Chapter 3 : Historical Background ( Part 3 )

 Chapter 3 : Historical Background ( Part 3 )

Part 3 : Administrative reforms after 1919

1. Government of India Act, 1935 :
• It was a lengthy document having 321 sections and 10 schedules.
• 75% of the constitution was taken from this Act.
• It is also known as " Act of Slavery" said by Jawaharlal Nehru.
• The types of Directive Principles were give by this act.
• In this act, 3 types of lists were formed:
• Union of States list
• Princely states list
• Concurrent list ( Centre + State)
• Provincial Dyarchy (Dual Govt) was converted to Provincial Autonomy.
• This act provided provincial autonomy to few states. (Provincial autonomy- Provinces ability make decisions while still remaining part of the federation.) Provinces were given few rights from 1937 to 1939 to resolve certain issues.
• It was optional for Indian states to join the federation.(though no one joined )
• Formation of Federal Court (Supreme Court) at Delhi in 1937 which was later turned into Supreme Court in the year 1950.
• Dominion status was not conferred.
• Apart from Governor General's power of veto, a Bill was passed by the central legislature which was also subject to veto by the crown. ( i.e. Making ordinances was the power given to Governor General Viceroy 
• The post of Governor was taken from this act.
• The emergency provisions in the constitution were also taken from this act.
2. Cripps Mission , 1942 :
• Proposals of Cripps Mission:
• The Constitution of India was to be framed by an elected Constituent Assembly by the Indian people.
• The Constitution should give India the Dominion status.( Dominion status- The country will remain independent but will still remain under certain restrictons by the British Empire. Mostly the Queen will be the head of the country. )
• The proposals were to be adopted at the end of the Second World War.
• The mission failed as none of its proposals were accepted by the Indians.
3. Wavell Plan, 1945 :
• The number of Hindu and Muslim members in the Executive Council was to be equal.
• All portfolios will be given to Indians in administration except defense (Military, Police to be taken by the British )
• The plan was also rejected.
4. Cabinet Mission Plan, 1946 :
• The objective of the mission was to help India to achieve independence as early as possible.
• The Cabinet Mission rejected the claim for a separate Constituent Assembly and a separate state for Muslims
• The Constituent Assembly for India was finally formed for the making of the constitution.
5. The Mountbatten Plan, 1946 :
• The plan of transfer of power to the Indians and the partition of the country into India and Pakistan was carried out.
6. The Indian Independence Act , 1947 :
• India got Independence and became a sovereign country.
• Interim government was to set up to draw the separate Constituent Assembly.
• Finally, India was granted independence on 15th August 1947 and Pakistan on 14th Aug 1947.