Question

The Prime Minister is the executive head of the country. With reference to the Prime Minister and his Cabinet, answer the following question:

The Prime Minister is central to the life of the Cabinet. Justify this statement by mentioning any four powers of the Prime Minister with reference to the Cabinet.

Answer 1

1. Power to select and dismiss ministers: The Prime Minister chooses members of the Council of Ministers and can ask an erring minister to resign, so the PM determines who sits in the Cabinet and can remove them.
2. Power to allocate portfolios and reshuffle the ministry: The PM assigns departments to ministers and may reshuffle portfolios or the entire Council whenever he/she pleases, controlling which minister oversees which area of government policy.
3. Power as chairperson of the Cabinet (preside, set agenda, conclude discussions): The PM summons and presides over Cabinet meetings, decides the agenda and the order of discussion, and after debate gives the concluding decision that becomes the Cabinet’s collective decision. This gives the PM practical control over what is discussed and how decisions are framed.
4. Power to direct and coordinate policy and to act as link with the President: The PM coordinates the working of different departments on major matters (foreign, defence, economic policy) and is constitutionally required to communicate Cabinet decisions and proposals to the President, making the PM the focal point for policy direction and for the Cabinet’s relations with the Head of State.