Rajya Sabha Speeches of Amma

RAJYA SABHA SPEECHESOF Puratchi Thalaivi J JAYALALITHAA (1984 – 1989) 2 PREFACE Here is a compilation of all the speeches made by Puratchi Thalaivi J Jayalalithaa in the years 1984 to 1987 when she was a Rajya Sabha M.P. and the AIADMK Deputy Leader in Parliament and was also the AIADMK’s Propaganda Secretary. Puratchi Thalaivi J Jayalalithaa’s speeches in the Rajya Sabha have been chronologically arranged subject-wise i.e., the dominant theme, mentioning the occasions on which the speeches were delivered. While Puratchi Thalaivi’s speeches have been given in extenso, the speeches of the other Honourable Members and the Ministers who sought clarification from her on any point have not been reproduced, although the contexts in which Puratchi Thalaivi made her observations have been mentioned in the footnotes. Only those formal parries of Puratchi Thalaivi’s speeches, salutations and other interjectory remarks have been omitted. Portions of her speech delivered in Hindi and the Sanskrit quotations cited by her have been given in Roman script. Puratchi Thalaivi J Jayalalitha’s speeches covering the period 1984-87 give us a glimpse of her thoughts and ideas and are as relevant today as they were then. 3 INTRODUCTION Puratchi Thalaivi Dr. J Jayalalithaa despite her stormy political career ever since she was inducted into politics by Puratchi Thalaivar MGR has always wanted to be a loner, happy amidst her books and music tapes. But that was not to be. She was steered into politics by her great mentor and with her astounding love for the people of our country, she has been battling all along for their welfare. This is well revealed during her incumbency as an MP in the Rajya Sabha in the Eighties and in her wide ranging speeches which are gathered here for the first time. Her fluency in the English language was admirable and so too her fluency in her mother tongue Tamil and her command of Hindi as well. This did not deter her from seeking a rightful place for Tamil as one of the official languages apart from her enjoining the ruling parties, from time to time, to accord it the status of a classical language because of its ancient origins. Puratchi Thalaivi's speeches in the Rajya Sabha were noted for their incisiveness and deep understanding of the subject under discussion. She never ventured to speak on any topic unless she was conversant with and sure of all the facts. Indeed this was the hallmark of her speeches, serving as a sort of political apprenticeship, enabling her to emerge as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Puratchi Thalaivi's stewardship of Tamil Nadu from 1991-1996 has always been considered as a golden period in the annals of the State for her many achievements whether it be the great many welfare schemes she launched for the weaker sections of our society, the foundation stone she laid for the industrialisation of Tamil Nadu, or the deep concern she voiced for the problems faced by the people and the resolute action she took in weeding out the terrorist menace in Tamil Nadu. Puratchi Thalaivi Dr. J Jayalalithaa is a national leader in her own right, being a trail blazer in the country's developmental efforts and her rule as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu from 1991-1996 brought her encomiums from world leaders like Mother Teresa, specially for her innovative social welfare measures and for upholding women's rights. Significant among the many awards received by her is the World Statesman Award 1999. Dr. J Jayalalithaa holds the honorific title PURATCHI THALAIVI (Revolutionary leader) conferred on her by the people of Tamil Nadu. With the DMK coming to power in Tamil Nadu, she faced vindictive action from the ruling party for daring to rebuild the AIADMK from the trying days it faced after the demise of Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. MGR. Continuous harassment was the order of the day and many political forces were arraigned against her in a bid to Thus the Lok Sabha elections were precipitated in September 1999 with the National Democratic Alliance headed by the BJP forming the Government at the Centre. The obduracy of some of the leaders of the secular parties was largely responsible for wasting the golden opportunity provided by our Puratchi Thalaivi to form an alternative Government. she cited appropriate quotations from savants. Also.State relationship. the Minorities were terrorised and the arbitrary exercise of power compelled Puratchi Thalaivi to first withdraw the AIADMK Ministers from the Government and last of all the party's support to the Government. which had paved the way for the formation of the BJP-led coalition Government at the Centre and also gave the BJP a foothold in Tamil Nadu. Often-times Puratchi Thalaivi J Jayalalithaa has expressed her immense gratitude to the party workers at the grassroots level reflecting her great love for the cadres. philosophers. Puratchi Thalaivi posed the problems in a forthright manner without any ambivalence keeping Tamil Nadu's interests ever at heart. the Congress. sharing of Cauvery water.4 destroy her and her party. being then the second largest party in the 12th Lok Sabha. . But the party cadres were one with her in stonewalling such moves. The Rajya Sabha speeches of Puratchi Thalaivi made during the period 19841987 are relevant even today as the very same problems which afflicted our country then vis-a-vis Centre . conditions in our jails. None of the demands voiced by the AIADMK and incorporated in the National Agenda of the BJP-led Government was even remotely sought to be fulfilled. taxation laws. the BJP-led Government became a threat to the security of our country. status of women. To bolster her arguments during debates in the Rajya Sabha. the BJP forged an arcane alliance with the ruling DMK party in Tamil Nadu to serve its own nefarious political ends with little or no regard for its own ally. the problems of the handloom weavers and police apathy continue to afflict us. The 1998 Lok Sabha elections proved her great power and political acumen in Tamil Nadu with the alliance parties led by the AIADMK securing a landslide victory. because as a Rajya Sabha MP in the eighties she was a veritable stormy petrel. The BJP-led Government sans the AIADMK lost its confidence vote in the Parliament. the AIADMK. could not form an alternative Government either on its own or by heading a coalition Government in alliance with the other secular parties. She came once again centre . Soon the machinations of the BJP-led Government started working against the interests of the people of Tamil Nadu. Indeed that was the defining moment. Once again. only in a greater measure. our revered national leaders and in relevant contexts from Perarignar Anna and Puratchi Thalaivar MGR's speeches. J Jayalalithaa.stage on the national political scene. Despite the best efforts of Puratchi Thalaivi Dr. During its 13-months rule. The rest is part of current history. for the Parliamentarians and the wider class of intelligentsia. Great has been her grounding in politics. the speeches of our Puratchi Thalaivi will offer rewarding reading apart from greater outreach. great have been her multi-faceted achievements and great again the expectations of the people of our country from the AIADMK supremo in the centre of the nation's politics today. .5 For the common man in all walks of life. 5.1984 Calling attention motion on recent developments in Jammu & Kashmir..14 2..70 During the debate on the Appropriation Bill for 1984-85 on 9.8. 8. Power Projects for Tamil Nadu .22 3..8..90 Maiden speech made on 23.1985 . 34 ... 23..53 .1984 4...... Tax Evasions and Cine Artistes . Centre .... 45 ..1984 Debate on Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill. Culture and Social Welfare on 5.. 23. Constitutional Status of Jammu & Kashmir .1984 62 . Thoughts on the 1985-86 Central Government .5.. Amending Taxation Laws. 8 .State Relations: Linking the Ganga & the Cauvery .4...84 11. 15 .1984 Debate on the Dowry Prohibition Bill.52 6.4.. 77 ..3... 74 . 28.8... Industrialisation of Tamil Nadu.1984 12. Plight of Handloom Weavers Country-wide .. Situation in Sri Lanka .1984 during the debate on the working of the Ministry of Energy During the discussion on the Appropriation Bill on 25.8. Fair Share for States in a Federal Polity .100 Budget.6 Contents 1..61 7... 26.1984 Debate on the Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill...76 10.5.33 Overhauling our Educational System: Stress on Vocational Training Classical Language Status for Tamil Grant for Tamil Research Studies .1984 'Special mention' speech on need to enact suitable legislation reserving certain varieties of cloth...... Land Acquisition Act and Harijan Welfare Schemes .8. On a calling attention motion on Sri Lanka on 7.44 5. 27.73 9.1984. Iniquities of the Dowry System ....1984 Apropos of the Finance Bill..71 .. Discussion on the working of the Ministry of Education... 85 .91 . State Autonomy in Education . on 2. 23 ..7.Accent on Industrial Development Speech made on 21.. . 101 .3.. Career in the Army. Integral Coach Factory Expansion... Water for Madras 126 . A Case of Police Apathy .. Analysing the General Budget 1987-1988 Abolition of Personal Income-Tax...119 18.. The JIPMER Issue . Permanent Solution to Flood Havoc. Plan Allocation for Tamil Nadu.... 115 . Sethusamudram Project and Rapid Transport System for Madras 120 .3...125 19. The Cauvery Water Dispute.8. ...1985 14.116 17. Income-Tax & Wealth-Tax Arrears of Film Artistes 109 .111 Personal Explanation under Rule No: 241 given in the Rajya Sabha.3.. Taking India to the 21st Century. Modvat... 117 .1986 Speech during debate on the General Budget for 1987-1988.1985 15.138 ‘Special mention’ in the Rajya Sabha on 20. Second Atomic Power Station for Tamil Nadu.1987 & 10.1986 Special mention on Police Apathy on Technical Grounds of Jurisdiction made on 13.1987 .3.7 13..3. Sorry Plight of Women's Homes .8.. 112 ....108 Debate on the new National Textile Policy on 13.1985 Supplementary question on JIPMER in the Rajya Sabha on 12. on 18.114 16.8. Evolving a National Textile Policy: Protecting the Handloom Sector .1986 Speech during debate on Appropriation (Vote on Account) Bill.. 19. . 9. 1984 during the debate on the working of the Ministry of Energy .8 Power Projects for Tamil Nadu Maiden speech made on 23.4. Much comment has been made in the Press recently about the present infusion of “Young blood” into this House of Elders. I hasten to reassure you. since its inception has been and continues to be a meeting place of some of the finest intellects in our country . I deem it a great honour to stand here and speak on the floor of the very same Rajya Sabha where 22 years ago. to echo the voice of the people of Tamil Nadu in this national forum. and all the Hon.R.the working of the Ministry of Energy. the theme of my maiden speech today is going to be dedicated mainly to the subject of Electricity. in 1962 our great departed leader ANNA rose to make his forceful maiden speech which electrified the entire nation. Dr. I thank you for having given me this opportunity to express my views on the subject under discussion . and all senior Members here that they need harbour no apprehension on this score.. I have come here .G. In particular. At the outset. Sir. prestige and decorum of the Rajya Sabha. who are no longer with us. and to whom I pay my respectful homage as a new entrant. the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. I give you my solemn word that I shall never fail to uphold the dignity. statesmen and towering personalities who have distinguished themselves in diverse fields.9 Power Projects for Tamil Nadu Mr. Sir. and I shall do nothing to detract from the lustre that has been added to it by the luminous personalities who have graced these hallowed portals. Deputy Chairman. Since the Hon.of scholars. Members here that I am fully aware of the noble traditions of this august assembly which. the founder leader of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam to which I have the honour to belong. I wish to assure you. Sir. While Anna electrified the whole country with his maiden speech. to give me at least 15 minutes. M. has sent me here. together with my colleagues in the party. Member who spoke before took exactly thirty minutes and since this is my maiden speech. I would request you. My leader. rendering the cost too high and the availability of coal uncertain.w. who are far more knowledgeable than I am. At that time. and by virtue of their debating skills they may even win the argument. As a result of the repeated power cuts. poor agricultural labourers and women. there are formidable constraints in that coal has to be hauled over long distances. the toiling masses. aspirations and legitimate desires and make them known to the rest of the country. and not triumph over truth. But such a victory will be only a victory of words. but to state positive truths to the best of my knowledge and to draw the attention of the nation to certain crucial issues. . the industrial and agricultural production in the State has been affected adversely and drastically. Most of the economical hydel potential has either already been exploited or is already on the anvil. It was in this context — that the State Government pressed for the location of the Nuclear Plant in the State -. I wish to emphasize the fact that the fundamental purpose of my speaking here in the Rajya Sabha is not to engage in wordy duels with other Members. Tamil Nadu has almost exhausted its hydel resources and has no coal resources at all. The balance potential is either tied up in inter-state disputes or is too small and seasonal for economic exploitation. also with a generation capacity of 235 m. the second unit. Tamil Nadu has very meagre hydel potential. either from Singareni in Andhra Pradesh or from Bengal or Bihar. there was a clear understanding between the State and the Central Governments .that the entire output from Kalpakkam would be allocated solely to Tamil Nadu to meet the urgent pressing needs of the State.w. in 1967. to give oral manifestation to their feelings. The only fossil fuel that is available in the State is lignite and efforts have already been undertaken to utilise this potential in an optimum manner. the crores of humble workers.10 as the representative of the weaker sections of our society. and vastly richer in experience. The State Government was forced to impose power cuts ranging from 25 per cent to 100 per cent intermittently from 1971-72 onwards to overcome the shortage. farmers. Later in the Fourth Five Year Plan. Some of them may disagree with some of the views I put forth.and the Government of India was kind enough to concede the demand by sanctioning the Madras Atomic Power Project with the generation capacity of 235 m. They may dispute a certain point I make. There are many senior Members here. For setting up more coal based thermal stations. was also sanctioned. Tamil Nadu has been facing acute shortage of electricity for more than a decade. raised by Mr.gave a categorical assurance that the entire output of the first unit and half of the output of the 2nd unit of the MAPP would be made available to Tamil Nadu and the balance output of the second unit would be earmarked for the neighbouring States in the Southern Region. the entire output of Kalpakkam was taken into account. 1971. 53 lakhs. Munuswamy .E.2. In fact.500 acres of land required for the Project. 1-26(3)/2/72 . . The lands were at that time valued at about Rs.the third published in 1965. this project was conceived at the instance of the C. the Government of Tamil Nadu agreed to make available . Even at that time. when it conducted integrated studies to examine the operational feasibility of Kadamparai took into account the availability of the full output from Kalpakkam. no questions were raised about the allotment of the entire power produced by the first unit to Tamil Nadu. the above ­mentioned Annual Power Survey Reports clearly showed that the entire power generated from Kalpakkam was intended only to meet Tamil Nadu’s needs and the forecasts of power requirement and availability were projected accordingly. the fifth published in 1968 and the sixth published in 1970 assessed the full benefits from Kalpakkam for Tamil Nadu. The Planning Commission gave its concurrence to the Kadamparai project in its letter No. It was only in late 1970 that the then Minister for Industries and Power .Dr. The C.to enable the Kalpakkam Plant to operate at its full capacity all the 24 hours of the day. only after satisfying itself that adequate off-peak power would be available and in its forecasts. . the Prime Minister.A.No: 590 .E. the expenditure on Kadamparai may become infructuous. the entire energy output from the project would be sold to the Government of Tamil Nadu or its nominee.free of cost . It was in these circumstances that on 3rd June.A. the fourth published in 1966. K. This amounts to an irrevocable. The Annual Power Survey Reports . Rao.R. This commitment was based on the confirmation given by the Madras Atomic Power Project authorities to the effect that in return.Q. and the cost of energy of MAPP would be calculated excluding the value of land gifted by the State Government. when the necessary lands were acquired for the Project.11 In the year 1968. 1973. The Tamil Nadu Government prepared a scheme for the Kadamparai Pumped Storage Project based solely on the assumption that the State would positively be able to avail of the entire power produced by the Kalpakkam Nuclear Plant. suggested that the power from the second unit might be shared equally by Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. while answering a question in the Rajya Sabha .Central Electricity Authority . In effect. If the entire power produced by Kalpakkam plant is not made available to Tamil Nadu. N. immutable contract which cannot be repudiated or rescinded by the efflux of time.L.P&E dated 13th February. The Planning Commission while clearing new projects for Tamil Nadu has all along been reckoning the full output from Kalpakkam for Tamil Nadu in its calculations.O. 1977. The primary reason is that adequate schemes were not sanctioned for Tamil Nadu. However. The Government of Tamil Nadu cannot agree to this proposition. 1982. As late as 1977. Firm commitments made by the Centre at a point of time cannot become void simply because of the efflux of time. It must be noted that new projects are cleared only if the State is expected to face a deficit after taking into account the availability from Kalpakkam. The Union Minister for Energy. the Planning Commission.050 m. Sanction for the Mettur Thermal Project was delayed for more than six years simply because coal linkage could not be established. The State has sent two proposals. Tamil Nadu continues to face a severe deficit and it must be emphasized that the State is still expected to face a deficit even after taking into account all the already sanctioned schemes and the share from Central projects like Ramagundam. which is dismally low as compared to 19666 m. no favourable decision has yet been taken by the Centre in this regard.. the Neyveli 2nd Mine cut etc. one for the North Madras Station with an estimated generation capacity of 1. The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in his D. all the Governments that were in power in the State have been pressing for the establishment of a second nuclear plant in Tamil Nadu. for all India. In this context. Between 1967. when the Kalpakkam nuclear plant was sanctioned and now. once again emphatically stressed the need to allocate the entire output from Kalpakkam to Tamil Nadu. to the Prime Minister. while affirming clearance for the Tuticorin plant vide its letter No.w. The Tamil Nadu Government has been repeatedly pressing the Centre for the allotment of the entire power from Kalpakkam to Tamil Nadu. issued the sanction only after satisfying itself that the State would be facing a deficit even with the full output computed to the Tamil Nadu account. Tamil Nadu sent 27 schemes for sanction to the Centre but only 11 schemes were cleared by the Planning Commission and that too after considerable delay.w. letter dated 1st June. 1-26(3) / 76. seasonal and disproportionately costly as compared to schemes in the other parts of the Southern Region and coal supplies could not be linked.w. The Energy Minister stated that the new schemes proposed for Tamil Nadu would be cleared quickly. The main reasons for this state of attairs are that the hydro-electric schemes proposed by the State are small. while accepting the commitment made earlier.P&E dated the 14th July. stated that the power from Central Projects would have to be shared by all the States in the Region. this unfruitful expenditure is something the State Government can ill afford. Because of the aforementioned constraints. it is necessary to accentuate the fact that in the Sixth Five Year Plan the share of Tamil Nadu is 630 m. and another . in his letter dated 15th October. 1982 in reply.12 With the severe financial constraints it is already burdened with. not for the sole reason that the Centre had made a commitment. as early as in 1981. that the interests of the State would be affected adversely. 1984.w. and allots more power to power surplus States which do not need the allocation. This formula is irrational as it reduced the allocation of power to deficit States which can absorb more power. But the Union Minister for Energy. Clearance for these schemes is still pending because coal linkage could not be established. The deficit States will have to continue to buy power from the surplus States. Tamil Nadu has the largest deficit among the Southern States .T. According to the principles evolved by the Government of India in 1978. but that the Centre would decide the distribution of power from time to time taking into consideration the respective power positions in different States in a Region.P. indeed grievously.C. The formula has no relevance at all to the actual power needs of each State and allocates power to all States of the Region irrespective of their deficits or surpluses. the power generated from the Central sector power stations to be constructed by the National Thermal Power corporation. and the State insists upon its fulfillment as a mere technical formality. This will lead to an anomalous situation wherein a deficit State will continue to be deficit even though the Region may be surplus. The logical. N. has informed the Government of Tamil Nadu that the power from the Central projects would not be firmly allocated to one State or States. is proposed to be allocated between the various States in a Region on the basis of past energy consumption and quantum of Central assistance. acceptable principle that should be adopted would be to allocate the power of the Central Sector power stations in direct proportion to the respective deficit of each individual State as assessed by the Annual Power surveys conducted by the Government of India.13 proposal for extension of the Tuticorin Thermal Station. if the full output is not made available to Tamil Nadu. with an estimated generation capacity of 420 m. but because the situation is genuinely of such import and seriousness. These facts which I have stated. giving equal weightage to these two factors and after providing for an additional 10 per cent allocation to the home State and keeping 15 per cent unallocated with the Centre for distribution subsequently on the basis of actual deficits at any point of time. I wish to impress upon the Centre that the State Government is pressing for the allocation of the entire power from Kalpakkam. The deficit States will have to continue to buy power from the surplus States whose surplus keeps on increasing because of this illogical formula. clearly articulate the exigent need to allocate the entire power output from the first unit of Kalpakkam to the Government of Tamil Nadu. The Union Minister for Energy has also indicated that the Central power stations can only supplement the efforts of State Governments. in his letter dated the 31st March. The inappropriate formula already mentioned is now sought to be applied to the second power station being constructed by the Neyveli Lignite Corporation. and in the Legislative Council on 8th march. 1984. it was intimated in 1980. Tamil Nadu genuinely feels it should be given more power in 2 contexts. The expectation that the entire power of the second unit of the Neyveli Lignite Corporation would be allotted to Tamil Nadu has been the foundation on which the State has drafted its power planning throughout. Out of 630 Megawatts to be produced by the Second Unit. To put it in a nutshell. that only 176 m.21 years later. if the entire power from the Neyveli Lignite corporation is not allotted to Tamil Nadu the power scarcity in the State will prove disastrous to its interests. The States are fast becoming dole-getting Corporations. A resolution was moved in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on 7th March. Given these circumstances. . would be allocated to Tamil Nadu..e. more powers for the States.14 and is forced to buy power every year from the surplus States of the Region at exorbitant rates.” Anna’s words hold good even today . In conclusion. I reiterate. And secondly. It is significant to point out in this context that before planning the second unit of Neyveli. Firstly. pressing for the allocation of the entire power output from Kalpakkam and Neyveli to Tamil Nadu. i.w.s. the project was finalised only on the basis of this firm assurance and categoric commitment confirmed by the Government of Tamil Nadu. They feel that they are relegated to the back­ground and there is the very natural instinct in them that they should be given more power. in the immediate specific sense that Tamil Nadu feels it should be given more power in the form of Electricity from Kalpakkam and Neyveli. more power in the general sense that Anna meant. the Government of India had asked for. and obtained in 1973. 1984. I quote from our great departed leader Anna’s speech in the Rajya Sabha in December 1963 : “The working of the federal structure all these years has created a sense of frustration in the minds of the States. a guarantee from Tamil Nadu that the entire power produced would definitely be absorbed by Tamil Nadu. 4.15 Fair Share for States in a Federal Polity During the discussion on the APPROPRIATION BILL on 25.1984 . the Appropriation Bill has been discussed in the Lok Sabha and is being discussed in the Rajya Sabha. As such. How is this Fund formed in the first place? What constitutes its reserves? Is it not the revenue contributed in several ways by all the States of India that constitutes the Consolidated Fund of India? Through innumerable taxes the States regularly part with massive sums of money like sacrificial oblations at the altar of the Central Government . and even that air is not free . The only item . Even the water we drink is taxed. Sir. .that is left untaxed is the air we breathe. Sir.I mean. I use the word “contribution” in a broad. The Hon. general sense. of any specific product or material. Deputy Chairman.if I may so refer to it . are purportedly for the benefit of the nation. we speak of the Consolidated Fund of India. we understand very well the necessity for such a Fund.16 Fair Share for States in a Federal Polity Mr.and it is the States which keep replenishing the reserves of the Consolidated Fund of India. Those various schemes. climatic conditions and various other factors. Finance Minister submits this Appropriation Bill to obtain the assent of the Members of Parliament to draw funds from the Consolidated Fund of India for multifarious purposes. depending upon its natural resources. it is not free from pollution. It is contaminated with smog and harmful oxides and poisonous fumes. to implement various schemes. and I am not referring to any specific mode of contribution. But the rates of taxation are so high and the range of taxation is so all-encompassing that the Centre practically appropriates all the money that is available and the State Governments are left with little or no funds to administer the States they are responsible for. That varies from State to State. is it not natural for the States to expect sufficient Central investment in each State in direct proportion to the contribution the State makes to the gross national revenue? When I speak of the contribution of a State. Sir. we are informed. the criterion for judging the progress of a nation is its industrial development.000 tonnes of rice per month from the Central pool. Surely the honourable Finance Minister remembers the elementary principle which every student of economics knows fully well . on its own. unfortunately. 77. the Government of India has been even more lavish in its bounteousness. which does not amount to even half the allotment requested by the State.28 crores for flood relief.73 crores of rupees.54 crores. where else can the State look to for succour and relief but to the Government of India? Is it not the constitutional duty of the Government of India to hasten to provide the necessary relief and assistance when a State is reeling under the dire pressure of such hardship? Yet.17 Take the case of Tamil Nadu which I have the honour to represent in this Council of States. But after refusing point-blank in the beginning and then agreeing to send very meagre allotments. and has reduced the allocation to only 25. one natural disaster has been followed by another. For the past three years Tamil Nadu was afflicted by severe drought conditions. The long period of drought was immediately followed by unprecedented unseasonal rains which were so torrential as to cause widespread devastation and havoc due to floods. Mr. but so far the Centre has allotted to Tamil Nadu the princely sum of Rs. Sir. But Tamil Nadu has experienced the extreme misfortune of proving to be the exception to this golden rule. is a very knowledgeable person. a State Government can only encourage and aid the development of small scale industries. The Tamil Nadu Government has requested the Government of India time and again to allot 80. To a limited extent a State . despite repeated representations made to the Government of India by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and the Food Minister. When a State in the Indian Union is battered by such catastrophic visitations of Nature. spent Rs.000 tonnes of rice per month. The honourable Finance Minister. Due to the failure of the monsoons for three years in succession. 114. In the situation obtaining today in our country.000 tonnes per month. please consider the circumstances which have compelled the Government of Tamil Nadu to repeatedly implore the Government of India to allot more rice to the State. Pranab Mukherjee. In a country like India where unemployment is rampant. The Tamil Nadu Government has. further industrialisation is the only way to wipe out the scourge of unemployment. In Tamil Nadu. I am told.that a period of depression will usually be followed by a period of prosperity. Sir. calamity followed calamity. but people in the State suffered due to scarcity of even drinking water. For flood relief we requested the Government of India to allocate 217. not only was agricultural production adversely affected. the Centre still refuses to accede to our request for 80. At one time he was a Professor of Economics and History. For the past two months. step by step the Centre gradually raised the allocation to the munificent total of 35.000 tonnes per month. So far. B and C. it is necessary to obtain the sanction of the Government of India. 25 lakhs.18 Government can assist in the development and growth of medium and major industries. whichever political party has been the ruling party in power at the Centre . Despite this achievement. the Government has still not issued Letters of Intent for 123 applications.scale heavy industries. The Tamil Nadu Government is waiting.all along. Recently. The Government of India seeks to justify its new policy by citing this as the main reason. with a ceiling of Rs. the Tamil Nadu Government has sent 384 applications to the Government of India for starting new industries in the State.000 more people in Tamil Nadu. certainly Tamil Nadu or any of the other southern States cannot be blamed for this deplorable state of affairs. If no industries have been developed in so many districts of the northern States. Category ‘A’ refers to “No Industry Districts” where the Central capital subsidy would be 25 per cent of the investment. Except for one solitary district in Karnataka. I am constrained to point out that not only Tamil Nadu but the entire South has been completely neglected in this regard. If no industries have been started in those northern States all these years. and is ready to start new industries or render all possible assistance to those wishing to start new industries in the State. The reason given by the Government of India for adopting this new yardstick is that many districts in the northern States of India have no industries at all. the State Government has created employment opportunities for 30 lakh people. For its part. I request the Government of India to issue these pending 123 Letters of Intent without further delay. Where the northern States of India are concerned. unemployment is still on the increase. The Tamil Nadu Government recognises the fact that medium and major industries are necessary for the growth and development of small-scale industries. The only stumbling block is the inordinate delay in granting clearance by the Government of India. According to the recent Sivaraman Report. Between 1977 and 1983. 449 medium and major industries have been started in Tamil Nadu. Category A. What is the reason for this blatant discrimination? The Government of India has classified backward areas into three categories namely. no other district in the rest of the South has been included in this list. But to start any really large . the State Government is doing everything within its power to speed up the processing of Letters of Intent. Out of these. Why should Tamil . Therefore. through these and various other schemes. 87 districts were declared as backward districts under the new guidelines. During the past three years. by now we could have provided employment to 50.has also been the ruling party in those States . If these 12 industrial licence applications had been cleared by the Centre. that is entirely due to the gross inefficiency and glaring acts of omission of the governments of those States. the Government of India has issued revised guidelines for classifying areas as industrially backward. The naptha required for this plant is supplied by the Madras Refineries Limited. rather than districts. why should all the four southern States be penalised for no fault of theirs? The Government of India now declares “No Industry Districts” as backward. set up in 1965. 10 lakhs. Whenever the Tamil Nadu Government has proposed this scheme for expansion of the Madras Fertilizers Limited. or else it will only harden the feeling of the southern States that step-motherly treatment is being meted out to them by the Centre in the area of industrial development. Category ‘C’ taluks would be the nine concessional finance districts in Tamil Nadu. We hope the Centre will fulfil this request without further delay. The decision of the Government of India in this regard is awaited. Category ‘B’ refers to taluks where the Central capital subsidy would be 15 per cent with a ceiling of Rs. The Tamil Nadu Government has urged the Government of India to set up the planned expansion project of this Factory at Tiruvallur.” I am unable to understand the necessity for changing the earlier guidelines. The blocks having investments of more than Rs. The Madras Fertilizers Limited was incorporated in 1966. As all the districts of Tamil Nadu are very large. the Centre has cited the shortage of electricity as a reason for turning down the proposal. 15 lakhs. Previously. subject to a ceiling of Rs. It is proposed to generate power in co- . as the size of a taluk or block is likely to be more or less uniform throughout the country." This does not necessarily mean that all the districts in Tamil Nadu are industrially well developed. Tamil Nadu does not have any "No Industry District. 600 crores expansion project for this plant.19 Nadu have to pay the penalty for this gross negligence and maladministration on the part of those north Indian State Governments? Indeed. 30 crores would be excluded from the list of backward areas. the criterion adopted for classifying an area as backward was “Zero Industry Taluks. the State Government has taken up the matter with the Government of India and has requested that only taluks or blocks should be taken as the unit for declaring "No Industry Areas". The proposed expansion project is a factory which will produce modern battle tanks. As already mentioned. The Tamil Nadu Government is prepared to extend all possible co-operation if the Centre decided to locate this project at Tiruvallur. since most of the districts in Tamil Nadu are extremely large. excluding the Category ‘B’ taluks . Today the Madras Fertilizers Limited is operating extremely successfully with a very high margin of profit. There is the Heavy Vehicles Factory at Avadi.and they would be eligible for the capital subsidy of 10 per cent. Tamil Nadu has suffered in comparison with other States having much smaller districts. The Tamil Nadu Government has been repeatedly urging the Government of India to sanction a Rs. We hope the Government of India will take a favourable decision in this matter without further delay. The Tamil Nadu Government has discovered a new method to overcome this difficulty. This plant will have a capacity of 4 lakh tonnes per annum. and just as Cinderella's coach turned into a pumpkin at the wave of a magical wand by the Fairy Godmother.. Two such cogeneration plants will be set-up. 900 lakhs each..” I wonder. This is a project which the Tamil Nadu Government wants to establish by Itself. When the foundation stone was laid for the commencement of the Salem Steel Project in 1977. But the Government of India steadfastly continues to deny even this clearance to the Government of Tamil Nadu. that this sanction is being denied to Tamil Nadu. when the Salem Steel Plant was commissioned in 1981. Since this will be a project for generation of power from “non-conventional sources”.the welfare of 5 crore people of Tamil Nadu -. All that we have requested is the permission of the Government of India to start this project. But the Government of India has imposed a ban on the export of sandalwood from Tamil Nadu. keeps on giving us the same stock answer . the promised full-fledged steel project suddenly emerged in the shape of a mere steel rolling mill. However. it is expected that the Government of India will come forward to meet the funds required for the project. one single individual? I request the Government of India to sanction clearance for the Palayam Cement Plant immediately.or the welfare of one wealthy capitalist. Is this not a bizarre situation in a democracy. we have not asked for any Central aid for this project. The Tamil Nadu Cement Corporation has repeatedly been pressing the Government of India to sanction a cement plant at Palayam in Madurai district. a private cement factory owner. What is the reason behind this strange attitude of the Centre? What is the reason behind this consistent refusal by the Centre to grant sanction for the cement plant at Palayam? There are rumours that it is to please one particular individual: a business magnate. one at the Dharmapuri District Co-operative Sugar Mills Ltd. the Steel Authority of India Ltd. There is an enormous demand for sandalwood and sandal oil from Tamil Nadu. the whole project suddenly underwent a transformation.this endless research come to an end? And when will the Government of India announce its decision in this regard? Sandalwood trees of the finest quality are found in abundance in Tamil Nadu. I emphasise.“that the question is under study. and another at the Kallakurichi Co-operative Sugar Mills Ltd.20 operative sugar mills by installing high-pressure boilers and to supply the surplus electricity generated to the Tamil Nadu grid. at an estimated cost of Rs. when will this study . In response to the Tamil Nadu Government's repeated demand to implement the Salem Steel Plant as a full-fledged project. Sir? Which is more important . .. it was approved and announced by the Government of India as a full-fledged steel project. the State's financial resources are very limited. and envisage and implement a large scale major full-fledged plan for deep sea fishing. of no use to anybody. Yet . if not in the Sixth Five Year Plan then at least in the Seventh Five Year Plan. We feel Trichy is the ideal place for this project.000 Kilometres. Tamil Nadu has a coast line about 450 miles long. The Government of Tamil Nadu has already sent an official letter to the concerned department pressing the Centre to allocate the project to Tamil Nadu. could be diverted so that the river waters could be utilised for irrigation in Tamil Nadu. and the Government of India will also obtain a lot of foreign exchange. to sanction the expansion of the Ariyalur Cement Plant. and find permanent solution to this permanent problem.in another bid to further narrow down the State's sources of income . There are many countries in the world.21 If the export of sandalwood is permitted. As things stand . The distance . On the other hand. What justice is there in such a policy? I request the Government of India to forthwith lift the ban on the export of sandalwood. the Government of India seeks to further narrow down the State's sources of revenue by trying to appropriate the right to levy several taxes being collected by the State Government. Sir. whose entire economy is based upon deep sea fishing. I urge the Centre to start a second Atomic Plant in Tamil Nadu. the financial resources of Tamil Nadu will be appreciably augmented. However. Tamil Nadu by itself is capable of meeting the entire sandal oil requirements of the whole of India. the Centre can expand the Existing Coach Factory at Perambur. the Government of India bans the export of sandalwood and blocks all avenues whereby the State Government can earn some income through its own natural resources. the Centre should make good use of the 450 mile long coast line of Tamil Nadu. The distance between Madras and Delhi is 2.the Government of India has permitted the import of synthetic sandalwood oil. and to work out a long term satisfactory plan for the supply of coal to the Tuticorin Thermal Plant. Is it fair on the part of the Centre to create a rival market which adversely affects Tamil Nadu's interests? Why go in for artificial diamonds . if that is not feasible. Therefore. between Tirunelveli and Delhi is 3.when we have genuine diamonds right here in the palm of our hand? When Tamil Nadu can supply all the genuine sandalwood oil that India requires. The west flowing rivers of Kerala whose waters just flow into the sea. On the one hand.540 kilometres. where is the need to import synthetic sandal oil? Tamil Nadu is perennially short of water to meet its irrigation needs. This is a proposal we have been repeatedly putting forth to the Government of India. Will the Centre ever come forward to implement this project? We understand the Government of India is going to start a second coach factory. I leave unsaid. I do not oppose this Bill. Even if the need arises . therefore. essential to establish a Bench of the Supreme Court in Madras . . I could go on and on in this vein .but I now conclude with these words of Tennyson: “So many worlds. I also request the Centre to consider setting up a Bench of the Madras High Court at Madurai. and what is due to them from the Central funds and Central investment. I reiterate that we have no objection to this Bill being passed.to put justice within the reach of the common man in South India.still there is the language problem. Deputy Chairman.can a poor man from the South even dream of travelling all the way to New Delhi to seek recourse in the highest court in the land . done.the Supreme Court? Even if he somehow manages to reach Delhi . It is.22 I beseech the Government of India to think of the plight of a poor man in Tamil Nadu who is compelled to seek justice in a court of law. provided the States get their fair share. To travel to New Delhi to seek justice in the Supreme Court is not within the reach of the average middle class citizen of India either . Sir. such things to be more than I can see see.not if he happened to live in the South. so much to do.” So little But there is And what I Mr. 5.23 Centre .1984 .State Relations: Linking the Ganga & the Cauvery Apropos of the Finance Bill. on 2. A Government if it is to be called a welfare Government. fall into three segments: (1) those who would be honest. like any other. (2) those who would be dishonest. merely because it needs more and more money for expenditure. Palkhiwala. Because the sincere criticisms offered are.Anna declared in his speech “since every plan must evoke popular response . It is our past Legislation (a) if not the first class (b) is preoccupied with the second.Palkhiwala in his own inimitable style in an article which he wrote for the 'Illustrated Weekly of India'. I wish to quote a few excerpts from our great departed leader Anna's speech in the Rajya Sabha when he took part in the discussions following the introduction of the Finance Bill in 1966. and (c) alienates the third" . Deputy Chairman Sir . however heavy the burden. for erroneous reasons. a progressive and modern Government. Our people. (3) those (and they constitute the overwhelming majority) who are basically not dishonest but the nature of whose response to the Law is conditioned by the quality of the Law.At the outset. N.says Mr.we do so with a kind of hesitation. commandeered from the other side of the House as misrepresentations. He says: “It is my firm conviction that no nation living today or which has flourished in any past historical epoch would remain on its feet under the giddy rates of direct taxes which prevail today in India. should not crush the people with taxation.24 Centre .and since the ultimate objective of planned development is the improvement in the conditions of living of the people the investment on commodity production has to be matched by allocation of adequate resources to those activities which constitute .” Anna goes on to say“No civilised Government should depend on taxation alone for its welfare measures. At another point .A. Anna said: “Whenever we. from this side of the House rise to offer our criticism on any of the measures brought forward by the Government of India .” The same thought has been expressed by Mr.State Relations: Linking the Ganga & the Cauvery Mr. however light the burden.if it is to be successful . " Here I wish to lay emphasis on these particular words “allocation of adequate resource to those activities which constitute an investment in human resources. The Government of India sent a team to assess the drought situation in the State. unprecedented both in its severity as well as duration. On its own the State Government has so far spent Rs. Tamil Nadu had barely extricated itself from the suffocating grip of the protracted drought and was endeavouring to restore the economy to normalcy when the State was ravaged by unusually heavy downpours which created a flood situation and wrought widespread devastation in several districts resulting in heavy damage to property and loss of life.permanent assets have been created in the State in the form of drinking water sources and irrigation and transport facilities.25 an investment in human resources .. The State Government has asked the Centre to sanction Rs. .so that the common man may feel . Pranab Mukherjee knows very well that the financial resources of a State Government are extremely limited. The Central study team highly commended the drought relief works carried out by the Tamil Nadu State Government and noted with appreciation that apart from providing immediate relief to the drought stricken people of the State . . The Tamil Nadu Government has only made an application to the Government of India.due to a prolonged period of drought.. he derives benefit from it.” Can the Government of India honestly proclaim that it has carried out this policy of allotting enough money for social purposes . The State Government has not asked for financial aid for any new projects still to be undertaken under drought relief.54 crores.HINDU / EXPRESS). 8. 128 crores for flood relief. the Tamil Nadu Government spent Rs. 37. 1983 . (Oct. and 1983-84. that the State Government should be reimbursed for the actual expenditure already incurred for drought relief works which have been completed. 41 crores. Tamil Nadu unfortunately found itself in adverse circumstances .that whatever he is paying by way of taxation. When a State in the Indian Union is badly hit by unforeseen natural calamities it is the duty of the Government of India to extend all possible assistance to the beleaguered State Government.in respect of human resources? Last year. The honourable Finance Minister Shri. So far the Centre has sanctioned Rs... The Tamil Nadu State Government formally requested the Government of India for financial assistance .28 crores for drought relief during 1982-83. 114.and in the expectation and belief that the anticipated aid would be forthcoming on its own. K. and we did not hear any complaints from the villagers. We are satisfied that whatever should have been done immediately after the floods has been done” the leader of the team Mr. Instead of regularly incurring this colossal expenditure on flood relief . Every year the Ganges .surely the same gigantic amount could have been better spent and would have been sufficient to implement a permanent solution to this problem? .Paranjpe told newsmen at the conclusion of the team's 4-day visit to the affected areas. A study of old almanacs relating to events during the past 100 years will prove that these periods of drought recur at regular intervals.until the next year . Similarly .26 The Government of India sent a 5-member Central Study Team to assess the flood situation in the State and review the relief works carried out by the State Government . Is it not high time for the Government of India to really do something to solve this permanent problem? Is spending crores of rupees every year on flood relief the only way out? Is this the only solution we can think of? If we calculate the stupendous amounts spent so far since Independence during the past 37 years .G. Since this is a known proven fact .floods occur regularly all over the country. he said ‘We are happy about the work already done. So also the river Brahmaputra.the River Ganga is in spate and causes widespread damage because of floods. Then everyone forgets all about it .there is a lot of talk about finding a permanent solution to this recurring problem.and yet again the matter is left at that and forgotten.the Tamil Nadu Government earnestly hopes that the amount asked for will be sanctioned without further delay by the Government of India.and again the same remarks are repeated . Every year a flood situation is created by these 2 Rivers. Complimenting the State officials on this good work. It we study the history of India over the past 100 years we will notice that at regular intervals .the Ganges and the Brahmaputra .when again floods recur .the total adds up to gargantuan dimensions.’ Since the Central study Team has seen for itself the extent of the damage wrought by floods in the State .not only Tamil Nadu .According to the ‘Hindu’. Whenever this happens .on flood relief operations necessitated by the havoc wrought by these 2 rivers alone . April 29th -1984 – “The Collectors and other district officials have acted promptly.but the whole of India has been affected by intermittent periods of drought.it is my request that the Government of India should anticipate these regular periods of drought and chalk out plans so that the Government is prepared to meet the situation when it arises. dated Sunday. This project is a standing monument to inter-State co-operation. Exactly a year ago . hitherto uncultivable land in the Rayalaseema area of Andhra Pradesh.it is calculated that the Tamil Nadu Government will have to incur an expenditure of Rs.these two Chief Ministers jointly formulated an agreement between the Government of Tamil Nadu and the Government of Andhra Pradesh on 18 April 1983 to implement the Krishna River Water Supply Scheme. 410 crores as its share of the project cost.G. M.and that the possibilities for including this scheme under the Plan programme of the Union Planning Commission would also be investigated. The Government of India could obtain the necessary finance as foreign aid from friendly countries.G. Breaking through all barriers of red tape .27 In this context it is vital to seriously consider and expedite a project to link the Ganga with the Cauvery. indeed lakhs.it will also irrigate several thousand acres of arid.the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Dr. We hope the Union Minister for Planning will soon announce a favourable decision in this regard. .it flows through Karnataka .R.907 crores by the time the first stage of the Krishna River Project nears completion . The river Krishna has its source in Maharashtra . I may say that the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Dr. Now the waters of the Krishna will also flow into Tamil Nadu . of acres of land but above all. The Union Minister for Planning informed the Government of Tamil Nadu that the feasibility of acceding to this request would be thoroughly examined . 1.with the active co-operation of the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Mr.and then reaches Andhra Pradesh.it will foster and nurture a new awareness in the minds of the people that India is one.R. A scheme to link the Ganga and the Cauvery would be one of the best ways to promote national integration and strengthen national unity.not only will it provide irrigation to several thousands. M. 250 crores as grant and Rs.to help Tamil Nadu to meet its share of the estimated project cost. Out of the total project cost estimated at Rs.not only will this project provide a lasting solution to the long standing problem of providing adequate drinking water supply to the city of Madras .and personally requested the Prime Minister to sanction Rs. Rama Rao. met the Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi at Delhi . The linking of the Ganga and the Cauvery will prove beneficial to the whole country in several ways. has already shown the way to the rest of India .T.on the 2nd of May 1983 . With pardonable pride. 200 crores as a long term loan from Central funds . N.by increasing the production of electricity in the country . Indubitably this will involve an expenditure of staggering sums of money. Not only will it boost the nation's economy .taking into account the probable higher price index at that time . but that the same Government of India is indifferent to the plight of mills in a similar state in South India. Strikes and lock-outs are comparatively minimal in the State. As compared to the rest of India . employing only 110. Only a few months ago the Centre announced its decision to take over 13 sick textile mills in Maharashtra. and heralded the emergence of NonCongress governments in several States of India. After all. the Tamil Nadu Government renews its plea to the Government of India to take over the six textile mills now under closure in the State. The Tamil Nadu Government has requested the Centre to take over these six mills. We are unable to understand the reason for this delay. Therefore.State relations several inadequacies in the Constitution have come to light.State relations . with the exception of the B & C Mills in Madras .all the other five are very small mills.28 The Tamil Nadu Government has asked the Government of India for clearance to obtain this amount as a loan from the World Bank. Out of these. the public and the press have focussed attention. An erroneous impression should not be fostered in the minds of the people that the Government of India is only too ready to take over sick mills if they happen to be located in North India .it is relevant to mention the subject of Centre .which in recent months has become a topic of nation-wide interest on which the nation's politicians. until 1967 . The same Party which was in power at the Centre was also the ruling Party in the States. at present. parliamentarians. or 700 workers at the most. the prospect of different political parties being favoured to rule various States of India. or 250. While discussing the Finance Bill . a lock-out is in force in six textile mills in Tamil Nadu.today Tamil Nadu is relatively a haven of industrial peace. This sanction has not been granted as yet by the Centre.to obtain this amount as a loan from the World Bank. Yet. the Tamil Nadu Government has only asked for permission from the Government of India . Since then with regard to Centre . and practical experience has indicated the pressing . It should not pose any great difficulty to the Centre to take over the administration of these mills. With the exception of the appearance of one Non-Congress State Government in 1958 which did not last very long.a single ruling Party governed the whole of India. This subject has a direct bearing on the matter under discussion. Mainly because of this several inherent weaknesses in the Constitution of India went unnoticed. The 1967 elections brought to the fore. The Tamil Nadu Government earnestly hopes that this permission will be granted without further delay. I do not want to waste the valuable time of the House in arguing over whether the scheme can be described as a populist measure or not. The existing financial relationship between the Centre and the States gives the Centre absolute controlling powers. the Tamil Nadu Government has introduced and is implementing the Free Nutritious Noon Meal Scheme which has often been described as a populist measure by Members from the other side of the House. Anand Sharma did not mention any particular State Government and he did not specify which populist schemes he meant. However.which are responsible for mobilising the funds in the first place.and in turn submit its recommendations to the Sarkaria Commission.but they are rendered ineffective. that the Planning Commissions of the Centre and the States should function as autonomous bodies. The degree of financial dependence of the States on the Centre should be reduced to the minimum. The Government of India has appointed the Sarkaria Commission to examine Centre . and even grant of loans to the very same States . Anand Sharma spoke about populist schemes implemented by some State Governments. The State Governments have to implement most of the welfare schemes . The Tamil Nadu Government proposes to take a decision on the report submitted by the Ramprasad Rao Commission . The Tamil Nadu Government has appointed the Ramprasad Rao Commission for the same purpose. I am not going to debate that point now.State relations. because they are reduced to a state of penury and absolute dependence upon the Centre. But it is the Centre which decides the distribution of funds and grants. Vast resources of revenue are excluded from the distributable pool under the present legislative provision of the Constitution. I wish to make it very clear that so far . Just now our young friend from the opposite side of the House Mr. However. Mr.29 need for effecting certain Constitutional changes . Experts in political economic and legislative matters have more or less arrived at a consensus of opinion. since our young friend emphatically stated that Central funds were being diverted and wasted by State Government for their own populist schemes. In fact the favourite expression of Members of the ruling party by mentioning the scheme is to refer to it as a populist scheme.to clearly delineate the respective rights and obligations of the Centre and the States. He said that Central funds were diverted and squandered by certain State Governments in order to introduce certain populist schemes to boost their own popularity. It is the States which mobilise financial resources and collect taxes and send them to the Centre. Because of this existing system . . we have been pressing the Union Finance Minister to include the scheme in the Plan outlay for the State.the Centre sanctions such a meagre allocation for this project that it amounts to no more than a drop in the ocean . I also request the Centre to forthwith expedite the Sethu Samudram Project which again is crucial to India's security. The Tamil Nadu Government has been implementing the Free Noon Meal Scheme at a cost of nearly Rs. The Planning Minister drafts a scheme and sends it for approval to the Finance Minister.and asks the Planning Minister to cut down and prune the scheme so that it fits within the limits of the funds that the Finance Minister is prepared to allocate. 200 (two hundred) crores per annum entirely out of its own limited financial resources. There is a separate Planning Commission in each State. Each year . The funds devolved by the Centre are woefully inadequate to meet the needs of the States. Surely the Planning Commission of a particular State would know better how to evolve plans for the development of that particular State? There is a separate Union Minister for Planning and another Union Minister for Finance. as it is not only important to the nation's economy but also strategic to the defence and security of India. Every year .and it is beyond the wildest flight of fancy to even think of completing the project with the funds allotted by the Centre. But the Finance Minister states. I urge the Government of India to expedite the completion of the Karur Dindigul . And we are yet to receive a favourable reply.countless schemes are being inordinately delayed. There is also a Planning Commission at the Centre. It is essential to secure for the States a larger devolution of taxes. The needs of the States are increasing and they far outstrip their actual resources.Dindigul Broad Gauge Railway Line Project is being delayed. It is precisely because of this that the Karur . In fact. He says only a certain sum of money can be allotted . that is not possible to allocate the entire amount required.just for form's sake a minuscule amount is sanctioned by the Centre . we hope the Centre would include it at least in the next Annual Plan outlay. There are certain anomalies in the present system of administration. If not in the present Plan.30 the Centre has not contributed even one single paisa towards this Noon Meal Scheme. The Planning Minister says that a certain amount of money is required to implement the scheme.Tuticorin Broad Gauge Railway Line.which is meaningless in relation to the actual needs of the projects concerned. . For example . There is a separate department for highways at the Centre. I cite the example of the Pamban Bridge.there are certain special schemes of the Government. This again is a lesson we have learnt through practical experience. The State Government develops some doubts regarding the scheme. To clarify the doubts the State Goverment again consults. The State Government should also be empowered to utilise the financial resources it mobilises . there are separate schemes envisaged by the Centre.in the field of agriculture . By that time. The State Government is advised to somehow utilise the funds allotted before the 31st of March. The National Highways Department is responsible for the planning .31 The Planning Commission of a State should formulate the schemes for the State's development. That is why we suggest that it would prove to be generally more beneficial. The Central Government sends a new scheme to a State Government for implementation. Each State has a department for highways as well.and more speedily as well. The States also have their own schemes in the very same spheres. In actual practice. This would definitely generate more enthusiasm in the States and accelerate the rate of progress and development of the whole country. If these schemes are entrusted to the State Governments right from the initial stage . it is the State Governments which implement these Central special schemes. if such schemes were entrusted to the State Governments right from the planning stage.it was interrupted by a natural calamity which caused damage to the work already completed.the State Governments could implement these scheme in a much better manner .and the time is just wasted with nothing being done. While construction work on the Pamban Bridge was underway . The existence of two such parallel departments leads to exercises in sheer futility. of Indla. A specific amount allocated for a particular project has to be spent by the end of the month of March.but it is the engineers of the State Highways Department who are responsible for executing the project. A representative of the Government of India could participate in the discussions and offer guidelines when necessary. In various spheres. usually the financial year will be drawing to a close.several months passed by .for the implementation of its schemes. This is a lesson that practical experience has taught us. By the time the Centre finally conveys its reply or decision . This leads to squandering of precious financial resources because of lack of time for proper planning. with no prospect of the project nearing completion in sight. The National Highways Department directed the Highways Department of the State Government to decide the amount to be paid as compensation. for fear of getting embroiled in a probable controversy. The State Department flings the ball back into the court of the Central Department.desolate. This is only one classic example of the imbroglio and utter confusion prevailing throughout the country . So we are unable to build the dam. and once again requested the National Highways Department to decide the compensatory amount. in relation to this proposal of the Government of India. both at the Central and at the State levels. We are still waiting for Central clearance. with every major scheme in a mess and a muddle. The Government of India is reported to be considering taking up the entire responsibility for power production. If the Centre takes up the entire responsibility for production of power .and refused to continue until and unless he was recompensed for the financial loss he had incurred. as to exactly how much the contractor should be awarded as reimbursement for the loss he had suffered..does that guarantee that the Central officials will really be able to increase the output? Who exactly are these Central officers? Are they not deputed to the Centre from the various States of India? . simply because of the delay in obtaining Central clearance. In Madurai District . abandoned . While the Central and the State Departments play volley ball with each other the Pamban Bridge stands incomplete .32 The contractor who had undertaken the construction called a halt to work on the bridge . So the State Department of Highways washed its hands of the responsibility.. But the State Government has to first secure the permission of the Government of India. But the State Highways Department was reluctant to commit itself. There is a genuine doubt in my mind. Scarcity of power is a nation wide phenomenon in India. The Central Department throws the ball into the court of the State Department. before it can actually proceed with the construction..at Sothupparai near Periyakulam the Tamil Nadu Government wishes to construct a storage dam. The question arose. on which I hope the Centre will shed some light. The State Government has the constitutional right to build the dam. This is only one among numerous development projects held up in the State. due to the muddle brained system of having parallel departments in practically every sphere. the Centre threatens to arrogate to itself.Roy "An attempt to build a strong Centre on the foundation of weak States. the sole right to levy sales tax. that it is considering taking over not only the production. is like an attempt to build a strong building on the foundation of sand. " . We do not dispute this policy.C.where will this end? What will be the outcome? The system that the founding fathers of our Constitution had in mind was clearly enunciated by Dr. On the other hand the Centre also announces. defies all logic. Ambedkar -. that the provinces are as sovereign in their field. I wish to remind the Centre. B. How can the State Governments accept this proposal? The Centre may issue guidelines to the States with regard to rates and methods of taxation. that an official working for the State Government is incapable of increasing power generation. In conclusion. by the Government of West Bengal under the Chief Ministership of Dr. This belief of the powers that be at the Centre. But if the Centre plans to take away the very right of levying taxes from the States -how can the States consent to this total denial of all rights? On the one hand.the Government of India would have us be-lieve. One by one . as the Centre is. of the words contained in the memorandum submitted to the First Finance Commission. but the distribution of power as well.who said that a Federal Constitution means. But the Centre next proposes to appropriate the right to levy sales tax all to itself.if the States are gradually stripped of even the few powers they possess at present . But if the same official is transferred to the Centre he is automatically invested with magical powers and suddenly becomes capable of rapidly increasing the production of electricity.33 In effect . The Centre declares there should be an uniform rate of sales tax throughout the country. in the field which is assigned to it. 5.34 Overhauling our Educational System: Stress on Vocational Training Classical Language Status for Tamil Grant for Tamil Research Studies Discussion on the working of the Ministry of Education. . Culture and Social Welfare on 5.1984. The British who ruled India until 37 years ago .. although there has been a great deal of talk about the crying need to completely restructure the whole system of education in our country. degrees in chemistry apply for the position of a clerk. and the vocation he later takes up or is forced to take up by circumstances. degree holders send in applications and wait with crossed fingers hoping to secure at least the job of a bus conductor.Sc.A. B.. there is widespread criticism that standards of education have deteriorated in India.needed a vast number of clerks to run their administration. So they evolved a system of education geared to produce competent clerks to meet their needs.35 Overhauling our Educational System: Stress on Vocational Training Classical Language Status for Tamil Grant for Tamil Research Studies Sir. nothing much has really been done about it. But we have not yet managed to liberate ourselves from the shackles of the educational system evolved by the British in India. and M. We shook off the British yoke and won our national independence. On the other hand. What is the situation that is prevalent everywhere in India nowadays? For the most part we find there is absolutely no relation between the education a student receives.A. An honest analysis will reveal that the root cause of the general malaise that has afflicted not only most of our student community but indeed is responsible for many .that teachers themselves are not up to the mark. Graduates who have obtained B. There is a growing feeling that teaching standards have also fallen . there is an almost universal complaint that there is a total lack of discipline among students today. On the one hand.. The desperate need to give vent to their feelings of frustration drives students to conduct agitations to voice their demands.of despair.without hope.36 social evils and imbalance is that the education taught in this country is mostly aimless.R. The education a student receives . More often than not these agitations invariably take a violent turn. This year . This in turn leads to restlessness and anger. is determined to implement the Vocationalisation of education in the State."What am I studying for? To what end? What will be my fate . For this the State Government is prepared . The State Government wishes to proceed much faster in this regard . Despite the financial constraints .the State Government plans to introduce vocational training at all levels of education on an experimental basis.but is hampered due to paucity of funds. He begins to wonder . the student is gripped by a feeling of despondence .G. Or else he should at least have acquired the necessary technical knowhow to start his own business or industry.right from Elementary schools to Secondary and Higher secondary schools . Even while still studying. At the advent of his 2nd year in college .right from the earliest stage . M. A student joins a degree course in a college. That is why the Tamil Nadu Government is concentrating on introducing technical education and vocational training at all levels of education in the State. The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Dr. innovative and significant changes in the system of education in the State.after I complete this course?" The future appears bleak . Our aim is that the moment a student completes his edu-cation .my position . M.G.R. Our entire educational system urgently needs to be re-structured to provide a means of livelihood for the students. fully compre-hends the seriousness of the students' predicament and the urgency of the need for drastic reform in the educational system.he should be able to find gainful employment com-mensurate with the knowledge he has acquired.grave doubts and misgivings begin to swirl in his mind. It is to fulfil this pressing need that the Government of Tamil Nadu has courageously stepped forward to introduce bold.must be aimed at equipping him with the specific knowledge and skills he will require for the particular vocation he will take up when he completes the course he is studying. Today Tamil Nadu is in the forefront in India in imparting vocational training to students at the Higher Secondary School level.the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Dr. upon completing their courses.student agitations in Tamil Nadu are relatively minimal.whenever any such issues arise. 10. the Centre should step forward to render all possible aid to the States to implement this scheme successfully. If the vocational sector of plus two is brought under a Centrally sponsored scheme . This is a revelation. problem of unem-ployment - Therefore.with cent per cent Government of India assistance as it was originally conceived -vocationalisation in Tamil Nadu will receive a much needed boost. . Tamil Nadu is justifiably proud of this achievement. Tamil Nadu has achieved phenomenal success in enrolment of children in schools. Hence they are able to concentrate on their studies with peace of mind. One reason for this is that the State Government takes immediate action to settle the problems of students and teachers amicably . In Tamil Nadu 22% of the students are in the vocational streams in over 50 trades.given its limited resources. Vocationalisation in plus two is very popular. An independent review conducted by the District Head-masters' Association revealed that 47% of the vocational students have gone in for higher studies and 49% of the students have been gainfully employed. This has helped to instil in them a much needed feeling of security and confidence. Educational institutions in Tamil Nadu do not remain closed for months at a stretch as in some other States. When compared with other States . To totally eradicate the nation-wide vocationalisation of education is a must. With pardonable pride I may say that Tamil Nadu has been a pioneering State in the field of education . 99% of the students who studied at the various polytechnic institutes in Coimbatore were able to find gainful employment instantly.37 to render all assistance as well as security free loans up to the value of to Rs. A pilot review of the scheme in one revenue district in North Arcot has revealed very encouraging results.and has taken gigantic strides forward in this field .000/. Another reason is that students have begun to realise that vocational training provides a guarantee for a safe and secure future. 38 In the age group 6 - 11, we have enrolled more than 95% and in the age group 11 - 14, the enrolment is 61 %. To realise the ultimate objective of 100% coverage - we have been offering incentives such as free midday meals -free books - free slates and uniforms - and free residential accommodation wherever possible. Under the Free nutritious Meal Scheme - about 65 lakh children - in the age group 2 - 10 years are covered. In the year 1984-85, 15.53 lakh more children up to the age of 15 years will also be included. In order to improve the quality of education at the Primary level, the Government of Tamil Nadu took the momentous decision is 1981 - to make nearly one lakh primary school teachers Government servants - with the laudable objective that education should be handled by specialists in the field - namely educationists and not by Block Development Officers - whose priorities are not the same as ours. Within the past 37 years - a great number of Primary -Secondary - and Higher Secondary schools have been started in the State. In Tamil Nadu - out of a total of 36,000 schools -3,511 are Government High and Higher Secondary schools. But many schools still do not have permanent buildings. Essential facilities such as science laboratories are lacking in many schools due to scarcity of funds. We know the same situation obtains in other States as well. Lack of money for building stands in the way of further successful extension of vocationalisation. To take up the construction and renovation programme of Government High School buildings - a huge amount would be necessary. This cannot be met from the meagre resources of the State. As an eye-opener to the rest of the country - the Tamil Nadu State Government under Dr. M.G.R. implemented the Self-Sufficiency Scheme in a phased manner in 3 years - under which each and every village in the State has been provided with basic amenities such as protected drinking water - link roads - culverts - rural dispensaries, maternity and child welfare centres, etc. Under this scheme the Government has constructed buildings for primary schools in the rural areas. But, for construction of buildings for secondary and higher secondary schools - a minimum amount of Rs. 95 crores at least is required. The State Government simply does not have the funds for this. The State Government approached the Centre for financial aid in this regard. But the Centre was not prepared to finance the construction of school buildings. As early as 1981, the State Government requested the Government of India, Ministry of Finance to at least allot L.I.C. funds as loans for the construction of school buildings. But the Ministry of Finance in its D.O. letter dated 17, Feb. 1981 said it would not be possible. 39 The State Government then pleaded with the Ministry of Finance to at least arrange for loans from Nationalised Banks at differential rates of interest. But even this proposal was rejected by the Government of India, Ministry of Finance. The Union Finance Minister Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, in his letter No. 14(68)/82.CP VIP dt. 16, Sep. 82 addressed to the Tamil Nadu Education Minister, very politely turned down the request with deep regret. Between 1980-81 and 1981-82, within the span of just 2 years the State Government has constructed buildings for 7,134 primary schools and high schools at a cost of Rs. 33 crores. This is lauded as a praiseworthy achievement. But with regard to the construction of buildings for secondary and higher secondary schools - the State Government is helpless and nothing can be done unless assistance from the Central Government is forthcoming. It is our request that the Centre should provide this assistance not only to Tamil Nadu but to all the State Governments. It is up to the Centre to work out the modalities for extending this aid. It is the students now going in for vocational training who will in future be making a significant contribution to the nation through increased productivity. They are going to be the bulwark of the nation's economic progress and prosperity. Does the Government of India expect these students to acquire vocational and technical expertise under the shade of banyan trees or in ashrams like students of yore who were sent to gurukulams in ancient times to learn the shastras? When Nationalised Banks can provide financial assistance for the development of privately owned industries - in the private sector - why should they not provide financial aid for such a noble public cause as education in the national interest? After all the Tamil Nadu Government is not asking for charity. It is only asking for a loan - for which the State Government is prepared to assume full responsibility. In India, several laws have been enacted on paper to afford equal rights to women - in theory. But in practice .... ? Although under the Indian Constitution, women are entitled to many rights our society is such that it imposes several restraints on them so that women are not able to enjoy those rights in reality - to which they are entitled by law. Thanks to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Dr. M.G.R.'s pioneering efforts - The Mother Teresa Women's University recently inaugurated at Kodaikanal - is going to specialise in furthering the advancement of learning - and prosecution of research in studies on Women's Welfare - and provide consultancy and monitory service for any welfare scheme for women. In particular in addition to 8 other departments - the University will have a 9th department for “Status of Women and Advanced Economics” - and a 10th department for “needs of widows and disadvantaged women.” 40 We may safely say that this University meant solely for women and staffed entirely by women is unique and there is not another one like it anywhere else in the world. We welcome the suggestions of the Government of India concerning the role of education in National Integration. We shall do all that is necessary to see that text books are screened effectively so that the theme of National Integration runs right through. At the same time Tamil Nadu wants to go a step further in international integration. The Tamil Nadu Government intends the Mother Teresa Women's University at Kodaikanal to be an international educational institution which will attract women students from all over the world. We hope most earnestly that the Government of India will render all possible assistance to make this women's University one of the major international universities in the World. The demand for more powers for the States is becoming more forceful and vociferous all over the country. But instead of conceding the demand, step by step the Centre is divesting the States of the few powers they already possess. Education - which was Constitutionally a State subject before the 42nd Amendment was taken away from the State list and brought under the Concurrent list by the 42nd Amendment. Several attempts were made earlier but they proved unsuccessful until the 42nd Amendment. In this context I would like to remind the Centre about the clarification provided by Mr. T.T. Krishnamachari in the Constituent Assembly of India on 2.9.1949 - to the effect that - it would be sufficient if the Centre takes only such powers as are needed to co-ordinate the educational activities of the States in: * the field of technical education * in the field of vocational education - and * in the field of scientific research and to quote Mr. T.T.K.'s own words “ ... that is about so far as it is safe for the Central Government to go; it would not be wise for any Central Government to go beyond that limit.” “I think that is about the best that we can possibly do, consistent with the idea of having States with a large measure of autonomy for themselves - and the Centre taking up the education of security, defence, and general well-being of the country - leaving other things to the States.” These are Mr. T.T.K.'s own words. The same words serve to aptly reflect the policy and thinking of the A.I.A.D.M.K. The Tamil Nadu Government which is in the forefront in several fields. According to the Government of India . Tamil is also a very ancient language. It is doubtful whether any other language can match Tamil in this regard. is also in the forefront in the field of education. What is the 7th condition? "That the language is rarely spoken and its text is understood with the help of dictionaries or specialists. Out of the 7 conditions set down by the Government of India for a language to be officially recognised as a classical language .the Centre does not allot any additional funds to the States.the States will advance much more rapidly in a keen spirit of competition. The resolutions adopted at these conferences have been implemented to a major degree only by the Tamil Nadu Government.the characteristics of a classical language are 7 in number. The Government of India recognises Sanskrit as an ancient classical language and spends vast sums of money for research and development in the interest of preserving our ancient cultural and literary heritage." Is it only a language which has been totally forgotten by the people that can be accepted as a classical language? Is it only a language which survives with the aid of a few pandits that should be recognised as a classical language? How can this be considered fair or just? What justice is there in this sort of a stricture? . The first condition is: (1) It should contain a body of literature and grammar which is ancient.41 Frequently.a list of conditions which form the criteria for recognising a language as a classical language. Tamil has a body of literature called the Sangam Anthologies and the grammar called Tolkappiyam .Tamil fulfils 6 of the conditions.which are assigned to the first few centuries before the birth of Christ even by the most sceptical historians of literature. If education is returned to the State List again . The Government of India has formulated a yardstick . All India Conferences of Education Ministers from all the States are held in New Delhi. Probably only the antiquity of Greek can be compared with the ancientness of Tamil.and if the States are given full powers in the field of education . But the 7th condition is not applicable to Tamil. In fact Tamil is not only the oldest language but the oldest living ancient classical language in the world today. Though education has been brought into the Concurrent List . and the influence of the ancient Tamil Sangam literature on Sanskrit has now been argued cogently by George Hart.without continuity.the 2 language formula which has been consistently enunciated by our great Dravidian leaders Periyar E. and Anna. The firm language policy of the Government of Tamil Nadu will be to implement .G. . lt is the same policy which the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Dr.R.. Hence classical languages are divided into those with continuity and those without continuity. Sanskrit. including the want of speakers in modern times are Latin and Sanskrit.when the first cloud formations began to gather _ when the waves in the ocean first began to surge forth that was when our great Tamil language was also born in all its resplendence.when the skies were first created . Latin etc. Classical Greek or Arabic or Tamil is different from the modern dialect of Greek or Arabic or Tamil. were born along with that age-old Tamil language. We. The fact that this independent and secular body of literature and grammar had influenced all the Southern Languages and even the Vedic and Classical Sanskrit was established by eminent research Scholars like Gundert Caldwell . This impression was dispelled as soon as the Tamil Sangam classics were published.when the radiant stars were first born in the skies . Since the discovery and publication of the Tamil Sangam Classics were late there was an early erroneous impression that the Dravidian literature is a derivate of Sanskrit. Just as the Government of India has accorded Sanskrit recognition as a classical language it should also accord the same to Tamil. Greek. Bharatidasan says: When the moon first began its orbit . I have the honour to come from and represent that glorious land of the Tamils . .42 Classical languages which satisfy all 7 conditions. has been reiterating time and again. with continuity. Arabic and Tamil belong to the 1st category i.when the sun first shone forth in all its brilliance .belong to the second category i. Whereas Greek.e. Arabic and Tamil continue to be spoken by millions today.R. Such recognition will enable this country and the world to appreciate the antiquity of the Tamil language and the great diversity of its literature and add glory to the cultural heritage of the country. The great Tamil poet Bharatidasan has magnificently described the genesis of Tamil in the following exquisite words.e.V.Tamil Nadu. M. Recognition of Tamil as a classical language by the Government of India is long overdue. . the Tamilians.Kitel. Burrow etc. P. Now. Then why plead for Hindi to be the link language here? When English serves to link us with the outside world . I should accept it as a national language. undertaking a journey to the West or East .. Have we destroyed or given up everything that is foreign? Do we not bring in foreign wheat in foreign ships? Do we not seek foreign aid not only in the form of money . they understood us.43 The Government of Tamil Nadu has stated in unmistakable terms that. Now. We are not content with rural economy. I am asking you in Hindi not to foist Hindi upon us . That should not be the policy. Sir. or an M.we said to the British.we pose as ultra nationalists and dub the English language as foreign. "Aur unhone gend phenk di . There is no justice in such a policy. if you listen to the Hindi commentary on a cricket test just for five minutes. Now the Government of India has made it compulsory that the cricket commentary should be broadcast in Hindi as well as in English.Similarly.a Minister . Even the most emphatic and ardent protagonists of Hindi . capable of rendering the same service inside India as well.or an M. Had we said that in Hindi they would not have been able to speak Hindi.". (Addition here in Hindi) “Quit India” ...to secure whatever foreign aid it is possible to secure? On top of all these things we have given up so many systems peculiarly our own. through you.it is certainly. Now. you will find that 99 per cent of the commentary is in English.A. not to foist Hindi upon us. I am requesting the Government of India. I am only pointing out that the Hindi language does not have the required vocabulary.. if you listen to the commentary.but also in the form of technical expertise? Does a single week pass without some leader or the other . We want Trombays and Ennores. you should not say that since I know Hindi.woh balle baazi kar rahe hai. And we are not conscious of their being foreign. it does not contain enough words in the lexicon. some argue. Tamil and English can serve all our purposes .L. Sir.do accept that English can serve admirably as a link between our country and the outside world. take for instance the cricket test commentary which is given in the country through AIR and Doordarshan. Only in the matter of language . Simply because we said "Quit India" in English. English is foreign. The British were able to understand us. you will find that except for the most mundane phrases such as “Wo dowdkar aaya . They simply have not been able to coin words in Hindi for the usual terms used in cricketing jargon.Tamil as the official language of the State and English as the link language.” other than that 99% of the commentary . and people all over the country follow the international test cricket match commentary with great interest. Who is benefiting by this? Is this not an enormous waste of time and money? It may as well be that the whole commentary is done in English. he had to resort to English words.. Since my first day in the Rajya Sabha. To describe field placements such as slip. or a particular article or a particular object the speaker who is using that language has to resort to another language and that language usually turns out to be English. Sir. Everyone knows that the venture was given wide coverage on TV. I have been listening to many of the speeches in Hindi by many of the Honourable Members here and I find there is a liberal sprinkling of English words in practically every Hindi speech. So why not allow English to continue as the Official Link Language? In conclusion . mid-on or technical terms such as wicket.. or bowling average or maiden over there are simply no words in Hindi for these terms. I am not trying to belittle this historic achievement in any way . mid-off. . He simply could not find the terms in Hindi. When Squadron Leader Sharma tried to describe the technical details of the space craft and the flight. And that is the one thing they invariably give in shudh Hindi. English would continue as the associate official language indefinitely . I beg the Honourable Members not to misconstrue my remarks. When there are no words in the Hindi language to describe a particular event. he did not know the terms. We hope the Government of India will honour this promise made by the late Prime Minister.44 is in English.as long as the non-Hindi people wanted it. Pandit Nehru has stated that. The one thing that the listeners are interested in is the score. batting-average. to tear their hair in frustration.I wish to remind the Government of India of the assurance given by the late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.. In particular the conversation between the Prime Minister of India and Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma was watched by millions of people all over the country. in fact there are no terms in Hindi. It makes the listeners want to cry. gully. What I am trying to point out is the limitation of the Hindi language. I just want to conclude with one reference to the recent historic space flight of Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma. 1984 .5.45 Situation in Sri Lanka On a calling attention motion on Sri Lanka on 7. their homes were ransacked and set ablaze.R.A. Thousands were sadistically butchered in the most brutal. What is India going to do .even pilgrims and tourists from India . The Sri Lanka Army was in the forefront in committing these heinous crimes against humanity.to rescue them from tyrannical oppression . Whatever be the foreign policy of the Government of India that is also the policy of the A.I wish to clarify one point at the outset.but all Indians in Sri Lanka .46 Situation in Sri Lanka While speaking about the Sri Lanka Tamils issue .there is one burning question which is smouldering like a simmering volcano in the heart of every Tamilian. their factories and business houses were destroyed.K.and to see that justice is rendered to them? We all know about the horrifying occurrences that transpired in Sri Lanka in the month of July last year.I.were indiscriminately attacked and subjected to ghastly cruelties. diabolic manner.to safeguard the lives and rights of the Sri Lanka Tamilians . Hundreds of our Tamil sisters were raped and dishonoured and forced to suffer a fate worse than death.D. Not only Sri Lanka Tamils . Fiendish atrocities defying description were perpetrated on them. I also express my gratitude to the Hon.G. Minister of External Affairs for the statement he has made today in response to this calling attention notice.not only Tamils of Indian origin settled there . However today . Their properties were looted. .M. M. Time and again this has been reiterated by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Dr. The entire area was cordoned off from the outside world. It is no coincidence that all these countries which have of late been lending a helping hand to Sri Lanka .albeit reluctantly . A naval blockade was imposed. Jayawardene performs a complete volte-face.not a military solution to the ethnic problem of Sri Lanka.that Mr.the northern parts of Sri Lanka predominantly populated by Tamilians. Rail.the President of Sri Lanka Mr. It is with those countries that the Sri Lanka Government we suspect . Jayawardene. as well as one of the Far Eastern countries have also assisted Sri Lanka by imparting military training to the Sri Lankan Armed Forces. We are all well aware of the identity of that superpower. .which is. Then came an abrupt announcement that further talks would be postponed until the month of May. When Mr. But the talks dragged on inconclusively. belatedly expressed regret for the appalling incidents that had taken place in his country. There have been reports in certain sections of the Press that during the past six months or more.all of a sudden -.47 After a considerable length of time had elapsed .India welcomed the move to find a political solution to the ethnic problem. had run berserk. Time and again. Jayawardene initiated the Round Table Conference talks .under the guise of a friendship pact . Jayawardene spoke the truth when he said that he had temporarily lost control over the Sri Lanka Army. he said. the Indian Government has clearly defined its stand to the Sri Lanka Government in unequivocal terms . At that time we too believed . that it is India's sincere aim to find a political. and loudly proclaims that “even a hundred Indians cannot subjugate Sri Lanka”. road and telecommunication links have been cut off totally.Armed Forces were deployed in strength all over Jaffna . But today . that has given the Sri Lanka President the courage to make such statements.and we also suspect that this proposed military arrangement or alignment is directed against India.the same Mr. We are compelled to assume that it is the encouragement and support provided by some foreign superpowers. in our immediate vicinity. which should otherwise be dismissed as sheer bravado.fall within the orbit of the shadow cast by the protective umbrella of one major foreign superpower. We have heard that one of our neighbouring countries. the Sri Lankan troops have been receiving intensive training by Israeli Commandos. Following this announcement . which.is seeking to forge a military alliance . independence only resulted in their being relegated to the position of second rate citizens.which has now escalated to cataclysmic proportions. I have here numerous newspaper clippings which substantiate these reports. The fate of the several lakhs of Tamils of Indian origin was infinitely worse. It is their labour which accounts for a major part of Sri Lanka's earnings in Foreign exchange. We must consider the background of the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka . Even those who want to flee the country are not being allowed to leave. In the case of the indigenous Tamils of Sri Lanka . Coffee. These Tamils have been living and working there as labourers in Tea.or job opportunities in Government service . Be it a question of securing admission to medical colleges . The forefathers of these Tamils were taken to Sri Lanka from India as cheap immigrant labour by the British.not just for decades .in the Armed Forces . Freedom from colonialism should logically bring more fulfillment to the people of a nation.in the Police Force . It was the Tamils of Sri Lanka who stood in the vanguard in the forefront during the country's struggle for freedom and made great sacrifices to win for Sri Lanka its independence. They cannot escape by sea because of the Naval blockade. They were relegated to the position of third rate citizens. They are not allowed to leave by air either. . The heartrending cries of our Sri Lankan Tamil sisters can be heard by us in Rameswaram. The recent happenings in Jaffna lead us to believe that the Sri Lanka Government is carrying out a premeditated.equality is not identity of treatment but affording equal opportunities for all.for centuries. According to Harold Laski . Every route of escape to safety and freedom has been blocked.or whatever equal opportunities are being systematically denied in every sphere to the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka. The sounds of gunfire in Jaffna can be heard by us in the Southern coastal areas of Tamil Nadu. carefully planned scheme of genocide to completely wipe out all traces of the Tamil race in that country.48 Once again innocent Tamilians are being methodically shot down and killed by the Sri Lankan Armed Forces. To put it plainly . and Rubber plantations for generations .they are being cold-bloodedly murdered under the guise of stamping out Tamil terrorism. the Sri Lanka Government reneged on its earlier decision and announced instead that it would conduct a plebiscite with regard to this matter.well nigh impossible .the very same year a Citizenship Act was enacted by the Government of Sri Lanka .it is imperative for India to take speedy steps to protect the lives.which means they have no rights at all.and this belief has become indelibly ingrained in our consciousness.the human race.as a result of which at one stroke these Tamils of Indian origin were reduced to a Stateless minority. But in Sri Lanka today . Today in Sri Lanka . there would not be a plebiscite. his followers . We do not recognise or believe in any distinctions or discrimination based upon religion or language or any other such consideration.are all entirely dominated by Sinhala fanatics. properties.the Ruling Party . Step by step the Tamils of Sri Lanka have been calculatedly put down by successive Sinhala dominated Governments.the Armed Forces . .since the vast majority of the people in Sri Lanka are Sinhalese. Has such an announcement been made in Sri Lanka? We do not know. Until this day .they are Stateless . There is only one God and only one race . But later. Against this backdrop instead of waiting further to see how the defenseless pawns are kicked and shuffled around on the chessboard of Sri Lanka politics . We are firm believers of this doctrine which our great leader Anna . Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru openly declared his support to the people of Algeria in 1960.49 Immediately after achieving independence in 1948 . It is not difficult to guess what the outcome of the plebiscite will be . This gesture was widely appreciated throughout the world. During the struggle to achieve liberation for Algeria.the entire Tamil population of that country has been totally stripped of all basic human rights.any democratic country extends special concessions to its minority communities.inculcated in us. and rights of the Sri Lanka Tamils. The decision taken at the last Round Table Conference to confer citizenship on the Stateless Tamils of Indian origin was unanimously accepted by all groups in Sri Lanka . Although the Minister said in his statement that the Sri Lankan Minister for National Security said. They were denied the right to vote.to think of a parallel situation to this existing in the world today in any other country which calls itself a democracy.the Buddhist monks. Normally .even by the most fanatical hard liners . It is difficult .the Government . They were denied even the primary basic right of citizenship. It is India's earnest desire that the entire Indian Ocean area should remain a zone of peace.Pakistan declared war upon India .if such pact poses the threat of danger to India's security . Geographically.within a stone's throw from the Southern most tip of India? Very recently . We hoped that this gesture of goodwill would evoke similar goodwill from Pakistan. If a neighbour living just next door to me. Mr.then India has the indisputable right to voice its concern about such an alliance.50 In the same way .and have united with India in boycotting South Africa in all respects. Jayawardene is reported to have said that if India does invade Sri Lanka then that would be the 'end of the Tamils' in his country . but most of the countries in the world have vehemently denounced South Africa's apartheid policy which is an affront to the basic dignity of humankind .in a press interview . insists upon setting fire to the roof of his own house .while thousands of their Tamil brothers and sisters are being savagely butchedred within hearing distance . Jayawardene threatens to annihilate the entire Tamil population of Sri Lanka. .displays consistent animosity towards India. Such being the case .are the 68 crore people of India going to stand idly by . India has always adopted a conciliatory attitude towards its neighbouring countries and has made several major concessions in the interest of maintaining peace and friendly relations.I who live in an adjacent house will also be affected by the fire. Sri Lanka also professes to have the same desire.if Sri Lanka intends to forge an alliance with a foreign superpower that could prove to be detrimental to India's interests .Prime Minister Indira Gandhi has openly expressed her support to the Palestine Liberation Organisation Movement.India has not the remotest intention of invading Sri Lanka. As of and until this moment .Mr. Naturally I have every right to be concerned about it in the interest of my own safety. But instead of reciprocating India's friendliness .to quote his own words. Not only India. Yet Mr.and until today . India gave away Berubari to Pakistan. This again has been warmly welcomed by most of the world. Sri Lanka happens to be one of India's closest neighbours. When such is India's foreign policy . and is perfectly justified in doing so. Jayawardene has also stated that his country has the right to forge any sort of alliance with any other foreign power and asks what right India has to question any such pact. Thirdly . Sri Lankan Naval vessels have been intruding into Indian waters and attacking Indian fishermen. The sitting In conclusion I wish to ask the following questions: 1. If this is true .India parted with Katchatheevu and gifted it away to Sri Lanka.and unite in co-operating with whatever decision the Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi may take in this regard.R. The fishermen of Tamil Nadu have been consistently harassed by the Sri Lankan Navy in recent times. My second question . who wait for day. M. Instead of appreciating India's well meant gesture of friendship . If such a decision is yet to be taken . Whatever action the Government of India may take to see that their rights are restored to them . We hear from reliable sources that now the Government of India has announced that henceforth .let us not fight and bicker between ourselves.I express my whole hearted gratitude to the Government of India and the Prime Minister Mrs. Those who have no such contacts have been staying in refugee camps.I request and plead with the Government of India to speedily arrive at a decision in this regard.N. Let us not fritter away our strength. The all party delegation led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Dr.I appeal to all the Members of the Rajya Sabha to arrive at a consensus to stand solidly behind the Government of India . which met the Prime Minister on Saturday had requested protection for the fisherfolk. Human Rights Commission? 2.today the Government of Sri Lanka is indulging in anti-Indian propaganda.” To From those.the Indian Navy will provide protection to the fisherfolk of Tamil Nadu when they set out on their fishing expeditions.many of the refugees from Sri Lanka who escaped to India have been staying with friends or relatives.what action does the Government of India propose to take . India's magnanimity and good intentions have gone unrecognised. Therefore I request the Government of India to be less accommodating and adopt a firmer attitude in its relations with other countries in future. . Indira Gandhi for this timely decision.to see that the rights of the Tamils of Indian origin in Sri Lanka are restored to them? 3.G. Does the Government of India propose to raise the issue of atrocities on Tamils in the Jaffna region at the U. girt with doubtful light. I wish to remind you of these words of Tennyson “Deliver not the tasks of might weakness.51 In the same way . The Tamils of Sri Lanka are our brothers and sisters. Indeed I made this appeal to everybody in the nation . neither hide the ray not blind. 1984 and 30.3.1984.52 Many of the refugees who had been staying with friends or relatives . Ministry of Rehabilitation informed the Government of Tamil Nadu that it had consulted the Ministry of External Affairs and felt it would not be advisable to admit such Sri Lanka refugees to camps as it would lead to more and more similar requests from those staying outside the camps.2. I would like to place them on the table. However in its letter dated 23.to substantiate whatever I have said so far I have a bundle of photographs here with me depicting the atrocities committed by the Sri Lanka Armed Forces on the Tamils of that country.nor can those families be expected to support the refugees for a prolonged period of time. And now Sir . Therefore since such helpless refugees have nowhere to go the Government of Tamil Nadu requests the Government of India to grant permission for such refugees to be admitted to camps. They requested admission to the refugee camps.found they were no longer welcome there. In anticipation of further requests of a similar nature . .we also request the Government of India to sanction permission and Central aid to establish more such refugee camps. We wish to point out that refugees from Sri Lanka cannot hope to stay indefinitely in the homes of others .1984 to the Tamil Nadu Government. the Government of India.4. At first the Government of India granted such permission in its letters dated 29. 26.53 Constitutional Status of Jammu & Kashmir Calling attention motion on recent developments in Jammu & Kashmir.1984 .7. Pakistan's Independence Day .54 Constitutional Status of Jammu & Kashmir At the outset I wish to make one point very clear. It is my own strong conviction as well as the staunch belief and precept of the A. a crude bomb was hurled and went off in the midst of the stadium.detrimental to the interest of India.K. Jammu & Kashmir is one such region.there were scenes of jubilation in various parts of Kashmir. One day earlier. We must review some of the recent happenings in Jammu & Kashmir and the explanations that were given in relation to these incidents.whereby the signature of one individual has the power to render null and void . . Jammu & Kashmir is one of the most sensitive border States of India. Last year on August 15. during the Independence Day parade at the main stadium in Srinagar . a democratically elected government which has won the popular mandate of the people. We are faced with the threat of destabilisation both in the North-East and the North-West where secessionist movements are being carried on which amount practically to unending armed insurgency. . Anyone who has the welfare of India at heart will agree that we cannot afford any laxity in the matter of security and vigilance in this State.the mandate .that such a constitutional provision should not be allowed to exist in a democracy whereby. on August 14th . There can be no disagreement on the imperative need for particularly strong and tight security in this region.D.with one single stroke of a pen . can be dismissed and thrown out of office with a mere flourish of a pen on paper .M. Farooq Abdullah was taking the salute.I.the sanction and authority to govern a State. The Pakistani national flag was hoisted on Indian Soil.when the then Chief Minister Dr.A. It is an indisputable fact that various foreign powers have been consistently trying to infiltrate and utilise this State to achieve their own nefarious ends . which has been bestowed by several millions of people. there was also an attempt to blow up a transmission tower on top of Srinagar's Hari Parbat using high explosives. There were serious charges that secessionists and terrorists were being given combat training in several camps in Kashmir. Five of them have been hijacked to Lahore in Pakistan. Farooq Abdullah has any covert or overt links with Pakistan . in 3 incidents it is noteworthy that the hijackers boarded the plane at Srinagar airport in Kashmir. and forced the closure of shops and offices. he was glorified as a martyr in Kashmir by various groups. secessionists.bombs were hurled to disrupt the celebrations. Again in October there was the infamous incident in Srinagar. Next. On that day our Indian players remarked “Are we in India or Pakistan? We really wonder whether we are playing in our own country.” Our cricketers could not go beyond making such mild comments. No timely action was taken. who led demonstrations protesting against his execution. Out of these. But when such disturbing incidents occur in succession. All these happenings are a clear indicaion of the extent to which anti-national elements. These militant elements raised slogans of “Pakistan Zindabad” and attacked our Indian cricketers. Finally the Union Home Minister was compelled to begin an independent inquiry into the incidents. am not trying to insinuate that Dr. when the one-day cricket match between India and the West Indies was nearly abandoned as agitating hordes broke through the fencing and pelted the Indian players with stones.55 But when our own Indian National Independence day was being observed the next day . Now I personally.but it is very interesting to note that similar protests and demonstrations were held in Pakistan at the same time. what is one to make of them? Are we not led to believe that anti-national elements were given a free hand to assert their presence and militancy in Kashmir? What was the action taken with regard to these incidents? The State Government took a very ambient. No proper investigation was conducted. terrorists and' extremists have been allowed to flourish and gain strength in Kashmir in recent times. leisurely view of these matters. To these accusations the then Chief . When Maqbool Butt the secessionist and terrorist was hanged for murder in Tihar Jail last February 11. So far 7 Indian Airlines planes and 2 Air India planes have been involved in hijackings. Because I say this. Farooq Abdullah replied that it was not the responsibility of the State Government. and his unshaken fervent belief in national unity and stability.and could not be expected to keep a watch over smuggling activities. We all know the identity of the foreign powers which are supplying the weapons and the finances for such training.vast quantities of weapons and highly sophisticated arms were discovered which had been stockpiled by terrorists involved in the incidents there. Does this not provide food for thought? With reference to the recent occurrences in Punjab . to India. Farooq Abdullah has been making repeated declarations about his undiluted patriotism. What was Dr. Personally. He contended that the State Police was responsible only for maintaining law and order in the State . But does not his reply to the Centre contradict his own claim about his patriotism? How are we to reconcile his assertion of unshaken loyalty to India with his reply to the Central Government? When the Centre discloses that weapons have been smuggled from a foreign country into India through the State of Jammu & Kashmir . I do not doubt Dr. What conclusion would one logically deduce from an answer such as this? Is this the reply expected from a patriotic Indian citizen holding the responsible office of Chief Minister of a sensitive border State? I would request everyone concerned to carefully consider the sequence of events in Jammu & Kashmir during the past one year . . Afghan rebels are being given training in arms in Pakistan.56 Minister of Jammu & Kashmir Dr. He insisted that it was essentially the Central Government's responsibility to maintain vigilance with regard to smuggling of weapons through the State of Jammu & Kashmir. There was another serious charge levelled by the Centre that the weapons were smuggled from Pakistan through Kashmir to reach Punjab. Dr.the then Chief Minister responds with the contention that it is not the job of the State Government to keep a watch over such activities. Farooq Abdullah replied. When the Government of Afghanistan makes this charge what is the explanation that the Pakistan Government offers with regard to this? The same explanation that Farooq Abdullah preferred that it is only religious training. Farooq Abdullah's loyalty to the nation. it does not mean that we support the dismissal of the Farooq Abdullah Government. Farooq Abdullah's reaction to this extremely grave charge? Dr. that it was only religious training and could not be interfered with or stopped.and the explanations that were given in relation to those events by the persons responsible for the administration of the State. He was garlanded profusely. the D.A.I.M. bitterest joke of the 20th century? The A. Whatever feelings we experienced then. we feel the same when we consider the fate of the Farooq Abdullah Government in Jammu & Kashmir.K.A.I. firmly believes in the principle that any democratically elected Government should be allowed to function for its full period. also maintains that any activity which leads to the disintegration of the country or endangers the security and unity of the nation should not be permitted . when our State Government was dismissed. My question is this: How many of these parties have the moral right to do so? One of the parties which is crying itself hoarse about this murder of democracy is the D. He persuaded those at the Centre to dismiss the A. who played a key role in bringing about the dismissal of the A.K.K.D.D.A. Government.M.K. For what? For bringing about the dismissal of the A. a Government democratically elected with the overwhelming support of the people. It is the leader of the same D.K.I. The next morning. At least that is what we were led to believe until recently.K. At the same time the A. The D.A.I.D.I.M. The very next day after the dismissal was announced.M. But we must also bear in mind certain other important points in this connection.M.D. I have a great deal of respect and regard for the Janata Party leaders.I.M. Another party which condemns this so-called murder of democracy is the Janata Party. leader camped in New Delhi for several days exclusively for this purpose.A. I presume.M. Government.not only in a sensitive border State .K.K.K. when he landed at Meenambakkam Airport in Madras he was accorded a rousing.M. This is our firm policy. leader returned to Madras triumphantly. the biggest. .M.A. tremendous reception and hailed as a conquering hero by his partymen. is a national party. The Janata Party.K.K.D. Is this not the greatest irony.D. But the very same D. Government in Tamil Nadu in 1980.M. Government in Tamil Nadu was dismissed in 1980. With reference to the change effected in the Jammu & Kashmir State Government many political parties in the country are denouncing it as a “murder of democracy”.M. leader today denounces the change in the Jammu & Kashmir State Government as a murder of democracy.but in any State in the Indian Union.57 The A. and secondly . Andhra Chief Minister N.but get reduced to different countries. Yet the Janata Party Government in recommendations in toto. Both demands are dangerously chauvinistic and parochial . Karnataka has accepted these This is all the more amazing since the Janata party claims to be an all-India party and therefore answerable to the people living in the different States of the Indian Union. It is the Janata Party which is in power in that State. .the remaining 20% jobs should be given only to those who know the Kannada language. which is most vociferous in denouncing this murder of democracy.the recommendations of the Sarojini Mahishi Committee’s report on job reservation opportunities in public sector undertakings.the Janata Party did not hesitate to make use of that power. making use of Article 356 of the Constitution of India? Arguments may be advanced. On his return from the United States of America. The Janata Government in Karnataka has decided to accept in toto . to do exactly what it is protesting against so vehemently today.containing every element guaranteed to undermine Indian unity and destroy the common rights of Indian citizenship.T. But the plain unvarnished truth is that when it had the power to do so . let us consider the Telugu Desam Party. the Telugu Desam leader. The Telugu Desam leader is full of praise and is all adulation for Yankee enterprise and Yankee culture. Next. when the Farooq Abdullah government is dismissed in Jammu & Kashmir under the provisions of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir . If all States were to follow this principle what would happen? The Indian Union would cease to be one country . Today.80% of jobs should be reserved exclusively for Kannadigas . The recommendations essentially boil down to two dangerously disruptive demands . Rama Rao has gone on record saying that India has made no progress at all in the 37 years after Independence.did it not dismiss several non-Janata State Governments. Yet when the same Janata Party came to power at the Centre in 1977 .that in public sector industrial and commercial undertakings in Karnataka .the Janata Party denounces this as a gross violation of democracy.namely . differentiating between the merits of each case.58 But let us take a look at Karnataka. We extend our best wishes to him for a total recovery and for a long life. Today in 1984. How can anybody say India has made no progress at all? Unfortunately.S.inspite of having to shoulder the massive burden of caring for.59 He has gone to the extent of saying that the American roads are more beautiful than the bedrooms of Indian houses. Does the leader of the Telugu Desam Party. N. while referring to the daily allowance in foreign exchange permitted to him by the Government of India . . but how can one say that the country as a whole has not progressed at all? It should be borne in mind that in 1947 the population of India was 30 crores. again for heart surgery.energy science and technology.have any moral right to speak about the murder of democracy in this country? Has he not murdered the image of India in the eyes of the world? Now Mr.T.yet. feeding and housing such a vast population . or one's community or the poor and underprivileged sections of the country have not progressed sufficiently. the Telugu Desam Chief Minister does not seem to regard all this as progress. who so openly declares that he is ashamed of his own country . N. Rama Rao has gone to the U. India has emerged as a colossus among developing countries. respected even by the world's super powers. Before his departure. Despite our enormous handicaps. We have sent a scientific team to Antarctica. Rama Rao angrily asked “Am I a coolie to be given such a paltry amount as daily allowance?” Is this sort of attitude democratic? I have mentioned these issues only in order to make one point.A. Rama Rao the leader of the Telugu Desam Party tries to project himself as a patriot and a national leader.T.T. Despite the severe economical restraints . India has taken gigantic strides forward in the fields of industry . We have sent an Indian into space. India has several magnificent achievements to her credit. Today India is considered a major force to reckon with.Mr.nearly one-sixth of the entire human race in the world today . In the 37 years since Independence India's population has more than doubled itself. Yet Mr. still India has succeeded in establishing itself as one among the 10 nuclear countries in the world. One can say that one's State. it is 75 crores. N. I am not holding any brief for Dr. we ourselves.K.I wish to point out that so long as such a provision which deals with dissolution of a State Assembly or dismissal of a State Government is retained whether it be the Constitution of India or the Constitution of Jammu & Kashmir it is bound to be used again and again by the Central Government .D. It has been announced that a session of the State Legislative Assembly of Jammu & Kashmir will be convened very shortly . The Congress-I Party has made use of Article 356 to dismiss non-Congress-I State Governments.and whether the defectors have voting rights or not. Farooq Abdullah's Government has been far from ideal.and others should also give deep thought to the same question . Dr.60 Amongst the various political parties which are raising a hue and cry about the murder of democracy in Jammu & Kashmir. the Janata . Finally . I would like to remind them that people who live in glass houses should not throw stones.as to which is the real National Conference .it would be better to place the State under Governor's Rule .until such time as the Centre decides fresh elections may be held.as to whether these parties can truly claim to be national or democratic in character and outlook. Therefore . The Janata Party has also made use of it to dismiss non-Janata State Governments. It is not the first.I now pose 2 Questions to the Hon.and an opportunity will be given to both groups of the National Conference . have been victims of this provision in the Constitution.irrespective of which party is in power at the Centre.I. and claim to be interested in national unity and the welfare of India .K.the one and only way is to abolish . Minister for Home Affairs 1.these parties should first do some soul searching themselves .to completely do way with Article 356 of the Constitution.to prove on the floor of the House which group has a real majority and is constitutionally entitled to form the Government. the A. Will the Centre consider placing Jammu & Kashmir under Governor's rule? .if we really want to prevent the recurrence of such undesirable events again .M. Meanwhile .the main issue has yet to be resolved .M. There is no other way.to scrap . However I do strongly submit that instead of allowing a government based on defections to administer Jammu & Kashmir .whether it be the D. As mentioned earlier.or the Telugu Desam . no Central Government can resist the temptation to make use of this provision in the Constitution to suit its own ends.. The dismissal of the Farooq Abdullah Government in Jammu & Kashmir under the provisions of its separate Constitution is nothing new. Farooq Abdullah. Given certain circumstances. In conclusion . nor is it going to be the last such instance in Indian history after Independence _ as long as such a Constitutional provision is allowed to remain.A. Why delay Jammu & Kashmir being integrated with the rest of the Indian Union and why not bring it under the purview of the Constitution of India. .61 2.in conformity with all the other States of the Indian Union? . State Autonomy in Education During the debate on the Appropriation Bill for 1984-85 on 9.62 Industrialisation of Tamil Nadu.8.1984 . At the same time.R. several textile mills have remained closed over a period of not just weeks or months. 13 sick textile mills in Maharashtra have been taken over by the Centre. repeatedly urging the Centre to take over and reopen these six sick mills.63 Industrialisation of Tamil Nadu State Autonomy in Education Although this Appropriation Bill seeking supplementary grants from the Consolidated Fund of India. Not only in Tamil Nadu. the limited time allotted for discussion does not permit one to go into detail regarding all of these services and departments.I wish to draw the attention of the Government of India to the functioning of textile mills in the country. but years. The Tamil Nadu State Government has written to the Government of India time and again. But no action has been taken by the Centre in this respect so far. . In Tamil Nadu the B & C Mills in Madras is under closure. the Tiruppur S. Since 1982. First of all . through the National Textile Corporation of India.C. Therefore I shall confine my remarks to only a few specific points. all the other 5 mills are small mills. and the Pudukottai Kaveri Spinning Mill have all been shut down. the Tiruppur Tamil Nadu Spinning Mill. the Coimbatore Padma Mill. Why does the Centre not display the same concern with regard to the sick textile mills in Tamil Nadu? With the exception of the B & C Mills. but in many other States including Gujarat. Mill. The fault lies squarely with the proprietors of the mills and their mismanagement which has resulted in the mills being shut down. for the financial year 1984-85. the Coimbatore Janardhana Mill. The workers or labourers cannot be blamed for the closure of the mills. is in respect of numerous services and departments. Tamil Nadu suffered in the grip of severe protracted drought.64 The National Textile Corporation could very easily take over the administration of these mills. In labour disputes. Despite all our pleadings. Time and again the Tamil Nadu State Government was reduced to the level of having to implore and supplicate the Karnataka State Government to release water from the Cauvery. as well as the Anglo French Textile Mill in Pondicherry. There was acute scarcity of even drinking water in the State. Next . because adequate Cauvery River water was not released from Karnataka. very often it is impossible to reach a settlement. because some industrialists simply refuse to turn up for talks. the State Government is yet to receive the President's sanction for this legislation. thereby making it mandatory for the industrialists to appear for discussions. in 1981 This Bill is still pending clearance by the President. The State's hydro-electric power stations came to a standstill. This Bill was also drafted by the Tamil Nadu State Government and sent to the Centre for the President's assent. Therefore the Tamil Nadu State Government proposed to enact a legislation whereby summoning powers would be given to the labour officers to serve summons on the concerned industrialists. Until today. .the Tamil Nadu State Government had drafted a Bill seeking to afford more protection to workers whereby an unjustly dismissed worker could straightaway move the courts for justice. and consequentially industrial production as a whole suffered in the State. under the existing laws. I urge the Centre to take over the six sick mills in Tamil Nadu. Agricultural production was badly hit.that these two laws which seek to safeguard the rights of labourers and afford them greater protection. which is also closed since a very long time. I request the Government of India to take immediate action to re-open these mills and provide employment and relief to thousands of suffering mill workers and their starving families. Why does the Centre not pay any heed to these repeated requests? Once again. should be granted sanction by the President of India without further delay. Throughout last year and the two years preceding it. and which are definitely in the larger interest. Talks between the State Government of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to settle the Cauvery River water dispute have dragged on and on inconclusively. Tamil Nadu was adversely affected on several fronts. Because of this power generation was severely affected. It is my urgent request on behalf of the people of Tamil Nadu and the State Government . The Tamil Nadu State Government drafted this Bill and sent it to the Centre for the assent of the President of India. including the B & C Mills. the Karnataka State Government utilised 176. After 1971-72. But when Tamil Nadu is deprived of its legitimate share of Cauvery water. of Cauvery River water and 6. the Karnataka State Covernment has been utilising an additional 255 TMC ft.878 lakh acres under irrigation. and has received only 55 TMC ft. the Mettur Dam in Tamil Nadu which should have received 280 TMC ft. In respect of the implementation of the Krishna River Water Supply Project jointly agreed upon by the State Government of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. and as a consequence when Trichy and Thanjavur Districts are totally affected. there are some minor hurdles which are holding up the project and which can be easily cleared by the Centre.” We cannot afford to let that granary become dry. Ironically this year. Therefore we request the Centre to find a settlement to this vexatious problem which has plagued the State of Tamil Nadu for too long. to prevent damage due to flooding and breaching of dams in Karnataka. But even after 1972. and 7 more reservoirs are in the process of construction. According to the Cauvery Fact Finding Commission. barren wasteland. and which is intended to supply 12 TMC ft. Tamil Nadu will not raise any objection to any number of storage dams or reservoirs being built in Karnataka. the Karnataka State Government has voluntarily opted to release large volumes of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. Thanjavur is called the “Granary of Tamil Nadu. Phase I of the Krishna Water Supply Project to Madras City involves the digging of a canal from the Tamil Nadu border to the Poondi Reservoir.825 lakh acres of land were under irrigation.65 Yet even while the talks are in progress. of water to Madras City and permanently solve the drinking water problem of the citizens of Madras. instead. in the year 1971-72. the Karnataka State Government has proceeded to build several new dams and reservoirs. of Cauvery water has received only a drastically reduced volume of 55 TMC ft. These figures clearly indicate the extent to which Tamil Nadu's interests have been grievously affected. of Cauvery water and has brought an additional 19. we cannot remain silent spectators. Tamil Nadu has been deprived of its rightful share of 280 TMC ft. This in turn . 9 big storage dams were built in Karnataka. all its dams and reservoirs are overflowing.82 TMC ft. and even though Tamil Nadu has not made any request. Because of this. so long as Tamil Nadu's interests are not adversely affected as a result. because of unusually heavy downpours in Karnataka. The Prime Minister herself inaugurated this project which is a standing monument to inter-State co-operation and sets a precedent worthy of emulation for all other States in India to follow.83 hectares of forest lands? The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has also addressed the Prime Minister to use her good offices in getting the approval of the Government of India for denotification of the 9.66 involves the acquisition of 437. Should a project of such magnitude which will bring succour and relief to millions of inhabitants of Madras city be held up only because clearance is withheld by the Centre for a paltry 9. the Centre itself should question the State Governments of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh as to why this project is being delayed. the extent of forest lands involved is only a measly 9. how is this fair or just to the people living in the two States of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh? In Periyakulam taluk of Madurai district. across the River Varagha Nadhi. ft. If this project is held up due to other reasons. The Andhra Pradesh Government is implementing its Telugu Ganga Project with a view to irrigating the hitherto arid barren lands of the Rayalaseema region. the Tamil Nadu State Government plans to implement the Sothuparai Reservoir Scheme which contemplates the formation of a reservoir with a capacity of 100 M. . of which 27.72 hectares are reported to be forest lands. Chengalpattu district. but if the Centre itself is responsible for the delay. of drinking water every year for the citizens of Madras city.83 hectares in Nayapakkam village. the details of forest lands required for the Project in Andhra Pradesh are also needed.72 hectares.83 hectares of forest lands.61 acres of land. Several letters have been addressed by the Tamil Nadu State Government to the Government of India for the Centre’s approval to deserve or denotify these lands. The clearance of the Government of India is awaited. except for an extent of 9.C. But in so far as the Tamil Nadu State Government is concerned.83 hectares of forest lands in Nayapakkam village. Our only concern is to see that this project is completed as speedily as possible because supply of drinking water to Madras city is a perennial problem and in so far as Tamil nadu is concerned. But the Government of India informed the Tamil Nadu State Government that in order to have an overall picture of the loss of forests. Even out of these 27. the other areas are only non-forest waste lands and they do not come under the Forest Conservation Act. we are interested in the Krishna Water Supply Project only as a means to procure 12 TMC ft. The State Government of Tamil Nadu has already written several times to the Government of India. All that is required is for the Government of India. the Centre has not encouraged the growth of major industry in Tamil Nadu. Very recently officials of RITES visited Tiruchi in Tamil Nadu and declared themselves fully satisfied with the facilities available there. its concurrence is not required. Tamil Nadu which already houses the first coach factory at Perambur. 791 lakhs. Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operation in this connection. was the first among all the States which have staked their claims for the second factory. Again. At least now I hope the Government of India will take step to remedy this injustice to Tamil Nadu in the sphere of industrial development.96 acres of forest land. the implementation of this scheme is held up for want of forest clearance. being held up for want of clearance of a mere 20.67 This scheme aims to irrigate an extent of 1000 acres of new dry land besides bridging a gap of 67 acres of wet land and stabilising 1825 acres of wet land. Since the Sothuparai Reservoir Scheme has been declared as a minor scheme by the C.C. The Government of India proposes to set up a second Railway Coach Factory. The Housing Board will be able to fully meet the housing needs of the employees of the proposed coach factory. and to sanction the necessary clearance for the aforementioned projects without further delay. About 250 hectares of Government land is available near Tiruchi and it has all the potential for development.W. .000 acres of wet land. Their reply is still awaited. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperation to accord its permission under the Forest Conservation Act. Here again we have another instance of a scheme which will boost rice production and provide irrigation to a total extent of almost 3. Since 1967. I am not ascribing any political motives to this.96 acres of forest lands for the proposed Sothuparai Reservoir Scheme. Rail India Technical and Economic Services Limited has been entrusted with the selection of a site. I request the Government of India not to hold up projects of such immense magnitude and benefit to the people of the country for such trifling reasons. Officials of RITES have visited sites in various States. After 1967 the Centre has not located any major heavy industrial plant in Tamil Nadu. A satellite township called Navalpattu on 400 acres has already come up here and the Housing Board plans to acquire another 1000 acres. but only pointing out a stark truth. This scheme has been approved by the State Government for Rs. 1980 for the diversion of 20. I. I also request the Centre to expedite the implementation of the Sethusamudram Project without further delay.5 crores a month. there cannot be a better location for the proposed coach factory. since coal shortfall has forced the authorities to use the vastly more expensive furnace oil to maintain generation. I request the Government of India to locate its second railway coach Factory at Tiruchi in Tamil Nadu. The saving in foreign exchange is estimated at Rs. education was in the State List.A. It has been pointed out by the State Government that if the deficit in indigenous arrivals is to be made up by burning furnace oil. 68 crores. Therefore. 4. the TNEB (Tamil Nadu Electricity Board) will have to spend about Rs. the imported coal stock will be good enough to last 25 months.a sum that will buy the requisite furnace oil for 10 months. has always taken the stand that education should be in the State List of subjects. I request the Centre to grant permission to the Tamil Nadu State Government to import 5 lakh tonnes of coal immediately. With reference to the Tuticorin Thermal Power Station.K. the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has already written to the Union Energy Minister. In short.with regard to education .M. But for the same amount. 43 crores .D.the A. Therefore. The State Government suggests only a one-time import of 5 lakh tonnes of coal to build a buffer stock. Education was transferred from the State List to the Concurrent List during the Emergency. to enable the thermal station to operate at its full capacity until such time as delayed arrivals of indigenous coal supplies are received and transportation is regulated. and there are facilities to manufacture under carriages for coaches. Even in such small countries like the United Kingdom. informed opinion is against centralised control in fields like Education. seeking the Centre's permission to import 5 lakh tonnes of coal. It is interesting to read the views of C. with an Unitary Constitution. The State Government has argued that the 5 lakh tonnes of imported coal will cost Rs.68 The Golden Rock Railway Workshop’s modernisation has been cleared.” . Finally . Before the 42nd amendment to the Constitution. The Tamil Nadu State Government has already pointed out in detail the constraints and consequent delays in transporting indigenous coal which has necessitated the present use of furnace oil.Northcote Parkinson in “The Law of Delay” especially in the Chapter “Principalities and Powers. There are over 300 ancillaries in and around Tiruchi. the Centre is arrogating more and more powers to itself through which education will finally end up in the Central List of subjects. not only does it amount to depriving the State Governments of their rightful powers. if Governors are empowered to appoint Vice-Chancellors at their own discretion and pleasure. It is true that the Governors of respective States are the Chancellors of the Universities in those States. and consequently they know very little about those States. gradually. Now a comprehensive legislation to reorganise the management of educational institutions including Colleges and Universities has been enacted. where are questions raised in relation to those Universities? The questions are raised in the Legislative Assemblies of the States concerned. and has to give explanations in the State Legislature.K. Our administration is cumbersome enough as it is.69 “What no one out of bedlam could propose is a system by which an educational policy agreed upon at Edinburgh has to be debated again in London.this particular legislation appears to be politically motivated. When such is the case.to solve. But it is also true that in 9 cases out of 10. In the wake of recent developments in the Calcutta University of West Bengal and Sri Venkateswara University of Andhra Pradesh .it is all the more unwise to talk of retaining education in the Concurrent List in such a vast country like India with a Federal Constitution. as must be obvious to anyone of even average intelligence. the Governors are in no way connected with the States they are assigned to. which the State Governments will not be able . To add to it costly complexity. but problems are bound to arise. Therefore. That way lies madness. the only acceptable procedure is that the Governor should necessarily appoint Vice-Chancellors only . had originally rightly placed Education under the State List. It is the State Government which is answerable to the people of the State. when the founding fathers of the Constitution of India. . Such being the case. which persons are most suitable and qualified to be appointed ViceChancellors of the Universities in those States? With regard to the functioning of Universities. Today a situation has been created wherein it seems that not content with having brought Education into the Concurrent List. whereby State Governors are vested with more powers to appoint Vice-Chancellors without being guided by the advice of the Chief Ministers. would be tantamount to suicide.” If this is the view prevailing in a small country like the U. with their combined knowledge and wisdom. It further curbs the powers of the States and this will only harm higher education. surely the Chief Ministers and the Ministers of the State Governments can logically be expected to know better than the Governors. step by step. no matter what transpires therein. .70 after consulting the Chief Ministers of the respective States. and in deference to their views. 23.71 Plight of Handloom Weavers Countrywide 'Special mention' speech on need to enact suitable legislation reserving certain varieties of cloth.8.1984 . suffer for want of continuous jobs and regular income. Department of Textiles. . at present. A situation of accumulation of handloom stocks has resulted. the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. The Government of India statistics reveal that crores of people depend on the 30. One of the main reasons for heavy stagnation of hand loom goods is that the powerlooms. To protect the handloom industry and to encourage millions of workers engaged in this profession. flouting the Government laws. produce goods on a large scale and sell them in the market at a cheaper rate. This went unheeded by the Centre. concerning the plight of millions of handloom weavers all over the country. Handloom weavers in India. The resolution urged the Central Government to reserve certain specific varieties of cloth like sarees and bordered dhoties exclusively for the handloom industry.72 Plight of Handloom Weavers Country-wide Through you. This again was unheeded by the Centre. the then Prime Minister of the Madras Presidency moved a resolution which was unanimously adopted in the State Assembly.R. sir. he reiterated the same demand before the then Prime Minister Shri. Rajaji. The powerloom goods are labelled as handloom goods and sold both in the domestic and foreign markets. Again. when Dr. M. Ministry of Commerce. I wish to draw the attention of the Government of India. as early as 1953. Again. and they are unable to extricate themselves from the clutches of poverty.G. to a matter of urgent public importance. powerloom goods are exported under the label of handloom goods.5 lakh handlooms in India for their livelihood. Morarji Desai who also turned a deaf ear to this request. Anna reiterated the same demand by adopting a similar resolution. on account of certain imbalances in the textile policy of the Government of India. became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. in 1968. I appeal to the Central Government to expedite this legislation reserving certain items specifically for the handloom sector. I appeal to the Central Government to take a humanitarian view and expedite the passage of this Bill.. such a legislation is yet to be enacted. the State Government purchases handloom goods worth about Rs. And the Apex Weavers Co-operative Societies should be exempted from participating in the tenders for supply of goods.73 In 1980.Bleeding Madras . Dr. has already submitted a memorandum to the Hon. impressed upon the Prime Minister Shrimati Indira Gandhi the need to reserve certain items exclusively for the handloom industry. . I submit that the welfare of millions of handloom weavers is more important than the prosperity of a few hundred mill-owners.real Madras handkerchiefs etc. in Tamil Nadu. Certain vested interests are engaged in intensive lobbying to prevent such a law being enacted.R. in situations of stagnation like this. should be reserved for the handloom industry. But.palayacot varieties with bi-colour yarns . ofcourse. despite the Union Minister's announcement. except. preventing the manufacture of such items. Defence Department. the Union Industries Minister had announced that a suitable legislation reserving certain items to be produced exclusively by the handloom sector would be brought on the Statute Book shortly. M. and a statutory ban should be imposed on both powerloom mills and the powerloom sector. 25 crores. Sir.G. Therefore. the Central Government should also come to the rescue of the handloom weavers by issuing instructions to all the Central Departments. Similarly. One of the main demands included therein is that all lungis . The Tamil Nadu Handloom Weavers Co-operative Society Ltd. the Posts and Telegraphs Department to purchase their requirements from the Apex Weavers Cooperative Societies. Prime Minister Shrimati Indira Gandhi. During the last Budget session. The most important and justifiable and legitimate demand of the handloom sector is that powerlooms should not be permitted to weave cloth of more than 36 inches width.Madras checks . with the provision that they can do so only when they do not exceed 36 inches.. However. 1984 . 23.8.74 Iniquities of the Dowry System Debate on the Dowry Prohibition Bill. As early as in 1950. The Family Courts will have to handle cases dealing with property issues. Therefore. the State Government of Bihar enacted the Bihar Dowry Restraint Act of 1950. dowry deaths are on the increase. Japan. In India. These Acts were enacted with the sole purpose of eradicating the practice of the evil system of dowry in the respective States. the Andhra Pradesh State Government enacted the Andhra Pradesh Dowry Prohibition act of 1958. there are Family Courts which are functioning very well. calculated. Twenty five years have elapsed since the introduction of the first Parent Bill in the Lok Sabha in 1959. In 1958. Vice Chairman. and reduced to ashes innumerable young girls in the flower of womanhood. Yet. Special Courts should also be set up to deal exclusively with dowry cases. In countries like America. Almost daily in the newspapers we see reports of deaths due to so called "accidental" stove bursts which are anything but accidental. the first Dowry Prohibition Bill of 1959 with the main object of eradicating the evils of the dowry system. was introduced by the Government of India in the Lok Sabha. pre-meditated manner. and has mercilessly crushed countless young blossoms which should have been nurtured and cherished instead. divorce cases. This is because dowry is a widespread social problem peculiar to our country.75 Iniquities of the Dowry System Mr. In 1959. Almost always the persons involved in these tragic incidents are young married women who are done to death in a cold-blooded. I wish to make a few remarks in connection with the Dowry Prohibition Bill. Australia. cases dealing with judicial . it is evident that more stringent measures and draconian laws are called for to stamp out this murderous dowry system which has already claimed so many innocent lives.all for the sake of dowry or because of lack of it. apart from the Family Courts. This was the Parent Bill of the subsequent Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961 which was passed by both the Houses of Parliament. People can have religious ceremonies as per their choice. All marriages must be compulsorily registered just as births and deaths are registered. In dowry cases. once again the sheer volume and number of cases. Why are you com-plaining now?” This sort of questioning should not be allowed because in many cases. Another Amendment has been suggested extending the term of imprisonment from two to five years or two to seven years and a fine extending up to Rupees ten thousand or five times the amount of the dowry. claims to legitimacy and so on and so forth. In certain cases when women have tried to make complaints with regard to harassment they have been questioned. although a woman may be forced to leave her husband's home because of the dowry problem. should automatically be disqualified for election to Parliament or State Legislatures or even local bodies such as Panchayat Boards. Therefore. For this. But still I say this is insufficient. Complaints regarding dowry should be entertained whenever they are made. “You left your husband's home five years ago.76 separation. Punishment should fit the crime. I submit that offenders should not be let off lightly. Declaration by Government Servants against giving or taking dowry should be made compulsory under law. because the punishment hardly fits a crime of such magnitude. Dowry Prohibition Officers should be appointed. will considerably delay the judicial process. at any point of time. Incentives should be offered for intercaste marriages. Legislation should be passed that persons convicted for any offence under the provisions of the Dowry Prohibition Act. They should have the same powers as Police Officers. Such convicted persons should also be disqualified for employment in Government service at any level. it is imperative that justice should be rendered swiftly with all possible speed. This should be declared a nonbailable offence. Women affected by the dowry problem should be given free legal aid. separate courts for dowry cases are a must. she may wait for some years in the hope that her husband might change his mind and take her back. this should also be taken into consideration. . The punishment provided for in the present Amendment as it exists is insufficient. when the demanding or extortion of dowry results in such grave consequences as the death of the bride and the ruination of whole families in their efforts to satisfy dowry demands. Offenders should not be let out on bail. If the dowry cases are clubbed with these other cases in the Family Courts. Death sentence or life imprisonment should be awarded as maximum penalty. For a woman trapped in such a situation marriage is tantamount to life imprisonment which more often than not ends in her death. Therefore. 77 Amending Taxation Laws. Tax Evasions and Cine Artistes Debate on Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill.8. 27.1984 . Seneca. the very presentation of the Bill is anomalous. cannot even dare to contemplate the idea of assessing and filing his own income-tax returns.” But Seneca who lived from 4 B. were he alive today. Sir. The average educated citizen of this country with a reasonable intelligence quotient. it is because we do not dare that things are difficult. Tax Evasions and Cine Artistes Mr. As it is. Although the Hon. to A. Seneca himself. in that it incorporates as many as 84 clauses with the addition of any number of sub-clauses.78 Amending Taxation Laws. Deputy Chairman. 65 could not have foreseen the maze of involuted taxation laws which the Government of India would create 20 centuries later. the Government of India has already seen to it that chartered accountants are a flourishing breed in India. when he made this profound observation in the 1st century. Some of the measures being introduced in this Bill are very welcome indeed. said that. would not advise any layman to attempt to solve the intricate tangle of present day Indian taxation laws without expert professional guidance and assistance. By making the taxation laws so convoluted. this Bill is really a very extensive document. Now by adding to the already existing complexity. and the Government of India has ensured the continued prosperity of the chartered accountants in the country. Sir. The services of an auditor or a chartered accountant are indispensable.D. the confusion has been compounded. Minister of Finance has stated that these Amendments are intended mainly to streamline procedures to avoid inconvenience to tax-payers and remove certain anomalies in these enactments. and has earned their undying gratitude. almost boundless in its sweep and range. .C. “It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare. our tax laws are so complicated that they are beyond the comprehension of the layman. the great Roman philosopher. by introducing the numerous Amendments proposed in this Bill. to make a full and true disclosure. Further. sub-clause (b) seeks to substitute sub-section (2) of Section 263 by a new subsection. this new Amendment is to be welcomed. it will be permissible for the Commissioner to revise even an order of re-assessment made under Section 147 of the Act. or at the very least. the time allowed to the assessee to make a voluntary disclosure is inadequate.79 I refer to Clause 50. such person shall. jewellery or other valuable articles or things belonging to a person are seized under section 132. the person makes a full and true disclosure of his income to the Commissioner. Under the existing provisions. voluntarily and in good faith. and the assessment should also be completed within three months from the date of disclosure. this particular Amendment should be expanded to include the provision. which seeks to amend section 273 A of the Income-Tax Act. or of the inaccuracy of particulars furnished in respect of such income. and within fifteen days of such seizure. money. respectfully submit that the Amendment as it stands is incomplete. Under Section 147. Sub-clause (a) seeks to insert a new Explanation 2 to subsection (1) to provide that. This new provision simply does not make sense. the Commissioner must complete the assessment of the case on the basis of disclosure. Next. As I have stated earlier. Instead of 15 days' time. the time limit of two years for the purposes of making an order under this section. one month. will require a minimum of three months time. which seeks to amend section 263 of the Income-Tax Act. that once the disclosure is made. will agree that such a laborious procedure. But I First of all. without further harassment of the assessee. Secondly. shall be reckoned from the end of the financial year in which the order sought to be revised was made by the assessing Officer. Under the substituted sub-section. The subsection also provides that no order of revision can be made by the Commissioner after the expiry of two years from the date of the order sought to be revised. prior to the detection by the Income-Tax Officer of the concealment of particulars of income. Sir. bullion. be deemed to have made. if the assessee is to make a full and true disclosure of income and assets. for the purposes of clause (b) of the said sub-section. relating to revision of orders prejudicial to revenue. the assessee should be given three months. where any books of account. . any such re-assessment is made only after getting the approval of the Commissioner. I refer to clause 47. a disclosure of such particulars. other documents. Persons conversant with the technicalities of auditing of accounts. a Commissioner is debarred from revising an order of reassessment made under Section 147 of the Income-Tax Act. involving voluminous paper work. harass and intimidate income-tax assessees. Then. It also means that the Government of India. where is the question of the Commissioner again re-opening the case? In the first place. While wholeheartedly welcoming this new proposal. I submit that it should be further amended to exempt the income arising out of such assets from income-tax also for the same period of seven years. Under the existing provisions. What action has the Government initiated. an assessee being a person of Indian origin who was ordinarily residing in a foreign country. 5. In the case of certain individuals whom the Government wants to favour. since this particular sub-clause so patently lends itself to implementation as an instrument of misuse of authority. A deliberate impression is sought to be created that only . Item (ii) of sub-clause (a) seeks to amend clause (iii) of sub-section (1). it is the Commissioner who approved the order of reassessment. The proposed Amendment seeks to extend the aforesaid exemption to Indian citizens. and who.80 When such is the case. concessions can be awarded through this piece of legislation. is entitled to exemption for seven years in respect of moneys and value of assets brought by him into India. which seeks to amend section 5 of the Wealth-Tax Act relating to exemptions in respect of certain assets. that certain Amendments have been included in the Bill to “counteract tax avoidance and tax evasion. This can work two ways. Therefore. on leaving such country. the revision can be either upwards or downwards. 4. brow-beat. how can the Commissioner again be permitted to revise the order.000 crores that should accrue to the Government of India is lost annually because of tax evasion. this means that the Government of India is giving the Commissioner legal sanction to have second thoughts and that too at his leisure . the Government of India is actually getting Rs. In effect. Next. through this legislation is wielding a big stick to threaten. and the value of the assets acquired by him out of such moneys.000 crores by way of direct taxes. It has been stated by the Hon. I strongly submit that this sub-clause should be revoked. It follows that once the Commissioner is empowered to revise an order of re-assessment. has returned to India with the intention of permanently residing in India.about a case that has been closed. Minister of Finance in the Statement of Objects and Reasons on page 31 of the Bill. Another Rs. to stop this stupendous evasion of tax payment? Much publicity is given by the Government of India to the Income-Tax raids conducted on film-artistes." To the best of my knowledge. I refer to clause 54. what steps have been taken by the Government of India. It can be applied in the opposite direction as well. after the Commissioner himself has given his seal of approval to the re-assessment order. But the total amount of tax evasion is Rs. referred to in reply to part (a) of the Starred Question No. In the statement already referred to. The real tax evaders are the big companies.1983 and 31. 5. 1984. 4.90.30. This statement. this is not the point I seek to highlight. Seventy-eight companies paid no tax at all. 4. the sum total of the demands outstanding as on the 31st of March. which issued the statement.9 crores. which is but an infinitesimal fraction of the grand total.1984.9 crores. 5. But the Government has done nothing about this colossal tax evasion. Ministry of Finance. by the Government's own admission. many names are those of film producers or film directors who are not actors. so much adverse publicity is given to these film personalities. comes only to Rs.3. The Government of India knows about this only too well. but has lumped all the names together under the common nomenclature "film stars". by giving enormous publicity to the income-tax raids on film personalities. What about the remaining Rs. Ministry of Finance. the Government has included . 42 companies did not pay any tax at all. The answer is a resounding "No". which hardly amount to a drop in the ocean of tax evasion. The Government tries to foster a false image of very conscientiously trying to unearth black money and counteract tax evasion. Has the Government of India ever disclosed these details in Parliament? Have they ever revealed the names of these delinquent tax dodgers in Parliament? Have they given them all-India publicity by making a statement about them in Parliament? No. In the year 197980.000 crores.994 crores? Who is responsible for the massive tax evasion? Has the Government of India cared to disclose this in Parliament? Has the Government of India. 1984. they do not hesitate to reveal the names of cinema actors and actresses who owe only relatively minor amounts in tax arrears. In its eagerness to condemn film stars. 5. Out of this. 5. out of 76 highly profitable companies. Yet. contains the names of 104 film personalities against whom income-tax demands exceeding Rs.81 film stars are the culprits when it comes to tax evasion and hoarding of black money. The Government publicises their names as though they are the worst of criminals. However. 1 lakh were outstanding during the last three years. In the list. 226 in the Rajya Sabha. they have even included the names of those film personalities who have cleared their tax arrears and who have no demands outstanding as on 31. roughly only Rs. it can clearly be seen that these raids conducted on film artistes yield very meagre returns. If the demands outstanding in column 5 of the statement are added up. the large industrial houses. revealed the names of those who have been cheating and defrauding the Government of Rs. the tax evasion by leading film personalities accounts for only Rs.994 crores through tax avoidance and tax evasion? No. They have never done it. In the year 1981-82.3. Yet. I have here with me a statement that was laid on the Table of the House on the 7th August.000 that is. has not even bothered to take note of the fact that among the names mentioned in the list. the Government of India. out of 101 top-most companies only 23 companies paid tax. But if one cares to examine the details. when computed.their wealth is Rs. But the Government of India has no hesitation in needlessly dragging in Dr.3. If the total loss to the Government of India through all these years is computed.1983 and 31. So much so that their lives become a living hell. Are we expected to believe this? People who have amassed huge fortunes and accumulated wealth around Rs. no estate duty. The Government of India allows the really large fishes to escape from the tax net. The Government of India makes frequent pronouncements about dispelling economic disparities. But the same tax net inextricably enmeshes and ensnares the pathetically small fishes.R. How will economic disparity disappear if such a state of affairs is allowed to exist in the country? Until today. which clearly shows that he has settled his tax dues two years before.82 the name of the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. M.G. manage to manipulate things so that they wriggle out of the tax net.when the British left India the wealth of these industrial houses was Rs. Individual members belonging to large industrial houses show in their accounts that their wealth is steadily decreasing over the years. 25 crores .'s name in a statement issued in Parliament on 7th August. although he has paid his tax arrears in 1982 and has no demands outstanding as on 31.3.G. 2. The Government of India refuses to reveal the names of those industrialists who have been amassing wealth to the tune of crores of rupees and have never paid a rupee by way of taxes.R. Among the large industrial houses in the topmost bracket today . would run into thousands upon thousands of crores over several decades. Persons who earn their livelihood by performing genuine service to the nation and hard work are forced to pay income-tax. Dr. and they are the ones who are harassed and hounded by the Income-Tax Department. The huge whales and the sharks are allowed to go scot-free. . Their children would not be paying any estate duty.000 crores and more. no wealth-tax.that the harsh realities of their existence are clouded over by deliberately nurtured wrong impressions. there is no record of the Government having arrested or raided or having initiated legal proceedings against these tax evaders. 1984. who have defrauded the nation of incalculable sums of money. 250 crores at present.1984. Where cinema artistes are concerned how many people care to analyse the fact or realise the truth that their earning span is limited to only a few years? So much adverse damaging publicity is given to film stars . M. which. Many of them are neither paying any income-tax nor any wealth-tax.so many myths are built around them . the sum total would be of staggering proportions. and has no demands outstanding for the last two years. They pay no income-tax. Cuckoo was the highest paid actress of her time. But all too soon her glory faded. He has something to fall back upon. has to last him or her for the rest of his or her life-time. Her last years were truly miserable. after a brief spell of dizzy success. gone tomorrow. and popularity is a very ephemeral. in one of the slum areas of Bombay. after their earning span is over. There is not even the assurance of a minimum wage. she was stricken by cancer. Everything depends on that most elusive and unreliable factor called luck. does not come to their rescue in their old age. The Government of India which squeezes the life-blood out of such artistes in their hey-day. nobody comes forward to support them. When cinema artistes lose their popularity and grow old. And even in these cases there is no guarantee as to how long the period of success will last. who was a rage in the early days of the Indian talkies. transient thing.000 just for a single dance sequence in a film. Out of the thousands of eager aspirants to stardom. In Government service.83 Is there any guaranteed income for a cinema artiste? None at all. Audience tastes changed. and he has the security of assured employment until the age of retirement after which he is entitled to receive a pension and provident fund upon retirement. It should be borne in mind that the income such a person manages to earn within the short span of those two years. he is assured of a steady job and a regular salary. It is here today. Fresh new faces arrived on the scene. They have no other means of earning a livelihood. No one can predict how or when this may happen. She was reduced to absolute penury. Cuckoo was consigned to oblivion. how many are really successful? How many reach the top income bracket? Only a handful. She literally had to starve. In addition to all this suffering. There are no rules or regulations that guarantee a steady income in the cinema industry. but in many cases the earning span of a film artiste may be limited to just two years or three years. when even the topmost actress was paid Rs. . In the cinema industry there are no guarantees or safeguards for anything. 10. a hovel. will certainly remember the famous dancer Cuckoo. A very few persons may continue to earn for a long period. and inevitably. Most of these persons are not qualified to enter any other kind of service. if a person qualifies as an IAS Officer. Their income depends on their popularity with the masses. Cuckoo was paid Rs. In those days. 2. Many of the senior Members in this House who have seen Hindi films in their youth. which was really only a shed. or when they fall upon hard times. There have been several cases of cinema stars who faded out after just one or two years of success. She lived in a dismal one-room apartment.500 for playing the female lead in an entire film. We have worked under the hot sun with bare feet on blazing rock. I have worked for 24 hours round the clock. Just a few years ago. I also saw how they were hounded and harassed by the IncomeTax authorities during their all too brief spell of success. lays bricks and breaks stones. one of the important steps towards the achievement of this goal is to enact the necessary legislation whereby the entire election expenses will be borne by the Government through the Election Commission. during my tenure in films saw the sudden rise and fall of many such personalities. of which he knows nothing. With these words. Member know? I have worked for 16 years in the film industry. We worked in rains. I myself. Nargis Dutt. So. Sir. . Many well-known. touch the feet of smugglers and pay obeisance to them. Therefore if the evil of black money is to be rooted out. Cuckoo died. Why do they do it? Because they need money for elections. I think the example of Cuckoo will suffice to make my pomt. in public. Member should not make remarks about a field of work. six shifts a day.. The Dutts had her admitted in the hospital and paid for her medical treatment. BIack money is generated and circulated not by a handful of actors or actresses but by wealthy capitalists and smugglers. He should not pass a remark about a field of work. lonely. and they are willing to donate liberally to politicians in exchange for favours. he should not pass such remarks. But I do not want to take the valuable time of the House by narrating any more such details. I can give you many more such examples. What does the Hon. it was Mr. but with the few reservations I have mentioned. There was no one to even claim the body or arrange for the funeral. l support the Bill. and even long after they had ceased to earn any income. who was an Hon'ble Member of this House. In her last days. Our work is no less easier than that of any labourer who pulls carts. unhonoured and unsung.84 Her sufferings exceeded all descriptions.. some of which I have seen with my own eyes. unwept. on a point of order. Sunil Dutt and the late Mrs. notorious smugglers openly declare how much money they have given to which political parties and which politicians. The Hon. who discovered Cuckoo's pathetic condition. of which he knows nothing. but it was too late. There are politicians who. forgotten. The money provided by smugglers to finance elections is black money. Smugglers have the money. It is a myth that blackmoney is hoarded only by those in the cinema industry. It is absolutely wrong to say that people in the film industry work for only two hours or four hours. 28.85 Land Acquisition Act and Harijan Welfare Schemes Debate on the Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill.8.1984 . I am aware that the subject matter of the legislation falls under entry 42 of the Concurrent List of the 7th schedule of the Constitution. is the corner stone of the law of land acquisition. 1984. which forms the present Act and is the basis of all Central and State laws relating to compulsory acquisition and compensation payable. namely. many local Amendments have been made to this Act by the State Legislatures. 1894. To suit the growing needs of the State Governments. 1845. The counterpart to the Law of Eminent Domain of America. it becomes necessary for the State to acquire lands belonging to private persons for public purposes. provided it is for purposes of some public utility. The famous maxim “SALUS POPULI EST SUPREMA LEX” which means the welfare of the people is the paramount law. Central Act 1 of 1894. 1894.86 Land Acquisition Act and Harijan Welfare Schemes Madam. seeks to amend the principal Act. the principal statute in India is the Land Acquisition Act. and the law being a law made in 1894. i. is the Law of Land Acquisition and Compensation of India. Vice-Chairman. The power to acquire any land belonging to a private person for a public purpose by the Government is well recognised. . the Land Acquisition Act of 1894 is a pre-constitutional law. both the Central and State Governments have the power to legislate on this subject. It is well recognised that the sovereign power of a State has adequate authority to command and appropriate for itself lands situated within its jurisdiction..e. public necessity is greater than private necessity. and the welfare measures taken by the State. the Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill. or the Law of Compensation of England. In other words. namely. With the growing importance of progressive industrialisation of the country. of England. and such a right of the Government is accepted under the constitutions of all countries. the Land Acquisition Act. namely. “requisitioning and acquisition of property”. The principal Act. Thus. Like the Land Clauses Consolidation Act. include the provision of house-sites for Harijans. for constructing extending or improving any dwellings or houses for Harijans or providing any burial or cremation grounds. For any urgent and important purpose. that there should be compensation for acquisition. that no person shall be deprived of this property. It may not be the intention of the legislature that all acquisition of land. However. and no longer a fundamental right under Part III of the Constitution. in the sense that the provisions made therein. Now the right to property is only a statutory right. has been enacted in Tamil Nadu with the laudable object of acquiring lands for the Harijan Welfare Schemes. in respect of any acquisition of land for Harijan welfare schemes. or for sinking a public well in a Harijan colony or for constructing tenements for slum dwellers. save by authority of law. Our experience is that many land acquisition proceedings undertaken by the State Government in respect of many welfare measures. are not the same as in the Land Acquisition Act. the Madras High Court has struck down the Act. even while acquiring lands for the purpose of providing shelters to Harijans who are homeless. 1978. which confers the Fundamental Right to hold property. Article 300-A of the Constitution provides. that the Land Acquisition Act will not apply. namely. can be only under the Land Acquisition Act. I am constrained to say that unfortunately. because of the stay granted by the Courts. could not be pushed through speedily. compensation should be paid for the compulsory acquisition. and in spite of the objectives of the Act being laudable. the State is confronted with serious difficulties. . because of litigants misusing and prolonging the judicial process. because it belongs to a private person. and provides that no such property shall be acquired without paying the holder an amount by way of compensation has been omitted (by the Constitutional 44th Amendment Act. that the Land Acquisition Act shall cease to apply.87 It is true that when any land is acquired. to undertake a legislation providing for acquisition of land. It has been clearly provided in the Act. 1978). there seems to be no legal bar or constitutional infirmity. and such welfare measures are unnecessarily delayed. except for certain deviations which have been provided. with certain modifications from the Land Acquisition Act. on the ground that it violated Article 14 of the Constitution. 'Article 31 of the Constitution of India. I may state here that the Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Harijan Welfare Schemes Act. the Land Acquisition Act. The cardinal rule is. still the law of acquisition. on the pattern delineated in the Land Acquisition Act. The Act vests the State Government with power to acquire lands for these purposes and also to provide a machinery for determining the amount of payment by way of compensation. either for the Parliament or State Legislature. even for a public purpose. for any purpose. to enable the determination of the amount of compensation. no doubt. or for providing any other basic amenity for the benefit of Harijans. when implemented by the State. The Harijan Welfare Schemes under the Act. our experience is. in spite of the clear provision made in the Act. however laudable the public purpose might be. that even after the right to hold property ceased to be a fundamental right. but if ultimately on any technical ground. and in particular. But unfortunately. for improving and clearance of any slum areas in the State have been struck down by the High Court. Not only has our Law providing for acquisition of land for Harijan Welfare Schemes been struck down but even the acquisition provisions in the Tamil Nadu Slum Areas (Improvement and Clearance) Act. Any suit or writ filed in the Court. thereby restraining the State Government from proceeding further with the Land Acquisition. thus takes time for final disposal. and once stay is granted. following the earlier judgement of the Madras High Court. this increases the cost of the schemes . Not only is the aim of the State Government not fulfilled immediately. and the proceedings are stalled. it is common knowledge that any land owner may go to the Court. and such a scheme should be urgently implemented. and as a result. and the usual procedure of conducting section 5(A) enquiry is to be dispensed with. that only the preconstitutional law of 1894 should continue to govern all the land acquisitions to be made by the Government. thereby increasing the cost of acquisition for the State Government. notwithstanding this declaration. yet. and even if the State Government is satisfied that it is a long felt need of the public. towards securing the principles laid down in part IV and in Article 46 of the Constitution. the implementation of the welfare measures gets delayed. then during the interregnum. If any notification under section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act is issued for acquiring some site. of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. and a declaration to that effect is made. it is very unlikely that the stay is vacated. I wish to refer to the Directive principle enshrined in Article 46 of the Constitution. providing that the State shall promote with special care. the education and economic interest of the weaker sections of the people. In this context. It has been specifically declared in our Act. Although. that it is a law which seeks to give effect to the policy of the State. If such a notification under section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act is issued. the market value of the land would have gone up. the judgement of the Madras high Court has been taken on appeal to the Supreme Court. to provide for a burning ghat or public well in any Harijan colony. and only the enhanced marked value as on the date of the revised 4(1) notification has to be paid to the land owner. 1971. and the same is still pending before the Supreme Court. In turn. which the Centre and the States are bound to implement urgently. and shall protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation.88 Otherwise. we would be driven to the conclusion. the State Government is confronted with serious legal impediments. I am referring to this only to emphasise the point that even in carrying out welfare measures intended to benefit Harijans. the preliminary 4(1) notification is set aside by the Court. the State law providing for Acquisition of land for Harijan Welfare Scheme has been struck down. even in the wake of industrial progress and social welfare schemes. to remedy the defect or technical irregularities. the State Government is put under the legal obligation to issue the 4(1) notification again. and obtain an injunction or stay. In some cases where the State Government is satisfied that the welfare measures and schemes are to be implemented urgently. In other words. The Courts should sit in judgement in regard to the sufficiency of the materials or otherwise. goes to the Court immediately after the publication of 4(1) notification and obtains a stay. the question whether there is any real urgency or not should be left to be decided by the State Government and to their subjective satisfaction on the materials available before them. and the Government can make a declaration to that effect. except in cases where there is arbitrary exercise of power on the part of the Government. under the Land Acquisition Act under section 17(4). But even here. But it has been our usual experience that a land owner or a person having an interest in the land. with a view to take possession of the land and execute the work speedily. These procedural wrangles definitely put a great strain on the limited finances of the State Government. within three years from the date of publication of 4(1) notification. any period during which any action to be taken in pursuance of this notification issued under sub-section (1) of section 4. our experience has been that many land holders rush to the Court and stall the proceedings on the grounds that the Government has not presented a convincing argument in regard to the urgency of the measure or on some ground or other and obtain a stay. and consequently. . the declaration cannot be published within the time-limit stipulated under the Act. as to how best the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act can be amended. the decision of the State Government should be final and the same shall not be questioned on the ground that there is no real urgency. It is for us to think of ways and means. As the Tamil Nadu State Government has experienced considerable difficulty. a declaration under section 6 can be made. that the provisions of section 5(A) for conducting an enquiry should not apply. that in cases where the State Government decides that the urgency provisions are to be invoked. at any time after the publication of 4(1) notification. In such cases. the declaration under section 6 has to be made. it becomes necessary to provide. The said explanation specifically provides that in computing the period of three years for the purpose of publishing the declaration after the 4(1) notification. the State Government has brought forward the Land Acquisition Amendment Act. in regard to the invoking of urgency provisions. or where the power exercised is malafide. Further. even by invoking the urgency provisions. It may be stated that under the proviso to section 6. I would plead for the Act being amended on these grounds. it is open to the State Government to dispense with 5A enquiry. As such. and the immediate welfare measures planned by the State Government cannot be implemented. 1980 (Tamil Nadu Act of 1980) and has also given effect to it from 20th January 1967. is held up on account of the stay or injunction by order of a Court shall be excluded. immediately after the 4(1) notification.89 also. in cases where the State Government is satisfied. Here again. the 5(A) enquiry is dispensed with. the land acquisition proceedings come to a standstill. by adding an Explanation to the first proviso to section 6. including the Amendments we propose. article 46 of the Constitution. to achieve socio-economic justice for the common man.90 So. to acquire any private land for a public purpose. and to give effect to the Directive Principles enshrined in the Constitution. is to recognise and affirm the sovereign power of the State Government. The Act and the Amendments now proposed should enable the State Governments to acquire the necessary land without procedural difficulties or obstacles. After all. the Land Acquisition Act. a really purposeful and meaningful legislation to help the State Governments in implementing their social objectives and welfare schemes. . law is only a means to achieve justice and not an end in itself. the State Government felt the need for this amendment. and should not permit any litigant to stall the land acquisition proceedings by raising any hyper-technical grounds. as otherwise the law will be outmoded. These facts would show that the very object of the Land Acquisition Act. and brought forward the amending Act for this purpose. even as early as 1980. We should bear in mind the consciousness that any progressive law should suit and accommodate the changing and growing needs of the common man. should seek to achieve the rendering of justice to the common man. I am sure the Government would consider all these aspects and make the Land Acquisition Act. particularly in Part IV. and contemporary society. Viewed in this light. and fulfil the pressing needs of our society. 3.91 Thoughts on the 1985-86 Central Government Budget.1985 .Accent on Industrial Development Speech made on 21. strikes a happy note. long felt. aspirations and dreams our young. who has proved that he is gifted with prescience. Singh has covered himself with glory by presenting this Budget. . and has inspired the hope that he will indeed fulfil this promise. Shri Rajiv Gandhi has fired the imagination of all sections of the popu-lation by holding out the promise of bringing about this long awaited and much needed change. It is not an exaggeration to say that the Finance Minister Shri V.P. It is in reality a deep. because at least now we have a youthful and dynamic Prime Minister Shri. with an emphasis on removing fetters on growth. symbolises that desire for change. the Union Finance Minister Shri Vishwanath Pratap Singh. The Budget on the whole. This euphoria is not confined to the urban areas nor is it limited to the wealthy or middle class or poor. or anyone particular segment of our society. ebullient Prime Minister has for this ancient nation. and is entirely in consonance with the plans. His equally youthful and talented colleague. Rajiv Gandhi.92 Thoughts on the 1985-86 Central Government Budget Accent on Industrial Development The Central Government's Budget for 1985-86 is fully in harmony with the general feeling of euphoria which is now prevalent all over the country. The feeling is universal. fervent desire for change -change for the better and this mood of euphoria has over-taken the nation. which reflects the vision and image of a Gov-ernment keen and intent on progress. deserves the highest praise for presenting a bold and innovative Budget which can be described as the most important Budget since Independence. who in his own person. In short. Over the years it had become the norm. This Budget is characterised by boldness coupled with judiciousness. It shows that this Government is not afraid to break away from the shackles of self defeating tradition. the proposal to introduce special legislation for sick units is laudable. Coming to specifics. and the increased subsidy on domestic and imported fertilisers. thereby victimising the poor workers who were laid-off and also coolly and nonchalantly crying a halt to industrial growth.93 Wide ranging incentives have been provided to give the maximum possible impetus to growth oriented industries like electronics and to promote technological innovations in industry. In fact I would say that the most significant and forceful feature of this Budget is that mismanagement of industry is now going to be treated as a grave offence. and needless to say. the usual practice for industrialists to declare their units sick and order closure. In particular. There has been a sincere attempt to cover all sections of the population and all areas and aspects of the economy. These measures are indeed a boon to agriculturists. I welcome the Finance Minister's statement that those who are deemed to be responsible for mismanagement will not have access to assistance from financial institutions even in new ventures. shows the Government's genuine concern for the weakest sections of our society. while the industrialists themselves walked away with their personal coffers enriched to begin the same process all over again elsewhere. small and marginal farmers traditional craftsmen and others not covered by any insurance scheme or workmen's compensation arrangements. both in the individual and corporate sector. 2) The Social Security Scheme to cover the risk of death by accident in respect of earning members of poor families comprising landless labourers. Impressive structural reforms resulting in simplification and liberalisation in the areas of taxation have been introduced. It had become an accepted fact in our country that industrialists made themselves rich at the expense of the industries involved. There is an earnest endeavor to usher in an era of greater social justice through a package of schemes aimed at providing a measure of social security to the poorest of the poor. at the expense of the hapless workers employed in these units. this Budget has something positive in it for every one. the salient features of the Budget which elicit unanimous praise and approbation are: 1) The Crop Insurance Scheme with low insurance charges and subsidy to marginal and small farmers. . 3) In the realm of industry. like bad currency.000/. Worker's participation in management is essential. "Bad managers.to Rs. 15. To quote the Finance Minister's own words. The proposed establishment of a new corporation to rehabilitate sick units or promote the merger of profitable and weak enterprises is equally welcome. at one stroke the tax structure has been vastly simplified.per month from Rs. Until now. and raising the exemption limit from Rs.000/. 1. have to be kept out of circulation" and this new policy. By abolishing the surcharge on Income-Tax. As a result.5 per cent to 50 per cent. and I hope the Government of India will speed up the introduction of the proposed scheme to encourage this.000/.for Central Gov-ernment employees are also very welcome measures. Our earlier taxation laws themselves proved to be a formidable barrier against honesty.000/. 750/. the Finance Minister has evolved a bold and positive new policy. by lowering the effective tax rate in the highest bracket from 67. 4) At long last workers have been given due recognition as the real backbone and builders of the nation. honesty will become a practical proposition. 50. 36. and who really had no desire to evade taxes and get into trouble. By the decision to introduce the necessary legislation so that legitimate dues of workers rank pari passu with secured creditors such as banks in the event of closure of the company. . 5) The raising of the Bonus Limit to Rs. out of 40 lakh tax payers. and indeed worked as a disincentive and discouragement to those who were basically honest. 8) The abolition of estate duty and compulsory deposit are also welcome measures. if strictly adhered to. by giving reliefs all down the line and reducing the number of slabs from nine to just four.600/. nearly 10 lakhs will now be freed from the tax net altogether. 7) The structural reforms in the system of personal taxation are such that at last. and by the declaration that worker's dues will rank above even the dues to the Government. 18.94 By squarely laying the onus for reporting sickness on the management of the units themselves.and 6) The elevation of the ceiling of Death-cum-Retirement Gratuity from Rs. will definitely ensure that they are kept out.to Rs. the Finance Minister has elevated the status of workers all over the country. The Compulsory Deposit Scheme served no other purpose except to act as an irritant to already harassed tax payers. But the imposts were such that they would take away a man’s entire income altogether if he genuinely tried to be honest.a year. there were many tax payers in this country who were not chronically dishonest. CAT Scanner and Linear Accelerator to 45 per cent ad valorem. 50. With regard to sophisticated medical equipment for which no indigenous substitute is available in our country. the actual cost of such imported equipment is prohibitive. the Finance Minister had also included the word “sportswomen”. most advanced medical treatment within the reach of the common man. Though the repayment of compulsory deposit made by the tax payers in the past has been postponed by one year. which I am sure must be echoing in the Finance Minister's ears.to Rs. 20. the most noteworthy are: a) The proposal to raise the monetary ceiling on the exempt amount of retrenchment compensation received by industrial workers from Rs. because on some occasions our sportswomen have distinguished themselves and done India proud. By totally exempting such highly sophisticated medical equipment from customs duty.and b) the exemption to imported wood pulp and wood chips from customs duty. I request the Finance Minister to consider doing away with customs duty altogether. 14) The provision of free education for girls up to the hIgher secondary level is a measure that deserves unstinted praise and in this regard I am reminded of the words of Maxim Gorky.95 The abolition of compulsory deposit evokes a huge collective sigh of relief from millions of assessees. As it is. to ensure a stable and balanced economy. 11) The scheme to give suitable concessions to sportsmen is very welcome and it shows that the Finance Minister has not let any area escape his searchlight. 12) The proposal to dispense with the requirement of taking out licences for television sets.” . 10) I wholeheartedly endorse the reduction of customs duty on medical equipment such as Nuclear Magnetic Reso-nance Scanner. far better than sportsmen. 13) Exemption of excise duty for the small scale sector is also a step in the right direction to encourage growth. Only very wealthy medical practitioners and a few big medical institutions are able to afford to import them. “The measure of culture is one's treatment of women.000/. I only wish that in his speech. This cautionary measure is understandable and justified because of the need to restrain excessive expansion of money supply and the necessity to impound a part of the bank's loanable funds. and if possible. by subsidising the Import of such equipment by smaller medical institutions the Government of India will be taking a step forward to put the best. 9) Among the plethora of other concessions and reliefs offered. interest will accrue to it. radios and VCRs is bound to be welcomed by all.000/. 96 So far all my remarks have been positive and highly appreciative. such considerations do not take away the substance from the main thrust and logic of my argument which is. I have been informed through reliable sources. However. 1) Under our administrative system. friendly suggestions. that while the emoluments at the lowest levels or rungs of the civil service have gone up by three times i. are necessary for the civil service. first I would like to make a general point. on a par with the most highly developed countries in the world. Now I come to part B of my speech. I do hope that my following remarks will not be construed as negative criticism. all schemes of development and welfare measures of the Government ultimately have to be implemented through the civil service. those at the highest levels have gone up by only 70 per cent during the same period. Here is an area where bold and innovative measures are definitely called for.. Needless to say. they are sorely needed and long overdue. Some reliefs in areas like housing. As such it is essential to ensure modicum of relative freedom from petty economic worries for those engaged in this service. In fact. This civil service. These increments have hardly kept pace with inflationary spirals and the consequential economic pressures. with regard to the requirements of daily living. dispirited. transport etc. They can be regarded collectively as part A of my speech. but viewed in the proper perspective as wellmeaning. I am well aware that charges of "elitism" could possibly be levelled against the Government if such reliefs are provided. in net terms. grumbling civil service will not be able to effectively assist the Government in transforming or translating into reality. that the agency for implementing the various programmes of the Government. namely the civil service. its dreams to taking the nation forward into the 21st century. however. A discontented. is actually less today than what it was in 1973. has to be a .e.. it is at the highest levels of the civil service that the ultimate responsibility lies for implementing any and all progressive schemes of the Government. besides suffering further erosion by taxation. At the outset of the latter part of my speech. The pay at the highest levels in the civil service. by 300 per cent between the period 1973 and 1985. has not been freed from the enervating mental tension caused by petty economic worries due to the practical difficulties of making both ends meet. the number of educated unemployed youth is also increasing. By scrapping this measure which would bring in a revenue of one crore. A deficit of just one more crore of rupees is not going to make much difference to the Budget. and on behalf of the crores and crores of common people of India. an image of an India populated by hordes of unwashed. 400 crores has been announced for the Rural Landless employment Guarantee Programme.all because they cannot afford to buy household. 3. The Finance Minister himself admits that the incidental revenue gain from this measure is only Rs. It will not do at all to put items such as soap out of reach of the poor. We have to bear in mind that now educational institutions in the country are larger in number and as a natural corollary. The Finance Minister is a man gifted with imaginativeness. 3. the Government of India would be benefitting innumerable crores of Indian citizens. emitting an even more offensive odour. When the Government of India feels it can meet deficit financing to the tune of Rs.985 crores it can very well manage to find one more crore of rupees in the interests of the common man. and I am sure he will be able to conjure up without much difficulty in his mind's eye. laundry and toilet soaps are essential items which are a prerequisite for cleanliness and can hardly be considered luxury items. living in dirty unclean dwellings .97 contented one. if it is to function wholeheartedly as a committed partner of the Government in the development process of the nation.985 crores. I very strongly feel that this measure could have been avoided. 3) With regard to the increased duty rates prescribed for household. rather than encourage corruption and slackness in this most vital area. and the common people of India would be eternally grateful to the Finance Minister for doing away with the increased duty rates on soaps. There is already a budgetary deficit of Rs. I earnestly beseech the Finance Minister to scrap the additional duty on soaps. it can be done. Even now it is not too late. laundry and toilet soaps. by not providing the sorely needed relief which is long overdue to it. laundry and toilet soaps. 1 crore. responsible and honest civil service. I strongly submit that this amount is insufficient and has to be enhanced. cleanliness is next to godliness. . After all. It is in the larger interests of the nation to have a contented. foul smelling people wearing soiled clothes. The common man will be hard hit by this measure. committed. The Finance Minister himself has stated that this allocation has been kept at the same level as in the current year. and household. 2) An outlay of Rs. the additional power generation capacity of 14. Nobody can disagree with the wisdom and necessity of these decisions. In addition. . meaningful progress. It is stated in the Budget that by the end of the Sixth Plan period. Yet. is woefully inadequate and falls far short of the real needs of the country. if we are to make any real. and therefore probably. 300 per tonne. would have been added. This is hardly sufficient for a country which plans to take rapid strides forward in the spheres of industry.000 M. I entreat the Finance Minister to look into the possibility of further lowering the existing duty rates on soaps.W. and will have to depend upon increasing in the years to come. I feel sufficient emphasis has not been laid on increased power generation in the Budget. and not at all adequate if the Government means to fulfil its dream of taking India into the 21st century on an equal footing with other developed nations. This inter-State movement of goods has to be either by road or by rail. Electrification is the one thing on which the whole country depends. so as to make cleanliness a cheaper and more viable proposition for the common man. Ultimately it will be the consumers who will be the worst sufferers as the prices of practically all goods are bound to go up. Inter-State movement of all kinds of goods including food grains such as rice and wheat. a basic customs duty of 10 per cent ad valorem is also proposed to be levied. cannot but affect one and all. But it is my duty to point out that this increased levy coupled with increase of freight rates in the Railway Budget. 100 to Rs. is an integral part of our economy. 4) Auxiliary duty on crude petroleum has been raised from Rs. additional power generating capacity to the extent of 14. the cost of both production and distribution of goods will go up at least by 10 per cent.W. and this is one area that we cannot afford to neglect at any cost.000 M. I fully appreciate the Finance Minister's decision to complete projects already under implementation rather than taking on new ones. I admit that the import price of oil has been rising sharply due to the appreciation of the dollar in which oil prices are designated. science and technology. the Finance Minister has no other option but to drastically increase the levy on crude oil. 5) Increased electrification is vital if the country is to make real progress. I also agree that it is wise and prudent to provide more for projects which are in an advanced stage of execution and which can be commissioned more speedily so that the benefits can start flowing to the economy as early as possible.98 In addition. Now that both have become costlier. Viewed in this perspective. 20 lakhs every month through fishing alone.. I wish to make a few remarks. Therefore. the foreign exchange loss to the country should also be taken into account. it is up to the External Affairs Ministry and the Ministry of Defence to do something about it..99 More emphasis should be laid on increased power generation and the necessary funds for it have to be found somehow. i. We constitute one-sixth of the human race in the world and jobs have to be provided for all our citizens. human labour. 7) Finally. 60 lakhs per month.20 crores a year worth of foreign exchange. and India needs all the foreign exchange it can get. I am all for the rapid development of science and modern technology. Before the outbreak of the ethnic strife in Sri Lanka with its fallout of refugees and the subsequent attacks on the fishermen of Rameswaram by the Sri Lankan Navy.in particular. roughly Rs. We have a problem of over population and ever increasing unemployment. computers. Thus the cumulative worth of the transactions was around Rs. in the larger interest of the nation's economy it is essential to reinfuse life into the now almost dead fishing industry of Rameswaram. one of their main problems is under population. India can ill afford to lose Rs. if we are to keep pace with the modern world.e. Rameswaram was able to record a turnover of Rs. repayments of the International Monetary Fund loan etc.. we should not forget that in many Western countries and in highly developed countries of the East like Japan. and as a result. the importance of the need to conserve scarce foreign exchange. However. Hence their increasing dependence on ever more sophisticated technology. 7. 10 to Rs. 60 lakhs worth of transactions per month have ground to a standstill. There is a huge balance of payments. Since the reasons for the enforced cessation of fishing activity are external. I wish to point out that the marine industry of Rameswaram must not be neglected. according to statistics provided by the Fishermen's Association of Rameswaram. These are essential and indispensable for progress. 15 per kg and sell it to the wholesalers or exporters at about three times the seashore price. with regard to the Finance Minister's reference to optimum utilisation of our main resource. they face acute shortage of human labour.e. 6) The Finance Minister has emphasized in his Budget speech. 60 lakhs every month i. and the encouragement of technological innovations . . Middlemen used to buy the catch from the fishermen at Rs. In India our problem is quite the reverse. Since February this year it is zero. In this context. As most of the catch is for export purposes. Nearly Rs. 100 Therefore. in conclusion. the foundations laid by our Fathers. To sum up.” We defend We build a . I would like to say that our youthful. and our equally dynamic Finance Minister Shri Vishwanath Pratap Singh has ably reflected his ideas in the Budget. life for generations yet unborn. the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister in collaboration have jointly succeeded in giving new life to these memorable words of Franklin D. Roosevelt: “We build and defend not for our generation alone. dynamic Prime Minister Shri. Rajiv Gandhi has kept his promise to the nation. we should see to it that the speedy growth and development of technological innovations in industry. Through the presentation of this Budget. does not result in further aggravating the vexed problem of unemployment in India. while indispensable to progress. 8.101 Evolving a National Textile Policy: Protecting the Handloom Sector Debate on the new National Textile Policy on 13.1985 . and (c) The industry shall be subject to more pragmatic policies regarding creation or contraction of capacities by units. weaving and processing. I will try to be brief in my remarks on the new National Textile Policy announced by the Government of India on June 6. and the criticism already voiced against this new textile policy. namely. spinning. I shall therefore confine myself to a few important points. it is positively dangerous. in order to increase competition and promote healthy growth in the industry. There is more to it than what meets the eye in this seemingly innocuous statement. It has been announced by the Minister for Textiles that the proposed restructuring of the textile industry will have three main dimensions. Not only the members in the opposition but even most of the ruling party members who participated in the discussion in the other House. I do not wish to repeat what has already been said.102 Evolving a National Textile Policy: Protecting the Handloom Sector Mr. whose . I see nothing wrong in it. It is as deadly as an atom bomb. In Clause B. As regards Clause A. Vice-Chairman. Sir. (b) The industry shall be provided with fuller flexibility in the use of various fibres. 1985. I find myself quite in agreement with the doubts and apprehensions already expressed. have expressed grave misgivings about the new textile policy. As for Clause C. since most of the Honourable Members in this House would have gone through the speeches made by the Honourable Members in the other House on this subject. Much has already been said on this subject in the other House as well as this one. namely: (a) The industry shall be viewed in terms of the stages of its manufacturing process. there is a catch. This new policy is not going to restructure and promote the healthy growth of the entire textile industry in the country. The Government itself admits that 75 lakh weavers are engaged in the hand loom industry. If this policy is followed. At first glance. What about the hand loom workers in other States? In particular. At another point in the text of the new textile policy. It is going to boost up the structure of the mill sector only. all this looks very nice on paper. As a result of this new policy. These measures are purportedly designed to ameliorate or better the lot of hand loom weavers. But what is the reality? An in-depth analysis of the new textile policy reveals that it is heavily loaded in favour of the mill sector. in about 4 years' time.instead this new policy will completely demolish and destroy the structure of the hand loom sector. humble handloom weavers all over the country. the hand loom sector will be killed .namely: (1) A contributory thrift . I am being very blunt. It is the hand loom sector which is going to receive a death blow if this new policy is followed. since whole . and in addition to all this. what about the handloom weavers in the North Eastern States of India? The North East is well known for its beautiful traditional hand loom textiles. culminating in the total obliteration of the hand loom industry. I know. The powerloom sector will also benefit as it is closely linked with the mill sector in several ways. and pays only lip service to the needs of more than 75 lakhs of poor. This new policy offers maximum concessions and a tremendous fillip to the rich tycoons and magnates of the mill sector. But I will come to that later. the structure of the handloom sector will not be restructured or built up or shored up . I am sure the actual figure must be much higher. and it also sounds very wonderful when we first hear it.fund scheme to provide assistance to the handloom weavers during times of need. and (2) A workshed-cum-housing scheme to provide a better place for work and living to the handloom weavers.wiped out totally. in about 3 to 4 years time. if this new policy is viewed with an unbiased mind. Can the country tolerate or withstand this? In Tamil Nadu alone there are more than 25 lakh workers in the handloorn sector.103 nuclear fallout will spell the doom of lakhs of workmen employed in the mill sector. two more schemes have been enunciated to provide benefit to handloom weavers . the Minister has announced a whole plethora of steps running into 8 sub sections. but this is the truth which is plain for all to see. M. every year. and the minimum wages prescribed for production of controlled cloth must not be lower than the wages paid in accordance with the Tamil Nadu Act. living and existing in pitiable. and how many such houses have been built for hand loom weavers during the past two years since that scheme was announced? I now refer to the release of funds by the Government of India for the hand loom sector. The Centre is supposed to give 50% and the States 50% of the rebate. It would be a good thing if the Union Government came forward to enact a similar Minimum Wages Act for handloom weavers throughout India. Referring to the workshed-cum-housing scheme for handloom weavers now announced in the new textile policy. I recall even 2 years ago.D. This 30% rebate is supposed to be shared in equal measure by the Central Government and the State Governments. In this regard. at least to prove your bona fides? As I have already admitted. huge rebates upto 30% are given to the co-operative societies. Because of huge resource constraints which the States are constantly facing. and on which they depend totally for their very existence.have you even moved a little finger in this direction? If you say you have.104 families of weavers engage themselves in hand loom cloth production. since time immemorial. some State Governments may not have released their share of the rebate amount. we find that unfortunately or otherwise. as incentives for increasing sales. if I am not mistaken. I must mention that the A. some State Governments may not have released their share of the rebate amount.I. have you released your share of the rebate amount to the States. As far as the handloom weavers are concerned. I am sorry to say that I am not able to see any tangible evidence or results. the whole concept of the hand loom industry has historically become a subsidy-oriented one. Can you provide details of where such houses have been built. and to dispose of accumulated stocks. Government in Tamil Nadu is the only State Government which has enacted an unique Act for the payment of minimum wages to the hand loom weavers. which is their only means of livelihood. the Central Government announced that the implementation of the scheme for building houses for handloom weavers and beedi workers would be accelerated.K. I ask the Centre. as the case may be.but what has been done? What happened to this grand proclamation made two years ago? I ask the Central Government . By observing a special Handloom Week or Weeks. What is to be the fate of these lakhs of poor workers? The Government speaks of a scheme to help them in times of need. If we take a look at history. they are always in need. They are already. But. and measures would be taken on a war footing .A. . through the years. miserable conditions of abysmal poverty. by way of further repression the Government has reduced the number of annual rebate days for handlooms from 60 days to 30 days. Yarn supply is controlled by the mills. failing which. In addition to all this. They are convinced that this new textile policy spells their doom. 9 crores worth of stock has accumulated in the co-operative handloom sector. And in this regard. Several times. non-profitable controlled cloth has been thrust or dumped on to the hand loom sector. In Tamil Nadu alone. or practically non-existent. the amount will revert back to the Centre. representatives of the Tamil Nadu Government and of the hand loom industry have pleaded with the Centre that the Ministry of Defence and other Public Sector Undertakings should purchase handloom goods and encourage the growth of the handloom industry.105 But at least the Centre can prove its bona fides. the Centre must again restore the number of rebate days to 60 days. Controlled cloth is the poor man's cloth. and is specifically designed to finish them off once and for all time to come. Surely.but that is also precisely the reason why movement of such cloth will be slow. I must mention that I have already spoken about this last year in this very House. to plead with me to take up their cause in Parliament. Ministry of Defence and other Public Sector Undertakings should purchase handloom goods and place more orders and encourage the handloom industry. Controlled cloth stocks have already piled up and are not moving. Rs. In the larger interest of handloom weavers. and the remuneration to the handloom workers will be less. the Centre can do this much. But you have not done even that. I met and spoke to some handloom workers from Tamil Nadu. There is nobody to purchase it. Yarn is being manufactured by mills. . and this yarn is the raw material for the handlooms. and they are unable to move the stocks. Only yesterday. no doubt . I fail to understand the rationale behind the Centre's decision to reduce the number of rebate days from 60 to 30. The Government has now reserved the production of controlled cloth exclusively for the handloom sector. On the one hand. and needless to say. The Sales of handlooms in Tamil Nadu touch 75% of the total production only during rebate days. or within a stipulated time limit such as three months or so. by coming forward to release its share of the rebate to the States with the condition that the States should disburse their share of the rebate within the same period. So they can gradually tighten the noose and kill the handloom sector which is at their mercy. Now the entire burden of producing less remunerative. They have come all the way to New Delhi. the Government talks of encouraging the handloom sector and on the other hand the Government does everything possible to stifle it. the profits will also be so low as to be of no account. when the problem of unemployment is already so acute? Instead of creating more jobs for the unemployed. the Government is adopting a policy which is going to deprive lakhs of workers already employed of their jobs. should be earmarked for exclusive production by the handloom sector. I come now to the mill sector. and give them reassurance and encouragement in practical. mere lip sympathy will not do. so that they will not suffer. What is going to happen to thousands or lakhs of these textile mill workers as a result of this policy? What will be their fate? If a free hand is given to the mill owners for contraction of their units at will. and throw them into the wilderness to starve. in favour of the wealthy mill sector and the powerloom sector which is closely linked with it. with regard to the handloom sector.106 It is up to the Government of India to allay their fears. what about the workmen already employed in those units? Are they going to be retrenched? Are they going to be provided with alternative employment elsewhere? Or are they just going to be thrown out to starve and fend for themselves? Is the country really going to gain anything by increasing unemployment in leaps and bounds by this retrograde policy. Is this the way you are going to develop the country? I strongly submit that unless and until adequate compensation or alternative employment is assured for the workers in the mill sector . very. let the owners first tell us what they are going to do. It poses serious threat to the livelihood of workmen in mills. There is. You cannot play with the lives of lakhs of hard working mill labourers like this. dangerous. If units are going to be contracted. no doubt that this new textile policy is heavily weighed .in fact loaded. in order to benefit a few wealthy tycoons of the mill sector in the textile industry. If any mill owners are going to contract the capacities of their units. is very.unless the future livelihood of the workers is guaranteed before-hand. to compensate the workers who will be thrown out of their jobs. More sophisticated technology naturally means less need for human labour. The Government should increase the number of items reserved exclusively for handlooms and not just quantitatively. . from this. I appeal forcefully to the Government to reconsider its new textile policy. while simultaneously permitting import of highly sophisticated technology. concrete terms. the Government should not permit the contraction on any units in the mill sector. even a nitwit can deduce that this will automatically result in several thousands of mill workers being deprived of their jobs. but high profit-earning items which will substantially benefit the handloom sector. The categorical provision in the new textile policy that mills can contract their capacity while at the same time allowing the import of highly sophisticated technology. It is now confirmed that even the State Governments had not been consulted at the time the policy was formulated. The major point to be stressed here is that the report of the Experts Committee on Textiles. It has been classified as ‘secret’. commended the Experts Committee for having finalised the new textile policy in the very short time . were openly flaunting copies of the New Textile Policy. several weeks before it was officially announced by the Government. in the larger interest of the country. of such significance. And. it is obvious that those who constitute the powerful mill lobby. has been advocating a textile policy. Despite this point having been raised by several members in the Lok Sabha. what is more. Dhirubhai Ambani . has not been made public. unless solid guarantees are provided. that Mr.unless and until the workers' future is satisfactorily assured. the Government of India. I do not vouch for the veracity of what I am now going to refer to . No wonder! After all. after the official announcement was made. or they have been a party to influence its shaping. it was found to be an almost verbatim copy of what Mr. These two points . and the other about non-consultation of the State Government in evolving such an important policy. Any adverse consequences on employment would have to be borne by the State Government. the policy had already been formulated by the likes of Mr. have either shaped the new textile policy themselves.and his close associates. The Hon.107 I repeat . Handloom industry is a State subject and so is employment. Member Mr. but also keeping in mind the ancient .at record speed. or at the stage of finalisation.but I understand from very reliable sources. All along.one about the report of the Experts Committee being withheld from the public. Now what does this prove? From this. well in advance of the Government announcement. The Indian Cotton Mill Owner's Federation is claiming that all its demands have been conceded in the New Policy. the report has not been made public. on whose recommendations the New Textile Policy is supposed to be based. taking into account not only the needs of the mill sector.it is needless for me to say who he is . Dhirubhai Ambani. This could have happened only if its members had full access to the Textile Ministry and Experts Committee. Jacob who spoke on behalf of the ruling party. Dhirubhai Ambani was flaunting and boasting about. no mill should be allowed to contract the capacity of its units. and that of the powerloom sector. illustrate the process used for evolving such an important policy. and all the Committee had to do was to put its stamp on it. I now come to the final part of my remarks. This statement of mine should not be misconstrued. What I am saying in effect is that let the mill sector also grow and flourish.and in particular the special requirements of the hand loom sector. and instead of ensuring the continuity and safety of both sectors . the Government has tried to dodge this issue. the Government has moved in the wrong direction by giving an enormous boost to the mill sector at the expense of the handloom sector.the Growth of an already strong sector should not be encouraged to such an extent. . But now. it does not mean that I am against the mill sector. But. That is all I am saying. instead of taking into account the basic requirements for long overdue modernisation. and taking the hand looms as the other sector. in any policy decision. instead of just paying lip service to it. and this consideration should be extended in concrete practical terms. and instead of giving special incentives for this purpose. The crux of my statement is this .here I say both because I am clubbing the mill sector along with powerlooms. The Government should evolve a more balanced and fair policy. whose whole families depend entirely on the handloom industry for their very existence. With these remarks I oppose the policy in toto and conclude. In view of the more than 75 lakhs of poor hand loom weavers. In effect. I am not against the mill sector.108 heritage so special to handlooms . after the Bombay Textile Mill Worker's strike in order to give a fillip. the hand loom sector has been sacrificed like a sacrificial goat. to the mill sector. and replacement of obsolete equipment. the Government should ensure that the growth of one sector is not at the expense of the other.powerful altar of the mill sector. at the all . I feel it is the handloom sector which should be considered more sympathetically by the Government. because I say this. as to practically obliterate and wipe out from existence the weaker sector. The growth of all sectors is necessary for the nation's economic progress and development. a boost. 19.109 Income-Tax & Wealth-Tax Arrears of Film Artistes Personal Explanation under Rule No: 241 given in the Rajya Sabha.8.1985 . Shri. A refund is also due to me from the Income-Tax Department and after the disposition of the appeal. Since my personal integrity is at stake. and an appeal has been filed to the Commissioner of Income-Tax (Appeals) Madras. Janardhan Poojary released a list of several film personalities. . The important point to note here is that I should not be subjected to embarrassment or penalised. Therefore. I express my profound gratitude to the Hon'ble Chairman for permitting me to make this Personal Explanation under Rule No: 241 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States. in which my name was also included. In fact. because this news item has been sensationalised in the vernacular Tamil press. and I can proudly say that I am one of the very few film artistes who has frequently been the recipient of refunds from the Income. if the disputed amount has to be paid. in a reply to Unstarred Question No: 1876 put by Shri. I would like to clarify the true position. and particularly because I have been subjected to great embarrassment. which has been disputed. because of the inordinate delay by the Income-Tax Department in disposing of cases. The truth of the matter is as follows: I have always been very prompt in paying all my tax dues.110 Income-Tax & Wealth-Tax Arrears of Film Artistes On Tuesday. as to the names of film artistes against whom incometax and wealth-tax arrears amounting to more than rupees one lakh are outstanding at present. several times I have paid excess amounts.Tax Department because I had paid more than was due. the Minister of State for Finance. 13th August. The amount in question is only for the assessment year 1976-77. and has been blown up out of all proportion. since my personal prestige and reputation are at stake. it cannot be classified as arrears. 1985. it will be adjusted against the refund. Pyarelal Khandelwal. I would have paid it then and there itself. even in the year 1976-77 an appeal had been filed. this cannot be termed as Income-Tax arrears. and the matter rested there for the past 8 years. and since there is already an amount pending as refund to me by the Income-Tax Department against which this can be adjusted should the need arise. I have filed an appeal with the Commissioner of Income-Tax (Appeals). the Income-Tax Department has suddenly decided to take this case for re-assessment and referred it once again to the Income-Tax Officer. Now.111 In this particular case. I respectfully submit that since the Commissioner of Income. Hence. once again. Therefore. and the case was set aside by the Commissioner of Income-Tax (Appeals) at that time. Now all of a sudden. the Income-Tax Department decides to take up this case for re-assessment. for reasons best known to itself. and my name should not have been included in the list of persons against whose names income-tax arrears are outstanding. after a lapse of 8 years. My argument is this: If the Commissioner of Income-Tax (Appeals) had decided 8 years earlier that the amount in dispute should be paid as tax dues. . Is this my fault? Certainly not.Tax (Appeals) has not yet decided whether the amount is payable as tax dues or not. But the Commissioner of Income-Tax (Appeals) set it aside at that time. It seems to be a case of the Income-Tax Department having second thoughts or afterthoughts about this matter. after 8 years. 8.112 Sorry Plight of Women's Homes ‘Special mention’ in the Rajya Sabha on 20.1985 . they have nothing with which to cover themselves while that one saree is drying in the sunlight.Lodha of the Jaipur Bench of the Rajasthan High Court happened to read this news report. in particular. A local newspaper published a story about this Women's Home on July 15 this year. we are inured to such shocks as such instances are common place in our country. the Ministry of Social and Women's Welfare to a news item entitled “Sorry Plight of Women's Home” in “The Indian Express” dated 19th August 1985. They are kept as bonded labourers and tortured and beaten at the slightest pretext. Probably we would be really shocked if we came across a Women's Home which is genuinely well run and where the inmates are decently treated for a change. which is run by the Government. barbaric and horrifying conditions in which the women inmates of a Women's Protection Home are forcibly kept. elementary necessities for human existence. I wish to draw the attention of the Government of India. I thank you for permitting me to make this special mention in the House today. and when that single saree is washed and dried. this co-called "Mahila Ashram" is worse than a medieval jail where the women inmates have to starve for everything including water. They are tortured and beaten by male and female chowkidars even during pregnancy. Through you Sir. food. The women inmates are treated worse than animals. The deplorable horrific conditions in this Women's Home are nothing new. It graphically describes the inhuman. Justice G. In short. They are not even provided with soap to clean themselves. They are given only one saree to wear. It is our good fortune that Justice Lodha . Sir. The point to note here is that this matter would never have come to light but for pure chance. Chairman. proper clothes and sanitation. Rajastan.M. Though it is shocking to hear about them.113 Sorry Plight of Women's Homes Mr. in the Mahila Ashrya Garh in Bharatpur. They are not provided with even the basic. the inquiry report reveals inhuman. and the stepmotherly treatment to inmates is heart-rending. Justice Lodha admitted the petition and observed that (quote) . While admitting the writ petition.(unquote) Justice Lodha has given several ad-interim directions regarding provision of amenities. We do not know for what purpose she undertakes these frequent tours. and the Director of the Social Welfare Department. kind-hearted person. renovation work to be carried out in the Women's Home etc.“Prima facie. the humanitarian Justice Lodha decided to treat the local newspaper story as a writ petition. Very often we receive tour programmes of this lady Minister. nerveshocking. What I would like to point out is that there is only one such humanitarian Justice Lodha but there must be many more such Women's Homes all over the country. PWD of Bharatpur District. After going through the report of the Chief Judicial Magistrate. I suggest that it would be a good thing if the Minister of State for Social and Women's Welfare. Superintendent of Police. and takes necessary steps to implement remedial measures on a war footing with all speed. the Justice has issued notice to the Chief Secretary of Rajasthan. and conducts a survey of all such Women's Homes run by Government. Chief Judicial Magistrate. barbaric. and on that basis appointed the Chief Judicial magistrate of Bharatpur to go into the working of the Women's Home and prepare an inquiry report. We cannot expect that the condition of all such Homes will be discovered and remedied in the same way. suppressed. We have a separate Ministry of Social and Women's Welfare. in similar appalling condition. oppressed victims in Society” . and makes a mockery of social justice ensured in the Constitution to all citizens and particularly to the weaker. Realising that the miserable inmates of the Women's Home could do nothing and had no means to obtain justice for themselves. There must be hundreds or thousands of other such Women's Homes all over India. Social Welfare Officer. undertakes frequent tours of all the States. with a Lady as Minister of State with Independent Charge. and Executive Engineer. Director of Social Welfare. . in the case of the Bharatpur Women's Home it was a sheer accident of fate that Justice Lodha came across such a newspaper report and was concerned enough to act upon it himself and order follow-up action. Here. He has also directed that copies of his order be sent to the Chief Secretary.114 happened to be a very humane. better treatment to the inmates. It would also be welcome if the Minister discloses the findings of such a survey to Parliament. the Collector. primitive slum conditions of the Ashram. 3.1986 .115 The JIPMER Issue Supplementary question on JIPMER in the Rajya Sabha on 12. and then the Minister stated that the All India Medical Council itself withdrew that notice. last year the Hon. Just now the Hon. Mr. the Minister in charge of this portfolio then. Member. Gopalsamy raised a half-an-hour discussion on this very subject and at that time. Yogendra Makwana. But I recall that in this very House.to give false replies in the House? .116 The JIPMER Issue Sir. Mr. Minister admitted that the All India Medical Council had sent a notice to JIPMER which contained a threat of derecognition. we all know that very frequently the portfolios of Ministers are changed but still I think that there cannot be any sufficient grounds for Ministers to give wrong answers in the House. one question I would like to ask through you: Is it proper for Ministers . denied that any such notice was at all sent by the All India Medical CounciL And today the Minister in charge of the same portfolio admits that such a notice was sent and then it was withdrawn by the Council.I do not want to use the word perjury . Sir. 3.1986 .117 A Case of Police Apathy Special mention on Police Apathy on Technical Grounds of Jurisdiction made on 13. the nearest police station is in Delhi. but the nearest police station is in Delhi. that is. So. the place where the incident took place is in U. there was a case of armed dacoity and murder in the border area between Delhi and U. Then they went up to a certain distance and found that no one was coming to their aid and no one was around. it so happened that the culprits were allowed to get away and go scot free because the police refused to act on technical grounds of jurisdiction. members of the family ran to the nearest police station in Delhi. March 9th. I wish to draw the attention of the House and the Government of India. Then they came back. to a serious case of police apathy. It is a very lonely road. They refused to act on technical grounds of jurisdiction.. aiding and abetting the crime. The police are the custodians of law and order and the police personnel are the people in whom direct authority is vested. Sir. But the police refused to act on the ground that it was not within their jurisdiction. in particular of the Minister in charge of Internal Security. the family members started shouting for help. callousness. inaction and indifference on technical grounds of jurisdiction. and there are no neighbours around. attacked the family and murdered one of the members of the family. at Ghaziabad. In the early hours of Sunday morning. the dacoits first ran away. I would like to say that this kind of apathy and inaction on the part of the police can actually be construed as conniving at.P. When the dacoits attacked the family. who can take direct action. Deputy Chairman. a lonely rural area.P. and who are the ones who should take direct action for the implementation of law and order. Sir. In many cases like the one I have mentioned now. Technically. Similar incidents have occurred even In Delhi several times where one police station refused to act on a complaint lodged by someone because the place where the incident took place does not come within its jurisdiction. Immediately after this incident took place. In this particular case which I mentioned just now and which occurred in Ghaziabad. Had the Delhi .118 A Case of Police Apathy Mr. through you. how can we induce people to go and settle in remote areas when even the basic protection is not provided in those areas. In rural and remote areas where incidents such as these take place. there should be ample protection provided for these people. people in high positions of authority say time and again that we should stop this overcrowding of urban population. . Sir. Also I make a further request that proper instructions and guidelines should be evolved so that in future. police inaction such as this. they could have nabbed the culprits. when murders take place and when armed robberies take place. the complaint had to go to the D.P. the number of police personnel is woefully inadequate when compared to the total population. Later. how can we prevent people from coming and flocking to urban centres. does not result in the culprits escaping merely on grounds of technical jurisdiction.119 police acted immediately as soon as the complaint was received. Again. the police should not display such utter callousness and refuse to act merely on technical grounds of jurisdiction. Police. I would also like to point out that not only in Delhi. in rural and remote areas. the point I am trying to make is that certain guidelines should be evolved and certain instructions should be given so that in real emergencies such as these when lives of innocent citizens are lost. police apathy such as this. Sir. it was found that the dacoits who escaped had gone towards Delhi. In this connection. Instructions should be given accordingly. but practically in every State in India. When they conducted the investigation. 120 Permanent Solution to Flood Havoc, Integral Coach Factory Expansion, Sethusamudram Project and Rapid Transport System for Madras Speech during debate on Appropriation (Vote on Account) Bill, on 18.3.1986 121 Permanent Solution to Flood Havoc, Integral Coach Factory Expansion, Sethusamudram Project and Rapid Transport System for Madras May I make an interruption with your permission? I am saying this in support of the Finance Minister. Just now you made a reference to the press and the mischievous propaganda in the press. There was a report, I recall, just two or three days earlier in one of the financial papers in which it said that there was a letter of protest from the Industry Ministry to the Finance Ministry. Sir, this is a very mischievous report from your view point. So, Sir should you not refute this, at least take action against the concerned paper or make a refutation because it implied that the Union Government are not pulling together as a whole? The report in the paper regarding your Budget proposals was that the Industry Minister had sent a secret letter to you. Mr. Vice-Chairman, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak on the Appropriation Bill, 1986. At the outset I wish to make it very clear that 90 per cent of my speech is going to be repetitive. I am not going to say anything new. As Dr. Johnson said, “It is not sufficiently considered that men require more often to be reminded than to be informed.” So most of my remarks today have to be considered in this context. The points I make may seem repetitive. They are repetitive but they are also essential, necessary and important because I have already informed the Centre, the Government of India, through my earlier speeches in this very House about what we require. So today the nature of my speech is not to inform the Government but to remind the Government of what we need. While replying to the debate on the Appropriation (Vote on Account) Bill, 1986, in the Lok Sabha the Minister of State for Finance, Shri. Janardhan Poojari, said, “The larger assistance to States on account of drought had upset the Budget Estimates necessitating the present demands for grants.” He said that against the Budget provision of Rs. 270 crores, the actual spending on assistance to State for natural calamities amounted to Rs. 1,015 crores during the current year. In this 122 connection again now I am going back to what I said in this House before in my speech on the Finance Bill in 1984 - at that time I had said that if we study the history of India over the past 100 years, we will notice that at regular intervals not only in Tamil Nadu but in the whole of India, the State has been affected by intermittent period of drought. A study of old almanacs relating to the past 100 years will prove that during this period droughts occurred at regular intervals. Since this is a known proven fact it is my request, I repeat this request, that the Government of India should anticipate these regular periods of drought and chalk out plans so that the Government is prepared to meet the situation when it arises. Similarly, floods occur all over the country. Every year the river Ganga is in spate and causes widespread damage because of floods. So also the river Brahmaputra. Every year a flood situation is created by these two rivers. Whenever this happens, there is a lot of talk about finding permanent solution to this recurring problem then everybody forgets all about it until again the next year the floods occur and again the same remarks are repeated and yet again the matter is left at that and forgotten. This happened with monotonous regularity every year. Isn't it high time that the Government of India really did something to solve this problem on a permanent basis? Is spending crores of rupees every year on flood relief the only way-out? Is this the only solution that we can think of? If we calculate the stupendous amounts spent so far since Independence during the past thirty nine years on flood relief operations alone, necessitated by the havoc wrought by these two rivers alone, the river Ganga and the river Brahmaputra, the total would be of Gargantuan dimensions. Instead of regularly incurring this colossal expenditure on flood relief, surely the same gigantic amount could have been better spent and would have been sufficient to implement a permanent solution to this problem? In this context, I repeat it is vital and necessary to seriously consider and expedite the linkage of the Ganga with the Cauvery. Indubitably, this will involve an expenditure of a staggering amount; I do not deny that. But the Government must obtain the necessary finance probably as foreign aid from friendly countries. The linking of the Ganga and the Cauvery will prove beneficial to the whole country in several ways. Not only will it boost the nation’s economy by increasing the production of electricity in the country, not only will it provide irrigation to thousands, indeed, lakhs of acres of land, but it will also, above all, foster and nurture a new awareness in the minds of the people that India is one. A scheme to link the Ganga and the Cauvery would be one of the best ways to promote national integration and strengthen national unity. Now, sir, I come to the specific points in relation to the State of Tamil Nadu. Regarding the Salem Steel Plant, in the Seventh Five Year Plan, only a sum of Rs. 16.06 crores has been provided and I submit that a minimum amount of at least Rs. 50 crores should be allotted. Regarding industrialisation in Tamil Nadu, Sir, this has been repeated ad nauseum by all the Members from Tamil Nadu, not only from my party, but from other parties as well. After 1967, no major industry has been started 123 in the State and at least now the Centre should think of doing something in this regard. Regarding the Hindustan Photo Films Factory at Ootacamund, a Polyesterbased Films Project has been included now which is estimated at Rs. 163 crores. For this year, Sir, the Finance Minister has sanctioned Rs. 20 crores. But the file is now with the Industries Minister and the Industries Minister is sitting on that file. So I appeal to the Finance Minister to see that the file is moved and that the amount of Rs. 20 crores reaches the State as soon as possible. Regarding the expansion of the Integral Coach Factory at Perambur, Sir, this demand we have reiterated over and over again and all the Members from Tamil Nadu have done this. Yet we have been told that they are going to start a new coach factory at Kapurthala in Punjab. I think I should reiterate that this will involve an enormous expenditure for the Government because as far as the Integral Coach Factory at Perambur is concerned, we have all the necessary infrastructure right on hand. Not only that, now they have to start from scratch in Punjab. When you compare the costs, this will be very minimal. I suggest expansion of the already existing project and I must also point out that in and around Tiruchirapalli in Tamil Nadu, we have over 200 ancillary units, workshops, etc., which will be very beneficial and it will be very easy and they will contribute greatly to the feasibility of immediate expansion of the Integral Coach Factory at Perambur. Regarding the Third Mine Project at Neyveli, Sir, there was a proposal from the Neyveli Lignite Corporation for the Third Mine Project and three Super Power Thermal Projects during the Current Plan. I would like to know what the position is regarding this Third Mine Project and I would also request that this Third Mine Project be expedited without further delay. Regarding the Sethusamudram Project, Sir, this again is something which has been repeated ad nauseum in both the Houses by all the Members from Tamil Nadu and by other Members also. Now, Sir, the Minister of Planning has said that this project is not viable economically. He says that it is not viable on economic grounds, on financial grounds. Sir, I dispute this. Economic grounds and financial grounds cannot be the only consideration or cannot be the only criteria. The Sethusamudram Project is vital to the nation's security. This is a very important consideration. Supposing that fifty years earlier or 84 years earlier the estimated cost would have been Rs. 43 crores, today, the estimated cost for this project would be something in the vicnity of Rs. 240 crores. Even supposing that we spend such a big amount of Rs. 240 crores, the port that will benefit, Tuticorin, will attract so much revenue that within no time, the amount that is spent to implement the Sethusamudram Project will be earned back through the revenue which will accrue to this port. So, I fail to understand on what grounds, on what basis, the Government of India says that this is not economically viable. Therefore. And yet the study team sent by the Centre says that there is no district which can be declared as a “no industry district”. This project has been on the anvil for 50 years and it has been the subject of serious discussion. I said that this speech of mine today is more in the nature of reminding the Hon. is something which has been ad nauseum. sir. I am happy that the Finance Minister has promised a review of the sweeping powers of search and seizure by the income-tax officials. rather than informing the Finance Minister of our specific needs. it was stated that the criterion for developing or starting new industries should be “a no-industry district. even Panchayat unions. from Coimbatore to Ooty. Now. and even the Central Ministers coming to Tamil Nadu say that the State is industrially backward. at the outset. and probably in the future to the Panchayat union level. I would not like to repeat what has already been . So you should not take up this criterion for starting new industries area-wise. practically for every distance of fifty to sixty kilometres there is a Vayudoot service. Members from the treasury benches.” And now this study team sent by the Centre conducted a survey in Tamil Nadu which can be declared as “no-industry district”. from Madurai to Kanyakumari. very serious. this is a very misleading conclusion. This. more Central assistance is definitely needed for the Mass Rapid Transit System for Madras. that no matter which district you take up. again. most importantly from Salem to Thanjavur. Sir. repeated in this House by Members of Tamil Nadu. it should not be considered as district. At least now I request the Government of India to see that this project takes off and the East Coast Road Project from Madras to Nagercoil is implemented without further delay. In Tamil Nadu the districts are so vast they are so huge. Sir. if possible. from Madras to Neyveli. heated discussion. If we look at the civil aviation map of India. sir. etc. But the same does not apply to South India. a very misleading assumption. you will find at least one industry there. that Tamil Nadu is industrially backward. Sir. I wish to request for more 'Vayudoot' services for Tamil Nadu. according to the action plan programme prepared by the District Industries Centre as per the norms given by the Industries Department of the Government of India. that there is no development of industry. again and again. we are often subjected to attacks by people from the treasury benches. but at least as taluk. by Hon. particularly to Tamil Nadu. I would submit that the criterion should be taluks and. as regards industries. Regarding the much publicised raids to unearth black money. from Tiruchy to Thanjavur. That is why. at the same time. Now. taking into consideration the fact that the districts are so vast and so huge. Finance Minister and the Government of India.124 Then. (Time Bell) Sir. It is impossible to find a “no industry district” in Tamil Nadu. for the past 10 years. Then. Sir. I request that there should be ‘Vayudoot’ flights. I also wish to request the Government to expedite the completion of the East Coast Road from Madras to Nagercoil. we can see that in Northern India. But. But still it has not taken off. . and provide the people an opportunity to come forward voluntarily and declare their black money by purchasing these bonds. I would make a further submission to the Finance Minister to review the provision that under the New Finance Bill. I would request the Finance Minister to seriously look into the possibility of bringing out another such scheme announcing bonds. Therefore. I conclude. withdraw the draconian powers enjoyed by the investigative agencies at present. I feel. I am concluding. While the Finance Minister has indicated his willingness to retrace his steps and jettison some of the provisions of the new Finance Bill. though for all practical purposes they were not debarred from doing so even hitherto.125 said. The Finance Minister can provide them with a guarantee that they will not be subjected to any kind of punishment or harassment. But it is a fact that these raids have proved to be counter-productive. privacy and freedom of the tax payers are being perpetrated for purposes that do not and cannot bear scrutiny. In conclusion. they can exercise them without a search warrant. He must. They will also have the right to enter an assessee's residential premises. Sir. It is indisputable that serious infringements of the rights. Just as there was a Voluntary Disclosure Scheme announced earlier. With these words. powers of search and seizure can be vested not only in income-tax officers but even in income-tax inspectors. such as Railway Bonds. he needs to go further. I would also like to remind the Finance Minister about another point which has been raised in this House earlier by other Members belonging to my party and belonging to my State with regard to unearthing black money. Yes. What is more. And. this is happening on a sufficiently wide scale to demoralise or alienate the most dynamic sections of the community on whose well-being and prosperity the Government's tax collections ultimately depend. Plan Allocation for Tamil Nadu.126 Analysing the General Budget 1987-1988 Abolition of Personal Income-Tax. Taking India to the 21st Century.3. Career in the Army. 9. The Cauvery Water Dispute.1987 . Water for Madras Speech during debate on the General Budget for 1987-1988. Second Atomic Power Station for Tamil Nadu. Modvat.3.1987 & 10. various measures for the welfare and protection of workers. It is in such a spirit of co-operation that our Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. our Prime minister. In his Budget. has hailed the maiden Budget. Indira Gandhi. the great philosopher and stateman also known as Kautilya was renowned for his political acumen and mastery of statecraft. I rise to congratulate our young and dynamic Prime Minister. Chanakya. Smt. Sir. Water for Madras Mr. Shri Rajiv Gandhi for having forcefully reiterated his commitment to socialism through his General Budget for 1987-88 which he has presented to Parliament exactly 33 days after he took over as Finance Minister. Modvat. Plan Allocation for Tamil Nadu. namely anti-poverty programmes. provision of shelter and housing for the homeless on a vast scale and . following the precedent set by his illustrious grandfather.R. the Prime Minister has laid stress on four major policies giving them top most priority and importance. Dr. Vice Chairman.G.127 Analysing the General Budget 1987 -1988 Abolition of Personal Income-Tax. Career in the Army. Kautilya says: “Anu Raktha Prakruthi Sasahaayathvaath Alpenaapya Nugrahena Kaarya Saadhayathi. and has also extended the wholehearted support of the State Government and the people of Tamil Nadu to our Prime Minister. in his endeavour to establish a more egalitarian society. M. The Cauvery Water Dispute. presented by our youthful Prime minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi as a reflection of the policies pursued by Panditji. Taking India to the 21st Century. Second Atomic Power Station for Tamil Nadu. our first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and his equally eminent mother.” This means a ruler with loyal people accomplishes his task even with a little help because of the people's co-operation. Of course. As a result. Under the Circumstances. nothing is simple. There can be no simplistic solutions to problems. At the same time. Our Prime Minister has deftly managed to strike a delicate balance in keeping with the needs of a mixed economy. the most difficult and the toughest as-signment any administrator in the world could be asked to tackle is the administration of a country like India. the major thrust of the new Budget proposals is most definitely pro-poor. I compliment him sincerely on managing to strike a dexterous. Before the presentation of the Budget. But our Prime Minister did the unexpected. Over the past two years there was mounting criticism that the Rajiv Gandhi Government was becoming pro-rich. In a vast country like India which is in reality a sub-continent. 352 crores in the current year to Rs. In anticipation that generous concessions would be given to big industries. There is definitely a heavy slant in the right direction. rational balance in his Budget proposals in accordance with the diverse needs and varied aspirations of such a complex nation as India. By his timely action and commendable approach the Prime Minister. No other single homogenous nation in the world has such a mind boggling. there has been some disappointment in certain areas. Extra attention has been lavished on the upliftment of the economically weaker sections. Shri Rajiv Gandhi decided to reduce the shareholding period from 33 months to 12 months. Most of them defy solution. And it must be remembered by everyone that most of the problems our youthful Prime minister is facing are inherited problems and not those of his own creation. Its problems are also complex. I am happy to say. and I am duty bound to warmly congratulate him for this. which is as it should be. Once again. our youthful Prime Minister is tackling this most challenging and daunting task valiantly. 800 crores. most of the shares which attained peak levels before the announcement of the tax proposals.000 which was widely expected. and also imposed a 30 per cent tax on the book profits of companies. stupefying conglomeration of diversities and complexities as India does. None of the major concessions already given to big industry have been snatched away. At the same time. Everything is complex. came crashing down as soon as the Budget proposals were made known. The salaried middle class has expressed dismay over the Prime Minister not having raised the income-tax exemption limit from Rs. with singular zeal. there was widespread speculation that the Prime Minister's Budget would be pro-rich with a heavy slant in favour of capitalist growth.000 to Rs. the Prime . 25.128 increased importance given to education with a massive hike in the outlay for education from Rs. because there are no simple problems. 18. The fixed income-group feels cheated. Everything in India is complex. His Budget is not anti-rich. I dare say that perhaps the most formidable. has erased that impression. in the direction of the poor. prices of industrial equities in the share markets had actually begun rising prior to the Budget presentation. In this context again. In fact. Kautilya or Chanakya also goes on to justify the ruler’s predilection for collecting revenue. the old. He says in this context: “Asamarthaa Prakurvanthi Munayopyartha Bhoopaalaa Yesham Koshavashaa Sanchayam Kim Na Kurvanthi Prajaa” This means that even inept ascetics store up riches. of the total revenue from personal income-tax is distributed among the States and the Centre takes only 15 per cent. it is quite clear that all sections of the people do in truth look upon Shri Rajiv Gandhi as a refuge. as the ocean with incoming waters. it is the States which lose a major portion of revenue if personal income-tax were to be abolished altogether. 375 per month. why not rulers whose people are dependent entirely on the treasury? Indeed. the poor. the wronged and the humiliated.129 Minister has shown consideration to Government employees by deciding to increase the minimum pension and minimum family pension to Rs. it must be borne in mind that by lowering the rate of personal income-tax or by removing it altogether or doing away with it altogether the Central Government gains nothing and loses nothing of significance. the recluse. "Anaatthaanaam Daridraanaam Baalavruddha Thapasvinaam Anyaaya Paribhoothaanaam sarveshaam Paarthivo Gathi" This means: The ruler is the refuge for all the orphaned. Abolition of personal income-tax altogether would not benefit the States in any way since 85 per cent. Seeing the massive mandate that our Prime Minister received in the last Parliamentary election. Therefore. Unhappiness has also been expressed by the middle class at the increased costs of aerated drinks and cigarettes. Having said this. the scholar with good sayings. These measures deserve our warmest appreciation and praise. the ruler is never satisfied with revenue collection. we may ask. why not? It is perfectly justified. I wish to quote one of Chanakya’s famous maxims on financial policy: “Thrupyenna Raajaa dhanasancheyana Na Saagaro Bhoori Jalaagamena Na Panditha Priyadarshanena” Saadhu Subhaashithena Thrupyenna Chakshu This means. There were even suggestions and expectations before the Budget that personal income-tax should be or would be abolished altogether. . and the eye with the sight of the beloved. Exemption from tax has been extended to payments made under voluntary retirement schemes for public sector employees. the infant. because again in Kautilya’s own words. drugs. Sir. economic matters and day-to-day events of importance. manufacturers too will be affected adversely because the buying power will be restricted. 600/. It is the general opinion that the consumer will suffer. 150/. This is indeed a boon to the common man. I would assert that television is a necessity and not a luxury. Therefore. art. I earnestly request the Prime Minister in his capacity as the Finance Minister to kindly reconsider this particular Budget proposal and to scrap this additional hike in excise levy on television sets. 3. especially because the prices of TV sets have been hiked only last year. polyester wool-blended yarn.200/-per colour set. will now cost much less due to the reliefs provided by way of either reducing or doing away with the excise duty on such items. as result. Sowbhagyavathi sarees. television cannot be viewed and treated as a luxury in these modern times. Sir. Janata soaps..000/. if we look at it from a holistic point of view. Sir. stationery. etc. especially as a scientifically and technologically advanced nation.on black and white TV sets means that the Government will now earn Rs. covering stamp duty. registration fee and other expenses. An excise duty of Rs. Since this is the most effective medium of education and information which reaches the people at home. I am very hopeful that the Honourable Prime Minister will favourably consider this request in the larger interest of the nation's development and progress. Several consumer items including footwear. 1. Today. bio-gas appliances. fluorescent tubes. in the larger interest of the overall development and awakening and enlightenment of the vast rural population of India. Today. I express my heartfelt gratitude to our Prime Minister for providing these welcome reliefs at a time when they were sorely needed. on behalf of all my less fortunate brothers and sisters. It is a vital medium for information in practically every subject including science. television is quite essential and is indispensable as a means of educating the masses for the rapid development and progress of the nation. Middle and low-income groups will not be able now to afford to switch over to colour TV sets. the setting up of a . culture. in our State of Tamil Nadu. the dramatic hike in the excise duty on colour and black and white TV sets has evoked a widespread reaction of consternation and dismay among the general public. once again I beseech the Honourable Prime Minister to please reconsider this particular proposal and to do away with the additional excise levy on television sets. It is estimated that the retail price of each TV set will go up by at least Rs.and. our Prime Minister has often expressed his intention to take India into the 21st century as a fully developed nation in every sphere. As such.on colour TV sets and Rs. It is not merely a medium of entertainment.130 Coming to TV sets. and. I feel that this is a reasonable request. The new Budget proposals such as the income-tax concession for housing. This is most definitely a Budget for the poor. the State Government has provided facilities for the people living in villages and even in remote rural areas throughout the State for viewing TV programmes. The measures for the welfare of workers to counter anti-labour malpractices deserve the highest praise. The remarks made by these retired officers deserve to be voiced in the august forum of Parliament. 2318. I wish to draw the attention of the Prime Minister and this august House to certain remarks made by three retired Army Officers . indeed. There are some. Again with the increasing unemployment in the country. Coming to Defence. 12. and faced with the ever present possibility of armed conflict with our neighbouring countries on all sides. The extension of MODVAT from 30 chapters of the excise tariff to cover all products is a welcome feature. I say this because in our State of Tamil Nadu. such candidates do not include any from the top 30 per cent of those who pass the Central or State Board . which aims at providing thirty lakh houses in the next three years for the poor. though we would definitely prefer to avoid any armed conflict with our neighbours. milestones in the history of Budgets presented so far to the country. with hostilities threatening to erupt on our borders.R. which constitutes the true backbone of the nation and it is no exaggeration to say that no praise is too high for the measures proposed for the protection and welfare of workers.512 crores for 1987-88. a massive scheme of housing. All these are. That is why I am expressing the same.a retired Brigadier. I beg to differ with those who feel that the allocation for defence is excessive under the present circumstances.G. 10. I feel that in the prevailing atmosphere of tension today. are most praiseworthy. 100 crores. who think that recruits they are getting now are better educated but this is because of the higher curriculum standards.55 crores for the outgoing year. our Chief Minister. Dr. M. This clearly shows the great concern and compassion our Prime minister has for the working class. the increased expenditure on defence is inevitable and 100 per cent justified. which means a 22 per cent increase in the total allocation. and this marks an increase of Rs.131 National Apex Housing Bank with an equity capital of Rs.45 crores over the revised estimates of Rs. However. there would certainly be a substantial number of young men appearing for the various examinations leading to a career in the Army. a retired Colonel and a retired Major. has launched a scheme. In cases where the employers do not credit their own contributions nor those of the employees to the Provident Fund and the State Insurance Fund and in cases where a separate fund is not being kept by employers in respect of gratuity of workers. it has been proposed by the Prime Minister to penalise such delinquent employers by providing that the contributions of the employees to these funds will be taxed as the income of the employer and allowed as a deduction only when they are made over to the separate accounts relating to these funds within the time allowed under the statute. the Ministry of Defence has received the highest allocation of Rs. It shows that great minds think alike. “It is a fact (sad but true) that a Service career is at the bottom of the list of any young man in the country. even in the Army.193. ' All young men have clear concept of the growth factor in every profession. He is too old for any second career and too young to sit at home. There are any number of excise.e. it is mainly due to increased cost of equipment procurement. “The Army does not allow room for this.. Not all Captains and Majors become Brigadiers or MajorGenerals. ambitious young men in private and public sector organisations are able to switch jobs climbing the ladder quite fast indeed. I know of retired Lt.. maintenance and inflation. But to me it appears that the basic inhibiting factor is 'lack of growth.” The gap widens progressively and one fine morning our Lt. leading to long separation. at the macro level. etc. There are cases of officers commissioned for short service for the IAS/IFS and far outstripping their colleagues selected on permanent commission. Col.. Then there are the released (i. Hence the problem of the Army not attracting high calibre young men has far reaching implications. “There are some well-known factors such as frequent postings. The underlying principle in leadership is that the leader must be and perceived to be well above the led. while the Army has to remain more or less stationary. Retired . If the Defence budget is seen to be increasing. it must be a freak case. “The educational background of the intake in the lower ranks in the Army is steadily increasing and with the progressively downward trend on the calibre in the officer cadre. he finds that his counterpart in every other walk of life has gone far above him . including nonfamily areas. and this stage can be reached after a comparatively long period. problems of children's education. Cols and qualified technical personnel who work as supervisors or errand boys. the country is developing and growing in all spheres of nation-building activities. If there is an alumni. Any number of examples of the glaring disparities of promotion and growth opportunities could be cited. the gap is getting narrowed (between those who lead and those who are led).. or Colonel. not found fit for permanent commission) Emergency Commissioned officers joining paramilitary organisations and rising to dizzy heights. customs and income tax consultants working overtime for years beyond their retirement.132 examinations which could be taken as a rough guide to the calibre of a young man. or Colonel in his early fifties finds himself on the retired list while those in other walks of life are progressing still further. to the level of Lt. After all any disproportionate resource allocation to an unproductive insurance type of sector like the Armed Forces will result in reduced national growth. While there are sectors of Government service with in-built guaranteed growth. Most of those who retire from Central Government services find themselves working well into their sixties. When an Army officer makes a laboured ascent say.. from any of the well known colleges entering the Army. Harsh economic realities of growing inflation force him to seek and accept demeaning jobs. not to speak of a ranked student. Col. Conceptually it is like this. In any non-growing organisation there can be very little growth of a person. Unless this problem is seen in the correct perspective. The obvious answer is to effect lateral transfer to the growing sectors of the country. Few of the children of top ranking service officers take to their father’s vocation. he still has a considerable number of years of service. The poor Army officer after having to retire at a comparatively young age cannot join any of these categories. For instance. civil service. It is essential to cater to the psychologically fulfilling growth factor and this cannot be given to a nongrowing sector. With leadership and human relations skills developed over the years of service in the Army. that he initiates his children into it.3. It is a psychological truism that growth as perceived by an individual is an essential ingredient of motivation. I am afraid the answer would be very few. Any such environment which causes a lowering of one's ego or self-esteem cannot be wished away by philosophical pronouncements that cannot be helped. he can be deemed to have given his due share to the national cause. Even after allowing a year or so of induction training and re­orientation. It is only when a person is reasonably satisfied with his profession taking all pros and cons into consideration. First. I would like to ask how many Army officers we find who induct their children and their sons into the Army. his cloistered service environment of Kuinga-La or such places does not provide him with much opportunity to project himself suitably beyond retirement. Technical and administrative personnel (after leaving Government service) find themselves in the U. Some kind of a framework for a solution can emerge only if the basic malaise is identified. he does not possess any ostensible experience for such jobs and ofcourse.133 bankmen seem to be greatly in demand on the Boards of numerous new undertakings. Thus in the more attractive professions such as politics. I have mentioned the way things are. there should be a lateral induction in all Central Government Services and Public Sector Undertakings.1987 – Ed) . the parent prepares his progeny for the same. Speech continued on the next day. the parents send their children for the same. private sector and medicine. Thereafter. If there are exceptions it can be assumed that they come under the category of “last forlorn” choices. civil service. How do we gauge what is the criterion for the desirability of any profession or career? The answer to this is very simple. 10. But military stands out as most unpopular among such professions. private sector. Such induction would go on from the ages of 35 or 40 years or so. In the case of politics. it could be proposed that if an entrant puts in say 15 years of service in the Army. The new emerging field of Human Resource Development is based on the fact that every human being wants to grow in stature. it is not possible to evolve appropriate long-term solutions.N. it should be possible for any service officer to fit into a similar role in the civilian sector. medicine and so on. and other such exotic assignments. should not be allowed to be diluted and shelved. The second year of the Seventh Five Year Plan is coming to a close shortly. The proposals for “side-stepping” and reservations as suggested just now. are first made available. can be expected to have imbibed a mature.754 crores has been made next year for Central assis-tance for State and Union Territory plans. by attracting all the best talents from all over the country. promotions and privileges. . With purely voluntary armed forces with an all-India composition. rendered national service in the Armed Forces for at least six to ten years. in return for their very best performance. However. 19. and the State of Tamil Nadu will enter into the third year with an outlay of Rs. which refers to matters of special interest to Tamil Nadu. though not with deliberate intent. To top it all. 1. the Union Planning Commission has assessed a resource gap of Rs. A provision of Rs. they are thrown out of service at a comparatively much younger age. These are few of the important reasons for deterioration in the quality of officers’ cadre. 8.537 crores for 1987-88. and under extremely difficult strenuous conditions which have been spurned and shunned by others. to induct their progeny into the same service. This cannot improve unless military service is treated as a privileged service.134 Madam. I wish to wind up my remarks in relation to the allocation for Defence in the Budget for 1987-88. national outlook and a code of conduct of selfless service. due to various factors. The total Plan outlay of States and Union Territories has been fixed at Rs. disciplined. and with a steady professional career. Such a development will only pave the way for a further demoralisation in the youths of our country. 86 crores for the State Government to reach this outlay. by ensuring that all services in Government. some how so happens that every time I speak on the General Budget. I was speaking about the marked reluctance generally displayed by parents in military service. who have served the nation by imperilling their own lives. I suggest such a period because it can reasonably be expected that during this long period a person at an impressionable age. Before I actually come to part B of my speech. It should be borne in mind by everyone that the military service is the only service where our youths sign their own death warrants at the time of joining the services. it is time that the Government made sincere efforts to preserve the Armed Forces as such.250 crores. I now make certain specific requests with relation to Tamil Nadu. because of others imagining an inroad into their service seniority. quasi-Government corporations. and especially when their family commitments are at the peak. only to those who have in their prime. where the very best youths are given the very best. my speech also gets divided into part A and part B. to kindly expedite the release of Rs. The Committee of Experts constituted to review the earlier recommendation of the Site Selection Committee had also recommended Kudankulam as one of the promising sites in the Southern Region. Tamil Nadu is in the grip of shortage of power as it has harnessed most of its viable hydro-power potential. Bearing this in mind. The proposal has been submitted to the Planning Commission for their investment decision. 86 crores either in the form of special Central assistance or advance Plan assistance to enable the State Government of Tamil Nadu to overcome this resource constraint next year and maintain the momentum already generated in Plan performance. The Central Electricity Authority has cleared this project from the techno-economic angle. the needs of Madras city have suffered for want of this stabilised power generation from Basin Bridge. 86 crores to Tamil Nadu to make good the resource gap in the plan outlay for 1987-88.W. 400 crores. Shri Rajiv Gandhi who is also the Finance minister. The clearance of fuel linkage from the Petroleum Minister is awaited. . The Government of Tamil Nadu has sent a project report for locating a gas turbine project in Basin Bridge as generating capacity at this load centre is considered essential to maintain stable power supply to Madras city. I come to the proposition for the establishment of a Second Atomic Power Station in Tamil Nadu. Therefore. The Basin Bridge Power House Project with an installed capacity of 90 M. Installation of a thermal power station poses problems because the required coal has to be brought from distant coal fields. At the same time. The site selection committee of the Department of Atomic energy had recommended Kudankulam in Tirunelveli district as a possible site. There is also no gas resource available. For the past one and a half years.135 The most important point to be borne in mind is the loss of revenue to the State Government of Tamil Nadu of nearly Rs. because of the introduction of prohibition from 1st January 1987 onwards. The State Government has been pressing for an early decision on this recommendation. The introduction of prohibition has been widely hailed and welcomed by the women of Tamil Nadu. This project has been considered feasible for quick implementation. 400 crores. it has caused a revenue loss to the State exchequer of nearly Rs. I would request the Prime Minister who is also the Finance minister to kindly look into this matter. Next I come to the Basin Bridge Power House Project. has been shut down due to the fact that it had outlived its utility. I request the Government of India to release Rs. The question of establishing a Second Atomic Power Station in the South has been under the consideration of the Government of India for a very long time. I request the Prime Minister. It was operating under strained conditions causing pollution. Now. Installation of a Second Atomic Power Station in Kudankulam in Tirunelveli district will help to reduce the chronic power crisis in the State and I hope we will soon have a favourable response from the Prime Minister in this regard. In a telegraphic message. The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. It only aims at revamping the ancient system to ensure equitable distribution of the available water. Mr. Ramakrishna Hegde's recent speech in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. The Tamils have been forced to flee to forests for shelter. and to increase the productivity for each unit of water made available to the system.had failed to produce any positive results. The delta being at the tail end of the Cauvery basin. has urged the Prime Minister. I am constrained to refer to the Karnataka Chief minister Mr. to give immediate attention and initiate an all-out effort to stop the military action by the Sri Lankan Government against the Tamil population there. The matter is pending decision with Government of India. In this context. But Karnataka's concurrence is not forthcoming. the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.136 Next. the project cannot cause any injury or adverse effect to the upper riparian States. The scheme was proposed for World Bank assistance by the Government of India. I come to the Sri Lankan Tamils issue.G. I would like to refer to the Cauvery Delta modernisation project. Settlement of the dispute is vital as the Cauvery is the mainstay of irrigation in Tamil Nadu and it is the only major river in the State. The project does not contemplate any new uses or extension of ayacut. Dr. the Government of Tamil Nadu requested the Central Government under section 3 of the Inter-State Water Dispute Act of 1956 to refer the dispute to a tribunal. The Government of Karnataka was addressed for concurrence to the scheme. In this connection. I reiterate our Chief Minister’s plan to the Prime minister to initiate urgent action in this regard. Rajiv Gandhi. Therefore. The Government of Tamil Nadu has sought the intervention of the Government of India in securing the consent of the Government of Karnataka to the Cauvery Delta Modernisation Scheme. Aa bilateral discussions with the Government of Karnataka held at the instance of the Central Government . nor does it violate any provisions of the Inter-State Agreement of 1892 or 1924.G. This is further evidence that the Jayewardene government is bent on solving the ethnic issue through genocide by exterminating the Tamil race through military action. M. Hegde stated that the Karnataka Government is planning to expedite the completion . M. The World Bank mission indicated that in the absence of the settlement of the Cauvery dispute. Now. Dr. at least an assurance that adequate supply of water will be available for the project will be necessary for the purpose of processing the project.R.R. Shri. has said that the people of Tamil Nadu have been deeply shocked at the decimation of thousands of innocent Tamils in Sri Lanka by their own Government which had unleashed the Army and ordered strafing of predominantly Tamil-dominated areas such as Jaffna and Vavuniya during the past two days. The Cauvery delta irrigation scheme is about two thousand years old and needs to be modernised with a view to achieving equitable supply and maximising productivity. I come to the question of the Cauvery water dispute. I will quote one more maxim of Kautilya form the Chanakya Raja Neethi Saastra: . Even this dries up in a bad year. In conclusion. If the Central Government does not act speedily and intervene at once and if Karnataka is allowed to complete construction of its dams. Hegde has stated that he expects the Central Government will soon take some action in response to Tamil Nadu's plea. the Telugu Ganga remains in limbo. At the moment. While the average Delhite has about 218 litres of water a day. and the contention of Karnataka and Maharashtra is that this will be in violation of the Bacchawat Tribunal Award which allocated the Krishna water among the three States. to sum up. At present. such as the present year. of water to Madras is completed on time. Madras city is facing an acute shortage. once the project is completed. The Rs. The point of contention is not the supply of water to Madras to which all the three States have agreed to contribute. without further delay. the 4. and so he proposes to complete the construction of the new dams before the Centre can act. Mr. Finally. over whether Andhra Pradesh will be using more water from the river than it is entitled to. On behalf of the 4. We do not know how we will be able to survive and get through the scorching months ahead of us.5 million inhabitants of Madras city. so that this problem that has plagued Madras city perennially will be solved at least three years hence. In the meantime. acute scarcity of water. to settle the Cauvery water dispute between the two States. A frantic scramble for water has already begun and summer has just set in. Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Even at the best of times. 843 crore scheme has run into problems because a fierce dispute has broken out between Maharashtra. Madras cannot provide its residents with copious supplies of water. the three States through which the Krishna flows. The Central Government has withheld its assent apparently on account of the opposition from Karnataka and Maharashtra. I come to the Telugu Ganga Project.and it is a very big if the Telugu Ganga project to bring 15 TMC ft. Tamil Nadu will be totally cheated of its legitimate share of the Cauvery river water. a resident of Madras gets only 60-70 litres in good year. Madras city is facing an acute shortage of water supply. even the little Cauvery water that is now available to Tamil Nadu will cease to flow into the State. because intervention at a later stage after Karnataka completes work on its dams. Hence I request the prime Minister to intervene at once. will be of no use to Tamil Nadu. and three years after it was inaugurated by the late Prime Minister Shrimati Indira Gandhi. if . from 1990 onwards. The perennial problem of Madras city could be solved once and for all time by 1990.137 of construction of new dams across the Cauvery before the Central Government can intervene on behalf of Tamil Nadu. I appeal to the Prime Minister to come to their rescue and expedite clearance for the Telugu Ganga Project.5 million inhabitants of Madras city are desperate for water. rehabilitating uprooted ones.138 Uthkhaathaan Prathiropayan Kusumithaamshchinvan Laghoon Vardhayan Athyuchchaan Namayan Pruthoon Vidhalayan Vishleshayan Samhathaann Theekshnaan Kantakino Swaaropithaan Paalayan Maalaakaara Iva Prayogakushalo Raajye Chiram Thishtathi. I end with the prayer: May our Prime Minister's skill as a gardener grow with each day. which happens to be India. exactly on the lines suggested by Chanakya and were Kautilya alive today. This means that that ruler stays long in power who acts like a skilled gardener. bending down the too tall ones. and may a million flowers bloom in the garden of Shri Rajiv Gandhi. our nation! ******* . trimming the thorny ones and protecting the ones that have come up by themselves. separating the clustered ones. In this context. weakening the excessive strong ones. He has already become a skilled gardener. Now you understand why I am quoting Chanakya. strengthening the weak. 1 am sure he would shower his blessings on our young Prime Minister in approval of our youthful Prime Minister's mastery over the intricate art of statecraft. watching the blooming ones. I must say that our Prime Minister is already doing an excellent job of gardening.