FUNCTION AND POWER OF GOVERNOR

Topic Cover –BA Sem-III (Indian Constitution)

Submitted By

Dr. Jiwan Devi

Dept. of Political Science

HMV Jalandhar, Punjab, India

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INTRODUCTION

• The governor is the chief executive officer of a state.
• is critical in implementing state laws and policies.
• Understanding the functions of a governor is essential for grasping state governance
• The office of the Governor of State has been envisaged by the Constitution of India as the chief executive head of a State.
• Despite being only a nominal head of the Executive, the Governor of State plays a significant role in the polity of the concerned state through his/her diverse executive, legislative, and judicial powers.

QUALIFICATIONS TO BECOME A GOVERNOR

The candidate to become a Governor of the state needs to meet two vital qualifications as mentioned in Article 157 and Article 158 and these are:

• The candidate must be an Indian citizen and reside in the country.
• The candidate must attain an age of minimum 35 years.
• The candidate must not be a member of both houses of the parliament and the house of the state legislature.
• The candidate must not hold any office for generating profit.

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POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF GOVERNOR OF STATE

• A Governor possesses Executive, Legislative, Financial, and Judicial powers that are more or less analogous to those of the President of India.
• However, unlike the President, the Governor does not hold Diplomatic, Military, or Emergency powers.
• Article 153 says that there shall be a Governor for each State.
• One person can be appointed as Governor for two or more States. A Governor is appointed by the President and is a nominee of the Central Government.
• It is stated that the Governor has a dual role

EXECUTIVE POWER

•  The governor has the power to enforce state laws and oversee the executive branch.
• This authority includes appointing state officials and managing state agencies.
• Governors also have the ability to issue executive orders for immediate action.

LEGISLATIVE ROLE

• Governors play a significant role in the state legislative process.
• They have the power to sign bills into law or veto legislation.
• Additionally, governors can call special sessions of the legislature to address urgent matters.

BUDGETARY CONTROL

• The governor is responsible for preparing and presenting the state budget.
• This budget outlines the allocation of resources for various state programs and services.
• The governor’s budget proposal significantly influences legislative priorities and spending.�

APPOINTMENT POWERS

• Governors have the authority to appoint judges and various state officials.
• These appointments can shape the judicial system and the functioning of state agencies.
• The confirmation process for these appointments often involves the state legislature.

EXECUTIVE CLEMENCY

• The governor has the power to grant pardons and reprieves to individuals.
• This function allows governors to show leniency in cases involving criminal sentences.
• The decision for clemency can reflect the governor's stance on justice and rehabilitation.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

• In times of crisis, governors have the authority to declare a state of emergency.
• This declaration allows them to mobilize state resources and request federal assistance.
• Effective emergency management is crucial for public safety and disaster response.

REPRESENTATION OF STATE

• Governors serve as the face of the state in national and international matters.
• They advocate for state interests at the federal level and with other states.
• This role also includes building relationships with business and community leaders.

POLITICAL LEADERSHIP

• As political leaders, governors often set the agenda for their party within the state.
• They may also campaign for state and national candidates and issues.
• Their political influence extends to shaping public policy and opinion.

CONCLUSION

• The functions of a governor are multifaceted and impact the daily lives of citizens.
• A governor's effectiveness can significantly influence a state's prosperity and stability.
• The Governor, as the highest constitutional authority in the State, occupies a pivotal position in the democratic framework of the State.
• Through his dual role as constitutional head of the State as well as the representative of the Centre, he ensures the smooth functioning of and coordination among the three wings of the State government along with acting as a bridge between the Central and State governments.

THANK YOU!