Onam celebrations: Governor uninvited to government event

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Governor Arif Muhammed Khan, who is at loggerheads with the government, has not been invited to the official procession that concludes the Onam week celebrations. The Governor and his wife are usually the chief guests at this event every year.

The Raj Bhavan clarified that the Governor has not yet been invited to the procession on the September 12. On that day, the governor will celebrate Onam with the Adivasis at Attapadi.

The Governor had refused to sign 11 Ordinances on Kannur VC reappointment, ministers' personal staff pension and Kerala University VC appointment. The governor also made it clear that he would not sign bills passed by the legislature to replace the invalid ones without legal vetting. Yesterday, the Chief Minister, ministers and chief secretary came to the Raj Bhavan for MB Rajesh's swearing-in.

With no invitation from the government, the governor gave permission for various programs in Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Kottayam districts. After celebrating Onam at Raj Bhavan with guests from North India, he will leave for Kochi on 11th evening. On the 12th, he will attend a tribal meeting at Attapadi and meet National Film Award-winning Adivasi singer Nanchamma. He will also visit Adivasi villages. He will reach Advaita Ashram in Kaladi on 13th. He will come back on 18th after special graduation ceremony at MG University on 15th and public program at Edapally on 16th.

The 12 bills passed by the Assembly have not yet been brought to the Raj Bhavan for the governor's assent. After scrutiny by the Law Department, the Bills have been brought to the House and printed. The Speaker will sign seven copies of the bill and five of them will be sent to the Law Department. It will be sent from the Law Department to the Raj Bhavan.

Concern about 3 bills

The government is worried about whether the governor will sign the amendment bill that would allow Lokayukta orders to be reviewed by the legislature, the chief minister and the government, the amendment bill that would hamper the governor's power to appoint vice-chancellors, and the amendment bill that would give voting rights to cooperative administrators.