L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 761
at a Press Conference, the account of which was published in the New Delhi Statesman of January 27th ?
(b) Is he aware that these amendments are interpreted by the Delhi courts to apply retrospectively ?
(c) If the intention of Government was not to give these amendments retrospective effect, do they propose to issue a clarification of their intention, in view of the interpretation placed on them by the Delhi courts ? If not, why not ?
(d) Is he aware that a copy of the Gazette Extraordinary, dated the 24th January, in which these amendments were announced was privately handed over by his office to Mr. Shiva Rao, New Delhi correspondent of the Hindu, at a time when copies were not available to the public, to enable Mr. Shiva Rao to take advantage of it, in case of ejectment which was pending in Delhi civil courts and judgment on which was to be announced on January 25th ?
(e) Is he aware that his Joint Secretary, Mr. Mozumdar, has issued orders that house No. 7 Barakhamba Road in which Mr. Shiva Rao resides as a tenant, should be requisitioned, in case Mr. Shiva Rao was ejected in pursuance of the decree if given in favour of his landlord by the civil court ? If these allegations are correct, does the Honourable Member propose to institute an enquiry in the alleged partiality of the Government servants ?
(f) Is it a fact that Mr. Mozumdar had issued orders that in the event of Mr. shiva Rao being ejected, he should be provided with a three-roomed hutment by Government ? Do Government propose to provide similar facilities to other journal in New Delhi ? If not, why not ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) No such Statement was made by Joint Secretary, Labour Department.
(b) We have no information on the subject.
(c) No. The interpretation of Statutes and Orders is a matter for the courts and not for Government.
(d) No. The allegation is incorrect.
(e) Yes, the order was passed because the house would, in the event mentioned, have fallen vacant and be available for use by Government. There is no question of Government requisitioning it for Mr. Shiva Rao. It is the policy of Government to requisition all available accommodation in Delhi that may fall vacant.