द इण्डियन स्ट्रगल / भारतीय स्वाधीनता संग्राम (नेताजी सुभाष चन्द्र बोस - ऐतिहासिक विश्लेषण)

352 THE INDIAN STRUGGLE which he is in the habit of resorting, whenever there is a political slump in the country. With regard to the elections to the Indian Legislative Assembly, the latest report (dated November 24th, 1934) goes to show that the official Congress Party has captured 43 seats, the Congress Nationalist Party 8 seats and others ap- proximately 46. Among the 46 non-descripts, at least 10 are expected to be close upon sixty in a house of approximately 145 members. The Report of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Indian Constitutional Reforms contains no surprises for one who is familiar with the contents of the White Paper. The Report is approved by a large majority of 31 members of the Committee. The Labour members of the Committee have submitted an alternative scheme which is much more liberal than the majority report. On the other hand, Lord Salisbury and four other members have submitted, and the report concedes only provincial autonomy and opposes responsible Government at the centre. The majority report has whittled down still further the already inadequate proposals of the White Paper with a view to placating the Die-hard opposition in Parliament. In view of the whittling down, it is widely believed that when the Government of India Bill is introduced on the basis of the report of the Joint Committee, it will have the support of an overwhelming majority in the House of Commons. The following are some of the important points on which the Joint Committee modify the White Paper proposals :- I. Additional provisions are recommended in relation to 'Law and Order' as follows :- (i) The consent of the Governor, given in his dis- cretion, should be required to any legislation affecting Police Acts and to any rules made there- under affecting the organisation or discipline of the Police. (ii) Records of the Intelligence Department relating to terrorism should not be disclosed outside the Police Force except to such public officers as the Governor may direct.

APPENDIX 353 (iii) For the purpose of combating terrorism, the Governor should have the power to take under his own control any branch of Government which it is necessary to use for that purpose. 2. Ministers and Secretaries to Government would be required to bring to the notice of the Governor anything that is likely to involve his 'special respon- sibilities.' 3. Upper Chambers should be established in Madras and Bombay as well as in Bengal, United Provinces and Bihar. 4. Election to the Federal Lower House should be indirect, by the members of the Provincial Lower Houses, instead of direct by voters in territorial constituencies. 5. If less than 90 per cent. of the State adhere to the Federation, additional States representatives should be appointed to the Federal Legislature to the extent of half the difference between the seats to which the Federating States would ordinarily be entitled and the full State's representation if all the States acceded. 6. The High Courts should have control over the pro- motions and postings of subordinate Judges, and the Governor should have the final word in the appoint- ment of District Judges. 7. The Governor-General should have a special responsi- bility to prevent the imposition of penal tariffs on goods imported from the United Kingdom. 8. The Legislatures in India, should after ten years, have the constitutional right to present Addresses, for the consideration of His Majesty's Government and Parliament, recommending amendment of the Con- stitution on certain specified matters such as compo- sition of the Legislatures and franchise. 9. The separation of Burma from India should be accom- panied by a Trade Agreement between the two countries binding for a specified time. As far as it can be ascertained, public opinion in India is exceedingly hostile to the Joint Committee's Report. Never- theless, the Bill, based on the Report, is expected to be put through the British Parliament before the end of 1935.