Swaran Singh Panel
The Swaran Singh Committee, which submitted its final report on constitutional reforms, suggested that the concept of secularism and socialism be clearly spelt out in the Constitution. Accordingly, it has recommended that the preamble to the Constitution should be amended by substituting the expression “sovereign, democratic, secular, socialist republic” for sovereign democratic republic. The committee has reiterated its earlier recommendation, contained in its interim report, that considering the kind of regional diversity in India, the country should continue to have parliamentary form of government. While the tentative report sought to deny high courts the power of declaring laws passed by Parliament or state legislature as ultra vires of the Constitution, the final report, which is the product of discussions with Congressmen, bar councils and jurists, says while laws passed by Parliament can be declared invalid only by the Supreme Court, the validity of laws passed by state legislatures can be judged by high courts.
42nd Amendment Bill
The 42nd Constitution Amendment Bill, introduced by Law Minister H.R. Gokhale, in the Lok Sabha, was to be considered and passed by the house on May 25. Meanwhile, a three-line whip has been issued to all Congress members of the Lok Sabha to be present and vote with the government on the measure.
General On Farakka
Deputy Chief Martial Law Administrator and Vice Prime Minister of Bangladesh General Ziaur Rahman inexplicably cut short his visit to Iran and flew back to Dacca. The general expressed the hope that the Farakka dispute would be settled soon. He added that Bangladesh wanted to be on friendly terms with India.
