Vol. 15 · pages 1071–1075

1052 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES 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. (43) *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.

1053PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (b) What are the private institutions and organisations which were given grant for this purpose ? (c) Have the Government of India set apart any amount towards grants to various non-Hindi speaking States ? The Minister of Law (Dr. Ambedkar): (a) Rs. 2,80,000 during 1949-50 and Rs. 1,05,000 during 1950-51. (b)(i) Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, Allahabad. (ii) Hindustani Cultural Society, Allahabad. (iii) Indara Talim-o-Tarraqi, Jamia Millia, Delhi, for post literacy Hindi literature. (iv) Akhil Bhartiya Hindi Parishad, New Delhi. (c) Government is opening a special Section in the Ministry for promoting the cause of Hindi in non-Hindi speaking States and also intends to establish a central organisation. In this connection the expenditure involved will be borne by Government. Shri Kesava Rao: Arising out of the answer to part (b) of the question, may I know whether any non-official organisations in non-Hindi speaking areas are given assistance by the Central Government ? Dr. Ambedkar : The facts are as I have stated in the answer to part (b). Shri Kesava Rao : In answer to part (b), the Hon. Minister stated the names of certain organisations which are situated either at Allahabad or at Delhi. I want to know whether any organisations other than those in Hindi knowing areas are given any contribution by the Central Government. Dr. Ambedkar: I do not know if there are any such oranisations outside the places mentioned, and if there are probably they are too weak to carry on this sort of work. Shri Kesava Rao: May I know whether the Government has got any idea of the extra expenditure incurred by the non-Hindi-speaking areas in connection with the promotion of Hindi in those areas ? Dr. Ambedkar: They might be doing it. There are State Governments which are very enthusiastic about the subject

1054 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES and they spend more money. There are others which are less enthusiastic and they spend less. Mr. Deputy Speaker : The Hon. Minister has already said that the Government is considering the desirability of opening institutions and recognising them and having a central institution also for non-Hindi-speaking areas. Shri R. K. Chaudhari: Has the amount set apart for distribution to non-Hindi States been distributed already and if so, what is the amount allotted to Assam ? Dr. Ambedkar: I do not know that this has been done. I cannot give any information on the subject now. Shri A. C. Guha: In view of the fact that the four institutions whose names the Hon. Minister has given as receiving subsidies are situated either in Allahabad or in Delhi, may we know what are their functions and what is the purpose behind the grant of subsidies to these institutions ? Dr. Ambedkar: Because we want to spread Hindi and they have branches all over India. Shri A. C. Guha: Have they branches all over India ? Dr. Ambedkar : One can draw a legitimate inference that they have branches all over India. Otherwise they would not be given any subsidy. Shri Shiv Charan Lal: What is the amount given to the Hindi Sahitya Sammelan during 1949-50 and 1950-51? Dr. Ambedkar: I have not got the break-up figures. Seth Govind Das: Why has the expenditure incurred on this account this year been less as compared to the year 1949-50 ? Dr. Ambedkar: Because Hindi has spread very much. Seth Govind Das : What is the difference between the amounts granted to the Hindi Sahitya Sammelan and the Jamia Milla rspectively ? Dr. Ambedkar: As I said, on the basis of the figures which I have before me I am unable to make any such comparison. I have given totals.

1055PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES Seth Govind Das: Has the Government any information regarding the activities of those institutions and organisations which are being given the grants for the propogation of Hindi: and do the Government receive any yearly, half yearly or quarterly reports in this connection ? Dr. Ambedkar: I think my hon. friend may legitimately presume that Government must be informed on this subject before making this contribution. Shri Kesava Rao: May I know if any non-Hindi States have asked for a grant to promote Hindi in their States ? Dr. Ambedkar: I suppose every Government is in the habit of asking for grants. Mr. Deputy Speaker: The Hon. Minister is giving answers which can be inferred by the Hon. Members themselves. He is obviously not in a position to give detailed answers. Members may reserve their questions for the Hon. Minister in charge when he comes here. It is no use putting hypothetical questions and getting hypothetical answers. Seth Govind Das : I am not asking for details, but I am asking on a question of principle. Has the Government prepared any definite plan for the propagation of Hindi or is any such plan in the course of preparation, or is there no such plan at all ? Dr. Ambedkar : I should like to leave this question to be answered by the Hon. Minister of Education. (44) *MODE OF VOTING AT GENERAL ELECTIONS 455. Shri Alexander: Will the Minister of Law be pleased to state : (a) whether Government have decided upon the mode of voting in the next General Elections; and (b) if so, what it is and what steps are taken to educate the common people on the same ? * P. D., Vol. 9, Part I, 22nd August 1951, p. 553.

1056 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES The Minister of Law (Dr. Ambedkar) : (a) and (b) . Under section 59 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, at every election where a poll is taken votes are to be given by ballot in such manner as may be prescribed by rules. These rules are at present under preparation. The Films Division of the Ministry of information and Broadcasting is bringing out an educational film shot depicting scenes illustrative of the actual casting of the ballot by voters into boxes with symbols of candidates. The symbols used in this film will not be included in the list of symbols ultimately approved by the Commission. Radio talks and election rehearsals have also been arranged for the education of the voters. (45) *STATUTORY AND NON-STATUTORY BODIES 447. Shri S. N. Das : Will the Minister of Law be pleased to state : (a) the number and names of statutory and non-statutory bodies of a permanent nature functioning under the administrative controls of his Ministry : giving the following information in each case : (i)the year of their constitution ; (ii) the recurring annual expenditure incurred by them; (iii) the provision for the audit of their accounts : and (iv) the method of submission of the report of their activities.; (b) the number and names of such ad hoc Committes as were appointed by the Ministry since the 15th August 1947 and which have finished their work; and (c) the number and names of ad hoc Committees which are still functioning, giving the date of their appointments and the time by which they are expected to finish their work ? The Minister of Law (Dr. Ambedkar): (a) There is no non-statutory body of a permanent nature functioning under the administrative control of my Ministry, and the Income- *P. D., Vol. 9, Part I, 22nd August 1951, p. 554.