In
India, the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers together form
the executive branch of the government. The Prime Minister is the head
of the government, and the Council of Ministers consists of other
ministers who aid and advise the President in the exercise of their
functions. Here is an overview of the roles and responsibilities of the
Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers:
1. Appointment:
o Ministers are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Council of Ministers includes Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State (Independent Charge), and Ministers of State.
2. Cabinet Ministers:
o Cabinet Ministers are senior members responsible for major policy decisions. They head key ministries like Finance, Defense, Home Affairs, etc.
3. Ministers of State (Independent Charge):
o Ministers of State (Independent Charge) head specific ministries and report directly to the Prime Minister.
4. Ministers of State:
o Ministers of State assist Cabinet Ministers and often handle specific departments or functions.
5. Collective Responsibility:
o The Council of Ministers operates on the principle of collective responsibility. They collectively make decisions, and all members are collectively responsible for these decisions.
6. Parliamentary Accountability:
o Ministers are accountable to Parliament for the functioning of their respective ministries. They participate in parliamentary debates, answer questions, and present reports.
7. Implementation of Policies:
o The Council of Ministers is responsible for implementing government policies and programs. Each minister oversees specific areas of governance.
8. Coordination:
o Ministers coordinate with each other to ensure a coherent and effective approach to governance.
The real executive power is vested in the Council of Ministers, with the Prime Minister serving as the leader and coordinator. The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers work collectively to govern the country and implement policies.
