By making direct intervention in two ministries, including education and health, Chief Minister Harish Rawat has managed to deliver a message to his cabinet ministers that the CM’s office will not sit idle if any Minister takes a ‘wrong decision’.
These two decisions have created panic among his Cabinet ministers and become matter of debate in the corridors of power.
Sources said that recently CM Harish Rawat had categorically said that he will not hesitate in taking stringent action if the action is in the interest of the State. They further asked whether these steps are part of stringent action or stronger action will be witnessed in future. Sources said that are these steps are beginning of Cabinet reshuffle because the CM had also said that the State would try to serve the last person of the remote areas of the State before next assembly election and laggards will not be part of his Cabinet.
In the education department, Minister Mantri Prasad Naithani had tried to bring his near and dear ones around 100 teachers in accessible areas by flouting all norms. The CM intervened in the matter and cancelled all such transfers with immediate effect.
later, Health Minister Surendra Singh Negi was sitting over the file which was made to ensure doctors’ presence in hills; so CM Rawat intervened and asked officials concerned to bring the government order without seeking prior approval from the concerned Minister.
Currently, these two Ministers are annoyed with the Chief Minister, but they are unable to do anything because the Congress enjoys 43 MlAs, including seven Progressive Democratic Front (PDF) members and one nominated MlA.
Before this, CM Rawat had imposed ban on foreign tour of their cabinet minister and officer as part of austerity measure. Although the State agriculture minister Harak Singh Rawat had outrightly opposed the move by saying that currently 38 out of 43 MlAs are enjoying Cabinet Minister status, so the State Government should first adopt austerity measure in it.
Talking to The Pioneer, CM Rawat said, “We know that seventh finance commission is already in progress and the State will implement their recommendation, so we are desperately trying to increase our financial resources. In this regard, we decided to impose such ban.”He also reiterated that if it required, “we would take more such precautionary measures”.