Group of Ministers & Empowered Group of Ministers and Their Abolition: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

The Group of Ministers & Empowered Group of Ministers are few of powered and powerless group of ministers who work in a group for resolving some of most important issues and matters. For now, the concept of EGoM, is abolished in 2014 by Narendra Modi Government.

But still it's an important topic to study for candidates who are preparing for competitive examinations. If you are also preparing for the same then be with us till the end of this article for gaining all the related information about Group of Ministers & Empowered Group of Ministers.

So, let's start-

Group of Ministers (GoM)

In the Indian parliamentary system, the Group of Ministers (GoM) is a committee of senior ministers formed by the Prime Minister to deal with specific issues and make recommendations to the Cabinet. The GoM is constituted when the Cabinet decides that a particular matter requires in-depth examination or when there is a need for inter-ministerial consultation on a particular issue. Here are some important points related to the Group of Ministers:

• The GoM is formed by the Prime Minister and consists of senior ministers who are appointed based on their expertise and knowledge of the subject matter.
• The GoM's mandate is to examine specific issues and make recommendations to the Cabinet, which is the final decision-making authority.
• The GoM is not a permanent body and is disbanded once its work is completed.
• The GoM is headed by a convener, who is usually one of the senior ministers in the group.
• The GoM is headed by a convener, who is usually one of the senior ministers in the group.
• The decisions taken by the GoM are binding on the concerned ministries.
• The GoM can also take decisions on behalf of the Cabinet, subject to the approval of the Cabinet.
• The GoM's recommendations are not binding on the government, and the Cabinet can accept or reject them based on their merits.
• The GoM is accountable to the Cabinet for its decisions and recommendations.
• The GoM plays a crucial role in the decision-making process of the Indian government and helps to ensure that the government's policies are well-informed and effective.

Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM)

Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) in India refers to a group of ministers appointed by the Prime Minister to take decisions on specific policy issues that require urgent attention and are outside the purview of the normal functioning of ministries. The EGoMs are constituted on an ad-hoc basis and are empowered to take decisions and implement them.

Some key features of EGoMs are

• They are formed to handle specific issues that require the attention of the highest levels of the government.
• They are headed by a senior Cabinet Minister or the Prime Minister himself.
• They are empowered to take decisions on behalf of the Cabinet and the Prime Minister's Office.
• They are constituted only when there is a need to take quick and decisive action on policy matters.
• The decisions taken by EGoMs are binding on the concerned ministries and departments.
• EGoMs can also invite experts and stakeholders to provide inputs and recommendations on specific issues.
• The EGoMs are not permanent bodies and are disbanded once the task assigned to them is completed.
• EGoMs have been constituted in the past to deal with issues such as the allocation of natural resources, spectrum pricing, and the management of the global economic crisis. The formation of EGoMs has been criticized by some as bypassing the normal decision-making process of the government and creating a parallel structure that undermines the authority of the Cabinet and the Prime Minister.

Abolition of GoM and EGoM

The Group of Ministers (GoM) and Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) were both mechanisms used by the Indian government to streamline decision-making on specific issues that require inter-ministerial coordination. However, in 2014, the newly elected government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to abolish both the GoM and EGoM and replaced them with a new mechanism called the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).

The decision to abolish the GoM and EGoM was taken with the aim of reducing delays in decision-making and to bring greater transparency and accountability to the decision-making process. The CCEA is a high-level committee of the Cabinet of India, chaired by the Prime Minister, that is responsible for taking decisions on major economic issues and projects.

The abolition of the GoM and EGoM was seen as a positive step towards reducing bureaucracy and improving the efficiency of the government. The move was also welcomed by many as it was seen as a way of reducing the concentration of power in the hands of a few ministers and ensuring that decisions were taken collectively by the entire Cabinet.

FAQ's

Q1. What is the purpose of setting up a Group of Ministers (GoM) or an Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM)?

Ans: The purpose of setting up a GoM or EGoM is to resolve complex or sensitive issues that require inter-ministerial consultation and coordination.

Q2. Who has the authority to form a GoM or EGoM?

Ans: The authority to form a GoM or EGoM is usually vested with the Prime Minister or the Cabinet.

Q3. How are the members of a GoM or EGoM selected?

Ans: The members of a GoM or EGoM are selected based on their expertise, experience, and relevance to the issue at hand.

Q4. What is the difference between a GoM and an EGoM?

Ans: The main difference between a GoM and an EGoM is that the latter has greater decision-making powers and can take final decisions on behalf of the Cabinet.

Q5. What issues are typically handled by a GoM or EGoM?

Ans: A GoM or EGoM typically handles issues related to policy formulation, administrative reforms, legislative proposals, and coordination between different ministries or departments