Appointment of the Governor: The executive head of a state in India is called the Governor of the State. He is appointed by the President of India for a period of five years and holds office during the pleasure of the President. Generally the Chief Minister of the State is consulted while appointing the Governor. He may be appointed again if the President so pleases. He can be removed before the expiry of his term if the President so desires.
Qualifications: A Governor of a State in India should be:
(a) a citizen of India.
(b) he must be thirty five years of age.
(c) he must not hold any other office of profit under the Government of India or the State Government.
Powers and functions of the Governor:
1. Executive Powers: 1. The administration of the State is carried on in the name of the Governor.
2. He appoints the Chief Minister and on his advice the Governor appoints other ministers.
3. He appoints the Advocate-General, the Chairman and members of the Public Service Commission and other high officials of the state.
2. Legislative Powers: (a) He summons or prorogues the House of the State Legislature.
(b) He can dissolve the Legislative Assembly or Vidhan Sabha.
(c) He issues ordinances when the Legislature is not in session. Such ordinances have to be rectified by the State Assembly within six weeks from the date of the beginning of the next session.
(d) All bills passed by the State Legislature are presented to the Governor for his assent. A bill so passed by the Legislature can become law only after the assent of the Governor.
3. Financial Powers: (a) Money bills can be introduced in the Legislative Assembly with the prior permission of the Governor.
(b) The Annual Budget of the State is presented to the legislature in his name.
(c) The Finance Minister presents the Annual Budget in the Vidhan Sabha with the prior permission of the Governor.
4. Judicial Powers: (a) He appoints the District Judges.
(b) He is consulted by the President in the appointment of the Judges of the High Court.
(c) He can grant pardon, remit, suspend and change the form of punishment for violation of the state laws. In such matters the Governor has to act on the advice of the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers.
