President-Role and Responsibilities, and Relationship With Cabinet Ministers

The President of India is the country’s Head of State and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. He is a titular head with special abilities. With the upcoming Presidential elections, here’s a refresher on the President of India’s job. The President of India is in charge of the country’s armed forces. He also appoints the Governors of various states, the Chief Justice of India and other Supreme Court and High Court justices, the Attorney General, and the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG). The duties and responsibilities of a President also includes appointing Election Commissioners and Ambassadors to various countries. It’s worth noting that, while the President does not choose persons for these coveted jobs, he can refuse to finalise the formal assignment and ask the Government to reconsider the picks.

Legislative role of the president and the cabinet minister

• During the budget session, the President is always the first to address the House of Commons

• In the event of a stalemate in the legislative process between the two chambers of Parliament, the President calls a joint session to break the deadlock

• Presidential approval is required for legislation such as creating a new state, revisions to existing state boundaries, or changes to a state’s name

• Under the Constitution, legislation dealing with basic rights requires the President’s approval

• The President must approve money legislation presented in the Lok Sabha

• Before becoming law, all laws enacted by Parliament must get the President’s approval

• During the hiatus of Parliament, the President is responsible for promulgating ordinances or emergency legislation

• Officials assigned to a cabinet minister’s department are entrusted with assisting in the drafting of policy and ensuring its implementation

Executive role of the president and the cabinet minister

• A right to be kept up to date on all aspects of the country’s activities

•  Appointment and removal of powers over high-ranking constitutional officials, such as the prime minister and the Council of ministers

•  He appoints Supreme Court and High Court judges and state governors, the attorney general, the comptroller and auditor general (CAG), and the chief commissioner and members of the election commission

• It has the authority to recommend to the President the declaration of emergencies, the dissolution of the Lok Sabha, and the proroguing and adjournment of legislative sessions

Judicial Powers

• He corrects judicial mistakes

• Has the authority to grant pardons and absolutions from punishment

• The President may also seek the Supreme Court’s advice on legal and constitutional issues and topics of national and public importance

Emergency Powers

• The President has the authority to proclaim a state of emergency in the event of a national emergency that jeopardises the country’s security, whether due to external aggression or internal armed insurrection. The state is, after that, placed under President’s Rule. However, such an emergency must be recommended by the Prime Minister and his cabinet

• The President can proclaim a state of emergency if there is a political emergency or a breakdown in law and order. The state’s Governor’s Rule is then established

• The President can intervene if the country’s or any state’s financial stability is jeopardised. The President can order a state government to exercise fiscal restraint

The relation between President and Council of Ministers

The Union Council of Ministers is in charge of the executive branch. Cabinet ministers, state ministers, and deputy ministers make up this group. India’s Prime Minister chairs the Council. In carrying out his duties, the Prime Minister will assist and advise the President. The Lok Sabha holds the Council collectively responsible. All decisions of the Council of Ministers relating to the administration of the Union’s affairs and proposals for legislation and information relating to them must be communicated to the President. 

Article – 74: There will be a Council of Ministers, led by the Prime Minister, to assist and advise the President, who shall act by such advice in the performance of his functions: Provided, however, that the President may request that the Council of Ministers examines such advice, either generally or specifically and that the President act on the advice given after such reconsideration.

The subject of whether any and, if so, what advice was given to the President by Ministers shall not be investigated in any court.

Prime Minister’s Office Article 74 of the Constitution establishes a Council of Ministers to assist the President in carrying out his duties. The Union Council of Ministers is in charge of the executive branch. The cabinet ministers are the senior ministers, while the ministers of state are the junior ministers. The Prime Minister of India is in charge of the Council. The Council of Ministers has the authority to give recommendations, but they also have the authority to make binding decisions. The President will be informed of the Council Minister’s decisions by the Prime Minister. The President can submit the matter to the Council of Ministers for reconsideration.

Conclusion

Simply by his title, the President of our country represents our pride and dignity on a larger scale. Our presidents have brought motivation to the nation in the past by addressing the nation on major occasions such as Republic Day and Independence Day with inspirational words. When a country is in a precarious situation or a period of economic or social weakness, communication with the nation becomes even more important. Based on the significance of such events, one can conclude that a set of rules does not limit our President’s position and responsibilities and that he can continue to serve the country by supporting the Government’s actions that are in the country’s best interests.