Which one of the following Amendments to the Constitution of India has...
The correct answer is option 'A', which is the 91st Amendment to the Constitution of India. This amendment introduced a new provision under Article 75(1A) of the Constitution, which states that the Council of Ministers in the Union and the State Governments should not exceed 15 percent of the total number of members in the House of the People or the Legislative Assembly of the States, respectively.
Explanation:
The 91st Amendment to the Constitution of India was enacted in 2003. This amendment aimed to address the issue of large and unwieldy Councils of Ministers at the Union and State levels. The excessive size of the Council of Ministers had become a matter of concern as it led to administrative inefficiency and increased expenditure.
Key provisions of the 91st Amendment:
1. Article 75(1A): The amendment added a new provision to Article 75(1) of the Constitution. The new provision states that the Council of Ministers in the Union shall not exceed 15 percent of the total number of members in the House of the People. Similarly, in the States, the Council of Ministers shall not exceed 15 percent of the total number of members in the Legislative Assembly.
2. Disqualification: The amendment also added a new clause, Clause (1B), to Article 164 of the Constitution. This clause states that a member of the Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council of a State shall be disqualified if he or she is appointed as a Minister and the size of the Council of Ministers exceeds the prescribed limit.
Significance of the 91st Amendment:
1. Promotes efficiency: The amendment aims to promote administrative efficiency by limiting the size of the Council of Ministers. With a smaller Council of Ministers, decision-making processes can be more streamlined and effective.
2. Reduces expenditure: By limiting the size of the Council of Ministers, the amendment helps in reducing the financial burden on the exchequer. A smaller Council of Ministers means lesser expenditure on salaries, allowances, and other perks.
3. Enhances accountability: With a smaller Council of Ministers, individual Ministers can be held more accountable for their actions. The reduced size ensures that there is a clear allocation of responsibilities and better supervision.
4. Prevents political instability: By preventing the formation of large coalitions and unwieldy Councils of Ministers, the amendment helps in maintaining political stability and reducing the chances of frequent changes in government.
In conclusion, the 91st Amendment to the Constitution of India introduced the provision that the Council of Ministers at the Union and State levels should not exceed 15 percent of the total number of members in the House of the People or the Legislative Assembly, respectively. This amendment aims to promote efficiency, accountability, and stability in the functioning of the government.
Which one of the following Amendments to the Constitution of India has...
Amendments to the Constitution of India has prescribed that the Council of Ministers shall not exceed 15 percent of total number of members of the House of the People or Legislative Assembly in the States.