Cabinet
Cabinet Government, Committees & Decision-Making
PART I — THE INNER SANCTUM
THE APEX ORGAN
Cabinet Government
- The Cabinet is the nucleus of power in the parliamentary system. It directs the Council of Ministers.
- It is the highest policy-making body, the supreme executive authority, and the chief crisis manager of the nation.
- Its decisions are binding on all ministers and the entire government apparatus.
EXTRA-CONSTITUTIONAL
The Kitchen Cabinet
- An informal, extra-constitutional body consisting of the PM and 2-4 highly trusted colleagues, friends, or family members.
- Also known as the "Inner Cabinet." It operates secretly and advises the PM on crucial, sensitive issues before they are brought to the formal Cabinet.
- Highly efficient for quick decisions, but criticized for bypassing formal democratic structures.
PART II — DELEGATION & CONSENSUS
THE WORKHORSES
Cabinet Committees
- Extra-constitutional devices established by the PM to reduce the Cabinet's massive workload. They can be **Standing** (permanent) or **Ad hoc** (temporary).
- They sort issues, formulate proposals, and take operational decisions.
- **The Big Four:** Political Affairs (The "Super-Cabinet"), Economic Affairs, Appointments, and Parliamentary Affairs. The PM heads the first three.
THE MECHANISM
Decision-Making
- Cabinet decisions are generally reached through **consensus** rather than formal voting.
- The PM steers the discussion, summarizes the consensus, and their interpretation is usually final.
- Once a decision is made, the principle of **collective responsibility** applies immediately; no minister can publicly dissent.
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