President Ramnath Kovind promulgates an Ordinance which will legally allow the farmers to sell their produce without restrictions across the country. — The Times of India, 5 June 2020
When can the President introduce an Ordinance? When does an Ordinance become inoperative?
Topic: Ordinance-making power
Answer
The President may promulgate an Ordinance when BOTH Houses of Parliament are not in session and he is satisfied that circumstances exist which make immediate action necessary. An Ordinance has the same force and effect as an Act of Parliament.
It becomes inoperative six weeks after Parliament reassembles, unless it is approved by both Houses before then. It also ceases to operate if both Houses pass resolutions disapproving it, and the President may withdraw it at any time.
One mark for each half. The two figures carry the marks: Parliament NOT IN SESSION, and SIX WEEKS from reassembly. A common error is to say the Ordinance lapses when Parliament reassembles — it does not; it survives six further weeks, which gives Parliament time to consider it. Note also that if the two Houses reassemble on different dates, the six weeks run from the later date.