Kerala history- landmark legislation and policies

Kerala has served as a model for Indian states to develop progressive legislation with far -reaching impacts in various disciplines. Kerala has a well-recognized track record of legislative experience that has injected creativity and advancement into the social, political, and economic spheres. The waves of change sparked by legislative initiatives have been genuinely effective in realizing the people’s dreams and desires during many years of legislative history.

Kerala History : Landmark legislation and policies

The first  Kerala Legislative assembly was established in the neighboring Princely State of Cochin in April 1925. Among the early rules were the Cochin Census Regulation, the Cutchi Memons Regulation, the Cochin Prevention of Food Adulteration Regulation, and the Cochin Trade Union Regulation. The Cochin Tenancy Act of 1938 and the Cochin Agriculturists Relief Act of 1938 were milestone moments in the history of land reform in Kerala.

In1938, The Government of Cochin Act established a diarchy government. The Maharaja of Cochin established a fully responsible government on August 14, 1947, with a Council of Ministers and a Prime Minister as its head. In 1948, the adult franchise was established, and the Legislative Council was renamed the Legislative Assembly.

With the Maharaja of Travancore as the State’s Head, a legislative Assembly for the new Travancore-Cochin State was formed. The new representative assembly passed comprehensive laws emphasizing land reforms and public welfare.

A sketch of the evolution

For far-reaching legislative revisions, the evolutionary cycle has been extraordinary. The long and laborious path, which began years ago, has been progressing in the correct direction, expressing the people’s desire and maintaining the legislature’s dominance. The creation of an independent India sent shockwaves throughout the Indian subcontinent. The Maharaja of Travancore proclaimed the formation of a responsible government on September 4, 1947.

The Constituent Assembly was replaced by a new body known as the Representative Body. Based on the adult franchise, 120 members were elected. The first Kerala legislative  assembly convened for the first time on March 20, 1948, with Shri A.J. John as President. The Deputy President was Sri. G., Chandrasekhara Pillai.

Kerala legislature

Until November 1, 1956, when the three territories of Travancore, Cochin, and Malabar were combined to become the state of Kerala, the Kerala Legislature had three parallel tracks of growth. The history of the Kerala Legislature dates back to March 30, 1888, when the Maharaja of Travancore established a Council to create laws and regulations by issuing a Regulation. The Council had a three-year term and consisted of eight members. The Council’s first meeting was held on August 23, 1888. March 21, 1898, the 1888 Regulation was amended, and the Council’s strength was increased to 15.

Legislative counseling

The Cochin Legislative Council Act of 1923 established the first Legislative Council in Cochin State in April 1925. Under the Government of Cochin Act, 1938, Cochin conducted a one-of-a-kind constitutional experiment by establishing a dyarchy system in which a legislature member was designated Minister to govern certain transferred topics.

The number of Ministers was increased to four in 1946, and additional subjects were transferred. On the eve of Indian independence, on August 14, 1947, the Maharaja of Cochin proclaimed his decision to provide complete responsible administration in a statement to the Legislative Council. The adult franchise was implemented in 1948, and the Legislative Council became the Legislative Assembly. There were 58 people in the assembly.

General election

In February–March 1957, the Kerala Legislative Assembly held its first general election. The house had 127 members, including one nominated member. The current Kerala Legislative Assembly comprises 140 elected members and one Anglo-Indian member chosen by the governor. The Legislative Assembly’s regular term is five years . 

Landmark Kerala reforms

Due to old land relations, taxation, and regulation during the British Raj, India inherited a semi-feudal agrarian system at the time of independence, with land ownership concentrated in the hands of a few individual landowners. Several states have implemented voluntary and state-mediated land reforms since independence. The states of Kerala and West Bengal are the most noteworthy and successful examples of land reform. The Land Reforms Ordinance was enacted by K. R. Gowri Amma, a minister in the first EMS government in Kerala, India.

In 1960, 1963, and 1964, the legislature enacted land reform bills. On January 1, 1970, the Kerala Land Reforms  Act, 1969, signed by C. Achutha Menon, came into force, ending the feudal system and ensuring tenants’ rights on the land.

Conclusion

The assembly’s primary job is to pass laws and regulations. Before becoming law, every bill passed by the house must first be approved by the governor. The legislative assembly’s typical tenure begins on the day set for its first meeting and ends five years afterwards. However, while a declaration of state of emergency is in effect, Parliament may prolong the period by passing laws for up to one year at a time. The governor and the legislative assembly, which is the state’s highest political body, make up the legislature