How successful was India act of 1919

Government of India Act, 1919 – Other Salient Features

This act provided for the first time, the establishment of a public service commission in India.

The act also provided that after 10 years, a statutory commission would be set up to study the working of the government. This resulted in the Simon Commission of 1927.

It also created an office of the High Commissioner for India in London.

Merits of the Government of India Act 1919

Dyarchy introduced the concept of responsible government.

It introduced the concept of federal structure with a unitary bias.

There was the increased participation of Indians in the administration. They held some portfolios like labour, health, etc.

For the first time, elections were known to the people and it created political consciousness among the people.

Some Indian women also had the right to vote for the first time.

Limitations of the Government of India Act 1919

This act extended consolidated and communal representation.

The franchise was very limited. It did not extend to the common man.

The governor-general and the governors had a lot of power to undermine the legislatures at the centre and the provinces respectively.

Allocation of the seats for the central legislature was not based on population but the ‘importance’ of the province in the eyes of the British.

The Rowlatt Acts were passed in 1919 which severely restricted press and movement. Despite the unanimous opposition of Indian members of the legislative council, those bills were passed. Several Indian members resigned in protest.

c) they were beaten and fired from their jobs.

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