by THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amid repeated tussles with governor Arif Mohammed Khan, the Kerala government has put forward a recommendation to the Centre that the state assemblies should have powers to recall the governor.
“In Article 156, an amendment be proposed to give the state government concerned a say in the matter of recall of governor,” the government said in response to remarks by the Justice (retd) Madan Mohan Punchhi Commission appointed to suggest changes in the Centre-state relations.
The government has recommended that the state legislature should be empowered to remove the governor in case of violation of the Constitution, lapses in duty of the chancellor or in taking criminal prosecution procedures.
“…as far as the governor is concerned, in addition to constitutional functions, he is entrusted with certain statutory functions such as chancellor of universities. Therefore specific grounds such as violation of Constitution or failure of discharge of his functions should be incorporated in Article 156,” says the note titled “final views of the state of Kerala” approved by the cabinet.
Khan had run into serious differences of opinion with the government on many occasions, with the latest being that of him accusing the government of trying to “control” the Raj Bhavan. He has raised charges against the government on appointment of ministers’ personal staff and said such staff are not entitled to pension benefits anywhere in the country. He had locked horns with the government on appointments in universities and the Lok Ayukta Act amendment earlier. The note says, “Article 155 need an amendment in such a way that the governor of a state shall be appointed by the President in consultation with the state concerned and the appointment shall be effected from a panel furnished by the state.”
“In Article 156, an amendment be proposed to give the state government concerned a say in the matter of recall of governor,” the government said in response to remarks by the Justice (retd) Madan Mohan Punchhi Commission appointed to suggest changes in the Centre-state relations.
The government has recommended that the state legislature should be empowered to remove the governor in case of violation of the Constitution, lapses in duty of the chancellor or in taking criminal prosecution procedures.
“…as far as the governor is concerned, in addition to constitutional functions, he is entrusted with certain statutory functions such as chancellor of universities. Therefore specific grounds such as violation of Constitution or failure of discharge of his functions should be incorporated in Article 156,” says the note titled “final views of the state of Kerala” approved by the cabinet.
Khan had run into serious differences of opinion with the government on many occasions, with the latest being that of him accusing the government of trying to “control” the Raj Bhavan. He has raised charges against the government on appointment of ministers’ personal staff and said such staff are not entitled to pension benefits anywhere in the country. He had locked horns with the government on appointments in universities and the Lok Ayukta Act amendment earlier. The note says, “Article 155 need an amendment in such a way that the governor of a state shall be appointed by the President in consultation with the state concerned and the appointment shall be effected from a panel furnished by the state.”
