Consider the following bills in a State Legislature:
- 1. A bill passed by the assembly but pending in the council.
- 2. A bill passed by the council but pending in the assembly.
- 3. A bill passed by the state legislature but pending the assent of the Governor.
- 4. A bill passed by the state legislature but returned by the President for reconsideration.
Which of the above bills lapse when the State Legislative Assembly is dissolved?
- A3 and 4 only
- B1 and 2 only
- C2 and 3 only
- D1 only
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (b) 1 and 2 only
Explanation
Under Article 196, when the Legislative Assembly is dissolved:
- a bill pending in the Assembly lapses, wherever it started (statement 2);
- a bill passed by the Assembly and pending in the Council lapses (statement 1);
- a bill pending in the Council that the Assembly has not passed does not lapse.
Bills passed by the legislature and waiting for the Governor's assent (3), or returned by the President for reconsideration (4), do not lapse. So the answer is 1 and 2.