The Vice President of India: Role, Powers, and the Case for Executive Authority

Introduction

The Vice President of India holds a significant constitutional position, serving as the second-highest office in the country. The role is primarily ceremonial and legislative, with the Vice President acting as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and stepping in as the Acting President when required. However, compared to the President and Prime Minister, the Vice President has limited executive powers.

This article explores the constitutional role of the Vice President, analyzes the extent of their influence in the Indian political system, and debates whether the office should be vested with greater executive authority.

Constitutional Role of the Vice President

The office of the Vice President is defined by Articles 63 to 71 of the Indian Constitution. The key functions include:

1. Ex-Officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha

• The Vice President presides over the upper house and is responsible for ensuring parliamentary discipline and decorum.
  
  
• Plays a crucial role in regulating debates, maintaining order, and making final rulings on parliamentary procedures.
  
  
• Cannot vote on matters in the House but can cast a deciding vote in case of a tie.

2. Acting President of India

• Under Article 65, the Vice President serves as the Acting President in the event of the President’s absence, resignation, removal, or death.
  
  
• However, this is a temporary role until a new President is elected within six months.

3. Limited Executive Functions

• Unlike the President, who acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers, the Vice President does not possess executive authority.
  
  
• The position is largely ceremonial and does not interfere in day-to-day governance.

4. Election and Removal Process

• The Vice President is elected through an electoral college consisting of Members of Parliament (MPs) from both houses.
  
  
• Can be removed through a resolution passed by the Rajya Sabha and agreed upon by the Lok Sabha (Article 67).

Influence of the Vice President in Indian Politics

While the Vice President does not wield significant executive power, the office has been historically influential in parliamentary proceedings.

1. Role in Strengthening Parliamentary Democracy

• Acts as a neutral presiding officer in the Rajya Sabha, ensuring that debates remain constructive and orderly.
  
  
• Several Vice Presidents, such as Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, M. Hidayatullah, and Venkaiah Naidu, have upheld high standards of parliamentary conduct.

2. As a Successor to the President

• In instances where the President is unable to discharge duties, the Vice President ensures continuity in governance.
  
  
• Example: V.V. Giri became Acting President after Zakir Husain’s sudden demise in 1969.

3. Political Symbolism and Influence

• The Vice President, though not directly involved in policymaking, holds symbolic authority in representing the upper house of Parliament.
  
  
• Often engages in diplomatic visits and ceremonial functions.

Should the Vice President Have More Executive Powers?

There is an ongoing debate on whether the Vice President’s limited role should be expanded to include more executive responsibilities. Let’s examine both perspectives.

Arguments in Favor of More Executive Powers

1. Enhancing Legislative-Executive Coordination
   
   
   • The Vice President, as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, interacts closely with members from various political parties.
     
     
   • Granting them some executive powers could improve legislative-executive cooperation.
     
     
2. Strengthening Governance in Case of Presidential Vacancy
   
   
   • Currently, the Vice President serves as the Acting President only temporarily.
     
     
   • Providing greater executive authority would allow them to handle emergencies effectively.
     
     
3. More Involvement in Policy Decisions
   
   
   • The Vice President could be included in key policy discussions, particularly on matters related to legislative affairs and governance.
     
     
   • This could help bridge the gap between the executive and legislature.
     
     
4. Global Precedents
   
   
   • In countries like the United States, the Vice President has more active executive roles, often advising the President and influencing government policies.
     
     
   • A similar approach could be explored in India.

Arguments Against Expanding Executive Powers

1. Conflict with the Parliamentary System
   
   
   • India follows a parliamentary democracy, where the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers wield executive authority.
     
     
   • Giving the Vice President executive powers could create overlapping jurisdictions and governance conflicts.
     
     
2. Threat to Political Neutrality
   
   
   • The Vice President, as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, is expected to be impartial.
     
     
   • Granting executive powers might politicize the office, leading to bias in parliamentary proceedings.
     
     
3. Already an Effective System in Place
   
   
   • The current limited role of the Vice President has worked effectively for decades.
     
     
   • There is no urgent need to alter the existing balance of power.
     
     
4. Potential Constitutional Amendments Required
   
   
   • Expanding the Vice President’s role would require major amendments to the Constitution.
     
     
   • Any such move could lead to political debates and resistance from different stakeholders.

Possible Reforms Without Granting Executive Powers

While granting more executive authority to the Vice President is debatable, some reforms can be considered to make the role more impactful:

1. Expanding Advisory Roles

• The Vice President can be given a greater advisory role in governance, particularly in parliamentary affairs.
  
  
• Could act as a bridge between the President, Prime Minister, and Rajya Sabha.

2. Strengthening Role in Parliamentary Reforms

• The Vice President could be actively involved in modernizing parliamentary procedures.
  
  
• Example: Promoting digital initiatives, better time management, and decorum in debates.

3. Increased Involvement in Constitutional Matters

• The Vice President could be included in constitutional review committees.
  
  
• This would enhance their influence in governance without disrupting the executive structure.

4. Representing India in Global Forums

• The Vice President could take on greater diplomatic responsibilities, representing India in international legislative bodies.

Conclusion

The Vice President of India plays a pivotal role in the parliamentary system, particularly as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and the Acting President when necessary. However, their role remains largely ceremonial with no direct executive powers.

While some argue that granting more executive powers could enhance governance, doing so may disrupt the balance of power in India’s parliamentary democracy. Instead, reforms such as increased advisory roles, active involvement in parliamentary reforms, and diplomatic representation could make the Vice President’s office more effective without altering its fundamental nature.

Thus, while the Vice President should continue to play a vital role in India’s political landscape, the current division of powers within the Indian Constitution remains well-structured for maintaining stability and governance efficiency.