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Poona Pact 1932 (Transcript)

The Poona Pact, agreed upon on September 24, 1932, outlines the representation of the Depressed Classes in Indian legislatures, reserving a total of 148 seats across various provinces. It establishes a system of joint electorates and primary elections for these reserved seats, with provisions for continued representation until mutually agreed otherwise. Additionally, the Pact emphasizes the need for educational facilities and fair representation in public services for the Depressed Classes.

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27 views1 page

Poona Pact 1932 (Transcript)

The Poona Pact, agreed upon on September 24, 1932, outlines the representation of the Depressed Classes in Indian legislatures, reserving a total of 148 seats across various provinces. It establishes a system of joint electorates and primary elections for these reserved seats, with provisions for continued representation until mutually agreed otherwise. Additionally, the Pact emphasizes the need for educational facilities and fair representation in public services for the Depressed Classes.

Uploaded by

Krishna Gautam
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© © All Rights Reserved
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10/2/23, 4:39 PM Poona Pact

Poona Pact
Poona Pact, Agreed to by Leaders of Caste-Hindus and of Dalits, at Poona on 24-
9-1932

The following is the text of the agreement arrived at between leaders acting on
behalf of the Depressed Classes and of the rest of the community, regarding the
representation of the Depressed Classes in the legislatures and certain other
matters affecting their welfare

1. There shall be seats reserved for the Depressed Classes out of general
electorate seats in the provincial legislatures as follows: -

Madras 30; Bombay with Sind 25; Punjab 8; Bihar and Orissa 18; Central
Provinces 20; Assam 7; Bengal 30; United Provinces 20. Total 148. These figures
are based on the Prime Minister's (British) decision.

2. Election to these seats shall be by joint electorates subject, however, to the


following procedure –

All members of the Depressed Classes registered in the general elec- toral roll of
a constituency will form an electoral college which will elect a panel of tour
candidates belonging to the Deparessed Classes for each of such reserved seats
by the method of the single vote and four persons getting the highest number of
votes in such primary elections shall be the candidates for election by the general
electorate.

3. The representation of the Depressed Classes in the Central Legislature shall


likewise be on the principle of joint electorates and reserved seats by the method
of primary election in the manner provided for in clause above for their
representation in the provincial legislatures.

CENTRAL LEGISLATURE

4. In the Central Legislature 18 per cent of the seats allotted to the general
electorate for British India in the said legislature shall he reserved for the
Depressed Classes.

5. The system of primary election to a panel of candidates for election to the


Central and Provincial Legislatures as i herein-before mentioned shall come to an
end after the first ten years, unless terminated sooner by mutual agreement under
the provision of clause 6 below.

6. The system of representation of Depressed Classes by reserved seats in the


Provincial and Central Legislatures as provided for in clauses (1) and (4) shall
continue until determined otherwise by mutual agreement between the
communities concerned in this settlement.

7. The Franchise for the Central and Provincial Legislatures of the Depressed
Classes shall be as indicated, in the Lothian Committee Report.

8. There shall be no disabilities attached to any one on the ground of his being a
member of the Depressed Classes in regard to any election to local bodies or
appointment to the public services. Every endeavour shall be made to secure a
fair representation of the Depressed Classes in these respects, subject to such
educational qualifications as may be laid down for appointment to the Public
Services.

(Adult franchise but reservation has been provided for Dalits on population basis,
till 1960),

9. In every province out of the educational grant an adequate sum shall be ear-
marked for providing educational facilities to the members of Depressed Classes,

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