AP CM inducts 17 ministers, reshuffles portfolios

Hyderabad, Apr 26: In a major Cabinet expansion, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today expanded the 23-member Council of Ministers, inducting 17 new Ministers, and reshuffled portfolios of some of his Cabinet colleagues.

Governor Rameshwar Thakur administered the oath of office and secrecy to the new Ministers at an impressive ceremony in the lawns of Raj Bhawan.

Ms G Aruna, the lone woman member who was inducted into the Cabinet today, was made the Minister for Medical Education and Health Insurance.

Mr T Jeevan Reddy, who had unsuccessfully contested the Karimnagar Lok Sabha seat against TRS President K Chandrasekara Rao, was given Roads and Buildings portfolio hitherto held by Mr J Ramamohana Rao, who was shifted to Excise Department.

Energy Minister Mohd Ali Shabeer was given additional charge of Minorities Welfare hitherto held by Md Fareedudin, who was made the Cooperation Minister in the reshuffle.

Portfolios of Ministers which was left unchanged included Mr Rosaiah (Finance, Health, Legislative Affairs), Mr K Jana Reddy (Home), Mr D Prasada Rao (Revenue), Mr P Lakshmaiah (Major and Medium Irrigation, Mr G Vinod (Labour), Ms J Geeta Reddy (Major Industries, Sugar and Tourism).

UNI