Reminiscent of similar confrontation in Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Delhi
Shimla (S Gopal Puri)
Himachal Pradesh is witnessing an unprecedented confrontation between Raj Bhavan and the state government, reminiscent of similar spats seen in states like West Bengal, Delhi, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
In these states, Governors and ruling parties have often clashed over administrative decisions and governance, highlighting the uneasy balance of power between constitutional authorities and elected governments.
Confrontation after remark on poll promises
In Himachal Pradesh, the tension escalated recently when Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla remarked that fulfilling a political party’s election promises is not the responsibility of the Raj Bhavan.
Responding strongly, Revenue and Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi termed the Governor’s statement “unfortunate”, asserting that it was the government’s prerogative to fulfill electoral commitments.
Clash triggered by objections to Nautor Bill
Speaking to the media at the state Secretariat, Negi defended the government’s decision to revive the Nautor Land Grant Rules, which allows allocation of land to landless people in tribal areas. He emphasised that the Congress government was constitutionally obligated to address the demands of the tribal population.
The minister pointed out that the Nautor Bill had been presented to the Governor five times but remained unsigned due to objections raised by Raj Bhavan. “I will approach him for the sixth time with all necessary data,” Negi said, adding that the objections raised were procedural and would be addressed promptly.
Negi also criticised the Governor’s use of the term “fake” in reference to the Nautor cases. “There is no scope for error or malpractice in this matter. All required data, including names and addresses, have been shared with the Raj Bhavan,” he added. Further, Negi stated that was is not within the Governor’s purview to scrutinise individual cases under the Nautor rules. “The Governor should suspend the applicability of the Forest Conservation Act (FCA) of 1980, which is hindering the implementation of the rules,” he said, noting that 12,742 cases remained pending.
The minister also highlighted the historical precedent for Nautor provisions, pointing out that these rules were framed in 1968 under Dr YS Parmar’s leadership and were applicable until the FCA came into effect in 1980. While the previous BJP government suspended the FCA in tribal areas for a year in 2020, it allegedly benefited only one individual, Negi claimed. “This selective application was against the interests of tribal communities,” he alleged, citing examples of broader implementation under former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh.
Negi also took a dig at the Governor’s earlier comments about the constitutional responsibilities of ministers and Governors. “All constitutional officeholders, including the Governor, are bound by their oath to work impartially,” he remarked.
Precedents of Governor-government clashes
The friction in Himachal mirrors similar disputes in other states:
- In West Bengal, Governor CV Ananda Bose and the Mamata Banerjee government have clashed over issues ranging from university appointments to law-and-order concerns.
- In Delhi, the tussle between the Lieutenant Governor and the Aam Aadmi Party government often centers on control over administrative matters.
- In Tamil Nadu, Governor RN Ravi’s differences with the DMK government on various legislations have frequently made headlines.
- In Kerala, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan has been at loggerheads with the LDF government over university governance and other policy issues.
