Private Member Bill Proposes Removal of Governors by Assemblies

Context: A private member bill was presented recently in Rajya Sabha which demanded a system to fix the accountability of Governors.

Removal of Governors: Private Bill Seeks Removal Power for Assemblies over Governors

• Power to Recall: The bill seeks to provide state assemblies the authority to recall governors.
• Election via Electoral College: It seeks amendments to the Constitution so that the Governor shall be elected by the members of an electoral college.
  • The electoral college should consist of Legislative Assemblies of the States and elected members of the Gram Panchayats, Municipalities, and Corporations of the States. 
• Method of Election: The election shall be held in accordance with the system of proportional representation and secret ballot.
• Security of Tenure: It proposed to set a five-year term for the governor’s office starting on the day the position is assumed, and the governor may resign by sending a letter to the speaker of the state assemblies. 
• Removal From office: The Governor may be removed from his office by a resolution of the Legislative Assembly of the State passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of the Assembly present and voting.

What is a Private Member Bill?

• About: It is a legislative proposal introduced by a member of the House who is not a minister.
  • The Private Bills introduced by the ministers are called Government Bills.
• Allocation of time in Lok Sabha: The House allots the last two-and-a-half hours of business every Friday for transactions of private members’ business, which includes Private Members’ Bills and Private Members’ Resolutions. 
• Allocation of time in Rajya Sabha: Two-and-a-half hours every alternate Friday during a Session is generally allotted.

News Source: The Hindu