Montagu - Chelmsford Reforms
(Govt. Of India Act), 1919
Edwin Montague, The secretary of State for India, visited India from November 1917 to April 1918 and, in cooperation with the Viceroy, Lord Chelmsford, held discussion with Indian leaders of all opinions. The result of these conversations and the Viceroy - Secretary of State deliberations was the Montagu - Chelmsford Report, which was published on July 8, 1918. The proposals of the report were supported by all the members of the council of the Secretary of State and of the Viceroy's Executive Council, and were welcomed by the non - official members of the Imperial Legislative C
ouncil, but were severely criticized by the Muslim League and the Congress. The Report's plan was so far removed from that of the Congress - League scheme that no attempt was made to arrange a compromise, and the official recommendations were drafted into a Government of India Bill, which passed through Parliament in November 1919 and received the Royal Assent on December 23. The main features of the Act were:
all fields. For this reason some subjects were made popular and given into the charge of popularly selected ministers who were responsible to the provincial legislatatures. And some subjects were reserved to to eGovernor, who administrated them through appointed executive councilors who wre not accountable to the provincial assemblies.
But the scheme under the act was not entirely successful. Governament at the centre remained under the control of the British officials, responsible to the British Government. The important departments in the provinces also remained under the British officials, known as Executive Councilors, responsible to the British Governors and through them to the Governeor General.
In the elections held in 1920 under the new Act, the Congress took no part. In 1923, however, the Congress decided to contest the next elections, not with a view to working the constitution but to destroy it from within. The Muslims, on the other hand, did not disapprove the Act of 1919 though they were not completely satisfied with it.
(Govt. Of India Act), 1919
Edwin Montague, The secretary of State for India, visited India from November 1917 to April 1918 and, in cooperation with the Viceroy, Lord Chelmsford, held discussion with Indian leaders of all opinions. The result of these conversations and the Viceroy - Secretary of State deliberations was the Montagu - Chelmsford Report, which was published on July 8, 1918. The proposals of the report were supported by all the members of the council of the Secretary of State and of the Viceroy's Executive Council, and were welcomed by the non - official members of the Imperial Legislative C
ouncil, but were severely criticized by the Muslim League and the Congress. The Report's plan was so far removed from that of the Congress - League scheme that no attempt was made to arrange a compromise, and the official recommendations were drafted into a Government of India Bill, which passed through Parliament in November 1919 and received the Royal Assent on December 23. The main features of the Act were:- The Act gave separate representation to the Muslims and also extended it to other minorities i.e. Sikhs, Christians and Anglo - Indian Christians.
- At the centre, the Central Legislative Council was to be replaced by the bicameral legislative; the Council of State and the Indian Legislative Assembly. In both great majority of members would be elected.
- In the provincial field, Act introduced the system of 'Dyrachy' i.e. a division of powers between the responsible ministers and the irresponsible Executive Councilors.
- The Provincial Legislatures were enlarged and 70 percent seats were ensured for elected representation.
- The normal tenure of the Assembly was fixed at 3 years, but the Governor General had the power to extend it or dissolve the House earlier.
- Franchise was extended by lowering the property qualification.
- Universities, landholdings, industries and commerce received representation as constituencies.
- Law and order, and Land Revenue departments were kept reserved for British administration. While departments of education, agriculture, public health and local government were transferred to Indian ministers.
- Under this Act of 1919 a statutory commission was also to be appointed after 10 years to examine the working of the system and to advice for the future of the Indian Constitution.
all fields. For this reason some subjects were made popular and given into the charge of popularly selected ministers who were responsible to the provincial legislatatures. And some subjects were reserved to to eGovernor, who administrated them through appointed executive councilors who wre not accountable to the provincial assemblies.But the scheme under the act was not entirely successful. Governament at the centre remained under the control of the British officials, responsible to the British Government. The important departments in the provinces also remained under the British officials, known as Executive Councilors, responsible to the British Governors and through them to the Governeor General.
In the elections held in 1920 under the new Act, the Congress took no part. In 1923, however, the Congress decided to contest the next elections, not with a view to working the constitution but to destroy it from within. The Muslims, on the other hand, did not disapprove the Act of 1919 though they were not completely satisfied with it.
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