Parliament sings Vande Mataram at Ram Naik's initiative!

Its Mumbai, not 'Bombay' or 'Bambai'!

MP Fund is Ram Naik's brain-child

LPG waiting list of 1.10 crore liquidated

Introduction of the world's first ladies special train

Bill Promoting Breast Feeding

LPG Agencies & Retail Outlets to Kargil war widows

Ethanol

Tarapur atomic power project completion and struggle for rehabilitation

Petition to Rajya Sabha for Empowerment & Rehabilitation of Leprosy Affected Persons

Double Storeyed Toilets in Slums

Annual Performance Report

Victory over dreaded cancer

Parliament sings Vande Mataram at Ram Naik's initiative!

'Vande Mataram' was the nation's freedom cry. Innumerable martyrs died while singing Vande Mataram. However, post independence the scenario was changed. Shri Ram Naik noticed apathy towards national song Vande Mataram by a section of the society. He felt need to provide due respect to Vande Mataram. He thought if the Parliament which comprises of representatives of countrymen sings Vande Mataram, one and all will get inspiration. Though many welcomed the idea, there were some persons to oppose it. Nationwide movement was also organized. The media too carried the cause. Many wondered whether 'Vande Mataram' would ever get its due honour. However he successfully raised the issue in the Parliament. After much debate it was decided that each session of the Parliament would begin with the national anthem Jana Gana Mana and conclude with Vande Mataram. Accordingly the Parliament sung Vande Mataram for the first time on 23rd December 1992, after 45 years of independence. Many affectionately greet Ram Naik with 'Vande Mataram'!


Its Mumbai, not 'Bombay' or !

My name is Ram in Marathi, Hindi and English and in all other languages known to the world. How can then the city which is named after Goddess Mumbadevi is Mumbai in Marathi and Bombay in English and Bambai in Hindi?" Shri Ram Naik asked the question to the Speaker of Lok Sabha in 1989 when he took the oath in the Lok Sabha. He was not at all happy as the name of his constituency 'Uttar Mumbai' in Marathi was mentioned as 'North Bombay' in English and 'Uttar Bambai' in Hindi in the parliamentary proceedings. Shri Ram Naik's struggle for 'Mumbai' thus began. At the state level when BJP- Shivsena alliance was in power, the Maharashtra Government unanimously passed the resolution that the city is 'Mumbai' and must be called so in all the languages. It sent the proposal to the Central Government for legal notification but the Congress Government ignored the sentiments of Mumbaites for very long. Later, on 15th December 1995 the notification was finally issued. However, again it wrongly spelled as in Hindi instead of . Continuous follow-up did not bring out the desired correction. As if it was the destiny Shri Naik was given additional responsibility of Minister of State for Home in 1999 and then due to his directions, the Government of India issued another notification on 28th May, 1999 which said the name of the city is 'Mumbai' and not Bombay in English and in Hindi.


MP Fund is Ram Naik's brain-child

Shri Ram Naik had got done many small developmental works in Borivli Assembly constituency of Mumbai as an MLA. viz tube wells, toilets, roads, social welfare centres, etc. He was an MLA for three terms. When he was elected as an MP in 1989, he realised that an MP is unable to undertake any such works for his constituency. He therefore felt the need of allocating some funds also to MPs to undertake small and urgent developmental works in the constituency. He personally discussed the idea with other MPs and submitted a representation to the then Prime Minister Shri P V Narsimha Rao and also to the Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Shivraj Patil. A parliamentary committee was constituted to go into the details as more than 100 MPs rose above party lines and supported Shri Naik. That's how MP fund was started in 1993. Under the scheme, every MP was able to suggest small developmental works for Rs. one crore in his constituency. Later when Shri Naik became the Minister of State for Planning & Programme Implementation he doubled the fund contribution. Now all M.P.s are entitled to propose local area developmental works for Rs. 2 crore every year for their constituencies through this scheme.


LPG waiting list of 1.10 crore liquidated

The country had been witnessing a long waiting list of domestic consumers for LPG connections. As a result, vicious circle of shortage and black marketing of cylinders was in full swing. Shri Naik vowed to abolish the waiting list when he took over as a Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas in October 1999. At that time 1.10 crore consumers were waiting for new LPG connections. He not only gave connections to all of them but the total LPG connections given in his regime were 4 crore. It is pertinent to note that in earlier 40 years 3.50 crore LPG connections were given. LPG connections were made available on demand. Those who wanted two cylinders were also provided. However after he vacated the Office in May 2004, the common man is once again required to wait not only for a new LPG connection but also for refilling of existing empty cylinder.


Introduction of the world's first ladies special train

Shri Ram Naik is known as a person who voices woes of umbai's 65 lakh suburban railway commuters. Ladies find it very difficult to reach their work places or homes on time during peak hours. Ten male commuters stand in one sq. meter in the world's most crowded trains. The ladies compartments are still more crowded. Shri Naik as an M.P. made a demand for a separate train for ladies, pursued the demand with his characteristic style and the world's first ladies special train started running from 5th May 1992. As a Minister of State for Railways he introduced more such trains. Ladies prefer to travel by these trains.


Bill Promoting Breast Feeding

Private Member's Bill is one of the important instruments available to the Parliamentarians to discuss vital issues concerning the society. Ram Naik made history in the Indian Parliament when he moved the Infant Foods and Feeding Bottles (Regulation of Production, Supply and Distribution) Bill, 1991. This Bill sought to provide for the regulation of production, supply and distribution of infant food and feeding bottles with a view to protect and promote breast feeding and also to prevent attractive advertisements which lure away the women from breast feeding with the false notion of protecting their youthfullness and beauty. As the bill was supported by all sections of the Lok Sabha, the Government brought forward the Infant Milk Substitutes Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods (Regulation of Production, Supply and Distribution) Bill, 1992 based on Ram Naik's Private Bill. This Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha on August 20 and December 22, 1992, respectively and was assented to by the President on December 29, 1992. It is very rare that private member's bill is accepted in - toto by the Government and then the Government brings an official bill. After the Act was passed, every advertisement or a package containing baby food carries a message that "Mother's milk is the best for your baby."


LPG Agencies & Retail Outlets to Kargil war widows

Kargil war was won during the Vajpayee Regime. The Government as a symbol of its gratitude to the war martyrs decided that the war widows or martyrs' dependents viz parents/ children would be allotted LPG agencies or retail outlets (petrol pumps). Under the leadership of Shri Ram Naik as a Petroleum Minister this decision was implemented successfully. Later on when the Parliament House was attacked by the terrorists, those security personnel who laid their lives and foiled the attempt of the terrorists and saved the Parliament House were also allotted LPG agencies and retail outlets. This decision was also hailed as a tribute to their courage.


Ethanol

Ethanol blended with petrol is a common phenomena in sugarcane producing countries all over the world. It not only helps in reducing huge oil import bills but also benefits sugar-cane farmers in getting better price for their sugarcane and molasses, increases employment in distilleries, improves environment and adds to self sufficiency based on an indigenous renewable source of fuel. However, though India leads in sugarcane production, option of ethanol was never given a serious thought. Since 1970 several Parliamentary and government committees were formed, even foreign visits were made but the committee reports were just gathering dust in government archives.

Ram Naik after taking over the reigns of the Petroleum Ministry gave a serious thought, visited Brazil in May 2001 and resolved to introduce ethanol in India. Three pilot projects for blending ethanol with petrol were launched in 2002, two in Maharashtra at Miraj and Manmad and the third at Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh.

After the successful trials, 5% ethanol blending with petrol was introduced in nine major sugarcane producing states of Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Gujrat, Karnataka, Goa and Tamilnadu and the Union Territories of Chandigarh, Dadra Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu and Pondichery from 1st January 2003. In the second stage remaining states were to be covered. It was also planned to increase the percentage upto 10% in the third stage. Research and Development (R&D) studies were also commissioned to evaluate blending of ethanol with diesel, since diesel consumption in India is very high.

Unfortunately, when the UPA Government led by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh came to power in May 2004, it succumbed to the pressures of liquor lobby which was running short of molasses due this programme. On the pretext of shortage of sugarcane production, the government discontinued purchase of ethanol. Thousands of workers engaged in 119 new plants of ethanol production and blending became jobless. The plants built up with crores of rupees were either closed or were on the verge of bankruptcy. However, due to pressure of increasing imported crude oil prices, the UPA Government has once again decided to direct Public Sector Oil Companies to start purchase of ethanol for blending with petrol. Ram Naik's initiative visionary decision proved correct on the test of time.

Tarapur atomic power project completion and struggle for rehabilitation

Tarapur Atomic Power Project is the first atomic project of its kind in the country. When Ram Naik was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1989 from North Mumbai constituency which includes Tarapur his association with this project started. He was happy with the idea of the expansion of this project because Maharashtra had been facing shortage of electricity. The project was to generate 1,080 MWe of electricity through Units 3 and 4 each of 540 MWe at an investment of Rs. 6,525 crore.The project has two parts : 1) generation of atomic power, 2) resettlement and rehabilitation of project affected persons (PAPs). Keeping in mind these two aspects Ram Naik decided to get himself involved in the project.

Though the project was conceived in early 80s, the field work got up a boost when Ram Naik laid foundation of the project in 1998 in the capacity of Minister of State for Planning & Programme Implementation. Unit 4 was connected to the grid on 4th June 2005 and Unit 3 on 15th June 2006. While the anticipated expenditure was Rs. 6,525 crore, the actual expenditure came to Rs. 6,100 crore, thus saving Rs. 425 crore. The project was also completed 5 months ahead of schedule, there by saving a substantial amount. The government projects usually become victim of red-tape which results into cost over-run and time-over- run. This project has been a rare exception. However Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh could not find time to dedicate such an important project to the nation. It was finally done on 31st August 2007, more than one year late after the beginning of generation.For the expansion of the project two villages Akkarpatti and Popharan with 1,250 families with agricultural land were required to be shifted from the safety point of view. Ram Naik had assured the people that if they agree to be resettled out side the safety zone, he will extend his co-operation for their resettlement and rehabilitation. But no sooner the Vajpayee Government was out of power, the Congress Government did not honour the commitments. Hence Ram Naik took the cause of project affected persons and waged a determined struggle for them. The demonstrations were organized, finally a writ petition was moved in the Mumbai High Court. Ram Naik intervened in the writ application and argued the case himself. The villagers got monetary compensation, newly constructed houses, land for land, etc. The High Court is yet to give the final verdict.

Ram Naik has penned a book 'A Saga of Struggle' giving full details of his efforts. The book is available to the netizens in 'Publications' section of this website.


Petition to Rajya Sabha for Empowerment & Rehabilitation of Leprosy Affected Persons

For several centuries, leprosy has been regarded as non-curable and contagious. As a result, Leprosy Affected Persons (LAPs) get the most inhuman treatment. They are thrown out of the society and do not have any profession for sustenance except begging. A stigma is attached to them and they are forced to stay away from the people in separate self-settled colonies. These colonies lack civic amenities like water, toilets, electricity, drainage, education, medical help, etc. Shri Naik has been helping to some such colonies in his North Mumbai Lok Sabha constituency. However, he realised that this is a problem not of North Mumbai alone but also of the Maharashtra and the entire country. He sought co-operation from the NGOs working for betterment of LAPs. Since the States as well as Government of India were not looking to the problem in its entirety, he decided to submit a Petition to the Parliament. It is a rarely used parliamentary device to make Government work when it fails to solve a particular problem.

Accordingly a Petition signed by Shri Ram Naik, along with Dr. P. K. Gopal (President, National Forum of Leprosy, Tamilnadu), Dr. Sharad Gokhale (President, International Leprosy Union, Pune), Shri Uday Thakar (Treasurer, Kushthrog Nivaran Samiti, Panvel), Shri Shantaram Bhoir (President, Maharashtra Kushthpidit Sanghatana, Kalyan) and Shri Bhimrao Madhale (President, Sanjay Nagar Rahivasi Sangh, Mumbai) was submitted for medico-socio-economic empowerment of LAPs, on 5th December 2007, to Rajya Sabha through Shri Ved Prakash Goyal, M.P. from Mumbai. The Committee on Petitions chaired by Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, considered the Petition.

All the petitioners rendered oral evidence before the Committee on 10th June 2008. Subsequently, the Committee toured and visited several self-settled colonies of LAPs at Mumbai, Hyderabad, Tirupati, Nellore, Chengalpattu, and Chennai. The Committee also had interactions with NGOs working with LAPs, State Governments and Municipal Corporations before presenting its Report to Rajya Sabha on 24th
October 2008.

The important recommendations of the Committee are : Sustenance allowance of Rs. 2000/- per person per month to LAPs, free medical facilities in their self-settled colonies, free civic amenities like water,
electricity, drainage etc., and free education to the dependant children of LAPs upto vocational and degree courses.

Thus Shri Ram Naik took the problem of the most neglected section of the society to the highest forum of democracy !

(For further details please refer press statement of 24th October 2008 and the Committee's Report).


Double Storeyed Toilets in Slums

Shri Ram Naik has been a man of vision known for his awareness and eye for the details. It is common knowledge that in big cities, slumlords construct unauthorized chawls on government and private
lands leaving little vacant space for civic amenities particularly toilets. The slum-dwellers therefore find it extremely difficult to have toilets in good number.

However Shri Naik overcame this problem by suggesting to construct two - storeyed toilets from his M.L.A. fund. The governmental red-tape tried to put spokes in this idea putting a remark on the file
that double-storeyed toilets are never constructed. Shri Naik then argued with the Minister saying that we construct 20 storeyed buildings and each flat on every floor has toilets; why then not two - storeyed toilets. He suggested that ground floor can be used by gents and first floor by ladies. This would also avoid eve-teasing.


Annual Performance Report

Shri Ram Naik, a B. Com. of 1954 with accounts and auditing as his special subjects is a strict believer in accountability. After he becameM.L.A. in 1978, Shri Naik perfected the democratic practice of accountability by submitting performance reports to the voters, originally initiated by former Jana Sangh leader Shri Rambhau Mhalgi as M.L.A. from Pune and M.P. from Thane.

In his long career as M.L.A. from 1978 to 1989 and M.P. from 1989 to 2004, Shri Naik submitted annual performance reports to the voters by organizing public functions. He continued the practice even after
becoming a Minister in 1998 upto 2004.

After his unexpected defeat in 2004, Shri Ram Naik said, "I have lost the election and not the courage. I will continue to serve the people as before." Keeping his words, he has been thereafter active in political and social life. He also published four annual performance reports and changed the title of his reports from 'Lok Sabha mein Ram Naik' (Ram Naik in Lok Sabha) to 'Lok Seva mein Ram Naik' (Ram Naik in
people's service). The reports were published as follows:

Victory over dreaded cancer

Ram Naik is a moving example of vigour, zeal and confidence. Who would believe that 14 years back Ram Naik was bed-ridden with deadly disease cancer? In March 1994 few friends wondered whether he was on diet. Such queries led to investigations and shocking revealation of cancer. Doctors diagnosised 'Lymphoma' and his battle with cancer began. Born fighter Ram Naik was a rare example of determination. According to him, an efficient team of doctors and never-ending stream of well wishers helped his recovery. A battle of seven months ended with Ram Naik's victory over cancer.

Humility personified Ram Naik said, "God has given me the bonus for life.I will utilize it in the service of my people.''