With President Pranab Mukherjee cautioning against the enactment of laws through ordinances, the government today said it was also a pointer for opposition parties as they have to let the Parliament function normally so that legislation can be passed after proper discussion and debate.
"He (Mukherjee) said it would be better if Parliament runs smoothly and decides on issues accordingly. We are in agreement with the President's views," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu said as he parried queries from reporters over the remarks made by the President in his address to the nation on the eve of Republic Day.
Expressing concern over the frequent promulgation of ordinances, Mukherjee had said, "Enacting laws without discussion impacts the law-making role of Parliament. It breaches the trust reposed in it by the people. This is neither good for the democracy nor for the policies relating to those laws."
On an earlier occasion, the President had also spoken against the disruption of proceedings in Parliament.
Seeking the opposition's cooperation for the smooth running of Parliament, Naidu said that if they wanted to express objection to any issue, they should express it and the government was open to it.
"Promulgation of ordinances is an extraordinary thing. Ordinarily, an ordinance is no good and I am saying that as the Parliamentary Affairs minister. But in extraordinary circumstances, if the House is not allowed to function, the development of the country cannot wait.
"People want development and there is a hunger for development; that is why it was necessary to bring the ordinances," he said, adding, "That is why I appeal to all opposition parties to understand the advice given by the President. Let us function effectively, debate and decide."
He also sought to target opposition parties looking to corner the government on the ordinance issue saying, "Those who are raising fingers have the worst records. Congress and United Front government have worse records (on issuing ordinances). They have no moral right to criticise us."" he said.
