The portfolio allocation in the Pramod Sawant-led government occurred while the State ushered in Ganesh Chaturthi, possibly bringing relief to a few restive minds. The portfolio allocation is clearly indicative of strategic choices shaped by political considerations, but therein lie challenges of developmental priorities, prevailing public sentiment, and past baggage.
At the top of the list is the Public Works Department (PWD), entrusted to former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat. PWD is historically seen as a heavyweight department, not only because of the ‘transactional’ weightage it has, but also because it is synonymous with basic infrastructure needs of the common man - roads and bridges. Successive PWD ministers have been facing the wrath of citizens for poor maintenance of roads. Political parties have often used the issue as a handle to hit out at the government, with the recent example being of the Aam Aadmi Party launching a photo campaign of pot-holed roads across the State.
Handing over PWD to Kamat may be a political choice linked with his seniority and experience, but with it comes great responsibility. The Margao MLA will have to wade through issues and redefine templates, looking beyond unreasonable timelines on road repairs. Restoring public confidence in road infrastructure and navigating the complex terrain is not going to be easy. Not only must he address the backlog of poor roads but also ensure that future projects are durable and effectively executed. Nothing much has changed between successive PWD ministers over the years, and people’s woes on roads have largely remained unchanged. The question that emerges now is whether ministers can truly drive a change in departments.
On the other hand, Ramesh Tawadkar finds himself in a challenging position in all three portfolios allocated to him — Art & Culture, Tribal Welfare, and Sports. His predecessor, Govind Gaude, faced flak over the poor condition of Kala Academy and various other Ravindra Bhavans across the State. In fact, Kala Academy made national headlines with sections critical of the renovation works undertaken and the money spent. There has been a breach of trust with prominent theatre personalities and cultural ambassadors of the State repeatedly taking cudgels with Gaude. Tawadkar faces an uphill task of bridging this disconnect and rebuilding the trust of art and culture lovers that has been eroded.
Another department is Tribal Welfare. With the sacking of Gaude and a new committee taking charge of UTAA affairs, there has been a vertical split within the tribals. Here again, it is to be seen how Tawadkar bridges this divide and ensures that the BJP does not lose the confidence of the STs. With political reservation for tribals virtually impossible in the 2027 Assembly elections, Tawadkar would be required to play a crucial role of negotiator and pacifier.
The third department — Sports, will also be closely watched, with the State showing a steady decline, prompting Associations to outsource players. Here again, sports infrastructure has been crumbling with false ceilings coming down, rain water seeping in, and indoor floorings wearing off. Also, the million-dollar question of maintaining the vast sports infrastructure, much of which is not being regularly used, would be another headache for Tawadkar. The expectation is that he will prioritize building a vibrant sports ecosystem that benefits grassroots athletes.
The portfolio allocations reflect a pragmatic approach by the government — balancing experienced political leadership with portfolios critical to public perception and development. While Sawant has tried a balancing act between political compulsions and aspirations of both candidates, it is now over to Kamat and Tawadkar to make a difference.
