Indian Council Act of 1909 - Minto Morley Reforms - Audio Lecture

Indian Council Act of 1909 also famously known as Minto Morey reforms is known for the introduction of Communal Electorate in India. This Act legalized Communal-ism in India by introducing in India the system of Communal Electorate. In this system of separate Communal Electorate, the Muslim Members would be elected only by the Muslim voters. At the time of enactment of this Act, Lord Minto was the Viceroy of India and Lord Morley was the Secretary of State.

Below are the important provisions that were enacted through the Minto Morley reforms -

1. The strength of both the Central Legislative Council and Provincial Legislative Council was considerably increased. The number of members were increased from 16 to 60 in the Central Legislative Council whereas in the Provincial Legislative Council the strength of the members was not constant. The strength of the non official members in provincial legislative councils was allowed to exceed the strength of the official members however in the Central Legislative Councils official members majority was maintained.

2. Members of Councils at both levels were allowed to discuss and move resolutions to the budget and ask supplementary questions to the members of the Executive Council of the Viceroy.

3. Below members were given separate representation -

Universities
Chambers of Commerce
Zamindars
Presidency Corporations

4. As already discussed above separate electorate for Muslim voters was introduced through these reforms. After this Act Lord Minto famously came to be called as FATHER OF COMMUNAL ELECTORATE.

5. For the first time Indians were given the chance to be a member of the Executive Council of the Viceroy and the Governor. The very first Indian to join the Executive Council of the Viceroy of India was Satyendra Prasad Sinha who was appointed as a Law Member of the Executive Council of the Viceroy.