Reshuffle of central Ministries.

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Rahul Takes Poll Position
In UPA 2’s Biggest Reshuffle, 22 Ministers Take Oath, 17 Of Them New Inductions
Fuels Rise Of Youth Brigade With Eye To ’14
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s “last reshuffle” of his ministry, effected on Sunday, carries the first unmistakable sign of Rahul Gandhi’s ascendancy in Congress affairs.
With his choices occupying centre stage in the exercise, UPA’s biggest-ever, the Congress’s pedigreed “younger set” championed by Rahul have secured elevations and key positions. Jyotiraditya Scindia, Sachin Pilot, Manish Tewari, Jitendra Singh and Bharatsinh Solanki have all been assigned independent charge of ministries while Ajay Maken has been promoted to Cabinet rank. Taken together, the upgrades suggest a vote of confidence in them and a new desire to experiment.
They certainly don’t owe their preoccupation with politics to the Congress scion. However, the focus on them has been widely ascribed to Rahul’s growing involvement in the government’s affairs and not without reason. According to sources, this was the first time Rahul cast aside his aloofness to discuss the changes with the PM. The role he played in the boost for Pallam Raju is not known. But with his influence looming large, Rahul was the one who got credited for the sudden propulsion of the low-profile minister of state for defence into the big league as Cabinet minister for HRD.
Coming amid strong indications that the Congress scion may soon be designated as secretary general or working president of Congress, the changes appear to mark the beginning of a generational shift in the graying old party, which has been notoriously status quoist, while putting the party in battle mode for the 2014 polls. The preference for youth has brought down the average age of the Cabinet. At 48, Maken is the youngest Cabinet minister, while 50-year-old Raju is the youngest HRD minister in recent memory. Even Salman Khurshid, who is 59, looks youthful compared to his ripened predecessors — SM Krishna, Pranab Mukherjee and Natwar Singh.
PM: Rahul opted to strengthen party
Well, I have already
mentioned a number of times that I will be happy if he joins the cabinet, but he has other preoccupations. He wants to strengthen the party,” was the refrain of PM Manmohan Singh when asked about Rahul Gandhi. In Bhopal, Digvijay Singh told reporters to wait till the party reshuffle when asked why Gandhi was not inducted in the ministry.
POLITICAL MESSAGE
Rahul Gandhi’s imprint seen in elevation of ministers like Pallam Raju, Sachin Pilot, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Ajay Maken and the induction of Manish Tewari
Changes in Cong’s organization can be expected to follow, with Rahul Gandhi assuming more hands-on responsibilities. Ambika Soni and Mukul Wasnik to get key assignments. Younger faces can get greater prominence too
PM banks on new ministers for crucial portfolios such as petroleum, railways, power & corporate affairs Kamal Nath to help battle oppn storm
In terms of its sweep, nearly a third of Singh’s Cabinet colleagues — 10 out of 32 — have been affected by the changes on Sunday.
Besides Rahul’s imprint, the exercise also reflects the PM’s desire to repair his legacy by focusing on infrastructure ministries in the last stretch of his second innings, as well as his desire to pitch in for his favourites. Kamal Nath, Pawan Bansal, Ashwani Kumar and Khurshid have all fared well.
If they got a boost, the shocker of the package was reserved for S Jaipal Reddy who was moved from the high-profile petroleum ministry to a relatively obscure science and technology. The change, especially the degree of it, came as a surprise, and was seen as an “insult” by the supporters of the affable minister. Coming against the backdrop of the ministry’s pushback under Reddy against the influence of business interests in the sector, it raised eyebrows too.
It also did not square up with the PM’s focus on infrastructure ministries as reflected in Jyotiraditya Scindia being assigned independent charge of the power ministry, which has languished through UPA’s two terms. Bansal’s appointment as railway minister is seen as an effort to align the key transport sector with the PM’s fresh focus on reforms.
Bansal is the first fulltime Cabinet minister belonging to Congress to hold charge of railways after C K Jaffer Sharief in 1995. His choice puts an end to the east’s domination of railways beginning 1996, and more than compensates the Chandigarh MP for the loss of the ministries of water resources and parliamentary affairs.
In terms of representation from states, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Punjab, West Bengal and Gujarat have done well. However, in a glaring oversight, those in charge failed to ensure even a single representation for the entire eastern and northeastern region, which together make up for 142 Lok Sabha seats, in the Cabinet.
Khurshid’s appointment as external affairs minister marks a rebuff to allegations of impropriety against him and clears the way for the first Muslim to be part of the Cabinet Committee on Security in 22 years, after Mufti Mohammad Sayeed served as home minister under V P Singh.
Urban development minister Kamal Nath has been given parliamentary affairs as added responsibility in a season where every senior colleague holding dual charge saw his portfolios trimmed: something that reflects recognition of the difficulties that government will face in the winter session as well as the belief that the politically networked minister can help blunt opposition’s resistance to crucial legislations.
Ashwani Kumar, known for the trust PM puts in him, has been promoted to Cabinet rank and given charge of the law ministry. The leg-up for the vocal Supreme Court lawyer, who has played a valiant defence attorney for the government, completes what Congress circles called the “golden run” for the Punjab region. Bansal and Tewari, members of Lok Sabha from Chandigarh and Ludhiana respectively, are the other members of the lucky set.
However, in representation of states, it is Andhra Pradesh which has got the pole position. Besides Raju’s promotion, four MPs from the state — Chiranjeevi (independent charge), Suryaprakash Reddy, Sarvey Satyanarayana, P Balaram Naik, Kruparani Killi (all MoS) — have been inducted. With Sunday’s additions, the state’s headcount in the council of ministers has reached 10, excluding Jairam Ramesh who, while from Karnataka, has been elected to Rajya Sabha from the state.
The induction of Shashi Tharoor — a comeback given that he had to leave because of controversy — and K Suresh brings Kerala’s share in the council of ministers to eight.
Three MoSs — Adhir Chowdhury, A H Ghani Khan Chowdhury and Deepa Dasmunsi — have been appointed from West Bengal in a clear attempt to help Congress stand without Trinamool’s crutches. Adhir has been given charge of railways and, given the history of confrontation with Mamata Banerjee, is sure to take the credit for the schemes launched for West Bengal when Trinamool held the portfolio of railways. Promotions for Dinshaw Patel and Bharatsinh Solanki can be linked to next month’s polls in their home state of Gujarat.


WHO’S ON THE FAST TRACK...



SALMAN KHURSHID | EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Enters big league with a seat in the Cabinet committee on security. First Muslim in CCS after Mufti Sayeed in 1989. Elevation also read as a shift from sensitive law ministry after recent controversies



M M PALLAM RAJU | HRD
Big boost for Kakinada MP as he goes from MoS to Cabinet rank. An engineer by training, he can tweak or rework long-frozen bills on regulation and accreditation



K CHIRANJEEVI | IND CHARGE TOURISM
Southern mega movie star expected to play stellar role in Cong’s campaign in Andhra. Gets a profile after a long wait post-merger with Cong



JYOTIRADITYA SCINDIA | IND CHARGE POWER A vote of confi dence in the Harvard & Stanford trained politician who handled commerce & industry competently as MoS. Crucial role as power is a major policy hurdle



PAWAN BANSAL | RAILWAYS Soft spoken and diligent, his task will be to improve railway fi nances and focus on core areas. Will have to move quickly on reforms that were blocked so far by Trinamool



SACHIN PILOT | IND CHARGE CORPORATE AFFAIRS Grows in stature as he gets a portfolio that is awaiting passage of important legislation like comprehensive revision of Companies Act



MANISH TEWARI | IND CHARGE I&B Hard-working Cong spokesperson, rewarded for fi refighting operations ranging from 2G to Coalgate. Has good legal acumen, equation with media



KAMAL NATH | PARL AFFAIRS & URBAN DEVELOPMENT The parliament portfolio gives this street-smart leader a political role in networking with allies and opposition parties with whom he shares a good rapport



VEERAPPA MOILY
PETROLEUM This is the third change in a short while for the former Karnataka CM. He bounced back after losing law when he got power. Now he has staged a full recovery, proving his utility for the leadership



ASHWANI KUMAR | LAW Close to PM Manmohan Singh, gets a key job with government facing challenges in court over Coalgate and other policy issues



SHASHI THAROOR | MOS HRD The savvy former UN diplomat makes a comeback after being out in the cold after a brush with controversy regarding an IPL franchise. He will have to mind his tweets though



...WHO HIT THE SKIDS



S JAIPAL REDDY
SCIENCE & TECH Moved out of petroleum allegedly for obstructing corporate interests. The move hurt the credibility of the reshuffle as Reddy is seen to be a clean leader who held lobbies at bay



SUBODH KANT SAHAY
The tourism minister was dropped for lobbying for a coal contract for a firm in which his brother had an interest. Big setback for the one time protege of socialist leader Chandrashekhar



C P JOSHI | ROADS & SURFACE TRANSPORT
Expected to retain railways, but lost the additional charge. Did his simmering rivalry with Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot trip him up?



KAPIL SIBAL | TELECOM
An important minister, but not considered for MEA. Seen to have got stuck in a rut over education bills opposed by UPA and opposition



Kamal Nath has been given parliamentary affairs as added responsibility in a season where every senior colleague holding dual charge saw his portfolios trimmed










Rahul Takes Poll Position
In UPA 2’s Biggest Reshuffle, 22 Ministers Take Oath, 17 Of Them New Inductions
Fuels Rise Of Youth Brigade With Eye To ’14
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s “last reshuffle” of his ministry, effected on Sunday, carries the first unmistakable sign of Rahul Gandhi’s ascendancy in Congress affairs.
With his choices occupying centre stage in the exercise, UPA’s biggest-ever, the Congress’s pedigreed “younger set” championed by Rahul have secured elevations and key positions. Jyotiraditya Scindia, Sachin Pilot, Manish Tewari, Jitendra Singh and Bharatsinh Solanki have all been assigned independent charge of ministries while Ajay Maken has been promoted to Cabinet rank. Taken together, the upgrades suggest a vote of confidence in them and a new desire to experiment.
They certainly don’t owe their preoccupation with politics to the Congress scion. However, the focus on them has been widely ascribed to Rahul’s growing involvement in the government’s affairs and not without reason. According to sources, this was the first time Rahul cast aside his aloofness to discuss the changes with the PM. The role he played in the boost for Pallam Raju is not known. But with his influence looming large, Rahul was the one who got credited for the sudden propulsion of the low-profile minister of state for defence into the big league as Cabinet minister for HRD.
Coming amid strong indications that the Congress scion may soon be designated as secretary general or working president of Congress, the changes appear to mark the beginning of a generational shift in the graying old party, which has been notoriously status quoist, while putting the party in battle mode for the 2014 polls. The preference for youth has brought down the average age of the Cabinet. At 48, Maken is the youngest Cabinet minister, while 50-year-old Raju is the youngest HRD minister in recent memory. Even Salman Khurshid, who is 59, looks youthful compared to his ripened predecessors — SM Krishna, Pranab Mukherjee and Natwar Singh.
PM: Rahul opted to strengthen party
Well, I have already
mentioned a number of times that I will be happy if he joins the cabinet, but he has other preoccupations. He wants to strengthen the party,” was the refrain of PM Manmohan Singh when asked about Rahul Gandhi. In Bhopal, Digvijay Singh told reporters to wait till the party reshuffle when asked why Gandhi was not inducted in the ministry.
POLITICAL MESSAGE
Rahul Gandhi’s imprint seen in elevation of ministers like Pallam Raju, Sachin Pilot, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Ajay Maken and the induction of Manish Tewari
Changes in Cong’s organization can be expected to follow, with Rahul Gandhi assuming more hands-on responsibilities. Ambika Soni and Mukul Wasnik to get key assignments. Younger faces can get greater prominence too
PM banks on new ministers for crucial portfolios such as petroleum, railways, power & corporate affairs Kamal Nath to help battle oppn storm
In terms of its sweep, nearly a third of Singh’s Cabinet colleagues — 10 out of 32 — have been affected by the changes on Sunday.
Besides Rahul’s imprint, the exercise also reflects the PM’s desire to repair his legacy by focusing on infrastructure ministries in the last stretch of his second innings, as well as his desire to pitch in for his favourites. Kamal Nath, Pawan Bansal, Ashwani Kumar and Khurshid have all fared well.
If they got a boost, the shocker of the package was reserved for S Jaipal Reddy who was moved from the high-profile petroleum ministry to a relatively obscure science and technology. The change, especially the degree of it, came as a surprise, and was seen as an “insult” by the supporters of the affable minister. Coming against the backdrop of the ministry’s pushback under Reddy against the influence of business interests in the sector, it raised eyebrows too.
It also did not square up with the PM’s focus on infrastructure ministries as reflected in Jyotiraditya Scindia being assigned independent charge of the power ministry, which has languished through UPA’s two terms. Bansal’s appointment as railway minister is seen as an effort to align the key transport sector with the PM’s fresh focus on reforms.
Bansal is the first fulltime Cabinet minister belonging to Congress to hold charge of railways after C K Jaffer Sharief in 1995. His choice puts an end to the east’s domination of railways beginning 1996, and more than compensates the Chandigarh MP for the loss of the ministries of water resources and parliamentary affairs.
In terms of representation from states, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Punjab, West Bengal and Gujarat have done well. However, in a glaring oversight, those in charge failed to ensure even a single representation for the entire eastern and northeastern region, which together make up for 142 Lok Sabha seats, in the Cabinet.
Khurshid’s appointment as external affairs minister marks a rebuff to allegations of impropriety against him and clears the way for the first Muslim to be part of the Cabinet Committee on Security in 22 years, after Mufti Mohammad Sayeed served as home minister under V P Singh.
Urban development minister Kamal Nath has been given parliamentary affairs as added responsibility in a season where every senior colleague holding dual charge saw his portfolios trimmed: something that reflects recognition of the difficulties that government will face in the winter session as well as the belief that the politically networked minister can help blunt opposition’s resistance to crucial legislations.
Ashwani Kumar, known for the trust PM puts in him, has been promoted to Cabinet rank and given charge of the law ministry. The leg-up for the vocal Supreme Court lawyer, who has played a valiant defence attorney for the government, completes what Congress circles called the “golden run” for the Punjab region. Bansal and Tewari, members of Lok Sabha from Chandigarh and Ludhiana respectively, are the other members of the lucky set.
However, in representation of states, it is Andhra Pradesh which has got the pole position. Besides Raju’s promotion, four MPs from the state — Chiranjeevi (independent charge), Suryaprakash Reddy, Sarvey Satyanarayana, P Balaram Naik, Kruparani Killi (all MoS) — have been inducted. With Sunday’s additions, the state’s headcount in the council of ministers has reached 10, excluding Jairam Ramesh who, while from Karnataka, has been elected to Rajya Sabha from the state.
The induction of Shashi Tharoor — a comeback given that he had to leave because of controversy — and K Suresh brings Kerala’s share in the council of ministers to eight.
Three MoSs — Adhir Chowdhury, A H Ghani Khan Chowdhury and Deepa Dasmunsi — have been appointed from West Bengal in a clear attempt to help Congress stand without Trinamool’s crutches. Adhir has been given charge of railways and, given the history of confrontation with Mamata Banerjee, is sure to take the credit for the schemes launched for West Bengal when Trinamool held the portfolio of railways. Promotions for Dinshaw Patel and Bharatsinh Solanki can be linked to next month’s polls in their home state of Gujarat.


WHO’S ON THE FAST TRACK...



SALMAN KHURSHID | EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Enters big league with a seat in the Cabinet committee on security. First Muslim in CCS after Mufti Sayeed in 1989. Elevation also read as a shift from sensitive law ministry after recent controversies



M M PALLAM RAJU | HRD
Big boost for Kakinada MP as he goes from MoS to Cabinet rank. An engineer by training, he can tweak or rework long-frozen bills on regulation and accreditation



K CHIRANJEEVI | IND CHARGE TOURISM
Southern mega movie star expected to play stellar role in Cong’s campaign in Andhra. Gets a profile after a long wait post-merger with Cong



JYOTIRADITYA SCINDIA | IND CHARGE POWER A vote of confi dence in the Harvard & Stanford trained politician who handled commerce & industry competently as MoS. Crucial role as power is a major policy hurdle



PAWAN BANSAL | RAILWAYS Soft spoken and diligent, his task will be to improve railway fi nances and focus on core areas. Will have to move quickly on reforms that were blocked so far by Trinamool



SACHIN PILOT | IND CHARGE CORPORATE AFFAIRS Grows in stature as he gets a portfolio that is awaiting passage of important legislation like comprehensive revision of Companies Act



MANISH TEWARI | IND CHARGE I&B Hard-working Cong spokesperson, rewarded for fi refighting operations ranging from 2G to Coalgate. Has good legal acumen, equation with media



KAMAL NATH | PARL AFFAIRS & URBAN DEVELOPMENT The parliament portfolio gives this street-smart leader a political role in networking with allies and opposition parties with whom he shares a good rapport



VEERAPPA MOILY
PETROLEUM This is the third change in a short while for the former Karnataka CM. He bounced back after losing law when he got power. Now he has staged a full recovery, proving his utility for the leadership



ASHWANI KUMAR | LAW Close to PM Manmohan Singh, gets a key job with government facing challenges in court over Coalgate and other policy issues



SHASHI THAROOR | MOS HRD The savvy former UN diplomat makes a comeback after being out in the cold after a brush with controversy regarding an IPL franchise. He will have to mind his tweets though



...WHO HIT THE SKIDS



S JAIPAL REDDY
SCIENCE & TECH Moved out of petroleum allegedly for obstructing corporate interests. The move hurt the credibility of the reshuffle as Reddy is seen to be a clean leader who held lobbies at bay



SUBODH KANT SAHAY
The tourism minister was dropped for lobbying for a coal contract for a firm in which his brother had an interest. Big setback for the one time protege of socialist leader Chandrashekhar



C P JOSHI | ROADS & SURFACE TRANSPORT
Expected to retain railways, but lost the additional charge. Did his simmering rivalry with Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot trip him up?



KAPIL SIBAL | TELECOM
An important minister, but not considered for MEA. Seen to have got stuck in a rut over education bills opposed by UPA and opposition



Kamal Nath has been given parliamentary affairs as added responsibility in a season where every senior colleague holding dual charge saw his portfolios trimmed

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List of total Ministers in different segment:

• Cabinet Ministers- 17
• Ministers of State with Independent Charge- 7
• Minister of State- 20

Portfolios of the newly-elected and reshuffled ministers are mentioned below:

List with portfolio allotted of the Cabinet Ministers:

• M. Veerappa Moily- Petroleum & Natural Gas
• S. Jaipal Reddy- Science & Technology and Earth Science
• Kamal Nath- Urban Development & Parliamentary Affairs
• Vayalar Ravi- Overseas Indian Affairs
• Kapil Sibal- Communications & Information Technology
• C.P. Joshi- Road Transport & Highways
• Kumari Selja- Social Justice & Empowerment
• Pawan Kumar Bansal- Railways
• Salman Khursheed- External Affairs
• Jairam Ramesh- Rural Development
• K. Rahman Khan- Minority Affairs
• Dinsha J. Patel- Mines
• Ajay Maken- Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation
• M.M. Pallam Raju- Human Resource Development
• Ashwani Kumar- Law & Justice
• Harish Rawat- Water Resources
• Chandresh Kumari Katoch- Culture

List with portfolio allotted of the Ministers of State with Independent Charge:

• Jyotiraditya Madhavrao Scindia- Power
• K.H. Muniappa- Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises
• Bharatsinh Madhavsinh Solanki- Drinking Water & Sanitation
• Sachin Pilot- Corporate Affairs
• Jitendra Singh- Youth Affairs & Sports
• Manish Tewari- Information & Broadcasting
• K. Chiranjeevi- Tourism

List with portfolio allotted of the Ministers of State

• E. Ahamed- External Affairs
• D. Purandeswari- Commerce & Industry
• Jitin Prasada- Defence & Human Resource Development
• S. Jagathrakshakan- New & Renewable Energy
• R.P.N. Singh- Home
• K.C. Venugopal- Civil Aviation
• Rajeev Shukla- Parliamentary Affairs & Planning
• Shashi Tharoor- Human Resource Development
• Kodikunnil Suresh- Labour & Employment
• Tariq Anwar- Agriculture & Food Processing Industries
• K. J. Surya Prakash Reddy- Railways
• Ranee Narah- Tribal Affairs
• Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury- Railways
• A.H. Khan Choudhury- Health & Family Welfare
• Sarvey Sathyanarayana- Road Transport & Highways
• Ninong Ering- Minority Affairs
• Deepa Dasmunsi- Urban Development
• Porika Balram Naik- Social Justice & Empowerment
• Kruparani Killi- Communications & Information Technology
• Lalchand Kataria- Defence

Important Information

In the Article 74 of the Indian constitution it is mentioned that their shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister as its head to aid and advise the President for exercising his functions.

It is mentioned under Article 75 of the Indian constitution that the President is the person who can appoint, the Prime Minister and the other ministers shall be appointed by the President following the advice the Prime Minister.

In the 91st Amendment of Indian Constitution, insertion of Article 75 (1 A) took place and it states that total number of Ministers in the list of council of ministers including the Prime Minister shall not exceed 15 percent of the total strength of the members of Lok Sabha (House of People).