Govt asked to ensure safety of Indians in foreign

New Delhi, May 4 (UNI) Expressing concern over spurt in recent attacks on Indians in foreign countries, Congress member Santosh Bagrodia today appealed to the government to take immediate steps to ensure security of their lives and properties.

Raising the issue in the Rajya Sabha as a Special Mention, Mr Bagrodia said Indians were murderously attacked in Uganda, which only highlighted the ''xenophobic'' feelings prevalent in the African country.

Similarly, Indians had come under attacks from the Maoists in Nepal while an Indian temple was targeted in a Central Asian country.

He said Indians had also been subjected to attacks in Sri Lanka while their plight in West Asian countries was well-known. ''Even in the United Kingdom, Indian doctors are confronted with an uncertain future follwoing de-recognition of their degress,'' he pointed out.

Mr Bagrodia said Indian embassies should interact with the people going from India to instill a feeling of security among them while the Centre should discuss this issue with foreign governments.

Mr Jai Prakash Agarwal (Cong) expressed concern over the successful testing of Hatf surface-to-surface missile by Pakistan, saying it posed a serious threat to India.

''Everyone knows these missiles, capable of carrying all types of warheads, including nuclear ones, are to be used against which country,'' he said.

He urged the government to build up international pressures against the spurt in missile tests in the neighbouring country.

Mr Mahendra Mohan (SP) raised the issue of increasing Caesarian operations in private hospitals, saying these were largely done for monetary considerations.

Quoting WHO guidelines, he said Caesarian births should not exceed 20 per cent of normal births. However, a recent study showed that in Delhi's private hospitals, 65 per cent of childbirth was through the Caesarian method.

Mr Motilal Vora (Cong) expressed concern over non-payment of profit-share to tendu leave collectors in Chhattisgarh during the last three years.

Mr Vijay J Darda (Cong) said the government should motivate the International Fund for Agricultural Development (ICAD), a UN body, for empowering more rural women in the country.

BJP member Gyan Prakash Pilania drew the government's attention to the alarming scenario of child malnutrition in India while Mr Ali Anwar (JD-U) demanded that a statue of Sher Shah Suri be installed at Chausa Ground in Bihar.

Prof. Ramdeo Bhandari (RJD) demanded that the Central and state government provide funds to parents of poor childeren, who were in need for costly medical treatment.

Mr Mangani Lal Mandal (RJD) expressed concern over tardy pace of construction work on the East-West Corridor in Bihar While ms Syeda Anwara Taimur (Cong) raised the issue of plight primary schools without classrooms and teachers.

Mr Tapan Kumar Sen raised the issue of the rampant outsourcing of services in the banking sector, saying it was a sinsiter conspiracy to privatise nationalised banks.

UNI