Chandigarh: A day after his meeting with BJP president Rajnath Singh, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Tuesday changed portfolios of all four Cabinet ministers from BJP in the coalition government.
Though no reason was stated for the reshuffle, official sources said the action was taken at the request of the alliance partner. No change has been made in the portfolios of twelve ministers belonging to the SAD.
BJP sources said suggestion for change of portfolios had come during the interaction of BJP president with state leaders at the core group meeting last evening. Singh, party in-charge Shanta Kumar and state unit chief Kamal Sharma had then called on Badal.
Former health and family welfare minister Madan Mohan Mittal has been given Industries and Commerce, Technical Education and Industrial Training and Parliamentary Affairs and has been divested of the Social Security and Development of Women and Children departments.
Local Government and Medical Education and Research Minister Chunni Lal Bhagat now becomes the new Forest, Wild Life and Labour minister, an official release said.
Forest and Wildlife Preservation and Labour minister Surjit Kumar Jiyani has been given the portfolios of Health and Family Welfare and Social Security and Development of Women and Children.
Anil Joshi has been shifted from Industries and Commerce, Technical Education and Industrial Training to Local Government and Medical Education and Research Department.
PTI
