Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao strips nephew of mining portfolio, gives it to son KT Rama Rao

K Chandrashekar Rao has made his son KT Rama Rao, the new Minister of Mining and Geology. In a move that surprised many, the Telangana Chief Minister stripped his nephew T Harish Rao of this portfolio and handed it over to his son.

The New Indian Express reports that with this Ministry, KT Rama Rao has six portfolios in hand. On Monday, KCR made changes to five ministries and there was talk in political circles that he is trying to strengthen his son's position. Reportedly, no one expected Harish Rao was stripped of his portfolio. One of the theories is that US-educated KTR could bring in more investments to the state, which is the need of the hour, adds the report.

The Chief Minister has taken on the Commercial Taxes and Rural Water Supply portfolio in addition to what he is handling already. Senior minister Pocharam Srinivasa Reddy now also handles the Cooperation portfolio in addition to the existing Agriculture, Horticulture and other portfolios. Talasani Srinivasa Yadav, who used to handle Commercial taxes has now been given Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development Corporation portfolio besides the existing Cinematography. Talasani was reportedly unhappy with being stripped of commercial taxes portfolio as the state had collected Rs 32,000 crore revenue through Commercial Taxes for the year 2015-16. This was reportedly the second-highest in the country after Bihar.