508 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE (No. 2) BILL
P RESENTATION OF R EPORT OF S ELECT C OMMITTEE
- The Minister of Law (Dr. Ambedkar): Sir, on behalf of the Chairman of the Select Committee I present the Report of the Select Committee on the Bill to provide for the conduct of elections to the Houses of Parliament and to the House or Houses of the Legislature of each State, the qualifications and disqualifications for membership of those Houses, the corrupt and illegal practices and other offences at or in connection with such elections and the decision of doubts and disputes arising out of or in connection with such elections.
Shri Kamath (Madhya Pradesh) : In regard to this matter may I know whether Government have taken any decision as to how many days will be allotted for the discussion of this very important Bill and when. That will be helpful to members in more ways than one.
The Prime Minister and the Leader of the House (Shri Jawaharlal Nehru): Government considers that this measure should have top priority, so that as soon as the Finance Bill is discussed this Bill should be taken up.
Shri Kamath: How many days will be allotted for its discussion?
Shri Jawaharlal Nehru: I cannot say.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: The hon. Member very often gets into the noose. It is no good saying that it is open to any Member or even the Government to restrict the time allotted for the discussion of a Bill. Let not the House give away its rights and privileges.
*P.D., Vol. 10, Part II, 31st March 1951, p. 5566.