Date:20-12-2005
SHRI TATHAGATA SATPATHY (DHENKANAL): Mr. Chairman, thank you very much for giving me short time to speak on this issue. I have noticed a very interesting thing. Most of the MPs would have travelled abroad. We have noticed that in the case of all other cities, whether it is Singapore, Hong Kong, New York or Washington, the airports are situated near a water body. They are situated near a sea or a big river. But there is always a water body. I, as a flier who still holds a valid PPL, have noticed that this has a particular effect. It has a utility. What happens is that when an aircraft is in distress, when it is nearing landing or taking off or if there is an engine failure, the water body nearby always helps the pilots to make emergency landing. In today's modern aircraft, mostly they have systems where if the aircraft lands in water, most of the passengers would survive. Many a time, if the aircraft falls in water, it can be repaired at a minimal cost. But unfortunately, whether it is the IGI Airport at Delhi or the slum-encircled airport at Mumbai or it is the small airport at Bhubaneswar, we see that there is no water body in these places. Somehow nobody, in the past as well as today, took this simple thing into account. I am unable to understand why none of our planners thought of it what everybody else in every other country could think of. What is the reason?

The issue being discussed today is the 'upgradation of airports'. It is not only the small example of toilets being very dirty or very unhygienic even at our international airports that we are concerned about. We are also concerned about the visible lengthening of landing time in most of our major airports because we do not have the facilities, we do not have the requisite runways. Even our Air Traffic Control is not fully equipped. So, we are unable to grow along with demand. It is said that international air passenger traffic in India has grown by 17.41 per cent during the period from April to June 2005. Whereas in the corresponding period, international traffic has grown by 14.5 per cent.

I would like to repeat what Shri Kharabela Swain stated while starting the debate. That is, today the air traffic, especially the passenger traffic, is not exclusively limited to the rich and the wealthy only. I should thank the hon. Minister because he has, very recently, introduced apex fares to Orissa for the first time. As with NIS and many other issues, Orissa has got used to being deprived of and being kept aside. But thanks to the hon. Minister because he has been very kind enough to do this for Orissa. If the growth of air traffic in India is even 10 per cent annually, in seven years' time it will not grow by 70 per cent. But it will nearly double. When it doubles, do we have the ability and the capability to handle that kind of traffic? We do not have runways. We do not have even simple things like aero bridges, which even the small countries have. If it rains, passengers who get down have to get wet to reach a bus or to walk across to the tarmac building[r43]. We lack in very basic infrastructure also which needs immediate attention.

Sir, first of all, with aircraft hanging around for long time before landing, we are using up much fuel which eventually is a drain on the economy of the nation. I remember a news, a few years ago, when a child was killed on an escalator at the IGI Airport. This underlines the need to make airports not only modern but extremely safe for people who do not know how to use modern gadgets. It is because if you go to Indira Gandhi Airport at night when there are many international flights, the kind of passengers leaving India it has to be seen to be believed. They are extremely poor and also rustic. When the Airport is modernized, it has to be kept in mind that we are dealing with the public which is probably not used to Aero-bridges and things like that. But that does not mean that you make them climb staircases and you make them run across the runways to reach the aircraft. You have to keep in mind their safety also which is not being done at the moment.

Sir, there is a need to segregate air traffic like where you have jumbo landings. On the same runways, you have 4-seater and 6-seater aircraft landing. There is no segregation, which eventually is going to clog the traffic even more as more and more aircraft come into play.

Sir, we have the Director General of Civil Aviation. It is the single body which regulates air traffic and safety. It not only certifies air-worthiness of aircraft but also handles the traffic. DGCA needs to have urgently one branch in Kerala, say, Thiruvanthapuram, one in Bhubaneswar, one branch in the hon. Minister’s Constituency, or, Mumbai or Pune – wherever he thinks fit – and, of course, one in Delhi. This is necessary because that is the only Authority… (Interruptions) Sir, within two minutes, I will finish. That is only Authority which will take care of the growing demands of air traffic. As far as I know, they delay everything there. Even after a minor air crash, to get a report out of DGCA, it takes years together. So, they need to have more manpower because with the Open Sky Policy, and the air traffic revolution taking place, matching sustained organisational response and changes need to be immediately taken care of on the ground.

Sir, I would like just to mention that there is a need to have an air regulatory authority on the lines of TRAI. I am a member of IT Committee. We deal with the Department of Telecom. If you remember, the Department of Telecom earlier was not only a regulatory body or a service provider but also the adjudicator for any issue that arose in that sector. But with the opening up of the telecom sector, the Government also saw that with so many players coming into field, it is necessary to have a quasi-independent body as TRAI.

Similarly, I feel that dumping everything on the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is not a correct move. The Government has to have a separate body which will formulate policy and will adjudicate. The Airports Authority of India could be kept exclusively for providing services because they should not be doing everything together.

Sir, the last point is that Mr. Giovanni Bisignani, Director General and CEO of IATA was in India last October. He was reported in the Financial Express on 21 October 2005 as saying that India is facing an emergency situation.

“India is facing an emergency situation. The Government has to act quickly in upgrading its civil aviation facilities immediately[mks44].”

17.00 hrs.

He has repeated that. I would like to know from the hon. Minister what action has been taken since then. This gentleman Mr. Giovanni Basignani is the Chief of the IATA. He is considered as the head of the International Air Traffic Authority all over the world. His word should be the last word. If India cannot respond to the comments of a man of his stature, it is indeed very sad for the nation.

Now, I make my last two points quickly. First is the growth in air cargo. I would like to mention here that the Bhubanswar Airport is very strategically located. If you look at the map geographically, you will see that flights coming in from Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar as also from all other countries, they over-fly Bhubaneswar. So, that Airport needs the hon. Minister’s immediate attention. Money has been given for the lengthening and expansion of the runway. Not only the runway but also the tarmac, the night landing facilities, air traffic control and all these have to be modernised.

Coming to the Instrument Landing System, there is a huge difference between yesteryears and today. India needs to modernise that at all the airports, especially at the State Capitals which should necessarily and mandatorily be made of international quality. In fact, Bhubaneswar especially needs immediate attention because that has the facility for receiving more air cargo. As we have seen, air cargo is estimated to grow at a compounded annual rate of 6.2 per cent for the next twenty years as against the annual 4.8 per cent growth in passenger traffic in the corresponding period. Therefore, Bhubaneswar is the right target. Of course Thiruvananthapuram – I am sorry I missed out your constituency – is another target. These two places need immediate attention of the hon. Minister.

At the end, I would like to thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak on this subject today.

Date:16-12-2005
SHRI TATHAGATA SATPATHY : Mr. Chairman, Sir, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity. I realise the paucity of time because perhaps the hon. Minister has to leave now.

THE MINISTER OF SHIPPING, ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI T.R. BAALU): I will be always with you.

SHRI TATHAGATA SATPATHY: Thank you very much. We hear a lot about the hon. Minister in his home State of Tamil Nadu. It is a welcome thing. If every Minister actually concentrates and puts into effect the development activities at the ground level, people can perceive that.

Then and then only, I assume that country can develop. Had these been the attitudes of Governments in the previous years, then I am sure this nation would have had a different perspective now and a different scenario now. I would like to draw the attention of the hon. Minister and I would beseech upon him to consider Orissa as his land and as his area. Orissa is the State which is rich – like all my colleagues who spoke previously said – which is capable of prospering, which has a lesser population compared to the square km. area, that is, density is lesser than many other States. Compared to the northern States, we are much less in population, which is keeping in mind the aim and the target of this nation – that is, population should be controlled. Orissa, as such, is a conscious race and we have tried to keep pace with the rest of the nation. But it is somehow a pity that Government after Government – I am not blaming any one political party; we all know that who had ruled this nation – did this. But over a period of time, Orissa, in spite of contributing very heavily to the Union Exchequer has somehow been left behind.

I would like to draw your attention to one or two facts. In the previous years, Orissa has been exporting something around 8 million tonnes of iron ore through roads, mostly through Paradip Port and a little portion through Vizag or Haldia. All this comes from the districts of Sundargarh and Keonjhar because those are the mineral belts of the State. They are the richest mineral bearing areas of this whole nation. But if you see the road connectivity in Orissa, it is a pity that development has been very fragmented and very staccato because of which the roads are extremely poor.

Orissa is one of the States where there are highest road accident deaths in the whole nation, in running kilometre measurement, which is again a very big damage to the country and to the State. Last year, there were more than 1,000 road accidents on National Highways. I am talking only about the National Highways, which is definitely higher than many other States. We have National Highway connecting Manguli Chhak to Sambalpur and onwards to Mumbai, which is the National Highway 42. That National Highway is the main artery, on both sides of which we are seeing a lot of mineral based industries coming up like BALCO, Oswals, Bhushans, Jindals, and many other steel and mineral based plants. That National Highway needs to be four-laned immediately. If it cannot be made as four-laned, then the Government must consider if they would like to propose to the industries – with the Federal Government’s help – that they build a separate four-laned Highway under BOT Scheme, that would solve a lot of problems.

Another Highway, I would like to draw attention to, is National Highway 200 that connects Talcher to Paradip. That has tremendous amount of traffic and many accidents take place every single day. That needs immediate attention. That also is a high-income road; the Government of India earns a lot of revenue from those roads. They should be willing and coming forward to re-invest in those roads for the development of those roads. I would like to welcome, like the Golden quadrilateral, if these National Highways could also have check-gates and toll-gates. That way, the Government can get back its own investment. We do not care and we do not get into whether the Government invests in it or it would like to go into participation with private parties. But it would be a good thing if the Government considers going along with the private parties who would build these roads and operate them.

There is a tremendous tourist potential in Puri, the land of Lord Jagannath, which our colleague Shri Panda has also mentioned. That is also connected by a National Highway to Bhubaneswar. I am not very sure, I think it is NH-203, and it needs to be four-lane. That probably is the only patch in Orissa which holds attraction for tourists. When Tamil Nadu, Kerala, your State, Sir, is booming ahead with God being there in your land, please allow the God to come to our land also.… (Interruptions)

SHRI T.R. BAALU : What is there?

SHRI TATHAGATA SATPATHY : Kerala is trying to take away the God land. So, I would request the hon. Minister to consider National Highways 42, 200 and the Bhubaneswar-Puri National Highway to be four lane in the coming years so that if they could be included in this Budget, the work will start and the Lord's blessings will be on the Chairman and on the hon. Minister also.

Date:14-12-2005
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: : Shri Tathagata Satpathy to speak now. You have only five minutes. You are the only Member and your party has only five minutes.

SHRI TATHAGATA SATPATHY :Mr. Deputy-Speaker, Sir, I thank you very much for whatever little time you desired to give me to speak.

We have, today, before us the Supplementary Demands for Grants of about Rs.9079 crore. As we see it, we have been watching for more than half a century plan after plan, Supplementary Demands after Supplementary Demands. Money is being spent. Thousands and thousands of crores of rupees have gone away. God knows where! But, if we see the country-side of this nation, we realise that actually what one of the former Prime Minister’s said is very true that not much of the resources trickle down to the people.

Sir, you come from primarily a agricultural State. I also come from Orissa which is an agricultural State. We see that today one thing. I am not talking about the UPA Government or the NDA Government or any political ‘isms’ or thoughts. But today a scenario exists in India where the bureaucracy rules the roost. These Ministers, these political bigwigs only get bashed in the media taking a little bit of money here or a little bit of money there but the big bucks are made somewhere else. They decide what the Budget will be. They decide whether it is the Bombay Stock Exchange which will be pleased or some other foreign money investors who shall be taken care of.

Here, sitting in this House, we notice many amendments to laws coming up which limit themselves to “and” or “or” or to certain dates. Most of us do not realise the import of those few words. But if we go deep down, we could see one thing. I have seen in certain cases how these are specifically designed to help certain quarters, certain companies, certain interests only. Very limited, very directed benefits go to certain people. This happened in the previous Government. This is happening now also. So, it just proves one thing that the plan provisions in India have always been defective. Political thought has not played much of a role. It has constantly been a bureaucratic bungling which has created our Budgets so far.

For instance, most of the Plan allocations make the States put in high percentage of money as their share. Many States like Orissa, in projects of the Rural Development Ministry, have to put in their share which is far beyond their reach. This eventually culminates in those projects not being completed. So, we have before us a paradoxical situation where the Centre sends money and expects the States to share with their own funds and they are incapable of doing it. So, things do not actually reach the people. I wish to cite a few examples very briefly because you have already curtailed the timing[R82]. This is just to highlight how our planning and budgeting has been consistently warped in this country. Take Orissa for example. With a little more than 10 per cent of natural national water resources, mostly flow water resources, we have only a meager 30 per cent of our land which is perennially irrigated. So, Sir, what happens is that we have no investment for irrigation and all our water resources go into the sea and the State is not benefited. In this light, I would like to compare another State. I am not trying to run down any other State but it is a comparative image which will clarify to you how we stand in the Eastern part of the country. With half the population of Orissa, half the landmass of Orissa, in the annual plan allocations of 2005-06, Jharkhand has been blessed with Rs. 5000 crore whereas in the same period Orissa has got only Rs. 3000 crore. Orissa has mines and minerals. You exploit it. You say in the Mineral Act that the land belongs to the State but the mineral that is in the land belongs to the Union. Therefore, we do not get any benefit from that what you get under the earth. We are only possessing the land but the State does not get benefit. If the State Government levies any cess, any tax for the development on the mining activities, the courts reject that. It has recently happened in Orissa also.

The power is one subject which I would like to mention here. Sir, Orissa is rich in coal. NTPC and many private companies produce power within the State of Orissa using the coal from the State, polluting the rivers and causing immense collateral damage but the power is transferred to the States like Karnataka and many other States by specially made systems. They collect power duty there, they get benefit. As consumers they are consuming the power, they are benefiting from the money but we are only deprived of. We have the collateral damage. We are polluted, our State is polluted. We do not benefit from anything that is found on our soil except a paltry royalty. We are also deprived of institutes like National Insitute of Science (NIS) or whatever they have renamed it IISCR or AIIMS also because of certain political machinations. In a minute I would finish, Sir.

At 4.15 p.m. the Finance Minister said something very interesting. I am just quoting him very loosely. He said: “The concern of Members for exporters is understandable but please show some concern for revenue also.” Sir, I would just like to highlight. There are many such examples but I will just give one little example of how a warped system we have which is functioning in the Finance Ministry. This refers to no particular Government. It was there in the last Government for a short time. This Government has again brought it in. It is something called Counterveiling Duty (CVD). It is levied in place of excise duty on items that are imported from abroad. Sir on a simple thing like printing machines for newspapers, you have CVD exempted from printing machines which can print 70,000 copies impressions per hour (iph). On 70,000 and above, there is no Counterveiling Duty on that but who benefits from those big machines? It is only a select few newspapers. Whereas you are talking about higher literacy in the State, you are talking about encouraging Indian languages. Now, all Indian language newspapers need or they buy Indian made printing machines. There, they have to pay a 16 per cent excise duty for no reason at all. So, what happens is that you encourage the big players to get CVD-free machines, second hand machines or any kind of machines from abroad, if they are registered as producing 70,000 impressions per hour but you are harming the smaller players within India.

But you are harming the smaller players within India. Like one of my colleagues said earlier, if you are catching a big fish, it is a welcome move, but you should also give some breathing space for the smaller players which we do not see in this country, because this country’s plans and programmes are dictated by unknown, unseen powers that sit in the corridors of power in the North Block and South Block.

Sir, I belong to the State of Orissa. It is sad to note that nearly eight States are getting Special Economic Packages, but the Government has deprived Orissa. This Government and previous Governments have deprived Orissa from that list for far too long. It is because of lack of vision. As we have seen and as you have seen, Sir, in your State, how the previous Congress Governments’ lack of vision made Punjab a very disturbed State in the 1980s and 1990s and you know how much political efforts you had to make, how much humane efforts you had to make to bring that State on to an even keel. But let me also give a warning to this Government that people of Orissa are getting restless. Their anger is getting bottled up. It is not good to take people for granted and that is what is happening with Orissa. You are depriving us. Although you are looting our resources, you are depriving us of all the benefits. So, if their anger is bottled up, do not be surprised if, in the near future, Orissa also comes to a stage of boiling point where the fall out will be disastrous for this nation. Let us remember the Oriyas are meek, but if you remember the Bible, the Lord had said: “The meek shall inherit the earth.” When the meek become violent and when they become upset, God help this nation.

Date:25-08-2005
SHRI TATHAGATA SATPATHY : Mr. Chairman, Sir, I am extremely grateful to you for giving me this opportunity. I will just take two minutes.

The main question is this. Who needs reservation? Is it the weak? Is it the helpless? Who needs reservation? Are we accepting the fact that our mothers, our sisters, the Lakshmis, the Kalis, the Durgas of India need reservation? I do not think so. The women of India have stood up through time immemorial against all sorts of oppression, deprivation and they have the courage and innate strength to guide this nation. They have done it, they have proved it time and again.

Sir, it is amazing that when the Members of the Congress Party, which is a part of the ruling coalition, talk about their leadership, they talk about late Shrimati Indira Gandhi or Shrimati Sonia Gandhi now. In one breath they take the names of these two ladies. It just shows that both these ladies did not need any reservation. Even the Minister who has struggled and come up in politics did not need any reservation in her constituency to enter this House. In Orissa also, when my mother was the Chief Minister, she did not need any reservation. It just goes to show that women have the strength and they do not need the kindness of men. What is this 33 per cent or what is this 50 per cent? Probably a time can come when women can have 100 per cent representation in this House. We should welcome that. It is the men who have to get out of this mindset of being dayalu. Are we being kind to women by saying that we would excuse the weaknesses of the fair sex, the weak sex and so we would allow them some quarter to survive? This is a ridiculous thought. We speak about sati and on the same breath we accept the ideology of purdah. We have to get out of this deobandi mindset. We cannot accept that kind of a mindset in a modern country.

Sir, I strongly oppose reservation and I think all women should be supported to grow on their own strength. They have grown and they will lead. They are our mothers, they are the Durgas, they are the Kalis. Long Live Indian womanhood!

Date:23-08-2005
SHRI TATHAGATA SATPATHY (DHENKANAL): : Sir, I have a specific question. Orissa is a less populated State. Out of 30 districts in the State, only 18 districts have been selected for the `Food for Work’ programme. I would like to know from the hon. Minister whether in order to uplift the State of Orissa he would consider it necessary to bring it at par with the rest of the country.

Will the Minister include the whole State, that is all 30 districts of the State of Orissa, in this programme?

Date:18-08-2005
SHRI TATHAGATA SATPATHY (DHENKANAL): : Mr. Chairman, Sir thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to speak today.

I, on behalf of my Party, BJD and our beloved leader, Shri Naveen Patnaikji, in principle, support this Bill. However, it is very sad that this Bill, as has been pointed out by a few Members who have spoken earlier, has many flaws that need to be amended immediately before it can be implemented.

We all know that the Government of India had many such employment schemes like RLEGP, NREP, SGRY, JRY and even indirect schemes like `million wells scheme’ where Rs. 12,500/- were given to a farmer to dig a well in his own land and irrigate it and create work for himself. But, unfortunately, today, though very belated, the Government discovered that all these programmes have failed and, therefore, they have brought out the National Rural Employment Guarantee Bill, probably putting all the monies together to make this law. That is all. That means, in a simpler term, that it is the old wine in a new bottle. There is nothing new. All those schemes were spread throughout the country, in all districts for a long period of time, and there were no limitations on those schemes.

Today by making this law, you have limited it, first of all, to 150 districts, then under pressure from some of your allies, you have extended it to 200 districts. Then, again, you have brought in a limitation of maximum 100 days of assured employment per family and that too at a paltry sum of Rs. 60/- per day. In a State like Orissa -- as all of us are aware in other States, it is much more -- a female construction worker fetches nothing less than Rs. 80/- to Rs. 100 per day, depending on where she is working. So, the amount of Rs. 60/-, as it is, is a joke. Let us accept that this guarantee of work for 100 days out of 365 days – we do not know how those people will survive for the rest 265 days – is a good beginning and we should not criticise something right at the beginning, just to be inimical or to be negative.

But the hon. Minister, Dr. Raghuvansh Singh, who has a socialist background, in his introduction, has not shed any light on what actually drives this Bill. Is this Bill driven with a motive to create employment, give labour to people or is it money driven? With proponents of globalisation in economy as Dr. Manmohan Singh, Shri P. Chidambaram and such other people, I do not believe that this is a Bill that is driven by the desire to create employment for rural people. It is a Bill which, in my mind, convinces me that it is a Bill which is driven by considerations of money. You are trying to pump in huge sums of money to the rural areas. What is the purpose? It is not to lift the poor people of this country but to give them the power to purchase. In other words, you are trying to create a situation where your rural areas become a market for MNCs to sell their product. You want the likes of Coke and Pepsi to go deeper into the rural areas of India to sell their product.

It is not with the consideration to give more employment. You have put in clauses where you expect the State Governments to invest something from 10 per cent to 25 per cent of the funds. Have you, at any point of time during the preparation of this Bill or after the preparation of the Bill, consulted any of the State Governments? Have you put it up in the National Development Council or the Chief Ministers’ meetings? As far as I know, the hon. Minister did not mention it in his speech. As far as all of us know, this has not been discussed with the States at any level.

The hon. Minister has said : BÉßE hÉ BÉEÉÒ ¤ÉÉƺÉÖ®ÉÒ ¤ÉVÉä, ®ÉàÉ BÉEÉ vÉxÉÖ É =~ä, ¤ÉÖr BÉEÉ YÉÉxÉ ¤ÉfÃä, ãÉäÉÊBÉExÉ ÉÊxÉvÉÇxÉ BÉEÉä vÉxÉ xÉcÉÓ ÉÊàÉãÉÉ* A situation arises where a great man like Dr. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, a socialist of his standing, forgot his socialist poetry and Mohan Singhji had to prompt him. That probably happened because he has been mixing with the Congress types for too long. He does not belong there. The company he keeps is probably not suitable. But the situation has forced him. We all feel for him and our sympathies are with him.

When the question of huge investment in the rural areas of India comes into consideration, then you have to consider what the Chairperson of the UPA, Shrimati Sonia Gandhi said in her speech. She admitted in her speech that she had doubts about the sustainability of the projects that will be taken over. She has also admitted that the delivery machinery is so ineffective, so bad that a major portion of the funds does not reach the desired level that the Government or the people in this House would like it to reach.

When you come back to the hon. Minister’s poetry, if BÉßE hÉ BÉEÉÒ ¤ÉÉƺÉÖ®ÉÒ ¤ÉVÉä, ®ÉàÉ BÉEÉ vÉxÉÖ É =~ä, ¤ÉÖr BÉEÉ YÉÉxÉ ¤ÉfÃä, ãÉäÉÊBÉExÉ ÉÊxÉvÉÇxÉ BÉEÉä vÉxÉ xÉcÉÓ ÉÊàÉãÉÉ, that is the sign of true, free democracy where the individual is allowed to grow according to his ability and his skills. Therefore, we have to consider whether we truly want the poor of this nation to be self-reliant and independent or we want to make them MNC-able. All of us know and the hon. Minister himself admitted that the Central Government has sufficient funds. That is a very happy news. All of us who are conversant with rural economy and with rural lifestyle are also aware of the efficacy of the panchayats, of the way the panchayats are functioning. It is not that the panchayats do not have enough funds. The question is how they are investing those funds.

17.19 hrs. (Shri Devendra Prasad Yadav in the Chair)

So, when we are aware of that, we also have to consider that when you are pumping in more funds to the same machinery, how efficiently will the money be invested. We support decentralisation of power. That is the sign of a good democracy. But when you talk about decentralisation of power, you also have to think that when you create assets, what are these assets that you are going to create. Eventually as what one of my colleagues, an earlier speaker also pointed out, how far will the assets that you are creating be useful in the rural life? Unless you create assets that can be sustainable, those assets will have no meaning and the funds spent to create those assets or to create employment for those assets will be totally wasted.

It is time that the leaders of this nation, that the people of this House realise that poverty has many faces. There are many reasons for poverty.

Some are historic and some are situational, but in my opinion, there is one very vital aspect which also contributes to poverty and that is efficiency. When we are inefficient, when we are are not able, we are poor. So, this money has to be spent to uplift ability in the rural poor. You have to train them for things. You cannot say for ever and ever 'Unskilled workers, come ahead. We will give you work and take some money'. This is like doling out benefits to incapable people who will not be able to utilise even those few sixty rupees that they will get in their hands in a proper fashion so that the whole family can benefit. Therefore, it is essential that this money has to be spent in such a way that directly agriculture benefits from this investment. Agriculture is the only field in which the rural poor are efficient. They are at home with that technology, with that kind of work. If you can invest this money aiming to develop agriculture, water, ability to store water and to use water properly, then only this project can be sustainable and it can have any meaning on a longer term.

There is a mention of a State Council in the Bill. The question is who will head it, who will be the deciding factor. Will it be the Gram Sabhas? Will it be panchayats who receive the applications from Gram Sabhas? Or, will it again be the State Council which will be headed by the Secretary, by an IAS officer or by a Project Officer of the State Cadre? Once that happens, then again you are going back to square one where you are going to bureaucratise the whole process of assuring employment to the rural poor.

You are saying that contractors will not be engaged and machines will not be used. Today, the same law applies to grain for work projects also. We have Food for Work Scheme in Orissa. Invariably in all the States, we have noticed that it is done through contractors. The bureaucracy prefers to deal with one man. So, invariably they are contractors. All these contractors go in for machines and eventually what happens is that very little employment is created and the money goes to contractors.

Another point which I would like to bring out here is that this Bill has a small aspect which can work out to be a very big social evil. You are going to decide on the household. Who is a major? According to the Bill, anybody who is 18 years and above is a major. If there are three or four people in a household above the age of 18, they will all become majors. So, everybody will want that he should split from the rest of the family. Thereby, you will create smaller families. Smaller family means it has to be recognised by the Sarpanches or the Project Officers who will register these people. As said by one of the earlier speakers, these are the loopholes which will create corruption because to register themselves, they will give money by which in a family consisting of four or five majors, you will have smaller families numbering four or five. Eventually, that will have a social impact in the sense that land holding will also get divided and will become smaller, by which in the long run, the total gramin face, the face of rural India is at a risk of being strife torn and being divided very drastically.

I come from the State of Orissa. So, I will conclude speaking about the State of Orissa within one minute. First of all, I would like that the whole State of Orissa is covered under this scheme. It cannot be piecemeal. We have the largest number of rural poor.

I would like to specifically mention that the whole State of Orissa has to be covered in the very first year of its implementation as we have the largest number of rural poor, which is more than 47 per cent. Therefore, it should not to be implemented in five years or two years, but it has to be done right now.

In the end, I would also like to refer to support Shri Kalyan Singh’s speech in which he mentioned that one cannot divide this country on the basis of rural and urban poor. A poor person is a poor person. He has no caste, no religion and he does not involve himself in these issues. He is only concerned about his ‘paapi pet’. Therefore, this Government has to consider the aspect of the urban poor, and an appropriate Bill has to be prepared at the earliest possible time, so that the problems of the urban poor are also addressed. Thank you.

Date:16-08-2005
SHRI TATHAGATA SATPATHY (DHENKANAL): : Mr. Chairman, Sir, we are talking about January 26, 1950, ‘the crucial date before and after’. That means, people from places like Surinam, Fiji, Mauritius, South Africa and other parts of Africa, or South America will not benefit by this amendment that has been brought today. The question that arises in a sensible Indian’s mind is, who needs, or who benefits from this amendment?

Everybody cutting across the party barriers has associated and supported this Bill. But, I have one point to mention here though I may sound out of place. My point is, who are these NRIs? When did they leave the country? They benefited from the social structure of this country. The society of India spent money for their upbringing, for their education. Then, when they came to the right age, they deserted their homeland. They ran away from this country for personal benefits.

If you ask for the citizenship of a country like the USA, they make you take a vow that you are willing to take up arms against the country of your birth. This is a mandatory law in the United States of America. Today we all forget that these are people who deserted their homeland, who deserted their motherland just because they wanted pecuniary or economic benefit for themselves or for their close, limited, families.

16.00 hrs

Like monogamy for wife; we must have have monogamy for the nation also. One cannot say that I will have multi- country nationality or multi-country allegiance. You have to love one country and that country has to be the country of your birth. These people left the country of their birth for their own benefits. If they had emotional bondage or attachment to their motherland, would they have deserted their country the way they did ...... ... (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN :

Shri Nikhil Kumar.

SHRI TATHAGATA SATPATHY : We always compare NRIs of Indian origin with those of China. But the Chinese, it is common knowledge, that wherever they go, they retain their nationality; their love for their country. They retain the connections, the bond with their country. So, you cannot compare People of Indian Origin (PIO) with the Chinese, who are living abroad.

MR. CHAIRMAN: Please conclude now.

SHRI TATHAGATA SATPATHY : Therefore, let us accept that these People of Indian Origin want to come back to this country because now they think that India is prospering. … (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: The time has been extended by 15 minutes.

… (Interruptions)

SHRI TATHAGATA SATPATHY : Sir, you are so fast.

MR. CHAIRMAN: I am not very fast. You have been given two minutes but you have been allowed to speak for six minutes. … (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Excuse me, every Bill has a time limit. Business Advisory Committee decides the time. As per the time allotted to a particular business, we allot the time for each party, depending upon its strength.

… (Interruptions)

SHRI TATHAGATA SATPATHY : I am not talking about that. … (Interruptions) This is a serious discussion. More time should be given. Let us not rush it. … (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: But the House should agree for that. Views of the House is very important than our views. Kindly cooperate.

Date:29-07-2005
SHRI TATHAGATA SATPATHY (DHENKANAL): : Thank you Mr. Chairman, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to speak on this delicate issue today. The Bill for the Abolition of Child Labour, 2005 is definitely praiseworthy. But for any sensible person who has seen the country, it is impossible to support this Bill. This is a Bill which has no connection to reality, to the ground conditions of India in 2005.

Like this august House, many State Legislatures, when they sit, pass innumerable Bills, amendments, Acts, laws – you name it. That is all they do. But the question comes to mind that whether these laws, these Bills or these small amendments which a lot of us sometimes forget to check or we do not even understand the import of these little words "and/or", what kind of a difference it makes at the ground level when it is implemented, mostly we do not even notice it. So, it is very easy to sit in this august House and pass laws and when the law goes down to the ground level, it gets a very perverted shape and it is implemented in that very perverted shape.

All of us here are children at heart and it is obvious that all of us who think or who are the lawmakers of this country want that the future of this nation, our children grow up as happy, extremely healthy and educated children. We would like our future generation to be on par with the best on earth. But our economic situation forces our children to work.

This law should ideally apply to children, as is understood generally, from the age group of 6 to 14 years. But children have to work. The parents force them to work primarily because of low level of education amongst the parents and resultant poverty. I firmly believe that it is time for all of us here to take a universal approach to problems like child labour. You cannot segregate it and say that child labour is to be dealt with exclusively. That is not possible. You have to deal this problem, as also innumerable other problems, with a universal outlook.

If the economic situation of the families improves, I am certain no parent would like his or her child to go to work in the field or in some damp squib factory or in some dhaba or in some restaurant. But with poverty looming so large and hunger burning the stomach, the choice for the children is extremely limited.

It is either they work or they starve, but in the modern situation, there is, of course, a third alternative. We also have to keep that in mind. When we sit here, let us not be unfeeling and let us not be cold and aloof. The third alternative is child pornography, child prostitution and of course, there are so many paedophiles all over this world. Through the internet and through all modern means of communication, paedophilia is a problem that is real and that has to be considered when you consider issues like abolition of child labour.

The WTO has implemented or suggested that child labour must be banned. The United States of America has banned import of many products from India and other countries because they believe that child labour has been used, but all this has been done on their part primarily because they do not understand our problems. If we, who sit in this House, also do not understand the problem of India, I am certain that we will force this country, drive this country in a very wrong direction.

Say, we pass this law and it goes down to the thana level, the police officer or the enforcement agency is not bothered about what happens to the child labour, but he or she is bothered about his collections for the month which have to be passed on to the SP, to the DIG, to the IG, to the DG and so on and so forth. So, instead of clamping down on the child labour or stopping the child from working, the enforcement agency, primarily the police, will start harassing your little dhabas, your restaurants, your carpet-making units etc. where children are given the opportunity to work and to earn a livelihood by which they support their families.

There are many NGOs who claim that they have saved so many children and they give us the figures also, but nobody speaks about what happens to those children and what is the follow up action. So, if we accept that this is an economic problem, we have our BIMARU States like Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh or the other name is cow-belt, without offending anybody. … (Interruptions) Are you offended? I am sorry.

SHRI SANDEEP DIKSHIT : Orissa is also there. … (Interruptions)

SHRI TATHAGATA SATPATHY : Of course, Orissa is included in everything. In infant mortality also, Orissa is one of the highest. I have no shame in accepting that Orissa is also included in this conglomeration of States because this forms the major part of this country where the South has developed because of education, while this area has fallen back because of lack of education, lack of proper awareness.

So, to deal with this problem, three things, in my mind, are very important. We have to take a universal look first, but after that, there has to be population stabilisation. There has to be public awareness, which I think is probably the only answer to this problem. But keeping the present scenario in mind, the Government and the enforcement agencies can do a positive action instead of collecting their little monthly battis or whatever you call it. They can take a positive role and ensure that wherever a child is working, the child is given minimum wages as are applicable to a grown up. So, if you ensure through your enforcement agencies, through your police, through your labour organisations and Labour Departments that we will not stop the child from working, we will not penalise the owner of the organisation because she or he is employing a child, but we will ensure that the child is given minimum wages, then probably our approach will be more balanced and we will be able to give some kind of justice till such time that the economic situation of this country improves, with such brilliant people sitting on both sides of this House and also, I hope, that the Lord Almighty blesses this country.

Date:20-04-2005
SHRI TATHAGATA SATPATHY (DHENKANAL): : Hon. Chairman, Sir, I am grateful to you for giving me this opportunity to speak. I would request the hon. Railway Minister to consider the case of Orissa with responsibility and care. Orissa needs a Rajdhani Express starting from Bhubaneshwar to Delhi via Dhenkanal and Sambalpur. We have an average of 15.03 kms. per thousand kms. of Railway line whereas all over the country, it is above 19 kms. Orissa is a rich State with a lot of minerals. Railways can make a lot of money from the State of Orissa. I would request the Minister to consider the case of Orissa separately to ensure that it gets its dues and the rightful place on the Railway map.

Date:23-03-2005
SHRI TATHAGATA SATPATHY (DHENKANAL): : Sir, I am extremely grateful to you. Finally you looked at me.

MR. SPEAKER: Such a below the belt compliment is not necessary, Mr. Satpathy.

SHRI TATHAGATA SATPATHY : I did not mean to be sarcastic, Sir.

MR. SPEAKER: I wish you could now exchange your seat here, and you realise what to do.

SHRI TATHAGATA SATPATHY : I do not have that aspiration, Sir. Thank you.

The Tsunami hit areas of India, like other parts of the world on the boundaries of the Indian Ocean, are still reeling under that impact. A mega-natural event, it has taught all of us a very important lesson. Parliament has to act and save the coasts of India. The only way to do that is to immediately and seriously implement the Coastal Regulatory Zone policy. A vision of the late Indira Gandhi, one of the most important political leaders of free India if the CRZ is put into action now in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Orissa, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadwip Islands will create a new environmental situation which would benefit the fisher folk who have been displaced and need to be resettled. The problems that need urgent attention of the Government are many. However, for the safety of the populace and the environment, this is the ideal time to implement the CRZ, which is divided into I, II and III phases, truthfully and help the future generations of this nation. This can be achieved by following some of the suggested methods, mely – (1) Forestry on the beach where the people who are ousted, the Government, and those who do the forestry, the investors, share the profits from products like palm, coconut, etc.; (2) Rehabilitate the displaced persons in areas where they are safe from the wrath of the ocean and have good sanitation facilities; (3) Concentrate on preserving the groundwater balance near the coast and; (4) States not affected directly by Tsunami - like Orissa, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa - should take special care and enforce as well as demarcate the CRZ area and implement the regulations stringently and clear the beach of construction and encroachments.

Date:18-03-2005
SHRI TATHAGATA SATPATHY (DHENKANAL): : Thank you, Sir, for giving me the opportunity to speak about Goa today.

All the hon. Members who have spoken before me have spoken very eloquently. The hon. Minister has also intervened once or twice to give his point of view, which the whole House has appreciated. So, I would only limit my speech to a few points.

We are all aware of the lovely State of Goa, the beaches of Goa, the people of Goa; and, in my opinion, Goa is probably, along with Pondicherry, the only State which truly represents the international character of India. So, giving respect to the citizens of Goa, as we discuss about the political future of the State, we must keep in mind that there has been a major botch up on the part of the present United Progressive Alliance at the Centre not only in Goa but also in Jharkhand.

I do not wish to condemn any political party. I represent a regional party, the Biju Janata Dal, led my Mr. Naveen Patnaik of Orissa. So, I am speaking on behalf of a regional party, as a representative of the people of Orissa. What we find today is that all the national parties - I am not barring any party - have consistently, over the years since Independence, only tried to serve their particular interests and political goals. They have not bothered about the Constitution of India. This is perhaps the only country in the world which, in about half a century, has had the largest number of amendments to its Constitution. So, the Constitution is not respected. The political fibre of this country has been deliberately destroyed and we have not given respect to the wishes and feelings of the people.

A lack of clear administrative and political foresight was the main reason for this confusion that we see today in Goa and in what has happened recently in Jharkhand. So, when you think only of politics, you forget that you have, as the Government of the day, an administrative responsibility towards the people of the country. You cannot afford to be short- sighted; you cannot afford to be lop-sided in your view. I am not saying that it is the fault of one particular party. Please do not misunderstand me. Any national party that has ruled this country has had a lop-sided view, past and present. So, it is time that all of us unite; and, Goa is an excellent opportunity. It is an excellent example which showcases before us the dangers that are fraught in article 356 of the Constitution.

Like my senior colleague, Shri Kinjarapu Yerannaidu, said whether it is the Namboodiripad Government of Kerala, about which you must be very aware. Historically that was late Shrimati Indira Gandhi and now another Shrimati Gandhi is creating history again by the present activities. I am not condemning anybody. I am only pinpointing what has been happening. Then, it was the Left Parties who, for their stand and their convictions, were victimised and today for their convenience, they might be supporting the UPA. But they are political beings who understand where the danger lies.

Today, the Left Parties are ruling certain States. Shri Lalu Prsad ruled Bihar. Our Party is in power in Orissa. We should all get together, put our minds together and reconsider as to what is the utility of this article in the Constitution.

Secondly, as the hon. Leader of the Opposition spoke, he said that the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission and Inter-State Council suggested that consultation must be made a part of the Constitution regarding appointment of Governors. This I consider is a very necessary amendment. Therefore, it is important that Article 356 be reviewed in a very balanced manner and wherever we find that Governors are becoming unconstitutional or they are showing behaviour which is unbecoming of a very high office, they should be forthwith withdrawn. Preferably, we should omit bureaucrats and politicians from the post of Governor and we should go in for neutral people as Governors.

MR. CHAIRMAN : Now, the hon. Minister of Home Affairs will reply.

Before you begin, as a Member of this House and a student who is interested in law, will you please enlighten me the provisions under which a legislature can be kept in a suspension animation and the elected representatives without pay and allowances? Is there any provision? Please tell me about it.

… (Interruptions)

SHRI TATHAGATA SATPATHY: Like in Bihar. … (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: Is there any constitutional provision by which you can keep the elected body in a suspension animation and keep the elected representatives without pay and allowances? Is there any provision in the Constitution?

… (Interruptions)

SHRI TATHAGATA SATPATHY : Our support is there. … (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: I would like to know whether you can keep the MLAs without pay and allowances.

… (Interruptions)

SHRI TATHAGATA SATPATHY : Sir, first of all, the hon. Minister of Home Affairs should answer your question. … (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: There is no ill-will. With best of intentions, it is simply to clarify the position. There is a provision for a dismissal, etc. But is there any provision under which a legislature can be kept in a suspension animation?

Date:10-03-2005
SHRI TATHAGATA SATPATHY (DHENKANAL): Sir, on behalf of the Biju Janata Dal, I have got an opportunity to speak on the Railway Budget. The Biju Janata Dal represents the true spirit of Orissa. My State of Utkal is historically known as the land of Kalinga and now it is known as Orissa.

We are today discussing the Railway Budget for the year 2005-06. Sir, you are my inspiration because when you are amongst us in the Benches, with the hoi polloi of this House, you go on speaking. No matter who says what, no matter even if the hon. Speaker stands up, you go on speaking. So, holding you as my inspiration and my leader, I have dared to stand up today and speak, no matter who says what, including you.… (Interruptions)

There are supposedly three ways; the right way, the wrong way and the Rail Way. Now, I assume that this is an old saying of the Victorian times. But it now seems that there are only two ways. Of course, there is the right way which sits on this side of the House and there is the wrong rail way which sits on the other side of the House! But, nevertheless, along with the national Budget, this nation lays enough stress on the Railways that we are probably the only country in the world which has an independent Railway Budget. This shows the importance given by the nation to the Railways.

Let us have a moment to ponder. We are all aware that the famous Shri Lalu ji has ruled an unruly State like Bihar for 15 long years. I think he has proven his political victory already. Losing the recent elections must have disheartened him. We believe so. Miscalculations in politics can always be set right. But when similar miscalculations take place in the operations of the Railways, they result in loss of thousands of lives and much money. Our hon. Railway Minister, the State Minister, the Cabinet Ministers and the whole nation know that loss of lives runs into thousands in one single crash and in terms of money, it runs into crores. So, if we look back at the present UPA Government’s rule, one thing is clear. I would not like to use the word "regime" because "regime " is not appropriate for a democratic country. But during the rule of the UPA Government, in the first nineto ten months, the number of accidents in respect of the Railways has gone up incredibly. It is a pity that in spite of so many major accidents in the past year, there has been no special thrust in the safety sector of the Railways that we see in this Budget. We were told that the Railways would be putting up Electronic Early Warning System or Signals – whatever the technical details may be. But if you see the Budget, we find no special mention about it. This sector has been completely neglected. It is a great concern for all middle-class and low-class travellers of this nation like me who travel in Railways normally. Of course, because of the kindness of the people of India, we get 32 air fares in a year. But, anyway, we are grateful to the people for giving us this opportunity. But I normally travel by rail.

18.00 hrs.

I know, every moment, every time I step on to a rail carriage, my life is threatened because I am stepping on to somebody else’s world and we do not know where we will reach or if we will reach at all or not. Now, let us admit it, time is running out for all of us, including the time you will allow me to speak, so I shall not lengthen this.

MR. CHAIRMAN : Hon. Members, if the House agrees, I shall extend the time of the House. If the House is of the opinion that the time should be extended, I have no objection.

SEVERAL HON. MEMBERS: Yes please.

MR. CHAIRMAN : All right. I presume that the House agrees. The time of the House is extended up to 7 o’clock.

SHRI TATHAGATA SATPATHY : Now, let us get to the brass tacks because eventually it is Orissa, the State whose all round development is of great importance to all of us, even to you, Sir because it is a State you have admired and you have always told us in personal conversation that you like Orissa.

You know my Chief Minister, Shri Naveen Patnaik has brought in an era of transparency, honesty and responsiveness in the field of governance in Orissa. Although, Orissa is a rich State, it desperately needs infrastructure development and to develop infrastructure you need to invest in it, which has not been done by the Railways.

I give you a few examples. I shall make my speech very short, but you are my inspiration. Against a national average of 19 kms. per 1,000 sq. kms, Orissa has only 15.03 kms. per 1,000 sq. kms. During the year 2003-04, the East-Coast Railway made an income of Rs.2,258 crore due to enormous movement of traffic and has surpassed the income by another Rs.105 crore during the first nine months of 2004-05. The East-Coast Railway was made operational in April 2003. The Railway had transported 64 million tonnes of freight in the year 2003-04, in the very first year of its inception. The operating ratio is 63 per cent, perhaps one of the lowest in Indian Railways. Therefore, with so much potential, it is essential that the requirement of infrastructure development for East-Coast Railway is given prime importance.

Let us go to the other side. Let us see how neglect is exemplified in the instance of Orissa. Sir, a simple over-bridge, at a place called Chainpal, crosses the National Highway No.42, the highway that goes through Bhubaneswar to Mumbai. The over- bridge needs only Rs.7 crore. But it is probably a joke for the Railway authorities to sanction Rs.2 crore in this year’s budget. Sir, you can imagine, you are a man of great learning and you can understand very well. Do you assume that the over- bridge will be built half-way and left there so that in the next two-three years they will build it and bring it to the other side of the national highway. This is the way the thought works with this Government and the bureaucracy performs in this Government.

Similarly, in Lanjipalli in Berhampore, there is a need of an over-bridge and this over-bridge needs only Rs.1.85 crore. But this year, Rs. 26 lakh have been given to this over-bridge for pillars or for base works, whatever it is.

So, when it comes to neglect, Sir, you can understand that. Kerala is lucky. You are lucky enough to have a high level of education in your State. We are a rich State, but we are constantly neglected. So, to make matters shorter and quicker, I will just read out a few points where special attention is required for the State of Orissa to develop as an ultramodern and capable State. So, can I take five more minutes?

MR. CHAIRMAN : There are many other Members to speak.

SHRI TATHAGATA SATPATHY : I thank you for giving me five minutes.

MR. CHAIRMAN: Today it is up to seven o’ clock. There are a number of speakers.

SHRI TATHAGATA SATPATHY : I will conclude it in five minutes.

Sir, the doubling of the existing railway line from Khurda to Puri has been phased into 15-kilometre stretches. Probably, the total length of the line is 56 kilometres. They are taking it up in stretches of 15 kilometres. The first phase has got a mere Rs.10 crore and it needs Rs.3 crore more. There is a need of Rs.13 crore for a 15-kilometre stretch, that is also in a line which is totally on the beach. You know Puri is on the beach. So, the line cannot go on forever. It ends there. So, a line of approximately 56 kilometres has been phased into 15-kilometre stretches. That first phase also has got only Rs.10 crore whereas it needs Rs.13 crore. This is the situation. In the last four years, this is all that has happened.

Similarly, Daitari-Bansapani is a broad gauge rail link of 155 kilometres. There is Talcher-Sambalpur broad gauge rail link. A second bridge over Mahanadhi has received only Rs.28.60 crore through the RVNL. It needs another Rs.50 crore. This rail link connects Kolkata to Chennai.

MR. CHAIRMAN: Please conclude.

SHRI TATHAGATA SATPATHY : I am just quickly mentioning the points.

Similarly, about the new lines, Haridashpur-Paradeep has extreme economic relevance to the State. It has been given Rs.20 crore through the RVNL whereas it needs Rs.233 crore. Similarly, Angul-Duburi-Sukinda road, which will be used for carrying iron ore, has been given Rs.10 lakh and it needs Rs.242 crore. Talcher-Bimlagarh is a 154- kilometre stretch. It has been given Rs.5 crore whereas it needs Rs.727 crore. Daitari-Bansapani rail link of 155 kilometres needs Rs.128 crore. Money has been given to the RVNL, but a few crores of rupees only have been given.

MR. CHAIRMAN: Please conclude. Please co-operate. There are so many speakers. We have only 50 minutes.

SHRI TATHAGATA SATPATHY : Sir, we like you. In the morning I said you are my inspiration. You are my leader.

MR. CHAIRMAN: You have taken more than 20 minutes. Please conclude.

SHRI TATHAGATA SATPATHY : The lines of Rupsa-Bangiriposi and Nuapara-Gunupur need gauge conversion.

MR. CHAIRMAN: We have only 50 minutes before us. We have about 10 speakers. Let others also say something.

SHRI TATHAGATA SATPATHY : The new lines of Jeypore-Malkangiri, Talcher-Gapalpur, Bargarh-Nuapada via Padampur, Gopalpur- Rayagada, Jaleswar-Digha, Jajpur Keonjhar Road-Jajpur, Gorumahisani to Buramara need survey immediately.

Then, we need some new trains to be introduced. We need a Bhubaneshwar-New Delhi train through Sambalpur, which would help develop the western part of Orissa. That has been completely neglected. There are a few more points that need to be highlighted here.

Sir, you are showing tolerance towards Orissa. I am very sorry to say that in spite of all the ill feeling that they have towards Orissa, we will still fight for our rights.

The Congress has neglected the State of Orissa for 50 long years. When it ruled at the Centre and ruled in the State, it only gave pain and it was bothersome for the poor people of Orissa. Nobody spoke on our behalf in this august House earlier. When we have come to this august House, we need your protection to put the demands of our people before you so that the Government will listen to us and the State of Orissa will get a chance to stand shoulder to shoulder with other developed States.

We are not proud of our poverty. Ours is one of the fighting races. The Kalinga war was fought by the Oriyas against Ashoka who came from Patilaputra, which is now Patna. We are the sons of that Kalinga war. … (Interruptions)

Date:09-03-2005
SHRI TATHAGATA SATPATHY (DHENKANAL): Mr. Chairman, Sir, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to put in a few words at the near end of the discussion.

I have had the opportunity to give certain amendments to the President’s Address to Members of both the Houses of Parliament assembled together. Though a few in numbers, I think they hold very special relevance since I have been listening to all the speeches today. Somehow, unfortunately most of the very revered and hon. Members of Parliament have not bothered to mention certain vital and important matters which should concern all of us who claim ourselves to be the law makers of this nation.

Sir, the UPA Government, whose mouthpiece the President, has given in his Address, has kept before it certain priority areas such as agriculture, education, employment, health care, infrastructure, urban renewal and water. But unfortunately, two very important facts of life, which have been completely ignored throughout this Address, sadden me. The first is preservation of forest wealth which somehow nobody in India seems to bother about. There is complete ignorance. I would not say that there is complete antipathy. Or, there is complete ‘I do not care’ attitude of the Government towards preservation of our forest wealth.

Sir, I would like to know how much time I have got.

MR. CHAIRMAN : You have actually five minutes’ time.

SHRI TATHAGATA SATPATHY : I will try to complete within that time. Today, if you see the map of India, all along the East Coast, whether it is the land of the bandit Veerappan or in the Nepal border and beyond that where the MCC is operating, there used to be a rich forest belt. But today that belt is depleted. Economically it is one of the worst and the most backward stretches of this country. If you see that belt, if you see the map of India, in about 150 to 160 districts which lie all along that belt, and that is where the naxalites are active today. Naxalites are not anti-social. Naxalism is a political movement. It is a movement born where the poor man is living. This is where the aam admi is living. The Government is always beating the drums of the aam admi. Yet that is the most neglected area of this country.

I come from the land of Lord Jagannath and from the land of Kalinga of Ashoka’s transformation, Orissa. A major patch of that belt is within our State. What we see in our State is unfortunate. If you come to realise or even if you would have seen that area just 15 or 20 years ago, it is amazing. I am not talking about half a century. I was not born during Independence. But we, are the generation of post-Independence. If you see the depletion in the forest wealth, the kind of damage that has occurred there, it is amazing.

The President’s Address mentions about ‘forest villages’, where it is said that people have been practising agriculture on these lands for several generations but have not been given due recognition of their rights. It says that their problems are engaging the attention of the Government and that the Government would try to settle the issue of land rights of tribals. As I had mentioned, this is where the Naxalites have been active. This is a major concern for the Supreme Court. This is where all our forest wealth is but we have not tried to preserve our forests and nor are we trying for the economic uplift of people living in those areas. In the very basic sense of land ownership, we have not bothered to have the land given to the tiller. Landlords and moneylenders still rule the roost in these areas. There is no Government whether it is of NDA or of UPA that has done it. It is still the landlords and moneylenders who are active but this Address does not mention that in any way. So, it is a pity.

The extinction of wildlife is something that should concern all of us, human beings. As we all know, we have the blessings of the Lord. We have had the fruits of education. We all know and the whole world today is aware about the wildlife, how to preserve wildlife and also how by preserving wildlife we could help ourselves to be preserved but India is one country where we are completely callous towards wildlife that exists in this country. We have been merciless in the extinction of wildlife.

Having talked about forest wealth and wildlife extinction, before I conclude I would like to just mention two points. In this Address, there is no mention about last year’s Budget under which special huge amounts of money were to be spent for creating water bodies. In the seven points of priority of the UPA, water comes at the very last. Unfortunately, the President did not think it necessary to mention what happened to that huge sum of money which was to be spent for creating water bodies in the rural belt of India. As far as I know, in my constituency and in a few other areas I have seen in the neighbouring States, nothing has actually trickled down. Forget preservation of water, no money is trickling down. Out of the money that has been spent by the Union Government, nothing has actually reached the people.

We have a very honest State Government in Orissa but unfortunately it has been constantly neglected by the Central Government. The Congress, which has ruled this country for several years after Independence, has made it a point that although Orissa had always been supporting the Congress the Congress has always purposefully and very consciously tried to keep Orissa behind every other State in the country. We have the largest amount of mineral wealth in this country. We have the capacity to hold on to industry. But unfortunately we do not get the benefits of any of these minerals. So, eventually, you would see, a time would come when our money, our wealth, and our minerals would enrich other States and other parts of this country but we would go the way that many South American and Central American countries have gone, into depravity and abject poverty, and we would be destroyed while this country would sit and laugh at Orissa. Fortunately, we have the blessings of Lord Jagannatha. We have an able and honest leader in Mr. Naveen Patnaik. In the case of the UPA Government, they have several leaders whose names have to be taken. For instance, the Prime Minister’s name and the UPA Chairperson’s name have to be taken. In our case, we have only one name to take. I would like to conclude by saying that like Orissa, India should also be protected from all the vagaries of opportunism and politics of convenience.

Lastly, it is of interest to know that when the Pope came to India a few years ago, he said that proselytisation of India is high on the list of papal activities. I am not a communal person but I would like to state here very categorically that India is a tolerant country. Today, if you sit on a high chair and if you look around you will find that all the high posts in this country are occupied by people who are from the Minority Community or who are from the Backward Class. They get the respect that they deserve from the rest of the country.

I am sure that in spite of all the failures of this Government, in spite of a very lackadaisical, uninterested and haphazard Address by the hon. President, this country will shine, India will shine and nobody can stop India from shining.

MR. CHAIRMAN : Shri Haribhau Rathod. I will give the bell after four minutes and you have to complete your speech within five minutes.