Question

In which cases the Lieutenant Governor acts on his own without seeking the advice of the executive councillors in a Union Territory?
A.Transport
B.Electricity
C.Civil supplies
D.Land and order

Answer 1

Hint: The lieutenant governor is also known as vice-governor. It is a high position considering state-wise jurisdiction in India.

Complete answer: The Governors and Lieutenant Governors are duly appointed by the President. They have a term of five years. The Governors are appointed for the state and the Lieutenant Governor for union territories. The Lieutenant Governor of the union territories has the power to act on his own discretion in the matter of "land and order". In this particular matter, the Lieutenant Governor need not take any advice of the executive councillors. As per the ruling of the Delhi High Court, the Lieutenant Governor has executive powers wider than that exercised by the governor of the state. So it is very true that the governor only acts as a nominal head whereas the real power lies with the Chief Minister of the state. However, in case of union territories, the real power is concentrated in the hands of the lieutenant governor or administrator except in NCT of Delhi, Puducherry and Jammu & Kashmir because these UTs have the council of ministers.

Therefore, the correct answer is “D”.

Note: In India, there are currently 8 Union Territories. Recently, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh also became union territories. This happened shortly after the abrogation of Article 370.