Lok Sabha Debates
Regarding Passing Away Of Dr. (Smt.) Phulrenu Guha, Member, 8 Th Lok Sabha On 28 Th ... on 2 August, 2006
> Title : Regarding passing away of Dr. (Smt.) Phulrenu Guha, member, 8th Lok Sabha on 28th July, 2006.
MR. SPEAKER: Hon. Members, I have to inform the House of the sad demise of one of our former colleagues, Dr. (Shrimati) Phulrenu Guha.
Dr. (Shrimati) Phulrenu Guha was a Member of the Eighth Lok Sabha from 1984 to 1989, representing Contai Parliamentary Constituency of West Bengal.
Earlier, Dr. Guha was a Member of the Rajya Sabha from 1964 to 1970, representing the State of West Bengal.
An able administrator, Dr. Guha also served as Minister of State in the Union Cabinet and held portfolios in the Ministries of Social Welfare from March, 1967 to February 1969 and of Law from February, 1969 to June, 1970.
A multi-faceted and most endearing personality, Dr. Guha, ‘Ful di’ to all of us, was the recipient of ‘Padma Bhushan’ in 1977.
A freedom fighter, Dr. Guha was associated with Juganter Revolutionary Party and Azad Hind Relief Committee (Women’s Section).
Dr. Guha was related with numerous social, cultural and educational bodies and devoted her life for the rehabilitation of destitute women and children and also worked for the development of handicrafts. She also had the distinction to serve various State and Central Government organisations in different capacities. She was the Chairman of the Task Force on Child Welfare Committee, Planning Commission, Government of India from 1971 to 1972 and Committee on Status of Women in India (Government of India) from 1972 to 1975 and General Secretary and Vice President of the All India Women’s Conference from 1960 to 1964 and from 1966 to 1968 respectively. Dr. Guha was also the President of the Indian Council of Child Welfare from 1970 to 1973.
A prolific writer, Dr. Guha had many publications to her credit both in Bangla and in English.
Dr. (Shrimati) Phulrenu Guha passed away on 28th July, 2006 at Kolkata, West Bengal at the age of 94.
We deeply mourn the loss of this friend, which will be keenly felt, and I am sure the House would join me in conveying our condolence to the bereaved family.
The House may now stand in silence for a short while as a mark of respect to the memory of the departed.
11.02 hrs. The Members then stood in silence for a short while.
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… (Interruptions)
श्री मोहन रावले (मुम्बई दक्षिण-मध्य): महोदय, आज के पेपर में छपा है कि पाकिस्तान में आतंकवादी ट्रेनिंग कैंप चल रहे हैं।…( व्यवधान)
MR. SPEAKER: Q. No.141 … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Hon. Members, please speak one by one.
… (Interruptions)
श्री मोहन रावले : महोदय, पाकिस्तान में ट्रेनिंग कैंप चल रहे हैं।…( व्यवधान)
1104 hrs. (At this stage, Shri Rajnarayan Budholia and some other hon. Members came and stood on the floor near the Table.) MR. SPEAKER: I will allow you. Please go back to your seats.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Shailendra Kumar, I will allow you to raise it.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: I have got your notice. I will allow you to raise it. I earnestly appeal to you to go back to your seats.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Prof. Ram Gopal Yadav, I will allow you to raise it. Hon. Members, please go back to your seats.
MR. SPEAKER: I will allow you to raise it. Please go back to your seats.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Nothing is being recorded.
…. (Interruptions)* MR. SPEAKER: Please sit down.
… (Interruptions)
_________________________________________________________________ *Not Recorded.
MR. SPEAKER: I have to name somebody now. You are taking the House to ransom? What are the people of the House saying everyday?
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: I have committed myself.
…( व्यवधान)
अध्यक्ष महोदय: मैं आपके लीडर को बोलने के लिए बुला रहा हूं। श्री शैलेन्द्र कुमार, आप सीट पर जाइए।
…( व्यवधान)
अध्यक्ष महोदय: आप बैठिए। अगर जरूरत होगी तो आपको बुलाएंगे।
…( व्यवधान)
प्रो. राम गोपाल यादव (सम्भल) : अध्यक्ष महोदय: इनकी बात सुन लीजिए। …( व्यवधान)
अध्यक्ष महोदय: मैंने इनको कहा है। This is very unfair.
…( व्यवधान)
अध्यक्ष महोदय: आप मुझे बात सुनने का मौका दीजिए। मैं आपकी बात सुनना चाहता हूं। आपके मैम्बर्स एक मिनट के अन्दर वैल में आ गए।
…( व्यवधान)
अध्यक्ष महोदय: सदन में अपनी बात कहने का एक तरीका है।
…( व्यवधान)
अध्यक्ष महोदय: मैं आपकी बात सुनना चाहता हूं।
11.06 hrs. (At this stage Shri Rajnarayan Budholia and some other hon. Members went back to their seats) 11.07 hrs. SUBMISSIONS BY MEMBERS
(i) Re: Need to remove the bottlenecks in the supply of gas to the Power Plants set up at Dadri, Uttar Pradesh.
श्री मोहन सिंह (देवरिया) : अध्यक्ष महोदय, आपको नियमों के अन्तर्गत इस बात का अधिकार प्राप्त हैं कि कभी-कभी विशेष परिस्थितियों में प्रश्न काल स्थगित करके जनता के बुनियादी प्रश्न पर चर्चा करवा सकते हैं। उत्तर प्रदेश ही नहीं, पूरे उत्तर भारत की ५० करोड़ जनता को बिजली की आपूर्ति के लिए दो परियोजनाएं - एक भारत सरकार की एनटीपीसी और दूसरी गैस आधारित दो परियोजनाएं वहां शुरू होनी थी लेकिन जब उनको शुरू होना था, देश की एक प्रतिष्ठित कारपोरेट हाउस की दो कम्पनियां, एक गैस उत्पादन करने वाली और दूसरी गैस कंज्यूम करके बिजली उत्पादन करने वाली थी। बाद में उस कारपोरेट हाउस में बंटवारा हुआ। हाई कोर्ट द्वारा यह बंटवारा हुआ था,जिसमें निश्चित हुआ कि पहले से दो कम्पनियों का जो अनुबंध था, उसके अन्तर्गत गैस आधारित एक बिजली का कारखाना खोला और उसको उचित कीमत पर गैस की आपूर्ति करनी थी लेकिन भारत सरकार ने, गैस का भाव क्या होगा, इसके लिए एक साल से पत्रावली दबा कर अपने पास रखी हुई है। इसका नतीजा यह हुआ कि भारत सरकार की भी एक कम्पनी एऩटीपीसी अपने कारखाने को चालू नहीं कर पा रही है और उस कारपोरेट हाउस का जिस के जरिए उत्तर प्रदेश को २५ फीसदी बिजली मिलनी थी, शेष भारत के दूसरे राज्यों को ७५ फीसदी बिजली मिलनी थी, बिजली की आपूर्ति की समस्या के समाधान की वे परियोजनाएं एक कुंजी थी लेकिन भारत सरकार की सुस्ती के चलते उस परियोजना पर कोई काम नहीं हो रहा है। मैं आपके माध्यम से सरकार द्वारा एक वक्तव्य देने की मांग करता हूं तथा सदन में इस महत्वपूर्ण विषय पर चर्चा करवा कर, उस परियोजना की गैस आपूर्ति की दर को भारत सरकार एक सप्ताह के भीतर निर्धारित कर, चालू करवाने में पहल करे। मैं आपसे अपील करना चाहता हूं कि आप अपने अधिकार का प्रयोग करते हुए इस महत्वपूर्ण विषय पर सदन में चर्चा कराने का कष्ट करें।
MR. SPEAKER: Thank you very much. You have raised it in a proper manner. I am directing the Government to make a statement on this matter before the House rises for the day.
THE MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSI): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I will bring this to the notice of the hon. Minister of Power and he will adequately respond as desired by hon. Shri Mohan Singh.
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श्री मोहन रावले : अध्यक्ष महोदय, मेरी बात भी सुनी जाए। सदन में प्रधान मंत्री जी बैठे हैं। …( व्यवधान)
MR. SPEAKER: Mr. Mohan Rawale, I will allow you to raise it at the appropriate time. Please cooperate now.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Nothing will go on record.
(Interruptions)* MR. SPEAKER: I appeal to all of you, please don’t do it, please don’t destroy this institution. I will try to accommodate you if you sit down. Let us go to Question Hour now.
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__________________________________________________________________ * Not Recorded.
11.09 hrs MR SPEAKER: Shri B.Mahtab,Q.No.141 SHRI B. MAHTAB : Sir, after energy, we come to speed. The National Highway Development Project Phase I, which is mainly Golden Quadrilateral, connecting four metropolitan cities, has completed 92.5 per cent as on 30th June 2006.
This was stated by a junior Minister while replying to an Unstarred Question on 26th July in reply to a question raised by Shri Scindia in this House. The same hon. Minister had replied on 25th August 2005, in Rajya Sabha, that 92 per cent length of Golden Quadrilateral is likely to be completed by the end of December 2006. In that answer, it was mentioned that except 157 kms. of length involving four terminated contracts and 84 kms. of length involving Allahabad Bye-pass, which was awarded only in 2004, the rest of Golden Quadrilateral, that is, 96 per cent is to be completed by June 2006. Now, we are in the month of August. What does this signify?
MR. SPEAKER: Please put your question.
SHRI B. MAHTAB : Sir, it was expected that by June this year there would be an increase by four per cent. By June this year, if there would be an increase by four per cent, why did it not happen?
SHRI T.R. BAALU: Sir, it is unfortunate that many of the contractors have not completed the work on time, especially, as far as Orissa is concerned for the Kolkata-Chennai road. A particular contractor, by the name Bhumi Highways, had to complete the particular stretch or work within 32 months. But even after 13 months has expired, he has completed the work of only 11.26 kms. So, NHAI has to resort to going in for termination and rebid was awarded. Even at the time of rebid, we would be able to find out that the particular successful bidder had resorted to tender fixing in the case of Government of Orissa. So, once again the Government has to go and approach the Additional Solicitor General. He has advised us to grant it only to the said contractor.
But to our surprise the Bhumi Highways, the previous contractor, went to the district court and in the district court, he got a stay. Finally, we had to run to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court stayed it and now the work has been awarded. Unfortunately, the work is to be completed only by 2008.
I want to tell my friend, Shri Mahtab, so that he can understand easily. Many of the contracts are not having the escalation clause, especially in Orissa as well as in West Bengal. So, these ticklish issues could not be solved by us. That is why I sent it to the Law Ministry and they said that they have nothing to do with it. So many things are there. But if the hon. Member wants to raise any specific issue, I can address that.
SHRI B. MAHTAB: Sir, it is reported that the overall cost of all National Highway Development Projects have increased by 30 per cent from an estimated cost of Rs.1,69,500 crore on January 13, 2005 to Rs.2,20,000 crore on January 1, 2006. It is stated that the estimated cost of Chennai-Kolkata Corridor of the Golden Quadrilateral is Rs.7,984 crore.
I would like to know very specifically, from the hon. Minister, the enhancement in real terms because of delay in completion of the project.
SHRI T.R. BAALU: Sir, it is also a reason for the delay in completion. But at the same time the cost of cement as well as the cost of steel has increased exponentially. That is the main reason for escalation, which we cannot avoid because this all depends on the market forces[Rs1] .… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: He has not got those figures; you have to calculate.
श्री अनन्त नायक : अध्यक्ष महोदय, माननीय मंत्री जी ने अपने उत्तर से पर्टिकुलरली उड़ीसा के अंदर जितनी लेंथ है, उसको दिसम्बर २००७ से लेकर नवम्बर २००८ तक का समय दिया है। मैं माननीय मंत्री जी से जानना चाहता हूं कि जैसे यहां पर दूसरी रोड्स में ९२ प्रतिशत काम पूरा हुआ है लेकिन उड़ीसा में लगभग ७० प्रतिशत से कम काम पूरा हुआ है। क्या मोनीटरिंग फंड की कुछ समस्या है जिसके कारण आप इस काम को पूरा करने के लिए एक्सटर्नल फाइनेंशियल इंस्टीटयूट या दूसरे बैंक से आप फंड लेकर प्राइवेट पार्टसिपेशन से इसे पूरा कराने की कोशिश कर रहे हैं ? कृपया बताइए।
SHRI T.R. BAALU: We do encourage the private participation. At the same time, no work is pending or delayed for paucity of funds. For the information of the hon. House, I would like to say that in the previous regime it was decided to complete the entire Golden Quadrilateral by December 2003 but, unfortunately, it could not be carried out. They have completed only 48 per cent till May 2004, till the UPA took over. Within two years, we have completed 44 per cent. You can understand how NDA versus UPA is running.
चौधरी लाल सिंह : अध्यक्ष महोदय, मैं आपके माध्यम से माननीय मंत्री जी से जानना चाहता हूं कि जो प्रोग्रेस इन्होंने बताई है कि कहीं बहुत बढि़या है और कहीं बिल्कुल निल है। मैं एक एग्जामपल कोट करके बताना चाहूंगा।…( व्यवधान)
MR. SPEAKER: Are you interested in the road from Kolkata to Chennai?
चौधरी लाल सिंह : सर, आप देखें कि कैसे जुड़ रही हैं। आप सुनेंगे तभी बात होगी। सर, आप सुन तो लीजिए। मैं कह रहा हूं कि चेन्नई…( व्यवधान) आप कन्याकुमारी से कश्मीर तक बात करते हैं, आप चेन्नई से कलकत्ता की बात करते हैं। मैं यह कहना चाहता हूं कि कुछ रोड्स जो इनके एन.एच. में हैं, तीन वर्ष हो गये हैं, उनमें खढ़्डे पड़े हुए हैं, वहां ब्रिजों का काम शुरु करके छोड़ा हुआ है, सड़कें डैमेज करके रखी हुई हैं, ‘ग्रेफ’ एन.एच. का काम कर रही है।…( व्यवधान) मैं जानना चाहता हूं कि उन लोगों का क्या कसूर है जो जम्मू में बड़ीभ्रामरा से लेकर जम्मू तक १५ कि.मी. तक का जो टोटल मार्ग है, उसकी हालत इतनी खस्ता है और लगातार तीन साल से ऐसी ही पड़ी हुई है। मैं जानना चाहता हूं कि उसके लिए आप क्या करने का विचार कर रहे हैं? …( व्यवधान)
MR. SPEAKER: Mr. Minister, do not reply it.
Shri Sunil Kumar Mahato.
श्री सुनिल कुमार महतो : अध्यक्ष महोदय, मैं माननीय मंत्री जी से जानना चाहता हूं कि देश के राष्ट्रीय राजमार्ग को गलियारी से जोड़ने के लिए झारखंड का कितना मार्ग राष्ट्रीय राजमार्ग में प्रस्तावित है और आज की तारीख में उसकी वर्तमान स्थिति क्या है?
SHRI T.R. BAALU: We are discussing about Golden Quadrilateral; we are not discussing particularly about the National Highways.
MR. SPEAKER: This is the problem. Please restrict yourself.
… (Interruptions)
श्री सुनिल कुमार महतो : सर, हमने यह कहा कि झारखंड का कौन-कौन सा हिस्सा इसमें जुड़ रहा है ?…( व्यवधान)
MR. SPEAKER: This is not right; this is not the way.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI T.R. BAALU: As far as Golden Quadrilateral is concerned, in Jharkhand, you have got 192 kilometres.
SHRI B. VINOD KUMAR : In order to lessen the burden of traffic on East-South corridor, the Government of India has sanctioned National Highway-202 to connect Hyderabad to the eastern part of the country. About a decade back, the road from Hyderabad up to Etoor Nagaram in Warangal district, and from other side of the river Godavari were laid. But for not having a bridge on river Godavari, that is a missing link between two regions, that is Dandakarayana in Chhattisgarh and the major part of Andhra Pradesh, that is Telangana Region. If this bridge is laid, the connectivity will be there.
MR. SPEAKER: Is it on this road?
SHRI B. VINOD KUMAR : It is on this road. I would like to know from the hon. Minister by what time that bridge is proposed to be laid.[r2] SHRI T.R. BAALU: Sir, I do not think that this particular road crosses this Golden Quadrilateral.
MR. SPEAKER: This is the problem.
Now, Raghunath Jha.
श्री रघुनाथ झा : माननीय अध्यक्ष महोदय, देश में गोल्डन क्वाडि्रलेट्रल के तहत जितनी सड़कें बन रही हैं, उसमें बिहार से होकर भी सड़कें जाती हैं। मैं जानना चाहता हूं कि क्या मंत्री जी ने कभी अपने स्तर पर इसकी समीक्षा की है कि वहां सड़कों की क्या हालत है और किस प्रोग्रैस से काम चल रहा है? हम देख रहे हैं कि बिहार में बहुत धीमी गति से काम चल रहा है और उसके कारण इनकी लागत भी बढ़ रही है। माननीय मंत्री जी इसमें क्या सुधार करना चाहेंगे और अपने स्तर पर क्या कोई समीक्षा करेंगे तथा हमको भी अपनी बात कहने के लिए मौका देंगे? …( व्यवधान)
SHRI T.R. BAALU: Sir, I had taken a meeting with the hon. Members from Bihar only a year back. If anything on this particular issue is brought to my notice, I will once again take a meeting of all the hon. Members from Bihar within this Session.
MR. SPEAKER: He has given here the details, particulars and every information.
Now, Shri Chandra Bhushan Singh.
श्री चन्द्रभूषण सिंह : माननीय अध्यक्ष महोदय, जो भी नेशनल हाईवे बन रहे हैं, क्या उनकी गुणवत्ता को चैक करने के लिए कोई समति बनी है जो उनकी गुणवत्ता की जांच करके सरकार को रिपोर्ट देती हो? मैं एन.एच. ९१ और ९२ की बात कर रहा हूं। वहां जो सड़क पिछले साल बनी थी, अब वह चलने काबिल नहीं रह गई है। …( व्यवधान)
MR. SPEAKER: Is it on this road?
SHRI CHANDRA BHUSHAN SINGH : This is not on this particular road but I am asking a question regarding the quality of the road. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: No, I would not allow. Please do not misuse the time of this House.
Now, Shri Rupchand Pal.
SHRI RUPCHAND PAL : Sir, in the recent C&AG Report submitted on the Table of the House, certain critical observations have been made. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Only one supplementary on this road has been put and all the other supplementaries are outside.
SHRI RUPCHAND PAL : Sir, with regard to this particular Ministry, Quadrilateral and on this particular road, it has been critically observed in the C&AG Report that there are certain gross irregularities including discretionary advance, lack of transparency in the matter of tender, deficiencies in the grant of contract, and also serious malpractice and undue favour. What is the reaction of the Government to those?
SHRI T.R. BAALU: Sir, with due respect to C&AG, I can only say that nobody could verify the quality after laying the roads. I think, it may be the correct answer. Without casting aspersion on the audit of the C&AG, I would like to say that at the time of laying the roads, specifications and other things could be checked, and after laying the roads, nobody could do that, only depth can be checked. After the stabilization of the road, nobody could find it out. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Now, we take up the next Question – a very important Question.
Q. No. 142 – Shri J. M. Aaron Rashid[lh3] .
SHRI J.M. AARON RASHID : Will the Central Government adopt the farmers’ tariff marketing system in the whole country in order to get good prices for their farm produce? If so, when? Will the Government give any subsidy to the small household human potentials like women Self-help Groups in farm production? … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: What are you asking? It is totally divorced from the Question.
SHRI J.M. AARON RASHID : In the agricultural sector, horticulture, vegetable production, dairy and poultry are there. Will the Central Government give subsidy to the small farmers so that unemployment will go?
MR. SPEAKER: Have you read your own Question?
SHRI J.M. AARON RASHID : Yes, Sir.
MR. SPEAKER: It is nothing to do with this Question.
Please sit down now. Now, the hon. Minister.
SHRI M.V. RAJASEKHARAN: Sir, the Planning Commission and the Government of India have launched a number of schemes.
MR. SPEAKER: He is asking about subsidy, not about employment.
SHRI M.V. RAJASEKHARAN: Sir, if the hon. Member sends a specific question, then I would be happy to supply the information[lh4] .
SHRI J.M. AARON RASHID: Sir, it is in the agenda of the UPA Government to tackle the unemployment problem with all seriousness. In this regard, I would like to know from the hon. Minister that during the 10th Five Year Plan, what is the rate of employment given to the people. Similarly, what is the Government going to do in the 11th Five Year Plan in regard to giving employment MR. SPEAKER: Yes, you should also read the reply.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI M.V. RAJASEKHARAN: Sir, the Government of India has launched a number of schemes recently to create greater employment potential in agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries and allied areas. In this connection, I would like to share some of the information… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Please maintain silence in the House. A very important question is being discussed.
SHRI M.V. RAJASEKHARAN: The Horticulture Mission has been launched recently. Now, through this Horticulture Mission, a number of employment potentials are there. I would like to give you the details about the total number of employment generation, which is being created in the horticulture sector. Nearly, 50 lakh people will get the employment under horticulture, particularly, under the 11th Five Year Plan.
Now, the Horticulture Mission has been deliberately launched especially to create potential, to exploit the existing potential in fruit and vegetable cultivation. Other sectors are also included.
As far as the animal husbandry is concerned, in fact, the Government of India has launched a number of schemes in creating employment in this area.
As far as the fisheries are concerned, again a number of projects have been launched… (Interruptions)
The Central sector, in regard to providing employment generation, particularly, through agriclinic, agribusiness, itself will generate nearly… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: If you are not interested to hear him, I would go to the next Question.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Then, keep quiet and listen to him.
SHRI M.V. RAJASEKHARAN: Sir, let me give the information. As far as micro irrigation is concerned, now a great deal of employment potential is created. Farming system has been given the highest priority. Through the Krishi Vigyan Kendras, the transfer of technology is taking place at the farmers’ field level. Now, as it stands, there are 537 Krishi Vigyan Kendras functioning.
Another very important programme, which has been launched recently is the National Rural Employment Generation Guarantee Scheme through which, the Government of India is going to spend nearly… (Interruptions) Let me share some of the information.
MR. SPEAKER: It is very, very unfortunate; I can say. Everybody is showing anxiety about employment but not prepared to listen to the hon. Minister. It is very unfortunate.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI M.V. RAJASEKHARAN: As for as the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme is concerned… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: You cannot dictate to the Minister as to how he would reply.
SHRI M.V. RAJASEKHARAN: We are going to spend, in this year itself, Rs. 11,300 crore, and the employment generation, through which it is being envisaged, has got greater potential, and some of the States have taken a great deal of interest to implement this programme very effectively.
श्री प्रभुनाथ सिंह : अध्यक्ष जी, मंत्री जी क्या बोल रहे हैं? …( व्यवधान)
अध्यक्ष महोदय : मंत्री जी अच्छी बात बोल रहे हैं, आप सुनिए।
MR. SPEAKER: Just wait for the Supplementary.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI M.V. RAJASEKHARAN: The Ministry of Rural Employment has already released Rs. 4,375.42 crore to the States as on 20th July, 2006. The total number of applications received for registration, so far, is about three crore five lakh and seventy two thousand…….(Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: The whole Question Hour has become like this. What is this? There is disturbance from every side of the House.
SHRI M.V. RAJASEKHARAN: Sir, there are some information.
MR. SPEAKER: Brevity is a great virtue. Sometimes we forget that. Please complete. Members are anxious to put supplementaries.
SHRI M.V. RAJASEKHARAN: The Government is encouraging Self-Help Groups.
MR. SPEAKER: You have mentioned all that in your reply.
श्री सज्जन कुमार : माननीय अध्यक्ष महोदय, माननीय मंत्री जी ने बहुत व्यापक उत्तर दिया है। इसलिए मैं उनके उत्तर से पूरी तरह संतुष्ट हूं। अत: और प्रश्न नहीं पूछना चाहता हूं।
श्री कैलाश मेघवाल : माननीय अध्यक्ष महोदय मुझे प्रश्न पूछने का अवसर देने के लिए धन्यवाद।
महोदय, जैसा आपने स्वयं कहा था कि यह बहुत महत्वपूर्ण प्रश्न है, …( व्यवधान)
अध्यक्ष महोदय : सही बात है।
श्री कैलाश मेघवाल : इस महत्वपूर्ण प्रश्न का समाधान केवल प्रश्न काल में ही निकल आए, यह सम्भव नहीं है। जिस प्रकार का उत्तर आया है, उसमें आंकड़े ही बताए गए हैं,। इसलिए यह उत्तर अंतिम नहीं है। …( व्यवधान)
अध्यक्ष महोदय : आप प्रश्न पूछिए।
श्री कैलाश मेघवाल : महोदय, मंत्री जी ने जो उत्तर दिया है वह प्लानिंग कमीशन की सोच को प्रकट करता है कि उसकी इस दिशा में क्या सोच है। आज स्थिति यह है कि गैर-कृषि क्षेत्र में रोजगार समाप्त करने की ओर कोई बड़ा कदम नहीं उठाया जा सकता है, फिर चाहे वह सेवा का क्षेत्र हो या कोई दूसरा क्षेत्र हो। अगर कहीं संभावनाएं बची हैं, तो कृषि क्षेत्र में ही बची हैं।
महोदय, कृषि क्षेत्र की ७४ प्रतिशत जमीन कुलकों और जमींदारों के अधिकार में है और केवल २६ प्रतिशत जमीन छोटे किसानों के अधिकार में है। योजना आयोग की पृष्ठभूमि उद्योगों को प्रोत्साहन देने की रही है। …( व्यवधान)
अध्यक्ष महोदय : आप प्रश्न पूछिए।
श्री कैलाश मेघवाल : अध्यक्ष महोदय, योजना आयोग का यह रवैया नौवीं पंचवर्षीय योजना तक रहा है। चाहें तो आप देख लें कि उक्त काल में उद्योगों को ज्यादा प्रोत्साहन दिया गया है और कृषि क्षेत्र को कम। …( व्यवधान)
अध्यक्ष महोदय : मेहरबानी कर के प्रश्न पूछिए।
श्री कैलाश मेघवाल : अध्यक्ष महोदय, मैं आपके माध्यम से माननीय मंत्री जी से पूछना चाहता हूं कि कृषि क्षेत्र की अपार संभावनाओं को देखते हुए क्या सरकार योजना आयोग को कृषि पंडितों के सुपुर्द करेगी ? जहां तक इसमें बैठे नौकरशाहों का सवाल है, उनसे हम कोई उम्मीद नहीं कर सकते है क्योंकि वे यथास्थितिवाद के प्रतीक रहे हैं। अत: कृषि क्षेत्र में रोजगार की अपार संभावनाओं को देखते हुए क्या मंत्री जी योजना आयोग की रचना को बदलकर बड़े पैमाने पर रोजगार उपलब्ध कराना चाहते हैं या नहीं ?
अध्यक्ष महोदय : आपने सवाल नहीं पूछा है। आपने केवल सुझाव दिए है। These are all suggestions for actions. प्रश्न-काल सुझाव देने के लिए नहीं, यह प्रश्न पूछने के लिए है। You say you will consider his proposals. All right, you will, no doubt, consider his suggestion.
SHRI M.V. RAJASEKHARAN: I will consider his suggestions.
श्री अनंत गंगाराम गीते : अध्यक्ष महोदय, कृषि क्षेत्र में रोजगार के अनेक अवसर हैं। विशेषकर जो छोटे और मार्जीनल किसान हैं, जो स्वयं जमीन के मालिक हैं, जो अपने खेतों में मजदूरी करते हैं उन्हें खेती में लाभ नहीं होता है। इसे देखते हुए मैं मंत्री जी का ध्यान एक नई सोच की ओर आकर्षित करते हुए प्रश्न पूछना चाहता हूं कि जैसे सरकार ने ग्रामीण क्षेत्र के बेरोजगारों के लिए १०० दिन एम्पलायमेंट गारंटी की स्कीम बनाई है, उसी प्रकार से जो छोटे किसान अपने खेतों में मजदूरी करते हैं और सालभर मजदूरी करने के बाद भी वे कुछ नहीं कमा पाते और उनके सामने सिवाय आत्महत्या करने के कोई चारा नहीं बचता, क्या सरकार उन्हें मजदूर के रूप में स्वीकार करेगी ?
SHRI M.V. RAJASEKHARAN: Sir, in fact, there are people who do not own the land and that is the reason why we have launched a number of other schemes. Now, one of the most important schemes is to promote fishery as well as animal husbandry which are the allied areas. … (Interruptions)
श्री गणेश सिंह : अध्यक्ष महोदय, यदि मंत्री महोदय ठीक प्रकार से जवाब नहीं दे पा रहे हैं, तो मेरा आग्रह है कि प्रधान मंत्री जी जवाब दें। …( व्यवधान)
MR. SPEAKER: Very well, then I go to the next Question. You are not ready to listen to his answer. If I may say so, it is such a sorry state of affairs. It is such an important Question[m5] .
MR. SPEAKER : It is an important question. I have got about 22 names. I am trying to accommodate Members from all sides. If you have no patience to hear his answer, let me go to the next Question.
… (Interruptions)
अध्यक्ष महोदय : क्या जवाब आपके पसन्द का होगा?
SHRI M.V. RAJASEKHARAN : Sir, hon. Members are aware that in the last Budget, a special scheme was announced to restore the water bodies. Through the minor irrigation and then restoring the small and big banks, a lot of potential is going to be created for fisheries. Under fisheries alone, nearly ten million people would be able to get employment opportunities. Fisheries are one of the major subjects. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER : You complete the answer.
SHRI M.V. RAJASEKHARAN : Likewise, agro-processing is one of the areas. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER : He has asked about landless labour. You have given that reply.
KUMARI MAMATA BANERJEE : Sir, I also want to ask a supplementary.
MR. SPEAKER : Yes. I will allow. आप नोटिस भेज दीजिए।
SHRI N.N. KRISHNADAS : Thank you, Sir. It is a fact that year by year employment in agricultural sector is coming down due to deep crisis in our agricultural sector. One of the important things is that year by year the direct investment of the Government in agricultural sector for the infrastructure development of the agriculture is coming down. This is the main thing. The main question is related to employment generation in agricultural sector. This is the fact.
MR. SPEAKER : You please put your supplementary.
SHRI N.N. KRISHNADAS : That is why the Government is forced to implement some other employment generation scheme for the rural people. May I know from the hon. Prime Minister whether in the Eleventh Five-Year Plan he is going to fix a target to generate employment exclusively in agricultural sector? This is the thing that I want to know from the hon. Prime Minister because he heads it.
MR. SPEAKER : Maybe. But you cannot compel the hon. Prime Minister to reply.
SHRI M.V. RAJASEKHARAN : Sir, the Draft Approach Paper of the Eleventh Five-Year Plan, that is 2007-2012, emphasises the need to enhance the quality of employment in agricultural sector. It has been noticed that the income levels of farmers needs to be enhanced by reducing some workforce from agricultural sector as has been pointed out by my hon. friend from Kerala. The Draft Approach Paper of the Planning Commission has made the following observations: “Doubling the growth of agriculture to GDP to four per cent per year will improve employment conditions in agriculture.” … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER : Therefore, Planning Commission is going to fix a target.
… (Interruptions)
MD. SALIM : Sir, this is by reducing the workforce in agriculture to improve quality. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER : Target will be fixed.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER : You know that you cannot pressurise me. इसका कोई फायदा नहीं है।
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER : Those who are disturbing will not get a chance.
… (Interruptions)
SHRIMATI ARCHANA NAYAK : Sir, may I know, through you, from the hon. Prime Minister that keeping in view the unprecedented trend of suicide by farmers in the country, whether the Government propose to take effective measures to strengthen the hands of the farmers in the next Five-Year Plan and if so what are the details thereof?
अध्यक्ष महोदय : डीटेल कैसे बोल सकते हैं?
SHRI M.V. RAJASEKHARAN : Sir, as the hon. Member is aware, the hon. Prime Minister is very much concerned about the farmers’ suicides. As a consequence of his concern, recently he visited Vidarbha region. While visiting Vidarbha and visiting the places where the farmers’ suicides are taking place, he has made certain announcements to give relief to the farming community not only in Vidarbha region but also in other States like Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. … (Interruptions)
SHRI RAGHUNATH JHA : What about Bihar? … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER : Mr. Minister, you do not respond to every hon. Member who interrupts you.
SHRI M.V. RAJASEKHARAN : Sir, the package consists of various things which have been launched to establish sustainable, viable and livelihood support system through the debt relief to farmers, improved supply of agricultural credit, crop-centric approach to agriculture, assured irrigation facilities, watershed management, better expansion and the farming support[krr6] .
These are some of the schemes which have been announced. Now, to alleviate the sufferings of the debt-stressed families of farmers, an ex gratia assistance from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund has also been announced.
MR. SPEAKER: We have agreed that we shall have a full discussion next Tuesday on agriculture for six hours. Therefore, with your kind permission, let me go to the next Question.
… (Interruptions)
अध्यक्ष महोदय : इस पर पूरा डिस्कशन होगा।
...( व्यवधान)
MR. SPEAKER: Nothing will be recorded.
(Interruptions)* MR. SPEAKER: There will be very important debate exclusively on agriculture and employment.
… (Interruptions)
श्री राम कृपाल यादव : हमें एक बार तो मौका मिलना चाहिए।…( व्यवधान)
अध्यक्ष महोदय : आप हाउस की स्थिति को देखिये।
श्री राम कृपाल यादव : आपने कहा था कि आपको समय देंगे।…( व्यवधान)
अध्यक्ष महोदय : हम आपको मौका देंगे, पूरा मौका देंगे।
श्री राम कृपाल यादव : मौका कहां दे रहे हैं?…( व्यवधान)
MR. SPEAKER: I cannot enter into a question-answer with you. Show some respect to the Chair.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: This is very unfortunate. You do not know what stress you are putting on me. It is becoming impossible to regulate the proceedings of this House.
Q. 143 – Dr. Chinta Mohan __________________________________________________________________ * Not Recorded DR. CHINTA MOHAN : Sir, I would like to know the long-term vision of the Government, keeping in view the production of steel, cement and power.
MR. SPEAKER: You want to know the long-term vision in Question Hour! श्री शिबु सोरेन : यह जो कीमत के सम्बन्ध में माननीय सदस्य ने कहा है, वैसे तो बहुत सा विवरण हमारे पास है…( व्यवधान)
अध्यक्ष महोदय : You follow all their programmes.
DR. CHINTA MOHAN : What is the policy of the Government with regard to Neyveli Lignite Corporation and Singareni Collieries of Andhra Pradesh?
MR. SPEAKER: What has pricing of coal got to do with that?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL (DR. DASARI NARAYAN RAO): Sir, the question is not relevant to the original Question, but still I would like to reply for the convenience of the hon. Member.
Regarding Neyveli Lignite Corporation, the Government is very clear. It is in profits. We have given two expansion projects and the vision of Neyveli Lignite Corporation is expanded with nearly Rs. 8,500 crore. Regarding vision of the coal, the Government is very much concerned about it. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: I should say that this is most unfortunate. Members are disturbing each other. You are not in a mood to go through the Question Hour. Then, why do you put questions? आंसर दे रहे हैं, लेकिन सुनने के लिए कोई तैयार नहीं है।What is this going on? Wind up this House! यहां तमाशा हो रहा है।
DR. DASARI NARAYAN RAO: Sir, coal is the future for power generation. So, the Prime Minister has taken a very serious view about it. Under the chairmanship of hon. Prime Minister, a Committee for Energy Co-ordination is formed and the Government has initiated it. The Committee is formed and Dr. Shankar has given a Vision Document 2025. They have given some directions. If the hon. Member wants it, I will send the bullet-points to him.
श्री प्रभुनाथ सिंह : अध्यक्ष महोदय, जो उत्तर दिया गया है, इसमें यह कहा गया है कि जो आयातित कोयला है, उसका घरेलू कोयले के उत्पाद से ज्यादा मूल्य नहीं है, जबकि बाजार में देखा जा रहा है कि इस समय जो घरेलू उत्पादित कोयला है, उससे अभी जो यहां के ग्राहक हैं, वे ज्यादा आयातित कोयले को पसन्द कर रहे हैं और कीमत भी उसकी कम लग रही है। हम सरकार से जानना चाहते हैं कि इसका कारण क्या है कि घरेलू उत्पादित कोयले का मूल्य ज्यादा हो रहा है और आपके जो घरेलू ग्राहक हैं, वे आयातित कोयले की तरफ ज्यादा आकर्षित हो रहे हैं और उसकी ज्यादा खपत कर रहे हैं और घरेलू कोयले की खपत कम कर रहे हैं? उसका मूल्य भी कम क्यों पड़ता है, हम यह जानना चाहते हैं?[m7] श्री शिबु सोरेन : माननीय अध्यक्ष महोदय, ऐसी बात नहीं है।कोयले के उत्पादन में उस वक्त कमी थी और उस समय बाहर से कोयला आता था। लोग कोयला बाहर से लेते थे, लेकिन अब कोयले की कमी नहीं है। हम लोग कोयला दे रहे हैं। इस समय यह बहुत स्पष्ट है।
MR. SPEAKER: The Railways also consume coal.
श्री शिबु सोरेन : आपका जो कमी और बेसी का सवाल है कि कितना कितना कोयला देते हैं, जो लिखा हुआ है, हम आपको उसका जवाब दे देंगे।
SHRI E. PONNUSWAMY : Thank you, Sir. Coal is the main source of energy in our country, and the price of coal is linked with its production. But Coal India Limited as also the Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited are not producing coal properly. There are a number of subsidiaries under the Coal India Limited, and most of them are running in losses. In the mines of the Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited also there is practically no production at all. We have also got 92 billion tonnes of proven reserves.
What are the steps taken by the Government to produce more coal and to stabilise the price of coal, so that we need not import coal? I am asking this because we have the best coal reserves in our country.
DR. DASARI NARAYAN RAO: Sir, the hon. Member has mentioned that many of the companies are running in losses. Through you, I would like to inform the hon. Member that he is not correct. … (Interruptions)
SHRI E. PONNUSWAMY : Sir, I would like to mention to the hon. Minister that … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Hon. Member, this is not a matter of discussion. If you are not satisfied with his reply, then there are other methods also available with you.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Please do not interrupt the hon. Minister like this. There are methods if the hon. Minister is misleading the House or is giving wrong information. There are also other methods if you are not satisfied with the reply, but do not interrupt the hon. Minister like this.
DR. DASARI NARAYAN RAO: Sir, BCCL was in loss right from the inception, but this year it came into profit. Similarly, ECL is in profit, CCL is in profit, and all these subsidiary companies of Coal India Limited are in profit. Further, the Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited, and the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) have also come into profit. Therefore, almost all these are in profit, and this is a fact.
As regards coal pricing, if we compare, the price of indigenous coal is lesser than the price of imported coal. It also has ash content. If we take the calorific value, the price is less. The indicated price is decided keeping in mind the cost of production, overhead costs, wage pattern, etc. श्री हंसराज जी. अहीर : अध्यक्ष जी, मैं आपके माध्यम से मंत्री जी से पूछना चाहता हूं कि कोयले के दाम तय करते समय आपने बताया कि आयातित कोयले की कीमत, खुले बाजार की कीमतों से ज्यादा है, जो ई-नीलामी के माध्यम से कोयला दिया जा रहा है, क्या वह आयातित कोयल से कम है? मैं पूछना चाहूंगा कि तीन सालों में कोल इंडिया ने कोयले के कितने दाम बढ़ाये हैं? जो दाम बढ़े हैं और कोयले के प्रति टन उत्पादन में जो हर वर्ष खर्च बढ़ता जा रहा है, उस पर नियंत्रण पाने के लिए क्या कोशिश की गयी है और इस संबंध में क्या अभियान चलाया है?
श्री शिबु सोरेन : कोयला नियंत्रण आदेश २०००, से अधिसूचित किया गया है, जिसमें भारत सरकार को कोयले की कीमतें तय करने की शक्तियां नहीं हैं और कोयला कंपनियां बाजार की स्थिति के अनुसार, उनके द्वारा उत्पादित कोयले की कीमतें तय करने के लिए स्वतंत्र हैं। उसके बाद से कोयला कंपनियां अपने निर्देशक बोर्ड के अनुमोदन से कोयले की कीमतें निर्धारित करती हैं[c9][c8] ।
श्री आलोक कुमार मेहता : अध्यक्ष महोदय, उच्च गुणवत्ता वाला कोयला जिसे हाई ग्रेड कोल बोलते हैं, का प्राकृतिक भंडार बहुत कम बचा है, जबकि धड़ल्ले से इस कोयले का खनन करके विद्युत उत्पादन इकाइयों एवं ऐसे संयंत्रों में खर्च किया जा रहा है जिसे न्यूनतम गुणवत्ता यानी लोअर ग्रेड कोल से चलाया जा सकता है। मैं मंत्री जी से जानना चाहता हूं कि क्या सरकार ऐसे कोयले का मूल्य नियंत्रण करके उसके प्राकृतिक भंडार को मितव्ययता पूर्वक खर्च करने की कोई योजना बना रही है ?
श्री शिबु सोरेन : अध्यक्ष महोदय, सारा कोयला एक साथ निकाला जाता है। ऐसा कोई नियम नहीं है कि हम अलग-अलग कोयला निकालें और उसके अलग-अलग दाम तय करें। माननीय सदस्य का प्रश्न इस प्रश्न से संबंधित नहीं है क्योंकि यह प्रश्न कोयले के मूल्य से संबंधित है। अब उस कोयला का भी मूल्य देना पड़ता है और इस कोयले का भी मूल्य देना पड़ता है।
श्री सुबोध मोहिते : अध्यक्ष महोदय, माननीय मंत्री जी ने प्रश्न के जवाब में बताया है कि कोयले का दाम तीन चीजों--input cost, market condition or market demand, and landed price of the imported coal से डिसाइड होता है। मैं मंत्री जी की इनपुट कॉस्ट वाली पहली बात से सहमत हूं because the cost of production is decided by the input cost. उन्होंने दूसरी बात जो मार्केट कंडीशन की बोली है, उससे मैं एग्री नहीं करता हूं। मेरा प्रश्न यह है कि आज तक कोल इंडिया के इतिहास में मार्केट कंडीशन को देखते हुए क्या कोयले की कॉस्ट कॉस्ट ऑफ प्रोडक्शन से कम दी गयी है ?
श्री शिबु सोरेन : अध्यक्ष महोदय, आंकड़ों से स्पष्ट है। …( व्यवधान)
श्री सुबोध मोहिते : आप आंकड़ें मत बताइये।…( व्यवधान)
श्री शिबु सोरेन : अध्यक्ष महोदय, उत्पादन खर्च के आधार पर ही कोयले की कॉस्ट बढ़ायी और घटायी जाती है। लेकिन मैं समझता हूं कि इसमें उत्पादन से अधिक खर्च नहीं लगता है। कभी-कभी उत्पादन के बराबर ही खर्चा होता है। अब इसमें इतने मजदूर मजदूरी करते हैं। अगर माननीय सदस्य इसका उत्तर डिटेल में चाहेंगे, तो हम उसका जवाब उन्हें बाद में भिजवा देंगे।
श्री रामदास आठवले : अध्यक्ष महोदय, कोयले के दाम बढ़ने का कारण यह है कि कोल माइन्स में माफिया लोग करप्शन कर रहे हैं। मैं मंत्री जी से जानना चाहता हूं कि क्या कोल माइन्स में करप्शन होने के कारण कोयले के दाम बढ़ रहे हैं ?
श्री शिबु सोरेन : अध्यक्ष महोदय, कोल माइन्स में माफिया लोगों के होने की खबरें हमने भी सुनी हैं। हम भी महसूस करते हैं कि कोल माइन्स में माफिया लोग हैं। अब माफिया लोगों का इलाज कुछ और है। मैं माननीय सदस्य से कहना चाहूंगा कि माफिया लोगों के इलाज के लिए हम तैयार हैं। …( व्यवधान)
अध्यक्ष महोदय : उनका इलाज चल रहा है।
...( व्यवधान)
श्री शिबु सोरेन : हम उन लोगों से कोयला उद्योग को बचाकर रखना चाहेंगे।
SHRI K.S. RAO : Sir, it is known to everyone of us that there is a revolutionary change and development in the sectors of information technology and telecommunications. One of the reasons is the research made in USA and other developed countries where the NRIs’ contribution is substantial. If I have to just say it in one word, about 15 years back, when I visited USA, the NRIs who were working in research and development of telecommunications told me that if the conversation between Lord Krishna and Arjuna in the Mahabharata was true, they could tap it now. Such was the ingenuity of the Non-Resident Indians who are working in America today.
MR. SPEAKER: My best wishes to them.
SHRI K.S. RAO : While forming these Working Groups in various sectors including information technology and telecom, I wish to know from the hon. Minister whether he will utilise the services of some of the Non-Resident Indians, who are experts and proved their worth in the field of research[R10] .
SHRI DAYANIDHI MARAN: Sir, the Planning Commission has set up these Committees as the part of a routine process. Because we are coming to the end of the Tenth Five-Year Plan and we are in the process of finalising the Eleventh Five-Year Plan, the Planning Commission has initiated this process. There is enough expertise within our country. We are able to handle this.
SHRI K.S. RAO : Hon. Minister is very intelligent, we agree. We say that we have got a lot of expertise in our own country. But the other day when we went to China we found that the usage of mobile phones in that country is 168 for thousand whereas it is 12 for thousand in India. Similar is the case in regard to personal computers and landlines. They are, at least, ten times more than we are. I wish to know from the Hon. Minister if he is thinking in terms of bringing our country to the level of China at least in the decade to come.
MR. SPEAKER: Why not! SHRI DAYANIDHI MARAN: Definitely, Sir. I would like to inform the hon. Member that our effort is to make sure that we have enough telephone users in our country. In fact, when the UPA Government took over we had only 75 million phones in the country. In two years’ time, we have doubled it and today we have 150 million phones. We are adding nearly 4.5 to five million phones a month. That is roughly the population of Finland. So, every month we are adding to our subscriber base in the country a number equivalent to the population of Finland. We are doing well. We have already set a target to reach 250 million by the end of the next year. This is quite ambitious. We understand that. We started slow but we are picking up. There is enormous demand. Today the sector of telecom is growing at 40 per cent whereas the IT sector is growing at the rate of 30 per cent. We are aware of it and taking all positive steps to encourage more users.
MR. SPEAKER: Also, the conversations should also be brief.
MD. SALIM : The Minister in his reply has said that the Planning Commission had set up the Working Group to help in formulating the Eleventh Five-Year Plan He has also talked about the duty structure and addressed the issue of import of raw materials and materials. He is also proud of the way the tele-density, particularly the mobile density, is increasing in the country. But what about the indigenous capacity of manufacturing these equipment? India is growing as a consumer market. But what about helping the indigenous industry to equip itself with a sophisticated manufacturing capacity?
MR. SPEAKER: Of course, Chennai has the priority. It has got Nokia.
SHRI DAYANIDHI MARAN: Chennai is also in India, Sir.
MR. SPEAKER: Yes, it is very much in India.
SHRI DAYANIDHI MARAN: The hon. Member has asked a very important question. It is a part of this Government’s initiative to ensure that a lot of manufacturing activity takes place in our country. The public sector units BSNL and MTNL have enforced that 30 per cent value addition of equipment which they purchase takes place within our country. In the beginning of this year we had Nokia, a multinational company, setting up its plant in India. They are producing two million phones a month. By next January we will have Motorola starting with about 1.4 million. We also have Samsung and LG setting up their plants. Sony Ericsson is also on the verge of finalising a deal. The way it is going now, I would not be surprised if the indigenous production substitutes the import of telecom equipment in our country.
श्री बालासाहिब विखे पाटील : महोदय, मंत्री जी ने अपने उत्तर में इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर की बात कही है। मैं मंत्री जी से इतना ही जानना चाहता हूँ कि वह इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर कब तक पूरा होगा जिसके द्वारा हम इम्पोर्ट करने के अलावा, आउटसोर्स करके अपने इक्विपमेंट्स को विदेशों में भी बेच सकते हैं। Also how do we expand the landline ? लैण्डलाइन बहुत कमजोर हो रही है, तो इसके लिए आपका क्या प्रोग्राम है जिससे हम लैण्डलाइन को ज्यादा एक्सपैंड कर सकते हैं। We should ensure that India becomes ‘One India’ for all telephones.
SHRI DAYANIDHI MARAN: To answer the first half of the question the hon. Member has asked, our domestic consumption will ensure that whatever we manufacture is consumed. That is because even when we achieve the target of 250 million, our tele-density would be only around 22 per cent. We have a long way to go in this.
For the second part of the question regarding landlines I should say that it is a demand-based market now. The consumers now prefer only the wireless communication[KMR11] .
Future is for wireless as it is much cheaper. The rate of fixed line is Rs.25,000, whereas that of wireless is Rs.3,000. This is what consumers want and this is how we are proceeding.
MR. SPEAKER: I am sorry, Shri Ramji Lal Suman, your question is not taken up.
Question-Hour is over. _________________