Daijiworld Media Network- New Delhi
New Delhi, Apr 8: In a significant verdict that reaffirms the constitutional role of state governors, the Supreme Court on Monday set aside Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi’s decision to reserve 10 re-enacted bills for the President’s assent, terming the move “illegal and erroneous.”
A bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan held that once the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly re-passed the bills after the Governor had initially withheld his assent, the Governor was constitutionally obligated to act in accordance and not reserve the bills for the President.
The apex court observed that the Governor’s act lacked good faith and went against the federal principles enshrined in the Constitution. “Such reservation, after re-passage, was impermissible. The Governor had no discretion to reserve the bills after they were re-enacted by the House. His failure to act amounts to a breach of constitutional duty,” the bench noted.
The court further clarified that the ten re-enacted bills shall be deemed to have received the Governor’s assent from the date they were re-submitted to him by the Assembly.
Reacting to the judgment, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin welcomed the decision, hailing it as a “historic victory” for democracy and federalism. “The verdict is a resounding message that governors must function within the bounds of the Constitution,” Stalin said.
The Supreme Court also laid down a timeline framework to ensure accountability and prevent indefinite delays. It ruled that the Governor must take a decision within a month to either grant assent or, based on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers, refer a bill to the President. If such advice is not available, a three-month window will apply.
This verdict comes amid an ongoing tussle between the DMK-led state government and Governor Ravi over pending bills, many of which relate to education, regulation of universities, and social welfare.
The court’s intervention underscores the importance of upholding the democratic mandate of elected governments and curbing arbitrary delays in legislative procedures.