General Knowledge of Modern India : The Indian Councils Act 1861 was created with the objective of involving Indians in the administration of the country. This act changed the powers of the government and the composition of the Governor-General's council for executive and legislative purposes. This was the first time that the departmental system was introduced by assigning separate departments to the members of the Governor-General's council. According to this act, the councils of Bombay and Madras were again given the power to make laws and amendments for themselves, whereas in other provinces i.e. Bengal in 1862, North-West Frontier Province in 1886 and Burma and Punjab in 1897 these Councils were established.
The Indian Councils Act 1861
Main Points Of The Act
- Three separate Presidencies (Bombay, Madras and Bengal) were brought under a common system.
- Legislative councils were established by this act.
- By this act a fifth member was included in the Viceroy's Council as a jurist.
- The Viceroy's councils were expanded and for the purpose of law making, the number of additional members was reduced to a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 12. These members were nominated by the Governor General and their term was for two years, so the total number of members increased to 17.
- At least half of these nominated members must be non-official.
- According to this act the councils of Bombay and Madras were again given the power to amend the law for themselves, while in other provinces i.e. Bengal in 1862, North-West Frontier Province in 1886 and Burma and Punjab in 1897. These councils were established.
- Canning introduced the departmental system in 1859 AD, under which different departments were assigned to the members of the Governor General's council. Any member could issue final and conclusive orders in matters relating to his department.
- Lord Canning included three Indian members in his council in 1862, which included the Raja of Banaras, the Raja of Patiala and Sir Dinkar Rao.
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Modern India