Following the Modi model of 'Maximum governance, minimum government', the BJP in Maharashtra is likely to go for a small cabinet with maximum a 28 ministers. According to sources, it is planning to club a number of departments for quicker decision-making.
A veteran party MLA, who did not wish to be named, pointed out that the stipulated number of ministerial berths in Maharashtra was 43 and that was the reason the BJP had shown readiness to give at the most 14 berths to Shiv Sena. However, he added that since the Center's model was most likely to be followed, the party would bring down all the numbers.
Another leader said earlier governments had created some departments to satisfy disgruntled politicians. He cited the example of carving out primary, higher and technical education from the education portfolio. He said the ministries of health and medical education can be clubbed.
There are a handful of departments like home, industries, finance, transport and tribal development that cannot be clubbed with others for the simple reason that these departments have task and responsibility.
Earlier, separate ministers would be responsible for departments like water resources, irrigation and Krishna Valley development Corporation, said a leader, suggesting they can be merged.
"Then, there is agriculture as well as horticulture and marketing which can come under one umbrella and a single ministers can take up the responsibility. In the same way, departments like fisheries and dairy development can be brought under one minister," said the source.
The minister for parliamentary affairs has work mainly during the assembly sessions and his task of organizing training for the members can be taken care with additional charge by one of the ministers. The veteran MLA said that housing development and PWD can't be merged as the latter undertakes construction of government buildings in addition to infrastructure and has no role in housing development.
Box: Smaller the better
The cabinet size is likely to come down to 28 from 43, which is the maximum limit as per Constitutional provisions. It would have about 20 BJP Ministers and the rest can be given Sena, said a source in BJP. Veteran BJP leaders from the core committee would be going for oath taking in the first phase, while the remaining cabinet will take oath in the second phase.
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