कथन

The economy has serious fault lines. I hope that the Finance Minister, who insulted this House by not coming to the House in the time of debate, will reply to all these questions whenever she comes here. SHRI T. R. BAALU (SRIPERUMBUDUR): Hon. Chairman Sir, Vanakkam. Although I am interested to take part in the discussion on the First Batch of the  English translation of the speech originally delivered in Tamil. 15.12.2025 1106 Supplementary Demands for Grants for the current year amounting 1,32,000 crore, I am analyzing why there is such an additional demand of 1,32,000 crore within a period of six months of the presentation of Budget. They say two aspects. One aspect is the gross additional expenditure of Rs. 90 thousand 812 crore, matched by savings of the Ministries and Departments. Secondly, a net cash outgo of over Rs. 41,400 Crore. Additional expenditure of Rs. 90,812 crore which they state is not an unexpected expenditure. How will you get savings? Whether they have put in the Savings fund? Otherwise whether this money is allocated extra? You have even already allocated sufficient funds in the General Budget. Now you are coming with the supplementary demands. It is not fair to say and prove that these are all unexpected spending. As they have excess money, they are returning. Why then they are terming it as revenue? How can they get more revenue? By keeping commercial sectors in hand, did they get more revenue through Department of Trade? Or something else. Both reasons are very much confusing and unbelievable. There is an additional expenditure of Rs. 41, 458 crore. Hon Minister says that as she has more expenses, she has gone for Supplementary Demands for Grants. Out of this, Rs. 41458 crore, 18,575 crore is for fertilizer subsidy. An amount of Rs 9,500 crore is the subsidy to be given to crude oil companies. These two expenses are annual expenses which are expected every year. Fertilizer subsidy is a regular one given every year. Similarly the subsidies meant for Crude oil, petroleum department and that of oil are annual expenditures. How did not they expect this? 15.12.2025 1107 14.57 hrs (Shri Dilip Saikia in the Chair) Not only that Rs. 2500 crore for Department of Home Affairs; Rs. 1200 crore for Education and Rs. 1300 crore for External Affairs Ministry. Approximately they need almost Rs. 41,500 crore. It is unfair to ask now as this was known to them already. My question is that why have they not included in the actual Budget itself? While replying I want a clarification that Hon Minister should say about expenses of Rs. 9,818 crore and Rs. 41,458 crore. Another main aspect in this Supplementary Demands for Grants is what is said by the International Monetary Fund. As per IMF, the financial statements and the accounts handled by them in India are all not up to the mark and are substandard in nature. They call our financial position, accounting procedures and several other things as substandard ones and hence provided C Grading. What is the main reason for this C Grading provided by IMF? You said there will be a growth rate of 10.1 per cent. Even at the time of presentation of Budget they said that the growth rate will be 8.1 per cent. But Hon Prime Minister has agreed to the fact that our growth rate is 8.2 per cent. Why is there a sudden decline of 2 per cent in the GDP? Since the economy is going down they have given C Grade to us. Among the categories of A, B, C and D, IMF has given us the C Grading to India. This situation has been created by us. That is why the actions and economic activities of the Government are seen with a ray of doubt in mind by many. Dr Arvind Subramaniam and Dr Arun Kumar, both these persons are experts of economy. They have said this. They say that these are unbelievable 15.12.2025 1108 for them as well. Not only that, they collect Cess every year. For a particular period this Cess is collected for a particular Department. That amount collected through Cess should be provided to the Department for which it was collected. But it is not provided to the respective Department. This Petroleum tax was levied in the year 1975. But this Cess of Petroleum has been continuously collected for the last 50 years. It comes to approximately 2.98 lakh Crore. 15.00 hrs Approximately they have collected Rs 3 lakh Crore. Out of this collected money of 2 lakh 98 thousand Crore, only a meagre amount of Rs 902 Crore has only been spent for the Petroleum Ministry. There is the Department called OIDB which means Oil Industry and Development Board. This 2 lakh and 92 thousand Crore would have gone to Petroleum Ministry. But it was not spent for them. If it was spent, they would have got new Schemes. There is a Crude Oil deficit of more than 70 per cent. We import more than 80 percent of Crude Oil. There would have a reason so not to import from External Affairs Ministry. For this indiscipline, I wish to say that the IMF has given C grade and made us low. Indian Financial Department is their Department. They make Cess collection and they take themselves for their expenses. After giving only Rs 902 Crore to Petroleum Department and the remaining amount of more than 2 lakh and 80 Lakh Crore are kept by themselves. I want to ask whether it is fair. They are betraying the States in the same manner. 15.12.2025 1109 Sir, I need some five or ten minutes please. How are they betraying? This MGNREGA Scheme, since it is in the name of Mahatma Gandhi you try to change. This Government is in worst condition. This is the example to prove that this Government is getting worse day after day. Not only the 100 Man days of work. This number of Man days is on the decline. Tamil Nadu was once having 30 crore Man days and now it has come down to Rs 12 crore whether it is not a shameful one? So far the Union Government has to give 1,690 crore to the Government of Tamil Nadu. Money was not provided. This is actually the money given by Tamil Nadu government for the material purchased for implementing MGNREGA. Not only that, an amount of Rs 31,450 crore should be allocated for implementing the schemes of Railways. Out of this Rs 31,450 crore, the Department of Railways has only been allocated Rs 301 crore. What does that mean? Out of 95 per cent, not even 1 per cent is released. Out of the tax collection Tamil Nadu gives almost 1 lakh crore. But Tamil Nadu is given just 91 crore by the Union Government. How can it be good with this amount? Railway Department is given just Rs. 301 crore. How will this be sufficient? We had sent the proposal regarding Metro Rail Scheme 5 years ago. This proposal sent 5 years ago, was returned to the Tamil Nadu Government by the Union Government just some time ago. Madurai and Coimbatore are two Metropolitan Cities and we want Metro Rail in these Cities. Without any proper reason they have turned down this Proposal. All of a sudden, now they say these two Cities in Tamil Nadu have a population less than 20 lakh people each. The population figures quoted by them belong to 2011 Census. They claim that the 15.12.2025 1110 population in these two Cities are less than 20 lakh and hence Metro rail project cannot be implemented. This they are saying now. I want to ask them how Metro railway was approved for Cities like Agra, Indore, Bhubaneswar and Navi Mumbai. Will the population figures of these Cities not be the criterion? Should you see the Population figures or the viability? Should you not see the profitability or viability of the project? I wish to say that the criteria they look at seems to be the worst. The distance between Poonamalle to Chennai is just 10 kms. This stretch is already completed. Although the safety certificate was provided, they have not this project functional. This is the worst situation and this shows how the Union Government treats the Tamil Nadu Government. Another issue is relating to moisture content in Paddy. Farmers grow paddy and even in September month there were rains. After rains the situation has further worsened. The farmers cannot avoid harvesting paddy. Paddy that was harvested was brought to the threshing field. Moisture content of paddy got increased further at the threshing field. The Government procures paddy with only 17 per cent of moisture content. But our Hon Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thalapathi Shri M.K. Stalin has demanded that the level of moisture content for procurement of paddy should be increased from 17 per cent to 22 per cent. He has written letters to Hon Prime Minister time and again. But the Union Government has not accepted this demand. What will you now? The situation in delta district of Thanjavur is similar to that of Kanchipuram and Chengelpet. They will have a meeting in Thanjavur within 2 or 3 months from now. Let us wait and watch as to how the Prime Minister will be received in Thanjavur by the farmers 15.12.2025 1111 when he goes for a meeting there. They are avoiding the request to increase the moisture content of paddy from 17 percent to 22 percent. Next is the Educational Scheme. The Union Government has to give Rs 3,548 Crore for Samagra Shikha Scheme, SSA. They are not releasing this fund. Why can’t you release? They want us to accept the New Educational Policy. Why should we accept the NEP? It is not an Act. It is just a policy. There can be different policies for the State and the Union Governments. How can you insist on us? How can you ask us to follow your policy? We will not accept this. Not only today, we will never be accepting Hindi. Imposition of Hindi will never be accepted in Tamil Nadu. We will continue to oppose imposition of Hindi. This is the policy of Perarignar Anna and Annan Dr. Kalaignar. We will never deviate from the path laid by them. This New Educational Policy will never be accepted by us in Tamil Nadu. Teachers were appointed in the year 2010. Almost 4 lakh teachers were appointed in Tamil Nadu. Now they come with a policy. These Teachers should clear a test named Teacher Eligibility Test for continuing their service. They were all appointed in 2010. But you bring this policy in 2024. Just 14 years after their appointment. You say that these Teachers should clear this eligibility test within a span of two years. Only when they pass this TET, they can work as Teachers. They cannot pass this test. Is it possible? I rather urge that the Union Government should approach the hon. Court and a find to a relief to such Teachers. Otherwise, these Teachers may be affected The Union Government should take a humanitarian view on this issue. 15.12.2025 1112 My dear friends, we demand (i) Immediate release of pending MNREGA funds due for Tamil Nadu as regards labour and material allocation. (ii) To approve the increased moisture content of paddy from 17per cent to 22 per cent. (iii) Immediate approval of the metro projects pertaining to Coimbatore and Madurai cities. (iv) Immediate release of rightful due of Rs 3,548 Crore under Samagra Shiksha Scheme SSA without any further delay. Teachers have to continue in their Jobs and for that I urge the Union Government should approach Hon Court and get a relief for protecting the lives of these Teachers. Vanakkam. Thank you. SHRI KESINENI SIVANATH (VIJAYAWADA): Thank you, Sir. I rise to speak on the First Batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants for year 2025-2026. This Batch covers 72 grants, with the Government seeking Parliament's approval for an additional gross amount of Rs.1.32 lakh crore. Sir, some hon. Members from the Opposition have spoken about economic disorder. However, the facts are different. Under the leadership of our hon. Prime Minister, Narendra Modi ji, FDI has crossed 81 billion US Dollars. The Minimum Support Price for major crops has increased by 50 to 70 per cent with record procurement helping farmers, and over 75 per cent of the defence capital budget is now kept for Indian industry, boosting jobs and national security. Now, while speaking on Supplementary Demands for Grants 2025-2026, I would like to submit that under the Supplementary Grants, Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers has re-appropriated funds amounting to Rs 31,000 15.12.2025 1113 crore, a significant portion of which will strengthen the urea subsidy scheme. Urea is not merely a fertiliser, it is the backbone for crop growth. Any delay in its supply threatens entire agricultural cycle. This year, Andhra Pradesh faced a sudden surge in demand during the peak kharif season. At this critical moment, our hon. Chief Minister, Nara Chandrababu Naidu personally intervened, and took up the issue with the Union Government. The hon. Minister, Shri J.P. Nadda, swiftly responded, released fresh stocks and ensured uninterrupted supply across the State. This timely assistance protected our farmers, our crops and their livelihoods. Sir, an amount of Rs.18,800 crore has been re-appropriated to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The Union Government has built 10,660 kilometres of highways in Financial Year 2025, exceeding its target of 10,400 kilometres. This indicates Government’s commitment to ensure connectivity across the country. Another critical transport project to ensure connectivity is the metro rail. Among all the Southern States, Andhra Pradesh is the only State without metro rail system. In this background, Vijayawada and Vizag metro projects are not just transport systems, they are necessary for the growth of this region and achieving Prime Minister's goal of Viksit Bharat. Sir, Rs.1,303 crore is being re-appropriated to the Ministry of Education. One of the key sectors in education is medical, for which building of new colleges is essential. When there is a crunch in financial resources, the Central Government, from time to time, comes up with innovative models to ensure that development does not stop. But YSRCP Party today in AP is opposing the 15.12.2025 1114 development of medical colleges. This is the sector they themselves have neglected with inaction and false promises. They promised to build 17 new medical colleges, but the truth is that not even a single stone was laid for most of them. In four years of YSRCP Government, instead of Rs.85,000 crore, they have spent less than Rs.1,000 crore. At this pace, it will take 15 years for completion of these 17 medical colleges. After failing so badly, the same party now opposes nationally approved PPP model. The Department of Economic Affairs, Government of India has notified this model and the apex body for medical education, the National Medical Commission has recommended to build PPP medical colleges. Also, the Parliament’s Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare recommended colleges of this model. Yet, YSRCP is against this model because they do not understand the difference between PPP and privatization. Under PPP model, the Government keeps full control while the private partners only support infrastructure, operation, and completing the construction within two years. Half the seats remain under Government quota, all the reservations stay the same, and the fees for these seats are capped to protect the students. In these hospitals, 70 per cent of beds are reserved for Ayushman Bharat patients. This model ensures better infrastructure while safeguarding the students and the poor. If YSRCP is really committed for public, they would have not spent Rs.500 crore of Government money to build a palace for their Chief Minister, a gross ugly waste of public wealth. They could have instead used Rs.500 crore for the operation of these medical colleges. Their opposition to medical colleges 15.12.2025 1115 through PPP model exposes their hypocrisy. Neither they will work nor they will allow anyone else to work. They cannot digest the development being pursued by our hon. Chief Minister, Nara Chandrababu Naidu Ji. Finally, I conclude. The Supplementary Grants show the Government's clear commitment to welfare, agriculture, education, and health. Under the leadership of our hon. Prime Minister, Narendra Modi Ji, India has delivered 8.2 per cent of GDP growth despite global uncertainty. Together we build a stronger and brighter nation for our people. Thank you, Sir. SHRI K. C. VENUGOPAL (ALAPPUZHA): Thank you, hon. Chairman, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to participate in the discussion on the Supplementary Demands for Grants. Basically, these Demands for Grants were introduced in December 2025, covering about 72 demands and one appropriation. Today, the truth about Indian economy is staring us in the face. The rupee is weak, prices are high, jobs are lacking, and confidence is collapsing. This is not a bad luck; this is bad governance by this Government. The rupee has fallen to its lowest ever level, closing at 90 against the US dollar and still sliding. This is not a small technical issue. The hon. Finance Minister is not present here. The Government is asking Parliament to approve Rs. 1,32,000 crore, yet the hon. FM is not here. I think for a discussion on the Supplementary Demands for Grants, the presence of FM is needed. When we raise the issue of the falling rupee, she tells us that it will not affect the economy at all. But what is the reality? A weaker rupee means higher fuel prices, costlier imports, and increasing pressure on the common man. When the hon. Prime Minister was the Chief 15.12.2025 1116 Minister of Gujarat, and the rupee had fallen to 58 against the US dollar, he remarked that ‘there is a competition going on between the rupee and the Government in Delhi as to whose dignity goes down faster’. This was said by our hon. Prime Minister. Today, the rupee has touched 90 against the US dollar. So, whose dignity is now going down? At that time, the Chief Minister of Gujarat compared it with the Union Government. Whose dignity is lower now? Certainly, it is the Union Government’s dignity which is lower compared to the rupee. It is very, very unfortunate. Even more worrying is that the GDP rates projected by the Government are being questioned internationally. The IMF has flagged serious weakness in India’s GDP data. Still the Government is saying that our GDP is better. But IMF is already contesting it. I would like to point out a concern with regard to the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways. We are passing Supplementary Demands for Grants for the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways. For the year 2025-26, the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways proposed an expenditure of nearly Rs. 2.87 lakh crore, which is higher than last year. The allocation for roads and bridges alone is more than Rs. 1.16 lakh crore. India today has the second largest road network in the world. I agree that the national highway network is developing and expanding. But the House must ask a fundamental question. Is this massive spending resulting in safer roads, accountability, and value for public money, or is it creating a system where public funds are converted into private profit for a chosen few? The debate is not about opposing highway development. We are all for development. The debate is about the corruption 15.12.2025 1117 taking place in this area. We have discussed Bharatmala Project many times. It was intended to complete within five years. Now, eight years have passed, and even 50 per cent of the work has not been completed. I now come to my State of Kerala. The consequences of this reckless model are most visible in Kerala. From Kasargod in the North to Kollam in the South, national highway projects – particularly NH-66 and NH-544 – are collapsing before the eyes of the public. The roads are virtually collapsing. I think, Sir, you are also aware of this. The roads of national highways are collapsing like anything in Kerala. Elevated structures are sinking, retaining walls are collapsing, service roads are flooded, and fresh cracks are appearing on newly constructed roads. In May, this year, the entire elevated highway structure at Kooriyad collapsed. The scene was catastrophic, and the entire structure is now beyond repair. Recently, a retaining wall on NH in Kollam collapsed, an issue already raised by Shri Premachandran. I can list dozens of such incidents. What is the problem? In my own constituency, one death has been reported. Forty people have died at the construction site because there is no proper management. What is happening in Kerala is not an act of nature; it is the result of a system where speed and profit were prioritized over safety and scientific planning. The House must understand that these failures are not accidental. They are the outcome of a development model designed to maximize corporate profit, not public safety. This brings me to the core issue behind these Supplementary Demands for Grants, which is basically a highway scam. Let us look at one 15.12.2025 1118 project, Azhiyur-Vengalam stretch of NH-66 in North Kerala. This is a road of just 40 kilometres. This project was awarded to Adani Enterprises for Rs. 1,832 crore. Adani did not build it, Sir. What they have done is they have sub- contracted the entire work to Wagad Infraprojects Pvt. Ltd., an Ahmedabad- based firm, for just Rs. 971 crore. You see, Sir, the total contract was for Rs. 1,838 crore. He has given the sub-contract for Rs. 971 crore, that is almost half the amount. Basically, the actual construction cost is Rs 23.7 crore per km, but Adani is being paid Rs. 45 crore per km, Sir. Sir, Adani will earn Rs. 2,043 crore from this one project alone, an excess profit of Rs. 1,310 crore, funded entirely by public money. This loot is legal, Sir. I am not telling it is illegal. This loot is legal because the system was designed for it. Kerala NH 66, a six-lane highway project, has been divided into more than 19 phases. Some of these phases are being executed under the EPC model and some are in the HAM model. The projects executed under EPC model in Kerala have cost between Rs. 26 crore and Rs. 32 crore per km, even for roads with higher complexity. The bridges are there. Actually, the area is designed. Areas are also very much complicated, but their money is lesser. The scam is not accidental, Sir. It was designed and facilitated through the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), introduced in 2016 under the Modi Government. Here is how HAM works. About 40 per cent of the project cost is paid during the construction itself, 60 per cent is paid over 15 years annuity with interest of the bank rate plus 3 per cent. A separate contract covers 15 years of maintenance on top of Rs. 1,838 15.12.2025 1119 crore. Sir, you can see that in this case, the contractor got Rs. 735 crore during the construction itself. He will get Rs. 1,102 crore over 15 years as annuity. He will also get Rs. 940 crore as interest. He spends only Rs. 971 crore and earns over Rs. 2,043 crore. This is a profit margin of more than Rs. 1,000 crore without laying a single brick himself. … (Interruptions)

वक्ता Sougata Ray

कब कहा 2025-12-15T00:00:00.000Z

किस वाद-विवाद में The Speaker made references to the passing away of Shri Subhash Ahuja, Member of the Sixth Lok Sabha; Prof. Salaluddin, Member of the Eighth Lok Sabha and; Shri Bal Krishna Chauhan, Member of the Thirteenth Lok Sabha