Cabinet Expansion
THE long spell of curiosity is now over as
Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has expanded the Council of Ministers formed almost
three months back. The new 41-member cabinet consists of 18 Ministers, 16 Ministers of
State and seven Assistant Ministers. The cabinet consists of more than half new faces and
energetic figures, while the rest are experienced hands, who have already served in the
cabinet more than once. Prime Minister Deuba has given appropriate geographical, racial
and regional consideration. The expansion of the cabinet had long been due as some
ministers had been holding more than one portfolio. As the country is beset with numerous
social, economic and political problems, an effective cabinet was of urgent necessity to
cope with them. Now the 20th session of parliament is also over and the cabinet has also
been expanded, the government seems to be serious to get down to business to tackle the
problems of the country and at the same time raise the social and economic status of the
people and the nation. The size of the cabinet, undoubtedly, appears to be a little large
given the country’s size, its economy and population. For this, the Prime Minister
Deuba may have to face criticism from certain quarters. One thing needs to be made clear
here is that Prime Minister Deuba, on the one hand, has had the responsibility to maintain
political equation within his own party while it was also necessary to make the cabinet
more efficient so that it could deliver the goods to the people as per their expectations.
The foremost task that the government has in front of it is to provide a sense of security
to the people by containing the Maoist insurgency, for which peace talks have already been
initiated. At the same time, it has to engage itself in the task of socio-economic
transformation of the country for the better. This is the need of the hour. Given the
complex situation of the country and the numerous problems, the Council of Ministers must
concentrate all its energy in effectively dealing with every contingency. Though a large
cabinet definitely creates more pressure on the exchequer, the country would be facing
more problems and economic crisis if the cabinet becomes ineffective in the name of making
it small for austerity reasons. At present, it is important and necessary to give greater
consideration to efficiency instead of counting the number of cabinet members. The present
cabinet is expected to prove its worth by taking off seriously, effectively and
efficiently for the greater welfare of the people and the country.
Other Story
|
