Open In App

Tenth Amendment of Indian Constitution

Improve
Improve
Like Article
Like
Save
Share
Report

Background of Tenth Amendment Act, 1961:

Dadra and Nagar Haveli was a colony under the Portuguese till 1954. People residing in Dadra and Nagar Haveli with the help of the Azad Gomantak Dal, United Front of Goans, the National Movement Liberation Organization, and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh freed themselves from the rule of the Portuguese. 
But, even after its independence from the Portuguese, Dadra and Nagar Haveli were still considered the possession of the Portuguese only by international organizations like the International Court of Justice. Therefore, it asked for administrative help from the Government of India. As a result, a body known as Varishta Panchayat of Free Dadra and Nagar Haveli administered Dadra and Nagar Haveli from 1954 to 1961. 
In 1961, KG Badlani, an officer of the Indian Administrative Service was made the Head of the State for one day so that he can sign an Agreement with Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in order to merge the territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli into the Republic of India.

Tenth Amendment Bill, 1961:

The Tenth Amendment Bill, 1961 was introduced in the Lok Sabha by then Deputy Minister of External Affairs, Laxmi Menon on 11 August 1961. 
On 16 August 1961, President Rajendra Prasad gave his assent to the bill.

Significance of the Tenth Amendment Act: 

By amending the First Schedule to the Constitution with the Tenth Amendment Act, 1961, Dadra and Nagar Haveli was made the seventh Union Territory of India.
For the purpose of enabling the President to make regulations regarding the good government, progress and peace of the territory of the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, the Act also amended Article 240(1) of the Indian Constitution. On 11 August 1961, Tenth Amendment Act retroactively came into effect.

Related Frequently Asked Questions with Answers:

Q1. Which organizations helped residents of Dadra and Nagar Haveli to achieve independence from Portuguese rule? 
Answer– People residing in Dadra and Nagar Haveli with the help of the Azad Gomantak Dal, United Front of Goans, the National Movement Liberation Organisation, and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh freed themselves from the rule of the Portuguese.

Q2. Who became Head of the State of Dadra and Nagar Haveli for one day?
Answer– In 1961, KG Badlani, an officer of the Indian Administrative Service was made the Head of the State for one day so that he can sign an Agreement with Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in order to merge the territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli into the Republic of India.

Q3. Mention the significance of the Tenth Amendment Act.
Answer- By amending the First Schedule to the Constitution with the Tenth Amendment Act, 1961, Dadra and Nagar Haveli was made the seventh Union Territory of India.
For the purpose of enabling the President to make regulations regarding the good government, Progress and peace of the territory of the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, the Act also amended Article 240(1) of the Indian Constitution.

Q4. When did Tenth Amendment Act come into effect?
Answer– On 11 August 1961, Tenth Amendment Act retroactively came into effect.

Q5. Dadra and Nagar Haveli was a colony under whom?
Answer- Dadra and Nagar Haveli was a colony under the Portuguese till 1954. But, even after its independence from the Portuguese, Dadra and Nagar Haveli were still considered the possession of the Portuguese only by international organizations like the International Court of Justice. Therefore, it asked for administrative help from the Government of India.

 


Last Updated : 27 Jul, 2023
Like Article
Save Article
Previous
Next
Share your thoughts in the comments
Similar Reads