TNR Desk
DHARAMSHALA: Speculations are rife about an imminent reshuffle in ministerial portfolios in the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government once the five-day Vidhan Sabha winter session concludes on December 23.
The delay in the reshuffle is being attributed to the ministers’ obligations to answer questions posed by MLAs during the Assembly session. It has been revealed that the ministers took their oaths only after the Assembly dates were finalised, compelling any portfolio adjustments to be deferred until after the session.
Sources within the government said that ministers who had displayed a lack of enthusiasm for developmental tasks may see changes in their departments. A brewing discord within the government over the matter may complex the discussions on reshuffle.
The Chief Minister, often occupied with the responsibilities of numerous departments due to a lack of cabinet expansion, is expected to seek relief by redistributing portfolios. Currently overseeing crucial departments such as forest, food and civil supplies, urban development, excise, energy, finance and home, the Chief Minister is grappling with a significant workload.
To address this issue, discussions have been underway regarding the potential reallocation of portfolios to other ministers. The Chief Minister, in a bid to streamline governance and enhance efficiency, is considering the delegation of responsibilities to reduce his burden.
Every Monday, the Chief Minister conducts meetings with officials to stay informed about the progress of development work within each department. This forum allows for a detailed understanding of the efforts put forth by ministers in their respective portfolios.
Amidst these considerations, several ministers have expressed their desire for portfolio changes directly to the Chief Minister. The decision to act on these requests lies with the Chief Minister, who faces the challenging task of balancing ministerial aspirations with the government’s overall efficiency and commitment to development.
