Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh meets Junior Ministers to discuss their demands
merisarkar news service
New Delhi, January 19, 2010
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh
Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh met Union Ministers of States on Tuesday to discuss the ways for better participation of junior ministers in ministries and governance.
According to highly places sources 33 junior ministers out of total 36 turned up for the meeting and at least more than d dozen openly expressed their grievances.
"We are not getting responsibility. We do not have information about what is happening in our own ministry. More than responsibility and work, what is more important is empowerment," a Trinamool Congress minister was quoted as saying by Indian media.
Minister of State for railway K H Muniappa, who is in the cabinet from Congress quota and working under Railway Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, steered clear of questions whether he was getting proper work in his ministry.
"That is the issue the Prime Minister will look into", he said adding that Singh was "concerned" about the MoS and their performance.
PMO issued a statement after the meeting. It said the Prime Minister discussed "ways and means for better utilisation of the enormous pool of talent" available in the team of Ministers of State.
He requested the MoS to "do their best to make governance effective and to convey the message of the government to the people"
Minister of State for HRD D Purandeshwari said junior ministers had placed their concerns before the Prime Minister who took note of them and assured them that he would discuss the issues with the Cabinet Ministers.
According to sources only SS Palanimanickam who is a junior minister in Finance Ministry was content with the work given to him. Rest of them were unsatisfied with the scheme of things in their ministries.
