Describe the main powers of state government
Answers
Powers of State Legislature:
1. Legislative Powers:
The State Legislature can make laws on the subjects of the State List and the Concurrent List. It can enact any bill on any subject of State List, which becomes an Act with the signatures of the Governor. Normally, the Governor acts as a nominal and constitutional head and as such follows the advice of the State Chief Minister and his Council of Ministers.
However, he can reserve some bills passed by the State Legislature for the approval of the President of India. Further, in case a law made by the State Legislature on a concurrent subject comes into conflict with a Union Law on the same subject, the latter gets precedence over the former. In ordinary law-making, both the Houses (Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council wherever these exist together) have co-equal powers.
Legislative Assembly dominates the law-making work. Most of the non-money ordinary bills are introduced in the Legislative Assembly and it plays a major role in their passing. The Legislative Council acts only as a revising and delaying second chamber.
A bill passed by the Legislative Assembly and rejected by the Legislative Assembly or not decided upon by the latter within 3 months, when re-passed by the Legislative Assembly becomes an Act after the expiry of one month from the date on which it was sent to the Legislative Council a second time.
2. Financial Powers:
The State Legislature has the power to levy taxes in respect of all subjects of the State List. It is the custodian of the finances of the state. Mo revenue can be collected or tax can be levied or collected by the state government without the consent of the State Legislature. The budget and all other financial policies and programmes of the state government become operational only after getting an approval from the State Legislature.
However, in emergencies declared under Articles 352, or 356 or 360, the financial powers of the state become subordinate to the Union. When the state is under a constitutional emergency (Art. 356), the State Legislature stands either suspended or dissolved. In this situation, the financial powers for the state are exercised by the Union Parliament.
When a State Legislature is unicameral, all the financial powers are naturally exercised by the Legislative Assembly. However, even when it is bi-cameral, the real financial powers are in the hands of the Legislative Assembly. A money bill can be introduced only in the Legislative Assembly and after passage it goes to the Legislative Council.
The latter can delay its passage for only 14 days. In case, it rejects or amends the bill, the decision of the Legislative Assembly prevails. When the Legislative Council returns a financial bill to the Legislative Assembly with some amendments, it is the power of the Legislative Assembly to accept or reject these. Thus, in respect of financial powers, the real authority is in the hands of the State Legislative Assembly.
3. Power to control the Executive
Control over the State Council of Ministers is exercised by the State Legislative Assembly. Little role has been assigned to the State Legislative Council. The State Chief Minister is the leader of majority in the State Legislative Assembly. The State Council of Ministers is collectively responsible before the Legislative Assembly.
Control over the State Council of Ministers is exercised by the State Legislative Assembly. Little role has been assigned to the State Legislative Council. The State Chief Minister is the leader of majority in the State Legislative Assembly. The State Council of Ministers is collectively responsible before the Legislative Assembly.The latter can cause the fall of the ministry by passing a vote of no-confidence or by rejecting a bill or policy or budget sponsored by the Council of Ministers. The State Legislative Council can exercise only a limited control over the ministry by putting questions and supplementary questions to the ministers.
4. Other Powers:
The State Legislature, particularly its Legislative Assembly, exercises several other powers. The elected members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) participate in the election of the President of India. They also elect representatives of the state in the Rajya Sabha. Certain constitutional amendments can be made by the Union Parliament only with the ratification by at least half of the State Legislatures.
The state legislature considers the reports of the State Public Service Commission, State Auditor General, and others. It also acts as a forum for ventilation of the grievances of the people. The State Legislative Assembly has the right of adopting a resolution for the creation or abolition of the State Legislative Council.
【✔】Executive
This branch of state government includes the governor of that state and other elected officials like the lieutenant governor, state attorney general, state auditor, and secretary of state. Like the federal executive branch, a state's executive branch is responsible for executing the laws that are created by the state's legislative branch and defined by the state's judicial branch.
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【✔】Legislative
It includes the elected representatives of that state. The states use a bicameral system, meaning each state has two legislative chambers, much like the federal legislative system. For example, Texas has a state legislature comprised of 31 state senators and 150 state house representatives.
Like other states, Texas' legislative branch meets in the state capitol building. This branch of state government is responsible for creating state legislation that can become state law. They are also responsible for approving the state budget and initiating tax legislation. Also like the federal government, this branch has the power of impeachment, which can be used as a check and balance on the executive branch.
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【✔】Judicial
This branch is that state's court system, including the state Supreme Court justices. A state's Supreme Court heads up that state's judicial branch. The judicial branch is responsible for interpreting and defining issues of state law. For example, a case of burglary in Colorado will be heard and decided in the Colorado state courts using the state laws of Colorado. Most cases are heard in state courts, rather than in the federal court system.
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【✔】Major State
responsibilities include:-
schools, hospitals, conservation and environment, roads, railways and public transport, public works, agriculture and fishing, industrial relations, community services, sport and recreation, consumer affairs, police, prisons and emergency services.