karnataka-guv-clears-three-of-15-previously-rejected-bills

Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has approved three Bills on Monday, following his recent rejection of about 15 Bills forwarded by the state government.

 

The Bills signed include the Karnataka Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2023; the Renuka Yellamma Devi Temple Development Authority Bill, 2024; and the Municipalities and Related Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

 

The Governor had previously returned the Bills, requesting further information from the Siddaramaiah-led government, which sparked controversy. The state government described the action as vindictive.

 

In response to ongoing tensions with the Governor, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress president D.K. Shivakumar remarked, “I pray to God to bless the Governor with wisdom,” criticising the Governor's decision to approve an investigation into Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s alleged involvement in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land scam.

 

Shivakumar questioned, “The Governor sent back about 15 Bills. If he wants clarifications, he should seek them and question them. I am not saying that is wrong. But why should there be a government in a democratic system if Bills are sent back at the insistence of BJP MLAs? How is that tenable?”

 

Opposition Leader R. Ashoka countered, stating, “Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah needs to learn to respect Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot. When the Governor returns a Bill, it is the government’s duty to provide a clarification and make the matter clear.”

 

Ashoka emphasised, “The Governor has the authority to advise the government on the pros and cons of such Bills. Even when the BJP was in power, then Governor Hansraj Bhardwaj returned several Bills. We did not object to his decisions.”

 

He added, “The notion that the Raj Bhavan is a BJP office is outdated. If a Bill is returned, the government should provide clarification and resolve any confusion. It is the government’s duty to make things clear to the Governor. If this duty is not fulfilled, it is the government’s negligence, not the Governor’s fault. It is not right for the government to blame the Governor for its own mistakes.”