Governor’s Role in Indian Federalism: Recent Controversies & Judicial Oversight

 Governor’s Role in Indian Federalism: Recent Controversies & Judicial Oversight

(GS-2: Constitution, Separation of Powers, Centre-State Relations)

1. Constitutional Provisions

• Article 153: The Governor is the executive head of the state.
• Article 163: The Governor acts on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers (except in discretionary matters).
• Article 200: Governor’s powers regarding assent to bills (withhold, return, reserve for the President).
• Article 201: The President’s role when a bill is reserved by the Governor.

2. Key Controversies

A. Tamil Nadu Governor Case (2023)

• Issue: Governor R.N. Ravi delayed assent to 12 bills passed by the TN Assembly (some pending for over 2 years).
• SC Ruling (April 2023):
• Imposed a 3-month deadline for Governors to decide on bills.
• Held that Governors cannot use discretion to indefinitely withhold assent.
• Invoked Article 142 to ensure "justice" in legislative deadlocks.

B. Centre’s Objections

• Solicitor-General’s Argument:
• Governors are constitutional actors, not "post offices."
• Imposing timelines amends the Constitution (since Articles 200/201 lack time limits).
• Governors act as a check on hasty state legislation.

C. Other States:

• Kerala, Punjab, and Telangana have faced similar conflicts over the Governor’s inaction.

3. Judicial Precedents

• Shamsher Singh (1974): The Governor must act on ministerial advice except in discretionary areas.
• Nabam Rebia (2016): The Governor cannot delay assent indefinitely; must follow constitutional morality.
• S.R. Bommai (1994): Reiterated federal balance; the Governor’s discretion is limited.

4. Federalism & Challenges

• Tension Points:
• Appointment of Governors: Often seen as partisan (Centre’s influence).
• Reservation of Bills: Misused to stall state policies (e.g., TN’s NEET exemption bill).
• Withholding Assent: Defeats legislative will (anti-democratic).
• Sarkaria Commission Recommendations:
• Governors should be neutral and act impartially.
• Time-bound decisions on bills (though no constitutional mandate).

5. Way Forward

• Reforms Suggested:

1.    Fixed timelines for assent (codify SC’s 3-month rule).

2.    Transparent guidelines for reserving bills for the President.

3.    Collegium-like system for Governor appointments to reduce politicization.

• Balancing Federalism: Governors must respect elected state governments while safeguarding constitutional integrity.

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Potential Mains Questions

1. "The office of the Governor has become a focal point of Centre-State conflicts." Discuss with recent examples. (GS-2)
2. Critically examine the Supreme Court’s intervention in fixing timelines for Governors to decide on bills. Does it undermine federalism?
3. Compare the roles of the President and Governor in the legislative process. How can their discretionary powers be reformed?