216 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
process by delaying the operation of the reduction decision by the period of notice, so that before the period of notice expires if he tells his employer that he is not prepared to accept, he would be at liberty to go out. I should like to make this point clear because it might be argued that in bringing forward these amendments we have really tried to counteract or set at naught or nullify the decision of the Additional Judicial Commissioner and I want to tell the House that I am doing nothing of the kind but am merely following the decision of the Judicial Commissioner in the amendments which we have proposed.
With regard to the other two amendments, viz., the withholding of increments and demotion from a higher grade to a lower grade, there can be no matter of controversy, for the simple reason that a period is promoted from a lower to a higher grade only when the employer is satisfied that by the experience that he has had in the grade in which he has been serving he will be able to acquire such greater experience and greater efficiency that he can be legitimately expected to discharge the responsibilities of the higher grade. When, for instance, he has not been promoted there is no grievance, for the simple reason that he has not earned something which is sought to be taken away.
Similarly with regard to the other provision, viz., demotion from a higher to a lower grade, I do not think there can be any legitimate grievance in this kind of deduction, for the simple reason that when a man has lost so much efficiency that an employer does not think that he can be retained in the same grade, I think it is justifiable to reduce him because the reduction in salary is also accompanied by reduction of responsibility.
Now coming to clause 5 of the Bill it is a very simple clause. It seems to amend sub-section (7) of section 8. Sub-section (6) of section 8 deals with the question of the time within which the fine imposed by an employer may be recovered. The question that arises is, when does the time run ? Does it run from the date when the offence was committed or does it run from the date when the employer came to know that a certain act or omission was done ? Obviously it is not always possible for an employer to know at the very time when an act was committed that it had been committed ; it often happens that an act is committed and knowledge of it comes to the employer after a very long time. Consequently, it is felt necessary that the point of time from which