What are the Limitations of Legislative Control?

Though the legislature lays down the general policy of the government by enactment, amendment of laws, it has been observed that in practice this responsibility is shifted to the executive branch. The executives generally take initiative in Policy Making in which civil servants play a decisive role. In majority of the cases even the bills of legislation originate from the executive branch and the bureaucracy.

The work of the administrative branch has increased in volume and complexity. The members of the parliament who meet only during the session do not have the necessary time and expertise to control the expanding administrative work.

Members of the Parliament often do not possess the required technical knowledge of the various departments and therefore cannot effectively criticize the working of the department and their demands for grants.

In the parliamentary form of government the administrative officials are not directly responsible to the legislature. They cannot be called before the House to give explanation of their official acts. Though they can be called by the Committees of Parliament they are not obliged to answer personal criticism. It is the Minister who shoulders the responsibility for the administrative acts of his department. Administrators thus are only indirectly responsible to the legislature.