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A special address by the Governor refers to the address delivered by the Governor
Explanation
According to Article 176 of the Constitution of India, the Governor delivers a 'special address' to the state legislature at two specific occasions: at the commencement of the first session after each general election to the Legislative Assembly, and at the commencement of the first session of each year [1]. During this address, the Governor informs the legislature of the causes of its summons. This is a mandatory constitutional duty where the Governor addresses the Legislative Assembly (or both Houses in a bicameral setup). While the Governor has other legislative powers, such as summoning or proroguing the legislature and sending messages regarding pending bills, the 'special address' is specifically reserved for these two instances [1]. The address typically outlines the state government's policies and legislative agenda for the upcoming period.
Sources
- [1] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 30: Governor > Legislative Powers > p. 316