PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 447
Law Minister had said that the criterion of the Scheduled Caste list was untouchability. Therefore, I would like to ask him what he has done to see that all the untouchables are brought on the State as well as the Union lists. He has failed to do his duty towards the untouchables being in authority here, and I would suggest that an earnest effort should be made by him to rectify the mistake before the coming elections.
Now, I would go to another point. The Scheduled Castes in certain States like Ajmer, Bhopal, Cutch and Tripura, who get not more than one seat, would not get any representation at all. I think it would have been wise and advisable for the Law Ministry to have evolved a formula by which the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes could have been given joint representation, going in rotation. As it is, these people, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes would have no representation at all even though they are in substantial number in those States. I would, therefore, request the Hon. Law Minister to evolve a system of joint representation for these people by rotation.
The last point I want to make is that under the Constitution only such of the untouchables or Scheduled Tribes who are listed as such are recognised by the States and the Union and would get the benefits under the Constitution. Such lists have not been prepared by the States of Bilaspur, Coorg and the Andaman and Nicobar. In the absence of such lists of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, those people residing in those States would not get the benefits for their education and upliftment in the services. Therefore, I would request that such a list may be prepared so that these persons may get all the benefits under the Constitution.
Once more I would thank the Government for bringing forward this measure and request the Hon. the Law Minister that the suggestions which I have made are embodied in the Bill.
Pandit Munishwar Datt Upadhyay (Uttar Pradesh) : It is needless to emphasise the fact that this House is very keen to safeguard the interests of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, because our Congress Government, and the