Then I would like to come to Article 277-A. Article 277-A proposes that ‘it shall be the duty of the Union to protect every State against external aggression and internal disturbance and to ensure that the government of every State is carried on in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution‘. It is a very intriguing provision. We are dealing with emergency powers. I cannot see what place this Article can have logically in the discussion that we are having. But it is necessary simply because we have an amended draft which is Article 278 where in part (b) of clause (1) it has been stated “declare that the powers of the legislature or the State shall be exercisable by or under the authority of Parliament‘ and then further in sub-clause (c)-“make such incidental and consequential provisions as appear to the President to be necessary or desirable for giving effect to, the objects of the proclamation including provisions for suspending in whole or in part the operation of any provisions of this Constitution relating to any body or authority in that State“. This pious provision of 277-A has no connection whatsoever with any emergency. It is merely a pious expression on the part of the Union Government that they are going to try their best to uphold the Constitution and not interfere unduly in the Constitution which has been laid down in this Act. I not think this sort of assurance was necessary at all, if we had not provided that the President will have the power even of setting at naught the Constitution by which the existence and the continuance of the unit or the State have been guaranteed.
