Indian Council Act of 1861 (jan 1, 1861 – dec 31, 1861)

Description:

- Principle of non-officials in the legislative bodies --> laws to be made after due deliberation --> law-making was thus no longer seen as the exclusive business of the executives
- Nomination of some Indians as non-official members of his expanded council --> Lord Canning nominated Raja of Benaras, Maharaja of Patiala, and Sir Dinkar Rao
- However, the legislative councils had no real powers --> need GG approval --> even after GG approval SOS can disallow legislation
- Portfolio system introduced --> laid foundation of the Cabinet government in India
- Decentralisation --> Vesting legislative powers in the governments of Bombay and Madras --> institution of similar legislative councils in other provinces laid the foundation of legislative devolution
- It also provided for the establishment of a new legislative council for Bengal(1862), Northwest provinces(1886), and Punjab(1897)
- It empowered the viceroy to issue ordinaces without the concurrence of the legislative council, during the emergency. The life of such ordinaces were 6 months

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