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Sir, may I ask the Hon. Finance Minister, how much sum or how much provision has been proposed for this river-inter linking project, as you have said in your Budget speech that adequate outlay is being provided to support this task force. Whether the river inter-linking proposal was broached by Planning Commission or by Water Resources Commission? We should remind that India is enriched with its immense bio-diversity asset. We posses 20 agro-ecological zones, 45,000 plant varieties, 77,000 animal species on record. India is one of the 12 bio-diversity areas of the world. Many years ago, Garland Canal was proposed by engineer, Dastur which was consigned into oblivion by terming it as fanciful. Later in the 70’s K.L. Rao also proposed Ganga-Cauvery Link. It was rejected on the pretext of geo-technological non-viability. What is the rational behind which has prompted you to resort to such stupendous project which also involves the mind-boggling sum of Rs. 5 lakh 60 thousand crores, when as per your Budget statement it is assumed that we are heading for a errormous debt trap. The river inter-linking involves constructing 10,000 kms. long network of 30 canals to connect major rivers of India into vast water grid. Whether the Government has got any approval from Nepal or from Bhutan or from Bangladesh because this project involves three neighbouring countries as is proposed that for this project four large dams will have to be constructed in Nepal, two dams in Bhutan, whether any topography survey has been conducted over Manos Sankosh, Tiesta and Ganga canal.

I wish to convey my satisfaction with regards to the steps taken by the Government to provide 2 lakh hand pumps in water-scarcity areas and schools, rejuvenation of 1 lakh traditional water sources in villages and for the inter-linking of the rivers in the country. But I also wish that this work should be formulated and executed on a war-footing note. As far as the problem of water crisis in Tamil Nadu I wish, the Government would provide adequate funds for the desilting and deepening the rivers and lakes and also raising the bunds of rivers and lakes in Tamil Nadu. I also wish that the Government would extend the whole-hearted support for getting financial assistance to implement the long pending Integrated Hogenakkal Drinking Water Project at the earliest.

More funds to be allocated for the development of cattle-rearing, dairying and poultry industries in the country. Special schemes for the benefit of cattle-keepers in indeed the need of the hour.

Provision of ‘safe drinking water for all’ needs to be given top priority. For this the Government need to allocate more funds and need to generate financial support from the external funding agencies like the World Bank, IMF and the Asian Development Bank etc. Another very important project, perhaps’ the project of the future’ is the inter-linking of rivers in the country. The Task Force set up by the Hon’ble Prime Minister need to be catered with all the requirements for the speedy execution of the project.

In a similar census, why have we done this excise duty swap of Re. 1 which was a cess on tea? It was earlier an excise duty of Re. 1. We have turned it into tea modernisation cess.

On excise duty, you will understand that a third of it almost got distributed. When I convert it into cess only for development of tea, then I have the entire rupee available with me for development of tea. It is for that purpose.

Now, the basic customs duty has been reduced on variety of items, and we are already considering the whole question also of franchising agricultural credit. I have also said, Sir, on inter-linking of rivers. I do not wish to take time into what has been done in the co-operative sector. Let me address this question which has drawn everyone’s attention. … (Interruptions)