RAJAHS’ PURSES Critical Vote In India

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32392, 3 September 1970, Page 11

RAJAHS’ PURSES Critical Vote In India

(N Z Press Association—Copyright)

NEW DELHI, September 2.

The Prime Minister (Mrs Indira Gandhi) yesterday asked Parliament to abolish the SUS6.4m annual privy purses to India’s 279 pensioned maharajas and to eliminate their special privileges.

The Associated Press reported that the privy purses of the rajahs range from $U5346,000 a year, paid to the Maharajah of Mysore, to a few hundred dollars yearly. Mrs Gandhi promised lumpsum payments as compensation.

“Our total payment will help them to adjust to this new life.” she said. “We are only trying to keep up our democratic tradition ot bringing about revolutionary changes through democratic, peaceful. parliamentary methods.” The bill seeks to amend the nation’s constitution to do away with the purses and privileges, which include cus-toms-free import of personal goods, free medical treatment in Government hospitals, fishing and shooting rights and the maharaja titles.

In the House, Mrs Gandhi's party has only 221 of the 523 seats, but she hopes to pick up the needed additional votes from the Left-wing parties.

The Right-wing groups have announced their opposition to the bill.

A defeat for the legislation would cause Mrs Gandhi so much embarrassment that it was considered likely she would seek fresh parliamentary elections. But she would not be required by law to resign in the case of an adverse vote on this issue. A former Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Morarji Desai, said. “This bill is fraudulent, deceitful, deceptive, dis-

honourable. We are paying a small price for the bloodless revolution that was achieved in 1947-48."