LAST CHANCE TO PERFORM

Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, 41

Minister of State (Independent Charge), for Power

It is this Harvard and Stanford alumnus’s first stint as a minister of state with independent charge. Jyotiraditya Scindia has been minister of state since April 2008, but always with a senior minister above him, which would have left him little scope to display any initiative. This is his first real chance to show his mettle.

The power sector is facing tough times. An important challenge will be to get Coal India to meet the demands of power producers. “Ensuring financial viability of discoms and the last mile solution of providing power to every village are my other priorities,” says Scindia.

“The first priority is to work with the coal and environment ministries to get generation capacity off the ground”

M. Veerappa Moily, 72

Minister, Petroleum and Natural Gas

The former Karnataka Chief Minister has so far held three important portfolios – Law, Corporate Affairs and Power – in the UPA’s second innings starting 2009. Veerappa Moily is aware of the controversy surrounding his predecessor Jaipal Reddy’s departure from the oil ministry for allegedly locking horns with Reliance Industries over exploration in the KG D6 basin, but will not comment on it. All he dwells on while talking to the media is the importance of stepping up the pace of domestic exploration and increasing crude oil output.

“There will be quick decision-making and innovation”

Sachin Pilot, 35

Minister of State (Independent Charge), for Corporate Affairs

This Wharton Business School alumnus became a member of Parliament when he was just 26, and Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology at 32.

The challenges ahead of him in his new, minister-with-independent-charge role include getting the new Companies Bill passed in the forthcoming winter session, which will set in motion many processdriven reforms. There are also other important pending reforms such as the transition to the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in accounting. But primarily Pilot will be under the media scanner on every step he takes – or fails to take – in the matter of the alleged sweetheart deals between Robert Vadra and real estate giant DLF and the allegations of dubious funding against BJP chief Nitin Gadkari’s Purti and other related companies.

“We don’t want to be seen as a ministry that dictates to the corporate sector what is to be done”

Kamal Nath, 65

Minister, Urban Development, Parliamentary Affairs

Elected to the Lok Sabha eight times since 1980, Kamal Nath, who takes additional charge of Parliamentary Affairs, is one of the most experienced MPs in the Congress. His biggest skill is at networking across parties, be it with the opposition BJP or former ally Trinamool Congress, The passing of crucial legislation such as the Land Acquisition Bill, the new Companies Bill and more will depend on his skill at bringing around the various opposing parties and inducing them to attend Parliament, instead of boycotting sessions, whatever their differences with the government.

“We should have a good and successful Winter Session”

Pawan Kumar Bansal, 64

Minister, Railways

Barring stand-in minister C.P. Joshi’s short stint, there has not been a Congress minister in Rail Bhavan for a long time. Railways is a ministry that was always handed to representatives of regional coalition allies. Pawan Kumar Bansal taking charge sees the return of a Congressman at a time when the Railways are in dire need of funds – for instance, `65,000 crore are needed just for safety upgrade.

An inevitable corollary to improvements is raising ticket prices, a step repeatedly stalled when Trinamool Congress held the ministry. The government is said to be readying a blueprint for doing so, and some immediate reforms may be initiated even before the next Railway Budget in February 2013.“If fares have to be increased, it will be to provide better services to passengers”