Appointment of Governor of Kerala

Syllabus: GS2/Polity/Governance

Context

• Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar took the oath as the 23rd Governor of Kerala.

About Governor

• Eligibility: Citizen of India and has completed the age of thirty-five years.
  • Not a member of the Parliament and State Legislature.
  • Shall not hold any other office of profit.
• Appointment of Governor: The Governor of a State shall be appointed by the President.
• Term of office of Governor: Five years.
• Constitutional Provisions: The office of the Governor is defined in Articles 153 to 162 of the Indian Constitution.
• Executive Role: The Governor is the head of the state executive, and executive authority is vested in them.
  • They appoint the Chief Minister and other ministers, who are responsible to the state legislature.
  • Governors have the power to dissolve the state legislature (Vidhan Sabha) and call for elections.
• Legislative Role: The Governor summons, and dissolves the state legislature and can address the state legislature at the beginning of its sessions.
  • He has the power to reserve certain bills passed by the state legislature for the President’s approval.
• Judicial Role: The Governor can grant pardons, reprieves, respites, or remissions of punishment in some cases. They also have the authority to commute sentences in certain circumstances.
  • The Governor is involved in the appointment of judges to the state’s High Court.
• Discretionary Powers: In cases where the Chief Minister or the council of ministers cannot command a majority in the legislature, the Governor may exercise discretionary powers to invite a different person to form the government.

Source: TH