Part VIII: The Union Territories
Governs the administration of Union Territories (UTs) of India. Unlike states, UTs are directly administered by the Union Government (Central Government). This part outlines how they are administered, including provisions for the creation of Legislatures and Counc of Ministers for certain UTs (like Delhi and Puducherry), and the role of administrators (Lieutenant Governors or Administrators).
Administration of Union territories
Establishes that every Union territory shall be administered by the President acting through an administrator appointed by him. The administrator is designated as the Lieutenant Governor in some UTs (like Delhi, Andaman Islands) or as an Administrator in others.
Creation of local Legislatures or Council of Ministers or both for certain Union territories
[Inserted by the 14th Amendment Act, 1962] Parliament may by law create for certain Union territories (like Puducherry, Delhi) a body to function as a Legislature, or a Council of Ministers, or both. This provision grants a measure of self-governance to specific UTs.
Special provisions with respect to Delhi
[Inserted by the 69th Amendment Act, 1991] Grants the National Capital Territory of Delhi a unique status. It provides for a Legislative Assembly and a Council of Ministers with limited powers over matters in the State List and Concurrent List, except police, land, and public order. The Lieutenant Governor remains the administrative head.
Provision in case of failure of constitutional machinery in Delhi
[Inserted by the 69th Amendment Act, 1991] If the President, on receipt of a report from the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, is satisfied that the administration cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of Article 239AA, he may by order suspend the operation of any provision of that article.
Power of President to make regulations for certain Union territories
The President may make regulations for the peace, progress, and good government of the Union territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, and Puducherry. Such regulations have the same force as an Act of Parliament.
High Courts for Union territories
Parliament may by law constitute a High Court for a Union territory or declare any court in any such territory to be a High Court. Alternatively, the jurisdiction of an existing State High Court may be extended to a Union territory, which is the more common practice.
Coorg
[Repealed] This article originally made special provisions for the administration of the territory of Coorg. It was omitted by the Constitution (7th Amendment) Act, 1956, when Coorg was merged into the state of Mysore (now Karnataka).
📍 Current Union Territories of India
As of 2024, India has 8 Union Territories. Their administration varies based on whether they have a legislative body.
*Has its own elected Legislative Assembly and Council of Ministers.
Comments
Post a Comment