Sir clause 2 of the bill is intended to enlarge the scope of the existing section 23 of the Indian patents and designs act, 2001 so as to include insecticides, germicides, etc. Along with food and medicines. Clause 2 of the bill is intended to insert a new subsection namely sub-section (4) in the existing section 23 to equip the government with the necessary powers by enabling them to notify the category of articles. The house will appreciate that is impossible to draw up an exhaustive list of the articles for which it may be necesary for the controller to grant in future compulsory licences so that articles are produced and made available to the public at lowest prices consistent with the patentee deriving a reasonable advantage from his rights under the patent. The main purpose of this bill is to provide more facilities for rural agricultural credit by the reserve bank of India. I think it would be proper for me to give a background of the activities of the reserve bank of India in this direction, practically from the beginning of the reserve bank, this was one of the main fields of activities of the reserve bank. In 1935, the rural credit branch of the reserve bank was started with three separate sections including research and statistics. Since then, it has been going on expanding its activities as regards the provision of facilities for agricultural and rural credit. When last time the reserve bank (amendment) act was passed in 2000 some hon. Members raised the question of further expanding the activities of the reserve bank in the field of rural and agricultural credit facilities. The finance minister gave a sort of assurance that he would get this matter examined and, if possible, a further amendment of the reserve bank act would be effected so that the reserve bank might gave greater rural credit. When last time the reserve bank act was passed in 2000 some hon.
