Kerala promulgated highest number of ordinances in 2020, says report

NEW DELHI: A recent report stated that the Kerala Assembly promulgated the highest number of ordinances in the COVID-hit 2020. According to the report, Kerala tops the list by promulgating 81 ordinances. It is followed by Karnataka (24), Uttar Pradesh (23), Maharashtra (21), and Andhra Pradesh (16). The report has been prepared by PRS Legislative, a not-for-profit organisation.

Many of these 81 ordinances have been re-promulgated by the government. Earlier, it was alleged that the re-promulgation of the ordinance, to prevent it from becoming invalid, was a challenge to the Constitution. The PRS also analyzed the time taken by the state assemblies to pass the bills. The report says most bills were passed by the legislature without a detailed examination.

Ordinances refer to laws made by the executive or government instead of the legislature. The Constitution stipulates that the Parliament / State Legislative Assembly must approve an ordinance within six weeks of its next session. Otherwise, it will be invalid. Ordinances may not be issued during the session of the legislature.