DRAFT CONSTITUTION 1105
ARTICLE 48
*Shri H. V. Kamath : Dr. Ambedkar was quite clear when he gave his answer to me the other day, but now he seems to have some doubt in his own mind, and he has come now with an amendment seeking to provide residences to Governors and the President, without payment of rent. We should, proceed logically, provide rent-free accommodation to Ministers also.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Sir, if I may say a word. This amendment is merely consequential or analogous to the provision we have made with regard to the Rajpramukhs. In the clauses that were moved the other day with regard to the residences of Rajpramukhs, we have definitely stated that they will be rent-free. On comparing the similar clauses relating to the Governors, we found that somehow there was a slip and we did not mention rent-free houses. It is to make good that lacuna, and to bring the cases of the Governors and the President on the same footing as the Rajpramukhs that this amendment is needed.
With regard to the question of Ministers, that will be regulated by law made by Parliament. Whether Parliament will be prepared to give them salary with house, and if with house, whether it will be free of rent or with rent, are all matters that will be regulated by Parliament, because the offices of Ministers are political offices dependent upon the goodwill and the confidence of the House, and it seems to me that Mr. Kamath will very easily understand that it would be not proper to remove the Ministers from the purview and jurisdication of Parliament.
Mr. President: I would like to put it to vote.
The question is :
“That in clause (3) of article 48, for the words ‘The President shall have an official residence, the words ‘ The President shall be entitled to the use of the Government House without payment of rent’ be substituted.”
[The amendment was negatived.]
Mr. President : Then I put the amendment moved by Shri T. T. Krishnamachari.
The question is :
“That in clause (3) of article 48, for the words ‘The President shall have an official residence’ the words ‘The President shall be entitled without payment of rent to the use of his official residences’ be substituted.”
The amendment was adopted.
Shri T. T. Krishnamachari : Sir, I move amendment No. 360.
“That clause (5a) of article 62 be omitted.”
*CAD, Vol. X, 14th October 1949, p. 268.