Contrary to speculations in a section of the media about a reshuffle of the State Ministry on the eve of completion of the first year of the fourth term of the Naveen Patnaik Government on May 21, reliable sources in the ruling BJD have denied any such move at the moment.
The rumours about Ministry reshuffle were sparked off after the CM asked for report cards from his Ministers on the performances of their departments over the last one year. Despite the ruling party circles refuting any chance of an immediate reshuffle in the Ministry, the directive of party supremo Patnaik to Ministers to furnish their annual result cards has triggered panic among them. The Ministers are apprehensive that the CM has some scheme of things off his sleeves.
Patnaik in a note sheet sent to all Ministers has told them that the Council Ministers at its first meeting after assuming power on May 21 last year had taken a pledge to fulfil all promises made in the BJD’s election manifesto within a specified timeline.
The CM’s missive said, “As the State Government is going to complete its first year in office tomorrow, the time is now to assess the performance of your respective departments. Considering the above, you are directed to furnish a report on the success of your department and the fulfilment of the poll manifesto in the last one year. I will have a detailed review of the reports to be submitted by you by May 21.”
Reliable sources said the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) has asked the Secretaries of all departments to submit their reports separately mentioning their activities in the last one year.
Party sources say the directive is meant for a review of departmental performances and nothing more should be read into it.