Stop separation of Haldia dock from Kolkata port: CPI(M) in RS

A plea to stop separation of Haldia dock system from the Kolkata Port was made in the Rajya Sabha today, with a CPI(M) member saying the move will financially ruin both the ports to the benefit of a private port being set up by the Adani Group.
Making a Zero Hour mention, Tapan Kumar Sen (CPI-M) said bifurcation will threaten viability of both Haldia dock system and the Kolkata Port.
The government has already ordered stoppage of dredging of channel leading to Kolkata port from March this year. Over- dependence on the Eden Channel to Haldia dock system will "help a private company, Adani which is developing a port nearby."

He claimed that infrastructure was being destroyed to "ensure benefit to selected private corporation with foreign collaboration" and asked the government not to "ruin" the Kolkata port and renew dredging in the Auckland channel.
Jesudasu Seelam (Cong) raised the issue of special category state status to Andhra Pradesh after the carving out of Telengana.
He said the previous UPA government had approved the special category status but the BJP government is now going back on the promise.

"They are trying to find an alibi to delay special category status to Andhra Pradesh," he said.
Vivek Gupta (Trinamool Congress) raised the issue of new excise levy on non-silver jewellery saying it was threatening the livelihood of poor and marginalised workers.

The government, he said, by all means should tax the purchase of precious metal but its taxation policies should not affect the livelihood of workers.
By levy of the excise duty, skilled workers in jewellery trade are being made to run to tax office for filing returns, he said, adding the government is trying to kill the hen that lays golden eggs.
Tyagi said both countries have agreed "in principle" to
the logistics exchange agreement to enable both militaries to use each others' assets and bases for repair and replenishment of supplies.
Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena) said that Mumbai High Court has directed the government to raze the Adarsh building.

"Instead of razing the building, it can be used for offices of the Army or for hostels for children of Kargil martyrs. Razing the building is a waste of public money. It can be utilised for better purposes, while the guilty can be punished," he added.
T Subbarami Reddy (Cong) raised the issue of pathetic condition of women in mental health institutions, saying women were living in unhygienic conditions and overcrowded wards in these institutions which also face staff shortages.
"The government should work in this direction," he said.
Madhusudan Mistry (Congress) said no work was done under the Centre's Adarsh Gram Yojna in Gujarat, while his party colleague Ananda Bhaskar Rapolu drew the attention of the House to the rising gap between qualified jobless youth and jobless economic growth.

"This is a dangerous trend," he said, adding that last year, only 1.35 lakh jobs were added compared to 9 lakh jobs in 2011.
Viplove Thakur (Cong) raised the issue of "pathetic" condition of children in orphanages and demanded that the government should raise its spending so that they have better living conditions.