The Punjab Universities Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023 was reserved for the President’s assent by Punjab Governor.
- The bill proposed to replace the governor with the chief minister as the chancellor of state universities.
Reservation of State Bills for President’s Consideration
- Article 200 of the Constitution outlines Governor's power regarding bills passed by the state legislature.
- It provides that Governor may reserve such a bill for President’s consideration.
- Enactment of reserved bill then depends upon President’s assent or refusal of assent and Governor has no role in it.
- If President directs the Governor to return the bill to state legislature for reconsideration, state legislature shall reconsider it within 6 months and present it again to President.
- However, it is not obligatory for President to give his assent to reconsidered bill.
Other powers of Governor on State Bills
- Once a bill is passed by the state Legislative Assembly, it is presented to Governor who is vested with four options:
- Grant Assent: Makes the bill a law.
- Withhold Assent: Effectively rejects the bill.
- Return Bill for Reconsideration: If legislative assembly passes the bill again with or without amendment, the Governor shall give his assent.
- Reserve the Bill for the President's Consideration.
Supreme Court Judgements on Governor’s Legislative Powers
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