UPSC Prelims 2017 Q50: Indian Polity – Parliament & State Legislatures
The Parliament of India exercises control over the functions of the Council of Ministers
through
1. Adjournment motion
2. Question hour
3. Supplementary questions
Select the correct answer
using the code given below:
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Parliament's control over the Council of Ministers
The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha (Article 75).
Parliament enforces this through several devices.
| Device | How it controls the Ministers | Used here? |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Adjournment motion | Draws attention to a matter of urgent public importance; carries an element of censure; needs the support of 50 members; Lok Sabha only | Yes |
| 2. Question hour | First hour of a sitting; Ministers must answer members' questions | Yes |
| 3. Supplementary questions | Follow-up questions asked after the oral reply to a starred question | Yes |
Other tools: no-confidence motion, censure motion, zero hour, calling attention motion, and budget cut motions.
All three listed devices are means of control.
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Question hour and supplementary questions are also tools of control.
- (b) Incorrect. The adjournment motion is also a tool; it censures the government.
- (c) Incorrect. Question hour is the best-known daily device to hold Ministers to account.
- (d) CORRECT. Adjournment motion, question hour and supplementary questions all control the Ministers.
Key point
Parliament controls the Council of Ministers through question hour, supplementary questions, adjournment motion, no-confidence motion and cut motions.
Remember
Questions and motions = Parliament's control over Ministers.
Common mistakes
- Thinking an adjournment motion only adjourns the House; it is a censure device.
- Forgetting that supplementary questions arise only on starred questions.
- Assuming the adjournment motion can be moved in the Rajya Sabha; it cannot.
Exam tip
Anything that makes a Minister explain or defend is a control device.
Sources
- Constitution of India — Article 75
- Lok Sabha Secretariat — Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha