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The Legislative Assembly consists of not more than 500 members and nor less than 60

members. In every state, the MLAs meet in the legislative assembly and discuss issues in
the presence of all the members from ruling as well as the opposition party. The ministers
make proposals for policies or laws on which people first debate in the legislature and if
passed by the majority it comes into effect.

thE statE FunctionariEs
India has a democratic setup and every state has a government which functions for the
welfare of the people. The state government is headed by the Governor. The real authority
is with the council of ministers headed by the head of majority party, the Chief Minister.

thE statE ExEcutivE
The State Executive consists of the Governor, the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers

of state.
The sTaTe execuTive

Governor Chief Minister
(official head of the (real head of the state and
state) council of ministers)
The Governor

The Governor is the constitutional or nominal head of the State Executive. All executive
powers in the state are exercised in the name of the Governor. But, the real functionary
is the Chief Minister along with the Council of Ministers. The Governor is appointed by the

President on the advice of the Prime Minister. He/She holds office generally for a period of
5 years, but he/she can be removed by the President of India earlier also.
aPPointmEnt tErm oF oFFicE anD qualiFications

The Governor is appointed by the President and holds office during the pleasure of the
President. The Governor is appointed for a term of five years. However, he can relinquish
his office earlier by tendering his resignation to the President. The President can also
remove him from office before the expiry of his term.

To be eligible for appointment, a person as governor:
1. Must be a citizen of India.
2. Must have completed 35 years of age.
3. Should not be a member of either house of Parliament or the state legislature.
4. Must possess the qualifications prescribed for membership of the state legislatures.
5. Must not hold any office of profit.

power anD funcTions of The Governor

Like the President of India, the Governor of a state acts as a constitutional head of the
state. But he acts in two capacities as the normal constitutional head of the state and as
an agent of the central government in the state.

Social Studies-7 105