Presidential Reference On Timelines For Bills' Assent : Live Updates From Supreme Court

CJI: Discussion appears to be, it has to be done in reasonable period. Some leaders thought that even six weeks is long

SG: the idea is not to bind him down

SG: This is what we have right now in Article 111

SG: Constituent Assembly debate referred:

SG says another suggestion was that substitute 'possible' with 'maybe'.

CJI: according to you, no timelimit for provided?

SG: It was sought to be deleted for better reasons...We always follow a system that highest constitutional funtionaries will discharge their duties in accordance with law.

SG: 'not later than six weeks' the word 'as soon as possible' shall be substituted- Dr Ambedkar suggested.

SG: Draft Constitution is prepared- Article 91, only two options- he assents to the Bill or that he withholds assent. Very interestingly, it is debated, power of withhold is suggested to not conferred upon him. Following words added to proviso, second amendment suggested by Loknath Mishra is, if the Bill is presented the second time, the President shall not withhold the assent herewith

SG: There is timeline stipulated for Governor General and for the Crown. When BN Rau prepared the Bill for independent India, this is what he formulated.

CJI: its there in Article 200

SG: on timelines, there was a timeline it was done away with- conscious omission of the constituent assembly.

SG: there was a discretion in first and second para, now becomes a scenario with the Governor General having four options...sometimes, when working of constitution, the governor sends back due to repugnancy or when it violates fundamental rights. Depending upon situation, he may say it is desirability to delete a provision etc