The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is a non-constitutional body, still, it has wielded immense decision-making powers. Discuss the advantages and issues associated with it, in the context of India.

In India’s Polity, the PMO is a non-constitutional body, and along with a “Kitchen Cabinet”, it is often called the real government, because of the immense decision-making powers that it wields. There are both pros and cons for such high powers.

Advantages of immense powers with PMO:

• With fewer members involved in discussions, the decision-making process becomes quicker and faster.
• More efficient functioning because of the closed and discreet nature of PMO.
• It maintains the discrete and secretive nature of works of national importance.
• It can involve outside experts/close members, not traditionally part of the cabinet.

Disadvantages:

• It bypasses the constitutional body. As the cabinet is the elected body for top decision-making, it should be responsible for the main decision-making.
• Role of outsiders in governance without accountability to the people.
• The concentration of powers in a single body instead of a large body of cabinet ministers.

Thus, there is a need for decentralization of powers from PMO to organs like the cabinet and council of Ministers.

Topics: GS-II: Functions and Responsibilities of the Union and the States • GS-II: Major Issues Pertaining to Federal Structure