The President of India has the power to use a pocket veto, which allows them to withhold their assent to a bill passed by Parliament. This power is mentioned in Article 111 of the Indian Constitution. A pocket veto can be exercised by the President when they receive a bill for their assent and choose not to give their assent within a specified period.

Pocket Veto Explained

A pocket veto is a way for the President to effectively veto a bill without having to explicitly reject it. When a bill is passed by the Parliament, it is sent to the President for their assent. The President has three options: to give their assent, to withhold their assent, or to use a pocket veto.

If the President chooses to give their assent, the bill becomes law. If the President decides to withhold their assent, they must return the bill to Parliament with their objections. Parliament can then reconsider the bill and either make amendments or pass it again with a two-thirds majority in both houses. If the bill is passed again with the required majority, the President is obligated to give their assent.

However, if the President decides to use a pocket veto, they simply do not give their assent within the stipulated time frame. This means that the bill does not become law and does not need to be returned to Parliament with objections. The pocket veto effectively halts the progress of the bill.

Instances of Pocket Veto

There have been instances where the President of India has used the pocket veto power. However, it is important to note that the specific number of times this power has been used is not readily available in the public domain. The pocket veto power has been used sporadically over the years, depending on the circumstances and the President's assessment of the bill.

Conclusion

The pocket veto power of the President of India is an important tool in the legislative process. It allows the President to withhold their assent to a bill without explicitly rejecting it. While the exact number of times the pocket veto power has been used by the President is not readily available, it has been exercised on certain occasions. This power ensures that the President has the ability to carefully consider and assess the implications of a bill before giving their assent.