What are legislative powers of the Governor?
Q. Which statements are true regarding legislative powers of the Governor?
1) Governor can reserve bill for Presidents consideration when it opposes a Directive Principle of State Policy.
2) Governor calls for joint sitting of both the houses of state legislature (in case of bi-cameral legislature).
3) He nominates 1 Anglo-Indian to the state legislative assembly.- Published on 06 Mar 17a. 1, 2
b. 1, 3
c. 2
d. All of the above
ANSWER: 1, 3
Legislative powers and functions of Governor are -
- Governor is integral part of the state legislature.
- Governor can summon or prorogue the state legislature.
- He can dissolve the state legislative assembly.
- At the commencement of the first session after each general election and the first session of each year governor can address the state legislature.
- He can send messages to the Houses of state legislatures, regarding pending bills etc.
- When the offices of both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker fall vacant, he can appoint any member of the state legislative assembly to preside over its proceedings.
- When the offices of both the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman fall vacant, he can appoint any member of the state legislative councils to preside over its proceedings.
- He nominates 1/6th of the members of the state legislative council from amongst persons having special knowledge in literature, science, art, co-operative movement and social service.
- He can nominate 1 member to the state legislature assembly from the Anglo-Indian Community.
- He decides on the question of disqualification of members of the state legislature in consultation with the Election Commission.
When a bill is sent to the governor for assent he can -
1. give his assent to the bill; or
2. withhold his assent to the bill; or
3. return the bill (if it is not a money bill) for reconsideration of the state legislature. But, if the bill is passed again by the state legislature with or without amendments, the Governor has to give his assent to the bill; or
4. reserve the bill for the consideration of the President.
- In one case reserving bill for consideration of the President is mandatory.
- It is when the bill passed by the state legislature endangers the position of the State High Court.
Also, the governor can also reserve the bill if it is of the following nature -
1. Unconstitutional.
2. Opposes Directive Principles of State Policy.
3. Against the larger interest of the country.
4. Of huge national importance.
5. Dealing with compulsory acquisition of property under Article 31A of the Constitution.
- He can promulgate ordinances when the state legislature is not in session.
- These ordinances must be approved by the state legislature within 6 weeks from its re-assembly.
- He can also withdraw an ordinance any time.
- He lays the reports of the State Finance Commission, the State Public Service Commission, Comptroller and Auditor-General relating to the accounts of the state etc., before the state legislature.
