Haryana cabinet: BJP minister Kamal Gupta gets key ULB portfolio, Devender Singh Babli given Panchayats

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 29

The newly inducted minister Kamal Gupta of the BJP was today allocated the key portfolio of Urban Local Bodies which was earlier with Home Minister Anil Vij. The two-time MLA from Hisar was also given the charge of Housing for All, which was with CM Manohar Lal Khattar.

The second minister inducted yesterday, Devender Singh Babli of the JJP, was given the charge of Development and Panchayats department, which was among the several departments held by Deputy CM Dushyant Chautala. Babli will also head Archaeology and Museums department, which was earlier with Minister of State Anoop Dhanak.

Reacting to the development, Anil Vij said, “It is the prerogative of the CM to allocate portfolios. He can do anything.” Vij was conspicuous by his absence at the oath-taking ceremony of the ministers yesterday. Dushyant loyalist Dhanak’s status has been elevated with the independent charge of Labour and Employment, which was earlier with the Deputy CM. He has also got the charge of Revenue and Disaster Management, Industries and Commerce, and Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, but these will remain attached with the Deputy CM.

With the two new inductions, the strength of the Haryana Council of Ministers has gone up to 14, including the CM. It includes 10 ministers from the BJP, three from the JJP and one Independent. The CM has 16 departments.

Independent charge for Dhanak

• Dushyant loyalist Anoop Dhanak has got independent charge of Labour and Employment, which was earlier with the Deputy CM
• The MoS has also been allocated Revenue & Disaster Management, Industries and Food, but these will remain attached with Dy CM