What is the Parliamentary form of government? Bring out the distinction between the Indian and the British model of Parliamentary system.
Answer
The Parliamentary system of the government is the one in which the executive is responsible to the legislature for its policies and acts.
Distinction:
| British Model | Indian model |
| Monarchial system of government (Head of the state enjoys a hereditary position). | Republican system (Head of the state-President is elected). |
| Sovereignty of Parliament | Constitutional supremacy (powers of Parliament are limited and restricted) |
| The Prime Minister should be a member of Lok Sabha | He may be a member of any of the two houses of Parliament. |
| The MPs alone are usually appointed as the ministers. | Even a person who is not a MP can also be appointed as a minister (but for maximum period of 6 months) |
| System of legal responsibility of ministers | No such legal responsibilities of ministers |
| Shadow cabinet consisting of the members of opposition to balance the ruling cabinet. | No such institute exists. |
Although influenced by the Westminster model but still Indian parliamentary system is vastly different especially after introduction of Judicial review.