Subsidy for the Purchase of
Agricultural Land.- The members of the
Scheduled Castes and Vimukt Jatis are generally labourers. They earn their livelihood by taking land on
lease or batai, which does not yield enough produce for the maintenance of an
average family. Keeping in view the plight of their suffering, the Government
came to their rescue and formulated a scheme to help these classes. Under the
scheme, a subsidy of Rs. 5,000 for the purchase of agricultural land and Rs.
1,000 for the construction of house/well is granted to the deserving landless
persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes. Besides, an amount of Rs. 180 is also
disbursed to each beneficiary as a stamp duty for the registration of land
purchased by him. The scheme was introduced in 1956-57.
The
amount of subsidies granted and the number of beneficiaries, i.e. persons settled
on land under the scheme, in the district during 1970-71 to 174-75, are given
hereunder: -
|
Year |
Amount
disbursed (Rs) |
No of
beneficiaries |
|
1970-71 |
20,000 |
10 |
|
1971-72 |
35,000 |
7 |
|
1972-73 |
20,000 |
4 |
|
1973-74 |
15,000 |
3 |
|
1974-75 |
85,000 |
17 |
(Source: District Welfare Officer, Hoshiarpur)
Drinking
Water Facilities.- The facilities of drinking water were not available in the
residential areas of the depressed classes in most of the villages. Under the Drinking Water Wells scheme, a
subsidy for the sinking of new wells and repair to old ones and installation of
hand-pumps is given, where the facility of drinking water is not available to
the members of the Scheduled Castes.
The
amount of subsidy granted and the number of wells sunk/repairs and hand-pumps
installed in the district, during 1970 to 1974-75, are given below;-
|
Year |
Amount
disbursed as subsidies |
No
of wells sunk/repaired and hand-pumps
in stalled |
|
|
(Rs) |
|
|
1970-71 |
7,000 |
21 |
|
1971-72 |
26,350 |
82 |
|
1972-73 |
56,000 |
96 |
|
1973-74 |
56,000 |
119 |
|
1974-75 |
66,100 |
96 |
(Source: District Welfare Officer, Hoshiarpur)
In order to make more financial assistance available at cheap rates of interest to members of the Scheduled Castes for setting up business, industry and trade, the Punjab Government established the Punjab Scheduled Castes Land Development and Finance Corporation in 1970-71,During 1974-75, an amount of Rs.692856 disbursed to 120 loans by the Corporation in the district.
Construction of Dharamshalas/Chaupals.- This scheme was introduced by the State Government in 1969-70. under the scheme a sum of Rs 7,000 for the construction of a new dharamshalas/Chaupal and Rs. 2000 for the repair of an old Katcha dharamshala is granted as subsidy where these are needed by members of the Scheduled Castes. The aim of the scheme is to provide accommodation to the members of the Scheduled Castes for the solemnization of marriages and conducting social functions. The scheme started functioning in the Hoshiarpur District from 1970-71. the table given below gives the amount disbursed and the number of dharamshalas constructed in the district, during 1970-71 to 1974-75;
|
Year |
Amount disbursed (Rs) |
Number of dharamshalas constructed |
|
1970-71 |
3,23,000 |
61 |
|
1971-72 |
5,85,000 |
115 |
|
1972-73 |
4,99,000 |
93 |
|
1973-74 |
11,41,000 |
212 |
|
1974-75 |
11,20,000 |
189 |
(Source: District Welfare Officer, Hoshiarpur)
Environmental Improvement of
Harijan Bastis .-The Harijan bastis are traditionally located in comparatively
unhealthy areas and they are usually breading ground of flies ,mosquitoes and epidemics.
During the rainy season , it is a problem to pass through them . In order to
improve their living conditions and environmental sanitation, the government
introduced the scheme in 1972-73. under the scheme, grants are given to
Harijans for the pavement of streets and construction of drains and for
improving the stag nant and dirty ponds located within the vicinity of the
bastis. The amount disbursed under the scheme in the district, during 1972-73
to 1974-74, is given below;
|
Year |
Amount disbursed (Rs) |
Number of bastis benefited |
|
1972-73 |
9,00,000 |
61 |
|
1973-74 |
16,05,914 |
115 |
|
1974-75 |
3,70,972 |
93 |
(Source: District Welfare Officer, Hoshiarpur)
Community
Centres.- With a view to eradicating untouchability
and promoting social intercourse, the scheme of Community Centres was
introduced in the State in 1956-57, Community Centres have been started at places which are largely inhabited by the
Scheduled Castes . Punjab, is running 11 community centres in Hoshiarpur
District. Each community centre is manned by a Lady Social Worker and a Lady
Attendant who are usually trained in maternity techniques and as such handle
maternity cases free of charge. In these centres, women are imparted adult and
social education, and are taught cooking first –aid ,home nursing, tailoring,
embroidery, etc. The children are taught cleanliness, sons, games, good
behaviour and good habits.
The
amount disbursed an subsidy and the number of community centres established in
the district, during 1970-71 to 1974-75, are given below: -
|
Year |
Amount
disbursed (Rs) |
Number
of Community Centres established |
|
1970-71 |
2,000 |
1 |
|
1971-72 |
2,000 |
1 |
|
1972-73 |
2,000 |
1 |
|
1973-74 |
2,000 |
1 |
|
1974-75 |
2,000 |
1 |
(Source: District Welfare Officer, Hoshiarpur)
Subsidy for the purchase of pigs.- The scheme was started in1966-67 with a view to
improving and strengthening the lot of weaker sections. Under this scheme, a matching
grant of Rs. 800 was given to each deserving member of the Scheduled Castes for
purchasing at least four pigs and the beneficiary was required to contribute
Rs. 200 for initial feeding and maintenance. The scheme was dropped in 1974-75
The progress made under the scheme in the district, during 1970-71 to 1973-74, was as under:-
|
Year |
Amount disbursed (Rs) |
Number of persons benefited |
|
1970-71 |
5,600 |
7 |
|
1971-72 |
5,600 |
7 |
|
1972-73 |
7,200 |
9 |
|
1973-74 |
5,600 |
7 |
(Source: District Welfare Officer, Hoshiarpur)
Legal Aid.- Due to poor economic condition of members of the Scheduled Castes, they are unable to engage competent lawyers, and hence cannot get prper justice. Therefore, in order to protest their interests in criminal, civil and revenue cases and to safeguard their rights against the landlords and other exploiting classes, this scheme was introduced in 1961-62. the amount disbursed to the Scheduled Castes under the scheme in the district, during 1970-71 to 1974-75, is given below;
|
Year |
Amount disbursed (Rs) |
Number of persons benefited |
|
1970-71 |
60 |
2 |
|
1971-72 |
- |
- |
|
1972-73 |
143 |
3 |
|
1973-74 |
- |
- |
|
1974-75 |
- |
- |
(Source: District Welfare Officer, Hoshiarpur)
Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme.- It is a Centrally-sponsored scheme and is operated by the Education Department. Under this scheme ,scholarships are given to the Scheduled Castes students at the college stage. They are also given benefit under this scheme in the Government technical and professional institutions. These students are also allowed the refund of examination fee, if any, only once for each examination.
Award of Scholarships and Reimbursement of Fees.- The students belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes are awarded scholarships and are reimbursed tuition fees under the State Harijan Welfare Scheme. Scholarships and reimbursement of tuition fee is allowed to all the Scheduled Castes and Backward Class students for 9th,10th and 11th classes at the rate of Rs.10 per month for 1st and 2nd Divisioners and Rs.6 per month to others. The students belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes whose parents income is Rs 6,000 per annum or below derive benefits under this scheme. The Vimukt Jatis students are paid stipend right from the 1st primary class.
Coaching Centre for Competitive Examination.- To ensure proper and adequate representation of the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes candidates in I.A.S, I.P.S.,Allied Services etc. a coaching centre has been set up in the Punjabi Univesity, Patiala , to provide coaching to the candidates appearing in the competitive examinations for the higher posts.
Employment
Cell.- The Punjab Government have set up a
special employment cell in the
Directorate of welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes to assist the
unemployed persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes to get suitable jobs in various departments. No vacancy or post which is
reserved for members of the Scheduled Castes/Backward classes can be filled or
unreserved without obtaining a non- availability certificates from this
Employment Cell. The scheme was introduced in the district on 15th
July, 1975. Upto 31st December,1975,76 unemployed persons were
registered, out of which two were provided with employment.
Hostel for Scheduled Castes Girls.- A hostel for Scheduled Caste girls has been established at Mahalpur in the district where arrangements for free board and lodging for Harijan girl students studying in schools has been made. The scope of this scheme has been extended to collegiate stage as well.1
II Industrial Training Scheme
To train member of Scheduled Castes and Vimukt Jatis
in various engineering and non engineering
trades, the Industrial Training Department, Punjab has started
industrial training centres for
Scheduled Castes at various places in the State, apart from this general
reservation for them in all other technical institutions. The main objective of
this scheme is to increase the earning capacity of the under privileged classes
of society so that their standard of living
can be raised. Under this scheme, stipends at the rate of Rs.45 per mensem are awarded to all the trainees belonging to Scheduled Castes
and Vimukt Jatis and Rs.35 per mensem to the students belonging to Backward Classes.
In the Hoshiarpur District , the training is
given to the Scheduled Castes candidates in the Industrial Training
Centre , Garhshankar.
There is no representative institution of Scheduled
Castes and Backward Classes in the district.
(d) Other Social Welfare Activities
A number of Social
welfare scheme are being run by the Social Welfare Department Punjab,
for providing institutional and non- institutional services to the economically
and socially weaker sections of the Society, of these , the following schemes
may be mentioned.;
Old-Age
Pension Scheme,- It is an important scheme of
the Social Welfare Department, Punjab, which aims at providing social security
to the aged and destitutes in the State
by way of pensions. Under the scheme, aged and infirm destitute persons above
65 years in case of men and above 60 years in case of women, with no means of
livelihood and no earning son, are provided monetary assistance . it was
originally started with effect from January 1,1964 with a meager pension of
Rs.15 per month per head but, with effect from July 1,1968,the rate of pension
was increased to Rs.25 per month per head. Keeping in view the rising prices of
essential commodities and high cost of living vis-a –vis social hazards
attached to the aged persons, the rate of pension was increased from Rs per
month to RS 50 per month per head, from March, 1,1973.
The amount disbursed under the scheme and the number
of beneficiaries in the district, during 1970-71 to 1974-75, are given below;
|
Year |
Amount disbursed (Rs) |
Number of beneficiaries |
|
1970-71 |
3,68,202 |
1,328 |
|
1971-72 |
4,78,475 |
1,595 |
|
1972-73 |
4,97,103 |
1,657 |
|
1973-74 |
10,76,400 |
1,794 |
|
1974-75 |
15,17,738 |
2,674 |
(Source: Director, Social Welfare, Punjab,
Chandigarh)
Financial
Assistance to Widows and Destitute Women.-
This scheme aims at providing socio- economic security to needy widows and
destitute women below the age of 60 years. It was introduced in January,1968,
in the state. The rate of financial assistance under the scheme initially was
Rs20 per month per head but it was increased
to Rs.50 per month per head with effect arch1,1973, in view of the high
cost of living.
The amount disbursed under the scheme and the number
of beneficiaries in the district, during 1970-1971 to 1974-1975, are given
below :
|
Year |
Amount disbursed (Rs) |
Number of beneficiaries |
|
1970-71 |
6,125 |
26 |
|
1971-72 |
11,588 |
54 |
|
1972-73 |
12,636 |
55 |
|
1973-74 |
1,52,632 |
258 |
|
1974-75 |
4,14,120 |
686 |
(Source: Director, Social
Welfare, Punjab, Chandigarh)
Financial
Assistance to Dependent Children,- This scheme
came into force in March 1968, It aims at providing relief to such children
below the age of 16 years, whose parents have either died or have income below
Rs.60 per month. The initial rate of financial assistance of Rs. 20 per month
per child was raised to Rs 60 per month per child with effect from March
1,1974.
The amount disbursed under the scheme and the number of beneficiaries in the district, during 1970-71 to 1974-75 are as under:
|
Year |
Amount disbursed (Rs) |
Number of Beneficiaries |
|
1970-71 |
2,121 |
14 |
|
1971-72 |
3,570 |
25 |
|
1972-73 |
5,059 |
33 |
|
1973-74 |
7,497 |
44 |
|
1974-75 |
15,330 |
59 |
(Source: Director, Social
Welfare, Punjab, Chandigarh)
Besides the above, the Social Welfare Department, Punjab, is running the following institution at Hoshiarpur for the welfare of the destitute and the delinquent boys and the aged and infirm:
1. Certified School, Reception-cum-Observation Home, Hoshiarpur,- With a view to providing institutional service to the destitute and delinquent boys of 8-16 years, the certified School, Reception –cum-Observation Home is functioning at Hoshiarpur , Those children who due to immaturity of years commit some crime, are treated and provided congenial atmosphere for their physical and mental development. In mates are provided free board, lodging, clothing, medical assistance, education and vocational training to help them to become normal and law abiding citizens. A High School, known as Mahila Ashram High School ,which provides regular education to the children is attached to the Certified School.
1.
Home for Aged and Infirm, Hoshiarpur- Old
persons ,above 60 years in the case of women and above 65 years in the case of
men, who need institutional care who
have no source of livelihood and no one
to support them are provide free board,
lodging ,clothing, medical assistance,
recreational and other facilities in this Home. The number of old men or and
women in this Home during 1976 was 55.
(e) Public Trusts, Charitable Endowments and Muslim Wakfs
Public and charitable endowments play a significant
part in the life of the society. They cover almost all aspects of life,
especially social. religious and
educational. Many educational institutions are either started or are materially
assisted in their administration and maintenance with funds donated by
philanthropists.
Lala Chuni Lal Free Hospital Trust Bajwara , is the
only trust worth mentioning which is described below:
Lala
Chuni Lal Free Hospital Trust, Bajwara,- This
trust was founded in 1923 by Lala Mulkh Raj, a resident of Bajwara, in the
memory of his Father Lala Chuni Lal Bhalla. It runs a hospital viz. Lala Chuni
Lal Free Hospital at Bajwara, which provides free medical facilities to the
people. the affairs of the trust are managed by five trustees.
Muslim Wakfs,- Besides, there are 3,538 Muslim Wakfs at different places
in the district, with properties attached to some of them. These
properties were maintained by the
Custodian Department ,Government of India ,upto 1961, when their administration
was entrusted to the Punjab Wakf Board, with headquarters at Ambala Cantt. The
administration of the Waks is regulated
by the Central Waks Act, 1954.
The annual income from the Wakf properties in the district is Rs. 235400. It is spent for the upkeep of these institutions and for charitable purposes. Grants are given to the Muslim schools and annual scholarships are given to the deserving students. Besides monthly aids are given to the poor widows and destitutes . A large amount is also spent for the celebrations of Urs on the important dargahs.
The staff of the Wakf Board, posted in the district, consists of one Aukaf Officer posted at Hoshiarpur and five Rent Controllers (two each at Hoshiarpur and Dasuya and one at Garhshankar) Besides, Imams are employed who look after the welfare and maintenance of the mosques and give religious education to the Muslim children.
The prominent dargah in the district is Dargah Baba Wali Mohammad in the village of Hardothala, tahsil Dasuya.
APPENDIX
Scheduled castes
and Backward Classes inhabiting the Hoshiarpur District
|
SN |
Name of Caste |
Main professions |
|
|
Schedule Caste |
|
|
1 |
Ad Dharmi |
Agricultural labour, shoe-making, flaying of dead animals and leather tanning |
|
2 |
Balmiki, Chura or Bhangi |
Agricultural labour, scavenging and skinning of dead animals |
|
3 |
Bazigar |
Sheep and goat trade and labour |
|
4 |
Chamar,Ramdasi and Ravidasi |
Agricultural labor, shoe-making, leather tanning, household industry, flaying if dead animals etc. |
|
5 |
Dumna, Mahasha or Doom |
Agricultural labour, etc. |
|
6 |
Kabirpathi or Julaha |
Weaving and agruiculture |
|
7 |
Megh |
Weaing and agriculture |
|
8 |
Serera |
Agriculture etc. |
|
9 |
Bhanjras |
Bamboo business and making of chicks |
|
|
Backward
Classes |
|
|
1 |
Chimmba |
Tailoring |
|
2 |
Dhobi |
Washing of clothes |
|
3 |
Jogi |
Labour |
|
4 |
Kahar or Jhiwar |
Labour |
|
5 |
Kumhar |
Pottery and donkey transport |
|
Serial No |
Name of Caste |
Main professions |
|
6 |
Labana |
Agriculture |
|
7 |
Nai or barber |
Barber’s job |
|
8 |
Kamboj |
Agriculture |
|
9 |
Gujjar |
Rearing of goats, cows, buffaloes, agriculture, etc. |
|
10 |
Lohar |
Smithy |
|
11 |
Swarnkar |
Making of ornaments |
|
12 |
Chang or Bahti |
Agriculture, labour etc. |
|
13 |
Christian |
Service |
|
|
Vimukt Jatis |
|
|
1 |
Barar |
Labour |
|
2 |
Sansi |
Labour |
|
3 |
Kuch Bandh |
Making of winnowing basket |
|
(a) |
Representation of
the District in the State and the Union Legislatures |
|
(b) |
|
|
(c) |
|
|
(d) |
(a) Representation of the District in the State and the Union Legislative
Historical
Retrospect.- Prior to the outbreak of the
Mutiny of 1857, there existed no suitable means to ascertain the reaction of
the people to the British rule in India. The Mutiny brought home to the British
Government that the lack of real touch between the rural and the ruled was one
of the principal cause of this Uprising. So in order to secure a close contact between the Government and
the governed through the association of Indians with the legislation, the
Indian Councils Act of 1861 was passed . This Act was a great Constitutional
Landmark which made provisions for the addition of native element to the
legislative Councils. However, the Act failed
to satisfy the aspirations of the
native and their agitation for the substantial reform in the existing
Councils resulted in the passage of the Councils Act of 1892. The Act was a
first approach to the admission of the elective principle in the representation
of Indian unofficial opinion in the Viceroys Legislative Council. It was for
the first time that the principle of election was largely recognized under the Indian Councils Act of 1919,which
was further extended under the Government of India Acts of 1919 and 1935.
Under the Act of 1935, the provinces were furnished with a new Constitutional
status designated as Provincial Autonomy, which implied that the provinces were
to have an independent and autonomous status and full scale responsible
Government of their own
Under he provisions of the Act of 1935, the First
General Elections were held in January, 1937, and the Second and the last in
March, 1946. The election could not be held in between because of the Second
World War (1939-45).
General
Elections Held Under the Constitution of India.-
Under the Government of India Act, 1935, the Universal adult franchise was given limited role to
play. The right to vote was exercised only by 14 per cent of the population
.Apart from this, the communal representation was another feature of the said
Act, The new Constitution has made a clean sweep of the postulate of communal
electorates and has substituted in its place common electorate for all the
citizens of India. Articles 326 of the Constitution provides that the elections to the House of People (Lok Sabha)
and to the Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) of every State shall be on the
basis of universal adult franchise. Every
Indian citizen, who is not less
than 21 years of age, is entitled to vote, if he is not otherwise disqualified
. till 1976, five general election have been held in the Country. The phenomenal success of these elections,
characterized by smooth progress of voting, is a proof of the spirit of the
masses to adjust themselves to democratic way of life.
India, under the Constitution, is a Union of States
and territories. The Constitution lays
down that the members of the Legislative
Assembly (Vidhan Sabha ) of each State shall be chosen by direct election from territorial constituencies in the state. The
Constitution does not specify the
actual number of seats in a particular State Assembly. It is fixed by the Parliament through the Representation of People Act, 1951.
The Punjab State had bicameral Legislature Legislative
Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) and Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad ), but
the latter was abolished in 1969 for
effecting economy in the State
expenditure. The Punjab Legislature is unicameral. Previously, it consisted of
104 members now its strength has been raised to 117. No person is eligible to
be chosen to fill a seat in the Vidhan
Sabha unless he is a citizen of India and not less than 25 years of ages and
possesses such other qualifications as prescribed in the Representation of the
People Act, 1951, and also does not suffer from any of the stipulated
disqualifications.
First
General Election, 1951-52.- The first General
legislative Elections in the Punjab, as in the rest of India, represented a
bold experiment in democracy . these were held in 1951-52. Irrespective of the
literacy rate in the State, the
franchise was thrown open to every adult not suffering from any
disqualifications.
Out of the total population of the Hoshiarpur
District numbering 794393 (1951 Census) 611307 persons were eligible for vote
for the Vidhan Sabha constituencies .
According to the scale of representation laid down for the State , an assembly
seat was allocated to the population of 1,00,079 persons or 46,571 votes. On
this basis, one Parliamentary constituency and 9 Assembly constituencies were
allocated to the district .Two of the Assembly constituencies, viz. Hoshiarpur,
and Garhshankar were declared double- member constituencies and were reserved
for the Scheduled Castes.
There was only one Parliamentary constituency
(double-member) in the district, viz. Hoshiarpur. The total number of electors
in the constituency was 775828 who had 15,51,828 votes. The total number of
votes polled was 799357. Both the successful candidates had affiliation with
the Congress Party. The number of votes polled by the different political
parties was as under:
|
Name of party |
Total No. of votes polled |
Percentage |
|
Congress |
3,62,026 |
45.30 |
|
Scheduled castes federation |
1,23,007 |
15.40 |
|
Communists |
19,215 |
13.70 |
|
Akali Dal |
65,197 |
8.10 |
|
Socialists |
44,005 |
5.50 |
|
Forward Block |
36,710 |
4.60 |
|
1. Report on the First General Legislative Elections in the Punjab State held under the Constitution of India 1951-52 (Simla, 1952), p. 109 |
||
|
Jan Sangh |
35,499 |
4.40 |
|
Independents |
23,698 |
3.00 |
|
Total |
7,99,357 |
100 |
For the Punjab Legislative Assembly, there were 9
constituencies consisting of 11 seats in
the district (two constituencies being double-member),viz. Dasuya, Tanda,
Mukerian, Amb, Una, Anandpur, Balachaur, Garhshankar, (double-member) and
Hoshiarpur (double member). From these constituencies 9 Congress ,one Communist
and one Forward Block candidates were declared elected . The total number of
votes polled by each of the contesting parties is given below:-
|
Name of party |
Total No. of votes
polled |
Percentage |
|
Congress |
1,77,221 |
36.90 |
|
Independents |
1,36,636 |
28.40 |
|
Socialists |
36,848 |
7.70 |
|
Communists |
37,389 |
7.80 |
|
Akali Dal |
31,923 |
6.60 |
|
Jan Sangh |
25,299 |
5.30 |
|
Forward Block |
21,582 |
4.50 |
|
Lal Communists |
13,028 |
2.70 |
|
Depressed Classes League |
681 |
0.10 |
|
Total |
4,80,609 |
100 |
Bye-election
to the Hoshiarpur Constituency for the Punjab Vidhan Sabha,-After the first general
elections in 1951-52, this election was held
on account of the death of the sitting Congress M. L.A. The Congress Party
again won the seat. The total number of electors in the constituency was
99,771, and the number of valid votes polled was 63,644.
1. Ibid.,
pp. 158-168
The total number of valid votes polled by each of the contesting parties was as follows:-
|
Name of party |
Total No. of Valid Votes polled |
Percentage |
|
Congress |
31,413 |
49.35 |
|
Independents |
32,231 |
50.65 |
|
Total |
63,644 |
100 |
(Source: Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, Chandigarh)
Bye-election
to the Anandpur Sahib Constituency for the Punjab Vidhan Sabha.- This bye- election was also held after the first
general elections due to the resignation of the MLA, belonging to the Forward
Block .The Congress Party won the seat. There were only two candidates in the
field. The total number of electors in the constituency was 60,074 and the
total number of valid votes polled was 40,041. the total number of valid votes
polled by each candidates was as follows:-
|
Name of party |
Total No. of Valid Votes polled |
Percentage |
|
Congress |
26,667 |
66.60 |
|
Independents |
13,374 |
33.40 |
|
Total |
40,041 |
100 |
(Source: Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, Chandigarh)
Second
General Election 1957.- These election were attended
to some respects with greater difficulty than the First General Elections,
1951-52, because the area involved was much large due to the merger of
erstwhile Pepsu with the Punjab on November 1,1956. This time the total period
for the poll in the State was reduced appreciably (i.e. February 24 to March
14,1957).The delimitation of constituencies was effected only a few weeks
before the constituencies were called upon to elect and with the result the
consequential arrangements had to be rushed through in minimum time. Instead of
polling in each constituency being spread over a number of days, poll was
completed in only one day, or, in isolated cases, in two days. For the first
time, arrangements were made for polling parties to work in the snowbound regions
of Lahaul and Spiti. The counting of votes was
taken up in each constituency as soon as the polling had been completed,
instead of the polling in the entire State had been completed .
Out of the total population of 794393 (1951Census)
in the district the number of electors
was 651236. In accordance with the
report of the Delimitation Commission, one Lok Sabha constituency and 2 Punjab
Vidhan Sabha constituencies (double-member) were allocated to the district.
There was only Lok Sabha constituency in the district, viz Hoshiarpur from which the Congress candidate was elected. The position of the contesting parties was as under:
|
Name of party |
Total No. of Votes polled |
Percentage |
|
Congress |
1,61,879 |
61.40 |
|
Jan Snagh |
1,01,872 |
38.60 |
|
Total |
2,63,751 |
100 |
Punjab Vidhan Sabha Constituencies 2
For the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, there were 7 constituencies consisting of 10 seats (including 3 seats reserved for Scheduled Castes). The names of these constituencies were; An andpur, Amb, Dasuya, Garhshankar (double-member), Hoshiarpur (double-member),Mukerian (double-member) and Una. From these constituencies, 6 Congress, 2 Communists, and 2 Independent candidates were elected. The total number of electors for these constituencies was 6,51,236 out of which 6,31,482 voted. The number of votes polled by each contesting party is given below :
|
Name of party |
Total No. of Valid Votes polled |
Percentage |
|
Congress |
2,85,979 |
45.30 |
|
Communists |
76,646 |
12.10 |
|
Jan Sangh |
34,933 |
5.50 |
|
Schedule Castes Federation |
92,655 |
14.80 |
|
Praja Socialist Party |
5,378 |
0.80 |
|
Independents |
1,35,891 |
21.50 |
|
Total |
6,31,482 |
100 |
1.
Report on General Elections in Punjab, 1957 (Chandigarh, 1959) p. 91
2.
Ibid pp. 119-120