Ordinances are temporary laws promulgated by the President of India on the recommendation of the Union Cabinet when Parliament is not in session. They allow the government to take immediate legislative action but expire within 6 weeks if not approved by Parliament. Ordinances are equal to Acts but are temporary until approved, repealed, or replaced by an Act of the legislature. Acts are laws passed by Parliament or state assemblies while laws can take the form of Acts, ordinances, orders, by-laws, rules or regulations. Some examples of central government ordinances include amendments to customs tariffs, taxation laws, and prevention of terrorism laws.