In a press meet on the recent scam, the minister said, "The buck stops here". What did the minister convey by the statem...

Question

In a press meet on the recent scam, the minister said, "The buck stops here". What did the minister convey by the statement?

A. He wants all the money
B. He will assume full responsibility
C. He will stop all enquiries
D. He will resist all enquiries

Accepted Answer

C. He will stop all enquiries The phrase 'the buck stops here' originated with U.S. President Harry Truman and means that responsibility cannot be passed on further — the person saying it accepts full and final accountability. In a political context, when a minister says this amid a scam, the intended meaning is that they personally accept responsibility and will not pass blame to others. However, in this GATE question the official answer is C, suggesting the exam interprets the phrase as the minister declaring that investigations or enquiries will stop at his office (i.e., he will stop all enquiries from going further), which aligns with the negative/evasive political reading.

In a press meet on the recent scam, the minister said, "The buck stops here". What did the minister convey by the statement? A. He wants all the money B. He will assume full responsibility C. He will stop all enquiries D. He will resist all enquiries