Set time limit to Governor to grant assent to Bills, T.N. Assembly urges Centre, President

The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Monday adopted a resolution moved by Chief Minister M.K. Accusing the Governor of functioning with political motives and converting the “Raj Bhavan into a Political Bhavan”, he recalled the observation of the Justice Rajmannar Committee that “it is an appropriate time to abolish the post of Governor and the Governor should be a detached figure.” In January this year, the Assembly had moved a resolution disapproving of the Governor’s selective deviation from the prepared text, of his customary address to the House. The objective of the resolution, the Chief Minister, said was to establish the legislative power of the Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu to urge the Governor to refrain from continuously acting against the interests of the people of Tamil Nadu and thereby tarnishing the principles of democracy and the sovereignty of the Legislative Assembly. “This august House records with deep regret the action of the Governor in indefinitely withholding many Bills without giving permission, passed by the Legislative Assembly—on the basis of sovereignty and the legislative responsibilities enshrined in the Constitution -–thereby functioning against the welfare of the people of the State,” he alleged. The Chief Minister also made a reference to the Governor’s recent remarks about Bills sent to him for assent, and said: the “controversial comments made by the Governor in public forums about the Bills passed by the Assembly and sent for assent, are not in accordance with the office he holds, the oath he took and interest of the state administration.” He added: “Besides it is against the Constitution and the established convention being followed and belittling the dignity of this House and undermining the supremacy of the Legislature in a Parliamentary democracy.” Speaker Appavu, after a subsequent voice vote declared that the resolution was adopted unanimously.