PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 429
With regard to the Scheduled Tribes, we have selected Manipur and Vindhya Pradesh. There again, it does not seem that the reservation of seats to the Scheduled Tribes would cause any injustice to the general population. Manipur has got two seats. It is proposed in this Bill to reserve one to the Scheduled Tribes as you know the population of Scheduled Tribes in Manipur is very large. Secondly, we propose to give one seat to the Scheduled Tribes in Vindhya Pradesh which has got six seats. The rest of the States will have no representation either for the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes.
Now, I come to the question of the Schedule of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. I might say that in this mater I have really no opinion of my own. These castes have been supplied to us by the Home Department and the Census Commissioner who has made a most recent investigation into the matter.
[S HRIMATI D URGABAI in the Chair ]
I hope that the list that is given in the Bill is an exhaustive one and that no important community which can be included either in the Scheduled Castes or in the Scheduled Tribes has been omitted. If any hon. Member draws my attention to any omission or to any addition of a community which ought not to be there, I have an open mind and I shall certainly consider any suggestion made to me on that account. I do not think that there is anything more that requires explanation. With these words, Madam, I commend my motion to the House.
Mr. Chairman: Motion moved :
“That the Bill further to amend the Representation of the People Act, 1950 be taken into consideration.”
Shri J. R. Kapoor (Uttar Pradesh) : I have listened to the speech just made by the Hon. Law Minister with attention. I have also carefully read the Statement of Objects and Reasons of this Bill, and I have also carefully persued the various clauses of this Bill, But I must confess that I have not been able to appreciate the necessity of this Bill.