Tamil Nadu governor returns 10 bills a week after Supreme Court’s expression of concerns

Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi has returned ten pending bills, including two from the previous AIADMK government, to the Assembly, following criticism from the Supreme Court regarding delays. The court expressed “serious concern” over complaints by Tamil Nadu and Punjab about bill clearance delays.

The ruling DMK plans to send the bills back in a special session, aiming to compel Governor Ravi to sign them into law. The state government accuses the BJP-appointed Governor of obstructing development by deliberately delaying bill clearance and undermining the elected administration.

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The DMK told the court that Ravi’s actions “undermine the will of the people” and requested a specific timeframe for bill approval. Among the pending bills are those limiting the Governor’s authority to appoint Vice Chancellors and seeking the prosecution of former AIADMK ministers.

Ravi, previously criticized for delaying the NEET Exemption Bill and a bill on online gaming, stated, “Withholding bills is a courteous way of saying no.” He stirred controversy by promoting Sanatan Dharm and avoiding reading names of prominent figures from a government-provided speech.

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The Supreme Court has seen similar disputes with governors in Kerala and Punjab. In Punjab, Governor Banwarilal Purohit was cautioned for “playing with fire” after delaying seven bills, including fiscal management and education measures.