Puducherry Legislative Assembly

History

Assembly during French rule

In 1946, French India (Inde française) became Overseas territory (Territoire d'outre-mer) of France. Then a Representative Assembly (Assemblée représentative) was created. Thus, in 1946, on 25 October, the representative assembly of 44 members has replaced the general council (conseil général). The Representative Assembly had 44 seats until merger of Chandernagore in 1951. Later, it reduced to 39 seats.

Merger and formation of Union Territory

The French government transferred the four enclaves to the Indian Union under a de facto treaty on 1 November 1954. Later the territory was merged with India on 16 August 1962.

On 10 May 1963, the Indian Parliament enacted the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963 that came into force on 1 July 1963. This introduced the same pattern of government that prevailed in the rest of the country, but subject to certain limitations. Under Article 239 of the Indian Constitution, the President of India appoints an Administrator LG with such designation as he may specify to head the administration of the territory. The President also appoints the Chief Minister. The President, on the advice of the Chief Minister, appoints the other Ministers. The Union Territories Act, 1963 limits the number of elected members of the assembly to 30 and allows the central government to appoint not more than 3 nominated MLAs. The same act ensures that seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes in the legislative assembly.

The Representative Assembly was converted into the Legislative Assembly of Pondicherry on 1 July 1963 as per Section 54(3) of The Union Territories Act, 1963 and its members were deemed to have been elected to the Assembly. Thus, the First Legislative Assembly was formed without an election. Elections for the assembly have been held since 1964.

Languages

Puducherry has five official names, owing to its linguistic diversity, past French heritage, and the legacy of British India. The legislative assembly is referred to as follows:

List of the assemblies

Members of the Legislative Assembly

Party position

Notes

References

References

1. (26 August 2021). "Rajavelu assumes charge as Deputy Speaker of Puducherry Legislative Assembly".
2. "DMK's Leader of Opposition evicted from Puducherry Assembly".
3. "The Gazette of Puducherry".
4. [http://indiacode.nic.in/coiweb/amend/amend69.htm The Constitution (Sixty-ninth Amendment) Act, 1991]
5. (29 August 2019). "Jammu and Kashmir assembly election in 2021 after delimitation: EC sources".
6. Weber, Jacques. (1988). "Les établissements français en Inde au XIXe siècle, 1816–1914 (4)". FeniXX.
7. (1956). "Treaty establishing De Jure Cession of French Establishments in India". Media Center (Government of India).
8. "The Government of Union Territories Act, 1963". Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
9. Malhotra, G. C.. (1964). "Cabinet Responsibility to Legislature". Metropolitan Book Co. Pvt. Ltd..
10. (2006). "Parliamentary Debates: Official Report, Volume 208, Issues 18–19". Council of States Secretariat.