Saturday, February 6, 2010

Pakistan, Montagu-Chelmsford reforms (contd-1)

 In late 1917, Montagu came to India and met Lord Chelmsford, Viceroy of India, M.K.Gandhi and M.A. Jinnah to discuss the the introduction of limited self-Govt. to India and protecting the rights of minority communities such as Muslims and Sikhs,
The report went before cabinet on 24 May and 7 June 1918 and was embodied in the Govt. of India Act 1919. These reforms represented the maximum concessions the British were prepared to make at that time.The franchise was extended, and increased authority was given to central and provincial legislative concils, but the viceroy remained responsile only to London.
The departments responsible for maintaining the "steel frame " of the British Govt. such as finance,revenue and home were retained by the councillors nominated by the British Govt., In 1921 another change recommended by the report was carried out when elected local council were set up in rural areas, and during 1920s urban municipal corporations were made more democratic and Indianized.