New Delhi, July 23: Parliament to-day set its seal of approval on the proclamation of Emergency with the Lok Sabha endorsing it by 336 votes to 59. Three members abstained.
The measure was approved by the Rajya Sabha yesterday at the end of a two-day debate.
In his reply to the 14-hour debate on the subject, the Agriculture Minister, Mr. Jagjivan Ram, said “the restoration of the situation in which the Emergency proclamation would become infructuous depends on the Opposition parties.”
He appealed to them to conduct themselves in such a way that even if the Emergency proclamation remained on the statute book, its impact would not be felt.
Mr. Jagjivan Ram said that the proclamation had helped to contain the dangers that were developing. The swift action of the Government had not only frustrated the plans of the Opposition parties but had created a new sense of confidence in the people.
The Opposition, Mr. Jagjivan Ram said, had sought to undermine the authority and prestige of the Government. But the Emergency had helped in restoring its prestige and stabilising its authority. He hoped that the Opposition parties would lend their co-operation in implementing the 20-point economic programme, announced by the Prime Minister.
Mr. Jagjivan Ram allayed the apprehensions expressed by some members that Emergency powers might be misused by the authorities. The State Governments had been asked to use the powers ‘very cautiously’ so that their misuse could be avoided.
