UPSC : Central Council of Ministers
Central Council of Ministers
- The Constitution of India provides for a parliamentary system of government (British pattern).
- The council of ministers headed by the prime minister is the real executive authority.
- Article 74 deals with the status of the council of ministers.
- Article 75 deals with the appointment, tenure, responsibility, qualification, oath and salaries and allowances of the ministers.
- The Prime Minister shall be appointed by the President and the other Ministers shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.
- The total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Council of Ministers shall not exceed 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha. This provision was added by the 91st Amendment Act of 2003.
- The council of ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
- A minister who is not a member of the Parliament can be serve for 6 months.
- The salaries and allowances are fixed by the Parliament.
- All ministers shall have the right to speak and take part in the proceedings of either House, any joint sitting of the Houses.
- The Prime Minister is appointed by the President, while the other ministers are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.
- The council of ministers are collectively and individually responsible to the Lok sabha, but no legal responsibility to the ministers as in British parliament.
- Three categories of ministers - cabinet ministers, ministers of state, and deputy ministers.
- The cabinet ministers head the important ministries of the Central government (home, defence, finance, external affairs).
- The ministers of state can hold independent charge of ministries/ departments or attached to cabinet ministers.
- The deputy ministers are attached to the cabinet ministers or ministers of state. No independent charges.
- The council of ministers may also include a deputy prime minister. The deputy prime ministers are appointed mostly for political causes.
- Cabinet is the highest decision-making body in our politico-administrative system and a chief policy formulating body of the Central government / chief coordinator of Central administration / an advisory body to the president.
- Other than cabinet a Smaller body called the ‘Inner Cabinet’ or ‘Kitchen Cabinet’ has become the real centre of power. This is an informal body consists of the Prime Minister and two to four influential colleagues. During Indira Gandhi time the ‘Inner Cabinet’ / ‘Kitchen Cabinet’ was most powerful.

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