Modi equals Indira Gandhi in issuing ordinances

Narendra Modi-led NDA government has issued eight ordinances in 225 days – an average one every 28 days. This makes Modi equal with Indira Gandhi in terms of the rate of issuing ordinances.

Indira Gandhi was PM for nearly 16 years i.e. 5825 days. Indira Gandhi has the record of issuing highest number of ordinances (208) – an average one ordinance every 28 days.

What is an ordinance?

1. As per the Constitution of India, only the legislature has the power to make laws.
2. However, in cases when Parliament is not in session, and ‘immediate action’ is needed, the President can issue an ordinance.
3. An ordinance is a law that can even introduce legislative changes.
4. The Supreme Court has clarified that the legislative power to issue ordinances is ‘in the nature of an emergency power’ given to the executive only ‘to meet an emergent situation’.

List of PMs according to the rate of ordinances

PM	Tenure(Years)	Tenure(Days)	No of Ordinances	Rate(Days/Ordinance)
Indira Gandhi	16 years	5,825 days	208	28
Javaharlal Nehru	17 years	6,126 days	200	31
Lal Bahadur Shastri	2 years	581 days	9	65
Manmohan Singh	10 years	3,650 days	61	60