SHIMLA: Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh today allotted portfolios to the seven ministers who were sworn-in as ministers four days ago. Vikramaditya Singh got PWD and Youth Services and sports, while Industries went to Harshvardhan Singh Chauhan.
Apart from Finance, Home and General Administration, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has kept Tourism, Urban development, Town and Country Planning, Cooperation, Science and Technology, Fisheries, Sainik Welfare and other departments not allotted to any other ministers.
CM has kept a scope for expanding his Cabinet to accommodate more MLAs as ministers in the near future.
When quizzed, Sukhu had also given indications to expand his Cabinet in a due course of time.
Congress veteran from Kangra, Chander Kumar got Agriculture and Animal Husbandry.
Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri got Jal Shakti, Transport and Art, Language and Culture.
Vikramaditya Singh, son of the former six- time Chief Minister late Virbhadra Singh got the PWD and Youth Service and Sports. He is the second time MLA from Shimla rural and represents the Rajput community of the state.
Rohit Thakur, grand son of late Thakur Ram Lal, former Chief Minister from Jubbal and Kotkhai in Shimla district got Education- Higher, Primary, Technical- and Vocational and Industrial Training.
Congress veteran from Solan, Col. Dr Dhani Ram Shandil was given Health, social welfare, Shram and Rojgar.
Harshvardhan Chauhan, a five times MLA from Shillai in Sirmaur district, who represents the Hatti community, which was given ST reservation last year by the Central government got Industries, Parliamentary Affairs. He is also a Rajput leader of the Congress.
Generally Ayurveda goes to the health minister, but this department is also allotted to Harshvardhan Chauhan as well.
Jagat Singh Negi, a tribal MLA from Kinnaur apart from revenue, horticulture, got tribal affairs department. . Congress has won two tribal seats of Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur out of three. The third seat was won by the BJP Dr Janak Raj from Bharmaur.
Anirudh Singh, a three-time MLA from Kusumpti in Shimla district was given the Rural development and Panchayati Raj. He represents the Rajput community of the state and is considered close to Sukhvinder Singh.
Six MLAs who took oath as CPSs include Sunder Singh Thakur from Kullu, Mohan Lal Brakta from Rohru, Ram Kumar Chaudhary from Doon, Solan Ashish Butail from Palampur, Kangra, Sanjay Awasthi from Arki Solan. They are attached with the different departments.
