L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 977
published in the Dawn of the 27th October, 12th November and 19th December, 1945 ? What action has been taken to redress the grievances of the Mussalmans ? If not, why not ?
(b) Is it not a fact that out of the fourteen Superintending Engineers only one is a Muslim ?
(c) Are Government aware that there are three qualified Executive Engineers in the Headquarters who are competent to hold the office of Superintending Engineer?
(d) Are Government aware that persons of less qualifications and standing of other communities have been appointed Superintending Engineers, if so, why were the claims of the Mussalmans ignored ?
(e) Are Government aware that an I. S. E. Muslim Executive Engineer was ignored and the chance of a Superintending Engineer in the Headquarters Office was given to an officer who has risen from the ranks and is to retire very shortly ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) I have seen the articles. The posts in the Central Public Works Department which are subject to the operation of the communal representation rules, are duly filled in accordance with the requirement of those rules. It is, however, not possible to earmark individual posts for officers of a particular community.
(b) Yes.
(c) It is not clear which Executive Engineers the Honourable Member referring to. None of the Executive Engineers of the Central Public Works Department who are posted in Delhi have, however, become due for promotion to the rank of Superintending Engineer.
(d) and (e) The posts of Superintending Engineer are Selection Posts and appointments to these are made purely on the basis of merit. In filling these posts the claims of all eligible Executive Engineers are considered and the officer who is considered to be most suitable is appointed. The case of the I. S. E. Muslim Officer mentioned by the Honourable Member was also duly considered.