Achievements As A Parliamentarian
SMOKING BAN IN THE PARLIAMENT
Mr. Naveen Jindal as a young Parliamentarian took yet another initiative to ensure that the smoking ban is implemented in one of the most hallowed institutions of the country The Parliament. His plea for enforcement of smoking ban in Parliament finally came into force in July, 2004.
CESS OF US $ 200 PER MT ON RICE WITHDRAWN BY THE GOVERNMENT
Mr. Jindal’s relentless efforts with Hon’ble Prime Minister, Minsters of Finance, Agriculture and Commerce, Govt. of India agreed to abolish cess of USD 200 (Rs. 8000) per tonne on export of Basmati Rice.
This will boost the production of Basmati Rice in the country apart from earning of foreign exchange for the country. The farmers will also be benefitted as the traders would offer them better prices for Basmati Rice.
JAIL REFORMS COMMITTEE
As convener of the Jail Reforms Committee of the Union Ministry of Home, Mr. Jindal visited several Jails in different parts of the country and then submitted a detailed report to the government recommending a number of reforms to improve the living conditions and other aspects of administration in jails.
INDIAN CURRENCY ACCEPTED AT DUTY FREE SHOPS IN THE COUNTRY
Mr. Jindal’s proverbial tenacity paid off yet again when with the help and support of the Minister for Tourism and Culture and the then Union Finance Minister, Mr. P Chidambaram he got the Government of India issue orders allowing Indians to buy goods at duty free shops at international airports in India.
On 21st August 2002, Naveen Jindal wrote a letter to then Minister of Tourism and Culture, Shri Jagmohan, articulating his concerns about Indian currency not being accepted within India at ITDC run duty free shops, even though, under FEMA rules, an Indian resident was allowed to carry up to Rs. 5000/- while travelling abroad. Expressing his concern about the wrong signals it was sending to both Indians and foreign tourists about how Indian currency was not accepted in India.
The India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), part of the Ministry of Tourism, forwarded Naveen Jindal’s request to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), for its views. Subsequently, Mr. Jindal received a letter from ITDC on the 24th October, 2002, enclosing the RBI’s reply dated 7th October, 2002, wherein it was made clear that once a traveller had checked through immigration and customs, Indian currency was not acceptable for duty free purchases.
Unfazed, Mr. Jindal pursued this case with his characteristic ardour, because issues of national pride, self esteem, and India’s image in the world, have always been uppermost in his mind. After a few rounds of correspondence with the tourism ministry, Mr. Jindal took up the matter with the then Finance Minister, Mr. P. Chidambaram and finally in early 2005, the central government decided to make Indian currency acceptable at duty free shops at international airports in India.
REVISED POLICY ON SHOOTERS
Shri. Naveen Jindal initiated many changes in the policy governing shooting as a sport:
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Renowned shooters can now sell old shooting weapons after 3 years instead of the earlier 5 years if status of renowned shooters is maintained for 3 years (5 years for other shooters) (August 2007)
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Import duty of 31.703% has been withdrawn on Air Weapons and Air Pellets (November 2008)
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The definition of renowned shooter was changed where earlier a shooter who was among the top ranking 25 shooters in the National Shooting Championship or among top ranking 15 shooters in a National Championship in an Open Men’s/Women/Civilian Event was considered to be a renowned shooter. Now any shooter attaining minimum qualifying score prescribed by the NRAI will be a renowned shooter (October 2007)
- Earlier shooters were allowed to import air weapons only after getting the import license. After the matter was taken up with the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, the Government has now allowed import of Air Guns and Air Pistols free of import license to shooters registered with the Club, Distt./State/National Association (July 2005)
Naveen Jindal in World Economic Forum list of Young Leaders
Young Parliamentarian from Kurukshetra gets acknowledged for his contribution in the field of Politics
Shri Naveen Jindal, Member of Parliament, Kurukshetra is among 25 Indians who figure in the annual list of 250 Global Young Leaders by the Geneva Based World Economic Forum (WEF). This honour is bestowed each year by WEF to recognise and acknowledge the top 250 young leaders from around the world for their professional accomplishments, their commitment to society and their potential to contribute to shaping the future of the world.
Shri Naveen Jindal is being felicitated by WEF for his outstanding contribution and achievements in the field of ‘politics’. Mr. Naveen Jindal is a Member of Parliament from Kurukshetra Constituency (Indian National Congress) since 2004. He has in his tenure contributed significantly in improving the basic amenities and educational facilities for his constituency. Health, education, population stabilisation, infrastructure, upliftment of agricultural and industrial scenario, overall development of Kurukshetra as a major tourist destination are the key political goals he has set for himself.
Shri Jindal has in past single-handedly restored the Fundamental Right of every Indian to fly and show respect to the national flag. He has been instrumental in various other initiatives like enforcing smoking ban in Parliament, acceptance of Indian currency in duty free shops at the international terminals of the Indian airports, allowance of imports of ammunition and accessories for sporting purposes to the level of district level associations etc.
Shri Naveen Jindal has been selected for the honour with other 24 eminent Indians who have excelled in different fields like cinema, corporate, arts and culture and social sectors. Drawn from a pool of over 4000 candidates the Young Global Leaders nominated in 2007 have been chosen by a selection committee of 34 eminent international media leaders from significant media houses including New York Times, Fuji Television, Reuters, Pearson etc.
