Discuss the power and function of council of ministers
Answers
Explanation:
The Cabinet referred to as the ‘Wheel within a wheel’, ‘the magnet of policy’ is the most powerful decision making organ of the government. The Cabinet normally meets once in a week though it can meet whenever necessary, under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister. All decisions are taken based on debate and dialogue. The Cabinet being the highest decision making body, all ministers must abide by its decisions. In case of difference of opinion on a Cabinet decision, a minister must quit his post, as he is not allowed to criticize the cabinet decisions being a party to it. The Cabinet makes decisions for the whole state. So, obviously, its work load and responsibilities are varied and diverse. In order to make things convenient Cabinet committees are formed. The committees such as Political Affairs Committee, Economic Affairs Committee, will look in to the respective departments and gather necessary’ information, which help in decision making. These committees may be temporary or permanent depending upon the task on hand. 1. Formulation of policy: The primary responsibility of cabinet is formulating the policy of the government. The decisions arrived at cabinet reflects the state’s outlook of the government. Before the start of Legislative assembly session, the cabinet makes a list of bills to be placed before the house for consideration and approval. No minister can place any bill in the assembly without the approval of cabinet. The bills so placed before the legislature for approval must be strongly defended by the cabinet; the members of legislature can comment, criticize and seek clarifications from the government on any bill. Thus from shaping the policy to defending it, cabinet plays a key role. 2. Control over the executive: All the ministers who are a part of the government belong to the executive. Each minister having assumed responsibility of a ministry is wholly responsible for any happening in that particular ministry. Hence all ministers must strive hard to implement the Cabinet decisions. If any Minister violates the Cabinet decisions, he may be fired for violating the party unity. The cabinet apart from the ministers also directs and supervises the activities of the civil service. 3. Control over the finance: The cabinet is responsible to the income and expenditure incurred by the state, though the responsibility of the preparing the annual income expenditure statement the budget lies with the Finance minister. In order to ensure secrecy, the cabinet does not discuss the budget proposal. Generally, the Chief Minister also plays an important part in budget making, so the budget proposals are discussed between the Chief Minister and the finance minister. The content of the budget are not made known to cabinet till the Finance minister’s budget speech. Once the budget is placed before the state legislature, the cabinet can discuss and seek changes if necessary’. Though cabinet has the authority to reject the budget in its entirety, it is hardly done. Because, it amounts to an insult to the government. 4. Co-ordination: To co-ordinate the activities of different ministries or departments and guide them is the responsibility of the cabinet. Generally, working of one department will have its effect on the other. For example, if two ministries work out an ambitious project calling for huge investment, the Feasibility of it has to be decided by the finance ministry, which holds the purse. Under these circumstances, the cabinet has to strike a balance between the two and release money on priority basis. To co-ordinate governmental activities there are Secretarial Committees at the ministerial level headed by the Cabinet Secretary. Under his chairmanship these committees suggest means cc co-ordination. 5. Control over appointments: Generally, appointments do not come before the cabinet. But all major appointments such as the Governor are brought to notice of the cabinet before made public. The consent of the cabinet to these appointments is only a formality.Read more on Sarthaks.com - https://www.sarthaks.com/624176/explain-the-powers-and-functions-of-the-council-of-ministers-of-a-state
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