Position of the Chief Minister
- Head of the cabinet and the council of ministers.
- In practice, he is the real executive head of the state.
- As per [Article 164] of the Constitution of India, the Chief Minister of a state shall be appointed by the Governor of the State.
Powers and functions of the Chief Minister
The important powers and functions of the Chief Minister are:
- As the head of the council of ministers, the Chief Minister has more powers in ministry-making.
- He can recommend appointment of ministers and designate them as cabinet ministers or ministers of state or deputy ministers.
- He can change the portfolios of the ministers.
- He can even recommend the removal of ministers.
- He presides over the meetings of the cabinet and makes major policy decisions of the Government.
- He acts as the sole channel of communication between the council of ministers and the Governor.
- He communicates to the Governor all the decisions of the cabinet relating to administrative and legislative proposals.
- He scrutinizes all papers, bills, resolutions, etc. that are to be placed before the legislature.
- Though, in theory, all major appointments are made by the Governor, in practice, all such appointments are actually made on the advice of the Chief Minister.