The UPA on Sunday inducted 22 ministers, 17 of whom are new faces. Here?s what some of them had to say after the big rejig
Veerappa Moily, petroleum minister: Will try and keep the prices of fuels lower for the common man. I will have to study the matter (on capping of subsidised LPG cylinder to 6 per family) in detail before I say anything. It is a political and volatile ministry. But we have to find solution to problems. We should have a positive mind for working and that has been my experience for the last 40 years. Delay will cost common man.
Sachin Pilot, MoS (independent charge), corporate affairs: I think if there is a party that has recognised the talent of youth then it is the Congress. This (reshuffle) is an opportunity for the youth to contribute in the progress of the nation.?
Jyotiraditya Scindia, MoS, power: The power sector as a key infrastructure area crucial for the growth of India. My priority is that electricity should reach every household in the country.
Kamal Nath, parliamentary affairs minister: We have the numbers on the floor of the house. It is a myth that we do not have the numbers(on crucial bills in Parliament since the government is short of numbers).?Arithmetic?is in our favour. My effort will be to build consensus?
Manish Tiwari, MoS(information and broadcasting): I feel humbled and privileged. I have worked with Rajiv Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. It is an honour that the PM has asked me to work in the ministry now.
Salman Khurshid, external affairs minister: Things have changed a lot since I was last in MEA 20 years ago. We have ministry of overseas development that helps the NRIs. MEA does work with people on ground abroad. The world has changed in the past two decades. Let me get a feel of ministry.
Ajay Maken, housing and urban poverty alleviation minister: The pace of urbanisation is changing. Soon 50% of the population will be in the urban areas. Poverty alleviation and urbanisation are key focus areas for the ministry.
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P K Bansal, railway minister: The priority is to improve health ? both physical and financial. Need to see that safety and cleanliness standards are improved. It?s a major challenge. We?ll look at increasing revenue. We won?t be looking at just at increasing the fares. We will see where we can cut costs.
