Governors must bear in mind mandate under Article 200 to clear bills passed by legislature as soon as possible: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Monday took note of Governors of States delaying their assent to bills passed by the State legislature and urged them to keep in mind the mandate under Article 200 of the Constitution which casts duty on them to clear bills "as soon as possible" [State of Telangana vs Secretary to her Excellency the Hon'ble Governor for the State of Telangana and Anr.].A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha said that the intent of the words "as soon as possible" in Article 200(1) of the Indian Constitution is significant and must be borne in mind by constitutional authorities."The word "as soon as possible" [in Article 200(1)] has a significant Constitutional intent and must be borne in mind by constitutional functionaries," the Court said.The observation was made while disposing of a plea filed by the State of Telangana seeking directions to State's Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan to give her assent to ten key bills passed by the State legislature pending before her.The order disposing of the plea was passed after the Court was informed by Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta that no bill was pending with the Governor for assent and that some bills have been returned for additional comments..The plea before the Court stated that the State has been forced to invoke the apex court's jurisdiction under Article 32 due to the frequent constitutional impasse created on account of the refusal of the Governor of Telangana to act on several bills passed by the State legislature.Such a failure by the Governor to comply with the Constitutional mandate must be declared as "highly irregular, illegal and against the Constitutional mandate", the plea added.When the matter was taken up for hearing today, SG Mehta said that nothing survives in the case since all the bills highlighted in the plea haven either been assented to by the Governor or returned for reconsideration..However, Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave, appearing for the Telangana government, said that elected State governments were being left at the mercy of Governors due to such delays by them in giving their assent to bills passed by the State legislature.He also said that it was happening only in States ruled by non-BJP parties."In Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat etc bills are assented within a day... But this is happening in opposition ruled states," Dave said"I cannot comment on this," the SG replied."You are the law officer appointed by Central government," Dave responded.He then requested the Court to mention in its order that Governors should give their assent to bills without delay.The SG objected stating it might not be a proper prayer."May not be a proper prayer. It will show there was no constitutional compliance," he said.The Court nevertheless proceeded to record the same in its orders while disposing of the plea.As the hearing drew to a close, there was sharp exchange of words between the SG and Dave. "This was not needed... I can say nothing more... I do not want to vitiate the atmosphere further," the SG said disagreeing with the Court urging Governors to act swift when bills passed by legislature come up before them. "At least you accept that you vitiate the atmosphere," Dave said..Recently, the Punjab government had moved the top court against Governor Banwarilal Purohit for failure to summon the budget session of the house.That plea was eventually disposed of by the top court after the Governor summoned the assembly as per the advice of the council of ministers.