New ministers sworn in on Friday, allotted portfolios.
Six new ministers of state — including Leuva strongman Vitthal Radadia’s son Jayesh — were sworn-in by Governor Dr Kamla in Gandhinagar on Friday, taking the strength of the Narendra Modi cabinet from 17 to 23.
The swearing-in ceremony took place at Mahatma Mandir, instead of Raj Bhavan — which is the usual venue for such occasions. An official said that Mahatma Mandir was chosen so that more people could be accommodated.
An estimated 3,000 people, including family members and supporters of the six ministers, were present at the ceremony, attended by chief minister Narendra Modi, assembly speaker Vaju Vala, ministers and senior government officials. MLA from Limkheda (ST) seat Jashvantsinh Bhabhor was the first to be sworn-in, followed by Dilipkumar Thakor (Chanasma), Chhatrasinh Mori (Jambusar), Vasan Ahir (Anjar), Jaydrathsinh Parmar (Halol) and Jayesh Radadia (Dhoraji). The ceremony was over in 15 minutes. At 32, Radadia is the youngest member in Modi cabinet. He is the only first-time minister among the six. The others served as ministers in the past. Bhabhor, Ahir and Parmar were ministers even in the previous Modi government.
Later in the day, portfolios were allocated to the newly sworn-in ministers by the chief minister. They were mostly allocated portfolios that they have held in the past. Parmar, who was allotted road & building, had handled the department in the previous government. Mori had served as minister of state for food & civil supplies and consumer affairs, in the past. Radadia was allotted tourism & civil aviation, whereas Bhabhor was allotted forest & environment, and tribal development. Thakor was allotted animal husbandry, fisheries, cow protection, printing & stationary, while Mori got food & civil supplies and consumer affairs. Ahir would have to be content with cottage industries & salt industry.
“They have formally taken charge from today. They have been allocated office space in Block No. 2,” said an official.
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