The powers of Lieutenant Governors (LGs) in Union Territories (UTs) are generally more extensive and direct compared to those of Governors in States, primarily due to their differing constitutional positions and the nature of the territories they administer.

Governors of States: In a State, the Governor is the constitutional head, acting as a nominal executive. According to Article 163 of the Constitution, the Governor is generally bound by the 'aid and advice' of the Council of Ministers, headed by the Chief Minister, except in a few specific matters where the Constitution grants them discretionary powers (e.g., reserving a bill for the President's consideration, appointing a Chief Minister if no party has a clear majority). While the Governor is also a representative of the President, their role is largely ceremonial and supervisory, ensuring that the state government functions in accordance with the Constitution. They do not typically interfere in the day-to-day administration or policy-making of the elected state government.

Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories: LGs, on the other hand, are administrators appointed by the President of India for Union Territories. Their role is fundamentally different because UTs are directly administered by the Central Government. In UTs without a legislative assembly (e.g., Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Delhi before 1991), the LG acts as the chief administrator and has significant executive powers. Even in UTs with a legislative assembly and an elected Council of Ministers (e.g., Delhi, Puducherry), the LG retains substantial powers that often lead to friction with the elected government.

Specifically, in UTs like Delhi (governed by Article 239AA), the LG has the power to refer any matter on which there is a difference of opinion with the Council of Ministers to the President for a decision. This effectively gives the LG a veto power over the elected government's decisions. Furthermore, subjects like 'police,' 'public order,' and 'land' in Delhi fall directly under the LG's purview, bypassing the elected government. The LG acts as an agent of the President and the Central Government, giving them a more active and often overriding role in administration and policy-making compared to a State Governor.

Therefore, while Governors are largely constitutional heads bound by the advice of elected state governments, LGs, especially in UTs with legislative assemblies, possess more direct administrative and discretionary powers, acting as a direct representative of the Union government, which often results in a more powerful and interventionist role.