THE BHOPAL SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

UNIT V

Role of Various Agencies/Actors in the Inidan Context

THE LEGISLATURE
• A legislature is a deliberative (the act of thinking carefully and the making of a
decision) assembly with the law-making authority.
• The role of a legislature is determined by the essential functions that it performs as a
body of elected representatives in a democratic state.
• Its functions include representation, deliberation, legislation, authorising expenditure,
and oversight.
• The public opinion and aspirations are integral to the legislature in translating them
into laws.
The Indian Parliament
• The Indian Parliament operates as a bicameral legislature having two units or two
houses – the Rajya Sabha (the Upper House) and the Lok Sabha (the Lower House)
– and headed by the President who is a nominal executive.

• However, the office of the President of India is the creation of the Indian
Constitution.

• The Prime Minister is the political executive and leads the Council of Ministers,
which aids and advises the President.

• The legislature has law-making as its basic role and oversight as a role that seeks to
ensures good governance.

PARLIAMENT AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

• Legislative oversight: The scrutiny or control of executive branch programmes and

its performance.

*Edited & Compiled for Students by:

KALYANI JAIN
Assistant Professor
Political Science (Humanities)
The Bhopal School of Social Sciences
 THE BHOPAL SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
Class : Political Science Subject : Good Governance
Unit : Unit V

• It focuses on assessing implementation processes during policy execution.

• Its effectiveness relies on ruling party strength and opposition engagement.

• Methods:

• The Indian Parliament does not maintain an oversight over day-to-day

administrative affairs of the executive

• But procedures like question/zero hour and debates and discussions help in
this activity.

Legislative Oversight: Methods

Question/Zero Hour:

• Opportunity for opposition to question government policies.

• Benefits include transparency, accountability, public assessment, and fund

misuse identification.

• Zero Hour Occurs after question hour and permits discussion of critical
matters without a 10-day notice requirement.

• It is an informal practice.

• Starts at noon (zero hour)

• Debates and Discussions: Additional ways to maintain oversight over the

executive.

Parliamentary Committees:

• They help the Parliament in completing their work efficiently and make an
exhaustive examination of the diverse work done by it.

• Strong financial committees enhance budget decision-making.

• 2 types of Parliamentary Committees

 THE BHOPAL SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
Class : Political Science Subject : Good Governance
Unit : Unit V

• Ad-hoc: specialized, for limited time

• Standing: Ongoing disciplinary oversight; appointed every year;

continuous work

• India’s parliamentary committees:

• Public Accounts Committee; Estimates Committee and the Committee on

Public Undertakings

• 17 Departmentally Related Standing Committees

Motions in Parliament:

• MPs may move motions for various purposes

• Discussing important issues like inflation, disasters, and corruption.

• Adjournment of business in a House to express displeasure over a

government policy.

• Expressing a vote of no confidence in the government, potentially leading

to its resignation.

Enhanced Accountability:

• UK, Canada, and Australia:

• the opposition often forms a shadow cabinet.

• Opposition MPs track specific portfolios, scrutinize performance,

and suggest alternate programs.

• This approach allows for detailed tracking and scrutiny of

ministries and facilitates constructive suggestions.

• Some countries also allocate days when opposition parties decide the
parliamentary agenda.
 THE BHOPAL SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
Class : Political Science Subject : Good Governance
Unit : Unit V

Legislature and Good Governance

Limited Judicial Role :

• Impeachment – of the President if there is any violation of the Constitution of

India.

• Removal – of judges of Supreme Court and High Courts; and the Vice President.

• Reprimand – members of the legislature in case of any breach of privileges,

• For example, participating in the legislative proceedings before taking the

oath.