Mon May 19 03:00:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:

**The Hindu: President Seeks Supreme Court Guidance on Governor Bill Approvals**

**New Delhi, May 19, 2025:** President Droupadi Murmu has invoked Article 143 of the Constitution, referring key legal questions to the Supreme Court regarding the powers of Governors and the President in approving or withholding assent from bills passed by state legislatures. This move comes in the wake of a recent Supreme Court judgment that established timelines for such actions and subjected them to judicial review.

The presidential reference raises 14 questions, primarily focused on interpreting Articles 200 and 201 of the Constitution. The government is particularly concerned about whether courts can prescribe timelines for constitutional actions where none are explicitly defined and the justiciability of presidential/governor actions before a bill becomes law. The extent of the Supreme Court’s powers under Article 142 is also under scrutiny.

This is not the first time such a reference has been made. Article 143, a holdover from the Government of India Act, 1935, allows the President to seek the Supreme Court’s advisory opinion on matters of public importance. Landmark cases like the Delhi Laws Act case (1951) which laid down the contours of ‘delegated legislation’, the Kerala Education Bill (1958) relating to fundamental rights, the Berubari case (1960) on ceding territory and the Third Judges case reference (1998) which laid down guidelines for the collegium system have all been decided under this provision.

While the Supreme Court’s opinion is not legally binding, it holds significant persuasive value and is typically followed by both the executive and the courts. Experts suggest that this reference is driven by ongoing political tensions between the Union government and states led by opposition parties. A clear opinion from the Supreme Court is expected to resolve ambiguities surrounding these constitutional provisions, fostering smoother functioning of democracy and federalism.

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