LAW OF THE GEORGIAN SSR on the Council of Ministers of the Georgian SSR of 21 Decem­ber 1978.

General provisions

Article 1. The Council of Ministers of the Georgian SSR, i.e. the government of the Georgian SSR, is the highest executive and administrative body of state authority of the Georgian SSR.

Article 3. The council of Ministers of the Georgian SSR Shall:

ensure observance of the Constitutions of the USSR and the Georgian SSR, the laws of the USSR and other decisions of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and its Presidium, the laws of the Georgina SSR and other decisions of the Supreme Soviet of the Georgian SSR, execute the decrees and ordinances of the Council of Ministers of the USSR;

support the implementation of the jurisdiction of the USSR on the territory of the Georgian SSR, execute the decisions of the organs supreme state authority and administration of the USSR.

(…)

Article 4. The rule of forming of the Council of Ministers of the Georgian SSR. Composition of the Council of Ministers of the Georgian SSR.

The Supreme Soviet of the Georgian SSR shall form the Council of Ministers of the Georgian SSR consisting of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, the First Deputy of the Chairman and Vice-chairmen, the ministers of the Georgian SSR, the Chairmen of the state committees of the Georgina SSR.

The Chairmen of the Councils of Ministers of Autonomous Republics of Abkhazia and Adjara shall be ex officio members of the Council of Ministers of the Georgian SSR.

(…)

II. The competence of the Council of Ministers of the Georgian SSR

Article 6.

The Council of ministers of the Georgian SSR, when necessary, may render the right on deciding the certain matters under its competence to the Councils of Ministers of the Abkhaz and Adjarian ASSR, the executive committee of Soviets of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous oblast district and city executive committees of the soviets of People’s Deputies (the cities of republican subordination) and other organs of state administration subordinate to it.

Article 19. Relation of the Council of Ministers of the Georgian SSR with the Council of Ministers of the Abkhaz ASSR and the Council of ministers  of Adjarian ASSR.

The Council of Ministers of the Georgian SSR shall direct and exercise control over the work of the Council of Ministers of the Abkhaz ASSR and the Council of Ministers of the Adjarian ASSR 

The Council of Ministers of the Abkhaz ASSR and the Council of Ministers of Adjarian ASSR shall participate in decision-making of the matters under the jurisdiction of the Georgian SSR.

The Council of Ministers of the Abkhaz ASSR and the Council of Ministers of the Adjarian ASSR shall submit the proposals to the Council of Ministers of the Georgian SSR on the matters that are subject of decision of the Government of the Georgian SSR.

For the purpose of execution of the plans of social and economic development, as well as of the All-Union and republican programs, the Council of Ministers of the Georgian SSR shall secure the necessary coordination between the Councils of Ministers of the Abkhaz ASSR and Adjarian ASSR, and the Ministries and state committees of the Georgian SSR and subordinate organs.

The Council of Ministers of the Georgian SSR, within the limits of its competence, has the right to suspend execution of the orders and decisions of the Councils of Ministers of the Abkhaz ASSR and Adjarian ASSR.

Article 20. Relation of the Council of Ministers of the Georgian SSR with the executive committees of the Local Soviets of the people’s Deputies.

The Council of Ministers of the Georgian SSR, within the limits of its competence, has the right to revoke the decisions and ordinances of the Executive Committee of the Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast and executive committees of the district and city (republican subordination) Soviets of People’s Deputies.

The Council of Ministers of the Georgian SSR shall approve the Regulations of the Departments and Offices of the local soviets of the people’s Deputies.

(…)

21 December 1978

(The Book of Georgian Laws, Vol. I. Tbilisi, 1985, p. 233-251)