Article 75 of the Indian Constitution describes the Prime Minister. He is chosen by the Indian People and appointed by the President. In this blog post, we will discuss the roles and responsibilities of Prime Minister of India
The executive head of the state is the Prime Minister. He is thus the people’s representative. The Prime Minister is the head of the Cabinet. He along with the Council of Ministers forms the executive power at the Center. The President of India is just the nominal head while the main powers are vested in the PM of India. In short, while the President is referred to as the head of the State, the Prime Minister is called the “Head of the Government“.
What Are Roles and Responsibilities of Prime Minister Of India
The roles and responsibilities of the Prime Minister are as follows:-
The link between President and Council of Ministers
The Prime Minister leads the Council of Ministers and acts as a liaison between the President and the Council of Ministers. He has a responsibility to inform the President of all decisions made by the Council of Ministers and to offer information regarding Union Administration or Legislative initiatives as requested by the President
Allocation of Portfolios
He allocates portfolios among the ministers and distributes work among various ministries and offices. The Prime Minister coordinates work among various ministries and departments through the Cabinet Secretariat.
In-Charge of Ministries
The Prime Minister also keeps some responsibilities that are not given to other ministers and is in charge of those ministries. He typically oversees the following agencies or ministries:
❖ Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
❖ Ministry of Planning
❖ Department of Atomic Energy
❖ Department of Space
❖ Appointments Committee of the Cabinet
Leader of the Cabinet
The Prime Minister summons and presides over meetings of the cabinet and determines what business shall be transacted in these meetings.
The link between the Parliament and the Cabinet
In addition, the Prime Minister serves as a liaison between the Parliament and the cabinet. Along with serving as the leader of the party with the majority in the Lok Sabha, he serves as the primary spokesperson for the government in the Parliament. It is his duty to make significant policy announcements. The Prime Minister may also speak during important parliamentary debates to explain the government’s position or course of action.
Official Representative
The Prime Minister represents India in various delegations, high-level meetings and international organizations and also addresses the nation on various occasions of national importance.
Powers/Authorities of Prime Minister
The prime minister has the following various powers and authorities:
Head of Government
The Indian Prime Minister is in charge of the Indian government. Although the President is the official head of state, the Prime Minister makes the majority of executive decisions. He is in charge of overseeing the operations of all significant decision-making bodies in India, including the Planning Commission and the Union Cabinet.
Leader of the Council of Ministers
The Prime Minister holds the title of “First among Equals” in regard to the Council of Ministers. The entire Council of Ministers must step down in the event of the death or resignation of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister receives direct reports from the ministers. A minister may also be fired by the President or by the minister being asked to resign. If there is a disagreement of opinion between the prime minister and any other minister, the prime minister’s opinion is taken into consideration.
Leader of the Parliament
The Prime Minister is the leader of the House to which he belongs, making him the leader of the entire Parliament. He is also permitted to participate in House debates even if he is not a member. Additionally, he might suggest that the President dissolve the Lok Sabha.
Representative of the Country
In International affairs, he is the spokesperson of the country. The Prime Minister plays a major role in directing India’s foreign policy.
Selection Process of Prime Minister
The Constitution states that the President of India should appoint the leader of the party or alliance which is in majority in the Lok Sabha as the Prime Minister of India. In case no party or alliance enjoys a majority, the President appoints the leader of the largest party or alliance as the Prime Minister. But he has to win the confidence vote in the Lower House of the Parliament as early as possible. A member of either the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha can be appointed as the Prime Minister. If he is not a member of either House of the Parliament then he has to be elected to either House within six months of his appointment. As the Prime Minister, he is the Leader of the House of which he is a member.
Term and Retirement Age of Prime Minister
❖ The Prime Minister does not have a fixed term like the President. Five years is the length of the Prime Minister’s complete tenure, which corresponds to the Lok Sabha’s regular session. If he fails the Lower House vote of confidence, the tenure might be up sooner. As a result, it can be claimed that he holds onto his position as long as the Lok Sabha continues to support him. By sending a letter to the President, the prime minister can also quit.
❖ The Prime Minister’s position has no term limits. Additionally, there is no set age for retirement.
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