THE COUNCIL OF PEOPLE’S COMMISSARS
37. The Council of People’s Commissars is intrusted with the
general management of the affairs of the Russian Socialist
Federal Soviet Republic.
38. For the accomplishment of this task the Council of People’s
Commissars issues decrees, resolutions, orders, and, in
general, takes all steps necessary for the proper and rapid
conduct of government affairs.
39. The Council of People’s Commissars notifies immediately the
All-Russian Central Executive Committee of all its orders and
resolutions.
40. The All-Russian Central Executive Committee has the right
to revoke or suspend all orders and resolutions of the Council
of People’s Commissars.
41. All orders and resolutions of the Council of People’s
Commissars of great political significance are referred for
consideration and final approval to the All-Russian Central
Executive Committee.
_Note_: Measures requiring immediate execution may be enacted
directly by the Council of People’s Commissars.
42. The members of the Council of People’s Commissars stand at
the head of the various People’s Commissariats.
43. There are seventeen People’s Commissars: (_a_) Foreign
Affairs, (_b_) Army, (_c_) Navy, (_d_) Interior, (_e_) Justice,
(_f_) Labor, (_g_) Social Welfare, (_h_) Education, (_i_) Post
and Telegraph, (_j_) National Affairs, (_k_) Finances, (_l_)
Ways of Communication, (_m_) Agriculture, (_n_) Commerce and
Industry, (_o_) National Supplies, (_p_) State Control, (_q_)
Supreme Soviet of National Economy, (_r_) Public Health.
44. Every Commissar has a Collegium (Committee) of which he is
the President, and the members of which are appointed by the
Council of People’s Commissars.
45. A People’s Commissar has the individual right to decide
on all questions under the jurisdiction of his Commissariat,
and he is to report on his decision to the Collegium. If
the Collegium does not agree with the Commissar on some
decisions, the former may, without stopping the execution of
the decision, complain of it to the executive members of the
Council of People’s Commissars or to the All-Russian Central
Executive Committee.
Individual members of the Collegium have this right also.
46. The Council of People’s Commissars is entirely responsible
to the All-Russian Congress of Soviets and the All-Russian
Central Executive Committee.
47. The People’s Commissars and the Collegia of the People’s
Commissariats are entirely responsible to the Council of
People’s Commissars and the All-Russian Central Executive
Committee.
48. The title of People’s Commissar belongs only to the members
of the Council of People’s Commissars, which is in charge
of general affairs of the Russian Socialist Federal Soviet
Republic, and it cannot be used by any other representative of
the Soviet power, either central or local.