The Congress government in Karnataka has announced new portfolio allocations for 19 newly inducted ministers. The notification was issued a day before the state legislature’s monsoon session. The latest reshuffle also introduced several changes in the responsibilities of senior ministers who joined the cabinet alongside Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar on June 3.
Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar continues to manage several important departments. These include finance, cabinet affairs, personnel and administrative reforms, intelligence, information, law and justice, parliamentary affairs, and agriculture marketing. He also remains responsible for town and country planning, urban local bodies, the Bangalore Development Authority, and the Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority.
One of the biggest changes in the Karnataka cabinet involves senior leader Ramalinga Reddy. He was originally assigned the Major and Medium Irrigation Department in June. Later, he requested a change in his portfolio. Following the reshuffle, he was appointed as the Minister for Forest, Ecology, and Environment.
As a result of this decision, N. Chaluvarayaswamy was moved from the Agriculture Department to the Major and Minor Irrigation Department. The change represents one of the most significant developments in the latest cabinet restructuring.
Several ministers have continued to oversee their previous departments. Santosh Lad remains in charge of Labour and Employment. S. S. Mallikarjun continues to handle Mines and Geology and Horticulture. Madhu Bangarappa remains responsible for Primary and Secondary Education. Shivaraj Tangadagi continues to oversee Backward Classes Welfare, Kannada, and Culture. B. Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan also continues to manage the Housing Department.
U. T. Khader has received additional responsibilities in the latest cabinet reshuffle. He was previously associated with the Health and Family Welfare Department. He will now also oversee the Minority Welfare, Haj, and Wakf portfolios.
The new cabinet includes several first-time ministers. Rizwan Arshad has been assigned Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs. Narendra Swamy will oversee Agriculture. H. C. Balakrishna has been given Municipal Administration. K. M. Shivalingegowda will handle Excise, while Dr. Ajay Singh has been assigned Minor Irrigation, Science, and Technology.
The list also includes T. Raghumurthy, who will manage ST Welfare. K. S. Basavanthappa has been assigned Muzrai, Fisheries, Ports, and Inland Water Transport. Vijayanand Kashappanavar will oversee Small Scale Industries and Public Enterprises, while Rudrappa Lamani has been assigned Sugar and Textiles.
