Question
Q32. With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements:
- It provided for the establishment of an All India Federation based on the union of the British Indian Provinces and Princely States.
- Defence and Foreign Affairs were kept under the control of the federal legislature.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer :1
Detailed Explanation
· The Government of India Act 1935 was a significant act of legislation enacted by the Parliament of the United Kingdom. This act, received royal assent on 24th July, 1935 and came into effect on 1st April 1937, and played a crucial role in shaping the constitutional framework in British India.
· The Act provided for All India Federation consisting of all British Indian provinces, the Chief Commissioner’s provinces, and Indian states (princely states). However, this was contingent upon the following conditions:
· States with at least 52 allotted seats in the proposed council of states agree to join the federation
· The aggregate population of the above states must be at least 50% of the total population of Indian states, which ultimately did not happen, so the federation was never formed. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
· Under The Government of India Act, 1935, subjects to be
· administered were divided into reserved and transferred subjects at the Central level under Dyarchy provision.
· Reserved subjects—foreign affairs, defense, tribal areas and ecclesiastical affairs which were to be exclusively administered by the governor-general and not the federal legislature, on the advice of executive council. Hence, Statement 2 is incorrect.
