President Pranab Mukherjee today asked ruling and opposition parties to put their heads together and find out a workable solution, apparently to avoid resorting to frequent issuing of ordinances.

In comments that have come against the backdrop of a raging debate on a spate of ordinances promulgated by the NDA government, Mr. Mukherjee acknowledged that the Constitution provided for promulgation of ordinance in extraordinary situation but this route can not and should not be taken for normal legislation.

Addressing faculty and students of central universities and research institutions through video conferencing in New Delhi, he referred to situations when the ruling party may not have a majority in the Rajya Sabha but felt a joint session of Parliament to make up for numbers to enact laws is not practical.

The President also expressed concern over the growing tendency of obstructions in Parliament proceedings. He said in a democracy, Parliament is the platform where laws are made through debate and deliberations. He said Opposition has the right to criticise, oppose and expose the Government, but under no circumstances, the proceedings of Parliament should be disrupted.

Mr Mukherjee said, dissent is a recognised democratic expression. However, he said, a noisy minority cannot be allowed to gag a patient majority. He said it is unfortunate that the time devoted by the members is gradually declining. The President cautioned Parliament not to yield legislative and policy making powers to mass mobilisation and street protests because that may not always solve problems.