Punjab Governor Reserves Three Bills for Presidential Consideration

Punjab Governor Reserves Three Bills for Presidential Consideration

Chandigarh, India – December 6, 2023: In accordance with Article 200 of the Indian Constitution, Punjab Governor has reserved the following three bills for the consideration of the Honorable President of India:

1. The Punjab Universities Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023

2. The Sikh Gurudwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023

3. The Punjab Police (Amendment) Bill, 2023

These bills have been at the center of a recent dispute between Governor Banwarilal Purohit and the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab. The AAP government had passed the bills in June of this year, but the Governor had withheld his assent, citing legal concerns.

The decision to reserve the bills for the President’s consideration is seen as a way to break the impasse between the Governor and the state government. The President will now have the final say on whether or not the bills should be enacted.

The Punjab Universities Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023 seeks to amend the laws governing the state’s universities. The Sikh Gurudwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023 seeks to amend the laws governing the Sikh Gurdwaras, which are the holy places of worship for Sikhs. The Punjab Police (Amendment) Bill, 2023 seeks to amend the laws governing the Punjab Police.

The AAP government has argued that the bills are necessary to reform the state’s universities, gurdwaras, and police force. However, the Governor has raised concerns that the bills may be unconstitutional.

It remains to be seen whether the President will approve the bills. If the President does approve the bills, it will be a major victory for the AAP government. However, if the President does not approve the bills, it will be a major setback for the AAP government and could lead to further tension between the Governor and the state government.