State Monopolies: A Look Back, and the Road Ahead

Abstract

Introducing the proposed amendment to Article 19(6) of the Constitution of India, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, in reference to the judgment of the Allahabad High Court in the matter of Motilal v. Government of Uttar Pradesh , stated that “It seems to me that if nationalization is a desirable thing and in the best interests of the country, then it must also be admitted that it may not be possible for the State to undertake nationalization all throughout the country at one and the same time.” He went on to opine that “Such a process should not be hampered by the doctrine of non-discrimination. It is to get rid of this doctrine of nondiscrimination in the matter of nationalization that this particular amendment has been introduced.”