Double goof-up in portfolio allocation

The blues continue to haunt prime minister Manmohan Singh and the Congress party even after the massive cabinet reshuffle.

Following a goof up, the prime minister’s office (PMO) asked first-time MP from Jaipur rural, Lalchand Kataria,  not to take charge as minister of state for defence, the portfolio allocated to him after he took oath on Sunday. He was assured that he will be shifted to some other ministry.
Insiders say it was realised late on Monday evening that there was a goof-up in his appointment, as both the junior ministers of defence belong to Rajasthan.

Jitendra Singh (41), Alwar MP, was also shifted to the defence ministry as a junior minister. He was also given independent charge of youth affairs and sports ministries. He assumed charge on Monday, and even attended a crucial defence procurement meeting chaired by defence minister AK Antony.

Earlier, in another faux pas, the President had on Sunday, on the advice of the PM, shifted Jitin Prasada to defence as well as HRD ministries. When the communique was put before the prime minister, it was detected that a stenographer had misread Jitin for Jitendra. The mistake was then corrected and a new Rashtrapati Bhawan communique came out late night.