Mohan Majhi Cabinet: 100 days challenges for ministers to deliver as team amidst high expectations

Three days after taking the oath of office for a historic first under BJP’s rule in Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi on Saturday allotted portfolios to his council of newly sworn-in ministers. With most of the ministers being first-timers, CM Mohan Majhi’s cabinet may not sail smooth, given the several challenges ahead. The newly-formed Cabinet may come across several challenges in fulfilling the promises made in BJP manifesto.

Following approval by Governor Raghubar Das, the newly-elected CM retained Finance, Home, General Administration, I&PR, Water Resources, Planning & Convergence, and any other department not specifically assigned so far.
The Mahanadi Water Dispute and the rising law and order situation in the state will be a major challenge for the first tribal CM of Odisha.

On the other hand, Deputy Chief Minister, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo has been allotted Agriculture & Energy. The hike of paddy MSP to Rs 3100 and uninterrupted power supply amidst the rising heatwave conditions may come as a major challenge for him. “The challenge I have been entrusted by the honourable CM, I vow to fulfill all of it and look forward to everything with open arms,” said KV Singh Deo.

Similarly, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida has been allocated Women & Child Development, Mission Shakti & Tourism departments. Implementation of Rs 50,000 for women under Subhadra Yojana poses a major challenge for her.

Moreover, Prithiviraj Harichandan who has the Law, Works and Excise department under him said that it was a special year for them with the Rath Yatra coming soon.

“There is no denying that all our promises in our manifesto will be fulfilled. This year’s Rath Yatra will be very special for all of us and we seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath to carry out our challenges without any obstacle,” Harichandan stated.

Similarly, Minister Suresh Pujari has been allotted Revenue and Disaster Management while Rabi Narayan Naik has got Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water, while Nityananda Gond has School & Mass Education, ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare and Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. 

“Fresh faces joining politics also manage to perform well. So, those becoming ministers for the first time will also hopefully do well. The main challenge lying ahead for all the newly elected ministers is to fulfill all the promises made in the Odisha BJP Sankalp Patra. All we can do is hope for the best,” observed Political Analyst Prasanna Mohanty.