Panabaka wears two hats

Union Minister of State for Petroleum Panabaka Lakshmi is clearly on the rise. In a major move, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has given her additional charge of MoS in Textiles, as well, apart from the charge of MoS in Petroleum. The low-profile Union Minister has been doing extremely well. A regular in parliament, she makes it a point to sit through the proceedings. There is hardly any instance of her not being present in parliament, especially when her name is listed for laying papers in the House. Panabaka Lakshmi has aptly described the two ministries she handles. While Petroleum Ministry is very corporate in its trappings, the Textiles Ministry is the aam aadmi type. Panabaka Lakshmi wears both the hats with distinction. During the day, she spends time in the Petroleum Ministry and she devoted the evenings for the Textiles Ministry. Anand Sharma holds the Cabinet-rank charge for Commerce & Industry and Textiles. He is more charmed by Commerce & Industry, which virtually leaves out Textiles Ministry to be looked after by Panabaka Lakshmi.