Lok Sabha Debates
Regarding Identification Of Backward Areas. on 3 August, 2001
18.01 hrs. Title: Regarding identification of backward areas.
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The House shall now take up half-an-hour discussion. Shri Adhir Chowdhary.
SHRI ADHIR CHOWDHARY (BERHAMPORE, WEST BENGAL): Sir, I must appreciate the hon. Minister for having acceded to a half-an-hour discussion, in compliance with the demand of the Members concerned. The question pertained to the backward areas of the country. The question itself had reflected the uneven development and the regional disparities. It is easy to conceive that identification of backward areas will certainly lead to wide-ranging ramifications as far as the financial system, financial governance, etc., are concerned. It has also brought in the broader spectrum of our Constitutional provisions vis-à-vis States.
The Minister, in his statement, stated that 13 Committees have so far been constituted and the latest in that series was the Sharma Committee, which was constituted to identify the backward areas in our country and that no uniform criterion or consensus of States could be evolved. Therefore, the statement clearly substantiates the intricacies and complexities involved in the task of identification of backward areas including the allocation of funds to the concerned areas. We know that decentralised political democracy and fiscal federalism are the two salient features and cornerstones of our Constitution. Again, the 73rd and 74th amendments of our Constitution have given birth to a third tier of democracy associated with devolution of fiscal powers and responsibilities to the grassroots level.
Sir, in the year 1969, first time the formula based Central Assistance Plan was introduced. That formula is known as Gadgil Formula. Then in 1991, this formula was got modified and approved by the NDC. It became known as the Gadgil-Mukherjee Formula.
As per the Gadgil-Mukherjee Formula, the number of Special Category States is 10 and the allocation for them would be 30 per cent. Remaining 70 per cent would be treated as 100 per cent distributed amount. There are 18 non-Special Category States on the following criteria: population -- 60 per cent; per capita income -- 25 per cent; 20 per cent for those States whose per capita income is less than the national average; 5 per cent for those States whose per capita income is equal or more than the national average; performance of the States – 7.5 per cent; tax etc, -- 2.5 per cent; fiscal management -- 2 per cent; population control -- one per cent; elimination of female illiteracy – one per cent; one time completion of externally aided projects – 0.5 per cent; success in land reforms -- 0.5 per cent; and special problems – 7.5 per cent.
Sir, I do not know whether this Government is considering to abrogate this Formula. Now, this year’s Census Report has come out. The Eleventh Finance Commission’s Report has also come out. The Eleventh Finance Commission as well as the earlier Finance Commissions have simply given the impression that their Reports are found to be destined cul-de-sac.
Sir, the Reports of the successive Finance Commissions have become ritual orchestration while both the Centre and the States are heading towards fiscal problems. We cannot deny this.
Sir, over the Report of the Eleventh Finance Commission, various State Governments are very much agitated. They are under the impression that because of their good performance, they are being denied their share in the Central devolution.
I may state that the higher income States, namely, Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra, Punjab and Goa have suffered a loss in devolution of 13.14 per cent in the Tenth Finance Commission and 9.7 per cent in the Eleventh Finance Commission.
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Shri Adhir Chowdhary, this is Half-an-hour discussion. You will have to make a short statement only. That is all.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI ADHIR CHOWDHARY : Even the middle income States, the percentage of share in devolution has gone down, in respect of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. In the case of Maharashtra alone, the reduction in devolution from TFC to EFC is Rs.6920 crore for a five-year period. So, the question arises as to why the progressive States are supposed to meet the profligacy of the incompetent States. Therefore, before reorganising the States, the Government should consider the financial potentialties and , the fiscal health of the concerned States. Only reorganisation of States should not be treated as a panacea for all ills. … (Interruptions)
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: All right, Shri Chowdhary. This is Half-an-hour discussion. … (Interruptions)
SHRI ADHIR CHOWDHARY : Sir, I am just starting it. … (Interruptions)
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: No. Half-an-hour discussion means, it should be completed within half-an-hour.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI ADHIR CHOWDHARY: Sir, this is a very serious question. My State for long has been suffering from arsenic contamination. Nine districts in my State have been affected severely because of arsenic contamination. In pursuance of a direction from the High Court, the Ministry of Environment and Forest had conducted a study, which indicated the severity of this problem. The tolerance limit of arsenic consumption in human body is as merely as 0.05 mg. per litre. In many parts of my State, that level has exceeded and it has now gone up to 0.80 mg. per litre. … (Interruptions)
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Okay, conclude. Dr. Laxminarayan Pandeya.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI ADHIR CHOWDHARY: Sir, this is a very serious matter. … (Interruptions) Many deaths have been reported from my State. … (Interruptions)
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: There are four other hon. Members; they also will have to ask questions. Please conclude.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI ADHIR CHOWDHARY : Many deaths have been reported from my State; and the district that I am representing has the highest incidence of arsenic contamination. Even Kolkatta has been affected by this poison. The silent deaths are spreading to the whole of the State. Therefore, I request the hon. Minister to treat this issue as a national threat because arsenic contamination is not only confined to West Bengal alone; but also it has been spreading to other States also.
You are also aware that erosion of Ganga and Padma Rivers has created havoc or has created panic in my State. … (Interruptions)
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Okay. Now, Dr. Laxminarayan Pandeya.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI ADHIR CHOWDHARY : In one place village Fazilka in my State, the distance between the Ganga and Padma Rivers is reduced to just 1.2 kms. … (Interruptions)
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Okay, you have requested the Minister to treat this as a national issue.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI ADHIR CHOWDHARY : The river Ganga is going to circumvent the Farakka Barrage. A day may come when we will see that the Farakka Barrage is standing on a desert land. Is it not a national issue? Therefore, the issue of erosion of the Ganga and Padma Rivers, the issue of floods, the issue of arsenic contamination, etc. are to be considered very seriously.
Sir, already you have had the Census Report, the Eleventh Finance Commission Report, and the Mid-Term Appraisal Report. May I know whether you are going to review the situation in the context of the changed socio-economic dimension and fix a new criteria for identifying backward areas?
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: You have already made your point. Now, please do not spoil your case. You have already asked him to treat this issue as a national issue. Now, he has to answer. You have already taken 15 minutes.
SHRI ADHIR CHOWDHARY : Sir, with these words, I conclude my speech. Sir, I am expecting many things because he is a nice and suave Minister. We are all proud of him and are expecting many things from him.
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: There are four more Members who will be asking the questions. This is only a Half-an-Hour Discussion. You are supposed to ask questions only.
SHRI ADHIR CHOWDHARY : Sir, I got the first opportunity to speak in a Half-an-Hour Discussion. That is why, I did not know the nitty-gritty of all this.
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: You should know all these things.
डॉ. लक्ष्मीनारायण पाण्डेय (मंदसौर):उपाध्यक्ष महोदय, देश में सर्वाधिक पिछड़े क्षेत्रों का निर्धारण करने के बारे में इस प्रश्न से कुछ बातें अपने आप उत्पन्न हुई हैं। हमने पिछड़े क्षेत्रों के निर्धारण के बारे में कुछ मापदंड तय किए हैं। वहां शिक्षा का क्या आधार है, प्रति व्यक्ति औसत आय कितनी है, आवागमन के साधन सुविधाजनक हैं या नहीं, रहन-सहन किस प्रकार का है, शैक्षिक, सामाजिक परिस्थितियां किस प्रकार की हैं? इन आधारों को ध्यान में रखते हुए पिछड़े और सम्पन्न वर्गों का निर्धारण किया जाता है। यहां अत्यन्त पिछड़े वर्ग के लोगों की बात चली है। मैं दो-तीन बातें स्पष्ट जानना चाहूंगा। क्या किसी राज्य को उसके क्षेत्र विशेष के पिछडा होने से उसे समग्र रूप में पिछड़ा अथवा आगे बढ़ा या उन्नत राज्य के रूप में घोषित करेंगे? मध्य प्रदेश या अंडेमान निकोबार जैसे राज्य को ले लें। वहां एक तरफ अच्छी बस्तियां हैं तो दूसरी तरफ सुदूर आदिवासी इलाके हैं। वहां आज भी जंगली जीवन है, पशुवत जीवन है। उनका आज भी वही जीवन है जो आदिकाल में था। यदि मध्य प्रदेश को लें तो देखने में आएगा कि जहां एक तरफ नगरीय जीवन है और सारी सुविधाएं हैं लेकिन दूसरी तरफ झाबुआ और बस्तर इलाकों में आवागमन के साधन और दूसरी सुविधाएं नहीं हैं। ऐसे सुदूरवर्ती इलाकों में जो अत्यन्त पिछड़े हैं या जो केवल पिछड़े क्षेत्र हैं, वहां क्या जातीय आधार पर, सामाजिक आधार पर, शैक्षिक आधार पर, आवासीय आधार पर, पर्यावरणीय आधार पर या आवागमन की सुविधाओं के आधार पर उनकी पहचान की जाएगी?
मैं यहां उड़ीसा का जिक्र करना चाहता हूं। क्या कालाहांड़ी जैसे सुदूरवर्ती इलाकों को भी आप उस सूची में लेंगे जो अत्यन्त पिछड़े हैं या जिन को अत्यन्त पिछड़ा कहा जा सकता है? इस द्ृष्टि से देश के कुछ भागों को फिर से पारिभाषित करना होगा। पिछड़े, अत्यन्त पिछड़े या उन्नत या समुन्नत क्षेत्रों की पहचान करनी होगी। आप इसे देखते हुए मापदंडों को फिर से निर्धारित करने की कृपा करें। क्या आप इस बारे में विचार कर रहे हैं?
श्री अनन्त नायक (क्योंझर):उपाध्यक्ष महोदय, माननीय मंत्री जी नेप्रश्न के उत्तर में जिन १०० जिलों का जिक्र किया है, उसमें उड़ीसा राज्य के ऐसे कितने जिले हैं? उड़ीसा में क्योंझर जिले में खनिज भरा पड़ा है लेकिन पिछले ५० साल से धीरे-धीरे पिछड़ा होता जा रहा है। मेरा कहना है कि स्टेट और सैंट्रल गवर्नमेंट के बीच में संबंध अच्छा रहना चाहिये अन्यथा विशेष ऐरियाज के लिये काम नहीं हो पाता है। मैं मंत्री जी से जानना चाहता हूं कि क्या दसवीं पंचवर्षीय योजना में ऐसे जिलों के लिये सरकार कोई योजना बनाने का प्रयास करेंगी?
प्रो. रासा सिंह रावत (अजमेर): उपाध्यक्ष महोदय, मैं आपके माध्यम से माननीय मंत्री जी से जानना चाहता हूं कि किन आधारों य़ा मानदंडों को निर्धारित करके देश के पिछड़े क्षेत्रों की पहचान की गई है। वह पिछड़ापन चाहे राजनैतिक, प्राकृतिक, आर्थिक, शैक्षणिक, सामाजिक या औद्योगिक द्ृष्टि से उनकी पहचान कर ली गई हो, क्या उन क्षेत्रों के विकास के लिये सरकार ने कोई विशेष योजना बनाई थी, यदि हां तो उसके क्या परिणाम निकले? यदि कोई योजना नहीं बनाई गई थी तो उसके क्या कारण रहे? उन पिछड़े क्षेत्रों की पहचान का क्या उद्देश्य था?
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Now, the hon. Minister may reply.
SHRI NARESH PUGLIA (CHANDRAPUR): Sir, I have also given notice.
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: But your name has not been listed here.
SHRI NARESH PUGLIA : But I have given notice, Sir. I will take only two minutes.
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Please get me the rule in this regard. I cannot violate the rules. This is Half-an-hour Discussion. Any number of Members may give notice but only four Members from the ballot will be listed. Unfortunately, your name is not in the list. I want to give you a chance to speak but I do not want to violate the rule.
… (Interruptions)
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: This Half-an-hour Discussion is from 6 to 6.30 p.m. … (Interruptions)
THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DISINVESTMENT, MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING, MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION, AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS AND PUBLIC GRIEVANCES OF THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (SHRI ARUN SHOURIE): Sir, I will just end and speak specifically to the points that were raised. The first point is, some specific problems have been raised like arsenic poisoning and others. On this point, as I have mentioned in the House during the Question Hour also, I have been repeatedly writing to the Government of West Bengal. It is unfortunate that we have not even received an acknowledgement for over two years. What I will do in this matter is that , instead of just requesting them to do something, I will make sure that we get information on what is happening in the area of arsenic poisoning in these nine districts and I will report to the Members. Shri Dasmunsi has also been very exercised on this matter. I will personally take up the matter with the new Chief Minister and continue with this enquiry. We will make it a special point that when the Chief Minister and his team come for the Annual Plan discussion with the Planning Commission, we will enquire into it very specifically.
The second question that was raised was, whether entire States are declared backward or not. In fact, this is a misconception. The Planning Commission does not go by areas being backward or most backward - because it will set up another race of trying to get each area declared as a backward area. What happens is that certain States have been designated the Special Category States by a set of criteria. They are border States; they are hilly States; they are States with high tribal population and they are bereft of natural resources. They are the North-Eastern States including Sikkim, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
There is a proposal now to designate Uttranchal also as a special category State. But this can only be done by the National Development Council - in which the Chief Ministers are present. The proposal will be put to them and then they can decide on this. As was mentioned, in regard to specific areas, there is no specific identification that these areas are backward or most backward. While designing any particular scheme, the areas are identified on the basis of the criteria relevant to that particular scheme. Take for instance the scheme for developing infrastructure in an area. Here, we see which are the areas that are particularly deficient in that kind of infrastructure. … (Interruptions)
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Let him explain. Then you can seek clarification.
SHRI ARUN SHOURIE: For instance, for the Border Area Development Plan, Rs. 240 crore was given this year to blocks which have international land borders They are being given 100 per cent grant for the development of infrastructure and other facilities. In the Tribal Plan, you will see that there are 194 projects. These are set up only in those blocks and in those States where more than fifty per cent of the population consists of Scheduled Tribes. There is also the Modified Area Development Approach. There are 259 schemes in that. These are taken up in groups of villages with population of 10,000 or more with fifty per cent or more tribal population. There are similar criteria for Hill Area Development Plan, for Indira Awas Yojana, for Pradhan Mantri Gramudyog Yojana, for the Desert Development Programme and for the Drought Prone Areas Programme. For each of these, criteria are specifically used for identifying the blocks and districts for which allocations under that scheme will go. These are very substantial allocations. For one scheme Rs. 280 crore was provided. For another scheme, Rs. 448 crore have been provided. Backwardness is identified in reference to those particular groups which are target groups and those particular things that have to be developed in that particular area.
A specific question was raised about Orissa as to whether the districts have been identified or not. I think areas such as Orissa would be a focus of attention in the Tenth Plan. In the EAS Sharma Committee Report, four districts of Orissa have been identified as amongst the 100 most backward districts of Orissa in the country. Special attention has been paid to them. The Prime Minister is personally monitoring these schemes meant for the KBK districts. There used to be three districts in that group. Now, there are eight districts in that. It is a telling instance. We always think of Kalahandi because of famine. That is how it in the newspapers. Actually, it is a rice exporting area. It is one of the best endowed areas in many respects. Due to land structure and other problems, it continues with those poverty pockets.
I would make only two points and then conclude because of shortage of time. The fact of the matter is that there is no shortage of money or outlays. … (Interruptions) I am not yielding. If you keep interrupting me, how will I proceed? If I am giving you any wrong information, correct me and bring a Privilege Motion.… (Interruptions)
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Shri Naresh Puglia, when the Minister is not yielding, I cannot allow your expression to go on record. That procedure is there. I will give you a chance to speak.
SHRI ARUN SHOURIE: In this year alone Rs. One lakh 26 thousand crore have been provided to schemes of this kind. In addition, Rs. 22 thousand crore are being spent on Central schemes which are also going to be implemented in those States, precisely for removing backwardness.
So, it is not the shortage of funds which comes in the way as was being made out in the Question Hour and now also. Similarly, in the name of removing poverty, allocations and expenditures every year exceed Rs.35,000 crore. If we close all poverty schemes of the States and of all other Governments and just send a money order to the below poverty-line families, each family would get Rs.7,000-8,000 per year. With that, they could buy three kilos of rice per day and come above the poverty line automatically. So, the essence of the matter as was being emphasised in the previous discussion also is in implementation of the schemes and not in their multiplication. That is the focus that we are trying to give in the Tenth Plan also. Today, there are 256 Centrally-Sponsored Schemes. In a single district like Kanpur, when we contacted the Collector to know how many schemes he is implementing, he took time to count them. It turned out that there were 147 schemes. He was receiving money from 147 schemes for implementing the schemes. That does not include the 200- odd projects which the MPs would give for that particular area. So, I would think that it is not the shortage of funds that come in the way. It is not the shortage of the number of schemes. … (Interruptions)
Shri Chowdhary was just mentioning from the Gadgil Formula. Poverty and backwardness is one of the main criteria of that formula. You know that in the Finance Commission also, poverty is one of the main . that has been used for determing allocations. Per capita income accounts for 25 per cent of the allocation under the Gadgil-Mukherjee formula. In the Finance Commission, it accounts for 62.5 per cent of the allocation. Similarly, the Special Category States, they account for only 5 per cent population of the country. They are given 30 per cent of the allocation.
Secondly, the other States are given lower proportion as grant. In the case of Special Category States, 90 per cent of the outlay is given to them as a grant. If after that poverty continues and schemes are not implemented, we should look for the reasons else where. That is what we should focus on.
So, finally, I would urge all our hon. Members that we should join hands and ensure that these enormous resources, which are being spent for removal of poverty, are actually effectively utilised.
SHRI E.M. SUDARSANA NATCHIAPPAN (SIVAGANGA): I have only one question to put. What is the parameter or formula adopted for identification of a particular area to apply that scheme? That is my question.
SHRI ARUN SHOURIE: Actually, in answer to the question that was asked, which led to this discussion, a table was annexed in which the criteria for each particular scheme was given for the identification of that particular area. I have that table. It is an annexure to the question that was answered on the 25th. But I will again circulate it to the individual Members about each scheme and each criterion.
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: For the benefit of the hon. Members, you can do it.
SHRI ARUN SHOURIE: I will do that.
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Shri Chowdhary has asked one question. In view of the dimension of the problem, are you prepared to accept it as a national problem? He has asked that question.
SHRI ARUN SHOURIE: Most certainly. I mean, attending to backwardness and removal of poverty is the central national problem today. It is the focus of all development efforts.… (Interruptions)
SHRI NARESH PUGLIA : He is sitting in the air-conditioned office and talking about the backward areas.
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Who?
SHRI NARESH PUGLIA : Our hon. Minister. … (Interruptions)
SHRI ARUN SHOURIE: Is my sitting in the air-conditioned office a part of the record.?… (Interruptions)
SHRI NARESH PUGLIA : I come from the tribal area. My area is totally a Naxalite area. Five States are affected due to Naxalite problem. Where will the poor tribal people go? Other people are having so many schemes.
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: I come from the same tribal area from where you come.
SHRI ADHIR CHOWDHARY : Diversion of funds has become an anathema. So, Mr. Minister, are you going to devise any way to deal with the situation? The State Governments are diverting the funds. But the ultimate sufferers are the common people. So, why should the common people bear the fiscal profligacy of the State Governments and especially in case of West Bengal? What is your reaction?
SHRI ARUN SHOURIE: That is a very important matter.
The agency which looks after the diversion of funds is the Comptroller & Auditor General. The C&AG has given a very instructive report on West Bengal. I would like to mention two points only. It shows that 95 per cent of the expenditure in West Bengal, including Capital and Plan expenditure, is being used only for current purposes. It is there in the report.
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Do not get perturbed. When you were asking the question, he has to yield. Therefore, I did not allow you. If you want to ask a specific question, as an exceptional case, you can ask the Minister.
SHRI ARUN SHOURIE: The second part of the C&AG’s report I mentioned is the report dealing with the enterprises and so on. In fact, it was completed in 1999 and has yet not been placed in the Assembly there. It is a good idea to request our own colleagues to ask that the report be placed in the Assembly and you will get the answer about the diversion of funds.
SHRI ADHIR CHOWDHARY: In reply to a question, in the Rajya Sabha, the Government.… (Interruptions)
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: That is the difficulty.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI ADHIR CHOWDHARY : The Government assured the Rajya Sabha that appropriate action would be taken on the diversion of Rs.45 billion to personal ledger accounts. The amount will also be recouped, the Government promised, after receipt of the final Report of the Public Accounts Committee, West Bengal. What is the fate of that assurance, the people of West Bengal are inclined to know.
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The Minister has already given a detailed reply.
SHRI ADHIR CHOWDHARY : What was the fate of this Report? Whether the money has been recouped or not? It has been raised in the Rajya Sabha.
SHRI ARUN SHOURIE: I will certainly check on that particular point and get back to the Member on that particular diversion.
SHRI NARESH PUGLIA : I would like to know from the Minister regarding 100 backward districts. I would like to inform the hon. Minister that 100 backward districts are having maximum forest cover. It is more than 30 per cent. Due to the Forests Conservation Act, not a single project is going to be cleared by the Central Ministry of Environment and Forests. So, I would like to inform you that these six States, namely, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are naxalite-affected States. This is not totally a law and order problem, this is a socio-economic problem. That is why, they have been requesting the Prime Minister and the Planning Ministry that 50 per cent amount should be given by the Central Planning Ministry to the States. Maharashtra Government has asked for Rs.838 crore. The State is also ready to invest the same amount. I would like to know from the hon. Minister whether his Ministry is going to have consultation with all the six Chief Ministers regarding 50 per cent aid to the naxalite-affected States.
SHRI ARUN SHOURIE: I am sorry for that altercation. Earlier, I was just trying to complete a point at that time. I would like to inform the hon. Member that I do not sit all the time in an air-conditioned office.
The point is that this is a matter of direct concern to the Home Minister, as the distinguished Member knows. He has been holding meetings with the Chief Ministers of the states affected by naxalite activities and they are trying to draw up a coordinated plan, including a development plan, not just a law and order plan for this very purpose.
As far as the first point about the Forest Act is concerned – it is an Act we have passed in this House . The courts have interpreted it and said that it must be enforced. As you know, Sir, it has affected mining and development activities in many areas. Persons like me feel that the Samata judgement should be reviewed.
The hon. Member mentioned about the Chhattisgarh Government . The Government of Chhattisgarh, as you know, have taken a very rigid view, when the Act has not even been notified. Those rules have not been notified in Chhattisgarh but they have raised the issue of the Samata judgement in regard to BALCO disinvestment, just to raise an issue.
Now, they are giving leases in the tribal areas contrary to the judgement. In the Supreme Court, they are taking a view to the effect that no, that judgement should mean `x’, `y’ and `z’ and things cannot happen in Chattisgarh. So, I would plead that if you feel so strongly about the Forests Act, it is an Act of Parliament, such an important party takes the initiative, I am sure, requisite amendments would be considered.
Secondly, as far as the impact of those judgements is concerned, on development in tribal areas, it just so happens with the Samata judgement because it has been challenged by the Chattisgarh Government is now before the Supreme Court The Government of Chattisgarh has brought up the matter in the Supreme Court in regard to BALCO disinvestment. All of us hope that the Supreme Court would re-examine this matter.
डॉ.लक्ष्मीनारायण पाण्डेय (मंदसौर):मैंने मध्य प्रदेश के बस्तर, झाबुआ, छत्तीसगढ़ इलाके और साथ ही अंडमान-निकोबार तथा उड़ीसा के बारे में भी कहा था, जो पचास वर्ष पहले भी पिछड़े हुए थे, जिनकी जानकारी ले ली गई थी। पचास वर्षों से योजनाओं पर लगातार खर्च करने के बाद भी वे इलाके अत्यन्त पिछड़े हुए हैं। क्या आप उनकी समीक्षा करेंगे?…( व्यवधान )देश के और भी पिछडे प्रदेश हैं।
उपाध्यक्ष महोदय : पाण्डेय जी, आपने लक्ष्यद्वीप भी वज़िट किया था। वह भी पिछड़ा हुआ इलाका है। उसे भी इसमें शामिल क्यों नहीं करते?
डॉ.लक्ष्मीनारायण पाण्डेय : मैं लक्ष्यद्वीप गया था, अंडमान भी गया था। पचास वर्षों बाद भी वहां की दशा वैसी ही है। आज भी वहां बिजली नहीं है।…( व्यवधान )आवागमन की पर्याप्त सुविधा नहीं है।
SHRI ARUN SHOURIE: Sir, the reasons for that are well-known, especially to you, as you have been representing Lakshadweep with such great distinction for so many years now. But I will certainly make this point to the Deputy-Chairman and to other colleagues in the Planning Commission so that we can take up this matter.
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Thank you very much.
18. 41 hrs The Lok Sabha then adjourned till Eleven of the Clock on Monday, August 6, 2001/Sravana 15, 1923 (Saka).
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