Performance rewarded in Cabinet reshuffle: Jaitley

The allocation of responsibilities in the latest Cabinet reshuffle has been done on the basis of performance and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a new benchmark of accountability, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Sunday.

"The appointments that have been made in the Cabinet proves the Prime Minister has set a new benchmark of accountability. All the ministers and departments are constantly monitored, and he (Modi) knows who can give a good performance," Jaitley told reporters after the Cabinet reshuffle in the morning.

"New people with good administrative experience have been brought in. These are people who joined BJP after retiring, I am sure their tenure will be successful," he said.

Modi inducted nine new faces in the Cabinet including four former bureaucrats, and elevated four Ministers of State to the Cabinet.

Also, six ministers were asked to resign just ahead of the government rejig.

Jaitley said that it was clear that the Prime Minister is "closely monitoring the performance of each ministry and each individual" and made his decisions accordingly.

Jaitley was holding the additional portfolio of Defence after Manohar Parrikar went out to become Chief Minister of Goa in March this year. Defence was given to Nirmala Sitharaman, who is one of the four ministers to be elevated to Cabinet rank.

--IANS

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