Question

Which of the following statements about the Morley-Minto reforms is/are true?

1. 1. Provincial legislative councils came to have non-official majority
2. 2. The discussion on budget including supplementary questions was allowed for the first time
3. 3. Muslims were given separate electorate.

• A. ii only
• B. All of these
• C. i, iii
• D. None of these

Answer 1

Answer:

B. All of these

The Indian Councils Act 1909 is also known as Morley-Minto Reforms (Named after the Secretary of State for India John Morley and the Viceroy of India, Lord Minto).

• Important provisions of the Act were:

1. The act enlarged the size of the legislative council both at Central and Provincial level. The number of members in the Central Legislative Council was raised from 16 to 60. The number in the Provincial legislative councils was not uniform.

2. It increased the functions of the legislative councils at both the levels. It empowered the members to discuss the budget and move resolutions before it was approved finally. Members were also given rights to ask supplementary questions and move resolutions.

3. This act for the first time allowed the association of Indians with the executive council of the Viceroy. Satyendra Prasad Sinha became the first Indian to join the Viceroy's executive council as the Law Member.

4. It introduced a system of 'separate electorate' for Muslim community. Under this, the Muslim members were to be elected only by Muslim voters.

• Thus, the Act led to the legalization of communalism and Lord Minto came to be known as the Father of Communal Electorate.