Powers and functions of the Prime Minister of India:
(i) The Prime Minister presides over the meetings of the Cabinet and conducts its proceedings. As head of the Cabinet, he/she largely influences the decisions of the Cabinet.
(ii) The Prime Minister coordinates the working of various Ministers. He resolves disagreement if any, amongst different Ministers.
(iii) Prime Minister is the link between the President and the Cabinet. The decisions of the Cabinet are conveyed to the President by the Prime Minister. It is he who keeps the President informed of all the policies and decisions of the Government.
(iv) No Minister can meet the President without the permission of the Prime Minister.
(v) All important appointments are made by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.
(vi) It is on the advice of the Prime Minister that the President summons and prorogues the session of the Parliament and even dissolves the Lok Sabha.
(vii) The Prime Minister is the "principal spokesman" and defender of the policies of the Government in the Parliament. When any Minister is unable to defend his actions properly, the Prime Minister comes to the help of that Minister both inside and outside the Parliament.
(viii) The Prime Minister is the leader of the nation. The nation looks to him for guidance.
(ix) At the time of general elections, it is the Prime Minister who seeks mandate of the people.
(x) The Prime Minister plays an important role in the formulation of domestic and foreign policies.
(xi) He represents the country in the world by participating in the meetings of NAM, SAARC and United Nations. All international agreements and treaties with other countries are concluded with the consent of the Prime Minister. He is the Chief spokesperson of the policies of the country.
Role of Prime Minister of India: The Prime Minister is the most important and powerful functionary of the Union Government. He is the head of the government and leader of Lok Sabha. He is principal advisor to the President, and the country's visible face and spokesperson in the international affairs. His role is unparalled and he gives direction to the governance of the country.
The Prime Minister being the head of the Council of Ministers, selects the Ministers to be sworn in by the President. The Ministers in fact are chosen by the Prime Minister and remain Ministers as long as they enjoy the confidence of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister distributes portfolios among Ministers. He can change the portfolios as and when he desires. The Prime Minister can drop a Minister or ask for his/her resignation.
The Prime Minister has a special status both in the Government and in the Parliament. This makes him the most powerful functionary. His position and powers depend upon his personality. A person of the stature of Jawaharlal Nehru or Indira Gandhi, is always more effective than a person who lacks vision or depends on support from outside his party. The Prime Minister is not only leader of the Parliament but also leader of the nation. The Prime Minister has to secure the willing cooperation of all important members of his / her own party. In a minority government, the Prime Minister has to depend on outside help that might act as hindrance in his effective role.
