Prime Minister Narendra Modi's much-speculated Cabinet reshuffle is likely to take place on Monday, reports R Rajagopalan/Rediff.com.
Speculation over the date of the Cabinet reshuffle has remained just that -- speculation -- with almost no details emerging when Prime Minister Narendra Modi will institute key changes in the portfolios held by his ministers.
What we can tell you is this -- sources in Rashtrapati Bhavan have not received any message about the Cabinet reshuffle so far. Reports in a couple of newspapers said the reshuffle was expected to take place at noon on Thursday, but sources in the Prime Minister's Office are also keeping their cards close to their chest.
More importantly, what we can tell you is that a Bharatiya Janata Party source and close confidant of party president Amit Shah has indicated that astrologically, the new additions to the council of ministers are likely to be sworn in on Monday, July 4, at 11 am.
And this is why it could be true.
For a Union Council shuffle or expansion, the Rashtrapati Bhavan needs a notice of at least 48 to 72 hours for logistic reasons, an official spokesperson of Rashtrapati Bhavan told Rediff.com.
Till such time the PMO officially informs the Rashtrapati Bhavan in writing about the date of the investiture ceremony, talk about a reshuffle will remain only a rumour, a PMO source told Rediff.com.
The decision over the date is based on astrology and the availability of President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari, incumbent Union ministers and minister-designates to travel for the ceremony to New Delhi.
In fact, the inside story of what really happens ahead of a Cabinet reshuffle at Rashtrapati Bhavan makes for an interesting read.
To carry out an expansion or reshuffle and organise a smooth swearing-in ceremony, involves massive preparations at the President's residence.
First and foremost is to get the six to eight wings of the President's estate up and working, for instance the airconditioning unit for Ashoka Hall running. The grand room (originally the Ball Room of the Viceroys) is now used for holding ceremonial functions. However, it needs at least eight hours for the airconditioning to cool the room.
Another important activity that the Rashtrapati Bhavan is tasked with is printing invitation cards for the invitees, which needs a lead time of eight hours.
And then there is the catering department that needs to be given a heads up. They have to prepare a menu, organise the cooking, baking and making of 500 to 750 mini samosas, dhoklas, mithais, coffee and tea. A Rashtrapati Bhavan source told Rediff.com that sometimes the catering is outsourced, but to decide on the caterer also needs time. Freshness of the food, the taste and size of the portions all be put through a standard operating procedure.
The Central Public Works Department of the Rashtrapati Bhavan has a flower unit which has 20 to 25 gardeners. They too have to be given a heads up to pick, choose, and decorate the flowers picked from the from Mughal Gardens of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. There are flowers on the dais during the swearing-in ceremony, the visitors room, and such minute details take time to be organised.
Which means if the reshuffle is to take place on Monday, there is the requisite time available to start making the preparations.
