Administrative & Legislative Reforms Before 1857 was not that easy to it began from Regulating acts till Independence of India Act and continuous till today..
Regulating Act of 1773
- This Act was based on the report of a committee headed by the British Prime Minister Lord North.
- Governance of the East India Company was put under British parliamentary control.
- The Governor of Bengal was nominated as Governor General for all the three Presidencies of Calcutta, Bombay and Madras.
- Warren Hastings was the first such Governor General (under this Act).
- A Supreme Court was established in Calcutta (now Kolkata) in 1774.
- Sir Elizah Impe was the first Chief Justice. Other3 Judges were-1. Chambers, 2. Limenster and 3. Hyde.
- Governor General was empowered to make rules, regulations and ordinances with the consent of the Supreme Court.
Pitts India Act of 1784
- It was enacted to improve upon the provisions of Regulating Act of 1773 to bring about better discipline in the Company’s system of administration.
- A 6-member Board of Controllers was set up which was headed by a minister of the British Government. All political responsibilities were given to this board.
- Trade and commerce related issues were under the purview of the Court of Directors of the company.
- Provinces had to follow the instructions of the Central Government and Governor General was empowered to dismiss the failing provincial government.
Charter Act of 1793
- Main provisions of the previous Acts were consolidated in this Act.
- Provided for the payment of salaries of the members of the Board of Controllers from Indian revenue.
- Courts were given the power to interpret rules and regulations.
Charter Act of 1813
- Trade monopoly of the East India Company came to an end.
- Powers of the three Councils of Madras, Bombay and Calcutta were enlarged; they were also subjected to greater control of the British Parliament.
- The Christian Missionaries were allowed to spread their religion in India.
- Local autonomous bodies were empowered to levy taxes.
Charter Act of 1833
- The Charter Act 1833, which was enacted by the British Parliament, provided for the establishment of a Law Commission for consolidation and codification of Indian Laws.
- In 1835, Lord Macaulay was appointed as Chairman of the First Law Commission. Sir James Stephen was appointed as a Law Member in place of Lord Macaulay.
- Slavery system in India was declared illegal through this Charter Act and was abolished in 1843.
- The Governor General and his Council were given vast powers. This Council could legislate for the whole of India subject to the approval of the Board of Controllers.
- The Council got full powers regarding revenue and a single budget for the country was prepared by the Governor General.
- The East India Company was reduced to an administrative and political entity and several Lords and Ministers were nominated as ex-officio members of the Board of Controllers.
- For the first time the Governor-General’s Government was known as the Government of India’ and his Council as the ‘Indian Council’.
Charter Act of 1853
- This was the last of the Charter Acts and it made important changes in the system of Indian legislation.
- This Act followed a report of the then Governor General Dalhousie for improving the administration of the company.
- A separate Governor for Bengal was to be appointed.
- Legislative and administrative functions of the Council were separately identified.
- Recruitment of the Company’s employees was to be done through competitive exams.
- British Parliament was empowered to put Company’s governance of India to an end at any suitable time.