Discuss the evolution and changing role of the prime minister's office.
Answers
Prime Minister is described by several students of Indian politics and government in different ways going by the role he/she plays in the exercise of his authority as the head of the government. It is known that the P M supervises the entire work and functioning of the council of ministers and provides guidance and direction to the ministries and departments of the government as and when required by them or as and when he feels they require his intervention. For example, the commandments issued by the prime minister, Narendra Modi, to his colleagues on the purpose and perspectives of government and governance, goal driven governance, people oriented governance, avoiding feudal culture and review of ministers’ performance on regular basis of 100 days , to begin with aare the indicators of the authority attached with the office of the Prime Minister. He can act as the presidential head if he/she so chooses or is so capable of is the message of the actions and decisions taken by him in the first 15 days of his premiership beginning from 26th May, 2014.The P M presides over the meetings of the cabinet and several committees of the cabinet responsible for decision making in the defined areas of governance. He also exercises control and asserts by way of coordinating and monitoring policies through the secretaries of the government of India or the Prime Minister’s Office or the cabinet secretariat and several policy advisory committees/groups or commissions constitutes by him for the purpose. Cohesive decision making by making it almost mandatory for all important policy matters to be decided or cleared by him become imperative. The overall overseeing of the policies by the prime minister helps reduce or minimize any policy flip- flop and cut delays. The decision of the prime minister to reduce the levels involved in decision making to four is another example of reiteration of the prime minister’s role in ushering in administrative reforms including the procedural ones. He made it very clear that the decisions shall be taken by the ministers in the knowledge or with the approval of the Prime minister and that GOM or EGOMs approach is being dispensed with was declared by the 15th Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi.. That he has the authority to call for any files which has policy implication also refer to the same role and function of the prime minister vis-avis the ministers.. Thus crucial decisions may carry the stamp of the authority vested in him and specified in the general rules of transaction of business. The policy initiative may be had through the following committees/ councils constituted by the P M for the purpose of formulation, advice, monitoring and evaluation of policies in different sectors relating to the economy, society and the world.:
Prime Minister’s national Council on Skill Development: The council is concerned with(1) the laying down overall broad policy objectives, financing and governance models and strategies relating to skill development; (2) reviewing the progress of schemes and guide on mid-course corrections, addition and closure of parts or whole of any particular programme/scheme and (3) coordination of public/private sector initiatives in a framework of collaborative action.
Similarly, the Prime Minister constituted another very important committee under his chairmanship in the energy sector policy area with ministers of Finance, Power, Petroleum and natural Gas, Coal and non-conventional Energy Sources, Deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, National Security Advisor, Cabinet Secretary, Principal Secretary to the PM as members. The committee is serviced by the P M O and Energy division in the Planning Commission facilitates any policy analysis required by the committee. The committee coordinates preparatory work on Energy policy and security issues; Identifies key areas requiring energy policy initiatives so that the overall objectives of economic development, energy security and energy efficiency are met; monitors vulnerabilities that directly impinge on energy security aspects and outlines the follow-up action needed for implementing identified policy priorities.
Prime Minister is the chairman of Biofuel Coordination Committee whose members include deputy chairman of the planning commission, and the ministers of New and renewable Energy, Rural Development, Agriculture, Environment and Forests, Petroleum and natural Gas and of the Ministry of Science and technology. This committee is one the high powered inter ministerial coordination and review.