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The Centre argued that not all issues require judicial intervention and that some should be resolved through political discussions
The Supreme Court of India, in New Delhi. (PTI photo)
The central government on Thursday told the Supreme Court that delays by governors in signing state bills should be handled through political dialogue rather than legal timelines.
This was stated on the third day of hearings over a presidential reference on the matter. The Centre argued that not all issues require judicial intervention and that some should be resolved through discussions between the Chief Minister, Prime Minister, or President.
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Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, responded to the court’s query on what options are available if a governor holds back a bill, NDTV reported.
“Suppose a particular governor is sitting on bills… there are political solutions. And such solutions are taking place, but it is not everywhere. It is not everywhere the state government rushes to the Supreme Court,” he said.
“The Chief Minister goes and requests the Prime Minister… meets the President,” he added.
Mehta stated that such matters can be settled even with a simple phone call and do not always end up in court. “There are delegations that go and say, ‘these bills are pending, please talk to the Governor and let him take a decision, one way or the other’. The issue can be sorted out on the telephone.”
He stressed that just because such delays occur does not mean the court can set a timeline where the Constitution does not provide one.
“In the absence of a timeline in the Constitution, can it be laid down by the court even if there is justification?” he asked.
His remarks come in the wake of the Supreme Court’s April verdict, which suggested that the President and Governors must act within a fixed period when clearing state bills.
Several non-BJP ruled states, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Punjab, have complained in the past that their governors, appointed by the central government, have either delayed or denied assent to bills passed by their respective legislatures.
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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
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