Governors must clear bills at earliest: SC

Governors have a duty to clear bills sent for their approval at the earliest, SC has observed. They must bear in mind Article 200(1) of the Constitution to give assent to bills "as soon as possible", a bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and justice PS Narasimha said on Monday, while disposing of a plea filed by the Telangana government. The words "as soon as possible" had a significant constitutional intent and constitutional functionaries must bear this in mind, the bench said.

The Telangana government had wanted SC to give directions to governor Tamilisai Soundararajan to clear 10 bills passed by the state assembly, which awaited her assent. The plea was disposed of after solicitor general Tushar Mehta contended that currently no bill was pending with the governor for assent and some bills were returned for clarification.

Appearing for the Telangana government, senior advocate Dushyant Dave contended elected state governments were left at the mercy of governors as they delayed in giving assent to bills passed by legislatures. Dave argued that it happened only in states governed by non-BJP parties. The Telangana government had argued it was constrained to petition SC as a "constitutional impasse created on account of the refusal of the governor to act on bills passed by the state legislature."