The Governor's Role: Constitutional Head or Parallel Power Centre?
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Indian Polity and Governance - The Union and the States (Executive - Governor's Powers), Judiciary (Presidential Reference), Federalism, Key Articles of the Constitution (Article 200).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 2 (Polity & Governance): Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities; Separation of powers; Federal structure - issues and challenges; Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States. This is a classic and highly relevant GS2 topic concerning Centre-State relations.
Key Highlights from the News
The five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court strongly questioned the Central Government's argument that Governors "sitting on Bills for years" is a "false alarm".
The Central Government argued that Governors should "act collaboratively" with state governments and not become a mere "ornamental head of State".
However, Justice P.S. Narasimha questioned whether it is proper for a Bill fully passed by an elected legislature to be defeated by a Governor's unilateral action (withholding assent).
The court observed that if there is a disagreement with a Bill, the correct democratic procedure is to have it "returned to the State legislature for reconsideration".
This issue is being considered by a five-judge Constitution Bench as part of a Presidential Reference seeking the President's advice on the powers of the Governor.
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