What are the Functions of the State Council of Ministers?

The Council of Ministers of a state takes all important policy decisions concerning the governance of the state. It also oversees the implementation of these decisions. Each Cabinet Minister is the head of one or more departments.

Thus, the ministers not only are the political heads but, by virtue of their being responsible for all actions of the department, assume the overall politico-administrative leadership and role.

Below the political leadership is the administrative leadership which is held by the secretary of a department who, in most cases, belongs to the IAS. Below the secretariat level organization is the directorate administration.

A directorate is generally headed by a specialist, though in a number of cases, a generalist (IAS) officer may head a directorate. The council of ministers is responsible for the functioning of all the government departments as well as the relatively autonomous corporations and agencies which are non-departmental in form.

Broadly, the Council of Ministers of a state deals with the following matters:-

1. Governor’s address to the Vidhan Sabha.

2. Any matter that the state Governor may refer to it under Clause (I) of Article 167 of the Constitution of India.

3. Any matter referred to it for consideration by the Chief Minister.

4. Proposals for fresh legislation or for amendments in the existing laws.

5. Important policy matters, including changes in the existing policies.

6. Proposals to deviate from or reverse a decision made by the previous council of ministers.

7. Matters concerning the state revenue, expenditure, investment and audit of accounts.

8. Proposals for budget, supplementary demands and advances from the Contingency Fund.

9. Important structural changes in the state administrative system.

10. Appointment of chairman and members of Public Service Commission, Board of Revenue, District and Session Judges etc.

11. State service rules.

12. Appeals made by government servants to the Governor against the orders issued by the state government on disciplinary matters.

13. Proposals to refer any matter to the Zonal Council.

14. Union-state relations.

15. Inter-state relations.

16. Proposals regarding grant of land for erection of statues.

17. Proposals involving the alienation, either temporary or permanent, by way of sale, grant or lease.

18. Any other matter which, in the view of the council of ministers, deserves its attention and warrants any decisions or action under the Constitution and the existing laws.

In addition, the council of ministers is responsible for rendering advice to the Governor on all- important state administrative matters.