Rules of Business
Also called: Article 77(3) · Topic: Union Executive: President, Vice-President, Prime Minister and Council of Ministers · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Article 77(3) lets the President make rules for how the Union government does its work. Two sets of rules were made in 1961. The Allocation of Business Rules decide which subjects each ministry handles. The Transaction of Business Rules decide how decisions are taken, including which matters must go to the Cabinet. These rules are the legal basis for cabinet committees. Rule 12 lets the Prime Minister act without the Cabinet in urgent cases.
Example
On 23 November 2019, President's rule in Maharashtra was revoked using Rule 12. The Prime Minister approved it directly instead of waiting for a Cabinet meeting.
Don't confuse with
- Rules of Procedure of Parliament: these rules run debates and business inside the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The Rules of Business run how the executive works.
Related concepts
- Cabinet committees
- Appointments Committee of the Cabinet
- Cabinet Committee on Security
- Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
- Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs
- Group of Ministers
- Cabinet Secretariat
- Prime Minister's Office