Diarchy system – Faulty and impracticable Cause of failure of diarchy system:
The diarchy system was ended on April 1, 1937.
Main causes of this have been given as below:
1. Theoretically faulty:
The diarchy system was theoretically faulty. It is natural for obstructions to arise, if the governance of a province is kept under two different powers.
2. Impracticable division of subjects:
The division of subjects was so irrational that it was not practicable at any cost. For example : There was an agriculture minister without irrigation department, and the industrial minister had no departments of factories, hydro electricity, minerals and labor, and this type of formation of ministries was impracticable.
3. Arbitrary powers of governor:
There was a policy in favor of governor who could control the ministers, refuse their proposals and could interfere in every subject. Due to this policy, the responsibilities could not be transferred effectively.
4. No separate finance for transferred subjects:
Although the provincial subjects were divided, but there were no separate financial arrangements for both. Without proper finance, effective governance could not be possible.
5. Lack of control of ministers over civil services:
The governor had absolute right of appointments, transfer and promotion in civil services. The ministers could do nothing in these cases,though civil services were kept under their control.
6. The formation of legislative council was faulty:
There were 80 per cent official or officially nominated members in the legislature. The nominated members were the representatives of specific interests and they did nothing but to please the governance.
7. Lack of collective responsibility:
The Governor did not appoint the ministers on party basis. All of them were not of the same group and so there was a lack of collective responsibility.
8. The political environment was unfavorable:
In India, the major repressive incidents of Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Khilafat movement, Rowlatt act, etc. created a feeling of distrust, frustration and anger among-st Indians. Towards the reforms started by the British Government, there was a feeling of apathy and scorn in the hearts of Indians.
9. Economic plight and Manston arbitration:
There was a terrible drought in 1920. There was an environment of despair all around. Due to poverty and starvation, there was dissatisfaction among-st Indians. More than half of the provinces were forced to provide a higher grant to the center, according to Manston arbitration.
10. Discord between Congress and Muslim League:
There was a lack of cooperation between Congress and Muslim league. The British policy of “divide and rule” increased the differences between the two.
11. Non – cooperation of Bureaucracy:
The British bureaucracy was not ready to work under Indian ministers. This was a major factor behind the failure of diarchy system.
12. Change in the opinion of British government:
After the formation of the right wing conservative party government in Britain, the viewpoint of British government also changed for reforms and so its interference in the provinces also increased.
