Raj Polity

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Rajasthan Polity & Administration
Note to Readers
Friends
Rajasthan Polity and Administration eBOOK is an attempt to consolidate relevant information with
regard to administration and basic constitutional & regulatory provisions, through which the
government machinery and state apparatus of Rajasthan functions.
We have made an attempt to provide updated and authorized information taking reference from
Constitution of India, Rules & Acts released by State of Government of Rajasthan & Union Government
of India, Official Government websites and National Newspaper. As you can understand, it is
impossible to cover the entire spectrum of government functions & regulations under which a state
government function in a single document or book. But we have made an honest effort to cover the
important aspects, so as readers can have a brief idea regarding government functions.
As majority of our readers, are engaged in preparation of Rajasthan Administrative Services (RAS/RTS
Examination) so the book has been made with regard to this examination.
Lastly, we have made genuine attempt to check and put correct information & facts but manual error &
information error from source can be there. We would like to seek your support in reporting any
factual or other mistake that you find and caution you to do a personal verification before
quoting/using information. RajRAS would not be responsible.
Best Wishes!!
Team RajRAS.
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Rajasthan Polity & Administration Index
Index
Polity of Rajasthan
Governor .................................................................................................................................................... 1
Chief Minister............................................................................................................................................. 7
Council of Ministers ................................................................................................................................. 11
State Legislature....................................................................................................................................... 14
Elections ................................................................................................................................................... 31
Judiciary in Rajasthan
Courts in Rajasthan .................................................................................................................................. 34
Rajasthan State Legal Service Authority .................................................................................................. 38
Lok Adalats in Rajasthan .......................................................................................................................... 41
Administration of Rajasthan
Chief Secretary ......................................................................................................................................... 43
State Secretariat ...................................................................................................................................... 44
Directorates ............................................................................................................................................. 47
Administrative Setup................................................................................................................................ 50
District Collector ...................................................................................................................................... 52
Local Government in Rajasthan

Historical Background of PRI in Rajasthan ............................................................................................... 56
Panchayati Raj in Rajasthan ..................................................................................................................... 59
Urban Local Government ......................................................................................................................... 64
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Rajasthan Polity & Administration Index
Important Constitutional, Statutory & Executive bodies
Important Bodies ..................................................................................................................................... 69

Rajasthan Public Service Commission ...................................................................................................... 72
Advocate General of Rajasthan ................................................................................................................ 76
Inter-State Council ................................................................................................................................... 78
Rajasthan State Human Rights Commission ............................................................................................ 81
Rajasthan State Information Commission................................................................................................ 84
Lokayukta ................................................................................................................................................. 87
Rajasthan State Commission for Women ................................................................................................ 90
Chief Minister's Advisory Council ............................................................................................................. 93
Miscellaneous
Rajasthan Police ....................................................................................................................................... 95

Mewar Bhil Corps ..................................................................................................................................... 99
Seventh Schedule ................................................................................................................................... 101
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Rajasthan Polity & Administration Governor
Governor
Part VI of Constitution of India deals with government of states (except J&K). This contains articles 152
to 237 that deals with various provisions related to States. It covers the executive, legislature and
judiciary wings of the states. Out of these, articles 153 to 167 deal with state executive and the
governor. Constitutional provisions concerning the Governor and the scope of these provisions shows
that there are three main facets of Governor‘s role.
• (i) As the constitutional head of the State operating normally under a system of Parliamentary
democracy.
• (ii) As a vital link between the Union Government and the State Government.
• (iii) As a representative of the Union Government in a specific areas during normal times.
Important Aspects:
• State Executive includes:
o The Governor
o Chief Minister
o Council of Ministers
o Advocate General of State.
• No office of Vice-governor.
• Governor: Dual Role
o Nominal Executive head (Constitutional Head)
o Agent of the Central Government
• 7 Constitutional Amendment 1956(CA): Allowed appointment of same person as governor for

th
two or more states.
Appointment of the Governor:
• Appointed by President by warrant under his hand and seal.
• No election. Why? Various reasons:
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o Incompatible with Parliamentary System (If both CM & Governor come by election, they
shall compete for power, . Not good for state).
o Governor is only Constitutional head. Therefore, no point in doing so much expense for
getting a signing authority.
o Allows Center to maintain control over state.
o Allows for neutrality & impartial head.
• No governor election: Canadian Model, followed by India.
• Conditions required for appointment:
o Citizen of India
o 35+ years age.
o Remember: No other condition
• Conventions (Not rule, but generally followed)
o Does not belong to state ( Example: Kalyan Singh in Rajasthan)
o President consults Chief Minister before appointment.
• Conditions for Governor’s office: in Constitution (6 Only)
§ Should not be member of Parliament/Legislative assembly. If he/she is member

then deemed to vacate the seat in the house. (Resignation from house assumed).
§ Should not hold any office of profit.
§ Entitled to use of Raj Bhawan as official residence.( free)
§ Emoluments: decided by Parliament
§ Single person appointed to two or more states - President decides expenses ratio.
§ Emoluments (Salary etc) cannot be reduced post appointment.
• Dismissal
o Anytime, based on pleasure of President. (Non-Justiciable)
o But President na kare toh, 5 years from date of entering to office.
o Can be reappointed/transferred.
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• Trivia: When Central Gov. changes opposition party governors resign so that new Centre can
reappoint their own people.
• There cannot be any interregnume. (Governor can hold office beyond 5 years until his
successor assumes charge).
• When governor absent: Chief Justice can act as temporary. This also President will do.
Powers & Functions of Governor:
Can be placed under 4 categories: Executive, Legislative, Financial & Judicial powers.
Executive Powers & Functions:
1. All executive actions of a state are taken under his name.
2. Can make rules how Orders (& others) will be made & executed in his name. (kaise sign
karenge decide kar sakte hain).
3. Appoints CM & Other Ministers.
4. Appoints Advocate general of state. ( Can dismiss him whenever he/she wants) (Also decides
remuneration)
5. Appoints state election commissioner
6. Appoints chairman & members of RPSC.
7. Acts as Chancellor of Universities in state & appoints Vice-Chancellor (VC) of universities.
8. Can seek info from CM relating to bills/state mein kuch affair pe.
9. Can require CM to submit to council of ministers any decision jo minister ne akele liya ho and
baaki council ne consider nahi kiya ho.
10. Can recommend imposition of emergency.
Legislative Powers & Functions:
The Governor is an integral part of the state legislature (Art. 168). According to this Article, the State
legislature shall consist of the Governor and the Legislative Assembly. In such capacity, he/she has
following powers:
• Summon or prorogue state legislature and dissolve the state assembly.
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• Can address the State legislature at first session after election & first session each year.
• Can send messages to State legislature.
• Can appoint any member of legislative assembly to preside over proceedings when offices of
both speaker & deputy speaker fall vacant.
• Can nominate one member to state legislature from Anglo-Indian Community.
• Decides on question of disqualification of members of state legislature in consultation with

Election Commission.
• He can promulgate ordinances when state legislature is not in session.
• Lays the report of State Finance Commission, RPSC, and Comptroller and Auditor General
report related to accounts of state before the state legislature.
• Can reserve bill for consideration of President.
Financial Powers & Functions:
• Under Art. 202, the Governor is required to be laid before the House or Houses of the
legislature the Budget or the Annual Financial Statement.
• A money bill cannot be introduced without the recommendation of the Governor.
• A Demand for Grant cannot be moved without the recommendation of the Governor.
• Can make advances out of Contingency fund of State,
• Constitutes State Finance Commission every five years.
Judicial Powers & Functions:
• Article 161 confers on the Governor the power to grant pardon, reprieve, respite or remissions
of punishment or to suspend, remit or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any
offence against any law relating to matters to which the executive power of the state extends.
However, the President has the exclusive power to grant pardon in cases where a person has
been sentenced to death.
o The Governor cannot grant pardon in case of death sentence. He can only commute the
punishment.
o The Governor has no power in relation to Court Martial.
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• Consulted by President while appointing Judges of State High Court.
• Appoints persons to State Judicial Service (Other than district judges) in consultation with State
high court and RPSC.
Governors of Rajasthan:
S.No Governor's Name Took office Left office
1 Maharaj Man Singh II (Rajpramukh) 30-Mar-49 31-Oct-56
2 Gurumukh Nihal Singh 01-Nov-56 16-Apr-62
3 Sampurnanand 16-Apr-62 16-Apr-67
4 Sardar Hukam Singh 16-Apr-67 01-Jul-72
5 Sardar Jogendra Singh 01-Jul-72 15-Feb-77
6 Vedpal Tyagi (acting) 15-Feb-77 11-May-77
7 Raghukul Tilak 17-May-77 08-Aug-81
8 K. D. Sharma (acting) 08-Aug-81 06-Mar-82
9 Om Prakash Mehra 06-Mar-82 04-Jan-85
10 Vasantrao Patil 20-Nov-85 15-Oct-87
11 Sukhdev Prasad 20-Feb-88 03-Feb-90
12 Milap Chand Jain (acting) 03-Feb-90 14-Feb-90
13 Debi Prasad Chattopadhyaya 14-Feb-90 26-Aug-91
14 Swarup Singh (acting) 26-Aug-91 05-Feb-92
15 Marri Chenna Reddy 5 February, 1992 31-May-93
16 Dhanik Lal Mandal (additional charge) 31-May-93 30-Jun-93
17 Bali Ram Bhagat 30-Jun-93 01-May-98
18 Darbara Singh 01-May-98 24-May-98
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19 Navrang Lal Tibrewal (acting) 25-May-98 16-Jan-99
20 Anshuman Singh 16-Jan-99 14-May-03
21 Nirmal Chandra Jain 14-May-03 22-Sep-03
22 Kailashpati Mishra (additional charge) 22-Sep-03 14-Jan-04
23 Madan Lal Khurana 14-Jan-04 01-Nov-04
24 T. V. Rajeswar (additional charge) 01-Nov-04 08-Nov-04
25 Pratibha Patil 08-Nov-04 21-Jun-07
Akhlaqur Rahman Kidwai (additional

26 21-Jun-07 06-Sep-07
charge)
27 S. K. Singh 06-Sep-07 01-Dec-09
28 Prabha Rau (additional charge)[5] 02-Dec-09 24-Jan-10
29 Prabha Rau 25-Jan-10 26-Apr-10
30 Shivraj Patil (additional charge) 26-Apr-10 12-May-12
31 Margaret Alva 12-May-12 07-Aug-14
32 Ram Naik (additional charge) 07-Aug-14 04-Sep-14
33 Kalyan Singh 04-Sep-14 Incumbent
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Rajasthan Polity & Administration Chief Minister
Chief Minister
In the Parliamentary system of Government provided by Constitution of India, the Governor is the
nominal executive authority while the Chief Minister is the real executive authority. In other words,
Governor is the head of state while Chief Minister is the head of Government. Thus, Chief Minister’s
position in state is analogous to the prime ministers position at the centre.
Appointment of Chief Minister
• Article 164 of Constitution states that Chief Minister shall be appointed by the Governor and in
accordance with conventions of parliamentary system, the Governor appoints the leader of the
largest party of the house or leader chosen by the largest coalition to become the chief minister.
• The Governor may exercise situational discretion if no party has clear majority. He may ask a
leader to become chief minister and then prove his majority on floor of the house.
• On death of a Chief Minister, the ruling party elects a new leader and Governor has no choice
but to appoint the new leader as Chief Minister.
• A person who is not member of State Legislature can be appointed as Chief Minister for 6
months, within this, he/she should be elected to the state legislature.
Term & Salary of Chief Minister:
• The term of Chief Minister is not fixed and he/she holds the office during the pleasure
of Governor. But the Governor can’t dismiss him till he has a majority in the house.
• The Salary and allowances of Chief Minister are determined by State Legislature.
Powers & Functions of Chief Minister:
In relation to Council of Ministers:
• Recommends people to be appointed as ministers to the Governor.
• Allocates and reshuffles portfolio of ministers.
• Can ask the minister to resign or tell the governor to dismiss him.
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• Supervises activities of all ministers.
• Presides over meetings of Council of Ministers and influences the decisions.
• Can collapse the government by resigning from office.
In relation to Governor
• Principal channel of communication between Governor & Council of Ministers
• Communicates to Governor all decisions of Council of Ministers
• Furnishes information related to any decision of Council of Ministers called by Governor
• Furnished to Council of Minister any decision that Governor requires consideration.
• Advises Governor for appointment of persons on important posts like Chairman & Members
RPSC, election commission etc.
In relation to State Legislature
• Advises Governor for summoning or proroguing of session of state legislature.
• Can recommend dissolution of Legislative Assembly to the Governor at any time.
• Announces Government policies on floor of the house.
Other Powers
• Chairman - State planning Board
• Chairman - Chief Minister Advisory Council
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List of Chief Ministers of Rajasthan:
S.NO Chief Minster Took office Left office Party Tenure
1 Heera Lal Shastri 07-Apr-49 05-Jan-51 639 days
2 C. S. Venkatachari 06-Jan-51 25-Apr-51 110 days
3 Jai Narayan Vyas 26-Apr-51 03-Mar-52 313 days

Indian National
4 Tika Ram Paliwal 03-Mar-52 31-Oct-52 Congress 243 days
742 days (total

#3 Jai Narayan Vyas [2] 01-Nov-52 12-Nov-54
1055 days)
5 Mohan Lal Sukhadia 13-Nov-54 13-Mar-67 4503 days
P1 (President's rule) 13-Mar-67 26-Apr-67 N/A
1535 days
#5 Mohan Lal Sukhadia [2] 26-Apr-67 09-Jul-71
(Total 6380 days)
Indian National
Congress
6 Barkatullah Khan 09-Jul-71 11-Aug-73 765 days
7 Hari Dev Joshi 11-Aug-73 29-Apr-77 1389 days
P2 (President's rule) 29-Apr-77 22-Jun-77 N/A
Bhairon Singh
8 22-Jun-77 16-Feb-80 Janata Party 970 days
Shekhawat
P3 (President's rule) 16-Feb-80 06-Jun-80 N/A
9 Jagannath Pahadia 06-Jun-80 13-Jul-81 403 days
10 Shiv Charan Mathur 14-Jul-81 23-Feb-85 1320 days
11 Hira Lal Devpura 23-Feb-85 10-Mar-85 16 days

Indian National
#7 Hari Dev Joshi [2] 10-Mar-85 20-Jan-88 Congress 1046 days
684 days (total

#10 Shiv Charan Mathur [2] 20-Jan-88 04-Dec-89
2004 days)
91 days (total
#7 Hari Dev Joshi [3] 04-Dec-89 04-Mar-90
2526 days)
Bhairon Singh Bharatiya Janata

#8 04-Mar-90 15-Dec-92 1017 days
Shekhawat [2] Party
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P4 (President's rule) 15-Dec-92 04-Dec-93 N/A
Bhairon Singh Bharatiya Janata 1821 days

#8 04-Dec-93 29-Nov-98
Shekhawat [3] Party (total 3808 days)
Indian National
12 Ashok Gehlot 01-Dec-98 08-Dec-03 1834 days
Congress
Bharatiya Janata
13 Vasundhara Raje 08-Dec-03 11-Dec-08 1831 days
Party
Indian National 1822 days (total

#12 Ashok Gehlot [2] 12-Dec-08 13-Dec-13
Congress 3656 days)
Bharatiya Janata
#13 Vasundhara Raje [2] 13-Dec-13 "Incumbent" 741 days
Party
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Rajasthan Polity & Administration Council of Ministers
Council of Ministers
As per the Parliamentary system of government in the state, on Union pattern, the Council of Ministers
headed by the Chief Minister is the real executive authority in the state. Article 163 deals with the
status of council of ministers and article 164 deals with the appointment, tenure, responsibility,
qualification, oath, salaries and allowances of the ministers.
Appointment of Council of Ministers:
• The Chief Minister shall be appointed by the Governor and the other Ministers shall be
appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister.
Term of Council of Ministers:
• The council of the Ministers holds the office during the pleasure of the Governor, but actually
holds the office as long as it enjoys majority in state legislative assembly.
• A Minister who for any period of six consecutive months is not a member of the Legislature of
the State, at the expiration of that period ceases to be a Minister.
• Disqualification under 10th Schedule: A person who is disqualified for being a member of
Legislature under Tenth Schedule shall also be disqualified to be appointed as a Minister; he
will have to seek a fresh election in order to become a minister again.
Strength of Council of Ministers:
• The total number of Ministers, including the Chief Minister, in the Council of Minister in a State
shall not exceed 15% per cent of the total number of members of the Legislative Assembly of
that State.
• It also says that the number of Ministers, including the Chief Minister in a State shall not be less
than 12.
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Oath:
• Before a Minister enters upon his office, the Governor shall administer to him the oaths of office
and of secrecy according to the forms set out for the purpose in the Third Schedule.
Salaries and allowances:
• The salaries and allowances of Ministers shall be determined by the Legislature of the State.
Responsibility of Ministers:
• Collective responsibility:Article 164 states that Council of ministers is collectively responsible

to the legislative assembly of the state.
• Individual responsibility: Article 164 also contains the principle of individual responsibility.
The ministers hold office during the pleasure of the Governor. The chief minister can ask
him/her to resign or advice governor to dismiss him.
• No Legal responsibility: There is no provision for legal responsibility of minister in the state.
Hence, an order of Governor does not need counter sign of minister. Additionally, the courts
are barred from enquiring into nature of advice given by ministers to the Governor.
Category of Ministers:
There are three categories of ministers in the council:
• Cabinet Ministers: They attend cabinet meetings and play important role in state government.
• Minister of state: They can be independent in charge of department that aren’t attached to
cabinet ministries or in charge of specific department part of a ministry /specific work in
a ministry which is headed by a cabinet minister.
• Deputy Minister: They are attached to cabinet ministers or ministers of state and assist them in
their work.
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Cabinet
Cabinet is the smaller body of the council of ministers. It consists of most important ministers in State
Council of Ministers. It is the most powerful authority in State administration. All the important
decisions of the State administration are taken by the Cabinet. The decisions of the Cabinet are binding
upon the Council of Ministers.
Cabinet Committees:
The cabinet works through various committees called as cabinet committees. They are of two types:
• Standing Cabinet Committees - Permanent
• Ad-Hoc Cabinet Committees - Temporary
Cabinet has the power to review the decisions of these committees.
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Rajasthan Polity & Administration State Legislature
State Legislature
The state legislature occupies an integral position in political system of India and governing of state.
The Constitution of India provides for a legislature in each State and entrusts it with the responsibility
to make laws for the state. Articles 168 to 212 in Part VI of Constitution of India deal with the
organisation, composition, duration, officers, procedures, privileges and powers of the state legislature.
Some of these are similar with Parliament of India, while others are different.
ORGANISATION OF STATE LEGISLATURE
In the political system of India, there are two types of states with regard to state legislature. Most of the
state in India have Unicameral system while few others have a bicameral system. Unicameral system
has only one House and is known as the Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) and in Bicameral system
, the State has two houses, the Upper House is known as the Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) and
the lower House is known as the Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha).
Method of Abolition or Creation of a State Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad):
Article 169 in Constitution of India provides for Method of Abolition or Creation of a State Legislative
Council. If a state Legislature passes a resolution by a special majority, in favour of the creation of the
second chamber and if Parliament gives approval to such a resolution by Simple Majority, the
concerned State can have two Houses in the Legislature.
Different types of state legislatures:
• Unicameral Legislature
o 22 States in India have unicameral system of state legislature (including Rajasthan).

Here, the state legislature includes Governor and Vidhan Sabha.
o Other than these states, two Union territories - Delhi and Puducherry have State
Legislatures (Both Unicameral).
• Bicameral Legislature
o 7 States in India namely: Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Jammu and

Kashmir, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh have Bicameral system of state
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legislature. Here, the state legislature includes Governor, Vidhan Sabha and Vidhan
Parishad.
COMPOSITION OF STATE LEGISLATURE
Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha)
• Strength:
o Can be maximum of 500 and minimum of 60, to vary according to population of state.
o Rajasthan Legislative Assembly has 200 members.
o Special Case: Goa, Arunachal Pradesh & Sikkim number is fixed at 30 and for Mizoram
& Nagaland at 40 & 46 respectively.
• Manner of Election:
o Members of legislative assembly are elected directly by people on basis of Universal

Adult Franchise.
• Territorial Constituencies:
o The demarcation of territorial constituencies is to be done in such a manner that the ratio
between the population of each constituency and the number of seats allotted to it, as far
as practicable, is the same throughout the State.
• Reservation:
o Constitution makes special provisions regarding the representation of Scheduled Castes

and Scheduled Tribes on basis of population ratios.
• Nominated Members:
o Provision has also been made to nominate one member of the Anglo-Indian
Community, if the Governor is of the opinion that the community is not adequately
represented in the Assembly.
Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad)
The system of composition of the Council as laid down in the Constitution is not final. The final power
of providing the composition of this Chamber of the State Legislature is given to the Union Parliament.
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But until Parliament Legislates on the matter, the composition shall be as given in the Constitution,
which is as follows.
• Strength:
o Strength of legislative Council cannot be more than one-third of the total number of
members in the Legislative Assembly of the State and in no case less than 40 members.
o However, in Jammu and Kashmir the strength is only 36.
o Rajasthan does not have legislative council.
• Manner of Election:
o 1/3 of total number of members of the Council shall be elected by electorates consisting
of members of local bodies, such as municipalities, district boards.
o 1/12 shall be elected by electorates consisting of graduates of three years’ standing

residing in that State
o 1/12 shall be elected by electorates consisting of persons engaged for at least three yeas
in teaching in educational institutions within the State, not lower in standard than
secondary schools.
o 1/3 shall be elected by members of the Legislative Assembly from amongst persons who
are not members of the Assembly.
o Remainder shall be nominated by the Governor from persons having knowledge or

practical experience in respect of such matters as literature, science, art cooperative
movement and social service.
o Thus 5/6 of member of legislative council are indirectly elected and 1/6 are nominated
by the governor.
DURATION OF STATE LEGISLATURE
Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha):
The duration of the Legislative Assembly is five years from date of its first meeting after the general elections.
The Governor has the power to dissolve the Assembly even before the expiry of its term.
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Additionally, during National Emergency, the Parliament by law can extend the term of assembly for a
period not exceeding one year at a time and not extending in any case beyond a period of six months
after proclamation has ceased to operate.
Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad):
Like Rajya Sabha, Legislative council is a continuing chamber. It is a permanent body, unless abolished
by the Legislative Assembly and Parliament by due procedure.
One-third of the members of the Council retire on the expiry of every second year, which means, a term
of six years for each member. There is no bar on a member getting re-elected on the expiry of his/her
term.
MEMBERSHIP OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE
Qualifications:
A person shall not be qualified to be chosen to fill a seat in the Legislature of a State unless he/she
• Is a citizen of India;
• Is, in the case of a seat in the Legislative Assembly, not less than twenty-five years of age and, in
the case of a seat in the Legislative Council, not less than thirty ears of age; and
• He/She must make and subscribe before person authorized by election commission an oath or
affirmation according to the form prescribed in Third Schedule.
• Possess such other qualifications as may be prescribed in that behalf by or under any law made
by Parliament.
Accordingly, the Parliament by the Representation of the People Act, 1951, has provided additional
qualifications that:
• A person shall not be elected either to the Legislative Assembly or the Council, unless he is
himself an elector (registered as Voter) for any Legislative Assembly constituency in that State.
• To Contest seats reserved for SC/ST must be a member of SC/ST. However, a member of
SC/ST can also contest a seat not reserved for them.
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Disqualifications:
A person shall be disqualified for being chosen as and for being a member of the Legislative Assembly
or Legislative Council of a State if he
• Holds any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State, other
than that of a Minister for the Indian Union or for a State or an office declared by a law of the
State not to disqualify its holder (many States have passed such laws declaring certain offices to
be offices the holding of which will not disqualify its holder for being a member of the
Legislature of that States);
• Is of unsound mind as declared by a competent Court;
• Is an un-discharged insolvent;
• Is not a citizen of India or has voluntarily acquired the citizenship of a foreign State or is under
any acknowledgment of allegiance or adherence to a foreign State;
• Is so disqualified by or under any law made by Parliament.
Accordingly, the Parliament through, the Representation of the People Act, 1951, has laid down some
grounds of disqualification:
• Conviction by a Court, having been found guilty of a corrupt or illegal practice in relation to
election, being a director or managing agent of a corporation in which Government has a
financial interest (under conditions laid down in that Act):
Art. 192 lays down that if any question arises as to whether a member of a House of the Legislature of a
State has become subject to any of the disqualifications mentioned above, the question shall be referred
to the Governor of that State for decision who will act according to the opinion of Election Commission.
Disqualification on ground of defection:
The Tenth Schedule to Constitution provides for disqualification of the members on ground of
defection. Defection refers to desertion of one’s party in favor of an opposing one. The question of
disqualification under Tenth Schedule is decided by Speaker in Vidhan Sabha and Chairman in Vidhan
Parishad.
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OFFICERS OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE
Presiding Officers of State Legislature:
Each house of state legislature has its own presiding officer.
• Legislative Assembly:
o Speaker
o Deputy Speaker
• Legislative Council
o Chairman of Council
o Deputy Chairman of Council
Speaker of Rajsthan Vidhan Sabha

The assembly itself from amongst its members elects the Speaker. Usually, the speaker remains in
office during the life of assembly. However, he vacates his office earlier in any of three following cases.
• (a) Shall vacate his office if he ceases to be a member of the Assembly;
• (b) May at any time by writing under his hand addressed, if such member is the Speaker, to the
Deputy Speaker, and if such member is the Deputy Speaker, to the Speaker, resign his office;
and
• (c) May be removed from his office by a resolution of the Assembly passed by a majority of all
the then members of the Assembly. Such a resolution can be moved only after giving 14 days
advance notice.
Powers & Functions of Speaker of Legislative Assembly:
• Maintain order and decorum in assembly for conducting its business.

• Final interpreter of:
o Constitution of India
o Rules of procedure and conduct of business of assembly.
o Legislative precedents within the assembly.
• Adjourns assembly or suspends meeting in absence of quorum.
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• Does not vote on first instance but can use his/her vote in case of tie.
• At request of leader of assembly, allow secret sitting of the assembly.
• Decides whether a bill is money bill.
• Decides on cases of disqualification of members on ground of defection under Xth Schedule.
• Appoints Chairman of all committees of assembly and supervises their working.
• Himself is the Chairman of:
o Business Advisory Committee
o Rules Committee
o General Purpose Committee
Important Facts:
• First Speaker of Rajasthan Assembly: Narottam Lal Josh
• Speaker of 14th Rajasthan Assembly: Kailash Chandra Meghwal
Deputy Speaker of Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha
Like the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker us also elected by the assembly itself from its members. The
election for deputy speaker takes place after the election of Speaker has taken place.
Article 180: Power of the Deputy Speaker or other person to perform the duties of the office of, or to
act as, Speaker.
• While the office of Speaker is vacant, the duties of the office shall be performed by the Deputy
Speaker or, if the office of Deputy Speaker is also vacant, by such member of the Assembly as
the Governor may appoint for the purpose.
• The Speaker nominated from the members a panel of chairman. Any one of them can preside
over the assembly in absence of both speaker and deputy speaker.
Important Facts:
• First Deputy Speaker of Rajasthan Assembly: Lal Singh Shaktawat
• Deputy speaker of 14th Rajasthan Assembly: Rao Rajendra Singh
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Pro-term Speakers of Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha
Pro-tem, is a Latin phrase which best translates to “for the time being” in English. Legislative bodies
can have one or more pro tempore for the post of presiding officer. As per the Constitution, the Speaker
of the last Assembly vacates his office immediately before the first meeting of the newly- elected
assembly. Therefore, the Governor appoints a member of the assembly as the Speaker Pro-tem .
Usually, the senior most member is selected for this. The Governor himself administers oath to the
Speaker Pro Tem.
Functions of Pro-Term Speaker:
• He presides over the first sitting of the newly elected assembly.
• His main duty is to administer oath to the new members.
• He also enables the House to elect the new Speaker. When the House elects the new speaker,
the office of the Speaker Pro Tem ceases to exist.
Important Facts:
• First Pro-term Speaker of Rajasthan Assembly: Maharav Sangram Singh
• Pro-Term speaker of 14th Rajasthan Assembly: Pradhyumn Singh
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE
Each State Legislature exercises law-making powers over the subjects of the State List and the
Concurrent List. In case a state has only Legislative Assembly, all the powers are exercised by it.
However, even in case it is a bicameral state legislature with both Vidhan Sabha and Parishad, the
Vidhan Sabha exercises almost all the powers. The Vidhan Parishad plays only a secondary, advisory
and minor role.
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LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURE IN STATE LEGISLATURE
Sessions:
The Governor of the Rajasthan summons the House from time to time keeping in mind that the
intervening period between the last sitting in one session and first sitting in next session does
not exceed six months.
As per the Rules, Rajasthan Legislative Assembly shall have at least three sessions in a calendar
year. The business of the House is decided by the House on the recommendation of the Business
Advisory Committee.
Procedural Devices:
There are two types of procedural devices available. One is Questions and others are Motions.
• Questions: There are three categories of questions, Starred Questions, Unstarred Questions and
Short Notice Questions. It is essential to give questions in the prescribed form with 14 clear
days notice for starred and unstarred questions and shorter than 10 clear days notice for
Short Notice Questions.
• Motions: Besides questions, the members may raise the matters of urgent and current public
importance before the House through the devices like Half an Hour Discussion, Calling
Attention Motion, Notice Under Rule 295 (Special Mention Procedure) for Short Duration
Discussion, Adjournment Motion etc.
Legislation:
All the legislative proposals are to be brought in the form of Bills before the legislature. These can
either be Government Bills or Private Members Bills. Government Bills are prepared and drafted by
the Law Department of the State government.
Process of Passing of Bill:
There are three readings (stages) for passing a Bill.
• First Reading: The first reading means motion for leave to introduce a Bill and its
adoption.
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• The Second Reading: The second reading consists of discussion on the principles of the Bill
and clause by clause consideration.
• The Third Reading: The third reading is completed when a motion for passing a Bill is
adopted by the House.
After the House passes a Bill, it is presented to the Governor/President for assent. With such assent
and its publication in the official gazette, it becomes law of the State.
Note: Money can be introduced in State Assembly only after recommendation of the Governor and can only be
introduced by a Minister.
Assent of the Governor:
Every bill, after it is passed by the assembly, is presented to the Governor. There are four options before
the Governor:
• May give his assent to the Bill
• He withhold his assent
• May return the Bill to the Legislative Assembly for reconsideration.
• May reserve the Bill for the consideration of the President
If the Governor gives his assent to the Bill then it becomes an Act. If the Governor withholds his assent
to the Bill then bill does not become an act. If the Governor returns the bill to assembly and the
assembly again passes the bill, with or without amendments, then Governor has to give assent to the
Bill.
Assent of the President:
When the Governor reserves the Bill for consideration of the President, then President can either:
• Give his assent to the bill.

• Withhold his assent to the bill.
• Return the bill for reconsideration of assembly.
When bill is returned to the assembly by President, it must reconsider it within 6 months. After it is
passed by Assembly again, with or without amendments,
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Committees:
Legislative Committees can be divided into two categories - the Standing Committees and the Ad-hoc
Committees. In Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, there are 18 Standing Committees out of which four
are financial and the rest relates to various other subjects.
The financial committees are -
• Public Accounts Committee
o Examine the Secretaries to Government on various irregularities in their Departments as

pointed out in the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
• Public Undertakings Committee
o Public Undertakings Committee is required to go into the functions of the various pubic
undertakings and is expected to examine the Undertakings on various irregularities
pointed out by the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General under their control
• Two Estimates Committees
o Report as to what economies can be effected and what improvements in particular

organisation may be made and also to suggest alternative policies in order to bring
about efficiency and economy in administration, as also changes in the form of budget
estimates.
The financial committees are elected on the basis of proportional representation through single
transferable vote and the rest are nominated by the Speaker. The Chairmen for all these committees are
nominated by the Speaker from out of the members of these committees.
Besides the above mentioned four financial committees, the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly has
following other 17 standing committees.
1. Committee on Subordinate Legislation
2. Committee on Welfare of Scheduled Tribes
3. Committee on Welfare of Scheduled Castes
4. Business Advisory Committee
5. House Committee
6. Rules Committee
7. Library Committee
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8. Committee on Petitions
9. Committee on Privileges
10. Committee on Government Assurances
11. General Purposes Committee
12. Question & Reference Committee
13. Committee on Welfare of Women & Children
14. Committee on Welfare of Backward Classes
15. Committee on Welfare of Minorities
16. Committee on Local Bodies and Panchayat Raj Institutions
17. Committee on Environment
General features of the Committees:
• These committees are constituted from the members of the ruling as well as opposition parties
generally in proportion to their strength in the House.
• The term of office of the members of the committee is generally one year.
• No minister can be a member of the committee except in the case of Select Committees on
Government Bills.
• Normally, the Chairman of the Committees presents the Reports of these committees to the
House but in inter-session period the Chairman may submit the Report to the Speaker.
Origin & Growth of Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha
Though the Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha came in to existence in March 1952, the people of Rajasthan had
experienced some kind of a parliamentary democracy even under the princely rule. The Maharaja
Ganga Singh of Bikaner was one such progressive king who gave the House of Representatives to the
people of Bikaner State in 1913.
Maharaja Ummed Singh of Jodhpur accepted the principle of people's participation in the
administration in the 1940s and accorded his approval to the setting up of the Central and District
Advisory Boards.
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In Jaipur State, a Vidhan Samiti consisting of both official and non-official members was created in
1923. Later, Maharaja Mansingh constituted a Central Advisory Board in 1939 with a view to eliciting
public opinion through representatives on matters of public interest and importance. It consisted of 13
nominated members and 35 non-official members and was given the power to advise on matters
relating to medical facilities, sanitation, public works, roads, wells & buildings, public education, rural
upliftment, marketing, commerce & trade etc. It was inaugurated on 18 March, 1940.
Under the pressure of changed political situation in Udaipur, a Reforms Committee headed by Shri
Gopal Singh was constituted in May, 1946. The Committee consisted of official and non-official
members including five representative of the Praja Mandal and recommended setting up of a
Constituent Assembly to prepare a Constitution for Mewar. The Maharana did not accept this
recommendation but eventually agreed to the setting up of an Executive Council in October, 1946, to
which he appointed Shri Mohan Lal Sukhadia and Shri Hira Lal Kothari as the representatives of the
Praja Mandal and Shri Raghubir Singh as the representative of the Regional Council
Maharaja Ishwar Singh of Bundi set up the 'Dhara Sabha" on 18 October, 1943. It consisted of 23
members out of which 12 were elected members and 11 were nominated members. The members of the
Tehsil Advisory Boards and the Town Council elected members to the `Sabha'. The Dhara Sabha had
the power to ask questions to the Government and to adopt Resolutions on matter of Public interest.
The Committee did not possess any constitutional and economic powers. Its status was not higher than
that of an Advisory Committee.
The Maharaja of Banswara formed a "Rajya Parishad" on 3 February, 1939. All the 32 members of the
Council were nominated members, which included seven employees and eight `Jagirdars'. The`Rajya
Parishad' had the power to put questions, adopt Resolutions and enforce laws with the assent of the
Maharaja.
At time of Independence, Rajputana included twenty-two small and big Princely States. Though these
Princely States were declared to have been annexed to the Union of India on 15 August, 1947, the
process of merger and their unification became complete only in April, 1949, in five phases. The process
of the creation of Legislative Council had started during the final phase of the formation of Rajasthan.
This process continued upto the beginning of 1952. The First Rajasthan Legislative Assembly (1952–57)
was inaugurated on 31 March 1952 and had strength of 160 members.
Strength of Rajasthan Legislative Assembly:
• The strength was increased to 190 after the merger of the erstwhile Ajmer State with Rajasthan
in 1956.
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• The Second (1957–62) and Third (1962–67) Legislative Assemblies had a strength of 176.
• The Fourth (1967–72) and Fifth (1972–77) Legislative Assembly comprised 184 members each.
• The strength became 200 from the Sixth (1977–1980) Legislative Assembly onwards.
Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha in Present Context:
As per the provisions of Article 168 of the Constitution of India, every state has a state legislature
consisting of one or two Houses. Rajasthan has a unicameral character (only Vidhan Sabha) and its
legislature is known as the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly or Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha. The present
Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha or the Legislative Assembly is situated in the capital city of Jaipur.
Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha was first formed in March 1952 and this process is continuing with the
exceptions of 1967, 1977, 1980 and 1992 when the Presidential Rule was in force. The current
Legislative Assembly, which is the 14th Assembly of the Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha, was elected in 2013.
Strength & Constituencies of Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha:
The strength of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly which is determined by delimitation Commission,
was 160 in 1952. Currently, there are a total of 200 Assembly constituencies in Rajasthan, which are
represented by 200 MLAs or Members of Legislative Assembly.
At present, 34 constituencies are reserved for the candidates belonging to the Scheduled castes and 25
are reserved for the candidates belonging to the Scheduled tribes.
District-wise list of Constituencies:
S.No. District No. of Constituencies
1 Ajmer 8
2 Alwar 11
3 Banswara 5
4 Baran 4
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5 Barmer 7
6 Bharatpur 7
7 Bhilwara 7
8 Bikaner 7
9 Bundi 3
10 Chittorgarh 5
11 Churu 6
12 Dausa 5
13 Dholpur 4
14 Dungarpur 4
15 Hanumangarh 5
16 Jaipur 19 (Highest)
17 Jaisalmer 2 (Lowest )
18 Jalor 5
19 Jhalawar 4
20 Jhunjhunu 7
21 Jodhpur 10
22 Karauli 4
23 Kota 6
24 Nagaur 10
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25 Pali 6
26 Pratapgarh 2 (Lowest )
27 Rajsamand 4
28 Sawai Madhopur 4
29 Sikar 8
30 Sirohi 3
31 Sri Ganganagar 6
32 Tonk 4
33 Udaipur 8
Total Constituencies in Rajasthan 200
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14th Assembly of Rajasthan: Important Persons
Speaker Kailash Chandra Meghwal,
Deputy Speaker Rao Rajendra Singh,
Leader of the House (Chief Minister) Vasundhara Raje Scindia,
Leader of the Opposition Rameshwar Lal Dudi
Proterm Speaker Pradhyumn Singh
Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha: Business Procedure Rules
The Rajasthan Legislative Assembly has framed 'Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in
Rajasthan Legislative Assembly for regulating the business of the House and its Committees. They
were first framed in 1956 and after many amendments, the latest Fourteenth Edition has been printed
in 2014.
As per the Rules, Rajasthan Legislative Assembly shall have at least three sessions in a calendar year.
The House on the recommendation of the Business Advisory Committee decides the business of the
House.
Rajasthan Vidhan Parishad
Rajasthan does not have any Upper House of Vidhan Parishad. However, attempts have been made to
create legislative council in the state. On April 18, 2012, the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly passed a
resolution to create Legislative Council for the state of Rajasthan with 66 members. Union Cabinet
cleared the proposal and bill was tabled in Parliament but failed to pass. Since, then there have been
deliberation at Union Government level, but no actions have been taken. As a result, Rajasthan is still a
unicameral state.
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Rajasthan Polity & Administration Elections
Elections
In the democratic setup of India, there are three main types of Elections.
• First, election to the Parliament – MP’s
• Second, election to legislative assembly – MLA’s
• Third, election to Local Bodies – PRI’s & ULB’s
While first and second elections are conducted by Election Commission of India (Constitutional Body
article 324), election to local bodies are conducted by State Election Commission (again Constitutional
body)
Elections conducted by Election Commission of India
Under Article 324(1) of the Constitution of India, the Election Commission of India, is vested with the
power of superintendence, direction and control of conducting the elections to both Houses of Parliament.
Detailed provisions are made under the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and the rules made
there under this Act.
Additionally, Article 324 (1) also vests in the Election Commission of India with the powers of
superintendence, direction and control of the elections to the State Legislature. Detailed provisions of
these elections are also made under the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and the rules made there
under this Act.
Organizational Structure:
• At present, the Election Commission of India is a three-member body, with one Chief Election
Commissioner and two Election Commissioners.
• At State level, the Chief Electoral Officer of the State supervises the election work under the
overall superintendence, direction and control of the Election Commission.
• At District level, the District Election Officer (DEO) supervises the election work of a district.
• At Constituency level (Parliamentary or Assembly), the Returning Officer of a parliamentary or
assembly constituency is responsible for the conduct of elections.
• On a Polling Station within the Constituency, the Presiding Officer with the assistance of
polling officers conducts the poll.
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Additionally, Under section 20B of the Representation of the People Act 1951, the Election Commission
of India nominates officers of Government as Observers (General Observers and Election Expenditure
Observers) for parliamentary and assembly constituencies.
Electoral Roles:
The Electoral Registration officer (ERO) is responsible for the preparation of electoral rolls for a
parliamentary / assembly constituency.
Parliamentary Constituencies in Rajasthan:
Lok Sabha Constituencies:
• There are 25 Lok Sabha Constituencies in State of Rajasthan.
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Rajya Sabha Seats from Rajasthan:
• There are 10 Rajya Sabha seats from Rajasthan. Currently 2 of which belong to INC and 8 to BJP.
(Members to Rajya Sabha are elected by the Legislative Assembly of States and Union territories
by means of Single transferable vote through Proportional representation. It also has 12
members who are nominated by the President of India. )
Elections conducted by State Election Commission
The State Election Commission constituted under the Constitution (Seventy-third and Seventy-fourth)
Amendments Act, 1992 for each State / Union Territory are vested with the powers of conduct of
elections to the Corporations, Muncipalities, Zilla Parishads, District Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis, Gram
Panchayats and other local bodies. It is independent of the Election Commission of India.
The SEC is a single member Commission headed by the State Election Commissioner. It has a Secretary
who is also the Chief Electoral Officer for the State. The Commission discharges its Constitutional duty
by way of preparing electoral rolls and holding elections for Panchayati Raj Institutions as well as for
Municipal bodies.
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Rajasthan Polity & Administration Courts in Rajasthan
Courts in Rajasthan
High Court of Rajasthan
The Rajasthan High Court is the High Court of the state of Rajasthan. Rajasthan High Court was
established on 21 June 1949 under the Rajasthan High Court Ordinance, 1949. The high court has
its principal seat at Jodhpur and a bench at Jaipur. The State is bifurcated into 35 Judgeships
comprising of 388 Courts of District Judge Cadre, 319 Courts of Sr. Civil Judge Cadre and 438 Courts of
Civil Judge Cadre.
• The first Chief Justice was: Kamala Kant Verma
• The Current Chief Justice is: Mr. Pradeep Nandrajog.
The Rajasthan High Court Rules 1952, as amended from time to time, regulate the administrative
business and judicial work in the High Court.
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District Courts in Rajasthan
Under the Rajasthan High Court, there is a hierarchy of courts which are referred to in the Indian
constitution as subordinate courts. There are two kinds of Subordinate Courts: the District Courts and
others.
The state is divided into districts and each district has a district court which has an appellant
jurisdiction in the district. These courts are under administrative control of the High Court. Currently,
in the lower judiciary, there are 36 courts of District & Sessions Judges in Rajasthan.
S. No. District Courts under Jodhpur Bench S. No. District Court under Jaipur Bench
1 Balotra (Barmer) 1 Ajmer
2 Banswara 2 Alwar
3 Bhilwara 3 Baran
4 Bikaner 4 Bharatpur
5 Chittorgarh 5 Bundi
6 Churu 6 Dausa
7 Dungarpur 7 Dholpur
8 Hanumangarh 8 Jaipur
9 Jaisalmer 9 Jaipur Metro
10 Jalore 10 Jhalawar
11 Jodhpur Metro 11 Jhunjhunu
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12 Jodhpur 12 Karauli
13 Merta (Nagaur) | Merta 13 Kota
14 Pali 14 Sawai Madhopur
15 Pratapgarh 15 Sikar
16 Rajsamand 16 Tonk
17 Sirohi
18 Sri Ganganagar
19 Udaipur
The court of the District judge is located at the district headquarters. It has power of trying both civil
and criminal cases. Thus he is designated as the District and Sessions Judge.
The district Judge is the highest judicial authority in the district and exercises both judicial and
administrative powers over all the subordinate courts in the district.
• He possess original and appellate jurisdiction in both the civil and criminals matters.
• Appeals against his orders and judgments lie to the High Court.
• The sessions judge has the power to impose any sentence including life imprisonment and
death sentence. However, death sentence passed by him is subject to confirmation by the High
Court, whether there is an appeal or not.
Sub-Ordinate Courts in Rajasthan
In each district of India there are various types of subordinate or lower courts. They are civil courts,
criminal courts and revenue courts. These Courts hear civil cases, criminal cases and revenue cases,
respectively.
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Under the district courts, there are the lower courts such as the Additional District Court, Sub-Court,
Munsiff Magistrate Court, Court of Special Judicial Magistrate of the II Class, Court of Special Judicial
Magistrate of I Class, Court of Special Munsiff Magistrate for Factories Act and Labour Laws, etc.
At the bottom of the hierarchy of Subordinate Courts are the Panchayat Courts (Nyaya Panchayat,
Panchayat Adalat etc). These are, however, not considered as courts under the purview of the criminal
courts jurisdiction. Most of the civil cases are filed in the court of the Munsif. A case can be taken in
appeal from the court of the Munsif to the court of the sub-Judge or the Additional Sub-Judge.
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Rajasthan Polity & Administration Rajasthan State Legal Service Authority
Rajasthan State Legal Service Authority
The Constitution of India outlines promise of securing to all the citizens social, economic and political
justice. Article 39 A of the Constitution of India provides for free legal aid to the poor and weaker
sections of the society, to promote justice on the basis of equal opportunity. Rajasthan State Legal
Service Authority is an institution created to pursue these objectives.
Statutory Provisions: RSLSA
In 1987, the Legal Services Authorities Act was enacted by the Parliament, which came into force on 9th
November, 1995. This has led to the setting up of Legal Services Authorities at the National, State and
District levels along with Legal Services Committees at the Supreme Court, High Court and the Taluka
levels.
The Government of Rajasthan in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court, framed the
Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority Rules, 1995, and later Regulations, 1999 - to give effect to the
provision of the Legal Services Authority Act , 1987( Act No.39 of 1987). Consequently, The Rajasthan
State Legal Services Authority came into existence on 07.07.1998 by notification issued by the State
Government.
Organisation Structure: Legal Service Authority
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Composition of Rajasthan State Legal Service Authority
A State Authority shall consist of:
• (a) the Chief Justice of the High Court who shall be the Patron-in-Chief;
• (b) a serving or retired Judge of the High Court, to be nominated by the Governor, in
consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court, who shall be the Executive Chairman; and
• (c) such number of other members, possessing such experience and qualifications as may be
prescribed by the State Government, to be nominated by that Government in consultation with
the Chief Justice of the High Court.
Rajasthan Legal Service Authority: Important Members
• Patron in Chief: Chief Justice, Rajasthan High Court - Justice Pradeep Nandrajog
• Executive Chairman: Mr. Justice K. S. Jhaveri - Judge, Rajasthan High Court.
Important Functions of Rajasthan Legal Service Authority
The Act mandates the State Legal Service Authorities to perform three primary functions:
• (a) Provide free legal service to the weaker sections of the society.
• (b) Conduct Lok Adalats including Lok Adalats for High Court cases; and
• (c) Undertake preventive and strategic legal aid programmes and create legal awareness.
Who is entitled for Free Legal Aid ?
Any person who fulfils the eligibility criteria as prescribed by Section 12 of the Legal Services
Authorities Act, 1987 can avail of the free legal services. This includes:
• a) member of a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe;
• b) victim of trafficking in human beings or beggar as referred in article 23 of the Constitution;
• c) woman or a child;
• d) a mentally ill or otherwise disabled person;
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• e) victim of a mass disaster, ethnic violence, caste atrocity, flood, drought, earthquake or
industrial disaster; or
• f) an industrial workman; or
• g) persons in custody; or
• h) persons in receipt of annual income not more than 1,50,000.
RSLSA Activities:
• State & District Legal Aid Fund have been created for being utilised for the purposes of this Act.
• The Rajasthan SLSA has appointed 30000 legal services volunteers for implementation of legal
aid programs. Prominent persons of the society including the Sarpanchs, NGOs and
Anganwadi workers are involved in the legal literacy programs.
• Till 2017, RSLSA has been able to provide free legal aid to approximately 1,32,000 beneficiaries.
• Organisation of Lok Adalats & Legal Awareness Camps.
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Rajasthan Polity & Administration Lok Adalats in Rajasthan
Lok Adalats in Rajasthan
Lok Adalat is a system of alternative dispute resolution developed in India. It may be called "People's
court". Lok Adalat is a forum where the disputes/cases pending in the court of law or at pre-litigation
stage are settled/compromised amicably. The Lok Adalat has been given statutory status under the
Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. Under the said Act, the award made by the Lok Adalats is
deemed to be the decree of a civil court and is final and binding on all parties and no appeal lies before
any court against its award.
Nature of Cases to be referred to Lok Adalats:
1. Any case pending before any court.

2. Any dispute, which has not been brought before any court and is likely to be filed before the
court.
However, only compoundable offences can be adjudged in Lok Adalat.
Types of Lok Adalats:
National Lok Adalat
National Level Lok Adalats are held for at regular intervals where on a single day Lok Adalats are held
throughout the country, in all the courts right from the Supreme Court till the Taluk Levels wherein
cases are disposed off in huge numbers.
Mega Lok Adalat:
This is organised in the State on a single day in all courts of the State.
Permanent Lok Adalats
Permanent Lok Adalats are organized under Section 22-B of The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
Permanent Lok Adalats have been set up as permanent bodies with a Chairman and two members for
providing compulsory pre-litigative mechanism for conciliation and settlement of cases relating to
Public Utility Services like transport, postal, telegraph etc.
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Rajasthan Polity & Administration Lok Adalats in Rajasthan
Here, even if the parties fail to reach to a settlement, the Permanent Lok Adalat gets jurisdiction to
decide the dispute, provided, the dispute does not relate to any offence. Further, the Award of the
Permanent Lok Adalat is final and binding on all the parties.
The jurisdiction of the Permanent Lok Adalats is upto Rs. 1 Crore . The Lok Adalat may conduct the
proceedings in such a manner as it considers appropriate, taking into account the circumstances of the
case, wishes of the parties like requests to hear oral statements, speedy settlement of dispute etc.
Mobile Lok Adalats
Mobile Lok Adalats are also organized in various parts of the country which travel from one location to
another to resolve disputes in order to facilitate the resolution of disputes through this mechanism.
General Features of Lok Adalats:
• If the parties are not satisfied with the award of the Lok Adalat though there is no provision for
an appeal against such an award, but they are free to initiate litigation by approaching the court
of appropriate jurisdiction by filing a case by following the required procedure, in exercise of
their right to litigate.
• There is no court fee payable when a matter is filed in a Lok Adalat. If a matter pending in the
court of law is referred to the Lok Adalat and is settled subsequently, the court fee originally
paid in the court on the complaints/petition is also refunded back to the parties.
• The persons deciding the cases in the Lok Adalats are called the Members of the Lok Adalats,
they have the role of statutory conciliators only and do not have any judicial role; therefore they
can only persuade the parties to come to a conclusion for settling the dispute outside the court
in the Lok Adalat and shall not pressurize or coerce any of the parties to compromise or settle
cases or matters either directly or indirectly.
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Rajasthan Polity & Administration Chief Secretary
Chief Secretary
The State Secretariat is the principal executive instrument of the State government and is responsible
for administering the State Subjects. Each Secretariat Department has a civil servant as its head, who
assists the Minister concerned in execution of policies. The chief secretary is the head of these
permanent executives and is referred to as executive head of Secretariat.
Powers and functions of Chief Secretary:
The principal functions of the Chief Secretary are:
• Principal advisor to the Chief Minister on all the matters of the State administration.
• Secretary to the State Council of Ministers.
• Administrative head of the State Secretariat and attends the meeting of the Cabinet and its sub-
Committees, if necessary.
• Prepares the agenda for the Cabinet meetings and keeps records of its proceedings.
• Acts as the head of the State Civil Services. In this capacity, deals with all the cases related to
appointment, transfers, promotion of senior State Civil Servants. Conscience-keeper to all the
State Civil Servants.
• Chief coordinator of the State administration and ensures inter-departmental co-ordination.
• The Chairman of co-ordination committees set up for inter-departmental disputes. Presides

over the meetings of the departments' Secretaries.
• Presides over the conferences attended by the Divisional Commissioners, the District Collectors
and the heads of the departments of district administrations to effect coordination.
• Acts as the administrative head of some secretariat departments.
Chief Secretary of Rajasthan:
• First: Sh. K. Radhakrishnan
• Current: Shri Nihal Chand Goel
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Rajasthan Polity & Administration State Secretariat
State Secretariat
The Council of Ministers being a body of political leaders cannot be expected to perform the detailed
administrative functions themselves. They need advice of professional administrators in performance
of these functions. This advice is provided by a body of officers known as the Secretariat.
Secretariat Definition:
The expression “Secretariat” is used to refer to the complex of departments whose political heads are
ministers while the administrative heads are Secretaries to the Government. The entire administrative
machinery of the state is divided into several departments. The ministers are incharge of these
departments and are answerable to the legislature for the activities . Below the ministers are posted in
each department several career civil servants who carry out the orders of their respective ministers,
advise them and help them by providing necessary information required for facing the legislature and
its committees.
Relation between Secretariat & Directorate:
The three components of government at the state level are:
• (i) the minister;
• (ii) the secretary, and
• (iii) the executive head. (The last one in most cases is called the director, although other
nomenclatures are also used to refer to the executive head).
The minister and the secretary together constitute the Secretariat, whereas the office of the executive
head is designated as the Directorate. The Agriculture Department in the secretariat, for instance is
headed by the Secretary Agriculture, but has the Director of Agriculture as its head of the department
(Directorate).
Organisation of State Secretariat
The entire administrative machinery of the state is divided into several departments. The Business of
the State Government is transacted in Secretariat Departments and distributed between these
Departments.
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CHIEF MINISTER (Political Head)

↓
Chief Secretary (Administrative Head)
↓
Department - Secretary
↓
Special/Additional Secretary
↓
Joint Secretary
↓
Division - Deputy Secretary
↓
Branch - Under Secretary
↓
Assistant Secretary
↓
so ON
The Secretary is overall in-charge of the department. He is the principal advisor to the minister and
responsible for carrying out the policies and decisions made by political chief. Each secretary is
normally in charge of more than one department. The number of secretariat departments is usually
larger than the number of secretaries.
Role of State Secretariat:
The State Secretariat, as the top layer of the state administration, is primarily meant to assist the state
government in policy making and in discharging its legislative functions. It also acts "as a memory and
a clearing house, preparatory to certain types of decisions and as a general supervisor of executive
action". The main functions of the State Secretariat are broadly as follows:
• Assisting the ministers in policy making, in modifying policies from time to time and in
discharging their legislative responsibilities
• Framing draft legislation, and rules and regulations
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• Coordinating policies and programmes, supervising and controlling their execution, and
reviewing of the results
• Budgeting and control of expenditure
• Maintaining contact with the Government of India and other state governments;
• Overseeing the smooth and efficient running of the administrative machinery and-initiating
measures to develop greater personnel and organisational competence.
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Rajasthan Polity & Administration Directorates
Directorates
The Secretariat is concerned with setting the broader policies and goals of the State Government while
the responsibility for achieving these policies and executing the orders rests with heads of executive
departments. These executive agencies, as a rule, are located outside the Secretariat and constitute
distinct organisational entities referred to as Directorates.
Definition of Directorates:
Directorates are the executive arm of the state government; they translate into action the policies that
arc framed by the State Secretariat. Even though the terms 'Directorates' and 'Executive Agencies' are
often used interchangeably, Directorates are nothing but one type of executive agency.
Directorates are classified into two categories - Attached Offices and Subordinate Offices.
The Attached Offices are responsible for providing executive direction required for the implementation
of the policies laid down by the Ministry to which they are attached. They also serve as repository of
technical information and advice to the Ministry on technical aspects of the questions dealt with by
them.
The Subordinate Offices function as field establishments or as the agencies responsible for the detailed
execution of the decisions of government. They generally function under the direction of an Attached
Office.
Thus, the Attached Offices have in essence a two-fold function. First, they furnish technical data and
advice to the Ministry to which they are attached. The second function of the Attached Office is to
provide executive directions to the agencies, which are responsible for implementing the policies of
government. As contrasted with the attached Office, a Subordinate Office functions as the field
establishment or as the agency responsible for the detailed execution of the policies and programmes of
the government. As a rule, it functions under an Attached Office.
Organisation of Directorates
Heads of departments are officers who are charge of the actual administration of specific services or
administration and execution of projects.The Heads of the Departments are usually called Directors or
Commissioners. The State Government exercises control over the working of heads of departments
through "administrative departments" of the secretariat. The Secretaries are the "ears and eyes" of the
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Ministers, while the Heads of Departments are their "Hands". The head of the department is generally a
specialist and a secretary is a generalist civil servant.
The directors or Commissioners are assisted by Additional Directors, Joint directors, Deputy Directors
and Assistant Directors.
Functions of the directorates
• Formulation of Departmental budget;
• Acting as technical adviser to the Minister;
• Inspection of the execution of work of departmental district staff;
• Allocation of grants according to rules, making budget re-appropriation within prescribed

limits;
• Making within approved rules all appointments, confirmations, postings transfers, promotions
of all subordinate officers including also sanctioning of leave and making acting arrangements
• Exercising disciplinary powers over all subordinate officers according to rules
• Advising Public Service Commission concerning promotions and disciplinary actions
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• Sanctioning the attendance of officers at conference other than inter-state or government of

India conferences.
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Rajasthan Polity & Administration Administrative Setup
Administrative Setup
The state of Rajasthan has been divided into 33 districts. However, from administration point of view,
there is a multi-layer structure of administration. The State of Rajasthan is divided into 7 divisions,
these divisions include within them group of districts. Each of the districts is divided into Sub-division
consisting of Tehsils, sub-tehsils and villages.
Divisions in Rajasthan
• Ajmer Division: Includes 4 districts Ajmer, Bhilwara, Nagaur, Tonk.
• Bharatpur Division: Includes 4 districts Bharatpur, Dholpur, Karauli, Sawai Madhopur.
• Bikaner Division: Includes 4 districts Bikaner, Churu, Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh
• Jaipur Division: Includes 5 districts Alwar, Dausa, Jaipur, Jhunjhunun, Sikar.
• Jodhpur Division (Largest by Area): Includes 6 districts. Barmer, Jaisalmer, Jalore, Jodhpur,
Pali, Sirohi.
• Kota Division: Includes 4 districts. Baran, Bundi, Jhalawar, Kota.
• Udaipur Division: Includes 6 districts. Banswara, Chittorgarh, Dungarpur, Rajsamand,

Pratapgarh, Udaipur.
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Rajasthan Polity & Administration Administrative Setup
The main officer in-charge of governance, administration and inter-departmental coordination is

Divisional Commissioner. He/She is also responsible for monitoring all schemes for all round
development of the division.
District Administration:
• Below the divisions functions the most important unit of administration i.e. districts.
• The main officer in-charge of district administration is District Collector. (Dealt in detail in
following chapter)
Sub-Divisional Administration
• The sub-divisional administration functions between district and tehsil level.

• There are 244 Sub-divisions in Rajasthan.
• Sub-Divisional Officer is responsible for administration. Like Collector, he also responsible for
revenue functions and general administration.
• SDO reports to the district collector.
Tehsil Administration
• Administratively, tehsil is the smallest unit but very significant unit.

• Tehsil is the basic unit for purposes of general administration, treasury, land revenue, land
records and other items of work
• There are 287 tehsils in Rajasthan
• In some big-tehsils, there are also sub-tehsils. Tehsildar is the officer in-charge of Tehsil whereas
Naib-tehsildar is the officer in-charge of sub-tehsil.
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Rajasthan Polity & Administration District Collector
District Collector
The institution of District Collector, as it exists today, was created and developed during the British
rule and has become a unique feature of Indian public Administration. With change in time, District
collector roles and responsibilities have changed and multiplied but it is still plays a vital role as the
bridge between union-state and local government.
Origin of office of District Collector
India is organised administratively into Union, states, districts, sub-divisions, blocks and villages
but "District" is the principal unit of territorial administration in India. The Mauryas were the first to
constitute 'district' as prominent territorial unit and to centralise its administration with all powers
concentrated in a single officer called the Rajuka.
However, the origin and development of development of district as a territorial unit for for purpose of
revenue collection and administration came to acquire significance in 1772 under East India Company
when on 14th May, Warren Hastings created the office of Collector with revenue and judicial functions
united in the same person.By 1786, the district came to occupy a central place in the scheme of local
administration.
Functions & Responsibilities of the District Collector
The role and responsibilities of the office of District Collector (DC) have undergone considerable
change since Independence. From enforcement of law and order and collection of revenue for its
administrative unit, the office of DC has also grown as an important arm for implementing national
and state policies on welfare and planned development. DC acts as chief agent and representative of
the state and serves as channel of communication between the government and residents of the district.
At present DC's duties and functions can be divided into following categories:
• As a Collector
• As a District Administrator
• As a District Magistrate
• As a District Development Officer
• Disaster Management
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• Conduct of Election
• Food and Civil Supplies
• Residual Functions
As a Collector
• Collection of nearly all government dues including government loans, excise revenue, mining
cess, royalties etc.
• Assessment and collection of land revenue.
• Supervision of treasury & sub-treasury.
• All matters related to land reforms, land records and land acquisition.
• Management of government estates.
As a District Magistrate
The judicial functions of the Collector have been significantly reduced due to separation of judiciary
from executive in modern constitutional democracy. The District Collector in his capacity as the district
magistrate (i.e. executive magistrate) is responsible for the maintenance of law and order in the district.
For this purpose, the district police force headed by the District Superintendent of Police is kept under
the control, supervision and direction of the district magistrate (The Indian Police Act of 1861 ).
Additionally, he also performs other duties including:
• Supervision of the police and jails
• Supervision of subordinate Executive magistracy
• Issue certificates of domicile, scheduled and backward classes.
• Issue custody/detention warrants under special anti-crime/security enactments e.g. NSA.
• To issue orders when there is threat to public peace and order under section 144 of the Criminal
Procedure Code.
As a District Administrator
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• Sanctioning leave to tehsildars/naib-tehsildars
• Salary and pension of district staff
• Exercise control over field offices like sub-divisional and tehsil headquarters.
• Chief protocol officer of district - arrange VIP stay & visit.
As a District Development Officer
• The Collector, with the assistance of the district-level staff, is responsible for the implementation
of majority of developmental works and schemes in the district.
• Apart from the direct responsibilities, a collector frequently gets involved with the programmes
of other departments, like the PWD, irrigation, power, forest, agriculture, health and family
welfare
Coordination in District
• Coordinate activities of other agencies/departments at the district level.
Disaster Management
• Acts as the crisis administrator-in-chief during natural calamities and other emergencies.
• Chairs the District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC), which is responsible for making
advance plan to mitigate the effect of impending disasters and provide assistances for
protection, relief and rehabilitation in the face of such disasters.
Conduct of Election
• DC is designated as District Election Officer (DEO) and function as Returning Officer (RO) in
Parliamentary elections.
• In other elections, all RO's function under DC's superintendence.
• DC is also responsible for preparation/updation of electoral roles and holding of free and fair
elections in the district.
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Food and Civil Supplies
• Oversees the implementation of the Public Distribution System
• Enforce provisions of the Essential Commodities Act and related Rules and Orders.
Residual Functions
Any function of the government in the district, which is not allocated to any line department
automatically, comes within the jurisdiction of the DC.
• Licensing & Regulatory: The Collector is the licensing and regulatory authority under various
special laws such as Arms and Cinematography Acts etc. in the district.
• The district collector is also chairman of large number of committees at district level.
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Rajasthan Polity & Administration Historical Background of PRI in Rajasthan
Historical Background of PRI in Rajasthan
Since Ancient times, village panchayats have been an integral part of social life. It is believed that this
system was first introduced by King Prithu during colonisation Ganga-Yamuna Doab. Rigveda
mentions - Gramini as the leader of the village. Shreni was a well-known term for merchant guilds. A
fairly detailed description of the village communities is found in Kautilya’s Artha-Shastra. These rural
republics in India continued to flourish in the country during the Hindu, Muslim and Peshwa
government till the arrival of the East India Company. Here, we look at evolution of Panchayati Raj
Institutions (PRI) in Rajasthan.
Panchayats during Ancient and Medieval period in Rajasthan:
The study of various Lekhas reveals that executive committees or Panchayats existed in Rajasthan
during the ancient period. These agencies were then called Panchkulas (Committee of five), which
worked under the presidentship of the Mahant. These Panchkulas were composed of village elders who
were heads of various castes and religious groups of a village.
Besides these, there were also committees referred as Goshthis (guilds) which were a kind of
corporations of professionals meant for looking after the local administration of the areas they
furnished.
According to V.B. Mishra, during 600 A.D. to 1027 A.D., there was despotic rule in Western Rajasthan
under Pratihara dynasty but village remained autonomous units. Grama or village was the last
administrative unit having fixed sites and boundaries. The head of the Grama was called Gramapati or
Gamagamika. The Gramapati administered the village with the assistance of the village council
composed of the village elders. The Council exercised considerable jurisdiction over the village
disputes.
PRI in Rajasthan during Mughal Period:
With the establishment of Mughal rule at Delhi, the Princely States of Rajputana were influenced to
some extent but village administration remained unchanged. During this period there existed ‘Caste
Panchayats’ as well as Panchayats of the whole village for social purposes. The functions of Village
Panchayats included settlement of disputes, watch and ward, education, sanitation, recreation and
organisation of festivals. Additionally, every caste had its own Panchayat in the village whose structure
and functions were more or less similar.
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PRI in Rajasthan during British Rule:
Under the British administrators, there was minimal development of Panchayats until 1928 when
Bikaner State took the lead by passing an act to provide for the establishment of Panchayats. The Jaipur
Village Panchayat Act was also passed in 1937. In 1939 Karauli also passed a Village Panchayats Act.
Gram Panchayat Acts were passed in Mewarand Marwar in 1940 and 1945 respectively. Bharatpur
introduced similar enactment in 1944 and Sirohi in 1947. Besides these, there was Panchayat Acts in
force in some other states, e.g., Kota, Bundi, Jhalawar, Tonk, Shahpura, etc.
PRI in Modern Rajasthan: Beginning
The United States of Rajasthan was inaugurated in 1948 comprising Mewar and other princely states,
with its capital at Udaipur. and Chief Minister as Shri Manikya Lal Verma. One of his very first acts
was to promulgate the Gram Panchayat Raj Ordinance of 1948. Following the Ordinance, elected
Panchayats based on Universal Adult franchise came into being in various villages of the former
feudatories in Udaipur, Kota, Partapgarh, Kushalgarh, Banswara, Dungarpur, etc. Thus, 790
Panchayats came into existence in 13,656 Villages of formers Rajasthan.
After the inauguration of unified Rajasthan and formation Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, Rajasthan
Panchayat Act, 1953 was passed and was enforced on January 1st, 1954.
The Government of Rajasthan started Community Development Programme (CDP) in 1952 as a part of
planned development in the state. On the recommendation of the Grow More Food Enquiry
Committee, the National Extension Service (NES) was started in 1953. The Balwant Rai Mehta Study
Team examined the working of CDP & NES and suggested ‘Democratic Decentralisation’ in order to
make these programmes successful. The National Development Council also endorsed this proposal
and asked each State Government to implement the idea. As a consequence, the Rajasthan Panchayat
Samitis and Zila Parishads Act, 1959, was passed with effect from October 2nd , 1959. This new act also
amended the Rajasthan Panchayat Act, 1953.
But after 1965 Panchayats became weak when all the extension officers of Agriculture, Animal
Husbandry, and Industries were withdrawn from Panchayat Samitis. The concern departments became
important. Girdhari Lal Vyas Committee in 1973, pointed out limitations of the Panchayat system in the
State, but suggestions to improve the functioning of the Panchayat System were not implemented. The
dormant status of Panchayat was not just limited to Rajasthan but majority of states, forcing Union
Government to make a series of committees to revive the PRI in India.
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Ashok Mehta Committee (1978) recommended a constitutional status for Panchayats and L.M.Singhvi
Committee (1986) proclaimed the PRIs as the third tier of government and strongly recommended that
PRIs should be constitutionally recognized, preserved and protected. It was followed by a series of
consultations and workshops to work out modalities to constitutionalise the Panchayats. Finally, 73rd
Constitutional Amendment Act 1993 was enacted. On the basis of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment,
Rajasthan passed the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act, 1994.
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Rajasthan Polity & Administration Panchayati Raj in Rajasthan
Panchayati Raj in Rajasthan
After Independence, Rajasthan was the first state to establish Panchayati Raj. The scheme was
inaugurated by then Prime Minister Nehru on October 2, 1959 in Bagdari Village of Nagaur district.
Panchayati Raj in India aims to build democracy at grass-root level and signifies the system of rural self
government. Panchayats are an effective vehicle for people’s participation in administration, planning
and democratic process and so organisation of village Panchayats has been made a Directive Principle of
State Policy (Article 40). After, 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 these institutions have received
Constitutional status.
73RD CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ACT OF 1992
Significance of the Act:
The act has given a practical shape to Article 40 of the Constitution which says that, ‘The State shall
take steps to organise village panchayats and endow them with such powers and authority as may be
necessary to enable them to function as units of self-government’ (DPSP). The act gives a constitutional
status to the panchayati raj institutions. It has brought them under the purview of the justiciable part of
the Constitution. In other words, the state governments are under constitutional obligation to adopt the
new panchayati raj system in accordance with the provisions of the act.
Additionally, neither the formation of panchayats nor the holding of elections at regular intervals
depends on the will of the state government any more. The act transfers the representative democracy into
participatory democracy. It is a revolutionary concept to build democracy at the grass-root level in the
country.
Major Features of the Act:
• This act has added a new Part-IX to the Constitution of India. It is entitled as ‘The Panchayats’
and consists of provisions from Articles 243 to 243O. Additionally, the act has also added
Eleventh Schedule to the Constitution which contains the 29 functional items of the panchayats.
• The provisions of the act can be grouped into two categories-Compulsory and Voluntary. The
compulsory (mandatory or obligatory) provisions of the act have to be included in the state
laws creating the new panchayati raj system. The voluntary provisions, on the other hand, may
be included at the direction of the states.
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• Gram Sabha:
o The act provides for a Gram Sabha as the foundation of the Panchayati Raj system. It is a
body consisting of all the registered voters in the area of the panchayat.
o A Gram Sabha may exercise such powers and perform such functions at the village level
as the Legislative of a State may, by law, pro-vide. (Article 243A).
o There shall be at least two meetings of the Gram Sabha every year.
o The quorum for a meeting of the Gram Sabha shall be one-tenth of the total number of
members
• Three-Tier System:
o The act provides for three-tier system of Panchayati Raj in every state with Panchayats at
village, intermediate and district level. In Rajasthan nomenclature used is:
• Elected members & chairpersons:
o All members of the Panchayats at village, intermediate and district level shall be elected
directly by the people.
o Sarpanch of Gram Sabha is elected directly adult voters.
o The chairpersons of panchayats at intermediate & district level shall be elected indirectly -
by and from amongst the elected members. Manner of election of Chairpersons at
village level is decided by State legislative assembly.
• Elections to the Panchayats : The superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of
electoral rolls for, and the conduct of, all elections to the Panchayats shall be vested in a State
Election Commission.
• Duration of Panchayats: Every Panchayat unless sooner dissolved under any law for the time
being in force, shall continue for five years from the date appointed for its first meeting and no
longer.
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• Reservations of Seats:
o Seats shall be reserved for-(a) the Scheduled Castes; and (b) the Scheduled Tribes; in
every Panchayat in ratio of population.
o Not less than one-third (including the number of seats reserved for women belonging to
the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribe/of the total number of seats to be filled
by direct election in every Panchayat shall be reserved for women and such seats may be
allotted by rotation to different constituencies in a Panchayat.
• Exempted Areas: The Act did not apply to Jammu & Kashmir and certain scheduled areas in
some states. However, the act provided power to Parliament to extend the Act to these
scheduled areas with certain special provisions. Under which, Parliament passed "The Provisions
of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 or PESA Act". Rajasthan passed its
conformity legislation in accordance with PESA on 30th Sept. 1999.
• Finance Commission: The Finance Commission shall be constituted under Article 243-I to
review the financial positions of Panchayati Raj Institutions and make recommendations to the
Governor.
Panchayats in Rajasthan:
Rajasthan has a three-tier system of Panchayati Raj with 33 Zila Parishads (District level), 295
Panchayat Samities (Block level) and 9891 Panchayats (Village level, comprising of a village or a group
of villages).
Each Zila Parishad has territorial constituencies. A Zila Parishad having population upto 4 lacs has 17
constituencies and in case the population exceeds 4 lacs, then for every one lac, the number of
constituencies increases by two. The 33 Zila Parishads at present have 1014 constituencies.
Similarly, Panchayat Samities also have territorial constituencies. A Panchayat Samiti having
population upto one lac consists of 15 constituencies and in case the population exceeds one lac then
for every 15000 or part thereof in excess of one lac the number of constituencies increases by two. The
295 Panchayat Samities are presently divided into 6236 constituencies.
Each Panchayat has been divided into wards. The 9900 Panchayats at present have 108953 wards.
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Additional Rules for PRI’s in Rajasthan:
• Rajasthan was the first state to impose the two-child norm as a bar to standing for elections and
as a disqualification for occupying a Panchayat elected seat.
• Rajasthan is also the first State in the country to fix a minimum educational qualification for
contesting elections to the Panchayati Raj Institutions. The Assembly passed the Rajasthan
Panchayati Raj (amendment) Bill, 2015, which makes Class VIII pass mandatory for the post of
sarpanch — except in tribal reserved areas, where the minimum qualification is Class V — and
Class X for Zila Parishad or Panchayat Samiti elections. The amendments to Section 19 of the
Rajasthan Panchayat Raj Act, 1994 also make a functional toilet mandatory in the house of a
contestant.
• Fifteen States including Rajasthan have enacted legislation for 50% reservation of women in
PRI’s.
Composition of Panchayats in Rajasthan:
Gram Panchayat:
• A Sarpanch, and Directly elected Panchas from as many wards as are determined.
The Sarpanch is assisted by Gram Sevak & Clerk Grade II.
Panchayat Samiti:
• Directly elected members from as many territorial constituencies.
• All members or the Legislative Assembly of the State representing constituencies which
comprise whole or partly the Panchayat Samiti area.
• Chairpersons of all the Panchayats falling within the Panchayat Samiti
The Pradhan is assisted by Block Development Officer who has an Assistant Engineer, Assistant
Account Officer and Block primary education officer at his/her disposal.
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Zila Parishad:
• Directly elected members from as many territorial constituencies as are determined.
• All members of the Lok Sabha and of the State Legislative Assembly representing constituencies
which comprise wholly or partly the Zila Parishad area.
• All members of the Rajya Sabha registered as electors within the Zila Parishad
• Chairpersons of all Panchayat Samities falling within the Zila Parishad area.
Implementation of PESA in Rajasthan
Rajasthan passed its conformity legislation in accordance with PESA on 30th Sept. 1999. The details of
notified FSA/PESA areas in the State of Rajasthan as under:
• Number of PESA District (Fully & Partly covered): 5
o PESA District (Fully covered): 2 (Banswara and Dungarpur)
o PESA District (Partly covered): 3 (Udaipur, Pratapgarh and Sirohi)
• Number of PESA Blocks: 26
• Number of PESA Panchayats: 4544
• Number of PESA Villages: Not available
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Rajasthan Polity & Administration Urban Local Government
Urban Local Government
The term Urban local Government in India signifies the governance of urban area by people through
elected representatives. There are eight types of urban local governments currently existing in India:
1. Municipal Corporations.
2. Municipality.
3. Notified area committee.
4. Town area committee.
5. Cantonment board.
6. Township.
7. Port trust.
8. Special purpose agency.
Historical Background of Urban Local Government
The origin of Municipal Administration in India dates back to 1687 when a Municipal Corporation was
set up in Madras. In 1726, Municipal Corporations were setup in Bombay and Calcutta. Lord Ripon
issued a resolution for local self government that continued to influence the development of local self
government in India till 1947. He is thus called as father of local self-government in India.
After Independence, Rajasthan Town Municipalities Act was promulgated in 1951 by repealing the
existing princely States' municipal laws. Subsequently, due to reorganisation of the State of Rajasthan,
all the existing municipal laws1 including the Act of 1951 were replaced by the Rajasthan
Municipalities Act, 1959 (Act). Later, 43 rules were incorporated there under by State Government from
time to time.
Constitution (74th Amendment) Act, 1992 inserted new Articles 243-P to 243-ZG providing for the
legislature to endow certain powers and the duties to the municipalities relating to 18 matters
mentioned in Twelfth Schedule.
Urban Local Government: Constitutional Provisions
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The Constitution (74th Amendment) Act, 1992 inserted new Part- IX A to the Constitution of India. It is
entitled as 'The Municipalities' and consists of Articles 243-P to 243-ZG . Additionally, the act has also
added Twelfth Schedule that contains 18 functional items of municipalities.
Significance of the Act:
Earlier, State Governments were free to manage their local bodies as they wished. The Amendment
made statutory provisions for the establishment, empowerment and functioning of urban local self-
governing institutions.
Salient Features of the Act:
• Three types of Municipalities: It provides for the constitution of 3 types of Municipalities

depending upon the size and area namely:
o Municipal Corporation - for a larger Urban area.
o Municipal Council - for smaller Urban area
o Nagar Panchayat – (by whatever name called) for a transitional area
• Composition of Municipal Bodies:
o All seats shall be filled by direct elections from the territorial constituencies known as
wards.
o The member of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly representing a constituency which

comprises wholly or partly the area of a Municipality.
o Three persons or ten percent of the number of elected members of the Municipality,
whichever is less, having special knowledge or experience in municipal administration,
to be nominated by the State Government by notification in the Official Gazette
o The member of the House of the People representing a constituency which comprises
wholly or partly the area
• Wards Committees: The Act provides for the constitution of Ward Committees, consisting of
one or more wards, within the territorial area of a Municipality, with a population of 3 lakhs or
more.
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• Reservation of seats: In order to provide for adequate representation of Scheduled Caste/

Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) and of women in the Municipal Bodies, provisions have been made
for reservation of seats in every Municipality.
• Duration of Municipalities: The Municipality has a fixed term of 5(five) years from the date
appointed for its first meeting.
• Elections: The State Election Commission of Rajasthan discharges its constitutional duty by way of
preparing electoral rolls and holding elections for Municipal bodies under Article 243ZA. The
manner of election of Chairperson of Municipalities has been left to be specified by the State
Legislature.
• Finance Commission: The Finance Commission constituted under Article 243-I to review the
financial positions of Panchayati Raj Institutions shall also review the financial position of the
Municipalities and will make recommendations to the Governor.
• Committee for District Planning: There shall be constituted in every State at the District level a
District Planning Committee to consolidate the plans prepared by the Panchayats and the
Municipalities in the District and to prepare a Draft Development Plan for the District as a
whole.
• Metropolitan Planning Committees: It is provided in Article 243-ZE of the Constitution that

there shall be constituted in every Metropolitan area a Metropolitan Planning Committee to
prepare a Draft Development Plan for the Metropolitan area as a whole.
Major Features of the Act:
The main provisions of this Act can be grouped under two categories–compulsory and
voluntary. Some of the compulsory provisions which are binding on all States are:
• (i) Constitution of nagar panchayats, municipal councils and municipal corporations in small,
big and very big urban areas respectively;
• (ii) Reservation of seats in urban local bodies for Scheduled Castes / Scheduled Tribes roughly
in proportion to their population;
• (iii) Reservation of seats for women up to one-third seats;
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• (iv) The State Election Commission, constituted in order to conduct elections in the panchayati
raj bodies (see 73rd Amendment) will also conduct elections to the urban local self- governing
bodies;
• (v) The State Finance Commission, constituted to deal with financial affairs of the panchayati raj
bodies also looks into the financial affairs of the local urban self-governing bodies;
• (vi) Tenure of urban local self-governing bodies is fixed at five years and in case of earlier
dissolution fresh elections are held within six months;
Some of the voluntary provisions which are not binding, but are expected to be observed by the States
are:
• (i) Giving voting rights to members of the Union and State Legislatures in these bodies;
• (ii) Providing reservation for backward classes;
• (iii) Giving financial powers in relation to taxes, duties, tolls and fees, etc;
• (iv) Making the municipal bodies autonomous and devolution of powers to these bodies to
perform some or all of the functions enumerated in the Twelfth Schedule added to the
Constitution through this Act and/or to prepare plans for economic development.
Urban Local Government in Rajasthan
In Rajasthan, urban local bodies are called Municipalities, Municipal Councils and Municipal
Corporations. There are a total of 190 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs - 1) in Rajasthan including:
• 7 Municipal Corporations (Nagar Nigam): Ajmer, Bharatpur, Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota,
Udaipur
• 34 Municipal Councils (Nagar Parishad)
• 149 Municipalities (Nagar Palika)
Authorities:
Each Municipality has three authorities:
• The Council
o The Council is deliberative & Legislative wing.
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o It consists of Councillors directly elected by people.
o Council is headed by Chairman. He presides over all meetings of the council.
• The Standing Committees
o Standing Committees are created to facilitate working of council.
o They deal with public works, taxation, health, finance etc.
• The Chief Executive Officer
o CEO is responsible for day-to-day administration.
o He/She is appointed by State government.
New Initiatives in Urban Governance:
• Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM)
• Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT)
• Basic Services to Urban Poor (BSUP)
• Integrated Housing & Slum Development Programme (IHSDP)
• National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM)
• Smart City
• HRIDAY Cities
• AMRUT City
• SmartRaj: An Indicative Name Given to the Project for Implementation of E-Governance in all
the ULBs in the State of Rajasthan
• LED street lighting project: Rajasthan is the state with highest quantity of LED Street light and
the first state where LED Street Light National Program (SLNP) is implemented in whole state.
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Rajasthan Polity & Administration Important Bodies
Important Bodies
Bodies in India are of multiple types, however in general day-to-day articles and news we come across
three major types of bodies:
• Constitutional Bodies
• Statutory Bodies
• Executive Bodies
Constitutional Bodies:
• Derive their Authority from Constitution of India.
• They are mentioned specifically in Constitution of India and cannot be destroyed/changed

without change in Constitution. Hence, Changes in them require Constitutional amendment.
• They have dedicated articles in Constitution w.r.t them.
• Consequently, they are most important bodies like CAG (Article 148), UPSC (Artcile 315-323),
Finance Commission, Election Commission etc.
Statutory Bodies:
• They are also referred to as Non-Constitutional bodies as they do not find specific mention in
the Constitution of India.
• However, they are also very relevant and have been created by passing an ACT of Parliament.
• By RTI act Provisions –Information Commission etc or National Human Right Commission
based on Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
Executive Bodies:
• These bodies also come under Non-Constitutional bodies, as they also do not find any mention
in the Constitution of India.
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• Further they are also referred to as Non-Statutory bodies as these bodies have been specifically
formed by Government decision, without passing any act of Parliament.
• Example Now dissolved-Planning Commission of India.
One should understand that difference between: Constitutional/ Statutory/ Executive is based source
of their origin i.e. Constitution/ Act of Parliament/ Government Order respectively.
Now you may also come across terms like judicial/ Quasi-judicial bodies. They are parameters that
define nature and function of bodies.
Judicial bodies
• Example Courts in India
• Main aim is justice and for that it relies on specific rules/law of the land.
• Follows specific process and needs advocates etc.
• Can go for all the problems
• Composed of judges only.
Quasi-judicial bodies
• Their Aim is also justice but their field is limited.
• Example: human right commission to look after human right violations.
• They include not only judges but experts from the field also.
• You can go them if the matter is from their field only.
• They do-not have specific rules example you do not need advocate/lawyerand can personally
appeal to them.
• Other example is Finance Commission, a constitutional body is also quasi-judicial body in

matters related to summoning & enforcing attendance and requisitioning any public record
from any court of office.
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Important Bodies in Rajasthan:
• State Constitutional Bodies:
o State Public Service Commission: RPSC
o Advocate General of Rajasthan (State)
• State Statutory Bodies:
o Rajasthan State Human Rights Commission
o Rajasthan State Information Commission
o Lokayukta
o Rajasthan State Commission for Women
• State Executive Bodies:
o Chief Minister Advisory Council (CMAC)
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Rajasthan Polity & Administration Rajasthan Public Service Commission
Rajasthan Public Service Commission
Parallel to Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) at the Centre, there is a State Public Service
Commission (SPSC) in a State. The articles 315 to 323 in part XIV of the Constitution deal with the
composition, appointment and removal of members and power, functions and independence of a
SPSC. In Rajasthan SPSC is called as Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC).
The Government of India Act of 1919 provided for a Central Public Service Commission. After which a
Commission was then setup in 1926 and tasked with recruitment of civil servants. The Government of
India Act of 1935 provided for establishment of not only a Federal Public Service Commission but also
a Provincial Public Service Commission and Joint Public Service Commission.
Constitutional Provisions related to RPSC
Composition (Article 316)
• Consists of Chairman and other members appointed by the Governor.
• No other qualification except that 1/2 of the members shall be persons who at the dates of their
respective appointments have held office for at least 10 years under the Government of
India/Government of a State.
• Tenure: 6 years or 62 years of age whichever is earlier.
• Resignation- Addressed to the Governor.
Removal & Suspension (Article 317)
Although the chairman and members of a SPSC (RPSC) are appointed by the governor, they can be
re¬moved only by the president (and not by the governor). The president can remove them on the
same grounds and in the same manner as he can remove a chairman or a member of the UPSC. Thus,
he can remove him under the following circumstances:
• (a) If he is adjudged an insolvent (i.e., has gone bankrupt); or
• (b) If he engages, during his term of office, in any paid employment outside the du¬ties of his
office; or
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• (c) If he is, in the opinion of the president, unfit to continue in office by reason of infirmity of
mind or body.
In addition to these, the president can also remove the chairman or any other member of SPSC for
misbehaviour. However, in this case, the president has to refer the matter to the Supreme Court for an
enquiry. If the Supreme Court, after the enquiry, upholds the cause of removal and advises so, the
president can remove the chairman or a member. Under the provisions of the Constitution, the advise
tendered by the Supreme Court in this regard is binding on the president. However, during the course
of enquiry by the Supreme Court, the governor can suspend the concerned chairman or member,
pending the final removal order of the president on receipt of the report of the Supreme Court.
Further, the Constitution has also defined the term ‘misbehaviour’ in this context. The Constitution
states that the chairman or any other member of a SPSC is deemed to be guilty of misbehaviour, if he
• (a) is concerned or interested in any contract or agreement made by the Government of India or
the government of a state, or
• (b) participates in any way in the profit of such contract or agreement or in any benefit there
from otherwise than as a member and in common with other members of an incorporated
company.
Independence of SPSC (RPSC)
As in the case of UPSC, the Constitution has made the following provisions to safeguard and ensure
the independent and impartial functioning of a SPSC:
• (a) The chairman or a member of a SPSC can be removed from office by the president only in
the manner and on the grounds mentioned in the Constitution. Therefore, they enjoy the
security of tenure.
• (b) The conditions of service of the chair¬man or a member, though determined by the
governor, cannot be varied to his disadvantage after his appointment.
• (c) The entire expense including the salaries, allowances and pensions of the chairman and
members of a SPSC are charged on the consolidated fund of the state. Thus, they are not subject
to vote of the state legislature.
• (d) The chairman of a SPSC (on ceasing to hold office) is eligible for appointment as the
chairman or a member of the UPSC or as the chairman of any other SPSC, but not for any other
employment under the Government of India or a State
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• (e)A member of a SPSC (on ceasing to hold office) is eligible for appointment as the chairman or
a member of the UPSC, or as the chairman of that SPSC or any other SPSC, but. not for any
other employment under the Government of India or a state.
• (f) The chairman or a member of a SPSC is (after having completed his first term) not eligible for
reappointment to that office (that is, not eligible for second term).
Powers & Functions of SPSC (RPSC)
A State Public Service Commission performs all those functions in respect of the state services as the
UPSC does in relation to the Central services:
1. It conducts examinations for appointments to the services of the state.
2. It is consulted on the following matters related to personnel management.
3. All matters relating to methods of recruitment to civil services and for civil posts.
4. The principles to be followed in making appointments to civil services and posts and in making
promotions and transfers from one service to another.
5. The suitability of candidates for appointments to civil services and posts for promotions and
transfers from one service to another, and appointments by transfer or deputation. The
concerned departments make recommendations for promotions and request the SPSC to ratify
them.
The Supreme Court has held that if the government fails to consult the State Public Service
Commission in these matters, the aggrieved public servant has no remedy in a court.
Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC): Special Facts
At the time of formation of Rajasthan, Public Service Commissions existed in only three of the 22
covenanting states viz. Bikaner, Jaipur and Jodhpur. The successor state administration after the
merger of the princely states promulgated an ordinance establishing the Rajasthan Public Service
Commission at Ajmer. The ordinance provided for the abolition of the PSCs or other institution
performing duties in the nature of those of a PSC in the constituent states. It also provided inter-alia,
for the composition of the Commission, the staff and the functions of the Commission. It was published
in Raj. Gazette on 20th August, 1949 and RPSC was institutionalised.
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Initially the composition of the Commission was one Chairman and 2 Members. Sir S.K.Ghosh (also
the then Chief Justice of Rajasthan) was appointed Chairman. Subsequently Shri DeviShankar Tiwari
and Shri N.R.Chandorkar were appointed Members and Shri S.C. Tripathi (I.E.S), formerly a member
of the Federal PSC was appointed as Chairman.
In 1951, in order to regulate the working of the Commission, the Rajpramukh issued the following
Regulations under the provisions of the Constitution of India.
• The Rajasthan Public Service Commission (Conditions of Service) Regulation,1951
• The Rajasthan Public Service Commission (Limitation of Functions) Regulation,1951.
The working of Rajasthan Public Service Commission is also regulated by:
• Rajasthan Public Service Commission Rules & Regulation, 1963,
• Rules framed by the Rajasthan Public Service Commission for conduct of their Business
• The Rajasthan Public Service Commission (Regulations and validation of Procedure ordinance
1975 & Act 1976).
Chairman:
• First Chairman: Dr. S.K Ghosh
• Current Chairman: Dr. RADHEYSHYAM GARG
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Rajasthan Polity & Administration Advocate General of Rajasthan
Advocate General of Rajasthan
Advocate General is the Highest Law Officer and is part of state executive. It is a Constitutional post
and Article 165 in Constitution of India defines the procedure of appointment, removal and functions
of Advocate General of State. Currently, N.M Lodha is the advocate general of Rajasthan.
Appointment & Term:
• He is appointed by the Governor and enjoys the office during the pleasure of the Governor.
• The qualification to become an advocate general is the same as that of a Judge of a High Court.
In other words:
o Must be a citizen of India
o Must have held a judicial office for 10 years
o Been an advocate in high court for 10 years.
• The remuneration / retainer of the Advocate General is decided by the Governor.
Functions & Duties:
As chief law officer of state government. Advocate General has following duties:
• To give advice to the state Government on legal matters which are referred to him/ her by
Governor.
• To perform legal duties assigned by Governor.
• To discharge functions conferred on him/her by Constitution or any other law.
For performance of the duties, the Advocate General is entitled to appear before any court of law
within the state. Additionally, he has the right to speak and take part in meetings of State legislature
(Article 177). However, he is not entitled to vote in state assembly.
Advocate General of Rajasthan
The office of Advocate General of Rajasthan came into existence on the formation of the State of
Rajasthan as per the State Re-Organization Act 1956 when the High Court of Rajasthan was
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Rajasthan Polity & Administration Advocate General of Rajasthan
established. The AG's office presents all the cases in which the Govt. of Rajasthan is one of the parties,
in the High Court of Rajasthan at Principal Seat at Jodhpur and Bench at Jaipur.
Shri Shri G.C. Kasliwal was the first Advocate General of Rajasthan. Currently, N.M Lodha is the
advocate general of Rajasthan.
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Rajasthan Polity & Administration Inter-State Council
Inter-State Council
The NDA Government, in July 2016, constituted inter-state council after a gap of 10 years.
What is Inter-State Council?
Article 263 of the Constitution, contemplates to establishment of Inter-State Council to effect

coordination between states and between Union & States. The Council is a recommendatory body to
investigate and discuss subjects, in which some or all of the states or the union government have a
common interest and recommend ways for the better coordination of policy and action between states.
The inter-state council is not a permanent constitutional body and can be established ‘at any time’ if it
appears to the President that the public interests would be served by the establishment of such a
council. Further, he can define the nature of duties to be performed by council, its organization and
working procedure.
When was first Inter-state Council organized ?
The Sarkaria Commission on Centre-State relations recommended setting up of permanent Inter-State

Council under Article 263. Acting on the recommendation, V.P Singh Government established the
Inter-State Council through a Presidential Order dated 28 May 1990.
Composition of the Council:
The Council consists of:
• Prime Minister who is the chairman,
• Chief ministers of all states who are members,
• Chief ministers of union territories having legislative assemblies.
• Administrators of Union Territories
• Six union ministers of cabinet rank in the union council of ministers, including home minister,
nominated by the prime minister
In present council - Six Union Ministers included are:
• Home Minister Rajnath Singh,
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• Finance Minister Arun Jaitley,
• Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar (Then in 2016),
• External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj,
• Minister for Information and Broadcasting M Venkiah Naidu
• Road Transport Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari.
Meetings of Inter-State Council:
The inter-state council has met for ten times and in seven of those meetings, the council had discussed
recommendations of the Sarkaria commission. Out of a total of 247 recommendations, 180
recommendations were accepted by the council.
The tenth and last meeting of inter-state council was held in December 2006 which focussed on status
of implementation of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989.
What are zonal council meetings?
The Inter-State Council is assisted by Secretariat, which is headed by a Secretary to the Government of
India. Under the home ministry, the secretariat, also organizes the zonal council meetings on the same
lines as the inter-state council meeting and is chaired by the union home minister.
The five zones under it are east, central, north, west and south. In the run up to the national meet, a
meeting of North Eastern Council (NEC) is also held where chief ministers of all the north-east states
are invited.
The 11th Inter-State Council:
The present NDA government has recently, reconstituted the Inter State Council and the Standing
Committee, under Clause 2 of the Inter State Council order,1990.
The Standing Committee will be chaired by home minister, Rajnath Singh. Its members are Ms. Swaraj,
Mr. Jaitley, Mr. Naidu and Mr. Gadkari as well as the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Punjab,
Chattisgarh, Tripura, Odisha, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Additionally, if the the Standing
Committee finds it necessary, it may invite experts and persons eminent in specific fields to have the
benefit of their views while deliberation upon the related subjects.
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Functions of Standing Committee:
• Standing Committee would have continuous consultation and process matters for consideration
of the Council
• Process all matters pertaining to Centre State Relations before they are taken up for
consideration in the Inter-State Council;
• Monitor the implementation of decisions taken on the recommendations of the Council;
• Consider any other matter referred to it by the Chairman/Council.
The council and the committee have been formed to "create a strong institutional framework to
promote and support cooperative federalism in the country".
Points to Remember: Inter-State Council
• Constitutional body under article 263
• Based on recommendation of Sarkaria Commission
• Nature: Advisory/Recommendatory
• Not a permanent body
• Headed by PM
• Standing Committee/ Zonal meetings: Headed by Home Minister
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Rajasthan Polity & Administration Rajasthan State Human Rights Commission
Rajasthan State Human Rights Commission
The Protection of Human Rights Act of 1993 provides for the creation of not only National Human
Rights Commission but also a State Human Rights Commission at the state level. A State Human
Rights Commission can inquire into violation of human rights related to subjects covered under state
list (List II) and concurrent list (List III) in the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
The State Government of Rajasthan issued a Notification on January 18, 1999 for the constitution of the
State Commission in accordance with the provisions of The Protection of Human Rights Act,
1993. Commission became functional from 23 March 2000 with the appointment of Justice Kanta
Kumari Bhatnagar, as the first Chairperson along with Shri R. K. Akodia, Shri B. L. Joshi and Prof.
Alamshah Khan as the supporting members. Shri Prakash Tatia is the chairman of commission
presently.
Composition of State Human Rights Commission:
• The State Human Rights Commission is a multi-member body consisting of a chairperson and two
members.
• The chairperson should be a retired Chief Justice of a High Court.
• Other members should be:
o Serving or retired judge of a High Court or a District Judge in the state with a minimum
of seven years of experience as District Judge
o A person of knowledge or practical experience with respect to human rights.
• The chairperson and members are appointed by the Governor on the recommendations of a
committee consisting of:
o The chief minister as its head,
o The speaker of the Legislative Assembly,
o The state home minister and
o The leader of the opposition in the Legislative Assembly.
• In the case of a state having Legislative Council, the chairman of the Council and the leader of
the opposition in the Council would also be the members of the committee.
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• A sitting judge of a High Court or a sitting District Judge can be appointed only after
consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court of the concerned state.
Term:
• The chairperson and members hold office for a term of 5 years or until they attain the age of 70
years, whichever is earlier.
• After their tenure, the chairperson and members are not eligible for further employment under
a state government or the Central government.
Appointment and Removal:
• Although the chairperson and members of a State Human Rights Commission are appointed by
the governor, they can be removed only by the President (and not by the governor).
• The President can remove them on the same grounds and in the same manner as he can remove
the chairperson or a member of the National Human Rights Commission.
Powers & Functions:
The main mandate of the State Commission is to function as a watch dog for human rights in the State.
• Inquire suo motu or on a petition presented to it, by a victim, or any person on his be into
complaint of violation of human rights or negligence in the prevention of such violation by a
public servant.
• Intervene in any proceeding involving any allegation of violation of human rights before a
Court with the approval of such Court.
• Visit any jail or any other institution under the control of the State Government where persons
are detained to study the living conditions of the inmates and make recommendations thereon.
• Review the factors, including acts of terrorism that inhibit the enjoyment of human rights and
recommend appropriate remedial measures.
• Review the safeguards provided by or under the constitution of any law for the time being in
force for the protection of human rights and recommend measures for their effective
implementation.
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• Spread human rights literacy among various sections of society and promote awareness of the
safeguards available for the protection of these rights.
• Undertake and promote research in the field of human rights.
• Encourage the efforts of Non-Governmental organizations and institutions working in the field
of human rights.
• Undertake such other functions as it may consider necessary for the promotion of human rights.
Quasi-judicial Powers:
• The commission is vested with the power to regulate its own procedure.
• It has all the powers of a civil court and its proceedings have a judicial character.
• It may call for information or report from the state government or any other authority
subordinate thereto.
• It has the power to require any person subject to any privilege which may be claimed under any
law for the time being in force, to furnish information on points or matters useful for, or
relevant to the subject matter of inquiry. The commission can look into a matter within one year
of its occurrence.
• The Commission has an investigating agency of its own headed by a police officer not below the
rank of Inspector General.
However, the Commission can only make recommendations, without the power to enforce
decisions. The commission does not have power to punish the violators of human rights. It cannot even
award any relief including monetary relief to the victim. The recommendations of State Human Rights
Commission are not binding on the state government.
The Commission submits its annual reports to the state government. These reports are laid before the
state legislature, along with details of action taken on recommendations of commission and reasons for
non-acceptance of recommendations.
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Rajasthan Polity & Administration Rajasthan State Information Commission
Rajasthan State Information Commission
The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, which came into force on 12 October 2005, marked a higher
level of evolution of India’s democratic system. The Right to Information Act of 2005 provides for the
creation of not only the Central Information Commission but also a State Information Commission at
the state level. Accordingly, Rajasthan Information Commission (RIC) was constituted on April 18,
2006.
Composition of State Information Commission
• The Commission consists of a State Chief Information Commissioner and not more than ten
State Information Commissioners.
• They are appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of a committee consisting of:
o The Chief Minister as Chairperson,
o The Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly and
o A State Cabinet Minister nominated by the Chief Minister.
• They should be persons of eminence in public life with wide knowledge and experience in law,
science and technology, social service, management, journalism, mass media or administration
and governance.
• They should not be a Member of Parliament or Member of the Legislature of any State or Union
Territory.
• They should not hold any other office of profit or connected with any political party or carrying
on any business.
Tenure & Service Conditions:
• The State Chief Information Commissioner and State Information Commissioners hold office for
5 years or until they attain age of 65.
• They are not eligible for reappointment.
• Salary, allowances and other service conditions of the Chief Station IC are similar to Election
Commissioner and that of State IC's are similar to those of Chief Secretary of State Government.
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Powers & Functions:
The quasi judicial powers and functions of the State Information Commission are:
• It is the duty of the Commission to receive and inquire into a complaint from any person:
o Who has not been able to submit an information request because of non-appointment of
a Public Information Officer (PIO).
o Who has been refused requested information
o Who has not received response within specified time-limits.
o Who thinks fees charged are unreasonable.
o Who thinks information is incomplete, misleading of false.
o Any other matter relating to obtaining information.
• The Commission can order inquiry into any matter if there are reasonable grounds (suo-moto
power).
• While inquiring, the Commission has the powers of a civil court in respect of civil matters:
• During the inquiry of a complaint, the Commission may examine any record which is under the
control of the public authority and no such record may be withheld from it on any grounds. In
other words, all public records must be given to the Commission during inquiry for
examination.
• The Commission has the power to secure compliance of its decisions from the public authority.
• The Commission submits an annual report to the State Government on the implementation of
the provisions of this Act. The State Government places this report before the State Legislature.
Rajasthan State Information Commission:
Rajasthan Information Commission (RIC) was constituted on April 18, 2006. Shri M.D. Kaurani was the
first State Chief Information Commissioner. Shri T.Srinivasan was the second and after completion of
his tenure, Shri Suresh Chaudhary is currently incharge. Apart from CIC there are two other
Information Commissioners in Rajasthan. Sh. Chandra Mohan Meena & Shri Ashutosh Sharma are IC-
1 & IC 2 respectively.
RIC is the final appellate authority with regard to the matters mentioned in Right to Information Act,
2005. Its decisions are final and binding (subject to decision of writ in High Court against RIC's verdict).
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RIC has also been empowered to receive and inquire into a written complaint from a person, who has
been unable to extract information from any Public Information Officer (PIO) or any such PIO has
refused to entertain his or her application for obtaining information or appeal under this Act.
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Rajasthan Polity & Administration Lokayukta
Lokayukta
The ‘Lokpal’ is the central governing body that has jurisdiction over all members of parliament and
central government employees in case of corruption. Whereas, the ‘Lokayukta’ is similar to the Lokpal,
but functions on a state level. Lokayukta is an independent institution whose jurisdiction is the entire
state of Rajasthan. Presently, Justice S. S.S. Kothari is the post of Lokayukta of the state of Rajasthan.
The Lokayukta (sometimes referred to the institution itself) investigates allegations of corruption and
mal-administration against public servants and is tasked with speedy redressal of public grievances.
History of Lokayukta in Rajasthan
In 1966, the First Administrative Reforms Commission (1st ARC) headed by Morarji Desai submitted a
special interim report on "Problems of Redressal of Citizen's Grievances". The ARC recommended the
setting up of two special authorities designated as 'Lokpal' and 'Lokayukta' for the redressal of citizens'
grievances. The institution were to be based on pattern of Scandinavian Ombudsman.
Initially, the Public Prosecuting Department was present for the public prosecution in Rajasthan,
however, there was no provision of any institution by which the complaints of misuse of the post,
corruption and inaction of the posts against ministers, secretaries and public servants could be
investigated and explored.
Hence, in 1973, Rajasthan Lokayukta and the Up-Lokayukta's Ordinance was passed, which came into
force on February 3, 1973. On March 26, 1973 it received the acceptance of Governor, and since then it
is as effective in the state in the form of this Act. Then, Justice I.D. Dua became the first Lokayuktaa of
Rajasthan.
The Lokpal and Lokayuktaa Act, 2013 (Act No. 1 of 2014) for the establishment of Lokpal and state
level Lokayuktaa institutions came into force on January 16, 2014. On 28.2.2014, a high level committee
was also constituted by state government under the chairmanship of Advocate General Shri Narpat
Mal Lodha, for widening the circumference of this law.
Appointment
• The Governor shall shall appoint Lokayukta and Up-Lokayuktas by warrant under his hand
and seal after after consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court and the Leader of the
Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, or if there be no such Leader, a person elected in this
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behalf by the Members of the Opposition in that House in such manner as the Speaker may
direct;
• The Sub-Lokayuktas shall be appointed after consultation with the Lokayukta.
Qualification:
• Post of Lokayukta shall only be held by a person appointed by the Governor being a person
who is or has been a Judge of the Supreme Court or a Chief Justice of a High Court;
• In respect of an Up-Lokayukta shall be held by a person appointed by the Governor being a

person who is or has been a Judge of the Supreme Court or who is or has been a Judge of High
Court.
Term:
• 5 Years
Allowances:
• The salary, allowances and pension, payable to and conditions of service of the Lokayukta or
sub-Lokayuktas shall respectively be the same as those of the Chief Justice or a Judge of the
High Court of Rajasthan
Removal:
• Subject to the provisions of Article 311 of the Constitution, the Lokayukta or an sub-Lokayuktas
may be removed from his office by the Governor on the ground of mis-behavior or incapacity,
and on no other ground.
Posts & Persons out of scope of Lokayukta:
• Chief Judge of the High Court or Judge or member of the judicial service as defined in clause (b)
of Article 236 of the Constitution,
• Chief Minister, Rajasthan
• Chairman or member of the Rajasthan Public Service Commission,
• Any court official or employee in India,
• Accountant General, Rajasthan,
• Officials and employees of Rajasthan Assembly Secretariat,
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• Chief Election Commissioner, Election Commissioner, Regional Commissioner and Chief

Electoral Officer, Rajasthan,
• Retired public servants
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Rajasthan Polity & Administration Rajasthan State Commission for Women
Rajasthan State Commission for Women
RSCW: Background
An international treaty, CEDAW (Convention on Elimination of Discrimination against Women) to

ensure women’s empowerment was signed in 1979. India signed this treaty with some amendments on
9 July, 1993 and in consonance to International efforts for women's empowerment, National Policy for
Women was declared in 1996. Subsequently, National Commission for Women and State Commissions
for Women were constituted.
On 23th April 1999, the state government introduced Rajasthan State Commission for Women Act
(1999) in Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha, the act was passed Rajasthan State Commission for Women was
constituted as statutory body on 15th May 1999. Current Chairperson of RSCW is Smt. Suman Sharma.
RSCW: Aim & Objectives:
• Redress the grievances of the suffering women across the State of Rajasthan
• Safeguard the interests of women across the State
• Advise the Government of Rajasthan on all Policy matters affecting women
• Review prevailing laws concerning women and to request the government to make
amendments for women to get justice.
• Recommend remedial legislative measures.
RSCW: Functions of the Commission
Section 11 of the Rajasthan State Women Commission Act, 1999, elaborates the functions of the
Commission, but in short, these are as follows:
• To investigate and analyze all unjustified acts committed against women and to request the
government to take action.
• To take steps to make the existing laws more effective and ensure their implementation.
• To review existing laws and recommend amendments.
• To prevent any discrimination against women in state public services and state public
enterprises.
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• To take steps to alleviate the condition of women by suggesting practical welfare schemes,
appealing to the government to provide equal opportunities
• Appealing to the government to take strict action against any public servant found by the
commission to be working against the interests of women.
• To submit Annual/ Special Reports to Government with its recommendation.
RSCW: Initiatives:
Recent Initiative: Mahila Panchayat
Rajasthan State Commission for Women (RSCW) will now organize mahila panchayats.
• The mahila panchayat will consist of mahila sarpanch and five members.
• It will be held every month and will hear cases related to atrocities against women.
• It will also conduct counseling and spread awareness on crime against women.
• The mahila panchayat will send its report to RSCW monthly.
• The panchayat will be organized on every Monday and will include individual hearing and
public hearing.
Mahila Manch
• RSCW has also constituted mahila manch in 19 districts.
• RSCW has also introduced a mobile App to get immediate police help in emergency situation.
24 Hour Helpline:
• A 24 x 7 toll free Helpline Number 1091 is operational at the commission for the speedy redressal
of grievances of women complainants.
• There are 4 Counsellors from the field of sociology and law, who receive complaints on
telephone as well as personally.
Mahila Salah and Suraksha Kendra (MSSK):
• 39 MSSK centers are run across the Rajasthan state by Non-Governmental Organizations
(NGOs) to address the grievances of women victims.
Zila Mahila Sahayata Samiti:
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• These Samitis are in operation in all 33 districts of the state since 1997.
• The Samiti is chaired by the Zila Pramukh and the District Collector serves as its Vice-
Chairperson.
Mahila Desk:
• These desks are set up in all police stations of Rajasthan. Any woman can approach the desk for
the redressal of grievances.
Gender Cell:
• Gender Cell of the Commission organizes seminars/Workshops and awareness campaigns

across the State.
• Commission targets youth audience in schools and Colleges for gender sensitization.
Complaint Cell:
• The SWC takes action on complaints submitted to commission in written form by women.
• Factual reports from concerned authority from local bodies are taken and according to the
situation of cases, directives are sent to the law enforcement machinery or administrative
authority to provide relief and justice to the women.
Public Hearing Cell:
• The commission organizes public hearing programs in all 33 districts of Rajasthan state on
regular intervals for the benefit of women who are unable to reach it due to some reasons.
Mahila Desk:
• These desks are set up in all police stations of Rajasthan. Any woman can approach the desk for
the redressal of grievances.
Special Courts:
• Earlier there were only two courts to hear the cases of atrocities against women in Jaipur &
Kota. But from the financial year 2012-13, the Government has established five more such
special courts in all the Divisional Headquarters.
• Besides this, seven courts have been established to hear cases related to PC&PNDT Act.
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Rajasthan Polity & Administration Chief Minister's Advisory Council
Chief Minister's Advisory Council
In 2014, Rajasthan government constituted an executive committee of the Chief Minister's Advisory
Council (CMAC). The Council also has sub-groups with the participation of senior IAS officers heading
different departments.
Aim of Chief Minister's Advisory Council
The primary aim of Chief Minister's Advisory Council is to suggest measures for sustainable, balanced
and overall development of the state. Additionally, The Chief Minister's Advisory Council will advise
the State Government in the following areas:-
• a) Sustainable, balanced and rapid economic growth and development of, amongst others,
specially the following sectors:
o Roads
o Power
o Water Resources
o Education
o Health
o Livelihood & Employment
o Women Empowerment
o Tourism
• b) Creation of social and economic infrastructure including urban infrastructure.
• c) Means of increasing public-private partnership specially in delivery of Social Services and
• d) Systems of review and effective implementation of schemes and programmes, to judge actual
outcomes more substantially than just statistics.
• e) Any other subject assigned by the Chairperson/State Government
The Chairperson may constitute Working Group (s)/Sub Groups as may be considered necessary and
may also co-opt members for specific inputs. Meetings of the CMAC will be convened as often as
required. The Planning Department will serve as Secretariat of the Chief Minister's Advisory Council.
Composition of CMAC
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Rajasthan Polity & Administration Chief Minister's Advisory Council
• Chief Minister is the Head (Chairman) of CMAC.
• C.S. Rajan - Full-time Deputy Chairman
• Secretary Planning - Member Secretary
• Members
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Rajasthan Polity & Administration Rajasthan Police
Rajasthan Police
Rajasthan Police is the law enforcement agency for the state of Rajasthan, organisationally it comes
under the state ministry of home affairs. Rajasthan Police has its headquarters in Jaipur. The motto of
the police force is सेवार्थ कटिबद्धता, which means "Committed to Serve".
Currently, use of the latest technology in crime management, controlling hardcore criminals and
serious crimes, effective implementation of community police, multi-dimensional eradication of crimes
against women, children and weaker sections, curbing road accidents, crime prevention are the various
priorities of the Rajasthan Police.
History of Rajasthan Police Department
After Independence, the process of consolidation of princely states into one single Rajasthan State
started. With the merger of these princely states, their police forces were amalgamated into a single
police force, which was known as Rajasthan Police. In the initial years after its inception, the Rajasthan
Police was headed by officers on deputation and the first Inspector General of Police was Shri
R.Banerji, who took over on 7th April, 1949.
Shri Banerji started the necessary preliminaries of integration of the various police forces and
promulgated a common police code for the United State of Rajasthan in the Rajasthan Police
Regulations (RPR) in 1948. RPR 1948 bought structural uniformity, functional harmony and
organisational coherence in the Rajasthan Police.
Soon after creation of functional aspects, efforts started for creation of Cadre. Consequently, cadre of
Rajasthan Police Service (RPS) was created in January 1951 and eligible officers from all over the State
were appointed. Later in September 1951, through the provision of "Indian Police Service Extension to
the States", doors were opened for RPS officers to be inducted to Indian Police Services.
Organisation of Rajasthan Police
Rajasthan is divided into 2 police commissionerate, 7 police range. The ranges are further divided into
40 districts (including 3 rural districts, 2 city districts in Jaipur City and 2 railway police districts). The
40 police districts are then divided into 171 circles, 709 police stations and 788 out-posts.
• Rajasthan State ---> 2 Comm. + 7 Ranges ---> 40 Police Districts --- > 171 Circles ----> Police
Stations & Out-posts.
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Commissionerate
• Jaipur:
• Jodhpur:
Ranges:
• Jaipur Range: 5 Police Districts: Jaipur Rural, Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Dausa & Alwar
• Ajmer Range: 4 Police Districts: Ajmer, Nagaur, Bhilwara, Tonk
• Jodhpur Range: 6 Police Districts: Jodhpur Rural, Pali, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Jalore, Sirohi
• Kota Range: 5 Police Districts: Kota City, Kota Rural, Jhalawar, Baran, Bundi.
• Udaipur Range: 6 Police Districts: Udaipur, Banswara, Dungarpur, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand,

Pratapgarh
• Bikaner Range: 4 Police Districts: Bikaner, Churu, Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh
• Bharatpur Range: 4 Police Districts: Bharatpur, Sawai Madhopur, Karauli, Dholpur
In addition to above:
• 1 Government Railway Police (GRP) Range: 2 Railway Police Districts: Ajmer & Jodhpur
• 2 City Jaipur City
Hierarchy of Rajasthan Police:
1. State Level: Director General of Police (DGP) - 3 Star Rank - Ajit Singh (2017)
2. Commissionerate & Ranges: Inspector General of Police (IGP) - 2 Star Rank - IPS
3. Police District: District Superintendent of Police (SP) & DSP
4. Police Circle: Circle Inspector (CI)
5. Police Station: Station House Officer (SHO) Rank Inspector, Sub-Inspector (SI) & Assistant Sub-
Inspector (ASI)
6. Out-Posts: Head Constable & Constables
Division of Rajasthan Police Department
While, Rajasthan Police has only 7 Ranges & 2 Commissionerates, number of IPS & RPS officers close to
215 & 872 respectively. How is this possible. It is, because the Rajasthan Police Department has various
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wings in addition to law-enforcement that is police works. Hence, lets have a look at various Wings of
Rajasthan Police Department:
There are 12 organisational wings consisting of
• Administration, Law & Order
• Government Railway Policing (GRP)
• Crime Branch
• Planning, Modernisation and Welfare
• Rajasthan Armed Constabulary
• Establishment Branch (Personnel)
• Forensic Science laboratory
• Wireless & Tele-communications
• Traffic Police
• State Special Branch
• Vigilance Branch
• Police Training
* Check required as different sources, different results
Strength:
Besides, 215 IPS officers & 872 RPS officers, Police force of Rajasthan consists of:
• Police Subordinated Staff
o Inspector: 1256
o Sub Inspector: 4415
o Assistant Sub Inspector: 5959
o Head Constable: 13446
o Constable: 78162
• Other Gazetted Officers
• Ministerial Staff
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• Other Staff
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Rajasthan Polity & Administration Mewar Bhil Corps
Mewar Bhil Corps
Mewar Bhil Corp (MBC) – special division of Rajasthan Police marked its 176th foundation day this
year. The Mewar Bhil Corp has a long, valiant and successful history of service and patriotism. In 1837,
Col. James Outram, the Political Agent of Mahikanta, proposed the establishment of a Bhil corps under
the command of a British officer. As a result, Mewar Bhil Corps was established on 1 January 1841.
Why Mewar Bhil Corps was created:
In the second half of the 18th century, the hilly region of South-Rajasthan comprising of Mewar,
Dungarpur, Banswara, and Pratapgarh, was in a state of perpetual disorder. Weak administration and
indisciplined armies could not control the criminal activities of the Bhils of this hilly region. The
number of murders and robberies increased to an alarming extent.
Idea behind Mewar Bhil Corps:
The British Political Agents proposed the setting up of a special force that
could tackle this problem. Initially, the force deployed consisted of army
officers drawn from the native infantry but that too proved ineffective. Then, in
1837, Col. James Outram, the Political Agent of Mahikanta, proposed the
establishment of a Bhil corps under the command of a British officer. The idea
was to recruit local people for helping in the maintenance of order among their
own people.
Mewar Bhil Corps:
In January 1841 Maharana Sardar Singhji established the Mewar Bheel Corps with head quarters at
Kherwada about 100 km's south of Udaipur under the command of Capt William Hunter and the entire
hilly tracts of Mewar were put under the supervision of the Commandant of the Corps.
Initially the Mewar Bhil Corps was funded by the rulers of Mewar, Pratapgarh, Dungarpur and
Banswara, but before long, the finance and administration was taken over totally by the British Indian
Army. Other than Bhils, efforts were made to enlist the Garasias and Gametis into MBC. This had a
beneficial effect on the law and order situation in the southern region and there was a fair state of
discipline.
By 1938, the law and order situation was under control in the Tribal, Adivasi, areas and it was felt that
there was no need for this special force, Meywar Bheel Corps was disbanded.
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Rajasthan Polity & Administration Mewar Bhil Corps
Mewar Bhil Corps: Post Independence
On 5th May, 1949 after India's independence this Corps was under Indian Army regulation and came
under the Raj Pramukh Maharaja Sawai Man Singhji of Jaipur who was also designated as commander-
in-chief of the newly formed state of Rajasthan.
After Independence, the MBC force of 1000 officers and men was transferred to Rajasthan Police and
later absorbed in Rajasthan Armed Constabulary. They were allowed to discharge the same duties and
functions, which they did prior to the separation. Uniform pay scales introduced by the government
were also made applicable to them subsequently, bringing them on par with other members of the
Rajasthan Police. The sole Battalion of M.B.C. are deployed in Udaipur Range.
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Rajasthan Polity & Administration Seventh Schedule
Seventh Schedule
The Seventh Schedule in Constitution of India gives allocation of powers and functions between Union
& States. It contains 3 lists
• Union List (For Union Govt) 97 Subjects.
• States List (Powers of State Govt) 66 subjects – Currently 61
• Concurrent List (Both Union & States) 47 subjects.
There are the following three lists:
1. Union list : only the union can make laws on the subjects contained in these lists. It includes all
the subjects of central importance like defence.
2. State list: only the state is empowered to make laws on such subjects barring few exceptional
situations. Subjects like land feature in this list.
3. Concurrent list: Both the state and the centre can make laws on the subjects mentioned in this
list.
As with the Canadian federal government, Residual powers (items that are not mentioned in any of the
list) remain with the Union Government.
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Local Government in Rajasthan

Important Constitutional, Statutory & Executive bodies

Important Bodies ..................................................................................................................................... 69

Rajasthan Police ....................................................................................................................................... 95

• State Executive includes:

o Advocate General of State.

• Governor: Dual Role

o Nominal Executive head (Constitutional Head)

o Agent of the Central Government

• 7 Constitutional Amendment 1956(CA): Allowed appointment of same person as governor for

two or more states.

Appointment of the Governor:

• Appointed by President by warrant under his hand and seal.

• No election. Why? Various reasons:

o Allows Center to maintain control over state.

o Allows for neutrality & impartial head.

• No governor election: Canadian Model, followed by India.

• Conditions required for appointment:

o 35+ years age.

o Remember: No other condition

• Conventions (Not rule, but generally followed)

o Does not belong to state ( Example: Kalyan Singh in Rajasthan)

o President consults Chief Minister before appointment.

• Conditions for Governor’s office: in Constitution (6 Only)

§ Should not be member of Parliament/Legislative assembly. If he/she is member

§ Should not hold any office of profit.

§ Entitled to use of Raj Bhawan as official residence.( free)

§ Emoluments: decided by Parliament

§ Emoluments (Salary etc) cannot be reduced post appointment.

o Anytime, based on pleasure of President. (Non-Justiciable)

o But President na kare toh, 5 years from date of entering to office.

Powers & Functions of Governor:

Executive Powers & Functions:

1. All executive actions of a state are taken under his name.

3. Appoints CM & Other Ministers.

5. Appoints state election commissioner

6. Appoints chairman & members of RPSC.

7. Acts as Chancellor of Universities in state & appoints Vice-Chancellor (VC) of universities.

10. Can recommend imposition of emergency.

Legislative Powers & Functions:

• Summon or prorogue state legislature and dissolve the state assembly.

• Can send messages to State legislature.

• Can nominate one member to state legislature from Anglo-Indian Community.

• Decides on question of disqualification of members of state legislature in consultation with

• He can promulgate ordinances when state legislature is not in session.

• Can reserve bill for consideration of President.

Financial Powers & Functions:

• A money bill cannot be introduced without the recommendation of the Governor.

• Can make advances out of Contingency fund of State,

• Constitutes State Finance Commission every five years.

Judicial Powers & Functions:

o The Governor has no power in relation to Court Martial.

• Consulted by President while appointing Judges of State High Court.

S.No Governor's Name Took office Left office

1 Maharaj Man Singh II (Rajpramukh) 30-Mar-49 31-Oct-56

2 Gurumukh Nihal Singh 01-Nov-56 16-Apr-62

3 Sampurnanand 16-Apr-62 16-Apr-67

4 Sardar Hukam Singh 16-Apr-67 01-Jul-72