Letters: Pluses and minuses

With reference to the editorial, "A major expansion" (July 6) the recent Union Cabinet expansion had its pluses and minuses. For starters, it is no longer "minimum government, maximum governance" now that the number of ministers in the Cabinet is 80, just two short of the prescribed limit of 82.

There was a focus on inducting more ministers from Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, which are going to the polls in the near future.

However, the perception that shunting Smriti Irani from the human resource development ministry to the textiles ministry is a demotion for her may not be true. With a Rs 6,000-crore package planned for the textiles sector, the ministry is set to become important for the country's economy.

It is clear that Prime Minister Narendra Modi means business and his choice prevails over all else. As his government has completed two years, its time is running out to deliver on the promises it made before the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. He knows this well.

The fact that he retained the ministers helming the finance, defence, home, road transport and external affairs portfolios shows that he has full confidence in them.

The PM has sent out a strong message to his ministers that their performance is being closely monitored and they cannot afford to rest on their laurels - they have to be on their toes always.

But yes, as the editorial rightly states, contrary to expectations, ministers aged 75 or above have not been excluded from the Cabinet. This does not send a positive message about the government. It needs to be careful about making such promises and not keeping them.

Bal Govind, Noida

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