PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 1075
lists to them in the same way as they are showing to the others.
Pandit Kunzru: My hon. Friend cannot be such a simpleton as to believe that there is only one political party in the country.
Dr. Ambedkar: The others are speculative perhaps.
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*LEPROSY
1074. Shri Sivan Pillay: Will the Minister of Health be pleased to state :
( a ) whether Government have got accurate statistics regarding persons affected with the disease of leprosy, statewise;
( b ) if so, the State in India which has the highest percentage of the incidence of the disease in relation to population; and
( c ) the steps taken by Government to combat this dreadful disease ?
The Minister of Law (Dr. Ambedkar) : ( a ) and ( b ) As often stated before, no accurate statistics are available.
( c ) The matter is primarily the concern of State Governments. The Government of India have had for some time a plan to establish a Central Leprosy Teaching and Research Institute in the country whose objects it will be to undertake research into the problems relating to leprosy, to promote field studies for the application of the results of research, to train leprosy workers, to give technical advice and guidance for anti-leprosy work and to participate actively in the organisation and development of leprosy institutes in States. Financial stringency alone has kept the scheme from maturing. But voluntary bodies and some of the States are doing good work among sufferers from the disease. Research is also going on.
Shri Sivan Pillay: May I know, whether Government are aware that a Central Leprosy Relief Committee has been formed by Gandhi
*P. D., Vol. 9, Part I, 17th September 1951, p. 1378.