Prime Minister Power and Function
Article 75 of the Indian Constitution mentions that a Prime Minister is one
who is appointed by the President. There is no specific procedure for his
election or appointment. Article 74(1) states that there shall be a Council
of Ministers with a Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the
President. Thus, the Indian Constitution itself recognizes a Council of
Ministers.
Prime Minister of India elected or appointed?
President of India appoints a person as the Prime Minister who is either
the leader of the party which holds a majority of seats in the Lok Sabha or
is a person who is able to win the confidence of the Lok Sabha by gaining
the support of other political parties. All other ministers are appointed by
the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. President can also
appoint Prime Minister on his own discretion but only when no party has a
clear majority in the Lok Sabha.
Power and Function of Prime Minister
Prime Minister of India serves the country by following various functions.
He performs his functions taking responsibilities as:
The leader of the Country: The Prime Minister of India is the
Head of the Government of India.
Portfolio allocation: The Prime Minister has the authority to
assign portfolios to the Ministers.
Chairman of the Cabinet: The Prime Minister is the chairman of
the cabinet and presides the meetings of the Cabinet. He can
impose his decision if there is a crucial opinion difference among the
members.
Official Representative of the country: Prime minister
represents the country for high-level international meetings
The link between the President and the Cabinet: The Prime
Minister acts as the link between President and cabinet. He
communicates 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 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 acts as the chief advisor to the President
Eligibility to be a Prime Minister
To become an Indian prime minister one has to be
A citizen of India.
A member of either Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha
He should have completed his 30 years if he is a member of the
Rajya Sabha or can be 25 years of age if he is a member of the Lok
Sabha
Position of the Prime Minister
Right from the days of the first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the
Prime Minister is treated at a much higher pedestal. His preeminence rests
on his commanding position in the Cabinet, coupled with fact that he is
the leader of the majority party.
All these positions of power when combined in one person make him rank
much above an ordinary Minister. The death or resignation of the Prime
Minister automatically brings about the dissolution of the Council of
Ministers. It generates a vacuum. The demise, resignation or dismissal of
a Minister creates only a vacancy which the Prime Minister may or may
not like to fill. The Government cannot function without a Prime Minister
but the absence of a Minister can be easily compensated.
Relationship between the Prime Minister and the President of India
There are a few articles in the Indian Constitution that deal with the
relationship both Prime Minister and the President share with each other.
The articles are:
Article 74
Article 75
Article 78
Article Relationship between Prime Minister and the President
s
74 Mentions how the Prime Minister and President are both connected
with the council of ministers. The Council with PM as head advise
President on various issues.
75 Mentions three things:
President appoints PM and other ministers are appointed by
the President on the advice of the PM.
Ministers hold their office during the pleasure of the President.
Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok
Sabha.
78 PM communicates all decisions made by the council of members to
the President. President can also refer issues for the consideration of
the council of members.
