The Dadra and Nagar Haveli Act, 1961
Administered Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs / Department of States
Act details
| Short title | The Dadra and Nagar Haveli Act, 1961 |
|---|---|
| Long title | An Act to make provision for the representation of the Union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli in Parliament and for the administration of that Union territory and for matters connected therewith. |
| Act number | 35 of 1961 |
| Act year | 1961 |
| Enactment date | 2 Sep 1961 |
| Ministry | Ministry of Home Affairs / Department of States |
| Department | Department of States |
| Jurisdiction | Central (Parliament of India) |
| Sections | 14 |
| Status | Not repealed |
| Last checked on India Code | 4 Nov 2026 |
| Source | India Code, Government of India |
Summary
Summary of the Dadra and Nagar Haveli Act, 1961
Key Provisions
1. Parliamentary Representation
• Single Seat Allocation: Dadra and Nagar Haveli was allotted one seat in the House of the People.
• Amendments to Representation Laws: To facilitate the inclusion of Dadra and Nagar Haveli in national electoral frameworks.
2. Administrative Structure
• Presidential Appointment of Administrator: Under Article 239 of the Constitution, overseeing the territory.
• Varishta Panchayat:
• Advisory Body: Provides counsel on administration, policy, and development.
• Oath of Allegiance: Members pledge allegiance to the Indian Constitution.
3. Legal, Financial, and Judicial Provisions
• Continuity of Pre-existing Laws: Until amended or repealed by Parliament.
• Taxation Continuity: Taxes remained in effect, applied for the same purposes.
• Asset and Property Vesting: In the Union of India.
• Judicial Jurisdiction: Extended to the Bombay High Court.
4. Miscellaneous Powers
• Difficulty Removal: Central Government empowered to address transitional challenges.
• Rule Making Authority: Granted to the Central Government for operationalizing the Act.
Legislative history
Legislative History:
The Dadra and Nagar Haveli Act, 1961
● Act Title - The Dadra and Nagar Haveli Act, 1961
● Act Number / Year - 35 of 1961
● Act ID (India Code) - 196135
● Presidential Assent Date - September 2, 1961
● Enforcement Date - August 11, 1961
● Nodal Ministry - Ministry of Home Affairs
Precedent & Historical Rationale
● Integration of Liberated Territories - Enacted following the liberation of Dadra and Nagar Haveli from Portuguese rule in 1954 and the formal request by the Varishta Panchayat to incorporate the region into the Union of India as a Union Territory.
● Administrative and Parliamentary Framework - Formulated to allocate parliamentary representation (one seat in the Lok Sabha) to the Union Territory, establish the advisory role of the local Varishta Panchayat, and extend Indian laws and high court jurisdiction over the enclave.
Parliamentary Trajectory & Enactment
● Formulation - Introduced by the Central Government alongside the Constitution (Tenth Amendment) Act, 1961, to formally integrate the territory into the Republic of India.
● Parliamentary Passage - Debated and passed by both Houses of Parliament (Second Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) in August 1961.
● Presidential Assent - Received Presidential Assent on September 2, 1961.
● Enforcement - Enforced on August 11, 1961.
Source - Official Record of Parliament, India Code, and Ministry of Home Affairs.