Which of the following statements arecorrect regarding the President o...
Option (d) is correct:
Article 123 of the Constitution empowers the President to promulgate ordinances during the recess of Parliament. These ordinances have the same force and effect as an act of Parliament, but are in the nature of temporary laws. The ordinance-making power is the most important legislative power of the President. It has been vested in him to deal with unforeseen or urgent matters. But, the exercises of this power is subject to the following four limitations: He can promulgate an ordinance only when both the Houses of Parliament are not in session or when either of the two Houses of Parliament is not in session. An ordinance can also be issued when only one House is in session because a law can be passed by both the Houses and not by one House alone. An ordinance made when both the Houses are in session is void. Thus, the power of the President to legislate by ordinance is not a parallel power of legislation. He can make an ordinance only when he is satisfied that the circumstances exist that render it necessary for him to take immediate action. The decision of the President to issue an ordinance can be questioned in a court on the ground that the President has prorogued one House or both Houses of Parliament deliberately with a view to promulgate an ordinance on a controversial subject, so as to bypass the parliamentary decision and thereby circumventing the authority of the Parliament. His ordinance-making power is coextensive as regards all matters except duration, with the law-making powers of the Parliament.
This has two implications:
- An ordinance can be issued only on those subjects on which the Parliament can make laws.
- An ordinance is subject to the same constitutional limitation as an act of Parliament. Hence, an ordinance cannot abridge or take away any of the fundamental rights. Every ordinance issued by the President during the recess of parliament must be laid before both the Houses of Parliament when it reassembles. If the ordinance is approved by both the Houses, it becomes an act. If Parliament takes no action at all, the ordinance ceases to operate on the expiry of six weeks from the reassembly of Parliament. The ordinance may also cease to operate even earlier than the prescribed six weeks, if both the Houses of Parliament pass resolutions disapproving it. The President can also withdraw an ordinance at any time. However, his power of ordinance-making is not a discretionary power, and he can promulgate or withdraw an ordinance only on the advice of the council of ministers headed by the prime minister.
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Which of the following statements arecorrect regarding the President o...
Understanding the President's Ordinance Power
The statements provided regarding the President of India’s powers to promulgate ordinances are indeed correct. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
1. Article 123 empowers the president to promulgate ordinances.
- Article 123 of the Indian Constitution explicitly grants the President the authority to promulgate ordinances.
- This power is exercised when the Parliament is not in session and is crucial for maintaining legislative function during gaps.
2. He can promulgate the ordinance when either of the Houses are not in session.
- The President can issue an ordinance only when both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) are not in session.
- This provision ensures that urgent matters can be addressed without waiting for the Parliament to reconvene, thus facilitating timely governance.
3. Ordinances have the same force and effect as an act of Parliament.
- Ordinances carry the same legal weight as laws passed by Parliament, which means they can be enforced immediately.
- However, they must be approved by Parliament within six weeks of reassembly; otherwise, they lapse.
Conclusion
Given the above explanations, all three statements are true regarding the President's ordinance-making power. Therefore, the correct answer is option 'D' – 1, 2, and 3. This reflects the essential role of the President in legislative processes, especially in situations requiring immediate action.