PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 507
Shri J. R. Kapoor: With due respect to you, Sir, I would submit that it is for the Government and for the Cabinet to advise the President in this matter and as such these scheduled castes and tribes will be losing what they were entitled to get with reference to article 335. So far as the Government is concerned, they are bound by the interpretation of the Law Minister.
Mr. Chairman: And can he not change his opinion?
Shri J. R. Kapoor: I do not know whether he will change his opinion or not. But so far I have found that...
Mr. Chairman: Let me point out that at this stage this discussion is quite academical. After all we have accepted a particular provision in the Bill and we are not concerned any further with the definition of a scheduled tribe or scheduled class or other articles so far as this Bill is concerned.
Shri J. R. Kapoor : Therefore, it is that I say I am only sounding a note of warning here.
Shri Jnani Ram (Bihar) : The time for filing objections to the electoral rolls has expired on the 31st of March last. But in view of the amendments now made will the scheduled castes people be entitled to file objections even after this date?
Dr. Ambedkar : That question does not arise because a person is registered as a voter irrespective of the fact whether he is a member of the scheduled castes or not.
Shri Jnani Ram: Does it not arise when a candidate happens to be a member of a scheduled caste or scheduled tribe ?
Dr. Ambedkar : That question will arise on the date of nomination.
Mr. Chairman : The question is:
“ That the Bill, as amended be passed.
The motion was adopted.