The Cabinet Ministry in Karnataka consists of cabinet ministers, ministers of state and deputy ministers. The Cabinet Ministry is led by the Chief Minister of the state. The Council of Ministers is called the Cabinet. The members of the Cabinet are decided by the Chief Minister.
Vidhana Soudha in Bangalore. Image source Muhammad Mahdi Karim/Augustus Binu
Power and authority in Karnataka Government
Duties of the Governor Karnataka
The Governor is the constitutional head in Karnataka. The Governor of Karnataka is appointed by the President of India for a period of five years.
The Governor is just a ceremonial head of the state. All executive actions in the state are carried out in the name of the Governor. But in reality the Governor does not have the power to take major decisions. He just gives his consent to the executive actions as decided by the Chief Minister and his Council of Ministers.
The Governor appoints the Chief Minister and his Council of Ministers. The Chief Minister is the executive head of the state in whom a great deal of legislative powers is vested. He is the elected head of the Council of Ministers. He oversees the day-to-day functioning of the state government. All major decisions in the state are taken by the Chief Minister with the support of his Council of Ministers.
Duties of the Chief Minister of Karnataka
The Chief Minister is not elected directly by the people of Karnataka. The people only elect the particular representatives from the 224 constituencies in the state. These representatives become the members of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly or the Vidhan Sabha (MLAs). One member of the Legislative Assembly is nominated by the Governor of the state to represent the Anglo-Indian community. The MLAs of the majority party that forms the government selects the Chief Minister from among them. The Governor then formally suggests a vote of confidence in the state legislature in order to establish the selection of the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister is appointed for a tenure of five years. After every five years the State Legislative Assembly is dissolved and fresh elections are held. However, the Governor has the power to terminate the tenure of the Chief Minister before the period of five years, if his party loses the confidence vote in the State Legislative Assembly.
The Council of Ministers in Karnataka
The Council of Ministers in Karnataka exercises executive authority in the state. They are the elected representatives of the people. The Council of Ministers is assisted by the Secretariat headed by a secretary to the Governor. The Chief Minister is assisted by the Chief Secretary, who is the head of the administrative services.
The Karnataka Legislative Assembly
The Karnataka Legislative Assembly consists of 224 members. It is also known as the Vidhan Sabha or the lower house. The term of the Legislative Assembly members is five years. The members of the Legislative Assembly are known as MLAs.
The main function of the Legislative Assembly is to pass laws and rules. Every bill passed by the lower house must be approved by the Governor before it can become applicable.
Strength of Ministry in Karnataka
The Government of Karnataka consists of 30 ministers. For a complete list of the Karnataka Cabinet Ministers click here.