Learning Objective
- How Is a Major Policy Decision Taken?
- Parliament
- Political Executive
- The Judiciary
How Is a Major Policy Decision Taken?
A Government Order
“On August 13, 1990, the Indian Government introduced an Office Memorandum. This memo extended a 27% job reservation benefit to a newly defined category: Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC). Only individuals from backward classes were eligible for this quota.”
The Decision Makers
- The Indian Government issued the Office Memorandum.
- It sparked debate: some saw it as unfair, while others believed it provided opportunities for underrepresented communities.
- The Supreme Court of India validated the order in the ‘Indira Sawhney and Others Vs Union of India’ case in 1992.
- Since then, this policy has been in effect.
Need for Political Institutions
“In modern democracies, institutions play a crucial role. They involve meetings, committees, and routines. While they can cause delays, they also ensure wider consultation and prevent hasty bad decisions.”
Parliament
“In modern democracies, Parliamentary discussions influence government decisions. If Parliament opposes a decision, the Government cannot proceed with it.”
Why Do We Need the Parliament?
- Making Laws: Parliament is the final authority for creating laws.
- Government Decisions: The government needs Parliament’s support to make decisions.
- Financial Control: Parliaments manage government funds.
- Debates and Discussions: It’s the top place for discussing public issues and national policies.”
Two Houses of Parliament
India’s Parliament has two houses:
- Rajya Sabha (Council of States): Members are indirectly elected and focus on state interests.
- Lok Sabha (House of the People): Directly elected, holds real power, and dominates decision-making.
Key points:
- Laws: Both houses pass laws, but Lok Sabha’s view usually prevails.
- Money Matters: Lok Sabha has more power in financial matters.
- Council of Ministers: Lok Sabha controls the Council of Ministers.
Political Executive
Political and Permanent Executive
Government = Executive
The executive makes everyday decisions.
They carry out government policies.
So, when we say “government,” we mean the executive.
- In a democratic country, the executive has two parts:
- Political Executive: Elected leaders who make big decisions.
- Permanent Executives (Civil Services): Appointed officers who work long-term, even when ruling parties change. They assist the political executive in day-to-day administration.
Prime Minister and Council of Ministers
- Election: No direct election for Prime Minister.o
- Appointment: President appoints the majority party leader or coalition head as Prime Minister.
- Tenure: Prime Minister stays in power as long as they lead the majority party or coalition.
- Ministers: Prime Minister selects ministers from Parliament members.
- Council of Ministers: Includes Cabinet Ministers (top leaders) and Ministers of State (junior ministers).
Powers of the Prime Minister
- Chairs Cabinet Meetings
- Coordinates Departments
- Final Decisions
- Supervises Ministries
- Minister Leadership
- Dismissal Power
- Ministry Quits if PM Quits
The President
The President of India oversees all political institutions, ensuring their harmonious functioning.
The President is not directly elected by the people; MPs and MLAs vote to elect the President.
The President’s powers include:
- Conducting governmental activities in their name.
- Issuing laws and major policy decisions.
- Making key appointments (e.g., judges, governors, ambassadors).
- Handling international treaties.
- Serving as supreme commander of India’s defense forces.
- Importantly, the President acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers and appoints the Prime Minister.
The Judiciary
- Supreme Court: Nationally supreme.
- High Courts: State-level.
- District Courts: Local level.
- Integrated Judiciary: Supreme Court governs all courts; its decisions are binding.
Jurisdiction:
Settles disputes:
- Among citizens.
- Between citizens and government.
- Among state governments.
- Between union and state governments.
Independence: Judiciary isn’t controlled by legislature or executive; judges act impartially.
Appointments: President appoints judges based on PM’s advice and Chief Justice’s consultation.
Removal: Impeachment motion by two-thirds majority in Parliament is the sole removal method.
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