In an extraordinary move, the CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in Kerala has moved against President Droupadi Murmu and Governor Arif Mohammad Khan for putting on hold several bills passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly. (DC)
Thiruvananthapuram: The Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in Kerala moved the Supreme Court against President Droupadi Murmu and Governor Arif Mohammad Khan for halting several bills passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly.
It named the Centre, the Secretary to the President, Kerala Governor and his additional secretary as parties to the case. The plea sought a direction to declare Governor Khan reserving bills for consideration by the President as illegal. “The conduct of the Governor in kee-ping bills pending for long periods and thereafter reserving the bills for the consideration of the President without any reasons is manifestly arbitrary and violates Article 14 (equality before law) of the Constitution,” the plea stated. It highlighted that the Centre’s advice to the President to withhold assent to the four bills, that fall within the state’s domain, without disclosing reasons, also violates Article 14. The four bills are the University Laws (Amendment) (No 2) Bill, 2021; The Kerala Coop-erative Societies (Amendment) Bill 2022; the University Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2022; and the University Laws (Amendment) (No .3) Bill.
"Additionally, the actions impugned defeat the rights of the people of the state of Kerala under Article 21 of the constitution by denying them the benefits of welfare legislation enacted by the state assembly," the plea added.
The four bills in question are the University Laws (Amendment) (No 2) Bill, 2021; The Kerala Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill 2022; the University Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2022; and the University Laws (Amendment) (No .3) Bill.
Last year, the Kerala government had approached the top court, accusing the governor of not granting assent to several bills cleared by the assembly. The apex court issued a notice to the office of the governor on November 20 in response to the plea.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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