The President is an essential part of the Union Parliament. In this context explain the following Legislative powers of the President of India:

(a) Power to summon and prorogue the House.

(b) Right to address and send messages to either House of Parliament

(c) President's Assent to Bills

(d) Power to promulgate Ordinances

(a) The President has the power to summon and prorogue the Houses of Parliament.

1. The power to summon Parliament is subject to the condition that six months shall not intervene between the last sitting in one session and first sitting in the next session.
2. The President has the power to dissolve the Lok Sabha.
3. The Rajya Sabha is a permanent body, not subject to dissolution.

(b) The President addresses both Houses of Parliament assembled together at the first session after each General Election and at the commencement of the first session each year.

The President may address either House or their Joint Sitting at any time. The President may also send messages to either House of Parliament.

(c) The President may give assent to the Bill or may refuse assent. The President can also send it back for reconsideration, if it is not a Money Bill. If the Bill is passed again by both the Houses of Parliament with or without amendment, the President must give his assent thereto.

(d) The President has the power to promulgate Ordinance. An Ordinance is a direction or command of an authoritative nature. It has the same force and effect as an Act of Parliament. This power is subject to these limitations-

1. The Ordinance can be promulgated at a time when both Houses of Parliament are not in session. In other words, if one House is in session, there is no bar to issuing of Ordinance.
2. The President must be satisfied that circumstances exist which render it necessary to take immediate action
3. The Ordinance should be laid before both Houses of Parliament when they reassemble.