Cabinet Expansion Updates: First meeting of PM Modi’s new cabinet focusses on agriculture, health

By Anuj Cariappa

Updated: Thursday, July 8, 2021, 23:07 [IST]

New Delhi, July 08: The first meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's new Union Cabinet on Thursday took a slew of decisions with a focus on health and agriculture .

Jul 08, 2021, 10:44 PM IST

PM Modi added that in such a time, there should be no space for carelessness or complacency. A single mistake would have far-reaching impacts and weaken the fight to overcome COVID.

Jul 08, 2021, 10:44 PM IST

In the Council of Ministers meeting, PM Modi said that over past few days, we all have been seeing pictures and videos of crowded places and people roaming about without masks or social distancing. This is not a pleasant sight and it should instill a sense of fear in us.

Jul 08, 2021, 10:14 PM IST

PM asks new ministers to seek guidance of those who have been removed, say reports.

Jul 08, 2021, 10:13 PM IST

PM Modi advises new ministers to avoid making unnecessary statements: PTI reported quoting sources.

Jul 08, 2021, 9:27 PM IST

The Nagaland government on Thursday announced the second phase of unlock for seven days from July 11, government spokesperson Neiba Kronu said. Before this, Unlock 1 was initiated in the northeastern state for 10 days from July 1.

Jul 08, 2021, 7:58 PM IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs Council of Ministers meeting via video conference.

Jul 08, 2021, 7:02 PM IST

Rs 23,000 crores package to be given to deal with the problems that occurred in the second wave of COVID. It will be used jointly by the Central and state governments: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya

Jul 08, 2021, 7:01 PM IST

APMCs will not be done away with. After the implementation of farm laws, APMCs will receive crores of rupees from the Centre's Infrastructure fund, which will strengthen them and will be useful for more farmers: Tomar

Jul 08, 2021, 7:01 PM IST

It was earlier said APMCs would be strengthened. Efforts will be made to provide more resources to the APMCs. Rs 1 lakh crores allocated under Atmanirbhar Bharat to Farmers Infrastructure Fund can be used by APMCs: Tomar

Jul 08, 2021, 7:01 PM IST

To increase Coconut farming, we're amending Coconut Board Act. The Coconut Board president will be a non-official person. He will be from the farmers' community, who knows and understand the work of field: Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on union cabinet decisions.

Jul 08, 2021, 7:01 PM IST

Union Ministers Anurag Singh Thakur, Narendra Singh Tomar and Mansukh Mandaviya address a press briefing following the first meeting of the newly formed Union Cabinet.

Jul 08, 2021, 6:17 PM IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a virtual meeting of the new cabinet on Thursday, the first after the unveiling a revamped council of ministers a day ago.

Jul 08, 2021, 6:15 PM IST

PM Modi has taught me one thing - face any crisis. There was a sizeable reduction of COVID patients due to 'kadha'. Homeopathy, Modi's yoga have a big role in saving patients from COVID. Opposition members take medicines from me: Munjapara Mahendrabhai, MoS, Ministry of AYUSH.

Jul 08, 2021, 6:14 PM IST

Munjapara Mahendrabhai takes charge as Minister of State in the Ministry of Women and Child Development and Minister of State in the Ministry of AYUSH.

Jul 08, 2021, 4:57 PM IST

"I would like to express my gratitude to PM Modi for giving me this responsibility," he says

Jul 08, 2021, 4:57 PM IST

Piyush Goyal takes charge as the Minister of Commerce and Industry; Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution; and Minister of Textiles

Jul 08, 2021, 4:41 PM IST

Nisith Pramanik takes charge as Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Jul 08, 2021, 4:41 PM IST

"I am thankful to PM Modi for this opportunity. There should be maximum women participation in the Council of Ministers, happy to see a talented pool of women in the CoM," she says

Jul 08, 2021, 4:40 PM IST

Anupriya Singh Patel takes charge as Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Jul 08, 2021, 4:10 PM IST

I'm very happy with the assignment by PM Modi to have responsibility. I belong to Northeast India bordering China, Myanmar & Bangladesh. We've to maintain good relations with neighbours as advised by PM. I'll try my best to serve the purpose: Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, MoS MEA

Jul 08, 2021, 3:44 PM IST

BJP leader Bhupendra Yadav plants a sapling & takes charge as the Minister of Environment & Labour

Jul 08, 2021, 3:38 PM IST

Pashupati Kumar Paras takes charge as Cabinet Minister in the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.

Jul 08, 2021, 3:09 PM IST

Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh takes charge as the Minister of State (MoS) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)

Jul 08, 2021, 2:41 PM IST

Under the guidance of Hon. PM, I have taken charge as MoS of Tourism, Culture&North-East dept. After discussions, we will decide tasks to be undertaken. Along with the authorities, I will work towards development with dedication, discipline&unity: G Kishan Reddy, Tourism Minister

Jul 08, 2021, 2:25 PM IST

Dr Virendra Kumar takes charge as Social Justice and Empowerment minister

Jul 08, 2021, 2:03 PM IST

Ajay Bhatt takes charge as the MoS in the ministry of defence

Jul 08, 2021, 1:46 PM IST

Narayan Rane takes charge of MSME ministry

Jul 08, 2021, 1:32 PM IST

Parshottam Rupala takes charge as Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying

Jul 08, 2021, 1:26 PM IST

Our focus will be on increasing domestic production of crude oil and natural gas. In line with PM's vision of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat, we'll work towards development of natural gas-based economy in country: Newly-appointed Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri

Jul 08, 2021, 12:54 PM IST

Hardeep Singh Puri takes charge as the Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas. Ex-minister Dharmendra Pradhan also greeted him on the occasion.

Jul 07, 2021, 12:53 pm IST

Sarbananda Sonowal leaves from residence

Jul 07, 2021, 12:53 pm IST

Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief JP Nadda reach PM's residence

Jul 07, 2021, 12:54 pm IST

Government sources also say the revamped cabinet will include "PhDs, MBAs, post-graduates and professionals", to bring up the average education level.

Jul 07, 2021, 12:54 pm IST

There will be more women ministers and special representation will be given to those who have administrative experience, say the sources.

Jul 07, 2021, 12:55 pm IST

Union Home Minister, Amit Shah has arrived at Lok Kalyan Marg, the Prime Minister’s residence. Shobha Karandlaje, Ajay Mishra and Heena Gavit have also reached the PM’s residence. Meenakshi Lekhi, Kapil Patil, Ajay Bhatt, Pashupati Paras, Sarbananda Sonowal, Jyotiraditya Scindia, BJP chief, J P Nadda have also reached the PM’s residence.

Jul 07, 2021, 12:55 pm IST

Narayan Rane had visited the PM’s residence earlier and left. The Cabinet reshuffle will take place at 6 pm today.

Jul 07, 2021, 12:58 pm IST

Sources tell OneIndia that the council is likely to have greater representation from the OBC, SC and ST communities. Currently there are 21 Cabinet ministers, nine ministers with independent charge and 23 ministers of state in the union council of ministers. The council can have up to 81 ministers.

Jul 07, 2021, 1:00 pm IST

The invitation letter for the function at 6pm

Jul 07, 2021, 1:13 pm IST

Is Ramesh Pokhriyal, the HRD Minister being dropped from the Cabinet on health grounds? He is said to have expressed his unwillingness to continue in the Cabinet due to health issues. The other minister who is likely to be dropped is Deboshree Chaudhary.

Jul 07, 2021, 1:28 pm IST

43 ministers, new and old, will take oath today.

Jul 07, 2021, 1:30 pm IST

The meeting at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg is over. The leaders have started to leave. The expansion will take place at 6 pm today.

Jul 07, 2021, 1:38 pm IST

A PTI report says that Labour Minister, Santosh Gangwar has resigned.

Jul 07, 2021, 1:54 pm IST

The Prime Minster’s Office has sent the new list of Minsters to the President’s office. The oath taking ceremony will take place at 6 pm today.

Jul 07, 2021, 1:55 pm IST

Some of the allies who are likely to be accommodated in the council of ministers are Lok Janshakti Party, Apna Dal and Janata Dal (United).

Jul 07, 2021, 1:55 pm IST

Many positions in the Cabinet are lying vacant due to exit of the Shiromani Akali Dal, Shiv Sena and also the demise of LJP leader, Ram Vilas Paswan.

Jul 07, 2021, 2:16 pm IST

Ministers of State Anurag Thakur, Purshottam Rupala and GK Reddy, who also met with PM Modi, are likely to be promoted.

Jul 07, 2021, 2:29 pm IST

Sanjay Dhotre, Ratan Lal Kataria resign Minister of State for Education Sanjay Dhotre resigns from Union Cabinet. Ratan Lal Kataria has also resigned.

Jul 07, 2021, 2:29 pm IST

Dr. Harsh Vardhan is likely to be moved out of the Health Ministry.

Jul 07, 2021, 2:30 pm IST

The other ministers to resign are Sadananda Gowda and Sanjay Dhotare.

Jul 07, 2021, 2:33 pm IST

Four BJP MPs from Karnataka likely to be made ministers. Shobha Karandlaje, Rajeev Chandrashekar, Bhagwant Khuba and A Narayanaswamy are likely to MoS rank.

Jul 07, 2021, 2:45 pm IST

JD(U) to have four ministers. R C P Singh to be Cabinet minister, Ramnath Thakur, Chandreshwar Prasad Chandrawanshi and Dileshwar Kamait will MoS rank.

Jul 07, 2021, 2:54 pm IST

A sound representation to Dalits is there, a record number of 12 SC Ministers, across 8 states – Bihar, MP, UP, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Karnataka, Rajasthan & Tamil Nadu.

Jul 07, 2021, 2:54 pm IST

The representation is also across communities (12)– Chamar–Ramdassia, Khatik, Pasi, Kori, Madiga, Mahar, Arundathiyar, Meghwal, Rajbonshi, Matua-Namashudra, Dhangar & Dusadh. There are also a couple of SC Cabinet Ministers.

Jul 07, 2021, 2:54 pm IST

Jul 07, 2021, 2:57 pm IST

According to sources there are record 8 ST Ministers in the Council of Ministers, representing 8 states– Arunachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha & Assam.

Jul 07, 2021, 2:57 pm IST

They belong to 7 different communities – Gond, Santal, Miji, Munda, Tea tribe, Kokana, & Sonowal–Kachari. 3 of them are Cabinet Ministers.

Jul 07, 2021, 3:05 pm IST

Pratap Chandra Sarangi (MoS ) Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries and MSME resigns from Union Cabinet

Jul 07, 2021, 3:10 pm IST

Lok Sabha MP Babul Supriyo Resigns

Jul 07, 2021, 3:27 pm IST