What are the Salient features of Government of India Act of 1935?
Q. What were the salient features of Government of India Act 1935?
1) Federation and provincial autonomy
2) Dyarchy at the centre
3) Abolition of dyarchy in the state- Published on 12 Feb 17a. 2, 3
b. 1, 3
c. 1, 2 and 3
d. 1, 2
ANSWER: 1, 2 and 3
The Act was 2nd milestone towards a completely responsible government in India. It was a lengthy and detailed. It has 321 Sections and 10 Schedules.
The features of the Act were - - It provided for the establishment of an All-India Federation consisting of provinces and princely states as units.
- The Act divided the powers between the Centre and Units by three lists—Federal List (for Centre, with 59 items), Provincial List (for provinces, with 54 items) and the Concurrent List (for both, with 36 items).
- Residuary powers were given to the Viceroy.
- But the federation never came into being as the princely states didn’t join it.
- It introduced ‘provincial autonomy’ instead of dyarchy in the provinces.
- The provinces were now autonomous units of administration in their own fixed spheres.
- It introduced responsible governments in provinces, i.e. the governor was required to act with the advice of ministers responsible to the provincial legislature.
- This came into effect in 1937 and was discontinued in 1939.
- It provided for dyarchy at the Centre.
- Thus, the federal subjects were divided into reserved subjects and transferred subjects. But, this provision did not come into operation at all.
- It introduced bicameralism in six out of eleven provinces - Bengal,Bombay, Madras, Bihar, Assam and the United Provinces.
- There was a legislative council (upper house) and a legislative assembly (lower house). However, many restrictions were placed on them.
- It also provided separate electorates for depressed classes (scheduled castes), women and labor (workers).
- It abolished the Council of India, established by the Government of India Act of 1858. The secretary of state for India was provided with a team of advisors.
- It extended franchise. About 10 per cent of the total population got the voting right.
- It provided for the establishment of a Reserve Bank of India to control the currency and credit of the country.
- It provided for the establishment of a Federal Public Service Commission, Provincial Public Service Commission and Joint Public Service Commission for two or more provinces.
- It provided for the establishment of a Federal Court, which was set up in 1937.
