Mechanisms for Parliamentary Control
- Question Hour: Held at the beginning of each parliamentary sitting, this is a key mechanism for members of Parliament to question the government on its policies and acts. Ministers are required to provide answers to the questions asked.
- Zero Hour: An informal device that allows members of Parliament to raise urgent matters without any prior notice. This is not mentioned in the parliamentary rules but has become a convention.
- Half-an-Hour Discussion: Allows for discussion on matters of urgent public importance that need clarification from the government. It is usually held at the end of a day's sitting.
- Short Duration Discussion: A discussion lasting not more than two and a half hours, focused on a specific matter of public importance, allows members to seek clarifications from the government.
- Calling Attention Motion: Allows members of Parliament to call the attention of a minister to a matter of urgent public importance and seek a statement from the government.
- Adjournment Motion: A device that allows discussion on a matter of urgent public importance and may lead to the suspension of the day's agenda.
- No-Confidence Motion: A motion moved by the opposition in the Lok Sabha expressing a lack of confidence in the government. If passed, it may lead to the resignation of the government.
- Censure Motion: Similar to a no-confidence motion, but it targets specific policies or actions of the government, rather than the government as a whole.
- Other Discussions: There are other means such as calling attention motions, resolutions, etc., through which members can hold the government accountable.
Parliamentary Committees
- Committee on Government Assurances: Monitors the implementation of assurances, promises, and undertakings given by ministers on the floor of the house.
- Committee on Subordinate Legislation: Scrutinizes the rules and regulations framed by the Executive.
- Committee on Petitions: Examines the petitions presented to the Lok Sabha.
These committees and mechanisms help Parliament to supervise the activities of the Executive effectively and hold it accountable for its actions.
Collective and Individual Responsibility
- Collective Responsibility: The Council of Ministers, as a whole, is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha for its policies and acts. If the Lok Sabha passes a vote of no confidence against the Council of Ministers, it must resign.
- Individual Responsibility: Each minister is individually responsible for the functioning and administration of their ministry. They must manage the ministry efficiently and are accountable to the Parliament for its operations.
In other words, the council of ministers can be removed from office by the Lok Sabha by passing a no-confidence motion. The Lok Sabha can also express lack of confidence in the government in the following ways:
(a) By not passing a motion of thanks on the President’s inaugural address.
(b) By rejecting a money bill.
(c) By passing a censure motion or an adjournment motion.
(d) By defeating the government on a vital issue.
(e) By passing a cut motion.
