Odisha Cabinet reshuffle: Former speaker Bikram Keshari Arukha, Rourkela MLA Sarada P Nayak and Bangiriposi legislator Sudam Marndi were sworn in as ministers in the cabinet of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Governor Ganeshi Lal administered the oath of office to the new ministers at the Convention Centre of Lok Seva Bhavan in Bhubaneswar in the presence of the CM. This will be Patnaik’s second Cabinet reshuffle in his fifth term as the chief minister of the state.
The trio had earlier served as ministers and this was their re-induction into the cabinet.
The Cabinet reshuffle has been necessitated following the resignation of the two ministers. Apart from that one more position was laying vacant after the assassination of Health and Family Welfare Minister Naba Kishore Das in January. Odisha Assembly Speaker Bikram Keshari Arukha and two cabinet ministers had resigned from their respective posts citing personal reasons this week.
With the induction of the three new ministers, the strength of the cabinet has mounted to 22, including the CM.
Last week, School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash and Labour Minister Srikant Sahu resigned. No appointment was also made in place of Health Minister Naba Kishore Das, who was assassinated in January.
The additional charge of School and Mass Education, and Labour Departments was given to Revenue Minister Pramila Mallick. Earlier, Finance Minister Niranjan Pujari was given the additional charge of the Health and Family Welfare Department.
(With agencies inputs)
