chapter10

CHAPTER - X

EXCHANGE OF GOVERNMENT SPONSERED DELEGATIONS OF PARLIAMENTARIANS

10.1 In the continuously and rapidly changing international scenario, the need to project and propagate our national policies, programme and problems in the proper perspective among various countries as well as understanding their view points was being felt for a long time. The parliamentarians of a country play a significant role in determining the policy of the country and strengthening of relations with other countries. More particularly, it is indeed useful and necessary for a democratic and developing country like India, to select some Members of Parliament and distinguished personalities and utilize their services in projecting our policies, programmes, problems and achievements in different fields with their counterparts and other opinion makers in other countries and secure their confidence in favour of India. Undoubtedly, to achieve the aforesaid objectives, the exchange of Government sponsored delegation of Members of Parliament proved to be effective. Therefore, it was decided that three to four delegations of Members of Parliament, under the leadership of Minister of Parliamentary Affairs/Ministers of State for Parliamentary Affairs be sent abroad and also to invite three to four such delegations from other countries through the Ministry of External Affairs.

10.2 An amount of Rs. 75 lakh in the budget of this Ministry for the year 2002-2003 has been provided for this purpose.

Visit of Government Sponsored Delegation of MPs to foreign countries

10.3 Under the programme of exchange of Government sponsored delegations of Members of Parliament, visits of Indian Goodwill Delegation of MPs to Bulgaria and Romania are on anvil. Receiving of similar delegations from Australia, Slovenia and Tajikistan are in the process.

10.4 The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs arranged a visit of 17 member goodwill delegation of Members of Parliament under the leadership of Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Communications and Information Technology to Egypt and South Africa during 10-21 January, 2003.

The delegation consisted of the following:

1. Shri Pramod Mahajan, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Communications and Information Technology

2. Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Petroleum & Natural Gas

3. Shri O. Rajagopal, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Urban Development & Poverty Alleviation

Lok Sabha

4. Shri Vijay Kumar Malhotra, BJP

5. Shri Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi, INC

6. Shri Rupchand Pal, CPI(M)

7. Shri K. Yerrannaidu, TDP

8. Kunwar Akhilesh Singh, Samajwadi Party

9. Shri Chandrakant Khaire, Shiv Sena

10. Shri Raashid Alvi, BSP

11. Shri Raghunath Jha, Janata Dal (Samata)

12. Shri P.H. Pandian, AIADMK

13. Shri Prasanna Acharya, BJD

14. Shri S.S. Palanimanickam, DMK

Rajya Sabha

15. Shri Suresh Pachouri, INC

16. Shri Nilotpal Basu, CPI(M)

17. Dr. Alladi P. Rajkumar, TDP

Secretariat

18. Shri L.M. Goyal, Secretary, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs

19. Shri D.R. Tiwari, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs

20. Shri Harish Sharma, Additional Private Secretary to Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Communications and Information Technology

10.5 The members of the delegation were nominated by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs after consultation with the Leaders/Chief Whips of major political parties in both the Houses of Parliament.

10.6 The delegation visited Cairo (Arab Republic of Egypt) during 10-14 January, 2003 and held discussions with H.E. Dr. Ahmed Fathy Sorour, Speaker, People's Assembly, Dr. Mustafa Kamal Helmi, Chairman, Shura Council of Egypt and also Dr. Ahmed Muhammad Nazif, Minister for Telecommunications and Information. The Minster of Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Pramod Mahajan recalled long tradition of close friendly relations between these countries; the most ancient civilisation of the world and co-founders of non-aligned movement and shared experiences, values and principles and also priorities of economic and social developments. The Egypt side appreciated the friendship, support and cooperation of India and desired further strengthening of the bi-lateral relations.

10.7 The delegation visited Pretoria, Johannesburg and Durban cities of the Republic of South Africa for the period 14-19 January, 2003. At Pretoria, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs met Dr (Ms) Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri, Minister of Communication and Dr. Essop G. Pahad, Minister in the Presidency and held discussions on the subject matter of mutual interest of both the countries. At Cape Town, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs met South African MPs delegation led by Dr Pallo Jordan, Chairman, Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs. There had been a number of fields on which discussion was held out of which some of the most important topic was the proposal of forming an India-South African Parliamentary Forum, Development of economic, trade and cultural relationship. There had also been some exchange of information on question of amenities and allowances of MPs; constitution of parliamentary Mediation Committee in case of impasse; constitutional court; and settlement of electoral disputes. At Durban, the Minister and the Indian Delegation had a very useful and informative interaction on Gandhiji for which the Mayor thanked and expressed gratitude.

Nomination of Members of Parliament on the Government Delegations visiting abroad.

10.8 Minister of Parliamentary Affairs nominates/approves the names of Members of Parliament for the delegations being sent abroad by various Ministries. During the year 2002, the following Members of Parliament were recommended/nominated in the delegation noted against each:

1. Shri Brijbhushan Saran Singh, MP(LS) Indian Official Delegation to Manchester

2. Prof. Vijay Kumar Malhotra, MP(LS) to witness XVII Commonwealth Games

3. Smt. Reena Choudhary, MP(LS)

4. Shri Jagadambi Prasad Yadav, MP (LS) Official delegation to Port of Spain to attend

5. Shri Rajnath Singh, Surya, MP (RS) International Hindi Conference

6. Shri Pradeep Rawat, MP (LS) International Conference of Parliamentarians

7. Shri S.S. Ahluwalia, MP (RS) on Information Technology at Seoul

8. Shri Bikram Keshri Deo, MP (LS) World Summit on Sustainable Development

9. Shri Lakshman Singh, MP (RS) at Johannesburg

10. Prof. Vijay Kumar Malhotra, MP (LS) Official Delegation to 14^th Asian Games at

Busan, South Korea

Meeting with Parliamentary Delegation

10.9 During the period from 1.1.2002 to 31.12.2002 following Parliamentary Delegations from abroad called on Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and exchanged views on functions of Parliament and other matters of mutual interest:

1. 17 April, 2002 An eight member Parliamentary Delegation led by H.E. Mr. Peter Ala Adjetey, Speaker of the Ghanaian Parliament.

2. 17 December, 2002 A ten member Turkish Parliamentary Delegation led by H.E. Mr. Bulent Arinc, Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly,

Visit of Members of Parliament to foreign countries

10.10 During 2002, 34 Members of Parliament (22 Members of Rajya Sabha and 12 Members of Lok Sabha) informed this Ministry about their private/study visits to foreign countries. Requisite assistance was extended to them through the Ministry of External Affairs and our Missions abroad.

Permission under Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 1976

10.11 Under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 1976, it is inter-alia, incumbent on Members of Parliament going abroad, to obtain prior permission of the Ministry of Home Affairs, where such visits involve acceptance of "foreign hospitality" from a foreign government or organisation. Members are informed by this Ministry from time to time about the procedure to be followed in this respect. Necessary assistance sought for by Members in this regard is also provided.

10.1 In the continuously and rapidly changing international scenario, the need to project and propogate our national policies, programmes and problems in the proper perspective among various countries as well as understanding their view-point was being felt for a long time. The Parliamentarians of a country play a significant role in determining the policy of the country and strengthening of relations with other countries. More particularly, it is indeed useful and necessary for a democratic and developing country like India, to select some Members of Parliament and distinguished personalities and utilize their service in projecting our policies, programmes, problems and achievements in different fields with their counterparts and other opinion makers in other countries and secure their confidence in favour of India. Undoubtedly, to achieve the aforesaid objectives, the exchange of Government sponsored delegations of Members of Parliament proved to be effective. Therefore, it was decided that three to four delegations consisting of Members of Parliament, under the leadership of Minister of Parliamentary Affairs/Ministers of State for Parliamentary Affairs be sent abroad and also to invite three to four such delegations from other countries through the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs yearly on a regular basis.

10.2 An amount of Rs. 1.10 crore in the budget of this Ministry for the year 1998-99 has been provided for this purpose.

Visit of Government Sponsored delegation of MPs to foreign countries

10.3 Pursuant to the decision to exchange Government delegation consisting of Members of parliament, the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs arranged a visit of a Delegation of 9 Members of Parliament under leadership of Shri Madan Lal Khurana, Hon'ble Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Tourism to Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand during 20-29 September, 1998. The objective of the visit was to effectively project our policies, achievements and programmes in those countries and thereby create an understanding among them about the Indian polity and the Government. The visit was also intended to meet the Presiding Officers and other parliamentarians of those countries and to exchange views about our Parliamentary procedures and practices etc. The Members of the Delegation were chosen in consultation with their leaders/Chief whips. The Delegation consisted of the following:

1. Shri Madan Lal Khurana, Leader
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs & Tourism

Lok Sabha
2. Capt. Jagatvir Singh Drona                                                       BJP (UP)
3. Shri Ram Narain Meena                                                           INC (Rajasthan)
4. Shri Rupchand Pal                                                                    CPI(M) (West Bengal)
5. Shri Mohan Singh                                                                     Samajwadi Party(UP)
6. Shri Kanchi Paneerselvam                                                         AIADMK (TamilNadu)
7. Shri Surender Prasad Yadav                                                     R.J.D.(Bihar)

Rajya Sabha

8. Smt. Chandresh Kumari                                                           INC(Himachal Pradesh)
9. Shri Nilotpal Basu                                                                    CPI(M) (West Bengal)
10.Shri K.M.Saifulla                                                                     TDP(Andhra Pradesh)

Officers

11. Shri S.A.T.Rizvi, Secretary, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
12. Shri D.R.Tiwari, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
13. Shri S.C.Poddar, Private Secretary to Minister of Parliamentary Affairs & Tourism

10.4 It was decided that during the course of the visit the Members of Delegation would have meetings with Executive/Administrative Heads of the following subjects, beside meeting important legislative functionaries in these countries:

1. Tourism;
2. Education;
3. Legal System with emphasis on relationship between Judiciary and Legislatures;
4. Housing Problem;
5. Transport System; and
6. Family Planning and Population.

10.5 The delegation, during its stay at Singapore, met H.E. Mr. Tan Soo Khoon, Speaker of parliament and Mr. Yatiman Yusof, Leader of Singapore West-Asia and Africa Parliamentary Group, besides various Buddhist Organisations.

10.6 In Indonesia the delegation met H.E. Mr. Ida Bagus Oka, Minister for Population and Chairman of the Natinal planning Board, Indonesia, H.E. Mr. Juwono Sudarsono, Minister of Education and Culture, Indonesia, H.E. Mr. Mrzukin Usman, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture and H.E. Mr. Hary Sabarno, Deputy Speaker of MPR/DPR.

10.7 In Malasia the delegation met Dato Sabaruddin Chik, Malaysian Minister for Culture, Art and Tourism, Tan Sri Mohamed Bin yacob, President of Senate, Malaysia and had a meeting with Buddhist Monks.

10.8 On the last leg of the visit in Thailand the delegation met His Holiness Maha Sangh Raja, the Supreme patriarch of Thailand, Dr. Arthit Ourairat, Chairman, Foreign Relations Committee, Mr. Paijit Sreewaraken, Chairman, Parliamentary Affairs Committee, Thailand, Mr. Seree Wangpaichir, Governor, Tourism Authority of Thailand and H.E. Mr. Wanmuhamad Nor Matta, President of National Assembly, Thailand.

Nomination of Members of Parliament on the Delegations going abroad

10.9 Minister of Parliamentary Affairs nominates or approves the names of Members of Parliament for the delegation being sent abroad by various Ministries. During the year, 1998 the names of the following Members of Parliament in the delegation noted against each of them were recommended/nominated:-

1.    Smt. Rita Verma, MP (LS)                                                     USA - International
2.    Smt. Ila Panda, MP (RS)                                                        Conference on Girls Education.
                                                                                                     (Ministsry of HRD)
3.    Prof. Vijay Kumar Malhotra, MP (RS)
4.    Shri Prem Singh Chandumajra, MP (LS)                                 Malaysia Official Delegation to
5.    Shri Chetan Chauhan, MP (LS)                                               Commonwealth Games, 1998.
6.    Shri Ajit Panja, MP (LS)                                                         (Ministry of HRD)
7.    Shri Virender Singh, MP (LS)                                                 China-6th General Assembly of a Asia-
                                                                                                      Pacific Parliamentarians Conference on
                                                                                                      Environment and Development.
8.    Shri B.P.Singhal, MP(RS)                                                       Thailand-Official Delegation to 13th
9.    Shri Akhilesh Dass, MP(RS)                                                   Asian Games, 1998.
                                                                                                      (Ministry of HRD)

Meetings with Parliamentary Delegations

10.10 During the period from 1.4.1998 to 31.12.1998, Nine Parliamentary Delegations, during their visit to India from various countries, called on Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Tourism for exchange of views on matters of mutual interest. The details of such delegations are given below:

1. 11 April, 1998                                     A 5 Member DPR Korean Delegation led by H.E. Mr. Hyong Sop, Speaker of the
                                                                 Supreme People's Assembly of DPR Korea.
2. 10 July, 1998                                       A 3 Member Venezuelan delegation led by H.E. Deputy Julio Cstillo, First Vice
                                                                 President, Chairman of Deputies.
3. 28 August, 1998                                  A 3 Member Delegation led by H.E. Mr. Cyril E. Ndebele, Speaker, Parliament of
                                                                 Zimbabwe.
4. 15 September, 1998                             A 16 Member Delegation led by H.E. Mr. Lawrent Fabius, President (Speaker) of
                                                                  the French National Assembly and former P.M. of France.
5.   16 September, 1998                            A 7 Member Russian Delegation led by H.E. Mr. Vladimir Petrovich Lukin,
                                                                 Chairman, State Duma Committee on International Affairs, Russia.
6.   9 October, 1998                                 A 3 Member Sudanese Delegation led by Dr. Salah Eldin Hirgahani M.A. Gaili,
                                                                 Chairman of the Delegation and Deputy Chairman, Federal Relations Committee,
                                                                 Sudan.
7.   16 November, 1998                            A 13 Member Delegation led by H.E. Mo. Mikko Pesala, Deputy Speaker of the
                                                                 Finnish Parliament
8.   24 November, 1998                            A 9 Member Delegation led by H.E. Mr. Kozo Watanabe, Vice Speaker of the
                                                                  House of Representatives of Japanese Parliament.
9.    15 December, 1998                            A 10 Member Delegation led by H.E. Mr. Autonio De Almeida Santos, President
                                                                  of the Protuguese Parliament.

Visit of Members of Parliament to Foreign Countries

10.11 69 Members of Parliament( 43 Members of Lok Sabha and 26 Members of Rajya Sabha) informed this Ministry about their private/study visits of foreign countries. Necessary assistance, when asked, was extended to them through the Ministry of External Affairs and our Missions in foreign countries.

Permission under Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 1976

10.12 Under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 1976, it is incumbent on Members of Parliament, among others, going abroad, to obtain prior permission of the Ministry of Home Affairs, where such visits involve acceptance of 'foreign hospitality' from a foreign Government or organisation. Members are informed about the procedure to be followed in this respect from time to time by this Ministry. All necessary assistance sought for by Members in this regards is also provided.

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