as an advance amount.  Till today, we received only a sum of Rs.844.59 crore.  We would request the Union Government to release the balance amount immediately.

          Hon. Deputy-Speaker, Sir, ours is a newly divided State and a handicapped State.   This cyclone is a last straw on the camel’s back.  The saying in Telugu is, “Mulige nakka meeda tatikaya padi nadum virigindi ani”. This truly reflects the situation that exists in Andhra Pradesh today.

          We have been facing so many financial problems. Without Central assistance, it is very difficult for us to take up the relief operations.  In view of the major devastation, we request the Central Government to release an amount of Rs. 1,000 crore as an advance from the NDRF.

          With these  few words, I conclude.  Thank you.

                                                                                     

SHRIMATI P.K. SHREEMATHI TEACHER (KANNUR): Hon. Deputy-Speaker, Sir,  at the outset I would like to express our wholehearted support and solidarity towards the suffering people of Tamil Nadu.  We are very close with Tamil Nadu.  Sir, your State and our State are the immediate neighbours.

          As we are all Indians, the sorrow of the people of Tamil Nadu is our sorrow; difficulties of the people of Tamil Nadu are our difficulties.  The whole House is with Tamil Nadu.

          The Hon. Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Venkaiah Naidu ji described the devastation of Tamil Nadu and the kind of serious and alarming situation, the people are facing especially in Chennai and surrounding places.  So, I would urge upon the Central Government to extend all possible support and assistance to the State of Tamil Nadu to recover from this disaster.

          Sir, now, I would like to speak in Malayalam because my friends, brothers and sisters from Tamil Nadu understand my Malayalam well.  So, let me know speak in Malayalam. In our country, natural calamities  of various kinds happen.  There is drought, flood, and other times there is earth-quake or some other disasters.

          When there is drought we talk about water conservation, and rain water harvesting, when there is flood, our concern is how to pump out the water and drain it out to the sea.  Our country has advanced much in the area of science and technology.  We have our achievements.  We talk with pride about Mangalyaan.  .

But even today, in the field of disaster management when there are natural calamities we are not able to face it perfectly.  It could be drought, flood or other natural calamities, we have not evolved scientific and technological modalities to encounter disasters.  It is a sad fact that we have failed in disaster management.  There is frequent talk by the Government  about smart cities; and we also welcome it.  We do need smart cities.  But sir, before we think of smart cities; why cannot we achieve scientific and technological expertise, to tackle natural disaster?

          Chennai is an ancient city.  But that ancient city has today become a leading metropolis.  Today, lakhs of people in Chennai are in the grips of flood, and they do not know what to do.  Not just the Indians the world must be watching us.

          The people of Chennai, have the support of all Indians.  They dont have food, drinking water and even places to live, because water has inundated their houses. Shops have been inundated.  Airports and run ways have been flooded.

          “Water, water every where not a drop to drink”             So  disaster is such that passengers stranded in the airport do not have drinking water.  If what I have heard is true, this is the greatest flood disaster of this century.  Such is the magnitude of the tragedy that the people of Tamil Nadu is facing.  

          So, if we survive this flood somehow, then what will be the after effect, the other disasters that are awaiting us?

          Tamil Nadu is going to see a greater tragedy.  I have to request the Minister and the Government that they will have to sent food and drinking water.  But alongwith  it ,an expert medical team should be sent to Tamil Nadu at the earliest.  They should be flown into the affected area.  Few days from now Tamil Nadu is going to face epidemics.

 

SHRI P.KUMAR (TIRUCHIRAPPALLI) : All the steps have been taken by the Government of Tamil Nadu……(Interruptions)

SHRIMATI  P.K. SHREEMATHI TEACHER : In future, we are going to face.  I am not taking about the present.  Hon. Amma has already taken all the steps.  We know and we are supporting you. You have taken all the required steps.  The Government of India has also taken the steps.  Hon.  Prime Minister telephoned Hon. Chief Minister.  We have read about this in the newspapers.  I am not criticizing but wherever the flood occurs in our country or in the world, I am thinking about the after effects.  Thousands of people are going to suffer the epidemic. I am mentioning about the epidemic.  It is going to occur. Epidemic means diseases.  For future, we want to take this thing very seriously.   Medical team, food, drinking and all the required facilities should be provided by the Government.  The State Government is doing that.  That Central Government has already declared that whatever the amount the State requires, we will provide.  We welcome that.      

Sir, All I want to say is that, the problem that Tamil Nadu faces today, no other State has faced in the same magnitude.  Do we have proper drainage facilities in our cities?  Is there any drainage in our cities, even in our States? There is no drainage.  In Trivandrum, there was rain for two days and it has flooded everywhere.  What is the scientific method to face these floods?

          So while we talk of smart cities,  we will also have to think and evolve ways and means to tackle such natural disasters before they strike us.   The State Government and the Central Government should together discuss and evolve ways and means to do it.

          At least in future we should be able to pre-empt or reduce the intensity of such disasters.  We have taken giant strides in science and technology.   Then why is it that, when it comes to disaster management we are still found lacking?  We are still a failure in meeting this challenge.

          In future, we need the scientific and technological backing to tackle disasters.  Such disaster management skills should reach all areas, especially when flood disasters strike.

          Indeed drought too is a disaster.  And it is also a fact, all over India, women especially mothers bear brunt of natural disasters.   Whatever be the step, we will support whole-heartedly the Government of India and Government of Tamil Nadu. Thank you.         

   

SHRI MEKAPATI RAJA MOHAN REDDY (NELLORE): Thank you Deputy Speaker Sir for giving me an opportunity to speak on the devastating floods caused in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Pondicherry.

          Sir, for the last consecutive three years, there were no rains in Tamil Nadu and in the southern parts of Andhra Pradesh. Actually, we usually experience rains under north-east monsoon. For the last three years, there were no rains and there was a total failure of north-east monsoon. Actually, there was severe drought in many parts of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

          We were very happy for the initial rains that occurred. All the farmers were very happy thinking that rain is coming and at least this year they can have their crops and like that. But unfortunately, heavy rains, that too in a short period, caused devastating effects. For example, Chennai has experienced rains breaking 100 year old record. It was 100 years back that 108 cm rain had come in Tamil Nadu. This year, that too last month alone, 119.73 cm of rain has come. Nellore, being adjacent to Chennai, also experienced rains the same way. That way many standing crops, whatever standing crops are there, have been damaged. Particularly, in Nellore alone, around 25,000 acres of aquaculture was there. Maybe, it is even more. Each acre costs Rs.6 lakh to Rs.7 lakh for the aqua farmers to harvest. All 25,000 acres of aquaculture have been washed off. That itself comes to Rs.1500-1700 crore.

All crops of standing bananas and betel leaves have been damaged. Nellore paddy nurseries have been damaged whereas in West Godavari and East Godavari, standing crops of paddy have been damaged. In West Godavari, two lakh acres and maybe, in East Godavari 1.5 lakh acres of paddy have been damaged. In the same way, in Anantapur, which was actually a drought-prone area, the farmers have raised some groundnut crops and their crops have also been damaged. In Andhra Pradesh, particularly, Nellore, Chittoor and Kadapa are the worst affected districts.

National Highway No.5 connecting Chennai to Kolkata has been breached near Gudur in Nellore district. Thousands of vehicles have been stranded on both sides. It was there for 5-6 days and thereafter only, they could fill up that breach. The breach has occurred because of, maybe, insufficient vents created without there being a proper design. Shri Venkaiah Naidu also visited that place. He is also under that impression and it has come in the Press also. Whereas the railway track is intact because they have provided sufficient vents for the free flow of water. However, such vents are not provided on the National Highway. That is why, the breach has occurred. Even now because of yesterday’s rains, another breach has occurred and they are yet to close that breach. So, that way, when that being the case of national highway, all the State Highways and major district roads have been washed off. Many villages have been cut off from outside world. So, almost all properties of Government Department, State Highways and district highways have been damaged. Even poultry has been damaged. Many poultry farmers are also in a great distress.

So, that being the case, the Central Government has to come in a big way to the rescue of the State Government. Otherwise, among the farmers, as everybody knows, there are a number of suicides in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra and in some other places. Unless the Central Government comes to the rescue of the farmers as well as people, it is very difficult for the State alone to come to the rescue of the people. That is why, I request the Central Government to send a team immediately, assess the damages properly and assist the State Government in a big way to tide over this difficulty. Thank you very much.

                                                                                     

SHRI A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN (CUDDALORE): Hon. Deputy-Speaker, Sir, I express my sincere thanks and indebtedness to my beloved leader Hon. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu – Puratchi Thalaivi Amma for giving me an opportunity to take part in this important discussion on flood situation in several parts of the country.

          Tamil Nadu is periodically subjected to various natural calamities, especially cyclonic storms and depressions in the Bay of Bengal. Cyclones Nisha and Thane had done extensive damages in the past. The recent unprecedented rains in Tamil Nadu during Northeast Monsoon had resulted in extremely heavy rainfall in just a few days hitherto unknown for many decades. Tamil Nadu has taken the brunt of torrential rainfall and fierce winds. Many areas marooned in the coastal and interior districts like Cuddalore, Kancheepuram, Chennai and Tiruvallur. These districts had suffered heavy and extensive damages to life of people, cattle and poultry.

          Cuddalore District in Tamil Nadu suffered extensive damage due to recent incessant rains. Neyveli, Kurinjipadi, Panruti and Chidambaram areas of this district received 437 millimetre of rainfall in just 6 hours on 9th November, 2015. Cuddalore district received 324 millimetre of rainfall on 8th November, 2015 and 9th November, 2015 resulting in floods causing extensive damage to lives and property.

          Extremely heavy rainfall of 342 millimetre flooded Kancheepuram town on 13th November, 2015. Many taluks of Kancheepuram district suffered very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall of 275 millimetre on 16th November, 2015. As many as 12 taluks and 686 villages were badly affected in Kancheepuram district. As regards Tiruvallur district, it received a heavy rainfall of 604.5 millimetre within a short span of 10 days which is more than the average rainfall of 604.1 millimetre received during the entire period of North East Monsoon.

          Similarly Chennai received the second heaviest monthly rainfall recorded in the past more than 100 years in just first 20 days of November 2015 and is still continuing. Chennai received unprecedented rainfall of 1139 millimetre between 28th October, 2015 and 20th November, 2015. In Chennai city, 859 locations were inundated for days together. Chennai and nearby areas were the worst hit and over 170 lives have been reportedly lost throughout the State due to rain related incidents.

          Heavy rains have increased levels of rivers in Vellore district. Appukkal river has overflowed and flooded two villages near Anaicut on 24th November, 2015. Heavy rain had caused some flooding in other villages in the district, as well as Vellore city, where affected families have been evacuated. A number of 432 villages have been affected by floods and heavy rain.

          In Southern Tamil Nadu, Thoothukudi district was affected a lot. People in 20 localities were rescued and evacuated by boat. Six relief camps have been set up to house those displaced. Local authorities are also providing food and other relief items to the victims. Though the rains and floods have battered all over northern part of Tamil Nadu and coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, 1 would like to highlight the heavy damages caused by the floods in Cuddalore District and neighboring places. There was much disruption of life and public inconvenience. The loss of property is huge. The economic cost of reconstruction of damaged structures and facilities will be very high.

As the fury of the rain continues, it will take a long time for rehabilitation of the affected people, most of whom are poor. Incessant rains and floods led to loss of lives, damages to huts and dwellings,crops and livelihoods.

There were also extensive damages to infrastructure including roads, bridges, drainages and sewages, government buildings, etc. Though all precautionary measures were taken, there was heavy,very heavy and extremely heavy rainfall for days together causing extensive damage to infrastructure. The reservoirs and minor irrigation tanks and ponds got filled up soon and their overflow aggravated the problem.

Meanwhile, the Cuddalore district and Chennai district administrations are taking a series of steps in various sectors including health in the backdrop of the heavy rains.

In 16 local bodies of the Cuddalore district, generators were being used to supply power even as 1,000 employees from other districts have been deployed to repair faults and restore electricity. About 35 medical camps had been established and medical services were being delivered.

Fishing sector has taken a huge hit. Fishing crafts which were anchored on the beach were lost in the sea. Many mechanized boats, FRP Vallams and catamarans were partially damaged. A total of as many as 3,047 engines and 8,106 nets belonging to fishermen were damaged.

Floods also battered the road network. The State Highways for a length of 5,694 kilometres have been damaged due to heavy rains.Five bridges and 234 culverts were also damaged. It is estimated that an amount of Rs. 405.35 crore is required to carry out temporary restoration and a sum of Rs.

1,426.53 crore is required for permanent restoration of the damaged roads in the State of Tamil Nadu.

But for the leadership provided by hon. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Puratchi Thalaivi Amma and the timely action taken by the State Administration, the State would have witnessed untold miseries and unprecedented destructions. Hon. Chief Minister, Puratchi Thalaivi Amma announced an immediate fund of Rs. 500 crore for relief and restoration in the State. When rains that should have been realized in three months pour within a few days, any number of preventive measures will not suffice as stagnation and resulting damage are unavoidable.

Given the scale of suffering as a result of the rains, the government machinery was in full swing, with Ministers and officials including those from police and Fire and Rescue Services working relentlessly day and night to restore normalcy while relief measures had been taken up on a war-

footing. The government machinery under the dynamic leadership of hon.

Puratchi Thalaivi Amma has been working day and night to ensure normalcy.

Puratchi Thalaivi Amma has taken a number of steps to minimize the losses. People from low-lying areas were evacuated and moved to shelters.

People from the inundated areas were shifted to relief camps and provided food, shelter, clothing and medical assistance. As many as 22 lakh food packets were distributed to people rescued and affected by floods.

Measures were taken to provide safe drinking water and early restoration of  power supply. Immediate relief is being provided to families of those who lost their lives due to floods. In addition, relief is also provided for loss of cattle and poultry. Besides, relief is being distributed to 98,850 cases of hut damage and 3,202 cases of damage to houses. Thousands of electric poles were replaced and medical camps were organised in all the relief camps. Under the guidance of Puratchi Thalaivi Amma, books, note-books, ration cards and uniform sets were provided to the flood affected people and students.

15.00 hours In Neyveli, NLC is badly affected. Lignite mining and power generation took a hit as mines were inundated. The power generation was a meagre 600 MW against the installed capacity of 2,990 MW. The management has also switched-off the conveyor belt system that carries lignite to the thermal stations because of heavy rainfall. A contingency plan has been put in place and lignite excavation and power generation would resume shortly.

Most of the blocks in the Neyveli Township were inundated with flood water entering houses. Roads leading to Neyveli were also cut-off due to heavy rain. As rain continued unabated, authorities suspended power supply as a precautionary measure.

Pumping out of excess water from the Neyveli mines has added the miseries of the people living around NLC. Nearly, 300-1200 cusecs of water pumped out from NLC mines to river Paravanar in Kurinjipadi Taluk caused heavy flooding and damages to life in nearby villages. I wish to record that NLC has big responsibility to mitigate the damages caused due to the pumping of excess water. It would be appropriate for NLC to spend from their funds designated for their CSRactivities. Also, NLC should lend their support to the District Administration and State authorities for all precautionary and damage control activities like strengthening and raising of bunds and de-silting of the river Paravanar.

The civic infrastructure including drains, roads and buildings needs to be strengthened to withstand the rain and flooding. This also calls for changes and improvement in urban planning methods and norms. The long-term need is for better water management and measures to conserve water, which can turn even flood into a boon.

          It is pertinent to mention that the main agricultural seasons like Samba, Thaladi and Navarai depend entirely on the North-East monsoon. The rainfall during this period decides the fate of agricultural economy of the State of Tamil Nadu. Thus, agricultural economy has got a severe hit by the recent floods. Tamil Nadu suffered huge loss of crops, livestock, fisheries and infrastructure. This calamity is so severe that it should be treated as a natural calamity and the entire expenditure towards relief and restoration -- over and above the State Disaster Response Fund -- should be borne by the Government of India.

Hon. Chief Minister, Puratchi Thalaivi Amma, has submitted a Memorandum to the Government of India seeking assistance of Rs. 2,630.58 crore for temporary restoration and Rs. 5,850.34 crore for permanent restoration totaling to Rs. 8,480.93 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund for flood damages suffered by the State of Tamil Nadu. Hon. Chief Minister, Puratchi Thalaivi Amma, has made a request to the Hon. Prime Minister vide a letter dated 23 November 2015 for immediate release of Rs. 2,000 crore.

The Inter-Ministerial Central team has visited different places affected by floods in the State to assess the damage. The team led by Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs included representatives of the Ministries of Agriculture, Finance, Rural Development, Drinking Water and Power from Delhi; representatives of Ministries of Road Transport and Highways and Health from Chennai; and Central Water Commission, Bengaluru.

          I sincerely pray and hope that the Union Government would be more considerate in this regard after assessing the damages caused in the State due to recent floods. Hon. Prime Minister expressed his deep anguish and grief about the loss of at least 170 lives in Tamil Nadu due to incessant rains and floods. While addressing the nation through the 14th edition of Mann Ki Baat radio programme, hon. Prime Minister said that he was saddened to witness devastation and deaths in Tamil Nadu and expressed faith in the strength of Tamil Nadu. Hon. Prime Minister attributed the nature’s fury to the effect of global warming and climate change. Even now, Chennai, Cuddalore and adjoining areas are experiencing torrential rains and damages are increasing. Hon. Parliamentary Affairs Minister has explained in depth the alarming situation prevailing in Chennai and sub-urban areas.

          I urge upon the Union Government to consider this calamity as a national calamity because of its large-scale devastation and release immediately the entire demanded amount of Rs. 8,480.93 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund for flood damages suffered by the State of Tamil Nadu. I would like to state that timely release of adequate funds by the Union Government will help Tamil Nadu to undertake temporary and permanent restoration of infrastructure and other utilities on war-footing basis. Thank you.

KUMARI SUSHMITA DEV (SILCHAR): Mr. Deputy-Speaker, Sir, I thank you for this opportunity to let me participate in an important debate, something that is saddening to see – the unprecedented floods that have affected the State of Tamil Nadu. It is of grave concern that the loss of lives and property are devastating. Some of the visuals that I have seen on television or in the print media are rattling. The nation stands with the people affected and with the Government of Tamil Nadu in such a dire situation.

          From my experience as a Member of Parliament from the State of Assam, I understand and appreciate that no matter how progressive a State is, no matter how economically wealthy a State is, in times of floods and natural calamity, we all look to the Central Government for assistance. I am happy to see that the hon. Prime Minister has spoken with the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. I hope the Government of India will take every logistic measure to facilitate the Government of Tamil Nadu. People are stranded which tells me that the State will need additional helicopters and boats. People who have lost their homes must be given clothes, medicines and more importantly, food grains. We would like to know if NDRF is playing an active role in rescue operations, and how many doctors have been sent by the Government of India.

          I know what a natural calamity can do to a State because of my own experience in the State of Assam. I have seen the calamities that have affected the States of Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and other parts of India, but I hope that the Government of India will rise to the occasion. The biggest challenge that the State Government of Assam faced after floods was about rebuilding of infrastructure, which my other colleagues have stated. The hon. Chief Minister of Assam asked for almost Rs. 2,000 crore following the floods in September, 2015 only to rebuild infrastructure and communication networks. But unfortunately, we have got only some Rs. 300 crore. We had also asked for Rs. 600 crore for rescue operations, which we have not received. It is appropriate to say that the National Flood Commission states that the area liable to floods in Assam stands at 31.60 lakh hectares.

It is almost 9.4 per cent of the total flood prone area of the country. The State of Assam has repeatedly requested that floods which recur year after year should not be simply looked at something that is recurring and need no attention. But we wanted that floods should be declared as a national calamity. The Government of Assam has written. But except for a few media houses that cover the floods of Assam, we see no attention that the national media has given to the floods of Assam, which Chennai has got. I am happy for it. Every day I wake up in the morning to see young women, children and old people all stranded in the floods of Chennai. I pray for them that they come out of it.

          I come from an area that is known as the Barak Valley in the State of Assam. Barak River is our asset. But it also floods every year just like the Brahmaputra Valley. I am pained to say that in 1981 the Brahmaputra Board was established by an Act of Parliament. As per my belief and information, the current Government has made plans to restructure. But till today when we debate about parliamentary time being put to good use, that Bill has not yet been introduced by the Water Resources Minister. Therefore,  it is my humble request that in the next Session, please bring the new Bill which restructures the Brahmaputra Board which has been dissolved. I hope that we will see constructive measures being taken. I also request that the flooding of Barak River, we had hoped, would be alleviated due to the Tipaimukh Dam. What is the fate of that project till today? We do not know about it. I hope this Government will take it up with the Government of Bangladesh so that the river basins of Barak Valley can be saved from flooding.   

I end my speech once again by saying that we stand by the people of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal who are suffering because of the recent floods.                                                                                                      

DR. KAMBHAMPATI HARIBABU (VISAKHAPATNAM): Hon. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I thank you very much for giving me an opportunity to speak on the situation arising out of the floods in various States of the country. The recent depression in Bay of Bengal caused heavy rains and also caused the damage in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry and other States.

          Andhra Pradesh is blessed with very long sea coast line of 974 kilometres. Having long sea coast, we have advantages and also disadvantages. The advantage is that the sea coast contributes to the economic development of the State. The disadvantage is that the State is going to have frequent cyclones. Because of cyclones, we are having lot of damages in various parts of the State. Last year, we had faced a very big cyclone called ‘Hudhud’ which hit the city of Visakhapatnam.  This year, the cyclone caused heavy rains in three districts of Andhra Pradesh, that is, Chittoor, Kadapa, Nellore and also caused damaged in other districts of East Godavari, West Godavari, Prakasam and Krishna District.

          Because of the heavy rains, there was a lot of damage for the transport system. Roads were damaged. Vehicular traffic has come to a halt. The National Highway-16 which connects Chennai and Kolkata was breached and the road traffic has come to a halt. As far as the breach of the national highway is concerned, I have a suggestion to the Government and particularly to the Department of Road Transport. My esteemed friend from the YSRCP Shri Reddy spoke about this. The National Highway and the railway line pass in parallel. 

When the railway bridges are intact, what is the reason for the national highway to be breached? The main reason is lack of proper design. Proper vents were planned on the railway bridges to discharge the flood water from one side to the other. However, the national highway on many occasions acts as a check dam and does not allow the flood water to flow from one side to the other side. The vents provided on the national highway are very narrow, the culverts are very narrow and they do not allow the discharge of the flood water to the other side. This is the main reason for the breach to happen on the national highway. I request the National Highways Authority of India to check the national highway for the capacity of the culverts and the vents so as to see that this type of situations do not recur in the future.

          As far as the Railways are concerned, they have diverted some trains and some trains were cancelled which has caused a lot of problem for the passengers. In Nellore and Chittoor Districts, the State Government has taken proactive steps to establish about 61 relief camps. Senior IAS officers were deputed to oversee the relief operations and people in distress were being taken fare of.  Government of Andhra Pradesh has the experience of facing the natural calamities and taking up relief operations. Our Chief Minister stayed at the places of distress to oversee the rescue operations. Hon. Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Venkaiah Naidu also visited the area, reviewed the relief operations and assured that proper assistance would be given to the flood affected people.

          The major loss caused by the cyclone is the loss of agriculture. Crops were damaged, cattle were lost and goats were lost. The second major loss suffered is to the aquaculture. Nellore District is the hub of aquaculture activity. The State of Andhra Pradesh contributes one third of the shrimp exports from the country.  I think about 8,000 hectares of shrimp culture area was totally damaged and a lot of losses happened. 

          Loss of life is minimised. About 35 people lost their lives and 14,000 people have been evacuated to relief camps. Government of Andhra Pradesh announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs.5 lakh for each victim. I am also thankful for international organisations. International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Society (IFRC) provided some relief assistance through Indian Red Cross and I am very much thankful to them. I request the Government of India to come forward to provide necessary relief to take care of the problems in Andhra Pradesh where the flood has caused a lot of damage.

          Thank you very much.                                                             

श्री धर्मेन्द्र यादव (बदायूँ) : उपाध्यक्ष जी, पिछले कई दिनों से जिस तरह से तमिलनाडु, आध्र प्रदेश, विशे­ाकर चेन्नई और उसके आस-पास क्षेत्रों में जो बाढ़ के हालात हैं, उसके लिए सबसे पहले मैं अपनी, अपनी पार्टी और प्रदेश की ओर से वहां के जनमानस को यह विश्वास दिलाना चाहता हूं कि ऐसे संकट के समय पूरा देश आज उनके साथ है।

           मैं सुन रहा था एआईएडीएमके के साथियों को, मैं समझता हूं कि तमिलनाडु सरकार बेहतर काम करने का प्रयास कर रही होगी। मैं केन्द्र सरकार से अपील करूंगा कि जो तकरीबन 8500 करोड़ रुपये तमिलनाडु सरकार ने मांगे हैं, उसकी बिना ज्यादा समीक्षा किए, क्योंकि केन्द्र सरकार समीक्षा बहुत करती है, कई बार सदन में घो­ाणाएं भी कर देती है, उसके बाद भी पैसा नहीं देती है, यह मेरा अनुभव है उत्तर प्रदेश के मामले में और अन्य प्रान्तों के मामले में भी।  इसलिए चाहे कोई योजना रोकनी पड़े, लेकिन ऐसे संकट के समय, जहां देश का बड़ा भूभाग, बड़ा जनमानस प्रभावित हो, जहां जन, धन, मकानों और जानवरों के रूप में तमाम तरीके से नुकसान हुआ है और लगभग 200 लोगों की डेथ हो चुकी है, मैं केन्द्र सरकार से अनुरोध करूंगा कि तमिलनाडु एवं आध्र प्रदेश सरकार की जो भी मदद हो सकती है, पूरी मदद करें। मैं वहां के जनमानस को यह विश्वास दिलाता हूं कि पूरा देश इस संकट में उनके साथ खड़ा है। इन्हीं भावनाओं के साथ अपनी बात समाप्त करता हूं। धन्यवाद।

 

SHRI R. RADHAKRISHNAN (PUDUCHERRY): Hon. Deputy Speaker Sir, I thank the hon. Parliamentary Affairs Minister for taking up this discussion on emergency basis.  Heavy rains have been pounding the Union Territory of Puducherry and Karaikal region for past few days.  Large areas of Puducherry and Karaikal have been inundated with water.  A large number of houses, agricultural land and farmers have suffered immensely due to floods.  Puducherry is an adjoining district of Cuddalore.  So you can know that the extent of damage that has been done in Puducherry is very high and unprecedented. 

The hon. Chief Minister has written to the hon. Prime Minister and hon. Home Minister reporting the damages and requested for release of Rs. 182.45 crore.  At this instant, I would like to thank the hon. Prime Minister and hon. Home Minister for sending the Central team immediately to assess the situation.  After the Central team has left, the current rains have created much more damage and the situation is very grim there.  So, the hon. Chief Minister has once again written to the hon. Prime Minister and the hon. Home Minister to release an interim relief of Rs 100 crore.  That will greatly benefit in helping the people of Puducherry and continuing the relief work in Puducherry. 

          We are not part of the SDRF.  So, there is no fund provided under the Disaster Response Fund.  The UTDRF has not been constituted.  I request the Government to immediately constitute the UTDRF.  That will definitely help us to give the funds on time. I request the Government to provide all necessary help to the Union Territory of Puducherry.  Since we are land-locked with Tamil Nadu, we would also like to raise the concern of our neighbouring State of Tamil Nadu which is greatly affected by floods.  Definitely, we share the concern of the Members from Tamil Nadu also.  We require a timely and good assistance from the Central Government to tide over this situation.  Kindly take it up on priority.  Thank you.                                                                                        

श्री भगवंत मान (संगरूर): उपाध्यक्ष महोदय, देश के साउथ में तमिलनाडु, आंध्र प्रदेश और पुदुचेरी में जो बाढ़ की स्थिति पैदा हुई है, उस पर आज हम उस पर चर्चा कर रहे हैं। मैं आपका आभारी हूं कि आपने मुझे बोलने का दिया।

       महोदय, मैं पंजाब से आता हूं। इस संकट के समय में तमिलनाडु, आंध्र प्रदेश और पुदुचेरी के लोगों के साथ हम खड़े हैं। जब बाढ़ आती है तो ज्यादा नुकसान किसानों का होता है। उनकी फसलें मर जाती हैं। पंजाब में हर साल कोई न कोई प्राकृतिक आपदा आती है। पिछले साल ओलावृ­िट हुई, बेमौसमी बारिश हुई और बाढ़ भी आयी। उसके बाद सूखा भी पड़ा। लेकिन किसानों को मुआवजा देने का क्राइटेरिया बहुत वीक है। यह केवल चर्चाओं और घो­ाणाओं तक ही सीमित रह जाता है। यह ग्राउंड लेवल पर नहीं पहुंचता है। इस तरह की प्राकृतिक आपदा जब देश में कहीं भी आती है तो वह सिर्फ चर्चा या घो­ाणा तक ही सीमित नहीं रहनी चाहिए, ग्राउंड लेवल पर वहां के लोगों की मदद की जानी चाहिए। जिन लोगों का नुकसान हुआ है, चाहे वह प्रॉपर्टी का हो, चाहे फसल का हो या जान-माल का नुकसान हो। ऐसे संकट के समय में पूरा देश तमिलनाडु के लोगों के साथ खड़ा है। पंजाब में घग्गर नदी है, जिसमें हर साल बाढ़ आती है। यह कन्फर्म होता है और घग्गर नदी बाढ़ के साथ नुकसान लेकर आती है। उसकी सफाई और घो­ाणाओं पर जितने पैसे का ऐलान कर दिया जाता है, उसका आधा भी ग्राउंड लेवल पर नहीं पहुंचता है, इसलिए घग्गर नदी के आस-पास रहने वाले लोगों ने, जिनमें खनोरी, सरदूलगढ़, सतराणा और मूनक हैं, बाढ़ को अपनी किस्मत का हिस्सा मान लिया है कि सरकारें कुछ नहीं करती हैं, यह हमारी किस्मत में है। लोगों को किस्मत पर न छोड़ कर यदि सरकार अमली रूप में, ग्राउंड लेवल पर प्राकृतिक आपदा जहां आती है, वहां पहुंचे, सिर्फ चर्चा और घो­ाणाओं तक सीमित न रहकर जो ऐलान हुए हैं, वह ग्राउन्ड लेवल तक पहुंचे। इसके अलावा पूर्व अनुमान के यंत्रों को भी अपडेट करने की जरूरत है। बाढ़ का पूर्वानुमान और उसके बाद लोगों को बाहर सुरक्षित निकालने का काम अपडेट होना चाहिए।

          मेरा आपके माध्यम से सरकार से आग्रह है कि वह तमिलनाडु, पुद्दुचेरी और आंध्र प्रदेश के लोगों की इस संकट के समय में ज्यादा से ज्यादा सहायता करे। धन्यवाद।

श्री बदरुद्दीन अजमल (धुबरी): उपाध्यक्ष महोदय, मैं आपका बहुत आभारी हूं कि इस सीरियस इश्यु के ऊपर, जिसने आज पूरे मुल्क को हिला दिया है, इस पर आपने मुझे बोलने का मौका दिया। तमिलनाडु, हैदराबाद और पुद्दुचेरी में आज फ्लड की गंभीर स्थिति है। मैं इस मामले में आपको यकीन दिलाना चाहता हूं कि हम आपके साथ में हैं। पूरे मुल्क की हमदर्दी आपके साथ में है और भारत सरकार से उन्होंने जो भी डिमांड की है, वह उन्हें पूरी की पूरी देनी चाहिए। चूंकि मैं असम से आया हूं और हमारे होम मिनिस्टर साहब यहां बैठे हैं, उन्हें भी असम के बारे में पता है कि असम की बाढ़ का मसला हमारा नसीब बन गया है। अभी अगर पूरे मुल्क की बात करें तो 2008 में बिहार में कोसी नदी की बाढ़ के कारण बहुत जबरदस्त तबाही हुई, 2013 में उत्तराखंड में तबाही हुई, 2014 में कश्मीर में सैलाब से तबाही हुई। उत्तराखंड की तबाही की जब इस साल बरसी हुई तो दिखाया गया कि वहां के लोगों को कुछ भी नहीं पहुंचा। इसी तरीके से कश्मीर में भी हालात अभी तक बहुत खराब हैं। लेकिन आज जो बाढ़ से तबाही हुई है, मैं समझता हूं कि इसके मामले में हुकूमत कोई परमानैन्ट सोल्यूशन सोचे, ताकि यह बार-बार न आये और यदि यह आती है तो पहले से लोगों को इत्तिला दी जा सके, ताकि इतनी बड़ी तबाही और बर्बादी से बचा जा सके।

          इसी के साथ मैं असम के बारे में कहना चाहूंगा कि हर साल ब्रहमपुत्र नदी में बाढ़ आती है। इससे पहले भी मैंने कई मर्तबा इस मामले को यहां उठाया है कि ब्रह्मपुत्र की वजह से खासकर मेरा इलाका धुबरी, जहां से मैं आता हूं, इसके अलावा बारपेटा, ग्वालपाड़ा और पूरे असम में माजुली और धेमादी में हर साल तबाही और बर्बादी आती हैं। वहां लाखों लोग बेघर हो जाते हैं, लाखों हैक्टेअर जमीन बर्बाद हो जाती है। अभी हमारे असम में 2014 में धुबरी में क्लाउड बर्स्ट हुआ, 2015 में सितम्बर के महीने में असम के मुख्तलिफ इलाकों में बाढ़ आई। इससे पहले वाले में 42 लाख से ज्यादा लोग मुतास्सिर हुए और घरों से बेघर हो गये, फसलें बर्बाद हो गईं, उनकी तबाही हो गई। इसी तरीके से इसी साल अगस्त और सितम्बर के महीने में 12 लाख से ज्यादा लोग मुतास्सिर हुए। इसके अलावा 1988, 1984, 1977,1972, 1962, 1954, 2004 और 2012 में इसी तरीके की तबाही पूरे असम में आई। इस फ्लड और इरोशन की वजह से माली नुकसान की हालत बहुत ज्यादा खराब है। मैं धुबरी से आता हूं, वहां भी बहुत इरोशन होता है।

          इसके अलावा इंडो-बंगलादेश बार्डर के बारे में मैं श्री किरेन रिजीजू से खास करके कहूंगा कि वहां के कालीरल्गा और मालीरल्गा के मामले को मैं पांच सालों से उठा रहा हूं। वहां बंगलादेश का बार्डर भी टूट गया है और वहां का पूरा सब-डिविजन खत्म हो जायेगा।  मैंने बार-बार मिनिस्टर से कांटैक्ट किया, लेकिन उस मामले में कोई काम अभी तक नहीं हुआ।

          As per official records, from 1997 to 2007, 1,050 square kilometers, that is, 1,27,245 hectares of land has been eroded which displaced 30 lakh people from their original places and seven per cent of the total land of the Brahmaputra valley of Assam. Moreover, a study revealed that from 1951 to 2000, an area of 4,29,697 hectares has been eroded by the rivers in Assam.

          The State has incurred losses due to floods to the tune of almost Rs. 13,000 crore since Independence. The average annual loss due to flood in Assam is to the tune of Rs. 200 crore. In 1998, this loss was about Rs. 500 crore and during the yer 2004 it was about Rs. 771 crore.

          सर, असम सरकार ने अभी 2000 हजार करोड़ रुपये का पैकेज मांगा था, लेकिन हर साल यह तबाही ऐसे ही हो रही है, आखिर य़े लोग कहां जायेंगे। जब माननीय प्रधान मंत्री जी जब इस मर्तबा जीतकर आये थे तो हमने बधाई दी थी तो उन्होंने कहा था कि नार्थ-ईस्ट के लिए हम कोई स्पेशल पैकेज देंगे। मुझे उम्मीद है कि वह तमिलनाडु और अन्य जगहों का जरूर ख्याल रखें, लेकिन असम को भी न भूलें।

असम को भी बाढ़ के समय पूरी मदद दें।

          इन्हीं शब्दों के साथ मैं अपनी बात समाप्त करता हूं। धन्यवाद।  

 

SHRI S.R. VIJAYA KUMAR (CHENNAI CENTRAL): Thank you, Hon. Deputy-Speaker, Sir.  The State of Tamil Nadu, particularly Chennai, has been experiencing incessant rains for the past nearly one month which has not been recorded over the century. It has thrown the lives of the most parts of our State and the entire city of Chennai out of gear. Many residential houses and buildings were inundated and submerged in the flood water. Lakhs of people have been rendered homeless and valuables worth crores of rupees lost.

Our Government of Tamil Nadu under the dynamic leadership of Puratchi Thalaivi Amma is closely monitoring and working round the clock to rescue the people and to prevent the outbreak of any epidemic.

Adding fuel to the fire, from 1st December 2015, another spell of rains started pouring in causing huge damage and inconvenience to the affected people. Many of the lakes and ponds are overflowing.

Chennai Airport has been totally water-logged and more than 700 passengers have been stuck in the Airport. Chennai Airport is said to be shut for Air Traffic.

Suburban train services both at Chennai Moore Market to Arakkonam and Trains from Tambaram to Kancheepuram and more than 20 express trains have been cancelled. Weather Forecast has warned that more heavy rain is expected in Chennai and Tamil Nadu for the next four days. Coast Guard, Navy and Army teams have been deputed for rescue work.

Our State Government is also working with the Centre to assist in the relief operations. Food, temporary shelter, transport, special medical camp etc. are being arranged round. the clock by the State Government for the flood affected people.  Hon. Prime Minister has also expressed his serious concern on the present flood situation in the State of Tamil Nadu.

Considering the gravity ofthe situation, I humbly urge upon the Union Government to immediately release the required funds to bring back the entire State of Tamil Nadu and Chennai to normalcy.   Thank you.

                                                                                     

DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN (CHENNAI SOUTH): Hon. Deputy-Speaker, Sir, there have been extremely heavy and torrential rains in Tamil Nadu with two spells of sudden downpour occurring in a very short span of time, that is from 8th November 2015 to 16th November, 2015.  This has caused extensive damage to huts and houses and there has been loss of life too.  This extremely heavy downpour has led to flash floods in Chennai, Cuddalore, Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur districts.  The entire State and the district machinery, under the dynamic leadership of our hon. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Puratchi Thalaivi Amma, were deployed for immediate relief and restoration works.  Rescue operations were carried out on war footing basis by using boats and Indian Air Force coast guard helicopters.  National Disaster Response Force was also pressed in service.  The State Government also took the assistance of Indian Army and Coast Guards for rescuing people in marooned areas.

          Sir, with regard to Chennai, Chennai has experienced unprecedented rain from 28th October onwards.  Chennai has received 1039 mm of rainfall between 28th October 2015 and 20th November, 2015. The maximum rainfall in a single day, 235.5 mm, occurred on 15/11/2015.  Normal life of the residents of Chennai was badly affected not only due to heavy rain downpour but also due to high level of water in Cooum, Adayar and Kosasthalaiar basin as a result of discharge of surplus water from Chembarambakkam and Poondi lake.  Due to this intensive and continuous excessive rainfall, roads, subways, street lights and storm motor drains were damaged.  Due to rise in the level of release of water in the river, the flood water could not be discharged by the storm water drain causing inundation in the city for four to six days continuously.  In Chennai city 859 locations were inundated for days together.

          Our hon. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Puratchi Thalaivi Amma took steps on war footing basis.  Sir, 550 heavy duty pump-sets, 57 JCBs, poclain machinery and 49 fire service vehicles were deployed.  Due to heavy rains coupled with wind at the speed of 60 to 70 kms per hour, 898 trees had fallen.  All 22 subways in Chennai city were flooded due to heavy rain and de-watering efforts were taken to drain out excessive water.  With the help of other Departments, 50 boats were deployed for rescue operation and relief centres were opened to provide shelter to the people.  Medical camps were established and treatment was given to people who suffered during the flood.

          The Chennai city had experienced extensive damage and will incur huge expenditure to mitigate the sufferings of people, commence essential services, repair the damaged infrastructure and bring back the city to normalcy.

          Hon. Deputy-Speaker, Sir, lakhs of people have been relocated and accommodated in relief centres and provided with food, safe drinking water, sanitation and health-care facility.  The State has also suffered a huge loss of crop, livestock, fisheries and infrastructure.  As there is a need to reduce the level of suffering and to mitigate the distress so as to bring the affected people out of shock and trauma of suddenly losing their means of livelihood, the State has to provide relief by means of giving gracious assistance as an immediate help for loss of livelihood, belongings and personnel.

Immediate restoration of infrastructure facilities is the need of the hour.  With the available funds at the State Government under SDRF and otherwise, it is not possible to meet the immediate requirement.  Hence, the requirement of funds to the extent of Rs.2630.58 crore has been projected.  The State Government would need a sum of Rs.2630.59 crore for immediate temporary restoration and Rs.5850.34 crore for subsequent permanent restoration.  The total requirement sought from the Central Government is Rs.8480.93 crore.

          The calamity is of such a severe nature that it should be treated as a national calamity.  Our hon. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Dr. Puratchi Thalaivi Amma had requested that the entire expenditure towards relief and restoration over and above the State Disaster Response Fund should be borne by the Government of India.                                                                                                         

DR. PRABHAS KUMAR SINGH (BARGARH): Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity.  On behalf of my Party and on my own behalf, I am deeply concerned for the people of Tamil Nadu and other southern States.  The hon. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has taken a lot of measures to meet the situation.  At the same time, I would request the Union Government to extend whatever help is possible.  They should be given funds to meet the challenges. 

          Sir, my State of Odisha, is every year visited by floods and cyclones like Hud Hud and Phailin.  Such natural calamities are visiting Odisha every year.  This year, there is severe drought.  Around 25 districts and 173 blocks are severely affected by drought.  Our Chief Minister, Shri Naveen Patnaik, has already taken a lot of measures to meet the challenges.  He has already given Rs.1000 crore to the farmers.  At the same time, we have asked for an assistance of around Rs.1667 crore from the Central Government to combat the drought situation. 

          Therefore, on behalf of my State, I would request the Union Government to release the funds at the earliest.  We have not received an amount of Rs. 400 crore sanctioned for Phailin.  I would request the Central Government to give Rs.400 crore also to the Odisha Government.

                                                                                       

श्री राजेश रंजन (मधेपुरा) :महोदय, नेचर गाइड बाई गॉड, गॉड गाइड बाई नेचर, दोनों प्रकृति और परमात्मा, जब इन दोनों के नेचर को मनु­य छेड़ेगा तो ऐसा ही कुछ होगा। अभी देश के प्रधानमंत्री ने भी विदेशों में जाकर ग्लोबल वार्मिंग की बात कही है। मैं बहुत ही आग्रह के साथ कहना चाहूँगा कि भगवान ने इंसान को बनाया और अब इंसान भगवान को बनाने लगा है। जब इंसान भगवान को बनाने लगेगा तो फिर क्या भगवान किसी को छोड़ेगा? बुरा जो देखन मैं चला, हम तो उसमें नहीं जाएंगे, एक इंसान, एक आदमी सड़क पर जा रहा था। एक व्यक्ति मर गया, उसने पूछा तो कहा कि आदमी मर गया और देखने गया तो कहता है या अल्लाह, आँख बच गया। इस सदन में बैठने वाले हम लोग वैसे ही हैं, हर साल यह देश मर जाता है और हम लोग यहाँ बैठकर रोते हैं या अल्लाह आँख बच गई। मैं पूरी संवेदना के साथ अंतःकरण से, हृदय से तमिलनाड़ु के तमाम गरीबों को, वंचितों को, आम आदमी को बिहार की ओर से, पूरे देश की ओर से हम उसके प्रति संवेदना प्रकट करते हैं। जिस हिम्मत के साथ वहाँ की मुख्यमंत्री अम्मा ने, जो इस प्राकृतिक विपदा में खड़े होकर वहाँ के लोगों की मदद की है, वह इसके लिए एक बार नहीं हजार बार बधाई की पात्र हैं। उनको पूरे देश की ओर से बधाई देनी चाहिए। वैसे ही वह एक बड़ी पुरू­ाार्थ वाली महिला हैं। गृह मंत्री जी, मैं दिल से कहना चाहूँगा कि आपसे आग्रह है कि कश्मीर में सुनामी आई और बहुत सारी चीजें हुईं तो देश के प्रधानमंत्री जी वहाँ गए थे। मैं चाहता हूँ कि यह इतनी बड़ी विपदा है तो इस भा­ाण से पहले और यहाँ, जो हम लोग करते हैं कि हमरा ब्याह में तू नटवा, तोरे ब्याह में हम नटवा, यह जो पगड़िया की तरह हम लोग नाचते फिरते हैं, गरीबों के आँसू नहीं पोछते हैं, तो हम चाहेंगे कि सबसे पहले वहाँ जाकर देश के प्रधानमंत्री जी को या गृह मंत्री जी को, किसी एक व्यक्ति को जाकर देखना चाहिए कि आखिर वहाँ कितनी चीजों की आवश्यकता है। वहाँ बिना गए, यहाँ से भा­ाण देकर, 193 पर चर्चा करके कुछ भी नहीं किया जा सकता है।इसीलिए हम चाहेंगे कि पूरा देश ऐसे क्षण में तमिलनाडु की जनता के साथ खड़ा हो। ...(व्यवधान) आंध्र प्रदेश, तमिलनाडु, पांडिचेरी सबकी बात मैं कह रहा हूँ।

          उपाध्यक्ष महोदय, आप इस बात को अभी भी देख रहे होंगे कि इस देश में सामाजिक संदर्भों में कुछ बातें आई थीं। हमारे आध्यात्मिक गुरू ने 12 लाख व­ााॉ के बाद साउथ और नॉर्थ पोल चेन्ज होने की बात कही है और कई आध्यात्मिक गुरुओं ने इस बात को कहा है, कई साइंटिस्टों ने भी इस बात को कहा है। यह नॉर्दर्न इलाके से चेन्ज होने की बात को हमारे साइंटिस्टों ने संज्ञान में लाने का काम किया है। मेरे दो तीन सबमिशन इस संबंध में हैं कि भारत के वैज्ञानिकों को ज़रूर इन मुद्दों को गंभीरता से लेना चाहिए कि आखिर जब इतना बड़ा नेचर का चेन्ज होना है जिसमें सब कुछ का बदलाव होना है और हमारे प्रधान मंत्री ने विदेश में जाकर ग्लोबल वार्मिंग और विकसित कंट्रीज़ के बारे में जो बात कही है, हमको उन बातों से भारत में भी सीख लेनी चाहिए कि प्रकृति के साथ छेड़छाड़ नहीं की जा सकती है। हम आग्रह करना चाहेंगे कि इन सारी संभावनाओं को हमारे वैज्ञानिकों को तलाशना चाहिए।     उपाध्यक्ष महोदय, हम जहाँ से आते हैं, वहाँ बिहार में कोसी, महानंदा, गंडक, गंगा, कमला, बलान नदियों का अंबार है। बिहार 14 नदियों का अंबार है जितनी नदियाँ हिन्दुस्तान में कहीं नहीं हैं। सबसे ज्यादा बाढ़ की त्रासदी यदि किसी ने देखी है तो वह कोसी ने, हमारे क्षेत्रों ने, मधेपुरा, पूर्णिया, कटिहार, दरभंगा, सुपौल, सहरसा, इन इलाकों ने देखी है। आज तक बिहार सरकार की संवेदना तो  रहती नहीं है, अतः मैं आग्रह करना चाहूँगा कि बाढ़ का स्थायी निदान कैसे हो, कैसे नेपाल में हाई डैम बनाकर हो या नेपाल से वार्ता करके हो, हमारे प्रधान मंत्री जी के अच्छे संबंध हैं। मेरा सिर्फ इतना सबमिशन है कि कोसी, गंगा और महानंदा तथा गंडक नदियों को जोड़कर कैसे उस पानी को मध्य बिहार में ले जाया जाए और वहाँ बाढ़ की रोकथाम कैसे की जाए, यह किया जाना आवश्यक है। इन्हीं शब्दों के साथ मेरा एक बार पुनः आग्रह है कि प्रकृति से छेड़छाड़ न करें और जो नॉर्थ और साउथ पोल चेन्ज हो रहे हैं, इस पर वैज्ञानिकों को काम करना चाहिए कि बहुत बड़ा बदलाव आने की बात है और प्रधान मंत्री जी को तमिलनाडु जाकर वहाँ की जनता के प्रति संवेदना प्रकट करनी चाहिए।  बहुत बहुत धन्यवाद।

                                                                                               

HON. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: In the morning the hon. Speaker took the sense of the House for an immediate discussion under Rule 193 regarding flood situation in the States of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal and droughts in some parts of the country. During the discussion, several Members including the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and leaders expressed that keeping in view the gravity of the situation in the States of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal, the discussion may be restricted specifically to the flood situation. If the House agrees we may take up drought situation at a later at a later time. Accordingly, we may confine the discussion and reply to the flood situation only. I hope the House agrees.

SEVERAL HON. MEMBERS: Sir, yes.

SHRI VARAPRASAD RAO VELAGAPALLI (TIRUPATI): Sir, thank you for giving me this opportunity. One of the really affected areas is the Tirupati constituency where all the seven Assembly constituencies have been affected. Agricultural activities have been completely washed away. The nurseries also have got washed away. Most of the roads have got damaged and cut off from other places. The hon. Chief Minister, including my Party leader Shri Jaganmohan Reddy has surveyed the area. Several of the houses where the people belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and the OBCs live, the entire thatched houses and the mud houses have been completely washed out. The aqua culture which is extremely famous in our area, the Tirupati constituency, about 10000 hectares of land worth Rs. 15000 crore got washed away and the people engaged in this activity need assistance like concessions in electricity and all. The other thing is that the holy temple at Tirupati, never in the history of 100 years, has got inundated. But thanks to the management, the Executive Officer and the Chairman of TTD for which they are able to successfully help the people to have the darshan of the Lord. 

Similarly, we also have an important temple in Kalahasthi.  That also has got badly affected. Another important area which has got badly affected is Venkatagiri which is famous for the weavers.  Most of them are handloom weavers. Water has gone into their machines and so, they are not able to weave for the last one month.  Therefore, I would urge upon the Government of India and the State Government to immediately come to the rescue of the farmers of aquaculture and weavers. 

          Lastly, I request the hon. Prime Minister on this aspect as the flood situation is extremely serious.  He may take an aerial survey particularly over Chennai and Tirupati areas so that people will be grateful to the Government of India.                                                                                            

SHRI MUTHAMSETTI SRINIVASA RAO (AVANTHI) (ANAKAPALLI):  Hon. Deputy-Speaker Sir, I thank you for permitting me to speak on this serious issue.

          As per the information available on 20th November, many people have lost their lives in various rain-related incidents as rains continued, triggered by the North-East monsoon.  It has battered several districts of Andhra Pradesh during the past one week.  According to the press reports, 35 people were killed in different rain-related incidents like wall collapses in several districts which bore the brunt of the heavy downpour.  At least 14,000 people were shifted to relief camps in Nellore and Chittoor districts.

           The districts of Chittoor, Nellore, Cuddapah and Anantapur were the worst-hit due to heavy rains.  Several rivers and rivulets were in spate following the rains.  Low-lying areas were inundated in villages and towns in the affected districts.  As a result of this, crops suffered extensive damages. 

          Last year, we had Hudhud in Andhra Pradesh. Our State is the second largest coastal State.  So, every year, we have a minimum of three to four cyclones and thousands of people are getting evacuated.  By these cyclones, we are facing heavy loss of life and property.  As per primary assessment, a loss of about Rs. 3000 crore has occurred and our hon. Chief Minister, Shri Chandrababu Naidu has taken all required steps including precautionary and relief measures but on behalf of the Government of Andhra Pradesh, I humbly request the Government of India to immediately sanction Rs. 1000 crores as interim relief to our State.  Only then, we can re-equip ourselves as our State is a new State.  As such, we have a lot of problems and moreover, the natural calamities are also causing a lot of trouble to the people of Andhra Pradesh.… (Interruptions)

          I would request the hon. Minister to depute a Central team to visit the flood affected districts of Andhra Pradesh to assess the damage and provide sufficient medical aid to deal with the health problems faced by the people.

                                                                                               

MOHAMMED FAIZAL (LAKSHADWEEP):  Sir, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to participate in the discussion under Rule 193 on the subject of flood situation in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal.

          First of all, I stand here to express our Party’s solidarity to the flood-affected areas, specially the people of Tamil Nadu, and we stand by them.  At the same time, I also extend my Party’s sincere thanks to the efforts taken by the hon. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Dr. Jayalalithaa for rescuing the affected people over there.

          We have been witnessing such issues earlier also.  This is not the first time we are coming across such natural calamities. We have been discussing these issues prior to this also under Rule 193 on several occasions.  But I would like to clearly mention one point here.  We need to identify the reason as to why floods are happening and our scientists or experts need to sit and brainstorm to find out the reason and then get rid of the problem.

          As Shri Mahtab was telling, the cause for this flood is obstructing the natural flow of water, may be due to construction or due to some other reason.  We need to find a permanent solution. We should reach such a situation where our country should not face such natural calamities which take the lives of our people.

          I would request the Government to come out with such solutions so that such calamities do not occur in future. I also support the demand made by the State Government of Tamil Nadu and all assistance be extended to them as early as possible. Thank you. 

     

श्री रामेश्वर तेली (डिब्रूगढ़) : माननीय उपाध्यक्ष महोदय, मैं सरकार से अनुरोध करता हूं कि तमिलनाडु में जो बाढ़ आई है, उसमें जितना हो सके, वहां के लोगों की सहायता की जाए। बाढ़ आने के बाद वहां अम्मा ने जिस तरह से कार्रवाई की, वह सराहनीय है। मैं केन्द्र सरकार से अनुरोध करता हूं कि वह तमिलनाडु सरकार को जितना हो सके, उतना हेल्प करे।

          महोदय, मैं असम से हूं। असम एक ऐसा स्टेट है, जो चारों तरफ से पहाड़ों से घिरा है। पहाड़ी स्टेट में जब बारिश होती है तो असम में भी बारिश आ जाती है और असम में भी बाढ़ आ जाती है। असम में हर साल बाढ़ आती है। केन्द्र से जिस तरह की सुविधा मिलनी चाहिए, उस तरह की सुविधा नहीं मिलती है।

          असम में शायद अगले साल भी बाढ़ आएगी। मैं केन्द्र सरकार से दरख्वास्त करता हूं कि उसे इसके लिए पहले से जागरूक रहना चाहिए।

श्री कौशलेन्द्र कुमार (नालंदा) : आदरणीय उपाध्यक्ष महोदय, तमिलनाडु और आंध्र प्रदेश में पिछले एक सप्ताह से लगातार भयंकर बारिश के कारण बहुत क्षति हुई है। इसमें लगभग 170 लोगों की जानें गई हैं। खासकर, चेन्नई शहर पूरा पानी में डूबा हुआ है। रेल मार्ग, सड़क मार्ग, हवाई मार्ग इससे लगातार बाधित हैं। दिल्ली की सरकार एन.डी.आर.एफ. के द्वारा जो सहायता कार्य कर रही है, वह सराहनीय है। अम्मा जी, जो इस आपदा में वहां के लोगों के साथ खड़े रहकर जो उनकी मदद कर रही हैं, उसके लिए मैं अम्मा जी की कार्य की सराहना करता हूं।

          महोदय, मैं बिहार से हूं और बिहार के बारे में बोलकर दो-तीन मिनट में अपनी बात समाप्त कर दूंगा। बिहार लगातार दस व­ााॉ से कभी कोसी नदी, तो कभी कमला नदी की त्रासदी से उबर नहीं पा रहा है। मैं समझता हूं कि इसका स्थायी रूप से निदान करने के लिए माननीय प्रधान मंत्री जी को पहल करना चाहिए। वे नेपाल सरकार से बात करें। अभी पप्पू जी भी बता रहे थे कि नेपाल सरकार से बात करके उत्तरी बिहार को बाढ़ से निज़ात दिलाएं। इसके लिए निश्चित रूप से एक केन्द्रीय टीम बने। वह सारी ज़गहों की स्थिति को समझे, चाहे वहां सुखाड़ हो या बाढ़ हो, और इस तरह से उसका निदान निकलना चाहिए, न कि सिर्फ संसद में इस पर चर्चा होती रहे और हम लोग उससे पीड़ित होते रहें।

          महोदय, तमिलनाडु और आंध्र प्रदेश के लोगों के साथ आज पूरा देश खड़ा है। मैं केन्द्र सरकार से मांग करता हूं कि उनके लिए शीघ्र संसाधन जुटाएं जाएं। यहां माननीय गृह मंत्री जी बैठे हुए हैं। मैं उनसे भी विनती करूंगा कि इस स्थिति में वहां के लोगों के साथ मिलकर, उनके साथ कंधे से कंधा मिलाकर, आप उनका सहयोग करें।

 

श्री निनोंग इरिंग (अरुणाचल पूर्व) : महोदय, आपने मुझे बोलने का अवसर दिया, इसके लिए मैं आपको धन्यवाद देता हूं। सबसे पहले मैं कहना चाहूंगा कि हमारे तमिलनाड़ु और आंध्र प्रदेश के जो भाई-बहन हैं, उनके प्रति सहानुभूति और संवेदना हम लोग रखते हैं। हम सरकार से मांग करते हैं कि प्राकृतिक आपदा के समय उनको राहत और बचाव की सहायता देनी चाहिए। सरकार को इसे रा­ट्रीय आपदा के रूप में घो­िात करना चाहिए। खास तौर से उपाध्यक्ष हों या उनकी जो टीम ऑफ एमपीज है, जो सांसद हैं, जिस प्रकार से उन्होंने तमिलनाड़ु के लोगों की दुःख और तकलीफ के लिए संवेदना भेजी है, उसके लिए हम आभारी हैं।   

          मैं यह भी कहना चाहूँगा कि हमारे यहाँ भी, असम, अरूणाचल प्रदेश आदि सब जगहों पर बाढ़ से पीड़ित होते हैं। हमारे वहाँ जो इश्यूज हैं, खास तौर से हमारे गृह राज्य मंत्री जी अरूणाचल प्रदेश से ही हैं।...(व्यवधान) एक चीज है कि जब भी हम बोलते हैं, तो आप हमें दो मिनट ही देते हैं। अगर आप अरूणाचल प्रदेश के वि­ाय में नहीं सुनना चाहते हैं तो आप हमें क्यों बुलाते हैं? जब हमें बुलाते हैं तो कम से कम दो मिनट का समय तो हमें देना ही चाहिए। हमें एक मिनट में ही बन्द करने के लिए कहते हैं। जो हमें जवाब देंगे, वे राज्य मंत्री तो अरूणाचल प्रदेश से हैं। इसलिए हमारी बात को वे सुनेंगे और उनको जवाब भी देना होगा। सिर्फ यहाँ ही नहीं, बल्कि असम में भी, आप देखिए इस बार भी असम में बाढ़ आई थी तो 92 हजार हेक्टेअर में लोग प्रभावित हुए है, कम से कम 90 हजार लोग बाढ़ पीड़ित हुए हैं। हमने दो हजार करोड़ की माँग की, असम में 520 करोड़ रूपए ही दिए। हमने 500 करोड़ की माँग की तो हमें 96 करोड़ की राशि दी, यह पिछले साल की बात है। अभी तमिलनाडु में जो 900 करोड़ घो­िात किया है, यह पिछले साल का है। इस साल के लिए आप क्या कर रहे हैं, वहाँ किस प्रकार से लोगों को हेलीकाप्टर से मदद दे रहे हैं, किस प्रकार से रिलीफ एंड रिहैबिलिटेशन मैटर्स टेक अप कर रहे हैं, इस पर आप विशे­ा ध्यान दीजिएगा।

          महोदय, मैं ज्यादा समय नहीं लूंगा। वह हमारे एरिया के हैं, लेकिन फिर भी जिस प्रकार मैंने बोला था कि अरूणाचल प्रदेश के ऊपर जो चार डैम चीन बना रहा है, उसके वि­ाय में आपने कुछ नहीं बोला, चुप बैठे हैं। आप जरूर इसका जवाब दीजिएगा। यह नहीं होने से असम में बाढ़ की जो समस्या है, वह हर व­ाऩ आएगी।  It is a river of sorrow. Brahmaputra River is a river of sorrow. If you do not check this, you will have problem with her. Thank you.

                                                                                                         

श्री भैरों प्रसाद मिश्र (बांदा) :   हमारा देश लगातार कई व­ााॉ से प्राकृतिक आपदाओं के आगोश में हैं ।  वर्तमान में भी जहां देश के अधिकांश भाग सूखे की चपेट में हैं  वहीं तमिलनाड़ लगातार नवम्बर माह से अतिवृ­िट के कारण संकट से घिरा हुआ है ।  जहाँ बारिश ने पिछले सौ साल का रिकार्ड तोड़ दिया है ।  सब कुछ अव्यवस्थित हो गया है । सैकड़ों लोगों की जानें जा चुकी हैं ।  अरबों की सम्पत्ति का नुकसान हो चुका है ।  विमान, ट्रेन व बस सेवायें बंद हैं ।  अधिकतर इलाके जलमग्न हो गए हैं ।  परीक्षायें स्थगित कर स्कूल कालेज बंद कर दिए गए हैं ।  मैं सरकार को बधाई देना चाहता हूँ कि माननीय प्रधानमंत्री जी सहित माननीय गृहमंत्री व पूरी मंत्रिपरि­ाद इस वि­ाय पर गंभीर है और त्वरित निर्णय लेते हुए राज्य सरकार से वार्ता कर यथा संभव सभी प्रकार की सहायता उपलब्ध करा रही है अभी 23 नवम्बर को ही माननीय प्रधानमंत्री जी के निर्देश पर राज्य को 939.63 करोड़ रूपए जारी किए गए हैं । और एक विशे­ा  टीम का गठन कर वहाँ भेजने का  कार्य किया गया है ।  संकट की इस घड़ी में पूरा देश तमिलनाडु की जनता के साथ खड़ा है ।  मेरा आपके माध्यम से सरकार से अनुरोध है कि राज्य को इस संकट से निबटने के लिए जिस प्रकार की भी जरूरत हो उसे पूरा करने का कार्य प्राथमिकता से किया जाए ।  वहाँ एक उच्चस्तरीय केन्द्र की टीम मौजूद रहे और वहां के नुकसान का यथा शीघ्र आकलन कर नवीन सहायता यथा शीघ्र  जारी किया जाए ।  बाढ़ प्रभावित क्षेत्रों में संचार एवं आवागमन की सुविधाएं शीघ्र बहाल करने हेतु यदि आवश्यक हो तो सेना की भी सहायता ली जाए ।

     

SHRI RABINDRA KUMAR JENA (BALASORE): The whole country expresses its solidarity with the people of Tamil Nadu to face the grave situation arising out of unprecedented rains, which have not happened in the last 100 years.  I come from Odissha, which has a long coastline of about 425 kms and my Constituency Balasure has about 80 Kms. Coastline.

          We get repeatedly devastated by flood, cyclone, draught like Supercyclone, Phailin, Hud Hud etc.  Global warming poses serious challenge to world climate.  Climate change is the top most threat to India, world’s fastest growing economy as erratic monsoon cause distress in agriculture sector, which employs more than half of India’s 1.2 billion population.  More than 60 per cent of India’s agriculture is rain fed.  Rising temperature is a cause of concern.

          According to World Bank, a 2 degree celcious rise in temperature will make India’s monsoon highly unpredictable and double the need for food imports.

          Since 90 per cent of major disaster in the last 20 years have been weather related, it is time that Government of India must not see Chennai as an isolated incident, it is an alarm for a bigger crisis which is coming up and hence the serious crisis with a definite action plan.

     

*SHRIMATI KOTHAPALLI GEETHA (ARAKU): South Indian floods resulted from heavy rainfall during the annual northeast monsoon in November-December 2015. They affected the South Indian States of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh and the union territory of Puducherry. Chennai received the highest ever rainfall for past century, recorded in November, crippling the region's ecronomy. Nearly 200 people have died due to the floods, which have affected over 1.8 million people and have caused damages and losses amounting to over Rs. 20000 crore.

          As far as Tamil Nadu is concerned, On 9 Novermber, 2015, Chennai received 43 mm (1.7in) of rain in a six-hour period. Neyveli recorded 139 mm (5.5in) on 9 November and 483 mm (19.0 in) on 10 November of rainfall; rains continued to lash Cuddalore, Chidambaram and Chennai continuing rains led to low-lying parts of Chennai becoming inundated by 13 November, resuling in the evacuation of over 1000 people from their homes. On 15-16 November, Chennai received 24.65 cm (9.70 in) of rainfall, the highest amount recorded since November 2005, flooding most areas of the city. The flooding in Chennai city was worsened by years of illegal development and inadequate levels of flood preparedness. Much of the city remained flooded on 17 November, though rainfall had largely ceased.

          Though rainfall from the earlier low pressure system ended on 25 November, a second system developed on 29 November, bringing additional rain and flooding. The Indian Meteorological Department predicted heavy rainfall over Tamil Nadu until the end of the week. On 1 December, heavy rains led to inundation in many areas of Chennai, with trains cancelled and the Chennai International Airport closing temporarily. The same day, Chief Minister Jayalilithaa announced that, due to the continued flooding and rains, half-yearly school examination originally scheduled for 7 December would be postponed until the first week in January.

          Chennai received 104.9 cm (41.3 in) of rainfall in November, the highest since receiving 108.8 cm (42.8 in) in November 1918. As of 1 December, 147 people in Tamil Nadu were reported to have died due to the flooding since 8 November, while over 70,000 people had been rescued. The cyclone and rains have led to schools and colleges remaining closed across Puducherry and Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts in Tamil Nadu and fishermen were warned against sailing due to high waters and rough seas. The State Government reported preliminary flood damages of Rs. 8481 (US$1 billion), and requested Rs. 2000 crore (US$ 299 million) for immediate relief efforts. The persistent rainfall and flooding forced several major automakers in the region, including Ford Motor Company, Renault, Nissan and Daimler AG to temporarily halt production, resulting in estimated losses of Rs. 200 crore (US$30 million). Industry anaylysts estimated total industrial losses as a result of the floods to be in the range of Rs. 10000 crore (US$1 billion) to Rs. 15000 crore (US$2 billion). Prices of vegetables and fruits significantly increased, as over 50 percent of supplies were affected due to numerous lorries becoming stranded.

          The situation still remains worse as there is a prediction for more heavy rains for the next one week. Adayar river is flooding and the water entered  the city of Chennai. Tambaram and airfield at arakkonam are closed. Many people are struck in the waters and are looking for the relief operations without food and water. Power supply remains shut in many parts of the city. The airport remain close and all sorts of communications are badly affected. Though the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Hon'ble Jaya lalithaa, has been taking all possible steps to face this disaster the central government has to extend all possible support.

          In Andhra Pradesh on 16 November, local authorities closed schools in Chittoor district. Thousands of lakes and ponds across the district began to overflow, with breaches reported in some areas. At Sri Kalahasti, another pilgrimage centre in the region, the Swarnamukhi River was reported to be rising. Three people were swept away by floodwaters in the Varadaiahpalem mandal of Chittoor district, and water entered some houses. Roads were damaged in many parts of Nellore district, disrupting transport services. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu held a teleconference with the district collectors of affected districts and asked disaster response personnel to be on alert.

          Heavy rainfall in Nellore, Chittoor and kadapa districts flooded villages and disrupted transport networks. It was estimated by 18 November that at least 500 km of roads had been damaged by flooding,with the Chennai-Kolkata highway cut the previous day and stranding hundreds of vehicles and motorists; official said it would take days to restore the link. As in Tamil Nadu, the Southern Railway diverted or cancelled numerous trains. Over 10,000 lorry drivers were stranded on the Tada-Kavali national highway in Nellore district; district officers established 61 relief camps in the flood-affected areas and deputed senior IAS officers to oversee the relief operations in Gudur, Naidupet and Atmakur divisions, repectively. Up to 500 tanks were breached as rivers overflowed, forcing administration to suspend rescue operations for marooned villages, though administrators supplied 10,000 food and water packets through the rail network, which managed to operate some trains, while the APSRTC continued to run bus services to less-flooded areas such as Atmakuru, Udayagiri, Marripadu and Seetharampuram.

          In Kadapa district, the rains tapered off by Wednesday and road links between Tirupati-Kadapa were restored; preliminary estimates were that the district had sustained about Rs. 29 crore (US$4 million) of agriculutural losses. Horticulture farms at Pendlimerry, Chintakommadinne, Siddhavatam and Khajipet mandals were also destroyed by the rain. Other heavy agricultural losses were reported in Rayalaseema, Nellore, Prakasam, East and West Godavari districts; the Chief Minister asked agriculture department officials to drain fields at the earliest in order to save crops.

          In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 19 November, Chief Minister Naidu reported preliminary estimates of flood-related damage in Andhra Pradesh roughly totalled Rs. 3000 crore (US$ 448 million), including Rs. 1250 crore (US$ 187 million)  worth of agricultural-related damages and Rs. 1025 crore (US$ 153 million) of damage to infrastructure; he requested central authorities to release Rs. 1000 crore (US$149 million) for immediate relief efforts. According to Naidu, Nellore district was the most seriously affected, reporting an estimated Rs. 1395 crore (US$208 million) worth of losses, followed by Chittoor district, which reported losses of  Rs. 818 crore (US$122 million). Kadapa district was also seriously affected, with extensive crop damage reported in East and West Godavari districts and a lesser scale of damage in Anantapur, Prakasam and Krishna districts. The adequacultre industry in Nellore district was catastrophically affected, with over 8000 hectares of fish and prawn ponds destroyed, at an estimated loss of Rs. 250 crore (US$37 million).

          As of 20 November, 35 people were reported to have been killed by flooding in the state, while over 14,000 people had been evacuated to relief camps in Nellore and Chittoor districts.

          This being the situation in both states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, we urge upon the union government to take necessary steps to provide urgent relief through the National Disaster Response force so as to protect the lives of the people of the affected areas. We also request the union to provide for necessary financial assistance to help the states in meeting the exigencies that emerge out of this disaster.

          My state of Andhra Pradesh has become vulnerable to the disasters due to the long coastal line. As may collegue Hon'ble Haribabu garu rightly pointed, we have advantages as well as disadvantages. We are already facing a huge financial crisis and this situation is even painful wherein many lives are at stake and economically the state would be affected in all ways. Hence we all firmly express our solidarity towards the affected states and also request the union to extend all possible support. We also firmly express our concern towards the families affected and to the families of people who lost their lives due to this disaster and we stand to support them unanimously. As Susmita dev rightly said however strong the state is economically, when disaster hits any state, the state normally look towards the Union Government for the support. We humbly urge upon the centre and the Hon'ble Prime Minister to raise to this situation and extend all possible support as may deemed fit in the interest of the nation.

श्री जनार्दन सिंह सीग्रीवाल (महाराजगंज) : बाढ़ एक ऐसी आपदा है, जिसके कारण सबसे ज्यादा नुकसान किसानों को होता है ।  मवेशियों के लिए चारा के अभाव के साथ-साथ बड़े पैमाने पर जान-माल का नुकसान होता है ।  बाढ़ के कई एक कारण भी होते हैं, नदियों में जलस्तर के बढ़ने के साथ अतिवृ­िट भी बाढ़ के कारण हाती हैं ।

          वर्तमान में अतिवृ­िट के कारण देश के कई भागों में बाढ़ के प्रकोप से भयावह रूप से जान-माल को हानि पहुंची है ।

          बाढ़ प्रभावित राज्यों/जिलों/क्षेत्रों को पहले से चिन्हित कर, उससे निपटने हेतु प्रबंध करना चाहिए । बाढ़ से लड़ने में राज्य एवं केन्द्र को आपसी सामंजस्य/सहमति के आधार पर पहले से तैयारी करने की  आवश्यकता है ।  चूंकि पहले से तैयारी नहीं रहने के कारण हानि का अनुपात काफी बढ़ जाता है ।  बाढ का कारण जो भी हो, तैयारी लड़ने की पहले से होनी चाहिए ।

          मैं अपने स्तर से अपने क्षेत्र एवं राज्यवासियों की तरफ से तमिलनाडु, आंध्रप्रदेश पांडिचेरी के बाढ़ प्रभावित आम-जन को इस दुःख की घड़ी में हर स्तर का सहयोग देने का विश्वास दिलवाना चाहता हूं ।  साथ ही ईश्वर से भी  प्रार्थना करता हूं, कि इस क्षण में उन्हें ताकत दे ताकि वे इस दुःख की घड़ी से लड़ने में सफलता प्राप्त कर सकें ।

 

श्री बीरेन्द्र कुमार चौधरी (झंझारपुर) :  तमिलनाडु में बाढ़ पर हो रही चर्चा पर मैं भी अपने विचार रखता हूँ ।  तमिलनाडु और आंध्रप्रदेश में बिना मौसम के भारी व­ााऩ से जो तबाही हुई है, उससे पूरा देश दुखी है ।  मैं बिहार से आता हूं ।  बिहार को प्रत्येक व­ाऩ बाढ़ और सूखा से जूझना पड़ता है खासकर कोसी और कमला नदी से प्रत्येक साल तबाही होती है और लाखों एकड़ फसल बर्बाद हो जाती है ।  कोसी में तो प्रत्येक व­ाऩ हजारों एकड़ भूमि कटकर कोसी नदी में समा जाती है और उसको कोई सहायता सरकार की ओर से नही मिलती है जिससे वहां के किसानों को भूखमरी की समस्या उत्पन्न हो जाती है ।

          मैं सरकार से मांग करता हूं कि ऐसी विपत्तियों के लिए कमेटी गठित कर उचित मुआवजा दिया जाए जिससे पीड़ित परिवारों को जीने का मौका मिले ।

                               

*श्री देवजी एम. पटेल (जालौर) ः आज किसानों के सामने सिर्फ समस्या के अलावा कुछ नहीं है। किसानों को कदम-कदम पर मुसीबतों का सामना करना पड़ता है, उन्हें आज़ादी के बाद लगातार सरकारी नीतियों में उपेक्षा का शिकार होना पड़ा है। आज हरित क्रांति के 45 व­ाऩ होने के बाद भी किसानों की स्थिति दयनीय बनी हुई है। हरित क्रांति के अतिरिव्त श्वेत क्रांति, पीली क्रांति, गुलाबी क्रांति, गोल क्रांति, नीली क्रांति, सिल्वर क्रांति, सुनहरी क्रांति आदि क्रांतियों ने अपने  देश में कई दशक बीत गये परंतु किसान की स्थिति में मामूली सुधार की किरण नहीं दिखी है। यह सोचने के लिए मजबूर करती है। आज कृ­िा एक बहुत ही जोखिम भरा काम हो गया है। इसलिए किसान खेती करना छोड़ना चाहते हैं, किसान पहले कर्ज लेते हैं फिर फसल उगाते हैं, कभी बारिश नहीं होती तो कभी बाढ़ आ जाती है। अगर फसल अच्छी हो तो फसल की इतनी कीमत नहीं मिलती कि किसान का घर चल सके। इस तरह अनिश्चित मौसम, अनिश्चित बाज़ार और कर्ज का दबाव किसानों पर बहुत भार डाल रहा है जिसकी वजह से वे पूरी तरह थक चुके हैं, वही जीवन के दूसरे खर्चे बढ़ते जा रहे हैं और कृ­िा से होने वाली आय छोटे किसानों के लिए पर्याप्त नहीं रह गई है। अतः किसानों की समस्याओं को गंभीरता से विचार करने की जरूरत है।

          कई बार हमारी फसल जल जाती है। मेरे राजस्थान के अंदर आज सांचोर और जालौन के अंदर ईशवगोल, घोड़ाजीरा सब खत्म हो गया। अगर उसको बचाना है तो जो खत्म हुआ है, वह डायरेक्ट बीमे से पैसा पूरा दिया जाए। उसको एक रूपया कर्जा चुकाना न पड़े, तब जाकर हमारा किसान बचेगा। इसीलिए मैं सदन से निवेदन करूंगा कि अगर हम सब मिलकर किसानों का दुख-दर्द दूर करना चाहते हैं तो यही काम करें कि किसान को बचाएं नहीं तो यह देश खत्म हो जाएगा।

          कम बारिश की वजह से काम नहीं रहा है अब इनके (किसानों के) खेत में ही काम नहीं है, तो ये लोग कहां से दाढ़ी बनवाने आएंगे, ये भी खाली बैठे हैं, दाढ़ी बनवाने के लिए पैसा नहीं है। अगर बनवाते हैं तो उधार करते हैं, हम भी चार-आठ दिन तक धकेलते हैं, सोचते हैं कि चलो आज नहीं तो कल कर देंगे।

          मध्य प्रदेश में बेमौमस बारिश और ओले की मार से पीड़ित एक किसान ने अपने दो बेटों टीसू और बैजू को एक गड़रिये के पास गिरवी रख दिया। मध्य प्रदेश के निमाड़ अंचल में जब सरकारी अधिकारियों को 13 व­ााळऩय टीसू और 11 व­ााळऩय बैजू को गिरवी रखे जाने की खबर लगी तो वे हैरान रह गए। तफ्तीश के बाद पता लगा कि तीन बच्चे और गिरवी हैं।

          राजस्थान प्रदेश के जालौर-सिरोही संसदीय क्षेत्र में पिछले दो महीने से लगातार हुई मूसलाधार बारिश के कारण नदियों एवं नालों के जल स्तर व तेज बहाव के कारण कई छोटे-मोटे बांध टूट गये। इस प्राकृतिक आपदा से स्थानीय लोगों के आवास (मकान) पानी में बह गये। कई पशुपालकों के दुधाय एवं पालतू पशु पानी के साथ चले गये। क्षेत्र में कई गांव-ढ़ाणियां एवं खेत जलमग्न हो गये तथा हज़ारों हैक्टेयर बरसाती फसल पूर्णतया न­ट हो गयी हैं। व्यापारियों की दुकानों में पानी भर जाने से भी भारी आर्थिक नुकसान हुआ है। इस प्रकार यह अतिवृ­िट नहीं बल्कि अतिवृ­िट से उत्पन्न बाढ़ है।

          इस प्रकार प्राकृतिक प्रकोप से सरकार एवं स्थानीय प्रशासन की सक्रियता के कारण जनहानि नहीं होने दी गयी। क्षेत्र में 31 जुलाई, 2015 तक औसतन 796 एम.एम. बारिश दर्ज की गई। पूर्व में लगभग 70 व­ााॉ में इतनी भारी बारिश नहीं हुई थी।

          इस प्रकार क्षेत्र में नदियों एवं नालों के तेज बहाव के कारण क्षेत्र में किसानों की खातेदारी भूमि का कटाव हो गया, जो कृ­िा योग्य नहीं रही। अतः मनरेगा योजनान्तर्गत भूमि सुधार हेतु किसान सहित सभी वर्गों को शामिल करने की छूट दी जाये। ताकि पुनः भूमि सुधार कर कृ­िा योग्य बनाई जाये।

          इसी तरह मेरे संसदीय क्षेत्र में स्थित राजस्थान की ग्री­मकालीन राजधानी कहे जाने वाली एक मात्र हिल स्टेशन माउंट आबू पूरी तरह से बर्बाद हो गया। माउंट आबू जाने वाली एक मात्र सड़क पूरी तरह टूट गयी। जिससे हज़ारों पर्यटक ऊपर फंस गये। मेरे क्षेत्र का एक बड़ा पर्यटक केंद्र पूरी तरह से बर्बाद हो गया है। यहां एक ओर सड़क मार्ग गुलाबगंज से है, जो वन विभाग के कारण रूका है। उसे भी बनाया जाए ताकि भवि­य में आने वाली किसी भी समस्या से निज़ात मिले और जान-माल का नुकसान भी न हो।

   

SHRIMATI  K. MARAGATHAM (KANCHEEPURAM):  Hon. Deputy-Speaker, Sir,  at the outset, I  express my sincere gratitude and thanks to our beloved leader hon. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Puratchi Thalaivi Amma for giving me this timely opportunity to speak in this august House.

I would like to say that the North-East Monsoon has witnessed extremely heavy rainfall and subsequent floods which resulted in heavy damages and extensive disturbances to lives and properties in the entire Kancheepuram district. Extremely heavy rainfall of 342 mm flooded Kancheepuram town on 13th November, 2015. Many taluks of Kancheepuram district suffered very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall of 275 mm on 16th November, 2015. Thousands of locations were inundated in Kancheepuram district and nearby areas. All the taluks of Kancheepuram district were worst hit and 686 villages were badly affected. Many lives have been lost due to heavy rains and flood-related incidents.

          There was inundation of major areas of Kancheepuram district and most of the water bodies like Chembarambakkam and Madurantakam had water more than their normal capacity. At some places, it was above the danger mark. Water overflowing or let out from bursting tanks in many places could only rise and spread causing damage. The magnitude of the disaster was so big  that even the help of the armed forces was sought for rescue and relief operations. As the fury of the rains continue, it will take a long time for rehabilitation of the affected people, most of whom are poor.  Continuous rains and floods led to  loss of lives, damages to huts and dwellings, crops and livelihoods. There were also extensive damages to infrastructure including roads, bridges, drainages and sewages, Government buildings, etc. 16.00 hours          Though all precautionary measures were taken there was very heavy and extremely heavy rainfall for days together causing extensive damage to infrastructure. The reservoirs and minor irrigation tanks and ponds got filled up soon and their overflow aggravated the problem.

          The Government of Tamil Nadu under the dynamic and efficient leadership of hon. Chief Minister, Puratchi Thalaivi Amma has sought support from the National Disaster Response Fund for flood damages. The Inter-

Ministerial Central team deputed by the Union Government has visited different places affected by floods in the State.

           I sincerely pray and hope that the Union Government would be more considerate in this regard after assessing the damages caused in the State due to recent floods.

         Hon. Prime Minister expressed his deep anguish and grief about the loss of lives in Tamil Nadu due to continuous rain and floods and was saddened to witness devastation and deaths in Tamil Nadu and expressed faith in the strength of Tamil Nadu. He had spoken to our hon. Chief Minister Amma and assured full support and cooperation from the Centre.

An unrelenting downpour that lasted around six days led to breaches in tanks and canals, and swollen lakes and rivers rendered thousands homeless and resulted in loss of lives and property.Many persons lost their lives during recent flash floods. An amount of Rs. 4 lakh as per norms of Calamity Relief Fund has been sanctioned to the kith and kin of the deceased.

I wish to record that but for the leadership provided by hon. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Puratchi Thalaivi Amma and the timely action taken by her State administration, Tamil Nadu would have witnessed untold miseries and unprecedented destructions. Given the scale of suffering as a result of the rains, the government machinery was in full swing, with Ministers and officials including those from police and Fire and Rescue Services working day and night to restore normalcy. Puratchi Thalaivi Amma is spearheading the administration to do relief measures on war-footing.

            Under the guidance of Puratchi Thalaivi Amma, measures were taken to provide safe drinking water and early restoration of power supply.

Immediate relief is being provided to families of persons who lost their lives due to floods. In addition, relief is also provided for thousands for loss of cattle and poultry. Besides, relief is being distributed to thousands of cases of hut damages and damages to houses. Thousands of electric poles were replaced and medical camps were organised in all the relief camps. Text books, notebooks and uniform sets were provided to the students. New ration cards are provided to those poor families who lost their documents of livelihood during the floods.

          Agricultural economy has got a severe hit by the recent floods. Tamil Nadu suffered huge loss to crops, livestock, fisheries and infrastructure. The calamity is so severe that it should be treated as a national calamity and the entire expenditure towards relief and restoration over and above the State Disaster Response Fund should be borne by the Government of India.

          The civic infrastructure, including drains, roads and buildings, needs to be strengthened to withstand the rains and resulting flooding. Even now there has been extremely heavy rainfall continuously devastating the Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kanchipuram districts.

         The Army has been deployed in two suburban areas to undertake rescue on a war footing. Two columns of the Army's Garrison Infantry Battalion have been pressed into service in Tambaram and Oorapakkam. Heavy rain in the catchment areas of the Chembarambakkam reservoir forced the authorities to discharge water at the rate of 20,000 cubic feet per second into the Adyar river.

 

          Chief Minister Amma reviewed the situation and deputed Ministers to inspect the affected regions. Many Small lakes in Kanchipuram district were breached due to heavy rains and inflows. Amma had given instructions to police, fire and rescue, national and state disaster forces and Coast Guard and other officials to take precautionary measures before releasing surplus water from reservoirs and evacuate people living in low-

lying areas.

Trains were delayed and some were cancelled as authorities struggled to cope with the aftereffects of the fresh torrential rains in Tamil Nadu. Kanchipuram district had received more than 18 cm yesterday. The situation has worsened in suburban areas of Tambaram and Mudichur after the Chembarampakkam lake overflowed and an unprecedented 26,000 cusecs of water was being released flooding the downstream areas. These areas had already suffered heavily during the earlier spells of rains.

          So, I urge upon the Union Government to consider this calamity as a national calamity and release an amount of Rs. 8,480.93 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund immediately. Thank you.

श्री जुगल किशोर (जम्मू) : उपाध्यक्ष महोदय, मैं आपका आभार व्यक्त करना चाहता हूं कि आपने तमिलनाडु, आंध्र, पश्चिम बंगाल और पांडिचेरी में बारिश से हो रही तबाही पर चर्चा करवाई। यह सदन उनके प्रति चिंतित है। केन्द्र ने भी इसे गंभीरता से लिया है। लगातार 25 दिनों से हो रही बारिश से तमिलनाडु, आंध्र, पश्चिम बंगाल और दूसरे क्षेत्रों में तबाही हो रही है। इससे पूरा देश चिंतित है और अवगत भी है। मैं जानता हूं कि बाढ़ की तबाही से काफी दु­परिणाम होते हैं। पिछले दिनों जम्मू कश्मीर में भी बाढ़ से काफी नुकसान हुआ। जम्मू कश्मीर के शहरों में पानी भर गया था और गांवों में भी पानी भर गया था। कई लोगों की मौतें भी हुईं। घर ढह गए थे, पशु मारे गए थे, कई पुल न­ट हो गए थे, रोड, फसल, जमीन, पानी आदि काफी नुकसान हुआ था। टेलीफोन आदि कुछ नहीं चल रहा था। तीन मंजिला मकान डूब गए थे, कश्मीर घाटी पूरी झील बन चुकी थी। जम्मू कश्मीर सरकार बेबस नजर आ रही थी तो उस समय केन्द्र सरकार ने बड़ी गंभीरता के साथ, मैं इस देश के प्रधान मंत्री नरेन्द्र भाई मोदी जी का आभार भी प्रकट करना चाहता हूं जिन्होंने तुरंत कार्यवाही करते हुए केन्द्र से एक टीम जम्मू कश्मीर भेजी और पल-पल की खबर लेते हुए राहत कार्यों में तेजी लाई। उस समय प्रधान मंत्री नरेन्द्र भाई मोदी जी स्वयं जम्मू कश्मीर गए, लोगों से मिले, उनकी बातें सुनीं, उनकी समस्याओं का समाधान किया और यहां तक कि दीपावली के दिन भी कश्मीर घाटी में उस दुख की घड़ी में लोगों के साथ रहे। उनका दुख-दर्द बांटा और तुरंत राहत पैकेज की घो­ाणा भी की। पहली बार ऐसा हुआ है कि बाढ़ पीड़ित लोगों के स्वयं के खाते में राहत राशि भेजी गई। इससे यह दिखता है कि केन्द्र सरकार और आदरणीय प्रधान मंत्री जी अपने स्वाभाव के अनुसार विपदा की घड़ी में सबके साथ रहते हैं। मुझे पूर्ण विश्वास है कि इस बार भी तमिलनाडु और दूसरे क्षेत्रों में जो विपदा आई है, केन्द्र सरकार इसे गंभीरता से ले रही है और आगे भी उनकी पूरी सहायता करेगी। धन्यवाद।

                                                                                     

PROF. RICHARD HAY (NOMINATED):          I, as a fellow parliamentarian, express my solidarity with the people of Tamil Nadu who have been afflicted by gruesome and tragic natural calamities caused by heavy rains and floods.

          The wrath of nature is too harsh, as felt in my neighboring State, Tamil Nadu.

          In these hours of crisis, let us find solution to the problem created by flash floods.

a)                In all such natural calamities which have disastrous  aftermath, the disaster, contingency or crisis management mechanism must rise to the occasion and render their service in a professional style.

b)                Such mechanism must take all measures, first to prevent loss of life and destruction of houses and buildings.

c)                The District Administration must put to use all resources and carry out specific and swiftly implemented plans to save the lives of people and provide relief measures on a war footing.

d)                Inundated streets and roads pose severe threats to human life.  The National Highway and Railway systems are paralysed, mainly due to faulty planning.

e)                Water logging in drainage systems and faulty gradient of drainage, lack of canal systems, construction of houses in low lying areas, non-closure of dams are some of the problems that aggravate the gravity of the situation.  These are the matters to be attended to.  

Rehabilitation programmes are to be executed to do justice to the victims.

       

SHRI P. KARUNAKARAN (KASARGOD): Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak on this very important discussion. This is time for all of us to rise as one nation to assist Tamil Nadu and other flood affected States. It is because though we have all scientific methods, we could not predict this natural calamity in the initial stage.

          So, this has become the duty of our nation and also the Central Government to extend all kinds of assistance.  I am thankful to the hon. Tamil Nadu Members that they have given a very detailed explanation with regard to the losses and also the other issues that they are experiencing and also the measures taken by the Tamil Nadu Government to deal with the situation. Of course, we can hope that there is a very efficient administrative system in Tamil Nadu.  So, they can deal with the situation.  But, at the same time, natural calamity has its own after effects.  So, we have to take this issue as a national one. 

Sir, it is reported that about 200 people have lost their lives.  This is really a big one.  The loss of material and other properties is also huge.  It is reported that the situation in the airport is alarming, the trains are cancelled and the telecommunication system is ineffective.  So this narration has become really a major one as far as Tamil Nadu is concerned.  This situation should be considered as a big national calamity.  All assistance should be given to Tamil Nadu by the Centre.  The precautionary measures have to be taken especially to deal with the after effects of the situation.  The loss of lives has to be taken with utmost seriousness and assistance should be given to the aggrieved families.

          Today itself it is seen that for two more days the rain will continue in Chennai.  At the same time, it is reported that for seven days in Tamil Nadu, there may be rain.  It has its own effects on some parts of Andhra Pradesh and Kerala also.  So the Central Government and the concerned States should take serious steps.

          Tamil Nadu needs all kinds of assistance at any cost from all sides.  I would request that a Central team, including the Central Minister, should visit Tamil Nadu to assess the ground reality.  Not only video conference but also telephone message, of course, is good.  I really congratulate the Government that they have taken initial steps.  But, at the same time, a Central team with the Central Minister should visit Tamil Nadu and have a discussion and find out the real situation.  This is a big lesson for the country that we have to study. When a natural calamity like flood or drought comes, how can it be tackled with a minimum loss?  That still is a shortage as far as this nation is concerned.

          On behalf of my Party, I extend whole-hearted support to the aggrieved people and I express my sincerest sorrow to the aggrieved people who have lost their lives.  I extend all assistance to Tamil Nadu and other States also the Central Government to take any steps in this regard.  Thank you.

श्री अजय मिश्रा टेनी (खीरी) : चेन्नई में जिस प्रकार की स्थिति बनी है, जन-जीवन अस्त-व्यस्त हो गया है तथा हवाई अड्डों, रेलवे स्टेशन तथा सड़कों पर पानी आ गया है ।  यह स्थिति बेहद चिन्ताजनक है ।  ऐसे में हमारी सरकार ने बेहद तत्परता से विपरीत परिस्थितियों से लोगों को निकाल कर, जन जीवन सामान्य हो सके उसके लिये प्रयास प्रारंभ किया है तथा तमिलनाडु की सरकार ने भी बेहद तत्परता से प्रभावी कार्य किया है तथा केन्द्र सरकार ने भी पूरा समर्थन प्रदेश सरकार को दिया है  जिससे लोगों का विश्वास व्यवस्था पर कायम है, यह संतो­ा जनक है ।

          परंतु ऐसे प्रदेश जहां पर परंपरागत बाढ़ आती रहती थी जैसे उ0प्र0 व बिहार आदि इनके अलावा व देश के अन्य हिस्सों में भी बाढ़ सहित अन्य आपदायें आ रही हैं, जिससे कृ­िा, व्यवसाय सहित आम जन जीवन भी प्रभावित हुआ है ।  यह नःसंदेह चिन्ताजनक है व ऐसी परिस्थितियों से निबटने के लिये एक प्रमाणित व्यवस्था करने की आवश्यकता है ।  आज पूरा देश तमिलनाडु सरकार के साथ खड़ा है।

     

SHRI ARVIND SAWANT (MUMBAI SOUTH): Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker, Sir.  I would like to express a serious concern about the situation that the Tamil Nadu people are facing right now.  For the last 20 days, there has been a heavy rainfall and 200 lives have been lost.  Likewise, Andhra and Odisha people are also suffering.  The most affected State is Tamil Nadu.  The measures that have been taken by hon. Puratchi Thalaivi Amma to restore all the services pay accolades to her.  But, at the same time, I am really concerned with the loss of lives first.  I feel that the Meteorological Department was not able to predict what exactly was going to happen.  I would like to ask the Minister, the Meteorological Department should be able to predict it. It was un-seasonal, unpredictable rain.  In Andhra, my colleague was saying that it rained in the areas which were known to be drought areas.  Never ever rainfall was there and it rained heavily over there. 

          When I had been to lunch during the afternoon, I received a call from my colleague whose daughter is stranded at Chennai Airport.  I was told that she was forced to go out of the Airport.  Later on the Airport authorities allowed them to stay in the airport.  But, she said that outside it was worse condition.  In the afternoon, Hema Malini, the hon. Member said, her house is on the third floor and water is there on the third floor also.  I saw the pictorial view of the situation that is there in Tamil Nadu.

          I support wholeheartedly what my colleagues are demanding.  They are demanding Rs. 8,000 crore.  Let the Central Government come forward proactively and give them as much as relief as they can so that the Tamil Nadu people will get relief.  Do not wait for the committees to give their reports. 

          On this situation, I request the Government to form a Committee of scientists now.  All over the world we are talking about the climate change.  It is an example of this climate change.  We have to discuss this issue seriously.  Let the Committee come forward with suggestions and give them to the Government to prevent such situation.  Remedial measures can be taken so that the lives of the people can be saved. 

          I fully express my concerns to the Tamil Nadu people.  I also request the Central Government to look into the matter and help the people as much as they can.  Thank you.

SHRI  DUSHYANT CHAUTALA (HISAR): Thank you Deputy-Speaker, Sir for allowing me to speak on the flood situation in Tamil Nadu and Southern Andhra Pradesh. 

          I would just like to say that it has been over 100 years in Indian history that Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have never faced such a flood situation. Our friends from Andhra Pradesh just told me that it is a drought-hit area where we have seen flood this time.  It is only because of climate change. 

          Recently, our hon. Prime Minister went to Paris to discuss about climate change.  He took an initiative that India will look on to renewable energy.  I think, more than renewable energy, we have to speak about how and why this climate is changing day-by-day.   It has increased over the years.  Recently, the World Bank has suggested that if there is a two degree increase in temperature in India, the import of agricultural products will increase by approximately 50 per cent.  Our friends in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh know that because of this flood situation, there will be an acute shortage of groundnut, sugarcane, soya , mango, guava, banana, chikoo, sitafal etc.  We have to look into it as to how we will come and provide food facilities to the people. They have asked funds from the Central Government.  I would request the hon. Minister for State for Home Affairs to provide funds as well as support in terms of NDRF and Army. 

          Lastly, I would just like to say:

                             Tamil Nattukku Nangalum adaravu therivikkeren   DR. MAMTAZ SANGHAMITA (BARDHMAN DURGAPUR): Respected Deputy-Speaker, Sir, I am very much thankful to you for giving me few minutes to speak on this important issue. 

          First of all, I, on my behalf and on behalf of my Party, would like to express my deepest sympathy to our deshbasiof Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry. Members have said about the flood situation and the recurrent flood situation in so many places including my State West Bengal.  We suffer from it each year.  This year, as everybody knows, the flood had affected 12 districts of West Bengal having much of monetary, crop, human and cattle losses.  The same thing is happening in other parts of the country also.  Now the time has come, as all of us have said, when we have to do something.  We know it very-well that at any time it may come but whenever it comes we should fight against it. Sometimes we succeed fully but sometimes we fail to succeed fully in rescuing everybody.  We are still depending on the relief either from the State or from the Centre. But it cannot meet our requirements to the fullest extent possible. We ask for Rs. 6000 crore from the Central Government but we got a meagre amount till date.

          Anyway that is not the question. Amma ji is now trying her level best to tackle the situation. I envy our great hon. leader, Kumari Mamata Banerjee who has also tackled the flood situation very tactfully and without much loss of human life, cattle and crops. There was adeauate food and clothing  supply, medical help and temporary shelter. 

          It is my request now, as has been mentioned by my other friends, that we should really think seriously as to how we can tackle the natural calamities.  We cannot prevent the natural calamities but we can foresee them.  We should involve scientists to find out why such calamities are happening and as to how we can forecast the natural calamities.  I would also request the Central Government to erect flood shelters and also crop shelters during the flood season which are urgently needed.  These can be done through the projects of the Central Government.  That is my request.  The Government should also undertake serious research on these natural calamities.

          In West Bengal, floods are happening usually due to overflowing of dams and sometimes due to heavy rainfall.  So, we should discuss about those things.  We should also make a separate Commission or bodies comprising of scientists, engineers, Government officials to tackle the flood situation in the country and find out a permanent solution.

          Thank you.

                                                                                               

*SHRI P.K. BIJU (ALATHUR): Natural Disaster are a big threat to our country's socio-economic security and I am thankful for the opportunity to give my reflections on this issue.

          In the present time, natural disasters such as flood and drought are frequent in our country. It causes not only vast devastation of agriculture and habitations but also has sustaining impact on the multiple spheres of life of the poor.

          We have a National Disaster Managment Authority in place, headed by the Prime Minister and State Disaster Managment Authorities headed by respective Chief Ministers. But only declaraions are being made disaster after disaster. Shri Narendra Modi announced rupees 1000 crores for cyclone hit Andhra Pradesh last year. But nothing has been given yet.

          The compensation and rehabilitation of the victims are the worst Managed issues. In the instance of a drought, the compensation would be delivered in the monsoon. In the instance of a flood compensation is delivered in the aftermath of the disaster. Again the compensation is meager and not proportionate to the damage. The present arrangement of compensation from Prime Minister Relief Fund and NCR based on hectors is unscientific and it should be  based on per-head damge of the crops. Again the compensation is only given for the damage. No financial assistance is given for re-cultivation. It is the need of the hour that compensation should be given for both damage are re-cultivation of agriculture. In Kerala compensation is not distributed even for the damaged crops.

          The issue of rehabilitation of the victims is also another matter of grave concern. There is lack of co-ordination between different Ministries and departments such as disaster managment and agencies such as civil supplies for food suppyly. Eventhough, arrangement is there for Kisan credit and Crop Insurance, there is little accountibility. The bureaucratic apathy is a major hurdle in the effective implementation of the programmes to tackle the disasters. Disaster tourism has become fashionable trend for the bureaucrats.

          Despite the occurrence of frequent disasters, Developed countries such as Japan and US are leading ecronomic powers. It indicates that, It is not the disaster but attitude and management are the road blocks. We have to take a cue from these countries to improve our systems.

          I urge the Government to look in to these matters with utmost cencern. Ensuring accountibility, Transparency and on the time delivery of compensation is the only way out. Otherwise the country is going to face a disastrous future.

           

* DR. KULMANI SAMAL (JAGATSINGHPUR): With regard to the discussion, I would like to state that the recent heavy rainfall during the annual north-east monsoon has resulted in severe flood in South Indian states namely, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh and the Union Territory of Puducherry resulting in loss of lives as well as damage to property. During the period of November, Chennai has received the highest ever rainfall recorded in November thereby squizing the state's economy. Due to this disaster in the above mentioned States and Union Territory, nearly 200 people have died and have affected over 1.8 million people and have also caused damages and losses amounting to over 20000 crore. In this regard, The Chief Minister of  Tamil Nadu has taken the relief measures to address the problems caused by the disaster. However, the amount sanctioned by the State Government may not appropriately deal with the ravaged situation. Hence, I request the Minister of Home Affairs to take a sympathetic step to grant adequate amount of funds by which the problem rising in the mentioned States could by addressed properly.

          Thank You.

 

SHRI C.R. CHAUDHARY (NAGAUR): I welcome the decision of your honour which allowed the discussion under Rule 193 on a very  important issue – “Flood devastation in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Pondicherry.

          At this juncture of time, I would like to request that the natural calamities are the result of imbalances in the nature.

          Every year, the Eastern Coast of India gets rainfall in winters through North-Eastern Monsoon.  Unfortunately due to weather disturbances in Bay of Bengal North Each Monsoon hit the eastern coast with pouring rains.  In the last hundred years, Chennai got the highest rainfall in a small span of time.  It was a devastating rains and lot of property and lives loss happened because of it in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Pondicherry.

          Timely relief and rescue measures were taken by the State Government of Tamil Nadu and Andhra, our Central Government is much more worried.  A Central Inter-Ministerial Teams were sent to see the actual damages in the flood affected areas.  I hope the Central Government will immediately grant the sanction from NDRF to help out the people of affected areas.

          At this time, I would like to welcome and thank our Government to amend the provisions and rules of NDRF in April, 2015.  As per the amended provisions victims of Natural calamities get reasonable financial assistance.

          There is a need for updating and placing the latest equipment and data centres to give advance and early information of such natural calamities.

          Secondly, the State Government should see that encroachments over the Nallahas, river beds and canals should be removed.  They should also ensure that such encroachments should not take place in future.

   

          In the end, I would like to request the whole human community not to disturb the natural system and nature frequently unless it is required.  I will also like to request all the people of the Nation, N.G.Os and Governments to come forward to help out the victims of flood affected areas.

         

SHRI R. DHRUVANARAYANA (CHAMARAJANAGAR): Tamil Nadu has witnessed heaviest rains rendering the life of people miserable. Tamil Nadu is repeatedly facing this situation which is causing huge loss to the State. But even now the State is flooded with water.

Hence I urge the Government of India to come to the rescue of Tamil Nadu by providing sufficient financial assistance.

                                                                                                 

श्री रमेश पोखरियाल निशंक (हरिद्वार) ः यह अत्यंत दुःखद है कि देश में भी­ाण व­ााऩ व सूखे से तमिलनाडु और दक्षिणी भारत के अन्य भागों में 200 से अधिक नागरिक अपनी जान गंवा बैठे हैं। देश के दक्षिण भाग में आयी इस प्रलयकारी बाढ़ और सूखे की पीड़ा को मैं भली-भांति समझ और महसूस कर सकता हॅं क्योंकि मैं उस प्रदेश से आता हूं जहां नियमित रूप से भी­ाण प्राकृतिक आपदाएंì आती रहती हैं। अभी दो साल पहले ही केदारनाथ आपदा के रूप में हमने दस हज़ार लोगों की मौत का वीभत्स दृश्य देखा हैं। मैंने स्वयं इस भयावह त्रासदी को अपनी आंखों से देखा है तथा 22 कि.मी. पैदल चलकर मैंने ही सर्वप्रथम आपदा की गंभीरता के वि­ाय में तत्कालीन प्रधानमंत्री को फोन पर सूचना दी। इस आपदा से हमारे सामाजिक, आर्थिक जीवन की मानों कमर ही टूट गयी हो। केवल पर्यटन के क्षेत्र में इस छोटे से नवोदित राज्य को 12 हज़ार करोड़ की क्षति झेलनी पड़ी।

          जब हम देश में विभिन्न प्राकृतिक कारणों से आपदाओं पर विचार करते हैं तो पाते हैं कि पूरा देश आपदा से जूझता महसूस होता है। आपदाओं की निरंतरता पर दृ­िटपात करने से यह ज्ञात होता है कि समूचा हिमालय क्षेत्र आपदा के प्रति अत्यंत संवेदनशील है। सभी हिमालयीय राज्य नियमित रूप से आपदाएं झेलते हैं।

1     विश्व बैंक की रिपोर्ट के अनुसार भारत के 35 राज्यों और केंद्र शासित प्रदेशों में 27 आपदा के खतरों से जूझते हैं।

2     देश का 58.6 प्रतिशत हिस्सा भूकंप के खतरों से ग्रस्त है।  

3     7516 समुद्रीय तट में से 5700 में समुद्र तूफान और सुनामी का खतरा है।  

4     68 प्रतिशत भू-भाग पर सूखे की चपेट का खतरा बना रहता है।  

5     मेरा मानना है कि उत्तराखण्ड, हिमाचल प्रदेश, पूर्वोत्तर राज्य, जम्मू-कश्मीर तो 100 प्रतिशत ही आपदा के खतरों को झेल रहे हैं।  

6     जलवायु परिवर्तन इन सबका मुख्य कारण है और हिमालय इससे प्रभावित होने वाला देश का सामरिक रूप से मुख्य भू-भाग है। प्रयत्न किया जाना चाहिए कि हिमालय से जलवायु परिवर्तन के प्रभाव को कम करने के प्रयासों की शुरूआत की जाये।  

          आज देश के विभिन्न भागों में आई हुई बाढ़ और सूखे की स्थिति से निपटने हेतु हमें युद्ध स्तर पर कार्य करने की आवश्यकता है। जहां एक ओर प्रभावितों के जान-माल की रक्षा को प्राथमिकता दिए जाने की आवश्यकता है वहीं इस प्रकार की घटनाओं से होन वाली व्यापक क्षति को कम करने के लिए अल्पकालिक, दीर्घकालिक कदम उठाए जाने की आवश्यकता है। सर्वप्रथम सभी प्रभावित परिवारों को चिन्हित कर उन्हें सुरक्षित स्थानों पर पहुंचाने की व्यवस्था की जानी चाहिए। मौसम विभाग ने तमिलनाडु और समीपवर्ती क्षेत्रों में भी­ाण व­ााऩ का पूर्वानुमान लगाया है। ऐसी स्थिति में वहां पर भयंकर बारिश के कारण जलभराव और जर्जर पुराने भवनो के ढहने की प्रबल संभावना है। मेरा आग्रह है कि केंद्र और राज्य सरकार परस्पर समंवय स्थापित करते हुए सेना, अर्द्धसैनिक बल, स्वयंसेवी संगठनों और अन्य सहायता एजेंसियों को तत्काल प्रभाव से अधिक प्रभावित क्षेत्रों में तैनाती सुनिश्चित करे। बाढ़ या सूखा हो, इसका असर व्यापक होता है। जान-माल की हानि के अतिरिव्त आर्थिक क्षति, संसाधनों की हानि तो होती है पर इसके साथ इसका गंभीर सामाजिक और मनोवैज्ञानिक प्रभाव भी पड़ता है।

          बाढ़ और सूखे का सामना करने का सरल दर्शन, सुसंगत प्रबंधन तंत्र तभी औचित्यपूर्ण हो सकता है, जब इसमें सरकार एवं जनसमुदाय की सहभागिता सुनिश्चित की जाये।

          मेरा मानना है कि क्लाइमेट चेंज अर्थात् मौसम परिवर्तन के कारण हम देश में सूखा, व्यापक व­ााऩ, बाढ़ और कई प्राकृतिक विपदाओं से जूझ रहे हैं। यह चिंतनीय वि­ाय है कि    व­ाऩ 2000 से 2010 के बीच विश्व ग्रीन हाउस गैस के उत्सर्जन में 60 प्रतिशत से अधिक वृद्धि हुई।

   व­ाऩ 1990-2010 तक भारत का कार्बन उत्सर्जन 0.8 से 1.7 मीट्रिक टन हो गया।

   भारत ने वचनबद्धता की है कि प्रति व्यव्ति उत्सर्जन किसी भी हालत में विकसित देशों से ज्यादा नहीं होगा।

   जलवायु परिवर्तन का खतरा एक गंभीर वैश्विक चिंता है। वैज्ञानिक इस बात पर एकमत है कि जलवायु परिवर्तन असंदिग्ध है।

          मैं इस वि­ाय पर सरकार को कुछ प्रभावी अनुकूलन कार्यनीतियों का सुझाव देना चाहता हॅं-

          1. आपदा प्रबंधन, कृ­ाकों को बीमा सहायता,

          2. कृ­िा भूमि उपयोग, प्रबंधन में परिवर्तन, संसाधन संरक्षण, प्रौद्योगिकी का विकास,

          3. वन संबंधी योजनाओं और कार्यक्रम का विकास,

          4. जल उपयोग का मापन, जल उपयोग प्रबंधन में नीतिगत सुधार आदि।

          देश के रूप में भारत व­ााऩ, सूखे, भूकंप, चक्रवात जैसी विभिन्न आपदाओं के प्रति अत्यंत संवेदनशील है। जागरूकता का अभाव इस क्षेत्र में रह रहे लोगों की आपदाओं के प्रति संवेदनशीलता को बढ़ाता है। आपदाओं से लगातार हो रही संसाधनों की क्षति देश की गरीबी का मुख्य कारण है। ऐसे में कुशल प्रबंधन का एक ही उद्देश्श्य है जिसकी प्राप्ति के लिए विभिन्न विभागों, संस्थाओं, समुदायों को मिलकर काम करना होता है परंतु दुर्भाग्य से हम विभिन्न एजेंसियों के मध्य समन्वय स्थापित करने में सर्वथा असफल रहते हैं।

          यह आवश्यक है कि पूर्व चेतावनी तंत्र से संबंधित विभिन्न भागों व पक्षों का आंकलन करते हुए हम निश्चित समय-सीमा पर क्षेत्रीय लोगों का सहयोग लेते हुए पूरी तैयारी करें। दुर्भाग्य से देश में आई आपदाओं के दौरान हमारा पूर्व चेतावनी तंत्र पूरी तरह विफल रहा है। चाहे वह उत्तरकाशी, चमोली का भूकंप रहा हो या केदारनाथ की भयावह त्रासदी हो या कश्मीर में आई बाढ़ या फिर तमिलनाडु में आई हुई प्रलयकारी बाढ़। हमें अपने पूर्व चेतावनी तंत्र को चुस्त-दुरूस्त करने की आवश्यकता है। इसके अतिरिव्त, आपदा से जुड़ी विभिन्न एजेंसियों में व्यापक समन्वय का अभाव देखने को मिलता है।

          मेरा सरकार से अनुरोध है कि सरकार पूरे आपदा संभावित विभिन्न भौगोलिक क्षेत्रों में पूर्व चेतावनी नेटवर्क की स्थापना करे जिसके तहत डॉप्लर रडार, लाइटिनिंग सेंसर, रेनफॉल मॉनिटरिंग सेंसर, सीस्मो मीटर्स की व्यवस्था सुनिश्चित की जाये। इसके अतिरिव्त केंद्रीय प्रोसेसिंग इकाई में रियल टाइम एनालसिस (विश्ले­ाण) कर प्रभावी रणनीति बनाकर निश्चित समय सीमा में क्रियांवित की जाए। आपदा रोकथाम कार्यक्रमों व उपायों के क्रियान्वयन हेतु तकनीकी क्षमता एवं विशे­ाज्ञता युव्त सरकारी विभाग, गैर-सरकारी संगठन, पुलिस, सेना, अंतर्रा­ट्रीय संस्थाओं एवं आपदा प्रबंधन प्राधिकरण में पूरा समन्वय स्थापित करने की आवश्यकता है। भारतीय अंतरिक्ष अनुसंधान संगठन एवं प्रदेश अंतरिक्ष उपयोग केंद्रों का समन्वय स्थापित कर आपदा पूर्व चेतावनी तंत्र के विकास के लिए समुचित उपयोग किया जाना चाहिए। यह भी आवश्यक है कि चेतावनी की परिशुद्धता (Accuracy of Warning)चेतावनी प्रसारित होने एवं घटना आरंभ होने के संभावित समय के मध्य का अंतराल आपदा घटित होने से पहले तैयारी व नियोजन का पूरा तंत्र मुस्तैदी के साथ आपदा का मुकाबला करे।

          बाढ़, व­ााऩ और अन्य प्रकार की आपदा का सामना करने हेतु मेरे निम्नलिखित सुझाव हैं-

          1. संस्थागत व्यवस्था, 2. नियोजन, 3. संसाधनों का समुचित उपयोग- समन्वय का अभाव, 4. प्रशिक्षण/ क्षमता विकास, तथा 5. शोध एवं विकास पर ध्यान देने की आवश्यकता।

          मैं सरकार का ध्यान संस्थागत व्यवस्थापन नियोजन की कमियों की तरफ दिलाना चाहता हूं। केदारनाथ में भी हमने देखा कि सभी नदियों के तटों पर नियमों की धज्जियों उड़ाते हुए घर, होटल, लॉज एवं विभिन्न अवस्थापनाओं का विकास किया गया था। हमारे देश में दुर्भाग्य से चेतावनी व्यवस्था एवं चेतावनी प्रसारण के लिए व्यवस्थित एवं पद्धति बद्ध प्रक्रिया का नितांत अभाव है। केदारनाथ क्षेत्र की आपदा हो या कश्मीर की भी­ाण बाढ़, हर कहीं हमारी चेतावनी व्यवस्था सर्वथा विफल रही है या तो चेतावनी तंत्र था ही नहीं, यदि था भी तो उसने कारगर काम नहीं किया और यदि किया भी तो हम संबंधित एजेंसियों तक अपना संदेश पहुंचाने में विफल रहे। आज यह सुनिश्चित किए जाने की आवश्यकता है कि हम अपनी चेतावनी व्यवस्था को सुदृढ़, सशव्त, नवीनतम प्रौद्योगिकी से लैसे करें नहीं तो आपदाएं यों ही आएंगी और हज़ारों-लाखों मासूम इन आपदाओं की बलि चढ़ते रहेंगे। यह भी आवश्यक है कि चेतावनी हम सभी तक समयबद्ध तरीके से पहुंचा सके।

          पूरे देश में किसी भी निर्माण कार्य हेतु हमें सभी रा­ट्रीय और अंतर्रा­ट्रीय मानकों का पूरी नि­ठा से पालन करना चाहिए। कई बार देखने में आया है कि नियम और कानून तो बना दिए जाते हैं परंतु उनका क्रियांवयन न होने से हमें आपदा दुर्घटनाओं के रूप में बड़ी कीमत चुकानी पड़ती है। केंद्र व राज्य सरकार, स्थानीय निकाय, निर्माण एजेंसियां, स्वयंसेवी संगठन और हमारे शिक्षा संस्थान इस बात को सुनिश्चित करें कि पूरे देश के लिए समुचित मानकों की व्यवस्था की गयी है।

          सरकार की सभी एजेंसियों में सहयोग/समन्वय का अभाव देखने को मिलता है। जहां पुलिस, स्वास्थ्य, आपदा प्रबंधन को एक दूसरे के साथ कंधे से कंधा मिलाकर कार्य करना चाहिए वहीं यह देखने को मिलता है कि इन संस्थाओं  के बीच संवाद तक नहीं हो रहा है।

          देश में प्रशिक्षित मानव संसाधन क्षमता विकास के मौकों की काफी कमी है। चाहे कश्मीर हो, उत्तराखंड हो या नेपाल भी रहा हो, कुशल आपदा प्रबंधन कर्मियों की अत्यधिक कमी देखनी पड़ती है। आज देश जहां कौशल विकास में, क्षमता विकास में अपनी पूरी शव्ति लगा रहा है वहीं हमें देखना होगा कि आपदा प्रबंधन जैसे महत्वपूर्ण क्षेत्रों की उपेक्षा न हो।

          देश की समस्त शोध एजेंसियों एवं विश्वविद्यालयों को आपदा प्रबंधन जैसे महत्वपूर्ण वि­ायों पर शोध और विकास को बढ़ावा देना चाहिए। आपदा से निपटने हेतु देश की सभी शोध संस्थाओं को प्राथमिकता के आधार पर समुचित संसाधन मुहैया कराये जाने की आवश्यकता है। देश-विदेश के सभी संस्थानों में बेहतर तालमेल स्थापित करते हुए विज्ञान एवं प्रौद्योगिकी के सफल हस्तांतरण का समुचित प्रबंध किया जाना चाहिए।

       

*SHRIMATI APARUPA PODDAR (ARAMBAG): A deep depression of high intensity formed over Bay of Bengal hit Tamil Nadu coast near Marakkanam on 10th November causing heavy rains and losses of life.  My prayer and deep concern are with them.

          The excessive rain and high tide and water released from Jharkhand and Odisha has rendered the flood situation in West Bengal.  Sir, 12 districts in the gangetic plains were affected, more than 1.8 lakh houses were damaged and crops over 2.10 lakh hectares lost due to flood.  Our Hon’ble Chief Minister supported the flood affected people with our own resources.  Flooding of farmland, towns, villages, roads, bridges were from several districts of South Bengal like Howarah, hooghly, Burdwan, Bankura, South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore were effected with heavy downpour.  My own constituency Arambagh in Hooghly was under water.  I request the Central Government to see the matter pending of “Ghatal Master Plan” which is a long pending project to overcome flood in my constituency.   The Met department recorded 143.2 mm rainfall.  The Durgapur barrage in Bengal was scheduled to release about 65,000 cusecs of water.  Without authorized warning, they released 90,000 cusecs of water.  The rivers and reservoirs like Kangshahati, Damodar are full.      Damodar is sorrow of Bengal, Damodar valley Corporation is responsible for releasing excess water which resulted flood in my State.  Two years ago, our Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal Ms. Mamta Banerjee had written to Centre for dredging of DVC reservoir so that more than 2 lakh cusecs water can be reserved.  The monsoon was active and simultaneously the deep depression caused heavy rainfall in Gangetic West Bengal.  Our Government gave all compensation to the farmers, the affected families of the farmers Rs 2,00,000.  These are all happening due to climate change.  We should all come forward and together to over come from this kind of situation in future.                                              

 

* Speech was laid on the Table SHRI S.P. MUDDAHANUME GOWDA (TUMKUR): Tamil Nadu is facing severe flood situation since the last few days rendering the life of people of people of Tamil Nadu and particularly in Chennai and other parts  miserable. Tamil Nadu has incurred heavy financial loss. People are facing problems for having lost lives and properties. Though the State Government is doing all necessary steps to protect the interest of the people of the State, the responsibility is also there on the Union Government to come to the rescue of the State.

I therefore urge the Government of India to provide huge financial assistance to State of Tamil Nadu.

                                   

ऒकुँवर पु­पेन्द्र सिंह चन्देल (हमीरपुर):  वर्तमान में अतिवृ­िट से चेन्नई (तमिलनाडु) एवं समुद्री सीमा के अन्य नजदीकी क्षेत्र में अतिवृ­िट के कारण से भारी तबाही की स्थिति है, जो बड़ी भयावह ह।  प्रायः प्रत्येक व­ाऩ असम आधे से अधिक जलमग्न हो जाता ह।  रेलमार्ग, सड़क मार्ग एवं कभी कभी वायुमार्ग भी प्रभावित रहते हैं।  उपाध्यक्ष महोदय असम की सरकार के अधिकारी काफी संख्या में प्रत्येक व­ाऩ असम में आने वाली बाढ़ की उत्सव के रूप में प्रतीक्षा करते हैं यह बहुत ही दुःखद बात है।  बाढ़ राहत कार्यक्रम में पब्लिक को अस्थाई आवास व्यवस्था के लिए असम सरकार जो सामग्री उपलब्ध करवाती है वह इतनी खराब स्थिति में होती है कि टेन्ट से बारिश का पानी भी अन्दर जाता है।  यह बात मैं इसलिए उद्धृत कर रहा हूँ क्योंकि मैंने स्वयं देखा है।  एक बार अपने क्षेत्र में निर्धन वर्ग को टेन्ट/तिरपाल बाँटने के लिए मैं कानपुर तिरपाल मार्केट गया ।   वहां पर मुझे थोक विक्रेता ने स्वयं कहा कि मैं व्यापारी हूं लंकिन असम सरकार गरीबों व बाढ़ पीड़ितों के लिए  जो सामग्री मुझसे क्रय करती है उसमें एक दिन बारिश से बचाव करना नामुमकिन है ।  मुझे देने में शर्म आती है लेकिन भ्र­टाचार करने वालों को ईश्वर कभी माफ नहीं करेगा ।  जो बाढ़ पीड़ित के लिए संवेदनहीन है, वह एक दिन निश्चित ही वह भ्र­टाचारी स्वयं भी दुःख के सागर में तिरोहित होगा।

          हमारे बुन्देलखण्ड क्षेत्र में, कई छोटी-छोटी एवं कुछ बड़ी निदियां है । पिछले दशक में प्रायः सूखे की मार झेल रहा है ।  किसान बेहाल है, लाचार है , लाख प्रयास करने के बाद भारी कीमत चुकाकर फसल पैदा करता है ।  हमारे क्षेत्र में किसानों को आत्महत्या के नाम से बदनामी का सामना करना पड़ रहा है जो   बड़ा दुःखद है ।  वहीं दूसरी तरफ कभी-कभी कुछ क्षेत्रों में बाढ़ से तबाही होती है ।  मैं आपके माध्यम से सदन एवं सरकार को अवगत कराना चाहता हूं कि बुंदेलखण्ड की भौगोलिक स्थिति को समझते हुए बाढ़ एवं सूखे से बचने का सबसे आदर्श कार्य बुंदेलखण्ड की नदियों को आपस में जोड़ने का ही है।  कृपया बाढ़ का पानी सूखी नदियों व सूखे बाँधों में डालकर शीघ्रातीशीघ्र बुंदेलखण्ड को बाढ़ व सूखे की तबाही से बचाया जाये ।

                 

* Speech was laid on the Table     SHRI K.C. VENUGOPAL (ALAPPUZHA): Hon. Deputy-Speaker, Sir, I am standing here for expressing my sincere solidarity with the people who have been severely affected due to floods in the country, and especially, the people of Tamil Nadu are going through a very difficult period now.

          Shri Mahtab ji has described the flood situation in the morning.  I am also a part of the Railway Convention Committee.  I was in Chennai two weeks before.  At that time also, Chennai was facing a very bad flood situation. 

A lot of water is flowing on the streets now in the city.  Nobody is in a position to move out.  At this juncture – the hon. Urban Minister is not here – we should rethink about the planning of our cities.  Whenever we witness heavy rainfall, the entire city is flooding.  Tamil Nadu is witnessing a severe flood situation.  Chennai city has received continuous rain for the last four to five days.  That is why, the entire city of Chennai is in a very dangerous situation now. 

Hon. Deputy-Speaker, Sir, you are aware that a lot of Malayalis are living in Chennai.  Around seven to eight trains have been cancelled.  The Chennai airport has been closed now.  A lot of people are stranded there because of the flood situation.  I am urging the Government of India to give maximum financial assistance to the Tamil Nadu Government for tackling the severe flood situation.  I would also request the Government to send a team of Union Ministers to see as to what proper arrangements are being made there and also provide money which the Tamil Nadu Government has asked for.

I am also congratulating the efforts taken by the Tamil Nadu Government.  We, the people of Kerala and also the Congress Party are giving wholehearted support to those who are suffering due to the flood situation in Tamil Nadu.

Thank you.

                                                                            

श्री संजय धोत्रे (अकोला) :  हमारा देश बाढ़ और सूखे के कारण बहुत बड़े संकट का सामना कर रहा है ।  इस स्थिति के कारण सबसे ज्यादा प्रभावित हमारा किसान है ।  किसान जिसकी हालत पहले ही बहुत गंभीर है वह इस स्थिति का मुकाबला नहीं कर सकता ।

          महारा­ट्र का "विदर्भ" और मराठवाड़ा  क्षेत्र तो और भी ज्यादा प्रभावित है ।  पिछले तीन व­ाऩ से कभी  अतिवृ­िट कभी सूखा, कभी असमय बारिश, तथा कभी आंधी तूफान जैसी आपदाओं का सामना करना पड़ रहा है ।  पिछले 20 सालों में जितने संकट नहीं आये उतने संकट गत 3 व­ााॉ में आये है ।  विदर्भ और मराठवाड़े में 10 प्रतिशत सिचाई की व्यवस्था है ।  वहां ज्यादातर व­ााऩ आधारित खेती होती है ।

          यहां का किसान पूरी तरह से कर्जे में डूबा हुआ है ।  सरकार ने गत व­ाऩ लोन को रिशिडय़ूलिंग   किया ।  2 साल का कर्जा  किसान के उपर है ।  इस व­ाऩ गुजारे के लिए खेती के लिए उसके पास पैसा नहीं है।

          महारा­ट्र सरकार ने केन्द्र से 4500 करोड़ रूपये मदद मांगी थी। केन्द्र सरकार ने 1500 करोड़ रूपये दिये, उसके लिए धन्यवाद ।

          चार महीने पहले जब 4500 करोड़ मदद मांगी उस समय के बाद स्थिति और गंभीर हुई ।  किसानों की आत्महत्यायें बढ़ गई ।  रोज विदर्भ में औसतन 4 आत्महत्या हो रही है ।  पिछले सप्ताह में मेरे अकोला जिले के दघम गांव में 14 साल के बच्चे के पास किताब खरीदने के लिए पैसे नही थे इसलिए आत्महत्या की ।  उसके पिता किसान है ।

          विदर्भ में किसानों के लिए आपातकाल जैसी स्थिति है । एक तरफ कुदरत की मार , के कारण उत्पादन 3 साल में 20औ-50औ ही हो रहा ।  लागत का पैसा भी नहीं निकलता जो फसल पैदा होती ।  उसके उचित दाम नहीं मिलते ।

          मैं सरकार  से मांग करता हूं इस गंभीर भयावह स्थिति से बाहर निकालने के लिए तुरंत कदम उठाये जाएं ।  किसानों की उचित मदद की जाए ।  उसके लिए महारा­ट्र सरकार को 6000 करोड़ रूपये की मदद की जाए ।

          केंद्र सरकार निश्चित रूप से राज्य सरकार को आर्थिक मदद करेगा लेकिन यह एक टेम्पोरेरी सौलूशन है ।  हमारा देश कृ­िा प्रधान देश है ।  60 प्रतिशत लोग कृ­िा पर निर्भर हैं।  इसलिए हमें इसका स्थायी समाधान खोजना होगा ।  इसके लिए मैं कुछ सुझाव देना चाहता हूं ।

१.सरकार द्वारा कृ­िा के लिए जितनी भी योजनायें हैं उनकी कड़ी समीक्षा की जाए ।  उन्हें सरल और पारदर्शी बनाया जाए ।

२.फर्टीलाइजर और अन्य सब्सिडी का डाइरेक्ट एकाउंट के ट्रांसफर हो ।

३.क्रॉप इंसुरेंस में सरलता लाई जाए और सभी फसल इसमें शामिल हों

४.जहां भी जंगली जानवर फसलों का नुकसान करते है वैसे क्षेत्र में सरकार द्वारा फेंसिंग की व्यवस्था हो ।

५.सबसे महत्वपूर्ण, लागत मूल्य को ध्यान में रखते हुए कृ­िा उत्पाद का उचित दाम मिले ।

 

          मुझे पूरा विश्वास है है कि सरकार पूरी गंभीरता से उचित कदम उठायेगी ।  जिससे हमारे किसान , मजदूर गांव और सारे देश में खुशहाली आयेगी यही हमारी अपेक्षा है ।

SHRI M. CHANDRAKASI (CHIDAMBARAM): Hon. Deputy-Speaker, Sir, I would like to draw the attention of the Government to the urgent need for providing adequate amount of Central assistance to Tamil Nadu for undertaking relief and rehabilitation works in the rain and flood-affected areas.

          The recent rains and floods in Tamil Nadu have severely affected the State.  Most of the coastal areas including a large part of my constituency, Chidambaram and some interior parts of the State of Tamil Nadu incurred huge losses.  In my Parliamentary constituency, Parankipettai has received yesterday the highest rainfall of 159 mm.

          Till date, there has been a loss of more than 170 human beings and 2000 cattle.  More than one lakh houses and 90,000 hectare of crops have also been damaged.  There have also been damages to infrastructure like water supply, roads, bridges, power supply etc., and a large scale of other private properties.

          Sir, I would also place it on record that under the able guidance of our hon. Chief Minister, Amma, the State of Tamil Nadu is making all out efforts to provide quick relief to the affected people.  However the financial means of our State are not much.  The State has projected the funds requirement of Rs. 8,481 crore and sought an immediate requirement of Rs. 2,000 crore.

          I would, therefore, urge upon the Government that the recent rains and floods in Tamil Nadu be declared as  a National Disaster, and the concerned Ministries of the Union Government should take urgent steps for timely release of adequate Central assistance to Tamil Nadu to undertake relief and rehabilitation activities fully.

          With these words, I conclude.  Thank you.

                                                                                           

DR. P. VENUGOPAL (TIRUVALLUR):  Hon. Deputy-Speaker, Sir, first of all I would like to convey my sincere thanks to the hon. Madam Speaker   and the hon. Union Minister, Shri Venkaiah Naidu for having allowed an immediate and impromptu discussion on the unprecedented flood situation prevailing in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh, taking into account the seriousness of the grim situation due to very heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu, especially in Chennai and three other coastal Districts including my Constituency Tiruvallur,  by setting aside the other important business of the House.

          I would also like to thank all the hon. Members for expressing their solidarity with the people of Chennai and the whole of Tamil Nadu, especially the hon. Member, Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab, who narrated the real situation since he was on the spot during the heavy rains that lashed the city.

          Sir, the hon. Members from our party AIADMK, spoke in depth about the huge devastation caused by the heavy rains. They also spoke about the effective measures that our Government headed by the hon. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Dr. Puratchi Thalaivi amma is taking  with regard to rescue, relief and rehabilitation of the affected people of Tamil Nadu.

          Going by the sentiments expressed by all sections of the House, I am sure that the entire nation, India, stands with Tamil Nadu in this hour of need; and I thank everyone for this gesture.  These rains have lashed the entire Tamil Nadu.  The people there have been affected very badly.  I would, therefore, request the Government to treat this as a National Calamity or National Disaster and take immediate necessary action in this regard.

          Hon. Deputy-Speaker, Sir, I would further request the Government to announce a Special Financial Package to Tamil Nadu for undertaking rescue, relief and rehabilitation measures in Tamil Nadu, and order the immediate release of sufficient funds to the Tamil Nadu Government.     With these words I conclude.  Thank you.          

                                                         

*श्री पी.पी. चौधरी (पाली) ः भारत देश कृ­िा प्रधान देश है, हमारे देश में 60 प्रतिशत से ज्यादा खेती मानसून पर निर्भर रहती है। यह सर्वविदित है कि मानसून 5 व­ााॉ में लगभग 2 बार ही ठीक रहता है, जिसका किसान पूरा-पूरा लाभ ले पाता है। जलवायु परिवर्तन, ग्लोबल वार्मिंग ऐसे महत्वपूर्ण वि­ाय है, जिन पर हमारी सरकार अन्य देशों की सरकारों के साथ मिलकर एक अंतर्रा­ट्रीय योजना में महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभा रही है। हमारे किसान इससे होने वाली परेशानियों से जागरूक नहीं है, लेकिन प्रतिव­ाऩ इससे होने वाले नुकसान को आंकड़ों में देखा जा सकता है।

          किसानों को खेतों में अत्यधिक उर्वरक प्रयोग पर रोक लगाना चाहिए एवं जैविक खेती को बढ़ावा देने के लिए किसानों को प्रोत्साहित करके जलवायु में सुधार किया जा सकता है।

          व­ााऩ का जल संचय करने में भी हमारा देश काफी पीछे है, हमारे देश में व­ााऩ के जल का 6 प्रतिशत हिस्सा ही काम में लिया जाता है बाकी 94 प्रतिशत पानी बहकर समुद्र में मिल जाता है। यदि इस 94 प्रतिशत पानी का बांधों के माध्यम से संचय किया जाए तो इसके माध्यम से 25 मिलियन हैक्टेयर भूमि पर सिंचाई की जा सकेगी, 24,000 मेगावाट विद्युत उत्पादन किया जा सकेगा तथा 10 मि.ली. हैक्टेयर क्षेत्र के ग्राउंड वाटर में बढ़ोत्तरी की जा सकेगी। इसके साथ-साथ देश खाद्यान्न, फल, सब्जी के क्षेत्र में आत्मनिर्भर ही नहीं बल्कि बड़ा निर्यातक देश भी हो सकता है और हम बड़ी मात्रा में विदेशी मुद्रा भी अर्जित कर सकते हैं। देश के किसान को खेती व युवाओं को बेहतर रोज़गार के अवसर उपलब्ध होने लगेंगे तो देश को फूड सिक्योरिटी व मनरेगा जैसी योजनाएं चलाने की आवश्यकता नहीं रहेगी, जिसके माध्यम से लाखों-करोड़ों रूपए बचा कर इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर पर खर्च किया जा सकता है, ताकि देश में शिक्षा, चिकित्सा, सड़क, आदि के क्षेत्र में भरपूर विकास किया जा सकेगा।

          नदियों को जोड़ना सूखा व बाढ़ की समस्या का ही हल नहीं बल्कि इसके माध्यम से आर्थिक स्थिति में सुधार होने के साथ-साथ ग्रामीण क्षेत्रों में रोज़गार उपलब्ध करवाने के साधन भी उपलब्ध होंगे, कृ­िा हेतु सिंचाई के लिए भी उपयुव्त मात्रा में जल उपलब्ध करवाकर कृ­िा क्षेत्र का विकास किया जा सकेगा। कृ­िा में विकास होने पर जी.डी.पी. में कृ­िा का योगदान बढ़ेगा और देश तेजी से विकास के मार्ग की ओर बढ़ेगा।

          दुग्ध उत्पादक संघ के विशे­ाज्ञों ने उत्तरी-पश्चिमी राजस्थान का पूरा सर्वेक्षण करके इस नतीजे पर पहुंचे हैं कि प्राकृतिक वनस्पति जिसमें घास एवं पारंपरिक खेती के साथ पशुपालक कृ­ाकों का उत्थान होगा और इससे रोज़गार के नये स्रोत खुलेंगे, जिससे आम नागरिक को फायदा होगा। उत्तरी-पश्चिमी राजस्थान का जीवन आधार पशुपालन एवं पारंपरिक खेती के साथ घास उत्पादन किया जाना था। स्वतंत्रता के पश्चात् नई तकनीकी अपना कर सेवण घास, भूरट डचाभ गडिया, पाला इत्यादि को पूर्णतया न­ट कर दिया गया है और पारंपरिक खेती नाम मात्र की रह गयी है, जो बरानी बरसात होने पर की जाती है। इस क्षेत्र के किसानों का पशुओं के लिए उत्तम घास सेवण, भूरट, पाला, डचाभ इत्यादि उगाकर पशुपालन करने से किसान को अधिक लाभ होगा इसके साथ पारंपरिक खेती करने से अच्छी गुणवत्ता वाला अनाज पैदा होगा।

          इंदिरा गांधी नहर परियोजना व अन्य नहर परियोजनाओं से राजस्थान के पश्चिमी क्षेत्र में सेवण घास उगाकर पशुपालन किये जाने पर प्रति मुरबे की आय में 10 गुणा तक बढ़ोत्तरी होना निश्चित है। मूंगफली, गेहूं, नरमा उगाने के अनुपात में सेवण घास उगाने पर खार्च आधे से भी कम होगा एवं पच्चीस बीघे में तीस गाय एवं 100 भेड़ बकरियों का चारा उत्पादित होगा। इसके साथ ही पारंपरिक खेती का लाभ भी वर्तमान खेती से कम नहीं होगा और तीस गायों का दुग्ध रोज 300 ली. उत्पादित होगा जिसका मूल्य 4500 रूपए प्रतिदिन होगा साथ ही 450 किलों गोबर प्रतिदिन प्राप्त होगा, जिसकी 2250 रूपए प्रतिदिन आय है। इसके अतिरिव्त भेड़-बकरियों की आय 100 रूपए प्रतिदिन होगी। इन पशुओं के लिए चारा खेत से ही उगाकर दिया जाएगा एवं पानी की व्यवस्था सिंचित क्षेत्र में उपलब्ध है। मात्र चारा एवं रख-रखाव का पैसा ही व्यय होगा। पारंपरिक खेती की आय खरीफ व रबी दोनों फसलों को मिलाकर 10,000 रूपए प्रति बीघा निश्चित है। सेवण घास एवं पारंपरिक खेती के लिए सिंचाई का पानी मात्र 2 क्यूसिक प्रति हैक्टेयर लगाकर उत्तम खेती प्राप्त की जा सकती है।

          सेवण घास के लिए सिंचित एवं असिंचित कोई प्रश्न ही नहीं उठता है, क्योंकि सेवण, भूरट डचाभा, फोग, पाला, इत्यादि टिब्बों का श्रृंगार है और फव्वारा सिंचाई से केवल सिलन मात्र से ही उत्तम उत्पादन लिया जा सकता है।

          उत्तरी-पश्चिमी राजस्थान में लाखों हैक्टेयर भूमि को नकारा समझकर छोड़ रखा है, जो थोड़े से ही सोना उगलेगी और लगभग 2 करोड़ गायें एवं 20 करोड़ भेड़-बकरियों को आसानी से चारा उपलब्ध करवाया जा सकता है। 2 करोड़ गायों का दुग्ध 20 करोड़ लीटर प्रतिदिन होना निश्चित है, जिसकी आय 300 करोड़ रूपए प्रतिदिन होगी। साथ ही 3 लाख टन गोबर प्रतिदिन मिलेगी, जिसकी आय 150 करोड़ रूपए प्रतिदिन होगी। जिसमें बकरियों का दुग्ध, भेड़ों की ऊन व खाद के रूप में मिगणयों को मिलाकर अनुपात निकाला गया है। इसके अतिरिव्त, इनकी बढ़ोत्तरी भी प्रतिव­ाऩ तीन गुणा होती है क्योंकि भेंड़ बकरी साल में दो बार ब्याहती है और इन पर खर्चा मात्र देख-रेख व रख-रखाव का ही होता है।

          इस क्षेत्र में बरसाती पानी को एकत्रित करने का पिछले साठ व­ााॉ से कोई प्रयास नहीं किया गया है, जिसके फलस्वरूप इंदिरा गांधी नहर एवं कुओं के पानी पर निर्भर रहना महंगा साबित हो रहा है। मेरा इस संबंध में सुझाव है कि राजस्थान राज्य की विशे­ा परिस्थितियों को ध्यान में रखते हुए प्रत्येक किसान के लिए एक लाख लीटर क्षमता वाला वाटर टैंक बनाने की अनुमति किसान के स्वयं के खेत में दी जाये, जिससे ग्रामीण क्षेत्र में पानी की उपलब्धता के लिए बेहतर आधारभूत ढांचा विकसित हो सके एवं किसान अपने स्वयं के खेत में पानी के साथ-साथ बागवानी के लिए भी अग्रसर हो सके एवं आय के अतिरिव्त स्रोत भी विकसित हो सके। प्रथमतः राजस्थान के सभी 11 मरूस्थली जिलों में सभी 5 लाख लघु एवं सीमांत कृ­ाकों को इस कार्यक्रम में सम्मिलित किया जाये। इसके लिए तकनीकी दृ­िट से 15 फुट व्यास एवं 20 फुट गहरा टैंक बनाना आवश्यक है, जिसके चारों ओर प्रत्येक जिले की औसत व­ााऩ के आधार पर कम से कम 60 से 80 फुट व्यास का जल ग्रहण क्षेत्र (आगौर) बनाया जाए। इस योजना के क्रियांवयन में हमारा यह भी सुझाव है कि जल ग्रहण क्षेत्र स्थानीय मुरड़ या अन्य सामग्री से कुटाई कर पक्का बनाया जाए, जिससे एक ही अच्छा व­ााऩ से टैंक पूरा भर जाए। इस माप के टैंक एवं आगौर के निर्माण पर तकनीकी आंकलन के आधार पर लगभग 80,000/- का खर्चा आएगा। जिसमें लगभग 50 प्रतिशत श्रम पेटे एवं 50 प्रतिशत राशि सामग्री पेटे आवश्यक होगी। टैंक का निर्माण सभी की सहभागिता से कृ­ाकों द्वारा स्वयं ही अपने-अपने खेत में किया जाएगा। जिसमें उसके परिवार के सदस्य एवं गांव में उपलब्ध भूमिहीन श्रमिक एवं अन्य बेरोज़गार श्रमिकों को भारी संख्या में श्रम रोज़गार भी उपलब्ध हो सकेगा।

          पूरे पश्चिमी राजस्थान के क्षेत्र में पशुपालन को बढ़ावा देकर प्रत्येक किसान को उसकी रूचि के अनुसार कम से कम पांच पशु उपलब्ध करवाकर किसानों के बीच ए.पी.एल./बी.पी.एल. का भेद मिटाकर प्रत्येक किसान के खेत में 1 लाख लीटर क्षमता का कुण्ड बनवाकर खेती के साथ-साथ पशुपालन, दुग्ध व्यवसाय, मेडिसनल प्लांट, हॉर्टीकल्चर आदि को बढ़ावा देकर कृ­िा का समग्र विकास किया जा सकता है एवं किसानों की माली हालत को सुधारा जा सकता है।

          मैं सरकार का ध्यान किसानों को दिये जानेवाले केमिकल फर्टीलाइजर अर्थात् यूरिया और पेस्टीसाईड्स एण्ड कैमिकल्स पर सब्सिडी हेतु पिछले 3 व­ााॉ में कुल यूरिया पर 168788.04 करोड़ रूपए की सब्सिडी उर्वरक कंपनियों को जारी की गई है, जिसमें 66270.27 आयातित कंपनी तथा 102517.77 करोड़ रूपए स्वदेशी यूरिया कंपनियों को दिए गए हैं। इसी प्रकार आयातित पेस्टीसाईड्स एण्ड कैमिकल्स पर 52780.87 विदेशी तथा 63355.65 करोड़ रूपए स्वदेशी पेस्टीसाईड्स एण्ड कैमिकल्स कंपनियों को सब्सिडी के रूप में जारी किये गये हैं।

          मैं सरकार को यह भी बताना चाहूंगा कि कैमिकल फर्टीलाईजर के रूप में तो सब्सिडी जारी की जाती है, लेकिन प्राकृतिक उर्वरकों तथा फर्टीलाईजर पर किसी प्रकार की कोई सब्सिडी जारी नहीं की जाती है, जिसके चलते किसान जैविक खेती की ओर आक­िाऩत नहीं होते।

          रासायनिक खाद का प्रयोग पारंपरिक प्राकृतिक खाद के तरीकों को जड़ से खत्म करता जा रहा है। रसायनों के प्रभाव से जमीन भी धीरे-धीरे बंजर होने लगती है और कीड़ों के अधिक पनपने की संभावना बनी रहती है, जिससे बचने के लिए किसान अत्याधिक मात्रा में कीटनाशकों का प्रयोग करने लगते है। कुछ कीटनाशक तो सिस्टेमेटिक होते हैं जो पानी या खाद के साथ घोलकर प्रयोग में लिये जाते हैं, जिसका असर प्लांट के अंतर और उपज के अंदर तक हो जाता है, ये कीटनाशक ऊपर से प्रे किये जाने वाले कीटनाशकों से कहीं अधिक हानिकारक होते है। ऐसे कीटनाशक मानव शरीर के लिए अत्यंत हानिकारक होते हैं। हमारे माननीय प्रधानमंत्री जी ने इस समस्या से किसान को निज़ात दिलाने के लिए हाल ही में राजस्थान में भूमि स्वास्थ्य कार्ड स्कीम जारी की है, जो कि अपने आप में पहला निर्णय है, जिससे किसानों को अपनी जमीन में रसायनिक खाद के प्रयोग की जानकारी मिल सकेगी और किसान कम लागत में अधिक उत्पादन कर सकेगा। इसके साथ-साथ आमजन को सुरक्षित खाद्य सामग्री उपलब्ध करवाई जा सकेगी। किसान चाहते हुए भी जैविक खाद और प्रे का प्रयोग नहीं कर पा रहा है क्योंकि ये कैमिकल खाद व प्रे से अधिक महंगे है। जैविक खाद पर सब्सिडी नहीं दी गई तो हम चाहते हुए भी जैविक खेती को प्रोत्साहन नहीं दे पाएंगे।

          मानसून की अनिश्चितता एवं सूखे के कारण महंगाई और बढ़ने की संभावना है। भारतीय कृ­िा अनुसंधान परि­ाद के वैज्ञानिकों को निर्देशित करें कि सूखे एवं मानसून की अनिश्चितता से बचने के लिए वैकल्पिक व्यवस्था के बारे में सुझाव दें। इनमे ऐसे कुछ सुझाव हो सकते है, जैसे जैविक खाद का ज्यादा प्रयोग, ड्रिप एवं माइक्रो ईरिगेशन का ज्यादा प्रयोग, ऑर्गेनिक फार्मिंग को बढ़ावा, चारा उत्पादन के क्षेत्र में नवीन तकनीक का प्रयोग करके हरा चारा अधिक से अधिक उगाने का प्रयास किया जाना चाहिए, जिससे पशुधन को भी बचाया जा सके एवं वैकल्पिक व्यवस्था के जरिए अनाज का भी उत्पादन संभव हो सके।

          कृ­िा क्षेत्र को सिंचाई हेतु जल उपलब्धता के अलावा कृ­िा को संरक्षण भी आवश्यकता है। सरकार द्वारा औद्योगिक घरानों को पिछले तीन सालों में 2.5 लाख करोड़ की प्रोत्साहन राशि तथा 2.5 लाख करोड़ की विभिन्न छूटें प्रदान की गई है। कृ­िा क्षेत्र को भी इसी तर्ज पर प्रोत्साहन राशि व छूट देने की भी आवश्यकता है।

          जिस देश की 70 प्रतिशत जनसंख्या कृ­िा और उसके संलग्न कार्यों में लगी हो और देश की जी.डी.पी. का केवल 20 प्रतिशत हिस्सा देते हो तो इसी आंकड़े से कृ­िा की माली हालत को समझा जा सकता है। कृ­िा क्षेत्र का विकास पिछली कई पंचव­ााळऩय योजनाओं में लगातार गिरता जा रहा है, जहां 8वीं पंचव­ााळऩय योजना में कृ­िा विकास दर 4.8 थी, वहीं 12वीं पंचव­ााळऩय योजना में 3.5 ही रह गई। जहां एक और किसान खेती छोड़ शहरों की ओर पलायन कर रहे हैं और दूसरी जो किसान खेती में लगे हुए भी है, उनकी आत्महत्याओं की खबरे समाचार पत्रों में प्रकाशित हो रही है।

          इस स्थिति के कारणों पर गंभीरता से विचार किया जाना चाहिए। अधिकतर किसानों को कृ­िा संबंधी सूचनाओं, लाभदायक फसलों, वैज्ञानिक तरीके से कृ­िा और अपनी जमीन का उपजाऊपन के बारे में जानकारी नहीं होती, जिसकी वजह से वह पुरानी तकनीक के आधार पर कृ­िा करते रहते है, जिससे उन्हें हानि ही होती है। विकसित देशों में खेती में, जिन अत्याधुनिक तकनीकों का प्रयोग किया जाता है, वे अभी भारतीय किसानों की पहुंच से मीलों दूर है। देश के किसान अभी भी उच्च उत्पादक बीजों विशे­ा प्रकार के उर्वरकों के बारे में अनभिज्ञ है। प्रतिव­ाऩ बारिश की कमी, सूखा और बाढ़ से हमारे राजस्थान का अधिकांश भाग प्रभावित होता रहा है, जिससे प्रभावित किसानों की कमर ही टूट जाती है।

          किसान क्रेडिट कार्ड बनाने के नाम पर किसानों का शो­ाण हो रहा है, एक तो किसान क्रेडिट कार्ड पर किसान को 4 प्रतिशत की दर से ब्याज बताया जाता है जबकि वास्तविक ब्याज की दर जो वसूली जा रही है वह लगभग 10-12 प्रतिशत बढ़ रही है, क्योंकि बैंक के अन्य खर्चे भी किसान से ही वसूले जा रहे है। वहीं दूसरी ओर किसान से धोखाधड़ी करके उसे बिना बताए लाइफ इंश्योरेंस (जीवन बीमा) भी कर दिया जाता है। ऐसी कई घटनाएं मेरे संसदीय क्षेत्र के साथ-साथ सभी जगह से सामने आ रही है।

          जब भी किसान क्रेडिट कार्ड बैंक द्वारा बनाया जाता है, तब किसान को क्रेडिट कार्ड एवं खाते से संबंधित समस्त कागजात नहीं बताए जाते हैं। कोई किसान कागजात देखना चाहे भी तो अंग्रेजी में लिखे कागजात किसानों को समझने में मुश्किकल आती है। ऐसे कई कागजात किसान से एक साथ फटाफट हस्ताक्षर करवा लिए जाते हैं, जिसमें जीवन बीमा के भी कागजात शामिल होते हैं। किसान क्रेडिट कार्ड बनने के पश्चात् प्रतिव­ाऩ बीमे की भी किश्त भरनी पड़ती है जो हर साल 10,000 से लेकर 50,000 रूपए तक पड़ती है। प्रीमियम राशि पर भारी भरकम कमीशन मिलने के लालच में बैंक अधिकारी किसान से धोखाधड़ी करने से नहीं चूकते हैं। भवि­य में किसान द्वारा किसी प्रकार का एतराज किए जाने या जांच होने की स्थिति में किसान के दस्तखत शुदा कागजात बता दिए जाते हैं। बेचारा किसान कम शिक्षित, सीधा-साधा व विश्वास करने वाला होने से धोखाधड़ी का शिकार हो जाता है।

          वित्त मंत्री जी से निवेदन है कि ऐसी धोखाधड़ी की शिकायतों को गंभीरता से ले और तुरंत ऐसे बैंक अधिकारियों पर सख्त से सख्त कार्यवाही करते हुए ऐसी धोखाधड़ी को बंद करायें ताकि अन्नदाता किसान का वास्तव में भला हो सके।

          भारत सरकार द्वारा कृ­िा संबंधी योजनाओं में समय-समय पर काफी सुधार किया गया है पर फिर भी बैंक से लोन हो या वैज्ञानिक तरीके से कृ­िा करना हो अभी भी इनसे संबंधित योजनाओं में काफी कुछ किया जाना बाकी है। किसान और सरकार के बीच में बैठे बिचौलिए किसान का शो­ाण करते आए है और आज भी कर रहे हैं। किसान को मिलने वाला सारा लाभ लूट रहे हैं।

          भारतीय खाद्य निगम में भंडारण क्षमता के साथ-साथ उचित भंडारण सिस्टम की भी कमी है, जिससे या तो किसान की उपज वहां पहुंच नहीं पाती और यदि पहुंच भी गई तो सड़ जाती है।

          इन सभी समस्याओं के साथ-साथ फसलों की काला बाजारी भी एक बड़ा मुद्दा है, क्योंकि जब किसान  के पास फसल होती है, तो उसका दाम एक दम नीचे होता है, वहीं बिचौलिये या आढ़ती के पास आने पर दाम आसमान छूने लगता है। सरकार को कालाबाजारी समाप्त करने के लिए उचित कदम उठाने की आवश्यकता है।

          गुजरात, हिमाचल प्रदेश, मध्यप्रदेश जैसे कई राज्यों में ए.पी.एम.सी. एक्ट में कई बदलाव किए गए हैं। भूमि अधिग्रहण कानून भी उसी कड़ी में किसानों के डिस्पेलसमेंट रोकने के लिए एक बड़ा कदम साबित होगा। आंध्र प्रदेश, तमिलनाडु, केरल, वेस्ट बंगाल जैसे कई राज्यों ने पी.पी.पी. मॉडल पर कोल्ड स्टोरेज और भंडारण की सुविधा अपने राज्यों में काफी हद तक बढ़ा दी है, ऐसे सभी उपाय सभी राज्य सरकारों के स्तर पर किये जाने चाहिए।

          किसान चौपाल हो या इंटरनेट क्योस्क द्वारा किसान को बीज, उर्वरक, मौसम, भूमि की क्षमता आदि के बारे में जानकारी दी जाती है, इन सुविधाओं का विस्तार देश के हर गांवों में किया जाना चाहिए।

          भूमि सुधार और सिंचाई सुविधाओं का विस्तार, कृ­िा हेतु बाज़ार संबंधी अवस्थपनाओं का विकास, तकनीकी विकास आदि क्षेत्रों में काफी काम किये जाने की संभावनाएं हैं। जैसे हमारे पड़ोसी देश म्यांमार ने इन सभी क्षेत्रों में काफी काम कर  स्वयं को संसार का सबसे बड़ा दालों का निर्यातक बना लिया है।

          पंचव­ााळऩय योजनाएं हो या राज्य स्तर पर वा­िाऩक योजनाएं, कृ­िा संबंधी योजनाओं को अत्यधिक बजट देने की आवश्यकता है।

          महारा­ट्र सरकार द्वारा इस व­ाऩ के बजट में किसानों के लिए एक महत्वपूर्ण योजना मोती राम जी लाहाने कृ­िा समृद्धि योजना की शुरूआत की है, जिससे किसानों द्वारा की जा रही आत्महत्याओं को रोकने में मदद मिलेगी।

          गंभीर सूखे की स्थिति में सहायता कार्यक्रमों को 90 दिन से अधिक तक जारी रखने के लिए एस.डी.आर.एफ. के वा­िाऩक आवंटन की 25 प्रतिशत व्यय की सीमा को समाप्त करने पर भी केंद्र सरकार को विचार करना चाहिए। इस संबंध में राजस्थान सरकार द्वारा प्रस्ताव केंद्र सरकार को भेजा जा चुका है। पहले 90 दिन से अधिक सूखे की स्थिति रहने पर एक कार्यकारी समिति इस संबंध में निर्णय ले सकती थी।

          तेरहवें वित्त आयोग के निर्देशानुसार राजस्थान सरकार ने केंद्र सरकार को राज्य आपदा शमन निधि एवं जिला आपदा शमन निधि का गठन कर 75 प्रतिशत राशि अंशदान के रूप में केंद्र सरकार से देने का अनुरोध किया जा चुका है। इस पर मेरा केंद्र सरकार से जल्द कार्यवाही करने का अनुरोध है।

          इसके साथ मेरा सुझाव है कि किसानों को छोटी और महत्वपूर्ण राहत देने के लिए देश के प्रत्येक किसान को सोलर कृ­िा पम्प दिए जाए ताकि वह आसानी से कृ­िा की लागत कम करते हुए खेती कर सके। मैं सरकार से अनुरोध करता हॅं कि देश के छोटे किसानों के बच्चों को उच्च माध्यमिक स्तर तक की शिक्षा नःशुल्क दी जाए, ताकि किसान को बेटा-बेटी आत्मनिर्भर बन सके।

   

HON. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Now, The hon. Minister.

THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY): Sir, as you are aware, the situation in Chennai itself is deteriorating, and more and more reports are coming up.  More so, the weather conditions are not still improving and the situation is going from bad to worse.  The metrological  predictions are there that there could be another spell this evening and within next 24 hours.

          So, through you, we would like to make a request to the House -- the hon. Home Minister is taking the reports, updating himself – if the House agrees, we can ask the hon. Home Minister to reply tomorrow at 12 noon or sometime after 12 noon because the situation is not as it is evident. The Members have spoken.  He has taken note of it.  The hon. Minister is here. But he would like to respond in detail with all the issues raised especially in the backdrop of the deteriorating situation. 

SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE (GULBARGA): My request is that when the situation is so grievous and serious, the Home Minister should have taken atleast one trip. It is not far off.  For Jammu and Kashmir, they used helicopters.  Like that, the Prime Minister and Home Minister could have gone for two or three hours and come back.  We are not alleging.  This can be done and you can do it.  You are not going to spend much time.  This is a very serious situation.

SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY: Absolutely, his point is well taken.  We have heard him.  Even the Prime Minister did go to the Kashmir valley when the floods were there.  Absolutely, no problem, I agree with the sentiment of yours and the sentiment of the House.  … (Interruptions) What you have said, we will communicate to the Government.  We have taken note of it. 

SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE: Somebody should go. 

SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY: My only submission is that it does not go well when the situation is so critical. … (Interruptions)

SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE: You can go and come back.  How others are going?

SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY: It is not just a matter of display.  We are very deeply concerned with whatever is happening in Chennai and certainly, everyone is aware that Prime Minister is keeping a tab on what is happening in Chennai. The Home Minister is keeping a tab and the whole Government is aware and they are in constant touch with the State Chief Minister and with the administration.  Your suggestion that they should go in a helicopter and have a aerial view is something which you have suggested but beyond that the Government is keenly observing and keenly connecting to whatever is happening in Chennai.  The weather conditions are deteriorating right now.  Whatever you are saying, we are completely in agreement and the Government is fully aware. So, we will request you that let the Home Minister come back to you with the full details tomorrow. 

          Sir, we would like to take up the Bill.  The hon. Minister has made a request to the Chair that the Carriage Amendment Bill should be taken up and if it is okay with the Chair of the House, we can take up the Carriage Amendment Bill. 

HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: The Minister reply is going to be given tomorrow.  I think the House will agree for that.

SEVERAL HON. MEMBERS: Yes Sir, we agree with you.

HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Therefore, now, we are taking item No. 9.  As requested by hon. Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, you all agree that hon. Home Minister’s reply will be given tomorrow.