Which of the following Constitutional Amendments restricts the total number of Ministers, including the Prime Minister in the Council of Ministers shall not exceed fifteen percent of the total number of members of the House of the People?
Constitutional Amendment Limiting Council of Ministers Size
The question asks to identify the specific Constitutional Amendment that imposes a restriction on the total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, limiting their number to fifteen percent ($15\%$) of the total membership of the House of the People (also known as the Lok Sabha).
Understanding the 91st Amendment
The correct Constitutional Amendment that addresses this specific limitation is the $91^{st}$ Amendment Act, 2003. This amendment significantly impacted the composition and size of the Council of Ministers at the Union and State levels.
Key Provisions of the 91st Amendment
- Article $75(1A)$: This amendment added Article $75(1A)$ to the Constitution. This article explicitly states that the total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Council of Ministers shall not exceed $15\%$ of the total number of members of the House of the People (Lok Sabha).
- Article $164(1A)$: Similarly, for the states, Article $164(1A)$ was added, stipulating that the total number of ministers, including the Chief Minister, in the Council of Ministers shall not exceed $15\%$ of the total number of members of the Legislative Assembly of the State. However, this limit does not apply to the number of ministers in any State where the total number of ministers, including the Chief Minister, does not exceed twelve.
- Rationale: The primary objective behind this amendment was to prevent the size of the Council of Ministers from becoming excessively large, particularly in scenarios of coalition governments, thereby promoting stability and reducing governmental expenditure. It also aimed to streamline governance.
Analysis of Other Options
- $86^{th}$ Amendment (2002): Primarily focused on making the Right to Education a fundamental right for children between 6 and 14 years.
- $52^{nd}$ Amendment (1985): Introduced the Tenth Schedule to the Constitution, commonly known as the Anti-Defection Law, which disqualifies legislators who switch parties.
- $73^{rd}$ Amendment (1992): Gave constitutional recognition to Panchayati Raj institutions, establishing a three-tier system of rural local self-government.
Based on the specific provision mentioned in the question—the limit on the number of ministers to $15\%$ of the Lok Sabha's strength—the $91^{st}$ Amendment is the correct answer.
Important Questions from Parliament
Which of the following is/are the exclusive power(s) of Lok Sabha?
- To ratify the declaration of Emergency
- To pass a motion of no-confidence against the Council of Ministers
- To impeach the President of India
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
With reference to Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, consider the following statements:
- As per the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, the election of Deputy Speaker shall be held on such date as the Speaker may fix.
- There is a mandatory provision that the election of a candidate as Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha shall be from either the principal opposition party or the ruling party.
- The Deputy Speaker has the same power as of the Speaker when presiding over the sitting of the House and no appeal lies against his
- The well established parliamentary practice regarding the appointment of Deputy Speaker is that the motion is moved by the Speaker and duly seconded by the Prime
Which of the statements given above are correct ?
A Minister who for any period of six (6) consecutive months is not a member of either House of Parliament shall cease to be a Minister after the expiry of this period. This is mentioned in which Article of the Constitution?
- With regard to a Constitution Amendment Bill, which one of the following statements is not correct?
- Cut Motion' can be introduced after the presentation of :
