566 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
5
*** Representation of Scheduled Castes** in the Civil Pioneer Units
Rao Bahadur N. Sivaraj : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state how many battalions of Civil Pioneer Force have been raised in the different Provinces ?
(b) to what extent are the Scheduled Castes represented in the ranks and as officers ?
(c) if the Scheduled Castes are not represented will he please state the reasons therefor ?
(d) what steps do Government propose to take to secure their proper representation ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Twelve units of the Civil Pioneer Force have been sanctioned in the first instance, as under:
Bcngal-3, Madras-2, Bihar-1, Bombay-1, C. P. and Berar-1, N.W.F.P.-1, Orissa-1, Punjab-1, U.P.-1.
Most of these units are still in the process of forming. Seven additional units have recently been sanctioned, as under:
Bengal-3, Bombay-1, C. P.-1, Madras-2.
Recruitment for these has now commenced.
(b) At present Scheduled Castes are represented in the Civil Pioneer Force as under:
Bengal 2 per cent.
Bombay 10.5 percent.
C. P. and Bcrar 26 per cent.
Punjab 32 per cent.
U. P. 20 per cent.
Madras figure not known.
N.W.F.P. All Muhammadans.
These figures are liable to fluctuate as further recruits are enrolled.
At present so far as information goes there is only 1 officer classed as Scheduled Caste.
- Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. III of 1942, 22nd September 1942, pp. 385-86.