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Rather_Firdous
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As the House knows, the Prime Minister sent out a circular to all the States a few years ago requesting that the portfolio of agriculture in the States should not be neglected; it should be entrusted to an important Minister. I think the National Development Council considered this question and they said that as far as possible, the Chief Ministers in the States should handle the portfolio themselves. And then, they have started a Food Production Board in the Cabinet itself at the Centre, and the National Development Council has decide that an agricultural production board should be started in each State with the Chief Minister as the Chairman. They have started an agricultural machinery board for supplying machinery. They have taken many steps in addition to the normal measures. The Government has been doing their very best in this regard. But with all that, it has not kept up with the targets fixed, unless earnest and vigorous attempts are made. I wish to throw out my own suggestions in this regard. They may not be very pleasant but I wish to be excused because I am speaking from experience. Madam, the first thing is that so far as the producing agency is concerned, its voluntary interest and its enthusiasm must be won. For instance, in industrial labour relations, we got out of the way to invite labour and give it even participation in the management and to do everything for labour. This is just to see that industrial relations are good and the industrial output will be increasing day by day. Should we not show some consideration for this producing agency, namely, the farmer? Mr. Thomas has shown how agricultural products, even at these increased prices, are not paying to the agriculturist. He has shown that very correctly, and everyone who has intimate connection with agriculture at least will agree to that, and if at all anything, that is an under-estimate, not an over-estimate. When that is so, how can we expect the farmer to produce unless he is enthused? (Second test). Under the National Drinking Water Mission, the guinea worm problem which is prevalent in only six States will now be eliminated by the end of the current year. Similarly, the Central Government has taken several steps to remove the excess quantity of fluoride from drinking water. Alternative sources of clean drinking water and equipment to remove fluoride will be made available to the affected villages. For both the works, a special provision to provide funds to the States is being made. Public awakening campaign is being launched in this regard. The Government has taken the decision to open laboratories at all the places for the qualitative testing of drinking water. I would also like to point out that the constructed amenities provided for the disposal of dirt and dirty water are comparatively very inadequate. This issue will be taken up for discussion at an early date in the National Seminar and the policy will undergo change. I would like to mention that the World Bank and many countries of the world are: extending their assistance for the implementation of these two programmes. The programme started to make available drinking water in villages through Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission, is the biggest in the world and has become a model for other developing countries. In order to have systematic agricultural development and to maintain it, an effective system is essential for marketing of agricultural products so that the interests of producers and consumers may be safeguarded. A model Act has been circulated to the States in order to make uniformity in the regulation and management of markets. In order to provide basic infrastructure facilities for these markets under a Centrally-sponsored programme, the committees of the trade centers are given monetary assistance to the markets through the State Government. Now, both the programmes for the development of markets and construction of village godowns have been entrusted to the State Governments.