Rajasthan Polity & Administration

Chief Minister

Chief Minister

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Concept Breakdown

Detailed technical explanation

Chief Minister

Chief Minister's appointment

According to Article 164, the Chief Minister will be appointed by the Governor and other ministers will be appointed by the Governor in consultation with the Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister can be a member of either of the two houses, if not then he will have to take membership within 6 months. Generally the Chief Minister is elected from the lower house (Legislative Assembly), but on many occasions a member of the upper house (Legislative Council) has also been appointed as the Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister is the actual head of the state.

Tenure

Generally, the tenure of the Chief Minister is 5 years or as long as he enjoys the confidence of the Assembly. Under Article 356, on the basis of failure of the constitutional machinery in the state, the Governor can dismiss the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers and recommend President's rule.

salary allowances

Salaries and allowances are determined by the state legislature.

functions and powers

The work and powers of the Chief Minister can be discussed on the basis of the following points -

To distribute tasks and departments among ministers.

To preside over the meetings of the Council of Ministers and to establish cooperation and coordination in the activities of the ministers.

He can ask any minister to resign or recommend his dismissal to the Governor.

In the event of resignation or death of the Chief Minister, the Council of Ministers automatically dissolves.

He can recommend to the Governor the dissolution of the Assembly.

The Chief Minister acts as a link between the Governor and the Council of Ministers.

Important officers (such as Advocate General, Chairman and members of the State Public Service Commission, State Election Commissioner) are appointed by the Governor in consultation with the Chief Minister.

Advises the Governor regarding calling or adjourning the session of the Legislative Assembly.

He announces government policies on the floor of the House.

The Chief Minister is the principal spokesperson of the state government.

He is the Chairman of the State Planning Board.

Assumes the post of Vice Chairman of the Regional Council.

Represents the state by participating in the meetings of the Inter-State Council (Article 263) and the National Development Council. However, they are headed by the Prime Minister.

Article related to Chief Minister in the Constitution

Article 163

There will be a Council of Ministers to aid and advise the Governor. Whose head will be the Chief Minister. Except in discretionary powers, in other matters the Governor will act as per the advice of the Chief Minister.

Article 164(1)

The Chief Minister will be appointed by the Governor and other ministers will be appointed by the Governor in consultation with the Chief Minister and the ministers will hold office during the pleasure of the Governor.

Article 167

Duties of the Chief Minister regarding giving information to the Governor etc.

fact

The first Chief Minister of Rajasthan was Hiralal Shastri.

The first elected Chief Minister was Tikaram Paliwal.

Jayanarayan Vyas was the only nominated and elected Chief Minister.

Mohanlal Sukhadia remained the Chief Minister for the longest period (four times).

India-Pakistan war (1971) took place during the time of Chief Minister Barkatullah Khan. He died during his tenure.

Emergency was imposed during the time of Chief Minister Haridev Joshi.

Bhairon Singh Shekhawat became the first non-Congress Chief Minister.

Jagannath Pahadia became the first Scheduled Caste Chief Minister.

Hira Lal Devpura remained the Chief Minister for the shortest period.

Vasundhara Raje Scindia became the first woman Chief Minister.

Presently Ashok Gehlot is the Chief Minister.

List of Chief Ministers of Rajasthan from 1947 till now:

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Topic Quiz Practice

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Question 1

Identify the correct group of persons who were the Chief Ministers of Rajasthan twice during the eighties (1980 to 1989):

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