Sun Nov 23 15:42:50 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:
Summary:
The Kerala government plans to legally challenge the delay in passing several state bills pending with the President and the Governor. They will approach the courts after what they deem a “reasonable time,” referring to a Supreme Court advisory that suggested judicial review for bills delayed beyond such a timeframe. Several key bills are awaiting approval, including those related to university laws, wildlife protection, prevention of animal cruelty, and forestry. The state argues some bills, like the Private Universities Bill, shouldn’t require Presidential assent. The Law Minister emphasizes the need to assess a ‘reasonable time’ for each bill individually.
News Article:
Kerala Government to Sue Over Delayed Bills, Cites Supreme Court Advisory
KOCHI, INDIA – November 23, 2025 – The Kerala government announced today that it will seek legal recourse to expedite the passage of multiple state bills currently awaiting approval from both the President of India and the state’s Governor. This decision follows a recent Supreme Court advisory suggesting judicial review is possible for bills experiencing unreasonable delays.
State Minister for Law P. Rajeeve stated that the government will initiate legal action after a “reasonable time” has elapsed. However, the Supreme Court advisory did not explicitly define what constitutes a “reasonable time,” leaving the state to determine this on a case-by-case basis.
Among the bills facing delays are the University Laws (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Kerala State Private Universities (Establishment and Regulation) Bill 2025, the Wildlife Protection (Kerala Amendment) Bill 2025, and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Kerala Amendment) Bill. Several recently passed bills, including the Kerala Forest (Amendment) Bill, 2025 and the Kerala Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill, are awaiting the Governor’s signature.
“The Kerala government will seek legal remedy if the Bills are not cleared after a reasonable time,” Rajeeve stated.
The government is particularly critical of the Governor’s decision to forward the Private Universities Bill to the President, arguing that it sets an unnecessary precedent and that many such universities already exist in other states without presidential approval.
Judicial sources confirmed the Supreme Court’s advisory holds significant weight and that the determination of a “reasonable time” will depend on the specifics of each bill, the Governor’s reasons for delay, and the overall duration of the holding period, beginning from the date the bill was submitted for approval. The Kerala government’s legal challenge could set a precedent for other states facing similar legislative gridlock.
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