CLASS- 8 SUBJECT – HISTORY & CIVICS CHAPTER – 2 THREE MAIN ORGANS OF THE INDIAN GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE HIGHLIGHTS 1. Meaning of Executive 2. The President of India 3. Position and powers of the President of India 4. The Vice-President of India 5. Position and Powers of Vice-President 6. The Prime Minister of India 7. Position and Powers of Prime Ministers 8. Council Of Ministers 9. Ministerial Responsibility 10. Methods By which Parliament ensures Ministerial Responsibility. Meaning of Executive:- Executive is that organ of the government which enforces the laws made by the legislature and runs the administration of the country. It consists of President, the Prime minister and Council of ministers. Parliamentary System: In the Parliamentary system there exists a clear distinction between nominal executive and real executive. The president is the nominal executive and head of state. The real executive is the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister. The President of India: The president is the head of state and first citizen of the country. Qualifications for Election:- a) Is a citizen of India b) Has completed the age of thirty five years c) Qualified to become a member of Lok sabha Term of Office:- The President holds office for a term of five years and is eligible for re- election. The president may resign from the office by writing to the Vice- president. Election of President:- The president is elected by the members of Electoral College consisting of (a) Elected members of both Houses of Parliament (b) Elected members of the legislative Assemblies of the states. The chief Justice of India administers the Oath of office to the President. Impeachment:- In case of violation of the constitution, the president may be removed from office by Impeachment. The resolution to impeach the president may be moved in Either House of Parliament. Position and Powers of the President of India: Executive Powers:- The Executive Powers are laid down under the following heads:- 1. Head of the Union Government: - All Executive orders are issued in the name of the President. 2. Formation of Council of Ministers: - The Prime Minister is to be appointed by the President and the other Ministers are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. 3. Power to appoint and remove high dignitaries of the state:- The president appoints the attorney general of India, judges of supreme court and High Courts, Governors, Ambassadors and other diplomatic representative of India abroad. Legislative Powers:- 1. The President has the power to summon and prorogue the Houses of Parliament and to dissolve the Lok Sabha. 2. The President nominates 12 members to the Rajya Sabha and can also nominate two members of the Anglo- Indian community to Lok Sabha. 3. Every bill requires the President’s assent in order to become an Act (Law). Judicial Powers:- 1. The President has the power to Grant Pardon, reprieve or remission of Punishment. 2. No Criminal Proceeding can Start Against the President in any Court during the term of office. Emergency Powers:- 1. War or External aggression or armed Rebellion 2. Failure of Constitutional Machinery in a state 3. Threat to Financial Stability in a Country The Vice President of India:- Qualification for Election:- a) Be a citizen of India b) Not less than 35 years of age c) Be qualified for election as a member of Rajya sabha. He should not hold an office of profit under the Government of India or of any State. Term of office:- The Vice- President holds office for a term of five years and is eligible for re-election. He may resign from his office before the Expiry of the term by writing to the President. Removal from office:- The vice President may be removed by a Resolution of the Rajya Sabha Passed by a majority of its members and agreed to by Lok Sabha. Election of Vice- President:- The Vice President is elected by an Electoral College Consisting of the members of both the Houses of Parliament. Powers and Functions:- 1. The Vice – President is the Ex- officio chairman of the Rajya Sabha. He regulates the debates and proceedings of the House and decides the order of speeches. He can adjourn the House in case of grave disorder. 2. The Vice – President may take over the office of President Under the Following situation:- a) Death of President b) Resignation of President c) Removal of President The Prime Minister of India:- A. Appointment of the Prime Minister:- The Prime Minister is appointed by the President and the other minister are appointed by the president on the advice of the Prime Minister. B. Position and Power of the Prime Ministers. Prime Minister and the President:- 1. The Prime Minister is the Link between cabinet and the President. 2. The Prime Minister keeps the president informed on all matters of government. 3. In appointing and removing high officials the President always acts on the advice of Prime minister. Prime Minister and the Cabinet:- 1. The President appoints Ministers and allocates work among them on the advice of prime Minister. 2. Prime Minister’s resignation means the resignation of Entire Council of ministers. 3. The Prime Minister Presides at Cabinet meetings and decides the agenda of meeting. Prime Ministers as Leader of the Nation:- The Prime Minister is the recognized leader of the Nation. The Nation Looks to the Prime Minister for views on every subject.Countrymen expect leadership from him/her. Council of Ministers:- It consists of all categories of Ministers Cabinet Ministers, Minister of state and Deputy Ministers. Powers and Functions of Council of Ministers:- 1. Formulation of Policies: - The Cabinet Formulates External and Domestic policies of government such as defense, economic reforms and formulation of new state. 2. Financial Responsibilities: - The Cabinet is Responsible for the Expenditures of the Government and raising necessary revenues to meet it. 3. Legislative Functions:- I. The Cabinet Prepares the President’s special address to the Parliament. II. In the matter of issuing Ordinances, the President acts on the advice of Ministers. III. The cabinet may move an amendment to the constitution. Ministerial Responsibility:- The Principal of Ministerial Responsibility has two dimensions. A. Collective Responsibility B. Individual Responsibility. The council of Ministers is Collectively Responsible to the Lok Sabha or to the House of People. The Ministers are Individually responsible to the Head of the state . The Ministers can be dismissed by the President for their undesirable activities. Methods by which Parliament Ensures Ministerial Responsibility 1. Moving an Adjournment Motion for Discussing Important matter. 2. Moving cut motions when the financial matters are under Consideration. 3. Moving censure Motion against an Individual Ministers for their Failures. 4. Moving a No Confidence motion which is moved by a member or Leader of opposition. Activity:- Identify the Following picture and write its significance in History. Questions and Answers: Questions:- 1. What is the term of office of the President of India? 2. Who administers the Oath of office to the President? 3. On what grounds may the President of India be removed from office? 4. Mention any one judicial Power of the President of India? 5. What are the two executive Powers of the president of India? 6. What are the two Legislative Powers of the President of India? 7. What are the Legislative functions of the union council of Ministers? 8. Discuss the Powers and functions of vice president of India? Answers:- 1. The president holds office for a term of five years and is eligible for re-election. 2. The chief justice of India administers the oath of the office to the President. 3. The president may be removed from office by impeachment in case of violation of the constitution. The resolution to impeach the president may be moved in either house of parliament. 4. No criminal proceedings can start against the President in any court during the term of office. 5. The Executive Powers are laid down under the following heads:- 1. Head of the Union Government: - All Executive orders are issued in the name of the President. 2. Formation of Council of Ministers: - The Prime Minister is to be appointed by the President and the other Ministers are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. 6. The two Legislative Powers are:- 1. The President the power to summon and prorogue the Houses of Parliament and to dissolve the Lok Sabha. 2. The President nominates 12 members to the Rajya Sabha and can also nominate two members of the Anglo- Indian community to Lok Sabha. 7. The Legislative Powers of the Cabinet are:- 1. The Cabinet Prepares the President’s special address to the Parliament. 2. In the matter of issuing Ordinances, the President acts on the advice of Ministers. 3. The cabinet may move an amendment to the constitution. 8. The Power and Functions of Vice – President of India are:- 1. The Vice – President is the Ex- office chairman of the Rajya Sabha. He regulates the debates and proceedings of the House and decides the order of speeches. He can adjourn the House in case of grave order. 2. The Vice – President may take over the office of President Under the Following situation:- a) Death of President b) Resignation of President c) Removal of President Questions:- 1. Mention any four methods by which the parliament ensures ministerial responsibility? 2. What is the Crime Minister’s role as Leader of the Nation? 3. Who has the Power to dissolve the Lok Sabha? 4. How can the Vice- President the remove from office?.