THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Uncertainty looms over the future of at least three of the 11 bills passed by the Assembly with Governor Arif Mohammad Khaninsisting that he is not a rubber stamp to sign where the government says. The governor made the announcement at a function at MG University in Kottayam yesterday. It is learned that the Governor got convinced in his interaction
with Raj Bhavan officials and other legal experts that the Lokayukta, Appointment of Vice-Chancellor and Co-operative Societies Amendment Bills are prima facie illegal. The Governor has procured the translation of the debate between the government and the opposition on the bills from the Assembly Secretary. He will go through it to know exactly the counterarguments.
The Governor's assessment is that the existence of the Lokayukta will be threatened if the Lokayukta amendment becomes law. According to the provisions of the Bill, the order of the Lokayukta can be rejected by a majority in the Assembly. It can also be used as a weapon to hunt down the opposition. The amendment requiring an action report to be submitted to the Lokayukta within 90 days is interesting.
University Act Amendment
If the Vice-Chancellor Appointment Amendment Act becomes law, the Governor will be bound to approve the appointment recommendation of the government. The independent character of the appointment of VC will be lost. The amendment has a retrospective effect to override the notification issued by the Governor for the appointment of Kerala University VC. The government also aims to extend the tenure of the current VCs by one term.
Cooperative Amendment Act
Elections will not be democratic if the amendment to the Co-operation Act, which grants voting rights to nominated members of the Milma governing body, becomes law. The interests of politicians will be protected if administrative officers are given the right to vote. Officials will be biased. The amendment is unconstitutional as it would sabotage the elections. At present, only elected members have voting rights.
There will be no constitutional crisis