Prime Minister of India - Powers and Functions

 

Prime Minister – Head of the Union Cabinet

Prime Minister is the head of government in India's political setup. He/She is the de facto head of state. The President appoints the Prime Minister under Article 75 of the Indian Constitution. Article 74(1) establishes a Council of Ministers, led by the Prime Minister, to assist and advise the President. The prime minister is the senior-most member of cabinet in the executive of government in a parliamentary system. The Prime Minister holds the highest executive position in the country. He/She leads the government, making policy decisions, and implementing laws and programs. The Prime Minister represents the country on national and international platforms. He/She plays a crucial role in the governance and administration of the nation.

 

Powers and functions of the Prime Minister

Powers of Prime Minister are bestowed on an individual who has the capacity to run the administration, the entire nation. The President is only the nominal ruler while the real power is enjoyed by the Prime Minister.

Mentioned below are the powers and functions of the Prime Minister of India:

(A) Leader of the Nation:

The Prime Minister is the leader of the nation. The prime minister represents the country in various delegations, high level meetings and international organisations that require the attendance of the highest government office, and also addresses to the nation on various issues of national or other importance.

 

(B) Leader of the Parliament

In Lok Sabha, the Prime Minister usually functions as the Leader of the House; if he is not a member of this House, a Minister, who is a member of the Lok Sabha and is nominated by the Prime Minister functions as such. Leader of the House is an important Parliamentary functionary. In this capacity, it is the PM who, in consultation with the Speaker of this Lok Sabha, decides the agenda of the House.

The Prime Minister is the leader of the Lower House. He advises the President about summoning and proroguing of the sessions of the Parliament. He can recommend the dissolution of the Lok Sabha to the President at any time. He announces government policies on the floor of the House.

 

(C) Formation of the Ministry:

With the appointment of the Prime Minister, the essential task of the President is over, for it is left to the Prime Minister to select his Ministers and present a list to the President. The President then appoints the Ministers as recommended by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister has the privilege to select his Cabinet colleagues. If the Prime Minister resigns, it means the resignation of the whole Ministry. When the Prime Minister dies, the Council of Ministers will automatically cease to exist. The Prime Minister may remove the members of Council of Ministers at any time by demanding the Ministers' resignation or getting them dismissed, by the President.

(D) Distribution of Portfolios:

The Prime Minister is the Head of the Council of Ministers. He/She allocates and reshuffles various portfolios among the ministers as needed. In a federal State like India be is to see that Ministers are selected from all parts of the country. The council of ministers’ meeting is presided over by this individual, and their decisions are affected by their decision. They direct, direct, manage and organise the work of all ministries. 

(E) Chairman of the Cabinet Committee:

The Prime Minister is the Chairman of the Cabinet Committee. He convenes and presides over all the meetings of the Cabinet. He is to fix the agenda of such meetings. The Ministers are individually responsible to him for the good administration of their respective departments. The Prime Minister may warn advice or encourage them in discharge of their functions. He is the head of the Council of Ministers. He acts as the Chairman of various standing and ad-hoc Committees of the Cabinet.

(F) Chief Co-ordinator of Policies:

He is the chief spokesman of the Governmental policies in the Parliament. All important policy announcements are made by him in the Parliament. The Prime Minister is the chief co-ordinator of the policies of several Departments. In case of conflicts between two departments, he acts as the mediator. He keeps an eye on the working of all Departments of the Government of India. He can ask for any file from any Ministry for his perusal.

The Prime Minister also serves as the primary means of communication between the President and the council of ministers. It is the Prime Minister’s responsibility to inform the President of all decisions made by the council of ministers regarding the administration of Union affairs and legislative proposals.

In case of appointment of Governors and other high federal officers, the voice of the Prime Minister counts and not that of the other Ministers. He is always vigilant regarding the working of the important departments like the Finance, the Foreign Affairs and Home. He also keeps close touch with foreign ambassadors and represents the Union Government at the Conferences of Heads of Foreign Governments.

(G) Sole advisor to the President

The Prime Minister provides guidance to the President in regard to the appointment of key officials such as the Attorney general of India, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, the chairman and members of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Election Commissioners, the chairman and members of the Finance Commission, among others.

(H) Director of Foreign Affairs:

As the powerful and real head of the government, the Prime Minister always plays a key role in determining Indian foreign policy and relations with other countries. He may or may not hold the portfolio of foreign affairs but he always influences all foreign policy decisions.

(I) Other Powers & Functions:

He is the chairman of the NITI Ayog, National Integration Council, Inter-State Council, and some other bodies.

He plays a significant role in shaping the foreign policy of the country.

He is the chief spokesman of the Union government.

He is the crisis manager-in-chief at the political level during emergencies.

He is the chief of the executive branch of the Union Government. Thus, the Prime Minister plays a very significant and highly crucial role in the politico-administrative system of the country. 

He is the authoritative voice of the nation within the country and outside. On the important and major issues concerning the defence, finance, and foreign affairs, the pronouncements by the PM are taken as the final word of the government.

 

Conclusion

In the realm of governance, the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers hold pivotal roles in steering a country's course. The Prime Minister is typically the leader of the ruling party. He leads the government and shapes policy decisions. He is supported by the Council of Ministers. They collectively plan and execute laws, policies, and administrative functions. This dynamic interplay of leadership and collaboration forms the backbone of a nation's executive machinery, influencing its direction and progress.