DRAFT CONSTITUTION 789
NEW ARTICLE 254-A
- Mr. President : Then we shall take up 254-A.
Mr. Naziruddin Ahmad : I have a point of order. Sir, the point of order is that amendment No. 82 seeking to introduce a new article 254-A is entirely a new matter. We have already decided in the House that amendments to the Constitution should be presented by a certain date. We have presented our amendments. No further amendments to the Constitution could be allowed according to the rules. The only amendments which are admissible today would be amendments to the original amendments as well as amendments to regular amendments. I submit that the present amendment is not related to any amendment at all... It says that “after article 254 the following article be substituted”. There is here no attempt or even a pretence of it being with reference to or related to or being in connection with any amendment. I submit, Sir, that this article cannot be inserted in this way.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : No doubt the point raised by my honourable Friend is quite valid, but I submit that you have infinite discretion in this matter to allow any amendment if it is an amendment of importance.
Mr. President: I think on previous occasions also we have allowed new articles to be inserted and this is a new article which is sought to be inserted after article 254.
Shri T. T. Krishnamachari : When you have allowed the Drafting Committee to function, it will be its duty continually to examine the Draft Constitution and if they find that there is a lacuna, because of the fact that the Committee is in existence, it has got to take steps to till in this lacuna. The present amendment arises out of that necessity.
Mr. President: On previous occasions I have allowed fresh articles to be introduced, and this is a new article which is sought to be introduced after article 254 and so I allow this.
Dr. Ambedkar, you may move the amendment.
- CAD, Vol. IX, dated 8th August 1949, pp. 261-64.