5.2.2 Executive Relations

. . Executive Relations Our Constitution distributes executive powers between the union and State governments. The distribution is co-terminous with legislative power distribution to a great extent. The Union Government possesses executive powers over the subjects that are included in the List I, namely the Union List. The States have executive powers over the subjects that are included in the List II, namely the State List. The executive power of the Union Government extends over the territory of India while the executive power of the State governments extend over their own territories. The executive powers over the subjects in the Concurrent List is ordinarily with the State governments. Nevertheless, the Union Government retains powers to issue directions to the State governments in the execution of executive functions both in normal times and during emergencies. Another feature in the executive powers distribution scheme in the Constitution relates to mutual delegation of functions between the union and State governments. The Union Government can entrust its functions to the State government after getting the consent of the State Government concerned. Conversely, the State Government can entrust its executive functions to the Union Government after getting the consent of the Union Government. Moreover, the Union Government can entrust its executive function to the State Government without getting the consent of the State Government concerned but it must obtain the consent of the parliament.