Lok Sabha Debates
Further Discussion On The Motion For Consideration Of The Indira Gandhi National ... on 5 December, 2007
> Title: Further discussion on the motion for consideration of the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Bill, 2007 as passed by Rajya Sabha (Bill Passed).
PROF. BASUDEB BARMAN (MATHURAPUR): Sir, I welcome the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University Bill, 2007. To me, this Bill is the fulfilment of the long standing requirement of our country. In my opinion, our tribal brethren were not properly looked after. And this Bill will be instrumental for fulfilling their aspirations through establishing the University at Amarkantak to a great extent.
While I appreciate certain provisions of the Bill, I would like to draw the attention of the Government to some points. I appreciate particularly the objects of the University - Section 4 (i) and (ii). I shall not be reading the sections as these are all with the hon. Members.[R50] I would like to highlight that this Bill provides avenues for higher education and research facilities primarily for the tribal population of India. The word ‘primarily’ is important and is consistent with Section 7 on page 5 wherein it has been provided that the University shall be open to persons of either sex and of whatever race, creed, caste, etc. Therefore, this provision primarily is for the tribal population of India and the provisions under Section 7 are quite consistent.
The second point which I want to make is that the jurisdiction of the University shall extend to the whole of India. which has been given under section 6. This is highly welcome and I would like to request my hon. colleagues to consider the provisions of this section with the provision of section 5 (xii) wherein it has been stated that the University will be having the power to establish, with the prior approval of the Central Government, such campuses, special centres, specialised laboratories, etc. I hope and I do believe that, when the University starts functioning with the aid of the Central Government, this University will be establishing a number of campuses and centres in different regions and areas of the country where the tribal population dominates. This actually will be very good not only for the tribal population of our country but also for the whole of India.
After saying this, I would like to point out certain small things which I do not move as amendments. I am drawing the attention of the Government to section 23 in page 9. It says about the constitution of the Court, the constitution of the Executive Council and the constitution of the Academic Council. You may kindly note that it has been said that the Court, the Executive Council and the Academic Council shall have adequate number of members from among the Scheduled Tribes. Now, in my opinion, the word ‘adequate’ is not adequate. The word ‘adequate’ is inadequate. I would suggest that, in the case of the first Court which will be having 31 members as has been provided under Section 50, we should specify that the Court should have at least 15 members from the tribal communities. For the first Executive Council where the total number of members is 11, in my opinion, ‘adequate’ should be removed and we should write that at least five members of the community should be in the Executive Council. Similarly, at least ten such members should be in the Academic Council.
Why am I saying this? By the word ‘adequate’, there may be certain designs meaning that the tribal people will not be having adequate or proper representation in these bodies which will be constituted for making the basic rules and requlations for running of this University.
Another important thing is in page 12, Section 32. It has been written that the first Ordinances shall be made by the Vice-Chancellor. I would very humbly suggest that there should be a time frame for this. The wordings should be like ‘the first Ordinances shall be made by the first Vice-Chancellor within a period of, say, six months or nine months or three months.” Otherwise, the running of the University will be difficult.
In page 21, Statute 9 (1), there is a small thing to be corrected. But I would like to point out that all officers like the Registrar, the Controller, and others are salaried officers. In the case of Librarian, the word ‘salaried’ is missing. This may be corrected.
Lastly, I would come to a point which, in my opinion, is important. It is about the constitution of Students Council and its functioning. It has been provided in Statute 38 of page 32. It is said that there shall be constituted, in the University, a Students’ Council. It has been provided that 20 students may be nominated by the Academic Council. It is ver[MSOffice51] y good.
In the last line, it has been stated: “such number of elected representatives of students as may be specified by the Academic Council.” I do differ with this. I would like to suggest to the Government that the number should be provided. If there are 20 students to be nominated by the Academic Council on the Students’ Council, in my opinion, the number of elected students on the Students’ Council should be at least 25 or 30. This has to be specified. While framing the rules this should be taken care of.
Finally, in the same statute, it has been said: “The Students Council should meet at least once in an academic year.” If we see the responsibilities of the Students Council, you will find that it has many functions, like making suggestions to the appropriate authorities of the University in regard to programmes of studies, students welfare and other matters of importance.
I wish to suggest to the Government that the Students’ Council should meet at least thrice in an academic year and not once in a year. Otherwise, the Students’ Council will be in existence only in name and not in its functioning.
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16.25 hrs. SHRI SUGRIB SINGH (PHULBANI) : Thank you Chairman Sir, for giving me this opportunity to speak on a very important Bill. Sir, we are discussing the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University Bill 2007 which is meant to benefit the tribal youth of our nation. I welcome this Bill. The Bill seeks to set up an university exclusively for tribal students at Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh. It has been said that this place offers good communication facilities, well-habitable and is conducive from every angle. The Government plans to spend Rs.60 crores for this project. Annually the Government will spend Rs.12 crores for the education of tribal youths.
While I welcome this Bill, I would like to point out here that, after coming to power the UPA Government has been giving a step-motherly treatment to Orissa. In different situations the UPA Government has taken decisions which are contrary to the interest of Orissa. During the NDA regime the Government had consented for setting up an IIT in Orissa, but the UPA Government changed that. The Ravenshaw college in Orissa was to be given the status of a Central University but that was withdrawn. The NDA Government had taken a decision to set up AIIMS at different parts of the country including Orissa. Five years have passed but there is no progress in this direction. Similarly regarding the setting up of National Science Institution the UPA Government has shifted the venue from Orissa. Another example of the UPA Government’s apathy towards Orissa in the proposal of setting up of the National Marine University at Tamil Nadu, instead of the earlier proposed Paradeep in Orissa. Sir all these examples amply show how shabbily the UPA Government treats Orissa.
* English Translation of the speech originally delivered in Oriya.
Sir, now the new National Mineral Policy is being formulated. This policy will harm the interest of Orissa severely. The Central Government in snatching away the benefits which should naturally go to Orissa. Orissa figures so low in the UPA’s priority list that not a single leader from Orissa has a place in the Union Cabinet. It’s a matter of regret and shame. Orissa has the maximum number of tribal population yet the Tribal University is being set up at Madhya Pradesh. The tribal students of Orissa also can excel in higher education and in the fields of science and technology if provided with the right environment.
Sir, I would like to draw your attention to the following factor. The Government is setting up a Tribal University which is well and good. But why should it be named after Indira Gandhi? Why cann’t it be named after a tribal leader? Does it mean that tribals have made no contribution for the cause of the nation? Sir there are many leaders from the tribal and backward communities who have sacrificed their lives for the cause of India’s independence. Why they should be forgotten and why always the new institution be named after either Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi? Why these institutions should always be located in their constituencies only? What is the rationale behind it? All the Members present here should protest strongly against this injustice. The tribals have given their blood for this nation too.
Sir, now that the discussion to set up this university has already been taken, I would like to emphasize the following point. The few states with sizeable no of tribal students like Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhatisgarh, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat etc. should be proportionally given seats in this new university, so that there is no injustice. This will mean giving a fair chance to each and every state with tribal population. I am hopeful that if a certain no of seats are reserved for the tribal student the people of my state will be benefited. And the students will get to study at Indira Gandhi National Tribal University. In the times to come, I urge upon you not to treat Orissa with a step-motherly attitude, because it will be a threat to national integration otherwise.
SHRI C.K. CHANDRAPPAN (TRICHUR): Mr. Chairman, Sir, I would like to thank you for giving me this opportunity.
Sir, the UPA has made a lot of promises to the tribals and in fulfilling those promises -- the Common Minimum Programme’s assurance -- they have brought one of the most important Bills on the tribals which was called `the Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.’ Now, it is being followed by Indira Gandhi National Tribal University Bill.
Sir, here I would like to draw the attention of the hon. Minister to the fate of the earlier Bill which was passed, viz, `the Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006’ of the tribals and forest dwellers. That Bill was introduced in 2005 and a unanimous report was given by the Select Committee for having the Bill amended in such a way that it will go a long way to improve the livelihood etc., of the tribals.[a52] That is watered down and adopted. Now, eight months passed. The tribals were sitting on a dharna in Jantar Mantar for a week. Why were they sitting there? It is because the rules have not been framed. It was a great betrayal of the tribal people by the UPA Government. The Bill had been passed half-heartedly. These rules are not framed and the provisions of the Bill, in effect, are not implemented. That happened once. I am speaking about the Forest Rights Bill. This is the second step in the form of the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University Bill. I support this Bill. We supported the earlier Bill also.
Sir, the Bill is very good. There is nothing to object. But the name could have been somewhat different. I am not against Shrimati Indira Gandhi. She was a great woman. By bringing forward this kind of a Bill, you are rather defaming her. If you have a historic approach, I think the hon. Minister will agree with me though she may agree to an amendment, why should not this University have been named after Birsa Munda? Birsa Munda was one of the leaders of whom the Indian History will be very proud. I say this because even before the Indian National Congress was formed, even before the National Movement was there, the tribals in India fought the British in the entire eastern part and the northern part. The Portuguese were fought in Kerala by the tribals. They had their own leaders. Shri Antony will remember that Pazhassy Raja was the leader of the tribals who fought against the Portuguese in Kerala.
Now, I draw the attention of the hon. Minister.… (Interruptions) The hon. Minister is engaged in some other discussion.
सभापति महोदय : मंत्री जी आपकी बात को नोट कर रहे हैं।
SHRI C.K. CHANDRAPPAN : The Minister should hear my speech. What I am saying is that with all praise for Shrimati Indira Gandhi, with all appreciation for whatever she had done for the country, I would have liked this Bill to be named after Birsa Munda. The entire tribal population of the country will be very happy. We are all freedom fighters and the patriotic sections of this country will be proud of this. So, this University should have been named after him. I am not moving a formal amendment. But, in its wisdom, if the Government accepts this suggestion, it can move an amendment. It will be a good service that you are rendering to this country and to the tribal people of India also.
Coming to the Bill and its provisions, I would like to say that it is a good Bill. It is for providing higher education and all that. What about the primary education of the tribals? After all, the tribals should be given primary education, secondary education and then higher education. Otherwise, this Bill will be providing a tribal University but it will be educating the other people. So, please pay attention to this. Nowadays, you are saying that you are doing so. But there should be more concrete programmes for the tribals to be made literate, educated at the primary and secondary levels, University level and then we should provide higher education. We are trying to reform them at the higher level where they will not be there to come to the University. So, you may have to assure this House that you will take sufficient steps so that tribals will be benefited by the services of this University.
Now, I come to the last point. I am speaking only on this Bill. There are provisions. I would like to draw your attention to the concrete provision – that is –Clause 23. I am surprised about one thing. This is a new style that the Central Government is following. [R53] They are making national institutes where this House is not represented. This was never done before. This House should be represented in those institutions so that those institutions will have accountability to the Parliament. It is not that two MPs will go and sit there. This question of accountability of those institutions to Parliament means that they are accountable to the country and to the people. So, I would suggest that 2 MPs from Lok Sabha and one MP from Rajya Sabha should be included in the university court. There is no provision like that.
Lastly, another new invention of the Bill that has come from you Ministry is that the concept of student union has been denied. You yourself were a product of the student politics in your younger days. I and Shri Antony also came out from student unions. If you take a look at this Bill, there is no provision of a students union. There is only the provision for a Welfare Committee headed by a Dean. What is that? In modern times, when we are giving right to vote to people at the age of 18, there is no reason for you to keep them away from politics, away from association. There must be a provision by which students will constitute student union in the university and the affiliated universities of the campuses also. There is no such provision. I am very surprised. It is an undemocratic attitude. These things should be taken into account and also the will of the employees. In Section 37, the provision is very inadequate. It is a very authoritarian provision that you are denying the students and the employees their rights and the name of the University given is Indira Gandhi University. By doing this, you are not bringing any credit to Shrimati Indira Gandhi. So, I would request that that name should be changed to Birsa Munda National Tribal University. With these words, I support this Bill because it has a great cause behind it.
श्री महावीर भगोरा (सलूम्बर) सभापति महोदय, आपने मुझे बोलने का मौका दिया, इसके लिए धन्यवाद। इंदिरा गाधी राष्ट्रीय जनजातीय विश्वविद्यालय विधेयक 2007, सदन में लाया गया है जिस पर आज चर्चा हो रही है। आजादी के 60 साल बाद यूपीए सरकार के ध्यान में आया कि आदिवासियों को शिक्षा देने के लिए और उनके शैक्षणिक उत्थान के लिए कोई न कोई विधेयक लाना चाहिए। इस विधेयक को चाहे जो भी मंत्री लाए हैं, मैं इसके लिए सरकार का आभार व्यक्त करता हूं।
इस विधेयक में जो मोटी बात लिखी गई है, उसमें यह है कि भारत में जनजातीय जनसंख्या के लिए उच्चतर शिक्षा और अनुसंधान सुविधाओं के अवसरों को सुकर बनाने और उनकी अभिवृद्धि के लिए चाहे कोई प्रदेश हो, काम किया जाएगा।
जहां तक उच्चतर शिक्षा का सवाल है, देश आजाद होने के बाद 1952 में जन-जातियों के शैक्षणिक और आर्थिक विकास के लिए, आदिम जाति कल्याण मंत्रालय काम करता था। बाद में उसके नाम में संशोधन करके समाज कल्य़ाण मंत्रालय किया गया। समाज कल्याण मंत्रालय के बाद अब जनजातीय कार्य मंत्रालय नाम हुआ है। तीन मंत्रालयों के नाम में संशोधन होता रहा है। इस विधेयक की पूर्व में भी चर्चा हुई थी। इनके नाम में चाहे कितने परिवर्तन हो जाएं, मैं चाहता हूं कि सरकार कोई भी विधेयक सदन में लाए, उसका इम्पलीमैंटेशन सही तरीके से करे, यही मेरा वर्तमान सरकार से आग्रह है। [a54] इस विधेयक का जो उद्देश्य है, वह बहुत अच्छा है। वर्ष 1952 में आदिम जाति कल्याण मंत्रालय बना था और देश के राज्यों में आदिम जाति शोध एवं प्रशिक्षण संस्थान खोले गए थे। उन संस्थानों को शोध और प्रशिक्षण का काम सौंपा गया था। इसके लिए करोड़ों रुपए के बजट का आबंटन हुआ लेकिन क्या उसका लाभ जनजाति को मिला? मैं मंत्री महोदय से आग्रह करना चाहता हूं कि शोध तो होते रहे हैं, शोधों में राशि जनजातियों के लिए है लेकिन उसका लाभ सामान्य वर्ग ने उठाया और पीएचडी की डिग्रियां हासिल की। उन शोधों का लाभ जनजाति के कल्याण की योजनाएं बनाने में कितना रहा, इसका मूल्यांकन करें, यह मेरा विशेष रूप से आग्रह है।
इस विधेयक में दूसरा बिंदु है जिसमें विशेष रूप से उच्च शिक्षा की बात कही गई है। हालांकि इस विधेयक में मैनेजमेंट, प्रबंधन और प्रशासनिक व्यवस्था की बात है इसमें ज्यादा से ज्यादा जनजाति के स्कॉलर्स, जो शिक्षाविद् हैं उनको रिक्रूट किया जाना चाहिए। इसके साथ ही प्रशासनिक व्यवस्था में ट्राइबल्स के प्रशासनिक अधिकारी, चाहे आईएएस या आईपीएस हों और अन्य शिक्षाविदों को जोड़ा जाए ताकि सही रूप से शैक्षणिक व्यवस्था चल सके ताकि ट्राइबल्स के टेलेंटिड बच्चे आगे आएं ताकि वे अनुसंधान करके आगे आने वाली पीढ़ी को सही मार्गदर्शन दे सकें। इस विधेयक में मोटी बात देखी गई है, मैं इसमें पदों को देख रहा था कि कितने पद रखे गए हैं। इन पदों में कहीं यह उल्लेख नहीं किया गया है कि इन पदों पर कौन लोग आसीन होंगे। इन पर गत वर्षों तक जो लोग आज तक आसीन होते आए हैं, उन लोगों की सोच जनजातियों के प्रति क्या रही है और क्या ऐसी ही प्रकिया आगे चलती रहेगी? यदि ऐसा है तो क्या आपका विधेयक लाने का प्रयोजन पूरा होगा, उद्देश्य पूरा होगा? मैं इस बारे में विशेष रूप से जानना चाहता हूं। इस विधेयक में बोर्ड ऑफ मैनेजमेंट में मैक्सिमम लोग जनजातियों के लिए जाएं और दूसरे लोग भी लिए जाएं जो स्कॉलर हों, अच्छे शिक्षाविद हों, अच्छे प्रशासनिक अधिकारी हों। हमें इसमे कोई परहेज नहीं है कि इन्हें लिया जाए।
जहां तक विशेष रूप से यूनिवर्सिटी के नाम की बात है, मेरा कहना है कि इस देश में जनजाति के कई ऐसे विद्वान हुए हैं, कई ऐसे राजनेता हुए हैं, देश को आजादी दिलाने में कई ऐसे वीर पुरुष हुए हैं, यूनिवर्सिटी का नाम उनके नाम पर होना चाहिए। मैं विशेष रूप से मेरे क्षेत्र की बात करूंगा, भीलू राणा पूंजा हुए हैं जिन्होंने देश की आजादी, रक्षा के लिए स्वतंत्रता की लड़ाई लड़ी है इसलिए उनके नाम पर यूनिवर्सिटी का नाम रखा जाए। आपने मुझे बोलने का मौका दिया इसके लिए मैं आपका धन्यवाद करता हूं।
SHRI GIRIDHAR GAMANG (KORAPUT): Mr. Chairman, Sir, I support the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University Bill because this university is being set up for the education of tribal students.
Sir, the name given to this university is definitely justified because the emphasis given to tribal development at all levels was started during Shrimati Indira Gandhi’s time. Now, whatever development is there in each and every level, it is due to the efforts taken by Shrimati Indira Gandhi. Some of the Members who spoke earlier mentioned that this name should be changed. I would like to tell them that when they keep their own leader’s name in Orissa, there is no objection, but at the national level, when this name is kept, they are objecting to it. The demand which the Government of Orissa or the MPs have made should be justified and that demand should be considered without any discrimination. But at the same time, I would like to remind this House as to what they have demanded when they were in power and what they got. That also should be taken into consideration here.
Sir, I would definitely like to say that this is a new concept.[R55] Sir, when I was the Chief Minister of Orissa, I started three State level universities. One university is cultural university in the State of Orissa. But this concept is a very new concept and I think, whatever subjects which they have mentioned, whether it will be only to give the education or it will link it with employment opportunities to be provided to the tribals. That will have to be assessed whether the university will be like other State or Central universities or the university of their own, by the tribals, for the tribals, of the tribals. If that is so, then I think, the knowledge will improve and the tribals will be benefiting out of this in employment opportunities. Otherwise, knowledge-wise, it is fine.
Sir, I would say that all these areas which they are covering are for Fifth Schedule Area. For the first time, we have this type of university in the Fifth Schedule Area, though there are a number of Central universities, not this type of tribal university, in North-Eastern States. That is either in the Sixth Schedule Area or in the Hill areas of the North-Eastern States. Therefore, this type of concept which the UPA Government has adopted, I think, will give a new dimension in education and employment which is proposed in this Bill.
Sir, the UPA Government, especially, the Prime Minister announced a number of institutions for education development where they have announced 30-centre university, one each of the State, which do not have any such university. That means, definitely, the State Government of Orissa deserve one or two such universities. But it should be confined only in the Schedule Area because it will be one of the components of the Tribal Sub-Plan Concept and whatever the money is there, that will have to be given as a Tribal-Sub-Plan Concept and whatever schemes of education development, which they have announced, each and every aspect of that should be demarcated or earmarked for the Fifth Schedule Area of this country.
Sir, I belong to Koraput; the undivided Koraput is a larger Schedule Area, where I announced at that time that there will be a university by the Government of Orissa. But I could not do that. The Schedule Area of Koraput does not have any university, though in the other Schedule Area of my State, I have started a university, that is, the Northern University.
Sir, I would like to say that I accept each and every provision of this Bill provided that it should give employment opportunities through education to the vulnerable tribal students, but you will have to start from down below so that the scheme for education development of the country, which the Government of India announced, benefit the poorest of the tribals. This can be done starting from 30 Central universities, 6,000 new high quality schools, 370 new colleges in the districts and like that new industrial training institutes, 10,000 new vocational schools, 50,000 new development centres as all these things will be linked with the Central university. If this is done, I think, the university will be a university providing employment through education. I think, this is there in the Bill which we are intending to pass. This is to give education and employment to the tribal students who would get admissions in that.
In conclusion, I would say that it is for the first time, from the Fifth Plan to the Ten Plan I am here, except once, that the Government recognised the education development in Fifth Schedule Area. Therefore, definitely, it is best located and justification is also there. This may not be in each and every Schedule Area but the Central University deserves that out of 30 at least ten are in the Fifth Schedule Area.
श्री रूपचन्द मुर्मू (झाड़ग्राम) : सभापति महोदय, मैं अपनी संथाली भाषा में बोलना चाहता हूं।
सभापति महोदय : क्या आपने संथाली में बोलने के लिये पहले नोटिस दिया है?
श्री रूपचन्द मुर्मू : सभापति जी, इस सदन में सरकार दो ट्राइबल लैंग्वेज़ को आठवीं शेडूल में लायी हैं लेकिन संथाली और बोडो लैंग्वेज़ के लिये .......* कोई इन्टरप्रेटर नहीं है।
SHRI SANSUMA KHUNGGUR BWISWMUTHIARY (KOKRAJHAR): Sir, it is a truth. It is a very serious matter. I have raised this matter time and again. I also support him. … (Interruptions)
सभापति महोदय : आप बैठ जाइये।
… (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Nothing else will go on record.
(Interruptions) …* इन्टरप्रेटर नियुक्त किए जाऐंं।
श्री रूपचन्द मुर्मू : सभापति जी, मेरी पहली मांग है कि … * MR. CHAIRMAN: Nothing will go on record except what Shri Rupchand Murmu says.
(Interruptions) …* MR. CHAIRMAN: Please take your seats.
… (Interruptions)
श्री रूपचन्द मुर्मू : सभापति जी, मैं इंदिरा गांधी राष्ट्रीय जनजातीय विश्वविद्यालय विधेयक, 2007 का अपनी ओर से और अपनी पार्टी की ओर से स्वागत करता हूं...( व्यवधान)
सभापति महोदय : माननीय सदस्य को अपना ब्लड प्रेशर समय पर चैक कराना चाहिये। जब आपका नाम आयेगा, तब आप अपनी बात कहिये। आपका ब्लड प्रेशर हाई हो जाता है कि आप खड़े हो जाते हैं?
… (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: This is not fair. You should cooperate.
… (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Nothing will go on record except Shri Rupchand Murmu.
(Interruptions) …* * Not recorded श्री रूपचन्द मुर्मू : सभापति महोदय, मैं इस बिल का स्वागत करना चाहता हूं और सरकार को धन्यवाद देना चाहता हूं कि पहली बार नेशनल आदिवासी यूनिवर्सिटी की स्थापना के बारे में सरकार ने निर्णय लिया है। यह बहुत ही स्वागतयोग्य बात है। श्री बसुदेव बर्मन इस बिल की टैक्नीकल बातों पर बोल चुके हैं जिनपर मैं बोलना नहीं चाहता। इस बिल का उद्देश्य आदिवासी युवक-युवतियों को सक्षम बनाना और उन्हें उच्चतर शिक्षा दिलाना है। इस देश में मूल आदिवासी लोगों की संख्या साढ़े आठ करोड़ है। जब हमारा देश पराधीन था, उस समय आदिवासी लोग ब्रिटिश साम्राज्यवाद के खिलाफ लड़ने में पीछे नहीं रहे। आप सभी जानते हैं कि बिरसा मुण्डा, तिलका मुरमु, सिद्धू कानू आदि ने ब्रिटिश सरकार के खिलाफ अपनी जान दे दी। सप्रति कृषि और उद्योग क्षेत्र में आदिवासी लोग पीछे नहीं हैं। लेकिन 60 साल की आजादी के बाद भी आदिवासी लोग अभी भी गरीब हैं, पीछे हैं और उन्हें अछूत माना जाता है। आदिवासियों को पीछे रखकर देश कभी आगे नहीं बढ़ सकता है, ऊपर कभी नहीं जा सकता है। आप जानते हैं कि रवीन्द्र नाथ टैगौर ने बंगला में कहा है :
नीचे जारे राखो, से तोमारे टानिबे जे नीचे, पश्चाते रेखेछो जारे से तोमारे टानिछे पश्चात्ते।[s56] जिसको पीछे रखा जाता है, जिसको नीचे रखा जाता है, वे लोग पीछे खींचते हैं। मैं कहूंगा कि आदिवासियों के उत्थान के लिए सभी सदस्यों को पार्टीलाइन से ऊपर उठकर सोचना चाहिए। यह बिल तो जरूर पास हो जाएगा और हम सभी समर्थन करेंगे, लेकिन इसका इंप्लीमैंटेशन सही ढंग से होना चाहिए। एक साल पहले और एक आदिवासी बिल हमने पास किया है फॉरैस्ट राइट बिल। उसको पास किए हुए एक साल हो गया लेकिन अभी तक उस पर इंप्लीमैंटेशन नहीं हुआ है। मैं आपके माध्यम से सरकार से अनुरोध करूंगा कि पुराने पास किए हुए बिल और इस बिल पर सही ढंग से इंप्लीमैंटेशन किया जाए। इन्हीं शब्दों के साथ मैं अपना भाषण समाप्त करता हूँ।
* Not recorded श्री धनसिंह रावत (बांसवाड़ा): धन्यवाद। मैं सरकार द्वारा प्रस्तुत इंदिरा गांधी राष्ट्रीय जनजाति विश्वविद्यालय विधेयक 2007 का समर्थन करता हूँ। माननीय सभापति महोदय, हमारे देश की पूर्व प्रधान मंत्री माननीय श्रीमती गांधी जी के नाम पर इस विश्वविद्यालय का नाम रखा जा रहा है। यदि इस जनजाति विश्वविद्यालय का नाम किसी आदिवासी के नाम पर होता तो हिन्दुस्तान का आम आदिवासी गर्व से महसूस करता कि एक आदिवासी के नाम से भी विश्वविद्यालय है। आज चाहे बिरसा मुंडा हो या आदिवासी क्षेत्र में काम करने वाले कितने ही आदिवासी महापुरुष हुए हैं, लेकिन आज भी आदिवासियों का नाम सम्मान से नहीं लिया जाता है। फिर भी हमें गर्व है कि हमारे देश की पूर्व प्रधान मंत्री इंदिरा जी के नाम पर इस विश्वविद्यालय का नाम रखा जा रहा है। मैं चाहता हूं कि इसके जो प्रादेशिक केन्द्र पूरे हिन्दुस्तान में खोले जाएंगे, निश्चित रूप से उस प्रदेश के जो आदिवासी नेता या समाजसेवक रहे हों, उनके नाम से उन ब्रांचेज़ को खोला जाए। मैं आपके माध्यम से सरकार से आग्रह करना चाहूंगा कि इसकी ब्रांचेज़ हिन्दुस्तान के उन राज्यों में खोली जाएं जहां आदिवासी बहुल इलाके हों। मैं उदाहरण के लिए अपने लोक सभा क्षेत्र बांसवाड़ा डूंगरपुर की ओर ध्यान दिलाना चाहता हूं जो दक्षिणी राजस्थान में हैं। उस मेवाड़ क्षेत्र में राणा पूँजा ने आज़ादी के लिए संघर्ष किया था। उनकी याद में या फिर आदिवासियों का तीर्थ स्थान बेणेश्वर धाम है। उनके नाम से वहां यूनिवर्सिटी या ब्रांच खोली जाए तो अच्छा रहेगा।
माननीय सभापति महोदय, इस बिल के जो उद्देश्य दिये गये हैं, निश्चित रूप से उनको पढ़कर बड़ा गर्व महसूस होता है। इन उद्देश्यों को साकार करने के लिए मैं आपका ध्यान खंड 2 की ओर आकर्षित करना चाहूंगा जो विश्वविद्यालय के शिक्षक के रूप में हैं। विश्वविद्यालय के शिक्षकों में आदिवासियों का रेशो कितना प्रतिशत होगा यह महत्वपूर्ण बात है। इस विश्वविद्यालय में यदि आदिवासी शिक्षकों को महत्व नहीं दिया गया तो आज आदिवासी चाहे बीएड में हो, एमबीबीएस में हो, या चाहे पीएचडी कर रहा हो, उसमें यह होता है कि प्रैक्टिकल में उसको इंटैलिजैन्ट होते हुए भी कम नंबर दिये जाते हैं। थ्योरी में तो वह 75 प्रतिशत नंबर ले आता है जबकि प्रैक्टिकल में उसके साथ भेदभाव किया जाता है क्योंकि वह शैडय़ूल्ड कास्ट या शैडय़ूल्ड ट्राइब का है। इसलिए मैं चाहूंगा कि यूनिवर्सिटी में टीचिंग में प्रापर व्यवस्था होनी चाहिए। यदि यह व्यवस्था ठीक नहीं होगी तो इस बिल का उद्देश्य पूरा नहीं होगा। इसके साथ ही मैं इस बिल का समर्थन करते हुए अपनी बात समाप्त करता हूँ।
DR. THOKCHOM MEINYA (INNER MANIPUR): Mr. Chairman, Sir, I rise to support the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University Bill, 2007 as passed by the Rajya Sabha on the 3rd of this month.
While supporting the Bill, I would like to take the indulgence of the hon. Members here on the basic objectives and reasons. We know that the accessibility of our tribal brothers and sisters to higher education is very much limited.[h57]
17.00 hrs. At the same time, the tribal youth are equally disadvantaged while joining the higher education and higher studies facilities in terms of research and further studies. But where is this tribal population? It is the most important question. The tribal population is scattered all over the country, and one of the most cluster areas is the North-Eastern Region where the tribal population is very large. At the same time, there are other areas in the country, viz., Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttrakhand, Orissa, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, where we have a good number of tribal population. There are many other States where we have a large number of tribal population.
SHRI SANSUMA KHUNGGUR BWISWMUTHIARY : What about Bodoland?
MR. CHAIRMAN : Mr. Bwiswmuthiary, please do not disturb him.
DR. THOKCHOM MEINYA : The North-East include perhaps my friend’s Bodoland also.
Sir, in the Bill, while it is mentioned that the North-Eastern States have a good number of central universities. Anyway, it is fine. But there, we aught to have central universities purely for tribal population. The present Indira Gandhi National Tribal University is going to be established. It is proposed that this University will be a teaching as well as an affiliated university like the other universities. It shall be located at Amarkantak in the State of Madhya Pradesh because it is the area where the tribal population is the largest at the moment, and moreover it is centrally located in the country.
Here, I would like to draw the attention of the hon. Minister to Clause 2, which is Definitions Clause. I would refer Clause 2(w) relating to definition of Regional Centres read with Clause 2(f) relating to definition of Campus. If at all we are going to have the Regional Centres under this University, I would prefer to have as many Regional Centres as possible because tribal population is there everywhere in the country. For example, in the case of Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, which are the international border areas, we have a large number of tribal population, but they are very much disadvantaged. When we sit here in Delhi or in Parliament, we do not actually understand the plight of those brothers in the countryside. They have a lot of problems. Therefore, I would suggest that we should try to have as many Regional Centres as possible so that when we take up these general curriculum of the general universities, we should also think in terms of introducing some studies on their history, languages, cultural heritage, customs and conventions of these tribals, so that the rest of the country, our brothers here in the mainland do understand their practices. For the integrity and solidarity of the country, this is a must.
Sir, in Clause 6, we have defined jurisdiction all over the country. It is fine. We most welcome it because it should be there. In the beginning, this University at Madhya Pradesh should have some arrangements so that we get students from all these areas before we start the Regional Centres. The moment we start the Regional Centres, perhaps we can go down there.
Sir, Clause 8 relates to residence of students. About the residence of the students, I think, we can go in for a complete residential university for those who are coming from outside. This is very much necessary because they may not be having the facilities to come and go frequently.
So, these are some of my suggestions, which I have put forward. I wholeheartedly support the Bill.
We have got certain reservations when the Members from the other side discussed the name of the University, I fully appreciate the stand of the Government saying that the name of Indira Gandhi was not less a personality to whom we can suggest such type of discussion. I do not agree with that. So, let us support the Bill and pass the Bill.
SHRI VARKALA RADHAKRISHNAN (CHIRAYINKIL): Sir, I rise to support the Bill. But at the same time I will be failing in my duty if I do not point out the difficulties that may arise in future.
The first thing which I have to mention is this. This is a National University which has jurisdiction throughout India, in all the States. So, the University itself in character is unique. It is unique in the sense that its activities may cover almost all the States in India where there are tribal people. In every part of the country, the cardinal principal to be followed in the functioning of the University shall be ‘unity in diversity’. If that policy is not strictly followed, then the net result will be that this University will be reduced to a Madhya Pradesh University. It is because the tribal people follow different cultures. They follow different dialects. Some of their cultures are dying. Some of them are dying arts. We want to revive them. That is one of the purposes for which this University is going to be established, and this purpose can be achieved only if we follow the principle, as I have already mentioned, ‘unity in diversity’. So, the fund allotment and all these matters will have to be looked into strictly according to this principle.
The University provides for opening up of Regional Centres. So, there will be Regional Centres in almost all the States where the tribal people reside. These Regional Centres must be given due representation in the authorities constituted under the provisions of this Act. I will cite a simple example. Now, there is a provision for Students’ Council. The Students’ Council will meet once in a year at the beginning of each year. That is not enough. It must at least meet twice in a year.
Secondly, the representation given in the Students’ Council is that 20 students will be nominated by the Vice-Chancellor or Chancellor or Chairman. Twenty students are nominated, according to merit. It is all right. Then it is given, “..and as such students may be elected as the Statute provides.” The number is not fixed. So, when the statutes are framed, they must take care of that so that each and every region shall have representation in the Students’ Council. There is no provision in the Statute. Otherwise, the tribal people, who will be residing in Andhra Pradesh or in Kerala or in many other places where the Naxalite activities are on the high, will not get representation. We must take abundant caution to see that the people of that section, which is within the jurisdiction of the University, shall definitely have a representation in the functioning of the University.
These are some of the important matters which I would like to mention. Once again, before I conclude, I say that representation should be given. There is a provision that the President is the Visitor of the University. Every time he can visit but separate Vice-Chancellors are appointed. But at the same time this is open to all castes, irrespective of religion, creed or colour or anything. Everybody can seek admission to this University but the only thing is that it will give special attention or special provision for admission to the tribal students.[m58] Those who are taking distant education need not come; but all others should be residential students in a hall or a centre that is provided within the campus of the University. The important authority to control is the University court. Who constitute it, the representation of the court is not defined in this Bill.
Sir, these are some of the difficulties that may arise. I think that when it comes into operation, these aspects may be considered and you should see that the University functions as a national university in the name of Shrimati Indira Gandhi. But this should not be reduced to a Madhya Pradesh University. This is my humble request.
Diverse and composite tribal people are to come to this University. It is not an easy thing. Only a strenuous and unified system where unity in diversity is followed, that this will be a success. Otherwise, the name of Shrimati Indira Gandhi will also be got reduced to Madhya Pradesh. That should not happen. They must take double care to see that the University functions as an all-India University in its nature.
With these words, I support this Bill.
SHRI BRAJA KISHORE TRIPATHY (PURI): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We are discussing this Bill, the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University Bill, 2007. The objective of the Bill is just to promote the entire tribal culture, their tradition, their languages and everything. It is a very good idea. There is no difficulty about all these things.
But there is one thing to which I would like to draw the attention of the Government through you that they have decided to have this University in Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh. The case of Orissa is also required to be considered. We have been demanding for such a University in the past. According to the 2001 census, 22.13 per cent of the total population of Orissa constitute as tribals and they are 9.66 per cent of the total tribal population of the country. Sir, there are 62 categories of Scheduled Tribes including 13 primitive tribal groups who are staying in Orissa. This is the highest in the country.
The KBK region of the State, which has since 1992-93 been divided into eight districts, has the highest concentration of tribal population. The place Amarkantak which has been decided for this University is in Madhya Pradesh. I do not have any objection. But as per the census, they are having only 20.3 per cent of the tribal concentration whereas Orissa has 22.13 per cent of tribal concentration which is the highest in the country so far as the tribal concentration in comparison to the total population is concerned.
My request is this. The Government also should have considered, when they have decided a place, to consider KBK region which has the highest concentration of tribal population. When we are going for a tribal University it is well and good. The other hon. Members have told that it should be named after a tribal leader. Then it would have given them more self respect and the tribal people would feel proud out of all these things because of their contribution in the freedom movement.
But, what has happened in the case of primary education and the secondary education? I am just giving one example. In KBK region, there is one district which is called Nowrangpur. Hon. Madam Minister is piloting the Bill. She is a woman. In that district of Nowrangpur women literacy is only two per cent and something, less than three per cent. You can imagine. Only two per cent of tribal women literacy is there in that district.
17.14 hrs. (Shri Varkala Radhakrishnan in the Chair) If this is the situation, the Government should also take care for primary education and secondary education of the tribal people of the country along with establishment of this University. [k59] Sir, there is a provision in the Bill which is very feudal in character and thinking. There will be no students’ union and there will be no scope for the employees to have their organisation. This is feudal thinking. Then, there is no provision to have representation of the MPs in this university. Of course, that is not a good idea. In other Central Universities, MPs are also representing. So, in this particular university also, there should be a provision for MPs to represent, particularly the tribal MPs from both the Houses of Parliament. It will be better also as they can pay more attention to the improvement of the university. Why is there no scope for the students’ union and employees’ union?
I would also request Government that they should come forward with an amendment to change the name of the university. I do not have so much of objection to the present name, but it would be better if it will be named after a tribal leader. I am supporting this Bill because of the good objectives of this Bill, but they should make some amendments so far as representation of MPs in the university is concerned and the provision should be made accordingly. There should also be a provision for the constitution of students’ union and to have an organisational scope for the employees.
SHRI TAPIR GAO (ARUNACHAL EAST): Hon. Chairman, Sir, I rise here to support this Indira Gandhi National Tribal University Bill, but with half heart and with great regret that the UPA Government has really hurt the sentiments of the tribal people of this country. Now I feel that this Congress Government, the UPA Government has inherited this ill-treatment to the tribals in this great country right from the days of the Mahabharata when Eklavya’s thumb was got cut by his guru in the name of guru dakshina because he was a tribal. There were no monkeys at the time of the Ramayana, but all the tribals of South India were fighting for Lord Rama alongwith Hanuman, but in the history those tribal people have been made as the monkeys till today. That is why, I have got greatly hurt on going through this Bill and therefore, I would request … (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN : Please conclude.
… (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: I will tell you the difficulty. You please hear me.
… (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: The time allotted to the parties for speaking on the Bill is already over. All of you are speaking on concessional time. So, I would request you to conclude your speeches within the time allotted.
SHRI TAPIR GAO : Sir, I will conclude.
Therefore, I have got a few suggestions on this issue. If the UPA Government is really serious to establish regional institutes all over the country, then it is my submission that we have got existing colleges in tribal States and they can directly adopt such existing colleges and affiliate them to this University from all over the country.
Secondly, the tribal should not be made specimen of a museum to study in this university, as per your guideline. You should make all the Departments required in this university, including IT, petrochemicals, computers etc. so that this university is up to the mark and there are departments according to the present day needs of the society where people can study. All the job-oriented subjects and departments should be opened in this University.
Hon. Minister, I have got really hurt by the name of the university. I have got full respect for Madam Indira Gandhi. In this country, there are only four institutions which have been left without the trade mark of ‘Gandhi’ – Rashtrapati Bhawan, Parliament House, North Block and South Block. [s60] If Shrimati Indira Gandhi’s name has to be included in the name of this university, the UPA Government could have called it The Tribal Appeasement University. If the name of one of the senior tribal leaders who fought the British fiercely and who dedicated his life for bringing social uplift is not given to this university, it would hurt the sentiments of the tribal people of the country. The Government would be known as the proponent of policy of tribal appeasement. Therefore, renaming of the university be kindly looked into. The sentiments of the tribal people in the country should be respected. Tribals of the country should not be treated as specimens of study in this university.
With these words I conclude.
SHRI S.K. KHARVENTHAN (PALANI): Mr. Chairman, I thank the hon. Minister of Human Resource Development for bringing this landmark amendment to set up this university named after our great leader late Indira Gandhi.
Some hon. Members suggested that the name of the university should be changed to that of a tribal leader. Actually, establishment of such a university was the dream of Indiraji. On 4th September, 1970, Madam Indira Gandhi stated in this very House:
“The advance in education has been considerable. We know it is not enough. There are still many difficulties which boys from the SCs and STs still find in getting jobs and even getting the right kind of education. I believe if any of them is below standard it is not because of an inherent weakness but because their talents and capabilities have not been given the opportunity to blossom. That opportunity we must do our best to provide.” This was the dream of Indiraji. Therefore, naming this university after her is a perfectly correct step.
The national average literacy rate is 68.88 per cent. Rate of literacy among the tribal population is only one per cent. In Clause 8 there is a mention of the students. It says that students who are not studying under distance education programme have to stay in the hostels. Who is going to bear the cost of those students? Secondly, regional centres are going to be set up in different tribal areas throughout the country. Who would be funding these centres?
About 99 per cent of the seven per cent posts reserved for STs are lying vacant in different parts of the country. Is reservation for tribal students going to be given in this university or are the posts going to be filled from candidates belong to all castes? Not allowing students union elections in the university is undemocratic. Students’ union elections must be allowed.
With these words, I welcome the Bill.
THE MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSI): Mr. Chairman, Sir, I have a submission to make. I made this request many times today and once again I would make this request. Today I am in a critical situation because I have to take the Bill of Shrimati Meira Kumar to Rajya Sabha tomorrow. If I cannot send it to Rashtrapati Bhavan and make the Secretary-General report it, the process cannot be completed. Therefore, with folded hands I appeal that after Shri Bwiswmuthiary’s speech, the Minister may be allowed to reply. I hope the Opposition has no problem.
श्री शैलेन्द्र कुमार (चायल) : महोदय, दो-दो मिनट बोलने का समय दे दीजिए।...( व्यवधान)
श्री प्रियरंजन दासमुंशी : आप हर रोज दस मिनट भी बोलेंगे ...( व्यवधान) आप नहीं जानते समय की क्या पाबंदी है।...( व्यवधान)
SHRI SANSUMA KHUNGGUR BWISWMUTHIARY (KOKRAJHAR): Respected Chairman, Sir, I thank you for having given me this chance to speak on the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University Bill, 2007. I rise to support this Bill with some suggestions.
If possible, instead of Shrimati Indira Gandhi, let this national central university be re-christened after the name of a great Bodo hero called ‘Jaolia Dewan’ who fought against the British. Secondly, in the university court, there should be adequate representation of tribals coming from each and every tribal dominated region across the country.[KMR61] Thirdly, in the University’s Student Council, there should be equal representation from among the students coming from each and every respective tribal-dominated region. This Central University should be purely residential Central University. In this Central University, more than 75 per cent of the tribal students should get admission; more than 75 per cent of the professors, teachers –the teaching and non-teaching staff – should be appointed from the tribals; that is, more than 75 per cent of the tribal people should get employment in that very University.
Apart from this Indira Gandhi National Central University, I would like to appeal to the Government of India to set up, on the same pattern, a National Tribal Medical University. Another National Tribal University for Information Technology also be set up in the country. Apart from this, I would like to urge upon the Government of India to set up a separate Bodoland National Central University at Kokrajhar for the people of Bodoland area. Let there be another Central Bodoland Agricultural University for the Bodoland area. Let there be one IIT and one IIM for Bodoland territory. Let there be 10 numbers of polytechnic institutes as well as 10 numbers of ITIs for the tribal people of Bodoland area.
Here, I would like to raise a very serious matter which relates to the discriminatory approach adopted by both the State Government of Assam as well as the Government of India with regard to the Bodo Medium Education. Bodo language had been introduced as a Medium of Instruction since 1963; this language was recognized as one of the national languages under the provision of the 8th Schedule to the Constitution of India in 2003.
Today, I wanted to speak in my mother-tongue ‘Bodo language’, but in vain.; the reason being that …* It is a great injustice. I am extremely sorry to remind you of this hard fact.
Here, I would like to mention that as on today, there are 724 numbers of lower primary schools of Bodo Medium being run by the tribal people in Assam. These schools have not been provincialized or taken up by the State Government of Assam on the plea of lack of funds. The total number of Venture Middle English Schools or upper primary schools of Bodo Medium is 320. These schools also have not been taken up by the Government of Assam. Tens and thousands of students have been languishing like anything since long decades back. The Government of India always talk about Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, universalization of education and so on and so forth. But they have not done anything for the upliftment of the Bodo Medium Education.
In the high school level also, there are more than 180 numbers of Bodo Medium High Schools which have not yet been taken up by the Government of India and the State Government of Assam. Why is this kind of discrimination being done against the Bodos?
A few days ago, I put a question during the Question Hour. This hon. lady Minister of State in the Ministry of Human Resources Development, Shrimati Purandeswari replied that the Government of India deals only with the Central Schools, Navodaya Vidyalayas, Central Universities, IITs and IIMs, and not the State Education subject. What will happen to the Bodo students in such a situation? I, therefore, would like to appeal to the Government of India to mount * Not recorded tremendous pressure upon the Government of Assam to take up all these schools, and the Government of India also should allocate adequate amount of money from the Central Pool to the Government of Assam so that all these schools of Bodo Medium in Assam can be provincialized and the Bodo tribal students would get their due as is being given to the students of other advanced communities in the country. [MSOffice62] Then only you can expect unity and integrity of this great country – India. There is a lot of discrimination against Bodo tribal people in particular, and against all other tribal people in respect to overall developmental spheres across the country. It is a great injustice. [R63] अन्याय को सहन करने की सीमा पार हो गयी है, ट्राइबल लोगों के दिल में एक जलन चल रही है, उस जलन को आप किस तरह बंद कर पाएंगे?...( व्यवधान)
MR. CHAIRMAN : Before I say that nothing would go on record, please conclude.
SHRI SANSUMA KHUNGGUR BWISWMUTHIARY : There are 15 numbers of venture colleges which are languishing like anything in Bodo Land. I met Mr. Arjun Singh, the Union Minister of Human Resource Development on the 2nd of April and also on 5th of May, 2007. He assured me of addressing many of the problems being faced by Bodos, but nothing has been done so far. [R64] Once again I would like to reiterate my demand that let there be a Bodo Land National central university for Bodo Land area, let there be one IIT and let there be one IIM and let there be ten numbers of polytechnic institutes and let there be ten numbers of ITIs for Bodo Land territory and all the venture English High schools, Middle English Schools and lower primary schools of Bodo medium should be provincialised.
SHRIMATI JHANSI LAKSHMI BOTCHA(BOBBILI): Sir, first of all, I rise to support the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University Bill, 2007 brought forward by the hon. Minister of Human Resource Development. Coming from Bobbili parliamentary, predominantly a tribal belt, I thank the hon. Minister, on behalf of the tribal people, for introducing this historic piece of legislation. For the first time, since Independence, they are going to have a knowledge university for themselves. So far, they are being spoken as pre-historic people. Sir, tribal people are very simple. Not only that, they are very honest and their integrity is completely above suspicion. Their society treats both men and women on equal footing. A number of commissions were set up to go into various issues concerning tribals and how these people were exploited and how their resources were plundered. The present conditions of their literacy, poverty situation, infant mortality rate are far below other non-tribal people. I am sure the UPA -Government would take steps to improve their conditions so that they can come to the mainstream and become equal citizens in the society. Now through this Bill they are going to have a place for reflection, for thinking as well as for action. I am very grateful to the Minister for creating a new seat of learning for tribals, to enable them to contribute to the country, to its development and to its posterity. In spite of globalization and liberalization, they have maintained their identity and survived. They have also maintained their ethnicity.
Before I conclude, I would like to deal with their health problems. They live in forests. They are prone to malaria. The Government should set up primary health centers to take care of their health. Otherwise, their population will become extinct. They will not make use of the facilities or opportunities provided by the new university. The hon. Minister may kindly enlighten the process of selection of faculty members; as well as admission of students. Will it be confined to tribal students or students from any community can study?
* The speech was laid on the Table .
Adivasis were dear to the heart of the former Prime Minister, Mrs. Indira Gandhi and this Bill which has been named after her would really reflect her love for them.
17.32 hrs. THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI D. PURANDESWARI): Sir, at the outset, I would like to thank all my hon. colleagues Shri Ganesh Singhji, Shri Adhir Chowdharyji, Shri Basudeb Burmanji, and Shri Sugrib Singhji… (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: I think the Minister has approached you and told you the situation. It is none of my fault.
… (Interruptions)
SHRIMATI D. PURANDESWARI: I also thank Shri Chandrappanji, Shri Mahavirji, Shri Giridhar Gamangji, Shri Rupchand Murmuji, Shri Rawatji, Shri Meinyaji, Shri Tripathiji, Shri Tapir Gaoji, Shri Kharventhanji, and Shri Biswamuthiaryji.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Those hon. Members who have given their names, can lay their speeches, if they so desire. Now the hon. Minister can reply.
SHRIMATI D. PURANDESWARI: Sir, initially, I would like to thank all my colleagues for participating in the deliberations and for supporting the establishment of Indira Gandhi National Tribal University at Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh.
Sir, I also thank the Members for the unanimity with which this Bill has been supported on the floor of this House. The support had come from all the quarters cutting across party lines. This unanimous support itself speaks of the importance and the necessity of establishing a very unique university of this kind. Education, as we all know, is fundamental for creating, applying and spreading new ideas and technologies which are critical for development and growth. It has always been our unstinted effort to ensure that such education is being imparted to our children. Even as we have been trying to ensure that all our children are given education, we also stand committed to inclusive education. But it is a fact that a large section of the tribal youths do not have access to higher education facilities. This is a big disadvantage to the tribal youth. This has led to their low status in both economic and educational aspects.
Apart from eight North-Eastern States which predominantly have a tribal population, there are eight other States all over the country which house almost 83 per cent of the tribal population. Though, there is a Central University that exists in almost all the States, presently, in such States which do not have an existing Central University would be getting one sooner… (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Nothing would go on record.
(Interruptions) … *[R65] A specific university that has been dedicated to concentrate on the developmental activities of the tribal population has not been there till now. The House has already appreciated, across board, the fact that this has been a unique and a commendable endeavour of the Ministry of Human Resource Development.
This university, even as I mentioned earlier, is a very unique university both in its location as well as in its objective. Amarkantak, the location of the university, is very unique. The place besides being a tribal dominated area and besides being the place of origin for two rivers, namely, Sone and Narmada, one flowing East and the other flowing West, it is also very centrally located. This is very easily accessible to the tribal dominated areas. The States that have predominantly a tribal population, actually encircle Amarkantak. So many hon. Members have raised apprehension about the location of the place. But this is the reason as to why this place was chosen so that there is accessibility. It is centrally located for all those ten States which have a large tribal population.
* Not recorded Sir, turning to the objectives, I would like to submit, this is a university that would come into existence and would provide avenues for higher education and research primarily for the tribal population and also would promote study and research on tribal history, art, culture, sports, language, medicinal systems, forest based economic activities etc. to support tribal population. Besides having the headquarters at Amarkantak, the university also has an all India jurisdiction as has been mentioned by many of my colleagues here. Regional centres can be opened in all those areas which have a concentration of tribal population and in turn, this university or even the regional centres can network with the university in the North-Eastern region and also the tribal research institutions like the Anthropological Survey of India, the CIL, Mysore etc. The Bill also envisages that the university will establish at least one model school at every regional centre to actually ensure that education is provided to the children in that area also. It is because, for various reasons, sometimes the children do not step out of their periphery and their areas and these schools can actually provide access to the tribal children and these children, in turn, can graduate into these regional centres and the university. Therefore, this is a very unique university as has already been mentioned by my colleagues in this House. However, they also have expressed certain apprehensions and I would like to dispel those apprehensions to the best of my capacity.
Sir, Shri Ganesh Singh ji raise the issue of preserving the traditional knowledge of predicting disasters and so on and so forth. Clause 4, sub-section (vi) of the Bill provides that the university can take up any area of knowledge as it may deem fit. These areas could also be explored and these areas could also actually be looked into and strengthened.
Shri Basudeb Burman spoke about adequacy of tribal members in each body of the university and he also talked about providing specific numbers in such bodies must be ensured. It is for the university authorities to decide and specify the exact number of tribal representatives on such bodies and also on the Academic Committees and so on.
There was an issue raised by Shri Sugrib Singh wherein he mentioned that step-motherly treatment has been meted out to the State of Orissa. Again, I would like emphasise here that any such State where there is no central university existing, Orissa is one such State that does not have a central university. A central university would be given to the State. There has also been a persistent demand for setting up of a university in the KBK region, I am sure this would answer that question.
Sir, Shri Chandrappan had raised the issue about the name. There was so much of apprehension about the name of the university. There have been several tribal leaders who have dedicated themselves to the country, particularly during the tribal movement. In all humble respect to such great leaders, there has been a demand from various sections of the House about this. [R66] There has been a[MSOffice67] demand to be named the University after Birsa Mundaji; there was a demand to be named the University after Gundadurji; there was a demand to be named after Vir Narayanan Singhji of Chhattisgarh and after Allury Sita Ramraju from Andhra Pradesh. Taking into account the sentiments of the House and realising the sensitivity of the issue, it was then decided that it will be named after a national leader who had worked selflessly and who had great empathy for the tribal population. It has been just mentioned by my colleague, Shri Kharventhan – while he just read out his speech – about her empathy for the tribals and the Scheduled Castes. It was she who actually also initiated the Sub-Plan for the Scheduled Castes to assist the States in the development of the tribal population. So, keeping in view her empathy and commitment to the tribal people and the work she had done for them, it was then decided that it could be named after Shrimati Indira Gandhi whereas the Regional Centres definitely could be named after the local tribal leaders of that particular area, with all due respect to all the great tribal leaders.
In every University Act, the University amends the statutes and includes the representation of the nominees of both the Houses. So, there is no necessity to really provide for that. It is only proper that this tradition of the University suggesting the representation of the Parliament should continue.
Dr. Meinya has spoken about the regional campusus. The University can set up campusus at Regional Centres even in the tribal areas of the North-East and these can also affiliate colleges from the areas in and around the region.
Sir, as regards the suggestions made by you yourself, we can no less agree with you that the proposed University is definitely a model in promoting unity in diversity. It has many campusus that may come up. Each branch campus could capture the ethos and uniqueness of that very region where it is situated. Whereas the main campus could actually capture the spirit of convergence in the melting pot of harmony and unity.
Shri Braja Kishore Tripathy has raised the issue of students’ union. Students’ union is actually not provided in the Bill of the University. But however, the University can provide for it in its statutes and ordinances.
With this, I have tried, to the best of my ability, to address the apprehensions raised by most of the hon. Members.
MR. CHAIRMAN : You need not cover point-by-point. Important points can be covered and given as a general reply. That is the reply required to be given for the discussion of the Bill.
SHRIMATI D. PURANDESWARI: Sir, I have covered almost all the points. I seek the support of my colleagues in passing this Bill.
… (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: The question is:
“That the Bill to establish and incorporate a teaching and affiliating University at Amarkantak in the State of Madhya Pradesh to facilitate and promote avenues of higher education and research facilities for the tribal population in India and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto, as passed by Rajya Sabha, be taken into consideration.” The motion was adopted.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Shri Hansraj Ahir, you may move your amendment.
Clasue 2 Defination श्री हंसराज गं. अहीर (चन्द्रपुर) : सभापति महोदय, मैं प्रस्ताव करता हूं: पृष्ठ 3, पंक्ति 21,- “इंदिरा गांधी” के स्थान पर “भगवान बिरसा मुण्डा” प्रतिस्थापित किया जाए। (2)
माननीय सभापति जी, मैंने इस बिल पर बोलने के लिए समय मांगा था। मैं इसमें एक ही सुझाव देना चाहता हूं कि इसमें इंदिरा गांधी राष्ट्रीय जनजातीय महाविद्यालय के लिए जो भी अच्छे-अच्छे सुझाव माननीय मंत्री महोदया ने दिये हैं उसमें मैं इतना ही कहना चाहता हूं कि इसमें वैदिकीय स्वास्थ्य सेवा के दृष्टिकोण से मेडीकल कॉलिज भी उसमें होना चाहिए ताकि दूरदराज के आदिवासी भाइयों को मेडीकल सेवा मिले। हमारे देश में सब जगह डाक्टर्स की कमी है और डाक्टर्स की कमी तभी पूरी होगी, जब ग्रामीण क्षेत्रों में, आदिवासी बहुल क्षेत्रों में डाक्टर्स जाएं। आदिवासी बहुल क्षेत्रों में डाक्टर्स जाते नहीं हैं, अगर वे वहां जाएंगे तभी उनकी सेवा वहां लोगों को मिल सकती है। [MSOffice68] MR. CHAIRMAN : I shall, now, put amendment no. 2 moved by Shri Hansraj Gangaramji Ahir to the vote of the House.
The amendment was put and negatived.
MR. CHAIRMAN: The question is:
“That clause 2 stand part of the Bill.” The motion was adopted.
Clause 2 was added to the Bill.
Clause 3 Establishment of University श्री हंसराज गं. अहीर : सभापति महोदय, मैं प्रस्ताव करता हूं: पृष्ठ 3, पंक्ति 23,- “इंदिरा गांधी” के स्थान पर “ भगवान बिरसा मुण्डा ” प्रतिस्थापित किया जाए। (3)
MR. CHAIRMAN: I shall now put amendment no. 3 moved by Shri Hansraj Gangaramji Ahir to the vote of the House. The amendment was put and negatived. MR. CHAIRMAN: The question is:
“That clause 3 stand part of the Bill.” The motion was adopted.
Clause 3 was added to the Bill.
Clause 4 was added to the Bill.
Clause 5 Powers of University श्री हंसराज गं. अहीर : सभापति महोदय, मैं प्रस्ताव करता हूं: पृष्ठ 5, पंक्ति 16,-
“महाविद्यालय, संस्थाएं और छात्र-निवास स्थापित करना और चलाना” के स्थान पर “महाविद्यालय संस्थाएं और छात्र-निवास स्थापित करना, चलाना और जनजातीय क्षेत्रों के लोगों को छात्र-निवास की नःशुल्क सुविधाएं उपलब्ध कराना ” प्रतिस्थापित किया जाए। (4) MR. CHAIRMAN: I shall now put amendment no. 4 moved by Shri Hansraj Gangaramji Ahir to the vote of the House. The amendment was put and negatived. MR. CHAIRMAN: The question is:
“That clause 5 stand part of the Bill.” The motion was adopted.
Clause 5 was added to the Bill.
Clauses 6 to 28 were added to the Bill.
Clause 29 Other Authorities of University श्री हंसराज गं. अहीर : सभापति महोदय, मैं प्रस्ताव करता हूं: पृष्ठ 11, पंक्ति 15 और 16,- “पर्याप्त संख्या में” के स्थान पर “50 प्रतिशत से अन्यून” प्रतिस्थापित किया जाए। (5)
MR. CHAIRMAN: I shall now put amendment no. 5 moved by Shri Hansraj Gangaramji Ahir to the vote of the House. The amendment was put and negatived. MR. CHAIRMAN: The question is:
“That clause 29 stand part of the Bill.” The motion was adopted.
Clause 29 was added to the Bill.
Clauses 30 to 50 were added to the Bill. The Schedule was added to the Bill[MSOffice69] .
Clause 1 Short Title and Commencement श्री हंसराज गं. अहीर : सभापति महोदय, मैं प्रस्ताव करता हूं: पृष्ठ 1, पंक्ति 3,- “इंदिरा गांधी” के स्थान पर “भगवान बिरसा मुण्डा” प्रतिस्थापित किया जाए। (1)
MR. CHAIRMAN : I shall now put amendment No. 1 moved by Shri Hansraj G. Ahir to the vote of the House. The amendment was put and negatived. MR. CHAIRMAN: The question is:
“That clause 1, the Enacting Formula and the the Long Title stand part of the Bill.” The motion was adopted.
Clause 1, the Enacting Formula and the long Title were added to the Bill. SHRIMATI D. PURANDESWARI: I beg to move: “That the Bill be passed.” MR. CHAIRMAN: The question is:
“That the Bill be passed.” The motion was adopted.
16.22 hrs.