Governor S C Jamir has returned Odisha Police Bill, 2015 and suggested to the state government to re-introduce it for consideration of the assembly, official sources said.
"The Governor has the authority to return bills under the power bestowed on him as per article 200 of the Constitution of India. There is nothing new in it. Earlier, Governors have done it," said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Bikram Keshari Arukhat.
The Odisha Police Bill, 2015, was passed in the state assembly on August 27.
But Jamir, sources said, asked the Home department to table the bill again in the assembly for discussion.
The Bill became controversial when it was passed in the assembly on August 27 in the absence of the opposition. Even as Opposition parties were demanding discussion on few clauses of certain bills, the Odisha assembly on the same day passed four bills in their absence.
Opposing the passing of the Bill without discussion, Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra of Congress had met the Governor. Besides, the opposition also submitted a memorandum to Jamir not to give assent to the Bill.
"We welcome the Governor's decision. The Bill is violating the directive of Supreme Court. If enacted, the Bill will allow the government to use police for political purposes," Mishra told reporters.
BJPLP leader Basant Kumar Panda also welcomed the Governor's decision.
