Sambhav-2023

Answer 1

Approach:

• Start your answer by giving a brief about the union council of ministers.
• Discuss the composition of the Indian council of ministers.
• Discuss the role of the Indian council of ministers.
• Conclude suitably.

Introduction

The Constitution of India provides for a parliamentary system of government modelled on the British pattern, the council of ministers headed by the prime minister is the real executive authority in our politico-administrative system.

The principles of the parliamentary system of government are not detailed in the Constitution, but two Articles (74 and 75) deal with them in a broad, sketchy and general manner. Article 74 deals with the status of the council of ministers while Article 75 deals with the appointment, tenure, responsibility, qualification, oath, and salaries and allowances of the ministers.

Body

Composition of the Union council of ministers:

• The council of ministers consists of three categories of ministers, namely, cabinet ministers, ministers of state, and deputy ministers. The difference between them lies in their respective ranks, emoluments, and political importance.
• At the top of all these ministers stands the Prime Minister–the supreme governing authority of the council of ministers.
• The cabinet ministers head the important ministries of the Central government like home, defence, finance, external affairs and so forth. They are members of the cabinet, attend its meetings and play an important role in deciding policies. Thus, their responsibilities extend over the entire gamut of Central government.

Role of the Union council of ministers:

• Article 74: As per Article 74, there shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the President who shall, in the exercise of his functions, act in accordance with such advice.
  • However, the President may require the Council of Ministers to reconsider such advice and the President shall act in accordance with the advice tendered after such reconsideration.
  • The advice tendered by Ministers to the President shall not be inquired into in any court.
• Principle of Collective Responsibility: Article 75 clearly states that the council of ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. This means that all the ministers own joint responsibility to the Lok Sabha for all their acts of omission and commission. They work as a team and swim or sink together.
• Collective Functions: As a body, it meets frequently and usually once a week to deliberate and take decisions regarding the transaction of government business.
• Implementation of Decision: It implements the decisions taken by the cabinet.

Conclusion

The Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister has great significance in the Political-administrative system of India without which it is nearly impossible to look after the tasks of the govt.

Answer 2

Approach:

• Start your answer by giving a brief about Cabinet committees.
• Discuss the features of the Cabinet committee and their role in the functioning of the Cabinet.
• Conclude suitably.

Introduction

Cabinet committees are extra-constitutional bodies setup with the intention to reduce the workload of the council of ministers. At present the following 8 Cabinet Committees are functional like Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, Cabinet Committee on Security, etc. They are set up to help the Cabinet in its working.

Body

Features of Cabinet committee and their role in the Functioning of Cabinet:

• They are extra-constitutional in emergence. In other words, they are not mentioned in the Constitution. However, the Rules of Business provide for their establishment.
• They are of two types–standing and ad hoc. The former is of a permanent nature while the latter are of a temporary nature. The ad hoc committees are constituted from time to time to deal with special problems. They are disbanded after their task is completed.
• They are set up by the Prime Minister according to the exigencies of the time and requirements of the situation. Hence, their number, nomenclature, and composition vary from time to time.
• Their membership varies from three to eight. They usually include only Cabinet Ministers. However, the non-cabinet Ministers are not debarred from their membership.
• They not only include the Ministers in charge of subjects covered by them but also include other senior Ministers.
• They are mostly headed by the Prime Minister. Sometimes other Cabinet Ministers, particularly the Home Minister or the finance minister, also acts as their chairman. But, in case the Prime Minister is a member of a committee, he invariably presides over it.
• They not only sort out issues and formulate proposals for the consideration of the Cabinet, but also take decisions. However, the Cabinet can review their decisions.
• They are an organizational device to reduce the enormous workload of the Cabinet. They also facilitate in-depth examination of policy issues and effective coordination.

Conclusion

Thus, the Cabinet Committees play an important role in the functioning of the day-to-day functioning of the govt. and helps in reducing the workload of the Cabinet and Council of Ministers.