Vol. 15 · pages 136–140

119PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES Shri Hossain Imam : I was only suggesting. This Ordinance can last until six weeks ............ Dr. Ambedkar : From the commencement of Parliament. Shri Kamath (Madhya Pradesh): Six weeks after the commencement of the next session of Parliament. Dr. Ambedkar : We do not know what will happen. I cannot say when Parliament will be called. We do not want to be left in the lurch after having made an Ordinance. Shri Kamath : How can that be ? Dr. Ambedkar : This suggestion is a very impracticable suggestion. Besides, so far as this aspect is concerned, as I have said, we have got a precedent. We have got a similar law with regard to Delhi. We have got a similar law with regard to Ajmer-Merwara, the Ajmer-Merwara Extension Act of 1947. If these two Acts are not so bad as my friend tries to depict them, I cannot understand why there should be any objection to this measure. It may be, if there was time, I could suggest to the House that at a later stage the House may consider the procedure which has been recently adopted in the House of Commons which consists of having a Standing Committee of the House to examine such delegated legislation and to bring to the notice of Parliament whether the delegated legislation has either exceeded the original intention of Parliament or has departed from it or has affected any fundamental prinicple. This is a matter which we may take up independently. I cannot understand how now after long practice, anybody can object to what is called delegated legislation. Mr. Deputy Speaker : The question is : “That the Bill to provide for the extension of laws to certain Part C States, be taken into consideration.” The motion was adopted. Shri Hossain Imam : May I ask the Hon. Minister to explain why—he has not explained in the Statement of Objects and Reasons—the age of consent has been reduced ?

120 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES Mr. Deputy Speaker : He has already stated. Dr. Ambedkar : The changes with regard to Manipur have been made as a result of a conference which was held between the representatives of the Home Department and the Chief Commissioner in Manipur. It was he who suggested that these changes must be made if the Central legislation is to be extended. Mr. Deputy Speaker : It is a little premature to apply this section to these areas. Shri Hossain Imam : The age of consent has been reduced. Mr. Deputy Speaker : Possibly it goes back to the age of consent under the old law, and all these reforms are not sought to be extended to that area. Clauses 1 to 4 were added to the Bill. The Schedule was added to the Bill. The Title and the Enacting Fromula were added to the Bill. Dr. Ambedkar : I beg to move: “That the Bill, be passed.” Mr. Deputy Speaker : Motion moved. “That the Bill be passed.” Prof. Ranga (Madras): I am glad that the Hon. Minister has given us this information that in Parliament they have thought of the device of establishing a Standing Committee to study these things as and when they come up before them and advise Parliament, as a sort of a watchdog on behalf of Parliament. Unfortunately, the Hon. Minister has not given us any assurance that similar efforts would be made in this House. I do request him to take steps at the earliest possible opportunity to see that this Standing Committee does come to be established by our Government. Dr Ambedkar : I will bear that in mind. Mr. Deputy Speaker : The question is: “That the Bill be passed”

121PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES The motion was adopted. The House then adjourned till a Quarter to Eleven of the Clock on Wednesday, the 12th April, 1950. REPEALING AND AMENDING BILL *The Minister of Law (Dr. Ambedkar): Sir, may I have your permission to take my Bill out of turn ? They are very small ones. Mr. Deputy Speaker : Yes. Dr. Ambedkar : I beg to move : “That the Bill to repeal certain amendments and to amend certain other enactments, be taken into consideration.” The purpose of the Bill which is brought in annually for the purpose of pruning the Statute-book of what is called the “dead wood” and of amending and making good certain errors discovered in certain enactments. I do not think it necessary for me to say anything more in support of the motion I make. Mr. Deputy Speaker : Motion moved: “That the Bill to repeal certain enactments and to amendments and to amend certain other enactments, be taken into consideration.” Shri Himatsingka (West Bengal) : What I would suggest to the Hon. Minister of Law is this. Would he please take steps to have all the laws that are in force printed in a book form so that one may follow what laws are in existence and what not? At present it is so very difficult. We are passing so many laws in a day that it is very difficult for anyone to know or find out what the law is. Therefore, will he take my suggestion into consideration and have the laws in force up to 1949 printed ? Dr. Ambedkar : That is being done. *P. D., Vol. 4, Part II, 11th April 1950, p. 2776.

122 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES Mr. Deputy Speaker : The question is: “That the Bill to repeal certain enactments and to amend certain other enactments, be taken into consideration.” The motion was adopted. Clauses 1 to 4 were aded to the Bill. The First and Second Schedules were added to the Bill. The Title and the Enacting Formula were added to the Bill Dr. Ambedkar : I beg to move: “That the Bill be passed” Mr. Deputy Speaker : The question is: “That the Bill be passed.” The motion was adopted.

123PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (16) REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE BILL [ MR. SPEAKER in the Chair ] *The Minister of Law (Dr. Ambedkar): May I, Sir, with your permission make the motion that stands in my name in the Order Paper for today ? I could not do it this morning because printed copies of the Bill were not available in the morning. As the House takes objection to giving leave for introduction without copies of the Bill being there, I thought I should wait. Mr. Speaker : Yes ; he may make that motion. I was told that the matter was not to be taken up. That is why I passed over that. Dr. Ambedkar : Because, I said that printed copies were not available. I beg to move for leave to introduce a Bill to provide for the allocation of seats in, and the delimitation of constituencies for the purpose of election to, the House of the People and the Legislatures of States, the qualification of voters at such elections, the preparation of electoral rolls and matters connected therewith. Mr. Speaker : The question is : “That leave be granted to introduce a Bill to provide for the allocation of seats in, and the delimination of constituencies for the purpose of elections to, the House of the People and the Legislatures of States, the qualification of voters at such elections, the preparation of electoral rolls, and matters connected therewith.” The motion was adopted. Dr. Ambedkar : I introduce the Bill. *P. D., Vol. 4, Part II, 12th April 1950, pp. 2797-98.