The Role of Chief Minister in State Governance: Powers, Functions, and Responsibilities

Introduction

A Chief Minister is the head of the government in a state or territory within a federal system, such as in India. They are responsible for the administration of the state, overseeing policymaking, implementation, and governance. The Chief Minister is typically the leader of the party or coalition with a majority in the state legislature and is tasked with representing the interests of the state’s residents. This role requires strong leadership, political acumen, and the ability to manage diverse interests within the state.

In the scheme of the Parliamentary system of government:

• Governor: Nominal executive authority (de-jure executive) in the State.
• Chief Minister: Real executive authority (de-facto executive) in the State.

Constitutional Framework: Appointment, Powers, and Responsibilities of Chief Ministers in India

Chief Ministerial Authority: Powers and Responsibilities in State Governance

• Article 163: Council of Ministers with the CM as the head to aid and advise the Governor on the exercise of his functions.
• Article 164: Other ministers shall be appointed by the Governor on the advice of theCM. 
• Collective Responsibility: All ministers shall hold office during the pleasure of the Governor and shall be collectively responsible to the legislative assembly of the state. [UPSC 2013]
• Resignation or Death of the CM automatically dissolves the council of ministers.
• In Relation to the Council of Ministers
  • Recommends persons who can be appointed as ministers by the Governor. 
  • Allocates and reshuffles various portfolios among the ministers.
  • Can ask a minister to resign or advise the Governor to dismiss him in case of a difference of opinion.
  • Presides over the meeting of COM and influences its decisions.
  • Guides, directs, controls, and coordinates the activities of all the ministers.
  • Can bring about the collapse of the COM by resigning from office.
  • The resignation or death of any other minister, on the other hand, merely creates a vacancy which the chief minister may or may not like to fill.

Expanded Role of Chief Ministers: Leadership in State Legislature and Beyond

• In Relation to State Legislature: The Chief Minister enjoys the following powers as the leader of the house: 
• Advises the governor with regard to the summoning and proroguing of the sessions of the state legislature; 
• Recommend the dissolution of the legislative assembly to the governor at any time; 
• Announce the government policies on the floor of the house.
• Other Powers and Functions: 
• Chairman of the State Planning Board; 
• Vice-chairman of the concerned zonal council by rotation, Holding the office for a period of one year at a time.
• Member of the Inter-State Council and the Governing Council of NITI Aayog, Both are headed by the prime minister; 
• Chief spokesman of the state government; 
• Crisis manager-in-chief at the political level during emergencies; 
• Political head of the services.

Chief Minister-Governor Relations: Constitutional Dynamics and Administrative Collaboration

• Article 163: There shall be a CoM with the CM as the head to aid and advise the governor on  the exercise of his/ her functions, except insofar as he/ she is required to exercise his/ her functions or any of them at his/ her discretion. 
• Article 164:  The CM shall be appointed by the governor and other ministers shall be appointed by the governor on the advice of the CM; 
  • The ministers shall hold office during the pleasure of the governor; and 
  • The CoM shall be collectively responsible to the legislative assembly of the state. 
• Article 167: It shall be the duty of the CM to communicate to the governor of the state all decisions of the CoM relating to the administration of the affairs of the state and proposal for legislation; 
  • To furnish such information relating to the administration of the affairs of the state and proposals for legislation as the governor may call for; 
  • If the governor so requires, to submit for the consideration of the CoM any matter on which a decision has been taken by a  minister but which has not been considered by the council.

Conclusion

• The Chief Minister with his leadership is essential for steering the state’s development, managing diverse interests, and representing the state’s residents effectively. 
• With strong political acumen and managerial skills, the Chief Minister plays a pivotal role in shaping the direction and progress of the state.