[Letter to Mr Minoo Masani]

Summary

This single-page letter, dated January 6, 1970, was written by R. N. Singh Deo, Chief Minister of Orissa State, to M. R. Masani, President of the Swatantra Party. Singh Deo responds to Masani’s January 2 letter concerning the Constitution (Amendment) Bill to continue reserved seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Singh Deo states that the Bill must be ratified before January 26 to serve a useful purpose. He notes that Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes constitute 40 per cent of Orissa’s population and announces that the state government will convene a special session of the Assembly before that deadline. The page records an administrative and constitutional appeal for timely legislative action, rather than a broader argument about reservation policy.

Key points

• The letter is dated January 6, 1970, and issued from Bhubaneswar on Orissa State Chief Minister’s letterhead.
• R. N. Singh Deo acknowledges M. R. Masani’s January 2 letter about the Constitution (Amendment) Bill.
• The Bill concerns continuation of reserved seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
• The sender says ratification before January 26 is necessary for the Bill to have a useful purpose.
• The letter states that Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 40 per cent of Orissa’s population.
• The Chief Minister announces a special session of the Orissa Assembly before January 26.