Title: Article 67
Volume: Volume VII (4th November 1948 to 8th January
1949)
Date: 03/01/1949
Participants: Shri L. Krishnaswami
Bharathi, Prof. K. T. Shah, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Shri Lokanath Misra, Vice-President
(Dr. H. C. Mukherjee), Mr. Nazirudin Ahmad, Sardar Hukum Singh, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Pandit Hirday Nath Kunzru, Shri
Shibban Lall Saksena, Shri Lokanath Misra, Shri Lakshminarayan Sahu, Prof. K.
T. Shah, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Shri Lokanath Misra, Mr. Nazirudin Ahmad, Prof. K.
T. Shah, Mr. Mohd. Tahir, Sahib Bahdur Mahboob Ali Baig, Mr. Mahavir Tyagi, Mr.
Nazirudin Ahmad, Vice-President (Dr. H. C. Mukherjee), Srijut Rohini Kumar
Chaudhury, Mr. R. K. Sidhwa, Mr. Mahavir Tyagi, Mr. Mohammed Ismail Sahib, Pandit
Hirday Nath Kunzru, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Vice-President (Dr. H. C. Mukherjee)
Constituent Assembly OF INDIA Debates (Proceedings) -
Volume VII
Monday, the 3rd, January 1949.
The Constituent Assembly of India met in the Constitution Hall, New Delhi, at
Ten of the Clock, Mr. Vice-President (Dr. H. C. Mookherjee) in the Chair.
---------------
DRAFT CONSTITUTION-(Contd.)
Article 66
Mr. Vice-President (Dr. H. C. Mookherjee) : Before we begin the work of the
House, I am sure that honourable Members will agree with me if I ask them to
stand for a minute in silence to show our gratitude to the Source of all life,
and the Source of all energy whom we all worship in our different ways, that at
last there has been this cease-fire arrangement at Kashmir.
(The Assembly stood for a minute in silence.)
Thank you all.
We shall begin our work today by taking by taking up article 66 which has to be
passed before we can pass on to article 67.
The motion before the House is:
“That article 66 form part of the Constitution.”
Amendment No. 1353 to this article, standing in the name of Mr. Naziruddin
Ahmad is disallowed as it is not substantive.
Nos. 1354, 1335 and 1358 are of similar import and No.1355 may be moved. It
stands in the name of Shri Brajeshwar Prasad.
(Amendments Nos. 1354 and 1355 were not moved.)
No. 1358 may be moved, standing in the names of Shri Lokanath Misra and Shri
Mohan Lal Gautam.
Shri Lokanath Misra (Orissa : General) : Sir, I beg to move :
“That in article 66 the words ‘and two Houses to be known respectively as the
Council of States’ be deleted.”
If this amendment is accepted, the article would read like this:--
“There shall be a Parliament for the Union which shall consist of the President
and the House of the People.”
The effect will be that there will be no second Chamber to be called the
Council of States.
Sir, I beg to submit that I am not against second Chambers on principle. But in
the present temper of our people, and in view of the manner of the constitution
of the second Chamber as has been envisaged in the Draft Constitution, I do not
think there is any real need for the second Chamber, nor do I think that it
will serve any useful purpose. Sir, so far as I have studied the Constitution
and the constitutional precedents, it is now admitted almost on all hands that
second Chambers are out of date. The only argument that is generally advanced
in favour of such a chamber is that it will have a sobering effect on the
decisions of the Lower House which is more representative of the people and
that the people are now restive. I therefore submit that unless the manner of
the Constitution of this second Chamber is changed and we are in a position to
accept something which will be purely Indian based on Indian culture of deep,
all-pervasive view and on Indian sentiment and temperament based and nurtured
on our traditions which alone can have a sobering influence, the creation of an
Upper House by itself will have no influence on the House of the People. But
this is not to be and therefore I do not think there is a real need for the
second Chamber. Its creation will only result in so much waste of public money
and so much waste of time. I therefore submit that if the House is not prepared
to change the Constitution of the second Chamber as proposed in the Draft
Constitution, it will be much better for us to do away with the second Chamber
altogether. I am glad that my own province of Orissa has already decided
against a second Chamber and we are going to have only one Chamber. I do not
think that without a second Chamber the country will be any the poorer for it,
as now we stand.
Mr. Vice-President : Amendments Nos. 1356 and 1359 are of similar import.
Begum Aizaz Rasul may move amendment No.1356.
Begum Aizaz Rasul (United Provinces : Muslim) : Sir, I beg to move:
“That in article 66, for the words “There shall be a Parliament for the Union
which’, the words ‘The Legislature of the Union shall be called the Indian
National Congress and’ be substituted.”
The Article will then read:
“The Legislature of the Union shall be called the Indian National Congress and
shall consist of a President and two Houses to be known respectively as the
Council of States and the House of the People.”
Sir, my object in moving this amendment is that the word ‘Parliament’ may be
substituted by a name which will convey to the people of India and to the world
the name of the party that instituted the struggle for the freedom of the
country. If the words ‘Indian National Congress’ are substituted for the word ‘Parliament’,
the participation of the Congress in the national struggle will be permanently
commemorated. This will also save the Congress from degenerating in course of
time as all political parties are bound to do. It will liberate the Indian
people from the glamour of the Congress and make it possible for them to
exercise their vote democratically for otherwise the name of the Congress will
unduly influence their emotions. This is more necessary because the Congress in
the past was a movement rather than a party. It represented the Nation’s urge
to freedom and attracted people to suffering and sacrifice. Today, with its
transformation into a party, it may become a happy hunting ground for political
adventurers and successful black-marketeers.
The word ‘Congress’ is not new. It is used for the American Parliament and if
adopted for India will certainly convey to the world the ideals and principles
for which the Indian National Congress stands for. I therefore think that it is
in the fitness of things that in this Constitution of India, the words ‘National
Congress’ should be substituted for the word ‘Parliament’. I hope that this
suggestion of mine will receive the attention and sympathy it deserves. With
these few words I move my amendment.
Mr. Vice-President : Now, in List I of the VI Week, amendment No. 1
standing in the name of Shri R. K. Sidhwa seeks to amend the amendment just
moved. Mr. Sidhwa may move it. I see that Mr. Sidhwa is not in the House. The
amendment is therefore not moved.
Prof. Shah’s amendment comes next. Before I ask Prof. Shah to move I would like
to know from Mr. Lari whether he wants amendment No. 1359 to be put to vote. I
see that Mr. Lari is not in the House. Prof. Shah may now move amendment No.
1357.
Prof. K. T. Shah (Bihar : General) : Mr. Vice-President, I beg to move:
“That in article 66, the words ‘The President and’ be deleted.”
The amended article would then read:
“There shall be a Parliament for the Union which shall consist of two Houses to
be known respectively as the Council of States and the House of the People.”
Sir, in presenting this amendment to the House I want to bring to its notice
the fact that the clause as it stands is merely an imitation, and, in my
opinion, an unnecessary imitation, of the British system where the king still
forms an integral part of the entire Governmental machinery, the entire
Constitution, and particularly of the Parliament. All the laws are made by “the
King’s Most Excellent Majesty, with the advice and consent of the two Houses”.
Justice is administered in the name of the king. The Post Office functions in
the name of His Majesty. The army, the navy, all defence forces, all civil
services are in the service of His Majesty.
That, however, is a state of affairs, which is not quite suited to, and should
not be imitated in, this country’s Constitution. The King-in-Parliament is not
only a traditional institution; but has some solid constitutional foundation to
rest on, such as, for instance, the large margin of Prerogative powers which
the king exercises. No doubt, he exercises those powers on the advice of His
Ministers, but they still reside in the King only.
In the case of the President in India, on the other hand, it is I think, a very
misleading analogy to make him the Indian counterpart of the King in England.
The comparison is, therefore, very misleading to make the President an integral
part of the Legislative organ of the Indian Union.
The President would not only not have the Prerogative authority in all respects
that the King has; it is in my view, the basic idea of this Constitution,
unless I have grievously misunderstood it, that the President would be only a
figurehead, who will act everywhere and every time only with the advice of his
Ministers and with the advice of his Ministers alone. By himself he will be
nothing but the ornamental head of the State.
If this conception of the President’s place in our Constitution is correct, and
1 see noting in the Constitution to contravene that view, then I submit that
the inclusion of the President in article 66, making him an integral part of
the parliamentary machinery, is utterly out of place; and as such it should be
avoided.
This Constitution, Sir, is not like the British Constitution growing up from
age to age, from generation to generation, from century to century. It is a
Constitution which has been made by the authority of the King making one
concession after another, surrendering one prerogative after another foregoing
one power after another or consenting to use it only on the advice of his
Minister. It is by the authority, and in the name of the people of India that
the Parliament of India will function; and, as such, the President, even though
the people’s chosen representative, need not be--and should not be,--associated
with the legislature as an integral part thereof.
I think a blind imitation of this kind of the British convention or British
constitutional practice, carried to this extent, will only land us in difficulty.
For the theory on which the British Constitution is formed is utterly different
from that on which ours is based. The British Constitution is very largely
based on convention and tradition. Large portions of these conventions are
still unwritten and uncertified, leaving an indefinite margin for adoptation to
circumstances. And those which have been written and codified are only the
various legislative enactments of Parliament, which, however, themselves are
founded only on accepted traditions, conventions or precedents.
In our case, on the other hand, we are writing this Constitution for the first
time by our own efforts. As such for us to associate the President with our
Parliament, in the same manner as the King is associated with the British Parliament
is, I submit, utterly out of place.
I suggest, therefore, that these words should be deleted. Lest anybody should
feel that this, again, arises out of my old idea and amendment about the
separation of powers between the chief executive, the chief legislature, and
the chief judiciary, let me assure you that that is no longer my submission
now; and that that idea in no way affects this amendment now before the House. “The
President” can very well be removed from this clause, without in any way infringing
upon the doctrine of combined powers or collective responsibility on which this
Draft Constitution is based. Accordingly I trust that this amendment will
commend itself to the House.
(Amendments Nos. 1360, 1361, 1362, 1363 and 1364 were not
moved.)
Mr. Vice-President : The article is now open for general discussion.
Shri M. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar (Madras : General): I am sorry, Sir, that I
have to oppose all the amendments that have been moved. The amendments relate
to three aspects. Number one and the most important of them seeks to restrict
the scope of this article to the House of the People alone. That is, the mover
of this amendment does not want an Upper House. Sir, it is common knowledge
that in this country so far as we are concerned, there is so much enthusiasm
and if for no other reason, we must find opportunity for various people to take
part in politics. Therefore it is necessary that we should have another House
where the genius of the people may have full play. The second reason is that
whatever hasty legislation is passed by the lower House may be checkmated by
the go-slow movement of the Upper House. The third reason is that the Upper
House is a permanent body, while the Lower House is not. These are some of the
reasons why, constituted as we are at present, it is necessary that in the
interests of the progress of this country we should have a second House.
Then, Sir, so far as the name is concerned, there has been a suggestion that
has been moved by my honourable Friend, Begum Aizaz Rasul and there is a
similar amendment also standing in the name of Mr. Lari. Both of them want the
name of the Parliament to be changed into the Indian National Congress. I
appreciate their motives. It is the Congress which fought for the freedom of
this country and therefore these friends who sympathise with the Congress,
though they are not participants in this organisation, recommend that the name
of this organisation should be associated with the name of the Parliament of
the Union. However, laudable this may be, if it is accepted, it would lead to
the accusation that a one-party government has been established in this
country. The very same friends might say, “Look at what is happening. The
Congress, the fighting organisation, has established a one-party rule in the
country. It has even lent its name to the Parliament of the Union”. If this
suggestion is accepted, it may even prove to be the death-knell of the
Congress, for it would no longer be able to function as a political party, to fight
its way against the various reactionary political parties which are still
raising their heads, mostly based on community and religion. Therefore, Sir,
this is not at all acceptable.
Then, as regards the amendment moved by my honourable Friend, Prof. K. T. Shah,
that the word ‘President’ should be removed and ought not to be associated in
any shape or form with the administration of the country. I would ask him to
refer to article 42 which has already been passed and where it is laid down
that the executive power of the Union shall be vested in the President of the
Republic to be exercised by him in accordance with the Constitution and the
law. The President has been made a very important functionary in the whole
scheme of things, and in the Constitution he is the chief executive authority.
Executive power is co-extensive with legislative power. Therefore it is not
mere copying of the United Kingdom practice, but independently also we have to
come to the same conclusion. Therefore it is necessary that the word ‘President’
should be retained. Otherwise, there will be a lacuna.
I submit, Sir, for the consideration of the House that the article as it stands
may be accepted and that all the amendments should be rejected.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (Bombay : General): I do not accept any
of the amendments nor do I think that any reply is called for.
Mr. Vice-President : I shall now put the amendments one by one to vote.
Amendment No. 1358. The question is:
“That in article 66, the words ‘and two Houses to be known respectively as the
Council of States’ be deleted.”
The amendment was negatived.
Mr. Vice-President : Amendment No. 1356. The question is:
“That in article 66 for the words “There shall be a Parliament for the Union
which’ the words ‘The Legislature of the Union shall be called the Indian
National Congress and’ be substituted.”
The amendment was negatived.
Mr. Vice-President : Amendment No. 1357. The question is:
“That in article 66, the words ‘The President and’ be deleted.”
The amendment was nagatived.
Mr. Vice-President : The question is:
“That article 66 stand part of the Constitution.”
The motion was adopted.
Article 66 was added to the Constitution.
Article 67
Mr. Vice-President : We next come to article 67. The motion is:
“That article 67 form part of the Constitution.”
Shri L. Krishnaswami Bharathi (Madras : General): Mr. Vice-President, I
have an humble suggestion to make in the matter of producer when we deal with
this article. You will be pleased to see that this article relates to the
composition of the Houses of Parliament, the two Houses, namely, the Council of
States and the House of the People. It contains nine clauses, and I would
suggest that in the interest of clarity of discussion, this article may be
split up into three parts: one relating to the composition of the Council of
States-clauses (1) to (4); clauses (5) to (7) relate to the composition of the
House of the People: clauses (8) and (9) are consequential, relating to both
the Houses, regarding the census and the effect on the enumeration of the
census.
I talked this matter over with Dr. Ambedkar and he himself said that he had
marked it like that in his book, and that he proposed to make certain changes
of transposition during the third reading. It may not be therefore quite
possible straight way to split it at present, but I would request you to have
all the amendments to the Council of States, clauses (1) to (4), taken together
and discussions may be concentrated regarding them first, and the article may
be kept open for amendments. After the discussion is over, you may put the
whole clause together. All this I suggest in the interest of clarity so that
when honourable Members deal with the Council of States they may confine their
discussion on it and later on they may concentrate their discussion on the part
of the article relating to the House of the People.
Mr. Vice-President : Have you anything to say, Dr. Ambedkar, regarding this
matter, namely, the suggestion of Mr. Bharathi?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I am quite agreeable to the suggestion
for the purpose of facilitating discussion.
Mr. Vice-President : Then we can take up the amendments in their particular
order.
The first amendment is No. 1365. It is negative and is therefore disallowed.
Amendments Nos. 1366, 1367, 1379 and 1408 may be considered together.
Amendment No. 1366 may now be moved. It is in the name of Shri Mohan Lal Gautam.
Since he is not in the House, we pass over it.
The next amendment is No. 1367, in the name of Shri Lokanath Misra.
Shri Lokanath Misra : Since we have passed over amendment No. 1366, I do
not want to move my amendment. It does not fit in now.
Shri M. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar : The question does not arise !
Mr. Vice-President : The next amendment is in the name of Prof. K. T.
Shah--No. 1379.
Prof. K. T. Shah : Sir, I beg to move:
“That clause (2) of article 67 be deleted.”
Clause (2) reads as follows:
“The members to be nominated by the President under sub-clause (a) of clause
(1) of this article shall consist of persons having special knowledge or
practical experience in respect of such matters as the following, namely,--
(a)
literature, art, science and education;
(b)
agriculture, fisheries and allied subjects;
(c)
engineering and architecture;
(d)
public administration and social services.”
As the clause stands, Sir, it offends in my eye for two reasons. First of all,
the element of nomination introduced here, however small, militates against the
symmetry of the Constitution of our Legislative bodies. And it fundamentally
mars the principle of election. I hold that with regard to both these chambers,
in the way we are making this Constitution, the Legislative organ should be
wholly elected and so the element of nomination should be completely excluded,
however small it may be. Its being brought in, in this way, only affects, as I
have said, the internal symmetry of the Legislative bodies. It must therefore,
be avoided and excluded.
The second reason why I should not like this clause as it stands to be there in
the Constitution is: that the various interests or elements selected by
nomination are arranged in a somewhat mixed manner. It is not quite consistent
intrinsically, logical or scientific.
For instance, “art” is mentioned separately and “science” is distinct--which it
may very well be: “Engineering” and “architecture” are
mentioned separately in another sub-clause. Now it is generally agreed that “architecture”
is one of the fine Arts; and if that is so, I, for one, fail to see the reason
of its separate mention, after you have mentioned the generic term “Art”.
Moreover, “science, literature and education”--are mentioned each separately by
name. These are, once more not logically divided one from another. There,
again, I really fail to understand what should be the purpose of this separate
enumeration. For, consider this. If by “education” it is intended to include
both “Art and Science”, through, let us say, such institutions as the Universities,
I do not see why they should not be mentioned by their names as universities,
and why they should be specifically stated, each apart from the other as Arts,
Sciences, or Literature.
Literature again is usually included, at least in the University
terminology, in the Fine Arts or in the Faculty of Arts. Accordingly to mention
Literature, Science and Arts separately seems to be utterly incongruous,
illogical and overlapping........
Shri L. Krishnaswami Bharathi : May I submit that there is an amendment to
be moved by Dr. Ambedkar? It is No. 1380. It deletes all these portions, and
includes only Arts and Sciences with Social Service. If the honourable Member
bears in mind that it is likely to be accepted, the discussion need not be
concentrated on this matter. He may be pleased to see amendment No. 1380,
wherein Dr. Ambedkar is to move the deletion of the whole clause and substitute
only the four categories. So I may request you to ask the honourable Member to
cut short the discussion.
Mr. Vice-President : Have you been able to understand the honourable
Member?
Prof. K. T. Shah : I have quite understood the honourable Member’s suggestion,
but have certain points to advance, which I may, if I am allowed to, though I
do not insist on it. I have seen Dr. Ambedkar’s amendment; and I not only think
that it is probably going to be accepted, but I know that it is certain to be
accepted. Still I feel that there are points of view which this House might be
freely allowed to hear, without such impatient attempts to smoother discussion.
But if you do not wish it, I will not press my view.
Mr. Vice-President : Please go on.
Prof. K. T. Shah : Thank you, Sir. Take “Engineering”. It is much more “Technology”
or what used to be called in the United States Technocracy, which might be
mentioned instead of Engineering. It would include much more than” Engineering”.
As it stands, it creates a needless anomaly.
Take
yet another illustration, Social Services, which do not include public
utilities presumably: and then again “Public administration”. I for one do not
understand what is meant by “Public Administration,” in this connection of composing
a legislative body. Is it intended to bring in the Civil Service? By common
consent it is thought best to keep the Civil Service out of politics. Is it
intended by “Public Administration” to bring in heads of departments, or their
nominees? The old Indian Constitution gave a place to secretaries; but I think
there is no room for them in the legislature now. Or does “Social Service” mean
something different from “Education”, because Education has been separately
mentioned already? One would have thought that social service, among the most
important of which is Education, would be represented through all the
categories in the ordinary system of election, and would not need a special
mention by itself. But if you must make special mention of it, then I do not
see why you single out only Education. You use a general word like “Social
Service”; and yet include only that, presumably because you mention it
separately, and leave out “Health” which may also be mentioned separately.
Accordingly it seems to me that this classification is not quite logical. It
also offends against the principle, at least in my eyes, of the symmetry of the
legislative body, by including in it the element of nomination. For these two
main reasons I think the whole clause should be deleted, and substituted by
something different which Dr. Ambedkar’s amendment no doubt provides for to
some extent; but does not provide for in the manner that I would have wished it
to. As I would not have any right to speak on this amendment again, or take
part in the general debate, I think it is just as well that the House should be
put in possession of my point of view on the matter.
Mr. Vice-President : You may also move amendment No. 1408.
Prof. K. T. Shah : Sir, I beg to move:
“That Clause (4) of Article 67 be deleted.”
Clause (4) of article 67 reads “the representatives of the States for the time being
specified in Part II of the First Schedule in the Council of States shall be
chosen in such manner as Parliament may by law prescribe”.
Here, again, I take my ground on the principle of equality amongst the
constituent States. Whatever may be the variety or the differences amongst
themselves, in regard to area, population, resources, or whatever other
criterion you select for judging of the importance of the several States, so
far, at any rate, as you accept the principle of a Federal Union, you ought to
make the States equal inter se.
On that basis I do not quite subscribe to the view propounded in clause (4) of
the article, whereby it is left to Parliament to distribute the seats amongst
the States, and not provided for in the Constitution itself. I have tabled
another amendment which would suggest that the states should be represented
equally in the Council of States, that is by the same number of delegates that
any other State may have. On that ground also this clause seems to be
superfluous, and I move that it be deleted.
(Amendments Nos. 1368 and 1372 were
not moved.)
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Sir, I move:
“That for clause (1) of article 67, the following be substituted:
‘(1)
The Council of States shall consist of not more than two hundred and fifty
members of whom--
(a)
twelve members shall be nominated by the President in the manner provided in
clause (2) of this article; and
(b)
the remainder shall be representatives of the States.’ “
The only important thing is that the number fifteen has been brought down to
twelve.
Mr. Vice-President : There are six amendments to this amendment which I am
calling out one by one. The first is amendment No. 2 on list No. 1 (Sixth Week)
in the name of Mr. L. N. Misra.
Shri Lokanath Misra : Sir, I beg to move:
“That in amendment No. 1369 of the List of Amendments, in the proposed Clause
(1) of article 67, for the word ‘two’ the word ‘one’ be substituted.”
It comes to this that the council of State shall consist of not more than one
hundred and fifty Members. In moving this amendment reducing the number to one
hundred and fifty I have only one intention and it is this, that from our
actual experience we find that such a huge number of people either in the House
of the People or in the Council of States does not serve any very useful
purpose. And we know that there is real difficulty in finding out so many
Members who will be qualified and quite interested in such law-making. We see
from the proceedings of this very House which consists of more than three
hundred Members that so few of us take real part in and are really useful to
constitution making.
Mr. Vice-President : That is a reflection I can not allow.
Shri Lokanath Misra : I am sorry, Sir. It is no reflection. I therefore
submit that instead of having two hundred and fifty Members it will serve the
purpose of the second Chamber if we have one hundred and fifty Members. In that
case there will be a saving of money and time. I therefore submit again that
the number two hundred and fifty may be reduced to one hundred and fifty.
Mr. Vice-President : Amendment No. 3 of List I, standing in the name of Mr.
L. N. Sahu may be moved.
Shri Lakshminarayan Sahu (Orissa : General) : (Began to speak in Hindi).
Mr. Vice-President : I wish only to make a request to the honourable
Member. Many of our Members coming from South India do not know Hindi. Probably
if he wants to convince them it would be better if he speaks in English. But he
is at perfect liberty to speak in any language he wants.
Shri Lakshminarayan Sahu : No, Sir. I will speak in Hindi.
Mr. Vice-President : *[I rise to speak a few words in support of the
amendment which stands in my name and is now before the House. It is:
“That in amendment No. 1369 of the List of Amendments, sub-clause (a) of clause
(1) of article 67 be deleted.”
My reason for moving it is that we do not favour the system of nomination. The
truth is that under no condition and in no place do we approve of it.
Therefore, when we are framing our Constitution afresh we must consider very
seriously whether we should do away with this system or not. My submission is
that nomination in whatever place or form it may be--and I may add that
indirect election is also a form of nomination--should be abolished.
I submit that we should consider with all earnestness the grounds, if any,
which justify the original provision for fifteen nominated members of as
amended now, for twelve nominated members. We should think why this provision
for nominated members is made. Is it because they are so highly talented as to
make us desire their presence as members in the said House? If that be so we
can get such people from Universities--through election. I fail to understand
what prevents this being done. My submission is that we should make some
provision for the election of such talented persons who fail to get elected to
the Legislature from the general constituencies. Unless we keep this in view,
the Constitution that we are framing would not be to the liking of the
majority. If we authorise the President to nominate these twelve members, he
will always be accused of favouritism by quite a good number of people. People
will complain that instead of nominating the right and able persons the
President has nominated his own favourites. I am afraid that the danger of the
President being subjected to unfair criticism would always be there. It is
evident that it is the most undesirable thing that the Leader of our Nation,
the Supreme Head of our Republic should thus be an object of unfair criticism.
I would, therefore, submit Sir, that the provision for nomination be deleted
and in its place Functional Representation be provided. It is said by some
people that Functional Representation has been tried and found seriously
defective in Ireland. But I submit, Sir, that it is bound to succeed if it is
tried along with Panel System. I do not think that I need say much against the
system of nominations, but in this connection I may draw your attention to the
fact that till recently, we members of the Assemblies and Councils in India used
to go to one person--Mahatma Gandhi--for advice and used to manage our affairs
in the light of his advice. Even if there be any person who is as really great
as Mahatma Gandhi was, and for bringing in whom this system of nomination is
being provided for and who is not willing to come in through elections, well we
can go to him and have his advice. If there be any person of great learning or
scholarship who may be unwilling to contest election, well, for myself I can
say that I would feel no hesitation in going to him for seeking his advice. We
used to go to Mahatma Gandhi for his advice. Similarly, if any able and
competent person does not seek election, we may go to him and have his advice.
We may constitute a board of such meritorious and learned persons to aid and
advise us. The system of advisory board does exist in Russia. We may constitute
an advisory board for every minister. Instead of doing what I have already
suggested, if we authorise the President to nominate twelve persons, bitter
allegations of favouritism and nepotism will be levelled against him and that
would not be desirable. Therefore, I propose, Sir, that the provision of
nomination should be totally deleted. With these words I resume my seat.]*
Mr. Naziruddin Ahmad (West Bengal : Muslim) : I do not wish to move
Amendment No. 5 of List I (Sixth week), because it is merely verbal. I
therefore, confine myself to Amendment No. 4.
Sir, I beg to move:
“That in amendment No. 1369 of the List of Amendments, in sub-clause (a) of the
proposed clause (1) of article 67, for the words ‘twelve members’ the words ‘not
more than 6 per cent of the total number of members of the House’ be
substituted.”
Shri S. V. Krishnamurthi Rao (Mysore): I suggest that this may be ruled out
of order as the number originally fixed is 15 and the total number is 250. Six
per cent will be again 15.
Mr. Naziruddin Ahmad : It would not be fifteen. I submit, Sir, that the
original clause of article 67 was to the effect that the Council of States
shall consist of 250 members. By the amendment moved by Dr. Ambedkar it now
stands as not more than 250 members.
Mr. Vice-President : He says he seeks to fix the maximum; therefore, it is
slightly different. You need not labour the point. He may go on.
Mr. Naziruddin Ahmad : In the new clause you make the House one of not more
than 250 members. Therefore, by Dr. Ambedkar’s amendment, the number of members
in the Council of States would fluctuate. It may be less; it will never exceed
250. The number of nominated members should bear a proportion to the actual
number of members in the House. This number should also fluctuate in
proportion. I have, therefore, suggested 6 per cent which would be 15 only if
the maximum number of members in the House is taken. Otherwise, if the number
of members is less, the number of nominated members would also be less. They
should, I submit, bear some relation to each other. In fact if the number be
reduced to twelve, an arbitrary figure, that would bear no relation to the actual
number. The actual number in the House may be considerably less. So, I think,
Sir, a proportion of 6 per cent of the total membership of the House would be
more convenient and more logical.
[Amendment No. 6 in List I (Sixth Week) was not moved].
Pandit Hirday Nath Kunzru (United Provinces : General) : Mr.
Vice-President, Sir, it has just been suggested to me that it would be better
if instead of moving my amendment now, I move it as an amendment to Amendment
No. 1378, which is to be moved by Dr. Ambedkar. It is all the same to me, Sir,
when I move this amendment. If you agree to the view that I have expressed, I
can move this amendment a little later.
Mr. Vice-President : Yes; I agree.
I have admitted a short notice amendment standing in the name of Sardar Hukam Singh. It may be moved
now.
Sardar Hukam Singh (East Punjab :
Sikh) : Mr. Vice-President, Sir, I beg to move:
“That in
amendment No. 1369 of the List of Amendments, in sub-clause (a) of the proposed
clause (1) of article 67, for the words ‘in the manner provided’, the words ‘from
amongst the categories of persons illustrated’ be substituted”.
Sir, it might
be thought that this is a very small affair; but I have to submit and I request
that some attention might be paid to this, because I think there is some force
in my amendment.
Amendment
No. 1369 says that twelve members shall be nominated by the President in the
manner provided in clause (2) of this article. According to this amendment, we
should expect that some manner, which means method or mode of doing things,
will be laid down in clause (2) of this article. But, when we look to this
clause, there is no method or mode provided; no manner is provided there. What
we find is that the members to be nominated by the President under sub-clause
(a) of clause (1) of this article shall consist of persons having special
knowledge or practical experience in such matters as the following. Therefore,
no manner or method is provided by this clause (2). Rather, there is a class of
persons or categories of citizens and these categories or classes are
illustrative, they are not exhaustive. They are described here as the
categories from amongst whom the President shall nominate twelve members that
are proposed to be selected under clause (1). My objection is that instead of
putting in these words that these twelve shall be nominated by the President in
the manner, it ought to be, from amongst the categories of persons illustrated
in clause (2). This is the only amendment and I request that some attention
might be paid to this.
(Amendments No. 1370
was not moved.)
Mr. Vice-President : There are three amendments which may be considered
together. amendments numbers 1371, 1373 and 1374. Of these, the first seems to
be the most comprehensive and may be moved.
(Amendments Nos. 1371, 1373 and 1374 were not moved.)
Amendments Nos. 1375 and 1376. Amendment No. 1375 may be moved. Amendment No.
1376 is identical with amendment No.1375. So, I am not going to put it to vote.
Amendment No.1375, Dr. Ambedkar.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Mr. Vice-president, Sir, I beg to move:
“That the proviso to clause (1) of article 67 be deleted.”
With your permission, Sir, may I also move amendment No. 1378? It is in
substitution of this proviso.
Mr. Vice-President : Yes.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Sir, I beg to move:
“That the following new clause be added after clause (1) of article 67:
‘(1a)
The allocation of seats to representatives of the States in the Council of
States shall be in accordance with the provisions in that behalf contained in
Schedule III-B.’ “
Mr. Vice-President : The amendment of Pandit Kunzru may now be taken up. It
is amendment No. 7.
Pandit Hirday Nath Kunzru : Mr. Vice-President, Sir, I beg to move:
“That to clause (1a) of article 67 as now moved, the following words be added:
‘Provided
that the ratio of the total number of representatives of the States for the
time being specified in Part III of the First Schedule to their total
population shall not exceed the ratio of the total number of representatives of
the States for the time being specified in Parts I and II of that Schedule to
the total population of such States.’ “
Sir, the proviso to clause (1) of article 67, the deletion of which has been
moved by Dr. Ambedkar, runs as follows:
“Provided that the total number of representatives of the States for the time
being specified in Part III of the first Schedule shall not exceed forty per
cent of this remainder.”
that is, forty per cent of the elected members of the Council of States. It has
now been proposed by Dr. Ambedkar that as many seats in the Council of State
should be allocated to the States specified in Part III of the First Schedule
as may be laid down in Schedule III-B. We have not got this Schedule before us.
We do not therefore know what proportion the representatives of the States
mentioned in Part III of the First Schedule will bear to the representatives of
the States included in Part I of the First Schedule.
Sir,
during the Round Table Conference, the Rulers of the States insisted that they
should be given greater representation both in the Assembly and in the Council
of State than their population warranted. In other words, they asked for
weightage in both the Houses of the Central legislature and it was therefore
laid down in the Government of India Act, 1935, that the representatives of the
States shall be forty per cent of the total representatives in the Council of
State whether elected or nominated and that in the Assembly, the number of
representatives of the States should be one-third of the total number of
elected representatives. The Union Powers Committee recommended that the
proportion of the representatives of the States mentioned in Part III of the
First Schedule should be 40 percent of the total number of elected
representatives in the Council of States. In other words, in this respect
it approved of the provision contained in the Government of India Act, 1935,
but it departed from that Act in regard to the representation of the States in
the Legislative Assembly. The Draft Constitution follows the recommendations of
the Union Powers Committee which were accepted by the House last year. Dr. Ambedkar
has now moved that no percentage should be fixed for the representatives of the
States specified in Part III of the First Schedule but that the seats allocated
to the States should be as laid down in a schedule to be attached to the Draft
Constitution. Now, Sir, when the Government of India Act, 1935, was passed by
the British Parliament, the situation was very different from what it is now.
The States were then not prepared to join the Federation except at a price.
Apart from this, it suited the British Government to give weightage to the
States. In the new order, however, the position of the States formerly known as
the Indian States, has completely changed. Their representatives in this House
themselves want that their position should be assimilated to that of the
provinces. There is no reason therefore why the weightage given to the States
in the Government of India Act, 1935, should be continued any longer.
Sir, I have already said that the Draft Constitution, so far as the
representation of the States in the House of the People goes, has not adopted
the provision relating to this matter in the Government of India Act, 1935. If
honourable Members will turn to clause (5) of article 67, they will find that
the proviso to sub-clause (b) of this clause lays down that the ratio of the
total number of representatives of the States for the time being specified in
Part III of the First Schedule to their total population shall not be in excess
of the ratio of the total number of representatives of the States for the time
being specified in Parts I and II of that Schedule to the total population of
such States. The Draft Constitution insists that the States shall be
represented in the House of the People in accordance with their population.
What I want is that in the Council of States the representation of the States
specified in Part III of the First Schedule should also be fixed in accordance
with the same principle. Sir, I may be told that as the Upper Chamber will be
known as the Council of States, it means that the number of the representatives
of the States specified in Parts III and Parts I and II cannot be fixed in
accordance with their total population. If such an objection were put forward,
I should regard it as purely superficial. Had I said that in the proviso to
sub-clause (b) of clause (1) of article 67 for the word 40, the figure 25 or 30
should be substituted, no such objection could have been brought forward. I
seek however to achieve the same purpose in a different way. My amendment cannot
really therefore be objected to, on the ground that it would go against the
principle that seems to underlie the composition of the Council of States.
Again, Sir, if honourable Members turn to clause (8) of article 67, they will
find that it has been laid down there that “upon the completion of each census
the representation of the several States in the Council of States and of the
several territorial constituencies in the House of the People shall, subject to
the provisions of article 289 of this Constitution, be readjusted by such
authority, in such manner and with effect from such date as Parliament may, by
law, determine.” This shows that population is to be taken into account in
determining representation not merely in the House of the People but also in
the Council of States. My amendment is thus in complete accord with the
provisions of Clause (8).
Sir, I have moved this amendment because notwithstanding the new proposal made
by Dr. Ambedkar it is not clear that the representatives allotted to the States
specified in Part III of the First Schedule will not be 40 per cent of the
total number of elected members of the Council of States or in excess of what
their population entitles them to. It is true that it is not going to be laid
down in so many words in the Constitution that the representatives of the
States in Part III of the First Schedule should bear a fixed proportion to the
total number of elected members in the Council of States but the allocation of
the seats may be such as to bring this about in practice. I want to prevent
this and to ensure that as between the States specified in Parts III and Parts
I and II of the First Schedule, seats should be divided in accordance with
their population. We have already done away not merely with separate
representation in this Draft Constitution but also with weight age. If we have
done away with weightage in the case of the various communities, there is no
reason why we should retain it in connection with the representation of the
States mentioned in Part III of the First Schedule.
For these reasons, Sir, I hope that my amendment will commend itself to my
honourable Friend Dr. Ambedkar and therefore to the whole House.
Mr. Vice-President : Amendment No. 9 in List I, standing in the name of
Prof. Saksena.
Prof. Shibban Lal Saksena (United Provinces : General) : Sir, I beg to move
my amendment which is:
“That in amendment No. 1378 of the List of Amendments, for the proposed clause
(1a) of article 67, the following be substituted:
‘(1a)
The allocation of seats to representatives of the States in the Council of
States shall be based on the following principles:
(i)
one representative for every million population up to the first seven million
population in each State in Schedule I, provided that no State shall have less
than one representative in the Council of States,
(ii)
one representative for every two million population after the first seven
millions.’ “
Sir,
I had, along with this amendment, given a chart showing the numbers of seats to
be given to each of the States, and I do not know why it is missing here. In
fact, when we were discussing the Report of the Constitution Committee, we had
laid down that the maximum number of representatives from any province shall be
twenty, and we laid down the numbers for each Province. The system then
envisaged was not scientific or logical. I think that the numbers should be
laid down on the basis of population up to a limit and that is why I have laid
down the limit of one representative for every million up to seven millions,
and after that, one representative for every two millions of the population. In
this way, we can see to it that the bigger States have lesser numbers of
representatives and the smaller States shall get a little weightage which we
want to give them. That will be more scientific. Otherwise, it may be that the
U. P. will have twenty seats, and Bihar also twenty. If the chart I referred
to, and had been here, it would have made the position clearer, by showing what
is the number of seats I would allot for each State. Sir, I submit the method I
suggest is the proper method of distributing the seats and I request that it
may be accepted by the House.
Mr. Vice-President : Amendment No. 10 of List I, standing in the name of
Shri Phool Singh.
(Amendment No. 10 of List I was not moved.)
Amendment No. 11 of List I, standing in the name of Shri Lokanath Misra.
Shri Lokanath Misra : Sir, I beg to move:
“That in amendment No. 1378 of the List of amendments, in the proposed clause
(1a) of article 67, for the words ‘in accordance with the provisions in that
behalf contained in Schedule III-B’ the words ‘on the basis of equal
representation to each of the component States, the number of which
representation shall in no case be more than three’ be substituted.”
Sir, the idea I have in my mind, when I move this amendment to the amendment
moved by Dr. Ambedkar is this. Since the Council of States is going to
represent the States, it is but fair to the States units that these units
should be dealt with as units and every unit is equally represented. Otherwise,
there is no sense in saying that the States shall be represented in the Council
of States. In fact, in the United States of America and in other countries
where there are second chambers, representing the interests of the States, the
representation given to these units is always the same. We also know that the
elected members of our Council of States will be returned by the Lower House of
the State Assemblies, and if we say that the election will be in some other
form, either in proportion to their population or on some other basis and yet
people with the same qualification, the Council of States will serve no real
purpose, except a purpose of unnecessary duplication of the House of the
People. In fact, the House of the People itself will be representative of the
people of the States themselves, because the States will be sending in either
representatives to the House of the People on almost the same basis. Therefore,
if we do not accept this principle, that of taking every State as an equal
unit, and sending in their representatives to safeguard or protect their
special interests, there is no sense or meaning in having a Second Chamber to
represent the States. Though we have Schedule III-B, the position, I feel,
should be made clearer that the Council of States will be representative of the
State interests, and therefore the States, as States, and as autonomous units,
must be equally represented. On this ground, I suggest that the allocation of seats
to the representatives of the State in the Council of States should be on the
basis of equal representation to each of the component States, the number of
which representation shall in no case be more than three. Why I fix upon the
figure three is this. I feel that if three members come from every State, that
will be sufficient to safeguard the special interests of the States, and their
problems. After all, this is to be a sobering House, a reviewing House, a House
standing for quality and the members will be exercising their right to be heard
on the merits of what they say, for their sobriety and knowledge of special
problems; quantity, that is, their number, is not of much moment, and I think
three is just sufficient for the purpose.
Mr. Vice-President : Amendment No. 12 in List I, standing in the name of
Shri Lakshminarayan Sahu.
Shri Lakshminarayan Sahu : *[Mr. Vice-President, my amendment runs thus:
“That in amendment No. 1378 of the List of Amendments after the proposed clause
(1a) of article 67, the following new clause (1b) be inserted:
‘(1b)
Steps should be taken to see that, as far as possible, men from different units
are represented.’ “
The reason why I move this amendment is that in view of my previous proposal to
delete clause 1(a) of article 67 it is necessary that a proviso be made that
every member of the Council of States should come there only as a
representative of some state. It is because of this that by this amendment I
have sought to include a proviso so that representatives from each unit may be
able to get into the Council of States. No mention has been made there of the
number of representatives from each province and each unit and therefore, we do
not have any idea as to the composition of the Council of States, I, therefore,
entirely endorse the amendment moved by Pandit Hirday Nath Kunzru. The
amendment moved by Shri Shibban Lal Saksena is, as I understand it, also
intended to secure representatives in the Council of States for every State.
But I find that there are three categories of States. It would be better if we
could put all of them in a uniform pattern. It is quite possible that the small
states which are neglected now-a-days and are unrepresented may later on desire
to have representation in the Council of States. But there are many such small
States as will have no opportunity of securing any seat in the Council of
States in the ordinary course of things. It is for this reason that I am moving
this amendment. I need not add anything further.]*
Prof. K. T. Shah : Sir, I beg to move:
“That the proviso to clause (1) of article 67 be deleted and the following new
clause be added after clause (1):
‘(1a)
Parliament may by law establish a Consultative Council of Representatives of
Agriculture (25), Industry (15), Commerce (10), Mining, forestry and
Engineering (10), Public Utilities (5), Social Services (5), Economists (5), to
advise Parliament and the Council of Ministers on all matters of policy
affecting Agriculture, Industry, Commerce, Mining, Forestry, Engineering,
Public Utilities and Social Services; and prepare or scrutinise proposals for
legislation concerning any of these items.
Explanation.--The number given in
the brackets after each group is the total number of representatives from each
section.
Members
of this Council shall have, individually or collectively no administrative or
executive duties, functions or responsibilities. Every member of this Council
shall be paid such salaries, emoluments or allowances as Parliament may from
time to time provide.’ “
Sir, this is an innovation, not borrowed, I can assure the honourable Chairman
of the Drafting Committee, from any of the present Constitutions. Some thing
similar to this was to be found in the now defunct Weimar Constitution of
Germany; but even that precedent has been radically modified.
The suggestion here is three-fold : It is an advisory Council, consisting of
certain special interests elected by organisations in those interests, like
agriculture, forestry, mining, engineering, trade, industry, social services
and so on.
Dr. Jivraj N. Mehta (Baroda) : May I know why Members of the Medical
profession have been left out of the amendment?
Prof. K. T. Shah : I would be very willing to accept an amendment to
that effect provided you choose to move it. It is an oversight on my part, for
which I personally apologise to you. My amendment, however, does not mention
either the learned profession of law or the members of the Clerical Order. If
the House desires to rectify the omission I have no objection. But I would like
to make it clear that it is not so much any profession that is sought to be
represented, as the various interests, or the various items in which the country
as a whole is interested, and not the exclusive interest, in an economic sense,
of those bodies.
Sir, this will be an advisory council which will have no executive or
administrative functions according to the amendment I have tabled. It would
advise in all matters on legislative proposals that may be coming up before
Parliament, or which Parliament may direct them to scrutinise.
Sir, legislation is now-a-days becoming so extremely complex, so varied, and so
numerous,--if I may speak individually or severally of the Acts passed by
Legislatures now-a-days, that an average member of Parliament would find it
extremely difficult to make up his mind, or even to understand the special
provisions couched in technical language that grow up or that have to be
sanctioned by Parliament.
It is becoming more and more a fine art, not merely in drafting the legislative
proposals, which by itself is an extremely complicated task; but also in laying
out the various items and satisfying the various interests that have to be
provided for. It is even now a convention generally established and commonly
followed, whereby the various interests not directly represented in Parliament
can put forward their case before the Departments and make their own
alternative proposal. Whether it is Insurance Legislation or Labour Legislation
or Banking, or Shipping, or Trade marks legislation, those concerned see to it
that their case is placed before the authorities. The Minister in charge of
such legislation generally hears them before the final draft is made. If the
Minister concerned does not so consult the interests concerned, then the Select
Committee on the Bill sometimes hears representatives or representations from
the interests concerned, before the legislation is passed by Parliament.
On this basis, I think it would be of the utmost benefit to have this
consultation, not only to the interests concerned, but also to the proper
co-ordination of the particular pieces of legislation with the rest of the
social economic framework under which the country is to live. It does happen
that, when individual items of legislation come up, only those concerned or
interested specially, directly or personally, take any intelligent interest in
the various clauses as well as in the general principle underlying; while the
rest of the House,--by far the large majority,--remains relatively indifferent.
Whether by the guidance of the Party organization, or by personal loyalties,
votes are cast not so much by the provisions and their implications understood
properly, but by influences of the kind I have just mentioned.
It is, therefore, not in the interests of proper legislation that we should
have a body of laymen--and popular representatives are bound to be laymen only
in the majority of cases in law-making that come up before Parliament--who
should be passing laws, without any advice or guidance from recognised experts
upon the complicated pieces of legislation which almost every year come before
Parliament. They should have a non-interested, or dis-interested, and impartial
body of advisers who are competent to advise by their study, training and
experience in all such matters, who would have no executive or administrative
function, who would not be law-makers themselves, and who would be sufficiently
respected outside to influence the decisions in the best interests of the
country. Sir, the practice is growing in many countries whereby Parliament
passes organic laws, of great social importance, but allows more and more
powers to departments to make bye-laws, or rules under such laws, which enables
the bureaucracy--I am not using the term in any objectionable sense, call it
the permanent services,--to make elaborate codes under these laws. These codes
are not enacted by Parliament. These codes are, no doubt, sometimes laid on the
table of the House, in the presumption that members if they have any objections
to the rules, will point them out. But as a matter of fact, these codes are
scarcely ever scrutinised by members when once they are enacted under the
authority of the law by the departments concerned and so they become laws by
fiat of the bureaucracy without any proper understanding by members of
Parliament.
This,
Sir, is a practice which has led an eminent jurist, Lord Hewett, Chief Justice
of the King’s Bench Division in England, to describe it as The New Despotism.
It really amounts to arming the civil services, arming the permanent officials,
with a vast margin of power and discretion that practically amounts to a denial
of civil liberties, or at any rate the ordinary freedoms of the citizen.
This, Sir, I submit, is not in the interests of the free institutions which we
are planning for. I, therefore, suggest that it would be in the interests of
the freedom of the people, and also the interests of sound legislation, that we
should have a body of disinterested advisers chosen with an eye only to their
experience training and qualification, and not burdened with any other duties
as our Ministers are, not charged with any other administrative or executive
functions and remunerated sufficiently to be beyond any influence other than
the interests of the country, and so able to devote their entire time to the
particular subjects that come up for legislation. I hope this amendment will be
accepted.
Mr. Vice-President : Amendment No. 1380 standing in the name of Dr.
Ambedkar.
The Honourable Dr. B. R Ambedkar : Mr. Vice-President, Sir, I move:
“That for clause (2) of article 67, the following be substituted :
‘(2)
The members to be nominated by the President under sub-clause (a) of clause (1)
of this article shall consist of persons having special knowledge or practical
experience in respect of such matters as the following, namely :
Letters,
art, science and social services.’ “
Mr. Vice-President : There are some amendments to this amendment which I am
calling out one after the other. No. 13 in the name of Mr. Kamath.
(The amendment was not moved.)
No. 14 standing in the name of Mr. Lokanath Misra.
Shri Lokanath Misra : Mr. Vice-President, Sir, I beg to move:
“That in amendment No. 1380 of the List of amendments, in the proposed clause
(2) of article 67, for the words ‘special knowledge or practical experience’
the words ‘real knowledge of or actual devotion for’, and for the words ‘Letters,
art, science and social services’ the words ‘History of ancient Indian
philosophy and culture, art and science and social services towards
reconstruction of Introspective India’ be substituted.”
Sir, I am really thankful to Dr. Ambedkar for introducing this amendment and
for placing the words “Letters, arts, science and social services” much
better than the original. In fact, in my humble opinion as I have conceived
this Council of States, to me it represents our past, as the House of the
People represents our present. Our future no doubt is in the hands of God. I
say that we can have that sobering influence we need, only if we can build our
mind and our ideas on our past. I suggest that India to be India must know her
lofty past, and the members of the Council of States nominated by the President
should be people who know our past, our history, our philosophy and our
culture. Therefore, instead of having letters, let us say history, philosophy
and culture. All our efforts should be towards one direction and that direction
can only be an ideal which will bring up India to her past, i.e., to her
own. The nominated members by the President should represent these four things,
and to bring home a justification of this point, I need not make a speech of my
own. I will only quote some lines from an essay “India and the Western World”
by Captain Anthony M. Ludovici (England). He says:
“We are credibly informed by anthropologists that often all that is needed for
the ultimate extinction of a particular race is, not violence, disease, or some
vicious habit introduced by the European, but merely the despondency generated
by the imposition of new forms of behaviour and belief--a state of mind which
by diminishing their zest and joie de vivre, undermines their will to
survive.
Now, when we grasp how deep attachment to native culture-forms may be, even
among the random bred stocks of Europe, need we be surprised to learn that
among people whose capacity for change and for suffering change has a tempo
different from our own, the impact of new and powerful culture, sometimes
imposed rapidly with every artifice of proselytization, force and example has
resulted in a complete renunciation of every hope, belief and desire.
*
*
*
*
*
He (the European) was in a position to coerce recalcitrants and by means of the
importunacies of his proselytizing and commercial agents, to provoke acts of
hostility which often provided the excuse for retaliatory military measures.
If, therefore, certain races survived the impact, not only as a united people,
but also, above all, as a community still observing their traditional
culture-forms, including the worship of the gods of their fathers the
phenomenon partook of the nature of a feat so stupendous in recuperative power
and stamina as to amount almost to a miracle--a miracle of resistance, faith
and loyalty.
Well, we now know that, up to a point, India performed that miracle. Thanks to
the relatively high evolution and intricacy of her own culture, her large
population as compared with the numbers of her invaders, and above all, of the
high intellectual level of her leaders, and their steadfastness as custodians
of the people’s cherished habits of mind and body, India should, in the
millenniums to come, stand as a proverb and example among nations, as a
country.....”
Mr. Vice-President : How long do you propose to read this? It seems to have
little connection with your amendment.
Shri Lokanath Misra: I will be short, Sir, it is relevant, as a foreign
appreciation of what we are:
“as a country which, against forces almost everywhere else triumphant,
contrived for centuries--in fact until the eve of the ultimate recovery of her
freedom--to uphold and continue, without irretrievable loss, her own life and
her own way of life.”
Sir, I beg to submit, that in drafting this Constitution we dare not forget our
own. The Council of States should represent our past and that could be done
only by the President nominating only those who represent our great past of
great intellectual fervour, high morals, deep and lofty flights of the spirit.
Mr. Vice-President : Amendment No. 15 standing in the name of Mr.
Naziruddin Ahmad.
Mr. Naziruddin Ahmad : Mr. Vice-President, Sir, I beg to move:
“That in amendment No. 1380 of the List of Amendments, in the proposed clause
(2) of article 67 after the word ‘science’ the words ‘philosophy, religion, law’
be inserted.”
Mr. Vice-President : Why not move amendment No. 17 also? That too stands in
your name.
Mr. Naziruddin Ahmad : I also beg to move:
“That in amendment No 1380 of the List of Amendments, at the end of the
proposed clause (2) of article 67, the words commencing ‘Letters, art, etc.’ be
numbered as sub-clause (a) of that clause and the following new sub-clause be
added thereafter:
‘(b) journalism, commerce, industries, law.’ “
Sir,
I beg to submit that the original clause (2) of article 67 contains a number of
categories, representing different intellectual spheres from which members
could be nominated by the President. In fact there is a number of such items,
namely, (a) literature, art, science and education: (b) agriculture, fisheries
and allied subjects: (c) engineering and architecture: (d) public
administration and social services. Of this long list, only three have been
accepted in Dr. Ambedkar’s amendment, namely, “art, science and social services”
and a new item has been added, namely, “letters”. I submit, Sir, that there is
a danger in restricting the choice of the President in the matter of nomination
to only four classes and rejecting the others. There is no reason why the
choice should not be rather wide than restricted. However, my amendment (the
first amendment which I have moved) wants to introduce Philosophy, Religion and
Law. Sir, I submit that Philosophy is peculiarly Asiatic in origin. So is
Religion. All the great Philosophies and all the great Religions emanated from
the East. There is no reason why we should give up the Philosophers or the men
who are the leaders of Religion. It is only the other day that at the instance
of Mr. Kamath we introduced the name of Almighty in the constitution. In fact
the President is to take the oath of office in the name of God. Having agreed
to give the Almighty a place in the Constitution, I think that Religion which
follows from God should also have some recognition in this Constitution. It is
often hinted that Religion is a very bad thing and that it leads to quarrels. I
submit, Sir, that Religion never leads to quarrels. It is communalism that
leads to quarrels and not Religion. All the great Religions are really good and
supply a fundamental moral basis for humanity to act. Therefore, Religion
should not be discarded; so also with Philosophy. A philosophical attitude is
particularly useful for a House like this; particularly when a Member finds that
his amendments are not listened to or his speeches are not listened to by the
Honourable the Chairman of the Drafting Committee, he cannot but be
Philosophical. So for God’s sake, do not discard Philosophy too.
Then comes the matter of Law. I submit, Sir, Law should also be represented.
The legal talent of the Upper House should particularly be strengthened,
because the Upper House will rather be a revising chamber and Law should be
particularly represented. Men like Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru, Shri Alladi
Krishnaswami Ayyar...
Shri L. Krishnaswami Bharathi : Sir B. N. Rau.
Mr. Naziruddin Ahmad : Yes, Sir. B. N. Rau too. I am thankful for the
suggestion. These are very useful names. I think their names should not be shut
out from the choice of the President. It may be that at any future election we
may lose Dr. Ambedkar himself, and there should be some means of bringing him
in by a presidential nomination. Then there is the Rt. Honourable Mr. Jayakar.
These are really great men of the Law and their addition, or rather the choice
of the President in their selection should be very useful. In these
circumstances they should also have some place.
Then with regard to the second amendment: I have also tried to introduce
Journalism, Commerce, Industry and Law, Law has already been suggested in my
previous amendment. With regard to Journalism, journalists have also a great
duty to perform. In fact, they are a kind of go-betweens between the
Legislature and the people and between the people and the Legislature. Ideas
which are expressed in the legislature are disseminated by the journalists, and
ideas which prevail among the people are also brought to the notice of the
legislators by journalists. A democracy is run by the three States--the
Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary. To these must be added the
newspapers which have been described as the Fourth State. They also play a very
important part in the role of freedom of a country. Journalism should also be
one of the categories from which the President could make his selections.
Then we come to Commerce. We want to associate those great commercial magnates
who are really the wealth producers in the country and they should also be
represented and their advice and counsel would be of great help. So also with
Industry.
These are the different categories from which the selection should be made.
I submit that the introduction of these classes will not in the least compel
the President to select or nominate anyone from any of them. The choice would
be reasonably wide and I submit that this amendment should be accepted by this
House.
In making the suggestion about Journalism, Commerce, Industry and Law, I took
them from a suggestion made by a few learned lawyers who considered the Draft
Constitution in the “Indian Law Review” of Calcutta. It is a quarterly journal.
It is in volume 2 at page 9 onwards. There, with regard to this very clause of
this article, they have suggested that Journalism, Commerce, Industry and Law
should also be represented. They said that there is no reason why these
important professions and callings should not be included as well. The great
point which I wish to suggest to the House is that the choice should not be
restricted, but should be widened. It would be an advantage to have different
professions and callings in the list so as to make the choice of the President
easier and better.
Mr. Vice-President : The next amendment in our list is amendment No. 16 in
List No. 1 standing in the name of Mr. Sidhwa.
Shri R. K. Sidhwa (C. P. & Berar : General): I am not moving my
amendment.
Mr. Vice-President : The next amendment is No. 18 in List No. 1 standing in
the name of Shri B Das.
Since Shri B. Das is not in the House we pass it over.
The next amendment is No. 1381. I find this is of similar import to 1383,
1384,1385 and right up to 1392. All these amendments may therefore be
considered together.
Amendment No. 1381 standing in the name of Shri Prabhudayal Himatsingka may be
moved.
Shri Prabhudayal Himatsingka (West Bengal : General): I am not moving my
amendment.
(Amendments Nos. 1381 to 1394 were not moved.)
Prof. K. T. Shah : Mr. Vice-President, Sir, I beg to move:
“That for clause (3) of article 67, the following be substituted:
‘(3)
All members of the Council of States shall be elected. Each constituent State
shall elect 5 members by votes of adult citizens.’ “
Sir, this is in consonance with the general principle I am advocating, namely,
that the Legislature shall be constituted only by elected representatives
election being by whatever method you may agree to.
Secondly, that, in the Council of States, all constituent parts of the
Union--call them States. Units or what you like--shall be equally represented.
Whereas in the lower House, or the House of the People you may have
representation in accordance with number, in the Upper House or the Council of
States the representation is more of the territory of the Unit, of the special
interests of the Unit or region, than of the people pure and simple.
And these, also, I would suggest should be elected rather than nominated,
co-opted, or chosen by any other method. The whole body should be elected; and
none but elected representatives should come there.
Next, the representatives, so far as they are representatives of the Units,
should be equal in number amongst themselves--that is to say, for each State
the same number be returned,--so that it will bring some sense of a real
Federation working, rather than of discrimination or differentiation as between
the Units. On these grounds I commend my proposition to the House.
Mr. Vice-President : Amendment No. 1396 is formal and is therefore
disallowed.
(Amendment No. 1397 was not moved.)
Mr. Vice-President : The first part of amendment No. 1398. and amendment
No. 1402 are identical. I can allow the first part of amendment No. 1398 to be
moved.
Mr. Mohd. Tahir (Bihar: Muslim): What about the second part?
Mr. Vice-President : That will come at the proper place.
Mr. Mohd. Tahir : Sir, I beg to move:
“That in sub-clause (a) of clause (3) of article 67, the word ‘elected’ where
it occurs for the second time be deleted.”
I have moved this amendment because I think that there should not be any
distinction between the elected members and the nominated members so far as the
election of the representatives in the Council of States is concerned.
Nominated Members, as soon as they become Members of the House, should enjoy
all the rights and privileges of a Member as such.
I had moved a similar amendment in respect of the election of the President of
India, but in that respect the House adopted that only the elected members
should be allowed to vote for the President of India. In that case there was
some meaning to it, because if a President who nominates certain members to
Parliament again stands for the Presidentship election, there would have been
some difficulty for the members nominated by the said President in exercising
their votes. But so far as the election of the representatives of the Council
of States is concerned, I do not think that there is any reason why the
nominated Members of the Legislature as such should be debarred from voting in
the election of their representatives in the Council of States. I hope that
taking all these facts into consideration the House will accept my amendment.
Mr. Vice-President : Now you may move the second part of the amendment.
They will be voted upon separately. Do you want amendment No. 1402, which is
identical, also to be put to vote?
Mr. Mohd. Tahir : Yes.
Mr. Vice-President : You may move the second part of amendment No. 1398.
Mr. Mohd. Tahir : Sir, I beg to move:
“That in sub-clause (a) of clause (3) of article 67 the words ‘Legislative
Assembly’ be substituted for the words ‘Lower House’. “
In this connection I would require the special attention of my honourable
Friend Dr. Ambedkar. I have moved this amendment because in article 148 of the
Draft Constitution the Legislative of the States has been defined as the
Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council; and there is no such term as
has been suggested in article 67, that is to say, the ‘Lower House’. In this
connection I think my Friend Dr. Ambedkar was more conscious than myself
because while we were discussing article 43 he introduced an explanation,
namely, that “in this and the next succeeding article the expression ‘the
Legislature of the States’ means, where the Legislature is bicameral the Lower
House of the Legislature.” This explanation, Sir, he had to add while we were
discussing article 43, which means that this explanation is meant for article
43 and article 44 only. Therefore, Sir, in order to clear the position in the
article under discussion, I think there is no other alternative but to accept
my amendment; or I would request my Friend, Dr. Ambedkar to introduce an
explanation as he has done in article 43, because unless it is done, the
meaning of the article will not be clear, and I hope, Sir, this would be duly
considered and accepted by the House.
Mahboob Ali Baig Sahib Bahadur (Madras : Muslim): Mr. Vice-President Sir, I
beg to move:
“That in sub-clause (a) of clause (3) of article 67, for the words ‘Lower House’,
the words ‘two Houses’ be substituted.”
The sub-clause as proposed to be amended by this amendment reads like this:
“67 (3) (a) where the Legislature of the State has two Houses, be elected by
the elected members of both the Houses.”
I do not see any reason, Sir, why, when there are two Houses in the Provincial
Legislature, the elected members of the Upper House should be excluded from
taking part in the election. I am not thinking of those who may be nominated to
the Upper House. I am urging that those members of the Upper House who have
been elected may be allowed to take part in the election. On principle, there
is no reason at all why the elected members of the Upper House should be
excluded. That is the reason why I move this amendment.
I have got one other amendment. No. 1407, Sir. I may be allowed to move that
also.
Mr. Vice-President : There are three amendments of similar import . One is
amendment No. 1400, the other is No.1403 and the last is No. 1407. Amendment No.
1407 seems to me to be the most comprehensive. Mr. Baig can move that
amendment.
Mahboob Ali Baig Sahib Bahadur : The other amendment that stands in my name
is Amendment No. 1407.
Sir, I beg to move:
“That in clause (3) of article 67, the following new sub-clause (d) be added:-
‘(d)
The election under sub-clause (a) and (b) shall be in accordance with the
system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.’
“
Shri Mahavir Tyagi (United Provinces : General): On a Point of order,
there is a similar amendment standing in my name just before that of Mr. Baig.
I have not been allowed to move that amendment.
Mr. Vice-President : Because the three amendments have been moved
together, namely, Nos. 1400, 1043 and 1047, as the honourable Members will find
by reference to papers already circulated and in my view, Amendment No. 1407
seems to be the most comprehensive. The honourable Member will have his chance
later on.
Mahboob Ali Baig Sahib Bahadur : I am glad that some Members are of
the same opinion as I am with regard to the method of election, particularly my
honourable friend, Mr. Mahavir Tyagi, and I am glad when we come to this part
of the Constitution Mr. Mahavir Tyagi has changed his mind. I remember quite
well when I moved for the election of the President in the earlier part of the
Constitution, Mr. Mahavir Tyagi was, I should say uncharitable.
Shri Mahavir Tyagi : That was the President’s election this is of the
Council of States.
Mr. Vice-President : I think it would be better to substitute the word “emphatic”.
Mehboob Ali Baig Sahib Bahadur : Perhaps he did not understand. But now
he finds that the method of election by a system of proportional representation
by means of the single transferable vote is not injurious for the solidarity of
the country. I remember at that time........
Mr. Vice-President : May I suggest that instead of making remarks on the
past attitude of Mr. Mahavir Tyagi, another honourable Member of this House,
the honourable Member may proceed with his own amendment. Probably that would
save the time of the House.
Mahboob Ali Baig Sahib Bahadur : Now, Sir, this House has already accepted
the system of election under article 55, that is, in regard to the election of
the President.
“The Vice-President shall be elected by the members of both Houses of
Parliament assembled at a joint meeting in accordance with the system of
proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote and the
voting at such election shall be by secret ballot.”
Therefore, Sir, there is nothing new or extraordinary in my proposing this
method of election.
Further, Sir, may I refer to the opinions of certain authorities who are
competent to speak on this matter which are referred to in the Constitutional
Precedents, supplied to the Members of this House by the Constitutional
Adviser? The opinions of persons who are competent to speak on this method of
proportional representation are these:
“One of the best safeguards for minority rights and interests is the system of
election by proportional representation with the single transferable vote (P.R)
which has already been adopted in a large number of countries; Switzerland is a
conspicuous example:
‘In
the past there were bitter differences, religious and cantonal. But for a long
period of years now, government has been stable. The responsibility for forming
a government rests upon parliament; its first duty is to elect an Executive.
The Swiss parliament is elected by proportional representation.’ “
The late Lord Howard of Penrith, who was Britain’s representative at Berne,
Stockholm, Madrid and Washington, and who made a study of the working of
governments, wrote as follows:
“Two fundamental requirements of democracy, first that Government should be an
expression of the people’s will and secondly that it should work both smoothly
and stably and not be subject to frequent crises, seem to have been met more
successfully by the Swiss system than by any other in the world.”
Another authority has stated like this:
“Sir Samuel Hoare addressing his constituents in Chelsea expressed the view
that representative Government might function more satisfactorily in Europe if
the Swiss rather than the British form of Government was adopted. The New York
review Free World organised an unofficial round table discussion on the future
of Italy. In this discussion Colonel Raudolfo Pacciardi, an active member of
the Left, said: ‘The frequent crises of the Latin democracies, which have so
greatly discredited representative democracy, can be avoided by a
constitutional form like that which has been developed in Switzerland.”
This was issued by the Proportional Representation Society in June 1945.
Therefore, this method of election represents the expression of the people’s
will and it will be more stable as well as responsible. My submission is that
all the fears that some people might entertain that this method of election
would involve the country in sections and it will go against the solidarity of
the country are false. Some people who are really communally minded smell a rat
in anything in regard to this kind of representation; that is unjustifiable.
This is the most scientific and most democratic method of representing the
people of a country in a democratic system of Government. I, therefore, commend
these two amendments, firstly that the elected members of the Upper House also
should be allowed to take part in the election and secondly that the method of
election should be by this system, that is proportional representation by means
of the single transferable vote. Sir, I move.
Mr. Vice-President : The other two amendments which have been dealt with
together are amendments Nos. 1400 and 1403.
Shri Mahavir Tyagi: Sir, these are my amendments and I beg to submit that I
may be allowed to move these amendments separately so that the House may decide
on the issues separately.
Mr. Vice-President: Come to the mike please.
Shri Mahavir Tyagi : Sir, I beg to move:
“That at the end of sub-clause (a) of clause (3) of article 67, the following
words be added:
‘in
accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the
single transferable vote.’ “
Sir, while moving this amendment.
Mr. Vice-President : I am afraid I have not given the honourable Member
permission to move his amendments. I want to know the reason why he wants to
move them. They are of similar import as amendment No. 1407.
Shri Mahavir Tyagi: That is perfectly true. My reason is the House can
decide the issue in one case in one way and in the other, in another way.
Therefore. I want to give the fullest opportunity to the House.
Mr. Vice-President : I can give the honourable Member an opportunity of
making his point in the general discussion; but I cannot depart from the
convention which has already been established. His two amendments will be put
to vote one after the other.
Shri Mahavir Tyagi: Shall I have my say now, Sir?
Mr. Vice-President : I shall certainly give the honourable Member an
opportunity in the general discussion.
Mr. Vice President: Amendment No. 1401, Mr. Naziruddin Ahmad.
Mr. Naziruddin Ahmad : Mr. Vice-President, Sir, I beg to move:
“That at the end of sub-clause (a) of clause (3) of article 67 the word ‘and’
be added and the word ‘and’ at the end of sub-clause (b) be omitted.”
I also beg to move amendment No. 1404:
“That sub-clause (c) of clause (3) of article 67 be omitted.”
Sir, so far as this sub-clause is concerned, it introduces some anomalies.
Clause (3) where this sub-clause occurs relates to the representation of the
States. Sub-clause (a) deals with the representation of States having a legislature
with two Houses. Sub-clause (b) deals with representation of States having a
legislature with one House.
Mr. Vice-President : Mr. Naziruddin Ahmad, you might move amendment No.
1404 also.
Mr. Naziruddin Ahmad : Yes, Sir. That is the amendment which I have also moved.
Mr. Vice-President: And one speech.
Mr. Naziruddin Ahmad : Sub-clause (c) deals with representation of States
having no legislature. States here comprise the Provinces, the Chief
Commissioner’s Provinces and the Indian States. All the Provinces, however,
have legislatures and they will have legislatures too in the future
constitution. Sub-clause (c) therefore really affects the States which are now
called Indian States and the Chief Commissioners’ Provinces. Where there is no
legislature, power is being given to the Parliament to prescribe or
determine the manner of choosing their representatives. I submit this would be
an encroachment on the rights of those States--specially the Indian States.
These States having no legislature have a district identity, a modified kind of
sovereignty. Dr. Ambedkar conceded the other day that they have some kind of
sovereign rights, though not full sovereign rights. The mere fact that they
have no legislature is no ground why their representation should be left to be
determined by the Parliament. If they have no legislature for the time being
there must be a President, or a Raj Pramukh or some authority who or which
would function in the State. If the business of the State, its administration
its executive and the judiciary and other matters could be carried on by some
authority, that authority should also deal with the prescribe how the
representatives of that State should come to the House. Therefore, this
sub-clause is anomalous. Parliament may perhaps come in when there is a gap
when there is really a constitutional vacuum in the State. The only void that
is contemplated is the absence of any House of Legislature. There is not a
political vacuum. But, still the State may have an organised Government without
a legislature and their representation should really be a matter for them. It
really is a question of the terms of the Accession. In fact, if a State having
no legislature has acceded on certain terms, then sub-clause (c), to be valid,
must come within those terms. As I see it, sub-clause (c) goes beyond the terms
of Accession, and is an encroachment upon the sovereign or semi-sovereign
rights of these States. I therefore submit that Parliament would not be
entitled to deal with their representation. I would be beyond its competence.
The States should be left to decide their own representation. In fact, it is
due to them that they should decide their own representation. A legislature is
desirable but by no means a constitutional necessity. The fact that they have
no Legislature does not debar their expressing themselves as to how they will
be represented.
In
these circumstances, I submit that sub-clause (c) should be deleted. But I also
feel that some appropriate provision recognizing the right of States themselves
having no legislatures to determine their own representation may be
substituted. In the shortness of time at my disposal I could not submit an
alternative proposition but the question is one of principle. If the principle
is acceptable to the House, a suitable substitute may easily be introduced. As
at present advised, I submit that Parliament would not be a legal and
constitutional substitute for the authority of the States whatever be the form
of Government or the nature of the authority which really functions.
With these few words, I submit that my amendment should be accepted.
(Amendment No. 1405 was not moved.)
Mr. Vice-President : No. 1406 disallowed as verbal.
(Amendment No. 1409 was not moved.)
No. 1410 is disallowed.
I would like to put one suggestion before the House, before the general
discussion begin. It is this. I have broken many of the Rules of Procedure,
some through ignorance others deliberately. I am going to break a convention
already established deliberately, but I think I ought to get the permission of
the House. This article falls under two separate board divisions. The first
four clauses deal with representation in the council of States and the last few
provisions deal with representation in the House of the People. My suggestion
is that first of all we discuss the first part, i.e., the first four
clauses dealing with representation in the Council of States. The amendments
relating to these clauses have been moved one after another. Now I want to give
an opportunity to honourable Members to take part in the general discussion on
these four clauses. After that I intend to call upon Dr. Ambedkar to reply and
after that only these amendments will be put to vote. Then we shall take up the
amendments concerned with the clauses (5) onwards. Then the amendments will be
moved, and then again a similar procedure will be followed. But this procedure
is only for this clause. Have I the permission of the House?
Honourable Members : Yes.
Mr. Vice-President : Now these four clauses are open for general
discussion. I call upon Mr. Rohini Kumar Chaudhari.
Shri Rohini Kumar Chaudhari : (Assam : General): Mr. Vice-President,
Sir, I wish to say a few words on this article. My honourable Friend Moulvi
Mohammad Tahir has moved an amendment objecting to the use of the word ‘Lower
House’. Practically speaking as is known to everybody, the lower House means
really the Upper House. That is the House which has a more important voice and
has the upper hand in the administration of the province. Similarly the House
of Commons is the House of the Commoners and the House of Lords is the House of
the Lords. All the same the House of Commons exercises more powers than the
House of Lords and nobody for a moment suggests that the name should be changed
for that purpose only. Further more the use of the word ‘Lower House’ connotes
that there must be an Upper House in the same province. Now so far as the Upper
House is concerned, its members have been denied many privileges--for instance,
one would have normally expected that in selecting or in electing members of
the Council of States. their compeers, the member of the Upper House should
certainly have a voice. Because after all the birds of the same feather flock
together and there is a sort of sympathy between members of the Upper House in
a province and the members of the Council of State in the Center but, Sir, when
you are not giving them the privilege which is exercised by the ordinary
members of the Lower House or the Assembly, you must console them by calling
them members of the Upper House. Therefore from that point of view also the
words ‘Lower House’ should be allowed to remain where they are firstly because
the Lower House does not mean a House of Lower dignity but it has to be used
for purposes of expediency; and secondly, Sir so long as we think that we must
have a second legislature in a Province, there should be one which is called ‘Upper
House’ because as a matter of courtesy we should call them Upper House because
we are not giving them many privileges.
Then I also want to say a few words on the amendment of Prof. Shah. It is
certainly democratic to expect that members of any House should be elected but
there is one difficulty in the way. If you leave the representation entirely to
election in a Council of state the class of people whom we want to nominate by
this article, i.e., the class of people who must have some special
knowledge in agriculture, fishery, administration and social service, these
people generally fight shy of election and will never be able to come to the
House and therefore it is necessary in the exigencies of circumstances that
some provision should be left for nomination so that the House may get the
advantage of people who would normally not like to enter into a contest of
election and at the same time whose services to the Legislature would be very
useful.
With these words, Sir, I support the first part of the article.
Shri R. k. Sidhwa : Mr. Vice-Preisdent, Sir, this article so far as it
relates to the Council of States contains two parts, one is clause 1 (a) which
has been amended by Dr. Ambedkar by reducing fifteen members which he had
originally suggested for nomination to twelve members and in clause (2) where
the Drafting Committee had suggested about 14 categories under which the
nomination had to be made, he has moved an amendment of 4 categories. Now this
is the most contentious clause in this article, which ought to require the
serious attention and consideration of the House. There is an election and also
nomination in the clause. I have stood all along my whole life for election in
all legislatures and public bodies and local bodies.
Not that I do not realise that conditions have changed today, but I do feel
that even under the changed conditions, the power that is vested in the
President may be misused, I mean the power of nomination. This, Sir, is a
matter in which we cannot challenge the action of the President, because it is
a matter which is absolutely within his discretion. A certain person ‘A’ may be
more desirable to be nominated, but according to the President, another person,
‘B’ may be considered more suitable and he may nominate ‘B’. The House cannot,
and no one can challenge that choice or nomination of the President. No one can
say that the President can be impeached because he has done something in bad
faith or anything of that kind. I am afraid, Sir, that there will be a good
deal of bickerings, that while able persons are available, some favourites, or
some persons who are in the good books of the President or some persons who are
always around the President, are nominated. Human nature being what it is, such
a thing is quite possible. I am not stating something new, for persons above
these things are exceptional. The President has to take into consideration so
many factors when making his selection and at that time, qualifications or
merit or service or sacrifices may be set aside or ignored. Therefore, I do
feel that even these nominations should not be there, because they will lead to
bickerings and out of them bickerings will accrue. The very fact that while the
Drafting Committee had laid down some thing like fourteen categories, the
Chairman of the Drafting Committee has now come forward with an amendment
seeking to change the number to four, and also the number of amendments moved
to this particular article show the degree of difference of views. One view is
that experts will be required only for a few subjects such as law etc. which
are rather technical. But it was asked, why have you left out health? Sir, I do
not attach much importance to Law. There are many lawyers in this House, and
some quite as competent as Dr. Ambedkar, if I may be permitted to say so. I am
only saying that natural temptations will arise, and they are arising, as is
shown by the various amendments that have been moved. Therefore, I feel, Sir,
that these nominations, in the present juncture, should be done away with.
Coming to Prof. K. T. Shah’s amendment I would certainly advocate the
suggestion or rather the amendment moved by him proposing the appointment of
advisory committees. I do not subscribe to his view completely. For instance, I
do not agree with the various numbers and various other experts he has
suggested, such as 25 for agriculture and so on. I do not subscribe to so many
categories coming in. But certainly, I feel that there is scope for advisory
committee of experts. For instance, we may require experts in civic life and
also experts in Social life. We cannot ignore the civic service amongst the
villages and local bodies. But I do not think such an advisory body should be
provided for in the Constitution. In case nomination is to be there then as an
alternative we may have these advisory committees on some two or three selected
subjects. But that can be done by Parliament by enacting an Act. These persons
need not be given undue prominence by making a provision in the Constitution
for these advisory committees. According to the conditions that may be prevailing
at an election, the Parliament may decide to have certain experts to be
attached to particular ministries. But let the House itself be given an
opportunity to find out from its own Members whether certain members with
expert knowledge on particular subjects are available. If that is not possible,
then Parliament can make a law to have Advisory Committees appointed. Sir,
today you know we had to seek the advice of economic experts in view of the
serious economic conditions in the country. But such an outside body would not
be quite desirable, if we are to get a completely unbiased opinion or advice.
But if they are in the service of the State, as suggested, they can be trusted
to give unbiased opinions.
I would, however, like to make it quite clear that I am opposed to nominations,
and the above suggestion is only made as an alternative. We cannot take it,
that because we have all been elected, therefore, nomination will be harmless.
As I have stated, we cannot expect everybody to be of sterling character,
though we wish all of us were of sterling character, and that when we decide
upon a person, we do so without any favouritism or any other such
considerations, and select the really best man for the place.
With this reservation, Sir, I support the article.
Mr. Vice-President : Shri Mahavir Tyagi.
Shri Mahavir Tyagi : Sir, I must thank you for giving mean opportunity to
express my views on this article. I wanted to move an amendment, but you were
pleased to rule that it has been already covered by an amendment.
Mr. Vice-President : Yes, your amendments Nos. 1400 and 1403.
Shri Mahavir Tyagi : Yes, Sir. I wanted to say that “in accordance with the
system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote”
may be added at the end of sub-clause (a) of clause (3) of article 67, and in
the same manner, similar modifications may be made to sub-clause (b). But I
have not much to say now. My Friend Mr. Mahboob Ali Baig has already moved an
amendment which I think has the same purpose. But I think the words he has
suggested will not fit in properly with the existing words, and I am afraid Dr.
Ambedkar will have to take the trouble of setting right the whole sentence. Mr.
Baig has suggested that a new sub-clause (d) may be added. Now, sub-clauses
(a), (b) and (c) all form part of one big sentence. The sentence begins like
this;
“The representatives of each State for the time being specified in Part I or
Part III of the First Schedule in the Council of States shall.. etc., etc.”
and then come sub-clause (a), (b) and (c). If another sub-clause (d) is added,
as suggested by my Friend Mr. Mahboob Ali Baig, it will read:
“(d) The election of the representatives of each State.... shall be in
accordance with the system of proportional representation, etc., etc.”
That will create a construction which is neither here nor there. I feel that my
amendment is much more simple and does not lead to any such difficulties. I
hope my suggestion will be considered by the House, because if it is accepted,
then Dr. Ambedkar will not have to trouble himself about re-adjusting the
wording of the article.
Sir,
the Council of States will be represented by those members who are sent into
the Council by the respective States, by general election, by majority voting,
which means that the representatives of the States will not have any member
belonging to the minority party of the respective States. It means that, if in
the States the election is not by means of the single transferable vote, the
minorities will have no representation at all in the Council of States. Sir, I
do not agree with the type of democracy in vogue in Europe. This is the biggest
fraud which the politicians of the world are unconsciously practising on the
masses. Under the existing system of elections the masses do not get any real
representation at all. All democracies based on party basis are the monopoly of
the chosen few, the literates and the intelligentsia. They form parties and the
elections are run on party lines. This being the case, the seats are held by
the same set of people who are borne on the crest of the wave of emotion of the
masses. The emotion of the masses is excited, fanned and inflamed by the
politicians. So much so, that when people go to the booth, they go swayed by
the emotion created by the head of the election campaign. When an elector goes
to the polling station, he is not his normal self. His emotions are excited and
he forgets his individuality. Mass mind is a separate entity. When the elector
votes under his emotions, he does not exercise his individual judgment. He is
swayed by the election propaganda. Under the circumstances even the
representatives of the majority party are not really representatives of the
normal mind of the masses. It is only those members of the minority who are
either defeated at the elections or have won that represent the real spirit of
the masses to some extent. They are the only bold ones who have withstood the
attacks, hits, and pushes of the majority party and who have kept their heads
cool and aloof amidst waves of mass emotion created by election propaganda and
stuck to their principles. So, those who belong to the minorities should be
always cared for and looked upon as people who hold to their own opinions
staunchly. Therefore, although democracy as practised in the western countries
is a hoax and a fiction, it has survived so long because of the opposition. It
is the opposition that reflects the true voice of the people. It is the
opposition that sustains democracy. Were it not for this, democracy would have
long ago crashed and fallen down. I believe in the democracy.....
Mr. Vice-President : The honourable Member’s time is up.
Shri Mahavir Tyagi : Please give me one more minute, Sir. I assure you I
shall be giving useful suggestions.
Mr. Vice-President : But the honourable Members is taking away the
democratic right of others to speak.
Shri Mahavir Tyagi : According to Mahatma Gandhi real democracy is Ram Raj
where everyone puts himself and all his power and possession under the supreme
control of the general will. Each in fact becomes an indivisible part of the
whole body, and indivisible member of the body. Although he acts according to
the total will of the people as a whole, even so he obeys himself alone and
maintains his freedom. Under such a democracy an attack on the individual is a
hit on the total body of the people and a hurt on the total body is a hurt on each
individual. We have, however, adopted the western model of democracy which I
cannot help. There must therefore be parties in our body politics. Let us
therefore give seats in the Council of States to some Members holding the views
of the opposition also. Such members can get elected only if my amendments are
accepted. Only then Members who are opposed to the party in power in the States
can come in. Whenever high State policy is under discussion we can have the
advantage of the views of the other side only if they are allowed to come in by
this method. The Democracy of the western type is based on free play of the
opposition. Without good opposition the democracy will become one legged, it
would limp and tumbledown. With these words I hope that my amendments will be
accepted.
Mr. Mohamed Ismail Sahib (Madras : Muslim) : Mr. Vice-President, I want to
say only a few words and will not take more than one or two minutes.
Under clause (2) of article 67, the different classes from amongst whom the
President is to nominate members to the Council of States have been given. In
the reason for omitting trade and commerce and industry, the Drafting Committee
says that these people can as well come through the general election in view of
adult suffrage. Sir, for the same reason you could have omitted to give
representation by nomination also to the classes of the people enumerated in
sub-clauses (a) to (d). They can also come through general elections under
adult suffrage.
Sir, I do not know that the importance of commerce is in any way less than the
importance of the other classes of people enumerated in this clause. Therefore
I think it is very reasonable and fair that trade and commerce also should be
included.
Sir, now coming to clause (3), in the various sub-clause, nominated members are
being sought to be excluded from having anything to do with the election or the
choice of representatives to the Council of States from the States. Sir, if no
nomination is provided for at all, that is another thing and I would have no
quarrel at all. But you think that nomination is necessary and are providing
for the nomination of certain people. Then, when you have recognised the
importance of nominating people and when you have actually nominated them to
the Council of States, it will not do to discriminate against them. It will not
be at all fair to place them at a disadvantage and give them an inferior
status. When you have recognised their importance and nominated them, they must
also be treated equally, after they have been nominated, with the other members
who have been elected and who form part of the various bodies. Therefore I am
not able to see the reason why these people should be eliminated from having
anything to do with these elections.
Then,
Sir, a word with regard to the system of proportional representation proposed
in more than one amendment to this article. It is said that this system of
election will lead to fissures and divisions amongst the People. But, in
reality, it would not be leading to that result or effect at all, because
people know that under this system of election every group of people has got an
effective say in the election. Therefore every group will be drawn towards the
other group. When it is a question of election they will be made to work with
each other. They will be compelled to seek the franchise of every group.
Therefore it will really bring the people together instead of disintegrating
them. It will make each group seek the franchise of other people. Therefore it
would really work for unity rather than for disunity. Sir, I think that the
Chairman of the Drafting Committee would see the reasonableness of this
proposal and would recommend to House the acceptance of this system.
Mr. Vice-President : Dr. Ambedkar.
(Pandit Hirday Nath Kunzru rose to speak.)
Mr. Vice-President : What is it that you want to say, Pandit Kunzru?
Pandit Hirday Nath Kunzru : I would like to say something about this
question of proportional representation before Dr. Ambedkar rises to reply.
Shri L. Krishnaswami Bharathi : In the general discussion only two
people have spoken so far, Sir.
Mr. Vice-President : On the whole four people have spoken. But I would
allow you to speak, Pandit Kunzru, but please confine yourself to the question
of proportional representation only.
Pandit Hirday Nath Kunzru : Mr. Vice-President, as it has been proposed
that the members of the Council of States should be elected by the Lower Houses
of the provincial legislatures, it is necessary that a system should be laid
down for the election of the members as would be fair to men holding different
views. It has accordingly been suggested that in their election the system of
proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote should be
used. Honourable Members may be afraid that, if this system is accepted, it
would mean the introduction of communal electorates by the backdoor. We know
the evils of communal electorates. We know that the partition of India is the
direct result of such electorates. We have therefore to be on our guard against
any system of election that would lead to the maintenance of the old evil in a
new form, but let us consider whether the acceptance of the suggestion that has
been made would in practice amount to the election of the members of the Council
of States by people belonging to separate communities. In order to clarify our
minds, it is necessary for us to consider how the members of the provincial
legislative assemblies will be elected. They will not be elected on the basis
of communal electorates. The electorates will be mixed. They will have consist
of men of all communities, and the men returned by mixed electorates are not
likely to be imbued with communal virulence. It should not be supposed that the
representatives of any community would be able to get in merely by the votes of
the members of that community. They will have to seek the suffrages of mixed
electorates and it may therefore be supposed--we may take it for granted--that
if they want to maintain their position, if they want to be re-elected, they
will have to follow a policy that is not based on religious or communal
divisions. Now if we get such members in the Lower Houses of the provincial
legislatures, is there any reason to fear that if the system of proportional
representation by means of the single transferable vote were introduced for the
election of the members of the Council of States, the evils of communal
electorates would be maintained or intensified? Sir, we ought not to consider
this question entirely from the point of view of the representation of
different communities. We ought also to consider the need for the
representation of persons holding views that are not popular, and the method of
proportional representation would enable fair representation to be given to minorities
holding views different from those of the majority. Unless the system of
proportional representation is introduced, the views that are unpopular would
never be represented. Take, Sir, the election of members to the Constituent
Assembly. There are some members of this House who do not belong to the
Congress and have yet been able to get elected. They have been able to secure
their election because of the existence of the method of proportional
representation with the single transferable vote for the election of the
members of the Constituent Assembly. But for this system no one who was not a
Congressman could have been here.
Maulana Hasrat Mohani (United Provinces : Muslim) : Hear, hear.
Pandit Hirday Nath Kunzru : I think therefore that it is desirable that we
should adopt the system of proportional representation by means of the single
transferable vote in connection with the election of the members of the Council
of States. I need not repeat that these members will be elected by provincial
representatives who have not been returned on a communal ticket so to say. They
will be elected by men who will owe their election to an electorate that will
consist to an overwhelming extent of members of the majority community. There
need be no reasonable fear therefore that the election of members of the
Council of States by means of proportional representation would mean the
reintroduction of communal electorates with all the evils that they involve. On
the contrary, I think that in the changed circumstances this method would
enable a fair representation of the views of sections that would otherwise be
overwhelmed and would not be able to make their voice heard, to be secured.
Mr. Vice-President : Dr. Ambedkar.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Mr. Vice-President, I am agreeable
to amendments Nos. 1369, 1375, 1378,1380,1400 and 1403. With regard to the last
two amendments (Nos. 1400 and 1403) those are also covered by an amendment
moved by Mr. Mahboob Ali Baig. It is amendment No. 1407. I would have been glad
to accept that amendment but unfortunately, no examining the text of that
amendment, I find that it does not fit in with the generality of the language
used in clause (3) of article 67. That is the only reason why I prefer to accept
amendment No. 1403, because the language fits in properly with the language of
the article.
With regard to the other amendments, I think there are only three which call
for special consideration. One is an amendment by Mr. Kunhiraman. The aim and
object........
Mr. Vice-President : It was not moved.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Then I do not think I need say anything
about it. There remain only two-one is the amendment of Mr. Kunzru. He was very
naturally considerably agitated over the proviso which stood in the Draft
Constitution and which provided for the 40 per cent representation to
representatives of the States. I think it is desirable that I should clear the
ground and explain what exactly was the reason why this proviso was introduced
and what is the present position. It is quite true that in the Government of
India Act, it was provided that although the States population formed
one-quarter of the total population of India as it then stood in the Lower
House, the States got representation which was one-third of the total and in
the Council of States they got two-fifths representation which was 40 per cent.
That is not the origin as to why this proviso was introduced in the Draft
Constitution. I should therefore like to go back and give the history of this
clause.
Members of the House will remember that this House had appointed a Committee
known as the Union Powers Committee. That Committee recommended a general rule
of representation, both for people in British India as well as people in the
Indian States and the rule was this: That there should be one seat for every
million up to five millions, plus one seat for every additional two millions.
As I said, this was to be a rule to be applicable both to the provinces as well
as the States. But when the report of the Union Powers Committee came before
the Constituent Assembly for consideration, it was found that the
representatives of the States had moved a large number of amendments to this
part of the report of the Union Powers Committee. Great many negotiations took
place between the representatives of the Indian provinces and the
representatives of the Indian States. Consequently, if honourable Members will
refer to the debates of the Constituent Assembly for 31st July 1947, my friend
and colleague, Mr. Gopalaswami Ayyangar, who moved the adoption of the Report
of the Union Powers Committee, moved an amendment that the States
representation shall not exceed 40 per cent. Now that rule had to be adopted or
introduced in the Draft Constitution. So far as I have been able to examine the
proceedings, I believe that this proviso of granting the States 40 per cent
representation was introduced not so much with the aim of giving them weightage
but because the number of States was so many that it would not have been
possible to give representation to every State who wanted to enter the Union
unless the total of the representation granted to the State had been enormously
increased. It is in order to bring them within the Union that this proviso was
introduced. We find now that the situation has completely changed. Some States
have merged among themselves and formed a larger Union. Some States have been integrated
in British Indian provinces, and a few States only have remained in their
single individual character. On account of this change, it has not become as
necessary as it was in the original state of affairs to enlarge the
representation granted to the States, because those areas which are now being
integrated in the British Indian provinces do not need separate representation.
They will be represented through the provinces. Similarly, the States which
have merged would not need separate representation each for itself. The
totality of representation granted to the merged States would be the
representation which would be shared by every single unit which originally
stood aloof. Consequently, in the amendment which I have introduced, and which
speaks of Schedule 3-A, which unfortunately is not before the House, but will
be introduced as an amendment when we come to the schedules, what is proposed
to be done is this:
We have removed this 40 per cent ratio granted to the States and there will be
equality of representation in the Upper Chamber, both to the Indian State as
well as to the Provinces, and I am in a position to give some figures, which,
although they are not exact for the moment, are sufficient to give a picture of
what is likely to be the contents of Schedule 3-A.
According to Schedule 3-A, the provinces will have 141 seats. The Chief
Commissioners’ provinces will have two and the States will have seventy
altogether. Consequently, the total of elected members to the Upper Chamber
will be 213. Add to that twelve nominated seats. That would bring the total to
225. Our clause, as amended, says that the total strength of the Council of
States shall not exceed 250. You will thus see that the allocation of seats
which it is proposed to make in Schedule 3-A satisfies two conditions, in the
first place it removes weightage and secondly, it brings the total of the House
within the maximum that has been prescribed by the amendment that I have made.
I think the House will find that this is a very satisfactory position.
Pandit Hirday Nath Kunzru : May I ask my honourable Friend whether the
States in Part III of the first Schedule have been represented in accordance
with their population?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Yes, everybody will now get population
ratio.
Then
I come to the second amendment--No. 1377 by Prof. K. T. Shah. Prof. K. T. Shah
proposes that there should be a council of the representatives of agriculture,
industry, commerce and other special interests created by statute. It will be a
permanent body of people. The States shall be required to give them salaries,
allowances, and the duty of this council, as proposed by Prof. K. T. Shah, is
that it shall have the statutory duty of giving advice to Government, and the
Government will have the statutory obligation of consulting this body, and it
shall not be permissible for the Government, I take it, to introduce any
measure which on the face of it does not bear the endorsement that the
statutory body has been consulted with regard to the contents of that Bill. I
believe that is the purpose of Prof. K. T. Shah’s amendment.
There are various objections to this. In the first place anyone who has held
any portfolio in the Government of India or in the Provincial Governments will
know that this is the normal method which the Government of India and the
Provincial Governments adopt before they finalise their legislative measures:
there is no proposal brought forth by the Government of India in which the
Government of India has not taken sufficient steps to consult organised opinion
dealing with that particular matter. It seems to me that this provision which
is a matter of common course is hardly necessary to be put in the Constitution.
I therefore think that from that point of view it is unnecessary.
Then I should like to tell the House that it is proposed that at a later stage
I should bring in an amendment which would permit the President to nominate
three persons either to the Council of States or to the House of the People who
shall be experts with regard to any matter which is being dealt with by any
measure introduced by Government. If it is a matter of commerce, some person
who has knowledge and information and who is an expert in that particular
branch of the subject dealt with by the Bill, will be appointed by the
President either to the Council of States or to the Lower House. He shall
continue to be a member of the legislature until the Bill is disposed of; he
shall have the right to address the House, but he shall not have the right to
vote. It is through that amendment that the Drafting Committee proposes to
introduce into the House such expert knowledge as the Legislature at any
particular moment may require. That justifies, as I said, the rejection of
Prof. K. T. Shah’s amendment; and also the other amendments which insisted that
the other clauses of this article requiring that agriculture, industry and so
on be also represented, become unnecessary. Because, whenever any such expert
assistance is necessary, this provision will be found amply sufficient to carry
out that particular purpose. Honourable Members might remember that in the 1919
Act when Diarchy was introduced in the Provinces a similar provision was
introduced in the then Government of India Act which permitted provincial
Governors to nominate experts to the House to deal with particular measures.
Sir, I suppose and I believe that this particular proposal which I shall table
before the House through an amendment will be sufficient to meet the
requirements of the case.
Shri R. K. Sidhwa : Will the nomination clause remain?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Yes.
Mr. Vice-President : I shall now put amendment No. 1379 to vote. The
question is:
“That clause (2) of article 67 be deleted.”
The amendment was negatived.
Mr. Vice-President : The question is:
“That clause (4) of article 67 be deleted.”
The amendment was negatived.
Mr. Vice-President : The question is:
“That in amendment No. 1369 of the List of Amendments, in the proposed clause
(1) of article 67, for the word ‘two’ the word ‘one’ be substituted.”
The amendment was negatived.
Mr. Vice-President : The question is:
“That in amendment No. 1369 of the List of Amendments, sub-clause (a) of clause
(1) of article 67 be deleted.”
The amendment was negatived.
Mr. Vice-President : The question is:
“That in amendment No. 1369 of the List of Amendments, in sub-clause (a) of the
proposed clause (1) of article 67, for the words ‘twelve members’ the words ‘not
more than 6 per cent, of the total number of members of the House’ be substituted.”
The amendment was negatived.
Mr. Vice-President : I shall put the short notice amendment of Sardar Hukam Singh to vote. The
question is:
“That in amendment No. 1369 of the List of Amendments, in sub-clause (a) of the
proposed clause (1) of article 67, for the words, ‘in the manner provided’ the
words ‘from amongst the categories of persons illustrated’ be substituted.”
The amendment was negatived.
Mr. Vice-President : The question is:
“That for clause (1) of article 67, the following be substituted:
`(1) The Council of States shall consist of not more than two hundred and fifty
members of whom--
(a)
twelve members shall be nominated by the President in the manner provided in
clause (2) of this article; and
(b)
the remainder shall be representative of the States’.”
The amendment was adopted.
Mr. Vice-President : I shall put amendment No. 1375, standing in the name
of Dr. Ambedkar, to vote.
It reads:
“That the proviso to clause (1) of article 67 be deleted.”
Shri L. Krishnaswami Bharathi : On a point of Order, Sir. Amendment No.
1375 is out of order in view of the fact that we have already adopted amendment
No. 1369 which is a substitution of the clause including the proviso. The
proviso has been omitted now by the acceptance of the new clause. There is no
point in having an amendment about something which is not in existence.
Mr. Vice-President : Then I shall not put it to vote.
Mr. Vice-President : The question is:
“That to clause (1-a) of article 67 as now moved, the following words be added:
‘Provided
that the ratio of the total number of representatives of the States for the
time being specified in Part III of the First Schedule to their total
population shall not exceed the ratio of the total number of representatives of
the States for the time being specified in Parts I and II of that Schedule to
the total population of such States’. “
The amendment was negatived.
Mr. Vice-President : The question is:
“That in amendment No. 1378 of the List of Amendments for the proposed clause
(1-a) of article 67, the following be substituted:
‘(1-a)
The allocation of seats to representatives of the States in the Council of
States shall be based on the following principles:
(i)
one representative for every million population up to the first seven million
population in each State in Schedule I, provided that no State shall have less
than one representative in the Council of States;
(ii)
one representative for every two million population after the first seven
million’.”
The amendment was negatived.
Mr. Vice-President : The question is:
“That in amendment No. 1378 of the List of Amendments, for the proposed clause
(1-a) of article 67, for the words ’in accordance with the provisions in
that behalf contained in Schedule III-B’ the words ‘on the basis of equal
representation to each of the component States, the number of which
representation shall in no case be more than three’ be substituted.”
The amendment was negatived.
Mr. Vice-President : The question is :
“That in amendment No. 1378 of the List of Amendments, after the proposed
clause (1-a) of article 67, the following new clause (1-b) be inserted :
‘(1-b) Steps should be taken to see that, as far as possible, men from
different units are represented.’ “
The amendment was negatived.
Mr. Vice-President : The question is:
“That the following new clause be added after clause (1) of article 67:
‘(1-a)
The allocation of seats to representatives of the States in the Council of
States shall be in accordance with the provisions in that behalf contained in
Schedule III-B’.”
The amendment was adopted.
Mr. Vice-President : The question is:
“That the proviso to clause (1) of article 67 be deleted and the following new
clause be added after clause(1):
‘(1-a)
Parliament may by law establish a Consultative Council of Representatives of
Agriculture (25), Industry (15), Commerce (10), Mining, Forestry and Engineering
(10), Public Utilities (5), Social Services (5), Economists (5), to advise
Parliament and the Council of Ministers on all matters of policy affecting
Agriculture, Industry, Commerce, Mining, Forestry, Engineering, Public
Utilities and Social Services; and prepare or scrutinise proposals for
legislation concerning any of these items.
Explanation.--The number given in the brackets after each group is the
total number of representatives from each section
Members of this Council shall have, individually or collectively, no
administrative or executive duties, functions, or responsibilities. Every
member of this Council shall be paid such salaries, emoluments, or allowances
as Parliament may from time to time provide’.”
The amendment was negatived.
Mr. Vice-President : The question is :
“That in amendment No. 1380 of the List of Amendments, in the proposed clause
(2) of article 67, for the words ’special knowledge or practical
experience’ the words ‘real knowledge of or actual devotion for’, and for the
words ’Letters, art, science and social services’ the words ‘History of
ancient Indian Philosophy and Culture, art and science and social services
towards reconstruction of “Introspective India” ‘ be substituted respectively.”
The amendment was negatived.
Mr. Vice-President : The question is:
“That in amendment No. 1380 of the List of Amendments, in the proposed clause
(2) of article 67, after the word ‘science’ the words ‘philosophy, religion,
law’ be inserted.”
The amendment was negatived.
Mr. Vice-President : The question is:
“That in amendment No. 1380 of the List of Amendments, at the end of the
proposed clause (2) of article 67, the words commencing ‘Letters, art, etc.’ be
numbered as sub-clause (a) of that clause and the following new sub-clause be
added thereafter:
‘(b) journalism, commerce, industries, law.’ “
The amendment was negatived.
Mr. Vice-President : The question is:
“That for clause (2) of article 67, the following be substituted:
‘(2) The members to be nominated by the President under sub-clause (a) of
Clause (1) of this article shall consist of persons having special knowledge or
practical experience in respect of such matters as the following, namely:
Letters, art, science and social services.’ “
The amendment was adopted.
Mr. Vice-President : The question is:
“That for clause (3) of article 67, the following be substituted:
‘(3) All members of the Council of States shall be elected. Each constituent
State shall elect 5 members by votes of adult citizens.’ “
The amendment was negatived.
Mr. Vice-President : The question is:
“That is sub-clause (a) of clause (3) of article 67, the word ‘elected’ where
it occurs for the second time be deleted.”
The amendment was negatived.
Mr. Vice-President : The question is:
“That in sub-clause (a) of clause (3) of article 67, the word ‘elected’ where
it occurs for one second time be deleted.”
The amendment was negatived.
Mr. Vice-President : The question is:
“That in sub-clause (a) of clause (3) of article 67, the words ‘Legislative
Assembly’ be substituted for the words ‘Lower House.’ “
The amendment was negatived.
Mr. Vice-President : The question is:
“That in sub-clause (a) of clause (3) of article 67, for the words ‘Lower House’
the words ‘two Houses’ be substituted.”
The amendment was negatived.
Mr. Vice-President : The question is:
“That in clause (3) of article 67, the following new sub-clause (d) be added:
‘(d)
The election under sub-clause (a) and (b) shall be in accordance with the
system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.’
“
The amendment was negatived.
Mr. Vice-President : The question is:
“That at the end of sub-clause (a) of clause (3) of article 67, the following
words be added:
‘in
accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the
single transferable vote.’ “
The amendment was adopted.
Mr. Vice-President : The question is:
“That in sub-clause (b) of clause (3) of article 67, after the words ‘of that
House’ the words ‘in accordance with the system of proportional representation
by means of the single transferable vote’ be inserted.”
The amendment was adopted.
Mr. Vice-President : The question is:
“That at the end of sub-clause (a) of clause (3) of article 67, the word ‘and ‘
be added and the word ‘and’ at the end of sub-clause (b) be omitted.”
The amendment was negatived.
Mr. Vice-President : The question is :
“That sub-clause (c) of clause (3) of article 67 be omitted.”
The amendment was negatived.
Mr. Vice-President : It thus appears that there are altogether 5 amendments
which have been carried, namely Nos. 1369, 1378, 1380,1400 and 1403.
I am now in a position to make a formal announcement to the House that we
definitely adjourn from the 8th of this month, but we do sit on the 8th
Saturday. The House now stands adjourned to 10 A.M. tomorrow.
The Assembly then adjourned till Ten of the Clock on Tuesday, the 4th January
1949.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
*[Translation Of Hindustani Speech.]*
Related Documents:-
Role of Sardar Hukum Singh in Constituent Assembly Debates - Article 13
Role of Sardar Hukum Singh in Constituent Assembly Debates - Article 37
Role of Sardar Hukum Singh in Constituent Assembly Debates - Entries in Union List
Role of Sardar Hukum Singh in Constituent Assembly Debates - Article 102
Role of Sardar Hukum Singh in Constituent Assembly Debates - Government of India (Amendment) Bill
Role of Sardar Hukum Singh in Constituent Assembly Debates - Entries in Union List 2
Role of Sardar Hukum Singh in Constituent Assembly Debates - Article 10
Role of Sardar Hukum Singh in Constituent Assembly Debates - Article 67 (Contd)
Role of Sardar Hukum Singh in Constituent Assembly Debates - Article 13
Role of Sardar Hukum Singh in Constituent Assembly Debates - Article 37
Role of Sardar Hukum Singh in Constituent Assembly Debates - Entries in Union List
Role of Sardar Hukum Singh in Constituent Assembly Debates - Article 102
Role of Sardar Hukum Singh in Constituent Assembly Debates - Government of India (Amendment) Bill
Role of Sardar Hukum Singh in Constituent Assembly Debates - Entries in Union List 2
Role of Sardar Hukum Singh in Constituent Assembly Debates - Article 10
Role of Sardar Hukum Singh in Constituent Assembly Debates - Article 67 (Contd)
No comments:
Post a Comment