Kerala govt moves SC against Governor Arif Mohammed Khan over pending bills

Kerala government has filed a writ petition in Supreme Court against Governor Arif Mohammed Khan. petition alleges governor's inaction on eight bills passed by state legislature and presented for his assent under Article 200 of Constitution.

According to petition, of eight bills, three have been pending before Governor for more than two years. government's move is a response to what it perceives as a threat to very foundations of constitution, including principles of rule of law and democratic governance, as well as rights of state's citizens to welfare measures outlined in pending bills. " conduct of governor as would presently be demonstrated threatens to defeat and subvert very fundamentals and basic foundations of our constitution, including rule of law and democratic good governance, apart from defeating rights of people of state to welfare measures sought to be implemented through Bills", petition re.

eight pending bills are as follows:

1. University Laws Amendment Bill (1st amendment) 2021 Bill no 50
2. University Laws Amendment Bill (1st amendment) 2021 Bill no 54
3. University Laws Amendment Bill (2nd amendment) 2021
4. Kerala Co-operative Societies Amendment Bill 2022
5. University Laws Amendment Bill 2022
6. Kerala Lokayukta Amendment Bill 2022
7. University Laws Amendment Bill 2022
8. Public Health Bill 2021

Earlier, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan emphasised that “As per constitution, Governor cannot unnecessarily delay bills sent to him after Assembly passes m.” Subsequently, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan expressed reservations about CM Vijayan's irregular communication of government activities, which he claims is Chief Minister's constitutional obligation.

With this, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan now joins ranks of Tamil Nu Governor RN Ravi and Punjab's Governor Banwarilal Purohit, who have faced similar petitions in Supreme Court, alleging delays in clearing bills.

move by Kerala government is reminiscent of a similar action taken by Tamil Nu government, which accused Governor RN Ravi of obstructing Legislative Assembly from performing its duties. In ir petition, state government alleged that governor not only kept multiple bills pending but also failed to authorize investigations and prosecutions in several corruption cases.

(With reports from agencies)