NEW DELHI, 27 May 2003 — Favoring transparency in the functioning of his ministry the new Minister of State for Civil Aviation Rajiv Pratap Rudy said he would go by the blueprint left behind by his predecessor to develop the aviation scenario in the country.
Rudy, who has been given independent charge of the ministry, told reporters after assuming office that security would continue to be the prime concern of the Civil Aviation Ministry. To questions about his wife Neelam, who is working at a senior position in Alliance Air, going on long leave, he said: “She has given an application and I hope the ministry will consider it.”
Praising Shahnawaz Hussain who has been shifted to the Textile Ministry, Rudy said his predecessor had “performed very well and has been elevated for his work. He has left behind a blueprint and directions for me to go ahead in this ministry.”
Asked whether the ministry had been “downgraded” by posting only one minister of state instead of the previous practice of having a Cabinet minister and minister of state, the “smart-minister” of Vajpayee Cabinet quipped: “I have been upgraded.”
About his ministry having four ministers in four years, he said: “There is speed in this ministry. However, there is no change in policy which is decided by the prime minister and the government.”
Another newly appointed minister, Nagmani, who has been given charge of social securities and empowerment, also assumed office yesterday and said he would keep continuing to strengthen the government and would work as loyal to the prime minister. Praising Vajpayee, a confident-looking Nagmani said he was grateful to the prime minister who showed confidence in his style of functioning.
