Assembly of Ministers (GoMs) and Superior Group of Ministers (EGoMs)

Assembly of Ministers (GoMs) and Superior Group of Ministers (EGoMs)

In the Indian governmental structure, the Group of Ministers (GoMs) and Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoMs) play a significant role in resolving complex or inter-ministerial issues and expediting decision-making. These high-powered committees serve as coordination and decision-making platforms beyond the usual ministerial level.

History

The introduction of GoMs and EGoMs was aimed at improving government coordination and speeding up governance by handling matters requiring inputs and agreement across multiple ministries. Their usage increased notably in coalition governments and later governments to tackle issues where consensus was difficult at the Cabinet or ministry level. They gained prominence in the post-liberalization era when inter-ministerial coordination became more complex.

Functioning

GoMs are constituted to deliberate on and resolve specific policy or administrative issues involving two or more ministries. EGoMs, on the other hand, are GoMs empowered to take decisions on behalf of the Cabinet in urgent or critical matters, bypassing the full Cabinet for faster outcomes. Ministers heading relevant portfolios form the GoMs/EGoMs, and they submit reports or decisions to the Cabinet or directly implement them if empowered. The Prime Minister generally decides the constitution, scope, and functioning rules of GoMs/EGoMs.

Controversy

Despite their intended purpose, GoMs and EGoMs have faced criticism on several grounds. One major concern is the accountability deficit, as their deliberations and decisions lack transparency and detailed parliamentary scrutiny due to their operation outside the Cabinet.

Another issue is political expediency, with GoMs and EGoMs sometimes used to delay contentious decisions or reduce the collective responsibility of the full Cabinet. Excessive constitution of GoMs/EGoMs can also lead to bureaucratic delays and overlapping jurisdictions rather than improving efficiency.

Moreover, empowering EGoMs to take decisions on behalf of the Cabinet can concentrate power in a few ministers, potentially sidelining collective Cabinet responsibility.

In conclusion, while GoMs/EGoMs are meant to enhance coordination and expedite governance, their misuse or overuse can undermine the transparency and collective functioning principles inherent in the parliamentary system of India.

The EGoMs are also ad hoc bodies, formed to advise the Cabinet on urgent issues. Some EGoMs have decision-making powers, while others only provide recommendations. The GoMs and EGoMs are formed when immediate decisions are required on specific issues. The GoMs are formed to advise the Cabinet on urgent issues.

1. The usage of Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoMs) in Indian politics, especially during coalition governments and in the post-liberalization era, has often been a subject of discussion in the realm of policy-and-legislation, due to concerns about their potential impact on transparency and collective decision-making.
2. The debates surrounding GoMs and EGoMs in general-news frequently revolve around their effectiveness in improving government coordination and expediting decision-making, as well as the concerns about political expediency, accountability deficit, and potential concentration of power.

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