Montague-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919
The
political developments in India duringdivisionthe
ofFirst World War such as the Home
Rule Movement led to the August Declaration. On 20th August, 1917
Montague, the Secretary of State for India made a momentous declaration in the
House of Commons. His declaration assured the introduction of responsible
government in India in different stages. As a first measure the Government of
India Act of 1919 was passed by the Parliament of England. This Act is
popularly known as Montague-Chelmsford Reforms. At that time Lord Chelmsford
was the Viceroy of India.
The main features of the Act were:
Dyarchy was introduced in the provinces. Provincial subjects were divided into 'Reserved
Subjects' such as police, jails, land revenue, irrigation and forests and 'Transferred Subjects' such as education, local self-government, public health, sanitation, agriculture and
industries. The Reserved subjects were to be administered by the Governor and
his Executive Council. The Transferred subjects by the Governor and his
ministers.
A bicameral (Two Chambers) legislature was set up at the centre. It
consisted of the Council of States
and the Legislative Assembly. The
total member in the Legislative Assembly
was to be a maximum of 145, out of which 105 were to be elected and the
remaining nominated. In the Council of States there would be a maximum of 60
members out of which 34 were elected and the remaining nominated.
The salaries of the Secretary of State for India
and his assistants were to be paid out of the British revenues. So far, they
were paid out of the Indian revenues.
A High Commissioner for India at London was
appointed.
The most important defect in this Act was the
powers under the system of Dyarchy in the provinces.
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