SC Reserves Verdict on Timeline for Governors’ Assent to Bills
Constitution Bench concludes 10-day hearing on whether timelines can be imposed for Governors and President in clearing state legislatures’ bills.
NEW DELHI, Sept 11: The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its verdict after completing 10 days of arguments on the Presidential reference that sought clarity on whether constitutional courts can prescribe timelines for Governors and the President to grant assent to bills passed by state legislatures.
A Constitution Bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justices Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, P S Narasimha and A S Chandurkar, which began hearings on August 19, concluded proceedings and reserved the matter for judgment.
The hearing wrapped up after Attorney General R Venkataramani, the country’s top law officer, and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta presented arguments on behalf of the Centre. Their submissions countered those of opposition-ruled states including Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, which opposed the reference.
In May, President Droupadi Murmu invoked Article 143(1) of the Constitution to seek the apex court’s opinion on whether judicially fixed deadlines could bind the discretion of the President and Governors in assenting to state bills. The move followed the Supreme Court’s April 8 ruling on the powers of the Tamil Nadu Governor regarding pending legislation.
The Presidential reference spanned five pages and posed 14 detailed questions to the Supreme Court, seeking guidance on the scope of Articles 200 and 201, which define the role of Governors and the President in the legislative process of states.
