Question

Who has the power of converting a "bill" into an "act"?

Answer 1

Answer: President of India

Explanation:

The President of India holds the constitutional authority to convert a bill into an act through the process of giving assent. This power is outlined in Article 111 of the Indian Constitution, making the President a crucial part of the legislative process in our country.

When both houses of Parliament - the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha - pass a bill, it is sent to the President for approval. At this stage, the President has three options available:

• Give assent to the bill, which immediately converts it into an act
• Withhold assent, effectively rejecting the bill
• Return the bill to Parliament for reconsideration (except in the case of money bills)

It's important to understand that while the President has this power, it is largely ceremonial in nature. The President typically acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister. However, this doesn't diminish the significance of the President's role in the legislative process.

When the President gives assent to a bill by signing it, the bill becomes an act and becomes the law of the land. The date of assent is considered the date from which the act comes into force, unless a different date is specified in the act itself.

This system ensures that there is a final check in the legislative process before a bill becomes law. It represents the principle of separation of powers in our democratic system, where the executive (represented by the President) has a role in the legislative process, creating a system of checks and balances.