Relevance: Mains: G.S paper II: Indian Polity
The powers a Governor has in the state they administer is equivalent to that of the President.
- They can appoint Chief Ministers, Ministers, the State Election Commissioner and judges of the District Courts.
- They also serve as Chancellors of all the universities in the state.
- The Governor can also dissolve the state Assembly if they see the need, and if the Assembly is not in session,
- They can promulgate ordinances.
- Based on the recommendation of the Election Commission, the Governor can also disqualify a legislator.
- Another power the Governor holds is to rule the state in case the ruling party loses its majority in the Assembly.
As per Article 239, every UT in India shall be administered by the President, through an administrator to be appointed by him. It is called Lieutenant Governor in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Puducherry, Delhi and Ladakh.
- Governor is an administrator and not a constitutional head.
- In this regard, the Supreme court in 2017 said that Lt. Governor of Delhi has more power than Governor of any state. He doesn’t have to listen to the Council of Ministers
- The Chief Minister shall be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor and the other Ministers shall be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister.
- The Ministers shall hold office during the pleasure of the Lieutenant Governorand the Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly.
- Before a Minister enters upon his office, the Lieutenant Governor shall administer to him the oaths of office and of secrecy according to the forms set out for the purpose in the Fourth Schedule.
- Lieutenant Governor of Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir may nominate two members to the Legislative Assembly to give representation to women, if in his opinion, women are not adequately represented in the Legislative Assembly.