Article 153 of the Indian Constitution provides for a Governor for each state, who can simultaneously hold the charge of the post of Governor of more than two states.
Just as the executive power of the Union is with the President, in the same way the executive power of the state is vested in the Governor. The Governor is appointed by the President for 5 years.
Executive powers of the Governor
The executive powers of the state are vested in the Governor. The Governor exercises his powers himself or directly. The Governor has the following executive powers:
The entire governance of the state runs in the name of the Governor. The Governor rules on all those subjects on which the Legislature has the right to make laws.
When any bill is introduced by the Legislature of the state, after being passed from there, it is signed by the Governor. Only then it is passed in the entire state.
The Governor appoints the Chief Minister and then on the advice of the Chief Minister, the Governor forms the cabinet of the state.
All the ministers of the cabinet are appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister and the Governor can also remove them from the post on the advice of the Chief Minister.
The Governor appoints the Chairman, Advocate General and other members of the State Public Service Commission.
The Governor can obtain information related to the state administration and any subject of the cabinet from the Chief Minister.
The Governor is the Chancellor of the state university. The Governor also appoints the Vice-Chancellor of the university.
The Governor has the power to appoint a member of the Anglo-Indian community in the state assembly.
Legislative powers of the Governor
If any dispute arises regarding the qualification of any member of the state legislature, the Governor has the right to take a decision related to it.
If the post of Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council is vacant, the Governor can temporarily appoint any member of the assembly to preside over the council.
When no session of the legislature is going on and any abnormal situation arises for which there is no law, then in such a situation the Governor has the right to issue an ordinance.
The Governor has the freedom to issue ordinances and it cannot be challenged in the court. This ordinance is as effective as any other law made by the legislature. However, this ordinance cannot remain in force after 6 weeks from the beginning of the meeting of the legislature.
In states where there is a Legislative Council, that is, the upper house of the legislature, the Governor can nominate one-third of the members of the House from the fields related to art, literature, science, social service, cooperation.
After any bill is passed by the state legislature, it is sent to the Governor for approval. Except money bills, the Governor can send back other ordinary bills for full consideration.
The Governor has the right to summon or dissolve the Legislative Assembly. The Governor can give a speech in both the houses of the legislature.
If the Governor feels that the constitutional governance of the state is not running properly, then he can recommend to the President to impose President’s rule in the state.
Financial powers of the Governor
The Governor has been given many financial powers. A money bill is introduced in the assembly only on the recommendation of the Governor. The Governor also gets the annual budget presented in the assembly every year through the Finance Minister. The budget cannot be presented without his permission.
The Governor also has full control over the state’s contingency fund. The Governor can spend some money from this fund as per the need, after which he can take the approval of the state legislature.
The Governor can constitute a Finance Commission after every 5 years to review the financial condition of the Panchayat and Municipalities.
Judicial powers of the Governor
The Governor has many judicial powers. The Governor himself appoints the judge of the district.
If there is more work in the court, the Governor can also appoint more than one judge if he wants.
The Governor has also been given the right to pardon, reduce or postpone the punishment of the criminal for some time. However, the Governor cannot take decisions in those criminal cases which are under the executive of the Union Government.