Governor altered policy speech in Assembly, says Kerala CM
POLITY – STATES
- The Kerala Legislative Assembly saw extraordinary scenes after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar had made changes to the policy speech prepared by the State government while delivering the customary address at the start of the first session of the New Year.
- While certain sections were omitted, some additions were made elsewhere, he said.
- He said the Cabinet-approved version would prevail in keeping with the constitutional practice and legislative precedent in Kerala.
- In the approved text, paragraph 12 read: “Despite these social and institutional achievements, Kerala continues to face severe fiscal stress arising from a series of adverse Union Government actions that undermine the constitutional principles of fiscal federalism.” However, in the speech delivered by the Governor, the paragraph read: “Despite these social and institutional achievements, Kerala continues to face severe fiscal stress arising from curtailment of advances.”
- In paragraph 15, the Governor omitted the following section from the Cabinet-approved version: “Bills passed by State legislatures have remained pending for prolonged periods. My government has approached the Supreme Court on these issues, which have been referred to a Constitution Bench.”
- The Cabinet-approved section in paragraph 16 stated: “Tax devolution and Finance Commission grants are constitutional entitlements of States and not acts of charity, and any pressure on constitutional bodies entrusted with this task undermines federal principles.” Mr. Vijayan said the Governor prefaced this section with the words, “My government feels…”
- Article 176 of the Constitution mandates a special address by the Governor to State legislatures at the commencement of the first session after a general election and at the start of the first session each year.
