Cabinet reshuffling can be defined as the change of portfolios of various ministers for a variety of reasons. It can be based on the leaders’ performance and promoting or demoting the ministers based on their performance. However, expansion and reshuffling are two different terms. Expansion means an increase in the number of cabinet ministers.
The BJP run government has done a significant reshuffling of the ministers. The main objective of this reshuffling was to balance out the representation of marginalised communities and regional representation of the states. The new ministry also has appointed a new skill set in the ministry.
During the allotment, there were three types of ministers chosen. They are-
1. Cabinet minister.
2. Minister of state
3. Minister of state (independent charge. )
Here we will understand the difference between the three.
CABINET MINISTER-
A cabinet minister can also be called the head of the portfolio that is allowed to him. He has supreme power over the decision-making regarding his portfolio. They are also regarded as the leaders of the ministry.
The ministers chose as cabinet minister can be from any house- Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha.
For example- Mr Amit Shah has the ministry of home affair. Here, he becomes the head of the portfolio, and his decision would be considered final. Former Finance minister Arun Jaitley held the minister and was amen rob the Rajya Sabha.
MINISTER OF STATE
Minister of States can be considered as the subordinates to the cabinet minister. In a more straightforward way, they can also be called the juniors of the Cabinet Minister.
For instance– G.Krishan Reddy is the MoS of Home Affair. This means that he would work in consonance with Amit Shah. He will be a subordinate to the Minister of Home Affairs.
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
As the name suggests, they are given independent charges. They are not the subordinates of the Cabinet Minister. However, they are not on the same pedestal as the cabinet minister.
Minister of State (Independent Charge) is like a bridge post between the Cabinet Minister and the Minister of State.
In this post, the reporting is directly given to the Prime Minister. The Cabinet Minister does not oversee this position.
The purpose of this position is not for the normal decision-making process. He can only be called for specific matters related to his department.
The independent charge of the MoS is given for the ministries for which there exists no cabinet ministry.
For instance- Hardeep Singh Puri is chosen as the MoS (Independent charge for housing and urban affairs).
A total of 43 ministers had sworn in Rashtrapati Bhavan.