Governor’s Assent to Bills:
Supreme Court fixes timeline for Governor’s assent on State bills
- The Supreme Court of India in a landmark verdict reprimanded Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi for withholding assent or delaying action on 10 state bills, which were re-presented by the state legislature.
- The Governor had reserved these bills for the President’s consideration, which the Court held to be unconstitutional.
- In 2023, the Tamil Nadu Government approached SC, citing deliberate delay by the Governor.
- 12 bills (including one from 2020) were pending assent.
- On November 13, 2023, the Governor withhold assent to 10 bills.
- The Assembly re-enacted these bills on November 18, 2023.
- The Governor again reserved some bills for the President on November 28, 2023.
- Article 200: Deals with the powers of the Governor regarding bills passed by the State Legislature.
- The Governor can:
- Give assent
- Withhold assent
- Reserve the bill for President’s consideration
- Article 201 – President’s veto power on bills reserved by the Governor.
- Article 142 – Supreme Court’s plenary power to ensure complete justice.
