Question

Who is the Executive head of State?

Answer 1

Hint: The powers of the Executive head of State is analogous to the powers and function of the President of India. He is appointed by the President of India for a term of 5 years.

Complete Step by Step Answer: The executive head of the State is the Governor. Each state has its own Governor and has to act according to the recommendation of the Council of Ministers. Also, the same person can be appointed as a Governor to one or more States under the Seventh Amendment Act of 1956. An executive action of the State is often taken in the name of the Governor.

The Governor of the State is appointed by the President of India for a term of 5 years. He has similar powers and functions at the state level as that of the President. The real power lies in the hands of the Chief Minister of the state and his Council of ministers whereas the Governor acts as the nominal head. He is not an elected body. The Governor enjoys different types of powers such as executive power, legislative power and discretionary powers.

- Executive powers related to administration, appointments and removals. The Governor appoints the Chief Minister of a state and also appoints the other members of the Council of members on the advice of the Chief Minister. He further appoints the Advocate General and the chairman and members of the State Public Service Commission.
- Legislative powers related to lawmaking and the state legislature, that is Vidhan Sabha or Vidhan Parishad. He can summon the sessions of both houses of the state legislature and prorogue them. He can even dissolve the Vidhan Sabha.
- Discretionary powers to be carried out according to the discretion of the Governor.

Note: The Executive head of the state can be terminated earlier either through dismissal by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister or if he himself resigns. There is no provision of impeachment for the Executive head of State, unlike the President.