Bhubaneswar, Apr 15: Orissa's industries minister K.V. Singh Deo, who had resigned on Saturday, will continue in the cabinet, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said today. ''As you see, Singh Deo, my cabinet colleague, remains very much in my cabinet. I told him we will sit down together and settle any grievance he has,'' Patnaik told reporters at his residence, on his return here from Delhi this afternoon.
Singh Deo, who had gone to Delhi from his constituency, Patnagarh, after announcing his resignation and returned along with Patnaik today, was also present with the chief minister.
''I am happy that the episode has come to a happy end,'' Patnaik said adding the issues raised by the industries minister would be sorted out in consultation with other ministers and officials at the district level.
On whether the minister's resignation and sitting on dharna had sent out wrong signals on the government's functioning, Patnaik quipped 'all is well that ends well.'
Asked as to whether the conflict between the legislature and bureaucracy in the state was growing, the chief minister replied that the bureaucracy was very much a part of the government machinery. ''As chief minister of the state, I don't feel anybody is dominating,'' he said.
Singh Deo said most of the problems he raised had been resolved after his discussions with the chief minister. ''whatever remains will be sorted out,'' he exuded confidence.
Bureau Report