Pitt’s India Act of 1784
The Amending Act of 1781:
also known as the Act of Settlement or Declaratory Act, 1781
• Supreme Court vs. Governor General in Council
•Ex. the servants of the company came within the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, and this brought them under dual control of Governor General in Council and Supreme Court.
•It was the first attempt in India towards separation of the executive from the judiciary by defining the respective areas of jurisdiction.
Pitt’s India Act of 1784:
Provisions Pitt’s India Act of 1784
•It distinguished between the financial and political functions of the Company
| Board of Control (new body) | Court of Directors |
| Political affairs | Commercial affairs |
| Civil , Military, Revenues | Financial Activity |
• The Act stated that the Board would henceforth “superintend, direct and control” the government of the Company’s possessions, in effect controlling the acts and operations relating to the civil, military and revenues of the Company.
•Supreme control over Company’s affairs and its administration in India•
•‘British possessions in India’
•The governing council of the Company was reduced to three members. The governors of Bombay and Madras were also deprived of their independence. The governor-general was given greater powers in matters of war, revenue and diplomacy.
Drawbacks of Act:
- No clarity on the boundaries between the company’s powers and the government’s authority.
- The Governor-General had to serve two masters i.e. East India Company and the British Crown
- There were no clear boundaries between the responsibilities of the Board of Control and the Court of Directors of the company.
Distinguished between the financial and political functions of the Company
Supreme control over Company’s affairs and its administration in India
British possessions in India
Governor-general was given greater powers in matters of war, revenue and diplomacy
Source: M. Laxmikant