6 March 2016

PM’s address at the National Conference of Women Legislators

PM’s address at the National Conference of Women Legislators
मैं सुमित्रा जी को हृदय से बहुत-बहुत अभिनंदन करता हूं कि उन्होंने इस कार्यक्रम की योजना की, कल्पना की लेकिन उससे ज्यादा भी बधाई मैं आप सबको देता हूं क्योंकि मैंने जानकारी पाई की किस प्रकार से सत्र हुए, विषय हुए, आप सबका participation रहा, सक्रिय भागीदारी रही और, ज्यादातर लोग उपस्थित रहे। वरना दिल्ली आए तो और भी कुछ काम होते हैं तो ऐसा शायद कम हुआ तो ये अपने आप में, आपके लिए यह समारोह जिज्ञासा से भरा हुआ रहा। जहां आप कार्य करते-करते जो कठिनाइयां भुगत रहे हैं, उसका समाधान चाहते हैं।

जिन सपनों को लेकर के आप सार्वजनिक जीवन में आए। उन सपनों को पूरा करने के लिए अपने आपको सक्षम कैसे बनाया जाए, उसके लिए कहीं से कोई मार्गदर्शन मिले, जानकारी मिले, रास्ता खोजने का प्रयास मिले । इन सारी बातों का परिणाम है कि आप इस डेढ़ दिवस में अनेक विषयों पर सक्रियता से हिस्सा लिया लेकिन मैं एक तीसरे विषय की ओर कहना चाहता हूं कि कभी-कभी इस प्रकार के समारोह में Structured way में जो चीजें मिलती हैं, उससे ज्यादा मेल जोल के समय, चाय के समय, भोजन के समय या आते-जाते, परिचितों से, अपरिचितों से जो बातें होती हैं। उनसे जो अनुभव बांटने का अवसर मिलता है, वो structured programme से भी ज्यादा ताकतवर होता है और वो आप लोगों ने पाया है और उस अर्थ में देशभर के महिला जनप्रतिनिधियों का ये समारोह आने वाले दिनों में आप अपने-अपने क्षेत्रों में जहां जाएंगे, वहां कोई न कोई सकारात्मक भूमिका अदा करेगा और आपको अवश्य सफलता मिलेगी।

यहां पर सुषमा जी के एक quote का उल्लेख हुआ लेकिन मैं उसे महिला और पुरुष के संदर्भ में नहीं कहना चाहता लेकिन एक बात कि ये जो महिला सशक्तिकरण, ये मनोवैज्ञानिक अवस्था को बदलने की आवश्यकता मुझे लगती है। सशक्तिकरण उनका होता है, जिनका सशक्तिकरण नहीं है लेकिन जो सशक्त है, उनका सशक्तिकरण कौन करेगा और ये बात मेरे गले नहीं उतरती कि पुरुष होते कौन हैं जो सशक्त करेंगे लेकिन आवश्यक ये है कि हम स्वंय को पहचानें।

हम अपनी शक्तियों को तब तक नहीं पहचानते हैं, जब तक हमें चुनौतियों से जूझने का अवसर नहीं आता है। जितने भी प्रकार के समाज, जीवन के सर्वे होते हैं उसमें एक बात आती है। अगर पत्नी का स्वर्गवास हो गया, पुरुष अकेला परिवार चलाता है तो न लंबा समय परिवार चला सकता है और न लंबा समय वो जीवित रह सकता है और अगर पुरुष नहीं रहा हो, महिला को परिवार चलाने की जिम्मेवारी आ गई सारा सर्वे कहते हैं कि वह लंबे अरसे तक जीवित भी रहती है और परिवार का लालन-पालन उत्तम तरीके से करके दिखाती है।

ये उस बात सुबूत है कि inherent जो सामर्थ्य और शक्ति ईश्वर प्रदत्त आप लोगों को है, महिलाओं को है। जिसको पहचानना स्वंय में बहुत आवश्यक है। आजकल management की दुनिया में एक शब्द बड़ा प्रचलित है multi star activity ये multi task activity दुनिया के कई देशों में जो व्यक्तित्व का growth हुआ है वो एक single tunnel activity का होता है। अगर उसमें वो चलता रहा तो आगे बढ़ता जाता है, बहुत कुछ contribute करता है लेकिन उस tunnel में कहीं रुकावट आ गई, कहीं और रास्ते पर जाने की नौबत आई तो नहीं कर पाता है। अगर daily उसको lift से जाने की आदत है, 10 वीं मंजिल पर बैठा है और अचानक बिजली चली जाए तो stair case से नीचे उतरना, उसका घंटा लग जाता है क्या करूं, ऐसे लोग होते हैं।

Multi Task activity आज managerial world में एक विशिष्ट शक्ति के रूप में माना जाता है लेकिन हमारे देश में महिलाओं की ओर देखिए। शायद Multi Task activity में इनसे बढ़कर कोई नहीं हो सकता है। वो FM पर गाने भी सुनती होगी, Mobile पर बात भी करती हो और पकाती भी होगी, बच्चे को भी सूचना देती होगी, ये यानि कभी हम थोड़ा dissection करके इस चीज को देखें तो अंदाज आता है क्या सामर्थ्य दिया है, क्या शक्ति दी है। क्या हम इस शक्ति का गौरव करना जानते हैं, इस सामर्थ्य को पहचानते हैं।

ये भी देखिए जहां-जहां महिला को अवसर मिला है, उसका सफलता का स्तर बहुत ऊंचा है। आप पिछले वर्षों से याद कीजिए कौन Foreign Minister थे देश के नाम ही याद नहीं आएगा लेकिन आज सुषमा जी तुरंत याद आती हैं आपको। सामर्थ्य हम अनुभव करते हैं।

हमारे Parliament में कई Speaker आए लेकिन जितने महिला Speaker आए हरेक को ध्यान रहा होगा कि मीरा कुमार थीं, सुमित्रा जी हैं। आजकल राज्यो में भी बहुत बड़ी मात्रा में महिला Speaker role कर रही हैं। जहां-जहां उनको अवसर मिला। अगर मैं नहीं जानता हूं कि किसी ने सर्वे किया है कि नहीं किया है लेकिन अगर सर्वे करे तो शायद पुरुषों को मिले हुए अवसर, उनका success ratio and महिला को मिला अवसर, उनका success ratio, मैं विश्वास से कहता हूं महिलाओं का ऊपर गया होगा। इसका मतलब ये है कि सामर्थ्य है। हमारे देश में ये पहली सरकार ऐसी है जिसमें इतनी बड़ी मात्रा में महिला मंत्रियों का प्रतिनिधित्व है क्योंकि मेरा conviction है कि उनको अगर अवसर मिले तो वो बहुत उत्तम परिणाम दे सकते हैं और आज हम अनुभव भी कर रहे हैं कि परिणाम देते हैं।

आप लोगों ने शायद पिछली शताब्दी के उत्तरार्द्ध में Africa का एक छोटा सा देश Rwanda, उसकी घटना शायद अगर आपके कान पर आई हो। वहां एक बहुत बड़ा नरसंहार हुआ, लाखों की तादाद में लोग मारे गए और ज्यादातर पुरुष मारे गए। बाद में महिलाओं ने देश की कमान संभाली और हिम्मत के साथ वो मैदान में आईं। आज उनके lower house में करीब 65 percent women representative हैं और इतनी भयंकर आपत्ति से निकले हुए देश को महिलाओं ने leadership दी और महिलाओँ ने देश को बाहर निकाला। आज Rwanda अपने पैरों की ताकत पर खड़ा हो गया। ये अपने आप में एक बहुत बड़ा उदाहरण है कि कठिनाइयों से गुजरने के बाद भी जिनको अवसर मिला, उन्होंने कितना बड़ा परिवर्तन किया, कितना बड़ा परिणाम लाया है और इसलिए लेकिन एक जनप्रतिनिधि के नाते, हम सशक्त हों कि हम राष्ट्र को सशक्त बनाने में कोई extra भूमिका अदा कर सकते हैं क्या, राष्ट्र को सशक्त बनाने में बजट काम नहीं आता है। राष्ट्र को सशक्त बनाने में रोड, रास्ते, port, airport, building, भवन, इमारतें ये काम नहीं आती हैं।

राष्ट्र को सशक्त बनाता है, राष्ट्र का जन-जन राष्ट्र को सशक्त बनाता है। राष्ट्र को सशक्त बनाता है राष्ट्र का नागरिक और कोई नागरिक को कोई सशक्त बनाता है, उसको अगर सामर्थ्यवान बनाता है, उसको अगर चरित्रवान बनाता है तो मां बनाती है, उससे बड़ा राष्ट्र का निर्माण कोई नहीं कर सकता है। उससे बड़ा राष्ट्र का निर्माण, सशक्तिकरण कोई नहीं कर सकता, जो सदियों से माताएं-बहनें करती आई हैं। पीढ़ियों तक उत्तम रत्नों को देकर के समाज, जीवन का सशक्तिकरण का सबसे मूलभूत काम आप ही के द्वारा तो हुआ है लेकिन जो हुआ है उसका अगर गर्व नहीं होगा। हम ही inferiority complex में रहेंगे, हम ही सोचेंगे कि नहीं उन लोगों का ज्यादा अच्छा है तब तो मैं नहीं मानता हूं कि ये आगे बढ़ने का जो आपका इरादा है, उसको पार करने में कोई मददगार होगा।हम स्वंय ही इतने सामर्थ्यवान है, इसका अहसास करेंगे और ये मेरे कहने के कारण है नहीं, आप हैं।

कभी-कभार, नारी के दो रूप घर में अगर वो चूल्हे पर खाना पका रही है, चपाती बना रही है और चपाती बनाते-बनाते उसमें से थोड़ी भाप निकल गई, steam निकल आई और उसकी ऊंगली जल गई तो फूंक मारती है लेकिन उसका ध्यान फिर खाने में नहीं रहता है, पकाने में नहीं रहता है। वो पतिदेव के आने का इंतजार करती है। तीन बार खिड़की में जाकर के देखेगी कहीं आए तो नहीं हैं और उसकी कोशिश रहती है कि वो आते ही सामने ये जलती हुआ ऊंगली का चित्र खड़ा करे। उसको लगता है कि आज मेरे पतिदेव देखें कि मैं आज चपाती बनाते-बनाते मेरी ऊंगली जल गई है। फूंक लगाएगी, पानी मांगेगे, अरे देती हूं पानी, जली है दो घंटे पहले और पति आएंगे, उसको कहेंगे कुछ लगा दीजिये। वो ही नारी चपाती से भाप निकलती है, ऊंगली अगर थोड़ी सी भी जल गई, पति का इंतजार करती है कि पति देखे लेकिन मौहल्ले में आ लग गई, मां गई है बाजार में सब्जी खरीदने के लिए, अच्छा सा discount सेल चल रहा है। 10 percent, 20 percent, साड़ियां आई हैं बहुत बढ़िया और नारी गई है वहां purchasing के लिए, साड़ियां देख रही है और पता चले कि उस मोहल्ले में आग लगी है, वो उन सारी साड़ियों को लात मारकर के दौड़ती है जाकर के।

अड़ोस-पड़ोस के लोग उस घर को आग बुझाने के लिए कोई मिट्टी डाल रहा है, कोई पानी डला रहा है, वो आकर के चीखती है कि मेरा बेटा अंदर है। अड़ोस-पड़ोस के कितने ही मर्द, मूंछों वाले खड़े होंगे, कोई जाने की हिम्मत नहीं करेगा। वो मां जिंदगी और मौत का खेल खेलते हुए आग में उलझ जाएगी और बच्चे को लेकर के बाहर आ जाएगी। चपाती में से निकली भाप के कारण जिसकी ऊंगली जलती है तो उसका एक रूप होता है लेकिन संकटों के सामने जब उसका प्रेम उभर करके आता है, दूसरी ताकत होती है। ये शक्ति के धनी आप लोग हैं और वो ही शक्ति है जो राष्ट्र को ताकतवर बनाती है, राष्ट्र को सामर्थ्यवान बनाती है और इसलिए जनप्रतिनिधि के नाते, मान लीजिए मेरा कितने-कितने प्रकार के role होंगे। हमारा काम है विधायिका में कानून बनाना, क्या मैंने उस कानून को बनाते समय उसका जो draft आया है, उसको उस बारीकी से देखा है कि जो मेरा जो सशक्तिकरण का एजेंडा है, उसमें ये फिट बैठता है कि नहीं बैठता है। कोई शब्द की कमी है कि नहीं है। अगर है तो मैं जागरुक प्रतिनिधि के रूप में उस बात को मनवाने के लिए कोशिश कर रही हूं कि नहीं कर रही हूं। आप देखिए बहुत बड़ा contribution होगा।

आप के कार्यकाल में एकाध ऐसा कानून बनता है। जिस कानून के अंदर आपने एक ऐसे शब्द को लाकर के रख दिया, जो शब्द आने वाली पीढ़ियों का जीवन बदल सकता है। कितना बड़ा contribution है लेकिन क्या मेरा उस प्रकार से प्रयास हो रहा है। जनप्रतिनिधि के नाते ये मेरा दायित्व बनता है कि मैं जो संवैधानिक काम है, उसमें मुख्यतः मेरा काम है और इतना ही नहीं कोई भी परिवार में जब मकान बनता है न कितने ही architecture क्यों न हो, कितने ही design बनाकर के आएं लेकिन आखिर तक तो ठप्पा वो मां लगाती है, नहीं-नहीं kitchen ऐसे जाहिए, toilet यहां चाहिए। मंदिर यहां चाहिए, जूते यहां लगाने होंगे तब जाकर के घर ठीक चलेगा। उसको वो engineer है कि नहीं है, वो architecture है कि नहीं है लेकिन उसको समझ आती है अनुभवों से। उसी प्रकार से जब house के अंदर कानून बनता है। उसी विधा से हम देखते हैं क्या कमियां हैं, क्या अच्छाईयां हैं। आने वाली पीढ़ियों तक क्या प्रभाव पैदा होगा। मैं चाहूंगा थोड़ा सा आप कोशिश कीजिए, आप बहुत बड़ा contribute कर सकते हैं क्योंकि आपके अंदर देखने की, सुनने की और शक्ति दी है। जो आप चीजों को समय से पहले भांप सकते हैं, शायद पुरष नहीं भांप सकते हैं।

उसके क्या Reification होंगे, उसका अंदाजा शायद आपको जल्दी आता है, पुरुष को शायद नहीं आता है। ये ईश्वर दत्त शक्ति आपके पास है। क्या इसका उपयोग विधायिका में हो सकता है क्या, हम जहां बैठे हैं वहां हो सकता है, हमारी कोशिश होनी चाहिए कि हम करेंगे। जनप्रतिनिधि के नाते हमारी अपनी कोई छवि बनी है क्या। मैं मानता हूं कि, आपसे आग्रह करूंगा कि आप carefully प्रयास कीजिए कि आपके क्षेत्र में आपकी एक छवि हो, आपकी पहचान वो बने और ये एक साधना है, एक निरंतरता है तब जाकर के बनती है। जैसा मान लीजिए कोई जनप्रतिनिधि होता है कि भई मंगल और बुध सुबह 8 बजे मेरा इस जगह पर मिलना तय, मतलब है। बारिश हो, धूप हो, कुछ भी आपकी पहचान बन जाएगी। अरे वाह मंगल या बुध यानि हमारे जनप्रतिनिधि यहां होंगे ही होंगे, जरूर मिलेंगे। हम कहेंगे भई ये telephone number पर message दे दीजिए, मैं रहूं या न रहूं वो telephone number आपके जैसी ही ताकतवर बन जाए। ऐसा एक जनप्रतिनिधि के नाते।

हमारे मतदान क्षेत्र में, हम अपनी एक पहचान दर्ज करा सकते हैं क्या और आप देखिए एक बार जनसामान्य में आपकी कार्यशैली की, आपके वाणी, विचार, व्यवहार की एक अगर particular छवि बनी, वो लंबे अरसे तक आपको काम आएगी, लंबे अरसे तक काम आएगी और ये कोशिश करनी चाहिए। जनप्रतिनिधि के नाते कभी-कभार, राजनीति एक competition का खेल होता है, स्पर्धा हर पल होती है लेकिन जब स्पर्धा में ईर्ष्या भाव प्रबल हो जाता है तो मानकर चलिए कि हम आगे जाने के हकदार नहीं रहते हैं और उसके कारण क्या होता है कि अगर हमारे कार्यक्षेत्र में दो-चार और महिलाएं तेजस्वी नजर आएं, ताकतवर नजर आएं तो हमारा हौंसला पस्त हो जाता है, हमें डर लगता है। कहीं यार अगली बार टिकट इसको तो नहीं मिल जाएगी, मेरा क्या होगा। हमें अपने आपको निरंतर able बनाते हुए आगे जाना चाहिए और अगर हम कोशिश करेंगे कि मैं हूं जो हूं लेकिन मैं किसी को आने नहीं दूं तो आप मानकर चलिए कि आने वाले प्रवाह की ताकत इतनी होगी कि वो आपको नीचे गिराकर के ऊपर चले जाएंगे और तब आप इतने नीचे चले जाएंगे कि कभी ऊपर नहीं होंगे। लेकिन अगर आप औरों को आने देते हैं, आने देते हैं। आप ऊपर चले जाएंगे, नीचे आपका बेस बनता चला जाएगा, पिरामिड की तरह आपकी ताकत बढ़ती जाएगी।

ये सार्वजनिक जीवन में जनप्रतिनिधि के नाते मेरी अपनी शक्ति और शख्सियत, इसके लिए मुझे कोशिश करनी चाहिए। हम ये तय करें, हमारे हर एक के कार्यक्षेत्र में, एक-तिहाई महिलाएं नेतृत्व कर रही हैं। कोई गांव का नेतृत्व कर रही हैं, कोई नगर का नेतृत्व कर रही हैं, कोई शहर का कर रही हैं, कोई बड़े शहर, एक तिहाई क्योंकि one-third chairmanship किसी न किसी महिला के हाथ में है। ये एक-तिहाई प्रतिनिधि, बाकी छोड़िए, ये एक-तिहाई प्रतिनिधि वो आपकी सोच, आपके विचार को, जो आपके under में काम करते हैं, आपके कार्यक्षेत्र में हैं। अगर आप विधायक हैं और 100 गांव हैं, अगर उस 100 गांव के अंदर से 30-35 महिलाएं हैं, प्रधान महिलाएं हैं क्या आपने उनको empower किया है, क्या आपने उनका सशक्तिकरण किया है, क्या आपने कभी एक दिन उनके साथ बिताया है।

मैं आपसे आग्रह करूंगा कि जो सुमित्रा जी ने हम सब के लिए यहां पर किया, क्या आप जाकर के अपने लोकसभा क्षेत्र में या अपने विधानसभा क्षेत्र में, वहां जो elected महिलाएं हैं क्या उनका एक दिन का कार्यक्रम आप कर सकते हैं क्या, इस बात को आप ले जा सकते हैं क्या, आप देखिए ये चीज नीचे तक चली जाए तब तो ये सशक्तिकरण की दिशा में एक बहुत बड़ा बदलाव का माहौल बनेगा और किसी भी दल की क्यों न हो इसमें दलबाजी नहीं होनी चाहिए। आपने देखा यहां सभी दल के लोग हैं और मैं तो सुमित्रा जी को बधाई देता हूं उन्होंने इस कार्यक्रम को बनाने के लिए जो कमेटी बनाई थी वो सब दल के लोग थे और करीब-करीब सब Junior MP थे लेकिन उन्होंने बड़े उत्साह के साथ इसे Plan किया। कहने का तात्पर्य है कि हम, हमारी इस इकाई को Empower कैसे करें, ताकतवर कैसे बनाएं, उनके अंदर सामर्थ्य कैसे लाएं। ये सामर्थ्य लाने के तरीकों में हम खुद नेतृत्व कर सकते हैं क्या, अगर हम नेतृत्व करेंगे तो हम बहुत बड़ी परिवर्तन ला सकते हैं।

एक और विषय है जिस पर मैं आपसे आग्रह करूंगा वो है Technology, हम ये मानकर चलें Technology का एक बहुत बड़ा role व्यक्ति के जीवन में, समाज के जीवन में सुनिश्चित हो चुका है। हमने अपने आप को उसके साथ cope up करना पड़ रहा है। मेरा ये मत है कि पुरुषों में Technology को adopt करने की जितनी ताकत है, उससे ज्यादा Technology को adopt करने की ताकत महिलाओं में है। आप देखिए किसी भी kitchen में जाइए आप, Most Modern Gadget Technology के लिए जो kitchen में उपयोग आता है वो महिलाएं आराम से उपयोग करती होंगी। इतना ही नहीं उनके घर में kitchen में मदद करने वाली कोई अनपढ़ भी महिला होगी लेकिन उसको वो सब चलाना आता होगा कैसे चलाना है, क्या कैसे चलाना है, सब कुछ उसे आता होगा। मतलब Technology adopt करने की महिलाओं की एक विशेष शक्ति होती है।

आपने देखा होगा Consumer Product जो करते हैं उनका भी target क्या रहता है कि women centric production कि उसको मालूम है कि market तुरंत मिलेगा क्योंकि वो तुरंत स्वीकार करती है। Technology महिलाओं के लिए कोई नई नहीं होती है, वो स्वीकार करती है लेकिन जनप्रतिनिध के नाते जो बदला हुआ युग है, उसमें हम Technology का कैसे उपयोग कर सकते हैं। हमारे communication के लिए technology का उपयोग कैसे कर सकते हैं। हम अपने कार्यक्षेत्र में, लोक संपर्क के लिए technology का उपयोग कैसे करें, हम जनता का सामान्य बातों को जानने के लिए technology का कैसे उपयोग करें, हमारी अपनी बात जनता तक पहुंचाने के लिए technology का उपयोग कैसे करें, उसका भरपूर प्रयास करना चाहिए। आज आपका कोई मतदाता ऐसा नहीं होगा कि जो Mobile Phoneसे connect न हो, 2 percentभी नहीं होंगे लेकिन आप उनसे connect हैं, मतलब something is missingअगर आज यहां के दो दिन के अनुभव आप इस technology के माध्यम से करें तो देश औऱ दुनिया को पता चलेगा कि हां ये कुछ हो रहा है और जानकारियां पाने का उत्तम से उत्तम साधन है।

मेरा तो अनुभव है। मैं ऩरेंद्र मोदी एप पर दखता हूं इतने लोग मेरे से जुड़े हुए हैं, मुझे इतनी जानकारियां देते हैं। हर चीज का immediate पता चलता है। कुछ हुआ तो immediateपता चलता है। इतनी well inform रह सकता हूं काम के अंदर। mygov.in एक platform चलाता हूं PMO से, उसके द्वारा भी मैं जनसामान्य को जोड़ता हूं। आप भी अपने तरीके से ऐसी व्यवस्था कर सकते हैं और मैं तो लोकसभा को, राज्यसभा को एक प्रार्थना करूंगा कि आप women प्रतिनिधि का एक e platform तैयार कर सकते हैं क्या और उनकी जो बातें हैं वो officially लोकसभा, राज्यसभा website को चलाएं। पूरे देश के महिला प्रतिनिधियों के लिए एक अवसर दिया जाए। देखिए technology की अपनी एक ताकत है और मेरा एक अनुभव है। मैं जब गुजरात में मुख्यमंत्री था, कपराडा एक तहसील है। बहुत ही interior बहुत ही Tribal belt है। आमतौर पर किसी मुख्यमंत्री का वहां जाना होता ही नहीं लेकिन मेरा अपने कार्यक्षेत्र में काम का आग्रह रहता था सभी क्षेत्र में स्थानों पर जाऊं, खुद जाने मेरा प्रयास रहता था। लेकिन मेरा वहां जाना बन ही नहीं रहा था। दो-तीन साल चले गए उस इलाके में जाना हुआ ही नहीं। मैंने कहा भई मैं जाऊंगा, कुछ नहीं तो एक पेड़ लगाकर के वापस आऊंगा, लेकिन जाऊंगा।

खैर फिर हमारे अफसरों को भी लगा कि ये तो अब जाना ही है इनको तो आखिरकर उन्होंने एक कार्यक्रम ढूंढा, एक chilling center का उद्घाटन करना था। chilling center क्या होता है, दूध आता है, दूध को थोड़े समय रखने के लिए काम होता है और 50-60 लाख का होता है। अब वो संकोच कर रहे थे कि मुख्यमंत्री 50 लाख रुपए केproject के लिए जाएंगे। मैंने कहा भी मैं जाऊंगा, मुझे जाना है, उस इलाके में मैं गया नहीं, मुझे जाना है। मैं गया तो वो तो forest था पूरा तो जनसभा के लिए जगह भी नहीं थी लेकिन उससे तीन किलोमीटर दूर एक स्कूल के मैदान में उन्होंने public meeting रखी थी लेकिन यहां जहां chilling center पर मैं गया, वहां दूध भरने वाली आदिवासी 30-35 बहनें उन्होंने बुलाकर के रखी थीं,chilling center का उद्घाटन करना था। मैं हैरान था जब मैं वहां कार्यक्रम के लिए गया तो ये सारी Tribal बहनें वो, जो security की fencing की गई थी वहां पर खड़ी थीं। हर एक के हाथ में Mobile Phone था और photo निकालती थीं।

मैं उस इलाके की बात करता हूं जहां CM जाते नहीं हैं forest है, बिल्कुल Tribal लोग हैं। उस समय की बात करता हूं, 10 साल पहले की बात कर रहा हूं। सब photo निकाल रही थीं तो मुझे आश्चर्य हुआ, मैं उनके पास गया, मैंने कहा ये photo निकालकर क्या करोगे आप लोग और उन्होंने जो जवाब दिया वो मैं आज भी भूल नहीं सकता हूं। उन्होंने कहा इसको जाकर के download करा देंगे। वो पढ़ी-लिखी नहीं थीं लेकिन download शब्द उनको मालूम था। Mobile Phone से किसी दुकान में जाकर के download होता है। कहने का तात्पर्य ये है कि ये technology कहां-कहां पहुंची है। क्या हमने अपने आप को उसके साथ connect करने का प्रयास किया है। आपकी अपनी ताकत बढ़ाने की दिशा में आपने प्रयास करना चाहिए।

एक और विषय है communication, मैं ये नहीं कहता हूं कि आपने कोई बहुत बड़े orator बनना चाहिए, जरूर नहीं है, बन सकते हैं, अच्छी बात है लेकिन ये inferiority की जरूरत नहीं है। लेकिन अगर आप कोशिश करें तो आप अपनी बातों को ढंग से बताने की ताकत आ सकती है।

आप जनप्रतिनिधि हैं, एक काम कर सकें अगर आप technosavy हैं तो अपने mobile पर उपयोग करें या तो एक छोटा सा I pad रख सकते हैं या नहीं है तो diary में लिख सकते हैं। क्या आप लगातार एक diary maintain करते चलें। अखबार में कोई चीज पढ़ी है लिखकर के और उसमें department बना दीजिए Education का, Irrigation का, Urban development का, Rural Development का और उसमें लिखते चले जाइए घटनाएं, जोड़ते चले जाइए। सालभर के बाद देखोगे आप, आपका अपना ज्ञान का भंडार इतना बड़ा होगा कि कहीं पर भी किसी विषय को लेकर के रूबरू हो रहा होगा तो दो मिनट लेगा आपकी diary को नजर कर लिया, आप एक बड़े विश्वास के साथ, facts and figures के साथ चीजें प्रस्तुत कर सकते हैं।

मैं आपसे आग्रह करूंगा कि आपको अपने आपको प्रभावी भी बनाना पड़ेगा और अगर आप अपने आप को प्रभावी बने रहने के लिए जो प्रय़ास करने चाहिए अगर उसको आप नहीं करेंगे तो सिर्फ व्यवस्थाओं बदलने से परिणाम नहीं आता है। Structure में इधर-उधर बदलाव होता रहेगा, समय-समय पर होता भी रहता है। आवश्यकता है उसमें प्राणवान कैसे बनाएं हम अपनी ताकत को कैसे जोड़ें।

हम कोशिश करें कम से कम समय में हम अपनी बात को कैसे रखें, सटीक तरीके से कैसे रखें और अगर इस बात में आपकी ताकत आई तो आप देखिए लोग आपकी बात से सहमत होते जाएंगे, जुड़ते चले जाएंगे। आपकी leadership establishment करने के लिए आपके पास उम्दा व्यक्तित्व जरूरत नहीं है, आपके पास विषयों की जानकारी होना जरूरी है। आप सदन में बोलते हैं। सब लोगों को सब विषयों का ज्ञान हो ये जरूरी नहीं है। क्या कोई प्रधानमंत्री बन गया तो सब विषयों का उसे ज्ञान होता है, कोई आवश्यक नहीं है लेकिन जिसमें आपकी रुचि है, ऐसे एक या दो विषयों पर आपकी मास्टरी होनी चाहिए। हर बात उससे संबंधित जो चींज मिले, उसको collect करते जाना चाहिए। आपको लगता है कि पानी पर मेरी मास्टरी, मेरे क्षेत्र में पानी का problem है तो मैं पानी पर मास्टरी करूं। आपको लगता है कि नहीं-नहीं मैं technology पर मास्टरी करूं, technology पर करूं। आपको लगता है नहीं-नहीं मैं शिक्षा विषय पर।

एक विषय पकड़िए, जिस विषय पर आप सर्वाधिक grip ले सकते हैं, सरलता से ले सकते हैं, जानकारियां जोड़ सकते हैं। आप देखिए सदन में routine में शायद आपको आपकी पार्टी के लोग बोलने का अवसर न देते हों लेकिन एकाध पर विषय पर आपकी मास्टरी होगी तो वो खोजते हुआ आएंगे, नहीं-नहीं भई मंगल को Parliament-Assembly में जरूर आइए ये विषय है, आपको तो बोलना ही पड़ेगा, आप बोलेंगे तो दम आएगा क्योंकि आपके पास भंडार भरा पड़ा है। आपको किसी कृपा की जरूरत नहीं पडेगी और इसलिए हम स्वंय अपने आप में कैसे सज्ज करें अपने आप को, उसके लिए प्रयास करें और अगर ये प्रयास करें तो हमें उत्तम परिणाम भी मिलता है। समय काफी मैंने लिया है, आप लोगों को भोजन भी करना है और आप लोग photo के लिए भी तैयार होकर के आए हैं तो मैं फिर एक बार सुमित्रा जी को बहुत-बहुत अभिनंदर करता हूं और आप सबको भी, एक और बात मेरे मन में आती है ये जो Parliament की कमेटियां जाती हैं, Assembly की कमेटियां जाती हैं, राज्यो में जाती हैं। आप भी जाते हैं उसमें क्या आप प्रयास कर सकते हैं क्या, आप पूरा कार्यक्रम जो बनेगा, बनेगा लेकिन आप जहां जाएंगे वहां, वहां की महिला जनप्रतिनिधियों के साथ आधा घंटा, एक घंटा जरूर परिचय करेंगे, मिलेंगे, ये कर सकते हैं क्या, आप देखिए आपको इतनी जानकारियां मिलेंगी।

दूसरा मैं विशेषकर के MPs को प्रार्थना करता हूं। यहां कई राज्यों के MLAs के साथ आपका परिचय हुआ है। सदन के अंदर देश के किसी भी कोने की चर्चा आ पड़ती है। क्या आपने telephone पर आपने जहां परिचय हुआ है उस राज्य की किसी MLA से उसको phone करके पूछ सकते हैं कि भई सदन में ये विषय उठने की संभावना है, तुम्हारे राज्य का हुआ है, बताओ न क्या है, वो कहेगी नहीं मैं एक घंटे में ढूंढकर के बताता हूं। देखिए दोनों तरफ फायदा हो जाएगा। वो भी उस घटना पर concentration करेगी, वो भी study करेगी, आपको घंटे भर में report करेगी और आपको भी अखबारों के द्वारा नहीं first-hand information मिलेगी कि भई केरल में, तिरुवनंतपुरम में ये घटना घटी है और वहां की MLA मुझे ये कह रही हैं तो मैं house के अंदर मैं इस बात के अंदर में ये सही बात बताऊंगी।

आप देखिए जानकारियों के स्रोत ये बहुत आवश्यक हैं। इसमें से और कुछ हम साथ ले जाएं या न ले जा पाएं लेकिन ये जो दायरे से आपका परिचय हुआ है, दल कोई भी होगा, आप contact बनाइए आपको जानकारियों के स्रोत आपके बढ़ते जाएंगे तो हम कहीं जाएं दौरे पर, कमेटियां में आग्रह रखें कि हम वहां के जनप्रतिनिधियों से सामूहिक रूप से आधा घंटा, एक घंटा अवश्य मिले। सरकार programme बनाएं या न बनाएं, हम ये प्रयास करें। धीरे-धीरे ये अपने आप में एक शक्ति संफुट बन जाएगा। जो शक्ति संफुट राष्ट्र को सशक्तिकरण करने की प्रक्रिया में एक बहुत बड़ी अहम भूमिका अदा करेगा और वो दिन दूर नहीं होगा कि जब women empowerment तो होता ही होता चला जाएगा लेकिन देश में women development से आगे बढ़कर के women led development की दिशा में आगे बढ़ेगा। इसी एक पूरी श्रद्धा के साथ बहुत-बहुत शुभकामनाएं, बहुत-बहुत धन्यवाद।

5 March 2016

Reforms in Agricultural Marketing

Reforms in Agricultural Marketing
To address the demands for marketing of increased and diversified agricultural marketable surplus there is a need to strengthen the network of regulated markets and augment it with alternative marketing channels.  As per the recommendation of the National Farmers Commission (2004), that a regulated market should be available to farmers within a radius of 5 Km (corresponding market area of about 80 square km.). However, presently all-India average area served by a regulated market is 487.40 square km. The number of commodity specific markets with requisite infrastructure are also limited.
Agriculture Marketing is governed by the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) Acts, which are administered by respective State Governments. Some State Governments have ushered reforms in their marketing sector to meet the challenges. 
            In order to keep pace with the changing production pattern and growing marketable surplus, the Government advocates development of adequate number of markets equipped with modern infrastructure, with increased private sector participation and development of other marketing channels like direct marketing and contract farming etc. The Government is actively pursuing  with States to amend their marketing laws to provide suitable legal framework and policy atmosphere to usher such developments.  The reform agenda of the Government focuses on 7 vital areas for reforms. State-wise progress is given below.
Further, as a part of reforms, Government announced a scheme for setting up of  National Agriculture Market (NAM).   Under NAM, a common e-market platform is to be deployed for on-line trading across the States/ Country.   It is expected that NAM would address the marketing constraints of fragmentation, lack of transparency in bidding, poor price discovery, information asymmetry between sellers and buyers and provide farmers with a larger share of the consumer rupee.  
Status of  Marketing  Reforms with reference to 7 key areas vis-a-vis Model APMC Act as  updated on 25/02/2016.

Sl. No.
Area of Reforms
States adopted the suggested area of marketing  reforms

1.
Establishment of private market yards/ private markets managed by a person other than a market committee.
Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam,  Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka,  Maharashtra,  Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa (excluding for paddy / rice), Rajasthan,  Sikkim,  Telangana, Tripura, Punjab, UT of Chandigarh, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, West Bengal .
2.
Establishment of  direct purchase of agricultural produce  from agriculturist  (Direct Purchasing from producer)
 Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Goa, Haryana (for specified crop through establishment of Collection Centres) Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh,    Maharashtra, Mizoram, Nagaland, Rajasthan,  Sikkim,  Telangana, Tripura, Punjab (only in Rule ), UT of Chandigarh (only in Rule ),Jharkhand, Uttarakhand and West Bengal . 
U.P. (Only for bulk purchase under  executive order issued  time to time)
3.
To promote and permit  e-trading,
 Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Haryana, H.P., Karnataka, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra (has granted license to Commodity Exchanges registered under FMC), Mizoram,  Telangana, Uttarakhnad .
4.
Establishment of  farmers/ consumers  market managed by a person other than a market committee (Direct sale by the producer)
Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka,    Maharashtra, Mizoram, Nagaland, Rajasthan,  Sikkim, Tripura,  Jharkhand,  Uttarakhand and West Bengal.
5.
Contract Farming Sponsor shall register himself with the Marketing Committee or with a prescribed officer in such a manner as may be prescribed.
Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka,  Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Punjab (separate Act), Rajasthan,   Sikkim, Telangana, Tripura,  Uttarakhand.



6.
Single point levy of market fee
Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan,  Gujarat ( for processor, grader, packer, value addition and exporter), Goa,  Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Nagaland, Jharkhand, Sikkim, UT of Chandigarh, Punjab, Mizoram,  Telangana, Uttar Pradesh  and Uttarakhand.
7
.
Single registration/ license  for trade/  transaction in more than one market
 Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka (in Rules only), Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh  Madhya Pradesh,   Maharashtra, Mizoram Nagaland,  Telangana ((in Rules only), Sikkim .

extending Support to Farmers in Case of Crop Failure

extending Support to Farmers in Case of Crop Failure

Farmers are indebted to both institutional and non-institutional sources of credit. However, borrowing from non-institutional sources is the major reason for debt-related farmers’ distress which is one of the reported reasons for farmers’ suicide in the country. In order to reduce the dependence of farmers on private money lenders for meeting their credit needs and for providing relief to the indebted farmers, Government has already taken several measures which include the following:

Financial Institutions (Commercial Banks, Cooperative Banks and Regional Rural Banks) have been directed to provide short term crop loans and medium/ long term loan to farmers for various agricultural activities. Short term crop loan of upto Rs.3.00 lakh is provided to farmers at an interest rate of 7% per annum. Farmers, who promptly repay their crop loans as per the repayment schedule fixed by the banks, get the benefit of interest subvention of 3%. Thus, the effective interest rate for the short term crop loan is 4% per annum.

The limit of collateral free farm loan has been increased from Rs.50000 to Rs.100000.

Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme, which enables the farmers to purchase agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, etc. and to draw cash to satisfy their consumption needs. The KCC Scheme has since been simplified and converted into ATM enabled debit card (Rupay KCC- RKCC).

Reserve Bank of India has allowed State Level Bankers’ Committee/ District Level Consultative Committees/ Banks to take a view on rescheduling of loans if the crop loss is 33% or more. Banks have been advised to allow maximum period of repayment of upto 2 years (including the moratorium period of 1 year) if the crop loss is between 33% and 50%. If the crop loss is 50% or more, the restructured period for repayment is extended to a maximum of 5 years (including the moratorium period of 1 year).

To provide financial support to the farmers in the event of failure of crops as a result of natural calamities, Government is implementing crop insurance schemes since 1985. At present, two Crop Insurance Schemes namely, National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) and National Crop Insurance Schemes (NCIP) with three component schemes namely, Modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (MNAIS), Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS) & Coconut Palm Insurance Scheme (CPIS) are under implementation in the country.

Under the crop insurance schemes, claims are paid to the insured farmers under any of the notified crop insurance scheme in the area notified by the State Government. Admissible claims are worked out and paid as per the provisions of the respective schemes. As an incentive to the farmers, premium subsidy @ 10% to small and marginal farmers under NAIS, upto 75% under MNAIS, upto 50% under WBCIS and upto 75% under CPIS is provided to all participating farmers and the financial liabilities under the aforesaid schemes are equally shared by the Central Government and the concerned State Government.

These crop insurance schemes have recently been reviewed in consultation with various stakeholders including States/ UTs and a new scheme namely, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) has been approved for implementation from Kharif 2016 season along with pilot Unified Package Insurance Scheme (UPIS) and the restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS). Under the PMFBY, a uniform maximum premium of only 2% will be paid by farmers for all Kharif crops and 1.5% for all Rabi crops. In case of annual commercial and horticultural crops, the maximum premium to be paid by farmers will be only 5%. The premium rates to be paid by farmers are very low and balance premium will be paid by the Government to provide full insured amount to the farmers against crop loss on account of natural calamities. There is no upper limit on Government subsidy. Earlier, there was a provision of capping the premium rate which resulted in low claims being paid to farmers. This capping was done to limit Government outgo on the premium subsidy. This capping has now been removed and farmers will get claim against full sum insured without any reduction. The use of technology will be encouraged to a great extent. Smart phones will be used to capture and upload data of crop cutting experiments to reduce the delays in claim payment to farmers. Remote sensing will be used to rationalize the number of crop cutting experiments.

Unified National Market for Agriculture Commodities

Unified National Market for Agriculture Commodities
The Government has approved a scheme for setting up of National Agriculture Market (NAM) through Agri-Tech Infrastructure Fund (ATIF) on 01.07.2015 with a budget of Rs.200 crore and to be implemented during 2015-16 to 2017-18.

The scheme envisages implementation of the National Agriculture Market (NAM) by setting up of an appropriate common e-market platform that would be deployable in regulated wholesale markets in States/UTs desirous of joining the e-platform. Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) will implement the national e-platform in 585 selected regulated markets and will cover 400 mandis in 2016-17 and 185 mandis in 2017-18. Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW) will meet expenses on software and its customization for the States and provide it free of cost to the States and Union Territories (UTs). DAC&FW will also give grant as one time fixed cost subject to the ceiling of Rs.30.00 lakhs per Mandi (other than to the private mandis) for related equipment / infrastructure in 585 regulated mandis, for installation of the e-market platform. State Governments will propose the regulated markets which are to be integrated with NAM .

Integration of regulated markets with NAM requires certain pre-requisites in the State Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) Acts, namely- (i) a single license to be valid across the State, (ii) single point levy of market fee and (iii) provision for electronic auction as a mode for price discovery. Only those States/UTs that have provided for these three pre-requisites will be eligible for assistance under the scheme.

Presently the scheme envisages integration of only 585 regulated markets with NAM platform. The schedule for implementation is as follows:-

i. Launch of NAM platform on pilot basis: 14th April 2016.

ii. Integration of 200 regulated markets: By September, 2016.

iii. Integration of 200 regulated markets: By March, 2017.

iv. Integration of 185 regulated markets: By March 2018

Promotion of Soil Test Based Balanced and Judicious Use of Chemical Fertilizers, Bio-Fertilizers and Locally Available Organic Manures

Promotion of Soil Test Based Balanced and Judicious Use of Chemical Fertilizers, Bio-Fertilizers and Locally Available Organic Manures
The Government is promoting soil test based balanced and judicious use of chemical fertilizers, bio-fertilizers and locally available organic manures like Farm Yard Manure, compost, Vermi Compost and Green manure to maintain soil health and its productivity.

‘Soil Health Card’ (SHC) scheme has been launched in February 2015 to assist State Governments to evaluate fertility in all 14 crore farm holdings and issue soil health cards to farmers regularly in a cycle of 2 years. Soil health cards provide information to farmers on nutrients status of their soil along with recommendations on appropriate dosage of nutrients to be applied for improving soil health and its fertility.

In order to reduce use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in the country, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is recommending Integrated Pest Management (through a combination of agronomic, chemical and biological methods) and Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) envisaging conjunctive use of both inorganic and organic sources of nutrients. Besides, split application and placement of fertilizers, use of slow releasing N-fertilizers and nitrification inhibitors, inclusion of legumes in cropping system, adoption of Resource Conservation Technologies (RCTs) and fertigation are also being advocated. ICAR also imparts training, organizes Front Line Field Demonstrations to educate farmers on all these aspect.

Under the scheme ‘Strengthening and Modernisation of Pest Management Approach in India’ farmers are educated to adopt Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as cardinal principle and main plank of plant protection strategy in overall crop production programme. Under the ambit of (IPM) programme, the Government of India has established 31 Central IPM Centres which conduct Farmers Field Schools (FFSs) to educate farmers about mechanical, cultural and biological control measures including use of biopesticides against different crop pests and weeds and judicious use of chemical pesticides as a measure of last resort.

The Insecticides Act 1968 and the Rules framed there under mandate that pesticides are registered for use in agriculture in India only after a detailed evaluation of safety. Once registered, a pesticide is legally obligated to display and carry approved labels and leaflets containing critical information on safe use of pesticides for the benefit of farmers & extension functionaries etc. Application of pesticides in accordance with instructions on the label and leaflets is not likely to cause any harm to human health.

Sustainable Development is our priority’: Prime Minister

Sustainable Development is our priority’: Prime Minister

Prime Minister inaugurates international conference on rule of law for supporting the 2030 development agenda/sustainable development goals

‘Developed world should follow India’s example of taxing coal at $ 6 per tonne’: Environment Minister

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has emphasized that sustainable development is our priority. Delivering the inaugural address at the International Conference on Rule of Law For Supporting the 2030 Development agenda/Sustainable development goals here today, the Prime Minister said that the ideals of ‘Bahujan hitay, Bahujan sukhay’ (well being and happiness of the maximum number of people) cannot happen unless the development process is inclusive and sustainable. He said that the government aims to encourage education, skill development, digital connectivity and entrepreneurship in a sustainable manner. He also said that anything which is not sustainable, cannot be called development.

The Prime Minister said that poverty is the biggest challenge for environment and eradication of poverty is one of the fundamental goals of the government. Shri Modi said that the poor, vulnerable and marginalized groups have fewer resources to cope with climate disasters. He underscored the need to look within to make a meaningful impact on environment. Reiterating the need for Climate Justice, the Prime Minister stated that rules, laws, practices and principles of one country cannot be applied to another uniformly. The Prime Minister said that India’s commitments at COP-21 underline the Indian ethos, which aim at changing human lifestyle along with changes in the manner in which economic activity is undertaken.

Addressing the gathering, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Javadekar said that the Prime Minister convinced the world at Paris about Climate Justice and sustainable lifestyle. The Minister said that Climate Justice is about justice to the 3 billion poor people of the world. Shri Javadekar said that both the concepts of Climate Justice and Sustainable Lifestyle have been mentioned in the Preamble of Paris agreement.

Shri Javadekar said that the Finance Minister has presented a Green Budget. Highlighting the green features of the Union Budget 2016-17, he said that coal has been taxed to the tune of Rs. 400 per tonne, i.e about $ 6. He emphasized that no country in the world is taxing coal for $6 per tonne. Shri Javadekar added that if the developed world follows India’s example in taxing coal at $ 6 per tonne, $ 100 billion to be generated by the developed world to meet the mitigation and adaptation needs of the developing world will be collected through this $ 6 tax. The Minister said that some of the other green features of the Budget include the benefit of LPG being extended to 50 million BPL families, which is not just a health benefit, but also saves cutting of trees. Shri Javadekar emphasized the commitment of the government by preponing the migration to Euro VI by 2020, by investing Rs. 60, 000 crore in refineries to have cleaner fuel.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Finance Minister, Shri Arun Jaitley pointed out that the proposals presented in Budget 2016-17 pertain not only to coal and fossil fuels, but also towards hydrocarbons. The Finance Minister said that two important programmes on environment are Swachh Bharat and Clean Ganga campaigns. He pointed out that the 0.5% cess on all services will go only towards Swachh Bharat campaign. He also added that adequate money for Clean Ganga campaign has been provided. Shri Jaitley also said that as part of the Clean Ganga campaign, the most polluted stretch from Kanpur to Varanasi is being taken up for cleaning River Ganga. The Finance Minister emphasized that the decision to provide LPG connections to mitigate the adverse impact of ‘chulha’ is not only a social sector scheme, but also an environmental programme. He also stated that while hybrid and electric vehicles have been encouraged, more polluting vehicles have been discouraged.

The Prime Minister released the National Green Tribunal International Journal on the occasion.

Chief Justice of India, Shri Justice T.S Thakur delivered the keynote address, while National Green Tribunal Chairperson, Shri Justice Swatanter Kumar gave the welcome address. Attorney General of India, Shri Mukul Rohtagi also addressed the gathering. Director, Division of Environmental Law and Conventions, UNEP, Ms. Elizabeth Maruma Mrema gave the Vote of thanks.

The three-day Conference has been organized by National Green Tribunal NGT), Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Ministry of Water Resources and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The objective of the Conference is to bring together Chief Justices, judges, environmentalists, scientists, lawyers, academicians, executives in the field of environment to exchange ideas on environmental issues such as climate change and disaster management, threat to marine environment, waste management and air pollution. Some of the other issues to be deliberated include – global warming, marine environment, rule of law, remedies and judicial mechanism, increasing pollution and the impact on forest, wildlife and environment.

4 March 2016

KEY TO BUDGET DOCUMENTS BUDGET 2016-2017

1. The Budget documents presented to the Parliament comprise, besides the Finance Minister’s Budget Speech, the following: A. Annual Financial Statement (AFS) B. Demands for Grants (DG) C. Appropriation Bill D. Finance Bill E. Memorandum Explaining the Provisions in the Finance Bill, 2016 F. Macro-economic framework for the relevant Financial Year G. Fiscal Policy Strategy Statement for the Financial Year H. Medium Term Fiscal Policy Statement I. Medium Term Expenditure Framework Statement J. Expenditure Budget Volume-1 K. Expenditure Budget Volume-2 (Part A and Part B) L. Concordance Tables to the Expenditure Budget Volume-2 M. Receipts Budget N. Budget at a Glance O. Highlights of Budget. The documents shown at Serial A, B, C and D are mandated by Art. 112,113, 114(3) and 110(a) of the Constitution of India respectively, while the documents at Serial F, G, H and I are presented as per the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003. Other documents are in the nature of explanatory statements supporting the mandated documents with narrative or other content in a userfriendly format suited for quick or contextual references. Hindi version of all these documents is also presented to the Parliament. A web version is hosted at http://indiabudget.nic.in, with hyperlinks, intended to make surfing more efficient and user-friendly. 2.1 In addition to the above, individual Departments/Ministries also prepare and present to the Parliament their Detailed Demands for Grants, their Outcome Budget and their Annual Reports. The Economic Survey which highlights the economic trends in the country and facilitates a better appreciation of the mobilization of resources and their allocation in the Budget is brought out by the Economic Division of the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance. The Economic Survey is presented to the Parliament ahead of the Union Budget. The web versions of these documents are normally posted by the respective Ministries/ Departments on their web sites. 3.1 A brief description of the Budget documents listed in para 1 is given below. 3. (A) Annual Financial Statement (AFS) Annual Financial Statement (AFS), the document as provided under Article 112, shows estimated receipts and expenditure of the Government of India for 2016-17 in relation to estimates for 2015-16 as also actual expenditure for the year 2014-15. The receipts and disbursements are shown under three parts in which Government Accounts are kept viz.,(i) the Consolidated Fund, (ii) the Contingency Fund and (iii) the Public Account. The Annual Financial Statement distinguishes the expenditure on revenue account from the expenditure on other accounts, as is mandated in the Constitution of India. The Government Budget therefore, 9 10 comprises the Revenue Budget and the Capital Budget. The estimates of receipts and expenditure included in the Annual Financial Statement are for expenditure net of refunds and recoveries. The Union Government Finance Accounts also reflect expenditure in a similar manner. The significance of the Consolidated Fund, the Contingency Fund and the Public Account as well as the distinguishing features of the Revenue and the Capital Budget are given below briefly: (i) The Consolidated Fund of India (CFI) draws its existence from Article 266 of the Constitution. All revenues received by the Government, loans raised by it, and also its receipts from recoveries of loans granted by it, together form the Consolidated Fund. All expenditure of the Government is incurred from the Consolidated Fund of India and no amount can be drawn from the Consolidated Fund without due authorisation from the Parliament. (ii) Article 267 of the Constitution authorises the existence of a Contingency Fund of India which is an imprest placed at the disposal of the President of India to facilitate meeting of urgent unforeseen expenditure by the Government pending authorisation from the Parliament. Parliamentary approval for such unforeseen expenditure is obtained, ex- post-facto, and an equivalent amount is drawn from the Consolidated Fund to recoup the Contingency Fund after such ex-post-facto approval. The corpus of the Contingency Fund as authorised by Parliament presently stands at ` 500 crore. (iii) Moneys held by Government in Trust are kept in the Public Account. Provident Funds, Small Savings collections, income of Government set apart for expenditure on specific objects such as road development, primary education, Reserve/Special Funds etc., are examples of moneys kept in the Public Account. Public Account funds that do not belong to the Government and have to be finally paid back to the persons and authorities who deposited them, do not require Parliamentary authorisation for withdrawals from Public Account. When amounts are withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund with the approval of the Parliament and kept in the Public Account for expenditure on specific objects, the actual expenditure on the specific object is again submitted for vote of the Parliament for withdrawal from the Public Account for incurring expenditure on the specific object. The Union Budget can be demarcated into the part pertaining to revenue which is for ease of reference termed as Revenue Budget in (iv) below and the part pertaining to Capital which is for ease of reference termed as Capital Budget in (v) below. (iv) The Revenue Budget consists of the revenue receipts of the Government (tax revenues and other revenues) and the expenditure met from these revenues. Tax revenues comprise proceeds of taxes and other duties levied by the Union. The estimates of revenue receipts shown in the Annual Financial Statement take into account the effect of various taxation proposals made in the Finance Bill. Other receipts of the Government mainly consist of interest and dividend on investments made by the Government, fees, and other receipts for services rendered by the Government. Revenue expenditure is for the normal running of Government departments and for rendering of various services, making interest payments on debt, meeting subsidies, etc. Broadly, the expenditure which does not result in creation of assets for the Government of India, is treated as revenue expenditure. All grants given to the State Governments/Union Territories and other parties are also treated as revenue expenditure even though some of the grants may be used for creation of capital assets. Revenue expenditure which results in the creation of capital assets is reduced from revenue deficit to arrive at the effective revenue deficit (ERD). Effective Revenue Deficit (ERD) = Revenue Expenditure-Grants for Creation of Capital Assets (v) The Capital Budget consists capital receipts and capital payments. The capital receipts are loans raised by the Government from the public (these are termed as market loans), borrowings by the Government from the Reserve Bank of India and other parties through the sale of Treasury Bills, the loans received from foreign Governments and bodies, disinvestment receipts and recoveries of loans from State and Union Territory Governments and other parties. Capital payments consist of capital expenditure on acquisition of assets like land, buildings, machinery, equipment, as also investments in shares, etc., and loans and advances granted by Central Government to State and Union Territory Governments, Government companies, Corporations and other parties. 11 (vi) Accounting Classification • The estimates of receipts and disbursements in the Annual Financial Statement and of expenditure in the Demands for Grants are shown according to the accounting classification prescribed under Article 150 of the Constitution. This enables the Parliament and the public to make a meaningful analysis of allocation of resources and the purposes of Government expenditure. • The Annual Financial Statement shows separately, certain disbursements which are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India. The Constitution of India mandates that such items of expenditure such as emoluments of the President, salaries and allowances of the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha, salaries, allowances and pensions of the Judges of the Supreme Court, the Comptroller and AuditorGeneral of India and the Central Vigilance Commission, interest on and repayment of loans raised by the Government and payments made to satisfy decrees of courts etc., may be charged on the Consolidated Fund of India and are not required to be voted by the Lok Sabha. 3. (B) Demands for Grants (i) Article 113 of the Constitution mandates that the estimates of expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India included in the Annual Financial Statement and required to be voted by the Lok Sabha, be submitted in the form of Demands for Grants. The Demands for Grants are presented to the Lok Sabha along with the Annual Financial Statement. Generally, one Demand for Grant is presented in respect of each Ministry or Department. However, more than one Demand may be presented for a Ministry or Department depending on the nature of expenditure. In regard to Union Territories without Legislature, a separate Demand is presented for each of such Union Territories. In budget 2016-17 there are 98 Demands for Grants. Each Demand initially gives separately the totals of (i)‘voted’ and ‘charged’ expenditure; (ii) the ‘revenue’ and the ‘capital’ expenditure and (iii) the grand total on gross basis of the amount of expenditure for which the Demand is presented. This is followed by the estimates of expenditure under different major heads of account. The breakup of the expenditure under each major head between ‘Plan’ and ‘Non-Plan’ is also given. The amounts of recoveries are also shown. The net amount of expenditure after reducing the recoveries from the gross amount is also shown. A summary of Demands for Grants is given at the beginning of this document, while details of ‘New Service’ or ‘New Instrument of Service’ such as, formation of a new company, undertaking or a new scheme, etc., if any, are indicated at the end of the document. (ii) Each Demand normally includes the total provisions required for a service, that is, provisions on account of revenue expenditure, capital expenditure, grants to State and Union Territory Governments and also loans and advances relating to the service. Where the provision for a service is entirely for expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund of India, for example, interest payments (Demand for Grant No. 31), a separate Appropriation, as distinct from a Demand, is presented for that expenditure and it is not required to be voted by the Lok Sabha. Where, however, expenditure on a service includes both ‘voted’ and ‘charged’ items of expenditure, the latter are also included in the Demand presented for that service but the ‘voted’ and ‘charged’ provisions are shown separately in that Demand. 3. (C) Appropriation Bill Under Article 114(3) of the Constitution, no amount can be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund without the enactment of such a law by Parliament. After the Demands for Grants are voted by the Lok Sabha, the Parliament’s approval for the withdrawal from the Consolidated Fund of the amounts so voted and of the amount required to meet the expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund is sought through the Appropriation Bill. The whole process, beginning with the presentation of the Budget and ending with discussions and voting on the Demands for Grants, requires sufficiently long time. The Lok Sabha is, therefore, empowered by the Constitution to make any grant in advance in respect of the estimated expenditure for a part of the financial year pending completion of the procedure of the voting on the Demands. This is termed as ‘Vote on Account’. The purpose of the ‘Vote on Account’ is to keep the Government functioning, pending voting of ‘final supply’. The Vote on Account is obtained from Parliament through an Appropriation (Vote on Account) Bill. 12 3. (D) Finance Bill At the time of presentation of the Annual Financial Statement before the Parliament, a Finance Bill is also presented in fulfillment of the requirement of Article 110 (1)(a) of the Constitution, detailing the imposition, abolition, remission, alteration or regulation of taxes proposed in the Budget. It also contains others provisions relating to Budget that could be classified as Money Bill. A Finance Bill is a Money Bill as defined in Article 110 of the Constitution. It is accompanied by a Memorandum explaining the provisions included in it. 3. (E) Memorandum Explaining the Provisions in the Finance Bill To facilitate understanding of the taxation proposals contained in the Finance Bill, the provisions and their implications are explained in the document titled Memorandum Explaining the Provisions of the Finance Bill. 3. (F) Macro-economic Framework Statement The Macro-economic Framework Statement is presented to Parliament under Section 3(5) of the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003 and the rules made thereunder. It contains an assessment of the growth prospects of the economy along with the statement of specific underlying assumptions. It also contains an assessment regarding the GDP growth rate, the domestic economy and the stability of the external sector of the economy, fiscal balance of the Central Government and the external sector balance of the economy. 3. (G) Fiscal Policy Strategy Statement The Fiscal Policy Strategy Statement is presented to Parliament under Section 3(4) of the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003. It outlines for the existing financial year, the strategic priorities of the Government relating to taxation, expenditure, lending and investments, administered pricing, borrowings and guarantees. The Statement explains how the current fiscal policies are in conformity with sound fiscal management principles and gives the rationale for any major deviation in key fiscal measures. 3. (H) Medium-term Fiscal Policy Statement The Medium-term Fiscal Policy Statement is presented to Parliament under Section 3(2) of the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003. It sets out the three-year rolling targets for five specific fiscal indicators in relation to GDP at market prices, namely (i) Revenue Deficit, (ii) Fiscal Deficit, (iii) Effective Revenue Deficit (iv) Tax to GDP ratio and (v) Total outstanding Central Government Debt at the end of the year. The Statement includes the underlying assumptions, an assessment of the balance between revenue receipts and revenue expenditure and the use of capital receipts including market borrowings for the creation of productive assets. 3. (I) Medium-term Expenditure Framework Statement The Medium-term Expenditure Framework Statement is presented to the Parliament under Section 3 of the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003. It sets forth the three-year rolling target for certain expenditure indicators along with delineation of the underlying assumptions and risks. The objective of the MTEF is to provide a closer integration between the budget and the FRBM Statements. This Statement is presented separately in the session next to the session in which Budget is presented, i.e. normally in the Monsoon Session. 3.2 To facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of the major features of the Budget, certain other explanatory documents are presented. These are briefly summarized below: 3. (J) Expenditure Budget Volume-1 (i) This document deals with the revenue and the capital disbursements of various Ministries/Departments and gives the estimates with respect to each under ‘Plan’ and ‘Non-Plan’. It also gives an analysis of various types of expenditure and broad reasons for the variations in estimates. (ii) Under the present accounting and budgetary procedures, certain classes of receipts, such as payments made by one Department to another and receipts of capital projects or schemes, are taken in reduction of the expenditure of the receiving Department. While the estimates of expenditure included in the Demands for Grants are for the gross amounts, the estimates of expenditure included in the Annual 13 Financial Statement are for the net expenditure, after taking into account the recoveries. The document, Expenditure Budget, makes certain other refinements such as netting expenditure of related receipts so that overstatement of receipts and expenditure figures, is avoided. As a result, the magnitudes of various items of expenditure are realistic. Contributions to International bodies and estimated strength of establishment of various Government Departments and provision thereof are shown in separate annexes. A statement each, showing (i) Gender Budgeting and (ii) Schemes for Development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes including Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) allocations and (iii) Schemes for the welfare of children are also included in this document. This year, two new statements are being introduced in this document. They are (i) the expenditure details and budget estimates regarding Autonomous Bodies and (ii) the details of certain important funds in the Public Account. (iii) Plan Outlay Plan expenditure forms a sizeable proportion of the total expenditure of the Central Government. The Demands for Grants of the various Ministries show the Plan expenditure and Non Plan expenditure under each head separately. The Expenditure Budget Vol. 1 also gives the total Plan provisions for each of the Ministries arranged under the various heads of development viz., General, Social, Economic and others, and highlights the budget provisions for certain important Plan programmes and schemes. Statements showing Externally Aided projects under State and Central Plan are also included in the document. A description of important schemes included in the Plan along with the objectives, targets and achievements is given in the Outcome Budgets of the respective Ministries. (iv) Public Sector Enterprises A large part of the Plan expenditure incurred by the Central Government is through public sector enterprises. Budgetary support for financing these enterprises, is provided by the Government either through investment in share capital or through loans. Expenditure Budget Vol.1 shows the estimates of capital and loan disbursements to public sector enterprises in 2015-16 and 2016-2017 for Plan and Non-Plan purposes and also the details of the extra budgetary resources available for financing their Plans. A detailed report on the working of public sector enterprises is given in the document titled ‘Public Enterprises Survey’ brought out separately by the Department of Public Enterprises. A report on the working of the enterprises under the control of various administrative Ministries is also given in the Annual Reports of the various Ministries circulated to the Members of Parliament separately. The annual reports along with the audited accounts of each of the Government companies are also separately laid before the Parliament. Besides, the reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on the working of various public sector enterprises, are also laid before Parliament. (v) Commercial Departments Railways is the principal departmentally-run commercial undertaking of Government. The Budget of the Ministry of Railways and the Demands for Grants relating to Railway expenditure are presented to the Parliament separately. The total receipts and expenditure of the Railways are, however, incorporated in the Annual Financial Statement of the Government of India. All expenditure is depicted in the Receipts Budget and Expenditure Budget Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, net of receipts of the Departmental Commercial Undertakings, in order to avoid overstatement of both receipts and expenditure. (vi) The receipts and expenditure of the Defence Demands shown in the Annual Financial Statement are explained in greater detail in the document Defence Services Estimates presented along with the Detailed Demands for Grants of the Ministry of Defence. (vii) The details of grants given to bodies other than State and Union Territory Governments are given in the statements of Grants-in-aid paid to non-Government bodies appended to Detailed Demands for Grants of the various Ministries. Annex 5 to the Expenditure Budget Vol.1 shows details of grants-inaid exceeding ` 5 lakhs (recurring) or ` 10 lakhs (non-recurring) to private institutions, organizations and individuals sanctioned during the year 2014-15. 3. (K) Expenditure Budget Volume-2 The provisions made for a scheme or a programme may spread over a number of Major Heads in the Revenue and Capital sections in a Demand for Grants. In the Expenditure Budget Vol. 2, the estimates made 14 for a scheme/programme are brought together and shown on a net basis Major Head-wise at one place. To understand the objectives underlying the expenditure proposed for various schemes and programmes in the Demands for Grants, suitable explanatory notes are included in this volume in which, wherever necessary, brief reasons for variations between the Budget Estimates and Revised Estimates for the current year and requirements for the ensuing Budget year are also given. This time Volume 2 will be in two Parts viz., A & B. 3. (L) Concordance tables to the Expenditure Budget Vol. 2 This documents provides the demand-wise concordance tables for the rationalized line entries for Budget Estimates (BE) 2016-17. In certain demands, the line entries with respect of BE 2016-17 are different from those of the BE 2015-16. This is because the Government has considered the organization of schemes and projects demand-wise and has rationalised them. The aim of this rationalization was to make schemes outcomeoriented. This resulted in subsuming of certain line entries of BE 2015-16 under different, but meaningful categories as reflected in the line entries of the BE 2016-17 of the Expenditure Budget Volume-2. Hence BE 2016-17, is shown as a different group from BE and Revised Estimates (RE) 2015-16 in many of the demands. The demand-wise concordance table between these two groups, is being brought out as an explanatory document to Expenditure Budget Volume 2, to enable a clear understanding of the grouping of line entries of BE 2015-16 into the line entries of BE 2016-17. 3. (M) Receipts Budget Estimates of receipts included in the Annual Financial Statement are further analysed in the document “Receipts Budget”. The document provides details of tax and non-tax revenue receipts and capital receipts and explains the estimates. The document also provides the arrears of tax revenues and non-tax revenues, as mandated under the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Rules, 2004. Trend of receipts and expenditure along with deficit indicators, statement pertaining to National Small Savings Fund (NSSF), statement of revenues foregone, statement of liabilities, statement of guarantees given by the government, statements of assets and details of external assistance are also included in Receipts Budget. This also includes the Statement of Revenue Impact of Tax Incentives under the Central Tax System which seeks to list the revenue impact of tax incentives that are proposed by the Central Government. This was earlier called ‘Statement of Revenue Foregone’ and brought out as a separate statement in 2015-16. This has been merged in the Receipts Budget from 2016-17 onwards. 3. (N) Budget at a Glance (i) This document shows in brief, receipts and disbursements along with broad details of tax revenues and other receipts. This document also exhibits broad break-up of expenditure - Plan and Non-Plan, allocation of Plan outlays by sectors as well as by Ministries/Departments and details of resources transferred by the Central Government to State and Union Territory Governments. This document also shows the revenue deficit, the gross primary deficit and the gross fiscal deficit of the Central Government. The excess of Government’s revenue expenditure over revenue receipts constitutes revenue deficit of Government. The difference between the total expenditure of Government by way of revenue, capital and loans net of repayments on the one hand and revenue receipts of Government and capital receipts which are not in the nature of borrowing but which finally accrue to Government on the other, constitutes gross fiscal deficit. Gross primary deficit is gross fiscal deficit reduced by the gross interest payments. In the Budget documents ‘gross fiscal deficit’ and ‘gross primary deficit’ have been referred to in abbreviated form ‘fiscal deficit’ and ‘primary deficit’, respectively. This document also shows liabilities of the Government on account of securities (bonds) issued in lieu of oil and fertilizer subsidies. (ii) The document also includes a statement indicating the quantum and nature (share in Central Taxes, grants/loan) of the total Resources transferred to States and Union Territory Governments. Details of these transfers by way of share of taxes, grants-in-aid and loans are given in Expenditure Budget Volume 1. Bulk of grants and loans are disbursed by the Ministry of Finance and are included in the Demand ‘Transfers to States’ and partly in the Demand ‘Transfer to UTs with legislature’. The grants and loans released to States and Union Territories by other Ministries/Departments are reflected in their respective Demands. 15 3. (O) Highlights of Budget This document explains the key features of the Budget 2016-2017, inter alia, indicating the prominent achievements in various sectors of the economy. It also explains, in brief, the budget proposals for allocation of funds to be made in important areas. The summary of tax proposals is also delineated in the document. 3. (P) Detailed Demands for Grants The Detailed Demands for Grants are laid on the table of the Lok Sabha sometime after the presentation of the Budget, but before the discussion on Demands for Grants commences. Detailed Demands for Grants further elaborate the provisions included in the Demands for Grants as also the actual expenditure during the previous year. A break-up of the estimates relating to each programme/organisation, wherever the amount involved is not less than ‘10 lakhs, is given under a number of object heads which indicate the categories and nature of expenditure incurred on that programme, such as salaries, wages, travel expenses, machinery and equipment, grants-in-aid, etc. At the end of these Detailed Demands are shown the details of recoveries taken in reduction of expenditure in the accounts. 3. (Q) Outcome Budget (i) With effect from Financial Year 2007-08, the Performance Budget and the Outcome Budget hitherto presented to Parliament separately by Ministries/Departments, are merged and presented as a single document titled “Outcome Budget” by each Ministry/Department in respect of all Demands/ Appropriations controlled by them, except those exempted from this requirement. The Outcome Budget broadly indicates physical dimensions of the financial budget of a Ministry/Department, indicating actual physical performance during the year 2014-2015, performance during the year 2015-2016 and the targeted performance during the year 2016-2017. (ii) Outcome Budget contains a brief introductory note on the organization and functions of the Ministry/ Department, list of major programmes/schemes implemented by the Ministry/Department, its mandate, goal and policy framework, budget estimates, scheme-wise analysis of physical performance and linkage between financial outlays and outcome, review covering overall trends in expenditure vis-avis budget estimates in recent years, review of performance of statutory and autonomous bodies under the administrative control of the Ministry/Department, reform measures, targets and achievements and plans for future refinements. (iii) As far as feasible, coverage of women and SC/ST beneficiaries under various developmental schemes and schemes for the benefit of North Eastern Region are also separately indicated. 3. (R) Annual Reports A descriptive account of the activities of each Ministry/Department during the year 2015-2016 is given in the document Annual Report which is brought out separately by each Ministry/Department and circulated to Members of Parliament at the time of discussion on the Demands for Grants. 3. (S) Economic Survey The Economic Survey brings out the economic trends in the country which facilitates a better appreciation of the mobilisation of resources and their allocation in the Budget. The Survey analyses the trends in agricultural and industrial production, infrastructure, employment, money supply, prices, imports, exports, foreign exchange reserves and other relevant economic factors which have a bearing on the Budget, and is presented to the Parliament ahead of the Budget for the ensuing year. The Budget of the Central Government is not merely a statement of receipts and expenditure. Since Independence, it has become a significant statement of government policy. The Budget reflects and shapes, and is, in turn, shaped by the country’s economy. For a better appreciation of the impact of government receipts and expenditure on the other sectors of the economy, it is necessary to group them in terms of economic magnitudes, for example, how much is set aside for capital formation, how much is spent directly by the Government and how much is transferred by Government to other sectors of the economy by way of grants, loans, etc. This analysis is contained in the Economic and Functional Classification of the Central Government Budget which is brought out by the Ministry of Finance separately. 16 INDEX Topics Paragraph Number Accounting classification … 3(A)(vi) Annual Financial Statement …

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UKPCS2012 FINAL RESULT SAMVEG IAS DEHRADUN

    Heartfelt congratulations to all my dear student .this was outstanding performance .this was possible due to ...