DRAFT CONSTITUTION 497
of States and in regard to the House of the People ? Now, the difference has been made because of the word “then” occurring there. That word “then” is important. The word “then” means all members whose seats are not vacant. It does not mean members sitting or present and voting. It is because of this provision, that all members who are members of Parliament and whose seats are not vacant, that their votes also have to be counted, that we have said—passed by a majority of the then members.
Shri H. V. Kamath : Does it mean the total number of members of the Council of States ?
The Honourable Dr. B, R. Ambedkar : Yes, The word ‘then’ is necessary.
Shri H. V. Kamath : On a point of clarification, Sir. Yesterday in article 50, we used the phraseology ‘passed by a majority ‘in place of the two-thirds majority. Should we not do the same thing here to make the meaning clearer ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I shall explain it presently. The reason is due to the fact that we have to use the word ‘then’ which is intended to distinguish the case of members present and voting, and members who are members of the House whose seats are not vacant, and voting.
Shri H. V. Kamath : Am I to understand that unless otherwise specified, when you say a resolution is passed or adopted, it means that it is by a simple majority ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Yes.
Now, coming to the point raised by my friend Mr. Tahir, amendment No. 1266. If I understood him correctly, what he says is that the resolution of no confidence should require to be passed by two-thirds. This may be good or it may be bad. I cannot say. All I can say is that this provision is also on a par with the provision regarding the want of confidence in the Speaker. There also we do not require that it should be passed by two-thirds majority or two-thirds of the members of the House.
Then, coming to the amendment of my friend Mr. Naziruddin Ahmad, who wants that in clause (c) after the word “term” words such as resignation etc. should be inserted. This amendment is absolutely unnecessary, because this article does not make any