Previous Year Question

Article 175 of the Constitution of India deals with the Governor's right to address and send messages to the House or Houses of the State Legislature. The official text of the Constitution itself gives Article 175 the heading “Right of Governor to address and send messages to the House or Houses.”

Under Article 175(1), the Governor may address the Legislative Assembly and, in a State having a Legislative Council, may address either House of the Legislature or both Houses assembled together. For this purpose, the Governor may also require the attendance of members.

Article 175(2) empowers the Governor to send messages to the House or Houses of the State Legislature. Such a message may relate to a Bill pending before the Legislature or to any other matter. The House to which the message is sent is required to consider the matter specified in it with all convenient dispatch.

Important fact: The distinction between Article 175 and Article 176 should be remembered. Article 175 deals with the Governor's general right to address the House and send messages, whereas Article 176 deals with the Special Address of the Governor, delivered at the commencement of the first session after each general election to the Legislative Assembly and at the commencement of the first session of each year.

Remember:
Article 174 = Sessions, prorogation and dissolution of the State Legislature
Article 175 = Governor's right to address and send messages
Article 176 = Special Address by the Governor