120 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
Mr. Deputy Speaker : He has already stated.
Dr. Ambedkar : The changes with regard to Manipur have been made as a result of a conference which was held between the representatives of the Home Department and the Chief Commissioner in Manipur. It was he who suggested that these changes must be made if the Central legislation is to be extended.
Mr. Deputy Speaker : It is a little premature to apply this section to these areas.
Shri Hossain Imam : The age of consent has been reduced.
Mr. Deputy Speaker : Possibly it goes back to the age of consent under the old law, and all these reforms are not sought to be extended to that area.
Clauses 1 to 4 were added to the Bill.
The Schedule was added to the Bill.
The Title and the Enacting Fromula were added to the Bill.
Dr. Ambedkar : I beg to move:
“That the Bill, be passed.”
Mr. Deputy Speaker : Motion moved.
“That the Bill be passed.”
Prof. Ranga (Madras) : I am glad that the Hon. Minister has given us this information that in Parliament they have thought of the device of establishing a Standing Committee to study these things as and when they come up before them and advise Parliament, as a sort of a watchdog on behalf of Parliament. Unfortunately, the Hon. Minister has not given us any assurance that similar efforts would be made in this House. I do request him to take steps at the earliest possible opportunity to see that this Standing Committee does come to be established by our Government.
Dr Ambedkar : I will bear that in mind.
Mr. Deputy Speaker : The question is:
“That the Bill be passed”