Framework of the Indian Government- challenges before the framing our constitution

When constitution was framed we had many challenges before us

• how to divide the powers of the government. Many pressing questions had to be tackled -
• Who will make the laws?
• Who will implement the laws?
• Who will make sure that the laws are for the good of the people?

Framers in search of answers were inspired by the American Constitution divided the government into three branches:

• the legislative branch,
• the executive branch and
• the judicial branch.

 Characteristics of each branch ( Why our government was divided into three branches?)

• Each branch is granted specific powers and responsibilities.
• responsibility of each branch is to maintain a control or check over the activities of the other branches.
• ensure that no one branch gets to be too powerful;
• each branch is balanced.

The Indian government can be regarded as a tree, with the Constitution as its trunk or base, and the three branches extending from the trunk which constituted the people of India.

Basic features of the three branches of our government:

• Legislative Branch : Makes(frames) the laws to govern our country. It also checks the executive and judicial branches.
• Executive Branch: Carries(executes) out the laws passed by the legislative branch.
• Judicial Branch : Headed by the Supreme Court, the judicial branch interprets the laws of the country. It also checks abuse of power by the legislative and executive branches.

Why the constitution has separated the administrative power of the government into State Government and Central Government?

• India is a vast country divided into a number of States. Therefore it is not possible for a single governing body, seated in national capital to attend the needs of every people in India.
• Thus, each State has a government -State Government - of its own which maintains law and order and implements community develop­ment and educational programmes.
• But in matters of national importance such as military (i.e., defence of the country), finance (foreign exchange, currency, income tax etc.), railways and postal services, the State is controlled by the Central (or Union) Government. The framers clearly mooted for  united India in matters of national importance through laws.

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