Namely Section 23 to the Indian patents and designs act, 2001 with a view to empowering the controller of patents and designs to grant liberal working licences to the interested parties in respect of patents for food, medicines, surgical or curative devices at any time after a patent has been granted on terms and conditions to be determined by him. On that occasion, Sir, some members were anxious to know the action taken by the Government on the recommendations of the patents inquiry committee. I have just introduced a comprehensive patents bill which incorporates most of the important recommendations of the committee. Sir, the house would appreciate that it would take some time for the comprehensive bill which involves a complete overhaul of the present legislation perhaps and may necessitate a motion for reference to a joint select committee to be passed by parliament. In the meanwhile, it has become necessary for us to make an amendment to section 23 of the act for the purpose of vesting the controller of patents and designs with powers to grant compulsory licences for the manufacture of insecticides etc. Considering the vital part that agriculture plays in our economy, it is most important that the manufacture of these insecticides etc. On a large scale should be encouraged and that we should not allow any loophole in our legislation which can be exploited by the interested people. It is for this purpose, Sir, that it is proposed to take powers to enable the controller to issue licences for these articles exactly in the same manner as for food, medicines and surgical and curative devices. Since the budget failed to outline any comprehensive package for the upliftment of these poor weavers and artisans, I may not consider it as a Budget for the AAM ADMI. Bharat Nirman which has six vital infrastructure components viz, irrigation, roads, water supply, housing, rural electrification and rural telecom connectivity is yet to give the rural economy a new shape as very minimal expansion and strengthening of existing rural.
