(a) (i) The Prime Minister is the channel of communication between the Cabinet and the President. He conveys Cabinet’s decisions to the President, and keeps him informed of all matters of the government, national or foreign.
(ii) The Prime Minister advises the President to summon and prorogue the sessions of the Parliament, and to dissolve the Lok Sabha.
(iii) The Prime Minister advises the President in appointing or removing the High officials.
(b) There is no provision for categories of Ministers in the Indian Constitution but as per old practice there are four categories of Ministers :
(i) Cabinet Ministers : They are the most important members of the Council of Ministers. They are usually senior leaders, have a right to attend Cabinet meetings and participate in the decision making. They hold important portfolios like Home, External Affairs, Railways, Defence, Finance, etc.
(ii) Ministers of State : They do not have independent charge of Ministry, they do not attend Cabinet meetings until invited to do so. But as per recent practice some of them are entrusted with independent charge.
(iii) Deputy Ministers : They have to help senior Ministers. They do not attend Cabinet meetings, unless specially invited.
(iv) Parliamentary Secretaries : They assist the Ministers in the Parliament.
(c) (i) The sessions of the Parliament are summoned by the President on the advice of the Cabinet. The initiative in this matter is taken by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs. The Cabinet decides dates for holding sessions and for proroguing the Parliament.
(ii) The special address that the President delivers to the Parliament is prepared by the Cabinet and the President simply reads it.
(iii) The Cabinet gets the bills drafted. The members of the Council of Ministers introduce, explain and defend the bills in the Parliament and get them passed.
(iv) The President issues ordinances at the instance of the Cabinet.
