Answer: Option C
The power of the President to issue an ordinance is a relic of the Government of India Act, 1935. Under Article 123 of the Constitution of India, the President has been given the power to promulgate an ordinance when either of the two Houses of Parliament is not in session and there is an urgent need to legislate on a matter. An ordinance has the same effect as an Act of Parliament, but it is temporary in nature and has to be laid before the Parliament for its approval.
The provision of ordinance-making power was first introduced in India under the Government of India Act, 1935. The idea behind giving such power to the executive was to ensure that the governance of the country did not come to a halt due to the absence of the legislative body. The Constitution of India adopted this provision from the Government of India Act, 1935, and made it a part of the Constitution.
It is important to note that the power to promulgate an ordinance is not an absolute power. The President can issue an ordinance only on the advice of the Council of Ministers, and the ordinance can be challenged in the court of law. The Constitution of India also lays down certain limitations on the power to issue an ordinance, such as the ordinance cannot be used to amend the Constitution, and it cannot be used to make laws on certain subjects that are reserved for the state legislatures.
In conclusion, the power of the President to issue an ordinance is a constitutional provision that has its roots in the Government of India Act, 1935. The provision has been retained in the Constitution of India, but it is subject to certain limitations and can be challenged in the court of law.