Eluru MP takes up farmers' issues, key infrastructure projects with Prime Minister
In a press statement, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MP said he urged the Centre to address the challenges faced by palm oil farmers through swift action on pricing and support measures. He noted that discussions with Union Ministers on these matters have been receiving positive responses.
Highlighting recent progress on the long-delayed Kovvur–Bhadrachalam railway line, Mr. Mahesh Kumar expressed satisfaction over its sanctioning and completion of the Detailed Project Report (DPR). The Railway Minister, he said, has assured that works will commence soon, benefiting the people of Chintalapudi, Polavaram, Uttarandhra, and both Godavari districts.
The MP also confirmed that 12 Railway Over Bridges (ROBs) have been approved by the Centre, with land acquisition to be completed within two to three months under the supervision of the District Collector. The Union Government has agreed to release funds for the process, and he has sought approval for four more ROBs in the Kaikalur Assembly constituency.
On tobacco farmer concerns, Mr. Mahesh Kumar said he urged the Union Commerce Minister to remove the ceiling limit on procurement and allow the sale of excess produce. The Minister has assured that an order will be issued in the coming week.
Regarding the palm oil sector, the MP said efforts are under way to secure a fixed price to safeguard farmers' interests. He reiterated his commitment to raising all pending projects and constituency issues during the current parliamentary session and following them up with Union Ministers until approvals and funds are secured.
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Agency: New Delhi, Aug 19 (PTI) The Centre on Tuesday opposed in the Supreme Court imposition of fixed timelines on governors and President for taking decisions on bills passed by state legislatures, saying such constraints were 'consciously omitted" by the framers of the Constitution. Challenging the April 8 verdict that fixed timelines for grant of assent to bills, Attorney General R Venkataramani informed a five judge Constitution bench headed by Chief justice B R Gavai that the judgement tied the hands of President who was 'virtually robbed of her (discretionary) powers". 'You bind the hands of the President. The highest consideration of whether to assent or not must remain open," he said. While the attorney general was assisting in his personal capacity, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta represented the Centre before the bench also comprising Justices Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, P S Narasimha and A S Chandurkar. 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However, if he returns the bill and the house passes it again, President is bound to give assent. There is no ambiguity on this point." President, he said, while described as a 'nominal head" during debates, was nonetheless an elected constitutional authority. 'Unlike the Governor-General, President functions on the aid and advice of the council of ministers. That distinction must be respected," Mehta said. The attorney general called the April 8 verdict a 'judicial overreach into the legislative domain". Venkataramani said the verdict effectively rewrote constitutional provisions and curtailed the discretionary space available to Governor and President. The AG said in the Tamil Nadu judgment, the court 'entered into the legislative domain" and suggested President to seek the Supreme Court's opinion under Article 143 if doubts arose on a bill. 'Can the court go to the extent where it says, let me take pen and paper and rewrite the Constitution," he asked. He said the judgment virtually bound President and governors to act mechanically on the aid and advice of state governments, stripping them of independent constitutional application of mind. 'President is being told not to look at executive policy. Governor and President are virtually robbed of their discretion," he said. He referred to Article 145 and said it stipulated the constitutional questions of substantial importance to be heard by at least a five-judge bench. Article 145 mandates a minimum of five judges to decide any case involving a substantial question of law regarding the interpretation of the Constitution or for hearing any reference. The AG maintained the Tamil Nadu verdict breached the mandate. 'If there are multiple, conflicting judgments of smaller benches, then such matters must necessarily go before a larger bench for conclusive authority," Venkataramani argued. He said routine matters under Articles 14 and 21 might not attract the mandate, but 'issues of working of the Constitution and its integrity" certainly did. Venkataramani said the Tamil Nadu judgment altered the original meaning of Article 200, which governs gubernatorial assent to bills. top videos View all While the AG said President's constitutional role was being constrained by judicial directions, the SG argued the issue was sui generis (unique), requiring the court's guidance. 'This has created a constitutional functional problem. Am I bound by the three month deadline? Am I bound by Article 200 directions? Or should all states come to the Supreme Court," he asked. PTI SJK MNL AMK AMK (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: August 19, 2025, 21:00 IST News agency-feeds Centre in SC opposes fixing timelines for Prez, guv for assent to bills Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...
