z:\ ambedkar\vol-02\vol2-04.indd MK SJ+YS 21-9-2013/YS-8-11-2013 287
QUESTIONS BY DR. AMBEDKAR 287
The Honourable Mr. G. B. Pradhan : ( a ), ( b ), ( c ), ( d ) and ( e ) Yes, as it had already been granted to another individual.
(2) Survey No. 202 of Rajur is pasture forest incharge of the Revenue Department. It is sold annually for grazing to the villagers, and it cannot be granted for any other purpose, as the remaining grazing area available in the village is not sufficient for their requirements.
(3) For the same reason Survey No. 71 of Rajur-Babula which is assigned for Kuran (grazing ground) could not be granted to the Mahars.
I may add that 11 survey numbers of Pimplad and Rajur-Babula comprising of nearly 200 acres of land were the only lands available for being given out for cultivation. They were therefore put to sale at an upset price
12 times the assessment and it was ordered that none but the Mahars, Bhils and Kolis should bid. The condition was imposed specially to exclude unfair competition by moneyed people. The papers of the sales recently sanctioned show that two Kolis and three Mahars of Pimplad and one Koli and three Mahars of Rajur-Babula are the purchasers.
(B.L.C. Debates, Vol. XXI, p. 219, dated 1st October 1927)
Grazing Grounds, Thana District
Dr. P. G. Solanki on behalf of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Will Government be pleased to state—
( a ) whether their attention has been drawn to the information published on pages 372 and 417 of the Vividha Jnana Vistar of the year 1926 ;
( b ) if so, whether they intend to take steps to order such varkas or grass lands to be free from assessment ;
( c ) whether they intend to let open the forest lands of the village of Badlapur in the Thana District for agricultural and grazing purposes as the income from those forest lands is comparatively very small ?
The Honourable Mr. J. L. Rieu : ( a ) Only when the Honourable Member gave notice of this question.
( b ) No.
( c ) No.
(B.L.C. Debates, Vol. XXI, pp. 269-70, dated 1st October 1927)
Forest Lands for Depressed Classes
Dr. P. G. Solanki on behalf of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Will Government be pleased to state—
( a ) whether they are aware of the enormous extent of unemployment prevailing among the depressed classes ;
( b ) whether in view of the fact that many occupations are closed to the depressed classes owing to the system of untouchability, they intend to consider the question of forming settlements of the depressed classes wherever tracts of forests lands are available as has been done by the Mysore Government ;