Question

With reference to the powers and functions of the Cabinet, briefly state the following: 

1. Three Administrative Functions.
2. Three Legislative Functions.
3. Four Financial Functions. 

Answer 1

1. Three administrative functions of the Cabinet are:
   1. Policy Making: The Cabinet develops both domestic and external policies for the government. Though all important issues must be consulted by the Cabinet, individual ministers enjoy reasonable independence of action.
   2. Policy implementation: Once the Cabinet decides on any topic, the Minister of State and the Deputy Minister of the respective Ministry are notified. They work on the specifics and forward them to the civil servants under that Ministry to carry out the ruling.
   3. Coordinating the Functioning of Various Ministers: The Cabinet manages the work of several departments to ensure the smooth application of government policy, coordinating the functioning of many ministers.
2. The Cabinet prefers the following Legislative powers:
   1. The President calls the Houses, although the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs is acting with initiative.
   2. Designed by the ministers, about 90% of bills are government ones. With solid Parliamentary backing, most members vote for the government's motion.
   3. As in other affairs, the president acts in accordance with the ministers' recommendations regarding the issue of an ordinance.
   4. Planning and implementing a constitutional change depends much on the Cabinet.
3. The four financial functions of the Cabinet are:
   1. Budget: The Finance Minister creates the annual budget, which includes predictions of revenue and expenditure for the following year.
      1. Although Parliament passes the budget, usually no adjustments are made to the numbers against Cabinet wishes.
      2. Any change to the budget recommendations against Cabinet wishes that the Lok Sabha passes represents a vote of no confidence in the Ministry. It only occurs once the Ministry loses the majority of Lok Sabha support. Under such circumstances, the ministry has to quit.
   2. Finances of the Government: The Cabinet is in charge of government expenditure for displaying the demand for grants and collecting required cash through several channels, including taxation.
   3. Introduction of Money Bills: Only a Minister may introduce a money bill before the Lok Sabha.