Cabinet-making and Unmaking

Never have central ministers been so uncertain of their portfolios as in the last three years, never have ministries or departments been under so rapidly shifting leaderships. This has damaged not only the decision-making process but also the never-too-strong infrastructure in several ministries like External Affairs. It does the prime minister no good if ministers are seen by civil servants as men of straw. Rajiv Gandhi will be well advised, therefore, to make his next cabinet reshuffle the last till the next Poll.