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Difference between Legislative and Executive:
Legislature and Executive both are vital parts of the Indian government. The Legislature is referred to as the House of the People, and on the other hand, the Executive is referred to as the Council of Ministers. The Indian Constitution states that it is the executive branch of the state which shall be collectively held responsible to the Legislature.
It has been seen that both the terms legislative and executive are often exchanged with each other. But the fact is that the meaning of both these terms is different. To know more about the difference between legislative and executive, it is essential to know their definitions.
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How can it be legally defined?
It has the President of the country and two Houses, also known as the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and Houses of the People from the Legislature of Union, which is also referred to as Parliament (Lok Sabha).
When it comes to the state Legislature, is formed by the Legislative assembly, the Legislative Council (in six states), and the Governor. The legislative assembly is authorized to make laws for a political entity like a country, state, or city. Primary legislation can be defined as the laws enacted by the legislatures. In addition to this, legislatures can observe and steer the government’s actions along with the authority to amend the country’s budget.
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How can an executive be defined?
The Executive is an integral part of the government that is authorized for enforcing the laws formed by the legislative council and is also responsible for the governance of the state.
Legislative and Executive system of the Country:
Based on the principle of separation of powers, the authority in the political system is distributed among multiple branches like the legislative, executive, and judiciary so that the concentration of power in the hands of a few people can be prevented.
In such a system, the Legislature passes laws for the betterment of the country. It is the responsibility of the Executive to enforce the same laws as written by the legislative system.
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Explaining the difference between legislative and executive in tabular form:
The following explains the difference between legislative and executive in the form of a table:
Basis of Differentiation | Legislative | Executive |
Comprises of | Parliament of the country is referred to as the legislative body, which is composed of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha | The executive body of the country is composed of the President, Vice President, Cabinet Ministers, and other Ministers |
Role | The main function of the legislative body is to make laws and seek accountability from the executive body | The main function of the Executive is to enforce the laws formed by the Legislature |
Powers | The legislative body is authorized to introduce Government bills and private member bills | Most of the bills are introduced by the Executive in the Parliament |
By questioning through question hour, zero hours, and passing motions, the legislature can keep a check on the activities of the Executive | It is on the advice of the Executive that the sessions of the Parliament are summoned by the President | |
The legislative body is responsible for sanctioning every government expense and its approval | It is the Parliament that sanctions all budget-related expenses of the government | |
There are different parliamentary committees that aid for different functions in the Parliament | The executives don’t need to adhere to suggestions given by such parliamentary committees | |
If any treaty requires a new law, the same law has to be passed by Parliament | The Executive has the power to ratify an international treaty without the approval of Parliament | |
If the leader loses the majority, the Lok Sabha will be dissolved | On the prime minister’s advice, the President is authorized to dissolve the Lok Sabha | |
The ordinances are valid for six months or six weeks after the beginning of the next session of the Parliament, whichever is earlier | When the Parliament is not in session, the President can issue the ordinances | |
The Parliament creates Standing committees, Parliamentary committees, and Public Accounts Committees | The Executive doesn’t need to function according to the recommendations of the Standing committees, Parliamentary committees, and Public Accounts Committees |
Mechanism of checks and balances:
The Legislative body uses different mechanisms to control the functioning of Executives through a mechanism of Checks and Balances. Some of these include:
- Lawmaking: It is the legislative body the approval of which is required by the Executive to enact any specific law
- Financial Control: the demand for grants and approval for the budget by the Executive is to be done by the legislature
- Responsibility: It is the Executive that holds collective responsibility toward Lok Sabha
- When it comes to control, it is exercised by the legislature through several motions like non-confidence, adjournment
- Ordinances: The provision of ordinances allows the Executive to bypass the legislature
Conclusion
When it comes to the legislative branch of the country, is composed of both houses- the lower house- Lok Sabha and the upper house- Rajya Sabha. On the other hand, the executive branch is composed of the President, Vice President, Cabinet Ministers, and other Ministers. The main role of the legislative branch is to frame laws for the country, and it is the executive branch responsible for enacting or implementing the same laws in the country.
