APPROPRIATION (RAILWAYS) BILL-, 1993
[English]
THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS (SHRI C.K. JAFFER SHARIEF): Sir, I beg to move for leave to introduce Bill to authorise payment and appropriation of certain sums from and out of the Consolidated Fund of India for Services for the Financial year 1993-94 for the purposes of Railways.
MR. SPEAKER: The question is:
"That leave be granted to introduce a Bill to authorise payment and appropriation of certain sums from and out of the Consolidated Fund of India for the services of the Financial Year 1993-94 for the purposes of Railways.
The Motion was adopted.
SHRI C.K. JAFFER SHARIEF: Sir, I introduce the Bill.
485 Appropriation (,Rlys.)
SHRI C.K. JAFFER SHARIEF: Sir, I beg to move:* *
"That the Bill to authorise payment and appropriation of certain sums from and out of the Consolidated Fund of India for the services of the Financial year 1993-94 for the purposes of Railways, be taken into consideration. "
MR. SPEAKER: Motion moved:
'That the Bill to authorise payment and appropriation of certain sums from and out of the Consolidated Fund of India for the services of the Financial Year 1993-94 for the purposes of Railways, be taken into consideration."
MAJ. GEN. (RETD. ) BHUWAN CHANDRA KHANDURI (Garhwal): Sir, instead of taking up all the cut motions, we should only speake on a few out motions which we think are important.
MR. SPEAKER: Okay. Mr. Ram Naik.
SHRI RAM NAIK (Bombay North): I have two questions. One question was raised about the Konkan Railway work in Goa being given a stay by the Prime Ministcr. To that, no reply has been given. I want to.know whether stay has been given or not. If it is given, why it has been given.
Point member two, I have specifically asked to have separate autonomous corporation for Bombay Surburban Railway service. To that also, no reply has come.
[Translations)
SHRI NITISH KUMAR (Barh): Mr. Speaker, Sir, you might be
remembering it
No. 2 Bill 1993 486
very well...
MR. SPEAKER Nitish ji, you may ask in the same way as the hon.
Member has asked just now.
SHRI NITISH KUMAR: I would like to just remind you that the hon.
Members belonging to Bihar, Orissa and other States had expressed their resentment when the hon. Minister of Railways was replying to the discussion on the last Railway Budget and the hon. Prime Minister had said that if there was any such imbalance, he would look into the matter on his own and would remove the imbalance. Unfortunately the imbalance still exists. During our speeches and discussions were tried to draw the attention of the hon. Minister to the matter like construction of a rail-bridge across the rive Ganga in Patna, extension of the train running between Bakhtiyarpur and Rajgir to Gaya, construction of Buddhist circuit and constrction of double tracks between Patna and Gaya etc. But the hon. Minister did not reply to any of these questions. Whether it is the matter of gauge conversion, or construction of double tracks or introduction of new trains, the Ministry of Railways has neglected Bihar on all these scores and nothing new has been done even after repeated requests nor any reply has been given to any of these points. 'The hon. Minister has said about survey conducted for constuciton of double railway tracks between Gaya and Patna. A survey in this regard was already conducted during the tenure of Shri Madhavrao, Scindia as the Minister of Railways. To talk of conducting means into to do anything or to postpone the work for future. That is way it is said all the time that a survey will be conducted prior-permission is a pre-requisite before taking up a work.
Through you I want to know from the hon. Minister of Railways categorically that keeping in view the imbalance to which attention has not been paid the Railway
487 Appropriation (Rlys.)
[Sh. Nitish Kumar]
Budget, what is his opinion on my four points, I have raised here, namely construction of double railway tracks between Patna and Gaya, extension of Bakhtiyorpur-Rajgir line to Gaya and constructin of railway bridge across the Ganga river in Patna.
[English]
SHRI SRIKANTA JENA (Cuttack): Last time also,.when the Railway budget was discussed, we raised about the problems of Orissa and the Prime Minister assured on that day, 'Whether imbalance has been done that will be diluted and I will try my best to see that Orissa gets due share from the Railway Budget".
You will be surprised that Orissa contributes highest revenue to the South Eastern Railway and South Eastern Railway gives highest money to the Indian Railways. But Orissa gets least so far as allot- ment from the Railway Budget is Concerned About Khurda-Bolangir rail link, the Orissa Government has written letters to the Prime Minister and the Railway Minister that for earth work whatever money is required the Orissa Government will mobilise funds and they will do earth work. At least, the Government of India and the Ministry of Railways should accept the proposal that will really link the Western Orissa with the Eastern Orissa where the entire tribal belt will benefited.Every day people are dying in that area. At least, people will get some work. On that basis, when we discussed this matter in the Consultative committee also, the Minister assured 'We will take up this matter in 199394 Budget, Khurda-Bolangir line will be taken upon.
Now the Minister says that it will be sent to the Planning Commission and again a survey will be made. The survey was made 20 years back.
Everything is ready. The only thing is, it has to be okeyed by the Planning Commission and the Railway Minister. If you look at the Railway map of India. Orissa is lowest in every respect. There is no rail link. no employment in the
No. 2 Bill 1993 488
Railways. Not a single pipe has been given for electrification. For gauge conversion in Orissa , not a single pie has been given. This is the position. The people of Orissa are agitated. Even the ruling Party Members, because of the pressure of the people there also came to the well of the House on this issue. So far as Orissa is concerned, Railway is deliberately neglecting it. We are 21 Members from Orissa. But in U.P. Bihar Maharashtra and other States, their number is more and they can raise their voice. So far as U.P. is concerned Atal ji is there. They can raise their voice and mobilise these things.
Fortunately, I think, the Prime Minister has given the port folio of Minister of State for Railways to him and probably he throught that the imbalance could really be removed by the Minister in that respect.
That will not solve the problem. Last time we have got assurance from the prime minister. So, I request the Prime Minister to see person- ally that Orissa gets its due share from the ministry. So far, it has been neglected deliberately. I again repeat this. The Central Government has deliberatey neglected Orissa as far as railways is concerned.
SHRIMATI SUSEELA GOPALAN (Chirayinkil): Last time also, we had protested against the discrimination shown to Kerala. This time it is much more. Last time it was Rs.70 crores. But this time, what is actually done is,from Tamil Nadu,- Erode, one line is there to Emakulam. From there electrification has stated. But not a pie is spent in Kerala; After three or four Years, it will come to-Kerala.
At least, at this rate Rs.16 crores is set a part for that. It means that after only ten years, that electrification will be completed.
That actually is not going to benefit Kerala at present. The rest of the amount is Rs.6 crores only. All the ruling party members here focussed on the question of doubling of the line from Mangalore to Shovanur and from Kayamkulam to Trivandrum. For all that, only Rs.3 crores and one lakh were given. Now the Railway Minister
489 Appropriation (Rlys.)
announced that some thing will be done. But this is the most vital Ong. There are no new lines laid. he are demanding many lines. But we are not pressing. The doubling of the line should be taken up and should be completed. in the Konkan railway, when it is finished, we will benefit only if this is doubled. We demand that some amount for that shouid be allotted. Prime minister gave us the assurance that it will be done and that regional imbalances will be actually removed.
But because cut motions and everything is passed, so nothing can be done Pow. But he will see that regional imbalance is not there. But that is not done. it is criminal negligence of Kerala. That cannot be tolerated we must get an assurance from the Prime Minister that justice will be done This doubling from Mangalore to Trivandrum should be there. That is for what we demand more amount of Rs.3,00,01,000/-.
SHRI P.C. THOMAS (Muvattupuzha). We all want this one. Only Rs.
3.00,01,000,1
MR. SPEAKER: Yes.
SHRI P.C. THOMAS: Please give this amount.
[Translation]
SHRI ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE (Lucknow) : Mr. Speaker, Sir, there is one railway workshop in my constituency Lucknow where the repairing of the steam locomotives is done. But now a decision has been taken to gradually replace all the steam locomotives by diesel and electric locornotives then what would be the fate of three thousand employees working in the said workshop? I have come to know that half of them would be absorbed after imparting training to them and the rest half would be retrenched. There is a wide-spread discontent there and my opponents .are compaigning that those employees are being punished because they voted in my favour.
[English]
SHRI RUPCHAND PAL:(Hooghly]. As
No. 2 Bill 1993 490
a result of phasing out of steam locos, a large number or people who nave beer working in the steam loco works. in coal and ash handling activity, are jbless. A large number of the affected workers are in my constituency. On 4th March. the Supreme Court had given some directive to the railways that they be given employment. Although they have been working under contractors, their job is of a permanent nature. The Government should abide by the directive of the Supreme Court and I hope the hon. Minister should respond.
Secendly.as a result of criminal neglect of Eastern part of India and particularly West Bengal, a large number of projects which have been under construction long backeven Mrs, Gandhi had inaugurated some of then-are not compled. Still in this Budget, you will find there is Po provision Bujbuj Narnkhana, Digha Tumlok, Eklaki Balughat etc projects. They have been neglected.
As a protest against this neglect, tomorrow, in West Bengal and in many other parts they are going in for rail roko agitation pro- testing against the injustice and the discrimination done to them by this Government. I hope the Government would respond to the just demands of the people of the NorthEastern part of this country.
(Interruptions)
[Translation]
SHRI PIUS TIRKEY (Alipurdars): The North-Eastern Frontier Railway is the most important area of India. No provision has, however, been made for this Railway in the Railway Budget. This railway line connects Assam and hilly ares in the East, That is the border are. it covers th remote area of our neighbouring countries Bhutan and Nepal. The North Eastern Frontier Railway holds further significance since it is in Arunachal Pradesh near the border of China and Tibet. There is no question of electrification there, even the work of constructing double tracks, which had begun earlier. has new come to a stands till.
Alipurouars function is a very important
491 Appropriation (Rlys.)
[Sh. Pius Tirkey]
railway junction. There was a steam locomotive workshop there which is to be replaced by a diesel locomotive workshop. But nothing has been done in this regard as yet. I would like to know the facts in this regard from the hon. Minister.
DR. LAXMINARAYAN PANDEYA (Mandsaur): I had placed my views before you thorough my speech and Cut Motion on not releasing adequate funds for the already approved lndore-:Doha rail-line and for gauge conversion of Neemuch-Ratlam railway line and also on Satna-Rewa- Etawah railway linen as also on Dewras-Maksi railway line which are essential for the development of backward and tribal areas of Madhya Pradesh. The hon. Minister has neither made any reply to my point about construction of the over-bridge no to my point about passenger amenities, particularly to my points about increase in fare of suburban trains and passenger fare.
I would like the hon. Minister to make a reply to all these points and release adequate funds. The hon, Minister should also reply to my point about laying railway lines in predominantly tribal areas.
[English]
SHRI PETER G. MARBANIANG (Shillong): Mr.Speaker, Sir, the Members of Parliament of the North Eastern Region have made so many demands during the discussion. But he has not replied anything about those demands. Last year, in the Budget Estimates, there was a plan to extend the broad gauge line from Guwahati to Lumding. But. however, this year. there is no budget proposal relating to the extension of the Guwahati-Lumding line. Anyhow, there is only a mention of Lumding Dibrugarh line. How will they go on extending tne line if it is so?
We have only one broad-gauge line up to Guwahati only. We have also demanded a Divisional Headquarters at Rangyia. In this Connection, I would like to say that we have been asking for it for the last 20 yeas, No
No. 2 Bill 1993 492
action has been taken. Further, we need a super fast train service like the Rajadhani service from Guwahati to Delhi and vice verse. I hope the hon. Minister would respond favou rably. (interruptions SHRI AMAL DATTA ( Diamond Harbour): Sir, the Railways are
neglecting the needs of the city of Calcutta for a very long time.
Since the electrification of the suburban railways of Calcutta-Howrah in the 1950, nothing further has been done by the Railways to see that the people can ingress into the city and agreess from the city comfortably. As a result of this the city is choking with people who are trying to live and work there. The people who work in Calcutta cannot live very much outside because of the very poor train services.
This is the duty of the Railways to see that these serves for which the Railways themselves have been sending recommendations are made available. The Zonal Railways have sent a number of recommendations for doubling the line, tripleline and quadruple-line and all that.
But nothing has been heeded by the- government for a very long time.
I have suggested to the Railway Minister myself that there should be a survey on the needs of the city on the basis of the survey done for the Bomby suburban line by the RITES in the year 1990. Even that work has not been started. That should have been commissioned.Then he would have understood what is the need on the basis of the surrey done by a subsidiary of the Railways itself. Let the Minister respond to this and assure us that the survey at last will be commissioned immediately.
[Translation]
SHRI CHHEDI PASWAN (Sasaram): Mr. Speaker. Sir, I support the views expressed by Shri Nitish Kumar. (interruptions)
SHRI TEJ NARAYAN SINGH (Buxar)We are not provided with an opportunity to speak in the House. (Interruptions).
MR. SPEAKER: You may sit down. You
493 Appropriation (Rlys.)
are always given a chance to speak.
[English]
Please understandthatforwholeof the night we were sitting. Now we have allowed those Members who have moved the cut motions to have their say. If everybody with out giving the cut motions wants to speak,then 545 Members have to be allowed. The cannot be allowed. I am allowing you. (Interruptions)
[Translation]
SHRI TAJ NARAYAN SINGH: I have also given a cut motion that is why I am saying.
MR. SPEAKER: you may sit down, you are always given time to speak but you level charge that others are allowed to speak. I will allow you some time to speak. You please sit down.
[English]
This is humanly impossible to keep the patience.
[Translation]
I cannot allow both of you at the same time. It will help me if you please sit down.
SHRI CHHEDI PASWAN: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I support the views
expressed by the hon. Member Shri Nitish Kumar and I will conclude after raising one point. From the very beginning, Bihar has been the most neglected state and particularly the Grand code line is the most neglected area in Bihar. There is only one train available on this line and that too reaches here during night time and therefore there is no train. The exploration of most of the natural resources of Bihar is done through this line only but there is no train available for the local people.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, we demand from the hon. Minister that this than should be started from Grand code Line.,If there is any people in this regard then he should start a new train
No. 2 Bill 1993 494
from Gaya to this place. Mr. Speaker, Sir, after independence, new trains are being introduced all over the country but in our area Sasram-Aara Light railway of Martin and Company too was closed down therefore, I request the hon. Minister to restore this service immediately. Besides, Bokaro and Madras Express sable at Bokaro for 22 hours. So it should be extended upto Gaya, which is an intentional tourist centre. I will be beneficial for the people of Bihar. with these words, I conclude. (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Mr. TeJ Narayan Singh, you always make a complaint' that you are, not allowed to speak.
(Interruptions)
SHRI TEJ NARAYAN SINGH: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I have given a cut motion. About 20 thousand Railway workers, who have worked for 500 dyes, have been removed from service, although the Supreme Court had ordered to prepare a panel in respect-of these laborers yet the Railway Department did not form even a panel as yet. When will you provide them jobs.l have given a cut motion.l would like to know from the hon, Minister as to when he is going to provide jobs to them.
Late Shri Kedar Pandey, when he was the Railway Minister had given an assurance to Convert the Sasaram Light Railway into a Broad gauge line but after his death his assurance was not fulfilled. I have given a motion and I would like to know from the Minister thorough you as to when it will be converted into a broad gauge line.