The Indian political landscape recently underwent a significant transformation with Prime Minister effecting changes within the Council of Ministers. This move saw changes in the Cabinet committees, an integral part of the executive’s functionality and administration.
The Eight Cabinet Committees:
Broadly, eight Cabinet committees play a vital role in the working of the government. These include:
1. Appointments Committee of the Cabinet
2. Cabinet Committee on Accommodation
3. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
4. Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs
5. Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs
6. Cabinet Committee on Security
7. Cabinet Committee on Investment and Growth
8. Cabinet Committee on Employment & Skill Development
However, the responsibility of leading all committees, except the Cabinet Committee on Accommodation and Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs, falls under the Prime Minister’s purview.
Extra-Constitutional Emergence of Cabinet Committees:
Notably, these committees are extra-constitutional, meaning they don’t find explicit mention in the Constitution of India. Instead, their establishment is provided for by the Rules of Business.
The Government of India operates under the Transaction of Business Rules, 1961. These rules arise from Article 77(3) of the Constitution, which empowers the President to make rules for efficient transaction of governmental business and allocation amongst Ministers.
The Prime Minister forms Standing Committees of the Cabinet and determines their specific functions. The PM also holds the authority to modify the number of committees.
Related Bodies – Groups of Ministers (GoMs):
In tandem with cabinet committees, several Groups of Ministers (GoMs) are formed to deal with various issues or subjects. These GoMs are temporary bodies created to provide recommendations on emergent issues and critical problem areas.
While some GoMs are authorized to make decisions on the cabinet’s behalf, others are set up to provide recommendations. The institution of GoMs has proven to be an effective tool for coordination among the ministries. Once their advice is consolidated, they are disbanded.
The Role and Functioning of Cabinet Committees:
The existence of Cabinet committees stems from the need to manage the massive workload of the Cabinet. They allow for a detailed examination of policy issues and facilitate effective coordination.
Working on the principles of division of labor and effective delegation, these committees not only shape proposals and resolve issues for the Cabinet’s consideration but also have decision-making power. However, their decisions are subject to review by the Cabinet.
The Indian governance system intricately weaves the Cabinet Committees, GoMs, and various other bodies to ensure smooth functioning and cooperation among different sectors. The recent changes in these committees reflect the dynamic nature of political setups and their adaptability towards the nation’s needs.