Previous Year Question

Jawaharlal Nehru criticised the Government of India Act, 1935, describing it as “a car with brakes but no engine.” The statement implied that the Act contained numerous provisions for controlling the administration but did not provide Indians with genuine political authority or fully responsible government.

The Government of India Act, 1935 proposed the establishment of an All-India Federation and introduced Provincial Autonomy by abolishing Dyarchy in the provinces. It provided for the distribution of legislative powers through Federal, Provincial, and Concurrent Lists. Dyarchy was proposed at the Centre.

Under the Act, the Governor-General and provincial Governors possessed special discretionary powers. Important subjects such as defence and external affairs remained under the control of the Governor-General. Governors could exercise their special powers to intervene in ministerial decisions. These restrictions and the absence of genuine self-government formed the central basis of Nehru's criticism.

The provincial autonomy provisions came into operation on 1 April 1937, but the proposed All-India Federation never materialised because the princely states did not join it. The Indian National Congress opposed the Act but nevertheless participated in the provincial elections of 1937. The Act played an important role in constitutional development but did not grant India independence or a fully responsible central government.