Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1921.djvu/170

 118 THE BRITISH EMPIRE: — INDIA AND DEPENDENCIES

Coorg : Chief Commissioner, The Honourable Mr. W. P. Barton, G S. I. , CLE. (1920); salary, Es. 48,000 per year. Area, 1,580 square miles ; population (1911), 175,000, mainly Hindus.

Baluchistan : Agent to the Governor- General and Chief Commissioner. The Honourable lit. -Col. A. B. Dew, C.S.I., CLE. (1919); salary, Rs 48,000 per year. Area, over 54,000 square miles ; population (1911), over 400,000, mainly Mahomadans.

Delhi: Chief Commissioner, C A. Barron, C.S.I., CLE. (1919); salary, Rs. 36,000 per year. The province was constituted from October 1, 1912, and consists of a small enclave in the Punjab. Area, 557 square miles ; population (1911), about 390,000.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands : Chief Commissioner, Lt.-Col. H. C Beacion, CLE., LA. (1920) ; salarv, Rs. 36,000 per year. Area, 3,140 square miles; population (1911), 26,000.

High Commissioner in England. — Sir Win. Meyer, G.CI.E., K. C.S.I, (appointed October, 1920), 42, Grosvenor Gardens, London.

Provincial Government. — The Government of India Act, 1919, which came into operation in December, 1920,and January, 1921, effects important constitu- tional changes, more particularly in the government of the Provinces. The various functions of government are classified as Central and Provincial subjects, the latter being practically definitely committed to the Provincial Governments, while for purposes of convenience, certain Central subjects, such as the collection of income tax, may be dealt with by the Provincial Governments as the agents of the Central Govern- ment. The Governor-General in Council retains unimpaired powers of control over the Provincial Governments in their administration of ' reserved ' sub- jects, but in ' transferred ' subjects will only be competent to intervene where it is necessary to safeguard Central subjects or to decide questions where two or more Provinces are concerned, or to safeguard the due exercise and performance of any powers and duties possessed by or imposed on the Governor General in Council in regard to the Hiyh Commissioner, to the raising of loans by local Governments, or under rules made by the Secretary of State in Council. The list of subjects transferred to Indian Ministers, with certain reservations, include local self government, medical administra- tion, public health and sanitation, education, public works, agriculture, fisheries, co-operative societies, excise, registration, development of industries, adulteration, weights and measures, and religious and charitable endowments Certain sources of revenue are definitely allocated to the Provinces, whi<h are required to contribute to the Central Govrnment certain annual sums which are to be the first charge on their revenues.

The new Provincial Governments are based upon a scheme of diarchy, or dualised form of government, and consist of the Governor in Council and the Governor acting with Ministers. The Ministers, who are elected members of the Legislative Council, have charge of certain Departments of Government known as ' transferred subjects,' while others, the ' reserved subje' ts,' are administered by the Governor-in-Council. Thus each side has its share in the conduct of the Government, with responsibility for its own work, while co-ordination is achioved by the influence of the Governor, who is associated with both sections.

The Governor's Executive Council consists of not more than four members, one qualified by twelve years' public service in India. The Legislative Council contains not more than twenty per cent, of official members and