What are the discretionary powers of the President?
Answers
As mentioned in Article 72 of the Indian constitution, the president is empowered with the powers to grant pardons in the following situations: Punishment is for an offence against Union law. Punishment is by a military court. A sentence that is of death.
The President can withhold assent to a Non-Money Bill or send it back for reconsideration.
There is no time limit within which the President is required to declare his assent or refusal or return the Bill for reconsideration. He can take as much time as he thinks appropriate.
If no political party or leader has majority support in the Lok Sabha, the President has the freedom to decide who should be appointed as Prime Minister.
In case the Prime Minister has lost the support of the Lok Sabha, he may, instead of tendering his resignation, ask for the dissolution of the House. The President is bound to act on the advice of the Prime Minister. He can also explore the possibility of forming an alternative government at the centre.
In appointing the Prime Minister from among the contenders when no single party attains majority after elections to the Lok Sabha.
A Council of Ministers is voted out and after resigning advises the President to dissolve, the Lok Sabha and hold fresh elections (or resigns and advises so without being voted out). The President is expected to exercise his discretion in such circumstances as much of the Lok Sabha's life may still be intact and it is worthwhile to explore the possibility of forming an alternative Government.
While exercising a pocket veto.
Disqualifying members of the legislature when the Council's advice is not taken.
Can return the advice of the Council of Ministers once for its reconsideration.
Can return the Bill passed by the Parliament once for its reconsideration.