CM denies mining ministry to Prajapati

RE-ASSERTING AUTHORITY Akhilesh also takes away social welfare and minor irrigation portfolios from Shivpal

LUCKNOW: Apparently re-asserting his authority, CM Akhilesh Yadav denied the mining ministry to Gayatri Prasad Prajapati and instead gave him transport while allocating portfolios to the 10 recently sworn-in cabinet ministers here on Saturday. He also made changes in portfolios of his uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav.

Apparently re-asserting his authority, chief minister Akhilesh Yadav denied the mining ministry to Gayatri Prasad Prajapati and instead gave him transport while allocating portfolios to the 10 recently sworn-in cabinet ministers here on Saturday.

He also made changes in portfolios of his uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav, taking away social welfare and minor irrigation departments from him. Shivpal continues to hold charge of 12 departments that include irrigation, revenue, cooperatives and medical education etc.

Prajapati’s dismissal on September 12 had triggered feud in the Samajwadi Party’s first family and on September 13, the chief minister stripped Shivpal of the key PWD portfolio.

Prajapti faced charges of corruption in the mining department.

Although Prajapati was reinducted on SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav’s instructions, the chief minister has denied him the mining department.

Akhilesh’s re-assertion of authority is also reflected in his decision to take away social welfare and minor irrigation departments from Shivpal.

The CM had given Shivpal these departments to make up for depriving him of the key PWD portfolio.

A Raj Bhawan communique said Governor Ram Naik has approved the allocation of portfolios to the 10 ministers on the recommendation of the chief minister.

As per the new allocations Manoj Kumar Pandey has been given electronics and information technology departments.

Shivakant Ojha has got medical and health while animal husbandry department has been given to Ziauddin Rizvi.

Yasser Shah has been given tax and registration (trade tax) while Riyaz Ahmed has got fisheries and public sector undertakings. Ravidas Mehrotra has been given family welfare, mother and child welfare and Narendra Verma would be minister for cane development and sugar mills.

Shankh Lal Majhi has been given scheduled caste and scheduled tribe welfare and ex-servicemen welfare departments while Abhishek Mishra becomes minister for vocational education and skill development.

Mehboob Ali, who has been deprived of vocational education and skill development departments, has been now given minor irrigation portfolio.