Untitled - Congress Sandesh
Untitled - Congress Sandesh
Untitled - Congress Sandesh
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Letter to <strong>Congress</strong> Workers<br />
Dear friends,<br />
This month we have once again seen the havoc and devastation caused by the monsoon in<br />
India. Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra have been severely affected and we have<br />
even seen the loss of life due to floods in these areas. Natural disasters are a major<br />
concern in India and we must as a Government ensure that proper mechanisms to handle<br />
and predict natural disasters are put in place and effectively implemented. The UPA<br />
government has been instrumental in formulating a Disaster Management Bill that has<br />
been passed during the previous Parliamentary session. This is extremely important for a<br />
country like India that has great climatic and geographical variations. We suffer from draught,<br />
floods and other disasters that strike during any season. It is indeed time that a country<br />
like India, with its excellent scientific manpower and its organizational abilities, puts in place infrastructure and institutions that can<br />
effectively handle and minimize the damage caused to life and property due to natural disasters. In the meantime, State governments<br />
must ensure that all help is available to those who bear the brunt of such disasters and that rescue operations are promptly and<br />
effectively carried out with minimal delay.<br />
Here too, our grass root workers and our Frontal organizations, such as the Youth <strong>Congress</strong>, the Sewa Dal and our Women’s organization<br />
can play a vital role in organizing relief work and ensuring that those directly affected by natural disasters are provided immediate<br />
help and their sufferings minimized. The <strong>Congress</strong> Party and its workers must continue to adhere to their commitment to the<br />
Common Man. And this is something that has to be proven on the ground. This can only happen if our Party members are at the<br />
forefront of representing the genuine needs of the people. It can only occur if we are at the forefront in fighting for their rights and<br />
take the lead in alleviating their sufferings.<br />
We are a Party of the masses. Our ideology and our beliefs have never been partisan or limited to one group or one State. Our<br />
commitment is to the poor and the marginalized in our country irrespective of caste or creed. We must never forget that we are a<br />
national and broad-based Party that brings into its folds those with diverse opinions. Our only commitment is to honesty and probity<br />
in public life. And at this level we must not condone any compromise. Instead, we must lead by example. The hearts of the masses<br />
cannot be won by rhetoric alone. It is only hard work and genuine commitment to the welfare of the common man that can yield the<br />
fruit of loyalty and support for the Party from the people. Let us all endeavour to put this in practice.<br />
This month we also conclude our monsoon session of Parliament. Several important legislations were tabled in this session and the<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> has once again taken the lead in ensuring that the commitments it made in its election manifesto are implemented as soon<br />
as possible. However, it is indeed sad that the Opposition NDA has once again chosen the route of walking out of Parliament and<br />
forcing repeated adjournments of the House instead of actually discussing national issues that deserve debate and discussion in<br />
Parliament. We must ask ourselves why this is becoming a norm for the Opposition and what this means for the vibrancy of our<br />
Democracy if we refuse to respect our democratic institutions. Let us not forget that Democracy is a hard-won right and should not<br />
be taken lightly. Our MP’s, by attending Parliament regularly, can once again lead by example.<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006 1
Letters to the Editor<br />
Nation is indebted to Sonia Gandhi<br />
On the request of the <strong>Congress</strong> Party, the Jessica Lal murder<br />
case was reopened. With the intervention of the <strong>Congress</strong><br />
President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, the Delhi Police filed an appeal in<br />
the Apex court. For this effort, the whole nation is indebted to<br />
Smt. Sonia Gandhi as she could as a women realized the feelings<br />
of the traumatized family. The court had acquitted all the accused<br />
in the Jessica Lal murder case. A special law should be enacted<br />
to deal with such cases.<br />
- Jaiprakash Chandrakar,<br />
Youth <strong>Congress</strong>, Raipur, Chhattisgarh<br />
Life Member<br />
I have been regularly reading<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>. I request you<br />
to accept me as your life member.<br />
- Ansari Qayyum,<br />
Byculla, Mumbai<br />
Helping Farmers<br />
I think the Youth <strong>Congress</strong> should<br />
pay attention to the economic<br />
condition of the people, especially,<br />
those in rural areas and those living<br />
in semi-developed urban areas, like<br />
slums. In rural areas, farmers need<br />
help in choosing genuine seeds and<br />
marketing facilities. In most areas<br />
farmers are not aware what crop to<br />
opt for in their lands. They also very<br />
often are not sure if water is<br />
available in their lands and at what<br />
depth. Soil testing which helps to<br />
select the crop is also needed.<br />
Extending help to farmers in these critical areas will go a long<br />
way in winning their hearts. This, I think, is the best way to stop<br />
farmers’ suicide.<br />
- K.R.K. Murty,<br />
Nallakunta, Hyderabad (A.P.)<br />
Nation is Proud of <strong>Congress</strong> Party<br />
The nation is proud to have a party like <strong>Congress</strong>. The <strong>Congress</strong><br />
party had leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru,<br />
Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi who contributed in their own way<br />
towards the development and progress of our country. This<br />
tradition is being carried forward by our beloved leader Smt. Sonia<br />
Gandhi.<br />
May God give strength to Smt. Gandhi so that under her leadership<br />
our country makes greater progress and become an outstanding<br />
nation in the world.<br />
Well Done <strong>Sandesh</strong>!<br />
- Srichand Makhija<br />
Shalimar Garden, New Delhi<br />
I am a regular reader of the <strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong> magazine. I feel<br />
refreshed by going through its<br />
articles and the speeches of the<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> President, Smt. Sonia<br />
Gandhi. The layout and photos used<br />
are extremely good.<br />
I also want to congratulate the staff<br />
members for bringing out ‘<strong>Sandesh</strong>’<br />
which will be entering into the 9 th<br />
year of publication this<br />
Independence Day. I wish<br />
‘<strong>Sandesh</strong>’ sees many more years to<br />
keep us informed of party activities<br />
and party news.<br />
Be More Vigilant!<br />
- Vijay Arora,<br />
Agra<br />
Despite the grave threat to country’s<br />
security on Independence Day to the<br />
cities of Bombay and Delhi, the<br />
festivities of the Independence Day<br />
went off smoothly. But one should not think that the threat is<br />
over because the extremist strike when people are not cautious.<br />
Therefore, people should be more cautious and more vigilant<br />
against these forces which are bent upon disturbing the peace<br />
of our country.<br />
Our police force and security personnel should not feel happy<br />
about an incidence-free Independence Day but should act more<br />
cautiously and be more vigilant.<br />
- Sudhir Kumar,<br />
New Delhi<br />
2 <strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006
Contents<br />
Published in Hindi & English<br />
Vol. 8 No. 12, August, 2006<br />
Editorial Board<br />
Members<br />
Mani Shankar Aiyar<br />
Salman Khursheed<br />
Sarvjit Singh<br />
Poonam Sahi<br />
Editor<br />
Anil Shastri<br />
Managing Editor<br />
KVS Rama Sarma<br />
Associate Editor<br />
Dr. Ravni Thakur<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong><br />
Editorial Team<br />
Ram Naresh Sinha<br />
Rattan Francis<br />
Bipin Sharma<br />
Manager (Admn. & Circulation)<br />
Kamal Shahu<br />
Design & Layout<br />
Benchmark Graphic (P) Ltd. & Kamal Shahu<br />
Computergraphics<br />
Mohan Singh Katyura<br />
Acknowledgements<br />
The Hindu, Hindustan Times, India Today. The<br />
Economics Times, The Indian Express, National<br />
Herald, The Times of India, R.K.Laxman, Press Trust<br />
of India, Photo Division.<br />
Editorial & Correspondence office<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>,<br />
24 Akbar Road, New Delhi-110 011.<br />
Phone: 2301 9080 Extn: 429, Fax: 2301 7047<br />
Published by<br />
Vasant Sathe on behalf of ‘<strong>Sandesh</strong> Trust’<br />
Printed at : Chaar Dishayen Printers,<br />
G-40, Sector - 3, NOIDA - 201301<br />
Edited by : KVS Rama Sarma<br />
Websites : www.congresssandesh.com &<br />
http\\:congresssandesh.net<br />
Subscription Rates<br />
Monthly Rs. 10/-<br />
One Year Rs. 100/-<br />
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DD/Cheques may be sent in favour of ‘<strong>Sandesh</strong> Trust’<br />
As several states were seriously affected<br />
by floods causing enormous loss of<br />
property and cost several lives, the<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi,<br />
took time out to inspect the flood-hit<br />
areas personally to acquaint herself of<br />
the extent and damage caused by the<br />
floods. She visited relief camps in A.P,<br />
Gujarat and Maharashtra. The Centre<br />
has begun examining the level of<br />
damage in these states and is in the<br />
process of providing financial relief. The<br />
Centre is also seriously studying the<br />
question of evolving a scheme to meet<br />
natural disasters expeditiously and<br />
effectively. Since floods have become a<br />
regular annual feature in several states<br />
spanning the entire country, there is an<br />
urgent need to evolve a scheme which<br />
can channelise flood waters into<br />
seasonal rivers. Given the advanced<br />
technological prowess and skills of India,<br />
it should be possible to turn floods into<br />
an advantage by preserving the flood<br />
waters for agricultural and other<br />
purposes especially in dry land areas.<br />
Smt. Gandhi also took time to launch<br />
the party’s U.P. Assembly election<br />
campaign in Kanpur. Accompanied by<br />
Shri Rahul Gandhi she told a largely<br />
attended “Nav Nirman” rally in Kanpur<br />
that time had come to act in the spirit of<br />
“do or die” to throw out the Mulayam<br />
Singh government for neglecting the<br />
people and ignoring the development of<br />
Uttar Pradesh.<br />
CP’S VISIT<br />
Smt. Sonia Gandhi while addressing a<br />
massive rally in Kanpur urged people of U.P.<br />
to show Mulayam the door 5<br />
CPP MEET<br />
Smt. Sonia Gandhi while addressing the CPP<br />
in Parliament House, said that secularism<br />
was the strength of the party 7<br />
DEBATE IN RAJYA SABHA<br />
PM’s reply to discussions in Rajya Sabha on<br />
Indo-US nuclear deal 9<br />
TERRORISM<br />
G-8 unites against terrorist attack on Mumbai<br />
suburban trains as PM said “no cause is<br />
worthy enough to justify the killing of<br />
civilians” 17<br />
IYC CONFERENCE<br />
Speaking at a conference of District <strong>Congress</strong><br />
presidents of Youth <strong>Congress</strong>, Smt. Sonia Gandhi<br />
said that “youth can play a vital role in the<br />
development of the party and the nation” 18<br />
FLOODS<br />
Smt. Sonia Gandhi was concerned about the<br />
flood situation in the country and made an<br />
aerial survey of AP and Gujarat 20<br />
COMMENT<br />
CWC Special Invitee, Shri Anil Shastri,<br />
dismisses as a crude joke the allegation of<br />
BJP leader, Shri Jaswant Singh that PMO had<br />
a ‘mole’ during the regime of Shri P.V.<br />
Narsimha Rao 21<br />
COVER STORY<br />
Strengthen the backbone’ writes the noted<br />
veteran industrialist K.K.Birla in his article. 22<br />
VIEWPOINT<br />
Put infrastructure in place and manage<br />
disasters, suggests Sarvjit Singh 27<br />
WOMEN EMPOWERMENT<br />
Praveen Davar writes about Rajiv Gandhi’s<br />
role in empowering women 29<br />
STATES WATCH<br />
Huge protest Rally in Chhattisgarh 31<br />
Website on Rajiv Gandhi 33<br />
Attestation Drive in Maharashtra 35<br />
MAHILA CONGRESS 37<br />
AICC DIARY 38<br />
PHOTOFILE 40<br />
To Our Readers / Subscribers<br />
In view of the increased cost of paper and printing we are compelled to raise the per copy price of<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong> to Rs. 10/- w.e.f. June 2002. Subscritpion charges for fresh subscirbers: for<br />
One Year Rs. 100/-, Two Years Rs. 175/-, Three Years Rs. 250/ Outstation cheques should include<br />
Rs. 20 towards realization charges. Cheques may be sent in favour of ‘<strong>Sandesh</strong> Trust’<br />
Editor<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006 3
Editorial<br />
Combating Natural Disasters<br />
This month we have once again witnessed the fury of the monsoon and the toll that they can take of life and property.<br />
Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat have been amongst the states most adversely hit with more than two hundred<br />
people losing their lives. Once again the Army had to be brought in to mount rescue operations to save lives and<br />
property. This is both tragic and unacceptable. India cannot hope to be a 21 st century country if we still have people<br />
who die because we do not have the mechanisms that can handle natural disasters. This is more so, not natural<br />
disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis that cannot be adequately predicted, but the damage caused by the monsoons<br />
that we face every year.<br />
The UPA government has been the first government to put in place an act of Parliament especially dealing with<br />
natural disasters. We have shown how will and commitment on the part of the State can function during the ravages<br />
caused by the Tsunami that devastated our coastal regions two years ago. We were able, not only to handle the<br />
needs of our people, but also provided aid to other neighbouring countries that suffered its impact. This must not be<br />
a one-time plan. It must be effective whenever and wherever a natural disaster strikes our country. India must also<br />
leverage its scientific and technical know-how to ensure that we have the right information regarding the severity of<br />
the monsoons and be able to predict disasters before they happen.<br />
The National Disaster Act envisages putting in place a proper department that oversees planning and logistics for the<br />
handling of all national disasters. This nodal agency would lead to coordinated efforts of all agencies that are<br />
involved in relief work and ensure that timely interventions are made to combat natural disaster. At the same time,<br />
India must also put in place infrastructure and plans that can prevent disasters from occurring in the first place. This<br />
is particularly important where damage caused by monsoon is concerned.<br />
Natural disasters are also closely related to the way we handle our environment. The floods in Bombay city, for<br />
example, prove that drains clogged by plastic waste was one of the main reasons that water did not drain out in<br />
Bombay. Similarly, industrial waste being dumped into our rivers and deforestation in our mountains are amongst the<br />
other major reasons why our rivers tend to break their boundaries. Devastation of our catchment areas and global<br />
warming in general have also contributed to increasing waters in our rivers. The Himalayan glaciers are melting<br />
today and unless the world takes united stand on this very important issue of global warming, no country will be safe<br />
from future devastation, especially if as predicted, our sea levels rise to unacceptable levels. Where industrial waste<br />
and its untreated effluents being dumped in our rivers is concerned, the government and the Supreme Court have<br />
already issued instructions to make industry more responsible. We have only to look at the Yamuna and its condition<br />
in Delhi to see how industrial effluents can lead to major health and natural disasters. Any attempt at disaster<br />
management must thus use a holistic approach that takes into account environmental issues.<br />
Modern urban planning is another must for us to guard our major cities. Surat and Mumbai are examples of our lack<br />
at this level. Unauthorised colonies and unauthorized factories in urban areas also contribute to the problems that<br />
arise in the face of natural disasters. Not just floods but fire is another hazard posed by rampant and unplanned<br />
construction. However, Laws alone are not enough. We need a strong civic movement to educate the people about<br />
the consequences of environmental degradation. It is indeed a matter of worry that most of our sources of water and<br />
land are getting polluted. We must jointly, as a nation, fight against this creeping menace and each one of us be a<br />
responsible citizen. It is only then that we can bequeath a strong and viable India to our future generations. ❖<br />
4 <strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006
CP’s Speech<br />
Show Mulayam the Door<br />
Sonia Gandhi<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> President’s Address at a Public meeting at<br />
Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, August 8, 2006<br />
This historical ground of Phoolbagh is a witness of our freedom<br />
struggle. I welcome all of you here.<br />
On this day, 64 years ago, Mahatma<br />
Gandhi gave a slogan, “will do or die.”<br />
This determination ignited a fire of<br />
freedom in the hearts of our people<br />
so much that our country won the<br />
freedom within five years. The<br />
movement of 1942 was basically the<br />
movement of youths, of the youth who<br />
considered Jawaharlal Nehru as their<br />
leader. In that movement, thousands<br />
of youths of Kanpur and Uttar Pradesh<br />
took part whole-heartedly. In this very<br />
Kanpur, Ganesh Shanker Vidyarthi<br />
sacrificed himself for the social and<br />
communal harmony. We are<br />
celebrating the birth centenary of<br />
martyr Chandra Shekhar Azad this<br />
year. His ancestors lived in Unnao.<br />
This land of Uttar Pradesh has given<br />
us martyrs like Ashfaq Ullal Khan. Today, we also draw inspiration<br />
from our ancestors and freedom fighters because they made a new<br />
history of India. They made big sacrifices and struggled a lot to give<br />
India a place of pride among comity of nations.<br />
The land on which we are standing has a long tradition. It has a<br />
tradition of values and decorum. But, where is this country heading<br />
for? Here it is politics of casteism and selfishness. Here again it is<br />
politics of destruction instead of development. Here is lawlessness,<br />
here is rampant crime and criminals have free-run. There is no<br />
intention of service, there is all-round greed of power. Is this<br />
socialism? How many industrial units have been shut down in<br />
Kanpur? How many of our brethren have been rendered unemployed?<br />
In whose rule has all this happened? Who is responsible for this? It<br />
is now very clear that non-<strong>Congress</strong> governments cannot do<br />
development of Uttar Pradesh.<br />
Today’s rally is named “Nav Nirman Rally” (New Development Rally).<br />
All of us join hands to play the bugle of social development in this<br />
state. Eliminate the politics of self-seeking.<br />
The government is not for an individual. The government is not for a<br />
political party. The government is for all of us, for everyone. It is<br />
very unfortunate that here it is politics of discrimination. Here is a<br />
practice to do whatever is possible for one-self – fill your pockets as<br />
much as possible after that if some thing is left to do, it is for their<br />
own, a few people. Now this cannot<br />
go on. A few people cannot fill their<br />
houses at the cost of the poor. After<br />
all, who will take care of the weak,<br />
the dalit, and the backward? Who<br />
will take care of the women and the<br />
youth? The leaders like Nehruji,<br />
Indiraji and Rajivji always struggled<br />
for the benefit of the countrymen<br />
without taking care of their lives. The<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> has to take forward this<br />
job.<br />
I want to tell you something more,<br />
India is moving forward on the path<br />
of development but some elements<br />
are feeling uncomfortable. Terrorist<br />
forces are trying to prevent it. There<br />
should not be any politics on the<br />
menace of terrorism. We are all<br />
against terrorism, the entire country<br />
is against terrorism. Stringent steps should be taken against<br />
terrorism. In the battle against terror, not an individual or a community<br />
should be held guilty unnecessarily on the basis of suspicion. To<br />
maintain secularism is everyone’s duty.<br />
I know everybody is worried about inflation. With all of you, I too was<br />
worried. Our Central Government has taken several steps to check<br />
inflation. The impact of the steps taken is visible. You also know,<br />
that the black-marketeers play a big role in raising prices. The<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006 5
CP’s Speech<br />
erstwhile NDA Government had made certain amendments in the<br />
rule that we are facing problem in booking black marketers. As far<br />
as the prices of diesel and petrol are concerned, you know whenever<br />
there is rise in prices of diesel and petrol in the global markets it<br />
affects the domestic prices. Inspite of all this, our Central Government<br />
did not increase the prices of kerosene and LPG. In the <strong>Congress</strong>ruled<br />
states the diesel and petrol was reduced, they bore the loss<br />
but gave relief to the people. This could have happened in Uttar<br />
Pradesh but the Government of this state had not done so.<br />
The <strong>Congress</strong>-led UPA Government at the Centre has taken several<br />
steps for the welfare of the people and all sections of society. “The<br />
Centre has instituted for the first time a separate ministry for the<br />
minorities. The Prime Minister has announced a new 15-point<br />
programme for minorities. There is a proposal to give fiscal aid to<br />
weavers’ cooperative societies which have shut down so that they<br />
can start functioning again. All the 25 centres of weavers in the<br />
country are being given fiscal aid. There are four centers in Uttar<br />
Pradesh also. There is a proposal for weavers, like farmers to give<br />
concession in rates of interest on loan. Several steps have been<br />
taken to give power and irrigation facilities to farmers under the<br />
India Development Plan. Arrangements have been made to grant<br />
more bank loans to small and medium farmers.<br />
The government is taking steps to modernized tanneries so that the<br />
export of leather goods increases manifold. Similarly, steps are being<br />
taken to promote textile industry. Twenty-five textile Parks are being<br />
set-up in the country and six of them are in Uttar Pradesh.<br />
I am satisfied that several important works have been done during a<br />
short period of two years under the leadership of Dr. Manmohan<br />
Singh. The important programmes launched included National Rural<br />
Employment Guarantee Plan, National Rural-Health Mission, City<br />
Renewal Mission, it includes Kanpur also, Education to All campaign,<br />
Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electrification Plan, special fund for the backward<br />
people, Right to Information law and India Development Programme.<br />
To implement all these schemes, our UPA Government at the Centre<br />
sanctioned so much fund to Uttar Pradesh during the last two years,<br />
which Uttar Pradesh had never received before. But where has this<br />
fund gone? Where was it utilized? You should definitely ask this<br />
question. The public will never pardon people who do not work for<br />
the welfare of the public. They will have to vacate their chairs, and<br />
this will happen in Uttar Pradesh.<br />
Then all of us will repeat the pledge of Mahatma Gandhi – “do or<br />
die”, “save our state and develop our state.” This is the call of the<br />
time. This is the true religion of politics.<br />
Tomorrow is Raksha Bandhan. I convey my good wishes to all my<br />
brothers and sisters and all of you on this pious festival. With these<br />
words, I thank all of you for taking part in this meeting.<br />
Jai Hind. ❖<br />
6 <strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006
CPP Meet<br />
Secularism Our Strength<br />
Sonia Gandhi<br />
Speech of <strong>Congress</strong> President to <strong>Congress</strong><br />
Parliamentary Party General Body Meeting held on<br />
1 st August, 2006 in Parliament House.<br />
Honourable Prime Minister, Pranabji, Members of the CPP<br />
Executive,Fellow MPs<br />
This being a relatively brief session, I thought it will be more<br />
useful to have just one CPP General Body Meeting instead of the<br />
usual two where I would be repeating myself within a short span<br />
of time.<br />
We are meeting against the<br />
background of the barbaric<br />
attack by terrorists in<br />
Mumbai. It is tribute to the<br />
remarkable spirit of its<br />
people, that hours after the<br />
tragedy, the city was back on<br />
its feet displaying its sense of<br />
enterprise and public<br />
spiritedness.<br />
But we cannot only depend on<br />
the fortitude and<br />
determination of the people.<br />
The Prime Minister has<br />
already spoken of the urgency to upgrade our entire intelligence<br />
system. While retaining its primary responsibility and ensuring<br />
coordination, the Central Government should also enable each<br />
state to have a fully-equipped, properly-trained and highlymotivated<br />
anti-terrorism force.<br />
Anti-social and anti-national elements will have to be clearly<br />
identified and dealt with firmly. Effective police action, free from<br />
any type of bias or political pressure, is essential. For such action<br />
to succeed local communities must be mobilized and reached<br />
out to.<br />
While we are one in recognizing that there can be no compromise<br />
on internal security, we must also take all steps to ensure that<br />
no community feels itself under siege or as automatic target of<br />
suspicion. Secularism has bound our country for centuries. It<br />
has been our strength, our defining characteristic. We must never<br />
ever forget that if communal harmony is disturbed our very future<br />
is in peril. Those who wish to weaken and damage our country<br />
will always seek to divide and polarize our society. Under no<br />
circumstances should we allow this to happen. We must nurture<br />
and enrich our secular ethos, just as we deal with terrorism in all<br />
its aspects.<br />
I also want to express our profound anguish at the killing of<br />
innocent tribal men, women and children in Chhatisgarh by<br />
Maoists. The Naxalite challenge is beyond the capacity of any<br />
one single state to deal with effectively. It requires a coordinated<br />
response with the Central<br />
Government playing a pivotal<br />
role.<br />
We cannot also forget the<br />
great hardships that<br />
innocent people have had to<br />
bear in Kashmir. Most<br />
recently, we have had<br />
attacks on tourists. These<br />
are acts of desperation, and<br />
our deepest sympathies go<br />
to those, whether Kashmiris<br />
or from other parts of the<br />
country, who have lost their<br />
lives in terrorist-sponsored<br />
violence. Amidst this, I am glad to say that our state government<br />
is maintaining the tempo of development works.<br />
Prices of essential commodities have been a matter of concern.<br />
This issue has also come up in both Houses in the past few days.<br />
The government took decisive action to import pulses which has<br />
had a beneficial effect on their prices. The government is also<br />
importing wheat because of the shortfall in both production and<br />
procurement and, of course, we are still dealing with the<br />
consequences of the most insensitive decision of the NDA<br />
Government to export over 14 million tonnes of wheat during its<br />
tenure.<br />
The Prime Minister and I had a meeting of our chief ministers.<br />
They were unanimous that “forward trading” in wheat particularly,<br />
has had adverse impacts and called for a more effective<br />
regulations are being considered by the standing committee. The<br />
states should be empowered to take tough and pre-emptive action<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006 7
CPP Meet<br />
against hoarders. What is generally not known is that the NDA<br />
government withdrew these powers in February 2002.<br />
Discussions in both Houses of Parliament have clearly shown<br />
that there is a wide consensus on both these areas.<br />
World oil prices have once against started to rise placing a heavy<br />
burden on us. The government has had to increase petrol and<br />
diesel prices but it has ensured that prices of kerosene and<br />
cooking gas have not gone up. I want to congratulate <strong>Congress</strong><br />
state governments for reducing their taxes on petrol and diesel<br />
in order to soften the impact of the price rise on consumers.<br />
We had a convention of DCC Presidents of the 200 districts where<br />
the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act is being<br />
implemented. Our party organization is taking keen interest.<br />
Many useful suggestions emerged from the convention and I am<br />
sure that the government is giving them due consideration. Our<br />
party workers in different states, not only want full information<br />
on our government’s major initiatives and programmes, they also<br />
want to be involved in a manner that enables them to participate<br />
effectively and ensure efficient implementation. All ministers must<br />
keep this in mind and involve the party organization in the<br />
schemes that their ministries have launched.<br />
The Prime Minister has recently paid a visit to Vidarbha in villages<br />
where there have been suicides by farmers. He has announced<br />
a series of measures to alleviate rural distress, expand the<br />
coverage of institutional credit and also provide livelihood security<br />
in vulnerable regions. At our next formal meeting of <strong>Congress</strong><br />
Chief Minister later this month we will focus on agriculture. The<br />
Eleventh Five-Year Plan is also under preparation. It is abundantly<br />
clear that the over-riding priority is to bring about a radical<br />
transformation in agriculture so that the security of our farmers<br />
and their families is assured and their aspirations met. A few<br />
weeks back, the Prime Minister himself announced the elements<br />
of a major package for the revival of the handloom industry,<br />
thereby taking steps to fulfill a key pledge of our manifesto.<br />
We continue to have a substantive legislative agenda. The Joint<br />
Committee on the Scheduled Tribes (Recognition of Forest Rights)<br />
Bill, 2005 has submitted its report and a Group of Ministers is<br />
now taking a final view. As I mentioned earlier, the Forward<br />
Contracts (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2006 should also be taken<br />
up. I am particularly anxious that two laws relating to the welfare<br />
of children – the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children)<br />
Amendment Bill, 2005 and the Prevention of Child Marriage Bill,<br />
2004 are also passed in this session. As decided in the UPA<br />
Coordination Meeting, Government is also working on a draft Bill<br />
for admission of OBC reservation in Central Educational<br />
Institutions.<br />
The monsoon is progressing but according to the information we<br />
have so far, the cumulative rainfall has been either scanty or<br />
significantly deficient in some parts of the country. We hope that<br />
the August rains will compensate for this shortfall. Meanwhile,<br />
parts of Maharashtra and Gujarat are reeling under severe floods.<br />
As in the past our party workers have geared themselves up to<br />
extend help to the affected people.<br />
The deteriorating situation in the middle-east and the tragedy of<br />
Lebanon caused by the disproportionate use of military force is<br />
a matter of grave concern. Our Government and the <strong>Congress</strong><br />
party have unequivocally condemned the use of such force by<br />
Israel resulting in massive destruction in Lebanon and the tragic<br />
loss of innocent lives especially the women and children. Nothing<br />
can justify this reprehensible violence against a defenseless<br />
people. It has been and remains the position of the <strong>Congress</strong><br />
Party that the only solution is a negotiated settlement and the<br />
creation of a State of Palestine to fulfill the legitimate aspirations<br />
of the Palestinian people. The international community must act<br />
urgently to ensure an immediate ceasefire so that the destruction<br />
of Lebanon is ended and humanitarian assistance reached to<br />
the affected.<br />
I wish you all the best and am confident that all of you will<br />
make your presence felt in more respects than one during<br />
this session. ❖<br />
State OBC Department Chairmen<br />
NEW DELHI: The <strong>Congress</strong> President has on 19 July approved<br />
the following names for the appointment of Chairman of OBC<br />
Department at the State level, according to OBC Department<br />
chairman, Shri K.C. Lenka.<br />
1. Andhra Pradesh – Chittaranjan Das; 2. Arunachal Pradesh<br />
– Tingpong Wangham; 3. Orissa – Jagannath Rout; 4.<br />
Punjab – Gurinder Pal Singh ‘Billa’; 5. Tripura – Ratan Lal<br />
Ghosh; 6. Karnataka – Smt. Umashree; 7. Haryana – Rao<br />
Dharampal and 8. Jharkhand – Gopal Prasad.<br />
8 <strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006
No Compromise on Nuclear Deal<br />
Excerpts from PM’s reply to discussion<br />
in Rajya Sabha on Civil Nuclear Energy Cooperation<br />
with the United States August 17, 2006, New Delhi␣<br />
At the outset, I would like to convey my gratitude to all the<br />
Hon’ble Members who have participated in this debate. I am<br />
grateful for this opportunity to clarify some of the issues<br />
arising from the discussion. I will do so in a non partisan<br />
spirit and I have every reason to believe that after I have<br />
finished that I will be able to carry the whole House with me.<br />
Our Government has never shied away from a full discussion<br />
in Parliament on this important issue. On three previous<br />
occasions on July 29, 2005, February 27, 2006 and March<br />
7, 2006, I had made detailed statements and discussed this<br />
important subject in this august House. Once again, several<br />
issues have been raised during the current discussions and I<br />
wish to take this opportunity to respond to them. I also intend<br />
to cover developments since my last Suo Motu statement of<br />
March 7 this year.<br />
2. Two types of comments have been made during the discussion<br />
in the House. The first set of issues pertains to the basic<br />
orientation of our foreign policy. Some Hon’ble Members have<br />
observed that by engaging in discussions with, and allegedly<br />
acquiescing in the demands made by the United States, we have<br />
compromised the<br />
independent nature of our<br />
foreign policy.<br />
3. The second set of issues<br />
pertain to deviations from the<br />
July 18 Joint Statement and the March 2 Separation Plan. Many<br />
of the points raised by the Hon’ble Members have also been<br />
aired outside Parliament, notably also by some senior members<br />
of the scientific establishment. Overall, a listing of the important<br />
concerns include the following: that the India-US Nuclear initiative<br />
and more particularly the content of the proposed legislation in<br />
the US <strong>Congress</strong>, could undermine the autonomy of our decisionmaking;<br />
limit the options or compromise the integrity of our<br />
strategic programme; and adversely affect the future of our<br />
scientific research and development. To sum up, this would<br />
suggest that India’s strategic nuclear autonomy is being<br />
compromised and India is allowing itself to be pressurized into<br />
accepting new and unacceptable conditions that are deviations<br />
Nothing should be done that would<br />
undermine long standing policies that have a<br />
bearing on India’s vital national security interests.<br />
Debate in Rajya Sabha<br />
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh<br />
from the commitments made by me to Parliament in July 2005<br />
and in February and March this year.<br />
4. I recognize that many of these concerns are borne out of<br />
genuine conviction that nothing should be done that would<br />
undermine long standing policies that have a bearing on India’s<br />
vital national security<br />
interests. I fully share and<br />
subscribe to these<br />
sentiments. I would like to<br />
assure the Hon’ble Members<br />
that negotiations with the US<br />
regarding the civilian nuclear deal have not led to any change in<br />
the basic orientation of our policies, or affected our independent<br />
judgment of issues of national interest. Last year during my visit<br />
to the US, I addressed the National Press Club in the full glare of<br />
the media. A question was put to me regarding what I thought<br />
about the US intervention in Iraq. In the full public glare of the<br />
media I said that it was a mistake. I said the same to President<br />
Bush when he visited India. I said India does not find favour with<br />
regime change.<br />
5. The thrust of our foreign policy remains the promotion of our<br />
national interest. We are unswerving in our commitment to an<br />
independent foreign policy. We do recognize the complexities<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006 9
Debate in Rajya Sabha<br />
present in an increasingly inter-dependent and multi-polar world.<br />
While we recognize that the United States is a pre-eminent power<br />
and good relations with the U.S. are in our national interest, this<br />
has not in any way clouded<br />
our judgment. There are<br />
many areas of agreement<br />
with the United States, but at<br />
the same time there are a<br />
number of areas in which we<br />
have differences and we have<br />
not shied away from making<br />
these known to the US, as<br />
also expressing them in public. Currently, we are engaged not<br />
only with the US but other global powers like Russia, China, the<br />
EU, UK, France and Japan. We are also focusing on ASEAN, as<br />
well as countries in West Asia, Africa and Latin America. More<br />
importantly, we are devoting proportionately larger time and effort<br />
in building relations with countries in our immediate<br />
neighbourhood like Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh,<br />
Myanmar, and Pakistan. Our relations with all these countries<br />
are determined by the dictates of our enlightened national interest<br />
and we have not allowed any other country, including the United<br />
States, to influence our polices. This will not change as long as I<br />
am Prime Minister.<br />
6. I would, hence, again reiterate in view of the apprehensions<br />
expressed, that the proposed US legislation on nuclear<br />
cooperation with India will not<br />
be allowed to become an<br />
instrument to compromise<br />
India’s sovereignty. Our<br />
foreign policy is determined<br />
solely by our national<br />
interests. No legislation<br />
enacted in a foreign country can take away from us that sovereign<br />
right. Thus there is no question of India being bound by a law<br />
passed by a foreign legislature. Our sole guiding principle in<br />
regard to our foreign policy, whether it is on Iran or any other<br />
country, will be dictated entirely by our national interest.<br />
7. Let me now turn to some of the concerns that have been<br />
expressed on the second set of issues regarding possible<br />
deviations from assurances given by me in this august House on<br />
the July 18, 2005 Joint Statement and the March 2, 2006<br />
Separation Plan. I would like to state categorically that there have<br />
neither been nor will there be any compromises on this score<br />
and the Government will not allow such compromises to occur in<br />
the future.<br />
We do recognize the complexities present in an<br />
increasingly inter-dependent and multi-polar<br />
world. While we recognize that the United States<br />
is a pre-eminent power and good relations with<br />
the U.S. are in our national interest, this has not<br />
in any way clouded our judgment.<br />
This Separation Plan had identified the nuclear<br />
facilities that India was willing to offer, in a phased<br />
manner, for IAEA safeguards, contingent on reciprocal<br />
actions taken by the United States<br />
8. Hon’ble Members will recall that during President Bush’s visit<br />
to India in March this year,<br />
agreement was reached<br />
between India and the United<br />
States on a Separation Plan<br />
in implementation of the<br />
India-United States Joint<br />
Statement of July 18, 2005.<br />
This Separation Plan had<br />
identified the nuclear<br />
facilities that India was<br />
willing to offer, in a phased manner, for IAEA safeguards,<br />
contingent on reciprocal actions taken by the United States. For<br />
its part, the United States Administration was required to approach<br />
the US <strong>Congress</strong> for amending its laws and the Nuclear Suppliers’<br />
Group for adapting its Guidelines to enable full civilian nuclear<br />
cooperation between India and the international community.<br />
9. The US Administration had thereafter approached the US<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> to amend certain provisions of the United States<br />
Atomic Energy Act of 1954, which currently prohibit civil<br />
nuclear cooperation with India. The US House of<br />
Representatives International Relations Committee passed a<br />
Bill on the subject on 27th June 2006. The House of<br />
Representatives passed the Bill as approved by its<br />
International Relations Committee on July 27.<br />
10. The Senate Foreign<br />
Relations Committee passed<br />
its version of the Bill on June<br />
29, 2006. The US Senate is<br />
now expected to vote on this<br />
version of the Bill some time<br />
in September. We have concerns over both the House and Senate<br />
versions of the Bill. Since the two Bills are somewhat different in<br />
content, according to US practice they will need to be reconciled<br />
to produce a single piece of legislation. After adoption by both<br />
the House and the Senate, this would become law when the US<br />
President accords his approval. The final shape of the legislation<br />
would, therefore, be apparent only when the House and the Senate<br />
complete the second stage of assent/adoption.<br />
11. Meanwhile, the US Government has approached the Nuclear<br />
Suppliers’ Group to adapt its guidelines to enable full civil nuclear<br />
cooperation between India and the International community. In<br />
March this year, the NSG at its plenary meeting in Brazil held a<br />
10 <strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006
preliminary discussion on this issue. The matter will be further<br />
discussed by the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group later this year. On our<br />
part, we have separately raised this issue with several countries<br />
and urged them to lift the<br />
commitment. When we put forward the Separation Plan, we again<br />
made it clear to the United States that India could not be expected<br />
to take on obligations such as placing its nuclear facilities under<br />
safeguards in anticipation of<br />
existing restrictions on<br />
nuclear supplies to India. I<br />
We seek the removal of restrictions on all aspects of<br />
cooperation and technology transfers pertaining to civil<br />
future lifting of restrictions.<br />
India and the United States<br />
nuclear energy - ranging from nuclear fuel, nuclear<br />
myself have raised this issue<br />
with the Heads of State or<br />
Government of Russia,<br />
France, UK, Japan, Germany,<br />
Brazil, Norway, Iceland and<br />
Cyprus, among others.<br />
12. In view of the concerns voiced by the Hon’ble Members, I<br />
shall try to address each of these concerns in some detail. I shall,<br />
however, begin by affirming that our approach is guided by the<br />
understandings contained in the July 2005 Joint Statement and<br />
the March 2006 Separation Plan. What we can agree with the<br />
United States to enable nuclear cooperation must be strictly within<br />
these parameters.<br />
13. The key provisions to which references have been made in<br />
Parliament and outside are the following:<br />
(i) Full Civil Nuclear Cooperation : The central imperative in our<br />
discussions with the United State on Civil Nuclear Cooperation is<br />
to ensure the complete and irreversible removal of existing<br />
restrictions imposed on India through iniquitous restrictive trading<br />
regimes over the years. We<br />
seek the removal of<br />
restrictions on all aspects of<br />
cooperation and technology<br />
transfers pertaining to civil<br />
nuclear energy - ranging from<br />
nuclear fuel, nuclear reactors,<br />
to re-processing spent fuel,<br />
i.e. all aspects of a complete nuclear fuel cycle.<br />
This will be the surest guarantee of India’s acceptance as a full<br />
and equal partner of the international nuclear community, even<br />
while preserving the integrity of our three stage nuclear<br />
programme and protecting the autonomy of our scientific research<br />
and development. We will not agree to any dilution that would<br />
prevent us from securing the benefits of full civil nuclear<br />
cooperation as amplified above.<br />
(ii) Principle of Reciprocity : I had earlier assured the House that<br />
reciprocity is the key to the implementation of our understanding<br />
contained in the July 2005 Statement. I stand by that<br />
reactors, to re-processing spent fuel, i.e. all aspects of<br />
a complete nuclear fuel cycle.<br />
India would not attract full-scope safeguards such as<br />
those applied to Non-Nuclear Weapon States that are<br />
signatories to the NPT and there would be no curbs on<br />
continuation of India’s nuclear weapon related<br />
activities<br />
Debate in Rajya Sabha<br />
have held one round of<br />
discussions on a proposed<br />
bilateral cooperation<br />
agreement. India and the<br />
IAEA have held technical<br />
discussions regarding an India-specific Safeguards agreement.<br />
Further discussions are required on both these documents. While<br />
these parallel efforts are underway, our position is that we will<br />
accept only IAEA safeguards on the nuclear facilities, in a phased<br />
manner, and as identified for that purpose in the Separation Plan<br />
only when all nuclear restrictions on India have been lifted. On<br />
July 29 last year, I had stated that before voluntarily placing our<br />
civil nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards, we will ensure that<br />
all restrictions on India have been lifted. There has been no shift<br />
in our position on this point.<br />
(iii) Certification : The draft Senate Bill requires the US President<br />
to make an annual report to the <strong>Congress</strong> that includes<br />
certification that India is in full compliance of its non-proliferation<br />
and other commitments. We have made it clear to the United<br />
States our opposition to these provisions, even if they are<br />
projected as non-binding on<br />
India, as being contrary to<br />
the letter and spirit of the<br />
July Statement. We have told<br />
the US Administration that<br />
the effect of such<br />
certification will be to<br />
diminish a permanent waiver<br />
authority into an annual one. We have also indicated that this<br />
would introduce an element of uncertainty regarding future<br />
cooperation and is, not acceptable to us.<br />
(iv) India as a State possessing Advanced Nuclear Technology :<br />
Hon’ble Members may recall that the July Statement, had<br />
acknowledged that India should be regarded as a State with<br />
advanced nuclear technology enjoying the same advantages and<br />
benefits as other states with advanced nuclear technology, such<br />
as the US. The July Statement did not refer to India as a Nuclear<br />
Weapons State because that has a particular connotation in the<br />
NPT but it explicitly acknowledged the existence of India’s military<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006 11
Debate in Rajya Sabha<br />
nuclear facilities. It also meant that India would not attract<br />
full-scope safeguards such as those applied to Non-Nuclear<br />
Weapon States that are signatories to the NPT and there would<br />
be no curbs on continuation<br />
of India’s nuclear weapon<br />
of decision-making and future scientific research and<br />
development: In my statement of March 7, 2006, I had assured<br />
Parliament that the Separation Plan would not adversely affect<br />
our strategic programme. I<br />
reiterate that commitment<br />
related activities. In these<br />
important respects, India<br />
The integrity of our 3-Stage nuclear programme will not today. The Separation Plan<br />
would be very much on par<br />
with the five Nuclear Weapon<br />
States who are signatories to<br />
the NPT. Similarly, the<br />
Separation Plan provided for<br />
an India-specific safeguards agreement with the IAEA with<br />
assurances of uninterrupted supply of fuel to reactors together<br />
with India’s right to take corrective measures in the event fuel<br />
supplies are interrupted. We have made clear to the US that India’s<br />
strategic programme is totally outside the purview of the July<br />
Statement, and we oppose any legislative provisions that Mandate<br />
scrutiny of either our nuclear weapons programme or our<br />
unsafeguarded nuclear facilities.<br />
(v) Safeguards Agreement and Fuel Assurances : In this respect<br />
too, it is worth emphasizing that the March 2006 Separation Plan<br />
provides for an India-Specific Safeguards Agreement with the<br />
IAEA, with assurances of uninterrupted supply of fuel to reactors<br />
that would be placed under IAEA safeguards together with India’s<br />
right to take corrective measures in the event fuel supplies are<br />
interrupted. We, of course, have the sovereign right to take all<br />
appropriate measures to fully safeguard our interests. An<br />
important assurance is the commitment of support for India’s<br />
right to build up strategic reserves of nuclear fuel over the lifetime<br />
of India’s reactors. We have initiated technical discussions at the<br />
expert level with the IAEA on an India-Specific Safeguards<br />
Agreement. Both the Bilateral Nuclear Cooperation Agreement<br />
with the United States and the India-Specific Safeguards<br />
Agreement with the IAEA would be only within the parameters of<br />
the July Statement and the March Separation Plan. There is no<br />
question of India signing either a Safeguards Agreement with<br />
the IAEA or an Additional Protocol of a type concluded by<br />
Non-Nuclear Weapons States who have signed the NPT. We will<br />
not accept any verification measures regarding our safeguarded<br />
nuclear facilities beyond those contained in an India-Specific<br />
Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA. Therefore there is no<br />
question of allowing American inspectors to roam around our<br />
nuclear facilities.<br />
(vi) Integrity and reliability of our strategic programme – autonomy<br />
be affected. The autonomy of our Research and<br />
Development activity, including development of our fast<br />
breeder reactors and the thorium programme, in the<br />
nuclear field will remain unaffected<br />
has been so designed as to<br />
ensure adequacy of fissile<br />
material and other inputs for<br />
our strategic programme,<br />
based on our current and<br />
assessed future needs. The<br />
integrity of our 3-Stage nuclear programme will not be affected.<br />
The autonomy of our Research and Development activity, including<br />
development of our fast breeder reactors and the thorium<br />
programme, in the nuclear field will remain unaffected. We will<br />
not accept interference by other countries vis-à-vis the<br />
development of our strategic programme. We will not allow<br />
external scrutiny of our strategic programme in any manner, much<br />
less allow it to be a condition for future nuclear cooperation<br />
between India and the international community.<br />
(vii) Moratorium on production of fissile material: Our position on<br />
this matter is unambiguous. We are not willing to accept a<br />
moratorium on the production of fissile material. We are only<br />
committed to negotiate a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty in the<br />
Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, a commitment which<br />
was given by the previous government. India is willing to join<br />
only a non-discriminatory, multilaterally negotiated and<br />
internationally verifiable FMCT, as and when it is concluded in<br />
the Conference on Disarmament, again provided our security<br />
interests are fully addressed.<br />
(viii) Non-discriminatory Global Nuclear Disarmament: Our<br />
commitment towards non-discriminatory global nuclear<br />
disarmament remains unwavering, in line with the Rajiv Gandhi<br />
Action Plan. There is no dilution on this count. We do not accept<br />
proposals put forward from time to time for regional<br />
non-proliferation or regional disarmament. Pending global nuclear<br />
disarmament, there is no question of India joining the NPT as a<br />
non-nuclear weapon state, or accepting full-scope safeguards<br />
as a requirement for nuclear supplies to India, now or in the<br />
future.<br />
(ix) Cessation of Future Cooperation : There is provision in the<br />
proposed US law that were India to detonate a nuclear explosive<br />
device, the US will have the right to cease further cooperation.<br />
Our position on this is unambiguous. The US has been intimated<br />
12 <strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006
that reference to nuclear detonation in the India-US Bilateral<br />
Nuclear Cooperation Agreement as a condition for future<br />
cooperation is not acceptable to us. We are not prepared to go<br />
beyond a unilateral voluntary<br />
moratorium on nuclear<br />
testing as indicated in the<br />
July Statement. The same is<br />
true of other intrusive<br />
non-proliferation benchmarks<br />
that are mentioned in the<br />
proposed US legislation.<br />
India’s possession and development of nuclear weapons is an<br />
integral part of our national security. This will remain so.<br />
14. Hon’ble Members will appreciate the fact that an international<br />
negotiation on nuclear energy cooperation particularly when it<br />
involves dismantling restrictive regimes that have lasted for over<br />
three decades is a complex and sensitive exercise. What we are<br />
attempting today is to put in place new international arrangements<br />
that would overturn three decades of iniquitous restrictions. It is<br />
inevitable, therefore, that there would be some contradictory pulls<br />
and pressures. This does not mean that India will succumb to<br />
pressures or accept conditionalities that are contrary to its<br />
national interests.<br />
15. I had personally spoken to President Bush in St. Petersburg<br />
last month on this issue, and conveyed to him that the proposed<br />
US legislation must conform strictly to the parameters of the July<br />
18, 2005 Statement and the March 2, 2006 Separation Plan.<br />
This alone would be an acceptable basis for nuclear cooperation<br />
between India and the United States. India cannot, and is not<br />
prepared to, take on additional commitments outside this agreed<br />
framework or allow any extraneous issues to be introduced. I<br />
have received an assurance from the US President that it was<br />
not his intention to shift goalposts, and that the parameters of<br />
the scope of cooperation would be those contained in the July<br />
2005 Joint Statement and the March 2006 Separation Plan. A<br />
White House Statement of Administration Policy of July 26, 2006<br />
recognizes some, though not all, of India’s concerns, and<br />
conveyed that the Administration has voiced them with the<br />
<strong>Congress</strong>.<br />
What we are attempting today is to put in place<br />
new international arrangements that would<br />
overturn three decades of iniquitous restrictions<br />
Debate in Rajya Sabha<br />
I must be honest and frank that I cannot predict with certainty<br />
the final form of the US legislation or the outcome of this process<br />
with the NSG, which consists of 45 countries with divergent views.<br />
We are hopeful that this will<br />
lead in a direction wherein<br />
our interests are fully<br />
protected and that there is a<br />
complete lifting of<br />
restrictions on India that<br />
have existed for three<br />
decades. Such an outcome<br />
if it materializes will contribute to our long-term energy security<br />
by enabling a rapid increase in nuclear power. It would lead to<br />
the dismantling of the technology denial regimes that have<br />
hampered our development particularly in hi-tech sectors. I will<br />
have wide consultations including with the members of the Atomic<br />
Energy Commission, the nuclear and scientific communities and<br />
others to develop a broad based national consensus on this<br />
important matter. I wish to inform members of the House that I<br />
have invited members of the Atomic Energy Commission on the<br />
26th August for a meeting. That same day I have also invited the<br />
group of distinguished scientists who have expressed concerns<br />
to meet me.<br />
17. Finally, I would only like to state that in keeping with our<br />
commitments to Parliament and the nation, we will not accept<br />
any conditions that go beyond the parameters of the July 18,<br />
2005 Joint Statement and the March 2, 2006 Separation Plan,<br />
agreed to between India and the United States. If in their final<br />
form the US legislation or the adapted NSG Guidelines impose<br />
extraneous conditions on India, the Government will draw the<br />
necessary conclusions, consistent with the commitments I have<br />
made to Parliament.<br />
Prime Minister also gave<br />
the following responses to points<br />
raised by the Left parties<br />
1. Whether the deal will give “full” civilian nuclear<br />
technology and lift all existing sanctions on dual use<br />
technology imposed on India for not signing the NPT.<br />
16. I can assure you that there is no ambiguity in our position in<br />
so far as it has been conveyed to the US. The US is aware of our<br />
position that the only way forward is strict adherence to July<br />
Statement and March Separation Plan. I am hopeful that the<br />
bilateral India-US Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement when<br />
concluded will take into account the issues raised here. However,<br />
Response: The objective of full civil nuclear cooperation is<br />
enshrined in the July Statement. This objective can be realized<br />
when current restrictions on nuclear trade with India are fully<br />
lifted. In accordance with the July Statement, US has initiated<br />
steps to amend its legislation and to approach the NSG to adapt<br />
its guidelines. We seek the removal of restrictions on all aspects<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006 13
Debate in Rajya Sabha<br />
of cooperation and technology transfers pertaining to civil nuclear<br />
energy – ranging from supply of nuclear fuel, nuclear reactors,<br />
reprocessing spent fuel, i.e., all aspects of complete nuclear fuel<br />
supply. Only such cooperation<br />
would be in keeping with the<br />
July Joint Statement.<br />
2. Cannot accept<br />
restrictions on Indian<br />
foreign policy to be<br />
imposed such as on Iran, irrespective of whether it is in<br />
the policy section or in the sense of the House section of<br />
the legislation.<br />
Response: Government is clear that our commitments are only<br />
those that are contained in the July Joint Statement and in the<br />
Separation Plan. We cannot accept introduction of extraneous<br />
issues on foreign policy. Any prescriptive suggestions in this<br />
regard are not acceptable to us.<br />
Our foreign policy is and will be solely determined by our national<br />
interests. No legislation enacted in a foreign country can take<br />
away from us this sovereign right.<br />
3. Signing of IAEA safeguards in perpetuity for the civilian<br />
programme to take place after the US <strong>Congress</strong> had<br />
approved a “123 Nuclear Cooperation Agreement”. All<br />
restrictions on India to be lifted before we sign the IAEA<br />
safeguards.<br />
Response: I had conveyed to<br />
Parliament on July 29, 2005<br />
on my return from<br />
Washington that before<br />
placing any of our nuclear<br />
facilities under IAEA<br />
safeguards, we will ensure all<br />
restrictions on India have<br />
been lifted. Under the Separation Plan agreed to with the United<br />
States, India has offered to place under IAEA safeguards 14 of<br />
its reactors presently operating or under constructions between<br />
2006 and 2014. The nuclear facilities listed in the Separation<br />
Plan will be offered for safeguards only after all nuclear<br />
restrictions have been lifted on India. This would include suitable<br />
amendments to the US legislation to allow for such cooperation,<br />
the passing of the bilateral agreement with India and the adaption<br />
of the NSG guidelines. It is clear that India cannot be expected to<br />
take safeguards obligations on its nuclear facilities in anticipation<br />
of future lifting of restrictions.<br />
We seek the removal of restrictions on all aspects<br />
of cooperation and technology transfers pertaining<br />
to civil nuclear energy<br />
The nuclear facilities listed in the Separation<br />
Plan will be offered for safeguards only after all<br />
nuclear restrictions have been lifted on India<br />
4. Guarantees on fuel as agreed in the March 2006<br />
statement.<br />
In case the US reneges<br />
on supply of fuel, they<br />
will ensure continuity<br />
through other members<br />
of the Nuclear Suppliers<br />
Group (NSG).<br />
Response: Separation Plan<br />
includes elaborate fuel supply assurances given by the United<br />
States. Understandings in the Separation Plan also provide for<br />
contingency of disruption of fuel supplies to India. In such a case,<br />
the United States and India would jointly convene a group of<br />
friendly supplier countries (Russia, France and United Kingdom)<br />
aimed at restoring fuel supplies to India. An important assurance<br />
is the commitment of support for India’s right to build strategic<br />
reserves of fuel over the life time of its nuclear reactors. In the<br />
event of disruption of fuel supplies despite the assurances, India<br />
will have a right to take corrective measure to ensure the operation<br />
of its nuclear reactors.<br />
5. India will work for an FMCT and for nuclear<br />
disarmament with all nuclear weapon states, in line with<br />
the Rajiv Gandhi Plan or Delhi Declaration in tandem.<br />
Response: Our support for global nuclear disarmament remains<br />
unwaivering. Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had put forward an<br />
Action Plan in the 1988 UNGA Special Session on Disarmament.<br />
We remain committed to the<br />
central goal of this Action<br />
Plan, i.e., complete<br />
elimination of nuclear<br />
weapons leading to global<br />
nuclear disarmament in a<br />
time-bound framework. India<br />
has agreed to negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament in<br />
Geneva for a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty. There has been no<br />
change in our position on this matter.<br />
6. In the original deal, there is no provision for US<br />
inspectors, only provision for IAEA inspectors. The draft<br />
US Bills contains such provisions.<br />
Response: In the Separation Plan, we have agreed to offer for<br />
IAEA safeguards nuclear facilities specified in the Separation Plan<br />
for that purpose. The nature of safeguards will be determined by<br />
an India specific safeguards agreement with the IAEA. This will<br />
14 <strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006
e applied to the safeguarded nuclear facilities in India. Therefore, Vanik Amendment was binding on the Administration and cannot<br />
there is no question of accepting other verification measures or be cited as a precedent for non-binding references in the current<br />
third country inspectors to visit our nuclear facilities, outside the bills. A more accurate example than the Jackson-Vanik<br />
framework of the India specific safeguards agreement. Amendment is the set of provisions accompanying the renewal<br />
of MFN status to China, that included references to China’s human<br />
7. An India-specific<br />
rights, China’s political and<br />
protocol and not an<br />
religious prisoners,<br />
Additional Protocol as per we have agreed to conclude an India specific<br />
protection of Tibetan heritage<br />
IAEA Standard Modified safeguards agreement with the IAEA. The question of<br />
and freedom of political<br />
Protocol.<br />
an Additional Protocol will arise only after the India<br />
Response: In the Separation<br />
Plan, we have agreed to<br />
conclude an India specific<br />
safeguards agreement with the IAEA. The question of an Additional<br />
Protocol will arise only after the India specific safeguards<br />
agreement is in place. As a country with nuclear weapons, there<br />
is no question of India agreeing to a Safeguards agreement or<br />
an Additional Protocol applicable to non-nuclear weapon states<br />
of the NPT.<br />
8. References to Iran in the House Bill.<br />
Response: We reject the linkage of any extraneous issue to the<br />
nuclear understanding. India’s foreign policy will be decided on<br />
the basis of Indian national interests only.<br />
9. Reference to Proliferation Security Initiative in the<br />
House and Senate Bills.<br />
Response: The Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) is an<br />
extraneous issue as it is outside the framework of the July 18<br />
Joint Statement. Therefore, we cannot accept it as a condition<br />
for implementing the July Statement. Separately, the Government<br />
has examined the PSI.<br />
We have certain concerns regarding its legal implications and its<br />
linkages with the NPT. We also have concerns with amendments<br />
to the suppression of Unlawful Activities at Sea Treaty under the<br />
International Maritime Organisation.<br />
10. The Jackson-Vanik Amendment linking the granting<br />
of MFN status to USSR to Jewish emigration is an<br />
example relevant to the current debate.<br />
Response: We have studied the proposed US legislation very<br />
carefully, including the so-called binding and non-binding<br />
provisions. The non-binding provisions do not require mandatory<br />
action, but at the same time, have a certain weight in the<br />
implementation of the legislation as a whole. We have conveyed<br />
our concerns to the US Administration in this respect. Jackson-<br />
specific safeguards agreement is in place<br />
Debate in Rajya Sabha<br />
expression.<br />
11. Role of Parliament in<br />
approving foreign policy.<br />
Response: India follows a Parliamentary model, as specified in<br />
our Constitution, wherein treaty making powers rest with the<br />
Executive. However, we have kept Parliament fully in the picture<br />
regarding various stages of our negotiations with the United<br />
States. Broad based domestic consensus cutting across all<br />
sections in Parliament and outside will be necessary. We will<br />
work towards that objective by addressing various concerns as<br />
fully as possible.<br />
Prime Minister also gave the following<br />
responses to points raised by the group<br />
of nuclear scientists<br />
1. “India should continue to be able to hold on to her nuclear<br />
option as a strategic requirement in the real world that that we<br />
live in, and in the ever-changing complexity of the international<br />
political system. This means that we cannot accede to any<br />
restraint in perpetuity on our freedom of action. We have not<br />
done this for the last 40 years after the Non-Proliferation Treaty<br />
came into being, and there is no reason why we should succumb<br />
to this now. Universal nuclear disarmament must be our ultimate<br />
aim, and until we see the light at the end of the tunnel on this<br />
important issue, we cannot accept any agreement in perpetuity.”<br />
Response: We are very firm in our determination that agreement<br />
with United States on Civil Nuclear Energy in no way affects the<br />
requirements of our strategic programme. We are fully conscious<br />
of the changing complexity of the international political system.<br />
Nuclear weapons are an integral part of our national security<br />
and will remain so, pending the global elimination of all nuclear<br />
weapons and universal non-discriminatory nuclear disarmament.<br />
Our freedom of action with regard to our strategic programmes<br />
remains unrestricted. The nuclear agreement will not be allowed<br />
to be used as a backdoor method of introducing NPT type<br />
restrictions on India. Our offer to put nuclear facilities under<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006 15
Debate in Rajya Sabha<br />
safeguards in perpetuity is conditional upon these facilities<br />
securing fuel from international sources for their life time. If the<br />
fuel supply assurances as enumerated in Separation Plan are<br />
disrupted, then India will have<br />
the right to take corrective<br />
Nothing in the Separation Plan infringes on our sovereign right<br />
to conduct research and technology development concerning our<br />
national defence and energy self-sufficiency. Government is<br />
committed to preserve the<br />
integrity of the three stage<br />
measures to ensure the<br />
continued operation of these<br />
reactors.<br />
Broad based domestic consensus cutting across all<br />
sections in Parliament and outside will be necessary.<br />
We will work towards that objective by addressing<br />
nuclear power programme,<br />
including utilization of our<br />
vast thorium resources.<br />
2. ‘After 1974, when the<br />
major powers discontinued<br />
cooperation with us, we have<br />
built up our capability in many sensitive technological areas, which<br />
need not and should not now be subjected to external control.<br />
Safeguards are understandable where external assistance for<br />
nuclear materials or technologies are involved. We have agreed<br />
to this before, and we can continue to agree to this in the future<br />
too, but strictly restricted to those facilities and materials imported<br />
from external sources.’<br />
Response: Sensitive nuclear technology facilities have not been<br />
covered in the Separation Plan. Therefore, there is no question<br />
of putting them under safeguards or under external controls. Even<br />
with regard to nuclear facilities that have been included in<br />
Separation Plan, safeguards will be applied in phases between<br />
2006 and 2014. These safeguarded facilities will be eligible for<br />
and will receive fuel materials and technology from international<br />
sources. If such supplies cease, then India will be free to protect<br />
its interests through corrective measures. That will be spelt out<br />
clearly in the India specific<br />
safeguards agreement.<br />
3. ‘We find that the Indo-US<br />
deal, in the form approved by<br />
the US House of<br />
Representatives, infringes on<br />
our Independence for carrying out indigenous research and<br />
development in nuclear science and technology. Our R&D should<br />
not be hampered by external supervision or control, or by the<br />
need to satisfy any international body. Research and technology<br />
development are the Sovereign rights of any nation. This is<br />
especially true when they concern strategic national defence and<br />
energy self-sufficiency.’<br />
Response: Our independence for carrying out independent<br />
research and development in nuclear science and technology<br />
will remain unaffected. There will be no external supervision of<br />
our R&D since none of the sensitive R&D facilities which handle<br />
nuclear material have been included in the Separation Plan.<br />
various concerns as fully as possible<br />
As these facilities will not handle nuclear material,<br />
there is no question of safeguards being applied to<br />
them. We expect these centers to participate as full<br />
partners in international collaboration project<br />
Certain nuclear facilities<br />
including centers such as<br />
TIFR, Variable Energy<br />
Cyclotron Centre, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics etc., have<br />
been designated as civilian in the Separation Plan. As these<br />
facilities will not handle nuclear material, there is no question of<br />
safeguards being applied to them. We expect these centers to<br />
participate as full partners in international collaboration project.<br />
4. ‘While the sequence of actions to implement the cooperation<br />
could be left for discussion between the two governments, the<br />
basic principles on which such actions will rest is the right of<br />
Parliament and the people to decide. The Prime Minister has<br />
already taken up with President George Bush the issue of the<br />
new clauses recommended by the US House of Representatives.<br />
If the US <strong>Congress</strong>, in its wisdom, passes the bill in its present<br />
form, the ‘product’ will become unacceptable to India, and<br />
diplomatically, it will be very difficult to change it later. Hence, it<br />
is important for our Parliament to work out, and insist on, the<br />
ground rules for the nuclear deal, at this stage itself.’<br />
Response: I had taken up<br />
with President Bush our<br />
concerns regarding<br />
provisions in the two bills. It<br />
is clear that if the final<br />
product is in its current form,<br />
India will have grave<br />
difficulties in accepting the bills. US has been left in no doubt as<br />
to our position. The ground rules for our discussions are clear.<br />
These are the parameters of the July Statement and the March<br />
Separation Plan and commitments given by me to Parliament in<br />
the three Suo Moto Statements and my reply to today’s<br />
discussions will be the guiding principles of our position.<br />
Parliament has been kept fully informed at every stage of the<br />
discussions. In their final form, if US legislation or the NSG<br />
guidelines impose extraneous conditions on India, the Government<br />
will draw the necessary conclusions consistent with my<br />
commitments to Parliament. ❖<br />
Courtesy: PIB<br />
16 <strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006
PM’s Visit<br />
G-8 Unites Against Mumbai Attacks<br />
ST. PETERSBURG (Russia): “A very strong message should go<br />
out from this session against terrorism,” PM Manmohan Singh<br />
said at the G8 Summit, arguing “no cause is worthy enough<br />
to justify the killing of civilians”. He also received support<br />
from US president George Bush, who, while expressing solidarity<br />
with India, backed its case from a strong statement.<br />
India, the foreign secretary indicated, was pleased with its<br />
unambiguous tone. Judged “strongly worded” by observers here,<br />
the statement marks the turning of denunciations by individual<br />
nations in the immediate wake of the Mumbai massacre into a<br />
chorus of condemnation. It also assumes significance because<br />
the signatories did not limit themselves to merely the perpetrators,<br />
but also implicated the sponsors. This is important from New<br />
Delhi’s point of view given that it has made no bones of its<br />
conviction about Pakistan being the mastermind of the continuing<br />
acts of anti-India terrorism.<br />
Besides, the statement marked a setback to the renewed attempt<br />
by Pakistan to distinguish terrorism in other settings from the<br />
one aimed against India on the ground that the latter was a<br />
product of frustrations over the denial of right to selfdetermination<br />
or, lately, religious persecution, and, therefore,<br />
worthy of indulgence.<br />
The signatories to the statement of solidarity with Mumbai and<br />
J&K included President Bush, President Putin of Russia, President<br />
Hu Jintao of China, Japanese premier Junichiro Koizumi, German<br />
Chancellor Angela Merkel, President Jacques Chirac of France,<br />
British PM Tony Blair, Italian PM Romano Prodi, Canadian PM<br />
Stephen Harper, Finland PM and EU president Matti Taneli<br />
Vanhanen, President of Kazakhstan and Chairman of CIS states<br />
Nursultan Nazarbaev, South African President Thabo Mbeki,<br />
President of Congo and Chairman of the African Union Denis<br />
Sassou Nguesso, Brazilian President Lula da Silva and UN<br />
Secretary General Kofi Annan. The leaders stressed: “We are<br />
united with India in our resolve to intensify efforts to fight<br />
terrorism, which constitutes a threat to each of our countries.”<br />
Terrorism was the focus of the interaction Singh had with<br />
President Bush. Bush said terrorism must be fought wherever it<br />
occurs. German chancellor Merkel and Japanese premier Koizumi<br />
also spoke strongly against terrorism which was identified among<br />
the areas of common concern at the first trilateral summit of<br />
India, Russia and China.<br />
Indian officials felt the attack on Mumbai was clearly the trigger<br />
for the toughening of the stance which marked a rebuff to Pakistan<br />
foreign minister Khurshid Kasuri’s audacious attempt on innocent<br />
train commuters to “unresolved issues.” ❖<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006 17
IYC Conference<br />
Youth Has A Vital Role in Nation Building<br />
Sonia Gandhi<br />
Excerpts of <strong>Congress</strong> President’s address at the<br />
Conference of District Presidents of the<br />
Youth <strong>Congress</strong> “Conversation – 2006” (24–26 July),<br />
Gandhi Samriti and Darshan Samiti –<br />
New Delhi, July 26, 2006<br />
Today is the last day of your three-day conference. As it is clear<br />
from its title, you have had an opportunity to inter-act, talk and<br />
discuss with each other. This is a great thing. Due to mutual<br />
introduction, mutual inter-action and mutual understanding, the<br />
organization’s strength is enhanced<br />
and courage and self-confidence is<br />
generated to move ahead unitedly.<br />
As far as the training camp is<br />
concerned, I am of the opinion, it<br />
should have been at least for five days<br />
and the beginning should be made<br />
from the grassroot. First, the camp<br />
should begin at the block and district<br />
level, and then at the national level.<br />
But the question arises who will<br />
educated (instruct) the workers at the<br />
camp? For this, you have to prepare<br />
instructors. You have to instruct them.<br />
You have to discover and choose<br />
those boys and girls who have<br />
knowledge of our country and<br />
traditions of the society and after that<br />
you have to impart them training as to how to instruct the Youth<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> workers. This is the initial step and only after that<br />
proper training programme will start.<br />
But, there is no time to waste on pondering. Events are taking<br />
place at a fast pace in politics of the country and the world. In<br />
our country, there is a new political set up. For the first time,<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> has a coalition government at the Centre. There are<br />
challenges before us in several states. The narrow-mindedness<br />
of communal and casteist elements have thrown several questions<br />
before the society. We have to find solutions to these questions.<br />
We have to do a lot of work to improve the lot of farmers and<br />
conditions of villages. There is a problem of terrorism before us.<br />
This is a challenge posed before the entire country. I know that<br />
you all are courageous and are ready to face this challenge.<br />
Terrorists attacked a Youth <strong>Congress</strong> rally at Srinagar on May<br />
21, 2006. Our three brave soldiers lost their lives. We are proud<br />
of them. Such sacrifice will not go waste. The <strong>Congress</strong>, being<br />
the largest and oldest party of the country, knows its responsibility.<br />
Whenever, our country faces a big challenge, the new generation<br />
stoutly faces it. As history of India grows older, the more young<br />
and fresh it is in regard to its age. The number of youth is largest<br />
among the countrymen. Thus, I want to say that not only the<br />
future is yours, but I would say that the present too is yours. The<br />
new and the old generations must<br />
realize this. The duty of the new<br />
generation is to move forward with<br />
responsibility and strength and the<br />
duty of the old generation is give an<br />
opportunity to the new generation to<br />
prove its ability and make their<br />
passage easier. To achieve this target,<br />
the training is not only essential but<br />
becomes necessary. I believe you will<br />
seriously think about it.<br />
As far as the <strong>Congress</strong> Party is<br />
concerned, our UPA government at the<br />
Centre and our party governments in<br />
the states are working as per the<br />
party’s policies, programmes and<br />
manifestos. The Common Minimum<br />
Programme, formulated by our allies<br />
at the Centre, is being implemented speedily. You will feel happy<br />
that the issues and promises made in the Common Minimum<br />
Programme are part of our manifesto. We are setting an example<br />
by our deeds in the history of the coalition government. This is<br />
the reason which hurts the Opposition and who are trying to create<br />
hurdles at every step. Creating obstacles in the proceedings of<br />
the Parliament is also a part of their strategy. This is our pledge<br />
that we will continue to tread on our path, we have to take steps<br />
in the interest of the country and face all difficulties. He, who<br />
has love for his country and the society, does not retreat.<br />
I know the youth are basically idealist. Thus, I hope you will not<br />
get involved in trivial matters and pay attention to your idealism<br />
and target. We have to serve the people we have to eliminate<br />
discrimination, in justice and oppression and support the poor,<br />
18 <strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006
IYC Conference<br />
the weak, the dalit, the tribal, the backward and the minority.<br />
There is no work sacred than helping the poor and the weak.<br />
Recently, the Central Government constituted the National Rural<br />
Employment Guarantee Act, the Right to Information Act and<br />
formed programmes like India Development, which are historical<br />
steps in themselves. We had promised that every year we will<br />
submit a report about our work to the people. After completion<br />
of two years, our second report has been brought out. I want you<br />
that a copy of this report reaches every unit and give proper<br />
information to the people.<br />
Not a single youth organization will get proper strength and become<br />
an ideal organization until it takes the shape of a movement. You<br />
should know that throughout the world, generally, all big revolutionary<br />
changes took place through the youth movement. We would not<br />
have easily achieved the freedom had there not been the 1942<br />
movement. It was basically a movement by the youth and their<br />
leader was Jawaharlal Nehru and others. I take pride in telling you<br />
that Indiraji in her tenure gave maximum encouragement to youth<br />
leadership after independence. Rajivji was a leader of the youth. I,<br />
today myself feel that the new generation should get maximum<br />
opportunity to move ahead. Therefore, I want you to get yourself<br />
ready to accept this new challenge.<br />
There is a major shortcoming in our political parties. We only do<br />
political work and implement a political programme. A political<br />
organization must also do social and constructive work. Without<br />
this you cannot win people’s goodwill and cooperation. One also<br />
gets satisfaction by doing a social and constructive work and<br />
self-confidence is enhanced. There are several evils in our<br />
society. We have to make the people aware about these evils,<br />
which include killing of female foetus, dowry, corruption, HIV and<br />
AIDS. Water conservation and plantation of trees are social<br />
welfare work, which we have to do. The youth can play a vital<br />
role in the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and<br />
education to all programme. To make these programmes effective<br />
the Right to Information Act can prove useful tool. I am hopeful<br />
that you will utilize this rule after getting its full information. For<br />
this, we have to inculcate the habit of hard working. We have to<br />
work with full dedication and determination.<br />
There is no shortage of energy and willingness for the youth but<br />
it only needs dedication and pledge. You have to generate it<br />
yourself. I know that you are not lacking ability and willingness,<br />
it only needs an opportunity to blossom. We will make an attempt<br />
to give you this opportunity but you have to continue your struggle.<br />
I am confident that we will be successful together. A new history<br />
will be created for the <strong>Congress</strong> and the country. ❖<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> Concern over Lebanon<br />
New Delhi: The Indian National <strong>Congress</strong> expressed its<br />
concern over the aggravation of the situation in Lebanon in<br />
the wake of the Israeli invasion. The consequent destruction<br />
of infrastructure and the mounting humanitarian crisis warrants<br />
the urgent attention of the UN Security Council and the<br />
intervention of the international community.<br />
We urge Israel and other parties to put in place urgent<br />
measures to end hostilities in the larger interest of the region<br />
and the innocent people who become unfortunate victims in a<br />
conflict situation, said AICC General Secretary, Shri Janardan<br />
Dwivedi on 20 th July.<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> Condemns Israeli Bombings<br />
Later, on 31 July, AICC Spokesman, Shri Abhishek Singhvi,<br />
strongly condemned the “outrageous killings of civilians” in<br />
Lebanon in the indiscriminate Israeli bombings. The deaths<br />
of innocent women and children caused by air strikes is<br />
shocking and reprehensible. This callous and irresponsible<br />
act underscores the tragedy of Lebanon. In a statement, he<br />
said: “AICC also deplores the Israeli attacks on UN<br />
Peacekeeping troops on the Israeli-Lebanon border in which<br />
Indian armed forces personnel have been injured.<br />
AICC notes with serious concern the continued suffering of<br />
the Lebanese and Palestinian people. The disproportionate<br />
and excessive use of armed forces by Israel has led to massive<br />
destruction and loss of life. It has displaced hundreds of<br />
thousands of civilians, destroyed civilian infrastructure and<br />
created acute shortages of essential commodities leading to<br />
a major humanitarian crisis.<br />
AICC strongly feels that mere expression of regret are no longer<br />
adequate. The time has come for the international community<br />
and the United Nations to urgently intervene and actively work<br />
towards cessation of hostilities and the restoration of peace<br />
in order to prevent further escalation of this crisis.” ❖<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006 19
Flood Situation<br />
Sonia Gandhi Surveys Flood-ravaged AP, Gujarat<br />
victims at two places.<br />
After landing at Gannavaram airport, Smt. Gandhi visited<br />
Amalapuram and saw how picturesque Konaseema, in East<br />
Godavari district had been devastated by nature’s fury. She visited<br />
a relief camp in Amalapuram and interacted with victims, most<br />
of whom sought permanent houses.<br />
After studying the situation in East Godavari, West Godavari and<br />
Adilabad districts, Smt. Gandhi visited Khammam, one of the<br />
worst-hit districts in the state. In more village in Burgampad<br />
mandal, she spoke to the people. At both places she saw photo<br />
exhibitions of the flood fury and inquired from the Collectors about<br />
relief operations. She did not speak to the media during her visit.<br />
Meanwhile, speaking to the media after seeing off Smt. Gandhi<br />
NEW DELHI: The <strong>Congress</strong> President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi made<br />
an aerial survey of the flood-ravaged areas of Andhra Pradesh<br />
and Gujarat to take first-hand view of the disaster caused by<br />
rains and flood.<br />
Smt. Gandhi, accompanied by the Union Home Minister, Shri<br />
Shivraj Patil first toured the areas of Andhra Pradesh on 9 August.<br />
She visited Gujarat on 10 August accompanied by Defence<br />
Minister, Shri Pranab Mukherjee.<br />
UPA Chairperson, Smt. Sonia Gandhi on 9 August announced the<br />
Centre would release Rs. 200 crore from the Calamity Relief Fund<br />
to meet immediate relief needs in Andhra Pradesh.<br />
Shri Patil asked the Andhra Pradesh Government to chalk out a<br />
detailed plan for permanent rehabilitation of victims and sent it<br />
to the Centre so it could be examined by the Planning Commission<br />
and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to<br />
assess the funding required.<br />
and Shri Patil at Hyderabad airport, Dr. Reddy said very soon a<br />
Central Team would visit flood-affected areas in the state.<br />
Describing Smt. Gandhi’s visit as a morale boost, he said they<br />
had asked the Centre to liberally help the state. “Today we have<br />
submitted a memorandum to the Centre asking for interim relief.<br />
We will assess the loss in the state and finally prepare a report<br />
and submit it to the Central Team that would visit the state shortly.<br />
Appreciating the proposal of Chief Minister, Shri Y.S. Rajasekhara<br />
Reddy to repair and strengthen river bunds to prevent recurrence<br />
of such disasters, the Union Minister advised him to send a<br />
detailed report for examination. The NDMA would examine it and<br />
make suggestions. He appreciated the state’s relief and rescue<br />
operations.<br />
Dr. Reddy said they had told the Centre they were serious about<br />
Smt. Gandhi, accompanied by Shri Patil, Chief Minister Dr. Reddy,<br />
Union Ministers, Smt. Renuka Chaudhary, Dasari Narayana Rao,<br />
Pallam Raju, AICC General Secretary incharge of Andhra Pradesh,<br />
Shri Digvijay Singh and PCC chief, Shri K. Keshava Rao had a<br />
look at the damage from the helicopter. They interacted with the<br />
20 <strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006
Flood Situation<br />
completing repair work within a year to 480 km of bunds on the<br />
Godavari river. He said after 1986, the state had witnessed such<br />
furious floods for the first time. The Centre had assured help for<br />
the repairs on Godavari bunds, he added.<br />
He said repairs were necessary for Krishna and Vamshadara<br />
rivers, then such floods could be averted in the state, he stressed.<br />
Meanwhile the death toll in Maharashtra due to flood has reached<br />
119 with 79 people still missing.<br />
Later, <strong>Congress</strong> President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi and Defence<br />
Minister, Shri Pranab Mukherjee on 10 August drove in Army<br />
truck in Surat, where many have been marooned for the past<br />
few days because of floods.<br />
On their return to Vadodara airport, Shri Mukherjee announced<br />
an assistance of Rs. 150 crore for flood-hit Gujarat after an aerial<br />
survey of Surat and surrounding areas with Smt. Sonia Gandhi<br />
and her political secretary, Shri Ahmed Patel, Shri Mukherjee<br />
blamed the Gujarat government for the sudden release of water<br />
from Ukai dam, which he said has caused massive flooding of<br />
Surat.<br />
At Surat, they were briefed by principal secretary (health) Shri<br />
SR Rao on behalf of Modi government They sat on a bench behind<br />
the truck’s cabin as it drove the 13 kms between the airport and<br />
Surat and then took them round some areas for over 90 minutes.<br />
The visit sans the regular security and convoys shocked people<br />
who realized the Smt. Sonia Gandhi was visiting only after the<br />
truck trundled past pot-holed roads.<br />
Also missing were milling crowds seen during Sonia Gandhi’s<br />
earlier visits. “People do not expect Smt. Gandhi to travel in a<br />
truck,” a <strong>Congress</strong> leader said. She visited areas of Bhimrad<br />
and Bhatar cross-roads. “They wanted to go further, but the<br />
Army personnel advised against it, for security reasons,” said<br />
Gujarat Pradesh <strong>Congress</strong> Committee president, Shri Bharatsinh<br />
Solanki. People in Surat are already angry with the establishment<br />
for failing to provide succour. Smt. Gandhi and Shri Mukherjee<br />
were briefed on relief and rescue operations by the Army and Air<br />
Force.<br />
He said 24 boats have been dispatched for evacuating stranded<br />
people and 32 boats were already assisting in evacuating over<br />
4,000 people. ❖<br />
OMEM DEORI APPOINTED<br />
ARUNACHAL PCC CHIEF<br />
New Delhi : <strong>Congress</strong> President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, has on<br />
17 th August, 2006 appointed Smt. Omem Moyong Deori, ex<br />
M.P. as President of Arunachal Pradesh <strong>Congress</strong> Committee<br />
with immediate effect, according to Shri Oscar Fernandes,<br />
MP, Member, CWC-Incharge North-East States and Frontal<br />
Organizations. ❖<br />
JASWANT’S CLAIM, A JOKE.<br />
NEW DELHI: What a joke! Shri<br />
Jaswant Singh in his book has named<br />
a mole in the Prime Minister’s office<br />
but later failed to name him. This<br />
clearly shows how non-serious the<br />
BJP leaders are. I think if Jaswant<br />
Singh had such an information then<br />
he should truly have informed the<br />
then Prime Minister, Shri P.V.<br />
- Anil K. Shastri<br />
Narasimha Rao. If he could not, he<br />
should at least have told about it to Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee.<br />
Shri Jaswant Singh was himself the External Affairs minister<br />
at that time. Being a responsible citizen and a minister in the<br />
government it was his duty to have informed about it. He is<br />
now telling about it through his book and the media. When<br />
Dr. Manmohan Singh asked him to reveal the name, he asked<br />
for an interview with the prime minister. In my opinion the<br />
Prime Minister has rightly said that when he has said<br />
everything through the media, then he should also reveal the<br />
name of the mole through the media. But he is not willing to<br />
tell the name of that mole. This clearly shows that he is caught<br />
in his own web. Jaswant Singh has been the External Affairs<br />
Minister. He is the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha.<br />
He is a senior leader. Such a person should not make<br />
irresponsible statement. We presume that by not informing<br />
Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee about the mole, he has betrayed the<br />
nation. Secondly, the way he has spoken about the PMO is in<br />
itself a serious matter because the PMO is not just an office<br />
but is a prominent part of democracy. Therefore, this case<br />
calls for privilege motion against Shri Jaswant Singh because<br />
he has misguided the nation. ❖<br />
(Author is a CWC Special Invitee)<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006 21
Cover Story<br />
Strengthen the Backbone<br />
KK Birla<br />
Infrastructure is a very wide term. It means basic, physical and<br />
organisational structures needed for the operation of a society<br />
or enterprise. The requirements of infrastructure that cover the<br />
main requirements of the nation are water resources, power,<br />
telecommunications, roads, railways, ports, civil aviation and<br />
urban infrastructure.<br />
The massive development for infrastructural facilities will require<br />
a minimum investment of $ 150 billion to be incurred over the<br />
next decade if India is to attain 8 per cent GDP growth per year.<br />
The setback to the development of infrastructure was caused by<br />
the Industrial Policy Resolution of 1956. Infrastructure was<br />
reserved exclusively for the public sector. The government took<br />
on its shoulders the responsibility for the development of<br />
infrastructure. It did not realise the heavy burden that it would<br />
have to bear to keep a sizeable growth in the GDP. This sector<br />
should have been opened to both public and private sectors.<br />
The years following the opening up of the economy to the private<br />
sector in 1991 have been important. As industrial production<br />
started improving, the central and state governments realised<br />
that the infrastructure was woefully behind the requirements.<br />
Many top foreign companies wanting to start industrial units in<br />
India got a rude shock when they found that our infrastructure<br />
was in a pitiable condition.<br />
Towards the improvement of infrastructure, China and other<br />
countries with emerging economies, such as South Korea,<br />
Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore, have taken the lead.␣ Roads,<br />
water supplies and power availability and quality are fully<br />
comparable in these countries to those in the developed world.<br />
Take the example of ports. The turnaround time for ships in India<br />
was 8.5 days. With modernisation, this has come down to 3.5<br />
days. In Singapore, it is only eight hours. Not only that. It is<br />
disgusting to find that even in Delhi, the capital of the nation,<br />
there are constant shortages of power and water supply almost<br />
60 years after Independence.<br />
Considering that massive investments are required, it is clear<br />
that infrastructure can’t develop speedily unless the private sector<br />
is fully involved. Against this background, here are my comments<br />
on some important segments of infrastructure:<br />
Water Resources: Most␣ countries are facing great hardships<br />
in water supply. As the demand for water increases, the problem<br />
becomes increasingly grave. Hence countries are making plans<br />
on how to meet the water requirement.<br />
Here, we have a lot to learn from Israel and the UAE. There is no<br />
big lake or river in either of the two countries. Rainfall is very<br />
meagre. But they have installed huge equipment to desalinise<br />
sea water into potable water. It is a costly process. But when<br />
there is a problem, one has to face it head on. Today Israel and<br />
the UAE have no water shortage.<br />
Tamil Nadu is an Indian state facing acute shortage of drinking<br />
water. In the 2004 Budget, the Finance Minister stated that “it<br />
was proposed to install the first large desalination plant near<br />
Chennai in the state sector and more such plants will be installed<br />
along the Coromandel coast”. Issues relating to selecting the<br />
appropriate technology, funding, agency to manage the plant,<br />
etc. are still under discussion. Progress has been slow. Once<br />
these teething problems are sorted out, such plants can be<br />
replicated in states along the coastal lines facing a shortage.<br />
It is a matter of serious concern that water availability is dropping<br />
very sharply. During Independence, the available water was 5,000<br />
cubic metre (CM) per capita. This has now come down to 2,000<br />
CM. India has 16 per cent of the world’s population, but our water<br />
resources amount to only 4 per cent of global fresh water<br />
resources. Unless we take drastic steps, water scarcity will<br />
become acute by 2020.<br />
The quality of water, too, has considerably deteriorated. The<br />
government is taking several steps towards preventing the<br />
pollution of rivers, lakes, etc. While industries have now become<br />
fully conscious of their responsibilities of keeping water and the<br />
air pollution-free, this spirit has yet to reach the general public.<br />
Take the case of keeping the Ganga and Yamuna pollution-free.<br />
The government under Rajiv Gandhi took note of the problem<br />
and sanctioned a vast sum of money to clean the Ganga. Steps<br />
were taken, but there was no visible improvement whatsoever. In<br />
some cities the polluted water was treated before it flowed into<br />
the Ganga. But crores of people who live in villages along the<br />
Ganga were callous about their public responsibilities. Thus,<br />
pollution took place all along the river, barring industrial areas.<br />
In respect of the Yamuna, the Supreme Court went to the extent<br />
of ordering all the polluting factories to shift outside Delhi. Even<br />
then, the situation remains as bad as ever. Only with the<br />
22 <strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006
Cover Story<br />
cooperation of the general public can the lakes and rivers be<br />
made and kept pollution-free.<br />
Agriculture, a means of subsistence for over 70 per cent of our<br />
people, is a gift of the monsoons. Unfortunately, we don’t make<br />
proper use of the monsoon water. On an average, 4,000 billion<br />
cubic metre (BCM) rainfall takes place in India, of which only 17<br />
per cent is utilised. Irrigation projects provide about 200 BCM of<br />
water. The total potential is of 384 BCM and needs to be exploited<br />
as fast as possible to liberate agriculture from the vagaries of<br />
the monsoons.<br />
The demand for water was estimated at 634 BCM in 2000. This<br />
will increase to 813 BCM for 2010 and 1,093 BCM in 2025. The<br />
total water potential is 1,132 BCM. Hence, efforts have to be<br />
made to achieve this target. Side by side, every effort has to be<br />
made to discourage wasteful use of water and every Indian should<br />
be taught the benefits of water harvesting.<br />
The government should also study the possibility of encouraging<br />
recycling of used water, and simultaneously initiate steps for water<br />
quality management. The water tables in various parts of the<br />
country have fallen alarmingly. This problem again can be handled<br />
only with the full co-operation of the people. By harvesting water,<br />
the water level increases. By constructing ‘anicuts’ to small dams,<br />
water supply improves. In villages, by digging ponds in several<br />
areas, the water table improves. What is required is the will to<br />
preserve water.<br />
The National Water Policy 2002 encourages private participation,<br />
giving top priority to drinking water. However, not much success<br />
has been achieved in this direction. Karnataka has taken the<br />
initiative to hand over the operation and management of water<br />
and waste network in small towns to the private sector. Various<br />
schemes have been implemented and various others are under<br />
consideration. But these will succeed only when the Centre and<br />
the states work in harmony. In all such matters whole-hearted<br />
cooperation of the public is essential, for which the public has to<br />
be properly educated.<br />
Some time ago, it was suggested that the rivers of the north and<br />
the south be joined to provide the country with a huge potential<br />
for water resources and to prevent flooding. The government and<br />
the Planning Commission should study this innovative scheme<br />
from all angles. Foreign consultants, too, should be appointed<br />
for the purpose. This revolutionary project will require 20-25 years<br />
for completion. But once completed, it will change the face of<br />
India. In fact, one might say a new nation will be born.<br />
Power Development: In this sector, development is pathetically<br />
behind schedule. Generally, 1 per cent increase in GDP<br />
necessitates 1.5 per cent increase in power generation. In the<br />
last 15 years, the GDP has increased at the rate of 6.4 per cent<br />
per year on an average, while power generation has gone up by<br />
only 4.1 per cent a year. Had power development been at least<br />
as per the norms, the situation would have been better.<br />
The Ninth Plan had targeted an additional generating capacity of<br />
40,245 MW. Only 19,013 MW (47.21 per cent of the target) was<br />
achieved. The task of the Planning Commission is not only to<br />
make plans but to goad states to see that they are implemented.<br />
To achieve the target, there should be constant dialogues between<br />
the Planning Commission, the Centre and the states. This<br />
production shortfall has been responsible for the power deficit of<br />
40 billion KWH. There are various reasons for the existing shortfall:<br />
a) Constant delays in the implementation of the projects.<br />
b) Existing capacity of production not being fully utilised, the power<br />
factor being less than 70 per cent.<br />
c) The absence of adequate inter-regional transmission lines,<br />
leading to a surplus in some areas and a deficit in others.<br />
d) Huge transmission losses due to an inefficient and antiquated<br />
transmission and distribution network.<br />
e) Subsidised prices in rural areas. In some states, free supply to<br />
farmers has resulted in havoc while the wasteful use of electricity<br />
has made the State Electricity Boards bankrupt.<br />
Realising that power development was beyond its capacity, the<br />
government allowed the private sector to get involved in this<br />
sector. The Tenth Plan envisages the following expansion plans<br />
in hydro, thermal and nuclear sectors :<br />
a) Hydro: 14,393 MW<br />
b) Thermal: 25,416 MW<br />
c) Nuclear: 1,300 MW<br />
Total: 41,000 MW (approx)<br />
The Plan targets and the achievements of the 10th Plan:<br />
Targets<br />
Achievement<br />
[including␣ non-Plan Projects]<br />
Centre 22,832 17,097<br />
States/UT 11,157 11,103<br />
Private 7,121 3,090<br />
Total 41,110 31,290<br />
The private sector’s performance was very unsatisfactory. Private<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006 23
Cover Story<br />
sector projects were delayed as SEBs␣ were bankrupt. Besides,<br />
investments in power generation, transmission and distribution<br />
should be made more attractive.<br />
In the coal sector, not much has been achieved qualitatively. Indian<br />
coal has a very high ash content. Hence additional investments<br />
have to be made to lower the ash content. In view of the rising oil<br />
prices, many countries have started looking to other sources of<br />
energy. Some options:<br />
Nuclear Power: Development of nuclear power constitutes over<br />
16 per cent of global energy generation. Despite its high capital<br />
cost, it has become economical and, if power plants are properly<br />
commissioned, is pollution-free. Apart from the capital cost, a<br />
nuclear plant involves additional expenditure in respect of waste<br />
disposal, commissioning, etc. However, under the Kyoto Protocol,<br />
subsidised finance for clean development would be available,<br />
reducing nuclear plant costs substantially.<br />
There are certain risks implicit in nuclear generation. Sweden,<br />
Germany and Belgium have passed laws to abandon nuclear<br />
energy. However, France, which produces 79 per cent of its energy<br />
requirements through nuclear power, and other countries like<br />
Japan (29 per cent), Britain (20 per cent), the US (19 per cent)<br />
have no plans of abandoning it. What is necessary is that, first,<br />
high priority be given to ensure that the design and engineering<br />
of nuclear power plants are of top quality; second, ample care<br />
be taken to make sure that the nuclear plants function smoothly.<br />
Non-Conventional Energy: India is endowed with a large<br />
sustainable resource base that can generate considerable amount<br />
of non-conventional energy like wind energy, solar energy, both<br />
thermal and photovoltaic, bio-mass, etc. So far, development has<br />
not been promising and non-conventional energy contributes less<br />
than 750 MW to total energy generation.<br />
Progress has been made in Tamil Nadu, which accounts for nearly<br />
half of the total installed capacity for wind power. In the ten years,<br />
2002-12, the investment requirement is Rs 1 million crore in<br />
power generation, transmission and distribution. The private<br />
sector can do wonders provided their genuine problems are<br />
attended to.<br />
Power development is capital intensive. The government has laid<br />
down two targets for this sector␣ - power availability for all by<br />
2012; and electrification of all villages by 2007. Of the total<br />
investment in infrastructure, nearly half will be in the power<br />
sector.␣ If conditions are created so that foreign investment is<br />
encouraged and their genuine grievances redressed, development<br />
in the power sector␣ - perhaps the most abused sector␣ - can take<br />
place rapidly.<br />
The Road Ahead<br />
In the last 10 years, telecommunication has made fabulous<br />
progress in India. After the new telecom policy in 1999, the<br />
industry witnessed a virtual transformation of this sector. The<br />
advent of mobile telephony also caused a veritable revolution.<br />
The entry of the private sector in mobile services in 1992 and in<br />
basic services in 1994 provided a tremendous boost. Telecom<br />
reforms also greatly supported the phenomenal growth of the IT<br />
sector. The number of phones shot up from 22.8 million four-five<br />
years ago to 105.2 million in 2004. Teledensity improved from<br />
2.3 per cent to nearly 10 per cent. The progress in mobile<br />
telephony, in particular, has been brisk. The growth in the year<br />
ending August 2005 was 52.7 per cent. The telecom sector has<br />
also entered rural areas in a big way.<br />
Despite this progress, India’s telephone density is much lower<br />
than in China or Brazil. These two-year-old figures give an idea:<br />
Teledensity (Dec 2003)<br />
Australia 126<br />
Brazil 42<br />
China 42<br />
Sri Lanka 9.6<br />
Britain 143<br />
US 116<br />
India 10<br />
The telecom industry attracted considerable foreign investment<br />
because of the emerging demand and the liberalised policy that<br />
made investment possible and profitable. Between 2001 and<br />
2004, the total FDI in telecom has been Rs 5,763 crore. From<br />
July this year, telephone rates have again been revised, making<br />
the rates in India the lowest in the world. Even after charging<br />
such low rates, the industry has proved to be remarkably<br />
profitable. It’s␣ satisfying that some of the largest industrial houses<br />
in the country — the Tatas, the Birlas (Aditya Birla Group), the<br />
Ambanis and the Mittals — have entered this field along with<br />
foreign majors. Public sector majors like BSNL and MTNL are<br />
also expanding their activities very fast.<br />
ROAD CONSTRUCTION: Good smooth roads where cars and<br />
trucks can be driven effortlessly are essential for the country’s<br />
economy.␣ Today, 85 per cent of passenger traffic and 70 per<br />
cent of goods traffic flows on roads. However, the quality of roads<br />
is very poor and there is considerable scope for their upgradation.<br />
24 <strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006
Cover Story<br />
Our road network is made up of 3.3 million km, the second largest<br />
road network in the world. This network consists of national<br />
highways (65,569 km), state highways and district roads<br />
(598,000 km) and rural roads (2,650,000 km). Although highways<br />
make up only about 2 per cent of the total road network, they<br />
carry about 40 per cent of the total road traffic. The poor quality<br />
of the roads, however, makes fast traffic impossible.<br />
The government has initiated measures to facilitate road<br />
construction. It provides a capital grant equal to 40 per cent of<br />
the project cost, duty free imports of modern equipment, etc.<br />
Even so, progress is slow mainly because of delays in land<br />
acquisition, law and order problems, and the poor performance<br />
of some contractors. Under Phase III of the National Highway<br />
Development Project (NHDP), covering 14,279 km of highways,<br />
about 10,000 km of roads are to be widened from two- to fourlane<br />
roads with paved shoulders at an estimated cost of Rs<br />
60,000 crore on BOT (Build, Operate, Transfer) basis. This will<br />
provide connectivity to all state capitals.<br />
The project, funded from fuel tax and tolls, consists of the Golden<br />
Quadrilateral (5,846 km), the North-South and East-West Corridor<br />
(7,300 km) and the Port Connectivity (1,133 km). The different<br />
projects, when completed, will provide excellent connectivity<br />
within the country. What is crucial is that the projects are<br />
completed in time. The Golden Quadrilateral will connect the four<br />
metro cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata and is<br />
expected to be completed by early 2007. The North-South and<br />
East-West corridors connecting Srinagar to Kanyakumari and<br />
Silchar to Porbandar respectively␣ will be completed by end-2006.<br />
The bulk of the roads in India are rural roads. These are in pitiable<br />
conditions. Primarily, it is the responsibility of the state<br />
governments to improve rural roads. In the last three years, some<br />
progress has been made in some states. Bihar, unfortunately, is<br />
the worst state in this sector. With the change of government in<br />
Patna, it is expected that rapid progress will be made towards<br />
the construction of rural roads in Bihar.<br />
In road construction work, several foreign companies from<br />
Thailand, Korea, Malaysia and Japan have shown interest. Roads<br />
and highways in all these countries are of very high quality. These<br />
companies come with rich experience, many of them having<br />
already succeeded in undertaking projects floated by the National<br />
Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and road construction projects<br />
floated by state governments.<br />
In the 2006-07 Budget, a provision of Rs 600 billion (from diesel<br />
cess) under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna has been made<br />
to connect villages with a population of over 500 people to main<br />
roads (numbering about 1.7 lakh habitations). Around 62 per cent<br />
of the work has been completed. This figure would have been<br />
even higher but for the completion rate being less than 50 per<br />
cent in 10 states. Work is more than 70 per cent complete in five<br />
states, with Andhra Pradesh already having completed 95 per<br />
cent of the work. The earlier deadline of 2007 has now been<br />
shifted to 2011. It is good to find that cities like Delhi, Mumbai,<br />
Kolkata and Bangalore are constructing flyover networks for a<br />
smoother flow of heavy traffic.<br />
RAILWAYS MODERNISATION: The development of roads has<br />
to go hand in hand with the modernisation of railways. Our railway<br />
network is one of the largest in the world, covering 63,221 route<br />
km. This is made up of␣ broad gauge (45,622 route km), metre<br />
gauge (14,354 route km) and narrow gauge (3,136 route km).<br />
About 26 per cent of the railway network is electrified. Railways<br />
purchase power directly from the producers. The passenger<br />
reservation system, the largest in the world, is accessible through<br />
internet and connects 2,500 terminals. The computerised Freight<br />
Operation Information System enables online information of cargo.<br />
Road and rail systems are complementary. The cost of carrying<br />
goods over long distances by rail is one-fourth the cost of carrying<br />
goods by road. However, with the modernisation and upgradation<br />
of roads, the cost disparities is expected to be greatly reduced.<br />
Nevertheless, for bulk commodities like coal, cement, steel, etc,<br />
the railways will remain the most economical mode of<br />
transportation. There is, however, a lot of scope for improvement<br />
in economising the railways. All sections of the railways are heavily<br />
over-staffed. This is an unnecessary waste of money. We should<br />
study the Japanese railway working system and try to modernise<br />
our rail system on those lines.<br />
The railways have to lay new lines, convert metre gauge into<br />
broad gauge, electrify most of the system, institute safety devices<br />
to avoid accidents and keep up with the latest technologies in<br />
convenience and speed. Lalu Prasad Yadav has done a remarkable<br />
job as the Railway Minister. He has been one of the best Rail<br />
Ministers in recent times.<br />
PORT FACILITIES: India has over 7,000 km of natural peninsular<br />
coastal lines. There are 13 major ports and 185 minor ports. The<br />
major ports are under the control of the Centre and the minor<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006 25
Cover Story<br />
ports under the states, the latter handling about 25 per cent of<br />
the total business.<br />
Of the total external trade, maritime transport accounts for 95<br />
per cent in volume and 70 per cent in value. The total cargo<br />
handled in 2003-04 was 389.5 MMT. Traffic at major ports is<br />
increasing at a rate of more than 10 per cent annually.<br />
With the mechanisation of ports, the average turnaround of ships<br />
has come down from 5.7 days in 1999 to 3.5 days in 2004. The<br />
government has sold the right to operate some of the ports and<br />
terminals to the private sector. Private ports and terminals now<br />
handle about a third of the country’s cargo. The turnaround has<br />
been of only 12 hours. Hence privatisation of port operations<br />
must be carried on more speedily. Foreign trade is increasing at<br />
the rate of 30 per cent per year (in value terms). So it’s necessary<br />
that port facilities increase fast to catch up with the volume of<br />
goods to be moved. Private ports and joint ventures should be<br />
sponsored and facilitated. The government should also corporatise<br />
the major ports currently managed by port trusts.<br />
The government has announced a series of measures to<br />
encourage foreign investment in this sector. One hundred per<br />
cent foreign investment is permitted for construction and<br />
maintenance of ports and harbours. The government is offering<br />
incentives to private investors (10 years’ tax holiday in port<br />
development, operation and maintenance, etc).<br />
Permission has also been granted to private parties to set up<br />
import-purpose minor ports. The private sector has responded<br />
to these incentives, and its participation is increasing in major<br />
and minor ports.<br />
AIRPORTS: More and more people are taking to air travel in<br />
preference to road or rail travel. Our airports, however, are far<br />
below world standards. Airport buildings, facilities, runways, all<br />
need complete rejuvenation. It is shocking to see that for internal<br />
flights, aerobridge facilities are not available even in Delhi and<br />
Mumbai. December and January flights are often disturbed owing<br />
to fog. In developed countries such delays don’t occur as there<br />
are arrangements for instrument landing. The government has<br />
been assuring the public that necessary steps are being taken to<br />
introduce instrument landing in all the major cities. But instrument<br />
landing is being inexplicably delayed year after year. For<br />
instrument landing, the pilots will be required to undergo special<br />
training. That is not difficult. The government has to proceed with<br />
dedicated determination.<br />
India has 125 airports handling 4 million passengers of which<br />
11 are international, 86 domestic and 28 civil enclaves. Delhi<br />
and Mumbai account for around half of the total traffic. Passenger<br />
and cargo traffic in the last decade has grown at an average rate<br />
of 9 per cent. Currently, more than 40 per cent of India’s export<br />
and import cargo by value is carried by air.<br />
The sector is growing at the rate of about 20 per cent a year and<br />
this rate of increase will continue for another 4-5 years. Current<br />
policy reforms allow private equity participation in development<br />
of the airport infrastructure. Foreign equity participation of up to<br />
49 per cent has been permitted for the privatisation of Delhi and<br />
Mumbai airports. The government has realised that private sector<br />
participation is a major thrust area in the civil aviation sector.<br />
For green-field airports, private sector participation is proposed<br />
for Bangalore and Hyderabad. Private sector participation up to<br />
74 per cent in joint ventures has been approved. The remaining<br />
26 per cent is being shared by the state government and the<br />
Airports Authority.<br />
Upgradation and modernisation of Mumbai and Delhi airports will<br />
cost around Rs 15,000 crore. The government has taken the<br />
right decision in privatising Delhi and Mumbai airports. It should<br />
move fast and try to privatise other airports too. The government<br />
has made plans to restructure the Kolkata and Chennai airports.<br />
For Kolkata airport, the AAI has already announced a<br />
modernisation programme costing Rs 130 crore. The setting up<br />
of a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has been proposed as an<br />
independent regulator.<br />
Indian private airlines have benefited from the permission granted<br />
by the government allowing them to fly to all Saarc countries.<br />
Some airlines like Jet, Air Sahara and Air Deccan have started<br />
operating on some of these routes. A decision has also been<br />
taken to allow the private sector to fly to the Gulf region.<br />
This sector is growing rapidly and there is a vast potential. The<br />
number of domestic passengers is likely to increase from 12<br />
million in 1996-97 to 53.3 million in 2016-17. The number of<br />
international passengers is likely to increase from 10.9 to 33<br />
million. The requirements of funds will be between $ 20 and 30<br />
billion in the next 5-10 years. ❖<br />
(to be continued in next issue)<br />
The writer is a former Rajya Sabha member & a Veteran Industrialist<br />
Courtesy: Hindustan Times<br />
26 <strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006
Viewpoint<br />
Put Infrastructure in Place<br />
Sarvjit Singh<br />
Natural disasters often strike without notice and even when there<br />
are predictions its magnitude cannot be measured before the<br />
event passes by. Man has always been a small element before<br />
nature. Time and again it has been proved that when nature<br />
unleashes its fury, the helplessness of human can be experienced.<br />
Yet, there is a great lesson one can draw when natural disasters<br />
strike and attempt to put in places systems that first minimize<br />
the impact and also see an opportunity in the adversity. This<br />
would require a long-term plan on part of policy makers and<br />
integrate the available<br />
technology and expertise with<br />
some innovative and costeffective<br />
solution.<br />
Let us take the question of<br />
floods. This is an annual<br />
seasonal occurrence but<br />
consider the cost both in term<br />
of loss of human lives, cattle<br />
heads and property including<br />
public utilities.<br />
One question that has always<br />
bothered me is that, why a country of the size of India has not<br />
been able to come up a solution to the perennial problems of<br />
floods and drought. Year after year, we come across reports that<br />
some part or the other in the country is severely affected by<br />
drought and even as the Governments set into motion<br />
mechanisms to deal with the situation in a country where rains<br />
are still the primary source of irrigation, comes the news that<br />
floods have affected some other parts.<br />
For instance, a classic example that even the National Disaster<br />
Management Authority of India quotes is that of Bihar where the<br />
northern parts would be reeling under floods around the same<br />
time the southern parts are affected by drought. Is it not<br />
paradoxical?<br />
Now consider this, according to official figures from 1953 to 1995<br />
the estimated loss due to floods is almost Rs.10,000 million.<br />
The annual average loss is estimated to be 7000 million hectares<br />
of land affecting over 40 million people. Crop area affected is<br />
over 3,700 acres losing crops valuing<br />
around Rs.1100 crores each year. Total<br />
loss is estimated to be around Rs.2700<br />
crores including over Rs. 1100 crores of<br />
public utilities. Imagine, this huge<br />
amount is what the country is losing<br />
every year. Which in affect means<br />
whatever infrastructure is created in<br />
terms of public utilities is either lost wholly or partially. It is as<br />
they call — literally washed away.<br />
In India, 75 percent of the<br />
annual rainfall is during the<br />
Monsoon season starting from<br />
June till end of September. It<br />
is during this period rivers carry<br />
heavy discharge and it is<br />
common knowledge that<br />
inadequate storing capacity<br />
results in most of the water<br />
flowing waste into the sea.<br />
Besides causing loss of lives<br />
and property and disrupting the<br />
way people live, floods leave a telltale marks both in the form of<br />
damage and fear of outbreak of diseases that a large population<br />
of poor with negligible health facilities can do without. Of the 40<br />
million hectares of land that is vulnerable to floods, around 8<br />
million hectares is affected each year.<br />
If one were to sit down and compile the amount of money<br />
Governments spend each year for relief and rehabilitation for<br />
flood victims, perhaps the sum total would be staggering.<br />
Preventive measures undertaken on a long-term basis would have<br />
been less expensive.<br />
It is only now, that it is very sparsely, that we hear Governments<br />
talking of the need to do rainwater harvesting or the need to<br />
increase the number of steps to prevent cyclical occurrence in<br />
some part or the other.<br />
Another project that needs a fresh look is the question of inter-<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006 27
Viewpoint<br />
linking of rivers. Many water management experts have expressed<br />
opinion that such a measure would go a long way in tackling this<br />
ironical situation of the country having to tackle both floods and<br />
drought in a short span of time.<br />
The country’s policy makers accorded less priority to the task,<br />
which I feel, could have done easier before the country began to<br />
urbanise at a faster rate. This would not only have checked the<br />
problem of migration and urbanization, it would also have attacked<br />
this grave problem of one part of the country having water in<br />
plenty rather excess and the other struggling to find even a drop<br />
of water — at times around the same period.<br />
This also brings us to the issue of how as a Nation we are prepared<br />
for disaster management. Yes, we have an Authority which is<br />
spreading its apparatus to States and ultimately it has to travel<br />
right down to the block level. The progress is painfully slow. Yes,<br />
a country like India has to look into resource constraints but surely<br />
as the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh told a gathering of<br />
our administrators. The challenge is to how to manage it. Utilise<br />
the scarce resources in a manner that we can make maximum<br />
and quality advantage is the key. That is where innovation is<br />
required. If all the money we require is available, then where is<br />
the scope for human creativity? Creative solutions and innovating<br />
thinking catering to local needs is necessary.<br />
Here I would like to recall how our late and beloved Rajivji brought<br />
fresh thinking. He studied the problems of the country and created<br />
technology mission including one for oilseeds. These missions<br />
are still regarded as one of the most visionary moves ever made<br />
in Independent India. The idea of making the country self-reliant<br />
was felt in the past and we have just experienced the ill effects<br />
of abandoning it by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National<br />
Democratic Alliance Government.<br />
I also wish to make a suggestion. The Disaster Management<br />
Authority should not be left to bureaucrats. That is not to suggest<br />
that they are not efficient or up to the task, I feel there is a great<br />
role for experts who should be drafted in for such management<br />
and also pay heed to local and native knowledge. For instance, a<br />
man in the hills knows better how to handle emergency during<br />
landslides just as reports told us that tribes in the Andaman and<br />
Nicobar Islands survived as they went by earthy logic. A healthy<br />
blend of bottom-up and top-down solutions would go a long way<br />
in preparing a detailed drill in challenging situations. ❖<br />
(The author is Member, Editorial Board, <strong>Sandesh</strong>)<br />
Photofile<br />
The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh chairing the first meeting of the National<br />
Committee on ‘Commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the First War of<br />
Independence-1857’, in New Delhi on July 13, 2006. Also seen are former<br />
Prime Minister Shri. I.K. Gujral, UPA Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi.<br />
The Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs,<br />
Shri Priyaranjan Dasmunsi greeting the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh<br />
on his arrival at the Parliament House on the First day of the Monsoon<br />
Session, in New Delhi on July<br />
The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh with a victim of recent bomb blasts<br />
at the Lokmanya Tilak Hospital, in Mumbai on July 14, 2006. The Chief<br />
Minister of Maharashtra Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh looks on.<br />
The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh meets flood-affected people at one of<br />
relief camps by the Government in Nanded of Maharashtra on August 11, 2006.<br />
The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh is also seen.<br />
28 <strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006
Women Empowerment<br />
Rajiv: The Passionate Crusader<br />
Praveen Davar<br />
When Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru gave the historic call for complete<br />
independence from the banks of Ravi in 1929, he could have<br />
had hardly imagined that it would be his illustrious grandson, 60<br />
years later, who will take a gigantic leap towards establishing<br />
Purna swaraj in every hamlet of India.<br />
It was in 1989, the birth centenary year of Pandit Nehru, that the<br />
late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi introduced the Panchayati Raj<br />
and the Nagarpalika bills, to strengthen and secure the<br />
foundations of Parliamentary democracy gifted to the nation by<br />
Panditji. Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort<br />
on 15 th August 1989, Independence Day, Rajiv Gandhi declared:<br />
Panditji very much wanted to fulfill the dream of Gandhiji’s<br />
Gram swaraj. To achieve it he started Panchayati Raj. But<br />
we could not complete the task. We could not accomplish<br />
this mission because of the infiltration of power brokers<br />
who did not allow it to succeed. They ensured that real<br />
power did not slip off their<br />
hands to the hands of people<br />
and Bharat. After introducing<br />
Panchayati Raj Panditji did<br />
not live long enough to fight<br />
the power brokers to ensure<br />
that power that Gandhiji had<br />
wrested from the Britishers<br />
reached the people --- Indira<br />
Gandhi dedicated her entire<br />
life to the poor people and the<br />
weaker sections of India —<br />
she invested funds to<br />
alleviate poverty and also for<br />
the welfare and upliftment of<br />
the poor. For the first time,<br />
the 20-Point Programme of<br />
Indiraji succeeded in<br />
reducing poverty in India.<br />
The author with Shri Rajiv Gandhi, April 1982<br />
Four years earlier Rajiv Gandhi had delivered his historic <strong>Congress</strong><br />
centenary address at Mumbai where he spelt out his vision of<br />
Build India Movement:<br />
The country needs a politics of service to the poor. The<br />
country needs a politics based on ideology and<br />
programmes. To bring this about we must break the nexus<br />
between political parties and vested interests ---. The<br />
power to shape their own lives must<br />
lie with the people not with<br />
bureaucrats and experts — vibrant<br />
village panchayats must discuss,<br />
deliberate and decide the choices to<br />
be made.<br />
Rajivji realized that no programme of rural<br />
development can ever be truly<br />
implemented without active participation of the local people. He made<br />
a conscious endeavour to strengthen democracy at the grassroots<br />
level by introducing the Panchayati Raj Bill and the Nagarpalika bills.<br />
These bills envisaged devolution of power directly to the people<br />
alongwith resources and authority to utilise them in a manner they<br />
thought the best. This revolutionary measure was obstructed by<br />
members of the combined unprincipled Opposition in the Rajya Sabha<br />
after it was passed by the Lok Sabha. However, the bills were passed<br />
when the <strong>Congress</strong> returned to<br />
power following Rajivji’s<br />
martyrdom.<br />
The most significant part of the<br />
bills (73 rd and 74 th amendments)<br />
was the clause relating to<br />
reservation of 30 percent seats<br />
for women. Today, almost a<br />
decade and a half later, there are<br />
2,50,000 elected bodies, 32 lakh<br />
elected representatives of which<br />
nearly 12 lakh are women. This<br />
perhaps is the greatest<br />
contribution of Rajiv Gandhi<br />
which has no parallel in the<br />
world. If Jawaharlal Nehru gave<br />
us parliamentary democracy,<br />
Rajiv Gandhi maximised<br />
democracy vesting lakhs of women with political, social and<br />
economic power. This was the highest tribute one could pay to<br />
the Gandhi-Nehru philosophy of ushering in gram swaraj to which<br />
Rajivji had committed four years earlier.<br />
Rajiviji considered women as the largest disadvantaged class in<br />
the country: “Much is said about backward classes and scheduled<br />
castes and tribes, but if we put everything together ultimately it<br />
is women who need the most help.” Explaining his reasons for<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006 29
Women Empowerment<br />
doing so Rajiv Gandhi while introducing the bill in the Lok Sabha<br />
on 15 th May, 1989 said:<br />
We propose the reservation in Panchayats at all levels of<br />
30 percent of seats for women. There are three major<br />
reasons for which we believe this Constitutional innovation<br />
to be necessary. First, women constitute half the<br />
population and are involved in rather more than half the<br />
economic life of rural India. However, to our shame, their<br />
share of assets and income is much less than their share<br />
of population but the toil and sweat imposed upon them<br />
is rather more than half. Second, the sound finance of<br />
the household has traditionally been the responsibility of<br />
the women. Financial discipline and fiscal responsibility<br />
are ingrained in the habits and outlook of the women of<br />
rural India. These are qualities badly needed in Panchayati<br />
Raj institutions. We believe the presence of women in<br />
large numbers will also make them more efficient, honest,<br />
disciplined and more responsible. Third, it is the women<br />
of India, in their role as grandmothers and mothers, who<br />
have been the repository of India’s ancient culture and<br />
traditions. It is to them that is entrusted the responsibility<br />
of transmitting to the next generation the quintessential<br />
values, standards and ideals, which have enabled our<br />
civilization to survive and flourish without a break despite<br />
vicissitudes of many kinds. It is that strength of moral<br />
character, which women will bring to the Panchayats.<br />
Rajivji considered women as the key indicators of economic<br />
growth and women’s education as its key indicator. At a meeting<br />
of voluntary organisations on women welfare he stated:<br />
In education, one of the key factors will be in keeping<br />
girls in schools. There are too many dropouts. They go to<br />
school but not have the sustenance to carry on. And we<br />
have to see how we can do better in the area. And, of<br />
course, we will have to see why they don’t stay in school<br />
and get to the root of that. And again it brings us back to<br />
our basic social problems – problems of our societies.<br />
Rajiv Gandhi laid stress on vocational training for women and<br />
encouraging more women to join the teaching profession: “vocational<br />
training can be very helpful for the family, for her own standing in<br />
the family and, if necessary, for her own independence. Teaching is<br />
something that women are good at and we are very short of. But of<br />
course, unless they are educated, we will not be able to end<br />
glorification of sati — strengthened the legal provision in respect of<br />
offence relating to dowry and amended the CRPC to place the onus<br />
for proving innocence on the bridegroom and his family in cases of<br />
suspected dowry deaths.”<br />
Rajiv Gandhi considered women’s education the most crucial<br />
element in FP programmes: “we have come to a stage where the<br />
only thing that is really going to make a dent in women’s education<br />
— women welfare is very crucial past of FP programme. The<br />
status of women must be raised in our society -— we must see<br />
politics has only one object in matter of population, that of<br />
reducing it — it is a national challenge.”<br />
As an outstanding world statesman Rajiv Gandhi concern for<br />
women empowerment extended to the third world. Women were<br />
encouraged to raise their voice for world peace and be the<br />
custodians of our traditions and values. At the NAM summit in<br />
Harare in 1986 the young Indian Prime Minister was the most<br />
passionate crusader for women empowerment. He called for a<br />
full and meaningful participation of women in social, political,<br />
economic and cultural life.<br />
Dr. Katheen Healy, an American admirer and biographer of Rajiv<br />
Gandhi in her book Rajiv Gandhi: The years of Power (published<br />
1989) says:<br />
To simply review the polices by which Rajiv Gandhi has<br />
attacked injustices practiced against women is to observe<br />
in action perhaps the brightest and most compassionate side<br />
of his character. In their cumulative effect, these actions<br />
cannot fail to elicit a rare admiration for Rajiv’s basic<br />
humanity. Gandhi‘s response to injustices toward women<br />
goes far beyond seeking remedies for specific evils. He has<br />
high admiration for the qualities of women and seek to<br />
empower them to use these qualities to the utmost for their<br />
development and the development of India.<br />
Rajivji encouraged women to take to public life. He was firm in<br />
his belief that programmes for women would be run in a better<br />
way and more efficiently. Yet he wanted to see women in more<br />
challenging and ‘male – dominated’ professions. Way back, in<br />
1985, he asked: “ It is nice to see a women in women’s welfare<br />
and in health care but why not in defence or some thing else?”<br />
Yes, Rajivji your dream has been realised. Women today are<br />
piloting aeroplanes and are commissioned officers in the Indian<br />
Army ready to take on combat roles in the near future.<br />
Yet, unless reservation for women in Parliament and state<br />
legislatures becomes a constitutional reality, can we say that we<br />
have substantially fulfilled the vision of Rajiv Gandhi. This is a<br />
challenge before <strong>Congress</strong> MPs-both women and men. ❖<br />
(The author is a Secretary, AICC)<br />
30 <strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006
ANDHRA PRADESH<br />
Tributes to ‘Babuji’<br />
HYDERABAD: The 20 th death anniversary<br />
of late Babu Jagjivan Ram, former Deputy<br />
Prime Minister and former AICC president,<br />
was observed at the Gandhi Bhawan here<br />
on 6 July by the Andhra Pradesh <strong>Congress</strong><br />
Committee Linguistic Minority Cell.<br />
Chairman of the Cell, Shri Ashok Singh<br />
paid rich floral tributes and recalled his<br />
services to the nation by garlanding the<br />
portrait of late Shri Jagjivan Ram. Later,<br />
the <strong>Congress</strong>men also garlanded the<br />
statue of the great leader opposite Nizam<br />
College, Barsheerbagh, Hyderabad.<br />
Others who paid tributes included Shri N.K.<br />
Singh, Shri Alok Kumar Jha, Shri Tulja Ram<br />
Choudhary, Shri Ashok Kumar Tiwari, Shri<br />
Sunil Jaiswal, Shri A.K. Kaul, Ms. S.<br />
Padmaja, Smt. S. Rajni Mohite and Shri<br />
Prem Lal.<br />
CHHATTISGARH<br />
Huge Protest Rally<br />
RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh Pradesh<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> Committee organized a huge<br />
protest rally by ghearoing the Vidhan<br />
Sabha here on 1 st August against the BJP<br />
Government of the state for their anti-<br />
people policies.<br />
It was a historic rally as around 35,213<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> workers, from blocks to pradesh<br />
level, participated in this rally. The rally<br />
was led by Chhattisgarh PCC president,<br />
Shri Charan Das Mahant and Leader of the<br />
Opposition, Shri Mahandra Karma.<br />
Also present were former PCC president,<br />
Shri Ajit Jogi, CWC member of the AICC,<br />
Smt. Mohsina Kidwai and AICC Secretary<br />
incharge, Shri Mirza Irshad Baig.<br />
6. Chhattisgarh Pradesh <strong>Congress</strong> Committee Handicap<br />
Cell distributed Jaipur Foot to the needy during a camp<br />
in Raipur on 11 July.<br />
DELHI<br />
Youth <strong>Congress</strong> Training Camp<br />
NEW DELHI: The Indian Youth <strong>Congress</strong><br />
organized, ‘Samvad’, a three-day national<br />
level District Presidents’ Training Camp at<br />
Gandhi Smriti Darshan, Rajghat between<br />
24 and 26 July, 2006 at which Smt Gandhi<br />
addressed the youth. This training camp<br />
provided an opportunity for district<br />
presidents from across the country to meet<br />
on a common platform and interact with<br />
each other. The aim of the training camp<br />
was to discuss various policies and<br />
programmes of the UPA government,<br />
alongwith organizational behaviour and<br />
States Watch<br />
discipline, the role of the media and media<br />
management today, eradication of social<br />
evils such as drug addiction, dowry, female<br />
foeticide and HIV/AIDS awareness.<br />
Shri Oscar Fernandes, Union Minister and<br />
CWC Member incharge of Frontal<br />
Organizations, inaugurated the<br />
programme. In his inaugural speech, Shri<br />
Fernandes asked the delegates to<br />
remember the values of Gandhi Smriti<br />
Darshan and imbibe the values of<br />
Mahatma Gandhi over the three days. He<br />
also instructed all the delegates to visit<br />
the samadhis of Rajivji, Indiraji and Nehruji<br />
during the course of the training camp and<br />
remember their contributions towards<br />
building of modern India. All the District<br />
Presidents were asked to give a write-up<br />
on Mahatma Gandhi and it was announced<br />
that the best contributions would be<br />
awarded prizes.<br />
The District Presidents from across the<br />
country participated seriously in these<br />
discussions and questioned the senior<br />
leaders and policy makers of the country.<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> President addressed the<br />
delegates at the valedictory function.<br />
Many other senior leaders addressed the<br />
camp over the three days on different<br />
issues including Union Ministers, Shri<br />
Shivraj Patil, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Shri<br />
Arjun Singh, Shri Priyaranjan Dasmunshi,<br />
Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar, Shri Sriprakash<br />
Jaiswal, Shri Suresh Pachauri, Shri Pawan<br />
Bansal and AICC General Secretaries Smt.<br />
Margaret Alva, Shri B.K. Hariprasad, Shri<br />
Narainswamy and CWC Member Shri<br />
Veerappa Moily. Academicians and social<br />
activists working with NGO’s such as Prof.<br />
Mridula Mukherjee, Prof. Pusshottam<br />
Agarwal, Dr. Savita Singh, Dr. Harish<br />
Bhalla, Dr. Vishwanath Karad addressed<br />
the delegates on issues ranging from the<br />
history of the <strong>Congress</strong>, the youth<br />
movement in India, disaster management,<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006 31
States Watch<br />
the implementation of the Right to<br />
Information, etc.<br />
A book titled ‘Samvad’ was also published<br />
and released on the occasion.<br />
Maj Ved Prakash addressing a meeting highlighting<br />
contributions made by Delhi State Mahila <strong>Congress</strong> in<br />
elections of Delhi University Students Union.<br />
‘Quit India Movement’<br />
NEW DELHI: Delhi Pradesh <strong>Congress</strong><br />
Committee (DPCC) president, Dr. Ram<br />
Babu Sharma, on August 9 exhorted the<br />
party workers to take the inspiration from<br />
the freedom fighters who had sacrificed<br />
their lives to get the country freedom and<br />
the young a free and spirited India.<br />
Addressing a large gathering of freedom<br />
fighters on the occasion of the 64 th<br />
anniversary of the Quit India Movement,<br />
Shri Sharma said the emerging India<br />
needed to learn much from the experience<br />
of the great freedom fighters as but for<br />
their sacrifices, determination and<br />
boldness to face adversity, India would not<br />
have been freed from the yokes of foreign<br />
rule.<br />
The DPCC president honoured the veteran<br />
fighter Shri Mohan Singh Bhammi by<br />
drapping them with shawl and garland.<br />
The function was moderated by Shri Vijay<br />
Mohan.<br />
Besides Shri Ram Babu Sharma others<br />
present were AICC secretary, Shri<br />
Dheerender Tyagi, DPC office-bearers, Shri<br />
Abijit Singh Gulati, Smt. Anjana Kanwar,<br />
Shri Rajender Sharma, Shri Sunil Bajaj,<br />
Shri Lal Ramlal, Smt. Dolly Swami, District<br />
presidents, Shri Jagjivan Sharma, Shri<br />
Lakhbir Singh Chadha.<br />
Shri Ram Babu Sharma said the Quit India<br />
Movement, started at the exhortation of<br />
Mahatma Gandhi on August 9, 1942 was<br />
the beginning of the end of the British rule<br />
as the andolan eventually led to India’s<br />
freedom in 1947. He said the 121-yearold<br />
history of the <strong>Congress</strong> Party was full<br />
of sacrifices and self-denial by the brave<br />
foot soldiers of the party which forced the<br />
British hands to quit India for good. He<br />
said the youth of the country needed to<br />
take inspiration from such acts of<br />
resilience and commitment from the<br />
freedom fighters to fight adversities and<br />
take the nation forward on the path of<br />
progress and development.<br />
Shri Ram Babu Sharma said the time has<br />
come for the fight against casteism,<br />
communalism, terrorism, sectarianism and<br />
corruption to defeat the designs of the<br />
disruptive forces and work for the allround<br />
development of the country.<br />
Popularising Babuji’s Vision<br />
NEW DELHI: To give a new momentum to<br />
Dalit agenda of development in the light<br />
of Babu Jagjivan Ram’s Vision of India, the<br />
Centenary Committee has decided to<br />
organize country-wide programmes<br />
consisting of seminars, conferences, essay<br />
competitions, etc., in the run-up to the<br />
birth centenary celebrations of Babu<br />
Jagjivan Ram. This was decided at the<br />
2 nd meeting of the Birth Centenary<br />
Celebrations Committee held under the<br />
Chairmanship of the Defence Minister, Shri<br />
Pranab Mukherjee here on July 14. Two<br />
states – Uttar Pradesh and Punjab will pay<br />
special attention in this regard.<br />
Shri Mukherjee said that local level<br />
committees will be established soon to<br />
sensitize the people about the life and<br />
works of Babu Jagjivan Ram. In Uttar<br />
Pradesh the committees will be set up in<br />
areas such as Meerut, Kanpur, Allahabad,<br />
Banaras and Gorakhpur. The Uttar Pradesh<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> Committee President, Shri<br />
Salman Khurshid will also be consulted in<br />
the formation of state-level committees in<br />
the State.<br />
Two UGC Chairs are being established in<br />
Banaras Hindu University and Calcutta<br />
University where Babuji studied for his<br />
intermediate and Bachelor in Science<br />
degrees respectively. The modalities of<br />
the Chair will be worked out by the<br />
Calcutta University in consultation with the<br />
Babu Jagjivan Ram Educational<br />
Foundation. UGC has also decided to<br />
establish ten fellowships for Ph.D and forty<br />
more at the Post Graduate level for girl<br />
students. Proposals for creation of two<br />
more chairs – one at Kurukshetra<br />
University and the other at Guru<br />
Jambeshwar University – are under<br />
process. The committee also authorized<br />
Shri Oscar Fernandes to take up the<br />
proposal to set up Babu Jagjivan Ram<br />
Foundation. The meeting was attended<br />
among others by Prof. A.R. Kidwai, Dr.<br />
Nitish Sen Gupta, Shri Oscar Fernandes,<br />
Prof. Kishore Gandhi and Shri B.S. Hooda.<br />
Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhawana Award<br />
NEW DELHI: The Advisory Committee of<br />
the Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana<br />
Award in its meeting held on 21 st July<br />
decided that the 14 th Rajiv Gandhi<br />
Sadbhawana Award, 2006 be given to<br />
Kumari Nirmala Deshpande for her<br />
outstanding humanitarian services,<br />
according to Member Secretary, Shri<br />
Motilal Vora.<br />
The Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana<br />
Award is given on the birthday of Shri Rajvi<br />
Gandhi on August 20 every year. It was<br />
instituted to commemorate the lasting<br />
contribution made by him to promote<br />
peace, communal harmony and fight<br />
32 <strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006
against violence. The Award carries a<br />
citation and cash award of Rs. 2.50 lakhs.<br />
Former recipients of the Rajiv Gandhi<br />
National Sadbhavana Award include<br />
Mother Teresa, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Shri<br />
Mohd. Yunus, Shri Hiteswar Sikia & Smt.<br />
Subhadra Joshi (jointly), Ms. Lata<br />
Mangeshkar, Shri Sunil Dutt, Shri Jagan<br />
Nath Kaul, Shri Dilip Kumar, Dr. (Smt.)<br />
Kapila Vatsyayan, Ms. Teesta Setalvad and<br />
Shri Harsh Mander (jointly), Shri S.N.<br />
Subbarao, Swami Agnivesh and Shri<br />
Madari Moideen (jointly) and Shri K.R.<br />
Narayanan.<br />
This Award will be presented to Miss<br />
Nirmala Deshpande at a special ceremony<br />
on Sunday the 20 th August, 2006.<br />
Website on Rajiv Gandhi<br />
NEW DELHI: A website highlighting the<br />
humane facet of late Prime Minister, Shri<br />
Rajiv Gandhi was launched at the India<br />
International Centre on 25 July by Union<br />
Minister, Shri Oscar Fernandes. Also<br />
present were former Governor of Tamil<br />
Nadu, Shri Bishma Narain Singh, former<br />
Election Commissioner, Shri GVG<br />
Krishnamurthy, AICC member and Trustee,<br />
New Mangalore Port Trust Shri<br />
Raghavendra S.E. and Shri Harish<br />
Chandra, the main person behind this<br />
project. The address of the website is<br />
www.rememberingrajivgandhi.com.<br />
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Oscar<br />
Fernandes fondly remembered the<br />
humane qualities of Shri Rajiv Gandhi. Shri<br />
Raghavendra said that Rajiv Gandhi was<br />
renowed international leader who cared for<br />
the weaker and down-trodden sections of<br />
the society. He said that Rajiv Gandhi<br />
should be imbibed by political person<br />
cutting across party lines and added that<br />
it was Rajiv Gandhi who initiated the IT<br />
technology in the country by which millions<br />
of our countrymen are earning their<br />
livelihood and the country on the other<br />
hand should not forget him and for the<br />
supreme sacrifice made by Shri Rajiv<br />
Gandhi.<br />
Shri Bhishma Narain Singh and Shri GVG<br />
Krishnamurthy also spoke about Rajiv<br />
Gandhi. A two-minute silence was<br />
observed as a mark of respect in honour<br />
of late Shri Rajiv Gandhi.<br />
Legacy of the Great Epoch<br />
NEW DELHI: The Indo-Russia Friendship<br />
Society organized a seminar-cumpresentation<br />
of “Legacy of the Great<br />
Epoch” dedicated to the 40 th anniversary<br />
of Indian Prime Minister, Smt. Indira<br />
Gandhi’s first visit to Russia.<br />
The function was held at the Russian<br />
Centre for Science and Culture on 14 July.<br />
Shri Jai Prakash Aggarwal, MP, was the<br />
guest of honour. Dr. Sergey V. Cherkas,<br />
acting director of the Russian Centre, said<br />
that Smt. Indira Gandhi is a popular figure<br />
among the people of Russia because<br />
during her first official visit to Russia her<br />
talks with Soviet leaders underlined the<br />
areas of agreement that existed between<br />
the two countries.<br />
States Watch<br />
Also present were Dr. R.B. Singh,<br />
Secretary, India-Russia Friendship Society<br />
and Maj. Ved Prakash, Secretary, AICC.<br />
Sports Governing Body Meet<br />
NEW DELHI: The first meeting of newly<br />
constituted Governing Body of Indira<br />
Gandhi Institute of Physical Education and<br />
Sports Science, (University of Delhi), B-<br />
Block, Vikaspuri, New Delhi was held on<br />
28 July. Shri Umesh Kumar, earlier<br />
Treasurer, was unanimously elected as<br />
Chairman of the Governing Body. Mr.<br />
Jagdish Yadav was appointed as Treasurer<br />
of the Governing Body. The other members<br />
of the Governing Body include Shri Nathu<br />
Singh, IAS Officer (Retd.), Prof. Rajesh<br />
Kochhar, Former Director and Sr. Scientist,<br />
NISTADS, Govt. of India, Ms. Sunanda Roy,<br />
Dr. (Ms.) Minakshi Sinha, Shri Avinash<br />
Chander, Shri Syed Aamir Ahmed, Prof.<br />
A.N. Kaul, Dr. Samar Basu, Prof. N.<br />
Mukherjee, (Univesity Representative),<br />
Prof. Anand Prakash (University<br />
Representative), Dr. J.P. Sharma (Teacher<br />
Representative), Dr. (Ms.) Rita Jain<br />
(Teacher Representative) and Dr. D.K.<br />
Kansal (Member Secretary).<br />
Suman Lata Trophy for Hans Club<br />
NEW DELHI: Agile goal keeper A.<br />
Bandhopadhyay helped last year runnersup<br />
Indian Air Force beat Indian National<br />
6-5 via tie-breaker to win the Second<br />
Uttaranchal Cup Football Tournament here<br />
at the Ambedkar Stadium.<br />
Similarly, in the women’s section, Hans<br />
Club defeated Girls United 3-2, also in the<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006 33
States Watch<br />
tie-breaker to lift the Suman Lata Bhadola<br />
Football Cup instituted after the death of<br />
Smt. Suman Lata, mother of Shri Dhirendra<br />
Pratap.<br />
Uttaranchal Pradesh <strong>Congress</strong> Committee<br />
president, Shri Harish Rawat, MP,<br />
presented the trophy to the winners while<br />
Shri K.C. Singh Baba, MP, gave the Suman<br />
Lata Trophy to the women’s winning team.<br />
Uttaranchal PCC general secretary, Shri<br />
Dhirendra Pratap gave away the Fair Play<br />
Trophy.<br />
Chaddar for Chisti<br />
NEW DELHI: The <strong>Congress</strong> President,<br />
Smt. Sonia Gandhi handed over the<br />
‘chaddar’ to <strong>Congress</strong> representatives at<br />
her residence here on 28 July. The<br />
‘chaddar’ to be placed over the grave of<br />
Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chisti during the<br />
‘Urs’ at Ajmer, was received by Shri Ahmad<br />
Patel, Shri Mukul Wasnik, Shri Ashok<br />
Gehlot, Shri Digvijay Singh, Smt. Ambika<br />
Soni, Shri Sisram Ola, Shri Saifuddin Soz,<br />
Smt. Noor Bano, Shri Shakeel Ahmad, Shri<br />
Namonarayan Meena, Shri K.B.<br />
Krishnamurthy, Shri B.D. Kalla, Smt.<br />
Ramnarain Chaudhary, Shri Ameddudin<br />
Ahmad, Shri Mumtaz Mashi, Dr. Prabha<br />
Thakur, MP, Shri Juber Khan, Shri Mahir<br />
Azad, Smt. Tajdar babbar and Md. Naiem.<br />
The ‘chaddar’ was placed at the shrine of<br />
Moinuddin Chisti on 29 July.<br />
JHARKHAND<br />
Dalit Convention<br />
PALAMU: Under the auspices of the<br />
Jharkhand Pradesh <strong>Congress</strong> Committee,<br />
a one-day convention for dalits, backward<br />
and minorities was held at the Town Hall<br />
here on 23 July. CWC member and<br />
incharge of Jharkhand affairs, Begum Noor<br />
Bano was the chief guest and Jharkhand<br />
PCC president, Shri Pradip Kumar<br />
Balmuchu presided over the function.<br />
During the conference, resolutions were<br />
passed on political, educational and<br />
National Rural Employment Guarantee<br />
Scheme.<br />
Addressing the conference, Begum Noor<br />
Bano said that <strong>Congress</strong> Party protects the<br />
rights of the dalits, backward class and<br />
minorities and is just like a family for them.<br />
She said that the NDA Government was<br />
responsible for growing unemployment in<br />
the state and it has almost doubled in the<br />
last few years. She urged the<br />
<strong>Congress</strong>men to make the commonman<br />
aware of the achievements of the UPA<br />
Government.<br />
Smt. Noor Bano said that people take to<br />
extreme steps only when they go hungry<br />
and without a livelihood. The UPA had<br />
sanctioned huge amount of money to the<br />
Jharkhand government for development<br />
and for the basic necessities of the people<br />
but the corrupt people in the Jharkhand<br />
government have used the money to fill<br />
their own coffers.<br />
Others who spoke included Pradesh<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> President, Shri Pradeep<br />
Balmuchu and others. The meeting was<br />
presided over by former MP, Shri Tilakdhari<br />
Singh. Others present were JPCC general<br />
secretary, Shri Rajesh Shukla, Shri Satish<br />
Kedia, Shri K.N. Jha, Shri Naval Kishore<br />
Singh, Shri Surendra Singh, Shri Shakel<br />
Ahmed, Shri Ansari, Shri Upendra Singh,<br />
Shri Ravindra Prasad Singh, Shri Ruma<br />
Singh, Shri Rana, Shri Shabban Khan and<br />
others.<br />
KARNATAKA<br />
Siddaramiah Joins <strong>Congress</strong><br />
BANGALORE: The <strong>Congress</strong> Party in<br />
Karnataka received a tremendous boost<br />
when JD(S) leader and former Deputy<br />
Chief Minister Siddaramiah joined the<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> Party after meeting <strong>Congress</strong><br />
President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi.<br />
The meeting was followed by a press<br />
conference at the AICC where Shri<br />
Siddaramiah gave reasons for quitting the<br />
JD(S) which he accused of corruption,<br />
nepotism and opportunism.<br />
Capt. Praveen Davar, Secretary, AICC,<br />
visited Bangalore and Northern Karnataka<br />
from 24 to 28 July 2006 and addressed<br />
DCC workers meetings in five districts –<br />
Hubli-Dharwad, Dharwad (rural), Gadag,<br />
Bagalkot and Bijapur. Earlier, he reviewed<br />
the progress of NREG programme of<br />
another 5 districts of Karnataka at the PCC<br />
office. Capt. Davar advised the DCC<br />
presidents and PCC office-bearers<br />
incharge of NREG districts to put in more<br />
efforts and visit the project sites at regular<br />
intervals.<br />
While addressing the largely attended DCC<br />
worker meetings, Capt. Davar lashed out<br />
at former Prime Minister Deve Gowda for<br />
betraying secularism by joining hands with<br />
the BJP. He also took the Chief Minister<br />
H.D. Kumarswamy to task for his inability<br />
to reply to the charge of Rs. 150 crores<br />
bribery levelled against him by an MLC<br />
belonging to the BJP, the coalition partner<br />
of JD(S). While replying to questions in a<br />
press conference on security, Capt. Davar<br />
stated that maximum terrorist activity took<br />
place during the six years of NDA misrule.<br />
He also ridiculed the former Foreign<br />
Minister Jaswant Singh for escorting<br />
dreading terrorist to Kandhahar, an act<br />
34 <strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006
which brought the country disgrace and<br />
dishonour. Capt. Davar also gave instances<br />
to prove that Atal Behari Vajpayee was the<br />
weakest Prime Minister since<br />
independence.<br />
Meanwhile, Leaders of some major<br />
communities of the state met the <strong>Congress</strong><br />
President, Shri A.K. Antony, Member<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> Working Committee I/C Karnataka<br />
and senior leaders from Karnataka at the<br />
AICC office for greater representation in the<br />
Party and other grievances.<br />
MADHYA PRADESH<br />
Protest Rally<br />
SHAHDOL: <strong>Congress</strong>men, led by district<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> Committee president, Shri<br />
Rakesh Katera, held protest rally in front<br />
of Collector’s office here on 14 June. The<br />
<strong>Congress</strong>men showed their protest against<br />
the Madhya Pradesh government for not<br />
bringing down taxes on petrol and diesel<br />
prices as has been done by other states.<br />
The <strong>Congress</strong> delegation later handed over<br />
a memorandum to the District Collector.<br />
Similarly, on 24 June, the <strong>Congress</strong>men<br />
of the district also protested against the<br />
state government for removing chapters<br />
on Nehruji from text books for primary and<br />
middle classes. A memorandum,<br />
addressed to the Governor, was handed<br />
over to the District Collector.<br />
Sonia Gandhi opens Indira Bhawan<br />
BHOPAL: The <strong>Congress</strong> President, Smt.<br />
Sonia Gandhi inaugurated the renovated<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> Party office ‘Indira Bhawan’ here<br />
on 3 July. The resolution to build a new<br />
and modern party office was taken in<br />
1998. The old building was demolished<br />
and a new four-storied building was<br />
erected. Smt. Gandhi also planted a palm<br />
tree sapling in front of the main entrance<br />
of the Indira Bhawan.<br />
Others present on the occasion were<br />
Madhya Pradesh PCC president, Shri<br />
Subhash Yadav, Union Ministers, Shri Arjun<br />
Singh, Shri Kamal Nath, Shri Suresh<br />
Pachauri, Shri Kanti Lal Bhuria, former<br />
chief minister and AICC general secretary,<br />
Shri Digvijay Singh, Pradesh incharge and<br />
general secretary, Shri V. Narayansamy,<br />
former MPCC president, Smt. Urmila Singh<br />
and Shri Radhakishan Malviya.<br />
MAHARASHTRA<br />
Attestation Drive<br />
MUMBAI: The Youth <strong>Congress</strong> of Mumbai<br />
conducted a two-day ‘attestation drive’ in<br />
Mulund on 27 and 28 June. Special<br />
Executive Officers were appointed by the<br />
government to attest the certificates of<br />
children who need them in getting<br />
admission in colleges. All the schools were<br />
pre-informed about the drive and more<br />
States Watch<br />
than 2000 attestations were done during<br />
the drive, according to Mumbai Pradesh<br />
Youth <strong>Congress</strong> secretary, Shri Hemant A.<br />
Bapat.<br />
RAJASTHAN<br />
Protest Against Excise Policy<br />
JAISALMER: The District Youth <strong>Congress</strong><br />
held protest demonstration against the<br />
state government’s Excise policy here on<br />
15 July. Youth <strong>Congress</strong> workers and NSUI<br />
office-bearers, led by District Youth<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> president, Shri Umed Singh<br />
Tanwar, showed their anger by shouting<br />
slogans against the chief minister of<br />
Rajasthan. They also burnt the effigy of<br />
the chief minister in front of the District<br />
Collector’s office. They then handed over<br />
a memorandum, addressed to the State<br />
Governor, to the District Collector.<br />
The memorandum, among other things,<br />
criticized the Excise policy of the Rajasthan<br />
government and which was not in favour<br />
of the public. It said that because of this<br />
the youth were going wayward, the social<br />
system was being eroded, the cultural and<br />
traditional values were being harmed and<br />
respect for religious places was being lost.<br />
To stop this, the memorandum asked that<br />
the new Excise policy be taken back as<br />
due to it liquor shops were being opened<br />
in the vicinity of religious places because<br />
of which there was little respect shown to<br />
religious places by hoodlums and<br />
drunkards.<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006 35
States Watch<br />
TAMIL NADU<br />
Kamaraj Birthday Celebrated<br />
NANGUNERI (T.N): The 104 th birthday of<br />
late Shri K. Kamaraj was celebrated at<br />
Villioor with great pomp and gaiety here<br />
on 15 July. The function was organized<br />
under the leadership of Shri H.<br />
Vasanthakumar, MLA. Others who took<br />
part in the celebrations included AICC<br />
General Secretary incharge of Tamil Nadu,<br />
Shri B.K. Hariprasad and Shri S.M. Abdul<br />
Majid, who was a minister in Shri<br />
Kamaraj’s cabinet.<br />
Shri Vasanthakumar distributed sweets<br />
after garlanding the portrait of Shri<br />
Kamaraj. He also distributed tricycles to<br />
handicapped, bicycles, iron boxes, sewing<br />
machines to deserving people under<br />
welfare schemes.<br />
UTTAR PRADESH<br />
People Want Change in UP<br />
AGRA: The people of Uttar Pradesh are<br />
fed-up with the rising crime rate and allround<br />
corruption in the administration of<br />
the Samajwadi Party UP government. The<br />
people, at large, therefore, want to get rid<br />
of the ‘Gunda Raj’ of the SP and want a<br />
change of government in the state,<br />
according to Rajiv Gandhi Panch<br />
Parmeshwar Mahashakti Sangathan<br />
president, Shri Khazan Singh.<br />
Shri Khazan Singh was addressing a<br />
seminar on 19 July in a series of such<br />
seminars held during the month of June,<br />
the month of Rahul Gandhi’s birthday. Shri<br />
Singh, a senior <strong>Congress</strong> leader from<br />
Haryana, said that it is time the <strong>Congress</strong><br />
party should cultivate and motivate party<br />
cadre at the grass-root level, booth level,<br />
district and mandal level so that they are<br />
ready and prepared for the coming<br />
assembly elections in UP.<br />
The seminar also stressed for creating<br />
“Brij Pradesh” of 200 assembly segments<br />
from Saharanpur to Etawa and Jhansi<br />
districts. And to also create Division Bench<br />
of High Court in Mathura and at Meerut.<br />
Shri Singh suggested that in view of a large<br />
state population and overloaded judicial<br />
system, it was eminent that High Court be<br />
set in Mathura and Meerut.<br />
Foundation Stone Laid<br />
BANDA (U.P): Uttar Pradesh <strong>Congress</strong><br />
Committee President, Shri Salman<br />
Khurshid laid the foundation stone of the<br />
approach road to Harijan Basti to make<br />
National Rural Employment Guarantee<br />
Scheme a success in village Gureh by the<br />
efforts of Shri Avdesh Kumar Singh,<br />
general secretary, District <strong>Congress</strong><br />
Committee here on 28 July.<br />
Also present on the occasion were Uttar<br />
Pradesh CLP leader, Shri Pramod Tiwari,<br />
Shri Gangacharan Rajput, former MP, Shri<br />
Yuvraj Singh Bhadoria and Shri Ashok<br />
Bajpayee, according to Banda City<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> Committee.<br />
UTTARANCHAL<br />
Camp Office to Help People<br />
DEHRADUN: To give details about the<br />
people’s welfare programmes of the UPA<br />
Government, the City <strong>Congress</strong><br />
Committee, Dehradun set-up a camp<br />
office at the Atma Ram Dharmashala. A<br />
free health camp was also organized to<br />
conduct free check-ups and medicines.<br />
The camp office was inaugurated by City<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> president and State Khadi Gram<br />
Board vice-president, Shri Lal Chand<br />
Sharma. Shri Sharma said that through<br />
this camp office, people would come to<br />
know about the welfare schemes being run<br />
by the government. Revenue Department<br />
officials would also sit in camp office to<br />
attest documents, to help the<br />
handicapped, widows and elders about<br />
their day-to-day problems.<br />
36 <strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006
Mahila <strong>Congress</strong><br />
Report<br />
Mahila <strong>Congress</strong> activities were largely<br />
related to AIMC office-bearers touring the<br />
states. The highlight of the month of July<br />
was a convention hosted by the Punjab<br />
State Mahila <strong>Congress</strong> in Jalandhar on 23<br />
July.<br />
The largely-attended convention was<br />
addressed by AIMC President, Dr. Rita<br />
Bahuguna Joshi. Also present were AICC<br />
secretary incharge, Maj. Ved Prakash,<br />
Punjab PCC Chief, Deputy Chief Minister<br />
of Punjab, several ministers of Punjab<br />
government and AIMC secretary and<br />
incharge of Punjab, Smt. Nusrat Rizvi.<br />
Dr. Prabha Taviad, vice-president, was in<br />
Kota on 8 th August where she called a<br />
meeting of Mahila <strong>Congress</strong> Block<br />
Presidents of 4 districts. Smt. Vijay<br />
Lakshmi Sahoo was in Ranchi, Jharkhand<br />
on 10 th August, 2006. Ms. Shikha Kapoor<br />
and Smt. Saria Khan both general<br />
secretaries and incharge of central and<br />
eastern Uttar Pradesh went to Kanpur to<br />
attend <strong>Congress</strong> President’s rally on 8 th<br />
August 2006. Smt. Sudha Rai, president<br />
Uttar Pradesh Mahila <strong>Congress</strong> and AIMC<br />
incharge of UP, Ms. Shikha Kapoor and<br />
Smt. Saria Khan held about 50 meetings,<br />
padayatras and door-to-door contact in<br />
Kanpur and neighbouring districts to<br />
motivate women to join the rally on 8 th<br />
August, 2006.<br />
Smt. Mahajabeen Khan, general secretary,<br />
attended a meeting of Mahila <strong>Congress</strong><br />
leaders and workers in Patna on 7 th July<br />
2006. The meeting was organized by<br />
newly appointed Mahila <strong>Congress</strong> state<br />
president, Smt. Sunita Devi Singh, MLA,<br />
where it was decided to organize public<br />
meetings and seminars at the block and<br />
district level to create an awareness about<br />
the initiatives of the UPA Govt.<br />
Dr. Shobhana Shah covered Bhopal<br />
division (Bhopal, Rajgarh, Sehore, Vidisha,<br />
Raisen, Hoshangabad and Betul districts)<br />
from 28 th July to 1 st August 2006 in<br />
Madhya Pradesh. Inspite of very heavy<br />
rains, most of the meetings were attended<br />
by more than 500 Mahila <strong>Congress</strong><br />
workers including block presidents from<br />
remote areas. Madhya Pradesh Mahila<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> has decided to organize<br />
“Haqeeqat Batao Padyatras” at block<br />
levels followed by public meeting to impart<br />
correct information about friendly<br />
initiatives of the UPA Govt. and the misuse<br />
of funds and non-percolation of the<br />
benefits of these schemes due to apathetic<br />
attitude of the BJP Government in some<br />
districts like Betul.<br />
Mrs. Simmy Rosebel John, Secretary<br />
visited two islands, Kavaratti and Agathi<br />
in Lakshadeep from 13 to 17 July, 2006<br />
and attended meetings of Mahila <strong>Congress</strong><br />
office-bearers and workers. She also<br />
attended a meeting of State Mahila officebearers<br />
and district presidents in Goa.<br />
Smt. Sushil Gupta visited Jwalamukhi in<br />
district Kangada on 17 th July. The issue<br />
of female foeticide and 33% reservation<br />
for women were discussed in the meeting.<br />
Smt. Indu Pawar, Secretary attended<br />
meetings at different blocks of Balasor,<br />
Cuttack and Bhuvaneshwar from 22 – 30<br />
July 2006. Smt. Manjula Naidu, secretary<br />
was in Trivendrum on 9 – 10 August,<br />
2006.<br />
The NGO- co-ordination Cell of AIMC<br />
organized two specialized lectures on<br />
“<strong>Congress</strong> & Minorities” and “OBC<br />
Reservation” delivered by Shri Imran<br />
Kidwai, Chairperson Minority Cell and<br />
Shri Veerappa Moily, Chairperson,<br />
Overview Committee on Reservation on<br />
21 and 22 July 2006 respectively. Both<br />
the lectures were informative and<br />
thought provoking. ❖<br />
-Dr. Shobhana Shah<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006 37
Diary<br />
AICC<br />
UNWARRANTED ACT<br />
7.07.2006: Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan<br />
addressed the media.<br />
Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan said that the<br />
opposition parties, particularly the BJP, has<br />
since yesterday launched official, personal<br />
attack on the Prime Minister and the<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> Party. The Indian National<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> would like to strongly condemn<br />
the kind of language and the imputation<br />
and the references to the Prime Minister<br />
that has been made by the BJP which are<br />
totally unjustified, unwarranted and<br />
uncalled for. To call the prime minister<br />
weak, ineffective is completely unjustified<br />
since the Prime Minister, the UPA coalition<br />
is doing a magnificent job of reflecting the<br />
concerns of the most disadvantaged<br />
sections of our society, the aam aadmi, of<br />
translating the most basic and important<br />
goals and priority that has been set out in<br />
our Common Minimum Programme and is<br />
achieving the goal of inclusive growth for<br />
every Indian. The BJP has tried to point<br />
out that the decision by the Prime Minister<br />
to put on hold as the failure of decision<br />
making and of being a reversal of our<br />
stated policy goals, the reform agenda and<br />
our economic objective of inclusive growth.<br />
The <strong>Congress</strong> party would like to state that<br />
the party remains firmly committed to our<br />
goals of inclusive growth, the welfare of<br />
the most disadvantaged sections of society<br />
and to the agenda of reform as laid out in<br />
the common minimum programme.<br />
TOTALLY DEPRESSED<br />
10.07.2006: Shri Satyavrat<br />
Chaturvedi addressed the media.<br />
Shri Satyavrat Chaturvedi while speaking<br />
in Hindi said that I<br />
expected the BJP<br />
which had remained<br />
in power and now in<br />
Opposition after Lok Sabha election<br />
defeat, would act as a responsible<br />
Opposition party. We think that in a<br />
democracy the role of opposition is as<br />
much important as of the ruling party for<br />
a smooth function of a democracy. But<br />
unfortunately the infighting in BJP and its<br />
disintegration, the BJP today is a totally<br />
depressed, frustrated and bewildered<br />
party. For quite sometime the BJP has<br />
adopted an old method of spreading<br />
rumours with all their might. In a clean<br />
and healthy democracy this is a dangerous<br />
trend. Stories like Prime Minister is taking<br />
decisions under pressure and I have heard<br />
that one newspaper broke all limits and<br />
narrated a running commentary as if it was<br />
witness to the happenings even said that<br />
the Prime Minister has resigned. This<br />
newspaper is published from Calcutta and<br />
I would avoid taking its name.<br />
INHUMAN ATTACK<br />
12.07.2006: Smt. Jayanthi Natrajan<br />
briefed the press.<br />
Indian National <strong>Congress</strong> strongly<br />
condemns the dastardly, shameful and<br />
cowardly terrorist attack upon innocent<br />
citizen in Mumbai and Srinagar yesterday.<br />
We extend our sincere condolences to the<br />
families of those who lost their loved one’s<br />
in this terrible attack. This inhuman attack<br />
upon innocent and unsuspecting citizens<br />
is an attempt to strike fear and confusion<br />
into the hearts of all Indians and to spread<br />
terror in our country. The people of India<br />
will never succumb to the machinations<br />
of terrorist and howsoever great the attack,<br />
our courage and spirit will remain<br />
unbeaten. India will never allow the evil<br />
designs of terrorist to succeed but will face<br />
the challenge squarely and will not rest<br />
until terrorism is rooted out from our soil.<br />
The people of India will stand firm against<br />
all the challenges to our peace and<br />
security whether such challenges are<br />
internal or external. Indians will also close<br />
ranks and collectively isolate these divisive<br />
elements from our society.<br />
ISRAEL MOVE CONDEMNED<br />
14.07.2006: Shri Abhishek Singhvi<br />
addressed the media.<br />
Shri Abhishek Singhvi said that the Indian<br />
National <strong>Congress</strong> expresses its serious<br />
concern about the escalating tensions in<br />
West Asia as the result of recent<br />
developments in Gaza in the West Bank<br />
and the Israeli Lebanese border. We<br />
strongly condemn the indiscriminate and<br />
disproportionate use of military force by<br />
Israel that has imposed enormous<br />
hardships and sufferings upon innocent<br />
Palestinians with women and children<br />
paying a particularly heavy price. We also<br />
condemn the targeting of civilian<br />
infrastructure including the Beirut Airport.<br />
While we further condemn the kidnapping<br />
of Israeli soldiers and call for their<br />
38 <strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006
Diary<br />
immediate release. The escalation of<br />
tensions could have adverse implications<br />
for the already fragile and volatile situation<br />
in the region. This grave state of affair<br />
demands urgent attention of the<br />
international community and of the United<br />
Nations.<br />
REAPING BENEFITS<br />
19.07.2006: Smt. Jayanthi Natrajan<br />
addressed the media.<br />
Smt. Jayanthi Natrajan said that yesterday<br />
the Rashtrapatiji Dr. A.P.J Kalam led the<br />
nation in paying homage to the victims of<br />
7/11 bomb blast in Mumbai. Our people<br />
stood in silence for a few minutes at<br />
6.24pm in silent commemoration of the<br />
moment when tragedy struck the lives of<br />
so many people.<br />
While the entire nation came together as<br />
one to pay homage to our collective loss,<br />
one party and one man started the ugly<br />
business of trying to reap political benefit<br />
out of grief and sorrow and suffering. Just<br />
like he did in Gujarat, where Shri Narendra<br />
Modi came to power by shamelessly<br />
exploiting the dead bodies and Godhara<br />
tragedy. He is now trying to ignite,<br />
communal passions so that his party can<br />
gain some benefit in the forthcoming<br />
Mumbai municipal corporation election.<br />
The BJP sees this as a golden opportunity<br />
to try and fight its way out of the<br />
deterioration and oblivion into which it has<br />
sunk. While sober citizens are trying to<br />
heal and unite the country, the BJP and<br />
Shri Modi are trying to light a fire that will<br />
polarize citizens on communal lines.<br />
JASWANT TURNS AUTHOR<br />
21.07.2006: Shri Abhishek Singhvi<br />
addressed the media.<br />
Shri Abhishek Singhvi said that Mr.<br />
Jaswant Singh appears to have turned<br />
author to cover-up for his failures and the<br />
failures of the BJP-NDA’ years of misrule.<br />
Mr. Jaswant Singh has specialized in<br />
selective disclosures without revealing<br />
damning details or inculpatory<br />
circumstances. After writing all these<br />
pages and wasting lakhs of words he did<br />
not answer one simple question. Why was<br />
it necessary for India’s foreign minister to<br />
go to Kandhahar escorting dreaded<br />
terrorists. Mr. Jaswant Singh’s explanation<br />
that he wanted to be personally present<br />
to take care of any exigency is too flippant<br />
to deserve attention. Obviously, that is<br />
because Mr. Jaswant Singh does not<br />
believe in listening to his conscience but<br />
instead believes in self-serving political<br />
disclosures of a selective kind to conceal<br />
the massive blunders of the NDA Govt.<br />
DISCLOSURE OF MOLE<br />
Fourthly, it appears that the reaction time<br />
of the BJP-NDA to make disclosures is<br />
more than 10-15 years. Mr. Jaswant<br />
Singh’s interesting allegation of a<br />
supposed mole in the Narsimha Rao’s<br />
Cabinet is a revelation made approximately<br />
12-15 years late. It has also made many<br />
years after Mr. Narsimha Rao’s demise, so<br />
that he hopes that there can be no<br />
controversy of his allegation. But I have a<br />
simple question to ask of BJP, of NDA, of<br />
Mr. Jaswant Singh. Mr. Jaswant Singh<br />
says that this so-called mole is a senior<br />
functionary present even today. Well then<br />
what did Mr. Jaswant Singh, what did the<br />
BJP, what did the NDA, from 1998 for five<br />
or six long years till 2004 and from 2004<br />
till now, to unmask, to expose this socalled<br />
mole. And if they accuse this person<br />
of being a spy and treacherous to India or<br />
revealing secrets, then by knowing of him<br />
and not revealing his identity are they not<br />
themselves or Mr. Jaswant Singh not<br />
himself an abettor to the crime.<br />
FALSEHOOD OF ADVANI<br />
28.07.2006: Shri Abhishek Singhvi<br />
addressed the media.<br />
Shri Singhvi said that we believe what Shri<br />
Jaswant Singh says as the truth,<br />
howsoever, partial regarding Kandahar is<br />
struggling to come out. So also the truth<br />
about Mr. Advani, about Ayodhaya is<br />
struggling to be born. This truth exposes<br />
the falsehood of Mr. Advani and the<br />
duplicity of his Party. There is a very<br />
serious charge that Mr. Advani has lied<br />
with utter falsehood in an affidavit filed by<br />
him before the Lebrahan Commission<br />
where he explicitly says that he never<br />
addressed any meeting or gave speech on<br />
that fateful day in 1992. Mr. B.D. Rai, who<br />
is a former Member of Parliament of the<br />
BJP and at that relevant time was, infact,<br />
the SSP of Faizabad, has categorically<br />
stated in writing that Mr. Advani is lying<br />
and speaking falsely when he makes this<br />
assertion solemnly on affidavit before the<br />
Lebrahan Commission. Mr. Rai has gone<br />
further and said that to his knowledge both<br />
the BJP and the VHP were consciously not<br />
interested to any solution to the problem<br />
since they saw it entirely as an occasion<br />
of excuse to keep the pot boiling for<br />
political reasons. This amounts to a very<br />
serious act of lying by Mr. Advani.<br />
- Tom Vadakkan<br />
Media Secretary,<br />
<strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006 39
Photofile<br />
1 2<br />
3 4<br />
5 6<br />
7<br />
1. Shri Anil Shastri, Special Invitee, CWC and Shri Ashok Chavan, Minister of Industries,<br />
Govt of Maharashtra, speaking at the 87th Birth Anniversary of Shri S.B. Chavan,<br />
former Union Home Minister in Nanded, Maharashtra.<br />
2. Mumbai Regional <strong>Congress</strong> Committee president, Shri Gurudas Kamat, MP gave away<br />
free note books to poor and needy children at a function in Mumbai on 16 July.<br />
3. Mahila <strong>Congress</strong> President, Dr. Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister,<br />
Smt. Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, AICC Secretary incharge, Maj. Ved Prakash and AIMC<br />
secretary incharge of Punjab, Smt. Nusrat Rizvi at the state Mahila <strong>Congress</strong> Convention<br />
in Jalandhar on 23 July.<br />
4. A view of the Mahila <strong>Congress</strong> Convention.<br />
5. <strong>Congress</strong> President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi with a group of ex-servicemen who called on<br />
her at her residence.<br />
6. CWC Member and incharge of Jharkhand, Begum Noor Bano being greeted on her<br />
arrival in Bokaro to attend an Extended Committee Meeting of JPCC on 9 July.<br />
7. Andhra Pradesh <strong>Congress</strong> Committee Linguistic Minority Cell office-bearers celebrating<br />
the <strong>Congress</strong> victory in the state Panchayat elections on 4 July.<br />
40 <strong>Congress</strong> <strong>Sandesh</strong>, August, 2006