Chidambaram likely to return as FM by Aug

New Delhi: Home minister P Chidambaram, who may take charge of the finance ministry before Parliament's monsoon session begins early next month, on Tuesday indicated that the government has lined up measures to boost revenue collection and control unnecessary expenditure.      "I think the prime minister-cum-finance minister is contemplating a number of measures to tighten revenue collection and control wasteful expenditure. We have already imposed an across-theboard cut on non-plan expenditure. That will help," an agency report quoted Chidambaram as saying in Bangalore.      The statement came amid strong indications that PM Manmohan Singh may ask Chidambaram to take over as finance minister ahead of the monsoon session, which is likely to begin around August 7. Sources described his return to the ministry as a strong likelihood, although finding his replacement in the home ministry is proving to be a challenge.  'Can buy water, not fuel?' H ome minister P Chidambaram has chided the middle class for criticizing rising prices of fuel and essential commodities, saying people spend "Rs 20 on ice cream and mineral water" but "make a fuss when it comes to paying more to help farmers". P 13 Ex-Maha CM Shinde tipped to replace PC as home minister New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has been holding charge of the finance ministry since Pranab Mukherjee resigned on June 26 to contest the presidential polls. However, sources close to the PM feel that the arrangement cannot continue for long.      Having twice served as finance minister, Chidambaram is seen as a safe pair of hands at a time when the economy has hit a rough patch. His appointment as Mukherjee's successor before the monsoon session will also spare the PM the tough job of answering Parliament when the economy has become a hot-button issue. That consideration is the reason why the lack of an obvious alternative in the home ministry may not come in the way of his shift to the other end of North Block.      Sources said power minister Sushilkumar Shinde, who is tipped to replace Mukherjee as leader of the Lok Sabha, is emerging as a strong probable for the home ministry. Although he lacks the vigour Chidambaram showed when he took charge of the ministry post-26/11, the Dalit politician and former cheif minister of Maharashtra is seen as having an edge because of the rich experience. Chidambaram, who has endured a relentless opposition offensive to re-emerge as a key player, is already fully engaged with economic issues.      He has been appointed the head of the empowered group of ministers on spectrum, an appointment, which was meant to signal the PM's confidence in him in the face of the opposition's charge of his collusion with former telecom minister A Raja. The revamped ministerial panel is meeting on Friday to set the stage for auction of spectrum, which will also help improvethe government's finances. TNN