Decision on PSU chairmen soon: Chouhan

Bhopal, Aug 25 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today said a decision on appointing legislators as chairmen of boards, corporations and other public sector undertakings would be taken soon after consulting the BJP leadership.

Talking to reporters after the swearing in of new ministers at the Raj Bhavan lawns, Mr Chouhan said the cabinet strength was kept as required.

''The cabinet was a balanced one after giving representation to all divisions in today's expansion'', he said, adding the cabinet was expanded after detailed consultations with the BJP leadership.

Asked if caste equations were given weightage in cabinet expansion, he said BJP gave weightage to merit. The ministers will gain on-job experience, he added.

When pointed out that there was still scope for further cabinet expansion with three berths still vacant, Mr Chouhan said though legal provisions put a cap of 35 on cabinet strength, there was no binding to keep it less.

In today's expansion taking the cabinet strength to 32 from 26, three cabinet ministers and three ministers of state were inducted.

Two ministers of state were promoted to cabinet rank.

UNI