When was President's rule imposed for the first time in Uttarakhand?

The correct answer is March 27, 2016.

Key Points

• President's rule was imposed in Uttarakhand for the first time on March 27, 2016, due to a political crisis in the state.
• The political crisis arose after a rebellion by nine Congress MLAs, which led to a demand for the dismissal of the state government led by Chief Minister Harish Rawat.
• On March 27, 2016, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recommended imposing President’s rule in Uttarakhand under Article 356 of the Indian Constitution.
• President Pranab Mukherjee approved the recommendation, leading to the dismissal of the Harish Rawat government.
• This imposition of President's rule was later challenged in the Uttarakhand High Court, which subsequently quashed the decision in April 2016, reinstating the Harish Rawat government.

Additional Information

• Article 356 of the Indian Constitution:
  • It allows the President of India to impose President's rule in a state if the state government is unable to function according to the provisions of the Constitution.
  • The imposition of President's rule leads to the dismissal of the state government and the dissolution or suspension of the state legislature.
  • This provision is also referred to as a "State Emergency" or "Constitutional Emergency."
• Reason for Political Crisis in Uttarakhand (2016):
  • Rebellion by nine Congress MLAs against the Harish Rawat-led Congress government in the state.
  • The rebellion created a situation where the government lost its majority in the state assembly.
  • Allegations of horse-trading and irregularities in governance were also raised during this period.
• Role of the Judiciary:
  • The Uttarakhand High Court played a pivotal role in quashing the imposition of President’s rule in April 2016.
  • The court reinstated the Harish Rawat government, emphasizing that Article 356 should be used sparingly and only in extraordinary circumstances.
• Impact of President's Rule:
  • During President's rule, the state comes under the direct control of the central government.
  • The Governor acts as the representative of the President to administer the state.
  • Legislative powers are exercised by Parliament in consultation with the President.