Solve this or… Supreme Court warns Tamil Nadu government and Governor

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has ordered Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. he/she has commented strongly on the ongoing dispute between Ravi and the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). The dispute is over the passing of bills and the appointment of vice-chancellors of state-run universities. The Supreme Court said, ‘If this matter is resolved by the next hearing… then it is fine. Otherwise, we will resolve it.’Justice S.B. The bench headed by Pardiwala made this comment at a time when the two sides have been at loggerheads for years over the Governor’s refusal to give assent to several bills. These bills include provisions such as limiting the powers of the Governor in the appointment of Vice-Chancellors and removing the Governor from the post of Chancellor of Universities.

The dispute between the DMK and the Governor stems from the Governor’s insistence on including a representative of the University Grants Commission (UGC) in the committees formed for the appointment of Vice-Chancellors in state-run universities. UGC is a constitutional body under the Union Ministry of Education. The state government says that the laws of these universities do not allow the inclusion of UGC representative. The Governor has so far approved only one of the 10 bills. 7 bills, which require approval to become laws, have been put on hold and no action has been taken on the remaining two. The state has sought amendment to its original petition, terming the Governor’s actions as ‘unconstitutional and illegal’ and seeking a direction to him/her to assent to the bills as per the Constitution.

What ultimatum did the Supreme Court give?

The Supreme Court said, ‘If it is resolved by the next hearing date… then it is good. Otherwise, we will solve it. A major point of contention between the Governor and the DMK in this case is the Governor’s insistence on including a representative of the UGC in the committees for the appointment of Vice-Chancellors in state-run universities. The state government argues that the rules of universities do not permit doing so. Last year, the state had moved the court after Governor Ravi constituted a committee to appoint vice-chancellors for Madras University, Bharathiar University and Tamil Nadu Teacher Training University. The state termed the move ‘illegal’ and reconstituted the committee by removing the UGC members.

‘The Governor has only 3 options’

The court also noted that under Article 200 of the Constitution the Governor of any state has only three options – to assent to the Bills presented to him/her, withhold assent, or send the Bills to the President. At that time, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Mr. Ravi, argued that the Governor of any state is not just a technical observer, he/she has an important role in passing the bills.