Cabinet expansion unlikely before January

By Our Correspondent

GUWAHATI, JULY 21. Contrary to intense speculation in the press and party circles, the Assam Chief Minister, Mr. Tarun Gogoi, is not likely to expand his Cabinet before January next year - in any case not before the panchayat polls scheduled for the year- end.

Instead, Mr. Gogoi's `think tank' has suggested that he give more attention to an economic agenda that can be implemented despite the severe financial constraints of the State Government.

Without an agenda that can show tangible results within a year, it is feared, the fund of public support and goodwill that the new Government started with will dry up. People may forget the alleged misgovernance of the previous AGP regime and Mr. Gogoi and his team will come under increasing criticism.

As for the expansion of the 17-member Cabinet, it is being pointed out that only 11 of the 23 districts are represented in it. The twelve districts which have no representation include Kamrup and Nalbari, where the Congress did unexpectedly well at the hustings.

To make the Cabinet fully ``representative'', another 17 or 18 Ministers will have to be taken. This will raise the strength of the Cabinet to 35 - that is, half the 70 Congress MLAs will have to be provided with ministerial berths.

Such a ``jumbo'' ministry, it is feared, will draw adverse criticism, especially if it cannot show results on the development front and generate employment.

Mr. Gogoi's `think tank' is busy preparing a policy document that will, among other things, spell out the new Government's economic agenda. The 70-page document is likely to be submitted to the Cabinet by the middle of next month.

Due to the unsatisfactory law and order situation and the acute power shortage, large private investments are not expected in the foreseeable future. Agriculture will thus get top priority.

The focus will be on modernisation and expansion of agricultural economy and infrastructure development. The aim of the State Agriculture Policy will be two-fold. First, attaining self- sufficiency in production of foodgrains, oilseeds, eggs, poultry, fish and fruits as a measure for `import substitution' to stop the ``huge outflow'' of money. Second, fully tapping the potential of agriculture and allied sectors for generation of extra income and employment. The emphasis will be on switching over from single to multiple-cropping and raising two paddy crops in the flood-free seasons.

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