AEnforcing state laws in courts
BProviding legal advice to the state government
CRepresenting the state in international legal disputes
DDrafting legislation for the state legislature
Answer:
B. Providing legal advice to the state government
Read Explanation:
The Advocate General of a State in India
The Advocate General (AG) is the highest law officer in a State, akin to the Attorney General of India at the Union level.
Constitutional Basis: Article 165 of the Constitution of India deals with the appointment and qualifications of the Advocate General.
Appointment: The Advocate General is appointed by the Governor of the respective State.
Qualifications: A person to be appointed as Advocate General must be a citizen of India, must have held a judicial office in India for not less than ten years, or must have been an advocate for not less than ten years in any High Court or in two or more such courts.
Primary Role: The primary role of the Advocate General is to provide legal advice to the State Government. This includes advising the government on legal matters arising out of the administration of the State.
Other Duties: The AG represents the State Government in all legal proceedings in the Supreme Court and the High Courts. They also perform other duties of a legal character that may be referred or assigned to them by the Governor.
Remuneration: The remuneration of the Advocate General is determined by the Governor.
Tenure: The Advocate General holds office during the pleasure of the Governor. There is no fixed term for their office.
Distinction from Attorney General: While the AG of a State advises the State Government, the Attorney General of India advises the Central Government. Both are the chief legal advisors in their respective domains.
Competitiveness Exam Relevance: Questions often test the constitutional article, appointing authority, qualifications, and the primary function of the Advocate General. Understanding the distinction between the Advocate General and the Attorney General is crucial.