Major reshuffle of portfolios in MP

Bhopal, Aug 26 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan tonight effected a major reshuffle in portfolios of the members of his Council of Ministers by allocating key departments to new faces a day after expanding his nearly two-year-old Council taking its strength to 32 with the induction of three cabinet ministers and three ministers of state while promoting two ministers of state to cabinet rank.

The Chief Minister would directly look after General Administration and Aviation besides any other department not allocated to a minister, official sources said.

Former Chief Minister Babulal Gaur's stature was truncated as the Commerce and Industry, Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation departments were taken from him.

Dr Gaurishankar Shejwar, considered a confidante of ex-Chief Minister Uma Bharti, was allocated Energy, Medical Education, Biodiversity and Biotechnology.

Mr Lakshmikant Sharma, who was handling Mineral Resources and Culture, would also look after Public Relations. Transport Minister Himmat Kothari was also allocated Home. The Forests portfolio was taken from him and allocated to Mr Vijay Shah who would also be in charge of Tribal Welfare.

Housing and Environment Minister Jayant Malaiya was allocated Commerce and Industry. He was divested of Urban Administration and Development that went to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Narottam Mishra. The Energy portfolio was taken from Public Works and Information Technology Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya who would also look after Science and Technology.

UNI