President Droupadi Murmu Seeks Supreme Court Opinion on Imposing Timelines for Assent to Bills

President Droupadi Murmu has invoked the rare constitutional power under Article 143(1) to seek the Supreme Court’s opinion on whether judicial orders can fix timelines for the President’s exercise of discretion while granting assent to bills passed by state assemblies.

Article 143(1) empowers the President to refer questions of law or fact of significant public importance to the Supreme Court for its advisory opinion. The Court, after hearing, may report its views to the President.

The move comes following the Supreme Court’s April 8 verdict concerning the Governor’s powers in handling bills challenged by the Tamil Nadu government. The President’s reference aims to clarify whether judicial intervention can set deadlines on the discretion exercised by the President in such matters.

This rare step underscores the ongoing debate over the balance of power between the executive and judiciary in the legislative process at the state level. The Supreme Court’s opinion is expected to provide clarity on the procedural aspects of presidential assent to state legislation.