The Supreme Court on Wednesday decided to test the Centre’s knowledge of the Constitution. It framed seven questions related to the March 27 imposition of President’s rule in Uttarakhand and sought the Centre’s answers to them.
The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to answer seven questions, which include: “Can a delay in the floor test be a ground for proclamation of President Rule?”
The Centre introduced President’s Rule on March 27, one day before Harish Rawat was to take a trust vote.
The stay will continue till next order on the issue. The apex court has fixed May 03 as the next date for hearing on the case. The state will continue to remain under the President’s rule.
Earlier in the day, the apex court framed seven questions for Centre regarding the imposition of the President’s rule in Uttarakhand.
Mr. Rawat and the Congress accuse the Centre of misusing President’s Rule to get rid of an elected government led by an opposition party.
“I am hopeful,” Mr. Rawat, who turns 69 today, had said before the court hearing.
Here are the questions put up the top court:
- Whether governor could have sent message in present manner under Article 175 (2) to conduct floor test?
2. Whether governor can ask Assembly Speaker for division of votes as both are Constitutional authorities?
3. Can a delay in the floor test be ground for proclamation of President’s rule in state?
4. Convention is money bill failed, government goes but who is to say money bill hasn’t been passed if Speaker doesn’t say so?
5. What is the stage of appropriation bill and when President’s rule comes in the picture with regards to Appropriation bill?
6. Whether disqualification of MLAs by the Speaker is a relevant issue for the purpose of imposing President’s rule under Article 356?
7. Can proceeding in the Uttarakhand Assembly be taken note by the President for imposing President’s rule?
