September 9, Forty Years Ago: PM is Special

A look at the front page of The Indian Express, published on September 9, Forty Years Ago.

Solicitor General Lal Narain Sinha argued in the Supreme Court that the office of the prime minister placed its incumbent in a special category and made him a class by himself. The PM, by virtue of his august office, his special position in his party and government, his duties and obligations in dealing with matters of state, enjoyed a position which could be described as a class by himself, Sinha said. This special position enjoyed by the PM could not be described, by any test, as a discrimination of any type that could offend the concept of equality in the Constitution, he contended. Sinha quoted several British authorities and cited a judgment by Justice H.R. Khanna that held that the office of the PM fell in a special category. Justice Khanna was one of the judges hearing the case.

Dispersing Industries
The Centre was considering steps to disperse industries into backward and rural areas. A standing committee on small-scale industries had recommended disincentives for industries in cities, the report said.

Floods Return
UP and Bihar were threatened by a new wave of floods. In UP, the Buri Gandak had crossed the danger mark in Deoria district. Over 2,000 people and 8,000 cattle had been evacuated, the report said.

Beer Battle
Two public-sector breweries in Punjab and Haryana were engaged in a battle of beer, each trying to drive out the other from its territory in terms of sales, a report said. Essentially a price war, it started with Punjab Breweries, Ludhiana and Haryana Breweries, Murthal and later extended to firms in the private sector. To improve sales, Punjab Breweries planned to open “beer bars” in several towns in the
state. The scheme was awaiting clearance from the government.