The Government of India Act of 1919, also known as the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, was a significant piece of legislation that introduced reforms to the governance structure in India. It aimed to gradually introduce responsible government.
Key Features:
- Devolution of Authority: The Act classified subjects of administration into central and provincial categories, facilitating delegation of authority from the center to the provinces.
- Dyarchy in Provinces: Provincial subjects were divided into transferred and reserved categories. Transferred subjects were managed by the governor with ministers responsible to the legislative council, while reserved subjects were managed by the governor and his executive council without accountability to the legislative council.
- Bicameral Legislature and Direct Elections: The Act introduced bicameralism in the central legislature, consisting of an Upper House (Council of State) and a Lower House (Legislative Assembly), both chosen by direct election.
- Indian Representation in Executive Council: Three of the six members of the Viceroy’s executive council (excluding the Commander-in-Chief) were to be Indian.
- Extended Communal Representation: The Act provided separate electorates for Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians, and Europeans.
- Limited Franchise: It granted the right to vote to a limited number of people based on property, tax, or other qualifications.
- High Commissioner for India: A new office of the High Commissioner for India in London was established, taking on functions previously performed by the Secretary of State for India.
- Public Service Commission: The Act provided for the establishment of a Central Public Service Commission, set up in 1926, to recruit civil servants.
- Separated Provincial Budgets: Provincial budgets were separated from the central budget, and provincial legislatures were authorized to enact their budgets.
- Statutory Commission: The Act proposed the appointment of a statutory commission to review and report on its working after ten years.
- Chamber of Princes: The Act proposed the establishment of the Chamber of Princes, consisting of 120 members from Indian states and other regions, to discuss matters of common interest.
