The Indian Federal Structure

Two levels of Government

Central Government

State Government

The 3 Organs of the State Government

LEGISLAURE EXECUTIVE JUDICIARY

The lawmaking organ of the government

Executes the various functions

Ensures that we obey the laws

THE STATE LEGISLATURE

How are members of the State Legislature chosen? What are the 2 kinds of legislature?

Unicameral Legislature It has only one house of legislature.

Bicameral Legislature It has two houses of legislature Legislative Assembly & Legislative Council.

The Legislative Assembly

(Vidhan Sabha)
The members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) are elected by the people. Its term is of 5 years. Minimum number of members has to be 60 and maximum is 500. (except Goa, Mizoram & Sikkim) Each state is divided into areas called constituencies & from each constituency one member is elected by the people. The political party whose candidates win more than half the number of seats in a state forms the government.

The Legislative Council

It is the upper house of the State Legislature. Only 6 states in India have an upper house Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh. Each member of the Legislative Council (MLC) serves for a term of 6 years. 1/3rd of its members retire after every 2 years. Minimum number of members is 40 and maximum is 1/3rd of the Vidhan Sabha. They are elected by Vidhan Sabha members, members of local bodies, secondary school teachers & graduates. Some are elected by the Governor.

(Vidhan Parishad)

Types of Bills
Ordinary Bill Money Bill
Relates to all matters other than money Originates in either house of the legislature Relates to all money matters Originates only in the Vidhan Sabha

THE STATE EXECUTIVE

Chief Minister Council of Ministers

Governor

The Governor
Appointed by the President. Qualifications Must be a citizen of India, at least 35 years of age, should not be a member of the state legislature.

Executive Powers
Powers of the Governor

Discretionary Powers

Legislative Powers

Kateekal Sankaranarayanan

Governor of Maharashtra

Powers of the Governor

Appoints the Chief Minister. & also the Council of Ministers with the help of the CM. Consulted by the President in the appointment of judges to the High Court. Has the power to nominate one Anglo Indian member to the legislature of his state. Also a member having special knowledge in fields such as literature, art, science, social science to the Legislative Council. Has the power to summons the sessions of the State Legislature. Addresses the first session after the elections. Can dissolve the State Legislature. Every bill passed by the State legislature has to receive the assent of the Governor. The Governor can appoint the CM if no party has a majority. Can report to the President that the govt. isnt functioning well.

Council of Ministers
They carry out the administration of the state. They are appointed by the Governor on the advice of the CM. Collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly of the state. If there is a vote of no confidence then they cannot continue to rule. Individual ministers can also be asked to leave the council.

The Chief Minister

Head of the Council of Ministers. Leader of the party of majority in the Legislative Assembly. Chairman of the Cabinet. Allocated portfolios to ministers. Summons meetings & presides over it. Coordinates the work of different departments. The resignation or death of a minister dissolves the Cabinet.

Prithviraj Chavan Chief Minister of Maharashtra