"Can't Keep Bill Pending Indefinitely": Supreme Court Raps Punjab Governor
NDTV
In a verdict released on November 10 and made public last evening, the Supreme Court delivered a judgment on a petition filed by the AAP government in Punjab, which contended that Governor Banwarilal Purohit was withholding his approval of four Bills passed by the state assembly.
The Supreme Court today clarified the role and responsibilities of a Governor in relation to Bills passed by state legislatures. The Court ruled that the Governor cannot indefinitely delay or withhold assent to a Bill, emphasising that such actions undermine the legislative process and the supremacy of the elected representatives.
In a verdict released on November 10 and made public last evening, the Supreme Court delivered a judgment on a petition filed by the AAP government in Punjab, which contended that Governor Banwarilal Purohit was withholding his approval of four Bills passed by the state assembly.
"The Governor cannot be at liberty to keep the Bill pending indefinitely without taking any action whatsoever. Failing to make a decision and keeping a duly passed Bill pending for indeterminate periods is a course of action inconsistent with that expression," said a Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra, in a 27-page judgment.
