What is Home Minister’s Advisory Committee (HMAC)?
Q. Which of the following is/are true?
1) Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs is the nodal ministry for all matters of Union Territories relating to legislation.
2) Meetings of the HMAC are chaired by the Prime Minister.- Published on 10 Mar 17a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
ANSWER: Neither 1 nor 2
- Under the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules 1961, Ministry of Home Affairs is the nodal ministry for all matters of Union Territories relating to legislation, finance and budget, services and appointment of Lt. Governors and Administrators.
- All the five UTs without a legislature (Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Lakshadweep) have the forum of Home Minister’s Advisory Committee (HMAC).
- On the forum, besides the Administrator and Member of Parliament from the respective Union Territory, members from the local elected bodies, e.g., District Panchayats and Municipal Council / Committees are nominated as members.
- Meetings of the HMAC are chaired by the Union Home Minister, or, in his absence, by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- The Committee discusses the general issues relating to social and economic development of the Union Territories.
- Administrator’s Advisory Councils are set up in the UTs without Legislatures to advice the Administrators on matters concerning the UT.
- For the island UTs of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, there is Island Development Authority (IDA) under the Prime Minister. There is a Standing Committee for the IDA under Dy. Chairman, Planning Commission.
