Answer:

Article 153 of Indian Constitution provides for the Office of Governor who acts as the executive head of the state and his position is analogous to the President at the Centre.

The Governor enjoys wide ranging powers related to executives, legislature and judiciary. One of the most important legislative power the Governor holds is his Ordinance making power. Under Article 213, the governor may legislate by Ordinance, provided the following two conditions are satisfied:

♤ When the Legislative Assembly of the State is not in Session or where there are two Houses in the Legislature, when both Houses are not in Session.

♤ Governor must be satisfied that circumstances exist which render it necessary for him to take immediate action.

An Ordinance promulgated under Article 213 shall have the same force and effect as an Act of the Legislature of the State and can be withdrawn at any time by the Governor.

A bill requires assent of the Governor to become an act. When a bill, after passage, is presented before Governor, he/she has the following options under Article 200:

♤ May give assent to the bill and the bill becomes an act, or

♤ Absolute Veto - May withhold assent to the bill, then the bill ends and does not become an act, or

♤ Suspensive Veto - May return the bill, if it is not a money bill, for reconsideration of the legislature. If the bill is passed again with or without amendments and presented to the governor for assent, the governor must give assent to the bill.

♤ May reserve the bill for the consideration of President. Then he will not have any further role in the enactment of the bill.

Under Article 201, the President may give assent, withhold assent, and return the bill for reconsideration. In certain cases, like bill affecting the position of the High Court or opposing DPSP’s etc., reservation of bill is mandatory.