Full Cabinet in Punjab

After more than a year in government, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has finally filled his Cabinet to capacity. But at the end of the acrimonious exercise, it is hard to understand why it could not have been done earlier. Why several crucial portfolios had to be subjected to neglect, and the Chief Minister subjected to overwork, bearing the burden of more than 40 departments. Purportedly, the exercise took all this while because it was tough to “balance” the pulls and pressures within the party, and Congress president Rahul Gandhi wanted a Cabinet with a “clean image” and merit. What we have, however, is Dalits being left underrepresented, certain seniors feeling slighted, and a couple of people inducted who may not have measured up to Gandhi’s exalted expectations.

The final selection shows what counts is proximity to power centres; utility for the top leadership in personal capacity; and — not to be underestimated — nuisance value, as has always been the case in politics. It is the Chief Minister’s and the party’s prerogative to pick who they want for the Cabinet, but they have to be prepared to take responsibility for their choice. When certain people have made it because of personal allegiances, it naturally follows that they will flaunt their “connection”. More than that, they are likely to exploit it for material gain, and expect not to be questioned; there has been evidence of that over the past year of the Congress government. This is an aspect where Capt Amarinder Singh has yet to prove his mettle — making an example of disciplining ministers, irrespective of their relationship with him.

It is, however, a fresh beginning. Another chance to prove that Capt Amarinder Singh is indeed the man of governance that he was projected, and expected, to be. Certain basics of public service, such as health (doctors, hospital supplies), education (books, midday meals), and agriculture (income, procurement), have been running at levels less than satisfactory. It is now expected there will be more reports of trouble spots being addressed, rather than a bigger Cabinet giving cause for greater embarrassment.