Road, power and telecom links restored. Drinking water available in Kutch. Food supplies ensured to most interior villages in quake hit areas.

Administration overhauled in Kutch by posting efficient officers. Quake-hit talukas treated as districts and accorded special treatment.

A free hand given to corporate bodies and NGOs to initiate relief and reconstruction without going through complex bureaucratic procedures.

A separate Earthquake Management Authority established by the state Government to ensure proper utilisation of aid in Gujarat's reconstruction.

Tent townships have to be established in the nine quake affected towns of Kutch. There is still a shortage of tents to distribute among the homeless.

Many of those injured in the quake have lost their limbs. Facilities for fitting artificial limbs and for physiatric treatment needed.

The GGovernment has to ensure that new homes adhere strictly to the norms set for seismic zones. Existing structures must undergo retrofitting.

Since seismic activity in Gujarat persists, the Government must draw up a disaster management strategy and ensure supply of rescue equipment.

L.N.S. Mukundan, Chief Secretary

The chief secretary has drawn flak for his inability to rise to the occasion. He is being blamed for encouraging indolence and incompetence. Named in a CAG report for placing Government funds in the failed CRB Investments, he is due to retire shortly. The state Government has sounded out Telecom Secretary Shyamal Ghose as a possible replacement immediately.

Kamal Dayani, Ex-Collector, Kutch

The former collector of Kutch came under attack for his failure to cope with the demands of an emergency. Faced with the magnitude of the rescue and relief tasks at hand, he found himself completely paralysed. On February 1, the Government replaced him with Vadodara Collector Anil Mukim but the damage had already been done.

The Frontrunners

When BJP President Bangaru Laxman ruled out a change of leadership in Gujarat, he wasn't giving a thumbs up to Keshubhai Patel. The last thing the party needs is relief work to be derailed by political uncertainty. For better or for worse, Keshubhai will remain at the helm until Gujarat gets over the quake trauma and the RSS continues backing him. But if an anti-incumbency mood grips the state, there may be a temptation on the part of the central BJP leadership to retire Keshubhai gracefully.

POST-PATEL: Kathiria (top) is the RSS choice though Mehta has the experience

If administrative competence is the criterion in choosing an alternative, the mantle may fall on Suresh Mehta, a former chief minister and present industry minister. Also in the running would be Kanshiram Rana, minister of textiles at the Centre. Rana is, however, viewed with suspicion for his earlier links with Shankersinh Vaghela.

If the BJP opts for a radical break, it has two options. The most audacious would involve the return of party General Secretary Narendra Modi to Gujarat. No one doubts Modi's competence and charisma. But his name will be fiercely opposed by state General Secretary Sanjay Joshi and Keshubhai. Plus, there is no precedent of an RSS pracharak becoming a minister. That would leave the field for 46-year-old Vallabbhai Kathiria, minister of state for heavy industries at the Centre. A cancer surgeon and long-time RSS worker with a clean record, he is the man to watch out for.

-Swapan Dasgupta