3.4.3 The Union Cabinet

. . The Union Cabinet A Cabinet is the council consisting of ministers of Cabinet rank. It is the inner body within the Council of Ministers. It is an extra constitutional authority created out of the Council of Ministers. The whole Council of Ministers does not meet to discuss business, it is the Cabinet which takes policy decisions and advises the President. The Cabinet is the highest decision making executive body which looks after the administrative affairs of the Government of India. It is the nucleus of the Council of Ministers. Role and Functions of the Cabinet: . The Cabinet is the highest decision making and policy formulating authority in our politico-administrative system. . It deals with all major legislative, financial and foreign policy matters. . It exercises control over higher appointments like constitutional authorities and senior secretariat administrators. . It recommends ordinances, when the parliament is not in session and supervises the implementation of policies. . It appoints enquiry commissions and resolves inter-departmental disputes. . It is entitled to recommend to the President declaration of emergencies, dissolution of the Lok Sabha, proroguing and adjourning the parliament sessions. Cabinet Secretary Every Cabinet Minister is assisted by a Cabinet Secretary. Among them the Cabinet Chief Secretary is given a top place among the civil servants in the official ladder. He is the Chairman of the Senior Selection Board that selects officers for the post of Joint Secretary in the Central Secretariat. He presides over the conference of Chief Secretaries which is held annually. He acts as the Chief Advisor to the Prime Minister on all aspects of administration and policy. He acts as the link between Prime Minister`s Office and various administrative agencies and also between civil service and the political system.