Powers And Functions Of The Prime Minister
Formation of the Council of Ministers
The ministers in the council of ministers are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister (Article 75{1}). The nomination of the ministers rests with the Prime Minister. The number of ministers and the size of the cabinet are determined by the Prime Minister.
Distribution of Portfolios
After recommending the members of the council of ministers the Prime Coordinating and guiding the work of various Ministries. After the allocation of the portfolios the Prime Minister also keeps an eye on what is going on in the various departments and he can intervene if he feels that things are not going on smoothly or in accordance with the goals and policies of the government.
He has to coordinate and guide the working of the various ministers and ministries. He more than any one else, must endeavour to see the work of the government as a whole and bring the various governmental activities into reasonable relationships with one another. He is the manager in chief of the government’s business.
Leader of the Lok Sabha
The Prime Minister by virtue of being the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabhả is also expected to provide leadership in the House. In this capacity he performs the following functions: i) Advising the President to Summon the Parliament and prorogue the session.To ensure that the proceedings of the Parliament are conducted with dignity and decorum. iii) Leading the process of legislation. The Prime Minister being an integral part of the legislation in Parliament is expected to give directions to the process of legislation. All important bills emanate from the cabinet. Hence no important bill can be introduced in the Lok Sabha without his consent. He, together with the Speaker ensures that the business of the Lok Sabha is conducted systematically. –
Link between the President and the Council of Ministers
The Prime Minister acts as the direct link between the President and the Council of Ministers. According to Article 78. he communicates the decisions of the Council of Ministers relating to the administration of the affairs of the Union and proposals for legislation. He furnishes the President such information relating to the administration of the affairs of the Union and proposals for legislation as the President may call for. He on the request of the President submits any matter to the consideration of the Union Council of Ministers on which a decision has been taken by a minister but which has not been considered by the Cabinet.
Advising the President on all major appointments
Several appointments of higher ranks are made by the President on the recommendations of the Prime Minister. These are the appointments of the Chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force, Chief Justice and Judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts, Comptroller and Auditor-General of India, Election Commissioner, Attorney-General, Ambassadors and High Commissioners, Chairman and members of UPSC, Governors and Lt. Governors etc.
International Relations
The Prime Minister is the chief representative of the nation in the international sphere. He participates in international conferences, pays official visits to foreign countries, maintains relations with the UN and other international organisations, negotiates with heads of states, signs treaties and agreements, advises the President to declare war and conclude peace, and advises the President to grant or withhold recognition to nations. Throughout, he has to maintain a very close collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of External Affairs. If he is heard, known and respected outside India, it helps him gain greater prestige even within the country. Nehru, for instance, was a person much adored in some segments of international community and had carved a special niche for himself in the Third World because of his principle of Panchasheel. This helped him a great deal on the home-front.
Financial Management
The Prime Minister works in close collaboration with the Finance Minister in an atmosphere of total mutual trust and adjustment. The budget and the important money bills are prepared under the close supervision and scrutiny of the Prime Minister. Important questions relating to trade, economy, foreign aid, currency, banking taxation, deficit financing etc., are all decided by the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister.
Planning
The Prime Minister is a chairman of the Planning Commission which formulates five year plans and other important economic programmes for the country. He himself can also design and guide the formulations of programmes for the economic development of the nation. Moreover, as the chairman of the National Development Council he also has the responsibility of coordinating the policies and programmes of the states.
Know about the Prime Minister’s Relationship With President.