New Delhi, Jan. 21 -- It has been reported that India's power ministry wants the development of nuclear power projects brought under its ambit. This might ring alarm bells in some quarters, given that this form of energy has always been under the Department of Atomic Energy's (DAE) supervision and nuclear safety requires specialized regulation that may be beyond the power ministry's ken.

However, its demand is neither alarming nor a brazen sign of turf expansion. Article 77(3) of the Constitution lays down a key function of the President of India: "[The] President shall make rules for the more convenient transaction of the business of the Government of India, and for the allocation among Ministers of the said business."

Thus, the respon...