Punjab Governor Contemplates Referring Passed Bills to President, Citing Concerns Over Legality of Special Assembly Session

Punjab Governor Raises Concerns Over Legality of Special Assembly Session and Considers Referring Bills to President

Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit has expressed his belief that the two-day special Assembly session held last month in Punjab was a violation of law and proper procedure. In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Purohit stated his concerns and mentioned that he is contemplating the possibility of referring the four Bills passed during the session to the President for further consideration.

The response from the Governor comes after Mann's request to grant assent to the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which was one of the four Bills approved during the special session held on June 19 and 20.

In his letter, Purohit emphasized his commitment to fulfilling his duties diligently and mentioned that he sought legal advice regarding the matter. The legal advice received led him to believe that the calling of the Vidhan Sabha session on the mentioned dates was a breach of both law and procedure, thereby raising doubts about the legitimacy and legality of the Bills passed during that session.

Considering the background of the legal advice received, the governor expressed his active consideration of seeking further legal opinion from the Attorney General of India or, in accordance with the Constitution, reserving the Bills for the consideration and consent of the President.

The issue surrounding the special Assembly session and the passage of the four Bills has raised questions about the adherence to legal procedures and the proper authority required for such legislative actions. The governor's response highlights the need for a thorough examination of the situation and the potential involvement of higher authorities in reviewing the Bills in question.

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