Prez asks SC if timeline can be imposed on bills

President Droupadi Murmu has sent a Presidential Reference to the Supreme Court seeking its opinion on 14 questions related to whether the president and the governors have to follow the apex court's timelines to decide on Bills sent by states for assent.

- RAJESH KUMAR THAKUR @ New Delhi

PRESIDENT Droupadi Murmu has sent a Presidential Reference to the Supreme Court seeking its opinion on 14 questions related to whether the president and the governors have to follow the apex court's timelines to decide on Bills sent by states for assent.

The reference asks: "In the absence of a constitutionally prescribed timeline and the manner of exercise of powers by the President, can timelines be imposed and the manner of exercise be prescribed through judicial orders for the exercise of discretion by the President under Article 201 of the Constitution of India?"

The same question is asked with reference to the governors. The question is about whether the apex court can set a time of three months for the president to decide on a Bill forwarded by the governor under Article 201 when a "constitutionally prescribed timeline" does not exist.

The reference sent on May 13 raised the questions on the April 8 verdict of the Supreme Court in the matter of the Tamil Nadu governor that laid down the timelines.

The bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan had set limits ranging from one and three months for the governors to clear the Bills or reserve them for the president's consideration.

According to sources, following the President's submission of the 14-point reference, the Supreme Court will need to constitute a five-judge Constitution Bench to examine and respond to these queries.