Under active consideration: Punjab Governor to CM seeking his assent to pending bills
Under active consideration: Punjab Governor to CM seeking his assent to pending bills
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has urged Governor Banwarilal Purohit to provide assent to the bills passed by the Assembly. The Governor responded, stating that these bills are under his “active consideration,” and he assured an expeditious decision.
This development follows a directive from the Supreme Court, instructing Governor Purohit to decide on the bills passed by the legislative assembly during its “constitutionally valid” session on June 19 and 20. The court emphasized that the governor’s authority should not impede the regular legislative process.
The bills in question have been a source of contention, leading to a legal and constitutional impasse. The Supreme Court’s intervention aimed to ensure that the bills undergo the necessary scrutiny and receive a decision within the legal framework.
In his letter to Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann reiterated the urgency of obtaining assent for five bills passed by the Punjab Vidhan Sabha. These bills, integral to the legislative agenda, have been awaiting the governor’s approval, with four of them passed during the budget session on June 19 and 20, 2023.
Governor Purohit responded to Mann’s communication, assuring that the bills were actively under his consideration. He acknowledged the proroguing of the budget session on November 15, a procedural step taken following the Assembly secretariat’s request.
The exchange between the Chief Minister and the Governor reflects the ongoing constitutional and procedural intricacies surrounding these bills. Mann’s emphasis on their significance aligns with the legislative priorities set during the budget session, and he seeks to expedite the process of obtaining the governor’s assent.
Governor Purohit’s assurance of active consideration implies a commitment to thoroughly evaluating the bills within the legal and constitutional framework. This response comes after the Supreme Court’s directive, emphasizing the governor’s responsibility in facilitating the legislative process rather than impeding it.
The proroguing of the budget session, as mentioned by the governor, indicates the formal conclusion of that particular session’s proceedings. This administrative step is part of the overall procedural clarity surrounding the legislative activities in Punjab.
As both the Chief Minister and the Governor engage in a dialogue over these bills, the legal and constitutional nuances are at the forefront. The eventual decision will have implications for the legislative landscape in Punjab and may influence the understanding of gubernatorial powers in similar scenarios across the country.
The outcome will be closely watched, not just for its impact on the bills in question but also for the broader principles it establishes regarding the relationship between the executive and the legislative branches, emphasizing the adherence to constitutional norms.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s request to the governor aligns with the broader effort to address the status of these bills promptly. The governor’s assurance of “active consideration” suggests a commitment to reaching a resolution without unnecessary delay.
The Supreme Court’s involvement underscores the importance of adhering to established constitutional procedures and preventing any use of gubernatorial powers that might obstruct the legislative process. The outcome of this situation will have implications for the legislative landscape in Punjab and may set a precedent for similar situations in other states.
As the governor expedites his decision-making process, the focus remains on upholding constitutional norms and ensuring that the bills, once duly considered, receive either assent or appropriate disapproval in line with legal principles.
Governor Banwarilal Purohit, in response to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s letter, expressed satisfaction that the practice of adjourning the assembly sine die and recalling it without proroguing had come to an end. The Governor noted that this positive change resulted from the intervention of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, emphasizing the restoration of healthy democratic practices.
The Governor conveyed his contentment with the resolution of this matter, highlighting the importance of adhering to established democratic procedures. He pointed out that he had previously advised the Chief Minister to follow the agreed-upon procedure, as confirmed by the Supreme Court. This response indicates the Governor’s perspective on the importance of upholding democratic norms and the need for transparent and constitutionally sound legislative practices.
The exchange underscores the ongoing dialogue between the Chief Minister and the Governor, with an underlying focus on fostering democratic principles and adherence to established legal procedures. The acknowledgment of the Supreme Court’s role in guiding these practices reflects a commitment to upholding the rule of law and constitutional governance in the state of Punjab.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, in his letter to Governor Banwarilal Purohit, emphasized the resolution of the issue regarding the validity of the special sittings of the Vidhan Sabha convened in June 2023. Mann highlighted that the Hon’ble Supreme Court, in its orders pronounced on November 10, had affirmed the validity of the sittings held on June 19 and 20, 2023, and October 20, 2023.
The Chief Minister’s communication sought to address the Governor’s earlier concerns about the validity of the special sittings, which had been a factor in delaying the assent to the pending bills. With the Supreme Court’s clarification on the validity of the sittings, Mann urged the Governor to give his assent to the pending bills passed during those sessions.
This exchange underscores the significance of the Supreme Court’s role in providing clarity on constitutional and procedural matters, paving the way for the legislative process to move forward. Mann’s letter seeks to remove any lingering doubts about the legality of the special sittings and reinforces the Chief Minister’s request for prompt action from the Governor regarding the pending bills.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann highlighted the urgency of addressing the pending bills in his letter to Governor Banwarilal Purohit. Mann specified the five bills, emphasizing their validity based on the orders of the Supreme Court on November 10, 2023, which affirmed the legality of the special sittings held in June 2023 and October 2023.
The bills awaiting the governor’s approval include key legislative measures such as The Sikh Gurudwara (Amendment) Bill, 2023; The Punjab Police (Amendment) Bill, 2023; the Punjab Affiliated Colleges (Security of Service) (Amendment) Bill 2023; the Punjab Universities Laws (Amendment) Bill 2023; and the Punjab State Vigilance Commission (Repeal) Bill, 2022.
Mann’s request is framed within the constitutional obligation and democratic principles, urging the governor to promptly clear the bills in light of the Supreme Court’s orders. This correspondence emphasizes the adherence to legal and constitutional processes in the functioning of the state legislature and executive, seeking to expedite the legislative agenda for the benefit of the people of Punjab.
The dynamics between Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Governor Banwarilal Purohit regarding pending bills in the state assembly continue to evolve. Mann has urged the governor to expedite the approval of five bills, emphasizing their validity based on the Supreme Court’s orders of November 10, 2023, affirming the legality of special sittings in June and October 2023.
The bills in question encompass significant legislative measures, including amendments to The Sikh Gurudwara, Punjab Police, Affiliated Colleges (Security of Service), Punjab Universities Laws, and the repeal of the Punjab State Vigilance Commission.
Mann’s letter to Governor Purohit underscores the constitutional obligation and democratic principles, aligning with the Supreme Court’s directives. The urgency in clearing these bills is emphasized as the AAP government gears up for a two-day session of the Punjab assembly starting on November 28.
The background includes the proroguing of the budget session by the governor on November 15, a move following a request from the Punjab Vidhan Sabha secretariat. The extension of the budget session had been a contentious issue between the state government and the Raj Bhavan.
The Supreme Court’s November 10 judgment addressed the AAP government’s plea, asserting that the governor must decide on the pending bills, recognizing the constitutionally valid sessions held in June 2023 and directing a resolution to the deadlock. This ongoing dialogue between the chief minister and the governor reflects the complexities of state governance and the delicate balance between executive and constitutional authorities.
The Supreme Court’s judgment on November 10, 2023, unequivocally validated the sessions held on June 19 and 20 in the Punjab assembly, rejecting any doubts cast by the governor. The court asserted that the governor’s authority does not extend to challenging the validity of an assembly session once the Speaker has made a decision.
The Punjab government’s plea for a judicial declaration affirming the legality of the assembly session and validating the business conducted by the House found resonance in the Supreme Court’s decision. The bench, comprising Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, Justice J B Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra, emphasized the governor’s responsibility to promptly decide on bills passed by the assembly and warned against the potentially disruptive consequences of undue delays.
The court’s characterization of the governor “playing with fire” underscores the importance of respecting constitutional norms and timely decision-making, emphasizing the principle that the governor’s role is largely ceremonial, with certain powers exercised based on constitutional conventions. This judgment sets a precedent in delineating the boundaries of authority between the executive and legislative branches, contributing to the constitutional jurisprudence of India.
