Hon. Chairman Sir, I thank you for giving me this
opportunity. I fully support the Bill moved by Prof. Jha. I would like to point
out just a couple of small things. The first one is that Clause 5 of the
proposed Bill includes provisions taken from the United Nations. The subject of
Health is expanded to cover the right to food, which we have already brought in.
It also includes the right to water and the right to sanitation. But it does
not include a subtle mention made by the United Nations on gender. So, we may
have to100
examine it at an appropriate occasion to see whether the economic, cultural and
social rights include gender as a part120 of right to health. India has a lot of
firsts among many countries. There is no denial about that. But140
India also stands out like a sore thumb as far as certain expenditures are
concerned. The expenditure on health, for160 instance, is pegged at 1.5 per cent of
the GDP which remains an international shame. It is not that expenditure has
not been done. It is a question of aggregating it. It is a question of pinpointing
it.200
I have enough faith in a nation that could eradicate polio, helped the world in
eradicating smallpox and has now gone in for a massive venture to give free
vaccines.
My humble submission to the mover of the Bill, to240
the hon. Health Minister and others, is to take an overview of what we are
doing. We are doing it in a piecemeal manner. Can we not collate all these pieces
together as a fundamental right to health? It is280 health that would
matter when it comes to rights of citizens. If a man or a woman cannot exist in300
a healthy life, what is the point of showering so many benefits on him or her?
So, my submission would320 be to take an overview of the way the
nation is progressing, not to argue over the rights and duties of the Centre
and the States. Even in my morning question, there was an argument and they said
that it360
is for the States to do it. This is a national body. Let us take a national
view of the whole thing. The Government of the day should take cognizance,
should take advice of senior specialists on the other side400 who are equally
concerned about this nation. Therefore, I plead to the Government and to the
House to consider this420 Bill most favourably. There are a couple
of small things here and there. Incidentally, we have passed a Bill two days
ago on the ground that we have an international obligation to fall in line with
weapons of mass destruction. We have an international obligation also to ensure
the right to health. We have a series of obligations put together.480
So, I submit to the Government to treat this as a Government Bill, and not just
pass the Bill, but500 also make a plan of action for the next
five years with the cooperation from all sides of the House, with the goodwill
of the people of India. I am sure, we would be able to tackle this menace and
provide a healthy life to every Indian who is born. After all, we are now
reaching the status of world’s560 most populous country. We have to make
it a demographic dividend and not a demographic disaster. With these words, I
support the Bill.
It gives me immense pleasure to be here with you in
Chennai today to present the Presidential600 Colours to the Tamil Nadu Police. This
beautiful city of Chennai has always had a special place in my heart. This is
my last visit to Chennai as the Vice President of India, but the boundless love
and warmth of640 the people of Tamil Nadu will keep
beckoning me to this place. Today is a red-letter day in the history of Tamil
Nadu Police. Today, you have joined the elite group of States to receive the
highest honour conferred upon any military or State police unit in India. It is
indeed a proud moment for every Tamilian and I feel700 very happy and
privileged to bestow this honour on Tamil Nadu Police on behalf of the Supreme
Commander of the720 Armed Forces of India. This Award is a
recognition of your commendable service and many achievements. I extend my heartiest
congratulations to all members of Tamil Nadu Police. This is a recognition of
your dedication, professionalism, selfless service, and sacrifice.
Since its birth in 1859 as Madras Police, the Tamil
Nadu Police has, over the years, emerged as one of the best police forces in
the country by endearing itself to the public. The force has always strived800
to provide security to the common man, the underprivileged sections of society,
and has helped in bolstering communal harmony and public order in the State. I
am very happy to know that Tamil Nadu has the highest number of women840
police stations and the second highest number of women police personnel in the
country. It also holds the distinction of establishing the first women
Commando Force in the Country. These are praiseworthy achievements towards our
goals of gender parity and equal rights for all women. Women form the half of
our population but a lot still remains to be done900 to provide them equal
opportunities on various fronts. Creating a safe and enabling environment for
women is very important to help them grow and attain their full
potential. Therefore, I would urge the police forces to be extra
sensitive in matters relating to crimes against women.
An emerging area of concern today is a sharp rise in
incidents of cybercrime960 and other modern-day offences such as
online frauds and transboundary crimes. Our police forces must be skilled and
equipped to980
deal with these 21st century crimes in an effective and speedy manner. I am
glad to note that Tamil1000 Nadu Police has recently established a
separate Cyber Crime Wing with 46 Cyber Crime Police Stations. I learn that a
cyber forensic lab with high-end forensic workstation at a cost of Rs.6.90 crores
is also coming up under the Safe City project to investigate cybercrime cases
on scientific lines. It is worth mentioning that Tamil Nadu is the only State
in India to have an exclusive Idol Wing, a unit dedicated to investigating
cases of1080
theft or loss of cultural artefacts such as idols, paintings and other
treasures of our heritage. Recently, the Idol Wing retrieved 10 antique idols
belonging to the State from the United States and Australia. This is
commendable work. We must1120 make every effort to preserve our
age-old cultural heritage and civilizational values. The State of Tamil Nadu is
a proud inheritor of a rich and glorious culture from our forefathers and it
must be preserved for our future generations.
Tamil Nadu with a coastline of 1076 kilometres boasts
of one of the best coastal security units called the “Coastal Security Group,”
which was formed with an aim to prevent transborder activities and ensure
safety of the fishermen.1200 I am told that there are 12 Marine
Police stations in the State and about 100 checkpoints.
It also gives me immense delight to state that Tamil Nadu is a forerunner in
initiating many welfare measures for police personnel for boosting the morale
of the force. It is the only State in the country so far to launch a1260
“Police Well-Being Programme” as a countermeasure for stress and prevention of alcoholism
and suicides in the force. Apart from this,1280 the State police has introduced several
measures for health, insurance, and education of police personnel and their
wards. Upgradation of skills, improvement of infrastructure facilities, and
change of attitude of the Police Force are key elements in the modernization of
the Police. In addition to the Government of India grants, the State Government
has been sanctioning funds for the modernization of the Police Force, which
covers programmes for improving buildings, housing, mobility, communication,
training, weapons, Finger Print Bureau, Forensic Lab, data processing,
computerization, and equipment, with the objective of creating robust
infrastructure.
Today, Tamil Nadu is one of the most prosperous and
industrialized States of the country. The role of the police is of paramount
importance in a rapidly changing1400 socio-economic environment. One of the
primary reasons behind the economic progress of the State is the role of the State
police in maintaining public order and social harmony, which is essential for
attracting investment, growth and development in the State.1440 I extend my
congratulations and compliments to all the personnel of Tamil Nadu Police for
ensuring peace and tranquillity throughout the State and for creating conducive
conditions for economic growth and prosperity. My special congratulations to
the Director General of Police and Head of Police Force, Tamil Nadu, under
whose stewardship the personnel of Tamil Nadu Police have put up an impressive
parade. In recognizing the services of the personnel of the forces, the nation
also acknowledges the immense contribution of the Tamil Nadu Police. I once
again extend my congratulations to all the personnel of the Tamil Nadu Police
on being bestowed with the honour of the prestigious Presidential Colours.1551
