Section VIII

Dr. Ambedkar : Sir I don’t think this is a matter which could be dealt with in the course of questions and answers. This would probably requisite a debate on the various modes and methods that could be adopted to carry out the purpose of article 372, in conformity with article 13(1). Pandit M. B. Bhargava: Sir, may I know why one particular Act has been selected out of the ocean of laws and on what particular criterion has this law been selected ? Dr. Ambedkar : I am not in agreement with the hon. Member when he says there are an ocean of laws which are inconsistent with the Constitution, although I agree there may be some. My hon. Friend will remember that this is a very difficult matter and Government must come to a definite conclusion on the issue whether a law is really inconsistent and whether it should be retained. This one law was examined with great care both in the Law Ministry and by the Attorney General and also the Legal Remembrancer of the Punjab Government and then the conclusion was arrived that this could not be retained in view of the fundamental rights and the Government have no kind of doubt in the matter that the matter could be dealt with by adaptation.

(26)

*ELECTORAL ROLLS

2824. Shri Sonavane : (a) Will the Minister of Law be pleased to state whether it is a fact that electoral rolls are printed in Hindi in Bombay State ?

(b) Is it a fact that the Centre has directed the Bombay State to print the electoral rolls in English in addition to the already printed Hindi rolls ?

(c) If so, why was such a direction given, what is the extra cost of printing and who is going to bear it ? The Minister of Law (Dr. Ambedkar): (a) The electoral rolls in the State of Bombay have been printed in the regional languages of the districts concerned, viz., in Gujarati, Marathi and Kannada. In the case of bilingual districts of Belgaum

* P. D., Vol. 7, Part I, 7th April 1951, p. 2957.

and Satara South, the rolls have been printed both in Marathi and Kannada. In Bombay City the electoral rolls have been printed in Devanagari script.

(b) and (c) The attention of the hon. Member is invited to my reply given to part (b) of Shri Kamath’s starred question No. 1409 on the 13th February 1951.

The cost of printing the electoral rolls in English in respect of the Bombay City is estimated at rupees six lakhs and will be shared by the Government of Bombay and the Government of India in the same way as any other expenditure relating to the preparation of the electoral rolls will be shared. Shri Sonavane : May I know after how many days or months of completion of the rolls printed in Devnagari in the Bombay City were these directions given to printing the rolls in English?

Dr. Ambedkar : I cannot give a precise answer to this question, but I think the direction was issued after complaints were received by the Election Commissioner that there were many people in Bombay City who would not be in a position to understand the Hindi rolls.

Shri Sonavane : Could this direction not have been given earlier which would have saved an extra expenditure of six lakhs over the printing of these rolls ?

Dr. Ambedkar : It is perfectly possible, I think. Nothing is impossible.

Shri Sonavane : Who is responsible for this waste of money ?

Dr. Ambedkar : There is no waste of money at all there. In any case it was necessary to have a roll in English whether it was printed simultaneously, earlier or later. Shri Sonavane : But could not the simultaneous printing of rolls in Devnagari and English have reduced the expenditure ? Dr. Ambedkar : No, how could it ?

Shri Kamath : Have reports been received from Bombay and other States as to how many claims and objections have been filed in respect of the electoral rolls published already, and how many of those claims and objections have been disposed of?

Dr. Ambedkar : Sir, this does not arise out of this question. Mr. Deputy Speaker: Yes, that is so.

Shri Sarangdhar Das : Considering that Singbhum District in Bihar is a Bilingual area, will the Minister please state why the rolls are not published in Oriya Language also besides Hindi ?

Dr. Ambedkar : It is possible that that is not the regional language of the area.

(27)

*LAWYERS IN SUPREME COURT

3233. Shrimati Durgabai : (a) Will the Minister of Law be pleased to state what is the practice followed in engaging lawyers to represent the Government of India and the State Governments in the Supreme Court?

(b) Which is the Agency under the Ministry that is entrusted with the work of engaging lawyers on behalf of Government ? (c) Is there any panel out of which lawyers are chosen to represent Government in various cases ?

(d) What is the basis on which fees for such lawyers is fixed ? The Minister of Law (Dr. Ambedkar): (a) The Government of India is almost always represented by the AttorneyGeneral in the Supreme Court. He is assisted by a Junior Counsel who is selected in consultation with the AttorneyGeneral and having regard to the nature and importance of the case. Similarly a State Government is usually represented by the Advocate-General of the State and he is assisted by a Junior Counsel. The instructions of the State Governments as to engagement of particular Counsel are carried out. (b) The Government Agent who is in charge of the Central Agency Section, Ministry of Law, engages Counsel on behalf of the Government of India and those State Governments which have entrusted their work to that Section.

(c) No panel of lawyers is maintained in the Central Agency Section. The Government Agent keeps a list of Counsel

*P. D., Vol. 7, Part I, 18th April 1951, p. 3315.

practising before the Supreme Court and engages Counsel as indicated in the reply to part (a).

(d) Fees for Counsel naturally vary with the seniority and standing of the Counsel engaged and also with the importance and difficulty of the case. I regret I am unable to give a more precise answer to this question.

Shrimati Durgabai : May I know whether the Hon. Minister could give us information as to who are all juniors for the purpose of engagement and what was the basis on which their fees were paid ? Dr. Ambedkar : The seniors who were generally engaged for the Central or State Governments are Mr. Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar and Mr. Indra Dev Dua.

The junior advocates who are generally engaged are— Mr. G.N. Joshi Mr. S.N. Sikri Mr. Rajinder Lal Mr. K. Singh Mr. H. J. Umrigar Mr. R. Ganapati Ayyar Mr. B. Sen Mr. C.R. Pattabhiraman Mr. S.N. Mukerjee Mrs. Durgabai Mr. S.B. Jeth Rai Bahadur Nanakchand Mr. V.N. Sethi Sardar Kartar Singh Chowla Mr. G.C. Mathur Mr. A.N. Kirpal Mr. R.N. Tikku Mr. M.K. Pillai Mr. P.M. Nathwani.

The usual fees fixed for junior counsels are as follows :— Ten gold mohurs for opposing a petition for special leave. Ten to twenty gold mohurs per day for criminal appeals, or applications under article 32 of the Constitution, according to the nature of the case.

Fifteen to twenty gold mohurs per day for civil appeals according to the nature of the case, but in cases in which important questions are involved higher fees have been paid to counsel but in no case exceeding forty gold mohurs. In cases where the Attorney-General is briefed on behalf of the State Governments, his fees are 100 gold mohurs per day, and where he appears on behalf of the Central Government no fees are charged except in cases where costs are recovered from the opposite party.

In cases where other counsels are engaged directly by a State Government they are paid fees by that Government direct.

(28)

*COOCH BEHAR (POPULATION)

3235. Shri S.C. Samanta: (a) Will the Minister of Law be pleased to State the names and number of villages with population figures in Cooch Behar in West Bengal, where there are only one, two or three voters in each village for the coming General Election.

(b) What were the corresponding population figures in those villages according to the census of 1941 ? The Minister of Law (Dr. Ambedkar): (a) and (b) I understand from the Election Commission that there are 25 villages in Cooch Behar which have not more than 3 voters each, entered in the electoral rolls. A Statement containing the names of these villages, together with the number of voters in each, entered in the rolls at the time of preliminary publication, is placed on the Table. (See Appendix XXII, Annexure No. 19). The population figures for these villages are not available here but I am trying to get them from the local authorities. I should also add that the period for presentatin of claims expired only on the 31st March last, and the Election Commission has no information so far, as to the number of persons enrolled as voters on the basis of such claims.

*P. D., Vol. 7, Part I, 18th April 1951, p. 3318.

Shri S. C. Samanta : Is it a fact that the matter was referred to the Election Commission ; and if so, what steps have been taken by this time ?

Dr. Ambedkar: As I said, we have referred the matter to the Local Government to find out what exactly is the position. It is quite possible that on account of the disturbances that have recently taken place some of the villagers have shifted from one side to the other and some villages have become what we call in technical language beckira.

Shri S. C. Samanta: The Hon. Minister stated that the population figures of these villages are not available. Am I to understand that there is no census figures for Cooch-Behar ? Dr. Ambedkar: I have not seen it.

Shri Kamath: When does the Election Commission expect to receive reports about the claims and objections filed from these villages ? Has any report been called for at all ? Dr. Ambedkar: In the ordinary course, I do not think so because this is a matter entirely to be left to be disposed of by persons who are appointed to adjudicate claims in this matter. Shri S. C. Samanta: Due to the sparseness of the population in Cooch-Behar, will Government consider relaxing the rules in respect of polling stations in the coming elections ? Dr. Ambedkar: All these considerations will be borne in mind.

(29)

*ELECTORAL ROLLS

3361. Shri Kamath : Will the Minister of Law be pleased to State :— (a) whether reports have been received or called for from each of the Part ‘A’, Part ‘B’ and Part ‘C’ States as to the number of claims and objections filed in respect of electoral rolls in each State;

*P. D., Vol. 7, Part I, 21st April 1951, p. 3439.

(b) if so, the total number of claims and objections filed in each State;

(c) the number of such claims and objections disposed of so far ; and (d) the number allowed, and the number disallowed ? The Minister of Law (Dr. Ambedkar): (a) to (d) The information is being collected by the Election Commission and will be laid on the Table in due course.

Shri Kamath: Is the last date for the filling of objections the same in all the states or is it different ? Dr. Ambedkar: I cannot say. I must have notice of that question.

Shri Kamath : When will the information about claims and objections be received in the Election Commissioner’s Office ? Dr. Ambedkar: I do not think there will be any undue delay in this matter.

(30)

*MANUFACTURE OF BALLOT BOXES

3355. Shri R. C . Upadhyaya (on behalf of Shri Kishorimohan Tripathi): (a) Will the Minister of Law be pleased to State what progress has so far been made by different States in the matter of manufacturing ballot boxes and the printing of ballot-papers for the purposes of General Elections ? (b) Are these going to be of a uniform type throughout India ? (c) Has sufficient care been taken in the making of the ballot boxes and the printing of the ballot-papers to see that ignorant and illiterate voters can vote freely according to their choice ? The Minister of Law (Dr. Ambedkar): (a) Orders for the manufacture of ballot boxes have been placed, in consultation with the Election Commission, by all the States except West Bengal, Bihar and Rajasthan. Information about these three States is awaited. Ballot papers for the whole of India are being printed centrally at the Security Printing Press, Nasik.

*P. D., Vol. 7, Part I, 21st April 1951, p. 3444.

(b) The ballot boxes are all of designs approved by the Election Commission and are more or less of a uniform type, except for variations in locking arrangements. Ballot papers are of a uniform type.

(c) Yes, the ballot boxes will be printed in two colours, one colour to be used for elections to the House of the People and the other for elections to the State Legislative Assembly. The ballot papers also will be similarly distinguishable. Each candidate will have a ballot box allotted to him at each polling booth, and the boxes of different candidates will be identified by means of labels pasted thereon bearing familiar and easily distinguishable symbols, such as flower, hut, tree, human hand, plough, elephant, etc., Each candidate will have a symbol allotted to him. These arrangements will make it easy for illiterate voters to cast their votes freely. Shri R. C. Upadhyaya: May I know if the Government have procured steel for the purpose of manufacture of ballotboxes ? Dr. Ambedkar: Yes. How can the boxes be manufactured without steel ?

Ch. Ranbir Singh : How many days ahead of the elections will be symbols be known to the electorates ? Dr. Ambedkar: I suppose the symbol will be allotted on the day the scrutiny is complete and the nomination paper is finally accepted. It is for the candidate to advertise what his simbol is among his voters.

Shri J. N. Hazarika: May I know the basis on which the number of ballot boxes required for election purposes has been ascertained, and in so ascertaining whether geographical considerations have also been borne in mind ? Dr. Ambedkar: It depends upon the number of voters, the capacity of the polling booth etc. I have got here figures as to the number of ballot boxes each State has requisitioned for the purpose of conducting the elections. It is a long list. An. hon. Member: He wants for Assam.

Dr. Ambedkar: For Assam the total number of ballot boxes are 50,000.

Mr. Speaker : I do not think it need be read. The Question Hour is over.

(31)

*DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT

3476. Shri Sonawane : (a) Will the Minister of Law be pleased to State whether there is a proposal before Government for the dissolution of Parliament in view of the ensuing general elections in November-December 1951?

(b) If so, when will Parliament be dissolved, whether before or after the results of elections are known ? The Minister of Law (Dr. Ambedkar) : (a) and (b) The attention of the hon. Member is drawn to article 379(1) of the Constitution. By virtue of this article, this provisional Parliament have been duly constituted and summoned to meet for the first session. Accordingly, there will be no dissolution of this Parliament before the general elections take place in November-December next, or even after the results of those elections are announced. It will automatically cease to function as soon as the new Houses of Parliament have been summoned to meet for first session.

(32)

**ELECTORAL POLLS

3611. Shri Kishorimohan Tripathi : (a) Will the Minister of Law be pleased to State whether sufficient arrangement has been made to meet all possible demands of electoral rolls during the coming elections ;

(b) Is there any estimate of such demands and if so, what is its basis ;

(c) What will the electoral rolls cost approximately for candidates contesting for (i) House of People seat; (ii) Council of States seat; and (iii) a seat in either House of State Legislature ?

*P. D., Vol. 7, Part I, 25th April 1951, p. 3556.

**bid., 28th April 1951, p. 3702.

The Minister of Law (Dr. Ambedkar) : (a) Yes. (b) While it is not possible to make any precise estimate as to the probable demand for copies of the electoral rolls, arrangements have been made to ensure that every duly nominated candidate and every organised party in a constituency will be able to obtain a copy.

(c) The information is being collected by the Election Commission and will be laid on the Table of the House in due course.

(33)

*WEST BENGAL LEGISLATURE (VACANCIES)

3845. Shri Chattopadhyaya : Will the Minister of Law be pleased to State— (a) how many seats in West Bengal Legislature were lying vacant . for more than a year in 1950-51;

(b) for how many of them no elections have been held as yet; (c) whether they will be filled up before the coming general election; and (d) the reason for their lying vacant so long ? The Minister of Law (Dr. Ambedkar) : (While the Government of India as such are not concerned with the filling of casual vacancies in the State Legislatures, the following information has been obtained from the Election Commission:— (a) Seven, (b) Two (c) It is expected that bye-elections to fill the remaining two seats will be held very soon.

(d) The delay in filling these vacancies is stated to be due to the uncertainty which existed for some time in regard to the term of the present West Bengal Legislative Assembly owing firstly to the proposed re-constitution of that Assembly and secondly to the earlier decision to hold the general elections in April-May, 1951.

*P. D., Vol. 7, Part I, 5th May 1951, p. 3931.

Shri Chattopadhyay: Am I to understand, then, that the Central Government has got no responsibility to see that vacancies in the State Legislatures are filled up without any delay ?

Dr. Ambedkar: No. there is no responsibility. It is entirely a matter for the Provincial Government and the Rajpramukh or Governor.

Shri Chattopadhyay : Of these constituencies lying vacant for more than a year, may I know how many are general constituencies and how many trade union constituencies ? Dr. Ambedkar: I am afraid I have no information. Dr. M. M. Das: May I know whether it is a fact that during the last two months, four bye-elections have been held in West Bengal ?

Dr. Ambedkar: I can say nothing on the subject; I have no information, as I said.

Prof. S. L. Saksena: Is the Hon. Minister aware that in the U. P. also there are seats which are vacant for more than a year ?

Mr. Speaker : Order, order, the Hon. Minister has already said that he has no responsibility. Next question. (34)

*GENERAL ELECTIONS IN MADRAS

3866. Shri P. Basi Reddi: (a) Will the Minister of Law be pleased to State whether it is a fact that the Madras Legislative Council has by a resolution requested Government to hold the General elections in that State not earlier than February 1952 ? ‘ (b) If so, what action has Government taken in the matter ? The Minister of Law (Dr. Ambedkar): (a) Yes. (b) Government do not consider that the reasons urged in the Madras Legislative Council in passing the resolution are sufficiently weightly to warrant the postponement of the elections in that State to February, 1952.

* P. D., Vol. 7, Part I, 5th May 1951, p. 3955.

Shri P. Basi Reddi: Have any other State Governments made similar requests; if so, what are those Governments ? Dr. Ambedkar: None.

Shri Kesava Rao : May I know whether Government is aware that November and December are rainy months in Madras and it is not possible to hold elections at that time ? Mr. Speaker: They are supposed to be aware of it. Seth Govind Das: Will the Hon. Minisater be pleased to assure us that the general elections will be held all over the country before 31st December, 1951 ?

Dr. Ambedkar: That is the intention of the Government. Shri J. N. Hazarika: In order to give opportunities to the cultivators to participate fully in the first National General Election, will Government not allow the elections to take place after the paddy harvesting season which is in January and February in certain States including Assam ? Dr. Ambedkar: Government has fixed a period of two months. Within that period any State is free to choose any period it likes.

Shri Brajeshwar Prasad: Has the attention of Government been drawn to the news published in the morning papers that elections would be held in February next ? Dr. Ambedkar: I have read it, but I am not responsible for that news.

Shri P. Basi Reddi : Have any other State Governments made similar request; if so, what are they ? Dr. Ambedkar: I have already answered that. My answer was ‘No’.

Shri Venkataraman: Has the Mysore Government made a similar recommendation like Madras that the elections may be held in February or March ?

Dr. Ambedkar: No such information has come to my notice. Shri Dwivedi: In view of the fact that the delimitation of constituencies in certain States is still under the consideration of this House, may I know whether elections in those States will be held by the time they are held in other States ?

Dr. Ambedkar: They will be settled in sufficient time to enable the elections to take place in the period prescribed. (35)

*GENERAL ELECTIONS

4553. Shri Sidhva: (a) Will the Minister of Law be pleased to state whether besides the Government of Madras, it is a fact that the Orissa Government has suggested to the Union Government that the General Elections should be held in January-February, 1952 ?

(b) If so, what reply has been sent by the Union Government to the Orissa Government ?

The Minister of Law (Dr. Ambedkar): (a) and (b) A communication was received by the Election Commission from the Orissa Government pointing out certain difficulties in fixing a common period of polling for all the districts in that State within the months of November-December, 1951 and suggesting that from this point of view January-February might be more suitable. The State Government had however expressed their willingness to adhere to the November-December time-table, provided polling could be held in some parts of the State in the latter half of November and in the remaining parts from 10th to 22nd December, 1951. The Election Commission has replied to the State Government that the programme for polling can in no circumstances be allowed to go beyond December, 1951 and that the Commission has no objection to the polling being spread over November-December as proposed though efforts should be made to reduce the total period of polling to four weeks if possible.

Shri Sidhva: As definite months have been fixed by the Government, may I know whether there is any likelihood of a change in those months ?

Dr. Ambedkar: As at present situated there is no likelihood of change but I cannot say what may happen in the future. Mr. Speaker: I may say the question to confined is Orissa.

*P. D., Vol. 8, Part I, 26th May 1951, p. 4684.

Seth Govind Das: Is ft a fact that in view of the information being received from Orissa and other places as also in view of the preparations of elections that are going on at present, the Hon. Minister has expressed the opinion that it is impossible to hold elections before January-February, and further if it is not a fact, then will the Hon. Minister make a clear statement that there is not the least likelihood of the election being postponed beyond 31st December, 1951 ?

Mr. Speaker: That is what he just said.

Seth Govind Das: I just wanted to know whether it was a fact that the Hon. Minister himself had expressed this opinion before many responsible persons that Mr. Speaker: Order, order. No argument on that point. Shri Biswanath Das: May I know whether the Government are aware of the fact that the monsoons are active there in the months of November-December ? . Dr. Ambedkar: I suppose the Election Commission has taken everything into account in fixing the time-table. (36)

*REGIONAL COMMISSIONERS

4565. Shri Kamath: Will the Minister of Law be pleased to state:

(a) Whether Regional Commissioners to assist the Election Commission are proposed to be appointed in accordance with Article 324 (4) of the Constitution; and (b) If so, how many and by what date ?

The Minister of Law (Dr. Ambedkar): (a) Yes. (b) Four. No decision has yet been taken as to the date from which they are to be appointed.

* P. D., Vol. 8, Part I, 26th May 1951, p. 4702.

(37)

*FIXING OF ELECTION DATES

93. Shri Kamath : Will the Minister of Law be pleased to state :

(a) Whether Government have decided upon a date or dates for the holding of elections to the House of the People and the State Legislative Assemblies; (b) If so, what that decision is, and between winch dates polling will be held in each of the States; (c) By what date the final results are expected to be declared with regard to the House of the People as well as the various State Legislative Assemblies; and (d) When it is proposed to constitute the Council of States at the Centre and Legislative Councils in the States, and to elect the President of the Indian Union ? The Minister of Law (Dr. Ambedkar): (a) Yes. (b) Polling is scheduled to begin on or about the 3rd January and end by the 24th January, 1952, subject to such minor adjustments of the dates as might be necessary to meet exceptional difficulties that might exist in certain areas. In Himachal Pradesh, in parts of Kangra district in Punjab and, possibly in the high attitude regions of Uttar Pradesh, the polling may have to be finished by the end of October this year, since later on these, areas will get snow-bound. (c) The Election Commission has proposed the 15th February 1952 as the date by which the declaration of results is to be completed.

(d) While it is not possible to say precisely at this stage when the Council of States and the State Legislative Councils will be constituted, it is expected that on the basis of the programme outlined above, it should be possible to constitute these Houses by about the end of March 1952. The election of the President will take place immediately after the due constitution of the two Houses of Parliament and the State Legislative Assemblies.

*P. D., Vol. 9, Part I, 9th August 1951, p. 116.

(38)

*DATES OF GENERAL ELECTION IN STATES

114. Shri J. N. Hazarika: Will the Minister of Law be pleased to state:

(a) Whether the States have fixed the dates, for the next General Elections, in their respective States, if so, which are such States and the dates fixed by them; and (b) Whether the constituencies have been called to elect their representatives to Parliament and State Assemblies ? The Minister of Law (Dr. Ambedkar): (a) No, Sir. The Election Commission has addressed the State Governments on the subject.

(b) No.

Shrimati Durgabai: Has the attention of the Hon. Minister been drawn to the recent broadcast talk by the Chief Election Commissioner to the effect that nearly 25 lakhs of women voters are disqualified; if so, may I know whether opportunities will be taken of the postponement to qualify the disqualified women voters ?

Dr. Ambedkar : It does not arise out of this question. This question relates to the dates of election and not to electoral rolls.

Shri Kamath : In view of the fact that polling in Himachal Pradesh will take place by the end of October, has Government already announced the exact date of polling so as to enable the voters as well as the candidates to get on with their work ? Dr. Ambedkar: I have no doubt about it that Government will take all the necessary steps.

Shri Kamath: Has Government any idea as to when the First Session of the new Parliament is likely to be convened ? Dr. Ambedkar: Well, it could not be convened unless all the preliminary stages have been gone through.

* P. D., Vol. 9, Part I, 9th August 1951, p. 117.

Shri Durgabai: May I know whether the women of Rajasthan have sent a memorandum in regard to the electoral rolls ?

Dr. Ambedkar: It does not arise out of this. Shrimati Renuka Ray: It does arise because the question relates to the dates of the election.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: It is a very important matter, of course. But unfortunatly it does not relate to this question. Seth Govind Das : The Hon. Minister was pleased to state the date of the polling, but are the Government preparing a complete scheme for the preliminary work that has to be done in connection with polling e.g., nomination and other things and, if so, when will the dates for nomination, scrutiny and polling be made known ?

Dr. Ambedkar : That is already set out in the People’s Representation Act.

Shri Sondhi : In view of the fact that simultaneous voting will have to take place both for the State Legislature and the House of the People, will it be necessary to have at least seven constituencies of the State to complete one for the House of the People in Kangra district in Punjab ?

Dr. Ambedkar: Whatever is necessary will have to be done. Government certainly will not tolerate any irregularity with regard to elections.

Shri Sondhi: There are five plains seats and two hills seats. I want to know whether elections will be for seven or only two ?

Dr. Ambedkar: These are governed by rules; I think exceptions will be made when circumstances justify. Shri Sondhi: I want to know because polling is going to take place shortly.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: The Hon. Minister may not carry with him details with respect to every single constituency. Hon. Members will therefore appreciate the difficulty. Shri Sondhi: Because the time now left is only two months.

Shri Sonawane : Will elections in a particular State be over a day, or will they be spread out over several days ? Dr. Ambedkar: It depends upon the available administrative machinery. If the State has got sufficient machinery to complete all the elections in a single day, certainly the State will do it. Otherwise Government is quite prepared to spread the elections over a certain period in order to enable them to cope with the difficulties. Shri Kamath: Arising out of answers to parts (a) and (b) of the question, have Regional Commissioners been appointed in the other parts of India and have the State Government been asked to assist the Regional Commissioners in ‘ going ahead’ with arrangements for polling and other cognate matters ? Dr. Ambedkar : The question of appointment of Regional Commissioners is under consideration. It is expected there will be Regional Commissioners.

Shri Kamath: Have the final electoral rolls been published ? Dr. Ambedkar: I cannot give an off-hand answer. Certainly they will be printed in due course.

Shri Dwivedi: In view of the fact that Ministers of States and Home Affairs have accepted the principle that certain Part C States will have legislatures. I want to know whether the elections for the legislatures in Part C States will be held simultaneously with the General Elections.

Dr. Ambedkar : I cannot say what the provisions of the Bill are.

Shrimati Ammu Swaminadhan : May I ask the Hon. Minister what are the dates which are fixed for polling in Rajasthan ?

Dr. Ambedkar: I cannot give an answer to that. Shri Kamath: By what date will the rules under the Electoral Bill be finalised and notified ?

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Next question.

Dr. Ambedkar: It is expected that they would be finalised by the end of this month.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: I am afraid hon. Members go on putting questions and Hon. Ministers go on giving answers. I have called the next question; the Hon. Minister need not have answered.

Shri Kamath: I did not hear you, Sir.

(39)

*SYMBOLS FOR POLITICAL PARTIES

115. Shri S. N. Das: Will the Minister of Law be pleased to state:

(a) The names of political parties which were invited by the Election Commission to consider allotment of symbols to different parties in the coming General Elections; (b) On what basis these parties were invited; (c) Before inviting these parties whether any effort was made to as certaina as to which of the political parties were going to contest the elections ; and (d) Whether any decision has been taken regarding allotment of symbols ?

The Minister of Law (Dr. Ambedkar): (a) (1) Indian National Congress.

(2) All Indian Forward Block (Ruikar Group). (3) All India Forward Block (Marxist Group Party of Workers and Peasants of India).

(4) Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha.

(5) Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party.

(6) Akhil Bharatiya Ram Rajya Parishad.

(7) Socialist Party.

(8) All India Scheduled Castes’ Federation. (b) and (c) Such of the parties as, in the opinion of the Election Commission, actually function in all the States or

* P. D., Vol. 9, Part I, 9th August 1951, p. 133.

most of the States and are expected to set up candidates therein, were invited to the conference.

(d) Symbols have been allotted by the Election Commission as follows :

(1) All-India Forward Block (Marxist Group)—Standing Lion.

(2) All-India Forward Block (Ruikar Group)—Human Hand. (3) Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha—Horse and Rider. (4) Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party—Hut.

(5) Akhil Bharatiya Ram Rajya Parishad—Rising Sun. (6) All-India Scheduled Castes’ Federation—Elephant. An early decision is expected to be taken regarding the symbols to be assigned to the Indian National Congress and the Socialist Party of India.

The Communist Party of India also has selected two symbols and informed the Election Commission of them. These are being considered by the Commission.

(40)

*ELECTORAL ROLLS FOR GENERAL ELECTIONS

20. Dr. M. V. Gangadhara Siva : (a) Will the Minister of Law be pleased to state by which date the preliminary electoral rolls are likely to be finalised in various parts of the country ?

(b) What time is likely to be taken in the printing of the final electoral rolls and is it proposed to print them in India or outside ?

The Minister of Law (Dr. Ambedkar): (a) The electoral rolls are expected to be finally published by the end of this month.

(b) The rolls are not to be reprinted before final publication. Only addenda and corrigenda necessitated by claims and objections will be printed and added to the preliminary rolls. No printing has been or will be done outside India.

*P. D., Vol. 9, Part I, 9th August 1951, p. 149.

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*WOMEN VOTERS AND ELECTORAL ROLLS

24. Shri S. N. Das: (a) Will the Minister of Law be pleased to state the total number of entries made for women voters which were subsequently removed according to the instructions issued by the Government of India on the ground that they did not bear the proper name of women voters—giving statewise figures ? (b) Is it a fact that these entries were made by the enumerators without asking the names from those for whom these entries were made?

(c) Is it a fact that a large number of representations have been received by Government to revise the electoral rolls with a view to include the names of large number of such women voters ?

(d) If so, have Government considered those representations and come to any decision ?

The Minister of Law (Dr. Ambedkar): (a) to (d) The attention of the hon. Member is invited to the reply to starred question No. 120 given on 9th August 1951.

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**CENTRAL GRANTS FOR BACKWARD CLASSES

322. Shri Kshudiram Mahata : Will the Minister of Education be pleased to state the amount of Central grants in the year 1948, 1949, 1950 and 1951 sanctioned for the education of backward classes other than scheduled castes and scheduled tribes ?

The Minister of Law (Dr. Ambedkar): Under the Government of India scheme of scholarships to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes, scholarships are awarded to suitable Backward Classes candidates for their post-matriculation education in India. The expenditure incurred so far on award of scholarships to

*P. D., Vol. 9, Part I, 9th August 1951, p. 151.

**Ibid., p. 400.

Backward Classes other than Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is as under:— 1948-49 ... ... Rs. Nil.

1949-50 ... ... 2,46,327 1950-51 ... ... 3,57,504 In the year 1951-52, scholarships of the total value of Rs. 3,65,000 are likely to be awarded to Backward Classes candidates.

Shri Kshudiram Mahata: May I know whether any provincial allocations is made of the total sum before considering any particular application and, if so, on what basis ? Dr. Ambedkar: I do not suppose that there is any provincial allocation.

Shri Rudrappa: May I know the number of applications in 1949-50 and 1950-51 ?

Dr. Ambedkar: The figures are as follows :— 1949-50.—Applications received 3006. Awards made 349. 1950-51.—Applications received 3830. Awards made 517 Shri Rathnaswamy: What is the method adopted by Government to see that the grants given for the benefit of these backward classes are properly spent by the States ? Dr. Ambedkar: The money is not awarded to the States. The applications are disposed of by a Central Board. The States do not intervene at all.

Thakur Krishna Singh: May I know whether any lists of the backward classe in the merged States and Part B and Part C States have been prepared by the State Government concerned and is it not a fact that applications for scholarships presented by the students from these areas are not taken up because there is no such list ?

Dr. Ambedkar: There is the list all right. These lists are made on the recommendations made by the various States. Shri R. K. Chaudhari: May I know when the lists of the backward classes were last revised ?

Dr. Ambedkar: I require notice.

Dr. Deshmukh: Has any attempt been made to find out the population of these backward classes State-wise ? Dr. Ambedkar: At the moment, the question of population is quite unimportant.

Dr. Deshmukh : May I know if it is not a fact that the number of backward classes included in the Schedule of each State varies very considerably and that so far as Part C States are concerned the number of classes included are very fes ? Dr. Ambedkar: That is quite possible, because a community which may be backward in one area may not be backward in another area.

Dr. Deshmukh: Is it not a fact that Part C States are more backward than the rest of India ?

Dr. Ambedkar: That is probably an aspersion which they would not like.

Thakur Krishna Sinh : Is it not a fact that the revised list was prepared before the Unions were formed and before the States were merged into the Provinces ? Dr. Ambedkar: That may be so, but how does it affect the issue ? These lists are not hard and fast. They are revised every time.

Shri Deshbandhu Gupta: Is it not a fact that before these scholarships are awarded the amounts are allocated to different States on population basis and the distribution of the scholarships is also done through the States ? Dr. Ambedkar: So far as I understand, that is not the case.

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*GRANTS FOR PROMOTING NATIONAL LANGUAGE

323. Shri Kesava Rao : (a) Will the Minister of Education be pleased to state the amount of money spent during 194950 and 1950-51 towards promoting the national language?

*P. D., Vol. 9, Part I, 18th August 1951, p. 323.