I shall briefly explain the genesis of this bill. It was in 1998 that the local self government ministers conference passed a resolution recommending that the central government should, in consultation with the State government concerned, appoint a committee to examine the question of delimiting the cantonments. As a result of that in 1999 a committee was appointed presided over by Shri S.K. Patil, to go into this question. The committee submitted its report in november 2001 and made certain recommendations to the Government which were duly considered. The opinions received generally favoured the bill. The select committee suggested two minor amendments and the bill was passed by the council of states, as it was reported by the select committee. The house will thus see that the bill comes to it not only with the stamp of public approval but also with the seal and sanction of a representative assembly. Admittedly, the bill does not solve cantonment problems. It carries out only certain amendments of a minor character with a view to improving the mechanism of the act. The opposition to the bill has come not in regard to the actual provisions but in regard to its scope. Is it the commitment to public sector? The Visakhapatnam Steel Plant workers, traveling all the way, they came here yesterday. They held a demonstration before the Parliament. They have not come for increase in the wages. They are not asking for their wage revision. They are asking for the 14 captive iron ore mines. For the several decades, Visakhapatnam Steel Plant is again and again asking but no captive mines are given to them. But the industries which were started only last year, I would say not even six months back, one steel plant in Andhra Pradesh, which is supposed to be an industry belonging to the son of the Chief Minister, they got captive coal-mines taking back the captive coal-mines given to Genco. Genco was asked to give a letter that they do not need those cola-mines. How is it that you are committing to the public sector industries?
