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Consider the following statements regarding the Government of India Act, 1919 : 1. It divided the subjects of administration in two categories- central and provincial. 2. The central subjects were divided into 'reserved' and 'transferred' subjects. 3. Provincial Governments were granted the power to make their own budgets and levy taxes. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation
The Government of India Act 1919, also known as the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, introduced significant structural changes. Statement 1 is correct as the Act divided administrative subjects into two distinct categories: central and provincial [1]. Statement 2 is incorrect because the system of 'Dyarchy' (division into 'reserved' and 'transferred' subjects) was applied specifically to provincial subjects, not central subjects [3]. The central government remained unitary and responsible to the Secretary of State. Statement 3 is correct as the Act separated provincial budgets from the central budget for the first time, empowering provincial legislatures to enact their own budgets and levy taxes under the Devolution Rules [5]. This separation was a key step toward federalism and provincial autonomy, although the Governor retained significant veto powers over provincial decisions [2].
Sources
- [1] Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 1: THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND > Utility of a Historical Retrospect. > p. 5
- [3] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 26: Constitutional, Administrative and Judicial Developments > Government of India Act, 1919 > p. 510
- [4] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 16: India–Political Aspects > Indian Federalism > p. 5
- [5] History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 4: Advent of Gandhi and Mass Mobilisation > 4.2 Montagu–Chelmsford Reforms > p. 44
- [2] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 15: Emergence of Gandhi > Provincial Government—Introduction of > p. 308