# The Parliamentary Debates Official Report In The Hundred And Sixty-Sixth Session Of The Rajya Sabha

Commencing on the 22nd February, 1993/3rd *Phalgma,* 1914 *(Saka)* 

## Rajya Sabha

Monday, the 22nd February, l993/3rd Phalguna. 1914 *(Saka)* 
 
The    House   met at   fifty one minutes past twelve of the clock. 

Mr. Chairman in the Chair. 

National Anthem 
(The   National Anthem was played.) 

## Presidents Address Laid On The Table

SECRETARY-GENERAL 
: 
Sir- 
I 
beg to lay on the Table a copy 
(in Hindi and English), of the President's Address to both the Houses of Parliament assembled together on the 
22nd February, 
1993. 

[Placed in Library *see* No LT...................93] 
[Text of the Address delivered by the President    (Dr.    Shanker    Dayal Sharma) in Hindi] 
 
 
[Text of the President's Address in English.] 
Hon'ble  Members, I welcome you to this session of  
Parliament. 

The most important task before us today is to restore confidence and communal amity which have been shaken by the tragic events of the 6th of December last year and what followed thereafter. The basic premise of secularism and the rule of law has been threatened. Political parties, intellectualsopinion leaders and others must all strive to counter the communal propaganda that has been let loose so that the country can proceed with the task of building the nation and reasserting our fundamental values. We have to further strengthen the harmony that has allways characterised   our   society. 

The Central issue of the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute has been referred to the Supreme Court under article 
143 
of the Constitution.    Government has also acquired about 68 acres of land in the complex, and is in the   process   of   setting up    two 
 
separate Trusts for managing the construction of Ram temple and Mosque. Government's endeavour will be to ensure that the construction is taken up in consultation and cooperation with the two communities concerned and with the active participation of eminent and responsible leaders of the two communities. Government seeks the support and cooperation of all sections of the people in this important endeavour. 

people of the State. These brave people deserve all credit for sending a clear message against the forces of separatism and disruption. Elections to municipalities were held after a gap of about 13 years and to panchayats, after a gap of about 9 years. These have evoked massive and enthusi-tic response. A renewed thrust as is being given to the socioeconomic development of the State. The Centre remains committed to finding a just and amicable solution to all the outstanding issues in Punjab and will provide all assistance to the State Government in its pursuit of anti-terrorist measures. 

The overall situation in the North-
Eastern region has been under control. Steps have been taken to accelerate the pace of infrastructure development in the region, particularly in respect of rail, road and telecommunications. 

State Governments and the North-Eastern Council have initiated new programmes for development of agriculture, horticulture and fisheries. The Central Government is setting up an agricultural university and an institute of technology. In all these programmes of development, people's participation is being emphasised. Elections have been held recently in Nagaland and Meghalaya. 

The implementation of the Eighth Plan- 
In  Jammu   and   Kashmir  there has   been no   let-up   in     the involvement    of  forces from across the   border     in   training, arming and    providing    logistic      support to    the   terrorists.   Our       security forces- despite    having    to   work under extremely difficult conditions, have been trying to meet this challenge.     Government     is acutely conscious   of   the   hardships    and privations  of the people of Jammu & 
Kashmir   arising   from   the inli-midatory acts      of        terrorists, frequent calls  for bandhs  and disruption    of   economic    and commercial  activity  in  the State- There have also been   some     cases      of excesses by security forces operating in   the   State. Prompt  action    has been taken in such cases to punish those    found     guilty.    As a  first step    to    redress    the    grievances of  the   people   and   reactivate the political process,    a   State    level multi-party advisory    council   has been set up to act as a bridge between   the   administration    and the people.    Efforts    are     also    being made to set up district level committees   to carry   the   process forward.    A Parliamentary   delegation visited  the valley in October 1992. Discussions have been held by the Union Home Minister with leaders of political   parties  to   create conditions which would  enable democratic processes to be restored. 

launched on April 1 last year, is well under way. The total investment has been substantially stepped up to Rs. 7,98,000 crores at 1991-92 prices. Out of this the public sector outlay will be Rs. 4,34,100 crores. We are moving towards indicative planning which is in tune with the changes that have been initiated in our economic policy. 

The year 1992-93 witnessed a further After the democratically elected consolidation of the economic stabilisation programme and the government     assumed    office     in Punjab,    there  has been a dramatic improvement    in the   life   of   the to the Rubber Board       24 
includes transportation, textiles, tele communications and industrial machinery. Non-priority consumer items account for a little less than 
4%. 

The National Renewal Fund was set up Process of structural reforms. The growth in GDP which was 1-2% m 1991-92 is expected to be around 40/ in 1992-93. This growth is significant when viewed against the setbacks of the past year, the comparative slow-down in the industry Sector and problems in the financial sector. 

During 1992-93 industrial production and operationalised so that the industrial workers are not hurt in the process of restructuring.   The   first major programme being taken up is the turnaround of the National Textik Corporation in which the National Renewal Fund will provide funds for working capital, retraining and rehabilitation measures and voluntary, retirement schemes.   The scheme has been making     steady     progress so far and about 22,000 workers have been covered. 

## Government Has Held Consultation With

recorded an increase of 3. 8 % for the period April to Octor 1992 as compared to a decline of about 1 0% during the same period in the 1.0% during Similarly exports recorded a growth of around 3.4% in dollar  terms during April-December 1992 compared to a decline of 3.7% in the corresponding period of the previous year. The recent agreement with Russia on the repayment of debt will help to revive our exports to  traditional   markets   in Russia. We have comfortable foreign exchange reserves of US $ 5 billion. One of the prime 'objectives of Government, namely control of inflation has been achieved, as the annual rate of inflation which peaked at 16.7% in August 1991 was brought down to 7.0% in the last week of January  1993. 

## Major Changes Have Been Made Recently

labour representatives on general issues concerning the reform process as well as sector-specific matters. A meeting of the State Labour Ministers and the Indian Labour Conference has also gone into the manner of revamping our industrial relations laws. Government attaches high priority to these changes as they are expected to lead to increased production and productivity- high wage earnings and harmonious industrial relations. 

The small scale sector is of very great to liberalise foreign exchange controls. The new economic policy has also led to major liberalisation in our procedures for foreign direct investment. 

The total equity investment approved from August 1991 to the end of January 1993 is over $ 2.3 billion which will account for projects of a value of about Rs. 35,000 crores. A number of other proposals are also in the pipeline- with a foreign equity component of about $ 250 million, generating projects with a total value of Rs. 7,500 crores. Most of these investments are in priority sectors: 24% in energy, 26% in petroleum- about 8% in chemicals- about 12% in food processing industry and 8% in electrical industry. The remaining 22% 
importance in our   industrial economy because of its potential for high levels of employment generation and the dispersal of industrial activity cross the country. In 1992- 93,the emp mentin the sector was estimated at 129 lakh persons and total production was expected to be at Rs. 1,66,400 croresrepresenting a rate of growth of 4% over the previous year.   In view   of the slow-down in the industrial sector this was creditable. With revival  in industry as a whole, the performance of the small scale sector is expected to   improve   very    significantly in 1993-94.     An   important     initiative to ensure prompt payment by other industries of the dues of the   small scale   units has been taken.     Payments are now required to be made 
[22 FEB. 1993] 
laid on the Table       26 
 
 
bear eloquent testimony to the hard work and enterprise of our farmers. 

within thirty days of acceptance of goods or rendering of  service. 

In the world that is emerging, the Our plans for agriculture go beyond mere economic strength of a nation will depend on its ability to complete in international market place, on the basis of quality, reliability and price. It should be our endeavour to achieve a sustained growth rate of exports of 15—20% per annum in dollar terms within the next few years. It would be a basic plank of Government policy to encourage exports in every possible way and to remove all impediments or constraints that affect their growth. 

Agriculture is the mainstay of the Indian self-sufficiency.We see it as an area with great potential, capable of yielding much higher incomes to farmers and rural labour. To stimulate growth in this sector the minimum suport prices for paddy were increased by Rs. 40 per quintal in August, 1992 and for wheat for the marketing season starting 1 April 1993, by Rs. 55. It has also been decided to pay a bonus of Rs. 25 per quintal for wheat. The statutory minimum price of sugar-cane was raised by Rs. 3 per quintal to Rs. 26 for the sugar year 1991-92. This has been further raised to Rs. 31 per quintal for the sugar year 1992-93. The decontrol of phosphatic and potassic fertilizers has no doubt led to increase in their prices in the short-term. To cushion the impact of this increase, Government provided Rs. 340 crores to the State Governments and Union Territories as a one-time support. The price of urea was decreased by 10 Government has also announced a Rs. 500 crore package to develop agricultural infrastructure meant for the small and marginal framers. These measures and the increased attention that dry farming would get in the coming year will serve the interests of the farmers in a big way. 

One of the important programmes being economy and its people- As it is still essentially dependent upon rainfall, there was a drop in foodgrains production in 1991- 92 by about 9 million tonnes and was estimated at 167 million, tonnes. This brought the Public Distribu tion System and consumer prices  under pressure. However, the timely decision to import a limited quantity of wheat has had a positive impact on its price behaviour. The in crease in prices between May and December 1992 was restricted to 3.6% compared to a rise of 35% during the corresponding period in the previous year. I am happy to say that in the current year, the monsoon has been good excepting in parts of Bihar and in parts of a few other States. The total Kharif foodgrains production is estimated at 100 million tonnes against last year's 91.42 million tonnes. Procurement of Kharif rice has been proceeding satisfactorily and    has     
implemented by the Government to protect the interests of the vulnerable sections of the society is the Revamped Public Distribution System. Government has decided to set apart and distribute an additional 20 lakh tonnes of foodgrains every year in the 1,700 blocks in the tribal, drought-prone, desert and designated hill areas of the country, identified under the scheme. Since the inception of the Revamped Public Distribut ion Scheme 10,121 new fair price shops have been opened in these blocks and 26 lakh additional ration cards have been issued. 

already crossed 9 million tonnes. The prcsprct of Rabi food production , good and it is expected to be around 76 to 77 million tonnes. Kharif oilseeds production has been higher by about 16 lakh tonnes. Our sugar production was 133 lakh tonnes in the sugar year ending October, 1992, thus making India the world's largest sugar producer. All this has had a salutary effect on prices as well as availability. The country's achievements   in   the      agricultural   sector During the current year, work relating to lities perform as effective units of local selfgovernment, Parliament has passed the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Bill, 1991. 

Provision for reservation for members of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe women and Backward Classes have been made as in the case of Pan-chayats. 

the setting up of district level consumer redressal agencies was carried forward and the entire country was covered by District Forums except the State of Meghalaya. 447 District Forums are presently functioning  in  the country. 

During the year 1992-93, Government The thrust of the Eighth Plan in the field gave priority to disease control programmes. These include control of AIDS, eradication of leprosy by the year 2000 AD, malaria control in tribal areas and short-term chemotherapy for tuberculosis in backward areas. An intensive programme is proposed to be taken up in seven States for dealing with cataract-induced blindness. 

According to the 1991 Census, the of rural development is to integrate the Jawahar Rozgar Yojana and the Integrated Rural Development Programme with other on-going programmes for strengthening rural economic infrastructure so as to create durable and productive economic assets which in turn generate further employment. The outlay for rural development for the 8th Five Year Plan has been increased to Rs. 30,000 Crores as compared to an allocation of Rs. 6.179 crores and an actual expendi ture of Rs. 10.956 crores in the 7th" Plan. 

The Constitution (72nd Amendment) 
average annual exponential growth rate of population which had reached a level of 2.22% in the 1971—81 decade has come down to 2.14%. The birth rate has come down to 29.3 per 1.000 population in 1991 from a level of 30.2 in 1990.. However, the present natural growth rate of 1.95% is still very high and stabilisation of population will, therefore, be an overriding national priority. 

A massive rogramo has   bee janced  for  the  liberation and rehabilitation of 4 lakh sfai karma-charis during the next five years. A StatMtory ational Commission for Safai Karmachris is being constituted to be in charge of this programmm. 

The authorised share capital of the Bill, 1991, which has been passed by both the Houses of Parliament In the last session, when enacted, will effectively strengthen Panchayati Raj institutions by en-suing regular oketions and suffcient devolution of powers and financial resources. Provision for reservation of seats in the Panchayats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes has been made in proportion to their population in the village, Out of the seats for which direst election will be held, one third are reserved for women. Furthermore out of the seats, reserved for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, one third will be earmarked for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe women. The law has provision for enabling reservations to be made for the office of Chairperson also. The State legislatures, if they so desire, can make reservations in favour of backward classes. 

To strengthen municipal   government and to ensure that   municipa- 
National Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Finance & Development Corporation has been raised from Rs. 75 crores to Rs. 125 crores. The Corporation will continue to assist in the flow of funds for income generating schemes for the benefit of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe entrepreneurs. So far, the Corporation has sanctioned 312 schemes  of a  value of Rs. 277.63 
crores towards which it has disbursed Rs. 54.05 crores. The Corporation is also organising training programmes in skill upgradation for employment and selfemployment. To raise the levels of literacy and education amongst the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, it is proposed to start residential schools in 48 districts. 

Supreme Court on issues relating to the reservation of jobs in Government for Backward Classes. Government will specify; 
the basis, applying the relevant and requisite socio-economic criteria, to exclude socially advanced persons and sections the creamy layer, from other backward classes- An ordinance has been promulgated to constitute a permanent body for entertaining, examining and recommending upon requests for As a tribute to the memory of Dr. B. R. 

inclusion and complaints of over inclusion and under inclusion in the lists of other backward classes of citizens. The advice tendered by such body shall ordinarily be binding upon the Government. 

Government proposes to set up the Rshtriya Mahila Kosh to meet the short-term and medium term developmental credit needs Ambedkar during his Centenary Celebration Year, the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation was set up to administer schemes like the Dr. Ambedkar National Award, Dr. Ambedkar National Library, Dr. Ambedkar Chairs in Universi-sities and Dr. Ambedkar Overseas Fellowships. In addition.. the Government has also taken up the translation and publication of the complete works and speeches of Dr. Ambedkar. A full-length feature film on Dr. Ambedkar will also be produced. 

of poor women in the informal sector through intermediary agencies like non-Government organisations. 

Funds have been allocated to this The National Backward Classes Finance programme as part of the Social Safety Net efforts. 

A review of the 1986    National Policy   on      
and Development Corporation (NBCFDC), with an auth rised share capital of Rs. 200 crores, will provide an additional channel of finance and assist in upgrading the technical and entrepreneurial skills of the socially and educationally backward classes. 

## The   National   Commission   For

Education      has  been undertaken and necessary   modifications in the Policy   were effected in May 1992.   Universalisation   of elementary    educational    achievement of total literacy equalaecess  to educational opportunities,     women's education and development,   voca-tionalisation     of secondary education,    consolidation    of higher education,   modernisation   of technical education,   and  improvement  of the quality,     content   and   process    of education   at all levels continue to be   the priority   areas   of  national endeavour in the field of education. In    elementary education, we have shifted the focus from mere 
 
 
enrolment to retention and Minorities Act, 1992 has been passed by Parliament   providing  statutory status  to  the Commission  clothing it with the powers of a Civil Court. The main functions of the Commission  would   be  to   evaluate      the progress     of     deveopment  of   the minorities,   monitor   and   make    recommendations   on the   working of Constitutional    safeguards, look into specific complaints,   undertake studies and   research, suggest   appropria e measures and make periodical reports to Groverment- 
Government has initiated    action to  
implement  the judgement of  the achievement. The revised policy resolves to ensure that free and compulsory   education of satisfactory    quality is provided to  all children upto 14 years of age within this decade.    The    National Literacy Mission based on the Total Literacy     Campaign strategy has In the field of defence production achieved commendable results and 75 of the districts in the country will be covered under this Mission by 1996-97. The emphasis during the coming years will be on infusing sound management principles in the determined efforts have been made towards indigenisation and self reliance particularly in spare parts. In keeping with the changed industrial policies steps are being taken to foster mutually reinforcing linkages between production units in the defence and civil sectors. 

education system and on decentralising education  management. 

Government remains committed to There has been encouraging prog enhance the welfare of serving and retired Armed Forces personnel. 

ress in the sphere of science and technology. 

The successful launch of Our foreign policy objectives were ASLV in May, 1992 is a significant developmenti in indigenous launch technology. 

The launch of INSAT- 
2A in July, 1992 and its successful commissioing is an indication of our ability to build sophisticated multi-purpose       satellites. 

The pursued both bilaterally and in international forums. Emphasis was placed on building up relations with our neighbours. Important visitors from these countries included the President of Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, the Prime Minister of Nepal and the King of Bhutan. Our ties with these countries have been strengthened as a result of these visits. During the visit of the Bangladesh Prime Minister, our commitment to lease the Tin Bigha corridor to Bangladesh was fulfilled. 

A 
planned launches of INSAT-2B and the PSLV in June this year will provide a further fillip to our Space programme. Antother note-worthy development of 1992 was the completion of the 11th Scientific Expedition to Antarctica and the launch of the 12th expedition. Ongoing efforts to harness the benefits of biotechnological tools with relevance to agriculture and health; would be sustained. 

Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries on detailed investigations for the important Sankosh multipurpose project was signed during the visit of the King of Bhutan. 

Despite Pakistan's continuing support for The highlight of this year's achievements in the field of Atomic Energy has been the 220 MW Kakrapar Atomic Power Station Unit-I achieving criticality on September 3, 1992 and its synchronisation to the grid on November 24, 1992. 

Our Armed Forces remain prepared to terrorism and subversion in Jammu & 
Kashmir and Punjab, efforts were made by us to resolve various bilateral issues. With this objective in mind, the Prime Minister had two meetings with the Prime Minister of Pakistan in the course of the last year. Our efforts have unfortunately not made much headway. We urge Pakistan to eschew its path of deliberate and provocative safeguard our territorial integrity confrontation and its temptation to gain unilateral advantage in its relationship with us. There can be no alternative to the process of bilateral dialogue. 

Improvemets in manpower planning and management practices and invest ments towards self-reliance in defence technologies are yielding results. 

Government has been consistently The Armed Forces assisted the civil pursuing a policy of achieving good neighbourly    relations with    China overcoming the     difficulties  of the past.  We are also working for a fair authorities in maintaining law and order and organising relief and rescue measures on a number of occasions during the year, carrying out their *tasks* with commendable   
dedication. 

resonable and mutually acceptable settlement of the boundary question. Among the several high-level visits exchanged between the two countries last year was that of our former President, Shri R. Venkataraman. The Chinese Foreign Minister is expected to visit India this year. The Prime Minister will also be visiting China. 

We look forward to working together with President Clinton and his administration in the United States in building a strong relationship between our two countries based on mutual understanding, trust and shared values and interests. 

The changed international environment following the end of the Cold War has given an inpetus to the strengthening of ludo-US ties- which now reflect a greater degree of understanding at the political level along with growing cooperation in various other areas. 

The visit of President Yeltsin provided the opportunity for a detailed exchange of views on all bilateral and global issues of concern. 

Our stand on Kashmir was explained. President Yeltsin categorically affirmed his country's full support for India's position. During this visit the debt repayment issue was resolved and several other agreements were signed which have laid a durable foundation for future friendship and close interaction between the two countries. 

We had the pleasure of welcoming in   
the United States and Russia for reduction in strategic nuclear arsenals as a step in the right direction.  the u Meld tilater disarmament a note-Worthy event has been the successful our   midst   three   distinguished Heads of Government from Western Europe.   The British Prime Minister Mr. John Major- was here as Chief Guest at our Republic Day celebrations.   His  visit underscored   India- U.K.    friendship    and    cooperation and reconfirmed     British     understanding  of our  actions  to  uphold democracy   and secularism.      He extended full cooperation in combating   terrorism.   A futher   significant outcome of the visit was the stimulus it gave to India-British    economic and commercial cooperation Earlier this month, we welcomed the President of the Government of Spain, Mr. Felipe Gonzalez. Most recently- Dr. Helmut Kohl, Chancellor of Germany visited India to receive the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding. 

These significant visits reflect appreciation overseas of our resilience in addressing the various issues that face the country as well as the strength of our democratic and secular system. They have also resulted in greater appreciation of our foreign policy as well as in support for our economic reforms programme. 

The Prime Minister's visit to Japan in 
1992 coincided with the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Japan and the signing of a peace treaty between the two countries. Japanese interest in our econo mic liberalisation is underscored by the increase in direct Japanese investment in India. We are committed to strengthening our ties with Japan at all levels. 

The strengthening of our relations with the newly independent countries of Central Asia with whom we have had age old cultural ties, is a major thrust of our policy. The visit to India last year of the President of Uzbekistan, Kazakhas-tan- Kyrghyzstan and Turkmenistan were followed up with high level visits from India to Central Asia. The Prime Minister of Tajikistan visiied Inia a few days back. Ag-rceraets were signed during these visii wihc give our relations with the individual Central Msian State a new and long te erspec-tive. 

We welcome the TART-II Treat between was widely welcomed and   endorsed by the Conference. 

conclusion of the Chemical Weapons Honourable Members, the crisis the Convention, which eliminates an entire class of weapons of mass destruction. This is a universal and non-discriminatory treaty which should be regarded as a model for future multilateral disarmament negotiations. It provides a strong underpinning to the Indian Action Plan for Global Disarmament that Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had presented to the United Nations in 1988. A global- and not regional or sub-regional, approach is needed for worthwhile results in this area. 

country is faced with today places a grave responsibility on your shoulders. You saw remarkable levels of cooperation as also strong areas of clssent last year. These are the essential manifestations of a living democracy. I am sure you will set the tone for the entire country to deal with its problems this year with exemplary conduct and leadership. The nation expects nothing less from its representatives here. You have to guide the nation with courage-   wisdom and discipline. 

A reinvigorated United Nations with a I commend you to your tasks in this session and wish you all success. 

## J A I Hind

more sharply focused agenda is the need of the hour. The effectiveness of the United Nations will depend on its ability to democratise and reorder its structures to accommodate and reflect the concerns of its members. 

## Obituary References

Our participation at the multilateral level MR. CHAIRMAN : Hon. Members- I 
refer with profound sorrow to the passing away of Shri Shraddha-kar Supakar, former Member of the Rajya Sabha, Shri Bindeshwari Dubey, a sitting Member of the House, Shri Biren Roy, Shri Mahitosh Purkayastha and Shri Baharul Islam, former Members of the Rajya Sabha, in the U.N., NAM the Commonwealth and the G-15 has been within the overall framework of our priorities and concerns. The Prime Minister's address at the inaugural session of the Non-Aligned summit in Jakarta last September set the tone of its deliberations, reaffirming the continuing relevance of the Non-Aligned Movement and prioritising its future agenda so as to concentrate upon issues of specific concern to it. 

Shri Shraddhakar Supakar was born in At the UN Conference on Environment April- 1915 at Sambalpur and passed away on the 5th January, 1993 at the age of 78 years. He had his education at Cuttack and Patna. A lawyer by profession, Shri Supakar took keen interest in promotion of education and was closely associated with a number of educational institutions in various capacities. 

Shri Supakar started his parliamentary and Development (UN CED) in Rio de Janeiro in June, 1992, the Prime Ministers address emphasised the integral link between environment and development, thus marking a milestone in international cooperation in tackling environmental and development issues. India's proposal for transfer of technology to, and additional resources for, developing countries, to enable tenm to join their developed country partners in the global ffort at preserving the environment, carreer as a Member of the Orissa Legislative Assembly from 1949 to 1957 and served as Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly from 1952 to 1956.   He was also the 