Delegation of powers to six Ministers of State by the Chief Minister is not an obligation on them. In fact, powers should have been delegated to them the moment they were formally sworn in and portfolios were distributed. If they have waited for more than six months for powers to be delegated to them, they have demonstrated their patience and full cooperation with the Coalition Government. By virtue of their status as Ministers of State, they enjoy the right to be actively involved in the governance. This can be done only when they are put to work and made accountable to the Chief Minister, the Cabinet and the Legislative Assembly. Above all they are answerable to their respective constituencies and the State in general.
The Chief Minister has adhered to the norms of democratic dispensation and done well to delegate powers to the Ministers of State. Through an official communiqué the additional or new powers delegated to these Ministers have been pinpointed. Now it should be possible for these Ministers of State to function with authority and confidence. However, they have to understand that they will be accountable for their performance. People expect them to deliver goods and not become just rubber stamps. They should leave impression of their individuality and initiative in bringing about good administration. They have to learn how to handle the bureaucracy on the one hand and the party manifesto on the other. At the same time, they have to be very often in their constituencies to know the problems of the people and to find ways of mitigating their difficulties.
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