Public Administration : Chief Executive

Governmental power is three-fold, legislative, to make laws; judicial and to interpret the and to execute or carry out those laws. There is a separate organ which will look after each function

function, but the separation is not rigid. A complete separation would lead to perpetual deadlocks in administration. Thus there are various points of contact between all the three organs of the government to ensure smooth functioning of governmental programmes. With expanding complexity of the activities of the modern State, the
Legislature is not in a position to have direct dealings with the administrator and so is the executive branch which is becoming more and more powerful. The modern
State assigns a variety of functions to the executive. Thus it has become a vital part of the government.
In this unit, we shall analyse the functions of the chief executive in the light of the differences between the real and the nominal executive. The unit will also highlight the growing strength and importance of the chief exccutive.We shall also discuss the need for staff and line agencies for advising the chief executive and in carrying out his policies. The unit will enable the student to understand the crucial role of chief executive in the task of administration. We will also come to know the factors and forces behind the chief executive at the Union, State and local levels.
The executive is that branch of government which is charged with the execution of taws.
It consists of various administrative agencies which are involved in the implementation of the laws. According to F.A. Nigro, "the executive branch of government in Public
Administration is a truly visible form". The executive branch of the government includes the chief executive and the civil servants who execute the laws made by the legislature.
Thus the role of the executive is of paramount importance. .
By 'chief executive' we mean the person or body of persons at the head of the
administrative