SC Restricts Governor Veto Under Article 200
Why focus: Landmark SC ruling on Article 200 — high-probability GS2 Polity MCQ testing Governor's pocket veto vs mandatory assent powers.
In News
What Happened
Why It Matters
Background
History & Context
What Changed
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BEFORE: Governors frequently used prolonged inaction (a de facto pocket veto) to stall state bills indefinitely without legal consequence. NOW: Gubernatorial inaction on legislation is explicitly subject to judicial review, compelling constitutional authorities to make timely decisions.
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BEFORE: There was ambiguity on whether a Governor could reserve a bill for the President after it was reconsidered and re-passed by the State Legislature. NOW: The Supreme Court clarified that a Governor cannot reserve a re-passed bill for the President and is constitutionally bound to grant assent.
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BEFORE: Governors sometimes withheld assent to a bill without returning it to the legislature for reconsideration. NOW: The Court mandates that if a Governor withholds assent, the bill must be returned to the legislature with a message for reconsideration 'as soon as possible'.
Prelims Angle
NCERT Connection
Practice Questions
Q1
Correct Statement(s)With reference to the Governor's legislative powers under Article 200, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. A Governor holds the constitutional authority to exercise a pocket veto by indefinitely withholding action on a bill passed by the State Legislature. 2. If a State Legislature re-passes a bill after it is returned by the Governor, the Governor cannot reserve it for the President's consideration.