Tamil Nadu Governor May Not Approve Bill On Chancellor Of Universities

The Governor defended himself against allegations of running a "parallel government", and also claimed that he has good relations with the state government.

Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi today spoke his mind about several sensitive issues which have led to bitter exchanges between him and leaders of the ruling DMK. From the controversy over the Bill to make the Chief Minister the Chancellor of state universities, the bill to exempt the state from the National Entrance-cum-Eligibility Test (NEET), to his repeated endorsement of Sanatan Dharma, the Governor defended himself, and also claimed that he has good relations with the state government.

The Governor said he is not duty bound to sign all Bills, and that withholding is a courteous way to say no.

Mr Ravi is facing criticism for withholding a Bill that seeks to make the Chief Minister the Chancellor of state universities, replacing the Governor who serves as the Chancellor now. He hinted the Bill may not be approved. "The Bill appears to be inconsistent with the UGC Act, 1956, which has laid down standards and procedures for higher education institutions," he said. On a specific query of why not let the court decide for a fair ruling than sitting on judgement over a Bill that aims to clip his powers, the Governor said, "I will decide on this. The Constitution allows it. Why should we waste the court's time".

Pointing out that education was in the concurrent list, Mr Ravi said that if there is incompatibility with the Central rules or a Bill is repugnant, it would be difficult to clear it.