What are powers of the PM of India?
Q. Which of the following is/are true regarding the powers of the PM of India?
1) PM allocates portfolios among the ministers.
2) PM announces government policies on the floor of the House.
3) He cannot advise the President to dismiss a minister in case of difference of opinion.- Published on 01 Mar 17a. 2, 3
b. 1, 3
c. 1, 2
d. All of the above
ANSWER: 1, 2
- Before the Prime Minister enters upon his office, the president administers to him the oaths of office and secrecy.
- The form of oath of office and secrecy for the Prime Minister is similar to that for any Union minister.
- The term of the Prime Minister is not fixed and he holds office during the pleasure of the president.
- However, as long as the Prime Minister enjoys the majority support in the Lok Sabha, he cannot be dismissed by the President.
- However, if he loses the confidence of the Lok Sabha, he must resign or the President can dismiss him.
The powers and functions of Prime Minister in relation to Council of Ministers -
1. The Prime Minister is the head of the Union council of ministers.
2. He recommends persons who can be appointed as ministers by the president.
3. The President can appoint only those persons as ministers who are recommended by the Prime Minister.
4. He allocates and reshuffles various portfolios among the ministers.
5. He can ask a minister to resign or advise the President to dismiss him in case of difference of opinion.
6. He presides over the meeting of council of ministers and influences its decisions.
7. He guides, directs, controls, and coordinates the activities of all the ministers.
8. He can bring about the collapse of the council of ministers by resigning from office.
9. Since the Prime Minister stands at the head of the council of ministers, the other ministers cannot function when the Prime Minister resigns or dies.
10. In other words, the resignation or death of an incumbent Prime Minister automatically dissolves the council of ministers and thereby generates a vacuum.
11. The resignation or death of any other minister, on the other hand, merely creates a vacancy which the Prime Minister may or may not likely fill.
Powers in relation to Parliament -
1. The Prime Minister is the leader of the Lower House.
2. In this capacity, he advises the President with regard to summoning and proroguing of the sessions of the Parliament.
3. He can recommend dissolution of the Lok Sabha to President at any time.
4. He announces government policies on the floor of the House.
