Cabinet Committees and their Functions

The Standing Committees of the Cabinet are constituted by the Prime Minister who sets out the specific functions to them. The Prime Minister can add or reduce the number of committees.

Why the cabinet committees are necessary?

Article 77(3) of the Constitution states: The President shall make rules for the more convenient transaction of the business of the Government of India, and for the allocation among Ministers of the said business. This mandates the minister-in-charge of a department to dispose of all business allotted to a department under him or her.

But when the subject of concern is related to more than one department, no decision can be taken until all such departments have concurred, or, failing such concurrence. Hence the cabinet committees are constituted to expedite the process of decision making.

Cabinet Committees

Appointments Committee

The Appointments Committee is responsible for making appointments for various posts under the government of India.

Accommodation Committee

The Accommodation Committee determines the guidelines or rules with regard to the allotment of government accommodation to MPs, the general public and also considers proposals for shifting existing Central Government Offices to locations outside the capital.

Economic Affairs Committee

The Economic Affairs Committee reviews economic trends, problems and prospects for evolving a consistent and integrated economic policy , coordinate all activities requiring policy decisions at the highest level.

Parliamentary Affairs Committee

The Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs prepares the schedule for Parliament sessions and monitors the progress of government business in Parliament. It also scrutinises the non-government business and decides which official Bills and resolutions are to be presented.

Political Affairs Committee

The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs deals with the problems related to Centre-state relations and examines economic and political issues that require a wider perspective but have no internal or external security implications.

Security Committee

The Cabinet Committee on Security deals with issues relating to law and order, internal security and policy matters concerning foreign affairs with internal or external security implications. It also goes into economic and political issues related to national security.

Investment Committee

The Cabinet Committee on Investment is tasked to identify key projects required to be implemented on a time-bound basis involving investments of Rs 1,000 crore or more, or any other critical projects, with regard to infrastructure and manufacturing.

Employment and Skill Development Committee

The Cabinet Committee on Employment and Skill Development is tasked to provide direction to all policies, programmes, schemes and initiatives for skill development to increase the employability of the workforce to effectively cater to the emerging requirements of the rapidly growing economy and mapping the benefits of demographic dividend.

The committee is required prescribe steps to enhance workforce participation, foster employment growth and identification, and work towards removal of gaps between requirement and availability of skills in various sectors.