SC rebukes Tamil Nadu Governor for withholding bills, cites constitutional violation

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday criticised Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi for reserving 10 Bills passed by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly for the consideration of the President, stating that such an action was in violation of constitutional provisions.

A bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan observed that under Article 200 of the Constitution, the Governor does not have discretionary powers and is required to act in accordance with the aid and advice of the State Cabinet.

"Governor must be a friend, philosopher and guide and not driven by political considerations but the constitutional oath. He must be a catalyst and not an inhibitor. Governor must be conscious to not create any roadblock, observed SC.

The remarks came while considering a petition filed by the Tamil Nadu government against Governor RN Ravi’s refusal to grant assent to several bills passed by the State Legislative Assembly, including those related to the appointment of Vice Chancellors to State Universities.

The bench said it was not open for the governor to reserve Bill for consideration of the president after it was presented to him for the second time.

It said the governor must assent to the Bills produced before him in the second round and the only exception is in case the Bill in the second round is different from the first one.