# The Parliamentary Debates Official  Report

IN THE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIFTH SESSION OF THE RAJYA SABHA 
 
Commincing on the iSth February, 19S3J29 Magha, 1904 (Saht) 

## Rajya Sabha

Friday, the  18th *February,* 1983/ 29 Magha, 
1904  (Saka) 
The House met at twenty minutes past twelve of the clock, Mr. Chairman in the Chair. 

## Presidents Addbess

SECRETARY-GENERAL,: Sir, I beg to lay on the Table a copy (in English and Hindi) 
of the President's Address to both the Houses of Parliament assembled together on the 18th February,  1983. 

[Text of the    President's   Address in *Hindi]* 


challenges and opportunities, which 'will require the united efforts 
01 Parliament, Government, and the people. 

2. On the economic side, the need is to tone up the economy, enhance production and productivity, eliminate non-productive expenditure and contain prices. In the midst of inflationary pressuras in several countries, we can take legitimate pride in our success in containing inflation. Wholesale prices in mid January, 1983 were only 2,8 per cent higher than 12 months earlier. And this in spi*e of widespread drought affecting- 48 Million hectares and 312 million C31.2 crores) people. The public distribution system was expanded and made more efficient,-About 
50,000 fair price 
. shops, were opened in the last three years. 

This year the Central Government would be releasing to the States about - Rs. 7,000 
million. , (Rs. 700 orores), the highest in any year for relief to victims of" drought, fioods and cyclones.    Our sympathies go- to the 
.people hit by these natural calamities and we admire their courage and the sense of duty of relief workers.      
3. The. performance of   our infrastructure  
and our industry has main, tained  
improvement.    Between  April and December, 1982, power generation rose by 7.2 par cent and production of coal by 4.2 per cent,    cement by 10.2 per cent and fertilizers by 9.6 per cent. The    railways    increased    the movement of freight by 3.5 per cent. The ports have, by and large,  eliminated the waiting    time    of vessels. There has  been a recovery in    steel production.     The    high  prices   cf oil continued to be    a burden    on    the economy, but  domestic production of crude during the period rose by 30.6 per cent.    Against  10.5 million   (1.05 crores)   tonnes in 1.980-81, production was 16.2 million  (1.62 crores) tonnes in  1981-82  arid  is   anticipated  to be 
21   million     (2.1    crores)   tonnes    in 1982- 83.     In  spite   of  the   difficulties of balance of payments, unfavourable seasonal conditions,     
and the severe constraint on resources, the economy achieved reasonable growth for a second successive year. The turnover of public sector has increased by 21 per cent in the first nine months of the current year. There has been significant expansion in the small industry sector which has maintained a rate of growth of around 10 per cent. Despite the problems faced by kharif and rabi, procurement of rice and wheat was higher than in any previous year. Government have given farmers the benefit of higher procurement prices. 

of rural employment will be generated under the National Rural Employ, ment Programme. There has also. been significant spurt in the activties . of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission and efforts have been consciously made to link these with the overall effort towards rural employment. Drinking water facilities have been extended to a further 24,000 problem villages. More than 540,000 house sites have been provided. Loans-from the Housing and Urban Development 
4. The increase in exports is being Corporation will help the Construction of 
225,000 dwellings.v An additional irrigation potential of 2.35 million hectares is being created during the year. 

6. As a token of the debt which the nation owes to persons who brought ' us freedom, the Government have enlarged the   Freedom Fighters'   Pension Scheme. 

7. Government are vitally concerned  with maintained. In the first sevpn months of the current financial year exports are expected to be about 17.8 per cent higher than the provisional figure of Rs. 39,600 million (Rs. 

3960 crores) in the corresponding period of the previous year. The trend towards rapid increases in imports has been curbed. Although the overall import bill may show a rise to meet the developmental needs of our economy it will be possible to check the growth of imports further with the accelerated programme of oil exploration and production and increased investments in other sectors such as steel and fertilizers. Prices of the raw materials whch developing countries export have fallen sharply, while the prices of manufactured goods which we import have gone up considerably. The high interest rates in the West have further aggravated the situation for countries like India.   ' 
the welfare  of     Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and have evolved    a three.pronged     strategy This consists of the Special Component plans of State Governments and Central Ministries,  special Cent-al  assis-' tance in addition to the States' Special component plans,  and the  Scheduled Castes Development     Corporations. Special Central assistance for    tribal, sub-plans has been stepped up from Rs.   850 million   (Rs.   85 crores)     to. Rs.  950 million   (Rs.  95 crores) for 1982.83. 

« 
5. The world is going through a critical 
8. The social and economic advan cement of the economically weaker sections and of the backward classes of our society will continue to be given priority in Government's deve lopment programmes. 

A 
Centrally 
' 
sponsored scheme of fishermen's in surance has been launched. 

## •

9. There was a surge of popular support to and participation in the economic period. Many coun. tries are in the imp of recession and have been cutting down investment. We, however, were able to maintain the tempo of our development. Central Plan outlay has increased by 27 per cent and the total outlay on Central and State Plans put together has gone up bv 21 per cent. The Revised Twenty-Point Programme, which was announced on 14 January, 1982 with its emphasis on the service of the Poor and the weak, has shown heartening results. This year, more than 330  mililon additional mandays Family Planning Programmes. 

During the Period April. 1982 to January,. 1983 
the number of acceptors of.all fami-T 
ly planning methods was 16 per cent ' 
higher  than   that  for the  eorre*oon-., out the considerations that will guide our decisions in the development of ding period of the previous year. Programmes for the control of leprosy, blindness and tuberculosis are being implemented with renewed vigour under the Revised Twenty-Point Programme. 

indigenous technology and the import of such technology as will strengthen us. We shall pursue our search for technological self-reliance. 

We are 
10. Our concern for industrial paying attention to both basic science and to new areas like bio-technology, workers equals our concern for agri cultural workers and farmers. 

The amendments to the Industrial Dis putes Act provide f°r internal ma chinery to settle grievances and en immunology, fast breeder technology in nuclear science and ocean engineering. Our second scientific expedition is now in Antarctica continuing important sure that labour courts give decisions within a 
 
stipulated time.

 
! 

I 
11. Programmes and stretegies for 

experiments and surveying the area for setting up a permanent manned station in future. Our work in the survey of polymetallic nodules on the ocean floor 
hag been rewarded with our recognition, 
at the Conference of Law of the Sea, as a 
pioneer investor. We are the only developing country so recognised. 
15. INSAT-1B which will be launched improving the quality of education, eradicating adult illiteracy and universalising elementary education in the age group of 6—14 continued to receive high priority with special emphasis on the education of girls. 

this year will help us to attain a high level of telecommunication, television and meteorological capability. 

It will 
12. Two significant events of last year incorporate the modifications required in, the light of our experience with INSAT-
1A, the basic design of which was sound. 

16. Honourable Members are aware of which will have a far-reaching impact on the future of our young people, and their physical and mental altemess, are the creation of a De. partment of Sports and the successful holding of Asian Games. 

The manner in which the Games were organised has been widely acclaimed. The construction and upgradation of 17 stadia and sports facilities conforming to international standards proved our the problems we faced in ensuring continuity of fuel supplies for our Tarapur nuclear power reactor. These have now been sorted out in consultation with the Governments of France and USA. 

17. I shall now turn to the domestic capacity to rise to major challenges. This infrastructure will serve our sportsmen and sportswomen in the years to come. 

13. The Games also provided the ocpolitical scene. Divisive and disruptive forces are at work fomenting violence and weakening the national fabric. These must be fought resolutely. Government have taken the initiative to associate the Opposition in discussions on major issues like those relating to Assam and the Punjab, an<j this welcome trend must continue. Communal and anti.national elements have been indulging in casion for the extension of television to many new areas and the introduction of colour telecasting. Our television policy will give special attention to the needs of our rural population and the utilisation of this powerful medium for education and development. 

14. Jt has been    an eventful    year for our objectionable activities in many areas and these will have to be effectively curbed. 

Extremist organisations      have been    
active   in acience and    technology.   We have formulated and    announced    a    | Technology Policy Statement    setting certain aortfa-eastern States and territories. 

We have adopted a well-coordinated drive to combat these activities and maintain peace and normalcy. Meanwhile the tempo of development effort all over the northeastern region has been stepped up. 

of Bangladesh. These have led to a strengthening of friendly relations. The third round °f official-level talks with China on the boundary question and other bilateral matters took place in Beijing last month. Our relations with Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka have maintained their even course. 

18. Elections have recently taken place in 
22. Our policy of non-aligned has helped Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tripura and the Union Territory of Delhi and in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala and West Bengal earlier. 

Polling has just concluded in Meghalaya and is in progress in Assam) These elections have been part of our democratic tradition and a constitutional obligation. 

19. The international situation has deteriorated. 

The escalation of foreign us to work unswervingly for the objectives of peace, friendship and stability throughout the world and in our region. As Honourable Members are aware, the Seventh Conference of Non-Aligned Countries will take place early next month in New Delhi. We are playing host to it at the unanimous request of the non-alig(ned community, it win be the largest gathering of Heads of nations to be helQ in our country. It fe our ardent hope that the summit will make an important contribution to the solution of the problems besetting the international community. Later in the year another major conference is being held in the Capital—the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. We must put all our energies into the task of making a success  of both  these  conferences. 

23. I should also refer to the visits of my military intrusion in the Indian Ocean in disregard of the wishes of littoral States, the continuing war between Iran and Iraq, the increasing recklessness of Israel and the sufferings of the Palestinians, the aggressive acts of the racist regime of South Africa against its own people and its neighbours and the lack of progress in the Disarmament Talks and in North-South dialogue are all matters of concern. Political solutions are yet to be found to the situations in South-West and South- East Asia. 

20. Certain developments in our neighbourhood have worsened our security environment. The entire nation is exercised over the acquisition of sophisticated predecessor to Ireland and Yugoslavia and of our Prime Minister to the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, the United States of America, Japan, Mauritius, Mozambique and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the visits of India of the Presidents of Tanzania and Greece, King of Bhutan, the Presidents of Mozambique, Algeria, Nauru, Pakistan, France, Egypt and Nigeria, the Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom, Nepal and Mauritius, the Chairman of the P.L.O., the Chief Martial Law Administrator of weaponry by our neighbour, Pakistan. Our own policy has been to pursue initiatives and improve relations with our neighbours. It is hoped that the meetings that have taken place with the President of Pakistan and between officials of the two countries will eventually lead to the conclusion of an enduring relationship of peace, friendship and  
Bangladesh as well as other statesmen. These exchanges have been of mutual benefit. 

cooperation. 

24. Hon. Members, the economic and political crises    in    the    world 
21. We have also had talks with the Chief Martial Law Administrator Though leading a super-power country Mr. 

Brezhnev fully realised the consequences of a third World War and a nuclear holocaust. As such, he untiringly worked for lasting world peace and deten,te arid put forward several proposals for .limiting nuclear arsenals and strategic arms which culminated in the signing of the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty with the U.S.A. 

For us the passing away of Mr. Brezhnev is loss of a true and steadfast friend who had always shown keen interest in the have led to a sharpening of tensions which India can withstand only through vigilance, unity and the optimal use of its own productive capacity. Apart from fighting corruption and inefficiency, it must be ensured that differences are not aired in a manner which provokes violence or weakens our secular democratic fabric. In the last three years we have been able to a maintain stability and progress. It is my earnest entreaty that the entire nation will work together to maintain India's integrity and enhance its welfare and good name. 

25. I urge Honourable Members to approach the vital tasks before them in a spirit of cooperation and harmony. I wish you all success in the budgetary, legislative and other business that awaits you. JAI HIND. 

development and well-being of this country. He had developed a close friendship and established a personal rapport with the Prime Minister Shrimati Indira Gandhi, and in spite of his busy schedule, he vsited this country twice during the last decade. It was under his leadership that the Indo-Soviet Cooperation and Friendship Treaty was signed, and economic trade scientific and cultural exchanges acquired a *new* dimension and achieved maturity. His death is as much a loss to Sndia as it is to the Soviet Union. 

## Obituary References

MR, CHAIRMAN: I refer wi'.h profound Mr. Brezhnev showed the friendliest interest in our progress and, if I may say so, there had never been the slightest suggestion, implicit or explicit, that we should line up with the Soviet Union on issues having international bearing. 

sorrow to the passing away of Mr. Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev, President of the U.S.S.R,, Acharya Vinoba Bhave, Shri Mahendra Mohan Chaudhury, an ex-Member, Shri Piloo Mody a sitting Member, Shrimati Yashoda Reddy and Shri C. K. Daphtary, ex-Members of this House. 

Bom in a steel worker's family in 1906, in, In the death of Mr. Leonid Ilyich the Ukraine Province of the Soviet Union, Mr. Leonid Brezhnev joined the Communist Party at the young age of 17. In the early days of his life, he was engaged in land reclamation and agricultural work, but he joined the Institute of Metallurgy in 1935 and qualified from there as an engineer. He soon worked his way up, but during the Second World War wits drafted in the Soviet Army. When the War came to an end,. he had risen to the rank of Lt.-General. A'l'ter the War, he was actively engage 1 in party and State affairs and slowly rose in the party hierar- 
Brezhnev, President of the Soviet Union, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the U.S.S.R:, the world has lost an outstanding leader who guided the destiny of not only his country, but the whole world for nearly two decades. He was not the Leader of the Soviet Union alone; he was in a way an important leader of mankind and by virtue of his policies, he influenced the course of history in many ways. 