Sir, though this is not related to the budgetary proposals, yet the hon. Members are agitating on certain issues relating particularly to the situation in Sri Lanka. There has been some development. Yesterday, through certain international agencies, a proposal has come from the LTTE to facilitate the evacuation of the civilians. On earlier occasions, I made a statement on the floor of the House and I also reported after my visit to Sri Lanka on 27th of last month, that we are constantly monitoring the situation. The Ministry of External Affairs has expressed its intention and requested the Sri Lankan Government to facilitate the process of evacuation of the civilians in the context of the announcement made by LTTE so that civilians could be brought to the safe zone, both through the sea route and through the land route and also with the presence of the international observers so that they can oversee the movement and there should be no firing in the safe zone. The sanctity of the safe zone should be ensured. This we have done and the Ministry of External Affairs has issued the relevant statement. Sir, I support the Metro Railways (Amendment) Bill. This Amendment is brought to meet the requirements of the Commonwealth Games to be held in October 2010. Originally, the Metro had jurisdiction over the National Capital only. Now it is given an extension to Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. That extension is not enough. Now, I would request the Government of India to give an extension to it to cover Kochi so that Kochi may also have Metro. Just as we have Indian Railways having jursidiction throughout India, we should also have Metro Corporations throughout India, including Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai and Kochi. Even under the Act, the Railways Safety Commissioner.
