Q3. “The growth of the cabinet system has practically resulted in the marginalization of parliamentary supremacy:” Elucidate. (Answer in 150 words)

Introduction:

In a parliamentary democracy, the Cabinet is the highest decision-making body in the government, consisting of the Prime Minister and other senior ministers who are appointed by the head of state, usually a President or Monarch.

Body:

Cabinet Dominance over Legislative Agenda:

• Centralization of Power: The Cabinet, led by the Prime Minister, holds significant control over policy-making and legislative decisions. Example: Major bills, including the Union budget, are formulated by the Cabinet and then introduced in Parliament.

• Example: Major bills, including the Union budget, are formulated by the Cabinet and then introduced in Parliament.

• Marginal Role of Parliament: Parliament’s role often becomes limited to debating and approving decisions that are already formulated by the Cabinet. There is minimal scope for significant changes once the Cabinet introduces legislation. Example: Farm Laws (2020): The controversial farm laws were passed with limited parliamentary debate and were introduced as ordinances by the Cabinet, showcasing the dominance of executive decision-making.

• Example: Farm Laws (2020): The controversial farm laws were passed with limited parliamentary debate and were introduced as ordinances by the Cabinet, showcasing the dominance of executive decision-making.

• Increasing Role of Executive Orders and Ordinances: The President, on the advice of the Cabinet, can issue ordinances when Parliament is not in session, bypassing the need for immediate legislative approval. This reduces Parliament’s role in the legislative process. Example: Ordinances on Cooperative Banks (2020): The government introduced ordinances to regulate cooperative banks during the pandemic, avoiding the immediate need for parliamentary approval.

• Example: Ordinances on Cooperative Banks (2020): The government introduced ordinances to regulate cooperative banks during the pandemic, avoiding the immediate need for parliamentary approval.

• Party Discipline and Role of Whip: The ruling party’s MPs are bound by the whip system, which ensures that they vote according to the party’s directives. This restricts MPs’ independence in scrutinizing or challenging the government’s proposals.

• This restricts MPs’ independence in scrutinizing or challenging the government’s proposals.

• Reduced Parliamentary Debate: The dominance of the executive, along with party discipline, often results in limited critical discussion and debate in Parliament, especially in the case of a strong majority government. Example: Passage of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in 2019: Despite widespread debate outside Parliament, the Act was passed with little resistance within the ruling party’s parliamentary members due to the whip system.

• Example: Passage of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in 2019: Despite widespread debate outside Parliament, the Act was passed with little resistance within the ruling party’s parliamentary members due to the whip system.

• Weakening of Parliamentary Committees: Parliamentary committees, which serve to scrutinize legislation, have seen a decline in their role. The Cabinet often bypasses committee recommendations or does not refer key bills to them.

• The Cabinet often bypasses committee recommendations or does not refer key bills to them.

• Dominance of Cabinet Decisions: Critical decisions on policy and international agreements are made by the Cabinet without adequate consultation with Parliament, reducing Parliament’s oversight function. Example: India-China Border Situation (2020): Critical decisions on national security, particularly related to the border situation with China, were largely handled by the Cabinet with minimal parliamentary discussion.

• Example: India-China Border Situation (2020): Critical decisions on national security, particularly related to the border situation with China, were largely handled by the Cabinet with minimal parliamentary discussion.

• Executive Control over Financial Powers: While Parliament technically holds the power to approve the budget, the Cabinet’s control over financial policy limits Parliament’s ability to challenge or amend the budget proposals. Example: COVID-19 Relief Package (2020): The ₹20 lakh crore economic stimulus was largely formulated and controlled by the executive, with minimal parliamentary involvement in shaping or scrutinizing the financial allocations.

• Example: COVID-19 Relief Package (2020): The ₹20 lakh crore economic stimulus was largely formulated and controlled by the executive, with minimal parliamentary involvement in shaping or scrutinizing the financial allocations.

Conclusion:

The growth of the Cabinet system, along with the centralization of decision-making in the executive, has resulted in the marginalization of parliamentary supremacy. While Parliament remains the legislative authority, its role has become increasingly passive, with the Cabinet exercising significant control over policy-making, financial decisions, and legislative processes. There is a need for stronger parliamentary oversight to restore the balance between the executive and legislative branches.