(f) The resolution adopted by the Constituent Assembly is clear enough and Government do not consider it necessary to issue any statement in regard to it at this stage.
Report of Hindu Law Codification Committee
Shri K. Santhanam: Will the Honourable Minister of Law please state –
(a) Whether the Committee on the Codification of Hindu Law has submitted its final report; and
(b) whether and, if so, when it is proposed to introduce the Bill as recommended by the Committee ?
The Honourable Dr. B.R. Ambedkar: (a) Yes
(b) A Government Bill in exactly the same terms as the draft Hindu Code prepared by the Hindu Law Commit- tee was introduced in the last Indian Legislative Assembly on the 11th April 1947. A motion for the continuance of the Bill has also been adopted by this House on the 17th November, 1947.
Misappropriation of income by Hindu charitable and religious trusts
Dr. P.S. Deshmukh: (a) Will the Honourable Minister of Law be pleased to state whether Government are aware of the extent of waste and misappropriation of the income from Hindu Charitable and Religious Trusts?
(b) Do Government propose to consider the advisability of introducing legislation for abolishing all these Trusts so as to utilize the properties for nation-building purposes?
The Honourable Dr. B.R. Ambedkar: (a) No, Sir.
(b) No, Sir. Quite apart from the question whether legislation abolishing all Hindu religious and charitable trusts is necessary or even desirable, such legislation falls within the provincial field under entry 34 of the Provincial Legislative List and the Central Government can- not therefore, initiate the suggested legislation.
Number and names of tribunals appointed by Ministry of Home Affairs
Shri Mohan Lal Saksena: (a) Will the Honourable Minister of Law be pleased to state how many tribunals appointed by the Ministry of Home Affairs are still functioning?
(b) Is it a fact that many of the members of these tribunals now belong to Pakistan?
(c) If so, what is the position of such members and have any substitutes been appointed in their place?
(d) Do Government propose to lay on the table of the House a statement giving the following information:
(i) the names of the different tribunals;
(ii) the number of cases tried as well as of those dis- posed of; and
(iii) the period for which each of the tribunals has worked and the costs incurred by Government in each case?
The Honourable Dr. B.R. Ambedkar: (a) It is presumed that the honourable Member is referring to the Special Tribunals constituted under the Criminal Law Amendment Ordinance, 1943. The number of such Tribunals still functioning is four.
(b) and (c) There were three Special Tribunals with headquarters at Lahore, some members of which now belong to Pakistan. Under the Indian independence (Special Tribunals) Order, 1947, these Tribunals and the cases pending before them were reshuffled and one of the Tribunals was assigned to West Punjab with members belonging to Pakistan and the pending cases relating to Pakistan. The other two Tribunals with members belonging to India and pending cases relating to India were transferred to India and redesignated as the East Punjab and the Bombay Special Tribunals. One new member who is required to complete the composition of the East Punjab Tribunal has already been appointed by the East Punjab Government and the two new members required to complete the Composition of the Bombay special Tribunal are being appointed by the Bombay Government.
Shri M. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar: Sir, how long will the Tribunals take to dispose of the pending cases?
The Honourable Dr. B.R. Ambedkar: I am quite unable to give any definite reply.
(To be continued)
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Writings & Speeches, Vol. 15. (pages 996-999) 1997, Rs. 110. Govt. of Maharashtra. Bombay. The book may be had from Director, Government Printing, Stationery and Publications, Netaji Subhash Road, Bombay – 400 004.
