For better government?

Neither fresh blood nor youth has been inducted into the council of ministers

It is hard to see how many will be impressed with the changes brought about in the Union council of ministers on Wednesday. While there might be in this round of chopping and changing by the Prime Minister some immediate justification for a few changes, it is not quite clear if the new look gives the government an image makeover, or infuses agents of efficiency into the system. Mr Gill has lost his portfolio for being inept, not corrupt. Retaining him in the government is, therefore, likely to be with an eye to an important constituency in Punjab, one which has generally tilted in favour of Congress's opponents. In the same category as Mr Gill’s departure from sports is the divesting of the food portfolio from the NCP supremo and agriculture minister, Mr Sharad Pawar. Mr Pawar appears to have surrendered before the inflation in food prices, and is constantly seeking to remind us that prices are not his domain. Other than the cases of Mr Gill and Mr Pawar, which resound with justification, it is hard to say if changing the portfolios of other ministers has brought in incumbents that might be noticeably better. As Cabinet reshuffles go, the present round appears to be fairly comprehensive, although in the main the exercise is confined to Congress ministers. Only the NCP among the Congress allies has been affected and changes made in respect to it cannot be deemed controversial.

Mr Pawar himself wanted to be rid of the food charge. Mr Praful Patel, who has been elevated to Cabinet level and given charge of heavy industries and public enterprises, had also once hinted he had done what he could with civil aviation and was looking for fresh challenges. On the whole, ministers from Uttar Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have done quite well for themselves, gaining either sensitive portfolios or moving up the ladder. Prospective Assembly elections are a part of the explanation. But merit has also played some part. Mr Salman Khurshid and Mr Sriprakash Jaiswal justify elevation to Cabinet rank. The former is efficient and has sufficient experience in government. The latter has the knack of winning Lok Sabha elections in a state which has been tricky for the Congress for two decades. It is noteworthy that no fresh blood has been inducted this time round. This aspect needs to be righted.

Deccan Chronicle, January 20