Lok Sabha Debates
Discussion On The Motion For Consideration Of The Damodar Valley Corporation ... on 7 December, 2011
> Title: Discussion on the motion for consideration of the Damodar Valley Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2011 (Bill Passed).
MR. CHAIRMAN : The House will now take up Item no. 12, Damodar Valley Corporation (Amendment) Act.
THE MINISTER OF POWER (SHRI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE): I beg to move:
“That the Bill further to amend the Damodar Valley Corporation Act, 1948, be taken into consideration.” Sir, the Damodar Valley Corporation Act came into force on 7th July, 1948 on the lines of the Tennessee Valley Authority in USA.
The functions of the Corporation under Section 12 of the Act, inter alia, provides for the promotion and operation of schemes for irrigation, water supply and drainage, the generation, transmission and distribution of electrical energy, afforestation and control of soil erosion, promotion of public health etc., in the Damodar Valley and its area of operation.
At present, as per Section 4 of the said Act, Board consists of a Chairman and two other part-time Members (one each from Governments of Jharkhand and West Bengal).
Apart from this, as per Section 6 of the Act, DVC has a Secretary and a Financial Advisor. The Secretary is the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation.
Over the last more than 60 years, a number of changes have taken place in the activities of Damodar Valley Corporation and it has grown into a large generating company with its own transmission and sub-transmission network.
Ministry of Power in the year 2000 appointed the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI) to examine various alternative models for restructuring DVC and to suggest the most viable one which would enable DVC to discharge its responsibilities more effectively and efficiently. Based on the recommendations of ASCI, meeting held in the Ministry of Power on the recommendations of the ASCI inter-alia with the representatives of Governments of West Bengal, Jharkhand and the then Chairman, DVC, it was decided to amend the sub-section (1) of Section 4 of the Act relating to constitution of Corporation (Board).
In view of this, a need was felt to make Damodar Valley Corporation broad based and more professional by re-constituting it with four full-time members and six part-time members.
After approval, the restructured Damodar Valley Corporation will have the following members:-
Full-time Members:-
1. A Chairman (Chief Executive Officer);
2. A Member (Technical);
3. A Member (Finance);
4. A Member-Secretary (in-charge of general administration and business development);
Part-time Members:
5. A representative from the Central Government;
6. Two representatives, one each from the States of Jharkhand and West Bengal; and
7. Three independent experts, one each from the field of irrigation; water supply; and generation or transmission or distribution of electricity.
It has also been proposed to abolish the posts of Secretary, and Financial Advisor.
To incorporate these changes, it has been proposed to amend Section 4, Section 6, Section 7, Section 8, Section 44 and Section 59 of the DVC Act.
The Bill seeks to achieve the above objects.
MR. CHAIRMAN : Motion moved:
“That the Bill further to amend the Damodar Valley Corporation Act, 1948, be taken into consideration.” SHRI UDAY SINGH (PURNEA): Mr. Chairman, Sir, it is a great pleasure that Parliament is functioning again.
With your permission, Sir, before I speak on this Bill, I would like to say that I am really enthused to hear the hon. Finance Minister imploring us really to take the functioning of the House seriously and to debate more vigorously on issues concerning our nation. Now, we have seen that this Session has lost nine valuable days because of the rather intransigent attitude adopted by the Government. We have seen, Sir, the Ministers of the Government go on to Television channels to say that the decision, which now stands suspended is an Executive decision. I think, Sir, the time has come when Parliament should take a view as to what would construe to be an Executive decision. For example, if a Government in power today – I am not talking about this Government – decides to sell one of our States to a foreign country, it can well say that it is an Executive decision and no legislative approval is needed. Therefore, our Constitution needs to be probably studied in a little more detail and this Parliament should be empowered to discuss, and only then the Governments be allowed to take decisions which will have a long-term import on the country. Thank you very much, Sir.
Now, I turn back to this Bill. The hon. Minister has just said about the purpose of this Bill, and we cannot have anything against it. But I begin to wonder why the Ministry of Power at all controls the Damodar Valley Corporation.
This project envisaged in 1948 on the lines of the Tennessee Valley Corporation in the United States was a multi-purpose river valley project. Power generation was only one of the major tasks that it was charged with. The others were much more important tasks. So, over a period of time, the Damodar Valley Corporation has become just an other electricity producing enterprise. I do not think that this was what envisaged then. Therefore, just to reiterate, as the Minister has said, the functions of the Corporation provide for the promotion and operation of schemes for flood control, irrigation, water supply and drainage, generation, transmission and distribution of thermal power, afforestation and soil conservation to stop the soil erosion, and public health and agriculture in that area. These were the important things that the DVC was charged with originally.
What we now find is that since 1948, even the original plan of the Damodar Valley Corporation has not been fully implemented. The initial plan was to have seven dams. Only four dams have been made. Even those four dams do not have the capacity to hold the excess water. With the result, large parts of West Bengal get flooded every year. This is an extremely serious problem, and I do not think that the Power Ministry is really in a position to do much about desilting of those dams or those rivers there. Therefore, I do not know if the Government would consider either involving more Ministries in the running of the Damodar Valley Corporation or handing over the Damodar Valley Corporation itself to another more appropriate Ministry because power generation initially was and remains a secondary thing for the Damodar Valley Corporation.
On the other hand, I do not see logic in their being only part-time members from the States of Jharkhand and West Bengal. The question is that large parts of this area are to be developed. The Damodar Valley Corporation either falls in the territory of West Bengal or in the territory of Jharkhand. Therefore, the District Administration really calls a shot.
The Damodar Valley Corporation is trying to say that it will promote public health, agriculture, overall industry and economic development and it is severely curtailed from having the administrative arm to do this.
Therefore, it would be better if the Local Administration was involved; and if schemes like NREGA actually became part of the DVC, if it really has to do what it was supposed to do in the first place. No study on the DVC has been done since 1948. The landscape has changed; the watershed has changed its character; and therefore, a detailed project study on this must be carried out as soon as possible. Despite all this, the Damodar Valley Corporation is now home to a large number of industries. It is on the pattern of the Ruhr Valley in Germany, in Europe. The environmental safeguards that need to be in place, are just missing from there. Therefore, you have haphazard development. Therefore, the question of reforestation or aforestation is on the backbench. Nobody is even bothering about it. All that we are concentrating on is more and more power generation. Rather than hydro, we are going in for more and more thermal power generation. Power generation by itself is a very important thing. But as far as the DVC is concerned, I would request the Government to re-look at the original plan for the Damodar Valley Corporation and go back to what it was supposed to be doing.
I do not know why the dams are not being made; I do not why the rivers are not being desilted; I do not why the environmental control measures are not being put in place; and I do not know why the DVC itself is not increasing its expenditure on the corporate social responsibility. It is spending a measly two per cent of its earning. Why it cannot become five per cent? Why the District Administration cannot be roped in? Why schemes like NREGA etc., cannot become part of the Charter of the DVC? These are very important suggestions that we are making. I would like the hon. Minister to respond to these suggestions; and if possible to implement them. It is because once they are implemented, we would be greatly benefited. For large parts of the year, you have flood waters; for the other time of the year, you do not have irrigation water. So, really speaking, the DVC has failed in doing what it was supposed to do. I would, therefore, request the hon. Minister to kindly pay a greater attention to this.
With these few words, I support the Amendment Bill because the Amendment is for strengthening the management structure of the DVC and one cannot have anything against it.
SHRI ADHIR CHOWDHURY (BAHARAMPUR): Mr. Chairman, Sir, I rise to support unequivocally the Bill piloted by the hon. Minister, Shri Sushil Kumar Shindeji under the nomenclature The Damodar Vally Corporation (Amendment ) Bill, 2011.
Sir, before initiating my debate, I would like to draw the attention of the hon. Members of the Opposition Benches that the Nuclear Explosion of 1978 at Pokhran had taken place without consulting the Members of this House and it was called an Executive decision. Lahore Yatra was initiated on the same pretext of an Executive decision, only to see that the Kargil was invaded later.
Sir, now, I come to the point. I would concentrate on the legislation as has been brought by the Ministry of Power. We all are aware that our Power Ministry and this Government have been exhausting all their resources to generate more and more power in order to cope with the galloping rate of demand of the power in our country. Virtually, we are racing against time to meet the demand of power in our country. The Damodar Valley Corporation is recognized as one of the premier organizations under the command of this Ministry.
We are proud to say that the Damodar Valley Corporation Project was conceived by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. It is called the dream child of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Furthermore, in the Constituent Assembly of India the Damodar Valley Corporation Bill was mooted by no less than Shri V.N. Gadgil. So, the dream of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and the dream of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy of West Bengal was Damodar Valley Corporation, which was conceived in replication of the Valley of Tennessee in the USA.
As per the statement made by the hon. Minister, it has been clearly indicated that it is not generally or in generic term, a thermal power utility. The functions of the Corporation under the Act, inter alia, provided for the promotion and operation of schemes for irrigation, water supply and drainage, the generation, transmission and distribution of electrical energy, the promotion and control of navigation in the Damodar River and its tributaries and channels, afforestation and control of soil erosion, promotion of public health and the agricultural, industrial, economic and general well-being in the Damodar Valley and its area of operation.
What does it mean? It means that it is a multi-purpose river valley project. Therefore, when it was conceived, it was stated that the Damodar Valley Corporation was a deemed State with welfare functions attached to it. It was recognised as a deemed State but now it is being recognised as a mere power utility.
In the aftermath of Electricity Act, 2003, the status of Damodar Valley Corporation has been relegated simply to a power generating utility. Thus, the pristine status of Damodar Valley Corporation, which, I again reiterate, was the brain child of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru needs to be restored. It is an infringement upon the status of Damodar Valley Corporation. The Damodar Valley Corporation was legislated by the Act in the year 1948. In the same year, in 1948 the Electricity Act was also enacted. But the distinction between a multi-purpose river valley organisation and a mere power utility sector has been blurred by the Central Electricity Act. Therefore, first I would urge upon our hon. Minister, Shri Sushil Kumar Shinde to take this into account and restore the earlier glory of Damodar Valley Corporation because Damodar Valley Corporation cannot be treated as a mere power utility.
In the legislative document, it is proposed to (i) change the composition of the Damodar Valley Corporation on the lines of the earlier lapsed Damodar Valley Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2007 with the addition that there shall be a whole-time Member-Secretary; (ii) provide that the Chairman shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation; (iii) provide that the Member-Secretary shall be in-charge of the general administration and business development of the Corporation and (iv) abolish the posts of Secretary and Financial Advisor.
Through this proposed legislation, it appears that Damodar Valley Corporation is going to undertake a structural overhauling of its administration. Some sort of professionalism needs to be infused in this organisation so that it could be strengthened and it could be more pro-activated. But, I will say that by conducting a cosmetic surgery, one could appear beautiful which does not mean that he or she is healthy.
The crux of the problem in regard to Damodar Valley Corporation lies in the dearth of capital fund in this sector. There lies the rub.
I would like to draw the attention of the hon. Minster on as to what are the sources of equity of Damodar Valley Corporation. The primary source was that it was conceived on the line that participating Governments – the Central Government, State Government of Bihar and Bengal, now it is the State Government of Jharkhand – will be contributing to the capital of the Damodar Valley Corporation. These are all the participating Governments, who have stopped to pay their contribution since 1968-69. That means, that primary source of equity of the Damodar Valley Corporation has been choked and those States, who were supposed to have paid their contribution, have not complied with the stipulated agreement, which was enshrined in the DVC Act and in the Section-40 of the same Act.
The secondary source of equity of Damodar Valley Corporation was the internal resources generated out of operations. But, I earlier stated to you that the Damodar Valley Corporation has been treated as a mere power generating utility. As per Section 14 of the Electricity Act, 2003, the DVC shall be deemed to be a licensee under this Act. Therefore, the revenue generation of this organisation has been restrained and the DVC has not been able to generate adequate revenue to meet the capital expenditure of this organisation.
Now, what is the situation? The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission has been fixing the generation and transmission tariff. The State Electricity Regulatory Commission has been fixing the distribution tariff. Now, it has been brought under multiple regulatory frameworks. You may go to the High Court of the West Bengal or Jharkhand. You may go to the appellate authority or you may go to the apex Court. It has been virtually brought under the multiple regulatory frameworks. Thereby it has lost its independence to generate revenue to meet its capital expenditure. Therefore, this organisation should be accorded the special power so that it can generate its revenue independently. Out of this revenue, it can meet its expenditure. On the one hand, your Ministry has been pitching for ‘Power for all’ by 2012.
The Damodar Valley Corporation has already taken up the initiative of generating of more than 8000 MW by the year 2012. But, on the other hand, there is a serious dearth of capital fund for this organisation. If this situation continues, may I know from the hon. Minister as to how DVC will be able to reach its targets as has been fixed by you? Therefore, the multipurpose identity of DVC should be restored in a manner that it may be given the special status.
I would like to draw the attention of the hon. Minister to the fact that DVC is a statutory corporation. It cannot be considered a company. Naturally, it does not have the authority to go to the capital market for raising equity for its own capital fund. It has its own borrowing limit. DVC can go up to a maximum of Rs.21000 crore of borrowing limit as its present net worth is Rs.10500 crore. It has already exceeded the prudential debt-equity ratio, that is, 2:1. Therefore, the Corporation does not have any wherewithal to collect the capital fund which is desperately needed now for its survival.
DVC is such a corporation that is still providing the livelihood to 11000 employees in addition to 14000 pensioners. That is why, we are all very much concerned for the survival of DVC. I would earnestly urge the hon. Minister that right now Rs.5000 crore capital needs to be infused into this Corporation so that it can complete the outstanding projects – I reiterate that it can complete the outstanding projects – failing which DVC may be allowed – if you are not able to pay the fund – to tap equity market by a special approval of the Government of India.
Why not? This Government is going to revive the aviation sector. If it is so, then DVC which was conceived by Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru, which has a net wealth worth of Rs.60,000 crore, which is characterised as a multipurpose river valley, which is considered as a deemed State with all welfare activities, why not DVC be accorded the special status, so that it can tap the fund from equity market?
I know that the ambit of the legislative document is very limited. Here, Member (Technical), Member (Finance) and Member (Administration) would be appointed. I would suggest that these three appointments should be given to the internal candidates of DVC as they are more accustomed and are more familiar with its day-to-day functioning.
16.00 hrs. The second point which I would also like to draw the attention of all that DVC is a victim at the hands of its own participating Governments. I am saying this because DVC sales power to the respective State Governments of West Bengal and Jharkhand, but they are not paying back their outstanding dues. However, the Member of those States are participating in the Board. What is the necessity of incorporating those officials who are not even able to pursue their own Government to pay back the outstanding dues to the Corporation?
However, I must laud your initiative that DVC is going to be restructured. DVC needs to be more professional, but again the nub of the problem lies in the dearth of capital. So, the Ministry should persuade the Finance Ministry so as to pour capital fund adequately in order to revive this organisation and in order to restore the Pristine glory of this organisation, which was the brain child of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
With these words, I support this legislative document.
श्री शैलेन्द्र कुमार (कौशाम्बी): सभापति महोदय, आपने मुझे दामोदर घाटी निगम संशोधन विधेयक 2011 पर बोलने का अवसर दिया, इसके लिए मैं आपका आभारी हूं, यह संशोधन 1948 के अधीन बाढ़ नियंत्रण सिंचाई विद्युत उत्पादन से संबंधित है। जहां तक केन्द्र सरकार ने इस बिल में जो प्रावधान किया है, उसमें दो राज्य पश्चिम बंगाल और झारखंड हैं। दोनों राज्य सरकारों के एक-एक प्रतिनिधि को इस बोर्ड में रखने का प्रावधान किया गया है। तीन ऐसे विशेष सदस्य रखे गये हैं जो एक्सपर्ट हों- एक तो सिंचाई से हो, दूसरे जल से और तीसरे जल प्रदाय विद्युत से हो।
16.03 hrs. (Shri P.C. Chako in the Chair) यह बड़ी अच्छी बात है लेकिन मैं आपके माध्यम से सरकार का और खासकर मंत्री जी का ध्यान इस तरफ आकर्षित करना चाहूंगा कि इससे पहले भी सात योजनाएं ऐसी हैं जो लम्बित पड़ी हुई हैं। एक तो हमारे इलाहाबाद में मेजा क्षेत्र में थर्मल पॉवर लगने की बात है, वह योजना भी लम्बित पड़ी हुई है और शोलापुर महाराष्ट्र में माननीय विद्युत मंत्री जी, आपके यहां एक परियोजना है और 5 अन्य उसमें हैं जिसकी समय सीमा मेरे ख्याल से 5-6 वर्ष होनी चाहिए लेकिन आज भी वे बनी नहीं है। मैं चाहूंगा कि इस बिल के माध्यम से इस परियोजना पर विशेष ध्यान दिया जाए और खासकर सोनिया गांधी जी से कहना चाहूंगा कि यह इलाहाबाद से जुड़ा हुआ मामला है तो इस पर विशेष ध्यान दिया जाए और जो खासकर 4 परियोजनाएं हैं- ग्यारहवीं, बारहवीं परियोजना जो प्लानिंग में हैं, उनको समय से पूरा किया जाए। आज बिजली की कमी पूरे देश में इतनी अधिक है जिससे हमारा उत्पादन रुका हुआ है, विकास भी बाधित है और आपूर्ति भी ठीक से नहीं हो पा रही है।
इसमें बहुत सी ऐसी दिक्कतें हैं कि 1954 में दामोदर घाटी भूमि अधिग्रहण की शुरुआत हुई थी औऱ नदी घाटी परियोजना में जो 4000 लोग विस्थापित किये गये थे, उनको आज भी पुनर्वास की सुविधा नहीं दी गई है जो बहुत ही अफसोस का विषय है। वे 57 वर्षों से इंतजार कर रहे हैं, यह अफसोस की बात है। पश्चिम बंगाल और झारखंड के करीब 250 गांव इस योजना में आते हैं। मैं रिपोर्ट देख रहा था कि केवल 340 लोगों को अभी तक मुआवजा दिया गया है और बाकी अन्य लोगों को न कोई नौकरी दी गई और न ही मुआवजा दिया गया। 1000 से अधिक विस्थापित परिवार आज भी सरकारी दफ्तरों में भटक रहे हैं और जो आंदोलित हैं, उनका कोई हाल देखने वाला नहीं है। यह बहुत गंभीर मामला है। मैं चाहूंगा कि माननीय मंत्री जी इसे गंभीरता से देखें।
महोदय, दामोदर घाटी विस्थापित कल्याण संघ बना और 3000 लोग हड़ताल पर हैं। यहां तक कि पश्चिम बंगाल और झारखंड के राज्यपाल, माननीय उच्च न्यायालय ने विस्थापित परिवारों के पक्ष में फैसला सुनाया कि तत्काल मुआवजा दिया जाए, पुनर्वासित किया जाए लेकिन आज तक सरकार या उस निगम ने कोई ध्यान इस तरफ नहीं दिया है। आप देखें इस तरह से और भी परियोजनाएं हैं, जैसे हीराकुंड बांध परियोजना है, दामोदर घाटी तो है ही। जो सबसे बड़ी दिक्कत आती है वह पर्यावरण कानून और जमीन अधिग्रहण से संबंधित है। इसके कारण पुनर्वासित करने की व्यवस्था से खिलवाड़ हो रहा है। इसे सरकार को गंभीरता से देखना होगा। हीराकुंड बांध संभलपुर में है, विस्थापितों का संघर्ष आज भी जारी है, उन्हें न्याय नहीं मिल पाया। यही कारण है कि हीराकुंड नागरिक परिषद् का उन्होंने गठन किया है। हीराकुंड में दो ऊंची मीनारें हैं, मैंने पढ़ा और अभी देखा कि उसे नेहरु गांधी नाम से नामांकित किया गया है। मैं इसका विरोध नहीं करता हूं लेकिन अगर मानव शरीर से जोड़ा गया है तो वहां के विस्थापित लोगों को पुनर्वासित करने की व्यवस्था होनी चाहिए। उन्हें मुआवजा मिलना चाहिए, नौकरी मिलनी चाहिए। जो भी प्रभावित हैं उन्हें राहत मिलनी चाहिए लेकिन आज तक वह नहीं मिल पाई है। रेणुका बांध हिमाचल प्रदेश में है, आज भी वहां लोग सड़कों पर हैं। सिरमौर जिले में 33 गांव आते हैं, जिन्हें आज तक भी न्याय नहीं मिल पाया है। वे न्याय के लिए दर-दर भटक रहे हैं। नर्मदा घाटी में लोग जल, जंगल, जमीन के लिए 25 वर्षों से संघर्ष कर रहे हैं। 50,000 से ज्यादा लोग विस्थापित हुए लेकिन आज तक किसी को पुनर्वासित नहीं किया गया। 40 परसेंट जमीन बेकार पड़ी है जिसे किराए पर कुछ प्राइवेट कंपनियों को दिया गया है। ये तमाम दिक्कतें हैं। नवासा परियोजना को ले लीजिए, 1975 में बारस गांव नाम से अधिग्रहित किया गया। वहां 25-30 सालों से आज भी जमीन परती पड़ी हुई है लेकिन किसी परियोजना की शुरुआत नहीं हुई है। मैं चाहता हूं कि आपके माध्यम से जिन बिंदुओं की तरफ मैंने माननीय मंत्री जी और सरकार का ध्यान आकर्षित किया है, उस पर विशेष ध्यान दें और इन प्रोजेक्ट्स को निर्धारित समय सीमा के अंदर रखें। ऐसे बहुत से मामले हैं जो न्यायालय में लंबित हैं, सरकार की तरफ से इन पर पैरवी होनी चाहिए। तमाम लोगों को मुआवजा देना चाहिए, विस्थापित लोगों से बात करनी चाहिए और इस योजना को आगे बढ़ाने का काम करना चाहिए तभी यह देश विकास कर सकता है।
मैं इन्हीं बातों के साथ दामोदर घाटी निगम (संशोधन) विधेयक, 2011 का समर्थन करते हुए अपनी बात समांप्त करता हूं।
श्री गोरखनाथ पाण्डेय (भदोही): माननीय सभापति महोदय, मैं इस सीट से बोलने की इजाजत चाहता हूं।
सभापति महोदय : इजाजत है।
श्री गोरखनाथ पाण्डेय : सभापति महोदय, आपने मुझे दामोदर घाटी निगम विधेयक, 2011 पर बोलने का अवसर दिया, इसके लिए मैं आपका आभारी हूं। यह विधेयक लगभग 60 वर्ष पहले 1948 में बना था। इसका उद्देश्य पश्चिम बंगाल, बिहार और झारखंड में अनेक योजनाओं को विकसित करना था। बाढ़ समस्या बनकर आती है, इस योजना का उद्देश्य इस पर नियंत्रण करना था। विद्युत उत्पादन जो किसी प्रदेश या देश का सबसे अहम समस्या है, विद्युत उत्पादन को विकसित करना इस घाटी परियोजना का उद्देश्य था। किसानों के लिए खेती का सबसे महत्वपूर्ण फैक्टर सिंचाई है। इस निगम का उद्देश्य था कि किसान को इस योजना के माध्यम से जमीन को सिंचित किया जाए। पेयजल किसी भी ग्रामीण अंचल, प्रदेश और देश की समस्या के रूप में आज भी है, और उस समय भी इसका यह उद्देश्य था कि पेयजल की समस्याओं को भी इससे निजात मिलेगी। गांव में वर्षा के दिनों में और विशेष रूप से बाढ़ के समय अक्सर भूमि का कटाव हो जाता है, कृषि योग्य भूमि बर्बाद हो जाती है, नष्ट हो जाती है, उसकी उपजाऊ परत बह जाती है। इसलिए मेड़बंदी के माध्यम से उसे सुरक्षित रखना और व्यवस्थित रखना उसका उद्देश्य रहा है। हमारे देश को हरा-भरा बनाने के लिए जंगल का महत्वपूर्ण योगदान होता है। वृक्षों को लगाना और जंगलों को सुरक्षित रखना भी इसका एक उद्देश्य था। लेकिन विगत 60 वर्षों के बाद, जब कि वर्ष 2007 में इसमें सशोधन भी पुरस्थापित किया गया, जिसमें कुछ अधिकारियों की नियुक्ति, कुछ की जिम्मेदारियों और कुछ के कार्यों का निष्पादन हुआ। लेकिन आज पुनः इसमें संशोधन की आवश्यकता पड़ी, इसका मतलब है कि इसका समय-समय पर जो मूल्यांकन होना चाहिए, वह नहीं हो पाया। यह आवश्यक होता है कि किसी भी निगम, परियोजना या व्यवस्था को सुचारू रूप से संचालित करने के लिए समय-समय पर उसका मूल्यांकन होना चाहिए और उसमें जो भी कमियां हैं और जो उसके उद्देश्य की पूर्ति नहीं हो पा रही है, उसके लिए कौन जिम्मेदार हैं तथा उसमें सुधार करने की जो व्यवस्थाएं दी गई हैं, क्या वे पूर्णतया लागू हो पा रही हैं या नहीं हो पा रही हैं, इसकी जिम्मेदारी भी तय होनी चाहिए। लेकिन पुनः आज संशोधन करने के लिए माननीय मंत्री जी द्वारा जो विधेयक लाया गया है, हम लोग इसके समर्थन में खड़े हैं।
महोदय, इसके साथ ही साथ हम आपके माध्यम से माननीय मंत्री जी से कहना चाहेंगे, जैसा हमारे पूर्व साथी, श्री शैलेन्द्र जी ने कहा कि हम लोग भी इलाहाबाद से आते हैं। हमारे दो विधान सभा क्षेत्र इलाहाबाद डिस्ट्रिक्ट में पड़ते हैं और मेजा परियोजना वहां की एक लम्बित परियोजना है। आज भी वह न्यायालय में लम्बित है। यदि सरकार उस पर ध्यान देती है तो निश्चित रूप से मेजा परियोजना इलाहाबाद डिस्ट्रिक्ट में जरूर पड़ती है, लेकिन इस परियोजना के विकास से कई जिले और हजारों-हजार एकड़ जमीन लाभान्वित होगी और उसके साथ ही अन्य परियोजनाएं भी लम्बित हैं। हम कोई परियोजना बनाते हैं, कार्य शुरू होता है, उस पर धन व्यय होता है। परंतु किन्हीं कारणों से वह लम्बित हो जाती है तो उस पर विशेष ध्यान देने की जरूरत होती है। आज इनसे जहां हमें अनेकों लाभ मिलते हैं, देश का विकास होता है, ऊर्जा बढ़ाई जाती है। मैं समझता हूं कि किसी भी देश और प्रदेश की सबसे बड़ी समस्या आज ऊर्जा की है। मैं विशेष रूप से उत्तर प्रदेश की बात करना चाहूंगा, जहां से हम लोग चुनकर आते हैं, भदोही जनपद और आसपास के जिले, कहने के लिए हमारे आसपास अनपरा, ओबरा और रिहंद जैसी अन्य बहुत सी परियोजनाएं हैं, जहां से बिजली तैयार की जाती है। लेकिन वहां से केन्द्र सरकार उसे कवर कर लेती है और फिर महंगे दामों पर हमारे प्रदेश को बिजली देती है। मैं माननीय मंत्री जी का ध्यान आकृष्ट करना चाहूंगा कि इन परियोजनाओं का जो उद्देश्य है, इनके माध्यम से बिजली का जो उत्पादन होता है और जिस क्षेत्र में होता है, उस क्षेत्र को उसका लाभ मिले। जहां बिजली पैदा होती है, यदि वहां के लोग उससे वंचित रह जायें तो यह भी एक तरह से कहीं न कहीं व्यवस्था का दोष कहा जाता है।
महोदय, सिंचाई उसका एक दूसरा महत्वपूर्ण फैक्टर है, उसका भी लाभ मिलना चाहिए। मैं मंत्री जी से कहना चाहूंगा कि यह विधेयक निश्चित रूप से सराहनीय हैं। लेकिन इसके साथ ही साथ किन्हीं कारणों से जो सात अन्य विधेयक लम्बित हैं, उन्हें भी पूर्ण करने की योजना बनायें और उन्हें कार्यान्वित करें। ताकि देश का विकास हो और विशेष रूप से उत्तर प्रदेश पर ध्यान दें, जो देश का सबसे बड़ी आबादी वाला प्रदेश है, उसे भी केन्द्र सरकार की तराफ से बिजली की सप्लाई सही ढंग से मिल सके।
इन्हीं शब्दों के साथ मैं अपनी बात समाप्त करता हूं।
SHRI KALYAN BANERJEE (SREERAMPUR): While supporting the Bill brought to the House on behalf of my Party All India Trinamool Congress, I wish to add something in connection with this Bill. No doubt, in the last sixty years, there is a large scale operation of the Damodar Valley Corporation mostly in south Bengal and Jharkhand.
It is no doubt that the largest section of the people of South Bengal is depending on the DVC everyday. A large section of the people has been engaged in the employment of the Damodar Valley Corporation. About sixty years have gone. Possibly the hon. Minister or no one of the DVC has got the time to find out whether the dams of the DVC can be modernised or not. In order to increase the holding of more water, time has ripen to think to modernise the dams of the DVC. The effect of that is to increase the holding of the water. It was because of the behaviour of some irresponsible officers, water was released during the rainy season, without consulting the State Government. It mainly affects the two major districts of West Bengal, District Burdwan and District Hoogly. It was pointed out time and again. But unfortunately no one from the DVC has got the time to think over that. I will beseech, I will request the hon. Minister to please apply his mind in so far as this part is concerned. When you release the water, you cannot imagine the affectation of the people of the Hoogly District and the Burdwan District who suffer a lot from the flood. Unfortunately, no one from the DVC has ever gone to that place, nor has anyone ever extended any help to them. Please look into that and think about the modernisation of the dam.
I started by saying that South Bengal is depending upon the DVC. In fact, since I come from South Bengal, it is a glory of South Bengal. So many persons are dependent on it. But you can modernise the dam.
Another irresponsible behaviour of the DVC is in the field of the land acquisition cases. A large number of cases are there. If the hon. Minister takes the statistics from the officers, a large number of cases are there where the lands have been taken and assurance was given to provide employment. Unfortunately, the employment has not been given and they are litigating into the Court.
Corporate social responsibility is really very poor, rather, I must say that it is extremely poor. I do not know where the money goes. Where has the money of the DVC for the corporate social responsibility gone? Does it not mean that the corporate social responsibility is in and around the project area? Nothing is there. Of course, a good booklet of the DVC is there, a very good booklet. It has very good pictures but it is not commensurate with the function of the DVC. The corporate social responsibility of the DVC is extremely poor.
The environmental problem is not being faced by the DVC. In the Mezia project which has been started, on the second day no one is having any enthusiasm to go there because of the environmental problem. These areas are mostly having Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes people. I will request the hon. Minister to look into the environmental problem or the pollution problem which can be faced mainly in the Mezia project. It needs to increase fields of operation. You have heard that a number of speakers are saying as to why he will be concentrating only in the distribution of power. The object was something. It has been elaborated. I am not going into that. But in the field of irrigation DVC must discharge some responsibility. DVC must take some responsibility for the rural Districts. These Districts of Bengal and Jharkhand are all rural Districts. Some parts of these Districts are affected by Maoists’ violence too. Irrigation facilities there should be increased.
I would request the hon. Minister to look into another problem. Possibly he is not aware of this. Possibly the DVC does not know how to make an appropriate application before the Central Regulatory Commission. I believe they are not getting any relief because of dearth of knowledge among the DVC people for making applications for getting relief.
Sir, there are two very beautiful dams there – one is Durgapur and the other is Panchet. The Government should consider opening up tourist centres at Durgapur and Panchet dams. If that is done, people will visit those places in large numbers.
Mr. Minister, I do not know whether it is right or wrong but there is a charge of corruption against your Secretary for the last two years. Is it correct? If it is, did you make any inquiry into it? Do not let a person who is charged of corruption go scot free.
With this, I support the Bill.
SK. SAIDUL HAQUE (BARDHMAN-DURGAPUR): Sir, I rise to oppose the Bill. I am not against the restructuring or strengthening of DVC but I am against the way it is done and against the motive behind it.
DVC has a multipurpose character. But seeing the way the composition is done, I apprehend that control of the Central Government will increase. If the Central Government’s control increases more and more, I am afraid a day might come when this will be disinvested like the other Central public sector undertakings. That must not be done.
In establishing the DVC, the Government of West Bengal and the Government of Jharkhand have made a great contribution. However, their representatives have been made only part-time members. Why should they not be full-time members?
The DVC was visualized as a multipurpose and multidimensional project. It was the brainchild of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. It has an assigned vision. One of the primary purposes of the project is controlling floods and promoting irrigation schemes. But what is happening now? As has already been said by some hon. Members, in West Bengal the DVC is called as Dobano Vasano Corporation which is inundating and flooding most of the areas because of irresponsible release of waters. This is affecting my own District Bardhman, Hooghly, parts of Howrah and Bankura. It should be looked into as to what is the main reason for this.
When DVC was established in 1948, it was decided that there would be seven reservoirs and one barrage would be made. However, only four dams -Maithon, Panchet, Tilaiya and Konar - were made and not the others. In the case of Belpahari, the Central Water Commission was entrusted to conduct a study on it in 2006 but it is yet to be done. That should be looked into.
At the same time, dredging and de-silting of the dams and the barrage is very important. I would request the hon. Minister to go to Durgapur and see how badly silted is the barrage. The barrage has no capacity to hold the water. If it goes on like this, what would happen in the rainy season? Irresponsible officers are releasing the waters inundating large tracts of West Bengal. And, during the summer season, there is a scarcity of drinking water.
I support the modernization of the dam. At the same time it should be surveyed whether the height of Panchet and Maithon dams can be raised by three feet after consultation with the Government of Jharkhand. This should be looked into.
Another important point is that with regard to irrigation, the DVC is telling that it would supply water only for Aman Paddy irrigation, but not for Boro Paddy irrigation, which is not included in the DVC manual. It should be included for the sake of farmers and cultivators.
Another point mentioned by the Standing Committee regarding promotion of afforestation and control of soil erosion in the valley area is that it is not done in a planned manner. It should be looked into. At the same time, it is important to supply drinking water to the people. DVC supplies water to Durgapur Township, but it is charging exorbitant and abnormal cost, causing inconvenience to the common people. DVC must look into its social corporate responsibility. It is not doing it now; the socio-economic development of the tribal people was also a part of the DVC mission. A number of tribal people were affected and evicted, but they were not given proper rehabilitation. Just giving some compensation is not enough; this should be looked into.
The welfare of the DVC employees should also be looked into. The appointment on compassionate grounds is entirely stopped; it is to be started again.
Another important point is about power generation, transmission and distribution. No doubt that the DVC should come forward to fulfil the demand for power by coal and steel industries – I support it because Railways and others need it. DVC has already three hydel projects at Maithon, Panchet and Tilaiya. They have a capacity of 144 MW. It also has four thermal projects at Bokaro, Chandrapur, Durgapur and Mijia with 3710 MW. The total comes to 3854 MW. DVC also has a mission to make it 8000 MW in the 11th Plan. DVC has already started the renovation and modernization programme from 1987, but that is not done in a proper way and this should be looked into.
DVC has now started establishing three more thermal projects at Raghunathpur, Andal and Kodarma. That is welcome, but the question is of rehabilitation and resettlement. When the Hon. Minister went to Raghunathpur, he said that he would look into the matter of engagement of one member of the evicted family. But in the Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy announced in 2007, there is no mention of employment of land-loser. This should be looked into.
Again I reiterate that power generation is not the only criterion of DVC. It has a larger vision. If you look at the mission of DVC, you would see that after power control, the next important aspect is flood control; then we have the promotion and operation schemes for irrigation; then we have generation, transmission and distribution of electric energy. So, they should be looked into for the benefit of farmers of West Bengal – particularly, flood control and operating schemes for irrigation.
I again say that DVC should not be looked like any other CPSUs. It should be looked from the other way because it has a multi-dimensional roles and multi-dimensional projects. So, proper attention must be given to those points. At the same time, I request that it should look into the social integration programme so that the evicted people would get some relief from DVC, and some welfare measures for the people of the valley area would be undertaken.
With these words, I oppose this Bill and conclude.
डॉ. रघुवंश प्रसाद सिंह (वैशाली):सभापति महोदय, इस विधेयक पर बहस से पहले मैं डॉ. मेघनाथ साहा, को याद करना चाहता हूँ जो देश और दुनिया के मशहूर फिजिसिस्ट थे और इस सदन के सदस्य भी थे, जिनकी लिखी किताब “Saha and Srivastava – Heat and thermodynamics” के बराबर दुनिया भर में कोई किताब नहीं निकली। इस तरह के विद्वान डॉ. मेघनाथ साहा थे। वे प्रथम लोक सभा के सदस्य थे। सदन में आते वक्त ही रास्ते में गिरकर उनका निधन हो गया था। वे मशहूर वैज्ञानिक और हिन्दुस्तान के सपूत थे। उनकी चर्चा मैं इसलिए कर रहा हूँ कि दामोदर वैली कार्पोरेशन के गठन में उनकी अहम भूमिका थी, हिन्दुस्तान और दुनिया के मशहूर वैज्ञानिक का इसमें योगदान था।
दामोदर निगम की पंडित जवाहर लाल नेहरू के समय में यह नियत थी कि गीत लोग गाते थे कि "देखला दमोदर घाटी हो योजना किसनवा जमनवा बदलत बा। " जमाना बदलने के साथ निगम की स्थापना हुई थी कि लोगों ने कहा था कि ब्रिटिश रिजीम के बाद आजादी आयी है तो हिन्दुस्तान में सबसे प्रथम संस्थान की शुरूआत, मल्टीपरपज़ बाढ़ नियंत्रण, बिजली उत्पादन और सिंचाई का काम, बिजली डिस्ट्रीब्यूशन, ट्रंसमीशन का काम, यह सभी काम दामोदर वैली निगम को दिया गया। बिहार और झारखंड दोनों एक राज्य थे, बंगाल अलग राज्य था। दोनों राज्य के प्रतिनिधि होते थे। केन्द्र सरकार अध्यक्ष नियुक्त करती थी। अब यह जो विधेयक लाए हैं, उसमें इन्होंने सुधार का दावा किया है। वर्ष 2007 से यह विधेयक लम्बित है। लोक सभा भंग हो गई, चुनाव हो गए, इसलिए इनको चार बरस लग गए हिसाब-किताब करने में, अब यह वर्ष 2011 में विधेयक आया है। इस विधेयक में क्या लाए हैं? अब जो अध्यक्ष होगा, उसे फुल पावर होगी। वह चीफ एग्ज़क्यूटिव अफसर होगा। पहले सचिव के वित्तीय सलाहकार का एक ही पद था। उनको चीफ एग्जक्यूटिव का पावर था। अब यह अध्यक्ष को फुल पावर करने जा रहे हैं। सदस्य बढ़ा रहे हैं। सिंचाई के लिए अलग होगा, ट्रंसमिशन के लिए अलग होगा। दोनों राज्य के प्रतिनिधि रहेंगे, लेकिन भारत सरकार के ज्यादा प्रतिनिधि रहेंगे। हमें लगता है कि वर्ष 1948 में जब गठन हुआ, उसका काम सही नहीं चला या कुछ व्यवधान हुआ होगा, इसलिए कम्पोजीशन में सुधार करने वाला यह विधेयक है। इसमें ज्यादा कुछ नहीं है। लेकिन चंद्रपुरा में ताप विद्युत है और पंजेब डैम, तिल्लैया डैम है। यह बहुत महत्वपूर्ण विधेयक है, लेकिन हम सवाल उठाना चाहते हैं कि इन 57 वर्षों में वहां क्या हुआ? झारखण्ड और बंगाल के लोग विस्थापित हुए, उनका क्या हुआ? तीन हजार आदमी ने तीन दिनों तक अनशन किया था। फिर 27 फरवरी से अनशन होने वाला है। मैं कैटेगोरेकली सरकार से जानना चाहता हूं कि डीवीसी लाकर आप दावा कर रहे हैं कि हम विधेयक ला रहे हैं और कम्पोजीशन में सुधार कर रहे हैं। लेकिन पुनर्वास का सवाल बहुत महत्वपूर्ण है। देश भर में जितनी परियोजनाएं चलती हैं, वहां मेधा पाटकर जी पहुंच जाएंगी, इंकलाब जिंदाबाद, पुनर्वास करवाओ। पुनर्वास क्यों नहीं करवाया? जब हम इतनी महत्वपूर्ण योजना लागू करते हैं तो पुनर्वास की उपेक्षा क्यों करते हैं? इतने दिनों से वहां के लोगों का पुनर्वास क्यों नहीं किया गया है? ढाई सौ गांव के लोग इधर-उधर भटक रहे हैं, तीन हजार आदमी 27 तारीख से आमरण अनशन कर रहे है, हजारों-हजार लोग अनशन कर रहे हैं। इसको कौन देखने वाला है? इसका दूसरी परियोजनाओं पर देश भर में असर पड़ेगा या नहीं? उदाहरण लोग देंगे कि वर्ष 1948 से डीवीसी की शुरूआत हुई और वर्ष 1956 से उनका पुनर्वास नहीं हुआ। 57 वर्षों में नहीं हुआ। यदि यहां जमीन देंगे या जमीन छोड़ देंगे, हंगामा नहीं करेंगे तो पुनर्वास नहीं होगा। वह टलता रहेगा। इसलिए कैटेगोरीकली मंत्री जी उत्तर दें कि पुनर्वास का क्या होगा? अनशन की सूचना क्या सरकार को है या नहीं? अभी तक कितने लोगों का पुनर्वास नहीं हुआ है और क्यों नहीं हुआ? इसके लिए कौन जवाबदेह है? दूसरे नम्बर पर कहना चाहता हूं कि इनके उत्पादन का क्या लक्ष्य था? "उमरिया बढ़ती जाए और चुनरिया घटती जाए। " समय बढ़ रहा है, दावा ज्यादा किया जा रहा है, लेकिन उत्पादन कम हो रहा है। उस इलाके के लोग, जिनके पुनर्वास की समस्या है, उनके लिए बिजली आपूर्ति का क्या प्रावधान किया गया है? उसके कर्मचारियों, अधिकारियों की जिम्मेदारी भी सोशल रिस्पॉन्सिबिलिटी में आती है। यह कहा गया था कि अनुसूचित जाति, अनुसूचित जनजाति, अल्पसंख्यक वर्ग के लोगों के लिए हम विशेष सुविधाएं देंगे, उर्दू की पढ़ाई कराएंगे? पर, अभी तक क्या-क्या हुआ है? यह माननीय मंत्री सदन को जानकारी दें, तब ही यह विधेयक पास होगा, नहीं तो नहीं होगा।
इन्हीं शब्दों के साथ दामोदर घाटी निगम, जो हिन्दुस्तान का गौरव है, उस इलाके के लोगों की अभिलाषा है और सिंचाई, बिजली, पनबिजली, ताप बिजली इत्यादि पैदा करने के लिए, सबके लिए वह निगम है, उसका काम कैसे चलेगा, यह सभी बात साफ-साफ बताएं।
SHRI ARJUN CHARAN SETHI (BHADRAK): Thank you Mr. Chairman for giving me a chance to speak on this particular Bill, which is being discussed.
The Damodar Valley Corporation was constituted under the Damodar Valley Corporation Act, 1948, as has been stated here. But over the years, its functions and its area of action has changed a lot. The Statement of Objects and Reasons of the particular Bill says that:
“The functions of the Corporation under the Act, inter alia, provided for the promotion and operation of schemes for irrigation, water supply and drainage, the generation, transmission and distribution of electrical energy, the promotion and control of navigation in the Damodar River and its tributaries and channels, afforestation and control of soil erosion, promotion of public health and the agricultural, industrial, economic and general well-being in the Damodar Valley and its area of operation.” I would like to ask the hon. Minister about drainage. It is told that because of the siltation of the dams and reservoirs, the drainage problem is acute. No drainage work is being done there; rather floods are being occurred every year. Similarly, there is no sign of navigation.
It was originally mooted that navigation should be made in the canals. So, in a short, whatever mooted earlier during the formative years, all these functions have been done away with. Only main function of the particular Corporation is the power generation that is too not through hydel but through thermal.
Having said that I would most like to invite your kind attention that this particular Bill has also gone to the Standing Committee. The Standing Committee has recommended certain important things. I would like to point out one aspect regarding recommendation of the Standing Committee. It says that:
“The Committee also feel that DVC should pay equal importance to its other welfare activities such as afforestation and eco-conservation, flood control, fish farming, management of natural resources, rural electrification, etc., apart from its role in power generation, transmission and distribution.” The recommendation of the Standing Committee has gone into the details. Similarly, another aspect has been neglected, that is, non-power activities of DVC. The Standing Committee has recommended non-power activities of DVC which include water resources management, flood control, irrigation, drawal of industrial and domestic water, water treatment and development initiatives. All these aspects have been neglected over the years. I would request all the senior Ministers who are present here, especially, Shri Shindeji, that these aspects have been pointed out by the Standing Committee of the Department concerned. When all these things have been neglected, then only passing of the Bill and providing electricity to certain areas will not solve the problem. It is a composite scheme which means you have to develop all the aspects of this particular Corporation. Otherwise, having only power generation and that too in a limited way, would not serve any purpose.
Then, the social obligation programme was launched in 1981 by DVC to fulfil its mandated action under Section 12 of the DVC Act for promotion of public health as also agricultural, industrial, economic and general well being of the Damodar Valley. The number of programmes relating to DVC’s commitment towards the community and to reach to the people increased from 25 villages in 1981 to more than 40 villages. It is all right. But at the same time, what has been pointed out by the Standing Committee of the concerned Department that should be implemented in a time bound manner so that all the composite schemes that have been recommended are implemented. This is my request.
With these words, I support the Bill.
SHRI PRABODH PANDA (MIDNAPORE): Thank you Mr. Chairman, Sir. This amendment is a proposal for restructuring the Corporation. It is not objectionable. But the point is that the Government should look into the health of the Corporation. They should review the functioning of the Corporation. Many things have been narrated by my previous speakers. It is rightly said that at the time of its inception, the objectives were – flood control, provision of water for irrigation and other uses, generation of electricity, distribution, transmission and all these things. But with the passage of time, there was a shift in these national priorities. They have shifted only to power generation, transmission and distribution. Gradually the other parts have been ignored and by passed. So, this is the main problem.
Now I do not know which is the nodal agency. This Bill has been brought here by the Minister of Power but other areas are not less important. If we take irrigation, as per the Government version, it is not less than 5.69 lakh hectare gross irrigation command area. So, what about flood control? It is very nicely said by the previous speakers that now DVC means Dubai Vasai Corporation. People think that the DVC will control heavy floods but what happens is that when people are inundated, the DVC releases more water. It compounds the floods. Even during the Kharif season when the farmers want water, DVC is unable to supply water to them and the argument is that there is no sufficient water in the dams. The main purpose of it has defeated. The objective of it has not been achieved. It is a failure on the part of the Government.
The question is whether there is any proposal for modernisation of the dam. What about the welfare measures that had been proposed earlier for the development of the people living in and around the dam? Nothing has been said about that. Regarding the expansion programme I would like to submit that one revised feasibility plan has already been submitted. The expansion programme included the Belpahari region of West Midnapore, it is a Maoist affected area. What is the fate of that revised plan for the expansion? I do not know about the other programmes in regard to forest and environment. I do not know if there is any coordination of this Ministry with the other Ministries like Water Resources and all. What are the views of those Departments in this regard?
I would also like to know about the problems of the employees related to this. I would like to know if all the land users have been provided with jobs in the DVC or not. Also, I would also like to know if the welfare measures as proposed for these people have already been undertaken or not. Initially it was thought that hydel power would be generated out of this, but now the policy has shifted to generating thermal power. In some areas they have already gone for PPP and joint venture and so there is a sense of apprehension that if this sort of a re-structuring takes place, then it might pave the way for disinvestment of the DVC. So, I think, the Government should think over this issue because DVC is not a very simple thing. It covers vast areas of the States of West Bengal and Jharkhand.
The other issue is about the full-timers. Why is the Central Government not appointing two full time nominees from the States of West Bengal and Jharkhand? The State of West Bengal could be the full time Member of this Corporation. The Central Government may propose for five members, or seven members in stead of three, that is good. That can be done, but why not there should be full-timers? They should have the main responsibility for the State concerned.
I think, the Government should think over this. We have some serious observations about this. With these words, I conclude my speech.
DR. TARUN MANDAL (JAYNAGAR): Sir, thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak on the Damodar Valley Corporation. I would first like to salute the scientist Meghnath Saha who planned this pride project of India for socio-economic all round development of the States of West Bengal, Bihar and also at the same time generation of power, creation of irrigation facilities along with environmental protection and so many projects.
Our first Prime Minister in free India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru who commissioned this project did not commission this project with his own hands but he called two adhivasi women who were engaged in the work of that project work and by their hands he commissioned that project and through this act he definitely sent a message to the entire population of this land that no adhivasi people who are mostly inhabiting those areas should ever be evicted, de-settled, remain unemployed and under-developed because of any such development project in future. But I am sorry to state that all around the DVC project areas including its four major dams and the recent thermal power project plans that the DVC is commissioning, the people living in and around there are suffering because of lack of electricity, lack of employment. There is a serious problem of pollution. So, that aspect should be taken into account.
Secondly, it actually started functioning from 1954. There were around thousand evicted families who staged a dharna at Jantar Mantar from 17th to 24th October and met the hon. Minister for Power. I also wrote to the hon. Power Minister regarding the settlement. He has assured me that he will look into that matter.
Another project near Roopnarayanpur, namely, the Hindustan Cables Limited, is now a sick unit. They are getting power supply from DVC but their employees are not getting their payment regularly and their wages are getting delayed by three to four months. Very often the authorities of the DVC are trying to stop their power supply. I also requested the Minister on this point and it has been reinstated.
My last point is, due to non-modernisation, as the hon. Member who spoke earlier to me said, particularly due to sitting problems, the capacity of the basin is reducing and inundating more places all around. Even in this scientific era, the engineers are not taking proper action on weather forecast and not giving proper warnings to the people who are inhabiting downstream of the dam. On all occasions, they are releasing plenty of cusecs of water endangering the lives and properties of the people living there. That should not be done in this scientific era. Proper development should be taken up.
Finally, if this amendment is meant for real superior administrative measures, then I have no objection. But if there is any hidden intention of disinvestment or PPP or some more centralisation, I definitely object to this.
श्री रवीन्द्र कुमार पाण्डेय (गिरिडीह):सभापति महोदय, आपने मुझे बोलने का अवसर दिया, इसके लिए मैं आपको धन्यवाद देता हूं। आज माननीय मंत्री जी के द्वारा जो दामोदर वैली कारपोरेशन बिल इंट्रोडय़ूस किया गया है, हम इस पर दो-तीन चीजों पर प्रकाश डालना चाहेंगे। एक तो जब पंडित जवाहर लाल के जमाने में इसका निर्माण किया, तब इसकी सोच थी कि झारखंड, बिहार और बंगाल में सिंचाई की कैसे व्यवस्था हो, वहां के लोगों को इसका लाभ कैसे मिले? दुर्भाग्य से खासकर झारखंड राज्य में, वहां जो कोनार डैम है, एक इंच जमीन भी इससे सिंचित होने की कोई व्यवस्था नहीं की गयी है। वहां के जो विस्थापित लोग हैं, आज भी वे दर-दर भटक रहे हैं। जिनको विस्थापन के बाद जमीन दी भी गयी है कि यहां पर आप स्थापित हो जाएं, सभापति महोदय, आपको सुनकर ताज्जुब होगा कि आज तक उनको एक पर्चा भी नहीं मिला कि यह जमीन आपकी है।
दूसरा, मेरा कहना है कि भारत सरकार की योजना, चाहे वह एमपीलैड हो, पंचायत भवन बनाने की बात हो, विकास की योजना की बात हो, ये लोग उसका नो ऑब्जेक्शन तक नहीं देते हैं और न ही स्वयं काम करते हैं। आपको ताज्जुब होगा कि वर्ष 2011 में इनकी सीडी के तहत, एसआईपी के तहत एक इंच का काम भी कहीं नहीं हुआ है। इसके साथ ही साथ यह भारत सरकार का उपक्रम है, वहां जिन कर्मचारियों की डेथ हुयी, आज दस साल बाद भी उनके आश्रितों को नौकरी नहीं मिली और वे दर-दर भटक रहे हैं। सभापति महोदय, आपको ताज्जुब होगा, मैं मंत्री महोदय से आग्रहपूर्वक कहना चाहूंगा कि भलपहरी जो विद्युत परियोजना है, जिसकी दस वर्ष से जांच चल रही है कि यहां पर पावर प्लांट लगेगा, उसकी प्रगति शून्य है। कोनार डैम में हाइडल प्रोजेक्ट लगाने की बात पंडित जवाहर लाल नेहरू के जमाने से थी, इनके पदाधिकारी कहते हैं कि यह डैम अंदर से क्रैक है। हम मंत्री महोदय से पूछना चाहेंगे कि इतने दिन अगर डैम क्रैक था, तो अब तक डैम को बह जाना चाहिए था। झूमरा पहाड़ पर भी सर्वे हुआ कि वहां हाइडल प्रोजेक्ट हम लगाएंगे, लेकिन उस पर भी प्रगति शून्य है।
इसके बाद हम मंत्री महोदय से आग्रहपूर्वक कहना चाहेंगे कि जो पदाधिकारियों की आउटसोर्सिंग है, यह कब तक चलती रहेगी? किसी संस्थान में जो पदाधिकारी काम करते हैं, उनका एकमात्र उद्देश्य होता है कि हमको यहां प्रमोशन मिलेगा, तो हम चेयरमैन और सेक्रेटरी बनेंगे या डीएफ बनेंगे। लेकिन डीवीसी में सारे पदाधिकारी आउटसोर्सिंग के तहत रखे जाते हैं। वहां के पदाधिकारियों का मनोबल ऐसे भी काम करने से गिर रहा है। हमारा आप से आग्रह होगा कि वहां के जो पदाधिकारी हैं उनको आप चेयरमैन, सेक्रेट्री या फाइनन्स सेक्रेट्री बनाइए। झारखंड राज्य के निर्माण के पश्चात यह बराबर डिमांड आ रही है, इसके लिए आंदोलन हो रहा है कि डीवीसी का ऑफिस झारखण्ड में लाया जाए लेकिन अभी तक इस का कुछ भी नहीं हुआ है। आप को ताज्जुब होगा कि वहां पर जो ठेका मजदूर हैं उनको परमानेन्ट करने की बात है, वह नहीं किया जा रहा है। हम कहना चाहते हैं कि सिर्फ उन लोगों को मिनिमम वेजेज दे देने से समस्या का सामधान नहीं होने वाला है। मिनिमम वेजेज भी उन्हें नहीं मिलती है। हमारा आप से आग्रह है कि इन सब बिन्दुओं पर आप पर्सनली इन्टरेस्ट लें ताकि इन समस्याओं का निदान हो सके और दामोदर वैली कारपोरेशन में जो वहां की बिजली है, हमारे यहां प्लांट और कोयला है लेकिन हम को बिजली नहीं मिलती है। हम को लोग डायरेक्शन देते हैं कि आप ऐसे-ऐसे करें। ट्रंसमिशन लाइन, इनको सबस्टेशन बनाना है, वह भी ये नहीं कर पा रहे हैं। डीवीसी को राजीव गांधी विद्युतीकरण योजना का काम मिला, वह भी ये पूरा नहीं कर पा रहे हैं। मेरा आप से निवेदन है कि खास कर जो मजदूर मर गए हैं, जो डीवीसी के सरकारी कर्मचारी थे उनके आश्रितों को नौकरी दी जाए और जो विस्थापित परिवार हैं उनको अविलम्ब नौकरी दी जाए ताकि उनकी समस्या का निदान हो सके। आपने मुझे बोलने का जो समय दिया उसके लिए धन्यवाद।
*SHRI PRASANTA KUMAR MAJUMDAR (BALURGHAT) : Respected Chairman Sir, I am very proud that within 6 months of our independence, the Damodar Valley Project was undertaken with the aim to transform the ‘River of Sorrow’ into the ‘River of Joy’. Exactly that happened. River Damodar was controlled to generate electricity on one hand and extend irrigation facilities on the other. Recurrence of flood was checked, land erosion was minimized and afforestation was made possible. As a result the entire region flourished and industries based on coal, iron ore and hydropower developed. Therefore, there is an urgent need to increase the number of board members of DVC. The present Bill proposes that the corporation should consist of 3 independent part-time members and I support the Bill. But there are some apprehensions. It is doubtful whether these part-time members will be helpful in strengthening the board. Along with that, under the 11th Five Year Plan the 7000 megawatt electricity will be generated instead of 2354 MW earmarked earlier. Newer areas will be included in its ambit like Mejda, Chandrakona, Raghunathpur, Durgapur of West Bengal and Bokaro, Kodarma, Mython of Jharkhand. More and more power will be generated by DVC and distribution of power will increase in all the adjoining areas. There has been massive industrial development in the Damodar Valley. But one thing must be remembered that if the dams in the lower reaches are not repaired and preserved then there can be heavy devastation in Hoogly, Midnapore area. The crops are damaged due to flood and farmers suffer a lot. In Jharkhand area also irrigation issues are there. These must be addressed in right earnest.
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* English translation of the Speech originally delivered in Bengali.
Moreover the temporary workers and employees must be made permanent. The management should also be strengthened and irrigation facilities must be extended. As my previous speaker mentioned that DVC was inaugurated by a tribal women in the presence of late Prime Minister Shri Jawaharlal Nehru. So this is a very pious project which can be utilized for the welfare of the common people I have myself visited villages of Jharkhand where there is dearth of power and people are in great difficulties. Electricity can become the source of prosperity in our country and DVC can help in this regard. Thus I request Hon. Minister of Power to address all these issues which affects the common man and actually realize the dream of converting a river of sorrow into a river of joy.
With these few words, I thank you and conclude my speech.
THE MINISTER OF POWER (SHRI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE): Mr. Chairman, Sir, I am thankful to my colleague-Members of Parliament of this House to guide me on the Damodar Valley Corporation (Amendment) Bill. A few of my colleagues have advised me, a few of my other colleagues have given me some sort of suggestions and a few others have opposed it. But, subsequently, they said that it is a good Scheme and they support it.
This Scheme to improve the Damodar Valley Corporation Board started in 2000 and the matter was given to the Administrative Staff College of India to suggest how to improve the situation there. A very limited power generation was going on there. I must bring it to your notice that till 2005 – I have the figures – it was only 2144 MW capacity . But before that, this was given to the Administrative Staff College. The matter came up after two years to the Government and then, subsequently, it was sent in 2007 to the Cabinet Secretariat and the Cabinet approved the proposal and the Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha in May, 2007. But, unfortunately, this Bill could not be passed. I think today is the luckiest day in the life of the Damodar Valley Corporation that all the colleagues supported it. The last speaker Shri Majumdar - though I do not understand his language yet I could understand the translated version of it and I am thankful to him. He said that this Amendment must be there. He said that the whole transformation has taken place and further it is required to have more and more transformation in that area.
Some of my friends have said that when the Board was established in 1948 looking towards the Tennessee Valley Authority Act, India brought forward the new Act. The perspective was that in those years, there were no separate Departments as such like Power, Irrigation, Drainage etc. But, subsequently, these Departments were separated. The Water Resources Department has been made independent; the Public Health Department has been made independent and the Power Department has been made independent. During the course of time after Independence, it was decided specifically that apart from irrigation, we have to give more power to both the States. If you see it as of today also, both the States are power-starving States. But this Board was living only with a few officers, three or four officers.
17.05 hrs (Dr. M. Thambidurai in the Chair) We have one Chairman; one Secretary and one Financial Advisor; one part-time Director from Jharkhand and one part-time Director from West Bengal. But if we look towards all the Corporations that are under the Power Ministry, we can say that they have certainly got independence. There is no Corporation which has handed over powers to the Government of India. This Corporation also has powers. I assure those friends who have apprehensions in their minds that the Government of India wants to take over all the powers and authorities. No. It will not be done. We have specifically given more rights and authorities to them. We had consultations with the States of Jharkhand and West Bengal, not that we had just once or twice consulted them but a number of times. We have consulted concerned people, and then, this Bill has been brought into existence.
It is true that the whole project was ambitious in the beginning. It was the brainchild of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of the country, who had great vision. They said that an adivasi lady had inaugurated this project, which shows the Panditji’s mind; that shows the Panditji’s vision. I think, we will not shatter that vision as far as this project is concerned. That vision of Panditji, will not be diminished in the years to come. That is the reason this amendment is being brought in.
I would like to mention here that I joined in 2006. Before that, we had 2,144 MW but today, we have 3,857 MW. By the end of the 12th Plan, 4,525 MW more will be added. We have to increase this. We fully agree that the original plan was started for irrigation and flood control.
If you look at the present Directors, we have specifically mentioned in the Act itself that one would be from irrigation and one from water supply department. A lot of complaints came in between during my period and it is a fact that some of my friends have stated that floods are uncontrolled. Wherever we face floods, we always consult the Water Department of the States and the Central Water Department also. We immediately take note of it. In spite of that, some places have been affected but immediately an alarm was given through the District Collectors and the situation has been brought under control.
It is a fact that some of the dams are very old. … (Interruptions) Regarding some of the dams, it is stated that there would be more damage if we keep the water there. Sometimes, if there is more water flow due to rains, we will have to take a decision but at the same time, we take the decision and the precaution when it comes to giving alarm to those who live in the lower places.
Sir, I am only briefly responding to the points made by hon. Members. It was told that corporate responsibility has not been accepted. No, it has been going on and even during this year Rs. 25 crore has been allocated for this purpose. I enquired about it and I have been enquiring about it. Not only this, but sometimes they also give money for flood control programmes and afforestation programme. I have figures with me regarding the Afforestation Programme. I was told that that work was not done. But I have specifically asked about this because this is a very important programme. In 2008-09, the Diamond Jubilee Afforestation Programme was given Rs. 7.62 crore, in 2009-10 it was given Rs. 9.48 crore and in 2010-11 it was given Rs. 6.70 crore.
Then, an amount of Rs. 28.72 crore was given to the River Valley Project in 2008-09, in 2009-10 it was given Rs. 16.74 crore, in 2010-11 it was given Rs. 13.37 crore and in 2011-12 it was given Rs. 14.47 crore.
Then, as far as the Afforestation including Green Belt and Land Scapping Programme is concerned, in 2008-09 it was given Rs. 5.19 crore. … (Interruptions)
श्री रवीन्द्र कुमार पाण्डेय (गिरिडीह): आंकड़े मत दीजिए मंत्री जी।
श्री सुशीलकुमार शिंदे: ये आंकड़े मैं इसलिए बता रहा हूं क्योंकि पहले इसका जिक्र किया गया था।...( व्यवधान)
श्री रवीन्द्र कुमार पाण्डेय : झारखण्ड के बारे में बताइए।...( व्यवधान)
श्री सुशीलकुमार शिंदे: आप जरा सुनिए, मैं झारखण्ड के बारे में बताता हूं।...( व्यवधान) मैंने आपको कई बार बोला, आपको ऑफिस चाहिए, मैं पिछले चार साल से आपके चीफ मिनिस्टर को बोल रहा हूं कि झारखण्ड में जगह दीजिए। मैं वहां एक फाउण्डेशन भी करके आया, लेकिन वहां जगह नहीं मिली। आपको मैंने पांच-छः बार बोला। ये बातें मैं नहीं कहना चाहता था। मैं बार-बार कहता रहा हूं कि आप जगह दीजिए, हम वहां ऑफिस लाएंगे। दर्द होता है वेस्ट बंगाल को, तो भी हम ऑफिस लाएंगे। ...( व्यवधान)
SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA (BANKURA): Do not shift the headquarters from Kolkata. … (Interruptions) You can provide an office in Ranchi, but don’t shift the headquarters from Kolkata. … (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN : Mr. Minister, please address the Chair.
श्री कल्याण बनर्जी (श्रीरामपुर): आप वेस्ट बंगाल से ऑफिस कैसे ले जा सकते हैं?
श्री सुशीलकुमार शिंदे: आप मेरी बात सुनिए। ...( व्यवधान)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Nothing will go on record except the Minister’s reply.
(Interruptions) …* श्री सुशीलकुमार शिंदे: नहीं ले जा रहे हैं। आप मेरी बात सुनिए।...( व्यवधान)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Mr. Minister, please address the Chair.
… (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Nothing will go on record except the Minister’s statement.
(Interruptions) …* श्री सुशीलकुमार शिंदे: महोदय, मैं रिकॉर्ड पर लाना चाहता हूं कि हम वेस्ट बंगाल का ऑफिस नहीं लेकर जाएंगे। मैं बता रहा हूं कि यह ब्रांच होगी। आप मेरी बात सुनते नहीं, तो मैं क्या कर सकता हूं।...( व्यवधान) मैं इतना ही कहूंगा कि जब बिहार इकट्ठा था, तब यह डिमाण्ड नहीं थी, झारखण्ड बनने के बाद यह डिमाण्ड आई है। इसके लिए हम सोच रहे हैं कि जगह मिलने के बाद उसकी एक ब्रांच वहां खोल दी जाएगी और हेडक्वार्टर उधर ही रह जाएगा।
सभापति महोदय, कई माननीय सदस्यों ने रिहैबिलिटेशन के बारे में कहा कि तीन-चार हजार लोग यहां उपोषण पर बैठे हैं। मुझे उनमें से कई लोग मिले हैं, मजूमदार जी से भी आए हैं, पाण्डेय जी से भी आए हैं, मैंने उनको कहा कि ये बहुत पुराने केसेज हैं, दस-दस, पन्द्रह-पन्द्रह साल के केसेज, जितनी जगह सर्विस के लिए होती है, उन्होंने ले ली है, लेकिन एक पैकेज चार-पांच लाख रुपये का दे दिया था। कई लोगों ने स्वीकार किया और कई ने स्वीकार नहीं किया है। इसमें भी हम मानवता को दृष्टि में रखते हुए देखेंगे और ज्यादा लक्ष्य देंगे। इसलिए हमने नई पालिसी बनाई है रिहैब्लिटेशन के लिए, जिसकी भी जगह लेते हैं...( यवधान) SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : Will the hon. Minister yield for a minute?
SHRI SUSHIL KUMAR SHINDE: I will reply.
MR. CHAIRMAN : Mr. Acharia please take your seat.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : Will the hon. Minister yield for a minute?
SHRI SUSHIL KUMAR SHINDE: Please do not disturb me. I will reply… (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Let him reply.
SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : Kindly yield for a minute! SHRI SUSHIL KUMAR SHINDE: I will reply to him later on… (Interruptions) No, I will not succumb to him… (Interruptions)
SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : I am not saying that he succumbs to me… (Interruptions)
SHRI SUSHIL KUMAR SHINDE: Please, for God’s sake, let me finish. The hon. Member is a very senior Member of the House and he is aware of everything.
Sir, as far as the rehabilitation is concerned, I will look into this on humanitarian ground. I will solve the problem as far as possible. Thereby on the new rehabilitation issue, I have told my corporation and to the private people also that suppose if a project is of Rs.6,000 crore, for taking land, it requires only Rs.150 crore or Rs.200 crore. They wanted the land at the Government rates and thereby this problem came.
Today, we have decided our policy that the land will be taken above locally available market rate and not below that. The ready-reckoner price will create problems. I have seen people are prepared to take up projects of Rs.7,000 crore or Rs.10,000 crore and for them Rs.200 crore or Rs.300 crore is nothing. So, we have taken a decision now and I hope this problem will not come.
Mr. Chairman, Sir, not only that but I have started and made it compulsory to all the power developers that whenever they start a project they will have to start in the beginning itself a technical training school to train the project affected people there only. The project starts after five to six years and in that period three batches are completed and the local people get service there. So, we have realised this problem… (Interruptions) and we are trying to solve it.
SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : That is not happening… (Interruptions)
SHRI SUSHIL KUMAR SHINDE: It has already been started… (Interruptions) घोड़ा निकलेगा नहीं तो शादी कैसे हो जाएगी।
MR. CHAIRMAN: Please address the Chair.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI SUSHIL KUMAR SHINDE: So, wherever there is a vacancy, we give priority to that. I have instructed all my Corporations. But this Corporation is an upcoming Corporation; in between it was not concentrated upon much. Some of the hon. Members have said that the irrigation side, the flood control side, etc. have to be looked into. Yes, we take a note of that and thereby this bigger Board will be responsible for this. Today, there are only two persons working there and thereby many things are neglected.
Sir, I will not take much time of the House because this is a small Bill, but a lot of discussion has taken place on this. So, I would request you to pass this Bill. … (Interruptions)
SHRI UDAY SINGH (PURNEA): Sir, the hon. Minister has skirted the main question. Is DVC now primarily a power generating project? What happened to the DVC’s original plan where power generation was only a little part of it?
SHRI SUSHIL KUMAR SHINDE: I have explained it.
SHRI UDAY SINGH: No Sir, he has not.
Therefore my question was: Is his Ministry the right Ministry to be looking after the DVC? He can look after only one part of DVC which is power generation and distribution at best. But what about the other parts? Therefore, DVC will never be able to function in the manner that it was envisaged. That is my basic point.
SHRI SUSHIL KUMAR SHINDE: Sir, I see the worry of my hon. colleague and thereby we have the new Directors from the Irrigation, from water supply to look into the same problems.
SHRI UDAY SINGH : The State Governments have only part-time Members.… (Interruptions) You do not even have full-time Members of the State Governments concerned.… (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN : Please take your seat; he has answered that.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI UDAY SINGH : Therefore I do not think that DVC can work the way it was envisaged. So you might as well accept it on the floor of the House that DVC is now another power generating project. You say it here. Why are we going around DVC as a multipurpose project? It is not.… (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: The question is:
“That the Bill further to amend the Damodar Valley Corporation Act, 1948, be taken into consideration.” The motion was adopted.
MR. CHAIRMAN: The House shall now take up clause by clause consideration of the Bill.
The question is:
“That clauses 2 to 7 stand part of the Bill.” The motion was adopted.
Clauses 2 to 7 were added to the Bill.
Clause 1, the Enacting Formula and the Long Title were added to the Bill.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Now, the hon. Minister may move that the Bill be passed.
SHRI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE: I beg to move:
“That the Bill be passed.” MR. CHAIRMAN: The question is:
“That the Bill be passed.” The motion was adopted.