New ministers take charge: Who said what

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made a major reshuffle in his cabinet yesterday. After taking charge, this is what the newly appointed ministers have to say:

Jyotiraditya Scindia, Minister of State for Power (Independent charge)
It is a strategic sector for the economy. I have to perform my duty at rural level to ensure connectivity is rightly done to the grassroot level so that generation projects are executed at a faster pace. I look forward to the support and guidance from my colleagues and from people of my department.

I am an independent power minister for the whole of the country. For me all the states are equal, but my hometown is MP and whatever help will be needed I will do my best.

Veerappa Moily, Oil and Natural Gas minister
I will focus on quick decision-making in the petroleum ministry. We need to talk to MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) to campaign for India's energy security aggressively. Our country cannot afford import dependence of 80 per cent. This impacts our inflation.

Manish Tewari, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting
We will decide on priorities soon. After getting more comprehensive feedback, I will decide on what needs to be flagged. Ministry has already put a road map in place on digitisation. Having contested two elections, I am aware of the immensity of problem of paid news. Everybody needs to be on board. Method we have always favoured is to try to get consensus on broadest issues.

Sachin Pilot, Minister of State for Corporate Affairs (Independent charge)
I will try to increase interaction with common man through this. Private sector has played a crucial role in providing job opportunities and investment. I want all stakeholders to work together.

I want to change the mentality that corporates are only restricted to big cities. I want to encourage setting up of companies in rural, remote places too.

I want this to be a n enabling ministry that facilitates growth and reduces cumbersome nature of red tapeism. I want people to be happy participants in the India story.

Kamal Nath, Urban Development and Parliamentary Affairs minister
The parliament lies at the heart of democracy. Parliamentary process means to attain consensus. We may have differences of approach, but my job is to carry all the parties along. Policies are for the country. I will attempt to indulge in development policies.

No-confidence motion has always been there. We will deal with it, when it comes up. Highly combatant process shouldn't hinder the politics.

We will talk to the government on taking a vote on the issue of FDI. We should not pre-empt the issue.

Ashwani Kumar, Law and Justice minister
It is important to facilitate restoration of fine and delicate balance between the three organs of state and to reinforce rule of law and repel forces of anarchy.

It will be our endeavour in consultation with all others to secure majesty of the rule of law.

I will continue to favour broadest possible political consensus on Lokpal to fight corruption. We need to dispel atmosphere of negativism in the country.

Pawan Bansal, Railways minister
Railways touches the lives of many people in the country. We are aware of the fact that the primary concern is the safety of the passengers.

Cleanliness and punctuality are two important aspects Cleanliness is something that has to be maintained; it is a long process. 90,000 kms is the running track. It is a huge thing thus the responsibility is huge.

Where there is a requirement, we will increase the prices. I want to convince people that in case we increase, it is for them.

All the regions and all the dues they will get from the railways. We have seen improvements but the number of problems is huge. We can use technology to make reservation a better working.

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Minister of State for Railways

I will surely take up the issue of safety and security with the railway board. Safety, security and service needs to be taken care of.

Railway is a service sector. In every sector the prices do rise. And there is a rise in this also then I don't think it is a big thing on the condition that the services improve. I don't think people of India will be against it.

It is necessary to increase the fare. In Kolkata bus fares was also increased, not because Government did it but the people themselves did it.

Deepa Das Munsi, Minister of State for Urban Development
I will to try to the best of my abilities to fulfil my duties. It is the first time that I have become a minister. The most important work was slum development by the UPA Government. All states are implementing it, especially in smaller area and see how the funds should be organized.

With this dengue that has spread from Delhi to all the states we have to work towards getting over it. The allotted funds are not being utilized, many funds gets diverted.