DRAFT CONSTITUTION 981
Mr. President : I was going to suggest that we add to clause (d) of sub-paragraph (3) in amendment No. 99, after the words “diminish the area of an autonomous district” the words “or exclude any are from an autonomous district.” This would cover all the points.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : That we are quite prepared to do.
Mr. President : I find this difficulty. Most of the Members of the House including myself are not acquainted with the local situation and are therefore not in a position to take any definite line of our own with regard to Assam. We have to be guided by friends from there. Since there is difference in some respects among them, our position becomes very difficult. I would therefore suggest that it would be best to leave the thing to be dealt with by the local Government. The suggestions which I have made will enable the local Government to deal with this matter. I understand that Dr. Ambedkar has no objection to the two suggestions I have made.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : No, Sir. I am prepared to add 10 (2)(d) to the proviso and also add, ‘power to exclude’ in the other case.
Mr. President : I think that will satisfy the Friends from Assam.
- Mr . President : The proposal is different under paragraph 19.
The Honourable Rev. J. J. M. Nichols-Roy : I do not see any reason why you should put under paragraph 19 a matter which is already covered by paragraph 10.
Mr . President : The idea is to put in “sub-clause (d) of sub-paragraph
(2) of paragraph 10”, not the whole of paragraph 10.
The Honourable Rev. J. J. M. Nichols-Roy : What is the use of putting it here in this proviso? It is already there under paragraph 10.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Sub-clause (d) of subparagraph (2) of paragraph 10 covers only trading, not money-lending. That is what is sought to be included.
Mr. President : As regards the question of exclusion, it was in the original draft.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Mr. Nichols-Roy, it is all right. I do not think you stand to lose anything.
The Honourable Rev. J. J. M. Nichols-Roy : I am asking you whether or not you are going to put in the text an amendment to the effect giving power to Governor to exclude any area of an autonomous district.
*CAD, Vol. IX, 7th September 1949, pp. 1075-1076.