QUES . “The growth of cabinet system has practically resulted in the marginalisation of the parliamentary supremacy:” Elucidate. UPSC MAINS 2024 GS PAPER 2
HINTS:
Cabinet system in India presents a fascinating picture of an evolving institution that was nurtured by the first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru since the days of the interim government in September 1946. However, this cabinet system, which is central to parliamentary democracies like India and the UK, seems to concentrate power in the hands of a few ministers.
While the Parliament is the supreme legislative body, the rise and centralization of power in the cabinet (the executive) has gradually shifted the balance, limiting the actual influence of Parliament. This shift has gradually marginalized the concept of parliamentary supremacy, affecting democratic accountability.
Marginalisation of Parliamentary Supremacy Due to Cabinet System
Cabinet Dominates Parliamentary Proceedings:
The cabinet, composed of the Prime Minister and key ministers, wields substantial authority, controlling the formulation of policies, legislation, and the administration. Since the ruling party or coalition typically holds a majority in the legislature, the cabinet can dominate parliamentary proceedings.
Frequent Use of Ordinances:
Frequent use of ordinances, bypassing parliamentary debate, and the guillotine method (passing bills with limited discussion) further undermine parliamentary authority.
Whip System:
Party discipline ensures that members of the ruling party largely vote according to the government’s direction, limiting meaningful parliamentary debate and scrutiny The rigid enforcement of party whips often suppresses independent opinions of MPs, making Parliament a mere rubber stamp for Cabinet decisions.
Executive’s Control Over the Legislative Agenda:
The executive’s control over the legislative agenda means that the parliament’s role as a watchdog is weakened, reducing its ability to hold the government accountable.
Executive Dominance Over Parliamentary Committees:
The Cabinet often controls parliamentary committees, weakening their role in scrutinizing government policies effectively.
Limited Time for Debates:
Parliamentary sessions are relatively short and often do not provide sufficient time for detailed debate on legislation. In many cases, crucial bills are rushed through with limited discussion, which undermines the Parliament’s role in scrutinizing and shaping laws.
Complexity of Modern Governance:
The increasing complexity of modern governance, involving technical and specialized knowledge, has led to more reliance on the executive, which has access to bureaucratic expertise. Parliament, with its diverse membership, may not be equipped to deal with such complexities in depth.
Delegated Legislation:
Increasingly, the cabinet uses delegated or subordinate legislation, where broad laws are passed by Parliament, but the details and specific regulations are left to the executive. This further enhances executive power and limits Parliament’s involvement in detailed law-making.
Effects of Marginalisation of the Parliamentary Supremacy
As the cabinet and executive become more dominant, Parliament’s ability to hold them accountable diminishes. Ministers may avoid detailed questioning or accountability through procedural mechanisms, undermining democratic oversight. A marginalized Parliament can erode the checks and balances inherent in the system, weakening the broader democratic structure.
Conclusion
Thus, while parliament remains a critical institution in theory, the growth of the cabinet system has shifted real power to the executive, leading to the marginalization of parliamentary supremacy in practice. For genuine parliamentary supremacy, India must strengthen institutional checks on the Cabinet’s powers, ensuring enhanced accountability and transparency in decision-making.
