| Cabinet Rejig: Revamp in NC, Cong move 'cosmetic' | | 10 new Ministers administered oath : 7 new faces from NC, 3 from Cong | | Saroj Razdan
Jammu, Jan 15: In the major Cabinet rejig effected today in the J&K coalition Government, first time in last four years, the ruling National Conference revamped its team, bringing in as many as 7 new faces, most of them youngsters, whereas its ally Congress adopted only a cosmetic approach and filled in the gaps with induction of only three new faces in the Council of Ministers. In all, 10 new Ministers were administered Oath of Office and Secrecy in the sprawling lawns of Rajbhawan in the winter capital this evening. NC inducted four new Ministers with Cabinet status and made three others Ministers of State with Independent Charge. Effecting no major changes in its existing make up, Congress inducted only two new Cabinet Ministers and a fresher as MOS.
In a simple yet politically significant oath ceremony schedule at Rajbhawan, the much awaited move of reshuffled unfolded with surprises with ruling National Conference inducting almost a new team of Ministers with senior leaders like Mohammad Akbar Lone, Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan, Ajay Sadhotra and Mir Saifullah sworn in as Ministers for State (Cabinet berths) and inducting Sajad Ahmad Kitchloo, Nazir Gurezi and Feroze Sheikh as Ministers of State with Independent Charge, a move also effected for the first time by the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Pertinently, there was only one vacancy available against NC quota in the composition of Council of Ministers that existed earlier. However, NC the new faces have been adjusted against the Ministers whom Party High Command has chosen to drop in the reshuffle exercise .
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had two days earlier sought resignations from all party Ministers, a move which kept hot speculations and rumours of as many Ministers being dropped in the reshuffle exercise. And eventually, as against many speculations on names, SS Salathia, Qamar Ali Akhoon, Abdul Ghani Malik, Aga Ruhulla (all Cabinet Ministers) had call it quits whose resignation was accepted by the Governor NN Vohra by afternoon today. CM's aide Nasir Aslam Wani and Javed Dar in capacity of MOS have also been dropped, the former having been entrusted far greater responsibility in the party affairs now. NC's big revamp is seen in direction of adjusting some legislators who were keenly waiting for this step for a long time. Party High Command's move is also seen in light of infusing what is being termed as 'young blood' in the matters of governance besides giving opportunity to all in the Ministry.
In the Congress camp, only two Ministers GA Mir and Abdul Majid Wani have been sworn in as Ministers for State whereas the new incumbent, a first timer who made it this time, Viqar Rasool has been given MOS status. Congress had two Cabinet berth vacancies available in the hitherto make up of Council of Ministers. Congress has dropped only one Cabinet Minister RS Chib whose term as MLC was expiring in March this year.
The oath taking ceremony started at sharp 4 pm in presence of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, JKPCC chief Prof Saif-Din Soz, J&K Incharge Congress Mohan Prakash and other political dignitaries of the State. No stalwarts from opposition party attended the function. From PDP while a couple of legislators remained present, no leader from BJP was seen on the occasion. All the Ministers were administered oath as per their seniority in the political hierarchy with Mohammad Akbar Lone, erstwhile Speaker of Assembly who was called first on the dais followed by Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan and others in that order. While weather was warm enough to turn the atmosphere pleasant in the ceremony, what kept the 'climate' a little uneasy and filled with moments of tension was the element of suspense and curiosity that was writ large on the face of almost entire political gathering. However, as the swearing in ceremony progressed, many faces were seen in a relaxed and smiling mode.
NEW MINISTERS
Cabinet rank
1. Mohammad Akbar Lone
2. Ch. Mohammad Ramzan
3. Ajay Sadhotra
4. Ghulam Ahmad Mir
5. Mir Saifullah
6. Abdul Majid Wani
MOS with Independent Charge
1. Sajjad Kitchloo
2. Feroze Ahmad Khan
3. Nazir Ahmad Gurezi
MOS
Viqar Rasool
Outgoing Ministers
1. Abdul Ghani Malik
2. RS Chib
3. SS Salathia
4. Qamar Ali Akhoon
5. Aga Ruhulla
6. Javed Dar
7. Nasir Aslam Wani
Redesignated Portfolios
Cabinet Ministers
Sr. Cabinet Departments
No. Ministers assigned
1 Tara School
Chand, Education
Deputy
Chief
Minister
2 Abdul Finance &
Rahim Ladakh Affairs
Rather
3 Peerzada Public
Mohammad Enterprises,
Sayeed Haj, Auqaf and Floriculture
4 Ali Rural
Mohammad Development
Sagar & Panchayati Raj
5 Mian Altaf Forest,
Ahmad Environment & Ecology
6 Taj Mohi-ud-Din Medical Education, Sports and Youth Services
7 Nawang Rigzin Jora Urban Development and Urban Local Bodies
8 Sham Lal Sharma PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control
9 Ghulam Hassan Mir Agriculture Production
10 Sakina Itoo Social Welfare, ARI & Trainings and Public Grievances
11 Raman Bhalla Housing, Horticulture and Culture
12 Akbar Lone Higher Education
13 Choudhary Ramzan Consumer Affairs & Public Distribution and Transport
14 Ajay Sadhotra Planning & Development and Labour & Employment
15 Ghulam Ahmad Mir Tourism
16 Abdul Majid Wani R&B and Mechanical Engineering
17 Mir Saifullah Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs
Ministers of State
Sr. No. Ministers of State Departments assigned
1 Ajaz Ahmad Khan MOS (Independent Charge) of Revenue, Relief & Rehabilitation
2 Dr. Manohar Lal Sharma a) MOS (Independent Charge) of Fisheries, Cooperative, Printing & Stationery and Elections
b)Minister of State for Finance and Planning, Higher Education, Forests, Environment and Ecology, Labour and Transport
3 Shabir Ahmad Khan MOS (Independent Charge) Health
4 Sajjad Ahmad Kitchloo a) MOS (Independent Charge) of Industries & Commerce
b) Minister of State for Home, R&B and Mechanical Engineering, Housing & Urban Development, Tourism & Culture
5 Feroz Khan a) MOS (Independent Charge) of Science & Technology and Information Technology
b) Minister of State for Medical Education, School Education, Youth Services & Sports
6 Nazir Ahmad Khan (Gurezi) a) MOS (Independent Charge) of Animal & Sheep Husbandry.
b) Minister of State for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Horticulture, Agriculture & Floriculture
7 Viqar Rasool a) MOS (Independent Charge) of Technical Education
b) Minister of State for Law, Justice, Parliamentary Affairs, Rural Development and Panchayats, Social Welfare, Power, Hospitality & Protocol, Information and Consumer Affairs & Public Distribution
The charge of Home, General Administration, Power Development, Information, Civil Aviation, Hospitality & Protocol, Estates and all other departments not allocated to any other Minister shall be with the Chief Minister. |
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