The idea of was put forward for first time by M. N. Roy in 1934. He was a pioneer of communist movement in India. In 1935, the Indian National Congress for the first time, officially demanded a Constituent Assembly to frame the Constitution of India.
Constituent Assembly was elected on the basis of Adult Franchise. Total strength of the Constituent Assembly was to be 389. 296 seats were allotted to British India and 93 seats to the Princely States. Total number of members of Constituent Assembly was reduced from 389 to 299. 229 seats were allotted to British India and 70 seats to Princely States.
The Constituent Assembly held its first meeting on December 9, 1946 under temporary President of Constituent Assembly. Dr. Sachchidanand Sinha. Later on December 11, 1946 Dr. Rajendraprasad and H.C. Mukerjee was elected as the President and Vice President of the Assembly respectively. Sir B.N. Rau was appointed as the Constitutional Advisor to the Assembly.
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Completion of Constituent Assembly took a period of 2 years, 11 months 18 days. The total expenditure incurred on making the Constitution Assembly amounted to Rs. 64 Lakhs. The Constituent Assembly appointed 22 committees to deal with different tasks of Constitution making. Drafting committee was set up on August 29, 1947.
Drafting committee consisted of seven members. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar was one of the members and chairman of the Drafting Committee. Drafting Committee took 114 days to prepare its draft.
The Constitution as adopted on November 26, 1949 contained a Preamble. 395 Articles and 8 Schedules. Objective resolution was given by Jawaharlal Nehru. It was adopted by Assembly on January 22, 1947. Objective resolution in modified version forms the Preamble of our Constitution. The Constitution came into force on Jan. 26, 1950. At present Constitution of India contains a Preamble, 444 Articles and 12 Schedules.
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