feb 3, 1892 - Councils Act 2 of 1892

Description:

Features of the Act of 1892

1. It increased the number of additional (non-official) members in the Central (Imperial) and provincial legislative councils, but maintained the official majority in them.

2. It increased the functions of legislative councils and gave them the power of discussing the budget and addressing questions to the executive.

3. It provided for the nomination of some non-official members of the

(a) "Central Legislative Council" by the "Viceroy" on the "recommendation of" the "provincial legislative councils" and the "Bengal Chamber of Commerce", and

(b) that of the "Provincial legislative councils" by the "Governors" on the "recommendation of" the [district boards, municipalities, universities, trade associations, zamindars and chambers. ]


The nationalists were totally dissatisfied with the Act of
1892 and declared it to be a hoax. They demanded a larger share for Indians
in the councils, as also wider powers for them. In particular, they demanded
Indian control over the public purse and raised the slogan that had earlier
become the national cry of the American people during their War of
Independence: ‘No taxation without representation’

‘The act made a limited and indirect provision for the use of election in filling up some of the non-official seats both in the Central and provincial legislative councils. The word “election” was, however, not used in the act. The process was described as nomination made on the recommendation of certain bodies6.’

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