Madras Legislative Council

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The Madras Legislative Council was the executive council established by the British colonial government in 1921 under the Government of India Act 1919. It established a representative assembly in the Madras Presidency, consisting of 132 members with a term of three years. The council met for the first time on the 9th January 1921 at Fort St. George, Madras.

[edit] History

The establishment of this council was caused by legislations such as the Indian councils Act (1892) and the "Minto-Morley Reforms" of 1909. This introduced for the first time the method of election, although not direct election. This helped to expedite the evolution of representative institutions in India. It dispensed with official majorities in the Provincial Legislative Councils and gave them power to move resolutions upon matters of general public interest and also upon the Budget and to ask supplementary questions.

The Government of India Act of 1919 introduced a system of dyarchy in the Provinces. Although this Act brought about representative Government in India, the Governor was empowered with overriding powers. It classified the subjects as belonging to either the Centre or the Provinces. The Governor General could override any law passed by the Provincial councils.

The Madras Legislative Council was inaugurated by the Duke of Connaught on 12 January 1921. The Second and Third Councils, under this Act were constituted after the general elections held in 1923 and 1926 respectively. The fourth Legislative Council met for the first time on the 6th November 1930 after the general elections held during the year and its life was extended from time to time and it lasted until the provincial autonomy under the Government of India Act 1935 came into operation.