Manmohan assures guilty will be booked if coal files found missing

NEW DELHI, Sept 3: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh assured that the guilty will be booked if the coal files are found missing, even as both houses were disrupted on Tuesday following uproar over coal scam, fuel price hike and other issues.

Members of the main opposition, BJP demanded statement from the Prime Minister over the issue of missing files pertaining to coal blocks allocation. Left parties also created uproar over the issue of hike in fuel prices among others.

Rajya Sabha also witnessed adjournment for ten minutes over the issue of missing files pertaining to coal blocks allocation.

BJP members demanded Prime Minister's explanation in the upper house as well.

After the house resumed, smooth proceedings were witnessed.

PM meets BJP leaders, bid to end parliamentary standoff fails

NEW DELHI, Sept 3: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's efforts to reach out to BJP to end the parliamentary stand-off over the missing coal files issue failed tonight with BJP not giving him any assurance on the smooth running of the House on Wednesday.

Singh held a meeting with BJP leaders L K Advani, Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley late on Tuesday evening and requested them to cooperate in the passage of important financial legislations in Parliament but the opposition was unmoved and said it will take a call on the issue after a meeting of its senior MPs on Wednesday morning.

Asking the opposition to forget the past, the Prime Minister sought BJP's support in passing of important financial legislations including the Pensions Bill and Securities and Exchange Board of India (Amendment) Bill, sources said.

During the nearly 90-minute meeting at the Prime Minister's residence, BJP maintained it is not responsible for the disruptions in Parliament and accused Congress MPs of causing disruptions.

The Prime Minister called the BJP leaders to his residence to sort out issues that came up after his statement in Parliament earlier on Tuesday on the missing coal blocks allocation files failed to break the deadlock.

The BJP leaders told the Prime Minister that "tempers are running high" in BJP over the manner in which Singh walked out of both Houses "in a huff" after his statement on the issue without answering any of the clarifications sought by the opposition.

The main opposition also reiterated that it has been cooperating with the government and helping in passage of important bills by sitting till late but has not been allowed to raise its issues.

BJP will hold a meeting of its senior MPs tomorrow morning to decide on whether to support the government in passing key pending legislations or force adjournments.

Party sources said BJP may support passage of the Land Acquisition Bill which is slated to come up in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

Parliament passes Food Security Bill

NEW DELHI, Sept 2: Ushering in the biggest programme in the world to fight hunger, Parliament today gave its nod to the landmark Food Security Bill which seeks to provide highly subsidised foodgrains to the country's two-third population as a right.

The ambitious bill, seen as a game-changer by the government and expected to benefit 82 crore people in the country, cleared the Parliamentary process after much delay and uncertainty. It now needs just one more step - Presidential assent - to become a historic law.
The proposed legislation was approved by Rajya Sabha through voice vote after a combined discussion on the measure and a statutory resolution seeking to disapprove the ordinance promulgated on July 5.

All the amendments moved by the opposition to the bill, passed by Lok Sabha last week, were rejected. Some amendments, like the one moved by Samajwadi Party member Naresh Agrawal, were withdrawn while some members including BJP's Venkaiah Naidu and Prakash Javadekar did not press some of their amendments.

The bill was passed after a day-long debate during which the Opposition attacked the government, saying the measure was just repackaging of some existing schemes and a "gimmick" with an eye on elections.

The bill will guarantee 5 kg of rice, wheat and coarse cereals per month per person at Rs 3, 2, 1, respectively.

India will now join the select league of nations that guarantee majority of its population foodgrains. At Rs.1,30,000 crore government support, the food security programme will be the largest in the world. It would require 62 million tonnes of foodgrains.

Wrapping up the debate, Food Minister K V Thomas said he was "not saying it is 100 per cent perfect (scheme)" but it was the "first step" towards universalisation of Public Distribution System.

He allayed apprehensions that the measure would hurt federalism as he said the Centre will bear the major part of the financial burden. "The Centre and the state will have to work hand-in-hand," he said.

"It protects whatever existing schemes states have," Thomas said when asked by Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley as to what would be the fate of such programmes already being implemented in some states.

The Food Minister said all constructive suggestions made by members would be carefully considered.

At the same time, he wondered whether the country could have more than 62 million tonnes of foodgrains.

"35 kg of rice will be given to each BPL family at the rate of Rs 3. We are giving much more than the Standing Committee had recommended," he said, adding this was the "first step" towards universalisation of PDS.

Jaitley said his party supports the "concept of right to food" but the legislation brought by the government was "only repackaging of all existing schemes and not an effective right that is projected."

Land Acquisition Bill passed in Lok Sabha

NEW DELHI, Aug 30: The path-breaking Land Acquisition Bill, which seeks to provide just and fair compensation to farmers while ensuring that no land can be aquired forcibly, was passed by the Lok Sabha with an overwhelming majority on Thursday.

"The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2012" stipulates mandatory consent of at least 70 per cent for acquiring land for Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects and 80 per cent for acquiring land for private companies.

The bill, which will replace over a century-old law, proposes compensation that is up to four times the market value in rural areas and two times the market value in urban areas.

The bill was passed with 216 votes in favour and 19 against.

Left parties, AIADMK and BJD members staged a walkout. Trinamool Congress voted against the bill while main Opposition BJP as also SP and BSP supported the legislation.

381 amendments were moved to the bill, of which 166 were official ones. Of the Opposition amendments, some were withdrawn and others defeated during voting.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Home Minister and Leader of the House Sushilkumar Shinde, apparently unwell, did not participate in the voting as they left when amendments were being moved.

The government accepted some opposition amendments, including two moved by Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj. These included that instead of acquisition, land could be leased to developers so that its ownership remains with farmers and provide them regular annual income.

Swaraj had also suggested provision for payment of 50 per cent compensation to original owners whose land was purchased after introduction of the Bill in Lok Sabha in September 2011. Government agreed to 40 per cent.

"There will be no forceful acquisition of land under this law. This legislation will provide lawful right of the farmers over their land and no right of forceful acquisition to government," Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh said while winding up the day-long discussion on the Bill.

Asserting that the new law will address "historical injustice", the minister said this law is being enacted under the Concurrent list and the states can bring their own law on the subject without derogating from the central law.

Allaying fears of Muslim community, he made it clear that the Wakf land will not be acquired under this law.

The Bill will replace the archaic Act of 1894 which suffers from various shortcomings including silence on the issue of resettlement and rehabilitation of those displaced by the acquisition of land.

Lok Sabha votes for India's ambitious food security bill

NEW DELHI, Aug 26: The food security bill, ardently pushed by Congress president Sonia Gandhi as the centrepiece of her party's campaign to win a third term in elections due by May 2014, finally won approval of the Lok Sabha on Monday -- after days of unruly scenes in Parliament.

Described as India's most ambitious and historic initiative, the bill, which is to ensure food and nutritional security to its people at affordable prices, was adopted by the House after an intensive debate and protracted voting process.

About 300-odd amendments that were moved by opposition leaders to extend the scope of the bill's coverage were negated by division of votes and last-minute glitches.

One such glitch even involved leader of opposition Sushma Swaraj's amendment to the bill, which was shown by the electronic voting display system as having a majority support, which was later revised by a re-vote.

In a rare speech to Parliament, Sonia Gandhi urged everyone to unanimously clear her party's flagship welfare scheme and rebuffed critics who questioned finding money to run it at a time when India's economic growth was running aground.

"There are people who ask whether we have the means to implement this scheme. I would like to say that we have to figure out the means. The question is not whether we can do it or not. We have to do it," she said, directly addressing the criticism of the impact of the Rs. 1.30 crore expensive scheme on government's meagre finances .

Gandhi described the welfare scheme as part of an "empowerment revolution" and reached out to the opposition for support.

"This legislation is only the beginning," she said, "we will be open to constructive suggestions, we will learn from experience, but we must put aside our differences."

The latest law proposes subsidized foodgrain for up to 75% of the rural and up to 50% of the urban population.

Eligible households would get five kg of foodgrain per person every month -- Rs. 3 a kilo for rice, Rs. 2 a kilo for wheat and Rs. 1 a kilo for coarse grains.

It also has a special focus on nutritional support to the poorest of the poor, women and children.

In case of non-supply of foodgrains, the deprived will get a food security allowance. The law also provides for grievance redressal mechanism and penalty for non -compliance by a public servant or authority.

Under the plan, the government will sell subsidised wheat and rice to 67% of its 1.2 billion population.

Replying to the debate, food minister KV Thomas promised to make improvements in the legislation, plugging loopholes while pledging not to trample on the powers of the states to implement. He also assured states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala and 18 others that their quota of foodgrains currently drawn, which was higher than what they would be entitled under the new law, would be protected. He also said minimum support price for farmers' produce would not be copmpromised as apprehended by many opposition leaders to cut corners.

In her speech, Gandhi admitted that the exisiting public distribution system that delivers subsidesed food, kerosene and gas was "leaky" needed to be toned up.

"The PDS needs reform. The leakage problem has to be addressed...We are bringing an empowerment revolution in the country," she said, while mentioning in this regard the Right to Information Act, the Right to Education Act and Forest Rights Act et al.

She said, "It is my fervent appeal that we shall pass this unanimously. We are open to constructive criticism, we must rise above differences to pass this. The food bill is meant for the less fortunate sections of our society...It is a historic step to eradicate hunger. It is time to send out a big message that India can take the responsibility of ensuring food security for all its citizens."

The debate saw BJP's Murli Manohar Joshi describe it as the Congress party's "vote security bill." Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav too spoke of some reservations.

"Who will foot the financial burden for the states in implementing the bill? The centre should have convened a meeting of chief ministers on the bill before bringing it in parliament," he said. "The bill does not say that all of farmers' produce will be bought. Bring in the amendments for this," he said.

With the general elections eight months away, the Congress considered it would be a game changer as it had won the last two elections on the back of populist programmes such as a rural jobs plan called MNREGA and a loan waiver plan, which were passed before the 2009 general election.

India warns Pak not to take its restraint for granted

NEW DELHI, Aug 19: Amid escalation of skirmishes on the LoC, India on Monday warned Pakistan that its restraint should not be taken for granted and asserted that the recent killing of five soldiers will have consequences on bilateral ties.

Defence Minister A K Antony said Indian troops are strongly and effectively retaliating Pakistan's unprovoked firing on the Line of Control as members cutting across party lines in the Rajya Sabha demanded befitting response.

Making a suo motu statement on the 6th August killing of five Indian soldiers in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir, he said the Government has taken the incident very very seriously and mood of the House and the nation will be factored into the actions to preserve the sanctity of the LoC.

He, however, remained evasive on questions by members including Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley as to whether talks will be held with Pakistan at the top political level as there are plans for a meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his counterpart Nawaz Sharif in New York next month.

"Naturally, this incident will have consequences on our behaviour on the LoC and for our relations with Pakistan," Antony said on Monday.

"Our restraint should not be taken for granted nor should the capacity of our armed forces and resolve of the government to uphold the sanctity of the LoC ever be doubted," he said.

He said Army troops have been mobilised to effectively retaliate every violation on the LoC and "they will do everything to ensure the sanctity of the LoC and the nation".

The Defence Minister tried to defend his initial statement in Parliament on 6th August that "20 heavily armed terrorists along with persons dressed in Pakistan Army uniform" were responsible for the killing, saying that was based on the information available at that time.

"At 2 O'clock, the incident took place... There was some confusion in Kashmir. It is there. I won't say here. That won't help us.... They were in doubt. I don't want to say in detail," he said.

Antony said the government received more information on the incident after the visit of Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh to Jammu and Kashmir.

The Minister said the number of ceasefire violations have gone up in the last few years. In 2011, there were 61 violations while in 2012, the figure rose to 117.

"This year, there have been 82 violations till August and still four months are left. From August 6 till today (Monday) morning till 6 AM, there have been 24 violations including the tragedy in which our soldiers were killed in Poonch," Antony said.

He said the Army was ready to protect the sanctity of the LoC at any cost.

It has now become clear that specialist troops of Pakistani army were involved in the 6th August attack on the Indian side of the LoC, Antony said, adding that a group from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) had crossed the LoC and killed the jawans.

"We all know that nothing happens from Pakistan side of the LoC without support, assistance, facilitation and often, direct involvement of the Pakistan army," Antony said.

"Those in Pakistan who are responsible for this tragedy and the brutal killing of two soldiers earlier this year should not go unpunished," he said.

Antony said Pakistan should also show determined action to dismantle the terrorists networks, organisations and infrastructure and show tangible movement on bringing those responsible for the Mumbai terrorist attack in November, 2008 to justice quickly.

Parliament rejects Pak National Assembly resolution

NEW DELHI, Aug 14: Both Houses of the Parliament have passed a unanimous resolution condemning Anti India resolution passed by National Assembly of Pakistan as well as the provincial assembly of Punjab.

The message read out by the Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and Rajya Sabha Chairperson Hamid Ansari asserted that killing of Indian soldiers by Pakistan Army on LoC was and unprovoked act of aggression and India is fully capable of responding to any situation.

The resolution also asserted that the entire region of Jammu and Kashmir including the region illegally occupied by Pakistan is an integral part of India.

The Houses regretted that the Pakistan Army was indulging in attacks at a time "when efforts are being made to establish a long-lasting framework of peaceful, friendly and cooperative ties so that both the countries may henceforth devote their resources and energies to the pressing task of advancing the welfare of their people."

The resolutions read out by Chairman Hamid Ansari in Rajya Sabha and Speaker Meira Kumar in Lok Sabha said, "This House rejects and deplores the resolutions passed by the National Assembly of Pakistan on August 13,2013 and the Federal Assembly of Punjab which made absolutely baseless and unfounded allegations against the Indian Army and the people of India."

Both the Houses underlined that "there should be absolutely no doubt in anyone's mind, including members of the Pakistan National Assembly that it was the Pakistan Army that was involved in unprovoked attack on an Indian Army patrol on our side of the LoC" on August 6.

"This House also strongly condemns the action of the Pakistan Army and reiterates once again that the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir, including the territory forcibly and illegally occupied by Pakistan is an integral part of India and will always remain so," said the resolution adopted with thumping of desks.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was present in the Lok Sabha when the resolution was adopted.

Both the Houses emphasised that India upholds the sanctity of the LoC and "calls upon the government of Pakistan to abide by the ceasefire commitment of 2003 along the international border and Line of Control both in letter and spirit."

The resolutions said, "India is not a threat to Pakistan or the people of Pakistan. It is the terrorist groups that have been nurtured by Pakistan to target India and have become the biggest threat to peace in the region."

The resolutions were adopted after demands by members for such an action to counter Pakistan National Assembly resolutions.

When Rajya Sabha met for the day on Wednesday, Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP) raised the issue and asked the government to bring a resolution in the House.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajeev Shukla said the House has been unanimous during such situations.

The resolution passed by Pakistan National Assembly condemned the "unprovoked aggression by Indian military forces across the LoC in recent days".

On August 6, Pakistani troops killed five Indian soldiers after crossing the LoC in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

India blames Pak Army for LoC killings

NEW DELHI, Aug 8: The Govt on Thursday blamed the Pakistan Army for the killing of five Indian soldiers and said the incident will have consequences on India's behaviour on the Line of Control and ties with Pakistan.

Defence Minister A K Antony asserted in Parliament that India's restraint should not be taken for granted nor should the capacity of its armed forces and government's resolve to uphold the sanctity of the LoC be doubted.

Antony, made a fresh statement in both Houses on Thursday, saying his earlier contention about the involvement of "terrorists along with persons dressed in Pakistan Army uniform" was based on information available at that time.

Since then the Chief of Army Staff has visited the area and gone into the details of the matter, he said.

"It is now clear that specialist troops of the Pakistan Army were involved in the attack when a group from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) side crossed the LoC and killed our brave jawans," he said in the statement.

"We all know that nothing happens from Pakistan side of LoC without support, assistance, facilitation and often, direct involvement of Pakistan Army," Antony said.

In the Lok Sabha, Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj said her party was happy that the Defence Minister has accepted his mistake and rectified it.

The main opposition party paralysed Parliament for the last two days.

Taking a hard position, Antony told Parliament that the brutal and unprovoked attack on Indian side of the LoC in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir outraged us all and "naturally, this incident will have consequences on our behaviour on the LoC and for our relations with Pakistan."

Sending out a message to Pakistan, he said, "Our restraint should not be taken for granted; nor should the capacity of our armed forces and resolve of the Government to uphold the sanctity of LoC ever be doubted."

Antony said, "Those in Pakistan who are responsible for this tragedy and the brutal killing of two soldiers earlier this year should not go unpunished.

"Pakistan should also show determined action to dismantle terrorists networks, organisations and infrastructure and show tangible movement on bringing those responsible for the Mumbai terrorist attack in November 2008 to justice quickly," he said.

Referring to his statement on Tuesday which created a huge political storm, he said, "When I reported the incident to the House, it was Government's obligation to report the facts as we knew them at that point of time, and my statement was based on the available information."

Soon after Antony's fresh statement, Swaraj said, "We are happy that the Defence Minister has accepted his mistake and tried to rectify it...He has said the Pakistan army was involved and that our restraint should not be taken for granted."

Taking on Congress, Swaraj suggested that those who had alleged BJP was playing politics over the killing of five Indian soldiers were wrong and that they should know that the party was trying to get corrected the Defence Minister's statement made on Tuesday.

In Rajya Sabha, Antony could not complete the statement due to uproar caused by opposition over naming of 22 of its members for "gross disorderly conduct".

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