STATEMENT BY MINISTER
[English]
Recognition of Independent States Following the Dissolution of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on 11.5.1991.
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS(SHRI EDUARDOFALEIRO):Sir, Hon'ble Members will have followed closely the recent developments in what the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and which had comprised six republics, namely, Bosnia- Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro,gerbia and Slovenia. Last year a series of major political developments took place in that country which led to the creation of five international entities. The new Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, declared on 27th of last month, comprises Serbia and Montenegro. The four other States have declared their independence and Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina have been recognised by a large number of nations in the international community, including virtually all the States in Europe.
73 Statt. by Minister Recognition of Independent States Following the Dissolution
It has been decided by Government that we shall now accord recognition and enter into diplomatic relations with the Republics of Slovenia, Croatia and BosniaHerzegovina. In regard to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, no new initiative is required since our diplomatic mission in Belgrade will continue to be accredited to that country. We will be in touch with the Governments of Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina to establish diplomatic ties and determine which of our Embassies in Europe will be concurrently accredited to those States.
In regard to Macedonia. Very few countries have recognised the new independent State and a controversy over its name is yet to be resolved. Government proposes to extend recognition to the Republic of Macedonia as soon as a number of States in its region do so.
Government has been watching the development in the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia with great attention. The establishment of the new Federal Republic of Yugoslavia which has implicitly recognised the other four States necessitates that we need no longer wait before recognition of the new entities that have emerged from the former SFRY.
I am confident that Hon'ble members will join me in extending our good wishes to the newly independent Republic and welcoming them into the comity of nations. We also express the hope that the difficulties faced by some of these new countries among themselves, and in resolving outstanding issues caused by the dissolution of the SFRY, will be peacefully and amicably resolved.
------------
[Translation]
SHRI MANJAY LAL (Samastipur): Mr. Speaker, Sir, forty four years have elapsed since the country attained independence. It
74 of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on 11.5.1992 was a result of sacrifices made by lakhs of people. Lakhs underwent the tortures of prison life and many kissed the hangman's noose with a smile on their lips. A majority of those freedom fighters are not in our midst today. The freedom fighters' pension being provided to those still alive is like a drop in the ocean. Keeping in view the sky-high prices. Similarly, pension cases pertaining to thousands of freedom fighters are pending before the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for a final decision. Most of these veteran freedom fighters are not expected to survive for long and their financial condition is extremely pitiable.
Therefore, I request the Union Government to increase the present freedom fighters' pension from Rs. 750/- to, at least, to Rs. 1,000/- per mensem and the cases of freedom fighters which have been pending before the Union Home Ministry for a long time now,should be disposed off immediately.
[English]
DR. K.V.R. CHOUDARY (Rajahmundry): Mr. Speaker, Sir, large upland areas of Gokavaram, Rajanagaram, Korakonda, Seethanagaram, Tallapudi, Kovvur Mandalams in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh are suffering from acute shortage of drinking water due to drought in my Rajahmundry Constituency. Animals, mostly cattle, are dying due to lack of water and fodder. It became an annual feature when summer comes. Unless the Central and State Governments come forward in a war-footing providing water, several lakhs of people will be affected and the situation will be serious.
Polayaram Project in river Godavari is an urgent necessity to alleviate the sufferings of the people., year after year. In my area drought and floods and scarcity of power are there. Assistance is required to be given to help irrigation facilities to more than 20 lakh
75 Statt. by Minister Recognition of Independent States Following the Dissolution
acres of land and navigational facilities in Andhra Pradesh in a big way which will end the inter-State disputes regarding Telugu Ganga and other projects in Krishna river by linking Godavari and Krishna rivers.
I want to mention another point. Gas was struck in Godavari Krishna Basin. However, industries are not coming forward. The gas is not allocated to them on some pretext or the other.
I would, therefore, request the Government to sea to it and given opportunity to more industries to come and set up industries in that area for the development of the area. (Interruptions)
SHRI EBRAHIM SULAIMAN SAIT(Ponnani):Sir,are we not having lunch- break today?
MR. SPEAKER: Yes, we will have.
[Translation]
SHRI MOHAN RAWALE (Bombay South Central): Mr. Speaker, Sir, there has been a theft of Rs. 1.5 crore worth of railway property which even the Railway Minister has admitted himself. I had given a notice of breach of privilege in this connection. What about it.
MR. SPEAKER: I will examine it. I have received it today itself.
[English]
I think today we shall have to rise for lunch. There are some Papers to be laid on the Table of the House.
.... (Interruptions)
[Translation]
SHRI GEORGE FERNANDES
76 of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on 11.5.1992 (Muzaffarpur): I have given a notice but I am not raising that matter.
I am not raising the matter of Bihar. I leave it as it is but day before yesterday before the house adjourned you repeatedly said that I should give a separate notice on the Solankiepisode. There are various ways of giving a notice and raising this point. I had given a notice of breach of privilege and also a privilege motion against the Prime Minister. You said that it is not acceptable. Now the letter from the Prime Minister is before us. The controversy that has emerged because of that letter and the approach which the Government has adopted on this matter....
MR. SPEAKER: Under which rule are you speaking, kindly tell me...
SHRI GEORGE FERNANDES: I want to revise that privilege motion; MR. SPEAKER: No, You cannot revise something I have disallowed.
SHRI GEORGE FERNANDES: Then I will have to give a new notice.
MR. SPEAKER: You had given a new notice also....
SHRI GEORGE FERNANDES: I want to submit two points
MR. SPEAKER: It is not always that things, move according to your wish.
SHRI GEORGE FERNANDES: I am not saying that...
MR. SPEAKER: You have never been stopped from speaking and you have spoken maximum on this issue, but you cannot be allowed to have your say all the time...
SHRI GEORGE FERNANDES: No, I do not want that. Mr.Speaker
Sir,one alternative before me is to give a fresh notice.
77 Statt. by Minister Recognition of Independent States Following the Dissolution
MR. SPEAKER: Please leave it now...
SHRI GEORGE FERNANDES: And the second is that as far as the Government....
[English]
MR. SPEAKER:You cannot take a word from me that I will do that thing and that thing'.
[Translation]
SHRI GEORGE FERNANDES: I am not saying that should I give a fresh notice for privilege motion or will you ask the Government....
[English]
MR. SPEAKER: I do not advise you to do anything;you should not dictate to me this thing.
[Translation]
SHRI GEORGE FERNANDES: But you should tell the Government.... I can say this much ... (interruptions)
[English]
MR. SPEAKER: This is a bargain between you and me.
[Translation]
SHRI GEORGE FERNANDES: But you should ask the Government to give clarification to the extent possible.
MR. SPEAKER: You know as much as the Government knows.
(interruptions)
[English]
MR. SPEAKER: It is a matter between
78 of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on 11.5.1992 you; you decide between yourselves,
SHRI LAL K. ADVANI (Gandhi Nagar): Mr. Speaker, Sir,this matter has been raised on Friday and Government had said something and our response was that we are not satisfied with the reply given by the Government. I would only like to point out that though not in the House as we wanted it to be, but the Government has indicated to the Opposition when we were with you, that they are pursuing certain questions, certain queries as to who gave that note, at whose instance etc., etc., who told Mr. Bonnant that this is at the instance of the Prime Minister and the Government is pursuing it, it has not been able to find it out till now and therefore, we were told that 'let us wait till the next Session'. This is what I have requested even Mr.
Fernandes that'All right, the Government is trying to probe into all these questions and all these questions are unanswered so far as the country is concerned, and the country would like these to be answered and we, as the Opposition, have a responsibility to the country to find out as to which is the lobby which is trying to scuttle these operations and therefore, I would request the Government, through you, to come to this Government at the next Session. Today we are barred from discussing the same issue a second time under the rules. Next time there will be no bar and therefore, by Session we expect the Government to come forth clearn on the issue of Bofors and more particularly on the issue of Solanki episode. This is what I want to say. (interruptions).
SHRIMATI SUSEELA GOPALAN (Chirayinkil): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I wish to bring to the kind notice of the august House the pitiable condition of the children who were actually injured by the bomb blast on April 26, near Jama Masjid. The Home Minister and the Health Minister have assured that compensation and full medical care will be given to them.
But so far none of the officers, or nobody has visited that place.
The
79 Statt. by Minister Recognition of Independent States Following the Dissolution
condition there is very much pitiable, One child lost both the logs and his hand is under plaster and he has bed sores or the back. He cannot lie down. No help is so far given to him, no special attention was given to him and his father is having a small business, he has closed it down and he is looking after the child and there, the system is that nobody else can be there, only one man can be there. So, the problem is how to look after this child.
Another bay is in the Guru Nanak Eye Hospital. He requires eye operation as a sharpnel is embedded in his eye. However, because of the urinary infection, no operation is possible now. It is not known whether his eye can be saved. Three other children have left the hospital. Again they have to come for dressing and they have to stand into he queue. No special attention that was promised by the Government, is given. We are observing the year for the disabled and also the children's year. But, so much inhuman attitude is shown by the Government. So, immediate attention should be given to them and the compensation also should be paid to them.
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTRY AFFAIRS AND MINISTRY OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF LAW, JUSTICE AND COMPANY AFFAIRS (SHRI RANGARAJAN KUMARAMANGALAM): Sir, we will do the needful in this matter.
[Translation]
SHRI RAM NAIK (Bombay North): Mr. Speaker Sir, It was a matter of happiness day before yesterday when 7 km track of 18 km long Mankhurd- Belapur section of Suburban train service linking Bombay with New Bombay was inaugurated by Hon. President of India. About one lakh commuters who travel daily on this route would be
80 of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on 11.5.1992 benefited. But Mr.Speaker Sir,that day the Railway Ministry insulted the Parliament. They tried to mar our happiness. The Ministry declared a new rail tariff on that route and a surcharge was imposed.
This surcharge was imposed without the approval of the Parliament, if anyone buys a single journey ticket he will have to pay Rs. 1.50 more and if he takes a monthly pass, he will have to pay Rs. 50 more and if it is a first class pass them Rs. 150 extra would have to be paid.
Legally also it is Wrong that when Parliament is in session the proposal was not moved here. This is contempt of the Parliament. The Railway Budget had increased fares and thereby put burden on the people. Imposing this additional surcharge is nothing but an injustice. The bus fare has always been more than the railway fare, but in this casre railway fare between Vashi and Boribunder which is a distance of 30 kms is Rs. 8.50 whereas the bus fare is Rs.6 only.
This being more expensive than the bus fare, there is need to change the fare structure.
MR. SPEAKER Sir, Marathi is the language of Maharashtra and Hindi is the national language of the country but the banner which was put during the inauguration programme was neither in Marathi nor in Hindi, as if the programme was being held not in India but in England. An attempt was made to insult both the languages.
While concluding I would like to point out that Navi Mumbai' is a newly developed area. That city was named 'Navi Mumbai' by the Maharashtra Government in Hindi, Marathi and English but the board the Central Government has put up there is "New Bombay".
This too is objectionable. The Government should make a statement in this regard. We would like to inform you that there has been Breach of privilege of Parliament.
81 Statt. by Minister Recognition of Independent States Following Dissolution of Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on 11.5.1992 [English]
SHRI RAM KAPSE (Thane): Sir, constitutionally the matter should have been brought to the Parliament, but it has not been brought. So, we both, myself and Mr. Ram Naik would like to move a Privilege Motion against the Railway Minister on this matter.
[Translation]
SHRI DAU DAYAL JOSHI(Kota): Mr. Speaker, Sir, my submission is that in 1988 in Rajasthan the Vijaya Bank gave a loan of Rs. 3 crore to the R.S.P. Vegetable Products Company which in turn mortgaged a tanker filled with 80% water and 20% oil to the Bank. A bank official had examined the tanker at that time. For the last four years the water tanker was lying with the bank. Since the period of four years expired, an Inspector examined the tanker last Friday and found to his utter dismay that it had only 20% oil and the rest 80% was water. My submission is that in spite of such a big scandal, the company pleaded again that it was running in loss and applied to the B.I.F.R. for loan. It reiterated to the Vijaya Bank that it is in continuous loss and asked for a loan of Rs. 2 crore and submitted a fresh application.
I am raising this matter during the Zero Hour so that the official who had declared the tanker filled with oil, should be punished. A police enquiry should be conducted against the vegetable oil mill and an impartial enquiry should be conducted in the embezzlement of Rs. 3 crore which were given as loan to the company.
Since the bank-scams have been discussed elaborately today and this is comparatively minor one my request is that the Government should pay attention to it immediately and take action on it.
MR SPEAKER: Shri Joshi, you should raise this issue tomorrow.
Leave it today. You may begin from here tomorrow.
MR. SPEAKER: Now papers to be laid. Shri Ashok Gahlaut.
---------------
Papers Laid 82
13.46 hrs.