Title: Regarding commissioning of the FM radio station in Manjeri of Kerala.
SHRI E. AHAMED (MANJERI): Mr. Chairman, Sir, I have given a notice on two matters but I am now raising the matter relating to my constituency first.
Sir, the Government of India had sanctioned an FM station in my constituency Manjeri way back in 1996.
MR. CHAIRMAN: It is the second matter, i.e., commission of FM radio stations at Manjeri, Kerala, which you are raising now.
SHRI E. AHAMED : Yes, Sir. I am raising the issue pertaining to my constituency first. Then, I will go to the matter relating to communal situation in UP.
Mr. Chairman, Sir, the Government of India had sanctioned an FM station in my Constituency Manjeri in 1996. But till today, the work has not been completed on this project. This shows the callousness of the Government of India, especially this Government, in implementing the development project.
Sir, I have been running after every Minister since 1996 for the completion of this project. There have been five to six Ministers between 1996 and 2001 dealing with this project. It was sanctioned during the time of the then Minister Shri K.P. Singh Deo. Then came Shri P.A. Sangma. When he was the Incharge of the Ministry, the entire money was allotted. Then came Shri C.M. Ibrahim, Shrimati Sushma Swaraj and Shri Arun Jaitley respectively. Now, again, Shrimati Sushma Swaraj is there as the hon. Minister.
Every Minister gave me assurance after assurance, but that FM Radio Station has not been commissioned so far. I would like to bring to the notice of the Government, the reply given to an Unstarred Question of mine, which I raised on 4th August 2000. The Minister, Shri Arun Jaitley gave the reply as:
“There are a few FM projects including Manjeri where the progress has been slow.”
He is a very honest Minister. He further said:
“Some of the main reasons for slow progress of the projects are delay in handing over of site, slow progress of civil work, delay in supply of equipment, local law and order problem.
In the case of Manjeri, the site was handed over by the State Government in February 1997. The progress of civil works has also been slow. Technical area of the building is expected to be ready by August 2000.”
Sir, today is 10th August 2001. Nothing is ready so far. To whom should we go and plead? In every Session I have been raising this issue. Why is the Government neglecting the backward areas? They are taking a lukewarm attitude towards the backward and minority areas. They are not implementing the projects that have been sanctioned by the previous Government. Money has been allotted; everything has been done; but the Government is not commissioning it. It is a very sluggish progress.
Therefore, through you, Sir, I would like to inform the Government that if the Government further delays the matter, the people of Kerala know how to react and to react in several methods. We are law-abiding people; we are the people who want to cooperate with the Government, whatever the nature and the colour of the Government be. The progress of the country would benefit all the people.
Therefore, I urge very humbly, very earnestly, very sincerely and very strongly that the Government may please make some moves in that direction. At least somebody should be sent there to see it. If any Minister is here who can understand the feelings and sentiments of the hon. Members, he may please convey this to the Minister concerned without further delay.
I must have some assurance. The project is there for five years, but they are doing nothing. At least, let the Government say something. It is the responsibility of the Government. This shows the callous attitude of the Government, the lukewarm attitude of the Government, and it is a failure of the Government.