PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 595
Shri Sonavane (Bombay) : I want some explanation as regards the first proviso to sub-clause (3) of clause 31, which says :
“...unless his nomination paper is accompanied by a declaration verified in the prescribed manner that the candidate is a member of the Scheduled Castes or of the Scheduled Tribes for which...”
Dr. Ambedkar : That was discussed.
Shri Sonavane : I want some explanation. As regards the nomination of a Scheduled Caste candidate. I would like to know what would be the procedure of this verification in the case of a reserved seat. It is stated here, “declaration verified in the prescribed manner”. The procedure may be laid down by the rules. As far as I know, the rules will not come before the House in spite of the wish expressed by me. Therefore, we would like to know what would be the procedure for the verification. Otherwise it would be very difficult for us. Suppose, we were asked to go before a magistrate, and sign an affidavit it will take a long time. If it is a simple procedure, say, obtaining a certificate from Dr. Ambedkar, who is a leading Member of the Scheduled Castes, that should be a sufficient and acceptable, that should be a sufficient verification. We should not be asked to go to a tout, wait there, and do all sorts of things. Suppose there is a local J.P. and if he gives a certificate to the effect that a person belongs to the Scheduled Castes, such a certificate may be accepted. At the eleventh hour, a person may choose to send his nomination and contest the elections. If he has to go through all this procedure, it would be very hard for him. Therefore in the interest of the simplification of the procedure. I would request the Hon. Law Minister to see that such an ordinary procedure is followed. If a respectable person of the locality or a Justice of the Peace gives a certificate that should be accepted.
Shri Ramaswamy Naidu (Madras) : In the second proviso to sub-clause (3) of clause 31, the last portion reads as follows :
“.......... unless the nomination paper is accompanied by a declaration verified in the prescribed manner that the candidate is a member of any of the Scheduled Tribes of that district..........”