Answer:

♤ India adopted parliamentary form of government, where Council of Ministers headed by Prime minister form the executive, who are drawn from the legislature that is Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. (don’t go on technical differences between cabinet and council of ministers)

♤ Under the Parliamentary system of government, the Cabinet are dependent on Parliament in the following ways:

o Art.75(3)- council of ministers are collectively responsible for Lok Sabha

o Answerability- Both the houses exercise control over the executive through asking questions, discussing matters of urgent public importance, moving call- attention notices and adjournment motions

o by appointing various committees such as public accounts committee, estimates committee, committee on public undertakings

o Financial control- the executive cannot spend public revenue or levy taxes without the sanction of Parliament.

o Legislative control- Most of the legislation are initiated by cabinet, but needs parliament approval for passing the bill

♤ But in practicality, powers of Parliament have been usurped by the cabinet. Increase in the power of cabinet makes Parliament subservient. Parliament is controlled by the body which it was intended to control, due to following reasons:

o With a stable strength of governing party in parliament, the Cabinet, in reality, becomes the leader of Parliament.

o The party system - top leaders, which are generally in cabinet, determine all decisions.

o Anti defection law (issuing of whip)

o Cabinet consists of senior leaders of party, which enjoys the majority in Parliament, have influence in party.