Lok Sabha Debates
Combined Discussion On The Interim Budget (General) 1998-99; Demands For Grants ... on 26 March, 1998
Title: Combined discussion on the Interim Budget (General) 1998-99; Demands for Grants on Account (General) 1998-99; Supplementary Demands for Grants (General) , 1997-98, were voted in full. MR. SPEAKER: Item Numbers 11 to 13 will be taken up together.
"That the respective sums not exceeding the amounts on Revenue Account and Capital Account shown in the third column of the Order Paper be granted to the President out of the Consolidated Fund of India, on account, for or towards defraying the charges during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1999 in respect of the heads of Demands entered in the Second column thereof against Demands No.1 to 28, 30, 31, 33 to 61, 63 to 93, 95, 96, 98 to 103."
"That the respective supplementary sums not exceeding the amounts on Revenue Accounts and Capital Accounts shown in the third column of the Order Paper be granted to the President out of the Consolidated Fund of India to defray the charges that will come in course of payment during the year ending 31st day of March, 1998 in respect of the following demands entered in the second column thereof".
1 to 7, 9 to 16, 18 to 23, 26, 28, 32 to 38, 40 to 52, 54 to 60, 62, 63, 65 to 72, 74, 75, 77 to 86, 88 to 90, 92, 94, 95, 97 to 101.
SHRI T. SUBBARAMI REDDY (VISAKHAPATNAM): I would like to know how much time has been alloted.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Interim Budget presented by our hon Finance Minister indicates that our country's economic position is very rosy, gloomy and phenomenally very bad ...(Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Subbamarami Reddy, please take your seat first. I will take one minute. This is for the clarification of the hon. Members. The time allotted to this subject is two hours. The BJP and its allies like SP, BJD, AIADMK get 50 minutes; Congress gets 29 minutes; CPI(M) gets seven minutes; Samajwadi Party gets four minutes; RJD gets three minutes; TDP gets two minutes; CPI gets two minutes: TD, JD, DMK, BSP and RSP get one minute each.
.......(Interruptions)
SHRI K. BAPIRAJU (NARASAPUR): Do not give one or two minutes to speak on the Budget.....(Interruptions)
SHRI T. SUBBARAMI REDDY (VISAKHAPATNAM) : Sir, coming to the subject, I would like to say that the growth of GDP is only five percent, perhaps the lowest figure for the last five years. Also, the fiscal deficit is found to be six per cent which is also very disastrous. More over, there was a fall of Rs.14,300 crore in the revenue collection.
There is a negative exposure about agriculture and exports. This presents a very very sad picture about the situation prevailing in the country. At the same time, I am very happy that the Government has announced in their agenda that they want to eradicate poverty, they want to give a new life to this country, they want to removefrustration of the youth by creating more employment opportunities, they want to provide drinking water to every village and they want to provide free education to women. Yes, it looks like a Ram Rajya. We are all happy about it and we welcome it. The opposition parties can support the constructive cause provided they are able to achieve the goal by way of the Budget which they are going to present.It was the Congress Party which had started the historical economic reforms. We are happy that the Finance Minister has said that he would give full acceleration to the economic reforms and would also give top priority to it. We all welcome it because he has agreed to follow the policy started by the Congress Party. At the same time, the question is of eradicating poverty and raising money. In fact, the income-tax structure governed by the existing rules is very good. The entire nation has approved the tax policy. But there are some people who are trying to create confusion. That is a very dangerous thing. We must have a sound structure. How can we raise money? Money can be raised only by more acceleration of trade, industry, commerce and also by giving top priority to small scale and cottage industries.
One more thing is, there is no industrial growth in the entire country. Existing industries are facing phenomenal and disastrous problems. The Government must solve these two things while dealing with the full Budget. The question is: Why is there no industrial growth? I give a small example because there is no time. Today in India, banking institutions are having sufficient funds. But bank officers are not prepared to lend money to any industry, not even to a small scale industry because some people have played some mischief. If officers are not given any protection, no officer will have any mood to come forward and give encouragement to this country. If this thing continues, even God cannot save this country. I want the new Finance Minister to take this as a challenge and see that he gives new instructions to the technocrats and officials of the banking institutions and injects new blood in their body by giving inspiration, zeal and enthusiasm. I know Shri Yashwant Sinha and Shri R.K. Kumar are there.
One more thing is, I do not understand why the Food Ministry is importing sugar. On the one hand, we are having a difficult requirement of foreign exchange; on the other, in India, there are millions of workers working in sugar factories. Our country is an agriculture-based country and sugarcane is a most important thing. But I am shocked to know that sugar industry in India is in doldrums as indigenous industries are not in a position to cope up with the present requirement and sugar is being imported. I request the hon. Minister to stop the import of sugar and see that indigenous industries are encouraged.
One more thing is that the existing industries should not become sick. For example, take the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. It is a Government of India project. They have invested Rs.8,000 crore. Today factories are working very efficiently, officers are very efficient but they are incurring losses because of lack of restructuring. The Finance Ministry should treat this as a Government project and see that Government projects do not become sick.
Another most important thing is the coming up of new industries and the disaster of the capital market. This new Ministry must make every effort to instil confidence in the minds of the people of the country by encouraging small investors and promoting new industries.
Another burning problem in this country is the red-tapism that is prevailing particularly in Delhi city. No paper moves whether it be of any power project or a transport project or of anything. Nothing moves in this country because nobody has got the coordination. There is lack of communication, there is lack of knowledge and lack of cooperation within various departments. If a paper goes to the Finance Ministry, it seeks a clarification on it and then it goes to another Ministry.
There, that man sends it to another Ministry. Where is the end for it?
Therefore, I am giving you a suggestion that the Government must appoint a Coordination Committee which must meet frequently, say, once a week and see that all these problems are sorted out. Otherwise it will be very difficult to solve them. For the last several years, we have been dreaming to make this country an economically strong nation. It is very much painful to say that nothing is happening. We want to make this country a proud nation in the entire world. In fact, so many people from all over the world want to participate in many projects to building up this great nation's stries and give employment to help the poor people.
Today, when a young man becomes a graduate, he has no job. To give him a job, what is the answer? You must have trade, commerce and industry to build up this nation. For this, you must eradicate first, nepotism and red tapism and see that a new zeal, enthusiasm is created. You must inculcate in the blood of the bureaucrats and the people of Delhi and all capitals of this country to see that they all have the national spirit. Let us work together. Let us build this nation. That is very important.
Sir, I do not want to speak after you ring the bell. I will finish before that.
KUMARI MAMTA BANERJEE : What about the film industry?
श्री टी.सुब्बारामी रेड्डी: फिल्म नगरी शाम को देखेंगे, इधर नहीं। ... (व्यवधान)
About the Budget, I want to say one more thing. There is a wrong notion that `aeroplane means luxury'. No. Those days are gone. Today the communication system is most important to build this great nation. You see anywhere, for example, Airports Authority of India. You see our air flights. All are outdated in the world. No Budget is providing any money to have the new flights or to replace the old flights. Nobody is bothered how to build up the transport communication system in India in such a way that when the people from all over the world travel in this nation, they would feel proud and happy that here is a nation with all the infrastructural facilities. We have been thinking and dreaming but nothing is moving.
Now, the challenge is before Shri Yashwant Sinha who must now prove it that he can do wonders, miracles and also do something phenomenally new. His full Budget should be miraculous, phenomenal, unparalleled and magnificent and should be something record breaking. I am giving him the inspiration.
I want to say one more thing about Shri R.K. Kumar-Yashwant Sinha combination. It should be लोकोत्रायन: संगठनाय: निरुपमाय: संघनस: न द्वितीय:
What I mean to say is that the Budget should be bubbling with enthusiasm. Everybody should love it. Everybody must admire it.
Though it is an Interim Budget, this is the foundation of the full Budget as to what you are going to give it. We all are inspiring you and giving you the idea as to how to build up the future full Budget.
Sir, in the full Budget, let us not hurt the feelings of a poor man. Let us give top priority to rural development, agriculture, small scale industries and cottage industries. And, let us not unnecessarily import the foreign products and try to kill our domestic industries, which has been a great suicidal and unforgivable crime in the history of India. I feel very sad that on the one side we are suffering for want of foreign exchange and on the other, I cannot imagine, how the Government is importing so many things by paying foreign exchange and competing with their own industries. What is the philosophy behind that? What is the logic behind that? I want to know this from the Government and the people of the concerned department.
Lastly, what I say is that everything is interlinked. The Finance Minister should not think why he should bother about the power projects, why he should bother about small scale industries and why he should bother about rural development. No. Everything is interlinked.
In other words, let us make 1998 a glorious and prosperous year. Let us make the world feel that India is going to be a magnificent country in building its economy in such a way that they should feel jealous of us. For that, what he must do is to have coordination. The lack of communication and coordination should be removed. Red tapism should be burnt. You must give a new philosophy. You must discuss with all the concerned officers and Members. If hon. Members come to the new Ministers, they must spare them some time.
Their PAs should not say " मंत्री जी बाथरूम में हैं, बाहर गए हैं, बाद में बात करेंगे।"
No. Every hon. Member is equal.
This is also a challenge before this Government and they must have a new style like what other people had done in this field.
SHRI BASWARAJ PATIL SEDAM (GULBARGA): There is no budget for bathroom! SHRI T. SUBBARAMI REDDY : Therefore, I want the Finance Ministry to review as to where we went wrong in these years and why we have not been able to have new projects. Please do not mistake my saying this. The industry is not for rich men only. It is for poor men also because if there is no industry, we cannot give employment opportunities to our people.
KUMARI MAMTA BANERJEE : Are you a poor man?
SHRI T. SUBBARAMI REDDY : I am a rich man, no doubt. I have been so for 36 years. There is nothing wrong in that. What I am saying is that we must help the poor men.
KUMARI MAMTA BANERJEE : Are you prepared to distribute your wealth among the poor people?
SHRI T. SUBBARAMI REDDY : Yes, I will give everything to you, please come.
KUMARI MAMTA BANERJEE : For God's sake do not give it to me. Please give it to the poor people.
SHRI T. SUBBARAMI REDDY : Yes, you can come and see this. I am already giving it to the poor people in my constituency.
Therefore, I want to draw the attention of the hon. Members. They have a wrong notion and a wrong impression that if somebody encourages industry, he will be termed as a rich man. It is not like that. If we want to remove frustration of the youth of this country, if we want to eradicate poverty in this country, if we want to give a new life to the people in rural areas, if we want to remove sorrow among poor people, there is only one way, that is, the country should be built up; trade, commerce and industry should be built up. For that there is no difference in the policies. We are all one. We must inspire people all over the world to participate in this. Otherwise what for are the economic reforms? We have no money, but we want to start new projects, we want power, we want electricity, we want water, we want irrigation. How is it possible? If you have no money, you allow other people to come. Otherwise what is the meaning of economic reforms? There should be no licences. Do not make a man run after the Government for licences. That is the wrong that the Congress has done. I am not praising the Congress or finding fault with you. I want this nation to grow. I am only telling what is good for the country. Everybody has done his bit. Shri Chidambaram has done wonders, Dr. Manmohan Singh has done wonders and I know that Shri Yashwant Sinha is going to beat everybody. He must do much more things. Shri Kumar is there with him.
KUMARI MAMTA BANERJEE : But do not include him in the Revenue Board! MR. SPEAKER: Please conclude.
SHRI T. SUBBARAMI REDDY : In conclusion, to have a social, political and spiritual acceleration in this country, the Finance Ministry must play a more crucial, eminent, important and memorable role. I am dreaming to see Shri Yashwant Sinha's full Budget on these lines. With his administrative skills and style, there will be no red-tapism and things will move faster. There should be no lack of communication.
"> श्री भगवान शंकर रावत (आगरा): अध्यक्ष महोदय, मुझे बड़ी प्रसन्नता है कि मेरे मित्र श्री टी.सुब्बारामी रेड्डी के दिल और दिमाग, दोनों में परिवर्तन आ रहा है। इसके लिए मैं देश के नये प्रधान मंत्री आदरणीय श्री अटल बिहारी वाजपेयी जी, उनके नेत्ृात्व में बनी सरकार के वित्त मंत्री श्री यशवंत सिन्हा और रेल मंत्री श्री नीतीश कुमार जी को बधाई देना चाहता हूं। उन्होंने जो रेल बजट पेश किया है, उनके बजट भाषण से, उसकी स्िपरिट को देखकर आज उनकी आत्मा में परिवर्तन आया है। चलिए, टायलेट का वित्त मंत्री अब नहीं बनेगा, अब एक वित्त मंत्री ऐसा वित्त बजट लेकर आयेगा, नीतियां लेकर आयेगा जो देश की जनता के बीच काम करेंगी, जिससे गरीब का, गांव का, किसान का, बेरोजगार का, पिछड़े हुए, मलीन बस्ती में रहने वाले लोगों का और देश का उद्धार होगा। देश को एक नयी दिशा मिलेगी।
मैं श्री अटल बिहारी वाजपेयी जी और श्री यशवंत सिन्हा को बधाई देना चाहता हूं। हमारे पिछले वित्त मंत्री शायद चले गये हैं। मैं उनके सामने कहता तो मुझे ज्यादा अच्छा लगता कि वी.डी.आई.स्कीम का जो मामला दर्ज है, उसमें राज्य सरकारों को ७७ फीसदी पैसा दिया जाना चाहिए था। उस पैसे को देने में टालम-टोल की गई, मना कर दिया गया। मैं इकोनौमिकल इंटेलीजेंस सर्िवस के रिकार्ड और उनके आंकड़ों से सपोर्िटड हूं जिसमें उन्होंने इंकार कर दिया कि पैसा नहीं देंगे। पैसा इसलिए नहीं देंगे ताकि केन्द्र सरकार के बजट का बजटरी आंकड़ा और अधिक न बढ़ जाये और उससे इस सरकार की अक्षमता सारे समाज के बीच में न आ जाये। अपनी अक्षमता को छुपाने का यह घिनौना प्रयास किया गया था।
उसके बाद जब चुनाव की बेला आई तो एक प्रैस कॉन्फ्रैंस में वित्त मंत्री जी ने भाषण दे दिया और कह दिया कि हम कर्मचारियों को देना तो चाहते हैं, लेकिन फाइल पर लिख दिया कि अगला वित्त मंत्री आए तो इस पर फैसला ले। मैं समझ नहीं पाया कि पुराने वित्त मंत्री ने ऐसा कयों किया। कया वे यह सोचते थे कि यदि ऐसा नहीं लिखेंगे कि नया वित्त मंत्री इस पत्रावली पर निर्णय ले, कया अगले वित्त मंत्री यशवंत सिन्हा के रूप में इतने इनकम्पीटैंट थे कि उनकी सलाह के बगैर फैसला नहीं लेते। मैं इसलिए बधाई दे रहा हूं कि इस पक्ष में बैठे लोग, जिन्होंने पचास साल तक किसी न किसी टोपी को पहनकर, किसी न किसी फॉर्म में, इस देश की सरकार को चलाया, कर्मचारियों के साथ विश्वासघात किया है। मैं अभी नीतीश कुमार जी को भी इसलिए बधाई दे रहा था। बुढ़ापे में पेंशन का मामला आता है, उसे भी डैफर कर दिया गया कि इसका भुगतान नहीं करेंगे जबकि उन्होंने अपने बजट भाषण में कहा कि हम इसका भुगतान करेंगे। बुढ़ापे की साध और छोटे-बड़े बच्चों की जो ग्ृाहस्थी होती है, उसके पालन के लिए पेंशन की बहुत कीमत होती है।
इसी प्रकार उन्होंने पैंशन प्रभार का भुगतान इस वर्ष करने का निश्चय किया है। पिछली केन्द्र सरकार ने बजटीय घाटे को संतुलित करने के लिए राज्यों को पैसा देने में जो टालमटोल की थी, वह ३१ दिसम्बर तक का मामला था, उसे तो हम दे ही रहे हैं लेकिन नई सरकार ने यह भी फैसला लिया है कि हम राज्यों के हकों और हुकुकों को, उनके विकास को नहीं रोकेंगे और जितना भी संभव होगा, अधिक से अधिक सहायता देंगे। इसलिए वी.डी.आई.एस. स्कीम के अंतर्गत ३१ मार्च तक जमा हुए पैसे में से उन्हें भुगतान करने का जो फैसला लिया गया है, वह एक ऐतिहासिक फैसला है। उन्होंने जनमत के सामने जो दस्तावेज रखा है, इस सरकार ने उस दस्तावेज का पहले दिन ही पालन किया है। इस के लिए मैं उन्हें बधाई देना चाहता हूं। मेरे मित्र मजाक कर रहे थे कि उस दस्तावेज में कया है। मैं उनको बताना चाहता हूं कि वह दस्तावेज एक प्रकार की गीता के रूप में है जिसका पालन श्री अटल बिहारी वाजपेयी ने पहले दिन ही आकर, पहले बजटीय भाषण में वित्त मंत्री के माध्यम से किया है और देश की जनता तथा राज्यों को यह संदेश दिया है कि राज्यों को हम केन्द्र का कोई उपनिवेश नहीं मानते, हर प्रदेश को विकास का मौका देंगे, हर कर्मचारी को फलने-फूलने का मौका देंगे।
मेरे मित्र गरीबों की बात कर रहे थे। मेहनतकश लोग उन कर्मचारियों के बीच आते हैं जिनको पैसा मिलेगा, पैंशन भी मिलेगी। वे बता रहे थे कि बड़ी डिस्मल पिकचर है। वास्तव में बड़ी डिस्मल पिकचर है। उन्होंने कहा कि सिन्हा साहब ने रोज़ी पिकचर भी दी है। उस डिस्मल पिकचर के लिए कौन जिम्मेदार है। उस डिस्मल पिकचर के जिम्मेदार वे लोग हैं जो वहां बैठे हैं जिससे कृषि उत्पादन में व्ृाद्धि की दर गिरी है। १९९६-९७ में यह व्ृाद्धि ५.८ प्रतिशत थी, इस बार १/२ प्रतिशत संभावित थी लेकिन वह और गिरी है। इस प्रकार का आर्िथक ढांचा जो कृषि पर निर्भर करता था, उसे भी पिछली सरकार ने चौपट कर दिया। राजकीय भंडारण की मात्रा भी गिरी है। १ नवम्बर, १९९६ को हमारा भंडारण २१.३ मलियन टन था जो १ नवम्बर, १९९७ को १८.२५ मलियन टन रह गया। हम कहते थे कि गरीबों को पी.डी.एस. से राहत देंगे, लेकिन उसकी भी पोल खुल गई। उसका बहुत प्रचार किया गया। जो पी.डी.एस. में अनाज उपलब्ध कराया जाता था उसमें भी १४.५ प्रतिशत की कमी हो गई। गरीबों के नाम पर उनको गुमराह किया गया। प्रचार किया गया लेकिन उनके पेट की आग को शांत करने के लिए, सस्ता गल्ला भी नहीं दिया गया। इस तरह उनको छला गया।
मेरे मित्र औद्योगिक क्षेत्र की बात कह रहे थे। मैं कहना चाहता हूं कि इसके लिए ये लोग जिम्मेदार हैं। इनको जवाब देना होगा कि औद्योगिक क्षेत्र में निरंतर गिरावट हो रही है।
अभी कहा जा रहा था कि विद्युत की व्यवस्था करें। हां, यह नई सरकार विद्युत की व्यवस्था करेगी। लेकिन मैं आपसे जानना चाहता हूं कि आपने इस देश में पचास साल के अंदर कया किया। विद्युत के उत्पादन और खनन क्षेत्रों में कम से कम लोगों को रोजगार तो दे देते। खनन या खुदाई का काम करते, लोगों को मैनुअल लेबर मिलती जिससे इस देश की सम्ृाद्धि बढ़ी होती।
लेकिन वह भी नहीं किया, आप पानी का उपयोग करके विद्युत सस्ती बना सकते थे, लेकिन आपने विद्युत नहीं बनाई। लोगों को अंधेरे में रहने के लिए मजबूर किया। यह मैं कहना चाहता हूं, शासन ने स्वीकारा है कि पब्िलक एकसपेंडीचर, प्राइमरी कैपीटल मार्केट में गिरावट और नॉन बैंकिंग क़ेडिट में गिरावट के कारण औद्योगिक उत्पादन गिरा है, लेकिन आखिर इसके लिए जिम्मेदार कौन है? उस जिम्मेदारी को वहन करना चाहिए और सरकार को, जो औद्योगिक मंदी है, इसे दूर करने के लिए इन्होंने प्रभावी कदम नहीं उठाये। मैं सिन्हा साहब ने अनुरोध करना चाहूंगा, आदरणीय वित्त मंत्री उस औद्योगिक मंदी को दूर करने के लिए प्रभावी कदम उठायें। आधार ढांचा जो मूलभूत सुविधाओं का होता है, इन्फ्रास्ट्रकचर ऑफ इंडस्ट्रीज़, विद्युत उत्पादन, कोयला उत्पादन, सीमेंट, इस्पात, इन सब के उत्पादन में जो गिरावट आई, बढ़ोतरी नहीं की जा सकी, उसके लिए मैं वित्त मंत्री जी का ध्यान आकर्िषत करूंगा कि पिछली सरकार के इन पापों को दूर करें, इन कमियों को दूर करें और इस ओर वे अपना गतिशील नेत्ृात्व प्रदान करें।
अप्रत्यक्ष करों में जितनी अपेक्षा थी, उस परिमाण में वसूली नहीं हुई और उसका परिणाम है कि उन्होंने अभी बताया था कि १४ हजार करोड़ रुपया बजट अनुमानों से कम वसूली हो सकी। आखिर इसका उत्तरदायी कौन है, बजट बनाने वाला या हिन्दुस्तान की जनता? हिन्दुस्तान की जनता का कोई दोष नहीं, यह सारी नियोजन की गलती थी। हमारे टैकस स्ट्रकचर की और टैकस प्लानिंग की, टैकस की वसूलयाबी की गलती थी, जिसके कारण जितना पैसा हमने सोचा था, उससे १४ हजार करोड़ की कम वसूली हो सकी।
मैं एक बात और कहना चाहता हूं। अभी मेरे मित्र निर्यात की बात कर रहे थे। निर्यात और आयात के अन्दर जो बड़ा भारी डिफरेंस है और आयात बढ़ा और निर्यात घटा, उस अंतर से साथ-साथ एक चीज को छिपाने की कोशिश की गई कि वर्ष २००० के अन्त तक एक टार्गेट हमने तय किया था कि इतना हम निर्यात करेंगे और इस देश को निर्यात की दृष्िट से अग्रणी श्रंखला में विश्व के देशों के अन्दर प्रतिष्ठापित करेंगे, लेकिन उस टार्गेट की बात आज कोई नहीं करता। इसलिए बात नहीं करते कि उस टार्गेट को पूरा करने की इच्छाशकित नहीं थी। केवल इस देश की जनता को गुमराह करने की इच्छा थी कि हम इस तरह की एक ल्यूक़ेटिव पिकचर देकर लोगों को यह बता देंगे कि यह मनभावन योजनाएं हैं। इन सपनों में आप झूलो, लेकिन पिछली सरकार से जिस तरह विरासत में इस सरकार को शासन मिला है, उसने उसके बारे में कोई प्रगति नहीं की और इसलिए ये बेलैंस ऑफ पेमेंट, विदेशी व्यापार का संतुलन डगमगा गया है। रुपये का अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय क्षेत्र में डालर के मुकाबले भारी अवमूल्यन हुआ। सरकार पिछले दरवाजे से रुपये के अवमूल्यन की तैयारी कर रही थी। मैं हिन्दुस्तान के मतदाताओं को बधाई देता हूं, जिन्होंने इस खतरे को समझ लिया और इसलिए अच्छे कुशल हाथों में इस देश का नेत्ृात्व, शासन की बागडोर सौंप दी, अन्यथा यहां भी थाईलैंड जैसा होने जा रहा था। यहां भी उस तरह का ही होने जा रहा था, जैसा साउथ ईस्ट एशियन कण्ट्रीज़ में हुआ है।
मैं पिछली सरकार की विश्वसनीयता के बारे में कहना चाहता हूं। नॉन रेजीडेंट इंडियंस के डिपॉजिटस में पिछले वर्ष भारी गिरावट आई। उसका केवल एक कारण था, इस सरकार की विश्वसनीयता, इस सरकार की एफीसिएंसी के बारे में लोगों को शक हुआ और इसीलिए प्रवासी भारतीयों ने जिस रेट में वह धन जमा कर रहे थे, पिछले वर्ष ३.४ मलियन डालर जमा किये थे, इस वित्तीय वर्ष में १.५ मलियन डालर की गिरावट उसमें हो गई। यह विश्वसनीयता देश की अर्थव्यवस्था की सुदृढ़ता ... (व्यवधान)
MR. SPEAKER: Please conclude. Totally five hon. Members will speak from your party.
SHRI BHAGWAN SHANKAR RAWAT : I will just complete it.
MR. SPEAKER: Each hon. Member has been allotted ten minutes to speak.
श्री भगवान शंकर रावत : मैं यह कहना चाहूंगा, जो वर्तमान सरकार को विरासत में मिला है। लड़खड़ाती अर्थव्यवस्था, उसके उपचार के लिए कोई तात्कालिक ध्यान देना पड़ेगा। इन्फ्रास्ट्रकचर, फाइनेंशियल स्ट्रकचर और पब्िलक सैकटर और फाइनेंशियल सैकटर में स्वास्थ्य है, शिक्षा है, बेरोजगारी उन्मूलन है, गरीबी उन्मूलन जैसी मूलभूत समस्याओं के निराकरण के लिए प्रभावी कदम उठाने होंगे। मेरा विश्वास है कि इस ओर कदम उठाये जायेंगे। यह नई सरकार कदम उठायेगी।
मैं दो बातें कहकर अपनी बात समाप्त करूंगा। एक मैं कहना चाहूंगा कि हमारी पिछली सरकार ने चाय का फलेवर, चाय का टेस्ट भी खराब कर दिया है। हिन्दुस्तान में पैदा होने के बाद बी चाय इतनी महंगी हो गई कि निर्यातकों के मकड़जाल में वह फंस गई। इतना ही नहीं, जो अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय मूल्य थे, उस विदेशी मुद्रा के मूल्य से चाय के डोमेस्िटक मूल्यों का लिंकेज कर दिया गया। उसका परिणाम है कि आज हिन्दुस्तान के अन्दर ८० फीसदी चाय कन्ज्यूम होती है।
कंजूमर को महंगी चाय मिल रही है। जब ग्ृाहणी अपने पति को चाय पिलाती है तो चाय की पत्ती पूरी मात्रा में इसलिए नहीं डाल पाती कि उसके घर का बजट खराब होता है। पति जब चाय पीता है तो कहता है कि चाय का स्वाद खराब हो गया है। इसलिए मैं वित्त मंत्री जी से अनुरोध करूंगा कि भारत के आधे से ज्यादा लोग चाय पीते हैं, कम से कम उनकी चाय का फलेवर तो ठीक करवा दें।
राष्ट्रपति जी ने अपने अभिभाषण में उत्तरांचल, वनांचल और छत्तीसगढ़ राज्य बनाने का कमिटमेंट किया है। मैं मानकर चलता हूं कि श्री अटल बिहारी वाजपेयी की सरकार ने जो कमिटमेंट किया है, वह उसे पूरा भी करेगी। लेकिन मुझे लगता है कि स्िलप आफ विजन या स्िलप आफ साइट हो गया है, कयोंकि उन्होंने इन तीन राज्यों के गठन की बात तो कही है, लेकिन धन का प्रावधान नहीं किया है। इसलिए मैं मांग करूंगा कि इन तीन राज्यों के प्ृाथक निर्माण के लिए जितनी धनराशि की जरूरत हो, उसका प्रावधान करें जिससे एक साथ इन तीनों राज्यों के निर्माण की शुरूआत हो सके।
ग्रामीण विकास मद में भी पिछली बार भारी कटौती की गई थी। उसको भी वित्त मंत्री सुधारें, जिससे गरीबों का और किसानों का उत्थान हो सके।
इन्हीं शब्दों के साथ में वित्त मंत्री जी द्वारा पेश किए गए अंतरिम बजट का पुरजोर समर्थन करता हूं।
">SHRI S. ARUMUGHAM (PONDICHERRY): Hon. Speaker Sir, I express my gratitude to my leader, DMK President, Dr. Kalaignar Karunanidhi for having given me an opportunity to contest from Pondicherry parliamentary constituency and I thank the electorate of Pondicherry for having elected me. I have to represent as a lone parliamentary Member from Pondicherry and I wish to say a few words about some of the problems of Pondicherry.
The people of Pondicherry demand for special Statehood. For more than 25 years, they have been wishing the Pondicherry Government to have more powers. Unanimous resolutions have been passed at different times in the State Assembly of Pondicherry. The Government of India should fulfil this aspiration. Income tax concession was granted for the new industrial undertakings set up in the industrially backward area of Pondicherry State. This concession is going to end this month. Income tax holiday should be extended to the State of Pondicherry for a further period of five years.
I would like to make one more point here. A new railway line is to be put up between Cuddalore and Tindivanam through Pondicherry. I was told that this proposal has been taken up. The Government should speed up this scheme.
"> श्री मोहन सिंह (देवरिया): अध्यक्ष महोदय, ये अनुपूरक अनुदान की मांगें हैं इसलिए इन पर विस्त्ृात और नीति विषयक बातों को नहीं कहा जा सकता। लेकिन चूंकि वित्त मंत्री जी ने इन मांगों को प्रस्तुत करते समय कुछ भूमिका में अपनी बातें कहीं। हम लोगों के सामने अभी आर्िथक सर्वेक्षण की पूरी रिपोर्ट नहीं है, लेकिन दुर्भाग्य है हमारे देश का कि जिन क्षेत्रों का मीडिया अधिकारी और तथाकथित बुद्धिजीवी व्यापक प्रचार करते हैं, उसके विपरीत परिणाम देश के सामने आता है। पिछला बजट जब प्रस्तुत हुआ था तो देश के तथाकथित बुद्धिजीवियों ने उसको स्वप्िनल बजट की संज्ञा दी थी और कहा था कि इस देश में आर्िथक तरककी की दर, आयात-निर्यात की गति, विकास का दौर नए सिरे से शुरू होगा।
लेकिन वित्त मंत्री जी ने सही ढंग से, सही परिप्रेक्षय में बात रखी है। यह बहुत ही निराशाजनक स्िथति है जिस पर हमें आज गंभीरता से सोचने की जरूरत है।
भारत जैसे महान देश में जहां कृषि की तरककी की विशेष अपेक्षा है, उसकी नकारात्मक तरककी हो रही है और वह तरककी दो फीसदी है। हमारी आर्िथक तरककी की गति नौ या दस फीसदी होनी चाहिए, लेकिन वह पांच फीसदी पर ठहर गई है। औद्योगिक उत्पादन भी साढ़े चार फीसदी की दर से हो रहा है जो हमारे देश की बढ़ती जनसंख्या और आवश्यकताओं को देखते हुए बिल्कुल ही प्रतिकूल है। उसके बावजूद कया हम उन नीतियों पर, जिनके चलते हमारे देश में ठहराव की स्िथति आई है, फिर से विचार करने और पुनर्िवचार करने पर मजबूर हैं या तैयार हैं- यह वित्त मंत्री जी को बतलाना पड़ेगा। संक्षेप में उन्होंने इतना ही कहा है कि इन्होंने बजट बनाते समय जो राष्ट्रीय एजेंडा तैयार किया है, उसके परिप्रेक्षय में अपनी नीतियों को निर्धारित करेंगे। लेकिन हमारी यह स्पष्ट राय है कि जैसे इस देश की रक्षा नीतियां, इस देश की विदेश नीतियां स्थायी होती हैं, आर्िथक नीतियों के बारे में भी स्थायित्व की जरूरत है। मुझे यह कहते हुए अफसोस है कि जिस सरकार के हाथ में आज यह देश गया है, उसमें इतने वभिन्न विचारों के लोग हैं कि सरकार गठित होने से दो दिन पहले, इसी सरकार के एक मंत्री ने कहा कि जो विदेशी कंपनियां, बहु-राष्ट्रीय कंपनियां भारत में आ गई हैं, यदि उन्होंने कुछ शतर्ों को पूरा नहीं किया है तो उनको बिस्तर बांधकर भारत से बाहर जाने के लिए तैयार रहना चाहिए। भय का वातावरण तैयार करने की कोशिश इनके संगठन के एक नेता ने की। उसके दो दिन बाद जब वित्त मंत्री जी ने वित्त मंत्रालय के कार्य को संभाला तो उन्होंने कहा कि चिंता करने की जरूरत नहीं है। विदेशी कंपनियां आराम से भारत में रहें, उनके ऊपर हमारा हमला होने वाला नहीं है। ऐसी स्िथति में किस तरह के वातावरण का निर्माण आप करना चाहते हैं? इस तरह के काफी प्रश्न चिन्ह हमारे सामने उपस्िथत हैं।
दूसरी बात मैं यह कहना चाहता हूं कि जब नई आर्िथक नीतियां इस देश में १९९१ में लागू हुईं तो उनकी भी विशेष आलोचना इन्हीं मंचों से हुई। उस समय विपक्ष के नेता की हैसियत से भारतीय जनता पार्टी के नेता और आपकी सरकार के ग्ृाह मंत्री जी बैठा करते थे। सरकार के खर्चे पर ही उन्होंने पश्िचमी देशों की यात्रा की। उन्होंने दुनिया के पूंजीपतियों को, पूंजी-निवेशकों को इस बात का खुले तौर पर आमंत्रण दिया कि कांग्रेस के बाद भारतीय जनता पार्टी इस देश की सबसे बड़ी पार्टी है। इसके बाद हमारी सरकार को आना है, इसलिए दुनिया के निवेशकों, आपको चिंता करने की आवश्यकता नहीं है, आपको भारतीय जनता पार्टी पूरे तौर पर आश्वासन देती है कि इन आर्िथक नीतियों में किसी भी तरह का परिवर्तन, हमारी सरकार कुर्सी पर बैठने के बाद करने वाली नहीं है। ऐसा आश्वासन उस जमाने में विपक्ष के नेता, जो आज आपकी सरकार में ग्ृाह मंत्री जी हैं, उन्होंने दुनिया के निवेशकों को दिया था। लेकिन आज की तारीख में फिर आप ही की सरकार, इस तरह की दुविधाओं से, किस तरह का वातावरण इस देश के आर्िथक निवेशकों के सामने खड़ा करना चाहती है, इसकी चिंता मुझे आज परेशान करने लगी है। इसका उत्तर मैं वित्त मंत्री जी से चाहूंगा।
वित्तीय अनुशासन के बारे में बार-बार सरकार के ऊपर दबाव आने चाहिए। वित्तीय अनुशासन आज इस देश में खत्म हो रहा है। उत्पादन खर्चें बढ़ रहे हैं। हम आज की तारीख में किसी दिशा-निर्देश की आपसे अपेक्षा नहीं कर सकते कयोंकि जिन अनुपूरक अनुदान मांगों को आपने रखा है, उनमें से एक भी पैसा आपने खर्च नहीं किया है, उसे किसी और आदमी ने खर्च किया है, किसी और सरकार ने खर्च किया है। चूंकि सरकार की धारावाहिकता है, इसलिए उसके वित्त मंत्री होने के नाते आपको सदन की स्वीकृति लेने के लिए सदन के सामने आना पड़ा है। अत: आपको हम जबावदेय नहीं मानते और उसके जवाब की भी हम आपसे अपेक्षित नहीं रखते। हमारी जो भावनाएं हैं, उनके बारे में आप उत्तर दे दें। मैं एक बात की ओर पुन: आपका घ्यान आकर्िषत करना चाहूंगा।
वह बात है, दसवें वित्त आयोग तथा भारत सरकार ने २१२ करोड़ रुपए बट्टे खाते में डालने का राज्यों के बारे में अधिकार दिया था, लेकिन उसके विपरीत वित्त आयोग की राय के खिलाफ, राजनीतिक कारणों से, अपने आप चुपके से, बजट में नहीं, सदन के सामने आकर नहीं, देश को विश्वास में लेकर नहीं, बल्िक एक सरकारी निर्णय से आपने ५८५ करोड़ रुपए एक राज्य का माफ किया। यह राशि भी आपके जमाने की नहीं है और आने वाले सने २००० तक का पैसा आपने माफ कर दिया। मैं इसका विरोधी नहीं हूं कि आपने माफ कर दिया । कहा गया, पंजाब ने आतंकवाद का मुकाबला किया था, मैं कहना चाहता हूं कि दूसरे राज्यों ने भी आतंकवाद का मुकाबला किया है। यह सौतेला व्यवहार का अधिकार किसी भी सरकार को यह सदन नहीं दे सकता और न ही यह देश दे सकता है। केवल राजनीतिक कारणों से, किसी विशेष परस्िथति में यदि आपने एक राज्य का पैसा माफ किया, तो जिन दूसरे राज्यों ने इसी तरह की विशेष परस्िथतियों में पैसे खर्च किए हैं वहां भी संकट की स्िथति है, तो उनका भी पैसा माफ होना चाहिए। यह मैं सरकार से निवेदन करना चाहता हूं।
महोदय, किसी भी देश की निजी सुरक्षा बिना पुलिस के नहीं चल सकती और इसी लिए एसपीजी का खर्च बढ़ रहा है। पिछले साल तक यह राशि ४५ करोड़ रुपए और ५४ करोड़ रुपए थी, जो इस साल बढ़ कर ८५ करोड़ रुपए होने जा रही है। यह निजी सुरक्षा का मामला है, इसके बारे में भारत सरकार को गम्भीरता से विचार करना चाहिए। मैं आपके रक्षा मंत्री जी को धन्यवाद देना चाहता हूं, जिन्होंने साफ तौर पर कहा है कि उनकी सुरक्षा के किसी भी इन्तजाम को वे स्वीकार करने के लिए तैयार नहीं है। मैं पूछना चाहता हूं, कया उनके आदर्श पर चलने के लिए इस सरकार के सभी मंत्री अनुसरण करेंगे? कया सरकार एसपीजी पर ८५ करोड़ रुपए खर्च करने के बारे में पुनर्िवचार करेगी? इस बारे में वित्त मंत्री जी को विचार करना चाहिए।
जहां तक खाद्य निगम को ७५०० करोड़ रुपए सब्िसडी देने की बात है - ७००० करोड़ रुपए खाद्य पर सब्िसडी दी जा रही है और ५०० करोड़ रुपए चीनी पर सब्िसटी दी जा रही है - मैं कहना चाहता हूं कि ५०० करोड़ रुपए लगाकर इस देश में जितनी भी बीमार चीनी मिलें हैं, उनका जीणर्ोद्धार किया जा सकता है, उनका नवीनीकरण किया जा सकता है और उनका पुनरुद्धार किया जा सकता है। इस देश में जितनी चीनी की खपत है, उसे पूरा किया जा सकता है।
अगली बात मैं सरकार के ऊपर बढ़ रहे आंतरिक ऋण के बारे में कहना चाहता हूं। सरकार के ऊपर आंतरिक ऋण ही नहीं, बल्िक विदेशी ऋण भी बढ़ रहा है। इसको कम करने के बारे में सरकार को विचार करना चाहिए। इसी तरह से डालर की टर्म में हमारी मुद्रा का अवमूल्यन हो रहा है। इस देश के अर्थशास्त्री कहते हैं कि हमारे देश की मुद्रा की यदि कीमत डालर के मुकाबले में कम होगी तो इस देश में विदेशी मुद्रा की आवक बढ़ेगी। इसका दूसरा पहलू यह भी है कि हमारे देश को जो विदेशी कर्ज मिलता है और जिस तारीख से हमारे देश की मुद्रा की कीमत घटती है, उसी तारीख से विदेशी कर्ज का अनुपात भी गिरने लगता है। इसलिए भारत सरकार को नकल नहीं करनी चाहिए कि पूर्वी एशिया के जो देश है, उनकी आर्िथक हालत खराब हो गई है और वहां डालर की समस्या खड़ी हो गई है, लेकिन हम तो सीना तानकर खड़े हैं। इस पर भी भारत सरकार को गम्भीरता से विचार करना चाहिए। भारत सरकार मुद्रा की कीमत को बढ़ाने और इस देश को आर्िथक संकट से बाहर निकालने के लिए कारगर कदम उठाने चाहिए। अंत में, इस अपेक्षा के साथ मैं अनुदान की मांगों का समर्थन करता हूं और इसका समर्थन करना हमारी मजबूरी भी है, कयोंकि यह ऐसे लोगों के द्वारा खर्च किया गया है, जिनको हमारा समर्थन भी प्राप्त था। इसलिए इसका समर्थन करना ही है। इन शब्दों के साथ, जिन बिन्दुओं की ओर मैंने इशारा किया है, उन पर आप संक्षेप में विचार करेंगे, मैं अपनी बात समाप्त करता हूं।
19.05 hrs. (Shri P.M. Sayeed in the Chair) ">SHRI MOINUL HUSSAIN (MURSHIDABAD): Respected Speaker, Sir, yesterday our hon. Finance Minister, Shri Yashwant Sinha had placed the Interim Budget. On this Budget, I would like to mention two or three points only.
I feel that the entire economic policy and planning of our country will be affected if the policy of decentralisation becomes the main thrust area. In connection with this I would like to say that the Finance Minister must immediately give effect to the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission which are accepted by the Inter State Council.
My second point is regarding tax restructuring. The Minister had mentioned about this in his speech also. I would like to say at this moment that a unique decision has been taken by the Tenth Finance Commission, that is, that 29 per cent of the total resources will go to the States. We demand that we must uphold the decision which was accepted by the previous Government in principle. I suppose that it will strengthen the States and ultimately it will strengthen the federal structure of our country to make a strong nation. In connection with this I would like to request the Finance Minister to immediately hold a meeting of the Ministers of different States to discuss about the consideration of the forthcoming Eleventh Finance Commission I have read out the speech of our respected hon. President which was delivered by him yesterday. I have also read out the National Agenda. Everybody has talked about the unemployment problem of our country. A great concern has been expressed by the nation. We have also heard a new slogan of `berozgari hatao'. Perhaps this august House knows a number of `hatao' slogans being raised earlier. I have gone through the Interim Budget of Shri Yashwant Sinha. How they would go about it, there is no mention in his Budget. I would like to mention the present perspective of the unemployment problem of our country. The annual rate of increase in employment is 2.3 per cent only. The last Yojana Commission targeted it to be 2.62 per cent during that Plan period. I suppose it is not enough. It is not enough to pass a general comment from a national level. It is high time to bring about a time-bound programme. I know that it is an Interim Budget. The youth community of the entire nation is demanding a time-bound programme for employment and other allied subjects.
According to the Budget speech of our Finance Minister, which was placed yesterday, in the Budget estimates for the year 1998-99, the non-Plan expenditure increased nearly to Rs.26,000 crore for pension, payment of interest and other heads. Under the head Major Subsidies, the amount shown is Rs.1500 crore. I suppose, these subsidies will go directly to the common people for food and other things. The rate of increase of these subsidies is on the lower side.
The other point is with regard to the Budget Paper, Budget at a Glance. The Finance Minister has announced that the Government would try its best to expand the tax base.
I have seen the Budget papers that have been supplied to me. At a glance, in one rupee only eight paise are coming from the Corporation Tax. We demand that the Government must increase the Corporation Tax rates. There is ample scope, we must exploit it.
Another point I would like to mention is regarding West Bengal, particularly my constituency. Everybody knows that severe erosion is occurring on rivers Ganga and Padma. At present, it has become a national disaster. Lakhs of people are evicted. It is increasing day by day. The Expert Committee which was constituted by the Government of India has recommended more funds to save the common people in the local areas. I would like to request the hon. Finance Minister to immediately allot more funds to save the entire area from erosion and to protect the people from getting evicted.
This is my first speech before the august House and I would like to thank the Chair for giving me this chance.
"> प्रो. प्रेम सिंह चन्दूमाजरा (पटियाला) : माननीय सभापति जी, सबसे पहले मैं अपने माननीय वित्त मंत्री जी को अंतरिम बजट पेश करने पर बधाई देना चाहता हूं। उसमें जो उन्होंने संकेत दिये हैं उनसे स्पष्ट होता है कि देश में परिवर्तन आ रहा है और उसके लिए मैं अपने प्रधान मंत्री जी को भी मुबारकबाद देना चाहता हूं, जिनकी रहनुमाई में ऐसे योग्य वित्त मंत्री जी बने और ऐसी योग्य और अच्छी सरकार बनी है जिसने राजनैतिक परिवर्तन के साथ-साथ आर्िथक परिवर्तन भी लाने का विचार किया है। पिछले ५० वषर्ों में इस देश में जो भयंकर बीमारियां पैदा की गयीं उनके लिए जो लोग ज्यादा समय हुकूमत में रहे वे जिम्मेदार हैं। महंगाई, गरीबी, अनपढ़ता, बेरोजगारी और भ्रष्टाचार - इन पांच बीमारियों को दूर करने के लिए जो वित्त मंत्री जी ने नये दिशा-निर्देश दिए हैं उनसे ये बीमारियां आने वाले समय में दूर हो सकेंगी। यहां माननीय संसद सदस्य रेड्डी जी द्वारा बात की गयी है कि आर्िथक सुधार कांग्रेस की देन हैं। यह भूल रहे हैं और ये झूठी शोभा और वाहि-वाहि लेना चाहते हैं। ये आर्िथक सुधार ग्लोबल इकोनोमी की मजबूरी हैं। आज जो दुनिया में अर्थव्यवस्था बन गयी है ये उसकी मजबूरी है। जो आर्िथक सुधारों के लम्बरदार बनना चाहते हैं, मैं उनसे पूछना चाहता हूं कि पिछले सालों में जो आर्िथक सुधार लाए गये और जो प्रोजेकट पास किए गए उनमें से तो २३ प्रतिशत पूंजी भी लाई नहीं गयी, तो आर्िथक सुधार तो फेल हुए। आर्िथक सुधार तो अब हमारे वित्त मंत्री जी ने जो दिशा-निर्देश दिए हैं इनसे सही रूप में लाए जाएंगे - ऐसा मैं समझता हूं। जो आर्िथक सर्वेक्षण किया गया है उससे और भी दुख हो रहा है कि जी.डी.पी. में जो टार्गेट फिकस किया गया है उसमें भी कमी और ओवर-ऑल जो ग्रोथ है वह पांच प्रतिशत धीमे हो गयी है। सबसे दुख वाली बात यह है कि कृषि जिस पर ७० प्रतिशत लोग निर्भर करते हैं और देश की अर्थव्यवस्था निर्भर करती है उसमें भी माइनस दो प्रतिशत की कमी हो गयी है। इसके लिए मौसम को ब्लेम किया जाता है। कभी कहा जाता है कि बारिश ज्यादा हो गई, कम हो गई। यह अपना दोष नहीं मानते। देश में प्लान किस ने बनाए थे? उसके कया नतीजे निकले? उसके लिए कोई अपने आप को दोषी नहीं समझता। यह बहुत दुख की बात है कि पिछले बजट में टैकस कॉलैकशन की जो बात की थी वह १४२३६ करोड़ रुपए कम हुई। यह टैकस कॉलैकशन कैसे किया है? यह मैम्बर पार्िलयमैंट को कॉलैकट करने में लगे रहे। यह एक दूसरे की टांग खींचते रहे। इस कारण टैकस कॉलैकशन नहीं हो सका। पी.एस.यू. के शेयरों के डिसइनवैस्टमैंट का टारगेट ४८०० करोड़ रुपए रखा था लेकिन ९०६ करोड़ रुपए ही डिसइनवैस्ट कर पाए। इस हाउस में पिछले वित्त मंत्री ने जब बजट पेश किया था तो बहुत तालियां बजायी गई थीं और कहा गया था कि यह ड़ीम बजट है।
आज भी किसी भाई ने कहा कि वह ड़ीम बजट था। वह ड़ीम बन कर ही रह गया। इस कारण प्राइसिज बढ़ गईं, बेरोजगारी बढ़ गई, आर्िथक व्यवस्था में बेविश्वासी बढ़ गई, रुपए की कीमत में कमी आ गई। ऐसी स्िथति में श्री अटल बिहारी वाजपेयी जी और उनकी सहयोगी पार्िटयों को देश के लोगों ने जिम्मेदारी सौंपी। जिस जिम्मेदारी के साथ वाजपेयी जी की सरकार ने दिशा-निर्देश तय किए हैं, उनसे देश में बहुत जल्दी परिवर्तन आएगा। विशेष रूप से जो वॉलयंटरी डिसकलोजर ऑफ इनकम स्कीम थी, उसमें से माननीय वित्त मंत्री जी ने प्रदेशों को जो शेयर दिया है, वह ४३८९ करोड़ रुपए था। उन्होंने उसको बढ़ा कर ७५९४ करोड़ रुपए कर दिया। इसके लिए इस सरकार को बहुत बधाई जाती है। यह हमारी बहुत पुरानी मांग थी। हम हमेशा कहते रहे कि अगर प्रदेश मजबूत होंगे तो देश मजबूत होगा। हमारी सोच और भावना को सरकार ने सही रूप में समझा है और उसको लागू करने का संकेत दिया। इसके लिए मैं इनको बार-बार मुबारकवाद देता हूं और आशा रखता हूं कि इस सरकार की रहनुमाई में यह देश बहुत आगे बढ़ेगा।
नेशनल एजेंडे में जो बात कही गई है, उसको माननीय वित्त मंत्री जी ने अपने भाषण में दोहराया है और कहा है कि कृषि क्षेत्र को जो आज तक इग्नोर किया गया, उसके लिए ज्यादा से ज्यादा फंडस रखे जाएंगे। कृषि क्षेत्र के लिए ६० परसैंट राशि का प्राविजन करने की जो बात नेशनल एजेंडे में कही गई है, वह जरूर पूरी की जाएगी। स्टेटस को भी एक हजार करोड़ रुपए एकस्ट्रा सहायता देने की बात कही गई है। इसके लिए मैं उन्हें बधाई देना चाहता हूं। विशेष रूप से पंजाब जैसे प्रदेश के बहुत सारे हाइडल प्रोजैकट और दूसरे प्रोजैकटस रुके पड़े हैं। मैं नहीं समझ पाया कि मेरे दोस्त मोहन सिंह ने इस बारे में कयों गिला किया? वह चाहे जितना कर्जा माफ करा लेते। उस समय तो इनकी पार्टी की सरकार थी ... (व्यवधान) जब आप बोल रहे थे तो मैंने आपको टोका नहीं था।
पंजाब एक बॉर्डर स्टेट है। पिछले ५० वषर्ों में पंजाब को लूटा गया। पहली बार वहां का कर्जा माफ किया तो इन्हें तकलीफ हुई। एक हजार करोड़ रुपए की स्पैशल सहायता स्टेटस के लिए है। उसमें पंजाब को ज्यादा सहायता दी जाए ताकि थीन डैम प्रोजैकट जिस का पानी पाकिस्तान को जा रहा है, जिस के कारण बिजली नहीं मिल पाती ... (व्यवधान)
MR. CHAIRMAN : No running commentaries, please. Let him complete.
प्रो.प्रेम सिंह चंदूमाजरा : आज रावी का पानी पाकिस्तान को जा रहा है। २५-२७ सालों से थीन डैम के लिए पूरा पैसा नहीं मिला है। उसमें थोड़ी ज्यादा राशि अलौट कर दें ताकि वह काम मुकम्मल हो जाए और बिजली मिले।
जो ऐग्रो-बेस्ड इंडस्ट्री हैं, ऐजुकेशनल इंस्टीटयूशन्स हैं, वाटर सप्लाई, हॆल्थ सर्िवसेज़ इनफ्रास्ट्रकचर है उसमें आर एंड डी को बिल्ड करने की ज़रूरत है। उसके लिए भी ज्यादा पैसा मुहैया करने की ज़रूत है ताकि बेरोज़गारी की जो सबसे बड़ी समस्या है, वह दूर हो जाए।
इतना कहकर मैं अपनी बात समाप्त करता हूं।
">DR. SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY (MADURAI): Mr. Chairman, Sir, the nation, on watching the television yesterday following the presentation of the Vote on Account and seeing the newspapers today was stunned to learn the truth that the so-called dream Budget was actually a nightmare for the nation. In fact the nation was conned into thinking last year that something good had been done for the nation but actually we are today in a terrible economic mess. I will just quote the headlines from two newspapers. The Statesman of today said "Sinha tears apart Chidambaram's claims". The Hindu of today has titled it as "Nightmare of 1997-98". I will just read a few sentences of that.
"The so-called dream Budget of 1997-98 has turned into a nightmare. ... One wonders what BJP-led Government will do to set right the mistakes made during the tenure of Mr. P. Chidambaram. The few Cassandras who questioned the hype in much of the media about the "dream budget" ...
I was one among them.
... have been proven right. But it cannot give them much satisfaction that during the course of the past year the Centre's financial situation has been brought to such a poor state."
Mr. Chairman, if one were to go into the details, some of the statistics are extraordinarily alarming. I do not have to go into all of them. There is not enough time. But I would like to mention that we have to keep in mind how grim, how gloomy the economic prospect is and how urgently important it is for the confidence of the nation that something good is going to happen in the future. That confidence has to be restored. The fiscal deficit which was targeted at four and ahalf per cent of the GDP shot up to sixand a half per cent of the GDP. The growth rate in the GDP has slowed down to five per cent compared to a consistent rate of seven per cent during Shri Narasimha Rao's period. The Congressmen may have forgotten Shri P.V. Narasimha Rao who has done a great service. ... (Interruptions)
SHRI A.C. JOS (MUKUNDAPURAM): We have not forgotten him.
DR.SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY : I am glad that you have not forgotten him. But he did a great service to the nation.
Rao. The credit has to go to the Prime Minister. That is another proof that they have forgotten Shri Narasimha Rao. They want to now give all the credit to Dr. Manmohan Singh. All right, that is fine.
The growth rate of agriculture was minus two per cent.
DR. SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY : I am glad that you have not forgotten him. But he did a great service to the nation.
MR. CHAIRMAN : Shri Swamy, do not invite trouble from him.
DR. SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY : Mr. Chairman, there is no trouble. They are my friends. You do not have to worry. But I would like to put it on record tahat Shri Narasimha Rao who brought in economic reforms in a very systematic way, and in five years running, the growth rate was hovering around seven per cent per year. There should be appreciation for him. I find that appreciation missing. That is why I said that they may forget but the country will not forget. If they have not forgotten, then I am very happy. I hope it is manifested in some way.
SHRI LAXMAN SINGH (RAJGARH): It was done by Dr. Manmohan Singh.
DR. SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY : Dr. Manmohan Singh was brought by Shri Narasimha Rao. The credit has to go to the Prime Minister. That is another proof that they have forgotten Shri Narasimha Rao. They want to now give all the credit to Dr. Manmohan Singh. All right, that is fine.
The growth rate of agriculture was minus two per cent.
The growth rate of industry which during Shri Narasimha Rao's period was 12 per cent per year - all right, it was 13 per cent, more glory to Shri Narasimha Rao. But only 4.6 per cent! Exports growth in dollar terms was negative. The rupee has slumped to the lowest ever level of Rs.40 per dollar. There were huge bottlenecks in key infrastructure. There was a lackluster capital market and yet we are in a debt trap. In other words, the payment of interest on capital and principal is more than what you are getting in terms of the loan. There is a sharp fall in revenue collection despite the claim by the then Finance Minister that he had discovered some American economist called Laffer whose cub had said that if you reduce taxes, the revenue will go up.
In fact, the revenue has collapsed from an estimated 1.53 lakh crore to 1.32 lakh crore. At the same time, with all this arithmetic completely out of gear, oil and diesel prices are raised in a supplementary budget by an administrative order. But the international oil prices fell from 23 dollars per barrel to 13 dollar per barrel. In fact, India is the only country where diesel prices have been raised. Indeed, was it a dream budget? Obviously not. Not only, was it a nightmare but perhaps a fraud also was committed on the nation. During the period of Shri Chidambaram, huge scandals took place in the Finance Ministry and I hope that the new Finance Minister would leave no stone unturned in discovering the full magnitude of these scandals.
I had filed a public interest litigation on the Indian Bank scandal. The Finance Ministry is yet to give a complete reply to the Supreme Court. They have been taking one adjournment after another. I would like the Finance Minister to give a commitment that the Rs.3,200 crore scandal of the Indian Bank, which is the largest in the history of the banking industry of the world, would be probed into thoroughly and the leaders behind it belonging to the Tamil Maanila Congress would be thoroughly exposed.
There was an arbitrary change in our narcotics policy without Cabinet approval on the 6th of October, 1996 where narcotics and drug dealers were allowed to make a huge windfall of Rs.2000 crore. This had come in the newspapers. If the Finance Ministry wants, I am prepared to give those Press cuttings. This is something that has to be looked into. It is a very serious matter. It was an administrative fiat of the then Finance Minister that the narcotics policy was changed.
SHRI M. SELVARASU (NAGAPATTINAM): How much time was allotted? (Interruptions)
SHRI SATYA PAL JAIN (CHANDIGARH): He must be a TMC Member.... (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN (SHRI P.M. SAYEED): If there is anything objectionable, I will expunge it. Do not get up like this.
SHRI SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY (MADURAI): You will expunge unnecessary things. (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Whatever it is.
SHRI SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY (MADURAI): Allegations have been made. They are truthful.
Then the Finance Ministry had given tax exemption to certain trusts. Shri G.K. Moopanar had founded a trust.
SHRI A.C. JOS (MUKUNDAPURAM): I am on a point of order. (Interruptions) Shri G.K. Moopanar is not a Member of this House. He should not talk about him. (Interruptions)
SHRI A.C. JOS (MUKUNDAPURAM): He is not a Member ofof this House.
SHRI A.C. JOS (MUKUNDAPURAM): There must be a ruling. It should not be allowed. He cannot go on like this.
ADV. P. SANKARAN (CALICUT): He is levelling specific charges against a person who is not a Member of this House. There must be a ruling.
SHRI A.C. JOSE (MUKUNDAPURAM): We want a ruling.
ADV. P. SANKARAN (CALICUT): It should not be allowed here.(Interruptions) He is levelling specific charges against a leader.
... (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: If all of you get up, how can I hear? Shri Jose, what is your point of order?
SHRI A.C. JOSE (MUKUNDAPURAM): Sir, I am on a point of order.
ADV. P. SANKARAN (CALICUT): If you want to level a charge, that should be given in writing well in advance.
THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI DALIT EZHILMALAI): Sir, he is talking about trusts. ... (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Please be seated.
... (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: He is on a point of order.
SHRI SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY (MADURAI): The Finance Ministry has given the exemption.
SHRI A.C. JOSE (MUKUNDAPURAM): I am on a point of order... (Interruptions)
SHRI A.C. JOSE (MUKANDAPURAM): Sir, I am on a point of order. (Interruptions). Iis it in order that an allegation can be made against a person who is not a Member of this House and who cannot deny it? (Interruptions).
Secondly, if a Member raising an allegation, is he not supposed to give it in writing to you? These are the two points. I want a ruling from you. (Interruptions).
MR. CHAIRMAN (SHRI PM. SAYEED): Please be seated. Why are you getting up? Let me hear Shri Subramanian Swamy. If it is in order, I will admit. Otherwise, I will disallow it. Why are you getting up? Let me hear Shri Subramanian Swamy.
... (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Shri Jose, you quote the rule.
... (Interruptions)
SHRI SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY (MADURAI): I did not make any allegation. (Interruptions). I have been interrupted half way through. (Interruptions).
MR. CHAIRMAN: Let me deal with Shri Swamy.
... (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Shri Jose, do not jump at it.
... (Interruptions)
SHRI A.C. JOSE (MUKANDAPURAM): No, these are the questions. Shri Swamy is interpreting it. (Interruptions).
MR. CHAIRMAN: Shri Jose, I am standing now. Shri Swamy has referred to Shri G.K. Moopnar's name. I do not think that he has alleged anything against him.
... (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Let me deal with it. Shri Swamy is capable of defending himself. Shri Swamy has raised a valid point. I have not heard him alleging Shri Moopnar. The record can be verified. If there is no such allegation, I think, your point of order will not be valid.
... (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: It is a valid point.
SHRI SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY (MADURAI): Sir `Moopnar' is not an unparliamentary word. (Interruptions). The Ministry of Finance has given tax exemptions under friends rose in a fury almost as if they have got a guilty conscience. I did not make any allegation in this House. I have certainly gone public on this outside. But I am not mentioning that here. I am asking the hon. Minister of Finance to go into this Trust why this exemption was given when the deed of the trust says that free food and free lodging will only be given to the non-Scheduled Caste people who come to visit the Venkatachalapati Temple in G.K. Moopnar's hometown. That is there in the trust deed. I want the hon. Minister of Finance to inquire into it. I want him to look into it; such a Trust cannot get a tax exemption. Not only that; no accounts have been filed for the last 42 years of that Trust. So, I would like the Ministry of Finance to launch a full-fledged investigation into this Trust headed by Shri Moopnar and also two more trusts headed by Shri Moopnar. I will give the details a little later.
Sir, I have only two more short points to make. (Interruptions).
MR. CHAIRMAN: We have to conclude by eight o' clock.
SHRI SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY (MADURAI): I am now speaking on a very pointed subject.
Sir, under the V.D.I.S. scheme a number of politicians and their close relatives have declared their incomes. The V.D.I.S. scheme does not afford protection for politicians. According to newspaper reports even Arun Gawli got rupees one crore written off and turned black money into white under the scheme. I would like the Minister of Finance to give the lists of all politicians and their close relatives who have declared under the V.D.I.S. scheme. This is very important because the honest taxpayers are paying 40 per cent and those who cheated the country have to pay only 30 per cent under the V.D.I.S. This is a shame on the country, typical of Shri Chidambaram, ex-Finance Minister. I would like the Minister of Finance - if the subject of Company Law is still with him - to investigate all the exemptions given to various companies and all the write-offs that took place including those of close relatives of the ex-Finance Minister. I will not have to mention names. Everybody knows who those close relatives are. ...(Interruptions)
Finally, I would like the Minister of Finance to examine the FERA violation by the SUN T.V. owned by the son of Shri Murasoli Maran, the advertising revenue and the profit that it has made. ...(Interruptions)
or evidence? If he has, he should produce that. ...(Interruptions)
SHRI SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY (MADURAI) : SUN T.V. is a scandal on the country. FERA violations have taken place. ...(Interruptions) This has not come on SUN T.V.
all the records. He cannot make such allegations. It is not correct. ...(Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN (SHRI P.M. SAYEED) : Let me sort it out. Please be seated.
He is only asking the Finance Minister to enquire about these things. That is all. He has not divulged anything.
... (Interruptions)
record. There is no valid proof. It is a reputed TV company. ...(Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN : Shri Swamy, may I request you to conclude now?
SHRI SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY (MADURAI) : Sir, I am on the last point. On SUN T.V., I only said that HYUNDAI has got a car factory in Sriperumbadur and next day HYUNDAI is advertising on SUN T.V. all the time. There must be a nexus which he has to investigate. I have many such things which have to be investigated. That is all.
I am concluding now. ...(Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN : Please do not shout like that.
SHRI M. SELVARASU (NAGAPATTINAM) : What about JJ T.V.? ...(Interruptions)
SHRI SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY (MADURAI) : They are so incompetent that after being in office for 18 months they could not find anything against JJ T.V. ...(Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN : I will have to call the next speaker. Shri Swamy, you are inviting trouble. You say the last sentence.
... (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN : Please, do not shout like that.
SHRI SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY (MADURAI) : Sir, the final Budget should reflect three points. ...(Interruptions)
SHRI M. SELVARASU (NAGAPATTINAM) : You are only talking about SUN T.V.
should not be entertained. ...(Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN : Shri Swamy, you say the last sentence now. You have taken fifteen minutes whereas others took five or seven minutes.
SHRI SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY (MADURAI) : Sir, I also got the time of A.I.A.D.M.K. MR. CHAIRMAN : The whole time is being wasted.
SHRI SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY (MADURAI) : Sir, my last sentence is : the final Budget should reflect three points. Firstly, about the determination of this Government ...(Interruptions)
SHRI A.C. JOS (MUKUNDAPURAM) : Sir, he belongs to a one Member party. How much time is allotted to a Member?
MR. CHAIRMAN : Please, do not ask such questions. I have verified. The time of A.I.A.D.M.K. is also given to him. Please do not talk like that.
Shri Swamy, please help me in conducting the House.
SHRI SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY (MADURAI): I am concluding. I am a part of the AIADMK front. Why should I not speak on behalf of the AIADMK? Why should they interrupt? Why should they be jealous?
MR. CHAIRMAN (SHRI P.M. SAYEED): May I request you Shri Subramanian Swamy to conclude?
SHRI SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY (MADURAI): The final Budget should reflect three points. This is my suggestion. First, the Government's determination to make India a globally competitive economy. In the name of swadeshi we should not shy away from competing globally.
Secondly, we should fight for a level playing field. If the America and the developed countries want a free flow of capital into our country, they should also allow a free flow of labour from our country into their countries. If they have a surplus in capital, we have a surplus in labour. If they can get capital easily, we can give skilled labour easily. So, if they are going to put immigration blocks on our labour flow, we have a right to put blocks on the coming of their capital into this country.
The third point is that I would like this Government to realise that the Indian industry must compete with multinationals in this country. The multinationals are coming with capital at two per cent and three per cent interest rates whereas our industry has to get capital at 18 per cent interest rate. So, a level playing field means either we should put a tax on their capital to equalise the interest rate or the interest rate on the capital that Indian industry is getting should be reduced from 18 per cent to five per cent. Then only, there can be a fair competition. We want competition. We do not want free competition; we want fair competition. Internationally, we can defeat everybody if there is a level playing field. These three points, the new Budget should reflect.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
(ends) ">1942 hours SHRI SUDIP BANDYOPADHYAY (CALCUTTA NORTH-WEST): Sir, I support the Interim Budget proposals of Shri Yashwant Sinha. Hon. Minister, this made me surprise. ....(Interruptions).
MR. CHAIRMAN: You do not disturb him because this is his maiden speech.
SHRI SUDIP BANDYOPADHYAY (CALCUTTA NORTH-WEST): Mr. Finance Minister, when I was reading your Budget Speech of only four pages, I was a little bit surprised to see only a four page statement asking for a grant for four months's expenditure. On going through today's newspapers, I also found - as Dr. Subramanian Swamy was telling - different headlines in different newspapers. As he said, somewhere it was `kickstart economy', somehwere `reform process will be accelerated and broadened', somewhere `States to get more funds from Centre', somewhere `Sinha tears apart from Chidambaram's claim', somewhere `economy ravaged - Finance Minister' and somewhere `new credo in North Block : pragmatic swadeshi'. So, I thought that you have your own style. Only by placing expenditure proposals for four months in a four page statement, you have succeeded to draw the attention of the news media of the whole country.
Sir, what I would rather say is that your Budget proposals and Budget at a Glance say that the total revenue receipts are Rs. 1,53,273 crore, capital receipts are Rs. 1,11,715 crore and total receipts are Rs. 2,64,988 crore. But the unfortunate part of our country, Sir, is that the Non-Plan expenditure is Rs. 2,05,027 crore and the Plan outlay is only Rs. 64,641 crore. So, the Non-Plan expenditure is going high gradually. When I was going through the explanatory memorandum on Interim Budget, I was surprised on my own regarding few Demands which I want to draw your attention to. The Budget Estimates for the year 1998-99 for Council of Ministers are Rs. 55,77,00,000. Can we afford it?
Sir, can a poor country like ours afford such an expenditure only for the Council of Ministers in the Non-Plan Budget? Similarly, though the police administration is a State subject, under Demand Nos.45, 46 and 66, Rs.5,464 crore is allocated for Non-Plan expenditure. I would like to know whether it is for the B.S.F. or the S.P.G. or the Central security forces for the protection of VIPs and VVIPs. I want a clarification on this point from the hon. Minister of Finance.
In the case of Defence, under Demand Nos.19, 20, 21 and 22, the total amount in the Non-Plan Budget is estimated at Rs.31,000 crore. Can we really afford it? So, we all have to think very seriously about these problems.
Sir, I do not have much time. I was very keen to hear the speech of Shri P. Chidambaram. But, I think, probably five or seven minutes time was allotted to his party which, possibly, could not satisfy him and he left the House.
But I am rather very keen to know from the present Government about their policy regarding foreign investment and their approach towards the liberalised economic and industrial policies in detail. Regional imbalances are growing for the last 50 years since independence. The Eastern Region, the North Eastern Region and West Bengal in particular are not receiving any attention from any Central Government for long long years and West Bengal has got only its agony due to this neglect. The unemployment problem is growing everyday and has reached its peak.
Sir, the Minister of Finance has not succeeded in his efforts regarding mobilisation of resources. He has admitted that in his Budget speech. Of course, it was the task of the previous Government. There is a definite shortfall of Rs.14,236 crore. Without mobilising resources, economy of a country cannot be developed.
Sir, I would like to say that the terms like work culture, productivity, profitability should have been categorically included in the Budget speech and without work culture, productivity and profitability, the economy of any country cannot ever be developed.
Sir, I differ with Dr. Swamy in one respect. The Voluntary Disclosure of Income Scheme had given the Government some money which it has shared with different States. Why could they not extend the time for three more months and share the total amount to the States for their economic development?
Then, we demand that the Government should look into the accounts in respect of the Chief Ministers' foreign trips. You will be surprised to know that the Chief Minister of a State made 30 foreign trips in a span of 20 years! Who will bear the expenditure incurred in all these foreign trips? Who will bear the expenditure on foreign exchange? It is a violation of FERA, even if the Chief Ministers are in the periphery of the normal system. I accuse that if such a kind of enquiry is conducted, certainly at least one Chief Minister will be detected for violation of FERA and he has to go behind the bars for that. I can name the State and that is West Bengal.
Similarly, thousands of crores of rupees are involved in the Public Ledger scandal and thousands of crores of rupees are also involved in the WAKF scandal in West Bengal. Why can the Central Government not take an initiative in this regard? Our leader Kumari Mamata Banerjee has filed Public Interest Litigations in the High Court in respect of these scandals.
These cases are going on. I would request that the hon. Finance Minister to make all-out efforts to find out what sort of corruption is going on in the State of West Bengal for the last 20 years. We should not keep mum.
SHRI BASUDEB ACHARIA (BANKURA): Sir, I am on point of order.
MR. CHAIRMAN (SHRI P.M. SAYEED): Shri Bandopadhyay, he is on point of order.
SHRI BASUDEB ACHARIA (BANKURA): Sir, a case which is sub judice cannot be referred to here.
MR. CHAIRMAN: I think, Shri Bandopadhyay has only said that the 20 years of corruption be enquired into. He has not made any particular reference to a particular case.
SHRI BASUDEB ACHARIA (BANKURA): He has referred to a particular case.
MR. CHAIRMAN: I think reference to a particular case, if it is sub judice, could be avoided.
SHRI AJIT KUMAR PANJA (CALCUTTA NORTH-EAST): Excuse me, Sir. What was referred to is the Public Ledger Account - PL Account - for which a case has been filed. He is not challenging the decision. Can we not refer to the High Court cases? We can. We are not asking for any decision.
SHRI BASUDEB ACHARIA (BANKURA): We can discuss the findings of the Court. But a case which is sub judice cannot be referred to here... (Interruptions).
SHRI AJIT KUMAR PANJA (CALCUTTA NORTH-EAST): Mr. Chairman, Sir, kindly give me one minute. I was handling this case. I was the counsel for our leader, Kumari Mamata Banerjee. It is a public interest litigation which says that Rs.2,500 crore in Public Ledger Account has been siphoned off in the State of West Bengal. Can we not ask the Finance Minister to look into it? It is the Central Government money. The case is pending in the High Court. We can refer to the High Court cases. But we are not asking you to give a decision. We are not asking for discussion. We are mentioning it so that the people of India and abroad could know what the state of affairs is. It is because the Finance Minister has shown that there is a loss of revenue.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Shri Panja, for my own benefit, let me understand whether this public interest litigation is still pending in the court or not.
SHRI AJIT KUMAR PANJA (CALCUTTA NORTH-EAST): Yes, it is pending. Therefore, we cannot have a discussion on this. But we can certainly mention it.
SHRI BASUDEB ACHARIA (BANKURA): You cannot mention it. A case which is sub judice cannot be referred to here.
SHRI AJIT KUMAR PANJA (CALCUTTA NORTH-EAST): Under what rule can it not be referred? Sir, it can be referred to but it cannot be discussed here.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Shri Panja, you are a Bar-at-Law. Will you enlighten me what amounts to sub judice?
... (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Why are you interfering? I want his assistance.
SHRI AJIT KUMAR PANJA (CALCUTTA NORTH-EAST): Sir, the interpretation of sub judice is that a case which is pending in the High Court or in any other court cannot be discussed. But it can be referred to here. You can refer to May's Parliamentary Practice. It can be mentioned. But it cannot be discussed. We cannot ask for a discussion. But we can certainly refer that a case containing Rs.2,500 crore has been filed by one of the Members and another Member is bringing it to the notice of the House.
Sir, the courts cannot interfere with our Parliament nor can Parliament interfere with the working of the courts. That is our long standing common understanding. But certainly the court can say: "This is what is happening in Parliament" and Parliament can say: "This is what has happened in the court". Certainly people must know. This is the House of the People. That is my submission. There is no harm in it. You kindly look into it and if I am wrong, you strike off my entire speech tomorrow. But kindly look into it. It is a point of very great importance.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Yes, it is a very delicate issue.
... (Interruptions)
SHRI AJIT KUMAR PANJA (CALCUTTA NORTH EAST): This is the distinction.
MR. CHAIRMAN (SHRI P.M. SAYEED): He has only referred to the case.
... (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: I am on my legs. He has just mentioned the case and said that the Finance Minister may conduct an inquiry into it. That is all.
... (Interruptions)
SHRI ACHARIA BASUDEB (BANKURA): This matter was discussed in the Eleventh Lok Sabha and also in the other House.
SHRI AJIT KUMAR PANJA (CALCUTTA NORTH EAST): After the decision of the Chair, again he is raising it. What is this? Under what rule is he raising this? We are objecting to this. After your decision, how can he question it? This cannot go on like this.
SHRI ACHARIA BASUDEB (BANKURA): He can tell us as to what has happened to that case.
SHRI AJIT KUMAR PANJA (CALCUTTA NORTH EAST): He has asked for what has happened to the case. I can tell him that the Court has directed an inquiry into it. श्री बसवराज पाटिल सेदम (गुलबर्ग): आपने एक बार कह दिया है, फिर उसके ऊपर चर्चा हो रही है।
... (व्यवधान)
MR. CHAIRMAN: I have already given my ruling.
SHRI AJIT KUMAR PANJA (CALCUTTA NORTH EAST): Thank you, Sir.
MR. CHAIRMAN: It would be better if the hon. Member avoids such matters.
KUMARI MAMTA BANERJEE (CALCUTTA SOUTH): Why should he raise such questions?
SHRI SUDIP BANDOPADHYAY (CALCUTTA NORTH WEST): I am concerned about the timing. What I would like to further add is that so far as the assistance of the Central Government to different projects of rural development is concerned, there is a diversion of funds which is taking place. When the Central Government is sending its matching grants or any assistance meant for the centrally-sponsored schemes, those funds are being diverted. So, the Central Government should keep a vigilant eye over the money being sent from the Centre to the States through a particular machinery. It should be done on a priority basis. It is not only with reference to any one particular State, but it can be applied to every State of India. However, we will certainly give top priority to the matters relating to West Bengal.
I want to know about the foreign investment policy of the present Government. What they have declared is that they would accept foreign investment up to Rs. 1,500 crore in the power sector. I want to be clarified by the hon. Finance Minister whether it is an already declared policy or whether there are other sectors also where the Government will allow foreign investment. We would also like to say that just like the Enron and Cogentrix projects, the Eastern region, North-Eastern region and West Bengal should be provided with such type of big industrial projects because for the last 20 years, West Bengal has not succeeded in establishing big industries over there. So, we are waiting for the foreign investment also.
Sir, I have gone through the Minister's statement thoroughly. He has expressed his agony by mentioning that "the overall economic growth has slowed to five per cent in 1997-98, agriculture has registered negative growth of two per cent, industry continues to be in the doldrums averaging only 4.6 per cent growth over the 12 months up to January 1998". He has also further expressed his agony by saying that "the net result is a deterioration of the fiscal deficit from the budget target of 4.5 per cent of GDP to 6.1 per cent. However, if the increase in expenditure attributable to small savings loans is excluded, the fiscal deficit, adjusted for the increase over budget in small saving loans to States and Union Territories, would be 5.8 per cent of GDP in 1997-98".
The people of the country are not only asking for a stable Government today, but they are also asking for an economically stable Government which will give a lead to the nation. After 50 years of Independence, it is unfortunate that still the scavengers are carrying the night-soil on their heads in the rural areas of the country.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Please conclude now.
SHRI SUDIP BANDOPADHYAY (CALCUTTA NORTH WEST): So, Sir, I request you to consider all the points that I have made. I appreciate and fully support the interim Budget which you have placed here. We will all try to see that your purpose is served.
(ends) MR. CHAIRMAN (SHRI P. M. SAYEED): Hon. Members, I have to inform the House that as decided in the leaders meeting held on 25th March, 1998 in order to provide sufficient time for the completion of essential Government business, the House may sit on Saturday, the 28th March, 1998. I hope the House agrees.
SEVERAL HON. MEMBERS: Yes.
MR. CHAIRMAN : Let me come to the next point. The time of the House is extended up to eight o'clock. I have about ten hon. Members to speak and the hon. Minister will take at least 15 minutes. Five minutes to each hon. Member means 50 minutes plus ten minutes for the hon. Minister. That means at least one hour. Is it the pleasure of the House to extend the time of the House up to nine o'clock?
SEVERAL HON. MEMBERS: No. SHRI HARIN PATHAK (AHMEDABAD): As we are sitting late tomorrow, I request that two minutes may be given to each hon. Member. (Interruptions)
SHRI A. C. JOS (IDUKKI): Only the Opposition is to be called. Let the Finance Minister request the hon. Members from the Treasury not to speak and the Opposition alone will speak.
MR. CHAIRMAN : Let me tell you who are the unrepresented Parties so far. Is it the pleasure of the House to extend the time of the House up to nine o'clock?
SEVERAL HON. MEMBERS: Yes.
MR. CHAIRMAN : I take it as the pleasure of the House. The hon. Minister will now speak.(Interruptions)
">THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI RAM NAIK): I just want to draw your attention to an important aspect that after the Bill is discussed here, it goes to the President. Then it goes tomorrow morning to the Rajya Sabha. All these formalities are to be completed. If there is a delay, there is inconvenience even to the President; the Rajya Sabha has to prepare their List of Business and this is the first item to be taken up tomorrow for discussion. These are all practical difficulties. When we have agreed that we will do it within the time limit, two hours are more than sufficient. We can extend at the most for 15 or 20 minutes. But all these cannot be completed. It will cause a lot of inconvenience to subsequent business.
MR. CHAIRMAN : Those hon. Members are not many.
... (Interruptions)
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE (SHRI YASHWANT SINHA): This suggestion is not acceptable. If hon. Members from that side will speak, then hon. Members from this side also will take part. It will take time. I do not mind. But I cannot prevent hon. Members from this side to speak.
MR. CHAIRMAN : Can you not convince them to take half an hour more, up to nine o'clock?
PROF. P.J. KURIEN (MAVELIKARA): Mr. Finance Minister, why do you not take the spirit of what the hon. Parliamentary Affairs Minister has said? It is the Parliamentary Affairs Minister who said that we have to pass it urgently and you are putting spokes into that....(Interruptions). All right, you extend the time by one hour.
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE (SHRI YASHWANT SINHA): This concept of justice being one-sided cannot be accepted. We have a constraint of time. Let us all agree that we finish it by 8.30 p.m. or so...(Interruptions)
PROF. P.J.KURIEN (MAVELIKARA): You can give your final reply to your points...(Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN (SHRI P.M. SAYEED): By this time, we have already lost five minutes in arguing. Now only 25 minutes are left with us. I think we will sit up to 9 of the clock. Please accept it. Otherwise, I may have to adjourn the House and go. What can I do? Unless you cooperate, it will not be possible. After all, every one of us will have to cooperate to do the business of the House.
Is it the pleasure of the House to sit up to 9 of the clock?
SEVERAL HON. MEMBERS: Yes.
MR. CHAIRMAN: All right, we sit up to 9 of the clock. Now, Shri V.V. Raghavan to speak.
">2006 hours SHRI V.V. RAGHAVAN (TRICHUR): Mr. Chairman, Sir, we are entering the new financial year with this Interim Budget. As my time is very short, I will confine myself to the policy matter as our hon. Finance Minister has promised the regular budget within a few weeks' time.
Before I go into that, I must say a few words about Dr. Subramanian Swamy's remark. Dr. Swamy is very famous for public litigation suits. Today, he is after Shri Chidambaram and Shri Moopanar. Yesterday, he was after Kumari Jayalalita...(Interruptions) I am telling the facts. Do not be enthusiastic in approaching Dr. Swamy because nobody knows what he will do tomorrow...(Interruptions)
THE MINISTER OF SURFACE TRANSPORT (SHRI R. MUTHIAH): Sir, he is mentioning the name of the former Chief Minister. He is unnecessarily talking about our leader...(Interruptions)
SHRI V.V. RAGHAVAN (TRICHUR): Let me say a few words about the Budget...(Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN (SHRI P.M. SAYEED): Why do you not come to the point?
... (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Shri Muthiah, what I am telling is that if there is any unparliamentary word, I will expunge it. For heaven's sake, please ask your Members to sit down. Otherwise, we will not be in a position to complete the business.
SHRI V.V. RAGHAVAN (TRICHUR): Those people are creating havoc...(Interruptions)
SHRI R. MUTHIAH: Please do not use that word...(Interruptions)
SHRI V.V. RAGHAVAN (TRICHUR): Let me know from the hon. Finance Minister whether he agrees with the explanation given by the Revenue Secretary for the revenue shortfall of Rs.14,236 crore. I would like to know from the hon. Finance Minister the explanation given to the Press by the Revenue Secretary for this shortfall. Several times, the Public Accounts Committee had pointed out that there were lapses amongst the tax collecting Departments - the Enforcement Department, the Excise Departments, the Customs Department, the Revenue Department. There were so many incidents of lapse in collecting taxes especially from the corporate sector. So, I request the hon. Finance Minister to go into it and kindly revamp the tax collecting Departments.
Our bureaucrats are very clever in giving explanations. But do not leave it at that.
That is my humble request.
As far as the National Agenda on Governance is concerned, it is very bad. I want to put some pointed questions to the hon. Finance Minister. Are you going to amend our Patents Act under the pressure of the WTO to provide the multinationals for claiming trade related intellectual property rights? There is a very great pressure. Are we going to yield or not? It is a main policy matter. Here again, the National Agenda on Governance is very vague.
MR. CHAIRMAN (SHRI P.M. SAYEED): Please conclude.
SHRI V.V. RAGHAVAN (TRICHUR): My time was taken away by them.
MR. CHAIRMAN: You had invited the trouble.
SHRI V.V. RAGHAVAN (TRICHUR): I have a clear cut programme on economic development by the RSS Meet at Bangalore a few weeks ago. They are very categorical. What is the reaction of the Finance Minister to those proposals? As the National Agenda on Governance is very vague, you must be categorical on such points while replying to the Budget.
As far as Kerala is concerned, I am very sorry to go on record that there are very disappointed features in this interim Budget. Our development is thirsty for infrastructure. There was a proposal about the Cochi Harbour and the Tuticorin Harbour for development of container terminals. I see that there is a provision for this and the amount is provided for Tuticorin but not for Cochi. There is cut in respect of Cochi. Even for Cochi Ports and Cochi Shipyards, there is a cut. Even in the case of Hindustan Paper Corporation, the aid sought for is cut. We are in a very bad shape economically. Our economy is in a very bad shape because of liberalisation of imports and slicing down of excise duties. Rubber producers are deep in crisis. Titanium Dioxide is imported with less excise duty. Two of our industrial units are in a very bad shape. So, the Minister may see to it that our own economy is not affected adversely when we cut down the excise duty. The Finance Minister has to see to it. Liberalisation is all right; globalisation is all right. But in my opinion, safeguarding our national interests, safeguarding our national economy and safeguarding our growing national industry is the first preference.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Please conclude.
SHRI V.V. RAGHAVAN (TRICHUR): Yes, Sir.
One of the Minister's senior colleagues in the Cabinet publicly pronounced that an unhealthy competition was going on in India between the soft drink giants which should be stopped. Does the Minister share that opinion? Such policy-makers are agitating the minds of the people. Therefore, a categorical stand on his part is quite essential. Thank you.
(ends) ">2015 hours SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA (PONNANI): Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Sir. Because of the constraint of time, I will only mention one or two points and resume my seat. It is with respect to some immediate action that is necessary.
Firstly, I would like to emphasise that the Ministry of Human Resource Development has reportedly stopped the current year's grant to the Indira Gandhi National Open University. Perhaps the reason, we understand from the paper, is that the University has failed to submit details of the specific items of expenditure. Now, Sir, the Ministry had allocated a sum of Rs. 28 crore under Plan grants. But hardly Rs. 10.69 crore has been released. Now. the non-release of huge budgeted Plan grants, will seriously jeopardise the functioning of the Indira Gandhi National Open University. It will seriously jeopardise the various projects that that University wants to take up. I will, therefore, appeal to the Government that because the time is coming to an end on 31st March and before that, those grants must be released. Otherwise, the University will be in a difficult financial condition with respect to its various projects.
Now, there can be difficulties of the procedure. But they can be sorted out by evolving a proper funding policy in consultation with the University. I must, therefore, appeal to the Government to release immediately all the budgeted grants to the University so that the development of the University does not suffer. Very little time is left for the 31st March. Otherwise, these grants will lapse. Therefore, it is a matter to be taken up seriously and seen in the interest of education and its upliftment in our country.
Mr. Chairman, I will now conclude by referring to only one more point. The Ninth Five Year Plan is in its drafting stage. The Government has said that it is going to review the Ninth Five Year Plan. Let them have the review. What I say is that while finalising this Ninth Five Year Plan, there must be specific measures and specific financial allocations for the economic and educational developments of the minorities, particularly the Muslims.
The hon. Minister has referred to the question of minorities in the National Agenda. I am only reminding him that this is the time the Ninth Five Year Plan is going to be finalised. They are going to finalise it, in case they go through the Vote of Confidence. I do not know. But in that case, while finalising the Ninth Five Year Plan, he may please see that specific measures are mentioned and that specific financial allocations are made for the educational and the economic development of the minorities, particularly the Muslims. Otherwise, we will have all sorts of talks about measures and nothing would come out of it.
I hope that the Government will take care of these two very important matters which I have placed. Other matters, of course, we can take up, whenever a regular Budget comes up.
Thank you, Sir.
(ends.) "> २०१९ बजे श्री सुरेन्द्र प्रसाद यादव (झंझारपुर) : सभापति महोदय, अभी अंतरिम बजट पर चर्चा हो रही है। मेरा कहना है कि देश में गरीबी, गैर-बराबरी बहुत ज्यादा है। किसानों और मजदूरों का बहुत भारी शोषण हो रहा है।
उनकी समस्याएं बहुत ज्यादा हैं। सरकार द्वारा बजट का प्रारूप जो प्रस्तुत किया गया है, इस बजट के प्रावधानों से ऐसा लगता है कि इस बजट से गरीबी घटेगी नहीं बल्िक गरीबी बढ़ेगी। गैर-बराबरी, बेरोज़गारी घटेगी नहीं बल्िक बढ़ेगी। हालांकि भय, भूख, भ्रष्टाचार हटाने का नारा सरकार द्वारा दिया जाता रहा है लेकिन नारों से भय, भूख, भ्रष्टाचार मिटने वाला नहीं है। इस बात के लिए सरकार को मज़बूत इरादा और गरीबोन्मुखी नीति, ग्रामीणोन्मुखी नीति, किसानोन्मुखी नीति अखतिंयार करनी होगी लेकिन यह इस सरकार से संभव होने वाला नहीं है कयोंकि इस सरकार पर आर.एस.एस. का कब्ज़ा ही नहीं है बल्िक वित्त मंत्री भी आर.एस.एस. की सिफारिश पर ही बनाए गए हैं, इसलिए मैं इनसे कया उम्मीद रख सकता हूं। सभापति जी, आर.एस.एस. का मुद्दा तो आप जानते ही हैं। मंदिर-मस्िजद का झगड़ा कराना ही इनकी नीति है। और इस सरकार से हम कया उम्मीद कर सकते हैं?
... (व्यवधान)
श्री रतिलाल कालिदास वर्मा (धन्धुका) : माननीय सदस्य जो कह रहे हैं वह ठीक नहीं है। वह रेकार्ड में नहीं जाना चाहिए।
... (व्यवधान) चारा घोटाले के बारे में कया हुआ?
... (व्यवधान)
सभापति महोदय (श्री पी.एम.सईद) : मैं रैकार्ड देखूंगा और अगर कोई औबजेकशनेबल बात होगी तो उसको ऐकसपंज कर दूंगा।
श्री सुरेन्द्र प्रसाद यादव (झंझारपुर): मैं एक सुझाव देना चाहता हूं। १९९१-९२ में एक करोड़ रुपया माननीय सांसद की अनुशंसा पर विकास का कार्य करने के लिए उनके क्षेत्र में दिया गया। १९९१ के मुकाबले १९९८ में महंगाई बहुत बढ़ गई है और लोहा, सीमेंट, गिट्टी आदि के दाम बहुत बढ़ गए हैं। इसलिए मैं चाहूंगा कि सांसदों की अनुशंसा पर विकास कार्य के लिए जो रुपया दिया जाता है, उसको बढ़ाकर दो करोड़ रुपये कर दिया जाए।
... (व्यवधान) कया इसमें भी आपत्ित है?
... (व्यवधान)
सभापति महोदय, मैं आपका ध्यान अपने राज्य बिहार की तरफ दिलाना चाहता हूं। वित्त मंत्री जी भी बिहार के हैं। अगर बिहार का उद्धार वे पूरी तरह से नहीं कर पाएं तो अगर एक डैम का निर्माण वे करवा दें तो उत्तरी बिहार का बड़ा भारी कल्याण होगा। कमला, बागमती और कोसी नदियों के जो उदगम स्थल हैं, वहां अगर डैम का निर्माण कराया जाए और वहां बिजली पैदा की जाए तो उससे पूरे उत्तर बिहार को बाढ़ से मुकित दिलाई जा सकती है और उसको हम स्वर्ग में परिणत कर सकते हैं। उससे इतनी बिजली पैदा होगी जिससे दूसरे राज्यों को भी हम बिजली दे सकेंगे।
सभापति महोदय, उत्तरी बिहार प्रमुख स्थान है। वहां दरभंगा से फारबिसगंज में नेशनल हाईवे का निर्माण सरकार करा दे तो गरीबों का बहुत भला होगा।
श्री सुरेन्द्र प्रसाद यादव जारी लेकिन सभापति महोदय, मैं जानता हूं कि इस सरकार पर आर.एस.एस. का कब्जा है और मैं इसकी चुनौती देता हूं। वित्त मंत्री बिहार के हैं। ये उत्तरी बिहार को स्वर्ग बना दें, लेकिन इनकी गरीबों से दुश्मनी है। ये गरीबों का काम नहीं करना चाहते। उत्तरी बिहार को ये नर्क बनाना चाहते हैं।
... (व्यवधान)
सभापति महोदय (श्री पी.एम.सईद): इनका प्वाइंट ऑफ ऑर्डर है।
... (व्यवधान)
श्री सुरेन्द्र प्रसाद यादव (झंझारपुर): आप बिहार के क्षेत्र का विकास करिये। हमारे नेता श्री लालू प्रसाद यादव हैं। उन पर कया आरोप हैं और कया कोई आरोप उन पर सिद्ध हुआ है? वे फिर भी संसद में चुनकर आ गये। आप किसके बल पर जीतेंगे। यहां से दो करोड़ रुपया मिलेगा तो विकास के कार्य में लगेगा।
... (व्यवधान)
SHRI BASWARAJ PATIL SEDAM (GULBURGA): Sir, I am on a point of order under rule 353. The proviso to this rule says:
"... the Speaker may at any time prohibit any member from making any such allegation if he is of opinion that such allegation is derogatory to the dignity of the House or that no public interest is served by making such allegation." (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN (SHRI P.M. SAYEED): Any derogatory remark against any person would be expunged.
... (Interruptions)
सभापति महोदय : अब आप समाप्त कीजिए।
श्री सुरेन्द्र प्रसाद यादव (झंझारपुर: सभापति महोदय, मैं समाप्त कर रहा हूं। गांवों में विद्युतीकरण का जो मामला है।
सभापति महोदय : आप समाप्त कीजिए।
श्री सुरेन्द्र प्रसाद यादव (झंझारपुर): सभापति महोदय, मैं समाप्त करता हूं। इस सरकार से कया आशा करें जिस सरकार पर आर.एस.एस. का कब्जा हो। यह मात्र अंतरिम बजट पास करायेगी। उस पैसे का कया करेगी, उसका अता-पता भी नहीं मिलेगा। इसको एक भी पैसा नहीं मिलना चाहिए। इसीलिए मैं इसका विरोध करता हूं।
(इति) ">2027 hours SHRI RAMKRUSHNA SURYABHAN GAWAI (AMRAVATI) MR. CHAIRMAN: Your name is there. You will be getting a chance. It is not deliberate on anybody's part. Let him speak. Otherwise, you are going to spoil your chance.
... (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: I think, if hon. Members indulge in this kind of cross-talking they will not be getting their chances. I will have to take that decision.
... (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: I am warning you that you will not be getting your chance.
SHRI RAMKRUSHNA SURYABHAN GAWAI (AMRAVATI): Sir, I have brought this to your notice not as a matter of grievance but as a matter of fact. Please take cognizance of it.
Ever since the era of Independence the nation is facing a very grave financial situation. On the other hand we are celebrating the Fiftieth Year of Independence. I am rather afraid that our journey towards the goal has become anti-clockwise. The results and figures and statistics show that we are going backwards. The overall economic growth has come down to five per cent; industry has registered five to six per cent growth and agriculture, which is my favourite subject being an agriculturist, has registered a negative growth of two per cent. I do claim that only agriculture is the key industry.
The Indian economy is being described by the economists in different ways. One group of economists say that ours is a monsoon economy because the agriculturists depend on the monsoon; the second group of economists say that it is an agricultural economy; the third notion is that it is a village economy, while the fourth notion is that it is the rural economy. I am very sorry that such a key industry which is the base of the economy is being neglected and unfortunately we have registered a negative growth in that sector. Yesterday, the hon. the Prime Minister made a statement. While concluding he assured that the situation with regard to the natural calamities will be reviewed in the various parts of the country and that a fresh statement will be submitted and laid on the Table of the House. What does it indicate? It shows that everybody is fighting for the agriculturists.
Many people say that industrial sector has become sick. What about the agricultural sector? Is it healthy? Does it not suffer from fever, malaria and thyphoid? We should treat agriculture as an industry, taking into consideration the infrastructure and the loss and profit. Is there any liberty to the farmers and agriculturists to dictate their terms as far as a product is concerned? Why do I say this? It is because the population in the urban areas is increasing and decreasing in the rural areas. Ultimately, agriculture will be the worst sufferer.
I would like to stress that the industry should be dispersed to several areas and should not be concentrated in any particular area. For example, Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan and Pune are designated as industrial zones. What about the rest of Maharashtra? What about Chimur which is Prof. Kawade's constituency? When I say `dispersal of agricultural industry', I mean to say the industries based on agriculture. Without having any reasearch either from the State or from the Centre suo motu agriculturists have started their own industries. There is no encouragement either from the Central Government or from the State Government.
So, my stress is on the disbursal of the industry, that too, agriculture-based industry. Sir, probably the hon. Railway Minister was a Member in that House when I was the Presiding Officer there like you. I introduced the Employment Guarantee Scheme in Maharashtra. Probably, he knows about it. Myself, Shri Paghe who happened to be the Chairman of the Upper House and late Shri V.P. Naik who was a true agriculturist started that scheme. What was that scheme? You know that we are facing the problem of unemployment. Forget unemployment. What is the problem of agricultural labour? If a calamity is there on agriculture, it is a calamity on agricultural labour. What is the guarantee for agricultural labour? We three together started the Employment Guarantee Scheme. I am happy to say in this House that the Employment Guarantee Bill was drafted by myself. It is being accepted partially in India by a few States. Why should not a uniform policy be adopted on the pattern of Maharashtra for giving full-fledged guarantee to agricultural labour which is suffering for some causes? This is my suggestion.
I do not understand the position as far as revenue collection is concerned. What does the figure indicate? I do not want to go into the details because there are only three minutes left for me to complete. If you see the trend in tax collection, you may find that it is on a much lower side as far as customs is concerned. It indicates corruptions. So many reasons were assigned for less revenue collection, whether it is collection of tax or inability to recover more revenue.
MR. CHAIRMAN (SHRI P.M. SAYEED): Kindly conclude. I am expressing only my helplessness.
SHRI RAMKRUSHNA SURYABHAN GAWAI (AMRAVATI): You know the tendency of Plan expenditure and non-Plan expenditure. If the ratio of the non plan expenditure is on the higher side, we will be disturbing our economy. We have to see the proportion of the plan expenditure and non-Plan expenditure. I hope that plan expenditure ought to be on the positive side.
Lastly, I welcome Shri Swamy's suggestion regarding VIDS. May the credit go to Shri Chidambaram. I request the present Government to extend the period further by three months but at the same time, I am demanding the names of those who have disclosed the money which is designated as black money. Let us come forward to show those political characters. I demand extending the period of the Scheme but at the same time, it is the right of a Member to elicit information from the Minister. So, it is better that you may put up the list.
Thank you.
(ends) ">2038 hours SHRI PROMOTHES MUKHERJEE (BERHAMPORE): Sir, I thank you for the opportunity given to me to express my views. I shall be very brief while I am on my legs to enter into the subject.
On behalf of my party, RSP, I rise to oppose the Interim Budget. It is because of the fact that it does not cover all the aspects, needs and aspirations of the people. We have seen the mandate of the people in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. What is the mandate? We have seen an unusual complex of mandate in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. The mandate of the people is not in favour of a single party rule. It is in favour of a coalition Government. You have also professed that a consensus is your principle in your national agenda for governance to govern the country. That has been expressed in the national agenda for governance. But what is the spirit that we have seen in your Interim Budget? I am very sorry to mention that the multi-dimensions of the aspirations and demands of the rural people and the urban proletarians have not yet been expressed in this Budget.
So, I rise to oppose the Budget with a few observations which will be put forward before you.
The hon. Minister has presented his Budget speech. I have collected some information. We are living in an age of Asian debacle with a fiscal deficit and with a higher dollar rate. It is a serious crisis. It is not a crisis of the Asian countries only. It is a crisis of the sophisticated metropolitan capitalistic economic structure. It is a failure of the policy which has already been adopted in the name of economic reforms. Simply, the economic reforms either in the name of `Swadeshi' or simply the economic reforms in the name of privatisation or globalisations are nothing but an effort to hand over the country's economy to the imperialist forces. It is nothing but an effort to open the field of Indian economy to the multinational corporations.
We are living in an age of uneven capitalism. You know it better that we are living in the regional imbalances. What is the result of the regional imbalances? These come from uneven capitalistic development. But during the last 50 years of independence and the country's sovereign rule, we have been suffering from the reginal imbalances, we are suffering from the economic crisis and the crisis of uneven development of capitalism. This is the root cause.
I am sorry to mention that the hon. Minister of Finance in this Government in the name of economic reforms or in the name of Swadeshi economy is also following the same path of privatisation. All the sick public sector undertakings are going to be handed over to the private capital and monopoly capital. What is his suggestion? We had brought forward a budgetary provision in the last Budget for revival of the sick public sector undertakings. Has he taken stock of the sick public sector undertakings in his Budget?
What is the situation of the textile industry? Today, it is a sick industry. Thousands and thousands of workers in the national textile mills, workers in the IDPL and in the fertiliser plants, the MAMC, workers in jute mills, and workers in the sick public sector undertakings have now been thrown on the streets to die of starvation. ... (Interruptions)
SHRI ACHARIA BASUDEB (BANKURA): Do not blame the workers. ... (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN (SHRI P.M. SAYEED): Shri Pramothes Mukherjee, do not look at Shri Ajit Kumar Panja. Now, please conclude. The time is over.
... (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Avoid him now.
SHRI PRAMOTHES MUKHERJEE (BERHAMPORE) (WB): I would request the Minister of Finance to review the entire situation about the sick public sector undertakings. A budgetary provision should be made immediately in this interim Budget for revival of the sick public sector undertakings. That is my first submission.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Please conclude now. Let me tell the House that this Bill is to be passed. Then, it has to go to the Rashtrapati Bhavan before 9.15 P.M. It is very difficult. So, I will have to conclude the debate and call the hon. Minister.
... (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: That is the message I have received from Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Please conclude.
SHRI PRAMOTHES MUKHERJEE (BERHAMPORE) (WB): I am concluding with a request to this Government to review the situation for employment generation and for revival of the sick public sector undertakings.
(ends) SHRI SANSUMA KHUNGGUR BWISWMUTHIARY (KOKRAJHAR): Sir, I am a humble man. ... (Interruptions)
SHRI SHANTILAL CHAPLOT (UDAIPUR): Sir, he is also a very good orator. Everybody cannot be given time. He has spoken three times.
Sir, we are not going to wait for more... (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN (SHRI P.M. SAYEED): Now, did I give you permission to speak? You have to get the permission of the Chair before you speak. Let the hon. Finance Minister speak now.
... (Interruptions)
SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: Sir, I would like to make only one submission ... (Interruptions)
श्री शांतिलाल चपलोत (उदयपुर) : यहां पर सारे सदस्य बोलकर ही आये हैं, यहां बिना बोले कोई आते नहीं है। बिना बोले तो चुनाव में जीतकर भी नहीं आ सकते।
Everybody is speaking and we are still sitting ... (Interruptions)
श्री नकली सिंह (सहारनपुर) : सभापति महोदय, बस मंत्री जी को बुलवाओ।
MR. CHAIRMAN: There is a procedure to be followed in the House.
... (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Why do you not take your seat? I have given the floor to the hon. Minister. Please be seated.
... (Interruptions)
SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: Sir, I just want to plead with you that if 9.15 p.m. is the outer limit, then it is not merely that we discuss but we also have to go through a number of procedural formalities and it will take time. So many points have been made by the hon. Members and I also need time, on behalf of the Government, to reply to it ... (Interruptions)
SHRI MAHAMEGHABAHAN AIRA KHARABELA SWAIN (BALASORE): Sir, I come from the State of Orissa. Nobody from the State of Orissa was allowed to speak on this subject ... (Interruptions) ... (Expunged as ordered by the Chair) You have never asked any Member from the State of Orissa to speak. ... (Expunged as ordered by the Chair) .. (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Shri Ram Naik, please tell them.
... (Interruptions)
SHRI RAM NAIK: Sir, we are certainly asking our Members but the way the senior Members are taking so much time it is becoming difficult for us to explain it to our new Members... (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Now, the hon. Member from the State of Orissa is saying that nobody from that State has been allowed to speak on this. The Members from the State of Orissa are part of the Government and the whole time is allotted for the entire Government. So, how could he say that nobody has spoken for them? I cannot say about Orissa.
... (Interruptions)
SHRI RAM NAIK: Sir, that is why I said that you can continue ... (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: After all, your time is allotted to your Members.
... (Interruptions)
SHRI RAM NAIK: Sir, that is why I said, 'we are running out of time...' (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: You see the time allotted for the Congress Party was 29 minutes. But out of that, the Members of the Congress Party has taken just 12 minutes. They have taken only 12 minutes! ... (Interruptions)
PROF. P.J.KURIEN (MAVELIKARA): That is why I am saying ... (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: And he has started alleging the Chair.
PROF. P.J.KURIEN (MAVELIKARA): Sir, we are the main Opposition Party. We took only 12 minutes out of the total 29 minutes allotted to us ... (Interruptions)
Sir, why do you not give some time for some of our Members? ... (Interruptions) Mr. Chairman, Sir, please allow our Party Member Shri Rao to speak ... (Interruptions)
SHRI SANSUMA KHUNGGUR BWISMUTHIRY (KOKRAJHAR): I would like to know whether the `Independent' Members would be allowed to speak or not ... (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: All Independent MPs put together have four minutes... (Interruptions) Would you please resume your seat? I will tell you about it. It is important to get educated before you allege anything. Independents and single-Member Parties have in all four minutes according to the total time. I think, you understand the position ... (Interruptions)
SHRI SANSUMA KHUNGGUR BWISMUTHIRY (KOKRAJHAR): How many Independent Members are there?
MR. CHAIRMAN: RPI, HLD, MDMK, TMC, AIFB, ML, NC and the Independents have four minutes.
... (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Now, I am calling Shri K.S.Rao to speak for five minutes only.
">SHRI K.S. RAO: Mr. Chairman, Sir, it appears to me that it has become the order of the day for the Members of the Treasury Benches to criticise the Opposition or the earlier Congress Government which has ruled the country for the last 35 years. My hon. colleagues, Members from the Treasury Benches have criticised the earlier Governments and have admired Shri Vajpayee and also Shri Yashwant Sinha for having announced effective implementation of various policies. I can understand the Members of the Treasury Benches admiring Vajpayeeji for his role as the Leader of the Opposition for the last four decades but I could not understand Members admiring Shri Yashwant Sinha for having announced effective implementation of the policies of the Government because the hon. Minister has just put in a day in presenting this Paper. He has also started criticising, directly or indirectly, the Congress rule for the last 50 years. At the same time, I must appreciate Shri Yashwant Sinha writing in his own Paper that, "The East Asian crisis has swept across much of the Asia in the last nine months.... it is the inherent strength of our economy built over decades which has enabled us to hold our heads high and not succumb to the econocmic gales that have been sweeping through the Asian regions.
It clearly indicates that the present Finance Minister has got admirations for the economy built, mostly by the Congress Government, over a period of 50 years. So, I do not find any reason for the Members to criticise the past Congress Governments. I would say that in a routine way the Members have made it a habit to criticise us.
Shri Yashwant Sinha has also written in his own paper:
"The regular Budget will seek to impart necessary stimulus to agriculture and industry... restore dynamism to exports."
It means there was dynamism in the Export Policy of the past Congress Government which he wanted to restore under his Government.
The hon. Minister has also said that he wants to take some definite decisive initiatives to improve the state of infrastructure, strengthen the financial system and accelarate the reforms. This clearly indicates that the reforms taken up by the Congress Government are appreciated not only by the countrymen but also by the present Finance Minister. So, I do not find any reason in making a criticism just for the sake of criticism. We all know from where the country began its journey under the Congress leadership after Independence. At that time there was no industry in the country. It is the Congress Government that has built an industry of which everybody can feel proud of. There may be some drawbacks or shortfalls on the part of some individuals but one cannot stop appreciating the achievements of the past Congress Government for the last 50 years. As a Congress Member, I can have my own views about it and say that it could have been much better.
Everybody is saying that the discussion is only on a small issue and it must be finished within two or three hours. The Minister has himself mentioned in his Report that the Vote on Account is for a period of four months which comes to one-third of a year and he wants us to discuss it in a span of two hours. Maybe for genuine reasons which I certainly understand but you cannot say that this is a small matter and it should just be passed. If this is the attitude, should we take the time in the same proportion for the General Budget also. No, I am sorry, we cannot.
I do not believe in finding fault with the Minister because he has just started his tenure. I have nothing to criticise him as a person. I have gone through the Revised Estimates. I could not find fault with you for this because you are not responsible for it.
Though, the Minister has made it a specific point -- it attracted the attention of the entire news media of the country -- by criticising the performance of the earlier Government -- which, of course, is not a Congress Government -- and telling very clearly that the economy was in doldrums. He himself wrote it. I was fighting it in the Congress Government also. I wanted to bring it to his kind knowledge. In the Central Plan Outlay, page 8, he made provisions of Rs.29,765 crore for energy; Rs.11,356 crore for industry and minerals; Rs.14,570 crore for transport; Rs.14,877 crore for communications; etc. But when it came to social services, he made a provision of only about Rs.13,854 crore. If the Congress Government were to be criticised that it had not taken care of the poor in this country, what is it that he has done which is different from what the Congress Government had done? ...(Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN (SHRI P.M. SAYEED): Please conclude.
SHRI KAVURU SAMBASIVA RAO (MACHILIPATNAM): I represent the Congress Party and I am speaking on behalf of that Party. I am speaking in a genuine manner. I am not provoking anybody.
MR. CHAIRMAN: I am aware of it.
SHRI KAVURU SAMBASIVA RAO (MACHILIPATNAM): Sir, I would like to make a humble submission to the hon. Minister and I want his attention. I can understand his providing any amount of money for education, health care, social services and welfare. But I request that there need not be huge allocations for other sectors, the economic Ministries. I say this because if you give a loan of, say, Rs.30,000 to a common man for purchasing an auto rickshaw, you want him to pay the interest on it, pay the loan back, then he pays the tax etc. But when lakhs of crores of rupees worth of investment is made in Ministries like Railways, Transport, etc., which are supposed to earn income and then feed the budget, he wants to give some more as the budgetary support, I request that the Minister should think over it. I do not say that the Congress Government had not done it. But at least he should think in an innovative way and prove his efficiency and competence.
Sir, many of the important things have not been mentioned in his report like the population control which is affecting the nation too much. I wrote letters earlier to the Prime Ministers of this country also mentioning the methods as to how we can reduce the rate of growth of population which will help the nation in turn. The pathetic condition today is that when we borrow Rs.96,815 crore, our investment on capital assets is only Rs.11,803 crore. Obviously, the hon. Minister must make an effort to see that there will not be any revenue deficit at least in future. If the Government of India itself resorts to revenue deficit, what is the state of municipalities and the State Governments? The crores of rupees collected by way of revenue is not sufficient for paying the salaries and establishment expenses of municipalities. So, should we live, forever increasing the borrowings and making a debt which cannot be serviced by the nation, and collapse like Mexico and other countries at some stage? So, it should be seen to that the expenditure which is going unnecessarily is reduced and the expenditure on capital making assets is increased.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Shri Rao, please conclude.
SHRI KAVURU SAMBASIVA RAO (MACHILIPATNAM): I am going to conclude it, Sir.
When it comes to the question of Defence, we are making an investment of Rs.40,000 crore. Please give a thought! The entire amount of Rs.40,000 crore was being used for Defence only because of the tension existing between India and Pakistan. We have no tension with other countries with which we share borders. So, the Government should think of how best we can reduce the expenditure on Defence by improving our relations with the adjacent countries. This can increase the savings which can be used for servicing the core sector. ...(Interruptions)...
The other factor about which I humbly request the hon. Minister is ...(Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN (SHRI P.M. SAYEED): The hon. Minister will give the reply now.
... (Interruptions)
SHRI KAVURU SAMBASIVA RAO (MACHILIPATNAM): Shri Yashwant Sinha, the other factor which I humbly request you is ... (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Shri Rao, you will have to say the last sentence now.
SHRI KAVURU SAMBASIVA RAO (MACHILIPATNAM): Yes, Sir. ... (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Do not complicate further.
... (Interruptions)
SHRI KAVURU SAMBASIVA RAO (MACHILIPATNAM): Yashwantji, anyway, ... (Interruptions) I am a humble man who goes by the rules, procedures and the factual condition. (Interruptions) I will take more time during the discussion on General Budget. I would request the hon. Minister to give some serious thought to all these matters.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Is it the pleasure of the House to sit up to the completion of the hon. Minister's speech and to take up this matter then?
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Yes, Sir.
MR. CHAIRMAN: The hon. Finance Minister, please.
2101 hours ">THE MINISTER OF FINANCE (SHRI YASHWANT SINHA): Mr. Chairman, Sir, I am extremely grateful to the hon. Members who have taken part in this discussion...
MR. CHAIRMAN: .. and not to the Chair?
SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: Of course, I am coming to the Chair. I was mentioning the hon. Members first and and I was coming to the Chair, Sir.
We have had a very well-informed discussion at times, not so well-informed discussions at other times. This is a routine exercise. The House is aware that I have come with the Interim Budget and I am pleading with the House to pass the Vote on Account for four months under very exceptional circumstances.
What I have presented to the House is not my own creation. Let us be very clear about it. I cannot be, this Government cannot be, held responsible for what has transpired in the year which is just going by. There was another Government in power. Most of us on this side of the House who were sitting on the Treasury Benches were in the Opposition then and most of the hon. Members who were sitting on the other side of the House were either in the Government or were supporting the Government from outside. It is that Government's doings, that Government's performance that we are discussing that I have placed before the House, yesterday.
Now, Sir, I have said very clearly that everything, the Revised Budget Estimates and the Budget Estimates for the next financial year, do not reflect the thinking and the priorities of my Government. I have said in my Budget speech that it is our firm resolve to review the Ninth Plan and to revise the Budget Estimates so that they reflect our thinking and priorities when I come before this august House with my regular Budget. That will be the time for you to judge us; that will be the time for you to judge our intentions; that will be the time for you to judge our actions. This is not my creation, as I said, but in a parliamentary system we are often faced with a situation where the existing Government has to carry on with the legacy which has been left behind by the previous Government.
Now, I approached my task - I want to be very very honest about it, this Government has been in office for barely one week, with all honesty without rancour.
If you look at the speech which I made before this House, there is no rancour. I would have been less than honest to the people of this country whom all of us represent in this august House, if I had not stated the facts as they are. If the industrial production is down, I have stated that; if the general progress of the economy is down, I have stated that; if the agricultural production is down, I have stated that and if the exports are down, I have stated that.
I would not have done my duty by this House and by the people of this country who have sent us to this House if I had concealed those facts from this House and from the people. Therefore I have stated it. But at the same time I have done it without any rancour. It is not my intention to apportion blame. It is not my intention to unnecessarily put anybody on the defensive. There were special circumstances probably obtaining then. Some explanation has been given. More explanations would have been forthcoming if the former Finance Minister, my immediate predecessor Shri Chidambaram, had intervened and said the kind of things one could have expected from him. But he chose to leave the House probably he had some other preoccupations, some other pressing engagements.
But, Sir, the point I am making is this. We have talked in our National Agenda for Governance that we believe in having a consensus. A point has been made in this House here by the hon. Member, Shri Mohan Singh that we should have the same kind of consensus in regard to economic policies that we have developed over a period of time in our foreign affairs, and in our defence policies. I see no reason why this House cannot evolve that consensus. I am pleading strongly today that we must evolve that consensus so that the economic policy which has become a major tool for the progress of this country, for the well being of the people of this country is not subject to the vagaries, to the exigencies of this situation or that situation. We must have a consensus. I think we are very close to a consensus.
Hon. Member, Shri Rao was saying that I had paid tributes to five decades of progress. Any one who honestly looks at five decades of this country will say that there had been progress. It is nobody's case that there had been no progress. But he himself has not been satisfied with the progress that we had made. We could have progressed probably faster. So, I have no hesitation in admitting that it is as a result of the strength created in our economic system as a result of that progress which had allowed us to withstand those vagaries, those storms which have swept the East Asian countries which were held out as models of economic development before all of us.
In fact we were criticised by many people that we did not follow exactly the path followed by those countries. We were criticised in this House, we were criticised in this country that we did not follow the path followed by some East European countries, including, the old Soviet Union. There was a thinking at that point of time - I do not know whether my friends from the Left still hold on to that - that that was the best model of development. That model of development has collapsed. Then, we were told that these market-economy countries of South Asia were the best models of development and India should follow those models of development. They have collapsed today. They are going round the world with begging bowl. Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I would like to emphasise before this House that the only model of economic development that India can follow is the uniquely Indian model of development. There is no model in the world which India can follow successfully except the model which we must devise on the basis of the concepts and the precepts which have been handed down to us by the great leaders of the past belonging to all shades of opinion, belonging to all the political parties. If we do that, then consensus-building will not be difficult.
I have heard here and I am sorry to say some hon. Members have talked as a matter of fun, in a very very light-hearted manner about swadeshi. I am sorry that is not the way swadeshi should be looked at. It is a matter of no shame for this Government that the bedrock of our economic policies will be swadeshi and swadeshi is exactly what hon. Member after hon. Member in this House has articulated. Swadeshi is defending, protecting and safeguarding our national interests.
People have talked about foreign investment. Now it is a very unfortunate development of the last few years, not that foreign investment has started to come in, but the fact that foreign investment has become the sum total of the economic discussion in this country. Wherever you talk about economic policy, you go to a TV debate, you talk to the media, if we discuss it in Parliament, everywhere, the emphasis is: are we for or against foreign investment; are we for or against multinationals?
I hope that the hon. Members, Sir, are aware that foreign investment at the best of times has played only a marginal role in our economy. Over a period of time, it has been less than two per cent of the total investment which has been made in this country.
If according to the latest data which is available with me, if 26 per cent of the investible fund came from our domestic savings, then only a little over one per cent came through foreign investment. Now should that be the central theme, the central point of our discussion and economic policy parameters should be judged only on that one point? Foreign investment, I have absolutely no hesitation in stating on behalf of my Government, is welcome. But foreign investment in India is welcome in certain areas which we call priority areas which include the infrastructure. And we are not interested in foreign investment in areas where we do not need foreign investment, where we do not need foreign technology, where there is no need for such foreign investment, where the foreign investor is not coming for our good. He is coming to this country or wanting to come to this country only for his own profit.
We have the entire society. Much has been said here about the poor people of this country. Do we want to create a society which is based on such utter disparities, that we will not be able to control the social tensions which will arise as a result of those disparities? Do we want to create islands of prosperity based on such consumerism which the rest of the people of this country will not tolerate? And then the walls around the residences of the affluent will go higher and a little more high and a little more high. Ultimately, they will all be demolished because the poor people of this country are not prepared to tolerate that kind of affluence when they themselves are living in such apathy, in such poverty. We have to remember that this country can ill afford policies of that kind.
And if I have, my Government and its policies have a slight difference of opinion with the policies followed by the previous Government, the Congress Party when it was in power or by the United Front Government supported by the Congress Party when they were in power, it is only about not making foreign investment the central theme of our economic policy. It has a role to play. We will allow it to play that role but the sum total of economic policy is far more, is far greater than that and any economic policy of any Government which does not bother about the poor people of this country, which does not take into account the rural economy of this country, is not worth the paper. That policy is written upon. Therefore, Sir, let me make it very clear that we shall... (Interruptions)
PROF. P.J. KURIEN (MAVELIKARA): Hon. Minister, will you hear me? Sir, the Congress Government has not made foreign investment its central policy. We wanted foreign investment in order to strengthen our industry because along with investment, we wanted technology also to come, so that our industry is sustained. To say `the central theme of our foreign investment only' is not correct.
... (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN (SHRI P.M. SAYEED): The hon. Minister has yielded to him.
SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: The results of the policies which have been followed during the last seven years when the process of liberalisation and economic reforms were initiated, are for everybody to see.
Unfortunately, I do not have the time to go into the details. The demand for level playing field by the Indian industry has arisen not from our Party, not from the Parties which are in Government today; it has been raised by the Indian industry. I am not saying that we believe in the level playing field also. But I have said and I would like to say on the floor of this House that this Government shall not accord to the foreign investors any privilege or any concession which is not available to the Indian industry. That is our policy. Therefore, it is important that we give preference to the domestic savings of 26 per cent. We have said it in our National Agenda for Governance. The Rashtrapatiji has said that in his Address to both the Houses of Parliament. We want to take it to 30 per cent in the next five years.
Domestic savings would be increased from 26 per cent to 30 per cent, and if we raise it by two per cent, then look at what we can achieve. Instead of depending on that one per cent of foreign investment for which we have to be prepared to spend so much time and energy, we will welcome foreign investment. We will define what exactly we mean by priority and non-priority. We will define the policy in such a transparent way that nobody will be in doubt either within the country or outside the country. I promise on behalf of my Government to this House that we shall set up a completely hassle free regime for foreign investment as for domestic investment.
You know what has happened to the fast track power projects. Eight fast track power projects were taken up in this country. The proposals were invited. Those proposals have not been moved for seven years despite the fast track. What kind of fast track projects are they? I am unable to understand. If it was no track at all, where is the question of fast or slow? Now, we have to get rid of such a mind set.
I entirely agree with you that these procedures have to be simplified. I promise you that that is exactly the area we are looking at and we will make sure that investor confidence is restored both for the domestic as well as for the foreign investor by our actions, not merely by our words. But I can promise that this confidence of the Indian investor and the foreign investor in India will be restored and for that reason I agree entirely with the suggestion which has been made here that we have to look at the small investor. The small investor has burnt his fingers a number of times. He has been cheated; he has lost his money. It will be the concern of our Government to make sure that we build a system in this country by which nobody and absolutely nobody will be able to cheat the small investor and his investment will be protected. Sir, a number of points have been made. I, unfortunately, do not have the time to go into all of them. (Interruptions). We are running against time.
SHRI ACHARIA BASUDEB (BANKURA): You write to the Members.
SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: I plead with the Members to bear with me. I have taken note of all the points which have been made. There are some individual points. Shri Banatwalla has raised a point about the Indira Gandhi Open University. There are certain procedural problems. I will explain to Shri Banatwalla what those procedural problems are.
MR. CHAIRMAN (SHRI P.M. SAYEED): Hon. Minister, some hon. Members have raised very valid points. So, you can write to them individually separately.
SHRI YASHWANT SINHA: I will write to them. I would just make one general observation. Some issues have been raised here by Members who unfortunately are not present in the House at this point of time.
I would like to clear the position of my Government on that point and that is some talk about some scams and some scandals. I would like to say that neither the Finance Ministry nor this Government is interested in giving protection to anyone. If a former Prime Minister of this country can be investigated and chargesheeted, I believe we have reached a stage in our democracy where nobody is above the law and nobody absolutely is above the law.
SHRI ACHARIA BASUDEB (BANKURA) : Does it include Shri Sukh Ram? There are charges against him. ...(Interruptions)
SHRI AJIT KUMAR PANJA (CALCUTTA NORTH EAST) : What about Shri Jyoti Basu? There are some allegations against him.
SHRI ACHARIA BASUDEB (BANKURA) : For twenty years you have been making only allegations. Not a single thing is proved. ...(Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN (SHRI P.M. SAYEED) : The hon. Minister will conclude now.
SHRI YASHWANT SINHA : Sir, therefore, I would like to assure the House that we are not interested in protecting anybody. As the famous words are "The law shall take its own course" and we shall see to it that the law takes its own course.
Sir, with these words I conclude my speech and I will request the Members to pass this.
Thank you.
(ends) श्री राजो सिंह (बेगूसराय) : एक करोड़ रुपया जो कहा कि एम.पी. को मिलना चाहिए, वह दिलाइए। श्री यशवन्त सिन्हा : बहुत सारी बातें जो यहां पर कही गई हैं उनके बारे में हम यहां नहीं कह सकते हैं। वह इस सदन को डिसाइड करना है इसलिए वह करेंगे। सुरेन्द्र यादव जी ने बहुत सारी बातें कही हैं, उनका उत्तर मैं यहां नहीं देना चाहता हूं। मैं सिर्फ इतना कहना चाहता हूं कि उन्होंने और उनकी पार्टी ने बिहार को जिस तरह का स्वर्ग बना दिया है, उस तरह का स्वर्ग हम भारत को नहीं बना सकते।
...(व्यवधान)
MR. CHAIRMAN : I shall now put the Demands for Grants on Account (General) for 1998-99 to vote of the House.
"That the respective sums not exceeding the amounts on Revenue Account and Capital Account shown in the third column of the Order Paper be granted to the President out of the Consolidated Fund of India, on account, for or towards defraying the charges during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1999 in respect of the heads of Demands entered in the second column thereof against Demand Nos. 1 to 28, 30, 31, 33 to 61, 63 to 93, 95, 96, 98 to 103".
The motion was adopted.
MR. CHAIRMAN : I shall now put the Supplementary Demands for Grants (General) for 1997-98 to vote.
"That the respective supplementary sums not exceeding the amounts on Revenue Account and Capital Account shown in the third column of the Order Paper be granted to the President out of the Consolidated Fund of India to defray the charges that will come in course of payment during the year ending 31st day of March, 1998 in respect of the following demands entered in the second column thereof - Demand Nos. 1 to 7, 9 to 16, 18 to 23, 26, 28, 32 to 38, 40 to 52, 54 to 60, 62, 63, 65 to 72, 74, 75, 77 to 86, 88 to 90, 92, 94, 95 and 97 to 101".
The motion was adopted.