Which of the following is/are the principal feature(s) of the Government of India Act, 1919?

1. Introduction of diarchy in the executive government of the provinces
2. Introduction of separate communal electorates for Muslims
3. Devolution of legislative authority by the centre to the provinces

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The Government of India Act of 1919 introduced the dyarchy (Diarchy) at the provincial level, i.e. dual government in the provinces.
• Under this, the provincial administration was divided between reserved and transferred subjects.
  • Reserved List: The councillors nominated by the Governor controlled reserved subjects and were not responsible to the provincial legislature. It included subjects such as Police, justice, control over printing presses, irrigation, land revenue, factories, etc.
  • Transferred List: Transferred subjects were controlled by the ministers responsible to the provincial legislature. It included agriculture, supervision of local government, health, and education.
• Under the Act, the partially responsible government was introduced in the provinces. The minister was responsible to the legislature, whereas the governor was exempt from such responsibility.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• Indian Councils Act of 1909 (Morley–Minto Reforms) introduced for the first time the principle of communal representation in India and provided a separate electorate for Muslims; that is, Muslims were to be elected by the electorates consisting of Muslims only.
• Under the Government of India Act of 1919: Other than Muslims, the minorities, including Sikhs, Anglo-Indians, Indian Christians and Europeans, were given the right of a separate electorate.

Statement 3 is correct

• Under the Government of India Act of 1919, the central and provincial legislatures were given the authority to make laws on their respective subjects.
  • Central List: Foreign and political relations, public debt, tariffs and customs, patents, currency, communications, etc.
  • Provincial List: Local self-government, health, sanitation, education, public works. agriculture, forests, law and order, etc.
    • Transferred Subjects: Local self-government, health, education and some departments relating to agriculture.
    • Reserved Subjects: Police, justice, control over printing presses, irrigation, land revenue, factories etc.
• The residual powers were vested in the Governor-General in Council.

Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only; Difficulty Level: Medium