Newly inducted Himachal ministers await portfolios as CM Sukhu heads to Dubai for investment summit, cabinet reshuffle likely
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The Newz Radar
SHIMLA: The allocation of portfolios for the newly sworn-in Himachal Pradesh ministers, Jaisinghpur MLA Yadvinder Goma and Ghumarwin MLA Rajesh Dharmani, has been postponed until Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu returns from his Dubai visit.
The delay also hints at a broader reshuffling of portfolios for several ministers as the Chief Minister emphasises performance improvements among his cabinet members. Chief Minister Sukhu conducts weekly meetings with department officials every Monday to stay abreast of departmental activities.
These gatherings serve as a platform for discussing ongoing projects and introducing new schemes. Dissatisfaction with the performance of certain ministers has triggered contemplation of reassigning their departments, possibly to more capable hands. The government is also considering reallocating smaller portfolios currently held by ministers lacking interest in the assigned duties. However, any decisions on these matters will be deferred until the Chief Minister’s return from Dubai.
The Chief Minister is set to depart on Wednesday to attend an ‘Investor Meet’ in the UAE from December 13 to 16. His primary agenda is to attract investments to Himachal Pradesh, aiming for substantial economic growth. Two months ago, Chief Minister Sukhu engaged with Himachali businessmen from the UAE in a virtual meeting, garnering interest from Dubai’s renowned Aujan Group Holding (AGH) to establish a five-star hotel in the state. The government anticipates an investment influx of Rs 6,000 crore from this trip.
Dubai’s interest in industrial investments worldwide aligns with Himachal Pradesh’s focus on attracting substantial investments, particularly in the energy and tourism sectors. Special provisions in Section 118 have been established to facilitate investors in the tourism sector. The Chief Minister is expected to return on December 17, following which he will attend the winter session of the Assembly in Dharamshala from December 19. Accompanying him on the Dubai visit are key officials, including RS Bali, vice-chairman of the HP Tourism Development Corporation, and Sunil Sharma, the Chief Minister’s political adviser, among others.
