By which time must the Governor return an ordinary bill to the concerned State Legislature for reconsideration?

Question

By which time must the Governor return an ordinary bill to the concerned State Legislature for reconsideration?

1. A. Three months
2. B. One month
3. C. No time limit (Correct answer)
4. D. Two months

Correct Answer

Option C — No time limit

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is No time limit.

Key Points

• The Constitution prescribes no specific time limit within which the Governor must return an ordinary bill to the State Legislature for reconsideration.
• Under Article 200, when a bill is presented to the Governor, he may assent, withhold assent, reserve it for the President, or return it (if it is not a Money Bill) with a message for reconsideration — but no time frame is fixed for this action.
• Since the Constitution sets no time limit, option (C) is correct.

Additional Information

• this absence of a deadline has led to situations where Governors delay bills indefinitely (so-called 'pocket veto'), a matter that has been the subject of debate and litigation.