Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs

What is CCEA?

• CCEA is one of the standing committees of the cabinet constituted by the government.
• CCEA is headed by the Prime Minister and includes other important portfolios in the government.

What are the Functions of CCEA?

• Review economic trends on a continuous basis, and also the problems and prospects.
• The CCEA also lays down priorities for public sector investment and considers specific proposals for investment of not less than specific levels (Rs. 3 Billion at present) as revised from time to time.
• Directs and coordinate all policies and activities in the economic field that require policy decisions at the highest level.
• Other functions include:
  • Price controls of industrial raw materials and products.
  • Industrial licensing policies.
  • Reviewing performance of Public Sector Undertakings.
  • Matters relating to disinvestment including cases of strategic sale, and pricing of Government shares in Public Sector Undertakings.

Other Major cabinet committees:

• Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) : This panel makes appointments to posts of the three service chiefs, chiefs of all Air and Army Commands, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, Chairman and Members of the Railway Board, Secretariat posts of and above the rank of Joint Secretary in the Central Government and many other major posts,
• Cabinet Committee on Accommodation (CCA): The Cabinet Committee on Accommodation determines the guidelines or rules with regard to the allotment of government accommodation.
• Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs: The Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs draws the schedule for Parliament sessions and monitors the progress of government business in Parliament.
•  Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) : The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs addresses problems related to Centre-state relations as also other major political issues.
• Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) : The Cabinet Committee on Security deals with issues relating to law and order, internal security and policy matters concerning foreign affairs with internal or external security implications
• Cabinet Committee on Investment and Growth : The Cabinet Committee on Investment will “identify key projects required to be implemented on a time-bound basis”, involving investments of Rs 1,000 crore or more, or any other critical projects, as may be specified by it, with regard to infrastructure and manufacturing.
• Cabinet Committee on Employment & Skill Development: The Cabinet Committee on Employment and Skill Development is supposed to provide “direction to all policies, programmes, schemes and initiatives for skill development aimed at increasing the employability of the workforce.

PRELIMS QUESTION

Consider the following statements regarding cabinet committees: 
1.They are always chaired by the Prime minister.
2.Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approves Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for all major crops.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to prelims question