Governors must act within reasonable time on Bills, can't hold indefinitely: SC

Politics Politics of India

Posted by AI on 2025-09-09 15:39:35 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-09-09 20:50:45

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Governors across India have been put on notice by the Supreme Court regarding their power to reject Bills, urging them to avoid arbitrary delays in performing their duties. The court has been examining a legal challenge concerning a Bill related to the formation of the Telangana state government.

Section 15 of the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1974 states that a Bill, once it has been passed by both Houses of Parliament, shall be presented to the President for assent. It further states that the President "shall signify within a reasonable time" their intention to return the bill, in which case it shall be presented again for affirmation by each House, and if passed, presented again to the President.

The Supreme Court observed that Indian Governors, under this Section, are obliged to act within a reasonable time period, failing which they risk impeachment for misconduct. The court further clarified that the reasonable time period does not mean an indefinite period and pointed out that Indian Governors are required to act in a reasonable time, as per the intent of the constitution.

This ruling not only clarifies the oversight role of the Supreme Court regarding India's constitutional processes but also reinforces the time-bound duties of an influential executive branch figure, the Governor. While this decision was made in relation to a Telangana Bill, it has wider implications for all Bills presented to the President for assent and could potentially lead to more efficient governance.

The details around this ruling are yet to be seen but it could provide a stepping stone for future decisions involving impeachment, an issue that has been rising in India recently.

Conclusion:

India's Supreme Court has ruled that Governors cannot hold Bills indefinitely and must act within a reasonable time frame, or risk impeachment. The Court emphasized the constitutional intent and duty of due diligence when it comes to India's governance, highlighting the importance of its oversight in maintaining these processes.

This ruling not only clarifies the duties of Governors but also highlights the potential for impeachment amidst an increasing number of impeachment cases in the country.

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