State Bureau, Ranchi: The portfolios of the Jharkhand Council of Ministers have been distributed. Chief Minister Hemant Soren has retained key departments, including Personnel, Home, Road Construction, and Building Construction. Below is the portfolio allocation for other ministers:
- Radhakrishna Kishore: Finance, Commercial Tax, Planning and Development, and Parliamentary Affairs.
- Deepak Birua: Revenue, Registration, Land Reforms, and Transport.
- Chamra Linda: Scheduled Tribe, Scheduled Caste, and Backward Class Welfare.
- Sanjay Prasad Yadav: Labour, Employment, Training, Skill Development, and Industry.
- Ramdas Soren: School Education and Literacy, and Registration.
- Dr. Irfan Ansari: Health, Food and Public Distribution, Consumer Affairs, and Disaster Management.
- Hafizul Hasan: Water Resources and Minority Welfare.
- Deepika Pandey Singh: Rural Development, Rural Works, and Panchayati Raj.
- Yogendra Prasad Mahato: Drinking Water and Sanitation, Excise, and Prohibition.
- Sudivya Kumar: Urban Development and Housing, Higher and Technical Education, Tourism, Art, Culture, Sports, and Youth Affairs.
- Shilpi Neha Tirkey: Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Cooperation.
Balanced and Inclusive Cabinet
The much-awaited expansion of the Hemant Soren Cabinet has finally taken shape, filling all ministerial positions in the first expansion itself. This marks a departure from the previous administration, where one ministerial position remained vacant for a long time, raising concerns.
This time, the complete Cabinet reflects confidence gained from a strong majority. Efforts have been made to ensure representation from nearly all divisions, creating a blend of new and experienced faces. Five new members, including young leaders, have been given a chance, while six ministers with prior experience have also been included to leverage their expertise.
The combination of fresh energy and seasoned knowledge is aimed at steering the government effectively toward development. A notable first-time appointee, Chamra Linda, a long-time JMM MLA often involved in controversies during significant votes, has also been entrusted with a ministerial position.
This allocation demonstrates strategic foresight, with an emphasis on balanced representation. The Santhal region has received the most representation, with four ministers.
Key Challenges Ahead
The Cabinet now faces the challenge of fulfilling the promises and implementing the plans announced earlier, while keeping the state’s financial condition in mind. Efforts must focus on increasing revenue and emphasizing welfare schemes.
It is hoped that the new ministers will work diligently and honestly to meet the aspirations and expectations of the people of Jharkhand.
