Presidential Reference on Bill Assent
Why focus: Only 16th Article 143 reference; directly hits Article 200/201 Governor assent powers — core GS2 Polity, NCERT Class 11 Constitution.
In News
What Happened
Why It Matters
Background
History & Context
What Changed
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BEFORE: Governors often used the lack of specific time limits in Article 200 to indefinitely withhold assent to state bills (a de facto pocket veto). NOW: The reference seeks to clarify if the Supreme Court can constitutionally impose strict judicial timelines on this process.
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BEFORE: The extent of the President's discretionary power to withhold assent to state bills reserved by the Governor under Article 201 was ambiguously defined. NOW: The 14 questions aim to establish binding constitutional principles on how and when the President can exercise this veto.
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BEFORE: The judiciary's intervention in legislative assent processes was seen by some as overstepping the separation of powers. NOW: The advisory opinion will clearly demarcate the constitutional boundaries between judicial review and executive discretion in legislative matters.
Prelims Angle
NCERT Connection
Practice Questions
Q1
Correct Statement(s)Which of the following statements regarding the President's power to seek the Supreme Court's advisory opinion is/are correct? 1. Article 143(1) of the Constitution authorizes the President to seek the Supreme Court's opinion on questions of law or fact of public importance. 2. The Supreme Court's opinion given under Article 143 is legally binding on the President.