Consider the following statements 1 The principle of individual responsibility means that the minist...........

Indian Political System(CSC) Union - Executive, Legisture

Consider the following statements:

1. The principle of individual responsibility means that the ministers hold office during the pleas ure of the Prime Minister.

2. The Constitution had provided the system of legal responsibility of a minister for any public act.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

Statement 1 is incorrect: Collective responsibility is the convention whereby individual members of the government are held accountable for the actions and decisions of the government as a whole. Article 75 contains the principle of individual responsibilit y. It states that the ministers hold office during the pleasure of the president, which means that the President can remove a minister even at a time when the council of ministers enjoys the confidence of the Lok Sabha. However, the President removes a minister only on the advice of the Prime Minister. In case of a difference of opinion or dissatisfaction with the performance of a minister, the Prime Minister can ask him to resign or advise the President to dismiss him.
Statement 2 is incorrect: In Britain, every order of the King for any pub lic act is countersigned by a minister. If the order is in violation of any law, the minister would be held responsible and w ould be liable in the court. In India, on the other hand, there is no provis ion in the Constitution for the system of legal responsibili ty of a minister. It is not required that an order of the President fo r a public act should be countersigned by a minister. Moreover, the courts are barred from enquiring into the nature of advice rend ered by the ministers to the president.