Question

Under which act, the councils were having a power to discuss the budget and addressing the questions to the executive?
A Indian Council act of 1861
B. Government of India Act, 1858
C. Indian Constitution Act, 1919
D. Indian Council Act of 1892

Answer 1

Hint: This act was the part of a series constituted by three acts. When this act was passed, Edwin Montagu was the then Secretary of State of India and Chelmsford was the viceroy of India. Thus this act was also known as Montagu-Chelmsford reforms.

Complete Answer:
A. Indian Council Act of 1861: In this act strength of members in the legislative council, which was an advisory body, was increased and few Indians were also given seats. Other than this portfolio system was also introduced and the decentralization of finances was done between Central and provincial governments.

B. Government of India Act, 1858: In this act, the system of dual government was ended. The Governor of India was given the designation of Viceroy of India and an executive council was made to assist him. The new office of the secretary of state of India was made. The first person to occupy this post was Lord Stanley.

C. Indian Constitution Act, 1919: By this act, a dyarchy system was introduced. The legislative subject list was divided into provincial subjects and viceroy subjects and the provincial list was further subdivided. Bicameralism was introduced in Indian legislative council. The principal budget was separated from the central budget. Separate electorate seats were given to Sikhs and Anglo Indians.

D. Indian Council Act, 1892: in this the strength of Indians in legislative council was increased. Elections were introduced in India. By this act legislative council was given the power to discuss the budget and was also allowed to ask questions from executives regarding the same. The number of members of the legislative council was increased from 6 to 16.

Hence the correct answer is option D.

Note: - First viceroy of British India was Lord Canning. He was the direct representative of the British crown in India.
- The first session of the constituent assembly, who made our constitution, was held on 9 December 1946 with only 211 members present. Muslim League boycotted this session and few princely states also did not participate in it.
- The Constitution of India was formed by taking ideas from other constitutions of the world and a large part of our constitution was taken from the Government of India act 1935.