Introduction:

The Parliamentary System is also known as Representative Government in which the citizens elect members of Parliament through voting to represent their needs and wants. The 

Government is formed by the Prime Minister who leads the Executive branch with ministers, consisting primarily. Ministers of State and Ministers of independent charge. The executive branch has power to make laws, collect taxes and maintain law and order in the country. Parliament has power to make laws, approve state budgets and pass legislation concerning education, public health, trade unions etc., while legislatures only have power over fiscal matters such as government revenues and expenditures or approving loans.

Significance of Parliament in India:

1. It is the institution that binds the entire nation together, giving it a common identity. 
2. It is the only institution which can ask the Prime Minister or any other minister to resign, if they are involved in any wrongdoings to the country. 
3. Parliament debates on vital issues like terrorism, communal harmony, global warming etc., and brings important reforms in these sectors of national life.
4. It is the forum of the Opposition to raise questions and express its point of view in an orderly manner. The opposition is a part of the government consisting of various political parties with different ideologies, they participate in the debates and hence, help improve the law-making process.
5. Parliament scrutinizes governmental actions and keeps a watch on them so that they can’t do any injustice to the citizens or any misuse of taxpayers’ money.
6. It helps maintain checks and balances among various branches of governance namely executive, legislature and judiciary, because it has been given power to impeach certain high officials such as the President, Judges or Prime Minister for their misconduct towards public service.

Powers and Functions of Parliament:

The Constitution of India has laid down certain Powers and Functions of Parliament in India. Powers and functions are explained below:

1. Parliament has power to make laws for governance of the country.
2. Parliament has power to ask the government any question on any issue and it is mandatory for the government to answer them within 30 days from the date of receiving a written question from an MP.
3. Parliament has power to discuss on various issues whether political, economic or social with participation from both ruling and opposition parties, hence helps development of good legislations by taking into account diverse views and inputs from all concerned parties including citizens as well.
4. In the Indian Parliament, Joint sitting is not allowed. Only one house can discuss and take serious decisions on any issue and not both houses.
5. Parliament has power to impeach the Prime Minister, judges or other high officials who are involved in acts of misconduct or mismanagement of public funds in the government. The Speaker will decide whether a charge sheet is made against any official or not under article 105 of the constitution which reads as follows: “Each House may determine the rules of procedure relating to claims and privileges of the members, all questions arising out of, or incidental to a particular subject, and with the concurrence of at least two-thirds, such questions shall be referred for disposal by such authority.”
6. Parliament can also suggest to the president of India for the appointment of Judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts.
7. Parliament can impeach any other Minister and require him to resign in case he is found guilty of any misconduct or mismanagement.
8. Parliament has power to debate on issues vital for the nation like communal harmony, Islam in India, communalism, terrorism and corruption etc., hence helps in bringing about social reforms so as to bring about an ideal society.
9. Law making powers are with five kinds of House or representatives- lower House, Upper House or Council of States (senate), Upper House or Council of States (Rajya Sabha), Executive (Cabinet) and Judiciary (Supreme Court).
10. Parliament has the power to make laws for the development of the country and for betterment of its citizens.
11. It also helps to maintain checks and balances among various branches of government, namely Executive, Legislature and Judiciary because it can impeach certain high officials like Prime Minister, judges or President for misconducts towards public service.
12. Parliament can increase or decrease any tax rate; the executive branch can only impose taxes on citizens with permission from Parliament by passing a law called annual budget, which is approved by Parliament in late winter and early spring or before 1 April every year.

Conclusion:

The citizens of the country are the makers in a genuine democracy; only their participation can make democracy a success. Hence, it is essential for them to elect people who will do their duties and serve them like the representative. It is also important for every citizen to know his duties and rights so that he/she can play its role accordingly.