Chapter Info (Click Here)
Book No. – 006 (Indian Polity)
Book Name – Introduction to the Indian Constitution (D.D. Basu)
What’s Inside the Chapter? (After Subscription)
1. Parliamentary System of Government in India
2. Functions of Parliament
3. Composition of the Parliament of India
4. Council of States (Rajya Sabha)
5. House of the People (Lok Sabha)
6. System of Representation
7. Reasons for Not Adopting Proportional Representation for the House of the People
8. Council of States (Rajya Sabha) – Term and Retirement
9. House of the People (Lok Sabha) – Term
10. Sessions. Sittings. and Adjournments
11. Distinction between Dissolution, Prorogation, and Adjournment
12. Membership of Parliament
13. Vacating a Seat in Parliament
14. Salaries. Allowances, and Pension
15. Presiding Officers and Secretariat
16. Privileges of Parliament
17. Classification of Privileges
18. Procedure for Bills Other than Money Bills
19. Procedure for Money Bills
20. Financial and Money Bills in Parliament
21. 6. Appropriation Act (Article 114);
22. Expenditure Charged on the Consolidated Fund of India
23. Presentation of the Annual Financial Statement
24. Appropriation and Finance Bills
25. Parliamentary Control Over Revenue and Expenditure
26. Ensuring Economy in Expenditure
27. Role of the Comptroller and Auditor-General
28. Public Funds of India
29. Regulation of Public Funds
30. Status of the Council of States
31. Limitations on the Powers of the Council of States
32. Special Powers of the Council of States
33. Doctrine of Repugnancy.
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The Union Legislature
Chapter – 12
Parliamentary System of Government in India
As explained at the outset, the Constitution of India has adopted the Parliamentary system of government, which ensures a harmonious blending of the legislative and executive organs of the State. In this system, executive power is wielded by a group of members of the Legislature who command a majority in the popular Chamber and remain in power as long as they retain that majority. The functions of Parliament as the legislative organ arise from this feature of the Parliamentary system.
Functions of Parliament
I. Providing the Cabinet:
The first function of Parliament is to provide the Cabinet and hold them responsible.
Although the Cabinet is responsible to the popular Chamber, its membership is not necessarily restricted to that Chamber; some members are usually taken from the upper Chamber.
II. Control of the Cabinet:
As a corollary of ministerial responsibility, it is the duty of the popular Chamber to ensure that the Cabinet remains in power as long as it retains the confidence of the majority [Article 75(3)].
III. Criticism of the Cabinet and Individual Ministers:
In modern times, both executive and legislative policies are largely initiated by the Cabinet, reducing the legislative role of Parliament historically.
The critical function of Parliament has, however, increased in importance, ensuring Cabinet Government remains responsible rather than autocratic.
Both Houses can participate in discussion and criticism, though the power to bring about the downfall of the Ministry resides only with the popular Chamber [Article 75(3)].
Parliament serves to appraise the nation of alternative viewpoints, enabling a functioning representative democracy.
IV. Organ of Information:
Parliament, as an organ of information, is more powerful than the Press or private agencies, as it collects information authoritatively from those in the know.
Information is disseminated through debates and the specific medium of “Questions” to Ministers.
V. Legislation:
Parliament has the power of making laws [Articles 107–108; 245], a function shared under both Presidential and Parliamentary forms of government.
Since the Constitution’s inauguration, the volume of legislation has steadily risen to establish a welfare State.
VI. Financial Control:
Parliament has exclusive authority to:
Authorize public expenditure,
Specify the purpose of appropriations,
Determine ways and means to raise revenue, and
Ensure proper utilization of funds.
The lower House possesses the dominant financial power [Article 109].