The jute tax is such that the Government of Great Britain had to give a statutory recognition to the claim of the principal jute growing province of Bengal to this tax to the extent of 50 per cent. in the Act, but Sir, Otto Niemever went further in his Award and allocated 621/2 per cent. Now, when the Constituent Assembly had been meeting in the earlier stages the Honourable the dent appointed a Committee known as the “Expert Committee of the financial provisions of the Union Constitution.” This Experts Committee which has been referred to by several honourable Members in this House as the Sarker Committee, made certain specific recommendations on this. I have seen views held on this Expert Committee Report in this House in the course of the last two or three days. I have seen some Members swearing by it, quoting some of its recommendations very earnestly in support of any contention that the wanted to be accepted by the House. I have seen it condemned outright by Members for whose judgment we always have a high value. I want to know of these honourable Members why they go on changing their views from day-to-day. It seems to me that the Constituent Assembly has been seized by the philosophy of Heraclitus-a policy of perpetual flux; I-find constant change not only in the views of the Drafting Committee, but also in the opinion of the Members of the House. Before the ink of the report of this Committee is dry we find it almost scrapped. But let me quote one relevant passage from report bearing on this particular question ” It is necessary, however, to compensate the provinces concerned for the loss of revenue, and we recommend that, for a period of ten years or till the export duties on jute and jute-products are abolished, whichever may be earlier fixed sums as set out below be paid to these Governments as compensation every year.
“Provinces ………………………. Amount Rs.
West Bengal …………………………. 100 lakhs.
Assam ………………………….. 15 lakhs.
Bihar ………………………….. 17 lakhs.
Orissa …………………………. 3 lakhs.