I want to submit to this House that now that we have accepted the principle of second chambers, the only proper function of the Chambers can be to revise what the Lower Chambers have done and to give them expert advice on problems on which they legislate. Therefore, I think Sir, that the Upper Chamber must he composed of the intelligentsia of the provinces. Of course, the representatives of the intelligentsia must also be popularly elected. Therefore, I have provided in my amendment for the election of 15 per cent. of the members by an electoral College comprising of members of the District Boards in the State. Every district Sir, has got a District Board which will now be elected by adult suffrage and in these District Board we shall have the, intelligentsia in the rural parts of our districts, and if they allowed to elect 15 per cent. of’ the members, they will take more interest in their work and they will also also properly represented in the Legislatures. In fact local bodies have to play a big part in the future Swaraj Government and I therefore think that all these local bodies should be allowed to have a say in the legislation which will govern the provinces. I therefore think that representation for the District Boards is very important and should be provided. Then Sir, come the learned professions and the specialists in any branches of learning, and for these there is 15 per cent. representation in my amendment, this means the professors, doctors, engineers, lawyers, and other professions containing learned men who can think how a particular measure will affect the interests of the State will be adequately represented in the upper House. These learned men will be able to contribute their expert and learned advice which will be of help in revising the legislation passed by the Lower House. Then,. Sir, the graduates of universities are given 10 per cent. I think we all realize that today many of the intellectuals in the country are dissatisfied in that the representatives in the legislatures do not generally come from that class and it is important that we should not lose their co-operation.. Therefore, Sir, I think that at least in the Upper Chambers, they should be provided for, so, that they can help us with their learning in revising the Acts passed by the Lower House. Then, Sir, the senates and courts are also given 5 per cent. We do want that universities should make a contribution to our future, legislation and therefore they have been provided for. Then, Sir, the municipal Boards in the States have been given 5 per cent. The Municipalities of the provinces wilt thus have a voice in the State Legislatures and they can put forth their demands and their needs. Then, Sir, 5 per cent. is given to Trade Unions. Here, Sir, I will point out that in our Constitution we have not given any special representation to labour. We know in India they cannot have popular representation in this manner because the numbers of Trade Unions are not concentrated in any particular areas in any of the States. We are therefore not giving any representation to the members of Trade Unions in the Lower House. Probably, except in Bombay, Calcutta, and some such big centres, labour will not have any big influence in the elections. I therefore think that labour should have some representation in the Upper Chamber. I have given the same representation-to the Chambers of Commerce also, so that nobody may complain that we have been partial and they have not been represented. The Assemblies of the States have been given 30 per cent. representation under my Amendment and the remaining ten, per cent, of the members of the Council will be nominated by the Governor so that people who are, specially fitted to help the Council in revising the legislation passed in a hurry in the lower House and revision may Sometimes, legislation is passed, in a hurry in, the Lower House and revision may be necessary. If the people in the Upper House are drawn from all the sections of the State who form the intelligentsia, they will be in a position to discharge their duties satisfactorily, Therefore I suggest that instead of leaving this lacuna of not providing the Constitution of the upper chambers in the Constitution the existence of, which Dr. Ambedkar himself has, admitted, these provisions, may be made in the Constitution regarding the composition of the, Upper Houses. I hope this amendment will be acceptable to the House.
