Legislative powers of the governor
- The Journal of Governance
- 29, Jul, 2024: p.64-72
This article examines the legislative powers of the Governor in India, focusing on constitutional provisions and recent controversies. The Governor’s powers include summoning and proroguing the legislature, addressing sessions, assenting to bills, reserving bills for the President’s consideration, and promulgating ordinances when the legislature is not in session. While these powers are intended to safeguard constitutional governance, they have increasingly become sites of contestation in India’s federal framework. The article highlights the unprecedented petition filed by the Kerala government in March 2024 against the President of India for withholding assent to four bills passed by the State Assembly, raising questions about the limits of gubernatorial and presidential discretion. Situating this debate within broader discussions on democratic accountability and bureaucratic neutrality, the paper underscores how legislative powers of the Governor can shape governance outcomes and test the resilience of India’s constitutional democracy. By fostering dialogue among policymakers, academics, and practitioners, the journal contributes to advancing the study and practice of governance in India and beyond. Its consistent publication underscores a commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and promoting effective governance. In an unprecedented move, the Kerala government has petitioned the Supreme Court on 23 March 2024 against the president of India for withholding assent to 4 bulls that were passed by the state assembly. The pleas say that the mater related to the acts of Kerala government reserving seven bills, which he was required to deal with himself. – Reproduced
Political Science, Governor, Legislative Powers, Assent to Bills, Ordinance-Making, Kerala, Supreme Court, Constitutional Law, Neutral Competence, Governance, Federalism, India