Article 334 of the Indian Constitution talks about the constitutional provisions with respect to the SC/ST and Anglo-Indian Communities’ representation in Government.
It mentions a special provision that after thirty years have passed since the Constitution’s inception, the provisions shall no longer be in force.
Let us read & know in detail about Article 334 of the Indian Constitution & the debate around it.
- Article 334 Of The Indian Constitution – Elaborated
- Debate Around Article 334 Of The Indian Constitution
- Article 334 Of The Indian Constitution – Timeline
- Summary
- FAQs Related To Article 334 Of The Indian Constitution
- What is the purpose of Article 334 of the Indian Constitution?
- How long is the reservation period for SCs and STs in the State Legislative Assemblies under Article 334?
- Can the reservation of seats for SCs and STs be terminated before the expiry of the 70 year period under Article 334?
- What happens to the reserved seats for SCs and STs in the State Legislative Assemblies after the expiry of the 70 year period under Article 334?
- Is there any special provision for representation of Anglo-Indians in the State Legislative Assemblies under Article 334?
Article 334 Of The Indian Constitution – Elaborated
Article 334 of the Indian Constitution mentions about the special provision of reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes, and the special representation of the Anglo-Indian community by nomination in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies to cease after a certain period.
It states that for all the aforesaid reservations of this Part, the provisions of this Constitution relating to—
(a) the allocation of seats in the House of the People and in the state legislatures to members of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes; and
(b) the election of nominees to represent the Anglo-Indian community in the House of Representatives and in the state legislatures,
will no longer be in force 80 years in the case of Clause(a) and 70 years in the case of Clause(b) after the beginning of the Indian Constitution:
With the provision that, until the current legislative assembly (state or national) is dissolved, the provisions of this article will not affect representation in the assembly.
Debate Around Article 334 Of The Indian Constitution
While the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes have made considerable progress, the reasons for reserving seats and appointing members for them in the Constituent Assembly still exist and have not changed.
Hence, it was proposed to amen the period of reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and representation of Anglo-Indians by nomination in place.
Article 334 Of The Indian Constitution – Timeline
Article 334 Of The Indian Constitution was amended by the following acts in order to provide an extended reservation period of:
- Constitution (Eighth Amendment) Act, 1969— 20 years.
- Constitution (Twenty-Third Amendment) Act, 1969— 30 years.
- Constitution (Forty-Fifth Amendment) Act, 1980— 40 years.
- Constitution (Sixty-Second Amendment) Act, 1989— 50 years.
- Constitution (Seventy-Ninth Amendment) Act, 1999— 60 years.
- Constitution (Ninety-Fifth Amendment) Act, 2009— 70 years.
- Constitution (104th Amendment) Act, 2019— 80 years.
- The Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies no longer have Anglo-Indian reservations according to the 104th Amendment.
Summary
Article 334 of the Indian Constitution relates to the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes & the representation of Anglo-Indians in the Lok Sabha & State Legislative Assemblies.
It also lays down the conditions under which the reservation of seats can be terminated before the expiry of the said period of seventy years.
Article 334 of the Indian Constitution aimed at providing opportunities to the marginalised section of society to be represented in the Indian Legislature and to make sure that their voices are heard and their issues addressed.
You Might Also Like To Read- Article 332 Of The Indian Constitution.
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FAQs Related To Article 334 Of The Indian Constitution
What is the purpose of Article 334 of the Indian Constitution?
The purpose of Article 334 of the Indian Constitution is to provide a period of reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and the representation of Anglo-Indians in the Lok Sabha & State Legislative Assemblies, being seventy years from the commencement of the Constitution.
How long is the reservation period for SCs and STs in the State Legislative Assemblies under Article 334?
The reservation period for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the State Legislative Assemblies under Article 334 is seventy years from the commencement of the Constitution.
Can the reservation of seats for SCs and STs be terminated before the expiry of the 70 year period under Article 334?
Yes, the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes can be terminated before the expiry of the seventy years period under Article 334, under certain conditions as specified in the article.
What happens to the reserved seats for SCs and STs in the State Legislative Assemblies after the expiry of the 70 year period under Article 334?
After the expiry of the seventy years period under Article 334, the reserved seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the State Legislative Assemblies will be ceased.
Is there any special provision for representation of Anglo-Indians in the State Legislative Assemblies under Article 334?
No, there is no provision for representation of Anglo-Indians in the State Legislative Assemblies under Article 334.
