New ministers raring to go, some speak of continuity

Raring to go, Ministers who were given new portfolios in the second round of allocation tonight spoke of working on a roadmap to push through reforms in sectors coming under their respective departments.

Raring to go, Ministers who were given new portfolios in the second round of allocation tonight spoke of working on a roadmap to push through reforms in sectors coming under their respective departments.

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Ministers who retained their portfolios they held in the UPA government's first term stressed on the need for continuity.

Describing his new assignment as challenging, the new Law and Justice Minister Veerappa Moily said there was a scope for a lot of reforms in judiciary and the need to "jettison" some laws which are really detrimental to the development and governance.

"Law making is an important process including for combating terrorism, communalism and many other things," said Moily, a lawyer turned politician.

Another lawyer-turned politician Kapil Sibal, who was shifted to the Humna Resources Development Ministry from Science and Technology, said his ministry lends itself to the future of the country and there was enormous opportunities to tap.

"The HRD ministry has got an enormous expanse touching every home of India and truly represents a way forward for India and to get a roadmap which is job oriented," said Sibal.

Praful Patel, who retained Civil Aviation ministry as Minister of State for Independent charge, said passenger safety will continue to get top priority. Patel also said infrastructure will be a "big focus" of the UPA government in its second term.