She was asked to resign from the Union Cabinet as she was over 75. Yes we are talking about Najma Heptulla who has been appointed as the governor of Manipur. Shouldn't age be taken in to account for this position as well?
What is the need for a Governor in a federal structure, which has an elected government at the Centre as well as the state? Except for administering oath to a new govt, what other function does he have? - Nitish Kumar, CM, Bihar
Act as political agents of centre
Since Independence, the role of governors has been shrouded in controversy. States with opposition political parties have been victims of step-brotherly treatment from the Centre headed by the Governor. This has seriously affected the integrity of the post. So, there’s nothing wrong in doing away with the position.
Shaina Nagpal, class XI, Riverside School, Ahmedabad
Like the President, governors are the de-jure head of a state. However, over the years, there have been cases where governors have misused their powers. The instances where President’s Rule was imposed on states demonstrate this point. Moreover, with governors becoming a stumbling block in the progress of a state, it’s better to scrap the post.
Jayabrato Chatterjee, class X, Apeejay School, Kolkata
The post of governor was created by the Constitution of India to facilitate better communication between the Centre and states. Unfortunately, the august office has lost its sheen. The post is being used to distribute favour to senior party members. Governors are becoming pro-active and it has affected the functioning of a state. In order to avoid this showdown, there’s nothing wrong in scrapping it the post.
Akansha Singh, class XII, Lucknow Public Collegiate, Lucknow
The recent tussle between the Lt Governer and CM of Delhi along with the controversial imposition of President’s Rule in Uttarakhand has given enough reasons to give thought to abolishing the post of governors from the Indian political system. They have become political agents of the Centre and more often than not, let their state down with acts denigrating the august office, which once was held in high esteem.
Shreyash Pani, class X, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Ajni, Nagpur
Provides checks and balances
The Governor of a state is the repository of the executive powers of the state, which are exercised by him in accordance with the Constitution of India. Though recent incidents — when governments in Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh were dismissed on the Governor’s recommendation — have forced lawmakers to question the role of governors in the political system, it’s not wise to abolish this constitutional position. Governors are expected to keep a check on the functioning of the state governments .
Sanjula Gupta, class XI, Bhavan Vidyalaya, Chandigarh
The idea of abolishing the post of governors is quite disturbing. Governors are appointed by the President of India to supervise the functioning of a state so that states don’t misuse their powers. The fact that governors have been criticised for the imposition of President’s Rule doesn’t take away from their other serious responsibities.
JOSEPH SALVIN JOY, class XI, Greets Public School, Kochi
Governors are appointed by the President of India and are expected to remain non-political figures after assuming office. As the Head of a state, a Governor has powers and responsibilities, other than imposing President’s Rule. Scrutinising the post of a Governor and calling for abolishing it on the grounds of misuse of ‘Presidential Rule’ is unfair to the august office of the Governor.
Manasvi Rawal, class X, Ryan International School, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai
India is a ‘Union of States’, says the Constitution of India. In other words, though it is federal in nature, it is unitary in spirit. Therefore, the role of a Governor assumes more significance. He is expected to act as a coordinator between the Centre and the state to maintain a healthy working relationship between both.
Shreya Gakhar, class X, Mata Jai Kaur Public School, Ashok Vihar, Delhi
Experts speak
A look at the history of the role of Governor in the Indian polity in the recent past gives an indication that subsequent governments have more or less misused the post. One of the reasons was that governors were appointed by the ruling party keeping in mind their vested political interests. Moreover, political affiliation has also played a part in making this post controversial. But abolishing it is not a solution. Political parties should concentrate on appointing a non-political person to keep it above all the controversies.
Gaurang Jani, sociologist, Gujarat University
How can any state do away with the position of the Governor? Any party making such a demand needs to study the Indian Constitution in detail. The Governor is the head of a state. He is the Chief Executive in the state. In fact, he has more powers than the President. While the President as the nominal executive of the Union can rarely use any discretion in the exercise of his powers, the Constitution grants some discretionary powers to the Governor.
Jayraj Salgaonkar, political commentator
In a federal system, the Centre and state should work independently. But unfortunately, the Centre meddles in states’ affair from time to time, whenever there are two different parties in power — at the Centre and state. A Governor should be appointed in consultation with the CM to avoid mistrust and conflict.
Prof Sandeep Shastri, political analyst, Bengaluru
Role of a governor in india
- As the Chief Executive of a state, a Governor enjoys executive, legislative, judicial and special powers. The Governor has the discretion to appoint a CM, if no political party gets a majority in the State Assembly.
- The Governor informs the President in an official report, of a particular emergency arisen in the state, and imposes ‘President’s Rule’ on behalf of the President.
- While governors are appointed for states, the Centre appoints Lt governors for Union Territories of Andaman and Nicobar Island, Puducherry and Delhi. All Union Territories, except Chandigarh, are governed by an administrative head. The governor of Punjab is also the Lt governor of Chandigarh.
The first woman to become a Governor of a state in India was Sarojini Naidu. She was the Governor of Uttar Pradesh from August 15, 1947 till her demise on March 2, 1949.
According to a RTI response from the ministry of home affairs (MHA), President’s Rule was imposed 115 times till date, including in Uttarakhand in March this year.