Module 3: Powers of the Governor
Concept
Subtopic 3.1: Powers of the Governor
- Executive: appoints the Chief Minister and ministers, the Advocate General, the chairman and members of the State Public Service Commission and other senior officers (and district judges, in consultation with the High Court).
- Legislative: summons and prorogues sessions of the legislature and can dissolve the Vidhan Sabha. No bill becomes law without his assent. When the legislature is not in session he can issue an ordinance, which has the force of law.
- Financial: a money bill can be introduced in the Vidhan Sabha only with his prior recommendation.
- Judicial: the President consults the Governor when appointing High Court judges; the Governor can reduce sentences or pardon offenders.
- Emergency: if the state cannot be run constitutionally, he can advise the President to impose President's Rule under Article 356.
- Discretionary: he mostly acts on the advice of the cabinet, but uses his own judgement in (i) assenting to bills, (ii) dissolving the Vidhan Sabha and (iii) appointing the CM when no party has a clear majority.
- He appoints all of these.
- The Governor appoints ministers on the CM's advice.
- Art 213: when the legislature is not in session.
- Governor's prior recommendation (Art 207).
- The Governor dissolves the Vidhan Sabha.
- Article 356 - failure of constitutional machinery.
- Ministers are appointed on the CM's advice, not by discretion.
- Art 161: pardon, reprieve, remission.
- Question: [Objective set] Whom does the Governor have the power to appoint? Answer: All of the above.
- Question: [Objective set] Who appoints the members of the state Council of Ministers? Answer: Governor.
- Question: When can the Governor issue an ordinance? Answer: When the legislature is not in session.
- Question: A money bill can be introduced in the Vidhan Sabha only with the prior recommendation of: Answer: Governor.
- Question: [BPSC 40th] Who can dissolve the Vidhan Sabha? Answer: Governor.
- Question: Under which Article can the Governor advise President's Rule in the state? Answer: Article 356.
- Question: In which of these does the Governor NOT use discretion? Answer: Appointing ministers on the CM's advice.
- Question: Which judicial power does the Governor have? Answer: Pardon or reduce sentences.
MCQs
Answer this question, then use Next.
Question 1: [Objective set] Whom does the Governor have the power to appoint?
Question 2: [Objective set] Who appoints the members of the state Council of Ministers?
Question 3: When can the Governor issue an ordinance?
Question 4: A money bill can be introduced in the Vidhan Sabha only with the prior recommendation of:
Question 5: [BPSC 40th] Who can dissolve the Vidhan Sabha?
Question 6: Under which Article can the Governor advise President's Rule in the state?
Question 7: In which of these does the Governor NOT use discretion?
Question 8: Which judicial power does the Governor have?
One-liners
Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.
[Objective set] Whom does the Governor have the power to appoint?
All of the above.[Objective set] Who appoints the members of the state Council of Ministers?
Governor.When can the Governor issue an ordinance?
When the legislature is not in session.A money bill can be introduced in the Vidhan Sabha only with the prior recommendation of:
Governor.[BPSC 40th] Who can dissolve the Vidhan Sabha?
Governor.Under which Article can the Governor advise President's Rule in the state?
Article 356.In which of these does the Governor NOT use discretion?
Appointing ministers on the CM's advice.Which judicial power does the Governor have?
Pardon or reduce sentences.