Sir, the essential commodities act was passed five years ago and when the Minister yesterday came with an Amending Bill, we expected that he would give us a brief report on the working of this measure for the last few years. But unfortunately, we are kept in the dark in regard to the exact working of the act and the nature of the difficulties the minister is facing. Sir, as far as I know, many of the provisions of this enactment have been observed more in violation by his agents at the state level. The food minister may be very earnest, may be very able and may be very anxious to see that the various provisions of the act are implemented in the most effective manner at the state level but unfortunately his agents at the state level are not equally enthusiastic or equally anxious to observe the provisions of this enactment. The Most Important Objective of this enactment are to control the supply and distribution of commodities and to maintain a stable price level. In regard to both these aspects. I am afraid that the government has failed to realise the objectives in view. Advocating the need for 'Akhand Bharat' (undivided India), RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday said countries such as Pakistan that broke away from India are now in distress. Speaking at a book launch here, Mr. Bhagwat said 'Akhand Bharat' is possible through "Hindu Dharam" but not by force. "That's why there is a need to awaken patriotism for the country," he said. The Haryana government will bring in a Bill against "religious conversions through force or fradulent means" and another one to recover damages to public and private properties from rioters and protesters in the upcoming budget session of the Assembly, State Home Minister Anil Vij said here on Thursday. Presiding over a meeting of a committee formed to draft the bill on religious conversion recently Mr. Vij has said. The bill before the house is a comprehensive measure and seeks to cover all the major sections of the community who can be expected to have some margin for savings, however small that might be. It cannot be denied that compulsory savings would impose some hardship, particularly on the lower income groups.
