**Supreme Court Rules on Tamil Nadu Governor’s Veto Power Over Bills**
The Supreme Court of India has made a significant ruling that limits the authority of governors to withhold assent on bills passed by state legislative assemblies. In a landmark decision, the court not only curtailed the powers of Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi but also approved ten bills that had been effectively “pocket vetoed” by him. Among these, seven bills had previously been rejected by the President of India, with some bills pending since January 2020.
On April 8, a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court invoked its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to ensure “complete justice.” This provision, while infrequently utilized in the past, has become a more common tool for the apex court in recent times, despite facing criticism for perceived judicial overreach.
The Supreme Court ruled that the ten bills had received assent, declaring the actions of President Droupadi Murmu—who approved only one bill, rejected seven, and did not act on two others—as void. This ruling came in response to a writ petition filed by the Tamil Nadu government in October 2023, which accused the Governor of “inaction, omission, delay, and failure” regarding the bills. Out of the twelve bills mentioned in the petition, ten had their assent withheld, while two were reserved for presidential consideration.
The bills primarily addressed the appointment of Vice-Chancellors at state universities in Tamil Nadu, seeking to transfer this power from the Governor, who serves as the ex-officio Chancellor, to the state government. This move challenges the traditional authority of the Governor over public state universities, a significant aspect of gubernatorial power.
During the proceedings, the Supreme Court expressed “serious concern” over the Governor’s inaction in various states. While the legal battle was ongoing, Governor Ravi returned all ten bills to the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly in November 2023, further straining relations with the DMK-led state government. In a special session on November 18, 2023, the assembly re-passed all ten bills, which were then sent to the Governor’s Secretariat the same day. This re-passing mandated the Governor to provide assent, which he failed to do.
The Chennai University (Amendment) Bill 2022 and the Tamil Nadu Siddha Medical University Bill 2022 were forwarded to the President by Governor Ravi for consideration, while he withheld consent for the remaining bills. Over a span of 13 months, from January 2020 to August 2023, these bills remained pending with the Governor.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court’s ruling not only reinforces the legislative authority of state assemblies but also raises questions about the role of governors in the legislative process, particularly in Tamil Nadu. The implications of this decision may reshape the dynamics between state governments and the office of the Governor in the future.
**FAQ**
**Q: What was the Supreme Court’s ruling regarding the Tamil Nadu Governor’s veto power?**
A: The Supreme Court ruled that the Tamil Nadu Governor’s withholding of assent on ten bills was invalid, effectively granting them approval and limiting the Governor’s authority in the legislative process.
