SC: Governor cannot stall bills forever

BUT CONSTITUTION BENCH REJECTS TIMELINE FOR GOVERNORS, PRESIDENT

- BY ALEX ABRAHAM

In a sweeping constitutional clarification, the Supreme Court yesterday held that while Governors and the President cannot be bound by judicially imposed timelines in granting assent to Bills, they also cannot keep legislation pending indefinitely.

A five-judge Constitution Bench said the Constitution provides only three options to a Governor and rejected the earlier notion of “deemed assent”, calling it contrary to the separation of powers.

The ruling came in response to President Droupadi Murmu’s Article 143 reference, seeking clarity after a two-judge Bench in the Tamil Nadu Governor case set deadlines for the Governor and the President to decide on Bills.

Referring to Article 361, the President noted that “the President or the Governor shall not be answerable to any court for the exercise of the powers and duties of office”.

Bench clarifies powers