RAJYA SABHA WEDNESDAY, THE 25 TH FEBRUARY, 2009 (The Rajya Sabha met in the Parliament House at a.m.) a.m. 1. Starred Questions The

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1 RAJYA SABHA WEDNESDAY, THE 25 TH FEBRUARY, 2009 (The Rajya Sabha met in the Parliament House at a.m.) a.m. 1. Starred Questions The following Starred Questions were orally answered:- Starred Question No. 122 regarding Bomb blasts and terrorist activities in the country. Starred Question No. 123 regarding Capital investment in textile industry. Starred Question No. 124 regarding Development of leather sector. Starred Question No. 125 regarding Policemen killed in naxalite incidents. Starred Question No. 126 regarding Utilisation of sanctioned funds for defence procurement. Answers to remaining Starred Question Nos. 121 and 127 to 140 were laid on the Table. 2. Unstarred Questions Answers to Unstarred Question Nos. 857 to 1011 were laid on the Table Noon. 3. Papers Laid on the Table

2 Shri A.K. Antony (Minister of Defence) laid on the Table:- I. A copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following papers, under sub-section (1) of Section 619A of the Companies Act, 1956: (a) Forty-fourth Annual Report and Accounts of the BEML Limited (formerly Bharat Earth Movers Limited), Bangalore, for the year , together with the Auditor's Report on the Accounts and the comments of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India thereon. (b) Statement by Government accepting the above Report.

3 25 TH FEBRUARY, 2009 II. A copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following papers: (i)(aannual Report and Accounts of the ) Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), New Delhi, for the year , together with the Auditor s Report on the Accounts. (bstatement by Government accepting the ) above Report. (ii)(aannual Report and Account of the Nehru ) Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi, Uttrakhand, for the year together with Auditor s Report on the Accounts. (breview by Government on the working of ) the above Institute. (c Statement giving reasons for the delay in ) laying the papers mentioned at (ii) (a) above. Shri Raghunath Jha (Minister of State in the Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises) on behalf of Shri Sontosh Mohan Dev laid on the Table copy (in English and Hindi) of the Public Enterprises Survey for the year Annual Report on the performance of Central Public Sector Enterprises (Volumes I, II and III). Shri Raghuvansh Prasad Singh (Minister of Rural Development) laid on the Table a copy (in

4 English and Hindi) of the Ministry of Rural Development Notification No. S.O. 1 (E), dated the 1 st January, 2009, specifying the wage rate under Column 3 in respect of the State/UT as mentioned in Column 2 of the Schedule annexed thereto for payment to the unskilled workers working on various Schemes under the Act, under sub-section (2) of Section 29 of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, Shri Kapil Sibal (Minister of Science & Technology and Minister of Earth Sciences) laid on the Table a copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following papers: (i)(aannual Report and Accounts of the ) Agharkar Research Institute, (ARI), Pune, for the year , together with the Auditor s Report on the Accounts. (bstatement by Government accepting the ) above Report. (c ) Statement giving reasons for the delay in laying the papers mentioned at (a) above.

5 RAJYA SABHA (ii)(aannual Report and Accounts of the ) Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), New Delhi, for the year , together with the Auditor s Report on the Accounts. (bstatement by Government accepting the ) above Report (cstatement giving reasons for the delay in ) laying the papers mentioned at (a) above. (iii)(aannual Report and Accounts of the ) Aryabhatta Research Institute for Observational Sciences, (ARIES), Nainital, for the year , together with the Auditor s Report on the Accounts. (bstatement by Government accepting the ) above Report (c Statement giving reasons for the delay in ) laying the papers mentioned at (a) above. (iv)(aannual Report and Accounts of the Bose ) Institute, Kolkata, for the year , together with the Auditor s Report on the Accounts. (bstatement by Government accepting the ) above Report. (c Statement giving reasons for the delay in ) laying the papers mentioned at (a) above. (v)(aannual Report and Accounts of the

6 ) National Accreditation Board for Testing & Calibration Laboratories (NABL), New Delhi, for the year , together with the Auditor s Report on the Accounts. (bstatement by Government accepting the ) above Report. (c Statement giving reasons for the delay in ) laying the papers mentioned at (a) above. (vi)(a ) Annual Report and Accounts of the Indian Science Congress Association, (ISCA), Kolkata, for the year , together with the Auditor s Report on the Accounts.

7 25 TH FEBRUARY, 2009 (bstatement by Government accepting the ) above Report. (c Statement giving reasons for the delay in ) laying the papers mentioned at (a) above. Shri Oscar Fernandes (Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Labour & Employment) laid on the Table:- I. A copy (in English and Hindi) of the Ministry of Labour and Employment Notification No. G.S.R. 207, dated the 23 rd to 29 th November, 2008, publishing the Employees State Insurance (Central) (Second Amendment) Rules, 2008, under sub-section (4) of Section 95 of the Employees State Insurance Act, II. A copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following papers: (1 ) National Policy on Safety, Health and Environment at Workplace. (2) Annual Report of the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESI), New Delhi, for the year Dr. Shakeel Ahmad (Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs) laid on the Table:- I. A copy (in English and Hindi) of the Ministry of Home Affairs Notification No. G.S.R. 87 (E), dated the 10 th February, 2009, publishing the Governors (Allowances and Privileges) Amendment

8 Rules, 2009, under sub-section (3) of Section 13 of the Governors (Emoluments, Allowances and Privileges) Act, II. A copy (in English and Hindi) of the Ministry of Home Affairs Notification No. G.S.R. 88 (E), dated the 10 th February, 2009, publishing the President's Pension (Amendment) Rules, 2009, under sub-section (2) of Section 5 of the President's Emoluments and Pension Act, III. A copy (in English and Hindi) of the following Notifications of the Ministry of Home Affairs, under sub-section (2) of Section 5 of the Vice-President's Pension Act, 1997:- (1 ) G.S.R. 59 (E), dated the 30 th January, 2009, publishing the Vice-President s Pension, Housing and Other Facilities (Amendment) Rules, 2008.

9 (2 ) RAJYA SABHA R.G.S.R. 89 (E), dated the 10 th February, 2009, publishing the Vice-President's Pension, Housing and Other Facilities (Amendment) Rules, Shri Shriprakash Jaiswal (Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs) laid on the Table:- I. A copy (in English and Hindi) of the Ministry of Home Affairs Notification No. S.O. 289 (E), dated the 23 rd January, 2009, authorizing officers for the purposes of requisitioning aircrafts to be placed at the disposal of the Central Government for public service, under sub-section (3) of Section 139 of the National Security Guard Act, II. A copy (in English and Hindi) of the Ministry of Home Affairs Notification G.S.R. 503 (E), dated the 7 th July, 2008, publishing the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (Medical Cadre C Posts) Recruitment Rules, 2008, under sub-section (2) of Section 156 of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force Act, 1992, along with delay statement. Shri Taslimuddin (Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Minister of State in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution) laid on the Table a copy (in English and Hindi) of the Ministry of Consumers Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (Department of Consumer Affairs) Notification G.S.R. 865 (E), dated the 19 th December, 2008, publishing the Standards of Weights and Measures (Packaged

10 Commodities) Second Amendment Rules, 2008, under sub-section (3) of Section 84 of the Standards of Weights and Measures Act, Shri G.K. Vasan (Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation) on behalf of Shri E.V.K.S. Elangovan laid on the Table:- I. A copy (in English and Hindi) of the Ministry of Textiles Notification No. S.O (E), dated the 4 th September, 2008, publishing the articles or class of articles reserved for exclusive production by handlooms up to the range specified in notification, under sub-section (2) of Section 3 of the Handlooms (Reservation of Articles for production) Act, 1985.

11 25 TH FEBRUARY, 2009 II.(1) A copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following papers, under sub-section (1) of Section 619A of the Companies Act, 1956: (i) (a) Annual Report and Accounts of the Central Cottage Industries Corporation of India Limited (CCIL), New Delhi, for the year , together with the Auditor's Report on the Accounts and the comments of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India thereon. (b) Review by Government on the working of the above Corporation. (ii) (a) Fortieth Annual Report and Accounts of the National Textile Corporation Limited (NTC), New Delhi, for the year , together with the Auditor's Report on the Accounts and the comments of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India thereon. (b) Review by Government on the working of the above Corporation. (iii) (a) Fiftieth Annual Report and Accounts of the Handicrafts and Handlooms Exports Corporation of India Limited (HHEC), for the year , together with the Auditor's Report on the Accounts.

12 (b)review by Government on the working of the above Council. (2) Statements (in English and Hindi) giving reasons for the delay in laying the papers mentioned at (1) above. III. A copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following papers: (a) Fifty-fourth Annual Report and Accounts of the Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (TEXPROCIL), Mumbai, for the year , together with the Auditor's Report on the Accounts. (b) Review by Government on the working of the above Council. (c) Statement giving reasons for the delay in laying the papers mentioned at (a) above.

13 RAJYA SABHA Shri Ashwani Kumar (Minister of State in the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, Ministry of Commerce & Industry) laid on the Table:- I. A copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following Notifications of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion), under sub-section (2) of Section 28 of the Indian Boilers Act, 1923: (1) G.S.R. 212, dated the 13 th December, 2008, publishing the Indian Boiler (Second Amendment) Regulations, (2) G.S.R. 213, dated the 13 th December, 2008, publishing the Central Boilers Board (Nomination of Members) Rules, II. A copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following Notifications of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion), under sub-section (2H) of Section 29B of the Industries (Development and Regulation) Act, 1951: (1) S.O. 117 (E), dated the 12 th January, 2009, publishing the Newsprint Control (Amendment) Order, (2) S.O. 118 (E), dated the 12 th January, 2009, publishing the Newsprint Control (Amendment) Order, 2009.

14 (3) S.O. 116 (E), dated the 12 th January, 2009, publishing the Newsprint Control (Amendment) Order, (4) S.O. 114 (E), dated the 12 th January, 2009, amending S.O (E), dated the 11 th October, 2004, to substitute certain entries in the original Notification. (5) S.O. 115 (E), dated the 12 th January, 2009, publishing the Newsprint Control (Amendment) Order, III. A copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following papers: (i)(a) Annual Report and Accounts of the National Productivity Council (NPC), New Delhi, for the year , together with the Auditor's Report on the Accounts. (b) Statement by Government accepting the above Report. (c) Statement giving reasons for the delay in laying the papers mentioned at (a) above. 25 TH FEBRUARY, 2009 (ii)(a) Annual Report of the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks including GIR and PIS/NIIPM(JPTI), Mumbai, for the year

15 (b) Statement giving reasons for the delay in laying the papers mentioned at (a) above. Shri Jairam Ramesh (Minister of State in the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry and Minister of State in the Ministry of Power) laid on the Table:- I. A copy each (in English and Hindi) of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Department of Commerce) Notification No. G.S.R. 72 (E), dated the 3 rd February, 2009, publishing the Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Rules, 2009, under sub-section (3) of Section 55 of the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005, along with Explanatory Memorandum on the Notification. II.(1) A copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following papers, under sub-section (1) of Section 619A of the Companies Act, 1956: (a) Thirty-first Annual Report and Accounts of the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), New Delhi, for the year , together with the Auditor's Report on the Accounts and the comments of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India thereon. (b) Review by Government on the working of the above Organisation. (2) Statement (in English and Hindi) giving reasons for the delay in laying the papers

16 mentioned at (1) above. III.(1) A copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following papers, under sub-section (3) of Section 22 and sub-section (4) of Section 19 of the Tobacco Board Act, 1975: (a) Annual Report and Accounts of the Tobacco Board, Guntur, for the year , together with the Auditor's Report on the Accounts. (b) Review by Government on the working of the above Board. (2) Statement (in English and Hindi) giving reasons for the delay in laying the papers mentioned at (1) above.

17 RAJYA SABHA IV. A copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following papers: (a) Forty-third Annual Report and Accounts of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), New Delhi, for the year , together with the Auditor s Report on the Accounts. (b) Review by Government on the working of the above Federation. (c) Statement giving reasons for the delay in laying the papers mentioned at (a) above. V. A copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following papers: (a) Annual Report and Accounts of the National Power Training Institute (NPTI), Faridabad, for the year , together with the Auditor's Report on the Accounts. (b) Review by Government on the working of the above Institute. (c) Statement giving reasons for the delay in laying the papers mentioned at (a) above. VI. A copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following papers: (a) Annual Report and Accounts of the Project Exports Promotion Council of India (PEPC), New Delhi, for the year , together with the Auditor's

18 Report on the Accounts. (b) Review by Government on the working of the above Council. (c) Statement giving reasons for the delay in laying the papers mentioned at (a) above. Shri Chandra Sekhar Sahu (Minister of State in the Ministry of Rural Development) laid on the Table a copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following papers: (a) Annual Report of the National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD), Hyderabad, for the year (b) Annual Accounts of the National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD), Hyderabad, for the year , and the Audit Report thereon. (c) Review by Government on the working of the above Institute. (d) Statement giving reasons for the delay in laying the papers mentioned at (a) and (b) above.

19 25 TH FEBRUARY, 2009 Shrimati V. Radhika Selvi (Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs) laid on the Table:- I. A copy (in English and Hindi) of the Ministry of Home Affairs Notification No. S.O (E), dated the 31 st October, 2008, conferring the Deputy Commissioner of Police the powers and duties of an Executive Magistrate under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, under sub-section (2) of Section 148 of the Delhi Police Act, II. A copy (in English and Hindi) of the Ministry of Home Affairs Notification G.S.R. 857 (E), dated the 15 th December, 2008, publishing the Disaster Management National Disaster Response Force) Amendment Rules, 2008, under Section 77 of the Disaster Management Act, p.m. 4. Reports of Committee on Public Undertakings Shri Rahul Bajaj laid on the Table a copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following Reports of the Committee on Public Undertakings ( ): (i) Thirty-sixth Report on The Functioning of Andaman & Nicobar Islands Forest and Plantation Development Corporation Limited ; and

20 (ii) Thirty-seventh Report on Airports Authority of India-Safety and Security Aspects (Action Taken by the Government on the recommendations contained in the Twentyninth Report of the Committee on Public Undertakings (Fourteenth Lok Sabha). 5. Report of the Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture Shri Vikram Verma laid on the Table a copy (in English and Hindi) of the Forty-seventh Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture on Impact of Global Climate Change on Agriculture and Allied Sectors in India.

21 RAJYA SABHA p.m. 6. Report of the Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour Shri K. Chandran Pillai laid on the Table a copy (in English and Hindi) of the Fortieth Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour ( ) on Problems being faced by workers due to sickness of HMT Units p.m. 7. Reports of the Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development Dr. Chandan Mitra laid on the Table a copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following Reports of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development( ): (i) Forty-fifth Report on Action Taken by the Government on the recommendations contained in the Thirty-eighth Report on Demands for Grants ( ) of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj; and (ii) Forty-sixth Report on Action Taken by the Government on the recommendations contained in the Twenty-second Report on the subject Rural Housing.

22 8. Statements of the Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development Dr. Chandan Mitra laid on the Table a copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following Statements of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development: (i) Action Taken by Government on the recommendations contained in Chapter I and final replies in respect of recommendations contained in Chapter V of the Fifteenth Report of the Committee on Rural Development ( ) on Action Taken by Government on the recommendations contained in the Twelfth Report of the Committee on Rural Development ( ) on Demands for Grants ( ) of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj ; 25 TH FEBRUARY, 2009 (ii) Action Taken by Government on the recommendations contained in Chapter I and final replies in respect of recommendations contained in Chapter V of the Sixteenth Report of the Committee on Rural Development ( ) on Action Taken by Government on the recommendations contained in the Tenth Report of the Committee on Rural Development ( ) on Demands

23 for Grants ( ) of the Department of Land Resources (Ministry of Rural Development) ; (iii) Action Taken by Government on the recommendations contained in Chapter I and final replies in respect of recommendations contained in Chapter V of the Twenty-third Report of the Committee on Rural Development ( ) on Action Taken by Government on the recommendations contained in the Twentieth Report of the Committee on Rural Development ( ) on Demands for Grants ( ) of the Department of Drinking Water Supply (Ministry of Rural Development) ; (iv) Action Taken by Government on the recommendations contained in Chapter I and final replies in respect of recommendations contained in Chapter V of the Twenty-fourth Report of the Committee on Rural Development ( ) on Action Taken by Government on recommendations contained in the Nineteenth Report of the Committee on Rural Development ( ) on Demands for Grants ( ) of the Department of Land Resources (Ministry of Rural Development) ; (v) Action Taken by Government on the recommendations contained in Chapter I

24 and final replies in respect of recommendations contained in Chapter V of the Thirty first Report of the Committee on Rural Development ( ) on Action Taken by Government on the recommendations contained in the Twenty-seventh Report of the Committee on Rural Development ( ) on Demands for Grants ( ) of the Department of Land Resources (Ministry of Rural Development) ; RAJYA SABHA (vi) Action Taken by Government on the recommendations contained in Chapter I and final replies in respect of recommendations contained in Chapter V of the Thirty second Report of the Committee on Rural Development ( ) on Action Taken by Government on the recommendations contained in the Twenty-eighth Report of the Committee on Rural Development ( ) on Demands for Grants ( ) of the Department of Drinking Water Supply (Ministry of Rural Development) ; (vii) Action Taken by Government on the recommendations contained in Chapter I and final replies in respect of recommendations contained in Chapter V of the Thirty third Report of the Committee on Rural Development (2007-

25 2008) on Action Taken by Government on the recommendations contained in the Twenty-ninth Report of the Committee on Rural Development ( ) on Demands for Grants ( ) of the Department of Rural Development (Ministry of Rural Development) ; and (viii) Action Taken by Government on the recommendations contained in Chapter I and final replies in respect of recommendations contained in Chapter V of the Thirty fourth Report of the Committee on Rural Development ( ) on Action Taken by Government on the recommendations contained in the Thirtieth Report of the Committee on Rural Development ( ) on Demands for Grants ( ) of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. 9. Statements of the Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Food, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Shri Matilal Sarkar laid on the Table a copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following Statements of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Food, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution: (i) Action Taken by the Government on the recommendations contained in Chapter-I and final replies in respect of recommendations contained in Chapter V

26 of the Twenty-first Report of the Committee ( ) on Action Taken by the Government on the recommendations contained in the Eighteenth Report of the Committee on Demands for Grants ( ) ; and 25 TH FEBRUARY, 2009 (ii) Action Taken by the Government on the recommendations contained in Chapter-I and final replies in respect of recommendations contained in Chapter V of the Twenty-second Report of the Committee ( ) on Action Taken by the Government on the recommendations contained in the Nineteenth Report of the Committee on Demands for Grants ( ) p.m. 10. Statements of the Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Urban Development Shri B. K. Hariprasad laid on the Table a copy each (in English and Hindi) of the following Statements of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Urban Development: (i) Statement showing Action Taken by the Government on the recommendations contained in Chapter-I and Final Replies to the recommendations contained in

27 Chapter-V of the 24 th Report (Fourteenth Lok Sabha) of the Committee on Action Taken by the Government on the recommendations contained in the 17 th Report (Fourteenth Lok Sabha) of the Committee on Central Public Works Department (CPWD) ; (ii) Statement showing Action Taken by the Government on the recommendations contained in Chapter-I of the 26 th Report (Fourteenth Lok Sabha)) of the Committee on Action Taken by the Government on the recommendations contained in the 20 th Report (Fourteenth Lok Sabha) of the Committee on Demands for Grants ( ) of the Ministry of Urban Development; (iii) Statement showing Action Taken by the Government on the recommendations contained in Chapter-I and Final Replies to the recommendations contained in Chapter-V of the 27 th Report (Fourteenth Lok Sabha) of the Committee on Action Taken by the Government on the recommendations contained in the 21 st Report (Fourteenth Lok Sabha) of the Committee on Demands for Grants ( ) of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation; RAJYA SABHA

28 (iv) Statement showing Action Taken by the Government on the recommendations contained in Chapter-I and Final Replies to the recommendations contained in Chapter-V of the 28 th Report (Fourteenth Lok Sabha) of the Committee on Action Taken by the Government on the recommendations contained in the 22 nd Report (Fourteenth Lok Sabha) of the Committee on Directorate of Printing ; (v) Statement showing Action Taken by the Government on the recommendations contained in Chapter-I and Final Replies to the recommendations contained in Chapter-V of the 30 th Report (Fourteenth Lok Sabha) of the Committee on Action Taken by the Government on the recommendations contained in the 25 th Report (Fourteenth Lok Sabha) of the Committee on Integrated Low Cost Sanitation Scheme (ILCS) ; (vi) Statement showing Action Taken by the Government on the recommendations contained in Chapter-I of the 33 rd Report (Fourteenth Lok Sabha) of the Committee on Action Taken by the Government on the recommendations contained in the 31 st Report (Fourteenth Lok Sabha) of the Committee on Demands for Grants ( ) of the Ministry of Urban Development; and

29 (vii) Statement showing Action Taken by the Government on the recommendations contained in Chapter-I of the 34 th Report (Fourteenth Lok Sabha) of the Committee on Action Taken by the Government on the recommendations contained in the 32 nd Report (Fourteenth Lok Sabha) of the Committee on Demands for Grants ( ) of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation p.m. 11. Leave of Absence Shri Pyarimohan Mohapatra (Orissa) was granted leave of absence from 12 th February, 2009 till the end of the current session of the Rajya Sabha.

30 25 TH FEBRUARY, p.m. 12. Statements by Ministers (1) Shri S.S. Palanimanickam, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, laid on the Table a statement (in English and Hindi) on the status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Sixtieth and Sixty-eighth Reports of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance. (2) Shrimati Suryakanta Patil, Minister of State in the Ministry of Rural Development and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, laid on the Table a statement (in English and Hindi) on the status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Twenty-second Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development. (3) Shri Jairam Ramesh, Minister of State in the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry and Minister of State in the Ministry of Power, laid on the Table a statement (in English and Hindi) on the status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Eighty-fifth Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce and Industries p.m. 13. Matters raised with permission

31 (1) Shri Sabir Ali raised a matter regarding loss of revenue to the Government caused by the Swan Telecom p.m. ^(2) Shri Nandi Yellaiah raised a matter regarding implementation of the recommendations of the Usha Mehra Committee Report on reservation to SCs p.m. (3) Shri N. Balaganga raised a matter regarding demand for early clearance of five new railway projects sanctioned for Tamil Nadu p.m. (4) Shrimati Brinda Karat raised a matter regarding killing of innocent people in Manipur. ^ Spoke in Hindi. RAJYA SABHA p.m. (5) Shri Penumalli Madhu raised a matter regarding financial irregularities in Sakshi Paper operated by the Jagathi Publications in Andhra Pradesh p.m. (6) Shri M.V. Mysura Reddy raised a matter regarding serious violation of the provisions of FEMA by the Sandoor Power Plant p.m.

32 (7) Dr. K. Malaisamy raised a matter regarding alleged brutal attack by the Tamil Nadu Police on lawyers within the High Court premises p.m. 14. Government Bill Returned by Lok Sabha with Amendments Amendments agreed to The Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Bill, 2008, as amended by Lok Sabha Dr. Akhilesh Prasad Singh (Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Minister of State in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution) moved:- That the following amendments made by Lok Sabha in the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Bill, 2008, be taken into consideration, namely "ENACTING FORMULA 1. That at Page 2, line 5, - for Fifty-ninth, substitute Sixtieth. CLAUSE That at Page 2, line 9, - for 2008, substitute 2009" "

33 # p.m. 25 TH FEBRUARY, 2009 The motion moved by Dr. Akhilesh Prasad Singh that the amendments made by Lok Sabha in the Bill be agreed to, was adopted and the amendments were agreed to p.m. (a) Interim Budget (General), General discussion on the Interim Budget (General), commenced. Shri Arun Shourie initiated the discussion (b) Government Bills Returned (I) The Appropriation (Vote on Account) Bill, 2009, as passed by Lok Sabha. (II) The Appropriation Bill, 2009, as passed by Lok Sabha. Shri Pranab Mukherjee (Minister of External Affairs and Minister of Finance) moved:- I "That the Bill to provide for the withdrawal of certain sums from and out of the # From p.m. to p.m. some points were Discussed Discussed together

34 Consolidated Fund of India for the services of a part of the Financial Year , as passed by Lok Sabha be taken into consideration. II "That the Bill to authorise payment and appropriation of certain further sums from and out of the Consolidated Fund of India for the services of the financial year , as passed by Lok Sabha, be taken into consideration. RAJYA SABHA The following Members also took part in the discussion on the Interim Budget (General), and the Bills: 1-43 p.m. 1. Shri Dr. K. Keshava Rao 2-12 p.m. 2. Shri K. Chandran Pillai ^2-26 p.m. 3. Shri Brij Bhushan Tiwari 2-37 p.m. 4. Shri N.K. Singh 2-49 p.m. 5. Dr. Bimal Jalan Ω 3-07 p.m. 6. Shri Arjun Kumar Sengupta 3-21 p.m. 7. Shri Rama Chandra Khuntia ^3-30 p.m. 8. Shri Mahendra Mohan 3-39 p.m. 9. Dr. C. Rangarajan 3-53 p.m. 10. Shri Rahul Bajaj ^4-03 p.m. 11. Shri Prakash Javadekar ^Φ4-18 p.m. 12. Prof. Alka Balram Kshatriya ^ Spoke in Hindi. Ω From 3-06 p.m. to 3-07 p.m. some points were raised.

35 4-35 p.m. 13. Shri D. Raja 4-49 p.m. 14. Shrimati T. Ratna Bai 4-54 p.m. 15. Shrimati Vasanthi Stanley 5-07 p.m. 16. Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar * 5-16 p.m. 17. Shri Naresh Gujral 5-23 p.m. 18. Shri Kumar Deepak Das 5-31 p.m. 19. Shri M.V. Mysura Reddy 5-37 p.m. 20. Shri Biswajit Daimary 5-44 p.m. 21. Shri Bharatkumar Raut 5-51 p.m. Shri Pranab Mukherjee replied to the debate. The discussion was concluded p.m. (i) The motion for consideration of the Appropriation (Vote on Account) Bill, 2009 was adopted. Clauses 2 to 4 and the Schedule were adopted. 25 TH FEBRUARY, 2009 Clause 1, the Enacting Formula and the Title were adopted p.m. The motion moved by Shri Pranab Mukherjee that the Bill be returned was adopted and the Bill was returned p.m. Φ From 4-12 p.m. to 4-17 p.m. some points were raised. * From 5-15 p.m. to 5-16 p.m. see item no. 16.

36 (ii) The motion for consideration of the Appropriation Bill, 2009 was adopted. Clauses 2, 3 and the Schedule were adopted. Clause 1, the Enacting Formula and the Title were adopted p.m. The motion moved by Shri Pranab Mukherjee that the Bill be returned was adopted and the Bill was returned p.m. (iii) The Finance Bill, 2009, as passed by Lok Sabha. Shri Pranab Mukherjee (Minister of External Affairs and Minister of Finance) moved:- That the Bill to continue the existing rates of income-tax for the financial year , as passed by Lok Sabha, be taken into consideration. The motion for consideration of the Bill was adopted. Clause 2 was adopted. Clause 1, the Enacting Formula and the Title were adopted p.m. The motion moved by Shri Pranab Mukherjee that the Bill be returned was adopted and the Bill was returned.

37 RAJYA SABHA # 16. Messages from Lok Sabha (I) The National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (Amendment) Bill, (II) The National Waterway (Lakhipur- Bhanga Stretch of the Barak River) Bill, (III) The Central Industrial Security Force (Amendment) Bill, (IV) The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Amendment) Bill, Secretary-General reported to the House the following messages received from the Lok Sabha, signed by the Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha:- (I) "In accordance with the provisions of rule 96 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, I am directed to enclose the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (Amendment) Bill, 2009, as passed by Lok Sabha at its sitting held on the 25th February, (II) "In accordance with the provisions of rule 96 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct # At 5-15 p.m.

38 of Business in Lok Sabha, I am directed to enclose the National Waterways (Lakhipur- Bhanga Stretch of the Barak River) Bill, 2009, as passed by Lok Sabha at its sitting held on the 25th February, (III) " In accordance with the provisions of rule 120 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, I am directed to inform you that Lok Sabha, at its sitting held on the 25th February, 2009, agreed without any amendment to the Central Industrial Security Force (Amendment) Bill, 2009, which was passed by Rajya Sabha at its sitting held on the 19 th Februa ry, TH FEBRUARY, 2009 (IV) " In accordance with the provisions of rule 101 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, I am directed to inform you that the following amendments made by Rajya Sabha in the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2008, at its sitting held on the 16th February, 2009, were taken into consideration and agreed to by Lok Sabha at its sitting held on Wednesday, the 25th February, 2009:-

39 ENACTING FORMULA 1. That at page 1, line 1,- for "Fifty-ninth", substitute "Sixtieth" CLAUSE 1 2. That at page 1, line 3 - for "2008", substitute "2009" NEW CLAUSE 6A 3. That at page 2, after line 24, insert the following:- "6A. After Section 34 of the principal Act, the following Section shall be inserted, namely,- "35. All things done, or, omitted to be done, and all actions or measures taken, or, not taken, during the period beginning on or after the 13th day of October, 2008 and ending immediately before the date of commencement of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Amendment) Act, 2009, shall, in so far as they are in conformity with the provisions of this Act, as amended by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Amendment) Act, 2009, be deemed to have been done, or omitted to be done, or taken, or, not taken, under the provisions of this Act, as amended by the Agricultural and Processed

40 Food Products Export Development Authority (Amendment) Act, 2009, as if such provisions were in force at the time such things were done or omitted to be done and actions or measures taken or not taken during the said period." RAJYA SABHA 17. Government Bill laid on the Table Secretary-General, laid on the Table the following Bills, as passed by Lok Sabha:- (I) The National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (Amendment) Bill, 2009; and (II) The National Waterway (Lakhipur-Bhanga Stretch of the Barak River) Bill, p.m. 18. President s Message The Deputy Chairman communicated to the House the following Message received from the President: I have received the expression of Thanks by the Members of the Rajya Sabha for the Address which I delivered to both Houses of Parliament assembled together on the 12 th February, p.m.

41 19. % (a) Statutory Resolution Under Consideration Dr. Shakeel Ahmad, Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs, moved the following Resolution: That this House approves the Proclamation issued by the President on the 19 th January, 2009 under article 356 (1) of the Constitution in relation to the State of Jharkhand." 6-53 p.m. % (b) Motion Under Consideration Shri Yashwant Sinha moved the following Motion: That this House recommends to the President that the Proclamation issued by her on January 19, 2009 under article 356 of the Constitution in relation to the State of Jharkhand be revoked." % Discussed together.

42 25 TH FEBRUARY, p.m. % (c) Interim Budget (Jharkhand), Further discussion % (d) Government Bills Under Consideration (I) The Jharkhand Appropriation (Vote on Account) Bill, 2009, as passed by Lok Sabha. (II) The Jharkhand Appropriation Bill, 2009, as passed by Lok Sabha. Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal (Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs) moved:- I That the Bill to provide for the withdrawal of certain sums from and out of the Consolidated Fund of the State of Jharkhand for the services of a part of the financial year , as passed by Lok Sabha, be taken into consideration. II That the Bill to authorise payment and appropriation of certain further sums from and out of the Consolidated Fund of the State of Jharkhand for the services of the financial year , as passed by Lok Sabha, be taken into consideration. Shri Yashwant Sinha had concluded his speech while participating in the discussion on the

43 Statutory Resolution, Motion, Interim Budget (Jharkhand), and Bills. Discussion was not concluded p.m. 20. Information to the House Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Minister of External Affairs and Minister of Finance, informed the House about developments in Bangladesh. Θ 7-39 p.m. (The House adjourned at 7-39 p.m. till a.m. on Thursday, the 26 th February, 2009) % Discussed together. Θ At 7-35 p.m. to 7-37 p.m. some points were raised.