1108 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
to call the leader of the Opposition to form an alternative Ministry. On the advice of the British Government, the Governor-General accepted the advice of Mr. Mackenzie King and dissolved the Parliament.
Shri H. V. Kamath : Instead of Dr. Ambedkar’s obiter dictum why not have a Constitutional provision ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : We cannot discuss this question in this way.
[Amendment No. 360 mentioned earlier of Mr. T. T. Krishnamachari was adopted. Clause (5a) of Article 62 was omitted.]
ARTICLE 303
- The Honourable Shri K. Santhanam : May I enquire whether a person, who has lost his State by merger in a province continues to be a Ruler or he has become successor ?
Shri T. T. Krishnamachari : The whole difficulty is, this is rather intricate. It is baffling. I admit that a person who has lost his State is nevertheless a Ruler, under the definition in (nn), and also for the purpose of article 267-A.
The Honourable Shri K. Santhanam : Why not his son also be a Ruler ?
Shri T. T. Krishnamachari : Might be.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : If I may say so, this definition of Ruler is intended only for the limited purpose of making payments out of the privy purse. It has no other reference at all.
The Honourable Shri K. Santhanam : My point is whether it will be so construed as to mean two people at the same time entitled to the allowances. I want to ensure that at a time there will be only one person who will be entitled under the covenant to receive payment.
Mr. President: I think that is just secured by this, because the person recognised as the Ruler alone will be entitled to the payment.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : That would be governed by the provisions regarding recognition. I am sure the President is not going to recognise two or three or four persons. This expression is deliberately used in order to give the power to the President.
The Honourable Shri K. Santhanam : He might be called the Ruler or successor.
Mr. President : Mr. Santhanam, I think that is quite clear. ...I do not suppose any further discussion is necessary. I shall put it to vote.
[The amendment of Shri T. T. Krishnamachari to substitute sub-clause (nn) of clause (1) of Article 303 was adopted.]
*CAD, Vol. X, 14th October 1949, p. 282.