পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (প্রথম খণ্ড).pdf/৩৮৭

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বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ প্রথম খণ্ড
৩৬২

 You are aware that the tax on agricultural income is a provincial matter but this has also not been mentioned in the report. Therefore, I suggest that taxes on agricultural income, duty in respect of succession to agricultural land, estates duty in respect of agricultural land, taxes on lands and buildings, taxes on the consumption of electricity, taxes on the sale or purchase of goods other than newspapers, taxes on goods and passengers carried by road or inland waterways, taxes on vehicles whether mechanically propelled or not suitable for use on roads including tram-cars, taxes on animals and goats should be mentioned in List No. II, otherwise it would be impossible for the Provinces to raise any fund to carry on their administrative duties. This is indeed a very important matter to be considered

 Prof. Raj Kumar Chakraverty (East Bengal: General): .......... Sir, there has been great joy and beating of drums over the latest formula regarding this representation of the two wings of Pakistan. No doubt, the Honorable the Prime Minister has done it with the best intentions, but I am afraid. Sir, he has failed to see the seed of mischief inherent in his proposal which is merely a patch-work. I do not think the members of the Muslim League party in coming to this settlement have shown sufficient vision or sufficient foresight or sufficient democratic spirit which was expected of them. They have failed to grasp that the future parties in this country and this legislature will be not on provincial considerations but on economic programme and ideological back- ground. This formula, which is unnatural and merely artificial, indicates suspicion and mistrust between the two wings of Pakistan as indicated by a previous.speaker, Mr. Dhirendra Nath Dutta. Our future generations might forget the present provincial feelings but when the Constitution is going to put down in black and white this parity formula, saying that “this is the Eastern Wing and this is the Western Wing, these are the checks and balances of each other", I am afraid. Sir, these provincial feelings will be revived in the people and the future generations on account of our putting down these “checks and balances." Rather than discouraging these provincial feelings, I am afraid, Sir, this will encourage provincial feelings. Therefore, Sir, there is nothing to be overjoyed on this formula.

 As regards the co-existence of the two Houses with equal powers, my friend has already pointed out that it is most undemocratic. The combined wisdom of 300 persons who will be elected directly on adult franchise and who will enjoy a fuller confidence of the general public and the masses should never be overridden by 50 persons coming by indirect election in the Upper House. That is very undemocratic. It should be realized that many of these 50 persons are likely to be men with long purses, and vested interests. They are likely to be, as it has been the history in many other countries, mere clogs on the wheels of legislation. They may very often bring about deadlocks on account of their natural predilections. If this House would like to abolish zamindari system in the West Wing of Pakistan, I am afraid, it will not be possible to do so, because of these 50 representatives in the Upper House if they happen to be capitalists, will never be abolished from the soil of Pakistan on account of these fossils with vested interests adorning the seats in the Upper House of the Centre. And I am afraid, Sir, all progressive legislation will be held up.

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