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INDIA


Gangaram Geete (Shiv Sena) spoke of farmers facing serious problems and the large measure of the population suffering from malnutrition. Shri Nama Nageswara Rao


(TDP) alleged that the government had failed to check corruption and natural resources were being plundered. It was a serious matter that farmers in Andhra Pradesh were, for the first time, saying no to farming as they were not getting minimum support price for their produce. Shri Narahari Mahato(AIFB) said unemployment was wide spread and farmers were suffering due to the high cost of inputs including fertilizers. Shri Syed Shahnawaz


Hussain (BJP) said the problem afflicting the present-day UPA government seemed to have no solution. He was of the view that the government had failed to check corruption, black money and price rises. The government failed to rewrite the fate of Muslims even when they were enjoying two-third or even three-fourth majority and seemed to remember the minorities just prior to the election in Uttar Pradesh. He alleged that the NDA-governed states were being discriminated against. Dr Raghuvansh Prasad Singh (RJD) regretted that the President’s Address did not mention a single new programme even though the country was facing several challenges. The government had not yet been able to cater for the list of people living below the poverty line, he said. Dr Mirza Mehboob Beg


(J&KNC) asked the government to make public the report submitted by the three interlocutors appointed by the central government to address the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. He congratulated the people of Jammu and Kashmir


for their overwhelming participation in the Panchayat elections conducted in the state after a long gap despite boycott calls. Shri Mohammed E.T.


Basheer (BSP) appreciated the skill development plan for the youth mentioned in the President’s Address. He requested the government to


take effective steps for controlling the prices of drugs. Replying to the discussion,


the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh joined all members of the House in conveying the government’s sincere thanks to the President for her enlightened Address. In the light of the fact that the year 2011-12 was a difficult year for


all countries, India’s economic performance of about seven per cent growth was regarded as commendable. Emphasizing the need to focus on the developmental gaps affecting the most vulnerable, he assured the House that his government would rise to this important task. He was confident that the 12th five-year


THIRD READING: INDIA


The Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Amendment Bill, 2010 The Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Act, 1962 was enacted to provide for the acquisition of right of user in land for laying petroleum and minerals and for matters connected. Since its enactment, several underground


pipelines had been laid across the country carrying crude oil, petroleum products and gas. The network of such pipelines in India has grown in a big way. Despite regular patrolling and inspection of the pipelines, large number of incidents of pilferage and sabotage of pipelines by anti-social elements are frequently taking place. As the petroleum and its products are hazardous material, its spillage from such pipelines has serious consequences. To curb the threat of such incidents as well as


sabotage of pipelines it was felt that a more stringent punishment was required in the said Act. Sections 15 and 16 of the Act, which lay down the


provisions to deal with the cases of spillage from, or sabotage of pipelines, do not provide for sufficient deterrence to criminals from committing the offence. Sub-section (2) of section 15 provides that whoever willfully removes, displaces, damages or destroys any pipeline shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than a year, but which may extend to three years and also be liable to fine Section 16 provided the offence shall be deemed to be cognizable under the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973. To achieve this objective the government brought


forward the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Amendment- Bill 2010: The amending measure was by and large


welcomed by members during discussion in both


Houses of Parliament. Some Members did express certain reservations that:


• There was no clarity in the Bill regarding the type of punishment to be given for varied offences; and


• North Eastern regions – where the majority of oil fields were – were not adequately taken cognizance of.


Members also suggested adequate security was


provided to persons lodging complaints and the need for a review of commission paid to the distributors. The Minister-in-charge of the Bill assured to


address concerns and suggestions made by members, and stated that the Amending Bill had been brought forward to achieve the following main objectives:


(i) Provide stringent punishment regime; (ii) Provide exemplary punishment for life imprisonment, death punishment for sabotage, terrorist acts; and


(iii) Make the offence cognizable and non-bail-able. Dwelling on initiatives being taken by the


government, the Minister stated it had drawn up reward and recognition schemes for villagers, such as conducting awareness programmes for villagers and the trial of surveillance systems for monitoring movement of live patrol men and night guards. The Bill was passed in Lok Sabha on 12 December


2012 and by Rajya Sabha on 21 December 2012. The Bill as passed by both Houses of Parliament


was assented to by the President of India on 12 January 2012. Accordingly the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in land) stands amended.


The Parliamentarian | 2012: Issue Two | 145


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