Under Article 163 of the Constitution of India, the Governor as the Constitutional head of the executive, exercises all the powers under the Constitution on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers. However, there are certain functions, which are to be exercised by the Governor in his discretion as sending report to the President (Article 356), reserving Bills for the consideration of the President (Article 200) etc. Besides, the Governor has special responsibilities under Article 371(2) as well as under the fifth schedule of the Constitution of India.
Governor’s Secretariat and its organizational structure
The Governors Secretariat is headed by the Secretary to the Governor who is the Head of the Department for both the offices, i.e. the Governors Secretariat and Office of the Comptroller of the Governors Household.
The Governors Secretariat attends to all secretarial work of the Governor including the duties that the Governor has to perform under the provisions of the Constitution, such as those relating to the Legislature, the High Court, the Public Service Commission and matters submitted by the Departments of Government.
- Administration Branch
- Development Board Branch
- Tribal Cell
- Education Branch
- Accounts Branch
- Private Secretary to The Governor
- Public Relation Officer to The Governor
Office Of The Comptroller Of The Governor’s Household
The main function of the Comptroller office, headed by Comptroller, is to ensure the efficient running of all the Raj Bhavans of Maharashtra, viz., Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Mahabaleshwar. Comptroller office is also entrusted with the task of organizing Government functions such as swearing-in-ceremonies of Chief Minister, Ministers of State Legislature, Chief Justice of Bombay High Court, Lokayukta and Uplokayukta. This office extends the hospitality to the VVIPs, viz., President, Vice President, Prime Minster, Chief Justice of India, Speaker of Lok Sabha, Union Cabinet Ministers, Chief Justices of High Courts, Union Ministers and other dignitaries. Comptroller Office is the implementing authority of the provisions stipulated in the Governors (Emoluments, Allowances And Privileges) Act, 1982 and Governors (Allowances and Privileges) Rules 1987 and is responsible for obtaining additional funds from the Government of India and State Government under various sub-heads. In addition to this, Comptroller Office keep control over expenditure of PWD grants for the maintenance/ additions/ extensions/ alterations of buildings and official residences of the Governor at Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Mahabaleshwar. All audit objections raised by the Accountant General and the Pay Accounts Officer are settled by this Office. Further, the Comptroller Office looks after all the tour, transport, catering and gardening arrangements of Raj Bhavan, Maharashtra. This Office is mandated with the task of organizing the state banquets and dinner parties in the honor of visiting foreign heads and VIPs as per the prescribed norms of protocol. At-Homes functions on the occasions of Independence Day, Republic Day and winter session of State Legislative Assembly are held at Raj Bhavan, Pune and Raj Bhavan, Mumbai and Raj Bhavan, Nagpur, respectively. Preservation and conservation of heritage properties of the Raj Bhavan is ensured by the Comptroller Office. The Raj Bhavan Biodiversity Park, Nagpur, consisting of rich flora and fauna, spread across around 100 acres is being maintained by this Office. Establishment matters, viz., appointment, control and discipline, in respect of the officials and staff are dealt by the Comptroller Office.
Aide-De-Camp
- There are two Aides-de-Camp to the Governor, one from Armed Forces and other from Indian Police Force. each doing duty on the alternate days. The A.D.C. attends to the work of fixing personal appointments of the Governor and Madam (all the official appointments are looked after by the Governors Secretariat), escorting Governor and Madam for various engagements, ensure proper reception of guests, extending invitations on behalf of the Governor, ensuring proper recording of telephonic messages and giving appropriate response.