President Pratibha Patil's assent was needed for tabling the Lokpal Bill in the Rajya Sabha under a constitutional procedure. It needed the President's assent as several amendments were moved in the Lok Sabha.
According to Clause 3 of Article 117, the presidential assent is mandatory for tabling any Bill that seeks to set up a body, which will draw funds from the Consolidated Fund of India. Article 117 (3) says: “A Bill which, if enacted and brought into operation, would involve expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India, shall not be passed by either House of Parliament unless the President has recommended to that House the consideration of the Bill procedure generally.” — IANS
