Appointment Of Governors.

• New governors were appointed in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Jharkhand, HP, Assam, AP Chhattisgarh, Manipur, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Bihar, Maharashtra and Ladakh (UT).

About Governor:

• Article 153 of the Constitution says “There shall be a Governor for each State”.
  • He/she is the Chief Executive Head of a State.
  • The governor is a nominal (titular or constitutional) head.
  • Acts as an agent of the central government.
• Appointment
  • Under Article 155, The Governor of a State shall be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
  • Under Article 156, the Governor shall hold office during the pleasure of the President. The Governor has no security of tenure.
  • Article 157 and 158 lay down qualifications and terms of office of Governor
    • Must be a citizen of India and should have completed age of 35 years.
    • Governor should not be a member of Parliament or a state legislature, and must not hold any other office of profit.
  • Functions
    • Article 163 of the Constitution says the Governor will normally be aided and advised by the Council of Ministers except in those functions which require his discretion.
    • Article 164 of the constitution says the Chief Minister shall be appointed by the Governor and the other Ministers shall be appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister, and the Ministers shall hold office during the pleasure of the Governor.
    • Powers–
      • Under Article 161 the Governor of a State shall have the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, or remissions of punishment or to suspend, remit or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offence against any law relating to a matter to which the executive power of the State extends.
      • Legislative Powers:
        • The Governor has the power to prorogue and dissolve the state legislature.
        • Governor appoints one-sixth of the total members of the legislative council from the fields of literature, science, art, cooperative movement, and social service.
        • With respect to the bill introduced in the state legislature, he can give his assent, withhold his assent, return the bill, and reserve the bill for President’s consideration.
      • Executive Powers:
        • All Executive actions in the state by the government are taken in his name.
        • The Chief Minister and Council of Ministers are appointed by him.
        • The Governor appoints the State Election Commissioner, Chairman and members of the State Public Service Commission, Advocate General of State, and Vice-Chancellor of Universities.
        • The President of India imposes President’s rule in any state on the recommendation of the Governor of the concerned state.