Fixing deadline for Guvs not judicial overreach: SC

THE apex court in its April 8 verdict held that although it has fixed a timeline for Governors to give their assent or recommendations to bills passed by state legislatures, the directive did not amount to any "judicial overreach".

- Suchitra Kalyan Mohanty @ New Delhi

Pronouncing its order over Tamil Nadu government's plea against Governor R N Ravi for "sitting on" several bills passed by the Assembly, the Supreme Court noted that if the Governor withholds assent contrary to the advice of the Council of Ministers, he must return the bill, along with his recommendations, within a maximum period of three months.

If the Governor reserves the bill for the President's consideration, he shall do so within a maximum period of three months. In case of presentation of a bill after reconsideration, the Governor must grant assent forthwith, within a maximum period of one month.