Which of the following is/are the principal features(s) of the Governm...
The correct optio is C.
The Government of India Act, 1919 divided the provincial subjects into two parts—transferred and reserved. The transferred subjects were to be administered by the governor with the aid of ministers responsible to the Legislative Council. The reserved subjects, on the other hand, were to be administered by the governor and his executive council without being responsible to the Legislative Council. This dual scheme of governance was known as ‘dyarchy’ which means the double rule. However, this experiment was largely unsuccessful. The government of India Act 1919 gave the provinces more legislative powers provided for the framing of rules for the devolution of authority between the Centre and the Provinces. However, judicial review was prohibited.
Which of the following is/are the principal features(s) of the Governm...
The correct answer is option 'C' - Only 1 and 3.
Explanation:
The Government of India Act, 1919, also known as the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, was an important constitutional development in British India. It aimed to introduce some reforms in the governance of India and provide Indians with a greater role in the administration of their country. The principal features of this act are as follows:
1) Introduction of diarchy in the executive government of the provinces:
- The Act introduced the concept of diarchy, which means a dual government system, in the executive government of the provinces.
- Under this system, the executive government was divided into two parts - the reserved subjects and the transferred subjects.
- The reserved subjects were under the control of the Governor and his Executive Council, which consisted of British officials.
- The transferred subjects were under the control of the Indian Ministers who were responsible to the Legislative Council.
- This move aimed to give Indians a share in the executive government and prepare them for self-governance.
2) Introduction of separate electorates for Muslims:
- The Government of India Act, 1919, also provided for the introduction of separate electorates for Muslims.
- This meant that Muslims would have their own separate constituencies and would elect their representatives separately from the rest of the population.
- The introduction of separate electorates was a significant step in recognizing the communal divide between Hindus and Muslims and giving Muslims a separate political identity.
3) Devolution of legislative authority by the centre to the provinces:
- Another important feature of the Government of India Act, 1919, was the devolution of legislative authority by the centre to the provinces.
- The Act introduced provincial legislative councils with limited powers to make laws on certain subjects.
- The transferred subjects were under the control of the Indian Ministers and the Legislative Council, providing more autonomy to the provinces.
- This devolution of legislative authority aimed to give Indians a greater say in the governance of their provinces and prepare them for self-rule.
In conclusion, the principal features of the Government of India Act, 1919, were the introduction of diarchy in the executive government of the provinces and the devolution of legislative authority by the centre to the provinces. The Act also introduced separate electorates for Muslims, but this was not one of the principal features of the act. Therefore, the correct answer is option 'C' - Only 1 and 3.
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