Resolve TN Guv-govt issues or we will do it, says Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Friday said if the pending issues between Governor R N Ravi and the Tamil Nadu government, including selection and appointment of Vice-Chancellors (V-Cs) to state universities, are not resolved by the next date of hearing, the court will intervene to resolve the issues.

- Suchitra Kalyan Mohanty

A two-judge bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan made the remarks after hearing an interlocutory application filed by Tamil Nadu challenging the inaction of the governor in deciding on bills, files relating to sanction for prosecution, and selection and appointment of V-Cs. "By the next date, if it is resolved well and good. Otherwise, we will resolve it," the bench said, and fixed the next hearing in the matter to January 22.

Two writ petitions have been filed by Tamil Nadu against Governor R N Ravi regarding delay in deciding on several bills passed by the legislature and files submitted by the state government.

Tamil Nadu government argued that as per Article 200 of the Constitution, the governor is obliged to return the Bill "as soon as possible". Tamil Nadu said the governor is acting as "political rival", which has resulted in a "constitutional deadlock".