Cabinet expansion is Chief Minister’s prerogative, says Priyank Kharge
With the number of ministerial berths capped at 15% of the strength of the 224-member Karnataka Legislative Assembly, deciding whom to induct and whom to
With the number of ministerial berths capped at 15% of the strength of the 224-member Karnataka Legislative Assembly, deciding whom to induct and whom to leave out is a challenge for Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, said Minister for Home and IT-BT Priyank Kharge in Kalaburagi on Monday. Speaking to press persons after inspecting crop damage caused by deficient monsoon rainfall at Aurad (B) village in Kalaburagi taluk, Mr. Kharge said the composition of the Cabinet was a matter for the Chief Minister to decide. “Deciding who should be in the Cabinet and who should not is the Chief Minister’s prerogative, not mine.
How can I answer a question that should be addressed to the Chief Minister?” Mr. Kharge questioned. “I have been entrusted with the Home portfolio, and I am carrying out my responsibilities to the best of my ability. Whatever responsibility the party entrusts to me in the future, I will continue to serve with the same commitment,” Mr. Kharge said. Kharge plays down speculation over Cabinet changes Seeking to play down speculation over the Chief Minister’s visit to Delhi, Mr. Kharge said it was a normal practice for Ministers and senior party leaders to consult the party’s high command on Cabinet related matters.
He said such consultations were part of the routine process and should not be read as an indication of any particular decision on the Cabinet. Replying to a question, Mr. Kharge said the post of Agriculture Minister would be filled shortly. The special responsibility assigned to district in-charge Ministers was intended to ensure that there were no difficulties in managing the drought situation, he said. The Congress-led State government was committed to farmers’ welfare and had succeeded in providing substantial compensation to them over the past three years, the Minister added. Officials told to inspect and review all hostels In the wake of students falling ill after consuming poor quality food at a hostel in the district, Mr. Kharge said he had directed the Deputy Commissioner and the Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla Panchayat to inspect all hostels in the district.
The officials had been instructed to conduct a comprehensive review of the quality of food served to students, cleanliness, hygiene and the availability of essential infrastructure in the hostels. “Any lapse found during the inspections should be followed by immediate and appropriate action,” Mr. Kharge said.
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