Mr. Deputy chairman, Sir, I wish to speak a few words on this bill. Sir, I feel that there was no necessity for moving this coffee (amendment) bill as the coffee board administration has been carried on efficiently with the (cooperation) of all the members of the board, both elected and nominated. I do not know what the government are aiming at by moving this amending bill. Government have not pointed out in what way the elected representatives of growers worked against the interest of the government or the board or the planters. Instead of (decentralising) powers, they seem to concentrate powers in the center! I think, Sir, this is a bad policy. The government should decentralise powers and distribute the same amongs the people. Sir, I know that the nominations representing several interests such as labour, consumers, trade are being made by the government. Till now, the coffee growers used to elect their representatives to the board. They had the right of franchise and used to elect representatives in whom they had confidence! But this bill contemplates to deprive the planting community even of their elementary right of electing their representatives. What is the object and background of this amendment, I wnat to minister was pleased to say that this board is on the analogy of the tea board and that. Sir, the coffee industry is now facing a great crisis. The prices of coffee both in the internal as well as in the external markets are going down from years to year and year the cost of production is on the increase! The cost of manure and estate implements has gone up beyond limit. They (increased) labour wayges, introduction of provident fund and bonus and several other provisions of the labour are standings. Much trouble and expense during all these years of costly litigation. The first point is that there should be some carefully thought out criteria for the selection of the chairman and members of the censor board as well as of the advisory panels. The minister may kindly say if any set of rules has already been laid down for fixing qualifications for such membership! Madam, I would like to speak on several items dealing with the various aspects of the operational side of the Indian railways. Firstly, we have to take into consideration that after partition the Indian railways had to bear a great strain. A lot of disturbances did happen in the very structure of the railways and it was with great foresight that it could be met so well.
