In March 1946, Lord Attlee sent a Cabinet Mission to India
consisting of three Cabinet Ministers, namely Lord Pethick Lawrence , Sir Stafford Cripps and Mr. A. V.
Alexander.
The object of the Mission was to help India achieve its independence
as early as possible, and to set up a Constituent Assembly.
The Cabinet Mission rejected the claim for a separate
Constituent Assembly and a separate State for the Muslim.
According to Cabinet Mission Plan there was to be a Union of
India, comprising both British India and the States, and having jurisdiction
over the subjects of Foreign Affairs, Defense and Communication. All residuary
powers were to be vested in the provinces and the States.
The union was to have an Executive and a Legislature consisting
of representatives of the Provinces and the States.
Any decision involving a major communal issue in the
legislature was to require a majority support of representatives of each of the
two major communities present and voting as well as a majority of all the
members present and voting.
The provinces could form groups with executives and
legislatures, and each group could be competent to determine the provincial
subjects.
The Mountbatten Plan
The plan for transfer of power to the Indians and partition
of the Country was laid down in the Mountbatten Plan.
It was given a formal shape by a statement made by the
British Government on 3rd June, 1947.
The Indian
independence Act, 1947 of the British parliament.
