Cabinet Secretariat
Origin
Before the adoption of the portfolio system in the Government of India, all
governmental business was disposed of by the Governor-General-in Council, the
Council functioning as a joint consultative board. As the amount and complexity
of business of the Government increased, the work of the various departments
was distributed amongst the members of the Council only the more important
cases being dealt with by the Governor-General or the Council collectively.
This procedure was
legalised by the Councils Act of 1861 during the time of Lord Canning, leading
to the introduction of the portfolio system and the inception of the Executive
Council of the Governor-General. The Secretariat of the Executive Council was
headed by the Private Secretary to the Viceroy, but he did not attend
the Council meetings. Lord
Willingdon first started the practice of having his Private Secretary by his
side at these meetings. Later, this practice continued and in November,
1935, the Viceroy's
Private Secretary was given the additional designation of Secretary to the
Executive Council.
The constitution of the Interim Government in September 1946 brought a change in the
name, though little in functions, of this Office. The Executive Council's Secretariat was then designated
as Cabinet Secretariat. It seems, however, at least in retrospect, that
Independence brought a sort of change in the functions of the Cabinet
Secretariat. It no longer remained concerned with only the passive work of
circulating papers to Ministers and Ministries but developed into an organisation for effecting
coordination between the Ministries.
Functions
·
Secretarial assistance to the cabinet and
cabinet committees
- Convening
of the meetings of the Cabinet on the orders of the Prime Minister.
- Preparation
and circulation of the agenda.
- Circulating
papers related to the cases on the agenda.
- Preparing
a record of discussions taken.
- Circulation
of the record after obtaining the approval of the Prime Minister.
- Watching
implementation of the decisions taken by the Cabinet.
·
Responsible for the administration of the GoI
(TransactionRules of business) Rules 1961 and the GoI (Allocation of Business)
Rules 1961
·
Facilitating smooth transaction of business in
Ministries/Departments of the Govt
·
Inter-ministerial coordination, ironing out
differences amongst ministries/departments and evolving consensus through the
instrumentality of the standing/ad hoc Committees of Secretaries
- Removing
difficulties.
- Removing
differences.
- Overcoming
delays.
- Coordination
in administrative action.
- Coordination
of policies.
·
There are other important functions which it
discharges, viz.
- Monitoring.
- Coordination.
- Promoting
new policy initiatives.
·
The Cabinet
Secretariat ensures that the President, the Vice President and Ministers are
kept informed of the major activities of all Ministries/Departments by means of
monthly summary of their activities.
·
Management
of major crisis situations in the country and coordinating activities of
various Ministries in such a situation is also one of the functions of the
Cabinet Secretariat.
The Cabinet Secretariat is seen
as a useful mechanism by the departments for promoting inter-Ministerial
coordination since the Cabinet Secretary is also the head of the civil
services. The Secretaries felt it necessary to keep the Cabinet Secretary
informed of developments from time to time. The Transaction of Business Rules
also requires them to keep the Cabinet Secretary informed of developments from
time to time, especially if there are any departures from these rules.
Structure
·
Three wings
o
Civil
o
Military
o
Intelligence
·
Directorate of public grievances
·
National Authority Chemical Weapons Convention
o
NACWC has been
established under the Chemical Weapons Convention Act, 2000 for implementing
the provisions of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production,
Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction, signed on
behalf of the Government of India at Paris on the 14th day of January,
1993.
·
Performance Management Division
·
Disputes Committee
Cabinet Committees
·
To facilitate decision making in specific areas
·
Business Rules provide for the constitution of
standing committees of the Cabinet to ensure speedy decisions on vital
questions of political and economic significance and other matters of
importance as also to ensure coordination in well defined fields of
administration
·
Instruments to organise coordination in clearly
defined fields
·
Flexibility in membership of these committees
enable interested Ministers to exchange views, and arrive at agreed solutions
without involving the Cabinet
·
There is considerable sharing of work with the
result that many matters which could otherwise travel upto the Cabinet for
decision making are settled at the level of Cabinet Committees
·
The Cabinet may often accept the decision
already taken by the Cabinet Committees
·
Drawbaks
o
Some of these committees have not been uniformly
or consistently effective
o
Do not cover all important areas of governmental
functioning
o
They can take up a matter only when it is
referred to by the Minister concerned or by the Cabinet
o
Do not meet regularly
·
There are 10 cabinet committees as of now.
o
Appointments committee
o
Accommodation committee
o
Economic Affairs
o
Parliamentary Affairs
o
Political Affairs
o
Prices
o
Security
o
WTO matters
o
Infrastructure
o
UID
·
Functions
o
Specialized group for deliberation and
discussion
Group of Ministers
·
27 GoMs exist
·
12 EGoMs exist
Cabinet Secretary
·
Head of the civil services
·
Under the direct charge of the PM
·
ExExecutive
head of cabinet secretariat
·
Ex-officio chairman of civil services board
Functions
§ Provide
assistance to the Council of Ministers
§ Act
as advisor and conscience keeper of the civil services
§ Handle
senior appointments
§ Prepare
of the agenda of the Cabinet
§ Attend
the meetings of the Cabinet
§ Ensure
that the Cabinet decisions are implemented
§ Advise
the Prime Minister of India
§ Act
as the Chairman of the Committee of Secretaries on Administration
§ Act
as the Chairman of the Chief Secretaries Committee
§ Provide
an element of continuity and stability to administration during crises
§ Act
as a buffer between the politicians and the civil servants and protect the
interests of the latter in situation of conflict between the two
§ Act
on his own discretion at times
- When a
minister desires to have a prosecution launched against the publisher or
editor of a newspaper in cases of defamation the sanction of the Cabinet
Secretary shall be obtained.
No fixed tenure
Does not and should not interfere in the working of the
departments
