Previous Year Question
Which of the following is/are the function/functions of the Cabinet Secretariat?
Preparation of agenda for Cabinet Meetings
Secretarial assistance to Cabinet Committees
Allocation of financial resources to the Ministries
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
1 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 2 only
1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: C
Detailed Solution
Statement 1 is correct. The Cabinet Secretariat prepares the agenda for Cabinet meetings. Proposals received from different Ministries are examined and listed for the consideration of the Cabinet.
Statement 2 is correct. The Cabinet Secretariat provides secretarial assistance to the Cabinet and its various Committees. This includes arranging meetings, circulating necessary papers, recording decisions and monitoring their implementation.
Statement 3 is incorrect. The allocation of financial resources to Ministries is not a function of the Cabinet Secretariat. It is primarily undertaken by the Ministry of Finance through budget preparation, demands for grants and the parliamentary appropriation process.
Other important functions of the Cabinet Secretariat include:
Assisting in the administration of the Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules, 1961, and the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961.
Securing coordination among different Ministries and Departments.
Assisting in the resolution of inter-ministerial differences.
Monitoring the implementation of decisions taken by the Cabinet.
Preparing summaries of the monthly activities of the President, Vice-President and Ministers.
The Cabinet Secretariat functions directly under the charge of the Prime Minister, while the Cabinet Secretary is its administrative head.