Role of Executive in Parliamentary Democracy
The Executive ( the political executive) remains responsible and accountable to the Parliament. Parliament exercises political and financial control over the Executive and ensures administrative oversight over the executive.
Subset of Parliament: In the parliamentary system the de facto head of the executive (Prime Minister) is not directly elected by the people, but he is the leader of the majority party in the Parliament. S/He chooses his own Cabinet which again, should be out of the Parliament only.
Thus, in parliament democracy, the executive is a subset of the Legislature.
The legislature is responsible for making the laws and the executive is responsible for enforcing the laws.
In this case, the separation of power between the executive and legislature is not followed in a strict sense.
Collective and Individual Responsibilities: The Executive is collectively responsible to the Parliament. It means that the term and tenure of the executive depends on the pleasure of the Lower House of Parliament.
The House can introduce a no-confidence motion regarding the removal of the executive (government).
The ministers, however, are individually responsible to the President and, ultimately, to the Council of Ministers.
Administrative role: The executive's primary responsibility is to maintain internal peace and order, while also ensuring the country's safety from external aggression, encompassing all activities related to the state's well-being.
The executive is also responsible for day-to-day administration.
Financial role: The Executive has the authority to formulate the Budget, which is required to be presented annually to Parliament.
The Executive has the freedom to determine expenditure levels, acquire funds for various purposes, and raise revenue to meet expenditures, leaving the entire financial initiative to the Government.
Role of Parliament: Without the authority of Parliament, the executive, acting through its ministers, cannot raise funds through taxing, borrowing, or any other means. Money bills must originate and pass in the Lok Sabha, which has the exclusive authority to grant money in the form of taxes or loans and to sanction expenditure.
Policy initiatives: The political executive, or the Council of Ministers, introduces bills in the house through its party members.
The cabinet, the highest order of political executives, initiates and decides public policy concerning almost every sphere of government's activity.
Further, delegated legislative functions are performed by the political and permanent executive. These are very important for policy making.
Judicial role: The judicial functions are performed by the President of India with the aid and advice of his/her Council of Ministers.
It includes the appointment of the judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, and the power to grant pardon, reprieve, suspension, remission, or commutation of punishment or sentence of a court.
Military Functions: The President of India with the Council of Ministers in aid and advice, is also vested with military powers
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