Page 34 - Parliament of India

Functions : As in other parliamentary democracies, Parliament in India lias
the cardinal functions of legislation, ovcrright of Administration and ventilation
of public grievances.
The scheme of distribution of powers between the Centre and the States,
followed in the Constitution of India, emphasises in many ways the general
predominance of Parliament in the legislative field. Apart from the wide range
of subjects allotted to it in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, even in
normal times Parliament can, under certain circumstances, assume legislative
power over a subject falling within the sphere exclusively reserved for the States.
Further, in times of grave emergency when the security of India or any part
thereof is threatened by war or external aggression or internal disturbance, imd
a Proclamation of Emergency is made by the President, Parliament acquires the
power to make laws with respect to any of the matters enumerated in the State
List. Similarly, in the event of the breakdown of the constitutional machinery
in a State, the powers of the legislature of that State become exercisable by or
under the authority of Parliament.
Besides the power to legislate on a very wide field, the Constitution vests in
the Union Parliament the constituent power or the power to amend the
Constitution.
Under the Constitution the Council of Ministers at the Centre is collectively
responsible to the Lok Sabha. One of the actual methods by which Parliament
exercises check over the Executive is through its control over finance. This
financial power in the hands of Parliament helps in securing Executive
accountability. Besides, the procedures of the Parliament in India afford ample
opportunities for the enforcement of ministerial responsibility, for assessing and
influencing governmental policies as well as for ventilating public grievances.
The procedure of Questions (with possibilities of supplementaries and, in case
of inconclusive or unsatisfactory answer, of a Half-an-Hour Discussion),
Adjournment Motions and Notices for Calling Attention enable information to
be elicited and attention focussed on various aspects of governmental activities.
The more significant occasions for review of administration are provided by
the discussions on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address, the Budget,
and on particular aspects of governmental policy or situations. These apart,
specific matters may be discussed through motions on matters of urgent public
importance, private members' resolutions and other substantive motions. In
extreme cases, the Government can be censured or a motion of no-confide nee
moved against it. Along with these, a close and continuous check on Govern­
mental activities is exercised through a comprehensive system of parliamentary
committees.

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