Central Council of Ministers

 Central Council of Ministers

> Since India follows a parliamentary system, the Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister, acts as the real executive authority.

> "Parliamentary government is like a Cabinet steering the ship of state" - Ramsay Muir

> The Indian Constitution does not mention the ranks, types, or levels of ministers within the Central Council of Ministers.

> In 1949, the committee established under Gopalaswami Ayyangar, considering the types of ministers in practice at the time, classified them as follows:

    (a) Cabinet Ministers
    (b) State Ministers (State Ministers)
    (c) Deputy Ministers

> The Indian Constitution does not specify the number of members in the Council of Ministers.

>> In 1966, the Administrative Reforms Commission suggested that the number of members in the Central Council of Ministers should not exceed 10% of the total members of Parliament. It also suggested that the number of members in the State Council of Ministers should not exceed 10% of the total members of the Legislative Assembly.

> Through the 91st Amendment in 2003, it was decided that the number of ministers in the central and state governments should not exceed 15% of the total members of the Lok Sabha and 15% of the total members of the Legislative Assembly in the states.

> According to Section 1(B) of the 91st Amendment, a person disqualified under the Anti-Defection Law cannot hold ministerial office until the end of that government's term.

Cabinet Ministers:

> Ministers who play a key role in the government hold cabinet rank.

> The Cabinet meets once a week.

> The term 'Cabinet' was added to Article 352 through the 44th Amendment in 1978.

>> Cabinet Ministers are the ultimate decision-makers in their respective departments.

> The Political Affairs Committee (PAC) formed from the Cabinet functions as a super-cabinet.

> State Ministers receive an additional salary of ₹68,000/- per month as MPs.