SHORT REPORT ON THE WORKING OF THE SWATANTRA PARTY IN THE FIRST SESSION OF THE 3RD LOK SABHA

Summary

This two-page report by P. K. Deo reviews the Swatantra Party’s performance during the first session of the Third Lok Sabha in 1962. Deo notes that most party members were new to parliamentary politics, but reports growing participation and a generally satisfactory performance in debates, including the President’s Address, ministerial demands, the Finance Bill, and the University Grants Commission. He highlights the party’s interventions on the carry-forward of capital losses, excise duties, expenditure tax, and other fiscal measures, including instances of voting with the Jan Sangh and Congress members on particular proposals.

Key points

• The report covers the Swatantra Party’s work in the first session of the Third Lok Sabha in 1962.
• P. K. Deo arrived nearly a month after the session began because of a family bereavement and temporarily acted as party leader.
• The party participated in debates on the President’s Address, ministerial demands, Finance Bills, and the University Grants Commission.
• Deo presents the party’s parliamentary performance as increasingly effective, including on taxation and capital-loss provisions.
• The report identifies the absence of a parliamentary Research Bureau as the party’s principal organisational handicap.
• It recommends establishing a Research Bureau in Delhi to support the Swatantra Party in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
• The report records changes in the party’s parliamentary strength, including David Munzni’s departure and Yash Pal Singh’s arrival as an associate member.