New Delhi, April 22 :
The commission looking into the Constitution today set up nine sub-committees to deal with subjects of review.
Panel spokesman Justice B.P. Jeevan Reddy said that while 'fixed tenure of the Lok Sabha' is not a specific subject of review, a discussion on it 'might come up' once members pick up the issue for debate.
'We certainly will go into the aspects of political stability and good governance,' he said, indicating that the commission would discuss 'ways and means' to ensure stability.
'Executive renders accountability to Parliament on day to day basis and a fixed term is not a necessary ingredient of the parliamentary system. However, the issue may come up for discussion,' Justice Reddy said after the commission's second meeting.
Justice Reddy said questionnaires inviting suggestions would be distributed among the public, but the parliamentary system of governance and the basic features of the Constitution will not be tampered with. 'Parliamentary democracy, basic structure of the Constitution and rights of minorities, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes are non-negotiable,' he said.
'These areas will in no way be curtailed or diluted. Efforts will rather be made to strengthen them.'
Justice Reddy is the member in charge of subjects dealing with strengthening of institutions of parliamentary democracy, working of the legislature, executive and judiciary, their accountability and 'exploring the possibilities of stability within the discipline of parliamentary democracy'.
Subhash Chandra Kashyap, former secretary-general of the Lok Sabha, is in charge of electoral reforms and Justice K. Punnayya will look into socio-economic development and removal of poverty.
Former attorney-general K. Parasaran has been entrusted with literacy, employment and social security while Justice R.S. Sarkaria, who heads a one-man commission on Centre-state relations, has been given a similar task.
The only political representative, former Speaker P.A. Sangma, will study 'decentralisation, devolution of powers and strengthening of panchayati raj institutions'.
Attorney-general Soli J. Sorabjee will handle subjects like fundamental rights and media personality C.R. Irani has been given charge of fundamental duties. Social worker Sumitra Kulkarni will look into enforcement of directive principles of state policy.
The commission will hold its next meeting on May 16. Experts from outside the commission also have been drafted. Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer will chair the committee on fundamental rights and Justice O. Chennappa Reddy will preside over the panel on directive principles of state policy.