Lok Sabha Debates
Consideration And Passing Of The Appropriation (Vote On Account) No. 2 Bill, ... on 21 July, 2004
nt> 15.34 hrs. APPROPRIATION (VOTE ON ACCOUNT) NO.2 BILL, 2004* Title: Consideration and passing of the Appropriation (Vote on Account) No. 2 Bill, 2004. (Bill passed). MR. SPEAKER: The House will now take up Appropriation Bill.
SHRI P. CHIDAMBARAM: Sir, I beg to move for leave to introduce a Bill to provide for the withdrawal of certain sums from and out of the Consolidated Fund of India for the services of a part of the financial year 2004-2005. MR. SPEAKER: The question is:
"That leave be granted to introduce a Bill to provide for the withdrawal of certain sums from and out of the Consolidated Fund of India for the services of a part of the financial year 2004-2005."
The motion was adopted.
SHRI P. CHIDAMBARAM: I introduce** the Bill.
MR. SPEAKER: The Minister may now move that the Bill be taken into consideration.
SHRI P. CHIDAMBARAM: Sir, I beg to move:
"That the Bill to provide for the withdrawal of certain sums from and out of the Consolidated Fund of India for the services of a part of the financial year 2004-2005, be taken into consideration."
*Published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part-II, Section-2 dated 21.7.2004. **Introduced with the recommendation of the President.
MR. SPEAKER: One hon. Member, Shri Tarit Baran Topdar has given advance notice to raise certain points. He may briefly mention his points. It is not usually granted but as he has asked for prior permission, I am allowing him. Motion moved:
"That the Bill to provide for the withdrawal of certain sums from and out of the Consolidated Fund of India for the services of a part of the financial year 2004-2005, be taken into consideration."
SHRI TARIT BARAN TOPDAR (BARRACKPORE): Sir, I will submit in a telegraphic language. When the Government after committing sin towards the people of the country declines penance, the same has to be performed by the next incumbent Government and they have to take measures to do away with the miseries inflicted on them by the erstwhile Government. To that extent, I find here that provisions for payment of statutory dues of CPSU workers has been denied totally by the erstwhile Government. I request the Finance Minister and the Government to see that the dues to the workers in CPSU are paid in time. I want to draw the attention that the creamy layer of the borrowers has been benefited in the soft interest rate regime and not the peasants and other small industrial units. 15.36 hrs (Mr. Deputy-Speaker in the Chair) I would like to point out that there is a discrepancy in lending and deposit rate of interest. Special attention is required to be given to the sickness in industries like tea, jute, textiles, engineering and other allied industries, as these industries are affected. The proposal is that on steel import, the customs duty is going to be reduced whereas the excise duty is going to be increased. Insofar as textiles is concerned, it is a grave situation that we are facing. If we do not adhere to all these points… … (Interruptions) These are relevant points. I am not elaborating. This is affecting the jute industry in the Eastern part of India. The problems are not attended to properly. … (Interruptions) MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Please be very brief.
SHRI TARIT BARAN TOPDAR : I wish to request the Government to see that the defence expenditure does not soar so high compared to the social expenditure. This is probably the view of micro economic theory known to a common man. … (Interruptions) MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Please be brief.
SHRI TARIT BARAN TOPDAR : The social security funds are not deposits for any fixed tenure. For the Government, they are funds which are not terminated.. … (Interruptions) MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: This is not a discussion. Please come to the point.
SHRI TARIT BARAN TOPDAR : Therefore, the calculations have to be made for Provident Fund and other benefits taking this aspect of the issue into account. Here, in the case of providing eight per cent interest on Provident Fund, probably this aspect was not taken into consideration. This is my submission. SHRI P. CHIDAMBARAM: Sir, I have taken note of the hon. Member’s suggestions. We shall deal with them appropriately. On CPSU issue, my colleague, the Minister for Heavy Industries tells me that he has already taken action and he is taking steps to obtain funds for that and clear the dues in a phased manner. I will cooperate with him and help him as much as possible. MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The question is:
"That the Bill to provide for the withdrawal of certain sums from and out of the Consolidated Fund of India for the services of a part of the financial year 2004-2005, be taken into consideration."
The motion was adopted.
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The House will now take up clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill. The question is:
"That clauses 2 to 4 stand part of the Bill."
The motion was adopted.
Clauses 2 to 4 were added to the Bill.
The Schedule was added to the Bill.
Clause 1, the Enacting Formula and the long Title were added to the Bill.MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER: The Minister may now move that the Bill be passed. SHRI P. CHIDAMBARAM: Sir, I beg to move:
"That the Bill be passed. "
MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER: The question is:
"That the Bill be passed. "
The motion was adopted.
______