Role of Governor in a bill passed by Legislature Constitutional provisions - How Governor is acting as agent of centre? (Prelims, Mains GS2)
Role of Governor in a Bill passed by Legislature
Current Issues
- Governors have been known to sit on bills for an indefinite period of time without giving assent or returning them.
- Even though it was supposed to be done immediately, governors were taking months to reserve the Bills for the President's assent.
- Though state executive heads are appointed by the Union government, this erodes the authority of legislatures and governors.
Veto Power of the President and the Governor
- Article 111 of the Indian Constitution: Veto Power of the President of India
- Article 200 of the Indian Constitution - Powers of the Governor with regard to assent given to bills passed by the State legislature and other powers of the Governor such as reserving the bill for the President's consideration.
- Article 201- pertains to ‘Bills Reserved for Consideration’.
- The Governor of India enjoys-
- Absolute veto
- Suspensive veto (except on money bills) but not the pocket veto.
Veto over State Bills:
- The governor has the authority to hold certain types of bills passed by the state legislature for presidential consideration.
- The Governor will then have no further involvement in the bill's implementation.
- The President has the authority to refuse to sign such bills both in the first and second instances.
- As a result, the President has absolute veto power (rather than suspensive) over state legislation.
- In addition, the President has a pocket veto power over state legislation.
COMMENTS