New Delhi, March 22: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to expand his council ministers after the Budget Session of Parliament ends in mid-May. The UPA-2 will also complete a year in offi-ce on May 22.

Sources said parleys are now on in the Congress and the government over the proposed reshuffle. The performance of ministers will be taken into consideration before the decision, the sources said, adding that some portfolios — incuding those held by allied parties — might be changed. The PM can raise the strength of the council of ministers, now at 69, up to a maximum of 72. Some Cabinet ministers now holding additional porfolios might shed some of these. Mr Prithviraj Cha-van, minister of state in the PMO, now holds five portfolios — including science and technology; personnel, public grievances and pensions; parliamentary affairs and earth sciences.
Similarly, several ministers hold dual charge, including Mr Salman Khurshid (corporate affairs and minority affairs), Mr B.K. Handique (mines and northeast affairs), Kumari Selja (tourism and housing and urban poverty alleviation) and Dr C.P. Joshi (rural development and panchayati raj).
 

Age Correspondent