<–2/”>a >Parliament is the supreme law making body of the nation.The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. The Lok Sabha is empowered to pass a vote of censure against the ministry. Whenever such a motion is passed, the ministry has to resign.
There are several means of Parliament’s control over Executive such as, both the houses exercise control over the executive through asking questions, discussing matters of urgent public importance, moving call- attention notices and Adjournment motions, and also by appointing various committees such as Public Accounts Committee, estimates committee, Committee on Public Undertakings, Committee on Government Assurances, the committee on privileges, the Committee on Subordinate Legislation etc. All these activities keep the executive alert.
It is the function of Parliament to exercise political and financial control over the Executive and to ensure parliamentary surveillance of administration. Executive responsibility and administrative accountability, are two different functional concepts.
The executive has the right to formulate the budget. But Parliament must authorise by law the levy or modification of taxes. If any tax is imposed without legislative authority, the affected person can approach the courts for relief. In addition to it, the executive cannot spend public revenue without the sanction of Parliament. Parliament has also been provided with the means of ensuring economy in the amount of government expenditure.
The Comptroller and Auditor-General (CAG) helps Parliament in ensuring that the executive has spent the expenditure sanctioned by Parliament in terms of law. The CAG audits that accounts of the union to see that no Money has been spent without parliamentary sanction.
Administrative accountability means the accountability of the administration to Parliament. Parliament does not interfere with day to day administration nor does it control administration. Accountability to it is technical and indirect i.e. through the Ministers, and it is ex post facto i.e. after something is done; after action has ended.,
Parliament’s control over the Executive is a fundamental principle of parliamentary Democracy. It is through this control that Parliament ensures that the Executive is accountable to the people.
There are a number of ways in which Parliament exercises control over the Executive. These include:
- Appointment and dismissal of the Prime Minister and other ministers
The Prime Minister is appointed by the monarch, but this appointment must be approved by Parliament. The Prime Minister then appoints the other ministers in the government. Parliament can also dismiss the Prime Minister and other ministers by passing a vote of no confidence.
- Legislation
Parliament is the only body that can make laws in the United Kingdom. The Executive can propose new laws, but these must be passed by Parliament before they can become law. Parliament can also amend or repeal laws that have been passed by the Executive.
- Finance
Parliament has the power to approve the government’s budget. This means that Parliament has control over how the government spends its money. Parliament can also approve or reject individual spending proposals.
- Parliamentary scrutiny
Parliament has the power to scrutinize the work of the Executive. This is done through a number of mechanisms, including:
* **Questions to the Prime Minister and other ministers**
* **Parliamentary Committees**
* **Select committees**
* **The Public Accounts Committee**
- Impeachment
Parliament has the power to impeach the Prime Minister or other ministers. This is a very rare process, but it has been used in the past to remove corrupt or incompetent ministers from office.
- Vote of no confidence
Parliament can pass a vote of no confidence in the government. If this happens, the Prime Minister must either resign or call a general election.
These are just some of the ways in which Parliament exercises control over the Executive. This control is essential to ensure that the Executive is accountable to the people.
In recent years, there have been concerns about the growing power of the Executive and the declining power of Parliament. This is partly due to the fact that the Prime Minister has become more powerful, and partly due to the fact that the government has become more secretive.
There are a number of things that could be done to strengthen Parliament’s control over the Executive. These include:
- Reducing the power of the Prime Minister
The Prime Minister’s power could be reduced by giving more power to other ministers, or by making it more difficult for the Prime Minister to dismiss ministers.
- Making the government more transparent
The government could be made more transparent by requiring ministers to publish more information about their decisions, and by making it easier for people to access information about the government.
- Strengthening Parliament’s scrutiny of the Executive
Parliament’s scrutiny of the Executive could be strengthened by giving Parliament more Resources, and by making it easier for Parliament to hold the government to account.
It is important to strengthen Parliament’s control over the Executive in order to ensure that the government is accountable to the people.
Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about the topics of the Separation of Powers, the Rule of Law, and checks and balances:
What is the separation of powers?
The separation of powers is a System of Government in which the legislative, executive, and judicial branches are separate and independent from each other. This system is designed to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.
What is the rule of law?
The rule of law is the principle that everyone is subject to the law, including the government. This principle is essential for a just and fair Society.
What are checks and balances?
Checks and balances are a system of government in which each branch of government has the power to check the power of the other branches. This system is designed to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.
What are some examples of checks and balances in the United States government?
Some examples of checks and balances in the United States government include the following:
- The President can veto laws passed by Congress, but Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds majority vote.
- The President can appoint judges to The Supreme Court, but the Senate must confirm those appointments.
- The Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional, but Congress can pass new laws or amend the Constitution.
What are some benefits of the separation of powers?
The separation of powers has several benefits, including the following:
- It prevents any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.
- It ensures that each branch of government is accountable to the others.
- It promotes efficiency and effectiveness in government.
What are some challenges of the separation of powers?
The separation of powers also has some challenges, including the following:
- It can make it difficult for government to act quickly and decisively.
- It can lead to gridlock, as each branch of government tries to block the other branches from taking action.
- It can be difficult to coordinate the activities of the different branches of government.
What are some examples of how the separation of powers has worked in practice?
Some examples of how the separation of powers has worked in practice include the following:
- In 2016, President Trump vetoed a bill passed by Congress that would have provided funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). However, Congress was able to override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote.
- In 2017, President Trump nominated Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. However, the Senate refused to confirm Gorsuch’s nomination, and the seat on the Court remained vacant for nearly a year.
- In 2018, the Supreme Court ruled that President Trump’s travel ban on citizens from several Muslim-majority countries was unconstitutional. However, the Court also allowed the ban to go into effect while the case was being appealed.
What are some ways in which the separation of powers can be improved?
There are several ways in which the separation of powers can be improved, including the following:
- The branches of government could work more closely together to coordinate their activities.
- The branches of government could be more transparent in their decision-making.
- The branches of government could be more accountable to the public.
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The President of India is elected by:
(a) The members of the Rajya Sabha
(b) The members of the Lok Sabha
(c) The members of the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha
(d) The members of the Electoral College consisting of the elected members of both the Houses of Parliament and the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States -
The Prime Minister of India is appointed by:
(a) The President of India
(b) The Vice President of India
(c) The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
(d) The Justice-of-india/”>Chief Justice of India -
The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to:
(a) The President of India
(b) The Lok Sabha
(c) The Rajya Sabha
(d) The Supreme Court of India -
The President of India can dissolve the Lok Sabha:
(a) On the advice of the Prime Minister
(b) On the advice of the Vice President
(c) On the advice of the Chief Justice of India
(d) On his own -
The President of India can appoint the Chief Justice of India:
(a) On the advice of the Prime Minister
(b) On the advice of the Vice President
(c) On the advice of the Chief Justice of the High Court
(d) On his own -
The President of India can grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offence:
(a) On the advice of the Prime Minister
(b) On the advice of the Vice President
(c) On the advice of the Chief Justice of India
(d) On his own -
The President of India can declare a state of emergency:
(a) On the advice of the Prime Minister
(b) On the advice of the Vice President
(c) On the advice of the Chief Justice of India
(d) On his own -
The President of India can address both Houses of Parliament assembled together:
(a) Once in a year
(b) Twice in a year
(c) Thrice in a year
(d) As often as he deems necessary -
The President of India can summon, prorogue or dissolve both Houses of Parliament:
(a) On the advice of the Prime Minister
(b) On the advice of the Vice President
(c) On the advice of the Chief Justice of India
(d) On his own -
The President of India can send messages to either House of Parliament:
(a) Once in a year
(b) Twice in a year
(c) Thrice in a year
(d) As often as he deems necessary -
The President of India can nominate 12 members to the Rajya Sabha:
(a) From amongst persons having special knowledge or experience in literature, science, art, social service or in any other field
(b) From amongst persons who have been for at least 25 years in the Public Service of the Union or of any State
(c) From amongst persons who have been for at least 10 years in the public service of the Union or of any State and who have held office as a Judge of a High Court or two or more such Courts
(d) From amongst persons who have been for at least 5 years in the public service of the Union or of any State and who have held office as a Judge of a High Court or two or more such Courts and who are not less than 35 years of age -
The President of India can address the nation on All India Radio and Doordarshan:
(a) Once in a year
(b) Twice in a year
(c) Thrice in a year
(d) As often as he deems necessary -
The President of India can issue ordinances:
(a) When both Houses of Parliament are not in session
(b) When either House of Parliament is not in session
(c) When both Houses of Parliament are dissolved
(d) When either House of Parliament is dissolved -
The President of India can appoint the Chief Election Commissioner:
(a) On the advice of the Prime Minister
(b) On the advice of the Vice President
(c) On the advice of the Chief Justice of India
(d) On his own -
The President of India can appoint the Attorney General for India:
(a) On the advice of the Prime Minister
(b) On the advice of the Vice President
(c) On the advice of the Chief Justice of India
(d) On his own -
The President of India can appoint the Comptroller and Auditor