# 1     President'S Address [13Th Feb. 1995] Laid On The Table     2 The Parliamentary Debates Official Report In The Hundred And Seventy-Thipd Session Of The Rajya Sabha

Commencing on    the 13th February, 1995|24th Magha, 1916 (Saka) 
RAJYA SABHA 
Monday, the 13th February, 1995|24th Magha, 1916 (Saka) 
The House met at thiirty-eight minu. tes past twelve of the clock, MB. CHAIRMAN 
in the  Chair. 

(The *Nationcii Anthem  was* played) 
PRESIDENTS 
ADDRESS—LAID 
ON 
THE TABLE 
SECRETARY-GENERAL: Sir, I beg to lay on the Table a copy (in English and Hindi) of the President's Address to both the Homes of Parliament assembled together on the 13th February, 1995 [Placed in Library. See No.  LT. 7004/95] 
(Text of the Address deffered by the President (Dr. Shalnkar Dayal Sharma) in Hindi). 

 
 
[English version of the Text of the Addiess ox the dispute through negotiations. It is of utmost importance that the impioved delivered    by the    President (Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma)] Hon'ble Members, I welcome you to this Session of Parliament. 

atmosphere leads to a last.-iug solution to this dispute and we collectively ensure that communanam does not vitiate politics. 

As I stand to address you this year I note has been set up under the Prime Minister. Vigoroug efforts have been made to step up the pace of the develupment and economic activity in the State. Government has ensured availability of adequate funds to the State and wiU 
regularly assess its needs syrnpathetically, in terms of the lesourccg required for its developmental needs. The obojective of revival of the democratic prooess  is also being pursued. The delimitation of constituencies is being done and the work of revision of the voters' list has bean taken up by the Election Commission. Operations against militants are being that the optimism and self-assurance evident last year has been vindicated. The projections made have been fulfilled in substantial maasiu-e and it can be said with con-fldence now that the country has made the turnaround initiated by the new economic and other policies of the Government. The people have responded handsomely by reasserting their faith in social stability. Political parties have also contributed to strengthening democracy and funda-rnental valueg such as the rule of law. Our country has improved its standing in the global community and now stand; poised to become one of the rapidly growing economies of the world. 

The law and order situation continued to be under control in 1994-95. There was no major communal riot in the country and incidents of violence were fewer. Polls in Goa, Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra have been peaceful. 

intensified. The at-temptg by militants to disrupt the Amarnath Yatra were successfully foiled by the administration. Iti-spite of the trying conditions, the security forces are showing restraint and are sensitive to the feelings of the local people. Delegations of dipio-mats and Parliamentarians visited the State and interacted freely with various sections of the people. This eon. tinuing transparency has generatad over-all confidence. 

Government is determined to be watchful, particularly in respect of the secessionist and communal forces that pose a threat to the unity and integrity of the country. 

On the Ayodhya issue, one of the its policy of dealings firmly with insurgent activities. At the same time, efforts are being made to encourage these disruptive eleuienis to abjure violence and join the national mainstream. The Government of Mizoram signed an Accord with Hmar Peoples Convention resulting in svirrender of mUitante. There has been similar surrender by ITLFA militants in Assam. 

An agreement was signed in Stip-tember 
1994 providing for a Jharkhand Area Autonomous Couscil. 

A 
new Bill noteworthy developments is that the Supreme Court delivered its jidge-ment on the reference made to it-It has upheld the validity of the Acquisition Act, but not the provisions relating to abatement of the pending suits. The disputed area is vested in the Central Government which is now to act as a statutory receiver for maintaining the status quo until the disposal Ol' the revived suits. Compliance with the decision of the Court Is essential. The judgement recognises the possibility of a reailution incorporating the provisions of the agreement has been passed by the Bihar Assembly. 

 
A separate Department of J & K Affairs In the North-East, Government is pursuing Laid on the Table      20 
Government is seized of the issues that commodities      available. 

Further efforts wiU be continued in this oiiec-tion. Remunerative minimum support prices have arisen in the hill areaa agitation in Uttar Pradesh and is confident that given patience and sympathetic handling by all concered, acceptable solutions will be found. 

The National Human Rights Commission would continue to be assured to the farmers to safeguard the country's food security. As far as essential commodities are concerned, (iovernment will pursue the twin objectives of ensuring adequate availability and fair prices, with extra concessions for the poor. 

carried on its work with dtdi-cation. Government stands committed to its policy of promotion and preservation of human rights. 

The wide ranging industrial deregulation The economic reforms have brought about has evoked commendable lesponse from entrepreneurs. More than 17,000 investment intentions have bean filed since July 1991 totalling investment of over Rs. 3,50,000 
crores with potential for cirect employment for 3.4 milion persons. Nearly 20 percent investment intentions have so far been imf.lemented and another 20 percent are rt various stages of implementation. These are estimated to geneiate direct employment to the extent of 
1.4 
million persons. 

Disbursements by our major financial an upswing in the econcimy. During 1994-95, the gross domestic product, at constant prices, is expected to increase by 5.3 percent, as against 4.3 percent last year. Industrial revival started with an 8 pevcent increase in production in the first half of 1994-95. Foreign Exchange reserves rose from $ 15.1 billion on 31.3.94 to over $ 19 billion m the last week of January, 1995. Govern-ment was in a position to repay aboui $ 1.1 billion to the IMF ahead of schedule. As a consequence of the strong revival of the industrial sector, imports increased by 23.90 per cent. Exports have also grown by 16.9 pention  in dollar terms. The rupee atinued  to remain stable and was  made  onvertible on Current Acount. 

Govermuant is concerned about the institutions from April to December, 1994 have snown a 39 percent increase over the same period in the previoug year. The growth of domestic initiative has generated interest amongst foreign investors and collaborators. The confidence exhibited by foreign investors in the skillg and resources of Indian partners is evident from the large foreign direct investment in joint ventures to the extent of 80 
percent-Cumulative foreign direct investment approvals since 
1991 
have exceeded Rs. 20,000 crores, the bulk of it in long gestation infrastructure pojects. 

Government continued with its policy of reforms and de-regulation in other sectors. The new Drug Policy and the Telecom Policy are steps in this direction. 

The small scale sector is an important component of our  industrial base, its production level being Rs. 2,41,648 crores and generating an employment Df 139 lakh persons. It recorded a growth of 7.1 percent last year. Exports from this sector are around increase in prices, especially of articles of mass consumption. The price situation is being watched closely and measures are being taken to prevent shortages. In the case of some commodities, like sugar and edible oil, prices had risen mainly due to insufficient domestic production. The comfortable foreign exchange podition hag enabled imports to augment supplies and control the rise in the prices. In the case of wheat and rcee, open market sales out of public stocks of foodgrains held by the Food Corporation of India liave also been undertaken. The Public Distribution System and Revamped Public Distribution 5 System are also being used to provide assistance in making essential Rs. 24,000 crores, accounting for naarly 35 percent of total exports. To meet the credits needs of this sector, the Reserve Bank of India had issued guidelines including the adoption of a single window scheme in 85 districts where small scale units are concentrated, and setting up of specialised bank branches. Government will enhance support to this sector further through liberal assistance for technology upgradation. 

A high power committee under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister has adopted an action plan for revitalising and improving khadi and vil-lage industries and generate addi-tional employment for 2 
million persons. A speeial empiayment programme would toe under-taken in 50 selected districts and intensive deve-lopmnt of 125 blocks in the coutry would be promoted. 

Employment  for the educated youth is a prime concern of the Government. The Prime Minister's Rozgar Yojana which is being implemented from 2nd October, 1983, was designed to provide self-employment for youth in the urban areas. It has been now extended to cover the rural araas also from this year. During the current year, 2.3 lakh educated youths will benefit from this porgramme, as against 31,797 last year. Banks have sanctioned loans to 69,483 entrepreneurs till 31st December, 1994. Government will provide loan to 7 lakh youths to generate 10 lakh employment opportunities before the end of the 8th Plan period. 

The production of nitrogenous. fertilizers is expected to reach an all time record of 78.2 lakh tonnes in 1994-95, in terms of nutrients. Production of phosphatic fertilizers is expected in increase from 18.5 lakh tonnes in 1993-94 to 23 lakh tonnes in 94-95 in terms of nutrients. Government has continued with its efforts to in. cpeaset the domestic production of fertilizers       with five     new plants likely     to      commence      production shortly Government has continued to give high priority to the development of the agriculture sector. The ppodii.--tion Ol foodgrains is expected to increase from 182 million tonnaes last years to 186 million tonnes in the current year. Disbursement of agric cultural credit was Rs, 15,100 crores during 1993.84. and is eocpected to reach a level if Rs. 16,700 crores during 1994-95. The area covered undar irrigation is exected to go up by 2.77 million hectares in 1994-95 bringing the  total area under  irrigation to 87.82 million heetares. The consumption of fertilizer nutrients during 1994.95 is estimated at 136 lakh tonnes sbowing. *sm. inerease.* of about 10 per cent over the comwnp-tion of 1993.94. 

Government has been prombting diversiflcation schemes in rural areas to provide higher incomes from occupations like horticulture arid flshttig. 

Accordingly, horticulture has been given an outlay Rs. 1000 crorss in the current Five Year Han as against an outly of only Rs. 24 crres in the last Five Year Plan. Pish production, which recorded, an all time high of about 46.8 lakh tonnes in 1903.94, is likely to reach a level of 47.5 lakh tonnes during 1994-95. There has been a threefold increase In export of agricultural products durnig the last five years. 

Rural development is the central concern of all the developmental efforts of the Government. 

Sharply targeted rural development programmes underpin its employment strategy in poverty eradication. The central plan allocations for rural development schemes have been progrcoslvely enhanced during' the last three years and the current year's allocation of Rs. 7,010 arores is the highest ever in our plannig history. This  large outlay goes to provide additional wage enqdoymeait as well as selfemployment througfr mobilisa-. tion   of instittftional   finances   on   a 
[RAJYA SABHA] 
Laid on the fable     24 
States   to    complete   the     Panchayat electoral process without delay. 

Government recognises the need tor an inegfated programme to deal with the problems of urban poverty, this programme would include scien. tilic disposal of urban wastes of all Kinds. Voluntary organisation would be fully involved in its design and irnlpementation. Government is seeking to formulate a scheme for 345 Class II towns of the country that have populations ranging from 50,000 to 1  lakh. 

large    scale Rs.     5,055    crores    go    to provide   employment    through     the Jawaliar Rosigar   Yojana     and the Employment     
Assurance Scheme.     For the Employment Assurance Scheme an amount *ot R*s.  1,200 crores has been earmarked during the    current year, This programme   has been expanded from 1,778 most    backward bloks ot" the country to    2,279 blocks in   the current   year, In addition to   the Jawahar Boizgar Yojana, an intensive JRY  Prtgramme  focuses   on   120 chronically backward districts. All these schemes together    are    expected   to generate 1,470    million mandays    of employment in the current year. 

The response from the State to the Special 

## The Asset-Cum-Loan Based Integrated Rural

Component Plan for the Scheduled Castes has been encouraging. The Central allocation to States to supplement their efforts this year in Rs. 273,86 crores. An important step taken last year was the constitution of the National Commission for Safai Karmacharis, to oversee the programmes aimed at the liberation and rehumilitation of the Safai Karmacharis. The Commission would address itself to Development Programme which provides self-employment would cover about 2 million rural poor hotisehoulds from this year. The district and block level credit plans are being coordinated more effectively and the average investment per household is being incresaed to Rs. 12,000, Rs. 2,000 crores of insti tutional credit would be mobilised through a subsidy of Rs. 

1098 
crores. 

'These rehabiUtation programmes such as training better mobilisation of institutional finances and the need fer enhanced unit costs. 

Efforts to strengthen and expand economic support programmes to the poor by the provision of margin money and loans through the National Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation, have been stepped up as has been its authorised share capital from Rs. 125 crores to Rs 300 crores programmes wiU increasingly cater lor the rural literate youth. Simultaneously, the Programme for the Development of Women and Children  in Rural Areas is being extended to all the districts and wiU now provide Rs. 25,000 against Rs_ 15,000 hitherto, to women's groups to help them pursue economic activities and enhance group acion in matters like literacy and family welfare, leading to women's empowerment. 

The first step in providing for reser. vation As stipulated, by April, 1994; all States of 27 per cent &r the OBCs under the Government of India was taken in September, 1993 and is under implementation. In order to ensure that the full benefits of this measure are available to the OBCs, Government relaxed the standards required for OBC candidates to be on par with the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Trifoe candidates and as a result. 1,873 additional OBC    candiamended their existing Pal-chayati Raj lawg or have legislated new laws. Now it is necessary to hold elections and constitute Panchayats at all levels. Some States have already made a beginning, In order to fulfil the high expectations of the people, the Panchayats must be empo. yrered with financial and administrative delegaton. I    call upon   all the dates qualified for the Civil Services Preliminary fbcaminations, 
1994. 

Government has also decided to extend the 3 
years' age relaxation princlple and to allow 3    
additional attempts. 

The National Minorities Development and Nutrition Policy, the setting up of the National Nutrition Council and the National Creche Fund and inuple-mentation of the Mahila SamridAhi Yojana. The Mahila Samriddhi Yojana has had an impressive response. By December, 1994, 72 lakh accounts had been opened with a total deposit of Rs. 65.90 crores. The National Creche Fund wiU assist in starting 1800 additional Cheches by the end of the 8th Plan to provide day care services to 45,000 children of working women and ailing   mothers. 

As part of the effort at covering the entire country with tha Integrated Child Development Services Programme, it is proposed to cover 1000 new blocks through Commimity Nutrition Centres in one' lakh villslges, as a first step,   during 1995-96. 

Finance Corporation became opeiational jn September, 1994 with an authorised share capital of Rs. 500 crores to promote the econo mic developmen,t activities of the backward sections amongst the niino-rities and tt) assist the upgradation of their tachniral and raitreprenearial skills. An amoimt of Rs. 25 crores has been provided during the current year to the Maulana Azad Education Foundation. The Foundation will set up residential schools for girls in low literacy slum and rural areas. 

To achieve the goal of Education for All by Certain new measures are under 
2000 AD, Government wil progressively raise the allocation to education so as to reach tha target of 6 per cent of GDP. Total Literacy Campaigns are now operational in 312 districts in the country coveitng about 50 million learners in the 9—45 years age group. With the emergence of Total Literacy (Campaigns, it is now being perceived that univer-sal adult literacy is an achieveable task. 

The Government is determiiwd to eradicate Child Labour progressively in all  
consideration of the Government for the protection of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes and the disabled. These are inclusion of the SCs and STs (Prevention of Atxoci-ties) Act, 1989 and the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 in the IX Schedule of the Constitution, setting up of a Commission under Article 5*99(1) of the Constitution to review the development strategies like the Tribal Sub Plan and other measures presently in operation for the welfare  and development of the Scheduled Tribes so as to improve upon these strategies, legislation to provide equal opportu-nitieg to the handicapped in areas like education, vocational training and employments and, in hazardous industries, by the year 2000 AD. A National Authority for Elimination of Child Labdur has been set up coordinate actions *of*  the core sectors of development administration such as employment placements, and a Trust for the Welfare and protection of the mentally retarded. 

In matters relating to women and children education, rural development, women and child development, health and labour to devise integrated programmes that Would being about conditions condudve to withdrawal of children from employment and place them family in schools. 

We are today In the torefaont in the Governments approach has bfeen to provide an enabling policy environment in which their concerns, particularly those of the girl child, are the central foeus of planning. Priority is given to the empower-, ment of women, support services and nulxition programmes. The mtewot-thy achievements in this process have been the adoption of    the   National practical applicationof the  space technology in vital areas. The po-lar Satellite  Launch Vehicle D2 and 

## Laid On The Table       28

| the    Augmented    | Satellite    | Launch       |
|---------------------|--------------|--------------|
| Vehicle—ASLy        | D4           | deemonstrat- |

Keepuig effort in Somalia, ably sup-poiied by the Indian Air Force and Navy, especially in the de-induction OR iorces. 

In the conduct of international relations , we can view the past year with satisfaction. Existing friendships were reinforced and new luider-i-v.idiag created around the world ox our objectives and policies. 

Our continuing support for the United ed our capacity to place satel. lites into polar and near earth orbits. Our INSAT class of satellites are providing services in telecommunication, TV broadcasting, meteorology and disaster warning. The next satellite in this series, INSAT 2C, and the remote sensing series satellite, IRS, IC are planned for launch in 1995. It is heartening to note that India has been selected for the setting up of a UN Centre for Space Science and Technology Education to cater to the needs of the Asia pacific region. 

Nations, which observes its 50th anniversary this year, is based on the premise that it is the most effective instrument for the realisa-lion of humanity's common goals, India's To meet the aspirations of the people to initiatives at the United Nations included the need for the demo-cratisation of the world body and tho enlargement of the UN Security Cojncii's membership to reflect contemporary realities. We proposed a Fourth Special Session on Disarma. meat to address post- Cold War issues of  *global* security. 

View programmes in their own language, Doopdarshan lias reconfigured its satellite Servie  Out of 14 channels, ll satellite pnnels are now exclusively for programmes in regional languages. 

In  our own region, we will  be hosting  the The country continued to make strL des in next SAARC Summit in April this year and look forward to working with our SAARC colleagues to further strengthen regional co. operation. 

During the past year, closer bilateral relations with our neighbours conti. nued to secure our attention. We welcome the new Governments which assumed office in Sri Lanka and Nepal through multi-party democratic elections. We look forward to closer understanding and increasing cooperation with them, as with all our other neighbours. 

Its efforts to harness the power of the atom for peaceful purposes. With the com,p]etion of the sixth Indian designee and constructed nuclear power reactor - the second unit of the Kakrapsu- Atomic Power Station, which achieved criti-cality on January 8 this year - the coimtry once again proved its self, reliance in this advanced techono-logy. There were also spin-offs from the use of nuclear technology, such as the producton of nucleargrade graphite fabrication of medical lasers and development of parallel supercomputers. 

Pakistan has however continued on its Our Armed Forces maintained their vigilance in defending our international borders and maritime interest. They also made valuable contributions in counterinsurgency operations in Jammu & Kashmir and in the North-East. 

 Abroad, the Army won plaudits for its distressing path of confrontation with India and unacceptable interference in our internal affairs. We have taken repeated initiatives with Pakistan to settle all unresolved issues between our two countries according to the Shimla Agreement. Our other of such a dialogue still stands. Meanwhile We regret the unilateral steps 
.contributions to     the' UN peace. 

India—South Africa cooperation      in various fields. 

Our efforts to effectively project abroad the taken by Pakistan to close their office in Bombay and the Indian Consulate General in Karachi, thereby creating greater barriei-s to people-'to.people con acts, and commercial, cultural and other relations. 

The Government has worked to success of our econonoic management, on which depends the well-being of our people, and the beneficial changes that *have* taken place as a result of economic liberalisation, have received excellent response in countries abroad. 

The momentum gathered by the country  
consolidate understanding and cooperation with old and new (friends abroad. My State visits to Bulgaria and Bomania renewed the close ties that have existed for decades between India and countries ot Eastern Europe. 

Our Vice-President visited Australia, South through these policies  has to be sustained to ensure that the bene. fits  that have started accniing are not frittered away. A combined effort is necessary to strengtthen the Africa and China and the visits rein creed our ties with the countries. 

The prime Minister's visits to the United Kingdom, USA, Russia, Vietnam and Singapore contributed significantly to the all round enhance. nient of our ties with them. 

The visit to the USA, which resulted in confidence of investors in our econo. my and of the people, particularly the imdeiprivlleged, in the economic reforms. The tone and tenor of your debates reflect and greatly influence both. I am confident you will set pace with due regard to these objectives. I commend you to your tasks and wish you success.   JAI HIND 

## Obituary References

greater mutual undersitanding on matters ot concern to the two countries, opened a new chapter in bilateral relationship. It laid the groundwork for resurgent India—US interaction not only in the political, economic and commercial fields but in other areas as well. 

MR. CHAIRMAN; Hon'ble Members, 1 
The Prime Minister's visits to the United Kingdom, Vietnam and Singapore testified to our desire to reinforce ties with our European and Asian partners. 

India—Russia ties gained in substance and momentum during the last year. The Moscow Declaration on the Protection of the Interests of Plura. listic States signed by President Yeltsin and our Prime Minister was a notable contribution to the conduct of   inter-state relations. 

We recently welcomed President Nelson refer with profound sorrow to the sad demise of Giani Zail Singh, former President of India and a vet. eran of our freedom struggle, on 2Sth December, 1984. Gianiji was born in May, 1916 at Sandhwan village of Peridkot district of Punjab. Gianiji joined the freedom movement while he was still  in his teens. He took an active part in the movement against princely sristocracy and autocratic rule of the Maharaja of Farid-kot. He was arrested in 1936 and subsequently courted arrest on numerous ooeasons during the freedom struggle. He led the National Flag agitation  at Faridkot in 1946. It can never be forgotten that Giani Zail Singh underwent a sentence of five, years' rigorovtei imprisonment in soli-tary cell 'for his sctivitees  as a frafc-dom fighter. 

Mandela of South Africa as the Chief Guset for our Republic Day celebraations this year , His visit marks a new chapter In the building up of 