The state government of Punjab has filed a petition in the Supreme Court against Governor Banwarilal Purohit for withholding approval to five bills passed by the State Legislative Assembly.
Filed on October 28, the petition sought intervention of the Apex Court for timely disposal of bills pending for approval before the Governors.
The petition, which was cleared for listing before the top court of the country, alleged that Purohit has so far granted assent only to 22 of the 27 bills passed by the Punjab Legislative Assembly during the tenure of the incumbent government led by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Following the development, the Punjab Governor wrote to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, assuring that a decision on the remaining bills may be taken in the coming days.
The letter said that the five bills passed by the State Assembly as well as three money bills sent by the Punjab government recently were under the consideration of the Governor, who would take a decision after due consideration on them in the coming days.
In February also, the State of Punjab had moved the Apex Court against the Governor for not convening the Budget Session of the House.
The petition was eventually disposed of by the top court of the country after the Governor summoned the Assembly as per the advice of the Council of Ministers.
Meanwhile, the State of Tamil Nadu has also filed a similar petition in the Apex Court against Governor RN Ravi, alleging that the Governor office was sitting over the 12 Bills passed by the State Legislative Assembly.
The petition further alleged that the Governor had not granted approval to the files pertaining to sanctions for the prosecution of public servants and premature release of various prisoners.
Citing the Sarkaria Commission recommendations, the Tamil Nadu government sought the issuance of guidelines regarding time limits for Governors to assent to bills passed by the Assembly.