z:\ ambedkar\vol-02\vol2-08.indd MK SJ+YS 21-9-2013/YS-8-11-2013 649
IN THE FEDERAL STRUCTURE COMMITTEE 649
through some system of election. If there is a system of nomination, I cannot help thinking that the whole object of this clause may be frustrated. and that the Ministry may only think of strengthening its own party in the Upper Chamber. Apart from this general objection, I would ask that, in paragraph 32, lines 7, 10, 19 and 22, the word “persons” be substituted for the word “men”.
Chairman: I quite agree, Mrs. Subbarayan. In England we actually held, until about five years ago, that a woman was not a “person”.
Mrs. Subbarayan: Perhaps they meant that she was something better !
Mr. Zafrullah Khan: In our General Clauses Act, it says that, whenever “man” is used, it includes “woman”.
Mr. Iyengar: I desire to associate myself with what my friend, Mrs. Subbarayan, has said as regards nominated members. I also agree that it is very useful to have these elder statesmen in the Upper Chamber; but surely, if these elder statesmen are really wanted by the country, it would certainly be possible for them to come in by some constituency or other. I think the principle of nomination is vicious and we should get rid of it altogether.
Dr. Ambedkar: I should like to associate myself with what has fallen from Mrs. Subbarayan.
† Chairman: We will say “should be adopted as a model for candidates for the Upper Chamber, taking into account any special provisions that may be required for women”.
Dr. Ambedkar: I find considerable difficulty in subscribing to this part of paragraph 34—the Council of State qualifications taken as a model. It seems to me that it will entirely block the representation of the Depressed Classes.
Chairman: We must not do that.
Dr. Ambedkar: Liberty should also be given to the Franchise Committee to take this into consideration in framing their model rules.
‡ Dr. Ambedkar: I should like to say that the Committee should also consider the necessity of endowing the Central Government with powers to finance itself in emergency matters directly and independently, rather than be dependent upon contributions from the Provinces and States.
Lord Peel: All these points, of course, were considered from every point of view, and this was the result of a compromise between the different views. That is really all I can say on it at the present moment, I think.
Mr. Joshi: Lord Chancellor, I agree with Dr. Ambedkar’s view.
Dr. Ambedkar: Lord Chancellor, I should also like to say that the factfinding Committee, in apportioning the burden of the Federal Legislature
†Proceedings of the Federal Structure Committee and Minorities Committee, Vol. I, p. 886.
‡ Ibid., pp. 899-900.