Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar inaugurates the orientation programme as chief minister Nitish Kumar (centre) and Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley look on. Picture by Deepak Kumar

Patna, Sept. 26: Senior BJP member and Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley today questioned the power of governors regarding clearing of bills once passed by the Assemblies.

He said a governor often sits for long on the bills passed by the House. “I find it an attack on the federal structure of the country. Often a bill is passed by the Legislative Assembly but returned by the governor. However, for the second time (when it goes to the governor again) withholding the bill is unconstitutional. It does not come under the power of governors. The governor shall rather discuss the bill with the council of ministers.”

He added: “The role and responsibilities of the governors will come for public debate soon because of some recent development in a few states.”

Jaitley was speaking at an orientation programme organised for the newly elected MLAs at the Annexe Hall of the Bihar Legislative Assembly. Also present at the occasion, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, who advised the lawmakers not to seek suspension of Question Hour of the Parliament and state assemblies as “there is no such rule under which the members can give notices to suspend Question Hour. Hence, the members should not even think of it.”

Meira also spoke about the responsibilities of the legislators and said: “It is well-defined but fulfilling them is an exacting task. To become an effective and efficient member (of the House) requires vision not only for the state but also for the nation. Adequately comprehending issue, ideas, and ideologies is the first task of a legislator. He (a legislator) needs to grasp the concern of the grassroots of the constituency, raise voice for solution and get them solved.”

Chief minister Nitish Kumar also advised the legislators not to hesitate while asking any question in the House. “When I entered the House for the first time nobody taught me this. You have to utilise the time given to you and there should not be any hard feelings outside the House,” he said.