Mumbai, Nov 19: NCP leader R R Patil retained the crucial home portfolio while Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan kept the Urban Development and Housing departments with him as new portfolios were allocated after expansion of the Maharashtra cabinet.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar got Finance and Planning in addition to the Energy portfolio which he held in the erstwhile Ashok Chavan ministry.
Chhagan Bhujbal, who had to make way for Pawar as deputy chief minister, was given Tourism in addition to the Public Works (excluding Public Undertakings) which he held earlier.
Prithviraj Chavan expanded his eight-day-old cabinet inducting 29 new ministers, which includes six new faces, taking the total strength of the council of ministers to 40.
Chavan effected a reshuffle in portfolios of Congress ministers.
Narayan Rane was shifted from Revenue to Industries, Ports and Employment and Self-Employment. Balasaheb Thorat who held Agriculture in the Ashok Chavan ministry was given Revenue and Khar Lands. Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil has been entrusted with the Agriculture and Marketing departments. Rajendra Darda who earlier held Industries has been given School Education.
Patangrao Kadam retained Forests and got an additional department of Rehabilitation and Relief works, Earthquake rehabilitation. Shivajirao Moghe retained Social Justice, Welfare of Nomadic, de-notified tribes and other backward classes and de-addiction activities.
Mohammed Arif Naseem Khan retained Textiles, Minorities Development and Aukaf. Harshvardhan Patil got Co-operation and Parliamentary Affairs.
Suresh Shetty retained Public Health and Family welfare and Protocol while the Environment Ministry held by him earlier was given to newcomer Sanjay Deotale along with Cultural Affairs.
Varsha Gaikwad, who was promoted to cabinet rank, has been given women and child development while another Congressman, who got elevated to cabinet rank Padmakar Valvi has been given Sports and Youth Welfare. PTI
