The President recently commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Tamil Nadu Assembly, initially known as the Madras Legislative Council (MLC). This significant event took place in Chennai and highlighted the Assembly’s transformative history and its crucial role in empowering society’s weaker sections.
History Of Tamil Nadu Assembly
The Madras Legislative council came into existence under the Government of India Act, 1919. Its establishment dates back to 1921, with an initial term of three years. The council comprised 132 members, out of which 34 were nominated by the Governor, and the rest were elected representatives.
The first meeting of the Council took place on January 9, 1921, at Fort St. George, Madras. The Duke of Connaught, a paternal uncle of the King of England, inaugurated the Council on January 12, 1921, following a request made by Governor Wellington. The subsequent second and third councils were formed post the general elections of 1923 and 1926, respectively.
The fourth Legislative Council first met in November 1930 after the year’s general elections. The council’s life was extended periodically and lasted till provincial autonomy under the Government of India Act, 1935, was implemented.
The Significance of the Tamil Nadu Assembly
Starting as a legislative body, the Tamil Nadu Assembly gradually transformed into a source of many progressive laws replicated across the country to empower the weaker sections and strengthen democracy. It introduced revolutionary concepts such as the abolition of the Devadasi system, widow remarriage, mid-day meals in schools, and distribution of agricultural land to the landless. These initiatives significantly impacted society and rooted the concept of the Welfare State deeply within this legislature.
Understanding State Legislature
State Legislature, like the Union Parliament, primarily creates laws. It holds power over the State List and Concurrent List. Depending on the number of houses for law implementation, legislatures are either Unicameral, having a single Legislative Assembly or Bicameral, having both a Legislative Assembly and a Legislative Council.
Currently, six states have a Legislative Council: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka.
Constitutional Provisions
Articles 168 to 212 in Part VI of the Constitution govern the organisation, composition, duration, officers, procedures, privileges, powers, and more of the state legislature. Article 168 prescribes that every State shall have a legislature consisting of the Governor. Article 169 allows the Parliament to provide for the abolition or creation of the Legislative Council in any State if the State’s Legislative Assembly passes a resolution to that effect.
