
## The Parliamentary Debates Official Report In The Hundred And  Twelfth Session Of The Rajya Sabha

Commencing on the 23rd January, 1980/ *the yd Magha,* 1901 *(Saka)* 

## Rajya Sabha

Wednesday,  the  *23rd January,*   1980/ the the elections has made it possible for the country to look forward to a period of stable government at the Centre. 

3rd Magha, 1901 *(Saka)* 
It is a matter of regret that today we do not The House met at fifteen minutes past twelve of the clock, Mr. Chairman  in the Chair. 

## President'S Address

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 23rd January, 1980. 

have amongst us here representatives from a number of constituencies of some of the North-Eastern States. The problems of this region, and more especially of Assam at the moment, require to be dealt with urgently and in a spirit of understanding and mutual accommodation On all sides. The Government will spare no pains to secure speedy solutions to these problems and to put an end to violence. Government appeals to all sections of the people to help in creating conditions conducive to this. 

[Text of the President's Address    in English] 
Honourable Members, it gives me Anti-national forces have become active on pleasure to welcome you to this first joint session of the Seventh Parliament. I extend my felicitations to the members of the new Lok Sabha. 

The Sixth Lok Sabha was elected in March our borders posing a fresh threat to our security. Communal and other divisive forces have also reared their1 ugly heads in different parts of the country causing serious prejudice to our ideals of national integration and national unity. The confidence of linguistic and other minorities, Harijans and weaker sections of the society has been seriously eroded. Increase in crime and inadequacy of measures to detect and prevent crime have created a sense of insecurity in the minds of law-abiding people. Disrespect for law and widespread indiscipline have slowed down the wheels of productive endeavour. 

The economic situation which the present 
1977. But it could not last its full term and had to be dissolved less than half-way through. After its dissolution, the governance of the country had to be carried on for some months without a Lok Sabha. Hap- J pily the uncertainty of these last few months has been resolved. The people of India have through the democratic process unambiguously rejected philosophies based on regional, linguistic, sectoral or communal differences and have chosen to be governed by those who derive their mandate from all parts of the country and all sections of the population.   The result of Government has inherited is a matter of grave concern and anxiety. The last year has witnessed a vicious The Government would like to reaffirm its commitment to planning as an essential tool for engineering social and economic change. 

The great task of nation-building will have to be resumed with redoubled vigour so that coming generations can hope for a fuller and better life. 

The Government will devote immediate attention to restoring the economic health of the nation. Measures for the control of prices will be initiated. Stringent action will be taken against anti-social elements such as smugglers, hoarders and black-marketeers. 

Tlie Government is conscious of its duty to inflationary spiral with prices registering a rise of about 20%.   There has been a severe setback in agricultural production while industrial production has remained   stagnant.   The   
breakdown of    infra-structure, particularly in certain parts of the country, has led to  sharp reduction  in output in key sectors, such as steel and cement.   This has  necessitated  costly imports  from abroad while domestic  capacity built at considerable cost has remained idle. There has been   virtually no increase in the production of coal.   The rate of growth of exports has slackened and the balance    of trade is    seriously in deficit.   Lack of effective management has resulted in a deterioration of the national economy.   There   has been a worsening of industrial relations  and a loss of morale in the entire industrial sector. 

the weaker sections of society. The 20-point economic programme, which had proved a boon to the poor, the landless, the artisans, handloom weavers, scheduled castes, The massive and broadbased confidence scheduled tribes and other socially backward sections, will be revitalised and implemented in a dynamic manner. The minimum needs programme started during the Fifth Plan will once again be accorded high priority, with special stress on education and health. 

Agriculture and rural development, with reposed by the people in the new Government reflects a keen desire that the deterioration in the law and order sector as well as in the economy should be halted and reversed. The Government would like to assure the people that this is indeed what it proposes to do with determination and speed. 

The Government will do its utmost to put special emphasis on assistance te small and marginal farmers as well as agricultural labourers, will receive the highest priority in the Government's strategy. 

Immediate down lawlessness and restore confidence amongst all people, especially those belonging to the weaker sections. The law enforcement agencies at the Centre and in the States will be activised, so that problems are dealt  with promptly   and  effectively. 

Honourable Members, the new Government attention will be given to alleviate the distress caused by the widespread drought. All assistance will be extended to the farmers to achieve maximum production by ensuring proper and timely supply of inputs like fertilizers, credit, water, electricity, dieseL kerosene etc. For this the co-operation of the State Governments will be secured in full measure. 

It will be the Government's has taken charge just over a week ago. The Budget will be presented in the next Session when the socio-economic measures proposed to be adopted in the furtherance of Government's broad objectives will be spelt out. However, there are certain matters which require to be mentioned. 

endeavour to ensure proper remunerative prices to the farmer for his produce. While providing for sustained growth of agriculture the Government will devote greater attention to the production of commodities such as oilseeds to eliminate our dependence on foreign sources *»r such vital necessities. 

Infra-structural facilities which had     
The Government reiterates its commitment to the freedom of the Press. It believes in providing all possible encouragement for the development of small and medium newspapers including those in regional languages. 

An independent judiciary is a necessary deteriorated leading to transport bot-    i tleneeks     
and inadequate supply     of crucial inputs like steel, cement, coal and power will  be strengthened and    given very high priority. The efficiency of movement by    railways and by ships    as also    prompt    clearance of goods at ports will    be ensured    by close monitoring and timely remedial action. 

On the industrial front emphasis will be laid on the rapid increase in industrial production through better utilization of existing capacity, improved labour relations and better concomitant of the democratic process. The Government is anxious that our legal system should provide speedy justice and that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities. Measures for this purpose and other allied matters are proposed to be initiated. 

The Government is committed fully to management particularly of public sector undertakings. Efforts will be directed to systematic expansion of- ' our exports through better management of both the agricultural and industrial sectors. 

The country is faced with a massive secularism and will take steps to ensure that the minorities, while preserving their distinct cultural identities, enjoy a sense of full and equal participation in all spheres of national life. Legislation for assuring the minority character of the Aligarh Muslim University will be introduced in the next Session. 

In a polity like ours, healthy relations energy crisis. We are entering a period of rising energy costs and likely shortages in supplies. The Gov-ernment proposes to evolve a comprehensive national policy on Energy with emphasis on fuller utilization of renewable energy sources, both traditional and non-traditional. 

between the Centre and the States are essential for effective functioning. It will be the endeavour of the Central Government to maintain and foster such relations. 

The    steady    deterioration    of    the environment threatens the present and future well-being of the country and the  people. Afforestation,   flood   con-    i trol, soil conservation,-preservation of flora and fauna, proper land use plan-    > ning, water and air pollution controls, and  judicious    location    of industries must  be     undertaken  urgentlv. The Government is setting up a specialised    I machinery with    adequate    powers to incorporate in    all planned    development measures to maintain the ecological balance. 

The role of Science and Technology will In international affairs, the Government will follow the path of non-alignment. India has always stood steadfast in the independence of its judgement in the making of her for-Neither pressures nor blandishments have swayed us from the pursuit of our own national interests. Consistent with the above principles the Government intends to promote our essential goals without fear or  favour  The Governmet pursue a dynamic, positive and unifying policy. It will endeavour to narrow the gap between the developed and developing nations so as to ensure enduring peace and equitably distributed prosperity. On the basis of sovereign equality mutual respect and noninterference in internal affairs, it will maintain and strengthen friendly relations with all countries. 

be strengthened. Steps will be taken to ensure that research and development get their due place in all important sectors of national endeavour. 

The intervention of outside forces and the induction of armaments in the region as well as in our neighbourhood have created a dangerous situation not only for ourselves but for the entire area. Recent developments in Afghanistan highlight the re-emergence of the cold war. This is a matter of grave concern. The countries of the region should be allowed to devote their energies to the promotion of regional stability and co-operation with one another. The resources of the region are enormous and should be utilised for the welfare of the people there. To subject these countries to Big Power rivalries is totally unacceptable to us. The Government intends to initiate consultations and action to foster co-operation for the well-being of the entire region. 

With our neighbours,, the Government intends to follow a policy of co-operation and friendship. With Pakistan our relations are in the process of normalisation and the Government proposes to continue on the course set in motion by the Simla Agreement of 1972. We hope that the Government's policy will be reciprocated in ample measure. 

Sino-Indian moves towards normalised relations, a potentially stabilising factor, were inevitably affected by the Sino-Vietnam conflict. India remains willing to discuss all issues with China including the boundary question in search of a peaceful solution based on equality. We hope to progress also as regards bilateral exchanges. 

has just concluded his visit to India. President Valery Giscard d'Estaing of France will be our Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations this year. Chancellor Kreisky of Austria and President Castro of Cuba are visiting us shortly. We are confident that such exchanges significantly strengthen our relations with other countries. 

Our friendship with Vietnam remains a constant factor in our policy. We stand for a Kampuchea able to seek its own destiny free of outside pressure. We intend to continue to improve our relations with ASEAN for whose members we have goodwill and will be a short one. You have to attend to urgent legislative business, the most important being the Amendment of the Constitution to continue reservations in the legislatures in favour of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Anglo-Indians. 

understanding. The need in South East Asia is for mutual confidence and relaxation of tensions. 

Distance has been no bar to our forging close and friendly relations with the countries of Latin America or the far-flung countries of the Commonwealth. Our relations with Japan and the countries of Europe are comprehensive in nature and are mutually satisfying. 

With our brethren in Africa we have stood shoulder to shoulder in the struggle against colonialism and racialism. Our solidarity with the Arab cause is based on principles and we believe that a solution to the problems of West Asia cannot be found without conceding the legitimate demands of the Palestinians for their homeland. 

Our relations with the Soviet Union have expanded, based on an abiding friendship which demonstrates the virtues of reliability and mutual understanding. We intend to deepen and extend this co-operation. 

We have many-sided relations with the United States. 

These will be further consolidated in the context of the common values we cherish as sister democracies. We hope we can both co-operate in our efforts to establish peace and stability with development and co-operation in our region. 

President Zia-ur-Rahman of Bangladesh 

## Honourable Members, The Present Session

During the course of your five year tenure, many issues will come before you for consideration. A healthy and functioning parliamentary democracy proceeds according to well laid down rules of the game. Mutual respect has to be shown by the Government and the Opposition for each other. The harmonising of differing points of view in a spirit of accommodation and conciliation rather than conflict and confrontation is a necessary condition of democratic functioning. I urge all sections of the House to lay the controversies and conflicts of the past behind them and approach the urgent tasks confronting the nation in a spirit of cooperation and harmony., keeping in mind the need to serve the people and to uphold all that is in the national interest. I wish you all success in your efforts. 

JAI HIND. (Text of  the  
Presidents' Address in Hindi) 
Earl of Burma for his counter actions against the Japanese in Burma. 

In February, 1947, the British Government 

## Obituary References

MR. CHAIRMAN: \ refer with pro-found sorrow to the passing away of two eminent personalities of our times, Lord Louis announced its decision to transfer power to Indians by June, 1948 and in March, 1947, appointed Lord Mountbatten as Viceroy of India to hand over the reins of Government to the Indian people. He came to India with a high reputation and played the key role of bringing about the transfer of power to Indian hands on the 15th August, 1947. It was his irre-sstible charm, his indomitable energy, perseverence, optician and above all, his unwavering friendship for India that prompted the Indian leaders to invite him to become the first Governor-General of free India. His profound understanding of the strength and sincerity of purpose of the leaders of the Indian freedom movement enabled him to bring about one of the greatest reconciliations of history in the field of Indo-British relations which removed all the rancour and ill-will generated by decades cf freedom struggle from the yoke of British rule. 

On relinquishing the office of the Mountbatten and | Shri Jayaprakarch Narayan, and also to the passing away of Shri Sanda Narayanappa, Shri Abdul Ghani, Shri R. K. 

Bhuwalka, Dr. (Shrimati) Seeta Parmanand and Shri A. M. Tariq, ex-Members of this House. 

In the death of Earl Mountbatten of Burma, the world lost a great leader who distinguished himself in war ai3 well as in peace. His death "was more poignant because of the tragic circumstances in which he died. He was one of the best friends of India in England and had enormous 1 goodwill and love for this country. 

Governor-General of India on 21st June, 1948, Lord Mountbatten returned to active naval service. In April, 1955, he was appointed the First Sea Lord, and in 1958, "the Chief of the Defence Forces in the United Kingdom, from which he retired in 1965. He continued to take close and active interest in India and was a frequent distinguished   visitor  to  this  country. 

Though born in a royal family    of England  
Lord Mountbatten was a man of manifold abilities and had distinguished himself almost in all spheres of life. He was credited with so many accomplishments that historians have difficulty in pin-pointing his single greatest achievement. Lord Mountbatten will always be remembered in India not only as the First Governor-General but as an Englishman who had great love, affection and admiration for this country. 

in  1900, Lord Louis Mountbatten  worked   his way up  in    life.   ( Joining as a cadet in navy in 
1913, he Jiad a most distinguished career in the I Hoyal  Navy.    He  saw action in   the two World Wars.    At the young    age of    43, Lord    Mountbatten    became Admiral in the Royal Navy and was the Supreme     Allied Commander, South East Asia Command, during the   I Second World War.   He was awarded an Earldom and chose the    title    of 