Discuss the principle of collective responsibility in the Constitution.

Discuss the principle of collective responsibility in the Constitution.

The principle of collective responsibility is a fundamental feature of the parliamentary system of government, and it is enshrined in the Constitution of India. This principle emphasizes that the Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister, is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha (House of the People) for its policies and actions. Here's an overview of the principle of collective responsibility with references to relevant articles:

Article 75: Appointment of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers:

1. Article 75(1): Appointment of Prime Minister:

   • Article 75(1) states that the Prime Minister shall be appointed by the President and other ministers shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.

2. Article 75(3): Collective Responsibility:

   • Article 75(3) emphasizes the principle of collective responsibility by stating that the Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.

Key Features of Collective Responsibility:

1. Policy Decisions:

   • The Council of Ministers, including the Prime Minister, is collectively responsible for policy decisions. This means that all members of the Cabinet must publicly support and defend the decisions made by the government.

2. No Individual Dissent:

   • Members of the Council of Ministers are expected to express any dissent or disagreement within the confines of the Cabinet, and once a decision is taken, they are bound by collective responsibility, even if they personally disagreed during the Cabinet discussions.

3. Vote of No Confidence:

   • The government can be brought down if it loses a vote of no confidence in the Lok Sabha. Such a vote challenges the collective responsibility of the government. If the government fails to secure the confidence of the majority in the Lok Sabha, it is expected to resign.

4. Resignation of the Entire Council:

   • In case of a major policy disagreement or a significant issue of governance, the entire Council of Ministers may resign collectively. This ensures that the government remains accountable to the Lok Sabha.

Constitutional Mechanism:

1. President's Role:

   • While the President appoints the Prime Minister and other ministers, they act on the advice of the Prime Minister. The President is bound to follow the principle of parliamentary democracy, and the real executive power is vested in the Council of Ministers.

2. Lok Sabha's Oversight:

   • The Lok Sabha plays a crucial role in overseeing the functioning of the government. The government's policies and actions are subject to scrutiny, and the principle of collective responsibility ensures that the government remains accountable to the elected representatives in the Lok Sabha.

Significance:

The principle of collective responsibility is significant in maintaining stability and accountability in a parliamentary system. It ensures that the government functions as a unified entity and that decisions are made collectively, reflecting the will of the majority in the Lok Sabha. The principle also promotes transparency and prevents individual ministers from publicly undermining government policies.