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SYNOPSIS OF DEBATES

(Proceedings other than Questions & Answers)

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Monday, July 24, 2000/Sravana 2, 1922 (Saka)

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MR. SPEAKER : This House wishes to place on record its profound sorrow and grief at the passing away of President Hafez-Al-Assad of the Syrian Arab Republic on the 10^th June, 2000.

President Assad was a towering figure in the Arab world who led Syria for more than three decades and put Syria on the path of development and stability and brought economic prosperity to his country. During his tenure, Indo-Syrian bilateral relations were marked by the warmth and friendship. The people of India will always hold President Assad in the highest esteem, and view his demise as an irreparable loss of a long time friend. We deeply mourn the loss of President Hafez-Al-Assad.

This House also wishes to convey its heartfelt sympathy to the people and Government of Syrian Arab Republic and to the members of the family of the late President.

Shri Rajesh Pilot was a sitting Member of Lok Sabha representing Dausa Parliamentary Constituency of Rajasthan. He was earlier a Member of Seventh, Eighth, Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth Lok Sabha from 1980 to 1989 and 1991 to 1999. During 1999 to 2000, Shri Pilot was a member of Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Public Accounts.

Shri Pilot served in the Union Council of Ministers with distinction during 1985 to 1989 and 1991 to 1996 in various capacities. Hailing from an agriculturist family, he served as Fighter Pilot in the Indian Air Force for fifteen years.

A renowned social and political worker, Shri Pilot was an effective administrator and an able parliamentarian. He lost no opportunity to focus the attention of the House to the problems faced by the peasants, ex-servicemen and the deprived sections of the society. Even as an Opposition leader, he maintained decorum while being critical. He was a leader of the masses, a person who would always speak his mind without fear or favour. Shri Rajesh Pilot's impeccable integrity is worthy of emulation. He was a Member who regularly filed his Annual Return in respect of both movable and immovable assets with the Lok Sabha Secretariat, even though he was not required to do so. At the time of devastating cyclone in Orissa during October-Novemebr, 1999, he offered a contribution of Rs.10 lakh out of the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Fund for the help and rehabilitation of cyclone-affected people in Orissa, which was supported by the entire House.

A man of letters, Shri Pilot authored two books, namely "Flight to Parliament" and "In the Public". A staunch nationalist, Shri Pilot fought against all forces of separatism and cult of violence in society even at the risk of his own life.

Shri Rajesh Pilot's sudden and untimely demise has left the nation numb with shock and grief. A promising political career of an upright down to earth and self-made man was cut short when he met with an accident and died in Jaipur, Rajasthan, on 11 June, 2000 at the young age of 55 years.

Shri Laisram Jogeswar Singh was a Member of First Lok Sabha from 1952 to 1957 representing Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency of Manipur.

A well-known social and political worker, Shri Laisram Jogeswar Singh was elected to the Manipur State Constitution Making Committee in 1946. He was also a nominated member of Manipur State Advisory Council during 1950 but resigned due to some differences with the Chief Commissioner.

An active social worker, he was associated with various organisations in the State in different capacities.

A man of letters, he authored the first "Geography of the Manipur State" and a number of poems in Manipuri.

Shri Laisram Jogeswar Singh passed away on 8 May, 2000 at Imphal at the age of 88.

Shri Dalbir Singh was a member of Seventh, Eighth and Tenth Lok Sabha from 1980 to 1989 and 1991 to 1996 representing Shahdol Parliamentary Constituency of Madhya Pradesh. Earlier Shri Singh was a member of Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly from 1972 to 1977.

An able administrator, Shri Dalbir Singh served in the Union council of Ministers as Minister of State in the Ministry of Urban Development from September 1985 to December, 1989 and in the Ministry of Finance from June, 1991 to January, 1993. He was also a member of the Committee on Subordinate Legislation during 1982-83.

An agriculturist and advocate by profession, Shri Dalbir Singh was an active political and social worker. He worked relentlessly for the upliftment of the backward classes. Shri Dalbir Singh passed away on 2 June, 2000 at Beena, Madhya Pradesh at the age of 56.

Shrimati Akbar Jahan Abdullah was a member of Sixth and Eighth Lok Sabha from 1977 to 1979 and 1984 to 1989 from Srinagar and Anantnag Parliamentary constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir. An active social and political worker, Shrimati Abdullah worked relentlessly for the welfare of children and women. She was also instrumental in organizing peace Committees in Srinagar during 1946. Shrimati Abdullah had the distinction of being the first President of Jammu and Kashmir Red Cross Society from 1947 to 1951. She also ably served as Chairman of State Level Committee of International Year of Women, 1975 and President of all India Family Welfare Association, State Branch, 1976 and All India Women’s Conference, State Branch in 1977. Shrimati Akbar Jahan Abdullah died on 11 July, 2000 in Srinagar at the age of 83. We deeply mourn the loss of these friends and I am sure the House will join me in conveying our condolences to the bereaved families.

As the hon. Members are also aware, several persons met with untimely death in the tragedy caused by torrential rains in various parts of the country particularly in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh. Many people have been rendered homeless and there has been a heavy loss of property. In another mishap 55 persons died when Caluctta-Patna-Lucknow-Delhi bound Alliance Air Boeing CD-7412 crashed at Chitkohra near Patna at 7.30 a.m. on 16^th July, 2000. We deeply mourn the loss of lives in these tragedies and the House may place on record its deep sense of grief in this regard.

THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI L.K. ADVANI): I offer tributes to the memory of President of Syria, Hafej- Al- Assad , our colleagues Shri Rajesh Pilot, Shri Laisram Jogeswar Singh, Shri Dalbir Singh and Smt. Akbar Jahan Abdullah on behalf of the Government, the NDA my party and on my own behalf. During the last session while a discussion was going on on the demands of grants of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Shri Rajesh Pilot initiated the discussion on behalf of the opposition. While replying to the debate, I had said that though there was sharp criticism in his submission, each and every sentence he uttered and the suggestion he made was constructive. He was elected to the Lok Sabha for six times and I continuously found him to be loyal to the Parliamentary democracy. He served the country in the way it should be done, solved people's problems by establishing contact with them and took a nationalist outlook to help the weaker sections of the society.

Death is always painful. The untimely death of Shri Pilot is really very very painful. With his sudden demise the Indian politics has lost a rising leader. A strong pillar of Parliament has fallen along with his death. He was very candid and had the capacity of speaking the truth. He was very dear to all for all these qualities.

I had no personal relation with Shri Laisram Jogeswar Singh, the late member of the First Lok Sabha but I had personal contact with Shri Dalbir Singh and Begum Adbullah. We had gone to J&K very recently after Begum Abdullah's death. The people of the State who felt that she had largely contributed for keeping J&K as an integral part of India, held her in high esteem. I offer my tributes to all of them.

SHRIMATI SONIA GANDHI : After the passing away of President Hafez-Al-Assad of Syria, history as it was turned a new page. President Assad was a fierce nationalist and an ardent champion of the Arab cause. He was also among the leading Statesmen of the Non-Aligned Movement. A close and warm friend of India, he stood by us through all the long years that he served as the Leader of his country. On behalf of the Congress Party and on my own behalf, I would like to place on record my sorrow and my condolences to President Al-Assad's family and to the people of the Republic of Syria.

The untimely tragic demise of Shri Rajesh Pilot in a car accident shocked us all. Not only the Congress Party, but his followers, his admirers throughout the country and this House which he represented for six terms have lost a most dynamic and dedicated leader. His deep concern for the poor, for the farmers, for the labourers, for the backward classes in general, his frank and candid demeanour earned him a very special place in the hearts of the people of our country. On Shri Rajesh Pilot's passing away we mourn the loss of a leader of great capability and promise. We shall all miss him greatly. He is no longer amongst us. But his memory and his work will endure. Once again, I would like to convey my condolences to Shri Rajesh Pilot's widow Smt. Rama Pilot and to his children and all other members of his family.

Begum Akbar Jahan Abdullah had been a most prominent Member of this House. Begum Akbar Jahan Abdullah fought relentlessly for the social upliftment of her people and for their rights. She is remembered, above all, for her humanitarian outlook, for her compassion and for her vision. With her passing away an era has ended. On behalf of the Congress Party and on my own behalf I would like to convey my deep-felt condolences to Dr. Farooq Abdullah, to his family and to the people of Jammu & Kashmir.

I would also like to condole the families of the late Laisram Jogeswar Singh, the late Dalbir Singh. We have had some tragic accidents in the recent past. One of course was the accident in Mumbai followed by the air crash in Patna and by a flood situation in many areas of the North- East and Bihar where many many of our countrymen have lost their lives. I would like to convey my condolences to all the families of those who have lost their dear ones.

SHRI SOMNATH CHATTERJEE: I associate on behalf of my Party and on my own behalf with what has been spoken by the Hon. Speaker the Home Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. When I got the information of the tragic news, it was difficult to believe that a leader of his amiability, his broad-heartedness and his passion for service to the common people would no longer be in this House. I remember that on many occasions he would express his agony over the state of affairs in the country. It is by dint of his own efforts, his own merit, and his own dedication that he came up and occupied a position in the hearts of the people not only as a Minister but as a Member of Parliament also. It will be very difficult to fill the void that has been created. It is not a loss to the Congress Party alone but to the country and to this Parliament as well. I sincerely mourn the loss and convey condolences and sorrow, on behalf of my party and myself, to the Members of his family.

I also pay my tribute to the memory of President Assad of Syria who has been a friend of this country. We wish the Government and the people of Syria progress and development and we wish to convey our message of condolences and sympathy to the friendly people and the Government of Syria.

Shri Dalbir Singh and Begum Abdullah both made significant contribution to the development of democracy and in the functioning of this House. I mourn their passing away. I also mourn the loss of Shri Jogeshwar Singh and condole his passing away.

SHRI K. YERRANNAIDU: In the death of Shri Rajesh Pilot, the country has lost an able administrator and a great parliamentarian. I associate myself with the views and feelings expressed by leaders of all political parties who spoke before me. He always advocated for the upliftment of the weaker sections. His behaviour in the House was so dignified that every young parliamentarian should know. He never crossed the limits. He never violated the rules and procedure. He was an honest person. He always fought corruption.

On behalf of my parliamentary party and my own behalf, I convey my heart-felt condolences to the bereaved family members of Shri Rajesh Pilot.

I also share the grief and sorrow expressed by other hon. Members over the death of three other former Members of the House, namely, Shri Laisram Jogeswar Singh, Shri Dalbir Singh and Shrimati Jahan Abdullah.

SHRI MULAYAM SINGH YADAV: I associate myself and my party with what hon. Speaker has said and also what has been spoken by the Home Minister. I also pay my tribute to the memory of President Assad of Syria and wish to convey our condolences and sympathy to the people of Syria.

Shri Rajesh Pilot was born in a farmer's family and joined the armed forces for the safety and security of the country. Later on he joined politics. He was elected as a Member of Parliament for six consecutive terms. A special characteristic of his life was that he never forgot his village and the poor farmers and dedicated himself to the cause of the poor and the farmers.

He never missed any opportunity of expressing his views even if the issue was related to his own party or any other party. He was an upright man. I had a very good personal relation with him. On many occasions he used to discuss issues related to the farmers. He was a brave and an honest leader who had carved out a niche for himself. He was a talented and an able leader. He used to raise the issues in the House emphatically. Today I am very sorry to say that such an able leader has left us. I express my condolence on behalf of myself and my party. I want my condolences to be conveyed to his family, relatives and well wishers.

I was not acquainted with Shri Laisram Jogeswar Singh yet I express my condolences to the bereaved family.

I had met Shri Dalbir Singh once or twice. He also served the country in this House through his talent.

Shrimati Akbar Jahan Abdullah belonged to a family which struggled a lot and the country is well aware of it. Her husband Shri Sheikh Abdullah was engaged in a struggle on the issue related to Kashmir. It was she who extended her full support and inspired him to go ahead with the struggle. I also pay my tributes to her.

SHRI CHANDRA SHEKHAR : I associate myself with the sentiments

expressed by hon. Home Minister, hon. Leader of the Opposition and other Leaders. All these persons had excelled in their own fields and they have did a great service to the society. Shri Rajesh Pilot was an emerging leader whose death has caused a great loss to the nation and it is also a perosonal loss to me. I pay my tributes to the departed soul and express my heart felt condolences to the bereaved family.

KUMARI MAYAWATI: I on behalf of my party and on my own behalf express heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of President Hafez Al-Assad of Syrian Arab Republic. All the Members of Parliament mourn the sad demise of Shri Rajesh Pilot. After entering into the politics Shri Pilotji not only struggled for the downtrodden and backward people but for the farmers too. He was a bold and an outspoken leader. Once again on his sad demise I convey my deep sorrow to the bereaved family.

SHRI P.H. PANDIYAN: On behalf of the All India Anna DMK Party and on my own behalf, I express my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of Shri Rajesh Pilot. He was a simple person with pleasant manners. He had a resolute mind. He served in various capacities in different Ministries. It is a loss to the House and more so to the Congress Party. His versatile personality should be inculcated by the youth of India today. He had aspirations and he had the pulse of the common man of this country. He served the common people. He was a rising star as far as his behaviour in the House is concerned. I also associate myself with the sentiments expressed on the passing away of Shrimati Akbar Jahan Abdullah, wife of Tiger of Jammu & Kashmir, Sheikh Abdullah, Mr. Hafez-Al-Assad, President of Syria. Shri Laisram Jogeshwar Singh, Member, First Lok Sabha and Shri Dalbir Singh, Member, Tenth Lok Sabha.

SHRI SHARAD PAWAR: I associate myself and my party with the condolences expressed on passing away of the President of Syria, Shri Assad, our colleague Shri Rajesh Pilot, Shri Jogeswar Singh, Shri Dalbir Singh and Begum Abdullah. Shri Assad served his country for four decades. He played an important role to maintain peace in that area. He was a friend of India and always cooperate with India.

I worked with Shri Dalbir Singh, Begum Abdullah and Shri Rajesh Pilot in this House. Dalbir Singh was a tribal leader. He represented Madhya Pradesh. He always tried to solve problems of weaker section. Rajeshji was a dynamic and dedicated person. He served Indian Air Force for 14-15 years. He initiated changes in the field of communications. He paid attention towards development oriented politics. While paying my homage I pray to God to give strength to the bereaved families to bear this loss.

DR. RAGHUVANSH PRASAD SINGH: I associate myself with the condolences expressed by the hon. Home Minister, Leader of the Opposition and Leaders of other parties on passing away of Shri Rajesh Pilot, Shri Dalbir Singh, Begum Abdullah and other persons. Rajesh Pilot was a dynamic leader of the

Congress Party and the country. His loss is irreparable. Besides, about 56-57 people were killed in a plane crash in Bihar on 17^th July. I request you to send condolences to the bereaved families.

Secretary-General.

Note: It is the verbatim Debates of Lok Sabha and not the Synopsis that should be considered authoritative.