5 Important Powers of the Governors of States of India are 1. Executive Power, 2. Legislative Power, 3. Judicial Power, 4. Emergency Power, 5. Financial Power.
1. Executive:
All the executive functions in the state are carried on in the name of the Governor. He appoints the Chief Minister and on his advice appoints other Ministers and distributes portfolios among them.
He also appoints Advocate-General, Chairman and members of State public service commission. Members of the state public service commission cannot be removed by him; they can be removed only by the President on the report of the Supreme Court on reference made by the President.
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ADVERTISEMENTS:
He is entitled to be consulted by the President in the matter of appointment of Judges of State High Court. He can nominate one member of Anglo-Indian community to Legislative Assembly (Article 333). He can nominate 1/6 part of the total members of the Legislative Council.
In the states of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, it is the special responsibility of the Governor to see that a Minister is placed in charge of tribal welfare.
In Assam, the Governor is given certain special powers with respect to the administration of the tribal areas provided in the sixth schedule of the Constitution. In fact, all executive actions of the government are taken in his name.
2. Legislative:
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Governor is an integral part of the state legislature. Governor of state enjoys extensive legislative powers. He summons either or both Houses of the State Legislature to meet at a time and at a place as he thinks fit.
The only condition is that six months shall not intervene between its last sitting in one session and the date appointed for its first sitting in the next session.
He may prorogue either House or dissolve the Legislative Assembly. He may address either House and may send messages to it. It is provided that the Houses to which he send message will consider any matter required by the message to be taken into consideration.
The Governor addresses the House or the Houses on the commencement of the first session after general election and at the commencement of the first session on each year.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
When a bill has been passed by a House or Houses, it must be presented to the Governor. The Governor shall declare that he assents to it or that he withholds his assent or that he reserves the bill for the consideration of the President.
The Governor may return a Non-Money bill with a message for reconsideration. He may suggest amendments. The House or Houses must consider his suggestions without delay. If the bill is passed again by the House or Houses without amendment, he cannot with hold his assent.
3. Judicial:
Article 161 empowers Governor to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remission of punishment or to suspend or commute the sentence’ of death to any person convicted of any offence against which executive power of state extends.
He has no power to pardon in case of defence of death. But has the power to suspend, remit a sentence of death. He is entitled to be consulted by the president in appointment of Judges of State High Court.
4. Emergency:
Governor has the power to make a report to the President whenever he is satisfied that a situation has arisen in which Government of the state cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the constitution [Article 356]. But this power has often been misused as Rajiv Dhawan has indicated.
5. Financial:
He causes the annual financial statement to be laid before state legislature and recommends for introducing money Bill. No demand for grants can be made except on the recommendation of the Governor.