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Podcast: In Focus by The Hindu
Episode: Presidential reference: Is the Supreme Court’s opinion a blow against federalism?
Description: A 5-judge Bench of the Supreme Court has given its opinion on the 16th Presidential Reference. This Reference pertained to the discretionary powers of the Governor and the President. The Supreme Court said that no timelines can be fixed for Governors or the President to act on Bills passed by State legislatures. It also said there can be no ‘deemed assent’. But it added that in cases where the Governor’s inaction “is prolonged, unexplained and indefinite” there will be ‘limited judicial scrutiny”.
This advisory opinion of the Supreme Court contradicts its own judgement of April 8, in...