Bengal Assembly to propose constitutional amendment to fix time limit for Governor’s bill approval amid SC ruling

In the upcoming monsoon session starting June 9, the West Bengal Legislative Assembly will introduce a constitutional amendment proposal aimed at setting a definite time frame for the Governor to approve bills passed by the Assembly. This initiative follows a recent Supreme Court judgment that prohibits the Governor or President from keeping any bill pending indefinitely.

Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee stated that, according to the Supreme Court’s decision, timely action on bills awaiting the Governor’s assent is necessary. He emphasized that to impose a deadline for the Governor’s approval, an amendment to the Constitution is required. Hence, the Assembly will present a proposal to be forwarded to the Central Government.

The Supreme Court’s two-judge bench clarified that neither the Governor nor the President can withhold assent to a bill indefinitely. The judgment mandates these constitutional authorities to act within a specified period. Although the court does not have the power to directly command the Governor or President, it invoked Article 142 of the Constitution, which allows the court to issue special orders to ensure justice.

The West Bengal government has alleged that Governor C.V. Ananda Bose has delayed approving several bills passed by the Assembly. This situation has prompted the ruling party to seek a clear constitutional provision that enforces a deadline for bill approval, aiming to prevent legislative delays.

The proposed constitutional amendment will be discussed during the two-week legislative session. This measure intends to align the state’s legislative process with the Supreme Court’s ruling, ensuring that bills passed by the Assembly are approved or rejected within a fixed timeframe.