Umbrella ministries for infra, transport proposed

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance government might restructure several ministries, including key infrastructure ones. The new government, likely to be sworn in by next week, has on the table long-term proposals to bring several infrastructure ministries under one head, to ease governance.

A BJP source privy to some of these proposals said plans to revamp existing structures would be studied carefully before the new government acted upon these. "These are proposals the new government might consider in the long term. Our immediate objective is to start delivering," he said.

One such proposal is to merge energy ministries such as those of coal, power and petroleum & natural gas under one umbrella ministry. Smaller ministries such as that of new and renewable energy might also be brought under this ministry.

Also, there is a plan to bring the entire transport sector under one ministry. This could include roads, railways and aviation. Ministers of state might head each of these sub-ministries and report to a common Cabinet minister.

"A single umbrella ministry is a wonderful idea, but it needs to be done after due study and preparation and with the necessary legislation and Acts in place, which might take some time," said Narendra Taneja, BJP energy cell convener.

A source said the new government would weigh the pros and cons of creating integrated energy and transport ministries. "Some of these ministries, for example, coal and natural gas or renewable energy and atomic energy, have different DNAs. We will need to study the feasibility of putting all under one roof."

The Narendra Modi-led BJP government will soon meet to focus on immediate challenges such as streamlining the petroleum & natural gas sector, modernising the coal sector and preparing good policy architecture for the renewable energy sector.

Other proposed changes include withdrawing the Directorate General of Foreign Trade from the commerce ministry and merging it with the external affairs ministry. It is likely a new department will be created in the home ministry to monitor coordination between the Prime Minister's Office and chief ministers.

Empowered groups of ministers and groups of ministers might be done away with. Instead, bureaucrats might be given greater authority to work on policy, with the BJP manifesto as their guide. "But at this stage, these are proposals. The nation wants results. First, we have to start flying and, along the way, bring about some of these changes, but only after necessary study and preparation," a source said.