980 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
395
*** Muslim Gazetted Officers in Estate Office**
- Khan Bahadur Makhdum Al-Haj Syed Sher Shah Jeelani :
(a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member kindly state the existing number of the Gazetted posts in the Estate Office, New Delhi ?
(b) How many out of them are being held by Muslims ?
(c) Is the Honourable Member aware of the fact that in 1943 it was decided by the Labour Department in consultation with the Home Department that the posts of the Assistant Estate Officers will be filled by promotion from amongst the highly qualified Superintendents of the Central Public Works Department ? If so, does the Honourable Member propose to see that the policy once laid down is adhered to ?
(d) Do Government propose to see that the post now vacant which was reserved for a Muslim is under the rules filled by another Muslim in replacement ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Five.
(b) None at present.
(c) Although prior to the separation of the Estate Office from the Central Public Works Department Organisation, the normal method of recruitment to the post of Assistant Estate Officer in the office of the Chief Engineer was by selection and promotion from among the Superintendents in that office, this position has since changed. The Estate Office now is not a part of Central Public Works Department but is directly under Labour Department. The Superintendents in the Chief Engineer’s Office have therefore no claim now as of right for promotion to the post of Assistant Estate Officer in the Estate Office, but their cases may also be considered on merits when filling any of these posts.
(d) The question as to how the post which is now vacant should be filled is still under consideration.
Mr. Muhammad Nauman : With reference to Part (b) may I know how these five posts were filled and were there no Muslims who could be considered fit to occupy these posts ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: I must have notice of this question.
- Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. III of 1946, 6th March 1946, p. 1952.