12 states, one UT get new governors
Recently the President of India has appointed the governors of 12 states and one union territory.
- New governors have been appointed in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Manipur, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Bihar, Maharashtra and the Union Territory of Ladakh.
- The post of Governor has been envisaged as the apolitical executive head of the state, who should act only on the advice of the Council of Ministers of the state.
Appointment of Governor –
- According to Articles 155 and 156 of the Constitution, the Governor is appointed by the President. He holds his office during the pleasure of the President.
- If the President withdraws his presidency before the completion of five years, then the Governor has to leave the office.
- Articles – 157 and 158 determine the following qualifications and conditions for the post of Governor. The candidate must be a citizen of India and must be at least 35 years of age.
- The Governor should not be a member of the Parliament or the State Legislature. In addition, the Governor should not hold any office of profit.
Powers of the Governor:
- Executive: He is the constitutional head of the state. He appoints the leader of the majority party to the post of Chief Minister.
- Legislative: He gives assent to or withholds the bill passed by the State Legislature.
- Judicial Powers: He appoints the District Judges; He has the power to pardon, remit and commute the sentence (except death penalty) of a convicted person, etc.
- Financial: A money bill cannot be introduced in the Legislative Assembly without the prior approval of the Governor.
Judicial decisions, and recommendations relating to the Governor-
- Sarkaria Commission: The governor should be from some other state, he should not be a member of the ruling party.
- Nabam Rebia Judgment (2016): The discretionary power of the Governor under Article 163 is limited and not arbitrary.
- Punchhi Commission (2007): Governors should have a fixed term of 5 years and should be removed through the process of impeachment by the state legislature.
Source – Hindustan Times
