Questions and Answers - Page 988

L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 967

386

*** Muslim Administrative Officers** in Central P.W.D.

  1. Mr. Muhammad Rahmat-Ullah : (a) Has the attention of the Honourable the Labour Member been drawn to the article published in the Dawn of the 26th January, 1946, regarding the appointment of a Muslim administrative Officer in the Central P.W. D. ?

(b) Are the facts stated therein regarding his Department correct ?

(c) Is it not a fact that the three Assistants of the Administrative Officer as well as the Financial Adviser are all Hindus ?

(d) Is it not a fact that the Honourable Member is contemplating to appoint a non-Muslim Administrative Officer ? If so, why should the Mussalmans be excluded from this branch of the Central P.W.D. ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Yes.

(b) No.

(c) Yes.

(d) The question of filling the post of Administrative Officer in the Central Public Works Department is still under consideration.

Dr. Sir Zia Uddin Ahmad: How long will it be under consideration, because his attention has been drawn several times ? Will he make the appointment after the Assembly session is over ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : He will be appointed in due course.

Dr. Sir Zia Uddin Ahmad : Why don’t you call a spade a spade ? Why do you not call this a Hindu Labour Department, or rather a Scheduled Caste Department ?

(No answer was given)