After the Centre on Friday asked the Haryana Governor to withdraw the assent granted to a Bill aiming to create a separate Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC), the State Government ridiculed the idea saying it was like questioning the competence of the State legislature.
In a letter to Haryana Chief Secretary SC Choudhary, Union Home Secretary Anil Goswami said the ‘Haryana Sikh Gurdwaras (Management) Bill, 2014’ passed by the State Assembly on July 11, to which the Governor accorded his assent on July 14, has “no legal effect” and be withdrawn before any further complications arise.
Reacting on the letter of Goswami, Haryana Chief Secretary SC Chaudhary said the Governor has already given his assent to Haryana Sikh Gurdwara (Management) Bill 2014, which has now become an Act. “In case anyone has any objection, he can challenge it in the court of law, the court would see whether it is legal or not and deliver its verdict or the Vidhan Sabha can amend it”, said the Chief Secretary.
The Chief Secretary, who was interacting with mediapersons said that a notification for Haryana Sikh Gurdwara (Management) Bill 2014, has already been issued, thus completing the legislative process. He said that legal opinion was sought to pass the Bill and thereafter it was tabled in the Vidhan Sabha because it is under the jurisdiction of the State Assembly.
Ridiculing the letter received from the Union Home Ministry, he said the Union Home Secretary has, in his letter, almost stated his decision that the Bill is not as per the law. Therefore, the State Government should urge the Governor to withdraw it.
“As far as the Haryana legislative Assembly is concerned, the Bill has been passed after threadbare discussion in the assembly and thereafter the Governor has given his assent. It was only after that a notification was issued,” he said.The Chief Secretary expressed his surprise over the letter of the Union Home Ministry saying that it was not in his jurisdiction to return the Bill to the Governor when it has already been passed by the Haryana Assembly. Also, it has been notified.
He said that Karnataka High Court has clearly stated in one of its verdicts that if Governor approves a Bill or an Act, that cannot be withdrawn. But for reconsideration, the Bill can again be tabled in the State Assembly and sent to the Governor.Chaudhary said that if somebody has any problem with the Bill, he can approach the Court. This Bill has been formulated after getting legal opinion from the competent authority.
Asked about the law and order situation in the state, the Chief Secretary said that the government was keeping an eye on the prevailing situation and law and order would be maintained in the areas around Gurdwaras. On July 17, SGPC Chief Avtar Singh Makkar had threatened to depute private security men at the gurdwaras of Haryana to preserve its possession on it.