J'khand gets 2 Deputy Chief Ministers after Koda allocates Depts

Ranchi, Oct 12 (UNI) Independent MLA Stephen Marandi and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha's Sudhir Mahato were today made the Deputy Chief Ministers in the Madhu Koda-led UPA government of Jharkhand.

Chief Minister Madhu koda also allotted portfolios to nine of his colleagues.

In the earlier cabinet, Mr Marandi held the same post. In addition to this, he also got the portfolios of Finance, Parliamentary Affairs. Mr Mahato also got Forest and Environment, beside the Deputy Chief Minister's post.

The Chief Minister retained Home, Personnel, Administrative Reforms and Rajbhasa, PRD, Labour, Health and Family Planning, Institutional Finance, Aviation, Law and other department not allocated to others.

Others who got portfolios were: Mr Kamlesh Singh (Water Resources, Food and Public Distribution, Excise) Mr Enos Ekka (Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, NREP (SplDiv), Building and Transport) Mr Harinarain Rai (Urban Development, NREP(1), PMGSY and Tourism) Ms Joba Majhi (Welare, Social Welare, Women and Child Development Housing Mr Nalin Soren (Agriculture and Sugar Cane Development, Veterinery and Fisheries) Mr Bandhu Tirkey (HRD, Art and Culture, Sports) Mr Chandra Prakash Choudhuri (Science and IT, Drinking Water and Sanitation) Mr Dulal Bhuian (Revenue and Land Reforms) Mr Koda was sworn-in on September 18 with three others. Since then, the Cabinet was expanded twice with induction of four ministers on September 24 and three others on October 8.

Mr Koda had been under scathing criticism from both ruling allies and Opposition NDA over delay in department allocation.

Mr Koda is yet to induct one more minister to reach stipulated 12-member council.

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