Explained: The role of a Deputy Chief Minister in the functioning of state government

What does a deputy chief minister mean in a state government?

Unlike the posts of chief minister and cabinet ministers, that of a deputy chief minister is not a constitutional post. It is equivalent to the rank of a cabinet minister (in the state) and enjoys the pay and perks that a cabinet minister is entitled to.

As the name suggests, the post is is considered as No. 2 in the hierarchy in the Council of Ministers. In undivided Punjab, there used to be deputy ministers, state ministers and cabinet ministers. But ever since Haryana was carved out of Punjab as a separate state in 1966, the practice was discontinued. Currently, there are only cabinet ministers and ministers of state, a few with independent charge and rest attached with the cabinet ministers.

What is the role of a deputy chief minister in government’s functioning?

In a state government, besides the general administration, the two top portfolios – vigilance and home – remain generally with the chief minister. The power of transfer-postings of the Class I officers also solely lies with the chief minister. Generally, the deputy CM gets a portfolio or two, as any other cabinet minister. The leading party or the one with larger numbers also tries to keep with it most important portfolios of finance and revenue, while the deputy CM, who is generally from a smaller party, may get portfolios like agriculture, sports and youth affairs, woman and child development, housing etc. The deputy CM’s actual importance depends a lot on the portfolio that is allocated to him.

Are there any specific financial powers that lie with the deputy CM?

No, the deputy CM does not enjoy any specific financial power. He also holds the same financial powers as other cabinet ministers. Even for his own portfolio, the Deputy CM has to take approval of the chief minister for any expenditure over and above the allocated budget.

Does it mean that all the official files that go to CM shall be routed through deputy CM?

No, the official files that are meant for CM are not routed through the deputy CM, neither does the latter have access to such files or decisions taken by the CM. Rather, the files pertaining to the portfolios that the deputy CM gets, are routed to the CM, through him.

In Haryana, what can be offered to deputy CM?

A deputy CM’s weight in the government is determined on the basis of the portfolios allocated to him. In the current situation in Haryana, where five cabinet ministers and one minister of state suffered defeats in the October 21 Assembly polls, a number of berths have fallen vacant. Among these a few include the portfolios of finance, revenue, excise and taxation, planning law & legislative, consolidation and rehabilitation, agriculture, development and panchayats, mines and geology, animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries, education, woman and child development, transport, housing, public works and development, and urban local bodies.