# Parliamentary Debates Official Report

IN THE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SEVENTH SESSION OF THE RAJYA SABHA 
Commencing on the 20th February, 1986/1 j* *Phalguna,* 1907 *(Saka)* 1                                                                                                                           2
 

## Rajya Sabha

Thursday,   the 20th   February,   1986/ 
ist Phalguna, 1907 *(Saka)* 
The House met at one of the clock, Mr. 

Chairman  in the   Chair. 

## Member Sworn

Shri Sagar Rayka (Gujarat) 

## President'S 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 die Houses of Parliament assembled togemer on die 20th February, 1986 [Placed in Library. See No. LT-1947/86] 
[Text of   **the** President's Address in Hindi] 


[Text   of    the   President's Address in English] 
6. Government are committed to the HoNOT7Ram_e MeivraeRs, fullest implementation of the Punjab and Assam Accords. 

It gives me great  pleasure to welcome 
7. Government express their you to this first session of Parliament in 1986.  I felicitate the new members. 

2. The year has seen Parliament transact its business in a purposeful manner and in an atmosphere of cooperation.. I extend to you all my best wishes for the successful completion of the budgetary and legislative business that lies ahead. 

3. In July, 1985, the Government took deepest sympathy with the families of aU those who lost their lives, or were injured, or suffered loss of property in violent incidents in different parts ofthe country. Violence in public life is the very antithesis of the ethos of our civilization The frequent resort to violence to settle what are perceived as grivances. of one group or another should deeply disturb those who uphold democratic values. While governments must firmly put down violence wherever it may occur, it is essential that political parties committed to democratic values should deal with the root causes of violence through purposive and sustained work among the people. The temptation to seek short-term advantages from communal and other types of violence must be eschewed. 

8. Communalism continues to pose a a major initiative to resolve the complex and difficult problems in Punjab. Our prime concern was to strengthen the forces of unity and integrity. Policy was governed by the perspective of serving the highest national interest. The democratic process triumphed over terrorism. The peaceful elections in Punjab testified to the desire of the overwhelming majority of the people for peace and normalcy in the State. 

serious threat to national unity. It is being reinforced by religious fundamentalism and fanaticism. 

These trends represent a 
4. A great responsibility rests on those reactionary social outlook, directed against the struggle of the poor and the underprivileged against the vested interests. The reconstituted National Integration Council will have to act decisively and systematically to strengthen secularism. 

9. In  my Address  on   January 17,  
1985, I had outlined the major policies and programmes ofthe Government. 

I 
recaptiulate the main points:- 
who have secured the mandate of the people. Their supreme task is to isolate those who are resorting to violence to disturb communal harmony and peace. In this task they will have the support of all political forces committed to the unity and integrity of India. There cannot be, and must not be, any compromise with the forces of disintegration. It is imperative that aU secular and democratic forces join hands in a mass campaign to safeguard the values enshrined in our Constitution—nationalism, secularism, democracy and 

(i) Commitment    to    a   clean public life; (ii) Administrative reforms; (iii) Judicial reforms; 
socialism—tlie bedrock of India's unity. 

5. The   Assam   settlement   was 
(iv) A new national education policy; (v) A new national programme for women; 
followed  by  elections  to  the  Legislative Assembly and the Lok Sabha. A new Government has taken office. 

(vi) Participation   of  youth in programmes for promoting 
 
national   integration   and achieving excellence; 
13. Government are determined to 

(vii) Establishment      of   .  a Wasteland      
Development Board; 
(viii) Formation of a Central Ganga 
Authority; (ix) A new  textile  policy; and 
(x) 
Thorough 
examination 
of 
safety 
measures for industrial establishments. 
io. My Government have fulfilled in eleminate delays in dispensation of justice. 

The experiment of Lok Adalats has proved that an innovative approach is required to cure this malady. The establishment of Administrative Tribunals will also lighten the burden of the courts, enabling them to devote more time to the liquidation of arrears. However, these are just the first steps in tackling the basic problem of making justice inexpensive and easily accessible to the poor. Drastic changes are needed. Government have entrusted to the Law Commission the task of recommending such changes. 

substantial measure the tasks they had set for themselves for tlie past year. 

14. Government published in August, il. The anti-defection Acl: is now on the statute book. Contributions to political parties by the companies have been permitted by law. 

Government have 
1985, a status paper entitled "The Challenge of Education". This was intended to stimulate wide and intensive national debate on issues and alternatives. Government note with satisfaction that the debate has involved all sections of the people and many useful ideas and approaches have emegred. A draft of the new Education Policy will be presented shortly to Parliament. 

endeavoured to set a new tone in public life. This has strengthened national confidence. A strong sense of involvement in public affairs among all sections of the people and a buoyant spirit have characterised the year that has gone by. We have to build on these assets to raise the standards of public life. 

15. Government have set up a new 
12. Vigorous steps have been taken to department to look after the development of women. 

A 
comprehensive national programme for women is being worked out. It will aim at enabling women to play their full part in developing a strong and modern nation. 

16. Programmes for youth development have made considerable headway but such more' has to be done in this area. 

17. The Wasteland Development Board combat corruption and to improve the performance of the public services. Strong emphasis has been laid on sound personnel management and training of personnel at all levels. Machinery for redressal of public grievances is in place. Its results are being continuously evaluated. A new Ministry has been set up to monitor the implementation of various programmes. All Departments of Government have been directed to formulate detailed action plans for the coming financial year, against whicii their progress will be judged. Administrative reforms is a continuous process. Detailed exercises are underway to reorient the system to speedier decision making and better implementation. 

has been set up and lias started work on an ambitious programme of afforestation. In a recent meeting, all the State Governments endorsed an integrated approach to a National Land Use Policy as. well as the strategies and policies for   wasteland development. 

18. The Central Ganga Authority has come into, existence. 

With the cooperation of the concerned State Governments, work has started in full swing on stopping the pollution of the Ganga. 

Development Council. The basic strategy of the plan is cast in a longer term prespective of eradication of poverty ad building a strong, self-reliant and modern economy. 

The Plan sharpens the focus on the antiproverty programmes which will have an expanded coverage. 

It also envisages 
19. A 
new textile policy was announced in June 
1985. 

It aims at production of cheaper cloth for adequate investments in the core sectors to strengthen the growth potential of the national economy. 

the people. 

An equally important objective of the policy is to protect the interests of handloom weavers. 

24. The fulfilment of the Plan requires It is envisaged that in the Seventh Plan the entire production of 
700 
million sq. 

meter of controlled and janata cloth will be transferred tq the handloom sector. 

The Hand looms 
(Reservation of Articles for Production) 
Act, 
1985 
has been passed to strengthen this vital sector which provides livelihood to millions. Steps are being taken to ensure full and efficient implementation of the policy. 

total commitment and determination to mobilise adequate resources for investment. To translate the vision of a strong, prosperous, self-reliant India into reality requires unremitting toil and capacity to sacrifice and to bear hardship. Adequate savings have to be mobilised to pursue a non-inflationary path of development. More importantly, these savings have to be used effectively. The challenge has to be met. There are no short cuts to development, no alternatives to hard work. 

20. Government have completed examination of issue relating to industrial safety and management 
25. 

Vigorous implementation of of hazardous substances and legis anti-poverty programmes yielded lation will be introduced in this significant results. 

-The Sixth Five session of Parliament. 

Year Plan aimed at assisting 
15 
million families under the In 
21. Government will establish tegrated Rural Development seven zonal cultural centres  
Programme; 
16-6 
million families three have already been set up— 
were actually covered, of which 
6-4 
million belonged to the Sche to promote a sense of cultural coh esion. 

These centres, cutting across duled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. 

territorial and linguistic boundaries, These programmes are being would project the rich diversity of strengthened and surplus foodgrains regional, cultural traditions and stocks will be used in 
1986-87 
their underlying unity. 

They to expand the National Rural Employment Programme and the would take the best of our culture to the masses, harmonising it with Rural Landless Employment their lives and struggles. 

Their Guarantee Programme to cover essential thrust would be to break one million additional families. 

An the artificial barriers created amount of Rs. 

roo crores has during the colonial era between the been provided annually during the masses and the living tradition Seventh Five Year Plan for the construction of housing for the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes and freed bonded labour. 

of India's age-old culture in all its forms. The centres will also aim at revitalising folk art which has enriched die country's cultural life. 

22. I would now refer to the major trends in our economy. 

23. The Seventh Five   Year Plan was  
approved  by     the     National 
26. By the end of March, 1985 of a total of 2*31 lakh problem villages lacking safe drinking water supply, 1*92 'akh villages had been provided with at least one source of water supply. 

During 
1985-86 
the programme was  further  accelerated. 

27. In 1985-86, agriculture continued to make steady progress. In November, 1985, foodgrains stocks with Government were higher by nearly 15% over 1984. This has enabled Government to launch a scheme For distributing wheat and rice at specially subsidised rates in tribal areas and to other vulnerable sections, especially the Scheduled Castes, expectant mothers, children, etc. A comprehensive crop insurance scheme has been introduced in specified areas for the kharif crop. Government are considering further expansion of such schemes. 

28. During the first seven months of 
1985-86, industrial production grew at the rate of 6.3%. The policy initiatives of Government have created a buoyant investment climate. The infrastructural industries have performed well. 

Compared with the first nine months of the last year, power generation was up by 8- 2%; saleable steel production by 12*9%; fertilizer production by more than 10%. Our ports handled 13-2% more cargo and the railways created an all time record    in freight traffic movement. 

29. In 1985-86 the Central Plan outlays were stepped up by 15% ovei 1984- 85, specially on antipoverty programmes, human resource development and infrastructure. There was considerable increase in the outlays of State Plans. Government will have spent in 1985-86 Rs. 1650 crores on food subsidy and Rs. 2050 crores on fertilizer subsidy. Public distribution system was strengthened and prudent management of supplies prevented shortages. It is gratifying that a significant increase in public investment was achieved. 

 
30. Tax collections have been buoyant, belying gloomy forebodings. The collection of direct taxes is up by about 23% compared to the corresponding period last year. Indirect tax collection has increased by 22%. Total tax collections have increased by 22% which is the highest in the last decade. An effective drive was launched against tax evaders, smugglers and blackmarketeers. 

Action has also been taken against personnel found guilty of colluding with economic offenders, Government are determined to cleanse the economic life and to fight the evil of black   money. 

31. For the first time, a long term fiscal policy co-terminous with the Five Year Plan has been announced. A long-term direction to economic policy has been provided. Government are confident that the policy will ensure economic growth and speedier expansion of productive investment and employment opportunities. 

32. It is necessary to focus attention on the structural problems of the economy to further our basic objectives of growth with social justice. India's development depends upon steadily rising levels of public investment. How are these investments to be financed? 

Massive investments made in the previous Plans must yield adequate returns. Costs of production have to be reduced. Every paisa of national savings has to be put to the most productive use. Otherwise it will be difficult to find real resources for the larger and larger investments required for maintaining the tempo of self-reliant growth, for enlarging our anti poverty programmes and for preserving our economic independence, Sooner or later sooner rather than later we have to face the realities of the situation, No one should be under the delusion that growth social justice price stability and sellreliance are achievable without efficiency, discipline and sharing of burdens, Contempory history warns us. of such pitfalls. 

33. We must reduce the costs of our shall pay whatever price is required to maintain our economic independence. 

36. The primay objectives of our foreign policy continue to be the promotion of non-alignment, advocacy of peace and nuclear dis armament, enlarging the area of friendship and cooperation and build ing of a just world order. 

37. We welcome tlie resumption of high level dialogue between the USSR 
AND 
USA. 

It is imperative inputs and prices of final products and services. We cannot afford tlie luxury of pricing ourselves out of both the domestic and the export markets. A modern industrial society cannot rise on the basis of continuing low levels of productivity and high costs of production. New jobs cannot be created if existing enterprises incur losses year after year. Operational infficiency increases the cost of production and is invitably reflected in increased prices which are a burden on the people. It raises costs all round, reducing real investment. 

to take urgent steps to bring about a freeze in the nuclear arms race 
34. The future of the planning process and a comprehensive nuclear wea pon test ban treaty. The Six-Nation initiative has called for these measures. 

The Delhi Declaration of January, 
1985 has had a good impact on pub lic opinion throughout the world. 

The leaders of the six countries are in touch with one another about further steps. 

38! During the last one year the depends on our capacity to face up to difficult questions and to take hard decisions, decisions that may involve sacrifices but without which forward movement will not be possible. Growth is absolutely vital to raise the standards of living of the poor. Can we evade decisions that protect and strengthen this development process ? Nations are built by generations that sacrifice for a better tomorrow. 

atmosphere in the sub-continent has 
35. The balance of payments position poses a similar challenge. 

Our exports have remained sluggish in 
1985-86 
but our imports have increased. 

The imports of petroleum products and edible oils are well above the limits the country can afford. 

The question basically is wheather we want to stand on our own feet or not. If we do, there is no question that we have to curb distinctly improved. We have succeded in making progress with our neighbours in many fields. But we remain concerned about the ethnic situation in Sri Lanka and Pakistan's continued pursuit of a nuclear weapon cpability. We remain convinced that the situation in Sri I .anka can be settled only through political means; attempts to seek a military solution will fail and will only result in the loss of a large number of innocent lives. 

39. The Government welcome the the growth of consumption of petro leum products and we have to be self-sufficient in oilseeds. 

We also establishment of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation 
(SAARC) 
have to have a fresh look at our im ports of capital goods. We do not want to shut out new technology Launched in Dhaka iu December, 1985. We expect that it will Kelp strengthen forces of friendship and cooperation in our region. 

40. The Government have made because that will harm us, but we have to make sure that such tech nology meets the rigorous criteria untiring eflorts towards the resolution of the major areas of tension. 

At the of essentiality. 

External financial flows are needed but Government are determined that India is never at the mercy of foreign banks and institutions. 

Economic independence Commonwealth Meeting in the Bhamas in October, in which the Prime Minister participated, our delegation played a leading role in the adoption of the Commonwealth Accord on South Africa. We continue and self reliance are central to our philosophy     of    development.   We to demand comprehensive mandatory of tlit I.L.O, in Geneva. We had the privilege to host visits by the Kings of Nepal and Bhutan the Queen ofthe Netherlands, the Presidents of Mexico, Maldives, sanctions against the racist regime in South Africa. If the authorities there, and other Governments in a position to influence South Africa do not act in time, violence on large scale will become unavoidable. 

41. The Prime Minister also attended the 40th anniversary of the United Nations. The Nassau Declaration on World Order, adopted by Commonwealth leaders, SWAPO, Sri Lanka, Tanzania Indonesia and Pakistan the Chairman of PLO the Head of State of Ethiopia and the Prime Ministers of Poland, Yugoslavia, Mauritius, Britain, N< w Zealand, People's Democratic Republic of Yemen and Trinidad & Tobago. The Crown Prince and Princ-ss of Norway and the Pope also visited India. 

44. Let me now outline some priority areas for 1986-87 and beyond. 

45. Tlie need of tlie hour is to enable the poor to better their lives. Science and technology have to support this fundamental objective. To this end, Government are mounting technology missions in the following areas:— 
contained a strong plea for adherence to international norms and principles and the strengthening of the United Nations. Support for the United Nations system is one ofthe corner-stones of our foreign policy. We are concerned at the growing threat to the multilateral institutions and the iucreasing tendency to resort to unilateral action. Government support international efforts to combat internal ional terrorism, while recognising the rights of people under colonial occupation to use all means to attain their just objectives. 

42. The Government deplore the fact 

(i) Drinking water for all villages ; (ii) Eradication of illiteracy ; (iii) Vaccination  and   immunisation  of 
children; 
(iv) Production   of oilseeds   and 
that the Palestinian people continue to be denied tlieir inalienable rights, including the right to an independent homeland of their own. Until this basic problem is tackled, West Asia will not see a lasting peace. 

manufacture of edible oils; 
43. The Prime Minister paid official 

(v) Improved communications. 
46. In the course of the year more thrust areas will be identified with the object of using technology for improving productivity in industry and agriculture. In selected areas science and technology missions will endeavour to place India in the front rank of scienctific activity. 

47. A comprehensive agriculture policy visits to the USSR, Egypt, France, Algeria, the U.S.A., Bhutan, the UK, Cuba, the Netherlands, Vietnam, Japan, Oman and Maldives. Our traditionally close and friendly relations with the USSR have been further strengthened following the Prime Minister's discussions with Soviet leaders in Moscow. The visit to USA has significantly enlarged the content of our bilateral relations with the USA. The Prime Minister visited Dhaka to express our solidarity with the people of Bangladesh during tlie cyclone disaster and participated in the meeting of Heads of State and Government for launching the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. The Prime Minister addressed the UNESCO 
during his visit to France. He addressed the annual conference will be formulated to promote an optimal cropping pattern, to improve water and soil management to increase productivity of all crops to enhance the incomes of small and marginal farmers and to enlarge our hardwon self sufficiency in food grains through higher production of oilseeds and pulses. A time bound action plan will be dr^wn up to take the green revolution to the eastern region. 

48. It is gratifying that a national consensus has emerged on tn ating removal ef poveitj. This necessitate s a fresh look at policies governing scale of water as a national resource. Gov n 1- ment attach high, priority to the e volu tion of a national water policy which would optimise tho use of water for agricultural, industrial and other production, capacity utilisation, the role of indigenous technology labour productivity, the detailed regulatory mechanism, tbe future perspectives for small and medium industry and the existing administrative and social needs. 

management apparatus Industry must serve the large masses. 

49. 

Government have; 
carried 
52. To meet the challenge of out an indepth, analysis of our family planning programmes. 

Profiting from the experience of the past, a more effective strategy for family planning is being worked out and will be an nounced shortly. 

50. The focus on anti poverty maintaining a viable balance of payments position, a major thrust for promotion of exports and tourism is called for. Any slakening of progress on this front will jeopardise our overall development strategy. 

Gove rn-ment will take *ntw* initiatives in this critical areas. 

## 53. It Is Imperative To Ee-Ffe-Ct Changes

programmes will be sharpened. A new programme, wliich builds on the success achieved by the revised 20-Point Programme is being formulated and will be announci d soon. It will bring together all the elements, policies and programmes for a major national effort to tackle tlie mass poverty in all its manifestation, specifically the problems of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Programmes for the social economic, in our administrative systi m to bring it in tune with the objective of growth with social justice. Manager-ment in Government has to imbuned witli a new social outlook. It is not a question of imposing some tiling from above. The impetus to reform must come from within. The national community as a whole must debate issues affecting tlie working of the administrative system. A concrete agenda of action will thus emerge: for implementation. Our watchwards must be improvement of efficiency and enforecement of   accountability. 

educational and cultural development for the Scheduled Castes, Tribes and other weaker sections will be vigorously implemented. The implementation of the 15-Point Programme for the development of minoritis, with special emphasis on increasing economic opportunities will be closely monitored. 

54. To safeguard the health and vitality 

## 51. To Rapidly Inerease Employment, To

of our basic political institutions, changes will be needed in our electoral and othe:r laws. Govcrnmt nt will hold wide-ranging consultations with the leaders of political parties with a veiw to formulating concrete proposals to ensure cleaner public life. 

55. The vision of a mighty India will be stimulate development in backward areas and to enhance the efficiency of Indian industry to serve the masses better, a more comprehensive framework of industrial policy is required. Many changes have already been made in our industrial policy wliich now reflects the new thrust for modernisation absorption of new realised only in the actual lives of men and women who have strength of character, tenacity of purpose and commitment to exce-lence. Government's strategy for human resource development aims at developing these qualides in our national life. The new education policy will be an integral part of this strategy: 
technologies and promotion of indigenous technologies. High cost and inefficient industry hurts the poor, because it absorbs resources that are needed to create new mobs for them. A vast increase in the production of goods and services for the masses in rural and urban areas is   central   to   our   
strategy  for  the 

## Obituary References Mr. Chairman : Hon. Members, I

It will aim at the physical intellectual cultural and moral development of society in a harmonious fashion. 

56. It   is   not   enough   to    stete       
refer with profound sorrow to the passing away of Shri R.T. Parthasarathy and Shri Maheswar Naik, former Members of the Rajya Sabha. 

Shri R. 

T. 

Parthasarathy was born in Madras in February 
1921 
and got his education at Tirchirapalli and Madras. A grandson of the veteran freedom fighter and former President of the Indian National Congress, late salem Vijayaraghavachari, Shri Parthasarathy was a very dedicated social and political worker. 

Shri Parthasarathy objectives. A   national   mobilisation is essential to ensure that the resources required to implement the education policy are forthcoming . Even more important is the involvement of the youth students, teachers, the intelligentsia, workers and farmers in giving a new direction to the national effort in this area. Education has to be transformed from an activity in the classroom to a social process for building the India of our dreams. It has to be integrated more closely both with production and our commitment to conserve and enhance our cultural heritageto make us proud to be Indian. 

57. The years ahead are years of challenge. Government have taken a number of measures to accellerate growth to modernise the economy and to give new content to our programmes for achieving social justice. It is imperative to impart a sense of urgency to the task of implementation. 

was a lawyer by profession but he also made his mark as a keen sportsman, especially in cricket. In his younger days, he represented the erstwhile State of Madras in the Ranji Trophy Cricket Tournament-and thereafter became a well known cricked commentator on All India Radio. Shri Parthasarathy was a Member of the All India Council of Sports for some time. A person of amiable disposition Shri Parthasarathy was a forceful speaker and took active part in the debates during his term in this House from April 1966 to April 1972. In his passing way. the country has lost an active social worker and eminent sports    personality. 

58. Much has been achieved this past Born at Mayurbhanj in orissa in July, year, and the hopes and expectation of our people are high. As their representatives, you have the onerous duty to fulfil their aspirations. Above all, people's representatives and organisation of aU political persuasions should work together to strengthen the secular and democratic foundations of our society. The forces of violence and fanaticism have to be fought. The economic capabilities we have built up since independence have brought us to a point where determined and concerted efforts to take us forward and to remove poverty are feasible. Now is the time to ensure greater political cohesion so that the battle against poverty and backwardness can be won. 

I wish you all success in the tasks ahead. 

1906 Shri Maheswar Naik was educated at Ravenshaw College, Cuttack and at the Patna University. In his early career, Shri Naik was in Government service in the erstwhile princely state cf Mayurbhanj and served the state in various capacities. Shri Naik served as a Member of the Provisional Parliament from 1950 to 1952 and as a member of tliis House from 1956 to 1962. Shri Naik worked for the upliftment of the weaker sections of the society and the welfare of woman and the backward classes, with special emphasis on their educational and economic advancement. He started several educational institutions, welfare centres and villages libraries. During his tenure as a Member of this House, he took keen inteiest in the proceedings.. 

## Jai Hind   !
