Tag: Simon Commission (1927)

Government of India Act of 1919 (Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms) The *Government of India Act of 1919, also known as the *Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, marked a significant step in India's constitutional development. Enacted in response to the British Government's declaration on August 20, 1917, to gradually introduce responsible governance in India, the act attempted to decentralize administration and expand Indian participation in governance. Key Features of the Government of India Act, 1919 1. Devolution of Powers:— The Act classified subjects of administration into: ● Central subjects: Administered by the Central Government.● Provincial subjects: Administered by provincial governments.This division was formalized under the *Devolution Rules, relaxing central control and delegating authority to the provinces. However, the overall structure remained *centralized and unitary. 2. Dyarchy in Provinces Provincial subjects were further divided into:● Transferred subjects: Administered by ministers responsible to the provincial legislative council. These included public health, education, agriculture, and local self-government.● Reserved subjects: Administered by the Governor and his executive council, not responsible to the legislature. These included police, land revenue, and justice.This dual system of governance, termed Dyarchy, proved largely ineffective due to confusion and conflicts between the reserved and transferred subjects. 3. Bicameral Legislature and Direct Elections The Act introduced bicameralism at the central level:● Upper House:— Council of State.● Lower House:— Legislative Assembly.Members of both houses were partly elected through direct elections, marking a significant democratic advancement. 4. Representation in the Viceroy’s Executive Council Three out of six members of the *Viceroy’s Executive Council* (excluding the Commander-in-Chief) were required to be Indians, reflecting increased Indian participation in governance. 5. Extension of Communal Representation ● The Act extended the principle of separate electorates to include:— Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians, and Europeans.● This deepened communal divisions, as different communities were represented separately in the legislature. 6. Restricted Franchise Voting rights were granted to a limited number of people, based on:● Property ownership.● Tax payment.● Educational qualifications.This meant only a small elite could participate in elections. 7. High Commissioner for India ● The Act created the office of the High Commissioner for India in London.● Some functions of the Secretary of State for India were transferred to this office, such as handling trade and commercial affairs. 8. Public Service Commission ● The Act provided for the establishment of a Public Service Commission to oversee recruitment of civil servants.● The Central Public Service Commission was constituted in 1926 under this provision. 9. Separation of Budgets ● For the first time, provincial budgets were separated from the Central budget, granting provincial legislatures authority to enact their own budgets. 10. Statutory Commission ● The Act mandated the appointment of a statutory commission to review its functioning after ten years.● This provision eventually led to the appointment of the Simon Commission in 1927. 11. Chamber of Princes (Narendra Mandal) ● The Act proposed the establishment of the Chamber of Princes to enable consultation with Indian princely states.● Inaugurated in 1921, it consisted of:• 108 Princes.• 12 representatives from smaller states.● The chamber was headed by the Viceroy and addressed issues of common interest. Significance of the Act Foundation for Decentralization:— The Act marked a shift towards decentralization, albeit limited, by delegating powers to provinces. Increased Indian Representation:— By including Indians in governance and introducing direct elections, it acknowledged Indian aspirations for greater involvement in administration. Institutional Development:— The Act laid the groundwork for future constitutional developments, such as the **Government of India Act of 1935. Communal Politics:— The extension of separate electorates entrenched communal divisions, influencing later political developments, including the partition of India. Criticism of the Act Ineffectiveness of Dyarchy:— Dyarchy created confusion and conflict between the "reserved" and "transferred" subjects, undermining its effectiveness. Limited Franchise:— The voting rights were restricted to a privileged minority, excluding the vast majority of Indians. Centralized Control:— Despite the devolution of powers, the Central Government retained significant control, limiting provincial autonomy. Communal Representation:— The extension of separate electorates deepened communal divisions, countering the goal of national unity. Legacy of the Government of India Act, 1919 ● The Act served as a precursor to the Government of India Act, 1935, which introduced further reforms and autonomy.● It fostered political awareness and participation, despite its limitations.● The communal representation provisions influenced the trajectory of Indian politics, contributing to the eventual partition of India. Conclusion The Government of India Act, 1919, was a step toward constitutional reform in India, reflecting the British response to growing nationalist demands. While it introduced significant changes, such as dyarchy and direct elections, it fell short of Indian aspirations for responsible self-governance. The act's shortcomings fueled greater nationalist agitation, setting the stage for subsequent demands for full independence.

Tag: Simon Commission (1927)

Government of India Act of 1919 (Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms)

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