The Prime Minister
Article 75 of the Indian Constitution mentions that there will be a Prime Minister who shall be appointed by the President of India. Prime Minister is the leader of the Cabinet Ministers. The main executive powers of the government are vested in the Prime Minister while the President is the nominal head of the State.
Article 78 of the Indian Constitution specifies the duties of the Prime Minister of India. He acts as a link between the President and cabinet while discharging his duties.
Prime Minister of India determines the dates of its meetings and programmes for the Parliament session. He also decides when the house has to be prorogued or dissolved. As a chief spokesman, he makes the announcement of principal government policies and answers questions on them.
Prime Minister recommends President regarding the appointment of many officers, he allocates and reshuffles various portfolios among ministers, he presides over the meeting of the council of ministers and influences their decision. The Prime Minister can ask any member to resign or recommend the President to remove any minister.
Important Points:
» The Prime Minister is the head of the Government and the head of the Council of Ministers.
» The Prime Minister is appointed by the President on the basis of his being the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha.
» If no party gets an absolute majority in the Lok Sabha or a Prime Minister resigns or dies, the President can use his own discretion in the choice of the Prime Minister.
» Article 78 stipulates that it is the duty of the Prime Minister
(a) To communicate to the President all the decisions taken by the Cabinet.
(b) To furnish such information relating to the administration of the Union or any Legislation as the President may call for.
» The Prime Minister serves the office for five Years though he can be re-appointed.
» When the Lok Sabha is dissolved, He can continue in office upon the request of the President.
» If the Government is defeated in the Lok Sabha, the Prime Minister and the entire cabinet must resign, however, if defeated in the Rajya Sabha, resignation is not obligatory.
» To be a Prime Minister a person need not be an MP but he has to become one within 6 months of being appointed or else his appointment become void.
» 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.
