Odisha CM Resumes Ministers’ Performance Review Amid Reshuffle Buzz

Bhubaneswar: Amid buzz over an impending ministry reshuffle, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has sought performance reports from all ministers, citing the achievements of their departments.

They have been asked to submit the report in the first week of every month.

Naveen would hold one-on-one meetings with all the ministers after getting the report and review their performance, sources in the CMO said.

They have also been asked to explain the reason in case of poor performance and if promises made in BJD’s election manifesto concerning the department are not fulfilled, the sources added.

Notably, this was a regular practice before the outbreak of COVID-19 and Health and Family Welfare, Food Supply and Consumer Welfare, Panchayati Raj and Rural Development continued to submit performance reports every month to the CMO during these two years. However, it was not the case with other departments as those did not function at full capacity during the pandemic, sources.

After completing two years of the fifth successive term in 2021, Naveen had also reviewed the performance of various departments and the implementation of promises made in the BJD’s election manifesto from May 15-25. The ministers were asked to state five important achievements and steps taken by their department for the implementation of pro-people governance initiatives like 5T and Mo Sarkar.

The resumption of the practice has again triggered speculation of a possible reshuffle in the council of ministers with the ruling BJD intending to head into 2024 with a new-look government and a fresh approach.

As was the case in 2017, several ministers are likely to be asked to resign and concentrate on party work with an eye on the upcoming general and assembly elections. Ahead of the 2019 election, Naveen had asked 10 of 20 ministers in his Cabinet to resign and five of them were given district charge to prepare the party organisation for the polls.