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Topics to be learn :
- Structure of the Union Government
- President
- Election of the President
- Powers and Functions of the President
- Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers
- Functions of the Prime Minister
- Functions of Council of Ministers
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Structure of the Union Government :
The Union government (Central government) is made up of the following constituents.
In Parliamentary system, the executive is part of the legislature and is responsible to the legislature.
President :
According to the provisions in the Constitution of India, the President is the Supreme Head of the State.
- The President represents the Republic of India.
- All executive powers of the state are vested in the President by the Constitution. So, it is the office of highest honour and prestige.
- The Government carries out its functions in the name of the President.
- He has Legislative, Executive, Judicial, Defence and Emergency powers.
- However, in reality, the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers run the government.
- Therefore, the President is the nominal and constitutional head,
- The Prime Minister is the executive head.
Election of the President :
Election of the President :
- The common people do not directly vote in the election of the President.
- He is elected by directly elected representatives of the Central and
- State legislatures.
- The group of these Parliamentarians and members of the State legislature is known as the Electoral College.
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Eligibility :
Eligibility :
- The person contesting the presidential election should be a citizen of India.
- He should be 35 years of age.
- The person elected to the post of the President has to take an oath while accepting the post.
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Process of Impeachment :
Process of Impeachment :
- The tenure of the President is five years.
- He governs on the advice of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.
- The responsibility of protecting the Constitution is shouldered by the
- President.
- But, if any act of the President violates the Constitution, then the Parliament has the authority to remove the President.
- The process of removal of the President is known as the Impeachment.
- Any one House can lay the charge of violation of the Constitution, and the investigation of the charge is carried out by the other House.
- The resolution for impeachment of the President has to be passed by special (2/3rd) majority of both the Houses of Parliament.
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Powers and Functions of the President :
Powers and Functions of the President :
The Constitution has entrusted several powers and functions to the President.
Legislative Powers :
- To summon the session of the Parliament.
- To prorogue the session of the Parliament.
- To send messages to both Houses.
- To dissolve the Parliament after or before the tenure is over.
- To sign the bills passed by Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha which becomes a law.
- To protect the Constitution.
Executive Powers :
- To appoint the Prime Minister and other Ministers.
- To appoint the Governors of States, Chief Election Commissioner and other important officers.
Judicial Powers :
- To appoint the Judges of Supreme and High Court.
- To reduce, commute, pardon or reprieve the punishment of a person given by Supreme Court
Defence Powers :
- To appoint the Chiefs of all three Defence Forces
- To take decisions regarding war and peace.
Emergency Powers :
To declare emergency in case of a crisis in the country, like
- National Emergency,
- State Emergency,
- Financial Emergency
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Vice-President :
- In the absence of the President, his functions are carried out by the Vice President.
- The Vice-President is elected by both the Houses of Parliament.
- For contesting the post of Vice President, a person should be 35 years of age.
Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers :
Election of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers:
- The party which attains a majority in the Lok Sabha election, nominates their leader as the Prime Minister.
- The Prime Minister then selects his trustworthy and efficient colleagues from within the party and forms the Council of Ministers. The President administers oath to the ministers.
- The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers must be members of the Parliament.
- In case they are not members, they are required to get elected to the Parliament within six months of their appointment.
Functions of the Prime Minister :
Functions of the Prime Minister :
- To select trustworthy and efficient colleagues as ministers who have administrative experience, governance skills, efficiency and technical expertise.
- To allocate portfolios (departments) to them.
- To maintain coordination in the working of various departments.
- To supervise over the working of various departments in order to maintain efficacy and efficiency.
- To chair all the meetings of the Council of Ministers.
- To lead the Council of Ministers.
- To provide strong support to the people during disasters.
- To build and raise the image of the country in the world and work towards creating a favourable opinion towards the country.
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Functions of Council Minister :
Functions of Council of Ministers :
- The Council of Ministers takes initiative in the process of Law-making by drafting the bills/proposals.
- It introduces and discusses the bills/ proposals in the House.
- It introduces bills on various subjects like education, agriculture, industry, health, foreign relations, etc. in the Parliament, conducts discussions on them and tries to get them approved by the Parliament.
- It also takes the responsibility of implementing the policies approved by the Parliament.
- The Council of Ministers can stay in power till it enjoys the support of the Parliament. Hence, it has to take the Parliament into confidence while framing policies.
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Jumbo Ministry :
Jumbo Ministry :
- Earlier, there was a trend to keep large Council of Ministers.
- Such huge Councils were known as jumbo Ministry’.
- Later, a constitutional amendment was made to limit the size of the
- Council of Ministers.
- As per this amendment, the number of ministers in the council should not be more than 15% of the total number of members in the Lok Sabha.
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How does the Parliament keep a check over the Executive?
(i) Discussions and Debates :
(i) Discussions and Debates :
- During the law-making process, discussions and debates help the members to scrutinise the policy proposals and laws, and point nut the shortcomings.
- This helps in creation of healthy laws.
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(ii) Question Hour :
(ii) Question Hour :
- During question hour, members criticise the government, ask questions, argue over various issues.
- The concerned ministers are supposed to give satisfactory answers to these questions.
- When a member is not satisfied with the answer, an argument takes place.
- It may result into a walk-out by the members or they may enter the well of the house and raise slogans.
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(iii) Zero Hour :
(iii) Zero Hour :
- During the Parliamentary sessions, the period around 12 noon is called 'Zero Hour’.
- Any question of public importance can be raised and discussed during this period.
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(iv) No-confidence motion :
(iv) No-confidence motion :
- The members of Parliament can move a no-confidence motion against the Council of Ministers.
- It the motion is passed with majority support, then the Council of Ministers has to resign.
- It is the most effective way and powerful tool to keep the Council of Ministers in check.
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