PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 101
(13)
SOCIETIES REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL
- Shri Sidhva (Madhya Pradesh) : This is a Bill which I had moved during the last session. The Hon. the Law Minister (Dr. Ambedkar) told me that he would like to take the opnion of the States. I would, therefore, like to know, before I formally move this Bill, as to whether the Opinions of the provinces have been received. If not, I would like to have this Bill confined to the Centrally Administered Areas.
The Minister of Law (Dr. Ambedkar): Sir, in accordance with the promise that I gave when my friend Mr. Sidhva moved his Bill, that in view of the fact that this matter fell under the Concurrent List and according to the Standing Orders of the Government of India, it was necessary to consult the States before undertaking legislation, my Ministry had addressed a letter to the various provinces to ascertain their views with regard to the proposed enactment of a law as proposed by my friend Mr. Sidhva. I am sorry to say that on account of the pre-occupation of the various States, the replies of all of them have not been received as yet. I have received, however, replies from two States in Part A and some of the States in Part C.
With regard to the States in Part A, I have received replies only from Madras and Punjab and I am sorry to say that both of them are opposed to the Centre meeting such a piece of legislation. The Madras Government have said that they themselves have under consideration an exhaustive and comprehensive piece of legislation to deal with the points raised in this particular Bill. The Punjab Government have said that they realised the necessity of having a penalty clause such as the one proposed by Mr. Sidhva, but they say that
*P. D., Vol. 3, Part II, 25th March 1950, pp. 2115-16.