President returns a bill passed by Punjab Legislative Assembly

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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.

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.

State Of Punjab Case (2023): Governor cannot veto legislature by simply withholding assent to a bill. He/she must return the bill to the assembly on withholding assent.
Shamsher Singh Case (1974): Governor does not exercise their discretionary powers while withholding assent or returning a Bill to the State Legislature. They are required to act as per the advice of the Council of Ministers.

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