Consider the following statements with reference to ordinary bills:

1. When the President returns the bill for reconsideration of the parliament and if it is passed by both the Houses again with or without amendments, the president must give his/her assent to the bill. 

2. When the President returns the bill for reconsideration of the state legislature and if it is passed by the House or Houses again with or without amendments, the president must give his/her assent to the bill. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

a) 1 only 

b) 2 only 

c) Both 1 and 2 

d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: 

• When the President returns an ordinary bill for reconsideration of the parliament and if it is passed by both the Houses again with or without amendments and again presented to the President, it is obligatory for the President to give his/her assent to the bill. 
• This means that the presidential veto is overridden by a re-passage of the bill by the same ordinary majority. Thus, the President enjoys only a ‘suspensive veto’. 
• When the President returns the bill for reconsideration of the state legislature, the house or houses have to reconsider it within a period of six months. And if it is passed by the House or Houses again with or without amendments, the constitution does not specify whether it is obligatory on the part of the President to give his/her assent.

Ans: (a)