Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister

Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister

Position of the Chief Minister

The Chief Minister is the head of the cabinet and the council of ministers. In practice, he is the real executive head of the state. As per Article 164(1) of the Constitution of India, the Chief Minister of a state shall be appointed by the Governor of the State.

Powers and functions of the Chief Minister

As the real executive head of the state, the Chief Minister enjoys wide powers and performs a number of functions. The important powers and functions of the Chief Minister are:

i) As the head of the council of ministers, the Chief Minister has more powers in ministry-making. He can recommend appointment of ministers and designate them as cabinet ministers or ministers of state or deputy ministers. He can change the portfolios of the ministers. He can even recommend the removal of ministers.

ii) He presides over the meetings of the cabinet and makes major policy decisions of the Government.

iii) He acts as the sole channel of communication between the council of ministers and the Governor. He communicates to the Governor all the decisions of the cabinet relating to administrative and legislative proposals.

iv) He scrutinizes all papers, bills, resolutions, etc. that are to be placed before the legislature.

v) Though, in theory, all major appointments are made by the Governor, in practice, all such appointments are actually made on the advice of the Chief Minister.

State Council of Ministers

Introduction

Article 163(1) of the Constitution of India provides that there shall be a council of ministers headed by the Chief Minister to aid and advise the Governor in the exercise of his functions except when he is required by the Constitution to act in his discretion.

The state council of ministers is formed in the same manner as the union council of ministers is formed. The leader of the majority party or coalition of parties in the legislative assembly is appointed as the Chief Minister by the Governor. The other ministers in the council of ministers are appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister.

Term of office of the council of ministers

As per the constitution, the council of ministers hold office during the pleasure of the Governor. But, in reality, the council of ministers hold office during the pleasure of the Chief Minister, because the Governor acts on the advice of the Chief Minister. The council of ministers are individually responsible to the Chief Minister. The council of ministers are collectively responsible to the legislative assembly of the state. That means, the council of ministers shall speak in one voice.

The State Cabinet

The council of ministers consists of cabinet ministers, ministers of state and deputy ministers. Of the council of ministers, the cabinet ministers constitute the state cabinet. The cabinet ministers of the state cabinet are, generally, the prominent ministers of the council of ministers. It is headed by the Chief Minister. The cabinet takes decisions on behalf of the council of ministers, and so, all the ministers are bound by the decisions of the cabinet.

Activity

·            Make a list of the Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu.

·            Bring out the welfare schemes introduced by them.

·            Write a few sentences of your favourite Chief Minister.

·            Make a collage of the welfare schemes which were introduced especially for women in your state.