MADE TO ORDER

The move to reverse the SC verdict on immediate disqualification of convicted lawmakers through an ordinance has drawn flak from the opposition and even divided the Congress. Will the President endorse it?

WHAT IS AN ORDINANCE?

An Ordinance has the same force and effect as an act passed by Parliament President can promulgate ordinances when Parliament is not in session But President has to be sure about its immediacy before endorsing an ordinance If not ratified by both Houses of Parliament, it gets nullified six weeks from reassembly of Parliament States governors are also empowered to promulgate ordinances

EDICTS OF 2013

Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013, enlarging scope of offences against women Securities Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013, keeping in force amendments to Sebi Act and related acts following the Securities Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013 Right to Food Ordinance, giving right to get 5 kg of subsidised food grains every month to two-thirds of India’s population Ordinance to extend term of MCI’s board of governors by six months

THE MISUSE

In 1967-81, Bihar governor promulgated 256 ordinances while assembly passed only 180 acts Of them, many were re-promulgated several times. Sugarcane ordinance was promulgated and repromulgated for 14 years There were cases where 50 ordinances were promulgated on a single day In 1987, SC termed ‘Ordinance Raj’ in Bihar unconstitutional