(1) If at any time it appears to the President that a question of law or fact has arisen, or is likely to arise, which is of such a nature and of such public importance that it is expedient to obtain the opinion of the Supreme Court upon it, he may refer the question to that Court for consideration and the Court may, after such hearing as it thinks fit, report to the President its opinion thereon.

(2) The President may, notwithstanding anything in ¹ [***] the proviso to article 131, refer a dispute of the kind mentioned in the ² [said proviso] to the Supreme Court for opinion and the Supreme Court shall, after such hearing as it thinks fit, report to the President its opinion thereon.

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1. The words, brackets and figure "clause (i) omitted by the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956, section 29 and Schedule.

2. Substituted by the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956, section 29 and Schedule, for "said clause".