The Constitution of India : Select Issues and Perceptions

Contents: Foreword. Preface. Tables. 1. Introduction. 2. Definition of the words "Secular" and "Socialist" in the Preamble to the Constitution. 3. Formation of new states (the case of Uttaranchal). 4. Reservations for Women and Article 16. 5. Reservations in employment in hill areas: some constitutional issues. 6. Constitutional implications of recognition of certain titles. 7. Minority educational institutions and the Constitution. 8. Punjabi as a language of instructions in Panjab University. 9. Bangalore Palace (Acquisition and Transfer) Act, 1996. 10. Proposal to insert new Directive Principles to promote small family norm. 11. Power of the President to grant pardon and petitions by foreigners. 12. Caretaker government and its functions pending elections. 13. President’s competence to remove Union Minister without consulting Cabinet. 14. Interpretation of the expression ‘Art’ in Article 80(3) and other related issues. 15. President/Governor’s address – a constitutional mandate. 16. Need for Amendment of Articles 94 and 179. 17. Office of profit. 18. President’s assent to Bills passed by Parliament. 19. Removal of a Judge of the Supreme Court/High Court and the powers of Parliament. 20. Appointment of the Comptroller and Auditor-General. 21. Continuance of Governor in the post till the Governor designate assumes charge. 22. Governor’s responsibility for his address. 23. Constitution of new Legislative Assembly. 24. National Capital Territory of Delhi–I. 25. National Capital Territory of Delhi–II. 26. Exemption of New Delhi Municipal Committee from certain provisions of the Constitution. 27. Follow-up of the Sarkaria Commission recommendations. 28. Jammu and Kashmir Criminal Law Amendment Bill, 1995. 29. Extent of Parliament’s powers under Article 252. 30. Proclamation of Emergency under Article 352. 31. Revival of a Legislative Assembly. 32. Extending entries in the Seventh Schedule to Jammu and Kashmir. 33. Nagaland (Ownership and Transfer of Land and Its Resources) Amendment Bill, 1995. 34. Conflict between legislature and judiciary. 35. Doctrine of separation of powers. 36. National government. 37. An overview of Amendments to the Constitution of India. Appendices. Text of the Constitution of India. Bibliography. Subject index. Name index.

"The book contains conceptual analysis of thirty-seven select issues of Constitutional Law in India many of which are of significant current importance. This study formed division four of The Constitution of India : A Commemorative Edition on 50 Years of Indian Constitution which was released earlier this year and received warm response from highly acclaimed quarters. Relevant Indian case law has been appropriately discussed while dealing with the issues. A chapter offering an overview of amendments to the Constitution of India gives a bird’s eye view of important developments on the subject.

Some of the topics discussed are:

Definition of the words "Secular" and "Socialist" in the preamble to the Constitution.

Reservations for Women and Article 16.

Caretaker government and its functions pending elections.

President’s competence to remove Union Minister without consulting Cabinet.

President/Governor’s Address - A constitutional mandate.

President’s assent to Bills passed by Parliament.

Removal of a Judge of the Supreme Court/High Court and the powers of Parliament.

Follow-up of the Sarkaria Commission recommendations.

Conflict between legislature and judiciary.

National government." (jacket)