... I was making certain clarifications. I have stated our position. But if at all there are any positions which we think in the light of the new situation are worthy of our consideration, we can always consider them with an open mind. But I would like to repeat that as far as the basic position is concerned, we don’t accept the election result as a rejection of the 42nd Constitution Amendment

Bill. That is very much part of our policy, and we are not sorry that we passed it.

Shri. K. S. Hegde : What about denigrating the judiciary?

Shri Y. B. Chavan : judiciary? (Interruptions). We respect the judiciary and we want the judiciary to function effectively in its own role given by the Parliament. Do not forget that it is Parliament which was the supreme power. Within its sphere judiciary is certainly supreme; but it cannot say that it is supreme in all shperes and it can sit on everybody’s head ...... (Interruptions.)

These are the only two specific issues to which the President’s Address made a reference and that is why I tried to explain our position. As the Address is rather brief, I do not think that I should make a long speech. So, Sir, I have done.

CHAPTER 14

DEBATE ON FINANCE BILL (NO.2) 1977

Lok Sabha , 15 July 1977

EDITORIAL NOTE

The Finance Minister of the Janata Party government had proposed several modifications to his original Budget proposals. Chavan, who had held the office of Finance Minister earlier, put across his views about the proposed changes.

Speaking generally about the performance of the Ministers Chavan remarked that the performance of the Government as a whole was not harmonious. He welcomed the government’s intention to give rural areas priority and offered cooperation of his party, if the Government was really serious to reorient and reorder the priorities. In that context, Chavan critically analyzed problems of rural area, his experience of handling those problems and made several suggestions.

Chavan’s grasp of problems of rural areas and his forward looking thinking on the development of the rural sector are clearly set out in this speech..

Shri Y. B. Chavan : Mr . Deputy- Speaker, Sir, we had the pleasure just now to listen to the second statement that the Finance Minister presented to this hon. House which contains many modifications in his proposals as they contained in the original Budget presented to the House. I would like to reserve our right on behalf of my party to examine some of the modifications made and make further amendments or suggestions at proper time. But at the same time, I must congratulate him for dismantling some of his own proposals which were certainly not in the interest of the small industries, particularly in the textile field. I am very glad indeed that as far as the investment allowances are concerned, he has taken the claims of the small industries into consideration and has come forward with the modifications, particularly about the negative list by which certain important employment-oriented industries were excluded and he has now tried to include them in the eligibility list for these allowances.