Question

UPSC Prelims 2017 Question:

Out of the following statements, choose the one that brings out the principle underlying the Cabinet form of Government

1. An arrangement for minimizing criticism against the Government whose responsibilities are complex and hard to carry out to the satisfaction of all.
2. A mechanism for speeding up the activities of the Government whose responsibilities are increasing day by day.
3. A mechanism of parliamentary democracy for ensuring collective responsibility of the Government to the people.
4. A device for strengthening the hands of the head of the Government whose hold over the people is in a state of decline.

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3: A mechanism of parliamentary democracy for ensuring collective responsibility of the Government to the people.

Detailed Solution

Explanation:

The Parliamentary System is also known as the ‘Westminster’ Model of Government, responsible Government and Cabinet Government. The Parliamentary form of government in India has the following features:

- Presence of Nominal and Real executives
- Majority Party rule

Collective Responsibility

Dual Membership
Leadership of the Prime Minister of Chief Minister
Dissolution of the lower house (i.e.Lok Sabha)

The Ministers are collectively responsible to the Parliament in general and to the Lok Sabha in particular (Article 75 of the Indian Constitution). They act as a team and swim and sink together. The principle of collective responsibility implies that the Lok Sabha can remove the Ministry (i.e., Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister) from office by passing a vote of no confidence.

Therefore, option (3) is the correct answer.

Subject: Polity | Parliament

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