176 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
is intended to benefit them. Now, I first of all do not understand how an extension of one year is going to benefit a British dentist working here who has no intention of becoming a domicile of this country. I cannot understand it. But if my friend persists in making that suggestion, which I think is a very setious allegation against an hon. Member of Government, then it should be his duty when that Member returns, to specifically put the question and ask her reply, whether this was the real motive in bringing forward this particular Bill. I am unable to give any categorical answer; but I may say that I find it extremely difficult to believe that an hon. Member of Government should venture to bring forth such a Bill for no other purpose except the paltry purpose of benefiting one or two European dentists now in this country. It seems to me a most extravagant allegation.
Shri Kamath : I did not say it is the only purpose, it may be one of the purposes.
Mr. Speaker: But still, the suggestion is very uncharitable.
Dr. Ambedkar : On that point also I would like to point out to him, in answer to a question that he asked, namely, to state the present position, that all the States, who were written to in order to find out how much time they would find it necessary to prepare the Register, have replied that they would require not less than one year. And the Bombay Government which may be given the credit of having a more efficient administrative machinery than others, insisted that they should have two years. I think that in itself would suffice to dismiss the suggestion made by my friend Mr. Kamath that this Bill was intended to protect some Britishers in this country.
I do not think that there is any point which has been raised to which I have not adverted in the course of my reply. The Bill, as it is, is a very simple, non-controversial one. It has arisen not because of the fault of the Central Government but because of the other burdens carried on by the Provincial Governments, they could not find the time to bring a particular provision of the Act into operation. I do not know whether we can do nothing else except to help the Provincial Governments to give effect to this piece of legislation and bring the Dentists Act into operation as early as possible.