MINUTES

Summary

These minutes record a Swatantra Party parliamentary meeting held on 19 February 1963 in New Delhi, chaired by Prof. N. G. Ranga. The meeting reviewed discussions with leaders of the PSP and Jan Sangh concerning joint amendments to the motion on the President’s Address. Members agreed that the Address failed to reaffirm Parliament’s earlier resolve to expel Chinese forces from Indian territory, lacked concrete measures for prosecuting the war and restoring territorial integrity, placed undue emphasis on peaceful methods, and did not promise sufficiently effective military assistance from friendly democratic countries. The Party also approved amendments criticizing the Government’s failure to present a Victory Plan, protect peasant proprietorship and agricultural incentives, and address the oppressive Gold Control Order. The minutes objected to coercive methods of raising Defence Funds and expressed opposition to a Defence Labour Bank based on compulsory donations of free labour. The amendments were to be tabled in both Houses, with designated members speaking against the President’s Address, the Railway Budget, and the Budget.

Key points

• Swatantra Party parliamentarians met on 19 February 1963 under the chairmanship of Prof. N. G. Ranga. The meeting considered joint opposition amendments to the motion on the President’s Address. The Party criticized the absence of a concrete military and economic Victory Plan after Chinese occupation of Indian territory. Members objected to the Government’s agricultural policy, especially its failure to protect peasant proprietorship and provide incentives for increased production. The Gold Control Order was condemned as harmful to skilled artisans, independent livelihoods, and rural credit. The Party opposed coercive Defence Fund methods and compulsory free labour.
• Members were assigned to speak on the President’s Address, Railway Budget, and Budget in both Houses of Parliament.