Title: Introduction and passing of the Appropriation (Vote On Account) Bill, 2003
SHRI JASWANT SINGH: I beg to move for leave to introduce a Bill to provide for the withdrawal of certain sums from and out of the Consolidated Fund of India for the services of a part of the financial year 2003-2004.
MR. SPEAKER: The question is:
“That leave be granted to introduce a Bill to provide for the withdrawal of certain sums from and out of the Consolidated Fund of India for the services of a part of the financial year 2003-2004. ”
The motion was adopted.
SHRI JASWANT SINGH: I introduce** the Bill.
SHRI JASWANT SINGH: I beg to move:
“That the Bill to provide for the withdrawal of certain sums from and out of the Consolidated Fund of India for the services of a part of the financial year 2003-2004, be taken into consideration. ”
MR. SPEAKER: Motion moved:
“That the Bill to provide for the withdrawal of certain sums from and out of the Consolidated Fund of India for the services of a part of the financial year 2003-2004, be taken into consideration. “Shri Tarit Baran Topdar wanted to object the consideration of the Bill.
SHRI TARIT BARAN TOPDAR (BARRACKPORE): Sir, I would like to raise the point of hollowness of the claims in the column for fiscal consolidation of the speech, as he spoke during his Budget speech.
In the Economic Survey it has been clearly stated that the current account surplus achieved with a stagnant export and marginally negative growth of import
for the year, may be a temporary feature for the economy as a sustainable current account surplus must be based on a stable and reasonable export-import growth consistent with the rising development of the needs of export competitiveness of Indian commodities and products abroad. This has been stated in the last Economic Survey.
In his speech, in the column of fiscal consolidation, the Minister has claimed as if it is a permanent feature. I understand, this is a deliberate attempt to hoodwink the people and mis-represent the real fiscal situation of the country.
MR. SPEAKER: You have to be very brief.
SHRI TARIT BARAN TOPDAR : I point out that continuance of the indiscriminate disinvestment of the PSUs will shatter the foundation of the industrial potential of the country, and also that the transparency of the whole process is under serious clout.
Thirdly, in the field of health care, the common people will have little access because IDPL and such public sector companies which used to produce low-cost medicines for the people have been disinvested.
Only minor concessions in import and export will not enable people to have access to the health care system.
The absence of direction in the Budget is leading to unemployment. I would also like to say that there is no direction for investment whether it is public investment or private investment or Foreign Direct Investment. There is a deliberate neglect of the jute sector which is yet a sizeable part of the textile industry. In spite of long discussion on textile industry and in spite of so many concessions given in different sectors of the textile industry, the jute industry has been neglected. Not even a single word has been uttered about the jute industry.
Lastly, no tangible policy direction for improvement in financial condition of the States is there. Some cosmetic touch has been given in order to confuse and hoodwink the people of our country.
SHRI JASWANT SINGH: Sir, I thank the hon. Member for his suggestions. I have noted down his suggestions for consideration.
MR. SPEAKER: The question is:
“That the Bill to provide for the withdrawal of certain sums from and out of the Consolidated Fund of India for the services of a part of the financial year 2003-2004, be taken into consideration.”
The motion was adopted.
MR. SPEAKER: The House will now take up clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill.
The question is:
“That clauses 2 to 4 stand part of the Bill.”
The motion was adopted.
Clauses 2 to 4 were added to the Bill.
The Schedule was added to the Bill.
Clause 1, the Enacting Formula and the Long Title were added to the Bill.
SHRI JASWANT SINGH: I beg to move:
“That the Bill be passed.”
“That the Bill be passed.”
The motion was adopted.
* Published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary Part-II, section 2, dated 11.3.2003
** Introduced with the recommendation of the President