constituent assembly of india debates (proceedings)- volume vii

deals with the question of franchise.
(b) Provincial Representation. - As regards the number of representatives of the Hill Districts in the
provincial legislature, we are of the view that if the principle of weight age is recognised for any
community, the case of the hill people should receive appropriate consideration in that respect. Though
we do not propose that there should be any weight-- age for the hill people as a principle, we are clear
that the number of representatives for each of the Hill Districts should not be less in proportion to the
total number than the ratio of the population of the district to the total population even though this may,
in some cases, mean a slightly weighted representation in practice. In the draft provincial constitution we
find that it is provided that the scale of representation in the provincial Assembly is not to exceed one
representative for every lakh of the population. On this basis, the Hill Districts would, according to the
minimum recommended by us, obtain representation as follows: -
Khasi & Jaintia Hills No Population
Garo Hills 2 105,463
Mikir Hills 3 223,569
Naga Hills 2 149,746
Lushai Hills 2 189,641
North Cachar Hills 2 152,786
1 37,361
TOTAL 12 858,566
It will be seen if the total population of the Hills is taken, the number of representatives for all the
Hills will be somewhat in excess of the number which would be arrived at on the basis of one
representative for each lakh of the population. We are not only of the view that in the special
circumstances of the Hills, representatives as recommended by us is necessary to provide proper
representation but that the excess should not be adjusted to the detriment of the rest of Assam out of
the total number admissible under Section 19(2) of the Draft Provincial Constitution. We have provided
accordingly that in reckoning the number of representatives for the rest of Assam, the population and
the number of representatives for the rest of Assam, the population and the number of representatives
of the Hills shall not be taken into account. We contemplate that the Khasi and Jaintia Hills should
include the Municipality and Cantonment of Shilling which is at present a general constituency. This will
be an exception to the provision barring non-tribals from election in the Hill constituencies.
(c) Federal Legislature. - The total population of the Hill Districts given above clearly justifies a seat
for the Hill Tribes in the Federal Legislature on the scale proposed in Section 13(c) of the Draft Union
Constitution.
(d) Joint Electorate. - The Hill Districts have this simple feature, that their populations are almost
entirely tribal. In the Khasi and Jaintia Hills (a pocket of Mikir excepted) in the Garo Hills, the Mikir Hills
(some Rengma and Kuki excepted) the population is uniform. In the Naga Hills, among the different
tribes like the Angami, Ao, Sema, there is now the beginning of a feeling of unity. The Naga Hills District
has a population of 1.85 lakhs and is likely to get two representatives at least which might enable the
allocation of one each to the two main centres of Kohima and Mokokehung. In the North Cachar Hills the
position is less satisfactory but in all these areas we consider that the electorate should be joint for all
the tribes and non-tribals residing there. In view of the preponderance of tribal people we consider that
no reservation of seats is necessary and the only condition which we propose is that the constituencies
should not overlap across the boundaries of the district (in the case of North Cachar, the subdivision).
(e) Non-Tribals Barred. - We have considered the question of non-tribals residing permanently in the
hills. Some of these have been in residence for more than one generation and may well claim the right to