102 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
they themselves have recently enacted a law imposing such a penalty and so far as that particular province is concerned, no such legislation is necessary.
With regard to the States in Part C, the position that they have taken is this : that they have no such problem for the moment on hand. Some of them say that there are no such societies existing within their jurisdiction. Others have said that the law which my friend Mr. Sidhva seeks to amend has been very recently introduced within their area in the year
- There are no societies and there is as yet no experience to suggest whether any societies have violated the provisions of the Bill. That is the position as revealed by the replies given by the various States to which this communication was addressed. Some of the other important States such as, for instance, Bombay, U.P. and Madhya Pradesh have not replied. This is a matter placed in the Concurrent List and it is desirable that we should have the reaction of most, or the majority of the States in Part A before the Centre can undertake this legislation.
As I said last time, personally I do not think that any one could really dispute the position taken by my friend Mr. Sidhva that if the provisions of this Bill have to be effective, it is necessary to have some such penalty clause. I agree with him. But my point is this that it is desirable to carry the majority of the States in making this legislation and as they have not as yet replied, personally I would have very much preferred that this Bill was either withdrawn or held back on the assurance that the Centre will grapple with the situation as and when time and circumstances permit.
Shri Sidhva: Sir, in view of the statement made by my friend Dr. Ambedkar that he is personally in favour of this Bill and that as this subject is in the Concurrent List he would like to have the opinion of all the important States, I would like to hold over this Bill. I cannot withdraw the Bill in any case. It is an important Bill. I know what is happening in the various societies. Therefore, I would request you to allow me to keep this Bill alive. I shall not move it now.
Mr. Speaker: If no motion is made this time, it will automatically be kept alive under the rules.