What Transpired After Oath? Himachal Ministers May Experience Portfolio Shifts
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Shimla: With the induction of two new ministers in the state government, the allocation of portfolios to the existing ministers likely to witness changes. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu hinted at potential reshuffling of departments after the swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday.
The new ministers, Rajesh Dharmani and Yadwinder Goma, were appointed yesterday, and their portfolios were subsequently determined by Chief Minister Sukhu, who had discussions with the ministers before the cabinet expansion.
Chief Minister Sukhu, with several departments under his purview, including Urban Development, Forests, Energy, and Tourism, contemplated redistributing responsibilities.
Urban Development, being a significant department, was considered for allocation to either of the new ministers or existing ones. Additionally, the Chief Minister could reassign some of his other portfolios to different ministers.
Speculation intensified regarding changes in the departments of some ministers. Currently, Health Minister Colonel Dhaniram Shandil is rumored to undergo the most probable reshuffle.
Shandil oversees few departments like health. It is anticipated that there might be changes in his department, redistributing some
responsibilities to other ministers.
Similarly, the AYUSH department, presently under the Industry Minister, could be handed over to the Health Minister. Historically, Health and AYUSH have been managed by the same minister.
Education and Technical Education departments, held by Rohit Thakur, could witness minor adjustments. Rohit Thakur has been overseeing both departments lately, and there’s a possibility of allocating the Technical Education department to another minister.
In this manner, there were prospects of slight reshuffling in other ministers’ departments.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu discussed this aspect with his ministers before the cabinet expansion, said sources.
Sukhu assured that portfolio allocations for the new ministers would be done promptly. Mild adjustments in the departments of existing ministers were also under consideration.
As the dust settles on the cabinet expansion, the political landscape in Himachal Pradesh takes a new shape.
