I. The important role of the Prime Minister's office: The Prime Minister as the head of the government and the real executive authority, plays a very significant and crucial role in the politico-administrative system of the country. In the fulfilment of his various responsibilities he is assisted by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). It provides secretarial assistance and crucial advice to the Prime Minister. He plays an important role in the process of decision-making at the top level in the government of India. However, it is an extra constitutional body. It has a status of a department of the Government of India. Though there are no attached and subordinate offices under it. It came into existence in August, 1947 when India emerged as an independent nation and was called the Prime Minister's Secretariat. In June 1977, its name was changed and now it is known as the Prime Minister's Office (P.M.O).
The PMO performs several other functions such as: Maintaining liaison with central ministries and the state governments, help the PM in discharging his responsibilities as Chairman of the Planning Commission and the National Development Council; acts as the public relations agency of the PM and is considered as the 'think-tank' of the PM. It also deals with all such subjects which are not allotted to any ministry or department.
Over the years, it has grown very big and powerful.At present, the PMO has over 350 people under its roof. This large establishment runs as a 'parallel' administration, i.e.every ministry department of the Central Government is duplicated here.The critics have described the PMO variously as 'super cabinet', 'micro cabinet', 'super secretariat', 'the Government of India' and so on. PMO has specially been strengthened during Smt. Indira Gandhi and Shri Rajiv Gandhi's time and continues to be so till today.
II. The role of Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister: PMO is headed politically by the Prime Minister and administratively, by the principal secretary.It consists of some additional secretaries and joint secretaries.
The Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister (PM), plays an important role and performs the following functions:
1. Deals with all governmental files in the office.
2. Puts before the Prime Minister(PM) all important documents and information for orders and instructions.
3. Prepares notes on matters to be discussed by the PM with important dignitaries.
4. The PM looks after the affairs of different ministries and departments.
5. Coordinates the activities of various personnel in the office.
