Government to reintroduce Bill
Government to-day [May 16, New Delhi ] gave notice of its intention to bring forward the 19th Constitution Amendment Bill for consideration in the Lok Sabha to-morrow [May 17], after its failure earlier in the day to introduce the Bill in the Lok Sabha for want of the requisite majority. This surprise move came towards the end of the day when Mr. Satyanarayan Sinha, leader of the House, offered a ‘hundred apologies’ to the House and the Speaker also spoke in favour of suspension of the relevant rules to permit the Bill to be reintroduced in the current session.
Mr. Sinha also told the House that to facilitate reintroduction of the Bill direction 19 (b) and rules 338 and second proviso to Rule 74 would have to be suspended by the House. The Bill is to be introduced to-morrow. Opposition members, however, objected to this “peremptory” and “unprecedented” suspension of the rules for amending the Constitution and preferred a special session for the purpose. Mr. H.V. Kamath (P.S.P.) accused the Government of “remissness” and suggested that the Congress Parliamentary Party should be charged the extra expenditure for convening a special session to pass the Amending Bill. Mr. M.S. Aney (Ind.) felt that a Constitution amendment should not be treated in such a lighthearted manner as to be reintroduced by waiver of rules. Mrs. Savitri Nigam (Cong.) said that accidents happened in spite of the best precautions. Mr. Sinha also took the same line in his reply to his critics and said that the failure of the Bill earlier was “totally unexpected.”
Sadiq has narrow escape
Mr. G. M. Sadiq, Kashmir Chief Minister, escaped unhurt when an attempt was made on his life by throwing a hand grenade at a motorcade when he reached the Municipal Park at Baramulla, 31 miles from here [Srinagar, May 16] to address a public meeting. Mr. Sadiq had already entered the Park when the grenade fell injuring 31 persons out of which one later died in hospital. Mr. Sadiq kept his presence of mind and addressed the meeting for one hour. No arrests have been made so far. Later, Mr. Sadiq, fully composed and calm, told newsmen that this was part of a politician’s life. “We have nine lives like cat,” he said. He recalled that attempts had been made on his life two years ago in Baramulla and nearby Sopore and Bandipore. Mr. Sadiq said, “This explosion indicates the frustration the pro-Pakistani elements have been feeling for some time. In the past Baramulla has been known as a citadel of anti-Indian activity and reaction.” The tremendous reception to him and the people’s enthusiasm had unnerved them further, he added.
Overdrafts by States to be curbed
The Union Finance Minister, Mr. Sachindra Chaudhuri said here [Calcutta] to-day [May 16] that the Government of India was working out a new scheme for the purpose of restraining over-drafts by the States as “self-imposed discipline did not always function.” The new scheme was now being prepared and he would examine it on his return to Delhi, he added. Mr. Chaudhuri, who was addressing a Press conference, said in view of the present position there might be some modification of the States’ share from the Central pool in the first year of the Fourth Plan. The State Governments drew money from the Reserve Bank of India. “When informed about overdrafts, the State Governments ask us to dishonour their cheques. Now how can we dishonour a cheque from a constituent Government,” the Finance Minister asked. He therefore felt that there should be some arrangements for minimising such over-drafts, he said. Asked about the nationalisation of banks to help finance national plans, Mr. Chaudhuri said the question was discussed from time to time. The question was whether the Government Administration was better than the private one. The other points, namely, how the banks were lending their money and for what purpose – could be controlled through the Reserve Bank of India. “In my opinion, there should be a very close examination of the question (nationalisation of banks) before anything is decided”, he said. He said he did not know the exact amount of black money in the country. But, it was roughly estimated at between Rs. 1,000 crores to Rs. 1,200 crores. Mainly it was invested in lands and gold. When one talked of bank nationalisation, he should also think of nationalisation of urban property Mr. Chaudhuri said
