Functions and powers of the legislature in a modern state.
Functions and powers of the legislature in a modern state.
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Functions and powers of the legislature in a modern state.
The main function of the legislature in any state is to make and amend laws. In modern democratic states, the legislature enjoys full power in making laws. The legislature can be either unicameral or bicameral, and in both cases, the legislature plays an important role in making and amending laws. However, in a modern state, apart from making laws, the legislature has to do various other functions. The main functions of the legislature in a modern state are -
1. Making laws: -
Making laws is the main function of the legislature. While making laws, the members of the legislature pay special attention to the wishes, reluctance, hopes and aspirations of the people. Also, changing public opinion and national and international situations have to be kept in mind.
2. Amendment of laws: -
Various laws have to be amended from time to time in accordance with the changing society and dynamics. The legislature amends laws by presenting proposals, discussing, voting, etc. in the legislative assembly.
3. Implementation of the needs of the people: -
The implementation of the people's wishes, hopes and aspirations, and various needs is done through the legislature. The people's representatives present the needs of the people to the legislature and when laws are made on their basis, the needs of the people are implemented.
4. Control over the executive: -
In the parliamentary system of government, the executive branch is elected from within the legislature. Therefore, the existence and tenure of the executive branch depends on the support of the majority of the legislative branch. The executive branch has to be directly responsible to the legislative branch. If any decision of the executive branch does not receive the support of the majority in the legislature, it is canceled.
5. Control over the behavior of members: -
The legislature controls the behavior of all its members. In case of immorality, corruption, breach of discipline, etc., the legislature can take action against the accused members.
6. Budget-related work: -
All accounts of government income and expenditure, various expenditure - allocations for the next financial year, etc., are presented in the legislature and all those expenditure - allocations are controlled based on the support of the legislature.
7. Tax-related work: -
The permission of the legislature is required to introduce any new tax or to rearrange the existing tax. No new tax can be imposed without the permission of the legislature.
8. Implementation of public welfare plans: -
The members of the legislature highlight various problems of different parts of the state. In view of that, new government policies are introduced through discussion. Therefore, the legislature plays an important role in implementing various public welfare plans.
9. Removal of judges: -
In a parliamentary democratic state system, the legislature has to perform the important responsibility of removing judges who are seriously accused. For example, in India, the judges of the High Court and the Supreme Court can be removed with the support of two-thirds of the members present in the legislature.
10. Formation of various committees and commissions:-
In modern welfare states, the legislature appoints various committees and commissions to implement various plans in various fields such as economic, social, educational, minority development, women and child welfare, corruption prevention, etc. These committees and commissions are directly responsible to the legislature.
11. Powers related to elections:-
In parliamentary democratic states, electing the chief of state is another important function of the legislature. For example, in India, the legislature plays a major role in electing the President and Vice President. Again, in the United States, the US Congress elects the President during a state of emergency.
12. Development of political consciousness:-
When any draft bill is presented in the legislature, discussions, debates, etc. are held among the members on various issues related to that draft bill. When these debates are broadcast in the media such as newspapers, television, etc., political consciousness develops among the common people.
13. Educational work:-
Students, researchers and inquisitive people are given access to the legislature at certain times in various legislatures. As a result, they can observe the functioning of the legislature firsthand and their experience about parliamentary functioning develops.
14. Powers related to emergency:-
In a state of emergency, the executive branch declares a state of emergency. But the government's decision to declare a state of emergency has to be approved by the legislature within a certain period of time. Otherwise, the emergency order is canceled.
15. Powers related to the judiciary:-
The legislature also has to perform the duties of establishing a new court, expanding or contracting the scope of the jurisdiction of the court, converting a subordinate court into a higher court, etc.
Finally, it can be said that the powers and functions of the legislature of all the countries of the world are not the same. For example, while the Indian legislature can control the executive branch and the head of state, the US Congress cannot control the head of state; because the US president is directly elected by the people.
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