Governor & State Legislature
Constitution Special · राज्यपाल और राज्य विधानमंडल · 18 facts
The Governor of a state is covered under Articles 153-161 of the Constitution and acts as the constitutional head of the state.
Under Article 155, the Governor is appointed by the President of India; under Article 156, the Governor holds office at the pleasure of the President.
The Governor is the executive head of the state and all executive actions of the state government are taken in his/her name.
The Governor can reserve a state bill for consideration of the President — this is called the Governor's 'pocket veto'.
Under Article 164, the Chief Minister is appointed by the Governor. The CM must have the confidence of the majority of the Legislative Assembly.
The Council of Ministers in a state is collectively responsible to the State Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha).
Most states have a unicameral legislature (only Vidhan Sabha). Six states have bicameral legislature with both Vidhan Sabha and Vidhan Parishad.
States with Vidhan Parishad (upper house): Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh — total 6 states.
MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly) qualifications: minimum 25 years of age, citizen of India, must be a voter in any constituency of that state.
MLC (Member of Legislative Council) minimum age is 30 years. Vidhan Parishad cannot be dissolved; 1/3 members retire every 2 years.
The strength of Vidhan Sabha cannot be less than 60 or more than 500 members — it is directly elected by the people for 5 years.
The Governor addresses both Houses of the state legislature at the commencement of every session and after each general election.
The Governor can summon, prorogue, and dissolve the Vidhan Sabha but cannot dissolve the Vidhan Parishad.
Discretionary powers of Governor include: appointing CM when no party has clear majority, reserving bills for President, sending reports to President under Article 356.
A state Governor must be a citizen of India, at least 35 years of age, and must not be a member of Parliament or state legislature.
The state legislature has exclusive power to legislate on subjects in the State List (59 subjects) of the 7th Schedule.
The Speaker of the Vidhan Sabha is elected by the members of the assembly and presides over its sessions.
State Money Bills (related to taxation and expenditure) can only be introduced in the Vidhan Sabha, not the Vidhan Parishad.