20.

Discuss the characteristics features of Indian Parliamentary system. 

The features:

i. Nominal or Titular Head: In a Parliamentary form of government, there two heads, namely, nominal and real. The nominal head is one who, though head of the state, is not head of government. His powers are more apparent than real. Prime Minister is the head of goverment in India.

ii. Collective Responsibility and Individual Responsibility: The Cabinet Ministers is collectively responsible to the lower house of the legislature. It policy decisions collectively and it collectively goes out of office when it loses thee of the lower house of the legislature. A minister may express his disagreement policy when it is discussed in the cabinet meeting, but he has to defend and support the cabinet takes the decision. A minister is also individually responsible to the Parliament for the acts of omission and commission of his department.

iii. Political Homogeneity: The ministers, normally being members of political party, share the same ideology and approach. Even when there is a coalition government, the ministers are committed to a common minimum programme.

iv. Harmony between Executive and Legislature: In a Parliamentary government the ministers are drawn from the legislature. As ministers, they are part of the executive. They also remain members of the legislature.

v. Rigidity of Party Discipline: In a Parliamentary government, the party discipline is rigid. The members of a political party whether in power or in opposition are required to defend and support the stand of their party on any issue both in the legislature and outside.

vi. Leadership of the Prime Minister: In India, the Prime Minister is the leader of the Cabinet of Ministers. On his advice, the ministers are appointed and dropped. They stay in during his pleasure. He presides over the meetings of the cabinet. He exercises preponderant influence in domestic policy as well as foreign policy.He is more powerful and important than any other member of the cabinet.