Moscow:  Prime Minister Vladimir Putin rounded up 15 of his most trusted deputies and ministers today to form a Cabinet presidium.

Putin told the Cabinet today that the presidium, or executive committee, would convene weekly and act as the Cabinet's decision-making arm.

The move comes as the world is watching to see how much power Putin will continue to hold after his eight years as president ended last week.

Figures known to have been close to Putin during his presidency are included in the presidium.

Putin said government sessions had become "bureaucratised" and "clumsy" and would be relegated from weekly to monthly events.

Source : PTI