The Governor is the constitutional head of the state government in India. The Governor is appointed by the President of India, and serves as the representative of the Central Government in the state. In this article, we will take a closer look at the role and responsibilities of the Governor of the State in India.
Table of Contents
Evolution of the Post of the Governor
The role of the Governor in India’s political system can be traced back to the colonial era, when the British appointed Governors to oversee the administration of the provinces. Following India’s independence in 1947, the position of Governor was retained in the new Constitution, with the Governor acting as the constitutional head of each state. Over time, the role of the Governor has evolved, with the position gaining greater autonomy and power in some instances, while in others, it has been subject to criticism and controversy.
Appointment and Tenure
The appointment of the Governor is carried out by the President of India, who acts on the advice of the Prime Minister. While the Constitution outlines the criteria for the appointment of the Governor, in practice, the position has often been used as a political tool, with the central government appointing individuals who are seen as favorable to their party or interests. The Governor’s tenure is usually five years but he can re removed even before the completion of his term.
The Governor can be removed from office before the completion of the term by the President, based on the advice of the Prime Minister of India. Hence, the governor has no security of tenure.
Additionally, a Governor can also resign from his or her post before the completion of the term by submitting a resignation letter to the President.
Qualifications for the Appointment of a Person as a Governor
According to Article 157 of the Constitution of India, the qualifications required for appointment as a Governor are as follows:
- The person should be a citizen of India.
- The person should have completed the age of 35 years.
- The person should not be a member of either house of Parliament or of the State Legislature.
- The person should not hold any other office of profit or be engaged in any trade or business.
Salary and Allowances of a Governor
Salary and Allowances of a Governor in India are determined by the Indian Parliament. As of March 2023, the salary of a Governor in India is Rs. 3.5 lakh per month. His salary and emoluments cannot be diminished during his term of office.
Functions and Powers
The functions and powers of a Governor in India are defined by the Constitution of India. Some of the key functions and powers of a Governor in India are:
Functions
- To act as the ceremonial head of the state and represent the President of India in the state.
- To appoint and dismiss the Chief Minister and other ministers in consultation with the Chief Minister.
- To summon and prorogue the sessions of the state legislature and to address the legislature at the beginning of each session.
- To send messages to the state legislature relating to bills under consideration or other matters of public importance.
- To give assent to bills passed by the state legislature and to withhold assent in case of any irregularities.
- To grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment or to suspend, remit or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offence.
Powers
- Executive Power: The Governor is the head of the state executive and exercises executive powers in the name of the President.
- Legislative Power: The Governor has the power to summon and prorogue the state legislature and to dissolve the state assembly in certain circumstances.
- Judicial Power: The Governor appoints judges of the High Court and can also grant pardons and reprieves.
- Emergency Power: The Governor can impose President’s Rule in the state if there is a breakdown of constitutional machinery or in case of failure of the state government.
- Discretionary Power: The Governor can exercise his/her discretion in matters of appointment, suspension or removal of certain high officials, such as the State Election Commissioner, Advocate General and Chairman and Members of the State Public Service Commission.
- Appointment of the Chief Minister: After the elections are held in a state, the Governor invites the leader of the majority party or coalition to form the government. The Governor has the discretion to choose the Chief Minister if no single party or coalition has a clear majority.
- Dismissal of the government: The Governor has the power to dismiss the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers if they lose the confidence of the state legislature.
- Reservation of Bills: The Governor has the power to reserve a bill passed by the state legislature for the consideration of the President of India.
Relationship with the State Government
The Governor’s relationship with the state government is a delicate one, with the position requiring a careful balance between impartiality and involvement. While the Governor is expected to be impartial, in practice, the position has often been subject to political interference, with Governors acting in the interests of the central government or their party. The Governor’s role in ensuring the stability of the government is also a contentious one, with some arguing that the position can be used to destabilize the government and further political interests.
Relationship with the Central Government
The Governor’s relationship with the central government is also a critical one, with the position acting as a liaison between the state and the central government. The Governor is expected to keep the central government informed about the state’s affairs and to work with them to ensure that the state’s interests are represented at the national level. However, in practice, the relationship between the central government and the state government is often strained, with the Governor acting in the interests of the central government, rather than the state.
Controversies and Criticisms
The role of the Governor in India’s political system has been subject to criticism and controversy over the years. One of the main criticisms is the role of the Governor in the appointment of the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers, with some arguing that the Governor’s power to appoint the Chief Minister can be used to further political interests, rather than to ensure the best interests of the state. In addition, the appointment of partisan Governors has also been a subject of controversy, with individuals appointed who are seen as favorable to the central government or their party, rather than to the interests of the state.
Conclusion
The role of the Governor in India’s political system is a complex one, with various functions and powers, and a delicate balance between impartiality and involvement. While the Governor’s role in ensuring the stability of the government and representing the state’s interests at the national level is important, the position has also been subject to criticism and controversy over the years, with some arguing that the position can be used to further political interests, rather than to ensure the best interests of the state.
Despite the controversies surrounding the Governor’s position, it remains an important one in India’s political system. The position has evolved over time, and efforts have been made to ensure that the appointment of Governors is carried out in a fair and impartial manner. In addition, various measures have been taken to ensure that the Governor’s role is not subject to political interference, and that the position is carried out in a manner that is in the best interests of the state and its people.
In conclusion, while the role of the Governor in India’s political system is not without its challenges, it remains an important one, with a range of functions and powers that are crucial to the smooth functioning of the state’s government. As India continues to grow and develop, it will be important to ensure that the Governor’s position is carried out in a manner that is fair, impartial, and in the best interests of the state and its people.
Summary
- The Governor is the constitutional head of the state and holds a crucial position in India’s political system.
- The Governor has a range of functions and powers, including appointing the Chief Minister, dissolving the state assembly, and giving assent to bills.
- The Governor also has a role in representing the state’s interests at the national level and ensuring the stability of the state’s government.
- The appointment of Governors has been subject to criticism and controversy, with some arguing that the position can be used to further political interests.
- Efforts have been made to ensure that the appointment of Governors is carried out in a fair and impartial manner.
- Various measures have been taken to ensure that the Governor’s role is not subject to political interference.
- The position of the Governor has evolved over time, and changes have been made to the role and powers of the position.
- The Governor’s role is crucial to the smooth functioning of the state’s government and plays an important part in India’s political system.
- The Governor’s position is not without its challenges, but it remains an important one in India’s political landscape.
- As India continues to grow and develop, it will be important to ensure that the Governor’s position is carried out in a manner that is fair, impartial, and in the best interests of the state and its people.
MCQ
Q. Who is the constitutional head of the state in India?
a. President
b. Prime Minister
c. Governor
d. Chief Minister
Answer: c. Governor. Explanation: The Governor is the constitutional head of the state in India.
Q. What are some of the functions and powers of the Governor?
a. Appointing the Chief Minister
b. Dissolving the state assembly
c. Giving assent to bills
d. All of the above
Answer: d. All of the above. Explanation: The Governor has a range of functions and powers, including appointing the Chief Minister, dissolving the state assembly, and giving assent to bills.
Q. What is the role of the Governor in India’s political system?
a. Ensuring the stability of the government
b. Representing the state’s interests at the national level
c. Both A and B
d. None of the above
Answer: c. Both A and B. Explanation: The Governor has a role in ensuring the stability of the government and representing the state’s interests at the national level.
Q. Why has the appointment of Governors been subject to criticism and controversy?
a. The position can be used to further political interests.
b. The appointment process is not fair or impartial.
c. The Governor’s role is subject to political interference.
d. Both A and C.
Answer: d. Both A and C. Explanation: The appointment of Governors has been subject to criticism and controversy due to concerns about the position being used to further political interests, and the Governor’s role being subject to political interference.
Q. What measures have been taken to ensure that the Governor’s role is not subject to political interference?
a. The Governor’s term is fixed at five years.
b. The Governor is appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.
c. The Governor is not allowed to hold any other office of profit.
d. Both A and C.
Answer: d. Both A and C. Explanation: Measures such as fixing the Governor’s term at five years and not allowing the Governor to hold any other office of profit have been taken to ensure that the Governor’s role is not subject to political interference.
Q. What is the Governor’s role in ensuring the stability of the state’s government?
a. Appointing the Chief Minister
b. Dissolving the state assembly
c. Giving assent to bills
d. All of the above
Answer: d. All of the above. Explanation: The Governor’s role in ensuring the stability of the state’s government includes appointing the Chief Minister, dissolving the state assembly, and giving assent to bills.
Q. Why is the Governor’s role crucial to the smooth functioning of the state’s government?
a. The Governor represents the state’s interests at the national level.
b. The Governor ensures the stability of the government.
c. The Governor has the power to dissolve the state assembly.
d. Both A and B.
Answer: d. Both A and B. Explanation: The Governor’s role in representing the state’s interests at the national level and ensuring the stability of the government is crucial to the smooth functioning of the state.
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