PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 739
Shri Sidhva: Sir, these local advisory committees are permanent committees elected by the Railway Standing Committee. Therefore, I would like to know whether every year amendments like this will have to be brought into remove the disqualification ? Will it not be better to consider this matter in greater detail and devise some proposition under which this annual performance may not be necessary ?
Mr. Deputy Speaker : As the hon. Member will see, this relates to the sitting Members. The year 1951-1952 has already started and to remove the disqualification from the whole period, the date has to be extended to 31st March 1952.
Dr. Pattabhi: But we are sitting in April, 1952 also.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: If it is not extended, Members who have agreed to serve on committees would be obliged to resign straightaway. Therefore the period is being extended to 31st of March 1952. We are in the middle of the year 1951-52 and therefore, this amendment is necessary. As to whether this amendment should be effected now or hereafter, it is for the Law Minister and the House to consider and decide. We are not bringing in a legislation to remove disqualifications under various categories.
Shri Sidhva : Sir, what you state is perfectly correct. But these Advisory Committees are very important bodies. My point is—and I may add that I am not a member of an Advisory Committee—my point is, as Members of Parliament we are interested in the carriage of passengers and goods by the railways and just because as a member of the committee a person draws an allowance of Rs. 30 or so, he should not be debarred from being a Member of Parliament. In this matter the Railway Finance Committee and the Advisory Committee have to be consulted. So this question of changing the date from March, 1951 to March, 1952 may also be postponed and considered along with the other provisions of the Bill when the Bill comes next to us.
Dr. Pattabhi: Why not say “during the tenure of the present Parliament.” ?