The Hindu : National : Manmohan Singh spells out criteria for Cabinet reshuffle

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Monday, Jan 30, 2006

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National

Manmohan Singh spells out criteria for Cabinet reshuffle

Special Correspondent

Regional representation, chance for deserving people and for others to grow

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Sunday that the criteria for expanding the Union Council of Ministers was to provide regional representation, give an opportunity to deserving people and provide some Ministers the chance to ``grow up'' in their present jobs.

At the same time, the Prime Minister conceded that it was not a complete reshuffle, as consultations went on till the last minute and ``we couldn't sort out some issues''.

The Prime Minister declined to set a time frame for another expansion.

PHOTOS: V.V. KRISHNAN

Taking the oath as Ministers of State on Sunday are: G.K. Vasan (independent charge), Pavan Kumar Bansal, Subbarami Reddy, Anand Sharma and Ajay Maken.

He said ``there is always a possibility'' when asked if it could be at the end of the Budget session of Parliament.

Dr. Singh said the need to accommodate more Members of Parliament in the Council of Ministers was felt as there was a ``lot of talent'' and Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh ``deserved it.''

PHOTOS: V.V. KRISHNAN

Taking the oath as Ministers of State on Sunday are: Pallam Raju, C.S. Sahu, Akhilesh Das, Jairam Ramesh, Ashwani Kumar and Purandareswari.

Asked about the preponderance of Congress members among the new entrants, Dr. Singh admitted that it was so.

He reasoned that most of the vacant portfolios were from the party's share and the new faces would take up portfolios that ``were left vacant''.

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