Control Over Delegated Legislation Flashcards
What is the primary function of the Legislature in a parliamentary democracy?
To legislate and supervise the Executive’s exercise of delegated legislative power.
This ensures proper exercise and accountability of the Executive.
What obligation does the Legislature have when delegating power to the Executive?
To supervise and control the exercise of the delegated legislative power.
This includes preventing abusive and unwarranted use by the Administration.
How does the Legislature represent public opinion in the context of administrative actions?
By ensuring that the Administration understands individual freedoms and does not prioritize administrative convenience over rights.
This is crucial as the Administration may overlook public sentiment.
What are the two significant limbs of legislative supervision over delegated legislation in India?
- Laying of delegated legislation before the Legislature
- Scrutiny of delegated legislation by a legislative scrutiny committee
What is required when a bill involving delegation of legislative power is proposed in Parliament?
It must be accompanied by a memorandum explaining the proposal and its scope.
This is mandated by the rules of procedure of each House of Parliament.
What is the purpose of the memorandum attached to bills involving delegation of legislative power?
To inform members of Parliament about the delegation’s provisions and scope.
It aims to focus legislative attention on the implications of delegation.
What is the ‘laying procedure’ in the context of parliamentary control?
A mechanism to inform Parliament about the content of delegated legislation made by the government.
It ensures that Parliament can exercise control over the delegated legislation.
What are the three main variants of the laying procedure in the UK?
- Simple Laying
- Laying with annulment
- Laying subject to affirmation
What is ‘Simple Laying’?
The requirement to lay the rules before Parliament before they come into operation.
It is a basic mechanism for parliamentary oversight.
What does ‘Laying with annulment’ allow?
Rules are laid in draft and can be annulled by a resolution of a House.
This provides a mechanism for Parliament to disallow certain rules.
What is the most effective form of laying procedure for parliamentary control?
Laying subject to affirmation, as it requires parliamentary approval for the rules to become effective.
This facilitates discussion and scrutiny in both Houses.
What does the standard laying formula in India require?
Rules made under an Act must be laid before each House of Parliament for 30 session days.
This applies to all rules made under Central statutes.
What happens if both Houses of Parliament agree to modify or annul a rule laid before them?
The rule will have effect only in its modified form or will cease to exist.
This is a prospective effect; previous actions under the rule remain valid.
What is ‘laying with affirmative procedure’?
Rules are laid in draft form and become effective after a stipulated period or upon affirmation by the Houses.
This procedure is not commonly used in India.
What recommendations did the Rajya Sabha Committee on Subordinate Legislation make regarding the affirmative procedure?
To use it for rules that may infringe personal rights, involve taxation, or lay down unclear policies.
This aims to enhance parliamentary oversight.
What is the Lok Sabha Committee’s stance on the laying of rules made by State Governments?
Such rules should be laid before the State Legislature, not Parliament.
This is due to the lack of responsibility of the Central Government in these rules.
What types of delegated legislation does the Lok Sabha Committee recommend should be laid before Parliament?
- Notifications
- Regulations
- Bye-laws
- Legislative orders
What does the Supreme Court state about the laying of rules?
Laying may be subject to negative or positive resolution or may be a mere laying before the House.
This distinction affects how rules are scrutinized.
What did the Rules Publication Act, 1893 aim to address in the UK?
The need for a systematic scheme for publication and reference of delegated legislation.
This reflects the growing complexity of delegated legislative processes.
What is required for the amendment of Schedule I to be valid?
A positive act of approval by Parliament
Merely laying down the notification before Parliament is insufficient.
What is the principal form of delegated or secondary legislation in Great Britain?
Statutory Instrument
Governed by the Statutory Instrument Act, 1946.
What legislation was enacted in 1893 to provide for the publication of statutory rules and orders in the UK?
Rules Publication Act, 1893
This was in response to the growth of delegated legislation.
What are the two forms of parliamentary control over Statutory Instruments?
- Negative Resolution Procedure
- Affirmative Resolution Procedure
Which act allows the government to change Acts of Parliament to remove burdens on business?
Regulatory Reform Act, 2001
Introduces a rigorous affirmative procedure for changes.
What is the difference between directory and mandatory laying requirements?
Directory does not affect legal validity; mandatory requires approval for rules to come into force.
What is the legal effect of failing to lay rules under a simple laying procedure?
It does not affect their legal validity; deemed to be directory.
What happens when rules are laid before Parliament and subject to a negative resolution?
Rules become effective as soon as made; Parliament can disapprove later.
In the case of Atlas Cycle Industries Ltd. v State of Haryana, what did the Supreme Court rule about the laying requirement?
The requirement is directory and not mandatory; non-laying does not make it void.
What are the two considerations for regarding a provision as directory?
- Absence of provision for non-compliance
- Serious inconvenience to the public if declared invalid
What is one reason why the simple laying procedure is regarded as mandatory in Australia?
It is part of the general publication requirements.