Pradhanmantri: The supreme head of the country’s governance system is the Prime Minister. The President is the nominal government, in fact all the powers are with the Prime Minister.
The Chief Minister is called the head of the state, while the Prime Minister is called the head of the government. The Prime Minister is the head of the cabinet. He is a representative directly elected by the people.
The Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha. Article 75 of the Constitution of India describes the appointment of the Prime Minister of India, his work and powers.
Functions of the Prime Minister:
Forming the cabinet, determining the work of the cabinet, giving instructions to the administration of the country, all these are the tasks of the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister is the head of the Council of Ministers, due to which representing the Council of Ministers is the biggest duty of the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister has to present the report of all the work done by the Cabinet Minister to the President.
The Prime Minister is the biggest leader of the country. Being the government, representing India on the global stage is the biggest responsibility of the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister has an important role in representing his country in the economic, commercial, diplomatic and resource treaties and agreements of various countries and the debates and negotiations related to them.
The Prime Minister welcomes the national presidents and delegations that come to our country from various countries. It is the responsibility of the Prime Minister to host them.
It is the responsibility of the Prime Minister to maintain the image of the country on the international platform and to further strengthen the relations of his country with other countries.
The workload of some special and high level departments and ministries of the Government of India is entrusted only to the Prime Minister. He has to be accountable to those ministries in the Parliament. If required, he has to answer the questions asked in the Parliament.
The responsibility and workload of some ministries like Central Secretariat, Cabinet Defense Committee, NITI Aayog, Cabinet Appointments Committee, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Nuclear Command Authority, Cabinet Economic Committee, Public Grievances and Pension Ministry is in the hands of the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister is the representative of the citizens of the country, due to which his presence in important national days and ceremonies is mandatory.
It is the responsibility of the Prime Minister to inform the President about the working of the Government of India and the Union.
Powers of the Prime Minister:
The Prime Minister has the power to run the Council of Ministers, direct, manage and organize the work of all ministries.
The President constitutes the Council of Ministers on the advice of the Prime Minister.
The President decides which ministers are to be appointed in the Council of Ministers. The President appoints only those ministers in the Council of Ministers who are proposed by him.
If the Prime Minister wants, he can take back the department of any minister. For this, he can recommend to the President.
If the Prime Minister dies or resigns, then in such a situation the entire Council of Ministers has to leave their post.
The Prime Minister can participate in any debate being fought in Parliament in favor of the Council.
The Prime Minister can seek any information from any ministry.
The Prime Minister can ask any minister to resign from the post of minister. If any minister refuses to do this, then the Prime Minister has the power to ask the President and get him suspended from his post.
The Prime Minister has complete control over the cabinet, the activities of the cabinet and all the policies of the government.
The list of matters to be discussed in the cabinet meeting is decided only with the consent of the Prime Minister.
In the cabinet meeting, every minister has the right to present his suggestions and proposals before the meeting with his freedom. But in the end, the decision is taken only with the consent of the Prime Minister.
Out of the subjects discussed in the cabinet meeting, which subjects are to be kept secret and which information is to be placed before the President, it is decided only by the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister also has a great influence on the executive. Being the head of the government, all the appointments of the executive are actually made by the Prime Minister. High officials of offices like Governors of various states, Public Service Commission, Attorney General, Auditor General, Ambassadors of various countries are appointed by the President only on the advice of the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister is the leader of the lower house of the Parliament. As a result, he can recommend the President to dissolve the Lok Sabha whenever he wants.
The Prime Minister can advise the President regarding calling and adjourning the session of Parliament.
Even though the President is the constitutional executive officer. But he usually signs only on the advice of the Prime Minister. In this way the Prime Minister can exercise executive powers as per his wish.