Munda plans quiet ride on DMU
October 2, 2010


VIJAY DEO JHA

RANCHI

After initial euphoria of Government formation and media reports about bickering among allies on the portfolios, Chief Minister Arjun Munda is now keen on keeping a veto power on all departments.

After staying in New Delhi for a couple of days, along with his deputy Chief Ministers Hemant Soren of the JMM and Sudesh Mahato of the AJSU, to resolve logjam over portfolio distribution, Munda returned to the State capital on Wednesday evading "whose who" of his cabinet that will be expanded on October 8.

Prior to his arrival in the State capital, Munda directed Chief Secretary AK Singh to prepare a "vision document" for the execution of plans and projects — both long and short term — of key departments. Sources in the CMO attributed it to be the evolving concept of Direct Monitoring Unit (DMU).

"A fortnight back this Government was formed. Now, people will reasonably want to know as how he (Munda) wants to proceed," said a CMO official.

Mentioning rural development, agriculture, irrigation, plans to control drought, road, electricity, safe drinking water, infrastructural development, health and a few others as major thrust area, Munda directed the CS to present a blueprint for the effective execution.

Though, no credible information about backroom negotiation over portfolio distribution is available, except very keenness of Munda to retain key departments like energy, road construction and rural development with him those directly associated with the public.

The JMM is baiting for the energy, whereas the AJSU is reported to be interested in retaining road construction department.

"Whosoever alliance partners get these key departments, but the Chief Minister wants DMU and delivery mechanism firmly under his supervision to supervise the flagship projects he wishes to unveil," source close to Munda said.

Sources said that the formula of DMU is still in conceptual phase, "its final shape will be decided only after his two Deputy Chief Ministers Hemant Soren of the JMM and Sudesh Kumar Mahato of the AJSU agree," sources said accepting "some pocket of resistance."

The allies might reasonably fear DMU as an instrument to superimpose the authority of the Chief Minister in the regular and key affairs of such departments.

On being asked, Munda evaded a direct reply. "Running Government is a team work. It is quite immaterial that who runs the department. Effective monitoring and timely action is the key responsibility of the Government." Munda remarked.

Munda took oath on September 11 and proof to his DMU intention became official four days later. He directed the Chief Secretary of the Government and Principal Secretary of Road Construction Department to complete formalities of ambitious 311-km Govindpur via Sahebganj road construction project within 15 days. Munda will inaugurate the ambitious project, with estimated cost of Rs 1,064 crore, in Dumka on October 2. On the very first day in the office, Munda directed the Energy Secretary to prepare a roadmap for 'zero power cut.' Informally these departments have not been slotted to anybody.

In the words of a close member of CM's inner circle, Munda has taken lesson from the mistakes from his two previous terms. "Ministers of his previous two Governments, particularly independents, had grown audacious in running the departments. There was none to stop them because they commanded for the survival of the Government."

Compulsion of coalition politics is still at its place but it is not so dominant, though. After the fall of the coalition Government led by the Chief Minister Shibu Soren, none wants to let the Government down, the JMM in particular. Munda knows it well, and, he planning a quite ride on DMU.