Subject: Executive Vs Legislature

The Parliament of India is the supreme instrument of democratic accountability. Under Article 75(3) of the Constitution, the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha

Parliament ensuring accountability of the executive

Question Hour – Enables MPs to question ministers and expose administrative lapses

Zero Hour – Allows MPs to raise urgent matters of public importance without prior notice.

Adjournment and Censure Motions – Hold the executive accountable on specific issues of public or national concern.

No-Confidence Motion – Tests the majority support of the government and can lead to its fall if lost.

Budgetary Control (Articles 112-114) – power of the purse by approving or rejecting demands for grants.

Cut Motions to reduce or disapprove government expenditure, signalling disapproval of policy.

Parliamentary Committees

Public Accounts Committee (PAC) – Examines CAG reports and ensures post-audit accountability (e.g., 2G and coal scam scrutiny).

Estimates Committee – Evaluates government expenditure efficiency.

DRSCs) in-depth scrutiny of ministries.

Joint Parliamentary Committees (JPCs) – Eg- Waqf Amendment Bill

Parliamentary Privileges – Allow MPs to speak freely and fearlessly, enhancing deliberative accountability.

Issues with parliamentary form of government

Decline in the number of sittings- The 17th Lok Sabha sat for only 55 days

Frequent Disruptions and Adjournments due to protests and unruly behavior, leading to wasted time and resources.

Low Productivity- Eg- the 2023 winter session saw significant disruptions, resulting in the suspension of over 140 MPs and hindering legislative business.

Inadequate Discussion- 58% of the Bills were passed within two weeks of their introduction in 17th LS. Eg- J&K Reorganisation Bill, 2019, and the Women’s Reservation Bill, 2023 were passed within two days

About 31% of the total functioning time in Lok Sabha, and 32% in Rajya Sabha was spent on discussions other than legislation and budgets. Eg- President’s Address to Parliament, matters of public importance, and trust votes.

Between 2019 and 2023, about 80% of the Budget was passed without discussion, and in 2023, the entire Budget was approved without debate.

Rise Legislation through Ordinances bypassing the usual legislative process.

Along with ‘maximum governance, there needs to be ‘maximum accountability’, which must start with an empowered and effective Parliament.

The Cabinet system, a legacy of the British parliamentary model, is based on the principle of collective responsibility of the executive to the Legislature. However, the growth of the Cabinet system has concentrated power in the hands of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.

Cabinet System Marginalising Parliamentary Supremacy

Party Whip curtails independence of MPs, limiting free deliberation.

Ordinance Power (Articles 123 & 213) bypasses legislative scrutiny.

Prime Ministerial Supremacy due to centralisation of authority in PMO.

Decline of Private Members’ Bills – The last such Bill was passed in 1970.

Weak Legislative Scrutiny – Increasing absenteeism, fewer sittings, and guillotining of Demands for Grants.

Decline of parliamentary Committees have weakened executive accountability.

Coalition Politics results in bargaining politics instead of genuine legislative oversight.

However, parliamentary control over executive can also be seen

Executive Accountability – collective responsibility to Parliament under Article 75(3).

Financial Oversight – Finance committees scrutinise government expenditure. Eg- PAC review of GST framework

Budgetary Control (Art. 112) through Demands for Grants, and Appropriation Acts.

Opposition’s Role – Eg- Farm Laws withdrawal.

Role in Foreign Policy – Eg- debate on Civil Nuclear Deal with the US.

Way Forward

Publish Annual Parliamentary Calendar (NCRWC)

Adopt Shadow Cabinet Model of UK, to institutionalise constructive opposition oversight.

Allocate fixed time for Private Members’ Bills and Questions.

Mandatory referral of Bill to Committees (UK system)

“Parliament is the keystone of the democratic arch.” – Harold Laski

For a resilient democracy, Parliament must function as the centre of deliberation and control, not as a department of the executive.