Which President of India exercised the pocket veto on the Indian Post Office (Amendment) Bill?

The correct answer is Zail Singh.

Key Points

• President Zail Singh used the pocket veto on the Indian Post Office (Amendment) Bill in 1986.
• The Indian Post Office (Amendment) Bill sought to intercept and detain postal articles for the purpose of national security.
• Zail Singh was the 7th President of India, serving from 1982 to 1987.
• The pocket veto refers to the power of the President to withhold assent to a bill, effectively vetoing it without a formal rejection.

Additional Information

• Pocket Veto
  • The pocket veto is a special veto power exercised by the President of India.
  • Unlike the regular veto where the President explicitly refuses to sign a bill, the pocket veto involves withholding assent indefinitely.
  • This power is derived from Article 111 of the Indian Constitution.
  • It allows the President to effectively veto a bill by taking no action on it, particularly when Parliament is not in session.
• Indian Post Office (Amendment) Bill
  • This bill was introduced to give the government the power to intercept and detain postal articles for reasons of national security.
  • It was seen as controversial because it could infringe upon the privacy of individuals.
  • The bill was met with opposition from various quarters, including civil rights groups.
• Zail Singh
  • Giani Zail Singh served as the President of India from 1982 to 1987.
  • He was the first Sikh to hold the highest constitutional office in India.
  • Before becoming President, he served as the Chief Minister of Punjab and held various other significant political positions.
• Veto Powers of the President of India
  • The President of India has three veto powers: absolute veto, suspensive veto, and pocket veto.
  • Absolute veto refers to the President's power to withhold assent to a bill, thereby rejecting it outright.
  • Suspensive veto allows the President to return a bill for reconsideration by Parliament, except in the case of money bills.
  • Pocket veto, as mentioned, involves withholding assent indefinitely without any formal action.