TN governor returns 10 bills, Stalin govt passes it again

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Saturday passed all the ten bills sent back by the Governor in a special meeting. Although the bills were passed earlier, Governor RN Ravi returned them without specifying the reason. The Chief Minister said in the Assembly that returning the bills without reason is unacceptable.

Stalin accused the governor of blocking the bills for personal reasons. "It is anti-democratic and anti-people. The Governor cannot withhold assent if the bills are passed and sent again by the Legislature.", Stalin said. He also criticized the Centre for targeting non-BJP-ruled states through governors.

Two of the ten bills were passed in 2020, six last year and two this year. Through the bills, the government aims to curtail the powers of the governor by elevating the vice-chancellors of the state's universities to the post of chancellors.

Petition in the Supreme Court

The Tamil Nadu government had approached the Supreme Court complaining that the Governor is sitting on the bills. The Stalin government has accused Ravi of acting like a political opponent.

The government also demanded that the Supreme Court to fix a specific time frame for taking a decision. The Governor does not decide on files regarding sanction of prosecution, including in corruption cases. The government also stated that the appointment of Tamil Nadu PSC chairman and members is uncertain.

On November 10, while considering a petition filed by the Tamil Nadu government, the Supreme Court had expressed concern over governor's delay in giving assent to the bills. The Supreme Court has sought a response from the central government on the allegations.