Manmohan cải tổ nội các để cải thiện hình ảnh chính phủ

Manmohan set to reshuffle cabinet, improve Govt's image

HT Correspondent, Hindustan Times
New Delhi, January 18, 2011

The first ministerial reshuffle since the UPA returned to power in mid-2009 is expected to be an attempt to refurbish the image and tone up the performance of the government. As Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi finalised the changes on Tuesday, Congress sources indicated it would be a reasonably 'serious' exercise that may place many ministers in 'danger zone' while rewarding those seen as efficient.

Four major portfolios - finance, home, defence and external affairs - won't be disturbed.

Kapil Sibal, who was handed the telecom portfolio to carry out a clean-up following DMK nominee A Raja's involvement in the 2G spectrum controversy, will continue to remain in charge of the ministry.

Besides, he was likely to continue to look after HRD ministry and science and technology, where he had undertaken several initiatives.

The speculation in the Congress was, however, as many eight ministers could be in the 'danger zone'.

They include Kamal Nath (highways), Veerappa Moily (law) S Jaipal Reddy (urban development), M S Gill (sports), Virbhadra Singh (steel), Vilasrao Deshmukh (heavy industry), B K Handique (mines) and A Sai Pratap (MoS-steel).

On the other hand, the names of CP Joshi (rural development), Kanitlal Bhuria (tribal Affairs) and V Narayanasamy, figured among those who might leave the government to take up AICC work. Selja Kumari, who holds urban poverty alleviation and tourism, could be shifted to urban development in place of S Jaipal Reddy.

Salman Khurshid, minister of state (MoS-Independent charge) for minority affairs and corporate affairs could be getting promotion as the new law minister - in place of Veerappa Moily. Ajay Maken, currently MoS in home, could move to sports and youth affairs in place of Gill.

Ghulam Nabi Azad, who has health ministry, may take charge of parliamentary affairs.

Another MoS (independent) Srikant Jena may become the Cabinet minister, ending the "injustice" of not giving him the Cabinet position despite enjoying a similar rank in previous governments.

TR Baalu, as DMK nominee, is expected to fill the place of A Raja, as his party is seeking the shipping ministry.

The portfolio is held by Congress nominee GK Vasan, who may get another ministry or shift to Tamil Nadu as PCC chief ahead of the state polls.

Another UPA ally, the Trinamool Congress, nominated Sudip Bandhopadhayay to be MoS and was eyeing the steel ministry to fill up the six ministerial berths promised to Mamata Banerjee in 2009.

Also, there was talk of agriculture minister Sharad Pawar might shed consumer affairs, one of the three portfolios he has. If he does, Praful Patel - who is heading the civil aviation ministry at present - may get Cabinet rank.

Among the new faces from the Congress, Keshava Rao figured to give the Telangana face in the Cabinet and handle the crisis over the demand for a separate state.

Similarly, Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari, Ashwani Kumar and Pawan Singh Ghatowar, who are from Punjab and Assam where elections are due, were also said to be in the reckoning.

 

Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/cabinet-reshuffle-today-eight-ministers-in-the-danger-zone/article1-651929.aspx