Holding

The Constitution (Seventy‑second Amendment) Act, 1992 and the related amendment to the Representation of People Act are constitutionally valid and do not violate Articles 332, 82, or 170.

Summary

The petition challenged the constitutional validity of the Constitution (Seventy‑second Amendment) Act, 1992 which inserted sub‑Article (3B) into Article 332, providing that seats for Scheduled Tribes in the Tripura Legislative Assembly would be reserved based on the existing number of ST members rather than on population proportion, until readjustment after the first census post‑2000. The petitioners argued that this violated the proportionality requirement of Article 332(3), as well as Articles 82 and 170(3), and that the amendment was rushed and malafide. The Court held that Articles 82 and 170 are enabling provisions that permit Parliament to determine seat adjustments, and that a transient provision aimed at a social goal is constitutionally permissible. It further observed that proportionality need not be achieved with mathematical precision and that the amendment did not infringe any basic structure of the Constitution. Consequently, the petition was dismissed.

Issues considered

The constitutionality of inserting sub‑Article (3B) into Article 332 by the 72nd Amendment
Whether Articles 82 and 170(3) allow a temporary reservation scheme not based on population proportion
Whether the proportionality requirement in Article 332(3) is a basic structure limitation
Whether the hurried passage of the amendment indicates malafide intent
Whether the amendment to the Representation of People Act, 1950 is ultra vires the amended Article 332

Legislation cited

Constitution of Indias. Article 170, s. Article 332, s. Article 82

Subjects

ReservationScheduled TribesTripuraConstitutional amendmentProportional representationArticle 332Temporary measuresBasic structure doctrineRepresentation of People ActArticle 82Article 170

Judgment

A SUBRATA ACHARJEE AND ORS.
v.
UNION OF INDIA AND ANR.

FEBRUARY 7, 2002

B [S.P. BHARUCHA, C.J., SYED SHAH MOHAMMED QUADRI, UMESH
C. BANERJEE, S.N. VARIAVA AND SHIVARAJ V. PATIL, JJ.]

Constitution of India, 1950:

C Article 332(3B)-Constitutiional Validity of-Reservation for Scheduled
Tribes in legislative assembly of Tripura on the basis of existing number of
members belonging to Scheduled Tribes in the Assembly-Provision transient
in nature-Reservation challenged being not proportionate to population--
Held, not violative of any of the constitutional mandate-Temporary measures
D shall have to be taken for social goal and for the benefit of the country as
deemed expedient- Proportionality though mainly dependent upon the basis
of population, cannot always be done with arithmetical precision and
mathematical nicety-Representation of People Act, 1950-Section 7(/C).

Articles 82 and 170. · Readjustment of seats in Lok Sabha and legislative
E Assembly- Nature of -Held, are enabling provisions for adjustment of seats
in accordance with the need of situation.

Words and Phrases:

Expression "Parliament may by law determine"-Meaning of-In the
F context of Articles 82 and 170(3) of the Constitution of India, 1950.

In the Legislative Assembly of State of Tripura, 17 Seats were reserved
for Scheduled Tribes and 3 open seats were also held by members of Scheduled
Tribes. There was demand for reservation of 20 seats for Scheduled Tribes
which was agreed to in Memorandum of Settlement between Central
G Government and State of Trlpura and hence by Constitution (72nd
Amendment) Act, 1992 sub-Article (3B) In Article 332 of the Constitution of
India, 1950 was Inserted w.e.f. 5.12.1992, which provided reservation ofseats
for Scheduled Tribes in the Legislative Assembly of Tripura on the basis of
proportion of the number of members belonging to the Scheduled Tribes in
H the Legislative Assembly of Tripura in. existence on the date of commencement
8'88
SUBRA TA ACHARJEE v. U.0.1. 889
of the 72nd Constitution Amendment, until readjustment under Article 170 A
of the Constitution on the basis of census after year 2000. In order to affectuate
72nd Amendment, Representation of People Act, 1950 was amended by Act
No. 38of1992 whereby new sub-section (IC) was inserted to Section 7.

Appellants challenged the constitutional validity of the 72nd Amendment
on the ground that it negated the proportional reservation on the basis of B
population based representation embodied in sub-Articles (3) of Article 332;
and that the same violated Articles 82 and 170(3) of the Constitution; and
since 72nd Amendment as well as Amendment in Representation of People
Act were passed hurriedly so as to make the enforcement of both the
provisions commencing from 5.12.1992, the same was malafide. C
It was contended by the respondents that insertion of sub-Article (3B)
to Article 332 was in implementation of the Memorandum of Settlement and

-
thus, for the benefit of the people of the State without offending any
constitutional provisions.
D
Dismissing the petition, the Court

HELD : l. The Constitution (Seventy Second Amendment) Act, 1992
does not violate any of the constitutional mandate. The expression, 'Parliament
may by law determine' in Articles 82 and 170 ought to be attributed its proper
meaning and upon consideration of the words used and the meanings to be E
attributed thereon, the amendment cannot be held unconstitutional by reason
of the transient nature of incorporation since Article 332(3B) specifically refers
to until the readjustment on the basis of first census after the year 2000. No
exception can be taken for incorporation of such a transient provision :
Temporary measures shall have to be taken for social goal and for the benefit
of the country as deemed expedient Parliament is the authority to understand F
and appreciate the need of the situation and in its wisdom has incorporated
the amendment as envisaged in Article 332(3B). Thus, it can neither be said
to be violative of nor be said to be even of infraction of any constitutional
mandate. It is to bring forth and continue with the object of the Constitution
social, economic and political justice of the people of India. [895-0..G) G
, 2. The authorls:ltlon as contained In Articles 82 and 170 stands out to
In am enabling provl!llon for lncorporntlng sub-Article (3B) under Article 332.
Proportionality thoup,h mainly dependent upon the basis of population but It
ccnnot clways be done with arithmetical precision and mathematical nicety.
The levercge elven by constitutional mandate by reason of Inclusion of the H
890 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2002] I S.C.R.

A words "readjusted by such authority and in such manner as parliament may
by law determine" in Articles 82 and 170(3) depicts the intent of the
Parliament as to its true effect. It is an enabling provision for adjustment of

B
seats in accordance with the need of the situation. [893-F-H)

to.
RC. Poudvalv. Union ofIndia and Ors., (1994) Supp.1SCC324, referred
-
3. Though there was some hurry in passing 72nd Amendment Act and
amendment of Representation of People Act, but that in any way does not
denounce the effort on the part of the Parliament to bring about a peaceful
solution by implementing the accord. The social goal and social benefit ought
C to be the criterion for the law makers and having due regard to the existing
situation and the impending election, the Parliament has passed a legislation
with expedition and obtained Presidential assent thereon immediately and as
such no motive, neither any malafides can be ascribed. [896-B-D)

D CIVIL ORIGINAL JURISDICTION : Writ Petition (C) No. 2 of
1993.

(Under Article 32 ·of the Constitution of India.)

Sunil Gupta, Rajiv K. Garg, Vivek Vishnoi, Annam D.N. Rao, Ms.
E Gitanjali Kapoor and Abhishek Soni for the Petitioners.

Mukul Rohtagi, Additional Solicitor General, T.V. Ratnam and Mrs.
Sushma Suri for P. Parmeswaran for the Respondent No. I.

S. Muralidhar for the Respondent No. 2.

F The Judgment of the Court wad delivered by

BANERJEE, J. The validity of the Constitution (72nd Amendment)
Act, 1992 is the core question in this writ petition and pertains to the issue
of reservation. The Constitution (72nd Amendment) Act, 1992 introduced a
G further sub-Article (38) to the existing Article 332, which the learned Advocate
appearing in support of the petition has contended, runs counter to the
constitutional requirement of population based representation for the people
and proportional reservation for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
in the Legislative Assemblies of the States. It would be convenient, however,
to advert to the relevant extracts of Article 332 at this juncture and the same
H reads as below:
SUB RA TA ACHARJEE v. U.0.1. [UMESH C. BANERJEE, J.) 891
"332. Reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes A
in the Legislative Assemblies of the States.-(1) Seats shall be
reserved for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.
[except the Scheduled Tribes in the autonomous districts of
Assam], in the Legislative Assembly of every State.

(2) .......... . B
(3) The number of seats reserved for the Scheduled Castes or the
Scheduled Tribes in the Legislative Assembly of any State under
clause (1) shall bear, as nearly as may be, the same proportion
• to the total number of seats in the Assembly as the population of
the Scheduled Castes in the State or of the Scheduled Tribes in C
the State or part of the State, as the case may be, in respect of
which seats are so reserved bears to the total population of the
State.

.. (3A) ....... .

(3B) Notwithstanding anything contained in clause (3), until the re- D
adjustment, under article 170, takes effect on the basis of the
first census after the year 2000, of the number of seats in the
Legislative Assembly of the State of Tripura, the seats which
shall be reserved for the Scheduled Tribes in the Legislative
Assembly, shall be, such number of seats as bears to the total E
number of seats, a proportion not less than the number, as on the
date of coming into force of the Constitution (Seventy second
Amendment) Act, 1992, of members belonging to the Scheduled
Tribes in the Legislative Assembly in existence on the said date
bears to the total number of seats in that Assembly."

As indicated above, the sub-Article (3B) stands incorporated in the
F
Constitution by the above noted Act of 1992 with effect from 5th December,
1992. It is this incorporation, which stands challenged on the ground that the
same negates the proportional reservation on the basis of population based
representation embodied in sub-Article (3) being the key factor of the
constitutional scheme of democracy, social and political equality together G
,. with social and political justice, which by themselves form the basic features
of the Indian Constitution.

The core issue raised in the matter stands out thus to be the constitutional
validity of the effort of the Parliament to provide for reservation of seats for
Scheduled Tribes in the Tripura Legislative Assembly on a basis other than H
892 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2002] I S.C.R.

A the proportion, which the population of the Scheduled Tribes in the State .
bears to the total population of the State, as would be evident from sub-
Article (38) herein before noticed. It has further been contended that the
newly introduced basis is the basis of the proportion which the number of
members belonging to the Scheduled Tribes in the Legislative Assembly in
existence on the date of commencement of the Constitution Amendment
B bears to the total number of seats in that Assembly as on that date. The
counter affidavit filed by respondent No. I (Union of India), howev~r, renders
a factual support to the submission of the petitioners which inter alia records
that 17 out of 60 seats were reserved for Scheduled Tribes on the basis of
their percentage in the population of the State. In addition to the 17 seats
C reserved for the Scheduled Tribes, three open seats were also held by the
tribal members and having regard to this position, agreement was reached to
the demand of reservation of 20 seats held by the Scheduled Tribes, which
was, however, intended to freeze till 2000 AD. In the bye-election in June

-
1991, Smt. 8ibhudevi, a Scheduled Tribe Member of the Legislative Assembly
holding a general seat in the Tripura Legislature was selected to the Lok
D Sabha and thus reducing the number of seats held by the tribals to 19 in the
Assembly. This enhancement thus of two seats (from 17 to 19) has been the
resultant effect for bringing about a satisfactory settlement of the problems
of Tribals in the State of Tripura and for restoring peace and harmony in the
State. It is on record before this Court that Memorandum of Settlement on
I
E Tripura commonly known as "TNV Accord" was signed on 12th August,
1988 by the representatives of the Central Government, State Government of
Tripura and Tripura National Volunteer for bringing in a satisfactory settlement
of the problems of tribals in Tripura and for restoration of peace and amity
in the areas where the prevailing condition could not but be ascribed to be
a disturbed one and the insertion of sub-Article (38) in Article 332 is in
F implementation of the Memorandum of Settlement as noticed above and thus
for the benefit of the people of the State without offending, as has been
contended by Mr. Additional Solicitor General, any of the constitutional
safeguards for less in breach of the basic features to the Indian Constitutional
Scheme.
G While Mr. Gupta, learned Advocate in support of the petition contended
that the rationale behind the reservation of such number of seats for SCs and
STs cannot be doubted in order to enable the latter to have a role to play in
the governance of the State but the reservation being influenced by
consideration or ciriteria other than the proportion to the population of SCs
H and. STs in the State to be totally deleterious to the basic features of the
SUBRATA ACHARJEE v. U.0.1. [UMESH C. BANERJEE, J.] 893
Constitution.

For purposes of disposal of the matter, it is not necessary to go into the
larger question of violation of basic features of the Constitution and it would
be our primary consideration to see as to whether in view of the transient
nature of sub-Article (3B) of Article 332, its constitutional validity can be
sustained. The following sub-paragraphs would detail out our views in the B
matter.

Sub-Article (3B) first contains a time limit which records 'until the
re-adjustment, under Article 170, takes effect on the basis of the first
census after the year 2000' and the second part has its relevance in
the 'number ofseats as bears to the total number ofseats, a proportion C
not less than the number, as on the date of coming into force of the
Constitution (Seventy-second Amendment) Act, 1992' and the third
part of the sub-Article 'of members belonging to the Scheduled Tribes
in the Legislative Assembly In existence on the said date bears to the
total number of seats in that.Assembly'. (emphasis supplied). D
Sub-Article (38) thus stands out to be in different terms as compared
to sub-Article (3) since the latter provision (sub-Article 3) provides
for a proportional reservation in keeping with the proportion of their
population in the State to the total population of the State.

The question thus to be asked is : as to whether the provision introduced
E
by the Amendment Act of 1992 (sub-Article 38), can be treated to be an
insertion so as to whittle-down the provisions of sub-Article (3) of Article
332. In the view we have expressed it is not necessary for us to deal with the
question as to whether proportionality in reservation in keeping with the
proportion of the population of the reserved category in the State to the total F
population of the State is a basic structure of ihe Constitution. Incidentally,
Articles 82 and 170(3) have been taken recourse to in support of the contention
of the basic structure being violated by reason of the amendment in sub-
Article (38) of Article 332 of the Constitution. The leverage given by
constitutional mandate by reason of inclusion of the words 'readjusted by
such authority and in such manner as parliament may by law determine• G
(emphasis supplied) depicts the intent of the Parliament as to its true effect.
• It is an enabling provision for adjustment of seats in accordance with the
need of the situation. This authorisation as contained in Articles 82 and 170
stands out to be an enabling provision for incorporating sub-Article (38)
under Article 332. Be it noted that proportionality though mainly dependent H
894 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2002] I S.C.R.

A upon the oasis of population but it cannot alw~ys be done with arithmetical
precision and mathematical nicety. The provision incorporated 'as the
Parliament may by law determine' stands out to be an enabling provision to ·
meet the exigencies of Constitution. It is in this context the observations of
this Court in R.C. Poudval v. Union of India and Ors., [1994] Supp. 1 SCC
324 may be of some relevance and we deem it to be apposite. The Constitution
B Bench of this Court in paragraph 126 stated:

"An examination of the constitutional scheme would indicate that the
concept of 'one person one vote' is in its very nature considerably tolerant
of imbalances and departures from a very strict application and enforcement.
C The provision in the Constitution indicating proportionality of representation
is necessarily a broad, general and logical principle but not intended to be
expressed with arithmetical precision. Articles 332(3-A) and 333 are illustrative
instances. The principle of mathematical proportionality of representation is
to a declared basic requirement in each and every part of the territory of
India. Accommodations and adjustments, having regard to the political
D maturity, awareness and degree of political development in different parts of
India, might supply the justification for even non-elected Assemblies wholly
or in part, in certain parts of the country. The differing degrees of political
development and maturity of various parts of the country, may not justify
standards based on mathematical accuracy. Articles 371-A a special provision
E in respect of State of Nagaland, 239-A and 240 illustrate the permissible
areas and degrees of departure. The systemic deficiencies in the plentitude of
the doctrine of full and effective representation has not been understood in
the constitutional philosophy as derogating from the democratic principle.
Indeed, the argument in the case, in the perspective, is really one of violation
of the equality principle rather than of the democratic principle. The
F inequalities in representation in the present case are an inheritance and
compulsion from the past. Historical considerations have justified a differential
treatment."

It may be noticed that Tripura National Volunteer (TNV), through their
G letter dated the 4th May, 1988, addressed to the Governor of Tripura and
signed by Shri Bijoy Kumar Hrangkhawl, stated that keeping in view the
solution of problems through negotiations, TNV have decided to abjure
violence, give up secessionist demand and to hold negotiations for a peaceful
solution of all the problems of Tripura within the Constitution of India. The
TNV also furnished its bye-laws, which conform to the laws in force. On this
H basis a series of discussions were held with representatives of TNV.
- SUB RA TA ACHARJEE v. U.0.1. [UMESH C. BANERJEE, J.) 895
As regards reservation of seats in the Tripura Legislative Assembly for
tribal, the records depict the following:
A

"With a view to satisfy the aspirations of tribals of Tripura for a
greater share in the governance of the State, legislative measures will
be taken including those for the enactment of the Bill for the
amendment of the Constitution. The Constitutional amendments shall B
provide that notwithstanding anything contained in the Constitution,
the number of seats in the Legislative Assembly of Tripura reserved
for Scheduled Tribes shall be such number of seats as bears to the
total number of seats, a proportion not less than the number, as on the
date of coming into force of the Constitutional amendment, of members C
belonging to the Schedu!ed Tribes in the existing Assembly bears to
the total number of seats in the existing Assembly. The Representation
of the People Act, 1950 shall also be amended to provide for
reservation of 20 seats for the Scheduled Tribes in the Assembly of
Tripura. However, the amendments shall not affect any representation
in the existing Assembly of Tripura until the dissolution." D
It is on this factual backdrop, the amendment in 1992 was introduced
does it violate any of the constitutional mandate? The answer, however, in
our view cannot but be in the negative. 'Parliament may by law determine'
in Articles 82 and 170 ought to be attributed its proper meaning and upon
consideration of the words used and the meanings to be attributed thereon, E
we cannot thus possibly lend concurrence to the submissions in support of
the petition by reason of the transient nature of incorporation since Article
332 (38) specifically readers to until the readjustment on the basis of first
census after the year 2000. In our view, no exception can be taken for
incorporation of such a transient provision: Temporary measures shall have F
to be taken for social goal and for the benefit of the country as deemed
expedient. The Parliament is the authority to understand and appreciate the
need of the situation and in its wisdom has incorporated the amendment as
envisaged in Article 332(38). Thus it can neither be said to be violative of
nor be said to be even of infraction of any constitutional mandate. The felt G
need of the society of a trouble free Tripura State stands out to be effected
and thus net:d not detain us any further to come to a conclusion of its
constitutional validity. It is to bring forth and continue with the object of the
Constitution social, economic and political justice of the people of India.

Two other contentions need a brief reference as well. The first being H

=f
..
896 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2002] I S.C.R.

A that to further effectuate the 72nd Amendment Act, amendments were also
carried out by Act No. 38 of 1992 in the Representation of People Act, 1950
by inserting in Section 7 thereof, a new sub-Section being sub-Section (1 C)
wherein as many as 20 seats were reserved for the Scheduled Tribes in the
Legislative Assembly of Tripura. It has been contended that both the
Constitution (72nd Amendment) Act, 1992 and the amendment in the
B Representation of People act (Act No. 38 of 1992) were passed by the Lok
Sabha as well as the Rajya Sabha on the same day, i.e., on 3rd December,
1992 and the Presidential Assent was immediately obtained thereon on the
very next day, i.e., 4th December. 1992 so as to make the enforcement of
both the provisions commencing from 5th December, 1992.
c Admittedly, there was some hurry-but whether that in any way
denounce the effort on the part of the Parliament to bring about a peaceful
solution by implementing the accord-the answer cannot also but be in the
negative. As noticed above, the social goal and social benefit ought to be the
criterion for the lawmakers and having due regard to the existing situation
D and the impending election, the Parliament has passed a legislation with
expedition and obtained Presidential assent thereon immediately and as such
no motive neither any ma/afides can be ascribed.

The only other issue raised by way of an alternative submission to the
effect that even assuming that the Constitution (72nd Amendment) Act is
E valid, the provision made by Act No. 38 of 1992 in sub-Section ( 1C) of
Section 7 of the Representation of People Act still ultra vires the amended
Article 332 (38) itself-we are, however, not inclined to go into this issue
since the point has only been raised from the Bar without even any mention
thereof in the petition itself.
F On the wake of the aforesaid, we do not find any merit in the petition.

The same 1s thus dismissed without, however, any order as to costs.

K.K.T. Petition dismissed.