Cabinet ministers from Kashmir take charge

New Delhi, May 29 (ANI): National Conference (NC) chief Farooq Abdullah assumed charge of the New and Renewable Energy Ministry here on Friday.

Addressing reporters after assuming charge, Abdullah rubbished claims that he was unhappy with the ministry that he had been allotted.

He described the ministry as the biggest challenge that he was facing, as in times to come, there would be a paradigm shift from conventional energy to renewable energy.

"It is not an ordinary ministry, if you come to think of it. There was no question of being sad or sorry. I am very happy that I have got a challenge to face," he added.

He said he would go to the people, especially to students in universities and spread awareness about the nature of work, his ministry was undertaking, and encourage them to take up research oriented careers in the field of new and renewable energy.

Senior Congress Party leader Ghulam Nabi Azad also took charge of the Ministry of Health and Family.

Azad expressed happiness over being given an opportunity to work for people in the health sector.

Outlining his priorities, he remarked that the implementation of the National Rural Health Mission would top his agenda as Health Minister.

"My priority in the ministry would be to implement the National Rural Health Mission in letter and spirit. This cannot be done sitting here in the health ministry. I would in every six months sit with the State Government and review the situation," said Azad. (ANI)