Deadline for President and Governor on Bills; Centre to move legally against SC order

NEW DELHI: The Centre is against the Supreme Court order that the President, like the Governor, has a three-month time limit on bills passed by the Assembly and has no veto power. The Center has decided to file a review petition in the Supreme Court against the order. It is reported that the Union Home Ministry has initiated the move to file the plea.

The Center said the time limit should be reviewed and the arguments of them were not considered. The Center will file the plea before the bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan, which issued the verdict on the three-month limit.

In its judgment issued on April 8, the Supreme Court also set a time limit for the President on bills passed by the Assembly. The order also said that if the President does not take action within the time limit, the states can approach the court.

The Supreme Court observed that it is an abuse of power to withhold bills by stating that the President's approval is required. If the approval of a bill passed by the Assembly is extended, the court can intervene. The President should inform the state about the reason for denying the approval of the bill. If amendments are necessary, then that should be made clear. States should consult the Centre before enacting legislation on matters related to the Constitution that require the President's approval. The Centre should consider the legislative proposals of the states in a timely manner. This will facilitate the relations between the Centre and the state. The Supreme Court also directed that if a bill is set aside on the grounds of unconstitutionality, the President should seek the advice of the Court.