Question

Which President of India used pocket veto?

• A. Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy
• B. Giani Zail Singh
• C. Shankar Dayal Sharma
• D. K.R. Narayanan

Hint:

Understand the three veto powers of the Indian President: 1. {Absolute Veto:} Withholding of assent (used for private member bills or when a cabinet resigns). 2. {Suspensive Veto:} Returning a bill for reconsideration (cannot be used for money bills). 3. {Pocket Veto:} Taking no action on the bill for an indefinite period.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks to identify the Indian President who exercised the 'pocket veto'.
Step 2: Key Concept:
The pocket veto is a power available to the President of India under Article 111 of the Constitution. It allows the President to withhold assent to a bill for an indefinite period. Since the Constitution does not prescribe a time limit for the President to give assent, the President can simply keep the bill pending, effectively vetoing it.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
In 1986, President Giani Zail Singh exercised the pocket veto with respect to the Indian Post Office (Amendment) Bill.
The bill, passed by the Rajiv Gandhi government, was widely criticized for granting the government sweeping powers to intercept personal mail, thus infringing on the right to privacy.
President Zail Singh neither gave his assent nor returned the bill for reconsideration. The bill eventually lapsed after his term ended. This is the most famous instance of the use of the pocket veto in Indian history.
Step 4: Final Answer
President Giani Zail Singh used the pocket veto on the Indian Post Office (Amendment) Bill in 1986.