The Prime Minister of India is the head of the government and country. He is appointed by the President of India after the political party wins a general election and nominates a candidate for the post. The leader of that political party is hence appointed as the Prime Minister of India.
Types of Ministers in India
The Constitution of India does not group ministers into ranks, but in practice, ministers are of four types seen in India:
- Cabinet Ministers : He is present and he participates in every meeting of the Cabinet.
- Minister of State with independent charge: He is a Minister of State who does not work under a Cabinet Minister. When any matter concerning his Department is on the agenda of the Cabinet, he is invited to attend the meeting.
- Minister of State: He is a Minister who does not have independent charge of any Department and works under a Cabinet Minister. The work to such Minister is allotted by his Cabinet Minister.
- Deputy Minister: He is a Minister who works under a Cabinet Minister or a Minister of State with independent charge. His work is allotted by the Minister under whom he is working
Power and function of Prime Minister
The Prime Minister of India serves the country by performing various functions. He performs his functions taking responsibilities that are listed below
- The leader of the Country: The Prime Minister of India is the Chief Head of the Government of India.
- Portfolio allocation: The Prime Minister has the authority to assign respective portfolios to the Ministers.
- Chairman of the Cabinet: The Prime Minister is the chairman of the cabinet and conducts the meetings of the Cabinet. He can impose his decision if there is a crucial opinion difference and conflict among the members.
- Official Representative of the country: The Prime minister represents the country for high-level international meetings and he is the ambassador of the country.
- The link between the President and the Cabinet: The Prime Minister acts as the link and bond between the President and cabinet. He communicates and transmits all decisions of the Cabinet to the President which is related to the administration of the affairs of the Union and proposals for legislation.
- Head: The Prime Minister is the head of many organisation and programs like Nuclear Command Authority, NITI Aayog, Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space and Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
- Chief Advisor: He also plays the role of chief advisor to the President
AS WE CAN SEE HOW IMPORTANT PRIME MINISTER IS
NOW THE QUSTION COMES WHAT HAPPENS IF A PRIME MINISTER RESINGS
If prime minister resigns then all of his teammates (cabinet ministers, minister of state, minister of state (independent charge)) also resign. In other words, the council of ministers has to be dissolved. (In layman terms, you can say that government is dissolved but not the Lok Sabha)
This is not mentioned anywhere in the Constitution, Council of Ministers resigns according to a convention established by leaders themselves
Now why should other ministers resign?
Because the the COM (PM+ all other ministers) act as a team, they all swim and sink together. PM is the captain of the ship.
What happens after that?
A temporary government known as caretaker government is established by the president on his discretion. Because in U N Rao vs Indira Gandhi case, the Supreme Court held that there must always be a COM to aid and advise the president. Also the governments work for the Nation should not be stopped. That’s why a temporary govt headed by caretaker PM (appointed by the president on the basis of seniority, adopted as a convention) is appointed.
Meanwhile, the president invites largest party in the Lok Sabha to prove its majority (with or without coalition) in the house. Party has to respond within 10 days (generally).
If party proves its majority the house and elect one of its leader as PM then normal govt is established. (It is not always true that a PM will be from same party, who knows that party gets divided among itself, and not able to prove majority. Then president will invite second largest party)
But if no party is able to prove its majority in the house then the whole Lok Sabha is dissolved by the president and he calls for fresh general election.
Aishwarya Says:
I have always been against Glorifying Over Work and therefore, in the year 2021, I have decided to launch this campaign “Balancing Life”and talk about this wrong practice, that we have been following since last few years. I will be talking to and interviewing around 1 lakh people in the coming 2021 and publish their interview regarding their opinion on glamourising Over Work.
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Inspirational Woman – Renuka Ray – Aishwarya Sandeep
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