Lok Sabha Debates
Congratulating Shri Abhinav Bindra For Winning A Gold Medal In 10 Mâ Air Rifle ... on 25 July, 2006
an> Title : Congratulating Shri Abhinav Bindra for winning a gold medal in 10 m Air Rifle event on 24 July, 2006 at the World Champioship in Zagreb, Croatia.
MR. SPEAKER: Hon. Members, as you are all aware, on 24th July, 2006, Shri Abhinav Bindra has won a gold medal in the 10m Air Rifle event at the World Championship in Zagreb, Crotia. Shri Bindra has brought laurels to the Nation by winning the first ever gold medal in Air Rifle World Championships. I am sure, the House would join me in congratulating Shri Abhinav Bindra on his magnificent feat and wish him all the best in all his future endeavours.
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MR. SPEAKER: Let us also think of sports people. They are bringing fame to us.
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MR. SPEAKER: Needless to say, may I take only one more minute? I once more seek your cooperation. I am sure to receive all help and guidance from the hon. Members in the discharge of my duties. I have only one humble submission to make. Many reports have been made both in the visual and print media involving the Speaker – what he did and he did not do yesterday. I do not wish to make any comment on the same except to make an earnest request and appeal to all the hon. Members please do not involve the Speaker publicly into any controversy as he cannot join in the same.
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MR. SPEAKER: Now, we will take Question Hour.
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PROF. VIJAY KUMAR MALHOTRA (SOUTH DELHI): Sir, we fully agree with you. हमारे बारे में भी कोई मिस-इन्र्फोमेशेन नहीं रहनी चाहिए, कोई गलत बयानी नहीं होनी चाहिए कि हम अपनी बात से मुकर गए हैं। यह बहुत गलत तरीके से कहा गया है।…( व्यवधान)
MR. SPEAKER: Prof. Malhotra, I certainly agree with you.
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MR. SPEAKER: I have not said anything. I have only said that the Speaker cannot join. I have not made any reference to any hon. Member.
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श्री रामजीलाल सुमन (फ़िरोज़ाबाद) : अध्यक्ष महोदय, लीडर्स मीटिंग में जो फैसला लिया जाता है, यहां उसका उल्लंघन होता है…( व्यवधान)
प्रो. विजय कुमार मल्होत्रा : लेकिन गलतबयानी की जा रही है…( व्यवधान)
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11.06 hrs MR SPEAKER:,Q. No. 21, Shri Kishanbhai V. Patel.
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श्री किसनभाई वी. पटेल : माननीय अध्यक्ष महोदय, मैं आपके माध्यम से मंत्री जी को उनकी जेनेवा बैठक में देश के करोड़ों किसानों के अधिकारों के लिए, बहिष्कार करने के लिए धन्यवाद देता हूं। साथ ही मैं यह जानना चाहता हूं कि वे कौन-कौन से कारण थे, जिनकी वजह से हमें बैठक का बहिष्कार करना पड़ा तथा उनके रुख पर हम विश्व के अन्य कितने देशों का समर्थन जुटा पाये?
श्री कमलनाथ : भारत में कृषि क्षेत्र को सुरक्षित रखने के लिए मैंने सदन में आश्वासन दिया था कि भारत के कृषि क्षेत्र से कोई समझौता नहीं होगा। जो पिछली जी-६ देशों की मीटिंग कल और परसों ही हुई थी, जिससे मैं आज सुबह ही लौटा हूं और जो इससे पहले मटिंग हुई थी, उसमें जो विकसित देश हैं, अपनी सब्सिडी, जिससे व्यापार का डिस्टोर्शन होता है, उसे घटाने के लिए और जितनी घटाने की आवश्यकता थी और हमारी मांग थी, उन्होंने उसे स्वीकार नहीं किया, इसीलिए वह मीटिंग सफल नहीं हो पाई। कल और परसों जो मीटिंग जेनेवा में हुई थी, उसमें भी जो जी-६ देशों की मीटिंग थी, जी-६ देशों की मीटिंग में यूनाइटिड स्टेट्स, यूरोपियन यूनियन, ब्राजील, आस्ट्रेलिया और जापान, के साथ भारत भी शामिल था, उसमें जो विकसित देश हैं, खासकर अमेरिका (यूनाइटिड स्टेट्स) ने जब यह स्वीकार नहीं किया कि वे अपनी सब्सिडी, जिससे विश्व व्यापार में डिस्टोर्शन होता है, इसे नहीं घटाएंगे, जितनी आवश्यकता है, उस आवश्यकता को पूरा नहीं करेंगे इसलिए यह बैठक असफल रही। हमने इसका विरोध किया। अब ये जो निगोशिएशंस हो रही हैं, ये सस्पेंड कर दी गई हैं। आगे का कोई नक्शा अभी नहीं बनाया गया है।
श्री किसनभाई वी. पटेल : माननीय अध्यक्ष जी, मैं माननीय मंत्री जी से कहना चाहता हूं कि विकसित देश विकासशील देशों पर लगातार अपनी मार्किट खोलने के लिए टैक्स और डयूटीज़ कम करने के लिए लगातार जोर दे रहे हैं। अब तक विकसित देश हमारे देश के कितने मार्केट पर कब्जा जमा चुके हैं, इसे देखते हुए, सरकार देश के किसानों और निर्यातकों के हितों की रक्षा करने के लिए क्या कदम उठा रही है?
श्री कमलनाथ : विकसित देशों की मांग है, जिस मांग को हमने ठुकराया है कि हम अपनी डयूटीज़ और अपने टैरिफ्स घटायें। हमने उन्हें यह कहा है कि डयूटीज़ और टैरिफ्स घटाने का कोई प्रश्न नहीं है और हम भारत के कृषि बाजार में आपको प्रवेश नहीं करने देंगे, जब तक आप अपनी सब्सिडी समाप्त नहीं करते। अन्तर यह है और विवाद इसी बात का है। वे भारत के बाजार में प्रवेश करना चाहते हैं, कृषि बाजार में प्रवेश करना चाहते हैं और अपनी सब्सिडी भी नहीं घटाना चाहते। हम कहते हैं कि आप अपनी सब्सिडी घटाइये, अपनी सब्सिडी समाप्त करिये। हांगकांग में जो उनकी एक्सपोर्ट सब्सिडी थी, निर्यात सब्सिडी थी, उसे समाप्त करने का फैसला किया गया, पर वह एक प्रकार की सब्सिडी है। जो बाकी सब्सिडीज हैं, जिससे पूरा विश्व व्यापार प्रभावित होता है, जिसके कारण हमारे देश का किसान विश्व के व्यापार में भाग नहीं ले सकता। इससे अनफेयर कंपटीशन होता है, जब तक यह स्ट्रक्चरल डिफैक्ट है और स्ट्रक्चरल फ्लो है, जब तक इसे सुधारा नहीं जाता, तब तक भारत इसे स्वीकार नहीं करेगा।
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Sugrib Singh – Not present.
SHRI C.K. CHANDRAPPAN : Sir, the hon. Minister, in a recent WTO meeting, had to walk out. But I remember, from the very beginning when the discussion on WTO was taking place, he was one of the enthusiasts in supporting WTO’s stipulation out of the way. Now, the situation has come and it is not the first time that the United States is defying the world public opinion, even WTO, announcing greater subsidies to their farmers.
In this situation, would the hon. Minister tell this House taking into confidence, whether there is a serious crisis created by the developed countries in WTO, a conspiracy against the developing countries that cannot be overcome in the situation as it is today? I want to know whether the Government has any proposal before this House to overcome that situation.
SHRI KAMAL NATH: Sir, it is not a question of supporting or opposing the WTO. Let us be clear. We are members of the WTO and in an increasingly globalising world, we have to engage with the global economy. At the same time, it is important that India’s interest be safeguarded, India’s interest be protected and promoted to the extent that India is able to even engage more and more with the global economy. That does not mean that we would compromise with our agricultural sector. That does not mean that our infant industry will not be protected. That does not mean that India will not stand up for the rules of global trade, which are flawed.
India has not only spoken for itself. India has spoken on behalf of the least developed countries, India has spoken on behalf of the vulnerable economies because when India is a member of the G-6, it does not speak for itself, it speaks for the LDCs in the G-6. India speaks for the vulnerable economies. We are a member of the G-20. We are a member of G-33. We provide leadership to G-20 and G-33 and it is these formations which have provided a loud and strong voice not only to India but to other developing countries. So, many issues where India is not affected, we are yet raising them so that the consolidation of friendly countries who are least developed and who are vulnerable economies, is always there.
Sir, yesterday and day before, in the G-6 meeting, there was a discussion in the United States seeking market access into India. They want us to lower our duties. I very clearly told them that there is no question of any market access in India having the subsidies by the United States with distorted trade. It is not mainly the question of distorting trade. We do not want to import subsidised agricultural products and the United States’ offer for reduction was just not enough, was, in fact, no offer. I very clearly told them that this is no offer made by them.
I must say that the European Union has moved. The European Union has agreed to cut their subsidies by 75 per cent. As far as the United States is concerned, without going into the technicalities of it, the subsidies, which they offer to cut, amounted to no cuts at all. This position was completely unacceptable. So, there was no choice just to say that there is no negotiating space. I told them this on the 1st of July when we had this meeting in Geneva where I said that there is no negotiating space and there is no purpose of my sitting down there and continuing this discussion because it only leads to unpleasantness.
Yesterday, in the G-6 meeting, the same thing happened and I told them that it is not possible for India to engage in these discussions, as a result of which the Director-General announced yesterday to the Heads of Delegations that the talks have failed and all negotiations in WTO stand suspended.
All the negotiating Committees will no more continue with their discussions. So, there is no roadmap for the future. We will discuss with other developing countries within G-33. Yesterday, before I left Geneva, I had a meeting with a large number of G-33 countries. I informed them of the situation and I will be discussing with other developing countries as to what is the future course of action, and we will be discussing in India as to what we should be doing in future.
श्री लक्ष्मण सिंह : अध्यक्ष महोदय, मंत्री जी ने अभी उत्तर में बताया कि convergence could not be reached और उन्होंने बैठक से बहिर्गमन किया। इस बारे में उन्हें बधाई दी जा रही है, जिसे मैं बड़ा हास्यास्पद मानता हूं। सबसिडी घटाने पर सहमति क्यों नहीं हो पा रही है,क्योंकि समझौते के आर्टीकल २७ और एनैक्स ७ के अन्तर्गत विकासशील देशों में आपस में समझौता नहीं हो पा रहा है। आर्टीकल २७ के अन्तर्गत कुछ देश एग्ज़ैम्पशन चाहते हैं, कुछ देश नहीं चाहते। यही कारण था कि सन् २००५ में हॉग कॉग समिट भी किसी नतीजे पर नहीं पहुंच पाई और आगे भी हम पहुंच पाएंगे, इसकी कोई संभावना नहीं है। मेरा मंत्री जी से स्पष्ट प्रश्न है कि आर्टीकल २७ पर जो मतभेद हैं, उन्हें कम करने के लिए आपने क्या प्रयास किए हैं और क्या करेंगे क्योंकि इन मतभेदों के रहते हुए ही हॉग कॉग बैठक में ईयू ने, इसका लाभ उठाकर २०१० की सीमा २०१३ तक बढ़ा दी थी और विकसित देश आगे भी इसका लाभ उठाएंगे, इन मतभेदों को दूर करने के लिए आप क्या प्रयास करने जा रहे हैं, कृपया उत्तर दें।
श्री कमल नाथ : अध्यक्ष महोदय, मैं माननीय सदस्य को बताना चाहता हूं कि जी-९०, जी-३३ या जी-२० में जो विकासशील देश हैं, समय-समय पर हमारी उनसे बातचीत चलती रहती है। ऐसे कोई मतभेद नहीं हैं जिनके कारण सबसिडी नहीं घटाई जाती। आगे भी अगर आवश्यकता पड़ेगी, तो विकासशील देशों से फिर से चर्चा करके एक नई रणनीति बनाई जाएगी। मैं स्पष्ट कहना चाहता हूं कि ऐसे कोई मतभेद नहीं हैं जिनके कारण …( व्यवधान)
श्री लक्ष्मण सिंह : मतभेदों के कारण ही समझौता नहीं हो पा रहा है और मंत्री जी कह रहे हैं कि मतभेद नहीं हैं। फिर क्या कारण हैं?…( व्यवधान)
श्री कमल नाथ : विकासशील देशों में मतभेद नहीं हैं।…( व्यवधान)
MR. SPEAKER: Please do not answer the supplementary.
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MR. SPEAKER: You have answered the previous question.
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श्री कमल नाथ : विकासशील देशों में सबसिडी के ऊपर कोई मतभेद नहीं हैं क्योंकि सबसिडी के कारण सब विकासशील देश प्रभावित होते हैं।
SHRIMATI ARCHANA NAYAK : I would like to know whether the Government is aware that developed countries are giving export subsidies in their countries which are detrimental to the developing countries like India. If so, what are the steps taken and proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?
SHRI KAMAL NATH: As I said, the subsidies are of two types. One is export subsidies and the other is domestic support. Export subsidies are those which are directly linked with export. Domestic subsidies are those which help the domestic farmers, which obviously also affect export prices and affect global trade. In the Hong Kong Declaration, all the developed countries are required to reduce, to eliminate their export subsidies by the year 2013 commencing with a substantial part of it being eliminated by the year 2010.
As far as domestic support is concerned, that is where the real problem is. The United States gives about 19.5 billion dollars of domestic support in addition to about 50 billion dollars which they give, which is in a box called ‘green box’. The EU also gives very substantial domestic support which is almost 2 ½ times of that domestic support. So, the issue is that with their domestic support, distortions in global trade take place. With those subsidies, they seek market access into India which market access would not be free trade. By that market access, our farmers will not be able to compete. That is why we have neither agreed to the tariff reductions nor have we agreed to the quantum of domestic support they want to reduce.
SHRI BANSAGOPAL CHOUDHURY : Sir, after the WTO Agreement, we have seen that the pauperization of our farmers has started. So, will the hon. Minister ensure that the interests of our farmers are surely protected?
MR. SPEAKER: He has said that. Mr. Minister, you can reiterate it.
SHRI KAMAL NATH: Sir, I have repeatedly said that, and that will be my position in all my international meetings.
DR. P.P. KOYA : Sir, from the answer given by the Minister, it is clear that the strategy adopted by the Government so far has miserably failed. He has to walk out himself from the meeting. Yesterday’s meeting had also been suspended. So, our strategy, as on today, has to be changed. I feel, it has to be changed.
During the negotiation stage, it was the Left of the Central Parties which were opposing the WTO Agreement. Now, having accepted the WTO Agreement, we have to survive within it. We are challenged by the only Super Power, that is, the United States. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Please put your question.
DR. P.P. KOYA : I think, we will not be able to withstand their pressure. So, I would like to know from the Minister whether he has a different strategy with the help of other developing and developed countries to overcome the present crisis.
SHRI KAMAL NATH: Our strategy, and our position are absolutely correct. We had a discussion about this in this House. It is not that the meeting has failed because of our wrong strategy. The meeting has failed because of our right strategy. That is the point to be understood. If we need to make any change in our strategy, then we will consult other developing countries and we will also consult other countries in our grouping and then decide. But so far, our strategy has been absolutely right. Not only our strategy has been right but our policy has also been right.
श्री देवेन्द्र प्रसाद यादव : अध्यक्ष महोदय, मंत्री जी ने देश के व्यापक हितों के पक्ष में जो स्टैंड लिया है, उसका मैं स्वागत करता हूं। लेकिन हमारे देश में जो एमएसपी, यानी किसानों का समर्थन मूल्य है, डब्ल्यूटीओ ने डोमेस्टिक ट्रेड डिस्टोर्टिंग सपोर्ट प्राइज को खत्म करने के लिए कहा है, जबकि वे अपनी सबसिडी नहीं घटाना चाहते हैं, जैसा अभी मंत्री जी ने बताया। मैं मंत्री जी से जानना चाहता हूं कि क्वांटिटी रेस्टि्रक्शन्स के उठ जाने से, जब मात्रात्मक प्रतिबंध भी उठ चुका है, क्या भारत विदेशी कृषि उपज का डम्िंपग ग्राउंड नहीं बन जाएगा? क्या मंत्री जी इसे रोकने के लिए अपने देश में कोई काउंटरवीलिंग डयूटी विदेशी कृषि उपज पर लगाना चाहते हैं ताकि हमारे देश का किसान संरक्षित हो सके, हमारे देश का कृषि उत्पादन संरक्षित हो सके?
MR. SPEAKER: Similar questions have been put. The Minister has made a very clear statement.
श्री कमलनाथ : अध्यक्ष महोदय, आज के दिन हमारे यहां डयूटीज लगभग ४० से लेकर ३०० परसेंट तक हैं, जिसके कारण यहां आयात नहीं हो सकता। यही उनकी मांग है कि इन डयूटीज को घटाया जाये। इस पर हमारा फैसला नहीं हो रहा है। आज हमारा किसान इम्पोर्ट से सुरक्षित है। जब इम्पोर्ट की आवश्यकता हमारे देश में पड़ती है, उस समय गवर्नमैंट सोच विचार कर एक या दो महीने के लिए डयूटीज घटा सकती है और जितनी क्वांटिटी लाना चाहे, उतनी ला सकती है। साथ ही हमारा जो एमएनएफ टैरिफ, एमएनएफ स्टैंडर्ड डयूटीज हैं वे अभी तक हमारी कृषि उपज पर अधिक है। उसे बढ़ाने की आवश्यकता नहीं है क्योंकि उन डयूटीज के बाद हमारे देश में इसका आयात नहीं हो पाता।
MR. SPEAKER: Now, we will take up the next Question. Q. No. 22.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI KINJARAPU YERRANNAIDU : Sir, please allow me to put one supplementary? … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: On which Question?
SHRI KINJARAPU YERRANNAIDU : On the first Question, that is, Q. No. 21.
MR. SPEAKER: I have allowed six supplementary questions. Hon. Members from all sides – three from this side and three from that side - have been allowed to put their supplementaries. Already we have taken 22 minutes.
Now, Q. No. 22 – Shri N. Janardhana Reddy.
(Q. No. 22) SHRI N. JANARDHANA REDDY : Sir, my question is clear, whether the Government has recently increased the amount to be spent under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. About the scheme, they say that after calculating the plans, district-wise they have fixed the amount. It all depends upon the States. But the increase by the Central Government has not been calculated.
The Budget Estimates towards the Government’s share is Rs. 11,000 crore, which is 53.7 per cent higher than the previous year. But the scheme has got no change; it is the same scheme. I think, the Minister has been represented in every State. Every State Government is requesting to increase the size of the allocation. At present, they are taking care of class I to class VIII. Now, they are requesting for class IX and X also to be taken care of. It is because, girl students particularly, if they are helped up to 14th year, so many changes would take place in the country.
MR. SPEAKER: Please put your Question.
SHRI N. JANARDHANA REDDY : Sir, I would like to know whether the hon. Minister is contemplating any increase in the UNICEF scheme by getting more money from them or by giving more money from the plan budget.
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI D. PURANDESWARI): Sir, as rightly pointed out by the hon. Member, there has been a substantial increase in the allocation of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan outlays.… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: No interruptions, please. Let her reply first.
SHRIMATI D. PURANDESWARI: Sir, if we compare it with the last year’s outlays, there is an increase of around Rs., 3,200 crore, and it has been a very substantial increase.
But with regard to the extension of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan to classes IX and X, I would submit that it falls under the Secondary stage. So, nothing concrete has been taken. But this is still under consideration.
SHRI N. JANARDHANA REDDY : Sir, in my written question, I had also asked whether there is any diversion of money from this programme to some other programme by the State Government, but it has not been answered. It is a fact there are some big States which have diverted this money from this programme to some other programmes. This has to be checked up and stopped. Then, there must be a plan to divert back this money towards the original programme.
SHRIMATI D. PURANDESWARI: Sir, with regard to funds of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, there has been a strict monitoring arrangement made to ensure that the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan is being implemented very transparently and effectively.
Coming to the monitoring arrangements, the local community based monitoring on school performance enrolment, updating of household data on out of school children is also done every year. Similarly, a computerised education MIS system, which gives annual school based data on all significant educational statistics, is also there in place.
Progress against key monthly indicators has also been undertaken, and a more detailed quarterly appraisal from the States is sent to the Government of India. Besides this, there is also a joint review meeting conducted by the Government of India twice a year and NCERT also conducts the evaluation of the achievement levels of children once every three years.
So, as of now, the monitoring arrangements are well in place to ensure and curb the diversion of funds from the scheme. As far as diversion of funds from the scheme is concerned, the funds might have been used for something else under HRD. But it is ensured that reimbursement is done. Therefore, glaring diversion of funds has not yet come to the notice of the Government of India, and in case, it does, steps have been taken to talk to the State Governments to ensure that these diversions are curbed.
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Ranen Barman – Not present.
श्री जसवंत सिंह बिश्नोई : अध्यक्ष महोदय, राजस्थान में जोधपुर, बाड़मेर, जैसलमेर आदि अनेक मरुस्थलीय जिले हैं, जो कि शैक्षणिक द्ृष्टि से काफी पिछड़े हुए हैं। मैं आपके माध्यम से मंत्री महोदय से जानना चाहता हूं कि क्या सरकार की सर्व शिक्षा अभियान के माध्यम से ऐसे जिलों को और पैसा देने की कोई योजना है, ताकि ज्यादा पैसा देने से उन जिलों में शिक्षा का स्तर बढ़ सके और उस पूरे ग्रामीण क्षेत्र में इसका फायदा लोगों को मिल सके?
SHRIMATI D. PURANDESWARI: Sir, the Annual Work Plans and Budgets are sent by the States to the Government of India. Based on that, the allocations of funds are made.
When it comes to the backward and tribal areas, the States with the highest number of out of school children have been given prior allocation. There has been an increase in the allocation to these States, especially to the States of Bihar, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. There has been an increase in the allocation to ensure that the benefits of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan do reach these backward areas.
MR. SPEAKER: Now, Shri Ravi Prakash Verma.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: I am sorry. I have already got a list of 24 hon. Members. It is not possible. Please allow me to conduct the House.
श्री रवि प्रकाश वर्मा : अध्यक्ष महोदय, यह बहुत ही महत्वपूर्ण मामला है। देश के विकास में शिक्षा एक बेसिक कम्पोनेंट है। मैं मंत्री जी से यह जानना चाहता हूं कि अभी तक एजुकेशन सैस में कितना पैसा जमा हुआ है और उसमें से कितने प्रतिशत राशि आप प्रभावी रूप से खर्च कर पाए हैं?
MR. SPEAKER: Have you got the statistics?
SHRIMATI D. PURANDESWARI: I will send it across to the Member.
MR. SPEAKER: All right.
SHRI B. MAHTAB : Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan has been launched with the goal to universalise primary education by 2010. Education is instrumental for economic well being and this is true for the individual and also for the entire nation.
My question is, as special attention is required to be given to the most deprived vulnerable and physically and mentally challenged children, who are at risk, whether such attention is also focussed on socio-economically backward strata by providing full time schooling. If so, does the determination of funding commensurate with these parameters? What is the basis for determining the size of funding to the States?
SHRIMATI D. PURANDESWARI: As I have mentioned earlier, the Annual Work Plans and Budgets are sent by the States to the Government of India and the Government of India places this proposal in front of the Project Approval Board and then the funding is approved. Then, both the Government of India and the States share the funding on 75:25 basis. This is the basis on which the fund is basically given to the States. The performance of the States is also taken into consideration when the funds are being allocated to the States.
During the year 2006-07, there has been particular concentration given to certain areas like filling the infrastructure gap, providing universal access, upgradation of EGS centres, in-depth study of the specially focussed districts, quality improvements and learning outcomes also. There has been special focus on the reduction of drop-out rates also.
SHRI P. KARUNAKARAN : It is a welcome step taken by the Government that more funds are allotted for the direct intervention of the primary education of the country. But it is true on the other side that the status of education differs from State to State. The norms prescribed for the utilisation of the fund are the same to all the States. The need of each State may differ. Will the Government consider bringing more flexibility for the utilisation of this fund?
SHRIMATI D. PURANDESWARI: The States that are backward have been given particular attention. Under the SSA norms, the States, which have the highest number of out of school children and where there are a large number of children who belong to the hard to reach sectors, have been given special focussed attention.
Sir, based on the State-specific data, 48 districts in ten States having more than 50,000 children out of school has been a special focus. Out of these 48 districts, 19 districts are in Bihar, 15 are in UP, five in West Bengal, two each in Assam and Chhattisgarh, one each in Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Tripura. There has also been focused attention given to the five States with the highest out-of-school children. These States receive about 50 per cent of the SSA outlays for 2006-2007, specially States like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
These 48 districts have received 17 per cent of the total Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan outlay for 2006-2007 including 19 per cent of EGS and 18 per cent of AIE interventions for flexible school funding.
श्री राम कृपाल यादव : अध्यक्ष महोदय, मैं सबसे पहले माननीय प्रधान मंत्री जी और यूपीए सरकार के शिक्षा मंत्री जी का आभार व्यक्त करना चाहता हूं, जिन्होने संकल्प लेकर, बिहार और तमाम पिछड़े राज्यों तक शिक्षा पहुंचाने की तरफ ध्यान दिया है। करीब ५३.७ प्रतिशत राशि इस वर्ष, इस मद में आपने बढ़ाई है। माननीय मंत्री जी ने अपने जवाब में कहा है कि बिहार और उत्तर प्रदेश की ओर विशेष रूप से ध्यान दिया गया है। मैं जानना चाहता हूं कि बिहार में नये स्कूल खोलने, शिक्षकों की नियुक्ति करने तथा स्कूल बिल्िंडग बनाने के लिए इस वित्तीय वर्ष में क्या किया जा रहा है? आपने कहा कि इसके लिए ७५ प्रतिशत राशि केन्द्र सरकार द्वारा और २५ प्रतिशत राशि राज्यों को देनी होती है, लेकिन बिहार में ऐसा लग रहा है, जैसे बिहार सरकार ही सारा काम करा रही है। आपके पास न मॉनटिरिंग का सिस्टम है न कोई विज्ञापन का सिस्टम है। इससे हम बड़े डिस्करेज हो रहे हैं। इतने बड़े पैमाने पर केन्द्र सरकार इस मद में राशि आवंटित कर रही है लेकिन उसके अनुश्रवण का कोई जरिया नहीं है। जनप्रतनधियों को चयन में बुलाया नहीं जाता है कि कहां स्कूल भवन का निर्माण करना है, कहां स्कूल खोलना है? मैं आपके माध्यम से माननीय मंत्री जी से जानना चाहता हूं कि क्या आप कोई विज्ञापन देंगे, क्या अनुश्रवण की व्यवस्था करेंगे, क्या आप माननीय सांसदों को चयन में कोई अधिकार देने का काम करेंगे?
MR. SPEAKER : Do you have the details now or will you send them later?
SHRIMATI D. PURANDESWARI: Sir, with regard to the Five States which are lagging behind in implementation of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, there has been a special attention given, as I have said earlier. With particular reference to Bihar, coming to the opening up of new schools, 15,000 schools are to be opened up in Bihar. Coming to upper primary schools there are about 822 in the pipeline and coming to the teachers there are 80,512 teachers. With regard to the EGS coverage the number of children covered under the EGS and AIE scheme are 25.64 lakh. Turning to civil works, the number of school buildings are 15,000 as I have said earlier. The number of clusters in Bihar are 3,669.
Regarding the question that the hon. Member has raised, whether we would involve the Members of Parliament in the implementation of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, I would like to emphasise here that it is the rightful duty of every citizen to ensure that Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan is being implemented efficiently because it is a very large, very ambitious programme. I am sure, as a representative of the public, the hon. Member would take a very good interest and in case there are any lapses he may bring them to our notice so that we would take suitable action.
MR. SPEAKER : Thank you.
Shrimati Paramjit Kaur Gulshan to ask the next supplementary.
As this is a matter of education, I am allowing a few more supplementaries. Already six supplementaries have been allowed.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER : Please have patience. Let me see. I am trying to look at all sides.
… (Interruptions)
श्रीमती परमजीत कौर गुलशन : अध्यक्ष जी, यह मानना पड़ेगा कि स्कीम बहुत अच्छी है लेकिन इस स्कीम में बहुत सारे लूप-होल्स हैं जो संसद में, प्रेस में और टीवी पर समय समय पर आते रहते हैं, जिसके कारण असलियत में इस स्कीम के फायदे एजुकेशन में नहीं हो रहे हैं। मैं आपके माध्यम से माननीय मंत्री जी से जानना चाहती हूं कि इन खामियों को दूर करने के लिए क्या कोई कदम उठाये जा रहे हैं।
मैं माननीय मंत्री जी से यह भी जानना चाहती हूं कि सर्व शिक्षा अभियान के तहत ग्रांट देने में संसद सदस्यों का क्या रोल है, क्योंकि हमें डिस्टि्रक्ट लेवल पर या स्टेट लेवल पर कभी बुलाया नहीं जाता है, इस विषय पर कोई जानकारी उपलब्ध नहीं कराई जाती है?
इसके साथ-साथ मैं यह भी जानना चाहती हूं कि क्या किसी साबका एम.एल.ए. या किसी अन्य व्यक्ति को सर्व शिक्षा अभियान का पैसा देने का कोई हक है?
SHRIMATI D. PURANDESWARI: Sir, this is pertaining to the monitoring arrangements under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. As I have mentioned earlier, local community based monitoring of the school performance and the enrolment drives and updating household data of lot of school children is done every year. Computerised education and MIS system which give the annual school based data on all significant educational statistics is also in place. Progress against key monthly indicators and the more detailed quarterly progress reports are sent by the States to the Government of India.
Coming to the achievement level/evaluation, NCERT does it once every three years.
MR. SPEAKER: You have already answered that.
SHRIMATI D. PURANDESWARI: Yes, Sir. Forty-one National Social and Science Institutes have also been attached to all the States to conduct field surveys to ensure that the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan is being implemented in a proper way. So, these are the various monitoring methods that are in place.
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Anant Gangaram Geete.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: I am prepared to allow any discussion provided notice comes to me. On matters of education, we should give priority. That is why, Shri Geete is number seven in putting supplementaries. How many shall I allow? We are only at second Question.
श्री अनंत गंगाराम गीते : अध्यक्ष महोदय, प्राइमरी और अपर प्राइमरी शिक्षा को बढ़ावा देने के लिए सर्व शिक्षा अभियान बहुत अच्छी योजना है। आज ग्रामीण क्षेत्रों से स्कूल भवनों के निर्माण की सबसे ज्यादा मांग आती है। स्कूल भवनों की कमी हर राज्य में है और यह हर क्षेत्र की समस्या है। सर्व शिक्षा अभियान के माध्यम से जो स्कूल भवन निर्माण किए जा रहे हैं, उसके लिए सारे देश में एक डिजाइन बनाया गया है और उसी डिजाइन के आधार पर इन भवनों का निर्माण करने का आग्रह किया जाता है।
महोदय, हमारे देश की जो भौगोलिक रचना है, क्योंकि हमारे देश में अधिकतर क्षेत्र पहाड़ी हैं, मैं भी कोंकण क्षेत्र से आता हूं, वह भी पूरी तरह से पहाड़ी है, वहां लेवल लैंड एवेलेबल नहीं है। छोटे-छोटे किसान हैं। मैं आपके माध्यम से माननीय मंत्री जी से जानना चाहता हूं कि उन किसानों के बच्चों को वहां स्कूल भवन निर्माण करके शिक्षा देने का क्या कोई प्रावधान करने जा रहे हैं?
अध्यक्ष महोदय :आप कृपया प्रश्न पूछिए।
श्री अनंत गंगाराम गीते : इन भवनों के निर्माण के लिए जो जमीन ली जाती है, वह भी किसानों से मुफ्त मांगी जाती है। मैं आपके माध्यम से मंत्री जी से जानना चाहता हूं कि स्कूल हेतु जो एक डिजाइन सारे देश के लिए बनाया गया है, उसके बजाय, जो हमारा ट्रेडीशनल सिस्टम है, हमारी जो पारम्परिक पद्धति स्कूल भवन बनाने की है, उसके मुताबिक जहां पर पहाड़ी क्षेत्र हैं और समतल जमीन उपलब्ध नहीं है, क्या वहां ट्रेडीशनल सिस्टम से स्कूल भवन निर्माण करने की इजाजत इस योजना के तहत आप देना चाहेंगी?
SHRIMATI D. PURANDESWARI: Sir, there is no specific design specified by the Government of India. The States are free to choose their own designs depending on the locally available resources. So, there is no specific one design that is being emphasised by the Government of India.
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Yerrannaidu. Please put specific question.
SHRI KINJARAPU YERRANNAIDU : Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Government has decided to construct five lakh classrooms in this particular year under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. There is a lot of demand for construction of school buildings, but there is a stipulation that the community has to pay ten per cent contribution. In backward areas, in fishermen-inhabited areas, how is it possible for them to contribute ten per cent? That is why, there is lack of classrooms and students are suffering a lot. On the one side, the Government has decided to construct five lakh classrooms. Then, what is the need to demand contribution from the community? Will the Government consider constructing classrooms in the backward areas and fishermen-inhabited areas, without any contribution? Will the Government do like this or not?
MR. SPEAKER: You need not repeat[S1] .
SHRIMATI D. PURANDESWARI : Sir, there are no stipulations on community contribution regarding construction of classrooms, but there have been instances where people have been asked to contribute. This is done, so that they will have a sense of belonging to it. This would allow the maintenance of these schools and classrooms to be done very well. But let me again emphasise that there is no stipulation as such that there should be a 10 per cent contribution paid to it.
MR. SPEAKER: Last supplementary on this Question to be asked by Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia.
श्री ज्योतिरादित्य माधवराव सिंधिया : अध्यक्ष महोदय, सरकार ने कहा था कि हम आउटलेज के साथ आउटकम्स को भी उतनी ही प्राथमिकता देंगे। हमें खुशी है कि आउटलेज के क्षेत्र में इस अभियान हेतु ११ हजार करोड़ रुपए दिए गए हैं और इसमें ५४ परसेंट की बढ़ोत्तरी हुई है। मेरा प्रश्न आउटकम पर है और सीधा प्रश्न है कि क्या इसके ग्रौस एनरोलमेंट रेशियो में बढ़ोत्तरी हुई है? २००१-२००२ में स्कूल ड्रॉप आउट रेट जो ४० परसेंट था, क्या आज उसमें गिरावट आई है? आज भी ग्रामीण क्षेत्रों में ऐसी कितनी जगह हैं, जहां एक किलोमीटर के रेडियस में स्कूल नहीं हैं? मेरा प्रश्न केवल आउटकम्स पर है, आउटलेज पर नहीं है।
SHRIMATI D. PURANDESWARI: Sir, there has been an independent survey conducted by SRI-IMRB on behalf of the Ministry of Human Resource. It is indicated that there are about 1.34 crore children still out of schools. Today, 93 per cent of our children are in some kind of schooling facility or the other, and the dropout rate has also come down from 28.5 per cent in 2001 to 6.94 per cent in 2005. Among the social groups, there are about 9.97 per cent Muslims; 9.54 per cent STs; 8.17 per cent SCs; 6.9 per cent of the OBC children who are still out of schools. There is a drive undertaken to ensure that these children are also brought into the ambit of education.
(Q. No. 23) SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO : Sir, while India has implemented the decision of SAFTA in favour of all member countries including Pakistan, but Pakistan has not granted the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India. They have decided to trade in only 773 items on the basis of the Positive Lists. This attitude of Pakistan is a total violation of the Agreement.
I would like to know whether the Government has ascertained the reasons from Pakistan not giving the MFN status to India. Is there any provision of action in the Agreement against those countries that violate the agreement? If so, whether the Government is considering bringing these issues to the Dispute Settlement Board; and if not, what other actions the Government is planning to take against them?
MR. SPEAKER: Hon. Member, you have already asked six questions in your first supplementary on this particular Question itself.
SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO : Is the Government thinking of taking any action against Pakistan?
SHRI KAMAL NATH: Sir, the SAFTA Agreement had to come into force from 1 January 2006, but it was decided that it would come into effect from 1 July 2006 because of different budget periods of different countries. Further, every country was required to issue a customs notification bringing the tariffs down. However, the Pakistan Government had issued a customs notification with a rider, which makes imports from India subject to their Import Policy Order, and Import Policy Order was of an earlier date that has a Positive List only.
The whole SAFTA is based on a negative list but the Import Policy Order of the past has a positive list of 773 items. Pakistan had ratified SAFTA without any reservation. So, this came as a surprise. It is against the spirit and against the legalities of the SAFTA.
I have written to the Secretary-General of SAARC to call for an emergency meeting of the highest decision making body, which is the SAFTA Ministerial Council to address this issue and this Notification, which is being issued by Pakistan. The Secretary-General has informed us that our letter has been forwarded to all the Member-States and it is proposed to be discussed in the forthcoming 27th Session of the SAARC Council of Foreign Ministers to be held in Dhaka on August 1st and 2nd of this year.
SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO : After SAARC Preferential Trade Agreement, though India's total trade, that is to and fro, has registered a positive growth but the percentage of export is far less compared to import. For example, India's export has increased by 1.37 per cent in 2004-05 as compared to 2003-04 and on the other hand import has registered 32.34 per cent increase for the same period which shows a remarkable trade deficit. Further increasing import has captured Indian market and poses a threat to domestic manufacturers. So, I would like to know what is the need for such increase of import instead of export and what steps are being taken by the Government to reduce the import and increase the export.
SHRI KAMAL NATH: The percentage figure is one way of calculating it but compared to Nepal or other economies, India is a much larger economy in the SAFTA countries. So, in terms of volume of Dollars or Rupees, they will give a different picture. Five per cent of hundred is five but five per cent of one thousand is fifty. Of course, in terms of Rupee, it is not what the hon. Member is saying.
It is important for India to be engaged in trade with these countries and there is today a huge trade balance in favour of India. In fact, one of the complaints of Bangladesh always is that there is such a huge trade balance. They ask us as to why should we have trade agreement and instead we should open up. Even if we open up, the trade balance will be huge. If we see the figures of 2005-06, our exports to Bangladesh are 1632 million-dollars, 1.6 billion-dollars and our import is about 10 per cent of that, 118 million-dollars. If we look to Sri Lanka, our exports are roughly 2.1 billion dollars and our imports are 570 million dollars. There is a very invertive situation in this. It is not that we are importing more than them. In fact, we are exporting a very substantial amount, more than what we are importing from them.
SHRI LAKSHMAN SETH : SAFTA has been arrived at for the mutual benefit and interest of South Asian countries. I would like to know from the hon. Minister what steps the Government has taken to derive benefit out of SAFTA. Recently, the Government has imposed a ban on export of sugar. In the international market, the price of sugar has increased. In this situation, our sugar producers could have derived some benefits out of that. Will this sort of a ban hit SAFTA? I would like to know how much benefit our country has derived out of SAFTA and what steps the Government has taken to derive benefit out of that.
SHRI KAMAL NATH: We have signed SAFTA, which will benefit both the countries. You cannot have an one-sided agreement. Nobody is going to sign an agreement where you will only benefit. You have to sign an agreement where both will benefit. This mutually beneficial agreement has only come into force 24 days ago. We have carefully studied it. As time goes on, both countries will benefit; our neighbours will benefit and we will also benefit.
Engagement, that means, the trade which was carried on by SAFTA countries with other countries, we are trying to bring that trade to India so that the SAFTA countries instead of importing from other countries import them from India. So, it will be a mutually beneficial agreement.
MR. SPEAKER: Hopefully so.
SHRI VIJAYENDRA PAL SINGH : Sir, is it not a fact that we are getting into more bilateral and multilateral arrangements like the SAFTA? We are also having such an arrangement with ASEAN because, after what you have said only five minutes ago, there is a stalemate in the WTO. What is the new arrangement that we are talking about? What is our strategy for having such an arrangement of making the SAFTA and having an agreement with ASEAN? Euro has got their own arrangement. Are we getting into an era of bilateralism and multilateralism out of the WTO? If that is a fact, then with what you have talked about the stalemate in WTO, should we not really concentrate more on SAFTA along with ASEAN? Is that the strategy that you are really wanting to have?
MR. SPEAKER: You have put a very good question.
SHRI KAMAL NATH: Sir, we have engaged in the multilateral system of trade, that is, the WTO. WTO is a multilateral rule based trading system with which we are engaged. Now, with the impasse there, the Government will have to make strategy as to what is to be done. We have not very many free trade agreements. We have got the old ones with Bhutan and Nepal, and a couple of years ago we had agreements with Sri Lanka and Thailand. This is a new experience for us. Bilateral and multilateral trade agreements will continue. There are about 200 bilateral and regional trade agreements in the world. We consider this as building blocks to the multilateral system. We will of course engage more, especially in the Asian region and also where it suits our trade interests and where there are complementarities of our trade basket.
(Q. No. 24) SHRI ABDUL RASHID SHAHEEN : Sir, under the Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme in the handloom sector, the claims have shot up to the tune of Rs. 1551 crore, whereas the allocation made is only Rs. 535 crore. There is a disturbing news in the air that instructions have been sent to officers, especially in the State of Maharashtra, that further claims should not be processed. I would like to know from the hon. Minister if the Government feels contented with this allocation made, or they would take up the matter with the Ministry of Finance for further fund allocation and extension of the scheme till the year 2010.
MR. SPEAKER: There is hardly any time for reply.
श्री शंकर सिंह वाघेला : अध्यक्ष महोदय, इनकी बात सही है कि ‘टफ्स’ के बारे में बहुत बड़ी डिमांड है और इसमें काफी अच्छा इंवेस्टमेंट बढ़ रहा है। हमारी जो सब्सिडी स्कीम थी, उससे भी ज्यादा जब इसमें डिमांड आई तब हमने बैंकों को कहा कि आप थोड़ा वेट करिए। फिर प्लानिंग कमीशन और फाइनेंस से चर्चा करने के बाद अब ३०० करोड़ रुपये उन्होंने ग्रान्ट किए है। आने वाले दिनों में, प्लानिंग कमीशन और आप सबके सहयोग से, सन् २००७ में यह स्कीम पूरी होने वाली है। बहुत अच्छा इसमें इंवेस्टमेंट हो रहा है। अगर इसमें राशि बढ़ाई जाएगी तो हम आपको भी सहयोग देंगे। ‘टफ्स’ का लाभ हो रहा है तथा बहुत अच्छा इसमें इंवेस्टमेंट और एम्पलॉयमेंट देने का काम हो रहा है और इंडस्ट्री भी बूम कर रही है। हमें इसमें सबका बहुत अच्छा सहयोग मिल रहा है।
MR. SPEAKER: We can have another supplementary.
SHRI ABDUL RASHID SHAHEEN : Sir, my question was if the Government was planning to have an enhanced allocation for this or not. It is because this industry is capable of making a big investment plan up to Rs. 1,50,000 crore. It is only then that we can achieve the 68 billion dollar worth production so that we can meet the challenges in the export market. But the hon. Minister says that industry has picked up well. Is the Textiles Ministry planning to take up the matter with the Finance Ministry for additional allocation and extension of the scheme till 2010 so that there is fulfilment of vision of the Ministry?
MR. SPEAKER: Brevity is the virtue. Now, there is no time for reply. Brevity is a virtue.
श्री शंकर सिंह वाघेला : अध्यक्ष महोदय, माननीय सदस्य की बात सही है। अभी चाइना डब्ल्यूटीओ में है। हम भी उसमें कोशिश कर रहे हैं कि जो स्कीम सन् २००७ में पूरी हो रही है, उसमें सन् २०१० तक एक्सटेंशन मिल जाए। इस बारे में हमारी प्लानिंग कमीशन से चर्चा हो रही है। मैं समझता हूं कि हम सब के प्रेशर और जिस हिसाब से इंडस्ट्री डेवलपमेंट कर रही है, उससे लगता है कि शायद इस स्कीम को बढ़ाया जाएगा। अभी मैं इस बारे में कुछ नहीं कह सकता, क्योंकि केबिनेट का प्रोसेस होगा, फिर प्लानिंग कमीशन और फाइनेंस मनिस्ट्री की सहमति भी लेनी होगी।…( व्यवधान)
MR. SPEAKER: Nothing will be recorded.
(Interruptions) … * MR. SPEAKER: Hon. Members, please co-operate. With great difficulty, I came to the Fourth Question.
Shri Advani, I will come to your Adjournment Motion after Papers are laid on the Table.
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* Not Recorded.