‘Indulging In Extravaganzas’: Kerala Guv Arif Khan On Vijayan Govt Moving SC Over Unsigned Bills

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said that the "confusion" in the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government's mind would be "removed" after it approached the Supreme Court over unsigned bills.

File Photo of Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan

Source : PTI

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan has come down heavily on the state's Left government, which has recently moved the Supreme Court over his refusal to sign certain bills. Governor Khan, in a candid exchange with reporters, accused the state government of indulging in extravagance and claimed it was in violation of constitutional provisions. When asked about the state government's move to the Supreme Court in response to his non-signing of bills, Khan responded that he would provide his answer to the notice from the apex court rather than addressing the media directly.

While refusing to give "replies through media", the  Kerala Governor said that the "confusion" in the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government's mind would be "removed" after it approached the apex court.

"I have great respect for the honorable Supreme Court; it is like a holy cow. If anybody has confusion in their mind and they go to the Supreme Court, then it should be welcomed; confusion will be removed," he remarked, as per news agency ANI.

According to news agency PTI, the governor remarked, "The government is going to the High Court and saying it is in bad shape. But we will indulge in festivities, in extravaganzas and we will waste money."

He went on to criticise the government for its purported extravagance, highlighting instances of building personal-use swimming pools while being unable to meet the pension obligations to individuals who have dedicated their lives to serving the state.

Kerala Governor On Appointment Of Individual Vice Chancellors For Universities

The governor faced questions from reporters regarding his refusal to sign certain bills passed by the Kerala assembly. When asked about the appointment of individual Vice Chancellors for universities, Khan inquired if such a move would incur additional expenditures. He contended that the state government was transferring the responsibility of appointing VCs to the universities. However, he argued that since the universities receive funding from both the state and the Centre, any bill that includes provisions for expenditure should be classified as a money bill.

According to him, money bills require the Governor's approval and cannot be presented to the assembly without it, PTI reported.

State Industries Minister P. Rajeev countered the Governor's claims, asserting that it is the Kerala Assembly Speaker's prerogative to determine whether a piece of legislation qualifies as a money bill. Rajeev insisted that the bills pertaining to the appointment of VCs are not money bills.

Rajeev further added that the bills passed by the legislature should not be indefinitely withheld, and the Governor could have returned them to the assembly, specifying his concerns.

Governor Khan also expressed his view that, as per the Constitution, the Governor is an integral part of the legislature. He criticised the Kerala assembly for passing resolutions on subjects outside its constitutional purview without informing him, terming it a breach of constitutional conventions, PTI reported.

Khan further raised concerns about not being informed about the Keraleeyam 2023 event, one of the state's significant happenings, until he read about it in newspapers. State Industries Minister Rajeev, in response, noted that the Keraleeyam event witnessed substantial public participation, despite facing criticism and opposition from some political parties.

Kerala Govt Moves SC Over Unsigned Bills By Governor Arif Mohammed Khan

The government had previously asserted that it filed a case in the Supreme Court because Khan was not fulfilling his constitutional duties by withholding his assent to certain bills, including the Lok Ayukta Amendment Bill and two University Laws Amendment Bills.

Eight bills passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly have been pending with the Governor for an extended period, prompting the government to seek the top court's intervention, news agency IANS reported.

The impasse between the Governor and the state government has been ongoing, with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan indicating last month that legal action may be the only recourse. Three of the eight pending bills have languished with the Governor for over a year, with one remaining unsigned for around 22 months. Additionally, three other bills have been with him for approximately a year, and two for less than a year, IANS reported.

In response to this contentious situation, the Kerala government, along with senior CPI(M) legislator T.P. Ramakrishnan, has moved to seek the court's intervention to ensure the Governor signs the bills. The move was endorsed by legal advice from jurist Fali S. Nariman and discussions with veteran lawyer K. K. Venugopal, who would represent the state in the apex court, an IANS report mentioned.

State Law Minister P. Rajeev sought to downplay the situation, emphasising that the issue is not a clash between the government and the Governor, but rather a matter between the Governor and the Assembly.

K. Sudhakaran, State Congress president, characterised the situation as unprecedented, with the governor and the government at loggerheads. One of the bills in question, if signed, would nullify the Lok Ayukta institution within the government. "This is done with vested interest by the government," he added, as per IANS.

Subscribe And Follow ABP Live On Telegram: https://t.me/officialabplive