3. With reference to the working of the Constituent Assembly, explain the following: (a) Work of the Drafting Committee. (b) Passage of the Constitution.
Answers
Answer:
Explanation:
a) Work of Drafting Committee
Drafting Committee was one of the 23 committees to deal with different tasks of constitution-making. Out of these, eight were major committees and the others were minor . It was headed by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
On 14 August 1947 meeting of the Assembly, a proposal for forming various committees was presented.[10] Such committees included a Committee on Fundamental Rights, the Union Powers Committee and Union Constitution Committee. On 29 August 1947, the Drafting Committee was appointed, with Dr B. R. Ambedkar as the Chairman along with six other members assisted by a constitutional advisor. These members were Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant, Kanaiyalal Maneklal Munshi (K M Munshi, Ex- Home Minister, Bombay), Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer (Ex- Advocate General, Madras State), N Gopalaswami Ayengar (Ex-Prime Minister, J&K and later member of Nehru Cabinet), B L Mitter (Ex-Advocate General, India), Md. Saadullah (Ex- Chief Minister of Assam, Muslim League member) and D P Khaitan (Scion of Khaitan Business family and a renowned lawyer). The constitutional advisor was Sir Benegal Narsing Rau (who became First Indian Judge in International Court of Justice, 1950–54). Later B L Mitter resigned and was replaced by Madhav Rao (Legal Advisor of Maharaja of Vadodara). On D P Khaitan's death, T T Krishnamachari was included in the drafting committee. A draft Constitution was prepared by the committee and submitted to the Assembly on 4 November 1947, which was debated and over 2000 amendments were moved over a period of two years.
Finally on 26 November 1949, the process was completed and the Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution. 284 members signed the document and the process of constitution making was complete. This day is celebrated as National Law Day or Constitution Day.
b) Passage of the Constitution
Passage of the Constitution Act 1975 through Parliament
Find a scanned copy of the original Constitution Act 1975, reserved for royal assent by the Governor, here.
Below outlines its passage through Parliament in further detail.
To view the debates and contributions, use the Hansard from the 46th Parliament and the below dates.
9 April 1975
The Bill was introduced and the first reading passed the Legislative Assembly.
1 May 1975
The Bill was declared as 'urgent', and the second and third readings were passed on the same day.
The Bill was then introduced and the first reading passed in the Legislative Council.
6 - 8 May 1975
The Bill passed its second and third readings (with amendments), and sent back to the Assembly requesting agreement.
8 May 1975
Message received from the Legislative Council asking the Assembly to agree to the Bill with amendments. Assembly agree to the amendments and the Bill is prepared for Royal Assent.
20 May 1975
Constitution Act 1975 is reserved for Royal Assent.
For the Assembly, see here.
For the Council, see here.
22 October 1975
Constitution Act 1975 assented to.
19 November 1975
Proclamation of the Royal Assent is published in the Victoria Government Gazette.
1 December 1975
Constitution Act 1975 comes into operation.