As the executive head at the state level, the Governor has the following functions and powers.
(a) Executive Powers:
(i) He is the constitutional head of the state. The whole administration runs in his name.
(ii) He appoints the leader of the majority party in the State Legislative Assembly as the Chief Minister of the State.
(iii) He appoints other members of the Council of Ministers on the recommendation of the Chief Minister.
(iv) He appoints the Advocate General of the State, the Chairman, Members of the State Public Service Commission, the State Election Commissioner.
(v) He acts as the Chancellor of the Universities in the State. He also appoints the Vice-Chancellors of the State Universities.
(b) Legislative Powers:
(i) The Governor is an integral part of the State Legislature. But he is not a member of either house of the legislature. In this capacity, he enjoys the following legislative powers and functions.
(ii) He has the power to summon, prorogue and dissolve the State Legislature.
(iii) He may address the State Legislature at the beginning of the first session after each general election and in the first session of each year.
(iv) He can send messages to the Houses of the State Legislature regarding a bill pending in the legislature.
(v) He may appoint any member of the Legislative Assembly to preside over its proceedings when the offices of both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker become vacant.
(c) Discretionary Powers:
(i) The Governor can reserve a bill for the consideration of the President.
(ii) He recommends the imposition of President's rule in the State.
(iii) He seeks information from the Chief Minister regarding the administrative and legislative matters of the State.
(iv) He can call the leader of any party to form a ministry in the state when no party gets a clear majority in the Legislative Assembly after the general elections.
(v) He can dismiss the Council of Ministers if he is unable to prove the confidence of the Legislative Assembly.
(d) Emergency Powers:
If the Governor is satisfied that the government of the State is not being carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, he can recommend to the President, under Article 356, the imposition of President's Rule in that State. As soon as President's rule is imposed, the administration of the state is run by the Governor as the representative of the President.
