Getting under way

Manmohan Singh is showing a deft touch in the appointments that he makes. Montek Singh Ahluwalia's at the Planning Commission is only the most obvious example, for the other commission members have been well chosen too.

Abhijit Sen and Kirit Parikh select themselves as distinguished economists with complementary subjects of expertise, as does the trade policy specialist Anwar-ul Hoda.

Mr Yugandhar is an administrator with extensive experience in overseeing rural development programmes, which are a focus area. And Mr Ahluwalia of course has demonstrated ability in dealing with the big issues of economic policy, while carrying personal credibility with business at home and abroad.

He will also be a valuable ally for the Prime Minister if he were to attend Cabinet meetings as an invitee.

In short, this has the makings of a commission that can be more relevant to the government's policies and priorities than the last one was. It could even revive the fortunes of a body that had become moribund and of little use beyond the core task of allocating funds to states.

The Prime Minister has shown a sure touch in some of his other appointments, including in the diplomatic service and in his own office.

The choice of foreign secretary commends itself, for instance, and his own office is staffed with a collegial group of accomplished individuals who should be able to work well as a team. Some dust has been kicked up by his decision to replace the Cabinet secretary, but in the specific circumstances this may be understandable.

In deciding that he will personally interview all candidates for appointment at the level of secretary to the government, Dr Singh is also departing from accepted practice and thereby signalling that he intends to lean on his officers to help him get round the handicap of Cabinet colleagues whose place in his team owes itself primarily to the realities of coalition politics, and not necessarily to their suitability for high office.

This ties in with the evidence so far that Dr Singh has decided to stay out of the political game and be a hardworking prime minister who will pay attention to the nuts and bolts of governance.

By informed accounts, Dr Singh seems to be unlike his recent predecessors in that he puts in long hours, doing his file work""and this explains the importance that he attaches to senior appointments in the civil service.

At the same time, diplomatic visitors who have come calling have left suitably impressed with his sincerity and depth of knowledge. The problem is that most of this is invisible to the public eye, while sundry Cabinet colleagues have been shooting their mouths and putting their foot in it.

What Dr Singh needs to do now is to be a more visible prime minister who communicates publicly the message that he is in charge and on top of his work. That is the way in which he began his seminal stint in the finance ministry, and that is what he should do now from South Block.