Banglore, Ahmedabad Serial Blasts: I am very Angry NOW!

Just as I had lamented then...

Once more ‘mutilated’ bodies are strewn on roads, who were living human beings just couples of seconds before blasts. Some body’s Father/ Mother/Husband/Wife/Daughter/ Son. Once more these ‘bodies’ are now merely statistics.

Once more same ‘mundane’ routine.

Once more ‘Dirty Harry’ of Sonia brigade, MoS Home Affairs, In charge internal security, Sri Prakash Jaiswal, visiting victims in hospital.

Once again Prime Minion Man Mohan Singh mumbling same old shock and offering insincere sympathy to victims and their families.

Once again ‘Walking Zombie’ Home Minister caught UN aware.

Once again ‘BaliDaan Moorti’ Signora Sonia Maino Gandhi expressing her totally phony concern.


I am asking you, How many more innocent lives to be lost, before we get angry?”

I urged you all, Yes, get angry now before you too are ‘NOBODY’ but a mere figure in the ever increasing list of innocent victims. Refuse please, to be sacrificed at the altar of some ‘perverse’ and misplaced ’secularism’.”

Anger, is a very potent weapon in a functioning democracy. People just do not vote ‘in’ the incumbent government but they also ‘vote out’ the Governments. More so especially,when we have ‘one’ like the present day Manmohan Singh Government Amoral it was, crooked they are, inefficient is an understatement, what right do they have to continue even a day more?

When my fellow country men; women; children are being killed almost on ‘monthly’ basis, on streets, in bazaars, in HOSPITALS even! What right a ‘foreign Imported Lady Sonia Maino’ has to travel in a cavalcade of 40 cars at the very same poor men,women children’s expense? Why should she and her crowned prince need any special elaborate security cover?

Why should we pay tax to provide ‘ARMED TO TEETH COMMANDOS’ to protect sleaze balls like AMAR SINGH, SHIBHU SOREN, LALOOS, MULAYAMS? What good they are serving for the cause of Nation that they need to be protected?

IF it is that they are by default - and UNFORTUNATELY TOO, FOR REST OF INDIANS - are Indians and thus needed to be protected then, what crime ‘AAM ADAMI’
has committed so he/she can be slaughtered like stray animals?

“Ahmedabad Blasts: Time to Take Back the Government”

Prudent Indian

Richa

QUESTION HOUR IN LOK SABHA

Generally, the first hour of a sitting of Lok Sabha is devoted to Questions and that hour is called the Question Hour. It has a special significance in the proceedings of Parliament.

Asking of questions is an inherent and unfettered parliamentary right of members. It is during the Question Hour that the members can ask questions on every aspect of administration and Governmental activity. Government policies in national as well as international spheres come into sharp focus as the members try to elicit pertinent information during the Question Hour.

The Government is, as it were, put on its trial during the Question Hour and every Minister whose turn it is to answer questions has to stand up and answer for his or his administration's acts of omission and commission. Through the Question Hour the Government is able to quickly feel the pulse of the nation and adapt its policies and actions accordingly. It is through questions in Parliament that the Government remains in touch with the people in as much as members are enabled thereby to ventilate the grievances of the public in matters concerning the administration. Questions enable Ministries to gauge the popular reaction to their policy and administration. Questions bring to the notice of the Ministers many an abuse which otherwise would have gone unnoticed. Sometimes questions may lead to the appointment of a commission, a court of enquiry or even legislation when matters raised are grave enough to agitate the public mind and are of wide public importance.

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OPENING OF PARLIAMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

Article 87(1) of the Constitution provides:- "At the commencement of the first session after each general election to the House of the People and at the commencement of the first session of each year the President shall address both Houses of Parliament assembled together and inform Parliament of the causes of its summons."

In the case of the first session after each general election to Lok Sabha, the President addresses both Houses of Parliament assembled together after the Members have made and subscribed the oath or affirmation and the Speaker has been elected. It takes generally two days to complete these preliminaries. No other business is transacted till the President has addressed both Houses of Parliament assembled together and informed Parliament of the causes of its summons. In the case of the first session of each year, the President addresses both Houses of Parliament at the time and date notified for the commencement of the session of both the Houses of Parliament. Half-an-hour after the conclusion of the Address, both the Houses meet separately in their respective Chambers when a copy of the President's Address is laid on the Table and brought on the record of each House.

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OPENING OF PARLIAMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

Article 87(1) of the Constitution provides:- "At the commencement of the first session after each general election to the House of the People and at the commencement of the first session of each year the President shall address both Houses of Parliament assembled together and inform Parliament of the causes of its summons."

In the case of the first session after each general election to Lok Sabha, the President addresses both Houses of Parliament assembled together after the Members have made and subscribed the oath or affirmation and the Speaker has been elected. It takes generally two days to complete these preliminaries. No other business is transacted till the President has addressed both Houses of Parliament assembled together and informed Parliament of the causes of its summons. In the case of the first session of each year, the President addresses both Houses of Parliament at the time and date notified for the commencement of the session of both the Houses of Parliament. Half-an-hour after the conclusion of the Address, both the Houses meet separately in their respective Chambers when a copy of the President's Address is laid on the Table and brought on the record of each House.

No separate summons for the President's Address are issued to members. They are informed of the date, time and place fixed for the President's Address through a Parliamentary Bulletin. At the time fixed for the President's Address, Members of both Houses of Parliament assemble together in the Central Hall of the Parliament House where the President delivers his Address. New members who have not already made and subscribed the oath or affirmation are admitted to the Central Hall on the occasion of the President's Address on production of either the certificate of election granted to them by the Returning Officer or the summons for the session issued to them. In the Central Hall, Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, Deputy Speaker, Lok Sabha and Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha are allotted seats in the first row. Other Ministers are also allotted a block of seats. The Leaders of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and in Rajya Sabha are allotted seats in the first row. Leaders of other Parties/Groups in both the Houses are also allotted suitable seats. Members of Panel of Chairmen and Chairmen of Parliamentary Committees are allotted seats in the second row. The Members are free to occupy other seats which are not allotted/earmarked.

The President's Address to both the Houses of Parliament assembled together is a solemn and formal act under the Constitution. Utmost dignity and decorum befitting the occasion are maintained. Any action on the part of a Member which mars the occasion or creates disturbance is punishable by the House to which that Member belongs. Members are expected to take their seats five minutes before the President arrives in the Central Hall.

The visitors, who are issued passes for this occasion, are also requested to be in their seats half-an-hour before the time fixed for the President's Address. It is a convention that no Member leaves the Central Hall while the President is addressing. The President arrives at the Parliament House (North West portico) in the State Coach or in the car and is received at the Gate by the Chairman, Rajya Sabha, the Prime Minister, the Speaker, Lok Sabha, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Secretaries-General of the two Houses. The President is conducted to the Central Hall in a procession. On the passage from the Gate to the Central Hall from where the procession passes, red baize cloth is spread.

Just when the procession enters the gangway of the Central Hall, the Marshal who has taken his position at the dais, announces the arrival of the President by saying [Hon'ble Members, Hon'ble the President] Almost simultaneously two trumpeters positioned in the Gallery above the dais sound the fanfare till the President arrives at the dais. Thereupon, Members rise in their places and remain standing until the President has taken his seat on the dais.

On reaching the floor of Central Hall in front of the dais, the procession bifurcates; the President, the Chairman of Rajya Sabha and the Speaker of Lok Sabha move towards their seats on the dais - the Chairman to the right and the Speaker to the left of the President who occupies the middle seat. The Secretaries-General and other Officers in the procession move towards the chairs placed for them in the pit of the Central Hall on either side of the dais. When President reaches his seat on the dais, a band positioned in the Lobby of the Central Hall to the right of the President, plays the National Anthem during which time everyone remains standing. Thereafter, as the President takes his seat, Presiding Officers and Members resume their seats. The President then addresses the Members in Hindi or English. The other version of the Address is read out by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. After the conclusion of the Address, the President rises in his seat followed by the members when the National Anthem is played again. The President, thereafter, leaves the Central Hall in a procession which is formed in the same manner as at the time of his arrival. The members remain standing till the procession leaves the Central Hall. On reaching the gate, the President takes leave of the Chairman, Rajya Sabha, the Prime Minister, the Speaker, Lok Sabha and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs. The Secretaries-General of the two Houses are also present at the occasion. Thereafter, the President leaves for the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

QUESTION HOUR IN LOK SABHA

Generally, the first hour of a sitting of Lok Sabha is devoted to Questions and that hour is called the Question Hour. It has a special significance in the proceedings of Parliament.

Asking of questions is an inherent and unfettered parliamentary right of members. It is during the Question Hour that the members can ask questions on every aspect of administration and Governmental activity. Government policies in national as well as international spheres come into sharp focus as the members try to elicit pertinent information during the Question Hour.

The Government is, as it were, put on its trial during the Question Hour and every Minister whose turn it is to answer questions has to stand up and answer for his or his administration's acts of omission and commission. Through the Question Hour the Government is able to quickly feel the pulse of the nation and adapt its policies and actions accordingly. It is through questions in Parliament that the Government remains in touch with the people in as much as members are enabled thereby to ventilate the grievances of the public in matters concerning the administration. Questions enable Ministries to gauge the popular reaction to their policy and administration. Questions bring to the notice of the Ministers many an abuse which otherwise would have gone unnoticed. Sometimes questions may lead to the appointment of a commission, a court of enquiry or even legislation when matters raised are grave enough to agitate the public mind and are of wide public importance.

The Question Hour is an interesting part of the Parliamentary proceedings. Although a question mainly seeks information and tries to elicit facts on a particular subject, there are many a time lively and quicksilver repartees between the Members asking the questions and the Ministers answering them. These repartees are sometimes coupled with flashes of wit and humour. That is why the public galleries and the press galleries are packed to capacity during the Question Hour.

Telecasting of Question Hour

With a view to familiarising the public at large about the manner in which the proceedings of the Houses of Parliament are conducted in the Question Hour and how their representatives raise various issues of national/international importance, proceedings of the Question Hour are being telecast since 2 December 1991. Earlier the pre-recorded proceedings of the Question Hour were telecast by Doordarshan on the following day in the morning. From 7 December 1994, the proceedings of the Question Hour of both the Houses are being telecast live on alternate weeks throughout the country on the national channel of Doordarshan from 1100 hrs. to 1200 hrs. All India Radio is also broadcasting the proceedings of the Question Hour of both the Houses from 2200 hrs. to 2300 hrs. in the same night on their national hook up. It has been arranged in such a manner that during the telecast of the Question Hour of one House by Doordarshan, the Question Hour of the Other House is broadcast by All India Radio. In addition, the proceedings of the Question Hour and the entire post-lunch proceedings of Lok Sabha are being telecast live on a separate terrestrial channel through a Low Power Transmitter (LPT) with a reach of 10-15 kms, installed in Parliament House. The entire proceedings of Rajya Sabha are also being telecast live daily since 7 December 1994 through a separate LPT.

Types of Questions

Questions are of four types:-

Starred, Unstarred, Short Notice Questions and Questions addressed to private Members :

A Starred Question is one to which a member desires an oral answer in the House and which is distinguished by an asterisk mark. When a question is answered orally, supplementary questions can be asked thereon. Only 20 questions can be listed for oral answer on a day.

An Unstarred Question is one which is not called for oral answer in the House and on which no supplementary questions can consequently be asked. To such a question, a written answer is deemed to have been laid on the Table after the Question Hour by the Minister to whom it is addressed. It is printed in the official report of the sitting of the House for which it is put down. Only 230 questions can be listed for written answer on a day. In addition to this, 25 more questions can also be included in the Unstarred List relating to the States under Presidential Rule and the total number of questions in the list of Unstarred Questions for a day may not exceed 255 in relaxation of normal limit of 230 questions.

A Short Notice Question is one which relates to a matter of urgent public importance and can be asked with shorter notice than the period of notice prescribed for an ordinary question. Like a starred question, it is answered orally followed by supplementary questions.

The Question to a Private Member is addressed to the Member himself/herself and it is asked when the subjectmatter of it pertains to any Bill, Resolution or any matter relating to the Business of the House for which that Member is responsible. For such Questions, the same procedure is followed as in the case of Questions addressed to a Minister with such variations as the Speaker may consider necessary or convenient.

Notices of Questions

A member gives notice in writing addressed to the Secretary-General, Lok Sabha, intimating his intention to ask a question. Besides the text of the question, the notice states clearly the official designation of the Minister to whom the question is addressed as also the date on which the question is desired to be placed on the list of questions for answer as also the order of preference, if any, for its being placed on the list of questions when a member tables more than one notice of questions for the same day.

The normal period of notice of a question is not more than twenty-one and not less than ten clear days. A short notice question can be asked with a notice shorter than ten days, but the member has to state briefly the reasons for asking the question at short notice.

Procedure in Lok Sabha Secretariat

On receipt of the notice of a question it is scrutinised to see that the designation of the Minister and date of answer have been correctly mentioned in the notice. A preliminary ballot of identical questions is held and the member who obtains priority is deemed to have tabled the question. A ballot is then held in respect of notices received in this Secretariat at the same time to determine their inter se priority. Separate ballots are held for starred and unstarred questions. Starred, unstarred and short notice questions are numbered separately and entered in separate diaries on computer software.

The next stage is to examine the question as to whether or not it is admissible under the rules and past precedents. A question is primarily asked for the purpose of obtaining information on a matter of public importance. Questions that contain arguments, inferences or defamatory statements or otherwise refer to the character or conduct of any person except in his official or public capacity, are not admitted. Questions which are in substance repetitions of those that have been answered previously or in regard to which information is available in accessible documents or in ordinary works of reference are also not admitted. Besides, if the subject matter of a question is pending for judgement before any court of law or any other tribunal or body set up under law or is under consideration before a Parliamentary Committee, the same is not permitted to be asked. Questions making discourteous references to foreign countries with whom India has friendly relations are disallowed. Similarly, questions raising larger issues of policy are not allowed for it is not possible to enunciate policies within the limited compass of an answer to a question. Questions containing more than 150 words or relating to a matter which is not primarily the concern of the Government of India are not admitted. Questions going into minor details of administration and day-to-day working of the Government/Organisations are also not admitted.

Keeping the above rules and precedents in view, a question is admitted or disallowed. Typed copies of the admitted and edited questions are then made out on a standard form. An advance copy of the admitted question is informally collected by the Ministry/Department concerned so that they may on their side initiate the action for collection of information asked for in the question to prepare a reply.

A Short Notice Question which is of wide public importance is first referred to the Ministry concerned if necessary for furnishing factual information in the matter and also for indicating whether the Minister concerned accepts the short notice and, if so, what date will be convenient to him to answer the question. If the Minister accepts the short notice and the matter sought to be raised is considered by the Speaker, urgent, the Short Notice Question is admitted and printed in a separate list on the light pink paper in order to distinguish from lists of ordinary questions. The Short Notice Question is taken up after the Question Hour.

Allotment of Days for Questions

Immediately on the fixation of the dates of sittings of a session of Lok Sabha, allotment is made of the days available for the answering of questions relating to the various Ministries of Government of India. For this purpose the various Ministries are divided into five Groups and fixed days are allotted to groups of Ministries during the week. There is no Question Hour on Saturday, if a sitting is fixed for that day. Separate lists are prepared for starred and unstarred questions which have been admitted. Admitted questions are entered in the List of Questions for the day for oral or written answers as the case may be, in the order of priority obtained in ballot with the orders of the Speaker. Not more than five questions are admitted in the name of a member for each sitting of which not more than one is put down for oral answer. While compiling the list of unstarred questions, care is taken to see that one question of each member is included in the list of questions of that date. The remaining unstarred questions are thereafter put in the list according to inter se priority obtained in the ballot. A serial number is allotted to each question. Normally not more than twenty questions are placed on the list of questions for oral answers and not more than two hundred and thirty questions are placed on the list of questions for written answers on any one day. The Ministries are supplied with the lists of finally admitted questions at least 5 days before the date fixed for asking the questions.

Mode of Asking Questions

The member whose question has been admitted and which is included in the list of questions for oral answers for a particular day, rises in his/her seat when the turn of his/her question comes and asks his/her question by reading out its number on the list of questions. The Minister concerned answers the question. Thereafter the member who had asked the question can ask only two supplementary questions. After him/her the second member whose name is clubbed on the question is allowed to ask one supplementary question. Thereafter, the Speaker allows one supplementary each to members who are able to catch his eye. The number of such members depends on the importance of the question. Then the next question is taken up. The replies to questions not reached for oral answer during the Question Hour are deemed to have been laid on the Table of Lok Sabha.

At the end of the Question Hour, i.e. after the questions for oral answer have been answered, Short Notice Question, if any, for that day is taken up and disposed of in the same way as the questions for oral answers.

Half-an-Hour Discussion

Where answer to a question whether Starred or Unstarred needs elucidation on a matter of fact, any member can table a notice for raising Half-an-Hour Discussion thereon. If the notice is admitted and gets priority in ballot such a discussion may be allowed by the Speaker. Normally, such discussions are held on three days in a week, viz., Monday, Wednesday and Friday except in Budget Session when such discussion is normally not held till the financial business is completed. The discussion is usually held from 17.30 to 18.00 hrs. During the discussion, the member who has given notice makes a short statement and not more than four other members, who have given advance notice before 11.00 hours on the day on which discussion is to be held are permitted to ask a question each for further elucidating any matter of fact. Thereafter, the Minister concerned replies.

HOW A BILL BECOMES AN ACT

A Bill is the draft of a legislative proposal. It has to pass through various stages before it becomes an Act of Parliament.

First Reading

The legislative process starts with the introduction of a Bill in either House of Parliament-Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha. A Bill can be introduced either by a Minister or by a private member. In the former case it is known as a Government Bill and in the latter case it is known as a Private Member's Bill.

It is necessary for a member-in-charge of the Bill to ask for leave to introduce the Bill. If leave is granted by the House, the Bill is introduced. This stage is known as the First Reading of the Bill. If the motion for leave to introduce a Bill is opposed, the Speaker may, in his discretion, allow brief explanatory statement to be made by the member who opposes the motion and the member-in-charge who moved the motion. Where a motion for leave to introduce a Bill is opposed on the ground that the Bill initiates legislation outside the legislative competence of the House, the Speaker may permit a full discussion thereon. Thereafter, the question is put to the vote of the House. However, the motion for leave to introduce a Finance Bill or an Appropriation Bill is forthwith put to the vote of the House.

Publication in Gazette

After a Bill has been introduced, it is published in the Official Gazette. Even before introduction, a Bill might, with the permission of the Speaker, be published in the Gazette.

In such cases, leave to introduce the Bill in the House is not asked for and the Bill is straightaway introduced.

Reference of Bill to Standing Committee

After a Bill has been introduced, Presiding Officer of the concerned House can refer the Bill to the concerned Standing Committee for examination and make report thereon.

If a Bill is referred to Standing Committee, the Committee shall consider the general principles and clauses of the Bill referred to them and make report thereon. The Committee can also take expert opinion or the public opinion who are interested in the measure. After the Bill has thus been considered, the Committee submits its report to the House. The report of the Committee, being of persuasive value shall be treated as considered advice given by the Committees.

Second Reading

The Second Reading consists of consideration of the Bill which is in two stages.

First Stage: The first stage consists of general discussion on the Bill as a whole when the principle underlying the Bill is discussed. At this stage it is open to the House to refer the Bill to a Select Committee of the House or a Joint Committee of the two Houses or to circulate it for the purpose of eliciting opinion thereon or to straightaway take it into consideration.

If a Bill is referred to a Select/Joint Committee, the Committee considers the Bill clause-by-clause just as the House does. Amendments can be moved to the various clauses by members of the Committee. The Committee can also take evidence of associations, public bodies or experts who are interested in the measure. After the Bill has thus been considered, the Committee submits its report to the House which considers the Bill again as reported by the Committee. If a Bill is circulated for the purpose of eliciting public opinion thereon, such opinions are obtained through the Governments of the States and Union Territories. Opinions so received are laid on the Table of the House and the next motion in regard to the Bill must be for its reference to a Select/Joint Committee. It is not ordinarily permissible at this stage to move the motion for consideration of the Bill.

Second Stage: The second stage of the Second Reading consists of clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill as introduced or as reported by Select/Joint Committee.

Discussion takes place on each clause of the Bill and amendments to clauses can be moved at this stage. Amendments to a clause have been moved but not withdrawn are put to the vote of the House before the relevant clause is disposed of by the House. The amendments become part of the Bill if they are accepted by a majority of members present and voting. After the clauses, the Schedules if any, clause 1, the Enacting Formula and the Long Title of the Bill have been adopted by the House, the Second Reading is deemed to be over.

Third Reading

Thereafter, the member-in-charge can move that the Bill be passed. This stage is known as the Third Reading of the Bill. At this stage the debate is confined to arguments either in support or rejection of the Bill without referring to the details thereof further than that are absolutely necessary. Only formal, verbal or consequential amendments are allowed to be moved at this stage. In passing an ordinary Bill, a simple majority of members present and voting is necessary. But in the case of a Bill to amend the Constitution, a majority of the total membership of the House and a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting is required in each House of Parliament.

Bill in the other House

After the Bill is passed by one House, it is sent to the other House for concurrence with a message to that effect, and there also it goes through the stages described above except the introduction stage.

Money Bills

Bills which exclusively contain provisions for imposition and abolition of taxes, for appropriation of moneys out of the Consolidated Fund, etc., are certified as Money Bills. Money Bills can be introduced only in Lok Sabha. Rajya Sabha cannot make amendments in a Money Bill passed by Lok Sabha and transmitted to it. It can, however, recommend amendments in a Money Bill, but must return all Money Bills to Lok Sabha within fourteen days from the date of their receipt. It is open to Lok Sabha to accept or reject any or all of the recommendations of Rajya Sabha with regard to a Money Bill. If Lok Sabha accepts any of the recommendations of Rajya Sabha, the Money Bill is deemed to have been passed by both Houses with amendments recommended by Rajya Sabha and accepted by Lok Sabha and if Lok Sabha does not accept any of the recommendations of Rajya Sabha, Money Bill is deemed to have been passed by both Houses in the form in which it was passed by Lok Sabha without any of the amendments recommended by Rajya Sabha. If a Money Bill passed by Lok Sabha and transmitted to Rajya Sabha for its recommendations is not returned to Lok Sabha within the said period of fourteen days, it is deemed to have been passed by both Houses at the expiration of the said period in the form in which it was passed by Lok Sabha.

Indian Parliament : A Deep Knowledge Base

Parliament is the supreme legislative body of a country. Our Parliament comprises of the President and the two Houses-Lok Sabha (House of the People) and Rajya Sabha (Council of States). The President has the power to summon and prorogue either House of Parliament or to dissolve Lok Sabha.

The Constitution of India came into force on January 26, 1950. The first general elections under the new Constitution were held during the year 1951-52 and the first elected Parliament came into being in April, 1952, the Second Lok Sabha in April, 1957, the Third Lok Sabha in April, 1962, the Fourth Lok Sabha in March, 1967, the Fifth Lok Sabha in March, 1971, the Sixth Lok Sabha in March, 1977, the Seventh Lok Sabha in January, 1980, the Eighth Lok Sabha in December, 1984, the Ninth Lok Sabha in December, 1989, the Tenth Lok Sabha in June, 1991, the Eleventh Lok Sabha in May, 1996, the Twelfth Lok Sabha in March, 1998 and Thirteenth Lok Sabha in October, 1999.

LOK SABHA

Lok Sabha, as the name itself signifies, is the body of representatives of the people. Its members are directly elected, normally once in every five years by the adult population who are eligible to vote. The minimum qualifying age for membership of the House is 25 years. The present membership of Lok Sabha is 545. The number is divided among the different States and Union Territories as follows:

(1) Andhra Pradesh 42

(2) Arunachal Pradesh 2

(3) Assam 14

(4) Bihar 40

(5) Chhattisgarh 11

(6) Goa 2

(7) Gujarat 26

(8) Haryana 10

(9) Himachal Pradesh 4

(10) Jammu & Kashmir 6

(11) Jharkhand 14

(12) Karnataka 28

(13) Kerala 20

(14) Madhya Pradesh 29

(15) Maharashtra 48

(16) Manipur 2

(17) Meghalaya 2

(18) Mizoram 1

(19) Nagaland 1

(20) Orissa 21

(21) Punjab 13

(22) Rajasthan 25

(23) Sikkim 1

(24) Tamil Nadu 39

(25) Tripura 2

(26) Uttaranchal 5

(27) Uttar Pradesh 80

(28) West Bengal 42

(29) Andaman & Nicobar Islands 1

(30) Chandigarh 1

(31) Dadra & Nagar Haveli 1

(32) Daman & Diu 1

(33) NCT of Delhi 7

(34) Lakshadweep 1

(35) Pondicherry 1

(36) Anglo-Indians (if nominated 2 by the President under Article 331 of the Constitution)

RAJYA SABHA

Rajya Sabha is the Upper House of Parliament. It has not more than 250 members. Members of Rajya Sabha are not elected by the people directly but indirectly by the Legislative Assemblies of the various States. Every State is allotted a certain number of members. No member of Rajya Sabha can be under 30 years of age.

Twelve of Rajya Sabha members are nominated by the President from persons who have earned distinction in the fields of literature, art, science and social service.

Rajya Sabha is a permanent body. It is not subject to dissolution but one-third of its members retire every two years. Rajya Sabha was duly constituted for the first time on April 3, 1952 and it held its first sitting on May 13, that year.

There are at present 245 members in Rajya Sabha, distributed among different States and Union Territories as follows:

(1) Andhra Pradesh 18

(2) Arunachal Pradesh 1

(3) Assam 7

(4) Bihar 16

(5) Chhattisgarh 5

(6) Goa 1

(7) Gujarat 11

(8) Haryana 5

(9) Himachal Pradesh 3

(10) Jammu & Kashmir 4

(11) Jharkhand 6

(12) Karnataka 12

(13) Kerala 9

(14) Madhya Pradesh 11

(15) Maharashtra 19

(16) Manipur 1

(17) Meghalaya 1

(18) Mizoram 1

(19) Nagaland 1

(20) Orissa 10

(21) Punjab 7

(22) Rajasthan 10

(23) Sikkim 1

(24) Tamil Nadu 18

(25) Tripura 1

(26) Uttaranchal 3

(27) Uttar Pradesh 31

(28) West Bengal 16

(29) NCT of Delhi 3

(30) Pondicherry 1

(31) Nominated by the President under 12 Article 80(1)(a) of the Constitution

Presiding Officers

Lok Sabha elects one of its own members as its Presiding Officer and he is called the Speaker. He is assisted by the Deputy Speaker who is also elected by Lok Sabha. The conduct of business in Lok Sabha is the responsibility of the Speaker.

The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha. He is elected by the members of an electoral college consisting of members of both Houses of Parliament. Rajya Sabha also elects one of its members to be the Deputy Chairman.

Functions of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha

The main function of both the Houses is to pass laws. Every Bill has to be passed by both the Houses and assented to by the President before it becomes law. The subjects over which Parliament can legislate are the subjects mentioned under the Union List in the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. Broadly speaking, Union subjects are those important subjects which for reasons of convenience, efficiency and security are administered on all-India basis. The principal Union subjects are Defence, Foreign Affairs, Railways, Transport and Communications, Currency and Coinage, Banking, Customs and Excise Duties. There are numerous other subjects on which both Parliament and State Legislatures can legislate.

Under this category mention may be made of economic and social planning, social security and insurance, labour welfare, price control and vital statistics.

Besides passing laws, Parliament can by means of resolutions, motions for adjournment, discussions and questions addressed by members to Ministers exercise control over the administration of the country and safeguard people's liberties.

Difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha

(1) Members of Lok Sabha are directly elected by the eligible voters. Members of Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of State Legislative Assemblies in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote.

(2) The normal life of every Lok Sabha is 5 years only while Rajya Sabha is a permanent body.

(3) Lok Sabha is the House to which the Council of Ministers is responsible under the Constitution. Money Bills can only be introduced in Lok Sabha. Also it is Lok Sabha which grants the money for running the administration of the country.

(4) Rajya Sabha has special powers to declare that it is necessary and expedient in the national interest that Parliament may make laws with respect to a matter in the State List or to create by law one or more all-India services common to the Union and the States.

The First Year in Office of the First Woman President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil

As the first woman President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, came to the office of the President as a powerful symbol of women empowerment and also brought with her into Rashtrapati Bhavan, the qualities of compassion and humaneness - the very essence of India.

The first year in office of the First Woman President of India has been one of hectic activity. President traveled across the country and interacted with people from all sections of society and various walks of life. She observed in them the confidence and resilience to meet the challenges of building a new India that will offer ample opportunities for inclusive growth and social justice. It was a year when the President performed her various constitutional duties and also used her good offices to promote important issues on the national agenda like eradication of extreme poverty, gender equality and empowerment of women, protection of children's rights, particularly of the girl child, expansion of education, promote maternal and child health, agriculture and rural development, national security and above all, spreading a sense of compassion towards the under-privileged. All through, the Gandhian philosophy of wiping every tear from every eye has been the guiding principle for the President.

President Patil took initiative in several public policy issues which were carried forward by the Government. The President has been incessantly drawing the attention of the Government, and the general public, through her speeches about the grave problems of gender inequality, women's empowerment, female foeticide and infanticide, maternal and child malnutrition and social evils, which according to the President, have economic costs attached to them. The President felt that there was tremendous scope for convergence in the implementation of various welfare and developmental schemes of the Government by the different agencies under different Ministries, by coordinating their efforts. The President believes that the Government schemes together with the efforts of the NGOs and private sector can bring about the required synergy to produce better results within the ongoing schemes itself, even without enhancement in budgetary allocation. The President exhorted the Ministries of Women & Child Development, Health & Family Welfare, Social Justice & Empowerment, Human Resource Development and Information & Broadcasting to work out a strategy and an action plan for bringing about the much desired convergence. The Government took up the suggestion of the President and the concerned Ministries had been advised to work out an action plan to achieve the desired objectives within a period of next 3 years. The Cabinet Secretary is coordinating its implementation.

Gender equality and women's empowerment has been a subject closest to the President's heart and she has made it a top priority while sharing her vision on every possible occasion. President Patil has actively voiced her views regarding the need for greater action for women's welfare and empowerment to make them equal partners in every sphere of national activity. She has interacted with several organizations - just to mention a few like the Zilla Mahila Associations Congress of International Alliance of Women, and addressed national and international conferences like National Conclave for North-Eastern States for Access to Justice for Women and the South Asian Regional Ministerial Conference for Commemorating Beijing.

The President took special care in matters relating to farmers and agriculture. A variety of problems were brought to the attention of the President involving social, economic and political issues. One of the major problems was that of the farmers' issue especially of the rain-fed areas. The burden of farmers and the alleged farmers' suicide on account of crop failure and their inability to pay back loans evoked deep sympathies of the President. It was not only an economic issue but also one of social and political dimensions. The issue was taken up effectively with the Prime Minister and the Ministries concerned. The Government took a favourable and bold decision to write off the bad debts of the farmers.

The President connected well both the youth and elderly. She stressed the need for special attention to children especially the girl child and while highlighting this point in various fora, emphasized the need for urgent action. It was the first of its kind when on Raksha Bandhan day, the President invited about 100 children from those areas in J & K and North-East affected by militancy, children who lost their parents in communal riots, children who lost their parents when serving in the Armed Forces and the police, HIV positive children, differently-abled children and those suffering from Thalassaemia. The President said that financial support, is of course needed, but more than that it is the emotional support these children need most from society as this can encourage them to succeed against all odds. President Patil is of the view that education is a tool through which a person gets self-respect and confidence. On 14 November, 2007, on the Children's Day, the President met 400 odd children from Delhi when she spoke about the need to persuade the families of the weaker sections to educate their children for a brighter future. The President touched on the subject of corruption and urged upon the youth to discuss among themselves the need to create awareness against this social malady. She said that the message should come through the children to parents that the new generation is against corruption. Speaking on the girl child, the President said that a girl child is a boon and not a curse and she has as much rights as a male child. With a keen eye on events around the country which affect children, especially the girl child, the President greeted little Vandana, the 3 year old girl child on her rescue after she fell into the open well in Tehra village of Uttar Pradesh. The President has also been interacting with senior citizens on different occasions. When one such group called on the President, at Rashtrapati Bhavan on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons, Smt. Patil acknowledged the contributions that the elderly had made to society and felt that in turn the society should recognize their needs, particularly the emotional needs of the older citizens. Organisations that bring together the elderly must be commended as by bringing persons of the same age together, such people can give each other mutual support. The President met over 18,000 persons at Rashtrapati Bhavan and another 4,000 during her visits to various States. She visited 10 States and 2 Union Territories during her first year in the office. The President also visited the forward areas, inter-acted with soldiers and was able to see for herself the conditions in which the jawans work and live. Having seen the need for improving the infrastructure facilities, the President took up the need for speedier development of infrastructure which has a strategic importance. Welfare of ex-servicemen has been a matter close to the President's heart. This matter was taken up with the Governors for their personal attention, and is being monitored personally by the President.

President Patil visited 3 Latin American countries on her maiden visit abroad in April, 2008. Her visit to these countries was significant as this has led to a major boost to the ties between India and Latin America, a region with which India seeks to intensify its relations. The growing trajectory of bilateral interests between India and the 3 nations was manifested during the visit with the signing of 10 agreements/MOUs - 4 with Brazil, 2 with Mexico and 4 with Chile.

In keeping with President Patil's vision of greater economic engagement of India with the world, the Presidential team was accompanied by a business delegation, a first for a Presidential tour. It was not a practice in the past for any Indian President to take a business delegation on a foreign visit. Smt. Patil took an industry delegation with her on her first visit abroad to the Latin American countries. The business delegation was hugely benefited by the discussions with the leaders of Brazil, Mexico and Chile, where the President had undertaken visits. Governments of these countries have "opened up doors" for the Indian business community.

There was a growing inquisitiveness about the first lady President at the Rashtrapati Bhavan as evident from the popularity of President's website. The President of India's website www.presidentofindia.nic.in is the 2nd most frequently visited website in the Government, the first being that of Central Board of School Education. The average number of daily hits on the website is about 43,050. Maximum number of hits on a single day since the President assumed office was on 15 August, 2007 - 1.36 lakhs.

The Rashtrapati Bhavan is the symbol of Indian Statehood and every Indian should feel proud to visit the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The President has emphasized that every visit should be memorable and an opportunity to enhance one's knowledge and experience - whether it is an Indian citizen or a visiting tourist. The ceremonial Change of Guards over the years had been lost in public memory. The President opened up this ceremony to create a bridge between the people and the Rashtrapati Bhavan where, as the President said in her assumption address, the "First Servant of the People" resides. The President was also keen to showcase the Rashtrapati Bhavan Estate as a model eco-friendly township. The visitors get an opportunity to experience it and learn for themselves how to make the living environment more livable and energy efficient.

The Mughal Gardens attracted a record number of 5,43,106 persons in February-March, 2008 when they were open for public viewing. Added to the number of gardens already existing in the Rashtrapati Bhavan premises, the Nakshatra Garden was developed.

Ensuring environmental sustainability was a subject President Patil took up on various occasions. When addressing the Indian Forest Service probationers, the President emphasized that the challenge is to preserve our forests as an invaluable natural resource while giving recognition to the needs of various dwellers, particularly the tribal communities. She said that forests play an important role in the social, cultural and economic development of any country while they are also a store-house of bio-diversity and a resource base for the sustenance of the population. The implementation of various forest legislations should be done in a fair and transparent manner.

To espouse the cause of Ayurvedic medicine, the President is of the view that the many advantages of this Indian system of medicine need to be brought out and made known to the people in a more convincing manner. President Patil called on Ayurveda researchers, scholars and experts to further strengthen their efforts to work on patenting and standardization of Ayurveda products as well as to come out with a detailed pharmacopoeia of these medical products. She stated this while addressing a group of experts who have been awarded Pandit Ram Narain Vaidya Puraskar. The President also spoke about Ayurveda during her visit to the Latin American countries where the Heads of States of the visiting countries appreciated the suggestion to spread the message of Ayurveda as an alternate system of medicine in their respective countries.

A compassionate person that the President is, she extended a helping hand to 88 individuals by way of financial assistance to the tune of about Rs. 60 lakhs to the poor and the deserving individuals for the purpose of medical treatment, education, disaster and disasters caused by natural calamities. The President visited orphanages and donated blankets and food packets and spent time with the children there.

The President has been enthusiastic about sports and various art forms. Being a sports enthusiast herself, Smt. Patil was an ardent Table Tennis player in the youth and believes that promoting sports in the country is a significant activity that should not be neglected. The first year of her Presidency coincided with the period of robust performances by various national sporting teams as well as individual sports persons. The President has always been prompt in congratulating the sports persons on their success, but has also received them at Rashtrapati Bhavan. She personally interacted with them in her attempt to encourage them for future successes.

For President Patil the pursuit to fulfill her vision of a stronger India, where the women are brought to the national mainstream as equal partners in shaping the destiny of this great country, is a relentless effort.

BUDGET IN PARLIAMENT

With the emergence of Welfare State, Governments have come to look after virtually every sphere of human life. They have to perform manifold functions from maintaining law and order, protecting their territories to implementation of plans for economic and social betterment. Besides, they provide a variety of social services like education, health, employment and housing to the people. Needless to say, Government require adequate resources to discharge these functions effectively. Where is this money to come from and who is to sanction the funds? The necessary funds are mobilised from the country's resources by way of taxes both direct and indirect, loans both long-term and short-term, to meet the Governmental expenditure. In India, the principal sources of revenue are customs and excise duties and Income-tax on individuals and companies.

Need for Budget

It is not as if the Government can tax, borrow and spend money the way it likes. Since there is a limit to the resources, the need for proper budgeting arises to allocate scarce resources to various Governmental activities. Every item of expenditure has to be well thought out and total outlay worked out for a specific period. Prudent spending is essential for the stability of a Government and proper earnings are a pre-requisite to wise spending. Hence, planned expenditure and accurate foresight of earnings are sine-qua-non of sound Governmental finance.

Parliamentary Control over Finance

Ours is a Parliamentary system of Government based on Westminster model. The Constitution has, therefore, vested the power over the purse in the hands of chosen representatives of the people thus sanctifying the principle 'no taxation without representation'. Preparation of Budget for the approval of the Legislature is a Constitutional obligation of the Government both at the Centre and the State levels. Legislative prerogative over taxation, legislative control over expenditure and executive initiative in financial matters are some of the fundamental principles of the system of Parliamentary financial control.

There are specific provisions in the Constitution of India incorporating these tenets. For example, article 265 provides that 'no tax shall be levied or collected except by authority of law'; no expenditure can be incurred except with the authorisation of the Legislature (article 266); and President shall, in respect of every financial year, cause to be laid before Parliament, Annual Financial Statement (article 112). These provisions of our Constitution make the Government accountable to Parliament.

The Budget

The 'Annual Financial Statement', laid before both the Houses of Parliament constitutes the Budget of the Union Government. This statement takes into account a period of one financial year. The financial year commences in India on 1st April each year. The statement embodies the estimated receipts and expenditure of the Government of India for the financial year.

Demands for Grants

The estimates of expenditure included in the Budget and required to be voted by Lok Sabha are in the form of Demands for Grants. These Demands are arranged Ministry-wise and a separate Demand for each of the major services is presented. Each Demand contains first a statement of the total grant and then a statement of the detailed estimate divided into items.

Railway Budget

The Budget of the Indian Railways is presented separately to Parliament and dealt with separately, although the receipts and expenditure of the Railways form part of the Consolidated Fund of India and the figures relating to them are included in the 'Annual Financial Statement'.

Presentation

In India, the Budget is presented to Parliament on such date as is fixed by the President.The Budget speech of the Finance Minister is usually in two parts. Part A deals with general economic survey of the country while Part B relates to taxation proposals. General Budget was earlier being presented at 5 P.M. on the last working day of February, but since 1999 the General Budget is being presented at 11 A.M. on the last working day of February, i.e. about a month before the commencement of the Financial year except in the year when General Elections to Lok Sabha are held. In an election year, Budget may be presented twice-first to secure Vote on Account for a few months and later in full.

The General Budget is presented in Lok Sabha by the Minister of Finance. He makes a speech introducing the Budget and it is only in the concluding part of his speech that the proposals for fresh taxation or for variations in the existing taxes are disclosed by him. The 'Annual Financial Statement' is laid on the Table of Rajya Sabha at the conclusion of the speech of the Finance Minister in Lok Sabha.

Budget Documents

Alongwith the 'Annual Financial Statement' Government presents the following documents: an Explanatory Memorandum briefly explaining the nature of receipts and expenditure during the current year and the next year and the reasons for variations in the estimates for the two years, the Books of Demands showing the provisions Ministry-wise and a separate Demand for each Department and service of the Ministry. The Finance Bill which deals with the taxation measures proposed by Government is introduced immediately after the presentation of Budget. It is accompanied by a memorandum explaining the provisions of the Bill and their effect on the finances of the country.

Vote on Account

The discussion on the Budget begins a few days after its presentation. In a democratic set-up, Government is anxious to give Parliament full opportunity to discuss the budgetary provisions and the various proposals for taxation. Since Parliament is not able to vote the entire budget before the commencement of the new financial year, the necessity to keep enough finance at the disposal of Government in order to allow it to run the administration of the country remains. A special provision is, therefore, made for "Vote on Account" by which Government obtains the Vote of Parliament for a sum sufficient to incur expenditure on various items for a part of the year.

Normally, the Vote on Account is taken for two months only. But during election year or when it is anticipated that the main Demands and Appropriation Bill will take longer time than two months, the Vote on Account may be for a period exceeding two months.

Discussion

The Budget is discussed in two stages in Lok Sabha. First, there is the General Discussion on the Budget as a whole. This lasts for about 4 to 5 days. Only the broad outlines of the Budget and the principles and policies underlying it are discussed at this stage.

Consideration of the Demands by Standing Committees of Parliament

After the first stage of General Discussion on both Railway as well as General Budget is over, the House is adjourned for a fixed period. During this period, the Demands for Grants of various Ministries/Departments including Railways are considered by concerned Standing Committees (Rule 331G). These Committees are required to make their reports to the House within specified period without asking for more time. The system of consideration of Demands for Grants by the Standing Committees was introduced from the Budget for the year 1993-94. The Standing Committee consists of 45 Members, 30 from Lok Sabha and 15 from Rajya Sabha. The reports of the Standing Committees are of persuasive nature (Rule 331N). The report shall not suggest anything of the nature of cut motions.

After the reports of the Standing Committees are presented to the House, the House proceeds to the discussion and Voting on Demands for Grants, Ministry-wise. The time for discussion and Voting of Demands for Grants is allocated by the Speaker in consultation with the Leader of the House. On the last day of the allotted days, the Speaker puts all the outstanding Demands to the Vote of the House. This device is popularly known as 'guillotine'. Lok Sabha has the power to assent to or refuse to give assent to any Demand or even to reduce the amount of Grant sought by Government. In Rajya Sabha there is only a General Discussion on the Budget. It does not vote on the Demands for Grants. Only so much of the amount is subject to the vote of Lok Sabha as is not a "charged" expenditure on the Consolidated Fund of India. The "charged" expenditure includes the emoluments of the President and the salaries and allowances of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha and the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, Judges of Supreme Court, Comptroller and Auditor General of India and certain other items specified in the Constitution of India. Discussion in Lok Sabha on 'charged' expenditure is permissible but such expenditure is not voted by the House. Members have full opportunity to criticise the budgetary provisions during the course of discussion as also to make suggestions for improving the financial position of the country.

Cut Motions

Motions for reduction to various Demands for Grants are made in the form of Cut Motions seeking to reduce the sums sought by Government on grounds of economy or difference of opinion on matters of policy or just in order to voice a grievance.

Appropriation Bill

After the General Discussion on the Budget proposals and Voting on Demands for Grants have been completed, Government introduces the Appropriation Bill. The Appropriation Bill is intended to give authority to Government to incur expenditure from and out of the Consolidated Fund of India. The procedure for passing this Bill is the same as in the case of other money Bills.

Finance Bill

The Finance Bill seeking to give effect to the Government's taxation proposals which is introduced in Lok Sabha immediately after the presentation of the General Budget, is taken up for consideration and passing after the Appropriation Bill is passed. However, certain provisions in the Bill relating to levy and collection of fresh duties or variations in the existing duties come into effect immediately on the expiry of the day on which the Bill is introduced by virtue of a declaration under the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act. Parliament has to pass the Finance Bill within 75 days of its introduction.

Supplementary/Excess Grants

No expenditure in excess of the sums authorised by Parliament can be incurred without the sanction of Parliament. Whenever a need arises to incur extra expenditure, a Supplementary estimate is laid before Parliament. If any money has been spent on any service during a financial year in excess of the amounts granted for that service and for that year, the Minister of Finance/ Railways presents a Demand for Excess Grant. The procedure followed in Parliament in regard to Supplementary/Excess Grants is more or less the same as is adopted in the case of estimates included in the General Budget.

Budget of a State/Union Territory under President's Rule

Budget of a State under President's rule is presented to Lok Sabha. The procedure followed in regard to the Budget of the Union Government is followed in the case of State Budget also with such variations or modifications, as the Speaker may make.

Lok Sabha

Lok Sabha is composed of representatives of the people chosen by direct election on the basis of the adult suffrage. The maximum strength of the House envisaged by the Constitution is 552, which is made up by election of upto 530 members to represent the States, upto 20 members to represent the Union Territories and not more than two members of the Anglo-Indian Community to be nominated by the Hon'ble President, if, in his opinion, that community is not adequately represented in the House. The total elective membership is distributed among the States in such a way that the ratio between the number of seats allotted to each State and the population of the State is, so far as practicable, the same for all States.

President of India Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil

Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil was born on December 19, 1934 in Nadgaon village of Jalgaon District, Maharashtra.

Smt. Patil assumed office as the 12th President of India on July 25, 2007. She is the first woman to have been elected to this august office.

Immediately prior to election as the President of India, Smt. Patil was the Governor of Rajasthan from November 8, 2004 till June 21, 2007.

Education:

Smt. Patil received her early education from RR Vidyalaya, Jalgaon and later obtained her Master’s degree in Political Science and Economics from the Mooljee Jetha College, Jalgaon. Later, she obtained the degree of Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from Government Law College, Bombay (Mumbai). While in college, she took active part in sports, excelled in table tennis and won several shields at various Inter-collegiate tournaments. Even as an MLA, she pursued her studies as a law student.

Professional Career:

Smt. Patil started her professional career as a practicing lawyer at the Jalgaon District Court and simultaneously devoted herself to various social activities, especially, for the upliftment of poor women.

Political Career:

At the young age of 27 years, she successfully contested her first election to the Maharashtra State Legislature from the Jalgaon Assembly constituency. Subsequently she was continuously elected four times as MLA from the Edlabad (Muktai Nagar) constituency till 1985. Thereafter, she served as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha from 1985 to 1990 and later elected as a Member of Parliament to the 10th Lok Sabha in the 1991 General Elections from the Amravati constituency. She enjoys the unique distinction of not having lost a single election that she contested till date.

Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil in her long stint in Maharashtra has held various positions both in the Government and the Legislative Assembly of Maharashtra. She was :

* Deputy Minister, Public Health, Prohibition, Tourism, Housing and Parliamentary Affairs, Government of Maharashtra from 1967 to 1972,
* Cabinet Minister, Social Welfare, Government of Maharashtra from 1972 to 1974,
* Cabinet Minister, Public Health and Social Welfare, Government of Maharashtra from 1974 to 1975,
* Cabinet Minister, Prohibition, Rehabilitation and Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra from 1975 to 1976,
* Cabinet Minister, Education, Government of Maharashtra from 1977 to 1978,
* Cabinet Minister, Urban Development and Housing, Government of Maharashtra from 1982 to 1983, and
* Cabinet Minister, Civil Supplies and Social Welfare, Government of Maharashtra from 1983 to 1985.
* While in the Opposition, she also served as the Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly of Maharashtra from July 1979 to February 1980.



While in the Rajya Sabha, Smt. Patil was the Deputy Chairperson, Rajya Sabha from 1986 to 1988 and also served as the Chairperson, Rajya Sabha from 25.7.1987 to 2.9.1987 when Dr. R. Venkataraman got elected as President of India. She was also the Chairperson, Committee of Privileges, Rajya Sabha and Member, Business Advisory Committee, Rajya Sabha from 1986 to 1988. While in the Lok Sabha, Smt. Patil was the Chairperson, House Committee.

Public Life:

In her long public life, she has been associated with several institutions in wide ranging capacities. She served as Chairperson, Maharashtra State Water Pollution Control Board from 1982 to 1985. She was also the President, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) from 1988 to 1990. Besides holding the position of Director and Vice-Chairperson, National Federation of Urban Cooperative Banks and Credit Societies, she also served as Member, Governing Council, National Cooperative Union of India and Chairperson, 20-Point Programme Implementation Committee, Government of Maharashtra.

Smt. Patil has represented India in various international fora. She attended the International Council on Social Welfare conferences at Nairobi and at Puerto Rico. She was a Member of the AICC(I) delegation to Bulgaria in 1985 and represented as Member, Commonwealth Presiding Officers Conference in London in 1988. She led the Indian delegation to the Conference on the ‘Status of Women’ in Austria and was a delegate at the World Women’s Conference, Beijing, China in September 1995.

Social and Cultural Activities:

Throughout her public life, Smt. Patil has worked actively for the welfare of women and children and the underprivileged sections of society. For their benefit, she established several institutions for them. To name a few, she had set up (i) hostels for working women in Mumbai and Delhi, (ii) an Engineering College at Jalgaon for rural youth, (iii) the Shram Sadhana Trust which takes part in multifarious welfare activities for development of women, (iv)an Industrial Training School for the visually handicapped in Jalgaon, (v) schools for poor children of Vimukta Jatis (Nomadic Tribes) and for children of Backward Classes in Amravati District and (vi) a Krishi Vigyan Kendra (Farmers’ Training Centre) at Amravati, Maharashtra. She played a pioneering role in setting up the Mahila Vikas Mahamandal, a Maharashtra State Government undertaking for the development of women.

She was instrumental in organizing music, computer and sewing classes for the poor and needy women at Amravati, Maharashtra. Smt. Patil also organized the Women’s Home Guard in Jalgaon District and was their Commandant in 1962.

Family Life:

Smt. Patil is married to Dr. Devisingh Ramsingh Shekhawat. Dr. Shekhawat obtained his Ph.D. in the discipline of Chemistry from Haffkine Institute, Mumbai. An educationist and a social worker in his own right, he became the first Mayor of Amravati Municipal Corporation and he has also represented Amravati constituency as its MLA. She has two children, a daughter, Smt. Jyoti Rathore and a son, Shri Rajendra Singh.

ADDRESS BY THE HON'BLE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, SMT. PRATIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL, TO PARLIAMENT New Delhi, 25th February 2008

Honourable Members,

I convey my best wishes to all of you and to our people. The Parliament convenes at a time when the economy is on the move. My Government remains firmly committed to ensuring that the economic growth process is socially inclusive, regionally balanced and environmentally sustainable. The measures taken by my Government have created the necessary architecture of inclusive growth.

2. Several programmes have been launched to make the growth process socially inclusive and regionally balanced. These include Bharat Nirman, aimed at bridging the rural-urban gap in development; the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act to soften the sharp edges of poverty and offer basic livelihood security; Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, for giving equal opportunity to our children in realizing their potential, further strengthened through a universal midday meal programme; the National Rural Health Mission, offering the rural poor access to basic health care; and, the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, promoting socially inclusive and economically manageable urban development. To make the growth process more participatory, responsive and accountable, Government has sought to strengthen panchayati raj institutions and has enshrined in law a Right to Information Act.

3. My Government's strategy of "inclusive growth" has been enabled by, and has in turn contributed to, the acceleration of economic growth. For the first time in history, the Indian economy has grown at close to 9.0 per cent per annum for four years in a row. The historically high investment rate, of over 35% of GDP, and savings rate, of over 34% of GDP, symbolize a new dynamism in our economy. I am confident that the creativity, enterprise and hard work of our young people will be able to sustain these high rates in the years to come.

4. This performance is all the more creditable against the background of high international oil prices and rising commodity prices, including for food. It will continue to be the endeavour of my Government to sustain growth while keeping prices under check. My Government has endeavoured to insulate the Indian consumer from these global inflationary trends. World crude oil prices have almost doubled in the past two years to reach an all-time high of US$100 per barrel, yet my Government has managed to moderate the impact on the domestic consumer.

5. The architecture of inclusive growth is further consolidated through the Eleventh Five Year Plan. The Plan has set a target of 9 per cent GDP growth for the country as a whole to be achieved in a manner that would provide equality of opportunity for quality education, for employment and for enterprise, free people from the burden of ill-health and eliminate discrimination.

6. The share of the Central Gross Budgetary Support allocation to key sectors is being substantially increased. The outlay on education goes up from 7.68% of the Central Gross Budgetary Support in the 10th Plan to over 19% in the 11th Plan. The outlays on agriculture, health and rural development have been tripled. Taken together with education, these sectors account for more than half of the Central Gross Budgetary Support as compared to less than 1/3rd in the 10th Plan. This is a major structural shift in plan priorities, aimed at reducing disparities and empowering people.

7. The Plan hopes to raise the total annual investment in infrastructure from 5% of GDP to 9%. Public sector investment will continue to play an important role in infrastructure development supplemented by private investment wherever feasible. My Government will augment the skills and resources needed for enabling marginalized groups and regions to benefit from the processes of growth.

8. My Government has been paying special attention to the welfare of our farmers and has reversed the decline in public investment in agriculture. The target set in the National Common Minimum Programme of doubling agricultural credit in three years has been substantially exceeded. The target set for 2007-08, of Rs. 2,25,000 crore, has already been achieved by December 2007. Government has taken up the revival of the Rural Cooperative Credit structure. Government had appointed an Expert Group on Agricultural Indebtedness under the chairmanship of Prof R. Radhakrishna and its report has since been received. The recommendations of the Group are under Government's active consideration.

9. To bring the "financially excluded" population within the formal banking system, banks have been directed to utilize the services of self-help groups (SHG), micro finance institutions and other civil society organizations to this end. Over 5 lakh self-help groups are being assisted under the Swarnajayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana and 52 per cent of the swarojgaris are women. Government has also introduced the Micro Financial Sector (Development and Regulation Bill) in Parliament. The Swarna Jayanti Shehari Rozgar Yojana is providing opportunities for skill development and employment for the urban poor, especially women.

10. My Government has taken two major initiatives for the agriculture sector in recent times: the National Food Security Mission and the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana. The National Food Security Mission has been set up to enhance the production of rice, wheat and pulses by 10, 8 and 2 million tonnes respectively during the 11th Plan period. The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, with an outlay of Rs. 25,000 crore for farm revival, aims at stepping up agricultural growth to 4 per cent in the 11th Plan by incentivising States to invest more in the sector.

11. With the efforts of my Government, there has been a substantial increase in agricultural production. The combined resources for Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Resources including a major Flood Management Programme will go up from Rs. 46,131 crores in the 10th Plan to Rs. 1,38,548 crore in the 11th Plan. My Government effected an unprecedented steep hike of over 50% in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for wheat and about 33% for paddy in the last four years.

12. My Government aims at tripling the size of the processed food sector by 2015, and doubling its share in global trade. To achieve these objectives, 30 Mega Food Parks and an Integrated Cold Chain will be established. A National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management is being set up at Kundli as a knowledge institution for the sector.

13. My Government has placed great emphasis on the empowerment of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes through increased access to education. Close to Rs. 900 crore have been provided for scholarships for about 30 lakh children belonging to the Scheduled Castes and an amount of over Rs. 225 crore has been provided for more than 10 lakh tribal children. The Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship and schemes for special coaching for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students are being actively implemented. The Indira Gandhi National Tribal University will be founded at Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh to promote studies and research in art, culture, tradition, languages, customs and medicinal systems of our tribal communities, besides promoting educational opportunities for tribal students.

14. The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act is a landmark legislation aimed at correcting the historical deprivations of the tribal and traditional forest dwellers and restoring to them their rights on land. State Governments have been requested to implement the provisions of this Act expeditiously.

15. With a view to provide social security to workers in the unorganized sector, who constitute a majority of our workforce, my Government has introduced the Unorganised Sector Social Security Bill, 2007. The Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana to provide health cover of Rs. 30,000 for every unorganized sector worker living below poverty line and for the family, the Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana to provide relief to about 1 crore families of rural landless labour in the first year itself and the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, entitling those below poverty line and above 65 years to a monthly pension of Rs. 200, have been launched. Government has also enhanced the National Floor Level Minimum Wage from Rs. 66 to Rs. 80 per day. The eligibility limit for payment of bonus to workers has been raised from Rs. 3,500 to Rs. 10,000 per month. Workers employed by building contractors have also been made eligible for payment of bonus.

16. My Government has put in place a National Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy with effect from October 2007 to address the long standing grievances of people displaced from their land by development projects. The policy provides for basic minimum requirements to be fulfilled in all the projects leading to involuntary displacement. In order to give statutory backing to the policy, a Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2007 and a Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill 2007 have also been introduced in Parliament.

17. Inclusive growth demands inclusive governance. The key instrument for this is panchayati raj. Government has strengthened panchayati raj through untied funds to support local area development planning in addition to reorienting delivery systems to work through panchayats. To address the problem of regional imbalances, my Government is helping less developed regions through the Backward Regions Grant Fund.

18. To provide access to justice, both civil and criminal, to our less privileged citizens at their doorstep, my Government has brought forward a legislation to establish Gram Nyayalayas.

19. The Prime Minister's New 15 Point Programme launched by my Government aims at ensuring that benefits of the development programmes flow equitably to the minorities. Certain proportion of development projects will be located in minority concentration areas and, wherever possible, 15 per cent of targets and outlays under various schemes would be earmarked for the minorities. To improve the economic and educational status of the minorities, several programmes have been launched based on the recommendations of the Sachar Committee Report. The 11th Plan provides Rs. 800 crore for Merit-cum-Means based scholarship for professional courses, nearly Rs. 3300 crore for post and pre-matric scholarship programmes for minority students and Rs. 3780 crore for the development of 90 minority concentration districts. The proportion of priority sector lending going to the minority communities will be stepped up from the present 9% to 15%. These initiatives are important pillars of the architecture of inclusive growth.

20. "Women hold up half the sky", it is said. Empowerment of women through female literacy is our single biggest challenge in the social sector. The National Literacy Mission will make acceleration of female literacy its key goal. We have moved closer to complete Legal Equality for Women in all spheres by removing discriminatory legislation, amending existing legislation and by enacting new legislation that gives women equal rights of ownership of assets like houses and land. Amendments are being considered to the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986, the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, and the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971. Laws pertaining to bonded labour, plantation labour, factory and migrant labour will also be made gender sensitive. Removal of age-old prejudices, particularly bias against women in society is the biggest challenge to achieve equality. My Government is committed to strictly enforce laws relating to dowry, female infanticide, female foeticide and human trafficking and to realize a gender-neutral India.

21. To ensure proper enforcement of children's rights, a National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has been set up. Government proposes to launch a series of measures designed to address the serious issue of malnutrition among a large number of our children.

22. Our sportspersons are increasingly making their mark in a range of games. Preparations for the Commonwealth Games 2010 are in full swing. My Government will also launch the "Panchayat Yuva Khel aur Krida Abhiyan" to promote sports and nurture talents at the block and village levels.

23. Hon'ble Members, as I mentioned earlier, the architecture of inclusive governance is defined by my Government's "flagship programmes". To strengthen the safety net provided by Government for those seeking employment in rural areas, it has been decided to expand the coverage of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act from 330 districts to cover all rural districts of the country from April 2008.

24. Under this Act, 2.7 crore people were provided employment till the middle of January 2008 during the current financial year. Transparency has been made critical to programme implementation through social audit and for the first time even muster rolls are put up on the Internet. The programme has been courting public scrutiny to ensure that benefits flow to those for whom they are intended. We are confident that with the active support of State Governments, panchayati raj institutions and civil society collaboration, the NREGA will achieve its ambitious goal.

25. The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan for elementary education is being strengthened with expansion of the midday meal programme for children to the Upper Primary level in 3479 educationally backward blocks of the country. My Government seeks to provide universal access to secondary education by supporting 6000 new high quality model schools, with one school in each block in the country to set standards of excellence that can be emulated. Higher education will receive massive investment in the 11th Plan with 30 new Central Universities, 370 new colleges in educationally backward districts, and expansion in the number of technical institutions with 8 new Indian Institutes of Technology, 20 new Indian Institutes of Information Technology, 7 new Indian Institutes of Management, and 2 more Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research in addition to the three started at Pune, Kolkata and Mohali. The National Skill Development Mission will ensure employability of our youth and address the skill deficit presently felt in some sectors of our economy.

26. The National Rural Health Mission has been expanding the public health infrastructure and services in the rural areas of our country. So far 1.38 lakh sub centres, 22,669 primary health centres, 3,947 community health centres and 540 district hospitals have been supported with resources under this Mission. Nearly 5 lakh ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists) and Link Health Workers are now in position in our villages. Rural sanitation coverage has improved significantly from 22% of rural households in 2001 to about 50% today through enhanced peoples' participation incentivised by the Nirmal Gram Puraskar.

27. Bharat Nirman has sought to connect rural India to growth opportunities through connectivity to roads, electricity and telephones. From 2005 till the end of 2007, 17,000 habitations have been connected by all weather roads, over 44,000 villages have been connected to electricity, 40 lakh houses have been constructed for the rural poor, 2 lakh habitations have been provided drinking water supply and more than 36 lakh hectares have been provided irrigation. During this period the target for telephone connectivity to all villages has almost been met, with only 14,000 villages remaining to be connected as of December 2007. Rural tele-density has improved dramatically.

28. The Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission has been widely welcomed by States and cities covered by it. Projects worth Rs. 25,287 crore are under implementation in 51 cities across 26 States. Under its Basic Services component, more than 8 lakh houses have been sanctioned for the urban poor. The Central Government will promote affordable Housing through the National Housing and Habitat Policy.

29. Rapid modernization and development of our infrastructure have been a priority for my Government. Various measures, including the allotment of coal blocks with the capacity to support 68,000 MW of power generation have been taken already. Nine sites have been identified in nine States for setting up coal-based Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPP) with capacity of 4000 MW each, and work has started on the Sasan and Mundhra projects. Modern and environment friendly technology will be used in these plants. Units 3 and 4 of the Tarapur Atomic Power Station, India's first 540 MWe nuclear power plant, were dedicated to the Nation in 2007, constituting a major milestone in our indigenous nuclear power programme.

30. Required policy initiatives are being taken to promote investment for the development of all sources of energy including hydro-power, other renewable energy and nuclear energy. National Policies on bio-fuels and renewable energy are being finalized. The Chief Ministers' Conference on Power Sector endorsed various initiatives aimed at capacity addition, economic pricing and power sector reform.

31. My Government has placed great emphasis on enhancing energy security through rapid exploration of domestic oil and gas reserves, combined with acquisitions abroad. Significant oil and gas reserves have been discovered in 15 blocks. The first commercial production of Coal Bed Methane began recently, and the first deepwater natural gas production will also commence in this year. Another 57 blocks are being offered through international competitive bidding under NELP-VII. Our oil companies are actively acquiring blocks overseas. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Authority has been made operational. The Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology has been set up to meet the shortfall of trained technical manpower in the petroleum sector.

32. A new Coal Distribution Policy has been notified to meet the full requirements of the defence, railway, power and fertilizer sectors. The increase of over 20% in the royalty on coal and lignite will benefit the producing States. A new Mineral Policy, which will greatly expand the investment and employment opportunities in mining, is under finalisation.

33. The six-laning of 6,500 kms of existing National Highways has been approved. Under NHDP Phase VI, 1000 kms of fully access controlled expressways will be constructed. Government has also approved widening and improvement of National and State highways in the North-Eastern region to ensure better connectivity to all the 85 district headquarters in the region. The traffic handled by the major ports has increased by over 13 per cent in the current year. With the approval of the new Model Concession Agreement for private sector participation in the major ports and revised guidelines for tariff setting for projects under the Public-Private Participation (PPP) model, investment in this sector is expected to get a fillip during the coming year.

34. My Government has achieved a major turnaround in the financial and technical performance of the Indian Railways. To further improve rail connectivity and infrastructure development, 22 stations located at metropolitan centres and major tourist centres will be developed through the Public-Private-Partnership route. The Mumbai-Delhi-Kolkata Dedicated Freight Corridor will be a landmark in railway infrastructure, and will also support massive industrialization alongside.

35. The civil aviation sector is witnessing an unprecedented boom with both passenger and cargo traffic increasing at an exponential rate. Government has given priority to upgradation and modernization of Airport infrastructure and to increase availability of skilled personnel in the sector. New international airports at Bangalore and Hyderabad will be inaugurated this year. Construction of new terminals at New Delhi and other Metros is underway. Air connectivity to different parts of the country, including North-East has been increased.

36. The Indian telecom sector has emerged as the fastest growing in the world with the addition of over 7 million subscribers per month. A scheme has been launched to provide support for setting up and managing telecom infrastructure in rural areas to affordably and quickly expand mobile telecom services.

37. My Government has identified growth of electronics and IT hardware manufacturing as a thrust area. A special scheme has been announced to encourage semiconductor fabrication and other micro and nano technology manufacturing industries. The National e-Governance Plan, to make Government transparent and citizen-friendly, is at an advanced stage of implementation all over the country. Use of information technology in about 13,000 district and subordinate courts across the country has been initiated. An Integrated National Knowledge Network to provide gigabit broadband connectivity will be set up to connect all institutions of higher learning and research in the country.

38. The climate for industrial development in our country continues to improve. To ensure that Indian industry generates more employment and becomes more globally competitive, Government has tasked the National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council to suggest appropriate policies. The competitive position of Indian industry, especially in sectors like steel and metallurgy, textiles, automobiles and auto components, pharmaceuticals and bio-technology, petrochemicals and cement, is stronger than ever before. India's merchandise exports have shown a healthy annual growth at the rate of over 25 per cent from US $ 84 billion in 2004-05 to US $ 126.4 billion in 2006-07. A stable policy framework and continuous effort by the Government to reduce trade barriers and transaction costs have created a favourable environment for international trade.

39. My Government has placed great emphasis on ensuring a turnaround in the performance of our Public Sector Undertakings. Revival packages have been approved for more than 25 sick and loss making companies. The Net Profit of Central PSUs has shown a healthy growth of over 17% last year. Profitability of public sector steel companies has gone up substantially from Rs. 5,373 crore in 2003-04 to Rs. 15,567 crore in 2006-07, energizing companies like Steel Authority of India Limited to go in for major expansion plans.

40. The Special Economic Zones promoted by Government have already provided direct employment to about 100,000 persons, with indirect employment estimated at twice as much. They have attracted investment of over Rs. 50,000 crores, and are expected to generate exports of Rs. 67,000 crores this year.

41. My Government is committed to the promotion of our Textile Industry. A technology mission on textiles will be implemented during the 11th Five Year Plan. Four Centres of excellence will be set up in key segments like Meditech, Geotech, Agritech and Buildtech. The Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme has been extended for the 11th Plan.

42. My Government has taken various measures to promote Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. This sector is vital to employment generation, entrepreneurship development and balanced regional development, and Government will continue to provide financial, infrastructural and marketing support to it.

43. Government has placed great emphasis on science and technology development, substantially increasing financial support to S&T in the 11th Plan. A Nano Technology Mission has been launched.

44. The Indian space programme continued its march towards achieving self-reliance in space technology. The indigenously developed cryogenic upper stage of the GSLV was successfully tested on November 15, 2007. The INSAT-4CR, using our own Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle and INSAT-4B were both launched in 2007. Our space programme has enabled us to extend tele-medicine, tele-education, tele-communications and other services both at home and abroad. A new Indian Institute of Space Technology has been established to build upon these successes. India's first unmanned Lunar Mission 'Chandrayan-I' is scheduled for launch later this year.

45. My Government acted with urgency on the issue of climate change and set up a Prime Minister's Council on Climate Change to plan and implement appropriate strategies for mitigating and adapting to climate change. A comprehensive National Action Plan on Climate Change is under preparation. India is willing to ensure that its per capita emissions shall at no time exceed the average per capita emissions of developed countries. At the Bali Conference on Climate Change, India constructively engaged with the international community to launch a comprehensive process on long-term cooperative action to deal with this issue in accordance with the provisions and principles of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The River Conservation Programme will be revamped to focus on cleaning of major rivers. An Earth Science Organisation Council has been created to guide policies of the newly created Ministry of Earth Sciences. A state of the art Tsunami Warning System has been commissioned.

46. On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the First War of Indian Independence, the Red Fort was added to UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites. I am happy to note that the sacred "Rigveda" was included in the "Memory of the World" Register last year.

47. Government has focused on strengthening All India Radio and Doordarshan services in J&K and the North-East. The Urdu Channel of Doordarshan has commenced 24x7 services. Frequency Modulated Radio Channels have seen a huge expansion with 152 channels already operating and expected to grow to 266 soon. Community radio has been given a major boost through a new policy. The Indian Entertainment and Media industry including sectors like Print, Television, Radio, Film and Entertainment, is witnessing huge growth, contributing to large employment generation.

48. Tourism has high potential for generating both income and employment across the country. The "Incredible India" campaign has given a thrust to tourism in India, with foreign tourist arrivals touching 5 million for the first time. Foreign exchange earnings from tourism have touched US$ 12 billion in 2007.

49. The overall internal security situation remains under control. My Government is fully alive to the threat of terrorism and Left-wing extremism. The entire nation stood as one in condemning inhuman acts of terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Assam. Government has been resolute in trying to stamp out Left-wing extremism. The Conference of Chief Ministers on Internal Security underscored the importance of Centre and the States working together to fight the menace of extremism and terrorism. Government is helping States affected by Left-wing extremism both on the internal security and the development and social empowerment fronts. Modernization of the police and security forces and of intelligence gathering systems is receiving high attention of Government.

50. In the face of extreme acts of violence against innocent people, including those near religious places, the people of India have stood as one in rejecting the politics of hatred. Their refusal to be provoked demonstrates once again the innate humanism of our people and their commitment to the unity and integrity of our nation, to our constitutional values of pluralism and secularism. It is largely due to this that an environment of communal harmony and amity prevails across the nation. My Government will remain ever vigilant against the machinations of any anti-social and anti-national groups seeking to disrupt law and order, communal harmony and the unity and integrity of our Republic.

51. My government, working with the State Governments, is pursuing a multi-pronged strategy to ensure peace, normalcy and development in Jammu & Kashmir. The Prime Minister's Reconstruction Plan is being implemented vigorously with focus on improving connectivity and infrastructure, including power, and generating employment. As part of this Plan a Housing Project for Kashmiri Migrants is under implementation in the State.

52. You are aware that my Government had held a series of Round Table Conferences with all segments of population in Jammu & Kashmir. These deliberations reflect a wide-ranging civic and political consensus on political and developmental issues. Government is working on a holistic approach aimed at confidence building amongst all sections of society, easier travel across the Line of Control, better governance and closer attention to the aspirations of the people of Jammu & Kashmir.

53. Improving connectivity, expanding infrastructure and generating employment have been the focus of my Government's initiatives in the North Eastern Region. The North Eastern Council has been collaborating with the Airports Authority of India to upgrade 18 airports in the North Eastern Region. Greenfield Airports will be built in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The North Eastern Council has taken the initiative to establish a dedicated airline for the region. Special Accelerated Roads Development Programme in North East (SARDP-NE), with a funding of Rs. 43,000 crore, has been formulated to construct, improve and widen roads in the region. A Trans-Arunachal Pradesh Highway will be constructed across the length of the State. A comprehensive plan for improving availability of power in the region is in the making. Broadband and wireless connectivity is being further enhanced to improve communications networks. New initiatives in education include setting up of new Universities and other institutions of national importance. Industrial development is being promoted through the North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy. Work on the Assam Gas Cracker Project, which will further contribute to the industrial development of the region, has started.

54. Government attaches great importance to the achievements of the People of Indian Origin in different parts of the world, and their contributions to the Nation. In recognition of their contributions, several initiatives have been taken up. The first People of Indian Origin University is on the anvil. To tap the resources of the Indian diaspora it has been decided to establish the Prime Minister's Global Advisory Council of People of Indian Origin. To facilitate potential migrant workers and help those overseas workers who are in distress, an "Overseas Workers Resource Centre" and the "Council for Promotion of Overseas Employment" are being set up.

55. My Government has taken several steps to promote the modernization and welfare of our armed forces and ensure defence preparedness of the country. Our armed forces safeguard our frontiers, help in maintaining peace and security in insurgency affected areas and provide valuable aid to the civil authority in disaster management and in providing required relief and rehabilitation. The Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007, would provide a meaningful opportunity to service personnel for judicial review of Court Martial decisions and grievances relating to service matters. The successful launch of Agni-III Missile and the induction of BrahMos Missile System into our armed forces constitute major milestones in the upgradation of our defence technology.

56. The foreign policy of my Government seeks to promote an environment of peace and stability in our region and in the world to facilitate accelerated socio-economic development and safeguard our national security. Government has made vigorous efforts to develop friendly and cooperative relations with all our neighbours and to strengthen engagement with major powers. Since the 14th SAARC summit in New Delhi in April 2007, India has made every effort to strengthen SAARC, moving it from a declaratory to an implementation phase. Progress has been registered towards the establishment of the SAARC Development Fund, the South Asia University and the SAARC Food Bank.

57. Our goal remains a peaceful, stable and prosperous neighbourhood. India is committed to extending full support to Nepal's development during its political transition. India also stands ready to assist the Nepalese people's choices in the transition to a democratic, stable and prosperous State. As a close and friendly neighbour, India would prefer to see a peaceful, stable and liberal democratic Bangladesh. It is our hope that the people of Bangladesh will be able to exercise their will through free and fair elections for restoration of full democracy. There has been an unfortunate increase in violence in Sri Lanka. We are clear that there can be no military solution to the ethnic issue. It is necessary to find a negotiated political settlement within the framework of a united Sri Lanka that is acceptable to all sections of society. We will continue to help Afghanistan in whatever manner we can in its reconstruction and in building a pluralistic and prosperous society. We are committed to peace, friendship and good neighbourly relations with Pakistan. A stable and prosperous Pakistan, at peace with itself, is in the interests of our entire region. When conditions permit we will resume our dialogue process with Pakistan, aimed at building mutual confidence and resolving outstanding issues, premised on an atmosphere free from terror and violence. We hope that Myanmar's on-going national reconciliation and political reform process and the recognition of the need to expedite the process will make it more inclusive so as to ensure peaceful and stable democratization.

58. India attaches high importance to its bilateral relations with the People's Republic of China, with which we have a Strategic and Cooperative Partnership for Peace and Prosperity. This partnership has been further enhanced and given a global dimension with the signing of a Shared Vision for the 21st Century during the visit of the Prime Minister to China last month. Peace and tranquility have been maintained on our border with China and both countries are determined that this should continue.

59. My Government has made rapid improvements in our relationships with the major powers of the world. Our relations with the United States of America have improved in the past few years, and now span a wide spectrum including high technology, space, agriculture, education and trade and other linkages. It is our hope that civil nuclear cooperation with the USA and other friendly countries will become possible. Government has been working to further develop the time-tested friendship with Russia. The visit of Prime Minister to Moscow in November 2007 contributed to further strengthening our strategic partnership with Russia. We attach importance to our relations with the member states of the EU individually as well as collectively. The 8th India-EU Summit was held in New Delhi in November 2007. Most recently Prime Minister of UK visited India and the President of France was the Chief Guest at our Republic Day.

60. Government has achieved significant progress in the implementation of its "Look East Policy" through participation in the ASEAN-India and the East Asia Summits in Singapore in November 2007. India continues to work with Japan to strengthen its partnership. India's increasing engagement with countries of Africa and Latin America received further impetus with the visit of the Prime Minister to Nigeria in October 2007 and the visits of the Presidents of Brazil and Mexico to India in 2007. Prime Minister led the Indian delegation to the 2nd IBSA Summit held in Pretoria in October 2007. India will host the first India-Africa Forum Summit in April this year.

61. We have considerably enhanced our interactions with countries of the Gulf region that is home to over 4.5 million Indians and is an important economic partner and a major source for our oil and gas imports. The countries of West Asia have age-old links with India culturally and economically and are part of our extended neighbourhood. Developments in this vital region impact directly on our interests and security. India is keen on cooperating with these countries to promote peace and stability in the region. Government has been closely following events in Iraq and hopes that peace and stability would soon return in Iraq. Government has also supported a rejuvenated Israeli-Palestinian dialogue and looks forward to a peaceful resolution of issues leading to an independent state of Palestine living side by side at peace with its neighbours. Sadly, recent events in Gaza and the West Bank have caused deplorable misery and hardship to the people of Palestine. India will extend additional assistance to the Palestinian people and stands ready to help the peace process to move