GOVERNOR (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The Prime Minister of India urged Governors to act as an effective bridge between the Centre and State governments. This call aims to enhance coordination and communication across different levels of government.

Office of Governor:

• Constitutional provisions: Articles 153 to 167 in Part VI of the Constitution.
• Part of: The state executive, others include the chief minister, the council of ministers and the advocate general of the state.

o He is the chief executive head of the state. 

o But, like the president, he is a nominal executive head (titular or constitutional head). 

• Appointment: By the President (on the advice of the central government) and, therefore, acts as the vital link between the Union and the state governments.
• Term of the office: Five years subject to the pleasure of the President.
• Removal: The Governor of State holds office during the pleasure of the President of India and can be removed by the President at any time.
• Powers of the Governor: Executive powers, Legislative powers, Financial powers, Judicial powers.

o Article 200: This Art of the Indian Constitution delineates the procedure for a Bill approved by the Legislative Assembly of a State to be presented to the Governor for assent.

o Article 201: It stipulates that when a Bill is reserved for the consideration of the President, the President can either assent to or withhold assent from the Bill.

o Veto Power: Supreme Court clarified that the Governor is envisioned as a constitutional statesman guiding the state government on matters of constitutional concern and, as such, cannot exercise the authority to veto a Bill enacted by the legislative assembly.

ü According to CJI, The Governor, as an unelected Head of the State, is entrusted with certain constitutional powers. However, this power cannot be used to thwart the normal course of lawmaking by the State Legislatures,”.