THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, April 8: The Supreme Court on Tuesday strongly criticized Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi, ruling that his decision to reserve 10 Bills for the President’s consideration violated constitutional norms.
A bench comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan emphasized that under Article 200 of the Constitution, the governor is bound to act based on the aid and advice of the council of ministers, leaving no room for personal discretion.
Clarifying the governor’s constitutional duties, the bench stated that once a Bill is re-submitted to him after initial consideration, he must give his assent unless the Bill has undergone material changes.
The court firmly ruled that the governor cannot indefinitely withhold assent, exercise an absolute veto, or employ a pocket veto.
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The bench stated that the Governor is required to act within three months by either approving a Bill, sending it back to the legislature, or forwarding it to the President for consideration.
The judges stressed that the governor’s choices under Article 200 are limited — he can either grant assent, withhold assent, or reserve the Bill for the President’s consideration.
However, they pointed out that it is unconstitutional for the governor to reserve a Bill for the President once it is placed before him a second time.
Article 200, which governs the governor’s powers regarding assent to Bills, does not empower him to delay or block legislative processes at his discretion, the bench observed.
