Enigmatic Destiny Of The Bills

Free Thinker *

ILP : Manipur Shops and Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill 2015 :: August 31 2015

There is turmoil and anxiety throughout the State about the 3 Bills recently passed by the State Assembly. The destiny of these Bills is either with the Governor or the President (whichever may be the case). Keeping in view the prevailing circumstances our Excellencies may consider all Constitutional options endowed to them. The options are
(1) to give assent to these Bills,
(2) to withhold assent to these Bills,
(3) return the Bills for reconsideration of the Assembly, with or without a message suggesting amendments or
(4) keeping the Bills pending for consideration.

There is another infamous route to deal with mounting public and political pressure i.e., to withdraw the Bills (though procedurally improper) by the State government itself for further changes, modifications, amendments or rethinking.

BILLS & RAJ BHAWAN

When a Bill is passed by the State Assembly it is transmitted to the Governor for her consideration. The Governor shall declare either that he/ she assents to the Bill or that she withholds assent or that she reserves the Bill for the consideration of the President. The Governor may also return the Bill (not a Money Bill) for reconsideration of the same by the Assembly with or without her suggestions.

When the Bill so returned, the Assembly shall reconsider the Bill accordingly and if the Bill is passed again by the Assembly with or without amendment and presented to the Governor for assent, the Governor cannot withhold her assent to that Bill. However she may reserve her assent by transmitting the same Bill to the President for her consideration.

When a Bill is reserved by the Governor for the consideration of the President, the President may either give assent to the Bill or withhold the Bill. The President may also return the Bill (not a Money Bill) to the Assembly through the Governor for the reconsideration of the Bill. Within six months the same Bill must be reconsidered by the Assembly. If it is passed again with changes or without changes it shall be transmitted to the President through the Governor for her consideration.

PRESIDENTIAL POCKET VETO TO BILLS

Another interesting point is that the Constitution does not mention any time frame within which the President is to declare her assent or refusal or return the Bill. Consequently it is up to the President how to deal with a Bill transmitted to her; so, the President may keep the Bill of the State Assembly in her hand for an indefinite period of time, without expressing her mind. There are many such State Bills pending for Presidential decision. Reasons for such pendencies are not unknown.

The Indian Post Office Bill which was passed by Parliament in 1986 is still pending with the President. The President has so far not accorded her assent, neither declared that she has withheld her assent nor returned the Bill along with a message for reconsideration of the bill. The Constitution has also not prescribed any time limit for which the President can keep a Bill pending with her.

EVERYTHING POSSIBLE WITH PROPER COMMUNICATION

It must be boring and monotonous to talk of procedures, legalities and constitution etc. Let us come to the real issues. Some may try to exploit the fragile situation playing Meitei card or Naga card or Kuki-Chin card or the hill-valley divide card. In any volatile circumstances the leaders are safe and protected but common people will suffer.

So let us be responsible and not trigger any move which may lead to more death and destruction. Hence under any circumstances let us proceed peacefully and without violence. If those 3 were Meitei Bills, then why can’t we convert them into Naga-Kuki-Meitie-Pangan Bills. Things can be resolved and everything is possible, but through dialogue and proper communication.

THE AGENTS OF CHANGE

Many leaders both national and regional are perhaps impressed to see our well organized blockades, successful general strikes (bandhs), heart touching torch rallies, committed hunger-strikes, disciplined wakat-miphams, persuasive unending protests etc. of course minus violence. It is learnt that one prominent leader calls them “the agents of change”. What a compliment! And many locals are invited to work for them or join their parties.

SWACHH BHARAT ABHIYAN ON RIGHT TRACK

Jurno: Sir, what is the progress of Swachh Abhiyan(clean India campaign)?
Spokesperson: It is on the right track.
Jurno: Any example or any feedback?
Spokesperson: This time we are having more cases of dengue. You know, dengue mosquitoes breed only in clean water bodies. More dengue cases means more clean water. This indicates our clean India campaign is doing well.
Jurno: Congratulations Sir !