- We all know that the appointment of the Governor to any state is more or less seen as post-retirement sops for seasoned politicians having spent decades in the hurly-burly of public service representing varied parties. In a way, the Constitutional post of the Governor offers the incumbent not only a position of restrictive authority, albeit largely ceremonial, but also provides for a cushy environment and paraphernalia to discharge responsibilities as mandated. Of course, the real power lies with the duly elected government of the day is not lost on anyone even though assent to bills, acts, and certain other clearly demarcated charters of duties require Governor’s concurrence.
PC: Ayush Verma
- Mind you, the Governor has to act on the recommendations of the cabinet though there are innumerable instances over the years when the former has played truant more often than not. The gubernatorial position in the Indian context can be termed as anything but apolitical as the unwritten norm witnessed is the appointment/changes occurring whichever political dispensation assumes power at the Centre. As such, resignations are sought, accepted, and appointments made no sooner than the power changes hands at the Centre. Needless to mention, the relationship between several state governments and the governor is anything but cordial leading to avoidable acrimonious occurrences much to the befuddlement of observant citizens.
- As is there won’t, few governors are hellbent on pursuing political interests despite knowing their limitations unwittingly contributing to rancorous confrontations. One such incident is being played out in Tamil Nadu. As reported, the Tamil Nadu Governor is in the news as the state has sent back the anti-NEET bill which he had waited for 142 days to respond to the first time the bill was forwarded for his consent. Now, when the Governor finally responded he added a completely unnecessary commentary that the TN bill was anti-poor. No wonder, the ruling DMK government was riled prompting it to adopt a wounded/victim posture towards the issue. The tactful thing would have been to send the bill back without rhetorical flourishes or, even better, send it to the President-medical education is in the concurrent list.
PC: SMITHA TK
- Mind you, the TN bill cannot get assent because it seeks to carve an exception out of a central exam system. Remember, passing the bill was DMK’s political theatre and hence, the Governor should have quietly rejected the same to wither away the issue. Bearing this in mind, the Governor should quickly send the re-adopted bill to the President. The common national entrance examination for medical undergraduate and PG courses is here to stay. It ended the chaotic system of states and institutes running their admission tests. The SC upheld its constitutionality in 2020. Without getting into the merits and demerits of the NEET, what should be understood from the evolving scenario is the ill-advised intervention of the Governor failing to act smartly and on expected lines. Such acts only help in further demeaning the gubernatorial office when political considerations overtake responsible dispositions expected from the Constitutional heads.
