# The   Parliamentary   Debates Official Report In The Hundred And  Forty-Fifth Session Of The Rajya  Sabha

Commencing on the 22nd February, 1988/4 *Phalguna,* 1909  *(Saha)* 

## Rajya Sabha

Monday, *the 22nd    February,* 1988/4, Phalguna, 1909   (SaJcri) 
former Prime Minister, Shri Charan Singh, and Shri M. G. Ramachandran, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, who through his farsightedness worked for and  strengthened national  unity. 

The House met at fifty-five minutes past 
3. Our vision of India is of a land whose twelve of the clock, Mr. Chairman in the Chair. 

unity and integrity are invulnerable to external threats or internal weaknesses; 

—where 
the 
ideals 
of 
democracy, 

## President'S    Address—Laid    On -The Table

SECRETARY-GENERAL: Sir, I beg to 

secularism and socialism enshrined in our Constitution, are fully realised; 
—where social justice prevails, with 
equality of opportunity for every human being; 
lay on the Table a copy of the President's Address to both the Houses of Parliament assembled together on the 22nd February, 1988. [Placed in Library.  *See* No. LT- 5471/88]. 

—where science and technology have 
helped to wipe out poverty and disease; 
[Text of the Address delivered by the President, Shri R. Venkataraman, in 

—where economic development does not 
English]. 

HONORABLE MEMBERS, 

exhaust the bounties of nautre, but creates wealth in harmony with it; 
—where 
industrialisation 
and 
mod-
It is a privilege for me to address you for the 

ernisation are fused with moral and spiritual values; 
—where all religious and cultures flourish 
in an atmosphere of mutual respect and cooperation 
first time as President. I welcome you to this session of Parliament.   I  particularly felicitate    the new member's, who for the first time, include a      representative from    the newly     constituted    constituency    of Daman and Diu.   I     give my    good wishes to  the  people  of  Goa, which has attained statehood. 

We want an India whose interaction with 
2. A few weeks ago, we were deprived of the nations of the world is dedicated to peace and international cooperation, and a new world order based on equality, freedom and justice. 

In the last 40 years we have orogressed along this path, illumined byMahatma     Gandhi and Jawaharlal   Nehru.    We shall adhere to it, come the presence of a great soul. A link with the stirring days, of the freedom struggle is no more. A close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, Khan Abdul Ghaflar Khan was a symbol of the spirit of non-violence and secularism. His life was a saga of unsurpassed courage and sacrifice. I also pay tribute to the other colleagues who have left us, including the what may, with the determination and courage instilled in us by Indira Gandhi. 

4. The    struggle for    independence was the precursor to the struggle for self-reliant progress, the struggle 
 
for the many challenges to our independence, integrity and nationhood. Efforts have been mounted, from outside and within, to subvert, suborn and undermine our democratic political system. 

Our ever-vigilant people have thwarted all such efforts. 

6. The failure of the rains has tested the social  emancipation,   the   struggle   to recover for India     her   traditional, historic  place  in  the  vanguard    of human civilization. 

Our achievements have been notable.   More notable still has been the consistency of our endea vour, the sincerity of our effort, the dedication  and      hard  work  of  our people.    Our primary  goal has been the rapid amelioration of poverty and resilience of our economy and the strength of our purpose. Our farming community, and indeed the nation as a whole, has responded to this serious economic challenge in a most heroic manner. The people are cooperating magnificantly with the Government. The nation's economic performance is a tribute to the soundness and strength of our development strategy. 

its eradication.    The key to the alle viation of poverty lies in a rapid and 
   sustained  expansion     of employment opportunities    in both      rural      and urban areas. 

Our strategy has been 
7. With a determined and concerted national     
effort,   the   challenge       of terrorism is being met in Punjab and elsewhere.      Following President's Rule     in Punjab, the    lawenforcing agencies have harnessed the resurgent will  of   the      people  of Punjab  and mounted a      determined    campaign against    misguided anti-national    elements.   The foremost task is to crush terrorism and isolate the secessionists. The terrorists have lately stepped up their depredations.    They  have       to contend with the high morale,  regenerated      professionalism and  strict vigilance of our security forces. They also have to contend with the people's refusal to be browbeaten  or cowed. There can and will be no compromise over the nation's integrity and unity. In the search for a non-violent politi-cal solution of the problem within the framework of the  Constitution,  Government stands 'ready for a dialogue with  all those who  eschew  violence. The nation mourns the loss of innocent lives. We salute those who have laid down    their lives in      the cause of national unity. 

to combine    direct   intervention    in favour of the     poorer segments  of society      through asset-creation    and employment-creationanti-povertyprogrammes, with     faster and  more diversified growth, underpinned by a massive programme of quality education.   We   seek    to.   realize  the full potential     of our unmatched human resources while harmonizing      the country's educational profile with the growth requirements and employment needs     of     our economy.   We have moved     purposefully     towards    the achievement Of our  aims.    The pace of progress  has markedly  quickened in the last seven years.    The Eighth Plan must provide for even faster 'growth, the maximisation of employment  opportunities,  and the  vigorous reduction  of regional  disparities.  We need both a higher rate of growth and a composition of growth which matches the basic needs of our people and the evolving requirements of our economy and society. 

8. In Tripura, the extremists stepped up 
5. We have pursued growth within the their campaign of terror. The escalated violence and mounting loss of innocent human lives left Governframework of two cruciai parameters; the freedom of our country end the freedom of our people. To this end, we have built strong insti-tUions to guarantee the democratic rights of uor citizens and to overcome 
14. The National Policy on Educa tion is our ment with no option but to declare Tripura as a disturbed area. We are determined to put down violence there. 

9. We are unflinching in our deter mination to root out communalism, Fundamentalism and other flssiparous tendencies, Committees of the Na tional Integration Council have been active in devising measures for the promotion of communal harmony. 

The Centre and the States must make sustained efforts to implement the Fifteen Point Programme for the welfare of the minorities. 

10. We are committed to the elimi nation of the consequences of centuries of ostracism, discrimination and oppression. 

We have reorganised the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and strengthened the office of the Com missioner. 

The importance we attach to the welfare and development of. 

these disadvantaged sections of our society is reflected in the Seventh Plan outlay of over Rs. 14000 crores in their favour. 

It is a matter of particular satisfaction that coverage of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled pledge to the coming generations and  our gauge to the future. Quality education for all is the key to national development.   A programme of action for the  implementation of the Policy was presented to Parliament in 1986. Major steps were taken during the  year in pursuance  of the Policy.     Our      concern  for primary education   is   paramount. Operation "Blackboard" was launched to improve the  quality of instruction  and infrastructure     in      primary sehools. Particular  attention is being  paid  to the educationally      backward States. The massive  programme  for  training 5 lakh      
teachers annually has  been continued.   A 
national core curriculum is being      developed to      impart  an awareness of our heritage and a sense of national cohesion.    The number of Navodaya Vidyalayas has risen to' 206. An analysis of admission tests to these schools for 1986 shows that 41 per cent of the      selected children belong    to families below the poverty line, 77 per cent come from rural areas, and the percentage of children from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is much higher  than their  percentage   in  the total population.   The scheme for *tree* secondary stage education for girls is now being implemented in all States. A comprehensive      scheme has been drawn up for the vocationalisation of education.   
Tribes under the IRDP 
has reached 
41 per cent, for exceeding the target of 30 per cent. 

Government   are   working on a number of measures to enhance the quality of higher education    and technical education. 

15. The promotion of the small family 
11. During the year elections were held in Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, West Bengal, Haryana, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura. 

12. The provisions of Article 356 of the norm is a high national priority. Last year we recorded 20 million acceptors of contraceptive coverage: the highest level ever achieved. The problems of family welfare and health are interlinked. They are, therefore, being tackled through an integrated set of measures. Immunisation programmes have accelerated over the last two years. 

Constitution were invoked in Tamil Nadu in view of the situation that developed there in January. Elections in the State are proposed to be held at an early date. 

16. The emancipation of women from all 
13. The Commission on Centre-State forms of prejudice, discrimination and abuse, deprivation and oppression relations which was set up under the chairmanship of Shri Justice R. S. Sarkaria has submitted its report. The views of Parliament, States and members of the public will be taken into account before arriving at decisions. is a national duty and a national task. Their full nd equal participation in the nation's life is a national imperative. 

Government have exploited. Data about their conditions of work is inadequate and action to ameliorate their lot unsatisfactory. We are deeply concerned about their welfare and progress. We are committed to the improvement of their conditions. We have, therefore, appointed the National Commission on Rural Labour. We have also framed a National Policy on Child Labour. Voluntary agencies are being associated in the identification and rehabilitation of bonded labour. 

prepared a perspective plan up to the year 2000 to deal with the problems of women. Government have also reconstituted the National Committe on Women to review and advise on policies and programmes for women. A National Commission has been established to look into the problems of women in the unorganised sector. Its report is expected shortly. 

21. The Twenty Point Programme has 
17. Following the barbaric incident at Deorala, the Commission of Sati (Prevention) 
Act, 1987, was passed. Government are determined to root out this evil practice. These efforts should be backed by the widest possible  mobilisation   of public  opinion 
18. A very significant feature of our infused new hope in the countryside. It accounts for 30 per cent of the total Plan outlay for the current year. IRDP, NREP and RLEGP are our major instruments in the attack on rural poverty. In the last seven years, IRDP has assisted 23.4 million families belonging to weaker sections and other backward groups below the poverty line. Women now constitute 16 per cent of the beneficiaries. During the period April 1987— January 1988, NREP and RLEGP generated 471 million mandays of employment. 

22. Water for the first time has been recognized as a vital national asset. The new National Water Policy derives from the national consensus on this point. This paves the way for effective planned development and efficient utilization of our national water resources. 

changing society is the transformation taking place in the country's demographic profile. As a people, we are growing younger. Therefore, meeting the needs of our youth and fitting them for their role in the nation's life are matters of high priority. The Nehru Yuvak Kendras have been galvanised into a high level of activity. Intellectual and physical discipline, and a sense of entreprise and adventure, are being instilled in lakhs of our boys and girls through the NSS, the Bharat Scouts and Guides and the National Cadet Corps. The Sports Authority of India has done commendable work in affording 
23. The Ganga Action Plan has opportunity to the athletic prowess of our youth. 

caught the nation's imagination. 

It 
19. Harmonious industrial relations is in full swing in 
25 
towns and cities. 

The protection of the en were a significant feature of the year. We compliment both labour and man vironment has emerged as a ma agements on their constructive attitu jor national priority. 

Environmental des. 

We want to promote a partici patory management culture in industry. Government intend to bring forward a comprehensive Bill on industrial relations and a Bill for major changes in the Employees Provident Fund Act. 

standards  have been  notified for 24 priority industries. Parliament has already amended the law on air pollution. Stringent legislative action is planned to protect our forests and prevent the pollution of water. 

20. While segments of our workforce 
24. Government undertook legisla have organized themselves to secure and safeguard their rights, the over tion in the winter session of Parlia ment to establish a National Housing whelming majority of our working people are unorganized and, therefore, lion pregnant women and 18 million infants against vaccine-preventable diseases; 
to Bank. One of its major tasks will be to finance housing for the weaker sections. In this session, Government will bring forward a National Housing Policy for providing dwellings for the unsheltered millions. 

25. A 
major item of the Twenty Point Programme is the development of a more responsive administration, especially in its interface with the impart functional literacy to 30 million adults; 
to augment the production of oilseeds and edible oil; and to provide increased access to telecommunication services. These missions have formulated their operational plans for 1988-89 and 1989-90. The plans are being closely monitored and carefulY evaluated. 

weaker sections. 

A 
series of work 
30. Government have adopted the shops of District Collectors on the subject of responsive administration is being held. The machinery for the redressal of public grievances is being strengthened. 

Special programmes approach of integrated energy for rural areas-. Natural and perennial sources of energy like solar, wind, biomass, mini-hydel sources and improved chulhas are being popularised. 

are being organised to train officials 
31. Oil exploration and exploitation are of the District Planning Cells. 

26. Plans to provide speedy and in expensive justice for the under privileged made headway, A 
Com mittee, with the Chief Justice of India as Patron-in-Chief, has been entrusted with the implementation being intensified. Refining capacity will be further augmented. A Centre for High Technology has been established to acquire, develop-and adapt modern technologies in refineries. The first section of the HBJ pipeline was completed during the year. 

 
of legal aid schemes. 

32. Significant strides have been made in 
27. A new impetus was given last year to the drive against smuggling, foreign electronics. India has emerged as one of the few countries with its own technology for manufacturing electronic exchanges. Software exports are shaping up as a major new area of growth. 

exchange racketeering and drug trafficking. The Central Economic Intelligence Bureau is coming down hard on syndicates of smugglers  and racketeers. 

33. 

In nuclear science, we are among the 
28. The menace of drugs is assuming few with a mastery of the complete nuclear fuel cycle for the production of nuclear power. A landmark in this area has been the designing of 500 MWe .capacity reactors. The Nuclear Power Corporation has been established to enhance the nuclear power programme. 

34. 

August 
1967 
was a landmark in our effort to develop capabilities worrying proportions. If we are not careful, the flower of our youth could be endangered, the physical and moral fibre of the nation could be sapped. We are determined to fight this evil. The Narcotics Control Bureau made major seizures of drugs during the year. Progrornmes have been launched for the deaddiction and rehabilitation of the unfortunate victims of drug abuse. 

in seabed mining. 

The Preparatory 
29. We are consciously directing Commission of the International Sea bed Authority registered India's science and technology to the remov al of poverty, particularly in rural claim lor a mine site in the Indian India. This is the aim of our five technology missions. 

The tasks assign ed to these five missions are: 
to provide potable water to all villages in.the country; to immunise 20 mil- 
Ocean for exploration and development. It is a matter of pride that India is the first country to be granted such a claim by the Authority. 

35. The first Indian remote Sensing Satellite, designed and developed by the Indian Space Research Organisa tion 
(ISRO), is being launched next modities through the Public Distribution System was greatly expanded. A package of debt relief and additional credit assistance was made available to farmers. For those affected for three or more years, this included a moratorium on principal and interest payments. A strategy for maximising rabi production has been adopted. 

month by a Soviet launcher. 

The second flight of the augmented Sate llite Launch Vehicle with the SROSS-II 
satellite will be launched in April. 

This satellite will carry a joint ISRO-West German payload. 

In June, our communication satellite INSAT-IC 
will be launched on the French Ariane launcher. 

36. Our economy has demonstrat ed its resilience in the face of one of the worst climatic setbacks in me mory, namely, the widespread drought in most parts of the country and the floods in the eastern region. We have stood up well to the challenge and 

38. We have always believed that the nation can be strong only if the farmer and farming are strengthened.   Our quest for self-reliance in foodgrains has served us well.    We built substantial buffer stocks. These have helped us  
tide     over  difficult situations.    In recent 
years rice productivity  has  increased in the Eastern States covered by the    Special Rice Production  Programme.   Government     are making    determined efforts to ensure that foodgrains output reaches 175 million tonnes by the end of the Seventh Plan.    Emphasis will be placed On increasing the productivity of    dry land farming.    A Task Force has been set up to work out   the   details of the strategy. A recent innovation is agricultural planning on    the basis of agro-climatic zones. 
warded off a crisis because the deve lopment strategy followed by Indira 
39. The funds needed for drought relief Gandhi, and the new initiatives of the past three years, have imparted greatly exceeded the amount originally budgeted. It became necessary to take fiscal counter-measures to check inflationary pressures. 

A 
temporary surcharge was an intrinsic strength to our economy. We will ensure the restoration of mo mentum in agricultural growth as soon as normalcy returns to clamatic conditions. 

37. About 45 million hectares of land introduced On Income Tax, Wealth Tax, Corporation Tax and Customs Duty. Strict economy was enforced in public expenditure. The Reserve Bank also took measures to mop up excess liquidity in the banking system and tighten selective controls. 

Inflationary pressures have been much less than in earlier droughts. In 1979-80 the Wholesale Price Index had risen by over 21 per cent. In contrast, the increase upto the third week of January 1988 has been only 9.8 per cent. 

spread over 269 districts in 15 States and 6 Union Territories was affected by the drought. In many areas, it was the second successive year of failure of rains in some, the third or the fourth. A shortfall of 7 to 10 per cent in foodgrains production, as compared to the 1986-27 
level, is apprehended. 

A 
comprehensive strategy was evolved to combat the impact of the drought. Central relief assistance was expeditiously pro, vided to the States for employment, drinking water and the supply of fodder,    the flow of essential com- 
40. The performance of the industrial sector has been commendable. It reflects the success of Government policies in stimulating investment and production, and promoting technological up gradation. A special tribute is due to our industrial workers y/ho responded well to the call for raising productivity. Since 1984-85, industry has grown at a rate between 8.5 to 9 per cent per annum, The momentum continued into 1987-88 with the general index of industrial production showing a growth of 10.2 per cent in April—November 1987 For the year as a whole, it is likely to exceed 8 per cent as the effects of the drought become evident in the non-agricultural sectors. The small-scale sector has contributed significantly to the rapid growth of industry in this period. A National Equity Fund has been established to provide financial support to small-scale manufacturing units. The Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction, set up under the Sick Industrial Companies 
(Special Provisions) Act, 1987 became operational last May. 

41. The infrastructure, which is almost exclusively in the public sector, has performed very well. This segment of the economy had shown healthy growth in 1986-87, with power generation expanding by 10.2 per cent, coal by 7.5 per cent and railway freight by 7.4 per cent. All these continued to show their strong performance in the current year. Power generation in April— December 1987 was 7.6 per cent higher than the previous year, despite a substantial decrease in hydel generation due to drought thermal power generation grew by 
16.1 per cent. The Plant Load Factor in April —December 1987 has averaged 55 per cent, compared with 52.2 per cent during the same period in the previous year.   The growth rate in coal in the first 9 months of 1987-88 was 10.2 per cent. Railway freight expanded by 5.4 per cent. 

42. The public sector occupies the commanding heights of the national economy. It safeguards the economic independence of India. It must and will continue to play this pivotal role in our development strategy of building socialism. For this very reason, Government have stressed the need for improving its efficiency and financial viability. We are giving the public sector greater operational autonomy through Memoranda of Understanding. 

## 43. The Balance-Of-Payments Position Has

been managed successfully despite a difficult external situation. Government's efforts at promoting exports have yielded results. Exports have shown a healthy growth of 24.7 per cent in value terms in the first nine months of the year, while the increase in imports has been kept at 13.5 per cent. The trade deficit over April—December 1987 was lower than the deficit in the same period last year. Government will keep the balance-of. 

payments position under close watch. 

44. Central Sector Plan outlays have been ahead of Seventh Plan targets. While this is gratifying, we have to pay much closer attention to the achievement of physical targets. The Mid-Term Review of the Seventh Plan has been completed by the Planning Commission and will shortly be presented to the National Development Council and Parliament. 

45. From the earliest times, the Indian mind has transcended "narrow domestic walls" and seen all of humanity as one large family. Ours is a millennial heritage of tolerance and compassion, of the self-confident assimilation and synthesis of all that is best, from wherever it comes. Our struggle for freedom was guided by the ancient principles of truth, of nonviolence and of humanity as one. 

The basic tenets of our foreign policy derive from this integrated and deeply entrenched world-view. The philosophy and practice of Non-alignment is modern India's outstanding contribution to contemporary international relations. It was a philosophy conceived and elaborated by those great men of vision, Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. First a minority view, deprecated and even derided, it has grown to embrace two-thirds of the international community, profoundly influencing thinking people everywhere, crucially contributing to the shaping of a new world order. Our foreign policy has safeguarded our sovereignty, promoted our national interests and made a vital contribution to the building of a just, equitable and democratic world order. We believe in the peaceful resolution of international disputes. We seek the enlargement of our friendship and cooperation with all countries. We are committed to the promotion of peaceful co-existence and nuclear disarmament. 

46. While defense strategists remained mired in obsolete concepts of deterrence, in a world threatened with extinction by nuclear weapons, on the very morrow of Hiroshima, Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru grasped the catastrophic implications of the advent of nuclear weapons. The elimination- of these weapons became a principal plank of independent India's foreign policy. Throughout the last forty years, India has worked steadfastly for a nonviolent world without nuclear wea-. pons. The Six-Nation Initiative, in which Indira Gandhi played a leading part, contributed significantly to the resumption of the deadlocked disarmament negotiations. The Initistive has mobilized opinion worldwide in favour of nuclear disarmament. It has helped set the stage for the agreement between the United States and the Soviet Union signed In Washington last December on the elimination of land-based   intermediate and short-range missiles-While welcoming this agreement as a historic first step towards nuclear disarmament, we have emphasized the need to ensure rapid progress towards further and substantial reductions in nuclear arsenals, and the induction of all nuclear-weapon - powers into the process. The Stock-helm Summit of the Six-Nation Initiative last month spelt out the steps which, need to be taken in the wake of the INF Treaty with a view to ensuring the global elimination of all nuclear weapons within a specified period of time. 

## 47. Our Future Is Also Threatened By The

growing degradation of the environment. We must ensure environmentally r sustainable development. We support international efforts to realise this objective. We hosted a meeting Of the World Commission on Environment and Development. The Prime Minister addressed the United Nations during the special debate on the Commission's Report. 

48. In July 1987, we concluded the historic Indo-Sri Lanka agreement which has been welcomed in Tamil Nadu and all other parts of India as the harbinger of peace in Sri Lanka and justice for the Tamil minority in that country. 

The agreement has been internationally acclaimed as an act of the highest statesmanship. The provisions of the agreement meet all the legitimate aspirations of the Sri Lanka Tamil minority while ensuring the unity and integrity of Sri Lanka. The agreement paves the way for durable peace and stability in that country. It meets important security concerns of ours and strengthens Nonalignment in Our region. As provided for in the agreement, and in response to the urgent request of President Jayewardene, the Indian Peace Keeping Force was sent to Sri Lanka. They have done an outstanding job in the most difficult circumstances. We pay tribute to our gallant soldiers.    To those who have 
52. We support the continuing' efforts °f the made the supreme sacrifice, we pledge that their sacrifice shall not be in vain. We are firmly resolved to secure the full implementation of all provisions of the agreement. We are giving further momentum to the processes envisaged under it. We are ensuring that the opeejtive of achieving a durable solution to the ethnic problem in Sri Lanka is realized in full measure. 

49. Regional cooperation in South Asia is Secretary General of the United Nations on Afghanistan There .are signs of positive movement, although hurdles are being put in the way of a settlement. We welcome the announcement made by General Secretary Gorbachev regarding the withdrawal of Soviet troops in accordance with the stipulated schedule. We hope the forthcoming proximity talks at Geneva will lead to a final settlement. We have been in touch with the parties concerned. We will work together with them to ensure the status of Afghanistan as a sovereign, independent and non-aligned  
country. 

53. The travails of the Kampuchean people have caused us much distress. 

We have followed with an important dimension of our foreign policy and of growing significance in our region. Under our Chairmanship, regional cooperation was consolidated and several major initiatives were promoted. The third Summit at Katmandu carried forward the process. We must realise the immense untapped potential for South" Asian cooperation. 

sympathy and deep interest the efforts Of the Kampucheans to rebuild their country, protect their indepen 
50. The peoples of India and Pakistan share dence and sovereignty, and safe guard their non-aligned status. 

We are helping in the peace process. We have contributed towards bringing together those who must jointly work out a solution to the Kampuchean question. 

We shall continue our efforts in cooperation with the parties concerned. 

54. We have been deeply sympathy tic to the cause of the Palestinian people since the days of our freedom movement. 

The partition of India and the partition of Palestine took much in common. We wish the people of Pakistan well. We want to promote trust and friendship through greater interaction between our peoples. We hope the Government of Pakistan will reciprocate our sentiments and help create the atmosphere for enduring peace and friendship. Unfortunately, our efforts in this direction have been hampered, and many of our initiatives thwarted. Pakistan continues its clandestine efforts to acquire nuclear weapons. They also continue to assist terrorist and secessionist elements in India. Is this the path of friendship and cooperation? My Government still believe that reason and good sense will prevail and the Pakistan place in the same year. 

We have Government will make a fresh assessment of its policy towards India. 

## 51. We Attach Importance To Building

stood    by  the    Palestinian      people through their trials and tribulations and the terrible suffering they have undergone. We deeply deplore the brutal repression of Palestinians by Israeli forces in the Occupied Terri-to ries. There can be no solution that ignores the inalienable rights of the friendly relations with China. Outstanding issues have to be resolved in an amicable manner, consistent with our national interest. It is important to maintain peace and tranquility along the horder. 

Palestinian people. They must have a State of their own in their homeland. To find a lasting solution, an International Peace Conference should be immediately, convened, with the participation of the Palestine Liberation Organisation and others concerned. 

35. The Iran-Iraq war is a matter of great 
59. There has been substantial pro gress in our bilateral relations with the United States of America, particu larly in the technological and econo mic fields. 

The Prime Minister had sorrow. It has led to an increasingly volatile situation in our neighborhood and the proliferation of external military presences in the region. We shall continue our work with others in the arduous search for peace. 

wide-ranging talks with the US 
Pre 
56. Apartheid is a blot on civilize tion, repugnant to our commitment to sident. We continue to. impress upon the United Statee3 the seriousness of our concern about the supply of arma ments to Pakistan notwithstanding 
, the unity of the human family. Since Mahatma that country's relentless pursuit of nuclear weapons. 

60. India's relations with the Soviet Union have always been warm and friendly. 

The Delhi Declaration of November, 1986 affirmed the common commitment of both countries to non violence and peaceful co-existence. 

In the last three years, we have enlarged and enriched the content of our rela tionship. 

There has been an unpre cedented increase in high-level visits, an unparalleled expansion of trade, Gandhi's early experiments with truth in South Africa, the elimination of racial discrimination has been an integral part of our freedom struggle and as yet an Unfulfilled mission of our foreign policy. Apartheid survives because of the economic and military sustenance which Pretoria receives from a few rich and powerful countries. The only way of ending this abomination without too much bloodshed is through comprehensive, mandatory sanctions under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. We have striven for this at the UN, Non-aligned and in Commonwealth forums. All Commonwealth countries, with ons and new dimensions and new vistas added in areas such as science and technology, further expanding our already wide-ranging cooperation. 

The mutual goodwill of our peoples has found spectacular expression in exception, agreed at the Vancouver Summit last October to intensify their sanctions against apartheid. The AFRICA Fund, which we conceived of as a practical mea-ure of support, has received a gratifying response from countries all over the world. 

57. The moves in Fiji to deprive the Festivals held in the two countries. During the year   the Prime Minister of India visited the Soviet Union and the Prime Minister of the Soviet Union visited India. 

people of their rights solely on a ra coal basis have caused deep resent 
61. Honourable Members, with the united ment. 

Fiji constitutional arrange ment must ensure fair and just re presentation in Parliament for all communities. 

58. We welcome the agreement Signed in Guatemala by leaders of five Central endeavour of the nation we can meet with confidence the challenge that confront us and accomplish the tasks that lie ahead. We shall be faithful to the ideals and goals of our Republic. We shall place the national good above any sectional interest. I wish you all success in your endeavours in the year before us. 

## Jai Hind

American countries. We earnestly hope the agreement will lead to a Just and lasting settlement ensuring the security, sovereignty and .independence of all States of the region. 

[Text of the President's Address in Hindi] 
 
Khan 1.00 P.M. 

## Resolution   On   The      Passing Away Of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan

MR. 

CHAIRMAN: 
Honourable Members, with profound sorrow, I refer to the passing away of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, the veteran freedom fighter. 

 
Khan   Abdul   Ghaffar  Khan,   affectionately called Badshah Khan or the Frontier Gandhi, passed away on the 20th January, 1988.    As the honourable Members are aware, the nonagenarian leader had been suffering from heart ailment when he was specially flown to India last year and admitted in a Bombay Hospital,    where    after treatment  he  got over     the     crisis. When he came to    Delhi    after his treatment in Bombay, we had thought that     he     had turned     the     corner      and      was      on      
the      road to       recovery.      But      he suffered a paralytic stroke and was rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. In August last    year    he was flown    back' to Peshawar in an almost unconscious state. On account of  his  robust  constitution,   the aged leader struggled   for   months   to  regain  consciousness,  but the had     to succumb at last. 

The news of his death has come as a personal blow not only to his own people, but to vast numbers here who had developed a mystic bond with the great leader. His life has been one of storm and stress and he has been a symbol of truth and fearlessness. He was a man of profound culture and served those in need and befriended those on whom nobody would ordinarily bestow attention. He was gem of  the rarest hue and reflected and radiated light, kindness, moral stature and purity wherever he went. We respected him; we loved him. 

## 

Badshah Khan was born in 1890, in a highly religious and respected Pa-than family of the Peshawar Valley. He had his schooling in Peshawar. His educational career was cut short when his mother for whom the young 