In an apparent expression of displeasure over the spate of ordinances recently issued by the Narendra Modi government, President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday asked the ruling as well as opposition parties to find out a “workable” solution to ensure the smooth running of Parliament.
“The ordinance route cannot be taken, should not be taken, for normal legislation,” Mukherjee said in response to a question during his New Year address to higher educational and research institutions here. The Constitution provides promulgation of ordinance which is “meant for specific purpose to meet the extraordinary situation”, he added.
The President’s remarks come in the backdrop of eight ordinances brought in by the Centre after frequent disruption and adjournments in the Rajya Sabha, where the ruling BJP is in a minority.
In another significant statement amidst reports that the government is considering convening a joint session of Parliament to pass legislations, the President said this is not practical.
Joint sessions “There are only four instances since 1952 when laws were passed by a joint session,” he said, adding that there is need to find a workable solution, as “enactment of legislation is the collective responsibility of the elected representatives of both the Houses.”
A few days ago, there were reports that the President had called senior ministers, such as Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, seeking to find out the urgency for the issuance of the Land Acquisition ordinance, which he later cleared. However, the fate of another ordinance, related to conciliation and arbitration, is still not known.
It is learnt that, for the time being, the government has slowed down on taking the ordinance route.
Explaining the ordinance-making powers under the Constitution to the students, Mukherjee said when a government issues ordinances, it also takes the risk of getting the legislations lapsed if it cannot get them approved by the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha within six months.
He said the Constitution has safeguards to ensure that such a provision is used only for “an extraordinary situation under extraordinary circumstances.”
Disruptions not the way In reply to another question, Mukherjee was critical of the opposition parties while expressing his disapproval of frequent disruptions in Parliament and legislative assemblies.
“It is incumbent on the ruling party and Opposition to sit together and find a workable solution to avoid disruptions. Disruptions are not the way to Parliamentary intervention. Disruptions only showcase energy and do not allow others to make their voice heard,” he said.
The President further said while the ruling party has a major role to play in the running of Parliament, the Opposition, too, should cooperate.
This is because only informed discussion and dialogue in the spirit of accommodation will allow enactment of law for betterment of people.
“I request both the ruling and Opposition parties to share their concerns to see that disruptions are avoided and Parliament functions smoothly,” he added.