THE DRAFT CONSTITUTION 99
THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY, FEB. 26,1948 131
Parliament under the new Constitution to confer executive power on Union authorities, or, if necessary, to empower Union authorities to give directions as to how executive power shall be exercised by State authorities. In making this provision the Committee has kept in view the principle that executive authority should for the most part be co-extensive with legislative power. Article 67 8. Composition of the Council of States.— According to a decision taken by the Constituent Assembly, the Council of States was to contain not more than 25 members (out of a total not exceeding 250) to be elected from panels or constituencies on a functional basis. The panel system having hitherto proved unsatisfactory in the country from which it was copied (Ireland), the Committee has thought it best to provide for 15 members to be nominated by the President for their special knowledge or practical experience in Literature, Art, Science, etc. The Committee considers that no special representation for labour or commerce and industry among these nominations is necessary, in view of the fact that they are certain to be adequately represented in the elected element of the Union Parliament owing to adult suffrage. Articles 63 9. Duration of Union Parliament and of State and 151. Legislatures.—The Committee considers that under the parliamentary system, particularly at the beginning of a new Constitution on the basis of adult suffrage, a longer term than four years is desirable. New ministers require some time to acquaint themselves with the details of administration, and their last year of office is usually taken up in preparing for the next general election. With a four-year term they will not have enough time for any kind of planned administration. Articles 107 10. Supreme Court and High Courts.—Followand 200 ing the practice prevailing in the United Kingdom and the United States of America, the Committee has proposed that in certain circumstances retired judges may be invited to serve in particular cases both in the Supreme Court and in the High Courts. Article 131. 11. Mode of selection of Governors.—Some members of the Committee feel that the co-existence