Jammu & Kashmir CM Mufti assigns portfolios to state ministers

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Tuesday assigned portfolios to his council of ministers.

According to reports, J-K Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh has been given charge of the Power Development and Housing and the Urban Development Departments. Former separatist leader Sajjad Lone has been assigned charge of the Science and Technology and Animal Husbandry portfolios.

Meanwhile, Syed Basharat Ahmed Bukhari has reportedly been assigned the Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and the Relief and Rehabilitation portfolios, with Chander Parkash getting the Industries and Commerce departments.

The other assignments are: Abdul Haq Khan in charge of Rural Development; Naeem Akhter in charge of Education; Lal Singh in charge of Health and Medical Education and the ARI and Trainings Departments; and Ghulam Nabi Lone getting charge of the Agriculture Production Department.

On Sunday, Mufti took oath as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir for the second time in his political career. He was administered the oath of office by Governor NN Vohra at the General Zorawar Singh Auditorium in Jammu University.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah and party veteran L K Advani were among those who attended the ceremony.