Citing the constitution, President Pranab Mukherjee said that ordinances are meant for a specific purpose to meet an extraordinary situation under extraordinary circumstances.
This remark is believed to have a special significance with respect to Modi government’s practice of issuing ordinances frequently.
What is an ordinance?
- As per the Constitution of India, only the legislature has the power to make laws.
- However, in cases when Parliament is not in session, and ‘immediate action’ is needed, the President can issue an ordinance.
- An ordinance is a law that can even introduce legislative changes.
- 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’.
