Q. Which of the following elements were introduced for the first time in British India by the Government of India Act, 1919?
1. Dyarchy at provinces
2. Bicameralism
3. Communal representation in legislature
4. Association of Indians with the Viceroy’s executive council
5. Allowing Provincial Councils to determine on women’s voting rights
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Exp) Option c is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is correct. Government of India Act, 1919 relaxed the central control over the provinces by demarcating and separating the central and provincial subjects. It introduced the dual system of governance known as dyarchy for the provinces of British India.
Statement 2 is correct. The Government of India Act of 1919 introduced, for the first time, bicameralism and direct elections in the country. Thus, the Indian legislative council was replaced by a bicameral legislature consisting of an Upper House and a Lower House.
Statement 3 is incorrect. Indian Councils Act of 1909 (and not Government of India Act, 1919) introduced a system of communal representation for Muslims by accepting the concept of ‘separate electorate’. The Government of India Act of 1919 extended this principle of communal representation by providing separate electorates for Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians and Europeans.
Statement 4 is incorrect. Indian Councils Act of 1909 (and not Government of India Act, 1919) provided (for the first time) for the association of Indians with the executive councils of the Viceroy and Governors.
Statement 5 is correct. Government of India Act 1919 allowed Provincial Councils to determine if women could vote, provided they met stringent property, income, or educational levels.
