GOVERNOR Vs STATE
Federal Democracy + Autocratic CM
Indian Governors Need Some Teeth
SARASIJ MAJUMDER
- The
Governor is a high constitutional authority and performs very essential
constitutional functions. The role of the Governor as an AUDITOR in some
of the critical executive and
legislative functions of a state cannot be undermined by CM of the state
government. As per Article 154 of the
Constitution of India, the Governor of a State holds the position of the
constitutional head.
- Governos has (i) Executive power, (ii) Legislative
power, (iii) Judicial Power, (iv)Discretionary Power, (v) Emergency Power,
& (vi) Ceremonial roles to play. All are well spelt in the
constitution.
- The
Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers elected by the people to
perform Legislative functions under the boundaries of the constitution.
- All
actions, recommendations, and supervisory powers (such as Article 167c,
Article 200, Article 213, Article 355, etc.) exercised by the governor
over the executive and legislative entities of a state are aimed at
ensuring the implementation of constitutional provisions.
- There
are many functions of the Governor which he cannot perform as per his independent
will, he has to function as advised by the Council of Ministers headed by
the Chief Minister. He cannot deviate from the advice.
- There
are also a number of functions, the Governor performs on his own without
seeking the advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Chief
Ministers.
- The
problem arises when the Governor disregards the advice of the elected
Government where such advice is mandatory or where the Chief Minister
wants the Governor to be guided by his advice when such advice is neither warranted,
and not applicable.
- The Governor of
a State is appointed by the President for a term of five years and holds
office during his pleasure. Only Indian citizens above 35 years of age are
eligible for appointment to this office. Executive power of the State is
very largely vested in Governor.
- In Karnataka, the Congress party (PART
OF OPPOSITION) runs the state
Government. So, there are occasions of mistrust between the both. The
right way to resolve it is by following constitutional mechanism.
- In
West Bengal, highly corrupt TMC ( Again part of Opposition) runs the state
government, and CM of West Bengal, for last 10 years constantly abused
State Governor, whenever he tried to apply checks on erring government.
She has set a pretty bad example, and getting away with it.
- In
Delhi—AAP is also an opposition party, and was constantly busy in street
fighting, and was at loggerheads with the Governor. CM was practicing corruptions in alliance
with his associates, ignoring development of State, which is in shambles.
- It
is highly deplorable to call the Governor fraud, or agent of Central
Government. The erring MLA shall be constitutionally punished. The elected
State Government must function within the confines of the constitution.
- The
act of the Governor in granting permission for the prosecution of the
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah under section 17A under the Prevention of
Corruption Act, 1988 and under section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik
Samhita, 2023 for alleged offences appears to be procedurally correct and
he is not supposed to be guided by any advice of the Chief Minister who is
the alleged culprit. In any case, the matter is now before the High Court.
- The
Governor sought the views of the Chief Minister on the issue which the
Chief Minister refused to give.
- It
will not be inappropriate to provide some more constitutional teeth to the
Governor, by amending the constitution.
- Almost
all states run by opposition parties are errant, corrupt, and rowdy.
Federal structure can’t be a LICENSE
to be used for tyranny.
- Sarkaria Commission was appointed by the
government of India in 1983. It was a three-member commission on
center-state relations. R.S. Sarkaria headed the commission. The
commission's objective was to examine and review existing arrangements
between the center and states. This report was an ‘USELESS EXERCISE”, but
it’s basic conclusion on legitimizing basic present system is correct, and stops any
further discussion on making State more powerful. Rather—economic power of
state on non-developmental expenses shall be CURTAILED.
- The Governor of J & K
is somewhat empowered recently. That empowerment shall be extended to all Governors, as a minimum.
Sources:--
1.0 TOI, HT, IE.—for conflict related information published.
2.0 Indian Constitution.
3.0 Report of Sarkaria Commission--1983
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