CHAGLA FOR A “FRESH LOOK” AT CONSTITUTION

NEW DELHI, July 22. Mr. M.C. Chagla demanded in the Rajya Sabha today the appointment of a high-powered commission to examine the working of the Constitution and suggest improvements. He was speaking on the Presidential proclamation on Bihar.

Home Minister Chavan had earlier announced that the Government had asked the Chief Election Commissioner to make preparations for a mid-term poll in Bihar as early as possible.

Mr. Chagla said a commission was necessary to examine the Constitution “as a whole”, pinpoints its defects, and recommend changes. He stressed that mere ending of defections would not bring about stability to Governments.

Because of the experience in the past years it was necessary to examine the structure of the State, the desirability of the parliamentary form of Governments and CentreState relations.

Pleading for a “fresh look” at the Constitution Mr. Chagla said defections were a disgrace to the country and a negation of parliamentary democracy.

He said that though avoiding President’s Rule was desirable, when democratic solutions failed, the Government should not resort to other means than imposing such rule.

The proclamation on Bihar was delayed “too long” he said. President’s Rule should have been imposed in Bihar in 1966 itself.

Mr. Chagla said the “chaos” in Bihar was due to this delay.