PRESIDENT’S ASSENTS TO STATE BILLS (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: Recently, the Uniform Civil Code Bill, passed by the Uttarakhand Assembly, has been enacted into law after receiving assent from President of India.

President’s Assents to State Bills

• Powers of the Governor: Article 200 of the Indian Constitution delineates the authority vested in the Governor regarding bills passed by the state legislature.
• Actions Available to the Governor: Upon receiving a bill, the Governor can choose to assent to it, withhold assent, or reserve it for the President's consideration.
• Governor's Response to Non-Money Bills: For non-money bills, the Governor may assent, withhold assent, or return the bill for reconsideration by the state legislature.
• Procedure for Reconsideration: If the bill is sent back for reconsideration and is passed again, with or without amendments, the Governor must either give assent or reserve it for the President's consideration.
• Limitations on Money Bills: Money bills typically do not undergo reconsideration as they are usually introduced with prior assent from the Governor.
• Role of the President: If a money bill is reserved, the President decides whether to assent or withhold assent.
• Governor's Discretion: The Constitution doesn't specify criteria for the Governor's decision to assent or withhold assent.
• Options for the President: When a bill is reserved for the President's consideration, they can assent, withhold assent, or direct the Governor to return the bill to the state legislature.
• President's Discretion: The President isn't obligated to assent, even if the bill is re-passed by the state legislature.