Consider the following statements regarding the Governor of Haryana: (i) He is…
2022
Consider the following statements regarding the Governor of Haryana: (i) He is the Chancellor of Central University of Haryana. (ii) He can hold any office of profit in the State. (iii) He is the President of Indian Red Cross Society, Haryana State Branch. (iv) He does not have any discretionary power granted under the Constitution. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct ?
- A.
(i), (ii), (iii) and (iv)
- B.
(ii), (iii) and (iv)
- C.
Only (iii)
- D.
Both (ii) and (iii)
Attempted by 5 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Concept
Under the Constitution, the Governor is the constitutional head of a State (Articles 153-167). The Governor has constitutionally recognised discretionary functions (Article 163), is barred from holding any other office of profit (Article 158), and holds certain offices ex officio only where a statute or rule actually assigns them. To judge such statements, test each against the specific constitutional article or the relevant statute/rule, not against general impression.
Applying it to each statement
(i) Chancellor of Central University of Haryana - Central University of Haryana is a CENTRAL university governed by the Central Universities Act, 2009; its Visitor is the President of India and its Chancellor is appointed under that Act, so the State Governor is not its Chancellor. The State Governor is Chancellor of STATE universities, not of a central university. Incorrect.
(ii) Can hold any office of profit in the State - Article 158 expressly provides that the Governor shall NOT hold any other office of profit. Incorrect.
(iii) President of the Indian Red Cross Society, Haryana State Branch - under the Indian Red Cross Society branch rules, the Governor of the State is the President of that State Branch. Correct.
(iv) Has no discretionary power - Article 163 itself recognises functions the Governor performs in his discretion, and several articles confer specific discretion. Incorrect.
Cross-check
Exactly one statement, (iii), survives the article-by-article test, while (i), (ii) and (iv) each contradict a specific constitutional or statutory provision. Hence the set containing only the third statement is the correct choice.