'Minimum govt' Modi swells ranks with new ministers

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi brought 19 new junior ministers into the government Tuesday, saying it would strengthen his cabinet's ability to deliver on promises made in this year's budget.
It was the second time the premier has re-jigged his government since taking power in 2014, although Tuesday's announcements saw no changes made to key portfolios such as finance, defence, foreign and home affairs.
Some social media users mocked Modi's mantra of "maximum governance, minimum government" after the reshuffle took his government to nearly 80 ministers, up from 45 two years ago.
"Congrats to newly sworn-in colleagues. Lets work together to bring a positive difference & for #TransformingIndia," the premier tweeted.
Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar was promoted to cabinet rank and 19 new ministers took their oaths at the Rashtrapati Bhavan presidential palace in New Delhi, while five junior ministers were dropped.
Modi said he wants a strong ministerial team in place ahead of parliament's monsoon session starting July 18 to prioritise budget promises.
They include a pledge to double the incomes of India's debt-laden farmers — hit hard by two weak monsoons and high inflation — over five years.
"An expansion of the council of ministers will reflect the priorities and the focus that were outlined in the union budget. Those will be strengthened," he told The Indian Express newspaper in comments published Tuesday. — AFP