70^th BPSC Mains

Approach Briefly introduce the Government of India Act 1919. Discuss the salient features of the act and constitutional reforms. Conclude suitably.

Introduction

The Government of India Act 1919, based on the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, was a significant step towards responsible governance in India. It aimed to decentralize administration and increase Indian participation in governance, setting the foundation for future constitutional reforms.

Body

Historical Background:

• On August 20, 1917, the British Government declared its objective of gradually introducing responsible government in India.
• In 1918, Secretary of State Edwin Montagu and Viceroy Lord Chelmsford formulated the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, leading to the enactment of the Government of India Act 1919.
• The reforms came into effect in 1921, marking a shift towards greater Indian involvement in administration.

Salient Features of the Act and Constitutional Reforms:

• Provincial Decentralization:
  
  • The Act demarcated and separated central and provincial subjects.
  • Both central and provincial legislatures were empowered to make laws on their respective subjects.
  • Despite this, the overall structure remained centralized and unitary.
• Introduction of Dyarchy:
  
  • Provincial subjects were divided into transferred and reserved categories.
  • Transferred subjects (education, health, local government) were administered by ministers responsible to the provincial legislative council.
  • Reserved subjects (police, land revenue, finance) were under the Governor and his executive council, who were not accountable to the legislature.
  • This system of dual governance, known as dyarchy, was largely unsuccessful due to conflicting authority.
• Bicameralism and Direct Elections:
  
  • Introduced a bicameral legislature at the central level:
    • Upper House (Council of State)
    • Lower House (Legislative Assembly)
  • Majority of members in both houses were chosen through direct elections, increasing Indian representation in governance.
• Increased Indian Representation in the Executive:
  
  • Three of the six members of the Viceroy’s Executive Council (excluding the Commander-in-Chief) were to be Indians.
• Extended Communal Representation:
  
  • Separate electorates were provided for Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians, and Europeans, deepening communal divisions.
• Limited Franchise:
  
  • Voting rights were granted based on property ownership, tax payments, or education, restricting participation to a small section of society.
• Establishment of the High Commissioner for India in London:
  
  • A new office of High Commissioner for India was created in London, taking over some functions previously handled by the Secretary of State for India.
• Public Service Commission:
  
  • The Act laid the foundation for an independent public service.
  • A Central Public Service Commission was established in 1926 to oversee civil service recruitment.
• Financial Decentralization:
  
  • Provincial budgets were separated from the central budget for the first time.
  • Provincial legislatures were authorized to enact their own budgets.
• Provision for a Statutory Commission:
  
  • A statutory commission was to be appointed ten years after the Act’s enforcement to assess its working, leading to the Simon Commission of 1927.

Conclusion

The Government of India Act 1919 was a crucial milestone in India’s constitutional development. Though it introduced reforms such as dyarchy, bicameral legislatures, and Indian representation in governance, it fell short of granting full responsible government. Despite its limitations, the Act set the stage for future constitutional advancements, including the Government of India Act 1935 and eventually India’s independence.