KOCHI: Kerala High court dismisses Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking time-limit on passing of bills by Governor Arif Mohammed Khan to take a decision on the bills passed by the State Assembly.
The Court pronounced in dismissing the PIL that "It is not the court's obligation to set up a time limit to decide on bills by the Governor and that responsibility lies with the legislature." A PIL was submitted to the Kerala High Court asking for the setting up of a deadline for the Kerala Governor's decision on the laws approved by the State Assembly. The PIL was submitted by an Aluva native, PV Jeevesh.
In the petition, it was said "The political desires and aspirations of the people are expressed through the people's representatives in a democratic society founded on the constitution, where the rule of law is enforced, and prompt legislation is a fundamental right of the citizen. The constitution and democratic principles are violated by delaying decisions on bills. The petition highlights how the Governor's actions are unlawful, undemocratic, contrary to the goals of the Constituent Assembly, and motivated by politics."
"The Governor must sign the legislation approved by the cabinet per the constitution. The Bill must be returned back to the Assembly or to the President if it is rejected "Go through the petition.
The governor's failure to act on the bills should be deemed contrary to democratic and constitutional norms, and a deadline should be established for doing so, the petition noted.
11 bills were passed in the previous assembly session. Four of them, including the one intended to limit the Lokayukta's authority and another to stop the Governor from interfering with university operations, have not yet been approved by the Governor. The Governor has also not given his approval to two further bills that were passed last year.
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