Chief Minister

Chief Minister

In the scheme of Parliamentary system of government provided by the constitution, the governor is the nominal executive authority and the Chief Minister is the real executive authority. In other words, the governor is the head of the State while the Chief Minister is the head of the government.

The appointment of the Chief Minister

The Chief Minister is appointed by the Governor of the State.

The term of the Chief Minister is not fixed. He may remain as the Chief Minister as long as he enjoys the support of the majority of the members of the Legislative Assembly. He has to resign when he losses confidence of the majority in the assembly. It is ‘understood that normally he completes 5 years term like other members in the Legislative Assembly.

Powers and functions of the Chief Minister

Relating to the Council of Ministers

• The Chief Minister recommends the persons who can be appointed as ministers by Governor.

• He allocates the portfolios among the ministers.

• He shuffles and reshuffles his ministry.

• He presides over the meetings of the Council of Ministers and influences its decisions.

• He guides, directs, controls and coordinates the activities of all the ministers.

Relating to the Governor

He advises the Governor in relation to the appointment of the following officials:

• Advocate General of the State.

• State Election Commissioner.

• Chairman and Members of the State Public Service Commission.

• Chairman and Members of the State Planning Commission.

• Chairman and Members of the State Finance Commission.

Relating to State Legislature

• The Chief Minister advises the Governor with regard to the summoning and proroguing the sessions of the state legislature.

• He announces the government policies on the floor of the house.

• He can introduce the bills in the Legislative Assembly.

• He can recommend for the dissolution of the Legislative Assembly to the Governor anytime.

Council of Ministers

The Council of Ministers are collectively responsible to the State Legislature. All the members of the Council of Ministers must be the members of the State Legislature. Those who are not the members at the time of their appointment, must secure their seats in the Legislature within a period of 6 months. If a no-confidence motion is passed by the Legislative Assembly, the State Ministry shall resign.

Article l63 provides for a Council of Ministers to aid and advice the Governor. According to Article 163(1) there shall be a Council of Ministers with the Chief Minister at the head to aid and advice the Governor in the exercise of his functions, except in so far as he is by or under this Constitution required to exercise his functions or any of them in his discretion.

Other Provisions relating to Ministers

Article 164(1) holds that the Chief Minister shall be appointed by the Governor.

Article 164(1A) states that the total number of Ministers, including the Chief Minister, in the Council of Ministers in a State shall not exceed fifteen percent of the total number of members of the Legislative Assembly.

The functions and powers of the Council of Ministers

• It formulates and decides the policies of the state and implements them effectively.

• It decides the legislative programmes of the Legislative Assembly and sponsors all important bills.

• It controls the financial policy and decides the tax structure for the public welfare of the state.

• It makes the important appointments of the Heads of Departments.

• It discusses and takes efforts on the dispute with other states

• It frames the proposal for incurring expenditure out of state reserves.

• It decides all the bills whether ordinary bills or money bills to be introduced in the Legislative Assembly.

• Each minister of the Council of Ministers supervises, controls and coordinates the department concerned.

• Annual Financial Statement called as the Budget is finalised by the Council of Ministers.