Thiruvananthapuram :The Raj Bhavan in a statement confirmed the Governor signed five Bills the Assembly. The said Bills comprise amendments to Acts governing Kerala Maritime Board, general services of Local Self-govt Body, Public Service Commission and Kerala Jewelry Works Welfare Board.
There were a total of 12 Bills tabled in the Assembly of which 11 were passed and presented for Governor’s approval. Bills pending Governor's signature included amendments relating to Lok Ayukta and Universities. Of these, the Governor had earlier approved the Bill cancelling decision to leave Waqf Board appointments to the PSC. Thus the five bills now signed are part of the remaining 11.
Amid controversies, several legal experts recently clarified it would not be possible for Governor to keep passed Bills unsigned endlessly. Postponing approval to Bills for long is insult to the Assembly and the Constitution. The Governor does not have powers to stall the Bills. The routine norm of Governors approving passed Bills applies here too, thus the current approval for the five Bills.
