Test: Cabinet Committees - UPSC MCQ

Cabinet Committees are of two types - standing and ad hoc. The standing committees are permanent in nature, while ad hoc committees are temporary and constituted from time to time to deal with special problems.

The Political Affairs Committee is responsible for dealing with all policy matters related to domestic and foreign affairs.

Cabinet Committees are set up by the Prime Minister according to the exigencies of the time and requirements of the situation.

The Appointments Committee is responsible for deciding all higher-level appointments in the Central Secretariat, Public Enterprises, Banks, and Financial Institutions.

The Narendra Modi government abolished all Groups of Ministers (GoMs) and Empowered Groups of Ministers (EGoMs) in 2014 for greater accountability and empowerment, signaling a break from the past practices.

With the increasing participation of the state in industry and trade, a large number of public undertakings were established. These public undertakings became important instruments of planned development, leading to a radical change in the character and functioning of the Government after independence.

The Committee on Public Undertakings is responsible for examining the performance and management of public undertakings, ensuring that they function within the confines of public accountability. The Committee acts as the eyes and ears of Parliament in relation to the functioning of public undertakings.

The Committee on Public Undertakings consists of 22 members, with 15 members elected by the Lok Sabha and 7 members nominated by the Rajya Sabha.

A Minister is not eligible to become a member of the Committee on Public Undertakings. If a member of the Committee is appointed as a Minister, they cease to be a member of the Committee from the date of their appointment.

The Chairman of the Committee on Public Undertakings is appointed by the Speaker of Lok Sabha from among the members of the Committee belonging to Lok Sabha.