The President is the head of the State and exercises his/her powers on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers. With reference to this, answer the following questions:
Mention any three legislative powers of the President.
Topic: Legislative powers of the President
Answer
(1) He summons and prorogues the sessions of Parliament, may dissolve the Lok Sabha, and may summon a joint sitting of both Houses to resolve a deadlock over an ordinary Bill. (2) He addresses the first session of Parliament after a general election and the first session of each year, outlining the government’s policies; and no Bill can become an Act without his ASSENT, which he may give, withhold, or return once for reconsideration. (3) He may promulgate ORDINANCES when Parliament is not in session, which have the same force as an Act of Parliament, and he nominates 12 members to the Rajya Sabha for distinction in literature, science, art and social service.
One mark per power, and all three must be LEGISLATIVE — executive powers such as appointments earn nothing here. The Ordinance power is the most striking and should appear. The nomination of 12 members is the point most often forgotten and is the safest third. Note the constitutional reality worth a closing line: the President exercises all these powers on the ADVICE of the Council of Ministers.