Cabinet Committees

Introduction

The purpose of the cabinet committee in India is to take informed decisions collectively in order to assist the cabinet members in various aspects. The objective of creating a cabinet committee was to reduce the workload of the cabinet members. The eight cabinet committees are responsible for overseeing different fields. Apart from the permanent Standing cabinet committee, Ad Hoc cabinet committee can also be formed to resolve special challenges in extraordinary circumstances. 

What is the reason for establishing cabinet committees?

The root of the cabinet committee in India can be traced to the Indian Council Act, 1861. The Act introduced the notion of the portfolio system and the Executive Council. It occurred when the Interim Government of 1946 identified the Secretariat of the Executive Council as the Cabinet Secretariat. In addition, the Secretary of the Executive Council was recognized as the Cabinet Secretary. The function of the cabinet secretariat went through transformation and thus the cabinet committee was formed. Thereafter, the committee was given the responsibility to carry out effective coordination between the ministers of India. The cabinet committee is headed by a Cabinet secretary and manages different circumstances to perform various functions. The cabinet committee assists the cabinet in introducing policies, strategies, innovations which implies the overall management of the governing bodies. It can be assumed that it was the Rules of Business that facilitated the establishment of the cabinet committee. 

Importance of cabinet committee

The cabinet committee plays a major role in the governance of the country. They can take collective decisions which are crucial in steering the government. The committee possesses supreme decision-making ability regarding the big issues and challenges of the government. They also assist in shaping up the overall strategy for the government while overlooking daily issues. The solution proposed by the cabinet committee remains up for further review by the cabinet. They formulate proposals which are to be considered by the cabinet ultimately. As a result, they are tasked with a responsibility to cut down the burden of the workload from the cabinet. As a result, the cabinet is free to pursue other matters of grave importance. On the other hand, when an agenda or activity of the government requires special attention, a cabinet committee is set up. There is no mention of the cabinet committee in the Constitution and they are extra-constitutional in nature. 

Features of cabinet committee

It is the Prime Minister of India who has the capability of setting up the committee with selected members of the cabinet. The Prime Minister has the authority to change the number of the members and modify the responsibilities of the member. There are currently two types of cabinet committees which are supported by the Rules of Business, functioning in India. The Standing Cabinet committee is permanent while the Ad Hoc Cabinet Committee is temporary. Ad Hoc is constructed from time to time to deal with special circumstances. The membership of the cabinet committee usually belongs to the cabinet members but non-cabinet members are called upon as special invitees. 

 Members of the cabinet committees of India 

There are generally eight cabinet committees currently functioning in India which oversee their distinctive responsibility. These are the Appointment Committee of the Cabinet, the Cabinet Committee on Accommodation, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, Parliamentary Affairs, Political Affairs and on Security. The Appointment committee of the cabinet is generally formed with the Prime Minister of India and the Minister of Home Affairs. The Cabinet Committee on accommodation is formed with the Minister of Home Affairs, Minister Finance, Corporate, and the Minister of Road and Transport. In the Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs there are the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Minister of Finance, Minister of External Affairs. The Cabinet Committee of Parliamentary Affairs is also formed with the Minister of Defence, Minister of Home Affairs, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Minister of tribal Affairs. The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs consists of the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Minister of Home Affairs, Minister of Finance, Minister of Women and Child Development among others. The Cabinet Committee on Security consists of the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Finance and Minister of External Affairs. 

Conclusion

It can be summarized that the importance of the cabinet committee is beyond measure as it helps in the decision-making process for the governing bodies. The majority of the cabinet committees are mainly presided over by the Prime Minister of India, and he has the sole authority in deciding the members and assigning their responsibility. In addition, it can be deduced that the role of the cabinet committee is immensely significant in the sense that by assisting in the decision-making process, it allows the cabinet to devote their time in other areas.