Govt not in a rush to ratify Prez Rule

New Delhi, Feb. 9: Unlike other presidential proclamations, the government will not rush to ratify President’s Rule in Arunachal Pradesh in the Budget Session of Parliament, with the matter pending before the Supreme Court.

It will wait for the Supreme Court to deliver its verdict in the matter before moving for the ratification in the session beginning February 23.

Generally, such proclamations as also ordinances are taken up on a priority basis for consideration.

As per Article 356 of the Constitution, the proclamation of President’s Rule will cease to operate within two months unless “it has been approved by resolutions of both Houses of Parliament”.

President’s Rule was imposed in Arunachal Pradesh on January 26 following political instability in the state.

“Passage of resolutions in both Houses to ratify the proclamation of President’s Rule is our priority. But we will have to wait for the Supreme Court to deliver its verdict on the issue,” a senior government functionary said.

“When the matter is before the apex court, we cannot get a resolution ratifying President’s Rule passed,” the functionary said.

If the resolution is moved, the government will face challenge for its passage in the Rajya Sabha where it lacks the numbers.

The law ministry, meanwhile, is in two minds on whether to go for an ordinance or bring a bill in the coming session to amend two electoral laws to allow the Election Commission carry out a limited delimitation exercise in West Bengal to accord voting rights to people who came to live in the country following exchange of enclaves between India and Bangladesh.