COUNCIL
OF MINISTERS - POLITY
News:
Union Council of
Ministers discuss 100-day agenda for quick implementation after formation of
new government
What's
in the news?
●
Seeking to send a message of confidence
that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would once again come to
power, the Union Council of Ministers, under the leadership of Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, at its last meeting, deliberated on a 100-day agenda for quick
implementation after the formation of the new government in May 2024.
Key
takeaways:
●
The Council of Ministers also brainstormed
on the vision document for “Viksit Bharat 2047 (Developed India 2047)”, and a
detailed action plan for the next five years.
Council
of Ministers:
Constitutional
Provisions:
●
Article 74 deals with the status of the
council of ministers while Article 75 deals with the appointment, tenure,
responsibility, qualification, oath and salaries and allowances of the
ministers.
Article
74 - Council of Ministers to aid and advise President:
●
There shall be a Council of Ministers with
the Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the President who shall, in
the exercise of his functions, act in accordance with such advice.
●
However, the President may require the
Council of Ministers to reconsider such advice and the President shall act in
accordance with the advice tendered after such reconsideration.
●
The
advice tendered by Ministers to the President shall not be inquired into in any
court.
Article
75 - Other Provisions as to 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.
●
A member of either house of Parliament
belonging to any political party who is disqualified on the ground of defection
shall also be disqualified to be appointed as a minister. This provision was
also added by the 91st Amendment Act of 2003.
●
The
ministers shall hold office during the pleasure of the President.
●
The
council of ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
●
The President shall administer the oaths
of office and secrecy to a minister.
●
A minister who is not a member of the
Parliament (either house) for any period of six consecutive months shall cease
to be a minister.
●
The
salaries and allowances of ministers shall be determined by the Parliament.