17.06 hrs. (Mr. Deputy Speaker in the Chair)
I quote:
"There is a great need to sensitise the Government machinery at both Central and State levels. I must emphasise here that no tangible progress will be made unless the officers and employees concerned adopt a proper approach to involve the people in the implementation of these schemes."
"We will, therefore, strive to develop national consensus on all major issues concerning the nation by involving the opposition parties and all sections of the society in dialogue. We will also try for the consensual mode of governance as far as practicable."
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SHRI SOMNATH CHATTERJEE : The allies will not allow.
SHRI SHARAD PAWAR : That is also a problem.
TEXT OF AMENDMENTS
[FOR THE TEXT OF AMENDMENTS TO THE MOTION OF THANKS
ON THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS, PLEASE SEE THE SUPPLEMENT
PAGES 5968 - 5984]
At the outset, I welcome the positive steps taken by the Prime Minister and the Government in smoothening the relation between India and Pakistan. The bus to Lahore is really a new bridge in relations between the two countries. Such exchanges should be encouraged.
I would like to congratulate the Government for demonstrating to the outside world our nuclear capabilities. The Government should not come under any compulsion to sign the CTBT. National interests should be given top priority while dealing with such issues.
As far as defence of the country is concerned, we are still heavily dependent on foreign suppliers in key areas. Self-reliance in defence has to be achieved.
I welcome the New Agricultural Policy. It should aim at introducing technological revolution in all agricultural activities. While the land should belong to the owners, cultivation methods and choice of crops should be jointly decided by owners as well as by the Government after assessing the market and commercial forces in operation. This would ensure profits for the farmers as well as yield for the society.
The Cauvery river water dispute is yet to be solved in favour of Tamil Nadu farmers. The Government should implement the interim Award of the Cauvery Tribunal so that Tamil Nadu farmers are fully protected as demanded by my leader.
I also welcome the Free Trade Agreement reached between India and Sri Lanka in December last year. However, the problem of Indian fishermen being fired at by Sri Lankan navy still remains unresolved. The interests of Indian fishermen in Indian seas should be protected at all costs. I want this Government to initiate a special dialogue with the Sri Lankan Government on this matter.
Two days back, Parliament has adopted a resolution in support of women reservation. As far as the representation of women in Parliament and State Legislatures is concerned, the AIADMK is totally in favour of enactment of the Constitution Amendment Bill at the earliest.
I also welcome the New Policy for supporting older persons. These social measures will go a long way in developing a decent and civilized society.
I convey my thanks on behalf of my leader, Puratchi Thalaivi, Dr.J.Jayalalitha to the Prime Minister for allocating funds for executing the Sethu Samudram Project at the request of my leader. I hope the august House would continue to extend its support to the hon. Prime Minister, Shri Vajpayee for serving the nation more and better.
With these words, I once again support the Motion of Thanks on behalf of the AIADMK.
I am sure, Sir, you must have gone through this document. I am sure you will fully agree with me that this contains only vague, demagoguic generalisation and pious platitrds . Sir, today, in the hands of this Government, I find a very important occasion, namely the Address by the President to the Members of Parliament, has just become a ritual, a formality. What is the purpose of this Address? What for did the founding fathers of our Constitution provide this occasion? This is supposed to lay down the direction which the country should take in the coming years. It should also contain a proper assessment of the performance of the Government. It should also highlight as to how the main issues confronting the people will be resolved. Of course, it is not expected to contain details for which the Budget, policy declaration and formulation will be there. I was not surprised that this Address did not contain anything like that. It does not meet the requirement of an Address to both the Houses of Parliament.
Can anybody deny that the hon. Finance Minister is being lauded in the common people? Every day, in TV news we are being told about the points that the share exchange index has reached, as if that is the only criteria! What is the fate of the common people? How many job opportunities are being created? I am happy that the Finance Minister finds himself a lot of amusement in what I am saying. But the last laughter will not by him but by the common people of this country... (Interruptions) We have seen what happened in Delhi where the venerable Prime Minister was made to address almost street corner meetings.
The result is that Shrimati Sushma Swaraj is here. Now, she does not know what to do except to quietly sit here. Where is Shri Khurana? What has happened in Rajasthan where they were supposed to be so strong. They could best find it out through the ballot boxes. Do they have respect for the democracy and the wishes of the people?
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Sir, this is the difficulty. Shrimati Sushma Swaraj always exploits my great esteem and affection for her. I do not know how such an intelligent and articulate person is sitting there. Even the constituency which she naturally won with her grace and charm, was lost forthwith by her party in the by-elections that were held as soon as she resigned. Have you any respect for the people's verdict? Are you not seeing the writing on the wall? Why is it happened? They said with a great gusto about `able Prime Minister and stable Government' But his `only ability is to have the stability of the Government' But how did it happen? Ability is not in governance. Ability is again the stability and the stability is unpampering your allies.
I said the other day that Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee has ceased to be concerned with the tears of the common people in this country which he promised to wipe out. Now, he is more concerned with the frowns and the smiles of his allies. Today this country is being decided how to keep them pleased one after another. So many demands are coming and packages after packages are being given. Can any country be governed by the packages of allies? All sorts of promises are being made. Ministers are being sent to different State Capital to satisfy their allies. They are making all sorts of promises. It is for the allies to believe all those promises. We are soon going to -- I do not know if it is our misfortune -observe the anniversary of their coming to power. Let us see what has been done. We have seen what has happened in Tamil Nadu where lawyers are changed, judges are changed and Special Courts are changed. Let us see if one of these decisions and actions is for the benefit of the common people. Kindly test it.
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MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Shri Chetan Chauhan, no running commentary please.
SHRI SOMNATH CHATTERJEE : Sir, all the promises which have either been made in the National Agenda for Governance or adverted to in the Address of hon. Rashtrapatiji have shown to be totally unfulfilled and which cannot be done by them. Today, the people are groaning under the miseries... (Interruptions). Sir, what is happening here? Has this House stopped to be a place for discussion and debate? Are we depending on some hon. Members' wishes and ipse dixit? If so, let us be told; we will go out.
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... (Interruptions)
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: May I appeal to all hon. Members not to indulge in running commentary from any side? Otherwise, I will have to take them to serious task.