Government of India Act - 1919
 |
| Govt of india act 1919 |
The Indian National Congress, which was very active during the First World War, started demanding self-rule. It was promised that Indians would be given the right to self-rule after the war if they cooperated with the British in the war. There was pressure to rectify the loopholes of the 1909 Act. The Government of India Act - 1919 was enacted with the objective of gradually implementing responsible government in India.
Montego served as the Secretary of State for India and Lord Chelmsford as the Viceroy of India. Hence this act is called as Montego-ChelmsPurd sudrane.
Salient Features of Government of India Act - 1919:-
1) The powers of the Legislature were classified into two types namely Central Subjects and Provincial Subjects. While the central government had the power to legislate on the subjects included in the central list, the provincial governments had the power to legislate on the provincial subjects. The central government retained the power to legislate on important matters such as foreign affairs and defence.
2)Provincial subjects were classified into ceded subjects and reserved subjects. The Governor with the help of the Ministers was to manage the devolved matters. The governor and his executive council were entrusted with the responsibility of managing reserve matters. This type of system was called dual-government system.
3) Bi-cameral legislative system was implemented for the first time. The upper house was called the Council of States and the lower house was called the Legislative Assembly. Most of the members of the two Houses were elected through direct elections.
4)Governor General was given special powers. He had the power to dissolve both Houses at will. Without it he was empowered to issue sugriya vajnya's in case of emergency.
5) Out of the 6 members of Vice Roy's Executive Council, 3 members except the Army Chief were to be Indians.
6) Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians and Europeans were given separate electorates. The Act of 1919 thereby extended the principle of communal representation.
7) A limited number of people were given the right to vote on the basis of property, tax payment and lack of education
8) A new post of 'High Commissioner for Indians' was created in London. Some of the functions previously performed by the Secretary of India were transferred to the High Commissioner.
9) This act allowed for the establishment of Public Service Commission. Hence the Central Public Service Commission was set up in 1926 to recruit suitable persons for the civil services.
10) Provincial budgets were separated for the first time from central budgets. Provincial legislatures were empowered to enact their own budgets.
ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು