SC Seeks Centre’s Response on TN Govt Plea Alleging Delay in Governor’s Assent to Bills

The Supreme Court on Friday sought the Centre’s response on the Tamil Nadu government’s plea alleging delay by the governor in giving assent to bills passed by the state Assembly.

A bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud along with Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra’s issued notice to the Centre, seeking the involvement of the Attorney General or Solicitor General in the case. The next hearing is scheduled for November 20, 2023.

Representing the Tamil Nadu government, senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi highlighted that 12 bills passed by the Assembly were awaiting approval from Governor R N Ravi.

“Declare that the inaction, omission, delay and failure to comply with the constitutional mandate by the Governor of Tamil Nadu/first Respondent qua the consideration and assent of the Bills passed and forwarded by the Tamil Nadu State Legislature to him and the non-consideration of files, Government orders and policies forwarded by the State Government for his signature is unconstitutional, illegal, arbitrary, unreasonable besides malafide exercise of power,” the Tamil Nadu government claimed.

The governor, by “not signing remission orders, day to day files, appointment orders, approving recruitment orders, granting approval to prosecute ministers, MLAs involved in corruption, including transfer of investigation to CBI by Supreme Court, Bills passed by Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly is bringing the entire administration to a grinding halt and creating adversarial attitude by not cooperating with the state administration,” it added.