Recently, President’s Rule was imposed in Manipur that has been affected by ethnic violence for the past two years.

President’s Rule in States: Constitutional Provisions and Implementation

President’s Powers and Functions

• President can take up the functions of the state government and powers vested in the governor or any other executive authority.
• He can declare that powers of the state legislature are to be exercised by the parliament.
• He can take all necessary steps including the suspension of constitutional provisions relating to anybody or any authority in the state.

Impact of President Rule

• State’s Executive
  • Dismissal of CoM: President can dismiss the Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister. 
    • The state administration is carried on by the governor with help of the Chief Secretary on behalf of the President.
    • Therefore, this declaration is commonly referred to as the imposition of ‘President’s Rule’ in a state.
• State’s Legislative power
  • Suspension or Dissolution of State Legislative Assembly: The President can either suspend or dissolve the state legislative assembly.
  • Powers and Function of Parliament: 
    • When the state legislature is thus suspended or dissolved, Parliament can entrust the power of legislation for the state to the President or any other designated authority chosen by the President for this purpose.
    • The Parliament, or if delegated, the President or another specified authority, can make laws granting powers and assigning responsibilities to the central government and its authorities.
    • The Parliament passes the state bills and budgets
    • The laws made by the parliament or president or any other authority continue to operate even after the President’s Rule.
    • The President can approve spending from the state consolidated fund while the Lok Sabha is not in session, awaiting Parliament’s sanction.
    • When the Parliament is not in session, the President can promulgate ordinances for the governance of the state.
• State’s Judiciary
  • Power of High Court: The Constitutional position, status, powers and functions of the State High Court remain the same even during the President’s Rule.