Prime Ministers of India
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The Prime Minister of India
The Prime Minister of India is the Head of the Union (Federal) Government, as distinct from the President of India, who is the Head of State. Since India has adopted the Westminster model of constitutional democracy, it is the Prime Minister who oversees the day-to-day functioning of the Union (Federal) Government of India.
Leader of the Nation: The leader of the Lok Sabha selected by the political party which secures an absolute majority in the Lok Sabha, assumes the office of the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister is assisted in this task by his Council of Ministers, comprising Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State with Independent Charge, Ministers of State who work with Cabinet Ministers, and Deputy Ministers.
Election of the Prime Minister
The Prime Minister is elected by Parliament and then formally appointed by the President of the Republic. Before the Prime Minister’s election, the parties represented in the new Parliament negotiate on the political programme and composition of the Government.
The President of India appoints the leader of the party or alliance that enjoys majority support in the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Indian Parliament) as Prime Minister. In case no single party or alliance has a majority, the leader of the largest single party or alliance is appointed Prime Minister, but he/she has to subsequently secure a vote of confidence in the Lok Sabha. The Union Council of Ministers is appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister can be a member of either the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament) or the Lok Sabha.
The Prime Minister and the President
The Prime Minister is the President`s chief adviser. Under Article 78 of the Constitution it is the duty of the Prime Minister to communicate all decisions of the Council of Ministers and the Cabinet and all proposals for legislation to the President. The Prime Minister communicates to the President all the information called for by him, and if so desired by the President, submits any matter for reconsideration of the Council of Ministers.
Article 78 in The Constitution Of India 1949, reads as follows: 78. Duties of Prime Minister as respects the furnishing of information to the President, etc It shall be the duty of the Prime Minister
(a) to communicate to the President all decisions of the council of Ministers relating to the administration of the affairs of the union and proposals for legislation;
(b) to furnish such information relating to the administration of the affairs of the Union and proposals for legislation as the President may call for; and
(c) if the President so requires, to submit for the consideration of the Council of Ministers any matter on which a decision has been taken by a Minister but which has not been considered by the Council
The Prime Minister is a link between the council of ministers and the President. He advises the President on the issue of making appointments; He advises the President to dissolve the Lok Sabha
Duties of the Prime Minister
As Prime Minister, he is the Leader of the House to which he belongs. The Prime Minister is also the Chairman of the Planning Commission of India. Since the Prime Minister is Chairman of the Planning Commission, relevant files are forwarded to the PMO for his comments and clearance.
As head of the Council of Ministers, he oversees the work of all the Ministries. He supervises and co-ordinates the working of various departments; He presides over Cabinet meetings, which are normally held in the Cabinet Room of the Prime Minister's Office. The Union Cabinet functions on the principle of "collective responsibility".
The PM prepares the list of the council of ministers. The president cannot drop any name from this list; The Prime Minister distributes the work to the different ministers; He can dismiss an erring minister;
The subject-matter of files required to be submitted to the Prime Minister depends on whether he is holding direct charge of the Ministry or whether there is a Cabinet Minister or Minister of State (Independent Charge) in charge of the Ministry.
In the case of the latter, most matters are dealt with by the Cabinet Minister / Minister of State-in-charge. Only important policy issues, which the Minister concerned feels should be submitted to the Prime Minister for orders or information, are received in the PMO.
In cases where the Prime Minister is the Minister-in-charge, all matters requiring Ministerial approval not delegated to the Minister of State / Deputy Minister, if any, are submitted for orders. The Prime Minister has traditionally been the Minister-in-charge of the Departments of Space, Atomic Energy, and Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. Some of the important matters that require the Prime Minister's personal attention include the following:
(a) He plays a leading role in making all policy statements as also the preparation of the annual budget.
(b) He is the main spokesman of the ministry;
Important defence-related issues;
(c) Decorations, both civilian and defence, where Presidential approval is required;
(d) All important policy issues;
(e) Proposals for appointment of Indian Heads of Missions abroad and requests for grant of agreement for foreign Heads of Missions posted to India;
(f) All important decisions relating to the Cabinet Secretariat;
(g) Appointments to State Administrative Tribunals and the Central Administrative Tribunal, UPSC, Election Commission, Appointment of members of statutory/constitutional Committees, Commissions attached to various Ministries;
(h) All policy matters relating to the administration of the Civil Services and administrative reforms;
(i) Special Packages announced by the Prime Minister for States are monitored in the PMO and periodical reports submitted to Prime Minister; and
(j) All judicial appointments for which Presidential approval is required.
Parliament Questions
Parliament Questions relating to the Ministries and Departments of which Prime Minister is the Minister-in-charge are answered by a MOS nominated for the purpose or by Prime Minister himself.
Prime Minister's Office
The Prime Minister's Office, popularly known as the 'PMO', is located at South Block,New Delhi. The Prime Minister's Office is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Government Programme and assisting the Prime Minister in the general management of Government activities
The PMO provides secretarial assistance to the Prime Minister. It is headed by the Principal Secretary to Prime Minister. The PMO includes the anti-corruption unit and the public wing dealing with grievances.
PM's Funds
The Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) and the National Defence Fund (NDF) are operated directly from the PMO.
Deputising for the Prime Minister
When the Prime Minister is prevented from attending to his or her duties, these are assumed by the minister designated to deputise for the Prime Minister.
Prime Ministers Of India
Name Tenure Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964) ............................................... 15 August 1947-27 May 1964
Gulzari Lal Nanda (1898-1998) ............................................. 27 May 1964-9 June 1964 (Acting)
Lal Bahadur Shastri (1904-1966) ........................................... 9 June 1964-11 January 1966
Gulzari Lal Nanda (1898-1998) ............................................. 11 January 1966-24 January 1966 (Acting)
Indira Gandhi (1917-1984) ..................................................... 24 January1966-24 March 1977
Morarji Desai (1896-1995) ...................................................... 24 March 1977-28 July 1979
Charan Singh (1902-1987) ...................................................... 28 July 1979-14 January 1980
Indira Gandhi (1917-1984) ..................................................... 14 January 1980-31 October 1984
Rajiv Gandhi (1944-1991) ....................................................... 31 October 1984-2 December 1989
Vishwanath Pratap Singh (1931-2008) ................................. 2 December 1989-10 November 1990
Chandra Shekhar (1927-2007) ............................................... 10 November 1990-21 June 1991
P.V. Narasimha Rao (1921-2004) ............................................ 21 June 1991-16 May 1996
Atal Bihari Vajpayee (b-1924) ................................................ 16 May 1996-1 June 1996
H.D. Deve Gowda (b-1933) .................................................... 1 June 1996-21 April 1997
I.K. Gujral (b-1933) .................................................................. 21 April 1997-19 March 1998
Atal Bihari Vajpayee (b-1924) ................................................ 19 March 1998 -13 October 1999
Atal Bihari Vajpayee (b-1924) ................................................ 13 October 1999 - 22 May 2004
Dr. Manmohan Singh (b-1932) .............................................. 22 May 2004 - till date
