Real executive authority.
- Gets the same salary as other MOs. [In addition, he gets some other allowances].
- He is the ex-officio Chairman of the Planning Commission, National Development Council, National Integration Council and Inter-states Council.
- Prime Ministers Of India
Powers
a. The President convenes and prorogues all sessions of Parliament in consultation with him.
b. Can recommend the dissolution of Lok Sabha before expiry.
c. Appoints the Council of ministers.
d. Allocate portfolios. Can ask a minister to resign & can get him dismissed by President.
e. Assists the President in appointment of all high officials.
f. Can recommend to the President to declare emergency on grounds of war, external aggression or armed rebellion.
g. Advises President about President’s Rule in the state of emergency due to financial instability.
h. Leader of the House.
Council Of Ministers
The President has to act in accordance with the advice of Council of ministers.
In this, 3 types of ministers are there :
a. Minister of Cabinet Rank : Real policy makers. The cabinet meetings are not attended by other ministers.
b. Minister of State: Can either hold independent charge or attached to a cabinet ministers.
c. Deputy Ministers: Do not hold separate charge.
Collectively responsible to the Lok Siabha.
It is a team & its members sink or swim together. (Article 75). This is called `Collective Responsibility’. A vote of no confidence against any Minister automatically leads to the resignation of the entire Council (or its dismissal by the President).
A person can remain a minister without being a member of the either house upto 6 months maximum.
A Minister who is a member of one House has a right to speak in and take part in the proceedings of the other House – thought he has no right to vote in the house of which he is not a member.
According to Article 79, the Parliament consists of the President, the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and the House of the People (Lok Sabha). Though the President is not a member of either of the House, he is an integral part of it.
Chief Minister
- Real executive head of the govt. at the State level.
- The position of Chief Minister at the State level is analogous to the position of the Prime Minister at the Centre.
- Appointed by Governor. Other Ministers are appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister.
- The Chief Minister is the chief link between the Governor and the Council of Ministers. It is he who keeps the Governor informed of all decisions of the Council of Ministers.
- If CM resigns, entire ministry resigns.
- Generally, the leader of the majority party is appointed.
- A person who is not a member of State Legislature can be appointed, but he has to get himself elected within 6 months, otherwise he is removed.