278. (1) If the President, on receipt of a proclamation issued by the Governor of a State under article 188 of this Constitution, is satisfied that a situation has arisen in which the government of the State cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution, he may by proclamation-
(a) Assume to himself all or any of the functions of the Government of the State and all or any of the powers vested in or exercisable by the Governor or any body or authority in the State other than the Legislature of the State;
(b) Declare that the powers of the Legislature of the State shall be exercisable only by Parliament; and any such proclamation may contain such incidental and consequential provisions as may appear to him to be necessary or desirable for giving effect to the objects of the proclamation, including provisions for suspending in whole or in part the operation of any provisions of this Constitution relating to any body or authority in that State:
Provided that nothing in this clause shall authorise the President to assume to himself any of the powers vested in or exercisable by a High Court or to suspend, either in whole or in part, the operation of any provision of this Constitution relating to High Courts.
(2) Any such proclamation may be revoked or varied by a subsequent proclamation.
(3) A proclamation under this article-
(a) Shall be laid before each House of Parliament;
(b) Except where it is a proclamation revoking a previous proclamation, shall cease to operate at the expiration of six months:Provided that, if and so often as a resolution approving the continuance in force of such a proclamation is passed by both Houses of Parliament, the proclamation shall, unless revoked, continue in force for a further period of twelve months from the date on which under this clause it would otherwise have ceased to operate, but no such proclamation shall in any case remain in force for more than three years.
(4) Where by a proclamation issued under clause (1) of this article it has been declared that the powers of the Legislature of the State shall be exercisable only by Parliament, it shall be competent-
(a) For Parliament to make laws conferring powers and imposing duties, or authorising the conferring of powers and the imposition of duties, upon the Government of India or officers and authorities of the Government of India;
(b) For the President to promulgate Ordinances under article 102 of this Constitution except when both Houses of Parliament are in session.
(5) Any law made by Parliament which Parliament would not but for the issue of a proclamation under this article have been competent to make shall to the extent of the incompetency cease to have effect on the expiration of a period of one year after the proclamation has ceased to operate, except as respects things done or omitted to be done before the expiration of the said period unless the provisions which shall so cease to have effect are sooner repealed or re-enacted with or without modification by Act of the Legislature of the State.