Lok Sabha Debates
Motion For Consideration Of Sree Chitra Tirunal  Institute For Medical Sciences ... on 29 August, 2005
> Title : Motion for consideration of Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivendrum (Amendment) Bill, 2005, as passed by Rajya Sabha.
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Now, we will take up Item No. 17. Shri Kapil Sibal.
THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF OCEAN DEVELOPMENT (SHRI KAPIL SIBAL): I beg to move:
“That the Bill to amend the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum Act, 1980, as passed by Rajya Sabha, be taken into consideration.” MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Motion moved:
“That the Bill to amend the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum Act, 1980, as passed by Rajya Sabha, be taken into consideration.” श्री संतोष गंगवार उपाध्यक्ष महोदय, मैं आपका धन्यवाद प्रकट करता हूं। राज्य सभा में भी यह बिल बिना किसी बहस के पारित हो गया था, क्योंकि जब बिल बना था उस समय यह समझ में नहीं आ रहा था कि हम जिन सदस्यों को इस पर रखेंगे, उनकी सदस्यता कैसे समाप्त होगी? यह बाद में समझ में आया जब यह विधेयक लाया गया। मैं श्री कपिल सिब्बल जी से यह निवेदन करना चाहूंगा कि यह राष्ट्रीय महत्व की संस्था है और आज के समय में इसकी बहुत उपयोगिता है।जिस प्रकार से आयुर्विज्ञान और प्रौद्योगिकी के क्षेत्र में हिन्दुस्तान की पहचान आज दुनिया भर में हो रही है, तो मैं चाहूंगा कि इस संस्थान के जो भी एचीवमेंट्स हैं या जो अन्य बातें हैं, उनसे भी सदस्यों को अवगत कराया जाए। मेरा मानना है कि इस बिल में और कुछ नहीं है। इस बिल में पहले कुछ कमियां रह गयी थीं।
इन शब्दों के साथ मैं अपनी बात समाप्त करता हूं।
*m03 DR. RAM CHANDRA DOME Thank you, Sir, for allowing me this opportunity to speak on this Bill. Sir, I rise to support this Bill, that is, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum (Amendment) Bill, 2005.
I may be very brief. While supporting the Bill, I am asked to raise some of the relevant points on this occasion. Please allow me to highlight some of the important issues related to the present-day medical education, training and research, and use of the latest medical and technological devices for the medicare services in our country. Though it is a very small Amendment, yet it is very much necessary, and the hon. Minister has very appropriately proposed to amend that section.
My submission is, in a country like ours, which is a very developing country, a vast number of poorer sections of people are there. They are facing many problems and diseases. New diseases are coming up. So far as my knowledge in the field of research is concerned, there are so many institutions who have been doing pioneer research and development work in our country to improve the medical services. One of the pioneer institutes is Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology which is situated at Trivandrum. Sir, so far as my knowledge as a medical practitioner is concerned, they have invented indigenous medical devices which are very much befitting for our conditions. The rheumatic heart disease, which is a very dreaded disease, causes damages to heart valves. The present-day medical science can replace that valve, that is, valve prosthesis. Earlier, a single-valve prosthesis operation costs lakhs of rupees. But thanks to invention of an indigenous valve which is called Chitra Valve invented by that particular institute is very much suitable for our condition and suitable for our people[c61] .
In this system, the cost is very less as compared to the earlier system. We are making this kind of innovations. But even today, people are being exploited by both the private sector and public sector in spite of latest medical technology being available in our country and only a few people have access to the latest treatment methods. Modern medical treatment is beyond the reach of the poor and middle class people. This is the situation prevailing in the Third World countries and also in our country. This is due to the WTO regime being implemented. Every new device or technology that is coming up in the field of medical science is being controlled by big business houses, especially by multinational companies. Life-saving drugs, live-saving treatment methods for heart surgery, brain surgery, kidney transplantation, plastic surgery etc., are beyond the reach of the common people of this country.
Sir, life expectancy has risen in our country and simultaneously aspirations of getting modern medical treatment to expand the life have also grown among the people of our country. That is why, I would like to submit that our institutions and our Government should mobilise adequate resources for indigenous research and development work in medical field. The institutes like the All India Institute of Medical Sciences and Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology are doing pioneering work, but many times their research and development works are being hampered due to constraint of adequate resources. So, adequate resources should be provided to such institutes. The UPA Government is committed to extend health services and modern medical care facilities to the common people and they are also committed to make the cost of live-saving drugs affordable to the poorer sections of this country. So, I would request that the Government should try to allocate more funds to indigenous research and development work.
Sir, I would like to make another point here though this is not directly related to this Bill. I would like to submit that institutes like AIIMS should be decentralised in a country like India and this sort of centres of excellence should be set up in various regions of our country. I know that the Government is already committed for this. They may set up six or eight such institutes in various regions of our country. My submission is that every region should have access to such type of institutes like the All India Institute of Medical Sciences where people can get super-specialised treatment at an affordable cost and where poor people can get free treatment also. This is very much necessary because corporatisation of modern medical care services is rampant in our country[k62] .
16.00 hrs. On [r63] many occasions, the Government is helpless. That is why, the Government should take note of this part.
I must point out one more thing that these days private medical institutions are coming up, private hospitals are coming up. Though it is necessary in many areas for the development of medical education… MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Is it concerned with this amendment?
DR. RAM CHANDRA DOME : Sir, though it is not directly concerned with this amendment, I must say something on this occasion.
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The Rajya Sabha has already passed the Bill and this is just an amendment. Please conclude now.
DR. RAM CHANDRA DOME : Sir, it is not just one department, it is an integrated department. I must put my submission that setting up of AIIMS-- like institutions should be expedited in different States in our country and one legislation should be brought to control rampant privatisation and commercialisation of medical education and medi-care services in this country.
I hope, the Government is committed to the Common Minimum Programme for the benefit of common people of our country and will come forward with a comprehensive legislation in future to regulate standardisation and control of rampant privatisation and commercialisation of medi-care education and hospitals.
With these words, I conclude.
SHRI VARKALA RADHAKRISHNAN Sir, this Institute is functioning in my place. I have direct knowledge about this Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology. Nobody in the House is so much connected with the Institute, except me because I have to pass through this Institute everyday. I am quite acquainted with the functioning of the Sree Chitra Tirunal Medical Institute and Research Centre. My friends can speak about general things, but I will confine myself to the Institute in particular.
This Institute was established by the erstwhile Travancore Ruler, Sree Chitra Tirunal Maharajah. He was the last ruler of Travancore State. He is no more, but he was a benevolent King and had noble ideas of service to humanity. With this background, he started this Sree Chitra Institute of Research and Technology. It was funded and financed and started by him. The Central Government did not do anything in those matters. They had not spent a pie for this purpose.
It is true that it was taken over by the Central Government by an Act of Parliament in 1980. Subsequently, they have done many things. I do not forget that. Before that, the entire edifice was constructed by this king’s own funds. A big hospital was also there where treatment were available for almost all diseases, including cardiovascular treatment. You can get best treatment in this Institute. The doctors are very serviceable. They are very good doctors unlike the doctors of AIIMS. These doctors can do a lot of service to the people of India. You can take it from me. They are available for service at any time and they are doing service to humanity[r64] . Their approach to patients is quite welcome. Shri Sibal, you must come over there. I invite you to the Institute, to visit that place.
SHRI KAPIL SIBAL: I would like to inform Shri Radhakrishnan that I am visiting the Institute on the 2nd. So, I will be there.
SHRI VARKALA RADHAKRISHNAN : Please come.
The Central Government is not discharging its duty.… (Interruptions)
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Shri Radhakrishnan, he has said that he is going to visit the Institute.
… (Interruptions)
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: He has assured the House that he is personally going there.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI VARKALA RADHAKRISHNAN : The amendment is nothing but to substitute a Member who dies or who vacates or who becomes a Minister or who becomes a Deputy Minister whatever it may be, and in his place there will be an election. I do agree, but I must let you know – you must understand – that you are not discharging your duty. Now you bring an amendment. When you are bringing this amendment, I simply request you to discharge your duty and do the service to the Institute. It is a national Institute. Some research work should be conducted there. It was this purpose for which the Institute was founded, but because of the paucity of funds they could not proceed. There are good doctors. They are capable of doing any research work, but there are no funds, and there is no development. So, Shri Sibal, my learned friend, you should take it as your own duty to see that funds are made available for the proper development of this national Institute. Any research work can be conducted there. They are capable of doing it. The only difficulty is that the Central Government is giving a deaf ear to all their demands. So, I think, you will give a patient hearing and do all that is possible. Before I speak in the next Session, you do something so that I will applaud you when I speak next time. Otherwise, I will again criticise you in strong words. So, I would again like to request you to do something towards the development of this national Institute for the benefit of humanity, and in the memory of that great Ruler who is no more. He is capable of understanding all these difficulties.… (Interruptions)
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: He has assured the House that he is personally going there.
SHRI VARKALA RADHAKRISHNAN : I think he will rise to the occasion and see that something is done for the development of this national Institute. With these words I wholeheartedly support this Bill.
SHRI K.S. RAO Mr. Deputy-Speaker, Sir, this Act was made in 1980. Possibly, at that time, the people who made the Act were aware that the Parliament and the Legislatures will not last for full five years. So, they could imagine to that extent and said that the Members of Parliament or the Members of Legislative Assembly who are on Board will continue to be the Members till they are Members of Parliament or the Members of the Legislature. The moment they cease to be so, they also cease to be the Members. But, unfortunately they might not have imagined the deterioration in values in public life. They might not have known that the Ministers, the Deputy-Speakers, and the Speakers also will be changed frequently in both Parliament as well as the State Legislatures. So, they must not have thought of these classes of Speakers, Deputy-Speakers, Ministers, or Deputy Chairmen etc. That is why they did not specify it. Here he brought a legislation that this will be applicable the moment a Member becomes a Deputy-Speaker or a Speaker or a Deputy-Chairman or a Minister, he ceases to be a Member. They could have incorporated it at that time itself but they might not have imagined that deterioration of values will be so much so that there will be frequent changes; there will be changes every day and every month. I am happy that they are taking into account the deteriorating standards. In this context, I would just like to bring to the notice of the hon. Minister – as Shri Radhakrishnan was telling – the pious intention of starting this institution is having more research and development.[r65] Today, we hear that enormous research and development is going on in bio-medical engineering and technology. We read in scriptures that Lord Hanuman had lived for thousands of years and we would not believe those vedas or scriptures. Today, scientists are telling the people that they can live even up to 130 years. A couple of months back, one scientist said in a Seminar in Hyderabad that research in genes is going on so much that people can put an end to aging. People will be able to put an end to aging if not today but maybe after 50 years or 100 years. That means, research is going on very intensively outside the country. But in this country, research is not going on so much because R&D are fully neglected in this country. Our people are very eminent, very knowledgeable and are doing all these researches outside the country when they go abroad.
Several Non Resident Indians are doing extensive research. They brought names to those countries and made those countries very rich. They are prepared to come and do that research in our country. All of us are aware that research will be initially done on the animals. The scientists will check these things on the animals first, find out the results and then apply on the human beings. Here, the opportunity for doing research on the animals is extensive. We have got all the facilities. Not only the scientists in India but also the scientists outside India and who belong to India are prepared to come, invest their money, knowledge and technology. They are prepared not only to do it by them but also prepared to associate with the Government. The proposal is lying. It should not be delayed anymore. I would like to make a humble request to the hon. Minister, through this House, to take a decision quickly and not to leave it to the bureaucrats, who will take years. The biggest shame in this country is ‘indecision’. When it comes to taking a decision, we are not taking the decision across the table as the Chinese are doing, and that is why, that nation is prospering very well.
My humble request to the hon. Minister is that a decision is taken to start a Research Centre on Bio-medical Engineering through research on the animals in a big way with the help of forming a joint venture with Non Resident Indians immediately. However, I support the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum (Amendment) Bill, which is taking into account the actual today.
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Now, Shri C.K. Chandrappan. Please give your suggestions in two minutes.
SHRI C.K. CHANDRAPPAN Mr. Deputy-Speaker, Sir, I support this Bill. I do not want to repeat all those suggestions put forward by the hon. Member, Shri Varkala Radhakrishnan.
As the hon. Minister is going there, I would like him to know that this Institute needs expansion. It is a very fine institute. People want to get heart surgery done there but the waiting list is such that the patient may have to wait for six or more months and by that time, the patient may die. So, if you could provide more facilities and more expansion is done, then it will be a very good thing for the entire country.
Another aspect is that Kerala, like any other part of the country, is now infested with a lot of virus diseases. For example, if a disease like Encephalitis or Japanese fever comes in Kerala, then they have to send the samples outside the State for getting the test and examination done. If the Virology Research section is added to the Sree Chitra Institute, it will be a great service to the people and especially to Kerala.
The last point is that already the Government has taken a decision and so many times it has also been announced that an institute like AIIMS would be set up in Kerala[lh66] .
The Kerala Government has already offered the medical college itself, which is adjoining or in the precincts of Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences to be converted into such an institute. If you need another place, that is also available. So, when you are there, if you think about it, make some decision and let the people know about it, then probably the effort that we made in Parliament will have some result. I hope you will take an appropriate decision, and with that hope, I support this Bill.
SHRI SURESH PRABHAKAR PRABHU Sir, this Bill has been introduced by the Minister who is also a very eminent lawyer. I was just wondering that without passage of a Bill by this Parliament, can we not prevent a Member of Parliament who becomes a Deputy-Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha or Deputy-Speaker or Speaker of Lok Sabha or Minister, as he himself has become, from holding that office? Will it be really required that we have to pass a law to prevent him from holding that office? Or, is it a measure of abundant precaution that he is trying to take? Are there any instances in the past, which have really taken place, which actually compel the Government to bring a legislation like this? I would really like to know this. Of course, this is not an occasion to talk about the need and the urgency with which we should try to promote various sciences that Mr. K.S. Rao has already talked about but I really wish to know about it.
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Now, I would request the hon. Minister to reply.
SHRI KHARABELA SWAIN Sir, this Bill is coming from the Ministry of Science and Technology. We think, probably, it should come under the Ministry of Health. Hon. Minister, you kindly explain why this Sree Chitra Medical College comes under your Ministry. We are unable to understand this.
SHRI KAPIL SIBAL: Mr. Deputy-Speaker, Sir, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity.
Mr. Deputy-Speaker, Sir, first of all I would like to thank the hon. Members of Parliament, who have unanimously supported the amendment to the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum Act, 1980. Mr. Deputy-Speaker, Sir, before I deal with some of the issues that have been raised by hon. Members in this House, I would like to state that this amendment is really a very innocuous amendment. My good friend, Mr. Suresh Prabhu has asked me if the amendment is at all necessary. I want to mention to him that he may become a Minister or a Deputy Minister or hold the office of Speaker or Deputy-Speaker and yet he may continue to be a member of a management body without drawing any perks, and therefore, under the law, he could continue to be there. But this brings in uniformity because many other institutes in this country, take for example the Medical Institute, have similar laws by which if an hon. Member of Parliament ceases to be a Member of Parliament, then he automatically ceases to hold the office of the management or to be on the Board. But if he becomes a Minister, then under the laws of those institutes, under the laws prevailing there, he also has to cease to hold that particular office that he is holding on the Board.
So, this is to bring uniformity into the law because all other institutes of similar nature have this particular clause. Therefore, we thought that it was better to bring this in even though somebody may argue that once a person has become a Speaker, he should automatically resign or voluntarily resign. But instead of putting the burden on the individual, it is better to have a uniform law so that the issue is above controversy and beyond controversy. That is really the reason why we have brought forward this law.
Let me just explain what broadly the law is. As per the law, under Section 5J of the original 1980 Act, through a process of election, three Members of Parliament—two from Lok Sabha and one from Rajya Sabha—can be appointed to the Institute as part of the management, as part of the composition of the Institute. Then under clause 6(2), it is stated that all those Members, who are Members of Parliament, as soon as they cease to be Members of Parliament, shall cease to be part of the Institute. But it did not provide for the contingency of Members of Parliament who become Ministers or Deputy Ministers or Speaker or Deputy-Speaker or Deputy-Chairman of Rajya Sabha[m67] . Though that contingency was not provided in Section 6(2), all that we have done is to provide that particular contingency, that in the event of an hon. Member, apart from ceasing to be a Member of Parliament, who holds an office of profit, becomes a Minister or Deputy Speaker or Speaker then he automatically ceases to be part of the Management or part of the Institute, which is the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum. That is the limited purpose of the Amendment, and I am happy to note that everybody across the board have supported it.
Some hon. Members have raised certain issues in respect of this Institute. Let me just tell you that this is one of our finest institutes in the country, and it has done us proud. If you notice the name of the Institute, it is called the Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology. There are a very few institutes in this country that are institutes of both sciences and of technology. The AIIMS is an Institute of Science, and not of Technology. This is one of those unique institutes, and this particular Institute has indigenously invented a replacement, what is called, the heart valve. It is the first of its kind, and the one in this country. In fact a lot of surgeries are taking place with the replacement of the heart valve by this Institute. It is certified to be of international standards by the French Health Agency, and hopefully very soon, it will be certified to be used even by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States. This particular heart valve is available at one-fourth the price that it is otherwise available at the international price. So, here is now an example of the great talent in this country that results in affordable technologies for ordinary people in this country. Therefore, we, in the Department of Science and Technology, do support this Institute in a very big way, and it comes within our jurisdiction. We have provided a lot of funding, and that is why you were complaining about the Central Government. It is the Ministry of Science and Technology that provides a lot of funding for this particularly wonderful work that is going on this particular Institute. We have in this Institute testing laboratories of Bio-Medical Technology Wing that is also accredited to ISO 17025, which is again world class.
We have, what is called, the commercial production of Membrane-Oxygenator, the first industry sponsored project, and now, we have also started some specialialty courses along with IIT Mumbai, especially in the area of Bio-Medical Technology. We have a dedicated Congenital Cardiac Surgery Unit that was recently inaugurated. Let me tell you a one other thing that is happening. Shri Radakrishnan Ji, I was very heartened today that somebody from the Left acknowledged the fact that there can be a benevolent ruler. Therefore, it gives me a great heart that you are moving in the right direction.… (Interruptions)
SHRI LAKSHMAN SETH (TAMLUK): You are the centre of the Left.… (Interruptions)
SHRI KAPIL SIBAL: I do hope that you recognize the benevolence of some other institutions in this country that want to take the country forward rather than to pull them back. I am sure that that will happen in times to come.
The point that I was mentioning was that this particular Institute has a cure for epilepsy which is a very difficult thing. We have performed more than 500 operations in this Institute without any after effects; no after effects at all, no deformities and no epileptic effects. This is through, what is called, the process of microsurgery. Let me tell you another thing which is a futuristic thing, that is, that the concept of nano particles based on oral insulin delivery has been successfully tested in this Institute on animals. So, soon, in times to come, this particular Institute will proudly give you oral medicine for insulin for diabetic’s patients; the first ever of its kind[t68] .
I [e69] agree with you, Sir, that this is an institution which must be supported in every possible way. I, in the Ministry of Science and Technology, am doing my very best to in fact support it in every possible way. This is indeed a centre of excellence.
An hon. doctor Member talked about technological devices and mentioned that a lot of these technological devices are extremely expensive in India. I agree with him entirely. As you might know, in India, we do not even have a regulator for technological devices. We have all kinds of devices that are manufactured indigenously but there is no standardisation. So, I am in the process in fact of trying to set up procedures and standards for the purposes of regulation of medical devices that are being manufactured in India so that any doctor or any hospital using these devices knows that they are of a particular quality, of a particular ISO standard. So, in fact, what you have mentioned is something that is already being done.
I must request hon. Members not to blame the lack of inventiveness every time to the WTO regime. I would assume, there was no WTO regime; yet, we do not have the medical devices and we would have had to import them whether there was a WTO regime or not. So, the trick is and the policy framework is to give the freedom to the academic community in this country and allow public-private partnerships because the State does not have the capacity to spend enormous amounts of money on R&D in this country.
I would give you a small example. You would probably surprised to know the figures. The total expenditure on R&D in this country is $ 3 billion. The US spends $ 244 billion on R&D. Japan spends $ 109 billion on R&D. Canada spends $ 10 billion on R&D. South Korea spends $ 8.9 billion on R&D. Israel spends $ 2 billion on R&D. The pharmaceutical company, Pfizer spends $ 6 billion; and Microsoft Corporation spends more than $ 8 billion on R&D. The R&D expenditure of multinational companies is more than the total expenditure of India. So, do not blame us. … (Interruptions)
People do not know many things. So, it is important for us to bring all of them to the notice of hon. Members of Parliament. It is time for all of us to get together and decide unanimously across party lines. It is time for us to invest in R&D. It is time for us to invest in science and technology. It is time for us to invest in human resources. It is all very well to set up physical resources like North-South and East-West highways. You may have North-South and East-West highways. You may have wonderful institutes but you may have no manpower.
Today, the work is being done on nanotechnology and biotechnology and on interaction nanotechnology and biotechnology; work is being done on nano particles and nano materials at an advanced stage. Where is the research going on in this country? Where are the institutions? This is precisely the point. Therefore, we need more investments. We cannot get all the investments from the States because the State ultimately has to earn to invest. So, we have to develop public-private partnerships. We have to put confidence in the academia. We have to set up institutions of academic excellence, which this UPA Government is doing, but nobody had thought about this.
The United Front Government was in power for two years. What increase did they give to the Chitra Tirunal Institute, I may ask. In fact, this UPA Government is doing much more to this institution than any other Government in the past. I am proud of that fact and we would do even more. That is not the question. We would not balk in our responsibility.
As far as life saving drugs is concerned, I must tell you this. The other day, I was in Hyderabad. It is heartening to note the kind of things that are happening in our country. In Hyderabad, Shanta Biotech has now discovered a combination vaccine, which is a 4-in-1 combination. It treats diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and Hepatitis, all in one, the second of its kind in the world and at one-tenth the cost of what is available in the international markets. The babies, instead of getting six pricks, would now get only three pricks. This is not the subject to be discussed now because we are talking about an amendment but if any hon. Member were to bring a Motion to discuss science and technology in this House, we can discuss all these things.
We talk about investment. Why does any Member of Parliament not move: “Let us discuss science and technology, where this country has gone and where it shouldgo[e70] ”?
I will certainly do what I have to do when I go to Trivandrum. I will certainly help them in whatever way I can. If I do not, you can certainly, in the next Session, criticise me. But I will criticise you if you do not, in the next Session, move that the issue of science and technology should be discussed in this House. … (Interruptions)
DR. RAM CHANDRA DOME (BIRBHUM): We are supporting you. … (Interruptions)
SHRI KAPIL SIBAL : Good. But I will wait for the next Session. … (Interruptions)
DR. SUJAN CHAKRABORTY (JADAVPUR): Our investment in R&D is much less. … (Interruptions)
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER : Please sit down. Nothing else is to be recorded except the speech of the hon. Minister.
(Interruptions)* … SHRI KAPIL SIBAL : Sir, hon. Member Shri Varkala Radhakrishnan talked about this wonderful hospital and the many important things that it can do. As I have already demonstrated to you, there are many cutting edge technologies that we are going to bring forth for the benefit of the common man of this country. I can * Not Recorded assure you, as the Minister of Science and Technology, that I have special place for this Institute in my heart and I shall do even more and to the extent possible within the budgetary constraints for the support of this Institute. I will discharge my duty without fear or favour.
Hon. Member, Shri K.S. Rao mentioned about animal research. I am grateful to him to have mentioned that. In fact, I might just mention to him that one of the things that we have almost decided is to set up an animal research facility in the State of Andhra Pradesh.
SHRI K.S. RAO: Thank you.
SHRI KAPIL SIBAL : In fact, we are in the process of formulating the scheme under which that animal research will be conducted. I hope some Members of the BJP, including some who support the BJP, do not put spokes in the wheels while we do that because this has happened in the past.
Therefore, Mr. Deputy-Speaker, Sir, I am greatly obliged to each Member in this House for having supported this Bill. I wish that more such institutes of excellence of this nature are created in this country. I wish this House recognises that if this country is to have a trajectory growth of 7 to 8 per cent of GDP, it cannot be done without investment in science and technology. The quicker we realise this as a nation, the better it is for the common man in this country.
Thank you very much Mr. Deputy-Speaker, Sir.
SHRI KHARABELA SWAIN : Sir, the hon. Minister had given an assurance through the newspapers that his Department has developed a laptop computer which could be given for Rs. 10,000. He also gave the message through the newspapers that it will be given to all the MPs also. I would just like to know whether that type of laptop computer has been developed or not. क्या वह हुआ है?
SHRI KAPIL SIBAL : Now that you have referred the issue of salaries of MPs to an autonomous body, as and when the salaries increase, then I shall request you to buy it instead of taking it. … (Interruptions)
SHRI KHARABELA SWAIN : Has it already been marketed or not? … (Interruptions) क्या वह हुआ है?
श्री कपिल सिब्बल : आपकी जानकारी के लिए मैं बताना चाहता हूं कि पन्द्रह-बीस दिन पहले मैंने सॉफकॉम के लोगों से बात की थी और उनसे पूछा था कि उनका उत्पादन कब तक शुरू होगा। उन्होंने बताया कि उन्हें एक लाख पीसीज़ का आर्डर अमरीका से पहले ही मिल चुका है। विश्व की एक बड़ी कम्पनी है, जिसकी चीन में बड़ी भारी मौजूदगी है। उन्होंने इन्क्वायरी करके पूछा है कि हम इसको चाहते हैं। हम भी चाहते हैं कि सरकारी विभाग ऐसे कम्प्यूटर के आर्डर दें। वे कम्प्यूटर मार्किट में सितम्बर और १५ अक्तूबर के बीच में आ जाएंगे, तब आप खरीद सकेंगे। मेरी कोशिश होगी कि जैसे ही आपकी सैलरी बढ़े, मैं उनसे कहूंगा कि वे आपसे जाकर मिलें।
श्री खारबेल स्वाईं : हम उसको दस हजार में खरीद लेंगे।…( व्यवधान)
उपाध्यक्ष महोदय : स्वाईं जी आप बैठ जाइए। मेरे पास आज बहुत काम है। मैंने अभी चार-पांच बिल और पास करवाने हैं।
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER : The question is :
“That the Bill to amend the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum Act, 1980, as passed by Rajya Sabha, be taken into consideration.” The motion was adopted.
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER : The House will take up clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill. MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER : The question is :
“That clause 2 stand part of the Bill.” The motion was adopted.
Clause 2 was added to the Bill.
Clause 1, the Enacting Formula and the long Title were added to the Bill.
SHRI KAPIL SIBAL : Sir, I beg to move :
“That the Bill be passed.” MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER : The question is :
“That the Bill be passed.” The motion was adopted[krr71] .
_________ 16.35 hrs.