Union Territories
Direct Administration & Unitary Control
PART I — THE ADMINISTRATION
ARTICLE 239
Direct Rule
- Every UT is administered by the President.
- Acts through an Administrator appointed by him.
- No autonomous federal existence.
- UTs are not "States" in the constitutional sense.
THE AGENT
Administrator / Lt. Governor
- LG is an agent of the President.
- Not a constitutional Head of State (unlike a Governor).
- Can be a civil servant, politician, or military officer.
- Strictly bound by Presidential directives.
PART II — LEGISLATIVE DEVIATIONS
ART 239A & 239AA
Legislative UTs
- Puducherry (239A), Delhi (239AA), J&K.
- Have a Legislative Assembly and Council of Ministers.
- Can make laws on State/Concurrent Lists.
- *Delhi exception: Cannot legislate on Police, Public Order, Land.*
THE ULTIMATE TRUTH
Parliamentary Override
- A UT legislature does *not* dilute Parliament's power.
- Parliament can make laws on *any* subject for *any* UT.
- Even for subjects on the State List for Delhi/Puducherry.
- In conflict, Parliamentary law decisively prevails.
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