CABINET COMMITTEES
1. Context
The contours of the Narendra Modi 3.0 ministry are becoming clearer ahead of the swearing-in ceremony on Sunday (June 9) evening. The Prime Minister-designate had tea with his new team at his residence earlier in the day
2. What are the various Cabinet committees?
- After the Union Cabinet is sworn in and ministerial portfolios are assigned, the next step involves establishing the high-profile Cabinet committees.
- These committees are formed by the Prime Minister and comprise selected Cabinet members who are delegated specific roles. The Prime Minister has the authority to adjust the number of committees and modify their assigned functions as needed.
- Each committee typically consists of three to eight members, predominantly Cabinet ministers. Occasionally, non-Cabinet ministers may also participate as members or special invitees. When the Prime Minister serves on a committee, he assumes the role of its chairperson.
- These committees deliberate on issues, develop proposals for Cabinet consideration, and make decisions on matters within their purview. The Cabinet retains the authority to review these decisions.
- During the Manmohan Singh government, there were up to 12 Cabinet committees in addition to numerous Groups of Ministers (GoMs) and Empowered Groups of Ministers (EGoMs)
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How Many Committees are Present right now?
Currently, there are eight Cabinet committees: the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, Cabinet Committee on Investment and Growth, Cabinet Committee on Security, Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs, Cabinet Committee on Employment & Skill Development, and Cabinet Committee on Accommodation.
The committees focusing on investment and employment were introduced by the Modi government in 2019. Except for the Cabinet Committee on Accommodation and Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs, all committees are chaired by the Prime Minister
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3. Significance of Cabinet Committees
- Led by the Prime Minister, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) includes the Ministers of Finance, Defence, Home Affairs, and External Affairs as its members.
- It oversees discussions, appointments within national security bodies, and major decisions concerning national security, defence spending, and related policy matters. In addition to defence issues, the CCS also addresses law and order, internal security, and foreign policy matters related to security, including considerations involving atomic energy.
- Given its crucial role, there is an expectation that the BJP will resist pressure from allies such as the TDP and JDU to relinquish any of these significant portfolios.
- With all current CCS members—Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman, and S Jaishankar—regularly attending informal meetings at the Prime Minister's residence, there is widespread anticipation of continuity within the CCS in Modi's second term
4. Coalition Government and Cabinet Committees (CCs)
- In a coalition government, where multiple political parties come together to form a government, the composition and functioning of Cabinet Committees (CCs) can be influenced by the dynamics of coalition politics
- One notable instance occurred during the transition from Atal Bihari Vajpayee's tenure as Prime Minister to the H D Deve Gowda government in 1996.
- Deve Gowda, then Chief Minister of Karnataka, assumed office as Prime Minister on June 1. Mulayam Singh Yadav from the Samajwadi Party was appointed Defence Minister, P Chidambaram, who had established the Tamil Maanila Congress earlier that year, took on the role of Finance Minister, and Indrajit Gupta of the CPI became Home Minister.
- In 2001, during Vajpayee's leadership of the NDA government, George Fernandes, founder of the Samata Party, was appointed Defence Minister and held the position for three years.
- As Defence Minister during the BJP-led governments of Atal Bihari Vajpayee's second and third terms (1998–2004), Fernandes oversaw significant events such as the Kargil War and the nuclear tests conducted at Pokhra
5. Way Forward
Overall, in a coalition government, Cabinet Committees play a crucial role in managing and balancing the interests of coalition partners while addressing national priorities. Effective coordination and communication among coalition members are essential for the smooth functioning of CCs and the government as a whole
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For Prelims: Cabinet Committees, Ethics Committes
For Mains: GSII- Cabinet Committees and thier Significance
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Previous Year Questions
1.Read the following statements related to Cabinet Committees and choose the correct option : (CGPSC Civil Service 2020 Official Paper 1)
Statement I : Cabinet Committees are not mentioned in the Constitution
Statement II : Cabinet Committees are set up by the Prime Minister according to the exigencies of the time and requirements of the situation
Statement III : If Prime Minister is the member of Committee, he may not necessarily be the Chairman of Committee
Statement IV : Parliamentary Affairs Committee is chaired by the Prime Minister
A.All statements are true
B.Statements I, II and III are true, but Statement IV is false
C.Statements II, III and IV are true, but Statement I is false
D.Statements I and II are true, but Statements III and IV are false
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Source: Indianexpress
