Role of Governer in India: emerging scenario

Abstract

The evolution of the office of the Governor in British India came into being for safeguarding the commercial interest of the East India Company. The origin of the office of the Governor came into existence when the queen Elizabeth Granted trading Powers to the Company of Merchants of London into the East India company under the famous charter of 31st December, 1600. Governor is a common political title for the official head of a dependent or component unit in a large constitutional structure. Governorships of one type have existed in the British, French, Dutch, and other empires; those of another type exist in the states of United States and in Brazil and Mexico. In the State Government of India, the Governorship derived from British origins but traced a separate course. The office of the Governor in India is as old as 1665. The question about the position of the Governor was debated at length by the Constituent Assembly. The drafting committee gave two alternative regarding the appointment of Governor whether the status should have direct elections of Governor s or have indirect election. A proposal was moved for this through amendment during debates. Speaking in the constituent assembly in favour of nominated Governor, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru emphasized the need of the nomination of a person who was above Party Politics and educationist or otherwise an eminent person. Shri A.K. Ayyer a prominent member of Drafting Committee. To him the Governor was a constitutional head, a sagacious counsellor and advisor to ministry. After detail discussion, the constituent assembly decide in favour of appointment of Governor by way of nomination and also decided that the Governor should be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal. According to Article 155 of the Constitution, the Governor of the State is to be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal. Article 156 stipulates The Governor shall hold office during the pleasure of the President.