Indian Polity Quiz: Executive (Union and State) | 10 June, 2021

The fundamental principle underlying the working of parliamentary system of government is the 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.
• When the Lok Sabha passes a no-confidence motion against the council of ministers, all the ministers have to resign including those ministers who are from the Rajya Sabha.

Source: Laxmikanth

The role of Cabinet:

• It is the highest decision-making authority in our politico-administrative system.
• It is the chief policy formulating body of the Central government.
• It is the supreme executive authority of the Central government.
• It is chief coordinator of Central administration.

• It is an advisory body to the president and its advice is binding on him.

Source: Laxmikanth

The following four are the more important cabinet committees:

• The Political Affairs Committee deals with all policy matters pertaining to domestic and foreign affairs.

• The Economic Affairs Committee directs and coordinates the governmental activities in the economic sphere.
• Appointments Committee decides all higher-level appointments in the Central Secretariat, Public Enterprises, Banks and Financial Institutions.
• Parliamentary Affairs Committee looks after the progress of government business in the Parliament.

Source: Laxmikanth

The following four are the more important cabinet committees:

• The Political Affairs Committee deals with all policy matters pertaining to domestic and foreign affairs.
• The Economic Affairs Committee directs and coordinates the governmental activities in the economic sphere.
• Appointments Committee decides all higher-level appointments in the Central Secretariat, Public Enterprises, Banks and Financial Institutions.
• Parliamentary Affairs Committee looks after the progress of government business in the Parliament.

The first three committees are chaired by the Prime Minister and the last one by the home minister. Of all the Cabinet Committees, the most powerful is the Political Affairs Committee, often described as a “Super-Cabinet”.

Source: Laxmikanth

Articles 79 to 122 in Part V of the Constitution deal with the organisation, composition, duration, officers, procedures, privileges, powers and so on of the Parliament.

Source: Laxmikanth

The maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha is fixed at 250, out of which, 238 are to be the representatives of the states and union territories (elected indirectly) and 12 are nominated by the president.

• At present, the Rajya Sabha has 245 members. Of these, 229 members represent the states, 4 members represent the union territories and 12 members are nominated by the president.
• The Fourth Schedule of the Constitution deals with the allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha to the states and union territories.

Source: Laxmikanth

If the Rajya Sabha declares that it is necessary in the national interest that Parliament should make laws on a matter in the State List, then the Parliament becomes competent to make laws on that matter.

• Such a resolution must be supported by two-thirds of the members present and voting.
• The resolution remains in force for one year; it can be renewed any number of times but not exceeding one year at a time.

• The laws cease to have effect on the expiration of six months after the resolution has ceased to be in force.

Source: Laxmikanth

The Speaker is elected by the Lok Sabha from amongst its members (as soon as may be, after its first sitting).

• Whenever the office of the Speaker falls vacant, the Lok Sabha elects another member to fill the vacancy.
• The date of election of the Speaker is fixed by the President.

Source: Laxmikanth

The origin of the second Chamber (Council of State) can be traced to the Montague-Chelmsford Report of 1918.

• The Government of India Act, 1919 provided for the creation of a ‘Council of State’ as a second chamber of the then legislature with a restricted franchise which actually came into existence in 1921.
• The Fourth Schedule to the Constitution provides for allocation of seats to the States and Union Territories in Rajya Sabha.
• The allocation of seats is made on the basis of the population of each State.

Source: https://rajyasabha.nic.in/

The Committees may be classified as Ad-hoc Committees and Standing Committees. Standing Committees may be divided in terms of their functions:

Committees to enquire:

• Committee on Petitions
• Committee on Privileges
• Ethics Committee

Committees to scrutinize and control:

• Committee on Government Assurances
• Committee on Subordinate Legislation and
• Committee on Papers Laid on the Table

Committees relating to day-to-day business of the House:

• Business advisory committee

• Rules Committee

House Keeping Committees:

• House Committee
• General Purpose Committee
• Committee on Provision of Computers to Members of Rajya Sabha

Source: https://rajyasabha.nic.in/