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number of its members is very limited. An ordinary Powers and Functions of a Governor
bill can be introduced in either of the two houses, The Governor is the constitutional head of the
but a money bill can be introduced only in the state. All functions in the state are performed in
Vidhan Sabha with the consent of the Governor.
his name, which are actually performed by the
The Vidhan Parishad can only delay a bill.
Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister.
However, he can take over actual powers if the
STATE EXECUTIVE
President’s rule is imposed in the state. We can
The state executive comprises of the Governor, divide the functions of the Governor under the
the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers. following points :
Governor Executive Functions : As the constitutional head
of the state, the Governor appoints the leader of
The Governor is appointed by the majority party or coalition in the Vidhan
the President of India on the
Sabha as the Chief Minister after the general
advice of the Prime Minister, elections. He appoints other ministers in the
thus he is a representative of the Council of Ministers on the advice of the Chief
union government. He is a link
Minister. The Chief Minister and the Council of
between the union and state Ministers remain in office at his pleasure. The
governments. Anandiben Patel
28th Governor of UP Chief Minister has to intimate him about all
Qualifications and Term of Office administrative and legislative functions.
A person can be made the Governor of a state if The Governor also appoints the Advocate
he is above thirty-five years of age, is a citizen of General, the Chairman and Members of the State
India, is mentally and physically sound and is not Public Service Commission and judges below the
a proclaimed offender. High Court. He is consulted by the President of
India at the time of appointing the judges of the
Generally, the Governor is not a resident of the
state to which he is appointed, and the concerned state High Court.
state government is consulted before his Legislative Functions : The Governor summons,
appointment. A Governor is appointed for a adjourns and prorogues the state legislature. He
period of five years, but he can be removed before addresses the opening session of the Vidhan
the expiry of this period, if the President so Sabha. All bills passed in the state legislature have
pleases. He can also be transferred from one state to receive his assent before they become laws. If
to another in the middle of his term. he thinks proper, he can reserve a bill for the
assent of the President of India. He can also
A Governor is paid
promulgate ordinances during the period when
salary and allowances in
addition to the official the state legislature is not in session. These
residence and all other ordinances remain in force until six weeks after
the re-assembly of the legislature. A money bill
facilities which are
suitable to his status and can be introduced in the legislature only with his
functioning. Governor’s House at Lucknow consent.
Financial Functions : You have read that a money
Info Bits bill cannot be introduced in the legislature until
Info Bits
he has consented. He ensures the presentation of
Generally, a Governor is appointed for each state, the annual budget in the Vidhan Sabha.
but after the 7th Constitutional Amendment, 1956 Judicial Functions : The Governor of a state can
a Governor can be appointed for more than one pardon, commute or reprieve the sentence of a
state.
person convicted of any offence. He may also
Contemporary Social Science-7
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