SC frames questions in Tamil Nadu govt-governor row over withholding assent to bills
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Thursday framed eight key questions for adjudication of the dispute between the Tamil Nadu government and Governor R N Ravi over withholding assent to bills passed by the legislative assembly. These include questions on the concept of pocket veto, the governor's authority and discretion.
The posers were framed by a bench comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan that is hearing the submissions of senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi representing the Tamil Nadu government.
The hearing is underway.
The bench listed the questions at the outset of the day’s proceedings.
The first one, for instance, reads, “When a state legislative assembly passes a bill and sends it to the Governor for assent, and the Governor withholds assent, but the bill is passed again and resubmitted – does the Governor have the authority to withhold it once more?”
The next question is: “Is the discretion of the governor to present a bill to the President limited to specific matters, or does it extend beyond certain prescribed subjects?”
The bench said it will deal with the issue on what considerations influenced the governor’s decision to present the bill to the president instead of granting assent.
“What is the concept of a pocket veto, and does it find a place within the constitutional framework of India,” reads another question.
The bench said it will deal with the issue of how to interpret Article 200 of the Constitution, which gives the governor the power to approve or withhold approval of bills passed by the state legislature. The governor can also send a bill back to the legislature for reconsideration or suggest changes.
“When a bill is presented to the Governor and returned for reconsideration, does the Governor have an obligation to grant assent once the bill is passed again by the legislature,” the bench asked.
It will hear Attorney General R Venkataramani on the matter later in the day.
The bench is hearing two petitions filed by the Tamil Nadu government concerning the prolonged confrontation between the state assembly and the governor over his refusal to assent to bills passed by the legislature.
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Bihar: Over 150 children fall ill after consuming 'mid-day meal' in Saharsa
Saharsa (PTI): More than 150 children were taken ill after allegedly consuming food that was part of the mid-day meal in a school in Bihar’s Saharsa district, a senior official said on Thursday.
The incident occurred at a middle school in Baluaha village of the district.
The official said that 115 children were undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital, while around 50 students were admitted to Mahishi Public Health Centre.
“We received information that several children fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal in Baluaha. The children were initially treated at the primary health centre, but later, many were referred to the Sadar Hospital,” Saharsa District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar told reporters.
“According to doctors, the health condition of the children has improved, but they will be kept under observation for some time. There is no need to panic. Some kids are having mild fever. They are being treated accordingly,” Kumar said.
Meanwhile, family members of some children claimed that a snake was found in the container in which cooked pulses was stored at the school.
Of the 545 students present in the school, 200 had already eaten their meals by the time the snake was spotted, and later complained of stomach ache and vomiting, they said.
Regarding the claims, the DM said food samples have been collected from the school.
“We will be able to comment on this only after the results of the tested samples arrive,” he said.
