The proposed reshuffle of the Union Cabinet which is to take place on Sunday will have some new faces. Given his IIT background and clean image, former Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parikar, who is likely to take over the charge of Defence Ministry is right choice. This portfolio is currently being looked after by Finance Minister Arun Jaitely. Keeping in view the changing security scenario and the developments taking place, the country cannot afford to have divided attention and needs an independent and full-fledged minister to head the ministry. Though keeping the number low and having a thin Cabinet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi aims to bring in governance and accountability of ministries in implementation of various schemes. The reshuffle is an opportunity to bring in people purely on ‘meritocracy’. It is to be seen whether these parameters will weigh high while making the selections or is it an exercise to pick loyal over talented one to consolidate his position as Prime Minister. Alongside efforts should be there to reorganise ministries for better governance. Instead of having too many ministries and departments, courtesy coalition policy followed by the previous Congress-headed UPA government, the exercise should aim in consolidating various common ministries under one head. This can be achieved as the present BJP regime has no coalition compulsion for survival as was with UPA. The UPA Government has become famous for inaction and no decision taking stand on issues which threatened its existence. This will be the first expansion and reshuffle of his ministry by Prime Minister Narendra Modi since he assumed power in May after the general elections. Modi will also have to balance the caste and regional equations in the Council as the feedback in the first months has indicated resentment among under-represented social groups. The strength of the ministry now stands at 45–23 of the level of Cabinet, including the Prime Minister, and 22 of the Minister of State rank. In addition, 10 of the MoS hold independent charge of their ministries.
