Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Polity
Why in News?
Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the proposal to alter the name of the State of Kerala to Keralam.
Origin of the names
Ancient Record – The earliest epigraphic record that mentions Kerala is Emperor Asoka’s Rock Edict II of 257 BC.
The inscription refers to the local ruler as Keralaputra, and also the son of Chera, referring to the Chera dynasty.
About Keralam, scholars believe it could have originated from Cheram.
Reorganisation – When it was decided to reorganise states on a linguistic basis, the State Reorganisation Commission of the Union Government recommended the creation of the state of Kerala.
State Formation – The state of Kerala came into being on November 1, 1956.
In Malayalam, the state was referred to as Keralam, while in English it was Kerala.
Constitutional Provision
Article 3 – Under the article, the Parliament may take the following actions –
It can form a completely new State by separating the territory from any State by uniting two or more states or parts of states, or by uniting any territory to a part of any state.
It can increase or decrease the area of any State.
It can change/alter the name of any State.
It can also make changes to the boundaries of a State.
President’s Recommendation – A Bill for altering a State’s name can only be introduced after the President’s recommendation.
State Legislature Opinion – The Bill is sent to the affected State Assembly for its views within a specified period; the opinion is advisory and not binding.
Process – The State Assembly passes a resolution for the name change and sends it to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Ministry forwards it to the President for recommendation.
The Bill is introduced in either the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha and passed by a simple majority.
After Parliamentary approval, the Bill is sent back to the President for assent.
Once signed, the name is officially altered in the First and Fourth Schedules of the Constitution.
