Prelims: Polity-State Executive, Deputy CM
Mains: Structure, Organization and Functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary , Ministries and Departments of the Government
Why in News ?
The Supreme Court dismissed a petition challenging the appointment of Deputy Chief Ministers in States on the ground that no such position exists in the Constitution.
About:
About Deputy CM :
- Constitutional provisions- Deputy CM is a political post, and it’s not a constitutional post like Vice President of India.
- Origin – to the post of Deputy Prime Minister which was appointed in 1947 post-independence, Sardar Vallabhai Patel is the first Deputy PM of India.
- This led to the development of post of Deputy CM in India.
- Appointment and removal- The appointment and removal of Deputy CM is entirely at the discretion of Chief Minister.
- Chief Minister can appoint more than one Deputy CM.
- For example: Maharashtra has two Deputy CMs and Andhra Pradesh has five Deputy CMs.
- Tenure – There is no fixed tenure as Chief Minister may reshuffle the portfolio or remove a deputy CM at any point of time.
- Rank- Deputy CM rank is equivalent to the rank of cabinet minister in the state, and has same pays and perks as Cabinet Minister.
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- Anugrah Narayan Sinha from Bihar was the first leader to hold the post of deputy CM post-Independence.
Deputy Prime Minister
- Deputy Prime Minister is the second highest ranking minister of the Union Council of Ministers, which is not a constitutional post.
- The first and longest served Deputy PM of Independent India is Sardar Vallabhai Patel.
- Since 1947, India has 7 deputy PMs, of which none having at least one full term.
- Lal Krishna Advani was the seventh and last person to serve as the Deputy PM of India.
